A three dimensional computer aided design (CAD) model of a composite part which includes a plurality of plies including tool side ply(s), and bag side ply(s) is provided. The composite part is formed on a tool. The model includes a first CAD native surface representative of the shape of the tool, a second CAD native shape representative of an excess ply material and made from the first shape, and a third CAD native shape representative of the bag side ply(s) and adjacent to the joined first and second shapes. In particular, the CAD native shapes used to represent the ply(s) may be trims of a surface.

Large product development projects require the sharing of product design information among many diverse team members. These team members include prime contractor management, engineers, designers, and manufacturing personnel. Additionally, one or more subcontractors may require access to the design information.
Development of the product may occur in many different locations. For instance, the top-level design may be performed at the prime contractor's facility with the various lower level parts of the product being designed at the subcontractors' facilities. Moreover, manufacturing of the lower level parts may occur at another location with top-level assembly occurring at yet another location. At any of these locations, project personnel may require access to design information to perform their duties.
The assembled product may be shipped to another location for testing after which it is sold and placed in operation. Highly mobile products, such as aircraft, may additionally operate over large regions, throughout which operations, maintenance, and repair activity may necessitate instantaneous access to design information. Since customers and operational experience may provide feedback to the design team, the term "development" herein includes all phases of a product's life. Thus, it has long been felt necessary to provide access to design information at many independent locations that may be separated by significant distances.
Hindering the ability to share design information, many supplementary or task specific CAD applications incorporate proprietary data structures that may only be accessed via expensive licenses. Thus, only those project personnel with licensed copies of the supplemental CAD application may access the design information. In the alternative, applications have become available which are known as low-end viewers. Low-end viewers enable personnel to access design information stored in a format native to a foundation CAD product. Advantageously, low end viewers are less expensive to license and buy than design type products and are compatible with personal computers which are much less expensive than the CAD workstations which would otherwise be required for design access.
However, the presence of the proprietary data structures hides certain design information from low-end viewers. Worse yet, some of the proprietary data structures used by supplemental CAD packages specifically relate to the design information of composite parts.
Since commercial requirements are increasingly demanding the use of composite parts, the use of these proprietary data structures hinders the development of many commercially lucrative products. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide tools and methods to develop composite parts with CAD applications while allowing low-end viewers at any project location full access to design information regarding the composite part.

Alternate ply representation for composite design and manufacturing


Oscillation of a growing crystal is suppressed in a Czochralski method when part of the growing crystal is mechanically held. Methods for holding and pulling a single crystal in a Czochralski method, wherein a seed crystal is pulled while rotating after the seed crystal is contacted with a raw material melt, part of the growing single crystal is mechanically held during pulling and the single crystal of heavy weight can be pulled regardless of mechanical strengths of the seed crystal or a neck portion thereof, wherein the raw material melt is under application of a magnetic field thereto when the growing crystal is mechanically held.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for pulling a single crystal of heavy weight by a Czochralski method regardless of a mechanical strength of a seed and a necking portion thereof by mechanically holding a part of a growing crystal during growth.
2. Related Art
A Czochralski method has been conventionally known as a method producing semiconductor material such as silicon, which, for example, as shown in FIG. 2(A), comprises the steps of: contacting a seed crystal 52 held by a seed holder 51 with the surface of a raw material melt 54 contained in a crucible 53; then pulling the seed crystal 52 adjusting its speed, while rotating the seed crystal 52 about its rotational axis, to form a neck portion 55 under the seed crystal 52; and in succession growing a cylindrical body 56 of a single crystal with a larger diameter.
In the Czochralski method, the cylindrical body 56 of a grown crystal under the seed crystal 52 can be produced dislocation-free by forming the neck portion 55. In recent years, however, the weight of a single crystal has been on the continuous increase because of demand for a single crystal with a larger diameter or for the purpose of improvement of production efficiency, in which trend nearly insufficient mechanical strengths of a seed crystal 52 and a neck portion 55 have been often experienced. If the neck portion 55 should be broken to let a growing single crystal to be fallen down, there would be a fear of a serious accident. To cope with such an accident, a method and apparatus for mechanically holding a part of a crystal during crystal growth has been adopted, for example, as shown in FIG. 2(B).
In the apparatus of the figure, a stepped engagement portion 57, which is composed of an expanded-diameter portion and a reduced-diameter portion, is formed between a neck portion 55 and a cylindrical body 56 and the stepped engagement portion 57 is held between lifting jigs 58, 58 to pull a growing single crystal. As such techniques, the following literature has been known:, for example, Laid-open Japanese patent applications 62-288191, 63-252991, 3-285893, 3-295893 and the like. Among them, for example, in the case of Laid-open Japanese patent application 3-285893, a seed crystal is pulled while the stepped engagement portion 57 is formed and when the stepped engagement portion 57 reaches a position where lifting jigs 58, 58 are located, the jigs 58, 58 catch the stepped engagement portion 57 and crystal pulling is continued while being held by the jigs 58, 58.
In the conventional method as described above, the weight of the growing single crystal is effectively sustained but, since the lifting jigs 58, 58 contact with the crystal in their motion along a lateral direction when the crystal is caught by the lifting jigs 58, 58, which is apt to generate a force directed to the crystal in the direction, there arises a problem that the single crystal is swayed and has a chance for oscillation thereof to occur.
In the same case, there arises another problem; when a growing crystal is held by mechanical means, a central axis of rotation in a pulling mechanism of a single crystal, which holds a growing single crystal in an earlier stage, has in practical sense an error, which is small, in alignment with a central axis of rotation of a holding mechanism holding the single crystal in a later stage, though the central axes of rotation are required to be a perfect alignment with each other. In such a situation, when pinching action of the lifting jigs 58, 58 is effected, a plurality of the tips of the jigs 58, 58 do not all touch the crystal with one accord and one of them touches in advance of the others, so that the growing crystal is forced to sway and oscillate.
As described above, it is generally difficult to catch a part of a growing crystal for mechanically holding in a Czochralski method without giving any oscillation to the crystal. And once the growing crystal sways and the oscillation occurs, the crystal is subject to starting to grow with dislocations and to produce bends in the crystal and, as a result, a yield of single crystal is reduced, and, if the oscillation is extreme, shut-down of the pulling process becomes the single choice.
In such circumstances, effective means for suppressing oscillation of a growing crystal has been accordingly desired in a Czochralski method, in a case where part of the growing crystal is mechanically held.

Methods for holding and pulling single crystal


An armrest assembly for a vehicle door can include a panel and a cover panel. The panel can include an upper exterior surface, a pull pocket extending from and recessed below the upper exterior surface, a first engagement aperture in the pull pocket, a second engagement aperture in the pull pocket, and a switch spaced away from the pull pocket. The cover panel can include an exterior touch surface for an occupant to pull on the vehicle door. The cover panel can be in the pull pocket and expose the upper exterior surface of the panel. The cover panel can include a snap element engaging with the first engagement aperture, the snap element attached to the interior surface of the cover panel, and an attachment element engaging with the second engagement aperture, the attachment element attached to the interior surface of the cover panel.

Current technology includes various covers for door linings. In particular, it is known to provide a pull pocket body, defining an interior, and a cover element attached to the pull pocket body. The pull pocket, defining an interior, may be secured to the door, e.g. to a door lining. The cover element may be attached to the pull pocket body and may provide a finger grip feature.
However, known covers are lacking in various ways.

Armrest assembly for a vehicle door and door assembly and vehicle including same


An adapter device for a lamp or light fixture includes a male connector, a female socket and control circuitry. The adapter supports at least one RGB LED cluster positioned so as to emit a colored light show. The male connector is configured to be received in a conventional light socket. The adapter also includes a slot for receiving and securing a replaceable volatile active insert for enabling the device to emit an active ingredient from the insert when the insert is secured in the slot. A conventional light bulb or a CFL may also be connected to the female socket as a source of illumination. Thus, a single adapter is used to combine a conventional light source/colored light show source/volatile active source.

1. Technical Field
An adapter for a conventional light bulb is disclosed that includes a plurality of colored light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a volatile active dispenser. Circuitry in the adapter enables various combinations of volatile active emission, illuminating light emission, colored light shows and low level white or colored light emission.
2. Description of the Related Art
Creating a pleasant ambience is a popular aspect of home decor. This is often achieved through various combinations of pleasant fragrances and mood lighting. Lighting can also be combined with other functions such as air sanitization, air deodorization, and the controlled release of insect repellent, insect attractant and insecticide. Conventional products such as scented candles, mood lighting devices, fragrance dispensers, and the like, are commonly used to create a pleasant environment in the home. While those conventional products help to create a pleasant living environment and ambiance, they have their drawbacks.
For example, while scented candles create soft light and fragrance, which creates a pleasant mood, candles are a potential fire hazard and often produce unwanted smoke and wax drippings. Traditional light fixtures and lamps do not provide the color effects, fragrance emission or other active emission that users often desire. While stand-alone aesthetic devices are available for providing lighting effects (such as color changing and the like), these standalone devices take up space around the home and add to the clutter that many consumers are trying to avoid. Also, because such stand-alone devices are typically placed in highly visible locations, they need to be aesthetically designed to suit the personal tastes of different categories of buyers, requiring additional design costs.
Conventional fragrance dispensers, such as plug-in diffusers, can provide pleasing aromas in a relatively inexpensive, compact package. However, such conventional fragrance dispensers generally take up outlets and are often located out of sight, causing a user to forget to adjust or refill the device. While these fragrance dispensers may also provide light, because the devices are used in existing electrical outlets, they are generally positioned too low to provide effective lighting features, other than to operate as a nightlight.
Conventional nightlights include only white light emission in combination with fragrance emission. While a single scent may be provided in the form of a decorative diffuser, colored nightlights are not generally available and there is no coordination between the light color emitted and the particular fragrance emitted. Further, sophisticated multi-colored lights that change color and that are aesthetically pleasing in combination with fragrance emission are not currently available.
Further, numerous needs exist for providing the combination of white light and/or colored light with volatile active emissions other than fragrances, such as air sanitization, air deodorization, the controlled release of insect repellent, insect attractant, insecticide, aromatherapy volatiles or other non-fragrant materials (any of which may be combined with fragrant materials if necessary to make the ambient environment more tolerable).
Therefore, multiple needs exist for devices that provide for the combination of one or more of the following functions: white light emission; colored light emission; colored light shows; fragrance emission; air sanitization; air deodorization; insecticide emission; insect repellent emission; aromatherapy material emission; light emission that repels insects; light emission that attracts insects; and any combinations thereof.

Adapter for light bulbs equipped with volatile active dispenser and light emitting diodes


The present invention provides a carrying device and method to easily carry several paint cans at a time from one location to another. The device comprises a carriage and a plurality of handle attachments for securing a plurality of paint cans thereto. The carriage comprises an upper portion continuous with a lower portion, a central opening and a plurality of cavities located on the lower portion, each of which houses each of the plurality of handle-attachments therein. The upper portion of the carriage has a plurality of finger indentations for a user to place fingers when holding the device so that carrying the device is easy and comfortable. The device is configured so that the plurality of paint cans is balanced evenly across the length of the device to prevent tipping of the device as well as to increase the ease of carrying the paint cans.

When painting a structure, whether indoors or outdoors, most paint jobs require the use of several cans of paint. Typically, the paint cans are placed in a cardboard carton for transport from the place of purchase to the structure that is being painted. This requires an individual to pick up and carry the oftentimes heavy, cumbersome carton of paint cans to their vehicle, and then, upon reaching their destination, to again pick up and carry the heavy carton to the structure being painted. This also may require walking up steep walkways or a flights of stairs, which can be physically burdensome even for the strongest of individuals. There exists a need, therefore, for a carrying device to easily and comfortably transport several paint cans at a time from one location to another location without undue physical exertion and stress.

Carrying device for easy transport of paint cans


A fuel cell air supply system disposed in an enclosure. A blower discharge plenum for supplying air individually to various fuel cell functions via individual control valves is provided with an additional controllable purge valve connected to an exhaust port through a wall of the enclosure. At any desired time, the purge valve may be opened and the system process valves closed to draw fresh air into the enclosure and thereby purge stale gases within the enclosure to the exterior of the system. This function is especially useful just prior to start-up of the fuel cells of the system, and may also be used periodically after shut-down to maintain a desirably low temperature in the enclosure during cooling off of the fuel cell assembly.

Fuel cells which generate electric current by controllably combining elemental hydrogen and oxygen are well known. In one form of such a fuel cell, an anodic layer and a cathodic layer are separated by a permeable electrolyte formed of a ceramic solid oxide. Such a fuel cell is known in the art as a "solid-oxide fuel cell" (SOFC). Hydrogen, either pure or reformed from hydrocarbons, is flowed along the outer surface of the anode and diffuses into the anode. Oxygen, typically from air, is flowed along the outer surface of the cathode and diffuses into the cathode. Each O2 molecule is split and reduced to two O−2 ions catalytically by the cathode. The oxygen ions diffuse through the electrolyte and combine at the anode/electrolyte interface with four hydrogen ions to form two molecules of water. The anode and the cathode are connected externally through the load to complete the circuit whereby four electrons are transferred from the anode to the cathode. When hydrogen is derived by "reforming" hydrocarbons such as gasoline in the presence of limited oxygen, the "reformate" gas includes CO which is converted to CO2 at the anode. Reformed gasoline is a commonly used fuel in automotive fuel cell applications.
A complete SOFC system typically includes auxiliary subsystems for, among other requirements, generating fuel by reforming hydrocarbons; tempering the reformate fuel and air entering the stack; providing air to the hydrocarbon reformer; providing air to the cathodes for reaction with hydrogen in the fuel cell stack; providing air for cooling the fuel cell stack; providing combustion air to an afterburner for unspent fuel exiting the stack; and providing cooling air to the afterburner and the stack.
An enclosure for an SOFC system has two basic functions. The first function is to provide thermal insulation for some of the components which must function at an elevated temperature (700° C.–900° C.) to maintain them at that temperature for efficient operation, to protect lower temperature components outside the thermal enclosure, and to reduce the exterior temperature over the overall unit to a human-safe level. The second function is to provide structural support for mounting of individual components, mounting the system to another structure such as a vehicle, protection of the internal components from the exterior environment, and protection of the surrounding environment from the high temperatures of the fuel cell assembly.
In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, the "hot" components, e.g., the fuel cell stacks, the fuel reformer, tail gas combuster, heat exchangers, and fuel/air manifold, are contained in a "hot zone" within the thermal enclosure. The thermal enclosure is intended specifically for minimizing heat transfer to its exterior and has no significant structural or protective function for its contents. A separate and larger structural enclosure surrounds the thermal enclosure, defining a "cool zone" outside the thermal enclosure for incorporation of "cool" components, e.g., the air supply system and the electronic control system. The structural enclosure components are known in the art as a "plant support module" (PSM).
Process air entering the blower fan in the PSM first enters the enclosure generally through a filter and then is drawn into the blower, passing as cooling air around the electronics process control module (ECM) and the blower motor. The air cools these components and is desirably warmed thereby before being directed to the fuel cell reformer and stacks via a manifold or plenum having a plurality of independently-controllable air valves for metering air as needed to a plurality of process locations and functions. Thus, the PSM is constantly purged through the downstream processes.
When the fuel cell system is shut down, the enclosure may accumulate harmful gases which then are collected by the blower and discharged through the fuel cell system during the next startup, which discharge may be damaging to the fuel cells.
What is needed is means for preventing the discharge of gases in the PSM enclosure into the fuel cell system immediately upon startup thereof.
It is a principal object of the present invention to reduce the risk of damage to a fuel cell system from harmful gases at start-up.
It is a further object of the invention to increase the reliability and safety of operation of such a fuel cell system.


Techniques for automatically generating targeting templates are provided. In one technique, multiple sets of targeting criteria provided by different content providers are identified. Based on the multiple sets of targeting criteria, multiple clusters of sets of targeting criteria are created. For each cluster, a targeting template is generated based on a set of targeting criteria that belong to that cluster. In another technique, multiple users are identified and for each user, a set of attribute-value pairs of that user is identified and added to a plurality of attribute-value pairs. Based on the plurality of attribute-value pairs, a targeting template that specifies targeting criteria is generated and presented for selection.

Many content providers rely on third-party content delivery systems to distribute their respective electronic content through computer networks to computing devices of end users who might be interested in the electronic content. When interacting with a content delivery system to create a content delivery campaign, a content provider needs to translate their ideal target user to targeting criteria supported by the content delivery system. Such a "translation" is often a tedious and time-consuming process and requires ramping up on each new content delivery platform and understanding its targeting capabilities. A significant number of content providers drop out at the targeting stage of the campaign creation process. Furthermore, content providers might not utilize the full targeting capabilities and, as a result, reach only a small subset of the target audience available on that platform.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Automatically generating targeting templates for content providers


A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a write driver that receives data transmitted through an input/output line, and a synchronous delay circuit unit that generates an enable signal so as to allow the data transmitted through the input/output line to be supplied to the write driver.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to semiconductor memory apparatuses, and more particularly, to a semiconductor memory apparatus including a write driver.
2. Related Art
In general, a semiconductor memory apparatus repeats a read/write operation. The read operation is an operation that outputs data stored in a selected memory cell to the outside of the semiconductor memory apparatus, and the write operation is an operation that stores data input from the outside of the semiconductor memory apparatus in to the selected memory cell.
Since a data input/output speed of the semiconductor memory apparatus is an important element that determines an operation speed of a system to which the semiconductor memory apparatus is applied, a technology for improving the operation speed of the semiconductor memory apparatus has been researched.
In order to improve the operation speed of the semiconductor memory apparatus, a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) that controls internal circuits in synchronization with a clock signal generated from the outside of the synchronous DRAM has been developed.
The synchronous DRAM may be classified into a single data rate SDRAM (hereinafter, referred to as SDR SDRAM) and a double data rate SDRAM (hereinafter, DDR SDRAM). In the SDR SDRAM, one data is input or output during one cycle of an external clock signal in response to a rising edge or a falling edge of the external clock signal. Meanwhile, in the DDR SDRAM, two data are input or output during one cycle of an external clock signal in response to both a rising edge and a falling edge of the external clock signal. Thus, a bandwidth of the DDR SDRAM may be at a maximum two times wider than a bandwidth of the SDR SDRAM.
As shown in FIG. 1, in a general DDR2 SDRAM, a column active signal CACTV and a data input pulse DINCLKP are generated after two clock cycles which start when inputting a clock signal CLK including a write command WT. Data is loaded to a GIO (global input/output) line in synchronization with a rising edge of the data input pulse DINCLKP.
The write driver receives the data that is stored in the GIO line in response to the column active signal CACTV. At this time, a predetermined amount of delay time is required to receive the data loaded to the GIO line, and the delay time is ensured by a general delay member, for example, a circuit member that includes a plurality of inverters and RC elements. That is, the write driver is supplied with a bank write enable signal BWEN that adjusts the amount of time needed to receive the data loaded to the GIO line by the delay member. Specifically, when the bank write enable signal BWEN is at a high level, the write driver receives the data from the GIO line, and when the bank write enable signal BWEN is at a low level, the write driver stores the data loaded to the GIO line in a latch circuit that is included in the write driver.
Thus, in order to securely recognize the data from the GIO line, it is preferable to allow a high pulse interval of the bank write enable signal BWEN to be located at the center of a pulsing interval (H or L) of the signal from the GIO line. In the related art, the number of components that constitute a delay member is adjusted such that a pulsing interval of the bank write enable signal BWEN is located at the center of the high or low pulsing interval of the signal from the GIO line.
However, in the case of a DDR2 SDRAM that has a memory capacity of 1G byte, the length of the GIO line is about 15000 μm because the DDR2 SDRAM has an 8-bank structure. When the length of the GIO line is increased, a resistance value of the GIO line is increased. Therefore, a parasitic RC delay time is generated, which decreases a data transmission rate. For this reason, the bank write enable signal BWEN is delayed for a predetermined time longer than a set delay time. As a result, since the bank write enable signal BWEN is not generated at a proper timing, an error may occur when the write driver receives the data.
Further, the general delay member is composed of a delay circuit that includes a plurality of inverters, a resistor, and a capacitor, and transistors constituting the inverters, the resistor, and the capacitor may be affected by a voltage, a temperature, and a frequency. That is, in the delay member that includes the transistors, the resistor, and the capacitor that are normally affected by the outside environment, when the power and voltage are increased, a delay time is decreased, and when the power and voltage are decreased, the delay time is increased.
Therefore, in the bank write enable signal BWEN whose pulse generating interval is determined by the delay member, the pulse generating interval may be changed due to the length of the GIO line, process variables, or the like. In the case of a low-voltage and high-frequency element such as the DDR2 SDRAM, the high pulse interval of the bank write enable signal BWEN may be generated outside the high pulse interval of the signal from the GIO line.
For this reason, it is difficult for the write driver according to the related art to securely receive the data loaded to the GIO line.

Semiconductor memory apparatus including synchronous delay circuit unit


A remote controlled drilling rig that is fully functional includes a drilling rig, an electrical assembly, and a remote. The drilling rig includes a truck for towing a semi-trailer on which is positioned a derrick and a drilling assembly. The electrical assembly is positioned within the drilling rig and includes a battery for powering components of the drilling rig, in addition to a receiver and circuit board for receiving and processing command signals respectively. The receiver is communicably coupled to a transmitter housed within a casing of the remote. A plurality of controls is used to send input commands to the transmitter, which are in turn transmitted to the receiver in order to control functions of the drilling rig, such as raising and lowering the derrick. A draw-works assembly allows for raising and lowering a traveling block within the derrick by winding and unwinding a drilling cable connected between.

Drilling into the Earth's surface is a major aspect of acquiring and extracting resources such as natural gas and oil. An integral piece of machinery in the process of resource acquisition and extraction is the drilling rig. Drilling rigs are commonly large, permanent structures that are constructed on-site at drilling locations. These large pieces of machinery house the components that perform a variety of functions such as penetrating the Earth's crust to gain access to deep underground resources. A drill bit is connected to a rotary table and lowered into the ground to form a well bore. The drill bit and assembly are supported by a hoist. As drilling is often conducted deep under the Earth's surface, additional piping must be incorporated onto the drill in order to maintain the attachment between the drill bit and the rotary table. Additionally, drilling into the ground produces a large amount of debris that accumulates in the well bore. In order to remove the debris and keep the drill bit clean, drilling fluid or "mud" is pumped into the well bore through the piping. The drilling mud performs other functions such as sealing any fractures within the well bore as well as keeping the drill bit cool. Because of the resources and manpower required to construct permanent drilling rigs on-site at drilling locations, mobile drilling rigs are often mounted on trucks and trailers. These mobile drilling rigs generally encompass mounted derricks that are lowered during transport and raised after arrival at the drill site.
The present invention is a fully functional remote controlled on shore mobile drilling rig. The present invention comprises a remote controlled truck, a semi-trailer, and a derrick. The scaled model derrick is mounted to the semi-trailer. As with its full sized counterpart, the model derrick may be lowered and raised as necessary. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention is capable of performing the same functions as those of a full sized conventional drilling rig. The present invention is capable of hoisting and supporting a drill bit assembly as well as piping for drilled well bores. The drill bit is rotated by means of a rotary table and is capable of creating well bores in the ground. The hoisting assembly comprises drill line that is threaded through a pulley system and operated by motorized draw-works. The draw-works raises and lowers a traveling block. The traveling block, in conjunction with the pulley system and drill line, is capable of lifting and supporting large amounts of weight. Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate the ability to pump drilling mud into bore wells. In these embodiments of the present invention, additional drilling mud equipment such as a mud tank and mud pump as well as additional piping, hosing, or tubing are featured. Electrical and mechanical components required to operate the drilling rig are located on or within the semi-trailer of the present invention.
The functions of the drilling rig are managed by a user operated remote control. In addition to the aforementioned drilling, lifting, and pumping capabilities of the drilling rig, the truck to which the semi-trailer and derrick are attached may be driven and navigated by means of remote control. The truck is fully functional as well with features such as headlights, vehicle horn, and brakes operable via remote control. The object of the present invention is to provide users with a fully functional, scaled model of a mobile drilling rig. The present invention has many applications that range from recreational enjoyment to rig operator basic training and familiarization with the features of full sized conventional drilling rigs. Because the present invention is a fully functional scaled model of a full sized conventional drilling rig, it is noted that various modifications may be required to the design and operation mechanisms of the scaled model. This is primarily due to the impracticality of perfectly replicating various components of full sized drilling rigs. However, any alterations made to the scaled model do not interfere with the ability of the present invention to function in the same manner as its full sized counterpart.


The present disclosure relates to a toilet tank having articles holding slot which comprises a rectangular toilet tank for the flushing of toilet and a toilet tank cover for covering the toilet tank. A right wing and a left wing extend backwardly from and perpendicularly to a back wall of the toilet tank respectively. A bottom support is horizontally connected between the right and left wings so as to incorporate with the right and left wings and the back wall to form a rigid "I" shaped construction that can resist transverse and longitudinal stress with the minimum parts and constructing material and the minimum manufacturing cost. Thus, the bottom support and the upper portions of the back wall, the right wing and the left wing define a receiving room therebetween. Whereby, the toilet tank is mounted to a vertical bathroom wall that acts as another side wall of the receiving room so that an article holding slot is formed for storing articles, such as newspapers, books and magazines, or toilet cleaning tools.

To utilize limited time for absorbing the maximum knowledge becomes a nowadays ideology of human being in today's progressive commercial society. People have to spend a certain period of time on toilet every day. To avoid the wasting of time, people are used to read newspapers or magazines during defecating.
However, it is rarely to provide book shelf or specified place for storing newspapers or magazines in such a narrow and small residential bathroom or public rest room. Generally, people simply place the books, magazines, and newspapers on the cover of toilet tank or on the edge of washbasin where people can easily reach while sitting on the toilet. Since the size of the flat or convex smooth top surface of the toilet tank cover is generally 8.times.20 inches, objects placed thereon will easily drop or slip off the top surface. Moreover, the paper made articles will easily be damaged due to the damp surface of the washbasin.
Toilet cleaning tools like toilet brush and cleansing acid should be stored in a good ventilating location in the bathroom. So that, they are not suitable to store in the cabinet and have to commonly place on the bathroom floor although they are easily to fall off and unseemly.
Accordingly, an adequate room that does not occupy much area in such narrow and small bathroom for holding those newspapers, books, magazines, or toilet cleaning tools is highly desired.

Toilet tank having articles holding slot


A liquid crystal display and a driving method thereof. A gate driver drives a first pixel of the display via a first scanning line within a frame period including first and second data writing intervals. A first data voltage and a second data voltage are transmitted to the first pixel in the first and second data writing intervals, respectively. After the first data writing interval, a first color light source illuminates the first pixel. After the second data writing interval, a second color light source illuminates the first pixel. In a reset interval between the first and second data writing intervals, a voltage of a common line coupled to a storage capacitor of the first pixel is changed from a first common voltage to a second common voltage so that a voltage of a first liquid crystal capacitor of the first pixel is changed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a liquid crystal display and a driving method thereof, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display and a driving method thereof for driving pixels according to a color sequential method.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the thinned trend of the display, liquid crystal displays are widely used in various electronic products, such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer and a color television. The conventional color liquid crystal display achieves the color displaying effect using red, green and blue color filters. Unlike the conventional display principle, the liquid crystal display for driving pixels according to the color sequential method achieves the color displaying effect using red, green and blue colors of light sources to display the colors directly through a backlight module and then using the continuous color addition.
However, because the color sequential method has to divide one frame period into three sub-frame periods so that the red, green and blue colors of light sources turn on within different sub-frame periods to mix the colors. Assume a display frame completely turns from black to white and is scanned from top to bottom sequentially within a sub-frame period. When the response speed of the liquid crystal is not high enough, liquid crystal molecules in a lower half portion of a panel do not reach the complete response state yet when the color light source turns on so that the corresponding pixels cannot reach the required brightness. At this time, the brightness of the display frame in the lower half portion of the panel is lower than the brightness of the display frame in an upper half portion of the panel, and the overall frame brightness is not uniform.
Similarly, assume the display frame completely turns from white to black and is scanned from top to bottom sequentially within the sub-frame period. When the response speed of the liquid crystal is not high enough, the liquid crystal molecules in the lower half portion of the panel cannot reach the complete response state yet when the color light source turns on so that the corresponding pixels cannot reach the required black frame. At this time, the color of the display frame in the lower half portion of the panel is different from the color of the display frame in the upper half portion of the panel, so the overall frame color is not uniform or the mixed color is incorrect.

Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof


At a supporting member, an angle between an imaginary extension plane of an outer surface of a first partition wall and an imaginary extension plane of an upper surface of a pedal arm is one of an obtuse angle and a right angle. An angle between an imaginary extension plane of an outer surface of a third partition wall and an imaginary extension plane of a lower surface of the pedal arm is one of an obtuse angle and a right angle.

A known accelerator apparatus controls an acceleration state of a vehicle according to the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal, which is depressed by a foot of a driver of the vehicle. In the accelerator apparatus, a rotational angle of a shaft, which corresponds to a rotational angle of a pedal arm connected to the pedal, is sensed. In the vehicle, an opening degree of a throttle valve, which adjusts a quantity of intake air drawn into cylinders of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, is determined based on the sensed rotational angle. JP2007-253869A discloses an accelerator pedal apparatus that includes a spring (an urging means) and a hysteresis mechanism accommodated in a supporting member that rotatably supports the shaft. The spring urges the shaft in an accelerator closing direction to rotate the shaft in the accelerator closing direction. The hysteresis mechanism makes a pedal force, which is applied to the accelerator pedal at the time of depressing the accelerator pedal, to be larger than a pedal force, which is applied to the accelerator pedal at the time of releasing the depressed accelerator pedal.
However, in the accelerator apparatus of JP2007-253869A, the supporting member has an opening, which corresponds to a movable range of the pedal arm. A foreign object (e.g., a small pebble, particulate debris) may possibly enter an interior of the supporting member through this opening. When the foreign object enters the interior of the supporting member, the accelerator apparatus may not function properly.


A process, a satellite navigation system and a user terminal for furnishing and transmitting navigation data in a navigation system by transmitting several navigation data blocks from a navigation data transmission unit to navigation terminals. Before transmitting the navigation data to the navigation device, an interleaving of at least two navigation data blocks takes place.

This application claims the priority of German Application No. 102 19 701.6, filed May 2, 2002, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention is addressed to the transfer of navigation data from navigation transmission facilities to navigation terminals.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,178 describes a method for transferring navigation data to navigation terminals in which navigation is transmitted from several navigation data transmission facilities, here from navigation satellites and pseudolites, whereby an interleaving of navigation data of various navigation transmission facilities takes place with a TDMA method.
Such a method is only attained according to the state of the art in that the transmitted navigation data of different navigation data transmission facilities do not mutually disturb one another if possible. This method does not provide for optimization of data transmission to an individual navigation data transmitting facility.
The object of the present invention is to optimize transmission of navigation data from a navigation data transmission facility to navigation terminals.
The present invention provides a method for furnishing and transferring navigation data in a navigation system by transmission of several navigation data blocks from a navigation transmitting facility to navigation terminals. In accordance with the present invention, prior to transmitting navigation data to the navigation terminals, at least two navigation data blocks are interleaved. Basically, any type of distributing and regrouping data of the individual navigation blocks takes place as interleaving, whereby data of different navigation blocks are assembled into a new data packet. The advantage of interleaving is that the data of a data block can be distributed to several data packets, and thus the individual data of the data block can be separated in connection with a data transmission. If during a data transmission a data packet is erroneously transmitted, then not all data of a data block are lost, but rather only part of the data block. The lost part can then possibly be reconstructed on the basis of the remaining data of the data blocks which were transmitted in other data packets.
According to the invention either one or several or all navigation data sending facilities of the navigation system can be implement with such a method, and can also be correspondingly constructed.
The scope of the data with which an interleaving is conducted can be defined by the data content of a data frame (frame) which is ultimately transmitted to the navigation terminal. Generally such a data frame is at least defined by signalization data (headers) and useful data, whereby the signalization data at least contain identification data for identifying the data frame. The scope of the data with which an interleaving is conducted can, however, also be established for a specified transmission time for a navigation data block. A typical transmission time in satellite navigation systems for navigation data blocks which contain navigation reports is, for example, one second.
A transmission time can be established for interleaving, especially for each data unit of the navigation data block, with the aid of an algorithm, whereby the sequence of transmission times deviates from the original sequence of data units within the navigation data block. Thus, an emission of the individual data units of the navigation data blocks is brought about in which the sequence of the data units no longer corresponds to the original sequence of the data units in the navigation data blocks. The meaning of the data units is defined further below.
If there exists a case that at the same time in which a time-uncritical navigation data block is to be transmitted, k time-critical navigation data blocks are also to be sent with k=2, 3, 4 . . . then the algorithm can be constructed in such a way that, for transmitting the k time-critical navigation data blocks with k=2, 3, 4 . . . , and the one time-uncritical navigation data blocks, the transmission times of the data units of each time-critical navigation data block are at all times established in a fraction 1/k of the transmission time of the time-uncritical navigation data block. If, for example, a transmission time of one second is provided for a time-uncritical navigation data block and if at the same time 2 time-critical navigation blocks are to be sent, then the algorithm is constructed in such a way that the first time-critical report is transmitted in the first half of the transmission time, thus in the first ½ second, and the second time-critical time-critical report is transmitted in the second half of the transmission time, thus in the second ½ second. The meaning of time-critical and time-uncritical navigation blocks will be further defined below.
An advantage of this further development is that the time-critical navigation data blocks can be completely received in a fraction 1/k of the transmission time of the time-uncritical navigation data blocks and can be processed in the terminal. Also, a more rapid emission of the time-critical navigation data blocks can take place, since it is possible to begin with the emission of data after the first time-critical navigation data blocks are available because the second time-critical navigation data block must first be present in the second fraction 1/k of the transmission time. It is analogous with additional time-critical navigation data blocks.
The navigation data blocks can be distributed into equal packets with indexed data addresses to perform the interleaving. An interleaving can then take place by successive transmission of one data unit of a packet in any given case. Thus, for example, any desired first data unit of the first packet is transmitted after distributing the data of the navigation data blocks, then any desired first data unit of the second packet, then any desired first data unit of the third packet etc. up to the last packet can be transmitted. Then a second data unit of the first packet is transmitted, then a second data unit of the second packet etc. is transmitted up to the last packet. This process is continued up to the last data unit of each packet.
In the aforementioned example, one proceeds from an arbitrary succession of emission of data units per packet. But an emission of data units per packet corresponding to the indexing of the data addresses of the packet can also take place. It can, therefore, be provided that first the data units of all packets with the lowest or highest data address are transmitted successively and then the data units of all packets with the next highest or next lowest data address are successively transmitted. If one represents the packet in the form of columns one beside the other so that the totality of the packets forms a matrix, then this type of emission corresponds to a line by line emission of the data units of the packet.
Indexed data addresses mean are herein defined such that corresponding data addresses of individual data packets for the data transmission system are recognizable through the addresses, that is, that especially the beginning and the end of the data packets are ascertainable, and that a succession of data within the data packets is defined. The type of indexing and addressing can basically be freely chosen in a suitable manner.
A further development of the invention provides that at least a first group of packets is reserved for packets of navigation data blocks with time-critical navigation data and at least a second group of packets is reserved for packets for navigation data blocks with time-uncritical navigation data. Thus not all types of navigation data are evenly distributed to data packets, but there is a differentiation according to the significance of the navigation data, especially according to time-critical aspects. A differentiated treatment of time-critical and time-uncritical navigation data in the framework of interleaving becomes possible, which offers advantages for additional processing of navigation data, as will be explained further below. Those data that are to be understood as time-critical data must be transmitted immediately to the terminals for a secure operation or for certain applications in the navigation terminals. Typical periods of time here are under one second. Time-uncritical data in contrast are data which the terminal requires for operation or certain uses, but which can arrive with a certain delay in the terminal without the operation of the terminal being basically disturbed. The ratios of the numbers of the packets which are reserved for time-critical and time-uncritical are preferably determined by the ratio of the volumes of time-critical data to time-uncritical data. If the volume of time-critical data is a fourth or a half of the volume of time-uncritical data, then a fourth or half of the packets are reserved for time critical data, the rest for time uncritical data.
It can be provided that status reports are transmitted as time-critical data and navigation useful data are transmitted as time-uncritical navigation data, whereby the navigation useful data are used directly for determining the position on the part of the navigation terminal. Identification data of system components, data on the version of certain software or even traffic information for land, water or air traffic or other types of status information can also be transmitted as status information data.
Integrity reports concerning navigation data transmitting facilities of the navigation system represent an important type of status information. These can be subjected to an interleaving with further navigation data by an interleaving process of the invention. The transmission of the navigation data preferably takes place through a navigation satellite of a satellite navigation system. Reports on the specific integrity of the transmitting navigation satellite or on the integrity of a selected group of navigation satellites, or on the integrity of all navigation satellites of a satellite navigation system to which the transmitting navigation satellite belongs are transmitted as integrity reports. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that reports on the integrity of navigation satellites of other satellite navigation systems are transmitted as integrity reports.
In one method of interleaving of time-critical and time-uncritical data, it is provided that                All packets have a length of n data units,        Packets of the first group of packets are filled with packets of n/k, k=2, 3, 4, 5 . . . data units of a navigation data block of time-critical material and        Packets of the second group of packets are filled with n data units of a navigation data block of time-uncritical data.
All data packets thus possess the same length. A bit, a byte or another defined data symbol with defined symbol length can be provided as a data unit. The packets of the second group are simply completely filled with time-uncritical data of the corresponding navigation data blocks. If the end of a navigation data block with time-uncritical material is reached, the filling of packets which are reserved for time-uncritical data is continued with the next navigation data block of time-uncritical data.
Time-critical data are nonetheless processed differently: Packets for time-critical data are not filled up to the full length n with the data of time-critical data blocks, but only n/k data units of a packet are filled with data of a certain data blocks, in the simplest case, only the first half of the packet. The data content of the data block with time-critical data is therewith distributed in each case up to the first half of several packets. This provides a particular advantage. By interleaving, the data contents of the packet are transmitted in such a way that first all data units which stand at the beginning of the packet are successively transmitted. This is continued until the end of the packet is reached. One can easily recognize that a data block that was in any case distributed to the first half of several parameters was already completely transmitted after half of the time that is necessary for transmission of all data of all packets. It is similar for the general case of n/k data units with k=2, 3, 4 . . . Hence time-critical data can be very rapidly completely transmitted and nonetheless be subjected to interleaving. The whole number k can basically be freely defined. It preferably corresponds, however, to the number of data blocks with time-critical data which must be transmitted within a certain time unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the volume of time critical data is at a maximum of half, ideally a maximum of a fourth of the volume of data of the time-uncritical data. In this way, the effectiveness of the process is assured.
A further object of the present invention is a satellite navigation system with navigation satellites which on the one hand have facilities for furnishing navigation data in the form of several navigation data blocks, and on the other hand have facilities for transmitting data to navigation terminals. According to the present invention, each navigation satellite has a facility for interleaving at least two navigation data blocks prior to the transmission of navigation data to the navigation terminals.
The facility for interleaving can be further developed so that it is suited for implementing individual or all steps of an interleaving process as described above. The facility for interleaving is then suitably adapted to the corresponding steps of the interleaving process.
A further object of the present invention is a user terminal for a satellite navigation system. In accordance with the invention, the user terminal has a device for reconstruction of navigation data blocks which have been received by the user terminal by a receiving unit of at least one navigation satellite and which were subjected to an interleaving according to a previously described method prior to receiving. The corresponding device of the user terminal is thus constructed for recognizing the navigation data in the form described above and reconstructing the original navigation data blocks again on the basis of the original data through a de-interleaving complementary to the interleaving.
A further object of the present invention is a computer program for processing navigation data of a satellite navigation system which have been subjected to an interleaving according to one of the previously described methods, whereby the computer program is constructed for a cooperation with the facilities of an aforementioned user terminal. The computer program hence recognizes and processes the navigation data in the form described above and is able to reconstruct the original navigation data blocks again by a de-interleaving complementary to the interleaving.
A further object of the present invention is a computer program product includes a machine-readable program carrier on which an aforementioned computer program is stored in the form of electronically readable control signals, whereby the computer program product is constructed for interacting with a user terminal. The control signals can be stored in any suitable form. The electronic reading out can then correspondingly take place through electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, electro-optical or other electronic methods. Examples for such program carriers are magnetic tapes, diskettes, hard disks, CD-ROM or semiconductor components.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Process for interleaving navigation data


An optical output coupler having a reflector integrated in an evanescent coupler. In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes first and second optical paths. An optical beam is to be directed through the first optical path. The apparatus also includes an evanescent coupler, which evanescently couples the first and second optical paths. The apparatus further includes a reflector, which is included in the evanescent coupler and integrated in the first and second optical paths. The optical beam that is directed through the first optical path is reflected from the reflector as the optical beam is concurrently evanescently coupled from the first to the second optical path.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical devices and, more specifically, the present invention relates to output couplers.
2. Background Information
The need for fast and efficient optical-based technologies is increasing as Internet data traffic growth rate is overtaking voice traffic pushing the need for fiber optical communications. Transmission of multiple optical channels over the same fiber in the dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) system provides a simple way to use the unprecedented capacity (signal bandwidth) offered by fiber optics. Commonly used optical components in the system include lasers, WDM transmitters and receivers, optical filters such as diffraction gratings, thin-film filters, fiber Bragg gratings, arrayed-waveguide gratings and optical add/drop multiplexers.
Lasers are well known devices that emit light through stimulated emission and produce coherent light beams with a frequency spectrum ranging from infrared to ultraviolet and may be used in a vast array of applications. In optical communications or networking applications, semiconductor lasers may be used to produce light or optical beams on which data or other information may be encoded and transmitted.

Method and apparatus providing an output coupler for an optical beam


A fuel injector retention arrangement includes a fuel rail socket interior space defined within a fuel rail socket body along a fuel rail socket axis; a fuel injector retention groove defined on a fuel injector upper housing of a fuel injector; a first retention bore defined in the fuel rail socket body along a first retention bore axis that is substantially perpendicular to the fuel rail socket axis; a second retention bore defined in the fuel rail socket body along a second retention bore axis that is substantially perpendicular to the fuel rail socket axis; a first retention pin disposed within the first retention bore and the fuel injector retention groove; a second retention pin disposed within the second retention bore and the fuel injector retention groove; and a retention pin retaining member which retains the first and second retention pins in the first and second retention bores respectively.

Modern internal combustion engines typically utilize one or more fuel injectors for metering a precise quantity of fuel to be combusted in respective combustion chambers such that the combustion is initiated, by way of non-limiting example only, with a spark from a spark plug. Combustion of the fuel may be used, for example, to propel a motor vehicle and to generated electricity or drive other accessories in support of operation of the motor vehicle. Fuels in liquid form that are commonly used to power the internal combustion engine include, by way of non-limiting example only, gasoline, ethanol, alcohol, diesel fuel, and the like and blends of two or more thereof. Until more recently, fuel injectors commonly referred to as port fuel injectors were predominantly used. Port fuel injectors inject fuel into a port of an intake manifold where the fuel is mixed with air prior to being drawn into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion through an intake valve of the cylinder head. A typical port fuel injector is show in U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,249 to Molnar. In order to increase fuel economy and reduce undesirable emissions produced by combustion of the fuel, direct injection fuel injectors have been increasing in use. As the name suggests, direct injection fuel injectors inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber. An example of such a direct injection fuel injector is described in Unites States Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0067982 A1 to Perry et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In a typical internal combustion engine, a plurality of direct injection fuel injectors such as those disclosed in Perry et al. are attached to a common volume of a fuel rail which contains pressurized fuel. The fuel rail includes a plurality of fuel rail sockets which each receive a portion of a respective fuel injector therein. In use, the pressurized fuel acts on the fuel injectors, thereby trying to push the fuel injectors out of their respective fuel rail sockets. It may be desirable to suspend the fuel injectors from their respective fuel rail sockets in order to minimize contact between the internal combustion engine and the fuel injectors, thereby minimizing noise and heat transfer. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,646,434; 8,813,722; and 7,856,962 to Harvey et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,710 to Davis; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,127 to Notaro et al.; United Stated Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0012093 A1 to Pepperine et al.; and Research Disclosure Publication No. 601008 teach various arrangements for retaining a fuel injector to a fuel rail socket. However, these various arrangements for retaining the fuel injector to the fuel rail socket may be costly and difficult to implement. Furthermore some of these arrangements for retaining the fuel injector to the fuel rail socket may not be satisfactory when subjected to fuel pressures which are ever increasing in an attempt to achieve greater efficiency and reduced emissions. Consequently, improvements in retaining the fuel injector to the fuel rail socket are always sought.
What is needed is an arrangement for retaining a fuel injector to a fuel rail socket which minimizes or eliminates one or more of the shortcomings set forth above.

Arrangement for retaining a fuel injector to a fuel rail socket


The disclosure relates to a system that allows a user to enter a search query, to explore a knowledge base through a hierarchical model of concepts each of which is mentioned in one or more documents stored in the knowledge base, and to refine the search query based on a displayed portion of the hierarchical model.

The increased capability of computers to store vast collections of information has led to a need for increasingly efficient techniques for information retrieval. Information retrieval refers to searching for relevant information in information systems that may contain numerous documents. Some information retrieval systems are based on keywords that index documents and a query language to retrieve documents from centralized document repositories according to those keywords. Typically, a text search engine that executes a query formulated by a user and returns a set of documents matching the keywords identified within the query is utilized. Some search engines may even predict what information is relevant to a user based on keywords identified in such a query. Such techniques, however, are insufficient to meet the diversified information retrieval needs of some users. In addition, traditional information retrieval systems may not identify the vast amount of potentially relevant documents that may best answer a particular user's need.
Various limitations may be associated with some information retrieval systems. For example, in some information retrieval systems, there is no genuine interaction between user and system. The user merely accesses information in a passive fashion and a priori needs to know how to query relevant information with keywords. The effect of this is that users, both skilled and unskilled in information retrieval, must know how to characterize the information they are searching for with appropriate keywords before an actual search commences. The formulation of such a query can be a difficult task, especially in light of the vast amount of information available on the Internet.

Navigation tool for exploring a knowledge base


A method and apparatus for receiving digital audio data which does not require the recovery of a clock from the data. Instead, the digital audio data is sampled at a rate greater than a clock rate of the digital audio data. Appropriate transitions in the digital audio data are detected to allow reconstruction of digital values represented by the digital audio data.

The present invention relates to digital audio interfaces, and in particular to receivers which can receiver S/PDIF and AES digital audio signals.
S/PDIF is a digital audio interface standard commonly used in consumer digital audio equipment, including personal computers. AES is a digital audio interface which is prevalent in professional equipment. Both of these formats are a one direction serial interface which is Manchester encoded in order to provide an embedded clock so that a single data wire is sufficient for the interface.
Manchester encoding encodes digital bits serially in the following manner. The data is sent in a number of bit cells, with each cell having either a one or a zero. It is mandatory that there be a signal transition from low to high or high to low at the boundary of each cell. A one is encoded by having a transition in the middle of the cell, while a zero is encoded by having no transition in the middle of the cell. This is illustrated in FIG. 1, which shows a number of cell boundaries 10. As can be seen, the zeros have no transitions in the middle of the cell, while the ones do. Note that the zero can be either be a high or low value within a cell, and that the one can either start out low or start out high, ending the opposite. A preamble is indicated by violating the Manchester rule of having a transition at the cell boundary. Thus, a preamble is typically one and one-half bit cells long, and can be detected since there is no transition at the bit cell boundary.
In audio equipment, the original audio data from a human voice, musical instrument, etc., is in analog form. This is sampled at a high data rate, with each sample being then converted into a multi-bit digital value. These digital values can then be sent serially from one place to another in the digital circuit or to other digital equipment using Manchester coding.
To receive a Manchester coded signal, a receiver will typically extract the embedded clock using a phased locked loop (PLL). A phased locked loop is a combination of digital and analog circuitry which allows the generation of a clock corresponding to the bit cell transitions of the Manchester encoded data. Using the recovered clock, the data can then be covered. As can be seen, once the clock is obtained and the transition boundaries are then known, the recovering circuit can simply look to see whether or not there is a transition near the middle of the clock.
Where a particular piece of audio equipment receives multiple digital audio streams, one method is to transmit a "house sync" and require all devices sending data to become phase locked to the house sync. In this manner, the receiver would not require a PLL. A disadvantage to this approach is that the house sync needs to be communicated to all transmitting devices, and most consumer equipment such as CD-players, CD-ROMs, DAT players and Mini-disks do not provide the sync-lock feature this would require.

Digital audio data receiver without synchronized clock generator


A battery cell storage case according to the present invention may comprise: a case in which battery cells are stored; and a discharge unit which is electrically connected to the case, is disposed outside the case, and discharges the battery cells, wherein the case comprises: an upper case which has a hollow structure and is open on one side thereof; and a lower case which has a hollow structure and is open on the side facing the open portion of the upper case.

Recently, secondary batteries capable of charging and discharging have been widely used as energy sources of wireless mobile devices. In addition, the secondary battery has attracted attention as an energy source of an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, etc., which are proposed as a solution for air pollution of existing gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles using fossil fuel.
Small devices such as mobile phones and cameras use small battery packs packed with one secondary battery cell, whereas medium and large devices such as laptops and electric vehicles use medium or large battery packs in which two or more secondary battery cells are connected in parallel and/or in series.
Such secondary batteries may be classified into lithium ion batteries, lithium ion polymer batteries, lithium polymer batteries, etc., depending on the composition of the electrode and the electrolyte, and among them, the amount of use of lithium-ion polymer batteries that are less likely to leak electrolyte and are easy to manufacture is on the increase.
On the other hand, the lithium secondary battery has a problem of low stability while having excellent electrical properties. For this reason, many tests have been carried out on products in order to ensure the optimum operating state and stability for secondary batteries.
Many secondary batteries are stored before the stability test. Such secondary batteries in storage generate heat and gas by causing decomposition reactions of active materials and electrolytes, which are battery components, under abnormal operating conditions such as overcharge, overdischarge, exposure to high temperatures, electrical short circuits, and external shocks. Further, the high temperature and high pressure conditions caused by this may further promote the decomposition reaction, which may cause the air to ignite or explode. In addition, abnormal operation in some of a plurality of secondary batteries may cause a chain reaction to other batteries, and the resulting ignition and explosion may lead to large accidents.
Thus, in the storage of the secondary battery for the stability test, there is a demand for a method for preventing ignition, explosion, etc. due to external impact, and ensuring stability from the risk of explosion.

Battery cell storage case and storage device including same


A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes outer and inner liners defining a combustion chamber and an igniter mounted to the outer liner. A dome plate is disposed between the outer and inner liners and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings formed therein. A fuel-air mixer is disposed in each one of the openings; each fuel-air mixer includes a swirler mounted in the corresponding opening and a fuel nozzle received in the corresponding swirler. Two adjacent ones of the swirlers are low air flow swirlers in general circumferential alignment with the igniter and the rest of the swirlers are higher air flow swirlers. Each one of the fuel nozzles provides a similar amount of fuel so that the two fuel-air mixers having low air flow swirlers produce a local region of increased fuel-to-air ratio in the vicinity of the igniter.

This invention relates generally to gas turbine engines and more particularly to combustors used in such engines.
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor that provides pressurized air to a combustor wherein the air is mixed with fuel and ignited for generating hot combustion gases. These gases flow downstream to one or more turbines that extract energy therefrom to power the compressor and provide useful work such as powering an aircraft in flight. In combustors used with aircraft engines, the fuel is typically supplied to the combustor through a plurality of fuel nozzles circumferentially spaced around the forward end of the combustor. Each fuel nozzle has a surrounding assembly, known as a swirler, through which the air is supplied. Each swirler includes a number of angled vanes that impart a swirling motion to the air so as to cause the air and fuel to be thoroughly mixed.
The fuel-air mixture is ignited by an igniter mounted in the outer liner of the combustor. Under some conditions, particularly during rapid deceleration of the engine, an insufficient fuel-to-air ratio can develop and cause an engine flameout (i.e., a temporary loss of ignition). One approach to avoiding engine flameouts involves providing one of the fuel nozzles with an enriched primary circuit fuel schedule and the remaining fuel nozzles with a normal fuel schedule. The enriched fuel nozzle creates a local region of increase fuel-to-air ratio to prevent combustor flameout during rapid engine decelerations or other instances of insufficient fuel-to-air ratio. However, this approach requires that each combustor have two different fuel nozzle designs, which incrementally increases the overall production cost of the combustor.
Another known approach is to provide a plurality of identical fuel nozzles used in conjunction with an equal number of swirlers, wherein one of the swirlers is a low air flow swirler. The low air flow swirler supplies less air than the other swirlers so that it mixes the same amount of fuel as the other higher flow swirlers, but with less air. The low air flow swirler thus creates a local region of increased fuel-to-air ratio. By aligning the low air flow swirler with the igniter, the combustor is able to more easily re-ignite in the event that the remaining swirlers are extinguished temporarily during periods of insufficient fuel-to-air ratio, such as might occur during rapid engine deceleration. Because swirlers are generally easier to manufacture than fuel nozzles, it is less expensive to have two swirler designs for a single combustor than it is to have two fuel nozzle designs. Another benefit of using swirler air flow reduction instead of fuel flow enrichment to achieve an enriched fuel region is enhanced hot section durability because of lower combustor peak temperature factor at altitude conditions. That is, because less air is available at high altitude, using an enriched fuel nozzle would produce an extreme hot streak that would adversely impact durability of the hot section structure. Using air flow reduction lessens this hot streak effect.
However, it has been found that combustors using a single low air flow swirler can still experience flameouts. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a combustor design that avoids the increased production costs and lower durability of an enriched fuel nozzle and has more robust flameout prevention.
The above-mentioned need is met by the present invention, which provides a combustor having outer and inner liners defining a combustion chamber and an igniter mounted to the outer liner. A dome plate is disposed between the outer and inner liners and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings formed therein. A fuel-air mixer is disposed in each one of the openings; each fuel-air mixer includes a swirler mounted in the corresponding opening and a fuel nozzle received in the corresponding swirler. Two adjacent ones of the swirlers are low air flow swirlers in general circumferential alignment with the igniter and the rest of the swirlers are higher air flow swirlers. Each one of the fuel nozzles provides a similar amount of fuel so that the two fuel-air mixers having low air flow swirlers produce a local region-of increased fuel-to-air ratio in the vicinity of the igniter.
The present invention and its advantages over the prior art will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Combustor for gas turbine engines with low air flow swirlers


An image processing apparatus which includes: an imaging device; a reference luminance property storage device that stores a predetermined reference luminance property; a luminance property calculating device that calculates a luminance property of the imaging device from an image obtained by the imaging device; a comparing device that compares the reference luminance property and the luminance property; a displacement determining device that determines whether or not the luminance property has relative displacement with respect to the reference luminance property based on a comparison result of the comparing device; and a luminance property correcting device that corrects the luminance property, wherein, when the luminance property is determined by the displacement determining device to have relative displacement with respect to the reference luminance property, the luminance property correcting device corrects the luminance property so as to become equivalent to the reference luminance property.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that processes an image taken by an imaging apparatus that can capture for example in the visible light region or infrared region.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-347821, filed Nov. 30, 2004, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of Related Art
There is conventionally known a vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus in which an object such as a pedestrian with a possibility of colliding with a vehicle is extracted from an infrared image of an automobile's surroundings captured by an infrared camera, and information of this object is provided to the driver (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2001-6096).
In the vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus according to one example of the aforementioned prior art, the infrared camera that outputs an image and the processing apparatus that processes the image output from the infrared camera are set to perform image formation and image processing in accordance with a predetermined preset value that serves as an ideal reference for the image luminance value. However, differences in the luminance value setting can arise for the image output from the infrared camera and the image actually processed by the processing apparatus. This is due for example to individual differences occurring in the luminance value setting of each infrared camera when mounting the plurality of infrared cameras on a vehicle, the luminance value setting changing in accordance with aging of the infrared cameras, and the image signal output from the infrared camera attenuating or distorting in the process of being sent to the processing apparatus. For this reason, it is desirable to set the reference luminance value setting equally for the image output from an infrared camera and the image actually processed by a processing apparatus.


There is disclosed a method for measuring the strength of a honeycomb structure provided with an insertion hole preferably without generating any chipping. In the strength measuring method of the honeycomb structure, the strength is measured while a rubber plug is inserted into the insertion hole. The rubber plug has a hardness of 45 or more and 90 or less, a clearance between the inserted rubber plug and the inner surface of the insertion hole parallel to the depth direction of the insertion hole is 0.2 mm or more and 2.6 mm or less, and the protruding height of the inserted rubber plug from the peripheral surface of the honeycomb structure is 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for measuring the strength of a honeycomb structure provided with a hole into which, for example, a sensor is inserted.
2. Description of the Related Art
To prevent environmental pollution and improve the environment, a catalyst converter is used for the treatment of an exhaust gas from a car. This catalyst converter converts harmful substances (nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, etc.) included in the exhaust gas into components which can be discharged to the environment in accordance with law's provisions. When the exhaust gas passes through the catalyst converter, the harmful substances included in the gas are decreased.
However, in a case where it is confirmed whether or not the harmful substances have actually been decreased, it is difficult to directly measure the concentration of the harmful substances in the exhaust gas by use of a sensor.
To solve the problem, the function of the catalyst converter is monitored instead. When the catalyst converter functions, the harmful substances must be decreased. To monitor the function of the catalyst converter, there is employed means for arranging oxygen sensors, for example, back and forth of the catalyst converter, respectively, and measuring the content of oxygen in the exhaust gas by use of these sensors to speculate the accumulation capacity of a catalyst and the progress of an aging process. Alternatively, there is employed means for arranging heat sensors back and forth of the catalyst converter, respectively, and measuring the temperature change of the exhaust gas by use of these sensors to speculate whether or not the catalyst converter works (e.g., see JP-T-2004-526564).
When the above sensors are inserted into holes formed in a honeycomb structure similar to a carrier of the catalyst converter of the catalyst converter and installed together with the honeycomb structure in an exhaust system of the car, the exposure of the sensors to oil, fuel, condensate water and the like encountered in the exhaust system can be prevented, and the stability of the sensors for a long period can be secured. Moreover, heat is usually taken by vaporization of the condensate water to disturb the early heating of the sensors. However, when the sensors are disposed in the honeycomb structure, rapid heating by a sensor heater at an early stage can be performed, and λ-control at the early stage immediately after starting an engine is realized to obtain an emission decreasing effect. In addition, restriction on a space is eased.
It is to be noted that as a prior document suggested to solve the same theme as that of the present invention described later or a similar theme, for example, JP-T-2004-526564 can be exemplified.
Additionally, even in the honeycomb structure provided with the holes into which the sensors are inserted, a constant strength is demanded in the same manner as in a filter or the catalyst carrier. When the honeycomb structure is broken, a sensor function might be lost, and a detection accuracy might lower.
However, when the strength of the honeycomb structure provided with the holes is measured by an isostatic breakdown strength test, there are confronted problems that hole edge portions are cracked by urethane wrapping the honeycomb structure therein or urethane is broken and that the strength of the honeycomb structure cannot be measured.

Strength measuring method of honeycomb structure having insertion hole


The present invention includes an automatic commodity or services billing and metering system that when installed does not damage any existing meters or gauges, will fit virtually all known meters and gauges, and has incorporated into the system programmable reading ability to allow reading and accumulation of data by unit, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or any other form of counting required by the customer. The meters are read by various means, one method is by counting and or sensing radiation increases and decreases of radiation emitting from a meter hand or gauge passing a sensor to generate a count. The read data is then sent via the Internet through the telephone line, by satellite, or by cellular phone connection to an offsite central billing and payment processing center where the rate payer and the utility or customer will have various forms of programmable access to its consumption data.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to meter reading systems. More particularly, the invention relates to an automated approach to meter reading, billing and payment processing that reduces retrofitting costs, increases functionality and enhances performance.
2. Discussion
In the utility industry, recent difficulties associated with deregulation have placed a premium on cost reduction and automation. In particular, the complexity of conventional billing processes has placed meter reading approaches and systems under heightened scrutiny. In fact, the majority of utility companies still rely upon a manual meter reading approach that involves a significant labor cost, invoicing delay and equipment costs. While some companies have opted to reduce the frequency of meter reading and estimate commodity usage during interim periods, such an approach lends itself to uncertainty and adds risk to the overall operation.
While a number of approaches to automating the meter reading process have been made, certain difficulties remain. For example, most conventional automation approaches require meter replacement or a complex retrofitting process. With the hundreds of millions of meters currently in service, it is easy to understand that the associated costs make these approaches impractical in a modern economy. It is therefore desirable to provide a method and system that streamline the billing process while at the same time reduce operating costs and enhance performance.

Automated meter reading, billing and payment processing system


A system and a method for controlling routing of data over multiple networks. Accordingly, network users can define specific flow polices to ensure that a particular flow of data traffic maintains an acceptable level of performance, such as in terms of latency, loss, jitter, or an acceptable level usage that includes cost and bandwidth management across multiple networks.

The present invention relates generally to routing of data over networked communication systems, and more specifically to controlled routing of data over networks, such as Internet Protocol ("IP") networks or the Internet.
One such data network is the Internet, which is increasingly being used as a method of transport for communication between companies and consumers. Performance bottlenecks have emerged over time, limiting the usefulness of the Internet infrastructure for business-critical applications. These bottlenecks occur typically at distinct places along the many network paths to a destination from a source. Each distinct bottleneck requires a unique solution.
The "last mile" bottleneck has received the most attention over the past few years and can be defined as bandwidth that connects end-users to the Internet. Solutions such as xDSL and Cable Internet access have emerged to dramatically improve last mile performance. The "first mile" bottleneck is the network segment where content is hosted on Web servers. First mile access has improved, for example, through the use of more powerful Web servers, higher speed communications channels between servers and storage, and load balancing techniques.
The "middle mile," however, is the last bottleneck to be addressed in the area of Internet routing and the most problematic under conventional approaches to resolving such bottlenecks. The "middle mile," or core of the Internet, is composed of large backbone networks and "peering points" where these networks are joined together. Since peering points have been under-built structurally, they tend to be areas of congestion of data traffic. Generally no incentives exist for backbone network providers to cooperate to alleviate such congestion. Given that over about 95% of all Internet traffic passes through multiple networks operated by network service providers, just increasing core bandwidth and introducing optical peering, for example, will not provide adequate solutions to these problems.
Peering is when two Network Service Providers ("NSPs"), or alternatively two Internet Service Providers ("ISPs"), connect in a settlement-free manner and exchange routes between their subsystems. For example, if NSP1 peers with NSP2 then NSP1 will advertise only routes reachable within NSP1 to NSP2 and vice versa. This differs from transit connections where full Internet routing tables are exchanged. An additional difference is that transit connections are generally paid connections while peering points are generally settlement-free. That is, each side pays for the circuit or routes costs to the peering point, but not beyond. Although a hybrid of peering and transit circuits (i.e., paid-peering) exist, only a subset of full routing tables are sent and traffic sent into a paid-peering point is received as a "no change." Such a response hinders effective route control.
Routes received through peering points are one Autonomous System ("AS") away from a Border Gateway Protocol ("BGP") routing perspective. That makes them highly preferred by the protocol (and by the provider as well since those connections are cost free). However, when there are capacity problems at a peering point and performance through it suffers, traffic associated with BGP still prefers the problematic peering point and thus, the end-to-end performance of all data traffic will suffer.
Structurally, the Internet and its peering points include a series of interconnected network service providers. These network service providers typically maintain a guaranteed performance or service level within their autonomous system (AS). Guaranteed performance is typically specified in a service level agreement ("SLA") between a network service provider and a user. The service level agreement obligates the provider to maintain a minimum level of network performance over its network. The provider, however, makes no such guarantee with other network service providers outside their system. That is, there are no such agreements offered across peering points that link network service providers. Therefore, neither party is obligated to maintain access or a minimum level of service across its peering points with other network service providers. Invariably, data traffic becomes congested at these peering points. Thus, the Internet path from end-to-end is generally unmanaged. This makes the Internet unreliable as a data transport mechanism for mission-critical applications. Moreover, other factors exacerbate congestion such as line cuts, planned outages (e.g., for scheduled maintenance and upgrade operations), equipment failures, power outages, route flapping and numerous other phenomena.
Conventionally, several network service providers attempt to improve the general unreliability of the Internet by using a "Private-NAP" service between major network service providers. This solution, however, is incapable of maintaining service level commitments outside or downstream of those providers. In addition the common technological approach in use to select an optimal path is susceptible to multi-path (e.g., ECMP) in downstream providers. The conventional technology thus cannot detect or avoid problems in real time, or near real time.
Additionally, the conventional network technology or routing control technology operates on only egress traffic (i.e., outbound). Ingress traffic (i.e., inbound) of the network, however, is difficult to control. This makes most network technology and routing control systems ineffective for applications that are in general bi-directional in nature. This includes most voice, VPN, ASP and other business applications in use on the Internet today. Such business applications include time-sensitive financial services, streaming of on-line audio and video content, as well as many other types of applications. These shortcomings prevent any kind of assurance across multiple providers that performance will be either maintained or optimized or that costs will be minimized on end-to-end data traffic such as on the Internet.
In some common approaches, it is possible to determine the service levels being offered by a particular network service provider. This technology includes at least two types. First is near real time active calibration of the data path, using tools such as ICMP, traceroute, Sting, and vendors or service providers such as CQOS, Inc., and Keynote, Inc. Another traditional approach is real time passive analysis of the traffic being sent and received, utilizing such tools as TCPdump, and vendors such as Network Associates, Inc., Narus, Inc., Brix, Inc., and P-cube, Inc.
These conventional technological approaches, however, only determine whether a service level agreement is being violated or when network performance in general is degraded. None of the approaches to conventional Internet routing offer either effective routing control across data networks or visibility into the network beyond a point of analysis. Although such service level analysis is a necessary part of service level assurance, alone it is insufficient to guarantee SLA performance or cost. Thus, the common approaches fail to either detect or to optimally avoid Internet problems such as chronic web site outages, poor download speeds, Jittery video, and fuzzy audio.
To overcome the drawbacks of the above-mentioned route control techniques, many users of data networks, such as the Internet, use two or more data network connections. Multiple connections increase the bandwidth or throughput of the amount of data capable of traversing the network. With increased bandwidth, performance and reliability of Internet traffic is improved. Also known in the art as "multi-homing," these multiple connections to the Internet generally are across several different network service providers. Multi-homing typically uses Border Gateway Protocol to direct traffic across one or more network service providers' links. Although this traditional approach improves reliability, performance in terms of packet loss, latency and jitter remains unpredictable. The unpredictability arises due to the inherent nature of BGP to not reroute traffic as performance degrades over a particular end-to-end path. Furthermore, BGP tends to direct traffic onto links that only provide the fewest number of hops to the destination, which typically are not the most cost-effective links. This often leads to in efficient routing control techniques, such as over-provisioning of bandwidth across several providers. This, however, leads to increased costs either monetarily or otherwise.
Given the unpredictability of conventional multi-homing techniques, the network service providers typically deliver unpredictable levels of Internet performance and at different cost structures. No system available today allows Internet customers to manage the bandwidth across multiple providers in terms of at least cost, bandwidth, performance, etc.

System and method to provide routing control of information over data networks