Provided is a method and apparatus for enhancing a data transfer rate by adding a new data transfer channel using a differential signal to a conventional MMC. The method includes steps of determining whether a host controller is a host controller for a high-speed multimedia card; determining whether a multimedia card is a high-speed multimedia card; transferring data using a VDAT channel if the host controller is a host controller for a high-speed multimedia card and the multimedia card is a high-speed multimedia card; and transferring the data using a DAT channel in the other cases. A host controller for controlling a multimedia card configures a VDAT channel capable of transferring a differential signal using a reserved terminal of a conventional multimedia card and a newly added terminal, and includes a data channel selection unit for using the configured channel.

This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2003-0060256 filed on Aug. 29, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for enhancing a data transfer rate of a multimedia card (MMC), and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for enhancing a data transfer rate by adding a new data transfer channel using a differential signal to a conventional MMC.
2. Description of the Related Art
There have been marketed various types of small-sized terminals conforming to a tendency for all products to be miniaturized with the development of very large scale integrated circuits (VLSIs) and computing techniques. The terminals mentioned herein refer to personal digital assistants (PDAs) and hand held personal computers (HPCs). Accordingly, interface systems that can be connected to such terminals have also gradually decreased in size due to the small sizes of the terminals. In accordance with this tendency, various types of small cards are being developed. Typical of these cards is a multimedia card (hereinafter, simply referred to as "MMC"). First, the MMC will be discussed briefly. Siemens AG and SanDisk Corporation began to develop a new data storage medium called MMC in May of 1997. The MMC is characterized by a small-sized data storage medium, high capacity, applicability to a portable terminal and the like, and efficient use of a battery and an inexpensive and simple interface for a portable terminal.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing external appearances and respective terminals of a conventional multimedia card and socket.
A MMC 100 is a memory card having an arrangement of seven terminals: a DAT terminal 16, a CLK terminal 14, a CMD terminal 11, a VDD terminal 13, a VSS terminal 12, a VSS2 terminal 15, and a reserved terminal 10. Further, a MMC socket 110 has a terminal arrangement corresponding to that of the MMC 100.
The DAT terminal 16 is a terminal for transferring a single-ended signal for data, and the CLK terminal 14 is a terminal for receiving a clock (hereinafter, referred to as "MCLK") for the operation of the MMC from a host controller (120 in FIG. 2). The CMD terminal 11 is a terminal for receiving control commands from the host controller. The control commands include, for example, commands related to control of the MMC, such as data read and data write commands. The VDD terminal 13 is a terminal for applying a DC voltage, and the VSS terminal 12 and the VSS2 terminal 15 are terminals serving as grounds for the DC voltage. The reserved terminal 10 is a reserved terminal prepared such that a user can separately define and use the reserved terminal.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration for transmitting/receiving data between conventional multimedia cards and a host controller.
The host controller 120 is a controller for the MMCs, which recognizes n MMCs 100 and manages control command transfer, data transfer, and the like.
When the host controller 120 sends a relevant command to a MMC 100 via a CMD line 2, the MMC 100 that has received the command sends a relevant response via the CMD line 2. After the relevant control process mentioned above has been performed via the CMD line 2, relevant data are transmitted and received between the host controller 120 and the MMC 100 via a DAT line 7.
That is, the DAT line 7 is used when the conventional MMC 100 transmits and receives data to and from the host 120. At this time, the data are transferred by means of a single-ended signal, i.e. a signal sent in a serial manner via a single line. Since the transfer rate of such a case is theoretically limited to several tens of Mbps (the current limit of the transfer rate is about 50 Mbps), it is difficult to use a conventional MMC for high-speed transfer greater than 100 Mbps.

Method for enhancing transfer rate of multimedia card using differential signal


The present disclosure provides a system and methods for operating a power take-off unit of a vehicle from outside of a passenger cabin of the vehicle to power an auxiliary component.

Power take-off (PTO) units are used to transfer power from a power source, such as a running engine, to an auxiliary component. Vehicles such as trucks may be equipped with a PTO unit during or after manufacture. For example, a vocational truck may be equipped with a PTO unit to divert engine power away from the drive shaft and power an independent component such as a pump.
Vehicle-equipped PTO units are operated from within the passenger cabin of the vehicle, (e.g. a cab of a truck), and therefore an operator may not be able to effectively monitor the auxiliary component during engagement. This is particularly problematic in, for example, the case of PTO-driven pumps for fluid handling, as not being able to monitor hoses during pump engagement can result in undesired and potentially dangerous spills or leakage. Further, onset of operator fatigue from climbing in and out of the vehicle between operating the PTO unit and working with the auxiliary component increases the risk of injury and operational error.
Therefore, there exists a need for improved systems and methods for operating a PTO unit of a vehicle.

System and method for operating a vehicle-equipped power take-off unit


The present invention is directed toward cup holders which are selectively mountable to a plurality of surfaces to hold cups and containers of beverages particularly in vehicles. The invention provides a holder having a plurality of selectable mounting means whereby the user may select that means most appropriate to the surface on which the holder is to be mounted.

Previous cup holders have been deficient in providing only one means for mounting. Thus, cup holders for vehicles have included structures such as a hook to fit within the window channel in a door of an automobile, or an adhesive means which permanently secures the holder to a console or dashboard surface, or a removable fastening means which releasably attaches the holder to a surface. However, there are no cup holders which combine a plurality of mounting means in a selectable relationship which permits the holder to be attached to different surfaces merely by selecting the appropriate fastener.
Vehicle designs do not always provide a convenient location for one to place cups and other beverage containers. While some people have adopted the use of weighted mugs with non-slip bottoms, these items are not practical where the design of the vehicle does not provide a sufficiently flat surface for placement of the mug. In addition, such mugs are not practical for use with other containers such as bottles, cans and paper cups.
The common alternative is a plastic cup holder having a hook appendage which fits into the window channel and hangs against the interior of the vehicle door. However, these holders are not sufficiently secure to prevent them from being bumped or jostled by the driver or passenger and they frequently come loose from the window channel, particularly on a rough road surface. These hanging type holders are also not usable at other locations within the vehicle.
It is therefor desirable to provide a cup holder which can be mounted to a variety of surfaces within a vehicle and elsewhere and which can be removed and relocated as desired.


In an optical filter to be used for signal selection, removal of noise, equalizing the wavelength of signal light, etc. in an optical communication system, optical measurement device or the like, and in an optical amplifier employing such optical filter, signal light is dispersed at different angles according to each wavelength by a diffraction grating and the dispersed light is selectively transmitted or reflected by a transmission type spatial filter or reflection type spatial filter, and is then coupled with an output fiber bundle as non-dispersed light by the diffraction grating. Thus, the optical filter has variable wavelength pass band characteristics and the optical amplifier possesses a uniform wavelength amplification factor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an optical filter, and more particularly, to an optical filter and an optical amplifier for use in optical communication and optical measurements, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in the optical communication as referred to above, optical amplifiers which amplify light as it is are employed. Through employment of the optical amplifier as a repeater or relay unit, an economical system may be constructed, since it is not required to convert light into an electrical signal. Particularly, for transmission of wavelength division multiplexed signal light, it is possible to transmit signals in large capacities for servicing, since the wavelength division multiplexed light may be amplified at one time by the optical amplifier. For such an optical amplifier, erbium-doped optical fibers have been employed. The erbium-doped optical fiber amplifier as referred to above has such advantages that it has a high amplification factor, with a superior noise characteristic (as described in Microoptics news Vol. 8, No. 1, page 23, 1990).
However, it is known that, in the optical amplifier as described above, the amplification factor thereof varies with respect to the wavelength of its incident signal light, and such wavelength dependency is shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4. Therefore, when the wavelength division multiplexed light is collectively amplified for transmission by connecting the optical amplifiers in many stages, intensities of the signal light for respective wavelengths markedly differ at the receiving point. Thus, depending on channels, received signal power level may vary, with generation of cross talk, thus resulting in a deterioration in the sensitivity for the reception. Accordingly, in order to transmit the wavelength division multiplexed signal in the equal power level, an equalizer or filter is required for smoothing a wavelength depending characteristic. As the optical filters currently used, those employing dielectric multi-layered films are widely utilized. Since the optical characteristics of such an optical filter are determined by the construction of the dielectric multi-layered film, it is difficult to obtain a sharp characteristic or a specifically desired passing characteristic. Moreover, part of the optical fiber amplifier is held between a flat plate and a refraction grating, thereby constituting the filter (IEEE PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY LETTERS VOL. 3 NO.2 February 1991 P. 118-120).
However, with the conventional optical filter as described above, not any desired wavelength characteristic can be obtained. Furthermore, in the construction to be held between two plates, the size of the entire optical filter becomes large at 40 cm, and in the optical filter of this type, the filter characteristic is unstable, since the filter characteristics are adjusted by the pressure of the two plates. Thus, there have been various problems to be solved in the known optical filter.

Optical filter and optical amplifier employing said optical filters

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A prize acquisition game apparatus is provided which does not require the effort of replacing an interchangeable discharging port structure unit but rather has a discharging port the size of which can be easily changed.

A number of prize acquisition game apparatuses such as a crane gaming machine, designed for an acquisition by a player of a prize in a housing of the apparatus, are installed in game arcades as well as general stores and shopping malls because the operation itself of such a game apparatus is fun, and also because the chance to acquire a prize featuring a popular character increases a player's willingness to take on the challenge of the game. Conventionally, various prize acquisition game apparatuses have been suggested.
A game apparatus of this type includes a grabbing section which is movable to any position in horizontal and vertical directions within a game space surrounded by transparent plate or semi-spherical member, and which has openable and closable arms (grabbing claws) so that a player can grab one of the prizes disposed in the game space. In order to grab a prize, a player uses operation buttons on an operation panel of the game apparatus to move the grabbing section in a horizontal plane so that the grabbing section is aligned over a desired prize, to stop the grabbing section at that position, and to cause the grabbing section to be automatically lowered to grab the desired prize. Then, the player causes the desired prize to be automatically lifted to a predetermined height, and to be moved in the horizontal plane to a position just above a discharging port with the desired prize being held by a biasing force of the elastic body of the arms, and then the player opens the arms to release the prize so that the prize falls into the discharging port. In the discharging port, the prize falls to the bottom surface of a discharged prize receiving section at a lower part of the discharging port to be received there, and can be taken out of the discharged prize receiving section through a prize outlet, which ends one game (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-13756).

Abstract: The prize acquisition game apparatus comprises: operation means which is operated by a player; a prize housing section for housing a plurality of prizes; prize acquiring means for acquiring a said prize; a discharging port which is formed in the prize housing section for discharging the prize from the prize housing section; control means for controlling the prize acquiring means to operate in response to an operation signal from the operation means; a discharged prize receiving section for receiving the prize discharged through the discharging port by the prize acquiring means which operates under the control of the control means; and sliding means for sliding a frame which is provided on the discharging port to change the size of the discharging port according to a distance the frame is slid.


A golf club head having an adjustable weight system. The golf club head having a single, relatively compact slot for receiving a weight assembly. The weight assembly comprising a relatively high mass. Wherein small lateral movements of the heavy weight assembly are sufficient to shape a golfer's shot. Wherein the small movements also prevents the reduction of the total golf club head moment of inertia, thus preserving the forgiveness of the golf club when the ball is miss-hit.

In general, there are many important physical parameters (i.e., volume, mass, etc.) that effect the overall performance of the golf club head. One of the most important physical parameters is the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head. The CG of the golf club head directly affects the performance characteristics (i.e., moment of inertia, launch, ball speed, etc.). A desirable CG position on a golf club head is low and rearward from the strike face, to optimally raise the launch angle and MOI of the golf ball. Additionally, the CG position can be moved nearer to the toe end or heel end of the golf club head to further affect the side spin of the golf ball.
Many current wood type golf club heads achieve a desired CG position through the use of slidable swing weights on the sole of the golf club head, or through the use of multiple swing weight ports, wherein one or more weights can be affixed within. However, slidable swing weights and multiple weight configurations require a large amount of internal structure to support the plurality of weights and/or the different positioning of the weight(s). Further, these bulky weight systems can negatively affect the CG positioning since discretionary mass of the club head is allotted to support the weight systems. There is a need in the art for a weighting system that can variably affect the CG of the golf club head, without the need for a slidable system or plurality of weight ports.
Moving the center of gravity of a golf club head toward the heel or toe of the golf club head contributes to shaping golf ball flight towards a fade or draw bias. Such shot shaping is desirable to help improve a golfer's shot. However, if an adjustable weight system requires a comparatively large movement of the adjustable weight across the volume of the golf club head, then the CG of the golf club head is moved forward toward the striking face of the golf club head, and usually moved higher above the sole in the volume of the golf club head. This movement of the CG towards the striking face and higher in the club head volume reduces the combined moment of inertia of the golf club head. The reduction of club head MOI is not desirable, as the forgiveness for off center hits is reduced. Thus, in conventional adjustable weight systems, the user must choose between shot shaping and forgiveness. Further, in conventional adjustable weight systems, the larger or more distributed weight port structures are permanently placed masses that often offset the effect of the movement of an adjustable weight member to other positions on a golf club head
Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Golf club with adjustable weighting system


A speed direction corrector determines whether a speed Vp corresponding to a manipulated variable Up generated by a position controller is larger than a target speed Vt set in a target speed setting register (Vp>Vt). If Vp≦Vt, the manipulated variable corresponding to the target speed Vt is corrected to the manipulated variable Up to produce a new manipulated variable Uf. If Vp>Vt, a manipulated variable corresponding to the target speed Vt is set to the new manipulated variable Uf as is. As above, in a deceleration section where Vp≦Vt, the manipulated variable of a position control is reflected in the manipulated variable of a speed control. Combined use of the speed control and the position control becomes possible without a need to execute a complicated process in which the manipulated variable is regulated at the time of switching from the speed control to the position control.

i) Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device and a method for controlling motor operation.
ii) Description of the Related Art
Currently, a feedback control is commonly used to control a motor which operates a carriage of a printer. In such a printer, it is necessary to accelerate the carriage to a predetermined speed, move the carriage at the predetermined speed in a section scanning a recording sheet, and then decelerate the carriage so as to stop the carriage at a predetermined stop position.
If the carriage is not accelerated to a target speed in an acceleration section where the carriage should be accelerated, and is not accurately moved at a certain speed in a constant-speed section where the carriage should be moved at the certain speed, a recording position onto the recording sheet cannot be settled. If the carriage does not accurately stop at the desired stop position in a deceleration section where the carriage should be decelerated, the recording position onto the recording sheet is shifted as the carriage is moved from then on. As a result, the quality at the time of recording onto the recording sheet (recording quality) is deteriorated.
Accordingly, it is desirable to use both the speed control which focuses on a traveling speed of the carriage in the acceleration section and the constant-speed section, and the position control which focuses on a position of the carriage in the deceleration section.
However, if the speed control and the position control are merely switched over, the manipulated variable to the motor becomes instantaneously destabilized at the time of switching the control. The traveling speed of the carriage is irregularly changed. Thus, recording quality may be lowered.
These days, various techniques are introduced to inhibit such irregular changes in the traveling speed of the carriage. For example, Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-63168 discloses a technique in which a manipulated variable to a motor is regulated (the control is performed by setting "0" to the positional error) at the time of the switching from the speed control (accelerating and constant-speed states) to the position control (decelerating state). Thus, an abrupt change in the manipulated variable to the motor is prevented.


A user-customizable audio-visual puzzle includes a platform having a base layer, a middle layer, and a top layer coupled together. The middle layer includes a first cavity therein. The top layer includes at least one cutout therethrough. The puzzle further includes at least one puzzle piece having a peripheral configuration shaped to correspond to the at least one cutout in the top layer. A drawer is configured to be removably positionable within the first cavity of the middle layer. The drawer includes at least one second cavity configured to be positioned generally beneath the at least one cutout when the drawer is positioned within the first cavity. The puzzle also includes a recording system configured to record a message associated with the at least one cutout.

In some known audio-visual puzzles, a user is provided with a puzzle piece that is shaped like an animal or another common object, such as a car or an airplane. When the user removes the puzzle piece from the puzzle frame, the puzzle emits a sound that is commonly associated with the particular object shown on the puzzle piece. Is this manner, the user's recognition of the object and association of the sound with that object is reinforced. At least some known puzzles, however, provide only a few different shapes and sounds, and thereby provide little opportunity for expanding the user's recognition and association skills.
Accordingly, a need exists for a user-customizable audio-visual puzzle that enables the user to change the visual representations of the puzzle and the sounds associated with such visual representations.

Interactive customizable audio-visual toy


A banknote acceptor and dispenser uses a stacked configuration of the validator the banknote accumulator and dispenser and the banknote cassette. The banknote path is relatively short to avoid bill misalignment by providing the banknote accumulator and dispenser in the intermediary position.

Automated cashiers for use in association with stores are becoming more common where these devices include a banknote acceptor and dispenser for receiving cash from the customer and providing him with the appropriate change for a transaction. Some of these devices include a supply of depleting banknotes which are provided to the arrangement from time to time by an operator for dispensing of change. In other systems, the arrangement includes a banknote accumulator where banknotes provided for payment by the customer can be temporarily stored in the accumulator for later dispensing as change. These types of arrangements can reduce the frequency of service required to replenish banknotes and/or increase the transaction capabilities of the system.
It is a common practice in the vending industry to include a coin dispensing arrangement. It is also known with respect to vending machines to provide an arrangement where coins inserted by a customer are accumulated by the device for dispensing as change for a subsequent transaction.
Vending machines are now used for the sale of more expensive product and banknote validators are now commonly associated with vending machines. With these higher prices, the need to improve the performance by dispensing of banknotes as change has increased.
The present invention provides a compact banknote acceptor and dispenser which includes a banknote accumulator as well as a banknote cassette. The efficient space utilization renders the system suitable for many existing vending machines. Many of the vending machines have restricted space available for the banknote validating arrangement and the present design effectively utilizes the space on an efficient manner.

Validator with recycling cassette and stacker


An electrical short stroke actuator, comprising an annular filed collar and a composite plunger for travelling therethrough. In its simplest form, the plunger comprises two permanent magnets with like poles facing, and which are housed within a thin walled tube, and separated by a central spacer. By judicious choice of the spacing of the magnets, and the length of the field coil, a substantially constant thrust profile is achieved over a pre-selected stroke of the field coil relative to the plunger. The thrust may be augmented by fabricating the means used for spacing the magnets wholly or in part from ferromagnetic material, and also adding collars, similarly fabricated, onto the outside face of each of the permanent magnets.

The use of solenoids for providing mechanical force over a limited stroke is well known. They are used in countless applications throughout industry. Current is fed through an annular coil, and a plunger formed from ferromagnetic material is pulled into the coil when energised. It is however in the very nature of the device that as the plunger is pulled in, and reaches its point of rest, that the force experienced diminishes to zero, assuming a symmetrical disposition of coil and plunger. For many applications this is unsatisfactory, especially where a consistent force is required throughout the stroke irrespective of the physical displacement of the plunger.
Numerous design variations have been formulated to mitigate the effect of the inverse square law governing in whole or in part this effect. However, any attempt at linearisation of the solenoid's characteristics (force versus displacement) necessitates compromises in terms of electromagnetic simplicity of construction, (for example, the use of conical pole pieces and the like). Furthermore, the thrust experienced by the plunger is of course limited to the field produced by the coil.
To achieve higher forces therefore requires higher currents, resulting in higher heat loss. In fact, because heat loss is equal to the square of the current multiplied by the resistance of the coil, therefore a doubling in force requires a quadrapuling of heat dissipation capability.


A new cultivar of apple tree, ‘Minneiska’ that is characterized by having fruit with an early ripening season, a crisp and juicy texture and slightly tart but well-balanced flavor. The fruit of ‘Minneiska’ has an unusually long storage life for an early ripening variety and can be stored for 3 to 4 months with little change in texture or flavor.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of apple tree, botanically known as Malus domestica 'Minneiska', referred to hereafter by its cultivar name, 'Minneiska'.
'Minneiska' was selected for its unique a combination of fruit traits. Of particular importance is its early ripening season, its very crisp and juicy texture, and its unusually long storage life for an early ripening variety. The crisp and juicy texture is maintained during storage.
'Minneiska' was discovered in 1999 as a seedling tree by the inventors as Tree 46 in Row 23 of Block 86 at Excelsior, Minn. The new apple tree arose from a cross designated AE 8808 made in 1988 between female parent 'Honeycrisp' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197) and male parent 'Minnewashta' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,367).
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by means of budding and grafting by the inventors in Excelsior, Minn. The asexually propagated trees of 'Minneiska' have been determined to be stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.


In a forage harvester having a mechanically driven front attachment and hydrostatically driven compression rollers, the front attachment can be disconnected from its mechanical drive and instead connected with a hydrostatic drive of the compression rollers so as to be driven by the hydrostatic drive.

The present invention generally relates to a forage harvester and a method of operating the forage harvester.
Known forage harvesters have a front attachment and compression rollers which are arranged before a chopper drum in a product transporting direction and driven mechanically and rigidly through a belt drive and toothed gears. Therefore it is possible to transmit a high power with a fixed rotary speed. On the other hand, it is known for example from the prospectus "Deutz-Fahr betreffend GIGANT" with printing code 91 525 01-9511 to hydrostatically and steplessly drive the compression rollers and harvesting attachment. Such a drive is elastic and easily controllable.

Forage harvester and method of operating the same


A device for carrying an umbrella includes a tape support of a ring form which is fixed on the upper part of a user's torso so as to embrace the shoulder of one arm and the armpit of the other arm. An elastic pocket receives the umbrella handle and is able to rotate with respect to the tape support when the umbrella is lowered along the user's body. An auxiliary tape support, also of a ring form, is fixed on the occipitofrontal part of the user's head and has a loose loop fastener with a button for fixing the upper part of the umbrella stick when the umbrella is in an unfolded position. Both of the tape supports are made of elastic material.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the protection of a human being against atmospheric precipitates and solar radiation and, particularly, to a device for carrying an umbrella.
The device is designed to be widely used in everyday life as well as during agricultural work, such as for example, while picking up cotton or tea leaves when both hands of a worker are occupied.
2. Description of Related Art
One of the most widely used individual devices for the protection of a human being against rain or sun rays is an umbrella which is held over the head with one hand (right or left) so that the owner of the umbrella can carry or cart some load (such as a bag, suitcase or the like) with the other hand.
In practice, however, it often happens that a person has to carry loads with both hands under unfavorable weather conditions when it is necessary to have protection against, for example, rain.
Invalids walking with crutches along the street cannot use umbrellas at all.
When working under burning sun rays, e.g., while picking up cotton, the need for a shade for a human being is critical. However, since cotton picking operators have to make use of both hands, they cannot hold sun umbrellas. Therefore, various devices are used to solve the problem of the protection of a human being against unfavorable weather factors and to free both hands at the same time.
Known in the art is a device for carrying an umbrella on the body of a human being (See U.S. Pat. No. 3,700,149) which allows the umbrella stick to be fastened on the breast (or on the back side) on an individual by means of a horizontal belt and a vertical belt put over the shoulder and having a holding device for the stick on the torso, in the shoulder area, and a holding device for a handle of the umbrella in the waist zone so as to free the hands of the user from holding the umbrella over the head.
Also known in the art is a device for carrying an umbrella (See U.S. Pat. No. 2,085,984) having a pair of tape supports with a rigid pocket for holding a handle of the umbrella between them. The tape supports are belts and one of them is put on the waist and the other is fixed to an upper part of the body of a user to embrace the arm of one hand and to pass under the armpit of the other arm. This design eliminates the pocket displacement with respect to the body of the user, and the attachment of the pocket to a pair of tape supports requires the pocket to be made rather long.
The above and other devices of similar type are somewhat inconvenient in use because of a long and rigid pocket attached to the supports on the waist and shoulder. The rigid pocket hampers the user's movements, especially when a person leans over. The umbrella handle is placed in the upper part of the pocket so the handle can deviate from the upright right position which results in the umbrella being unstable under strong wind due to a large portion of the umbrella stick protruding from the pocket.
In addition, the rigid pocket which has to be fastened to the two supports makes the whole structure cumbersome and heavy.

Schelkovskoe shosse, 87, korpus 1, kv. 168


A quick-clamping nut for a fastener assembly with mutually cooperating threaded bolts and nuts. The nut is a circular-cylindrical or prismatic hollow body of hard-elastic material, in particular plastic. A protrusion, which is integrally formed with the nut body, projects from the inner wall of the hollow body and it is oriented obliquely towards the axis. The free end of the projection cooperates with the thread of the bolt such that the threaded bolt is axially displaceable in one direction relative to the nut, causing elastic deformation of the protrusion. In the other direction, the is locked, but it is threadable similarly to a conventional, rigid nut and a force can be transmitted in the axial direction between the threaded bolt and the nut The protrusion is formed with an axial extension, which extends to approximately the plane of the contacting surface of the nut with the component to be clamped in the fastener assembly.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a nut for a fastener assembly (fastener), which comprises a bolt formed with a thread and a nut cooperating with the bolt, and which is a circular-cylindrical or prismatic hollow body made of hard-elastic material, in particular plastic, from whose inner wall at least one protrusion oriented obliquely towards the axis and integral with the hollow body protrudes inward, the free end whereof cooperates with the thread of the bolt, as a result of which the threaded bolt is axially displaceable in one direction relative to the nut, causing elastic deformation of the at least one protrusion, on the one hand and on the other is rotatable relative to the nut, and a force can be transmitted in the axial direction between the threaded bolt and the nut.
Prior art nuts of such fastening assemblies do not meet requirements in the sense that they have a multitude of components, which means that on the one hand they are very expensive to manufacture and on the other hand their functional reliability is not assured. In such nuts it is further necessary to embody the at least one protrusion as elastically resilient, to allow moving the threaded bolts past it. That elasticity, however, greatly reduces the holding force or axial retention of the protrusion.

Quick-clamping nut for a fastener assembly


There is disclosed a method of determining the path of a signal between a donor network element and a remote station, the donor network element being associated with at least one repeater, comprising the steps of: receiving at the remote station a plurality of signals associated with a plurality of network elements; calculating an estimate of the distance between the remote station and each network element, including an estimate of the distance between the remote station and each repeater associated with the donor network element; determining the one of said estimates of the distance between the donor network element and at least one, associated repeater and remote station which most closely approximates to the distance between the other network elements and the remote station; and selecting that donor network element/repeater to be the source of the signal.

Networks using repeaters for re-transmision of information are well-known. In wireless networks such as cellular wireless networks, it is known to provide repeaters for signals transmitted from base transceiver stations. In such arrangements the radio signal transmitted by a base transceiver station is received by a repeater and is re-transmitted by the repeater. A base transceiver station having a repeater associated there with is known as a donor base transceiver station. A donor base transceiver station may be asscociated with a plurality of repeaters.
The existence of the repeaters in the cellular network leads to problems for a mobile station (MS) location calculation utilizing the network information (such as base transceiver station (BTS) coordinates).
In a normal network there is no direct indication in a signal as to whether it has been transmitted directly by the donor BTS or by an associated repeater. Any signal from a repeater 'looks' like it has simply come from the associated donor BTS.
Thus the signals obtained by the MS give no indication as to whether they are from the donor BTS or an associated repeater. As such, reliable and accurate determination of the MS location based on such measurements on signals is difficult. Whilst the unit calculating the MS location knows the location of the donor BTS and associated repeaters, it does not know from which one the measurements were obtained.
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a technique suitable for determining the path traveled by a signal transmitted using a donor BTS, and thereby determine the point of transmission of the signal measured by MS.
It is a further aim of the present invention to use the path determination to provide an accurate location estimate for a mobile station receiving signals originating from the donor BTS.

Signal path detection for wireless networks including repeaters


A rotation state detection device is applied to an operation device having a rotating body that rotates in response to an input of an operation force, and a supporting body that supports the rotating body rotatably. The rotation state detection device includes: a first electrode arranged at the rotating body; and a second electrode arranged at the supporting body and generating a capacitance with the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to vary the capacitance periodically each time the rotating body rotates by a predetermined angle and make a shape of a capacitance waveform representing a change in the capacitance to be different. A rotational angle of the rotating body is calculated based on the number of periodic times the capacitance varies, and a rotational direction of the rotating body is determined based on the shape of the capacitance waveform.

Patent Document 1 discloses an operation device including a rotating body rotationally operated by a user, a supporting body supporting the rotating body in a rotatable manner, and a detection device detecting a rotationally operated position (rotational angle) of the rotating body. The detection device detects a capacitance generated between a user's fingertip placed at a predetermined position of the rotating body and an electrode attached to the supporting body and detects a rotationally operated position of the rotating body on the basis of the detection result.


A microfluidic system, particularly a microfluidic chip, with at least one operational channel, in which a fluid and/or the constituents contained therein are moveable in the direction of the operational channel by a driving force, particularly by using pressure, acoustic energy, or an electrical and/or a magnetic field. At least one measurement sensor used to measure a measurable value assigned to the fluid and derivable in the region of the fluid and at least one regulator is provided to regulate the driving force and/or a parameter that may be influenced by it, wherein the regulator is coupled with a measurement sensor and a device used to alter the driving force and/or the parameter that may be influenced by it. The microfluidic system further relates to a procedure to transport and guide a fluid and/or the constituents contained therein within a microfluidic system of the type described above. For this, the regulator regulates the driving force and/or the parameter that may be influenced by it by means of a measurement sensor to measure a parameter assigned to the fluid and derivable in the vicinity of the fluid and by means of a device used to alter the driving force and/or a parameter that may be influenced by it.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a microfluidic system, particularly to a microfluidic chip, with at least one operational channel in which a fluid and/or constituents contained therein are movable in the direction of the operational channel by means of a driving force, particularly by using pressure, acoustic energy, or an electrical and/or a magnetic field, and to a procedure to transport and guide a fluid and/or constituents contained therein within such a microfluidic system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a device and such a procedure are already known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,001, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,690, and from the journal Electrophoresis (2000), pages 100 through 106 and 107 through 115. The contents of these documents are incorporated in their entirety at this point for any purpose, since these documents disclose important features, particularly regarding the design and materials formation of such microfluidic systems and concerning possible procedures for the transport and guiding of such fluids and/or the constituents contained therein within such microfluidic systems, and thus features for which individually or in combination or in combination protection is claimed in combination with the additional features disclosed in this application, for which protection is claimed.
Such microfluidic systems are of particular interest for applications in the field of electro-osmosis and/or electrophoresis, wherein the use of an open network of miniature channels, which are mutually connected by allowing fluid communication between each other, is preferred for reasons of economy and of a correspondingly expanded application spectrum. For this, the motion of the individual fluids or cells, organisms, or constituents contained therein such as particles, ions, or neutral substances, is controlled until now mainly by exertion of electrical or electro-kinetic forces, particularly by electrical voltage, electrical current, electrical power, or other electrical parameters. These electrical parameters are usually introduced into the fluid using suitable electrodes that are in contact with so-called reservoirs at each end of the partially-crossing channels, which in turn are in fluid-connection with the individual micro-channels.
Until now, a so-called method or an "assay" has been established in expensive pre-experimentation, i.e., for a given microfluidic system, preferably a microfluidic chip, certain reagents and a certain data evaluation and also a certain temporal sequence for the electrical parameters, particularly the electrical current and/or electrical voltage at specific temperatures, are compiled as a table in a so-called "script" for each electrode. The user is eventually informed of the application area of the respective microfluidic system and of its application limits in a protocol. This protocol also specifies the limits with respect to the materials or fluids to be used and their concentrations. These limits must be defined relatively narrowly also because of the time-invariable parameters, laid out statically in the script.
Corresponding to the parameters defined in the script, the electrical parameters, particularly the electrical currents and/or the electrical voltages at the individual electrodes, are altered in stages of specified time intervals during conduction of the experiment, i.e. during the practical application of the microfluidic system, wherein special electrical circuits such as current or voltage regulators ensure that the respective electrical parameters are kept constant at the respective electrode over the desired time period.
It is understood that control of the motion of the fluids and/or the constituents contained therein becomes the more difficult the more difficult the respective microfluidic system is structured, i.e., the more mutually fluid-connected micro-channels are provided. Thus, for example, in a relatively simple arrangement of four channels which are fluid-connected at one point with the formation of a cross-connection and wherein an electrode and a reservoir are provided at the ends, an independent increase in fluid flow rate between two reservoirs may be achieved not only by means of enlarging the voltage difference between two reservoirs. The voltages at the other two reservoirs must also be readjusted if the original flow rate and its direction are to be maintained. As a result, different electrical parameters are usually set at several electrodes simultaneously, i.e., according to each script. In the process the microfluidic systems are subjected to both internal and external disruptive parameter values that might strongly influence the experimental result because of the effect on any other channels present. Such disruptive parameter values may be caused, for example, by minor dimensional deviations of the microfluidic channels peculiar to their manufacture. Thus, the term "micro-fluid" pertains to miniature channels possessing a cross-section on the order of 0.1 to 500 μm. Typical dimensions of such type of miniature channels are a depth of 15 μm and a width of 40 μm, for example. The respective channel geometry determines to a great extent the effective resistance of a fluid, so that the flow rate and the electrical parameters change with an alteration of the channel geometry. Limits to the manufacturing tolerances during production of such miniature channels are however set, according to economics.
Additionally, user-specific variations caused by improper selection and preparation of fluids or substances may, for example, arise when the composition or relative salt concentration has a corresponding influence on the conductivity of the experimentation fluids and thus on the conductivity in the individual channels, which may result in a varying flow rate or migration velocity of the materials because of altered electrical parameters. Furthermore, users have shown the desire for an increased usage spectrum of such microfluidic systems, which until now could only be realized using expensive various "scripts," if at all.
Finally, it is often of great importance during quantitative determination of materials in a separation channel that the migration velocity of the fluid and/or the constituents contained therein remain essentially constant. For this, an essentially constant voltage difference must be maintained, for a specific time period, in the designated section of the separation channel provided. This also applies, for example, to a microfluidic system in which, during the separation process, a second sample substance is "pre-positioned" or "pre-injected" up to the transition point of the supply channel that is fluid-connected to the separation channel, wherein the transition point is positioned as closely as possible to the separation channel. It is also of great importance that even the slowest component of the fluid reaches the transition point within a specified time interval, certainly before the conclusion of the separation process occurring in parallel.
In both cases, additive currents in the side channels are superposed to the driving voltage in the separation channel or pre-injection channel simultaneously with the separation process or with the pre-injection process. As a result, during use of the prescribed script for performing the tests, a false testing result may occur that is dependent on internal and external disruptive parameter values.
An additional problem during the use of electro-kinetic forces with the use of electrodes is that the electrodes cannot be directly inserted into or onto the micro-channels of the microfluidic system, since undesired gas bubbles often form on the electrodes. These gas bubbles may lead to an increase in effective resistance in the miniaturized channels up to the point where the effective resistance increases without limit. For these reasons, the electrodes are usually connected with reservoirs, which can contain a relatively large fluid volume and which obviously possess larger dimensions with respect to the geometry of the miniature channels. In this manner, use of electrodes is limited to an end of the miniature channels. The electrical parameters at the intersection points or transition points at which the individual microfluidic channels terminate to one another are frequently of interest for exact and reproducible experiments.


There has been a problem that linearity is degraded in the conventional amplifier when the idle current is reduced in order to lower the power consumption.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a conventional radio frequency amplifier. The conventional radio frequency amplifier includes a radio frequency differential signal input terminal, a radio frequency differential signal output terminal, a radio frequency amplifying element, a bias FET, a load resistor, a bias resistor, a constant current source, a power supply, an input power detecting FET, and a current mirror FET.
Next, the operation will be described. First, a radio frequency differential signal is input from the radio frequency differential signal input terminal. The radio frequency differential signal is amplified by the radio frequency amplifying element and output from the radio frequency differential signal output terminal. Because the radio frequency amplifying element and the bias FET constitute a current mirror circuit, a current of the bias FET is copied to the radio frequency amplifying element at a predetermined current mirror ratio. Because the current of the bias FET is determined by an output current of the constant current source, the output current of the constant current source is applied, as a bias current, to the radio frequency amplifying element depending on the predetermined current mirror ratio.
Here, when power of a radio frequency input signal increases, a drain current of the input power detecting FET increases as a result of rectifying the radio frequency signal. The increased drain current is added to the output current of the constant current source and supplied to the bias FET via the current mirror FET. Therefore, the current of the bias FET increases. Since the current of the bias FET increases, a current of the radio frequency amplifying element constituting the current mirror circuit together with the bias FET also increases. In this way, the conventional radio frequency amplifier can change a bias condition of the radio frequency amplifying element depending on the power of the radio frequency input signal.
Thus, in a region where the linear characteristic of the gain of the radio frequency amplifier has a downward swing at high input power, by performing operation of increasing the bias current of the radio frequency amplifier depending on input power, there is an effect that high saturation power can be achieved. Here, the downward swing means that gain compression occurs (the gain decreases) with respect to the input power. Note that, an upward swing means that gain expansion occurs (the gain increases) with respect to input power.

Abstract: An amplifier of the present invention includes: a bias circuit to cause a bias current to flow; an amplifying element to amplify a signal by causing an output current corresponding to the bias current to flow; a bias current subtracting circuit to detect the signal and subtract, from the bias current, a current based on an amplitude of the signal detected; and a bias current adding circuit having an operation starting point higher than an operation starting point of the bias current subtracting circuit, and to detect the signal and add, to the bias current, a current based on an amplitude of the signal detected.


A mounting device for mounting a cable or a line on a structural component of an aircraft or spacecraft. The mounting device comprises at least two parts, one of these parts being configured as an attachment part and being provided to be attached to the structural component. The other part is configured as a receiving part and is provided to receive a portion of the cable or of the line. Both parts can be coupled together by means of at least a first ball-and-socket joint. This coupling is configured such that the two parts can be brought into a plurality of spatial positions relative to one another. Also provided is an aircraft or spacecraft, in particular an aircraft, which has a structural component and a cable or a line which is mounted on the structural component by a mounting device of this type.

In present-day passenger aircraft, many electrical lines have to be laid inside the fuselage to connect numerous electrical and electronic components. For this purpose, the electrical lines or cables are guided along structural components of the aircraft, for example, and are mounted on the structural components by cable mounts at suitable intervals.
Due to the relatively complicated shapes of the structural components of an aircraft and also because it is necessary to lay electric cables of this type along the structural components, to guide them through passage openings in these structural components and/or to let cables of this type intersect one another, nowadays a large number of differently configured cable mounts is typically required for laying the individual cables or cable looms inside a commercial aircraft. For storage and production planning, high costs can be incurred due to the large number of different parts in aircraft production.
DE 10 2004 011 182 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,739 B2 describe a clamp mounting for electric line bundles, lines or pipes in aircraft which can be used due to a wedge construction on supports, for example on crossbars, with webs of a differing thickness.
Although the flexibility during use of a cable mount of this type could be improved with the wedge construction known from the prior art, there is still a need for a cable mount which can be adapted even more effectively to the requirements of the installation surroundings. It would be desirable if as few different types of mount as possible were necessary during the laying of cables of this type inside the fuselage. Furthermore, it would be useful in some situations to be able to subsequently change an adaptation of this type which had been carried out at one time, if it was required.

Mounting device for mounting a cable or a line on a structural component of an aircraft or spacecraft, and aircraft or spacecraft


A method of synchronizing a baseband demodulator in a radio receiver, which may be stationary or mobile. The demodulator is a phase-shift demodulator and detects a baseband signal incoming from a sampling A/D-converter in the receiver. The baseband signal is transmitted from a radio transmitter in the form of bursts, in time slots in accordance with the TDMA-principle. One time slot, in addition to the data word, also includes in a known manner a synchronization part which has a given, fixed bit pattern. Prior to demodulation in the baseband demodulator, differential correlation of the received baseband signal is effected with the known synchronization pattern, wherein a time-dependent correlation function is obtained. The absolute magnitude of the maximum value is calculated and the corresponding time position for this maximum value is detected, which denotes the time position of the synchronization part of the received baseband signal.

In a digital cellular radio system which operates in accordance with the TDMA-principle, radio messages are transmitted in frames from a radio transmitter, for instance a base station, each frame including a given number of time slots. In this respect, it is necessary to synchronize the radio receiver (the mobile) with the radio transmitter for the time slot intended for the radio receiver. This synchronization must be effected quickly and independently of the time dispersion of the radio medium due to multipath propagation and fading. Furthermore, synchronization must be effected independently of the frequency errors that can occur during radio transmission.
It is known to compensate for the time dispersion of the radio medium, by coherently correlating the received and demodulated radio signal; see for instance Swedish Patent Application 8902844-3 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,079. According to this patent application, the received and demodulated radio signal is coherently correlated with the intention of setting or adjusting an equalizer which functions to compensate for or to equalize the echoes that are obtained with multipath propagation. As described in the aforesaid patent application, and also in WO88/05981, each received time slot includes a synchronizing word which is used to activate and set the equalizer. The synchronizing word is used to enable the equalizer to carry out its function at the correct time position in relation to the time slots in the received radio signal. The equalizer is normally included in the demodulator for the baseband signal, which may be phase-shift modulated (QPSK) for instance. If no equalizer is included in the demodulator, the demodulator still requires synchronization signals in order to carry out its function.

Method of synchronizing a radio receiver with an incoming radio signal


A chain tensioner includes a base frame secured to each of front and rear banks, a slider plate shiftable in the extending direction of the base frame, and a tensioner provided to straddle between the base frame and the slider plate. The slider plate is biased to elastically deform and arcuately bend the tensioner, which applies a tensile force to each of cam chains transmitting the rotation of a crankshaft. In the chain tensioner, upper securing portions are provided in an upper portion of the base frame so as to be secured to each of the front and rear banks in the bending direction of the tensioner. A lower end of the base frame extends to a position facing the inside of the crankcase to provide a lower securing portion which is secured to each of the front and rear banks perpendicularly to the bending direction of the tensioner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a chain tensioner for an internal combustion engine adapted to apply tensile force to an endless chain used to transmit rotation of a crankshaft to a cylinder head.
2. Description of Background Art
A chain tensioner for an internal combustion engine is known wherein the chain tensioner includes a securing member secured to a case body of the internal combustion engine and a movable member shiftable in the extending direction of the securing member. A tensioner member provided to straddle between the securing member and the movable member is elastically deformed and arcuately bent as the movable member is biased by a spring and shifted in the biasing direction thereof. In addition, the bent tensioner member is brought into contact with the endless chain. See, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 58-36915.
The above-mentioned traditional chain tensioner is mounted to a case body wherein the tensioner member is secured at its lower end to the case body by means of pins and thereafter the secured body is secured to the case body by means of bolts. The securing member is pulled toward the movable member by a spring. To align an attachment hole of the case body and an attachment hole of the secured member with each other, therefore, it is necessary to attach the bolts to both the attachment holes while aligning the attachment holes thereof with each other by deforming the tensioner member. This poses a problem with workability encountered when the chain tensioner is assembled to the case body.

Chain tensioner for internal combustion engine


A system for positioning the eye of a patient, relative to a stationary surgical laser unit, includes a chair for moving the patient. An eye stabilizing element is held against the eye, with a tapered receptacle extending outwardly therefrom. Also, an alignment device with a tapered tip is mounted on the surgical laser unit. In operation, the patient is moved to engage the receptacle of the eye stabilizing element with the tip of the alignment device, to thereby align the patient's eye with the surgical laser unit for laser surgery.

The current state of the art in refractive laser surgery involves ablating corneal tissue of the eye with an ultra-fast, ultra-short pulse duration laser beam. Indeed, it is well known that the ablation of selected corneal tissue can correct refractive errors of a patient's eye by permanently altering the structure of the cornea. A system for accomplishing this type of tissue ablation through laser surgery is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,051, entitled "A Device and Method for Performing Refractive Surgery," which issued to Bille and is assigned to the same assignee as the present application, i.e. 20/10 Perfect Vision Optische Geraete GmbH.
Importantly, the nature of refractive laser surgery requires that the laser beam be precisely focused to a very small focal spot within the cornea. As such, the patient's eye must be stabilized, and the laser system must be properly and precisely aligned with the patient's eye. In order to achieve proper alignment between the eye of the patient and the laser system, the system alignment settings and operating parameters must be well defined, steadfastly maintained, and frequently verified. Further, as indicated above, it is well known to those skilled in the art that accurate and precise refractive surgery requires the corneal tissue be photoablated when the eye is substantially stabilized or stationary. As always, patient comfort and safety must be considered when holding the eye stationary and conducting the laser surgery.
In order to achieve the goal of maximizing results while minimizing risks to the patient during surgery, it is important to eliminate, or at least significantly reduce, as many system errors as possible. Included here is the improper alignment of the patient's eye, relative to the laser system. Interestingly, alignment errors may result from either a misconfiguration of the system, or from the patient's interaction with the system. Insofar as patient/system interaction is concerned, any voluntary or involuntary movement of the patient's eye during surgery can significantly alter the alignment of the eye relative to the laser system. It is necessary, therefore, to hold the eye of the patient stationary during any lasing procedure. Holding the eye stationary does not, however, necessarily require direct contact between the eye and the laser system. In fact, for several current laser surgery systems, the eye of the patient is not placed in physical contact with the laser system. When the eye is allowed to move independently of the system, however, maintaining an optical alignment of the eye with the laser system can be problematic. On the other hand, those systems wherein the eye of the patient is placed and held in direct contact with the laser system, maintaining optical alignment between the eye and the laser system, still poses problems.
For systems wherein a patient's eye is to be stabilized by placing the eye in direct contact with the system, stabilization can be established in either of two ways. For one, the patient can be pre-positioned as desired, and the system then moved into contact with the eye. Such systems, of course, must be capable of being reconfigured to establish the necessary optical alignment. For another, the laser system can be preconfigured with a desired optical alignment, and the patient then moved into contact with the system. Either way, there are alignment issues that need to be addressed. In the latter case, however, use of a preconfigured optical system avoids the difficulties that may arise due to extended displacements or altered orientations of the optical elements.
In addition to the operational issues discussed above, patient safety is always a concern. In particular, when the eye is in direct contact with the laser system, the magnitude of the interactive forces that are exerted on the eye are of concern. The several different events that can cause these forces to exceed the limits of safety need to be avoided.
In light of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a system and method for positioning the eye of a patient relative to a laser system, for refractive laser surgery. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for positioning the eye of a patient for refractive laser surgery, wherein alignment of the eye with the laser system is established by moving the patient, while the laser system remains stationary. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for positioning the eye of a patient for refractive laser surgery which avoids damage to the eye while holding the eye substantially stationary during the laser surgery procedure. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for positioning the eye of a patient for refractive laser surgery that is easy to use, relatively simple to manufacture, and comparatively cost effective.

System and method for positioning a patient for laser surgery


A frame assembly includes a frame base and a rear panel including a plurality of side walls that are configured to be received within a plurality of side walls of the frame base. Along an external surface of each side wall of the rear panel there is at least one locking tab that is configured for reception within one corresponding locking opening of the frame base when the rear panel is inserted into the frame base so as couple the rear panel to the frame base in a snap-fitting manner and permit a canvas substrate to be captured therebetween for holding the canvas substrate across a front face of the frame base.

There are many ways to display photographs and art with one of the most common techniques being the use of a frame. There are many types of frames but in general, the frames include a rear frame structure that in the case of a photo frame receives the photo and then a front frame structure which in the case of a photo frame is typically a transparent plate, such as a glass plate or acrylic plate.
For displaying art, such as a canvas painting, many different techniques are available including the use of a stretcher frame or a frame and mat arrangement. Recently, canvas prints (a photograph printed on a canvas) have become increasingly popular. Canvas prints are available from a number of retail location including pharmacies, etc. Besides printing the photo on canvas, the printed canvas is then assembled by securing the canvas to the frame. This process can be challenging and require the use of special tools, etc.
There is therefore a need for a simpler frame construction and assembly technique to allow the canvas prints to be assembled more easily and quicker.

System for retaining a substrate within a frame


In a magnetic valve controlled fuel injector for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with a nozzle needle movably disposed in the injector housing and spring-biased onto a nozzle needle seat wherein high pressure fuel supplied to the nozzle needle through a fuel admission passage lifts the nozzle needle off its seat for discharging fuel therefrom, a control piston with a valve portion is disposed in the injector housing and controlled by an electromagnetic valve for admitting fuel under pressure to the fuel admission passage and a pressure piston is movably disposed in a pressure space formed at one end of a space receiving the nozzle needle spring which, with one end biases the nozzle needle toward its closed position and is supported at its other end by the pressure piston and a throttled communication passage extends between the fuel admission passage and the pressure space for moving the pressure piston toward the nozzle needle when the pressure in the fuel admission passage remains because of a defect in the injector so as to move the nozzle needle onto the nozzle needle seat to interrupt the fuel discharge from the injector.

The invention relates to a magnetic valve controlled fuel injector for direct fuel injection into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine wherein the injector includes a nozzle with a spring-loaded nozzle needle and a control piston with a valve structure at one end for blocking the fuel supply to the nozzle and the control piston is exposed at its other end to the pressure of the fuel in a control space and a magnetic valve by which the control space can be placed into communication with a drain line and open the fuel supply line which leads to the nozzle.
A fuel injection system including such an injector is disclosed in DE 196 12 738 A1, wherein a magnetic valve-controlled control piston of the direct injection fuel injector is in communication with the back side of the spring-loaded nozzle needle. The control piston delimits a control space, which can be connected to the fuel drain line so that, by energizing the magnetic valve, the pressure is released from the control space. When the pressure is released from the control space, the control piston opens a valve whereby the fuel supply line is placed into communication with the nozzle needle.
When such fuel injectors become defective, either by a jamming of the control piston or by a disabled magnetic valve, the high pressure fuel supply line may remain in communication with the injection nozzle which may result in engine damage.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,822 discloses a common rail fuel injection system with a direct injection fuel injection valve including a piston which is arranged co-axially with the nozzle needle and which is exposed to the high fuel pressure in the system and acts on the nozzle needle. The piston force causes a rapid closing of the nozzle needle during normal operation.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a high pressure fuel injector with which, by simple measures, engine damage is prevented if the injector becomes defective. In addition, emergency engine operation should still be possible inspite of an injector being defective.


This lighting fixture is made up of a translucent front plate (2) and a recessed body (1) made from a high-resistance translucent material with ultraviolet protection, which has a general tubular configuration and includes an inner transversal wall (11) that separates a rear cavity (12), designed for housing the lighting elements (3), from a front cavity (13), in which the front plate is mounted. This translucent front plate (2), made from tempered glass or polycarbonate has at least one cut (21) on its side surface for lodging part of the material that makes up the recessed body (1) while such recessed body is being formed.

Recessed lighting fixtures, designed to be recessed in floors or walls, are generally made up of a metal body with a tubular configuration, which defines an inner cavity for housing the lighting elements and, on the outside, a perimeter flange that acts as the recess limit of the aforementioned tubular body in the floor or the surface in question.
In these lighting fixtures, the tubular body is closed off at the front end by means of a front plate made of translucent material, through which the light generated by the lighting elements is projected to the outside. This plate of translucent material is generally made of glass, and its assembly to the tubular body requires using special glues and gaskets that ensure, on one hand, that it is correctly attached and, on the other hand, the necessary watertightness to prevent water and damp from reaching the lighting elements located inside the device.
Therefore, in these recessed lighting fixtures, the inner cavity is separated from the outside only by the aforementioned glass plate. In these devices, when the glass plate breaks, the inner cavity is left completely unprotected and in contact with the exterior, which gives rise to a number of problems, among which the following are notable: the possibility of damp entering the inner chamber that houses the electric lighting elements and the risk of electrocution accidents in the event that a person inserts their fingers or a piece of conductive material in the cavity that houses the lighting elements.
In this kind of recessed fixtures, the power supply cables generally access the inner cavity through the opening defined in the rear end of the recessed body, which does not include the necessary elements to prevent water and damp from entering the lighting fixture through the same rear opening.


A method of production of sorbents involving acylation of a macroporous styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer in the presence of the Friedel-Crafts catalyst—aluminum chloride. The acylation reaction is carried out using acetyl chloride in a dichloroethane solvent at boiling the solution. This is followed by phosphorylation of the obtained acylated copolymer with phosphorus trichloride at room temperature; the product is hydrolyzed with water, washed and dried. The technical result consists in production of a complexing adsorbent highly selective for scandium and simplification of the production process.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of production of ion exchange resins and complexing sorbents and can be used, in particular, to extract ions of scandium from acidic process solutions.
Description of Related Art
At the present time, liquid and solid extractants, as well as ion exchange resins, are used for extraction of scandium from solutions. Notably, both extractants and ion exchange resins have inherent advantages and drawbacks.
For the purpose of combining the advantages of solvent extraction and ion exchange, porous carriers impregnated with selective extractants have been proposed. For example, equilibrium and kinetic characteristics of sorption materials based on tributyl phosphate, di-isooctyl methylphosphonate, and phosphine oxide, which are recommended for the extraction of scandium from acidic solutions, were studied (V. Yu. Korovin et al. "Sorption materials for extraction of scandium from acidic environments", Problems of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 2008, No. 2, p. 158).
A method is known to produce chelate sorbent, represented by polystyrene-azo-3-arseno-phenol, which is recommended for selective extraction of scandium from solutions with subsequent analytical determination (RU 2010876, 15 Apr. 1994).
A method is known to produce an ion exchanger for extraction of scandium by copolymerization of nitrile, acrylic acid, divinylbenzene and 5-vinyl-α-picoline with subsequent phosphorylation of the oxidized matrix by phosphorus trichloride (SU 1835403, 23 Aug. 1993).
A method is known to produce an ion-exchange resin for scandium extraction that provides copolymerization of vinylidene phosphoric acid with styrene, acrylic acid and divinylbenzene (U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,462, 12 Sep. 1995).
A method is known to produce a complex-forming ion exchanger for extraction of scandium, involving phosphorylation with phosphorus pentachloride of a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer chloromethylated and aminated with diethanolamine or dimethylethanolamine (RU 2010804, 15 Apr. 1994).
In general, the known materials have a low selectivity to scandium, especially in case of presence of iron (III) in the solution, which results in increased costs for extraction of scandium and a more expensive scandium end product.
A method is known to produce a sorbent selective for scandium which includes acylation of macroreticular styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst (aluminum chloride) at room temperature for 80 hours, phosphorylation of the acylated copolymer with phosphorus trichloride (M. Marhol, H. Beranova, K. Cheng <<Selective ion-exchangers containing phosphorus in their functional groups>>, Journal of Radioanalytical Chemistry, 1974, Volume 21, Issue 1, pp 177-186.).
In a known method, the acylation step is carried out using carbon disulfide as solvent, resulting in fire and explosion hazard of the process. A known method is characterized by high duration of the acylation step, resulting in generally poor production effectiveness of the process. Furthermore, the selectivity of the sorbent for scandium is insufficient.
A method is known to produce a sorbent that can be used to extract scandium from solutions and includes the step of acylating a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer with acetyl chloride in dichloroethane solution in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride, washing, drying, the step of phosphorylation of the acylation product with phosphorus trichloride, the step of hydrolysis with ice water, washing, drying, oxidation of the dried product with 25% nitric acid, and final rinsing of the target product (RU 280839, 20 Nov. 1970).
The drawback of this method is low selectivity of the sorbent for scandium.

Method for producing a sorbent for selective recovery of scandium ions


An outlet type versatile adapter that can plug into a standard outlet, such as a wall outlet, power-strip outlet, extension cord outlet, etc. The versatile adapter includes the ability to rotate as much as 360 degrees even while plugged into an outlet. Further, the versatile adapter includes at least two adapters that can be removed and replaced with different types of interfaces. The at least two adapters can swivel between an expanded position and a closed or contacted position.

Years ago, when one packed for a trip, the main concern was a few changes of clothes and ensuring to bring sufficient amounts of underwear and socks and of course, a belt. However, the electronic age has slowly created a new and rather complex additional step to the packing process—one needs to ensure that they have the proper cables and adapters to recharge their electronic devices. Initially, this additional packing requirement was much more complicated because, almost every electronic device required a different cable and/or adapter. Fortunately, the technology giants of the world have slowly migrated to a limited number of adapters that are common between multiple devices but, once one end of the cable is inserted into such a common adapter, the other end of the cable may be any of a wide variety of connectors such as micro USB, APPLE's lighting adapter, APPLE's 30 pin adapter, as well as a wide variety of other adapters. And so, although one must ensure they have the proper charging cables, the advent of the USB connector on the opposing end of the cables has greatly simplified the number of adapters that must also be packed.
Nonetheless, when one is quite electronically dependent, you may find yourself still in need of bringing multiple adapters. In addition, there is always that pesky problem of once an adapter is inserted into an outlet, such as a wall outlet or power strip, other receptacles may be covered by the adapter or, the adapter may be oriented in a manner that is simply inconvenient.

Versatile adapter having a main body with a plug, a receptacle and two different kinds of adapters


A solar cell or solar module is measured during a short pulse of light in such a way that the resulting data for current and voltage at each light intensity is the same as would be measured under steady-state illumination conditions and therefore predictive of the actual performance of the solar cell or solar module in sunlight. A varying voltage is applied to the terminals of the solar cell during a light pulse so that the instantaneous current at a given voltage and light intensity during the light pulse is the same as would be measured under constant illumination at that same given intensity. A constant voltage is modified by a small signal correction that is proportional to the terminal current. Or, the small signal correction is proportional to the light intensity. An analog feedback circuit is constructed using the terminal current or light intensity for feedback in order to provide the requisite varying voltage. The varying voltage may also be supplied by digital synthesis.

In the production of solar cells and solar modules, measurement and rating of the resulting cells and modules at the various stages of production is required for quality control, the proper matching of cells to go into modules, and the rating of the modules at the end of production. Measurement of the solar cells or modules is often done using short pulses of light (Van der Pool, Borden, Wiczer, King, Hyvárinen, Keogh).
Typical pulses can be from Xenon lamps discharging a capacitor, as in a typical photographic flashlamp (Borden, Sinton 1996, Hyvárinen, Sinton 2000), Xenon lamps with a pulse-forming network (Wiczer), flashlamps with control electronics to control the intensity-time profile, or LED flashes. Voltage, current and intensity data can be taken for the entire light pulse (Wiczer, Sinton 1996, Sinton 2000) or for just a point or portion of the light pulse (Borden, Hyvárinen).
Frequently, the acquisition of the current-voltage data for cell or module testing is accomplished by ramping the voltage from short-circuit conditions to open-circuit conditions (or from open-circuit to short-circuit conditions) during a single light pulse while the intensity is close to the intensity of interest in order to obtain the entire current-voltage curve (Wiczer, King, Hyvárinen). This has been shown to result in significant errors in the measurement of some solar cells and modules due to the delayed time response of the solar cell to the voltage ramp (King). This error means that the measured results will not necessarily predict the performance of the solar cell or module under constant illumination, voltage and current conditions, i.e., steady-state conditions.
For example, King indicates that a 20 V/second voltage ramp rate would result in a 1% error in the measured power output of some high-efficiency cells. The method of Hyvárinen, using the example of a linear ramp rate from short circuit to open circuit in 400 μs, results in a ramp rate of about 1700 V/s (per cell in series in a module). This ramp rate is about 85 times too fast for a measurement of the cells described in King to achieve a 1% accuracy relative to the steady state. Some modern commercial cells require ramp rates of less than 5 V/s (per cell in series) in order to have less than 1% of error due to the transient response time of the cell to changing voltage. For a linear voltage ramp from short-circuit to open-circuit voltage as in Wiczer, King and Hyvárinen, this measurement could take 130 ms and is not practical for short light pulses.
Maintaining a constant current during a pulse with varying illumination intensity results in a high rate of voltage ramping and can also result in inaccurate measurements for high-efficiency silicon solar cells (Borden, Ossenbrink). Under constant current conditions, very high voltage ramp rates result as the voltage responds to the changing light intensity during the pulse.
A common solution to these problems is to hold the voltage constant during a light pulse, and to only measure one current-voltage point at each intensity during the pulse (Keogh, Sinton 2005). By holding the voltage constant during the light pulse, the time response of the solar cell or solar module is much better, yielding a more accurate result (Keogh). Using this method, a full curve of current-voltage points at a given intensity is constructed by taking multiple flashes and extracting the relevant data.
This constant voltage method has been shown, however, to have significant error in the case of newer generations of high-efficiency solar cells in cases when the light intensity is not constant during the measurement. Even this best case of maintaining a constant voltage during the light pulse has been shown to have significant transient errors that result in the current-voltage-intensity data being significantly different than the steady-state results that would be obtained under conditions of constant current, voltage, and light. This discrepancy has been shown to be due to changes in the stored charge in the solar cells that can occur even when the terminal voltage at the solar cells or modules is held constant (Sinton 2005). These errors can make this data a very inaccurate predictor of the characteristics of the solar cell or module under constant light conditions such as sunlight. This makes the data from flash testing very unreliable for predicting cell or module performance for these types of solar cells and modules.
These inaccuracies are largest for high-voltage solar cells. As successive generations of solar cells continue to improve, a larger and larger fraction of all solar cells produced will be subject to these measurement errors when measured under pulsed light. Since the majority of solar modules produced today are measured using flashlamp solar simulators, these errors in measurement are becoming a serious issue that requires a good solution.
FIG. 1 illustrates a graph 10 showing the computer-modeled prior art current response of a commercial solar cell to a pulse of light. Graph 10 is a PC1D (Clugston) numerical simulation of the time response of a commercial high-efficiency solar cell. This simulation is with the terminals of the solar cell held at a constant voltage corresponding to the maximum power point of the solar cell (580 mV in this case) at 0.1 W/cm2 of incident power. The instantaneous measured current 20 is delayed, shifted to the right compared to the light intensity 30. The steady-state current 40 that would be measured at each light intensity for a constant light source is shown for comparison. The instantaneous current is lower than the steady state current during the light intensity rise time, and higher than the steady state current during the fall time. Neither is the correct steady-state result for that intensity. There is only one fleeting moment where the curves cross and the instantaneous current accurately predicts the steady-state current.
Even as the incident light drops to zero, current still flows at the constant voltage giving the module an apparently infinite power conversion efficiency after the light has been extinguished. Clearly, this is not predictive of the steady-state power production of a solar cell with no illumination.
Due to the above inaccuracies in the measurement of solar cells and modules, an improved measurement technique is desirable.

Measurement of current-voltage characteristic curves of solar cells and solar modules


A recording apparatus which includes a first and second discharge members located downstream from a recording head for discharging a sheet, and first and second auxiliary discharge members also located downstream from the recording head for discharging the sheet, where the first and second auxiliary discharge members are urged against the first and second discharge members, respectively, at a first position, and where the first auxiliary discharge member is substantially urged against the second discharge member at a second position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording an image by discharging ink from a recording means onto a recording medium.
2. Related Background Art
In recording apparatuses having printer, copier and/or facsimile functions or in recording apparatuses used as an output device for a work station or a composite equipment including a computer, a word processor and the like, an image is recorded on a recording medium such as a sheet or a thin plastic film (for example, an OHP sheet) in response to image information. The recording apparatuses are divided into an ink jet recording apparatus, a wire dot recording apparatus, a heat-sensitive recording apparatus, a heat transfer recording apparatus and a laser beam recording apparatus, in accordance with a recording fashion of a recording means.
Among these recording apparatuses, the ink jet recording apparatus is designed so that the recording is effected by discharging ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording medium and has advantages that the recording means can easily be made compact, that a finer image can be recorded at a high speed, that the image can be recorded on a plain sheet without any specific treatment, that a running cost is inexpensive, that noise can be extremely reduced because of non-impact recording, and that a color image can easily be formed by using different color inks. Among the ink jet recording apparatus, a recording apparatus of line type having a line type recording head in which a plurality of ink discharge openings are disposed along a width-wise direction of the recording medium permits further high speed recording.
Particularly, in an ink jet recording means (recording head) for discharging the ink by utilizing energy, since the high density liquid passage arrangement (ink discharge opening arrangement) can easily be achieved by forming electro-thermal converter disposed on a substrate, electrodes, liquid passage walls and a top plate by semi-conductor manufacturing process such as etching, deposition, spattering and the like, further compactness of the recording means can be expected.
Now, a main construction of the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus will be explained with reference to FIG. 10. A recording medium (not shown) is pinched between a convey roller (convey means) 105 and a feed roller 106 and is conveyed by these rollers. When the recording medium reaches a recording position, in response to a signal emitted from a head cartridge (recording means) 101 situated at the recording position, ink is discharged from the head cartridge, thereby effecting the recording. Then, the recording medium is further conveyed by a pair of feed rollers 110, 111 and then is discharged out of the apparatus by a pair of discharge rollers 112, 113 disposed at a downstream side of the pair of feed rollers 110, 111 in a recording medium conveying direction.
In the above-mentioned conventional ink jet recording apparatus, the pair of feed rollers comprise a feed roller (first discharge means) 110 and spurs (first auxiliary discharge means) 111 urged against the feed roller 110, and the pair of discharge rollers comprise a sheet discharge roller (second discharge means) 112 and spurs (second auxiliary discharge means) 113 urged against the sheet discharge roller 112, and the spurs 111, 113 are disposed on a cover 115 which can be opened and closed with respect to a body of the apparatus. Each spur is a wheel provided at its periphery with a plurality projections each having a sharp tip end so that the recording medium can be discharged (or conveyed) by one or more projections (with very small contact area).
In the above-mentioned apparatus, when the head cartridge 101 is exchanged to a new one due to consumption of ink, the cover 115 is opened by pivoting the cover in an anti-clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 11, thereby permitting the exchange of the head cartridge 101. If the cover 115 is opened by pivoting the cover in a clockwise direction in FIG. 11, the spurs 111 with interfere with the head cartridge 101. Further, in the above-mentioned apparatus, a panel set substrate 120 on which an LCD 121 is disposed is secured at a left portion (FIG. 11) of the apparatus. Accordingly, an operator is in a left side of the recording apparatus.
In the above-mentioned relation, when the cover 115 is opened as shown in FIG. 11, the head cartridge must be exchanged across the opened cover 115. Further, when the panel operation is effected in order to shift the head cartridge 101 to an appropriate position to facilitate the exchange of the head cartridge, since the head cartridge 101 is concealed by the cover 115, the operation is hard to be effected.
Further, when the head cartridge 101 is exchanged after the cover 115 is dismounted from the apparatus, if the spurs 111, 113 are subjected to an external force, the water repelling ability of the spurs 111, 113 will be reduced, with the result that the ink adhered to the spurs is re-transferred to the recording medium, thereby deteriorating the recording quality.
In the above-mentioned conventional technique, if the cover 115 is opened while the recording is being effected, since the urging force of the spurs 111 acting on the platen is released, the recording medium will be stopped at a downstream side of the convey roller 105.