Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, devices and methods for improving the efficient deployment and configuration of networking equipment within a network build-out. In certain embodiments of the invention, an iterative analysis of inter-node equipment placement and connectivity, and inter- and intra-node traffic flow is performed to identify a preferred deployment solution. This analysis of deployment optimization takes into account both configurations from a network node perspective as well as from a network system perspective. Deployment solutions are iteratively progressed and analyzed to determine a preferred solution based on both the cost of deployment and satisfaction of the network demands. In various embodiments of the invention, a baseline marker is generated from which the accuracy of the solution may be approximated that suggests to an engineer whether the deployment is approaching an optimal solution.

A. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the deployment of equipment within a network, and more particularly, to an analysis of network equipment deployment relative to optimization factors including intra-nodal routing and post-processing heuristics.
B. Background of the Invention
The deployment of a cost-effective and fault tolerant network can often be a complex task. This deployment requires that the equipment cost and network performance should be properly balanced to find an appropriate solution for a network provider. As the number of nodes or sites within a network scales, the difficulty in finding this properly balanced solution becomes increasingly complex.
In building out a network, a network service provider may give an equipment manufacturer a number of different parameters and request that the manufacturer provide a cost estimate for the build-out. For example, the equipment manufacturer may be provided certain network demands including a topology of the network, a description of each of the relevant sites within the network, and the connectivity and bandwidth requirements between these sites. The equipment manufacturer is expected to processes these parameters and design a deployment that satisfies these parameters while maintaining use of equipment requirements by a network service provider.
Deployment solutions generated by different equipment manufacturers may significantly vary depending on the manner in which it was created and the factors that were considered. It is not uncommon to have different solutions that widely vary in the amount of equipment to be deployed as well as the configuration thereof. An equipment provider may lose a deployment bid if its deployment proposal is too expensive (i.e., the amount of equipment deployed is more than required to satisfy the network parameters) or the equipment configuration is not able to satisfy all of the demands.
One skilled in the art will recognize that oftentimes there is not a metric from which the accuracy of a proposed deployment may be approximated. In the case of a simple deployment, a network engineer may rely on past experience to judge the quality of a proposed deployment relative to the requirements of the network. However, as the size and/or complexity of the deployment increases, this off-the-cuff judgment oftentimes fails due to the sheer magnitude of analysis required to generate the proposal. An equipment provider may analyze a proposed deployment to ensure that the network parameters are met, but this proposed deployment is oftentimes not sufficiently analyzed to determine whether a more cost-effective deployment is available that still satisfies the network demands. Accordingly, an equipment manufacturer runs a risk of over-deploying equipment within a network solution to meet particular network parameters set forth by the network service provider.
Accordingly, what is desired are systems, devices and methods that address the above-described deficiencies within the prior-art network planning and equipment deployment solutions.

Network planning and optimization of equipment deployment


The use, in the lubrication of a spark-ignited or compression-ignited internal combustion engine which is fuelled with a biofuel, of a minor amount of an oil-soluble or oil-dispersible additive component (B), as defined herein, in combination with a minor amount of an oil-soluble or oil-dispersible additive component (C), as defined herein, in a lubricating oil composition, to reduce and/or inhibit the corrosion of the metallic engine components, wherein the lubricating oil composition becomes contaminated with the biofuel during operation of the engine.

A crankcase lubricant is an oil used for general lubrication in an internal combustion engine where an oil sump is situated generally below the crankshaft of the engine and to which circulated oil returns. The contamination or dilution of the crankcase lubricant in internal combustion engines, especially engines fuelled with a biofuel, is a concern.
Biodiesel fuels include components of low volatility which are slow to vaporize after injection of the fuel into the engine. Typically, an unburnt portion of the biodiesel and some of the resulting partially combusted decomposition products become mixed with the lubricant on the cylinder wall and are washed down into the oil sump, thereby contaminating the crankcase lubricant. The biodiesel fuel in the contaminated lubricant may form further decompositions products, due to the extreme conditions during lubrication of the engine. It has been found that the presence of biodiesel fuel and the decomposition products thereof in the crankcase lubricant promotes the corrosion of the metallic engine parts. Moreover, it has been found that this problem is significantly worse in diesel engines which employ a late post-injection of fuel into the cylinder (e.g. light duty, medium duty and passenger car diesel engines) to regenerate an exhaust gas after-treatment device.
Exhaust gas after-treatment devices, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF), require periodical regeneration to remove the build-up of soot and to prevent them from having a detrimental effect on engine performance. One way to create conditions for initiating and sustaining regeneration of a DPF involves elevating the temperature of the exhaust gases entering the DPF to burn the soot. As a diesel engine runs relatively cool and lean, this may be achieved by adding fuel into the exhaust gases optionally in combination with the use of an oxidation catalyst located upstream of the DPF. Heavy duty diesel (HDD) engines, such as those in trucks, typically employ a late post-injection of fuel directly into the exhaust system outside of the cylinder, whilst light duty and medium duty diesel engines typically employ a late post-injection of fuel directly into the cylinder during an expansion stroke. It has been found that the corrosion of the metallic, in particular the ferrous containing, engine components increases significantly in a diesel engine fuelled with biodiesel when the engine employs a late post-injection of fuel directly into the cylinder. Although only theory, it is believed this increased engine corrosion is due to more biodiesel being absorbed by the lubricant on the more exposed cylinder wall, thereby increasing contamination of the lubricant in the sump.
A similar increase in the corrosion of the metallic engine parts, particularly the ferrous containing engine components, has also been found to occur in spark-ignited internal combustion engines fuelled with an alcohol based fuel (e.g. bioethanol) due to the presence of the alcohol based fuel and the decomposition products thereof mixing with and contaminating the crankcase lubricant.
Accordingly, lubricating oil compositions with improved anti-corrosion properties in respect of the metallic engine components, particularly the ferrous containing metallic engine components (e.g. crankshaft components), during operation of the engine with a biofuel must be identified.


An optical device employing a GRIN rod lens, which optical device makes full use of the characteristics of a single-mode optical fiber and which permits extremely easy adjustment; an optical wavelength demultiplexer/multiplexer which utilizes a GRIN rod lens and a pass filter; and a bidirectional communications system which utilizes a pair of the aforesaid optical wavelength demultiplexers/multiplexers. The optical device is constructed by a GRIN rod lens, a reflecting surface which is disposed on one end surface of the GRIN rod lens, and a ferrule which supports the distal ends of a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber symmetrically with respect to a central axis thereof and which is connected to the other end surface of the GRIN rod lens with the central axis thereof aligned with the optical axis of the GRIN rod lens. The core diameter of the second optical fiber is made sufficiently larger than the core diameter of the first optical fiber. The first optical fiber is a single-mode optical fiber, while the second optical fiber is a multi-mode optical fiber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical device which employs a GRIN rod lens, a single-mode bidirectional optical wavelength demultiplexer/multiplexer which utilizes the optical device, and a bidirectional communications system which utilizes the optical wavelength demultiplexer/multiplexer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various optical devices can be formed by combining GRIN rod lenses and optical fiber ferrules. A problem with these devices will be described in conjunction with a reference example that the present inventors have studied. FIGS. 4A to 4C are sectional views illustrative of a reference example of an optical device which uses GRIN rod lenses; this device is used for a bidirectional optical divider coupler by employing a pass filter. A pass filter 1 is provided between GRIN rod lenses 2a and 2b which are disposed with the optical axes thereof aligned. The pass filter 1 is characterized in that it reflects a light wavelength .lambda..sub.1 and allows a light wavelength .lambda..sub.2 to pass through; at the central part of a ferrule 4 on the opposite side, two single-mode optical fibers 5 and 6 are inserted and fixed symmetrically with respect to the central axis thereof. An end surface 4a of the ferrule is connected to an end surface of the GRIN rod lens 2a by gluing or by other similar means.
A ferrule 8 on a transmitting end supports an optical fiber 9; the ferrule 8 on the transmitting end is connected to a GRIN rod lens 21b through an end surface 8a thereof so that the optical fiber 9 may receive a transmitted light .lambda..sub.2 of the pass filter 1.
This optical wavelength demultiplexer/multiplexer is characterized by its large isolation; an isolation value of 40 dB or more can be easily achieved in this reference example while the isolation value of an optical wavelength demultiplexer/multiplexer manufactured by a heat drawing process is approximately 15 dB. Achieving a minimized connection loss, however, requires precise, utmost control during the manufacturing process. Specifically, as shown in the enlarged sectional view, precise symmetrical positioning must be attained so that the positional relationship between the optical axes of the GRIN rod lenses and the optical axes of all the single-mode optical fibers substantially satisfies a requirement of S.sub.1 =S.sub.2 =S.sub.3. Further adjustment is required to assure that the optical axes are accurately positioned on a line X-X' on XY rectangular coordinates.
When using the single-mode optical fibers, connection loss IL in dB caused by misaligned optical axes is defined as follows: ##EQU1## where d: Dislocation of optical axes of optical fibers from those of GRIN rod lenses EQU d=S1-S2 or d=S1-S3
.omega.: Mode field radius of fiber core
About 4 .mu.m for a typical single-mode optical fiber PA2 About 25 .mu.m for a typical multi-mode optical fiber
In the case of the aforesaid typical single-mode optical fiber, the insertion loss is 1.09 dB when .omega.=4 .mu.m and dislocation of optical axes is d=2 .mu.m.
A different formula is used for the multi-mode optical fiber; however, if the same formula is approximatively applied, then a permissible dislocation (d) of optical axes resulting in the same insertion loss would be 12.5 .mu.m. This means easier adjustment.
The single-mode optical fibers are extensively used mainly because they permit broader-band transmission and lower transmission loss. As described above, however, it is not easy to accurately align the cores in assembling an optical wavelength demultiplexer/multiplexer for single-mode optical fibers and advanced techniques and many man-hours are required. For this reason, the optical wavelength demultiplexer/multiplexer for single-mode optical fibers has not been widely disseminated despite the good optical performance thereof.

Optical device and bidirectional communications system


A vehicular heater is provided including a box mounted within a vehicle. Also included is a heater assembly situated within the box and adapted to generate heat upon the receipt of power. A plurality of exhaust fans are each rotatably mounted to the box for creating a flow of air past the heater assembly and directed toward the engine of the vehicle and further in communication with the vehicle cab heater duct system of the vehicle. Next provided is a control panel for selectively supplying the exhaust fans and heater assembly with power.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vehicle heaters and more particularly pertains to a new vehicular convection heater for heating a vehicle cab and engine by way of the flow of heated air.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of vehicle heaters is known in the prior art. More specifically, vehicle heaters 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 vehicle heaters include U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,838; U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,476; U.S. Pat. Des. 287,751; U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,615; U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,862; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,071.
In these respects, the vehicular convection heater 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 heating a vehicle cab and engine by way of the flow of heated air.


A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, and a magnetic recording layer including magnetic grains having an L10 structure. The magnetic recording layer is (001) oriented, and a surface of growth of the magnetic recording layer includes a (001) plane, a (111) plane, and planes equivalent to the (111) plane. An area ratio of the (111) plane and the planes equivalent to the (111) plane, represented by (A111+A111e)/(A001+A111+A111e), is in a range of 0.2 to 0.7, where A111 denotes an area of the (111) plane, A111e denotes an area of the planes equivalent to the (111) plane, and A001 denotes an area of the (001) plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to magnetic recording media, magnetic storage apparatuses, and methods for manufacturing magnetic recording media.
2. Description of the Related Art
The magnetic recording medium generally includes a substrate, and a magnetic recording layer laminated on the substrate. Methods for magnetically recording information on the magnetic recording medium include a thermal assist recording method which irradiates laser light on the magnetic recording medium, and a microwave assist recording method which irradiates microwave on the magnetic recording medium, to locally reduce the coercivity when magnetically recording the information, respectively. Because these assist recording methods can realize a high surface recording density on the order of 2 Tbit/inch2, these assist recording methods are regarded as promising next-generation recording methods which can increase the storage capacity while coping with the demands to reduce the size and to increase the recording density of the magnetic recording medium.
According to such assist recording methods, it is possible to use a magnetic recording medium including a magnetic recording layer having a coercivity that is several tens of kOe at room temperature. For this reason, it is possible to use magnetic grains having a high magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant Ku (hereinafter also referred to as "high-Ku magnetic grains"), as the magnetic grains included in the magnetic recording layer. Known high-Ku magnetic grains include magnetic grains having an L10 structure, such as FePt alloy grains having a Ku of approximately 7×106 J/m3, and CoPt alloy grains having a Ku of approximately 5×106 J/m3.
An example of the magnetic recording medium which includes the magnetic recording layer having the high-Ku magnetic grains, may include a plurality of underlayers, such as MgO underlayers or the like, formed on the substrate. The magnetic layer is disposed above the plurality of underlayers, and includes FePt or CoPt having the L10 structure as a main component thereof, as proposed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-026368, for example.
Further, there are reports that facets of the (111) plane appear on side surface of the FePt grains on the MgO underlayer, as reported in Jinyu Deng et al., "Lattice-Mismatch-Induced Oscillatory Feature Size and Its Impact on the Physical Limitation of Grain Size", PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED 9, 034023(2018), for example.
When writing information in a magnetic layer forming the magnetic recording layer of the magnetic recording medium, the magnetic layer is magnetized in units of magnetic grains. For this reason, it is important to reduce the size of the magnetic grains in order to increase the recording density of the magnetic recording medium. On the other hand, a crystalline nucleation density of the magnetic grains is high at an early stage of growth of the magnetic layer, but after a mid stage of the growth, the magnetic grains bind to each other. As a result, there are problems in that the crystalline nucleation density decreases to increase the crystal grain diameter, to thereby coarsen the magnetic grains.

Magnetic recording medium, magnetic storage apparatus, and method for manufacturing magnetic recording medium


A conductive detecting electrode (2), first blocking molecules (21) formed so as to cover a surface of the detecting electrode (2), the first blocking molecules decreasing adsorption of an intercalating agent to the surface of the detecting electrode (2), a target-complementary probe (23) immobilized to the detecting electrode (2) via a spacer member (22) comprising straight chain organic molecules, the target-complementary probe including a base sequence complementary to a target base sequence which is an object of detection, a conductive comparison electrode (3), and second blocking molecules (31) formed so as to cover a surface of the comparison electrode (3), the second blocking molecules decreasing adsorption of an intercalating agent to the surface of the comparison electrode (3), are provided.

Due to developments in genetic engineering in recent years, in the medical field, diagnosis and prevention of diseases by genes has come to be possible. Diagnosis by using genetic engineering is called gene diagnosis. In gene diagnosis, by detecting defect or change in a gene of a human, which may be source of a disease, diagnosis or measurement can be carried out before the onset of a disease or at the initial stage thereof. Further, by detecting a gene of a contracted virus or pathogenic bacteria, an accurate diagnosis is possible.
A general gene detecting method conventionally used is as follows.
First, a gene is extracted from a sample. If necessary, the gene is cut by appropriate restriction endonuclease, and thereafter, electrophoresis and Southern plotting are carried out. Next, a nuclease probe having a base sequence complementary to the target gene which is the object of detection is hybridized with the plotted gene. Note that the nuclease probe is usually labeled by a fluorescent dye. Then, the fluorescent dye is excited by laser light. Accordingly, the hybridized nuclease probe is detected, and the existence of the target gene is verified.
However, in this detecting method using a fluorescent dye, it takes at least a few days until detection of a gene. Further, the nuclease probe must be labeled by a high-priced fluorescent dye. In addition, a laser generating device for exciting the fluorescent dye is needed, and the device becomes large.
In order to solve the above-described problems of the detecting method using a fluorescent dye, a gene detecting method using an electrochemical method has been conceived of. The detecting method using an electrochemical method is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2573443 conceived of by the present inventors, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference. In accordance with this electrochemical method, detecting an electrochemical signal from an electrode having a probe immobilized thereto allows existence of the target gene to be verified.
However, in gene detection using an electro-chemical method, background current arises at the time of current detection. Accordingly, current caused by derivation with the probe and the background current are included in the current value detected from the electrode. Therefore, from the results of detection, it has been difficult to extract only the current derived from the probe.

Base sequence detecting electrode, base sequence detecting device and base sequence detecting method


An impedance measurement system rapidly determines impedance of a sinusoidal signal at a known frequency. The sinusoidal signal can represent a forward voltage, a reflected voltage, a voltage, or a current on a transmission line. The impedance calculation is made by receiving two samples of a signal representing forward voltage and reflected voltage or two samples each of current and voltage. The samples are used to determine an amplitude value and a phase value for the signal. The amplitude and phase value are utilized to calculate the impedance.

Impedance measurement systems can be utilized in a variety of applications, including in a radio transceiver. For example, the impedance (e.g., the transmission line impedance) between an antennae (e.g., the load) and a transceiver (e.g., the power source) is often measured and adjusted to ensure maximum power transfer between the transceiver and the antennae, as is well known in the art. Maximum power transfer is ensured by making the transmission line impedance equal to the output impedance of the load. An example of a system that adjusts the impedance of the transmission line in a radio transceiver is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,972, entitled "High Speed Antennae Coupler." The coupler measures power transfer parameters at two different points along the transmission line and adjusts the impedance of the transmission line in accordance with the power transfer parameters.
The impedance of the transmission line and the antennae is not a constant impedance. Many variables can drastically affect the impedance of the transmission line and the load (e.g., particularly at high frequencies associated with radio transmissions). Examples of these variables are the frequency of the signal that is being applied to both the transmission line and the load, environmental conditions, weather conditions, manufacturing tolerance of the transmission line and the load, position of the antennae, altitude of the antennae, and combinations of the enumerated conditions. These enumerated conditions can drastically affect the operation of the transceiver and of the power transfer between the power source and the load which is normally an antennae.
Typically, a tunable impedance network between the power source and the load is adjusted so the output impedance of the power source matches the output impedance of the transmission line and the load. Conventionally, the load or the antennae has an impedance of 50 ohms under ideal conditions. The impedance network can be adjusted by a control circuit which determines a factor related to impedance based upon measured signals associated with the transmission line. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,209 discloses an impedance measurement system that utilizes a first discriminator which generates three analog signals that represent the reflected voltage, the forward voltages, and the phase difference between the reflected voltage and the forward voltage. The first discriminator receives an injection signal from a second discriminator. The injection signal has a frequency offset from the frequency of the power source. The analog signals are converted by a digital-to-analog converter and are provided to a computer to calculate the impedance between an antennae and a transceiver.
Heretofore, impedance measurement systems have been expensive, somewhat inaccurate, slow, and noisy. Some conventional systems require a large number of samples to accurately calculate impedance. These systems take longer to measure impedance. Others require significant circuitry to sense parameters from which the impedance is calculated. Still, other systems rely on time-consuming iterative techniques to determine impedance. Also, some conventional systems can cause noise to be injected or to be reflected back onto the transmission line.
Thus, there is a need for an impedance measurement system which is faster, more transparent, and less costly. Further still, there is a need for an impedance measurement system which can determine impedance within one cycle of a sinusoidal signal.

High speed phase and amplitude measurement system and method


Embodiments herein relate to compositions and methods for making and using aptamers, for example, DNA aptamers (DCEs) and/or RNA aptamers. In some embodiments, methods relate to making and amplifying target DCEs. In certain embodiments, methods for making capture elements or aptamers concern using a reporter moiety and signal reducing moiety prior to amplifying a target-specific capture element. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of aptamers such as DCEs directed to a particular target agent. Some embodiments relate to systems for performing automated generation of aptamers.

Research and use of fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals (also known as quantum dots or qdots) have evolved over the past several years from electronic materials science to biological applications. Current approaches to the synthesis, solubilization, and functionalization of qdots and their applications to cell and animal biology has grown. Qdots have far-reaching potential for the study of intracellular processes at the single-molecule level, such as high-resolution cellular imaging, long-term in vivo observation of cell trafficking, tumor targeting, and diagnostics.
Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids isolated from random-sequence nucleic acid libraries by selection such as in vitro selection. Many DNA or RNA sequences have been isolated that bind a diverse range of targets, including metal ions, small organic compounds, biological cofactors, metabolites, proteins and nucleic acids. The target versatility and the high binding affinity of both DNA and RNA aptamers, their properties of precise molecular recognition, along with the simplicity of in vitro selection, make aptamers attractive as molecular receptors and sensing elements.
Current methods, techniques and devices that have been applied to identification of chemical and biological analytes typically involve capturing the analyte through the use of a non-specific solid surface or through capture deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) or antibodies. A number of known binding agents must then be applied, particularly in the case of biological analytes, until a binding agent with a high degree of affinity for the analyte is identified such as an aptamer. A labeled aptamer (e.g., labeled DNA) must be applied, where the aptamer causes, for example, the color or fluorescence of the analyte to change if the binding agent exhibits affinity for the analyte (i.e., the binding agent binds with the analyte). The aptamer may be identified by studying which of the various binding agents exhibited the greatest degree of affinity for the analytes.
Some problems associated with current methods of chemical and biological agent identification include that a great deal of time and effort is required to repetitiously generate and apply each of the known labeled aptamers, until an aptamer exhibiting a high degree of affinity is found. In addition, once the identification of a high affinity aptamer is made the synthesis of multiple copies for use becomes a challenge. Accordingly, these techniques are not conducive to easy automation. Current methods are also not sufficiently robust to work in environmental conditions, for example, heat, dust, humidity or other conditions that may be encountered, for example, in the field or in a food processing plant. Portability and ease of use are also problems seen with current methods for chemical and biological agent identification.
There remains a need for methods, systems, and uses for rapidly generating multiple copies of nucleic acid aptamers directed to bind target agents.

Methods and compositions for processes of rapid selection and production of nucleic acid aptamers


The present invention discloses a method for heat stripping an optical fiber cable having a polymer coating and an optical fiber. A heat source is applied to the polymer coating causing the polymer coating to be heated rapidly to a break temperature, thereby causing the polymer coating to dehydrate, expand and burst outward detaching itself completely from the underneath optical fiber. The heat source is subsequently applied along the optical fiber cable causing the corresponding polymer coating to curl off and expose the optical fiber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wire stripping and, in particular, to stripping polymer coatings from optical fibers.
2. Background of the Related Art
Optical fibers are subject to several forms of impairment when their polymer coatings are removed or stripped. These impairments include tensile strength degradation which decreases an optical fiber's life, and acid or solvent residue which may obscure signal transmission through the optical fiber when spliced.
Prior art methods for removing an optical fiber's polymer coating include mechanical stripping and acid stripping, as the terms are known in the art. Mechanical stripping involves using a stripping tool, which is similar to a wire stripper, to remove the polymer coating from the optical fiber. The stripping tool cuts through the polymer coating and typically nicks or scratches the optical fiber causing degradation in its tensile strength, thereby reducing the optical fiber's longevity. For example, an optical fiber with a tensile strength of 15-16 pounds is typically reduced to 3-5 pounds after mechanical stripping. Minimizing tensile strength degradation is important particularly in situations where high repair costs make longevity a system requirement.
The primary prior art method for removing an optical fiber's polymer coating with minimal degradation in tensile strength is acid stripping using a hot Sulfuric Nitric mixture, i.e., 95% Sulfuric acid and 5% Nitric acid. Specifically, this prior art method involves heating the Sulfuric Nitric mixture to approximately 185.degree. C., immersing the optical fiber in the hot Sulfuric Nitric mixture for approximately 20 seconds, and rinsing the optical fiber for 2-10 seconds in a rinser, such as Acetone, Alcohol, Methanol, purified water, or a combination of these. Although tensile strength degradation is minimized, this prior art method may leave an acid or a solvent residue between spliced optical fibers at the splice point, thereby degrading the tensile strength of the optical fiber at the splice point.
Furthermore, safety concerns are often present with acid stripping methods. Field technicians employing acid stripping methods require well-ventilated areas, such as laboratory environments with exhaust hoods, and protective gear to safeguard themselves from fumes and burns associated with acids. However, such facilities are generally not readily available to the field technicians. Accordingly, there exist a need for a method for removing a polymer coating from an optical fiber in a safe manner while minimizing tensile strength degradation.

Method for heat stripping optical fibers


A breast pump that gently milks a lactating mother's breast is comprised of a housing having a flexible sleeve that receives the breast. A rotating wheel and connection rod combine to reciprocate the sleeve back and fourth relative to an opening on the housing while a cam operates to squeeze and unsqueeze the sleeve. A motor operatively connects to the cam and to the wheel. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the initial parameters of the sleeve in order to accommodate various sized breasts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hand held breast pump.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Breast pumps for pumping milk from a lactating mother for delivery to a child are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,531 to Silver, U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,084 to Palmer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,747 to Aida et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,067 to Adams, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,542,505 to Gascoigne are all examples of such devices. While these and other breast pumps found in the art work with varying degrees of efficiency, they suffer from one or more problems.
Many devices are unduly complex in design, making them expensive to manufacture and maintain. Other devices are relatively complex and difficult to operate, making their use by a mother less attractive. Still other devices cause discomfort and pain, making their use by a mother very unattractive.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a breast pump that overcomes the problems associated with current state of the art devices. Such a breast pump must be of relatively simple design and construction and must be easy to use. Use of the breast pump must not result in unde pain or discomfort to the user.


A high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet has a chemical composition including C of 0.05% to 0.30%, Si of greater than 0% to 3.0%, Mn of 0.1% to 5.0%, P of greater than 0% to 0.1%, S of greater than 0% to 0.02%, Al of 0.01% to 1.0%, and N of greater than 0% to 0.01%, in mass percent, with the remainder including iron and inevitable impurities. The steel sheet has a microstructure containing ferrite as a soft primary phase in an area percentage of 20% to 50% with the remainder including tempered martensite and/or tempered bainite as a hard secondary phase. The ferrite grains are adapted to contain cementite particles having an appropriate size in an appropriate number density.

High-strength steel sheets having a tensile strength of 590 MPa or more have recently been applied as structural parts for automobiles in wider and wider applications with growing needs to provide both better fuel efficiency and satisfactory crashworthiness of automobiles. The high-strength steel sheets, however, have larger variations in mechanical properties such as yield strength, tensile strength, and work hardening coefficient than those of mild steels and thereby have disadvantages as follows. When the steel sheets are subjected to press forming, the variations cause a variation in springback and cause the resulting press-formed articles to fail to have satisfactory dimensional accuracy surely. In addition, the steel sheets should be designed to have a somewhat higher average strength so as to ensure required strengths of the press-formed articles even when they have a variation in strength. This leads to a shorter life of a press forming tool.
To solve the disadvantages, various efforts have been made to reduce variations in mechanical properties of high-strength steel sheets. The variations in mechanical properties of the high-strength steel sheets may be attributed to fluctuations in chemical composition and in manufacturing conditions. Based on this, proposals as follows have been made to reduce variations in mechanical properties.
Conventional Technology 1
Typically, Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discloses a technique of reducing variations in mechanical properties. The technique relates to a steel sheet and a manufacturing method thereof. The steel sheet has a dual phase structure of ferrite and martensite, where A as specified by expression: A=Si+9×Al meets a condition expressed as: 6.0≦A≦20.0. The manufacturing method of the steel sheet performs a recrystallization annealing-tempering treatment by holding the work at a temperature of Ac1 to Ac3 for 10 seconds or longer, slowly cooling the work from 500° C. down to 750° C. at a cooling rate of 20° C./s or less; thereafter rapidly cooling the work down to 100° C. or lower at a cooling rate of 100° C./s or more; and tempering the work at a temperature of 300° C. to 500° C. This allows the steel sheet to have a higher A3 point and thereby allows the dual phase structure to have better stability even when the rapid cooling start temperature, i.e., the slow cooling end-point temperature fluctuates.
Conventional Technology 2
PTL 2 discloses a technique for reducing variations in strength of a steel sheet. According to the technique, the variation reduction is performed by previously determining how the tensile strength of a steel sheet varies depending on the thickness, carbon content, phosphorus content, quench start temperature, quench stop temperature, and post-quenching tempering temperature; calculating the quench start temperature according to a target tensile strength in consideration of the thickness, carbon content, phosphorus content, quench stop temperature and post-quenching tempering temperature of the steel sheet to be manufactured; and starting quenching at the determined quench start temperature.
Conventional Technology 3
PTL 3 discloses a technique for improving (reducing) variations in elongation properties in a transverse direction of a steel sheet. The technique relates to a steel sheet having a microstructure including 3% or more of retained austenite, and a manufacturing method thereof. According to the technique, the variation reduction is achieved by an annealing treatment after cold rolling of a hot-rolled steel sheet. The annealing treatment is performed by soaking the work at a temperature of higher than 800° C. to lower than Ac3 point for a time of 30 seconds to 5 minutes; primarily cooling the work down to a temperature range of 450° C. to 550° C.; subsequently secondarily cooling the work down to a temperature of 450° C. to 400° C. at a cooling rate lower than the primary cooling rate; and further holding the work in a temperature range of 450° C. to 400° C. for one minute or longer.
The conventional technology 1 reduces microstructure fraction variations due to annealing temperature fluctuations by increasing the Al content to elevate the Ac3 point, whereby widening the dual-phase temperature range of Ac1 to Ac3, and reducing the temperature dependency of the steel in the dual-phase temperature range. In contrast, the present invention reduces variations in mechanical properties due to microstructure fraction variations by allowing fine cementite particles to disperse in a considerable number in ferrite grains to invite precipitation hardening and to increase ferrite hardness and by decreasing the carbon content in a hard secondary phase to reduce the hardness of the secondary phase, and thereby reducing the difference in hardness between the respective microstructures. The conventional technology 1 therefore fails to indicate the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, the conventional technology 1 has to increase the Al content and disadvantageously suffers from increased production cost of the steel sheet.
The conventional technology 2 changes the quench temperature according to the change in chemical composition and fails to reduce variations in elongation and stretch flangeability due to coil-to-coil fluctuations in microstructure fractions, although it can reduce variations in strength.
The conventional technology 3 fails to indicate variation reduction in stretch flangeability, although it refers to variation reduction in elongation.

High-strength cold-rolled steel sheet having small variations in strength and ductility and manufacturing method for the same


A memory drive circuit includes at least one memory module constructed of a plurality of memory elements, a memory controller for driving said memory module, and a buffer, disposed between the memory module and the memory controller, for receiving a drive signal from the memory controller and transmitting the received drive signal to the memory module. Signal reflection noises produced in the memory module are absorbed by the buffer.

The present invention relates to a circuit for driving a modularized memory.
In en electronic calculator such as a personal computer, etc., it has been generally proposed to include modularized memory. The modularized memory is, as illustrated in, e.g., FIG. 10, packaged with a plurality of memory modules and also packaged with a memory controller MC for driving these memory modules. The modularized memory is constructed by connecting the memory controller MC to the memory modules through connectors.
Each memory module is constructed by connecting dynamic RAMs (DRAMs) through a wire pattern, and therefore, if packaged with the plurality of memory modules, the wires within the memory modules take a stubby shape (branch wiring).
The number of DRAMs packaged in the memory module differs depending on a capacity of each DRAM. For instance, in the case of constructing an 8 Mbit memory module by use of 16 Mbyte DRAMs, the number of the DRAMs packaged in the memory module is 4. Further, in the case of constructing the 8 Mbyte memory module by use of 4 Mbit DRAMs, the number of the DRAMs packaged in the memory module is 16. Thus, the capacity of the memory module differs depending on the capacity and the number of the DRAMs packaged therein.
When writing data to the above-described memory circuit, the memory controller MC accumulates electric charge in a capacitor (an electrostatic capacity element) constituting the DRAM to discharge the capacitor. On the other hand, when reading the data from the memory circuit, the memory controller MC refers to whether or not there exists an electric charge accumulated in the capacitor (the electric charge being therein: "1", and no electric charge being therein: "0"),
In the prior art memory drive circuit described above, there might be a stubby wire arrangement in the memory module, and hence the wire impedance is mismatched. When the memory controller MC transmits a signal to the memory module, the signal is reflected due to the mismatching of the impedance. The reflected signal (hereinafter referred to as a refection noise) runs through the wire connecting the memory module to the memory controller and is then overlapped with the signal from the memory controller MC.
In this case, the signal transmitted from the memory controller to the memory module may be any of several signals. This transmitted signal may be a write enable signal (WE) assuming a high level (H) when effecting a read process from the memory module and assuming a low level (L) when effecting a write process thereto. The transmitted signal may be a row address strobe (RAS) showing a row address specifying timing of the DRAM constructed of capacitors arrayed in matrix the transmitted signal may be a column address strobe (CAS) indicating a column address specifying timing of the DRAM, and an address signal.
The write enable signal WE, the row address strobe signal RAS, the column address strobe signal CAS and the address signal are defined as edge trigger signals using a point-of-variation of the signal value. Therefore, if these signals are overlapped with the reflection noises, there occurs be a split portion and a stepped portion in the waveform of the signal, resulting in a malfunction of the DRAM.
Further, the reflection noises enlarge as the load capacity of the memory module increases. Therefore, if packaged with the memory modules having different capacities, as in an example of, e.g., FIG. 10, the load capacity of a memory module B is larger than that of a memory module A. Hence, the reflection noises caused in the memory module B are larger than the reflection noises produced in the memory module A. The reflection noises produced in the memory module B might therefore influence even the memory elements of the memory module A.
Moreover, when extending the memory modules, the load capacity of the whole memory circuit increases. Consequently a rising time and a falling time of the signal outputted from the memory controller MC must be elongated, with the result that a timing error occurs due to a longer delay. A method of preventing such a timing error may be a method of enhancing the driving capability of the memory controller. If the number of packaged memory modules is small, however, an overshoot or a undershoot is caused, resulting in a malfunction of the DRAM.

Waveform stabilizing drive circuit for modularized memory


An apparatus for dissociating gases includes a plasma chamber that may be formed from a metallic material and a transformer having a magnetic core surrounding a portion of the plasma chamber and having a primary winding. The apparatus also includes one or more switching semiconductor devices that are directly coupled to a voltage supply and that have an output coupled to the primary winding of the transformer. The one or more switching semiconductor devices drive current in the primary winding that induces a potential inside the chamber that forms a plasma which completes a secondary circuit of the transformer.

This invention relates generally to the field of generating activated gas containing ions, free radicals, atoms and molecules and to apparatus for and methods of processing materials with activated gas.
Plasma discharges can be used to excite gases to produce activated gases containing ions, free radicals, atoms and molecules. Activated gases are used for numerous industrial and scientific applications including processing solid materials such as semiconductor wafers, powders, and other gases. The parameters of the plasma and the conditions of the exposure of the plasma to the material being processed vary widely depending on the application.
For example, some applications require the use of ions with low kinetic energy (i.e. a few electron volts) because the material being processed is sensitive to damage. Other applications, such as anisotropic etching or planarized dielectric deposition, require the use of ions with high kinetic energy. Still other applications, such as reactive ion beam etching, require precise control of the ion energy.
Some applications require direct exposure of the material being processed to a high density plasma. One such application is generating ion-activated chemical reactions. Other such applications include etching of and depositing material into high aspect ratio structures. Other applications require shielding the material being processed from the plasma because the material is sensitive to damage caused by ions or because the process has high selectivity requirements.
Plasmas can be generated in various ways including DC discharge, radio frequency (RF) discharge, and microwave discharge. DC discharges are achieved by applying a potential between two electrodes in a gas. RF discharges are achieved either by electrostatically or inductively coupling energy from a power supply into a plasma. Parallel plates are typically used for electrostatically coupling energy into a plasma. Induction coils are typically used for inducing current into the plasma. Microwave discharges are achieved by directly coupling microwave energy through a microwave-passing window into a discharge chamber containing a gas. Microwave discharges are advantageous because they can be used to support a wide range of discharge conditions, including highly ionized electron cyclotron resonant (ECR) plasmas.
RF discharges and DC discharges inherently produce high energy ions and, therefore, are often used to generate plasmas for applications where the material being processed is in direct contact with the plasma. Microwave discharges produce dense, low ion energy plasmas and, therefore, are often used to produce streams of activated gas for xe2x80x9cdownstreamxe2x80x9d processing. Microwave discharges are also useful for applications where it is desirable to generate ions at low energy and then accelerate the ions to the process surface with an applied potential.
However, microwave and inductively coupled plasma sources require expensive and complex power delivery systems. These plasma sources require precision RF or microwave power generators and complex matching networks to match the impedance of the generator to the plasma source. In addition, precision instrumentation is usually required to ascertain and control the actual power reaching the plasma.
RF inductively coupled plasmas are particularly useful for generating large area plasmas for such applications as semiconductor wafer processing. However, prior art RF inductively coupled plasmas are not purely inductive because the drive currents are only weakly coupled to the plasma. Consequently, RF inductively coupled plasmas are inefficient and require the use of high voltages on the drive coils. The high voltages produce high electrostatic fields that cause high energy ion bombardment of reactor surfaces. The ion bombardment deteriorates the reactor and can contaminate the process chamber and the material being processed. The ion bombardment can also cause damage to the material being processed.
Faraday shields have been used in inductively coupled plasma sources to contain the high electrostatic fields. However, because of the relatively weak coupling of the drive coil currents to the plasma, large eddy currents form in the shields resulting in substantial power dissipation. The cost, complexity, and reduced power efficiency make the use of Faraday shields unattractive.
It is therefore a principle object of this invention to provide a source of activated gas that uses a high efficiency RF power coupling device which couples power into a plasma without the use of conventional RF or microwave generators and impedance matching systems.
It is another principle object of this invention to provide a source of activated gas for materials processing where there is no significant energetic ion bombardment within the process reactor and where long-term operation can be sustained using chemically reactive gases without damage to the source and without production of contaminant materials.
It is another principle object of this invention to provide a source of activated gas in which either a metal, a dielectric, or a coated metal (e.g. anodized) can be used to form the source chamber.
A principal discovery of the present invention is that switching semiconductor devices can be used to efficiently drive the primary winding of a power transformer that couples electromagnetic energy to a plasma so as to form a secondary circuit of the transformer. It is another principal discovery of this invention that an inductively-driven toroidal plasma source can be constructed with a metallic plasma chamber.
Accordingly, the present invention features an apparatus for dissociating gases that includes a plasma chamber. The plasma chamber may be formed from a metallic material such as aluminum or may be formed from a dielectric material such as quartz. The metallic material may be a refractory metal. The apparatus may include a process chamber that is coupled to the plasma chamber and positioned to receive reactive gas generated by a plasma in the plasma chamber.
The apparatus also includes a transformer having a magnetic core surrounding a portion of the plasma chamber and having a primary winding. One or more switching semiconductor devices are directly coupled to a voltage supply and have an output coupled to the primary winding of the transformer. The output of the one or more switching semiconductor devices may be directly coupled to the primary winding of the transformer. The one or more switching semiconductor devices may be switching transistors. The voltage supply may be a line voltage supply or a bus voltage supply.
The apparatus may include a free charge generator which assists the ignition of a plasma in the chamber. In a preferred embodiment, an electrode is positioned in the chamber to generate the free charges. In another preferred embodiment, an electrode is capacitively coupled to the chamber to generate the free charges. In another preferred embodiment, an ultraviolet light source is optically coupled to the chamber to generate the free charges.
The apparatus may include a circuit for measuring electrical parameters of the primary winding and of the plasma. The circuit measures parameters such as the current driving the primary winding, the voltage across the primary winding, the bus supply voltage, the average power in the primary winding, and the peak power in the primary winding. A power control circuit may be coupled to the circuit for measuring electrical parameters of the primary winding and the plasma. The power control circuit regulates the current flowing through the primary windings based upon a measurement of the electrical properties of the primary winding and of the plasma and from a predetermined set point representing a desired operating condition.
The present invention also features a method for dissociating gases. The method includes providing a chamber for containing a gas at a pressure. The pressure may be substantially between 1 mtorr and 100 torr. The gas may comprise a noble gas, a reactive gas or a mixture of at least one noble gas and at least one reactive gas. The method also includes providing a transformer having a magnetic core surrounding a portion of the chamber and having a primary winding.
In addition, the method includes directly coupling one or more switching semiconductor devices to a voltage supply, which may be a line voltage supply or a bus voltage supply. The one or more switching semiconductor devices are also coupled to the primary winding of the transformer so that they generate a current that drives the primary winding. The one or more switching semiconductor devices may be directly coupled to the primary winding of the transformer.
The method also includes inducing a potential inside the plasma chamber with the current in the primary winding of the transformer. The magnitude of the induced potential depends on the magnetic field produced by the core and the frequency at which the switching semiconductor devices operate according to Faraday""s law of induction. The potential forms a plasma which completes a secondary circuit of the transformer. The electric field of the plasma may be substantially between 1-100 V/cm. The method may include providing an initial ionization event in the chamber. The initial ionization event may be the application of a voltage pulse to the primary winding or to an electrode positioned in the plasma chamber. The initial ionization event may also be exposing the chamber to ultraviolet radiation.
The method may include the step of measuring electrical parameters of the primary winding and of the plasma including one or more of the current driving the primary winding, the voltage across the primary winding, the bus voltage, the average power in the primary winding, and the peak power in the primary winding. In addition, the method may include the step of determining an output of the one or more switching semiconductor devices from the measurement of the electrical parameters of the primary winding, the plasma, and from a predetermined set point representing a desired operating condition.
The present invention also includes a method for cleaning a process chamber. The method includes providing a plasma chamber that is coupled to the process chamber. The plasma chamber contains a reactive gas at a pressure. A transformer is provided having a magnetic core surrounding a portion of the plasma chamber and having a primary winding. One or more switching semiconductor devices is directly coupled to a voltage supply for generating a current that drives the primary winding of the transformer.
In addition, the method includes inducing a potential inside the plasma chamber with the current in the primary winding. The magnitude of the induced potential depends on the magnetic field produced by the core and the frequency at which the switching semiconductor devices operate according to Faraday""s law of induction. The potential forms a plasma which completes a secondary circuit of the transformer. The method also includes directing chemically active species such as atoms, molecules and radicals generated in the plasma from the plasma chamber into the process chamber thereby cleaning the process chamber.
The present invention also includes a method for generating reactive gases. The method includes providing a plasma chamber that is coupled to the process chamber. The plasma chamber contains a reactive gas at a pressure. A transformer is provided having a magnetic core surrounding a portion of the plasma chamber and having a primary winding. One or more switching semiconductor devices is directly coupled to a voltage supply for generating a current that drives the primary winding of the transformer.
In addition, the method includes inducing a potential inside the plasma chamber with the current in the primary winding. The magnitude of the induced potential depends on the magnetic field produced by the core and the frequency at which the switching semiconductor devices operate according to Faraday""s law of induction. The potential forms a plasma which completes a secondary circuit of the transformer. The method also includes generating reactive gas in the plasma.
The present invention also features an apparatus for generating ions. The apparatus includes a plasma chamber that may be formed from a metallic material such as a refractory metal. An orifice is positioned in the chamber for directing ions generated by the plasma. A process chamber may be coupled to the orifice in the plasma chamber and adapted to receive ions generated by the plasma. Accelerating electrodes may be positioned in the process chamber for accelerating ions generated by the plasma.
The apparatus includes a transformer having a magnetic core surrounding a portion of the plasma chamber and having a primary winding. One or more switching semiconductor devices are directly coupled to a voltage supply, which may be a line voltage supply or a bus voltage supply, and have an output coupled to the primary winding of the transformer. In operation, the one or more switching semiconductor devices drives current in the primary winding of the transformer. The current induces a potential inside the chamber that forms a plasma which completes a secondary circuit of the transformer. Ions are extracted from the plasma through the orifice. The ions may be accelerated by the accelerating electrodes.
The present invention also features another apparatus for dissociating gases. The apparatus includes a plasma chamber that comprises an electrically conductive material such as aluminum and at least one dielectric region that prevents induced current flow in the chamber. The plasma chamber may include a plurality of dielectric regions separating at least two regions of the plasma chamber. The dielectric region may comprise a dielectric coating on at least one mating surface of the chamber. The plasma chamber may also include cooling channels for passing a fluid that controls the temperature of the chamber.
In addition, the apparatus includes a transformer having a magnetic core surrounding a portion of the plasma chamber and having a primary winding. The apparatus also includes a power supply that has an output electrically connected to the primary winding of the transformer. The power supply drives current in the primary winding that induces a potential inside the chamber that forms a plasma which completes a secondary circuit of the transformer. The power supply may comprise one or more switching semiconductor devices that are directly coupled to a voltage supply and that have an output coupled to the primary winding of the transformer. The voltage supply may comprise a line voltage supply or a bus voltage supply.
The apparatus may include a means for generating free charges that assists the ignition of a plasma in the chamber. In a preferred embodiment, an electrode is positioned in the chamber to generate the free charges. In another preferred embodiment, an electrode is capacitively coupled to the chamber to generate the free charges. In another preferred embodiment, an ultraviolet light source is optically coupled to the chamber to generate the free charges.


A thin film transistor is disclosed comprising a piezoelectric film formed on a piezoresistive body of an ultra thin film and a gate electrode formed on the piezoelectric film. Due to the force generated from the piezoelectric film by an electric field generated according to the strength of a voltage applied to the gate electrode, a pressure is applied on the piezoresistive body to vary the resistance of the piezoresistive body. Thus, the quantity of current that flows from a source terminal through the piezoresistive channel to a drain terminal can be controlled. Since the piezoresistive body can be formed on a plane, a thin film transistor with a three-dimensional structure can be manufactured.

The present invention relates to a thin film transistor, and more particularly, to a thin film transistor in which an ultra thin film piezoresistive body is formed as a channel layer, and a method of manufacturing thereof.
In general, in a MOS-type transistor, a channel layer as a passage of a current flow from a source electrode to a drain electrode is formed of a semiconductor material.
When an electric field is applied to the channel layer by the gate voltage, the concentration of electrons or holes in the channel serving as carriers varies according to the gate voltage to result in a change of the conductance of the channel.
In other words, in the aforementioned MOS-type transistor, the transistor performs a switching or an amplifying action according to the strength of the voltage applied to the gate electrode.
However, since the channel layer is formed of a semiconductor material in the MOS-type transistor, a process of forming the device is complicated. That is, a plurality of unit processes such as a process of implanting an impurity, a process of forming a mask pattern for impurity implantation et. al. should be carried out.

Thin film transistor with piezoelectric film

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A scattered-light smoke detector includes a detector unit that operates according to the scattered-light principle. The detector unit includes a light-emitting diode (LED) to irradiate particles to be detected and a spectrally sensitive photosensor to detect the light scattered by the particles. The LED and photosensor are aligned such that a principal optical axis of the LED and a principal optical axis of the photosensor define a scattered-light angle. The LED includes a first and a second LED chip for emitting first and second light beams with light in a first wavelength range and a different second wavelength range, and an LED chip carrier arranged orthogonally to the principal optical axis. The two LED chips are arranged side-by-side on the LED chip carrier. The LED is rotated such that a chip axis extending through the two LED chips is orthogonal to an angle plane defined by the two optical axes.

Smoke detectors of this kind are also known as fire alarms. They typically comprise a detector housing with at least one smoke-inlet aperture and a detector unit accommodated in the detector housing for smoke detection. The detector unit preferably comprises an optical measuring chamber that is shielded against ambient light but permeable to smoke to be detected. The latter also usually comprises a plurality of louvers to shield ambient light and is therefore also called a labyrinth.
An electronic control unit is connected to the light-emitting diode and the photosensor as part of the smoke detector. The control unit is configured to output a warning and/or an alarm if a respective minimum concentration value of smoke can be detected.
Also known from the prior art are smoke detectors that use two differently colored light-emitting diodes and a photosensor in one or two scattered-light arrangements. It is known to use a red-luminous LED or an infrared LED to emit red or infrared light and to use a blue- or violet-luminous LEDto emit blue or violet light. By means of a suitable evaluation of the respective colored scattered light received from the photosensor, such as, for example, ratio calculation, it is then possible to perform an evaluation with respect to the particle size of the smoke particles detected. A suitable assessment of the particle sizes determined enables, for example, a differentiation to be made between smoke, dust and steam. This enables the output of a possible false alarm to be prevented.
Known smoke detectors are typically configured for operation in a line of alarms with a plurality of further smoke detectors connectors thereto or for battery-supported stand-alone operation. This means in both cases that only a very low average electrical power of less than 10 mW is available. The control of the light-emitting diodes for the emission of the respective light is therefore typically pulsed. Similarly, the entire "electronics" are designed for the lowest possible power consumption.
Also known from the prior art is the use of two monochrome light-emitting diodes arranged side-by-side the emitted light from which is converged on a common optical axis, for example via a Y-shaped optical collecting element by or by means of two converged light guides.
The use of one single light-emitting diode with two LED chips arranged side-by-side with different colors is known from the applicant's still unpublished European patent application 14155048.3. The first chip preferably emits red or infrared light. The second chip preferably emits blue or ultraviolet light. With this arrangement, a chip axis extending through the two LED chips is parallel to the plane defined by the optical axis of the photosensor and that of the light-emitting diode. The side-by-side arrangement of the two LED chips on a common carrier also results in two optical axes differing from one another by about 15° to 25°. Hence, the scattered-light arrangement therein has two different scattered-light angles.

Scattered-light smoke detector with a two-color light-emitting diode


An arbitrary number of a plurality of physical devices are mapped to each logical device provided for a host as a working unit, while considering a priority given to each logical device, and with each physical device being made up of a plurality of disk devices. This arrangement allows dirty data to be quickly saved to the disk devices in the order of logical device priority in the event of a failure. Furthermore, jobs are preferentially processed for important tasks in the event of a failure to reduce deterioration of the host processing performance.

The present invention relates to a storage system.
One known prior art technique (hereinafter referred to as prior art technique 1) described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-167521 (1999) employs a common bus system so that logical modules, such as host adapters and storage adapters, as well as cache memories and disk devices can be added to the system according to the system configuration (scale), creating a scalable storage system. In this storage system, each logical module, disk device, and common bus are multiplexed, enabling an operation in a degraded mode, "hot-plugging" of the logical modules and storage media, and hence maintenance of the system without a system shutdown.
Many of the disk control devices disposed between hosts and disk devices for controlling data transfer therebetween, such as those employed by the above prior art technique 1, each include a cache memory for temporarily storing data to be transferred. However, since this cache memory is a volatile memory, the data in it disappears when the power supply is stopped. Furthermore, the data may be lost due to a failure in the cache memory hardware in the disk control device. To prevent such data loss, a known disk control device includes duplexed cache memories and stores write data in them. Even with such a configuration, however, data will be lost in the event of a double cache failure.
The above prior art technique 1 also employs a redundant power supply in addition to a primary power supply, and thereby the system can continue to operate even when one of them has failed. Furthermore, the standby power supply provided for the disk control devices allows prevention of data loss in the cache memories and the shared memories in the event of a power failure. Specifically, when a failure has occurred in the power supply, the dirty data in the cache memories is saved to the disk devices so that data in the cache memories is reflected in them.
If a write request is issued from a host after such a failure handling operation, a synchronous write operation is carried out in which a write completion notification is sent to the host after the write data has been written to a disk device, in order to ensure data integrity. The synchronous write operation, however, has the problem of exhibiting reduced response to the host, as compared with the "write-back" method.
Another known prior art technique (hereinafter referred to as prior art technique 2) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-334049. Prior art technique 2 limits the quantity of side files input to the storage subsystem subordinate to a plurality of hosts which performs asynchronous remote copy operations. This limit operation is achieved by setting a priority for each host and thereby preventing data with a low importance level from occupying the greater part of the cache memories.
Still another known prior art technique (hereinafter referred to as prior art technique 3) is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-6016. In asynchronous remote copy operation, prior art technique 3 sets a copy priority for each logical volume group and performs copy operation on these logical volume groups in order of priority.

Storage system, and control method, job scheduling processing method, and failure handling method therefor, and program for each method


A bidirectional optical module having a device 1 for emitting transmitting signal light, an optical fiber 8 which the transmitting signal light from the device enters, a light-receiving device 9 which light from the optical fiber enters, and a wavelength splitting filter 4. The transmitting signal light emitted from the device is sent forward through the optical fiber, and the receiving signal light is received through the optical fiber. The bidirectional optical module has an optical device (optical isolator) of a reflection polarizer 6 bonded to an end face of the optical fiber, a Faraday rotator 5 disposed integrally on the reflection polarizer and an absorption polarizer 3 disposed on an optical path extending between the device and the filter. The reflection polarizer has a wavelength dependency which functions as a polarizer for the transmitting signal light, but does not function as a polarizer for the receiving signal light.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is concerned with a bidirectional optical module which transmits and receives light signals through a single optical fiber shared in common, and relates to an improvement of the bidirectional optical module, which is achievable of more cost reduction than the conventional.
2. Description of the Related Art
With expansion of optical fiber communication networks, a communication system which sends optical signals bidirectionally by the use of a single optical fiber is on the way to its introduction. In such bidirectional optical communication, a bidirectional optical module is used in order to transmit and receive light signals with different wavelengths.
The construction of a conventional bidirectional optical module is schematically shown in FIG. 10.
In the bidirectional optical module shown in FIG. 10, transmitting signal light with a wavelength λ1 (e.g., 1,310 nm) which has been emitted from a light-emitting device 101 is collected by a first coupling lens 102, passes through a wavelength splitting filter 103, and is thereafter made to enter an optical fiber 108 so as to be sent forward therethrough. On the other hand, receiving signal light with a wavelength λ2 (e.g., 1,490 nm) which has been sent backward through and made to emerge from the optical fiber 108 is reflected by the wavelength splitting filter 103, and is collected by a second coupling lens 110 to come to enter a light-receiving device 109, where signals are detected.
Where a distributed feedback laser (DFB laser), which has a high performance but tends to be affected by reflection return light (reflected return light), is used in the light-emitting device 101, an optical isolator constituted of a polarizer 104, a Faraday rotator 105, an analyzer 106 and a magnet 107 is disposed on an optical path extending between the first coupling lens 102 and the wavelength splitting filter 103. Where the light is one in the direction perpendicular to the polarization of light emitted from the light-emitting device 101, the polarizer 104 may be omitted because it hardly takes part in making oscillation unstable. An example of such a bidirectional optical module is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3062949.
Now, in the conventional bidirectional optical module having the above optical isolator, the optical isolator is disposed at a position where the beam diameter of the transmitting signal light emitted from the light-emitting device 101 is large (i.e., on the optical path extending between the first coupling lens 102 and the wavelength splitting filter 103). Hence, in respect of component parts (optical elements) such as polarizers and a Faraday rotator which constitute the optical isolator, those having a large aperture diameter (required to be about 1 mm at least) have had to be used, resulting unavoidably in a high cost.
As a conventional technique by which an optical isolator having a small aperture diameter can be set in, an optical module is known in which an optical isolator constituted of a pair of absorption type polarizers and a Faraday rotator which have integrally been set up is bonded at a position where the beam diameter becomes smallest (i.e., bonded to the optical fiber end) (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-156554). However, the absorption type polarizers may inevitably function as polarizers not only for the transmitting signal light but also for the receiving signal light to come to loss factors, and hence it has been unable to use such an optical isolator in any bidirectional optical module.


A barrette consists of a decorative elongate chain-shaped frame and a decorative elongate strip inserting up and down through decorative holes continually provided in the frame and resting on an upper or lower surface of contact walls separating each two decorative holes of the frame. The frame and the strip may have the same length and width but different colors from each other.

This invention relates to a barrette, particularly to one having a decorative plate inserted through a chain-shaped decorative frame, having a new style.
Generally barrettes are widely used by the female for arranging and positioning their hairs, and quite a large kinds of barrettes are in use, but mostly used ones may be C-shaped painted with lacquer or ground smooth on the surface, with few varieties.


The invention relates to a device (1) for producing a reference frequency signal (Se) from the response of an atomic resonator (R) to a pumping signal (Fat) transmitted thereto, comprising: a first oscillator for production of a first signal (S1) of frequency (F0) as a function of the response signal (E1) from the resonator (R); a second oscillator (13) for production of a second signal (S2) at a frequency (NF0) which is equal to a whole multiple of that of the first signal (S1). According to the invention, the second oscillator is selected to produce a second signal (S2) close in frequency to the frequency of resonance for the resonator (R).

Atomic resonators, e.g. cesium resonators, are used because of the precision of their atomic transition defining a standard frequency that is exact and very stable. In apparatus designed for this purpose, a driver signal is synthesized at the resonant frequency of the resonator, it is delivered in modulated form to the resonator, and the response signal of the resonator is picked up and demodulated, with the frequency of a first oscillator then being servo-controlled on the basis of the demodulated signal. Such apparatus enables a standard signal to be generated having frequency which is very exact and very stable, to within about 10−12 and 10−14, respectively.
Such apparatuses are required, for example, in space applications, for navigation by satellite.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,122 describes apparatus of the kind described above, for a cesium resonator comprising:                a first oscillator at 10 megahertz (MHz) suitable for producing a first signal at a frequency which is a function of the response signal from the resonator;        a second oscillator producing a second signal at 650 MHz as a function of a control signal;        means for servo-controlling the phase of the second signal on the first signal, producing the control signal; and        means for generating the reference signal and the driver signal downstream from the second oscillator, which means include frequency dividers and multipliers.
That apparatus turns out to present drawbacks. It requires a large number of component elements, thereby making it complex, heavy, and voluminous. It consumes a large quantity of energy and it is expensive.
The document entitled "A new RF architecture for cesium frequency standards", published in pp. 134 to 142 of 1992 IEEE Frequency Control Symposium, discloses similar apparatus further comprising a third oscillator downstream from the multiplier and divider circuit and producing the driver signal at the resonant frequency.
Of even greater complexity, that apparatus additionally creates disturbance by electromagnetic radiation, and the atomic resonator is sensitive thereto, because an oscillator is being used at its resonant frequency. Overcoming such disturbance requires shielding, which is expensive, heavy, and bulky.
The document entitled "Cs frequency synthesis: a new approach", published on pp. 615 to 619 of Volume 2 of 1999 Joint Meeting EFTF—IEEE IFCS, describes a cesium resonator frequency synthesizer having oscillators at 5 MHz, 100 MHz, and 6.4 gigahertz (GHz). An analog regenerator divider responds to the oscillator at 6.4 GHz to generate signals at 3.2 GHz and 9.6 GHz. A signal at 9.192 GHz for the cesium resonator is generated after mixing a signal at 407.368 MHz with the signal at 9.6 GHz.
That synthesizer likewise comprises a large number of circuits including an analog regenerator divider which must be made specially for the synthesizer.

Apparatus for supplying a standard frequency signal using a simple microwave synthesis

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)


A system and method for electromagnetic measurements. The system may comprise an electromagnetic transmitter, wherein the electromagnetic transmitter is an antenna and is operable to transmit a low frequency electromagnetic field into a formation or a high frequency electromagnetic field into the formation. The system may further comprise an electromagnetic receiver, wherein the electromagnetic receiver is an antenna and is operable to record the high frequency electromagnetic field or the low frequency electromagnetic field. The method may comprise transmitting a high frequency electromagnetic field, recording a high frequency electromagnetic field, transmitting a low frequency electromagnetic field, recording a low frequency electromagnetic field, performing a shallow inversion on the low frequency electromagnetic field and the high frequency electromagnetic field to form a formation resistivity model, and running the deep inversion with the random initial guesses that have the misfit.

Wellbores drilled into subterranean formations may enable recovery of desirable fluids (e.g., hydrocarbons) using a number of different techniques. A logging tool may be employed in subterranean operations to determine wellbore and/or formation properties. Formation evaluation further from a wellbore is a critical step in reservoir characterization and monitoring. Logging tools typically measure the "near-field", or in the proximity of the wellbore. Logging tools are evolving to measure the "far-field", or large distances from the wellbore.
Logging tools may obtain geophysical and/or logging measurements for formation evaluation and monitoring. The geophysical and/or logging measurements may be altered through mathematical schemes, such as an inversion scheme, to determine formation characteristics. Currently, inversions schemes utilized are time consuming to perform and require vast amounts of data. There is a need to perform inversion based methods in a near and/or real time manner during a drilling, logging, and/or production operation. Additionally, inversion schemes are generally specific to a single downhole tool that operates in a specific manner, which increases operation cost across the industry. A single inversion scheme that requires less time to perform, requires less data, and is able to work with data from any number of downhole tools would increase the productivity, reduce operation cost, and/or allow for drilling decisions to be made in hours and not in days and/or weeks.

Preselecting initial guesses for multi-step inversion using electromagnetic measurements


A method for exercising one or more muscles of the body wherein one or more muscle(s) are contracted to move a limb through a range of motion in opposition to an oscillating resistive force. During a muscular contraction, the direction and/or the magnitude of the resistive force changes in an oscillatory fashion thereby inducing perturbations in the musculature. The oscillations in the magnitude and/or the direction of the resistive force include a plurality of cycles during a single repetition of muscular contraction. The waveform and frequency of the oscillations may vary during a repetition or remain constant. Embodiments of devices providing an oscillatory resistive force are presented. The embodiments provide means for enabling an exerciser to perform resistance-type exercises in accordance with the method. A guided spherical bearing may be used for rotating a lead pulley or a rigid arm to create lateral resistive force oscillations. Non-circular lead pulleys may be used to fluctuate the resistive force magnitude. The oscillations in magnitude and/or direction of the resistive force may be periodic or randomized such that during subsequent repetitions the oscillations occur at differing points.

Resistance exercise devices are well known in the art. Resistance exercises normally involve the contraction of a muscle against an opposing resistive force to move a portion of the body through a range of motion. The contraction is usually repeated to include a plurality of cycles (repetitions) of motion of the body portion through the range of motion, which range is determined by the degree of muscular contraction and extension achieved during a repetition. The resistive force may be provided by gravity, as with weight training (barbells, dumbbells, pull-up and pull-down stacks of weights, etc.), by an elastic force such as springs, bungees, pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms, flexible rods and the like, or by flywheel or pulley braking devices.
Weight lifting is an exercise in which muscles contract against a resistance through a range of motion. The resistance is normally in the form of a weighted object that the user moves through either a flexion or extension of a body portion such as the arms or legs. In weight lifting, there are a number of exercises in which the user moves a weighted barbell in order to strengthen his or her upper, lower and torso body muscles. One example of such an exercise is a bench press in which the individual initially assumes a supine position atop a support bench. The weightlifter then uses his or her arms to lift the barbell from a position just above the lifter's chest to a higher vertical position where the lifter's arms are fully extended. This exercise is normally accomplished without any sideways movement, such as abduction or adduction of the lifter's hands. This basic exercise can be modified by inclining the support bench (inclined press) or by starting with the bar substantially coplanar with the user's torso (pull-overs).
In the biomechanics of limb function, one or more joints contribute to the limb's functional motion. Each time the limb moves, motion takes place in one or more of these joints. Limb movement, such as movement of the arm, may include flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction, internal rotation, and external rotation. These movements are usually defined in relation to the body as a whole. Flexion of the bicep is an upward movement of the forearm towards the shoulder when bending at the elbow. Abduction is the movement of raising the arm laterally away from the body; adduction, the opposite of this, is then bringing the arm toward the side. Circumduction is a combination of all four of the above defined movements, so that the hand describes a circle. Internal rotation is a rotation of the arm about its long axis, so that the usual anterior (front) surface is turned inward toward the body; external rotation is the opposite of this, with the posterior (rear) surface turned inward.
All movements of limbs, for example, the arm relative to the shoulder, can be described by the terms used above. It will be appreciated by the artisan that most movements of a limb such as the arm are combinations of two or more of the above defined movements. A plurality of muscles cross each limb joint. Their function is to create motion, and thus the ability to do work with the limb. To perform a given task with precision, power, endurance, and coordination, most, if not all, of these muscles must be well conditioned.
The function of each of these limb muscles depends on its relative position to the joint axis it crosses, the motion being attempted, and any external forces acting to resist or enhance motion of the limb. During limb motion, groups of muscles interact so that a desired movement can be accomplished. The interaction of muscles may take many different forms so that a muscle serves in a number of different capacities, depending on movement. At different times a muscle may function as a prime mover, antagonist, or a fixator, or synergistically as a helper, a neutralizer or a stabilizer.
For example, consider flexion of the arm. There are three major joints which contribute to elbow function: the ulnar-humeral, radio-humeral, and the radio-ulnar, all referencing interaction between the three main arm bones. The ulnar-humeral is responsible for flexion and extension while the radio-humeral and the radio-ulnar joints are responsible for supination and pronation. Flexion is movement in the anterior direction from the position of straight elbow, zero degrees to a fully bent position such as a curl. Extension is movement in a posterior direction from the fully bent position to the position of a straight elbow.
A plurality of muscles effect motion at each limb joint. For example, in the elbow, these include the Biceps brachii, the Brachialis and the Triceps brachii. These muscles are continually active as their role changes in performing the complex activities of daily living. Each muscle spanning a limb joint has a unique function depending on the motion being attempted. It is generally conceded that in order to fully train and strengthen limb musculature, it is necessary to work the limb in all planes and extremes of motion to optimize neuromuscular balance and coordination.
There are three types of muscular contractions—concentric, static and eccentric. A concentric (or positive) contraction is one in which a muscle shortens against a resistance such as when you raise a weight. A static (or isometric) contraction occurs when a muscle exerts tension but there is no significant change in its length. This happens when you push or pull against an immovable object. Lastly, an eccentric (or negative) contraction is one in which a muscle lengthens against a resistance such as when you lower a weight.
The types of limb exercise and/or exercise devices currently used in exercise programs generally include isometric, isotonic and isokinetic exercise. Isometrics is an exercise that is performed without any joint motion taking place. For example, pressing a hand against an immovable object such as a wall. When exercising a muscle group within a limb, strength can be improved only in the range of motion in which the limb is being exercised. Since in isometric exercises only one position and one angle can be used at one time, isometric exercise is time consuming if done correctly.
Isotonic exercises are done against a movable resisting force. The resisting force is usually free weights. Isotonic exercises are probably the most common method for exercising when using both the upper and lower limbs as free weights are relatively inexpensive to acquire and readily available in gyms. A weight is held in the hand and moved in opposition to gravity. It is a functional advantage to be able to move a limb through a full range of motion, but because of the unidirectional nature of gravity, the body position must be continually changed for all muscles to be exercised.
During a single repetition of isotonic weightlifting, the load remains constant but the amount of stress on the muscle varies. The most difficult point in the range is the initial few degrees with a movement to overcome inertia. As the upper extremity comes closer to the vertical position, work becomes easier due to improved leverage. This creates a non-cyclic variability in the degree of muscle tension throughout the range of motion. Isotonic exercises can be performed on Nautilus and similar machines which achieve a more uniform resistance. Nautilus-type machines feature a cam-shaped pulley (shaped like the circumference of a Nautilus swirling sea shell) that provides a transmission to increase or decrease the tensile load in a cable fixed to the pulley so that the exerciser experiences a more uniform resistance. The varying tensile load adjusts to the body's natural strength curve throughout the entire range of motion, making the movement feel easier in positions where the body is weaker and more difficult where the body is stronger. For example, performing an arm curl with a free weight is more difficult at the beginning than toward the end of the motion because of increased leverage at the elbow as the curl progresses. In contrast, the cam pulley or track line of a Nautilus machine varies the resistance levels so that the effort required to begin an arm curl is approximately equal to the effort required at the end. A major disadvantage is that motion on these weightlifting machines is confined to a straight plane movement without deviation which does not replicate normal in-use movement of the limb.
Isokinetic exercise involves a constant speed and a variable resistance. The resistance imparted by these devices increases in response to increases in the force produced by the muscles, thereby limiting the velocity of movement to roughly isokinetic conditions over part of their range. The operating principle is that strength is best developed if muscle tension is kept at a maximum at every point throughout the range, though this principle has not been universally accepted. Isokinetic exercise machines are limited to movement of a limb in one straight plane, though the resistive force can be bi-directional within that plane of movement, for example, on the flexion and extension strokes of an arm curl. Each of the systems available has its own features but basically they are all the same in that they have a rotating lever arm which moves in a single plane. Moreover, the machines are typically quite expensive as they utilize servo motors and microprocessors in so-called active dynamometry. Typically, electronic servomotors or a hydraulic valve controls the lever arm in both directions. Exemplary systems are sold by Cybex, Biodex, Isocom, and Kin-Com AP.
The particular muscle fibers involved in a contraction during a single repetition of resistive exercise depends upon the direction of the resistive force vector. If the resistive force vector is constant during a repetition, both directionally and in magnitude, as is the case with most prior art resistance exercise devices, only the muscles and portions of the muscle fibers within a muscle that are necessary to counter the resistive force will contract. Pull-down/press-down ("PD2") types of exercise devices, such as, for example, disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication No. US2002/0068666 by Bruccoleri, have been further improved to include flexible members (e.g., ropes) attached to a horizontal resistance bar. The flexible members are adapted to be grasped by the hands. In operation, the user naturally changes the direction of the resistive force vector during a repetition such that different muscles and different muscle fibers within a muscle are exercised during the repetition. The prior art pull-down/press-down resistance type of exercise devices, such as the device shown in FIG. 1, enable the user to exercise a plurality of muscles during a repetition because the user varies the plane of motion of the limbs during a repetition.
Despite many configurations of exercise machines developed over the years, there remains a need for a more holistic and effective training machine that activates a broader range of muscle groups in a single repetition.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Varying force vector exercise device for inducing musculature perturbations