A dual inner central drive shaft in a gas turbine engine includes rearward and forward shaft portions which overlap and interengage with one another. The rearward shaft portion includes an elongated cylindrical inner middle portion and a rear conical end portion, whereas the forward shaft portion includes an elongated cylindrical outer middle portion and a front conical end portion. The respective opposite ends of the inner and outer middle portions of the rearward and forward shaft portions have intermeshing rear and front sets of radially projecting and circumferentially spaced splines which extend parallel to the shaft axis so as to rigidly secure the outer and inner middle portions of the rearward and forward shaft portions together for concurrent rotary motion of the rearward and forward shaft portions in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to gas turbine engines and, more particularly, to a dual inner central drive shaft for transmitting increased torque from the low pressure turbine to the forward fan without increasing the diameter size of the inner central drive shaft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gas turbine engines typically include a core engine having a compressor for compressing air entering the core engine, a combustor where fuel is mixed with the compressed air and then burned to create a high energy gas stream, and a first or high pressure turbine which extracts energy from the gas stream to drive the compressor. In aircraft turbofan engines, a second turbine or low pressure turbine located downstream from the core engine extracts more energy from the gas stream for driving a forward fan. The forward fan provides the main propulsive thrust generated by the engine.
More particularly, in the turbofan engine, the energy from the core engine drives the low pressure turbine, and the latter, in turn, drives an inner central drive shaft of a given diameter size which runs forwardly through the center of the core engine. The inner central drive shaft drives the forward fan to produce thrust. The inner central drive shaft must carry or transmit all of the torque that is necessary to drive the fan.
As the bypass ratios of turbofan engines increase (which means that a greater proportion of the air flow is routed externally of the core engine for producing thrust as compared to internally through the core engine where it is mixed with fuel and ignited for producing gas energy), the core engine in effect becomes smaller. Also, with increased bypass ratio, more torque is required to drive the forward fan.
The conventional solution would be to make the inner central drive shaft larger in diameter in order to accommodate more torque. However, this approach would require a complete redesign of the core engine (if using existing engines) which adds weight and is extremely costly, and an increase in the size of bearings which reduces their useful lives. For a new engine, larger bore sizes add much weight to the core and has the same adverse effect on bearings.
Consequently, a need still exists for an alternative solution to providing more torque to drive the forward fan.

Gas turbine engine dual inner central drive shaft


A transmission system and a method for controlling the transmission system comprising at least one interface unit and at least one adjustable device are disclosed. The method includes configuring the at least one interface unit according to interface configuration parameters, and enabling the at least one interface unit according to the interface configuration parameters. The method can also include transmitting device configuration parameters from the at least one interface unit to at least one of the adjustable devices, configuring the at least one adjustable device according to the device configuration parameters, and enabling the at least one adjustable device according to the device configuration parameters in order to transmit data via the second link.

A method for controlling a transmission system consisting of several transmitters and receiving units is disclosed in WO 02/23 948 A1. According to this known teaching, configuration parameters are transmitted to the receiving units via a control channel. This transmission via the control channel takes place independently of any transmission that may take place via a data channel. Although the configuration of the receiving units is rather easy and straight forward, the configuration of the transmitter is awkward and time consuming because they must be preconfigured before the transmission system is put into operation.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a method for adjusting a transmission system that does at least not have the above-mentioned disadvantage.

Method for controlling a transmission system as well as a transmission system


In the control system for a power supply changeover switch, a battery and an electrically heated catalytic converter (EHC) are connected to an alternator in a parallel arrangement via a changeover switch. The changeover switch selectively takes either of a first position where the battery is connected to the alternator and a second position where the EHC is connected to the alternator. An electronic control unit (ECU) is provided for controlling the changeover switch and the alternator. When the changeover switch is to be switched between the first and the second position, the ECU first terminates the power generation of the alternator and, then, performs the switching of the changeover switch 25 after the electric current flowing through the changeover switch 25 decreases to a sufficiently low value. Since the switching of the changeover switch 25 is performed always in the condition where the electric current flowing through the changeover switch is low, a failure of the changeover switch 25 such as welding of the contacts in the switch caused by cutting off a large electric current does not occur.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control system for a power supply changeover switch. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control system which is capable of preventing a failure of a power supply changeover switch such as welding of the contacts of the switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a power supply system provided with an electric generator and a battery charged by the generator, such as in a power supply system for a vehicle, a power supply changeover switch (hereinafter referred to as "a changeover switch") is used for supplying electric power to a specific large electric load (a load such as an electric heater which consumes a large amount of electric power). In this type of the system, the changeover switch disconnects the battery from the generator and, at the same time, directly connects the large electric load to the generator so that electric power is directly supplied from the generator to the large electric load.
This type of the power supply system is, for example, disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 52-111131. The '131 publication discloses a power supply system for a vehicle which supplies electric power to an electric heater of a defogger for removing fog and ice from a windshield of the vehicle. In the system of the '131 publication, the defogger is directly connected to a generator of the vehicle when the defogger is operated, and a battery is disconnected from the generator in order to supply a large electric power to the defogger.
In general, when a battery is connected to a generator, the output voltage of the generator is controlled at a value lower than a predetermined battery charging voltage to prevent an overcharge of the battery. Therefore, if a large electric load such as a defogger and the battery are connected to the generator at the same time, the output voltage of the generator must be controlled at a relatively low value. In this case, since the output voltage of the alternator is low, the electric current and electric power supplied to the electric load also becomes low. This causes insufficient heat generation of the heater and, thereby, the time required for removing fog and ice is prolonged. In the system of the '131 publication, it is possible to set the resistance of the heater of the defogger at a low value to supply a large electric power to the defogger. However, in this case, since the output power of the generator is relatively low due to its low output voltage, the generator cannot supply sufficient electric power to the defogger, and the battery must supply electric power to the defogger in order to make up the shortage of electric power required by the defogger and, thereby, damage to the battery may occur.
In order to solve this problem, the system in the '131 publication disconnects the battery from the generator when the defogger is activated, in order to raise the output voltage of the generator. By raising the output voltage, since the output power of the generator increases accordingly, a sufficient electric power is supplied to the defogger. Further, since the battery is disconnected from the generator, the overcharge of the battery does not occur even though the output voltage of the generator is raised. Namely, in the system of the '131 publication, a large electric power can be supplied to a specific load without increasing the load of the battery.
In the system which selectively connects a battery and a specific load to the generator as disclosed in the '131 publication, a changeover switch is used for switching the connections of the battery and the specific load to the generator. In general, a large capacity mechanical switch (relay switch) is used when a large electric current must be switched. However, since a large electric current must be cut off instantaneously in the changeover switch, welding of the contacts in the switch sometimes occurs. If the welding of the contacts of the changeover switch occurs at the position where it connects the electric load to the generator, for example, the electric load may be damaged due to an excessive power supply and, since the battery is not charged, an excessive discharge of the battery may occur. Further, if welding of the contacts occur at the position of the changeover switch where it connects the battery to the generator, electric power cannot be supplied to the load and, in addition to that, overcharging of the battery may occur when the output voltage of the generator is raised.
It is possible to use a large capacity semiconductor relay switch, in lieu of a mechanical relay switch, for a changeover switch. However, if a large electric current is switched by a semiconductor relay, a dielectric breakdown of the semiconductor may occur, and a similar problem as in the mechanical relay switch may occur.
In general, it is effective to enlarge the contact area of the contacts in the mechanical switch for preventing the welding of the contacts. However, even if the contact area is enlarged, the contacts become liable to welding when the resistance of the contacts increases due to an increase in the roughness of the contact surface after a number of ON/OFF operation of the switch and the same problem may occur. Further, the dielectric breakage can be prevented if a large capacity flywheel diode is connected to the semiconductor relay switch. However, since a large capacity semiconductor relay switch is costly itself and, if a large capacity flywheel diode is required, the manufacturing cost of the changeover switch becomes intolerably high.

Control system for a power supply changeover switch


A process for making a compound of formula ##STR1## wherein R signifies a C.sub.1-23 -alkyl group or a C.sub.2-23 -alkenyl group containing 1 to 3 double bonds, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of formula ##STR2## with an acylating agent which is in a mixture comprising (i) an organic solvent and (ii) a lipase which is present in suspension, so as to form the compound of formula I; and (b) recovering the compound of formula I is provided for. The process can be used to make (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinyl acetate, an starting material for the production of vitamin A acetate.

The present invention is concerned with a novel process for making a compound of formula ##STR3## wherein R signifies a C.sub.1-23 -alkyl group or a C.sub.2-23 -alkenyl group (as defined in more detail hereinafter), by the enzyme-catalyzed, selective monoacylation of a compound of formula ##STR4## The compounds of formula I, (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinyl acylates (2Z,4Z,7E)-carboxylic acid 3,7-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-9-2',2',6'-trimethyl-cyclohex-6'-en-1'-yl!nona-2,4 ,7-trienyl esters!, are starting materials used for making the corresponding vitamin A acylates, namely by cleavage of water and simultaneous cis-trans isomerization, which can be carried out in a manner known per se. Using the usual standard esterification methods there is obtained, for example, by acetylating the compound of formula II (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinol, otherwise named (2Z,4Z,7E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-2',2',6'-trimethyl-cyclohex-6'-en-1'-yl!nona-2, 4,7-trien-1,6-diol! in addition to the desired and especially important compound of formula I wherein R is methyl, i.e. (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinyl acetate, also the byproduct compound (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-acetoxy-retinyl acetate (2Z,4Z,7E)-acetic acid 6-acetoxy-3,7-dimethyl-9-2',2',6'-trimethyl-cyclohex-6'-en-1'-yl!nona-2,4 ,7-trienyl ester! of formula ##STR5## which occurs in varying amounts.
The (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-acetoxy-retinyl acetate of formula III is inert under the conditions of the catalytic dehydration and is therefore troublesome not only in the working-up of the compound of formula I, in which R signifies methyl (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinyl acetate!, but also in the working-up of vitamin A acetate. Accordingly, a process not only for the selective monoacetylation, but also generally for the selective monoacylation of a compound of formula II (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinol! so as not to form diacylated byproducts, such as the compound of formula III, is of great interest.
An object of the present invention is to provide a process for making the compounds of formula I (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinyl acylates! by the esterification of a compound of formula II (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinol! which does not have the disadvantages of previously known procedures (e.g. undesired formation of the compound of formula III, (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-acetoxy-retinyl acetate. Thus, it is necessary that the process proceeds extremely selectively and in high yields, and that the material used to esterify the compound of formula II displays catalytic activity even in low amounts, can be readily separated and can be used again several times.
The selective acylation of primary hydroxy groups in addition to secondary in the presence of lipases is known from the literature. Thus, for example, according to J. Org. Chem. 55, 2366-2369 (1990) the acylation of amphenicols, i.e. of phenyl-substituted short-chain aliphatic diols, by esterification with a trifluoroethyl acylate or a cyclic anhydride is carried out using a lipase isolated from Pseudomonas cyclopium, with the yields being 83% and 64%, respectively, without the purity being given.
The racemate resolution of 2-methyl-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)pentane-1,3-diol by esterification with vinyl acetate in the presence of immobilized lipase PS is described in Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 4, 757-760 (1993), with the yield of monoacylated product being 66% and the optical purity being 42% e.e.
In Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 11, 401-407 (1985) a series of 1,2- and 1,3-diols (dissolved in ethyl acylates) has been acylated with lipase from porcine pancreas in yields of .ltoreq.97%.
According to J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1989, 1535-1536, 2-ethyl-hexane-1,3-diol has been acylated with lipase from porcine pancreas in 60% yield.
Tetrahedron Lett. 31, 3405-3408 (1990) describes the selective acylation of aliphatic 1,n-diols with anhydrides in the presence of lipase from porcine pancreas, with the selectivities being .ltoreq.98% and the yields being .ltoreq.95%.
The selective acylation (98% selectivity) of 1,5-hexanediol with n-decanoic acid with lipase from Chromobacterium viscosum is described in Ind. J. Chem. 32, 30-34 (1993).
All of these previously known processes have certain disadvantages: thus all of these processes yield the desired products, but the selectivity and therewith the purity and/or the yield leave much to be desired. Moreover, none of these literature references mentions a repeated use of the lipase employed, i.e. the stability of the lipase, let alone a simultaneous substrate purification.
In the scope of the present invention the above-mentioned object of selective and high yield acylation with a material featuring high catalytic activity, ready separability and reuseability has been achieved by carrying out the acylation of the compound of formula II (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinol! with an acylation agent in the presence of a lipase (enzyme class EC 18.104.22.168) to form the compound of formula I an appropriate (11Z,13Z)-7,10-dihydro-10-hydroxy-retinyl acylate! under a variety of specific pre-reaction and reaction conditions.


The current invention describes novel chiral synthetic routes and intermediates for the manufacture of chiral anti-inflammatory agents of general formula VIII

Compounds of general formula VIII
in which at least one of the groups X1, X2, X3 is selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, amino whereas the other groups X1, X2, X3 have the meaning of a hydrogen atom,    in which at least one one of the groups Z1, Z2, Z3 is selected from —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(—CH3)—,    whereas the other groups Z1, Z2, Z3 have the meaning of a —CH2— group,    and in which Ar is an aromatic group    are described as powerful anti-inflammatory agents (e.g. WO 98/54159, WO 00/32584, WO 02/10143, WO 03/082827, WO 03/082280, WO 2004/063163 and WO 2006/050998).
However, the processes for the manufacturing of the compounds of general formula VIII have quite a number of steps, resulting in low yields of the whole chain of reactions and are not suitable for large scale productions.

Process for the manufacture of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and intermediates thereof

Abstract: in which at least one of the groups X1, X2, X3 is selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, amino whereas the other groups X1, X2, X3 have the meaning of a hydrogen atom,    in which at least one of the groups Z1, Z2, Z3 is selected from —O—, —S—, —NH—, —N(—CH3)—,    whereas the other groups Z1, Z2, Z3 have the meaning of a —CH2— group,    and in which Ar is an aromatic group.


The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a multimodal polyolefin polymer in a first polymerization reactor and a second polymerization reactor connected in series, wherein a first polyolefin polymer is prepared in the first polymerization reactor in suspension in the presence of hydrogen and a second polyolefin polymer is prepared in the second polymerization reactor in the presence of a lower concentration of hydrogen than in the first polymerization reactor, the process comprising: a) withdrawing a suspension of solid polyolefin particles in a suspension medium from the first polymerization reactor, wherein the suspension medium comprises hydrogen and a hydrocarbon mixture having an initial boiling point of at least 50° C. and a final boiling point of at most 120° C.; b) feeding the suspension to a flash drum having a pressure controlled by a vacuum pump, wherein the pressure of the flash drum is less than 0.1 MPa; c) vaporizing a part of the suspension medium in the flash drum to obtain a hydrogen-depleted suspension and d) withdrawing the hydrogen-depleted suspension from the flash drum and feeding it to the second polymerization reactor.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a multimodal polyolefin. The present invention further relates to a system for performing such process.
Suspension polymerization processes comprising two or more suspension polymerization reactors connected in series in which olefin monomers are polymerized in a liquid medium have been known for many years. One of the reasons why cascades of two or more polymerization reactors are frequently used is that it is possible to set different reaction conditions in the polymerization reactors and thereby, for example, broaden the molecular weight distribution. Polyolefin polymers with a broad molecular weight distribution are commonly used for a multitude of applications because they show advantages in product properties and processability. Such polymers are also often designated as bimodal or more generally as multimodal polyolefin polymers because they are polymerized in a cascade of two or more polymerization reactors under different reaction conditions. The term "multimodal", as used herein and also frequently used in the art, shall include "bimodal".
Multimodal polyolefin polymer can theoretically be obtained in different ways. It is possible to prepare physical blends of previously polymerized different polyolefin components. It is possible to use mixtures of different catalysts or so-called hybrid catalysts, which means catalysts with at least two different types of polymerization active sites on one catalyst particle in the same polymerization reactor. The commercially used way for preparing multimodal polyolefin is predominantly the polymerization in a cascade of polymerization reactors, where a polymerization catalyst is fed together with monomers to a first reactor, the produced polymer, which still contains active polymerization catalyst, is transferred to a second polymerization reactor, which has different reactor conditions, and the polymerization is continued using the polymerization catalyst still contained in the polymer particle. Normally the different reaction conditions in the different polymerization reactors are set by using different concentrations of hydrogen, which is commonly used as molecular weight regulator.
It is advantageous to start such a cascaded polymerization process with a step of preparing a lower molecular weight polyolefin polymer in the presence of a higher concentration of hydrogen, removing at least a part of the hydrogen when transferring the suspension to the next polymerization reactor and continuing there the polymerization in the presence of a lower concentration of hydrogen. This is described in several documents.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,421 describes a process for manufacturing an ethylene polymer composition where first an ethylene homopolymer having a melt flow rate MFR2 of 5 to 1000 g/10 min is prepared and then in a subsequent reactor an ethylene/1-hexene copolymer having a melt flow rate MFR5 of 0.01 to 2 g/10 min is produced. For removal of hydrogen from the reaction mixture of the first polymerization reactor, the reaction mixture withdrawn from the first polymerization reactor is subjected to an expansion step so as to vent at least some of the hydrogen. The pressure-reduction pressure is at least 0.1 MPa.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,924,340 refers to a process for the preparation of a polyolefin polymer, in which a polyolefin polymer is formed in the presence of hydrogen in a prior slurry reactor and the polymer product from the prior reactor is substantially freed of hydrogen prior to entry into a subsequent polymerization reactor operating at low hydrogen pressure to produce a high molecular weight olefin. The removal of hydrogen takes place by a series of at least two flash drums.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,557,932 describes a process for the preparation of a multimodal polyolefin polymer wherein the suspension from the first polymerization reactor is fed to a flash drum and partly vaporized and a hydrogen-depleted suspension is withdrawn from the flash drum and fed to the second polymerization reactor. Gas is withdrawn from the gas-phase of the flash drum and fed to a heat exchanger. A part of this gas is condensed and returned to the flash drum. The pressure in the flash drum is 0.1 to 1 MPa and the temperature is 50 to 90° C.
In known processes, it is a challenge to produce a multimodal polyolefin wherein the difference in the molecular weights of the polymers produced in the first and the second polymerization reactors is large.

Process for preparation of multimodal polyolefin


A new beverage dispensing system for permitting an uninterrupted flow of a beverage when a beverage container is low on, or runs out of, a beverage. The inventive device includes first and second beverage containers and a dispenser connected to the containers. A system of valves control the flow of beverages from the containers to the dispenser, and manually actuated switches are used to control the valves. A float type of sensor is situated inside each of the beverage containers for sensing the amount of beverage remaining within the containers, and the sensors actuate a signal system for signaling when the amount of beverage remaining within the container reaches a predetermined level. The system is configured such that the beverage in the first container is initially dispensed from the dispenser. When the sensor within the first container senses that the beverage is almost gone, the signal system is actuated thus indicating this low, or empty, condition. The valves are then actuated by the manual switches so as to close the first container and open the second container such that the beverage from the second container is dispensed by the dispenser. The first beverage container can then be replaced, or refilled, when convenient, for later use when the second container runs low or becomes empty.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to beverage dispensing systems and more particularly pertains to a new beverage dispensing system for permitting an uninterrupted flow of a beverage when a beverage container is low on, or runs out of, a beverage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of beverage dispensing systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, beverage dispensing systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art beverage dispensing systems include U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,560; U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,012; U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,377; U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,651; U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,132; and U.S. Pat. Des. No. 247,905.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new beverage dispensing system. The inventive device includes first and second beverage containers and a dispenser connected to the containers. A system of valves control the flow of beverages from the containers to the dispenser, and manually actuated switches are used to control the valves. A float type of sensor is situated inside each of the beverage containers for sensing the amount of beverage remaining within the containers, and the sensors actuate a signal system for signaling when the amount of beverage remaining within the container reaches a predetermined level. The system is configured such that the beverage in the first container is initially dispensed from the dispenser. When the sensor within the first container senses that the beverage is almost gone, the signal system is actuated thus indicating this low, or empty, condition. The valves are then actuated by the manual switches so as to close the first container and open the second container such that the beverage from the second container is dispensed by the dispenser. The first beverage container can then be replaced, or refilled, when convenient, for later use when the second container runs low or becomes empty.
In these respects, the beverage dispensing system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of permitting an uninterrupted flow of a beverage when a beverage container is low on, or runs out of, a beverage.


A hybrid object to image mapping system and method includes a fragment generator that can be employed in conjunction with an interpolator within an image accelerator. The fragment generator includes a forward mapping mechanism for forward mapping an object data array from object space to image space so as to generate an object address set including image space addresses for each of the object data points, a pixel traversal mechanism for receiving and traversing the object address set to determine what pixels in the image space are located within an area of the object data set, and a reverse mapping mechanism for receiving pixel address data and determining at least two distances for each of the pixels within the area and for reverse mapping each of the distances from the image space to the object space relative to said data values in the local data buffer. In architecture, the forward mapping mechanism, the pixel traversing mechanism, and the reversed mapping mechanism are preferably pipelined in the foregoing sequential order. Thus, the data values from the object data array and the transformed distance values can be for further processing by a scaling operation such as interpolation or minification with a minimum amount of hardware and without reducing image quality.

In image processing on a computer-based system, the image is typically rendered, or drawn, via a graphics subsystem of the computer-based system. Integral to virtually all types of imaging processing performed by a graphic subsystem is the mapping of the image from object space to image space (i.e., pixels in the image space) and/or the mapping of the image from image space to object space. These two mapping operations have associated with them several advantages and disadvantages, a few of which are delineated below.
First, when mapping from object space to image space, it is possible to traverse the object data set only once in order to complete the transformation to image space. This is advantageous in, that it allows for a stream-based architecture which is particularly well suited for a pipelined operation. It is well known in the industry that pipelining the operation of a graphic subsystem increases the speed and efficiency of the processing. A disadvantage of mapping from object space to image space is that it can only be used for generating image pixels that are generated artificially. Accordingly, this method is typically restricted to use in three-dimensional graphics accelerators where the images are synthetically generated. Thus, this method is not presently used for image or volumetric processing methods.
Second, when mapping from image space to object space, it is possible to maintain a reference from the image pixels to the object data making it well suited for use in image or volumetric processing. However, a disadvantage of mapping from image space to object space in a computer-based system is that it requires a great deal of hardware to support the operation of addressing into the object space. For example, such a system would require a relatively large amount of random access memory (RAM) and a controller for managing the flow of data into and out of the RAM. Typically, the amount of RAM required necessitates that it be placed on a separate chip (i.e., integrated circuit) and connected to the graphics subsystem. This is undesirable because it greatly increases the cost and complexity of the system.
While the hardware required to support mapping from image space to object space proves to be a substantial disadvantage, the hardware can be optimized, but only at the cost of image quality. For instance, in order to reduce the hardware overhead, the number of bits of data may be reduced, a less computationally intensive transformation scheme may be utilized, or the amount of on board memory may be reduced, all of which degrade the quality of the image. Nonetheless, this method is widely used in hardware texture mapping systems in order to associate texture data to a particular pixel in the image space.
Hence, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry for an object imaged mapping system and method that requires a minimum amount of hardware overhead without reducing image quality.

System and method for local storage of image data during object to image mapping


A combination lock includes a lock body, a locking latch, a numerical actuation unit including a plurality of number rotors and a plurality of locking rings, and a password reset unit. The password reset unit includes a reset driver slidably extended at the lock body to couple with the locking rings, wherein when the reset driver is moved to drive the locking rings to slidably disengage with number rotors, the number rotors are free to rotate on the lock body to reset a new number-combination, such that when the reset driver is released that the locking rings are slidably returned back within the number rotors, the detachable end of the locking latch is unlocked once the number rotors are rotated at the new number-combination.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a lock, and more particularly to a combination lock which comprises a password reset unit received in a lock body for preventing it from being accidentally actuated.
2. Description of Related Arts
Locks have been widely used for a wide variety of purposes. For example, a mini-lock may be utilized to lock up a user's luggage for preventing it from being unauthorizedly or accidentally opened.
A conventional combination lock usually comprises a lock body, a locking latch outwardly extended from the lock body, a numerical actuation unit comprising a plurality of ring-shaped number rotors rotatably mounted in the lock body for locking and unlocking the locking latch with respect to the lock body, and a password resetting unit operatively communicated with the numerical actuation unit for allowing a user to reset a numerical-combination, i.e. password, of the numerical actuation unit for unlocking the locking latch.
As a matter of conventional arts, the password reset unit usually comprises a password reset button provided on the lock body and a password resetting mechanism mounted in the lock body for coupling between the numerical actuation unit and the password reset button, in such a manner that when the password reset button is actuated, the password resetting mechanism will disengage with the numerical actuation unit for allowing resetting of the numerical combination.
A main disadvantage of this kind of conventional combination lock is that the password reset button is positioned on the lock body so that it may be accidentally actuated. In such a scenario, if the user does not notice of the actuation of the password reset button, the number rotors may be accidentally rotated when the password reset button is unknowingly actuated. The consequence is that the numerical-combination of the combination lock is reset without the user knowing of the new password.
In order to cater for this disadvantage, there exists another kind of combination lock comprising a lock body which comprises a first and a second body portions detachably attached with each other for enclosing a password reset unit within the lock body. When the user wishes to reset the numerical-combination of the combination lock, he/she needs to disassemble the lock body in order to gain access to the password reset unit. A main disadvantage of this kind of combination lock is that reset of password is troublesome and very convenient, though substantially resolving the above-mentioned disadvantage of accidental resetting of passwords.


A method of operation of a mobile telecommunication system includes: measuring a received reference signal; removing a guard portion from the received reference signal; determining a noise variance estimate from both a noise region of the received reference signal and a noise sample in a signal region of the received reference signal, or calculating a dispersion power of a noise region of the received reference signal and determining the noise variance estimate based on at least a dispersion power; and calculating a signal to noise ratio from the noise variance estimate for adjusting a receiver device.

Modern portable consumer and industrial electronics, especially client devices such as cellular phones, portable digital assistants, navigation systems, and combination devices, are providing increasing levels of functionality to support modern life including mobile data and voice services. Research and development in the existing technologies can take a myriad of different directions.
As users become more empowered with the growth of mobile service devices, new and old paradigms of cellular service stations are becoming essential for users to take advantage of this new mobile data and voice space. Base stations can provide mobile data and voice services. Base stations allow a Mobile Station, such as a User Equipment, to connect to its voice or data services remotely via radio frequency communication. Noise ratio calculation mechanisms help the mobile stations and the base stations manage the communication channel and properly decode symbols transmitted over the radio frequency.
Mobile telecommunication systems have been incorporated in cellphones, handheld devices, automobiles, notebooks, and other portable products. Today, these systems aid users by decoding audio and multimedia data over portable devices and manage the radio frequency communication between the user equipment and the nearby servicing base stations. The proper noise ratio estimation prevents interruption of services because of delay, noise, or interference within the communication channels. However, the accuracy and consistency of these noise ratio estimation mechanisms continue to challenge commercial applicability of these systems.
Thus, a need still remains for a mobile telecommunication system with a noise ratio estimation mechanism to adjust telecommunication receiver for better throughput. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Mobile telecommunication system with noise ratio estimation mechanism and method of operation thereof


A heat radiating plate storage tray has a plate main body, and a plurality of first projection portions provided on a first surface of the plate main body. A heat radiating plate having a rectangular recessed portion on a surface thereof is capable of being mounted on the first surface of the plate main body, a top face of the first projection portion supports a bottom face of the recessed portion of the heat radiating plate, and a height of the first projection portion is larger than a depth of the recessed portion of the heat radiating plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage tray for storing a plurality of heat radiating plates each having a rectangular recessed portion formed on a surface thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
A heat radiating plate for a semiconductor package is used by thermally connecting to a semiconductor element in order to transfer and radiate heat generated by the semiconductor element. As shown in FIG. 1, a heat radiating plate 100, which is used in a semiconductor package and includes a rectangular recessed portion on a surface thereof, is thermally connected to a semiconductor chip 200 mounted on a substrate 300 through a connecting member 400. The heat radiating plate 100 includes a flange portion 120 which is formed so as to surround the recessed portion and form an inner wall portion 150 of the recessed portion. A bottom face of the flange portion 120 is bonded and fixed to the substrate 300 via an epoxy base adhesive 500.
When transporting a large number of heat radiating plates 100 all at once before the heat radiating plates 100 are adhered to and mounted on the substrate 300 in the above-mentioned manner, a plurality of heat radiating plates 100 (not shown) are respectively mounted on their associated storage portions 62 of a storage tray 60a shown in FIG. 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, another storage tray 60b having the same shape as the storage tray 60a is put on the heat radiating plates 100, and the heat radiating plates 100 are transported. See Japanese Patent Examined Publication JP-B-3280421
However, while the heat radiating plates 100 are being transported in a state where they are mounted on the storage tray 60a, or while they are stored for a long time, when the flange portions 120 of the heat radiating plates 100 are contacted with the storage tray 60a for a long time, there is a possibility that ABS resin used as a material of the storage tray 60a or a component contained in an antistatic agent may adhere to the flange portions 120. When a component, for example, aliphatic amid such as amid stearate and/or a component belonging to hydrogen carbon adheres to the flange portions 120 of the heat radiating plates 100, there is raised a problem that the connecting force of the heat radiating plates 100 with the substrate 300 is decreased.
The reason for this problem is that the component adhered to the flange portions 120 of the heat radiating plates 100 deteriorates adhesive property of an epoxy-based adhesive agent which connects the flange portions 120 of the heat radiating plates 100 to the substrate 300. Also, resin contained in the storage tray includes various components which may deteriorates such adhesive property. It might be considerable to try to remove these typical harmful components, however, it has been found difficult to remove all of these harmful components.


Rendering 3D paintings can be done by compositing brush strokes embedded in space. Image elements are rendered into an image representable by a pixel array wherein at least some of the image elements correspond to simulated painting strokes. A method may include determining stroke positions in a 3D space, determining stroke orders, and for each pixel to be addressed, determining a pixel color value by determining strokes intersections with a view ray for that pixel, determining a depth order and a stroke order for intersecting fragments, each fragment having a color, alpha value, depth, and stroke order, assigning an intermediate color to each of the fragments, corresponding to a compositing of nearby fragments in stroke order, and assigning a color to the pixel that corresponds to a compositing of the fragments using the intermediate colors assigned to the fragments. The compositing may be done in depth order.

Traditional two-dimensional ("2D") painting techniques and digital 2D painting systems provide an artist with a lot of expressive freedom in the creation of a digital "painting," allowing a wide range of styles. Herein, "painting" or "a painting" refers to a process and/or an object or output that results from some input into a digital system such that the image is represented, or representable, by picture elements or objects that are electronically stored or storable. When an image is generated from the corresponding elements or objects, the elements or objects are considered in determining the colors of various pixels of the image. Of course, physically painting onto a physical surface or three-dimensional object and then taking a photograph of that work can be used to convey a painted scene, but there are many situations where it is desirable to allow artists and others to work with digital media and output a representation of what appears to be painting or some desired representation or approximation of painting. A collection of strokes embedded in space can be considered a "3D painting."
Translating the expressive freedom into three dimensions, so that paintings could be viewed from multiple angles or obtaining other benefits of a 3D representation, has been a research challenge for many years.

Mixed-order compositing for images having three-dimensional painting effects

ETH ZURICH (EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZURICH)


An on-line moisture control method for powdered or granular materials and a related system to practice the method. A fixed amount of materials are sampled by a material sampling means, transported into a heat treatment chamber having an airtight heating part, heated in the heat treatment chamber while an inert gas is supplied therein, and the weight measured by a weight measuring unit. The moisture generated by heating the materials is sent to a moisture measuring unit together with the inert gas. An operation unit receives the weight value measured by the weight measuring unit and the titrated value measured by the moisture measuring unit, and calculates the moisture content of the materials and displays the value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a newly constructed on-line moisture control method wherein powdered or granular materials including inorganic materials such as resin and ceramic are automatically sampled and the moisture content thereof quickly measured and to an on-line moisture control system for performing the method.
2. Prior Art
Generally, keeping the moisture content of resin materials constant in order to maintain good quality of the resin products has created a most important problem because with an inappropriate moisture content of the resin materials to be supplied into a molding machine defects such as a silver line or void are caused. Therefore, resin materials are usually dried by the use of a hopper dryer prior to being supplied into the molding machine.
However, before the resin materials are fed into the hopper dryer they are apt to absorb moisture in the air while stored in a silo or a tank of intermediate stage for a fixed period of time after a kraft bag or a flexible container which is used to carry resin materials is opened. Accordingly a fixed heating temperature and a fixed heating time are set for the hopper dryer which is based on an estimated moisture content of the resin materials. But such a conventional method for drying resin materials by the use of a hopper dryer leaves further room for improvement in saving labor.
On the other hand, a titration analysis using a Karl Fischer reagent has been conventionally known as a method for analyzing and measuring the moisture content of resin materials. A moisture measuring unit has been developed in which a titration analysis by a Karl Fischer reagent is performed by means of a coulometric method, a volumetric method and an absorptive photometric method, whereby a high accuracy can be obtained.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show the basic construction of a coulometric moisture measuring unit.
This unit is constructed such that a moisture measuring analyzer 61 which performs a coulometric titration by means of a Karl Fischer reagent is connected to a heating chamber 63 to heat samples such as powdered or granular materials. In the chamber 63 connected with the analyzer 61 through a conduit 62, powdered or granular materials 66 put on a boat 65 are transferred and contained by an automatic sample loading unit 67. The moisture produced by heating the materials 66 in the chamber 63 is introduced into the analyzer 61 together with a nitrogen gas fed into the chamber 63, the moisture being titrated and analyzed by a Karl Fischer reagent by the use of coulometric titration. Then the result of the analysis is shown on a display 70.
However, such a moisture analyzer 61 has troublesome problems because the following procedures must be repeated for each sample of the materials.
In order to feed sample materials 66 into the heating chamber 63, the boat 65 is inserted by opening an insert port 64a of an insertion pipe 64 extending from the heating chamber 63 by reducing the caliber and is pushed into a sample feeding portion 64b by means of a rod 65a, the materials 66 sampled by a sampling unit (not illustrated) being loaded on the boat 65 thus contained in the pipe 64 after a cap 64c of the feeding portion 64b is removed.
In this case, a feeding machine (not illustrated) which contains sample materials 66 is mated with the cap 64c so that the opening of the feeding machine fits the opening of the cap 64c. After a purge valve 69 is opened to atmosphere, a dried pressurized nitrogen gas supplied through a feed pipe 68b and a drying chamber 68a from a gas cylinder 68 is replaced and discharged in order to prevent outside air from entering into the heating chamber 63.
Further, after completion of the heat treatment, the materials 66 loaded on the boat 65 are transferred by the automatic loading unit 67 into the insert port 64a or the insertion pipe 64 to be discharged.
According to the above-mentioned troublesome problems, as a rule, such a moisture measuring analyzer has been used for quality inspection at a laboratory by a professional inspector. It is hardly possible to sample powdered or granular materials one after another and measure the moisture content thereof at a molding site.

On-line moisture control method for powdered or granular materials and a system to execute the method


The present invention discloses a marine fishtail rudder, including a rudder blade, a first tail plate and a second tail plate. The rudder blade includes a first rudder surface and a second rudder surface. The first tail plate is hinged on the first rudder surface. The second tail plate is hinged on the second rudder surface. An electric motor is provided in the rudder blade. The electric motor is used to drive the first tail plate and the second tail plate to rotate, so that a trailing edge of the first tail plate and a trailing edge of the second tail plate are close to or away from a trailing edge of the rudder blade. The present invention discloses a marine fishtail rudder, wherein tail plates are respectively arranged on the two rudder surfaces of a rudder tail portion, and the tail plates are rotated by an electric motor. When steering, the tail plates are unfolded to form a rudder shape of a fishtail rudder to obtain a higher rudder effect. When sailing straight or reversing, the tail plates are closed to form a rudder shape of a streamlined rudder and reduce the resistance of the rudder.

Ships are mainly equipped with rudders at the stern to achieve heading stability and slewability, and the performance of the rudder itself has a significant impact on the ship's maneuverability. In order to improve the rudder efficiency, there have been successively proposed a series of special rudder shapes, among which the rudder effect of fishtail rudder is particularly prominent. The cross-sectional shape of fishtail rudder is like a flat fish, and compared with streamlined rudder, the shape of fishtail rudder further includes a fish-shaped tail sealing plate.
When a fishtail rudder is in the steering state, the water pressure on the upstream surface at the rear of the rudder blade increases, and that significantly improves the rudder efficiency. However, the water resistance of the fishtail rudder will also increase significantly in the state of straight sailing or reversing, and thus, the performance of straight sailing or reversing will be significantly degraded.


Disclosed is a method of measuring frequency distortions characteristics of a device under test, the device configured convert an input signal in an input frequency range to an output signal in a different output frequency range. The method includes, for each test frequency fi, where i=1, . . . , N and N a positive integer, in a selected frequency range, providing a corresponding test signal with multiple frequency components having a measurement component with a frequency fi, a first reference component with a frequency fA, and a second reference component with a frequency fB; inputting the test signals into the device under test; measuring output test signals at the output of the device under test corresponding to the input test signals; and determining, for each test frequency fi, information representative of frequency distortions based on the corresponding input test signal and the corresponding output test signal.

The present disclosure relates to the frequency responses measurement in devices, where the input and output signals are in different frequency ranges, and, in particular, to the phase frequency distortions measurement in precise measuring devices used in the wireless communication systems.
Wireless networking systems have become a prevalent means in the communication industry. In such systems it is very important to measure/analyze with a high degree of accuracy the various properties of a transmitted/received modulation signal. Therefore a large and perpetually increasing demand exists for high precision spectrum analyzers, vector/signal analyzers etc operating in the RF range.
A typical block diagram of an analyzer is shown in FIG. 1. The down converter 100 transfers the part of the input signal spectrum to be analyzed to the operational frequency range of the analog to digital converter (ADC) 101. The ADC 101 transforms incoming continuous signal into a sequence of digital samples. A processor 102 carries out the necessary analysis of the properties of the processed signal with the presentation of the received results at the display 103.
It is important for the down converter not to create spurious responses, which may substantially distort the processed signal. To attain such a purpose, a conventional down converter contains usually several conversion stages (three or four) with an appropriate selection of the local oscillators frequencies. At each conversion stage a filter is used to separate out the desired frequency components. These filters inevitably introduce frequency distortions in the processed signal. Typically, the area of application of an analyzer requires knowledge of the signal distortions with a high degree of accuracy. For this reason, it is necessary to measure the down converter frequency response and, in particular, the phase frequency distortions.
The down converter 100 and the ADC 101 form the device under test (DUT) 104 that is the subject of the measurement according to the present invention. A feature of the DUT 104 is that its input and output signals lie in different frequency ranges.
The known methods of frequency responses measurement are based on a comparison of the output signal of the device under test with the input signal or with a duplicate of the input signal. However, when the input and the output frequency ranges are different, it is impossible to compare the phases of sine wave components in the input signal and output signal directly: the difference between the phases varies in time continuously.
The present invention describes a method and apparatus for measurement of the phase distortions in a device with different input and output frequency ranges.

Phase frequency distortion measurement system


A stylus includes a body, a conductive control structure, a charge transporting structure, and a signal transmission module. The body has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The conductive control structure is configured at the first end and equipped with a control surface. The charge transporting structure is disposed at a side of the body and covers at least one portion of a hand-held region on the side of the body. Besides, the charge transporting structure is electrically coupled to the conductive control structure. The signal transmission module is disposed in the body and transmits a radio frequency signal to the second end according to a trigger signal.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to a touching control apparatus, a stylus, and a touching detection method thereof.
2. Background
With advancement of electronic technologies, users mostly input data into electronic products through touch control display panels, and the touch control display panels allow the users to perform touch control not only through fingers but also through styluses.
According to the related art, in order for the stylus to be equipped with multiple input functions, a button may be configured on the stylus, such that a user is allowed to switch from one function to another by means of the stylus. For instance, when a user intends to mark information on the touch control display panel, the user may press the button once, such that the stylus enters an image-marking mode. By contrast, when the user intends to delete an image on the touch control display panel with use of the stylus, the user may continuously press the button for five seconds, such that the stylus enters an image-deleting mode.
The conventional touch control stylus in different modes may transmit radio frequency signals (e.g., with different frequencies) to the touch control display panel, such that the image on the touch control display panel may be marked or deleted. Nonetheless, note that the touch control stylus consumes power regardless of the fact that the image is marked or deleted.

Touch control pen, touching control apparatus and touching detection method with image delete function thereof


An electrical connector for use in downhole environment and methods for use are provided. In one aspect, an electrical connector comprises a substantially cylindrical connector body having a first end and a second end. A groove is formed around an outer surface of the connector body wherein the groove has a first substantially conically beveled surface on a side of the groove proximate the second end. A back-up ring has a second substantially conically beveled surface and is adapted to act cooperatively with an elastomer seal to close an extrusion gap between the connector body and a surrounding surface when the elastomer seal is exposed to a positive differential pressure from the first end to the second end. In another aspect, a conical surface on the connector body is forced to engage a mating surface on a bulkhead, thereby forming a metal to metal seal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to energy connectors and more particularly to connectors for high pressure environments.
2. Related Prior Art
Tools used in drilling, logging, and producing oil wells commonly consist of various electronic instruments and circuits contained at atmospheric pressure within one or more pressure housings in the downhole tools. The surrounding downhole environment may exhibit pressures up to 30,000 psi at temperatures up to 500 F. The electronics inside the pressure housings require a hermetic type electrical connector that interconnects the electrical circuits in the separate housings and/or with electrical conductors in a wireline to maintain communications with electronic instruments at the surface. The connectors must easily connect and disconnect and function as electrical conductors in extreme hostile liquid environments such as brine, oil base drilling mud and fluids that may contain hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane, and other elements at the extreme downhole ambient conditions. The connectors may carry substantial amounts of power with signals of several hundred volts being common.
A typical single pin type connector to which aspects of the invention pertain includes a conductive pin surrounded by an insulating material which in turn is encased in a metal body. Two types of construction are generally used. In one type, the center pin is insulated and bonded in place with the outer metal body by a fused glass insert located at some distance from each end of the metal body. A ceramic insulator is then inserted in the ends and bonded in place with an epoxy adhesive. The fused glass functions both as an insulator and as a hermetic seal. In another type of construction, the center pin is insulated from the outer metal body by a one piece ceramic insulator that is bonded to the pin and metal body with a metallic brazing material. In this case, the ceramic material functions as the insulator and the braze functions as the hermetic seal. This device generally represents the prior art devices now in use. Examples of such connectors are included in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,793,608 and 3,898,731, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Commercial connectors of this type are available from Kemlon Products, Pearland, Tex. A plastic bodied connector of somewhat similar construction is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,723, which is incorporated herein by reference.
An outline of a typical connector as described above is shown in FIG. 1, where connector 4 has a conductor pin 2 that extends through connector body 1 and is internally configured and sealed as described above. Connector 4 is commonly screwed into a closely dimensioned port in bulkhead 7 (see FIG. 2) such that elastomer o-ring 8 in groove 3 is compressed between the groove 3 and an inner diameter surface 11 of the port to prevent the passage of high pressure fluid 10 past o-ring seal 8 and contaminate the interior atmospheric pressure area 15. As is common in high pressure applications, back-up ring 9 may be inserted in the groove to prevent the extrusion of elastomer o-ring 8 into the gap between housing 1 and surface 11. The effectiveness of back-up rings at high pressures and temperatures is critical to the proper operation of this type of sealing configuration. Back up ring 9 is commonly spirally cut, also called a scarf cut, such that it may be collapsed to the outer diameter of groove 3 during installation. Then, high pressure fluid 10 acting on o-ring 8 is used to force back-up ring 9 to extend out past the edge of groove 3 to contact surface 11 and prevent extrusion of o-ring 8. At high pressure, it is common for o-ring 8 to exert a large axial force on back-up ring 9 such that the friction between back-up ring 9 and the wall of groove 3 is too great to allow sufficient movement of back-up ring 9 to close the gap between the connector and surface 11. This leads to extrusion of o-ring 8 and commonly failure of the seal. This allows downhole fluid 10 to penetrate the atmospheric area 15 with catastrophic consequences. It is also common for personnel to install the back-up rings on the wrong side of the o-ring such that there is no tendency for the back-up ring to be properly actuated.
There is a demonstrated need for a highly reliable connector seal for high pressure high temperature environments. The present invention addresses these and other shortcomings of the prior art described above.

Apparatus and methods for sealing a high pressure connector


A data exchange that provides self-service data provisioning is provided. The data exchange may include a raw data layer, a model data layer, a plurality of workspaces and a testing environment. The raw data layer may be a landing zone for raw data records received from systems of record. The raw data layer may receive a plurality of raw data records, model and process the data records and transfer the data records to the model data layer. The model data layer may be a data layer that includes data modeled to data exchange specifications and enables queries to be executed on the data included in the model data layer. Each workspace may be allocated to a consumer. The consumer may query the plurality of data records within the model data layer. The testing environment may test scripts to ensure that the scripts conform to a predetermined set of testing specifications.

Systems have been migrating from mainframe solutions to centralized integrated data platforms. Because of requirements at the integrated data platforms, as well as the large amount of data being integrated, it would be desirable to provide streamlined data provisioning to reduce complexity, increase speed and improve efficiency at the data platforms.


Memory cells and methods for forming a memory cell are presented. The memory cell includes a storage unit and a selector unit. The storage unit includes a magnetic storage element with first and second storage terminals and a bitline coupled to the second storage terminal. The selector unit includes a first selector and a second selector. The first selector may be a tunneling select transistor or a metal oxide semiconductor select transistor. The second tunneling select transistor is configured to have a second unidirectional current flow between its source and drain terminals. The second selector serves at least as a read selector for read operations of the memory cell and a read current is in the direction of the second unidirectional current flow between the source drain terminals of the second selector.

A magnetic memory cell stores information by changing electrical resistance of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element. The MTJ element typically includes a fixed (pinned) magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer. The fixed (pinned) magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer are laminated such that a tunnel barrier film is formed between the two layers. Magnetic orientation of the free layer flips by a direction or an opposite direction of electric currents exceeding a critical select current. The electrical resistance of the MTJ element changes corresponding to that of the magnetic orientation of the free layer relating to the fixed (pinned) magnetic layer, which may be in either a parallel state or an anti-parallel state.
Magnetic memory cells require a high write current to improve write speed for programming and a low read current distribution for better read margin stability. However, conventional magnetic memory cells have high read current distributions, resulting in poor read margins, leading to a read error.
From the foregoing discussion, it is desirable to provide low power magnetic memory cells with high read/write speed and smaller read/write current variation.

Magnetic memory cells with fast read/write speed


A module for a modular, motorized drive system, in particular for doors, wherein the modular system is designed such that a number of modules arranged linearly one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the modular system form a functional group of the drive system is provided. The modular system includes at least one of a number of latching elements on a front side of the module orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and a number of receiving elements, which are complementary to the latching elements, on a rear side of the module orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and opposite the front side, wherein the receiving elements are designed to form a mechanical connection to the latching elements of a further module which is arranged with its front side parallel to the rear side of the module.

Drive systems for, in particular electromechanical, control of, for example, doors, in particular vehicle doors and vehicle flaps, are known from the conventional art. A force of an electric motor is transmitted to the vehicle door, for example via a threaded spindle. Furthermore, the drive systems can comprise, for example, a clutch to protect the vehicle door, in particular a connection element of the drive system to the vehicle door, against overloading or to reduce vibrations, a brake for holding the vehicle door in a certain position, a transmission for adjusting the transmitted force and speed and/or a bearing for absorbing forces exerted by the vehicle door on the drive system.
A generic drive system is described for example in the document DE102014212863A1, the teaching of which, is included here by reference. DE102014212863A1 discloses a generic drive system and a specially designed brake in order to achieve a high degree of functionality and high energy efficiency.
Another generic drive system is described in document EP1940012A1, the teaching of which, is included here by reference. For a compact structure and a small noise development of the drive system EP1940012A1 suggests the use of a hysteresis brake for a generic drive system.
Another generic drive system is described in the document EP1664470B1, the teaching of which, is included here by reference. EP1664470B1 discloses a generic drive system and a reduced overall volume due to an exact mounting and axial guidance and alignment of the components of the drive system.
Another generic drive system is described in the document US20130169087A1, the teaching of which, is included here by reference. US20130169087A1 describes a generic drive system and a purely mechanical clutch for an automatic and reliable connection of a brake to the drive system.
Depending on the type of application, for example in terms of mass and/or opening direction of the vehicle door and/or the available installation volume, different drive systems are required, which differ, for example, in the opening force that can be applied or the opening speed that can be achieved. A manufacturer must therefore maintain a large number of different drive systems, which is expensive and time-consuming. The large number of quality inspection routines corresponding to the number of different drive systems prior to installation or delivery of the drive systems is particularly complex and difficult to standardize and therefore production and quality assurance costs are expensive.

Modular, motorized drive system, module, use and production method therefor


A seat belt retractor is formed of a reel for winding a seat belt, and a spring member connected to the reel for providing a retracting force thereto. The retracting force is weak not to provide a feeling of oppression to a passenger when the passenger has fastened the seat belt. A motor is connected to the reel for driving the reel only in a direction of retracting the seat belt to generate a retracting force greater than that of the spring member. Thus, the seat belt retractor retracts the seat belt by sufficiently great retracting force, but does not provide a feeling of oppression to the person when properly fastened.

The present invention relates to a seat belt retractor which is furnished inside a vehicle, such as an automobile.
A seat belt retractor which is equipped in an automobile, and the like, has a function of retracting a part of the seat belt pulled out too much when the passenger has taken a seat, pulled out the seat belt and coupled a tongue into the buckle. In order to realize this mechanism, in the seat belt retractor of the past, a single return spring has been used. When the person fastens the seat belt and releases one""s hand after pulling out the seat belt in opposition to the force of this return spring and coupling the tongue to the buckle, the part of the seat belt pulled out too much is drawn into the seat belt retractor by the force of the return spring until it fits the body of the person.
In the seat belt retractor as explained above, it is necessary to simultaneously satisfy:
(1) that the seat belt pulled out too much is surely retracted until it fits the body of the person, and that when the person is not wearing it, the pulled out seat belt is surely housed in the housing part, and
(2) that unnecessary feeling of oppression is not provided to the chest, and the like, of the passenger when it is properly fastened.
However, with the seat belt retractor using the force of a single return spring, when a spring having weak force is used in order to lessen the feeling of oppression to the chest of the passenger when fastened, the retracting force during retraction or during housing of the belt becomes weaker, and the operability and storability are reduced. Conversely, when a spring having strong force is used in order to exhibit sufficient retracting force during retraction, there is a problem that the feeling of oppression to the chest of the passenger when properly fastened becomes greater.
Also, with the seat belt retractor of the past, because a single return spring is internally installed, there also is a problem that as the seat belt is pulled out further, the return spring is further wound and its force increases, and as the seat belt is pulled out further, the force to pull it out also increases.
As one means for solving such problems, there is an invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. H3-552. This attempts to reduce the feeling of oppression of the passenger when properly fastened while assuring retracting force during retraction of the belt by using two springs as return springs, i.e. a main spring and an auxiliary spring. In detecting the coupling of the tongue and buckle of the seat belt with a detector, the forces of both the main spring and the auxiliary spring are transferred to the retraction mechanism in a state that the tongue and buckle are not coupled, and the force only of the main spring is transferred to the retraction mechanism when the tongue and buckle are coupled.
However, in this case as well, the problem that the force for pulling out the seat belt increases as it is pulled out further is not circumvented, and furthermore, a separate phenomenon has occurred such that when the seat belt is removed, as soon as the coupling of the tongue and the buckle is released, the retracting force suddenly becomes stronger, and it provides a feeling of discomfort to the passenger.
The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and it is an object of the invention to provide a seat belt retractor that surely retracts the seat belt by sufficiently great retracting force during retraction, and does not provide a feeling of oppression to the person when properly fastened, and moreover can eliminate the feeling of discomfort caused during retraction, and furthermore does not require great force when the person pulls out the seat belt.
In the first aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, a seat belt retractor includes a spring member that generates retracting force weak enough not to provide a feeling of oppression to a passenger when the passenger has fastened the seat belt, and a motor that is driven only in the direction of retracting the seat belt and generates retracting force stronger than the spring member.
In this respect, it can be made such that the retracting force is provided by the spring member when the seat belt is properly fastened, and made such that the retracting force having added retracting force by a motor to this or retracting force of the motor alone is provided to the seat belt when retracting the seat belt in a state when the tongue and the buckle are not coupled. Therefore, the seat belt can be fitted to the person with a retracting force that does not provide a feeling of oppression to the person when properly fastened, and it can be retracted with great retracting force during retraction. Also, because great retracting force is generated by the motor, even when great retracting force is suddenly applied when the coupling of the tongue and the buckle is released, there is no situation such as the tongue striking the window. As for judgment of whether it is properly fastened or retracted, it is assumed such that, in the same manner as in the past, it is considered to be a retraction time for a specified time after the coupling of the tongue and the buckle is released, and it is considered to be properly fastened in other cases including pulling out of the seat belt.
In the second aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, the motor is provided with driving force only when the tongue and buckle attached to the seat belt are not coupled.
In this second aspect, when the tongue and the buckle are coupled, it is considered that the person has finished fastening of the seat belt, and driving of the motor is not performed. Therefore, because absorption of the slack of the seat belt and fitting to the person is performed by only the force of the spring member, at this extent, a feeling of oppression is not provided to the person.
In the third aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, the motor is not provided with driving force when the seat belt is withdrawn.
In the third aspect, even if the tongue and the buckle are not coupled, when the seat belt is withdrawn in the direction of pulling out by a person, driving of the motor is stopped. Therefore, because there is no need to pull out against the driving force of the motor when the person pulls out the seat belt, it can be pulled out easily. Determination of whether or not the seat belt is driven in the direction of being pulled out can be performed, for example as shown in the example to be described later, by a switch that detects the direction of rotation of the drive shaft of the seat belt driving mechanism.
In the fourth aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, retraction by the motor is performed for only a specified time or a specified number of revolutions after coupling of the tongue and buckle is detected.
In the fourth aspect, substantially all of the slack can be absorbed rapidly by performing retraction by the motor for only a specified time or a specified number of revolutions after the seat belt is fastened, and coupling of the tongue and the buckle is detected. After that, because retraction by the spring member is performed rather than retraction by the motor, a feeling of oppression is not provided to the person.
In the fifth aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, in any of the first to fourth aspects, it is equipped with a detector that detects a direction of rotation of a spool that winds up the seat belt.
In the fifth aspect, for example when the seat belt is pulled out manually, control such as detecting that rotation and stopping the rotation of the motor can be performed.
In the sixth aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, it has a power propagation mechanism that propagates retracting force of the spring member and the motor to the seat belt, and the power propagation mechanism has a clutch mechanism that disengages the mechanical power propagation circuit between the motor and the seat belt when driven in the direction that the seat belt is pulled out by external force or when not driven in the direction that the motor retracts the seat belt.
In the sixth aspect, when the seat belt is driven in the direction of being pulled out by external force, the mechanical power propagation circuit between the motor and the seat belt is disengaged by the clutch mechanism. Therefore, because the motor does not become a load on the pulling out force, the seat belt can be pulled out with little force. Also, when the motor is not driven in the direction of retracting the seat belt, the mechanical power propagation circuit between the motor and the seat belt is disengaged by the clutch mechanism. Therefore, because the motor does not become a load on the retracting force by the spring member, the slack of the seat belt can be surely absorbed.
The seventh aspect for solving the aforementioned problems is a seat belt retractor, wherein said clutch mechanism is incorporated inside a rotating member that propagates driving force of the motor to the seat belt.
In the seventh aspect, because the clutch mechanism is incorporated inside the rotating member (for example gear or pulley) that propagates the driving force of the motor to the seat belt, the entire device can be made compact.
In the eighth aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, the clutch mechanism is directly connected to the spool that winds up the seat belt.
When the seat belt is driven in the direction of being pulled out by external force and the mechanical power propagation circuit between the motor and the seat belt wind-up unit (spool) is disengaged by the clutch mechanism, because there is considerable friction between the components, the feeling during pulling out may become poor due to the frictional resistance. If the clutch mechanism is placed within a decelerating mechanism between the motor and the spool, this friction from the side of the spool becomes greater according to the rate of deceleration, and the feeling becomes particularly poor. In the eighth aspect, because the clutch mechanism is directly connected to the spool that winds up the seat belt, the influence of the friction from the side of the spool becomes smaller, and degradation of the feeling can be controlled to a minimum.
In the ninth aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, a clutch is constituted by a roller held between an outer member and an inner member. The clutch includes a protruding part formed at the perimeter of the inner member, and it forms a wedge shape such that the interval between the perimeter of the inner member where the protruding part is not formed and the inner perimeter of the outer member is wider than the diameter of the roller in a given part and is narrower than the diameter of said roller in the part following that part. The clutch becomes an engaged state by the roller performing a wedge action by biting into the part where the interval between the perimeter of the inner member and the inner perimeter of the outer member is narrower than the diameter of the roller, and the clutch becomes a disengaged state by the roller positioned at the part where the interval between the perimeter of the inner member and the inner perimeter of the outer member is wider than the diameter of the roller.
In the ninth aspect, the roller is placed within the perimeter of the inner member and the inner perimeter of the outer member as well as the protruding part, and operation of the clutch can be performed according to whether that roller is positioned in the part where the interval between the perimeter of the inner member and the inner perimeter of the outer member is narrower than the diameter of the roller or whether it is positioned in the wider part. Therefore, it becomes possible for the clutch to operate naturally according to the direction of rotation without requiring electromagnetic power or external mechanical power, or the like, for operation of the clutch.
In the present specification, xe2x80x9crollerxe2x80x9d is not limited to a cylindrical object, and it also may be a spherical object.
In the tenth aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, the clutch comprises a second rotating member provided inside a first rotating member coaxially with the first rotating member, and a holding member provided inside the first rotating member coaxially with the first rotating member. The second rotating member has a roller holding part extending in the axial direction, and the roller is held on the roller holding part to rotate freely in contact with the inner perimeter of the first rotating member. The holding member is provided with a cut-out part for accommodating the roller, and the shape of the cut-out part is formed such that the space surrounded by the cut-out part and the inner perimeter of the first rotating member when viewed from the axial direction is narrower than the diameter of the roller at one end in the circumferential direction and is wider than the diameter of the roller at the other end. A mechanism that allows only a specified amount of relative rotation between the second rotating member and the holding member is provided on the second rotating member and the holding member.
The operation of this aspect is explained by taking an example of the case when the motor is connected to the first rotating member, and the spring member and the spool that winds up the seat belt are connected to the second rotating member in the seat belt retractor. In this respect, as will be elaborated in detail in the example described later, in the normal state, the second rotating member is urged by the force of the spring member to rotate, for example, counterclockwise.
By this, the roller together with the roller holding part is also forced to revolve counterclockwise, and the extended part of the holding member is pushed counterclockwise. Accordingly, the holding member also rotates counterclockwise, the second rotating member and the holding member both rotate inside the first rotating member, and their rotational forces are not relayed to the first rotating member. Therefore, for example, the mechanical power propagation circuit between the motor, and the spring member and the seat belt becomes in a disengaged state, and the motor does not become a load on the spring member.
When the first rotating member is driven counterclockwise by the motor driven in the direction of retracting the seat belt, the roller is placed between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the cut-out part of the holding member (on the end having a space narrower than the diameter of the roller). Therefore, the roller receives counterclockwise revolving force by the friction between the roller and the inner perimeter of the first rotating member, and the second rotating member also receives counterclockwise force by way of the roller holding part.
Because the roller comes in contact with the end of the cut-out part of the holding member and pushes the holding member, the holding member rotates counterclockwise and attempts to escape, but because a limit is provided to the amount of relative rotation between the holding member and the second rotating member, the amount of escape of the holding member is limited, and in the end, when the amount of relative rotation between the holding member and the second rotating member has reached the limit, the roller is placed between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the cut-out part of the holding member and rotates together with the first rotating member, and its driving force comes to be propagated to the second rotating member. In this state, for example, the power propagation circuit between the motor shaft, and the spring member and the seat belt comes to engage mechanically.
For example, when the seat belt is driven in the direction of being pulled out by a person pulling out the seat belt, and the second rotating member is driven clockwise, the roller also revolves counterclockwise by way of the roller holding part, it hits the end of the cut-out part of the holding member (opposite to the end previously described), and pushes the holding member clockwise. At this time, the roller is positioned at the end within the space formed by the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the cut-out part of the holding member where it is formed wider than the diameter of the roller. Therefore, the rotational force of the second rotating member is not relayed to the first rotating member. Therefore, for example, the mechanical power propagation circuit between the roller, and the spring member and the seat belt becomes in a disengaged state. Therefore, for example, when the seat belt is pulled out, the motor does not become a load on the pulling out force, and the pulling out of the seat belt can be performed easily.
In the eleventh aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, the clutch comprises a rotating member (second rotating member) provided inside a first rotating member coaxially with the first rotating member and being mechanically connected to a spool that winds up the seat belt and the spring member, a holding member provided inside the first rotating member coaxially with the first rotating member, and a roller. The second rotating member has a bump on one side, and the holding member has a perimeter part where the distance from the center changes continuously, a protruding part formed by extending outward a part of the perimeter part, and a spring member. When the second rotating member, the holding member, and the roller are incorporated in the first rotating member, the roller is positioned so as to be held within the inner perimeter of the first rotating member, the perimeter part of the holding member, the protruding part of the holding member, and the bump of the second rotating member. The interval between the inner perimeter of the first holding member and the perimeter part of the holding member is made larger than the diameter of the roller at the wide part and is made wider than the diameter of the roller at the narrow part. The spring member is disposed so as to urge the roller in the direction where the interval between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the perimeter part of the holding member becomes narrow.
The operation of this aspect is explained by taking an example of the case that the motor is connected to the first rotating member, and the spring member and the spool that winds up the seat belt are connected to the second rotating member in the seat belt retractor. In this aspect, as will be elaborated in detail in the section later, assuming that, for example, in the normal state, the second rotating member is urged by the force of the spring member to rotate, for example, counterclockwise, and the interval between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the perimeter part of the holding member is made wider toward the clockwise direction.
When the second rotating member is rotated counterclockwise, its bump collides with the protruding part of the holding member, and it causes the holding member to rotate counterclockwise. Then, the roller is repelled by the force of the spring and moves clockwise relative to the holding member, and it comes to a position where the interval between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the perimeter part of the holding member is larger than the diameter of the roller. Therefore, the mechanical coupling between the holding member and the first rotating member is separated, and the rotational force of the holding member is no longer relayed to the first rotating member. That is, because the rotational force of the second rotating member is not relayed to the first rotating member, for example, the mechanical power propagation circuit between the motor, and the spring member and the seat belt becomes in a disengaged state, and the motor does not become a load on the spring member.
For example, when the motor is driven in the direction of retracting the seat belt and the first rotating member is driven counterclockwise, the roller comes to be pushed counterclockwise by the force of the spring up to the part where the interval between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the perimeter part of the holding member becomes equal to the diameter of the roller. Thus, it is pushed in the direction where the interval between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the perimeter part of the holding member becomes narrower than the roller, the roller becomes a wedge and is tightly held between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the perimeter part of the holding member, and the rotational force of the first rotating member is propagated to the holding member, so that the holding member and the roller rotate together with the first rotating member.
When the roller goes on to rotate, i.e. revolve, together with the first rotating member and the holding member, it collides with the bump of the second rotating member, and pushes the bump in the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, by this force, the second rotating member comes to rotate in the counterclockwise direction together with the first rotating member. That is, in this case, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are coupled through the clutch, and for example, the rotational force of the motor comes to be propagated to the spring member and the spool of the seat belt.
For example, when the seat belt is driven in the direction of being pulled out by a person pulling out the seat belt and the second rotating member is driven in the clockwise direction, the bump of the second rotating member collides with the roller, overcomes the force of the spring, and causes the roller to move in the clockwise direction. By this, the roller collides with the protruding part of the holding member and causes the holding member to rotate in the clockwise direction.
As described before, because the interval between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the perimeter part of the holding member becomes wider toward the clockwise side, when the roller moves in the counterclockwise direction, it comes to a position where the interval between the inner perimeter of the first rotating member and the perimeter part of the holding member is greater than the diameter of the roller. Therefore, the mechanical coupling between the holding member and the first rotating member is separated, and the rotational force of the holding member is no longer relayed to the first rotating member. That is, because the rotational force of the second rotating member is not relayed to the first rotating member, for example, the mechanical power propagation circuit between the motor, and the spring member and the seat belt becomes in a disengaged state, and the motor does not become a load on the pulling out force of the seat belt, so that the pulling out can be performed easily.
In the twelfth aspect for solving the aforementioned problems, a seat belt retractor includes the device disclosed in any of the ninth to eleventh aspects.
In this aspect, the rotational force of the motor can be propagated to the retraction apparatus without using special control or power, and the motor can be made such that it does not become a load on the spring member when pulling out the seat belt. It goes without saying that when the tenth aspect and the eleventh aspect is used, the first rotating member is connected to the motor side, and the second rotating member is connected to the spool that winds up the seat belt.

Seat belt retractor with clutch mechanism