A new process for determining the administrator of a mobile communications device, e.g., a wireless cellular telephone, two-way pager, or laptop computer, connectable to a telecommunications network. The system and methods described provide processes for determining whether a Subscriber Entity Module (SIM) is present with a digital certificate for a domain of an administrator, e.g., a network operator, for designating administrative responsibilities in a mobile communications device. A mechanism is provided to designate administrative privileges to an entity by the owner of the mobile communications device.

The present invention relates to a mechanism to provide administrative privileges to an entity that is designated by the owner of a mobile communications device.
With numerous mobile communications devices being interconnected over a telecommunications network, a certificate approach for administrative verification may become advantageous rather than the conventional user name and password verification for network administration responsibilities. With mobile communications devices having become programmable with the adoption of third generation 3G digital cellular products, a differentiation may be established in the communications devices as between subsidized and owner controlled telephones which may be defined in accordance with the use of exchangeable Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to establish the user privileges associated with the device based on owner and user status. Third party certificates may then be used to designate privileges for administrative responsibilities in the programming of the device. Accordingly, a new process is desired for determining the administrative privileges in mobile communications devices such as wireless cellular telephones, pagers, portable computers, and the like which are connectable to a telecommunications network.
Applications in the Trusted Third Party (TTP) domain are signed with a key that can be verified back to a trusted root certificate on a Mobile station application Execution Environment (MExE) device. The trusted root certificates may be managed (e.g., addition/deletion/mark trusted/mark untrusted/change fine grained access privileges) by an administrative entity that is designated by the owner of the device using a MExE administrator provisioning mechanism. It would be desirable to provide a mechanism to enable the owner of the device to dynamically assign administrator(s). Moreover, in the case of a remote administrator being the owner, a secure client-server mechanism would be desirable to manage the TTP domain. The owner of the mobile communications device could be the user, the operator, the service provider, and/or a third party. The mechanism should at least provide for the three (3) fundamental cases, i.e., the user is the owner; the owner is at a remote location, in which case the owner could be the operator, a service provider, or a third party; and the owner of the Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) wants to be a temporary administrator.
The administrator of mobile communications devices may thus be determined by a logical provisioned mechanism which looks for an administrator root certificate stored on a mobile equipment (ME) entity. Accordingly, if the certificate is absent, then the user automatically becomes the administrator of the device. If an administrator root certificate is present, this certificate may be used for all remote administration authentication such that the owner of the administrator certificate becomes the administrator. The mechanism may be initiated after a power-up event is processed or when a USIM insert event is received. The power-up event is an abstract event that is caused when mobile communications device is cold started. The SIM-insert event is an event that is caused when the SIM is inserted into the device. The LeSIM modules used in the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) mobile cellular system are legacy GSM SIM cards. SIMs as discussed herein may correspond to a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) or any subscriber identity module that is not a legacy SIM, the current generation GSM subscriber identity module.
The administrator of the device is the entity who has the control of the third party trusted domain, and all resources associated with the domain. Domains comprise a group of entities who share a common root key for digital certificates and other security mechanisms. The administrator of the device could be the user, the operator, the service provider, or the third party as designated by the owner of the device. If the administrator is the user of the mobile communications device, then a method for designating administrative responsibilities may then check to see if there is a USIM. If a USIM is present, then the certificate can be checked. The format may be defined to allow the MExE device to determine whether the owner of the certificate wants to be a TTP certificate present (CP-TTP), certificate present but wants to be a temporary administrator (CP-Admin), or else certificate not present (CNP). If the certificate indicates a temporary administrator, the user may be queried to allow the certificate on the USIM to take temporary control of the trusted third party domain. If the certificate indicates a TTP, the user may be queried to allow or disallow the certificate as a trusted third party. However, if a certificate is not present on the USIM and the administrator is the user, or if the certificate is disallowed, then the user remains as the administrator.
Accordingly, a mechanism is desired for designating administrative responsibilities of a telecommunications network to provide administrative privileges to entities that may be designated and controlled by the owner of the mobile communications devices, which may be provided through the use of certificates identifying trusted parties in the designation of such administrative responsibilities.

Method and apparatus for designating administrative responsibilities in a mobile communications device


A soil sampling device secured to a vehicle for taking soil samples while the vehicle is moving is provided with a housing having a first and second portion. The first portion has a chamber extending outwardly therefrom and the second portion has a soil inlet opening. Soil retaining baffles are disposed within the second portion adjacent the soil inlet opening. The housing is pivotally connected to a mounting bar and brace, which is secured to the vehicle. A hydraulic piston rotates the housing so that the second portion strikes the ground and a small portion of soil is injected into the inlet opening and retained by the soil retaining baffles. The housing is rotated and the captured soil is directed to the chamber whereupon the soil sampler is in position to take another soil sample.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a soil sampling device and, more particularly, to such a device which is adapted to take soil samples and mix each separate soil sample together all while being moved across the field.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the ever increasing demand for food around the world there is an ever increasing demand on the farmer to produce the most crops from his limited number of acres. Various chemicals and fertilizers have been developed which greatly improve the growth characteristics of plants. These fertilizers can be made so that they add the necessary nutriments to a plant which the soil is lacking and without the addition of other nutriments which the soil may be saturated with. In order to determine the characteristics of the soil to determine which type of crop to be planted and also which type of fertilizer to use, the soil of the field to be planted must be analyzed.
In order to analyze the soil an individual normally would have to go into the field and by hand scoop up a number of soil samples which are mixed and later analyzed within a laboratory. As can be seen, when trying to take samples from a very large field it can be a very time consuming process. Certain devices have been developed which are mounted to a vehicle wherein whenever a soil sample is to be taken the vehicle is stopped and a probe is inserted into the soil which removes a small amount of the soil to be analyzed. These devices reduce the time which used to be spent taking a field soil sample however the vehicle still has to be stopped when the soil sample was taken.
There is a need for a soil sampler which may be mounted to a vehicle and more importantly is adapted to take soil samples while the vehicle is moving.


A control system is provided for an ion implanter having an electron shower filament and a Faraday flag provided wherein the electron shower output is adjusted to maintain substantially continuous control of disk current during implantation, the control of the disk current of a target wafer during implantation being achieved by electrically isolating the target wafer, monitoring the disk current, and maintaining the electron shower filament current of the ion implanter at a level which permits rapid adjustment of the disk current during the time period required to close the Faraday flag.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for implanting ions on a target material, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to a control system for adjusting an electron shower output to maintain substantially continuous control of disk current during ion implantation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the fabrication of semiconductors, an implanter is used to deposit ions into a material which determines the conduction properties of the silicon disk wafer. A typical implanter consists of an ion source, an analyzer, a Faraday flag, an electron shower, and a disk assembly. The ion source supplies the ions to be implanted. These ions can be of several different chemical elements and pass through a magnetic field in the analyzer. Based on the mass to charge ratio of the generated ions, the analyzer selects certain ions to reach the target wafer for implantation. The Faraday flag is a monitoring assembly for measurement and setup prior to implanting. Typically made of graphite, the Faraday flag is used to block the ion stream before implantation begins and is physically moved to allow the ions to reach the target wafer during implantation. In the closed position, the Faraday flag blocks the ion beam whose action causes emission of secondary electrons. To prevent loss of these secondary electrons which would result an incorrect measurement of beam current, magnets are attached to the Faraday flag to prevent the escape of secondary electrons. The electron shower neutralizes target water charging and the disk assembly holds the target wafers and scans them through the beam of ions.
If the surface of the target wafer is not conductive, the high energy beam of ions produced by the ion source causes a positive charge to accumulate on the surface of the target wafer. This charge may build up to sufficient levels to cause dielectric breakdown and thus damage devices on the target wafer. The electron shower minimizes the positive charging effect of the ion beam on the target wafer. Negatively charged electrons are generated by heating a filament in the electron shower which causes electrons to boil off and create secondary electrons in the vacuum. These electrons are attracted to the positively charged target wafer and neutralize the charge produced by the beam of ions.
Various control systems have been proposed to monitor the electrons generated and to control the filament current in order to maintain a preset voltage level or charge level on the target wafer. In one prior art control system the implanter is modified to electrically isolate the target wafer so that current passing through the target wafer to ground (the disk current) can be monitored. A positive disk current indicates that too few electrons are being generated and a negative disk current indicates that too many electrons are being generated. The output of the electron shower in such a control system is adjusted only once for the entire operation and, as a result of the uncontrolled charge accumulation, use of such control system does not completely eliminate the destruction caused by charge building up on the target wafer.
The above described prior art control system also suffers from another inherent defect which occurs when the electron shower is turned off once the desired implantation has occurred. That is, in operation the electron shower is turned off the instant implantation is to cease and, at that instant in time, the Faraday flag is closed to block the beam of ions. However, owing to the physical mass involved, the Faraday flag does not close instantly and the delay in closing permits positive charging and associated destruction of the target wafer.
The Faraday flag also causes another undesirable result. Because the Faraday flag has magnets on it, the motion of the flag causes the electrons from the electron shower to surge toward the target wafer. This surge produces an excessive negative disk current regardless of whether the Faraday flag is opening or closing. This surge produces negative charging and associated destruction of the target wafer.
Another prior art control system for controlling the charging of target wafer during and after implantation in an effort to prevent damage to the target wafer is a modification of the above-described control system. In the modified control system the disk current is adjusted at the start of each scan of the ion beam so that the electron shower is held constant for the entire scan. However, this requires complex and expensive apparatus and does not control the charging of the target wafer during the scan.
While these prior art control systems have met with some success, problems associated with undesired charging of the target water and the associated destruction of the target wafer at the end of implantation remain. Therefore, a need exists for a control system wherein the destructive effects of target wafer charging are substantially eliminated. It is to such a control system that the present invention is directed.

Ion implantation target charge control system


A construction of boiling water reactor core having a plurality of fuel assemblies. Some of fuel assemblies have an infinite multiplication factor which is larger at their upper regions than at their lower portions, so that the effective multiplication factor of the reactor core is larger at the upper portion than at the lower portion of the reactor core under an equal condition. Consequently, a relatively flat axial power distribution is established even under an uneven axial void distribution.

The present invention relates to a construction of nuclear reactor core.
In general, due to an uneven axial void distribution, the power distribution is skewed to the lower side of the reactor core, in boiling water reactors. At the same time, the power peaking is relatively steep and high.
In order to prevent this power peaking from becoming excessively steep and high, there have been made various attempts up to now. One of these conventional attempts is to shift the positions of all fuel assemblies at the time of fuel reloding (this will be referred to as "shuffling", hereinafter), so as to diminish the radial power peaking of the reactor core. Another attempt is to insert a number of control rods (these rods will be referred to as "shallow rods", hereinafter) from the lower side of the reactor core.
However, the first mentioned countermeasure consisting in shifting the positions of all fuel rods has been found inconvenient in that it considerably prolongs the time required for the fuel reloading. Also, the use of the shallow rods causes such inconveniences that the power is abruptly changed at an area close to the ends of these shallow rods and that a troublesome work becomes necessary for adjusting the depth to which the shallow rods are driven.
Further, the conventional reactor cores have suffered from many drawbacks such as difficulty in planning of the reactor core management, and so on.


A method for combining CD-ROM and CD-DA audio data on a single compact disc to reduce the amount of noise which is heard when the compact disc is played back on a player which is not specially adapted to play compact discs with both CD-ROM and CD-DA audio data. Presently, there are three (3) methodologies embodying the invention. In the first, the CD-ROM, i.e., CD-ROM boot blocks are placed in Track 1, Index 1; the CD-DA audio tracks are placed in tracks (2, 3, . . . , N) and the CD-ROM data files are placed in track (N+1). In the second, the entire CD-ROM Volume is placed in Track 1, Index 0; the first CD-DA audio track is placed in Track 1, Index 1, and all other CD-DA audio tracks are placed in tracks 2, 3, . . . , N. In the third, the entire CD-ROM Volume is placed in Track 1, Index 0 as in the second. However, in the third, the boot blocks for the CD-ROM volume are repeated in Track 1, Index 1, with all CD-DA audio selections being placed in tracks 2, 3, . . . , N.

The current commercial specifications for digital audio, compact discs ("CD-DA") i.e., the format for storing and playing high fidelity audio tracks, and compact disc-read only memory ("CD-ROM"), i.e., the format for storing and retrieving data intended to be accessed by general purpose personal computers, have been co-developed by Philips N.V. and Sony Corporation. These specifications are commonly referred to as the Red Book (for compact disc digital audio) and the Yellow Book (for CD-ROM) each of which is a technical specification created by Philips N.V. and Sony Corporation entitled "Compact Disc Digital Audio System Description" and "Compact Disc-Read Only Memory System Description," respectively. A commercial specification for CD-DA is also published by the international Electrotechnical Commission, entitled IEC Publication 908 "Compact disc digital audio system."
In addition to the information structure and layout for CD-ROM, the CD-ROM outlines the specification for placing CD-DA audio tracks on a CD-ROM disc. This specification is commonly called the Multimode format. See FIGS. 1 and 5.
However, for reasons discussed below, the Multimode format has not been fully accepted by the audio industry as a suitable distribution medium for audio compact discs that also contain CD-ROM material. With this in mind, a set of special methodologies have been developed which define alternate methods for placing CD-ROM and CD-DA audio tracks on the same disc. These methodologies are referred to herein as the invented Multimode methodologies.
The Multimode format is not fully accepted by the audio industry for the following reasons:
(a) According to the Multimode format, the CD-ROM volume must be placed in Track 1, Index 1 while the CD-DA audio selections are placed in tracks 2, 3, . . . , N as shown in FIG. 1. For this case, Track 1, Index 0 must be 2 seconds long and usually consists of block structured CD-ROM Mode 1 data with the user data field set to 2048 bytes of binary zeroes. (On a pure CD-DA disc, Track 1, Index 0 is 2-3 seconds long and contains digital silence.) Standard compact disc audio players will attempt to "play" the CD-ROM information in Track 1, Index 1. Therefore, unless notified to use the "NEXT TRACK" entry on the player's control panel or remote, the end-user will experience a very long pause before the first CD-DA audio track is heard. The length of this pause will be equal to the "real-time" length of the CD-ROM track. PA1 (b) In relation to the problem listed in (a), a few first generation compact disc audio players do not possess the control circuitry required to detect and then mute CD-ROM tracks. In these instances, the compact disc audio player attempts to convert the CD-ROM information into an analog signal. The resulting signal is passed through the speaker system as full volume static. This can be very damaging to the speakers as well as to the listener's hearing.

Method and apparatus for combining CD-ROM data and digital audio on a single disc


The present disclosure relates to a shock absorber having a pressure tube forming a pressure chamber. A piston rod is disposed within the pressure chamber. A reserve tube defines a reserve chamber adjacent the pressure tube. A rod guide assembly is concentrically disposed about the piston rod and the pressure chamber and houses a plurality of digital valves. Each one of the digital valves includes a component which is moveable between an open state and a closed state, and thus helps to control a fluid flow between the pressure chamber and the reserve chamber. An electronic control system is disposed on a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and controls actuation of the digital valves. At least one additional valve is associated with one of the digital valves for further controlling a flow of fluid between the pressure chamber and the reserve chamber.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Shock absorbers are used in conjunction with automotive suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibrations that occur during driving. To absorb the unwanted vibrations, shock absorbers are generally connected between the sprung portion (body) and the unsprung portion (suspension) of the automobile. A piston is located within a pressure tube of the shock absorber and the pressure tube is connected to the unsprung portion of the vehicle. The piston is connected to the sprung portion of the automobile through a piston rod that extends through the pressure tube. The piston divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber both of which are filled with hydraulic fluid. Through valving, the piston is able to limit the flow of the hydraulic fluid between the upper and the lower working chambers when the shock absorber is compressed or extended, to thereby produce a damping force which counteracts the vibration which would otherwise be transmitted from the unsprung portion to the sprung portion of the vehicle. In a dual-tube shock absorber, a fluid reservoir or reserve chamber is defined between the pressure tube and a reserve tube. A base valve is located between the lower working chamber and the reserve chamber to also produce a damping force which counteracts the vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted from the unsprung portion of the vehicle to the sprung portion of the automobile.
As described above, for a dual-tube shock absorber, the valving on the piston limits the flow of damping fluid between the upper and lower working chambers when the shock absorber is extended to produce a damping load. The valving on the base valve limits the flow of damping fluid between the lower working chamber and the reserve chamber when the shock absorber is compressed to produce a damping load. In a mono-tube shock absorber, the valving on the piston limits the flow of damping fluid between the upper and lower working chambers when the shock absorber is extended or compressed to produce a damping load. As the vehicle travels along the road surface, the suspension system moves in jounce (compression) and rebound (extension). During jounce movements, the shock absorber is compressed causing damping fluid to move through the base valve in a dual-tube shock absorber or through the piston valve in a mono-tube shock absorber. A damping valve located on the base valve or the piston controls the flow of damping fluid and thus the damping force created. During rebound movements, the shock absorber is extended, causing damping fluid to move through the piston in both the dual-tube shock absorber and the mono-tube shock absorber. A damping valve located on the piston controls the flow of damping fluid and thus the damping force created.
In a dual-tube shock absorber, the piston and the base valve normally include a plurality of compression passages and a plurality of extension passages. During jounce or compression movements in a dual-tube shock absorber, the damping valve or the base valve opens the compression passages in the base valve to control fluid flow and produce a damping load. A check valve on the piston opens the compression passages in the piston to replace damping fluid in the upper working chamber but this check valve does not contribute to the damping load. The damping valve on the piston closes the extension passages of the piston and a check valve on the base valve closes the extension passages of the base valve during a compression movement. During rebound or extension movements in a dual-tube shock absorber, the damping valve on the piston opens the extension passages in the piston to control fluid flow and produce a damping load. A check valve on the base valve opens the extension passages in the base valve to replace damping fluid in the lower working chamber but this check valve does not contribute to the damping load.
In a mono-tube shock absorber, the piston normally includes a plurality of compression passages and a plurality of extension passages. The shock absorber will also include means for compensating for the rod volume flow of fluid as is well known in the art. During jounce or compression movements in a mono-tube shock absorber, the compression damping valve on the piston opens the compression passages in the piston to control fluid flow and produce a damping load. The extension damping valve on the piston closes the extension passages of the piston during a jounce movement. During rebound or extension movements in a mono-tube shock absorber, the extension damping valve on the piston opens the extension passages in the piston to control fluid flow and produce a damping load. The compression damping valve on the piston closes the compression passages of the piston during a rebound movement.
For most dampers, the damping valves are designed as a normal open/close valve even though some valves may include a bleed flow of damping fluid. Because of this open/close design, these passive valve systems are limited in their ability to adjust the generated damping load in response to various operating conditions of the vehicle. Accordingly, some valves have been designed to include a bleed flow of damping fluid, such as in Applicant/Assignee's commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,351. While this type of design works effectively, it requires high precision components that are manufactured with tight tolerances.
Various solutions to the above limitations are presented in co-pending application U.S. application Ser. No. 14/211,318 to Roessle et al., filed Mar. 14, 2014, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. This application discloses various embodiments of dampers that make use of a plurality of electrically energizable coils and associated spool valves disposed in the rod guide to further control the damping characteristics of a damper. The coils may be energized independently of one another, to thus control opening and close of the spool valves independently of one another. The coils and spool valves may be viewed as together forming a "digital" valve. By "digital", it is meant that the spool valve is either fully open or fully closed depending on whether its associated coil is energized or deenergized. In the open state, each spool valve forms an additional passage for flow between a pressure tube and a reserve tube. A system employing four such digital valves a rod guide assembly would thus be able to provide 24 or 16 different damping states. This provides a means of enabling even further control over the damping characteristics of the damper, beyond what is achievable using just the valving associated with the piston and the base valve of the damper.
While the above integration of a plurality of digital valves into a rod guide assembly significantly enhances the ability to more finely control the damping characteristics of a damper, even further damping control over a multi-digital valve system would be beneficial.

Rod guide system and method with multiple solenoid valve cartridges and multiple pressure regulated valve assemblies

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.


An electric car air-conditioning apparatus, which is small in size and capable of preventing abnormal heating upon occurrence of a failure and preventing damage when a capacitor is connected with its polarity reversed, provided with a current-conduction detecting device for detecting the operation of current conduction of a current conducting device for charging the capacitor with a current from a battery, and a power breaking device for breaking a current from the battery, wherein a control section actuates the power breaking device to break the current from the battery in the case where the current-conduction detecting device detects the operation of current conduction for a period longer than a predetermined time when the control section is not outputting a control signal for closing a switching device through which power is supplied from the battery to drive a motor-driven compressor, and in the case where the current-conduction detecting device detects the operation of current conduction when the control section is outputting the control signal for closing the switching device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric car air-conditioning apparatus having a motor-driven compressor driven by the power supplied from a battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
The operation of a conventional electric car air-conditioning apparatus will be described with reference to a circuit diagram of a conventional electric car air-conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 4.
When a battery 2 is connected, a capacitor 11 is charged with a time constant determined by a product of the resistance value of a resistor 8 and the electrostatic capacity value of the capacitor 11. If an input voltage detecting means 7 of a motor-driven compressor driving unit 1 detects a voltage larger than a predetermined value, a switching device 3 is closed by a control section 6 so that power is supplied from the battery 2 through the switching device 3, so that the air-conditioning motor-driven compressor 5 is driven by the motor-driven compressor driving unit 1.
The resistance value of the resistor 8 must be large enough to restrain a charging rush current in order to prevent a fuse 10 from breaking. On the other hand, the resistance value must be small enough so that the fuse 10 is broken upon occurrence of a failure such as damage of the motor-driven compressor driving unit 1 or short-circuiting of the capacitor 11 or the like. Since the fuse 10 must not be broken in a normal operation current, the value of the fuse 10 is set to about 10 A. Accordingly, in order to flow a current about 40 A to break the fuse 10 surely upon occurrence of a failure, the resistance value of the resistor 8 is set to 7.5 ohm when the voltage of the battery 2 is 300 V.
In the above-mentioned circuit, in the case where the fuse 10 does not break at the time of a half-failure of the motor-driven air compressor driving unit 1 or the capacitor 11 or the like, that is, for example, in the case where a current of 9 A flows, the resistor 8 consumes a large power of (9 A).sup.2 .times.7.5 ohm=607.5 W. Accordingly, overheating causes deterioration of reliability such as smoking, solder dissolving, wiring damage, and so on. It is therefore necessary to provide a radiator or the like as a countermeasure to overheating. Accordingly the air-conditioning apparatus becomes large in size.
When the input voltage to the motor-driven compressor driving unit 1 does not rise in the case where the capacitor 11 is connected with its polarity reversed, the input voltage detecting means 7 does not detect the fact that the input voltage has exceeded a predetermined value, so that the control section 6 does not close the switching device 3 and the resistor 8 continues to flow a current into the capacitor 11. On the other hand, even in the case where the capacitor 11 is connected with its polarity reversed directly to the battery 2 and the input voltage to the motor-driven compressor driving unit 1 rises, the input voltage detecting means 7 detects the fact that the input voltage has exceeded the predetermined value and the control section 6 closes the switching device 3. Accordingly, a current continues to flow. As a result, the capacitor 11 is broken, and matters blown out of the capacitor 11 pollutes the air-conditioning apparatus to lower the performance and reliability of the apparatus. The capacitor 11 is a large-size one which has a rated voltage of about 300 V and an electrostatic capacity of about 1000 .mu.F. Accordingly, the failure of the capacitor 11 has a large influence.
Further, if a failure occurs in the switching device 3 or a driving circuit of the switching device 3, the air-conditioning motor-driven compressor 5 is driven by the motor-driven compressor driving unit 1 with the switching device 3 kept not-closed. In this case, the current of the motor-driven compressor 5 flows into the resistor 8. Accordingly there occurs a situation similar to the above-mentioned situation where the fuse 10 does not break.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A reusable martial arts board comprises two interconnecting and symmetrical half-sections. Along the interconnecting edge of each section a plurality of alternating projections and cavities are shaped and dimensioned to intimately engage a matching row of similar projections and cavities on the opposite board. Each cavity has a slot in its lower section, and each projection has a corresponding radial groove. When a load is applied at the junction of the board being held at opposite ends, the slots expand while the grooves constrict to facilitate the separation of each extension from its nesting cavity. A cushioning pad is mounted under each half-section, along its outer edge, for the comfort of the person holding the martial board.

Many martial arts, especially those of oriental origin teach the use of blows applied with the edge of the hand, such as the karate chop to disable an opponent. These chops are practiced on boards supported at opposite ends. The martial arts enthusiast is trained to strike the middle of the board with the edge of his outstretched hand in an effort to break the board in its middle section. Boards of various thickness are used according to the practitioner's proficiency. Many such boards may be broken during a practice session at heavy cost and waste of valuable material.
It would be advantageous to have a reusable martial arts training board which would break while stricken with a given degree of force, but could be reassembled and reused without any substantial loss of strength.


A friction spring unit has a friction spring including a plurality of inner rings and outer rings whose conical surfaces cooperate with each other with interposition of a lubricant, and an outer casing element and an inner casing element which shield the friction spring from outside and inside, respectively. The rings of the friction spring which are located at axial ends of the latter are sealingly connected with the inner casing element and the outer casing element. This sealing connection may be performed by interengaging beads and grooves, or flange-like projections and supports. The casing elements may be formed as hoses or each may be composed of at least two telescopable sleeves.

The present invention relates to a friction spring unit, particularly for sleeve buffers or push-pull devices of intermediate buffer coupling for rail vehicles.
Friction springs of the above-mentioned application have a plurality of inner rings and outer rings whose conical contact surfaces cooperate with each other with interposition of a lubricant, such as a grease. Such friction springs are known for a long time as components of machines (for example, the friction springs disclosed in the German Pat. No. 1,286,818 or in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,314) and are generally utilized in machine-building industry as springs for sleeve buffers of rail vehicles (as disclosed, for example, in the prospectus of "Ringfeder GmbH", C 1059.400.6, issued in May 1972). The friction springs are further utilized in push-pull devices of intermediate buffer couplings which correspond to the regulations of the International Railway Union UIC as disclosed, for example, in the German Pat. Nos. 1,455,252 and 1,455,255 and in the German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2,707,358).
The known friction springs are characterized by high static and dynamic loading capacity and great damping power, and at the same time their service life practically corresponds to the service life of a rail vehicle. In order to attain these properties, dust and moisture must be kept far from the friction spring and its lubricant. It has been recognized from practice that conventional structural parts of the friction spring which receive the latter and serve for transmitting forces, such as buffer sleeves and buffer plungers of sleeve buffers or comparable housings of push-pull devices, not always attain these objects.


A non-linear optical device comprising a polymer configured to be photorefractive upon irradiation by a green laser. The polymer comprises a repeating unit including a moiety selected from the group consisting of the structures (M-1), (M-2) and (M-3), as defined herein.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a non-linear optical device comprising a polymer configured to be photorefractive upon irradiation by a green laser. More particularly, the polymer comprises a repeating unit including a moiety selected from the group consisting of carbazole moiety, tetraphenyl diaminobiphenyl moiety and triphenylamine moiety. In addition, this invention relates to a method for modulating light using the polymer that is irradiated by a green laser.
2. Description of the Related Art
Photorefractivity is a phenomenon in which the refractive index of a material can be altered by changing the electric field within the material, such as by laser beam irradiation. The change of the refractive index typically involves: (1) charge generation by laser irradiation, (2) charge transport, resulting in the separation of positive and negative charges, (3) trapping of one type of charge (charge delocalization), (4) formation of a non-uniform internal electric field (space-charge field) as a result of charge delocalization and (5) a refractive index change induced by the non-uniform electric field. Good photorefractive properties are typically observed in materials that combine good charge generation, charge transport or photoconductivity and electro-optical activity. Photorefractive materials have many promising applications, such as high-density optical data storage, dynamic holography, optical image processing, phase conjugated mirrors, optical computing, parallel optical logic, and pattern recognition. Particularly, long lasting grating behavior can contribute significantly for high-density optical data storage or holographic display applications.
Originally, the photorefractive effect was found in a variety of inorganic electro-optical (EO) crystals, such as LiNbO3. In these materials, the mechanism of a refractive index modulation by the internal space-charge field is based on a linear electro-optical effect.
In 1990 and 1991, the first organic photorefractive crystal and polymeric photorefractive materials were discovered and reported. Such materials are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,264. Organic photorefractive materials offer many advantages over the original inorganic photorefractive crystals, such as large optical nonlinearities, low dielectric constants, low cost, lightweight, structural flexibility, and ease of device fabrication. Other important characteristics that may be desirable depending on the application include sufficiently long shelf life, optical quality, and thermal stability. These kinds of active organic polymers are emerging as key materials for advanced information and telecommunication technology.
In recent years, efforts have been made to optimize the properties of organic, and particularly polymeric, photorefractive materials. Various studies have been done to examine the selection and combination of the components that give rise to each of these features. The photoconductive capability is frequently provided by incorporating materials containing carbazole groups. Phenyl amine groups can also be used for the charge transport part of the material.
Non-linear optical ability is generally provided by including chromophore compounds, such as an azo-type dye that can absorb photon radiation. The chromophore may also provide adequate charge generation. Alternatively, a material known as a sensitizer may be added to provide or boost the mobile charge for photorefractivity to occur.
The photorefractive composition may be made by mixing molecular components that provide desirable individual properties into a host polymer matrix. However, most of previously prepared compositions failed to show good photorefractivity performances, (e.g., high diffraction efficiency, fast response time and long-term stability). Efforts have been made, therefore, to provide compositions which show high diffraction efficiency, fast response time and long stability.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,653,421 B1 and 6,610,809 B1 disclose (meth)acrylate-based polymers and copolymer based materials which showed high diffraction efficiency, fast response time, and long-term phase stability. The materials show fast response times of less than 30 msec and diffraction efficiency of higher than 50%, along with no phase separation for at least two or three months.
Several green laser sensitive-organic based materials and holographic medium have been developed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,658,526, 4,942,112, 4,959,284, 4,994,347, 4,588,664, 4,696,876 and 4,970,129 disclose green laser sensitive photopolymerizable materials which can be used for holographic data storages and memory applications. However, these types of materials are write-once type materials and cannot be rewritten after a single use.
Also, US 2004/0043301 discloses a data storage medium, comprising a recording layer containing molecules having charge transport characteristics, molecules having nonlinear optical characteristics, and optical functional molecules whose stereostructure is changed depending on a light irradiation, and a pair of transparent ohmic electrodes sandwiching the recording layer. The conductivity of the data storage medium is lowered by the light irradiation. However, the diffraction efficiency immediately after the recording was found to be 1.0%. It is not really effective for actual device application.
None of the materials described above achieves the desired combination of high diffraction efficiency with a fast response time and long-term stability, along with rewritable properties. Furthermore, none of the materials described above showed sensitivities for green pulse laser and optimum combination of high diffraction efficiency. Usually, continuous wave (CW) laser system can be affected by vibration during measurement and laser operations, but pulse laser is vibration free and widely used. Green pulse laser system availability can be greatly advantageous and useful from industrial application purpose and image storage purpose.

Non-linear optical device sensitive to green laser


A fluorine-containing elastomer composition comprising a specific fluorine-containing elastomer having iodine bonded thereto and having a multimodel molecular weight distribution, a specific vulcanizing agent, an organic peroxide, and a polyfunctional unsaturated compound. The fluorine-containing elastomer composition has not only excellent processability, mold release properties and burr-removal performance in molding but also capability of providing a vulcanization product which is not only improved with respect to mechanical properties, but also has extremely excellent resistance to chemicals and solvents, particularly methanol, and good metal-adhesion properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel fluorine-containing elastomer composition. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a vulcanizable, fluorine-containing elastomer composition which can be used to produce a vulcanization product which has not only excellent resistance to heat, solvents and chemicals, but also improved mechanical properties and compression set resistance. The vulcanizable, fluorine-containing elastomer composition of the present invention can advantageously be used for the production of various articles, such as a fuel hose; a sealant material, such as an O-ring, a seal ring, a packing, a gasket and a diaphragm; a solenoid valve; a needle valve; a blade to be used in a copying machine; a heat-fixing roll; and a valve for industrial uses; and can also be used for the production of composite articles in which the elastomer composition is used in combination with another material or other materials. Especially, the fluorine-containing elastomer of the present invention can most advantageously be used as a material for producing articles which are required to have high resistance to chemicals and solvents, such as fuel hoses, valves and O-rings.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In general, fluorine-containing elastomers have excellent resistance to heat, solvent and chemicals and, therefore, have been widely utilized in the manufacture of sealant materials which are subject to being employed under stringent conditions. Examples of such materials are O-rings, oil seals, packings and gaskets; diaphragm materials and the like.
There are various known methods for vulcanizing a fluorine-containing elastomer, such as a method using a polyamine (the polyamine vulcanization method), a method using a polyol (the polyol vulcanization method) and a method using a peroxide (the peroxide vulcanization method). A suitable vulcanization method is selected according to the intended use of a vulcanization product. Recently, according to the development of a new use, however, with vulcanization products produced by a conventional vulcanization method, such as the polyol vulcanization method, the polyamine vulcanization method and the peroxide vulcanization method, it has become impossible to satisfy various requirements of performance in the new use. Particularly, various problems have been encountered when these conventional vulcanization products are used under stringent conditions (for example, when the products are used in the presence of methanol) or when these products are used in the form of a composite article produced in combination with other types of materials, or when the fluorine-containing elastomer is required to have excellent moldability, such as excellent extrusion processability and mold flow properties.
With respect to the polyamine vulcanization method, the vulcanization product obtained is generally poor not only in strength but also in compression set resistance. On the other hand, the polyol vulcanization method, which is most widely used, is disadvantageous in that the vulcanization product obtained is poor in resistance to solvents, chemicals, especially alkalis, and steam. Further, with any of these two methods, it is difficult to vulcanize a low molecular weight polymer (for example, a polymer having a molecular weight of 50,000 or less).
The peroxide vulcanization method is known to be free from the above-mentioned problems and can be used for producing a vulcanization product having relatively good properties. However, the vulcanization product obtained by the peroxide vulcanization method is poor in metal-adhesion properties and therefore, the vulcanization product is unsuitable for applications in which it is used in combination with metals (such as the use as an oil seal or a valve). Further, in the peroxide vulcanization method, when the fluorine-containing elastomer is brought into contact with air during the vulcanization, the progress of vulcanization is extremely hindered, so that portions of the elastomer are likely to be turn off and left as burrs on the surface of the mold. Furthermore, in the peroxide vulcanization method, it is difficult to vulcanize a high molecular weight polymer, so that the vulcanization product obtained is poor in strength and compression set resistance.
Various proposals were made in order to solve the problems accompanying these vulcanization methods. For example, it was proposed to blend two types of polymers, and then vulcanize the resultant blend using a combination of a polyol vulcanizing agent or a polyamine vulcanizing agent with a peroxide vulcanizing agent (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. 60-72950, 62-30142 and 62-30143). The polymer blend used in this proposal is a blend of a terpolymer comprising vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene and a copolymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene and propylene. However, in this proposal, the rate of the vulcanization reaction is low since the reaction does not involve the formation of such vulcanization sites as formed by deiodination radical reaction or debromination radical reaction On the other hand, a method has been proposed in which a combination of a polyol vulcanizing agent with a peroxide vulcanizing agent is used for vulcanizing a blend of a bromine-containing terpolymer comprising vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene and a copolymer comprising tetrafluoroethylene and propylene (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 62-79251). However, in this method, the rate of the vulcanization reaction is low since the bromine atoms, which would form vulcanization sites, are not easily liberated. Further, the vulcanization product obtained by this method is likely to have unsatisfactory properties.
Further, in order to improve adhesion between the fluororubber and NBR (acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber), there has been proposed a laminate material comprising a fluororubber and NBR, wherein the fluororubber has, incorporated therein, a combination of a polyol vulcanizing agent with a peroxide vulcanizing agent (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. 61-244545). However, in this laminate material, a conventional fluororubber is used and, therefore, should not be improved in processability, such as roll processability.


An infuser with a balloon for continuously infusing a drug in liquid form comprises a tubular main body (1) having in axial alignment, a first portion (12) at a first end of the tubular main body, a second portion (13) at a second end of the tubular main body opposite the first end, a control portion (3) intermediate the two ends, and a balloon coaxial with the first portion (12). The first portion (12) has a check valve (121) which allows the drug to be infused therefrom into the infuser which is at the first end of the tubular main body (1) and has a flow path (11) for the drug. The second portion (13) allows the drug to be injected therefrom at the second end of the tubular main body (1). The control portion (3) for controlling outflow of the drug is provided in such a manner as to be adjacent to the second portion (13) allowing the drug to be injected therefrom. A plurality of holes (111) are formed in the tubular main body in such a manner as to extend through a wall thereof. The balloon (2) made from an elastic material is provided so as to surround the holes (111) with the perimeter (21) thereof being airtightly secured to the outer periphery of the tubular main body (1). When in use, a predetermined volume of the drug is infused into the balloon, and the drug is caused to be outwardly injected from the infuser over a long period of time via the control portion.

There are two conventional methods of infusing a drug in liquid form into the human body over a comparatively long period of time: in one method, a drug in liquid form is injected from an injecting needle or catheter which is attached to a syringe containing the drug in liquid form by operating the syringe manually, electrically or by utilizing the action of a spring; and in the other method, an instillation bottle containing a drug in liquid form is used, and the drug is caused to drip therefrom under gravity or in an electrical manner.
In a case where a drug in liquid form is infused into the human body over from a few minutes to a few hours, an injecting needle of a catheter must be kept attached to a syringe or instillation bottle serving as a drug supplier, and this causes great inconvenience to the operator as well as to the patient.
For instance, in a case where an infusion is continuously carried out in a manual fashion, the movement of both the patient and the operator is restricted for a certain period of time, and this gives them great pains mentally and physically. It is generally believed that people can take the same posture only for 1 or 2 minutes under such a condition. In contrast, in a case where the infusion of a drug is carried out electrically or by utilizing the action of a spring, a power source must be secured near the infusion site, and a syringe must properly be placed. This also restricts the action of the patient.
In addition, when a drug in liquid form is continuously infused into the human body by utilizing the instillation method, a comparatively large amount of a supplemental liquid relative to the drug needs to be used together, and even if the patient does not require such a supplemental liquid, he/she must be subject to the infusion of the same. Moreover, an instillation bottle or container must be placed at a position higher than where the patient is lying, and a complicated and long conduit is required to connect the injecting needle or catheter to the instillation bottle. This also restricts the movement of the patient, and the operator is required to confirm whether or not the instillation of a drug in liquid form is being carried out properly.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 45799/1980 discloses a flow control device for use in infusing a drug in liquid form into the human body. In this device, a core having a spiral groove formed therein is inserted in a sleeve, and this sleeve is clamped by means of a ring so as to control the flow of the liquid. However, with this flow control device, it is not possible to continuously infuse a drug in liquid form over a long period of time.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,400 discloses an infuser for continuously infusing a drug in liquid form. In this infuser, a balloon containing therein a drug in liquid form is inserted in a cylinder, and the balloon contracts in the axial direction with the drug in liquid form contained therein being injected therefrom by virtue of the contracting action of the balloon. However, this infuser is disadvantageous in that the liquid contained in the balloon cannot completely be discharged therefrom.
In view of the above drawbacks, the applicant of the present invention previously disclosed "An Infuser with a Balloon for Continuously Infusing a Drug in Liquid Form" (Japanese Patent No. 1384289) with a view to providing an infuser for continuously infusing a drug in liquid form that is intended to be used for continuously infusing a drug in liquid form into the human body over a comparatively long period of time and which is simple in construction, easy to handle and reliable in safety.
This patented infuser comprises a tubular main body having a flow path for a drug in liquid form that is formed along the longitudinal axis of the tubular main body, a portion with a check valve provided at one end of the tubular main body to allow a drug in liquid form to be infused therefrom into the tubular main body, a portion provided at the other end of the tubular main body to allow a drug in liquid form to be injected therefrom, a member provided at an intermediate position along the length of the tubular main body to shut off the flow path, an inlet hole and an outlet hole or outlet hole with a fine porous membrane provided in the neighborhood of the shutoff member on the drug infused portion side and drug injecting portion side, respectively, in such a manner as to extend through the wall of the tubular main body, and a balloon made from an elastic material and surrounding the inlet and outlet holes, the balloon being airtightly secured to the outer periphery of the tubular main body at the perimeter thereof.
In addition, the applicant of the present invention also previously disclosed "An Infuser with a Balloon for Continuously Infusing a Drug in Liquid Form into a Blood Vessel" (the Official, Gazette of Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No. 11465/1987) which comprises the above patented infuser and an intravascular retainer connected to the drug injecting portion of the same infuser.
Moreover, the applicant of the present invention also previously disclosed "An Infusing Catheter for Continuously Infusing a Drug in Liquid Form into a Urinary Bladder" (the Official Gazette of Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No. 11464/1987) that is intended to be used when continuously infusing a drug in liquid form into the human body over a comparatively long period of time and which is simple in construction, easy to handle and reliable in safety.
In this catheter, a conventional common catheter for a urinary bladder is employed, and a recess is formed in a part of the outer periphery of the catheter at the proximate end thereof. A balloon made from an elastic material is provided on the catheter so as to surround the recess, and the balloon is airtightly secured to the outer periphery of the catheter at the perimeter thereof. A capillary tube is provided on the wall of the catheter along the longitudinal axis thereof. This capillary tube is made open at the proximate end thereof so as to form an outlet port for a drug in liquid form and is caused to communicate with the recess at the proximate end. A portion allowing a drug in liquid form to be infused therefrom into the balloon is airtightly secured to the balloon at the central portion thereof, and a central passageway is provided at the center of the portion allowing the drug to be infused. A valve is provided on the central passageway a the inlet end thereof, and the passageway is caused to communicate with the recess at the outlet end thereof.
The above-described infuser or catheter is provided with a capillary hole or capillary tube for controlling the time during which a drug in liquid form is allowed to flow out. It is, however, difficult to actually form such a capillary hole or capillary tube, and even if this is possible, they are easy to be clogged with foreign matters.
In view of the above drawbacks, the applicant of the present invention succeeded in contriving a method of forming a capillary tube for controlling the time during which a drug in liquid form is allowed to flow out with ease and previously disclosed "An Infuser with a Balloon for Continuously Infusing a Drug in Liquid Form" having a structure in which the clogging of a capillary tube is prevented (PCT-JP-88-01055).
This infuser comprises a tubular main body having a flow path for a drug in liquid form that is formed along the longitudinal axis of the tubular main body. This tubular main body is provided with at one end thereof a portion with a check valve allowing a drug in liquid form to be infused therefrom into the tubular main body and a portion allowing a drug in liquid form to be injected therefrom at the other end thereof. A predetermined volume of a normal temperature or thermosetting pourable resin that exhibits no adhesiveness relative to a specific material is filled in the other end of the tubular main body, and a linear, spiral or winding capillary wire made from a specific material and having a predtermined diamter is embedded in the pourable resin. This capillary wire is caused to extend into the tubular main body at one end thereof, and at the other end thereof it is guided so as to extend through the drug injecting portion to the outside of the tubular main body. Holes are formed in the tubular main body in such a manner as to extend through the wall thereof, and a balloon made from an elastic material is provided so as to surround the holes with the perimeter thereof being airtightly fixed to the outer periphery of the tubular main body.
The capillary wire is drawn to the outside of the tubular main body so as to form a capillary hole through the pourable resin portion, and a retainer adapted to indwell the human body can be fitted to the drug injecting portion.
This drug infuser, however, has a drawback that minute burrs are caused on the inner surface of the capillary hole after the capillary wire has been drawn out. Thus, it is difficult to form a hole steadily functioning.

Infuser with balloon for continuously infusing liquid drug


Substrate beads for combinatorial synthesis are selected individually from a mixture by suspending the mixture in an electrically conductive liquid, in a bead selection vessel, causing the liquid to flow at a controlled rate through an aperture in the side wall of a pipette extending through the vessel, and detecting the passage of a bead through the aperture by monitoring an electrical resistance across the aperture. In an alternative embodiment, beads are passed through a tube into a collection passage in which a continuous laminar flow takes place. Detection takes place at the tip of the tube, and, in response to the detection of a bead, the flow through the collection passage is diverted to cause the bead to be deposited. In both cases, the selected bead is deposited into a well of a plate having rows and columns of wells in a rectangular array, while a vacuum is drawn through a filter in the bottom of the well. The bead selection head is moved from well to well in each column, and the well plate is indexed to position the columns successively underneath the path of the bead selection vessel. A plate handling mechanism retrieves plates from a supply stack, moves them laterally underneath the bead selection vessel, and elevates them into another stack.

In combinatorial synthesis, it is often desirable to be able to distribute beads into a two-dimensional array, so that each variant in a combinatorial library can be identified by its position in the array. The array can consist of a set of plates, each having rows and columns of wells, with one bead, or some other predetermined number of beads, in each well. The beads are typically made of polystyrene, and serve as substrates for different compounds produced in the process of split and combine synthesis. Ultimately, the synthesized compounds are stripped from the beads and tested for activity. The identity of an active compound is determined by spectrographic analysis, in the light of the information available concerning the reaction histories of the beads being distributed.
The beads are spherical and of extremely small size, e.g. 300 mm in diameter. Consequently, they are difficult to handle, and it has been very difficult to separate a single bead from a mixture of beads.

Apparatus and method for distributing beads


A FIFO memory system for multiple input channels, has a channel control logic coupled to a channel input signal. A pointer and flag logic block is coupled to an output of the channel control logic. A memory has an address bus coupled to the channel control logic and the pointer and flag logic.

High speed (large bandwidth) communication systems often require a memory to buffer the incoming data of multiple channels. Present FIFO (first in first out) memories for this application have a flag logic block for each channel. The flag logic blocks are configured to address a certain depth of memory based on the associated channel's data rate or bandwidth. Each of these logic blocks may potentially need to address the full memory space. As a result each logic block needs to compute and manage pointers and flags on all the address bits of memory. This results in the system having a significant amount of logic gates dedicated to computing and managing pointers and flags.
Thus there exists a need for a FIFO memory system for multiple input channels.


A centralized challenge response verification server such as a RADIUS server is used to generate challenge responses as well as to verify challenge responses. In this way, the requirement for all machines to maintain a set of shared secrets corresponding to all potential peers is eliminated. In an embodiment of the invention, an authentication plug-in extends the RADIUS server to accept a challenge from an authenticatee and to generate a response to that challenge. The RADIUS server also acts to accept a challenge response and to verify that response. In an embodiment of the invention, a name service server maintains information regarding the network, and may also maintain an identification of network zones and storage profiles within which devices may intercommunicate or other network information.

As the importance of computers and computing devices continues to increase in business, educational, and other environments, the need to store vast amounts of data has given rise to a type of network called a storage area network (SAN). A SAN is a specialized high-speed network especially adapted for interconnecting various types of data storage devices. Typically a SAN is used as a data storage pool for an enterprise or institution. Since large quantities of data may be stored on and retrieved from the SAN, it is typically located close to the point at which the data will be accessed, but aside for speed and simplicity, there is no reason why the SAN cannot be remote from the usage location. A number of SANs may also be interconnected in order to provide redundancy or increased storage capacity.
The data stored in a SAN may be confidential, proprietary, personal, commercially sensitive or otherwise in need of secure treatment. For this reason, pairs of machines in a SAN will typically authenticate each other prior to exchanging data. The Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) is an example of a mechanism by which mutual authentication can be executed. CHAP is one of the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) suites of protocols. By way of background, for dialing into a network, such as for dial-in internet access or RAS, a CHAP packet is transported in the data field of a PPP data link layer frame. With SANs, PPP is not involved, but instead the CHAP exchange is transported over the storage transfer protocol. The CHAP protocol involves a periodic verification of peer identity through a three way handshake process. Typically the handshaking process is performed when a link is first established, but it may also be repeated periodically as needed.
In order for the CHAP protocol to be used in a SAN, each pair of devices is configured with a shared secret known only among the machines of the pair. When one device needs to authenticate the other device, the first device will send a challenge to the second device. The other device is required to then derive a response to the challenge using both the challenge and the shared secret, and then return the response to the first device. The first device will then compare the response with the expected response based on the shared secret. If the received response and the expected response match, then the other device is deemed by the first device to be authentic. Typically, the process is repeated by the second device with respect to the first device so that the devices are mutually authenticated.
As noted above, the challenge handshake mechanism requires a separate shared secret for each pair of devices. As such, the configuration of shared secrets can be difficult to manage on larger networks. The RADIUS protocol allows challenge responses to be validated at the RADIUS server rather than at the individual machines. However, each machine must still be configured with the appropriate shared secret since it must still generate challenge responses.
A SAN device authentication mechanism is needed whereby devices may securely authenticate one another without requiring each machine to be configured with shared secrets for all potential peers.

Automatic centralized authentication challenge response generation


A belleville seal for a sealed bearing rotary cone rock bit. The inner static ring portion of the annular belleville seal is metal and is interference fitted over the base of a journal bearing. The separation joint formed between the inner diameter of the static ring portion of the belleville seal and the outside diameter of the journal bearing is circumferentially welded using a high-energy beam source to form a hermetically sealed metallurgical bond therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to sealed bearing rotary cone rock bits that utilize belleville seals.
More particularly, this invention relates to sealed bearing rotary cone rock bits that utilize belleville seals between a journal and a cone, the seal being metallurgically bonded and hermetically sealed between the static portion of the seal and its adjacent journal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are many patents relating to the use of belleville seals in rotary cone rock bits, most of which are expired.
An early Hughes patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,075,781, describes a belleville seal disposed between a bearing spindle and a rotary cutter cone mounted to the spindle. A multiplicity of roller bearings are disposed between the rotary cone and the bearing spindle. The belleville seal is designed to "float" between the cone and bearing spindle. The seal face on the inner diameter of the belleville is positioned at the intersection of the spindle and leg backface and the opposite seal face of the outer diameter of the belleville is positioned against the cone backface--both seal faces are dynamic since both slide against their respective sealing surfaces. Experience has shown, however, that it is undesirable to have two dynamic sealing surfaces disposed between fixed and rotating parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,421, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, describes a seal for use between relatively rotatable parts. This patent describes an improvement to belleville seals for use in rock bits. The seal consists of an annular metallic retaining ring having a resilient element bonded around one edge portion of the resilient belleville seal element. The retaining ring lies about and has an annular portion interferingly fitted in sealing contact on one of the relatively rotatable parts. The resilient element, in a relaxed position, has a relatively free annular edge portion with a wiping face disposed transversely of the axis of rotation and in sliding contact with one of the opposed surfaces. The metallic retaining ring is spot welded intermittently around the joint between the retaining ring and the journal.
The invention teaches either intermittent spot welds around the metal ring fitted to the journal or the use of a punch to distort one portion of the metallic retaining ring into the journal onto which the ring is connected. Obviously, the reason the belleville seal is spot welded is to prevent its rotation during operation of the bit in the borehole.
A further refinement of the belleville seal art resulted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,873, also assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The seal includes an inner annular ring, preferably metallic, and an outer annular element of yieldable seal material. The inner resilient ring has a weakened breakpoint which will remain unbroken during the bonding of the annular yieldable rubberlike material to the ring. The ring is separable at the breakpoint when forced over an abutment on one of the relatively rotatable parts. The ring and yieldable material are returned or "spring back" to approximately their original diameters after passing the ridged abutment. The yieldable material is subjected to pressure deformation to tightly secure the resilient ring radially inwardly about the relatively rotatable part and axially outwardly against the abutment. The patent addresses the problem of securing the inner diameter static portion of the belleville seal against a rock bit leg backface to prevent the static portion or inner annular portion of the belleville seal from rotating. The present practice is to spot weld the inner metallic ring of the belleville seal to secure the broken ends of the ring and to prevent rotation of the ring during operation of the rock bit.
The present invention incorporates a design encompassing less machining operations as will become evident from the text of this disclosure. In the present invention, the inner metallic ring of the belleville seal is placed over the bearing journal with a slight interference fit. The inner metallic ring is then welded around its circumferential interface between the journal and the bearing ring. The necessity to mechanically lock an inner split ring over an abutment is therefore obviated. A high-energy beam welding process, such as continuous laser or pulsed laser or electron beam, is preferred because a 360.degree. weld on a typical journal can be completed in a few seconds. The beam is focused to a very small cross-sectional area at the intersection of the inner metallic ring of the belleville seal and the leg journal. The combination of the localized high-energy input and short welding time results in a weld that hermetically seals the static side of the belleville seal and does not degrade the elastomer material encapsulating the belleville spring or the metallic members.

Hermetically welded belleville seal for rock bits


The invention relates to the electrochemical dissolution of semiconductors by alternating application of anodic and cathodic direct currents to an electrode formed by contacting a semiconductor material with an electrolyte.

It is well known that by contacting a semiconductor material with an electrolyte, an electrode is formed that is in many respects similar to the metal/electrolyte systems. In a suitable electrolyte, by applying anodic potential to the semiconductor/electrolyte electrode, the semiconductor material can be dissolved. For n-type semiconductors, the rate of anodic dissolution is determined by the amount of minority carriers created by illuminating the material. For a p-type semiconductor, high dissolution rates are obtainable without illumination. The electrochemical dissolution can be maintained at a desired rate by control of either the anodic potential or the anodic current.
The semiconductor-to-electrolyte interface is continuously renewed during this dissolution process and, under certain conditions, can be used for the determination of semiconductor characteristics that vary with the depth in the semiconductor. Such characteristics are, for example, the carrier concentration, or the layer thicknesses in multi-layer semiconductor structures, and the measured electrical parameter usually is either the capacitance or the conductance of the depletion layer of the Schottky diode formed at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface.
A method for anodic dissolution of semiconductors and simultaneous determination of their carrier concentration as a function of depth, is described by Ambridge, T. and Factor, M. M. in J. Appl. Electrochem. 319 (1975) and by Factor et al., in Current Topics in Materials Science Vol. 6 E. Kaldis, Ed., North-Holland Publ., Amsterdam, 1980. Essentially the same technique is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,028,207 and 4,168,212. The semiconductor material is dissolved at a fixed potential relative to a calomel reference electrode, and the anodic current is measured between a graphite electrode and the semiconductor as the working electrode. The anodic (dissolution) potential is adjusted to a value providing a sufficiently high anodic current and resultant dissolution rate allowing the determination of the carrier concentration as a function of depth within a reasonable period of time (usually about several hours).
A method and apparatus for determining the layer thickness in multi-layer semiconductor structures by measuring the conductance of the semiconductor/electrolyte interface simultaneously with anodic etching of the semiconductor is disclosed in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 301,889.
The contents of the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,028,207 and 4,168,212 and U.S. Ser. No. 301,889 are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
To ensure that a Schottky barrier is formed at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface, and to allow the reproducible measurement of the desired electrical parameters, the dissolution rate must be the same for the entire surface of the semiconductor, and the formation of any by-product on the semiconductor surface must be avoided.
The quality of the surface obtained by anodic etching of the semiconductor is greatly dependent on the electrolyte composition, as reported by G. E. Cabanies [MRS Spring Meeting 1989, Poster D5.17]. Depending on the chemical composition of the semiconductor material, hydrochloric acid, potassium or sodium hydroxide, Tiron.RTM. (a mixture of sodium fluoride and sulfuric acid), alkaline solutions of disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate, etc. are most commonly used. The methods known in the art for the anodic dissolution of semiconductor materials try to minimize the irregularities of the semiconductor/electrolyte interface by modification of the electrolyte composition.
However, even if utmost care is taken when choosing the electrolyte composition, the semiconductor/electrolyte interface is often not reproducible and as a result, the dissolution depth calculated from the Faraday equation (this is the basis for the determination of the progress of the electrochemical dissolution) and the measurable depth will be different. A reason for this might be that the dissolution does not take place according to the expected stoichiometry and/or is accompanied by side reactions. The products of such side reactions may be deposited on the semiconductor surface interfering with the reproducibility of the anodic dissolution.

Process for electrochemical dissolution of semiconductors

SEMILAB Felvezeto Fizikai Labortorium Rt.