A method of forming a rectifying diode. The method comprises providing a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type and having a first dopant concentration and forming a second semiconductor region in the first semiconductor region. The second semiconductor region has the first conductivity type and having a second dopant concentration greater than the first dopant concentration. The method also comprises forming a conductive contact to the first semiconductor region and forming a conductive contact to the second semiconductor region. The rectifying diode comprises a current path, and the path comprises: (i) the conductive contact to the first semiconductor region; (ii) the first semiconductor region; (iii) the second semiconductor region; and (iv) the conductive contact to the second semiconductor region. The second semiconductor region does not extend to a layer buried relative to the first semiconductor region.

The present embodiments relate to semiconductor circuits and are more particularly directed to a Schottky diode with minimal vertical current flow.
Semiconductor devices are prevalent in all aspects of electronic circuits, and such circuits use numerous types of elements including transistors. Due to the dominance of transistors in many designs, then circuit method flows are often developed toward constructing the transistors. However, other circuit elements are preferably implemented as part of the same steps as the transistor method flow, or in a less desirable case in some instances an additional step or steps to the transistor method flow are required to also construct other types of circuit elements.
Consistent with the above, another known semiconductor circuit element is a Schottky diode. A Schottky diode typically includes a metal to lightly-doped semiconductor interface, where this interface is known to have rectifying characteristics. In many applications, the semiconductor portion at this interface is created using an N type material because the resulting diode has a larger barrier height than if a P type semiconductor is used, and in many applications the larger barrier height is desirable. However, in some applications it may be desirable to have the lower barrier height as provided by a P type material included in a Schottky diode. For example, one such application is the implementation of radio frequency identification ("RFID") devices. A passive RFID tag device, as known in that art, is a device that has no internal energy source. It receives a radio frequency ("RF") signal and provides a corresponding current in response to that signal. In some applications, the RFID device will receive a relatively small RF signal and, hence, in these applications a low-barrier Schottky diode is desirable so as to be operable to sufficiently detect the small RF signal. In other more general applications, a disadvantage, however, may arise in low-barrier Schottky diodes in that there may be a dominance of series resistance that may cause a relatively large amount of current flow at low voltage and such current also will be affected by the series resistance. In these latter cases, therefore, the use of an N type semiconductor Schottky diode may be preferred. In any event, therefore, one skilled in the art will appreciate applications for either N type or P type semiconductor Schottky diodes.
By way of further background, semiconductor Schottky diodes have been constructed and used in the prior art and in the general form of the cross-sectional illustration of FIG. 1a, which depicts a diode 10. Diode 10 is formed in connection with a semiconductor substrate 12, which in the example of FIG. 1a is a P type semiconductor material and which is lightly-doped, as shown by the conventional designation of "P−" in FIG. 1 for such type and level of doping. For sake of explanation here and later contrast to the preferred embodiments, the majority axis of substrate is shown by way of a dashed line and indicated as 12A and in the illustration is generally horizontal. A layer of N type material is formed such as an N well 14 generally above or as part of the top portion of substrate 12, and it is lightly-doped as shown by the conventional designation of "N−" in FIG. 1 for such type and level of doping. Separating at least a portion of substrate 12 from N well 14 is a buried layer 16, which is N type and heavily-doped as shown by the conventional designation of "N+" in FIG. 1 for such type and level of doping. Note that the descriptor "buried layer" is just one of various terms used in the art, so as to describe a portion of semiconductor material that is beneath the surface of an overlying layer; thus, in the example of FIG. 1, buried layer 16 is beneath the surface 14S of the overlying layer of N well 14. A buried layer such as buried layer 16 may be formed in various fashions, such as by forming it in substrate 12 prior to forming an overlying layer or, alternatively, by using a high energy implantation process that is able to penetrate surface 14S and form the layer deeper than that surface so that some unaffected and different doped level of material (e.g. N type for well 14) is left above the buried layer implant and without the dopant concentration of that buried layer. A heavily-doped conductive region 18 is formed from surface 14S down to, and of the same conductivity type as, buried layer 16; region 18 also may be referred to by various terms such as a sinker and thus hereinafter this region is referred to as sinker 18. In the present example where buried layer 16 is N+ material, then so is sinker 18. Lastly, diode 10 includes two metal-silicide regions 20 and 22. Metal-silicide region 20 is formed over and in contact with sinker 18, and metal-silcide region 22 is formed along surface 14S. Note that diode 10 may include other regions or portions, but they are not illustrated so as to simplify the illustration while permitting a focus on various noteworthy aspects.
The operability of diode 10 is now discussed in connection with FIG. 1b, which again depicts diode 10 but includes a few additional illustrated aspects. As introduced earlier, a metal to lightly-doped semiconductor interface provides rectifying characteristics; thus, in diode 10, the interface of metal-silicide region 22 to N well 14 creates such characteristics. Thus, in operation, this interface performs akin to a PN junction, so a positive forward bias voltage may be applied to metal-silcide region 22 relative to metal silicide region 20. With this bias, current flows from metal-silicide region 22 to N well 14, as shown in FIG. 1b by the generally vertical dashed arrows in N well 14. Thus, with respect to this current flow, it generally is vertical and not parallel to the lateral (or horizontal) majority axis 12A of substrate 12. Also in this regard, therefore, metal-silicide region 22 operates as the diode anode, providing the direction of inward current flow. Further, the relatively lower potential at metal-silicide region 20 is connected through an ohmic connection to the relatively high doping of sinker 18, which further connects that potential to buried layer 16; thus, the current flow continues from N well 14 through buried layer 16 and sinker 18 toward metal silcide region 20, thereby permitting the latter to be referred to as the diode cathode. Given the preceding, it is observed now, and by way of contrast to the preferred embodiments detailed later, that the prior art diode 10 includes a considerable vertical component in the direction of its current flow. This vertical component occurs due to the inclusion and use of buried layer 16 as part of the diode's conductive path, whereby vertical current flow is facilitated both through well 14 to buried layer 16 and from buried layer 16 through sinker 18.
While diode 10 has proven usable and beneficial in various implementations, the present inventors have recognized that it may have certain drawbacks in some circuits. For example, some method flows may not include a buried layer of the configuration as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. For example, there may be no buried layer or, alternatively, the buried layer may be of a relatively low doping so as not to provide a low resistance connection to the overlying region (e.g., N well 14). Thus, in these examples, including an appropriate buried layer in order to support a diode would require additional fabrication steps, and often such additions are either undesirable or infeasible due to considerations of time, cost, and still other considerations.
In view of the above, there arises a need to address the drawbacks of the prior art, as is achieved by the preferred embodiments described below.


The invention relates to a hold-down mechanism for loading platforms of loading ramps with a platform on their end towards the ramp, which is pivotable around a horizontal shaft, and having an extension which can be flipped out, and features a square pipe with a lug fastened on a support and with support plates disposed on both sides and parallel to each other, which have a support or roller with an inclination of less than 50.degree., in the gap of which, limited by the inclination, a wedge with a braking plate is disposed, also having a rod, movably disposed parallel to the pipe, which is fastened on the support by means of a lug, and having two flat iron pieces at the upper and lower edges of the support plates as well as of the wedge disposed therebetween, between which two tension springs are stretched for moving the wedge with the braking plate into the opening between the support and the rod, and an unlatching mechanism.

The following situation regarding the loading and unloading process prevails in connection with loading platforms:
The platform, which is pivotable around a horizontal axis at its ramp end, is moved into its highest position by appropriate spring-assisted drives. There, the extension is flipped out by means of appropriate devices and an operator moves onto the platform. Because of the additional weight, the platform is lowered onto the load bed of the vehicle to be loaded or unloaded. A hold-down mechanism is used, so that the platform always follows the vertical movements, up as well as down, of the vehicle generated by the in and out movements of the loading equipment.
Existing systems operate with a toothed rack which can be latched. Downward movement takes place without resistance. If the load bed of the vehicle is raised, a built-in spring allows the platform to be slightly raised. If the platform is raised too far, an unlatching chain undoes the latch and the toothed rack is lifted out of the lock one tooth at a time. The disadvantage of the toothed rack system lies in the loud noise generated, as well as the non-continuous and, because of the teeth, jerky movement, when the platform is lifted. The manufacture of these systems is also relatively expensive.
Such a mechanism, operating on the basis of oil and gas pressure, is known from European Patent Disclosure EP-A 0 428 805. However, this, too, is comparatively expensive to manufacture.

Hold-down mechanism for a loading platform


A control method and apparatus for a variable engine valve operating control mechanisms which move the engine valves to a safe lift/timing position with respect to a piston to minimize the potential for valve to piston contact during valve surge. At least one engine operating conditions is selected and provided with a threshold triggering a control to move the valves to a safe position in a calibrated, predictive manner in advance of any potential valve to piston contact. The control method and apparatus can be integrated into the existing engine control and variable valve operating control mechanism.

The present description relates, in general, to internal combustion engines and, more particularly, internal combustion engines having variable valve operating characteristics.
Internal combustion engines use a timed coordination between intake and exhaust valves and a reciprocating piston within each cylinder to control the flow of intake charge into the cylinder and the flow of combustion exhaust gases from the cylinder.
In the past, the amount of movement of the intake and exhaust valves with respect to the intake and exhaust combustion chamber ports was fixed. Recent engine developments have allowed for variable valve characteristics in response to varying engine load, speed and other operating conditions.
Generally, the variable valve operating mechanism changes the lift, timing or operating angle of the valve. For example, such a mechanism can allow valve actuation from a low lift state at low engine speed or loads to a higher lift for greater valve stroke distance into the engine cylinder and a greater port opening at higher operating speeds and/or loads to allow for increased intake charge flow into the cylinder and to achieve increased engine efficiency.
However, in a high valve lift mode of operation, the clearance between the valve and the piston decreases. During an engine over-rev, which can be caused by miss-shifting, this causes valve surge in which the valves cannot strictly follow the cam profile, particularly during valve closing. Generally speaking, valve surge or float occurs when the valve springs does not have sufficient force to follow a valve closing cam profile. The resulting contact between the valve and the piston can cause catastrophic engine failure.
It would be desirable to provide a variable valve operating control method and apparatus which minimizes the possibility of valve to piston contact.

Variable valve operation control method and apparatus

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


A land portion of a pneumatic tire 1 comprises a land portion 10 having groove wall 10a a second land portion 20 having a groove wall 20a. The groove walls 10a, 20a meander. A groove width of a main groove 50 changes at a predetermined repetition cycle. The main groove 50 includes: a wide groove portion 50A having a predetermined width; and a narrow groove portion 50B which is continuous with the wide groove portion and which is narrower than the predetermined width. A relationship of θ1>θ2 is satisfied where θ1 refers to an angle formed between a tire normal line RL and the groove wall 10a or the groove wall 20a forming the wide groove portion 50A and θ2 refers to an angle formed between the tire normal line RL and the groove wall 10a or the groove wall 20a forming the narrow groove portion 50B.

Conventionally, pneumatic tires (hereafter, tires) widely use a method in which a main groove extending in a tire circumferential direction is formed in a tread in order to improve drainage of rain water entering a space between a road surface and the tread.
For example, a tire is known which is provided with protrusions protruding from a groove bottom portion of the main groove and extending in a tread width direction in order actively drain rain water entering the main groove (for example, Patent Document 1). Such a tire generates a water flow in rain water entering the main groove and thereby drainage is improved.


A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.

The present inventions relate to television and other media that present programs for viewing, and particularly relate to user interfaces for the display and the selection of programs for viewing.
Newspapers and other paper publications conveniently print guides to the programs available for viewing on television. But a newspaper or other paper publication may not always be available to a viewer when the viewer decides to watch some television. For convenience, cable companies typically display a guide to the programming they offer on a dedicated channel of the cable service. In addition to convenience, the guide may be provided by the cable company as a vehicle to carry advertising, and thus, provide additional revenue to the cable company. A viewer may tune his or her television to the channel carrying the guide and review the programming information to choose a program to watch. Such a guide on a television monitor may be referred to as a channel guide, program guide, electronic guide, electronic television guide, electronic programming guide (EPG), a user interface, program schedule, or by similar terms. Generally, herein the term xe2x80x9cuser interfacexe2x80x9d is used with respect to the present inventions.
Electronic programming guides are generally known. Examples of electronic programming guides are described in the patent to Mankovitz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,550, entitled xe2x80x9cApparatus and Methods for Synchronizing a Clock to a Network Clock,xe2x80x9d as well as in other publicly available documents. Information regarding the extraction of a program schedule from a signal provided to a television so as to create a user interface may be obtained from the patent to Mankovitz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,484, entitled xe2x80x9cSwitch for Automatic Selection of Television Signal Sources for Delivery of Television Guide Data.xe2x80x9d
In addition to television, electronic programming guides may be used in other environments. For example, an electronic programming guide may be useful in the context of the global information network (Internet) or other computer or data networks. Some of these networks offer multiple programs available for selection by a viewer to read, to watch, to use, to interact with, etc. To gain information about the available programs and to make a selection, the viewer may use an electronic programming guide that is displayed on a computer monitor or similar device used by the viewer. Televisions, computers, networked computers, and the like are referred to herein generally as xe2x80x9cmedia devicesxe2x80x9d.
When using an electronic programming guide, a viewer typically is interested in information including: (1) the channel or other locator of an available program; (2) the temporal characteristics of an available program such as start time, duration, end time, current availability, etc.; and (3) the name, title, or other identifier of an available program. Also, a viewer may be interested in gaining information about the availability of programs of a particular type or related to a specific or specialty topic. For example, a viewer may be interested in knowing whether any sports programs are available, and particularly, whether any baseball games are available for viewing.
In addition, a viewer may be interested in knowing the available programming during a certain time slot or interval. For example, a viewer may have a choice with respect to scheduling time for television or other media use. Thus, the viewer may not necessarily be interested in the current or other near term programming available. Rather, the viewer is interested in knowing what programming is available when the viewer is likely to schedule his or her television or other media break. Based on a review of the available programming during any particular time slot, the viewer may decide to plan to take the television break at the initially selected time, or reschedule the break for a time when more interesting programming to the viewer is available.
Accordingly, there is a need for an electronic programming guide that provides a viewer with information such as: (1) the channel or other locator of an available program; (2) the temporal characteristics of an available program such as start time, duration, end time, current availability, etc.; and/or (3) the name, title, or other identifier of an available program. There is also a need for an electronic programming guide that provides a viewer with information about the availability of programs of a particular type or related to a specific or specialty topic. In addition, there is a need for an electronic programming guide that provides a viewer with information as to the available programming during a certain time slot or interval as selected by the viewer.
Stated generally, the present inventions include methods, systems, and user interfaces for presenting information related to available programming to a viewer and/or other user. An exemplary user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device (such as television screen or computer screen). The exemplary user interface provides information as to the channels (or other location indicator), titles, and/or time characteristics of available programming.
Advantageously, the viewer may interact with the user interface so as to have a selected portion or portions of the user interface highlighted for clearer viewing or for other reasons. For example, the viewer may select a topic from a list of topics, and have a program or all programs related to the topic highlighted on the user interface. Further, the viewer may hone his or her programming selection by first selecting a general topic from the list of topics, and then further selecting a specialty topic from a specialty topic list that is related to the general topic selected by the viewer. The program or programs related to the specialty topic may be highlighted on the user interface. The viewer also may interact with the user interface so as to select programming (from the highlighted programs on the user interface or in other ways) and have the programming displayed on the monitor of the media device.
In addition, the viewer may interact with an exemplary user interface by designating a time period or time slot in which the viewer is interested. In response to the designation of a time period, the user interface may provide information such as channel (or other locator), title, and/or time characteristics of programming available during the designated time period. Advantageously, the viewer may change the time period. In response to the change, the user interface may change the information provided so as to accurately reflect the programming available during the changed, designated time period. Further, the viewer may interact with the user interface so as to choose a program available during the designated time period and have the program displayed on the monitor of the media device.
Particularly described, the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions provide user interfaces for presentation on a monitor of a media device. An exemplary user interface may include a topic list having topic entries such as xe2x80x9clocal newsxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cnational newsxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cworld newsxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9call sportsxe2x80x9d, and the like. In addition, a topic entry may include or correspond to a specialty topic list. The specialty topic list may include specialty topic entries related to the topic entry. For example, a topic entry may be xe2x80x9call sports.xe2x80x9d This topic entry may include a specialty topic list with the following specialty topic entries: xe2x80x9cbaseballxe2x80x9d; xe2x80x9cbasketballxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cfootballxe2x80x9d, and the like. Thus, the viewer may select a topic entry such as xe2x80x9call sportsxe2x80x9d from the topic list. In response, the specialty topic list corresponding to the selected topic entry may be displayed, and using the xe2x80x9call sportsxe2x80x9d topic entry, the specialty topic list may include the following specialty topic entries: xe2x80x9cbaseballxe2x80x9d; xe2x80x9cbasketballxe2x80x9d, and xe2x80x9cfootball. Further, a specialty topic entry may be selected as an elected specialty topic entry and that elected specialty topic entry may be highlighted on the user interface.
In addition to the topic list and the specialty topic list, an exemplary user interface may include an array with programming information. Of course, the array with programming information may be displayed before or after display of the topic list and the specialty topic list.
An exemplary array with programming information includes three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes a channel indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a current show title naming a program available for viewing at the current time on a channel of the media device corresponding to the channel indicator in a commonly aligned row in the channel column. Each row of the current show column also may include a start time for the program available for viewing at the current time. Each row of the next show column includes a next show title naming a show available for viewing after the program available for viewing at the current time on the channel of the media device corresponding to the channel indicator in the commonly aligned row in the channel column. Each row of the next show column also may include a start time for the program available as the next show after the current show.
Advantageously, the array of this exemplary user interface provides a viewer with information as to the current programs available (i.e., programs in progress) on the available channels, and as to the next show available on any of these channels.
In addition, the array of this exemplary user interface allows for a row, a channel indicator, or a current show title to be selected by a viewer, and if selected, to be highlighted. In addition, the viewer may provide an indication that the program available for view at the current time and corresponding to the selected (and perhaps highlighted) row, channel indicator, or current show title may be displayed on the monitor of the media device.
Further, the exemplary array may interact with the topic list and the specialty topic list discussed above. For example, the array may respond to the selection of a selected topic entry or to the election of an elected specialty topic entry. In particular, the response may be the highlighting in the array of a program having a topic in common with the selected topic entry and/or with the elected specialty topic entry. Further, the array may be operative to receive an indication from the viewer to view the program having the topic in common with the selected topic entry and/or with the elected specialty topic entry. The array then may cause the program to be displayed on the monitor of the media device.
Advantageously, the present inventions include another exemplary user interface. This exemplary user interface includes a time slot and an array. The time slot provides for the display of a time period as may be selected by the viewer. The array includes two columns (channel and program) having commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes a channel indicator. Each row of the program column includes a program title naming a program available for viewing during the selected time period on a channel of the media device corresponding to the channel indicator in a commonly aligned row in the channel column.
This exemplary user interface allows a viewer to select a time period, and then, to view the programming that is available on the available channels during that selected time period.
This exemplary user interface allows a viewer to change the time period in the time slot. If the time period is changed, then the program title in each row of the program column may change to a different program title naming a different program available for viewing during the different selected time period. Of course, a program title in a particular row may not appear to the viewer to change if the same program is available during the different selected time period as well as the originally selected time period.
Further in this exemplary user interface, the array may be receptive to a selection by the viewer of a selected row, a selected channel indicator, or a selected program title. In response, the selected row, the selected channel indicator, or the selected program title may be highlighted. Further, the program corresponding to the selected row, the selected channel indicator, or the selected program title may be displayed on the monitor of the media device.
In sum, the present inventions include methods, systems, and user interfaces for presenting information related to available programming to a viewer and for allowing interaction with the viewer.
Therefore, it is an object of the present inventions to satisfy a need for an electronic programming guide that provides a viewer with information such as: (1) the channel or other locator of an available program; (2) the temporal characteristics of an available program such as start time, duration, end time, current availability, etc.; and/or (3) the name, title, or other identifier of an available program.
It is also an object of the present inventions to satisfy a need for an electronic programming guide that provides a viewer with information about the availability of programs of a particular type or related to a specific or specialty topic.
It is an additional object of the present inventions to satisfy a need for an electronic programming guide that provides a viewer with information as to the available programming during a certain time slot or interval as selected by the viewer.
That the present inventions and the exemplary embodiments thereof accomplish the objects of the inventions set forth herein will become apparent from the detailed description that follows.

Methods and systems for providing information about programs available for viewing

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation


A method for diagnosing a failure of a fuel pressure sensor for a high-pressure pump of a GDI engine includes a data collection step of collecting information on a state of a vehicle. A sensor condition determination step determines whether data collected in the data collection step meets conditions for determining the failure of the fuel pressure sensor. A failure determination step determines whether the fuel pressure value of the pressure sensor for the high-pressure pump is greater than or equal to a first reference value, and simultaneously, whether a fuel amount learning value is greater than or equal to a second reference value.

Gasoline engines are classified into a port fuel injection (PFI) engine for injecting fuel to a front end of an intake value so that the fuel can enter a combustion chamber, and a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine for injecting fuel directly to an inside of a combustion chamber.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a conventional method for diagnosing a failure of a fuel pressure sensor for a high-pressure pump of a GDI engine. In the conventional method, a controller checks whether or not a failure occurs in a fuel system on the basis of a temperature of cooling water, an engine RPM, a pressure of a fuel rail, a runtime of the engine, and data on a state of the engine. When identifying a failure in the engine system, the controller turns on a check engine warning lamp and controls the vehicle to be driven in a limp-home mode.
Without an accurate determination about which part in the fuel system is in failure, it is determined that all the fuel system is in failure, and the vehicle is driven in a limp-home mode, which causes user dissatisfaction.
Therefore, it is required to develop a method for diagnosing a failure of a fuel pressure sensor for a high-pressure pump of a GDI engine, which can provide an improved discrimination between a normal product and a malfunctioning product under various driving conditions upon diagnosing a drift failure of the fuel pressure sensor when a problem occurs in the fuel pressure sensor.
The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the disclosure and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Method for diagnosing failure of fuel pressure sensor for high-pressure pump of GDI engine


A carry pallet is disclosed which has a plurality of supporting members attached to the periphery of a pallet base, sacrifice board carrying portions are mounted on the upper portions of the supporting members and stop plates are arranged on the carrying portions. When process boards and a sacrifice board are arranged on the pallet, the sacrifice board is carried on the carrying portions of the carry pallet without contact with the stack of process boards without shifting and falling.

The present invention relates to a carry pallet in a numerical control router for carrying a sacrifice board and a process board for processing by a numerical control router.
The applicant presents a process system of the numerical control router (see published Japanese Application No. 2-301385) in which the sacrifice board and the process board are carried by carry pallet from a storehouse and the process board is processed by the numerical control router. In the numerical control router, a traverser is moved in front of the pointed shelf in the storehouse, the pallet having the process board and the sacrifice board is put on the traverser and is carried on a supply conveyer. When the supply conveyer moves the pallet to a predetermined position, a robot positions the sacrifice board and the process board on a table respectively and the numerical control router processes the process board.
In the process, system of a numerical controlled router, when the size of the sacrifice board is same as that of the process board on the pallet, the sacrifice board on the process board is scarcely shifted. But, when the size of the process board is smaller than that of the sacrifice board, the sacrifice board is shifted on the process board or falls from the process board.

Carry pallet for a numerical controlled router


An exhaust system is provided with a stamp formed connector for joining a pair of upstream exhaust pipes to at least one downstream exhaust pipe. The connector includes a pair of plates that are formed to define opposed channels. The plates are secured in face-to-face relationship such that the channels define exhaust passages extending between the plates. The passages are curved to achieve the most desireable routing of exhaust pipes. Additionally, the exhaust pipes may be bent in close proximity to the connector to achieve most efficient routing of pipes on the vehicle. The bending of the pipes and the curved configurations of the passages in the muffler are intended to substantially equalize travel lengths for exhaust gases between upstream ends of the exhaust system and the muffler.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention is directed to a stamp formed connector for joining three or more conventional pipes. The stamp formed connector enables alignment of pipes that could not readily be achieved with conventional pipe joining techniques, and enables a pipe routing to obtain equal lengths for the exhaust pipes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Exhaust systems extend from the engine of the vehicle to a location where exhaust gases can be safely emitted. Most exhaust systems include at least one catalytic converter for converting certain objectionable pollutants into a less objectionable form. Exhaust systems also include at least one muffler to attenuate noise associated with the flowing exhaust gas.
Noise produced by an internal combustion engine is actually a sequential series of noise patterns corresponding respectively to the sequential controlled explosions taking place in the cylinders of the internal combustion engine. Engineers examine the loudness and frequency of noise resulting from these explosions and design an appropriate array of tubes and chambers in a muffler for attenuating the observed noise. The task of the engineer is made much more difficult if the noise from the respective explosions does not define a uniform repetitive pattern approaching the muffler. A non-uniform pattern may cause some waves to overlap with and add to others. Thus frequency and amplitude may be difficult to predict.
The exhaust system routing is selected to ensure sufficient clearance from components that are susceptible to damage from the heat generated by the exhaust system. The exhaust system routing also must provide a location that can safely accommodate the catalytic converter and another location that is sufficiently large to accept the exhaust muffler. Engineers evaluate these space limitations and analyze the noise generated by the muffler to design an appropriate exhaust system.
Exhaust system routing is more likely to be a problem for V-engines, such as V-8's or V-6's. Half the cylinders of a V-engine extend in a first plane, while the other cylinders extend in a second plane angularly aligned to the first plane. Thus, a V-engine includes two separate exhaust manifolds with separate exhaust pipes extending from the manifolds. Some vehicles with V-engines include entirely separate exhaust systems, with separate catalytic converters, separate mufflers and separate tail pipes. However, these entirely separate exhaust systems are costly and can complicate the problems of routing the system and identifying appropriate spaces for accommodating the catalytic converters and mufflers. Hence, most vehicles with V-engines have the respective pipes meet at a location upstream from the catalytic converter, such that exhaust gas streams from each of the two manifolds on the V-engine communicate with a single catalytic converter and a single muffler.
The typical prior art exhaust system having two exhaust pipes extending respectively from two manifolds requires a complex mitered joint where two pipes leading from the manifolds and one pipe leading to the catalytic converter are precisely cut at a selected angle to interfit with one another. The mitered pipes are aligned to one another to define a generally Y-shape and are welded securely together. The complex mitering and welding to make a Y-pipe connection is a time consuming procedure that is not well suited to a high degree of automation. Recent prior art for exhaust systems with two manifolds uses stamped components to avoid mitering. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,852 shows a pair of opposed stamped components are formed to define a first inlet, an outlet linearly aligned to the first inlet and a second inlet aligned to both the first inlet and the outlet.
The use of a V-engine with two exhaust pipes communicating with a single catalytic converter and a single muffler can complicate the acoustical tuning for an engine. In particular, physical constraints in the engine compartment and on the underside of the vehicle seldom permit a perfectly symmetrical exhaust system for a V-engine. As a result, the exhaust pipe leading from one manifold of a V-engine may be substantially longer than the exhaust pipe leading from the other manifold of the V-engine. These different lengths may result in different times for noise pulses to travel from the engine to the muffler, depending upon the side of the engine at which the pulses originate. The different travel times will result in a non-uniform pattern of noise pulses being delivered to the muffler. Thus, certain pulses may overlap with one another to create complex sound wave patterns that are more difficult to identify and attenuate.
Vehicles with transversely mounted V-engines are even more of a problem. A transversely mounted V-engine typically has one exhaust pipe that can travel fairly directly to the catalytic converter, and another exhaust pipe that must wrap substantially entirely around the engine. The stamp formed connector shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,852 with the linearly aligned inlet and outlet does not solve the problems associated with an irregular pattern of pulses approaching the muffler.
In theory, pipes could be made with complex small radius bends in or near the engine compartment to facilitate exhaust system placement and alignment under the vehicle. However, small radius bends are difficult to make in view of excessive metal stretching involved. Similarly, bending equipment constraints often prevent successive bends from being immediately adjacent one another.
In view of the above, it is an object of the subject invention to provide an exhaust system that can more readily attenuate noise from a V-engine.
Another object of the subject invention is to provide an exhaust system for a V-engine having a uniform pattern of pulses approaching the muffler of the system.
A further object of the subject invention is to provide a connector for use with V-engines to facilitate complex pipe alignments and achieving more predictable noise patterns.

Stamp formed connector for achieving equal length exhaust pipes


The invention relates to an improved transport system, in particular for a stretching system, characterized amongst other things, by the following characteristics: a support rail and/or a guide rail, over which a conveyor chain with clip chain units can be displaced, are provided, said units subdividing into a clip part and a chain part, said support rail or the guide rail or the support rail and the guide rail is/are provided with a channel which transverses in the longitudinal direction at least in one of the partial lengths of the support rail and the guide rail. The support rail running surface comprises a plurality of outlet openings through which the compressed air can be guided on the channel for generating an airbag between the support rail running surface and an air bearing cushion plate on the clip-chain unit and/or the running rail running surfaces comprise a plurality of outlet openings through which the compressed air can be guided on the channel by generating an air bag between the respective guide rail running surfaces and a bearing device on the clip chain unit.

Stretching installations are used in particular for the production of plastics films. So-called simultaneous stretching installations are known in which a plastics film can be stretched simultaneously in a transverse direction and in a longitudinal direction. Likewise, sequential stretching installations are known in which a plastics film is stretched in two successive stages, for example firstly in a longitudinal direction and then in a transverse direction (or vice versa).
An already-known transverse stretching installation or transverse stretching stage within a stretching installation is known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,172 A. In said prior publication, a material web to be stretched, that is to say generally a plastics film, is taken hold of by way of clips, which are fastened to chains and which are arranged, on both sides of the material web to be stretched, on in each case one circulating guide path. The clips are in this case moved in succession from a run-in zone (in which the edge of, for example, a plastics film to be stretched is taken hold of) via a stretching zone (in which the opposite clips on the guide rail sections are moved away from one another with a transverse component diverging from the transport direction) to a run-out zone, and then, on a return path, back to the run-in zone, wherein, in the run-out zone, the film can undergo for example a final relaxation and/or heat treatment process.
In this case, the clips are composed of a so-called clip transport unit which comprises firstly the clip part itself and secondly the so-called transport part, that is to say the clip device and the transport device. In the already-known prior art according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,172 A, the so-called transport part is ultimately a chain part, as the clips for the discussed transverse stretching installation are connected to one another by way of corresponding chain links.
According to said previously published prior art, the clip transport unit is in this case supported by way of slide elements on two opposite sides of a guide rail, on the one hand, and on a support rail provided below the guide rail, on the other hand.
Instead of slide elements of said type, it is however likewise also possible to use roller elements in order to permit movement of the clip transport unit, supported for example on a guide rail and on a weight-sustaining running rail. This is known for example from DE 39 28 454 A1. Said document describes a guide rail in the form of a so-called monorail, which guide rail has a square cross section. In this case, the clip transport unit is supported by way of running wheels, so-called rollers, which roll on the top side and on the bottom side and on the two vertical sides situated offset in a horizontal direction, whereby the clip transport unit can be moved along said guide rail. A clip transport unit of said type is likewise suitable in particular for a stretching frame, that is to say a transverse stretching installation.
In the case of the already-known stretching installations, there is the basic problem of ensuring that the friction coefficients for the rolling and/or sliding friction do not become too high. This is because the acting friction makes it necessary for lubricant, in particular oil, to be used in order to reduce the friction. Here, it is pointed out that not only does the friction contribute to considerable power losses, but also the power losses arise, in particular in the case of friction bearing arrangements, in the form of friction losses, that is to say in particular the power lost is released in the form of heat to the guide system. At high speeds, it is therefore necessary for conventional slide guides to be cooled in order to prevent decomposition (cracking) of the lubricating oil.
By contrast, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved transport system, in particular in the form of a transverse stretching installation.
The object is achieved according to the invention in accordance with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the subclaims.
In the context of the present invention, a transport system is provided for transport chains equipped, for example, with clips and which (aside from sprockets) are movable in rail-bound fashion along a guide path. In the case of the support rails provided in this transport system, by contrast to conventional solutions, no oil lubrication is realized for the purposes of reducing the friction or sliding coefficients, and instead, here, it is provided that an air bearing in the form of an air cushion is formed.
Air bearings of said type exhibit an extremely low friction coefficient. The friction coefficient is however a crucial factor in the case of such sliding transport systems. Said friction coefficient determines inter alia the dimensioning of the chain. In the case of a low friction coefficient, the chain longitudinal force decreases, whereby the chain can be configured for lower loads. Thus, the chain weight is also reduced, whereby in turn, the chain longitudinal force is reduced. A lower friction coefficient thus also permits the formation of a more lightweight transport chain. As has already been discussed in conjunction with already-known transport systems, in particular of transverse stretching installations, the friction basically gives rise to considerable power losses. The power lost is released, through friction losses, in the form of heat to the guide system. This is the reason why, in the presence of high installation speeds, conventional slide guides must be cooled in order to prevent the abovementioned decomposition (cracking) of the lubricating oil film. In the case of the air bearing-mounted guide system provided in the context of the present invention, there is no risk of this because, firstly, large amounts of heat are not generated, and secondly, no oil is used either.
A further major advantage arises from the fact that, in the context of the present invention, it is not necessary to use oil as lubricant. This is because the oil lubrication in the case of conventional transport systems, in particular stretching installations, harbors the inherent risk of the oil film that is used leading to fouling of the film, which should and must be prevented in all situations, for which reason cumbersome structural measures are required for this purpose in conventional installations. Since, as mentioned, oil is not used in the case of air bearing-mounted systems, an oil shielding arrangement for preventing oil fouling is also not required.
The discussed reduction in power losses furthermore has a positive effect on the required drive power. This is because, in the context of the air bearing arrangement provided according to the invention, it is now also possible for use to be made of smaller drive motors.
It finally remains to be stated that conventional transport sliding systems with a conventional oil lubrication arrangement ultimately also reach their physical limits at high speeds. By contrast, very much higher installation speeds can be reached with the air bearing-mounted transport system provided according to the invention.
Air bearing technology is itself fundamentally known. However, air bearing technology is presently used primarily for measurement machines and for low-speed applications. Furthermore, such applications are normally found in clean environments.
Furthermore, the use of air bearing technology for moving extremely heavy equipment is also known, wherein conventionally, the equipment to be moved serves, itself, for generating the air cushion. In the case of such vehicles and equipment operated using air cushions, even a contaminated environment generally does not constitute a problem. However, in this case, too, it is normally the case that only low speeds are reached, and it is normally also the case that only relatively short distances are covered. Here, it is normally the case, in standard applications, that the air bearing itself is supplied with air.
Furthermore, it is basically also known for air bearing technology to be used in a circulating transport system. In this regard, reference is made to DE 2 149 032 A, in which a conveyor belt is guided on an encircling path in the form of a support body. Between the underside of the encircling conveyor belt and the support body, there is provided an air bearing which bears the conveyor belt. The air bearing is in this case supplied with compressed air through openings in that surface of the support body which lies below the conveyor belt. For this purpose, the support body has, in cross section, a rectangular shape, in the interior of which there is formed a compressed-air duct, such that the compressed air supplied here can then flow out through the openings, situated on the top, in the direction of the underside of the conveyor belt and thus bear the conveyor belt.
To keep the air consumption low, it is furthermore the case that lateral sealing lips are provided. In the case of an already-known transport system of said type, however, it is merely intended for a more or less flat transport belt to be moved along on the air cushion that is formed, that is to say an areal structure with a relatively large width extent and, in relation thereto, only a minimal height.

Transport system, in particular transverse stretching systems


A half-bridge inverter is used for a high frequency alternating current power supply to be connected to a primary side of a contactless power transformer, and a voltage-doubler rectifier is used to convert a secondary-side alternating current output of the contactless power transformer into a direct current.

A contactless power transfer device uses electromagnetic induction between a primary coil (power transmission coil) and a secondary coil (power reception coil) to supply power from the power transmission coil to the power reception coil. The contactless power transfer device may be used to charge a secondary battery which is mounted in an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle and it is expected that a demand for a contactless power transfer device for charging a vehicle will be increased in the near future.
In the case of a contactless power transfer device for charging a vehicle, a vehicle with a power reception coil mounted on a bottom surface of a floorboard comes to a stop at a position where the power reception coil is disposed directly on a power transmission coil provided on the ground to perform the contactless power feeding. However, due to misalignment of the power transmission coil and the power reception coil in a horizontal direction or variation in a gap length in a vertical direction, a coupling factor between the power transmission coil and the power reception coil varies.
The following Patent Literature 1 suggests a contactless power transfer system in which a change in a power feeding efficiency of the contactless power transformer (power transmission coil+power reception coil) is made to be small even when the coupling factor varies.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the system includes a full-wave rectifier 161 which converts a commercial alternating current 164 (AC) into a direct current, a full-bridge inverter 163 which generates a high frequency alternating current from the direct current, a contactless power transformer 1410 which performs contactless power feeding, a full-wave rectifier 1471 which converts a secondary-side alternating current output into a direct current, and a load 1472 which is a secondary battery.
In this system, the commercial alternating current 164 is converted into the direct current by the full-wave rectifier 161; the high frequency alternating current is generated from the direct current by the full-bridge inverter 163 to be fed into the contactless power transformer 1410; and the secondary-side alternating current output is converted into the direct current by the full-wave rectifier 1471 to supply the power to the load 1472 (secondary battery).

National University Corporation SAITAMA UNIVERSITY


An exhaust emission control device has an additive valve and a control unit to decrease nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas by means of a reducing agent. The control unit sets a valve opening period of time and a valve closing period of time alternately elapsing in a repetition cycle. The control unit controls the valve to discharge the agent into the exhaust gas during each valve opening period and to stop discharging the agent during each valve closing period. The control unit sets the valve opening period to be shortened as a flow rate of the exhaust gas is lowered, so that a penetration force of the reducing agent is appropriately set. The control unit sets the repetition cycle at a value depending on the flow rate of the nitrogen oxides to sufficiently deoxidize the nitrogen oxides by means of the agent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exhaust emission control device for decreasing nitrogen dioxides contained in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine by means of a reducing agent to purify the exhaust gas.
2. Description of Related Art
An exhaust emission control device has been used to purify the exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine. With this device, nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in the exhaust gas are deoxidized by a reducing agent. This reducing agent is, for example, formed of urea-containing water. When ammonia (NH3) produced by decomposition of urea (CO(NH2) 2) reacts with nitrogen oxides on catalysts, the nitrogen oxides are deoxidized to harmless nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O) Therefore, nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas are considerably decreased, so that the exhaust gas is purified.
Japanese Patent Specification No. 3686666 discloses an exhaust emission control device. This device has an additive valve directly attached to an exhaust piper the reducing agent is directly injected from the additive valve into the exhaust pipe so as to be dispersed in the exhaust gas. Therefore, the reducing agent is mixed with the exhaust gas, and the exhaust gas is purified.
However, because the flow rate of the exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe constantly fluctuates in response to the operation conditions of the engine, it is difficult to efficiently purify the exhaust gas by means of the reducing agent. For example, when the flow rate of the exhaust gas is lowered, the reducing agent injected from the additive valve reaches specific portions of catalysts and/or a pipe wall without being sufficiently dispersed in the exhaust gas. Therefore, the reducing agent is not efficiently used to purify the exhaust gas.


A disk array system includes a plurality of disk drives and at least one unit box including the plurality of disk drives aligned in the thickness direction of the disk drive, each disk drive including a thin case accommodating a recording disk, a read/write head, and a driving mechanism for driving the recording disk and the read/write head, and a control board for controlling the driving mechanism, the control board being mounted on the thin case. In the disk array system, the thin case and the unit box are composed of a thermally-conductive material, the unit box includes surfaces parallel to the thickness direction of the plurality of disk drives, and at least one of the surfaces has a cold plate filled with a refrigerant. Heat generated at the disk drives is transferred to the cold plate, thereby improving cooling performance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disk array system including a plurality of disk drives that drive disk recording media, and more particularly, to a technique for cooling the disk drives.
2. Description of the Related Art
With advances in computer technology, high-density modularization and integration of electronic devices for computing systems are being carried out. For example, a compact disk array system including a plurality of disk drives that is highly modularized has been proposed as a recording medium for recording information necessary for a computer system. The highly-modularized disk drives each have a low-profile construction, including a magnetic or optical disk recording medium (recording disk), a disk unit including a read/write head for recording/reproducing information on/from the recording disk in a thin case, a controlling circuit for controlling the disk and the head in the disk unit, a control board including a controlling circuit for controlling the recording disk and the head in the disk unit, and a connector for connecting the control board to an external controlling device. The thin case for the disk unit accommodates a driving motor for rotating the recording disk and a driving mechanism including an actuator for controlling the recording medium.
With the disk array system, for the purpose of improving reliability of data storage of the recording disk, the disk drives are accommodated in a plurality of unit boxes stacked one on another and two columns of the tiered unit boxes are disposed back-to-back. This type of large disk array system is applied to a high-capacity storage device. The disk array system can be used for a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), or by connecting disk drives via a high-speed special-purpose network such as an optical network and controlling the drives with software, the disk array system can be used for a storage device in a storage area network (SAN) or in a software redundant array of independent disk (NAS).
When densely-integrated disk drives are aligned and accommodated in a unit box, heat from the disk drives raises the temperature of the unit box, resulting in malfunction in devices constituting the disk drives. Electronic devices generating heat in the disk drive are a driving motor, an actuator, and an LSI constituting a controlling circuit. To address this problem, cooling the disk drives is essential.
In a known disk array system, a cooling fan for blowing cooling air over the vicinities of the heating disk drives is disposed in a casing where the heating disks are accommodated. If cooling is not well performed, the temperatures of the disk drives increase or differ from disk drive to disk drive, resulting in operational malfunction or low long-term reliability of the disk array system.
To address the aforementioned problem, a technique to provide a heat-dissipation mechanism, such as fins, in a disk unit has been proposed. With this technique, cooling air can readily pass through a large heat dissipation area, thereby improving cooling performance (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2000-156077, 2001-332978, and 2003-347781).
Furthermore, with the disk array systems, even higher-capacity recording disks and higher-density disk drives are demanded.
However, when the aforementioned heat dissipation mechanism such as fins is disposed in the disk unit, one disk drive takes up a lot of space in the unit box, resulting in decreased density of the disk drives in the unit box. Because of this, the fin cannot be made large, whereby cooling performance is degraded.
When the disk drives are densely integrated without providing the fins in the disk unit and heat is dissipated from the surface of the disk unit itself, cooling air passes through extremely slim gaps, e.g. several millimeters, between the disk drives. In this case, since the cooling performance is greatly influenced by the deviation of the installation positions of the disk drives, the temperature increase of the disk drives differs depending on the position. Due to this variation in temperature increase, the temperatures of some disk drives may exceed the tolerance temperature. To prevent this problem, the gaps between the disk drives need to be made larger, which conflicts with the high-density packaging requirement.


A vitreous system of the invention is provided for use particularly as windowpanes of a car or the like vehicle, and is always kept clean over its whole surface. A multi-layer vitreous body ‘A’ forming the system is composed of an outside glass plate (1), an inside glass plate (2) and a stratified air space (3) defined between the inside and outside plates. A number of jetting orifices (1a) are formed to penetrate the outside plate (1), and a compressor (5) is connected through a piping (4) to the air space (3) so as to charge it with a compressed air, so that this air is blown out through the orifices (1a).

Heretofore, monolithic glass plates have been used as the windowpanes of vehicles. The inner face of a vehicle windowpane has to be protected from burring, and the air-heating and air-cooling efficiency of the vehicle interior is to be improved. Therefore, a certain proposal was made to use a double-layer window glass (exemplified in Patent Reference 1, listed below). According to this proposal, two glass plates are fixed one on another, with a hollow space being defined between them.
The outer face of a vehicle windowpane is exposed to the outside, and consequently more prone to become dirty. Whether the glass plates are of a single-layer or double-layer structure, the outer glass faces exposed to the exterior of vehicles have been cleaned using motor-driven and mechanical rubber wipers.
Instead of using such motor-driven rubber wipers, air wipers of some types (see Patent References 2 and 3) were proposed for use to clean up the outer glass faces exposed to the exterior of vehicles.
A driving mechanism such as those used to rotate the mechanical wipers can be dispensed with in the air wipers, thereby rendering them simpler in structure. The air wipers do not require replacement of torn-off wiping elements, contrary to a case wherein the mechanical rubber wipers are employed. Any element of each air wiper is not kept in contact with the glass plate surface and does not repeat reciprocation. Thus, this glass face will be protected from being scratched. Any washing liquid (i.e., detergent solution) that has been inevitable to the rubber wipers is no longer necessary. Such air wipers are less likely to cause environmental pollution.
However, jet nozzles for blowing off a highly compressed air should be disposed at peripheral zones (particular, near a lower edge) of the front glass, rear glass or the like. Due to such a requirement for ensuring a good sight, an area which the compressed air jet can wipe is limited to a narrow region located near the jet nozzle. In other words, the air wiper can not necessarily wipe uniformly over the entire surface of a windowpane.
In another proposal (see Patent Reference 4) made to more widely wipe a windowpane, a number of air jet holes are formed in a wiper body. This body is driven to reciprocate on and along the outer surface of a windowpane. Air is jet out through the holes towards said surface so as to blow off rainwater or the like.
Further, some multilayer glass plates have been proposed (as exemplified in Patent Reference 5) for use as buildings' windowpanes and for example for the purpose of providing an adiabatic effect.
Also in case of the buildings' windowpanes, their outer surfaces exposed to the outside are prone to rapidly become dirty. Such outer surfaces have been cleaned almost by hand.    Patent Reference 1: Patent Laying-Open Gazette No. 6-227250    Patent Reference 2: ibid. No. 07-040806    Patent Reference 3: ibid. No. 2002-79919    Patent Reference 4: ibid. No. 2003-118546    Patent Reference 5: ibid. No. 2005-060141


Disclosed is a silver halide photographic photosensitive material comprising a support having thereon a layer which contains at least one dye represented by general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxylic acid group or a CONHR, SO.sub.2 NHR, NHSO.sub.2 R, NHCOR or NHCONHR group (where R is an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group); R.sup.2 represents a group represented by SO.sub.2 R, COR or CONHR (where R has the same significance as before); R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an amino group or a halogen atom; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are the same or different, and each represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, an acyl group or a sulfonyl group; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 may be joined together to form a five or six membered ring; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 may be joined with the adjacent R.sup.4 respectively to form five or six membered rings; n represents an integer of value 0 to 3; provided that there are at least three acidic substituent groups within the dye.

The photographic emulsion layers or other layers in a silver halide photographic photosensitive material are often colored so that they absorb light of a specified wavelength.
A colored layer can be formed on the side further from the support than the photosensitive photographic emulsion layer, where it is necessary to control the spectral composition of the light which falls on the photographic emulsion layer. Such a colored layer is known as a filter layer. In cases where there is a plurality of photographic emulsion layers, as in the case of a multi-layer color photosensitive material, filter layers are also established between these emulsion layers.
Light which has been scattered when passing through a photographic emulsion layer or after transmission is reflected at the boundary between the emulsion layer and the support or at the surface of the support on the opposite side from the emulsion layer. In this case, a colored layer can be formed between the photographic emulsion layer and the support or on the opposite side of the support from the photographic emulsion layer to prevent blurring of the image caused by such scattered light. In other words, the occurrence of halation due to this light re-entering the photographic emulsion layer may be prevented. Such a colored layer is know as an anti-halation layer. Anti-halation layers are also located between the emulsion layers in multi-layer color photosensitive materials.
Photographic emulsion layers can also be colored in order to prevent the loss of image sharpness which is due to the scattering of light within the photographic emulsion layer (this phenomenon is generally known as irradiation).
On the other hand, in recent years, recording materials have been proposed which have been sensitized to infrared wavelengths, which is to say recording materials on which the output of a near infrared laser is recorded. For example, the method of forming an image with a so-called scanner system, in which the original is scanned and a silver halide photographic photosensitive material is exposed on the basis of the image signal and a negative image or a positive image corresponding to the original is formed, is known as one method of exposing such a photographic photosensitive material. With this method the use of a semiconductor laser as the recording light source in the scanner system is most desirable. Semiconductor lasers are advantageous in that they are small and cheap, they are readily modulated, they have a longer life than He-Ne lasers and argon lasers for example, and they generate light in the infrared region. If a photosensitive material which is sensitive to the infrared region is used, there is the further advantage that the handling operability is improved since it is possible to make use of a bright safelight.
However, the oscillating wavelength of a semiconductor laser is in the red to infrared range. Thus, a need for sensitive materials which are highly photosensitive to the red to infrared region has arisen.
Sensitizing dyes for spectral sensitization in this region are such that the wavelength dependence of the spectral sensitivity is generally broad. Thus, it is difficult to photosensitize selectively the individual photosensitive layers in a photosensitive material which has a plurality of layers to different laser lights, and color separation is poor.
Moreover, when exposures are made using high density light, such as laser light, of a long wavelength in the red to infrared region, the spreading of the light due to halation and irradiation is pronounced. This causes a marked deterioration in resolution.
Colored layers can be used to prevent the deterioration in color separation and resolution. Since the layers which should be colored are often comprised of hydrophilic colloid, a water soluble dye is generally included in the layer for the purpose of coloration. These dyes must satisfy conditions such as those indicated below:
(1) they must have the proper spectral absorption corresponding to the intended use; PA0 (2) they must be photographically inert. Thus, they must have no deleterious effect in a chemical sense on the performance of the silver halide photographic emulsion layer, which is to say that they should not reduce photographic speed, cause fading of the latent image, or cause fogging; PA0 (3) they should be decolored or dissolved out in the course of photographic processing and leave no deleterious coloration in the photographic photosensitive material after processing; and PA0 (4) they should have excellent storage stability in solution or in photographic materials.
There are many conventional dyes which absorb visible light or ultraviolet light and which satisfy these conditions. They are suitable for improving images in conventional photographic elements which are sensitized to wavelengths of 700 nm and below. The triarylmethane and oxonol dyes in particular are widely used in this connection.
In the past, much effort has been made to discover dyes which satisfy the aforementioned conditions, and many dyes have been suggested.
For example, there are the tricarbocyanine dyes disclosed in JP-A-62-123454, JP-A-63-55544 and JP-A-64-33547, the oxonol dyes disclosed in JP-A-1-227148, the merocyanine dyes disclosed in JP-A-1-234844, the tetraaryl type polymethine dyes disclosed in JP-A-2-216140 and the indoaniline dyes disclosed in JP-A-50-100116, JP-A-62-3250 and JP-A-2-259753. (The term "JP-A" as used herein signifies an "unexamined published Japanese patent application".)
However, there are still very few dyes which can satisfy all the aforementioned conditions. Hence, there are few excellent photosensitive materials which have a high photosensitivity in the infrared region, which have good color separation, and in which halation and irradiation are prevented. Thus, at the present time, it is impossible to realize satisfactorily the characteristics of the semiconductor lasers which have an excellent performance as described above.

Silver halide photographic photosensitive materials


An applicator for a tampon comprising an inner tube slideable within an outer tube is provided. A plurality of protrusions is provided on the outer surface of the inner tube at its forward end and a plurality of spikes is provided on the inner surface of the outer tube at its forward end. The applicator has one or more of these features: i) the same or different number of protrusions and spikes; ii) one or more of the protrusions are arranged in an asymmetric manner around the outer surface of the inner tube such that the distance between two adjacent protrusions is not the same for all adjacent pairs of protrusions; iii) one or more of the spikes are arranged in an asymmetric manner around the inner surface of the outer tube such that the distance between two adjacent spikes is not the same for all adjacent pairs of spikes.

Tampons are female hygiene absorbent products used to absorb menstrual blood flow within the body of a user. Tampons may be provided with or without applicators. When no applicator is provided, the tampon is generally inserted manually by the user. However many women prefer to use an applicator to facilitate insertion of the tampon and/or for hygiene reasons.
Known tampon applicators generally include two cylindrical tubes arranged in a telescopic relationship with each other, one tube being slideable within the other tube. In one arrangement, the tampon is provided within the outer tube whilst the inner tube is provided within the outer tube behind the tampon and extending outside of the outer tube in a rearward direction. In use, the user inserts the outer tube into the body and pushes the rearwardly extending portion of the inner tube in a forward direction towards the tampon, and the front part of the inner tube makes contact with and pushes the tampon out of the outer tube and into the body of the user. It will be appreciated that, as the inner tube is only partially inserted into the outer tube, such applicators are relatively bulky.
In another arrangement, where the applicators may be referred to as "compact" or "collapsible" applicators, the tampon is located in the inner tube and the inner tube is almost entirely contained within the outer tube. This provides a more compact and discreet applicator. In such applicators, in use, the user first pulls an exposed rear part of the inner tube in a rearward direction so that the inner tube slides rearwardly with respect to the outer tube, thereby exposing most of the inner tube. Whilst the inner tube is being slid relative to the outer tube, the front end of the tampon may be engaged by the outer tube to help to hold the tampon in place whilst the inner tube is being rearwardly extended. In this manner, the tampon stays in position with respect to the outer tube whilst the inner tube slides backwards and extends rearwardly of the outer tube. This movement of the inner tube relative to the tampon and the outer tube results in the inner tube sliding in a rearward direction over the tampon and leaving the tampon within the outer tube. Once the tampon is no longer held within the inner tube and the inner tube is positioned rearwardly of the tampon, the outer tube may be inserted into the body of the user and the rearwardly extending portion of the inner tube may be pushed in a forward direction towards the tampon. The front part of the inner tube ideally then makes contact with the tampon and pushes the tampon out of the outer tube and into the body of the user.
It would be desirable to provide an applicator that is of the compact type and which permits a user to more accurately, easily and comfortably insert a tampon into the body.


A MEMPCS having high stiffness against bending deformation or distortion is formed by integrating the probe, electronic circuit, circuit connecting pad and dielectric material into a complete unit with flexible multiple-layered substrate structure, and the part of the probe extended outside the dielectric material is further wrapped with a protecting layer to form an reinforced structure for increasing high stiffness to the probe and for preventing environmental dirt and particle from getting into the gap existed between the probes of the MEMPCS.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a micro-electromechanical probe circuit substrate, particularly the micro-electromechanical probe circuit substrate (hereinafter referred to as MEMPCS) formed by having the probe, electronic circuit, circuit connecting pad and dielectric material integrated into a flexible multiple-layered substrate structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As shown in FIG. 1, the prior known probe circuit substrate 10 is provided with a flexible circuit substrate or soft sheet plate 11, and on the surface of the circuit substrate or the soft sheet plate 11 has the printed circuit (not shown), circuit connecting pads 12, and the metal probes 13 fixed on the circuit connecting pad 12 to form an electronic connection with the printed circuit and the circuit connecting pad 12.
However, since the prior known probe circuit substrate 10 has no protecting structure to wrap the probes 13 to improve its structure strength, the probes 13 is only supported by the joining strength between the bottom side of the probe 13 and the surface of the circuit substrate or the soft sheet plate 11, therefore, the structural strength of the probe 13 of the probe circuit substrate 10 is considerably unstable. Once load is applied on the probe 13 of the probe circuit substrate 10, slanting deformation or sinking to the probes 13 shall always be resulted in as shown in FIG. 1 that will cause distortion of signal transmitting when the probe circuit substrate is in practical use.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Micro-electromechanical probe circuit substrate


A stick-like apparatus for a physically handicapped person including a grip handle and a forearm supporting rod which rotates together with respect to a main rod so that the user can sit in an easy posture and can easily impose force on the stick-like apparatus when he stands up from a chair or when he goes upstairs.

1. Industrial Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to stick-like means suitable for use by a physically handicapped person having an impediment in walking.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When a person having an impediment of the limbs due to cerebral apoplexy or the like, who has difficulty walking by himself, uses a stick for assistance, the stick had better be secured to his forehand instead of being merely grasped by his hand so that the stick may not become unsteady and he can walk easily and safely. For the reasons, a stick for a physically handicapped person including a grip handle to be grasped by the hand and a forearm supporting rod along which the forearm extends for retainment has conventionally been used. This kind of stick generally includes a forearm fixture attached to the forearm supporting rod.
In the conventional stick, a main rod, the grip handle and the forearm supporting rod are fixedly connected to one another and angles between the grip handle and the forearm supporting rod, between the forearm supporting rod and the main rod and between the main rod and the grip handle are always constant. In this connection, the handicapped person is satisfied with the stick when he walks on the flat ground, whereas he feels uncomfortable when he goes up stairs or sits on a chair, because the elbow is unnaturally lifted.
To solve the above-described defect of the prior art, a stick is designed such that a forearm supporting rod can be brought down with respect to a main rod and a grip handle. In this stick, however, since the grip handle is fixed to the main rod, the wrist and the forearm of the user are unfavorably turned unnaturally to cause pain to the user if he continues to grasp the grip handle when he sit on a chair. Further, the user cannot sufficiently impose force on the stick when he tries to stand up from the chair.

Stick-like means for physically handicapped person


2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole UV-absorbers substituted at the 5-position of the benzo ring by a sulfoxide or sulfone group exhibit enhanced absorption in the near visible range (over 350 nm) allowing said compounds to be particularly effective in protecting polymer systems which are prone to degradation caused by actinic irradiation with wavelengths over 350 nm.

The 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazoles represent a very important class of commercial UV-absorbers which have found wide-spread acceptance as stabilizers for protecting a host of organic substrates against the deleterious effects of exposure to actinic radiation.
With such a long period of commercial and technical interest in this class of compounds, there are a host of publications and patents describing this general class of compounds. Only a few of these references recite substitution of 2H-benzotriazoles with any group containing sulfur.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,332 disclose 2H-benzotriazoles substituted on the 5-position of the benzo ring by lower alkyl sulfone (i.e. lower alkylsulfonyl moieties). This reference also describes benzotriazoles substituted at the same position by sulfonamide, lower alkyl sulfonamides, or aryl sulfonate esters. Such sulfonamide substitution is also taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,766,205 and 3,862,087.
The instant compounds and compositions are distinguished from the compounds of the prior art. None of these references disclose that substitution of a 2H-benzotriazole compound in the 5-position of the benzo ring by a sulfoxide or higher alkyl sulfone moiety results in a significant increase in UV absorbance and also shifts the absorption maximum by about 20 nm toward longer wavelength relative to benzotriazoles without such 5-thio substitution. Such increased absorbance coupled with the red shift of the absorbance maximum toward higher wavelengths enhances the protection of substrates sensitive to longer wavelength ultraviolet light (near visible), such as coatings, plastics and fibers.


An ultrasonic sensor with a cylinder-shaped housing whose base forms a diaphragm of the ultrasonic sensor. The diaphragm is manufactured as an independent component and directly mounted in the cylinder-shaped housing. A method for manufacturing the ultrasonic sensor includes the steps of manufacturing the diaphragm and the cylinder-shaped housing separately from each other, and mounting the diaphragm directly in the cylinder-shaped housing.

The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor with a cylinder-shaped housing the base of which forms a diaphragm of the ultrasonic sensor. In addition the invention relates to a method for the manufacture of such an ultrasonic sensor. Such ultrasonic sensors are more preferably employed in automobiles and for distance measurements.
Ultrasonic sensors of the type mentioned at the outset are known for example from DE 10 2004 031 310 A1, EP 1 443 342 A1 and WO 2005/024451 A2.
There it is known to use aluminium cups, wherein a piezoelectric sensor is glued to the base from the inside. The base of the aluminium cup then forms an outer aluminium diaphragm which in part is adjusted to the directivity pattern in a grinding process. For contacting the piezoelectric crystals which are formed as piezoelectric disc a cable or lead frame is produced and soldered in manually. The entire cup-shaped sensor element is then cast-embedded. This is then followed by additional contacting with a circuit board circuit and the circuit board and the entire sensor arrangement are inserted in a plastic housing and cast-embedded once more.
Another concept of an ultrasonic sensor is known from DE 100 23 065 B4. Here, a diaphragm is initially held in a diaphragm holder which is held in a housing by way of a carrier element.

Ultrasonic sensor and method for the manufacture of an ultrasonic sensor


An emergency shutoff valve includes a fluid conduit having a frangible area defined therein, a valve member operatively coupled to said conduit upstream of the frangible area, an expansible chamber having the frangible area defined therein, a movable member defining at least a portion of the expansible chamber, and a linkage operatively coupled to the movable member and the valve member for shutting the valve upon movement of the movable member in response to leakage of fluid through the frangible area. A method of shutting off fuel includes defining an expansible chamber about a frangible area in the conduit, moving a member defining a portion of the expansible chamber in response to leaking fuel, and shutting off a fuel valve in response to moving the movable member.

Fuel dispensing systems used at retail gas stations typically include an underground tank containing gasoline, diesel fuel or other liquid fuels, an above ground dispensing unit terminating in a nozzle adapted to supply the fuel to a motor vehicle, and a piping system interconnecting the underground tank and dispensing unit. While infrequent, vehicles can collide with the dispensing unit, causing the dispensing unit to be displaced. It is also possible for the unit to be displaced due to certain environmental conditions. In either event, a fuel pipe or conduit may rupture, causing fuel to be spilled and creating a potentially hazardous condition, unless preventive measures are taken.
A variety of emergency fuel shutoff valves are known in the art that have been developed in response to the foregoing potential problem. Known valves of this type include those having upper and lower housings releasably connected to one another, with the lower housing rigidly mounted. For instance, the lower housing can be mounted within a sump located beneath a concrete pedestal supporting the dispensing unit using, for example, a mounting bar as is known in the art. The lower housing is operably connected to the underground tank via underground conduits, while the upper housing is operably connected to the fuel dispensing unit.
A weakened portion, such as a circumferential groove, formed in the upper housing provides a planned failure site so that a first portion of the valve can separate from a second portion of the valve when one of the first or second portions is subjected to a predetermined load. Such a separation of valve portions causes a valve element in the lower housing to move from a releasably latched open position to a closed position, shutting off the flow of fuel from the underground tank. Shutoff valves of this type may also include a check valve in the upper housing that closes under the action of a biasing member when the valve portions separate. The check valve may reduce or prevent the backflow of fuel from the dispensing unit.
Emergency shutoff valves of the foregoing type have been successfully used in fuel dispensing systems, but they can exhibit certain disadvantages. For instance, it is possible for the dispensing unit to be subjected with a load or force that is not sufficient for the first portion of the shutoff valve to be separated from the second portion of the valve, but is sufficient to compromise the structural integrity of the valve housing. In other words, a load may crack the valve housing along the groove without completely separating the valve portions on either side of the groove. In this event, the valve element in the lower housing may not close, which may permit fuel to escape from the housing through the cracked or otherwise damaged weakened portion of the valve, resulting in undesirable spillage of fuel to the environment.
It is therefore desirable to provide an emergency shutoff valve for use in fuel dispensing systems that overcomes the disadvantages associated with known emergency shutoff valves.

Emergency shutoff valve for use in a fuel dispensing system


A removable and collapsible barricade post assembly for the restriction of vehicular traffic. The barricade post assembly has a novel base assembly that allow the post assembly to be removed from its mounting bracket which is normally permanently affixed to the ground. Alternatively, the post assembly can remain attached to its mounting bracket while being lowered to allow the passage of vehicular traffic. The barricade post assembly has a number of security features to restrict the unauthorized removal or collapsing of the barricade post. A cover assembly to enhance security and to provide weather protection for the barricade post assembly is also described.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of barricade post assemblies and particularly to a barricade post assembly that obstructs passage in an upright position, can be lowered to a non-obstructing collapsed position, or that can be removed and replaced at will. An optional cover assembly provides weather protection and added security.
2. Background Art
Barricade posts of the type discussed herein are commonly used for control of vehicular traffic. The operation of the typical barricade post is fairly simple. When placed in its operating position, the barricade post assembly blocks traffic. When removed or collapsed, the barricade post assembly allows the free movement of traffic. A number of patents, discussed below, have attempted to make the transition from the blocking position to the unblocking position as convenient as possible. The instant invention improves on the prior designs by combining versatility, economy, utility and convenience.
When deployed, the barricade post is used either to keep vehicular traffic in or keep it out. An example of using a barricade post for keeping vehicular traffic in is using it across the driveway of an automobile dealership. During the day, the barricade post is removed or collapsed to permit the free passage of automobiles on and off the lot. The barricade posts are returned to their barricading position after closing, thereby keeping the vehicles in and impeding their theft. The barricade post can also be used to protect a single automobile from theft. For instance, a car parked in a parking space with a wall in front of it could be secured by positioning a barricade post relatively close to the rear bumper of the car. Unless the barricade post is removed or collapsed, the car is constrained between the barricade post and the wall. A second barricade post also could be placed in front of the car if there is nothing else available to impede the forward movement of the car.
The second major use of barricade posts is to keep vehicular traffic out of a particular location. For instance, a barricade post can keep unauthorized users out of a reserved parking space. Keeping an automobile out of a residential driveway can discourage theft. As another example, it is often desirable to keep most vehicles out of an area while permitting access for emergency vehicles. A pedestrian mall in a downtown shopping area is an example of this. Sometimes a barricade post is useful for simply directing traffic. For instance, in a parking lot during a football game, a barricade post could force most the traffic to one side of the parking lot, while permitting the spaces nearest the stadium to be used only by season ticket holders.
A third major use for barricade posts is to protect an object against the damage that a vehicle can cause to it. For instance, oil and gas meters are frequently protected by sinking steel pipe barricades into concrete at various points around the meter. This is effective for protecting the meter, but access to the meter for repair is limited by the barricade's permanent installation.
The utility of barricade posts for the control of traffic, for the protection of objects, and for security, has long been recognized and many designs have been proposed. For instance, in 1933, a telescoping traffic guard was taught in U.S. Pat. No. 1,916,787 (Elston). The traffic guard discussed in Elston is comprised of a barricade post and a sleeve assembly. The whole assembly is buried in the ground. When the barricade post is needed, it is pulled from the sleeve and it automatically latches when it reaches its upright position. Variations on this telescopic configuration are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,159 (Higginson) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,694 (Macaluso). Both of these patents have barricade posts contained in sleeves that are buried. To deploy the barricade posts, they are pulled up into position. Higginson secures the barricade post in position by using a handle to move a cross bar that is attached to the post into engagement with the sleeve. Macaluso teaches a tongue that flops out when the barricade post is extended. A padlock attached to the tongue keeps the post from returning to its sleeve.
The second type of barricade post found in the background art involves a collapsible barricade post. These patents teach a bracket connected to the ground and a barricade post connected to the bracket by a pivot pin. In an upright position, the barricade post assembly blocks traffic. When the barricade post is collapsed about the pivot pin, it is possible for traffic to pass over the barricade. The barricade posts taught in these patents, however, can not be removed but only collapsed--the brackets are mounted permanently to the ground. Examples of these patents include U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,960 (Dull), U.S. Pat. No. 3,417,508 (Sprung), U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,439 (Doxsee), U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,439 (Carlyle), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,902 (Miller et al.).
A third type of barricade post is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,149 (Collins) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,754 (Conigliaro). These patents teach a sleeve and barricade post combination. The sleeve is permanently secured in a base location and the barricade post is inserted into the sleeve. The barricade post can be removed from the sleeve when not in use and placed in storage. The barricade posts taught in these patents do not collapse into a non-obstructing position--they must be completely removed.

Collapsible and removable barricade post assembly


A seatbelt buckle structure having: a buckle portion which a tongue plate, through which a seatbelt is inserted, is reattachable; a hollow boot portion; at whose distal end portion the buckle portion is installed; and that supports the buckle portion in an erect state by rigidity of the boot portion; a webbing portion provided at an interior of the boot portion; that connects a vehicle body and the buckle portion; that makes movement, in a vehicle vertical direction, of the boot portion possible; and that, when external force from above is inputted to the buckle portion, moves the boot portion and the buckle portion downward in the vehicle vertical direction; and an elastic member that is provided at the interior of the boot portion; that connects the boot and webbing portions; and at which elastic energy accumulates when external force from above is inputted to the buckle and boot portions.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a seatbelt buckle structure of a vehicle.
2. Related Art
The technology of a buckle portion housing structure is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open (JP-U) No. H7-35203 for example. Concretely, the buckle portion housing structure has a buckle portion to and from which a seatbelt is attachable and detachable, a housing body portion that houses the buckle portion, and a sewn portion at which the housing body portion is sewn to a trim cover. At the vehicle cabin side of the housing body portion, there is provided an extending/contracting portion that pushes the buckle portion down by external force, and, when that external force disappears, returns the buckle portion to its original state. Due to such a structure, when external force from above is inputted to the buckle portion, the housing body portion sinks-in into the seat cushion interior, and it can be made such that the buckle portion does not project-out from the seat surface of the seat cushion.