A system for accelerated assessment of operational uncertainties in an electrical power distribution system includes a plurality of utility assets, and a distribution analysis (“DA”) system. DA system includes a preparation module configured to identify a first network model and a reduced network model for the electrical power distribution system. DA system also includes an input module configured to identify a plurality of scenarios, and a reduced-model-analysis module configured to analyze the reduced network model using the plurality of scenarios, generating a first set of results, and to select a subset of scenarios based on the first set of results. DA system further includes a full-model-analysis module configured to analyze the first network model using the subset of scenarios, generating a second set of results. DA system also includes a command module configured to dispatch configuration commands to utility assets based on the second set of results.

The embodiments described herein relate generally to electrical power distribution systems and, more particularly, to techniques for accelerated assessment of operational uncertainties in electrical power distribution systems.
Known electric power grids typically include power generation plants, transmission and distribution lines, transformers, and other devices that facilitate electric power transmission, and power delivery. After electric power is generated in the generating plants, it is transmitted for extended distances through the high voltage transmission lines to sub-transmission/distribution substations. From the substations, power is then transmitted through a feeder to an end customer through an electrical power distribution system.
Most known electrical power distribution systems include a plurality of feeders coupled to the substation transformer. The electrical power distribution systems may also include at least one capacitor bank, at least one voltage regulator, and at least one distributed generation (DG) device, e.g., a diesel generator and a photovoltaic source. The feeder is divided into smaller units via bus-bars, disconnect switches, reclosers, sectionalizers, and fuses, wherein such smaller units are referred to as segments. Each segment may have any number of DG devices coupled thereto.
The distribution networks now often include multiple power sources due to an increase in DG. The recent proliferation of wind and solar power sources, for example, has added significant complexity to the management of electrical power distribution systems. Not only do these generators represent power sources within the distribution network, but generators such as wind and solar farms represent a less predictable source of power. Their outputs change with weather patterns, a variable controlled by nature. This variability adds a complexity to analyzing electrical power distribution systems.
Known mathematical modeling techniques are typically used to model and analyze electrical circuits. As circuits get larger and more complex, modeling analysis of electrical circuits becomes significantly more complex as well. In modeling electrical power distribution systems with DG, full-model analysis can become computationally intensive and infeasible to adequately support the decision-making needs of system operations managers.

System and method for accelerated assessment of operational uncertainties in electrical power distribution systems


A quick close circuit is provided for an electric powered gate having a wire loop control system comprising a gate control circuit, a wire loop in a passageway of the gate, and a loop detector circuit to sense presence of vehicles in the loop. The quick close circuit provides for the opening of the gate upon detection of a vehicle in the passageway by the loop detector circuit. After the vehicle has passed through the passageway, the quick close circuit stops further opening of the gate and commences the closing of the gate.

Many homes and buildings commonly use electric gates to protect their passageways, providing both convenience and security for the occupants. The typical electric gate blocks entrance to the structure, effectively preventing unwanted intruders from gaining access. When a proper user wants access, the gate control system is energized by the operator to temporarily open the gate.
The typical electric gate system uses a central control circuit to regulate operation of the gate. Electric gates are often controlled remotely, such as by a remote transmitter kept in a car, or alternatively can be opened by the use of a key switch. Once energized, the gate either slides out of the blocking position, or pivots upward, to a fully open position allowing cars or pedestrians to enter or exit the passageway. While the simpler systems use timing circuits which keep the gate open for a fixed period of time to allow the car to enter or exit, more sophisticated gate controllers often utilize circuitry linked to sensors which detect the presence of the moving cars. In each of these systems, the gate automatically closes once the sensor is tripped or the specified time elapsed.
A problem frequently experienced with such systems is that the gate remains in an open state too long. The typical gate is large in comparison to an automobile. It is common for entering cars to have entered past the gate long before the gate has reached the fully open position. The gate would then remain fully open for a brief period of time, then begin the closing process. While this period of time is slight, it could be enough to allow a second car or other pedestrian intruder to enter, thus compromising the security system.
Electric gate systems which close the gate immediately after a car has entered are known in the industry One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,844, for "Automatic Door Control" issued to Cook. The Cook patent uses a photo-electric means comprising a light source and photo-electric relay to sense the passage of an automobile and command the closing of the gate. However, a drawback of the Cook door closing system is that photo-electric relays and light sources are very unreliable, due to the susceptibility of the photo-electric relay to obscuration by dirt or dust. For this reason, most modern electric gates use a wire loop sensing system, rather than a photo-electric system.
In a wire loop system, a wire is embedded in the driveway forming a large loop adjacent to the gate passageway. An electric current is conducted through the loop which acts as an inductor. When an automobile approaches the gate, the driver initiates the gate opening by use of either a key switch or an RF transmitter. As the vehicle passes over the driveway portion containing the loop, the metal and mass of the vehicle changes the inductance of the loop, altering the current output. The control circuit for the electric gate senses the change in current and keeps the gate open during this period of time. After the car has passed, and the current in the loop has returned to a normal level, the control circuit initiates the gate closing. Nevertheless, if the vehicle has entered the passageway before the gate has fully opened, the control system will still bring the gate to the fully open position before beginning the closing cycle. Therefore, even wire loop sensing systems have the same problem of the gate remaining open too long, allowing unwanted intruders to follow a vehicle through the passageway before the gate closes.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a system for use within a wire loop sensing system which would close the electric gate immediately after a vehicle has passed the loop rather than delaying until the gate reaches the fully open position. Further, it would also be desirable to provide a system which could be easily added by modifying a pre-existing control circuit and wire loop sensing system, rather than by replacing the control circuit.


A coordinate input device and a touch panel device determine a correction value with a plurality of output values obtained from a plurality of sensors arranged in a touch panel based on the output value of a 1st peak sensor that outputs the largest output value, the output value of a 2nd peak sensor having the second largest output value, the output value of a 3rd peak sensor having the third largest output value, and the output value of a 4th peak sensor having the fourth largest output value.

As a device for determining a detailed coordinate position thereof by interpolation of the coordinates of an input position coming in contact with a finger or the like with the output values of sensors of a touch panel, there is "a coordinate input device and a coordinate input system" disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. This coordinate input device determines a detailed coordinate position on the basis of the magnitudes of electrostatic capacitances produced by the contact finger on the sensors of the touch panel arranged in a strip shape.
FIG. 11 is a diagram (cross-sectional view of a touch panel) for illustrating how to determine a coordinate position by a coordinate input device disclosed in Patent Document 1: Reference numerals 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 designate sensors, numeral 20 designates a finger, numeral 30 designates an overlay 30 disposed on the sensors, and reference sign L designates each width of the finger 20 and the sensor. In this example, the finger 20 is in contact at a position displaced from the sensor 6 by a distance d toward and over the sensor 7. Here, C1 represents the magnitude of an electrostatic capacitance due to an overlapping portion (L−d) between the finger 20 and sensor 6; C2a represents the magnitude of an electrostatic capacitance due to an overlapping portion (d) between the finger 20 and the sensor 7; C2b represents the magnitude of an electrostatic capacitance produced toward the sensor 7 through the overlay 30 from the portion other than the overlapping portion (d), that is, the portion (L−d); and C3 represents the magnitude of an electrostatic capacitance produced toward the sensor 5 through the overlay 30 from the overlapping portion (L−d) between the finger 20 and sensor 6. Then, it is contemplated that the distance d is determined taking account of the effects of the above capacitances C3 and C2b, and that the detailed coordinate position is determined based on the distance.

Coordinate input device and touch panel device


A ratchet type one-way clutch is provided that includes an outer race having a pocket on an inner circumference thereof, an inner race arranged on an inner diameter side of the outer race so as to be coaxial therewith, the inner race having a notch on an outer circumference thereof, a pawl member housed in the pocket and engaged with the notch of the inner race to transmit torque between the inner race and the outer race, and a spring for urging the pawl member to the inner race. The ratchet type one-way clutch is provided with urging force stabilizing means for stabilizing an urging force of the spring.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ratchet type one-way clutch that uses a ratchet (pawl member) for a lock mechanism. The ratchet type one-way clutch is used for a power transmission section, etc. in automobiles, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, machine tool and so on and has a function such as back stop.
Description of the Related Art
A one-way clutch used in an automatic transmission generally is provided with an outer race and an inner race that rotate relatively to each other and configured to transmit the rotational torque only in one direction by allowing sprags, rollers and others, which transmit the torque between the outer race and the inner race, to engage with a cam surface provided on a track surface of the outer race or the inner race. At the same time, the one-way clutch is configured to run idle in an opposite direction.
Among such one-way clutches, there is a ratchet type one-way clutch that uses a ratchet as a torque transmission member which transmits torque between the outer race and the inner race (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-208104). The ratchet type one-way clutch includes: an outer race having a pocket on an inner circumference thereof; an inner race arranged coaxially with the outer race and having a notch on an outer circumference thereof; a pawl member housed in the pocket and engaged with the notch of the inner race so as to lock the one-way clutch, thereby allowing torque to be transmitted between the inner race and the outer race; and a spring for urging the pawl member to the inner race.
When the ratchet type one-way clutch thus configured rotates in one direction, the pawl member slides freely from the outer circumference of the inner race, which results in that the outer race and the inner race run idle relatively to each other. Then, in an attempt of the one-way clutch to rotate in the other direction, the pawl member engages with the notch to lock the one-way clutch. This enables the torque to be transmitted between the inner race and the outer race.


A process and system for treating wastewater is described. The invention degrades sludge produced by treatment of the wastewater to reduce or eliminate the need for sludge dewatering and disposal. The invention also reduces the amount of nutrient additives required to sustain the aerobic wastewater treatment process. In one embodiment the invention includes the steps of (a) providing an aerobic treatment system receiving a supply of the wastewater; (b) treating a supply of the sludge to rupture microbial cells present therein to produce treated sludge having an increased liquid:solid ratio and an increased degradation potential in comparison to untreated sludge; (c) conveying a supply of the treated sludge to the aerobic treatment system; and (d) substantially degrading the supply of treated sludge in the aerobic treatment system. The treated sludge may optionally be subjected to anaerobic digestion prior to delivery to the aerobic treatment system.

Many processes and systems for treating wastewater are known in the prior art. Conventional secondary treatment employs microorganisms to aerobically digest organic matter present in the wastewater. This results in a mass of microorganisms that settles as sludge in a clarifier connected to the wastewater aeration tanks. Typically a portion of the sludge, referred to as return activated sludge, is recirculated to the aeration tanks to sustain the aerobic treatment process. The excess sludge, referred to as waste activated sludge, is ordinarily dewatered and disposed of. The costs associated with waste activated sludge handling can be substantial, including the cost of chemical polymers, dewatering equipment and material transport.
Numerous systems are known in the prior art for conditioning sludge by biological, chemical and/or mechanical means. Such systems typically require dedicated reactors, large amounts of aeration and long residence times to achieve significant reductions in waste activated sludge volumes. Accordingly, many prior art systems are not suitable for continuous or semi-continuous sludge processing. Sludge handling is also often limited by the presence of non-biodegradable debris. Further, some prior art sludge conditioning renders the sludge unsuitable for downstream anaerobic treatment or complicates the dewatering process. The need has therefore arisen for an improved process and system for treating sludge that substantially or entirely avoids the need for dedicated reactors, extended residence times, sludge dewatering and nutrient supplementation of the aerobic treatment plant.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

Paradigm Environmental Technologies Inc.


An accumulator head is convertible to alternate capacity ranges by providing a construction that has a segmented barrel with a matching ram in the purging system. More specifically, the accumulator barrel is divided into upper and lower segments so that the accumulator chamber is bounded by the lower barrel segment. The inner diameter of the lower barrel segment matches the outer diameter of the ram, and the length of the lower barrel segment corresponds roughly to the range of movement of the ram. With this accumulator construction, it is possible to change the working volume of the internal accumulator chamber by simply changing two parts, i.e., the lower barrel segment (inner diameter) and the ram (outer diameter). In addition, the two piece accumulator barrel design facilitates a more economical construction since the lower segment (where most of the wear occurs) can be made of a wear resistant grade of steel, while the upper segment can be manufactured from a lower cost, more easily machined material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to extrusion blow molding machines and, more particularly, to the configuration of the barrel and ram of an accumulator head in an extrusion blow molding machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Containers and other hollow articles are frequently formed by blow molding. The blow molding process involves providing a tube of heated and softened plastics material (parison) about which a two-piece mold is closed. Air or another gas is introduced under pressure into the parison to expand it against the walls of the mold, forming the desired hollow article. Such blow molding machines can be of various types, the most common of which are extrusion-blow molding machines and injection-blow molding machines.
In extrusion-blow molding machines, plastics material is heated and softened in an extruder and is conveyed into a die head from which a tubular parison is extruded. The parison can either be continuous, whereby a plurality of molds are sequentially enclosed about successive, axially spaced portions of the parison, or individual parisons can be intermittently extruded and subsequently blown. In the latter instance, the die head includes a chamber, usually called an accumulator, in which the extruded material is accumulated to provide a predetermined volume of material. The accumulated volume of material is then ejected through an annular die at the outlet of the accumulator to form a parison having the desired length, diameter, and wall thickness distribution.
Typically, an accumulator has a purging system to accomplish the function of ejecting the accumulated material by forcing it through the die at the outlet, and a programming system to control the die opening at the outlet for varying the wall thickness of the extruded parison and to close the die while plastic for the next parison is being fed into the accumulator. The speed at which material is ejected by the purging system is often synchronized with the size of the die opening as controlled by the programming system. This synchronization enables the wall thickness to vary in a controlled manner over the length of the parison.
During production operation, an accumulator head is designed to receive from the extruder a quantity of plastic melt equal to the size of the parison to be formed. To facilitate use in range of applications, the charge of plastic melt can be varied as desired, up to a maximum, which corresponds to the full volume of the accumulator chamber. Typically, accumulator heads are identified by their maximum capacity, for example, a "60 lb." head. In order to provide a design that will perform satisfactorily, the operating systems of the accumulator head must be sized to operate at the maximum capacity. From a practical standpoint, the accumulator operates most effectively over a relatively limited range of parison sizes, with the maximum capacity being the upper limit of that range. More specifically, there is better processing control if the dimensions of the accumulator chamber and the length of the ram stroke approximate the desired parison in diameter and length.
These factors governing accumulator design dictate that the manufacturer have several different accumulator constructions available to meet the market requirements for different size containers. As the market expands to new applications requiring larger and larger parisons, new accumulator heads must be designed to provide the desired capacity. The prior art has not provided an accumulator construction that can be easily modified to alter the capacity of the accumulator chamber.
Furthermore, in order for an accumulator to be economical to manufacture, it is desirable for accumulators of different capacities to have as many common parts as practical. However, the advantage of lower parts inventory must be balanced against compromises in the overall design that affect performance. Accumulator barrel constructions of the prior art require that the entire barrel be constructed for a high grade of steel to resist the wear of repeated operation of the purging system.

Accumulator head having a segmented barrel


For taking liquid samples, such as active solutions in an irradiated nuclear fuel processing plant within a confined area (10) located below a protective slab (12), use is made of vacuum pots (44), which are pneumatically transferred into a vessel (14) located beneath the slab and which are engaged on needles (40) supplied with fluid to be sampled and projecting into the bottom of the vessel. A pot (44) is moved pneumatically into a nacelle, pod or basket (76) of a rotary drum (72) by means of a transfer duct (60), which passes through a slab element (62) installed in a rotary plug (20). The positioning of the pot vertically with respect to a needle (40) is ensured by the combined rotations of the drum (72) and the plug (20). A vertical displacement of the slab element (62) ensures the sampling before the filled pot is pneumatically evacuated by the reverse path.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an installation designed for remotely carrying out the taking of fluid samples, such as radioactive liquids within a confined area positioned below a biological protection slab.
2. Description of the Related Art
Several installations of this type can be placed in an irradiated nuclear fuel processing plant in order to carry out in an automated, remote manner the taking of samples of active solutions in different parts of the plant. They make it possible to introduce in a controlled manner fluid samples into containers known as pots, which are made from flexible plastic materials and which have been previously placed under a vacuum, prior to analyzing the said samples in the laboratory.
In order to ensure an optimum biological protection of personnel against .alpha. particles and .gamma. rays, without having to give to the equipment used an excessive weight and volume, FR-A-2 515 350 proposes carrying out the sampling operations directly within a vessel positioned below the biological protection slab. For this purpose the pots pass through the slab before being engaged on needles located in the bottom of the vessel and towards which are moved various fluids to be subject to the sampling operations. To this end, each of the needles passes, below the bottom of the slab, into a container supplied with fluid by a circuit, such as that described in FR-A-2 516 242.
In such an installation, the main problem is the transfer of the pots through the slab, as well as the actual sampling operation, which must be carried out blind and in an automated manner.
The solution to these problems described in FR-A-2 515 350 is completely mechanical. Thus, when introduced into the installation by a pneumatic transfer system, the pot is moved by a horizontal piston up to the upper end of a well in which its descent is controlled by the rotation of a vertical endless screw traversing the slab. In the bottom of the well, the pot is taken up by a vertically axed rotary barrel, where a rotation thereof has the effect of bringing the pot below a gripping tool traversing the said slab. This gripping tool controls the descent of the pot and ensures the sampling by engaging the pot on the needle. In order to have access to several needles arranged along one or more circular arcs in the vessel bottom, said assembly is installed on a rotary plug belonging to the slab and whose axis coincides with that of said circular arcs.
Such a mechanism is relatively complex and suffers from unacceptable risks with regards to the jamming of the pots, particularly when the latter are moved by the piston and during their descent into the well controlled by the endless screw. It is clear that the jamming of a pot when traversing the slab would involve a particularly difficult and dangerous intervention on behalf of the personnel.
Moreover, the installation described in the aforementioned document involves, when sampling has taken place, a discharge of the pots through the bottom of the vessel, which is compatible only with difficulty with the conventional arrangement of the laboratory for analyzing the samples taken outside the confined area. If it was considered that the filled pots should be evacuated by again passing them through the slab with the aid of the aforementioned mechanism, this would give rise to the use of various not described means, because the piston only permits pot transfer in one direction.

Installation for taking fluid samples in a confined area

Cogema-Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires


The present disclosure discloses an optical imaging lens assembly. The optical imaging lens assembly includes, sequentially along an optical axis from an object side to an image side, a first lens having a refractive power; a second lens having a positive refractive power; a third lens having a refractive power; a fourth lens having a refractive power; a fifth lens having a refractive power; a sixth lens having a refractive power; a seventh lens having a refractive power, wherein an image-side surface of the seventh lens is a convex surface; and an eighth lens having a refractive power. There is an air spacing between any two adjacent lenses in the first to eighth lenses. A total effective focal length f of the optical imaging lens assembly and an entrance pupil diameter EPD of the optical imaging lens assembly satisfy: f/EPD≤2.0.

With the improvement in performance and reduction in size of the chips such as CCDs (charge-coupled devices) or CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) elements, corresponding requirements on miniaturization and high imaging quality of the counterpart optical imaging lens assemblies have been brought forward.
In addition, with the popularity of portable electronic devices such as cell phones or digital cameras, the range of applications of the portable electronic products has become more and more wide, and thus, corresponding requirements on large aperture and high resolution of the counterpart optical imaging lens assemblies have also been brought forward.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A memory cell array with an active region which has first portions and fifth portions which are at both ends thereof and a third portion which is the middle portion thereof. The first, third and fifth portions are parallel to each other with a certain spacing. The first and third portions are interconnected by a second portion sloped toward a side of the third portion. The third portion and fifth portions are interconnected by a fourth portion sloped upward from the other side of the third portion. Source regions are formed in the first and fifth portions and fifth portion of the active region. A drain region is formed in the third portion of the active region. Channel regions are formed in the second portion and fourth portion of the active region. Floating gates are disposed over each of the channel regions. A pair of control gates is disposed over the floating gates.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a memory cell array which can improve a program efficiency.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In general, a non-volatile memory device having functions of electrical program and erasure is composed of a memory cell array and a peripheral circuit. The memory cell array consists of a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells is selected by word line and bit line signals. And an information is stored to the memory cell. The program operation for storing an information to each memory cell is performed by injection of a hot carrier to a floating gate, and erasing operation is performed by discharge of the injected hot carrier due to tunnelling. Therefore, the degree of generation of hot carriers is an important factor for decision of program efficiency of the memory cell.
In addition, the memory cell has a gate electrode of a stack or split structure. Now, a conventional memory cell array composed of memory cells having a gate electrode of the stack structure is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 is a lay-out to illustrate the conventional memory cell array. Field oxide films 9 are formed in isolation regions, respectively, of a silicon substrate 1, and control gates 7 are formed on the substrate 1 in right angle with the field oxide films 9. A plurality of floating gates 5 including a portion of the field oxide film 9 are formed below each control gate 7. Drain regions 3 are formed in active regions A1 corresponding to the inside of each control gate 7, and source regions 2 are formed in active regions A2 corresponding to the outside of each control gate 7. In addition, contact portions 8 for contact with a bit line which is extended to cross the control gates 7 are formed in the drain regions 3, respectively.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 2A--2A and shows a non-volatile memory cell having a stack structure as described above. In the non-volatile memory cell, a gate electrode 10 composed by sequentially forming a tunnel oxide film 4, the floating gate 5, a dielectric film 6 and the control gate 7 is formed on a channel region of the silicon substrate 1. The source and drain regions 2 and 3 are formed at both sides of the gate electrode 10.
The program operation of the memory cell array constructed as described above is described below.
If program bias voltages are applied to the control gate 7, drain region 3 and source region 2 of memory cell to be programmed, respectively, a horizontal electric field is formed in the silicon substrate 1. At this time, a channel pinch-off region is formed at the edge of the drain region 3, therefore, the strength of an electric field is maximized at the periphery of the drain region 3. In this condition, in the process where electrons move from the source region 2 along a channel formed at the space of the silicon substrate 1, the electrons pass through a high electric field around the drain region 3 to be accelerated and obtain substantial energy. Such electrons are called hot carrier. Such accelerated electrons (hot carrier) strike against a crystal of silicon in the drain region 3, therefore, the electrons shifted a direction of movement. As the result, a part of electrons which change their path to the floating gate 5 run over an energy barrier of silicon oxide film by the effect of a vertical electrical field which is induced in a direction from the control gate 7 to floating gate due to a capacitor coupling, and then the electrons are injected into the floating gate 5. The memory cell is programmed by a drain side injection of hot carrier as described above.
Electrons which struck against the silicon atoms have probability of being rebound in any direction from the impact place due to the impact ionization effect. However, since only the electrons which are rebounded to the floating gate 5, that is, in the vertical direction are injected into the floating gate 5, the efficiency of the program is lowered.

Memory cell array having improved channel characteristics

Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.


Disclosed herein is a laser diode module having a thermoelectric cooling element, a laser diode, and a thermistor in a housing. The thermoelectric cooling element has a first surface and a second surface between which heat exchange is performed. The first surface is in close contact with an inner surface of the housing. A base is provided on the second surface in close contact therewith. A laser carrier and a thermistor carrier are provided on the base in close contact therewith. The laser diode and the thermistor are provided on the laser carrier and the thermistor carrier in close contact therewith, respectively. A portion of the base in the vicinity of the laser carrier is thermally connected to the housing by a metal plate, for example, thereby allowing high-precision temperature control of the laser diode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser diode module applicable to an optical fiber communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a general optical communication system to which intensity modulation/direct detection (IM/DD) is applied, the light output power of a laser diode (LD) changes with an injection current. On the basis of this characteristic modulation current pulses are applied to the LD current-biased in the vicinity of an oscillation threshold to obtain light whose intensity is modulated. The I-L characteristic of the LD (the characteristic representing the relation between the injection current and the light output power of the LD) is dependent upon temperature and changes with a temperature change. It is therefore desirable to control the temperature of the LD to a constant value in order to obtain a constant operation condition irrespective of an ambient temperature.
Conventionally known is a laser diode module having a housing, a thermoelectric cooling element provided in the housing, a base provided on the thermoelectric cooling element, and an LD mounted through a laser carrier on the base. Further, thermistor is usually mounted by a thermistor carrier on the base,""so as to detect a temperature in the vicinity of the LD in the module. The thermistor is connected to a terminal for external connection of the module by a bonding wire formed of gold, for example.
As the gold bonding wire has a good thermal conductivity, a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the module causes heat flow from the outside through the terminal and the bonding wire to the thermistor, or heat flow from the thermistor through the bonding wire and the terminal Lo the outside, so that high-precision temperature control cannot be performed. For example, when the temperature outside the module becomes relatively high, heat flows from the outside through the terminal and the bonding wire to the thermistor, so that the temperature of the thermistor becomes higher than that of the LD. Conversely, when the temperature outside the module becomes relatively low, heat flows from the thermistor through the bonding wire and the terminal to the outside, so that the temperature of the thermistor becomes lower than that of the LD. The I-L characteristic changes with such a temperature difference between the thermistor and the LD, causing a change in oscillation threshold Ith of the LD to an unignorable degree (e.g., 2 to 3 mA) to result in a deterioration in signal characteristics.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a laser diode module which can perform high-precision temperature control of the LD.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a laser diode module comprising a housing; a thermoelectric cooling element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being in close contact with an inner surface of the housing, for performing heat exchange between the first surface and the second surface according to a control current supplied; a base provided on the second surface in close contact therewith; a laser carrier and a thermistor carrier both provided on the base in close contact therewith; a laser diode and a thermistor provided on the laser carrier and the thermistor carrier in close contact therewith, respectively; and means for thermally connecting a portion of the base in the vicinity of the laser carrier to the housing.
In the present invention, the provision of the means for thermally connecting a portion of the base in the vicinity of the laser carrier to the housing facilitates the conformity of the temperatures of the thermistor and the laser diode, thereby allowing high-precision temperature control of the laser diode.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention and the manner of realizing them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will West be understood from a study of the following description and appended claims with reference to the attached drawings showing some preferred embodiments of the invention.


An accelerator pedal apparatus with a variable pedal effect may include an intermediate bush installed to be moved along an interior space of a pedal housing, a pair of first conductors fixedly installed on one surface of the intermediate bush and a spring plate facing the one surface of the intermediate bush, respectively, a first coil spring installed such that opposite ends of the first coil spring are supported by the first conductors and a third conductor is integrally coupled substantially over an entire surface of the first coil spring, a pair of second conductors fixedly installed on the other surface of the intermediate bush and an end of the interior space of the pedal housing facing the other surface of the intermediate bush, a second coil spring installed such that opposite ends of the second coil spring are supported by the second conductors and a fourth conductor is integrally coupled substantially over an entire surface of the second coil spring, and a controller for controlling supply of a current to the first conductors, a current to the second conductors, directions of the currents, and intensities of the currents.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an accelerator pedal apparatus with a variable pedal effect, and more particularly to, an accelerator pedal apparatus with a variable pedal effect by which a pedal effect can be varied if necessary by using a coil spring to which a conductor is coupled to generate a magnetic field when a current is applied to the conductor.
Description of Related Art
As vehicles become luxurious, accelerator pedal apparatuses for varying a pedal effect if necessary have been developed.
A pedal effect of an accelerator pedal may be varied at need, considering a body shape or a driving habit of a driver, or may be varied to reduce fatigue of the driver according to frequent manipulations of the accelerator pedal. In particular, a pedal effect may be varied such that a driver properly corresponds to an emergency situation generating during driving of a vehicle.
However, since most conventional accelerator pedal apparatuses with a variable pedal effect employs a motor and gears, they generate much noise, require a large number of parts, and become high-priced. In particular, most conventional accelerator pedal apparatuses have such a long response time that they cannot properly cope with a prompt pedal effect variation during an emergency situation.
The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Accelerator pedal apparatus with variable pedal effort


A mobile inventory management system which reduces cost and inventory time. The mobile inventory system includes a reader in a cart for reading radio frequency identification labels on items, and wireless communication circuitry in the cart for transmitting item identification information obtained by the reader to a database.

The present invention relates to inventory management methods and more specifically to a mobile inventory management system.
One of the primary value propositions for tagging items with radio frequency identification (RFID) labels is the ability to monitor store inventory and automate the replenishment process. As the scenario is described, RFID-enabled store shelves will constantly query their contents and report the results to a store inventory system. When a certain product falls below a specific threshold (or is completely depleted), store personnel are automatically notified to replenish the item.
The current problem with this scenario is primarily the cost of the RFID system. Ignoring the cost issues associated with placing RFID tags on each item in the store, there is a substantial infrastructure cost to equip the store premises with an effective, storewide RFID system.
For example, most standard RFID readers are only effective at a range of one to two meters, and do not "read" accurately through metal shelving. Thus, a separate antenna would probably be required on each shelf of every four-foot metal shelf in the store. A large store might need hundreds or thousands of antennae to fully instrument all their shelves.
Especially now, when the economics of item-level RFID tagging have not been demonstrated, the huge cost of installing antennae, readers, and associated wiring will prevent many retailers from widely deploying RFID in their stores for quite some time.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a less expensive alternative including a mobile inventory management system.


Disclosed is a measuring bridge arrangement containing: a measuring bridge comprising at least one first half bridge having a first measuring connection and a second half bridge having a second measuring connection; a reference voltage divider having at least one first and a second test connection; a differential amplifier having at least one first and a second amplifier input and at least one amplifier output, a voltage amplification, and having an output voltage working range. In the arrangement, the first amplifier input is wired to a first capacitor and the second amplifier input is wired to a second capacitor, and the amplifier inputs can be selectively connected to the measuring connections or to the test connections.

A circuit for monitoring the function of a piezoresistive Wheatstone sensor bridge circuit is disclosed in the PCT application of International Publication Number WO99/01777 A1. If the compared signals deviate by more than an acceptable amount, the output of a window comparator sends an alarm signal. Up to a certain extent the disclosed circuit monitors the bridge resistances and the connection to an ASIC. However, said cited state of the art is complicated and relatively expensive. The approach in the cited prior art requires two separate processing circuits, which must be stable and adjusted precisely over time and temperature.
A measuring transducer for process instrumentation in which the status of a substrate, which carries the measuring resistors of a sensor for generation of a measuring signal, is monitored for changes resulting from chemical contamination, is known from EP2269009 B1. In addition, the measuring resistors and their connecting lines are monitored for breakage, i.e., for electrical interruption. The detection of a sensor break can, for example, take place via a complicated measurement of the current consumption of the measuring resistors connected to a Wheatstone bridge.
The invention from WO2014170051 A1 concerns a measuring transducer for process instrumentation having a sensor for detecting a physical or chemical quantity, where the sensor has measuring resistors connected to a Wheatstone bridge for generating an analogous measuring signal. To conduct a measuring transducer diagnosis, a center tap of at least one first voltage divider of the Wheatstone bridge is connected temporarily to ground by a series circuit of at least one first resistor and one first switch. With the open or closed first switch, a control and evaluation device determines the relevant values of a digital measuring signal, which was obtained from the analogous measuring signal by means of an analog-digital converter. If the deviation of the two values lies outside of a predetermined tolerance range, an error of the measuring transducer, in particular the analog-digital converter (ADC), is detected and displayed. This has the advantage that a second analog-digital converter for monitoring the analog-digital converter for error functions is not necessary. This prior art does not teach a measuring transducer diagnosis that is independent of the state of the sensor.

Measuring bridge arrangement with improved error detection


Charge transport compounds are described that have a multiple number of hydrazone-bridged (N,N-disubstituted)arylamine groups connected by a central bridging group. Examples of charge transport compounds of this invention are those having the following generic formula:(R—Q)n-Y                where R is an (N,N-disubstituted)arylamine group;        Q comprises an aromatic hydrazone linking group;        Y comprises a bridging group between R—Q—groups; and n is an integer between 2 and 6.

In electrophotography, an organophotoreceptor in the form of a plate, disk, sheet, belt, or drum having an electrically insulating photoconductive element on an electrically conductive substrate is imaged by first uniformly electrostatically charging the surface of the photoconductive layer, and then exposing the charged surface to a pattern of light. The light exposure selectively dissipates the charge in the illuminated areas, thereby forming a pattern of charged and uncharged areas. A liquid or solid toner is then deposited in either the charged or uncharged areas to create a toned image on the surface of the photoconductive layer. The resulting visible toner image can be transferred to a suitable receiving surface such as paper. The imaging process can be repeated many times.
Both single layer and multilayer photoconductive elements have been used. In the single layer embodiment, a charge transport material and charge generating material are combined with a polymeric binder and then deposited on the electrically conductive substrate. In the multilayer embodiment, the charge transport material and charge generating material are in the form of separate layers, each of which can optionally be combined with a polymeric binder, deposited on the electrically conductive substrate. Two arrangements are possible. In one arrangement (the "dual layer" arrangement), the charge generating layer is deposited on the electrically conductive substrate and the charge transport layer is deposited on top of the charge generating layer. In an alternate arrangement (the "inverted dual layer" arrangement), the order of the charge transport layer and charge generating layer is reversed.
In both the single and multilayer photoconductive elements, the purpose of the charge generating material is to generate charge carriers (i.e., holes or electrons) upon exposure to light. The purpose of the charge transport material is to accept these charge carriers and transport them through the charge transport layer in order to discharge a surface charge on the photoconductive element.
To produce high quality images, particularly after multiple cycles, it is desirable for the charge transport material to form a homogeneous solution with the polymeric binder and remain in solution. In addition, it is desirable to maximize the amount of charge which the charge transport material can accept (indicated by a parameter known as the acceptance voltage or "Vacc"), and to minimize retention of that charge upon discharge (indicated by a parameter known as the residual voltage or "Vres").
There are many charge transport materials available for electrophotography. The most common charge transport materials are pyrazoline derivatives, fluorene derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, stilbene derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, carbazole hydrazone derivatives, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl pyrene, or polyacenaphthylene. However, each of the above charge transport materials suffer some disadvantages. There is always a need for novel charge transport materials to meet the various requirements of electrophotography applications.

Electrophotographic organophotoreceptors with novel charge transport compounds

Abstract: An organic photoreceptor includes (a) that compound and (b) a charge generating compound; and (c) an electrically conductive substrate.


An electrical circuit detects a “squelch,” or “out-of-band,” state of a differential signal pair having a positive (“p”) signal line and a negative (“n”) signal line. In one embodiment of the invention, a first and a second comparator each have positive inputs driven by the positive and negative signal lines, respectively. The negative inputs of the comparators are driven by the outputs of separate digital-to-analog converters (DACs) which are set to a lower squelch threshold voltage. The outputs of the comparators then drive the inputs of a logical AND gate, the output of which indicates the current squelch state of the differential signal pair.

Several modern high-speed serial data busses, normally used for digital communication between physically separated electronic devices, implement the well-known, time-tested "differential pair" signal line configuration to transmit and receive data. The differential pair typically consists of two signal lines, a positive ("p") signal line and a negative ("n") signal line, which normally exhibit opposite voltage polarities during normal data transmission. For example, a data value of '1' is usually indicated on a differential pair with a voltage V+ on the "p" line, and a lower voltage V− on the "n" line. Similarly, to indicate a data value of '0', the "p" line would hold a voltage of V− while the "n" line would exhibit a voltage of V+. Therefore, except during times in which the data value of the differential pair is in transition, the magnitude of the differential voltage between the two signal wires generally remains at about V+ minus V−. Use of a differential pair has long been known to exhibit high common-mode rejection, which allows the data being transferred to be unaffected by noise that is induced onto both signal wires of the differential pair.
In addition to transferring data, the modern serial data busses that utilize differential pairs for data transfer, such as Serial AT Attachment (Serial ATA), also utilize those same signal wires to indicate changes in the overall state of the communication link, such as to invoke data bus power management. To indicate these state changes, the two signal wires of the differential pair normally are driven so that the resulting differential voltage is substantially zero for specific periods of time. Driving the differential pair in this manner is commonly known as "squelch," or "out-of-band" signaling. As a result, electronic devices connected to such a bus are usually required to detect the squelch state of the differential pair, which generally only lasts for a few tens or hundreds of nanoseconds.
At least two different methods have been employed in the past to detect the squelch state. For example, comparators that are used typically to detect the normal differential signals over the differential pair are supplemented with a "loss-of-signal" (LOS) output, which indicates that the differential voltage between the two signal wires has fallen below some predetermined threshold. However, the primary purpose of the LOS output is to detect catastrophic failures of the communication links, such as the signal wires of the differential pair being physically disconnected. Thus, the circuit that drives the LOS output is normally designed to ignore temporary periods in which the differential voltage falls below the threshold. As a result, the LOS output often reacts too slowly to reliably detect the squelch state.
Another previous method, which detects squelch in a more indirect fashion, is shown in FIG. 1. In that case, a comparator 1 with hysteresis is utilized in conjunction with a delay line 2 and a logical exclusive-or (XOR) logic gate 3. The "p" and "n" signal lines are connected to the positive and negative inputs of the comparator 1. While the differential pair transition between +V and −V, the output of the comparator 1 also continues to transition between high and low voltage levels. At each of those transitions, the output of the XOR gate 3 exhibits a logic HIGH level for the amount of the delay introduced by the delay line 2, indirectly indicating normal operation of the differential pair. Conversely, if the pair enters the squelch state for at least the delay period of the delay line 2, the output XOR gate 3 will go LOW, indicating the squelch state. Unfortunately, since the circuit of FIG. 1 is actually detecting the presence or absence of signal transition activity, as opposed to the presence of the squelch state, extended periods of time during which the differential pair resides at their proper +V or −V levels without transition will be incorrectly interpreted as squelch. Additionally, the hysteresis of the comparator 1 is required to prevent false transitions of the comparator 1 when the differential pair is actually in the squelch state. Unfortunately, most high-speed comparators, which would be required in the case of a high-speed serial bus, are designed with minimal hysteresis to facilitate higher signal switching frequencies.
From the foregoing, a need presently exists for a reliable circuit that detects the squelch state of a differential signal pair. Such a circuit would directly detect the squelch state quickly, without relying on a minimum level of transition activity on the differential pair while not in the squelch state.

Differential signal squelch detection circuit and method


Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases having a modified amino acid sequence whereby unnatural amino acids can be more efficiently incorporated than original natural amino acids. More specifically, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases having been modified at the amino acid(s) at the 37- and/or 195-positions. A method of modifying tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase characterized in that the position of an amino acid to be modified is determined based on the 3-D structure of a tyrosyl-AMP and of tyrosyl synthetase complex and an amino acid to which this enzyme binds.

Variant proteins have been produced where a certain amino acid residue of a protein is substituted with an amino acid other than 20 canonical amino acids (referred to as an unnatural amino acid hereinafter) involved in typical protein synthesis. It has been advocated that the protein which contains unnatural amino acids is referred to as the alloprotein (Koide et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:6237-41, 1988). It makes finer and systematic modification possible that the certain residue can be also replaced by the unnatural amino acid, compared to the cases where the replacements occur among 20 types of natural amino acids. Also, the amino acid with characteristic fluorescent property, the amino acid of which structure can be optically controlled, the amino acid with a reaction group applicable as a optic crosslinker, and the like have been introduced into the proteins.
There are some techniques to produce the alloproteins. Koide et al. made Escherichia coli incorporate an unnatural amino acid added to medium, which was used instead of one certain type of the canonical amino acids to produce the alloprotein. However, only 20 types together with canonical amino acids and unnatural amino acids can be used in this technique (Koide et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:6237-41, 1988).
Alternatively, the alloprotein is produced by adding the suppressor tRNA which has been aminoacylated beforehand in a separate system to a cell-free translation system (Noren et al., Science, 244:182-8, 1989). The disadvantage of this method includes a necessity to prepare aminoacyl-tRNA in a large amount.
In order to prepare the protein comprising 21 types of amino acids including the unnatural amino acid in the larger amount, it is necessary to construct an artificial genetic code system in which the tRNA attaching the unnatural amino acid is aminoacylated by its cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) in the system where the translation reaction is conducted. The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase is an enzyme which specifically attaches the amino acid to the tRNA, and 20 types occur corresponding to respective 20 types of canonical amino acids for each biological species excluding some exceptions. In a cell, these enzymes determine the type of the amino acid assigned to the genetic code where basically one type of such an aaRS exists for every amino acid. For instance, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) which is one of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) discriminates tRNA for tyrosine from the other tRNA for the other amino acids, and makes it attach to only tyrosine but not the other amino acids.
In the meanwhile, Wang et al. expressed TyrRS variants derived from Methanococcus janasii modified so as to attach O-methyltyrosine specifically and amber suppressor tRNA engineered by the modification of tyrosine tRNA derived from the same organism, in E. coli (Wang et al., Science, 292:498-500, 2001). This TyrRS and tyrosine tRNA from Methanococcus janasii do not react with tRNA and aaRS from E. coli, respectively. Thus, it has been reported that O-methyltyrosine is incorporated specifically corresponding to an amber codon in this study.
In order to construct such an artificial genetic code system, it is critical that a pair of aaRS and tRNA which does not react with aaRS from the host is found and that the aaRS variant which reacts specifically with the unnatural amino acid is developed. As the aaRS which reacts specifically with the unnatural amino acid, only TyrRS modification specific for O-methyltyrosine mentioned above has been known so far.
As tyrosine analogues substituted at position 3, there are DOPA involved in intercellular signal transduction, 3-iodotyrosine capable of becoming a target site of site-specific labeling in the protein, and the like. These have been known as the unnatural amino acids which exert physiological activity. Therefore, it is desired to obtain TyrRS specific for the tyrosine analogues substituted at position 3. No TyrRS variant has been known so far, which incorporates such tyrosine analogues substituted at position 3 more efficiently than tyrosine. The TyrRS variant was reported at an academic meeting, which incorporates the tyrosine analogues substituted at position 3 more efficiently than the wild-type TyrRS. However, since this variant incorporates tyrosine and the tyrosine analogue at a similar efficiency, it is inappropriate for inserting only the unnatural amino acid in the certain site of the protein.


In a pseudo-static random access memory of the invention, refresh operations are conducted in a normal mode and a self-refresh mode. The memory includes a plurality of bit-line pairs each having two bit lines, a precharge voltage generating circuit for precharging the plurality of bit-line pairs to a first potential level during a precharge period in the normal mode, the circuit being electrically connected to the plurality of bit-line pairs during the precharge period in the normal mode; and bit line discharge circuit for discharging the bit-line pairs during a precharge period in the self-refresh mode, thereby decreasing the potential level of the bit-line pairs to a second potential level which is below the first potential level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pseudostatic random access memory (pseudo-SRAM) in which refresh is performed in a self-refresh mode of a waiting state.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since a memory cell structure of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is simple, a DRAM having a large memory capacity can be inexpensively produced. However, such a DRAM has a disadvantage in that the refresh operations are complicated. In order to cope with the disadvantage, a pseudo-SRAM has been developed. The pseudo-SRAM has a memory cell structure as simple as a DRAM, and the refresh operations can easily be conducted. Therefore, the pseudo-SRAM can be used as if it were a static random access memory (SRAM). In such a pseudo-SRAM, as in the general DRAM, two bit lines of a bit-line pair are first precharged to a potential level of HV.sub.CC which is half of a supply voltage of V.sub.CC by a precharge circuit. Then, data is read from a memory cell or refresh is performed.
FIG. 3 shows a precharge circuit used in such a prior art pseudo-SRAM. In the precharge circuit, two bit lines 11a and 11b of each bit-line pair 11 are shorted by setting a control signal A active during the precharge period. At the same time, a control signal B is made active, so that the respective bit lines 11a and 11b are connected to an HV.sub.CC generating circuit 13 via a common line 12. The HV.sub.CC generating circuit 13 generates a potential level of HV.sub.CC which is half of a supply voltage of V.sub.CC by potential dividing resistors R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 which have the same resistance values. The generated potential level of HV.sub.CC is output to the common line 12 via a current mirror circuit. Therefore, the potential levels of the bit lines 11a and 11b are fixed at the potential level of HV.sub.CC by the precharge circuit as a result of precharge.
In such a prior art pseudo-SRAM, it is necessary to perform the refresh operation in an adjusted manner with respect to the reading and writing operation in a normal mode. In the self-refresh mode, the refresh operation can be performed in an asynchronous manner with the external. In the self-refresh mode, each interval between refresh actions corresponds to a precharge period.
If the time period of the refresh cycle can be made longer in the self-refresh mode, the power consumption of the pseudo-SRAM can be reduced, so that the data can be retained for a long time even when a battery is used as the power supply.
However, in a case where the time period of the refresh cycle is merely made longer, a High level potential stored in a memory cell is dropped down to the vicinity of the potential level of HV.sub.CC due to a leak current, so that it becomes impossible to obtain a sufficient margin between the lowered potential level stored in the memory cell and the potential level of HV.sub.CC. This results in an error operation of the refresh. If the potential level of the bit lines 11a and 11b is forcedly dropped below the potential level of HV.sub.CC in order to obtain a sufficient margin, a large current is required to drop the potential level of the bit lines 11a and 11b. This causes an increase in power consumption.
As apparent from the above, the prior art pseudo-SRAM has a problem that, even if the time period of the refresh cycle in the waiting state is made longer, the power consumption cannot be reduced.


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a step of forming a layer where a gate electrode aperture is to be formed including at least one ultraviolet resist layer on the surface where a gate electrode is to be formed, and forming a gate electrode aperture in the layer where a gate electrode aperture is to be formed; a step of forming a layer where an over-gate is to be formed in which an over-gate part of a gate electrode is to be formed, on the layer where a gate electrode aperture is to be formed; a step of reducing the width of the gate electrode aperture; and a step of forming the gate electrode in the gate electrode aperture. The method makes it possible to efficiently produce a fine gate electrode by thickening the gate electrode aperture and reducing the width of the gate electrode aperture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a gate electrode and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which make it possible to manufacture efficiently a fine gate electrode, and relates to a gate electrode and a semiconductor device manufactured by the method for manufacturing a gate electrode and the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A field-effect transistor with excellent high frequency properties is useful for a transmitting and receiving device of quasi-millimeter and millimeter band waves and a high-speed signal processing (optical communication) device. In the developments of the gate electrode used for the device, particularly in which excellent high frequency properties are required, up to now there has been extensive effort on making the gate forming aperture as fine as possible and the gate length as short as possible. As a means for making the gate forming aperture finer, the following have been developed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open UP-A) No. 2001-19860 and JP-A No. 2004-87967),    (1) a method in which drawing is carried out in fine detail by shortening the exposure source wave length for drawing or refining the electron beam diameter,    (2) a method in which the opening dimensions are reduced by thermosoftening according to the heat-treatment of the resist making the gate forming aperture,    (3) a method in which the opening dimensions are reduced by heat treatment after the part around the gate electrode forming aperture, which forms the gate forming aperture, is thickened by irradiating an electron beam.
However, there are the following problems in these methods. Namely, in the case of the (1), the exposure device and the mask is expensive in price, causing the entire cost for manufacturing to be expensive. In the case of the (3), it is not suited for mass-production from the viewpoints of throughput and safety because the method uses an electron beam. On the other hand, in the case of the above-mentioned (2), because the amount of the reduction of the opening dimensions obtained stably is about 0.04 μm or less, reducing the opening dimensions drastically beyond this creates problems in the uniformity, and is not suited for mass-production.
An object of the present invention is to solve the problems in conventional technologies and provide a method for manufacturing a gate electrode and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, which make it possible to manufacture a fine gate electrode efficiently, by thickening the gate electrode aperture formed by regular ultraviolet exposure and by reducing the opening dimensions, and to provide a gate electrode and a high quality semiconductor device with the gate electrode being suited for a field-effect transistor which has excellent high frequency properties and is useful for a transmitting and receiving device of quasi-millimeter and millimeter band waves and a high-speed signal processing (optical communication) device.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof, and gate electrode and manufacturing method thereof


A plug material having a prescribed shape is prepared, the prepared plug material is thermally treated in a heat treatment atmosphere that contains at least 1.0 vol. % oxygen at a heat treatment temperature of at least 950° C. and less than 1050° C. and thus a plug having an oxide scale layer 30 on the surface is manufactured. According to the manufacturing method, pores PO that extend along the surface SF of the plug material are formed under outer scale layer 20 in the oxide scale layer 30, which allows cracks to be more easily propagated in the outer scale layer 20. Therefore, the outer scale layer 20 is more easily peeled off than the conventional one.

The plug for piercing and rolling is used to pierce and roll a heated round billet of a metal material and make it into a metal pipe (seamless pipe). The plug is arranged on the pass line of a piercing mill and penetrates through the billet along the central axis of the billet rotated in the circumferential direction by two inclined rolls opposed to each other with the pass line therebetween. At the time, the plug contacts the billet and receives heat and stress from the billet, and therefore its surface is prone to wear and dissolution.
One approach to prevent the wear and dissolution of the plug surface is to form an oxide scale layer having a thickness of about several hundred micrometers on the plug surface. The oxide scale layer having good wettability and adiabaticity can therefore reduce the wear and dissolution of the plug surface.
The oxide scale layer formed on the plug surface is however sometimes partly peeled off during piercing and rolling. If the oxide scale layer is thus peeled off, the plug ends up having irregularities on the surface. The irregularities are transferred onto the inside surface of a billet in the process of being pierced and rolled. As the result, the metal pipe obtained after the piercing and rolling has defects on its inside surface.
The inventors have proposed a plug used to solve the problem in the disclosure of Japanese Patent No. 3777997. The oxide scale layer formed on the plug surface by thermally treating the plug includes inner scale layer formed on the surface of the plug material and outer scale layer formed on the inner scale layer. The inner scale layer having a dense structure is less easily peeled off. On the other hand, the outer scale layer having a porous structure is more easily peeled off than the inner scale layer. Therefore, according to the Patent Document, the outer scale layer is removed in advance and the plug having the inner scale layer remaining thereon is used for piercing and rolling. The inner scale layer having a dense structure is less easily peeled off than the outer scale layer, and therefore inside surface defects during piercing and rolling can be reduced, so that the wear and dissolution of the plug can be reduced.
While the outer scale layer is more easily peeled off than the inner scale layer, a high load must be applied on the outer scale layer in order to remove the outer scale layer in advance. For example, as disclosed by the Patent Document, the outer scale layer is provided with high impact force using a hammer or the like. Alternatively, the outer scale layer surface must be provided with rapid thermal stress by rapidly heating the surface of the outer scale layer using a burner. The task of removing the outer scale layer includes a large workload. In order to use the plug disclosed by Patent Document for the manufacture of a metal pipe, the outer scale layer must readily be removed.
Note that another prior art document relevant to the present application is JP 8-206709 A.

Method of manufacturing plug used to pierce and roll metal material, method of manufacturing metal pipe and plug used to pierce and roll metal material


The invention concerns a rail comprising a fixed profiled section and a mobile profiled section sliding relative to the fixed profiled section. The body has a linking portion wherein the body is shaped like a plate having first and second opposite lateral surfaces, and an edge linking said first and second surfaces. A first profiled section comprises a groove. The linking portion is tightly fitted in the groove. The plate is attached to the first profiled section.

More specifically, the invention relates mainly to a system comprising a motor vehicle seat runner and a body,
said runner comprising a fixed rail intended to be attached to the chassis of the motor vehicle, and a moving rail adapted to slide relative to the fixed rail,
the body comprising a connecting portion, in which the body is in the form of a plate having opposed first and second lateral faces and an edge face connecting said first and second faces.
Document FR 2 872 103 describes an example of a system such as this. In that system, the body is a fixing flange which is fixed, beforehand or afterwards, to the proper of the motor vehicle seat and is welded to the moving rail in two ways: in the middle, the edge face of the flange is welded to the base of the moving rail, and at the rear end, a lateral face of the flange is fixed to a vertical flange of the moving rail.
A method of attachment such as this is simple and quick, but because the fixing flange may be subjected to high loads, it is still desirable to make the connection between a motor vehicle seat runner rail and an external body even more robust.

System comprising a motor vehicle seat runner and body destined to be fixed thereto, and method for making same


A replaceable cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine having a liner stop positioned within a cylinder cavity at a point intermediate the extremes of travel of a piston disposed for reciprocating travel within the cylinder cavity. The liner includes a hollow cylinder body having an inner end portion and an outer end portion. The liner further includes a liner support for axially supporting the hollow cylindrical body within the cylinder cavity with the liner support including a liner stop engaging surface for engaging the liner stop when the liner is placed within the cylinder cavity. Formed in an outside surface of the outer end portion between the end boss and liner support is an annular recess extending over substantially an entire length of the outer end portion to form a liner coolant passage when the liner is positioned in the cylinder cavity. Additionally, provided within the recess is a plurality of thickened regions or lands circumferentially spaced about an outside surface of the outer end portion. Each of the lands frictionally engages the inside surface of the cylinder cavity in that the lands include an effective outside diameter which slightly greater than an inside diameter of corresponding portions of the cylinder cavity into which the plurality of the thickened regions are press fitted.

Incorporation of replaceable cylinder liners in the design of an internal combustion engine provides numerous advantages to the manufacture and user of such an engine. In addition to the obvious benefit of allowing such liners to be replaced during overhaul of the engine without replacement of the entire cylinder block, cylinder liners eliminate the necessity to scrap the entire block during manufacture should the inside surface of one cylinder being improperly machined. Despite this and other advantages, numerous problems attend the use of replaceable cylinder liners as is exemplified by the great variety of liner designs previously used by engine manufacturers. While each of the previously known liner designs exhibit their own distinct advantages, no single design appears to provide a liner design wherein an increase in bore diameter is achieved without the need to increase the distance between the cylinder centers, thus allowing increased sweep volume from an existing engine.
Additionally, there is a trend in the industry to increase the output of internal combustion engines by increasing the firing pressures and thermal load of the engines. This trend has tended to favor the adoption of wet type liners in a cylinder block where the liner is in direct contact with a cooling medium over an extended portion of its length thereby providing improved heat transfer and allowing the operation of engines at higher firing pressures and increased thermal loading.
However, conventional wet type cylinder liners have several disadvantages. Since the wet liner requires substantial space for the cooling liquid, the use of such liners substantially increases the distance between the a center lines of the several cylinders, this increase being necessary to ensure space for cylinder block and liner walls of adequate thickness to withstand the increased mechanical and thermal loads and to resist cavitation erosion. Also, this increase is necessary in order to provide room for a flange to support the wet type liner in the cylinder block. The greater distance between the cylinder bores, of course, increases the overall length of the engine, and thereby adds cost, weight and bulkiness to the engine.
Wet liners also require the installation of seals between the lower portion of the liner and the cylinder block to prevent the cooling medium from migrating into the oil and vis versa. These seals are susceptible to damage and adversely effect engine reliability and durability, and increase maintenance costs. On the other hand, a fully dry liner where the liner is separated from the cooling medium throughout its entire length also has several disadvantages. The heat transfer between the liner and the cooling medium is restricted because the coolant flow is disrupted by cast cylinder head screw bosses located around the upper portion of the liner. Also, it is difficult and expensive to cast clean cooling passages around the liner supporting the structure of the cylinder block. Finally, the dry type liner has a lesser capacity for heat dissipation from the liner than the fully wet liner and thus does not readily accommodate the trend toward increased firing pressures and thermal loading presently encountered in internal combustion engines.
Presently, both wet and dry type cylinder liners incorporate either a mid-stop arrangement wherein the cylinder liner is substantially supported within the block mid-way along the length of the cylinder liner or a top stop wherein the cylinder liner is supported about an upper periphery thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,661 discloses a liner design for use in an engine block having a counter bore cylinder cavity wherein the liner includes a radially outwardly extending flange designed to be seated in the counter bore so that the liner may be easily clamped into place by the engine cylinder head. In order to provide for coolant flow around the liner, a seal is provided between the engine block and a lower portion of the liner spaced from the top flange. Due to vibration and thermally induced size changes of the liner, relative motion occurs in the seal area of a type which may destroy conventionally known seals. This is particularly true since coolant passages are normally formed in a manner to cause particles within the coolant to collect in the seal area and eventually work between the seal surfaces resulting in hastened seal destruction.
One possibility for solving the coolant seal problem would be to move the block engaging flange of the liner to the lowermost point in the coolant passage such as is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,573 issued to Castelet. This approach, however, leads to head gasket seal problems due to the unequal thermal expansion of the block and the liner. While such top seal leaks may be solved in part by the provision of a composite liner having a thermal expansion coefficient more nearly equal to that of the engine block, the provision of such a composite structure measurably increases the manufacturing costs and is thus not an optimum design.
Some manufacturers have resorted to complicated compliant or even resilient seals to accommodate size changes due to thermal expansion such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,628,427 and 3,882,842. The liner designs illustrated in these patents present additional problems by the virtue of the provision of an upper liner portion which is out of direct radial contact with the engine block. This arrangement increases the possibility of undesirable relative movement between the liner and engine head which can result in head gasket failure or in the need for liner wall thickening which adds to the cost and decreases thermal conduction through the liner.
One approach for solving the above-noted problems is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,330 issued to Baugh et al. and assigned to the assignee of the subject invention. Therein, the cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical hollow body having a press-fitted upper end and a stop located intermediate the liner ends for engaging an engine block liner stop to provide upper and lower seals for a coolant passage. The outside surfaces of the liner adjacent the press-fitted upper end and the stop are formed to permit a setable plastic material to be used between the liner and engine block to assist in forming the coolant seal and to provide radial support of the liner to permit the lower 30 percent of the cylinder liner to be free of any direct contact with the engine block. This design also permits use of a smaller capacity cooling system and improves lubricating oil flow within the engine block. In this regard, the only contact between the cylinder liner and engine block is that provided at the middle region of the cylinder liner and the interference fit about an upper periphery of the liner. In this regard, the thickness of the cylinder liner in the region adjacent the water jacket about an upper periphery of the cylinder liner must be of a size which can resist increased firing pressures and thermal loading of engines incorporating such liners. It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a cylinder liner wherein the thickness of the cylinder liner wall in this region can be reduced without sacrificing support of the liner to counteract high firing pressures on the order of 2,000 to 4,000 psi. Moreover, this wall thickness is reduced in a manner such that the bore diameter is increased without the need to increase the distance between cylinder centers thus increasing the sweep volume of existing engines.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,801 issued to Eisenberg et al. attempts to overcome a number of the above-noted shortcomings. Therein, a cylinder liner having a midstop arrangement is positioned within a bore and a cylinder block such that the lower two-thirds of the liner contact the cylinder block providing a dry type cylinder liner in this area. The upper portion or upper one-third of the liner is of a wet type and includes a plurality of flow passages for directing the flow of coolant about an outer periphery of the cylinder liner. The flow passages include thickened portions for increasing the strength of the upper portion of the cylinder liner, however, there is no support of the liner by the cylinder block in this area. Accordingly, depending upon the thickness of the cylinder liner in the upper region thereof, the liner may become distorted when subjected to heat generated by firing pressures in the range of 2,000 to 4,000 psi.
With reference to European Pat. Application No. 0 356 227 B1, a cooling system for a multi-cylinder engine is set forth wherein the cylinder liners include a plurality of axially aligned passages for aiding in the cooling of the an upper portion of the cylinder liner. The liner is of the top stop type and all of the aforementioned shortcomings associated with this type of liner continue to be of concern. Therein, the liner includes a plurality of cooling fins mounted at circumferentially spaced locations on the entire outer peripheral surface of the body of the wet liner such that when placed in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder wall of the cylinder block, a plurality of rectilinear parallel cooling passages extending in the direction of the cylinder liner axis are obtained. The fins, however, are provided for directing coolant from a lower cooling gallery to a upper cooling gallery and do not provide support for the liner along its length in order to provide for an increase bore diameter without the need to increase the distance between cylinders liners.
Accordingly, there is clearly a need for a controlled cooled liner having a minimal wall thickness and a mid section support between a mid stop seat portion and a top deck portion in order to increase the cylinder bore diameter without increasing the distance between cylinder centers. Particularly, the controlled cooled liner would include a ring of lands positioned between vertical grooves formed in an outer wall portion of the liner which provide an interference fit between the liner and the engine block in the area between upper and lower cooling galleries. The grooves provide for the flow of coolant from a lower water gallery at an entry to the block to an upper water gallery at an exit from the block to prevent any overall cooling losses. In this regard, the thickness of the liner adjacent the coolant galleries can be reduced as compared to a conventional wet liner with the lands providing support to the mid section of the liner to prevent excessive liner deflection and cavitation when subjected to increase firing pressures in the range of 2,000 to 4,000 psi and the thermal loading associated with such pressures.


An apparatus and corresponding method measure physical parameters using a plurality of low-cost sensors coupled in series is provided. These sensors can be thermal sensors for measuring the temperature of a heating pad. Different types of sensors to measure temperature, moisture, pressure, or state change of a switch may be employed. Such sensors may be distributed throughout a building to concurrently monitor multiple physical parameters at numerous locations. The sensors are easily manufactured, thus reducing sensor cost. Costs are further reduced by the use of two wires to connect the series of sensors. Moreover, the wires can be run easily through conduit or cable troughs.

Heating pads are normally used to apply heat to parts of the body to aid in healing or for comfort. Most consist of a remote control device and a heating device. The remote control is typically plugged into a household AC power outlet and regulates the temperature of the heating device. The remote control has a user interface, typically pushbuttons or a multi-position switch, so the user can turn the heating device power on or off and select a desired temperature. The heating device consists of a heating means, usually a flexible insulated wire, a means of preventing unsafe temperatures, and a cover to prevent user contact with the electrical components.
One method of controlling temperature is to use a thermostat that opens the heating power circuit when a fixed temperature is reached. However, such thermostats can be relatively expensive, costing approximately twenty-two cents each. In addition to heat from the heating wire, an additional source of heat is applied to the thermostat by means of a resistive heating source with a power set by the remote control. A low heat is achieved by passing all of the current that is flowing through the heating wire through the additional heating source, causing the thermostat to open at a lower temperature than it would if it were heated by the heating wire alone. To achieve the highest desired temperature, no power is applied to the resistive source, and for a mid range temperature power is applied to the resistive heating source for one-half cycle of the AC line.
Typically a second or third thermostat is used in separate sections of the heating pad to prevent unsafe temperatures from occurring due to uneven heating. Such an unsafe condition can occur when a portion of the pad is covered, preventing heat from radiating. The additional thermostats open the heating wire circuit before an unsafe temperature occurs. In these cases, the temperature is monitored in only limited locations and the measured temperature is not representative of the average temperature of the heating pad. Further, thermostats generate electrical noise when they open and close and are expensive.
Another method of controlling temperature is to use a separate sensing wire that is concentrically wound around the heating wire. The resistance of the sensing wire varies with temperature by a known amount. Therefore, by sensing the wire resistance, the temperature can be calculated. The control device constantly monitors the sensing wire resistance and calculates the wire temperature. If the temperature is above the user-selected value, power is removed from the heating wire. If the temperature is below the user-selected value, power is applied to the heating wire.
Because the sensing wire is distributed over the entire heating wire, its resistance is a measure of the average temperature of the wire. To prevent localized hot spots from reaching a dangerous temperature, the insulation between the heating and sensing wires is made of a material that melts or becomes electrically conductive when unsafe temperatures are approached. A circuit in the remote control monitors the resistance between the heating and sensing wires and removes power from the heating wire if the resistance falls below a value corresponding to an unsafe temperature.
The sensing wire resistance changes are small, typically 0.25% per degree Fahrenheit. The variation in the room temperature resistance of the sensing wire is large enough that an initial calibration must be done on each heating pad, thereby adding manufacturing expense. Further, the pad must be discarded and replaced if localized heating occurs that melts the insulation between the heating and sensing wires. Moreover, the sensing wire does not accurately sense the pad temperature because it is in close proximity to the heating wire, and is separated from the surface of the pad by the outer insulation layer and the pad cover components.

Method and apparatus for measuring physical parameters

Sherwood Engineering Design Services, Inc.


A compound, solution of carrier and the compound and a medical procedure is provided for suction lipolysis. The compound is preferably either one or more enzymes and/or emulsifying agents and/or detergents which digest or dissolve fat in the subcutaneous tissues. Both enzymes which degrade fats and emulsifying agents can be used according to the invention. The carrier is preferably a saline solution. A suction lipolysis procedure is provided including the steps of providing a biological and/or chemical compound which digests or dissolves fat in the subcutaneous tissues. The compound is dissolved into a saline solution and/or is suspended in a saline solution. The combination compound and saline solution is then heated to the body temperature (temperature of the patient or subject). The compound and saline solution including the compound is then injected into the subcutaneous tissue. Liposuction is then performed (suction lipectomy). The step of performing liposuction is preferably initiated after a period of time has elapsed after the saline solution and compound are infiltrated into the subcutaneous tissue.

Liposuction or suction lipectomy is a procedure that is performed worldwide and is currently the most commonly done aesthetic operation in the United States. This technique involves the removal of subcutaneous fat with a mechanical suction device or hand held syringe.
To assist in the removal of fat, produce hemostasis and reduce swelling, solutions are injected into the subcutaneous tissues prior to initiating suction lipectomy. The solutions are mostly saline into which varying amounts of lidocaine, epinephrine and steroids have been added. Testicular bovine protein enzymes have been used to promote diffusion of the solution in some cases. After the fat cells (adiposities) are mechanically broken by the suction devices, the fat particles are removed. Other less frequently performed procedures utilize electric heat or ultrasound to breakup the fat.


A folding tool set includes a handle formed of two opposite oblong cover plates connected by a first screw bolt and a second screw bolt, a set of left-handed tools respectively pivoted about the first screw bolt between the cover plates, a set of right-handed tools respectively pivoted about the second screw bolt between the cover plates, a plurality of oblong spanners made to slide between the cover plates at different elevations and set to cover the sets of left-handed and right-handed tools within the handle, and at least one hexagonal tool bit respectively received within the handle between the set of left-handed tools and the set of right-handed tools.

The present invention relates to a folding tool set which is consisted of sets of tools connected together for a variety of applications that can be respectively folded up when not in use.
Various folding tool sets have been disclosed, and have appeared on the market. These tool sets is consisted of a set of tools of different specifications. However, the number of tools is limited, because increasing the number of tools relatively complicates the operation of the folding tool sets or increases its size.