A new and distinct cultivar of Echinacea plant named ‘Little Magnus’, characterized by its compact growth habit; rapid growth rate; red purple-colored ray florets; horizontally-orientated ray florets; long and continuous flowering period; and good garden performance.

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Echinacea plant, botanically known as Echinacea purpurea, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Little Magnus'.
The new Echinacea is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Zwaanshoek, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new compact Echinacea cultivars with horizontal ray florets.
The new Echinacea originated from a self-pollination made by the Inventor in 1995 of an unnamed Echinacea purpurea selection, not patented. The new Echinacea was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant by the Inventor in a controlled environment in Zwaanshoek, The Netherlands in 1997 from the resultant progeny of the self-pollination. The new Echinacea was selected on the basis of its compact growth habit, attractive ray and disc floret coloration and horizontal ray florets.
Asexual reproduction of the new Echinacea by divisions was first conducted in Zwaanshoek, The Netherlands in 1999. Since then, asexual reproduction by divisions has shown that the unique features of this new Echinacea are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A fire safe disc valve comprising a valve body having a flow passageway therethrough, a disc shaft rotatably mounted in the flow passageway and a disc mounted on the disc shaft, the disc being rotatable to and from a position normally closing the flow passageway by sealingly engaging a disc sealing member. An operating stem, extending through a stem operating aperture in the valve body, engages the disc shaft for rotation thereof, and an elastomeric packer seals the aperture about the operating stem. The disc shaft is displaceable along the flow passageway whereby the disc will close the passageway if the disc sealing member is destroyed, and the operating stem is axially displaceable in the stem operating aperture whereby the aperture is sealed by fluid pressure pressing the operating stem against a stem sealing seat if the stem packer is destroyed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in fluid flow control valves, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, the invention relates to self sealing valves.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,869, issued to Smith, presents a means of sealing a flow passageway in the event that the sealing member is destroyed, a feature also present in U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,247, issued to Scaramucci, the present Applicant. The Smith patent teaches the limited displacement of a butterfly disc under fluid pressure to close the flow passageway if the seal member is destroyed. However, the circumstances that would destroy the seal member would also cause the packer about the disc shaft to be destroyed, and the Scaramucci valve effects the same fire safe result.
Neither of the above patents mentions the intended problem of fluid leakage from the operating stem aperture in the event the valve seals and packers are destroyed. This means that fluid would still escape the confines of the valve even after the flow passageway is closed by the butterfly disc.


A connector comprising a first connector housing having a resilient locking arm and side walls provided on both sides of the locking arm to protect the locking arm, and a second connector housing having a locking protrusion to engage the resilient locking arm for locking. The first connector housing has a mechanism for preventing an excessive shift of the locking arm when the resilient locking arm is unlocked from the locking protrusion. The mechanism includes an engagement member arranged on the locking arm which projects beyond the transverse sides of the locking arm and receipt members which extends from the respective side walls beneath the ends of the engagement member so as to hit thereon when said locking arm is pushed down. Thus, a mechanism for preventing an application of excessive stress to the locking arm can be provided without increasing the size of the connector housings.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, to a connector having a locking mechanism used for connection of wiring harnesses for vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a known connector having a locking mechanism. FIG. 7 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 6, which serves for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism.
In FIGS. 6 and 7, reference symbol a denotes a male connector housing, and reference symbol b denotes a female connector housing. On the one side wall of the male connector housing a, a locking arm c is provided, and on the corresponding side wall of the female connector housing b, a locking protrusion d cooperable with the locking arm c is provided.
The locking arm c is provided as a seesaw locking mechanism which can swing about an upright supporting portion C.sub.1 disposed at the intermediate portion. The locking arm c has a locking engagement portion C.sub.2 at the front and an operation portion C.sub.3 at the rear.
In this arrangement, when a pair of connector housings a and b are coupled with each other, the front of the locking arm c is urged upwardly along the guiding slope or cam surface d.sub.1 of the locking protrusion d. When it climbs over the locking protrusion d, the locking arm c is restored to an original form by the resiliency of the upright supporting portion C.sub.1 so that the locking engagement portion C.sub.2 engages with the locking protrusion d.
For unlocking, the operation portion C.sub.3 is pushed. Then, the locking engagement portion C.sub.2 is manually raised and is released from the engagement with the locking protrusion d so that the pair of connector housings a and b are separated from each other. In this case, if excessive pushing force is applied to the operation portion C.sub.3, the upright supporting portion C.sub.1 may be damaged. In order to prevent this, a mechanism for preventing application of excessive stress of the locking arm consisting of a fitting portion C.sub.4 and protrusion e is provided to prevent the shifting operation of the locking arm c over a predetermined limit.
The seesaw locking mechanism, as described above, has the following defect. Provision of the above mechanism for preventing application of excessive stress on the side of operation portion C.sub.3 requires the concerned housing, itself, to be extended. This leads to a tendency of increasing the size of the connector housing into a large-scaled element, which is a undesirable in design of the connector.


A method for inserting an access point unit into a wireless telecommunications network, comprising: performing a self installation process in the access point unit, wherein during said self installation process, the access point unit automatically detects physical and RF layer parameters of access points around it, and selects its own physical and RF layer parameters according thereto, and/or performing a self-interconnection process in the access point unit wherein the access point unit contacts at least one feeder; and said feeder determines whether or not to permit connection of said access point unit to it.

Broadband wireless is expected to be one of the main drivers of the telecommunications industry. There is a substantial increase in demand for broadband connectivity, with personal broadband being the key growth engine for mobile wireless broadband networks.
Communication in such networks is generally divided between access and backhaul. An access network is the air interface network providing traffic communication between mobile terminals (subscribers) and their associated access points (base or relay stations), while a backhaul network is the air interface network providing traffic communication between the various base stations and a core network. The networks may be arranged to transfer data alone, as in Wi-Fi networks, or may be arranged for triple play services (video, audio and data), typically WiMax (or other competitive technology, such as 3GPP-LTE). In conventional systems, the access network and the backhaul network each require their own separate transmission equipment, antennas, etc, at great cost to the operator.
One example of a conventional backhaul network is connecting wireless base stations to corresponding core mobile networks (ASN GateWay, AAA servers, etc). The choice of backhaul technology must take into account such parameters as capacity, cost and coverage. Base station backhaul typically is performed via wired infrastructure (e.g., E1/T1 leased lines), or via wireless Point-to-point (PTP) microwave links to each base station, which is expensive to deploy (equipment and installation). In particular, due to the direct, uninterrupted line-of-sight requirements of the wireless backhaul equipment, the backhaul components of conventional base stations require strategic deployment location on high and expensive towers.
In traditional Point-to-Point (PTP) microwave backhaul operating in licensed bands or using unlicensed bands, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) or single carrier technology (constant power with a fixed modulation scheme) are typically employed. In OFDM, the channel bandwidth is divided into multiple concurrent parallel transmissions on several frequencies. However, during each time slot, there must be transmission over every frequency in the bandwidth. Thus, there is no granulation to permit correction of local interference, and, if there is a problem with transmission on one frequency, the entire transmission can be lost due to lack of frequency diversity, so the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of a link (between two base stations) falls on the entire link.
Mobile WiMAX, as defined in IEEE Standard 802.16e-2005 Standardization for WiMAX, was originally designed to provide mobile broadband access for mobile devices, i.e., broadband wireless data-optimized technology, providing carrier-grade triple play services using a variety of user devices (such as laptops, PDAs, handheld devices, smart phones, etc.).
A complete mobile WiMAX Radio Access Network (RAN) requires deployment of massive infrastructure, including base station sites with high towers, base station equipment, antennas, and a separate backhaul network, as described above
The traditional approach for mobile WiMAX network infrastructure deployment is similar to that of cellular phone networks. The network is based on macro-cell deployment, that is, the base stations, radios and antennas are installed on top of high towers, transmitting at high power, so as to maximize the base station coverage area. In order to optimize the cost, the goal is to minimize the number of sites, by extending the coverage range of each site. This can be achieved by deploying more powerful base station equipment for increasing the cell range (e.g., high power radios, multiple radios on each sector with smart antenna techniques), resulting in more expensive base station equipment. However, for a broadband wireless network deployment, this approach is adequate mainly for the coverage phase, when a relatively small number of subscribers share the cell capacity. As the cell coverage area is large, covering a large number of potential subscribers, additional subscribers in each area can rapidly be blocked due to limited base-station capacity.
There are also known outdoor Wi-Fi networks, deployed mainly according to outdoor Wi-Fi mesh technology. The typical Wi-Fi setup contains one or more Access Points (APs) (which is the equivalent terminology to Base Station in WiMax), having relatively limited range, deployed along telephone poles, street poles, electricity poles and rooftops. Due to the access point unit's smaller coverage range, a large number of access point units are required to cover a given area, typically between 20 to 30 access points per square mile, with wired backhaul at each 3 or 4 hops (known as micro- or pico-cell deployment). Conventional outdoor Wi-Fi access point units require costly power amplifiers in each unit to extend the capacity in the downlink, but are still limited by link budget in the uplink, due to limited transmission power from mobile station units (such as a laptop, which typically transmits about 20 dbm on a single small integrated antenna) and due to the fact that Wi-Fi utilizes OFDM, where there is no spectral sub-channelization in uplink, which would enable enhancing the link budget. In addition, conventional WiFi networks operate only on unlicensed bands, typically 2.4 GigaHz or 5 GigaHz bands, and suffer from severe interference and difficult radio planning issues.
Furthermore, in the micro/pico-cell deployment approach of conventional Wi-Fi mesh networks, due to multiple access point nodes in the network, backhauling becomes more complicated and costly. Backhauling each node via wired lines (E1/T1 or DSL) is impractical in a dense deployment of nodes. On the other hand, backhauling each node via traditional wireless PTP microwave links is expensive, due to costly equipment and installation costs. Furthermore, it is not feasible to deploy conventional Wi-Fi backhaul units on telephone poles, street poles, electricity poles, etc., due to the physical dimensions of the backhaul unit and lack of line of sight in urban below-rooftop deployment. In addition, when the network traffic load is increased in multi hop deployment, traffic capacity losses in the backhaul network drastically degrade the overall network performance (capacity and latency), due to incremental loading of cascaded access points in a certain route to the physical line backhaul.
Consequently, there is a long felt need for a wireless mobile broadband network supporting a low cost planning mechanism, as well as low cost installation and equipment deployment, and which permits relatively easy addition of new access points to the network. It would be particularly desirable for such a network to be relatively low in cost of initial infrastructure (coverage deployment), and also provides high capacity for supporting a large number of broadband data subscribers without high initial deployment cost.


A joint assembly includes a structural body having a key which projects cantilevered from an abutment surface. The key includes a stem with a first stem portion having a reduced transverse encumbrance, and a second stem portion from which fins project and define locking surfaces. A seat body includes an abutment counter-surface facing the abutment surface. A seat is formed by opening from the abutment counter-surface, which delimits a key entry slot. A first seat portion proximate the entry slot allows insertion of the key if the fins are aligned with the entry slot. A second seat portion internal and opposite the entry slot widens to allow free rotation of the key. The seat body forms locking counter-surfaces having an inclined plane portion moving away from the entry slot so that key rotation brings the abutment surface in force-contact against the abutment counter-surface, creating a firm frictional fit.

In known solutions, the coupling between two tubular or box-like structural elements is obtained by making complementary projections and recesses on end portions of tubular structural elements which are interlocked, as shown, for example, in document U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,043. However, this type of solutions has the disadvantage of providing poor modularity, thus limiting the coupling configurations allowed to only substantially rectilinear joints.
Solutions of joint to be interposed between two or more tubular structural elements and comprising joint branches variously oriented in space and each suitable for being inserted in a tubular structural element, are also known. This type of joints allows modular framework structures to be formed. Known types of joints generally comprise joint branches suitable for being inserted with interference into the longitudinal cavities of the tubular structural elements so as to form a frictional fit.
This type of solution requires the application of an increased pressure for inserting the joint branch with interference into the longitudinal cavity of the tubular structural element. Therefore, only using joints of this type is disadvantageous when making a modular frame because the force to be applied for driving in a joint may create stresses and deformations in an already assembled portion of frame and at the same time, be laborious and not comfortable. Moreover, this type of coupling is unsuitable for successive assembling and disassembling because it wears out quickly.
Moreover, joints are known comprising locking keys in which a joint branch is provided with a key comprising cantilevered extensions, which key is inserted in a housing made in the walls of the longitudinal cavity of the tubular structural element, and in which said key, by rotating about the longitudinal axis thereof, is coupled with the cantilevered extensions thereof against surfaces of the housing, which conveniently are arranged undercut.
A solution of this type is disclosed for example, in document US-2010-014912. Although it is advantageous, such a solution has certain drawbacks because it makes difficult the related positioning of the tubular element and of the key, and indeed such a solution imposes the provision of an increased number of components. A similar solution is disclosed for example, in document US-2006-0278139, which shows a joint solution obtained on structural elements which with the truncated-conical surfaces thereof form a fit which promotes the related positioning of structural elements. Although it is partially advantageous, such a solution in any case has certain difficulties associated with making accurate conical abutment planes.
Further examples of joints comprising locking keys are known from DE-102005028573, US-2008-072515, WO-2013-187020 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,340.
The need is therefore felt to devise a solution for the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned hereto.
The need is felt to provide a solution of joint which is suitable for forming a joint, which can be reversed, coupled and disengaged in a simple manner while avoiding to provide fastening elements such as e.g., screws, and at the same time avoiding to use assembly tools while providing a certain positioning of the different elements of the joint.

Joint assembly for piece of furniture and piece of furniture


A solid product static brake (10) is provided which is employed in cast solid chemical block dispensing systems for slowing a generally downward gravitationally driven movement of the solid chemical block when placed or installed in a chemical dispenser. The brake provides the ability to prevent the destruction of the cast solid during installation due to mechanical shock. The static brake comprises a horizontal base frame (12), and a plurality of rigid blade members (18) extending from the base frame in a generally perpendicular direction. When a new solid block is installed, the blade members contact and slow the solid block as it falls into the dispenser.

Industrial warewashing and laundry machines generally comprise a wash tank which contains a cleaning solution for the wash process. In this process, the wash load is contacted with the cleaning solution and subsequently with rinse water which falls into the wash tank. With each cycle, the cleaning power of the cleaning solution is reduced, first because some is exhausted by the soil removing process and, second, because it is diluted with rinse water. The cleaning solution is therefor recharged from time to time by adding fresh cleaning liquid from a dispenser system which usually provides a concentrated aqueous solution of an alkaline and/or surfactant based chemical composition. These chemical compositions are typically provided in solid form and are stored in the dispenser housing.
A number of techniques are known for converting the solid chemicals into a concentrated solution, dependant on the solid. For example, solid powder chemicals can be dissolved by placing them on a sieve and spraying water onto the sieve from below. Alternatively, the powder material can be dissolved in a dispenser of the "water-in-reservoir" type, in which the powder material is submerged under water, which thereafter becomes bloated or even saturated with the powder. When more water is added, the excess solution flows into an overflow pipe leading to the washing machine. It is also possible to use solid detergent materials in the form of briquettes in the water-in-reservoir type of dispenser.
A more recent type of solid chemical is the solid cast or block form, in which a solid block is formed by pouring a concentrated aqueous slurry into a container, in which it solidifies upon cooling as a result of the hydration of the salts in the composition. Some solid blocks cast in containers require dispensing systems in which solvent is sprayed onto the block while it is inside the container, thereby dissolving the exposed surface to form a concentrated solution. When the solid blocks are not used in the same container in which they were cast, various dispensing systems can be employed. For example, European Patent Application No. 231,603, discloses a dispenser comprising a three dimensional screen on which a solid detergent block is supported, and a spray means is employed to impinge upon the solid block through the screen from below.
Dispensers for solid blocks of chemical such as detergents and lubricants are also employed in which multiple numbers of blocks can be disposed within the dispenser cavity, in which the blocks are dropped into the open cavity from above. The solid block chemical products typically are provided in 5 gallon drum containers having a weight of about 50 pounds. In a typical operation, a cast solid block product is released from a container such as a five gallon bucket, dropping into a compartment or receptacle of a dispenser. The product is dropped approximately 16 inches requiring the dispenser sub unit or main tank unit to absorb the initial impact shock. When such solid blocks are allowed to fall into the dispenser cavity, they free fall into the dispenser and often cause structural damage. The impact shock can also disturb electrical components causing misalignments. Also, the solid blocks can become fractured from the fall resulting in particles or extruded pieces falling into the lower sump of the dispenser, which in turn causes an uncontrolled concentration overshoot condition.
Therefore, there is a need for a braking type device which prevents the damage caused by the free fall of solid blocks of chemical into the receptacles of solid block chemical dispensers.

Solid product static brake for solid block chemical dispensers


A package for a stack of film sheets has a pouch that is sealed around the stack of sheets and a leader that is secured to the pouch and engageable with a spindle in a magazine so that rotation of the spindle can pull the pouch from around the stack of sheets. The pouch and leader are formed of different polyolefin materials with the pouch comprising a material having a low coefficient of friction to enable the pouch to be easily pulled around the stack of sheets while the leader comprises a material having a high coefficient of friction to facilitate engagement with the spindle and pulling the pouch uniformly.

The present invention relates to a package for enclosing a plurality of sheets of material, such as a stack of x-ray film sheets, with the package having a pouch and leader with different coefficients of friction to facilitate removal of the package from the stack of sheets in a magazine or the like.
It is known to provide a light tight package for holding a stack of sheets of x-ray film or the like. The package may comprise a pouch or bag for holding the sheets, and a leader that projects from an end of the pouch. Such a film package is placed in a magazine having a spindle, and the leader is attached to the spindle. Then the magazine is closed and the spindle rotated to strip the packaging material from the stack of sheets. Packages and magazines generally of the kind described above are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,849, issued May 28, 1991; in U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,686, issued Sep. 17, 1991 and in Italian Patent No. 1,062,043.
The related application cross referenced above also relates to a package of the kind holding a stack of film sheets and having a leader that is attached to a spindle in a magazine or the like for removing the package material from the stack of sheets. The package of such application has a leader fabricated from a material different from the material used in manufacture of the pouch. The leader is placed over the pouch and secured thereto so that it is positioned entirely over one face of the pouch. U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,686, mentioned above, states at column 4, lines 25-29 that the leader or flap of a package can be made from a material that is stronger and more tear-resistant material than the pouch.
Because the pouch of such a package is pulled away from the stack of sheets along both the top and bottom of the stack, the pouch needs to slide easily relative to the sheets to avoid displacement of the sheets during removal of the pouch. Also, the trailing end of the pouch is pulled through a light lock in some magazines, and the pouch needs to slide easily through the light lock. On the other hand, the leader of the package needs to be tough and durable and also be able to be gripped by the spindle during rotation of the spindle for removing the pouch from the stack of sheets. As a result, the physical characteristics desirable for the pouch to differ from the characteristics needed for the leader.

Film package having a pouch and leader with different coefficients of friction


A telescoping rig with an upper mast telescopingly received within a lower mast. A torque carrier is formed of an upper part suspended within the upper mast and a lower part attached to the lower mast. The lower part may be secured to the upper part when the rig is in operational position, and is movable to allow the upper mast to move into a telescoped position within the lower mast. The rig is readied for transport by disconnecting upper and lower parts of a torque carrier, moving the lower torque carrier laterally within the lower mast to allow the upper mast to telescope within the lower mast; and telescoping the upper mast within the lower mast.

To rotate tubing within a well, drilling rigs often have top drives that are suspended from drilling masts. When the top drives rotate the tubing, torque generated by the top drives must be transmitted to the rear of the mast and into the supporting structure. For this purpose, it is conventional to provide a torque carrier running along the height of the mast along which the top drive slides. The torque carrier is fastened to the mast to transmit torque into the mast. Larger rigs also are equipped with upper and lower masts that can be telescoped together for transport. When these larger telescoping rigs are dismantled, the torque carrier must be removed to allow the upper mast to telescope into the lower mast. This process is time consuming. This invention is directed to a telescoping rig with torque carrier that facilitates readying a rig for transport.


A developing blade (1) comprises a support member (2) having a coefficient of elasticity in the range of 0.5×104 to 4.0×104 kg/mm2 and a moment of inertia of area (Iz) in the range of 6.5E-04 to 1.2E-02, and a blade member (4) located on one surface of the support member (2) along one side edge (2A). The blade member (4) is made of a rubber material having a 25% modulus of no greater than 0.85 MPa, and has a moment of inertia of area (Iz) in the range of 8E-02 to 1.2E+01, and the blade member (4) has a warping of no greater than 10 mm in the longitudinal direction.

An imager making use of an electrophotographic imaging process comprises developer equipment for developing latent images on a photosensitive drum. For this developer, as shown typically in FIG. 12, there is a developer 61 known so far in the art, which is of the structure that comprises a hopper 62, a developing roller 63, a rotatable agitator 64 and a developing blade 65 (JP(A)2003-43812). With this developer 61, a toner 66 in the hopper 62 is fed by the agitator 64 to the developing roller 63 so that the toner in thin layer form is uniformly carried on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 63 by frictional electrification between the developing blade 65 and the developing roller 63. And then, the toner 66 passes from the developing roller 63 onto the photosensitive drum 67 with a latent image formed on it for development.
As shown typically in FIG. 13, the developing blade 65 known so far in the art is of the structure that comprises a rubber blade member 74 along the side edge 72A of a metallic support member 72 having a thickness of about 0.1 mm.
A problem with the conventional developing blade is, however, that the support member 72 is deformed and warped toward the blade member 74 depending on differences in thermal shrinkage between them, because the blade member 74 is formed on one surface of the support member 72. The developing blade undergoing such warpage is poor in handling capabilities, and poor in mounting capabilities as well, because the deformed product must be flattened for mounting.
And now, the aforesaid warping of the developing blade may be held back by increasing the thickness or width of the support member 72 or diminishing the width of the blade member 74. However, as the thickness or width of the support member 72 grows large, it causes the spring action of the support member 72 to become worse, often doing some detriment to the appearance of the function of the developing blade in the developer or working to the detriment of size reductions of the developer, resulting in added manufacturing costs. A problem with diminishing the width of the blade member 74 is that it is difficult to form the blade member 74 by means of molding or it is detrimental to the appearance of the function of the developing blade in the developer.

Developing blade and its manufacturing method


A filter member which can alternatively arrange a proper one of a plurality of kinds of color temperature converting filters onto an optical axis of an image pickup device is provided and the driver of the filter member is controlled by using a plurality of color signals which are generated from the image pickup device, so that a proper color temperature converting filter can always be used. An adjusting mechanism for adjusting relative gains of a plurality of color signals which are generated from the image pickup device is further provided. By also adjusting the adjusting mechanism by using a plurality of color signals which are generated from the image pickup device, an automatic white balance control in a wide color temperature range can be accomplished.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a color image pickup device, and, more particularly, to a color image pickup device having color temperature converting filters.
2. Related Background Art
To correctly photograph the color of an object by a color video camera, it is necessary to correct spectral characteristics of an illuminating light source. FIG. 1 shows spectral radiating characteristics in the case where a color temperature of the light source is changed. An axis of abscissa indicates a wavelength of the light and an axis of ordinate indicates a relative value of a radiation energy. As will be understood from FIG. 1, the spectral characteristics of the light source largely change in dependence on the color temperature.
In the conventional color video camera of the three-color (RGB) separation type, there is used a circuit construction such that level differences among the channels of R, G and B are detected and gains of the respective channels are adjusted so as to eliminate the level differences among the channels in the achromatic color photographing operation. With this circuit, the spectral characteristics of the light source are corrected. Such an adjustment is called a white balance adjustment. A circuit to automatically execute the white balance adjustment is called an automatic white balance adjusting circuit and is well known.
FIG. 2 shows gain correction amounts of the R and B channels for the color temperature of the light source. An axis of abscissa indicates a color temperature of the light source and an axis of ordinate indicates a correction gain by a unit of dB. In the example, a temperature of 3200.degree. K. is used as a reference.
However, in the conventional automatic white balance adjusting circuit, when it is intended to cope with illumination color temperatures of a wide range, a gain correction amount increases and a difference in S/N ratio, dynamic range, or the like occurs between the channels, so that such a method is unpreferable. On the other hand, there is a method of auxiliarily using a color filter (color temperature converting filter) to convert the color temperature of the light source. Three or four kinds of color temperature converting filters are prepared and a proper color filter is attached in accordance with the light source. FIG. 3 shows a change in gain correction amount depending on the color temperature when the color temperature converting filter is used. As will be understood from FIG. 3, the gain correction amount decreases.
As mentioned above, by auxiliarily using the color temperature converting filter, the gain correction amount in the automatic white balance adjusting circuit can be reduced. However, such a method is also limited to the case where the selected color temperature converting filter is proper to the light source. When the selected color temperature converting filter is improper to the light source, the gain correction amount in the automatic white balance adjusting circuit doesn't decrease and an advantage of the color temperature converting filter is not derived.

Color image pickup device having color temperature converting filters


A cinerary urn device for holding and displaying cremated remains of a loved one. The cinerary urn device includes a housing for receiving cremated remains. The housing includes at least a front side, a back side, and a bottom side. The bottom side may include an opening that is in communication with an interior of the housing. A cover may be provided for selectively closing the opening in the housing. An exterior of the cover may threadedly engage the bottom side of the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to urns and more particularly pertains to a new cinerary urn device for holding and displaying cremated remains of a loved one.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of urns is known in the prior art. More specifically, urns heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,528; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 266,619; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 356,422; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 385,081; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 345,848; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 266,620.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new cinerary urn device. The inventive device includes a housing for receiving cremated remains. The housing includes at least a front side, a back side, and a bottom side. The bottom side may include an opening that is in communication with an interior of the housing. A cover may be provided for selectively closing the opening in the housing. An exterior of the cover may threadedly engage the bottom side of the housing.
In these respects, the cinerary urn device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of holding and displaying cremated remains of a loved one.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of urns now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new cinerary urn device construction wherein the same can be utilized for holding and displaying cremated remains of a loved one.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new cinerary urn device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the urns mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new cinerary urn device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art urns, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a housing for receiving cremated remains. The housing includes at least a front side, a back side, and a bottom side. The bottom side may include an opening that is in communication with an interior of the housing. A cover may be provided for selectively closing the opening in the housing. An exterior of the cover may threadedly engage the bottom side of the housing.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new cinerary urn device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the urns mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new cinerary urn device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art urns, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new cinerary urn device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new cinerary urn device which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new cinerary urn device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such cinerary urn device economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cinerary urn device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new cinerary urn device for holding and displaying cremated remains of a loved one.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cinerary urn device which includes a housing for receiving cremated remains. The housing includes at least a front side, a back side, and a bottom side. The bottom side may include an opening that is in communication with an interior of the housing. A cover may be provided for selectively closing the opening in the housing. An exterior of the cover may threadedly engage the bottom side of the housing.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new cinerary urn device that provides closure to people who have lost a loved one. It allows those that are left behind to capture the spirit, character and essence of the loved one who has departed.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new cinerary urn device that provides a means of remembering a lost loved one by providing a means of keeping them at home and close to the heart.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.


An anti-siphon drain conduit. First and second cylindrical tubular portions with a U-shaped tubular portion interposed therebetween, and communicating with, the first and second cylindrical tubular portions. A drain passage extends through the conjoined tubular portions. A siphon break passage communicates with the drain passage at approximately the intersection of one of the cylindrical tubular portion and the U-shaped portion. A flap valve is formed integrally with at least one of the tubular portions for closing the siphon break passage upon the presence of liquid flowing through the drain passage. A bleeder cap is fitted to the siphon break passage. The bleeder cap has a dome portion penetrated by an aperture and an accordion portion. The bleeder cap serves freely to admit atmospheric pressure therethrough while tending to restrict any liquid that inadvertently enters the siphon break from exiting the siphon passage into atmosphere.

The drain connection between a household appliance and a sanitary system often includes a standpipe. A hose or other flexible member is connected between the appliance and the standpipe. In other sanitary systems, the drain outlet of the appliance may be connected to a flexible hose which discharges into a laundry, or wash, tub. Should the outlet end of a drain hose become submerged below the drain water level in either a standpipe or tub, the hose is capable of siphoning the grey water back into the appliance, unless a siphon break has been provided between the appliance and the source of the grey water being so siphoned.
As such, drain connections have required the inclusion of a siphon break in the drain line at a location upstream with respect to the grey water which might be siphoned back into the appliance. One suitable solution to this problem was incorporated in the "Universal Standpipe Adaptor" that is the subject of U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 07/621,046 filed on Nov. 29, 1990, in the name of Anthony Dlouhy and assigned to the assignee of this application. This device provides a siphon break structure in conjunction with a universal adapter which can be connected to a sanitary system standpipe.
Other prior art approaches for providing a siphon break have been unduly complex and expensive to install. While these complex prior art devices may be effective, they will not accomodate all sanitary systems, and they do not provide a positive valving mechanism to prevent the leakage of liquid through the structural arrangement which provides the siphon break.


The invention relates to an appliance for the oxidation of components in organic samples, in particular for the oxidation of components emerging from a gas chromatograph and for preparation for an analysis of isotope ratios by mass spectrometry, having a chamber with a gas inlet and a gas outlet, having an oxidizer inside the chamber and, in particular, having a heating appliance for the chamber. It is known to use copper oxide as oxidizer. The latter requires continual reoxidation to achieve sufficiently good results of measurement. In addition, at high temperatures, coagulation of the copper occurs. An oxidizer composed of nickel oxide is provided according to the present invention. This is extremely stable to temperature. The chamber receiving the oxidizer is advantageously lined with Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

The invention relates to an appliance for the oxidation of components in organic samples, in particular for the oxidation of components emerging from a gas chromatograph and for preparation for an analysis of isotope ratios by mass spectrometry, having a chamber with a gas inlet and a gas outlet, having an oxidizer inside the chamber and, in particular, having a heating appliance for the chamber, characterized in that the oxidizer is nickel oxide. The invention furthermore relates to a process for isotope ratio analysis.
One of the many possible uses of investigations by mass spectrometry is the analysis of isotope ratios. Thus, the analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in components in organic samples is of interest. It is known for the investigation of gaseous components to arrange a gas chromatograph upstream of the mass spectrometer and to separate the individual components in time. It is furthermore known to oxidize the components before carrying out the analysis by mass spectrometry. In this case, for example the carbon in the organic sample is converted into CO.sub.2 and the hydrogen into H.sub.2 O. CO.sub.3 results as the product of oxidation of various components. This means that the analysis can be carried out on the basis of a single compound (CO.sub.2). Furthermore, it is relatively simple to manipulate CO.sub.2 because it can be introduced at room temperature in the form of a gas without heated lines into the ion source of the mass spectrometer. The oxidation of the organic components takes place in a combustion oven (combusion interface). In this the organic components are heated and oxidized with the aid of a special oxidizer. This process is known in the literature as IRM-GCMS (isotope ratio monitoring gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) or GC-IRMS (gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry). The oxidizer regarded as particularly advantageous to date has been copper oxide (CuO). Corresponding analytical processes and relevant apparatus are described in Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 50, No. 11, September 1978, pages 1465-1473 and Org. Geochem. Vol. 16, Nos. 4-6, 1990, pages 1115-1128. The oxidizer is, as a rule, provided with a supplementary platinum catalyst.
The use of copper oxide as oxidizer has various disadvantages. A high temperature is necessary for the oxidation of the organic components, for example a temperature near 1000.degree. C. for methane. At this temperature the copper oxide is decomposed to Cu and O.sub.2. This means that the oxidation of the organic components is incomplete. To avoid this effect it is necessary for the copper to be continually reoxidized. Appropriate additional appliances must be provided. In addition, at such high temperatures there is even coagulation of the copper, which thus substantially loses its oxidizing ability. Despite these disadvantages, to date copper oxide (CuO) has been regarded as the most suitable oxidizer.

Appliance for the oxidation of components in organic samples, and process therefor


During the travel of a vehicle, the oil level of lubricating oil is lowered due to the suction by at least a first oil pump and the scraping-up by the rotation of a differential ring gear and so on. In particular, until the oil level becomes equal to or lower than an upper end of a first partition wall, the oil level is lowered due to both the suction by the first oil pump and the scraping-up by the rotation of the differential ring gear and so on, and therefore, a region, that is immersed in the lubricating oil, of the differential device rapidly becomes smaller. Since a suction port of the first oil pump is disposed in a second oil storage portion, the oil level in the second oil storage portion during the travel of the vehicle can be adjusted independently of that in a first oil storage portion.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a lubricating device of a power transmission device for a vehicle and, in particular, relates to a technique that reduces the energy loss due to agitation or the like of lubricating oil that is caused by the rotation of an output portion.
2. Description of Related Art
With respect to a vehicle power transmission device that is housed in a case and transmits a driving force from a driving force source to drive wheels via an output portion, there has been proposed a lubricating device configured such that lubricating oil in an oil storage portion provided at the bottom of the case is sucked by a suction device and supplied to respective portions of the power transmission device and that the oil storage portion is divided into a first oil storage portion at a position below the output portion and the other portion by a partition wall. A device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-27142 (JP 2011-27142 A) is its one example in which the oil level of lubricating oil is lowered due to the suction of the lubricating oil in a first oil storage portion by a suction device, so that the mechanical energy loss due to the agitation of the lubricating oil by the rotation of an output portion is reduced. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-106599 (JP 2012-106599 A) describes a technique that uses as a suction device an oil pump that is rotationally driven mechanically by the rotation of an output portion of a power transmission device. It is to be noted that "lubrication" in this specification includes not only preventing friction and wear, but also supplying lubricating oil to, for example, an electric motor to cool it.

Lubricating device of power transmission device for vehicle


Source follower storage cell and improved method and apparatus for iterative write for integrated circuit analog recording and playback which provides increased resolution in the stored signal and increased accuracy and stability of the storage and readout capabilities of the device. The storage cell is configured wherein the electrically alterable MOS storage device is connected in a source follower configuration, which provides a one to one relationship between the variation in the floating gate storage charge and the variation in the output voltage, and for high load resistance, relative insensitivity to load characteristics. The write process and circuitry provides a multi iterative programming technique wherein a series of coarse pulses program a cell to the approximate desired value, with a series of fine pulses referenced to the last coarse pulse being used for programming the respective cell in fine increments to a desired final programming level. Still finer levels of programming can be used.

1. Field of the Invention
The present relates to the field of non-volatile integrated circuit analog signal recording and playback wherein an analog signal is directly stored in and read out from a storage cell.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,259 discloses a high density integrated circuit analog signal recording and playback system wherein an analog input signal is sampled a plurality of times and then, as additional samples are being taken and temporarily held, a prior set of samples of the analog signal are parallel loaded into a plurality of storage sites or cells, each comprising nonvolatile floating gate memory cells, preferably EEPROM cells. In that system, writing of the groups of samples into the respective storage cells is done by repetitively providing a write pulse followed by a read operation for the respective cells to compare the information stored in each cell with the information held by the respective sample and hold circuit. During the successive write read operations, the write pulse is increased in amplitude, with the write pulse to any cell being stopped or decoupled from the cell when the information read from the cell in the last read operation equaled the value held in the respective sample and hold circuit. To provide time for the successive write read operations, a plurality of sample and hold circuits are provided so that an equal plurality of cells may be loaded or written to at one time. Still, because of practical limitations in the number of sample and hold circuits which may be provided and the limited length of time the integrated circuit sample and hold circuits will accurately hold the same values once taken, the length of time available for writing the sample signals to the storage cells in this parallel load fashion is limited. Thus, because each write read cycle takes a finite amount of time, the number of such cycles which may be completed before the same number of samples has again been taken and must similarly be loaded is limited. This in turn limits the resolution of the stored information which may be achieved by each write pulse while still allowing for properly storing samples which may be at either extreme of the storage range, particularly considering temperature variations, chip to chip processing variations and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,027 discloses analog storage and reproducing apparatus utilizing nonvolatile memory elements. The apparatus disclosed therein utilizes a source follower type floating gate storage cell in a device which writes to each cell in a single write operation, as opposed to an iterative write process wherein successive write read operations provide and verify storage of the desired analog signal. In the implementation used in this patent the write circuits are completely separate from the read circuits so that during read, any variation in the characteristics of the load will produce a corresponding variation in the output. The constant current load, if ideal, would not create distortion but in reality any practical realization would create some disturbance. In addition, the different conditions between read the write significantly reduce reproduction quality.

Source follower storage cell and improved method and apparatus for iterative write for integrated circuit analog signal recording and playback


A semiconductor device and method of making same which includes a semiconductor substrate having a moat region with an ion implant in the moat region and a window in the substrate spaced from the moat region, electrically decoupled therefrom and having an ion implant therein in the form of a predetermined pattern. The moat region can contain one or more active and/or passive components therein. The method of fabrication comprises providing a semiconductor wafer, forming a moat region and an associated window region on the wafer, forming at least portions of electrical devices in the moat region by implanting ions therein, forming a predetermined non-electrical component pattern in the window by implanting ions in the window concurrently with the implanting of ions in the moat and completing fabrication of at least one electrical component in the moat region. Implants are verified by the above described device and selectively etching the window with an etchant selective to one of the substrate with ion implant therein and the substrate without ion implant therein to provide the pattern at a different level from the remainder of the window. The pattern is a non-electrical component pattern and the etchant is preferably selective to the portion of the window with ion implant to cause the pattern to lie below the portion of the window without ion implant.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to implant level indicators for use in failure analysis and the like of semiconductor devices and for methods of providing such indicators.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In the performance of failure analysis of semiconductor devices, reticle levels and their revisions are generally checked on the semiconductor material. Since implants do not leave an optical indicator behind, it is difficult to detect if an implant was performed. Furthermore, different implant reticle levels implant the same ions within the same substrate area. Techniques used in the prior art to distinguish between implants within an area have been a combination of various stains and the use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and elemental analysis techniques such as Auger and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). Although these are all useful failure analysis techniques, they have provided inconclusive data or are time consuming for insuring if correct implant levels were used and if all levels were implanted.

Semiconductor device with reticle specific implant verification indicator


The subject invention relates to beam control prisms and the use of a beam control prism to modify the beam properties of light emitted from an edge emitting diode laser. The subject invention can utilize a beam control prism placed next to a diode laser bar. The subject beam control prism can have, for example, a curved surface and/or a high reflective coated surface for a diode laser wavelength. The curved surface can collimate the fast axis divergence and the mirror surface can change the beam direction. The subject curved surface beam control prisms can incorporate one or more features, such as parabolic reflecting surface, elliptical exit surface with flat reflecting surface, and a hyperbolic entrance surface with flat reflecting surface.

Keeping diode lasers cool is a major concern for most diode laser applications. For high power diode laser arrays, thermal management is a critical concern. Modern diode laser array designs can generate a heat flux greater than 400 W/cm2. The traditional way for packaging an edge emitting diode array is by stacking the diode lasers vertically with cooling and electrical connection plates sandwiched in between. The diode active area, which generates tremendous amount of waste heat, is a considerable distance from the coolant in the traditional design. Also, several layers of solder and an electrical insulation layer must be used resulting in additional thermal resistance. This design results in a longer cooling path than is desirable in order to maintain uniform cooling for all diodes. The longer cooling path results in higher diode temperature, lower efficiency, shorter diode life, slower thermal response and non-optimum temperature control. In addition, it is difficult to replace malfunctioning bars in this type of stack.
High divergence and astigmatism are two additional problems associated with diode laser output beams. Microlens arrays are often utilized for correcting the divergence. There are several ways to collimate the beam. For example, two sets of cylindrical lens arrays, planar micro lens arrays, and diffractive optics are often used. However, complexity, aberration and/or diffraction efficiency are concerns that arise from using these types of features.

Method and apparatus for use of beam control prisms with diode laser arrays

University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


Data communication system between computers; communication paths composed of m transmission lines are formed between two computers, and data to be transferred are coded based on a coding table comprised of encoding codes. When transmitting, state of the m transmission lines 74, 76 and 78 is changed. Therefore, timing signal is not required.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to data transmission, and more particularly to high speed operation thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to exchange data, data is transmitted by installing transmission lines between computers. As one of such transmission methods, hitherto is known the start-stop synchronous communication method, which is shown in FIG. 1. The communication line is delivering an H level output in the absence of data. When transmitting data of 1 character (8 bits), the transmission side first sends a start bits (L level). The reception side, receiving it, generates a sampling pulse in an interval of a specific period T (1/baud rate) from after the half period (T/2) of the specific period T. On the other hand, the transmission side, successively to the start bit S, sends out data D0 to D7 and parity bit P sequentially by 1 bit each, in an interval of the specific period T. The reception side, by the sampling pulse, takes in the data and parity bit P on the communication line. In this way, when transmission of 8-bit data is over, the transmission side delivers an H level output as a stop bit E. The reception side, when correctly receiving the stop bit E, judges that the communication has been completed without error.
Data of 1 character (8 bits) is thus transmitted. The subsequent data will be similarly operated.
In such start-stop synchronous communication method, meanwhile, the transmission rate is determined by the period T of the sampling pulse. Therefore, by shortening the period T of the sampling pulse, the transmission rate is accelerated. However, when the period T is too short, errors are likely to occur, and the reliability may be lowered. That is, the transmission rate was limited by the period T of the sampling pulse.
Furthermore, in this communication method, the start bit S and stop bit E must be added to the front and rear ends. It further causes to slow down the transmission rate.
To solve these problems, the present inventor had already proposed new communication methods (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 410,206, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application HEI 2-262747). A hardware connection diagram of the communication method disclosed in the Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2-262747 is shown in FIG. 2. A terminal 24 for RS-232C of a personal computer 1 and a terminal 25 for RS-232C of a personal computer 8 are connected with cable as shown in the diagram. A terminal RTS and a terminal DTR are originally terminals for use in modem interface, but they are used as output terminals in this example. Likewise, terminals CTS, DCD are used as input terminals instead of the intended use as terminals for modem interface.
It is supposed in the following explanation that data is transmitted from the computer 1 side to the computer 8 side. A floppy disk (not shown) storing the data to be transmitted is inserted into a disk drive 30. A receiving floppy disk (not shown) is inserted into a disk drive 40. The sending side CPU 2 reads out the data of the floppy disk through an interface 32. Here, meanwhile, it is supposed to send data in the unit of 8 bits (1 character).
In the memory 3, an encoding table as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 is stored. This table is intended to obtain an encoding code corresponding to each one of the values (there are 28) of 8-bit data (original data). For example, supposing the original data to be (00000000)2 (that is, 0 in decimal notation), the corresponding encoding code is 120. When the original data is (00010011)2 (19 in decimal notation), the encoding code is 102302. The encoding table is prepared according to rules, i.e., (1) the numeral of each figure should be any one of 0, 1, 2, 3, (2) adjacent figures have different numerals, (3) the numerical value always starts with 1 and ends with 0 or 2, and (4) the values from the first figure to the P-th figure in a P-figure encoding code do not coincide with the values from the first figure to the P-th figure of a Q-figure encoding code longer than P figures. The CPU 2 converts the original data to be transmitted into an encoding code according to this encoding table. For example, when the original data is (00000000)2, 120 is obtained.
A data transmission state is shown in FIG. 5. The CPU 2 sends out thus obtained encoding code 120 by 1 figure each in the sequence of 1, 2, 0. That is, using the terminals RTS, DTR (communication path 19), 0 is sent to the reception side as terminal RTS=L, terminal DTR=L, 1 as terminal RTS=L, terminal DTR=H, 2 as terminal RTS=H, terminal DTR=L, and 3 as terminal RTS=H, terminal DTR=H.
In the first place, the receiving side CPU 9 delivers 3 (terminal RTS=H, terminal DTR=H) toward the transmission side from the communication path 22 in order to tell that it is ready to receive. Receiving it, the sending side CPU 2 sends out 1 (terminal RTS=L, terminal DTR=H) from the communication path 19.
When 1 is sent in, the receiving side CPU 9 takes it in through the terminal CTS and terminal DCD (communication path 19). In the receiving side memory 10, too, the same encoding table as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 is stored. The CPU 9 checks when the received data 1 is present or not in the encoding table. Since there is no encoding code of 1, it waits for the next figure.
Meanwhile, the receiving side CPU 9, upon receiving the data 1, changes the value of the terminal RTS, terminal DTR (communication path 22) to 0. Detecting this change, the sending side CPU 8 recognizes that the reception side is ready to receive the next figure, and sends out the next figure 2 of the encoding code to the communication path 19. The receiving side CPU 9 detects the change of the state of the communication path 19, and recognizes that the data of the next figure has been sent (see rule (2) above). In other words, it is not necessary to use the sampling pulse as shown in FIG. 1. Receiving it, the receiving side CPU 9 checks when the encoding code of 12 is present or not. Since there is no encoding code of 12, it waits for next figure.
The receiving side CPU 9, upon receiving the data 2, changes the state of the communication path 22 from 0 to 2. The sending side CPU 8, monitoring this change, recognizes that the reception side is ready to receive next figure, and sends out the next figure 0 of the encoding code to the communication path 19. Receiving it, the receiving side CPU 9 checks when the encoding code of 120 is present or not. The encoding code 120 corresponds to (00000000)2. In the encoding code of 4 figures or more, nothing begins with 120 (see rule (4) above). Therefore, the receiving side CPU 9 obtains the original data (00000000)2 at this point.
The subsequent data is similarly transmitted. At this time, the value of the first figure and the value of the last figure of the encoding code are always different (see rule (3) above), the reception side recognizes that the first figure of the next data is sent in.
When exchanging the transmission side and reception side, it is arranged so that the newly receiving side sends the reception waiting value 3. As a result, the transmission side and reception side may be exchanged easily. The encoding code always begins with 1, and ends with 0 or 2 (see rule (3) above), so that there is no risk of confusion with the reception waiting value 3.
In this method of transmission, sampling pulse is not necessary. Therefore, the speed of transmitting the encoding code does not depend on the period of the sampling pulse, but it depends on the processing speed of the CPU. Since the processing speed of the CPU 2, 9 is very fast, high speed transmission is realized.
Furthermore, since the start bit and end bit are not necessary, higher speed is also possible from this aspect. In addition, the length of the encoding code ranges from the shortest of 3 figures to the longest of 7 figures. Therefore, as compared with the serial transmission system of 8-bit data, it is possible to increase the speed furthermore.
Thus, in the transmission method shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 5, high speed transmission is realized by making use of the high speed processing of the CPU. It, however, involves the following problems.
In the prior transmission method, in order to do without sampling pulse, the adjacent figures of the encoding code always have different values (rule (2) above). That is, by the change of the value being sent in, it is known that the next figure is sent in. It is thus restricted that the adjacent figures must have different values. Accordingly, the encoding code becomes long, and increase of the transmission speed is limited.
It holds true in the last figure of certain data and the beginning figure of the next data. That is, the last figure of the encoding code and the beginning figure of the encoding code transmitted next must not be a same value. In order to maintain always this relation, it is limited that always different values must be given to the beginning figure and the ending figure of encoding code (see rule (3) above). It also causes to extend the encoding code, and impede the high speed tendency of the communication speed.


A process and a device are described for separating a solid residue, after separation, from a solution of the residue in evaporable materials and/or solvents with the addition of up to 20% by weight of high-boiling hydrocarbons that are inert under evaporation conditions of the evaporable materials, heating the mixture to evaporation temperature under vacuum, whereby the evaporable materials evaporate, are drawn off and condensed, and the residue is obtained as a free-flowing solid, the residue solution being introduced onto a stirred bed of granular solid material kept at the evaporation temperature.

In many separation processes, and in distillation processes in particular, essentially undefined solid residues are obtained after isolation as a bottom product, which have to be removed. In the interests of ease of handling, these solid residues are not isolated completely during distillation, but are expelled from the distillation process in the form of a solution in materials still capable of evaporation, or in specially added solvents. The residue solution requires further work-up in order to obtain the evaporable materials and to recover any solvents used. Work-up is generally carried out in such a way that the residue solution is heated to the evaporation temperature for the evaporable materials and solvents. The evaporating substances are drawn off and a solid, free-flowing residue is obtained which is conveyed to a further disposal operation such as incineration or dumping. A problem from the process technology angle is that while the evaporable materials or solvents are being evaporated, the residue solution changes from a liquid state via a state with a viscous, sticky consistency to the solid residue. If evaporation takes place batchwise in stirred apparatus, the transition may be observed on the basis of the greatly increasing stirrer power required during the passage through the viscous-sticky state. During the viscous-sticky state, moreover, the heat transfer to the residue mass (introduction of the heat of evaporation) and the mixing required to produce new surfaces with a high concentration of evaporable substances is greatly impeded.
An example of such distillation residues are residues from distillation during the production of isocyanates, particularly toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a chief component for the production of polyurethanes. The production of isocyanates takes place by phosgenation of corresponding amines, the reactants being reacted in a solvent, usually ortho-dichlorobenzene. The reaction takes place with a yield of approx. 96 to 98%, with primarily isocyanate polymers being formed as by-products.
In order to obtain pure isocyanates, the crude isocyanate solution obtained by phosgenation is distilled in several partial stages. A residue solution which, in the case of TDI production, contains about 5 to 20% of polymeric TDI, is obtained as a bottom product of the distillation columns. Evaporable proportions of TDI and solvents have to be evaporated from the residue solution to obtain a solid, free-flowing residue.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,257, it has already been proposed to work up residue solutions from isocyanate production by introducing the residue solution into a stirred vessel containing inert, high-boiling hydrocarbons at a temperature of 200.degree. to 350.degree. C., the evaporable proportions of the residue solution evaporating and being drawn off, and solid residue particles being formed in the hot hydrocarbon oil. The hot hydrocarbon oil is pumped around between the stirred vessel and a heat exchanger, the solid particles being expelled by gravimetry from a partial stream. As a result of this inherently complex process, the transition via the viscous-sticky state of the residue solution is avoided, but the process requires elaborate apparatus and, in addition, requires the work-up of the hydrocarbon oil at certain intervals.
According to a more recent proposal in European Patent 548,685, work-up takes place batchwise in a stirred vessel in which is placed a charge of 5 to 20% of bitumen based on the quantity of residue solution at a temperature of 150.degree. to 280.degree. C., to which the residue solution is then introduced continuously, the evaporable constituents of the residue solution being drawn off at a pressure of 2 to 30 mbar. When the charge has ended, a solid residue is obtained in the form of a crumbly, free-flowing mass. The bitumen charge evidently fulfills the several functions. The stirred vessel is initially provided with a sufficient heat capacity to evaporate the evaporable constituents of the residue solution, so that temperature variations are avoided. During the initial introduction of residue solution, the bitumen ensures a rapid distribution of the residue solution in the stirred vessel. Caking of solid residue on the stirrer and container walls is avoided. Moreover, the formation of small residue crumbs is promoted. However, the problem of the transition via the viscous-sticky state, which requires a substantially increased stirring power, is only slightly reduced. Moreover, a disadvantage is the batchwise mode of operation requiring large numbers of operatives, which mode can be designed as a quasi continuous operation only by the alternating operation of several stirred vessels.

Process and a device for separating a solid residue from its solution in a stirred bed of material


An apparatus and method for controlling the flow of a process material from a higher pressure environment to a lower pressure environment is provided. Each of a first and second chamber is divided into a product region and a control region by a flexible boundary. Inlet and outlet flow control devices provide fluid communication between each product region and a material input line and a material output line, respectively. A chamber control device is arranged to provide fluid communication between the control region of each chamber, which is filled with a non-compressible fluid. As product fills the product region of one chamber, fluid is displaced from the corresponding control region and into the control region of the other chamber. As the control region of the other chamber expands, product is forced out of the corresponding product region and into the material output line. The product region of each chamber is alternately filled and emptied to produce a continuous transport of material.

The processing of many food and beverage products requires subjecting the product to high temperatures for a period of time, thereby sterilizing the product. Traditional techniques, such as canning, expose the product to high temperatures for extended periods of time. Canning not only has a high energy cost, but also subjects the product to thermal stress, which frequently has a negative impact on the flavor and texture of the product.
More recent techniques involve aseptic processing, in which liquid foods and beverages are sterilized outside the package using an ultra-high temperature process that rapidly heats, and then cools, the product before packaging. The processing equipment allows the time (generally 3 to 30 seconds) and temperature (195° to 300° F.) to be tailored to place the least amount of thermal stress on the product, while ensuring safety. The rapid heating and cooling aspects of the aseptic process substantially reduce the energy use and nutrient loss associated with conventional techniques. As a result, aseptically packaged products retain more nutritional value and exhibit more natural texture, color, and taste.
The rapid heating and cooling steps of the aseptic process typically take place while the product is being piped from one vessel to another. A portion of the pipe is heated and, as the product passes through the heated portion of the pipe, heat is transferred to the product. The product within the pipe is under pressure, typically 50 to 100 psi, which serves to move the product through the pipe and also prevent vaporization of the water component of the product within superheated sections. Subsequent operations, such as packaging, normally require lower pressures, typically up to 15 psi. Thus, the product must go though a pressure reduction step before packaging.
Many designs of back-pressure or pressure reduction valves exist for single-phase fluids. However, these valves cause significant shear damage to sensitive fluids and particulate-containing liquids. Moreover, the valves can become clogged with particulates, which can damage the valve and potentially cause a rupture.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a pressure reduction valve that can be used to transfer a continuous flow of particulate-containing material from a higher pressure environment to a lower pressure condition without significant damage to the particulates contained in the material.

Apparatus and method for controlling flow of process materials


The tuner for ring laser gyro dither mechanism shown herein is a disk 32 which is bolted to the top end 48 of a base mounted vane 24 of the gyro. All such base mounted vane top ends 48 are thus bolted together, thereby stiffening the spring constant of the azimuthal vibration 52 of the top ends 48, thus increasing the frequency of the dither mechanism.

The present invention relates to dither mechanisms for ring laser gyros, and has particular relation to apparatus for tuning the frequency of such dither mechanisms.
A ring laser gyro must be mounted on a central axial flexure, or dither mechanism, so that it may be axially rotated to avoid lock-in. The frequency of axial dither is heavily dependent upon the particular flexure and the rotational inertia of the ring laser gyro, and is not easily changed, even though some frequencies may be more desirable than others. The prior art has therefore first determined the desirable frequency for the particular application at hand, and has then designed a flexure which will dither at that frequency. This approach prevents off-the-shelf stockpiling of standard flexure sizes.

Tuner for ring laser gyro dither mechanism


Body protective clothing to be worn over or in place of outer garments for protection while actively participating in various sports is provided. A zippered vest-type garment including a resilient foam insert strategically located along the lower portion of the torso includes adjustable front closure straps for maintaining the position of the foam about the lower back and hip bones. A harness-type construction having crossed-adjustable shoulder straps and a closure belt portion also provides impact protection about the lower back and hip bones of the wearer. Stretch-type pants are provided with pockets in the regions of the hip and lower back for receiving foam pads when desired.

This invention relates generally to body protective clothing, and in particular to body protective clothing including strategically located foam pads for protecting the lower back and hip regions of a wearer. As more and more people undertake active participation in sports, such as skiing, roller skating, ice skating, skate boarding and the like, the susceptibility to injury of the lower torso and back due to impact increases. While professional athletes have long been provided with a sophisticated assortment of armor and various pads, such as shoulder pads, knee pads and the like, the recreactional participant has not had suitable body protective clothing which is acceptable from an aesthetic standpoint, yet provides realistic impact protection.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide body protective clothing which could be worn in place or in addition to outer garments while a person participates actively in a sport wherein the torso may be subjected to impact.


Disclosed are packages for optocouplers and methods of making the same. An exemplary optocoupler comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a plurality of optoelectronic dice for one or more optocouplers disposed on the substrate's first surface, and a plurality of optoelectronic dice for one or more optocouplers disposed on the substrate's second surface. The substrate may comprise a pre-molded leadframe, and electrical connections between optoelectronic dice on opposite surfaces of the substrate may be made via one or more leads of the leadframe.

An optocoupler contains an optical emitter device that is optically coupled to an optical receiver device through an optically transmissive medium. This arrangement permits the passage of information from one electrical circuit that contains the optical emitter device to another electrical circuit that contains the optical receiver device. A high degree of electrical isolation is maintained between the two circuits. Because information is passed optically across an electrically insulating gap, the transfer is one way. For example, the optical receiver device cannot modify the operation of a circuit containing the optical emitter device. This feature is desirable because, for example, the emitter may be driven by a low voltage circuit using a microprocessor or logic gates, while the output optical receiver device may be part of a high voltage DC or AC load circuit. The optical isolation also prevents damage to the input circuit caused by the relatively hostile output circuit, and allows the two circuits to be at different ground potentials.

Stacked micro optocouplers and methods of making the same


By providing a retaining surface, upon which a solid state device is positioned, and a device securing means movable into and out of compression engagement with a portion of the solid state device, for securely mounting and retaining the device in sandwiched interengagement between the securing means and the retaining surface, a unique solid state device mounting assembly is achieved which eliminates fastening means extending through the solid state device for secure mounting thereof. In addition, the assembly incorporates heat dissipating means cooperatingly associated with the retaining surface for absorbing and dissipating heat generated by the solid state device. In the preferred embodiment, an elongated unitary one-piece bracket member is employed for securely mounting a plurality of solid state devices in the single bracket member, with the bracket member being mountable to a heat dissipating surface.

It is well known in the electronic art that many solid state devices generate a considerable amount of heat which must be dissipated away from the solid state device in order to prevent failures. In order to assist with this heat dissipation or "heat sinking," many of these solid state devices are manufactured integrally mounted to a substantially flat metal plate, a portion of which extends beyond the device's main body, forming a metal tab-like construction which incorporates a through hole near its exposed end. Generally, the electrodes of the solid state device protrude in a direction opposite from the direction of the exposed apertured metal tab.
In mounting these solid state devices, the exposed apertured metal tab is employed with fastening means for directly anchoring the solid state device to a holding plate, constructed for absorbing and dissipating the heat generated by the solid state device. This type of construction and mounting system is generally employed throughout the industry in the manufacture of a wide variety of products. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,474, this conventional structure is discussed and clearly shown. In addition to this conventional anchoring system, this patent also employs restraining blocks for preventing the rotation of the solid state device about the axis of the anchoring screw when the solid state device is being affixed to the heat sinking plate.
Although this conventional system does provide suitable heat sinking capability for the heat generated by these solid state devices, the direct fastening of the apertured metal tab to a mounting plate creates additional problems which have heretofor gone completely unresolved. This major problem is controlling the spacing between the electrically live apertured metal tab of the solid state device and the metal heat sinking plate.
It is well known that where electrically live parts are employed in close proximity to grounded or floating conductive parts, the distance or "spacing" between the live parts and the grounded or floating conductive parts is an important design perimeter which must comply with minimum acceptable standards in order to assure the safety and reliability of the system. The minimum spacing is required to avoid arcing from live parts to the grounded parts and shorting of live parts to grounded or floating conductive parts. In addition the minimum spacing also prevents potential fire and safety hazards from occuring due to electrical leakage current flowing between the live parts and adjacent grounded parts as a result of contamination of surfaces between these parts.
In determining compliance of standards for minimum acceptable spacing, both the "through air" and "over surface" spacing must be considered. As a result, in conventional mounting of solid state devices to suitable heat sinking surfaces, insulators are employed to comply with these minimum acceptable standards for through air and over surface spacings.
As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,474, compliance with these standards requires the use of a dielectric sheet between the semi-conductor and the heat sinking plate, as well as an insulating bushing passing through the apertured metal tab in order to achieve sufficient insulation of the anchoring screw from the heat sinking plate. As is readily apparent to one skilled in this art, this construction is extremely disadvantageous since a large number of small hand assembled parts is required.
Another problem which exists with these prior art mounting systems is the difficulty of accommodating the varying dimensions of the necessary parts. Since these parts are all mass produced, the tolerance on the thickness of items such as the metal tab or the thickness of the insulating bushings are not closely controlled. As a result, the thickness of one metal tab or bushing can be very different from the next.
These variations become a critical problem when these devices must be mounted to the heat sink plate within a specific tolerance to prevent electrical conduction to the heat sink plate. When the allowed tolerance is small, these variations can present time consuming and costly problems.
Therefore, it is the principle object of the present invention to provide a solid state device mounting assembly that securely maintains the solid state device in position without employing fastening means extending through the solid state device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state device mounting assembly having the characteristic features defined above which is capable of simultaneously holding a plurality of solid state devices in a single easily assembled module.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state device mounting assembly having the characteristic features defined above which is capable of transferring the heat generated by the solid state devices to a suitable heat dissipating surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state device mounting and heat dissipating assembly having the characteristic features described above which is both easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state device mounting and heat dissipating assembly having the characteristic features described above which is quickly and easily assembled and installed in an operating system.
Other more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

Solid state device mounting and heat dissipating assembly


The present invention relates to a method for converting and separating vanadium, titanium, and iron from the vanadium-titanium-iron concentrate in one step, which includes the steps as below. (1) The vanadium-titanium-iron concentrate is mixed and roasted together with addition agent and reducing agent, and thereby vanadium-containing pig iron and vanadium enriched slag are obtained. (2) The vanadium titanium enriched slag is leached in water and filtered, and thereby vanadium-containing solution and titanium slag are obtained. The technical features of the present invention are as below. By the new process of sodium reduction coupling, a new system of low-temperature smelting multiphase reaction separation is constructed. The reduction of iron, sodiumizing of vanadium, and the melting separation process of the vanadium titanium enriched slag and the iron are achieved in one step. Three products, i.e., the vanadium-containing pig iron, the vanadium-containing solution, and the titanium slag are produced.

Around the world, nowadays, the methods of utilizing the vanadium-titanium-iron concentrate are as below. (1) The process of blast furnace-converter can only extract the iron and a part of vanadium, while the titanium enters the blast furnace slag and cannot be effectively and economically recovered and utilized. A large amount of blast furnace titanium slag that is additionally produced causes a huge drain of titanium resources and serious environmental pollution. (2) In the process of rotary hearth furnace-electrical furnace, the vanadium-bearing titano-magnetite is firstly pre-reduced in a rotary hearth furnace, and then is melted and separated by the electrical furnace, such that hot metal and the titanium enriched slag are obtained. However, the location of vanadium is hard to control, and the utilization rate of the vanadium is not high. Also, the mineral phase of the melting-separated titanium slag is stable, and has a compact structure. There is no mature process to deal with melting-separated titanium slag at present. Only a small amount of melting-separated titanium slag is used as a raw material to produce titanium dioxide pigment in sulfate process. (3) The process of direct reduction and grinding beneficiation achieves the separation of iron and vanadium-titanium, and obtains iron powder and vanadium-titanium enriched slag. The vanadium-titanium enriched slag is further subjected to the process of sodium salt roasting. The vanadium is extracted by water leaching. The vanadium solution and the titanium enriched slag are obtained. (4) In the process which firstly extracts the vanadium, the vanadium-titanium-iron concentrate firstly is subjected to the process of sodium salt roasting and water leaching extraction of vanadium. Next, the iron making process with the blast furnace or the non-blast furnace is conducted. After the vanadium extraction, since the content of residual sodium is high, the smooth conduction of the process of iron making is negatively affected. Also, the obtained titanium slag still cannot be utilized as in above processes. Moreover, these processes require conducting two or three high-temperature steps to achieve the effective separation of the iron, the vanadium, and the titanium. There are defects of a long process, a high investment, a high cost, serious pollution, and a low comprehensive utilization degree. In view of the above, no matter what kind of usage is conducted, the recovering and utilization of the iron, the vanadium, and the titanium from the vanadium-bearing titano-magnetite cannot be achieved simultaneously, which causes a waste of resources. The present invention provides a new method for converting and separating the vanadium, the titanium, and the iron from the vanadium-titanium-iron concentrate in one step. An efficient and clean recovery of the vanadium, the titanium, and the iron is achieved. The method has the significant advantages of the short process, low investment, low production cost, reduced environmental pollution, the efficiency of comprehensive recovery, and has a wide application prospect.

Method for converting and separating vanadium, titanium, and iron from vanadium-titanium-iron concentrate in one step

Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences


A filter media supply and extraction apparatus for a plate type liquid filtering device having a stack of separable filter plates. The extraction mechanism comprises a driven roller for each sheet of filter media in combination with an adjacent, movable bar having a series of spaced apart pinch wheels mounted thereon for penetrating accumulated cake and filtered dirt on the media when an actuator moves them against the roller as the media is being advanced. The driven rollers are mounted on separate bearing plates which are movable in response to sensor signals to steer the moving filter media and maintain its alignment with the filter plates. The supply section of the apparatus comprises a series of supports for supply rolls of filter media provided with adjustable centering means to help maintain proper alignment of the filter media between filter plates.

This invention relates to an improved liquid filtering apparatus of the separable plate type and more particularly, it relates to such a filtering apparatus in combination with an improved mechanism for supplying fresh filter media to, and removing used filter media from, the filtering apparatus.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,734, a filtering apparatus is described wherein a series of horizontal plates are arranged in a stacked arrangement to form a series of inlet chambers for dirty liquid to be filtered. The plates are separable to an open position to allow placement of a sheet of filter media between them and when closed, they are sealed against the media around their edges to form an inlet chamber for each plate on one side of the media and, under a suitable grill, a collection chamber for clean, filtered liquid on the opposite side of the media. The inlet chambers are each connected to an inlet conduit for dirty liquid and the collection chambers are connected in parallel to a common conduit for clean filtrate.
In the aforesaid patent, filter media in the form of filter paper supplied from rolls located adjacent one side of the filter plates, is pulled between the plates by a media pulling apparatus adjacent the other side of the plates. The pulling apparatus includes a mechanism for inserting pins into the filter media to move it for a sufficient distance so that used filter media is completely removed from between each adjacent pair of separated filter plates and is replaced by fresh media before the plates are again closed. Heretofore, such an arrangement was particularly useful where additional filter media, such as diatomaceous earth, was added to, and allowed to build up, to form a cake on the filter paper media during a typical filtering cycle. As an alternative to the aforesaid patented pin-type media moving mechanism, it was suggested that the paper type filter media be pulled, using a crown roller in combination with a pinch roller, connected to a driving mechanism. Although such an expedient was operable to a limited degree with plain paper type filter media, it was not at all satisfactory for application where additional filter media was used to form a filter cake on the paper media or where an excessive buildup of filtered-out material occurred on the paper media. With such a thick layer of filter media, the filter cake or accumulated dirt, could not be passed between the crown roller and its pinch roll. Thus, the pinch roll could not hold the filter media against the crown roll so as to be driven satisfactorily and in many instances the media would track off to one side of the crown roll and prevent proper sealing of the media by the closing plates. Such erratic operation required continuous surveillance and manual adjustments and thus prevented the filter from being operated automatically and unattended for long periods of time.
A further problem with such plate type filters involving the filter media arose with respect to the necessity of providing a readily accessible paper supply, namely, the required rolls of paper media for the various pairs of filter plates. Not only was it necessary to provide means for quickly and easily replacing large paper rolls, but it was equally essential to provide a paper roll support means that would enable the paper to stay properly aligned relative to the plates during a media changing cycle. The present invention solves these and other problems associated with the filter media supply and removal system for plate type filters.

Filter media mover for plate type filter