An elongate member of cellulosic material, such as fiber, having a reduced tendency to fibrillation is produced by a solvent-spinning process which includes the steps of: (i) dissolving cellulose in a solvent miscible with water to produce a dope; (ii) forcing the dope through at least one orifice to produce an elongate form; (iii) passing the elongate form through at least one water-containing bath to remove the solvent and produce the elongate member, and (iv) drying the elongate member to produce a dry elongate member, and is characterized in that the pH of each of the baths through which the elongate form and the elongate member pass during processing between production of the elongate form and the drying of the elongate member is maintained at a figure of 8.5 or less.

This invention relates to methods of manufacturing elongate members and has particular reference to methods of manufacturing elongate members of cellulose, further particularly but not exclusively cellulosic fibres.
Methods of producing cellulosic elongate members such as fibres and films are well known.
Cellulosic fibres are formed from polymer molecules consisting of large numbers of anhydro glucose units joined together. Some cellulose fibres are natural, such as cotton; other cellulosic fibres, such as rayon, are produced by regeneration from fibres of vegetable origin such as wood.
Viscose rayon fibre is a regenerated cellulosic fibre produced by the treatment of cellulose by caustic soda and subsequent xanthation to form sodium cellulose xanthate as an intermediate chemical compound. This compound will dissolve in caustic soda and produce a viscose dope. The viscose dope consists of the chemical compound of cellulose, i.e. the sodium cellulose xanthate, in solution in the caustic soda. After filtering, the viscose dope is extruded or spun into an acid bath to produce the fibre. In the acid bath the sodium cellulose xanthate decomposes to regenerate the cellulose.
More recently, processes have been discovered in which the cellulose can be dissolved directly in a solvent without the formation of an intermediate chemical compound. A solution of cellulose in certain solvents, for example tertiary amine-N-oxides (herein referred to as amine oxides), will produce a dope which can be spun directly into a spin bath to form by coagulation an elongate member such as a fibre by dissolving the solvent in the water of the spin bath and recrystallising or precipitating the cellulose. This type of process is referred to herein as "solvent spinning".
After the spinning step in solvent spinning, the fibre is passed through a series of water baths to remove the residual amine oxide still in the cellulose and through bleach and wash baths to produce a cellulosic fibre from which the amine oxide has been removed virtually completely. After the wash baths, the fibre is dried in a conventional drying oven to produce a tow for subsequent processing.
The direct production of cellulosic elongate members, such as fibres, using solvent spinning rather than viscose production has some commercial advantages over the viscose route in that there is much less chemical usage and the equipment required is simpler. However, it has been found that cellulose fibre produced by such a direct solvent-spinning route does have properties different from regenerated cellulose fibre produced by the viscose production process. In particular, it has been found that solvent-spun cellulosic fibre suffers from fibrillation when wet-abraded.
Fibrillation comprises the partial breaking up of the fibre in a longitudinal direction with the formation of small hairs on the fibre. These hairs tend to twist and give the fibre, when looked at under the microscope, a hairy appearance. These hairs, or fibrils, on the fibre give rise to two significant problems; the first problem is the appearance of the fabric and the second problem is the tendency of the fabric to form pills on its surface.
The fibres can be dyed loose, or fabrics woven from undyed material can be dyed in one of two ways. The fabric can either be open-width dyed, which means that the material is dyed on a continuous basis, or the fabric can be rope dyed, which means that the fabric is dyed in a batchwise exhaust-dyeing process.
Each process has its own advantages and disadvantages. Many fabrics are dyed by rope dyeing, which means that small quantities of the fabric can be dyed, and there is less wastage and down-time in the process. Essentially, the fabric is contracted into a rope and then passed into a vat for dyeing purposes. It has been found that, if a fabric is woven or knitted from a solvent-spun cellulosic fibre produced from the direct dissolution of the cellulose in the solvent, then fibrillation occurs during the rope-dyeing process. After dyeing, the fabric has a white-looking surface, a fibrillated or frosted finish which is unacceptable in many cases, particularly if the fabric is dyed to a dark colour, such as dark navy or black, when the fibrils show up as a light white frosting on a dark background. Further washing of the fabric after use can then make the fibrillation effect worse until the garment made from the fabric is visually unacceptable, although physically quite useable.
Although it is possible to open-width dye woven fabrics, it is often not practical to open-width dye knitted fabrics because of the need for relaxation during the dyeing process. Dyeing in the open-width process tends to give a tenser, harsher fabric than rope dyeing.
As is mentioned above, material which has fibrillated during the dyeing process tends to fibrillate further during washing processes, and after repeated washing the fibrils ball up and pill. Because cellulosic fibres formed from solvent systems are inherently strong, the pills are held onto the fibres and do not fall off the fabric. Again this can reduce the attractiveness of fabrics and garments made from fibrillated fibres.
There is therefore a need to produce a way of reducing the tendency to fibrillation in solvent-spun cellulose fabrics produced from a cellulose dope made by the direct dissolution of cellulose in a solvent.


The present invention relates to a device for separating and/or isolating substances in or from a mixture with improved utilization of the capacity of chromatographic media, the device comprising a first chromatography system, a second chromatography matrix downstream of the first chromatography system, and a sensor for detecting the substances present in the fluid. Furthermore, the present invention relates to both the use of said device and a method for separating and/or isolating substances in or from a mixture in a fluid.

The production of a recombinant biotechnological or biopharmaceutical product (protein, virus, RNA, DNA, antibody, coagulation factor, enzyme) involves not only the expression of the target substance in cell cultures in fermenters, which is also referred to as upstream processing (USP), but also the purification of the target substance from contaminants found together in solution (host cell proteins, DNA, RNA, media constituents, undesired viruses, etc.). The latter step is also referred to as downstream processing (DSP). The central step in DSP is the chromatographic separation of the substances situated in the inflow, the feedstream. This involves the binding of certain substances to a solid matrix, which can be a membrane, a particulate gel or a monolith. Fundamentally, chromatographic steps in DSP are carried out in two configurations. Depending on whether the target substance or the target molecule binds to the chromatographic matrix and is then eluted, or resides in the mobile phase and undesired contaminants bind to the matrix, said configurations are referred to as bind-and-elute or as flow-through applications.
The binding capacity of chromatographic matrices both for target molecules or contaminants is limited and the costs can be very high, for example for antibody purification using affinity matrices. Consequently, from the perspective of process economy, a favorable situation ensues when chromatographic matrices are dimensioned as small as possible and the available binding capacity is utilized as fully as possible. This is limited by the fact that there should be avoidance of a loss due to overloading of a column in bind-and-elute mode or of an input of contamination due to an overloading of the chromatographic matrix in flow-through mode. The loading status of a chromatographic matrix can be monitored by means of a sensor, such as, for example, a UV or IR sensor, which is situated at the output side. If the capacity of a matrix is exceeded, this results in a change in the signal intensity at the output of the medium. The attainment of a predefined value can be used as a termination criterion, at which the loading of the column is stopped. An important parameter in this method is the signal-to-noise ratio of customary detectors used in processes, and this can have a direct effect on the losses of target molecule (bind and elute) or on the contamination of the feedstream with secondary components (flow-through).
Therefore and owing to (i) batch-dependent variations in the binding capacity of the chromatographic media, (ii) errors in the case of scaled enlargement of established processes, and (iii) the need to take possible extreme cases into account, for example for variations in the concentration of the molecule in the feedstream, but also in pH and in conductivity, the theoretically available capacity of a chromatographic matrix is in practice not fully utilized in order to be safe. Generally, the utilization of the capacity of the chromatographic matrix is estimated to be only approx. 60%. Although the loss of target molecule or the contamination of the process stream can be avoided in this way, the overdimensioning of the chromatographic matrix leads to an economically unfavorable situation. An optimization of the utilization of the capacity of the chromatographic matrix can therefore provide a large savings potential in process time and in material costs, especially in the case of cost-intensive chromatographic materials such as protein A.
WO 2010/083859 A1 discloses a device and a method for isolating substances from a mixture, the device comprising at least one diffusively operable and one convectively operable chromatography matrix. In the examples mentioned, the connection of the diffusively operable matrix (column) to a smaller convectively operable matrix (membrane adsorber) leads to an improved, i.e., steeper, breakthrough behavior during loading and a twice as high productivity (mg/ml×min). Owing to the combination of a column with a membrane adsorber, it is possible to increase the efficiency of the separation process and to improve the breakthrough behavior of the separation process.
WO 2010/151214 A1 discloses a system which captures the loading status of a chromatographic column, by capturing the input signal of a column via a first detector and also the output signal via a second detector. The ratio of the input signal and the output signal yields conclusions with regard to the loading status of the column. This information can be used in the context of a multistep chromatographic process in order to define the start and stop of different process steps, such as loading for example. The device disclosed in WO 2010/151214 A1 makes it possible to determine binding capacities of chromatographic columns and fundamentally makes use of two sensors in order to ascertain the loading status of a column.
WO 99/34220 A2 discloses a method which can capture via an online detection method the loading status of a chromatographic unit containing a solution consisting of a target molecule and contaminants. In said method, a small portion of the eluate of the chromatographic unit is deflected from the eluate stream into a separate detection unit. The separate detection unit, which can, for example, be a chromatographic structure, ascertains the proportion of contaminants and unbound target molecule in less than 20% of the total elution time. Loading can be terminated when a defined concentration of target molecule in the eluate is exceeded. In this method, it is necessary to divert a portion of the eluate of a chromatographic column into a separate detection unit. A return of the proportion of the eluate which was used for the analysis back into the eluate stream is not envisaged or is made impossible by the chromatographic steps during the analysis and the solvents used.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,581 B2 discloses a system composed of at least three chromatography matrices which are connected to one another by valves and can be continuously operated as a "simulated moving bed" concept. The system is controlled by means of a control unit and refers to UV measurement values of the eluates of the individual units. One function of the structure is the catching of unbound target molecule from the loading solution or wash fraction of a first column by a downstream column, with at least three separately controllable chromatographic matrices being required. It is therefore possible to prevent unbound target molecule from being lost from the process.
EP 1 718 668 B1 discloses a method for purifying antibodies from a solution containing contaminants. In said method, said solution is contacted with a chromatographic matrix on which multimodal ligands have been immobilized. In this connection, the multimodal ligands comprise at least one cation-exchanging group and one aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system. The chromatographic matrix can be particulate, a monolith or a membrane. In this connection, the antibody-containing solution used for loading the matrix is an eluate from an affinity-chromatographic step such as protein A affinity chromatography. Mentioned as possible operating modes of the multimodal chromatography matrix are both the flow-through application, in which only contaminants and, inter alia, also protein A adsorb, and the bind-and-elute application, in which the antibodies and the contaminants adsorb and can then be eluted separately. A switch between the two operating modes can be made by adjusting the pH of the solution after the affinity-chromatographic step. The disclosure mentioned here describes the use of a multimodal chromatography matrix alone or in a two-column arrangement following an affinity-chromatographic step with the goal of a maximally economical purification of antibodies. In the case of the two-column arrangement, the advantages of the combination of two different matrices (affinity chromatography and multimodal cation-exchange chromatography) and thus of two different adsorption modes are paramount. These allow, for example, the binding of washed-out protein A or contaminants which coelute with the antibody from protein A on the multimodal matrix, whereas the antibody remains in the mobile phase or can be eluted separately from the contaminants. Strictly speaking, the loading capacity of the protein A column cannot be utilized more efficiently in this method, since (i) a sensor for detecting the breakthrough following the affinity-chromatographic step is missing, (ii) the flow-through during loading of the affinity-chromatographic column is not guided onto the multimodal matrix and (iii) the eluate of the affinity-chromatographic step is loaded onto the multimodal matrix. Therefore, savings in the capacity of the affinity-chromatographic matrix are barely possible with this method.
When loading a chromatographic column with the feedstream containing a target molecule, the loading operation is frequently prematurely terminated in order to avoid an overloading of the column and thus a loss of target molecule. The available capacity of the column is therefore not fully utilized. Especially in the case of expensive column materials, such as protein A for example, the result is an economically disadvantageous situation. Furthermore, the number of DSP cycles per batch or throughput is generally defined by the size of the available column material. Therefore, a longer total duration and a reduced efficiency of the process can arise as a further consequence.

Device, use of said device, and method for separating substances with an improved utilization of the capacity of chromatographic media


A problem is to provide a sheet-like or thin plate-like coil device that can guarantee a high power transmission efficiency, that has quite little magnetic spurious radiation, that does not cause overheat even in the case of long charge, and that can be manufactured at low cost.

Mr. Ryutaro MORI, the present inventor once proposed a sheet-like or thin plate-like coil device (called planar inductor device), in Japanese Patent Application 2005-346039 (See Patent Document 1), suitable for inductors, transformers, non-contact type power transmission devices or the like.
The above planar inductor device provided various advantages in which a sheet-like or plate-like inductors having intended area can be designed without constraint resulted from coil characteristics, desired power can be obtained corresponding to the area when a pair of devices with the same area are placed facing each other to carry out non-contact type power transmission, and furthermore, free setting of separation cut-off lines can be introduced so that a design flexibility is much improved.
The above planar inductor device, however, had problems still unsolved even now in power transmission efficiency, unnecessary magnetic spurious radiation, unnecessary heat generation, production costs and so on when intended to produce sheet-like or thin plate-like coil devices suitable for inductors or non-contact type power transmission application systems.
Patent Document 1: WO 2007/063884 International Publication Pamphlet

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Abstract: The present coil device is characterized in that two spiral patterns composing a basic pattern are each formed into regular triangle, and are arranged in back to back manner sharing each of base side lines of those two triangles so that the basic pattern is formed into a rhombic S-shape as a whole.


RAPPs comprise a housing, a swash plate with an inclined surface, and a rotor assembly positioned adjacent the swash plate. The swash plate and/or the inclined surface are ceramic. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor-drum having at least one cylinder bore having a piston disposed therein, wherein the piston has a ball-shaped end. A slipper is interposed between the swash plate and the rotor-drum, and includes a socket joint for accommodating the piston ball-shaped end therein. A plastic material may be disposed within the socket joint. The slipper has a ceramic interface surface in contact with the inclined surface. A stator plate is positioned in the housing, and a rotor plate is interposed between the stator plate and the rotor-drum. The stator plate has a ceramic interface surface in contact with the rotor plate. The rotor plate has a ceramic interface surface in contact with the stator plate.

Rotary axial piston pumps (RAPPs) are known in the art and can be constructed for a number of different end-use applications. One category of RAPPs are configured for use in applications, e.g., oil hydraulic transport, that permit the internal components that are subjected to friction to be oil lubricated, thereby helping to reduce the unwanted effects of friction to provide a desired service life.
Another category of RAPPs are configured for use in applications, e.g., water hydraulic transport, that do not permit the internal components subjection to friction to be oil lubricated. In such applications, the RAPPs are configured to use plain water without additives or aides as the only friction lubricating medium.
Conventional RAPPs configured for water hydraulic transport service use internal parts, subjected to friction during use, that are specifically configured to include a polymeric low-friction surface feature. Such a conventional RAPPs comprise metallic piston slippers that include a polymeric surface feature that projects outwardly a small distance from the slipper body metal interface surface. As the piston rotates against a metallic swash plate during RAPP operation, and the polymeric surface feature operates to prevent metal-to-metal contact, thereby reducing friction.
While such RAPPs are configured to address frictional wear effects between adjacent metallic parts during water hydraulic transport use, the use of such RAPPs configured in the manner described require that the water entering the pump be filtered to very high level to remove particulate matter. If unfiltered, the particulate matter in the water can otherwise wear and/or damage polymeric surface feature resulting in metal-to-metal contact, thereby reducing the effective service life of the RAPP. The need to filter the water transported by the RAPPs to protect against unwanted damage and/or reduced service life involves using filtration equipment that adds labor and material costs to the overall cost of operating such RAPPs.
Thus, while RAPPs configured for water transport service are constructed to provide some degree of low friction operation under certain operating conditions, e.g., ultra-clean conditions, it is desired that an RAPP be constructed in a manner that permits a more robust operating parameters in water transport services in terms of both improved service life and in terms of reduced water pretreatment requirements. Specifically, it is desired that an RAPP be constructed in a manner comprising internal parts specially developed and engineered to provide an improved degree of friction reduction performance, thereby extending service life when compared to conventional water transport RAPPs.
It is further desired that such RAPPs comprising such construction provide the improved degree of friction reduction performance in a manner that avoids the need to filter the incoming water to ultra-fine standards, thereby reducing the overall equipment and labor costs associated with RAPP operation. Finally, it is desired that such RAPP be constructed in a manner avoiding the use of exotic materials and/or nonconventional manufacturing techniques, thereby minimizing any such impact on material and manufacturing costs.


Methods for converting toxic waste, including nuclear waste, to quasi-natural or artificial feldspar minerals are disclosed. The disclosed methods may include converting, chemically binding, sequestering and incorporating the toxic waste into quasi-natural or artificial Feldspar minerals. The quasi-natural or artificial feldspar minerals may be configured to match naturally occurring materials at a selected disposal site. Methods for the immediate, long term, quasi-permanent disposal or storage of quasi natural or artificial feldspar materials are also disclosed.

Reprocessing of either spent nuclear fuel, weapon material, entire Uranium (U) or Plutonium (Pu) enrichment, or other variety of isotope production results in liquid waste production. Existing technology requires, that these liquid wastes must be reduced in volume, and consolidated to permit presumably "safe disposal"—storage and safeguarding for an unknown, infinite period of time "until new sustainable technical invention resolve all safety and biohazard issues." The current practice is to dehydrate the liquid waste by heating, then to consolidate the residue by either calcinations or vitrification.

Nano flex HLW/spent fuel rods recycling and permanent disposal


An ammunition magazine for stowing large-caliber ammunition in a miltiary tank. The rack has an intake rack comprising rows of essentially horizontal intake tubes positioned one above and next to another for accommodating shells. The rack can be lowered into the tank's ammunition bunker from above. The intake rack is suspended at the top from an antivibration and shock-absorbing suspension on the bottom of an impact-resistant roofing plate that fits into an opening in the roof of the tank and can be locked into the opening along the edge. The rack has at least one centering pin at the bottom that fits into a receptacle on a base secured to the floor of the ammunition bunker when the rack is lowered in.

The invention concerns an ammunition magazine for stowing large-caliber ammunition in a military tank with an intake rack comprising rows of essentially horizontal intake tubes positioned one above and next to another for accommodating shells, whereby the rack can be lowered into the tank's ammunition bunker from above.
An ammunition magazine of this type is described in U.S. Pat Nos. 4 562 785 and 4 580 482 for example. The magazine described in the latter document is composed of several adjacent intake racks that can be lowered empty into a tank bunker from above and then screwed together. The magazine is conventionally loaded by the crew once the racks have been secured.
This component-by-component introduction of the magazine takes a considerable amount of time, inasmuch as the unfired shells must be removed again once the racks are in place, resulting in multiple stowing and unstowing. The shells can also sustain damage by being shifted around so much, and some can even eventually become unusable.


Three thermoformed polyethylene plastic segments are bolted together to form a truncated triangular inclined climbing wall for attachment to a wooden play structure. The climbing wall is tilted at about a forty-eight degree angle against the play structure, and is fastened by a flange to an elevated deck which is accessible through a wood framed inlet. The climbing wall is staked to the ground, and narrows from a wide, ground-engaging, base, to a narrower summit, which is immediately adjacent the framed inlet. The climbing wall is formed with a number of rock-simulative ledges, which progress from the base to the summit. Each molded ledge preferably has a child-graspable hand grip integrally molded in the riser. The top surfaces of the step-like ledges define treads which are inclined from the horizontal to direct the child's foot inward toward the climbing wall rather than away from the wall and off the structure. To contribute to the rock-simulative visual effect of the thermoformed plastic assembly, polyethylene is extruded with a pattern of streaks or striations which, when molded, simulate the color variations of naturally occurring rock formations. The climbing wall assembly has a single base segment, which may be used alone with a shorter play structure deck. Alternatively, two side-by-side upper segments can be connected to the base segment for attachment to taller play structure ledges. The hypotenuse of the triangle provides both a climbing surface and a means for directing climbing children to the inlet.

Energetic outdoors activities have always enthralled children, and recent parental attitudes towards physical fitness and exercise have contributed to an increased attention to the need to provide children with recurring opportunities for routine moderate physical exertion. With only a small fraction of the nation's children being raised in farm households, most families cannot rely solely on the benefits of rural activities requiring a great deal of space. Restrictive parental schedules and security concerns have also contributed to a need to keep the children close to home for their play activities.
Outdoors play structures economically and effectively address children's exercise needs in the context of play. While once built primarily of steel tubing, many residential play structures are now constructed of treated timbers. These structures can readily be constructed by a hobbyist or craftsman of moderate skill, and the variety of connection systems available make possible a wide range of play structure configurations. Slides, ladders, ropes and rope bridges, tunnels, and balance beams are available for convenient connection to a wooden play structure.
In addition to contributing to physical fitness, play activities also build important mental skills, especially those involving imagination, creative thinking, teamwork and leadership. Play structures which challenge a child's imagination and spark creative play are especially desirable.
Climbing walls of plaster, concrete, or stone have long been used by mountaineers and spelunkers to test their climbing skills and to challenge their stamina and grip strength in a controlled environment. Although such highly vertical walls would be appealing to small children, they are costly and require the use of safety lines, carabineers, and other mechanical equipment not suitable for those of a young age group. Conventional climbing walls, moreover, are typically constructed on site, and hence require a level of skill and cost not readily available to the homeowner.
What is needed is an economical play structure accessory which simulates a rock wall in a manner which is both intriguing and accessible to children, and which can be mass produced for shipping.


An apparatus for generating an intermediate voltage having a value between a positive voltage supply value and a negative supply value. The apparatus has low power dissipation and is dynamically stable over a range of external supply voltages. The apparatus comprises a voltage comparator having first and second input terminals and a control signal output terminal. A reference voltage generator is coupled to the positive voltage supply and generates a reference voltage which is coupled to the first input terminal of the comparator. A device having a zener characteristic is coupled to the positive voltage supply and generates a voltage which is coupled to the second input terminal of the comparator. A current source is coupled to the negative voltage supply and generates a current which is coupled to a terminal, to form the intermediate voltage, and is also coupled to the device to determine the voltage generated thereby. The voltage and the reference voltage are compared in the comparator which generates a control signal proportional to a difference therebetween which is coupled to control the current source.

Certain electronic circuit applications may require intermediate voltages to be generated in addition to the maximum positive and negative supply voltages applied from outside. It is generally known that semiconductor components are designed for certain blocking voltages for reasons of the manufacturing process used. Hence, voltage differences within a component manufactured according to such a process must not exceed the appropriate blocking voltages. For example, the differences in voltages which lie between the base region, insulation/substrate (bulk) terminal and the collector terminal, i.e. its epitaxial regions, in a bipolar NPN transistor fabricated by integrated circuit process. The structure of semiconductor components is known and this aspect needs no further discussion.
Systems are known which provide intermediate voltages over a wide range of supply voltages applied from outside. Intermediate voltage values between those of the applied voltages from may be realized, for example, by a voltage divider. However, such voltage divider methods are characterized by a relatively high power dissipation or by poor dynamic stability, for example, resulting from capacitive coupling between epitaxial regions and the substrate.

Device for generating intermediate voltages


A portion of the memory space, supported by memory chips that are being controlled by a memory controller logic, can be set aside and read requests directed to memory addresses within that portion can be redirected, by the memory controller logic, to other memory addresses at which is stored the data equivalent to the internal data of the memory controller logic that the memory controller logic seeks to return, thereby enabling the memory controller logic to indirectly return data to processes executing on the host computing device. Additionally, requests to write data to specific memory addresses, including memory addresses that can be within the set aside portion, can be interpreted, by the memory controller logic, as commands that the memory controller logic is to perform, and which impact its own internal data including commands to reset values, or start or end data collection, or other like commands.

Modern computer hardware includes memory devices that can comprise multiple memory integrated circuits, such as chips, in combination with memory controller logic hardware integrated circuits, which can also be in a chip form. Typically, such memory devices provide Random Access Memory (RAM) for the computing device and are constructed in standardized forms, such as having a standardized sizing, standardized physical connections, and other like physical construction parameters, thereby enabling such memory devices manufactured by different entities to be interchangeable, replaceable and upgradable. Because the physical connections of, for example, a traditional Dynamic RAM (DRAM) memory module are standardized, they cannot be deviated from without negatively impacting the physical connectivity of such a DRAM memory module. Unfortunately, however, the standardized physical connections of memory modules do not provide for electrical pathways by which data can be obtained from the memory controller logic. Instead, the standardized physical connections of a DRAM memory module only provide for the reading of data from (and the writing of data to) the memory chips themselves. Thus, memory controller logic circuitry does not have a mechanism by which it can return its own internal data to processes executing on the host computing device.

Indirect data return from memory controller logic


A remotely-controlled vehicle is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the vehicle includes components that may be added to an existing vehicle or added at the time of manufacture. The components include at least one of a pneumatic projectile launcher and a water cannon, a rocket launcher having one or more rockets launchable from the vehicle, at least one video camera system for capturing and transmitting video images, and a controller for controlling the projectile launcher, water cannon, rocket launcher, and video camera system. Each of the one or more rockets may include at least one solid-propellant rocket motor, and each of the one or more video camera systems may include at least one video camera mounted for selective orientation in at least one plane.

This application is related, generally and in various embodiments, to remotely controlled vehicles.
Miniature-scale versions of vehicles designed for radio-controlled operation are widely available in toy stores and hobby shops and commonly used by children and adults alike for a variety of entertainment-related activities, including racing and obstacle course navigation. Examples of such vehicles include wheeled vehicles such as cars and trucks, treaded vehicles such as tanks, aircraft, and watercraft such as boats, hovercraft, and submarines. Conventional vehicle features typically include one or more battery-powered motors or combustion engines for propelling the vehicle and one or more electro-mechanical servos for controlling the vehicle's route. An on-board control circuit may control the motors, engines, and servos in accordance with remote control commands received from a control device operated by a user. The control device and the vehicle control circuit may comprise a radio transmitter and receiver, respectively, thus enabling remote operation of the vehicle.


A method of securing an orthopedic hip prosthesis to an acetabulum of a living being. The prosthesis can be a shell or a cup, and the surgery can be a total hip arthroplasty such as a revision total hip arthroplasty. In some examples the method can include placing an augment at a bone surface of the acetabulum, applying a layer of fixation material over the bone surface in an amount sufficient to cover the augment, and then implanting the prosthesis over the layer of fixation material to secure the prosthesis to the layer of fixation material. In various aspects of the method, the augment can be an anchor or a spacer.

A total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedure can be performed to repair a diseased or damaged hip joint and replace it with a hip prosthesis. Sometimes, as with any other mechanical device, a total hip replacement can be subject to various forms of mechanical or biological issues. When issues occur, a reoperation of the hip replacement can be necessary to resolve the issues. Such a reoperation of a THA is called a revision THA. This is usually done several years after the original implantation and is more common in patients who had the initial THA performed at a young age and the patient chose to have a very active physical lifestyle.
One of the challenges of a revision THA is how to securely implant the hip prosthesis, and in particular, how to securely implant an acetabular cup or shell of the prosthesis into the remaining bone of the patient, especially in the presence of poor bone quality or bone loss. Another challenge is achieving a uniform fixation material thickness (e.g., bone cement mantle thickness) between the prosthesis and the bone.

Augments and methods for implanting hip prostheses


A system, apparatuses, and methods for enabling management of customizations/extensions to the functionality of a multi-tenant computing platform. In some embodiments, an extended or customized entity, such as a function, operation, process, module, sub-routine, data item, etc. is represented as a record. That record is then associated with an underlying record by means of a tenant specific mapping or equivalent structure. This enables the tenant to utilize the extended or customized entity in place of the underlying record in situations in which the underlying record would typically be used. This also provides a way of isolating the extensions or customizations on the multi-tenant platform so that they are associated with specific tenants and not with other tenants who may still access the underlying or un-extended versions of the entity.

In addition to the advantages related to customer access that are provided by the Internet, the ability of business users to access crucial business information has been greatly enhanced by the use of IP-based networking together with advances in object oriented Web-based programming and browser technology. Using these advances, systems have been developed that permit web-based access to business information systems, thereby allowing a user with a browser and an Internet or intranet connection to view, enter, or modify business information. For example, substantial efforts have been directed to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that integrate the capabilities of several historically separate business computing systems into a common system, with a goal of streamlining business processes and increasing efficiencies on a business-wide level. By way of example, the capabilities or modules of an ERP system may include one or more of: accounting, order processing, time and billing, inventory management, employee management/payroll, and employee calendaring and collaboration, as well as reporting and analysis capabilities relating to these functions.
Substantial efforts have also been directed to integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, with a goal of obtaining a better understanding of customers, enhancing service to existing customers, and acquiring new, profitable customers. By way of example, the capabilities or modules of a CRM system may include one or more of: sales force automation (SFA), marketing automation, contact list management, call center support, and web-based customer support, as well as reporting and analysis capabilities relating to these functions. With differing levels of overlap with ERP/CRM initiatives and with each other, efforts have also been directed toward development of increasingly integrated partner and vendor management systems, eCommerce platforms, product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, and supply chain management (SCM) systems.
One computing and/or data processing architecture that may be used to enable user access to ERP, CRM, and other business information systems is a cloud-based platform or network. Such a platform or network is typically comprised of multiple servers that are capable of running one or more business related applications. Some cloud-based service platforms are multi-tenant, meaning that they are capable of providing access to one or more business related applications (and the associated data) by more than one business entity or sets of users. The service platform may thus provide a system or suite of functionality that is used by the tenants to provide benefits to their respective users (which may be employees of a tenant, customers of a tenant, etc.). For example, the tenants may include business enterprises that use the service platform to provide various business functions to their employees and/or customers.
In an effort to permit tenants to access the services and functionality that they desire (which may include providing certain services to their end customers, such as an eCommerce platform), a multi-tenant service platform may permit a tenant to configure certain aspects of the available service(s) to better suit their business needs. In this way the service platform may be customizable, and thereby enable a tenant to configure the platform to provide distinctive services to their respective users or to groups of those users. For example, a business enterprise that uses the service platform may want to provide specific functions or capabilities to their employees and/or customers.
Tenant customization may include custom functionality (such as the capability to perform tenant or user-specific functions, data processing, or operations) built on top of lower level operating system functions. Some multi-tenant service platforms may offer the ability to customize functions or operations at a number of different levels of the service platform, from aesthetic modifications to a graphical user interface to providing integration of components and/or entire applications developed by independent third party vendors. This can be very beneficial, since by permitting use of components and/or applications developed by third party vendors, a multi-tenant service can significantly enhance the functionality available to tenants.
However, customizations introduced into the platform architecture by different tenants may be incompatible with each other in one or more ways, and this can cause a disruption in the services provided to those or other tenants. For example, such incompatibilities can cause undesirable and/or unintended behavior in the service configurations of multiple tenants, including tenants not associated with a particular customization. Certain types of customizations may also impact the operation of the platform in general, such as by altering the manner in which data is accessed or processed. This could have a negative impact on tenants beyond just those who had introduced or accessed a particular customization or extension.
Conventional approaches to managing potential problems arising from customizations and/or extensions to multi-tenant platform functionality are inefficient, ineffective and/or have undesirable side effects or other drawbacks with respect to at least one significant use case. Generally, such approaches may be categorized as either based on manual testing procedures, or automated testing procedures. Unfortunately, both of these general approaches may suffer from significant disadvantages. For example, manual system testing procedures are impractical for anything but the most trivial number or type of extensions. This is because for enterprise scale systems, testing of multiple extensions quickly encounters a problem due to the combinatorial "explosion." For instance, with 10 extensions, there would be 90 extension pairs to be tested, 720 possible sets of three extensions, and so on. As is evident, as the number of extensions increases, manual testing quickly becomes too costly in terms of time and labor. The impracticality of implementing manual testing serves as an incentive for utilizing some form of automated testing. However, current systems do not support automatic verification of correctness, making automated testing of limited value.
As another example, an un-extended service platform may operate in a manner that acts to preserve a set of platform invariants and/or to respect a set of platform constraints (e.g., attribute value constraints). However, once certain types of extended functionality are introduced, the result may be that such invariants and/or constraints can no longer be relied upon. This can result in inefficiencies and create administrative problems for platform maintainers and developers, including 3rd party developers of platform extensions. It can also be the source of service malfunctions that can impact one or more tenants of the platform.
Embodiments of the invention are directed toward solving these and other problems individually and collectively.

First-class component extensions for multi-tenant environments


An optical system is disclosed which focuses a polychromatic source to an extended focal pencil. The implementation makes use of two holographic optical elements (HOEs) fabricated and aligned to form a deliberate longitudinal color dispersion, but to alleviate lateral chromatic effects. Consequently, the HOE doublet focuses different wavelengths of the source to different locations along the optical axis. The strong intensity of the focused wavelengths dominate at each location, so that the overall beam has a near-diffraction-limited 1/e.sup.2 spot size and suffers only relatively weak background illumination. An alternative optical system using bulk lenses and several possible applications for the device are also described.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical apparatus for focusing a light source, and more particularly to such apparatus using optical elements including holographic optical elements to focus a polychromatic source to an extended focal pencil.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In optical communications, data storage, sensing and imaging apparatus and the like, laser devices are used as a light source, and optical means are provided to focus the laser beam to a small spot. In these applications laser diodes are normally the preferred form of laser, but because they are subject to astigmatism and beam divergence, they typically require bulky and expensive correction optics. A need thus exists for inexpensive, easily reproducible and compact correction optics. There are also a variety of optical manufacturing applications (lithography, laser welding/cutting, surgery, etc.) in which extended focal depth is a fundamental requirement for uniformity of the operation. For example, in laser cutting, a diverging beam leads to an undesirable variation of the cutting thickness with depth. Furthermore, in many of the applications mentioned above, the apparatus is quite sensitive to position of the focusing optics relative to the surface or object upon which the beam is to be directed, and as a result an expensive servo-mechanism must be used to continuously adjust the focus to the position of the surface. A need thus exists for an optical means having an extended focal depth such that the apparatus is relatively insensitive to minor changes in position of the work surface illuminated.

Chromatic focal pencil beam-generating apparatus

Board of Trustees Leland Stanford, Jr. University


An apparatus includes a deceleration definition module that interprets a target deceleration rate, a deceleration detection module that identifies a vehicle deceleration event, and a deceleration quality module that identifies a deceleration improvement opportunity in response to the target deceleration rate and the vehicle deceleration event. The apparatus further includes an operator feedback module that provides a specific operator guidance in response to the deceleration improvement opportunity.

The technical field generally relates to vehicle power trains having more than one power source, and more particularly but not exclusively to vehicle power trains having an internal combustion engine power source and an electric motor power source. Hybrid powered vehicles provide the opportunity for improved fuel economy in many applications. Among the opportunities to improve fuel economy include operating the internal combustion engine in a more favored operating condition for a greater percentage of the overall operating time, and recovering a portion of the vehicle kinetic energy during braking operations. However, certain driver behaviors can reduce or eliminate the benefits of the hybrid power train. Additionally, certain driver behaviors can increase the wear on vehicle components, including components found in a hybrid power train. Therefore, further technological developments are desirable in this area.


A soft top for motor vehicles having an apparatus for the replaceable introduction of a pane, and to a soft top of this type having a pane. The soft top has an apparatus for the replaceable introduction of a pane, comprising a flexible roof element and having a pane receiving gap. The roof element is folded over toward the pane receiving gap in an end region which faces the pane receiving gap. An insert element is provided in a pocket which is formed by the folded-over roof element, and a holding element is provided which extends on a first side of the pane receiving gap between a side of the insert element, which side faces away from the pane receptacle, and the roof element and on a second side of the pane receiving gap, which second side lies opposite the first side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to a soft top for motor vehicles having an apparatus for the replaceable introduction of a pane, and to a soft top of this type having a pane.
2. Description of the Related Art
A soft top of this type is known, for example, from DE 202 07 069 U1. However, known soft tops have the disadvantage that the panes are not replaceable. If a pane is defective or damaged, the entire soft top has to be exchanged or the pane has to be replaced in a complicated process. This is because the pane is usually connected fixedly to the soft top and a release of the pane is at least difficult, if not even impossible, or causes damage to the remaining soft top. The object is achieved by way of a soft top according to the invention. The invention is also achieved by way of a method which is described below.
According to the invention, a soft top having an apparatus for the replaceable introduction of a pane comprises a flexible roof element having a pane receiving gap. Here, the roof element is folded over toward the pane receiving gap in an end region which faces the pane receiving gap. As a result, a pocket of the roof element is formed, in which pocket an insert element is provided. Moreover, a holding element is provided which extends on a first side of the pane receiving gap between a side of the insert element, which side faces away from the pane receptacle, and the roof element and on a second side of the pane receiving gap, which second side lies opposite the first side.
According to the invention, the roof element is therefore folded over and an insert element is provided in said pocket. The holding element also engages into said pocket. Moreover, the holding element extends to the opposite side of the pane receiving gap. Here, it can also delimit the pane receiving gap or can form the pane receiving gap on said second side. The holding element can therefore span the pane receiving gap; in particular, it can be arranged on three sides of the pane receiving gap or can form from one to two sides of the pane receiving gap. The pane receiving gap is as a rule open from one side and is closed from three sides. A pane can be inserted into said pane receiving gap. As a result of a precautionary measure of this type, the pane can be replaced simply, without sealing problems needing to be feared. A sufficient sealing action is ensured by folding over the roof element and providing the insert element and the engagement of the holding element into the pocket and the extent of the holding element onto the second side of the pane receiving gap. However, this does not impede the sealing action being improved by the provision of further sealing elements or a long-life pleasing visual appearance being ensured by the provision of further sealing elements of this type or other elements. The holding element is advantageously configured in such a way that it can exert a clamping action between the first and the second side of the pane receiving gap on an inserted pane. A holding element of this type therefore brings about a force on the surfaces of an inserted pane. The suitability of the holding element results firstly from the material selection and secondly advantageously also from the fact that the dimensioning of the holding element is adapted to the pane which is to be inserted or has been inserted. In particular, an adaptation to standardized panes is to be preferred. The pane is held reliably and the sealing action is improved by way of the clamping action. Here, the clamping action should be configured in such a way that it is possible to replace the pane without damage despite said clamping action.
The holding element is particularly advantageously configured in one piece. This increases the sealing action and simplifies an application of the corresponding clamping action. The holding element is particularly advantageously configured from a flexible material, in particular a thermoplastic, such as PVC, or an elastomer. Said element can also be reinforced with an inner core, such as a metal insert. The pane receiving gap is particularly advantageously of circumferentially closed configuration. This means that the pane receiving gap can, for example, receive a pane completely, with the result that its circumferential edge comes to lie in the pane receiving gap and the pane receiving gap is not interrupted over said circumference. The holding element is also particularly advantageously of correspondingly circumferentially closed configuration and correspondingly single-piece configuration. The insert element is also advantageously of correspondingly circumferential configuration and is of single-piece configuration here. It is also advantageous if the flexible roof element has a corresponding cutout with a circumferential edge and is configured in one piece in the region of the edge. The apparatus for the replaceable introduction of a pane can thus be connected to the flexible roof element with a particularly satisfactory sealing action. The flexible roof element therefore advantageously has a corresponding cutout which, after folding over of the flexible roof element and attachment of the apparatus for the replaceable introduction of a pane, allows the pane to be inserted into said cutout into the apparatus.
If further elements, in particular sealing elements, are used, these are advantageously likewise of circumferentially closed and single-piece configuration. The pane receiving gap is further advantageously configured in its peripheral circumference and/or its width in relation to the pane which is to be inserted or has been inserted, in such a way that said pane receiving gap has an undersize, in particular from 0.5% to 2%. As a result, the sealing action and the strength of the receptacle of the pane can be increased further. The holding element particularly advantageously has a connecting apparatus for connection to a headliner. This is a special advantage which cannot be realized in the prior art at any rate. In known soft tops, the attachment of a headliner is not possible or is possible only with great difficulty. According to the invention, the holding element can therefore have a connecting apparatus which makes it possible to connect a headliner to the holding element in a simple way and therefore to provide it in the soft top in an optically pleasing manner. Here, the headliner is advantageously formed from a flexible material, in particular textile material. The connecting apparatus is particularly advantageously configured for being sewn to the headliner. The soft top can particularly advantageously also comprise a headliner which is sewn to said connecting apparatus. The connecting apparatus is particularly advantageously formed by a lip-shaped projection of the holding element. Said lip-shaped projection extends advantageously here in the direction of the extent of the pane to be inserted. By way of a projection of this type, for example if the holding element is formed from an elastic material, a headliner and/or other connecting elements or another connecting element or other connecting bars or another connecting bar, such as press studs or a zip fastener, can be connected simply to said projection, in particular can be sewn, and can therefore be fastened in a simple and pleasing manner in the soft top and can be included therein. The insert element is particularly advantageously formed from metal, in particular from spring steel. The insert element is advantageously of circumferential configuration and the shape of the circumference of said insert element is advantageously configured so as to correspond to the shape of the circumference of the pane which is to be inserted or has been inserted. This means that the outer edge of the insert element can terminate flush with the pane when the insert element is positioned on or above the pane.
The insert element is particularly advantageously of flat configuration. This means that its height is considerably lower than its extent in other directions. The insert element is advantageously configured as a circumferential belt or in such a way that, when it is brought into congruence with the outer edges of the pane, it covers an outer edge, in particular from 2 mm to 2 cm of the pane. The seal is particularly advantageously provided on a side of the pocket, which side faces the pane receiving gap. A seal of this type can be used, for example, to increase the sealing action or else to improve a long-life pleasing visual appearance. The seal can advantageously form the boundary of the pane receiving gap in one or two directions. Here, the seal particularly advantageously extends at least into the region of the bend of the roof element. As a result, a depression which results at the bend and between said bend and the inserted pane or a recess which results can be closed by the seal. As a result, an accumulation of dirt in said region is largely prevented and a pleasing visual appearance is ensured even for a relatively long time under the influence of the weather. The seal can therefore be configured, for example, as a flat element which extends in the region of the pocket and increases its thickness in the region of the bend. Seals can be composed, for example, of elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer or a mixture, for example elastomer which is embedded and cross-linked in thermoplastic. The pane receiving gap particularly advantageously has adhesive on one side or on both sides. Adhesives of this type can be numerous. For example, double-sided adhesive tape may be suitable here. As a result, the pane receiving gap or the element or elements which delimits/delimit it can be connected fixedly to a pane to be inserted.
An adhesive, in particular a double-sided adhesive means, in particular double-sided adhesive tape, is advantageously provided between that part of the pocket which faces the pane receptacle and the insert element for connecting the insert element and the roof element. Furthermore, if further elements are used, adhesive means are advantageously likewise inserted on both sides of said elements, with the result that they are connected fixedly to the other elements of the receiving apparatus. If, in particular, a seal is used between the folded-over roof element and the pane receiving gap, an adhesive means, for example double-sided adhesive tape, is advantageously provided between said seal and the folded-over roof element. The soft top particularly advantageously comprises at least one supporting element, in particular in the form of a flexible belt, for holding the pane and/or the apparatus for the replaceable introduction. Drooping of the pane can be reduced or prevented by supporting elements of this type. Here, said supporting elements can act both on the flexible roof element, the holding element and the insert element or further elements which are used. A provision of supporting elements is advantageous, in particular, when a headliner is included which can conceal said supporting elements visually. The object is also achieved by a soft top according to one of the preceding claims comprising an at least partially transparent pane. Here, the pane is inserted into the pane receiving gap. In particular, the holding element is configured in such a way that it exerts a clamping action on the pane. Here, the clamping action can be exerted both on the pane surface and on the circumferential pane edge. This can be brought about by the provision of an undersize or the configuration of the holding element in relation to the pane. In particular, a headliner is also included which is sewn, in particular, to the holding element. Moreover, the object is achieved by a method for connecting a flexible roof element to a pane, said connection being of replaceable configuration. According to the invention, first of all the flexible roof element is folded over for this purpose, as a result of which a pocket is produced.
According to the invention, a flexible roof element having a cutout or an edge is provided and the insert element is placed onto it, in particular is fixed on it, in particular with an adhesive means which lies between them. Subsequently or in parallel or beforehand, in an advantageous but not necessary way, a sealing or fitting profile is applied, in particular is fixed there, around the pane or the edges which are to be received in a pane receiving gap. Subsequently, in parallel or beforehand, the flexible roof element is turned over and a pocket is produced as a result, in which the insert element comes to lie. Subsequently, the pane, in particular with an applied sealing or fitting profile, is positioned and advantageously fixed, for example by way of adhesive, for example double-sided adhesive tape or clips. Subsequently, the holding element is folded, in particular folded over and opened. According to the invention, a replacement of the pane is possible by way of removal of the holding element and subsequent separation of the pane from the flexible roof element. A new pane can then be introduced again using the described method steps, the flexible roof element advantageously not being separated from the insert element during the change, with the result that these assembly steps or else the folding over of the flexible roof element can be omitted during the insertion of a new pane. An advantageously used sealing or fitting profile is advantageously likewise replaced during the exchange of the pane. The adhesive means at the transitions of the elements to be replaced are also advantageously replaced. Further advantages and exemplary embodiments are to be explained in a purely exemplary and non-restrictive manner using the following drawing.


A portable, vehicle-towed cut-off saw for firewood and the like is herein disclosed for cutting down regular length firewood into pieces that can be used in a stove or smaller fireplace. The invention is mounted on a steel frame with two wheels and a trailer tongue that allows it to be towed by a vehicle such as an automobile, truck or all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The invention is powered mechanically by an on-board four cylinder gasoline engine which provides power via a series of belts and pulleys. The pulleys drive a large diameter circular saw blade which pivots from the bottom of a large feed table. The invention will cut wood up to 12″ in diameter with one pass. The saw blade is retractable, is protected by a guard, and is only exposed when cutting wood. The invention can be towed directly to the cutting or piling site and is easily moved and operated by one person. The use of the device allows for the cutting of firewood into smaller pieces using production cutting methods in a manner which is not only quick, easy and effective, but safer and less fatiguing as well.

Firewood from cut trees is used as fuel on a daily basis. Whether the fire is for heating, lighting, general ambience or the like in a home or at a campsite, wood remains a viable option for many due to its low cost and the fact that it is a renewable resource. One item that must be considered when using firewood in a stove or small fireplace, however, is that it must be cut to fit. While many people resort to using a handsaw to cut the wood down, it is a tedious and strenuous process. Some people resort to using a chainsaw, but this results in wasted wood due to the large curve cut of the chainsaw. Additionally, the wood must be held while cutting it down, which is not only a huge safety consideration, but also can result in back stress and strain should it be placed on the ground.
Solving the problem as described above, the unique apparatus is a portable, vehicle-towed cut-off saw for firewood. It is used to cut down regular length firewood into pieces that can be used in a stove or smaller fireplace. The invention is mounted on a steel frame with two wheels and a trailer tongue that allows it to be towed by a vehicle such as an automobile, truck or all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The invention is powered mechanically by an on board four cylinder gasoline engine which provides power via a series of belts and pulleys. The pulleys drive a large 30″ diameter circular saw blade which pivots from the bottom of a large feed table. The invention will cut wood up to 12″ in diameter with one pass. The saw blade is protected by a retractable guard and is only exposed when cutting the wood. The invention can be towed directly to the cutting or piling site and is easily moved and operated by one person. The use of the innovative method and apparatus allows for the cutting of firewood into smaller pieces using production cutting methods in a manner which is not only quick, easy and effective, but safer and less fatiguing as well.
Several attempts have been made in the past to provide an apparatus that effectively cuts cord wood into a more manageable size for firewood in a portable trailer or vehicle, thereby assisting the user in providing such a cutter directly at the location of the cord wood to be cut. U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,886 in the name of Seid et al., discloses a wood cutter and loader for cutting tree length material or logs into pulpwood, saw logs, and the like. The wood cutter and loader includes framework supporting a plurality of conveying and feeding chains, and a spring-loaded latch assembly associated with the saws. Unfortunately, the Seid et al. device utilizes a conveying mechanism whereas the present invention utilizes a manual feed system and a manually-operated saw frame pivot assembly associated with the saw blade.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,057, in the name of Falk, teaches a tree processing machine that delimbs the tree, feeds the delimbed tree through a machine that cuts the tree into logs of burning size, stacks the cut wood, and bales the stacks. The Falk device is an all-inclusive device that combines many technologies of wood processing whereas the present invention merely handles the cutting of logs into more manageable sizes on a portable trailer.
Additional patents have been issued dealing with the cutting and splitting of logs or felled trees, namely U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,873, issued in the name of Weeks; U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,171, issued in the name of Spaulding, Sr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,242, issued in the name of Smith et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,852, issued in the name of Rogers; U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,404, issued in the name of Kraemer et al.; and, U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,774, issued in the name of Seckel.
None of the prior art particularly describes a portable trailer-mounted wood cutting apparatus driven by a motor and a belt-and-pulley system. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which firewood can be quickly and easily cut down in size for use in stoves and small fireplaces without the disadvantages as listed above.


A hole in the site for the emitter layer of the npn transistor of a complementary bipolar transistor is made in a step independent from a step of making a hole in the site for the emitter layer of the pnp transistor, and an n.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film doped with an n-type impurity upon being made is used to make the emitter electrode of the npn transistor. Independently from this step, a p.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film doped with a p-type impurity upon being made is used to make the emitter electrode of the pnp transistor. The n-type impurity diffusing from the emitter electrode makes an n.sup.+ -type emitter layer of the npn transistor, whereas the p-type impurity diffusing from the emitter electrode makes a p.sup.+ -type emitter layer of the pnp transistor. Thus the method can produce complementary bipolar transistors with a higher performance, and is suitable for combination with a process for fabricating sub-half-micron bipolar CMOSs.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for fabricating semiconductor devices and more particularly to a method suitable for fabricating complementary bipolar transistor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, attention is centered to complementary bipolar transistors having both an npn transistor and a pnp transistor in combination and usable as devices enabling realization of LSIS operative at a very high speed with a low power consumption.
FIGS. 1A to 1E show a conventional method for fabricating a complementary bipolar transistor.
In the conventional process for fabricating a complementary bipolar transistor, as shown in FIG. 1A, after an n.sup.+ -type buried layer 2 and a p.sup.+ -type buried layer 3 are first formed in a p-type Si substrate 1, an n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 is stacked on the p-type Si substrate 1. A p-type impurity is next ion-implanted into a selective portion of the n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 corresponding to the site for a pnp transistor to make a p-well 5. Then, an n-type impurity is ion-implanted into a selective portion of the n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 corresponding to the site for an npn transistor to make an n.sup.+ -type layer 6, and a p-type impurity is selectively ion-implanted into the p-well 5 in the site for the pnp transistor to make a p.sup.+ -type layer 7.
After that, as shown in FIG. 1B, a field insulation film 8 comprising a SiO.sub.2 film is selectively stacked on the surface of the n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 for isolation of devices, and a device-isolating p.sup.+ -type layer 9 is formed in a portion of the n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 just under the field insulation film 8. The entire structure is next covered by an insulation film 10 such as SiO.sub.2 film, and selective portions of the insulation film 10 corresponding to the sites for the npn transistor and the pnp transistor are removed by etching to form holes 10a and 10b.
After a polycrystalline Si film is made on the entire surface, a p-type impurity is introduced into a selective portion of the polycrystalline Si film including the site for the base electrode of the npn transistor, and an n-type impurity is introduced into a selective portion of the polycrystalline Si film including the site for the base electrode of the pnp transistor, by ion implantation, for example. The polycrystalline Si film is then processed by etching to form a p.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film 11 of a shape corresponding to the base electrode of the npn transistor and an n.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film 12 of a shape corresponding to the base electrode of the pnp transistor as shown in FIG. 1C. After that, an insulation film 13 such as SiO.sub.2. film, is formed on the entire surface.
As shown in FIG. 1D, the insulation film 13 and the p.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film 11 are selectively removed by sequential etching to form a hole 14 at the site for the base and emitter layers of the npn transistor, and the insulation film 13 and the n.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film 12 are selectively removed by sequential etching to form a hole 15 at the site for the base and emitter layers of the pnp transistor. The p.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film 11 remaining after the hole 14 is made behaves as the base electrode 16, and the n.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film 12 remaining after the hole 15 is made behaves as the base electrode 17. After that, a thin insulation film (not shown) is formed to cover at least the n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 exposed through the hole 14 and the p-well 5 exposed through the hole 15. Via this insulation film, a p-type impurity is ion-implanted into the n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 through the hole 14 to form a p-type base layer 18, and an n-type impurity is ion-implanted into the 5 through the hole 15 to form an n-type base layer 19. Subsequently, after an insulation film is formed on the entire surface, it is etched back vertically of the substrate surface by anisotropic dry etching. As a result, side wall spacers 20 in the form of insulation films are made on side walls of the holes 14 and 15. The side wall spacers 20 behave to separate the base electrode 16 from the emitter electrode 21 referred to later and to separate the base electrode 17 from the emitter electrode 22 referred to later.
After another polycrystalline Si film is formed on the entire surface, an n-type impurity is introduced into a selective portion of the polycrystalline Si film including the site for the emitter electrode of the npn transistor, and a p-type impurity is introduced into a selective portion of the polycrystalline Si film including the site for the emitter electrode of the pnp transistor, by ion implantation, for example. The polycrystalline Si film is then processed by etching to form an n.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film behaving as the emitter electrode 21 of the npn transistor, and a p.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film behaving as the emitter electrode 22 of the pnp transistor.
After that, the structure is annealed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1E, the n-type impurity in the emitter electrode 21 comprising the n.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film diffuses into the p-type base region 18 to form an n.sup.+ -type emitter layer 23 and the p-type impurity in the base electrode 16 comprising the p.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film diffuses into the n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 to form a p.sup.+ -type base-contact layer 24 coupled to the p-type base layer 18. Similarly, the p-type impurity in the emitter electrode 22 comprising the p.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film diffuses into the n-type base layer 19 to form a p.sup.+ -type emitter layer 25, and the n-type impurity in the base electrode 17 comprising the n.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film diffuses into the p-well 5 to form an n.sup.+ -type base-contact layer 26 coupled to the n-type base layer 19.
In this case, the n.sup.+ -type emitter layer 23, p-type base layer 18, p.sup.+ -type base-contact layer 24, n-type Si epitaxial layer 4 behaving as the collector layer, base electrode 16, emitter electrode 21, and so forth, make up the npn transistor having a double-layered polycrystalline Si structure, whereas the p.sup.+ -type emitter layer 25, n-type base layer 19, n.sup.+ -type base-contact layer 26, p-well 5 behaving as the collector layer, base electrode 17, emitter electrode 22, and so forth, make up the pnp transistor having a double-layered polycrystalline Si structure.
After that, although not shown, through some steps of forming an inter-layer insulation film, making a contact hole in the inter-layer insulation film, making wiring of aluminum (Al), etc., an intended complementary bipolar transistor is completed.
It is desirable that the npn transistor and the pnp transistor match in characteristics with each other because the performance of a complementary bipolar transistor is determined by either its npn transistor or pnp transistor that is inferior in characteristics. In this respect, the conventional complementary bipolar transistor referred to above is advantageous because its npn transistor and pnp transistor have approximately symmetrical shapes.
However, since the conventional method for manufacturing the complementary bipolar transistor described above makes the emitter layer of the npn transistor and the emitter layer of the pnp transistor by the process comprising: making the polycrystalline Si film; ion-implanting an impurity into the polycrystalline Si film; and making the ion-implanted impurity to diffuse from the polycrystalline Si film used as the source of the impurity, it does not match well with the in-situ phosphorus doped poly Si emitter technique used in a process for fabricating high-performance npn transistors, which comprises doping phosphorus as an n-type impurity upon making a polycrystalline Si film by CVD and forming an emitter layer by using the p-doped n.sup.+ -type polycrystalline Si film as the source of the impurity. Therefore, the conventional method has its limit in increasing the impurity concentration Q.sub.e of the emitter layer, decreasing the emitter resistance R.sub.e, and decreasing the annealing temperature, which disturbs improvements in performance of complementary bipolar transistors and compatibility of the method with a process for manufacturing sub-half-micron bipolar CMOSs.

Method for making a complementary bipolar transistor


A filtering face mask that covers at least the nose and mouth of a wearer and that includes an exhalation valve. The exhalation valve opens in response to increased pressure when the wearer exhales to allow the exhaled air to be rapidly purged from the mask interior. An exhale filter element is placed in one of several locations in the exhale flow stream to remove contaminants from the exhaled air. The face mask is beneficial in that it provides comfort to the wearer by allowing warm, moist, high-CO2-content air to be rapidly evacuated from the mask interior through the valve and also protects the wearer from splash fluids and polluted air while at the same time protecting other persons or things from being exposed to contaminants in the exhale flow stream.

The present invention pertains to a face mask that has a filter element associated with an exhalation valve. The filter element allows the face mask to remove contaminants from the exhale flow stream.
Face masks are worn over a person""s breathing passages for two common purposes: (1) to prevent contaminants from entering the wearer""s respiratory track; and (2) to protect other persons or things from being exposed to pathogens and other contaminants expelled by the wearer. In the first situation, the face mask is worn in an environment where the air contains substances harmful to the wearer, for example, in an auto body shop. In the second situation, the face mask is worn in an environment where there is a high risk of infection or contamination to another person or thing, for example, in an operating room or in a clean room.
Face masks that have been designed to protect the wearer are commonly referred to as xe2x80x9crespiratorsxe2x80x9d, whereas masks that have been designed primarily with the second scenario in mindxe2x80x94namely, to protect other persons and thingsxe2x80x94are generally referred to as xe2x80x9cface masksxe2x80x9d or simply xe2x80x9cmasksxe2x80x9d.
A surgical mask is a good example of a face mask that frequently does not qualify as a respirator. Some surgical masks are loose fitting face masks, designed primarily to protect others persons from contaminants that are expelled by the wearer. Substances that are expelled from a wearer""s mouth are often aerosols, which generally contain suspensions of fine solids or liquid particles in gas. Surgical masks are quite capable of filtering these particles. U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,678 to Mayhew discloses an example of a loose fitting surgical mask.
Masks that do not seal about the face, such as some known surgical masks, typically do not possess an exhalation valve to purge exhaled air from the mask interior. The masks sometimes are loose fitting to allow exhaled air to easily escape from the mask""s sides so that the wearer does not feel discomfort, particularly when breathing heavily. Because these masks are loose fitting, however, they may not fully protect the wearer from inhaling contaminants or from being exposed to fluid splashes. In view of the various contaminants that are present in hospitals, and the many pathogens that exist in bodily fluids, the loose-fitting feature is a notable drawback for such surgical masks. Additionally, masks that do not seal about the face are known to allow exhaled breath to pass around the mask edges, known as xe2x80x9cblow byxe2x80x9d, and such masks would not benefit from having an exhalation valve attached to the mask body.
Face masks also have been designed to provide a tighter, more hermetic fit between the wearer""s face and the mask. Some tightly fitting masks have a non-porous rubber face piece that supports removable or permanently-attached filter cartridges. The face piece also possesses an exhalation valve to purge warm, humid, high-CO2-content, exhaled air from the mask interior. Masks having this construction are commonly referred to more descriptively as respirators. U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,421 to Burns and Reischel discloses an example of such a mask. Commercially available products include the 5000 and 6000 Series(trademark) masks sold by 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.
Other tightly fitting face masks have a porous mask body that is shaped and adapted to filter inhaled air. Usually these masks are also referred to as respirators and often possess an exhalation valve, which opens under increased internal air pressure when the wearer exhalesxe2x80x94see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,924 to Japuntich.
Additional examples of filtering face masks that possess exhalation valves are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,509,436 and 5,325,892 to Japuntich et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,189 to Vicenzi, U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,362 to Braun, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,197 to Scholey.
Typically, the exhalation valve is protected by a valve coverxe2x80x94see, for example, U.S. Pat. Des. 347,299 and Des. 347,298xe2x80x94that can protect the valve from physical damage caused, for example, by inadvertent impacts.
Known tightly fitting masks that possess an exhalation valve can prevent the wearer from directly inhaling harmful particles, but the masks have limitations when it comes to protecting other persons or things from being exposed to contaminants expelled by the wearer. When a wearer exhales, the exhalation valve is open to the ambient air, and this temporary opening provides a conduit from the wearer""s mouth and nose to the mask exterior. The temporary opening can allow aerosol particles generated by the wearer to pass from the mask interior to the outside. Conversely, projectiles such as splash fluids may pass from outside the mask to its interior through the temporary opening.
In many applications, especially in surgery and clean rooms, the open conduit that the exhalation valve temporarily provides could possibly lead to infection of a patient or contamination of a precision part. The Association of Operating Room Nurses has recommended that masks be 95 percent efficient in retaining expelled viable particles. Proposed Recommended Practice for OR Wearing Apparel, AORN JOURNAL, v. 33, n. 1, pp. 100-104, 101 (January 1981); see also D. Vesley et al., Clinical Implications of Surgical Mask Retention Efficiencies for Viable and Total Particles, INFECTIONS IN SURGERY, pp. 531-536, 533 (July 1983). Consequently, face masks that employ exhalation valves are not currently recommended for use in such environments. See e.g., Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Health Care Facilities, MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT, U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services, v. 43, n. RR-13, pp. 34 and 98 (Oct. 28, 1994).
Face masks have been produced that are able to protect both the wearer and nearby persons or objects from contamination. Commercially available products include the 1800(trademark), 1812(trademark), 1838(trademark), 1860(trademark), and 8210(trademark) brand masks sold by the 3M Company. Other examples of masks of this kind are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,706 to Kronzer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,619 to Dyrud, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,440 to Berg. The masks are relatively tightly fitting to prevent gases and liquid contaminants from entering and exiting the interior of the mask at its perimeter, but the masks commonly lack an exhalation valve that allows exhaled air to be quickly purged from the mask interior. Thus, although the masks remove contaminants from the inhale and exhale flow streams and provide splash fluid protection, the masks are generally unable to maximize wearer comfort.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,821 to White discloses an example of a mask that removes odor from exhaled air. This mask is used for hunting purposes to prevent the hunted animal from detecting the hunter. This mask has an inhalation valve that permits ambient air to be drawn into the mask""s interior, and it has a purifying canister supported at the wearer""s torso for receiving exhaled air. A long tube directs exhaled air to the remote canister. The device has exhalation valves disposed at the canister""s ends to control passage of purified breath to the atmosphere and to preclude back inhalation of breath from the canister. The canister may contain charcoal particles to remove breath odors.
Although the hunting mask prevents exhaled organic vapors from being transported to the ambient air (and may provide the hunter with an unfair advantage), the mask is not designed to provide a clean air source to the wearer. Nor does it provide an attachment for an intake filter, and it is somewhat cumbersome and would not be practical for other applications.
In view of the above, a filtering face mask is needed that can prevent contaminants from passing from the wearer to the ambient air, that can prevent splash fluids from entering the mask interior, and that allows warm, humid, high-CO2-content air to be quickly purged from the mask""s interior.
This invention affords such a mask, which in brief summary comprises: (a) a mask body; (b) an exhalation valve that is disposed on the mask body and that has at least one orifice that allows exhaled air to pass from an interior gas space to an exterior gas space during an exhalation; and (c) an exhale filter element disposed on the filtering face mask in the exhale flow stream to prevent contaminants from passing from the interior gas space to the exterior gas space with the exhaled air.
The invention differs from known face masks that possess an exhalation valve in that the invention includes for the first time, an exhale filter element that can prevent contaminants in the exhale flow stream from passing from the mask""s interior gas space to the exterior gas space. This feature allows the face mask to be particularly beneficial for use in surgical procedures or for use in clean rooms where it would not have been used in the past. Also, unlike some previously known face masks, the invention can be in the form of a tightly-fitting mask that provides the wearer with good protection from airborne contaminants and from splash fluids. And because the inventive face mask possesses an exhalation valve, it can furnish the wearer with good comfort by being able to quickly purge warm, humid, high-CO2-content air from the mask interior. Thus, the invention provides increased comfort to wearers by decreasing temperature, moisture, and carbon dioxide levels within the mask, while at the same time protecting the wearer and preventing particles and other contaminants from passing to the ambient environment.
These and other advantages and features that characterize the invention are illustrated below in the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
In reference to the invention, the following terms are defined as set forth below:
xe2x80x9caerosolxe2x80x9d means a gas that contains suspended particles in solid and/or liquid form;
xe2x80x9cclean airxe2x80x9d means a volume of atmospheric ambient air or oxygen that has been filtered to remove contaminants;
xe2x80x9ccontaminantsxe2x80x9d means particles and/or other substances that generally may not be considered to be particles (e.g., organic vapors, et cetera) but which may be suspended in air, including air in an exhale flow stream;
xe2x80x9cexhalation valvexe2x80x9d means a valve designed for use on a filtering face mask to open in response to pressure from exhaled air and to remain closed when a wearer inhales and between breaths;
xe2x80x9cexhaled airxe2x80x9d is air that is exhaled by a filtering face mask wearer;
xe2x80x9cexhale filter elementxe2x80x9d means a porous structure through which exhaled air can pass and which is capable of removing contaminants from an exhale flow stream;
xe2x80x9cexhale flow streamxe2x80x9d means the stream of air that passes through an orifice of an exhalation valve;
xe2x80x9cexterior gas spacexe2x80x9d means the ambient atmospheric space into which exhaled gas enters after passing through the exhalation valve and significantly beyond the face mask;
xe2x80x9cfiltering face maskxe2x80x9d means a mask that covers at least the nose and mouth of a wearer and that is capable of supplying clean air to a wearer;
xe2x80x9cinhale filter elementxe2x80x9d means a porous structure through which inhaled air passes before being inhaled by the wearer so that contaminants and/or particles can be removed therefrom;
xe2x80x9cinterior gas spacexe2x80x9d means the space into which clean air enters before being inhaled by the wearer and into which exhaled air passes before passing through the exhalation valve""s orifice;
xe2x80x9cmask bodyxe2x80x9d means a structure that can fit at least over the nose and mouth of a person and that helps define an interior gas space separated from an exterior gas space;
xe2x80x9cparticlesxe2x80x9d means any liquid and/or solid substance that is capable of being suspended in air, for example, pathogens, bacteria, viruses, mucous, saliva, blood, etc.
xe2x80x9cporous structurexe2x80x9d means a mixture of a volume of solid material and a volume of voids which defines a three-dimensional system of interstitial, tortuous channels through which a gas can pass.

Face mask that has a filtered exhalation valve


An ornamental figure is mounted on a vertical support rod extending upwardly from a rocker base assembly comprised of a cross plate, a pair of cross braces and a pair of rocker members which may be quickly assembled without requiring glue or fasteners.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally involves the field of technology pertaining to devices for displaying ornamental articles. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved unit for displaying an ornamental figure and imparting a desired movement thereto.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices for displaying ornamental articles, such as ceramic and porcelain figures, are well known. Such devices may comprise a simple stationary display unit or a more complex unit capable of imparting various motions to the figure being displayed. These display units are usually finely detailed, present a quality appearance and are normally sold through gift and specialty stores.
The manufacture of such display units usually requires that the individual components forming the unit be fabricated and assembled at different locations having minimum labor costs in order to maximize profits to the manufacturer. It is therefore important that the design and construction of a display unit be such as to provide both efficiency in manufacture and quality in appearance.


In one embodiment of the invention, a stereophonic display device is provided. The stereophonic display device includes a pixel unit including a plurality of subpixels, wherein the subpixels include at least two right eye subpixels and two left eye subpixels, a barrier with a plurality of apertures formed on the pixel unit, wherein the smallest distance between the locations of the apertures projected onto the pixel unit and boundaries of the pixel unit is equal to or greater than a quarter of the width of the pixel unit, and a display image processor controlling the pixel unit rendering of the right eye subpixel block and the left eye subpixel block sequentially.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a stereophonic display device, and in particular to a thicker stereophonic display device capable of reducing the stereophonic X-talk issue and stereophonic moiré.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, high-resolution displays, like 330 ppi (pixels per inch) displays, are being implemented for HD movies and/or web site information on mobile phones.
Therefore, design of the thickness or thinness of stereophonic displays (auto-stereoscopic type barrier/lenticular stereophonic displays) has become a critical issue. For example, a thinner lens sheet and/or a thinner glass plate are necessary for displays. However, the difficulty of fabricating thinner sheets and plates may affect production yield due to process limitations and critical process issues for mass production, such as an increase in bending or cracking.


Embodiments disclosed herein enable a user to generate an audio-visual project. Certain embodiments enable a user to use one of a plurality of predefined templates to generate a project easily and quickly. Other embodiments enable a user to generate a custom project that gives more control to the user, compared to if the user selected one of the predefined templates. Each project includes one or more segments, which may be specified by a user directly, or may be specified by the template selected by the user. An effect is applied to each segment, wherein the effect specifies how many video and audio slots are included in the segment, if any, and can specify one or more other properties of the segment. Projects generated using embodiments disclosed herein can be saved and shared with other users.

Creating professional-looking videos is a difficult task. While existing video editing systems are capable of creating aesthetically pleasing, professional-looking videos, these systems are typically too complex and difficult for most users to easily learn and use in a time efficient manner. For example, with some existing systems, users are required to manually assemble a variety of different elements including video clips, audio clips, titles, effects, narration and background music. Combining these elements into a professional-looking video typically requires advanced skills and a significant time investment.
In recent years, as video gaming has become more and more popular, video game users have begun generated videos that including portions (e.g., highlights) of their gameplay. These video may be uploaded to various video sharing websites so that users can share there videos with their friends, or simply with other users interested in the same video games. Such videos, however, are often not much more than segments of video gameplay that include a voiceover added by the user. While existing video editing systems may be used to make such gameplay videos more professional-looking, existing video editing systems, as mentioned above, are typically too complex and difficult for most users to easily learn and use in a time efficient manner.