A flux for use in a dry process for the flux treatment of the material to be coated with molten metal contains at least one chloride selected from the group consisting of zinc chloride, stannous chloride, an alkali metal chloride and an alkaline earth metal chloride and at least one aliphatic nitrogen derivative with alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbons. The treatment of steel with this flux enables the formation of a coating having a good finish from, among others, a molten alloy of zinc and aluminum, which may further contain other elements, or molten aluminum, by a single dipping operation in an atmospheric environment which has hitherto been difficult. A process for manufacturing steel coated with molten metal, including its treatment with the flux, is also disclosed.

Building materials and structures made of iron or steel, including towers and bridges, are coated with molten zinc for protection against corrosion. The material to be coated is subjected to pretreatment by a process comprising the steps of degreasing, rinsing with water, pickling, rinsing with water, and flux treatment. The flux treatment of the steel to be coated is usually carried out by a dry process comprising dipping it in an aqueous flux solution, and drying it, though there is also a wet process.
It has hitherto been usual to employ as the flux an aqueous solution containing zinc chloride and ammonium chloride, or only ammonium chloride, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 136759/1983. Ammonium chloride is decomposed into hydrogen chloride and ammonia at a galvanizing temperature, and the ammonia combines with zinc chloride to form zinc monoaminechloride. The hydrogen chloride and zinc monoaminechloride are so corrosive as to remove from the surface of the steel to be coated the rust which has formed on the steel surface after its flux treatment, and the zinc oxide which the steel to be coated has drawn in from the surface of a zincbath when it has been dipped in it. Thus, they contribute to improving the wetting of the cleansed steel surface with molten zinc to enable the formation of a good zinc coating on the steel surface.
The recent development of an oceanic, or coastal region has given rise to the necessity for the construction or installation of road facilities, line hardware, and building structures in a highly corrosive environment. Various attempts have, therefore, been made to protect those facilities or structures by coating them with a galvanizing layer, or a thick layer of a paint, but none of them has been satisfactory. The problem of acid rain has added to the necessity for the effective rustproofing of steel structures. A snowy region has another problem. A snow melting agent, such as calcium chloride, causes the corrosion of steel. There are strict standards calling for the protection of steel sheets for automobiles against corrosion by a snow melting agent, as represented by a Canadian court decision.
A great deal of research work has, therefore, been made to obtain a coating giving a higher degree of corrosion resistance by electroplating or molten metal coating. A molten alloy of zinc and aluminum has, among others, drawn attention as being able to form a coating providing a high degree of corrosion resistance, and is already used to some extent or other for coating steel sheets. It is employed in a continuous coating process which is carried out in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
There is also known a two-stage coating process which is employed for coating small parts, such as steel wire and line hardware, in an atmospheric environment. This process comprises coating the material with molten zinc, and coating it again immediately with a molten alloy of zinc and aluminum to form a coating of the alloy. The process, however, has a number of drawbacks including the necessity for the installation of a bath of the molten alloy of zinc and aluminum, the resulting increase in the space for installation and the cost of maintenance, and the operating time prolonged by the repeated coating operation.
There is hardly known any case where a single-stage coating process employing a molten alloy of zinc and aluminum has been carried out in an atmospheric environment, though hot dip galvanizing has always been done in such an environment. This means that it has been impossible to obtain a satisfactory coating of an alloy of zinc and aluminum even by using the flux as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 136759/1983, if the process is carried out in an atmospheric environment.
The inability of any single-stage process to form a satisfactory coating from a molten alloy of zinc and aluminum in an atmospheric environment is due to the selective oxidation of aluminum which occurs in the surface of the zinc bath and prevents any satisfactory contact between the steel to be coated and the constituents of the bath, and also to the fact that the zinc chloride and ammonium chloride which are used as the flux in ordinary hot dip galvanizing coating undergo the following reactions: EQU 3ZnCl.sub.2 +2Al.fwdarw.3Zn+2AlCl.sub.3 EQU 6NH.sub.4 Cl+2Al.fwdarw.2AlCl.sub.3 +6NH.sub.4 +3H.sub.2
These reactions lower the effect of the flux and result in an unsatisfactory coating having bare spots, roughness, or lumpiness.
Although it has been known that the use of a zinc both containing aluminum at a high concentration yields a coating of improved corrosion resistance, the absence of any appropriate flux has made it difficult to form any satisfactory coating on an industrial basis.

Flux suitable for coating molten zinc, molten alloy of aluminum and zinc, and molten aluminum


A method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia employs the steps of inserting a diffusing light guide into a prostrate lobe and providing laser power to the diffusing light guide in order to necrose surrounding tissue. The diffusing light guide can be inserted into the central or lateral prostrate lobes by inserting a needle and a trocar transperineally into the middle of the lateral lobe, removing the trocar, inserting the diffusing light guide, and monitoring the position of the needle, trocar, and diffusing light guide using ultrasound. The diffusing light guide can also be inserted into the central or lateral prostrate lobes transurethrally and positioned with the aid of an urethroscope.

This invention relates to the field of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and more particularly to the field of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia with laser energy.
Open surgery and transurethral resection are increasingly reliable and safe procedures for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The trend towards minimally invasive modes of therapy, however, can also be observed with respect to BPH. One reason is that as life expectancy grows, there is a greater number of aged patients who reach the stage where they require treatment, some of them suffering from BPH in addition to other conditions. Secondly, a large number of patients are simply afraid of surgical intervention and the possibility of complications. This is proven not only by the widespread use of phytopharmacological preparations, but also by the fact that new therapeutic approaches tend to become quickly popular, for example hyperthermia.
The current literature reports on a multitude of rediscovered and novel treatment concepts, which include various pharmacological methods, balloon dilatation, intraprostatic stents, focussed ultrasound therapy and cryosurgery, as well as different systems of hyperthermia and thermotherapy, where microwaves, for example, are applied transrectally or transurethrally.
Several work groups have been working with transurethral laser applications. Interstitial application, although arguably a logical next step, has so far been problematic: the customarily used bare fibers or contact tips led to a high concentration of heat, which resulted in uncontrollable carbonization, a process that absorbs laser rays and consequently prevents deep coagulation of the tissues.
It is known that an Nd:YAG laser (such as the Medilas 4060N fiberTome.TM., MBB Medizintechnik GmbH, Munich, Germany and Sharplan 3000 laser from Laser Industries Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel) produces deep tissue coagulation in a minimally invasive manner, produces favorable coagulation properties, and has the ability to deliver radiation through light guides. However, in order to avoid carbonization of tissue, the power density must not exceed a value of between 5-10 Watts per square cm.
The power at the end of a bare light guide can be dispersed by employing the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,725 to Hessel et. al. titled "Apparatus for the Circumferential Irradiation of Objects". Hessel et. al. shows a diffusing light guide having a clear glass cap placed at the end of a fiber for diffusing light transmitted through the fiber. However, Hessel does not disclose how to use the diffusing light guide for treating BHP.
An object of the invention is to provide improved treatment arrangement and process for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.
According to the present invention, a diffusing light guide into a prostate lobe and providing laser method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia comprises the steps of inserting a power to the diffusing light guide in order to necrose and shrink surrounding tissue.
In exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention, the diffusing light guide is inserted into the central or lateral prostate lobes by inserting a trocar needle and a trocar sheath transperineally into the lobe, removing the trocar needle, inserting the diffusing light guide into the trocar sheath, and monitoring the position of the trocar needle, trocar sheath, and diffusing light guide using ultrasound.
In exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention, the diffusing light guide is inserted into the central or lateral prostate lobes transuretherally and positioned with the aid of an urethroscope.
In exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention, the diffusing light guide is an ITT (interstitial thermal therapy) light guide having a cap with a diameter between 1 and 3 mm and a length of between 10 to 30 mm.
In exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention, the diffusing light guide has cap with a diameter of 1.9 mm and a length and an active length of 20 mm and 15 mm, respectively.
Using the diffusing light guide to necrose prostrate tissue eliminates the need for surgical treatment and for the other treatments discussed above. Using a diffusing light guide instead of a bare light guide eliminates the carbonization problem associated with bare light guides.
Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Interstitial laser coagulation treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia


A system and method for making made-to-order architectural millwork of custom dimensions; including the design of wood joints and a system for deploying them within the overall structural design of individual architectural millwork units, as well as methods for online design and ordering, automated writing of machine code, robotic part preparation, and simplified on-site installation. With the automation and generation of digital code for manufacturing custom architectural components, this method makes the formation of distributed manufacturing centers possible. Through this method and with minimum re-tooling and/or training, these centers are able to produce custom millwork more efficiently and effectively than traditional custom millwork woodshops.

There are currently two basic market solutions for the production of architectural millwork. These primarily include manufacturing units of pre-determined sizes or the production of custom units with less automated methods. While the first method may be more affordable, the realities of construction often require, at a minimum, a combination of both methods when units of fixed dimensions do not fit within the overall dimensions of the installation site, resulting in design and coordination costs that are additional to the purchase and basic installation of the units themselves. Designing solutions for complex object and space problems, such as the design and coordination of custom architectural millwork in a space, may involve the use of drafting and modeling software. Current software solutions may require considerable drafting expertise and familiarity with the design problem. The time and skill required to generate initial valid solutions for consideration with current technologies may be a significant barrier for access to custom architectural millwork products. The design and production of custom units without automated methods may be less affordable than automated methods, but may be of a higher quality. Therefore, it would be desirable to develop an automated design and manufacturing process for creating high quality, made-to-order architectural millwork with customizable dimensions and reasonable costs.

Automated manufacturing architectural millwork


An automatic car cover system, driven by electric motors, for a car, which is equipped with an automatic opening/closing trunk lid, is provided. The automatic car cover system according to current application is comprised of one cover runner, one holster, one holster casing, one guide, one cover sheet, and one cover sheet un-folder. The cover runner is a small electric motor driven vehicle equipped with caterpillars, which are comprised of magnetic plates covered with rubber. The holster pushes out/rewinds the cover runner, the guide, and the cover sheet with un-folder. The holster comes out of and goes into trunk of the car with aid of a line connected to a reverse power motor installed in the holster.

Most of car covers on the market is a simple plastic sheets deployed manually by the owner of the car. Some of recent car covers are installed inside of trunk of a car and re-winded automatically by a spring re-winder that also is installed inside thereof. Especially, for bad weather, when it rains or in a snow storm, it is very hard to deploy the cover alone even for an adult man. Meanwhile, some expensive luxury cars are provided with a trunk that opens and closed automatically. However, such automatic trunk system faces its limit when the car cover stored therein is a manually deploying one. It is almost impossible to deploy a car cover when it rains while the owner of the car holds luggage in both of his/her hands. If hails comes down just after shopping, there is no way to protect the luxury car from the hail stones with a manually deploying car cover. If with a car cover deploys automatically, it will protect the luxury cars even at the worst situation. It is purpose of the current application to provide a car cover that comes out of a car's trunk, deploys and restored into the trunk automatically by a simple press of a key.

Automatic deploying car cover system for a car equipped with an automatic opening/closing trunk


An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices.

Toroidal traction drive automatic transmissions may include a variator, one or more gear sets and a number of selectively engageable friction devices that cooperate together to transfer drive torque from a power plant to one or more loads. It is desirable to multiplex gear engagement control in such transmissions, and to provide fault protection for one or more faults or failure conditions.

System and method for multiplexing gear engagement control and providing fault protection in a toroidal traction drive automatic transmission


A semiconductor device provided with an external connection terminal composed of a metal bump electrode. A first metal film is formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor device, a second metal film on the first metal film, and a third metal film on the second metal film. A resist film is selectively formed on the third metal film. A metal bump electrode is formed on the third metal film, at a portion at which the resist film is not present by electrolytic plating while using the third metal film as a conductive plating electrode and the resist film as a mask. The resist film is removed and the metal films are etched while using the metal bump electrode as a mask.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a semiconductor device having a gold bump for an electrode constituting an external connecting terminal
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many proposals have conventionally been made for methods of manufacturing a gold bump for an electrode of a semiconductor device. FIGS. 6 are a cross-sectional view showing the steps of a conventional manufacturing process for a gold bump for an electrode.
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6a, an A1 electrode pad 62 and a passivation film 63 are formed on an integrated circuit 61. Then, as shown in FIG. 6b, a Ti film layer 64 having a thickness of 0.1 .mu.m and a pt film layer 65 having a thickness of 0.2 .mu.m is formed over the entire surface of integrated circuit 61 by sputtering or deposition. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6c, a photoresist film layer 66 is formed above pad 62 to a thickness of 1 .mu.m by using a positive or negative resist. The unnecessary portion of the Pt film layer 65 is next removed by wet etching using aqua regia (a mixed solution of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid) and using layer 66 as a mask. After removing the photoresist film layer 66 by a remover or an oxygen-plasma method, a photoresist film layer 67 is formed to a thickness of 3 .mu.m by using a positive or negative resist in such a manner as to have an opening portion on the patterned Pt film layer 65, as shown in FIG. 6e. A bump electrode 68 is formed by Au electrolytic plating while using the photoresist film layer 67 as a mask, and using the Ti film layer 64 as a conductive film for electrolytic plating. The photoresist film 67 is then removed by a remover or an oxygen-plasma method, leaving the structure shown in FIG. 6f. Finally, the unnecessary portion of the Ti film layer 64 is removed by using a mixed solution of ammonia water and aqueous hydrogen peroxide while using the patterned Pt film layer 65 as a mask, resulting in the structure shown in FIG. 6g.
This conventional manufacturing method has the following drawbacks.
Firstly, since photoresist film layer 66 is used as an etching mask for Pt film layer 65, two photo processes, including a photo process for Au plating, are required.
Secondly, since bump electrode 68 formed by Au plating must be adhered to Pt film layer 65, which metal is different from Au, the strength of the adhesive bond is so low that its reliability is insufficient when bump electrode 68 is mounted on a semiconductor device. Ti thin film 64 is used as the conductive film for Au plating. Since a Ti surface is readily oxidized, a contact failure is apt to be caused at the contact point, and since the Ti film is thin, the conductive film is sometimes broken at the stepped portion on the surface of the integrated circuit.
In addition, since there is no step of etching the surface of the bump electrode 68, when the bump electrode 68 is mounted on a semiconductor device, a large electric resistance is caused between the bump electrode and the substrate by the adhesion of a residue of the photoresist film 67 or the like.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device terminal having a gold bump electrode


A fuel injection valve includes a valve member for regulating a flow of a fuel to a nozzle hole, a movable core axially slidable in an integrated body with the valve member, a fixed core being faced by an end of the movable core, and a coil portion having an increasing number of winding of a winding wire toward the movable core in a bobbin to have a magnetic attractive force between the movable core and the fixed core upon application of an electric current. The number of winding wire increases toward an end on a movable core side in the coil portion. Therefore, the generated magnetic field increases on the movable core side. In this manner, the magnetic attractive force between the fixed core and the movable core is increased without increasing a cross-section and/or a body of the movable core.

Conventional fuel injection valves are disclosed in Japanese Patent Documents. The conventional fuel injection valves disclosed therein actuate a valve member by an electromagnetic force between a fixed core and a movable core that slidably moves in an axially reciprocating motion. The electromagnetic force between the fixed core and the movable core can be increased by increasing a cross-sectional area of those cores (refer to a Japanese Patent Document JP-A-H11-500509, and a Japanese Patent Document JP-A-2002-528672). The increased cross-sectional area of the fixed core and the movable core receives an increased amount of magnetic flux. Therefore, the fixed core 34 and the movable core attract each other by an increased magnetic attractive force.
However, the increased cross-sectional area of the movable core leads to an increased mass. The increased mass of the movable core deteriorates responsiveness of the movable core when a current is supplied to actuate the movable core. As a result, an amount of injected fuel cannot be precisely controlled.


An apparatus and a method for controlling automatic steering of a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a global positioning system (GPS) that is configured to detect a current location of the vehicle. In addition, a controller is configured to detect a curvature of a road that corresponds to the current location of the vehicle, detect a road type based on the curvature, and set a plurality of target points to adjust steering of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling automatic steering of a vehicle, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for controlling automatic steering of a vehicle, for setting two target points in a driving direction of a vehicle similar to a driving pattern of a driver while the vehicle is driven on a road to control automatic steering of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, automatic steering control of a vehicle adopting an intelligent safety system including a known lane keeping assist system (LKAS) or other automatically steered and driven vehicles using known technologies is achieved by periodically transmitting an escape distance and an escape angle while the vehicle is driven as a feedback and using the escape distance and the escape angle to control the vehicle. The escape distance used for automatic steering is a vertical direction distance closest to a reference path from a reference point of a vehicle and refers to a degree by which the vehicle escapes (e.g., steers or travels away from) from the reference path in a transverse direction. In addition, the escape angle is an angle between a driving direction of a vehicle and a tangent vector direction of the reference path and refers to a degree by which an angle of the vehicle escapes from the reference path. Such a conventional automatic driving vehicle is configured to perform automatic driving by receiving and correcting the escape distance and the escape angle as a feedback.
However, vehicles that adopt a known automatic steering control system are configured to correct a vehicle escape distance and escape angle by applying a preset reference to a vehicle using the aforementioned technologies. There are driving patterns, that is, drivers gaze into the distance during high speed driving on a straight road or during curve road driving. However, the aforementioned conventional automatic steering control systems do not reflect these driver patterns.

Apparatus and method for controlling automatic steering of vehicle


A first antenna group includes one first antenna disposed at one end of a leading car, and another first antenna disposed at one end of a following car. A second antenna group includes one second antenna disposed at the one end of the leading car, the position where the one second antenna is disposed being different from the position where the one first antenna is disposed in a direction orthogonal to a travel direction of the leading car, and another second antenna disposed at the one end of the following car. A measurement unit measures radio wave strength between a pair of first antennas during communication via the first antenna group. A controller is enabled to make a switch from the first antenna group to the second antenna group when the radio wave strength is less than a predetermined value.

There is a method for establishing a communication network environment between cars of a train with wired communication based on a standard such as Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark). However, with this method, it is difficult to retrofit existing cars with a communication network environment. As a measure against the difficulty, an introduction of radio communication between cars is conceivable, but the radio communication has a problem such as interference or unintentional connection. Therefore, proposed is a train communication system that establishes radio communication between cars based on low power radio, the radio communication being tolerant of interference and the like. Further, in such a train communication system, a plurality of radio paths are provided between cars to secure redundancy. PTL 1 discloses a technique regarding such a train communication system.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A method of ensuring that serialization is maintained between separate transactions while searching and/or modifying a variable length queue includes searching a queue using a transaction. A first sequence number is retrieved from a queue header and a second sequence number is retrieved from local storage for the transaction. The first sequence number is compared with the second sequence number according to embodiments. The search of the queue is resumed using an address of a next element saved from a previous transaction responsive to the first sequence number matching the second sequence number. The search of the queue is restarted at a first element responsive to the first sequence number not matching the second sequence number.

The present invention relates generally to the serialization of queues in a multi-processor environment, and more specifically, to ensuring that serialization is maintained between separate transactions while searching and/or modifying a variable length queue.
Searching and/or modifying a queue in a multi-processor environment generally requires a serialization mechanism to ensure that one central processing unit (CPU) is not making incompatible changes to the queue while another CPU is either searching the queue or also making changes to the queue.
One conventional serialization mechanism is a hardware or software locking technique, which permits a single CPU to update the queue or multiple CPUs to search the queue without updating. Another conventional serial mechanism utilizes transactional execution. A typical transactional execution implementation allows a set of instructions that search or modify a queue to appear as a single transaction with respect to other CPUs. That is, all storage accesses between the start and end of the transaction appear to be block-concurrent with respect to other CPUs, and all storage updates are either committed in their entirety once the transaction ends or none of them are committed due to a fetch or store conflict with another CPU. If a conflict occurs between two CPUs (e.g., one CPU accesses a storage area that is modified by another), the transaction is aborted for one or both CPUs. The transaction can then be retried by the CPUs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Efficiently searching and modifying a variable length queue

International Business Machines Corporation


A powered surgical handpiece including a housing, a printed circuit board, a sensor, and an actuator assembly. The housing has a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end of the housing. The printed circuit board has a first face and a second opposing face. The first and second faces extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The sensor is coupled to the first face of the printed circuit board. The sensor is centered along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator assembly includes a lever and an actuator. The lever is pivotally coupled to the housing. The lever maintains a magnet slidably positionable along the lever. The magnet is positionable to be proximal to the sensors.

Surgical instruments use a variety of methods to control the operating speed of the instrument. For example, a powered surgical instrument may use a control lever that can be moved to increase or decrease the operating speed of the instrument. In other examples, a foot pedal may be used to increase or decrease the operating speed of the surgical instrument.
Some conventional powered surgical instruments include the control lever fixed to the instrument. The control lever may be resiliently and pivotally coupled to the instrument such that a user may pivot the control lever towards the instrument to increase the operating speed, and then allow the control lever to resiliently pivot away from the instrument to decrease the operating speed. The control lever may provide only limited adjustability of finger control positions for the surgeon, mostly predefined positions and not cover all ergonomic positions for ease of use and access to the surgical site. Some conventional powered surgical instruments include sensors positioned close to the perimeter of the housing and aligned with the housing to detect a magnetic field perpendicular to the housing to detect movement of the control lever in order to increase, decrease, or maintain the operating speed of the surgical instrument. Typically four sensors are disposed in the housing in order to detect the magnetic field when the control lever is positioned in one of the predefined positions. Alignment of the sensors within the housing in order to detect the perpendicular magnetic field of the magnet in the control lever can be difficult. The size of the surgical instrument must be large enough to accommodate all of the sensors in their aligned positions.


Aromatic polycarbonates are prepared by a process which includes a continuous stage of oligomer preparation from a carbonyl halide such as phosgene and a dihydroxyaromatic compound such as bisphenol A, under interfacial conditions in the presence of an interfacial polycarbonate formation catalyst and an alkali metal hydroxide. The molar ratio of alkali metal hydroxide to carbonyl halide during oligomer preparation is up to 1.8:1, preferably in the range of about 1.45-1.8:1. The oligomeric intermediate product is then converted to high molecular weight polycarbonate having a low proportion of cyclic oligomers, which improves its thermodynamic stability.

This invention relates to the interfacial preparation of aromatic polycarbonates, and more particularly to their preparation by a continuous method.
A well known method for polycarbonate preparation employs at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound, typically a bisphenol; a carbonyl halide, typically phosgene; a base, typically an alkali metal hydroxide, as an acid acceptor; a catalyst; and a substantially inert, substantially water-insoluble organic liquid such as methylene chloride. This method is frequently designated "interfacial" by reason of the interface existing between the distinct aqueous and organic phases.
Interfacial polycarbonate preparation has, by and large, been a batch process although numerous disclosures of continuous processes exist in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,573 discloses a method adapted to continuous operation, wherein the first step is preparation of an intermediate product comprising polycarbonate oligomers, typically containing chloroformate end groups, in a tank reactor such as a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). This intermediate product may then be converted to high molecular weight polycarbonate in one or, if necessary, two downstream reactors. The first such reactor may be another CSTR and the second may be a limited back-mixing reactor; i.e., one approaching plug flow conditions.
One advantage of batch operation over the years has been the freedom to change grades of polycarbonate manufactured by merely varying batch parameters. This is no longer as important a factor as it was, however, by reason of the alternative offered by redistribution according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,057; i.e., a single grade of polycarbonate can be converted by redistribution into other grades of varying molecular weights. Thus, continuous operation becomes more attractive as a commercial possibility.
Copending application Ser. No. 07/724,642 discloses a method for interfacial polycarbonate preparation which also involves an initial step of oligomer formation. The proportion of base (e.g., alkali metal hydroxide) employed therein is preferably equal to 2+4Y(Z-1) moles of base per mole of dihydroxy compound, wherein Y is in the range of about 0-0.5 and Z is the number of "moles of carbonic acid derivative per mole of dihydroxy compound"; i.e., the molar ratio of carbonyl halide to dihydroxyaromatic compound. By employing base in this proportion, it is allegedly possible to produce an oligomer intermediate having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) in the range of about 1,500-8,000 preferably about 1,500-4,000, which offers significant advantages.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,117 discloses a continuous method for interfacial polycarbonate preparation in which an essential feature is maintenance of the ratio of equivalents of base to dihydroxyaromatic compound in the range of 1.15-1.6. Such a ratio allegedly produces polycarbonate having a well regulated molecular weight distribution.
The molecular weight of the intermediate oligomer product unquestionably also has a significant effect on the properties of the high molecular weight polycarbonate ultimately formed in a continuous process. It has been found that if the oligomer molecular weight is too low, phosgenation efficiency may decrease, increasing raw material costs and necessitating very efficient scrubbing procedures to avoid discharge of very toxic phosgene into the atmosphere. In addition, low molecular weight oligomers tend to be less efficient at dissolving any unreacted dihydroxyaromatic compound, affording mixtures containing a solid phase which is difficult to process. On the other hand, oligomers of unduly high molecular weight produced in a continuous process can produce thermodynamically unstable polycarbonate products.
Therefore, there is a need for a continuous polycarbonate preparation method which is capable of producing an acceptable balance of phosgenation efficiency and thermodynamic stability in the final product.

Continuous interfacial method for preparing aromatic polycarbonates


A method and apparatus for providing an alerting tool to measure the amount of logging in a network component, for example a network element, and to provide an alarm to a network operator or an automated system when the amount of logging reaches a predefined threshold are disclosed. The network component can then be instructed to reduce the logging activities until all processes appear to be normally utilized and queue lengths return to a normal level.

Components, such as network elements, in a packet network such as a VoIP network, often produce logs that provide useful information about the state of the components and all transactions processing through them. These logs, however, are produced in real time and are stored in main memory. These logs often compete for Central Processing Unit (CPU) cycles and memory space with other valuable resources running on these components including transactions performing call set up messages. As such, increased amounts of logging during a high volume calling period can produce congestion within the CPU leading to delays and potential service disruptions.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for proactively controlling logging operations in a packet network.

Method and apparatus for controlling logging in a communication network


Using artificial intelligence (AI) to select and/or chain robotic process automation (RPA) models a given problem is disclosed. A model of models (e.g., an RPA robot or an ML model) may serve as an additional layer on an existing system that makes the existing models more effective. This model of models may incorporate AI that learns an improved or best set of rules or an order from existing models, potentially taking certain activities from a model, feeding input from one model into another, and/or chaining models in some embodiments.

Typically, a single RPA workflow is built and deployed in a single robot to perform certain tasks under certain conditions. For instance, a robot may be built and deployed that looks for certain visual components in an image, pulls certain information from an invoice, etc. However, without continuously building new rules based on changes to the current problem or understanding which activities are working properly, new changes may not be recognized, or the robot may fail altogether. Furthermore, a single robot may not be optimal for all scenarios. Accordingly, an improved approach may be beneficial.

Using artificial intelligence to select and chain models for robotic process automation


To provide a medicine inspection system capable of appropriately outputting an inspection result while minimizing damage and the like to a packaging bag and a medicine.

Conventionally, a medicine dispensing device such as what is disclosed by patent document 1 below is provided. With the medicine dispensing device disclosed by the following patent document 1, solid medicines in the form of a granular substance, capsule, or the like can be divided by the packaging paper into individual dosage packs, and supplied. Moreover, the medicine dispensing device according to patent document 1 below is configured such that the solid medicine is photographed in a divided and packaged state by the packaging paper, wherein the numerical quantity of the solid medicine is inspected based on the image obtained.
Furthermore, as with the device for determining a number of tablets of patent document 2, and the parceling packer of an article of patent document 3 listed below, there exist other devices that also perform the likes of marking or printing, based on inspection results obtained from an image taken after a medicine has been divided and packaged.

Medicinal agent inspection system, winding device, feed device, and holder

Abstract: A medicine inspection system 10 includes an inspection device 20 which inspects a numerical quantity and/or a type of a medicine contained in a packaging bag p based on an image photographed of the packaging bag p to be inspected, and a marking device 50 which records an inspection result from the inspection device on the packaging bag p. After the packaging bag p, which has a seal section S formed by pressure bonding an overlapping portion of a packaging paper, is inspected at the inspection device 20, a stamp which indicates the inspection result thereof is output by a marking device 50 onto the seal section S.


Providing a simply-arranged detaching/attaching mechanism and image forming device which allow a transfer supporter device to be detached/attached through a space formed by opening an outer covering, the device includes photosensitive drums, detachable/attachable transfer belt unit, and rail members supporting a transfer belt unit. Each of the rail members includes a rail groove guiding the transfer belt unit, notch and positioning hole determining the position of the transfer belt unit when the belt is in contact with the photosensitive drums, and notch and convex section determining the position of the transfer belt unit when the belt is detached from the photosensitive drums. The transfer belt unit support with respect to the main body of the image forming device, performed by the rail members, is released in response to the action of opening the side cover, so that the transfer belt unit is in a free state.

A transfer supporter device, which is provided in an image forming device and includes a transfer supporter for transferring an image formed on an image supporter to a transported sheet or the transfer supporter itself, typically includes at least two roller members including a drive roller, and a transfer supporter, which is shaped like an endless belt, is stretched between the roller members, allowing the transfer supporter to rotate.
In this transfer supporter device, the drive roller causes the transfer supporter to rotate so that images which have been formed and sheets are transported. As continuously carrying out this operation, problems such as worn-down, fatigue and contamination of the transfer supporter occur so that the performance of the transfer supporter gradually deteriorates.
For this reason, generally the transfer supporter is replaced at predetermined intervals. Although the whole transfer supporter device may be replaced, only the transfer supporter is replaced in many cases. At any rate, to carry out the replacement, one has to draw out the transfer supporter from the inside of the image forming device, and after the replacement, put the supporter back to its original position.
Meanwhile, in an image forming device in which a sheet is provided on a transfer supporter and an image formed on an image supporter is transferred to the sheet, the sheet is supported by the image supporter and the transfer supporter so that the transfer is properly carried out.
Because of this arrangement, when the sheet is stopped on the transfer supporter due to reasons such as sheet jamming during the transportation due to some sort of trouble, the image transfer to the sheet is unlikely to be carried out properly, and hence the sheet on the transfer supporter has to be removed.
However, since it is difficult to remove the sheet when the same is held between the image supporter and the transfer supporter, it is necessary to release either one of the image supporter and the transfer supporter device from the other.
The distance between the released members cannot be long, in consideration of reasons such as the sizes of the image supporter, the transfer supporter, and the image forming device. Thus, the distance is restricted to be very short and hence one can hardly insert one's hand or finger to remove the sheet on the transfer supporter. For this reason, the sheet has typically been removed by drawing out a member, which is either one of the above-mentioned members and provided in the lower side of the image forming device, from the image forming device.
For instance, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2-163238 (published on Jun. 22, 1990) discloses an image forming device arranged such that, a transfer supporter device is lowered and released from an image supporter by operating a handle, and then the transfer supporter and an up-and-down mechanism are drawn out altogether.
Also, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 6-316347 (published on Nov. 15, 1994; corresponding to Japanese Patent No. 2861721, registered on Dec. 11, 1998) discloses an image forming device in which a transfer supporter device is supported by a drawer and allowed to go up and down. In this image forming device, maintenances such as the removal of a jammed sheet, cleaning, and replacement of the transfer supporter device are performed by drawing out the transfer supporter device together with the drawer after causing the transfer supporter device to go down and separate from the image supporter.
Also, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2002-214874 (published on Jul. 31, 2002; corresponding to US2002-98009 A1) discloses an image forming device in which, in sync with opening and shutting of outer coverings from a plurality of directions, a transfer belt is caused to separate from a photosensitive drum at the opened side. With this arrangement, one can carry out jam treatment from a suitable direction.
However, the arrangement in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2-163238 has such a problem that, when performing jam treatment and maintenances, since the transfer supporter device is caused to go down for a long distance by operating an up-and-down mechanism such as a release lever, a large space and a lift mechanism are required below the image forming device.
According to the arrangement disclosed by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 6-316347, the image forming device is drawn out together with the drawer so that the volume of the members to be drawn out is significantly large. Further, in this arrangement, it is necessary to operate a member such as a large lever and this requires a large space inside the image forming device, thereby causing the image forming device to be large and heavy.
In the case of a tandem image forming device in which a plurality of image supporters are provided, the length of a transfer supporter device in the direction of the movement of a transfer supporter (i.e. in the direction orthogonal to the axes of roller members supporting the transfer supporter) is longer than the length of the transfer supporter device in the direction of drawing-out. On this account, the diameter of an opening through which a drawer supporting the transfer device has to be very long when the drawer is drawn out in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the movement of the transfer supporter of the transfer supporter device, and hence the strength of the frame of the image forming device tends to decrease from its drawing side.
The more the radius of the opening for replacing units regarding image forming and for maintenance is elongated, the more the strength of the frame of the image forming device decreases. In particular, when the direction of drawing out members such as a unit including the image supporter and a developing unit is identical with the direction of drawing out members for replacing the transfer supporter device and for maintenance, the radius of the opening has to be further elongated, and this causes significant decrease of the strength.
For this reason, it is necessary to provide a reinforcement or increase the thickness of members constituting a frame, resulting the upsizing and weight gain of the device.
According to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2002-214874, since outer coverings can be opened and shut from a plurality of directions and a transfer belt is caused to separate from a photosensitive drum at the opened side, it is necessary to adopt a complicated arrangement, and a transfer supporting device including the transfer belt is not completely freed. Thus, it is, for instance, required to cause the transfer supporter device to be completely free when replacing the same.

Detaching/attaching mechanism and image forming device


A picture file processing method is provided. The method includes determining, by a computing device, during a process of encoding transparency data of a picture, transparency input values according to the transparency data of the picture. The method also includes encoding, by the computing device using a video encoder, the transparency input values as data of a preset target channel of the video encoder, to obtain transparency stream data of the picture; and encoding color data of the picture, to obtain color stream data of the picture. The method also includes outputting, by the computing device, compressed image data of the picture. The compressed image data includes the transparency stream data of the picture and the color stream data of the picture.

With development of the mobile Internet, downloading traffic of a terminal device is greatly increased, and among downloading traffic of a user, picture traffic occupies a large proportion. A large quantity of pictures also cause a large pressure on network transmission bandwidth load. If a size of a picture can be reduced, not only a loading speed can be improved, but also a large quantity of bandwidth and storage costs can be saved.

Picture file processing method, picture file processing device, and storage medium

TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED


A fan is contained within a case having a pivotal upper portion and a lower portion whereby opening the upper portion raises the fan blade and motor assembly to an operating position and during which a limit switch is automatically actuated to operate the fan motor. The fan blade is also provided with a frictional engagement with the motor shaft for permitting the motor shaft to rotate relative to the fan blade when the latter strikes an obstruction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a portable, convenient, and safe mini table fan, especially a fan which has a power source switch means that is easy to turn on and off and which has a safety blade means which can protect the motor and make it more durable.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The conventional mini fan has a slide switch which limits the possibility of making diverse designs for its exterior. It is dull and occupies much room. It usually uses a grille to cover the fan in order to protect the users from being hurt by its blade. Though the grille can protect the users, it also increases its volume and makes the fan much more inefficient. And it makes the fan difficult to clean. So this kind of conventional fan can not attract consumers.


Disclosed is a mat-faced gypsum board of the general type having a gypsum-based core formed from a gypsum slurry compressed through an extrusion ratio of at least about 3:1 wherein the fibrous mat facing on at least one side of the board has a weight per unit surface area of greater than about 1.85 lb./100 ft..sup.2 and consists essentially of inorganic fibers having a diameter of less than about 15 microns. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing such a gypsum board and the use of such a gypsum board in exterior finishing systems, interior lath systems and as a door core.

Panels of gypsum board having a core of set gypsum reinforced or faced on the outer surfaces thereof by sheets of facing material have long been used in the fabrication of buildings. For example, such members are commonly used as components in fabricating partitions or walls for rooms, elevator shafts, stairwells, ceilings, roof decks and the like. Although paper sheets have long been used as the reinforcing material for gypsum board of this type, facing materials formed of fibrous mat, such as a glass fiber mat, have enjoyed a substantial increase in popularity. This popularity is due in large part to the technologies described in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,496; U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,569; U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,173; U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,645; U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,762; U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,900; U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,680; U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,989 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,631, each of which has been assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. These patents disclose, generally, gypsum board reinforced on at least one surface thereof with a fibrous mat comprising glass fibers bound together by an adhesive binder.
Gypsum board products of the type disclosed in the above patents have been commercialized and are presently being used effectively in an increasing number of applications. Such applications include those in which conventional paper-faced gypsum board is considered unsuitable for use or in which the use of fibrous mat-faced gypsum board has been recognized to provide an advantage.
Gypsum board is generally manufactured by a method which includes dispersing a gypsum slurry onto a moving sheet of a fibrous mat. The mat is typically supported by equipment such as forming tables, support belts, carrier rolls and/or the like. A second sheet of fibrous mat is then fed from a roll onto the top of the slurry, thereby sandwiching the slurry between two moving fibrous mats. Forming means, such as forming or shaping rolls, are utilized to compress the slurry to the desired thickness. The gypsum slurry is allowed to at least partially set and then sequential lengths of board are cut and further processed by exposure to heat, which accelerates the drying of the board by increasing the rate of evaporation of excess water from the gypsum slurry.
Because the board is dried after the fibrous mats have been placed thereon, it is known that the mats should be sufficiently porous to permit the excess water to evaporate at an acceptable rate. On the other hand, excessive penetration of the slurry through the mat and onto the underlying support surfaces and equipment are highly undesirable. Accordingly, certain prior art techniques have utilized a fibrous mat joined to a release-paper backing to help prevent soiling of support equipment by the slurry which would otherwise leak through the mat. This release-paper is typically removed and discarded after processing is complete. Utilization of such a mat, however, adds unwanted cost and complexity to the manufacturing process and is therefore undesirable.
A highly successful and effective method for minimizing soiling of support equipment by the gypsum slurry is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,569. This patent discloses that excessive slurry penetration can be substantially avoided by adjusting the viscosity of the slurry so that penetration of the slurry into the mat is controlled. The recommended technique for controlling the viscosity of the slurry is to add thereto a viscosity-control agent, such as paper fiber, cellulosic thickeners, bentonite clays and starches.
Although the viscosity-control techniques identified in the '569 patent are valuable and widely used for the purpose of preventing excessive slurry bleed-through, applicant has found that in certain circumstances such techniques are less than fully effective and/or undesirable for other reasons. For example, adjusting the content of certain viscosity-control agents, such as paper fibers, can have an undesirable or unwanted impact on the physical or other properties of the resulting board. In addition, applicant has found that in certain circumstances viscosity-control techniques, when used alone, can not control slurry penetration to the extent desired. For example, applicant has found that difficulties with the control of slurry bleed-through occur when viscosity-control techniques are utilized alone to form relatively thin gypsum board products and/or when relatively high compression force techniques are used to shape and form the slurry.

Mat-faced gypsum board and method of manufacturing same


Zoom lens systems and methods for imaging incoming rays over a range of ray angles are disclosed. The incoming rays are characterized by at least phase. The zoom lens system includes an optical axis and is characterized by a plurality of modulation transfer functions (MTFs) corresponding at least to the range of ray angles. The zoom lens system includes an optical group disposed along the optical axis, including at least one variable optical element that has a variable focal length selectable between at least two distinct focal length values. The optical group also includes a wavefront coding element. The wavefront coding element alters at least the phase of the incoming rays, such that the plurality of MTFs corresponding to the range of ray angles, for each one of the two distinct focal length values, are less sensitive to misfocus-like aberrations than a corresponding system without the wavefront coding element.

Modern zoom lens systems differ from traditional zoom lens systems in that changes in the imaging system are not achieved through motion of optical elements along an optical axis. Rather, the optical properties of particular optical elements in modern zoom systems change through application of voltage, pressure, translation or rotations in planes that are not parallel to the optical axis. One example of the use of variable optical elements in a modern zoom lens system is replacing one lens in the traditional zoom lens system with a variable optical lens at the same physical location.
However, modern zoom lens systems that vary through changes in optical properties of one or more optical elements may introduce aberrations that act to limit imaging performance. These aberrations may worsen as the number of optical elements in the imaging system decreases. Aberrations that may limit the performance of these modern zoom systems include, for example, image curvature, chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, astigmatism, coma, and fabrication, assembly and temperature related aberrations.
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are indicated by like reference numbers throughout the various figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a prior art, four group traditional zoom lens system. In this traditional zoom lens system, movement of optical elements is generally parallel to an optical axis of the system. In a configuration 10 of the traditional zoom lens system as shown in FIG. 1, a combination of first through fourth optical elements 12, 14, 16 and 18 having focal lengths f1, f2, f3 and f4, respectively, is configured to form a sharp image at an image plane 20. A dashed line indicates an optical axis 21 of configuration 10. A marginal ray 22 entering configuration 10 of the traditional zoom lens system is focused at the intersection of image plane 20 and optical axis 21.
Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, first and second optical elements 12 and 14 may generally be considered as controlling the magnification of the traditional zoom lens system in configuration 10, while third and fourth optical elements 16 and 18 may generally be considered as controlling the location of image plane 20. Optical element 14 may be referred to as a "variator lens" or a "variator," defined as an optical subsystem that controls magnification. Optical element 16 may be called a "compensator," defined as an optical subsystem that controls focus. In some cases, particularly in zoom lens systems formed of a small number of optical elements, a given subsystem may simultaneously act as a variator and a compensator.
In FIG. 2, in an alternative configuration 10′ of the traditional zoom lens system, second optical element 14′ (e.g., the variator) is moved away from first optical element 12 along optical axis 21 and towards image plane 20, as indicated by an arrow 24, so as to effect a magnification change. In order to keep image plane 20 at a fixed location relative to fourth optical element 18, third optical element 16′ (e.g., the compensator) is also moved towards image plane 20 along optical axis 21, as indicated by an arrow 26. Through a combination of both of these motions, magnification of alternative configuration 10′ of the traditional zoom lens system is altered from that of configuration 10 shown in FIG. 1, while the image plane location remains fixed. In other words, a marginal ray 28, which enters closer to the edge of first optical element 12 than marginal ray 22 of FIG. 1, may now focus at the intersection of image plane 20 with optical axis 21.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the movement of the variator and the compensator in prior art, traditional zoom lens systems requires space along the optical axis. That is, no other optical element may be located within a space through which second optical element 14 must move to form configuration 10′, for example. A similar requirement for space is common to traditional zoom lens systems that require movement of optical elements along the optical axis; consequently, it may be difficult to reduce length of traditional zoom lens systems along the optical axis.
Modern zoom lens systems may reduce or eliminate the need for physical movement of optical elements along the optical axis, thus reducing overall length of the system as compared to traditional zoom lens systems. However, limitations of these modern zoom lens systems inhibit further improvements in imaging quality, size and cost. For example, currently available modern zoom lens systems require at least two actuated or variable elements to vary magnification and focus simultaneously. Also, certain modern zoom lens systems require an actuated system to control focus, which requires a certain number of elements to vary in order to keep the image in focus.


The present invention discloses uses of a HLA-B*1301 allele, comprising: 1) a use of a substance for detecting whether a person has the HLA-B*1301 allele in preparation of a product for evaluating a risk of adverse drug reactions in response to dapsone in the person; 2) a method for detecting or evaluating a risk of adverse drug reaction in response to dapsone in a person, comprising detecting whether the person has the HLA-B*1301 allele, wherein, a person with LA-B*1301 allele suffers a higher risk of adverse drug reaction upon being administered dapsone, as compared with a person without HLA-B*1301 allele, and a person with LA-B*1301 alleles at both chromosomes of a pair of homologous chromosomes suffers a higher risk of adverse drug reaction upon being administered dapsone, as compared with a person with HLA-B*1301 allele at only one of a pair of homologous chromosomes.

MHC (major histocompatibility complex) is a gene complex related to graft rejection. A human MHC is referred to as HLA (Human Leukocyte A system). Rich polymorphism is an essential feature of the HLA gene system. There are a variety of variants, in human populations, of the DNA sequences in many gene loci in the HLA complex, which variants are called alleles. The HLA allele system is located at the sixth chromosome. Since human is a randomly mating heterozygous population, the probability that two HLA alleles are completely the same is little for each individual, not only making HLA be a system with most abundant polymorphism in human body, but also making the HLA allele and a product thereof in each individual be a biological "identity card" for the uniqueness possessed by this individual, i.e., a marker of an individuality. The polymorphism of the HLA system ensures suitable immune responses of the population to various pathogens such that the continuation of the population is guaranteed and the stability thereof is maintained. Many HLA molecules have been found to be associated with drug reactions in different populations. For example, the HLA-B*1502 alleles in Chinese population and Thai population, or the HLA-A*3101 alleles in Caucasian population and Japanese population are related to drug hypersensitivity reactions resulted from Carbamazepine; the HLA-B*5701 alleles in Caucasian population are related to drug reactions resulted from Abacavir; the HLA-B*5801 alleles in Chinese population are related to drug reactions resulted from Allopurinol. No drug reaction is found to be attributed to the HLA-B*1301 allele up to now, however, it is previously reported that this locus was related to allergic dermatitis resulted from trichloroethylene (an industrial solvent) (Li H, Dai Y, Huang H, et al. HLA-B*1301 as a biomarker for genetic susceptibility to hypersensitivity dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene among workers in China. Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115:1553-6).
Dapsone (4,4′-diamino diphenyl sulfone, DDS), synthesized in 1908, is anti-infective and anti-inflammatory. This drug, alone or in combination with other drugs, may be widely used in the treatment of infectious diseases (such as leprosy, malaria, diseases induced by Actinomyces infection, and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia due to HIV infection), or in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases characterized in abnormal infiltration of neutrophils or eosinophils (such as autoimmune bullous disease, persistent uplift erythema, pustular psoriasis, pyoderma gangrenosum, acne). In addition, this drug may further serve to treat rheumatic arthritis, and at the same time protect, in a certain degree, the nerves of the patient with acute ischemic stroke.
Previous epidemiological studies showed that about 0.5-3% of the patients receiving DDS treatment may suffer from drug hypersensitivity syndrome, with a mortality rate of about 11-13%. As early as 1949, Lowe noticed this phenomenon; and this disease was formally designated as "dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome" (DHS) in 1951. DHS, a serious heterogeneous reaction of an individual to a drug, often occurs within 4-6 weeks after the DDS treatment, with the clinical manifestations including high fever, rash, and visceral involvement (typically liver and blood system involvement), and even organ failure in severe condition. With DDS employed worldwide in combined chemotherapy of leprosy and chemoprevention of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia due to HIV infection, the incidence of DHS is increased dramatically. A recent systematic review for a published epidemiological article summarizes that the prevalence rate of DHS is about 1.4%. However, there is no reliable detection method available for predicting the risk of DHS by now.

Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and V


A packaging container including a humidity indicator system specifically designed for use in packaging electronic circuits, such as integrated circuits. The packaging container is prepared from a water and water vapor proof, anti-static packaging material and contains an opening therein. The humidity indicator system includes a humidity indicator element, a humidity comparison element and a securing system for securing the humidity indicator element to the packaging container, wherein the opening in the packaging material is closed by the humidity indicator system.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to moisture-proof packaging containers. In particular this invention includes a moisture-proof packaging container containing a humidity indicator system which visually discloses the humidity of the air within the container.
2. Prior Art
Plastic semiconductor devices are susceptible to moisture due to the permeable nature of their plastic components. It is well known that integrated circuits which are contaminated by high levels of moisture may not be useful. Mechanical failure of such contaminated integrated circuits often leads to the subsequent electrical failure of the device which contains the integrated circuit due to thermal and mechanical stresses. Accordingly, exposure of integrated circuits to moisture should be limited.
This concern about limiting the exposure of integrated circuits to moisture has been addressed in the design of shipping packaging for integrated circuits. Currently the preferred method to form a packaging system for integrated circuits includes baking the integrated circuit devices until dry, placing them into a water and humidity proof packaging bag which contains desiccant packets and a humidity indicator card, sealing the bag immediately, and then shipping the device to the customer in these packaging bags. U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,196, 5,095,626, 5,293,996 and 5,295,297 address this problem by disclosing specialized types of packaging for semiconductor products. Each of the packaging containers disclosed by these patents incorporates a moisture indicator device into the packaging material which device is secured to the inside surface of the packaging. See specifically FIGS. 7 and 10 of these patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,996 in particular discloses a package container for the shipment of integrated circuits containing an observation window. The container is divided into three sections, wherein one of those sections contains a compartment (11) housing a humidity indicator device (16). The humidity indicator device (16) is preferably a humidity indicator card, manufactured by Humidial Corporation. As best understood the card is merely placed within the compartment. The composition of the packaging material of the compartment containing the humidity indicator card is a transparent plastic, thus permitting the moisture indicator card to be viewed from outside of the packaging container.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,181 discloses compartmentalized humidity sensing indicators. These humidity sensing indicators are produced on a tape reel and are secured to the inside surface of a continuous strip of humidity indicators.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,446,361 discloses a humidity indicating moisture adsorbent product secured to packaged goods. The product comprises a container (A) onto which is secured a receptacle (B). Contained within the receptacle (B) is a desiccant (C). The receptacle (B) is transparent, may be formed from plastic materials and is screwed into a threaded mounting apparatus which is also secured to the container. It is comprised of a cylindrical wall (16), closed top (17) and a perforated bottom (18). The receptacle (B) is secured in place to the package by a collar (20) and a locking ring (22) containing threads (24, 28). The receptacle (B) is screwed in place using two different designs as disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the patent. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,648 which discloses a view port in the packaging through which can be viewed an oxygen indicator device.
Current packaging products which are used to ship integrated circuits still exhibit deficiencies, including limitations on the composition of the packaging material. Conventionally, the packaging material used for shipping integrated circuits is opaque, thus preventing easy inspection of the humidity indicator card contained within the packaging unless the packaging material is breached. In certain new products, the composition of the surface material of the packaging must be different from the composition of the remaining portion of the packaging that is adjacent to the humidity indicator so that the humidity indicator card can be viewed from outside of the packaging. In addition, the method for attachment of the humidity indicator device to the inside surface of the packaging material is often not practical.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to produce a packaging container which incorporates a humidity indicator device.
It is a further object of this invention to disclose a packaging container which incorporates a humidity indicator device, wherein the humidity indicator device is secured to the packaging material by a securing system.
It is a still further object of this invention to disclose a packaging container which incorporates a humidity indicator device which is easy to produce and accurately discloses the level of the humidity within the packaging container.
It is a still further object of this invention to disclose a packaging container which incorporates a humidity indicator device, comprising a humidity indicator element, with or without a humidity comparison element, and a securing system for securing the humidity indicator element with or without a humidity comparison element together to the packaging container.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description, drawings and claims. The description along with the accompanying drawings provides a selected example of the construction of the device to illustrate the invention.

Packaging container with humidity indicator


A method and device for driving the word lines of a phase change memory device is provided. The method may include applying a first voltage level to non-selected word lines and a second voltage level to selected word lines during a normal operational mode, and placing the word lines in a floating state during a standby operational mode. The phase change memory device may include a plurality of word line drive circuits for driving corresponding word lines, where each of the plurality of word line drive circuits includes a drive unit which sets a corresponding word line to a first voltage level or a second voltage level in response to a first control signal, and a mode selector which selectively applies the first voltage level to the driving unit according to an operational mode of the phase change memory device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to phase change memory devices, and more particularly, the present invention relates to phase change memory devices and methods of driving word lines of phase change memory devices.
A claim of priority is made to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0039721, filed May 12, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
Phase change random access memories (PRAMs) are non-volatile memory devices that store data using a phase change material, e.g., Ge—Sb—Te (GST). The phase change material, which exhibits different resistive values depending on the crystalline or amorphous phase thereof, is programmed by thermal treatment to set the phase of the material.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an equivalent circuit diagram of a unit memory cell C of a conventional phase change memory device. As shown, the unit memory cell C includes a P-N diode D and a phase change element GST connected in series between a bit line BL and a word line WL. In this example, the phase change element GST is connected between the bit line BL and a p-junction of the diode D.
The phase-change material of the PRAM exhibits a relatively low resistance in its crystalline state, and a relatively high resistance in its amorphous state. In conventional nomenclature, the low-resistance crystalline state is referred to as a 'set' state and is designated logic "0", while the high-resistance amorphous state is referred to as a 'reset' state and is designated logic "1".
The terms "crystalline" and "amorphous" are relative terms in the context of phase-change materials. That is, when a phase-change memory cell is said to be in its crystalline state, one skilled in the art will understand that the phase-change material of the cell has a more well-ordered crystalline structure when compared to its amorphous state. A phase-change memory cell in its crystalline state need not be fully crystalline, and a phase-change memory cell in its amorphous state need not be fully amorphous.
Generally, the phase-change material of a PRAM is reset to an amorphous state by joule heating of the material in excess of its melting point temperature for a relatively short period of time. On the other hand, the phase-change material is set to a crystalline state by heating the material below its melting point temperature for a longer period of time. In each case, the material is allowed to cool to its original temperature after the heat treatment. Generally, however, the cooling occurs much more rapidly when the phase-change material is reset to its amorphous state.
In a read operation, a given read current is provided to a selected memory cell, and the "1" or "0" resistive state of the memory cell is discriminated based on a voltage of the cell.
FIG. 2 is a simplified circuit diagram of a phase change memory device. As shown, the phase change memory device 100 includes a memory cell array CBLK, word line drive (WD) circuits 10-0˜10-n−1, a bit line selection circuit 15, and peripheral circuits 17. Although not shown, the peripheral circuits 17 generally include a write driver circuit, a sense amplifier, and a data I/O buffer. The memory cell array CBLK includes an array of unit memory cells connected between corresponding bit lines BL0˜BLm−1 and word lines WL0˜WLn−1.
The bit line selection circuit 15 includes transistors for respectively selecting the bit lines BL0˜BLm−1 in response to selection signals YL0˜YLm−1.
In the examples given herein, a bit line is "selected" by changing its voltage to a high level, whereas a word line is "selected" by changing its voltage to a low level. In contrast, "non-selected" bit lines have a low level voltage, and "non-selected" word lines have a high level voltage.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the word line drive circuit 10-0 shown in FIG. 2. The remaining word line drive circuits 10-1˜10-n−1 are similarly configured.
The word line drive circuit 10-0 includes a first NMOS transistor N1 connected between a ground voltage VSS and the word line WL0, and a first PMOS transistor P1 connected between the word line WL0 and a power voltage VCC. The gates of the transistors N1 and P1 are connected to receive a decoded signal DS from a row decoder (not shown).
Referring back to FIG. 2, assume that the unit memory cell at the intersection of word line WL0 and bit line BL1 is to be selected for writing or reading. In this case, the selected bit line BL1 is driven to a high level voltage and the remaining non-selected bit lines BL0, BL2˜BLm−1 are driven to a low level voltage. On the other hand, the selected word line WL0 is driven to a low level voltage and the remaining non-selected word lines WL1˜WLn−1 are driven to a high level voltage.
Referring additionally to FIG. 3, in order to select the word line, a high level decoded signal DS is applied to the word line driving circuit 10-0 so as to turn on the first NMOS transistor N1 and turn off the first PMOS transistor P1. As such, the selected word line WL0 goes to a low level. The decoding signal DS is a low level signal with respect to the remaining word lines WL1˜WLn−1, and accordingly, the first PMOS transistor P1 is on and the first NMOS transistor N1 is off in each of the remaining word line drive circuits 10-1˜10-n−1. As such, the remaining word lines WL1˜WLn−1 are driven to a high level.
The phase change memory device described above suffers a drawback in that leakage current can result from maintaining each of the non-selected word lines WL1˜WLn−1 at a high level. In particular, excessive power is consumed as a result of the leakage current that occurs during a standby mode of the phase change memory device.

Phase change memory device and method of driving word line thereof


The invention includes a method for cleaning and passivating a stainless steel surface comprising:. 1) contacting the surface with 15-45 ml/liter of a composition consisting essentially of between about 15 and 50% alkaline component, between about 1 to 15% chelant, and between about 35 to 84% water; PA1 2) maintaining contact to dislodge and remove residue from the surface; PA1 3) continuing contact to complex free iron ions liberated from the surface with the chelant to form an oxide film on the surface; and PA1 4) continuing contact to precipitate the complexed ions into the oxide film.. The compositions may further include a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic, nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants to enhance cleaning performance.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cleaning and passivating stainless steel surfaces, such as gas flow equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, and semiconductor processing equipment.
During the past fifteen years the requirements for cleanliness in semiconductor processing equipment have increased at least a hundred times. Semiconductor feature sizes have been cut in half in the past few years and packing densities have doubled or tripled in the same time period. It also appears that the rate of change is accelerating rather than holding at past rates. With these changes, the problems caused by contamination in semiconductor processing become even more serious. Cleanliness is also important in the health and pharmaceutical industries, driven by the need to reduce the contamination of treatment processes.
In the past, stainless steel equipment used in these processes have been cleaned almost universally by use of solvents. In addition to the problems of atmospheric pollution and operator health hazards, solvents do not clean absolutely. They leave films and particle residuals. Ultrasonic cleaning may also drive particles into crevices in instrument parts, for a later release. Chlorofluorocarbon cleaning solvents sold under the trademark Freon are examples of known cleaning solvents as well as 1,1,1-trichloroethane and methylene chloride.
The lack of cleanliness of the components cleaned by conventional solvents, methods and apparatus is problematical where active ions and organic contamination such as organic films remain on the components. Active ions, e.g. metallic ions, can adversely affect the process in which the equipment is to be used.
Passivation of cleaned steel surfaces is important for preventing conditions such as flash rusting of cleaned wet steel.
In the prior art, cleaned steel is often passivated by treating with a nitric acid solution to provide altered surface characteristics that resist rusting. Dilute solutions of citric acid made alkaline with ammonia or with an amine have been used for passivation of cleaned steel surfaces. These same solutions also have been used in combination with sodium nitrite.
Water-soluble amines are sometimes added to latex or water-dispersed coatings for steel to reduce corrosion. Water-soluble amines also have been added to final rinses for cleaned steel, but always in combination with other materials (such as other alkaline chemicals, citric acid, sodium nitrite, etc., and as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,072,502; 3,154,438; 3,368,913; 3,519,458; and 4,045,253) and therefore these rinses have left insoluble residues on the steel surfaces that are detrimental to optimum performance of subsequently applied protective coatings.
In the prior art, cleaned steel is often passivated by treating with an alkaline sodium nitrite solution to provide altered surface characteristics that resist rusting. For unknown reasons, this method is sometimes ineffective for passivating cleaned steel.
Dilute solutions of citric acid made alkaline with ammonia or with an amine have been used for passivation of cleaned steel surfaces. These same solutions also have been used in combination with sodium nitrite.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,100 describes a process that allows previously cleaned steel to be passivated with a rinse of almost pure water, that is made slightly alkaline with an amine to inhibit corrosion preparatory to application of non-aqueous protective coatings, such that any small amine residue remaining on the steel surface after drying of the water will itself evaporate and in such a manner that any remaining amine residue will be incorporated into the non-aqueous protective coating without leaving any water-soluble or ionic residue on the surface of the steel.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,252,363 and 5,321,061 describe aqueous organic resin-containing compositions which are useful for depositing coatings on freshly galvanized metals to protect the metals against white rust and provide a surface which is universally paintable. The organic resin consists essentially of at least one water-dispersible or emusifiable epoxy resin or a mixture of resins containing at least one water-dispersible or emulsifiable epoxy resin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,349 describes a method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces, such as semiconductor processing equipment and pharmaceutical processing equipment, to absolute or near-absolute cleanliness involving spraying jets of heated cleaning solution so that it flows over and scrubs the surfaces to be cleaned, producing a rinse liquid. The rinse liquid is filtered and recirculated over the surface to be cleaned.
It is a purpose of the present invention to provide alkali-based formulations which both clean and passivate stainless steel surfaces.


A semiconductor device includes a first substrate and a second substrate that is stacked on a first surface of the first substrate in a stacking direction and includes a second surface facing the first surface. A plurality of first terminals is provided on the first surface of the first substrate. A plurality of second terminals is provided on the second surface of the second substrate. A plurality of metallic portions is respectively provided between the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals. In a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction, at least one of (i) each of the plurality of first terminals or (ii) each of the plurality of second terminals (a) includes a recessed portion in a first direction toward an adjacent first terminal or second terminal or (b) includes a projecting portion in a second direction intersecting with the first direction.

In semiconductor devices, a system in package (SiP) structure in which a plurality of semiconductor chips is stacked in layers within one package has been developed to attain miniaturization and high functionality of each semiconductor device. In the SiP structure, interconnecting, by flip chip, a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked in layers is performed by interconnecting respective electrodes of a plurality of semiconductor chips adjoining one above the other with, for example, solder bumps.
When solder bumps are reflowed by the semiconductor chips being pressed, the solder bumps may be crushed between the electrodes and then may be protruded from between the electrodes. When the direction in which solder is protruded is a direction toward an adjoining different electrode, solder bumps may come into contact with the adjoining different electrode and thus cause short-circuit defect. On the other hand, making the diameter of an electrode or a solder bump smaller to prevent or reduce short-circuit defect may cause open-circuit defect with respect to an electrode originally intended for connection.

Semiconductor device having first and second terminals


The invention is a mold and method for using the mold to make a multi-stage intraocular lens. The mold is provided with a gate in fluid communication with a lens portion and/or haptic portion of the mold core. In addition, a gasket is provided around the mold core. As molding material is introduced into the mold via the gate, a vacuum is drawn around and through the gasket to evacuate air trapped in the mold core and to help pull the material through the mold core.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to molds and, more particularly, to a mold for a multi-stage intraocular lens.
2. Related Art
Multi-lens intraocular lenses have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,708 B1 issued Dec. 3, 2002 ("the '708 patent"). Prior to the invention disclosed by the '708 patent, lenses were only single stage lenses with haptics going from the lens to muscle tissue. The '708 patent discloses multi-stage lenses that are stacked, with haptics traversing between each lens, connecting each lens together.
While conceptually an excellent idea, there remains a need in the art to improve the manufacture of such intraocular lenses, such as providing a mold and molding method for making such multi-stage lenses.


A mechanism is provided for improving the average response time of a tape library. Prior to receiving a next access request for data from one of a set of tape mediums, a determination is made as to whether a number of tape drives that are unoccupied is less than a predetermined minimum open tape drive threshold (N). Responsive to the number of tape drives that are unoccupied being less than the predetermined minimum open tape drive threshold (N), a least recently used idle tape medium is unmounted and unloaded from an associated tape drive.

The present application relates generally to an improved data processing apparatus and method and more specifically to mechanisms for improving the average response time from a file system for a tape library.
Linear Tape File System (LTFS) a file system for tape media storage and Linear Tape File System Library Edition (LTFS LE) is a file system for tape library. In general, when a tape library is used for tape silo mass storage applications, the number of tape media is large as compared with the number of tape drives that read the tape media. Thus, each tape drive is shared by a plurality of tape media, where a tape media is inserted (mounted) into a tape drive when a need for accessing data from a particular tape medium arises and the tape media is ejected (unmounted) from the tape drive when accessing data from that tape media becomes unnecessary, thereby enabling shared use of the tape drive.

Average response time improvement from a file system for a tape library


An apparatus and method of use for treating at least one fluid, in a container that holds at least one mass of a particulate material between two perforated walls. Near the upper part of the mass, at least one deflector extends from the first wall towards the second wall. Fluid flows through the walls horizontally, and the deflector is positioned at an angle to this horizontal fluid flow direction. With this particular apparatus configuration, an area close to the second wall and opposite the adjacent end of the deflector is formed, which is generally free of particulate matter; thus, resulting in a more efficient treatment process.

The present invention relates to installations for treating at least one fluid, of the type comprising, in a container, at least one mass of particulate material which is retained between two perforated walls and through which the fluid flows in an approximately horizontal direction, and, near the upper part of the mass, at least one deflecting surface extending from a first of said walls toward the second wall, making an angle with the horizontal flow direction of the fluid.
An installation of this type is disclosed in document FR-A-2 741 823. In the installations disclosed in that document, the volume around the open region for charging with particulate material at the end of the deflecting surface is entirely occupied by the particulate material.

Installation for treating at least one fluid and use thereof for the separation of at least one constituent of a gas mixture

L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude


A wrench for rotating a fastener having a number of corners on a periphery thereof and method of making same is disclosed. The wrench includes a gripping member having an opening defined by an inner surface complimentary to the periphery of the fastener whereby the fastener may be axially received by the gripping member. The inner surface defines the plurality of circumferentially spaced shoulder portions wherein alternating shoulder portions engage a corresponding corner of the fastener. The shoulder portions define areas therebetween. Stopper portions are located in alternating areas between shoulder portions. The wrench has a first angular position where the stopper portions engage in upper surface of the fastener for restricting the passage of the fastener therethrough and a second angular position where the stopper portions do not engage the upper surface of the fastener thereby permitting the passage of the fastener therethrough.

Multi-point box-end wrenches are well known in the art. The advantage of multi-point box-end wrenches is that these types of wrenches permit fasteners to pass clearly through. The disadvantage of such wrenches is that the retention of the box-end wrench upon a fastener is relatively difficult particularly when the box-end wrench is used in restricted locations where the fastener is not easily viewed when the user is attempting to rotate the wrench and fastener.
In an effort to overcome this deficiency there have been numerous attempts to provide a wrench structure that prevents the wrench head from slipping off or past the fastener with the subsequent risk of personal injury and/or damage to both the wrench and fastener as well as the consumption of the necessary time when using the wrench. See, for example, Canadian patent no. 1,257,487 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,774,259, 3,604,106 and 5,307,713.
The drawback of such structures is that although the wrench prevents the fastener from slipping through, there are situations in which it would be desirable to allow the fastener to pass therethrough. For example, when tightening two nuts together it may be necessary to have the wrench pass over the first fastener onto the second fastener. This is not possible using the structures disclosed in the aforementioned patents.
Other structures used for preventing the passage of a fastener there through incorporate the use of a single fixed projection or other type of structure for restricting passage of the fastener therethrough. See for example, Swedish patent no. 130,890 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,578. The drawbacks of these structures when engaged with the fasteners, is that the wrench has a tendency to cock and not properly engage the fastener.
Other structures have been proposed using a moveable projection for restricting the passage of the fastener therethrough. (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,697,371 and 2,751,802.) The disadvantage of such structures is that the movable portion is awkward to use.

Box wrench and socket wrench having stopper portions for preventing slippage along a nut or a bolt head


A rod-type photonic crystal fiber amplifier includes a signal coupling lens, a first dichroic mirror, a first hollow pump coupling lens, and a rod-type photonic crystal fiber. The rod-type photonic crystal fiber comprises a core and a cladding, wherein signal light is coupled into the core of the rod-type photonic crystal fiber through the signal coupling lens, and pump light is coupled into the cladding of the rod fiber through the hollow pump coupling lens. The structure optimizes the coupling between the signal light and the core of the rod-type photonic crystal fiber, and the coupling between the pump light and the cladding of the rod fiber respectively by introducing the hollow pump coupling lens. The purpose of this is to fully optimize the rod-type photonic crystal fiber amplifier, improve the amplification efficiency and improve the efficiency of a manufacturing process.

A photonic crystal fiber refers to a fiber having a photonic crystal structure. Controlling the distribution and design of the photonic crystal structure can achieve many characteristics not available in a conventional fiber and has wide applications in many fields. High-power fiber amplifiers have the advantages of high efficiency and easy maintenance, etc., and at present, have wide applications in scientific research and industrial fields, especially in ultra-fast high-power fiber lasers, and have wide applications in the fields of microfabrication, physics, biology, chemical control reactions, optical communications, etc. For example, the range of materials that can be used in precise cutting, punching and engraving in the field of precision processing includes glass, sapphire, metal films, polymer organic material films, composite films, semiconductor wafers, ceramics, and diamonds or the like.
A rod-type photonic crystal fiber is typically used in an ultra-fast high-power fiber amplifier. The fiber generally has a large core doped with rare earth elements, such as erbium or ytterbium, as a gain medium of the amplifier. The core of the fiber supports single-mode signal transmission in a large mode area such that high-power and high-energy amplification of a signal is achieved. The fiber usually employs the design structure of an air cladding to conduct pumping, and a thicker outer wall of quartz is used outside the air cladding. The fiber has the appearance of a rod, and is laid flat and straight when in use, and cannot be bent and coiled as a conventional fiber.
The rod-type photonic crystal fiber amplifier can employ the structure of a forward pump, a backward pump, or a bidirectional pump. Taking the forward pump as an example, the amplifier usually employs the structure of a dichroic mirror plus a lens to realize the coupling between the pump and the fiber cladding and the coupling between a signal and the fiber core. The rod-type photonic crystal fiber is characterized by a large core diameter of typically more than 60 μm. The fiber also has a low numerical aperture of typically below 0.03, which is a design characteristic that the fiber can support single-mode transmission. Due to the low numerical aperture of the core, a lens with a larger focal length (such as being greater than 30 mm) is more conducive to the coupling of a collimated incident signal (such as having a spot diameter of 2 mm) to the core. The rod-type photonic crystal fiber typically employs the design of an air cladding with a cladding diameter of typically more than 200 μm. The air cladding supports a high numerical aperture of typically above 0.5, which is more conducive to pump coupling. Due to the high numerical aperture of the cladding, a lens having a smaller focal length (such as being less than 25 mm) is more conducive to the coupling of collimated pump light (such as having a pump spot diameter of 25 mm) to the cladding.
However, in a conventional amplifier structure, one and the same lens typically serves as the structure for both signal coupling and pump coupling. As shown in FIG. 1, the selection of optical parameters of the lens usually results from compromise under the comprehensive consideration of signal coupling and pump coupling conditions and cannot realize and satisfy the optimal performance of pump coupling and signal coupling at the same time. Additionally, in the manufacturing and aligning of an amplifier, the optimization of a coupling lens may affect both pump coupling and signal coupling. For example, during optimizing the efficiency of pump coupling, the position of the coupling lens is adjusted such that the pump coupling is optimized. However, the operation is likely to cause poor signal coupling at the same time.
As the power of a laser is increasing, the requirements for coupling become higher and higher, the signal not coupled into the core and the pump not coupled into the cladding may cause heating and deformation of the fiber, or even cause damage to the fiber. As the laser productivity increases, higher requirements are made for the efficiency of manufacturing and aligning of lasers, and conventional amplifier structures already cannot meet the production requirements of high-power laser amplifiers.

Rod-type photonic crystal fiber amplifier