A fixture for positioning and supporting parts for measurement on a measuring machine, the fixture presenting a number of reconfigurable supporting elements, each presenting a first portion positionable on the reference surface of the machine, and a second portion positionable in relation to the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the reference surface; and a reference tool positioned automatically by the machine, and presenting a three-dimensional reference for the second portion of the supporting elements; the supporting elements being moved manually over the reference surface so that the second portion contacts the reference tool, and being clamped in the position so defined.

The present invention relates to a reconfigurable part supporting and positioning fixture, particularly, but not exclusively, for machine-measured parts.
In the following description, specific reference is made to the above application purely by way of example.
As is known, for measuring parts on a measuring machine, the parts are positioned and secured to the machine bed by means of supporting fixtures. These are normally special-purpose types and, particularly in the case of parts deformable under their own weight, such as certain vehicle body components, are relatively complex and expensive by having to reproduce the in-service restraint conditions of the part.
As an alternative to traditional special-purpose fixtures, to reduce retooling cost for measuring different parts, reconfigurable fixtures have been devised, as described for example in Italian Patent n. 1.206.886 filed by the present Applicant.
Briefly, such fixtures consist of a number of column type supporting elements substantially comprising a base secured in a predetermined position to the reference surface, e.g. by means of magnetic stops, and a rod adjustable in height along an axis perpendicular to the reference surface. Both positioning of the base and the height adjustment of the rod are performed automatically by the measuring machine itself, the head of which is equipped with a gripping tool cooperating with the column elements.
Though highly effective, known reconfigurable fixtures of the above type present several drawbacks. First and foremost is the high cost involved, mainly due to the complex mechanical design and circuitry of the column elements and gripping tool for rendering the fixture fully automatic.
Secondly, as the base is supported pneumostatically on the reference surface, whereas it is locked in any position magnetically, the reference surface of the machine must be made of ferromagnetic material with none of the holes normally provided on conventional machines, which means fixtures of the above type cannot be used on conventional machines of all types.

Reconfigurable supporting fixture, particularly for measuring machines, and relative configuration method


A rotary electric machine includes a stator core having a plurality of slots disposed at an inner periphery, an armature winding disposed in the slots and a rotor disposed inside the inner periphery of the stator. The rotor includes a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion, which are disposed magnetically in parallel with each other. The first rotor portion has a plurality of permanent-magnet poles, and a second rotor portion has a plurality of salient induction poles.

The present application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications: Hei 11-292304, filed Oct. 14, 1999; 2000-132044, filed May 1, 2000; 2000-132423, filed May 1, 2000; and 2000-243914, filed Aug. 11, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary electric machine to be mounted in an electric vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A synchronous electric rotary machine has been adopted to an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle because of its high efficiency and high durability. Such a rotary electric machine, which is known as a brush-less DC motor, preferably employs a permanent-magnet-type rotor because of its simple structure.
The output torque of a synchronous machine is proportional to a product of an amount of the armature current of the motor and a magnetic flux density of the magnetic field formed by permanent magnets. The output torque changes in a sinusoidal curve as a phase angle between the direction of the armature current and the direction of the magnetic field changes.
However, in such a synchronous machine used for a vehicle driving motor, if an A-D converter circuit connected between the armature coil and a battery fails to control the terminal voltage of the armature coil, the phase of armature current can not be controlled. Accordingly, the rotation speed of the permanent-magnet-type rotor becomes so high, that a very high output voltage is generated at the armature coil. This requires a smoothing capacitor and other circuits of a control circuit between the armature coil and the battery to provide means for protecting them from such a high voltage. This increases the size and cost of the smoothing capacitor and other circuits.
A main object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary electric machine for driving a vehicle that provide an increased torque without requiring a smoothing capacitor and other circuit to provide means for protecting the circuit elements from a very high voltage.
Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary electric machine that includes a permanent-magnet-type rotor and a induction type rotor which does not require any permanent magnet, whereby a volume of the permanent magnets can be reduced. This prevents such an excessively high output voltage even if an A-D converter circuit fails to control the phase current of the armature winding.
According to a feature of the invention, a rotary electric machine includes a stator core having a plurality of slots disposed equally at an inner periphery, an armature winding disposed in the plurality of slots, and a rotor disposed inside the inner periphery of the stator. The rotor includes a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion disposed magnetically in parallel with the first rotor portion. The first rotor portion has a plurality of permanent-magnet poles, and the second rotor portion has a plurality of salient induction poles. In the above structure, the plurality of permanent magnet poles and the plurality of salient induction poles are shifted from each other to provide a maximum combined output torque.
Preferably, the permanent-magnet poles and the salient induction poles are the same in number. This can combine the output torque of both the first and second rotor portions easily and effectively.
It is also preferable that the salient induction pole is disposed at an angle between 0xc2x0 and 90xc2x0, more preferably between 45xc2x0 and 75xc2x0, in electric angle in advance of the permanent-magnet pole.
According to another feature of the invention, each of the permanent-magnet poles has a permanent magnet inserted in an axially extending magnet hole of the first rotor portion.
According to another feature of the invention, the first rotor portion has as many axially extending arc-shaped slit-groups as the number of the permanent-magnet poles formed at the outer periphery thereof at equal intervals and a plurality of permanent magnets respectively inserted into the arc-shaped slit groups. Therefore, the first rotor portion and the second rotor portion can be formed in the same shape. Preferably, each of the permanent-magnet poles has a pair of permanent magnets inserted at opposite ends of one of the holes. Therefore, it is easy to insert permanents magnet into the holes.
According to another feature of the invention, the rotor includes a magnetic shield member disposed between the first and second rotor portions. Therefore, leakage magnetic flux can be reduced. This increases effective magnetic flux and, ultimately, the output torque.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable rotary electric machine whose induced voltage can be controlled by a simple actuator.
According to another feature of the invention, a rotary electric machine includes a permanent-magnet-type rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles and a rotor shaft, a magnetically short-circuit mechanism, disposed near the rotor, for magnetically short-circuiting the magnetic poles. The short-circuiting mechanism includes a short-circuiting member and an actuator for moving the short-circuit member relative to the rotor. The short-circuit member may include a short-circuit plate and a member shaft disposed coaxial with the rotor shaft, and the actuator may be a planetary gear mechanism.
According to another feature of the invention, a rotary electric machine includes a stator having a cylindrical stator core and an armature winding, a cylindrical outer rotor portion disposed inside the stator core, an inner rotor portions disposed inside the outer rotor portion, and a relative angle control mechanism. The outer rotor portion has a plurality of permanent-magnet poles, and the relative angle control mechanism controls relative angular position between the outer and inner rotor portions. Preferably, the inner rotor has a plurality of salient induction poles.

Rotary electric machine for electric vehicle


An automobile bumper comprises a bumper face and a bumper beam constructed of members molded of thermoplastic resin. The bumper beam includes at least two members of thermoplastic resin having flanges for forming beam flanges together when the members are fused to each other, the beam flanges being fused to an inner surface of the bumper face. An FRP sheet is continuously heated in an atmosphere having a temperature successively lowered from a temperature higher than a resin melting temperature at which a resin of the FRP sheet is melted so that the entire FRP sheet is increased through successive heating stages to a temperature between the resin melting temperature and a resin degradation temperature at which the resin of the FRP sheet is degraded. Heaters are brought into close proximity with joining surfaces to be fused of at least two parts of synthetic resin with a prescribed spacing therebetween for melting the joining surfaces, and thereafter the melted joining surfaces are pressed against each other to fuse the parts together. At least one of the at least two parts comprises an FRP product made of glass fibers reinforced with a thermoplastic resin, the joining surfaces of the FRP product having a plurality of projections containing the thermoplastic resin only, the projections being melted when the parts are fused together.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for joining resin parts, and more particularly to a method of and apparatus for fusing resin parts or members such as the bumper beam and bumper face of an automobile bumper.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Automobile bumpers generally comprise an outer bumper face and an inner bumper beam joined to an inner surface of the bumper face for reinforcing the same, the bumper is adapted to be mounted on an automobile body. The bumper face and beam have heretofore been heavy and liable to produce rust since they are made of pressed steel sheet.
Thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene is employed to make relatively large products inasmuch as it is lightweight and highly rigid. When automobile bumpers are constructed of such thermoplastic resin, they are lightweight and less apt to develop rust. For injection molding a relatively large resin component, it is general to form smaller divided members separately and then join the formed members subsequently into the resin component so that molds required are not increased in size and molded members can easily be removed from the molds. It is preferable to form an automobile bumper by molding a bumper beam and a bumper face separately. Various methods are available to join the bumper beam and face to each other. For example, they may be joined by adhesive, or interconnected by mechanical parts such as screws. Since they are made of thermoplastic resin, they may be joined by heating and fusing their joining surfaces with panel heaters held thereagainst and then pressing the fused joining surfaces to each other to connect the members integrally to each other.
The bumper beam is required to be higher in rigidity since it supports the bumper face, and hence should be reinforced by another member. A plastic composite material has been developed which is known as stampable resin sheet, which can be stamped to a desired shape. One known such stampable resin sheet is a glass fiber reinforced resin or plastic (hereinafter referred to as FRP) sheet comprising glass fibers impregnated with thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene. This sheet has a thickness ranging from 2 to 4 mm. It is preferable to form the above divided members by stamping a lamination of such sheets. The resin sheet thus formed is as rigid as steel sheet.
Before stamping a lamination of FRP sheets, each of the sheets must be fused by a heater or in a heated atmosphere. However, since the thermal conductivity of the resin is small, if the sheet were quickly heated, the surface layer thereof would reach a degradation temperature Td before the inside portion of the sheet would reach a melting temperature, resulting in degradation of the sheet. Therefore, it is current practice to heat an FRP sheet gradually in a relatively low-temperature atmosphere so that the temperature Ti' of the inside area of the sheet reaches a resin melting temperature Tm before the temperature Ts' of the surface layer of the sheet reaches a resin degradation temperature Td, as shown in FIG. 28 of the accompanying drawings. The graph of FIG. 28 has a horizontal axis representing heating time t and a vertical axis representing resin temperature Tp. It takes 4 minutes and 30 seconds to reach a heating completion time tc after a heating starting time t0. Accordingly, the efficiency of the heat treatment of the sheet is low, and so is the production rate for stamping the lamination of FRP sheets.
The processes for joining resin members using adhesive of mechanical parts are complex and have a low production efficiency. The process for joining resin members through fusion is more preferable.
Even where the latter fusion process is employed, however, it is somewhat difficult to have large joining areas of the bumper face and beam. Moreover, fused resin may be attached to the panel heaters, and foreign matter such as carbides may be trapped in the fused areas of the bumper face and beam, resulting in a reduced degree of bonding strength. One solution to these problems is to coat the surfaces of the panel heaters with Teflon. However, since Teflon layers are likely to peel off, the panel heaters have to be replaced periodically. In case the joining surfaces of the bumper beam and face are of different shapes, different heaters should be used for heating the jointing areas of different shapes. With an increased number of heaters used, the entire fusing apparatus is complex in structure. Furthermore, divided members formed by stamping FRP sheets contain fibers even at the joining surfaces, which become short of fusible resin and tend to develop insufficient joining forces.
The present invention has been made in view of the aforesaid problems of the convetional automobile bumpers, the process of stamping FRP sheets, and the process of fusing together bumper beam and face as resin parts.

Automobile bumper constructed of fused resin members


A subscriber line interface circuit is provided that includes an output stage having a pair of differential transconductance amplifiers to drive the tip and ring lines of a telephone exchange. The output stage includes circuitry that advantageously reduces the power dissipated within the integrated circuit when the subscriber loop impedance is relatively low. As a result, heat generation within the integrated circuit is reduced. Circuit reliability may therefore be enhanced and fabrication and packaging costs may be reduced. In one embodiment, an off-chip resistor is coupled from an output line of the ring line amplifier to the negative voltage rail. When the loop impedance is low, a relatively large voltage drop is established across the resistor which therefore absorbs a greater percentage of the loop current. Since the resistor is provided off-chip and diverts current that would otherwise flow through the ring-line amplifier, the overall heat dissipated within the integrated circuit is reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to telephone subscriber line interface circuits (SLIC's) for telecommunication transmission, data communication and telephone switching system applications. This invention also relates to the management of power within subscriber line interface circuits.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
In earlier years of telephony, transformer based circuits were used to interface the telephone subscriber line to a telephone exchange. With the advent of improved cost and performance parameters of integrated circuit technology, solid state subscriber line interface circuits (SLIC's) were developed and are currently in wide use in the telecommunications industry. These SLIC circuits allow for reduced equipment cost, reduced power dissipation, and reduced space consumption in comparison to their hybrid transformer predecessors.
Subscriber line interface circuits, which serve to connect the subscriber to digital switching equipment within the telephone exchange, are designed to perform a variety of functions. These functions include sourcing DC power to the subscriber loop while terminating the with the proper AC impedance, interfacing the two-wire loop with four-wire transmission equipment, rejecting longitudinal signals on the subscriber loop, and detecting the off-hook condition of subscriber equipment. A subscriber line interface circuit typically includes a current detector which detects the subscriber going off-hook during ringing (ring-trip). In particular, when the subscriber is being called, AC ringing signals are applied to the subscriber loop to operate the telephone ringer. When the subscriber goes off-hook, the resulting loop current is detected to interrupt the ringing signals on the loop. The transmission of alternating current voice signals is thereafter accommodated between the subscriber and telephone exchange through the SLIC circuitry.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating basic components within the receive output stage 10 of a typical subscriber line interface circuit 11 that is fabricated on an integrated circuit. The receive output stage 10 comprises a pair of operational amplifiers 12 and 14 configured as differential transconductance amplifiers. Such transconductance amplifiers generate an output current which is linearly dependent upon the differential input voltages applied thereto. The transconductance amplifiers typically provide a current gain of approximately 500. This current gain can be attained, for example, by selecting the resistance of a resistor 16 at 20 ohms and the resistance of a resistor 18 at 10 k ohms.
The receive output stage 10 is an integral portion of the SLIC circuitry known as the two-wire to four-wire converter. Other portions (not shown) of the two-wire to four-wire converter include a transmit amplifier and balance circuitry. The two-wire to four-wire converter inherently rejects longitudinal (common-mode) noise induced onto the subscriber loop from close proximity telephone and power cables. Additional suppression circuitry ensures that high-level longitudinal signals do not exceed the operating voltage range of the SLIC amplifiers.
The operational amplifier 12 drives a telephone subscriber loop tip line 15 through resistor 16 and the operational amplifier 14 drives a telephone subscriber loop ring line 17 through resistor 32. A telephone 20 is shown connected to the tip and ring lines 15 and 17. The circuit is powered from ground to a battery voltage of -50 volts and operates around a predetermined quiescent point within the range defined by these voltage rails.
An input and monitor circuit 25 is shown coupled to the receive output stage 10. The input and monitor circuit 25 receives voice signals through a system interface and correspondingly drives the receive output stage 10. The input and monitor circuit 25 provides a variety of other functions, including amplification of transmit signals provided from telephone 20 through lines 26 and 27. Control circuity is further incorporated within the input and monitor circuit 25 to support other so-called BORSCHT functions (battery feed, overvoltage protection, ringing, supervision, coding, hybrid, and test) of the SLIC. Implementations of such SLIC circuity are described in detail in the literature of the known prior art, such as in the IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits, Vol. SC-16, No. 4, August 1981, pp. 261-276.
Industry standards specify that the DC current flowing through the subscriber loop when the telephone 20 is off-hook be nominally 30-40 mA. This DC current provides power to the telephone circuitry such as a digital keypad. The impedance of the subscriber loop depends upon the particular telephone connected to the loop as well as the transmission length of the loop. Typical values of loop resistance range between 0 to 2000 ohms. The SLIC must therefore be designed to provide the nominal DC current (I.sub.DC) for this range of loop impedances while still allowing transmission of the AC voice signals. One way of achieving this is to maintain node X at a DC voltage of approximately -5 volts while regulating the current flowing through resistor 32 such that the loop current equals the nominal current of, say, 40 mA. Such a system is known as an unbalanced system. It is noted that the input and monitor circuit 25 controls the operational amplifiers 12 and 14 to maintain the desired DC operating voltage and current. Depending upon the loop resistance, the DC voltage at node Y will be established at some operating point between -5 volts and the negative voltage rail of -50 volts. As represented by the waveforms at the tip and ring leads, a differential AC signal may be imposed upon the DC operating current to transmit voice signals.
The power dissipated by the transistor drivers of operational amplifier 14 in this situation depends upon the loop impedance. The power dissipated by the transistor drivers of operational amplifier 12 is, on the other hand, relatively constant and low since a voltage at node X is fixed at only approximately -5 volts. Take for example the case where the loop impedance is 1000 ohms. If resistors 16 and 32 are each selected at 20 ohms and node X is regulated at a DC voltage of -5 volts, then a DC voltage of -45 volts is established at node Y when the nominal current of 40 mA flows through the loop. On the other hand, if the loop impedance is only 300 ohms when the nominal 40 mA current flows through loop, a voltage of -17 volts is established at node Y. The voltage drop across each of resistors 16 and 32 is approximately 0.8 volts in either case. Thus, the power dissipated by the transistor drivers of operational amplifier 14 can be approximated by the voltage drop between the output line of the amplifier and the -50 volt supply. For the case where the loop resistance is 1000 ohms, the approximate power dissipation is (50-45.8 V).times.(40 mA)=168 mW. On the other hand, the power dissipated by the transistor drivers of operational amplifier 14 for the case where the loop resistance is 300 ohms is approximately (50-7.8 V).times.(40 mA)=1.29 W.
The power dissipated by the transistor drivers of operational amplifier 12 can be approximated by the voltage drop between the output line of the amplifier and ground. Since node X is maintained at a constant voltage, the power dissipated is (4.2-0 V).times.(40 mA)=168 mW regardless of the loop impedance.
From the foregoing, it is evident that the power dissipated by the driver transistors of operational amplifier 14 is dependent upon the loop impedance. The amount of power dissipated increases dramatically as the loop impedance decreases. Since the SLIC circuit must accommodate the broad range of possible loop impedances, the pull-down driver transistor within the output stage of operational amplifier 14 must sink a relatively large current when the loop impedance is low. This therefore requires that the driver transistor be relatively large and further results in increased heat generation within the integrated circuit when the loop impedance is low. This poses problems with the reliability of the integrated circuit and generally results in increased fabrication and packaging costs.

Subscriber line interface circuit with reduced on-chip power dissipation


The invention relates to charging of a short message transmission in a telecommunications network. The invention provides a mechanism for refunding the subscriber for an already charged short message in the event of a failure during the delivery of that short message. The invention also relates to the methods and devices that are used to deliver a short message and perform the charging thereof.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention is related to a short message transmission in a telecommunications network.
2. Description of Related Art
In addition to speech connections, telecommunications networks provide data services like short message services (SMS). SMS allows the transmission of alphanumerical short messages of up to 160 ASCII characters from a sender to a receiver.
To enable the transmission of a short message, the telecommunications network comprises a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) that co-operates with Control Nodes such as the Mobile Services Switching Centre (MSC) or the Serving General Packet Radio System Support Node (SGSN).
The SMSC is a node via which short messages are transmitted and can be stored for later transmission in the case the receiving party is not reached at a first attempt. Short messages are transmitted via one or more MSCs interfacing to the Short Message Service Centre: the SMS Inter-Working MSC (SMS-IWMSC) and the SMS Gateway MSC (SMS-GMSC). The term Inter-Working MSC refers to an MSC submitting mobile originated messages, and correspondingly, the term Gateway MSC refers to an MSC delivering mobile terminating short messages.
In the state of the art, the charging of the transmission of a short message takes place when the short message has successfully arrived at the SMSC. The SMSC signals the successful receipt of the short message to a network node that is responsible for the initiation of the charging procedure. Said network node can be for example an MSC or a Service Control Point. The network node will initiate the creation of a Service Call Detail Record for the short message including a short message identifier and the amount that is charged for the transmission. The Call Detail Records are stored in a Call Detail Record Storage Unit. A Post-Processing Unit collects all Service Call Detail Records and calculates the actual billing of the short message transmission. An example of a possible implementation of the charging procedure is described in the PCT patent application WO03/024135. WO03/024135 relates to a method in a mobile telecommunications network of controlling charging procedures for message services which enable transport of messages from a sender to an SMSC, the method comprising transporting a message from the sender for example via a network node (MSC) to the SMSC, temporarily storing the message at the SMSC, sending a first confirmation acknowledging receipt of the message at an SMSC to the sender, and, if the sender acknowledges receipt of the first confirmation, routing the message from the SMSC to a recipient of the message and initiating a charging procedure for a message.
The method of WO03/024135 has the shortcoming that the charging procedure for the short message is initiated as soon as the reception of the short message by the SMSC has been acknowledged. After the charging procedure has started, the short message is forwarded to the receiving party. However, the delivery of the short message to the receiving party might not be successful. One possible reason for failure of the delivery is that the receiver of the short message has not attached to the telecommunications network within a predefined time, i.e. the validity period of the short message, after the submission of the short message. This leads to the drawback that the subscriber is charged for short messages that cannot be delivered to the receiving party.

Charging of a short message transmission


A medical diagnostic and/or therapeutic apparatus provided with a C-arc support (2) for, for example an X-ray source (4) and an X-ray detector (6). The support (2) comprises two complementary U-profiles (26) which are connected to one another by way of their flanges (28), using two rod-shaped parts (20) with grooves (24) which extend parallel to the axis of the rod-shaped parts (20) and receive the flanges (28). The flanges (28) are fixed in the grooves (24) by holes (30) which are provided in the rod-shaped parts (20), extend perpendicularly to the plane of the grooves (24), and overlap the grooves (24), in said holes there being arranged pressure pieces (40) which are interconnected by a connection rod (46) which interconnects two oppositely situated pressure pieces (40).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a medical diagnostic and/or therapeutic apparatus, comprising a support for diagnostic and/or therapeutic components which is rotatable in its own plane and which is shaped at least partly as a flat arc of circle, the support comprising two complementary profiles, each of which comprises two flanges in perpendicular cross-section, a first and a second flange of a first profile being oriented towards a first and a second flange, respectively, of the second profile, the support comprising a profile connection provided with grooves which extend in the longitudinal direction of the profiles and receive the flanges, the support comprising fixing means for fixing the flanges in the grooves.
2. Description of the Related Art
An apparatus of this kind is known from German Patent DE 42 14 858. The support of the apparatus disclosed therein is composed of two profiles, each of which has a semi-oval or semi-rhombic shape so that in the assembled condition the support has an oval or rhombic cross-section. The two profiles are maintained together by means of a profile connection in the form of a third profile which extends between the first two profiles and which has a barbell-shaped cross-section. In the wide ends of the barbell there are provided grooves which receive the flanges of the semi-oval profiles. The fixing means for fixing the flanges in the grooves are formed by staples or glue, fixing by rolling also being mentioned as a possibility. Regardless of the fixing means chosen, the known apparatus always requires a profile connection of barbell-shaped cross-section so as to receive the flanges of the profiles.
Profile connections of this kind have the drawback of a comparatively complex shape so that, generally speaking, they must be manufactured especially for this purpose by means of a special tool. Because this known profile connection is made of one piece, the flanges of the profiles must be situated at an exact given distance from one another (i.e. the distance between the grooves), because otherwise problems will be encountered during assembly. This imposes severe requirements as regards exactness of the shape of the profiles. Moreover, only one size of profile connection fits a given size of the cross-section of the support, so that various sizes of the profile connection must be stocked for various sizes of the support.

Medical diagnostic and/or therapeutic apparatus comprising a C-arc composed of profiles


An oxygen storage material comprises three pyrochlore-type composite oxides which are a ceria-zirconia composite oxide, a lanthana-zirconia composite oxide, and a ceria-zirconia-lanthana composite oxide, and which coexist together, wherein the oxygen storage material contains:                first secondary particles made of the pyrochlore-type ceria-zirconia composite oxide and the pyrochlore-type ceria-zirconia-lanthana composite oxide; and        second secondary particles made of the pyrochlore-type lanthana-zirconia composite oxide and the pyrochlore-type ceria-zirconia-lanthana composite oxide.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oxygen storage material comprising composite oxides and a method for producing the same.
Related Background Art
Composite oxides containing various metal oxides have heretofore been utilized as supports, promoters, and the like for catalysts for purification of exhaust gas. As the metal oxide in such a composite oxide, ceria has been preferably used because ceria is capable of storing and releasing oxygen according to the partial pressure of oxygen in an atmosphere (i.e. having an oxygen storing capacity). In addition, various kinds of composite materials containing ceria have recently been studied.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-231951 (Patent Literature 1) discloses a composite oxide having a pyrochlore structure containing Ce and Zr, wherein 40 to 90% of Ce is substituted by ions of a rare earth metal other than Ce or ions of an alkaline earth metal. Patent Literature 1 also states that this composite oxide is excellent in oxygen storage/release performance. However, since the composite oxide comprises one kind of a pyrochlore-type composite oxide, the composite oxide does not have a sufficiently high oxygen storage/release rate.
Meanwhile, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-114180 (Patent Literature 2) discloses a composite oxide material comprising: crystal particles having a pyrochlore structure of a ceria-zirconia composite oxide; and a crystal having a pyrochlore structure of a lanthana-zirconia composite oxide present on surfaces of the particles, wherein the crystal of the lanthana-zirconia composite oxide is at least partially solid-dissolved in the surfaces of the crystal particles of the ceria-zirconia composite oxide. Patent Literature 2 also states that this composite oxide material is excellent in stability at high temperature.

Oxygen storage material and method of producing the same


The invention is in a process of genetic mapping for plant identification and breeding purposes. The process utilitzes restriction fragment technology and detection of polymorphisms to build up a genomic "fingerprint" for a variety or isolate. The "fingerprint" is then compared to "fingerprints" of other varieties or isolates to determine both the degree of relatedness and homozygosity for identification and breeding purposes.

1. Field
The invention relates to the genetic differentiation of individual plant isolates and varieties using restriction enzyme technology.
2. State of the Art
A long-standing problem which has plagued plant breeders is the inability to distinguish closely related isolates with any certainty. Both individual and varietal identification are important for a number of purposes including plant breeding and hybridization and patent protection. Effective problem solving in these areas has been severely complicated as it can rarely be demonstrated that one isolate is not just closely related to another, as opposed to being a derivative of it or even an identical isolate.
Presently, differentiation of individual plants or plant varieties is usually accomplished by visual inspection. The two major disadvantages of visual inspection are (a) often there are not enough definitive visual characteristics between closely-related individual plants to make a positive differentiation, and (b) the visual characteristics are greatly affected by environmental factors.
Typical characteristics used in establishing distinctiveness have included habit, immunity from disease, soil condition, color, flavor, productivity, storage qualities, perfume and form. The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) recommends that competent authorities use the characteristics of color of tuber skin, color of the base of the sprout, color of the tip of the sprout, existence of flowers, color of the inner and outer sides of petals, tuber shape and contour, sprout shape, and stem coloration for the grouping of plant varieties.
Obviously, non-related individual plants may be so visually different that differentiation based on such characteristics is easily accomplished. However, closely-related, yet different, varieties as well as similar progeny in a breeding program will possess many similar structural characteristics which make their distinction by these characteristics nearly impossible. Furthermore, because of the many heritable genes that go together to actually compose a plant's visual appearance and economic characteristics, differences in any one particular gene are often so diffused by the total mass of characters that it cannot be isolated for use as a differentiating characteristic for varietal distinguishment.
Even when sufficient visual characteristics are available to determine individual and varietal differences, they are often unreliable as they are subject to environmental effects. A heritable visual characteristic is usually the result of a phenotypic expression of different plant genes. Often the phenotypic expression of a gene is substantially influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, water condition and amount, soils, amount and intensity of light, available nutrients, etc. This large variation in phenotypic expression may cause severe confusion when the plants are grown under different conditions, as between the distinguishment of plant varieties and the mere recognition of the range of phenotypic expression within a single variety.
Alternatives to visual characteristics for individual and varietal distinguishment have been proposed. One such approach is based on differentiating chemical phenotypic expression through isozyme analyisis. Isozymes are enzymes which have similar biological activities, but have different amino acid sequences. The differences in amino acid sequence indicate that the isozymes originate from different genotypes. Isozyme analysis typically involves the steps of isolation and partial purification of the isozymes of interest with detection of amino acid sequence differences by such techniques as starch gel electrophoresis.
If different isozymes are detected in two different plant isolates, it can always be concluded that they are not genotypically identical. A summation of the similarities and differences between two such isolates can even serve to indicate their overall relatedness. The converse, unfortunately, cannot be concluded. Different plant varieties may not necessarily possess different isozymes. Therefore, one of the major problems with the application of isozyme technology to identification is again the lack of sufficient numbers of variants in closely-related lines to positively distinguish them. In addition, since the isozymes are phenotypic expressions of genes, they are still affected by environmental factors or might only be specific to certain plant tissues.
To avoid the effects of environmental factors and also to have positive identification, one could concentrate on genotypic rather than phenotypic differences. A summation of detectable differences between individual plants in their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences could be used as "fingerprints" for estimating the relatedness of those individual plants. Although the technology presently exists to actually sequence DNA, it is not applicable to this problem for practical reasons as it requires a great deal of time and effort to sequence even one short segment of DNA, and this type of analysis would require sequencing many segments from each of many individuals.
Instead of actual DNA sequencing, the present applicants apply restriction fragment technology to detect genomic DNA sequence differences to define relatedness. Although restriction fragment technology and the polymorphisms thus identified have been used to construct genetic linkage maps in humans and other species, it has not been applied to problems in plant science nor developed to detect either varietal differences or homozygosity. The adaptation and application of restriction fragment technology to detect both the degree of relatedness and homozygosity in plants is the essence of the present invention.

Process for genetic mapping for plant identification and breeding purposes


A spinal fixator comprising two substantially parallel assemblies each which includes a slideway having an open slot therein, a plurality of rings which define a slideway opening having a profile corresponding to that of the slideway, each ring having a bore aligned with a hole in the bottom of the ring through which pedicular screws having a head and self-tapping threads are disposed, and caps secured in the bore of each ring.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spine fixator for aligning and holding a backbone.
2. History of the Related Art
Fixators of this type are known, which generally comprise two parallel assemblies, each comprising:
a cylindrical rod whose length is determined as a function of the number of stages to be joined; PA1 and a plurality of assemblies composed of a ring, a nut and a pedicular screw or of hooks allowing the rods to be fixed on the vertebrae. PA1 a slideway in the form of a U having a bottom is pierced with an open slot therein; PA1 a plurality of rings which have a horizontal opening if an inner profile corresponding to that of the slideway, a tapped bore coaxial with a smooth hole in the bottom of the ring perpendicularly to the opening; PA1 pedicular screws with self-tapping thread and spherical head, allowing the slideway to be put in place and positioned in the ring; PA1 and a threaded cap screwed in the tapped bore of each ring and which each abut on the upper part of the head of the screw so as to assemble by tightening the ring and the slideway via the head of the screw.
Other fixators comprise plates perforated with holes or slots allowing passage of screws being implanted in the pedicles.
Such fixators present certain drawbacks concerning the risks of micro-movements or of fragility of the connection either between the screw and the rod or between the screws and the plates.
Moreover, the fixators employing plates impose a pedicular spacing which may not be adapted to anatomic variations.
It is a particular object of the present invention to overcome these drawbacks.

Spine fixator for holding a vertebral column


Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an OLED device. The method includes steps of: providing a substrate and manufacturing an anode and a buffer layer in sequence on the substrate; subjecting the substrate to an acid treatment; drying the substrate and manufacturing a liquid light emitting layer on the buffer layer; providing a cover plate and manufacturing a cathode and an electron transport layer in sequence on the cover plate; subjecting the cover plate to the acid treatment; and bonding the cover plate and the substrate together by lamination to obtain an OLED device. According to the method, performance of a device can be improved stably, and thus light emitting efficiency of the device can be enhanced.

At present, in the fields of lighting and display, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have attracted more and more attention because of their features of low starting voltage, lightness and thinness, and self-luminescence, and are widely used in the development of lighting products and display panels.
Flexible OLED display is a main direction of research. However, at present, a main problem in manufacture of a flexible device lies in that: when a substrate is bent, it is easy for structures between film layers to be influenced by the stress, which results in a fracture of molecular chains and degradation of device performance. Therefore, a liquid light emitting layer is introduced in some researches. Liquid light emitting materials can be used for manufacture of a flexible device because of their liquid or semi-solid state. Connection between molecules of a liquid light emitting material would not be affected by a bend. However, although a liquid light emitting layer has a simple structure, since the liquid light emitting layer needs to be bonded together with a substrate and a cover plate, this physical bonding method would result in degradation of bonding capacity between organic layers and poor connection between film layers.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a method to improve a bonding capacity between film layers.

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


The invention is directed to a liquefied sugar beet and/or sugar cane biomass material as well as production methods and uses thereof. The liquefied biomass is storage stable and can be used for the production of a product resulting from fermentation.

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and sugar cane (Saccharum sp.) are valuable sources for refined sugar such as liquid or crystalline sucrose for industrial and consumer use. Sugar beet roots contain sucrose and sugar beet pulp, the latter containing pectin, cellulose and hemicellulose. Sugar cane contains sucrose and sugar cane pulp, the latter containing cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins and lignin. The sugar refining process is a process for extracting sucrose from either sugar beet or sugar cane followed by the removal of impurities and crystallization of sucrose. After the removal of mud, sand, weeds, and leaves, sugar beets are fed into slicers and cut into long pieces called cossettes. The cossettes are discharged into a scalding tank leading to the diffuser. Here the sugar is removed from the cossettes by being dissolved in hot water in a continuous counter-flow process. Products of this process are the sugar solution called raw juice and the so-called beet pulp, the latter being dried in a pulp dryer. The raw juice moves through various stages of purification and filtration to remove impurities and non-sugar substances to yield thick juice (65-70% d.s. content) or, after crystallization, refined fine sugar. Besides being refined to crystalline sugar, sucrose in the form of raw sugar or thick juice is a valuable fermentation substrate for the biotechnological production of chemicals and biomolecules. Due to the costly refinery process, the use of sucrose and other sugars as fermentation feedstocks for the production of products such as fuels or polymer building blocks is relatively expensive. Cheaper fermentation substrates are therefore desirable.
Sugar beet biomass can not efficiently be used for typical fermentation processes such as ethanol, butanol, lactic acid or propionic acid production without additional treatment to liquefy the biomass and hydrolyze polymers.
Chemical treatment processes for the liberation of monomeric sugars and sucrose from cellulose-, pectin- and hemicellulose-containing biomass such as sugar beet biomass have been described. Unselective processes such as sulphuric acid treatment can be used to hydrolyze sugar beet biomass; however such treatment is inefficient at low temperatures. At higher temperatures (e.g. dilute acid steam pretreatment at 200-250° C.) it leads to inhibitory components such as hydroxyrnethylfurfural (HMF) or furfural that render a subsequent fermentation process problematic (Jing et al., 2009).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,672 (Baynast et at) describes a process for liquefaction of sugar beet biomass by enzymatic treatment. The process includes washing and coarse grinding of sugar beet biomass, mixing the ground product with an enzymatic mixture, adjusting the pH to 3 to 5.5, additional fine grinding the substrate and recovering the resulting liquid. The enzyme mixture used in this process contains at least one "SPS-ase" ("SP 249", an enzyme preparation obtained from Aspergillus aculeatus), one cellulase ("Celluclast", an enzyme preparation obtained from Trichoderma reesei) and one cellobiase ("Novo 188", an enzyme preparation obtained from Aspergillus niger). In this process, bacteriostatic agents such as formal may be added. While the addition of such bacteriostatic agents is undesirable for subsequent fermentation processes using the liquefied biomass, their addition is described to be essential to avoid microbial proliferations, e.g. to provide a storage stable biomass.


A sensor arrangement for the activation or starting of an active body, especially for a land mine which is deployed against ground and airborne targets. The arrangement includes a waking sensor which is responsive to the approach of a target, and incorporating circuit arrangements for the environmentally-adaptive setting of sensor-evaluating circuits in order to release the operating mechanism employed for combatting the target. Provided is at least one antenna for the radiating of a nondirectional electromagnetic ground or direct wave (which hugs the terrain), and possibly also for the receipt of reflections from the surroundings after the deployment of the active body, as well as after activation by the waking sensor, also for determining the relative movement of a target which has penetrated into the previously encompassed surroundings, due to the reflections thereon.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sensor arrangement for the activation or starting of an active body, especially for a land mine which is deployed against ground and airborne targets, including a waking sensor which is responsive to the approach of a target, and incorporating circuit arrangements for the environmentally-adaptive setting of sensor-evaluating circuits in order to release the operating mechanism employed for combatting the target.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A sensor arrangement of that type is presently known from the disclosure of European Patent Appln. 03 75 872 A1 in the form of a seismic waking or approach sensor possessing a response threshold which is set in dependence upon the environmental conditions which are encountered at the locale of emplacement, especially the characteristics of the terrain so as to, on the one hand, avoid an excessively high rate in, signal errors and, on the other hand, to still be able to ensure a controllable degree of sensitivity with respect to specific targets or target objects
In particular, the invention is directed to a sensor arrangement for a land mine possessing an operative mechanism for articles of submunition as disclosed in British Patent 2 174 482 A, the latter of which is commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In the instance of that patent, the waking sensor initiates the lifting up of the active body from a launch or starting apparatus, which remains stationarily in place, whereupon the active body again descends into the target area while suspended from a parachute, and searches the target area in a spirally-narrowing manner through the intermediary of a search head-sensor. Upon the detection of a target which is to be attacked, the search head causes the warhead which is equipped with a projectile-forming hollow charge-insert to be released in a direction towards the target or target object. In connection with this aspect, problems can be encountered in that, for the kinematics commencing from the response of the waking or activating sensor; in effect, for the ascent out of the starting or launch apparatus and for the braked-down rotational descent into the target area, there passes a period of time which is not adequately reducible, so that no effect can be achieved in the target object; for instance, when the latter only reaches or contacts the periphery in the range of detection for the alarm sensor and has already again distanced itself from the region which is detectable by the active body, when the active body after passing through its apogee finally again descends into the target area with an activated search head. As a consequence thereof, the raising out from the launch apparatus should, accordingly, only be initiated in such instances when the speed and the direction in the movement of the target is oriented in such a manner that the cylinder of the search head and active body during the descent thereof will also actually detect this target object within its effective range, possibly in the middle thereof. In contrast therewith, the active body should remain in its state of readiness to function when the probability is too low that the target object which has been detected by the waking sensor can also in actuality be defended against or warded off with a reasonably good chance of success in view of its motion vectors.
However, in this case, there can also be encountered problems in that the active body which is deployed either manually or by means of a mine thrower or launcher, should not lift up too high above the terrain due to camouflaging reasons, so that even low rises in the terrain or growths in the surroundings may obstruct the direct view towards the approaching target object. Simultaneously, it is intended that the individual active bodies contained in a mine should be able to communicate with each other, such that even upon the response of a plurality of waking or activating sensors there will be triggered the defense mechanism only at the location at which, due to the position relative to the momentary movement of the target, there is given the greatest prospect of success for the acquisition of the target during the phase of descent for the active body. Finally, for an optimizing in the utilization of the active body, it should also be of interest to not only determine the radial distance to and the speed of the approaching target, but also the direction towards the detected target object, so as to be able to derive therefrom; for example, a command transmission to a more expediently located mine, without necessitating installation of an apparatus for a laser-retromodulator system, such as is known from the disclosure of German Patent 36 25 334 C2.

Sensor arrangement for the activation of an active body


A traffic control method can prevent that the number of cells transmitted to an ATM network exceeds a maximum transmission rate. When a frame F is transmitted from a frame relay network FR1 to an IWF, a traffic control part included in the frame relay network FR1 measures the transmission data quantity for a measuring time in a DLCI connecting the frame relay network FR1 and the IWF. Successively, the traffic control part detects a traffic restrictive level corresponding to the measured transmission data quantity. Then, the traffic restrictive process corresponding to the restrictive level is performed, and the frame transmission is controlled by the transmitted terminal of the frame F. Thus, it is prevented that the number of cells transmitted to the ATM network exceeds a determined maximum transmission rate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a network system in which plural frame relay networks are connected to an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) switch, to a traffic control method in the network system and to a frame relay switch in each of the plural frame relay networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the B-ISDN (Broadband Integrated Service Digital Network) is rapidly introduced as the LAN (Local Area Network) is made a high speed and a multimedia. In data communication, as a first step for the next generation, cases increase in that an ATM network is used as a repeater for frame relay networks.
FIG. 16 is a whole structural view of a network system which an ATM network is used as a repeating network for plural frame relay networks. In FIG. 16, frame relay networks 1, 2 are respectively connected with an ATM network 3 through each IWF (InterWork Function) 4 which disassembles a frame into cells. The frame relay networks 1, 2 are also respectively connected with terminals 5, 6 for users in the network system. In the ATM network, a VP (Virtual Path) which plural VCs (Virtual Channel) are put together is set, and communication channels (VCC: Virtual Channel Connection) for respective VCs are set. A maximum transmission rate (PCR: Peak Cell Rate) which cells can be transmitted is also set every VCC. Then, when a number of cells transmitted from the IWF 4 to the ATM network 3 exceeds the PCR set for the ATM network 3, the ATM network 3 discards cells so as to avoid or release congestions in the ATM network 3. When a cell (frame) is discarded in the ATM network 3, no response frame to the discarded cell (frame) is transmitted to the terminals 5, 6. Thus, when the user of terminal 5 or 6 receives no response frame concerning the frame transmitted by the user for a predetermined time, the user determines that no frame reaches a transmitted terminal, and transmits the same frame as said discard cell (frame) again.
The above-described network system, however, has the following problems.
That is, a number of cells transmitted from the IWF 4 to the ATM network 3 exceeds the PCR, whereby cells (transmitting frames) are frequently discarded. Thus, the terminal 5 or 6 which has transmitted the discarded frame (cell) re-transmits the transmitting frames frequently, As the result, there was a possibility in that congestions occur in the frame relay networks FR1, FR2, too.
Further, frames are re-transmitted from the terminals 5, 6 caused by that cells (frames) are discarded in the ATM network 3, whereby processes increase in the frame relay networks FR1, FR2. Thus, there was a possibility in that a response deteriorates between the terminal 5 and the terminal 6 (end to end).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Traffic control method, network system and frame relay switch


An IoT data packet of IoT data in a first data format is received over a distributed system from an Internet of Things (IoT) device. A determination is made that a second different data format of at least some of the IoT data is being used by at least one application by using an IoT data model of an IoT persistency service storing the IoT data in different data formats supporting different applications. A transformation rule in the IoT data model is used to transform the IoT data packet in the first data format to the second different data format. The IoT data packet in the second different data format is stored in the IoT persistency service.

Data entered into and output by Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications can change structure with each new version of the input device, yet the structure of the data typically does not change with the version of the application running and storing the data. Deployed IoT devices may provide data for a long time, such as for years. The data format may remain unchanged during the lifecycle of the device, unless, for example, a firmware upgrade changes the format and content of the data. New devices that are deployed can have new formats of data as well as new data sets. As a result, applications working with IoT data may need to deal with different data formats.

Change management using a thing-model on an internet-of-things platform


A method for designing an array is provided. In certain embodiments, this method includes grouping probes into a plurality of ranked groups of probes; and designing an array comprising the ranked groups of probes, wherein the array contains more replicates of probes in a higher ranked group as compared to probes of a lower ranked group of probes.

In the following discussion and throughout the present application, while various references are cited no cited reference is admitted to be prior art to the present application.
Chemical arrays, such as polynucleotide or protein arrays (for example, DNA or RNA arrays), are known and are used, for example, as diagnostic or screening tools. Polynucleotide arrays include regions of usually different sequence polynucleotides arranged in a predetermined configuration on a substrate. These regions (sometimes referenced as "features") are positioned at respective locations ("addresses") on the substrate. The arrays, when exposed to a sample, will exhibit an observed binding pattern. This binding pattern can be detected upon reading the array. For example all polynucleotide targets (for example, DNA) in the sample can be labeled with a suitable label (such as a fluorescent compound), and the fluorescence pattern on the array accurately observed following exposure to the sample. Assuming that the different sequence polynucleotides were correctly deposited in accordance with the predetermined configuration, then the observed binding pattern will be indicative of the presence and/or concentration of one or more polynucleotide components of the sample.
Biopolymer arrays can be fabricated by depositing previously obtained biopolymers (such as from synthesis or natural sources) onto a substrate, or by in situ synthesis methods. Methods of depositing obtained biopolymers include loading then touching a pin or capillary to a surface, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,522 or deposition by firing from a pulse jet such as an inkjet head, such as described in PCT publications WO 95/25116 and WO 98/41531, and elsewhere. Such a deposition method can be regarded as forming each feature by one cycle of attachment (that is, there is only one cycle at each feature during which the previously obtained biopolymer is attached to the substrate). For in situ fabrication methods, multiple different reagent droplets are deposited by pulse jet or other means at a given target location in order to form the final feature (hence a probe of the feature is synthesized on the array substrate). The in situ fabrication methods include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,754 for synthesizing peptide arrays, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,351 and WO 98/41531 and the references cited therein for polynucleotides, and may also use pulse jets for depositing reagents. The in situ method for fabricating a polynucleotide array typically follows, at each of the multiple different addresses at which features are to be formed, the same conventional iterative sequence used in forming polynucleotides from nucleoside reagents on a support by means of known chemistry. This iterative sequence can be considered as multiple ones of the following attachment cycle at each feature to be formed: (a) coupling an activated selected nucleoside (a monomeric unit) through a phosphite linkage to a functionalized support in the first iteration, or a nucleoside bound to the substrate (i.e. the nucleoside-modified substrate) in subsequent iterations; (b) optionally, blocking unreacted hydroxyl groups on the substrate bound nucleoside (sometimes referenced as "capping"); (c) oxidizing the phosphite linkage of step (a) to form a phosphate linkage; and (d) removing the protecting group ("deprotection") from the now substrate bound nucleoside coupled in step (a), to generate a reactive site for the next cycle of these steps. The coupling can be performed by depositing drops of an activator and phosphoramidite at the specific desired feature locations for the array. A final deprotection step is provided in which nitrogenous bases and phosphate group are simultaneously deprotected by treatment with ammonium hydroxide and/or methylamine under known conditions. Capping, oxidation and deprotection can be accomplished by treating the entire substrate ("flooding") with a layer of the appropriate reagent. The functionalized support (in the first cycle) or deprotected coupled nucleoside (in subsequent cycles) provides a substrate bound moiety with a linking group for forming the phosphite linkage with a next nucleoside to be coupled in step (a). Final deprotection of nucleoside bases can be accomplished using alkaline conditions such as ammonium hydroxide, in another flooding procedure in a known manner. Conventionally, a single pulse jet or other dispenser is assigned to deposit a single monomeric unit.
The foregoing chemistry of the synthesis of polynucleotides is described in detail, for example, in Caruthers, Science 230: 281-285, 1985; Itakura et al., Ann. Rev. Biochem. 53: 323-356; Hunkapillar et al., Nature 310: 105-110, 1984; and in "Synthesis of Oligonucleotide Derivatives in Design and Targeted Reaction of Oligonucleotide Derivatives", CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., pages 100 et seq., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,458,066, 4,500,707, 5,153,319, 5,869,643, EP 0294196, and elsewhere. The phosphoramidite and phosphite triester approaches are most broadly used, but other approaches include the phosphodiester approach, the phosphotriester approach and the H-phosphonate approach. The substrates are typically functionalized to bond to the first deposited monomer. Suitable techniques for functionalizing substrates with such linking moieties are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,454 and Southern, E. M., Maskos, U. and Elder, J. K., Genomics, 13, 1007-1017, 1992. In the case of array fabrication, different monomers and activator may be deposited at different addresses on the substrate during any one cycle so that the different features of the completed array will have different desired biopolymer sequences. One or more intermediate further steps may be required in each cycle, such as the conventional oxidation, capping and washing steps in the case of in situ fabrication of polynucleotide arrays (again, these steps may be performed in flooding procedure).
Further details of fabricating biopolymer arrays by depositing either previously obtained biopolymers or by the in situ method are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,242,266, 6,232,072, 6,180,351, and 6,171,797. In array fabrication, the quantities of polynucleotide available are usually very small and expensive. Additionally, sample quantities available for testing are usually also very small and it is therefore desirable to simultaneously test the same sample against a large number of different probes on an array. These conditions require use of arrays with large numbers of very small, closely spaced features.
In fabricating arrays by depositing previously obtained biopolymers or by the in situ method, typically the entire region on the substrate surface on which an array will be formed (an "array region") is completely exposed to one or more reagents. For example, in either method array regions will often be exposed to one or more linker compositions to form a suitable linker layer on the surface which binds to both the substrate and biopolymer or biomonomer. Particularly useful linker compositions and methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,319,674 and 6,444,268 which may use various silane based compounds as linkers or other surface modifying agents (for example, to modify the surface energy to control deposited drop spread). The solution containing the silane compounds is exposed to a substrate surface in a reactor.
An array is typically read such as by detecting light emitted from features in response to an interrogating light. A typical detector may be a photomultiplier tube ("PMT"). However, the concentration of the various target polynucleotides (or other targets) in a sample is not always known in advance. On the other hand, the present invention now recognizes that each feature can only quantitatively measure a limited range of target concentrations (sometimes referenced herein as the "dynamic range" of a feature). For example, features having a higher probe density tend to be relatively insensitive to changes in target concentrations at lower levels whereas features having a lower probe density tend to be relatively insensitive to changes in target concentration at higher levels.
As with all measurement systems, the detection system of a biopolymeric array system, which includes the array itself, labeling components, scanning/imaging apparatus, etc., has a particular signal to noise ratio. In order to obtain meaningful assay results, the signal to noise ratio must be within a certain range. In general, the signal to noise ratio decreases as signal decreases. However, when the signal to noise ratio falls below a certain level, array assay results may be compromised or meaningless in certain instances because it will not be possible to distinguish signal from system noise. For example, in certain instances a particular target may be present in the sample in such a small amount that when the sample is used with an array in an array assay the low signal obtained from the probe/target complex may provide a signal to noise ratio that is at a level below where signal cannot be meaningfully distinguished from noise in the system. Likewise, in certain instances signal may be higher than a system's detection limit.
Accordingly, there continues to be an interest in the development of array systems in which meaningful data may be obtained when used with targets present in a range of amounts, e.g., very low to very high abundance targets. The present invention recognizes that it would be desirable to extend the dynamic range over which changes in a target concentration can be detected by a chemical array.

Biopolymeric arrays having replicate elements


The application is directed to a cloud computing platform. The cloud computing platform includes a memory having instructions stored thereon for managing updates the cloud computing platform. The cloud computing platform also includes a controller, operably coupled to the memory. The controller is configured to execute an instruction of identifying an update for an existing cloud computing service operating on the cloud computing platform. The controller is also configured to download the update for the existing service. The controller is also configured to merge the differences between the downloaded update and the existing service to create a new image. The controller is also configured to test the new image offline. Further, the controller is configured to validate the new image online.

Generally, cloud computing may be used to leverage the virtualization of computing infrastructures such as computer networks, servers, software applications and service. Cloud computing service providers offer their computing infrastructures as a fully outsourced service to their customers. By so doing, these companies can dramatically reduce costs associated with hardware, software and support by paying cloud computing service providers under a "pay-as-you-go" model.
A cloud computing environment (sometimes referred to as a cloud environment, or a cloud) can be implemented in a variety of different ways to best suit different requirements. For example, in a public cloud environment, the underlying computing infrastructure is owned by an organization that makes its cloud services available to other organizations or to the general public. Alternatively, a private cloud environment is generally intended for use by, or within, a single organization. Further, a community cloud is intended to be shared by several organizations within a community. Lastly, a hybrid cloud includes two or more types of clouds, e.g., private, community, or public, which are bound together by data and application portability.
Cloud computing services may be offered at various layers of the software stack. At a lower layer, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) systems allow users, such as for example system administrators, to have access to nodes hosted by the cloud computing provider across one or more data centers. These nodes may include physical machines, virtual machines (VMs) and containers.
Over time, updates on one or more deployed services may be required. This is commonly referred to as patching. During patching, the entire file for a particular service may be updated. However, currently available patching techniques can cause interruptions in services, especially in systems running a stack, e.g., Microsoft Azure Stack (MAS), which may host tens of hundreds of interwoven nodes. Such interruptions can negatively impact the user experience.
What is desired is a system and technique for eliminating or reducing the detrimental impacts to interwoven nodes running in a stack via patching processes.
What is also desired is a system and technique for improving recovery of past updates if the patch cannot be validated.

End-to-end automated servicing model for cloud computing platforms


An air valve having a runaway control feature, including a movable piston which is insertable into air blocking position in a valve passage, a diaphragm separating two chambers, one chamber being coupled to the air passage upstream of the movable piston and the other chamber coupled to the air passage downstream of the movable piston, a rod movable by the diaphragm to activate a second air valve, the second air valve controlling the flow of air from the air passage upstream of the piston valve to the piston valve itself, thereby forcing the piston valve to move into air closure position in the passageway when the pressure drop upstream and downstream of the piston valve exceed predetermined limits. The invention includes a test feature which includes a third valve for manually unbalancing the air pressure across the diaphragm chambers to simulate the runaway air flow condition and thereby actuate the piston valve closure.

The present invention relates to safety valves for controlling excessive flow rates through a delivery system; the invention particularly relates to an air valve for controlling the volumetric flow rate of air through pressurized lines, wherein a feature is provided for testing the operation of the valve under normal flow conditions.
Runaway control valves are known in the art, where they are typically used to shut down a pressurized air line whenever flow rate exceeds predetermined values. Such valves typically utilize a pressure-sensitive valve member which monitors pressure drop across a portion of the pressure line, and when the pressure drop exceeds a predetermined amount the movable valve member closes off the line. Once the pressure line has been closed in this manner, most prior art valves require that the valve be manually reset in order to reopen the line for pressurized gas flow.
One example of an application for a runaway control valve is in an air-operated motor and pumping system, particularly of the type where the pressurized air supply is used to energize a reciprocable air motor, and the air motor is mechanically linked to a liquid pump. In this type of system, the reciprocation rate of the air motor is a function of the air pressure applied to its input as balanced against the liquid pressure forces of the pumped output. If the pump liquid is caused to flow freely, as by opening some sort of liquid delivery valve, the loading of the air motor decreases and the air supply into the air motor causes it to reciprocate at a faster rate; this causes the pump to reciprocate at a faster rate and increases the volume of liquid delivered through the line. At some point a balance is reached whereby the liquid delivered by the pump is equal to the liquid drained from the system and the pressure is equalized. At this point the air motor reciprocates at a regular rate, sufficient to continue the flow of liquid. If, for example, the liquid delivery line ruptures and causes an uncontrolled drain of liquid, the air motor will reciprocate at an ever increasing rate to attempt to equalize the delivery flow rates, which may become impossible because of the nature of the rupture. In such situations, a runaway flow control valve inserted into the pressurized air line which drives the air motor is essential, for the runaway valve detects the excessively high flow rates of air delivered to the motor and automatically shuts off the air source to the air motor. Without a runaway flow control valve in such a system, the air motor could reciprocate at an increasing rate until self destruction occurs.
Among the disadvantages of prior art runaway valves is that it is difficult to test the valve in order to ascertain whether it is in proper operating condition, without actually creating the runaway flow conditions which can trigger the valve. Therefore, the operability of such valves only becomes known as a result of an actual system failure which creates the runaway flow conditions; however, if the valve fails under these actual conditions a catastrophic result could occur. It therefore would be an advantage if a safety test feature could be provided for such valves, in order to evaluate operability of the valve under other than catastrophic conditions.


A holder for enclosing and supporting a beverage can residing within an insulating sleeve. The holder includes a cylindrical container for receiving an insulating sleeve having a beverage can positioned therein. A lid is movably mounted over an upper end of the container and can be closed to seal the beverage can within the container and reduce a loss of dissolved carbon dioxide from a beverage in the can. Belt clips and a mounting projection extend from the container for securing to a belt or other support surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to container support structures and more particularly pertains to an insulating sleeve and beverage can holder for enclosing and supporting a beverage can residing within an insulating sleeve.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of container support structures is known in the prior art. More specifically, container support structures heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art container support structures include U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,554; U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,273; U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,426; U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,250; U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,640; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,302.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose an insulating sleeve and beverage can holder for enclosing and supporting a beverage can residing within an insulating sleeve which includes a cylindrical container for receiving an insulating sleeve having a beverage can positioned therein, a lid movably mounted over an upper end of the container which can be closed to seal the beverage can within the container and reduce a loss of dissolved carbon dioxide from a beverage in the can, with belt clips and a mounting projection extending from the container for securing to a belt or other support surface.
In these respects, the insulating sleeve and beverage can holder according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of enclosing and supporting a beverage can residing within an insulating sleeve.

Insulating sleeve and beverage can holder


A high-voltage MOS transistor has a semiconductor substrate formed with a first well of a first conductivity type in which a drain region and a drift region are formed and a second well of a second, opposite conductivity type in which a source region and a channel region are formed, a gate electrode extends over the substrate from the second well to the first well via a gate insulation film, wherein there is formed a buried insulation film in the drift region underneath the gate insulation film at a drain edge of the gate electrode, there being formed an offset region in the semiconductor substrate between the channel region and the buried insulation film, wherein the resistance of the offset region is reduced in a surface part thereof by being introduced with an impurity element of the first conductivity type with a concentration exceeding the first well.

In so-called high-voltage MOS transistors, there is a tendency that heavy concentration of electric field takes place in the vicinity of drain edge of the channel region, and thus, the breakdown voltage at the drain edge is an important issue. Such a high-voltage MOS transistor may be used in various applications such as in-vehicle applications, power applications, and the like.
It is preferable to integrate such a high-voltage MOS transistor in the form of an integrated circuit together with logic circuits, and the like. On the other hand, when such a high-voltage MOS transistor is integrated with logic circuits, the gate insulation film is formed to have a small thickness similarly to the transistors of logic circuits. Thus, in such a high-voltage MOS transistor, there is used a construction in which the drain region is formed with large separation from the gate electrode such that there is formed a drift region between the gate electrode and the drain region for improving the breakdown voltage in the vicinity of the drain edge. For example, there is a so-called LDMOS (Laterally Diffused MOS) structure. For example, reference should be made to Patent Reference 1 or 2.

MOS transistor and fabrication method of semiconductor integrated circuit device


A manual transmission modular clutch unit is provided comprising a clutch cover assembly, a clutch friction disc assembly, and a flywheel disc assembly which modular clutch unit may be pre-assembled and balanced off line prior to shipment to a vehicle assembly plant. The manual transmission modular clutch unit contains each clutch component with the exception of an engine starter ring which is customarily attached to the clutch flywheel disc. A unique attaching arrangement is provided for the pre-installation of an automatic transmission drive plate on each engine crankshaft of a vehicle assembly line. As the drive plate is interchangeable with either a manual transmission modular clutch unit or an automatic transmission torque converter both manual and automatic transmission vehicles may be built on a common assembly line while minimizing both labor and parts.

This invention relates to manual transmission clutches for automotive vehicles and more particularly to a modular friction clutch unit which is pre-assembled and balanced off line for installation on manual transmission equipped cars produced on a common production line in an interchangeable manner with the remaining cars being equipped with automatic transmissions.
In current vehicle assembly plant operations a first attaching arrangement is required to install an automatic transmission torque converter on the engine crankshaft of an automatic drive vehicle and a second attaching arrangement is required to install a manual transmission friction clutch on an engine crankshaft of a manual drive vehicle. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,401 issued May 6, 1986 to T. D. Nogle discloses a vehicle automatic transmission torque converter having its drive plate connected to the engine crankshaft so as to be piloted therefrom in a conventional manner.
An example of a conventional mounting arrangement currently used in vehicle assembly plants for installing a manual transmission friction clutch on an engine crankshaft is disclosed in prior art FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a current production friction clutch assembly 10', located within a manual transmission housing 11', having a flywheel 12' connected to and rotatably driven by a prime mover such as an automotive engine (not shown). The flywheel 12' is mounted on the output end of an engine crankshaft 13' by means of a radial collar 14' formed thereon. A plurality of machine bolts 15' are arranged in a circle about transmission and clutch axis A' coaxial with the crankshaft axis of revolution 16' with the bolts 15' extending through associated circumferentially distributed flywheel holes 17' for engagement in aligned threaded collar bores 18'.
The clutch assembly 10' comprises a clutch cover and pressure plate assembly 20', a disc assembly 22', and the flywheel 12'. The clutch cover and pressure plate assembly 20' includes a clutch cover 24', suitably secured to the flywheel 12' such as by circumferentially distributed bolts 25', and carries pivot ring retaining studs 26' which are arranged in a circle about the clutch axis A'. The clutch cover and pressure plate assembly 20' further includes a diaphragm spring 27' provided with a first pivot ring 28', held by the heads of rivets 29' and a second identical pivot ring 30' held between the diaphragm spring 27' and the clutch cover 24'.
The diaphragm spring 27' includes a central portion, fragmented into radially inwardly projecting spring fingers, partially indicated at 32', a radially outermost main spring section 34' which normally bears against adjacent projections 36' of pressure plate 38' and the spring fingers 32'.
As seen in prior art FIG. 2 the cover assembly 20' is axially movably secured to cover base 24' by a set of substantially tangentially extending leaf springs strips 40' with each set secured at one end to the pressure plate 38' by rivet 41' and secured at the opposite end to the clutch cover 24' by rivet 42'. The leaf spring strips 40' allow for a limited axial movement of the pressure plate 38' while permitting the transfer of torque between the clutch cover 24' and the pressure plate 38'. The pressure plate 38' is normally biased against the adjacent one friction lining 44' of the disc assembly 22' by the diaphragm spring radially outermost main section 34' which normally bears against the adjacent projections 36' of the pressure plate 38'. The other friction lining 46' of the friction clutch disc assembly 22' then bears against the flywheel 12' and transmits torque to the transmission input shaft 48' through the medium of a hub 50' having internal splines 52' extending into complementary external splines 54' on the output shaft 48'. The fingers 32' can be engaged and shifted in the axial direction toward the flywheel 12' by a suitable thrust bearing 56'. At such time, the diaphragm main section spring 34' is tilted between the two pivot rings 28' and 30' in a conventional manner. It will be noted in FIG. 1 that starter ring gear 58' is suitably fixed to the flywheel 12' in a concentric manner relative to clutch axis "A" and crankshaft blind bore 84' by being seated in outer annular flywheel notched-out shoulder 60'.

Vehicle modular clutch attaching arrangement


An ultrasound signal processor for receiving an ultrasound signal from a testing body by a plurality of electro-magnetic transducer elements and processing a plurality of received signals to obtain information of the interior of the testing body is provided with analog-digital converters for sampling at least two of received analog signals, multipliers for multiplying the outputs of the analog-digital converters by first complex digital reference signals, first low-pass filters for limiting the signal bands of the outputs of the multipliers, first complex multipliers for multiplying the outputs of the first low-pass filters by second complex digital reference signals, adders for performing the addition of the outputs of the first complex multipliers for real signals and the addition thereof for imaginary signals, memory devices for storing the outputs of the adders, second complex multipliers for multiplying signals read from the memory devices by third complex digital reference signals, and second low-pass filters for limiting the signal bands of the outputs of the second complex multipliers.

The present invention relates to an ultrasound signal processor used in an ultrasound imaging system such as an ultrasound diagnostic system or ultrasound non-destructive testing system, and more particularly to an ultrasound signal processor for processing received ultrasound signals on the basis of digital beamforming.
In the conventional ultrasound imaging system, an ultrasound pulse signal is transmitted into a testing body or patient and an echo signal from a location having a different specific acoustic impedance (or a reflector) is received to obtain a sectional image or the like. In this case, the reception is made in such a manner that different delay times are given to the respective channels of a group of parallel received signals on the basis of the assumption of a transmission time of sound wave between a specified position in the testing body and receiving elements (or electro-acoustic transducer elements) to make phase matching and an echo signal from a reflector is obtained by use of interference caused by coherent signal addition.
In general, if the numbers of parallel received signals is large, a larger receiving aperture can be set, thereby making it possible to improve the resolution for a focal point on receiving. For this purpose is used an synthetic aperture method in which an ultrasound transmitting and receiving process is performed plural times to make the addition while moving the position of a receiving aperture for the same focal point (see, for example, JP-A-52-112223). However, in the case where a reflector in a testing body is in activity or motion (particularly in the case of an ultrasound diagnostic system or the like), there is problem that the correct addition of coherent or in-phase signals is not possible since the position of the reflector in the testing body moves in a period of time when the ultrasound transmitting and receiving process is performed plural times.
As a broad-band transmission system in the research field of communication, there is widely known a technique in which channels are formed by dividing a signal into frequency bands and a plurality of signals are transmitted in a single transmission route in a band limited and compressed form by use of a modulation and demodulation technique based on the frequency shift of a band. Particularly in the transmission of sound or voice signals, there is known a single side band (SSB) transmission system.


A method for operating a powertrain system includes executing a transmission shift between an initial electrically-variable transmission (EVT) range and a target EVT range. The transmission shift includes transitioning to operating with three speed degrees of freedom including controlling speed of a second torque machine to synchronize speed of an oncoming clutch associated with the target EVT range and coincidentally controlling speeds of a first torque machine and an engine to achieve a preferred speed of the output member of the transmission. The transmission shift further includes controlling torque output from the first torque machine in response to an output torque request, and activating the oncoming clutch upon synchronizing the speed of the oncoming clutch. Subsequent to the transmission shift, the powertrain system is operated in the target EVT range.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure. Accordingly, such statements are not intended to constitute an admission of prior art.
Powertrain systems may be configured to transfer torque originating from multiple torque actuators through a torque transmission device to an output member that can be coupled to a driveline. Such powertrain systems include hybrid powertrain systems and extended-range electric vehicle systems. Control systems for operating such powertrain systems operate the torque actuators and apply torque transfer elements in the transmission to transfer torque in response to operator-commanded output torque requests, taking into account fuel economy, emissions, driveability, and other factors. Exemplary torque actuators include internal combustion engines and non-combustion torque machines. The non-combustion torque machines may include electric machines that are operative as motors or generators to generate a torque input to the transmission independently of a torque input from the internal combustion engine. The torque machines may transform vehicle kinetic energy transferred through the vehicle driveline to electrical energy that is storable in an electrical energy storage device in what is referred to as a regenerative operation. A control system monitors various inputs from the vehicle and the operator and provides operational control of the hybrid powertrain, including controlling transmission operating range and gear shifting, controlling the torque actuators, and regulating the electrical power interchange among the electrical energy storage device and the torque actuators to manage outputs of the transmission, including torque and rotational speed.
Known multi-mode electrically-variable transmissions (EVTs) can be configured to operate in one or more fixed-gear ranges, one or more electric vehicle (EV) ranges and one or more electrically-variable transmission (EVT) ranges. Known shifts between first and second EVT ranges occur at a synchronous speed point. Known shifts are executed by using one of the EVT ranges to slew engine speed to a desired transmission ratio to effect a shift including synchronous activation of an oncoming clutch. Transmission output torque may be well controlled during this type of shift, but the shift time can be long and require engine speed changes that can be noticeable to a vehicle operator. Furthermore, it may be desirable to shift between two EVT modes while maintaining a constant engine speed in order to provide a vehicle feel that is perceived as smooth by the operator. For example, during a transition from an EV drive mode to an engine-on operation at moderate to high vehicle speeds, the engine start occurs in a first, lower EVT range, e.g., an input-split range, with the transmission immediately transitioning to a second higher EVT range having a compound-split range to effect more efficient operation at higher vehicle speed. Required maximum torque from a first torque machine can be defined at a synchronous point for a transition from an input-split range to a compound-split range since the first torque machine must react torque from the engine and torque from a second torque machine in the compound-split arrangement.

Method and apparatus for controlling a shift in a multi-mode powertrain system


A composite-to-metal joint is described which includes an axial metal rod that is embedded in a composite material component to facilitate the application of an axial preload to the joint and apply a compressive force to the composite material. A conical cavity is provided in the metal component of the joint and the composite material component has a surface designed to mate with the same when the two parts are assembled together. The metal rod is embedded in the composite material and extends through an axial aperture in the metal component. A nut threadably engages the rod to draw the two disparate material parts of the joint together, apply a preloading thereto, and apply the compressive force mentioned above to the composite material.

This invention relates to shaft joints between metal and composite material shaft components and, more particularly, to such a shaft joint which is quite effective in transmitting both torsional and axial loads between the metal and composite material components without breaking or cutting the composite fibers. In this connection, the composite material used for a shaft or a component of such a shaft typically includes layers of wound fibers, such as ones of fiberglass, and a relatively high modulus material, such as graphite.
While most shafts for transmitting rotational power typically are made of metal, it often is desirable that such a shaft be made from a composite material to reduce weight and transmitted noise. For example, the final drive shaft of a typical submarine designed to transmit torque to the propeller is often both quite large in diameter, e.g, more than 18 inches, long, e.g, it may be more than 25 feet long. It will be appreciated that if such a giant shaft was made entirely of metal, it would be quite heavy, as well as act as a good transmitter of noise to the outside of the submarine.
While it is common to make the majority of the length of a shaft of a composite material, it is also common to use a selected metal at certain locations which may be subjected to stresses which can be accommodated better by the metal. For example, it is common that propeller shafts be made of a high strength metal at the junction between the shaft and the propeller. Thus composite-to-metal shaft joints must be used. It will be recognized that such a joint must transmit both the axial, bending and torsional loads expected to be encountered.
Those joints that have been designed and used in the past have suffered from various deficiencies. For example, in most existing joints, the attachment (load transmission from composite-to-metal) is accomplished by drilling holes through the composite and installing shear pins. This reduces the strength of the composite in the areas of the drill holes by a factor of two or more. Another approach that has been considered is to glue or epoxy the joint between the composite and metal. This type of joint has its strength limited by the shear strength of the bonding agent. Moreover, it is not uncommon for joints designed in the past to have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the majority of the shaft in view of the disparate abilities of the composite and metal materials to accommodate the stresses that are to be handled. This can interfere with other structures, cause mass problems, etc. Also, the constraints imposed by the different characteristics of the materials deleteriously interferes with the design choices. The result is that the final design often is less than ideal from some standpoints. For example, most of such joints are more complicated to assemble than desired. It is also difficult to provide such a joint which will transmit all of the expected loads and yet remain dimensionally acceptable.