The present invention provides porcine adenovirus sequence essential for encapsidation and provides adenovirus vectors comprising such sequences. The present invention provides host cells and composition comprising adenovirus vectors comprising porcine adenovirus sequence essential for encapsidation as well as methods for making and using such adenovirus vectors. The present invention discloses porcine adenovirus sequence for E1 transcriptional control and provides porcine adenovirus vectors comprising a modification(s) in the E1 transcriptional control region.

Adenoviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses that have been isolated from a wide variety of avian and mammalian species, including human, swine, cow and sheep. The adenoviruses cause enteric or respiratory infection in humans as well as in domestic and laboratory animals.
At least 47 serotypes of human adenoviruses have been described. Reviews of the most common serotypes associated with particular diseases have been published. See for example, Foy H. M. (1989) Adenoviruses In Evans, AS (ed). Viral Infections of Humans. New York, Plenum Publishing, pp 77-89 and Rubin B. A. (1993) Clinical picture and epidemiology of adenovirus infections, Acta Microbiol. Hung 40:303-323. The complete genome sequence of human adenovirus 5 is disclosed in GenBank accession number M73260. The complete genome sequence of human adenovirus 2 is disclosed in GenBank accession number J01917.
Porcine adenovirus (PAV) infection has been associated with encephalitis, pneumonia, kidney lesions and diarrhea. See Derbyshire (1992) In: Diseases of Swine (ed. Leman et al.), 7th edition, Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa. pp. 225-227. It has been shown that PAV is capable of stimulating both humoral response and mucosal antibody responses in the intestine of infected piglets. Tuboly et al. (1993) Res. in Vet. Sci. 54:345-350. Cross-neutralization studies have indicated the existence of at least five serotypes of PAV. See Derbyshire et al. (1975) J. Comp. Pathol. 85:437-443; and Hirahara et al. (1990) Jpn. J. Vet. Sci. 52:407-409. Previous studies of the PAV genome have included the determination of restriction maps for PAV Type 3 (PAV-3) and cloning of restriction fragments representing the complete genome of PAV-3. See Reddy et al. (1993) Intervirology 36:161-168. In addition, restriction maps for PAV-1 and PAV-2 have been determined. See Reddy et al. (1995b) Arch. Virol. 140:195-200.
Nucleotide sequences have been determined for segments of the genome of various PAV serotypes. Sequences of the E3, pVIII and fiber genes of PAV-3 were determined by Reddy et al. (1995) Virus Res. 36:97-106. The E3, pVIII and fiber genes of PAV-1 and PAV-2 were sequenced by Reddy et al. (1996) Virus Res. 43:99-109, while the PAV-4 E3, pVIII and fiber gene sequences were determined by Kleiboeker (1994) Virus Res. 31:17-25. The PAV-4 fiber gene sequence was determined by Kleiboeker (1995) Virus Res. 39:299-309. Inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences for all five PAV serotypes (PAV-1 through PAV-5) were determined by Reddy et al. (1995) Virology 212:237-239. The PAV-3 penton sequence was determined by McCoy et al. (1996) Arch. Virol. 141:1367-1375. The nucleotide sequence of the E1 region of PAV-4 was determined by Kleiboeker (1995) Virus Res. 36:259-268. The sequence of the protease (23K) gene of PAV-3 was determined by McCoy et al. (1996) DNA Seq. 6:251-254. The sequence of the PAV-3 hexon gene (and the 14 N-terminal codons of the 23K protease gene) has been deposited in the GenBank database under accession No. U34592. The sequence of the PAV-3 100K gene has been deposited in the GenBank database under accession No. U82628. The sequence of the PAV-3 E4 region has been determined by Reddy et al. (1997) Virus Genes 15:87-90. The transcriptional map and complete DNA sequence of PAV-3 genome was reported (Reddy et al., 1998, Virus Res.58::97-106 and Reddy et al., 1998, Virology 251:414-426). Vrati et al. (1995, Virology, 209:400-408) disclose sequences for ovine adenovirus. U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,343 discloses PAV expression and vaccine systems.
BAV3 was first isolated in 1965 and is the best characterized of the BAV genotypes, containing a genome of approximately 35 kb (Kurokawa et al (1978) J. Virol. 28:212-218). Reddy et al. (1998, Journal of Virology, 72:1394) disclose nucleotide sequence, genome organization, and transcription map of BAV3. Reddy et al. (1999, Journal of Virology, 73: 9137) disclose a replication-defective BAV3 as an expression vector. BAV3, a representative of subgroup 1 of BAVs (Bartha (1969) Acta Vet. Acad. Sci. Hung. 19:319-321), is a common pathogen of cattle usually resulting in subclinical infection (Darbyshire et al. (1965). J. Comp. Pathol. 75:327-330), though occasionally associated with a more serious respiratory tract infection (Darbyshire et al., 1966 Res. Vet. Sci. 7:81-93; Mattson et al., 1988 J. Vet Res 49:67-69). Like other adenoviruses, BAV3 is a non-enveloped icosahedral particle of 75 nm in diameter (Niiyama et al. (1975) J. Virol. 16:621-633) containing a linear double-stranded DNA molecule. BAV3 can produce tumors when injected into hamsters (Darbyshire, 1966 Nature 211:102) and viral DNA can efficiently effect morphological transformation of mouse, hamster or rat cells in culture (Tsukamoto and Sugino, 1972 J. Virol. 9:465-473; Motoi et al., 1972 Gann 63:415-418). Cross hybridization was observed between BAV3 and human adenovirus type 2 (HAd2) (Hu et al., 1984 J. Virol. 49:604-608) in most regions of the genome including some regions near but not at the left end of the genome. Bovine adenovirus expression and vaccine systems are disclosed in for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,868 and 6,001,591.
For general background references regarding adenovirus and development of adenoviral vector systems, see Graham et al. (1973) Virology 52:456-467; Takiff et al. (1981) Lancet 11:832-834; Berkner et al. (1983) Nucleic Acid Research 11: 6003-6020; Graham (1984) EMBO J. 3:2917-2922; Bett et al. (1993) J. Virology 67:5911-5921; and Bett et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:8802-8806.
For a review of adenoviruses and adenovirus replication, see Shenk, T. and Horwitz, M. S., Virology, third edition, Fields, B. N. et al., eds., Raven Press Limited, New York (1996), Chapters 67 and 68, respectively.
Adenoviral vectors are divided into helper-independent and helper-dependent groups based on the region of the adenoviral genome used for the insertion of transgenes. Helper-dependent vectors are usually made by deletion of E1 sequences and substitution of foreign DNA, and are produced in complementing human cell lines that constitutively express E1 proteins. Graham et al. (1977) J. Gen. Virol. 36:59-74; Fallaux et al. (1996) Hum. Gene Ther. 7:215-222; Fallaux et al. (1998) Hum. Gene Ther. 9:1909-1917. An adenovirus E1A region is described in Darbyshire (1966, Nature 211:102) and Whyte et al., 1988, J. Virol. 62:257-265.
Though E1-deleted viruses do not replicate in cells that do not express E1 proteins, the viruses can express foreign proteins in these cells, provided the genes are placed under the control of a constitutive promoter. Xiang et al. (1996) Virology 219:220-227. Vaccination of animals with adenovirus recombinants containing inserts in the E1 region induced a systemic immune response and provided protection against subsequent challenge. Imler et al (1995) Hum. Gene Ther. 6:711-721; Imler et al. (1996) Gene Therap 3:75-84. This type of expression vector provides a significant safety profile to the vaccine as it eliminates the potential for dissemination of the vector within the vaccine and therefore, the spread of the vector to non-vaccinated contacts or to the general environment. However, the currently used human adenovirus (HAV) based vectors are endemic in most populations, which provides an opportunity for recombination between the helper-dependent viral vectors and wild type viruses.
United States Patent Application Publication 20020019051 discloses chimeric adenoviral vectors. Morsy et al. (1998, P.N.A.S. USA 95:7866-7871); Kochanek et al. (1996 P.N.A.S. USA 93:5731-5736); Clemens et al. (1998, Gene Therapy 3:965-972); and Parks et al.(1996, P.N.A.S. USA 93:13565-13570) disclose adenovirus vectors.
There remains a need for improved adenoviral vectors, especially adenoviral vectors for expression of transgenes in mammalian cells, and for the development of effective recombinant adenovirus vectors for use in immunization and expression systems.
All references and patent publications disclosed herein are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

PAV regions for encapsidation and E1 transcriptional control


A spinnaker wherein the head section of the spinnaker incorporates a novel panel and sub-panel layout which improves the control of the spinnaker in use and allows projection of a greater sail area.

A spinnaker sail has evolved through a number of developments. These developments have in part been associated with the developments in spinnaker sail material and in part from a better understanding how this sail has to function under optimum performance conditions. Although some spinnaker sails have been designed specifically for running conditions, i.e. for apparent wind angles of about 110.degree. to 180.degree. aft of the beam and others for reaching conditions of about 60.degree. to 100.degree. , an all-purpose spinnaker sail is the preferred sail of choice and is typically required to perform well in reaching and running conditions.
A well designed, all purpose spinnaker will thus be a compromise between a running spinnaker and a reaching spinnaker and eliminates the need for excessive number of spinnakers for light, medium and heavy conditions for which spinnakers have typically been designed based on nylon cloth weights of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.5 oz. per sailmaker's yard, respectively, for an average sized boat of about 37 feet in length. These weights are only nominal. Actual finished weights are always higher by the following percentage 0.5 oz.-100%; 0.75 oz.-66%; 1.5 oz.-50%. Moreover, this compromise in purpose carries over in the materials used. A running spinnaker does not have as heavy a load imposed on it as a reaching spinnaker under the same normal sailing conditions. However, a shock load imposed on a spinnaker when it collapses and refills is considerable be it experienced by a reaching or a running spinnaker.
Early spinnaker designs utilized very light woven cotton materials. However, the weight of these materials was still considerable and the spinnakers could not support broad shoulders. Other materials were tried such as silk, but until the appearance of woven nylon, the materials were not satisfactory to provide the all purpose characteristics a woven nylon fabric was able to provide.
Nylon has a combination of characteristics which renders it very suitable for making spinnakers. Nylon is a polyamide of various chemical compositions of which Nylon 6 or Nylon 66 is a typical material. Nylon has high tensile strength for a given denier and also high elasticity. Consequently, nylon has the ability to carry the high loads imposed under normal load carrying conditions and also readily meets the high shock loads which are in part absorbed by the elastic properties of nylon.
When designing a shape into this sail, an evolution of design features has also occurred. Early spinnaker designs were cross-cut such that not much of a shoulder was possible to design into the spinnaker and the smooth curves for optimum performance especially in the head of a sail could not be achieved by this design in such sail. Such sails were said to carry a "nose" in the head portion of the spinnaker. A shoulder is defined as the area of sail projecting outside of an imaginary line drawn from a midpoint of a spinnaker leach or luff to the head of the spinnaker. The leach on the shoulder forms an arc for which the imaginary line as mentioned above is a chord. A head section of the spinnaker has its bottom at the vertical point on each leach at which the leaches cease to be parallel and begin to converge area where the leach and the luff start converging.
Large shoulder, imply a large head angle. A head angle is defined as the angle formed by the leaches at the head of spinnaker sail. Early spinnaker designs based on a cross-cut design or on modified cross-cut design were not able to support a large head angle, because loads in the head section were not properly dealt with in these spinnakers. Modified cross-cut spinnakers' head panels were placed perpendicular to the leach or luff and met in a chevron fashion in a middle seam of spinnaker. Such spinnaker's were said to show an "elephant's behind". However, the modified cross-cut spinnakers were desirable because construction of these was relatively simple and the panels could be oriented perpendicular to the leaches of the sail. Such orientation was necessary to place some loads on a "thread line" and not on a bias of the woven material. For purposes of present discussion and because most spinnakers are symmetrical "leach" and "luff" is interchangeable in meaning. For asymmetrical spinnakers, leach and luff has a set meaning.
Early nylon spinnakers were made of the cross-cut or modified cross-cut type; with the understanding of load or stress maps in a spinnaker, advances were made in spinnaker designs. Typically, to accommodate the point loads in the head, tack and clew of a sail, the threads in the material should align with the lines of stress into (or out of) the point loads. Conversely, to accommodate the aerodynamic loads in the spinnaker the threads should align with the aerodynamic loads imposed on the spinnaker cloth. This understanding of stress maps first resulted in the design of radial head spinnakers which had their origin as made by Sutter Sailmakers in California and was then improved by Wally Ross of Hard Sails.
Sutter spinnakers carried the radial panel from the head all the way into the foot of the sail. Wally Ross spinnakers carried the radial gores of the material for the head into the shoulders but stopped at the center panels or center section where the aerodynamic loads were negligible and fabrication methods favored the old cross-cut panel alignment. By a cross-cut panel it is meant a panel which is carried from the luff to leach or about perpendicular from luff to leach to midline fold or center seam of a spinnaker. As mentioned above typically the panels are perpendicular to the leach and to the centerfold when the sail is folded in half vertically.
Thereafter, the radial head spinnaker evolved into a "tri-radial" spinnaker which had the radial head panels for the head, and to accommodate the point loads in the tack and clew had radiating panels from these two point load radiating to a center seam. The clew and tack radiating panels reached up to the center panels which were the old type cross-cut panels. The number of center panels could vary. "Offset tri-radial" spinnakers were developed to carry the catenaries better from the bottom tri-radial panels into the center panels by making the center panels into a number of rhomboidal shapes.
Concurrently, with the radial head spinnakers star-cut spinnakers were developed which were well suited for reaching but did not have the all purpose characteristics of the tri-radial spinnaker. Star-cut spinnakers did not have any cross-cut panels in the center section of the sail and the radiating panels from the head, tack and clew joined in the approximate center of a sail to form a "tri-star". However, star-cut spinnakers could not be made sufficiently full to be a satisfactory all purpose spinnakers.
Although many attempts have been made to supplant nylon materials by various other materials such as by very light weight polyester fabrics, plastic film, laminated plastic film and the like, the present light weight nylon materials are still preeminent.
Nevertheless, the first departure from typical fabric materials has been made by designing the material for the characteristics it has to possess in the particular locations in the spinnaker. Such development had its genesis in Conrad U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,639, and Conrad U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,080 which resulted in Conrad U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,700 and show the extensive art by the citation of the prior art found in these patents. The last patent addressed some of the prior art problems in spinnakers. The present invention is a further improvement based on my last patent and in addition incorporates novel combinations of materials and design features in the spinnaker.


This invention relates to a process comprising the steps of contacting a metal surface with an aqueous composition comprising water and specific amounts by weight of phosphate ions, condensed phosphate ions and water soluble polymer molecules of a specific general formula, separating the contacted metal surface from the aqueous composition, rinsing with water and heating.

Many liquid compositions, any of which hereinafter may be called "baths" for brevity, even though they may be used by spraying or other methods of establishing contact than immersion, are known for the purpose of treating tinned surfaces. The liquids disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Kokai H1-100281 are known as surface treatment liquids for tin-plated DI cans. These surface treatment liquids are chemical film forming liquids for the treatment of metal surfaces which contain from 1 to 50 grams/liter (hereinafter usually abbreviated as "g/L") of phosphate ions, from 0.2 to 20.0 g/L of oxyacid ions, from 0.01 to 5.0 g/L of tin ions and from 0.01 to 5.0 g/L of condensed phosphate ions, and in which the pH is from 2 to 6. Furthermore, surface treatment agents which have further improved surface treatment operability have been disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai H6-173024. It is possible by treating tin-plated DI cans with these conventional chemical treatment agents to form a phosphate film which has excellent corrosion resistance of the surface of the tin-plated DI cans. However, there is a problem in that no improvement of mobility is observed with these phosphate based films. Furthermore, there has been a trend in recent years to reduce the amount of tin-plating on tin-plated DI cans, for reasons of economy, and surface treatment which has much better corrosion resistance than in the past is required for such lightly tin-plated DI cans.
On the other hand, if the outer surface of the cans has a high friction coefficient, in the can production process, slip failure between can surfaces may occur during the conveyor transportation of a large number of metal cans, so that the cans move sideways, and this leads to problems with transportation. The transportability of the cans is a particular problem when the cans are being moved into a printer. Hence, it is necessary to reduce the friction coefficient of the outer surface of the cans without having an adverse effect on the adhesion properties of the paint, printing ink(s) or lacquer which is to be coated on the outer surface of the can. The method disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai S64-85292, for example, is known as a means of improving the mobility. A surface treatment agent for metal cans which contains water soluble organic materials selected from among phosphate esters, alcohols, mono- or poly-basic fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives and mixtures of these materials is used in this method. However, although an improvement in the mobility is achieved by this method, there is a problem in that there is often inadequate improvement in corrosion resistance and/or paint adhesion properties.
Furthermore, the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai S61-91369, Japanese Patent Kokai H1-172406, Japanese Patent Kokai HI-177379, Japanese Patent Kokai H1-177380, Japanese Patent Kokai H2-608 and Japanese Patent Kokai H2-609, for example, are known as methods for the surface treatment of metals in which water soluble polymers are used, with a view to providing the metal surface with corrosion resistance and adhesive properties. With these conventional methods the metal surface is treated with a solution which contains derivatives of polyhydric phenol compounds. However, with these conventional methods it is difficult to form a film which has adequate stability on the metal surface, so that satisfactory corrosion resistance often is not obtained. Also, there is still a problem in that satisfactory paint adhesion is not always obtained even with the method of treatment disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai H4-187782 which is an improved method of treatment which includes the above-mentioned derivatives of polyhydric phenol compounds.

Composition and process for treating tinned surfaces


An apparatus and method for applying anti-copy protection to a raster-scanned video signal are described. A square waveform 52 is added to the vertical synchronization pulses 50 of the video signal. The effect of the waveform is not apparent until it has been recorded by a video cassette recorder. The anti-copy protected video signal can therefore be viewed normally on a display device at or near to the picture quality intended by the originator of the video signal, but once recorded, exhibits a reduction in picture quality which makes the video signal quite unattractive to view.

The present application relates to a method and an apparatus for modifying a raster-scanned video signal such that the modified video signal will still be viewable on a display device, such as a television screen, but that following recording of the modified video signal, playback of the recorded modified signal will be adversely affected.
The present application provides a way of preventing unauthorised copying of an original video signal, and may be used, in particular, to deter copying onto tape of Pay-Per-View video signals, and video-to-video (tape-to-tape) copying.
Video piracy is a significant problem for broadcasters and distributors of video signals, since the unauthorised copying and distribution of video recordings by pirates can impact drastically on the revenue generated by a broadcaster or distributor through legitimate sales. It is therefore desirable to prevent video pirates from making unauthorised copies of video signals.
This is best achieved by modifying the original video signal such that when it is recorded the recorded signal cannot be satisfactorily played back.
In known protection techniques, the unauthorised recording of the video signal is made less enjoyable to watch by the interaction of the original signal to which the protection has been applied with the electronic components in either the video cassette recorder or the television receiver itself. For example, making an unauthorised copy of the video signal too dark to be viewed satisfactorily may be achieved by adding to the original video signal a pulse which is significantly larger than that part of the signal which carries the picture information. The position at which the pulse is added depends on the way in which the circuits in the television receiver or video recorder process the signal. When the modified signal is processed by the automatic gain control circuits of a video cassette recorder, the amplitude of the signal is perceived as being that of the added pulse and not that of the portion of the signal carrying the useful information. Consequently, the video cassette recorder or television receiver amplifies the received signal by a smaller factor than if the pulse was not present. As a result of this the information-carrying portion of the signal is not therefore amplified enough to be seen satisfactorily when reproduced.
Such methods have however a number of drawbacks. Methods which rely on the automatic gain control of the video cassette recorder, such as adding a large pulse to the signal, tend to result in a modified signal that cannot itself be viewed on a television through the video channel regardless of whether the signal is being or has been recorded.
An alternative protection technique described in International Patent Application WO 01/76240 involves the removal of a small number of horizontal synchronisation pulses from the blanking section of the signal, so that an unauthorised recording of the signal cannot be properly synchronised by the TV receiver on which it is to be played back. As a result, the resulting picture playback can be poor.
A further technique, disclosed in International Patent Application WO 96/31878, relies on inserting a pulse into the colour burst information portion of the signal section of the signal, such that automatic gain control circuits that rely on the average dc level of the colour burst to determine the necessary amplification of the signal, make such amplification too small. An opposing pulse signal having a magnitude sufficient to offset the change in dc level of the colour burst portion caused by the pulse signal, and optionally a second pulse, are inserted somewhere from the last half of the remainder of the back porch of the signal to the end of the start of the picture information portion.
We have found that this technique can be unreliable in practice, and furthermore has the disadvantage that by inserting a pulse into the colour burst part of the signal, the resulting picture quality is detrimentally affected.
Both of these techniques rely on the components employed in the video cassette recorder or the television receiver, and, in some cases, certain video recorders or television receivers may have an arrangement of components that is not susceptible to the adverse picture effects caused by the modified signal. Thus, the modified video signal can still be played without significant detriment to the picture playback and the anti-copy protection applied to the modified signal is rendered useless.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The invention relates to a syntactic polyolefin composition for pipe coating, wherein the composition comprises a β-nucleated propylene polymer and microspheres. The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the composition for pipe coating and to an off-shore pipe coated with the syntactic polyolefin composition.

Polyolefin coated pipes are used in off-shore applications for the transportation of hot fluids, e.g. crude oil, and are often installed at the sea-bottom, most often at depths of several hundred meters. For these applications steel pipes are preferred but also fibre reinforced pipes, advanced multilayer pipe constructions made of metal and/or polymer based layers, may be used. At these depths the temperature of the surrounding water is close to 0° C. which leads to extensive heat losses from the transported fluid and significantly reduces flow or causes blockage of the production lines. In order to efficiently pump, e. g. crude oil, it is required that the viscosity is sufficiently low, otherwise a higher pump efficiency or the installation of additional heating units along the pipeline will be necessary.
To meet the insulation requirements on off-shore pipes it has previously been suggested to coat the pipes with an insulating layer of so called syntactic polyolefins, i. e. composite polyolefin/filler materials in which the filler comprises hollow microspheres. As examples of the polyolefin used mention may be made of e. g. linear low density polyethylene, blends of propylene polymers and olefin copolymer elastomers or syntactic polypropylene.
A disadvantage of such syntactic polyolefin coatings is the insufficient mechanical properties of pipes provided with such coatings. At the depths in question the temperature difference between the surrounding water, often having a temperature as low as 0° C., and the inside of pipe, often having a temperature of 100–150° C., put high demands on the mechanical properties. The water pressure on the coating is substantial, and without sufficient compression strength the insulating coating will be compressed to a smaller thickness, thereby reducing its insulating capacity. Also, excellent mechanical properties are required for coated pipes in order to avoid cracking of the coating during installation handling and in service.
The term installation handling used herein means any installation technique such as coiling and uncoiling of the ready made pipelines, welding and other jointing techniques and on-shore or off-shore installation, e. g. off-shore installation at the sea-bottom. Installation of coated pipes, in particular for off-shore applications, involves tough conditions for the protective coating layer, including high stress, substantial elongation, surface damages, notches, impact events, etc, both at low and high temperature conditions and at high hydrostatic pressure. The coating layer is not only protecting the pipeline as such, but is also doing so in a state of high stress and/or at elevated temperatures and pressures, making the coating most sensitive to cracking, e. g. the stresses induced during coiling and uncoiling. During the service life of the coated pipeline, the coating has to protect the pipeline from damages and induced stress and crack formations at conditions close to 0° C., high hydrostatic pressures where a small damage or notch in the coating could propagate into a large crack putting the pipeline as such at risk. With a high dynamic fracture toughness of the coating material no cracks will occur during installation handling and in service.
Another problem is the difficulties in producing syntactic polyolefins. In particular, it is difficult to compound glass microspheres and other hollow spherical fillers into a thermoplastic polymer matrix at low enough shear forces to avoid crushing of the spheres during the process. Also, the thermal conductivity of an effective off-shore pipe insulation needs to be low. When about 15% or more of the spheres in the matrix are crushed, it is difficult to maintain the necessary low level of thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the structural properties of the syntactic polyolefin are also adversely affected. This problem cannot be avoided by adding a larger amount of microspheres since an excessive amount will cause additionally crushed microspheres due to higher forces involved during homogenisation, i. e. >15%, initiates cracks and further deteriorates the mechanical properties.
European Patent Application no EP-A-473 215 discloses polyolefin syntactic foams for pipeline insulation use, wherein microspheres that have been treated with a chain scission agent are added to a fluid stream of short chain polypropylene or polybutylene to form a syntactic foam insulative material. This method is taught as useful for producing material of a low thermal conductivity. However, the plastic starting materials taught for use therein are generally not optimal for submarine pipe insulation, because while the short chain polypropylene or polybutylene affords low breakage of the microspheres, the method requires the presence of a chain scission agent, coated on the microspheres. The chain-scission agent is employed to cause a narrowing of the molecular weight distribution of the polyolefin. Without the presence of this agent, the finished insulation would be unacceptable for use as off-shore pipe insulation, because it would not be hydrostatic pressure resistant, abuse resistant, or creep resistant.

Syntactic polyolefin composition for pipe coating


In an image forming apparatus includes a quantization threshold value to convert input image data of an N value to output image data of an M value based on random dither processing. A flag to designate addition of a non-periodic component to a quantization threshold value can be set for each quantization threshold value and a threshold value that has a non-periodic component is added to the quantization threshold value based on a relation between a large and a small quantization threshold value in different threshold value levels with respect to any target pixel in the quantization threshold value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an image forming apparatus that employs multilevel random dither processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
When gradation processing based on a random dither method is performed to image data in general, texture that is not present on a document image (data) occurs, which leads to an undesirable image.
One approach is to add a threshold value having a non-periodic component to prevent occurrence of such texture. Such a technique is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H9-93446.
When such a threshold value is added, however, graininess or a feeling of graininess and a feeling of being uneven may disadvantageously appear on an image.


Guided discovery of content in a device. A device such as a satellite radio can received multiple data streams at least over networks including a satellite network or other wireless networks. The device includes filters that are based on the history of the device, the advertising history of the device, or on lists obtained from other devices. The data streams available to the device are filtered using the filters to discover content in the data streams. Content, including metadata or a portion of the content itself, discovered by the results of the filters can be stored at the device. The device notifies the user of the discovered content. The filters guide the discovery of content that may be of interest to the user of the device.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to discovering content received by a device. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to the guided discovery of media content on media streams available to portable audio devices.
2. The Relevant Technology
Digital media comes in a variety of different formats and can be enjoyed on a wide variety of devices. Many of these devices, such as digital audio devices (e.g., MP3 players), CD players, DVD players, notebook computers, cellular telephones, and personal digital assistants, are portable devices with wireless capabilities. The growth in portable device technology corresponds with a growth in wireless network technology and the ability to distribute digital media. As a result, digital media can received over wireless networks that include, for example, IP based networks, radio networks, cellular networks, and WiFi networks.
Digital media can also be received over satellite radio networks. In satellite radio, satellites broadcast digital radio content to subscribers. Through satellite radio, subscribers can receive high quality, uninterrupted, digital media content such as radio over more than one hundred different radio channels. The digital media transmitted over satellite radio can include, by way of example, digital quality music, talk radio, sports, news, weather, and the like. Often, in order to take advantage of the content offered over satellite radio networks, a user of satellite radio needs a portable device that can receive and ultimately play or perform the digital media content.
One of the goals the media content providers want to achieve is enabling users to discover new content because the discovery of new content correlates with revenue growth. There are several tools that currently exist and that are used to help a user discover content. For example, users that purchase songs from a website can provide the website with certain preferences that help the website suggest songs that the user may want to purchase. When a user indicates that he or she prefers a certain genre, then artists included in that genre may be presented to the user. When a user identifies a particular artist, the website can present similar artists to the user. The website uses these preferences to minimize the searching that the user performs as well as to encourage the sale of the new content. Using user preferences to suggest songs is often successful because users are more likely to purchase content if they have some assurance that it is similar to content with which they are familiar.
While websites can attempt to discover content for a user, this type of discovery is limited to existing content or to content that is stored by the website. However, the website cannot currently discover content in data streams that a device is capable of receiving. The website, for example, may compare the information provided by the user with information stored in its own databases to identify media content that could be recommended to the user. In contrast, content provided over satellite radio, for example, cannot be discovered in the same way as content existing on the storage of a website. Even though the website may be aware of the user's preferences, the website is unable to discover content that is delivered over satellite radio networks.
Conventional satellite radios do not have the ability to discover content in data streams available to the satellite radios. For example, a satellite radio can receive multiple channels of content over a satellite network and a user is free to discover content by changing channels. The satellite network, however, is unable to recommend another channel or specific content on another channel to the user.
One of the difficulties in automating the discovery of content delivered to a device over a satellite network as a data stream is that the content cannot be searched like the database of a website because satellite communication is unidirectional. Thus, a query for specific content cannot be delivered to the source of the content and the content cannot, therefore, be searched like the content of a website. As a result, content is conventionally discovered by simply changing channels. The device itself cannot currently guide the discovery of content on the device.


An illumination display switching device includes a switch knob slidable with respect to a push button-type switch. The switch knob includes a display operation part including a display design and a non-display design, a lock arm that is vertically hung from a central portion of the display operation part and connected to the push button-type switch, a light guide member that is vertically hung from the display operation part positioned near the light source, and an interconnection light guide member that interconnects the light guide member, a base of the lock arm and the display design. The display design is illuminated from a backside by emission light of the light source through the light guide member and the interconnection light guide member. The lock arm, the light guide member and the interconnection light guide member are integrally molded with the display design by the light-transmitting resin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an illumination display switching device, and more particularly, to an illumination display switching device that improves visibility by illuminating from a backside a display design such as letter, symbol, or figure, which is formed on a switch knob for operating a push button-type switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an example of the illumination display switching device, JP-A-2008-192407 suggests an illumination display switching device that is used for an operation switch of an air conditioner device, an audio device and the like of a vehicle. According to this device, a switch knob that is supported to be slidable in an operation direction of the switch and a push bar that protrudes from a backside of the switch knob are integrally molded with a transparent resin material, a leading end of the push bar is mounted with being contacted to an operation part of a push button-type switch and the switch knob is pushed to operate the push button-type switch. Also, in order to form a display design for identifying a type and the like of the switch such as letter, symbol, figure and the like on a display operation surface of the switch knob, the switch knob is molded with a light-transmitting resin and a part except for the display design is colored with a light-blocking paint so that the light is emitted through the display design only.
In particular, according to JP-A-2008-192407, the push button-type switch has a hollow cylindrical shape, a light emitting diode (LED) is accommodated in the cylinder to thus form a switch part on a cylindrical wall and an axis of the push bar operating the push button-type switch and molded with the transparent resin is matched with a center of the LED. According to this configuration, since a center of the operation of the switch knob and a central axis of the push button-type switch can be matched, a feeling (operation feeling) of the switch knob can be improved. Also, although a diameter of a part of the push bar, which is light-coupled to the LED, is small, a part that is connected to a display part of the switch knob is formed to have a cone-shaped enlarged part and an outer surface of the push bar is painted so as to suppress the internal light from leaking to the outside, thereby improving illumination performance of the display design.
As another example of the illumination display switching device, JP-A-2000-173379 discloses that a cylindrical switch knob, which is supported to a cylindrical attachment member to be slidable in an operation direction of a switch, is arranged above a push button-type switch and a light source. The switch knob has a disc-shaped upper part having a display design that is formed at an upper end of a hollow cylinder of the switch knob and is made of at least a light-transmitting material. A part except for the display design of the switch knob is covered by a light-blocking member, so that only the display design is illuminated to thereby improve the visibility. Meanwhile, the hollow cylinder of the switch knob is provided with a cylindrical light guide member inserted therein, which guides the light of the light source arranged just below the switch knob towards a display part, or is configured as an empty space. Also, a lower end of the hollow cylinder of the switch knob is formed at a part thereof with a protruding push part that operates the push button-type switch. Also, a spring that pushes up and maintains the switch knob is provided to abut on the lower end of the hollow cylinder.


Methods and compositions useful in acidizing a subterranean formation with an oil-in-water emulsion that includes a sulfonate ester, a fluoride salt, a proppant, and water. The reaction of the ester and fluoride salt is delayed so that hydrofluoric acid is produced in-situ.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of stimulating sandstone formations of oil and gas wells by use of an acid fracturing fluid containing a sulfonate ester.
2. Description of the Related Art
Acid fracturing is a well-stimulation operation in which acid is forced into formation at a pressure above the formation-fracturing pressure to cause the formation to crack open. The acid reacts with the fracture faces in a non-uniform pattern (etching) to form conductive channels that remain open without a propping agent after the fracture closes. While acid fracturing is usually applicable for carbonate formations, acid fracturing in sandstone formations is not a common practice due to the low rock solubility of mud acid.
For acid fracturing, it is desirable that the generated fractures remain open when the fracture pressure is released. When pumping acid with proppant at the same time, due to the tendency for the acid to react evenly with the fracture face and the fast reaction rate between the acid and the fracture face, there is a good chance that opposing fracturing faces match up when the fracturing pressure is released. The created disparities in flow paths through fast reaction between the acid and the fracture face could result in a narrower fracture width if the propping particles are embedded in the fracture faces that have been etched by the acid. When this occurs, the flow channels are narrowed, which results in reduced productivity.
A need exists for methods and compositions that are useful in effectively acid fracturing sandstone formations to enable efficient production of hydrocarbons from such sandstone formations.

Method of acid fracturing a sandstone formation


An apparatus is provided for measuring an output of a high-speed data transmission circuit. The apparatus includes a programmable reference voltage generator operable to generate a reference voltage that is variable between a plurality of levels. The apparatus also includes a quantizer to quantize an output of the high-speed data transmission circuit relative to the reference voltage level input thereto. Also included is a clock generator operable to generate a clock having a transitioning time (rise-time, fall-time or both) that is less than one quarter of a minimum switching period of the output of the circuit. Finally, the apparatus includes a sampler operable to sample the quantized output with the clock to produce a plurality of samples which measure the output of the circuit.

The invention relates generally to the measurement of an electronically transmitted signal, and more particularly to a system and method for measuring a high-speed signal, such as a signal of an integrated circuit.
After an integrated circuit ("IC", or "chip") has been designed and fabricated, it is tested to determine whether the chip functions as intended. As the level of integration of chips has increased, however, the difficulty of testing them has also increased.
A number of methods are used to test the operation of chips after fabrication, but many of them are ineffective to test parameters of high-speed operation. For example, in frequently used methods, a fixture having a socket outfitted with probes contacts the bond pads of a chip or a chip module. A set of signal lines connect the socket of the fixture to test equipment. When the chip or module is so connected to test equipment, basic functional operation of the chip is then verified in a sequence of tests usually lasting only seconds.
The above method is sufficient for testing many types of chips, including digital chips having outputs at speeds that match internal bus speeds of processing equipment, and analog chips having outputs at frequencies of about 300 MHz or less. However, the testing of a high-speed serial data transmitter presents challenges that cannot be satisfactorily addressed by the above method. In such testing method, the probes, socket, wiring, and printed circuit board between the chip and external test equipment have high inductance and parasitic capacitance, which limits the bandwidth of signals that can reach the test equipment. High-speed serial data transmitters produce outputs at gigahertz frequencies, some currently at 10 GHz and higher, far above the bandwidth of such fixtures and test equipment available for post-fabrication testing. Therefore, signal characteristics of the high-speed outputs cannot be measured using only the available post-fabrication test fixtures and test equipment.
Among the output signal characteristics of a serial data transmitter that are desired to be measured are rise-time, fall-time, and jitter, including the eye width and eye height of the output signal. The signal eye width represents the minimum time interval between signal transitions and the eye height represents the minimum voltage difference between high and low signal levels that is sustainable over relatively large numbers of signal cycles. Such measurements determine the quality of the transmitted output signal. An output signal having an eye width or eye height outside of tolerances can cause the bit error rate for receiving the transmitted output signal to exceed threshold.
It would be desirable to measure output signal characteristics of high-speed serial data transmitters when verifying operation of chips and modules after fabrication. However, since the output signals of such high-speed serial data transmitters are outside of the bandwidth of the available test fixtures and equipment, a new system and method are needed to measure the output signal characteristics.

System and method for measuring a high speed signal

International Business Machines Corporation


A digital media. In one embodiment, the digital media devices includes a storage unit/partition that emulates a Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), and optionally, a second storage unit/partition that acts as a Read/Write storage device.

Handheld devices such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. are becoming more powerful, with capabilities to capture still and motion pictures. The operating system for these devices are also becoming more sophisticated with expanded features. These devices are compact and hence, do not come with a CD ROM reading capability.

Multi partitioned storage device emulating dissimilar storage media


A method of forming a pattern for a semiconductor device is disclosed. According to the method, a lower photoresist layer is formed on a lower layer and an upper photoresist pattern including a silylated layer is formed on the lower photoresist layer. The upper photoresist pattern is used as a mask for etching the lower photoresist layer to thereby form a lower photoresist pattern. The upper and lower photoresist patterns are used as a mask for etching the lower layer beneath the lower photoresist pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a method of forming a pattern in a semiconductor device using a photolithographic process.
A claim of priority is made to Korean Patent Application No. 2004-37811 filed on May 27, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
2. Description of the Related Art
Photolithographic processes are commonly used to create patterns in semiconductor devices. These patterns include, for example, trenches used to form circuits. In order to create smaller, higher performance semiconductor devices, methods for forming smaller patterns in the semiconductor devices are generally needed.
Patterns are typically formed in semiconductor devices by forming a photoresist pattern on a semiconductor substrate using a photomask and then etching the semiconductor substrate using the photoresist pattern as an etching mask. In other words, the photoresist pattern generally defines the patterns to be formed in the semiconductor substrate.
The photoresist pattern is generally formed by a thin photoresist layer to ensure that an exposure margin is large enough for the photoresist pattern to be precisely formed. Unfortunately, however, a thin photoresist pattern is generally susceptible to being etched during etching of the semiconductor substrate, thereby distorting the photoresist pattern. In addition, in the event that the semiconductor substrate contains silicon, silicon byproducts are often produced on the photoresist pattern, providing another source of distortion for the photoresist patterns. In cases where a highly precise pattern is needed for a semiconductor device, such distortion of the photoresist patterns is unacceptable.
Various efforts have been made to effectively address the distortion problems described above. For example, methods adapted to prevent distortion in photoresist patterns are disclosed in Korean Patent Applications Nos. 2000-71655 and No. 2001-26007.
A conventional method of forming a pattern in a semiconductor device 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4.
Referring to FIG. 1, a lower layer 14 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 12. An upper layer 16 is formed on lower layer 14. Lower layer 14 is used as an anti-reflecting coating (ARC) film, and upper layer 16 is made of photoresist. Using a photolithographic process such as exposure and development, upper layer 16 is etched to form a pattern having openings 20 exposing lower layer 14. Using an ion implantation process involving silicon ions, a silylated layer 22 is formed on a top surface of upper layer 16 and on portions of lower layer 14 exposed through openings 20. The silicon ions are introduced by an ion implantation process rather than virtual silylation to ensure that portions of silylated layer 22 formed on lower layer 14 are formed only on exposed areas, thereby preventing a bird's beak from forming in lateral regions of openings 20. This enables images of openings 20 to be accurately copied to lower layers.
Referring to FIG. 2, upper layer 16 is removed to expose a surface 24 of lower layer 14 between remaining portions of silylated layer 22.
Referring to FIG. 3, lower layer 14 is ashed using oxygen plasma. Since silicon ions used to form silylated layer 22 react with oxygen ions to form an oxide layer, lower layer 14 is not etched beneath remaining portions of silylated layer 22. Thus, the image of the remaining portions of silylated layer 22 is copied to lower layer 14.
Referring to FIG. 4, lower layer 14 is ashed to etch exposed portions of substrate 12. The remaining portions of silylated layer 22 and lower layer 14 act as an etch-stop layer in the ashing process. Once substrate 12 is etched, the remaining portions of silylated layer 22 are removed, leaving only the remaining portions of lower layer 14 on substrate 12. The remaining portions of lower layer 14 constitute pattern elements 26 for semiconductor device 10.
According to the method described above, after forming silylated layer 22 on upper layer 16 and lower layer 14, upper layer 16 and portions of silylated layer 22 formed on upper layer 16 are removed while lower layer 14 and portions of silylated layer 22 formed on lower layer 14 are not removed. In order for this to occur, upper layer 16 must be isotropically removed using etchants that do not remove silylated layer 22. Among these etchants, those having a low etch rate with respect to lower layer 14 are generally used. Otherwise, where even a small amount of lower layer 14 is removed during the removal of upper layer 16, smaller portions of silylated layer 22 remaining on lower layer 14 may be wholly or partially separated therefrom, thus making the method somewhat unpredictable.
Because the conventional method of forming patterns in a semiconductor device does not use virtual silylation, a bird's beak does not form when silylated layer 22 is formed. Because lower layer 14 may be partially removed, however, the method is still somewhat unpredictable.

Method of forming pattern for semiconductor device


A protective sleeve for expandable tubulars.

This invention relates generally to oil and gas exploration, and in particular to forming and repairing wellbore casings to facilitate oil and gas exploration.
Conventionally, when a wellbore is created, a number of casings are installed in the borehole to prevent collapse of the borehole wall and to prevent undesired outflow of drilling fluid into the formation or inflow of fluid from the formation into the borehole. The borehole is drilled in intervals whereby a casing which is to be installed in a lower borehole interval is lowered through a previously installed casing of an upper borehole interval. As a consequence of this procedure the casing of the lower interval is of smaller diameter than the casing of the upper interval. Thus, the casings are in a nested arrangement with casing diameters decreasing in downward direction. Cement annuli are provided between the outer surfaces of the casings and the borehole wall to seal the casings from the borehole wall. As a consequence of this nested arrangement a relatively large borehole diameter is required at the upper part of the wellbore. Such a large borehole diameter involves increased costs due to heavy casing handling equipment, large drill bits and increased volumes of drilling fluid and drill cuttings. Moreover, increased drilling rig time is involved due to required cement pumping, cement hardening, required equipment changes due to large variations in hole diameters drilled in the course of the well, and the large volume of cuttings drilled and removed.
During oil exploration, a wellbore typically traverses a number of zones within a subterranean formation. Wellbore casings are then formed in the wellbore by radially expanding and plastically deforming tubular members that are coupled to one another by threaded connections existing methods for radially expanding and plastically deforming tubular members coupled to one another by threaded connections are not always reliable and do not always produce satisfactory results. In particular, the threaded connections can be damaged during the radial expansion process. Furthermore, the threaded connections between adjacent tubular members, whether radially expanded or not, are typically not sufficiently coupled to permit the transmission of energy through the tubular members from the surface to the downhole location. Further, the damaged threads may permit undesirable leakage between the inside of the casing and the exterior of the casing.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations of the existing procedures for forming and/or repairing wellbore casings.

Protective sleeve for expandable tubulars


An ink ejection device includes a head section having a plurality of nozzles and ejecting a plurality of types of inks through the nozzles, and an ink supply section supplying the plurality of types of inks to the head section. The head section has a plurality of supply ports which are arranged in a scanning direction and to which the plurality of types of inks are supplied. The ink supply section includes a plurality of ink chambers which respectively contain the plurality of types of inks and are disposed to overlap one another in the up-down direction, a plurality of connection passages connecting the plurality of supply ports to the plurality of ink chambers containing the inks to be supplied to the supply ports, and a plurality of air discharge passages respectively connected to the plurality of ink chambers.

Japanese Patent No. 4985639 discloses, as an example of a liquid ejection device, an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer comprises an inkjet head (liquid ejection head) for ejecting an ink, and a buffer tank (liquid supply tank) disposed above the inkjet head and supplying the ink to the inkjet head.
The inkjet head includes four ink inlet ports to which inks of four colors (of black, magenta, yellow and cyan) are supplied. Here, one ink inlet port is provided for each of the black ink and the magenta ink while two ink inlet ports are provided for each of the yellow ink and the cyan ink. In other words, the inkjet head includes six ink inlet ports in total. The six ink inlet ports are arranged along a scanning direction of the inkjet head.
The buffer tank is connected to four ink tanks through tubes, and the inks of the four colors are respectively supplied from the four ink tanks to the buffer tank. The buffer tank includes six liquid chambers respectively corresponding to the six ink inlet ports of the inkjet head. Here, two liquid chambers are provided for each of the yellow ink and the cyan ink similarly to the ink inlet ports, and the two liquid chambers to which the ink of the same color is introduced are communicated with each other. Besides, the six liquid chambers are arranged along the scanning direction of the inkjet head correspondingly to the six ink inlet ports. The ink supplied from the ink tank to the buffer tank flows into the liquid chamber. Here, if air is mixed with the supplied ink, while the ink is flowing from the liquid chamber to the ink inlet port of the inkjet head disposed below, the air mixed with the ink is separated from the ink to stay in an upper portion of the liquid chamber. Accordingly, the ink contained in the buffer tank is supplied to the inkjet head after the air is separated and removed in the liquid chamber.


In one embodiment, a supervisory device for a wireless network classifies each client of a set of access points in the wireless network as either an Internet of Things (IoT) device or a non-IoT device. The supervisory device selects, for each of the access points in the set, a channel width based on the classifications of its clients. The supervisory device assigns, for each of the access points in the set, one or more wireless channels for use by that access point, based on the selected channel width for that access point. The supervisory device instructs the access points in the set to use their assigned channels to communicate with their clients.

The Internet of Things, or "IoT" for short, represents an evolution of computer networks that seeks to connect many everyday objects to the Internet. Notably, there has been a recent proliferation of "smart" devices that are Internet-capable such as thermostats, lighting, televisions, cameras, and the like. In many implementations, these devices may also communicate with one another. For example, an IoT motion sensor may communicate with one or more smart lightbulbs, to actuate the lighting in a room, when a person enters the room.
With the proliferation of IoT devices to every walk of life, wireless networks are becoming inundated with more and more clients. Even with the relatively recent extension of wireless networking from the 2.4 GHz band into the 5 GHz band, the rapid growth of the number of IoT devices on many networks has led to some concerns over the effective utilization of the shared radio spectrum. Indeed, there are only so many channels available for use by the various wireless devices in a network. In addition, weather radar and certain military applications are given priority on certain channels in the 5 GHz band, meaning that devices operating on these channels must switch off of these channels, if they detect use of the channel by weather radar, etc. This can further constrain the set of channels for use in a wireless network.

Smart channel selection for low bandwidth IoT clients


In one aspect, an additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a first plurality of particles positioned on the build platform, and a particle containment system positioned on the build platform. The particle containment system includes a particle containment wall. The particle containment wall at least partially surrounds the first plurality of particles and includes a second plurality of particles consolidated together. The particle containment wall includes a top end spaced apart from the build platform, an inner face positioned against the first plurality of particles and extending between the build platform and the top end, and an outer face that faces a substantially particle-free region, the outer face positioned opposite the inner face and extending between the build platform and the top end.

The subject matter described herein relates generally to additive manufacturing systems and, more particularly, to additive manufacturing systems including powder containment systems.
At least some additive manufacturing systems involve the consolidation of a particulate material to make a component. Such techniques facilitate producing complex components from expensive materials at a reduced cost and with improved manufacturing efficiency. At least some known additive manufacturing systems, such as Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM), Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), and LaserCusing® systems, fabricate components using a focused energy source, such as a laser device or an electron beam generator, a build platform, and a particulate, such as, without limitation, a powdered metal. (LaserCusing is a registered trademark of Concept Laser GmbH of Lichtenfels, Germany.) In at least some DMLM systems, a recoat device is used to recoat the component with particulate material after each build layer is scanned by the laser beam. However, in at least some known systems, the volume of particulate material required to ensure complete and consistent recoating of the component in a one-size-fits-all particulate bed can be quite large and may result in substantial particulate material waste at a substantial cost to the operator of the additive manufacturing system.

Systems and methods for additive manufacturing


The present disclosure provides a Type-C interface controlling circuit, a controlling method, and a mobile terminal, wherein the Type-C interface controlling circuit includes: a Type-C interface, a first transmission module, a second transmission module, a switching module, and a detection module. The first end of the detection module is connected to the Type-C interface for detecting a connection state of the Type-C interface, and the second end of the detection module is connected to the switching module, and the detection module controls a connection relationship between the first end of the switching module and the second end of the switching module according to the connection state.

Type-C interface is one type of connection interface of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). It is more and more widely used in mobile terminals because it supports USB double-sided plugging. The Type-C interface defines various functions such as charging, data transmission, audio signal transmission, or display output. However, the Type-C interface in existing mobile terminals cannot simultaneously support multiple types of signal transmission. For example, when the mobile terminal is charged or transmits data, a headset thereof cannot be used to listen to or answer the call. It can be seen that the Type-C interface in existing mobile terminals cannot support different types of signal transmission at the same time.

Type-C interface controlling circuit, controlling method and mobile terminal


This invention describes a method of using Chemical Mechanical Polishing to planarize integrated circuit wafers using shallow trench isolation to provide isolation between devices in the wafer. After the material used to fill the shallow trenches has been formed a layer of Spin On Glass is formed over the material used to fill the shallow trenches. The polishing rate for the material used to fill the shallow trenches is at least twice as large as the polishing rate of the Spin On Glass. This difference in polishing rate causes the Spin On Glass to be the controlling factor in the overall polishing rate and a planar surface free of dishing or unwanted residue is achieved. In at least one of the embodiments the rate of change of the polishing pad temperature can be used to determine the end point of the polishing.

(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to planarization of integrated circuit wafers using shallow trench isolation and more particularly to a method of planarization using Chemical Mechanical Polishing.
(2) DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
In sub 0.5 micron applications the use of shallow trench isolation, STI, between devices in an integrated circuit wafer is frequently used in place of the local oxidation of silicon, LOCOS, process. It is important to have a planar surface for subsequent process steps after the shallow trench isolation regions have been formed. Chemical Mechanical Polishing, CMP, is frequently used for planarization but this method has problems of dishing and residual oxide on the wafer surface. This Patent Application describes a method using a Spin On Glass layer in combination with Chemical Mechanical Polishing to achieve planarization of integrated circuit wafers using shallow trench isolation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,512 to Allman discusses the global planarization of integrated circuit wafers using Spin On Glass and Chemical Mechanical Polishing but uses a different method than that described in this Patent Application.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,884 to Jaso describes a Chemical Mechanical Polishing process for shallow trench isolation devices wherein trench areas have a slower polishing rate than the higher areas. This method does not discuss Spin On Glass.
The methods of this invention are described in a paper by the inventor entitled "SOG Smoothing Technique For Planarization of Shallow Trench Isolation," by Lai-Juh Chen et al., 1996 Proceedings First International Chemical-Mechanical Polish (C.M.P.) For VLSI/ULSI Multilevel Interconnection Conference (CMP-MIC), Feb. 22-23, 1996, pages 307-314.

Method of planarizing wafers with shallow trench isolation

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A portable utility light comprises a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a light-emitting source disposed in the second housing portion. The first housing portion has a first end rotatively coupled by a joint to a first end of the second housing portion. The first housing portion is rotatable about the first end of the second housing portion to a first position and a second position. The light-emitting source is electrically coupled to a power supply by an activation switch. The first housing portion is configured to at least partially cover the light-emitting source when disposed in the first position. The first housing portion is configured to support the second housing portion and the light-emitting source in an upright bearing when disposed in the second position.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to illumination devices, and more specifically, to a portable, hands-free light assembly.
Portable utility lights are commonly used to provide illumination at times when the use of stationary room lighting techniques is unavailable or inadequate. Examples of such situations can include losses of power, nighttime outdoor activities like camping, searching for items that have been lost underneath a couch or a car seat, providing an indication to other motorists who may be traveling towards a disabled vehicle when visibility is limited, and checking an automobile engine or changing a tire at nighttime, as well as numerous other conditions that require concentration of light while frequently changing locations.
Flashlights are utility lights that are designed to be handheld so as to be easily moved to many locations. A typical flashlight consists of a small incandescent light bulb having an associated parabolic reflector that is powered by electric batteries connected to an electric power switch and mounted within a housing. The housing contains the electric circuit and provides a means of access to the batteries for replacement.
While providing for portability and being lightweight, flashlights are often limited in the amount of illumination that they can provide because the larger bulbs, support assemblies, and power supply components that are required to provide more illumination can result in a bulky structure that makes the handheld light more difficult to hold and orient. Moreover, because flashlights are not designed to provide for hands-free illumination, they can be difficult to position to provide light precisely where it is needed without continually holding and manipulating the light. Another issue with flashlights is that, because they are designed to reflect a source of light for the purpose of direct illumination, they are not optimal to serve a signaling function, particularly to signal a disabled vehicle to oncoming motorists, because the direct illumination can create unwanted glare.
Accordingly, the inventors herein have identified that it is desirable to provide a portable, compact utility light that can be used as a hands-free source of illumination for multiple purposes.


An optical fiber connector has a tubular housing which has a slot formed through a corresponding upper periphery and lower periphery thereof. A securing plate is allowed to be positioned inside the slot with two distal ends thereof substantially protruding slightly out of the slot. A substantially elliptical hole is formed at the center of the plate with the longer axis thereof in substantially horizontal direction allowing to be penetrated by a fiber.

This invention relates to an optical fiber connector for easy installation and manufacture.
A conventional optical fiber connector shown in FIG. 6 includes a housing 6 having an isolating protruding plate 60 formed therein and isolating the housing to a first compartment 61 and a second compartment 62. The two compartments 61 and 62 are in communication with each other allowing a fiber cable 5 to pass in a deformed way. A cover 7 having a corresponding complementary structure to the compartments 61, 62 of the housing 6 is securely engaged to the housing as shown in FIG. 5. The conventional fiber connector can fix the fiber securely. However, to install the fiber in the connector is cumbersome and manufacture of the connector is difficult because of the complicated structures of the cover 7. Therefore, it is requisite to invent a new fiber connector which is allowed to firmly secure the fiber easily and also has a simple structure for easy manufacture.


A three way post on each side of a wheel for a compound bow enables connections to a loop and a ferrule, and provides a clamp connection using a setscrew in a threaded hole in the post. The post is located along a line perpendicular to a diameter intersecting the axle upon which the wheel turns.

This invention relates to compound archery bows and, in particular, to wheels capable of being laced at least three ways.
Compound bows differ from long bows in that a block and tackle mechanism is used to bend the bow: wheels are attached at the free ends of the limbs and lacing is wound around the wheels and attached to the limbs to obtain a mechanical advantage in bending the bow. The wheels and lacing differ from a block and tackle mechanism in that the wheels of a compound bow are eccentrically mounted on axles, causing a substantial "let off" or reduction in the holding force of a drawn bow, an effect more closely resembling that of levers rotating about the ends of the limbs of the bow.
As used herein, "wheel" refers to the entire rotating member at the end of a limb of a compound bow. The wheel is machined from metal, preferably aluminum or aluminum alloy, rigid plastic, or other rigid material. A wheel appears to be two adjoining disks having grooved rims, herein referred to as "pulleys," mounted on a common axle. In some compound bows, each wheel is actually two separate pulleys fastened together.
Compound bows typically use two wheels, with lacing wound from an anchor at one end of a one limb to the wheel at the end of the other limb, to the wheel at the end of the one limb, then back to an anchor on the other limb. As used herein, "lacing" can refer to a one piece bowstring or a three piece line comprising two end cables connected by a central stretch between the wheels which forms the bowstring. The lacing can be made from a variety of materials, i.e. the words "cable" and "string" imply location rather than material. A bowstring is typically a high strength man-made polymer fiber, such as high tensile strength polyester. The cables are either metal wires or polymer fibers.
For the manufacturer, there is a problem in how the lacing is attached to the wheels. Over the years, three basic techniques have developed for fastening the lacing to the wheels, each requiring a different wheel.
One type of lacing uses two metal cables, each terminating in what is known as a teardrop connector. The bowstring is shorter than the span between the wheels and has a closed loop formed at each end. The loops go over the teardrop connector at the free ends of each cable. Each cable extends from the teardrop connector and winds almost all of the way around the string pulley at the end of one limb, passes through the wheel to the cable side of the wheel and winds part way around the cable pulley, then extends to an anchor on the other limb. A setscrew in the wheel crimps the cable at some point to keep the cable from sliding around the pulley. A variation on this type of lacing uses no teardrop connectors and a one piece lacing.
A second type of lacing eliminates the teardrop connector and uses a bowstring which is longer than the span between the wheels. A closed loop is formed at each end of the bowstring. At one end, the loop engages a post in the interior of the wheel and the bowstring passes through an opening in the rim of the string pulley to wind almost all of the way around the string pulley, then across the span to similarly engage the other string pulley. The string pulley may have several openings spaced around its rim for changing the draw length of the bow, depending upon which opening is used. Each cable has a ferrule bonded to one end which fits in a socket in the interior of the cable side of the wheel. From the socket, the cable exits through an opening in the rim of the cable pulley, winds part way around the cable pulley, and extends to an anchor on the other limb.
In the third type of lacing, the bowstring is the same as in the second type of lacing. The cable is a polymer fiber, often the same material as the bowstring, and has a closed loop formed in one end instead of having a ferrule. The loop goes over a post on the cable side of the wheel and the cable exits through an opening in the rim of the cable pulley, winds part way around the cable pulley, and extends to an anchor on the other limb. For all three types of lacing, the bowstring and cable are wound on a wheel so that, as the bow is drawn, the bowstring unwinds and the cable winds further.
Each of the three types of lacing has its advantages and disadvantages, proponents and opponents. A wheel adapted to one type of lacing is typically incompatible with other types of lacing. One cannot arbitrarily add posts or sockets to the first type of wheel in order to adapt the wheel to other types of lacing since this may weaken the wheel, which must bear large forces especially when the bow is fired.
There are also three basic types of pulleys in terms of performance. Each pulley in a wheel can be either cam shaped or round. A cam shaped pulley produces a higher performance bow than a round pulley. By performance is meant the amount of energy stored in a drawn bow. In general, a higher performance bow is harder to draw, hence the greater energy stored, and requires more careful tuning, i.e. more careful adjustment of the bow to the size and style of the archer.
There are a large number of combinations of lacing and shapes for a wheel. When further combined with the variations in limb stiffness, handle geometry, arrow rest, and sight, the manufacturer is faced with an ever growing matrix of variables in order to accommodate the needs and preferences of its customers. The retailer is faced with a corresponding problem in stocking all the components and various pre-assembled bows from the manufacturer. While the variety benefits the customer, it is very costly for the manufacturer and retailer.
In the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,538 discloses the first type of lacing but uses a mount clip instead of a setscrew for attaching the cable to the wheel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,715 discloses the first type of lacing and discloses anchoring the cable to the wheel rather than the limb. U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,744 discloses wheels having separate pulleys. U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,094 discloses the third type of lacing, i.e. both the cables and the bowstring attach to the wheel with loops.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a wheel for a compound bow which can accommodate all three types of lacing.
Another object of the invention is to provide three way connections on a wheel for a compound bow without weakening the wheel.
A further object of the invention is to provide a three way post connector for a wheel in a compound bow.

Three way wheel for compound archery bow


A semiconductor apparatus includes a buffer layer formed on a substrate; an SLS (Strained Layer Supperlattice) buffer layer formed on the buffer layer; an electron transit layer formed on the SLS buffer layer and formed of a semiconductor material; and an electron supply layer formed on the electron transit layer and formed of a semiconductor material. Further, the buffer layer is formed of AlGaN and includes two or more layers with different Al composition ratios, the SLS buffer layer is formed by alternately laminating a first lattice layer including AlN and a second lattice layer including GaN, and the Al composition ratio in one of the layers of the buffer layer being in contact with the SLS buffer layer is greater than or equal to an Al effective composition ratio in the SLS buffer layer.

A nitride semiconductor such as GaN, AlN, InN and the like and a material of a mixed crystal thereof may have a wide band gap, so as to be used as a high-power electronic device or a short-wavelength light-emitting device. Among these, research and development has been conducted on the technologies of a Field-Effect Transistor (FET) and especially a High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) as a high-power device (see, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-359256).
The HEMT using such a nitride semiconductor is used in a high-power and highly-efficient amplifier, a high-power switching device and the like.
In the HEMT using such a nitride semiconductor, an aluminum gallium nitride/gallium nitride (AlGaN/GaN) heterostructure is formed on the substrate, so that the GaN layer thereof may serve as an electron transit layer. Further, the substrate may be formed of sapphire, silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), silicon (Si) or the like.
Among the nitride semiconductors, for example, GaN has excellent electronic characteristics because of its higher withstand-voltage characteristic due to its higher saturated electron speed and wider band gap. Further, GaN has a wurtzite-type crystal structure, so as to have its polarity in <0001> direction which is parallel to the c-axis.
Further, when the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure is formed, in the AlGa layer, a piezoelectric polarization may be excited due to lattice distortion between AlGaN and GaN. Therefore, highly-concentrated Two-Dimensional Electron Gas (2DEG) may be generated near an interface (a boundary surface) of the channel. As a result, the HEMT using GaN is thought to be promising as a high frequency power device.
In the HEMT using the nitride semiconductor, by using a large and inexpensive silicon substrate as the substrate, the cost may be largely reduced. Accordingly, the HEMT using the nitride semiconductor may be provided in lower cost. The silicon substrate is electrically-conductive. Therefore, when such a silicon substrate is used, a nitride layer having higher insulation properties may be formed on the silicon substrate, and a nitride semiconductor layer such as the electron transit layer may be formed on the nitride layer.
However, due to differences in a lattice constant and a coefficient of thermal expansion between silicon and nitride, a bend or a crack is likely to be formed in the substrate or the nitride semiconductor layer. Therefore, it may be difficult to form a thick nitride layer having higher insulation properties. As a result, leakage current in the substrate-gate direction is likely to be increased, and it is difficult to ensure sufficient withstand voltage in the vertical direction (i.e., the thickness direction of the substrate).
As a method of forming a thick nitride layer on the silicon substrate while controlling the generation of the bend or crack, there is a known technique in which a Strained Layer Superlattice (SLS) buffer layer is formed where a GaN-based thin film and an AlN-based thin film are alternately formed in multiple cycles (see, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication Nos. 2012-23314 and 2007-67077).
In the SLS buffer layer, a thick nitride layer may be formed, while controlling the generation of the bend or crack due to the difference in the lattice constant during the formation of the films, by forming the GaN-based thin film and the AlN-based thin film, each being included in the Superlattice and having a thickness less than or equal to its critical film thickness.
Further, in the SLS buffer layer, by containing a large compression strain in the films of the SLS buffer layer, another large compression strain may be generated across the entity of the nitride layer while the temperature is decreased after the films are formed. As described above, by forming the SLS buffer layer, the thickness of the AlN layer having a wider band gap and higher insulation properties may be increased. As a result, the withstand voltage in the vertical direction may be improved.


A business process visualization is described. In one embodiment, process may include searching for documents stored in memory. The search identifies first documents, wherein the first documents comprise data of respective transactions of a first business process sequence implemented by an enterprise application. A user interface (UI) is then generated that includes components corresponding to the first documents, respectively, and components that visually identify relationships between the first documents.

Enterprise applications can implement one or more business processes that assist with, for example, billing, payment processing, customer relationship management, resource planning, human resource management, etc.
Enterprise applications are typically hosted on one or more server computer systems (servers) and provide simultaneous services to a large number of users via client computer systems (clients). This is in contrast to a single-user application that is executed on a user's personal computer and serves only one user at a time.


The present invention provides a crystallized NC1 domain hexamer of Type IV collagen, and methods for making the crystal, wherein the NC1 domain hexamer is crystallized such that the three dimensional structure of the crystallized NC1 domain hexamer can be determined to a resolution of at least 3 Å or better. The present invention also provides a method for designing compounds to inhibit angiogenesis, tumor growth, tumor metastasis, endothelial cell adhesion and/or proliferation, and/or basal lamina assembly, comprising analyzing the three dimensional structure of a crystallized Type IV collagen NC1 domain hexamer produced by the methods of the invention, and identifying and synthesizing compounds that target regions of the NC1 domain that have been identified by the analysis as being important for type IV collagen heterotrimer and hexamer assembly. The present invention also provides novel polypeptides designed by the rational drug design methods of the present invention, based on an analysis of the type TV collagen NC1 hexamer structure disclosed herein.

The basement membrane (basal lamina) is a sheet-like extracellular matrix (ECM), which is a basic component of all tissues. The basal lamina provides for the compartmentalization of tissues, and acts as a filter for substances traveling between tissue compartments. Typically the basal lamina is found closely associated with an epithelium or endothelium in all tissues of an animal, including blood vessels and capillaries. The basal lamina components are secreted by cells and then self assemble to form an intricate extra-cellular network. The formation of biologically active basal lamina is important to the development and differentiation of the associated cells.
Type IV collagen has been shown to be a major structural component of basement membranes, and consists of a family of six homologous α chains, designated α1(IV) through α6(IV). Each α chain is characterized by a non-collagenous (NC1) domain at the carboxyl terminus; a long, helical collagenous domain in the middle region; and a 7S collagenous domain at the amino terminus. (Martin, et. al., 1988, Adv. Protein Chem. 39:1–50; Gunwar, et. al. 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 266:14088–14094). Three α chains assemble into triple helical molecules, the "heterotrimer." The heterotrimer, once formed in the endoplasmic lumen, is secreted into the extracellular space, where two such heterotrimers assemble into a hexamer via C-terminal interactions, and then into a supramolecular network through N-terminal associations. The NC1 domains play the dominant role in this assembly, by determining the C-terminal dimeric association, leading to hexamer assembly.
The chain composition, and thus the properties of type IV collagen networks, are influenced by two factors. First, the chain composition of networks is limited by chain availability: the six α chains show a tissue-specific expression pattern, with the α1 and α2 chains being ubiquitous, and the α3–α6 chains having a more restricted tissue distribution. Second, the NC1 domain confers specificity to the chain-specific assembly of networks. Thus, as yet unidentified recognition sequences must exist within the NC1 domain that direct the selection of chains to form triple helical protomers, and that direct triple helical protomers to form hexamers and, thus, collagen networks. While numerous type IV collagen hexamers are theoretically possible that differ in kind and α chain stochiometry, only three have been identified: [α12α2]2, [α3α4α5]2, and [(α12α2)(α52α6)].
Angiogenesis, the process of formation of new blood vessels, plays an important role in physiological processes such as embryonic and postnatal development, as well as in wound repair. Formation of blood vessels can also be induced by pathological processes involving inflammation (e.g., diabetic retinopathy and arthritis) or neoplasia (e.g., cancer) (Folkman, 1985, Perspect, Biol. Med., 29, 10). Neovascularization is regulated by angiogenic growth factors secreted by tumor or normal cells as well as by the composition of the extracellular matrix and the activity of endothelial enzymes (Nicosia and Ottinetti, 1990, Lab. Invest., 63, 115).
A common feature of all solid tumor growth is the requirement for a blood supply. Therefore, numerous laboratories have focused on developing anti-angiogenic compounds based on growth factors and their receptors. While this approach has led to some success, the number of growth factors known to play a role an angiogenesis is large. Therefore, the possibility exists that growth factor antagonists may have only limited use in treating cancer, since tumors and associated inflammatory cells likely produce a wide variety of factors that can induce angiogenesis.
In this regard, a strategy that targets a common feature of angiogenesis, such as endothelial cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM), might be expected to have a profound physiological impact on tumor growth in humans. This notion is supported by the fact that antagonists of specific ECM cell adhesion receptors such as αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins can block angiogenesis. Furthermore, the αvβ3 integrin is expressed most prominently on cytokine-activated endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and has been shown to be required for angiogenesis. (Varner et al., Cell Adhesion and Communication 3:367–374 (1995); Brooks et al., Science 264:569–571 (1994)). Based on these findings, a potentially powerful new approach to anti-angiogenic therapy is to specifically target critical regulatory domains within distinct ECM components.
Specific type IV collagen α(IV) NC1 domains have been demonstrated to be effective inhibitors of angiogenesis, tumor growth, tumor metastasis, cell binding to basement membranes, and assembly of Type IV collagen molecules (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,182; 5,856,184; 6,361,994; and 6,358,735). Despite the above, it would be of significant value to the art to identify further compounds capable of inhibiting these processes.
It is therefore highly desirable to provide a method of deducing the crystal structure of type IV collagen NC1 domains, and of providing a method of using this structure to design compounds that inhibit assembly of the type IV collagen heterotrimer and/or the type IV collagen hexamer.

Crystallized structure of type IV collagen NC1 domain hexamer


A coupler that provides a selectively releasable connection between first and second relatively movable members. Such a coupler has a receiver that is secured to the first relatively movable member. The receiver is bifurcated to present a gudgeon having laterally spaced, generally parallel, side walls. A socket is located in each side wall to be disposed in spaced opposition. Each socket has guide surfaces that flare outwardly from a first race to terminate in an entrance. The second relatively movable member presents a transversely oriented trunnion. The trunnion has bearing surfaces that are selectively insertable within the opposed sockets operatively to engage said first races. A generally U-shaped locking verification clip has a base wall and laterally spaced first and second side walls. A pair of pedestals extend from the base wall in laterally spaced, substantially parallel, disposition between the side walls. Each pedestal terminates in a second race. The second races also operatively engaging the bearing surfaces on the trunnion in opposition to the engagement of the bearing surfaces with the first races. A locking mechanism selectively secures the locking verification clip to the receiver so as to capture the bearing surfaces on the trunnion with respect to the first and second races.

Historically, the connection between an operating rod (i.e., an activating member) and the selector, or shift, lever (i.e., the actuated member) of a transmission has required the use of one or more loose parts such as pins, washers, cotter keys, E clips, nuts, bolts, screws or other such devices that are, for the most part, installed with hand tools. Moreover, the physical location of such connections is not always visually accessible and is often located in an environment which precludes physical accessibility by both of the assembler's hands - - - or even by one hand and a hand tool.
The operating rod may be the last structural element in a mechanical linkage system, which operatively joins a remote input, or operator controlling, device to an output, or controlled, device. Mechanical linkage systems may include a widely known variety of cables and/or other mechanisms that convert between linear and rotary motions and which are customarily used in automotive, truck, aircraft, recreational and marine environments. These motion transferring mechanisms are often necessary because the most desired location from which to operate the controlled output device is often not adjacent thereto but rather from a remotely located operator controlling, or input, device.
Motion transmitting arrangements that typically operate in a pushing and/or pulling manner have been employed for years as cable controls for automatic transmissions, parking brakes, clutches, cruise control devices and shifting devices where such assemblies are not only remote from the operator controlling device but also separated such that the interconnection therebetween must follow a nonlinear path.
Known motion transmitting arrangements utilize one or more cables that are axially movable in a pushing or pulling manner for operatively connecting the remote operator controlling device to an arm, or similar lever mechanism, that adjusts, shifts, or otherwise acts on the remote controlled device. One example that exemplifies a typical installation comprises the operation of a transmission assembly where the motion transmitting arrangement is attached to an operator controlling device in the nature of a gear selecting device at one end of a motion transmitting arrangement, and a lever arm in the nature of a gear actuating member presented from the transmission shifting mechanism at the other end. A second example would be a carburetor, or throttle, assembly where a motion transmitting arrangement is attached to an operator controlling device in the nature of an accelerator at one end thereof and is attached to the throttle mechanism, such as a carburetor, at the other end.
A flexible force transmitting mechanism such as a core that is either pushed or pulled within a tubular casing is often employed to effect the desired interconnection between an operator controlling device and a remotely located controlled device. The core of such a force transmitting mechanism is capable of effecting mechanical motion in either direction when at least the ends of the cable casing are satisfactorily clamped in position. Typically, the ends of such casings are secured in a fixed location by a clamping device held in place by a plurality of nuts and bolts (or screws) and lock washers. Each end of the core within the casing is connected to an operating, or end, rod. The other end of one operating rod is connected to the operator controlling input device, and this is normally effected by a fixedly positioned nut and bolt connection. The other end of the second operating rod is connected to the controlled output device, as by a clevis that is selectively positionable along the second operating rod and secured in the desired location by a lock nut. In turn, the clevis is secured to the lever arm on the controlled output device by a well known pin, washer and cotter pin arrangement.
The aforesaid historic arrangements for securing a flexible force transmitting cable core to the operator controlling input device and to the controlled output device has, more recently, been replaced by "snap on snap-off" connectors. Such connectors utilized to date in the automotive industry, for example, have required virtually as much force to snap on as to snap off. In fact, the best known prior art connector acceptable to the automotive industry required 85 Newtons to effect a snap on and 90 Newtons to effect a snap off. Other industry standards require that the connector withstand 50,000 cycles under loads of 90 Newtons in a tension/compression testing. Moreover, the connector must also withstand a minimum of 450 Newtons before separation of the terminal end fitting from the end rod occurs.
Industries using the push/pull force transmitting control cables have not been able to achieve a desired, significantly lower snap on force while maintaining the required minimum snap off force. In addition, the best known prior art arrangements have been limited to three snap on and snap off cycles. It must also be appreciated that the structural differences from installation to installation virtually assures that it will seldom occur that the axis of the end rod can be precisely aligned perpendicularly with respect to the rotational axis of the operating lever on the controlled output device. As is well known to those skilled in the appropriate arts, the prior known terminal end fittings often do not provide the desired ease of operation when subjected to such misalignment.