A stencil is made by thermally forming perforations arranged in both a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction in a thermoplastic resin film of heat-sensitive stencil material by the use of a heat source which is heated through supply of energy. Supply of energy to the heat source is cut when a time interval not shorter than 50% and not longer than 100% of an estimated perforating time lapses from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started. The estimated perforating time is a time interval expected to be necessary for a perforation to be produced by the heat of the heat source and to be enlarged to a desired size as a final size as measured from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for making a stencil by thermally perforating a thermoplastic resin film of heat-sensitive stencil material by a thermal head or the like, and to a heat-sensitive stencil material. More particularly, this invention relates to improvement in shape of perforations, printing quality and stencil making speed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Methods of making a heat-sensitive stencil are broadly divided into a method in which the resin film side of the heat-sensitive stencil material is brought into close contact with an original bearing thereon an image formed of a carbon-containing material and the resin film is perforated by heat generated by the image upon exposure to infra-red rays and a method in which the resin film of the heat-sensitive stencil material is imagewise perforated by two-dimensionally scanning the resin film side of the heat-sensitive stencil material with a device such as a thermal head having an array of micro heater elements. The former method will be referred to as xe2x80x9can analog stencil making methodxe2x80x9d and the latter method will be referred to as xe2x80x9ca digital stencil making methodxe2x80x9d, in this specification. At the present, the digital stencil making method is prevailing over the analog stencil making method since the former does not require carbon in the original and permits easy image processing.
When the stencil is made by the digital stencil making method, it is preferred that the perforations be discrete by pixel, and be uniform in shape and degree of penetration so that the thin lines and/or edges of the printings show rims faithful to the original, the solid portions of the printings has a sufficient density and the amount of ink to be transferred to each printing sheet can be well controlled not to cause offset (the phenomenon the ink on the surface of a first printed sheet stains the back side of a second printed sheet superposed on the surface of the first printed sheet).
On the other hand, in order to meet the recent demand for higher image quality, highly fine or high resolution thermal heads such as of 400 dpi or 600 dpi have been in wide use as the thermal device for thermally perforating the stencil material. Such high resolution thermal devices are generally lower than low resolution thermal devices in the maximum temperature they can provide. Accordingly, in order to perforate the stencil material in a given size with the high resolution thermal device, the stencil material should be more sensitive to perforation than when it is perforated by the low resolution thermal device. Further, since the number of perforations (pixels) increases as the resolution increases, it is preferred that the time required to form each perforation be shortened, that is, each perforation be formed at a higher speed. Thus, physical properties of the resin film, the structure of the thermal head, and the method of controlling the thermal head for meeting these demands have been searched for.
The thermoplastic resin film for the heat-sensitive stencil material produces shrinkage stress when heated by a heat source such as a thermal head and is perforated by shrinkage. In order to improve sensitivity to perforation of the heat-sensitive stencil material, there has been proposed thermoplastic resin film having a specified heat shrinkage factor as disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4(1992)-125190 or thermoplastic resin film having a specified heat shrinkage factor and a specified heat shrinkage stress as disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 7(1995)-52573 and 7(1995)-68964. However, in these patent publications, the heat shrinkage factor or the heat shrinkage stress is specified on the basis of measurement of the heat shrinkage factor or the heat shrinkage stress when the film is heated several to several tens of minutes, which is very long as compared with the time for which the film is heated in the actual perforation. Further, the measurement is static and does not reflect the actual perforation. Further, though the heat shrinkage factor or the heat shrinkage stress measured by, for instance, TMA (thermo-mechanical analysis) under a macroscopic and quasi-static condition where the area to be heated is not smaller than several millimeters (mm) and the temperature change is 10xc2x0 C./min or so has been reported, the behavior of the perforations under a microscopic and dynamic condition in the actual stencil making process where the area to be heated by the thermal head or the like is several tens of micrometers (xcexcm) and the temperature change is 1xc2x0 C./xcexcs or so has not been reported. Thus the reported heat shrinkage factor or heat shrinkage stress does not conform to the actual perforation.
Further, conventionally, discussion on the perforation in the stencil making process has been made not on the basis of behavior of perforations in course of perforation but on the final state of perforations. In such discussion, physical properties of the resin film and the structure of the thermal head, and the method of controlling the thermal head are generally discussed in order to control the final size and shape of the perforations and the TMA data on the film is employed only to indicate the sensitivity to perforation. Accordingly, the properties of the film concerning to the degree to which the perforations are discrete by pixel and the shape of the perforations is stabilized are generally incompatible with the sensitivity to perforation of film and the speed at which the film is perforated. That is, when a film can be perforated so that the perforations are well discrete and uniform in shape, the film is less sensitive to the perforation and takes a long time to perforate. Naturally the opposition is also true. Accordingly, in the actual design of a stencil making system, a plurality of kinds of thermoplastic resin film are prepared, the sensitivity to perforation of each kind of film is determined by repeating experiments or TMA measurements, and one of the kinds of film which is most close to a target sensitivity is selected.
The general data on the heat shrinkage factor and heat shrinkage stress do not always conform to the evaluation of film obtained in the actual design of a stencil making system with respect to, for instance, discreteness and uniformity of shape of the perforations, the sensitivity to perforation and the perforating speed. As described above, this is because the TMA data and the like are obtained under a macroscopic and quasi-static condition whereas the actual perforation in the actual stencil making process is effected under a microscopic and dynamic condition. Further, it is difficult to read from the TMA data the performance of the film representing the perforating speed, the stability of the shape of perforations and the like except the sensitivity to perforation. Even about the sensitivity to perforation, it is difficult to estimate the difference in the sensitivity to perforation between film samples which are slightly different from each other, for instance, in TMA curve since it is actually impossible to prepare a variety of film samples which are different from each other in one or more particular factor such as the TMA curve with the other factors held to be the same. Accordingly, when a suitable kind of resin film is to be selected, stencils must be actually made using a variety of resin film samples, which adds to the development cost.
As described above, information obtained as a characteristic value in the stencil making experiments is only on the size and shape of the perforations at the time the perforations are completed. Accordingly, it has been very difficult to know, without experience and sense, how the physical properties of the resin film should be changed on the basis of the result of experiment in order to obtain a desirable form of perforation, which has been made difficult development of new products and improvement of the performance of the products. Unsatisfactory design of the performance of the resin film can result in the case where the sensitivity to perforation and perforating speed are too poor to obtain a high-resolution stencil under a practical condition though the perforations are discrete and substantially uniform in shape or in the case where the perforations are not discrete and not uniform in shape though the sensitivity to perforation and perforating speed are satisfactory.
Thus, it has been impossible to develop, on the basis of conventional data experimentally obtained, a method of and an apparatus for making a stencil by thermally perforating a thermoplastic resin film of heat-sensitive stencil material, and a thermoplastic resin film for heat-sensitive stencil material in which demands for uniformity in shape of perforations, sensitivity to perforation and perforating speed are all satisfied.
In view of the foregoing observations and description, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of and an apparatus for making a stencil by thermally perforating a thermoplastic resin film of heat-sensitive stencil material, and a thermoplastic resin film for heat-sensitive stencil material in which perforations can be discrete and uniform in shape, and sensitivity to perforation and perforating speed are high.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making a stencil by thermally forming perforations arranged in both a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction in a thermoplastic resin film of heat-sensitive stencil material by the use of a heat source which is heated through supply of energy, wherein the improvement comprises that supply of energy to the heat source is cut when a time interval not shorter than 50% and not longer than 100% of an estimated perforating time lapses from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started, the estimated perforating time being a time interval expected to be necessary for a perforation to be produced by the heat of the heat source and to be enlarged to a desired size as a final size as measured from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started.
The desired size as a final size is a size in which the perforation is to be formed when enlargement of the perforation is ended, and will be sometimes referred to as xe2x80x9ca target sizexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9ca target diameterxe2x80x9d, or xe2x80x9ca target areaxe2x80x9d, hereinbelow.
It is preferred that the estimated perforating time be a time t2 represented by formula       B          A                    xe2x80x83                          exp                          (                      Ct            2                    )                      =      4    100
when a graph of the diameter of the perforation against the time from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started is regressed on an exponential function   A  -      B          exp                    (        Ct        )
wherein A, B and C are positive constants.
It is preferred that the target diameters of the perforations in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction be set not smaller than 45% and not larger than 80% of the scanning pitches in the respective directions.
Further it is preferred that the target area of the perforations be set not smaller than 20% and not larger than 50% of the product of the scanning pitches in the main scanning direction and in the sub-scanning direction.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for making a stencil comprising a heat source which is heated through supply of energy, a heat source control means which supplies energy to the heat source and a scanning means which scans a thermoplastic resin film of heat-sensitive stencil material with the heat source to thermally form perforations arranged in both a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction in the thermoplastic resin film, wherein the improvement comprises that the heat source control means cuts supply of energy to the heat source when a time interval not shorter than 50% and not longer than 100% of an estimated perforating time lapses from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started, the estimated perforating time being a time interval expected to be necessary for a perforation to be produced by the heat of the heat source and to be enlarged to a desired size as a final size as measured from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started.
It is preferred that the estimated perforating time be a time t2 represented by formula       B          A                    xe2x80x83                          exp                          (                      Ct            2                    )                      =      4    100
when a graph of the diameter of the perforation against the time from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started is regressed on an exponential function   A  -      B          exp                    (        Ct        )
wherein A, B and C are positive constants.
It is preferred that the heat source control means sets the target diameters of the perforations in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction to be not smaller than 45% and not larger than 80% of the scanning pitches in the respective directions.
It is preferred that the heat source control means sets the target area of the perforations to be not smaller than 20% and not larger than 50% of the product of the scanning pitches in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermoplastic resin film for stencil material which is scanned by a heat source, which is heated through supply of energy, in both a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction and is thermally formed with perforations arranged in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions in the thermoplastic resin film, wherein the improvement comprises that
the heat shrinkable properties of the thermoplastic resin film are such that the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is cut to the time at which enlargement of the perforation is stopped is not shorter than 0% and not longer than 100% of the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started to the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is cut.
It is preferred that the time at which enlargement of the perforation (will be referred to as xe2x80x9cthe enlargement stopping timexe2x80x9d, hereinbelow) is stopped be set to be a time t2 represented by formula       B          A                    xe2x80x83                          exp                          (                      Ct            2                    )                      =      4    100
when a graph of the diameter of the perforation against the time t from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started is regressed on an exponential function   A  -      B          exp                    (        Ct        )
wherein A, B and C are positive constants.
Though the time at which enlargement of the perforation is stopped is strictly the time at which enlargement of the perforation in all the directions is stopped, the time may be taken for the purpose of simplicity as the time at which enlargement of the perforation in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is stopped.
With reference to FIG. 5, xe2x80x9cthe diameter of the perforationsxe2x80x9d is defined as follows. That is, in a perforation 21, the diameter of the perforation 21 in a given direction is a length 25 of an orthographic projection of the inner periphery (a boundary defined by a dark region of the inner slope of the rim to be described later in a bright-field image obtained through an optical microscope) of the rim 23 (an annular thickened part generated by thermal perforation) of the perforation 21 onto a straight line 24 parallel to the given direction.
The xe2x80x9carea of the perforationxe2x80x9d is the area of the part 22 (FIG. 5) circumscribed by the inner periphery of the rim.
These inventors have found a method of evaluating perforation from a novel point of view. That is, we observed the phenomenon that a small perforation was formed and enlarged with time when the thermoplastic resin film of the stencil material was brought into contact with the heat source such as a thermal head by the use of a system which could take an image in a microscopic field of view of the order of xcexcm at a high speed of xcexcs. The result is shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the ordinate represents the diameter of the perforation and the abscissa represents the time from the time supply of energy to the heat source is initiated. From FIG. 6, we have found that perforation occurs in the following four stages.
In the first stage, the thermoplastic resin film is heated by a heater element (heat source) of a thermal head the temperature of which is the highest at the center thereof and is lowered toward its periphery. The temperature of the film is the highest at a part in contact with the center of the heater element and as the distance from the part in contact with the center of the heater element increases, the temperature of the film lowers. When the temperature of the film exceeds a shrinkage initiation temperature at which the film starts to shrink, shrinkage stress, which tends to reduce the distance between any two points on the film, is generated and accordingly, tension is produced in any point of areas which are not lower than the shrinkage initiation temperature. The direction of the tension is substantially perpendicular to (just perpendicular to if thermal shrinkage is isotropic) isothermal lines on the film. On the other hand, where the temperature of the film is sufficiently low, no shrinkage stress is generated. Accordingly, resin of the film is moved away from the highest temperature point of the film as it slides down the temperature gradient.
In the second stage, an initial small perforation is generated near the highest temperature point of the film.
In the third stage, the outer periphery of the initial small perforation is pulled outward by tension from outside, whereby the perforation is enlarged (growth of the perforation by shrinkage stress). The outer periphery of the perforation is pulled outward and increases its volume taking in resin on its path, whereby the rim is formed.
In the fourth stage, the heater element is de-energized and its temperature lowers. As the temperature of the heater element lowers, the temperature of the film in contact with the heater element lowers, and when the temperature of the film becomes lower than the shrinkage initiation temperature, no tension acts on the rim and the shape of the perforation is fixed (end of the perforation). The diameter or the area of the perforation as measured in this stage will be referred to as the diameter or the area of the perforation xe2x80x9cin the final statexe2x80x9d, hereinbelow.
Thus we have found that the aforesaid incompatible requirements, that is, discreteness of the perforations, stability in shape of the perforations, sensitivity to perforation of the stencil material and high speed perforation, can be balanced at a high level by setting in a certain range the ratio of the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started to the time at which it is cut to the estimated perforating time out of the various parameters obtained from the perforation size versus energizing time curve.
That is, the aforesaid incompatible requirements can be balanced at a high level by cutting supply of energy to the heat source when a time interval not shorter than 50% and not longer than 100% of the estimated perforating time lapses from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started. When supply of energy to the heat source is cut before 50% of the estimated perforating time lapses from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started, sensitivity to perforation deteriorates and the perforations cannot be formed at a satisfactory speed. Whereas, when supply of energy to the heat source is cut after 100% of the estimated perforating time lapses from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started, the perforations cannot be discrete and at the same time the shape of the perforations becomes unstable.
Further, when the estimated perforating time is set to be a time t2 represented by formula       B          A                    xe2x80x83                          exp                          (                      Ct            2                    )                      =      4    100
when a graph of the diameter of the perforation against the time from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started is regressed on an exponential function   A  -      B          exp                    (        Ct        )
(A, B and C are positive constants), the estimated perforating time can be determined without affected by accuracy in measuring the diameter of the perforation.
Further, when the target diameters of the perforation in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, that is, the diameters in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction to which the perforation is expected to be enlarged after cut of the energy supply, are set not smaller than 45% and not larger than 80% of the scanning pitches in the respective directions, the amount of ink transferred through the stencil obtained can be such that offset can be avoided in solid parts while necessary density is ensured, and thin character parts can be sufficient in width and density.
Further, when the target area of the perforation, that is, the area to which the perforation is expected to be enlarged after cut of the energy supply, is set to be not smaller than 20% and not larger than 50% of the product of the scanning pitches in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions, the amount of ink transferred through the stencil obtained can be such that offset can be avoided in solid parts while necessary density is ensured, and thin character parts can be sufficient in width and density.
When the heat shrinkable properties of the thermoplastic resin film for the stencil material are such that the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is cut to the time at which enlargement of the perforation is stopped is not shorter than 0% and not longer than 100% of the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started to the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is cut, the perforations can be discrete, the shape of the perforations can be stabilized, an excellent sensitivity to perforation can be ensured and a high perforating speed can be ensured. That the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is cut to the time at which enlargement of the perforation is stopped is shorter than 0% of the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started to the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is cut is that enlargement of the perforation is stopped before supply of energy to the heat source is still continued. Such a phenomenon occurs when energy is kept to be supplied to the heat source longer as compared with the time required to perforate the thermoplastic resin film or when the shrinkage initiation temperature is low and the heat shrinkage stress is large to such an extent that enlargement of the perforation is stopped by the time temperature increase in the heat source becomes slow while the heat source is being energized. When the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is cut to the time at which enlargement of the perforation is stopped is shorter than 0% of the time interval from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started to the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is cut, the shape of the perforations is apt to fluctuate though sensitivity to perforation and perforating speed can be high. Whereas when the former time is longer than the latter time, sensitivity to perforation and perforating speed cannot be high.
When the enlargement stopping time is set to be a time t2 represented by formula       B          A                    xe2x80x83                          exp                          (                      Ct            2                    )                      =      4    100
when a graph of the diameter of the perforation against the time t from the time at which supply of energy to the heat source is started is regressed on an exponential function   A  -      B          exp                    (        Ct        )
(A, B and C are positive constants) the enlargement stopping time can be determined without affected by accuracy in measuring the diameter of the perforation.
The values of the diameter and the area of the perforations are not as measured in the thermoplastic film laminated on the porous support sheet (to form a heat-sensitive stencil) but as measured in the thermoplastic film by itself. This is because it is very difficult to observe the state of perforation and to measure the diameter and/or the area of the perforation in a state where the thermoplastic film is laminated on the porous support sheet. However, the state of perforation (the diameter and/or the area of the perforation) as measured in the thermoplastic film by itself has a high correlation with that as measured in the thermoplastic film laminated on the porous support sheet. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the correlation. In FIG. 7, the ordinate represents the diameters of the perforations in the final state when a heat-sensitive stencil material (a thermoplastic film and a porous support sheet laminated together) is perforated under various conditions and the abscissa represents the diameters of the perforations in the final state when the same thermoplastic film as that employed in the heat-sensitive stencil material is perforated by itself under the same conditions. The correlation coefficient of the graph shown in FIG. 7 is 0.913. In FIG. 8, the ordinate represents the areas of the perforations in the final state when a heat-sensitive stencil material (a thermoplastic film and a porous support sheet laminated together) is perforated under various conditions and the abscissa represents the areas of the perforations in the final state when the same thermoplastic film as that employed in the heat-sensitive stencil material is perforated by itself under the same conditions. The correlation coefficient of the graph shown in FIG. 8 is 0.9319. Thus it will be understood that the state of perforation in the thermoplastic film by itself can represent the state of perforation in the heat-sensitive stencil material comprising the thermoplastic film laminated with a porous support sheet.

Method for making a heat-sensitive stencil


In a boiling water reactor controlling each control rod hydraulically by driving a solenoid valve, the control system comprises an operation control means 41 having a duplicated data processing unit for generating sequence patterns based on the timing of the driving sequence based on the control information provided manually, a transmission control means 42 for creating a command word corresponding to each control rod being controlled based on said sequence pattern, and mutually communicating each command word between duplicated data processing units and computing the AND logic of said data within a predetermined time difference, and when the computed result coincide, transmitting the selected command word serially; a transmission unit 32 for receiving said command word and performing protocol conversion thereto, and transmitting the same to a plurality of transmission branch units positioned downstream as the control command; and a solenoid valve drive circuit 31 for driving the control rod drive unit corresponding to each rod branched from said transmission branch units.

The present invention relates to improving the reliability of a manual control system for controlling the control rod of a nuclear reactor, and the method for replacing the same.
Heretofore, in a boiling water reactor, a system is proposed that applies a controller to a reactor manual control system and a rod position information system for controlling the hydraulic drive of the control rod, and realizes the desired functions through software processing. One example of the prior art system is the Advanced RMCS and RPIS (ICON, 71997th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Tokyo, Japan, Apr. 19-23, 1999). Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-319171 discloses a surveillance function in a rod position monitoring system equipped with a rod controller and a position monitor controller that utilizes software processing.
In an existing boiling water reactor (BWR) plant, a hydraulic drive method is applied to drive the control rod. Therefore, a system in which a controller is applied for the reactor manual control system and the rod position information system so as to control the hydraulic drive of the control rod and to realize the functions through software processing is developed supposing that the system is to be applied to the existing plant. However, according to the prior art mentioned above, there is no actual consideration on how to introduce the system realizing the functions through software processing to the actual nuclear plant.
Moreover, the conventional system operating today performing hydraulic drive control of the control rod is composed of a special-purpose electronic circuit for realizing its function, or in other words, it is composed of hardware only. However, there is no sufficient consideration on how to rationally replace the conventional hardware with a rod control monitoring device that requires software processing.
Based on the problems of the prior art mentioned above, the object of the present invention is to provide a reactor manual control system that enables to easily replace the conventional system with the system realizing the necessary function through software processing. Another object of the invention is to provide a reactor control system that enables to control the control rod corresponding to the switching between automatic and manual control.
In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention suppresses the range of the duplex system when creating the software for controlling the reactor control rod, and further utilizes the conventional units that have interface with the machine system of the control rod driving device, which enables to partially replace the existing system with the new system.
The present system comprises an operation control means that processes (determines) the timing of the drive sequence at a duplicated data processing unit; a transmission control means that performs an AND logic within a predetermined period of time by receiving the duplicated data at another duplicated data processing unit and mutually transmitting data, and when said AND logic is fulfilled, selects one data and transmits said data; a transmission means that receives said data and performs protocol conversion so as to generate a serial transmission command and to transmit them serially to a plurality of transmission branch portions positioned downstream; and a control rod drive means that is branched from said branch portion and drives said control rod.
The serial transmission command is discriminated for each control rod including the synchronizing bit, the address of the control rod, and the excitation command for the solenoid valve, so the interface of the control rod drive means or control rod drive mechanism can be set similar to the prior art.
The rod position information system is also basically similar in structure. The position input system inputs the control rod position from the rod position detecting mechanism, and the position transmission means connected to each position input system via the branch portion transmits the position signal upstream, which is distributed through mutual transmission within the data processing unit. The position monitor system displays one of the control rod positions that had gone through software processing in the duplicated system. Here, the interface of the position detecting device or position detecting mechanism is similar to that of the conventional system.
Moreover, the reactor manual control system according to the present invention is characterized in that said rod control system is renewed with a control cabinet having a duplicated data processing unit of a microcomputer, and only the transmission system is further renewed that performs protocol conversion within the control cabinet of the control rod drive system. The control rod position monitor system is similar in that the cabinet of the control rod monitor device is renewed but only the position transmission system is renewed in the cabinet of the position input system.


A runner (20) for mechanical assembly between two miniature molded cases (10,11) performs at the same time the electrical connection of the control circuits of the two cases (10,11). For this purpose, contact pads (27) are arranged in the bottom of the slide (19) in which the runner (20) slides, the runner (20) bearing a contact bridge cooperating with contact pods (27).

The invention relates to a device for assembling two adjacent molded cases housing miniature electrical switchgear having a circuit, notably a control circuit, connected to two external connection terminals, comprising a fast-fixing connecting runner which in the active position overlaps the interface of the two cases, and whose parts protruding on both sides of said interface are each secured to one of the cases to mechanically assemble the two cases.
An assembly device of the kind mentioned, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,228, enabled a modular low voltage miniature electrical switchgear system to be achieved. The switchgear generally comprises control circuits or auxiliary circuits which have to be interconnected when two or more modules are assembled. In the simplest example of a two-pole remote-controlled switch achieved by assembly of two single-pole remote-controlled switches, the two operating coils must be connected in parallel to ensure simultaneous operation of the two controls. This paralleling can be achieved at the level of the external connection terminals of the control circuit, but fitting of these connections complicates assembly.

Device for mechanical and electrical assembly of miniature molded cases


This invention relates to an improved armature for a four pole wave wound direct current machine and also to a method for winding the armature for such a machine. A plural turn winding is free formed or wound in place to substantially a final shape with two ends spaced for connection to commutator segments spaced substantially 180.degree. apart on the armature and with at least four sides defining at least two open turns. The winding sides are spaced for engaging slots in the armature core which are spaced substantially 90.degree. apart. The winding is initially free formed and the turns are separated as necessary to insert the winding on the core and to position the winding sides in their assigned slots in the armature core.

This invention relates to electric generator and motor structures and more particularly to an improved four pole wave wound direct current rotary machine having plural turn open windings on an armature.
For four pole wave wound direct current motors operated at relatively low speeds and/or relatively high voltages, there is a tendency for excessive currents to flow in armature windings having only a single turn. One common method for limiting the currents in the armature windings is to form the windings with a plurality of turns. An armature of this type for a D.C. motor is illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,864 which is directed to winding an armature with a plurality of turns extending between two spaced slots in a laminated core. However, armatures of this type are only practical with thin flexible wire having a round cross section. It is often desirable to wind the armature with wire having a square or rectangular cross section. Such a wire cross section increases the efficiency of the armature by completely filling the space within each armature slot, as distinguished from having perhaps 25% or more air space in each armature slot when round wires are used. Heretofore, when heavy gauge wires and rectangular cross section wires were used for winding armatures, it was necessary either to limit each winding to a single turn in order to place the conductor in the armature slot or to form each winding from a plurality of sections which are welded or soldered together to form a continuous conductor. This greatly increases the complexity and cost of manufacturing the armature.
The prior art has also suggested that the number of armature windings may be increased, for example, by doubling the number of windings in each armature core slot. One winding is connected between two commutator segments spaced substantially 180.degree. apart and a second winding in the same core slot is connected between the adjacent two commutator segments, also spaced substantially 180.degree. apart. However, this arrangement requires twice as many commutator segments than in a conventional armature having only single turn windings. The prior art also has suggested that a double winding may be applied to the armature in four slots mechanically spaced 90.degree. apart about the armature. However, the prior art has indicated that such an arrangement is not applicable to four pole machines, since the winding ends must be connected to commutator segments spaced 360.degree. apart. See the treatise by A. S. Langsdorf, "Principles of Direct-Current Machines", Fifth Edition, published in 1940 by McGraw Hill Book Company (New York and London), pages 317-365, especially pages 348 and 349, or the Sixth Edition, published in 1959, pages 45 to 90, especially pages 64 and 65.

Four pole wave wound direct current machine with multi-turn armature coils


A bite block for an endotrachial tube includes a hollow body extending between open ends to receive an endotrachial tube such that opposing ends of the tube protrude through the open ends of the bite block. The bite block includes a tether to retain the bite block to the tube to prevent unwanted separation or movement of the tube within the bite block. The tether consists of a flexible arm which protrudes rearwardly from the bite block towards the inlet end of the tube and terminates in a ring configured to encircle the endotrachial tube, thereby effectively tethering the bite block to the tube. The arm and ring are configured such that the arm flexes in an arc when tethering the tube, thereby permitting the ring to engage the tube when fitted to thereto.

Endotracheal tubes, used in various medical procedures for delivering gas to a patient, generally consist of a long tube which may be inserted into a patient's mouth and down the trachea to provide an air supply to a patient. The use of an endotrachial tube ensures that the airway is not closed off and that air is able to reach the lungs. Typically, the tube is flexible and somewhat resilient in order to easily bend through the airway of a patient and not cause tissue damage. It is often desirable to incorporate a bite block with the tube, in order to prevent a patient from biting down on the tube. The bite block consists of a relatively rigid member having a hollow interior to which encircles the tube at its upper (inlet) end where the tube enters the patient's mouth. The bite block is inserted into the patient's mouth and is retained or positioned between the patient's teeth. This is particularly useful for certain patient population groups who may have only limited control over their biting reflex. A sufficiently hard bite on a tube can pinch or even rupture the tube, thereby critically interrupting the gas flow to the patient. In response to this problem, a bite block may be provided to surround or partially surround the tube, to resist such biting. For example, bite blocks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,667 (Magnussen), U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,534 (Briggs, III), and the Smedic(™) bite block sold by SouthMedic Incorporated.
When a bite block is used, it is critical that that it not become disengaged from the tube or that the tube slide within the block, since this can result in the block becoming dislodged or even in some cases sliding down a patient's trachea.
Endotracheal tubes are typically supplied in a range of sizes, and it is desirable to provide a bite block which is suitable for accommodating this range of sizes. For example, the SMedic system accommodates a range of generally conventional endotracheal tube sizes. One end of the endotrachial tube (the outlet end) is for insertion into the patients trachea, and the opposed end (the inlet end) is dimensioned for fitting a standard air supply tube.
While a typical bite block is dimensioned to accommodate even a relatively narrow endotracheal tube, slippage of the tube (especially a narrow tube) within the block can still occur. In order to prevent or reduce this, the bite block can be fastened to the tube by a tie strap. For this purpose, a tie strap may be fitted around the bite block and tube to cinch the tube and bite block together. However, especially when used with a smaller diameter endotracheal tube, it is still possible for slippage of the bite block to occur, in particular if the caregiver neglects to properly cinch the bite block to the endotrachial tube with the supplied strap, or in situations when the use of a strap is not practical. There is thus a need for an improved bite block that addresses at least some of the drawbacks within prior art devices.
Since endotracheal tubes are supplied in a range of sizes to accommodate different patient populations, some bite blocks such as the SMedic products are configured to accept a range of endotracheal tube sizes. This provides the convenience that one need only have on hand a single size of bite block, rather than a range of sizes capable of fitting a bite block. It is desirable to provide an improved bite block that securely fastens the endotrachial tube to the block while also accommodating a range of tube sizes.

Bite block assembly for endotrachial tube


A versatile phone system, consisting of a base unit and one or more peripheral utility devices, is used on the user's premises to provide an effective and private means of telecommunication. A plurality of telephone numbers and names are stored in the memory means of the base unit. The system responds to the ringing signals transmitted over the phone line from the caller without triggering ringer generators at the telephone sets. Alerting ringing sounds to alert the user of an incoming call will be generated only when the derived code of the received DTMF signals matches the derived identifier codes of the stored telephone numbers or the personal access code. Distinct ringing sounds will be generated if a match is on a derived identifier code of a telephone number indexed with priority. When no match occurs or a match occurs but the user does not answer after a predetermined number of rings, the caller is directed to a recording means for requesting to leave message.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a telecommunication system. In particular, this system provides versatile operating functions to a telephone subscriber by (1) storing a plurality of names and telephone numbers inside the present invention as his/her telephone directory, (2) transferring incoming phone calls to the user's designated telephone, pager and cellular phone, (3) screening undesired calls to preserve his/her privacy, (4) recording incoming call numbers and messages through a voice digitalization process, (5) providing features which are available in current telephone sets such as "Hold", "Mute", "Flash", etc. and (6) integrating the user's telephone sets on his/her premises to become a Page/Intercom system.
2. Background of the Invention
Telephones have become a primary form of communication today. As technology progresses, new telecommunication devices are being developed and commercialized so quickly, making an enormous impact to our daily lives. For example, pagers and cellular phones have made communications so much more effective that demand for such devices are expected to increase drastically over the next several years. In addition, information technology is prevailing in our current society where an individual's personal information is easily accessible to the public. Although some laws have been instituted to protect an individual's privacy in certain areas, there still persists a deluge of unwanted and unexpected phone calls, junk mail, etc.
There are three important aspects regarding telephone systems which are frequently a concern of most telephone subscribers. First, that one can be reached even when he is not near a telephone by transferring an incoming call to his pager, cellular phone, or a designated telephone. Second, that privacy is preserved by screening and not answering unwanted calls. Third, that one is not bothered by phone rings from unwanted or wrong number calls, particularly in the evening.
There are a number of ways to at least partially eliminate unwanted calls. Many schemes have been proposed. One way is to remain unlisted in the telephone directory. Despite this precaution, the number may be conveyed through purchase and trade within the telemarketing industry. Therefore, an unlisted phone number is not a fool-proof means for protecting privacy. However, it should be realized that an unlisted number also poses an exclusionary communication barrier; those who are genuinely interested in communicating with someone who has an unlisted telephone number are unable to.
Often, people employ an automatic telephone answering machine to avoid unwanted phone calls. The drawback of using this instrument is that the user is still constantly bothered by a ringing telephone every time there is an incoming call. In addition, the user must be in the general vicinity of the answering machine to listen to the voice and to decide if the phone call is someone to whom he would like to speak. Moreover, the user must turn off the answering machine before he can talk to the person on the line. This can sometimes be a very awkward and/or annoying situation to both the user and caller.
A recent innovation presently being offered by regional telephone companies, such as Pacific Bell, is the "Caller I.D." feature. The "Caller I.D." service is provided by the telephone company for a monthly service charge. When a caller calls a user having this service, the telephone company will transfer the caller's information, such as a telephone number, to the subscriber. A special device is required by the user for displaying the caller's phone number. Usually, this service will send the caller's phone number between the first and second ring. To distinguish desired calls, the subscriber must have good memory skills to know which calls he wants to answer. Essentially, to maximize the benefits of such a system, a subscriber must be able to immediately identify a caller solely by the displayed phone number.
In addition, some of the same disadvantages of having an answering machine arise in the "Caller I.D." system. First, this service has the same disruptive quality; the telephone rings with every incoming call. Second, in order to screen calls, the "Caller I.D." system requires the subscriber to be within the general vicinity of the display unit. In addition, the "Caller I.D." service has been challenged by the various regional Public Utility Commissions for possibly invading the caller's individual privacy. Finally, the cost of the display devices is not insignificant; a user will typically purchase multiple devices which retail currently between $75.00 and $200.00 per device.
It has also been suggested that a security code feature be used to screen incoming phone calls. These proposed security codes have employed the following techniques: multiple digits, combinations of symbol and number, or the caller's telephone number. The security codes are intended to prevent easy access by unwanted callers by passing through only those callers which provide the authorized code. Prior inventions for security code units always include a memory circuit (mechanical or microprocessor) and a comparing circuit. A preset security code is stored in the memory circuit. In the process of receiving an incoming phone call, the caller must enter the security code. The input information is then compared with the preset security code stored in the memory circuit. If a match is found, a ringing signal generated by a second ringer generator is transmitted to a loudspeaker on the user's premises. If there is no match or no input from the caller during a predetermined period of time, the caller is directed to an answering machine or the call is disconnected.
There are many disadvantages associated with these screening devices. First, some of these systems do not announce any instructions to the caller. The caller does not know how to respond to these systems. Second, callers often have a preset time limit in which to input the necessary security codes. Typically, the time limit expires and the system defaults by disconnecting the call. Third, a telephone answering machine is often used in many of these prior art screening devices for announcing the operating messages. This obviously requires a special kind of answering machine and interface. A system with a built-in memory circuit to announce only the instruction message is neither equipped to handle the input information properly nor able to preserve the information from incoming calls for the user to review at a later time. This may result in the user missing a desired or important phone call.
In addition, these screening systems use a preset security code which is impractical for callers who must somehow remember the receiving party's code. If many of these systems exist, a caller would be burdened with the awesome task of retaining the codes. This is impractical for a typical consumer and makes this type of a screening system both user unfriendly and commercially unmarketable.
If such a screening device were to use a plurality of telephone numbers stored in a memory circuit to identify access codes, this also has a number of drawbacks. The user must input many telephone numbers into its internal memory, increasing the margin of error for inputting an incorrect number, particularly due to the lack of any feedback mechanism. The device also does not provide a simple means for the user to easily access the device externally. In addition, such devices typically utilize the auto dialing memory to store the identifying telephone numbers. This limits the number of telephone numbers that can be stored and requires a loudspeaker to alert the user of incoming calls.
Furthermore, most prior screening devices are connected to the phone line at one location in the user's residence. However, most residences or businesses have multiple device connections to a single telephone line. When screening devices are connected in parallel to the phone line with other extension telephone, each of the extension telephone will emit a telephone ringing sound before the screening devices respond to the incoming call. To rectify this problem, the user must manually deactivate the ringing mechanism in the other connected phone sets. Consequently, the user cannot hear the phone ring while away from the screening device because the other telephone sets have been silenced. It has been suggested to connect the screening device in a serial manner with or in front of other connected telephone sets and transmit a high AC ringing voltage (similar to the ringing voltage transmitted from the telephone company's central office (CO) line) to trigger the ringing mechanism located in the attached telephone sets. However, this is quite cumbersome as the tasks of locating the closest physical point on the user's premises to the outside phone line and connecting the screening device serially to the phone line is quite difficult.
Another alternative that has also been proposed requires the installation of an electrical loudspeaker system within the user's premises. The cost of installing such loudspeaker system and the transmission of the ringing signals, as well as the annoying sound level of this loudspeaker system, makes the system unfavorable in use.
It has also been suggested that the screening devices provide a way to use the telephones in the home as an intercom system. This intercom system simply triggers the other connected telephone sets by generating a high voltage ringing signal similar to the signal generated on the CO line. This signal causes the connected telephone sets to emit an alerting ringing sound when the high voltage ringing signal is received. In order for this system to work, the proposed device to control the intercom must be connected serially in front of the other connected telephone sets. In addition, the device has to be electrically isolated temporarily somehow from the CO line to avoid damaging the switching board at the telephone company's terminal station when a high voltage ringing signal is transmitted by the device to generate an alert at the other telephone sets. Moreover, the device cannot specifically page a designated telephone set, but rather issues the page to all connected telephone sets.

Single line telephone answering system with access security features


The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to EGFRvIII (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Variant III). The invention further provides bispecific antibodies that bind to EGFRvIII and another antigen (e.g., CD3) as well as antibody conjugates (e.g., antibody-drug-conjugates). The invention further relates to antibody encoding nucleic acids, and methods of obtaining such antibodies (monospecific and bispecific) and antibody conjugates. The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these antibodies and antibody conjugates for the treatment of EGFRvIII-mediated pathologies, including cancer such as glioblastoma.

EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII), a tumor specific mutant of EGFR, is a product of genomic rearrangement which is often associated with wild-type EGFR gene amplification. EGFRvIII is formed by an in-frame deletion of exons 2-7, leading to deletion of 267 amino acids with a glycine substitution at the junction. The truncated receptor loses its ability to bind ligands but acquires constitutive kinase activity. Interestingly, EGFRvIII frequently co-expresses with full length wild-type EGFR in the same tumor cells. Moreover, EGFRvIII expressing cells exhibit increased proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and resistance to apoptosis.
EGFRvIII is most often found in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). It is estimated that 25-35% of GBM carries this truncated receptor. Moreover, its expression often reflects a more aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. Besides GBM, expression of EGFRvIII has also been reported in other solid tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. In contrast, EGFRvIII is not expressed in healthy tissues. The lack of expression in normal tissues makes EGFRvIII an ideal target for developing tumor specific targeted therapy. To date, there has not been any FDA approved monoclonal antibody (e.g., monospecific or bispecific) against EGFRvIII identified with high affinity, high specificity, and high potency in treating cancers such as GBM. Accordingly, there remains a need for antibodies (e.g., monospecific or bispecific) treating cancers such as GBM with improved efficacy and safety profile, and suitable for use with human patients.

Antibodies specific for epidermal growth factor receptor variant III and their uses


An apparatus for feeding glass batch materials into a pool of molten glass within a furnace comprises a base disposed at a batch-feeding end of the furnace above the pool of molten glass. A hopper for dispensing glass batch materials is mounted on the base and includes an outlet disposed above the molten glass. A plunger assembly is mounted on the base and includes a reciprocable plunger and an actuator for reciprocating the plunger in a linear direction past the hopper outlet into and from the pool of molten glass at the location where batch materials are deposited thereon. The plunger includes a pusher face for pushing dispensed batch materials beneath the surface of the pool of molten glass. A barrier is disposed on a side of the hopper outlet opposite the plunger. The barrier extends into the pool of molten material to the lowermost extent of the pusher face so that batch materials submerged by the plunger travel beneath the barrier and are isolated from the batch depositing location.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of glass articles and in particular, to the feeding of glass batch materials to a pool of molten glass in a glass furnace.
In the production of glass articles, such as glass bottles for example, a pool of molten glass is formed in a glass furnace, with the melt being drawn-off to appropriate molds or the like in which the articles are formed. The melt is periodically replenished by the addition of batch material in grannular form. The batch material is deposited directly onto the pool of molten material as from a hopper, for example.
The batch material is composed of fine particulate matter, which tends to sit on the surface of the pool of molten glass. It is important that the dispensed batch material be quickly incorporated into the melt, lest it be carried from the furnace along with the products of combustion.
Proposals have heretofore been made for effecting such incorporation as demonstrated, for example, by the disclosures in U.S. Pat. No. 1,905,534 issued to Wadman on Apr. 25, 1933; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,749,666 issued to Baque on June 12, 1956.
In one proposal, a batch feeding passage is formed in a wall of the furnace, with an outlet thereof disposed below the surface of the melt. A pusher bar reciprocates within the passage to displace batch material into the melt.
In another proposal a batch discharge hopper is secured to an upper wall of the furnace so as to overlie A "doghouse" portion of the furnace. A plunger is pivotably mounted to a side wall of the furnace for reciprocable movement in a curvalinear path past the outlet of the hopper, to push deposited batch material into the melt. The furnace wall to which hopper is mounted includes a passage within which the plunger travels. The batch material submerged by the plunger is caused to travel beneath that wall before rising to the melt surface. A floor-mounted motor is operably connected to the plunger to reciprocate the latter. The wall and plunger may contain internal channels for circulating cooling water.
Previous proposals may not function as effectively as desired and may require that considerable modifications be made to the furnace.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for dispensing and submersing batch materials within a furnace.
It is another object of the invention to provide an effective mechanism which dispenses and submerges batch material and is easily adaptable to existing furnaces.

Apparatus for dispensing and submersing batch materials in a molten glass furnace


A method and system are provided for organizing and assembling information and resources for display as part of an electronic space supported on a network. The electronic space preferably resembles a room. The room is decorated with selected images that may be iconic representations that activate links to specific resources such as databases, technical information, word processing applications, etc., that are user selected to support idea conception and evaluation to promote creativity, innovation and improved problem solving. The electronic space enables a user to customize an on-line workplace with decorations as well as active links to selected resources which may include human resources such as colleagues, co-workers or expert.

The internet is a medium that provides a means for communication via e-mail and for commerce via various websites. Presently, a user can search the web to conduct research on various topics, locate various commercial products and services and access various data bases. While increasing the ease of access, there is no system in place to promote effective organization of such information and application of knowledge to assist an individual in creative problem solving, and to achieve business improvement through innovation, collectively referred to herein as ideation, i.e., the act of forming or conceiving of ideas.
Creative problem solving generally requires an identification of the problem, a focus on underlying facts and assumptions, a break to allow this information to gel, then the identification of various options that may offer a solution, and, a review of the options to identify the option for implementation.
Business innovation generally requires an identification of the desired outcome, a focus on facts and underlying assumptions, allowing this information to gel, the identification of various options for a solution, and, a review of the options to determine the best and most relevant option for implementation.
At present, there is no way to utilize on-line resources in anything but a piecemeal fashion, nor is there any way to integrate interactive exchanges with these resources in an organized fashion. For example, one can search for articles related to a specific topic but this is merely a resource, not a means to enhance the problem solving/creativity process.

Electronic space and method for providing resources to facilitate ideation


A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer is described. The MEMS accelerometer may comprise a proof mass configured to sense accelerations in a direction parallel the plane of the proof mass, and a plurality of compensation structures. The proof mass may be connected to one or more anchors through springs. The compensation structures may be coupled to the substrate of the MEMS accelerometer through a rigid connection to respective anchors. A compensation structure may comprise at least one compensation electrode forming one or more lateral compensation capacitors. The compensation capacitor(s) may be configured to sense displacement of the anchor to which the compensation structures is connected.

Some microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) capacitive sensors sense in-plane accelerations. Some such sensors comprise a fixed electrode and a movable electrode. The fixed electrode is anchored to a substrate while the movable electrode is connected to a proof mass. The proof mass moves in response to accelerations in the plane of the proof mass.

Anchor tracking apparatus for in-plane accelerometers and related methods


Carrier-sensing techniques for LTE-based transmissions over unlicensed carriers are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise at least one memory and logic for user equipment (UE), at least a portion of the logic comprised in circuitry coupled to the at least one memory, the logic to cause the UE to receive an uplink (UL) grant indicating a transmit subframe, the transmit subframe to comprise a subframe during which the UE is authorized to perform UL transmission via an unlicensed carrier, the logic to cause the UE to determine whether the UL grant comprises a listen-before-talk (LBT)-contingent UL grant and in response to a determination that the UL grant comprises an LBT-contingent UL grant, identify an LBT interval for the transmit subframe and perform an LBT procedure during the LBT interval to determine whether the unlicensed carrier is idle. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

In any given geographical region, some portions of wireless spectrum may be licensed for exclusive use by particular wireless service providers/operators according to particular radio access technologies (RATs). Other, unlicensed portions of wireless spectrum may be concurrently used by multiple service providers/operators, and/or may be concurrently used for wireless communications according to multiple RATs. In order to accommodate the ever-growing demand for wireless broadband data services, it may desirable to use such unlicensed spectrum for 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based wireless communications. The use of unlicensed spectrum for LTE-based wireless communications may be referred to as LTE in Unlicensed Spectrum (LTE-U). In some systems, LTE-U may be combined with LTE-based wireless communications over licensed spectrum using carrier aggregation, a technique that may be referred to as Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA) using LTE, or simply LAA. In an LAA system, wireless communications in a primary cell (PCell) may be performed using an LTE licensed carrier, while wireless communications in one or more secondary cells (SCells) may be performed using one or more LTE-U carriers.
With respect to an unlicensed carrier, in order to support coexistence between a given LTE-U service provider/operator and other LTE-U service providers/operators and/or wireless communications performed according to other RATs, it may be desirable to implement a listen-before-talk (LBT) scheme. According to an LBT scheme, before initiating transmission over a given unlicensed carrier, a transmitting device may generally be required to substantially confirm that the unlicensed carrier is not already in use. In the context of an LTE-U carrier, an LBT scheme may require a transmitting evolved node B (eNB) or user equipment (UE) to perform a carrier sensing procedure, such as a clear channel assessment (CCA), before transmitting over the LTE-U carrier. According to some LBT schemes, the transmitting eNB or UE may be required to perform a backoff following a detection that the LTE-U carrier is already in use. In some geographical regions, it may be necessary to implement an LBT scheme in conjunction with communications over LTE-U carriers in order to comply with applicable regulations requiring the use of LBT when communicating over unlicensed spectrum. In other regions, LBT may not be required, but may still be a valuable technique for supporting fair coexistence between different service providers/operators and/or RATs with respect to unlicensed carriers.


Processing gas is supplied from the central upper part of a processing chamber to a wafer on a mounting board, while the processing chamber is exhausted from processing gas exhaust passages at areas outside of the wafer. In addition, purge gas is supplied from purge gas supply passages to a buffer chamber formed between the peripheral part of a container main body and that of a cover body. The supplied flow-rate of the processing gas is made less than the exhaust flow-rate in the processing gas exhaust passages. Accordingly, the purge gas in the buffer chamber is drawn into the processing chamber via a purge gas supply hole formed of a gap between the container main body and the cover body due to a negative pressure inside the processing chamber caused by a difference between the flow rates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for performing predetermined substrate processing such as hydrophobic processing on a semiconductor device, a LCD (liquid crystal display) substrate, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
As one of a series of steps for forming a resist pattern in a manufacturing process for a semiconductor device, a LCD substrate, etc., hydrophobic processing is performed on a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter referred to as a "wafer") W. This processing is performed to enhance the adhesion between a substrate film and a resist film before a resist liquid is applied thin film thereon so that the front surface property of the wafer W is changed from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity. In this case, the hydrophobic processing is preferably performed on the front surface of the wafer W and a beveled part (the end surface of an outer peripheral part). The advantage of the hydrophobic processing is that the resist film is not easily peeled even when liquid immersion exposure processing is performed at a later process to expose light with water interposed between the wafer W and an exposure device.
Referring here to FIGS. 1 and 2, a description is made of the hydrophobic processing together with the configuration of an apparatus that performs this processing. First, the wafer W is conveyed into a processing chamber 10 composed of a container main body 11 and a cover body 12 and then mounted on a mounting board 13 (step S11). In other words, the wafer W is conveyed into an opening part formed when the cover body 12 is lifted up relative to the container main body 11, and then the cover body 12 is lowered to make the container main body 11 and the cover body 12 come into contact with each other so as to close the opening part. In this case, if the wafer W is transferred from an outer conveying unit to the mounting board 13, lifting pins 14 incorporated in the mounting board 13 are used.
Next, the processing chamber 10 is hermetically sealed (step S12). Because the emission of HMDS gas into a clean room causes particles or the HMDS reacts with the moisture in the air to cause ammonia that adversely affects the shape of a resist pattern, the processing chamber 10 is hermetically sealed to prevent the leakage of the HMDS gas. Specifically, in order to hermetically seal the processing chamber 10, an exhaust passage 15 formed at a contact part between the container main body 11 and the cover body 12 is exhausted by an exhaust unit 16 for hermetic sealing so that the container main body 11 and the cover body 12 are closely attached to each other by suction. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 15a denotes a seal member provided around the exhaust passage 15.
Subsequently, HMDS gas is supplied into the processing chamber 10 to perform the hydrophobic processing (step S13). At nearly the central part of the cover body 12, a gas nozzle 17 is formed. The FINDS gas is supplied into the processing chamber 10 in spray form from the gas nozzle 17 via a gas supply pipe 17b and a gas supply passage 17a formed in the cover body 12. The FINDS gas fills the processing chamber 10 in this manner so as to perform the hydrophobic processing. In this case, however, the HMDS gas is dispersed into a gap formed between the container main body 11 and the side wall part of the mounting board 13, movement areas of the lifting pins 14 formed in the mounting board 13, and an enclosure 14a covering the lifting areas of the lifting pins 14 formed below the mounting board 13. Then, the HMDS gas is extruded from exhaust passages 18 connected to the gap and the enclosure 14a and exhausted to outside of the processing chamber 10. Note that the exhaust unit 19 connected to the exhaust passages 18 is not actuated in this process.
After the completion of the hydrophobic processing, the HMDS gas is substituted for before the cover body 12 is opened (step S14). The purpose of the substitution processing is to prevent the emission of the HMDS gas from the processing chamber 10. In this process, N2 (nitrogen) gas as substitution gas is supplied to the gas supply pipe 17b, while the exhaust unit 19 is actuated. In this case, because the amount exhausted by the exhaust unit 19 is made slightly greater than the supplied amount of the N2 so as to prevent the emission of the HMDS gas from the processing chamber 10 in addition to the fact that the processing chamber 10 is hermetically sealed, the pressure inside the processing chamber 10 becomes negative. Following the substitution processing, the exhaust unit 19 is stopped to restore the pressure inside the processing chamber 10 to atmospheric pressure, while the exhaust unit 16 for hermetic sealing is stopped to open the processing chamber 10 (step S15). Then, the cover body 12 is lifted up to open the processing chamber 10, and the wafer W is taken out from the processing chamber 10 (step S16).
In such a hydrophobic processing apparatus, because the processing chamber 10 is hermetically sealed as described above, the pressures inside the movement areas of the lifting pins 14 and the enclosure 14a as well as the pressure inside the processing chamber 10 become negative during the substitution processing. As a result, the HMDS gas spreads to the rear surface of the wafer W, which causes the hydrophobic processing to be performed even on an unnecessary part of the rear surface of the wafer W. The allowable range of the hydrophobic processing on the rear surface of the wafer W is about 1 cm away from its outer peripheral part. However, if the FINDS gas largely spreads to the rear surface of the wafer W and the hydrophobic processing is performed thereon, the following problem arises. In other words, when paint thinner is supplied to cleanse the rear surface of the wafer W so as to remove a stain therefrom after the application of a resist liquid, the paint thinner is likely to be repelled to allow the stain to remain on the rear surface of the wafer W.
Furthermore, in order to hermetically seal the processing chamber 10, it is necessary to provide a hermetically-sealing mechanism including the exhaust passage 15, the seal member 15a, the exhaust unit 16 for hermetic sealing, etc., between the container main body 11 and the cover body 12. This results in an increase in the number of components of the hydrophobic processing apparatus and makes its structure complicated. Therefore, the assembling operation of the apparatus is a lot of trouble. In addition, the complicated structure easily causes an error in assembling the apparatus, which requires an operation for adjusting the error and an inspection process and a management process to determine the presence or absence of error in assembling the apparatus. As a result, this increases the burden on an operator.
Moreover, the gas nozzle 17 is formed tapered to supply the HMDS gas or the N2 gas in the processing chamber 10, and the HMDS gas or the like is sprayed downward toward the wafer W in spray form from the gas nozzle 17. Under this configuration, however, the degree of intensity in blowing the gas is different depending on an area, which easily causes air turbulence and generates a turbulent flow between the wafer W and the cover body 12. This results in hindering the quick dispersion of the gas. Therefore, the substitution of the HMDS gas for the N2 gas hardly advances, and thus the substitution processing takes much time.
Accordingly, the present inventors have studied a configuration for preventing the leakage of gas from the processing chamber without hermetically sealing the processing chamber. Meanwhile, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration in which an upper constituent member and a lower constituent member are joined together without a clamp to maintain the air tightness of the processing chamber. Besides, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for supplying processing gas and substitution gas into the processing chamber via different passages. However, these techniques are not intended to perform the hydrophobic processing without hermetically sealing the processing chamber and thus do not solve the above problems.    Patent Document 1: JP-A-11-214292    Patent Document 2: JP-A-10-135125

Substrate processing apparatus, method for processing substrate, and storage medium


A ceramic substrate includes a substrate body formed of ceramic and having a pair of surfaces each assuming a rectangular shape as viewed in plane, and a metallization layer formed on the surface of the substrate body and adapted to braze a metal frame thereon. A composite material layer is disposed between the surface of the substrate body and the metallization layer and is formed such that a ceramic portion, a metal portion 10m formed of a metal similar to a metal component of the metallization layer or a metal which, together with a metal component of the metallization layer, forms an all proportional solid solution, and a glass portion exist together. The thickness of the composite material layer is thinner than that of the metallization layer. A plating layer is deposited on the surface of the metallization layer.

For example, there has been proposed a ceramic package sealing structure in which a wide metallization layer is formed on a rectangular-frame-shaped front surface surrounding the opening of a cavity of a ceramic package and which, by means of a seal ring (metal frame) being brazed on an elongated protrusion and on a brazing material charged in a brazing material pool formed on the upper surface of the metallization layer, exhibits improved brazing strength of the brazing material even though a peripheral portion of a metal lid (cap) is welded onto the ring (refer to, for example, Patent Document 1).
Also, there has been proposed a semiconductor device accommodation package in which, by means of a metallization layer having a thickness of 25 μm or more being formed on a rectangular-frame-shaped front surface of a box-like electrically insulating substrate made of ceramic or the like, the front surface surrounding the opening of a concave portion (cavity), the metallization layer absorbs thermal stress generated as a result of seam-welding a metal lid onto a metal frame brazed on the upper surface of the metallization layer, thereby preventing separation of the metallization layer from the front surface of the electrically insulating substrate and enhancing the reliability of a seal for airtightness in the concave portion where a semiconductor device is mounted (refer to, for example, Patent Document 2).
However, in the case of the ceramic package sealing structure described in Patent Document 1, in contrast to improvement in brazing strength of the metal frame, when the metal lid placed on the metal frame is seam-welded for sealing the cavity, generation of resistance heat resulting from the seam welding causes generation of stress stemming from the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the metallization layer and ceramic used to form the package body, and the stress acts on the metallization layer; as a result, the metallization layer is apt to be separated from the front surface of the package. Thus, there has arisen a problem of a failure to provide a seal by the metal lid or a failure to maintain an airtight seal for a long period of time.
Also, the semiconductor device accommodation package described in Patent Document 2 has involved the following problem: in many cases, the thick metallization layer fails to sufficiently absorb thermal stress generated as a result of seam-welding the metal lid onto the metal frame; additionally, difficulty is encountered in reducing the size of the entire package.
Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the following method has been proposed: in order to strongly coat the surface of ceramic of the package or the like with the metallization layer, a fine ceramic powder having a large reaction surface area and a high melting point is used as an additive of a metal paste, and the metal paste is applied onto the surface of alumina ceramic and undergoes baking so as to form a metal coating having strong adhesion on the alumina ceramic (refer to, for example, Patent Document 3).
However, as in the case of the method described in Patent Document 3, when a metal paste which contains ceramic powder is applied onto ceramic and then undergoes baking, in some cases, a glass component contained as an additive in the metal paste is deposit substantially in a planar form on the surface of the metallization layer after baking; i.e., so-called "glass surfacing" arises. As a result, the following problem has been involved: adhesion strength between the metallization layer and a plating layer formed on the surface of the metallization layer drops, resulting in occurrence of a defect, such as separation of plating or plating blister; therefore, when the metal lid and the metal frame are brazed onto the plating layer, joining strength thereof is apt to drop.

Ceramic substrate and process for producing same


An electronic trigger circuit for an RF source, which electronic trigger may be advantageously used in a radar apparatus, for instance. The trigger employs digital logic devices including a register or counter, a circuit for initiating counting in the register in response to a received pretrigger signal and a circuit responsive to the occurrence of selected count in the register for enabling the RF source. A timing signal is generated, based upon the pretrigger signal in timed relationship to the time at which the RF source should nominally generate its RF signal. Typically, the RF source generates its RF signal at sometime after being enabled. A comparator circuit is provided for comparing the phase relationship of the aforementioned timing signal and the occurrence of the RF signal and is in turn coupled to an arithmetic circuit effective for altering the number of states through which the register counts. Preferably, the arithmetic circuit alters the number of states only when the comparison circuit indicates that the phase relationship differs by some preselected period of time. Thus, each time the RF source is fired, its output is compared with the time at which the output should nominally occur and when this difference exceeds a predetermined amount, the amount of delay between the time the pretrigger signal is received and the time the RF source is enabled is varied by changing the number of states through which the aforementioned register counts.

This invention relates to electronic triggers for Radio Frequency (RF) sources and more particularly to a highly stabilized electronic trigger for an RF source such as is used in a radar transmitter.
Electromagnetic range finding systems, such as radars, frequently emit an RF signal for the purpose of detecting targets which reflect the transmitted RF signal back to the range finding apparatus. Of course, as is well known, the time difference between the time the RF signal is emitted and the time at which it is received is indicative of the distance the target is from the transmitter and a changing phase of the returned signal is indicative of a moving target. Radar systems capable of detecting this phase change are known as Moving Target Indication (MTI) radars.
It is of considerable importance to designers of such apparatus that not only the time at which the RF signal is transmitted be known but also that the RF signal be transmitted at a preselected time or at least within a preselected period. The transmitted RF signal originates, of course, at an RF source which may be provided, for example, by a magnetron, a klystron, or a more conventional oscillator coupled to an RF power tube. The magnetron is a popular RF source for use with radar transmitters because of its compact size, low weight, low cost, high efficiency and low source of X-rays. However, the magnetron also has several disadvantages which include the fact that it has no phase coherence between consecutive pulses and because it is subject to drift with respect to the time at which the RF signal leaves the magnetron as compared to the time at which it is triggered. This lack of coherence, as will be realized by those skilled in the art, would effectively proscribe use of magnetrons in Moving Target Indication (MTI) radars unless compensatory measures were taken. The coherence problem is overcome, as is well known, by taking a sample of the transmitted pulse at a directional coupler, mixing this pulse with the output of a stabilized local oscillator and using the resulting pulse to phase lock a coherent oscillator. The coherent oscillator then becomes a reference oscillator against which the received signals are compared for phase variation. However, the output of the magnetron, the magnetron current pulse (MCP), is typically delayed on the order of 7.5 microseconds from its trigger and may drift on the order of .+-.1.0 microseconds or more, due to variations in temperature, line voltage and so forth. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this drift can degrade the overall MTI performance of a modern radar system.
It was, therefore, one object of this invention to reduce the effects of drift on performance of an MTI radar.
It is yet another object of this invention that an electronic trigger be provided for a magnetron whereby the magnetron current pulse emitted thereby will be emitted at a preselected time with a high degree of accuracy.
It is yet another object of this invention to improve electronic triggers for RF sources.
It was still another object of this invention that the electronic trigger be inherently stable.
The foregoing objects are achieved as is now described. A counter is loaded with a selected multi-bit binary number. This number is preferably derived from the contents of a delay accumulator. As will be seen, the magnitude of the number in the delay accumulator is adjusted up or down depending upon whether or not the RF energy is generated at the correct time. Receipt of a pretrigger signal causes the counter to initiate counting and upon reaching a predetermined value it generates a modulator trigger. The modulator trigger modulates the RF source, such as a magnetron, and sometime thereafter the RF source generates its RF energy. In the magnetron embodiment, the occurrence of the generated Magnetron Current Pulse (MCP) is compared with a timing signal which is preferably generated at the time that the MCP should desirously appear. Of course, in actual operation, the MCP will typically lead or lag this timing signal. A phase detector samples both the MCP and this timing signal and adjusts the magnitude of the number in the delay accumulator when the MCP leads or lags the timing signal by a predetermined amount (about 50 nanoseconds in the disclosed embodiment). Typically, the number in the delay accumulator is randomly selected when the system is first energized, decremented thereafter for each cycle in which the MCP leads the timing signal by at least the predetermined amount or incremented thereafter for for each cycle in which the MCP lags the timing signal by at least the predetermined amount.
The advantage of the invention, both as to its construction and mode of operation, and the preferred mode of use, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art referring to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same composite throughout the drawings.

Electronic trigger for a radio frequency source

International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation


An engine control system that is configured to be attached to the intake port or intake manifold of a reciprocating engine. The system can be designed to allow installation as original equipment or as a retrofit unit. In either case, the system provides the engine with a dual ignition and electronically controlled fuel-injection. The system includes a master control unit (MCU) that utilizes a firmware operated microprocessor. The MCU is connected to a plurality of sensors that sense critical system parameters that determine the engine settings. All system parameters are user-controlled by three system command switches that are located on a control display unit (CDU). The CDU is attached to the MCU by an electrical cable and is positioned on the vehicle to provide easy accessibility.

Past methods for operating computer-controlled engines having fuel injection and dual-ignition systems has resulted in inflexible computerized controlled systems. These systems typically depend on programmed algorithms that control the engine parameters which provide improved operation under conditions anticipated by the computer program. To add, delete or change any of the engine parameters requires an external computer to input any user-desired customized changes. These engine control systems may be designed as original equipment or designed to replace conventional carburetor input engines. In either case, the system must be able to adjust the engine to various throttle demands, fuel-air mixtures, altitude, rpm, etc. To control these engine parameters, the system must receive and process various inputs from the engine. In addition to the dynamic requirements, there also remains the physical compatibility of the retrofit-design system to convert carburation based engines to electronic fuel injection system.
Presently there are two types of electronic fuel injection systems. These are throttle body injection and port injection.
Throttle body injection implies that the fuel injectors themselves are mounted in a throttle body, where the system functions much as a computer-controlled carburetor. This implementation has the drawback of not being able to meter fuel separately for each engine cylinder.
Port injection mounts the injectors near the intake valve of each cylinder, at the cylinder's intake port. Early systems fired the injectors in banks to simplify the controlling electronics however, this resulted in fuel puddling at the intake valve. Recently, the port style systems have been improved such that they time the injection pulse for each injector and eliminate the fuel puddling and provides better fuel atomization and throttle response. This type of port injection is also referred to as sequential port injection.
The engine control system of the instant invention has the injectors mounted in a throttle body therefore, it can be considered a throttle body injection system. However, since it injects fuel metered to the individual needs of each cylinder, it also has the advantages of a sequential port injection system. Therefore, it is referred to as sequential throttle body injection which can be used on multiple cylinder engines and allow a throttle body injection system to provide most of the performance benefits of a sequential port injection system, at a much lower installed cost.
Additionally, the present invention includes a user-friendly firmware program and an external input/output port. The program is accessed by a control display unit that is operated by only three push-button switches and the port allows an external input unit, such as a computer or modem, to be connected to further expand the selection and control of system parameters.
Because of the considerable increase in power and fuel efficiency provided by a user-programed, fuel injection engine, it is desirable to produce an engine control system that will overcome the problems and limitations of the prior-art systems. Therefore, it is important to anyone making such an investment and conversion that the system be designed to minimize mechanical problems and be both user friendly while maximizing user performance.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents were considered related:
______________________________________ U.S. PAT. NO. INVENTOR ISSUED ______________________________________ 5,174,263 Meaney 29 December 1992 5,091,858 Paielli 25 February 1992 5,088,464 Meaney 18 February 1992 4,955,348 Budde et al 11 September 1990 ______________________________________
The Meaney U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,174,263 and 5,088,464 disclose an engine management system specifically designed to manage the operation of a V-twin motorcycle engine. The system includes a throttle body and a throttle. The throttle body has an air intake manifold that mounts over the cylinder intake ports and the throttle which is operated by an operator, admits combustion air into the manifold. A pair of fuel injectors are mounted on the throttle body and respond to electronic injector control signals for injecting fuel into the air intake manifold. Fuel is delivered by a fuel pump which is regulated by a pressure regulator. An engine speed sensor supplies a signal that represents engine speed and a pressure sensor supplies a signal that represents the combustion air available in the manifold. The two signals are processed by an electronic controller in a look-up table that is addressed as a function of the speed and pressure signals. The injector control signals are then generated from data obtained in the look-up table.
The 5,091,858 Paielli patent discloses an electronically controlled engine fuel delivery system. The system includes a fuel injector and a plurality of sensors. The fuel injector is responsive to electronic control signals for delivering fuel to the engine cylinders and the sensors provide signals corresponding to engine operating conditions to a microprocessor based electronic control unit. The unit includes a memory that stores engine control parameters in several look-up tables. The tables are periodically addressed and thereafter supply control signals to operate the fuel injectors. The control unit includes circuitry for up-loading selected tables for the memory, monitoring engine operation as reflected by addressing of the parameters tables in real time and selectively initiating a programming mode of operation that continues uninterrupted.
The 4,955,348 Budde et al patent discloses a fuel injection conversion system fop V-twin motorcycles. The system includes an intake manifold having separate ducts that deliver a fuel and air mixture separately to each cylinder. A pair of fuel injectors mix the fuel from the injector with air drawn into the engine cylinders through the intake manifold. The individual pressurized fuel flow delivered to each injector is provided by a fuel distributor that is applied the pressurized fuel from the fuel source by a fuel pump.
The system also includes a fuel flow pressure regulator disposed in the fuel delivery system for controlling the pressure of the fuel flow delivered by the distributor to the injectors. To determine when the ignition system of the engine delivers an electronic pulse to fire the spark plugs, an electronic sensing means is included. The system also includes a status sensing means for measuring a combination of air and engine temperatures and the vacuum in the intake manifold. The combination of the electronic and status sensing means produce an electronic signal which operates the fuel injectors at the proper time and duration to deliver the proper amount of fuel to the cylinders of the engine by timed injection.
The Budde system as differs from the applicant's engine control system in that the Budde system:
1. is designed for motorcycle engines having two cylinders, an ignition system and a fuel source, The applicant's system is adaptable to any engine and includes its own ignition system.
2. requires and is secured to an intake manifold having separate ducts. The applicant's system does not require a special manifold it simply bolts to any manifold of directly to a cylinder head.
3. requires the use of a fuel distributor. The applicant's system does not require a fuel distributor instead, a separate fuel cap is used for each injector. The fuel cap delivers pressurized fuel to the injector as well as providing mechanical support for the injector.
4. requires a status sensing means for measuring a combination of air intake, engine temperature and vacuum in the intake manifold. The applicant's system does not monitor air intake, engine temperature of the manifold vacuum.
5. requires an ignition system. The applicant's system does not require that the engine have an ignition system.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related, reference may be made to the remaining patents found in the search.
______________________________________ U.S. PAT. NO. INVENTOR ISSUED ______________________________________ 4,805,571 Humphrey February 1985 4,538,573 Merrick September 1985 4,546,746 Sato, et al October 1985 4,524,745 Tominari, et al June 1985 4,492,913 Arnold, et al January 1985 4,473,051 Chorman September 1984 4,446,833 Matsushita, et al May 1984 4,408,582 Merrick October 1983 4,347,823 Kessler, et al September 1982 4,341,193 Bowler July 1982 4,290,394 Frank, et al September 1981 4,284,053 Merrick August 1981 4,180,023 Kobayashi, et al December 1979 4,149,496 Palma April 1979 4,073,270 Endo February 1978 4,058,709 Long November 1977 ______________________________________

Self-contained sequential-throttle-body-injection engine control system