A method and apparatus for providing a purged optical path between an optical source surface and an optical target surface and for permitting relative movement between the optical source surface and the optical target surface is described. The apparatus includes a body, a central cavity, at least one gas supply bore, and at least one gas removal bore. The body defines first and second opposing surfaces. The first opposing surface is configured for positioning closely adjacent to the optical target surface. The second opposing surface is configured to mate with the optical source surface. The central cavity is formed in the body for passing light through the body, the central cavity being open at the first and second opposing surfaces. The at least one gas supply bore is formed in the body for suppling a flow of a purge gas to the central cavity. The at least one gas removal bore is formed in the body at the first opposing surface to remove gas from a gap formed between the first opposing surface and the optical target surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to photolithography systems and, more particularly, to maintaining a purged optical path in a photolithography system with a non-contact scavenging gas seal.
2. Related Art
In the fabrication of integrated circuits, photolithographic and projection printing techniques are used. In photolithography, an image contained on a reticle is projected through an optics system onto a surface of a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer surface is coated with photosensitive resist so that an image is etched thereon.
Generally, a photolithography system is located in an ambient atmosphere, clean room environment. However, some wavelengths of light used in photolithography are sensitive to absorption by atmospheric oxygen. Hence, when such oxygen-sensitive light wavelengths are used in photolithography, they must be transmitted through an oxygen-purged atmosphere.
In some situations, the ambient atmosphere of the clean room cannot be purged of oxygen because this causes problems with maintainability and service. Stages of the lithography system controlling motion of an illuminating laser across a semiconductor wafer surface may be controlled by a laser interferometer. The laser interferometer is sensitive to the index of refraction of light of air, which may be affected by random index of refraction fluctuation induced by ambient nitrogen concentration fluctuation. Hence, in some situations, the nitrogen-purge environment must be restricted as much as possible to the lithography system""s optical path.
Sealing the optical path, however, is difficult because the optical path may have multiple points needing to be sealed from the ambient environment.
Furthermore, a seal may be required between surfaces in the optical path that move relative to each other. For instance, the projection optics may move in relation to the semiconductor wafer surface when projecting light wavelengths across different areas of the semiconductor wafer surface. The projection optics may also move in relation to the reticle when different areas of the reticle are being imaged. What is needed is a method and apparatus for maintaining an oxygen-purged optical path in a lithography system.
The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for a non-contact scavenging gas seal. The invention is further directed to method and apparatus for providing a purged optical path between an optical source surface and an optical target surface and for permitting relative movement between the optical source surface and the optical target surface. The non-contact scavenging gas seal of the present invention is formed by a scavenger. The scavenger is located in the optical path between the optical source surface and the optical target surface.
The scavenger apparatus includes a body, a central cavity, one or more gas supply bores, and one or more gas removal bores. The body defines first and second opposing surfaces. The first opposing surface is configured for positioning closely adjacent to the optical target surface. The second opposing surface is configured to mate with the optical source surface. The central cavity is formed in the body for passing light through the body, the central cavity being open at the first and second opposing surfaces. The one or more gas supply bores are formed in the body for supplying a flow of a purge gas to the central cavity. The one or more gas removal bores are formed in the body at the first opposing surface to remove gas from a gap formed between the first opposing surface and the optical target surface.
Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present inventions, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the left-most digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a conventional lithography system.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a lithography system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary non-contact scavenging gas seal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary scavenger, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary movable surface, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary scavenger, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a non-contact scavenging gas seal, incorporating the exemplary scavenger of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart providing detailed operational steps of an example embodiment of the present invention.

Method and apparatus for a non-contact scavenging seal


In a component mounting in motor vehicle bodies with a sheet metal nut and a screw bolt, wherein the sheet metal nut has in its base plate a funnel-shaped relief preceding the tubular projection comprising the thread and a holding arm preceding the base plate and comprising a through-opening, and the screw bolt is provided with a point, and the sheet metal nut is provided in the holding arm preceding the funnel-shaped relief with a through-opening which corresponds approximately to the size of the external diameter of the funnel-shaped relief, and the sheet metal nut is held in a restricted and readily movable manner on the body sheet by a holding opening and lateral beads in a region corresponding approximately to the difference between the internal and external diameters of the funnel-shaped relief.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to component mounting in motor vehicle bodies and more particularly to such mountings in which a sheet metal nut and a screw are utilized.
2. Description of the Related Art
A sheet metal nut is known from German Application DE A1 15 75 302, which has on its base plate a funnel-shaped relief preceding a tubular projection which includes the thread of the nut and is capable of cooperating in the conventional manner with a screw having a point.
However, the known sheet metal nut has the disadvantage that the through-opening in its holding arm is too small to utilize the funnel-shaped relief to orientate a screw bolt with respect to the threaded part of the sheet metal nut during assembly.
A special sheet metal nut for mounting handles on pots is known from DE A1 15 54 648 in which a conical nose cooperates with a slot on the mounting part such that the handle is pressed closely onto the pot when the screw is tightened.


Power is supplied to an ECU (20) from an on-vehicle battery (41). When an ignition switch (42) is switched from the OFF state to the ON state upon vehicle engine start, the ECU (20) is switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode and a CPU (31) executes initial processing. Moreover, when a user puts on a seat belt and a seat belt switch (44) is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, the ECU (20) is switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode and the CPU (31) executes the initial processing. Thus, the initial processing is executed at a comparatively short interval and it is possible to improve the reliability of the CPU (31).

Patent publication 1 discloses a vehicle electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as the ECU) for maintaining an operating state even when the ignition switch is inactivated by directly being supplied with power from an on-vehicle battery. The vehicle ECU includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as the CPU).
In such a vehicle ECU, the CPU must undergo an initial process to check the operation of the CPU. However, in the vehicle ECU of patent publication 1, the initial process of the CPU is performed only when dismounting and mounting the on-vehicle battery. The dismounting and mounting of the on-vehicle battery is not frequently performed. Therefore, the initial process may not be performed over a long period of time if the initial process of the CPU is performed only when the on-vehicle battery is mounted or dismounted.    [Patent Publication 1]: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-70175


A base (10) and the method for fabricating the corners (32) of the base (10) of a piece of furniture (12) from tubing (18) by notching the tube (18). The notching removes a metal from the tube (18) along the first pair of extremities (40) converging to an apex (44), and along a second pair of transverse extremities (52). Additional material is removed from the spaces (38) by removing a plug from the tube (18) adjacent the apex (44) in the shape of a bowl having two parallel sides (56), a third side (58) perpendicular thereto and a point (44). The tube (18) is folded at each point (44) creating corners (32) in the tube (18) each with a space (38) and an enlarged relief space (46) therebetween to allow fluids used in the post-fabrication operations, i.e., washing and painting, to flow quickly therefrom thus increasing drying times. The gussets (62) are welded to the tube (18) to add strength to the base (10).

1. Technical Field
The subject invention relates to office furniture having a polygonal base and a storage area fixedly secured thereto. More particularly, the subject invention relates to the base configuration and the method of fabricating same from a single metallic tube in a manner which decreases the post-fabrication finishing times.
2. Description of Related Art
Makers of metallic furniture for offices have assembly problems when producing the base portion of the furniture. Each base, typically rectangular, comprises four individual pieces of metal which must be welded at each corner and then ground smooth. This process is labor and time intensive and, therefore, costly. Additionally, the time needed to dry the base after the washing and painting steps of production is extensive.
Another problem related to the current method of producing a base in this fashion is the inventory which must be kept to produce bases. Each type of base produced has two different sizes of tube that must be kept in stock. This can be costly because money and valuable storage space are needed to keep the inventory at the proper levels.
Le Tarte U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,684, issued Jul. 16, 1963 discloses a method of forming a closed corner in a hollow rectangular metal work piece. More particularly, this patent discloses a method of operating a pair of saws relative to each other used to cut a portion of metal out of a rectangular tube. This patent does not, however, disclose a method for forming a polygonal base out of one piece of rectangular tubing which also reduces the time it takes to dry the base after post-fabrication operations, i.e., washing and painting the base.
Leroux U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,177 issued Feb. 14, 1978 discloses a method for bending a thick metallic elongated part having a profile resembling one of the letters U, V, or W. More particularly, this patent discloses a process of cutting a thick metallic part by cutting the metallic part in two places, each cut is cut at an angle wherein the sum of the angles equals the angle desired for the bend of the elongated part. The elongated part is also cut in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated part between the innermost points of the two angled cuts. This allows the elongated part to be bent at the desired angle without accumulating excess material at the newly formed corner. Again, this method is deficient because it does not disclose any steps taken to increase the speed in which these newly formed frames dry from post-fabrication operation.


A rotation module includes a base and a rotation member rotatably positioned on the base. The base includes a resisting surface and a connecting surface opposite to the resisting surface. A cylindrical protrusion is formed on the resisting surface. A locking portion is formed at an end of the cylindrical protrusion. The cylindrical protrusion defines an opening through the locking portion. The rotation member includes a bottom surface and a supporting surface opposite to the bottom surface. The rotation member defines a circular through hole. The locking portion is deformable due to the opening so that the cylindrical protrusion is able to pass through the circular through hole. The locking portion releases after the locking portion passes through the circular through hole and resists the rotation member to prevent the rotation member from detaching from the base.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a rotation module and an electronic device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A common electronic device includes a main body, a cover, and a rotation module connecting the cover to the main body. The rotation module includes a base and a rotating plate. The base has a pivotal shaft. A top end of the pivotal shaft forms a first tab and a second tab opposite to the first tab. The first tab is narrower than the second tab. The rotating plate defines a pivotal hole. A sidewall of the pivotal hole defines a first slot corresponding to the first tab and a second slot corresponding to the second tab.
During assembly of the electronic device, the first tab is aligned with the first slot and the second tab is aligned with the second slot. The pivotal shaft passes through the pivotal hole and rotates, thus the rotating plate is rotatably positioned on the base. The cover is attached to the rotating plate, and the base is fixed on the main body, with the cover rotatable relative to the main body.
However, the base can be easily detached from the rotating plate during use when the first tab is aligned with the first slot and the second tab is aligned with the second slot.
Therefore, a rotation module and an electronic device using the same that can overcome the described limitations are desirable.

Rotation module and electronic device using the same

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


Magnesium metal is contacted with an organic halide in the absence of an ether or other complexing diluent to produce a magnesium reducing agent for converting titanium tetrahalide to titanium trihalide. In a first embodiment, the magnesium metal, organic halide, and titanium tetrahalide are introduced into a mill and milled. In a second embodiment, the organic halide is metered dropwise onto the magnesium metal in the absence of any extraneous diluent, and the resulting magnesium reducing agent is thereafter added to a titanium tetrahalide and milled. In a third embodiment, an organic halide containing the titanium tetrahalide is metered dropwise onto magnesium metal in the absence of any extraneous diluent. In each instance the resulting titanium trihalide catalyst component is contacted with an organoaluminum compound activator and used for the polymerization of olefins, preferably the polymerization of propylene.

This invention relates to titanium trihalide catalyst systems produced by reduction of a titanium tetrahalide with a magnesium reducing agent.
It is known to reduce titanium tetrahalide with a true Grignard reagent, that is, a compound or mixture of compounds produced by reacting magnesium and an organic halide in the presence of an ether. Such a compound is conventionally expressed as RMgX. It is also known to produce what is termed in the art as "solventless" Grignard, which is produced by reacting magnesium metal with an organic halide in the presence of a solvent which is designated as a non-solvating solvent (i.e., an inert or non-complexing diluent) such as a hydrocarbon as distinguished from an ether.
True Grignard reagents as a practical matter present serious problems as reducing agents in the production of high activity catalysts in view of the difficulty in removing the large amounts of remaining ether which can reduce the effectiveness of such Grignard reagents used in preparing olefin polymerization catalyst systems.
In certain olefin polymerizations, it is necessary to tailor the catalyst to give the type of polymer desired. Particularly in the polymerization of propylene, it is desirable to cause the polymerization to take place in such a manner as to give a stereospecific polymer.

Magnesium reducing agent for producing titanium trihalide catalyst component


Small-scale measuring circuits (111-1qum) are arranged in m columns×q rows. The small-scale measuring circuits of each row (111-11m, 121-12m, 1q1-1qm) are connected in series. The respective rows are connected in parallel. Supplying reference signals B having different parameter values to the small-scale measuring circuits (111-11m, . . . ) connected in series makes it possible to improve the measurement range or measurement resolution. Supplying reference signals B having the same parameter to the respective rows can reduce a noise component depending on the transistor size. According to this invention, using a plurality of small-scale measuring circuits in accordance with required measurement performance concerning a measurement range, resolution, noise reduction, or the like can implement the desired performance while minimizing the area of each measuring circuit.

Recently, increases in the speed and complexity of integrated circuits have worsened the problems of operation failure, a decrease in operating band, and the like due to noise in chips, variations in chip noise, clock timing fluctuations (jitter), and the like. Conventionally, signals are extracted outside an integrated circuit, and the behaviors of the signals are observed. Although the operating frequencies of integrated circuits have increased year by year, the operating frequencies of boards and packages outside the integrated circuits have not followed the increasing speeds. For this reason, it is impossible to neglect the influence of noise on a channel which is extracted outside the integrated circuit, and hence it is difficult to observe high-speed operation in the integrated circuit on the outside of the integrated circuit. This increases the need of a technique of observing internal operation by providing a measuring circuit in a chip.
A measuring circuit of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-111587. As shown in FIG. 15, a conventional measuring circuit uses a method of using a signal value m×Td (m is an integer, and Td is a resolution) as a reference signal 1406, and comparing the reference signal 1406 with a to-be-measured signal 1407 to set, as an output signal 1401, m by which the magnitude relation between the signals is reversed. In this case, the minimum and maximum values of m are determined in accordance with the arrangements of a circuit which generates a signal value m×Td and a measuring circuit.
As shown in FIG. 16, when the value of a to-be-measured signal 1402 is m×Td+Δa, m is output as the output signal 1401. When the value of a to-be-measured signal 1403 is (m+1)×Td+Δb, m+1 is output. When the value of a to-be-measured signal 1404 is m×Td+Δc, m is output. As described above, since it is impossible to perform comparison in an interval equal to or less than Td, errors (quantization errors) corresponding to Td at maximum occur between the to-be-measured signals 1402 to 1404 and the output signals 1401 as measurement results.


A stapler apparatus includes a cartridge that stores staples, a staple driving unit for engaging and driving staples, an urging member to urge the cartridge toward the staple driving unit, and an interlocking mechanism movable upon installation of the cartridge to apply the urging member to the cartridge. The construction provides a stapler apparatus that allows the easy mounting of a cartridge and that can effectively urge a cartridge toward the punching station of the stapler.

This invention relates to a stapler device that supports a cartridge storing staples that is detachable therefrom.
Generally, this type of stapler device supports a cartridge storing staples that is detachable therefrom, and is configured such that the cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge when the staples therein are expended.
For example, in the conventional staple devices disclosed in Japanese Patent No. S59-45482 and Japanese Published Patent Application No. H6-206179, when a cartridge is installed therein, the cartridge is first installed in a staple driver unit. After this, the operator must manipulate the cassette so that it engages with a wire-like hook that supports the cartridge. By manually setting the cartridge in the hook, only then will the urging force that urges the cassette toward the staple driver begin to act.


Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a “one-click payment” scheme for streamlining customers' online checkout experiences. According to one particular embodiment, a customer can use a computing device to be authenticated and receive a unique, one-time token to make a one-click payment during an online checkout process. The one-time token may be encrypted and directly associated with a payment account which the customer is authorized to access. The online merchant may forward a transaction request including the one-time token and purchase amount to an authorization server which would verify the token and charge the corresponding payment account.

Customer authentication (i.e., confirming the identity of the customer) is critical for most financial transactions such as purchases with payment cards and automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals.
Conventional customer authentication schemes typically rely on one or both of two authentication factors: a possession factor and a knowledge factor. The possession factor refers to "something only the customer has," such as a unique debit card, credit card, smart card, or token device (e.g., Exxon® Speedpass™). The knowledge factor refers to "something only the customer knows," such as a password or personal identification number (PIN).
FIG. 1 illustrates typical prior methods of customer authentication for payment card based transactions. For example, in most card-present credit card purchases, the cardholders become authenticated simply by swiping their credit cards, which is a type of single-factor authentication based on the possession factor. In contrast, online purchases are typically card-not-present (CNP) transactions where the authentication also relies heavily on the knowledge factor: the customer has to supply both payment card information (e.g., cardholder name, card number and expiration date, which is presumably only known to the person possessing the physical card) and billing information (e.g., billing address and telephone number associated with the card, which is presumably only known to the legitimate cardholder). A typical ATM transaction utilizes a two-factor authentication where the cardholder not only has to insert or swipe a credit or debit card (something only the cardholder is supposed to have) but also has to enter a correct PIN code (something only the cardholder is supposed to know).
However, a number of deficiencies still exist with the conventional customer authentication and checkout processes. While the single-factor authentication in card-present transactions seems straightforward, that approach is both insecure (as a payment card can be lost or stolen and then subject to unauthorized uses, or the card swiped could be a counterfeit card—an exact replica of the authentic card) and inconvenient (since the cardholder must carry the card and present it at the point of sale). As to the two-factor authentication approaches, the cardholder is required to either carry the card (e.g., in an ATM transaction) or at least memorize the card information (e.g., for online purchases), and the additional information supplied for authentication purpose may be too hard for the cardholder to memorize (in the case of unique PINs or passwords) or too easy for others to obtain (in the case of addresses, telephone numbers, or re-used PINs or passwords), not to mention the inconvenience of having to supply the additional information for each transaction. In general, there has been a trade-off between security and convenience/efficiency: the more secure an authentication method, the more information the cardholder is required to supply, or figuratively speaking, the more hoops the customer has to jump through.
One notable prior authentication approach is the one adopted by Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) which implemented a global standard for inter-operation of integrated circuit cards (IC cards, a.k.a. "smart cards" or "chip cards") and IC-card-capable POS terminals and ATMs for authenticating credit and debit card transactions. For customer authentication, the EMV standard requires the reading of a smart card and the correct entry of a PIN passcode, which is essentially a two-factor authentication scheme similar to traditional ATM transactions. Apparently, the EMV standard is only useful for card present transactions (thus inapplicable to online purchases) and also not free from some of the deficiencies described above.
By focusing on the knowledge factor and/or the possession factor, the prior authentication methods often fail to take advantage of a more powerful authentication factor, the inherence factor, which basically refers to and takes advantage of "something only the user is" such as biometric characteristics (e.g., fingerprint, voice signature, and retinal pattern). Fundamentally, the inherence factor such as biometric characteristics should more reliably confirm the identity of a person than the knowledge factor and/or possession factor. Biometric techniques such as fingerprint scanning have existed for a while now, but they have not been widely or effectively applied to customer authentication in the context of card transactions or personal banking.
Also, the heavy reliance upon the knowledge factor tends to impose a significant burden upon cardholders during checkout processes. Although some online stores such as Amazon.com have promoted "1-Click Ordering" processes, those are not true or ideal one-click checkout experience as the customers still have to go through a two-factor authentication (by entering a username and a password) which has some known security defects.
Another problem with conventional checkout processes is that they are monolithic and inflexible. Prior systems typically apply authentication policies that do not differentiate between types of transactions, accounts, or account holders, thereby failing to account for potential risk levels of different transactions. As a result, the same authentication policy is uniformly applied regardless of the type of interaction or channel, even though some interactions are much riskier than others. For example, the same procedure of card-swiping and/or PIN-entry could be followed whether the purchase is for a $1 chewing gum or a $5,000 plasma TV. Nor do the customers typically have any say in the authentication method during checkout.
Furthermore, there is a wealth of other types of information (e.g., location, behavioral history) that can supplement and/or enhance the effectiveness of customer authentication but have not been fully exploited.
Other problems and drawbacks also exist in prior customer authentication and checkout methods.

Systems and methods for streamlined checkout


A composition and method for self-tanning of skin is provided which includes an .alpha.-hydroxy substituted ketone or aldehyde such as dihydroxacetone, a polyacrylamide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Advantageously, there may also be incorporated at least 15% propylene glycol to improve color intensity.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a cosmetic composition which imparts a tan similar in color to a natural suntan onto the skin.
2. The Related Art
Today there is a great health concern with natural tanning through sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is considered to be a leading factor in causing skin cancer. Even if not lethal, ultraviolet radiation has been acknowledged as accelerating aging and wrinkling processes on the skin.
Beyond health concerns, there are obvious practical reasons against natural tanning. Foremost is the reason that in many areas of the globe and during all but summertime, there is insufficient sunlight available to accomplish a natural tan.
Based on the above considerations, there has been much interest in effectuating a tan through cosmetic means. Dihydroxacetone (hereinafter known as DHA) has widely been utilized in cosmetics to accomplish self-tanning of the skin. In the J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 35, pages 265-272 (August 1984), Bobin et al. studied the Maillard reaction of DHA with various amino acids found naturally in the hydrolipid film and first layers of the stratum corneum. The Maillard reaction method has commonly been utilized as an artificial tanning system since 1960.
Other studies on the Maillard reaction between DHA and amino acids have been reported in Agric. Biol. Chem., 44 (7). pages 1595-1599 (Kawashima et al.). Through this study it was determined that the rate of browning was maximum around a DHA-amino acid molar ratio of 1.5 when the total concentration of both reactants together was constant at 0.1M. Lysine and glycine were found to have the highest browning activity.
Another approach to the tanning problem is reported in Australian Patent 61950/90 to L'Oreal. The art had earlier appreciated that both DHA and 5,6-dihydroxy indole and certain of its derivatives would each independently cause coloration in the skin; the mechanisms were each believed to be different. The Australian patent teaches that a combination of these materials achieves a rapidly developed intense coloration much closer to the hue imparted by natural tanning than the colorations obtained with each of the compounds taken separately. Since DHA and indole are unstable in the presence of one another, the patent further suggested delivering these compounds from separate compartments of a multi-compartment kit.
Although there has been great progress in sunless self-tanning compositions as noted above, considerable further progress is needed to increase speed of coloration and achieve a coloration even closer to a natural tan. For medical safety reasons, it is also preferred to avoid use of indoles. Furthermore, many of the known self-tanning compositions have storage stability problems. DHA can rapidly decompose in many streaking is a still further problem faced by the art. By the term "streaking" is meant noneven deposition on the skin; the tan coloration tends to migrate along an outer perimeter as a result of the formula being rubbed around upon the skin.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composition and method for self-tanning having improved rates of coloration and imparting a more natural hue.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a composition and method for self-tanning which utilizes ingredients that impart good aesthetics and have an impeccable health safety profile.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a composition and method for self-tanning which utilizes mutually compatible ingredients that do not decompose upon storage.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a composition and method for self-tanning which avoids the streaking phenomena.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent through the following summary, detailed discussion and Examples which follow.

Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.


An apparatus and method for adjusting a charging condition of a secondary battery are provided. The apparatus includes: a controller configured to receive measurement results from a current measuring unit and a temperature measuring unit of the secondary battery, determine a charging current value and a current temperature value, determine a predicted overheat amount required to raise the temperature of the secondary battery from the current temperature to a threshold temperature for a preset reference time by using a predefined thermodynamic calculation equation, determine a predicted charging current required to generate the predicted overheat amount through charging, determine a predicted charging voltage expected when the predicted charging current flows through an equivalent circuit of the secondary battery, and when a condition of the predicted charging voltage being lower than a preset upper limit charging voltage is satisfied, adjust the upper limit charging voltage such that the upper limit charging voltage is lowered to the predicted charging voltage.

Secondary batteries generate electric energy through electrochemical oxidation and reduction reaction and are widely used for various purposes. The use range of the secondary batteries gradually expands. For example, the secondary batteries are used for apparatuses carried by a human hand such as mobile phones, lap-top computers, digital cameras, video cameras, tablet computers, and motor-driven tools, various electrically-driven power apparatuses such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric automobiles, hybrid automobiles, electric ships, and electric airplanes, electric power storage apparatuses used for storing power generated through new regeneration energy or surplus generated power, and uninterruptable power systems for stably supplying power to various kinds of information communication apparatuses including server computers and base stations for communication.
A charging method of a secondary battery varies depending on the purpose of application. Miniaturized secondary batteries used for hand-held terminals such as smartphones or mobile phones are charged by separate chargers. Also, large-scale secondary batteries used for electrically-driven power apparatuses are charged by power produced by the power apparatuses themselves. For example, large-scale secondary batteries mounted on electric automobiles or hybrid automobiles are charged by power produced by generators connected to engines or regeneration power produced when the automobiles reduce their speeds.
A secondary battery generates heat while it is charged. Most of heat generated during a charging process is Joule's heat generated by an internal resistance of the secondary battery. The heat may be emitted to the outside of the secondary battery through conduction or convection. However, when heat generated from the secondary battery is greater than heat emitted to the outside, heat is continuously accumulated inside the secondary battery and thus the temperature of the secondary battery rises continuously.
The life of the secondary battery is reduced when the temperature of the secondary battery excessively rises. Overheating of the secondary battery deteriorates properties of a kind of chemicals participating in an electrochemical reaction or causes physical transformation of a polymer material inside the battery vulnerable to heat. For example, when the secondary battery is overheated, a porous polymer separation layer between an anode and a cathode is softened and some of pores are closed, which may raise an internal resistance of the secondary battery. The rise of the internal resistance acts as a primary factor which reduces a charging capacity of the secondary battery.
Therefore, when the temperature of the secondary battery exceeds a threshold temperature set in advance, an appropriate management for lowering the temperature is required. The temperature of the secondary battery may be controlled through a cooling mechanism. For example, a water-cooled or air-cooled cooling device is coupled to the secondary battery, and when the temperature of the secondary battery is excessively raised, the temperature of the secondary battery may be reduced to an appropriate level by operating the coupled cooling device.
However, in the case where a space of a device or an apparatus on which the secondary battery is mounted is narrow, the cooling device cannot be coupled to the secondary battery. For example, when a secondary battery is mounted on a small electric automobile, a narrow space is provided for the installation of the secondary battery and a weight increase should be minimized by the mounting of the secondary battery. Thus, it is difficult to couple the secondary battery to the cooling device occupying a volume and weight of some degree.
For the secondary batteries used under the above circumstances, structural design technology for effectively emitting heat generated during a charging process through atmosphere by increasing the area of the secondary battery exposed to air is required.
However, there is a limit in reducing the temperature of the secondary battery to an appropriate level with only the structural design of the secondary battery. Even when heat generated from the secondary battery is emitted to the atmosphere, a circumstance which causes heat accumulation may occur.
Therefore, the inventor of the present disclosure has recognized that additional complementary technology of dynamically varying a charging condition such that the temperature of the secondary battery is maintained at an appropriate level during a process of charging the secondary battery is required.

Apparatus and method for adjusting charging condition of secondary battery


A driving torque transmission control apparatus that is rotatably supported onto a vehicle body through a support bearing supported by a bearing holding device including an absorber and a bearing holding member, and that is serially disposed between driving force transmission axles. The apparatus further includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member rotatably connected around a common axis relatively with each other, to electro-magnetically control a driving torque transmitted from one of driving force transmission axles to the other thereof. A frictional engage section is provided between the first and second rotating members, to transmit from one of the first and second rotating members to the other thereof. Between the first and second rotating members, there is provided an annular electro-magnet to control a transmission torque of the frictional engage section. Further, an engage member provided on a support bearing to be engaged with the electromagnet to prevent rotation of the electromagnet with the first and second rotating members.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving torque transmission control apparatus, more particularly, relates to such an apparatus serially between driving force transmission axles to electromechanically control its driving force.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, it is suggested such an electromagnetically operated clutch apparatus that is serially disposed relative to a propeller shaft to select from a two-wheels driving status to a four-wheels driving status or to control a driving force distribution ratio between front wheels and rear wheels in the four-wheels driving operation Namely, the electro-magnetically operated clutch apparatus is serially disposed between driving force transmission axles to control a driving force transmitted from one of that driving force transmission axles to the other thereof, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/014,627 filed on Jan. 28, 1999 by the same Applicant, for example.
In the electromagnetically operated clutch apparatus disclosed above, a bottomed cylindrical first rotating member rotating with one of the driving force transmission axles is relatively rotatably connected around a same center axis with a second rotating member rotating with the other thereof under a case of being disposed in the first rotating member. Between the first and second rotating members, here is provided a frictional engage section to transmit a driving torque from one of the first and second rotating members to the other thereof Further, an electromagnet is rotatably provided relative to the first and second rotating members to control a transmission torque of the frictional engage section. With this configuration, when an exciting current is supplied to the electromagnet through a lead wire, the torque corresponding to an amount of the exciting current is transmitted from one of the first and second rotating members to the other thereof.
However, there is a possibility that a sufficient durability cannot be obtained in the conventional clutch apparatus as described above. It is necessary such that the electromagnet is connected with a non-rotating member for connection of the lead wire with the electromagnet to prevent from its rotation with the first and second rotating members, for example. In such a case, when providing a connection mechanism between a vehicle body or a portion fixed thereto and the electromagnet, a vibration of the vehicle body is transmitted to the electro-magnet, so that the aforementioned clutch apparatus may be decreased in its durability. At an opening portion of the bottomed cylindrical first rotating member, there are farther formed annular clearance inside of the electro-magnet and outside thereof, so that it may be suggested to secure a mask member for covering the annular clearances to the electro-magnet. However, it cannot sufficiently be prevented such an incursion of alien substances by the mask member, whereby the durability may be deteriorated by the incursion. Further, it may be suggested to provide a ring-shaped seal member acceptable for relative rotation in order to seal the annular clearance formed inside of the electromagnet and outside thereof at an opening portion of the bottomed cylindrical first rotating member. In the annular clearance formed outside of the electromagnet, a circumferential speed and the seal member respectively become large in its relative and diameter particularly. Therefore, it has a disadvantage that the durability may. be sufficiently obtained and the seal member and the like becomes high in its cost.

Driving torque transmission control apparatus used in an automotive vehicle


Apparatus and methods may provide for characterizing a plurality of similar components of a distributed computing system based on a maximum safe operation level associated with each component and storing characterization data in a database and allocating non-uniform power to each similar component based at least in part on the characterization data in the database to substantially equalize performance of the components.

The scale and performance of large distributed computing systems may be limited by power and thermal constraints. For example, there may be constraints at the site level as well as at the component level. At the component level, components may tend to throttle their performance to reduce temperature and power and avoid damage when workloads cause them to exceed safe thermal and power density operational limits. At the site level, future systems may run under a power boundary to ensure that the site stays within site power limits, wherein the site power limits are derived from constraints on operational costs or limitations of the cooling and power delivery infrastructure.
Concomitantly, manufacturing process variation may result in higher variance in the voltage that is supplied to a component for its circuits to function correctly at a given performance level. Unfortunately, the thermal and power limitations in large distributed computing systems may expose these differences in supply voltage requirements, leading to unexpected performance differences across like components. For example, different processors in the system may throttle to different frequencies because they exhaust thermal and power density headroom at different points. This difference may occur even if the processors are selected from the same bin and/or product SKU because parts from the same bin may still exhibit non-negligible variation in voltage requirements. As another example, a uniform partition of power among like components may result in different performance across components when limiting system power to stay within site limits.

Mitigating component performance variation


Bulk silo with an outlet chamber, from whose upper area a generally open ventilation line runs which is provided with a closing valve for protection against flooding. The closing valve is constructed as a float valve. In order that this closing valve does not become inoperable due to clogging or being inundated with bulk material, its float cage is provided in the area below the float with an aeration device which can be made closed like a plate in order to protect the valve from the direct surge of the material.

The invention relates to a bulk silo with an outlet chamber, from whose upper area a generally open ventilation line extends which is provided with a valve part of protection against flooding.
Usually, the ventilation line of silo emptying chambers extends essentially exclusively vertically upward, so that any penetrating bulk material can fall back down and out without clogging the ventilation line (e.g. DE - OS No. 26 19 933). For reasons of stability, such vertical ventilation lines can generally be placed only on the outer wall of the silo, so that they are only suitable for ventilating an outlet chamber located centrally on the silo bottom if a lateral auxiliary chamber is provided between this central chamber and the ventilation line located on the silo wall (e.g. DE - PS No. 26 57 597). The expense for this auxiliary chamber can be avoided if the ventilation line is not positioned so that it rises exclusively vertcially, but rather in some other way, especially falling to an outlet path for the material provided below the silo bottom (e.g. DE - AS No. 28 49 014), which, however, necessitates a valving part in the ventilation line to prevent it from being flooded and to prevent the associated danger of clogging. In the initially cited instance this part is mechanically controlled and only closed if the possibility of flooding the ventilation line is created by closing or occluding the silo outlet, However, the valving parts and the devices for their active control are expensive.
The present invention has the task of creating an inexpensive, operationally safe and easy-to-service device for the protection of a ventilation line which does not rise exclusively vertically.
The present invention solves this task by constructing the closing part as a float valve whose float cage is provided with an aeration device in the area under the float.
Float valves are known in the fluid transfer art, even in the form preferred by the invention, in which the float valve opening is located above the float forming the valve body. It is also known that bulk material can be put in a fluid-like state by means of aeration and that therefore some elements known in the area of fluid transfer can be applied to bulk material fluidized in transfer. However, the use of a float valve for solving the basic problem of the invention was not obvious. The analogy between the transfer of fluids and the transfer of fluidized bulk materials always breaks down when the fluidized state of the bulk material is not assured under all operating conditions and when the smooth operation of the part in question is endangered by the appearance of unfluidized bulk material. When a float valve is used in the outlet chamber of a bulk silo, the appearance of insufficiently fluidized material must be reckoned with for two reasons. Firstly, it is known that a complete fluidization of the material contained in the outlet chamber of a silo can be depended upon only in the ideal situation, namely, in the stationary flow state of easily fluidizable materials, while in the starting state. When the removal of material from the silo is cut off, there is a danger that the air entering at the bottom of the outlet chamber into the material will blow free passageways, so-called rat or blow holes, in the material through which it escapes without fluidizing the material located at the sides of the passageways. There is always the possibility, even in an advanced aeration state, that the totally fluidized mass of material contains agglomerates of unfluidized material. If such unfluidized material passes in the direction of the float cage, it can settle there, block the movement of the float and thus disrupt an orderly operation. Secondly, it must be reckoned with that the fluidized material passing into the float valve will settle there, solidify due to the escape of air contained in it and finally harden, until a smooth operation of the valve becomes questionable.
These dangers avoided by the invention by providing the float cage with an aeration device in the area under the float. This device is not intended to assure that the material reaching this point is sufficiently aerated, because this material had already been fluidized previously in the outlet chamber or can also, if it is a matter of a piece of non-fluidized material, no longer be fluidized in the vehemence of its movement during the brief time of its entry into the float cage by means of the aeration devices provided there. Rather, the invention has recognized that the possibility can simply not be excluded that non-fluidized material will be in the vicinity of the float valve; however, this can be accepted, because the aeration devices assure that this material is subsequently removed, so that no permanent disturbance of the valve will occur.
If there is a sudden rise of the material in the outlet chamber, actuating the float valve, this rise comes primarily from below. It would therefore be obvious to utilize the impulse coming from below, just as in fluid float valves, along with the hydrostatic upward impulse for the closing operation of the float valve. However, the invention disregards this in an advantageous embodiment and makes the float cage closed on its underside in order to achieve the advantage that the particulate material can flow into the float cage only from the side, which reduces the probability that not enough flowable material passes into it.
In the embodiment of the float cage with a closed underside the aeration device is preferably constructed as a porous area provided at the top of the closed undersurface through which porous area compressed air is constantly forced and which is free at the sides for the run-off of the fluidized material on it.
The aeration device of the invention is preferably constantly loaded with compressed air, even if no acute danger of flooding is present. The increased air requirement necessiated by this negligibly small in comparison with that of the other aeration devices of a conventional silo.


The invention relates to novel compositions comprising ene and free radical adducts of unsaturated and saturated hydrocarbons, and acyclic and cyclic vicinal polycarbonyl compounds such as diethyl ketomalonate and indantrione. The adducts are reacted with nucleophiles such as amines, electrophiles such as anhydrides and esters, and metal ions. Post-products are obtained via reaction of said products with capping reagents such as boric acid. Compositions containing said adducts, products and post-products include oleaginous substances such as fuels and lube oils.

Oleaginous substances have found wide use in contemporary industry. Unfortunately, many oleaginous compositions contain additives that from an environmental viewpoint could be improved. For example, many additives used today contain chlorine which is environmentally undesirable. Therefore, there is a need for chlorine-free additives. Also, many of today's high performance applications for oleaginous compositions require additives that can meet multi-functional requirements. Therefore, any environmentally acceptable additives for oleaginous compositions should preferably provide the benefits of multi-functional properties.
One approach to providing such additives for oleaginous compositions is to take advantage of the unique multi-functional properties of the novel carbonyl compounds described hereinafter by preparing oleaginous compositions containing the chlorine-free adducts and derivatives of this invention.
Organic compounds containing two or more carbonyl groups in a row are generally referred to as vicinal polycarbonyl (VP) monomers. When the vicinal polycarbonyl (VP) group forms part of an acyclic hydrocarbon structure, such compounds are generally referred to as acyclic VP monomers. When the polycarbonyl group forms part of a cyclic structure, such compounds are generally referred to as cyclic VP monomers.
The reactions of VP monomers with unsaturated hydrocarbons, including unsaturated hydrocarbon polymers, will produce carbonyl containing adducts as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,564 and Application Ser. No. 935,604. These adducts are referred to herein as ene adducts.
More recently, various hydrocarbons, and especially saturated hydrocarbons, and saturated hydrocarbon polymers, have been found to react with VP monomers in the presence of a free radical initiator. These compounds are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,288,811, and 5,274,051, and are referred to herein as radical adducts.
By means of this present invention, it is possible to provide improved oleaginous compositions such as fuels, lube oils, and the like, by incorporating into these compositions additives selected from ene adducts, radical adducts, derivatives of said adducts, and mixtures thereof.

Carbonyl containing compounds and their derivatives as multi-functional fuel and lube additives


According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic recording medium, a head including a recording magnetic pole, a spin torque oscillator provided near the recording magnetic pole, and a coil which excites the recording magnetic pole, a first current supply which supplies the coil with a first current corresponding to write data, a detector which detects a first signal corresponding to the write data, and outputs a second signal in accordance with the first signal, and a second power supply which varies, in accordance with the second signal, a second current supplied to the spin torque oscillator.

Recently, in the field of magnetic disk devices represented by a hard disk drive, a high-frequency assist recording system has been proposed as one recording system that can realize a higher recording density and a higher recording capacity.
The high-frequency assist recording system is a technique of applying, to a particular minute region in the write signal frequency area of a magnetic recording medium, such as a magnetic disk, a sufficiently high-frequency magnetic field compared to a write signal frequency, using a recording magnetic pole (main pole) that generates a magnetic field when a recording current is applied thereto, and a magnetic head having a high-frequency oscillator, thereby reducing the coercive force of the minute region to half or less than its original coercive force. The high-frequency oscillator is, for example, a spin torque oscillator (STO).
The magnetic disk devices employing the high-frequency assist recording system comprise, near the recording magnetic pole, a spin torque oscillator having an oscillation layer that oscillates when a current is supplied thereto. In these magnetic disk devices, a high-frequency magnetic field generated by the oscillation layer that has oscillated when a current is supplied to the spin torque oscillator is applied to a particular minute portion of the magnetic disk to reduce the coercive force of this portion. At this time, a recording magnetic field is applied by the recorder magnetic pole to the coercive-force reduced portion, thereby recording data on the portion of high magnetic anisotropic energy having a higher density recording potential than a normal magnetic disk.
In the spin torque oscillator of the above-mentioned magnetic head, the oscillation layer is provided near the recorder magnetic pole. A leak recording magnetic field from the recording magnetic pole is applied to the oscillation layer, which varies the recording magnetic field, and hence varies a gap magnetic field applied to the spin torque oscillator. That is, the oscillation frequency of the spin torque oscillator may change. This makes it difficult to realize stable high-frequency assist recording.

Magnetic disk device and high-frequency assist recording method


A boot having a first footwear element and a second footwear element, the second footwear element being configured to be removably inserted into the first footwear element, the first element footwear extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise from a base to an upper end, the second footwear element extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise from a base to an upper end. The boot includes a retaining device to retain the rear end of the second footwear element at the rear end of the first footwear element.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a boot comprising a first footwear element and a second footwear element, the second footwear element being adapted to be inserted into the first footwear element. The invention also relates to an assembly including a crampon as well as a boot with two footwear elements.
Boots according to the invention can be used in fields such as walking or running on flat or mountainous terrain, climbing, skiing on snow, snowshoeing, and the like.
Boots according to the invention can receive the foot of the wearer with sufficient comfort, while enabling accurate transmission of the impulses applied by the wearer and sensory information related to walking, running, or steering an apparatus, such as a sports apparatus, for example. This is important, for example when running or climbing, activities for which the performance of a user is conditioned by these factors, among other things.
2. Background Information
It has long been known to manufacture a boot with a first footwear element and a second footwear element, the second footwear element being adapted to be removably inserted into the first footwear element.
A first example is that of a boot comprising an outer envelope, referred to as the first footwear element, and a liner, referred to as the second footwear element. The outer envelope has properties such as resistance to wear due to walking, resistance to abrasion, ability to dampen impact forces, ability to cooperate with a crampon, imperviousness, and the like. The liner may provide a certain comfort with respect to wrapping the foot, thermal insulation, and the like. The liner may be provided with a sole assembly for walking in a mountain refuge, for example.
A second example is that of a boot comprising an outer envelope, referred to as the first footwear element, and an inner boot, referred to as the second footwear element. Here, the outer envelope is an overboot that provides additional properties to the inner boot. In particular, the outer envelope may include a high upper and have good imperviousness. The inner boot is sufficient in itself for walking or running, except in cases in which an additional capability, such as imperviousness, is necessary. With an inner boot according to the second example, which can be a low-upper inner boot, the user can undertake an intense or sporting practice. Alternatively, if necessary, the user may associate the first and second footwear elements to adapt to various conditions, such as rain or snow, for example. One advantage for the user is having the minimum weight on each foot when seeking performance.
In all cases in which the second footwear element is positioned in the first footwear element, known boots provide a certain comfort, and enable a transmission impulse and sensory information. This makes walking, running, or steering an apparatus generally efficient. Sometimes, however, comfort is insufficient and/or the transmission of impulses and sensory information is incomplete.
This happens for example when the second footwear element moves inside the first footwear element, with small displacements that negatively affect comfort and accuracy.
To maintain the second footwear element in the first footwear element, the prior art has, for example, shaped the outer envelope of the second footwear element as a function of the inner envelope of the first footwear element, so that one fits precisely inside the other. However, despite the efforts made toward achieving such objectives, undesired displacements of the second footwear element are still observed in the first footwear element.
In view of the foregoing, therefore, boots according to the prior art are not entirely satisfactory in the sense that they do not provide adequate comfort in all situations and in the sense that they do not allow full transmission of the impulses and sensory information.

Boot having a first footwear element and a second footwear element


An apparatus is described for reducing formation of ice in an ice fishing hole. The apparatus includes low voltage variable speed motor contained within a housing that draws water into and up through the housing and out of the housing through a matrix of multiple rows and columns of holes that form the water outlet.

During the winter months in many northern climates the surface of a lake will freeze over with a depth of ice sometimes exceeding 24 inches. Avid anglers continue to fish during these winter months by cutting holes through the ice and catching fish through these holes. The air surface temperature is typically below 32 degrees Fahrenheit which has a tendency to continually refreeze the water in the fishing holes unless proactive steps are taken to keep the water in the hole from freezing. At times, it may become necessary for the angler to regularly skim the forming ice off the water surface to avoid a line frozen in the ice. Ice forming in the holes is undesirable and distracts the angler from focusing on catching fish.
Various devices have been contrived in an attempt to prevent the fishing holes from freezing over. For example, heat sources have been described to heat the water in the ice fishing hole sufficiently so that the adjacent air is not able to freeze the water. These devices require significant sources of energy (either electric or from combustible materials) to transfer heat, warm the water, and maintain the air or water temperature above freezing over an extended period of time. These devices also tend to block the fishing hole and interfere with the angler's ability to fish through the hole unobstructed. Also, in order to avoid a likely entanglement, many of these devices are required to be removed from the hole before an attempt is made to pull a fish up through the hole.
Other attempts have been made to provide a way to conveniently fish through the ice during the winter months. By way of example, movable fishing shacks or houses have been constructed with one or more holes formed in the floor of the shack. The shack is positioned on the lake where the angler wants to fish and then the shack is typically lowered so that the floor of the shack is close to the ice surface. An auger is used to drill holes in the ice that are aligned with the holes in the floor. It is common for fishing shacks to have some form of propane or electric heater to increase the air temperature within the shack. However, the walls of the fishing shack are typically thin to reduce weight and are not well insulated. Hence, the fishing holes near the heater tend to stay open while the fishing holes at the opposite end of the shack tend to be more likely to freeze over.
Also, although the floor is close to the surface of the ice, outdoor air may circulate under the shack and the air temperature adjacent the hole may drop below the freezing temperature of water. Even in heated fishing shacks if the hole is left unattended a layer of ice may form over the hole and may freeze the fishing line into the ice. At night time, while the anglers sleep, it is especially common for a layer of ice to form in the hole. Open air fishing in conjunction with fishing from a house is also common, however, the holes tend to freeze over even faster without proactive management. It is desirable to reduce the likelihood that ice will form in a fishing hole so that the angler is able to focus on fishing rather than fishing hole maintenance. It is further desirable to maintain the fishing hole free of ice without interfering with the ability to fish in the hole and without requiring removal of a device from the hole prior to pulling a fish through the hole.


A new and distinct variety of apple was identified from a population of seedlings derived from an open-pollinated ‘Honeycrisp’ block. The new variety, named ‘MAIA-T,’ is distinct from ‘Honeycrisp’ as ‘MAIA-T’ ripens mid-September, 2 weeks after ‘Honeycrisp.’ Unlike ‘Honeycrisp,’ ‘MAIA-T’ has purple skin, yellow ground color, and considerable russet. ‘MAIA-T’ fruit are medium sized, crisp, with more complex, sweet-tart flavors than ‘Honeycrisp.’ ‘MAIA-T’ does not maintain crisp texture in 35° F. storage for as long as ‘Honeycrisp.’

A new and distinct variety of apple was identified from a population of seedlings derived from an open-pollinated 'Honeycrisp' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197) block. This pollination was sanctioned as a part of the Midwest Apple Improvement Association apple breeding project. 'Honeycrisp' and other select varieties were cultivated with the intention of progeny testing open-pollinated seedlings. This superior seedling tree was identified from this progeny test at Pataskala, Ohio.
The seedling tree was planted as a 1-year-old tree at a commercial fruit orchard in Pataskala, Ohio in 2001 and grown among a population of several hundred siblings. Evaluations of fruit quality and tree growth parameters were begun in 2005 and this seedling was identified over several years as superior based upon tree growth habit, precocity, superior fruit quality, and harvest time. Utilizing grafting reproduction, the new apple tree variety was asexually propagated by Mitch Lynd in 2010 in Pataskala, Ohio and has been observed to remain true to the description set forth herein, through successive generations.
The new variety, named 'MAIA-T,' is distinct from 'Honeycrisp' as 'MAIA-T' ripens mid-September, 2 weeks after 'Honeycrisp' (FIG. 1). Unlike 'Honeycrisp,' 'MAIA-T' has purple skin, yellow ground color, and considerable russet (R.H.S. Color Chart Red-Purple 60A, Yellow-Orange 16B, and Yellow-Orange 22A, respectively). 'MAIA-T' fruit (FIGS. 2 & 3) are medium sized, crisp, with more complex, sweet-tart flavors than 'Honeycrisp.' 'MAIA-T' does not maintain crisp texture in 35° F. storage for as long as 'Honeycrisp' (FIG. 1).


An operator control apparatus for a domestic appliance includes a carrier plate and an operator control element which is rotatably arranged on the carrier plate for setting an operating condition of the domestic appliance. The operator control element includes a front cap having a first transparent region and a second transparent region which is separate from the first transparent region. A light guide extends into the front cap to guide light from a light source such as to illuminate the first transparent region with a first light intensity of the light which is coupled out of the light guide, and to illuminate the second transparent region with a second light intensity of the light which is coupled out of the light guide, with the second light intensity of the light being different from the first light intensity.

The invention relates to an operator control apparatus for a domestic appliance, comprising a carrier plate on which an operator control element for setting operating conditions of the domestic appliance is arranged in a rotatable manner. The operator control element has a front cap comprising at least one transparent region. Furthermore, the operator control apparatus comprises at least one light guide which extends into the front cap and with which the light from a light source of the operator control apparatus can be guided to the transparent region. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a domestic appliance comprising an operator control apparatus of this kind, and to a method for operating an operator control apparatus.
Operator control apparatuses for domestic appliances are known in a variety embodiments. A specification can be seen in the fact that manually rotatable operator control elements are provided, which are also referred to as operating toggles or rotary knobs. Such operator control elements have a cylindrical front cap which also forms the anterior and circumferential end of the operator control element. This front cap can then be accessed by a user in order to rotate the operator control element.
If these operator control elements also have transparent regions, a specific illumination of these transparent regions can take place using light which is guided to the front cap by means of a light guide. In this way, for example, rotational positions and/or information about operating condition settings can be made visually recognizable, in particular, made visually recognizable on the operator control element and thus also on the front cap itself.
Operator control elements are known in the context, in which the light guide leads into this front cap and is fastened therein in an embedded manner such that a corresponding mounting takes place. As a result, however, the local light emission is restricted and the illumination scenario reduced.

Operator control apparatus for a domestic appliance comprising a light guide for illuminating multiple zones of a front cap with different light intensities, domestic appliance comprising an operator control apparatus of this kind, and method for operating an operator control apparatus


A plasma arc torch includes at least one consumable component in coaxial relationship with another component of the torch. At least two compressible components are disposed between longitudinally extending coaxial surfaces of the consumable component and the second component. A pressurized medium flow path is directed to a longitudinal location between the compressible components. Upon supply of a pressurized medium through the flow path, the compressible components are caused to deform radially outward thereby centering the consumable component relative to the other component.

The present invention relates generally to the field of plasma arc torches, and more particularly to a system and method for ensuring proper alignment of components within a plasma arc torch.
The operation of conventional plasma arc torches is well understood by those skilled in the art. The basic components of these torches are a body, an electrode mounted within the body, a nozzle defining an orifice for a plasma arc, a source of ionizable gas, and an electrical supply for producing an arc in the gas. Upon start-up, an electrical current is supplied to the electrode (generally a cathode) and a pilot arc is initiated in the ionizable gas typically between the electrode and the nozzle (the nozzle defining an anode). Then, a conductive flow of the ionized gas is generated from the electrode to the work piece, wherein the work piece then becomes the anode, and a plasma arc is thus generated from the electrode to the work piece. The ionizable gas can be non-reactive, such as nitrogen, or reactive, such as oxygen or air.
An inherent drawback of plasma arc torches is that certain of the critical components wear out and must be replaced. Such components are commonly referred to as "consumable" components and include, for example, the electrode, nozzle, and swirl ring. Depending on the design of the torch, other components may also be subjected to wear and require periodic replacement. Unfortunately, the consumable components, particularly the nozzle and electrode, are made of expensive materials and must be machined to within relatively exact tolerances. Replacement of these consumable components represents a significant portion of the overall costs associated with plasma arc torch operations.
Upon replacement of the consumable products, it is imperative for proper operation of the torch that such components are correctly seated and aligned within the torch. Also, the useful life of the consumable products is directly affected by proper alignment of the components. A misaligned component will result in an inaccurate cut, subject the component to excessive wear, and will result in frequent replacement of the component.
In this regard, a significant effort has been made in the art towards systems and methods for improving proper alignment of components within a torch. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,082 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2002/0135283 A1 describe a system for improving component alignment by defining complimentary contoured surfaces between contacting components.
The '082 patent and '283 application allege that systems relying on O-rings for centering components and compensating for machining tolerances are ineffective because of substantial inherent variations in the molded cross-sectional profiles of O-rings.
The present invention relates to an improved system for aligning components, particularly consumable components, in a plasma arc torch resulting in increased life of the components and improved operation of the torch.

Method and apparatus for proper alignment of components in a plasma arc torch


A power transmission system for a tractor comprising a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor to be driven by the oil forced out from the pump, a PTO transmission mechanism coupled to the shaft of the hydraulic pump and a wheel transmission mechanism coupled to the output shaft of the hydraulic motor. The power from an engine is transmitted to the PTO transmission mechanism by way of the pump shaft before being delivered to the wheel transmission mechanism.

The present invention relates to a power transmission system for a tractor for example of the fourwheel drive type in which a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor are used.
Power transmission systems for tractors must be operable to transmit the power from an engine to a wheel drive mechanism and to a power takeoff (PTO) transmission mechanism for operating various working implements. It is essentially required for tractor works that the wheel transmission mechanism and the PTO transmission mechanism be independent of each other for the power transmission.
Accordingly conventional systems include a separate transmission path for transmitting the power from the engine to the PTO transmission mechanism before the power is delivered to the wheel transmission mechanism through a hydraulic motor. Thus the input shaft for the PTO transmission mechanism is provided under or on one side of the hydraulic pump and motor and the wheel transmission mechanism to bypass them, such that a transmission shaft for giving the engine power to the hydraulic pump delivers the power to the input shaft positioned therebelow by way of gears.
This arrangement has the drawback of being very bulky since the hydraulic motor and the bypass PTO input shaft are positioned below the hydraulic pump. The arrangement also involves the necessity of delivering the power from the hydraulic pump input shaft to the PTO input via gears.
This invention has overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.


To extract a liquid from a workable mass of material a first force is applied to the material in a first direction. A second opposed force is applied to the material within or slightly downstream of a liquid-extraction location. These opposed forces tend to compact the material to extract the liquid. The extracted liquid moves out of the liquid-extraction location along a path which extends generally transverse to the direction of the first and second forces. Third forces are applied to the material along the path in a direction generally opposite to that taken by the exiting liquid to prevent the material from traversing the path but to permit the liquid to exit. The first, second and third forces form a pinch point on the material within or slightly downstream of the liquid-extraction location to substantially obviate liquid flow countercurrent to the direction of the first force.

The presen invention relates to a method of and apparatus for removing liquids from solids or non-liquids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dewatering expanded or flocked materials or any other solid, in particulate or other form, having a large surface area which holds substantial quantities of water thereon or therein. The present invention may be used to remove water from natural and synthetic polymers or elastomers such as flocked latexes, crumb rubber, other rubber materials, and plastic materials, particularly polystyrene foam and similar materials. The invention may also be used to dewater fibrous or pulpy material such as wood or cane.
Many manufacturing and use activities involving polymers result in large amounts of water-containing material from which the water must be removed. For example, in making rubber a solution or slurry of rubber in a solvent may be produced. Steam and water are percolated through the slurry to vaporize the solvent, leaving behind a rubber particulate having a high water content. This water must be removed before the rubber can be conveniently processed into articles or products.
Another area of concern relates to those materials which result from fast food and other restaurant operations in which food and drink are served in and on a variety of plastic media, such as plates, cups and compartmentalized carriers. These materials become waste after the comestibles formerly borne thereby has been consumed.
The disposition of this plastic waste raises at least two concerns. First, the plastic waste is typically not rapidly biodegradable. Thus, disposal thereof by conventional procedures, such as those utilizing land fills, may be objectionable to some. Burning the waste may be potentially objectionable if the combustion products are noxious or are health threatening. Second, the costs of producing the materials, and the materials themselves, would be irrevocably lost if the materials were simply disposed of. Many plastic materials can be re-used to manufacture subsequent plastic products if a cost-effective way is found for placing them in a condition suitable for such re-use.
The use of polystyrene materials as dishes results in their being contaminated with food and drink. To re-use the materials, they are subjected to particulation or comminultion and to washing or rinsing with water in an effort to remove the food and drink contamination therefrom. Such washing or rinsing adds substantial quantities of water to the particulate materials.
It is well known that plastic materials such as polystyrene foam can be reused and that such re-use is best achieved with the materials comminuted and "dry", that is, in a particulate, granular or flake form with much of the water removed therefrom. The comminuted plastic is typically transported and worked in a continuous screw press or barrel-screw apparatus, such as an extruder, at the output of which the material is extruded. The extrudate is cut to produce pellets of the material. These pellets are re-used to produce foamed polystyrene products.
If the comminuted plastic is not dry, the working thereof by an extruder is inefficient owing to the fact that the majority of the heat generated by working the plastic is initially absorbed by the water. This renders the working process inefficient. It also requires that vents or pressure relief facilities be present on the extruder so that substantial quantities of steam resulting from heating the water do not cause substantial steam evolution and/or violent escape thereof which can render extrusion inefficient or ineffective. In any event, it is required that steps be taken or facilities be provided to safely handle large quantities of steam. If an extruder could be designed to accommodate the presence of substantial quantities of water in the comminuted material, the transport and working thereof would proceed quite slowly, since heating and driving off water--having a high specific heat--requires time and energy. Water removal achieved by heat input is expensive and slow.
The prior art contains various apparatus for dewatering elastomers or polymers. U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,641 discloses apparatus for removing liquids from polymers which includes an extruder. The barrel of the extruder includes plural screen bars which define therebetween drain openings communicating with the barrel bore. Expansion chambers--increased diametric sections of the barrel bore--are preceded by restricted passages defined by collars on the extruder screw and a closely spaced choke on the bore wall. Liquid is said to be pressed from material worked by the extruder, the liquid exiting the barrel via the drain openings. A high degree of working is also said to "superheat" the water in the worked material so that the water in the material-water combination vaporizes and is "flashed off" in the lower pressure expansion chambers via the drain openings. Experience has shown that the material tends to clog or block the drain openings, necessitating continuous cleaning thereof. Further, the steam which is intentionally produced must be safely handled and conducted away. The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 3,587,450 is similar to that of the '641 patent.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,035,306 a continuous screw press includes a longitudinally grooved barrel and a screw, the flight of which is spaced from the screw stem. Water-containing material is worked by the press expressing water therefrom which is said to reversely flow through the grooves and the flight-stem spaces. This reverse flow is counter to the direction of material movement and causes the water to move to a point up stream of material feed, whereat it drains from the barrel. The material tends to clog the drain as well as the grooves and the flight-stem spaces. Such clogging and the movement of the material tend to cause expressed water to be trapped downstream of the feed to the detriment of the efficiency of the process and the quality of the material. The dewatering portion of the aparatus in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,490,104; 4,493,630; 2,994,105; 3,768,171; and 3,595,162 are similar in function to that of the '306 patent.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for dewatering materials, including waste plastics, which avoid the problems summarized above and permit the cost-effective processing and use of such materials.


Piezoelectric ceramics containing PbO and TiO.sub.2 as its principal constituents, and further containing 0.5 to 3.7 mol-% of Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0.2 to 1.5 mol-% of MnO.sub.2. Since the piezoelectric ceramics is low in the dielectric constant and is especially small in the temperature coefficient of the delay of surface acoustic waves, it is suitable for a surface acoustic wave device. Piezoelectric ceramics in which 0.3 to 3.3 mol-% of In.sub.2 O.sub.3 is further added to the above-mentioned composition has a still smaller temperature coefficient of the delay of surface acoustic waves, and it is also possible to make this coefficient zero.

(i) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to piezoelectric ceramics which are used for ultrasonic vibrators, ceramic filters, surface acoustic wave devices, etc. The piezoelectric ceramics are especially used for the surface acoustic wave devices.
(ii) Brief Description of the Prior Art
As the piezoelectric ceramics of this type, there have heretofore been well known the so-called PZT type piezoelectric ceramics which contain lead zirconium titanates (PbZr.sub.1-x Ti.sub.x O.sub.3) as the principal constituents and the so-called SPN type piezoelectric ceramics which contain sodium-potassium niobates (K.sub.1-x Na.sub.x NbO.sub.3) as the principal constituents. Regarding the PZT type ceramics, ones which are considerably excellent in both the piezoelectric property and the temperature characteristics have been obtained by adding third constituents such as Pb(Mg.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 and Pb(Mn.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3)O.sub.3 to the principal constituents. Since, however, they are essentially ceramics of high dielectric constants (400-1,500), the input and output impedances of devices lower in high-frequency uses, which poses a problem in the impedance matching with an external circuit. In particular, the frequencies of piezoelectric transducers have recently become higher and higher, and it has become an important subject to lower the dielectric constants. On the other hand, the SPN type ceramics have the feature that the dielectric constants are small (150-200). However, they have the disadvantages that the electromechanical coupling factors are not sufficiently great and that the temperature characteristics are very inferior.
The following references are cited to show the state of the art: (i) Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 42-4023, (ii) S. Ikegami et al; The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, vol. 50, No. 4 (1971), pp. 1060-1066.


In an exhaust gas after-treatment apparatus (30) including a particulate filter (32) that receives an exhaust gas having passes through a catalyst converter (31) and traps particulates in an exhaust, injectors (6 through 9) used for a post fuel injection to activate the catalyst converter (31), and a filter control unit (36) that performs post fuel injection control, the filter control unit (36) includes a determination portion that determines whether a post fuel injection operation should be started, and a calculation portion that calculates an integration value of a fuel injection amount after the post fuel injection operation is started in a case where the post fuel injection operation is started in responding to the determination portion. The post fuel injection operation is stopped when the integration value has reached a specified value. It is thus possible to appropriately perform the post fuel injection control to activate the catalyst converter.

For the purpose of removing particulates, such as NOx and particulate matter, generated in an exhaust gas with the driving of the internal combustion, in particular, the diesel internal combustion, there has been known an exhaust gas after-treatment apparatus in which a catalyst converter that oxidizes and burns carbon hydride in an exhaust gas is combined with a particulate filter that traps particulates, so that combustion of the particulates trapped in the particulate filter is promoted with the use of heat generation in the catalyst converter (JP-A-8-42326).
Incidentally, the catalyst converter of this type fails to exert the desired effect unless it is activated by being heated to a certain temperature. Hence, as is disclosed in JP-A-8-296485, there is known a method by which whether the catalyst is in an activated state is determined, for example, by detecting the temperature of the catalyst, and when the catalyst is determined to be in an inactivated state, an additional fuel injection, a so-called secondary fuel injection, is performed into the cylinder at specific timing later than the original combustion injection timing for the catalyst to become activated.
The control of the post fuel injection in the related art, however, is to promote the activation of the catalyst when the catalyst is determined to be in an inactivated state by injecting fuel into the cylinder intermittently at specific timing after the retain injection in an amount meeting with the driving condition of the engine, the external environmental condition, and so forth at that point in time.
No problem occurs in a case where the driving condition of the engine, the external environmental condition, and so forth remain the same to some extent. However, under the driving environment where these conditions vary in a relatively drastic manner, the activation of the catalyst is not promoted as expected even by the post fuel injection, and fuel is consumed wastefully after all. This method therefore has a problem that it becomes a large cause of deterioration in fuel consumption and it rather increases environmental pollution by emitting a large amount of unburned fuel together with the exhaust gas.
An object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved exhaust gas after-treatment apparatus capable of solving the problems in the related art discussed above.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved exhaust gas after-treatment apparatus capable of achieving appropriate post fuel injection control.


A device for attracting and destroying insect pests utilizes a pressurized canister charged with either carbon dioxide or octenol or a combination thereof, or with insect pheromones, in combination with infrared and/or ultraviolet lights to attract a variety of insects, including mosquitoes and biting flies which prey on humans. The pressurized canister and fluorescent light source are surrounded by an electrified grid which electrocutes the insects when they try to reach the source of the attractant. A motorized cam mechanism is utilized for periodically discharging the contents of the pressurized canister.

The instant invention relates to devices for attracting and destroying insect pests and more particularly to a device which utilizes gases such as carbon dioxide or octenol and/or insect pheromones, in combination with fluorescent lights to attract a variety of insects, including biting flies and mosquitoes.
Devices for attracting and destroying insects are well known in the art. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 2,106,528 to Jones, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 3,187,458 to Densmore; U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,577 to Soulos: U.S. Pat. No. 3,894,351 to Iannini; U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,069 to DeYoreo: and U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,529 to Hedstrom are representative of the available prior art. The patent to Densmore discloses a device which employs a light for attracting insects and a pesticide saturated mesh surrounding the light for killing the insects attempting to reach the light source. The remaining patents to Jones, Soulos, Iannini, DeYoreo and Hedstrom disclose various devices which employ some kind of illuminating means and/or odor means for attracting insects, and an electrified screen grid for electrocuting insects attempting to reach the light or pheromone. Although these electric "bug zapping" devices are popular with consumers, each has certain shortcomings. For example, the devices employing an ultraviolet light source are effective for attracting and destroying moths but are ineffective for attracting biting insects, such as mosquitoes and flies, that prey on humans. The prior art devices which utilize pheromones as the odor source to attract specific types of insects are expensive because the pheromone source is continuously active and therefore must continually be replaced.
It has been found that biting insects locate their prey through heat (thermal radiation transmitted by infrared light) and have eyes which are sensitive to the wavelength of light emitted by carbon dioxide or octenol. In this regard, several prior art devices have suggested the use of open flames to produce heat in combination with carbon dioxide. One such device relies on the biting insect to fly directly into the open flame to be destroyed. Another device employs an electrified grid surrounding the open flame. Because of the open flame, these devices have been found to be extremely dangerous and hence have not been commercially successful.

Device for attracting and destroying insects


A suction elevator with suction capability includes a handle having a first end and a second end. The first end of the handle includes a connector for attaching the surgical elevator to a suction source. An arm extends from the second end of the handle, the arm having a blade portion at the end opposite that which extends from the handle. A continuous bore runs through the connector, handle, and arm, ending where the blade defines an opening in fluid communication with the bore.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to a surgical elevator device, and more specifically to surgical elevator device with suction capability.
2. Background
Surgical elevators are used for spinal surgery and other surgical processes. Typically, tissue is removed from bone using a suitable cutting tool, such as an electric knife, after which the separated tissue must be elevated, or retracted, away from the bone. A common device used to elevate tissue from the bone is a Cobb elevator.
A typical Cobb elevator includes an elongate handle, which may be knurled or otherwise fabricated to allow for easy gripping of the device. A thin, elongate arm extends from the handle and terminates in a blade, which is typically flattened, widened, and rounded. The blade may also be formed with a slight curvature to allow better manipulation of the tissue around the bone.
During the surgical process, the use of the electric knife or other cutting device, along with the Cobb elevator, requires both hands of the surgeon. Use of additional tools requires the surgeon to release either the knife or the Cobb elevator so that another tool may be selected, or requires a second person to manipulate the additional tool. In a common surgical procedure during which a Cobb elevator is used, one additional tool used is a suction tool. Suction is required because during the cutting process blood and other fluids flow into the surgical site. Further, when an electric knife is used smoke may be generated, and that smoke may reduce visibility at the surgical site.
Neither setting down the electric knife or Cobb elevator, nor having a second individual attempt to use a suction tool, is ideal. By releasing a tool, such as the electric knife, a surgeon is necessarily interrupting the surgical process in order to use suction at the surgical site. Further, the surgeon has to then release the suction tool and retrieve the electric knife, and during that time period blood and fluids begin to once again fill the surgical site. Having a second individual employing suction during surgery can obscure the surgeon's view of the surgical site, result in crowding around the surgeon while surgery is being performed, and render surgery more difficult because of the presence of additional instruments at the site of surgery.


A fast charging method, apparatus, and device for a USB electronic device including obtaining, according to a preset charging current threshold, a corresponding charging data set of the electronic device under the present charging current threshold, determining, according to the charging data set, a maximum charging current value corresponding to the electronic device; setting the determined maximum charging current value as a charging current threshold of the electronic device, and controlling charging of the electronic device according to the charging current threshold.

Currently, there are generally two manners for charging an electronic device: one manner is charging the electronic device by connecting the electronic device to a dedicated charger (for example, a mobile phone charger) of the electronic device; the other manner is charging the electronic device by connecting the electronic device to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) host device (for example, a personal computer (PC)) by using a USB interface. Because host devices having a USB interface are widely used, the charging manner of using a USB host device is widely applied because this charging manner is convenient.
In the prior art, when the electronic device is inserted into the USB host device by using the USB interface, the electronic device determines a USB supply current according to whether a communication handshake with the USB host device is successful. If the communication handshake with the USB host device fails, the USB charging current is limited below 100 milliampere (mA). If the communication handshake with the USB host device is successful, the USB charging current is limited below 500 mA.
However, because a charging current when charging is performed by using the USB interface is generally limited within 500 mA, a charging speed is relatively low. Especially, if the battery of an electronic device is depleted or the battery is extremely low, charging by using the USB cannot support a user to perform a power-consuming operation such as making a call or playing a game. To simply improve a charging current causes a device to be restarted repeatedly due to an insufficient charging voltage because the charging current becomes excessively high. In addition, the excessively high charging current further causes a device board to heat. Continuous heat of the device board further causes lines on the board to expand with heat and be broken and damages the board, and may even cause a fire safety accident. Therefore, implementing fast charging of an electronic device while ensuring that the device is safe is an urgent problem that needs to be resolved.

Devices and methods for fast charging using determined maximum charging current values