A low trauma pressure-sensitive adhesive coated substrate comprising a sheet material, tape or laminate structure designed to adhere to skin or like surfaces. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of this adhesive coated substrate is a fibrous adhesive layer generally having a basis weight of from 5 to 200 g/m.sup.2 applied to a conformable backing or substrate. The fibrous adhesive layer has a textured outer face and persistent porosity between discrete adhesive fibers. Generally, the fibrous adhesive layer has a MVTR (measured by ASTM E 96-80 at 40.degree. C.) of at least 1000 g/m.sup.2 /day, preferably at least 6000 g/m.sup.2 /day.

The invention relates to pressure-sensitive adhesive products for use in adhering to skin or like delicate surfaces.
Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes and the like are used in a wide variety of applications where there is a need to adhere to skin, for example, medical tapes such as wound or surgical dressings, athletic tapes, surgical drapes, or tapes or tabs used in adhering medical devices such as sensors, electrodes, ostomy appliances or the like. A concern with all these adhesive coated products is the need to balance the objective of providing sufficiently high levels of adhesion to ensure that the pressure-sensitive tape products do not fall off, while ensuring that the underlying skin experiences the least amount of trauma, damage or irritation possible while the adhesive tape or the like is being used and/or removed. These goals are generally conflicting. Pressure-sensitive adhesives are known that are hypoallergenic in nature, minimizing allergic reactions. However, tape products using these adhesives can still damage or irritate skin. For example, lack of breathability can result in overhydration and sometimes maceration of the skin. Adhesives which tend to build in adhesion or have excessively high levels of initial adhesion can pull off skin cells or layers, particularly when the skin cells have lost some of their cohesion due to overhydration or maceration. These problems are particularly pronounced where tapes are repeatedly adhered to a given site. Each time a tape is removed, the underlying skin experiences a traumatic event removing further skin cells or layers, which damage can accumulate faster than the body can repair it. U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,310 addresses this problem by suggesting a particular adhesive layer formed using solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, acrylate-based elastomeric pressure-sensitive adhesive microspheres optionally impregnated with an antimicrobial agent. The backing used with this adhesive preferably has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) value of at least 500 g/m.sup.2 /day (measured using ASTM E 96-80 at 40.degree. C.). This adhesive showed low levels of adhesion build-up to skin over time. Although acceptable for some uses, this adhesive is somewhat difficult to manufacture, still exhibits some adhesion build-up to skin over time, can cause moisture buildup, and lacks high levels of cohesion which can result in adhesive transfer to skin.
Another approach in the art to providing pressure-sensitive tapes and the like with low levels of skin irritation and/or damage has been the use of pattern coated adhesives. A discontinuous adhesive coating on a backing allows the skin to breathe, at least in the areas of the backing not coated with adhesive. This approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,001 (Potter); U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,942; EP 353972; and EP 91800. These patent documents generally teach intermittent coating of adhesives onto different backings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,942 describes printing pressure-sensitive adhesives using a release coated calender roll process similar to Gravure printing. This patent also teaches screen printing. However, pattern coating or printing of adhesives in this manner is problematic as it generally requires solvents which are environmentally problematic and residual low molecular weight species can cause skin irritation. It would be preferred, from environmental, manufacturing (e.g. elimination of the need for expensive solvent recovery) and performance perspectives to have adhesives coatable directly from a melt phase.
EP Pat. Appln. No. 448213 addresses the problem of skin irritation by proposing coating the skin with retinoids either prior to applying the adhesive tape or by placing a retinoid layer on the adhesive layer itself However, this conditioning barrier layer can also interfere with adhesion. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,115 teaches use of a specific conditioning additive to an adhesive to reduce stripping of skin cells upon removal of a tape. The adhesive mass contains an unreacted polyol in an amount ranging from 4 to 20 weight percent. However, the polyol also reduces the adhesion force.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,312 suggests the use of an elastomeric backing which is stretched at a zero degree angle when removed resulting in the adhesive layer stretching and removing more easily. However, elastic tapes are difficult to handle and manufacture, adhesive tackifiers tend to migrate from the adhesive into the elastic backing, and it is difficult for the user to remember to remove the tape only in this one manner, which is different from how tapes are typically removed.
There remains a need for pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes that exhibit low trauma and irritation to skin in use and upon removal, particularly repeated use on the same site, regardless of the manner of removal and which are easily made from hot melt applied pressure-sensitive adhesives.


A vehicle door latch (10) with a power child security lock comprises an enclosure (12) and several components mounted on or in the enclosure. First is a latching assembly (14) disposed in the enclosure and adapted to move between an unlatched configuration and a latched configuration. There is also an inside latch handle assembly (16) disposed adjacent the latching assembly (14). The inside latch handle assembly (16) transfers motion to the latching assembly in response to an actuator to move the latching assembly to the unlatched configuration. A child security lock assembly (22) for the inside latch handle assembly (16) includes a lock pin (24) that is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the lock pin (24) engages the inside latch handle assembly (16) to prevent any motion transfer to the latching assembly (14). In the unlocked position, the lock pin (24) disengages the inside latch handle assembly (16) to allow motion transfer to the latching assembly (14 ). The child security lock assembly (22) also includes a motor assembly (26) disposed adjacent the lock pin (24), and a linkage (30) interconnecting the lock pin and the motor assembly wherein the motor assembly controls movement of the lock pin.

Vehicle manufacturers have concerned themselves with child security features on door latches, and especially rear door latches. Presently there are several types of child security locks for disabling the rear inside door latch handle of a vehicle.
One type of security lock involves a hand-operated lever that pivots into and out of engagement with the door latch components. The purpose of the lever is to engage one or more of these components to block or arrest motion transfer along the motion transfer path between the rear inside door latch handle and the latching assembly that unlatches the rear door. In order to operate the lever, a person must open the rear door to access the lever, which is located adjacent the door latch.
Another type of hand-activated system is a free-wheeling system. In such a system, some of the motion-transferring components in the latch's motion transfer path can switch into a free-wheeling or lost motion mode wherein they do not transfer motion from the inside latch handle to the latching assembly.
These manually operated systems are effective; but they lack convenience. For example, the driver may want to activate the security lock while seated in the vehicle--perhaps even while driving. This is not possible without a power system for activating the lock, with a switch located near the driver seat.
There are power security lock systems of the type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,511,838 to Baughman et al; and 5,263,751 to Priest et al. These systems each involve an electromechanical assembly disposed in the motion transfer path between the inside latch handle and the latching assembly. But in both cases the electro-mechanical assembly is positioned in the middle of the door--mid-way between the latch handle and the latching assembly. Both systems involve establishing a free-wheeling junction along the motion transfer path between the inside latch handle and the latching assembly. Thus, when the lock is activated, the motion transfer path is broken, and the inside latch handle will simply free-wheel. These two power systems are effective, but they leave room for improvement in the area of simplicity and packaging. Both are complex assemblies involving several parts; and both involve installation in the middle of the door and remote from the latching assembly. This translates into higher labor and material costs, and possibly higher vehicle weight.


An image processing method can suppress detection accuracy of a detection target object from being lowered even if the detection target object has a different surface condition because of the influence of various kinds of noise. The image processing method includes the following operations of generating a captured model edge image by executing edge extraction processing on a captured model image acquired by capturing a detection target object, executing pattern matching of the captured model edge image and a model edge image, calculating similarity at respective edge points in the model edge image in the pattern matching of the captured model edge image and the model edge image, selecting an edge point to be eliminated based on the similarity from among the respective edge points in the model edge image, and generating an edge image acquired by eliminating the selected edge point as a final model edge image.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing method in which a model edge image that is generated based on a detection target object used for pattern matching is used as a final model edge image. Further, the present invention also relates to an image processing device and a robot system.
Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in a field of image processing, a pattern matching method has been known as a method for detecting a position and an orientation of a detection target object such as a work. In particular, a method known as shape pattern matching (hereinafter, referred to as "pattern matching") has been widely employed because the method has high robustness in terms of variations in illumination and an object with a hidden or void portion.
In the pattern matching, because a similarity is calculated by using shape characteristics of a model (i.e., reference image) and a search image of a detection target object, it is necessary to extract the shape characteristics of the detection target object from the images. Generally, an edge extraction method such as the Sobel filter or the Canny filter is known as the method for extracting the shape characteristics. Therefore, there has been known a calculation method in which the above-described edge extraction method is applied to a model and a search image to generate a model edge image and a search edge image to calculate the similarity between the model edge image and the search edge image.
However, in practice, because of influence of the noise such as dust or dirt adhering thereto, variations in illumination, or individual variability, the detection target object may have a surface condition different from the ideal surface condition. Therefore, a position and an edge direction may be different at an edge point of the detection target object in the search image and an edge point of the model. In particular, because the similarity is lowered when the position and the edge direction are significantly different at the edge point of the detection target object in the search image and the edge point of the model, the detection target object may be mistakenly determined to have low similarity. Therefore, there arises a problem in that detection accuracy of the detection target object is lowered.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-97438 discusses a method for generating a model edge image based on a model. In the method, a long edge that is deemed less influenced by the noise is kept while a short edge that can be considerably influenced by the noise is eliminated in generating a model edge image. According to the above-described generation method of the model edge image, the similarity can be prevented from being lowered and the detection accuracy of the detection target object can be improved in comparison to the case where the similarity is determined by using a model edge image that is generated without using the above-described generation method.
However, according to the generation method of the model edge image described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-97438, determination on whether to eliminate the edge point is simply made based on a length of the edge. Therefore, for example, in a case where an edge has a short length, the edge is eliminated even if the edge is not influenced by the noise, so that the similarity is lowered. Therefore, there is a problem in that detection accuracy of the detection target object is lowered. On the other hand, in a case where an edge has a long length, the edge is not eliminated even if the edge is influenced by the noise, so that the similarity thereof is lowered. Therefore, there is a problem in that detection accuracy of the detection target object is lowered.

Image processing method, image processing device, and robot system


An information processing apparatus comprises a luminance value obtaining unit for respectively obtaining first and second luminance values of first and second captured images of a physical space, wherein the first and second captured images are respectively captured by first and second image capturing units; a parameter obtaining unit for respectively obtaining first and second tracking parameters of automatic exposure control corresponding to a change in brightness of the physical space for the first and second image capturing units; and a setting unit for setting a first image capturing parameter for the first image capturing unit based on the first luminance value and the obtained first tracking parameter and a second image capturing parameter for the second image capturing unit based on the second luminance value and the obtained second tracking parameter.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus and an image processing system and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and in particular relates to an image processing technique using a head-mounted type display apparatus, that is, an HMD (Head Mounted Display).
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, so-called mixed reality (MR) techniques are known as a technique for seamlessly merging the real world with a virtual world in real time. One known MR technique involves using a video see-through HMD (Head Mounted Display) for capturing, using a video camera or the like, a subject that substantially matches a subject observed from the pupil position of an HMD user, and the HMD user observing a display image that is obtained by superimposing CG (Computer Graphics) onto the captured image.
The video see-through HMD has a configuration for capturing a subject using a charge coupled element such as a CCD, acquiring the digital image data of the subject, and displaying, to a wearer thereof via a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, an MR image (mixed reality image) obtained by superimposing a CG image on the digital image.
FIG. 15 is a diagram of an HMD 2501 when worn by an HMD user. There is an external apparatus (not illustrated) other than the HMD 2501, and a captured image that was captured by the HMD 2501 is transmitted from the HMD 2501 to the external apparatus. The external apparatus calculates the position and orientation of the HMD 2501 from the captured image received from the HMD, superimposes a CG image onto the captured image based on the calculation result, and transmits the image to the HMD. The HMD 2501 displays the superimposed image received from the external apparatus. The HMD user can experience an MR space by using the HMD 2501.
There is an HMD equipped with an image sensor for obtaining the position and orientation of the HMD 2501, in addition to an image sensor for capturing the real world and superimposing a CG image in order to experience an MR space. One reason for separating the image sensor for experiencing MR and the image sensor for obtaining position and orientation is that more accurate position and orientation can be obtained by widening the angle of view of the image sensor for obtaining position and orientation and thus widening an image capturing range so as to capture a large number of feature points for obtaining the position and orientation.
Generally, image capturing units have a function called Auto Exposure. This is a function of making the brightness of an image output from the image capturing unit constant by controlling the shutter speed, gain and the like (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-295506).
Here, reference numeral 16001 in FIG. 16 denotes an image of a desk when captured by an image capturing unit. The position and orientation of the HMD can be obtained by calculating the features of a mark placed on the desk. Reference numeral 16002 denotes an image obtained as a result of image capture using the image capturing unit when the real world becomes brighter, and the captured object is overexposed due to the real world having become brighter. The brightness of the real world changes in accordance with the strength of sunlight entering a window, for example. Reference numeral 16003 denotes a captured image after being captured by the image capturing unit that is similar to the image 16001 due to the Auto Exposure function of the image capturing unit operating after the image 16002.
In the Auto Exposure function described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-295506, image capturing for experiencing MR and image capturing for obtaining position and orientation are performed without distinguishing between them. Therefore, there is a possibility that change occurs such as from the image 16001 to the image 16002 and from the image 16002 to the image 16003. That is, the captured image is overexposed when the brightness of the external environment changes (at the time of the image 16002), and thus there is a problem that the position and orientation of the HMD cannot necessarily be obtained with high accuracy.

Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, image processing system and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium


A system for detecting and incorporating three-dimensional objects into a video stream reads an input video data stream. The user specifies areas of attention wherein said areas of attention or hotspots. Tracking movement of the hotspots generating a trajectory of said at least one object. Generating a cloud of points and tracking said points to detect configurations of points most similar to the initially defined hotspot. Obtaining a three dimensional topology defining a volume of interest in a three-dimensional space. Building virtual structures or pseudo objects that are placed within a spherical environment generated on the input video.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is generation and display of three-dimensional data, specifically processing of videos and images to generate three-dimensional presentations, especially in a 360-degree environment.
2. Background of the Invention
In various embodiments, the invention allows for automated generation of three dimensional data from a video stream, using topographic information or independently of information outside of the video stream.
In one embodiment, the invention is used to generate three dimensional renditions from standard video recordings. The invented system allows end users to identify objects of interest, measures their movement, and extrapolates their motion in three dimensions on basis of recorded two-dimensional movement.
Traditional video recordings capture a projection of real-world objects having three dimensions onto a two dimensional screen. While depth information is preserved in some instances, the three-dimensional nature of the captured subject matter is lost. For example, when objects move in or out of a frame, information about their features is not stored. In one embodiment, the system models objects shown in the video as true three dimensional objects by extrapolating their features. The fully modeled objects can therefore be interacted with, and metadata or other information may be stored with the object. When a three-dimensional object moves off the screen, information about the part of the object is not lost. Further, modeled objects that become obscured by a passing element are maintained in the system as independent objects.
A need exists in the art for a system and method of adding three dimensional data and features to video input by identifying objects of interest and modeling the objects. Using current state of the art techniques, attempting to create a complete three dimensional model of every rigid and non-rigid body within the view of the camera would result in unmanageable amounts of data and would require excessive computing power. As described below, in one embodiment, the system includes a method of specifying objects of interest, obtaining three-dimensional data of same, and integrating the data into the video stream to output a version of the video stream including three-dimensional interactive objects.

Device and method of creating an augmented interactive virtual reality system


The present invention addresses an improved method of animating a waterfowl decoy or bird sculpture. An offset support assembly supports wing and paddle appendages that attach to a rotating or oscillating output shaft extending from the body of a waterfowl decoy or bird sculpture. The rotation or oscillation of the offset wing appendages produces a visual quality replicating the flapping of wings. The paddle appendages propel a floating decoy on the surface of the water and impart a side-to-side movement. The invention can be used to impart a more realistic motion and appearance to either floating or pole-mounted decoys, or can be used with decorative sculptures or models.

A waterfowl decoy device producing a realistic visual quality.
The present invention is an improved method for animating a waterfowl decoy for attracting ducks or other waterfowl to a particular body of water or location in a body of water. Traditionally, hunters have used unanimated devices that resemble waterfowl with varying degrees of realism. These traditional designs did nothing more than float passively in the water or stand statically on a pole-mounted assembly. Such a traditional design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,642 to DeKezel.
More recently, there have been attempts to give decoys some type and degree of motion in order to better simulate live waterfowl. One such moving waterfowl decoy is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,683 to Solomon. The ability to effect movement on the decoy disclosed and claimed in Solomon, however, was limited by the motor assembly and the wing design.
Overall, prior efforts to create a realistic form of motion in a waterfowl decoy have fallen short of producing lifelike motion and a realistic appearance. Further, many of the prior art designs have been complex, expensive to produce, and/or difficult to use. The present invention addresses a waterfowl decoy that produces a more realistic visual image with tremendous flexibility in the movements and visual effects.
The invention enhances the performance of a moving decoy by using an offset support assembly attached to a driver motor""s shaft assembly. The driver motor provides the necessary power to rotate the shaft assembly and the offset support assembly. Appendages, such as a wing structures, are attached to the offset support assembly by an attachment bracket. This design offsets the attachment point of the appendage a radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly to move the appendage in a circular rotation around the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The circular rotation of the shaft assembly with the rotating offset support assembly imparts a unique visual quality to the rotating wing appendages. Foot paddles may also be attached to the offset assembly to cause the decoy to move in the water. Wing types and foot paddles are interchangible, and different combinations of the appendages can produce different visual effects.

Waterfowl decoy with realistic motion and interchangeable wings and feet


In a measuring probe (40) according to the present invention, measuring light is split into a two or more through a split optical system (12), and, when each split light is received by a light-receiving sensor (13B, 13B, 15B) through an interference filter (13A, 14A, 15A) serving as a color filter, the split light is introduced into the interference filter (13A, 14A, 15A) through a collecting lens group (123C, 14C, 15C) formed as a substantially bilateral telecentric system. The interference filter (13A, 14A, 15A) is formed to obtain a transmittance characteristic corresponding to a measurement parameter, depending on a condition of an intensity distribution with respect to incidents angles of light incident on the interference filter (13A, 14A, 15A). Thus, the measuring probe (40) according to the present invention can reduce an influence of a deviation in the transmittance characteristic due to incident angles, even using the interference filter (13A, 14A, 15A).

A color luminance meter for measuring a luminance (Lv) and a chromaticity (x, y) of a liquid crystal monitor is configured by equipping it, for example, with a measuring probe disposed opposed to a display screen of the liquid crystal monitor, and a main meter unit. The measuring probe is operable to measure, for example, tristimulus values of X, Y, Z color-matching functions defined by the CIE (International Commission on Illumination), by respective sensors, and the main meter unit is operable, based on a result of the measurement, to calculate a luminance and a chromaticity of the display screen as a measuring object.
A typical conventional technique related to a measuring optical system for use in such a color luminance meter or a colorimeter is disclosed, for example, in the following Patent Document 1.
In the Patent Document 1, a bundle fiber is employed to introduce incident light into three colorimetric optical systems corresponding to respective ones of the tristimulus values. Each of the colorimetric optical systems is configured by combining a color filter corresponding to a respective one of the tristimulus values, with a light-receiving sensor, wherein each of the color filters of the colorimetric optical systems is disposed at a respective one of three branched exit end of the bundle fiber. The bundle fiber of the Patent Document 1 is circumferentially divided into six groups as viewed from the side of an circularly-bundled inlet end, wherein each pair of diagonally located ones of the groups are bundled together. This facilitates the mitigation of measurement errors resulting from directivity (luminous intensity distribution characteristic).
However, each of the color filters is configured by laminating a plurality of optical absorption filters in such a manner as to transmit incident light at a transmittance corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of desired spectral characteristics such as the tristimulus values X, Y, Z, so that there is a problem that it is impossible to design a filter having a characteristic with transmittance peaks in two wavelength bands, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 21, in other words, design freedom or flexibility is limited. There is another problem of low transmittance and large light intensity loss. Particularly, in a film-shaped color filter, there is yet another problem of severe aged deterioration due to (poor stability against) heat, light (ultraviolet light), temperature, etc.
Therefore, a conventional technique intended to employ, as each of the color filters, an interference type filter (hereinafter referred to as "interference filter") in place of the optical absorption filter is proposed, for example, in the following Patent Document 2. This interference filter is configured by laminating several tens of dielectric layers or oxide layers on a glass substrate through vacuum deposition, spattering or other process, and operable to select a transmission/reflection wavelength by the action of optical interference.
However, in the interference filter, a transmittance thereof varies depending on incident angles. Thus, there is a problem that, in the case of 0-degree incidence of parallel light, error sensitivity is high.

Measuring optical system, and color luminance meter and colorimeter using the same


Nylon reinforced or polyester reinforced fire hose is secured to a coupling or shank by heating the fire hose to at least 270.degree. F. with a wrap-around electric heating apparatus. The heating apparatus heats the fire hose for the period of time necessary to shrink fit the fire hose to the coupling or shank. Shrink fitting the fire hose to the coupling eliminates pinching of the fire hose and prevents leakage.

Bokros U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,477, entitled Anastomatic Couplings, discloses a polymeric material which is heated to 250-300.degree. F. and shrinks about a vascular graft to hold the graft on a prosthesis. U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,321 to Farrell discloses a hot air chamber to shrink tubing about a hose. Farrell discloses polyolefin as one material from which the heat-shrinkable material is made. U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,576 to Lupke et. al. discloses a heat-shrinkable sleeve made of a thermoplastic material having an unstable state. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,588,150 to Wold discloses a heat-shrinkable material. U.S. Pat. No. 2,027,962 to Currie and U.S. Pat. No. 3,086,242 to Cook et. al. disclose vinyl compounds and cross-link polymers as materials that can be used in heat-shrinking processes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,775 to Mattie et. al. discloses Polymer hoses which are heated and then cooled to effect the shrinking of the hose.
None of the related art, however, is directed toward heat-shrinking a nylon reinforced fire hose or a polyester reinforced fire hose or a combination nylon/polyester reinforced fire hose about a coupling or a shank.


The new method relates to a machinery assembly having (a) a housing, (b) an eccentric confined in the housing, (c) a shaft extending into the eccentric and (d) a shaft axis of rotation. A method for moving the shaft with respect to the housing includes the steps of applying a support force at a point on the housing so that such force places the housing substantially in equilibrium with respect to the axis. A withdrawing force is then applied to the shaft in a direction generally parallel to the axis. A jacking mechanism contacts the housing at a point to apply a support force to such housing. The force magnitude and direction place the housing substantially in equilibrium with respect to the axis to reduce or eliminate frictional forces.

Machinery powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines (typically referred to as "prime movers") often use gears, shafts and the like to form a drive train providing power used to perform an end-use function. Automobiles, metal cutting and shaping machines, toggle-type presses and construction and earth-moving machines are but a few examples of such machinery.
As more specific examples, such machinery drive trains uses gears and shafts in speed reducers and right angle drives to reduce speed (from that of the motor or engine output shaft) and increase torque and/or to change the direction of power flow. Shafts interconnect "stages" of gearing or connect a final gearing stage to an output device such as automobile wheels, press head or, in the case of an earth-moving machine known as a walking dragline, to a "walk leg" drive.
In such machines, the drive train components (gears, shafts and the like) range in size from a few pounds to several thousand pounds. Clearly, small drive train components can be readily lifted, manually placed and positioned by one or two maintenance workers. Equally clear is the fact that assembly and maintenance personnel working with very large drive train components usually need auxiliary lifting equipment, a crane or the like, to help them lift, place and service such components.
To keep the machine functioning efficiently and in condition to satisfactorily perform its task, worn parts including drive shafts need to be serviced or replaced. However, with larger machines, maintenance and parts replacement can be an imposing challenge, especially if the parts are large and unwieldly. Nowhere is this more true than in large mobile machines such as earth-moving and earth-excavating machinery.
Such machinery is available in a wide variety of types ranging from the familiar rubber-tire mounted and crawler-mounted to the less-common dragline. A dragline is often used for removing top soil and "overburden" to expose a valuable mineral, e.g., coal, beneath but near the earth's surface.
Draglines are equipped with an angularly-extending boom from which is suspended a "bucket" having an open mouth and digging teeth, both toward the main portion of the machine. Overburden is removed by placing the bucket on the ground at a point distant from the machine and pulling it toward the machine, filling the bucket in the process. Once filled, the machine pivots about a central axis and the bucket emptied at a spoil pile somewhat away from the area being excavated.
Smaller draglines are crawler mounted much like a military tank and capable of movement in the same way albeit at much slower speeds. However, as draglines (and their digging buckets) increased in size, crawler mounting was found to be impractical and in the early 1900's, the "walking" dragline was developed. The walking dragline is so named because it takes short "steps" and uses a "walk leg" mechanism (which resembles a human leg) to do so. A difference is that in a walking dragline, both legs step simultaneously.
To give some perspective to the following discussion, a large walking dragline--made by Harnischfeger Industries of Milwaukee, Wis., and incorporating the invention--has a main housing portion (including the machinery deck, operator's cab and the like) which is about 105 feet long, about 80 feet wide, about 40 feet high and weighs about nine million pounds. The boom extends about 300 feet and the capacity of the digging bucket is about 80 cubic yards. The walk legs of such dragline take steps about seven feet in length.
At least because of its size, weight and complexity, several problems attend draglines of earlier configuration. One is that such machines are usually used in remote sites and replacement parts are difficult to deliver and, because of their size and weight, even more difficult to install. Another problem attends components, the weight of which is supported partly or entirely on a driving or driven shaft.
The walk leg assembly of a walking dragline is but one example in that a good portion of its weight is supported by the shaft which drives the assembly eccentric through engaged splines or the like. Sooner or later, it will become necessary to partially or fully withdraw the shaft for servicing the walk leg assembly or the shaft itself. When so doing, the shaft must be relieved of the weight of the assembly so that the frictional "drag" forces resisting withdrawal become very modest and the shaft can be more easily moved along its axis.
Heretofore, the technique for "unloading" the shaft involved using a crane or other lifting device to lift the assembly slightly upward. When a crane is used, it is a virtual necessity that the area above the assembly be open so that the lifting slings, hook or the like can be manipulated. But it is not unusual for the area above the assembly to be occupied by some sort of housing structure which must first be removed before crane attachment to the assembly can occur.
Wear cannot be avoided in any machine assembly having relatively moving parts. But the efforts of earlier designers in this field have not been entirely successful in reducing "downtime" of a machine which represents a very substantial capital investment. As an example, a walking dragline of the type described above represents an investment of in excess of $20,000,000. Its cost of operation may be in the range of $400 per hour. Clearly, even a minute of downtime is enormously expensive when measured against such cost of operation and lost production.
A method and related apparatus which dramatically eases the task of shaft withdrawal, which slashes downtime and which, as to the apparatus, is machine-mounted would be an important advance in the art.

Method and apparatus for withdrawing a machine shaft


Adjustable opening jacks with designs that incorporate a novel locking hinge mechanism and adjustable separation arms to achieve broader scopes of application, bone plate specificity, and variable bone size capability during various osteotomy procedures. The locking hinge mechanism constrains the upper body from moving in either the vertical plane or anterior-posterior (AP) slope trajectory depending on the mode of application. The opening jack has a configuration that allows for a straight and/or sloped opening.

Knee osteotomies are used to relieve pain symptoms, slow disease progression and postpone total knee arthroplasty. For example, to treat lower extremity malalignment and osteoarthritis, a high tibial osteotomy is employed to allow for the realignment of the lower extremity and, thus, either shift the weight-bearing access to the healthier portion of the knee or correct the alignment deformity. This procedure is performed by cutting the tibia and, with the use of an opening jack, allows the surgeon to dial in the exact correction desired to correct the angular deformity or shift the weight-bearing axis to a desired position in the knee. An anatomically precontoured low profile plate and screws are applied or a nonabsorbable PEEK implant and anchors are inserted to maintain and fixate the osteotomy.
There is a need for an opening jack that can provide a sloped or non-sloped opening depending on the surgeon's preference and on the plate used. Also needed are osteotomy procedures that prevent stress and macro fractures of the lateral bone cortex.


The present invention provides several embodiments of an electrical switch that uses a shape memory alloy (SMA). In one embodiment the electrical switch is an on-off switch and comprises a first support member with a first electrical contact mounted thereon, a second support member with a second electrical contact mounted thereon, and a third support member disposed between the first and second support members. A wire element made from a shape memory alloy (SMA) is attached at either end to the third support member. A switch element made of an electrically-conducting material is attached to the SMA wire element at a position intermediate the ends of the wire element. Heating means are provided for selectively heating sections of the SMA wire element in order to make the SMA wire element turn or rotate, thereby causing the switch element to pivot into contact with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact.

The present invention relates to electrical switches and relays, and in particular, switches and relays that use an elongated shape memory alloy (SMA) element.
Shape memory alloys (SMA's) are well known alloys that are capable of undergoing plastic deformation from a "trained" shape to a "memory" shaped when heated. If the SMA material is then allowed to cool, it will deform back to its "trained" shape. The SMA material undergoes a reversible transformation from an austenitic state to a martensitic state with a change in temperature. If the SMA material is deformed to a "trained" shape while below the martensitic temperature and then heated above the austenitic temperature, the SMA material will return to its shape existing before the deformation, i.e. to its "memory" shape.
Various actuators have been proposed that use SMA's. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,541 to Kaigham J. Gabriel et al. wherein a rotary actuator is described that uses a wire made of an SMA material that is twisted or torsioned about its longitudinal axis. The ends of the wire are then constrained against movement, and a control member such as a fluid tube is bonded to the wire at a desired point. A plurality of electrical connections to the wire define different longitudinal sections of the wire to which voltages may be applied in order to heat the sections. By selectively heating and cooling the sections of the wire, the sections can work in opposition to one another in order to controllably rotate the wire and the control member.
Heretofore, SMA's have not typically been used in switches or relays. Conventional switches and relays normally are actuated by solenoid coils. These solenoid-type switches, however, can have a relatively limited reliability and can be relatively expensive to mass produce due to the assembly requirements for the solenoid.

Dept. of Control & Instrumentation Engineering Seoul National University

Kwanaku-ku, Shinlim-dong San 56-1 Seoul 151-742


A diagnostic monitor for classifying biological tissue in which a light emitter (102) is optically coupled to the tissue to be diagnosed (145) and a light detector (174) is optically coupled to the tissue to detect a portion of the light which passes through the tissue. The tissue classifier (184) receives a signal from the detector and provides an optical classification output signal (195), wherein the tissue is classified by type or state, either for detection, localization, or imaging. A method of classifying tissue is also described.

The present invention relates to a device and method for detecting, localizing, and imaging in a radiation-scattering medium, and more particularly relates to an optical device and method for measuring information regarding the interaction of emitted light with biological tissue during passage of light through the tissue, and using said information to classify the tissue by type or state, either for detection, localization, or imaging.
A major portion of time spent in medicine is directed toward the problem of diagnosis, and a large proportion of the errors in medicine are made here. A delayed diagnosis raises the level of pain and suffering, and may allow progression to the point of irreversibility; an incorrect diagnosis can be even worse, leading to treatment that is at best unnecessary and at worst harmful or fatal.
Medical imaging, while highly sophisticated, usually merely images body structure without classification into tissue type. For example, an X-ray shows light and dark areas, but it is up to the physician to decide what is xe2x80x9cbonexe2x80x9d and what is xe2x80x9ctissue.xe2x80x9d Thus, the classification of tissue by type is left to a human decision, or to aposteriori classification rules. A more accurate tissue-type diagnosis usually requires surgical tissue removal (such as biopsy) and subsequent analysis by a pathologist, but still this decision is based upon subjective classification by eye, touch, chemical analysis, or even upon the absorption of exogenous dyes. Currently, it is quite easy to misdiagnose many lesions, as widely different tissues (such as nerves or lymph ducts) may look similar upon first glance.
Light penetrates tissue in small amounts, particularly in wavelengths between 200 nm and 100 xcexcm, with the best deep penetration achieved at wavelengths between 600 nm and 1200 nm. The light that does pass through tissue emerges bearing a signature of the tissue through which it passed, and this signal can be objectively analyzed. Optical methods of monitoring tissue, or invasive methods without optical diagnostics, are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,433, U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,974, U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,895, U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,207, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,398, U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,380, and WO 92/17108. Each of these does not perform a tissue analysis, requires fluid or tissue removal or sampling, utilizes fluorescence or other emission-based techniques which measure light other than that used to perform the illumination, is restricted to external or penetrating use, or does not teach tissue classification or identification. Automated classification of tissues for general clinical use via light in vivo has not been taught, nor has such a tool been successfully commercialized.
The present invention uses optical methods to allow for a rapid tissue diagnosis via characterization of tissue in an automated manner. The present invention relies upon the optical characteristics of tissue, either by variations in absorbance or scattering by wavelength or over space, in order to make a medical diagnosis, namely an optical classification of the tissue by tissue type or state, either as a present/absent decision, as a localization, or as an image.
A salient feature of the present invention is an incorporation of the observation that light, while both being scattered and absorbed by scattering media, can be made to penetrate human tissue, then be detected upon reemergence in order to allow quantitation of characteristics of the interior of the tissue, such as tissue types or biochemical composition, imaging and localization of tissue types, and that such information is medically useful.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting the presence of tissue types using light, whether to merely detect, classify, localize, or image the tissue.
A second object is that classification of the tissue can be made, wherein the classification can be selected from normal tissue types (such as artery, vein, nerve, lymph, liver, muscle, brain, gray matter, white matter, colon, blood), from tissue components (water, fat, hemoglobin), from tissue states (frozen, thawed, coagulated), from tissue functional status (alive, dead, at risk for dying), and that such classifications can even be used to determine tissue pathology (normal or abnormal).
A third object is that localization of tissue by type can be made, such that the tissue may be classified as present or absent, distances from one tissue to a reference point can be measured, or the tissue can be localized in space. A measurement that characterizes a tissue at a defined point in space is considered imaging. This spatial distribution can be key in medical diagnosis.
Another object is to provide a noninvasive method for optically detecting, quantifying, or imaging a change in the tissue state, whether to merely detect, classify, localize or image the change in the tissue. This change in state can be in response to a medical intervention, such as a change in the blood volume of the motor cortex of the brain during muscle activity, or the tool itself can initiate the change, such as by squeezing the tissue to assess vascular responsiveness, or freezing, thawing, welding, denaturing, or otherwise affecting the tissue.
Another object is that this technique is not limited to monitoring the tissue from the outside (e.g., such as is commonly done in computed x-ray tomography), but also may be used to allow a probe to measure its surrounding medium, such as if an optical fiber is inserted into a cyst, to allow sizing and diagnosis of the cyst from the inside, or if an underwater probe is to take note of objects nearby, such as rocks, when the water is cloudy, to allow better guidance. Thus, such an approach can be used both to detect changes within a medium, as well as around a probe submerged in a medium that comprises the environment of the detection apparatus. This method has the advantage of being noninvasive, should this be desired, or invasive, should measurement inside the tissue be useful. For example, the characterization of tissue as a probe is advanced through the tissue can be important in diagnosis and localization.
Another object is that any medical probe can be modified to perform this classification function, such that measurements may be made using existing medical equipment, modified to hold emitter and detector elements, such as modified hand-held medical probes, tips of surgical tools, stethoscopes, EKG leads, or other devices. The ability to classify can also be designed into new or unforeseen medical probes or devices. This function can be incorporated into replaceable device tips.
Another object is that the classification can be enhanced by a priori knowledge, such as the spectral characteristics of target tissues (which can be stored for reference in the device or in the probe), the area of the body the physician is working (such that far away tissues need not be considered in the analysis), or other medical scans (such as a CT or MRI scan).
Another object is that this data can be enhanced by collection over time. In many medical applications, the value of a measurement is enhanced by determination of temporal characteristics. For example, the detection of an enlarging bleed in head tissue holds a different significance than the detection of a stable, but otherwise similar, bleed. In underwater applications, the ability to detect moving nearby objects may also be important. Subtraction of the data at one point in time from data collected at a second point in time allows elimination of many types of individual tissue variations, and can yield improved data.
Another object is that this classification represents a decision point upon which a human response may be initiated, such as with an alarm bell, or an interlock decision may be initiated, such as via an output signal attached to a medical device.
A final object is that the detection, localization, or imaging information can be presented to the user in a number of ways, such as an image of object location or even an image of characteristics of the medium such as absorbance, in such a manner as to allow the user to gain an incremental understanding of the presence or location of inhomogeneities in the medium, or even an understanding of characteristics of the medium itself.
There is provided a diagnostic monitor for classifying biological tissue in which a light emitter is optically coupled to the tissue to be diagnosed and a light detector is optically coupled to the tissue to detect a portion of the light which passes through the tissue. The tissue classifier receives a signal from the detector and provides an optical classification output signal. A method of classifying tissue is also described.
The breadth of uses and advantages of the present invention are best understood by example, and by a detailed explanation of the workings of a constructed apparatus, now in operation. These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of accompanying drawings, examples, and detailed description.

Device and method for classification of tissue


In one arrangement, a storage system for storing items includes an enclosure enclosing a hypoxic environment, and a pallet shuttle system comprising rows of racks disposed within the hypoxic environment. The pallet shuttle system also includes at least one transfer car and at least one shuttle for carrying storage modules into and out of the racks. The system further includes a loading station outside the hypoxic environment, and an enclosure door to the hypoxic environment. The enclosure door is operable to admit the transfer car of the pallet shuttle system into and out of the hypoxic environment, and to close the hypoxic environment upon passage of the transfer car through the door. Optionally, the system includes paneling separating the enclosure into at least two separately climate-controlled zones such that at least one of the racks is in each of the at least two separately climate-controlled zones.

Books historically have been stored on shelves in libraries. However, over the past few decades libraries have become more than just a place to check out a book. Rather, they have become places where people come to work, study, etc. Consequently, the need has arisen for more work spaces in libraries. As a result, libraries have begun storing some books in offsite storage facilities to reclaim space within the library for other purposes.
Existing offsite storage facilities typically consist of a warehouse filled with book shelves or racks. Harvard University was the first to introduce high density storage facilities in the mid-1980s, where books are sorted by size (as opposed to LC call numbers or Dewey Decimal) and stored in cardboard boxes or trays provided on the racks. See FIGS. 1-3. Adjacent racks are separated by an aisle. Computer software is used to inventory the books and assign a location within the warehouse for a book. The warehouse is climate controlled, whereby the temperature and humidity levels are strictly managed. For example, a book depository will typically maintain between 55° F.+/−5° F. and 35%+/−5% relative humidity. When a book is ordered, a worker ascertains the location of the book from the computer and operates a forklift in the aisle between adjacent racks to manually retrieve the book. See FIGS. 2A-2C.


A gas turbine system in which the expanded gas from the turbine section is used to generate the steam in a heat recovery steam generator and to heat a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbon fuel and the steam in a reformer. The reformer converts the hydrocarbon gas to hydrogen and carbon monoxide for combustion in a combustor. A portion of the steam from the heat recovery steam generator is used to cool components, such as the stationary vanes, in the turbine section, thereby superheating the steam. The superheated steam is mixed into the hydrocarbon gas upstream of the reformer, thereby eliminating the need to raise the temperature of the expanded gas discharged from the turbine section in order to achieve effective conversion of the hydrocarbon gas.

The present invention relates to a gas turbine system for producing power. More specifically, the present invention relates to a thermochemically recuperated and steam cooled gas turbine system.
A gas turbine is comprised of a compressor section that produces compressed air that is subsequently heated by burning fuel in a combustion section. The hot gas from the combustion section is directed to a turbine section where the hot gas is used to drive a rotor shaft to produce power.
The turbine section typically employs a plurality of stationary vanes circumferentially arranged in rows. Since such vanes are exposed to the hot gas discharging from the combustion section, cooling these vanes is of utmost importance. Traditionally, cooling was accomplished by bleeding compressed air produced in the compressor section and flowing it through a central passage formed in the airfoil portion of the vane, which is essentially hollow. Typically, a number of small passages were formed inside the vane airfoil that extend from the central passage to the surfaces of the vane, such as the leading and trailing edges or the suction and pressure surfaces. After the cooling air exits the vane passages, it enters and mixes with the hot gas flowing through the turbine section.
Unfortunately, the tradition approach to cooling the turbine vanes has a detrimental impact on the thermal efficiency of the gas turbine. Although the cooling air eventually mixes with the hot gas expanding in the turbine, since it bypasses the combustion process the work recovered from the expansion of the compressed cooling air is much less than that recovered from the expansion of the compressed air heated in the combustors. In fact, as a result of losses due to pressure drop and mechanical efficiency, the work recovered from the cooling air is less than that required to compress the air in the compressor. Thus, it would be desirable to provide cooling to the stationary vanes without the need to bleed compressed air.
Natural gas is one of the most common fuels burned in the combustion section. The major component of natural gas is typically methane. It has been found that at elevated temperature and in the presence of a catalyst, typically nickel based, methane reacts with steam and is converted to hydrogen and carbon monoxide. It has been proposed that such reformed fuel can be advantageously produced and burned in the combustor of a gas turbine by using the exhaust gas discharging from the turbine to heat the natural gas--see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,180 (Horner et al.)--thereby increasing the efficiency of the gas turbine and reducing NOx production.
Unfortunately, in order to utilize the turbine exhaust gas as the source of heat for the reforming process, it had been thought that the temperature of the exhaust gas must be in excess of 650.degree. C. (1200.degree. F.), and optimally 815.degree. C. (1500.degree. F.). However, the temperature of the gas exhausting from the turbine section of a gas turbine is typically less than 540.degree. C. (1000.degree. F.). Thus, it has been proposed to use a turbine with high and low pressure sections, with a reheat combustor located between the sections. The reheat combustor could then heat the gas entering the low pressure turbine so that its exhaust was in the appropriate temperature range for reforming the natural gas. Unfortunately, low temperature turbines are generally not capable of such high temperature operation. Alternatively, it has been proposed that a duct burner be incorporated upstream of the reformer to heat the exhaust gas into the required temperature range. However, the additional fuel burned in the duct burner has a negative impact on the thermodynamic efficiency of the gas turbine system.
It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus and method for heating a mixture of steam and gaseous hydrocarbon fuel in a reformer that utilizes turbine exhaust gas for heating without the need to raise the temperature of the exhaust gas by burning additional fuel.

Thermochemically recuperated and steam cooled gas turbine system


A method for manufacturing a magnetism measurement device which measures a magnetic field generated from a living body, includes: arranging an ampoule made of borosilicate glass and having a hollow part filled with a solid alkali metal, in a void in a cell section made of quartz glass, and then sealing the cell section; and casting a pulse laser beam on the ampoule through the cell section and thus forming a penetration hole in the ampoule. The pulse laser beam has an energy of 20 μJ/pulse to 200 μJ/pulse. The absorption coefficient of quarts glass for the pulse laser beam is lower than the absorption coefficient of borosilicate glass for the pulse laser beam.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a magnetism measurement device, a method for manufacturing a gas cell, a magnetism measurement device, and a gas cell.
2. Related Art
An optical pumping-type magnetism measurement device which casts linearly polarized light on a gas cell with an alkali metal gas enclosed therein and thus measures the magnetic field according to the angle of rotation of the plane of polarization is known. As a method for manufacturing the gas cell in such a magnetism measurement device, JP-A-2012-183290 discloses a method including accommodating an ampoule with an alkali metal enclosed therein in a glass cell, casting a laser beam on the ampoule to break the ampoule (form a penetration hole in the ampoule), and filling the cell with a vapor (gas) of the gasified alkali metal.
The casting of the laser beam on the ampoule accommodated in the cell is carried out through the cell. At this time, any damage to the cell due to the laser beam must be avoided while the laser beam breaks the ampoule. Also, melting of the glass material of the ampoule must be avoided because the melting of the glass material of the ampoule generates an unwanted gas, leading to deterioration in the capabilities of the gas cell. However, in the description of the method for manufacturing the gas cell in JP-A-2012-183290, though the glass material of the cell is disclosed, the glass material of the ampoule is not disclosed and the irradiation conditions of the laser beam or the like are not disclosed, either. Thus, a gas cell and a magnetism measurement device with excellent capabilities that can be stably manufactured by processing an ampoule without damaging the cell and without melting the glass material of the ampoule, and methods for manufacturing the gas cell and the magnetism measurement device, are demanded.

Method for manufacturing magnetism measurement device, method for manufacturing gas cell, magnetism measurement device, and gas cell


A flying head slider utilizing a negative pressure according to the invention has a front end, a rear end, and an air bearing surface directed to face a rotating recording medium. The air bearing surface includes a pair of side rails extending on both sides of the air bearing surface from the front end in the longitudinal direction of the slider, a center rail provided at the center of the air bearing surface in the transverse direction and extending from the front end to the rear end in the longitudinal direction of the slider, a cross rail extending in the transverse direction of the slider to connect the pair of side rails and the center rail to each other near the front end, a pair of recesses defined by the pair of side rails, the center rail and the cross rail, communicating grooves for communicating the pair of recesses with the front end, and a head mounted on a rear end surface of the center rail. The pair of side rails, the center rail and the cross rail lie substantially in the same plane. The pair of side rails are spaced from the rear end and are terminated at oblique edges in agreement with oblique lines extending from side edges of the slider to the center of the center rail at its rear end. The pair of side rails each has a width shape which is gradually narrowed from the front end toward a narrow portion located in a vicinity of a center of the slider, and is gradually spread from the narrow portion toward the rear end. The center rail is extended from the front end with substantially a constant width, followed by a width shape gradually spreading toward the rear end.

The present invention relates to a flying head slider for stably flying a magnetic head off the surface of a magnetic disk.
In conventional magnetic disk apparatus, there has been widely used a flying head slider as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,823,416 in which at least two straight rail surfaces form air bearing surfaces. A flying head slider of the type having a pair of side rails spaced from a rear end of the slider and one center rail disposed between the side rails, with a magnetic head mounted at a rear end of the center rail, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,740, has also been put into practice.
Meanwhile, a magnetic resistance effect type head and a recording method wherein recording density is almost the same from inner periphery to outer periphery of a magnetic disk (hereinafter referred to as a multi-zone recording method) are beginning to be used, aiming at higher recording density.
In a magnetic resistance effect type head, recording is made by using an induction type magnetic head device comprising a core and a coil as usual, but reproduction is made by utilizing the property of a magnetic resistance effect film that its electric resistance varies depending on the intensity of magnetic flux penetrating the film. Therefore, the magnetic resistance effect type head has not the property that reproduction output increases at higher relative speed between a magnetic head and a magnetic disk medium, as has been obtained in the conventional induction type magnetic head. It is thus not expected in the magnetic resistance effect type head to reproduce data more advantageously in outer periphery than inner periphery of the disk.
Also, because recording density is almost the same from inner periphery to outer periphery of a magnetic disk in the multi-zone recording method, the method is not compatible with such a conventional design concept that recording/reproducing can be made in the outer periphery even if the flying height is fairly larger in the inner periphery than in the outer periphery of the disk.
The foregoing situation in art has raised a necessity of keeping the flying height substantially constant from inner periphery to outer periphery of a magnetic disk, in order to maximally utilize capabilities of the magnetic resistance effect type head and the multi-zone recording method. The above-mentioned magnetic head sliders of prior art are disadvantageous in that, because positive pressure generating bearings are used, the flying height varies with changes in the circumferential speed of a disk, and that the flying height becomes largely different between the inner periphery and the outer periphery if those prior art sliders are used in magnetic disk apparatus of linear actuator type. Also, if those prior art sliders are used in magnetic disk apparatus of rotary actuator type, the flying height can be kept nearly constant from the inner periphery to the outer periphery by combining the property that the flying height decreases with a yaw angle produced and the property that the flying height increases at the higher circumferential speed. However, when an access operation is made at high speeds in magnetic disk apparatus, a slider is moved at high speeds in a transverse direction thereof and brought into the same condition as where a yaw angle is apparently produced. This raises another disadvantage in the above prior art sliders that the flying height is reduced during the access operation. Thus, rotary actuator type apparatus using the above prior art sliders can keep the flying height nearly constant from the inner periphery to the outer periphery, but a reduction in the flying height during the access operation cannot be overcome so long as the apparatus design employs the property that the flying height decreases with a yaw angle produced.
Sliders of the type that the flying height is kept constant from the inner periphery to the outer periphery by utilizing a negative pressure instead of utilizing the property that the flying height decreases with a yaw angle produced, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,135 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,739. In these prior arts, the slider has a cross rail for generating a negative pressure which is balanced with a positive pressure generated by a positive pressure generating rail, enabling the flying height to be kept constant from the inner periphery to the outer periphery. However, this type slider has drawbacks that the flying height decreases largely with a yaw angle produced, and that dust and dirt are apt to gather and a high degree of reliability is hard to maintain, because the cross rail and tapered portions are provided all over the width of the slider at its front edge.
On the other hand, a reduction in the flying height with a yaw angle produced can be effectively suppressed by a method of arranging a rail obliquely with respect to the direction of air inflow, as embodied in a slider having a rail central portion narrower than rail front and rear portions as disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 60-101781, and a triangular slider as disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 61-230687 corresponding to U.S. Ser. No. 718,910, filed on Apr. 2, 1985. As a method of suppressing intrusion of dust and dirt by utilizing a negative pressure, it is effective to form a slider into a wedge-like shape as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,641. However, those prior art sliders have a limitation in improving flying stability in the rolling direction and hence accompany a problem in reducing not only the slider size but also the flying height. The flying stability in the rolling direction is improved by mounting a magnetic head at a rear end of a center rail and forming side rails to be spaced from a rear edge of the slider, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 1-298585 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,740. With the prior arts, as mentioned above, the techniques effective in overcoming the individual problems are disclosed, but any of the prior art sliders has difficulties in overcoming all the problems in a well balanced manner.
The present invention is to provide a magnetic head slider which can effectively overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and to realize all the purposes of keeping the flying height almost constant from inner periphery to outer periphery of a magnetic disk, suppressing a reduction in the flying height with a yaw angle produced and hence a reduction in the flying height during access operation, suppressing intrusion and compression of dust, and reducing size of the entire slider while ensuring flying stability in up-and-down, pitching and rolling directions, and which can maximally utilize capabilities of the magnetic resistance effect type head and the multi-zone recording method.

Negative pressure flying head slider having siderails with narrow width portion


A system for a magneto-optical information recording/reproducing system has a polarizing beam splitter for splitting a light beam reflected by a magneto-optical disk, which utilizes the Kerr effect, into one light beam for detecting focussing errors and two light beams for detecting tracking errors. The polarizing beam splitter operates to split a polarizing light beam in such a manner that the two light beams for detecting tracking errors have a polarizing beam composition that is perpendicular to the polarizing beam composition of the light beam for detecting focussing errors. The optical system includes a light receiving element for receiving the light beam split by the beam splitter. The light receiving element has a light receiving portion for detecting focussing errors and a light receiving element for detecting tracking errors. The light receiving portion for detecting focussing errors has a plurality of light receiving areas for receiving the light beam for detecting focussing errors. The light receiving portion for detecting tracking errors is provided with a pair of light receiving areas for receiving the two light beams for detecting tracking errors, the pair of light receiving areas being positioned to sandwich the light receiving portion for detecting focussing errors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical system of an information recording/reproducing apparatus for a magneto-optic disk, in which part of an area on a recording body is heated by a laser beam in order to weaken an anti-magnetic force, and in that state, an outside magnetic field is applied to invert the magnetization of that particular area so that information can be magnetically recorded, information being photoelectrically read and rewritten using the magnetic Kerr effect.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One kind of optical system of an information recording/reproducing apparatus for a magneto-optic disk is shown in FIG. 12.
Optical system A includes a laser beam emitting element 1, such as of a semiconductor for emitting a linearly polarized laser beam, a collimate lens 2 for collimating the beam, a beam forming prism 3 for correcting a sectional configuration of the beam, a half mirror prism 4, and an objective lens 5 for forming a spot on a magneto-optic disk D and taking out a reflecting beam reflected by the magneto-optical disk D. The optical system A includes a half-wave plate 6 for turning the azimuth of the linearly polarized light of the reflection beam guided through the objective lens 5 and the half mirror prism 4, and a polarizing beam splitter 9 for splitting the beam coming from the half-wave plate 6 and radiating to a light receiving element 7 for detecting tracking errors, and a light receiving element 8 for detecting focussing errors, respectively. Furthermore, the optical system A includes condenser lenses 10 and 10', which are disposed to the optical paths split by the polarizing beam splitter 9, and a cylindrical lens 11 disposed between the condenser lens 10 and the light receiving element 8 for detecting focussing errors.
The light receiving element 7 for detecting tracking errors performs a tracking error detection according to a so-called push-pull method, by finding a difference in the output between two adjacent light receiving areas. On the other hand, the light receiving element 8 for detecting focussing errors has four light receiving areas; these light receiving areas being arranged in the form of a matrix or grill pattern, i.e., the light receiving areas are arranged in two rows and two columns. The light receiving element 8 for detecting focussing errors performs a focussing error detection according to a so-called astigmatism method, by finding differences in the sums of the output of opposite angles of the four light receiving areas.
The reproduction of information recorded on the magneto-optic disk D utilizes a phenomenon in which when a light beam is reflected by the magneto-optic disk D, the polarizing direction (i.e., the direction of the vibrating surface of an electric field vector is very slightly turned, due to the magnetic Kerr effect.
That is, in the optical system A, a turn of the vibrating surface is converted into a difference in the intensity of light radiated to the respective light receiving elements 7 and 8 by utilizing the half-wave plate 6 and the polarizing beam splitter 9.
If the sum of the output of the two light receiving areas of the light receiving element 7 for detecting tracking errors is referred to as the "first output sum" and if the sum of the outputs of the four light receiving areas of the light receiving element 8 for detecting focussing errors is referred to as the "second output sum", a direct current portion, such as the output variation of the laser beam emitting element of a semiconductor, is offset by calculating the difference between the first output sum and the second output sum and only a signal portion caused by the turn of the beam in the polarizing direction is taken as a reproduction signal.
However, in such an optical system A of an information recording/reproducing apparatus for a magneto-optic disk, since the light receiving element 7 for detecting tracking errors and the light receiving element 8 for detecting focussing errors must be independently provided, the number of component parts becomes large and the optical system becomes bulky. Moreover, much time and labor are required for adjusting the system.

Optical system for a magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus


A gas turbine engine combustor comprises a combustion chamber the walls of which have a plurality of holes extending therethrough for the flow of cooling air into the interior of the chamber. The holes are so configured and arranged that cooling air is exhausted from them in a flow direction which is normal or oblique to the general direction of gas flow through the chamber and oblique to the portion of the chamber wall local thereto.

A gas turbine engine combustor usually comprises a combustion chamber into which fuel is introduced at its upstream end through a fuel injection nozzle or nozzles. Air is introduced both at the upstream end and throughout the combustion chamber length. The air so introduced serves two purposes: it supports the combustion process which takes place within the chamber and it provides cooling of the chamber.
One of the ways in which air is introduced into the combustion chamber for cooling purposes is through holes located in the combustion chamber walls and also sometimes in a heat shield usually located at the upstream end of the chamber and surrounding the fuel injection nozzle. A combustion chamber cooled in this way is described in GB 2221979A. The holes are so arranged that those in the heat shield direct the air passing through them towards the fuel nozzle. Those holes in the combustion chamber walls are arranged so as to direct the air passing through them in a generally downstream direction. In both cases, the air forms a film on the internal surfaces of the walls, thereby ensuring that the walls do not overheat.
It is also known from NASA Technical Note NASA TN D-8248 "Streakline Flow Visualization of Discrete-Hole Film Cooling with Normal, Slanted and Compound Angle Injection" Raymond S. Colladay and Louis M. Russell, Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44135, Sep. 1976 to inject a flow of cooling air through slanted holes in a wall at an angle of 45.degree. laterally to the main gas flow across the wall.
It has been found with this sort of arrangement for the introduction of air into the chamber that cooling is not as effective as is normally desirable for a given flow of air. Additionally carbon deposition can take place and it is sometimes difficult to ensure that harmful emissions from the chamber, that is those of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, smoke and the oxides of nitrogen, are below statutory limits. These emissions tend to accumulate in the cooling air film and are swept out of the chamber in the film before they have chance to be consumed by the combustion process. A further problem is that in order to ensure effective cooling, relatively large amounts of air are required. This means that the amount of air for primarily taking part in the combustion process is limited, thereby giving rise to less than efficient combustion.


A fine particle of metal is disposed on a semiconductor substrate. With the exception of a position of disposition of the fine particle of metal, a covering layer is formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, heat treatment is implemented at a temperature higher than that where constituent atoms of the semiconductor substrate and constituent atoms of the fine particle of metal dissolve at an interface thereof due to interdiffusion in a vacuum atmosphere. Thus, a fine projection structure that comprises a semiconductor substrate and a fine projection consisting of a solid solution of the semiconductor substrate and the metal is obtained. The fine projection is formed with part thereof precipitating in the semiconductor substrate. The fine projection structure as this largely contributes in realizing high integration semiconductor devices and quantum size devices.

The present invention relates to a fine projection structure having a fine projection consisting of a solid solution of semiconductor-metal of nanometer size and a method for manufacturing the same.
A degree of integration of semiconductor devices typical in DRAMs is yearly increasing. For instance, the degree of integration of a DRAM has been increased from 16 Mbit to 64 Mbit or 256 Mbit, further being on the increase to Gbit. Such a high integration of semiconductor devices is achieved due to a reduction of a unit device size down to sub-micron order. In developing the finer unit device size, progress in lithography technology has contributed largely. In addition to the progress of lithography technology, an improvement of element structure is also in progress.
As to the lithography technology, exposure technology with KrF excimer laser, which is conformable to 0.25 xcexcm rule, is developed. With this technology, 64 Mbit-DRAMs are in mass production and 256 Mbit-DRAMs are in progress in a practical application. Further, the exposure technology with the KrF excimer laser is in improvement to conform to 0.15 xcexcm rule and exposure technology with SOR light or the like is being in progress. However, with the existing lithography technology, approximately 0.1 xcexcm rule is considered to be a limit. Accordingly, to achieve further higher integration, it is desired to realize in the future a unit device size of nano-meter order.
Further, a device of quantum size, as a candidate for the future LSI technology, is highly expected. For instance, there are quantum-wire and quantum-box devices that make use of wire and box structures respectively of which cross sections are comparable with a quantum mechanical wavelength of an electron, and a resonant-tunneling effect device and resonant tunnel element that make use of a quantum well. Thus, by utilizing a quantum size effect and quantum tunnel effect, new devices are tried to be realized.
In order to positively utilize a quantum effect to develop a new device, it is important for a characteristic dimension of a device not to stay in the order of phase wavelength (0.1 to 1 xcexcm), that is in a mesoscopic region, but to be reduced to the order of electron wavelength (10 to 100 nm), that is nanoscopic region. Further, to make more effective use of the quantum effect device, the unit device size itself is necessary to be ultra-fine such as, for instance, 10 to 100 nm. However, the existing lithography technology can not realize such a device size with stability.
Further, when considering a practical device structure, after realizing the aforementioned unit device size of nanometer order, bonding state between a conductive layer that is used as various kinds of functional layers and a semiconductor substrate has to be stabilized. When a conductive layer of nanometer order functions as for instance an electrode layer, excellent bonding state between an electrode layer and a semiconductor substrate is necessary to be realized. However, simple disposition of the conductive layer of such a size on the semiconductor substrate can bring about excellent bonding state and more excellent connecting state with a great difficulty.
As mentioned above, study and development of semiconductor devices of ultra-high integration and quantum size devices highly expected as a future candidate of LSI technology are in progress. To realize such ultra-fine devices, the unit device size of nanometer order is necessary to be attained with stability. From these circumstances, ultra-fine technology enabling to attain the unit device size of nanometer is in demand. Further, when considered a practical device structure, bonding and connecting states between the conductive layer and the semiconductor substrate are necessary to be stabilized.
The object of the present invention is to provide a fine projection structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The fine projection structure enables to realize a unit device size demanded in for instance semiconductor devices of ultra-high integration and quantum size devices and to stabilize, in such a device size, bonding and connecting states between a conductive layer and a semiconductor substrate.
A fine projection structure of the present invention comprises a semiconductor substrate, and a fine projection of a maximum diameter of 500 nm or less consisting essentially of a solid solution between a constituent element of the semiconductor substrate and metal and formed selectively at an arbitrary position on a surface of the semiconductor substrate with part thereof precipitating in the semiconductor substrate.
In the present fine projection structure, the fine projection consists of a solid solution between for instance a constituent element of the semiconductor substrate and a metal dissolving the constituent element of the semiconductor substrate at high temperatures. As an applicable semiconductor substrate and metal, a combination of which primary solubility limit at a thermodynamically high temperature region is large and solubility limit at room temperature region decreases largely is used. Accordingly, during heat treatment the solid solution based on the large solubility limit at a high temperature region is formed, and as a fine projection in a final state the solid solution based on the solubility limit of the semiconductor and metal at room temperature region is obtained.
In the present fine projection structure, part of a surface of the semiconductor substrate, with the exception of the fine projection thereon, is covered by a layer. In the present fine projection structure, a maximum diameter of a fine projection can be fine such as 500 nm or less. The size of the fine projection is particularly preferable to be in the range of 20 to 50 nm.
A method for manufacturing a fine projection of a maximum diameter of 500 nm or less structure of the present invention comprises the steps of disposing, on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, a fine particle of a metal; forming a covering layer; and heating in a vacuum atmosphere the semiconductor substrate having the fine particle of metal. The fine particle of metal is capable of dissolving constituent atoms of the semiconductor substrate at high temperatures. The covering layer is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate thereon the fine particle of metal is disposed with the exception of the position where the fine particle of metal is disposed. The semiconductor substrate having the fine particle of metal is heated in a vacuum atmosphere to a temperature higher than that where the constituent atoms of the semiconductor substrate and the constituent atoms of the fine particle of metal dissolve due to interdiffusion through an interface thereof to form a fine projection consisting of a solid solution of the constituent atoms of the semiconductor substrate and the constituent atoms of the fine particle of metal.
In the present method for manufacturing a fine projection structure, for the covering layer for instance an oxide film on a surface of a semiconductor substrate can be used. In the present method for manufacturing a fine projection structure, a maximum diameter of the fine particle of metal is preferable to regulate at 1 xcexcm or less, further at 200 nm or less.
In the present invention, for instance the semiconductor substrate covered by a layer with the exception of a position where the fine particle of metal is disposed undergoes heat treatment at a temperature. The temperature is higher than that dissolves mutually the constituent atoms of the semiconductor substrate and the constituent atoms of the fine particle of metal. During the heat treatment, the semiconductor substrate and the fine particle of metal form a solid solution based on interdiffusion through only the interface thereof.
In this case, the primary solubility limit between the semiconductor substrate and the fine particle of metal is large and the semiconductor atoms are prevented from diffusing through other than an interface between the semiconductor/metal. Accordingly, metallic atoms diffuse into the semiconductor substrate side to form a solid solution with part of the fine particle of metal precipitating in the semiconductor substrate. Upon cooling from this state to a room temperature region, an excess of semiconductor atoms is excluded from the solid solution. Thereby, a fine projection consisting of a solid solution between the semiconductor and the metal based on the solubility limit at room temperature region is obtained.
Further, the fine projection consisting of the semiconductor-metal solid solution, a state during heat treatment being nearly maintained, is formed in the form of part thereof precipitating in the semiconductor substrate. The fine projection of the present invention is formed due to self-organizing mechanism, being able to form according to the size and a position of disposition of the initial fine particle of metal.
According to the present fine projection as described above, conforming to the initial size of a fine particle of metal, a unit device size (for instance a single electron device) of nanometer order can be realized. Further, in such a device size, bonding state and connecting state between the fine projection as for instance a conductive layer and a semiconductor substrate can be stabilized.

Fine protuberance structure and method of production thereof

Japan Science and Technology Corporation


The invention describes methods of preparation and compositions of plasticizers. The plasticizers include at least 2 alkyl ketal ester moieties and have a molecular weight of greater than 300. In one aspect, the alkyl ketal ester moieties are levulinic ester ketals. Certain compositions contain at least one of an antioxidant, a UV stabilizer, a thermal stabilizer or mixtures thereof, present in the composition from about 0.01 to about 5.0 percent by weight of the total composition.

Many known chemical products such as surfactants, plasticizers, solvents, and polymers are currently manufactured from non-renewable, expensive, petroleum-derived or natural gas-derived feedstock compounds. High raw material costs and uncertainty of future supplies requires the discovery and development of surfactants, plasticizers, solvents, and polymers that can be made from inexpensive renewable biomass-derived feedstocks and by simple chemical methods. Using renewable resources as feedstocks for chemical processes will reduce the demand on non-renewable fossil fuels currently used in the chemical industry and reduce the overall production of carbon dioxide, the most notable greenhouse gas.
A potential source of materials that are useful as chemical building blocks are cyclic ketals and acetals of oxocarboxylates with polyols. Polyhydric alcohols, or polyols, having 1,2 and 1,3 hydroxy conformations can react with a ketone or aldehyde to form a cyclic ketal or an acetal (Carey, F. A. and Sundberg, R. J., "Advanced Organic Chemistry Part B: Reactions and Synthesis" 2nd ed., 1983, Plenum Press, NY, N.Y., p. 544).
Diols such as 1,2-ethane diol (ethylene glycol) and 1,3 propanediol (propylene glycol) are examples of such polyols. Diols having a 1,2 hydroxyl group configuration form dioxolanes when reacted with ketone or aldehyde moieties, while 1,3 diols form dioxanes.
The use of levulinate compounds and glycerol based compounds is particularly useful as both of these starting materials arise from renewable feedstocks. Further, the ketal reaction products are useful for synthesis of a wide variety of surfactants, plasticizers, polymers, and the like. Other reaction products of oxocarboxylates (such as pyruvic acid, acetoacetic acid, or esters thereof, and the like) with triols (such as trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, and the like) are disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/US08/75225. The methods employed to synthesize these compounds involve the formation of one mole of water with each mole of ketal formed. Likewise, polyketal compounds are formed from oxocarboxylates and tetrols and higher polyols using similar methods, with one mole of water formed for each mole of ketal functionality formed. Polyketal compounds are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US08/079337. One example of a polyketal is a bisketal formed from a levulinate ester and erythritol (or a stereoisomer thereof):
Synthetic routes to form ketals of oxocarboxylic acids or the esters thereof are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US08/079083. The methodology disclosed therein employs very low levels of acid catalyst and certain stoichiometric ratios of oxocarboxylate to polyol to result in high yields of ketal compounds with short reaction times. However, this methodology, as well as previous methods used to form ketals from oxocarboxylates and polyols, necessarily involves the formation of water in conjunction with formation of the ketal end product. Because ketal formation is reversible in the presence of water and the acid catalyst, rigorous removal of water is necessary in order to drive the reaction and maintain high yields and product stability. Additionally, the main side products in the reaction of tetrols and higher polyols to form polyketals are typically those where less than the full desired complement of oxocarboxylate is reacted—e.g., a tetrol such as erythritol or diglycerol having one ketal functionality instead of two; or a hexitol such as mannitol having one or two ketal functionalities instead of three. Such side products are difficult to separate from the desired end product, necessitating fractionation. Further, the free hydroxyl groups present in these side products can undergo side reactions in subsequent polymerization reactions or create incompatibility with one or more formulation components in the application of bisketal and trisketal compounds as plasticizers, solvents, and the like.
Additionally, the structural variation of the ketal and polyketal compounds disclosed in the above cited patent applications and publications are limited to the variation in the polyol and oxocarboxylate compounds employed.
It is desirable to provide new starting materials and synthetic routes to form new varieties of chemical building blocks for monomers, plasticizers, surfactants, and polymers. It is desirable to provide chemical building blocks that arise solely from renewable feedstocks. It is desirable to facilitate synthesis of chemical building blocks that is simple, inexpensive, and scalable for commercialization purposes. It is desirable to avoid the problem of water formation in the ketalization of oxocarboxylic acids or their esters. It is also desirable to obtain such starting materials that are stable and/or have high purity.
Therefore, a need exists that overcomes one or more of the current disadvantages noted above.