The glass-ceramic joining material, which is suitable for bonding or joining at low processing temperatures, especially less than 800° C., is composed of a BaO—SiO2—CaO—B2O3—Al2O3 system and has a coefficient of thermal expansion α(20-300)≧9.5·10−6 K−1.

The present invention relates to glass-ceramic joining materials which can be processed at low temperatures and are suitable for sealing, especially of fuel cells or electrolysis cells at low joining temperatures, and further applications.
Glass-ceramic joining materials are understood in the context of the invention to mean materials which originate from an amorphous glass material, crystallize at least partly and are then in the form of glass-ceramic. These glass-ceramic joining materials can be used as glass solders, but also in the form of preforms etc.
Glass-ceramic joining materials are used especially for production of bonds, in order to bond particularly ceramic components to one another or to bond them to metal components in an electrically insulating manner. In the development of glass-ceramic joining materials, the composition thereof is often selected such that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the joining materials corresponds approximately to that of the components to be bonded to one another, in order to obtain a permanently stable bond. Compared to other joining materials, for example those of plastic, glass-ceramic joining materials have the advantage that they can be configured so as to give a hermetic seal, can withstand higher temperatures and degenerate less, if at all, even in the course of longer service lives.
Joining materials in the form of glass solders are generally often produced from a glass powder which, in the joining operation, also called soldering operation, is melted and gives rise to the bond with the components to be bonded under the action of heat. The joining temperature is generally selected at about the level of what is called the sphere temperature of the glass. The measurement of the sphere temperature is a standard test method known to those skilled in the art and can be effected with a heating microscope. If a crystallization-free glass as a joining material in the form of a glass powder is melted and cooled again such that it solidifies, it can typically also be melted again at the same melting temperature. For a bond with a joining material in the amorphous state, this means that the operating temperature to which the bond can be exposed for prolonged periods must not be higher than the joining temperature. In fact, the operation temperature in many applications must be significantly below the joining temperature, since the viscosity of the joining material decreases with rising temperature and a glass which is free-flowing to some degree can be pressed out of the bond at high temperatures and/or pressures, and so the bond can fail.
This problem can be solved by using glass-ceramic joining materials in which the amorphous base glass crystallizes at least partly or else completely in the course of the joining operation. In the context of the invention, partly or fully crystallized joining materials are called glass-ceramic joining materials or glass-ceramic for short. The crystalline phases or the ceramics generally have properties differing significantly from the amorphous base glass, for example with regard to thermal expansion or glass transition temperatures, such that the overall system composed of amorphous glass phase and crystalline phases, i.e. the glass-ceramic joining material overall, may likewise have different properties from the amorphous base glass alone. More particularly, the temperature required for the re-melting in the case of glass-ceramic joining materials may be well above that of the amorphous base glass.
Whether an amorphous base glass gives rise to an amorphous glass or a glass-ceramic in the joining operation, given suitable composition of the base glass, depends to a high degree on the process conditions in the bonding operation, more particularly on the heating and cooling curves.
One field of use of joining materials is, for example, that of bonds in fuel cells which can be used, for example, as a power source in motor vehicles or for localized energy supply. An important type of fuel cells is, for example, what are called solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The bond with the joining material is typically used to produce fuel cell stacks, i.e. for the bonding of several individual fuel cells to give a stack. Such fuel cells are already known and are continuously being improved. High temperature fuel cells are widespread, these comprising particularly expensive materials which are difficult to produce, more particularly specific metals and/or alloys. Therefore, in the current development of fuel cells, lower operating temperatures are desired, especially because it is thus possible to use comparatively cheaper ferritic stainless steels which are easier to produce (for example AISI 410, AISI 430), and the use of specialty alloys such as Crofer22APU (Thyssen Krupp) or ZMG32 (Hitachi), which is otherwise necessary, is thus no longer required. At the operating temperatures which then occur, however, it is also necessary to use different cell materials and electrolytes since oxygen ion conductivity is otherwise not ensured. The materials used for low operating temperatures in the fuel cells require sealing materials that can be processed at low joining temperatures.
Apart from the known glass solder sealing, there are other sealing materials, but these entail considerable disadvantages. Mica seals might lead, for example owing to the alkali metal content, to increased oxidation of the metal, and provide sealing only under high pressures. Hermetic bonds are not achievable in this way.
The barium silicate glasses known to date have too high a softening temperature and joining temperature in order thus to be able to produce bonds at low joining temperature.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,769 describes joining glasses having a SiO2 and B2O3 content of at least 35 mol %. Such a high proportion of SiO2 lowers the coefficient of thermal expansion of the joining glass and leads to an unwanted increase in the melting temperatures.
WO 0294727 A1 likewise discloses SOFC joining glasses. Here, the glass compositions have SiO2 contents between 33 and 35% by weight. The additions of PbO, MnO, V2O5 are undesirable because they are very substantially redox-stable. Especially elemental lead which forms is capable of forming alloys with the metallic interconnector and thus has a corrosion-promoting effect. MnO and V2O5 are likewise polyvalent elements. Mn and Cr from the ferritic steel can likewise enter into a multitude of bonds, the stability of which under operating conditions is questionable. The glasses mentioned are designed for joining temperatures above 800° C.; they cannot be used to achieve joining temperatures of 800° C. or less.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,224 discloses barium-containing glasses whose SiO2 contents vary between 18 and 60% by weight. The joining temperatures of the glasses described are more than 900° C., and the coefficient of thermal expansion is between 5.0 and 7.4 ppm/K. Because one or both of the SiO2 and Al2O3 contents are very high, they are unsuitable for fuel cell applications; more particularly, the thermal expansion values are not matched to the metals and cell components.
The glasses disclosed in DE 19857057 C1 have a high MgO content, and the SiO2 content is between 35 and 55 mol %. Glasses having a high MgO content have very significant crystallization, and the high SiO2 contents do not allow joining at temperatures of less than 800° C.
SU 802220 A1 describes barium-containing glasses suitable for soldering of titanium. In this document too, the SiO2 contents are more than 32% by weight, and the addition oxides TiO2 and TeO2 are used. TeO2 is an adhesion promoter and is said to increase chemical stability. The joining temperature specified is 1100° C.
EP 2135316 B1 describes barium-containing semicrystalline sealing glasses in solid oxide fuel cells containing at least 10 mol % of SiO2.
None of these glasses are suitable for the production of bonds at a joining temperature not exceeding 800° C.

Glass-ceramic joining material and use thereof


A lighting apparatus includes a circuit board, a lighting element and a lens structure. The lighting element is disposed on the circuit board. The lighting element includes a lighting top surface and a lighting lateral surface adjoined to the lighting top surface and the circuit board. The lighting top surface has a center and an optical axis passing through the center. The lens structure covers the lighting element to receive a light from the lighting element. The lens structure includes an outer surface having a total reflection portion and a light outgoing portion surrounding the total reflection portion. The optical axis passes through the total reflection portion. The total reflection portion is configured to totally reflect a portion of light from the center. The light outgoing portion is configured to allow another light emitted from the center to leave away from the lens structure.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lighting apparatus and a lens structure thereof.
Description of Related Art
A typical LED package has a fixed beam angle such as 120 degrees. In order to satisfy optical characteristics of various lighting module, a second lens is employed to cover the LED package to adjust the illumination distribution of the LED.
The LED package includes an LED chip, a reflective cup and a fluorescent material. The fluorescent material and the LED chip are encapsulated in the recess of the reflective cup. Because the LED package emits a light only through its top surface, the shapes of the light incident surface and the light outgoing surface of the second lens are designed only based on the illumination distribution of the top surface of the LED package.
In pace with the manufacturing progress, a fluorescent film is employed to direct cover the LED chip, and in such a configuration, the LED chip is not required to be encapsulated in the reflective cup. However, since the reflective cup is omitted, the lateral surface of the LED chip emits light to the circuit board, and this light will be reflected to the second lens, which causes unduly high brightness above the LED chip.

Lighting apparatus and lens structure thereof


A method of expanding a tubular element in a borehole formed in an earth formation is provided. The method includes installing the tubular element at a selected location in the borehole, installing a pulling string in the borehole, the pulling string extending in longitudinal direction through the tubular element and having an upper part connected to a pulling device at surface and a lower part provided with an expander of outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tubular element, the expander being arranged below at least part of the tubular element to be expanded, the upper part being connected to the lower part by a connector allowing rotation of the upper part relative to the lower part about the longitudinal axis of the pulling string; and pulling the expander through the at least part of the tubular element by operating the pulling device so as to pull the pulling string in upward direction, while simultaneously rotating the upper part relative to said lower part.

The present invention relates to a method of expanding a tubular element in a borehole formed in an earth formation.
In the technology of borehole drilling for the exploitation of hydrocarbon fluids, the borehole is generally provided with a casing or liner to prevent collapse of the borehole wall. It has already been tried to apply radially expandable casings or liners, whereby the casing/liner is lowered into the borehole and thereafter radially expanded by pulling an expander through the casing/liner. One of the advantages of such procedure is that there is no longer a need for the conventional nested arrangement of borehole casings of stepwise decreasing diameter. However it has appeared that the pulling force necessary to pull the expander through the casing/liner can be prohibitively high.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of expanding a tubular element in a borehole formed in an earth formation, whereby the pulling forces needed to pull an expander through the tubular element are reduced.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of expanding a tubular element in a borehole formed in an earth formation, the method comprising:
installing the tubular element at a selected location in the borehole;
installing a pulling string in the borehole, the pulling string extending in longitudinal direction through the tubular element and having an upper part connected to a pulling device at surface and a lower part provided with an expander of outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tubular element, the expander being arranged below at least part of the tubular element to be expanded, the upper part being connected to the lower part by a connector allowing rotation of the upper part relative to the lower part about the longitudinal axis of the pulling string; and
pulling the expander through said at least part of the tubular element by operating the pulling device so as to pull the pulling string in upward direction, and simultaneously rotating the upper part of the pulling string relative to the lower part thereof.
By simultaneously pulling the string and rotating the upper part of the string it is achieved that the longitudinal component of friction between the string and the borehole wall or tubular element, is significantly reduced or even eliminated. Consequently the pulling force no longer needs to counteract said longitudinal friction component.

Expanding a tubular element in a wellbore


Techniques and systems are described that enable improved gesture discernment from input devices, as well as simplified modeling and processing of gestures by application software layers. Given data (e.g., about movements, actions, or events) gathered from input devices, techniques and systems allow gestures to be discerned and inferred more formally and reliably, and processed more easily by an application layer. A gesture interpreter is provided that, in response to receiving an activation input data from an input device, instantiates a high-level Petri Net instance, executes the high-level Petri Net instance, and returns, to an application layer, an outcome gesture indicative of a terminal node in a path of the high-level Petri Net instance being traversed during the execution of the high-level Petri Net instance.

As the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has matured, the development of new categories of gestural input devices (e.g., multi-touch displays, full body motion sensors, gyroscopes, and accelerometers) has become a common occurrence. However, as the type and number of these devices increases, the software engineering problems posed by processing their data become increasingly complex.

Gesture discernment and processing system

The Florida International University Board of Trustees


A pod for suspending a turbojet engine unit below the wing of an aircraft includes a suspension assembly with two laterally spaced front beams connecting the turbojet fan casing to the wing, and two rear links disposed in a common vertical plane and pivotally connected at one end to the wing and at the other end to a connection link which is connected at least to the exhaust casing of the engine, the front beams being interconnected by cross-bracing and being connected at the level of the downstream edge of the cross-bracing to at least one fixed part of the engine.

It is at present known to attach a bypass turbojet engine, particularly of the front fan type, to the end of a supporting mast suspended from the wing. This arrangement may be used for engines in which the bypass ratio does not exceed 10, which corresponds to fan diameters which remain compatible with an acceptable aerodynamic drag of the pod. Examples of such a suspension arrangement are disclosed in French Patents Nos. 2 262 201; 2 295 876 and 2 290 350.
French Patent No. 2 606 081 discloses an alternative suspension arrangement in which the engine is mounted under the wing by means of a pylon mast associated with supporting arms.
Other known arrangements involve integration of the pod with the wing of the aircraft, and examples of such constructions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,055,041 and 4,147,029, and published European Application No. 0 314 568.
One of the aims of the invention is to provide an underwing suspension arrangement which is suitable for engines with a very high bypass ratio, especially greater than 11, while retaining the advantages of close integration between the engine and the wing of the aircraft, particularly adequate ground clearance, and at the same time ensuring satisfactory aerodynamic flow between the pod and the wing, and consequently an acceptable drag.
In addition, with respect to conventional arrangements in which the supporting mast introduces a twisting moment at a point situated at 12 o'clock, the invention further aims to provide a suspension which permits the mass of the engine unit to be reduced by not requiring such substantial reinforcement of the structures for accommodating the stresses on the engine.

Pod for suspending a turbojet engine unit of the bypass type under the wing of an aircraft

Societe Nationale d'Etude et Moteurs d'Aviation S.N.E.


Fine-grained nickel electrode active material, each of which contributing to electrode reaction; production method of the fine-grained nickel electrode active material; and a nickel alkali storage cell of high capacity which is excellent in over discharge characteristics. In order to produce the fine-grained nickel electrode active material, fine-grained nickel hydroxide is precipitated by adding a given amount of alkali to solution in which at least a nickel compound is dissolved while the solution is stirred. Each of the fine-grained nickel hydroxide has pores with 20 vol % or more of a combined volume of the pores being composed of pores of diameter 60 .ANG. or greater. Next, a given amount of alkali is gradually added to suspension including the fine-grained nickel hydroxide and dissolved cobalt compound so that cobalt hydroxide is precipitated on the external surface of the fine-grained nickel hydroxide. The fine-grained nickel electrode active material is produced in the above mentioned way. Each of the fine-grained nickel electrode active material comprises a nickel hydroxide and cobalt oxide having distorted crystal structure and oxidation number higher than +2. The nickel hydroxide has pores whose diameters are 60 .ANG. or greater. And the volume of such pores amounts to 20 vol % or more of the combined volume of all of the pores.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to nickel electrode active material; a nickel electrode and a nickel alkali storage cell using such nickel electrode active material; and production methods of such material, electrode, and cell. Specifically, it relates to improvement of the nickel active material used for the nickel alkali storage cell.
(2) Prior Art
Recently, in the rapid spread of portable apparatus, a storage cell of high efficiency is in increasing demand.
In this background, there has been various improvement in a nickel positive electrode for a nickel alkali storage cell. One of the examples is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-38336, which is about how to keep the volume of holes less than 0.05 ml/g by limiting the development of internal transition pores whose radiuses are more than 30 .ANG., in time of producing nickel hydroxide powder which is used as active material for a nickel positive electrode. According to this prior art, nickel hydroxide is changed to high-density nickel hydroxide powder. When this high-density nickel hydroxide powder is used as active material, packing density on the electrode substrate is increased, so that energy density of the electrode can be improved. And in a nickel hydroxide electrode in which the high-density nickel hydroxide powder is packed, production of .gamma.-NiOOH (oxide having high oxidation number) accompanied by the progress of charge and discharge cycle is little. So passivation of nickel active material is controlled, and the utilization factor improves. Therefore, cell capacity of the nickel alkali storage cell can be improved.
However, consideration was not given enough to each of the fine-grained active material. There are some points to be improved in the utilization factor of the active material and over discharge characteristics. In the prior art, it was difficult to obtain values over 90% in the utilization factor and over discharge characteristics while method of measurement mentioned later is being employed.

Nickel electrode active material; a nickel electrode and a nickel alkali storage cell using such nickel electrode active material; and production methods of such material, electrode, and cell


A method and apparatus for data logging at-speed March C+ memory Built-in Self-tests. The method of testing a memory includes providing the memory with a Test Control and Observe wrapper; enabling a Built-in Self-test mode operation; utilizing the Test Control and Observe wrapper to capture a memory output; and holding a memory data when a failure occurs. The apparatus includes a processing unit; a Built-in Self-test controller coupled to the processing unit; a data circuit coupled to the Built-in Self-test controller; an address circuit coupled to the Built-in Self-test controller; a control circuit coupled to the Built-in Self-test controller; a memory coupled to the data circuit, the address circuit and the control circuit; a comparator circuit coupled to the memory and to the Built-in Self-test controller; and a memory Test Control and Observe wrapper coupled to the memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of Built-in Self-tests. More particularly, the invention relates to a Built-in Self-test for detecting faults in a memory.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Memory Built-in Self-tests (BIST) are typically used to deliver a sequence of tests to memory modules for fault detection. Generally, a state machine can translate a test algorithm into a sequence of commands, data, and addresses to be applied to the memory modules being tested. However, under at-speed (functional) testing conditions, a state machine BIST circuit cannot operate fast enough to deliver the complex algorithms sometimes needed to intensively test the memory module. Several programmable/configurable BIST controllers have been developed to overcome these limitations.
A BIST controller can be used to screen defects in synchronous Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) devices embedded in digital designs. Running at a functional speed (at-speed), a BIST controller can implement, for example, a March C+ algorithm. March algorithms are well known in the art of Built-in Self-tests.
A problem with current BIST technology utilizing March algorithms is that in memories with automatic write through, new data written into the memory can supersede a previous read's failing data before the BIST controller can report the failing data for bitmapping. Bitmapping capability can be an important mechanism in failure analysis and yield enhancement.
An unsatisfactory approach, in an attempt to solve the above-discussed problem, involves adjusting the BIST controller to allow dead cycles between consecutive operations. Disadvantages of this approach include causing the testing algorithm to run at speeds lower than the functional speed and increasing test time. Another approach involves adding register banks to mirror the data output port of the SRAM. However, this approach causes a significant increase of the design area.
Yet another unsatisfactory approach involves implementing a control structure to allow direct observation of memory outputs during bitmapping operation. A disadvantage of this approach includes the necessity for multiple runs of the BIST controller for each memory to produce a complete bitmap, thus increasing debug and yield enhancement times.
Until now, the requirements of providing a method and/or apparatus for at-speed memory BIST data logging, which decreases design debug and yield enhancement time and minimizes design area impact have not been met.

Method and apparatus to data log at-speed March C+ memory BIST


An electrophotographic plate-making apparatus in which a light beam is applied to the surface of a photoconductive sensitive material from a light-beam applying device so as to form an image and a register mark on the surface of the sensitive material the image and the register mark are transferred onto an outer peripheral surface of an intermediate transfer material, a recording material and the intermediate transfer material are moved while the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer while the outer peripheral surface of the are brought into contact with each other, the movement of the recording material and the intermediate transfer material is controlled by detecting the transferred register mark, thereby to transfer the image onto the recording material with high positional accuracy. By forming the register mark through light-beam scanning, it is possible to provide the photosensitive material with the register mark efficiently and reliably, so that the image can be transferred onto the recording material with high positional accuracy.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic plate-making apparatus for transferring an image formed on a surface of a photosensitive material onto a recording material via an intermediate transfer material.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a method for making a machine plate for printing in an electrophotographic process, a method is known in which an image is formed on a photosensitive material by using a plate material coated with the photosensitive material, and the surface of the photosensitive material is then subjected to etching (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-163384). With this method, the accuracy of the position at which the image is formed is excellent since the plate material on which the image formed is subjected to etching. However, this method has a drawback in that high-alkali etching is required, so that the process is complicated and the running cost is high. As a method which is free from this drawback, a method is known in which an image formed on the photosensitive material is temporarily transferred onto an intermediate transfer material, and the image formed on the intermediate transfer material is further transferred onto a machine plate (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 62-81681 and 63-34572).
However, with the method using the intermediate transfer material, although the running cost does not become high since high-alkali etching is not required, it has been difficult to secure high positional accuracy required in color plate making and the like due to the large number of transfer processes. In particular, in a case where color-printing machine plates are made, it is necessary to make machine plates respectively corresponding to a black image, a yellow image, a magenta image, and a cyan image, so that high positional accuracy is required for the images formed on the respective machine plates.
In addition, at the time of transferring an image onto the intermediate transfer material and the machine plate, there have been cases where even if the positions of the intermediate transfer material and the machine plate are controlled by a high-accuracy encoder, the image is formed the proper position offset from a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer material due to the thermal expansion of the intermediate transfer material itself, the elongation of the transfer material, and the like. As a result, there have been cases where the image is not formed by the proper position at when the image is transferred onto the plate material.
As a method of forming an image on a machine plate with high positional accuracy, it has been the practice in the conventional field of printing to provide a register mark on an original plate at the time of preparing the original plate and to form the image on the machine plate by using the register mark as an index for registration. However, since the provision of the register mark is effected each time the original plate is made, a process for this purpose has had to be provided separately.
Meanwhile, as another method of forming an image on a machine plate with high positional accuracy, at the time of transferring the image formed on the photosensitive material onto the transfer material, it has been the practice in the conventional field of copying apparatus to eliminate the offsetting of colors by strictly effecting the registration of the photosensitive material with respect to the transfer material at the time of starting transfer. However, strict registration requires a complicated process.
Furthermore, in an electrophotographic plate-making apparatus using the intermediate transfer material, a shortcoming has been encountered with the durability of the intermediate transfer material since the image is transferred by bringing its surface into contact with the photosensitive material and the machine plate. In addition, replacing the intermediate transfer material is troublesome.


The method provided first partitions the memory, which has defective cells at unknown locations, into a plurality of frames. Each of the plurality of frames has a corresponding N-bit of cell, and M-bit of cell for storing an index representative of the defectiveness of the (M+N)-bit cell. Secondly, the method performs a predetermined pattern write-read access test to the corresponding (M+N)-bit cell for each frame to determine if the (M+N)-bit of cell is defective. Thirdly, the method stores a first value of the index into the corresponding M-bit of cell for each frame, if the (M+N)-bit cell is good. Fourthly, the method stores a second value of the index into the corresponding M-bit of cell, if the (M+N)-bit cell is defective.

In some electronic apparatus, e.g. digital answering machine, stringent requirement for a non-defective memory device used to store the voice data, either the answering information or the incoming information, is not necessary. Therefore, the Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), EEPROM or Flash memory, having defective cells at unknown locations and being not acceptable in other applications, is used in some audio applications and is known as Audio Grade RAM (ARAM).
It is well known that a data compression/decompression technique is generally employed in most audio data processing, which involves mass amount of data, to handle the data more efficiently. However, when ARAM is employed together with the data compression/decompression technique in the digital audio apparatus, the voice data obtained from the data decompression procedure may be over-distorted such that the output may not well identified by the human beings. Accordingly, an algorithm is required to assure the original data are stored within the non-defective cells of an ARAM.
One conventional approach is to record the address of the defective cells during the power-on period of the system into the a predetermined range of cells of the memory. And all access operations avoid the recorded addresses by the information stored in this predetermined range. However, this approach requires non-defective cells at the predetermined range of locations. This approach indirectly places a requirement of a sorting procedure on the ARAMs to assure all ARAMs used are non-defective at the predetermined range of locations.
Another conventional approach uses the concept of the FORMAT command in Disk Operating System (DOS) supplied by Microsoft Co.. This approach first partitions the memory into a plurality of good sectors and the data are stored in several good sectors. Each sector is linked to next associated sector by the linking address stored at the end of each sector. The defective cells are therefore circumvented.
Still another approach uses error correction algorithm and a corresponding check bit to correct any incorrect bit obtained from the defective memory. However, this approach requires associated hardware circuit and the cost thereof are elevated.
Therefore, it is the object of the invention to provide a less complicated and less expensive way to use a memory device having defective memory cells.

Formatting of a memory having defective cells


A cooling air interface in a fan housing provided for diverting an amount of cooling air to cool a fan motor from a main air flow on a compression side of the fan, and delivering the cooling air to the fan motor to be cooled. The interface including a cooling air channel with an intake opening emptying into a cooling air passage having a cooling air exit opening where the cooling air is brought to the fan motor. Wall sections of the main air flow path that adjoin the intake opening, which in relation to the direction of the main air flow, are located upstream and downstream of the intake opening, extend up to the adjoining intake opening and into the cooling air channel, transitioning into the cooling air channel walls situated opposite one another in the form of rounded surfaces without corners and edges.

For cooling and air conditioning of motor vehicles, as a rule, compact units, named hereinafter HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning devices), are used, which contain the components necessary for the requirement. One component required within an HVAC unit is the fan, which directs air through the HVAC unit for purposes of treatment, for example purification or conditioning. The air is brought to the fan in recirculation mode from the vehicle interior, in fresh-air mode from the vehicle exterior, or in mixed mode in the form of a mixture of fresh and recirculated air. Along with mechanical power at the impeller, the electric motor also generates waste heat, which as a rule is removed by means of air circulation. For this, on the compression side of the fan, an interface is inserted into the air flow, which delivers the amount of air necessary for cooling the motor. The heated air then flows out of the electric motor back to the suction side of the fan.
High air velocities along with the arrangement and geometry of the HVAC interface to the cooling air channel of the motor very often result in tonal effects, which have a negative impact on the acoustic properties of the air conditioner. In most cases, interfaces that have straight edges or corners are used, which in the air flow lead to more or less severe disturbances and, often associated therewith, to tonal effects.
JP 2008 203502 A describes a fan in which a portion of the air flowing in an output passage of a spiral-shaped air flow path is directed into an intake opening of a cooling air passage through an air supply channel, which—proceeding from an air inlet opening—is uniformly curved in an S shape. Since the air supply channel—proceeding from the intake opening of the cooling air passage—has an S shape with a plurality of curves, only little resonance noise that is generated in the cooling air passage emerges through the air supply channel into the output passage. The fan is thereby intended to reduce disturbing resonance noises from the cooling air passage and simultaneously ensure a sufficient air volume for motor cooling.
The object of the invention is to define a geometry of the HVAC interface to the cooling air passage of the fan which has as little negative impact as possible on the main airflow, and also does not detrimentally alter the acoustic behavior, if possible. Additionally, it is the goal to supply the cooling air passage to the fan with the required air quantity under all operating conditions if possible, and as much as possible to prevent dirt and moisture from penetrating.


The present invention discloses a short-range optical amplification module, which includes, sequentially from the image side to the object side, a reflective polarizing plate, a first phase delay plate, a third lens and a second phase delay plate, wherein the short-range optical amplification module further includes a first lens and/or a second lens that are/is located on either side of any one of the reflective polarizing plate, the first phase delay plate, the third lens and the second phase delay plate. In the third lens, the optical surface adjacent to the second phase delay plate is a transflective optical surface; the reflection surface-containing focal length f3 of the third lens meets the following condition: 1F≤f3≤2F, wherein F is the focal length of the short-range optical amplification module. By performing parameter refining on the f3 that influences the optical amplification effect, the module can keep a small overall thickness while obtaining a large optical amplification effect and it can be applied in a small-size VR device, so that the VR device can realize a wide field angle, a large eyebox and high-quality imaging effect, and hence a better user experience.

At present, a short-range optical amplification modules has already been disclosed. In order to meet the imaging quality requirement, the module usually comprises a plurality of optical devices. As shown in FIG. 1, it includes, sequentially from the image side to the object side, a reflective polarizing plate 01, a first phase delay plate 02, a lens unit 03 and a second phase delay plate 04. In the lens unit 03, the optical surface adjacent to the second phase delay plate 04 is a transflective optical surface. In use, the optical image from the object side is transmissively amplified by the lens unit 03, then reflected by the reflective polarizing plate 01, and again amplified by the lens unit 03, and finally enters the human eye via the reflective polarizing plate 01. In the optical amplification module, the lens unit is the core part that influences the amplification effect on the optical image.
Since each optical device takes a certain amount of installation space, the size and volume of an optical amplification module consisting of a plurality of optical devices are usually both very large, which especially cannot meet the compact and ultrathin structure requirement for an intelligent Virtual Reality (VR). Therefore, a short-range optical module that has high amplification factor in a small space needs to be designed for application in VR devices. Moreover, VR devices focus on providing better user experience, which requires that a VR device should achieve a wide field angle, a large eyebox and high-quality imaging effect, etc. Such technical objects are directly related to the optical features of the above lens assembly.
Therefore, in order to attain the above objects, parameters need to be set for the lens assembly in a short-range optical amplification module, so that the above objects can be realized within the whole range of use of the VR device.

Short-range optical amplification module, spectacles, helmet and VR system

Shenzhen Dlodlo New Technology Co., Ltd.


Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone devices and methods for packaging the same include a package housing, an interior lid, and an integrated MEMS microphone die. The package housing includes a sound port therethrough for communicating sound from outside the package housing to an interior of the package housing. The interior lid is mounted to an interior surface of the package housing to define an interior lid cavity, and includes a back volume port therethrough. The MEMS microphone die is mounted on the interior lid over the back volume port, and includes a movable membrane. The back volume port is configured to allow the interior lid cavity and the MEMS movable membrane to communicate, thereby increasing the back volume of the MEMS microphone die and enhancing the sound performance of the packaged MEMS microphone device.

1. Field
Embodiments of the invention relate to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone devices and methods for packaging the same.
2. Description of the Related Technology
MEMS microphone dies are often secured within a package for environmental protection, for acoustic back volume and to aid in connecting the die to a larger circuit. The package can include a package lid mounted to a package substrate, and an aperture can be formed through some portion of the package to allow audio signals to reach the microphone.
It can be important for a back volume of a MEMS microphone die to be relatively large. For example, microphone sensitivity of the die can be improved by increasing the back volume. There is a need for improved packaging of integrated microphone devices, including packages with increased acoustic back volume.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Packages and methods for packaging MEMS microphone devices


A manufacturing process for reducing magnetic spacing loss in a magnetic recording head. The recession of the transducer relative to the substrate at the air bearing surface is decreased by applying a coating of sacrificial material such as diamond-like carbon to the upper surfaces of the substrate, the transducer, and the encapsulation material such as alumina prior to final kiss lapping. The recession due to the alumina being softer than the substrate is greatly reduced since the DLC is kiss-lapped.

In hard disk drives, data is written to and read from magnetic recording media, herein called disks, utilizing magnetoresistive (MR) transducers commonly referred to as MR heads. Typically, one or more disks having a thin film of magnetic material coated thereon are rotatably mounted on a spindle. An MR head mounted on an actuator arm is positioned in close proximity to the disk surface to write data to and read data from the disk surface.
During operation of the disk drive, the actuator arm moves the MR head to the desired radial position on the surface of the rotating disk where the MR head electromagnetically writes data to the disk and senses magnetic field signal changes to read data from the disk. Usually, the MR head is integrally mounted in a carrier or support referred to as a slider. The slider generally serves to mechanically support the MR head and any electrical connections between the MR head and the disk drive. The slider has an air bearing surface (ABS), which allows it to fly over and maintain a uniform distance from the surface of the rotating disk. Alternatively, the slider may be designed to just barely remain in contact with the rotating disk during operation, as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,151, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Typically, an MR head includes an MR read element to read recorded data from the disk and an inductive write element to write data to the disk. The read element includes a thin magnetoresistive sensor stripe sandwiched between two magnetic shields that are electrically connected together but are otherwise isolated. A constant current is passed through the sensor stripe, and the resistance of the sensor stripe varies in response to a previously recorded magnetic pattern on the disk. In this way, a corresponding varying voltage is detected across the sensor stripe. The magnetic shields help the sensor stripe to focus on a narrow region of the disk, hence improving the spatial resolution of the read head.
Earlier MR sensors operated on the anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) effect in which a component of the read element resistance varied as the square of the cosine of the angle between the magnetization and the direction of sense current flowing through the read element. Most current disk drive products utilize a different, more pronounced magnetoresistive effect known as the giant magnetroresistive (GMR) or spin valve effect. This effect utilizes a layered magnetic sensor that also has a change in resistance based on the application of an external magnetic field.
Competitive pressures within the computer industry require progressively increasing storage capacity within a given footprint for a disk drive. To provide this increased storage capacity, it is necessary to increase the areal density of data stored on the disk. Increasing areal density drives other constraints. It is desirable for the read sensor to be located closer to the disk in order to compensate for the smaller flux levels provided from the smaller area on the disk where a given bit of data is recorded. The magnetic field detected by the sensor in the vicinity of the disk increases exponentially as the sensor is moved closer to the disk.
Taking on increased prominence is the recession of the read/write transducer and the surrounding aluminum oxide (Al2O3), known as pole tip recession (PTR) and alumina recession (ALR), respectively. Current read/write heads are produced by depositing a series of thin films on top of a substrate that may be composed of a harder material such as Al2O3—TiC (titanium carbon). The transducer is largely composed of materials such as nickel iron (NiFe) and is surrounded by the Al2O3. The transducer and alumina materials are significantly softer than the substrate. When the entire structure of the deposited layers on the substrate is lapped back to create the air bearing surface, the amount of alumina and transducer lapped away is greater than the amount of substrate that is lapped away. This results in an air bearing surface that is not planar. Instead, the alumina portion of the ABS is recessed relative to the substrate portion of the ABS. This is similarly the case for the portion of the transducer along the ABS. There may be some difference between the relative heights of the transducer and the alumina on the ABS due to masking, etching, and other factors. As can be appreciated, the recession of the transducer relative to the ABS increases the spacing between the transducer and the disk.
In prior art disk drives, this amount of recession was not a significant percentage of the spacing of the transducer relative to the disk. As fly heights decrease, however, in order to achieve stronger signal levels and allow for increased data density, the PTR is becoming a more significant contributor to magnetic spacing loss.
Others have attempted to minimize PTR in magnetic recording heads by modifying the various lapping attributes such as diamond size and the composition of the slurry material. In addition, others have modified various cleaning attributes that are utilized in the sputter etch cleaning process prior to carbon overcoat deposition, such as sputter etching, which uses high energy atoms to burn away organics. Different gases, pressures, and voltages have been experimented with.
Most existing magnetic recording heads have been produced with time-based lapping procedures that have less precise control than is available today. For example, in years past it may have been typical to lap away 100 angstroms of material with a precision of plus or minus 20 angstroms. In addition, it is also now possible to utilize the transducer as a sensor during the lapping operation. For example, it is possible to measure the resistance of the GMR read sensor while lapping (or during breaks in the lapping process) to determine when a desired amount of lapping has occurred so that the desired stripe height for the sensor can be achieved.
Many challenges remain in order to reduce magnetic spacing loss. It is against this background and a desire to improve on the prior art that the present invention has been developed.

Method for reducing pole and alumina recession on magnetic recording heads


The invention is an educational demonstration designed to help students better understand the concepts of torque and the inverse square law. A variable torque pulley consists of a rigid overlapping spiral shape member and a rigid circular member. The circular member is attached to the spiral shaped member as one integral piece, each incorporating a groove around the perimeter to act as a guide for a length of string. The circular member acts as a pulley and the spiral shape member acts as a lever. The variable torque pulley rotates in a circular fashion pivoting on an axle about its center. String is used with the circular member to rotate the apparatus. String is used with the spiral shape member for the hanging of a weight. The axle acts as the fulcrum for the spiral shape member. The shape of the spiral is important because as the variable torque lever rotates, the weight moves toward the fulcrum and the torque drops off in harmony with the inverse square law.

This invention relates to educational demonstrations, and more specifically to the apparatus of a variable torque pulley which is used to demonstrate the principles of torque and the inverse square law.
Essentially the magnitude of all the forces at work, which we experience in our macroscopic world, vary with distance according to the inverse square law, such as the gravitational force, the magnetic force, and the electric force. Some examples of this are the following: The gravitational force between any two objects varies inversely with the square of their separation. The magnetic force between a magnet and a piece of iron varies inversely with the square of their separation. The electromagnetic force that binds atoms and molecules together is an electric force between charged elementary particles such as protons and electrons. This force varies as the inverse square of the separation of the particles. These concepts are abstract and difficult to understand, for it is not easy for most students to visualize this force distance relationship. This invention solves that problem by providing a physical demonstration that students can touch feel and experience for themselves to help them better understand the laws of the natural world.
In accordance with the present invention a variable torque pulley consists of a rigid overlapping spiral shape member and a rigid circular member. The circular member is attached to the spiral shaped member as one integral piece, each incorporating a groove around the perimeter to act as a guide for a length of string. The circular member acts as a pulley and the spiral shape member acts as a lever. The variable torque pulley rotates in a circular fashion pivoting on an axle about its center. String is used with the circular member to rotate the apparatus. String is also used with the spiral shape member for the hanging of a weight. The axle acts as the fulcrum for the spiral shape member. The shape of the spiral is important because as the variable torque pulley rotates, the weight moves toward the fulcrum and the torque drops off in harmony with the inverse square law. The invention helps students to better understand the concept of the inverse square law by providing a dynamic and tangible demonstration. The demonstration is interactive; such that it allows the student to feel the gravitational force of an object, in this case a weight, change with distance according to the inverse square law. Furthermore the invention allows students to visualize the concept of torque as a vector product consisting of both a force and a length of lever arm as the length of the arm changes. After finishing the experiment, the student can plot what he or she is visualizing and gain important practice with his or her graphing skills.

Method for demonstrating the inverse square law and apparatus therefor


The present disclosure relates to a machining head for a gear manufacturing machine having at least one driven motor spindle and at least one counter-spindle, wherein a tool arbor having at least one tool arranged thereon is mounted between the motor spindle and the counter-spindle, and wherein at least one balancing device is integrated within the driven motor spindle and at least one balancing device is integrated within the counter-spindle.

Tools, specifically dressable grinding tools, have to be balanced to achieve high-quality work results. Depending on whether the tool arbor has one or more disc-shaped tools and/or one or more cylindrical tools, the tools may be balanced in one balancing plane or in two balancing planes.
Imbalances are rotary forces which arise with rotating bodies when the masses of the rotating bodies are asymmetrically distributed about a center. If a body rotates about an axis of rotation, outwardly acting centrifugal forces arise. If the mass is uniformly distributed in the rotational body, the centrifugal forces cancel each other out and the body remains in situ during the rotation. If, in contrast, the mass is unevenly distributed, additional forces and torques act on the body which cause a relative movement of the rotational body with respect to the axis of rotation. As a result, if the body is fixed into position by a bearing, strain may arise on the bearing.
There are two types of imbalance which can also occur in combination, namely static and dynamic imbalances. If the mass body is seen as a small slim disk having a mass the centers of mass are at the same spacing n and in the same direction with respect to the axis of rotation. This has the consequence with a static imbalance that the center of mass of the rotational body does not lie on the axis of rotation, but rather that the central principal axis of inertia is parallel at a spacing e from the axis of rotation. Centrifugal forces thus act perpendicular to the axis of rotation while the mass body rotates and can no longer be compensated. The imbalance Ui is produced which is defined as the product of the point mass mi and its spacing ri from the axis of rotation. This static imbalance can be measured in a stationary state. For example, an imbalance scale can measure the static imbalance of grinding wheels.
With a dynamic imbalance, the center of mass of the rotational body lies on the axis of rotation, but the principal axis of inertia is at an angle relative to the axis of rotation. The reason for this is that the center of mass of the individual discs does not lie on the axis of rotation. Considered on their own, these small discs therefore have centrifugal forces generating an imbalance. The imbalance forces admittedly add up to zero, i.e. no forces are produced in a lateral direction; however, since they lie on parallel lines of application, they result in a moment load acting on the rotational body. A so-called bending moment therefore arises during the rotation. A non-uniform wobbling rotational movement is produced as a result. The dynamic imbalance can only be measured with a rotating rotational body. With technical rotational bodies, a general dynamic imbalance is typically present, i.e. a combination of static and dynamic imbalance.
An imbalance in tool holders arises when defects in design, drawing, material, production or installation are present. In addition to the named defects, imbalances can furthermore occur with dressable grinding tools due to different material densities or different amounts of coolant flowing to the grinding tool.
Tools having a large amount of imbalance have a negative effect on many aspects of machining. For example, an imbalanced tool may produce a poorer surface quality in machined workpieces due to vibrations at a tool holder holding the tool, oscillations at the tool holder, a restriction of achievable cutting speeds, reduced production accuracy, and/or increased down time of the tools due to uneven blade wear.
To avoid these negative effects, it is recommended to balance the tool holder or, even better, to balance the tool holder with clamped tool, in accordance with technically feasible and economically meaningful balance quality. During balancing, the asymmetrical mass distribution of the tool holder is compensated in that either mass is attached, mass is removed or mass is displaced. It is the aim of the balancing to restrict bearing forces, bearing vibrations and wave deformations to acceptable values.
To compensate an imbalance, it must first be analytically determined using measurement processes. The centrifugal forces which occur are measured by means of vibration sensors and the imbalance and the required imbalance compensation are calculated. The required adaptations at the tool system are then carried out using data. Such tools are balanced either on a separate balancing machine and/or on the manufacturing machine. Tools which are dressed on a manufacturing machine also change their balance state due to the dressing process. It is therefore always advantageous in such a case to balance these tools still on the manufacturing machine.
Attempts to address imbalance include a balancing system European Patent No. 1 870 198 A1. Therein, a balancing system for balancing a grinding wheel is shown which is arranged directly below the grinding tool in the tool arbor. The balance state of the tool is detected via a corresponding sensor system and is evaluated by a processing unit. Control signals are output to the balancing unit as the result of the evaluation to adjust the balancing weights accordingly.
However, the inventors herein have recognized potential issues with such systems. As one example, such systems are well-suited for wide tools and large worm diameters since the tool bore is dimensioned sufficiently, and the tool arbor offers sufficient room for the accommodation of the balancing heads. However, as the available space is reduced, the size of the balancing weights used and the maximum compensable imbalance are also reduced. Large imbalances must, however, in particular often be corrected with fast-turning tools.
If furthermore workpieces are to be machined which are collision-prone, the use of grinding worms having very small diameters or of grinding wheels with very small grinding wheel diameters or a combination of the two is necessary. These systems generally are not appropriate for tools with very small diameters since the tool arbor for receiving the grinding tools has to have a certain minimum diameter for receiving the balancing head.
The object of the present application is to provide an innovative construction of a machining head for a gear generating machine, the machining head comprising a balancing system for small-dimension tools or tool arbors for the gear machining or machining in this manner of workpieces which are in particular collision prone. These small tool diameters are selected when otherwise too large a tool diameter would produce an unwanted collision between the tool and diameters adjacent to the gearing or further gearings at the workpiece.
This object is achieved by a machining head for a gear manufacturing machine, comprising: at least one driven motor spindle including at least one balancing device integrated within the at least one driven motor spindle; at least one counter-spindle including at least one balancing device integrated within the at least one counter-spindle; and a tool arbor having at least one tool arranged thereon mounted between the motor spindle and the counter-spindle.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a machining head for a gear manufacturing machine is proposed which comprises at least one driven motor spindle for receiving a tool arbor. A balancing device for correcting imbalances of the received tool is integrated in accordance with the present disclosure within the driven motor spindle. The tool arbor is received at both sides, i.e., on the one hand, by the motor spindle, and on the other hand, by an oppositely disposed counter-spindle. The counter-spindle also comprises at least one integrated balancing device. The balancing devices of the motor spindle and of the counter-spindle preferably comprise balancing weights or balancing heads whose positions can be adjusted to compensate an imbalance (e.g., the components distributed over the motor spindle and the counter-spindle can form a common two-plane balancing system for compensating an imbalance).
The integration of the balancing device into the motor spindle or counter-spindle allows the reception of different tool arbors or the use of different tools independently of their diameters. Tools, in particular grinding wheels or grinding worms, having very small diameters can thereby be used in particular to manufacture gears on workpieces prone to collisions. The minimum tool bore diameter in this respect depends on the required balancing capacity to be achieved. The greater the required capacity, the greater the mounting bore for the balancing system has to be. In this respect, tool bore diameters below 50 mm are, for example, no longer suitable to integrate a conventional balancing system in accordance with the prior art into the tool arbor.
Not only the use of different tool arbors having particularly small diameters is made possible by the integration of the balancing devices within the motor spindle or counter-spindle, but any projecting edges are also omitted which possibly arise due to the arrangement of the balancing devices at or around the tool arbor. The integrated balancing devices in particular do not influence the possible shift path of the tool or of the tool arbor in the V direction, i.e. along the axis of rotation of the tool. This is in particular of advantage in gear manufacturing machining or gear grinding machining since here different regions of a tool are brought into engagement with the workpiece by a shift in the direction of the V axis. It is likewise conceivable to arrange a plurality of the same tools or also of different tools on the tool arbor such as a grinding wheel or a grinding worm which can be alternately brought into engagement with the workpiece by a shift movement. The complete integration of the balancing devices within the motor spindle or the counter-spindle does not influence the maximum shift movement.
The balancing devices of the motor spindle and/or of the counter-spindle are ideally completely or at least almost completely encompassed within the housing of the motor spindle or of the counter-spindle. For example, the balancing device of the motor spindle can be arranged within the rotor, while the balancing device of the counter-spindle is within the spindle shaft rotatably supported there.
The balancing devices of the motor spindle and/or counter-spindle can each comprise one or more balancing weights, for example, which are adjustable in the radial direction of the respective spindle so that compensation can take place by radial displacement of the balancing weights in dependence on the measured vibrations. An embodiment is likewise conceivable having a plurality of radially arranged chambers having different liquid quantities. The balance state of the spindles can be varied by a controlled variation of the filling level of the liquid chambers.
An alternative embodiment of the balancing device can be based on at least one balance weight per balancing device/balancing plane, which is electromechanically adjustable about the middle axis by means of at least one motor. A balancing in two balancing planes can thereby be implemented.
An arrangement of the balancing device within the motor spindle or within the counter-spindle behind or below the front spindle bearing is particularly preferred. The front spindle bearing corresponds to the bearing which is arranged spatially closer to the tool arbor.
At least one vibration sensor, preferably at least one acceleration sensor, is provided to detect any imbalances, ideally a vibration sensor per balancing plane and thus respectively one for the motor spindle and a further vibration sensor for the counter-spindle. The vibration sensors preferably serve the recording of the vibrations during gear manufacturing machining, ideally vibrations of the total system of tool arbor, received tools and spindles. The vibration sensors can preferably be in communication with a control. The control determines control pulses for setting the balancing systems from the vibration signals, said control pulses having to be transmitted contactlessly via signal transmitters into the balancing devices.
One or more signal transmitters can be provided to transmit the correction signal determined in the control back to the balancing device after the imbalance signals have been converted into correction values within the control. The signal transmitters can, for example, be arranged at the rear end, i.e. at the end disposed opposite the tool arbor, of the motor spindle or of the counter-spindle.
The machining head can in particular be designed such that the spacing between the counter-spindle and the motor spindle can be variably set. The machining head can thereby be usable for different tool lengths in that it is variably adjustable per tool length or tool arbor length. This flexible configuration possibility first arises in that the balancing device is encompassed in the motor spindle or in the counter-spindle and is not attached to or in the tool arbor itself.
The machining head is in particular dimensioned for very small grinding wheels or small grinding worms. Such small-dimension tools are preferably operated at high speeds of revolution. The motor spindle is accordingly preferably designed for a spindle speed of more than 8,000 revolutions per minute.
In addition to the machining head, the present disclosure likewise relates to a gear manufacturing machine for grinding gearings using at least one machining head in accordance with the present disclosure or with an advantageous embodiment of the present disclosure. The gear manufacturing machine is consequently characterized by the same advantages and properties as the machining head in accordance with the present disclosure so that a repeat description is omitted at this point.
The gear manufacturing machine comprises at least one control which can be communicationally connected to one or more vibration sensors and signal transmitters of the machining head or corresponding evaluation electronics. The control is in particular suitable for receiving one or more vibration parameters from the vibration sensors and for generating corresponding adjustment values for the one or more balancing devices of the motor spindle and/or counter-spindle in dependence on the received vibration parameters. The control parameters are ideally likewise generated in dependence on the current spindle speed of the motor spindle and/or on the current angular position of the motor spindle/counter-spindle to compensate imbalances detected by means of the vibration sensors.
Further advantages and properties of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail in the following with reference to various embodiments.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.
FIGS. 1-4 are shown to scale, though other relative dimensions may be used.

Machining head having a balancing device


The current disclosure is directed to a hydrogen-storage system that employs catalytic dehydrogenation of low-molecular-weight amines in a hydrogen reactor. The hydrogen-storage system comprises aliphatic amines and di-amines as organic carriers that store hydrogen covalently, a hydrogen reactor that releases and separates hydrogen gas from the carrier, and metal or metal-oxide catalysts that promote a dehydrogenation reaction to release hydrogen. In certain implementations, a metal or metal-oxide catalyst may be carried on high-surface-area support materials, such as gamma-alumina and metal-organic-framework materials, to enhance catalytic properties. The hydrogen reactor may be a packed-bed reactor, a monolith reactor, or a flow-through hydrogen-membrane reactor. In one implementation, the flow-through hydrogen-membrane reactor comprises an inlet through which the organic hydrogen carrier flows into the reactor, a hydrogen-separation membrane selectively permeable to hydrogen, a recirulation outlet for removing unspent organic carrier, and a hydrogen outlet for releasing hydrogen and reaction byproducts. The spent organic carrier are collected and hydrogenated to regenerate the original fuel.

Hydrogen storage is a technical barrier that currently inhibits widespread use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. While many methods for hydrogen storage have been proposed, such as compressed hydrogen, metal hydrides, cryogenic hydrogen, organic liquid hydrogen carriers, and chemical hybrids, each method has drawbacks. Organic liquid hydrogen carriers represent an attractive technology. Organic liquid hydrogen carriers undergo reversible hydrogenation and dehydrogenation to store and release hydrogen gas. However, dehydrogenation reactions are thermodynamically unfavorable, are therefore generally conducted at elevated temperatures and in the presence of catalysts, and are commonly associated with various undesired side reactions. Development of a thermodynamically balanced hydrogenation/dehydrogenation system for hydrogen storage and release is one challenge that many researchers and developers seek to meet in the course of establishing a hydrogen-base economy.

Hydrogen storage system by catalytic dehydrogenation of amines


In a back lighting device for a side light type panel, one end portion of a specular or light diffusing/reflecting film covering a linear light source is bonded to one end portion of a light conducting plate which is on the side of its light emerging surface and is in proximity of the linear light source, and a light diffusing/reflecting film is laid through an air layer on the part of the rear surface of the light conducting plate which corresponds to the junction. The back lighting device of the invention is small in size, large in effective light emitting area when compared with its external dimensions, and excellent in the distribution of luminance. Hence, it can be used as a back light device that is highly efficient in converting power to luminance.

This invention relates to a back lighting device for illuminating transmissive or semi-transmissive panels from the rear side.
Recently, liquid crystal display devices with a back lighting mechanism which are thin and allow easy viewing of information, have been used with lap-top or book type word processors or computers. The back lighting mechanism in common use adopts an "edge lighting" method in which a linear light source, such as a fluorescent tube, is provided at one end portion of a transmissive light conducting plate as shown in FIG. 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, one surface of the light conducting plate is often partially covered with a light diffusing material having a higher refractive index than the material of the light conducting plate, and the one surface thus covered is almost entirely covered with a specular reflecting plate or light diffusing/reflecting plate.
On the other hand, in order to improve the performance of word processors or personal computers, there have been strong demands for miniaturization, improvement in visibility, and increase in the efficiency of the conversion of power to luminance thereof.


An apparatus and a method are provided for assessing the condition of the lumbar spine of a patient. The apparatus comprises a pelvis restraint for holding the patient's pelvis fixed, a harness adapted to be secured in a fixed orientation to the patient above the lumbar spine, the harness being connected to the pelvis restraint and movable relative thereto and the harness being spring biased to a neutral position and rotatable therefrom in a first or second rotational direction against the spring biasing, and, a torque measurement device associated with the harness for measuring torque generated by the patient who twists his back in the first rotational direction and in the second rotational direction.

The human spine is an essential load bearing component in the human skeleton. Damage to the spine may render the injured person uncomfortable, disabled or incapacitated. Any injury to the spine will likely cause at least some discomfort, immobility or pain.
Spine injuries are common. Statistics indicate that about one in every four adults suffers at some point from back or back-related problems. Many injuries of the spine occur in the lumbar region of the spine. In common everyday activities, such as lifting, sports, extended sitting, and at work, the lumbar spine is exposed to stress, and consequently to injury or re-injury. In certain activities, particularly occupational activities, stress, including torsional stress, may be repeatedly applied to the spine.
The lumbar spine can be injured in essentially two ways--namely, excessive compression or excessive torsion. If the former occurs, the most common result is a damaged vertebral end plate. The lumbar spine is relatively resistant to compression injury. The remedy is preferably rest. Corrective surgery is rarely required.
If excessive torsion or twisting occurs, the most common result is a damaged intervertebral disc. In extreme cases, the nucleus of an injured disc may rupture the annulus of the disc and protrude therethrough. Such a protruded disc, or "slipped disc" as it may colloquially be called, may pinch the spinal nerves causing extreme leg pain, or even paresis or paralysis. Corrective surgery to remove disc protrusions or even entire discs may be required. A series of relatively minor torsional injuries, if not properly identified and allowed to heal, may result in a significantly weakened disc, which may be susceptible to more serious injury. The lumbar spine is more susceptible to injury by torsion than by compression. Continued twisting toward an injured side may aggravate the injury and interfere with the healing process.
Torsion injuries can occur independently in the two rotational directions.
Some injuries can, of course, involve some combination of the above basic injury modes.
If a patient complains of back pain, it is critical that a proper diagnosis or assessment of the spine be made in order to determine whether there has been any injury to the lumbar spine and, if so, the nature and extent of the injury. Depending on the true nature of any injury, then different treatment regimens will be prescribed. The problem is that, practically speaking, it can very difficult for a medical practitioner to assess the condition of the lumbar spine and the precise nature of the injury. Very few tools are available to assist the medical practitioner in conducting the assessment.

Method and apparatus for assessing the lumbar spine


The source-drain paths of first and second N-channel MOS transistors are series-connected between a first node to which a first power source voltage is applied and a second node to which a ground voltage is applied. The gate of the first MOS transistor is supplied with an input signal and the gate of the second MOS transistor is supplied with a signal obtained by inverting the input signal by means of a CMOS inverter. The inverter is supplied with a second power source voltage which is independent from the first power source voltage as an operation power source voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a level shifting circuit constructed by MOS transistors, and more particularly, to a level shifting circuit in which the amplitude of an output signal is prevented from being fully swung to the power source voltage.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows the construction of a conventional level shifting circuit for shifting the amplitude of a CMOS logic level signal to a lower level. For example, this type of level shifting circuit is disclosed in FIG. 1 of Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 55-146965. In the level shifting circuit of FIG. 1, the drain-source path of an N-channel MOS transistor N1 is connected between a power source node applied with a positive-side power source voltage Vcc and an output terminal and the drain-source path of an N-channel MOS transistor N2 is connected between the output terminal and a power source node applied with a ground voltage Vss. The gate of the N-channel MOS transistor N2 is supplied with an input signal IN and the gate of the N-channel MOS transistor N1 is supplied with a signal obtained by inverting the input signal IN by means of a CMOS inverter INV1. Both of the N-channel MOS transistors N1 and N2 are of enhancement type.
When an input signal IN of "H" level is input to the above level shifting circuit, the MOS transistor N1 is turned off and the MOS transistor N2 is turned on so that an output signal OUT will be set to an "L" level. The "L" level of the output signal OUT obtained at this time is a ground level. When the input signal IN of "L" level is input, the MOS transistor N1 is turned on and the MOS transistor N2 is turned off so that the output signal OUT will be set to an "H" level. At this time, the "H" level of the output signal OUT is not raised to the power source voltage Vcc and is set to a level "Vcc-VthN1" obtained by subtracting the threshold voltage VthN1 of the N-channel MOS transistor N1 from the power source voltage Vcc. Thus, in the level shifting circuit of FIG. 1, the "H" level side is shifted to a lower level.
FIG. 2 shows a general layout obtained when the circuit of FIG. 1 is set in a package as a semiconductor integrated circuit. A semiconductor integrated circuit (chip) 12 is mounted on a bed 11 of a lead frame by die bonding. P-channel and N-channel MOS transistors 13 and 14 constructing the inverter INV1, an internal metal wiring 15 for supplying the power source voltage Vcc to the MOS transistors N1 and 13, an internal metal wiring 16 for supplying the ground voltage Vss to the MOS transistors N2 and 14, bonding pads 17-1 to 17-4 and the like are formed in the chip 12. The bonding pads 17-1 to 17-4 are respectively connected to inner leads 19-1 to 19-4 of the lead frame via boding wires 18-1 to 18-4.
As shown in FIG. 2, the drain of the MOS transistor N1 is connected to the source of the P-channel MOS transistor 13 of the inverter INV1 via the wiring 15 in the semiconductor integrated circuit, and therefore, the potentials of the drain of the MOS transistor N1 and the source of the MOS transistor 13 are set substantially equal to each other. As a result, a variation in the potential occurring in one of the drain and source gives an influence to the other of the drain and source. Then, the following problem occurs in the conventional circuit.
Assume now that the output signal voltage VOUT is set at the Vss level (which is hereinafter referred to as an "L" level) in the initial condition, that is, when the input signal voltage VIN is set at the Vcc level (which is hereinafter referred to as an "H" level). At this time, the potential at the output node of the inverter INV1 is set at the "L" level, the MOS transistor N1 is set in the OFF state and the MOS transistor N2 is set in the ON state. Therefore, the output signal VOUT is set to the "L" level.
When the voltage VIN is switched from the "H" level to the "L" level, the conduction state of the MOS transistor N1 is changed from the OFF state to the ON state and the conduction state of the MOS transistor N2 is changed from the ON state to the OFF state. AS a result, a current for driving a load (not shown) connected to the output terminal flows into the current path of the MOS transistor N1. At this time, a voltage variation of L(di/dt) occurs in the drain of the MOS transistor N1 as shown in FIG. 3 by the current variation rate di/dt and an inductance component (parasitic inductance components associated with the internal metal wiring 15, bonding wire 18-1, inner lead 19-1 and the like) L associated with the Vcc line (internal metal wiring 15). That is, a potential bounce occurs in the Vcc line. The potential bounce is transmitted to the output node of the inverter INV1 via the internal metal wiring 15 so that a bounce may occur in the gate potential of the MOS transistor N1.
When the gate potential bounce is not taken into consideration, the output signal voltage VOUT may be raised to "Vcc-VthN1" as describe before and then set to a constant level. The voltage is indicated by broken lines in FIG. 3. However, when the gate potential bounce is taken into consideration, the output signal voltage VOUT set when the output signal OUT is at "H" level becomes larger than "Vcc-VthN1" by an amount .DELTA. under the influence of a potential bounce causing the power source voltage Vcc to exceed the Vcc level. At this time, even if the potential bounce in the power source voltage Vcc becomes lower than Vcc, the output level will not be lowered. This is because the relation "Vcc-VOUT<VthN1" is set up. Thus, if the power source voltage Vcc is set to be higher than the Vcc level to which the power source voltage Vcc will be originally set and VOUT is raised by an amount .DELTA., VOUT is kept set at a raised level even after the power source voltage Vcc is returned to the original voltage level.
If a large number of level shifting circuits having the same construction as the above shifting circuit are formed in a semiconductor integrated circuit, the number of circuits whose outputs are switched increases and L(di/dt) becomes extremely large, the output amplitude becomes larger and may sometimes reach Vcc. Then, a problem that the level-down operation which is the initial purpose cannot be attained occurs. Thus, in the conventional level shifting circuit, there occurs a problem that the potential bounce occurs in the power source line and the upper limit of the output amplitude level cannot be controlled.
The level shifting circuit of FIG. 1 is constructed by the N-channel MOS transistors and the "H" level of the output amplitude is shifted down to "Vcc-VthN1", but the same problem occurs when the level shifting circuit is constructed by P-channel MOS transistors and the "L" level of the output amplitude is shifted up to .vertline.VthP.vertline. (.vertline.VthP.vertline. is the absolute value of the threshold voltage of the P-channel MOS transistor). That is, in this case, a problem of undershoot occurs when the output signal is switched from the "H" level to the "L" level, thereby causing a bounce to occur in the ground potential.

Level shifting circuit for suppressing output amplitude


An acoustic panel for reducing the transmission of noise therethrough is provided. The acoustic panel may include a sound-absorbing surface with a plurality of convex and concave structures. The convex and concave structures may be organized in a regular array and may be spatially arranged to be alternating with one another. A dishwasher may use such an acoustic panel including a panel of sound absorbing material by placing such a panel inside the door, in or around the walls of the tub of a dishwasher, or the panel can also be used to reduce the transmission of noise with other products. A method of inserting a panel of sound-absorbing material into the door of a dishwasher is also provided. The panel may include protrusions extending from one of its surfaces in order to engage a supporting surface of the product to which it is attached.

One issue of interest in the field of dishwashers is to reduce the externally perceptible noise generated by a dishwasher when the dishwasher is in use. However, because of the nature of the device, and the number of components cooperating to circulate the water in the operating unit, such noise reduction generally may be accomplished by analyzing and targeting particular components on an individual basis, such that the overall combined noise produced by the dishwasher is reduced.
Particular areas of interest include the door assembly and the walls surrounding the wash cavity of the dishwasher. The door assembly provides access to the wash cavity of the dishwasher where the dishware is loaded and washed. The water used to clean and rinse the dishware splashes against the tub defining the wash cavity and the door assembly, which transmit noise to the exterior of the dishwasher.
Other sources of noise that may be transmitted through the walls and door assembly include the pumps and fans in or proximate the wash cavity that may operate during the clean, rinse, and dry cycles of the dishwasher, and vibrations created from components of the dishwasher that transmit through the frame of the dishwasher to the walls and door assembly. Also, in some cases, the walls and door assembly may house or contain one or more electronic components that may add to the noise being transmitted to the exterior of the dishwasher.
A door assembly typically includes an inner panel adjacent to the tub of the dishwasher and an outer panel adjacent to the outside environment of the dishwasher. Also, in some embodiments, the door assembly may include an intermediate panel extending between the inner and outer panels.
The tub forms a wash cavity. The tub can comprise a multi-walled structure with internal space between the walls. Additionally, the walls surrounding the wash cavity may further comprise exterior panels which surround the tub and can provide additional internal space between the exterior panels and the tub.


The invention relates to the use of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the diagnosis of Parkinson Disease related neurodegenerative disorders, including (but not limited to) Parkinson's disease (PD) and Parkinson plus syndromes.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, primarily of the substantia nigra in the basal ganglia, that causes resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and gait impairment. PD affects about 1% of the population older than 60 years. It was known to be associated with increased mortality rates, physical disability, non-motor symptoms, and impaired health-related quality of life compared with the quality of life of individuals without PD (Bennett DA, et al., 1996, N Engl J Med 334(2): 71-76; Louis ED, et al., 1997, Arch Neurol 54(3): 260-264).
Conventional Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of the substantia nigra in PD include increased iron-related contrast enhancement (Gorell J M, et al., 1995, Neurology 45 (6):1138-1143) and loss of signal intensity in the lateral portion of the substantia nigra (Minati L, et al., 2007, AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 28(2): 309-313). Although there has been notable progress in studying the correlates of nigral degeneration by means of Magnetic Resonance imaging, techniques that enable accurate differentiation between patients with PD and control subjects remain elusive.
Conventional diffusion coefficients calculated by using the Stejskal-Tanner equation (Stejskal E O, Tanner JE, 1965, J Chem Phys 42(1): 288-292) are based on the assumption in a free and unrestricted medium. However, living tissues are known to be heterogeneous in nature and to comprise of multiple compartments. For these reasons, Diffusion Tensor imaging was proposed to measure the directional dependence of in vivo diffusion and was found to be successful. This technique has been shown to be clinically useful in the detection of white matter diseases (Rose SE, et al. 2000, J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 69(4): 528-530; Werring DJ, et al., 1999, Neurology 52(8): 1626-1632).
In general, water diffusion in living tissue is hindered by interactions with other molecules and cell membranes. Therefore, water in biologic structures often displays non-Gaussian diffusion behavior. MR diffusion kurtosis imaging has been recently proposed as a means of quantifying non-Gaussian water diffusion (Jensen J H, Helpern JA, 2003, Berkeley, Calif.: International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2154; Jensen J H, et al., 2005, Magn Reson Med 53(6): 1432-1440; Jensen J H, Helpern J A, 2010, NMR Biomed 23(7): 698-710). Diffusion Kurtosis is a dimensionless measure of water diffusion as deviated from Gaussian distribution and reflects the changes in structural complexity. The kurtosis of water diffusion has been shown to be altered in different conditions that affect the central nervous system, including malignancy (Raab P, et al., 2010, Radiology 254(3): 876-881) and age-related degeneration (Jensen J H, et al., 2008, J Magn Reson Imaging 28 (6): 1345-1350).
Previous studies have shown the feasibility of using the changes of Diffusion Tensor imaging to investigate neuronal loss in different neurodegenerative diseases (Pfefferbaum A, et is al., 2000, Magn Reson Med 44(2): 259-268; Wang J J, et al., 2010, J Magn Reson Imaging 32(1): 69-75). However, the diffusion tensor imaging findings of Parkinson Disease are controversial (Vaillancourt, D. E., et al., 2009, Neurology 72(16): p. 1378; Chan, L. L., et al., 2007, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 78(12): p. 1383-1468). A precise diffusion model for the gray matter in general and the basal ganglia in particular has not yet been established (Wang J J, et al., 2010, ut supra). Our study results demonstrate that diffusion kurtosis imaging in the basal ganglia can improve the MR based diagnosis of PD.

Method for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorder by using diffusion kurtosis imaging


A longitudinal adjuster (3), for a vehicle seat (1), includes a lower rail (9), an upper rail (11), moveable in relation to the lower rail (9) in a longitudinal direction (x), and a locking unit (13) for locking the upper rail (11) to the lower rail (9). The locking unit (13) includes two locking elements (VR), which, in order to lock the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9), engage in the upper rail and the lower rail in a blocking manner in steps such that one of the locking elements (VR) pre-locks the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9) with play in a pre-locking step and one of the locking elements (VR) locks the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9) without play in a locking step. A vehicle seat (1) including such a longitudinal adjuster (3) is provided.

DE 10 2008 056 683 B4 discloses a longitudinal adjuster which comprises at least one lower rail and at least one upper rail which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the lower rail, and, for the play-free locking of said lower and upper rails, comprises at least two locking units for locking the upper rail in relation to the lower rail.

Longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat, and vehicle seat


The process relates to a continuous mass polymerization process for ABS polyblends wherein a monomer formulation of monoalkenyl aromatic and alkenyl nitrile monomers having a conjugated diene rubber dissolved therein is continuously charged to a first, stirred reaction zone operating at a steady conversion of said monomers of about 5 to 45% forming a partially polymerized first mixture having said rubber dispersed as grafted rubber particles, followed by continuously polymerizing said first mixture in a second stirred reaction zone by substantial linear flow polymerization under evaporative cooling of said monomers to a second partially polymerized mixture containing about 50 to 90% of ABS polyblend solids and separating said solids from said second mixture as an ABS polyblend.

As is well known, polyblends of rubber with styrene/acrylonitrile polymers have significant advantages in providing compositions of desirable resistance to impact for many applications. Such polyblends are known as ABS polymeric polyblends having a matrix phase copolymer of monoalkenyl aromatic and alkenyl nitrile monomers having dispersed therein a conjugated diene rubber grafted with said monomers. Various processes have been suggested or utilized for the manufacture of such polyblends including emulsion, suspension and mass polymerization techniques and combinations thereof. Although graft blends of a monoalkenyl aromatic and alkenyl nitrile monomers and rubber prepared in mass exhibit desirable properties, this technique has a practical limitation upon the maximum degree of conversion of monomers to polymer which can be effected because of the high viscosities and accompanying power and equipment requirements, which are encountered when the reactions are carried beyond a fairly low degree of conversion after phase inversion takes place. As a result, techniques have been adopted wherein the initial polymerization is carried out in mass to a point of conversion beyond phase inversion at which the viscosity levels are still of practical magnitudes, after which the resulting prepolymerization syrup is suspended in water or other inert liquid and polymerization of the monomers carried to substantial completion.
N. E. Aubrey in U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,237 disclosed a mass/suspension method of polymerization styrene/acrylonitrile having diene rubbers dissolved therein with the rubber being grafted, inverted and dispersed as rubber particles under agitation. After phase inversion, the viscous mixture is suspended in water and polymerization is completed producing a polyblend in the form of beads.
Such mass/suspension processes are used commercially, however, present the economic problems of batch operations requiring long cycles at relatively low temperatures to control the heat of polymerization. Continuous mass polymerization processes have great economic advantages if they can be run at higher temperatures and higher rates with the necessary control of the great heats of polymerization. In the case of polyblends, the dispersed rubber phase must be formed and stabilized as to its morphology bringing it through the continuous polymerization of the rigid matrix polymer phase so that the physical properties of the polyblend meet exacting property specifications.
Various methods have been developed for the continuous mass polymerization of polyblends. Ruffing et.al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,243,481 disclose a process wherein diene rubbers are dissolved in monovinylidene aromatic and alkenyl aromatic monomers and polymerized in four reaction zones. Such processes require physically separated reactors providing different reacting conditions for each step of polymerization involving costly multiple reactors and specialized equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,650 discloses a continuous mass polymerization process for ABS polyblends wherein styrene and acrylonitrile monomers and a solvent having a diene rubber dissolved therein are continuously charged to a first back mixed stirred reactor operating at conversion of about 15 to 40% solids followed by further polymerization in a second back mixed reactor operating at 50 to 75% solids. Here, back-mixed stirred reactors running to high solids in the second reactor have the problem of handling the high viscosity experienced in large reactor processes. Because of the high viscosity, heat transfer also becomes a operational problem. Power and cooling problems require that such polymerization process, in large commercial operations, use solvents as diluents to reduce viscosity and aid temperature control. The use of solvents, in amounts of 15 to 20%, then creates the added problems of separating the ABS polyblend from the residual monomers and solvents and recycling such materials to the process on a controlled basis.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,511,895 discloses a process for the continuous polymerization of ABS polyblends wherein a styrene/acrylonitrile monomer solvent mixture is fed to a first back mixed reaction zone operating at least 20% conversion followed by a rubber/monomer solution providing a solids content of 25 to 50%, an effluent from the first reaction zone is fed to a second back mixed reaction zone operating at 55 to 70% solids and an effluent from the second reaction zone is fed to a third back mixed reaction zone operating at 70 to 90% solids with the ABS polyblend being separated from an effluent of the third reaction zone. This process is similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 3,337,650 in that solvents or diluents are needed to reduce viscosity and control temperature.
There exists a need for a continuous mass polymerization process for ABS polyblends that can operate without solvents or diluents and with high conversion rates with a minimum number of reactors and low energy requirements. The towers and separate back-mixed reactors of the prior art used for the final polymerization in the range of 50 to 90% conversion have very low rates of polymerization, hence, require reactors that are substantially larger than the first reaction zone to provide the necessary hold-up time in the reactor to gain high conversion. Such systems have high energy requirements and relatively low polymerization efficiency.
It is the objective of the present invention to provide a process of high polymerization efficiency for ABS polyblends having superior properties.
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a continuous purely mass polymerization process for ABS polyblends that can be operated to high conversion on a large scale without solvents or diluents for cooling and viscosity control.

Mass polymerization process for ABS polyblends