A turbine shroud includes a panel having a forward hook and an aft hook spaced therefrom. A primary cooling circuit extends through the panel adjacent the forward hook, and has a primary inlet for receiving primary air at a first pressure, and a primary outlet for discharging the primary air. A secondary cooling circuit extends through the panel adjacent the aft hook independently of the primary circuit. The secondary circuit includes a secondary inlet for receiving secondary air at a second pressure different than the first pressure, and a secondary outlet for discharging the secondary air. The dual cooled shroud accommodates differential gas pressure through the turbine.

The present invention relates generally to gas turbine engines, and, more specifically, to turbine shrouds.
A typical turbofan aircraft gas turbine engine includes a fan powered by a low pressure turbine (LPT) and a multistage compressor powered by a high pressure turbine (HPT). Ambient air flows in turn through the fan and compressor which provides compressed air to a combustor wherein it is mixed with fuel and ignited for generating hot combustion gases which flow in turn through the HPT and LPT which extract energy therefrom.
The turbines are defined by rotor blades extending radially outwardly from corresponding disks cooperating with stationary turbine nozzles disposed upstream therefrom. The nozzles direct the combustion gases between the turbine blades which extract energy therefrom for rotating the disk. Circumferentially surrounding the radially outer tips of the turbine blades is a stationary turbine shroud which defines a relatively small radial gap therebetween for reducing the amount of combustion gas leaking therethrough. The blade tip clearance should be as small as possible for maximizing efficiency of the engine.
The turbine shrouds are typically air cooled using a portion of compressor discharge air from the compressor outlet which is channeled to the radially outer or backside of the turbine shrouds. The turbine shrouds therefore experience a differential temperature between the hot combustion gases which flow along the radially inner surface thereof and the cooling air provided on the backside thereof. This differential temperature affects the blade tip clearance over the various power settings of the engine, and therefore the turbine shrouds must be suitably supported for minimizing blade tip clearance variation.
In practice, the turbine shroud is an assembly or system of discrete turbine shroud segments circumferentially adjoining each other. Each segment includes forward and aft hooks which engage corresponding forward and aft hooks of an annular shroud hanger mounted in turn to a surrounding annular shroud support. The main purpose of the shroud hanger is to support the shroud segments and isolate the shroud support from the hot shroud itself. The shroud support generally controls the radial growth of the shroud segments and, therefore, the blade tip clearance.
The shroud is typically cooled by the high-pressure compressor discharge air channeled thereto through apertures in either the hanger or the shroud support. An impingement baffle is typically provided on the backside of the shroud through which the cooling air is channeled for impingement cooling the shroud segments. The impingement air may then be channeled through the individual shroud segments or may leak around the edges of the shroud segments back to the main flowpath through which the combustion gases flow. For example, the individual shrouds may include inclined film cooling holes extending therethrough to provide a layer of film cooling air along the inner surface of the shroud for protection against the hot combustion gases flowing thereover during operation.
The purpose of the turbine rotor blades is to extract energy from the combustion gases which in turn creates a pressure drop over the blades. Accordingly, the gas pressure is highest at the leading edge of the blades near the forward end of the turbine shroud, and lowest near the trailing edge of the blades adjacent the aft end of the turbine shrouds. The gas pressure therefore varies axially between the forward and aft ends of the shroud.
This in turn increases the difficulty of effectively cooling the turbine shroud since its cooling air is provided at a single pressure. The differential pressure radially across the turbine shroud therefore increases from its forward end to its aft end which undesirably increases cooling air leakage and film cooling hole blowing ratio. Engine efficiency therefore suffers since any excess cooling air diverted to the turbine shroud does not undergo combustion for producing power during operation.
Accordingly, it is desired to provide a turbine shroud having improved cooling resulting in increased engine efficiency.


Provided is a method and apparatus for dynamic cross fading. Specifically, an embedded system can display an image produced from a blend of other images. Initially, a first image and a second image are stored in a buffer in a display controller. Then, the display controller extracts pixels from corresponding locations in the first image and the second image. The pixels are combined with weights associated with each image to perform the cross fade calculation. Consequently, the result from the cross fade calculation is transmitted to a display unit connected to the display controller for viewing. The result can also be fetched during a refresh of a panel in the display unit. In either case, the result is transmitted to a display pipe during dynamic cross fading. Thus, any images stored in the buffer remain unchanged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image processing, and more specifically to cross fading in image processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image processing of digital images can include producing effects in video and still images. For example, one effect called cross fading permits smooth blending and transitions between images. Typically, calculations for cross fading can consume many processing cycles. For example, a desktop computer performing cross fading calculations generally does not burden resources of the desktop computer, such as memory and power. However, in a mobile device, cross fading calculations can consume too much memory and too many processing cycles. Further, the mobile device has limited battery power. Thus, when performing processor-intensive cross fading calculations on the mobile device, battery life suffers.
Another deleterious effect caused by performing cross fading calculations on the mobile device is increased bus traffic between the processor and an image processing processor. When the image processing processor performs cross fading calculations, the increased bi-directional bus traffic to and from the processor can compete with other data on the bus, thereby causing the mobile device to perform inefficiently. To overcome these limitations when performing cross fading calculations on the mobile device, solutions can include increasing memory and increasing bus lines.
However, because of limited real estate on the mobile device, it is difficult and expensive to design the mobile device to have ever-increasing memory and bus lines. For example, the memory of the mobile device can store two images for cross fading, such as an image of a dog and an image of a cat. During the transition between the two images, a third image, such as a combined image of the dog and cat is typically stored in memory. However, with references to devices with limited memory capacity, one of the original two images may be overwritten by the third image. Overwriting the original image causes the image to be irretrievably lost.
Accordingly, what is needed is a method and apparatus for performing cross fading calculations in the mobile device, while maintaining the existing resources and operating efficiency of the mobile device.

Dynamic cross fading method and apparatus


A system and method for calibrating sizes of scanned images automatically. The method includes scanning a reference chart, generating a calibration parameter according to the number of scanned pixels obtained in the scanning and the expected number of pixels of the reference chart, and adjusting the sizes of scanned documents according to the calibration parameter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image scanning system and a related method, and more particularly, to an image scanning system and a related method for calibrating sizes of scanned images.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices with a scan module, such as a multi-function printer (MFP), a facsimile (fax) machine, a photocopier, a printer or a scanner, usually utilize optical sensors or contact sensors to scan documents. For a device utilizing optical sensors, there is an optical module including a tube, a reflecting mirror, a lens and a charged coupled device (CCD). With precise calculation and design, light illuminated from the tube to the image will reflect to the reflecting mirror and then be reflected by the reflecting mirror to pass through the lens, to be received and sensed by the CCD to generate data of the image. It is obvious that the accuracy of the image and the preciseness of the device are closely linked.
Usually, there are several different resolutions provided by a scanning device. The higher the selected resolution is, the more pixels present in the original. Therefore the quantities of scanned pixels of the same image under different resolutions are different. Besides, limited by the characteristics of the sensors and the structure of the scan module, some image processing such as shading correction and Gamma correction of the scanned data is necessary for reducing the distortion of the image data.
For producing a copy identical to the original by a printer or a photocopier, it is very important to scan the image correctly. At present, calibrations of scan modules are performed during the process of manufacturing. The correctness of scanning is limited by the device and is determined when leaving the factory. However, due to inevitable errors in the process, transport conditions, and deviation of mechanisms caused by the improper use, the accuracy of the device changes after it leaves the factory and the sizes of the scanned image and the original one differ from each other. In this way, the image printed by the printer or the photocopier is distorted, and there is inaccuracy in the further data processing. For example, when a scanner scans an image under 600 dpi resolution, if the length of the image in the horizontal direction is 1 inch, the scanner should generate 600 pixels in the horizontal direction. However, when there is distortion, the scanner is not able to generate 600 pixels correctly. If the image is enlarged in the scanning, the scanner will read more than 600 pixels, such as 625 pixels. Without proper calibration, there will be an error in further data processing, printing, or image copying. For example, if the scanned image is printed out under 600 dpi resolution, the length of the image in the horizontal direction becomes
  1  ×      625    600  inches, which is different from the size of the original image.
There have been many approaches to try to solve distortions formed in the manufacturing process, that is, to solve distortions formed before the product leaves the factory. However, inaccuracy as a result of transportation conditions, and deviation of the scanner mechanism caused by the improper usage is not yet correctable.

Image scanning system and method for calibrating sizes of scanned images


The invention provides a software development support system capable of reflecting the content added by a person to source code in source code generated again, without modifying design information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a software development support system for supporting development of software by a developer (programmer).
2. Related Art
At present, in development of software a software development support tool provided with a source code generator function is often used. The source code generator is a tool automatically generating source code (program) according to a certain rule on the basis of inputted design information (specification information).
In the development of software using such a software development support system, first the confirmation and the like of operation on source code generated by the source code generator are performed. Next, according to the result and the like, modification on the source code itself or modification on design information such as addition of a function, modification of a process and the like is performed. In case that some modification on the design information has been performed, source code is generated again by the source code generator on the basis of the design information. Such work is not limited to one time but is repeated any number of times until the software is completed.
By the way, even if a developer modifies source code generated for the first time, when a source code generator performs again an automatic generation of source code, the modified part is usually deleted by being overwritten. For example, it is assumed that a comment statement has been inserted into source code generated for the first time. And when source code is generated again on the basis of the same design information, the comment statement is not contained in the source code generated for the second time. In this case, since no modification is applied to the design information itself, the source code generator generates the same source code whether generation is performed for the first time or the second time. In such a way, since in software development using a conventional source code generator a developer often has to apply the same modification to source code each time a source code generator generates the source code, there has been a problem of being not capable of efficiently performing software development.
In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed a software development support system which converts source code modified by a developer after being automatically generated by a source code generator into a design drawing by means of an implementation information extracting device, stores the design drawing as implementation information in a database and reflects the implementation information in the design information (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H 7-129,382, for example). And there has been also proposed a system which extracts a difference in specific description due to the number of digits or the specifications of language between source code A before being modified and source code B after being modified and makes design information after being modified on the basis of this difference information (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-66,889, for example). These systems solve the above problem by reflecting the contents of modification applied to source code by a developer in design information and inputting the new design information having the reflection into the source code generator. By the way, such a prior art as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H 7-129,382 or Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-66,889 modifies design information itself on the basis of the contents of modification applied to source code by a developer. Hence, for example in case of performing a modification which does not need to be defined in design information or a modification which a portion equivalent to is not included in design information such as addition of a mere comment statement or the like, these prior arts cannot cope with such a case and the content of modification performed by a developer is not reflected in source code.
And a source code generator and a developer each may take partial charge of the development of software such that a developer makes a source code generator generate typical source code, and implements for him/herself non-typical source code such as business logic and the like. In such a way, in case that it is premised that a source code generator and a developer each take partial charge of work, since it is originally unnecessary to reflect the portion implemented by a developer in design information, application itself of the above-mentioned prior arts is not considered.
And it may be also technically difficult to correctly extract a portion modified by a developer in source code. For example, it is assumed that source code having the content of aa, bb and cc is generated by a source code generator, as shown in the left part of FIG. 11, and then a developer adds aa and bb to this source code, as shown in the right part of FIG. 11. In this case, a technique of taking a difference between the two pieces of source code by comparing them with each other like the prior art disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-66,889 cannot determine whether it is the upper aa and bb or the lower aa and bb that is added by the developer or may perform an erroneous determination.
Like this, up to now there has been a case that it is not possible to reflect the content added by a developer to source code in source code generated again by using the above-mentioned prior art. That is to say, the scope of application of a prior art of modifying design information on the basis of the content of modification applied by a developer to source code is narrow, and there has been a case that it is not possible to perform efficient software development by using such a prior art. And in case that some addition to design information has been performed additionally to a modification on source code performed by a developer, it is desired to implement a software development support system capable of generating source code having both the modifications reflected in it.
The present invention has been performed on the basis of the above circumstances and has as an object of it providing a software development support system capable of reflecting the content added by a developer to source code in source code generated again, without modifying design information.

Abstract: A generator 41 generates source code in which plural insertion markers are inserted on the basis of design information. An extracting portion 43 extracts code (inserted code) contained in a range specified by each insertion marker in source code. Each extracted inserted code is associated with its identification information and stored into a saving portion 32. When the generator 41 generates source code, a combining portion 44 performs a process of combining inserted code with the relevant source code and outputs the processed source code, wherein the relevant inserted code is included in plural pieces of inserted code stored in the saving portion 32, source code identified by the identification information for the relevant inserted code coincides with the relevant source code and an insertion marker identified by this identification information exists in the relevant source code and coincides with the relevant insertion marker.


The present invention provides conjugates of peptide derivatives of the mammalian peptide hormones angiotensinogen, angiotensin I and angiotensin II, presented in a repetitive scaffold by coupling the peptide derivatives to a carrier, particularly a virus-like particle (VLP). The invention also provides methods of producing such conjugates, and immunotherapeutic uses of the resulting immunogen conjugates for the therapy and prophylaxis of conditions associated with the renin-activated angiotensin system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the fields of medicine, public health, immunology, molecular biology and virology.
2. Related Art
The arterial blood pressure of mammals is mostly controlled by a biochemical cascade known as the renin-angiotensin-System (RAS). It is initiated by the release of renin from the epitheloid cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of the kidney following a fall in arterial blood pressure. Renin enzymatically cleaves the peptide angiotensinogen (amino acid sequence: Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu-Val-Ile-His-Asn, SEQ ID NO: 15) which is secreted into the serum by the liver. This cleavage leads to the formation of the decapeptide angiotensin I (amino acid sequence: Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu, SEQ ID NO: 16). The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) which is present in the endothelium of the lungs cleaves within seconds the two C-terminal amino acids of ATI to give rise to angiotensin II (amino acid sequence: Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe, SEQ ID NO: 17). Whereas angiotensin I is very short lived within the body and has no or only mild vasoconstrictor activity, angiotensin II has a profound effect on the circulatory system as well as on the endocrine system. Elevated levels of RAS-activated angiotensin II cause vasoconstriction, renal retention of salt and water, both of which contribute to increased arterial pressure (hypertension) which can lead to cardiovascular damage. Possible clinical manifestations of hypertension are stroke, infarction, congestive heart failure, kidney failure or retinal hemorrhage.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), congestive heart failure is a major chronic disease for older adults, accounting for about 260,000 deaths a year in the US. In 1995, $3.4 billion was paid by Medicare for heart failure. Although drugs are available for the treatment of hypertension, control of hypertension is only obtained in around half of the treated hypertensive patients. This is partially due to non-compliance of the patient or ineffectiveness of the used drugs.
Current treatment of hypertension includes intervention of the RAS system using small organic molecules. Main targets are renin, ACE and the receptors for angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors include lisinopril®, captopril® and enalapril®, however, these drugs have not been entirely successful. Firstly they do not seem to entirely block ACE activity and secondly the generation by ACE of other biologically active peptides, including bradykinin, is also affected, which is undesirable. These drugs can induce side effects such as dry cough and a first dose hypotensive effect with dizziness and possible fainting. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists include losartan®, valsartan® and isbesaftan® which act specifically on the ATI angiotensin receptor; they therefore block the dominant vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II, and are better tolerated but do not affect other actions of the angiotensin hormones. However, angiotensin II receptor antagonists as well as ACE inhibitors need to be taken on a regular basis, often for long periods, such as for the majority of adult life which at least partially explains poor patient compliance. Therefore, there is a clear need for therapies of hypertension which are effective, well tolerated and connected with a high compliance of the patient.
A potential approach in treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with the activity of a hormone is to neutralize the effects of the hormone within the patient by immunotherapy, i.e., by immunizing the patient against the hormone or enzymes which are involved in the generation of the hormone such that the activity of the hormone is neutralized or its levels are reduced by specific anti-hormone or anti-enzyme antibodies. Such antibodies may be exogenously administered in passive immunization or they may be generated in situ by active immunization using an immunogen based on the hormone or the relating enzyme.
The feasibility of vaccination against components of the RAS to modulate hypertension has been shown in animal models (for a review, see Michel, Am. Heart J. 117:756 (1989)). Vaccination against renin was effective in reducing blood pressure, however the animals suffered from autoimmune nephritis. (Michel et al., Circulation 81:1899 (1990); Lo et al., Hypertension 16:80 (1990)). Data on active immunization against homologous ACE is very limited. One report describes the vaccination of rabbits but only 1 out of 50 animals made detectable anti-ACE antibodies (Soffer, Fed. Proc. 42:2735 (1983)). Passive transfer of immune serum against ACE can decrease blood pressure in rabbits but leads to an immunoallergic response with pulmonary edema, possibly because ACE is expressed in a membrane-bound form in the lung (Cadwell, FEBS Lett. 63:82 (1976)). No reports are available on active immunization against angiotensinogen, however several studies explored the feasibility of vaccination against angiotensin I and angiotensin II. Two studies reported a blood pressure effect (Christlieb, J. Clin. Invest. 48:1506 (1969); Gardiner, Br. J. Pharmacol. 129:1178 (2000)) in vaccinated animals and no autoimmunity was noted. However the majority of vaccination studies with angiotensin peptides were negative, possibly because the induced titers against angiotensin peptides were too low or because the specificity of the induced antibodies was not optimal. It is likely that a vaccine which only targets angiotensin II does not have the same effect on the RAS as a vaccine which induces antibodies against angiotensin II as well as angiotensin I and possibly also the precursor angiotensinogen.
WO 98/58952 describes the treatment with a conjugate containing an angiotensin I conjugated to tetanus toxoid, which leads to the induction of angiotensin-specific antibodies in rats if applied in conjunction with an adjuvant such as aluminium hydroxide. Adjuvants are often toxic or at least irritating. The only adjuvants allowed for human use to date are mineral salts (aluminum hydroxide, aluminium phosphate, calcium phosphate) and virosomes. The adjuvant most frequently used in humans is aluminum hydroxide (Alum). Although it is considered as safe, it remains in the body for an extended period of time forming a depot. Consequences of such depot-formation are still poorly understood, therefore attempts should be made to avoid Alum in future vaccines without loosing their immunogenicity.
Therefore, there remains a need in the art to provide conjugates leading to the induction of high antibody titers even in the absence of adjuvants.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Angiotensin peptide-carrier conjugates and uses thereof


In a two-stage power converter providing voltage regulation in a first stage, zero voltage switching (ZVS) is provided in switches in an unregulated, constant frequency second stage of a two-stage power converter by an inductor of a CLL resonant circuit connected in parallel with both a series connection of an external inductor and a primary winding of one or more transformers connected in series and an output of the switching circuit so that the output capacitances of the switches can be charged and discharged, respectively, by current in the parallel-connected inductor and independently of current in the magnetizing inductance of the transformer. Therefore, the magnetizing inductance of the transformer can be made sufficiently large to balance currents delivered to respective loads as is particularly desirable for driving a plurality of unbalanced LED strings independently of the value of the parallel-connected inductor which is desirably small.

Light-emitting (LEDs) diodes have been known for a number of years and have been used in electronic displays of increasing functionality and resolution. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have recently been developed and have several properties such as improved color resolution and have become commercially used in high-quality large-screen televisions. Further recent improvements in luminous intensity available from both types of devices, collectively referred to hereinafter simply as LEDs, has also led to the use of such devices for illumination applications, as well. Light-emitting diodes also have longer lifetimes compared with conventional lighting sources such as incandescent, vapor-arc and fluorescent light sources. Moreover, LEDs are ecologically friendly and have good color rendering properties, (e.g. capable of approximating the spectral content of many known light sources including visible sunlight). Therefore, LEDs are a very promising lighting source and can be widely used in many applications, such as indoor lighting, display backlighting, and street lighting. For these applications, strings of multiple series-connected LED structures have been adopted for cost-effectiveness, reliability, and safety concerns.
Forward current of an LED is exponential to its forward voltage when the LED is emitting light. Therefore, a small variation of the forward voltage will result in a dramatic change of the current and consumed power as well as luminous output. For illumination applications having multiple parallel LED strings, the currents of different LED strings are expected to be identical for uniform brightness and thermal performance. Therefore, the current balance among LED strings is highly critical.
Several methods have been proposed to achieve good current balancing and can be generally divided into two categories: active methods and passive methods. For active methods, the power stage usually contains a front-end DC-DC converter as a first stage and a multi-channel constant current source as the second stage. Each channel is controlled by a dedicated switching-mode converter or a linear current regulator to provide constant current. With this method, the forward current of each string can be controlled precisely and there is no current unbalance issue. However, these methods require an impractical number of components and adequately high efficiency cannot be achieved especially when a linear current regulator is used.
For passive methods, good current balance is achieved by passive components such as resistors, capacitors or coupled inductors placed in series with each LED string. This method is very simple. However, the accuracy of current balancing is very sensitive to the impedance of the passive components. In addition, the power dissipation in the series resistor is substantial when used for current balancing; reducing efficiency, often to an unacceptable degree, particularly if dimming is required. Additionally, there are some special requirements to be met by the LED driver when capacitors or coupled inductors are used to achieve balancing of LED strings. For example, the LED driver is required to generate AC current or AC voltage for such reactive components to function properly; increasing component count, cost and complexity and compromising power density and efficiency.
Several single-stage multiple channel LED driver structures have been recently proposed. Specifically, a LED driver based on the voltage-fed half-bridge topology with a current doubler structure at the secondary side has been proposed. This structure is able to drive multiple LED strings at the same time. However, the operation of this LED driver is somewhat complicated especially when larger numbers of LED strings are driven at the same time. In another proposed LED driver, an LLC resonant converter is used with a voltage doubler structure at the secondary side. In this type of LED driver, the switching frequency of converter is regulated when the input voltage varies. Therefore, higher efficiency can not be guaranteed under conditions of wide variation of input voltage.
A one-stage multi-channel constant current (MC3) LLC resonant LED driver has also been proposed in which the switching frequency, fs, is tuned according to the output requirement. However, for this one-stage MC3 LLC resonant LED driver, it is very difficult to achieve low dimming since its efficiency decreases dramatically when it is working under low dimming conditions due to its switching frequency being pushed much higher than the resonant frequency.

Two-stage multichannel LED driver with CLL resonant circuit

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.


A method for making transmission electron microscope gird is provided. An array of carbon nanotubes is provided and drawing a carbon nanotube film from the array of carbon nanotubes. A substrate has a plurality of spaced metal girds attached on the substrate. The metal girds are covered with the carbon nanotube film and treating the carbon nanotube film and the metal girds with organic solvent. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid is obtained by removing remaining CNT film.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to a method for making an electron microscope grid, and particularly to a method for making a transmission electron microscope grid.
2. Description of Related Art
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is one of the most important techniques available for the detailed examination and analysis of the nano-structural characteristics of many materials. The TEM technique provides high resolution imaging and material analysis of thin specimens in the range of 0.01-0.2 microns (μm). In a conventional method for specimen preparation, a metal grid such as a copper or nickel grid covered by a porous organic membrane is provided, then evaporation is used to deposit an amorphous carbon film on the porous organic membrane. In practical application, when the size of an observed particle is less than 5 nanometers (nm), the amorphous carbon film can negatively impact TEM imaging.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a high Young's modulus, high thermal conductivity, and high electrical conductivity, a strong absorbability, among other properties, and are considered as being potentially ideal material for making TEM grids. However, there has been difficulty in applying CNTs in TEM grids.
What is needed, therefore, is a method for fabricating a TEM grid using a CNT film, wherein the TEM grid is conducive to acquiring better high resolution transmission electron microscopy images when the size of the observed structure is less than 5 nanometers.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate at least one embodiment of the present method for fabricating a TEM grid, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Method for making transmission electron microscope grid


A method of providing papermaking fibers with durable curl comprising: a) introducing papermaking fiber into a rotatable drum adapted for operation at elevated pressure; b) rotating the drum containing the papermaking fiber while maintaining: i) the fiber in aqueous dispersion having a consistency of from about 5 to about 45 percent; ii) a temperature of above about 100° C.; the drum being configured such that the aqueous fiber dispersion contacts the rotating wall of the drum during rotation thereof and the mechanical action of the drum on the dispersion provides a durable curl to the papermaking fiber; removing the curled fiber from the rotatable drum wherein the temperature, time, consistency and energy input to the fiber are controlled such that fibers treated exhibit a curl elevation of at least 50 percent at 1 hour storage time.

Providing curl to papermaking fibers is known in the art. There is disclosed for example in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/793,863 to Lee a process for producing high bulk cellulosic fibers exhibiting durable curl. The method of the '863 application involves curling the fiber in a disk refiner at elevated temperature and pressure. See Publication No. US 2001/0040015. Other references relating to fiber curling include U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,065 to Kasser; U.S. Pat. No. 4,431,479 to Barbe et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,819 to Minton; U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,768 to Hermans et al.; as well as U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,845 to Farrington et al.
Rotoclaves have been used to recycle waste paper. In this regard there is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,240 to Bouchette et al. a method of separating fiber from difficult to process coated and ink paper products. Further discussion of the rotoclave apparatus and its use for repulping may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,781 to Placzek and U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,994 also to Placzek.
It has been found that certain fibers may be provided with unexpectedly elevated and durable curl by treating them in fibrous form in pressure vessels at 35-90 psig in saturated steam with mechanical agitation. The fiber to be curled is maintained in an aqueous dispersion having an intermediate to relatively high consistency.

Method of curling fiber and absorbent sheet containing same


A method is provided for alternately triggering driving states of a utility vehicle. The method includes providing a control element and a transmission selectively engageable in a forward driving state (F) for forward travel of the utility vehicle, a reverse driving state (R) for reverse travel, and a standstill driving state (S) for a stationary output of the transmission without disconnection of the drivetrain in the utility vehicle. The method further includes operating the transmission in a current driving state, operably selecting a target driving state while operating in the current driving state, and controllably triggering the transmission to the standstill driving state before shifting the transmission to the target driving state.

Utility vehicles are used, among other things, for performing certain work functions. These include, for example, loading or transport work for the performance of which the utility vehicle has suitable implements. For an agricultural utility vehicle, these implements include a loading shovel, a manure fork or other implements. Appropriate actuating elements and instruments for actuating these implements are usually provided in the driver's cab of the utility vehicle. In addition, the driver must often change the driving direction between "forward" and "reverse" while performing such work functions. For this purpose, at least one corresponding actuating element is provided for the driver.

Method and arrangement for controlling driving states of a utility vehicle


Disclosed herein is a power semiconductor device. The power semiconductor device includes a second conductive type first junction termination extension (JTE) layer that is formed so as to be in contact with one side of the second conductive type well layer, a second conductive type second JTE layer that is formed on the same line as the second conductive type first JTE layer, and is formed so as to be spaced apart from the second conductive type first JTE layer in a length direction of the substrate, and a poly silicon layer that is formed so as to be in contact with the second conductive type well layer and an upper portion of the second conductive type first JTE layer.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a power semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a power semiconductor device in addition to US 2011-0180813 A, a termination area is used for the purpose of supporting a withstand voltage by applying a separate structure in order to prevent concentration of an electric field of an active cell edge portion in a high withstand voltage element, and a widely used structure is a ring structure or the ring structure and a poly field plate structure.
The power semiconductor device having the above-described structure is required to secure a wide termination area in order to obtain a required withstand voltage in a method in which P-layers with a predetermined interval therebetween are connected with each other and expansion of a depletion layer is increased when an off mode is operated.
However, the increase in the width of the termination area causes a reduction in an active region having the same chip size when an on mode is operated, to thereby cause an increase in conduction loss, an increase in heat generation of the device, or an increase in production costs due to an increase in a chip size in order to maintain the same active region area.
Therefore, there is a demand for a power semiconductor device that can reduce a size while maintaining a withstand voltage.

Power semiconductor device capable of maintaining a withstand voltage


A powdered pharmaceutical inhaler (2) includes, broadly, an air pressurization chamber (6), housing a piston and cylinder arrangement for providing a charge of pressurized air to the air pressurization chamber, and an inhalation chamber (4), including a mouthpiece region (16) and a pharmaceutical region (92) containing the pharmaceutical (156). The inhaler is actuated by inhaling on the mouthpiece region which automatically opens a fluid pathway between the air pressurization chamber and the supply of powered pharmaceutical. When this occurs the air rushes from the air pressurization chamber through the powered pharmaceutical, thus entraining the powdered pharmaceutical in an airstream, the entrained pharmaceutical being inhaled into the lungs of the user. The inhaler is thus activated by the inhalation by the user and is provided a pneumatic boost from the pressurized air in the air pressurization chamber. The invention is designed to be used with replaceable pharmaceutical-containing cartridges (12). The cartridges are mounted to the mouthpiece region of the inhalation chamber and contain the powdered pharmaceutical. Thus, after each use the cartridge is disposed of so that all surfaces which may be clogged or otherwise contaminated by the powdered pharmaceutical, saliva and so forth, can be disposed of.

Certain pharmaceuticals can be administered in powdered form through inhalation of the powdered pharmaceutical into the lungs. This type of pharmaceutical delivery has several advantages. It eliminates the requirement for the use of syringes and needles, which many patients are uncomfortable with. Also, certain pharmaceuticals have a relatively short shelf life when in liquid form. Therefore, administration in powdered form eliminates the necessity to reconstitute the pharmaceutical with a liquid carrier.
Although not all pharmaceutical products are suitable for it being administered in a powdered form, many pharmaceuticals have been formulated for inhalation into the lungs. For example, Novo Nordisk of Bagsvaerd, Denmark, sells a nasal insulin preparation which is inhaled by the user. Other types of pharmaceuticals are administered in powdered form as well. Another pharmaceutical for oral inhalation by asthmatic patients is sold by Glaxo of Bern, Switzerland. The medication is delivered by a device, sold as the DISKHALER.RTM., which has a rotatable disk with a number of regions containing the pharmaceutical. The disk is rotated to position one of the pharmaceutical-containing packets in line with a needle; the needle punctures the packet to allow the pharmaceutical to be inhaled. Another type of powdered pharmaceutical delivery device is sold by Fisons Corporation of Bedford, Mass., under the trademark SpinHaler.RTM.. It uses a gel capsule containing the powdered pharmaceutical. The capsule is pierced by a needle which allows the pharmaceutical to be inhaled through the mouth.
One of the problems with prior art powdered pharmaceutical delivery devices when the device is reused, as is normal. The powdered pharmaceutical often clings to, coats or even cakes onto surfaces of the device. The surfaces, which often have been moistened by the user's breath, can become contaminated; the contaminated surfaces can create health problems during subsequent use due to the bacterial contamination.

Timing and velocity controlled powered pharmaceutical inhaler


There is provided an intermediate for an optical recording medium, which can be uniformly coated with resin by the spin coating method without using a resin coating-assisting member, and allows formation of a central mounting hole without burrs. The intermediate comprises a hollow cylindrical protruding portion protruding from one surface on which functional layers are formed and a circular recess formed in a central portion of the other surface and having a diameter equal to that of the central mounting hole, and a temporary central hole formed to extend through a central portion of the recess and having a diameter smaller than that of the recess. The protruding portion has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the mounting hole and an inner diameter not smaller than the diameter of the temporary central hole, and has a central axis thereof substantially aligned with a center of the temporary central hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an intermediate for an optical recording medium that has a central mounting hole formed in a central portion thereof and at least one kind of functional layer formed on one side thereof, for use in at least one of information recording and information reproduction, a mold for manufacturing the intermediate for an optical recording medium, a molding apparatus including the mold, and a method of manufacturing the optical recording medium by using the intermediate for an optical recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, in a method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, such as a CD (Compact Disk) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), first, a disk-shaped substrate DP having a shape shown in FIG. 20 is molded by injecting resin into a mold having a stamper set therein. In this step, the central portion of the disk-shaped substrate DP is blanked by a gate cutter incorporated in the mold, whereby a central mounting hole (also used as a central mounting hole of the optical recording medium) MH is formed in the central portion of the disk-shaped substrate DP. Further, micro asperities (not shown) such as grooves are formed in an area (recording area RA) on one surface (upper surface as viewed in FIG. 20) of the disk-shaped substrate DP, where functional layers, referred to hereinafter, are to be formed. Furthermore, an annular projection (so-called stock ring) SR is formed on the other surface (lower surface as viewed in FIG. 20) of the disk-shaped substrate DP. The annular projection SR is formed in a zone between a chucking area CA adjacent to the central mounting hole MH toward the inner periphery of the disk-shaped substrate DP and the recording area RA. Molded disk-shaped substrates DP are stored in a state stacked on a stacker 51 with the central mounting hole MH of each disk-shaped substrate DP being fitted on a stacker pole 51a of the stacker 51. In this case, the disk-shaped substrates DP are stacked with spaces created therebetween by the annular projections SR. Therefore, even if vibrations are applied to the disk-shaped substrates DP in this state, the disk-shaped substrates DP are prevented from being greatly inclined, so that interference between the disk-shaped substrates DP can be avoided, which prevents the surfaces of the disk-shaped substrates DP from being damaged or flawed.
Then, the disk-shaped substrates DP are sequentially taken out from the stacker 51, and various functional layers (reflection layer, recording layer, protective layer, etc.) are sequentially formed in the recording area RA on the one surface of each disk-shaped substrate DP to thereby complete an optical recording medium (not shown). Thereafter, the completed optical recording media are stored on the stacker 51 similarly to the disk-shaped substrates DP. In the step of forming the functional layers, at least one of the functional layers (e.g. the protective layer) is formed by coating resin by the spin coating method and then curing the coated resin by a predetermined curing treatment. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, a method is employed which coats resin using a disk-shaped member DI as a resin coating-assisting member (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-249264), because this method facilitates formation of functional layers (resin layers) uniform in thickness particularly in radial directions. Basically in this method, the disk-shaped member DI is placed on a disk-shaped substrate DP such that the member DI covers the central mounting hole MH as shown in FIG. 20, and then the resin R is dropped from a nozzle NZ onto the disk-shaped member DI for spin coating. Thereafter, the disk-shaped member DI is removed from the disk-shaped substrate DP as shown in FIG. 21, and the disk-shaped substrate DP coated with the resin R up to the outer periphery of the upper surface thereof is conveyed to a site for executing the curing treatment. Since the resin R remains uncured during the conveyance, the disk-shaped substrate DP is carried with an uncoated area (adjacent to the central mounting hole MH) that was covered by the disk-shaped member DI being sucked by a suction device (not shown) or with the central mounting hole MH being made use of by a mechanical chuck (not shown).
However, in the above described method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, maintenance of the used disk-shaped member DI (e.g. cleaning of the disk-shaped member DI having resin R stuck thereto) is troublesome. To overcome this problem, the present inventors developed a method of manufacturing an optical recording medium using an intermediate therefor which is not formed with a central mounting hole MH in its central portion. In this method, first, an intermediate ME, shown in FIG. 23, for a disk-shaped substrate, is molded by the same method as employed in manufacturing the disk-shaped substrate DP. In this step, a central mounting hole MH is not formed through the intermediate ME, but micro asperities (not shown) such as grooves are formed in one surface (upper surface as viewed in FIG. 23) thereof, and an annular projection SR is formed on the other surface (lower surface as viewed in FIG. 23), similarly to the case of manufacturing the disk-shaped substrate DP. Then, various functional layers (reflection layer, recording layer, protective layer, etc.) are sequentially formed in a recording area RA on the one surface of the intermediate ME. When the spin coating method is employed to apply resin R to the intermediate ME for formation of each of the functional layers, the resin R is dropped from a nozzle NZ onto the central portion of the intermediate for spin coating, so that a layer of the resin R is coated which has a substantially uniform thickness in radial directions, as shown in FIG. 24. Thereafter, the central portion of the intermediate ME having all the functional layers (hereinafter collectively referred to as "the layer FL") formed on the one surface thereof is blanked by presswork (blanking using a punch) to form a central mounting hole MH. Thus, an optical recording medium 1 having the central portion thereof formed with the central mounting hole MH, as shown in FIG. 9, is completed. According to this method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, since the disk-shaped member DI is not used for spin coating, it is possible to save time and labor required for troublesome maintenance of the disk-shaped member DI.
However, from the study of the above described method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, the present inventors found out the following problems to be solved: In the manufacturing method, first, the intermediate ME without the central mounting hole MH is molded, and then the layer FL is formed on the intermediate ME, whereafter the central mounting hole MH is formed by presswork. Therefore, in a case where the spin coating method is employed for formation of functional layers, since the central mounting hole MH is not yet formed in the intermediate ME when the intermediate ME coated with uncured resin R need be conveyed to the site for carrying out curing treatment, it is difficult to use the aforementioned mechanical chuck. Further, since the area that is not coated with the resin R does not exist on the intermediate ME, it is also difficult to use the aforementioned suction device. Therefore, improvement in this point is desirable. In this connection, a method can be contemplated which uses a device additionally provided for partially curing the resin R to cure part of the resin R on the central portion of the intermediate ME, for allowing the suction device to suck the cured portion. However, this method necessitates the device for partially curing the resin R, which requires new expenditures on plant and equipment. Further, since the step of partially curing the resin R is added, manufacturing time is increased, causing reduced production of optical recording media 1 per unit time, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs.
Further, in this method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, since the central mounting hole MH is not formed until the presswork is completed in a final step, it is impossible to use the stacker 51 conventionally used, for storing molded intermediates ME or holding intermediates ME having passed through one processing step until the succeeding processing step starts. To overcome this problem, a method of storing intermediates ME can be considered which uses a stacker 61 having a plurality of stack poles 61a (three stack poles 61a in the illustrated example) erected on the same circumference as shown in FIG. 25 to store intermediates ME therein in a stacked manner. In this case, the intermediates ME held within the stack poles 61a, 61a, 61a have respective outer peripheral edges thereof supported by the stack poles 61a, 61a, 61a. Although not shown, another method can be considered which uses a storage case having a plurality of grooves formed therein at equal space intervals, each for receiving the outer peripheral edge of an intermediate ME, to store intermediates ME in a vertical position in parallel with each other in the side-by-side arrangement. In the former storing method, however, since each intermediate ME has its outer peripheral edge supported only by the stack poles 61a, 61a, 61a, when vibrations are applied to a plurality of intermediates ME stacked one upon another, the intermediates ME easily lose their balance and are tilted as shown in FIG. 26. This also raises a problem to be solved. In the latter storing method, the area occupied by the storage case is laterally increased in accordance with an increase in the number of stored intermediates ME, and hence it is difficult to allocate enough space for the storage case when the number of intermediates ME to be stored is large.
Moreover, in this method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, the central portion of an intermediate ME to be blanked by presswork to form the central mounting hole MH has the same thickness as that of a portion surrounding the central portion, and hence burrs can be formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the intermediate ME and the layer FL defining the central mounting hole MH, during blanking using a punch. If burrs are formed, the optical recording medium 1 is likely to be mounted on a drive device in an off-center position. In such a case, the optical recording medium 1 vibrates when it is rotated, which makes it difficult to record information thereon or reproduce information therefrom, with accuracy. Therefore, improvement in this point is desirable.

Intermediate for optical recording medium, mold, molding apparatus, and method of manufacturing optical recording medium


An apparatus and method are disclosed for preferentially separating a high vapor pressure component from a low vapor pressure component, wherein at least a portion of each component is volatilized from a matrix. A matrix, such as a sludge contaminated with volatilizable organic materials, is directed through a housing by a screw conveyor. Heat is applied to the matrix in an amount sufficient to volatilize at least a portion of the high and low vapor pressure components. A portion of a high vapor pressure component volatilizes at an inlet end of the housing while a portion of a low vapor pressure component volatilizes at an outlet end of the housing. The volatilized components are then preferentially separated by a hot gas, which is discharged over the matrix from a gas inlet tube, through separate outlet ports. The volatilizable components of the matrix are thereby preferentially separated.

Many wastes, such as sludges and contaminated soils, include a matrix and one or more volatilizable components. For example, sludges generated by industrial processes which include a solid matrix component also often include a volatilizable component which is not suitable for disposal by direct discharge to the environment. In another example, soil can become contaminated by oil, gasoline or other contaminants, such as by leakage from storage vessels or during drilling of oil wells.
One attempt to dispose of such wastes is by containment in sealed land fills. However, seals in land fills can deteriorate and fail, thereby allowing the wastes to leak into the surrounding ground. Further, land-fills generally require large areas of land and availability of suitable land-fill sites is diminishing. In addition, governmental regulation limits the kinds of waste which can be disposed of in land fills. Disposal of wastes has also been attempted by incineration. However, airborne pollutants are typically released into the atmosphere as incinerator exhaust.
Another attempt to dispose of volatilizable component-containing wastes includes volatilization of the volatilizable components. The volatilized components can then be treated separately. Removal of volatilizable components from matrices, however, has often been substantially incomplete because of the relatively low volatility of many volatilizable components. Following volatilization of these relatively low volatility components, quenching, condensation and redeposition of the relatively low vapor pressure components has occurred due to intermixing with relatively high vapor pressure components.
Thus, a need exists for an apparatus and method for removing volatilizable components from matrices which overcome or minimize the above-mentioned problems.

Apparatus and method for preferentially separating volatilizable components of a matrix


A cooling arrangement for a pressure side of an airfoil portion of a turbine engine component is provided. The cooling arrangement comprises a pair of cooling circuits embedded within a wall forming the pressure side. The pair of cooling circuits includes a first serpentine cooling circuit and a second circuit offset from the first serpentine cooling circuit.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to microcircuit cooling for the pressure side of a high aspect ratio turbine engine component, such as a turbine blade.
(2) Prior Art
The overall cooling effectiveness is a measure used to determine the cooling characteristics of a particular design. The ideal non-achievable goal is unity, which implies that the metal temperature is the same as the coolant temperature inside an airfoil. The opposite can also occur when the cooling effectiveness is zero implying that the metal temperature is the same as the gas temperature. In that case, the blade material will certainly melt and burn away. In general, existing cooling technology allows the cooling effectiveness to be between 0.5 and 0.6. More advanced technology such as supercooling should be between 0.6 and 0.7. Microcircuit cooling as the most advanced cooling technology in existence today can be made to produce cooling effectiveness higher than 0.7.
FIG. 1 shows a durability map of cooling effectiveness (x-axis) vs. the film effectiveness (y-axis) for different lines of convective efficiency. Placed in the map is a point 10 related to a new advanced serpentine microcircuit shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. This serpentine microcircuit includes a pressure side serpentine circuit 20 and a suction side serpentine circuit 22 embedded in the airfoil walls 24 and 26.
The Table I below provides the dimensionless parameters used to plot the design point in the durability map.
TABLE IOperational Parameters forserpentine microcircuitbeta2.898Tg2581 [F.]Tc1365 [F.]Tm2050 [F.]Tm_bulk1709 [F.]Phi_loc0.437Phi_bulk0.717Tco1640 [F.]Tci1090 [F.]eta_c_loc0.573eta_f0.296Total Cooling Flow3.503%WAE10.8  Legend for Table IBeta = dimensionless heat load parameter or ratio of convective thermal load to external thermal loadPhi_loc = local cooling effectivenessPhi_bulk = bulk cooling effectivenessEta_c_loc = local cooling efficiencyEta_f = film effectivenessTg = gas temperatureTc = coolant temperatureTm = metal temperatureTm_bulk = bulk metal temperatureTco = exit coolant temperatureTci = inlet coolant temperatureWAE = compressor engine flow, pps
It should be noted that the overall cooling effectiveness from the table is 0.717 for a film effectiveness of 0.296 and a convective efficiency (or ability to pick-up heat) of 0.573 (57%). It should also be noted that the corresponding cooling flow for a turbine blade having this cooling microcircuit is 3.5% engine flow. FIG. 3 illustrates the cooling flow distribution for a turbine blade with the serpentine microcircuits of FIGS. 2a-2c embedded in the airfoils walls.
The design shown in FIGS. 2a-2c leads to significant cooling flow reduction. This in turn has positive effects on cycle thermodynamic efficiency, turbine efficiency, rotor inlet temperature impacts, and specific fuel consumption.
It should be noted from FIG. 3 that the flow passing through the pressure side serpentine microcircuit is 1.165% WAE in comparison with 0.428% WAE in the suction side serpentine microcircuit for this arrangement. This represents a 2.7 fold increase in cooling flow relative to the suction side microcircuit. The reason for this increase stems from the fact that the thermal load to the part is considerably higher for the airfoil pressure side. As a result, the height of the microcircuit channel should be a 1.8 fold increase over that of the suction side.
Besides the increased flow requirement on the pressure side, the driving pressure drop potential in terms of source to sink pressures for the pressure side circuit is not as high as that for the suction side circuit. In considering the coolant pressure on the pressure side circuit, FIG. 4 shows that at the end of the third leg, the back flow margin, as a measure of internal to external pressure ratio, is low. As a consequence of this back flow issue, the metal temperature increase beyond that required metal temperature close to the third leg of the pressure side circuit. A remedy is needed to eliminate this problem on the aft pressure side of the airfoil.

Multi-peripheral serpentine microcircuits for high aspect ratio blades


Disclosed herein are bleaching systems that contain a peroxide and an activator. The activator is a tungsten containing compound, preferably sodium tungstate or tungstosilicic acid. When such bleaching systems are applied in an aqueous alkaline environment they can bleach mold, fungus, and the like.

Peroxides are known bleaching agents. They can be supplied as hydrogen peroxide itself, or by using a hydrogen peroxide "generator" such as a perborate, a percarbonate, a peroxyurea compound, persilic acid and hydrogen peroxide adducts of pyrophosphates, citrates, sodium sulfate and sodium silicate. Such generators readily release hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution.
However, such peroxides achieve only moderate bleaching when used by themselves in an aqueous environment. Better results have been achieved when they are used with activators. See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,398,096, 4,119,557 and 5,460,747. The disclosure of these patents, and of all other publications referred to herein, are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Unfortunately, such activators present their own problems. Some activators are susceptible to storage instability. Others are expensive to produce or are highly toxic. Others provide only minor improvements in bleaching effectiveness.
In unrelated work, it has been determined that a tungstate can catalyze the oxidation of secondary amines with hydrogen peroxide (H. Mitsui, J. Chem Soc. Chem. Comm. 874 (1984)), and that an in acid environment certain tungsten containing compounds used with peroxides can help process pulp (U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,490).
However, hard surface stains in buildings and on materials to be used for manufacturing are often caused by mold/fungus, and such stains can be resistant to bleaching by acidic cleaners. Similarly, stains on non-woven and woven textiles can be resistant to bleaching by conventional cleaning compositions. Moreover, peroxides can have stability problems during storage, and especially in alkaline environments.
Thus, a need exists for improved activators for use in alkaline peroxide bleaching systems.

Method for bleaching a hard surface using tungsten activated peroxide


A method and apparatus for transmitting code data of a multi-color subject copy from a transmitter to a receiver in a manner that minimizes the volume of code data. The form of the data is determined by the capabilities of the receiver. The original images consist of at least two colors in addition to the background color of the copy sheet. A transmitter scans each line of the copy sheet to develop scan signals corresponding to the original images. The scan signals are used to prepare sets of run length code data and color discrimination code data indicative of the colors which appear in each line of the subject copy sheet. The transmitter transmits color discrimination code data and the corresponding set of run length code data to a receiver adapted to reproduce the transmitted data. The method of combining the scan signals to create the transmitted image signals and color discrimination code produce a condensed data strength.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus adapted to prepare coded signals indicative of images of three or more colors of a subject copy, for transmission to a remote apparatus such as a remote facsimile receiver, for reproduction of the subject copy, and an apparatus operable to effect a recording on different types of recording medium, based on such coded signals.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
An example of such a signal transmission method as indicated above is disclosed in Publication No. 60-31388 of examined Japanese Patent Application (published for opposition purpose), wherein run-length code data indicative of black and white images of a subject copy, which is prepared for delivery to a remote recording apparatus, is utilized to transmit images of another color such as a red color. According to the disclosed method, a red-colored area along a line of original images is represented by a run-length code indicative of the length of the red-colored area, and a flag code and a one-bit control code which precede that run-length code. The flag code is indicative of the red color, while the one-bit control code indicates whether the run-length code of the red-colored area is prepared based on the run-length coding for the black images or run-length coding for white images. The flag code is a run-length code which is usually never used, for instance, the run-length code representative of the run-length of "0" of a black-colored area.
Also, laid-open Publication No. 61-123281 of unexamined Japanese Patent Application discloses a method adapted for transmission of a four-color subject copy which includes green and red images other than black and white images. This method is based on a proposition that run-length codes for the white images and run-length codes for the black images are transmitted alternately. The green and red images are represented by flag codes which are combinations of the run-length code for the run length of "0" of a white colored area, and the run-length codes for black-colored areas. The flag codes represent the green-and red-colored areas, depending upon which one of the two codes of each flag code precedes the other or comes first.
The methods proposed in the above-identified publications are effective to reduce the volume of data that should be transmitted, and permit the transmission of a subject copy involving images of three or more colors, in a relatively short period of time. However, the volumetric reduction of the required image transmission data according to the proposed method is still insufficient. For example, even where a line of original images consisting of only white and red images (i.e., red images on a white background color of a subject copy sheet), run-length codes for red-colored areas should always be preceded by flag codes that indicate that the following run-length codes are those for the red-colored areas. Accordingly, the overall volume of the image data to be transmitted tends to be large.
On the other hand, laid-open Publication No. 57-119567 proposes to further reduce the volume of the required image data, by using a color-shift code only when the color of the image areas is changed. For instance, the color-shift code may be the run-length code representative of the run length of "0" of a white- or black-colored area, or a combination of these two run-length codes.
The method according to the above proposal does not require each of the run-length codes for red-colored areas to be accompanied by an appropriate flag code which indicates that the run-length code is that for a red-colored area. Accordingly, a further volumetric reduction of the required image data is achieved.
Usually, a recording apparatus such as a remote facsimile receiver which effects a recording based on received image signals such as run-length code data as described above is operated in different modes depending upon types of a recording medium. For example, a thermo-sensitive recording medium has one or more coloring layers formed on a substrate. Each coloring layer is colored when heated to a predetermined temperature, whereby a recording is accomplished by selectively heating local areas or spots on the medium. The coloring layers corresponding to two or more colors other than the background color (usually whitish color) of the medium have different coloring temperatures. Namely, the amounts of thermal energy necessary to color the different coloring layers are different. Therefore, the recording of images in desired colors requires the use of a thermo-sensitive medium having appropriate coloring layers, and the heating of these coloring layers with necessary amounts of thermal energy. To this end, the recording apparatus should have different operation modes depending upon the specific types of the thermo-sensitive recording medium.
A recording apparatus capable of receiving different types of thermo-sensitive recording medium as indicated above is known. For example, there is known a facsimile apparatus "RIFAX 810SR" available from RICOH (a Japanese manufacturer) which is operable in a black-and-red mode in which both black and red images can be recorded, as well as in a black mode in which only black images can be recorded. In this facsimile apparatus, the recording of black images is effected on a thermo-sensitive paper which has a black coloring layer on a substrate, while the recording in black and red colors is effected on a thermo-sensitive paper having a black coloring layer and a red coloring layer. The recording device of the apparatus operates in the two different modes which are selected depending upon the type of the paper currently used, so that the coloring layer or layers may be heated with the appropriate amount or amounts of thermal energy necessary to effect the intended recording operation in the desired color or colors.
The facsimile apparatus indicated above has a cavity or space provided in the apparatus body for accommodating a roll of the desired one of the two types of a thermo-sensitive web. The opening leading to the cavity is usually closed by a pivotable top cover, whereby the roll of web is not visible from the outside during the use of the apparatus. With the roll of the desired type of the thermo-sensitive web set in position, the recording device is placed in one of the two recording modes that suits the currently used type of the web. The recording modes are established or changed by using a plurality of keys on an operator's control panel provided on the outer surface of the apparatus body.
Certainly, the keys on the control panel serve the other purposes for controlling the apparatus. Therefore, when the recording web is changed from one type to the other, the keys must be operated repeatedly in the predetermined order. Thus, the procedure to control the apparatus is difficult to understand and cumbersome, and may be erroneously performed. This problem generally exists in a recording apparatus which selectively uses different types of recording medium (e.g., different sizes of medium) and which is operated in the correspondingly selected different modes.

Multi-color facsimile apparatus having different data preparation and transmission modes and data preparations and transmission method practiced by the apparatus

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A wavelength of an optical source is monitored by first and second adjacent detectors on a common base. A bulk reflective component has first and second partially reflective surfaces that respectively direct first and second portions of energy from the source to the first and second detectors. A wavelength discriminator is positioned between the first detector and first surface. An optical isolator downstream of the reflective component prevents radiation from the source and exiting the component from being coupled to the detectors and back to the source.

In a fibre-optic network, the wavelength of light used to communicate a signal is an important parameter. In particular, where Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) systems are employed, different signals are communicated using different wavelengths. Consequently, it is important to maintain the different wavelengths accurately in relation to components of the WDM system, for example multiplexers and demultiplexers, which add or remove wavelengths from the WDM system.
Typically, a semiconductor laser device is employed in a transmitter unit of the fibre-optic network. The wavelength of light transmitted by the laser device can be accurately controlled by altering a parameter, for example temperature, of the laser device using a closed loop feedback circuit. In this example, in order to determine whether to heat or cool the laser device, and to what extent, to restore the wavelength of the laser device to a predetermined wavelength, an error is typically generated in the feedback circuit.
Known apparatus for detecting changes in the wavelength of a laser device are disclosed inter alia, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,309,671, 6,144,025, 5,825,792, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,671 discloses a laser diode, a proximal beam splitting mirror and a proximal photodiode to receive light from the proximal beam splitting mirror, a distal beam splitting mirror and a distal photodiode to receive light from the distal beam splitting mirror, and a filter disposed between the distal beam splitting mirror and the distal photodiode. An electronic control circuit stabilizes the laser diode. In use, a divergent beam is emitted by the laser diode. The proximal beam splitting mirror directs a portion of the light incident on the proximal beam splitting mirror onto the proximal photodiode. Similarly, light passing through the proximal beam splitting mirror is incident on the distal beam splitting mirror. The distal beam splitting mirror directs a portion of the light incident on the distal beam splitting mirror onto the distal photodiode. Since the light continues to diverge as it propagates from the proximal beam splitting mirror to the distal beam splitting mirror, the distal photodiode only receives a small fraction of the light directed towards the distal photodiode. In order to ensure that beams eminating from the proximal and distal beam splitting mirrors are not obstructed, the beam splitting mirrors and the photodiodes must be widely spaced. The provision of two beam splitting mirrors spaced apart and the need for individual placement and careful alignment of the beam splitting mirror results in relatively high cost and large volume of the above apparatus. Similarly, the need to carefully place and align the proximal and distal photodiodes is a costly exercise that contributes to the large volume of the apparatus. Additionally, the spacing of two beam splitting mirrors results in the proximal and distal photodiodes being unable to make efficient use of the portions of light respectively directed towards them due to the divergent nature of the beam emitted by the laser diode.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,792 discloses a relatively compact apparatus comprising a lens, a Fabry-Perot etalon and two photodiodes. The apparatus is small enough to be copackaged with a semiconductor laser in an industry standard package known as a "butterfly" package. The etalon splits light emitted by the semiconductor laser and directs the light over multiple paths of different lengths before recombination. Respective wavelength dependent phases are accumulated over the multiple paths. Consequently, the result of the recombination also depends on wavelength.
The dimensions of the etalon depend on a required resolving power, R, of the etalon; the resolving power is a measure of a minimum change of wavelength that can be detected. The resolving power, R, of the etalon is given by the following equation:
  R  =      F                      2                nd                    λ        o            where:                F is the coefficient of finesse,        n is the refractive index of the etalon,        d is the thickness of the etalon, and        λo is the wavelength of operation.
As a practical example, in order to monitor a 100 GHz or 50 GHz channel spacing, at least one dimension of the etalon has to be approximately 1 mm or approximately 2 mm, respectively. Clearly, such dimensions are large compared with a typical dimension of a semiconductor laser of approximately 300 μm.
Hence, as explained above in relation to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,309,671 and 5,825,792, to copackage the semiconductor laser device with the etalon requires a package that is substantially larger than a package for the semiconductor laser device alone, since for small channel spacings the dimensions of the etalon are large. Also, the etalon of the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,792 requires very precise angular alignment with respect to the beam emitted by the laser device. Furthermore, with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,792, no "transmitted beam" is provided for onward propagation into a WDM system. There is therefore a need to locate the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,792 adjacent a back facet of the semiconductor laser, thereby restricting available space for other components as well as, in some cases, disadvantageously increasing lengths of Radio Frequency (RF) paths to the semiconductor laser.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,025 discloses a laser diode coupled to a first optical fibre. In use, light emitted by the laser diode propagates through the first optical fibre, a lens, a cut filter, thence the light is incident upon a beam splitter. A first photodiode is located on a first side of the beam splitter and a second photodiode is located on a second side of the beam splitter. An optical band-pass filter is disposed in-line between the beam splitter and the first photodiode. A portion of the light incident on the beam splitter is directed towards the first photodiode. A first portion of the light directed towards the first photodiode is passed through to the first photodiode and a second portion of the light directed towards the first photodiode is reflected by the optical band-pass filter and coupled to the second photodiode via the beam splitter. A certain portion of the light incident on the beam splitter via the cut filter passes directly through the beam splitter to a lens that focuses the transmitted light into a second optical fibre.
The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,025 requires the first and second photodiodes to be relatively widely separated. The photodiodes can not, therefore, be formed as a joined pair of detectors and require individual placement and alignment. Also, the beam splitter and the optical band-pass filter have to be aligned with angular precision, because light incident on the second photodiode is reflected by the beam splitter and the optical band-pass filter. Small angular errors in the position of the beam splitter and the optical band-pass filter cause the beam to be displaced laterally at the locations of the first and second photodiodes. Additionally, the first and second photodiodes of the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,025 are separate and so are susceptible to the effects of ageing and temperature differences.

Wavelength monitoring method and apparatus and method of making same


An airtight cap structure is provided, in which the number of parts is not increased, and moreover, a design property can be given, and air-tightness can be secured.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an airtight cap structure with a use end portion detachably covered by a cap to prevent drying out of the use end portion of a writing tool, cosmetics, and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, as a cap structure of this type, for example, the cap structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-30187 has been known. The cap structure disclosed in this patent publication is a cap structure for a low viscosity ink writing tool, and the cap comprises an outer cap and a cupped sealing body which is fixed inside the outer cap and comprised of an elastic material. When the cap is attached a free end peripheral edge portion of the sealing body is allowed to be appressed to a tip end surface of a shaft barrel.

Abstract: A cap is configured by two-color molding of a soft portion comprised of an elastic soft resin, and a hard portion comprised of a hard resin, and in a state in which the cap is attached to a main body, the use end portion is inserted into the elastic soft portion to mare a direct contact to be sealed, and at the same time, the surface of the tip end portion of the main body is brought into contact with the soft portion, thereby securing air-tightness of a refill.


The invention describes a process for the preparation of a natural fiber and thermoplastic composite and the resulting products therefrom. The process includes the steps of mixing the natural fiber and the thermoplastic in a blender with a porosity aid and an interfacial agent to form a mixture; adding the mixture to a heated extruder; compressing the mixture with an extruder screw having a plurality of flight sections, at least one of the flight sections serving as a compression flight section which compresses the mixture by having its flights spaced closer together than other adjacent flight sections, and at least one other vent flight section which allows gaseous reaction products to be removed from the extruder through a vent in the extruder by having its flights spaced farther apart than the compression section, the vent flight section being positioned after the compression flight section; extruding the mixture through an extrusion die as a composite; and shaping the composite in a vacuum calibration device to a desired profile. The process further includes the step of co-extruding a second thermoplastic onto the natural fiber/thermoplastic composite for some applications (e.g., windows, doors and siding).

In the art of window and door components and trim, such components have historically been made of 100% natural wood. Residential windows are commonly manufactured from milled wood products that are assembled with glass to form double hung or casement units. Wood windows, while structurally sound, useful and well adapted for use in many residential installations, can deteriorate under certain circumstances. Wood windows require painting and other periodic maintenance. Wood windows are costly due to the increasing scarcity of suitable wood for construction, particularly clear wood products. As an alternative to wood, metal components are often combined with glass and fabricated into windows. Metal windows however, typically suffer from substantial energy loss during winter months.
In recent years, extruded thermoplastic materials have been used in window and door manufacture. Filled and unfilled thermoplastics have been extruded into components to form plastic windows and into seals, trim, weatherstripping, coatings, and other window construction components. Thermoplastic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been combined with wood members in manufacturing some windows for certain performance and cost advantages. The plastic is often colored with a coloring agent to give a wood-like appearance or to match the colors of the surrounding area. Although the colored plastic may appear somewhat wood-like, it cannot be painted or sanded or stained like real wood. For this reason, it was difficult, if not impossible, to match plastic components to natural wood surroundings. One prior art solution wrapped the plastic with a foil or laminate having a wood-like appearance. Still another solution used an epoxy to glue wood laminates onto the thermoplastic. Such laminates however are expensive and easily damaged.
It is known in the art to combine different forms of plastic with different forms of natural fiber such as wood flour, crushed shells of nuts, and other natural materials. The purpose of such previous combinations has been to enhance the physical properties and lower the cost of the product. However, such materials have not been successfully used in the form of a structural member that is a direct replacement for wood. Typical common extruded thermoplastic materials have been found not to provide thermal and structural properties similar to wood or other structural materials. Accordingly, a substantial need exists for a composite material that can be made of polymer and wood fiber with an optional, intentional recycle of a waste stream. A further need exists for a composite material that can be extruded into a shape that is a direct substitute for the equivalent milled shape in a wooden or metal structural member. This need requires a coefficient of thermal expansion that approximates wood, a material that can be extruded into reproducible stable dimensions, a high compressive strength, a low thermal transmission rate, an improved resistance to insect attack and rot while in use, and a hardness and rigidity that permits sawing, milling and fastening retention comparable to wood.
Further, companies manufacturing window and door products have become significantly sensitive to waste streams produced in the manufacture of such products. Substantial quantities of wood waste, including wood trim pieces, sawdust, wood milling by-products, recycled thermoplastic including recycled polyvinyl chloride, have caused significant expense to window manufacturers. Commonly, these materials are either burned for their heat value in electrical generation, or are shipped to qualified landfills for disposal. Such waste streams are contaminated with substantial proportions of hot melt and solvent-based adhesives, waste thermoplastic such as polyvinyl chloride, paint, preservatives, and other organic materials. A substantial need exists to find a productive, environmentally compatible process for using such waste streams for useful structural members and thus, to avoid returning the materials into the environment in an environmentally harmful way.
Therefore, the prior art teaches that conventional window and door manufacture has commonly used wood, metal and thermoplastic composites or a combination thereof. Wood windows, while structurally sound, can deteriorate under certain circumstances and require painting and other periodic maintenance. Thermoplastic, metal or thermoplastic composite windows have overcome this problem, but have created others. Metal windows typically suffer from substantial energy loss during winter months. Thermoplastic or thermoplastic composite windows, although structurally sound, have no wood on the inside which is generally preferred by the consumer. To overcome this shortcoming, manufacturers have used various alternatives. One such alternative is a combination of wood, metal or thermoplastic for the manufacture of windows which places the metal or thermoplastic on the outside of the window (thereby eliminating painting), while having the inside of the window as a wood surface, which can then be sanded, painted or stained. The thermoplastic or thermoplastic composite manufacturer often wraps the surfaces visible on the inside of the window with a foil or laminate having a wood-like appearance. Such foils however, are expensive, difficult and time consuming to apply and are easily damaged by the end-user. At best, they are only an imitation which is obvious to the end-user and cannot be sanded or stained. Another approach is to glue wood veneer on the inside of the window surfaces. This however, is difficult to apply and extremely costly.
The present invention relates to a new and improved stainable and paintable article and method of making the article which is effective in use and overcomes the foregoing difficulties and disadvantages while providing better and more advantageous overall results.

Interfacial blending agent for natural fiber composites


A system comprises a computer configured using a configuration setting and a network-attached storage (NAS) device coupled to the computer via a network. The NAS device receives the configuration setting from the computer via the network and configures the NAS device using the configuration setting.

Networking various computers, printers, network-attached storage (NAS) devices, and other types of devices is ubiquitous. Implementing computer networks is becoming popular in small offices and home environments. The NAS device comprises a hard disk drive that is shareable by the computers on the network. To be used on a network, a NAS is first configured. Configuring the NAS generally comprises specifying such settings as time of day, date, language, and one or more security settings. Configuring the NAS device, however, may be a challenge for many users.

Network-attached storage device configuration

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A card edge connector (100) for receiving a module (3) includes an elongated insulative housing (1) having a central slot (10) for receiving a bottom edge of the module and an arm portion (16) coupled to an end of the insulative housing. The arm portion includes a pair of side walls (160) with a retaining slot (168) formed therebetween for receiving a side edge of the module and a latch (17) located between the side walls and integrally extending upwardly from the insulative housing. The latch has a resilient arm (171) defining a retaining embossment (173) for latching the module and a gripping portion (172) for rotating the resilient arm. A number of terminals (2) are mounted on the insulative housing and extend into the central slot for electrical connection to the module.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a card edge connector, and more particularly to a card edge connector used for a single sided SO-DIMM MODULE.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrical card, such as currently popular DDR SDRAM (Double Date Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), includes a plurality of conductive pads, commonly known as Conductive pads or Goldfingers, arranged at one end thereof to form an inserted end and a plurality of electronic components embedded symmetrically on both sides thereof. Generally, a card edge connector is mounted on a mother board and includes a longitudinal slot and two locking devices, the inserted end of said electrical card is inserted into the longitudinal slot and then rotationally to be fixed on the card edge connector by the locking devices, which makes the Conductive pads electrically connected to the conductive terminals of the card edge connector.
As the electronic devices become thinner, reducing the height of the card edge connector becomes a main method, and the height of a normal thin card edge connector commonly used is 4.0 mm, i.e. DDR 3 connectors. However, the method has brought a main disadvantage: the conductive terminals are fixed in the plastic body by an intervention force between the plastic body and the conductive terminals, and the intervention force may cause the thinner plastic body fracture easily. In particular, the slim design of the currently popular thin notebook has reached an unprecedented level.
Therefore, an improved lower profile card edge connector is desired to overcome the disadvantages of the related arts.

Lower profile card edge connector for single sided SO-DIMM module and assembly of the same


The invention disclosed herein is a curable fluoroelastomer composition comprising i) a fluoroelastomer, ii) a polyhydroxy curative and iii) a mixture of anion trappers comprising γ-aluminum oxide hydroxide and magnesium oxide. Cured articles made therefrom are resistant to volume swell in carboxylic acids.

Fluoroelastomers having excellent heat resistance, oil resistance, and chemical resistance have been used widely for sealing materials, containers and hoses. Examples of fluoroelastomers include copolymers comprising units of vinylidene fluoride (VF2) and units of at least one other copolymerizable fluorine-containing monomer such as hexafluoropropylene (HFP), tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), vinyl fluoride (VF), and a fluorovinyl ether such as a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) (PAVE). Specific examples of PAVE include perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), perfluoro(ethyl vinyl ether) and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether). Other fluoroelastomers include copolymers comprising units of TFE and units of perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether).
In order to fully develop physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, and compression set, elastomers must be cured, i.e. vulcanized or crosslinked. In the case of fluoroelastomers, this is generally accomplished by mixing uncured polymer (i.e. fluoroelastomer gum) with a polyfunctional curing agent and heating the resultant mixture, thereby promoting chemical reaction of the curing agent with active sites along the polymer backbone or side chains. Interchain linkages produced as a result of these chemical reactions cause formation of a crosslinked polymer composition having a three-dimensional network structure. Polyhydroxy compounds are commonly employed as curing agents for fluoroelastomers. Such nucleophilic curatives require an acid acceptor (e.g. a divalent metal oxide and/or divalent metal hydroxide) to be activated.
However, cured fluoroelastomer articles containing acid acceptors may exhibit unacceptably high volume swell, that can lead to seal failure, when articles are exposed to carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, despite having excellent resistance to much stronger mineral acids such as sulfuric acid. Exposure to carboxylic acids may occur in various end uses including chemical industry applications and automotive applications such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems and biofuel management systems.
Volume swell and surface damage of polyhydroxy cured fluoroelastomer articles due to exposure to carboxylic acids may be lessened by reducing the amount, or eliminating, metal oxides and metal hydroxides from the articles. However, the curing rate of such articles is significantly reduced. Thus, there is a need to provide polyhydroxy curable fluoroelastomer compositions that cure rapidly and which still are resistant to volume swell when exposed to carboxylic acids.

Polyhydroxy curable fluoroelastomer composition