A fuel supply apparatus suppresses bubble generation of fuel in a delivery pipe and fuel leakage while suppressing power consumption. The fuel supply apparatus includes a fuel supply controller which is provided with a state determining unit that determines at least one of bubble generation of fuel in the delivery pipe and fuel leakage from a fuel injection valve to which fuel is supplied via the delivery pipe, and a fuel pressure controlling unit that activates a fuel feeding unit when the bubble generation is expected and activates a fuel pressure decreasing unit when the fuel leakage is expected. The fuel supply controller intermittently activates during the suspension of the operation of internal combustion engine using a timer, to adjust fuel pressure in the delivery pipe.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine that directly injects fuel into a combustion chamber via a fuel injection valve, and more particularly to techniques for fuel supply to suppress bubble generation in the fuel in a delivery pipe.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known direct injection internal combustion engine directly, which injects fuel into a combustion chamber to cause combustion, is provided with a fuel injection valve to allow injection of fuel into the combustion chamber. The fuel injection valve is attached to a fuel distributing pipe called a delivery pipe to supply highly pressurized fuel. Since the delivery pipe is attached to the internal combustion engine, the fuel inside the delivery pipe is heated by the internal combustion engine in the operation, whereas the fuel is cooled down after the end of the operation. With the cooling down, the fuel inside the delivery pipe contracts, to lower the pressure of the fuel inside the delivery pipe. As a result, the fuel pressure in the delivery pipe drops below a saturated vapor pressure at the temperature drop, to generate bubbles of fuel vapor or of air dissolved in the fuel in the delivery pipe.
At the start-up of the internal combustion engine, the fuel pressure inside the delivery pipe is required to be risen to a certain degree. However, when the bubbles are generated in the fuel in the delivery pipe, the fuel pressure does not rise in the delivery pipe until the bubbles are broken. When the bubbles are formed in the fuel in the delivery pipe, the injection of the fuel from the fuel injection valve cannot start immediately after the start-up. To suppress the bubble generation in the fuel in the delivery pipe, a technique is suggested in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-120460 to maintain the fuel pressure in the delivery pipe at a level equal to or higher than a set pressure during the suspension of the engine operation thereby suppressing the bubble generation in the fuel in the delivery pipe.
When the internal combustion engine is employed as a power source for a vehicle, a battery is usually mounted on the vehicle to start up the internal combustion engine. The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-120460 drives a fuel pressurizing unit for the pressurization of fuel in the delivery pipe in the internal combustion engine under suspension, thereby increasing the power consumption. Though the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-120460 does not disclose the inconvenience of increased power consumption during the engine suspension, there remains a room of improvement.
In addition, when the fuel pressure in the delivery pipe is excessively high, the fuel may leak out from a fuel injection port of the fuel injection valve (hereinafter referred to as "fuel leakage"). The fuel leakage makes the fuel atomization poor at the start-up of the internal combustion engine, resulting in degraded emission. To eliminate such inconveniences, the fuel pressure in the delivery pipe during the engine suspension is preferably in a range that allows the suppression of bubble generation and maintains the fuel leakage to an acceptable degree. The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-120460, though allows the suppression of bubble generation in the fuel in the delivery pipe, cannot eliminate the occurrence of unacceptable fuel leakage depending on the condition of pressurization.

Fuel supply apparatus and internal combustion engine


A charging apparatus for charging a secondary battery arranged in such a manner that the interterminal voltage of the battery, which is being charged, is measured so that the charging status of the battery is detected in accordance with the measured interterminal voltage of the battery which is being charged and the charging/discharging characteristics with respect to the interterminal voltage of the battery. As a result, the charging status of the battery can accurately be detected.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a charging apparatus for charging a secondary battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional charging apparatus comprises a display means for informing a user of the fact that the charging of the secondary battery has been completed. Usually, the information system is arranged in such a manner that the terminal voltage of the secondary battery to be charged is observed and a determination is made such that the charging of the secondary battery has been completed when the terminal voltage of the secondary battery to be charged has been raised to a predetermined level. In accordance with the determination made as described above, the display means is caused to display a predetermined information.
However, the conventional charging apparatus has not been able to inform the user of the specific time taken to completely charge the battery during the charging operation. Furthermore, the time, in which the apparatus loaded with the battery which has not completely been charged can be used, cannot be informed to the user. In addition, the degree of the charging of the battery which has not been completely charged cannot also be informed to the user.


Cyclic-redundancy-check (CRC) processing is executed on data blocks each having a predetermined data amount, thereby calculating respective CRC values for the data blocks. Furthermore, CRC processing is executed on the respective CRC values a number of times determined according to random numbers that are generated sequentially, thereby generating sig values to be attached respectively to next data blocks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing method that is used when transmitting or recording data, and to a data checking method for checking data processed by the data processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, data processing apparatuses that are capable of various data processing such as transmission, recording, or playback of data have been developed.
In relation to such data processing apparatuses, techniques that enhance data security have been proposed, for example, for transmitting or storing important data.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 09-009242 discloses techniques for enhancing security of specific information by applying a plurality of measures for preventing tampering.
According to the data processing apparatuses described above, the risk of data being tampered by a malicious third party, for example, during transmission or storage of the data, has existed. Therefore, demand for a method of readily checking the validity of data transmitted or stored has existed.

Data processing method and data checking method


A topical hair care formulation and method of making includes combining generally equal amounts of eclipta alba herbal powder and embelica officinalis herbal powder to form a herbal powder mixture. The herbal powder mixture is steeped in an amount of base oil for a period of time to form a brown solution. A portion of an amount of olive oil is combined with an amount of biotin and an amount of Methylsulfonylmethane to form a natural mixture. A remainder of the amount of olive oil is combined with the brown solution. An amount of jojoba oil is combined with the brown solution. An amount of rosemary oil is combined with the brown solution. An amount of lavender oil is combined with the brown solution. The natural mixture is combined with the brown solution. The brown solution is settled for a period of time to form the topical hair care formulation.

For years, many men and women have suffered from slow growing hair and hair loss. There are approximately 35 million men and 21 million women in America that are affected by slow growth or hair loss in various degrees. The normal cycles of hair growth can be stunted or altered by several factors including, but not limited to, stress, heredity, and poor diet. Genetics play an important role in the hair growth rate and hair loss and therefore may vary individually. Malnutrition can cause a percentage of hair follicles to stop growing and the remaining follicles to produce fine, fragile hair. Environmental factors, health conditions and medical treatments can have a dramatic effect on hair growth as well. It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a solution for quickly growing healthy hair.
In the past, it was believed that there was nothing that could make the hair grow faster or reverse hair loss. Presently, the products on the market that can actually grow hair are expensive, generally require a prescription, and/or take at least one month before results are received. Other known methods for preventing hair loss or growing hair involve surgery, which puts the consumer at risk for the possibility of complications. Sufferers of hair loss, more importantly, have been seeking a fast but safe and effective way to combat slow growth and hair loss for many decades.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for providing a non-prescription, non-surgical product for easily and quickly growing healthy hair that is inexpensive.
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Topical hair care formulation and method of making


A computer system, a computer-implemented method, and a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer executable program code for retrieving data from the database system are disclosed herein. The method comprises: processing by the E-Mail application an E-Mail being either received or sent by the E-Mail application, the E-Mail comprising a template and a content embedded in the template; transmitting by the E-Mail application the content to the database system; storing in the database system the transmitted content assigned to said E-Mail; extracting by the keyword extraction component from the stored content a list of keywords; storing in the database system the list of keywords assigned to said E-Mail; receiving via a user interface of the E-Mail application a signal indicating that a user has selected one of the E-Mails being received or sent by the E-Mail application; sending by the E-Mail application to the database system a request for retrieving data related to the selected E-Mail; retrieving from the database system the list of keywords assigned to the selected E-Mail; selecting a set of keywords each being comprised in the retrieved list of keywords; retrieving from the database system the data related to the set of the keywords; and sending by the database system to the E-Mail application the retrieved data.

Effective management of data in computer databases is an everlasting problem of computer science. Most of the computer databases are configured to perform the retrieval of data. This problem is well understood when electronic files in a databases have a defined structure (e.g. tabular structure) and linked by foreign key relationships with each other. In this case a query for data retrieval can have a specification of one or more particular fields in the electronic file containing data which has to be retrieved. When execution of the query does result in retrieval of data which complies with specifications, further queries can be formulated to retrieve data in the other electronic files having fields linked by foreign key relationships with the one or more particular fields addressed in the first query. This iterative process can be repeated until the required data is retrieved or until the all possible electronic files are processed. When the foreign key relationships are absent or not sufficient for effective execution of queries, then the foreign key relationships linking different fields of the electronic documents can be generated. In any case, well defined structure of electronic documents is often a premise for structuring data in databases and effective data retrieval from the electronic documents. However this requirement is not always implementable, because the structure of electronic documents can be insufficient for the generation of the foreign key relationships. For instance, the database can store communication data, in particular communication data generated by humans, like E-Mails. In this case only simple structuring of data is available, like grouping of E-Mails in groups, wherein each of the groups corresponds to a particular exchange of E-Mails between two or more users related to a particular topic. In addition, simple searches for E-Mails comprising a word or a combination of words are available for users. These searches can have additional constraints related to time intervals, presence or absence of an attached document, etc. As a result, these functionalities are just a small fraction of functionalities which can be offered by modern databases for processing of structured electronic files having foreign key relationships.


A fixing device includes a rotatable, endless belt, a stationary heater, a stationary pad, a rotatable pressure member, and a heat conductive member. The rotatable, endless belt is looped into a generally cylindrical configuration. The stationary heater is disposed inside the loop of the belt to radiate heat to the belt. The stationary pad is disposed inside the loop of the belt. The rotatable pressure member is disposed parallel to the stationary pad with the belt interposed between the pressure member and the stationary pad. The pressure member presses against the stationary pad via the belt to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium passes. The heat conductive member is interposed between the belt and the heater to transfer heat radiated from the heater by conduction therethrough to the belt.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming apparatus incorporating the same, and more particularly, to a fixing device that uses a fixing belt for fixing a toner image, and an image forming apparatus, such as a photocopier, facsimile machine, printer, plotter, or multifunctional machine incorporating several of these features, incorporating such a fixing device.
2. Background Art
Fixing devices are employed in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, such as a photocopier, facsimile machine, printer, plotter, or multifunctional machine incorporating several of these features, wherein an image formed of toner particles is fixed in place with heat and pressure on a recording medium such as a sheet of paper.
Various types of fixing devices are known in the art. One particular type is a belt-based fixing device employing a rotatable, endless belt that can be heated rapidly and efficiently to a desired operational temperature, which allows for processing a toner image with an extremely short warm-up time and first-print time without causing image defects even at high processing speeds.
For example, one belt-based fixing device has been proposed, including a rotatable, endless fuser belt looped into a generally cylindrical configuration, a stationary pad disposed inside the loop of the belt, and a pressure roller pressing against the stationary pad via the belt to form a fixing nip therebetween. Also included are a tubular belt holder of thermally conductive metal, or heat pipe, disposed inside the loop of the belt to face the inner circumferential surface of the belt except at the fixing nip, a heater disposed inside the heat pipe to radiate heat to the heat pipe, and a reinforcing plate disposed in contact with the stationary pad inside the heat pipe to reinforce the fuser pad.
During operation, the heater radiates heat to the heat pipe, from which heat is imparted to the entire circumference of the fuser belt entrained around the heat pipe. The recording sheet is conveyed through the fixing nip, at which the toner image is fixed in place with heat from the fuser belt melting and fusing toner particles, and pressure between the fuser pad and the pressure roller causing molten toner to set onto the recording sheet.
Another, similar fixing device has also been proposed, which employs a heat shield interposed between the belt and the heater to intercept transmission of heat from the heater to the belt, thereby preventing excessive heating of those portions of the belt which do not contact the recording medium during passage through the fixing nip.
The inventors have recognized that one problem associated with the belt-based fixing device is inefficient, non-uniform heating of the belt, which has its inboard portion (i.e., that portion around the longitudinal center of the belt adapted to contact the recording medium during passage through the fixing nip) and its outboard portion (i.e., that portion around the longitudinal end of the belt adapted to remain away from the recording medium during passage through the fixing nip) subjected to different amounts of heat upon activation of the fixing device.
For example, the outboard portion of the belt can be excessively heated after startup of the fixing device, for example, where the belt is warmed stably and sufficiently to a desired operational temperature during sequential processing of multiple recording media. Moreover, using a heat shield to prevent overheating of the outboard portion of the belt can in turn cause heat to escape from the laterally outward, peripheral part of the inboard portion to the outboard portion of the belt during startup of the fixing device, for example, initially in the morning, where the belt has been cooled to an ambient temperature due to an extended period of deactivation.
Those problems, if not properly addressed, would cause various adverse consequences, which are particularly pronounced in the fast, belt-based fixing device that can process a toner image with an extremely short warm-up time and first-print time.

Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same


This disclosure relates to the field of mass spectrometry analysis. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to compositions and methods for detecting and quantifying proteins in the AKT-mTOR pathway by immunoprecipitation enrichment followed by mass spectrometry analysis.

The AKT-mTOR pathway plays a central role in tumor progression and anti-cancer drug resistance. The quantitative measurement of protein expression and post-translational modifications of the AKT-mTOR pathway is necessary for precisely characterizing cancer, monitoring cancer progression, and determining treatment responses. See Logue, J. S.; Morrison, D. K.; Genes Dev. Apr. 1 2012, 26 (7), 641-50.
A major limitation in the detection and quantitation of AKT-mTOR pathway proteins is the lack of rigorously validated methods and reagents. Currently, only semi-quantitative results from Western blotting, ELISA, and Luminex assays are available. Mass spectrometry (MS) is increasingly becoming the detection methodology of choice for assaying protein abundance and post-translational modifications. However, to date, MS has not been successful in quantifying AKT-mTOR pathway proteins, possibly due to their low abundance and significant post-translational modification profiles.
Immunoprecipitation (IP) is commonly used upstream of MS as an enrichment tool for low-abundant protein targets. See, Gingras et al., Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol., Aug. 2007, 8 (8), 645-54; and Carr, S. A. et al., Mol. Cell. Proteomics Mar. 2014, 13 (3), 907-17. The identification of appropriate antibodies for use in IP upstream of MS is important, as not all antibodies that bind to protein will be effective immunoprecipitation tools, and further, not all antibodies that are effective immunoprecipiation tools will lead to successful identification via MS.

Detection and quantification of AKT-mTOR pathway proteins


A magnetoresistive memory includes magnetoresistive memory cells disposed in a plurality of rows and/or columns. A bit line is connected to first poles of the memory cells of a column. A word line is connected to second poles of the memory cells of a row. A read voltage source is separately connectable to first ends of the word lines. A voltage evaluator has at least one input that is separately connectable to first ends of the bit lines via an evaluation line. A first terminating resistor branches from the evaluation line. An impedance converter has an input connected to the evaluation line and has an output separately connectable to second ends of the bit lines and word lines. The invention also relates to a method of reading magnetoresistive memories.

The invention relates to a magnetoresistive memory and a method of reading memory cells in such a magnetoresistive memory.
Magnetoresistive memories represent an alternative to conventional DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memories) and SRAMs (Static Random Access Memories) and non-volatile memories such as flash memories or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). They are formed of a configuration of memory cells to which bit lines and word lines are linked. The individual memory cells of a magnetoresistive memory are formed of two magnetic elements separated by a dielectric. One of the magnetic elements is hard-magnetic and therefore has a fixed direction of flux, whereas the other is soft-magnetic, and its orientation can be reversed by applying appropriate switching currents to the bit lines and word lines. The dielectric between the two magnetic elements is known as a tunnel dielectric, for instance a layer with a thickness of 2 nm, which is suitable as a tunnel dielectric. The specific feature of a tunnel dielectric is that its resistance depends on the magnetic field surrounding it. When the two magnetic elements on either side of the tunnel dielectric are oriented in the same direction, the dielectric has a different resistance value than when the magnetic flux directions of the two magnetic elements are the inverse of one another. By applying a suitable voltage to the bit lines and word lines, the instantaneous value of the resistance in the tunnel dielectric can be determined, and thus the orientation of the magnetic elements can be deduced. Thus, an overall binary state system is produced, which is suitable for storing digital information.
In such a configuration of memory cells, it is possible to provide parallel bit lines and word lines over and under the actual memory cells, that are in turn provided at a right angle to each other. At the margin of the memory cell configuration, the bit lines and word lines can then be carried over into additional circuits for writing and reading.
Arrays of MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) mass memories have not yet been presented as products. only smaller configurations (arrays) are available, which are usually based on the xe2x80x9ccurrent in-planexe2x80x9d principle, whereas the xe2x80x9ccurrent perpendicular to planexe2x80x9d principle holds better prospects for mass memory applications.
Magnetoresistive memories offer particular fundamental advantages, such as simple production, non-volatile data maintenance, and good shrink suitability. Their suitability as mass memories is largely dependent upon whether sufficiently large memory cell blocks can be realized. Arrays of competitive mass memories must simultaneously satisfy the following requirements:
1. The array must allow a size of several hundred by several hundred memory cells.
2. The read signal must have a definite minimum size in order to make possible a sufficiently reliable evaluation.
Examples of Semiconductor Products:
DRAMs require approx. 100-150 mV. They perform voltage evaluation at the array margin using read amplifiers, which sit in the pitch.
Flash memories (embedded) require approx. 10 xcexcA. They carry out current evaluation with read amplifiers in the periphery. SRAMs work with on-currents of 150 xcexcA and negligible off-currents. They achieve array access times of from 600 ps to 1.2 ns.
Precise values cannot be given in advance for an MRAM; rather, it must be checked on a case-by-case basis whether the read signal is sufficient for a reliable evaluation, which is insensitive to noise. In any case, read amplifiers are not needed in the pitch. This relaxes the requirements.
3. The energy consumption in the read operation should be comparable to that of a DRAM or lower (1 pJ to 1 nJ, depending on the architecture).
These requirements also apply to a mass memory application of MRAMs.
In the prior art, various suggestions have been made for configuring magnetoresistive memory cell configurations. But the amplifier circuits put forward there tend to exhibit stability problems in practice.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a magnetoresistive memory and a method of reading or operating a magnetoresistive memory which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known methods and devices of this general type and which allows a suitable architecture for reliably writing, reading, and erasing magnetoresistive memory cells in arrays of such cells, i.e. in magnetoresistive memories.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a magnetoresistive memory, including:
magnetoresistive memory cells having respective first poles and second poles and being disposed in an array formed by rows and columns;
bit lines assigned to the columns, the bit lines being connected to the first poles of the magnetoresistive memory cells disposed in associated ones of the columns, the bit lines having first ends and second ends;
word lines assigned to the rows, the word lines being connected to the second poles of the magnetoresistive memory cells disposed in associated ones of the rows, the word lines having first ends and second ends;
a read voltage source;
first switching elements connected such that the read voltage source is separately connectable to the first ends of the word lines via the first switching elements;
an evaluation line;
second switching elements;
a voltage evaluator having at least one input, the at least one input being separately connectable, via the evaluation line, to the first ends of the bit lines by the second switching elements;
a first terminating resistor branching from the evaluation line;
third switching elements; and
an impedance converter having an input connected to the evaluation line and having an output separately connectable to the second ends of the bit lines and the word lines with the third switching elements.
The invention is based on the idea of generating a voltage which is dependent on the resistance of a memory cell that is being read, and making this voltage so loadable through the use of an impedance converter that the word lines and bit lines can be sufficiently held at a stable voltage level.
In other words, the invention is thus first aimed at a magnetoresistive memory which includes: a configuration of magnetoresistive memory cells in several rows and/or several columns; a bit line for each of the columns, which is connected to first poles of the memory cells belonging to the column; a word line for each of the rows, which is connected to second poles of memory cells belonging to the row; a read voltage source, which is separately connectable to first ends of the word lines by switching elements; a voltage evaluator, whose at least one input is separately connectable to first ends of the bit lines by switching elements, by way of an evaluation line; whereby a first terminating resistor branches from the evaluation line. The inventive magnetoresistive memory is characterized by an impedance converter, whose input is connected to the evaluation line and whose output is separately connectable the second ends of the bit lines and word lines by switching elements.
The plurality of memory cells, which are organized in an array includes rows and columns. Because, in order to execute the inventive method, and thus in order to inventively utilize the impedance converter, a voltage is applied to word lines and bit lines which are not connected to the memory cell that is being read, it is necessary to provide more than one line at least in one of the two given dimensions, i.e. in rows or columns. Two is thus the minimum number of memory cells with which it is practical to apply the invention. Of course, a higher number of memory cells is desirable, which will typically be given in practice.
The read voltage source, which is connectable to the word lines, is in the position to supply a sufficient voltage to the active word line(s) to allow evaluation of the voltage still present at the voltage evaluator by same. The first terminating resistor, which branches from the evaluation line, is thus connected parallel to the voltage evaluator. Thus, the same voltage is present at the terminating resistor and the voltage evaluator. The magnitude of the voltage derives from the relation of the first terminating resistor to the instantaneous resistance value in the memory cell, which is being read.
An impedance converter in the sense of the present invention is also referred to as a V=1 amplifier or a voltage follower without level shift or offset. It does not change the voltage at its input (which is identical to the voltage dropping across the first terminating resistor), but rather delivers an identical voltage at its output, though the signal pending there is a low-resistance signal and therefore loadable. Thus, a sufficiently low-resistance voltage source is available to apply an identical voltage to the word lines and bit lines, which are provided for this purpose.
A terminating resistor refers to a resistor, one of whose poles is connected to the voltage being evaluated and the other of whose poles is connected to a reference voltage. As a rule, the reference voltage is GND, though it may also be another voltage, for instance one, which is higher than that of the read voltage source. In that case, the circuit must be adapted, accordingly, which is a familiar measure to the person skilled in the art.
The magnetoresistive memory can be advantageously constructed such that the evaluation line includes a terminal line for connecting to the bit lines, and two evaluation paths which are separately connectable to the terminal line with the aid of switching elements, with a respective terminating resistor branching from each of the evaluation paths, whereby each of the two evaluation paths is connectable, by a respective switching element, to an input of the voltage evaluator and a capacitor which is parallel thereto, and each of the two evaluation paths is connectable, by a respective switching element, to the input of the impedance converter and a capacitor which is parallel to this input.
This preferred configuration of elements effectively produces two evaluation paths instead of the one path described above, each of which is connectable to the bit lines which are critical for reading the memory cell, and to the impedance converter and the voltage evaluator as well. This way, it is possible to perform two independent evaluations of the resistance at the memory cell, which is being read.
The two terminating resistors can have an identical resistance value or different values. The two capacitors serve to temporarily store the emerging voltages during the measuring process, so that a comparison of the two voltages can be carried out in a corresponding voltage evaluator with two inputs. The configuration of two independent evaluation paths makes it possible to evaluate a memory cell twice and to form an average value from which the resistance value, and thus the binary meaningful content of the memory cell, can be determined with greater accuracy.
But it is also possible to insert a changeover or switching attempt between the two evaluations in order to be able to deduce the former binary state of the memory cell being read from a potentially occurring change of the resistance value of the memory cell. In order to be able to carry out such a switching attempt, the inventive magnetoresistive memory advantageously also includes: a first write current source, which is separately connectable to the first ends of the word lines with the aid of switching elements; and a second write current source, which is separately connectable to the first ends of the bit lines with the aid of switching elements. Such a switching attempt in a particular direction can be carried out by the write current sources in connection with the application of a voltage, which is made available by the impedance converter, to the memory cell being read.
As described, the read voltage source, the write current sources, the output of the impedance converter, and the evaluator line with the appertaining evaluator paths must be separately connectable to the utilized ends of the word lines and bit lines. To this end, distributors are provided, which bring the incoming and outgoing signals and voltages to the various word lines and bit lines. The distributors are a matter of branched interconnect systems, at whose ends the switching elements for connecting to the word lines and bit lines are expediently disposed. Accordingly, the connection of the bit lines to the evaluation line can be accomplished by an evaluator distributor including a switching element for each of the bit lines. The connection of the bit lines to the second write current source can likewise be accomplished through the use of the evaluator distributor, whereby the second write current source and the evaluator line are connectable to the evaluator distributor through the use of switching elements. The switching elements for connecting the write current source and the evaluator conductor to the evaluator distributor serve to allow the alternative production of one of the two contacts, since it is not practical to have a direct electrical connection between the evaluator circuit and the write current source.
The connection of the output of the impedance converter to the bit lines and word lines can be accomplished by way of a buffer distributor which is equipped with a switching element for each bit line and word line.
Likewise, the connection of the read voltage source to the word lines can be accomplished by way of a read distributor, likewise with a switching element for each word line.
Finally, the connection of the first write current source to the word lines can be accomplished by way of the read distributor, whereby the first write current source and the read voltage source are connectable to the read distributor with the aid of switching elements, in a similar fashion as the second write current source and the evaluator line described above.
The above-mentioned switching elements are at least partly, but preferably fully, constructed as transistors. The utilized magnetoresistive memory cells are expediently what are known as vertical voltage memory cells (current perpendicular to plane). In these, the memory elements of bit line, first magnetic element, tunnel dielectric, second magnetic element, and word line are disposed on top of one another vertically relative to a surface in an integrated circuit (with respect to its silicon structures). In the evaluation process, the current flows from top to bottom or from bottom to top.
According to another feature of the invention, the evaluation line includes a terminal line for providing a connection to the bit lines and includes two evaluation paths; fourth switching elements are provided such that the two evaluation paths are separately connectable to the terminal line by the fourth switching elements; the first terminating resistor branches from a first one of the two evaluation paths, a second terminating resistor branches from a second one of the two evaluation paths; each of the two evaluation paths is connectable to a respective input of the voltage evaluator and to a respective capacitor, connected in parallel thereto, by a respective fifth switching element; and each of the two evaluation paths is connectable to the input of the impedance converter and to a further capacitor, connected in parallel to the input of the impedance converter, by a respective sixth switching element.
According to another feature of the invention, a first write current source is separately connectable to the first ends of the word lines via given ones of the first switching elements and via a fourth switching element; and a second write current source is separately connectable to the first ends of the bit lines via given ones of the second switching elements and via a fifth switching element.
According to yet another feature of the invention, an evaluator distributor is provided for connecting the bit lines to the evaluation line via given ones of the second switching element provided for each of the bit lines.
According to another feature of the invention, an evaluator distributor is provided for connecting the bit lines to the second write current source, and the second write current source and the evaluation line are connectable to the evaluator distributor via further switching elements.
According to a further feature of the invention, a buffer distributor is provided for connecting the output of the impedance converter to the bit lines and the word lines via the third switching element provided for the bit lines and the word lines.
According to another feature of the invention, a read distributor is provided for connecting the read voltage source to the word lines via given ones of the first switching elements provided for the word lines.
According to another feature of the invention, a read distributor is provided for connecting the read voltage source to the word lines via given ones of the first switching elements provided for the word lines, the read distributor further connecting the first write current source to the word lines, the first write current source and the read voltage source being connectable to the read distributor via a given one of the first switching elements and the fourth switching element.
According to another feature of the invention, the first, second, and third switching elements are transistors.
The invention is also related to a method for reading magnetoresistive memories. All of the above statements in connection with the device also fully apply in regard to the method, which will now be discussed.
With the objects of the invention in view there is also provided, a method for reading magnetoresistive memory cells in a magnetoresistive memory including an array of magnetoresistive memory cells respectively disposed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, the magnetoresistive memory further including a bit line for each of the columns, the bit line being connected to first poles of the magnetoresistive memory cells belonging to a respective column, and the magnetoresistive memory further including a word line for each of the rows, the word line being connected to second poles of the magnetoresistive memory cells belonging to a respective row, the method includes the following steps:
step A) connecting a read voltage source to a second pole of a magnetoresistive memory cell to be read;
step B) evaluating a voltage, which drops across a first terminating resistor, with a voltage evaluator, with the first terminating resistor and a first input of the voltage evaluator being connected to a first pole of the magnetoresistive memory cell to be read; and
step C) applying the voltage, which drops across the first terminating resistor, also to an input of an impedance converter, and applying a voltage at an output of the impedance converter to word lines and bit lines not connected to the magnetoresistive memory cell to be read.
In other words, the invention is directed to a method for reading memory cells in a magnetoresistive memory which includes an array of magnetoresistive memory cells in a plurality of rows and/or a plurality of columns, a bit line for each of the columns, which is connected to first poles of memory cells belonging to the column, and a word line for each of the rows, which is connected to second poles of the memory cells belonging to the row, which method includes the following steps:
A: Apply a read voltage source to the second pole of a memory cell that is being read;
B: Evaluate the voltage which drops across the first terminating resistor with the aid of a voltage evaluator which is parallel to the first terminating resistor; whereby the first terminating resistor and a first input of the voltage evaluator are connected to the first pole of the memory cell being read;
C: Apply the voltage which drops across the first terminating resistor also to the input of an impedance converter, and apply the voltage at the output of the impedance converter to the word and bit lines which are not connected to the memory cell being read.
The inventive method takes advantage of the principle of the voltage splitter, according to which, on the basis of a known read voltage and a known terminating resistor, a defined voltage drop sets in, both across the terminating resistor and across the voltage evaluator and the impedance converter. While the voltage evaluator performs a measurement of the present voltage in order to be able to deduce the resistance value of the memory cell which is being read, the impedance converter makes its output signal low-impedance but maintains an identical voltage to the input signal, and can thus drive the various bit lines and word lines with its interposed resistance memory cells. Because the voltages which are so applied to the poles of the memory cells equal that at the bit line voltage that is connected to the memory cell being read, there is no current flow on the bit line at which the memory cell being read is holding, besides the flow through the memory cell being read. On the other hand, current flow does occur at the other memory cells belonging to the word line, which is also connected to the memory cell being read, and this current flow must be carried by the amplifier. Overall, the stability and precision of the read process can be substantially improved by this configuration.
Thus, the output voltage of the impedance converter should be identical to its input voltage. Deviations from this lead to degradation of the measurement result and interfere with the reliable determination of the binary value of the memory cell, which is being read.
The successive explication of the steps of the inventive method does not constitute a time sequence. Though the steps may be carried out in succession, a reliable evaluation by the voltage evaluator requires that all conditions, which must be brought about by the steps first be guaranteed, before reliable measurement is possible. It is therefore preferable, for reasons of practicability as well as speed, to execute the steps A, B and C substantially simultaneously.
The evaluation conducted in step B can include the following substeps:
B1: Connect the bit line which is connected to the memory cell being read to the first input of the voltage evaluator, the first terminating resistor, and the input of the impedance converter, by way of an evaluator line; and
B2: determine the voltage at the first input in the voltage evaluator.
As described above, the inventive method can also be further refined in order to improve the precision of the value determination of the memory cells being read. It is possible to carry out two independent read operations, in which the emerging voltages are intermediately stored in two capacitors that are connected parallel to inputs of the voltage evaluator. The voltage values so stored can then ultimately be evaluated together in the voltage evaluator. But it is also possible to improve the method to the effect that the two read operations are performed in succession, and a changeover or switching operation is carried out in between. The advantage of this is that the measurement of the voltages need not be so precise, since this technique is geared more toward potentially emerging differences of the voltages before and after the switching attempt. The method thus includes a first read operation, followed by a switching attempt, followed in turn by a second reading of the voltage value. A preferred embodiment of this multi-step method includes the following additional steps:
D: store the voltage dropping across the first terminating resistor in first and third capacitors, which are connected to the first input of the voltage evaluator and the input of the impedance converter (whereby the third capacitor is naturally disposed near the impedance converter, and the first capacitor is disposed near the voltage evaluator);
E: disconnect the first input of the voltage evaluator and the first capacitor from the terminating resistor;
F: disconnect the input of the impedance converter and the third capacitor from the first terminating resistor;
G: disconnect the read voltage source from the memory cell that is being read;
H: disconnect the first terminating resistor from the memory cell that is being read;
I: apply the voltage at the output of the impedance converter to all word lines and bit lines;
J: apply a first current source to the word line which is connected to the second pole of the memory cell that is being read;
K: apply a second current source to the bit line that is connected to the first pole of the memory cell that is being read;
L: disconnect the first current source from the word line that is connected to the second pole of the memory cell that is being read;
M: disconnect the second current source from the bit line that is connected to the first pole of the memory cell being read;
N: disconnect the voltage at the output of the impedance converter from the second pole of the memory cell being read;
O: disconnect the voltage at the output of the impedance converter from the first pole of the memory cell being read;
P: connect the bit line that is connected to the memory cell being read to the second input of the voltage evaluator, the second terminating resistor, and the input of the impedance converter, by way of the evaluator line;
Q: apply the read voltage source to the second pole of the memory cell being read;
R: store the voltage which drops across a second terminating resistor in a second capacitor, which is parallel to the second terminating resistor, whereby the second terminating resistor, the second capacitor and a second input of the voltage evaluator are connected to the first pole of the memory cell being read;
S: compare the voltages stored in the first and second capacitors in the voltage evaluator.
The above-described steps of the inventive method lead to a clear improvement of the evaluation quality. Here, as well, it is not necessary to perform all steps in succession, despite the sequential ordering given herein. Rather, it is also possible to execute various steps simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. It is expedient to execute the following steps or operations of the respective steps substantially simultaneously:
A-D;
E, F;
G, H;
I;
J, K;
L, M;
N-P;
Q, S.
Finally, the invention is directed to the utilization of an impedance converter to buffer a read voltage of a memory cell that is being read in a magnetoresistive memory, and to apply the buffered signal to word and bit lines of the magnetoresistive memory.
In other words, with the objects of the invention in view there is also provided, a method of operating a magnetoresistive memory, the method includes:
providing a magnetoresistive memory including an array of magnetoresistive memory cells respectively disposed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, the magnetoresistive memory further including a bit line for each of the columns, the bit line being connected to first poles of the magnetoresistive memory cells belonging to a respective column, and the magnetoresistive memory further including a word line for each of the rows, the word line being connected to second poles of the magnetoresistive memory cells belonging to a respective row;
buffering a read voltage of a magnetoresistive memory cell to be read by utilizing an impedance converter; and
applying a buffered signal to word lines and bit lines of the magnetoresistive memory.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a magnetoresistive memory and a method for reading a magnetoresistive memory, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

Magnetoresistive memory and method for reading a magnetoresistive memory


Systems and methods for replacing and testing a data storage device are disclosed. In disclosed embodiments, a system including a data storage array (DSA) including a plurality of data storage devices (DSDs) in an enclosure. The system further includes an I/O server coupling the DSA to a client node and configured to provide data access between the client node and the DSA. The system further includes a management server coupled to the DSA, configured to detect a failed DSD in the DSA, detect a replacement DSD in the enclosure that replaces the failed DSD, and add the replacement DSD to a logical path of the DSA. The management server is further configured to display an indication of a state of the DSA based on the comparing.

The present invention relates to data storage arrays, and more specifically, to the management of data storage arrays.
As data storage systems become increasingly large and complex, the need for robust maintenance tools to scale operator capability is an important aspect of software defined data center management.
Enterprise RAID systems attempt to provide required functionality for servicing data storage devices (DSDs) such as hard disks storage devices. Conventional approaches require large resources for servicing such systems, making scaling difficult as data storage systems grow to accommodate ever-growing needs of data storage.

Servicing data storage devices in a data storage array

International Business Machines Corporation


A fuel injection system having no fuel leakage and a high speed response includes both an outlet opening of a fuel supply passage 44 and an inlet opening 59 of an injection passage 56 are provided facing to a communication space 54 formed on the one end face of a valve box 51. A diaphragm 62 seals the communicating space of a valve box 51. A ridge 64 of the diaphragm 62 shuts the supply passage and injection passage. A valve body 70 driven by a solenoid coil 65 is combined with the diaphragm 62. The valve body 70 is pressed by a plate spring 71. While a current is not supplied to the solenoid coil 65, the plate spring 71 presses the valve body 70, and the ridge 64 of the diaphragm 62 closes the inlet opening 59 of the injection passage 56. Fuel is not injected. While a current is supplied to the solenoid coil 65, the valve body 70 is attracted toward a magnetic core 66. The ridge 64 leaves from the valve box 51, and the injection passage 56 is communicated to the supply passage 55 through the communication space 54. Fuel is injected. The valve body 70 does not receive resistance force from fuel, and a small force of the solenoid coil is sufficient for functioning. Fuel does not enter into the box 53, therefore fuel does not leak from a hole 69 for guiding a power supply wire 68 to the outside.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic controlled fuel injection system provided to an engine for models.
2. Description of Related Art
Heretofore, in glow engines of two-cycle or four-cycle which have been known as the engine for models, a carburetor 100 having the structure as shown in FIG. 6 as the means for controlling the feeding rate of fuel to a combustion chamber of an engine has been used.
In the housing 101 of the carburetor 100, a valve body 102 having the shape like a cylinder is provided rotatably around the axis line of the valve body 102 itself. A pipe conduit 101a and 101b extends vertically through the housing 101, and air is supplied from the upper pipe conduit 101a. A passage 102a extends through the valve body 102, and the passage is communicated to the pipe conduits 101a and 101b of the housing 101 with the opening dependent on the rotation angle of the valve body 102. An operating arm 103 is connected to a portion of the valve body 102 which projects beyond the one end of the housing 101. An operating part of a servo mechanism not shown in the drawing is connected to the operation arm 103, and the servo mechanism rotates the valve body 102 in the housing 101. A needle 104 is fixed to the valve body 102 with a screw, and the projection into the valve body 102 is adjustable by turning the needle 104.
A fuel control needle valve 105 is built-in at the other end of the housing 101. The needle valve 105 has a tube 106 and a needle 107 provided in the tube 106. The needle 107 is fixed to the tube 106 with a screw, and the needle 107 is moved inversely in the tube 106 by turning a knob 108 provided at the base of the needle, and the tip opening of the tube 106 can be adjusted. The tip of the needle 104 provided to the valve body 102 is facing to the opening of the tip of the tube 106 of the needle valve 105.
Fuel fed to the needle valve 105 is jetted from the clearance between the tip of the tube 106 and the needle 107 to the internal, mixed with air supplied in the valve body 102, and fed to an engine. Because the flow rate of fuel can be adjusted by turning the know of the needle valve 107, the flow rate of fuel (or air-fuel ratio) can be previously set so that the engine rotates at the maximum rotation speed. The servo mechanism rotates the valve body 102 to adjust air flow rate into the valve body 102, and controls the flow rate of fuel fed to the engine.
According to the carburetor 100, when the engine is accelerated rapidly from the low rotation condition such as idling, a lot of air is fed in the valve body, but the supply of fuel can not follow the supply of air, and the balance of air-fuel ratio is unbalanced. The rotation of the engine increases not smoothly and increases slowly, and can be stopped in the bad case. As a whole, the response is not good, the transition from the low rotation speed to high rotation speed or the high rotation speed to low rotation speed requires a long time, it is a disadvantage of the conventional engines. Further, in the case that an engine for models is mounted on a radio control model plane, fuel is fed not adequately to the carburetor due to the adverse effect of centrifugal force caused by flying motion of the model plane, the inadequate feeding of fuel causes the malfunction of the engine.
Inventors of the present invention had invented a novel fuel injection system to be applied to engines for models in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. The fuel injection system injects fuel into a combustion chamber of an engine for models under electronic control. The fuel injection system had been anticipated to supply fuel stably, to maintain the air-fuel ratio in balance, and to attain rapid speed response in an engine for models used in severe operational conditions.
The structure of the above-mentioned fuel injection system 30 which the inventors of the present invention had proposed is described. As shown in FIG. 5, the fuel injection system 30 is provided with an approximately cylindrical box 31. In the box 31, a solenoid coil is accommodated. A power terminal 33 for supplying power to the solenoid coil 32 is projected outside the box 31 through the box 31. A magnetic core 34 is inserted into the solenoid coil 32. A fuel supply passage 35 is formed through the axis of the magnetic core 34. The magnetic core 34 is projected outside the box beyond the base end of the box 31, and a portion of the magnetic core 34 projected outside the box 31 is communicated to the fuel supply conduit 18 guided from the fuel tank 20.
A valve box 36 is provided on the end of the box 31. A fuel injection orifice 37 is formed on the end of the valve box 36. In the box 31, an approximately cylindrical valve body 38 is inserted movably in the solenoid coil 32 adjacent to the magnetic core 34. The valve body 38 is provided with a flow passage 39 communicated to the fuel supply passage 35. A flange 40 is formed on the end of the valve body 38. A ring contact projection 41 for contact with the inside surface of the valve box 36 is provided on the periphery of the front face of the flange 40. A needle 42 is fixed at the center of the front face of the flange 40, and the needle 42 is inserted movably into the fuel injection orifice 37 of the valve body 38.
A plate spring 44 which is a pressing means for pressing the valve body 38 toward the fuel injection orifice 37 is provided between a fixing component 43 of the solenoid coil 32 and the valve box 36. The plate spring 44 comprises an outside ring fixing portion 45, inside ring moving portion 46, and connection arm 47 which connects elastically both portions. The fixing portion 45 is fixed between the fixing component 43 of the solenoid coil 32 and the valve box 36, and the moving portion 46 is fixed to the flange 40 of the valve body 38.
While power is not supplied to the solenoid coil 32, the valve body 38 is pressed toward the fuel injection orifice 37 by the pressing force of the plate spring 44, the contact projection 41 of the flange 40 is brought into contact with the inside surface of the valve body 36, and the fuel injection orifice 37 is closed. When power is supplied to the solenoid coil 32, the solenoid coil 32 attracts and moves magnetically the valve body 38 toward the magnetic core 34 against the pressing force of the plate spring 44. A space is formed between the flange 40 of the valve body 38 and the valve box 36 as the result of such movement. Fuel which is pressurized at a certain pressure in the box 31 is injected from the fuel injection orifice 37 to the outside of the box 31.
Operations of an engine for models to which the fuel injection system 30 is provided is described. Fuel injected from the fuel injection system 30 is mixed with air which is taken in depending on the opening of the throttle valve 14, and fed into a cylinder from an intake valve 17 which is opened at a predetermined timing. A glow plug 19 ignites the air-fuel mixture at a predetermined timing to start combustion. Burnt gas is exhausted outside the cylinder from an exhaust valve 23 which is opened at a predetermined timing.
However, it was found that the above-mentioned novel fuel injection system proposed by the inventors of the present invention had a problem to be solved. The fuel injection system shown in FIG. 5 supplies fuel from the rear end of the box 31 in which the solenoid coil 32 is contained into the internal thereof, the valve body 38 moves in the internal of the solenoid coil 32 filled with fuel to control fuel injection. In such structure, a failure that fuel leaks from the hole of the box 31 through which the power source terminal 33 of the solenoid coil 32 is guided to the outside can happen. Also, because the valve body 38 which receives a force from the solenoid coil is moved in fuel, the motion is slow due to resistance of the fuel, and the resistance can result in slow response speed.
It is the object of the present invention to improve the performance of the novel fuel injection system proposed by the inventors of the present invention, and to prevent leakage of fuel and to improve the response speed of the valve body by isolating the electric system from fuel.

Fuel injection system of engine for models


In general, a method performed on one or more computing systems includes receiving an indication that a control that affects an application has been activated, identifying, by the one or more computing systems in response to the indication, one or more active modes of the application that are not influenced by the control, and providing, on a display in response to identifying the one or more active modes, a graphical representation of the one or more active modes.

Electronic storage devices can be used to store information in the form of files. Users or applications can access files stored on storage devices in order to interact with the information stored in the file. In some cases, applications that interact with the information stored in the file may have one or more modes of operation that may be active or inactive.


A vehicle and a fuel storage system for a vehicle are provided. A frame defining a perimeter structure and having first and second ends, and a generally open central interior portion, is configured to receive any one of a plurality of vehicle bodies in a body-on-frame vehicle architecture. A fuel cell arrangement is disposed adjacent one end of the frame, and a fuel storage tank is disposed in the central interior portion of the frame, along a length of the frame. The fuel storage tank provides a source of fuel for the fuel cell, and also acts as a fuel delivery conduit from one end of the frame to the other. The fuel storage system can include a non-rigid mounting structure for the fuel tank, thereby substantially isolating the fuel tank from movements of the vehicle frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle and fuel storage system for a vehicle.
2. Background Art
As non-conventional vehicles, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), begin to gain acceptance, vehicle designers are trying to provide some of the same features in these new vehicles that drivers have come to expect from conventional vehicles. For example, if a vehicle cannot travel more than 300 miles prior to needing to be refueled, it may not be accepted by the average consumer. In the case of FCV's, designers have been challenged to provide storage for enough fuel to ensure that the vehicle can travel 300 miles or more without refueling.
At some level, all designs require addressing competing interests. For example, in the case of increasing the size of a fuel storage system in a vehicle, it is necessary to consider the impact of such an increase on passenger room and comfort, and storage space. An example of a vehicle body integrating a hydrogen fuel tank is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0161934 published on Jul. 28, 2005 (Rife et al.). Rife et al. describes a vehicle frame that includes a floor pan having a centrally positioned tunnel extending the length of the frame, and a fuel tank integrated into the central tunnel. Rife et al. describes an increase in the stiffness of the chassis which results from a larger tunnel, the size of which has been increased to accommodate the fuel tank.
One limitation of the vehicle frame described in Rife et al. is that each different body style must be modified to create a tunnel large enough to accommodate the fuel storage tank. This issue is indicative of unibody construction, in which each vehicle body is formed to meet both the aesthetic and structural requirements of the vehicle. This is in contrast to a body-on-frame architecture, in which many of the structural elements of the body are found in a chassis that is configured to accommodate any of a number of vehicle bodies, thereby making it useful across a number of vehicle platforms. Another limitation of the vehicle frame described in Rife et al. is that configuring the tunnel to accommodate the storage tank necessarily increases the stiffness of the body, which detracts from options available to the vehicle designer.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a fuel storage system for a vehicle that includes a fuel storage tank, and in particular, one capable of storing a compressed gas, that is large enough so the vehicle can travel a long distance before needing to be refueled. In addition, it would be desirable to have a fuel storage system that does not require the vehicle body to be changed in order to accommodate a fuel storage tank. It would also be desirable to have a vehicle having a fuel storage system that does not dictate the stiffness of the vehicle body.

Vehicle and fuel storage system for a vehicle


A low noise power plant (100) for providing thrust to a missile (102) having a solid fuel propellant (104) for generating a pressurized gas. A turbine (106) converts the pressurized gas to rotary motion and a drive shaft (108) transfers the rotary motion to a load (110). In a preferred embodiment, the power plant (100) is utilized to drive a projectile (102). A solid fuel stick (104) located within a combustion chamber (112) is ignited and burned to provide pressurized gas which is directed to the turbine (106) via an exhaust tube (114). The pressurized gas is at a relatively low pressure and volume which minimizes the generation of noise. The turbine (106) and the drive shaft (108) are each rotated by the pressurized gas. The gases expelled from the turbine (106) are near atmospheric pressure which further minimizes the generation of noise. The power of the rotating drive shaft (108) can be converted to useful power by a speed reduction gearbox (140). An output drive shaft (142) is employed to rotate a load such as a fan type propeller (110). The rotating fan type propeller (110) compresses air for generating the thrust of the power plant (100). The compressed air is a mixture of turbine exhaust gases and ambient air which reduces the heat content and thus, the detectability of the projectile (102) by infrared devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to turbine power plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for gas turbine power plants that employ solid fuel propellant.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
1. Description of the Related Art
Many different types of power plants are known in the art for providing thrust to propel a projectile. Examples include jet engines, piston engines and rocket motors of various designs. Each of these power plant designs suffer from a number of problems during the launch and flight stages of the projectile. The problems common to each power plant design include the generation of excessive noise and heat. Also, in the case of a rocket motor, large amounts of smoke can be generated.
Low detectability of a projectile during target approach is necessary in stealth operations. However, the generation of excessive noise during the launch and flight stages increases the probability that the projectile will be detected upon approach. Further, generation of large amounts of heat by the projectile can be detected by infrared sensors such as the forward looking infrared devices utilized by deployed ground troops and aircraft. The heat generated by the projectile can also be detected visually by utilizing night vision goggles. Likewise, the projectile can also produce a visible smoke trail. The visible smoke trail generated by certain rocket motors facilitates tracking the projectile and enables the determination of the origin of the launch point. The density of the smoke trail is dependent upon the type of rocket motor propellant employed. Each of these problems increase the probability of projectile detection during approach to the target.
Specific examples of power plant designs capable of providing thrust to propel a projectile include solid fuel rocket motors, air turbo rockets and jet turbine engines. Solid fuel rocket motors employing solid fuel propellants are known. The solid fuel propellant of certain rocket fuel motors burns at an accelerated rate producing a pressurized gas. The pressurized gas is then expelled from an exhaust nozzle at a supersonic rate to propel the projectile. In general, the burn rate of the solid fuel propellant is determined by the configuration of the solid fuel element employed. The amount of surface area of the solid fuel propellant exposed to burning determines the gas pressure generated. The more surface area of the solid fuel propellant exposed to burning, the higher the gas pressure generated. Solid fuel propellants having a large surface area exposed to burning tend to burn much faster. The generation of excessive noise, heat and smoke tend to increase the detectability of the projectile.
The second example of a power plant design capable of providing thrust to propel a projectile is an air turbo rocket. An air turbo rocket, which is known in the art, is capable of burning solid or liquid fuel to drive a turbine or compressor. The operation of the turbine or compressor produces increased gas pressure in an exhaust tube. When ambient air is funneled into the exhaust section of the air turbo rocket, the fuel is reignited and burned. This design effectively operates as an after burner. Because of the after burner effect, air turbo rockets are very noisy and are subject to audible detection. Liquid fuel is also utilized to provide thrust in other power plants such as in jet turbine engines. Numerous problems exist when attempting to contain liquid jet fuel in a fuel tank on a projectile. The utility and purity of the liquid jet fuel can be effected by the elements and by contamination. Additionally, the heavy mass of the liquid fuel adds to the load of the projectile during flight. Further, as the liquid fuel is consumed, the dynamics of the projectile are altered.
Unfortunately, the generation of excessive noise and heat tend to make the projectile power plant designs of the prior art vulnerable to detection by audible and infrared devices. Further, the creation of a visible smoke trail also causes the projectile to be easier to track. Therefore, the power plants of the prior art which are designed for use with a projectile are vulnerable to detection and are not suitable for use in stealth operations.
Thus, there is a need in the art for improvements in power plant designs for use with a projectile which exhibit the characteristics of low detectability and are suitable for use in stealth operations.

Solid fuel turbine power plant and method


Methods of making a low-carbohydrate dairy beverage are provided. The method includes the steps of adding specific ingredients in order to obtain a low-carbohydrate dairy beverage having certain nutritional and overall quality characteristics, including one or more of at least the following characteristics: high protein; high calcium; low calories; satisfying flavor, taste, aroma, and/or appearance; and/or extended shelf life. Low-carbohydrate dairy beverages made by such methods are also provided.

Low-carbohydrate diets are an increasingly popular lifestyle choice. There is a great demand for low-carbohydrate versions of popular food products. One food type for which there has been increased demand for a low-carbohydrate version is dairy products, particularly dairy beverages such as milk. A typical 8 ounce serving of regular milk has approximately 12 grams of carbohydrates, and an 8 ounce serving of chocolate milk has approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates. Milk however includes a large amount of nutrients, such as protein, calcium and vitamins, and is therefore an important component of a balanced diet. Unfortunately, existing low-carbohydrate dairy beverages have not been found to have the desired combination of taste, texture, nutrients, and shelf life. Therefore, there is a need for low-carbohydrate dairy products which have, among other things, a pleasant taste and texture, a high level of nutrients, such as protein, calcium, and vitamins, a low amount in calories, and a reasonable shelf life.

Methods of making a low-carbohydrate dairy beverage and dairy beverages made from such methods


A hollow fibre membrane having a coiled, a hemihelix, a helical or an undulated native form, in which the membrane can be stretched by up to 4-times its original length with no plastic deformation, and wherein the native form of the membrane is produced by the asymmetric flow of liquid polymer through an opening of a die or nozzle.

Membranes are increasingly being used as separation devices in a multitude of different processes from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry to the water and wastewater industry. Due to the compactness of membrane modules, their high specific surface area per unit volume and their ever-reducing cost, membrane-based separation processes are becoming more and more common in industry and the world in general. Membranes are generally produced as hollow fibres or flat sheets. These basic units can be arranged around or connected to supports to achieve different configurations, for example, flat sheets can be configured to create spiral wound modules and hollow fibres can be woven or knitted together to form a fabric. These membranes and their module configurations are typically held in place by rigid structural supports and frames and may be confined within a housing or shell. Different designs may allow for limited movement of the membranes or they may be constrained and held in a fixed position by the frame, which itself is aligned with and connected to other frames. For hollow fibre membranes, they are connected to at least one manifold/header through which the fluid, that passes across the membrane wall, is either supplied or withdrawn from the membrane lumen. In many cases the hollow fibre membranes are connected to two headers, one at either end of the hollow fibre.
When liquids flow over the outer or inner surface of a membrane, a liquid boundary layer develops due to the non-slip condition at the membrane surface. The thickness of the boundary layer is a function of the local Reynolds number (affected by the kinematic viscosity of the liquid and the liquid velocity past the membrane) and the distance the fluid flows over the membrane surface as illustrated in FIG. 1. Typically, the boundary layer grows in thickness from the leading edge of the membrane surface until it attains a maximum steady state thickness. As a result, diffusion controls mass transport across this boundary layer and concentration gradients form across the boundary layer. In gas transfer applications, this thick boundary layer acts like a "liquid film" surrounding the membrane and it often limits the rate of gas transfer across the membrane and mass transfer is said to be "liquid film diffusion controlled". In filtration applications contaminants rejected by the membrane, both particulate and molecular, accumulate in the boundary layer and can only escape back to the bulk solution via diffusion. Thus, filtration is also film diffusion controlled, and the accumulation of contaminants close to the membrane, is commonly referred to as "concentration polarization". In summary, the liquid boundary layer that develops at the membrane surface severely impacts the performance of membrane process applications. In filtration applications backwashing of the permeate through the membrane is common to break disperse the accumulated particles or molecules in the boundary.
Many studies have been conducted to find ways to minimize the impact of liquid film diffusion control so the full mass transfer potential of the membrane can be realized. Unfortunately, any attempt to reduce the thickness of the boundary layer carries an energy penalty. High water velocities increase shear and reduce boundary layer thickness but they incur higher pressure drops and require more pumping energy. Aeration, which uses bubbles to disrupt boundary layers and increase shear, requires gas compression. Encouraging the water to flow normal to the axes of hollow fibre membranes (cross-flow), instead of parallel to the length of the fibres (parallel flow) can reduce the boundary layer thickness dramatically, since the boundary layer has little distance to develop in cross-flow, however cross-flow comes with drag and higher pressure drops. In addition, cross-flow is not feasible with slack, submerged hollow fibre membrane modules since the fibres are pushed into each other and the effective surface area of the fibres is reduced. Many other approaches including pulsatile flow, Dean vortices, ultrasound, vibration systems etc. all suffer from the same penalty of higher energy costs and none of these methods can be really effectively applied to submerged membrane modules.
Some work has been carried out to investigate a deviation from the general parallel hollow fibre configuration (Yang et al., 2011 and 2014), In that study, porous, cylindrical yet curly and spacer-knitted membrane fibres made from Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) were used in modules for membrane distillation. While the flux enhancement was increased, the curly shape of the membrane was achieved by an additional process in this case the heat treatment of the wound membrane around a stainless-steel rod which was carried out post fabrication. The shape of the curly membranes was unadaptable as the winding angle was fixed at 60° and could not be changed or altered when in operation.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned problems.


After the front surface of a web is printed by a first-side printing unit, the web is shifted in the direction of its width by a direction-changing unit, flipped over by rollers, and transported to a second-side printing unit, where the back surface of the web is printed. A sensor detects a displacement between the second-side printing unit and the web or marks printed on the web. According to the amount and direction of displacement detected by the sensor, a printing unit body is shifted in the direction of the web width, and the web traveling as opposed to the first-side printing unit is shifted in the direction of its width by an edge guide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a duplex printer for printing on both the front and back sides of a traveling web such as paper or textiles.
2. Description of the Background Art
As duplex printers, a printer as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-216467 (1996) is well known.
This printer includes a transport path for transporting a web with the front side up; a reversing unit for reversing a web; and another transport path for transporting a reversed web with the back side up. The printer further includes a printing unit for printing on the front side of a web; and another printing unit for printing on the back side of a web, which is provided separately from the former one.
However, the duplex printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-216467 has no control mechanism that allows individual position adjustments between a web and each of the front- and back-side printing units. Thus, if a traveling web moves in zigzag only on either the front- or back-side transport path, it may be difficult to ensure registration accuracy between images printed on the front and back sides of the web.

Duplex printer including print unit shifting and web shifting mechanisms


An audio signal waveform emphasis processing device performs even-order integration on an input audio signal using one or a plurality of double integrators and even-order differentiation on the input audio signal using one or a plurality of double differentiators so as to obtain even-order integrated signal and even-order differentiated signal, and adds the even-order integrated signal and the even-order differentiated signal to the input audio signal in the same phase or reverse-phase with the input audio signal, whereby sound quality of audio signal in audio equipment is greatly improved by obtaining a desired frequency-gain characteristic without destroying the mutual phase relationship between, in particular, the middle frequency range vs. high frequency range and the middle frequency range vs. low frequency range frequency components close to the middle frequency range of an input audio signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an audio signal waveform emphasis processing device and method wherein the sound quality of audio devices of various types is improved by emphasis processing of the audio signal waveform, and in particular relates to an audio signal waveform emphasis processing device and method wherein sound quality is enormously improved in the low frequency range and in the high frequency range close to the middle frequency range as a result of emphasizing the low frequency range and the high frequency rance without destroying the characteristics of the original audio signal waveform so as to realize that sound quality in the middle frequency range is not deteriorated by a great deal of emphasis in the low and high frequency ranges.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, techniques for improving the sound quality of audio signals output from audio devices have concentrated exclusively on the frequency-gain characteristic, and scarcely any have taken into consideration the frequency-phase characteristic of the audio signal. This is because the phase characteristic of an audio signal has not been considered to be an important element in human auditory perception.
In regard to evaluation on the sound quality of audio devices, so long as basic performance such as frequency-gain characteristic, waveform distortion, and S/N ratio of the audio signal satisfied certain standards, practically no further evaluations have been conducted. Instead, evaluations depending on the subjective perceptions of individuals have been often relied on.
For this reason, conventionally, improvements in the sound quality of audio devices have been only made in terms of improvements in the frequency-gain characteristic of the amplifiers and filters, and scarcely any improvements in sound quality have been made taking into consideration the frequency-phase characteristic.
Thus, with such conventional techniques, if improvement in the frequency-gain characteristic of the amplifiers and filters constituting the audio device was sought, there was a concomitant change in the frequency-phase characteristic, giving rise to the problem that a high level of benefit in terms of improved sound quality satisfying the users has not been obtained in particular in the high frequency range and low frequency range close to the middle frequency range .

Audio signal waveform emphasis processing device and method


A pet toy has an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis with first and second spaced bulbous sections, each having a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout. The first and second sections each include respective first and second openings defining respective first and second diameters. A center section has an inner surface forming a center opening of a third diameter which is less than at least one of the first and second diameters. The center section interconnects the first and second bulbous sections. A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular ribs extend around the periphery of the bulbous sections forming grooves to facilitate an animal gripping the toy with its teeth. At least one of the bulbous ends has an opening with a diameter greater than the diameter of the center section so that a knot of a pull rope extending through the center of the pet toy will pass through the opening in the bulbous section but will not pass through the center section. Edible food treats can be placed in the pet toy through the opening(s) in the respective bulbous sections and center section which can be removed by the pet biting down on the pet toy and deforming the side wall. When the teeth of the animal deform an end of the pet toy, the ribs deflect inwardly to clean the teeth and/or massage the gums. In a second embodiment, the pet toy has a hollow core of substantially constant cross-section.

Play toys for animals, and particularly dogs, have been available for years in various sizes and configurations, each designed to provide jaw exercise and to enhance the animals' interest in playing with the toy. Enhanced interest in the toy may occur by giving it a physical configuration which will bounce in odd directions when tossed onto the floor or ground. Also interest in a pet toy can be enhanced by providing food treats in the pet toy. Many pet toys provide one or both of these features with varying success. Examples of such toys are found in U.S. design Pat. Des. No. 234,789 and Des. No. 234,790 to Rosenberg, each entitled "Sounding Toy For Pet Animal", and U.S. design Pat. Des. No. 256,958 to Markham, entitled "Pet Toy". This latter pet toy is hollow and has an irregular outer configuration and provides substantial jaw exercise for the animal.
A further example of such prior art pet toys is U.S. Pat. Re. No. 34,352 to Markham, entitled "Therapeutic Pet Toy". This pet toy has an irregular outer configuration and a central core extending therethrough. A series of longitudinally spaced peripheral grooves are provided which have inwardly projecting lips for cleaning the teeth of the animal. The hollow core facilitates deformation of the pet toy with the animal bites into the grooves. The resistance of the pet toy to deformation provides exercise for the animal's jaw.


A material-removal system can include a spray-head assembly with a plurality of rotatable fluid bars arranged in a single shroud with overlapping sweeps. A gear-box assembly can index the rotations of the fluid bars to coordinate their rotation and prevent the fluid bars from interfering with one another. The material-removal system can be mounted on a mobile platform, such as a vehicle. The vehicle can have a fluid-storage tank and a debris tank that can be tilted for dumping operation while the fluid-storage tank remains stationary. A peristaltic pump can advantageously remove liquid waste from the debris tank while a vacuum system has the debris tank operating under vacuum. The spray-head assembly can be coupled to the vehicle with an articulating-arm assembly that can include a four-bar mechanism and a pair of rotary actuators to facilitate vertical and rotational movement of the arm assembly and the spray-head assembly.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Material-removal systems can use a fluid-blasting, spray-head assembly (hereinafter referred to as "spray-head assembly") to remove material from a surface. The spray-head assembly can direct a stream of high-pressure fluid onto a surface to remove material therefrom. The spray-head assembly can be coupled to a vehicle and moved along a road surface to remove coatings, such as striping, from the road surface.
The spray-head assembly typically includes individual fluid bars that each rotate about an associated pivot. Each fluid bar is spaced apart and disposed within separate shrouds or housings and rotates therein. The shroud is open on one side to allow the pressurized fluid from the fluid bar to be directed toward the working surface. Each rotating fluid bar has an effective area or sweep over which the pressurized fluid is directed. The rotation of the fluid bar results in a circular sweep with a diameter that is related to the length of the fluid bar and the distance from the surface. To increase the effective area of the spray-head assembly, the multiple fluid bars are arranged so that the sweep of the individual rotating fluid bars overlaps one another. The use of individual or separate shrouds for each fluid bar, however, can result in a large spray-head assembly. The larger the spray-head assembly is, the more difficult it can be to control the spray-head assembly and/or maneuver the spray-head assembly into confined spaces or restricted areas. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a spray-head assembly that allows for overlapping sweeps of the spray patterns while reducing the overall size of the spray-head assembly.
The spray-head assembly is typically used as part of a material-removal system which can include a mobile platform, such as a vehicle or truck, which can move the spray-head assembly along a surface having a material thereon that is to be removed. The material-removal system typically includes a fluid-supply system operable to supply high-pressure fluid to the fluid bars in the spray-head assembly. The fluid-supply system typically includes a fluid-storage tank disposed on the vehicle. In some applications, the debris and sprayed fluid need to be cleaned up from the surface. In these applications, the material-removal system can include a debris tank that communicates with a vacuum system. The vacuum system is connected to the spray-head assembly to suck up the debris removed from the surface along with the fluid and directs the flow to the debris tank for collection therein.
The debris tank and fluid tank are formed as a single combined unit separated by a wall. The debris and sprayed fluid are collected in the debris tank and are periodically removed therefrom. During the removal process, the combined debris and fluid tank are tilted upwardly to allow the sludge to be removed via gravity. The physical combination of the fluid and debris tanks, however, requires that the lifting and tilting apparatus be sized to lift and tilt both the fluid tank and the debris tank. Thus, the physical combination of the fluid and debris tanks requires that the lifting and tilting device be larger than that required to lift and tilt only the debris tank. Additionally, the capacity of the fluid tank may be limited due to the available lifting and tilting devices that can be attached to the mobile platform. Thus, it would be advantageous to separate the debris tank from the fluid tank. Additionally, it would be advantageous if the debris tank could be lifted and tilted separate from the fluid tank such that the lifting and tilting device need only be sized to accommodate the expected load associated with the debris tank.
During operation, the debris tank can be under vacuum. The vacuum imparted on the debris tank can inhibit the removal of liquid from the debris tank during the operation of the vacuum system. In some applications or areas, it may be permissible to discharge filtered fluid directly to the environment. The ability to discharge the filtered fluid directly to the environment can reduce the operating weight of the mobile platform during operation and/or decrease the debris-removal time. The reduced weight may result in more efficient operation of the material-removal system and result in decreased operating costs. The ability to reduce the debris-removal time allows the material-removal system to spend more time removing material and increases its up time. The material-removal system may run out of fluid before the debris tank is full of debris. The ability to remove the fluid while under vacuum can allow the fluid to be removed while traveling to a fluid-fill station thus requiring only a filling operation at the station and not a fluid-dumping operation when the debris tank is not full of debris. This ability can advantageously increase the available operating time of such a material-removal system and thereby increase the revenue generated by same. Thus, it would be advantageous to be able to remove the liquid from the debris tank while the material-removal system is operating and the debris tank is under vacuum.

Material-removal system including a fluid-blasting, spray-head assembly


The present invention provides a method for increasing wheat yield and preventing wheat diseases and use thereof, and relates to the technical field of crop cultivation. In the method, wheat seeds are primed by a fermentation liquid of S. sclerotiorum, and the concentration of the fermentation liquid is 1.4×105 cfu/mL or more. According to the present invention, the wheat seeds are primed by using S. sclerotiorum, and S. sclerotiorum can endogenously grow in wheat plants to induce expression of genes related to disease resistance and development of wheat, thereby achieving the objective of controlling diseases such as wheat Fusarium head blight and improving wheat yield.

Wheat is one of the most important food crops in the world, providing about 20% of food for human beings and feeding 40% of the world population. The wheat planting area in China is about 24 million hectares (Liu et al., 2018) and the output is 13 billion tons. The total planting area and total output account for about 11% and 17% of the world respectively. Fungal diseases are a great threat in wheat production. Fusarium head blight (FHB) and stripe rust are the most common diseases, causing the most serious damage.
FHB is caused by fungi such as Fusarium graminearum and F. asiaticum. China is the "worst-hit area" with a high incidence of FHB. The average yield loss in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze river is 5%-10% in normal years and even no grain is reaped in severe years (Cheng et al., 2012). FHB causes not only substantial reduction in yield, but also decrease in quality by contamination with Deoxynivalenol (DON) toxin. Furthermore, the infection to the grain reduces seed germination and causes seedling blight (Tuite et al., 1990). Due to the lack of effective sources of resistance worldwide, FHB is mainly controlled by spraying chemical agents at the flowering stage.
Stripe rust is one of the most severe diseases to wheat in China. Wheat stripe rust is caused by Puccinia striiformis and is a typical airborne disease; the pathogen can spread over a long distance by high-altitude air flow and attack wheat rapidly. For the control of stripe rust, planting resistant varieties is the most economical and effective way. In actual production, the use of chemical pesticides for seed coating and foliar spraying is still an important measure to control wheat stripe rust.
The use of chemical agents to control diseases poses a threat to the survival of beneficial microorganisms and human health. The long-term and excessive use of the chemical agents easily causes resistance of the pathogen groups. On the other hand, labour shortage is currently a great social problem to agricultural production.

Method for increasing wheat yield and preventing wheat diseases and use thereof