An hydraulic system for a wheeled loader comprising a loader arm assembly which carries a working implement and which is connected to the body and which is movable between raised and lowered positions by means of a hydraulic ram means and in which a hydraulic accumulator is connected to the Hydraulic ram means wherein the loader arm assembly is connected at, or adjacent to, the rear end thereof to the body at, or adjacent to, the rear end thereof so that the loader arm assembly extends forwardly whereby, in a lowered position of the loader arm assembly, the working implement is disposed in front of the body wherein each chamber of the hydraulic ram means is connected to a selection valve means adapted to feed fluid under pressure to one chamber of the ram means and to receive fluid at a lower pressure from the other chamber of the ram means in order to raise the loader arm assembly or to feed fluid under pressure to said other chamber of the ram means and receive fluid at a lower pressure from said one chamber of the ram means to lower the loader arm assembly, first and second control valves each of which is movable between a first position in which passage of hydraulic fluid therethrough is prevented in one or both directions respectively to a second position in which passage of hydraulic fluid therethrough is permitted, said first control valve means being connected between said first chamber and said accumulator and said second valve means being connected between said second chamber and a low pressure region and there being a check valve connected between the first chamber and the selection valve means such that the check valve is normally closed to prevent fluid under pressure passing from said first chamber to the selection valve means and having hydraulic fluid responsive means to open said check valve and there being means to connect said hydraulic fluid pressure means to said second chamber so as to open the check valve.

This invention relates to a hydraulic system for a wheeled loader having a loader arm assembly which carries a working implement and in which the loader arm assembly is connected to the body and which is movable between raised and lowered positions by means of a hydraulic ram means.
It is known to improve the ride of such a wheeled loader by connecting an hydraulic accumulator into the hydraulic hose which feeds hydraulic fluid into said ram means to raise the loader arm assembly. As a result when the wheeled loader is travelling across a site, or when travelling along a road, at speed the loader arm assembly is suspended in spring manner by the accumulator and so the wheeled loader is able to travel with less pitch and bounce than would otherwise have been the case.
However, such a ride improvement system has not been provided hitherto in a loader vehicle comprising a loader arm assembly connected at, or adjacent to, the rear end of the assembly to the body at, or adjacent to, the rear end of the body so that the loader arm assembly extends forwardly whereby, in a lowered position of the arm assembly, the working implement is disposed in front of the body. Such a vehicle is provided with a hose burst check valve.
According to the present we provide an hydraulic system for a wheeled loader having a loader arm assembly which carries a working implement and which is connected to the body and which is movable between raised and lowered positions by means of a hydraulic ram means and in which a hydraulic accumulator is connected to the hydraulic ram means wherein the loader arm assembly is connected at, or adjacent to, the rear end thereof to the body at, or adjacent to, the rear end thereof so that the loader arm assembly extends forwardly whereby, in a lowered position of the loader arm assembly, the working implement is disposed in front of the body wherein each chamber of the hydraulic ram means is connected to a selection valve means adapted to feed fluid under pressure to one chamber of the ram means and to receive fluid at a lower pressure from the other chamber of the ram means in order to raise the loader arm assembly or to feed fluid under pressure to said other chamber of the ram means and receive fluid at a lower pressure from said one chamber of the ram means to lower the loader arm assembly, first and second control valves each of which is movable between a first position in which passage of hydraulic fluid therethrough is prevented in one or both directions respectively to a second position in which passage of hydraulic fluid therethrough is permitted, said first control valve means being connected between said first chamber and said accumulator and said second control valve means being connected between said second chamber and a low pressure region and there being a check valve connected between the first chamber and the selection valve means such that the check valve is normally closed to prevent fluid under pressure passing from said first chamber to the selection valve means and having hydraulic fluid responsive means to open said check valve and there being means to connect said hydraulic fluid pressure means to said second chamber so as to open the check valve.
The selection valve may be manually operable.
The control valves may be electrically operated solenoid valves to which current is supplied by a manually operable switch means to cause operation of said ride improvement means when said valves are positioned to permit passage of hydraulic fluid.
The selection valve may be provided with a switch means to sense the position of the selection valve to close said second control valve when the boom is lowered and said control valves are open.
The accumulator and the control valves and the check valves may be mounted directly on the ram.
At least one of said accumulator, solenoid valves, check valves and connecting pipework may be made in metal, preferably steel.
Said check valve may be a hose burst check valve.
Said one chamber may be disposed on the opposite side of the valve to the piston rod and said other chamber may be an annular chamber surrounding said piston rod.
Referring to the drawings, a wheeled loader vehicle comprises a body 10 supported, in conventional manner, on two pairs of front and rear wheels 11, 12 each of which is steerable and each of which is driven by a suitable transmission and differential means from an engine which may be disposed as desired on the vehicle. The body 10 has a rear end 13 and a front end 14. A loader arm assembly 16, at a position adjacent its rear end, is pivotally mounted to the body 10 adjacent the rear end 13 of the body, about an axis 15. The loader arm assembly 16 in the present example, is a two part boom having an outer part 16a, within which is telescoped an inner part 16b and which parts are slidable relative to each other by hydraulic ram means so as to provide an extendible loader arm assembly. If desired the vehicle may have a two or more part boom or an un-extendible single part boom.
At the front end of the boom assembly 16 is a downwardly extending nose part 17 by which a working implement 18 is releasably carried in conventional manner. If desired, the working implement 18 may be a pair of lifting tines as shown or may be a bucket or any other suitable working implement.
The loader arm assembly may be connected to the body at or adjacent the rear thereof, by any suitable pivot means disposed at or adjacent the rear of the loader arm assembly.
The loader arm assembly 16 is pivotable about the axis 15 between raised and lowered positions. In the lowered position working implement 18 is disposed in front of the vehicle front end 14. The loader arm assembly 16 is movable between said raised and lowered positions by a ram assembly 20, which in the present example comprises a single ram. The rams assembly 20, in conventional manner, comprises a cylinder part 21 and a piston rod 22. The piston rod 22 is connected at one end to a bracket 23 depending downwardly from the underside of the part 16a of the lowered arm assembly by means of a pivot pin 24a whilst the cylinder 21 is connected, at its lower end, by a pivot pin 24b to a part of the body 10. Obviously extension and retraction of the piston rod 22 from the cylinder 21 causes pivotal raising and lowering of the arm assembly 16.
Within the cylinder 21 is a first chamber 25, on one side of the piston 27, which is of cylindrical configuration and a second chamber 26 on the opposite side of the piston 27, see FIGS. 2 to 5, to the first chamber 25 and which is of annular configuration in cross section. Mounted on the cylinder 21 is a conventional accumulator means 30 made of, in the present example, steel and connected by a pipe 31 to a first control valve 32. A second control valve 33 is connected by a line 34 comprising flexible hoses and/or rigid pipes to an hydraulic reservoir or other low pressure area 35.
Each control valve 32, 33 is an electrically operated solenoid valve and which is movable between a first or "at rest" position in which passage of fluid is prevented in one direction of the valve 32 and in both directions in the valve 33 and a second position in which passage of fluid is permitted. Both control valves 32, 33 are normally spring biased by a spring means 36 to the position in which flow of fluid is prevented as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
A line 38, comprising a rigid pipe 38a and a flexible line 38b, corrects the first chamber 25 of the ram 20 to a fist port 40a of a selection valve 40 via a hose burst check valve 39. The first control valve 32 is connected by a line 37, comprising a rigid pipe, to the line 38 between ram chamber 25 and the hose burst check valve 39. The hose burst check valve 39 is a pilot valve that is normally maintained closed in the direction to prevent flow of fluid under pressure from the chamber 25 to the valve 40 but it may be opened by supply of pilot pressure on line 41, comprising a rigid pipe, from a line 42, comprising a rigid pipe 42a and flexible hoses 42b which extends between a second port 40b of the selection valve 40 and the chamber 26 of the ram 20. The line 42 is connected by a line 43 to the second control valve 33.
In use, as best shown in FIG. 2, during normal operation, when it is desired to lift the arm, fluid under pressure is fed from the first port 40a of the selection valve 40 along the line 38 through the one-way check valve within the hose burst check valve 39. As boom suspension has not been selected there is no electrical supply to valves 32 and 33 and they remain in the normally closed position. As the telescopic boom 16 is raised, by the supply of fluid to the chamber 25, fluid under lower pressure is fed from the chamber 26 along line 42 into a port 40b of the selection valve 40. The valve 33, of course, being, like the valve 32, maintained in the position shown in FIG. 2 to prevent flow of fluid therethrough by virtue of no electrical supply being supplied to the solenoid thereof.
Referring now to FIG. 3, when it is desired to lower the loader arm assembly the valve 40 is actuated to feed fluid under pressure through port 40b along line 42 into the chamber 26 and thus fluid under lower pressure is fed from chamber 25 along line 38 through hose burst check valve 39 which is maintained in an open position by virtue of supply of pilot pressure on line 41 which extends from line 42.
Referring now to FIG. 4, when it is desired to operate the ride improvement means i.e. boom suspension means the system is activated by operation of a suitable electric control so that electrical supply is provided to the valves 32, 33 to move them from the positions shown FIGS. 2 and 3 to the positions shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 in which passage of hydraulic fluid is permitted.
In this position fluid can flow both to the accumulator 30 and also to the reservoir 35 in accordance with the external forces imposed on the piston 27 to displace fluid to or from chambers 25, 26. Such a condition is shown in FIG. 4. As a result the loader arm is supported by the action of the accumulator on the hydraulic fluid and it is, in effect, sprung.
Referring now to FIG. 5, when it is desired to raise the loader arm assembly whilst the ride improvement means is engaged, the valve 40 is actuated to feed fluid from port 40a under pressure along line 38 into the chamber 25 whilst fluid from the chamber 26 passes along the line 42 back to the valve 40. At the same time the suspension of the arm assembly is suspended by the accumulator 30 as described hereinbefore in connection with the FIG. 4.
Referring now to FIG. 6, when it is desired to lower the boom whilst the ride improvement means is engaged, the actuation of the valve 40 to raise pressure at port 40b, by virtue of switch 44, has the effect of collapsing the electrical signal to valve 33 which becomes closed and so allows pressure to be raised in line 42 which feeds fluid under pressure to chamber 26, whilst fluid in chamber 25 is fed via line 38 through the hose burst check valve 39 to the port 40a of the valve 40. The hose burst check valve 39 is maintained open by pilot pressure fluid on line 41 which extends from line 42.
Whilst in his example the accumulator 30, valves 32, 33 and check valve 39 are all disposed on the cylinder 21, if desired one or more or these components may be positioned as desired and made of material as desired where permitted by local regulations.
In the present specification "comprise" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting of".
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.


A chassis component for a motor vehicle has a core module with at least one first load-conducting element, at least one second load-conducting element and at least one load transfer element connecting the at least one first load-conducting element and the at least one second load-conducting element, and an insert molding. A method for producing the chassis component first of all produces the core module by joining the at least one first load-conducting element and the at least one load transfer element and also the at least one load transfer element and the at least one second load-conducting element, and then overmolds the produced core module.

The invention relates to a chassis component for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a chassis component of this kind.
DE 10 2008 046 991 A1 discloses a loadbearing fiber composite structural component, substantially comprising individual elements which fit together accurately and form a cavity between them, said elements consisting of preforms made from coated semifinished fiber products, wherein the structural component has a complex, branched geometry. The semifinished fiber products are based on carbon fibers, glass fibers, multi-fibers, aramid fibers and/or natural fibers. The fibers are arranged unidirectionally, crosswise and/or multiaxially in the semifinished fiber product. The individual elements have a U-shaped profile, a monolithic rectangular cross section and an I-shaped profile. In a rear section of lower individual elements with a U-shaped profile, inserts are introduced into the profile, serving to provide a transfer from a hollow box structure to a monolithic load introduction region in a rear part. Furthermore, cover and web inserts are used to reinforce the branched hollow box structure.
Moreover, DE 10 2008 046 991 A1 discloses a method for the integral production of a loadbearing, thick-walled fiber composite structural component with a complex, ramified geometry of hollow box construction by forming individual elements of the structural component to be produced from preforms by layered deposition of semifinished fiber products on the geometry of the structural component using matching preform tools and molding in such a way that the individual elements are bounded along the longitudinal extent thereof by three walls. The individual elements are formed monolithically and the individual elements have an I-shaped profile. The individual elements are machined to enable them to be fitted accurately one inside the other. The individual elements are inserted one inside the other into a resin injection tool in such a way that cavities are formed between the individual elements, wherein removable supporting cores are inserted into the cavities. The resin injection tool is closed and a resin is injected and cured under pressure and at elevated temperature to form the fiber composite structural component.
DE 10 2011 085 029 A1 discloses a stabilizer or stabilizer/control arm of fiber composite construction, being of integral construction without interruptions in the fibers, wherein the cross-sectional geometry, wall thickness and fiber path vary in such a way in the axial and the radial direction that the requirements arising from the available installation space and the loads to be expected are satisfied. The central part of the stabilizer, which is subject primarily to torsional stress, has a very largely circular cross section with a diameter and wall thickness profile which varies in the axial direction and is matched to the load and to the position of load introduction elements. The end pieces of the stabilizer, which are subject primarily to bending stress, have a cross-sectional shape and wall thickness matched to the bending load and to the attachment of the wheel suspension. The transitional regions have a cross-sectional shape and wall thickness matched to the combined torsional and bending load. To match the wall thickness to defined load regions, especially in bending regions and load introduction elements, textile inserts are introduced and/or the fiber deposition is increased or reduced.
Moreover, DE 10 2011 085 029 A1 discloses a method for producing a stabilizer or stabilizer/control arm of this kind, comprising the following steps: a preform is produced on a straight, flexible and contoured core by depositing fibers, preferably by means of braiding or winding. This preform is shaped into a bent geometry together with the core, is placed in a closed primary forming/forming tool shaped to match the bent geometry, in which the fibers are joined to a matrix material to form a laminate, which is compressed into its final shape by introducing an expanding material into the core and is then removed from the primary forming/forming tool.
DE 10 2013 002 585 A1 discloses a chassis link for a motor vehicle, comprising at least two bearing receptacles for various mounting elements and a connecting component made from fiber-reinforced plastic arranged between them, which is secured on corresponding shaft offsets of the bearing receptacles by adhesive bonds. An interior space of the connecting component is closed off in an airtight manner by the two adhesive bonds between the bearing receptacles and the connecting component. A pressure sensor for detecting the internal pressure in the interior space is arranged in the interior space, said sensor emitting a signal dependent on the internal pressure to a control unit.
Moreover, DE 10 2013 002 585 A1 discloses a method for producing a chassis link of this kind, comprising: providing two bearing receptacles for different mounting elements, providing a connecting component composed of fiber-reinforced plastic, securing a pressure sensor on a shaft offset from one of the bearing receptacles or on the connecting component, in the interior space thereof, in order to detect the internal pressure in the interior space, applying adhesive to the shaft offsets of the bearing receptacles, inserting and aligning the bearing receptacles and the connecting component in a production apparatus, inserting the bearing receptacles and connecting component one inside the other by means of the production apparatus and producing adhesive bonds between the connecting component and the bearing receptacles, thereby closing off the interior space of the connecting component in an airtight manner by way of the two adhesive bonds between the bearing receptacles and the connecting component, and monitoring the internal pressure and transmitting a signal dependent on the internal pressure in or on a control unit.
It is the underlying object of the invention to improve a chassis component mentioned at the outset structurally and/or functionally. Moreover, it is the underlying object of the invention to improve a method mentioned at the outset.
The object is achieved by a chassis component and by a method for producing the chassis component in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
The motor vehicle can be a motorcycle. The motor vehicle can be a passenger car. The chassis component can be a rear wheel swingarm. The chassis component can be a transverse link. The chassis component can have a rod-type shape. The chassis component can have a forked shape. The chassis component can have a first component end and a second component end situated opposite the first component end. The first component end and/or the second component end can take the form of extensions. The first component end and/or the second component end can have a forked shape.
The core module can form a subassembly that can be produced separately. The core module can be embodied in the manner of a skeleton. The core module can be flexible.
The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can have a connecting section for connection to the load transfer element. The connecting section can have a surface with increased roughness. The connecting section can have a knurled surface. The connecting section can have at least one undercut. The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can have a hub section. The hub section can be used to receive a bearing. The hub section can be used to receive an axle or shaft.
The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can have a cuboidal shape. The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can have a sleeve-type shape.
The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can be produced from a metal. The metal can be a steel or aluminum alloy. The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can be painted, at least in some section or sections. The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can be coated, at least in some section or sections. The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can be electrophoretically dip-coated.
The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can have at least one further functional section. The at least one further functional section can be used to secure components on the chassis component.
The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can be arranged at different component ends. The at least one first load-conducting element and/or the at least one second load-conducting element can be arranged at the same component end.
The at least one first load-conducting element can have a first transfer element end and a second transfer element end situated opposite the first transfer element end. The first transfer element end can be connected in a load-transferring manner to the at least one first load-conducting element. The second transfer element end can be connected in a load-transferring manner to the at least one second load-conducting element.
The at least one load transfer element can comprise fibers. The fibers can be organic fibers, such as aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyethylene fibers or plexiglass fibers, and/or inorganic fibers, such as basalt fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers or silica fibers.
The at least one load transfer element can comprise unidirectionally arranged continuous fibers. The unidirectionally arranged continuous fibers can be arranged at an angle of at least approximately 0° to a main load direction orientation. The unidirectionally arranged continuous fibers can extend between the at least one first load-conducting element and the at least one second load-conducting element. The at least one load transfer element can comprise a UD carbon fiber tape.
The at least one load transfer element can comprise bidirectionally or multidirectionally arranged continuous fibers. Bidirectionally arranged continuous fibers can be arranged at least approximately at right angles to one another. Bidirectionally arranged continuous fibers can be arranged at an angle of at least approximately +/−45° to a main load direction orientation. The at least one load transfer element can have a form similar to a fairing. The at least one load transfer element can have a plate-like form. The at least one load transfer element can comprise an organosheet.
The fibers can be embedded in a matrix material. The matrix material can be thermoplastic. The matrix material can be polyamide, in particular PA 6 or PA 6.6. The matrix material can be polypropylene. The matrix material can be a thermoset.
The at least one load transfer element can comprise a metal. The metal can be a steel or aluminum alloy. The at least one load transfer element can have a round profile, an I-shaped profile or a T-shaped profile. The at least one load transfer element can have a hollow profile. The at least one load transfer element can be pre-shaped. The at least one load transfer element can have a bent shape.
The overmolding can comprise a fiber-filled plastic with a predetermined minimum proportion of recycled or secondary material consisting of scrap. The overmolding can comprise short and/or long staple fibers. The fibers can be organic fibers, such as aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyethylene fibers or plexiglass fibers, and/or inorganic fibers, such as basalt fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers or silica fibers. The overmolding can comprise a thermoplastic. The overmolding can comprise polyamide, in particular PA 6.6. The overmolding or pressed surround can comprise a thermosetting plastic. The overmolding can have recesses. The overmolding can have reinforcing ribs.
The chassis component can have at least one reinforcing element arranged on the outside of the overmolding. The at least one reinforcing element can comprise bidirectionally or multidirectionally arranged continuous fibers. The fibers can be organic fibers, such as aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyethylene fibers or plexiglass fibers, and/or inorganic fibers, such as basalt fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers or silica fibers. Bidirectionally arranged continuous fibers can be arranged at least approximately at right angles to one another. Bidirectionally arranged continuous fibers can be arranged at an angle of at least approximately +/−45° to a main load direction orientation. The at least one reinforcing element can have a form similar to a fairing. The at least one reinforcing element can have a plate-like form. The at least one reinforcing element can comprise an organosheet.
To produce the chassis component, a critical load path can first of all be identified. The critical load path can be isolated. The at least one load transfer element can be modeled along the critical load path. Overmolding of the core module can be simulated. A gating arrangement can be determined. Identification, isolation, modeling, overmolding and/or the gating arrangement can be performed/determined with the aid of a computer program.
The at least one first load-conducting element, the at least one load transfer element and the at least one second load-conducting element can be joined together nonpositively, positively and/or materially to produce the core module. During the subsequent overmolding of the core module, the overmolding can be used to establish a further loadbearing connection between the at least one first load-conducting element, the at least one load transfer element and the at least one second load-conducting element. The at least one load transfer element can be fully overmolded. The at least one load transfer element can be partially overmolded to enable the load transfer element to be held during overmolding.
The at least one load transfer element and/or the at least one reinforcing element can be produced from a pre-impregnated semifinished fiber product. The at least one load transfer element can be produced from a dry semifinished fiber product and can be infiltrated during overmolding.
The overmolding and the at least one reinforcing element can then be joined. The at least one reinforcing element can be produced from a pre-impregnated semifinished fiber product and can be infiltrated during overmolding. The at least one reinforcing element can first of all be produced separately and then joined to the overmolding. The overmolding and the at least one reinforcing element can be joined nonpositively, positively and/or materially. The overmolding and the at least one reinforcing element can be welded to one another. The overmolding and the at least one reinforcing element can be welded to one another in a peripheral edge region. The overmolding and the at least one reinforcing element can be welded to one another at reinforcing ribs of the at least one reinforcing element.
By means of the invention, CFRTP construction can be made available to the chassis sector. CFRTP construction is a type of construction involving carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Plastics that are established in vehicle construction can be used. There is a reduction in weight. There is a reduction in outlay, e.g. costs. There is an improvement in durability.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Chassis component for a motor vehicle, and method for producing a chassis component

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A semiconductor memory device operable for reading and writing in a normal mode and in a test mode is divided into memory cell sections each having blocks of memory cells. Data bus lines are connected to the respective blocks, and switches interconnect data bus lines connected to blocks of the different sections. The switch are made conductive during reading and writing in the normal mode and during writing in the test mode, and nonconductive during reading in the test mode. Input data are applied onto the data bus lines connected one of the blocks for writing in the blocks of the sections simultaneously during writing in the normal mode and in the test mode. In the normal mode, data are read out of the blocks of the sections through the data bus lines connected to the above-mentioned one of the blocks. In the test mode, the data are read out of the blocks of the sections through the data bus lines connected to the respective blocks.

The present invention relates to a MOS random access memory (RAM), and particularly to an improvement in the configuration of data bus lines of a large capacity MOSRAM.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of data bus lines of a conventional MOS dynamic RAM. In recent years, the capacity of MOS dynamic RAMs is increasing. With that, the time required for testing a RAM is increasing and being more problematical. Various schemes have been proposed to reduce the test time. For instance, in the ISSCC Digest Technical Papers (1985); p. 240; M. Kumanoya et al., it is proposed to treat a 1-M bit DRAM of a x1 configuration as a memory of x4 configuration during test mode. With the x4 configuration for the test mode the memory cell array are divided into four blocks, and part (two bits) of the address code are used to select one of the four blocks while the rest of the address code is used to select one of the memory cells in each block. When for instance reading data by application of an address code, four bits of data are read out of the corresponding memory cells (addressed by the above-mentioned "rest of the address code") of the four blocks onto four pairs of I/O lines and only one of switches connected to the I/O lines are made conductive by the above-mentioned "part of the address code", so that only one of the four bits are output from the memory cell array.
FIG. 1 shows a MOS DRAM of a x1 configuration having a test mode function of a x4 configuration. In the figure, the MOS DRAM comprises a memory cell array 1, four preamplifiers 2 for detecting and amplifying data on four pairs of complementary data I/O lines 7 read out of the memory cell array 1, a mode controller 3 for switching between a normal mode and a test mode, a test controller 4 for providing signals for the test mode operation, a block selector 5 for selecting one of the four outputs (data) read out during the normal mode and a buffer 6 in the form of an exclusive-OR gate receiving the four outputs (data) during the test mode and outputting test data.
During the normal mode operation, the mode controller 3 is kept in the normal mode under control of the test controller 4. In this state, data are read out of the memory cell array 1 onto the four pairs of complementary I/O lines 7, and are detected and amplified by the preamplifiers 2. The four data are then read out by the block selector 5 and one of the four data corresponding to the address then being supplied is output. If the memory cell array 1 consists of N memory cells or N bits, the time required for reading all the bits is
(cycle time tc).times.N=N.multidot.tc PA1 N.multidot.tc/4 PA1 memory cell sections each having blocks of memory cells, PA1 data bus lines connected to the respective blocks, PA1 switch means for interconnecting data bus lines connected to blocks of the different sections, PA1 switch control means for causing the switch means to be conductive during reading and writing in the normal mode and during writing in the test mode, and causing the switch means to be nonconductive during reading in the test mode, PA1 means connected to the data bus lines that are connected to the blocks of one of the sections for applying input data onto the data bus lines for writing in the blocks of the sections simultaneously during writing in the normal mode and in the test mode, and for outputting the data read out of the blocks of the sections during reading in the normal mode, and for outputting the data read out of the blocks of said one of the sections during reading in the test mode, and PA1 means connected to the data bus lines that are connected to the blocks of the section or sections other than said one of the sections, for outputting the data read output of the memory cell blocks of said other section or sections during reading in the test mode.
During the test mode operation, the four data are similarly supplied via the I/O lines 7 to and amplified at the preamplifiers 2. The test controller 4 then provides a test control signal, upon which the mode controller 3 operates in the test mode. The four data are then supplied to the exclusive-OR buffer 6, and the test result is output. The time required for reading all the bits is
Writing data is achieved by inputting data via the Din terminal, the block selector 5, the mode controller 3 and the pairs of the I/O lines 7. In the normal mode, the data is supplied to the memory cell array 1 through one of the pairs of the I/O lines 7. In the test mode, the same data are supplied to the memory cell array 1 through the four pairs of the I/O lines 7 to the four bits (four memory cells). Thus, the time required for writing in the test mode is 1/4 of the time required for writing in the normal mode.
The concept of using the x4 configuration in the test mode can be hypothetically extended to a x8 configuration, a x16 configuration, etc. to cope with further increase in the capacity of memories. But this leads to increase in the number of the I/O lines disposed in parallel with each other on the chip surface, e. g., 8 pairs, 16 pairs, etc., and increased complexity of the bus line configuration and increased chip surface area.

Random access memory with a plurality amplifier groups for reading and writing in normal and test modes


A portable electronic payment terminal is provided, which includes at least one removable battery. The removable battery carries an electronic chip containing at least one item of identification information and is able to communicate with a contactless reading device present in the terminal. The terminal further includes: a transmitter for transmitting the identification information to a distant control server of the terminal manufacturer; and a receiver for receiving from the server conformity or non-conformity information according to whether the identification information belongs to a list approved by the manufacturer.

Replacing a battery in an electronic terminal does not require the terminal to be dismantled, because of the removable character of this equipment, and can therefore be carried out simply by the users of the terminal, outside of the control of its manufacturer.
In addition, the use of electronic terminals being very widespread, non-conforming batteries may appear.
Batteries are familiar equipment for a user. Because of this, the user has the impression of knowing them well, and may be mistaken as to its origin and conformity.
This is because the shape of a battery, the compatibility of its interface and the electronic capacities mentioned are often the only visible characteristics for a user. When he wishes to procure a new battery to replace the defective battery of his mobile terminal, he may be confronted with a choice of products, sometimes at very different prices. The criterion for choice is often the price since, whatever the product, the user often thinks that he is acquiring a suitable product, similar to his original battery, in terms of quality.
However, as indicated above, the quality level of these replacement batteries is not generally the same as that of the original batteries.
For example, the charging time, the discharge cycle or the battery autonomy may be different. Likewise, the characteristics of the battery (voltage, current, impedance etc.) may be poor, or insufficiently stable. More seriously, the reliability of some batteries may be insufficient, thus incurring a risk to the integrity of the transactions carried out on a terminal equipped with such a battery.
These problems may prove to be particularly crucial in the case of electronic payment terminals.

Terminal, method of checking conformity of at least one removable battery of an electronic payment terminal, and the corresponding removable battery and computer program product

Compagnie Industrielle et Financiere d'Ingenierie “Ingenico”


A trench capacitor, method of forming a trench capacitor and a design structure for a trench capacitor. The trench capacitor including: a trench in a single-crystal silicon substrate, a conformal dielectric liner on the sidewalls and the bottom of the trench; an electrically conductive polysilicon inner plate filling regions of the trench not filled by the liner; an electrically conductive doped outer plate in the substrate surrounding the sidewalls and the bottom of the trench; a doped silicon region in the substrate; a first electrically conductive metal silicide layer on a surface region of the doped silicon region exposed at the top surface of the substrate; a second electrically conductive metal silicide layer on a surface region of the inner plate exposed at the top surface of the substrate; and an insulating ring on the top surface of the substrate between the first and second metal silicide layers.

The trend in integrated circuit technology is to increased circuit density and faster circuits. Current deep trench capacitor technology places limitations on the minimum pitch and minimum deep trench capacitor surface area based on the methods used contact the deep trench capacitors and the need to isolate the deep trench capacitor from other structures using trench isolation schemes. These restrictions increase the amount of space to be set aside for capacitors as well as increasing the series resistance to the outer plate of the capacitor. Therefore, there is a need for deep trench capacitors and methods of fabricating deep trench capacitors that are more compatible with the need for increased circuit density and faster circuits.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Deep trench capacitor and method of making same

International Business Machines Corporation


A lubrication system for an automatic transmission clutch assembly having a drive and driven rotary member rotatable by a common axis with a clutch element therebetween for connecting and disconnecting the members. The drive member has an internal passageway formed therein for feeding the lubricant to the clutch member. The passageway has a section which is radially spaced from the axis of rotation and as a seat formed therein for cooperating with the rotationally speed sensitive valve oriented in the first passageway. Below first rotational speed, the lubricant pressure maintains the valve against the seat restricting the flow of lubricant to the clutch element. When the driven member is rotated above the first rotational speed. Centrifugal force biases the valve off the seat, allowing lubricant to be supplied to the clutch element. Preferably, a second lubrication passageway is provided having a seat in an internal valve which selectively supplies a lubricant to the clutch element at a second higher rotational speed. In order to further reduce disengaged clutch drag at idle, a speed sensitive piston retract spring is provided to increase piston travel at low engine speeds while maintaining minimum travel at off idle operation.

Automatic mechanical transmissions are well known and widely used, especially in heavy duty vehicles. An example of a prior art transmission of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,861 to Gausch et al. which is incorporated by reference herein.
To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, it is helpful to briefly review the operation of a commercially available automatic mechanical transmission, particularly the type sold by Eaton Corporation, the assignee of the present invention. The basic Eaton automatic mechanical transmission is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present application and described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,861 and the references cited therein. The automatic mechanical transmission is made up of two main components, a torque converter assembly and a mechanical transmission. The torque converter assembly operatively connects the engine crankshaft to the mechanical transmission. The mechanical transmission has an output shaft connected to the vehicle drivetrain.
The torque converter assembly includes a conventional torque converter, a lock-up clutch and an interrupt clutch. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, the torque converter is inoperative and power is transmitted directly through the torque converter assembly. When the interrupt clutch is disengaged, the engine is decoupled from the mechanical transmission. The present invention relates to a piston return mechanism and a lubrication system for the interrupt clutch.
The prior art transmission illustrated in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,861 patent utilizes a simple mechanism for reducing the flow of lubricant when the interrupt clutch is disengaged. A lubricant passageway formed in the driven clutch member provides a flow of pressurized lubricant to the clutch element. When the clutch is fully disengaged and the piston retracted, the piston spring blocks the lubricant passageway. When the piston is moved off of the fully retracted position, lubricant flows through the passageway. This mechanism is described in detail in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,861 patent in column 1, line 51 et seq. and the related drawings.

Clutch assembly for an automatic mechanical transmission


A ratcheting mechanism and a process for making same, including a tool handle and a gear and pivotal pawls which are urged into gear engagement by means of springs which can be assembled with the handle before a final cap or actuator is assembled over the end of the handle to enclose the pawls and the springs.

The prior art is aware of a variety of embodiments of ratcheting mechanisms, particularly including ratcheting screwdrivers. In the present invention, the mechanism includes a centrally located cylindrical gear and two pivotal pawls which can be placed into and out of engagement relative to the gear, for the desired ratcheting action. Further, the pivotal pawls are urged into tooth engagement with the gear by means of a spring operative on each pawl. An actuator is then employed for moving the pawls against the force of the spring and out of engagement with the gear.
Examples of such prior art are seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,744,432 and 3,356,117 and 5,613,385 and 5,619,891. In those examples, the springs therein have generally a planar extending end which contacts the pawls for urging the pawls into gear engagement.
The present invention is arranged wherein the assembly screws are utilized for piloting the spring which extends from the screw heads and to the pivotal pawls for urging the pawls into engagement with the gear. One advantage is that the spring can be a flat or planar type spring which also has a curved end securely piloted or mounted relative to the tool.
Another object of the invention is to provide a ratcheting mechanism which has both the structure and the process of making whereby the tool includes an actuator cap which covers an otherwise open end of the tool, and the pawls and the springs can be inserted in the open end when the cap is removed, and subsequently the affixing of the cap to the handle itself covers and contains the pawls and the springs. This facilitates assembly of the tool and also assures a reliability of operation. Thus, the arrangement is such that it clearly distinguishes from prior art examples, such as the first two aforementioned patents, in that it utilizes the actuator of the end-cover or cap type which encloses the mechanism relative to the handle itself.
The open end of the handle receives an insert which is secured by screws that are then utilized to pilot the pawl springs.

Beere Precision Medical Instruments, Inc.


An electrically conductive coating is provided on a housing structure of a marine propulsion system. By impressing a current on the electrically conductive coating, which can be a polymer material, the housing structure is used as an anode in a cathodic protection system. In addition, the use of the electrically conductive coating on the housing structure as an anode inhibits the growth of marine fouling on the outer surface of the housing structure by forming chlorine gas in a saltwater environment and by forming an acidic water layer near the surface in a non-saltwater environment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a method for protecting a marine propulsion system and, more particularly, to a method which inhibits galvanic corrosion from damaging a marine propulsion system and, in addition, inhibits the growth of marine organisms on certain surfaces of the marine propulsion system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Those skilled in the art of marine propulsion systems are aware of several problems that can adversely affect the enjoyment of owning and operating a marine vessel. One problem concerns the deleterious effects caused by galvanic circuits that can occur when different metals are submerged proximate each other in a water environment. This problem is exacerbated when the marine propulsion system is used in saltwater. Another problem relating to the operation of marine vessels is the growth of marine organisms on submerged surfaces of both the marine propulsion system and the vessel itself. In seawater, these organisms include many different types of organisms, including barnacles. In non-saltwater applications, the organisms can comprise algae and zebra mussels.
Many different techniques and procedures have been developed to address both the problem of galvanic corrosion and marine fouling.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,742, which issued to Anderson et al. on Apr. 27, 1976, discloses a cathodic protection monitoring apparatus for a marine propulsion device. The system monitor is coupled to an impressed current cathodic protection circuit used for corrosion protection of a submerged marine drive. The cathodic protection circuit includes one or more anodes and a reference electrode mounted below the water line and connected to an automatic controller for supplying an anode current which is regulated in order to maintain a predetermined reference potential on the protected structure. A switch selectively connects a light emitting diode lamp or other light source between the controller output and ground so that the controller current may, when tested, be used to operate the light source in order to confirm that power is available to the anode.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,633, which issued to Staerzl on Mar. 30, 1982, discloses a marine cathodic protection system. The system maintains a submerged portion of a marine drive unit at a selected potential to reduce or eliminate corrosion thereto. An anode is energized to maintain the drive unit at a preselected constant potential in response to the sensed potential at a closely located reference electrode during normal operations. Excessive current to the anode is sensed to provide a maximum current limitation. An integrated circuit employs a highly regulated voltage source to establish precise control of the anode energization.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,877, which issued to Staerzl on Jan. 8, 1985, discloses an electrode apparatus for cathodic protection. The apparatus is provided for mounting an anode and reference electrode of a cathodic protection system on an outboard drive unit. The apparatus includes an insulating housing on which the anode and reference electrode are mounted and a copper shield mounted between the anode and electrode to allow them to be mounted in close proximity to each other. The shield is electrically connected to the device to be protected and served to match the electrical field potential at the reference electrode to that of a point on the outboard drive unit remote from the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,460, which issued to Staerzl on Jul. 9, 1985, disclosed a cathodic protection controller. The control system for cathodically protecting an outboard drive unit from corrosion includes an anode and a reference electrode mounted on the drive unit. Current supplied to the anode is controlled by a transistor, which in turn is controlled by an amplifier. The amplifier is biased to maintain a relatively constant potential on the drive unit when operated in either fresh or salt water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,860, which issued to Meisenburg on Oct. 10, 1989, discloses a sacrificial anode for marine propulsion units. It is disposed in association with the trim cylinder unit of a marine propulsion device and is positioned in the previously unused area between the aft cylinder end and the rodeye or the like on the piston rod end. More specifically, the anode is in the form of an elongated generally cylindrical member of a diameter approximately that of the trim cylinder to provide improved mass characteristics, and is deeply grooved to thus provide ribs which enhance the working surface area.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,228, which issued to Magee et al. on Aug. 30, 1994, discloses a marine drive anode. The drive is provided with a large volume anode for galvanic protection. The anode is a brick-like block member tapered along each of its height, width, and length dimensions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,669, which issued to Staerzl on Jan. 16, 2001, discloses an apparatus and method for inhibiting fouling of an underwater surface. The fouling prevention system comprises two conductive surfaces and a device that alternates the direction of electric current between the two surfaces. The current is caused to flow through seawater in which the two surfaces are submerged or partially submerged. A monitor measures the current flowing from one of the two conductive surfaces and compares it to the current flowing into the other conductive surface to assure that no leakage of current of substantial quantity exists.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,625, which issued to Staerzl on Feb. 6, 2001, discloses a marine galvanic protection monitor. The system uses two annunciators, such like light emitting diodes, to alert a boat operator of the current status of the boat's galvanic protection system. A reference electrode is used to monitor the voltage potential at a location in the water and near the component to be protected. The voltage potential of the electrode is compared to upper and lower limits to determine if the actual sensed voltage potential is above the lower limit and below the upper limit. The two annunciator lights are used to inform the operator if the protection is proper or if the component to be protected is either being overprotected or underprotected.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,472, which issued to Staerzl on Apr. 3, 2001, discloses an apparatus and method for inhibiting fouling of an underwater surface. The system for inhibiting marine organism growth on underwater surfaces provides an electric current generator which causes an electric current to flow proximate the underwater surface. A source of power, such as a battery, provides electrical power to the electric current generator. The flow of current passes from the underwater surface through the water surrounding the surface or in contact with the surface, and a point, of ground potential. The point of ground potential can be a marine propulsion system attached to a boat on which the underwater surface is contained.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,952, which issued to Staerzl on Apr. 15, 2003, discloses a system for inhibiting fouling of an underwater surface. An electrically conductive surface is combined with a protective surface of glass in order to provide an anode from which electrons can be transferred to seawater for the purpose of generating gaseous chlorine on the surface to be protected. Ambient temperature cure glass (ATC glass) provides a covalent bond on an electrically conductive surface, such as nickel-bearing paint.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/632,056, (M09691), which was filed on Jul. 31, 2003 by Staerzl et al., discloses a submersible anode made of a resin matrix with a conductive powder supported therein. An anode for a cathodic protection system comprises a base portion or support structure which is shaped to receive a conductive element, or insert, within a cavity of the support structure. The conductive element is made of a polymer material, such as vinyl esther, with a conductive filler, such as graphite powder. The base is attachable to a marine vessel or other submersible component that is being protected by a cathodic protection system. The anode allows the use of a relatively inexpensive resin material with a graphite filler in place of a much more expensive platinum coated titanium element.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/780,342, (M09719), which was filed on Feb. 17, 2004 by Misorski et al., discloses a marine drive unit which is overmolded with a polymer material. A marine propulsion system drive unit is provided with a polymer layer to protect its outer surface from abrasion and corrosion. The polymer layer is injection molded around the outer surface of a metallic gear case structure or drive shaft housing to provide a coat which is approximately three millimeters thick and which will resist scratching and corrosion. The polymer layer can be a glass filled polymer or a carbon filled polymer. An adhesion promoter can be used to enhance the bonding and intimate contact between the inner surface of the polymer layer and the outer surface of the metallic gear case structure or drive shaft housing.
The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the description of the present invention.
It would be significantly beneficial if a system could be provided which enhances the operation of a cathodic protection system by enlarging the size of the anode. It would be particularly beneficial if this size expansion could be achieved without the necessity of attaching relatively large components to the transom of a marine vessel in place of the normal anode used in most commercially available cathodic protection systems. It would also be beneficial if a system could be provided to protect the drive unit of a marine propulsion system from marine fouling in both saltwater and non-saltwater environments.

Method for protecting a marine propulsion system


A method and system for contrast agent image beamformation is provided. The acoustic energy of transmit beams is spread laterally to reduce contrast agent destruction. For example, a smaller aperture is provided for contrast agent imaging than for a default imaging mode. As another example, an apodization profile with a low amplitude for edge elements for contrast agent imaging is used as compared to the edge elements for a default imaging mode. As yet another example, the focal point used for contrast agent imaging is set to be outside of the region of interest (e.g. a shallow or deep focal point).

This invention relates to a medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for contrast agent imaging. In particular, systems and methods for beamforming transmit beams for imaging contrast agents are provided.
Contrast agents are typically imaged using B-mode processes. A plurality of transmit beams focused within a region of interest scan the region of interest. The aperture, apodization, delays and other parameters of the transmit beams interrelate and are optimized for the scan. Information at a fundamental transmit frequency band or a harmonic of the fundamental frequency band (harmonic imaging) is obtained from echo signals responsive to the transmit beams. The amplitude, envelope or power of the information determines the intensity of pixels in the B-mode image.
Contrast agents may be destroyed by the acoustic energy of the transmit beams. Such destruction is undesirable in some circumstances, such as for providing consistent contrast between the contrast agent and surrounding tissue. Where the transmit beams are closely spaced or of a high intensity, contrast agents are more likely destroyed.
The second harmonic response of contrast agents saturates where the transmit beams are of a sufficient energy. Excess energy is backscattered at different harmonics. Furthermore, the second harmonic response of tissue adjacent to contrast agents increases as the acoustic energy increases, reducing the contrast agent-to-tissue specificity.
To avoid destruction and maintain specificity (contrast), the transmit beams for contrast agent imaging are transmitted with less energy. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,957,845, 5,735,281, 5,694,937, 5,833,613 and 6,110,120, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose transmitting transmit beams for triggered scans with a standard or increased energy and transmitting other transmit beams between triggers with a decreased or reduced energy. The triggered scans provide desirable information but may destroy contrast agents. Triggering allows contrast agents to reperfuse into the scanned region. The reduced energy transmit beams are used for imaging to maintain the position of the scan plane while minimizing destruction of contrast agents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,845 discloses using xe2x80x9cany technique for altering between two types of frames, one adapted to obtain a high-quality image of tissue containing contrast media and triggered intermittently, and a second adapted not to destroy the bubble imaged by the first frame.xe2x80x9d For example, this patent discloses transmitting at a different frequency for the triggered scans than for the scans between triggers. Using coded excitations to generate the transmit beams may also reduce contrast agent destruction.
Other techniques are used to avoid destruction of contrast agents. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,005,827 and 6,104,670, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose focusing techniques to optimize imaging of contrast agents. Compound or line focusing spreads the acoustic energy along a scan line. For spreading the energy along the scan line, a random delay error is superimposed onto focal delays, or an axicon focusing arrangement is used.
The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. By way of introduction, the preferred embodiment described below includes a method and system for contrast agent image beamformation. The acoustic energy of transmit beams is spread laterally to reduce contrast agent destruction. For example, a smaller aperture is provided for contrast agent imaging than for a default imaging mode. As another example, an apodization profile with a low amplitude for edge elements for contrast agent imaging is used as compared to the edge elements for a default imaging mode. As yet another example, the focal point used for contrast agent imaging is set to be outside of the region of interest (e.g. a shallow or deep focal point).
Further aspects and advantages of the invention are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for contrast agent image beamformation


The tread of a tire designed particularly to run on snowy, icy or wet surfaces. The tread comprises elements in relief (e.g., blocks or ribs), each having a running face and lateral faces. At least one element in relief is provided with an incision defined along a mean plane. The tread comprises at least two holes passing through the element in relief substantially parallel to the mean plane of the incision. Each hole opens onto two lateral faces of the element in relief, and the holes are situated on one and the same side of the mean plane of the incision in spaced relationship to the incision.

The invention relates to the tread of a tire designed more particularly to run on snowy, icy or wet surfaces.
Such a tread is conventionally provided with elements in relief of the rib or block type, separated from one another in the circumferential direction and/or in the transverse direction by transverse and/or circumferential grooves. The transverse direction is defined as a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire; the transverse direction belongs to a meridian plane. The circumferential direction is perpendicular to the transverse direction and corresponds to the longitudinal direction. The elements in relief are defined by a surface forming part of the surface of the tread and at least one lateral face perpendicular to or oblique relative to the running surface. More generally, the elements in relief comprise at least two faces, the instance of a single face corresponding to elements in relief of rounded section.
Such a tread generally further comprises incisions or slits, the widths of which are other than zero but far less than those of the above-mentioned grooves. By making a plurality of cuts opening onto the running surface, a plurality of rubber ridges is created for cutting through the layer of water which may be present on the road, in such a way as to keep the tire in contact with the ground and to create cavities optionally forming ducts intended to collect and remove the water present in the contact zone between the tire and the road once they are disposed in such a way as to open outside the contact zone.
Numerous types of incision have already been proposed with a view to improving tire grip on the surfaces in question.
French Patent 2,418,719 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,046) in particular describes incisions which may be normal to the surface of the tread or inclined relative to the direction perpendicular to said surface.
Document FR 791 250 describes incisions following a wavy course over the surface of the tread.
However, it would appear that increasing the number of cuts may lead to a reduction in the rigidity of the tread, which has an unfavorable impact on the performance of the tire, not to say on grip performance. The rigidity of the tread is understood to mean the rigidity of the tread under the combined effect of compressive stresses and shearing forces in the area in contact with the road. It is known, in effect, that to improve the grip of a tire on the surfaces in question, it is necessary to optimize the contact surface, that is to say the latter should be as large as possible. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide flexibility of contact with the ground in a radial direction. On the other hand, it would appear that the loss of rigidity, in the longitudinal direction and optionally in the transverse direction, due to the presence of a large number of cuts has a tendency to reduce this contact surface.
In effect, tipping-over of the elements of the tread pattern is noted, due to shear for example as a result of driving torque or braking torque. This tipping-over causes a reduction in the contact surface, which leads to a reduction in grip.
To remedy this problem associated with loss of rigidity in the longitudinal and possibly transverse directions, it has already been proposed to provide blades of the self-locking type, that is to say blades which rest against one another under radial compression such that longitudinal and transverse rigidities are increased.
Document EP 0 282 765 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,965) describes in particular incisions which exhibit broken or wavy lines over the entire depth thereof. When subject to radial compression, the walls of the incisions move closer to one another, so promoting an increase in longitudinal rigidity, the overlapping of said walls resulting in a self-locking effect.
French Patent 2,722,144 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,002) also describes incisions, the walls of which each comprise zones in relief formed by protrusions and cavities designed as before to overlap under radial compression. Overlapping then results in an increase in longitudinal and transverse rigidities.
To optimize the contact surface, it is additionally known to use low modulus rubber mixes, so as to reduce radial rigidity. However, the industrial methods used in the manufacture of semi-finished products limit the choice of rubber mix moduli and do not allow the use of an optimum modulus as far as compressibility is concerned.

Tire tread with elements in relief having incisions and holes


In a reverberation effect imparting apparatus, sampled data of an input signal is written into a RAM 23 and the data is read out after an elapse of a predetermined time period, thereby imparting a reverberation effect. A storage area of the RAM 23 is divided into an area 1 for storing waveform data and an area 2 for imparting a reverberation effect. During evaluation, the waveform data is sequentially read out from the area 1 by using an absolute address, and sampled data of the waveform data is written into and read out from the area 2 by using a relative address, thereby imparting a reverberation effect.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a reverberation effect imparting apparatus in which, when a reverberation effect such as a delay or reverb is to be evaluated, connecting an external tone generator is not required for the evaluation.
2. Related art
Conventionally, in order to produce a sound field sensation in a generated musical tone, delay-like and reverberation-like effects such as delay and reverb are imparted to a musical tone signal. Recently, such effects are imparted by constructing a predetermined effect algorithm in a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and supplying a musical tone signal to the DSP to be processed.
In some cases, evaluating (checking) the degree of a reverberation effect to be imparted is required. In such cases, conventionally, evaluation is conducted by inputting a signal generated by an external tone generator such as a pulse generator or a rhythm machine, imparting an effect to the signal, and actually outputting the resulting signal to the outside as a sound. When an apparatus incorporates a tone generator dedicated for evaluation, similar evaluations can be conducted in the apparatus alone. However, the addition of such a configuration irrespective of the original object of imparting a reverberation effect increases the cost of the apparatus as a whole. Therefore, a reverberation effect imparting apparatus formed as a single unit cannot employ such a configuration.
Some of recent reverberation effect imparting apparatuses have a function of a so-called sampling device. These apparatuses can serve as a tone generator but cannot simultaneously impart a reverberation effect. When one of the apparatuses is used as a single unit, therefore, it is impossible to evaluate a reverberation effect.

Reverberation effect imparting apparatus


A punch, in which two operations, e.g., the movement of a head 1 along a rail 4 and the vertical movement of a punch 32 are carried out by the rotation of a slide transmission shaft 2 is provided, so that the bad influence of the inertia of the head 1 is suppressed, and the high speed operation is realized to thereby enhance the punching operation. The punch of the present invention comprises, a slide transmission shaft 2 to engage with a head 1, a driving member 28 having concentrically a helical cam 281 consisting of a helical portion and a vertical portion on its outer circumference and a punch driving gear, a rack 31 being parallel with the slide transmission shaft 2 and having teeth of the pitch identical with the pitch of the helical cam 281, while being engaged with the rack 31, and a punch driven gear 30 being rotated while being engaged perpendicularly with the punch driving gear 29 and having a pin 361 to be engaged with a rectangular hole 331 of the punch driving member 29. So that the head 1 is displaced along the rack 31 while the helical portion of the helical cam 281 is engaged with the rack 31. And an up-down movement of the tip end of the punch 10 is carried out with an area of punching process while the vertical portion of the helical cam 281 is engaged with the rack 31. Further, the head displacement and stoppage and the up-down movement of the punch are completely synchronized with the pitch of the holes to be punched.

The present invention relates to a punch or punching apparatus for punching documents when such documents or the like are to be filed.
A punching apparatus is disclosed as a conventional art in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-55499. In the punching apparatus disclosed in this publication, a punch portion is fitted in a punch-portion moving groove formed in a casing, and the moving punch portion is formed along the punch-portion moving groove. Then, the punch portion is fixed to an endless belt laid between a driving gear and a driven gear and is moved by the rotation of the driving gear rotated by a motor.
Also, in the drive mechanism of the punching apparatus installed in the punching portion, a crankshaft having a tip end at which a punch is connected by a pin is supported at its intermediate portion to be swingable, an oblong hole is formed in a rear end of the crankshaft connected to a crank, a gear is engaged with the crank, the gear is rotated by the motor (assuming that the motor is installed on the punch portion), the crankshaft is swung to thereby move the punch up and down, the punch is in coupling engagement with coupling hole formed on the casing side, and the punching in effected by a shearing force between the punch and the coupling hole.
A punch position setting guide formed in advance in conformity with the number and the pitch of holes is selected. The punch position setting guide is set under a guide detecting sensor provided in the punch portion to detect it. The motor for driving the gear to swing the above-described crankshaft and the motor of the driving gear for driving the above-described belt are controlled to thereby form the predetermined number of holes at a predetermined interval of the pitch.
In the above-described punching apparatus, since the punch portion is moved under the status where it is inserted into the punch-portion moving groove formed in the casing, when the holes are to be formed in the paper by the punch, there generates not a serious problem in the case where the number of pieces of paper is small. However, in the case where the number of pieces of paper is large, it is necessary to apply a relatively large force to the paper when punching them. Since this force is received by the punch portion, when punching the holes, the firm fixation is necessary to the punch portion to endure the force. Then, since the coupling hole is formed on the casing side, the pressing force of the punch may act on the punch portion as a reaction force. If the punch portion loses the fixing force, the punch could not be inserted into the coupling hole. As a result, it is practically impossible to insert the punch into the coupling hole. Further, undesirable friction is generated between the punch and the coupling hole, resulting in the reduction in cutting effect of the punch to shorten a life of the punch. Accordingly, only by the insertion of the punch portion into the punch-portion moving groove, there is no function to firmly fix the punch portion against the above-described reaction force. In order to firmly fix the punch portion, its structure is complicated and high-priced.
Also, since the punch is provided at the tip end of the swingable crankshaft, the force for pressing down the punch is not in the vertical direction. For this reason, in the case where a considerably large force is applied to the punch downwardly, an axis of the punch is displaced due to the relationship with the punching resistance, so that the undesirable friction is generated between the punch and the coupling hole. In the same manner as described above, the cutting effect of the punch is degraded to shorten a life of the punch.
Also, since the motor as the drive source for the crankshaft is mounted on the punch portion, a weight of the punch portion is increased, and the inertia when the punch portion is moved or stopped is increased. In particular, when the punch portion is driven by the belt, it is difficult to stop the moving punch portion having a large inertia in a suitable position. Also, since the inertia is large, it is impossible to move the punch portion at a high speed, resulting in poor efficiency of punching. Also, in the case where the motor is mounted on the moving punch portion, since the electric wirings are necessary between the motor and the power source which is located in the stationary portion, the wirings are dragged whenever the punch portion is moved. Therefore, there is a high possibility of damages such as a cut of the wirings and the like.
In order to solve the above-noted defects, the present applicant has proposed a punching apparatus in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei 8-206996. Its concept will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 9, a slide transmission shaft 2 and a screw rod 3 are provided in parallel through a head 1. Also, a rectangular pillar is used as the slide transmission shaft 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a rail for guiding the head 1 when it moves in directions indicated by arrows b. Four guide wheels 5 are engaged with the rail 4 so as to clamp the rail 4 in the vertical direction. Then, the four guide wheels 5 are rotatably supported to a support member 6 mounted on the head 1.
The head 1 is composed of a side wall 7 and a side wall 8. A guide member 9 is provided on a side surface of the side plate 7 so that the punch of a punch portion 10 provided under the guide member 9 is moved up and down along the guide member 9. Also, a punch-hole positioning portion 11 for determining the position of the punch while adjusting an insertion amount of the paper P is provided rotatably as indicated by arrows. The punch-hole positioning portion 11 is positioned by a punch-hole positioning regulator 12. Reference numeral 14 denotes an operation section in which gears for rotating the slide transmission shaft 2 and the screw rod 3 and the like are installed. Reference numeral 15 denotes a knob for operating a dog 16 for selecting the number of the holes and the pitch of the holes. Reference numeral 17 denotes limit switches for stopping the movement of the head 1, which are provided on both sides of the head 1 (not shown) and are provided movably to a support rod 18 so as to limit the movement range of the head 1 in response to a kind of paper P.
Namely, for example, when the head 1 is moved in the right direction while punching to complete the punching up to a predetermined position at the right end of the paper P, the head 1 is brought into contact with the limit switch 17 on the right side and stopped. Next, when the new paper P is set and the switch is turned on, the head 1 is moved in the opposite direction, i.e., on the left side while punching to complete the punching up to a predetermined position at the left final end of the paper P, the head 1 is brought into contact with the limit switch 17 on the left side and stopped. Thus, the punching is effected while the head 1 is being reciprocated so that the punching efficiency is enhanced and it is possible to set the punching positions of the final ends on the right and left sides by moving the limit switches 17 in relation with the size of the paper and the pitch between the holes.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the interior of the operating portion 14, a cam 19 is fixed to an end portion of the slide transmission shaft 2, and it is rotated by a motor (not shown) together with the cam 19. The limit switch 20 is turned on and off by the cam surface 191 of the cam 19, so that the slide transmission shaft 2 is rotated and stopped. Namely, a recessed cam surface 192 with which a movable piece 201 of the limit switch 20 does not slidingly contact is formed on the cam surface 191 of the cam 19. When the limit switch mounted on the head 1 is located at the recess portion of the dog 16 and is in the state "on", the motor for rotating the slide transmission shaft 2 is driven, and the movable piece 201 of the limit switch 20 is brought into sliding contact with the cam surface 191 to keep the rotation of the motor. When the slide transmission shaft 2 is rotated through one turn, the movable piece 201 of the limit switch 20 is located at the cam surface 192. The rotation of the motor is stopped, the rotation of the slide transmission shaft 2 is stopped.
Also, a driven gear 21 is fixed to an end portion of the screw rod 3. The screw rod 3 is rotated by the driving gear 22 fixed to the shaft of the motor. Namely, the movable piece of the limit switch mounted on the head 1 is brought into sliding contact with the recessed portion of the dog 16 so that the limit switch is turned on to rotate the motor for rotating the slide transmission shaft 2. The slide transmission shaft 2 is rotated through one turn so that the movable piece 201 of the limit switch 20 is located on the cam surface 192 to turn off the limit switch 20. As a result, the motor for driving drive gear 22 is driven to move the head 1. Also, the motor may be rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction. Also, in FIG. 10, when the slide transmission shaft 2 is rotated and a punching-pin driving gear 25 in rotated, a pin driven gear 24 engaged with the driving gear 25 is rotated. A driving member 23 mounted eccentrically on the pin driven gear 24 is engaged with an oblong hole 27 formed in a slider 26. The slider 26 is moved up and down. The punching pin 32 mounted on the slider 26 is moved up and down in the vertical direction.
In the punching apparatus shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the movement of the head 1 in the directions indicated by arrows b (in the boring pitch directions) is carried out by the screw shaft, and the up-and-down movement of the punching pin is carried out by the slide transmission shaft. The timing between the both is taken by the cam and the limit switches. Accordingly, the structures become complicated. Also, since the intermittent movement of the head is carried out by the rotation and the rotation stop of the motor, in the high speed intermittent movement of the head, the inertia also works due to the weight of the head. There is a limit to the high speed intermittent movement of the head.


An arrangement (10) for assembling into batches (Ln), via a phasing device (23), a plurality of products (Pn) traveling on a conveyor belt (16) from an intake zone upstream to an exit zone downstream. The phasing device (23) is placed between the intake zone and the exit zone. The arrangement has at least one retractable catch (60, 62, 64), and the catch (60, 62, 64) is moved successively into an engaged position, causing a first product (Pn) to be slowed down until a second product (Pn) located immediately upstream moves up to it, so as to form a batch (Ln), and into a retracted position which enables the previously formed batch (Ln) to continue its downstream movement at the running speed of the belt.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an arrangement for assembling products in batches.
The invention relates more specifically to an arrangement for assembling a plurality of products in the form of batches, the arrangement being of the type in which the products are transported on at least one conveyor belt which runs in a longitudinal direction from an intake zone upstream to an exit zone downstream, at a specified speed known as the running speed, in which the products arrive with a specified upstream spacing between two products, and of the type which has a phasing device which is placed on the path of the products so as to form batches of at least two products.
2. Description of the Related Art
This type of arrangement is used in product packaging installations, for example in installations having a conveyor line which conveys the products to a box filling machine which stacks batches of products in packaging crates or boxes.
The conveyor line generally has a conveyor belt which is upstream of the box filling machine, and which transports the products, with a specified spacing between two consecutive products, to an assembly unit having a set of movable transport cells.
The assembly unit has a vacant cell opposite the belt, designed to receive a specified number of products which are to be stacked in the cell to form a batch.
When a batch has been formed in the cell, the cell is moved by one step to enable the assembly unit to position a new vacant cell opposite the belt.
The cells thus move progressively, one step at a time, enabling the batches of products to be conveyed to the box filling machine.
To facilitate and accelerate the filling of the cells, there is a known way of forming the batches of products upstream of the assembly unit, by means of a device called a phasing device.
There is a known way of making the phasing device in the form of a plurality of successive conveyor belts, called timing belts, which operate at different running speeds.
In this type of phasing device, the products are delivered, by a first conveyor belt, onto an upstream acceleration belt operating at a running speed greater than that of the first belt.
The upstream belt conveys the products to an intermediate deceleration belt.
The products are pressed against the intermediate belt and retained thereon by means of a suction device located below.
The intermediate belt shifts each product progressively forward until a batch has been formed on the intermediate belt.
When the batch of products has been formed, the running speed of the intermediate belt increases in order to transfer the batch to a downstream belt which operates at a running speed similar to that of the upstream belt.
This type of phasing device is not entirely satisfactory, since it requires the use of a plurality of conveyor belts placed end to end, giving rise to problems in respect of the overall longitudinal dimension of the installation.
The control of the speed of the different conveyor belts and the lengths of these belts are calculated for a given type of product and batch. It is therefore necessary to set up a new phasing device when the length of the products, or the number of products per batch, is changed.
Furthermore, the suction device does not operate for certain types of products, and this limits the field of application of this phasing device.
Additionally, because of its design, this phasing device cannot be used for processing products at very high speeds, for example at speeds of more than 900 products per minute.

Arrangement for assembling products in batches on high-speed conveyor belt


In one embodiment, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is provided that includes: a plurality of memory cells arranged into rows and columns, wherein each memory cell comprises an access transistor coupled to a storage transistor, each access transistor being arranged in a rectangular shape having a length greater than a width, the length being aligned with a corresponding column, the access transistor coupling to a storage transistor having a width greater than the width of the rectangular shape, the access transistor having a length aligned with a corresponding row such that each memory cell is L-shaped, and wherein the L-shaped memory cells in each column are staggered with respect to neighboring columns such that the L-shaped memory cells in a given column are interlocked with the L-shaped memory cells in an adjacent column.

The present invention relates to memories, and more particularly to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) architectures with increased densities.
Because a DRAM memory cell includes just a single access transistor and a storage capacitor, DRAM offers dramatic density advantages over static random access memory (SRAM), which typically requires a six transistor (6-T) memory cell. In contrast to SRAM, a DRAM cell will only change the voltage on its corresponding bit line slightly during read operations. Having been coupled to the bit line, the storage capacitor in a DRAM cell must be then be restored after a read operation. Thus, DRAM sense amplifiers require a regenerative latching ability to drive the bit line "full rail" after a read operation. If the sense amplifier determines that the storage capacitor was charged to VDD, the bit line is then driven to VDD to restore the charge on the storage capacitor. On the other hand, if the sense amplifier determines that the storage capacitor was not charged, the bit line is grounded to discharge the storage capacitor. Moreover, the charge on DRAM storage capacitors continually leaks away, requiring constant refreshing. SRAM cells require no such refreshing. In addition, because the 6-T SRAM cell can drive its value onto a bit line during read operations, SRAM is generally substantially faster than DRAM.
As a result of the density vs. speed advantages of SRAM and DRAM, SRAM is faster but more expensive and thus reserved for more time-critical operations such as a microprocessor's cache. To reduce costs, the remaining RAM for a microprocessor is then typically implemented as DRAM. However, because DRAM operation speed is constantly being improved, the use of embedded DRAM in integrated circuits is becoming more popular in high-performance applications that traditionally demanded embedded SRAM. Nevertheless, the choice between DRAM and SRAM is often guided by the density vs. speed tradeoffs discussed above. Accordingly, designers strive to increase DRAM density.
The challenges to increasing DRAM density may be better appreciated through discussion of a conventional DRAM 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. A word line WL0 controls the gate of an access NMOS transistor M0 whose drain couples to a bit line Bx. The source of access transistor M0 couples to a storage capacitor C0. Thus, access transistor M0 and storage capacitor C0 form a DRAM memory cell that is accessed by raising the voltage on word line WL0. In response to this voltage rise, any charge on capacitor C0 couples to bit line Bx. A sense amplifier reads the contents of the accessed memory cell by detecting a resulting voltage change on bit line Bx.
The sense amplifier detects the voltage change by comparing the voltage on bit line Bx to a neighboring bit line such as a bit line B. Before this comparison is made, bit lines Bx and B are pre-charged to a voltage VDD/2 by pre-charge circuitry. If the comparison indicates that bit line Bx is higher in voltage than bit line B, downstream decoding logic (not illustrated) will assume that the storage capacitor C0 had previously been charged to VDD. If the comparison indicates that bit line B is higher in voltage than bit line Bx, the decoding logic will assume that storage capacitor C0 had previously been discharged. In this fashion, a decision is made as to the binary contents of the memory cell. Having read the contents of the memory cell, the sense amplifier will restore the memory cell using a regenerative latch. An analogous access may be made to a memory cell comprised of access transistor M1 and a storage capacitor C1 by raising a word line WL1, and so on.
Each bit line has an inherent capacitance that is typically an order of magnitude greater than the capacitance of the storage capacitors. This difference in capacitance is exacerbated as the number of memory cells accessible by a sense amplifier is increased. For example, should DRAM 100 be first implemented with an integer number "N" of word lines, the length of the bit lines will have to double if N is increased to 2*N (assuming the same semiconductor process dimensions in both cases). The bit line capacitance will thus double as well, thereby decreasing the voltage change when a memory cell is accessed. As a result, the maximum number of memory cell rows per sense amplifier in a conventional trench-capacitor DRAM is limited to, for example, 512 rows per sense amplifier. The maximum number of memory cell rows per sense amplifier is much lower if storage transistors are used to form the memory cells such as a maximum of 8 to 16 rows.
One of the limiting factors in sensing ever-smaller voltage changes as DRAM density is increased is the non-ideal characteristic of sense amplifiers. A conventional sense amplifier 200 is illustrated in FIG. 2. This sense amplifier includes a differential amplifier 205 that compares a voltage P derived from bit line B (FIG. 1) at its positive input to a voltage N derived from bit line Bx (FIG. 1) at its negative input. If voltage P is higher than the voltage N, the voltage difference is amplified onto differential outputs P0 and N0 by the differential amplifier's gain. A regenerative latch 210 would then drive output P full rail to VDD and ground output N. Conversely, if voltage N is higher than voltage P, the regenerative latch drives output N full rail to VDD and grounds output P.
Should both differential inputs, however, be at the same voltage (such as the pre-charge voltage VDD/2), the regenerative latch operation just described may not take place correctly. Instead, because of offset imperfections in the differential amplifier, P0 (for example) output may be driven higher than N0 despite the equal voltages at the inputs. In turn, this offset limits the sensitivity of the sense amplifier operation. For example, suppose bit line B should be higher in voltage than bit line Bx during a read operation. If the storage capacitance is too small with regard to the bit line capacitance, the offset within the differential amplifier may drive the regenerative latch to pull output N full rail, leading to an erroneous reading.
It may be seen that other issues affect sense amplifier decisions. For example, suppose both bit lines are discharged to VSS (ground potential) prior to sensing. Such a scenario favors the sensing of charged memory cells as opposed to discharged memory cells. Conversely, if both bit lines are charged to VDD, the sensing of discharged memory cells is favored over charged memory cells. The favoring of one bit decision (declaring a binary one or a binary zero as the memory cell contents) over another may be exacerbated as density increases. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved DRAM architectures that address such common-mode effects on bit decisions.
As discussed above, the storage capacitance vs. bit line capacitance is a limiting factor for DRAM density. By increasing the storage capacitance, a sense amplifier can better decide what binary contents are being stored. However, the increased storage capacitance generally leads to increased memory cell size, thereby diminishing density. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved DRAM memory cell architectures that maximize achievable density.


A coating method in which a first coating composition is applied to the surface of an object to be coated to obtain a first uncured coating film, a second coating composition is applied to the first uncured coating film to obtain a second uncured coating film, and the first uncured coating film and the second uncured coating film are then cured simultaneously by heating, wherein the first coating composition contains a hydroxyl group-containing resin component and the second coating composition contains an isocyanate component containing a triisocyanate represented by general formula (I) (in the formula, the multiple Y1 each independently are a single bond or a C1-20 divalent hydrocarbon group which optionally contains one or more selected from the group consisting of an ester group and an ether group, and R1 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-12 monovalent hydrocarbon group) and the above-mentioned hydroxyl group-containing resin component, is provided.

In recent years, the use of an aqueous coating composition as a base coating material on an automobile outside plate, for example, has been increased. The aqueous coating composition is almost free from any organic solvent, and therefore is preferable from the viewpoint of environmental pollution preventability. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an aqueous coating composition containing both a water-based polyol and a particular melamine.
In addition, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose methods for forming a coating film by coating a base coating material that is not cured substantially by heat, and then coating a clear coating material that is cured by heat, followed by conducting heating to cure multilaered uncured coating films simultaneously.