A novel process for preparing organosilicon compounds containing (meth)acxyloxy groups is described, in which alkoxylated alk-2-yne 1,4-di(meth)acrylates (1) of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical,. R.sup.3 is a linear or branched alkylene radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms per radical and PA1 R.sub.4 is a linear or branched alkylene radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms per radical, and PA1 z is an integer from 1 to 12, PA1 e is 0 or 1, on average from 0.01 to 1.0, PA1 f is 0, 1, 2 or 3, on average from 0.0 to 3.0, and. are reacted with organosilicon compounds (2) comprising units of the formula ##STR2## where R is an identical or different monovalent, optionally halogenated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms per radical, and. having at least one Si-bonded hydrogen atom per molecule in the presence of catalysts (3) which promote the addition Si-bonded hydrogen onto aliphatic multiple bonds and also in the presence of polymerization inhibitors (4), where alkoxylated alk-2-yne 1,4-di(meth)acrylates (1) are used in amounts of from 1.01 to 1.5 mole per gram atom of Si-bonded hydrogen in organosilicon compound (2).

EP-A 130 731 discloses the reaction of organopolysiloxane having Si-bonded hydrogen with beta(allyloxy)ethyl methacrylate in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst. This gives organopolysiloxanes containing meth-acryloxy groups. Organopolysiloxanes containing acryloxy groups are not obtainable selectively by an analogous reaction because the hydrosilylation occurs on both the acryl and allyl radicals.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,077 describes the reaction of silanes and organopolysiloxane having Si-bonded hydrogen with alkynyloxy(meth)acrylates in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst, where at most one (meth)acryl group is added per Si atom.
DD-A 298 404 describes a process for preparing siloxanylalkenediyl bis(meth)acrylates. An organopolysiloxane containing Si-bonded hydrogen is reacted with an equimolar amount of but-2-yne 1,4-dimethacrylate in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst. This reaction uses toxic organic monomers such as but-2-yne 1,4-dimethacrylate and but-2-yne-1,4-diol from which the dimethacrylate is obtained by reaction with methacrylic acid. As a result of the use of equimolar amounts, the SiH group in the organopolysiloxane adds onto both the alkyne and the acrylate group of but-2-yne 1,4dimethacrylate. The relatively nonpolar silicone oils are not readily miscible with commercial photoinitiators.
DE-A 44 43 749 describes a process for preparing alkoxylated siloxanylalkenediyl bis(meth)acrylates in which the siloxanylalkenediyl bis-.omega.-hydroxypolyoxyalkyls are esterified with methyl acrylate in the presence of tin catalysts. Since the esterification occurs on the polymers, the esterification is not complete and the organosilicon compounds are thermally stressed for a relatively long period of time which leads to partial polymerization of the acrylate groups.

Process for preparing organosilicon compounds containing (meth)acryloxy groups


A kinematic system is proposed for adjusting a side flap of a cover assembly for a vehicle with an openable roof, the kinematic system being adjustable between a covered position and a stored position, and the kinematic system being designed in such a way that the side flap undergoes at least one translational motion and at least one rotational motion during the adjustment, and characterized in that the kinematic system has a four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism for the translational motion and a guide track for the rotational motion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a kinematic system for adjusting a side flap of a cover assembly for vehicles with an openable roof. Alternatively, the invention relates to a cover assembly having adjustable side flaps and a kinematic system for adjusting the side flaps.
2. Background Art
Convertible top and retractable hardtop equipped vehicles frequently have a cover, or tonneau, that conceals all or part of the top when it is stored in a storage compartment. Many different designs for such covers have been developed. A short summary of several different designs that are disclosed in published patent applications is provided below.
German published patent application DE 102 22 189 A1 discloses a cover assembly having a middle section and two slide flaps associated with this middle section. The side flaps are supported on the middle section by a rotary bearing. By means of this rotary bearing, the side flaps can be lowered from a position in which together with the middle section they form a flat cover, and then by a pivoting motion can be stored underneath the middle section.
German published patent application DE 100 51 615 A1 discloses a cover assembly for vehicles with an openable roof, having two pivotable side flaps. The side flaps are pivotably linked to the middle section by a swing arm. A common motor for both side flaps is used as a power source for the pivoting motion.
Published PCT patent application WO 01/45976 discloses a further cover assembly having a middle section and two side flaps. The side flaps are disposed on a pivot axis which is parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle and situated below the middle section. The side flaps can be adjusted by means of a suitable sliding guide from a horizontal position (viewed in the orientation of the vehicle) in which, together with the middle section, they form a flat cover to a position downward and to the rear of the middle section in an oblique stored position.
Applicants' invention is intended to improve on the above designs as summarized below.

Cover assembly for an openable roof with an adjustable linkage for a side flap


A rotary screw compressor having one or more stages (10, 20) is provided with a lift valve (14, 24) on each stage for unloading the compressor at starting up and rest periods. Each lift valve (14, 24) is biased by a spring (15, 25) towards an open position and can be closed by an actuator (17, 27). Each valve actuator (17, 27) is automatically controlled by an air conduit (32) establishing air communication between the discharge channel (23) of the compressor and each valve actuator (17, 27).

The present invention relates to a rotary screw compressor having at least one stage and each stage being provided with at least one relief lift valve.
It is common to provide rotary screw air compressors with devices for unloading the compressor at starting up and at periods with low demand on compressed air. Therethrough the power consumption can be reduced. A frequently used method is to throttle the compressor inlet channel down to about 10% of the normal inlet pressure. Although a certain amount of drive energy can be saved this way there still remains a considerable work to compress the air. Another solution is to provide the wall of the working space with valve controlled openings for reducing the capacity and the internal volume ratio (V.sub.i) of the compressor during the starting up periods as disclosed in GB-1 576 230. This disclosure, however, does not mention anything about the valve arrangement for the openings. Normally such openings are provided with so called lift valves as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,900. The lift valves in U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,900 are, as is the common way, actuated by oil pressure, which is relatively complicated, requiring circumstantial measures for manufacturing and maintenance.

Rotary screw compressor with unloading means


The present invention relates generally to a gutter tilt actuator for a rain gutter system for a house, building, structure, etc., which facilitates cleaning of a gutter, and more particularly to a gutter tilt actuator, which is utilized to rotate the gutter from a water collecting position to a cleaning position and from a cleaning position to a water collecting position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a rain gutter system for a house, building, or other structure, which facilitates cleaning of the gutters, and more particularly to a gutter system having an actuator which is utilized to rotate the gutter from a collecting position to a cleaning position and from a cleaning position to a collecting position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gutters are employed to catch water run off from roofs of building structures, particularly roofs of houses, to prevent erosion of the soil adjacent to the structure and to prevent damage to the foundation of the structure. However, the accumulation of debris, such as leaves, often clogs the gutter, and the water, which normally flows through the gutter, overflows down the side of the structure causing damage. Further, weather conditions often pile up ice and snow in the gutter so that water run-off is impeded resulting in leakage through the roof to the interior, and gradual rotting of the roof material and inner structure. In addition, the weight of the ice often damages the gutter itself, and seriously weakens its attachment to the structure.
Removal of accumulated debris restores proper drainage and protects the roof and structure. Although cleaning of the gutter may be accomplished manually by an individual on a ladder, this may be dangerous, particularly to an inexperienced homeowner.
In the prior art, there are rotatable gutter systems. However, these prior art gutter systems involve the use of complex mechanical devices such as pulleys, rods, gears, hand cranks, electric motors, etc. These complex electrical/mechanical prior art gutter systems are difficult to maintain, difficult to install and prohibitively expensive. In addition, the prior art gutter systems are exposed to natural elements causing failure thereof.
Many of these problems were solved by the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,611. This invention teaches the use of a gutter tilt actuator affixed to the gutter. A pole or cable is used to rotate the gutter via the gutter tilt actuator from a water collecting position to a cleaning position and from a cleaning position to a water collecting position. Therefore, the high maintenance, complex mechanical devices such as pulleys, rods, gears, hand cranks, electric motors, etc. were not required to rotate the gutter. However, the weather resistant materials (e.g. PVC) used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,611 expand and contract as the temperature changes. This places pressure on the slotted supports, and eventually the gutter tilt actuator embedded in the gutter may tear away from the gutter or the support may become dislodged.


An atomic layer deposition apparatus including a deposition head that is rotatably mounted around a central deposition head axis and including a susceptor having an upper surface for carrying substrates. The lower surface comprises a plurality of process sections. Each process section includes a purge gas injection zone, a first precursor gas injection zone, a gas exhaust zone, a purge gas injection zone, a second precursor gas injection zone and a gas exhaust zone. Each zone radially extends from a radially inward part of the lower surface to a radially outward part of the lower surface of the deposition head. The combination of distance between the lower surface and the upper surface, the rotational speed of the deposition head and the flow rate and the pressure of the purge gas flows are selected such that the first and second precursor gases are substantially prevented from mixing.

Atomic layer deposition (or ALD) is known in the art, for example for processing semiconductor substrates. Most atomic layer deposition apparatus in the prior art are configured for sequential or time-divided processing. In sequential processing one or more substrates are inserted in a processing chamber of the atomic layer deposition apparatus. The substrates are then cyclically exposed to two or more different precursor gases in sequential and alternating exposure steps. Herein, under precursor gas will be understood all process gases being chemically involved in the film deposition process and excluding purge gases, carrier gases etc. Each exposure step comprises exposing the substrate(s) to one precursor gas and chemisorbing the precursor gas onto the substrate surface. Between the exposure steps, the processing chamber is purged using purge gas to drain all precursor gases from the processing chamber. The sequential ALD-process provides relatively high-quality films. However, a disadvantage of the sequential atomic layer deposition apparatus is the relatively long processing time required for processing the one or more substrates due to the repeated purging of the reaction space.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,563 discloses an atomic layer deposition apparatus comprising a circular processing chamber that encloses a wheel with a number of radial spokes each having a substrate carrier at its outer extremity. Each substrate carrier is configured to carry a substrate on an upward facing substrate supporting surface. The wheel with the plurality of substrate carriers is rotatable around a substrate carrier axis. The known system further includes a module that includes a plurality of gas injection ports configured for injecting gas into the process chamber, and a plurality of gas exhaust ports configured to remove gas from the processing chamber and partitions. The plurality of gas injection ports and the plurality of gas exhaust ports are positioned such that, viewed in a tangential direction relative to the wheel axis, a succession of an exhaust port, a first precursor gas injection port, an exhaust port, a purge gas injection port, an exhaust port, a second precursor gas injection port, an exhaust port and a purge gas injection port are disposed. By rotation of the wheel, the substrate carriers are moved underneath the module and pass the gas injection ports and the exhaust ports, such that the substrates are successively exposed to the gases that are injected from the gas injection ports into the processing chamber. The gases are transported out of the processing chamber by means of the exhaust ports that are positioned between the gas injection ports. With this configuration, an atomic layer deposition process may be executed thereby depositing successive atomic layers on the substrates.
A disadvantage of the apparatus known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,563 is that the rotation of the wheel with the substrate carriers induces vibrations in the substrates on the substrate carrier. The vibrations may result in a non-uniform deposition on the substrates, leading to a lower quality.
Another disadvantage of the rotating substrate wheel with substrate carriers is that the rotation of the substrate carrier has to be decelerated and stopped when a new substrate has to be loaded on a substrate carrier of the wheel and subsequently has to be accelerated again. The acceleration and deceleration of the relatively heavy wheel with substrate carriers is disadvantageous from an energetic point of view. Additionally, the deceleration and acceleration is time consuming which reduces the production capacity of the device. Another disadvantage is the large diameter of the apparatus relative to the substrate diameter.
Yet another disadvantage of the known device is that the rotational speed of the substrate carrier is only variable within a limited range. When the rotational speed is too high, the substrates will move outwardly by virtue of the centrifugal force. To prevent this radially outward movement, U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,563 discloses to arrange the supporting surfaces on the carrier to be angled slightly radially inwards relative to the axis of rotation of the substrate carrier, so that on rotation, the substrates may be pressed firmly against the supporting surfaces through centrifugal force and the substrate is prevented from moving outwardly by increased friction forces. However, a pretty high angle of inclination will be needed when rotating at a speed of e.g. 1 rpm. in order to provide sufficient friction forces to stabilize the substrates. Furthermore, this arrangement makes placing the substrates on the substrate support surfaces more difficult and the inclination of the substrate carrier surface is related to a limited range of rotational speeds. Finally, when rotating a flat substrate in an inclined orientation under the gas injection/exhaust module, the gap between substrate and the module will not be constant. In view thereof, the flexibility of use of the known system is limited.


A continuously variable traction roller transmission is disclosed. A torque transmission shaft is provided at one end thereof with a flange portion. A raceway track is formed on a connecting part between an inner side wall of the flange portion and an outer peripheral wall of the torque transmission shaft. Another raceway track is formed on an inner peripheral edge portion of an outer wall of a cam plate which constitutes a pressure mechanism. A plurality of balls are arranged between both of the raceway tracks, whereby a thrust ball bearing is constructed. Thrust load exerted on the cam plate is borne by the thrust ball bearing.

a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a continuously variable traction roller transmission useful, for example, as a transmission for an automobile or a light vehicle such as a lawn tractor, snow thrower or fork-lift truck, or as a transmission for rotating an accessory for an automotive engine at a suitable number of revolutions irrespective of variations in the number of revolutions of the engine.
b) Description of the Related Art
Research has been made with a view toward using a continuously variable traction roller transmission, such as that illustrated schematically in FIGS. 4 and 5, as a transmission for an automotive vehicle having relatively small engine output (for example, of 100 hp or less), such as a motorcycle, or for a light vehicle which runs at low speed, such as a lawn tractor, snow thrower, electric car or fork-lift truck, or as a transmission for driving an accessory such as a compressor or generator at an optimal speed irrespective of variations in the number of revolutions of an engine.
As is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. SHO 62-71465 (laid-open date: May 7, 1987), the continuously variable traction roller transmission has an input disk 2 supported concentrically with an input shaft 1 and an output disk 4 fixed on an end portion of an output shaft 3. On an inner wall of an unillustrated casing with the continuously variable traction roller transmission accommodated therein or on a supporting bracket provided inside the casing, there are provided trunnions 5,5 which are rockable about their corresponding pivots 28,28 located at positions skewed relative to the input shaft 1 and the output shaft 3.
Both the trunnions 5,5 are made of a metallic material having sufficient stiffness and are provided on both outer end walls thereof with the pivots 28,28, respectively. Further, power rollers 7,7 are rotatably supported about their corresponding displaceable pins 6,6 which are secured centrally on the respective trunnions 5,5. The power rollers 7,7 are held between the input disk 2 and the output disk 4.
Mutually opposing inner walls 2a,4a of the input and output disks 2,4 are in the form of concave walls of a circular arc shape in cross-section, which concave walls extend about the pivots 28,28, respectively. Peripheral walls 7a,7a of the respective power rollers 7,7, said peripheral walls 7a,7a being formed in the spherical convex walls, are maintained in contact with the inner walls 2a,4a.
Arranged between the input shaft 1 and the input disk 2 is a pressure mechanism 8 of the loading cam type. By this pressure mechanism 8, the input disk 2 is resiliently pressed toward the output disk 4. The pressure mechanism 8 is constructed of a cam plate 9 rotatable together with the input shaft 1 and plural (for example, four) rollers 11,11 held by a retainer 10. On one side (the right-hand side as viewed in FIGS. 4-5) of the cam plate 9, a cam surface 12 is formed as an alternate concave and convex surface extending in an angular direction. A similar cam surface 13 is also formed on an outer side (i.e., the left-hand side as viewed in FIGS. 4-5) of the input disk 2. The plural rollers 11,11 are rotatable about axes which extend radially relative to the central axis of the input shaft 1.
The continuously variable traction roller transmission of the construction as described above operates in the following manner.
As the cam plate 9 rotates pursuant to rotation of the input shaft 1, the plural rollers 11,11 are pressed by the cam surface 12 against the cam surface 13 on the outer side of the input disk 2. As a result, the input disk 2 is pressed against the plural power rollers 7,7 and, at the same time, the input disk 2 rotates based on meshing engagement between the paired cam surfaces 12,13 and the plural rollers 11,11. The rotation of the input disk 2 is transmitted to the output disk 4 by way of the plural power rollers 7,7, whereby the output shaft 3 fixed with the output disk 4 rotates.
To change the revolution speed between the input shaft 1 and the output shaft 3, say, first to achieve a reduction in speed between the input shaft 1 and the output shaft 3, both the trunnions 5,5 are rocked about the pivots 28,28 to tilt the displaceable pins 6,6 so that, as shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral walls 7a,7a of the individual power rollers 7,7 are brought into contact with a center-side part of the inner wall 2a of the input disk 2 and also with an outer-periphery-side part of the inner wall 4a of the output disk 4.
To achieve an increase in speed, conversely, the trunnions 5,5 are rocked to tilt the displaceable pins 6,6 so that, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the peripheral walls 7a,7a of the individual power rollers 7,7 are brought into contact with an outer-periphery-side part of the inner wall 2a of the input disk 2 and also with a center-side part of the inner wall 4a of the output disk 4.
If the angle of tilt of the respective displaceable pins 6,6 is set at values between FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, intermediary speed change ratios can be obtained between the input shaft 1 and the output shaft 3.
To increase the power transmittable by a continuously variable traction roller transmission constructed and operating as described above, it has already been proposed to arrange two continuously variable traction roller transmissions, which are similar to the one shown in FIGS. 4-5, in a pair and in parallel in the power-transmitting direction (i.e., in tandem) as is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 2-163549 (laid-open date: Jun. 22, 1990), etc.
FIG. 6 illustrates the construction of the power transmission disclosed in the above patent publication, in which the continuously variable traction roller transmissions are arranged in tandem.
Designated at numeral 14 is a tubular torque transmission shaft. A needle bearing 27 is disposed between an inner peripheral wall of one end portion (the left-hand end portion as viewed in FIG. 6) of the torque transmission shaft 14 and an outer peripheral wall of a proximal end portion of an input shaft 1, so that the torque transmission shaft 14 is arranged concentrically with the input shaft 1, and the input shaft 1 and the torque transmission shaft 14 are rotatable independently of each other.
Along the torque transmission shaft 14, a pair of input disks 2,2' are provided with an interval therebetween. Ball splines 15,15' are disposed between inner peripheral edges of the individual input disks 2,2' and an outer peripheral wall 14a of the torque transmission shaft 14, respectively, whereby the input disks 2,2' are supported unrotatably relative to the torque transmission shaft 14 but displaceably along the axis of the torque transmission shaft 14. Inner walls 2a,2a' of the input disks 2,2' are in the form of concave walls of a circular arc shape in cross-section.
Between the paired input disks 2,2', a pair of output disks 4,4' are arranged rotatably relative to the torque transmission shaft 14 and displaceably along the axis of the torque transmission shaft 14. Inner walls 4a',4a' of the respective output disks 4,4' are in the form of concave walls of a circular arc shape in cross-section. It is to be noted that the term "inner walls" of the individual disks 2,2',4,4' means the mutually opposing sides of the individual disks 2,2',4,4' throughout the specification.
A ring-shaped output gear 18 is provided between the output disks 4,4'. This output gear 18 is fixedly secured on an outer peripheral wall of an intermediate portion of a cylindrical sleeve 19. The sleeve 19 is in turn supported on an outer peripheral wall of an intermediate portion of the torque transmission shaft 14 in such a way that the sleeve 19 is allowed to rotate relative to the torque transmission shaft 14 and is somewhat displaceable along the axis of the torque transmission shaft 14. The paired output disks 4,4' are connected through splines to outer peripheral walls of opposite end portions of the sleeve 19, respectively.
A cam plate 9 is rotatably supported via a thrust ball bearing 16 on one end of the torque transmission shaft 14. The cam plate 9 and the input shaft 1 are connected by a flange 17 so that the cam plate 9 can rotate together with the input shaft 1. Between a cam surface 12 formed on the inner wall of the cam plate 9 and a cam surface 13 formed on the outer wall of the input disk 2 which is positioned on the left-hand side as viewed in FIG. 6, there are provided plural rollers 11 which are held rotatably by a retainer 10, thereby constructing a pressure mechanism which serves to urge the input disk 2 along the torque transmission shaft in a direction away from the cam plate 9.
A stopper 20 and disk springs 21 are arranged between the other input disk 2', which is not opposing the pressure mechanism 8 and is positioned on the right-hand side as viewed in FIG. 6, and the torque transmission shaft 14, so that the stopper 20 and disk springs 21 constitute a stopper means for preventing the input disk 2' from moving in a direction away from the pressure mechanism 8.
Arranged between the inner walls 2a,2a' of the paired input disks 2,2' and the inner walls 4a,4a' of the paired output disks 4,4', respectively, are plural trunnions 5,5' rockable about pivots located at positions skewed relative to the torque transmission shaft 14 and power rollers 7 having peripheral walls 7a in the form of spherical convex walls and supported rotatably about displaceable pins 6 supported on the trunnions 5,5'. Based on pressing force from the pressure mechanism 8, the peripheral walls 7a of the respective power rollers 7 are brought into contact with the inner walls 2a,2a',4a,4a' of the input and output disks 2,2',4,4'.
In the structure constructed as described above and having the paired continuously variable traction roller transmissions arranged in tandem, rotary torque inputted from the single input shaft 1 is transmitted to the input disk 2 via the flange 17, cam plate 9 and pressure mechanism 8 so that the input disk 2 rotates together with the torque transmission shaft 14. Concurrently with the rotation of the torque transmission shaft 14, the other input disk 2' also rotates in synchronization with the one input disk 2.
Rotations of the paired input disks 2,2', which rotate in synchronization with each other via the torque transmission shaft 14, are transmitted to the paired output disks 4,4' by way of the plural power rollers 7, thereby rotating the sleeve 19 on which both of the output disks 4,4 are connected through splines. The rotation of the sleeve 19 is then taken out by way of the output gear 18.
The structure constructed and operating as described above, in which the continuously variable traction roller transmissions are arranged in pair and in tandem, however still involves problems to be solved, as will be described below.
The portion where the cam plate 9 is rotatably supported on the end portion of the torque transmission shaft 14 is constructed, as is shown in FIGS. 6 and 3, by providing the thrust ball bearing 16 between a flange portion 22 formed on the outer peripheral wall of the end portion of the torque transmission shaft 14 and an inner peripheral edge portion of an outer wall of the cam plate 9. The thrust ball bearing 16 is composed of a pair of races 23,23 and a plurality of balls 24,24. One of the races 23,23 is provided in contact with the inner wall of the flange portion 22, while the other race 23 is disposed in contact with the inner peripheral edge portion of the outer wall of the cam plate 9.
Upon operation of the continuously variable traction roller transmission, thrust load is applied to the thrust ball bearing 16 in response to actuation of the pressure mechanism 8. The point of action of the thrust load is still outside the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 22.
The flange portion 22 is therefore applied with force which presses the outer peripheral edge portion of the flange portion 22 in a direction away from the cam plate 9 (i.e., in the leftward direction as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 6). Unless some measure is taken, there is the potential danger that the flange portion 22 may be broken when unduly large force is applied by the pressure mechanism 8.
To avoid breakage of the flange portion 22 for such a cause as mentioned above, it is effective to form the connecting part between the outer peripheral wall 14a of the torque transmission shaft 14 and the inner side wall 22a of the flange portion 22 (i.e., the part indicated by A in FIG. 3) into a circular arc, concave wall having a large radius of curvature. It is, however, cumbersome to machine the connecting part into a circular arc, concave wall having a large radius of curvature and also the inner peripheral edge portion of the associated race 23 into such a circular arc, convex surface as not interfering with the circular arc, concave wall, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost of the continuously variable traction roller transmission. It is therefore not preferred to form the connecting part into such a circular arc, concave wall having a large radius of curvature.

Continuously variable traction roller transmission


The present invention relates to an organic-inorganic nanocomposite and preparation thereof and particularly to a method for preparing an organic-inorganic nanocomposite capable of uniformly dispersing a silicate compound in a polymer medium by adding monomers, an initiator, and an emulsifier to an ion-exchanged layered silicate salt that is prepared by adding a cationic initiator and a cationic chain transfer agent to a layered silicate compound to cause polymerization.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic-inorganic nanocomposite and preparation thereof, and particularly to an organic-inorganic nanocomposite capable of uniformly dispersing layered silicates in a polymer medium, and preparation thereof.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Generally, a method of mixing inorganic substances is used for synthesizing a polymer having high strength and high rigidity. In this method, as an added inorganic substance, a plate-shaped or a vinyl-shaped substance is more appropriate for improving physical properties than a globular one because it increases surface area per unit mass. For this reason, various efforts to intercalate polymers into layered silicates have been attempted. Recently, U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,734 disclosed an organic-inorganic composite using layered silicates and nylon, and as physical and thermal properties thereof have been improved, studies of nanocomposites have attracted further attention.
It is regarded that the degree of exfoliation of a layered silicate primarily influences the improvements of the physical properties of a polymer by an organic-inorganic nanocomposite. However, it is not an easy task to completely exfoliate the layered silicates in the polymer medium because of low compatibility between them. Therefore, in order to solve the problem, many studies for dispersing layered silicates in a polymer medium have been attempted.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,885 and Macromolecule 2000, 33. 2000˜2004, Polymer 1994, 35, 3296˜3304, sodium ions or potassium ions of layered silicate were ion-exchanged with a cationic compound (organosilane compound having alkylammonium ions or appropriate functional groups) to make organoclay, and the distance between layers was widened and then appropriate monomers were added to polymerize, or it was melt-intercalated to cause exfoliation. However, there was a problem in that the degree of exfoliation differs depending on the polymers to be intercalated.
Recently, results of synthesis of nanocomposites wherein layered structures of silicate were exfoliated in polymer media through introduction of organophilic intercalants having reactive groups and subsequent polymerization have been announced. However, with these methods it is difficult to produce a polymer because sufficient radicals and monomers cannot be continuously provided into the layered structure, and even if produced, there is a limit on exfoliation of the layered silicate because the molecular weight and the structure cannot be controlled.
Recently, the Sogah group synthesized a polystyrene-inorganic nanocomposite with a significantly improved exfoliation degree by intercalating nitroxide in which ammonium substituents were introduced into a layered silicate, and by introducing living polymerization inside the inorganic substance (J. Am. Chem. Soc 1999, 121. 1615˜1616). However, this method has the disadvantage of only being applicable to some limited monomers, and it requires high temperature conditions. Additionally, Moad et al have synthesized dithioester compounds and shown that the living polymerization method can be applied to various monomers (Macromolecules 31, 5559(1998), WO 98/01478, WO 99/05099, WO 99/31144, WO 00/35177), but studies of preparation of organic-inorganic nanocomposites using the same are totally lacking.
Accordingly, there is a need for study of preparation of organic-inorganic nanocomposites capable of uniformly dispersing layered silicates in various kinds of polymer media.

Organic-inorganic nanocomposite and preparation thereof


The multi-spindle automatic lathe (10) has an apparatus for machining the rear side of a workpiece (15). For this, it is provided with a transfer device (21) for removing a workpiece machined at its front side from a primary workpiece spindle (15) of the machine and for transferring the workpiece to a machining station (22) for the rear side machining, whereby the transfer device comprises a gripper (23) as well as a translation device (24) moveable parallel or coaxially to the workpiece spindle (14) between this and a rear wall (19) of the machining chamber, which translation device takes up the workpiece from the gripper for transfer to the machining station for the rear side machining. So as to avoid collision of the tools for the front and rear side machining or their actuation carriage and to execute the machining at the rear side of the workpieces largely independently from the front side machining, the machining station (22) for the rear side machining is located outside the machining chamber (16) for the front side machining and comprises a secondary workpiece reception (29) which can be moved axially between the translation device (24) and a work position for the rear side machining.

The invention relates to a lathe, in particular a multi-spindle automatic lathe having an apparatus for machining the rear side of a workpiece and a take-over device for removing a workpiece machined at its front side from a primary workpiece spindle of the machine and for transferring the workpiece to a machining station for rear side machining. In one embodiment, the take-over device comprises a gripper traversable parallel or coaxial to the workpiece spindle between it and a rear side of the machining chamber of the machine, and a translation device, which takes over the workpiece from the gripper for the transfer to the machining station for the rear side machining.
Such a lathe is for example known from DE 32 25 320 A1, expressly incorporated herein by reference. In this known machine, the machining station for the rear side machining is provided at a rear wall of the machining chamber, where the workpieces removed from the primary workpiece spindle by the gripper are transferred to the machining station with the help of the translation device. The arrangement of the machining station for the rear side machining at the rear wall of the of the machining chamber, in which are located the tools for the front side machining of the workpieces clamped in the spindle drum, additionally limits the space. That is, the paths along which the various tools can move for the front side machining and for the rear side machining, respectively, are comparatively small, in order that the various tools do not collide with one another during the machining of the various workpieces. Therefore, only relatively simple machining operations can be carried out at the rear side of the workpieces, after these have been removed from the primary workpiece spindle and received in the machining station for the rear side machining, whereas the machining processes are only allowed to take up short displacement paths of the tools.
There is a need for a lathe of the above-mentioned type with which machining steps which are comparatively complicated and possibly need several tools can be carried out at the machining station for the rear side machining, without having the danger of collisions with the tools for the front side machining.

Lathe, in particular multi-spindle automatic lathe


A system for reconciling a central inventory record having a count of products and location assignments for the instances of the count chooses instances for write-ons and write-offs based on the location assignments. When instances are to be written-on to the inventory record due to a shortage of instances in the record, then the added instances are assigned a location by detecting a shortage of instances for a particular location assignment relative to a proportionate amount and providing that location assignment to one or more of the added instances. When instances are to be written-off from the inventory record due to an excess number of instances in the record, the instances are removed by detecting excessive instances for a particular location assignment relative to a proportionate amount and removing one or more instances having that particular location assignment.

Products maintained by an entity are generally tracked through inventory records. The inventory records maintain a count of each type of product in inventory. For a centralized inventory system that tracks products that will ultimately be distributed to various field inventory sites or in-service field locations, a location assignment is maintained in the inventory record for each instance of the count for each product type. The count and location assignment permits an entity to maintain a sufficient number of items in central inventory for a particular field location that is supplied by the central inventory.
The price each product costs when purchased and its vintage, or year of purchase, may be tracked in the inventory record as well. Tracking the price and vintage is useful for accounting purposes, such as scheduling depreciation of the items in inventory. Additionally, items in inventory may be grouped according to the count of items having a particular status, such as one count for the new items, another count for the items that are in inventory but have been used in the field and will be reused when needed, and items that are currently in-service at a field inventory site or service location.
For reasons such as maintaining an adequate inventory for each location and for properly accounting for the items in inventory, it is important to maintain an accurate inventory record as a part of an entity's bookkeeping practices. However, items in inventory are constantly in flux, so inventory records must be frequently updated. For example, items in inventory may be maintained in a central warehouse, maintained in a field warehouse at a location assignment, used in the field at the location assignment, and/or discarded. A periodic recount of the inventory is performed and is compared to the inventory record to reconcile any changes in the inventory with the count of the inventory record.
Often, the comparison of the recount to the count of the central inventory record results in items being found in inventory that are not accounted for by the count of the central inventory record. This situation requires a write-on, or an instance of a product being added to the count of the central inventory record. When a write-on occurs in the central inventory record, a location assignment must be provided for each instance being added to the count. If price and vintage are being tracked in the central inventory record, then a price and vintage must also be assigned for each instance being added.
At other times, the comparison may result in more instances of the count in the central inventory record than there are items in inventory. This situation requires a write-off, or an instance of a product being deleted from the count of the central inventory record. When a write-off occurs in the central inventory record, an instance to be removed must be chosen from the set of instances having various location assignments.
In many cases, items in inventory have no serialization. Therefore, there is no way to know whether a particular location assignment belongs to a particular item and there may be no way to know the price and vintage information for the item. The conventional practice to provide the price and vintage information for write-ons has been to assign an arbitrary price and vintage by finding the earliest vintage and its corresponding price in the inventory record and assigning this earliest vintage. This conventional approach is flawed because the earliest vintage is not an accurate representation for all write-ons and the location assignment for the write-ons remains unresolved. Similarly, for write-offs, the location assignment for an instance to be deleted form the record is arbitrarily chosen, and disproportionate location assignments for a product may result.
Therefore, there is a need for a central inventory reconciliation system that addresses these central inventory reconciliation problems including resolving the location assignment issues for write-ons and write-offs.


The present invention relates to integral antenna assemblies and in particular relates to an integral antenna assembly for microcellular base stations and fixed wireless access base stations. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an integral antenna comprising a radome, a layered antenna and a reflector back plane, wherein the layered antenna has an outer surface and a rear surface; wherein the radome is attached directly to an outer surface of the antenna; and wherein the back plane provides a reflective cavity and encloses the feed network for the antenna and is attached to the rear surface of the antenna. In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided method of operating an integral antenna comprising a radome, a dielectric substrate having a patch antenna element on a surface thereof and a reflector back plane providing a reflective cavity behind the radiating element; wherein the radome is attached directly to an outer surface of the dielectric and the reflector back plane is attached to a rear surface of the dielectric, the patch being connected through the substrate to a microstrip feed line, whereby the microstrip feed line lies parallel to the patch, with the patch acting as a ground with respect to the microstrip line, wherein the antenna transmits and receives signals via the feed network.

For modern telecommunications applications, apart from the electrical performance of the antenna other factors need to be taken into account, such as size, weight, cost and ease of construction of the antenna. Depending on the requirements, an antenna can be either a single radiating element or an array of like radiating elements. With the increasing deployment of cellular radio, an increasing number of base stations which communicate with mobile handsets are required. Similarly an increasing number of antennas are required for the deployment of fixed radio access systems, both at the subscribers premises and base stations. Such antennas are required to be both inexpensive and easy to produce. A further requirement is that the antenna structures be of light weight yet of sufficient strength to be placed on the top of support poles, rooftops and similar places and maintain long term performance over environmental extremes.
Antennas for cellular radio systems need to use low cost manufacturing methods. This is particularly important for microcellular and fixed wireless systems where antenna costs can be a significant part of the system costs by virtue of the requirement for a high deployment of base stations.
An antenna with integrated base station control electronics is one type of antenna that reduces the environmental impact of the base station. This type of antenna is known as an integral antenna and can potentially reduce costs both of the antenna and its installation. Further, by being built into the base station the environmental impact of the system is reduced by minimising the number and size of the separate parts. The antenna is also required to be lightweight.
Patch antennas comprise one or more conductive rectilinear or ellipsoidal patches supported relative to a ground plane and radiate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground plane. Conveniently patch antennas are formed employing microstrip techniques; a dielectric can have a patch printed upon it in a similar fashion to the printing of feed probes employed in layered antennas.
An antenna for fixed wireless access installations employing patch antenna arrangement is described in PCT Patent Application WO96/19844. The antenna comprises twelve patch elements arranged within a generally octagonal enclosure: the elements are printed on a dielectric sheet suspended between a reflector ground plane and the radome by dielectric spacers. The reflector ground plane has depressions corresponding in position with that of the printed radiating elements, whereby, inter alia, the microstrip feed lines are sufficiently proximate the ground plane to control the feed line radiation, whilst the spacing behind the radiating elements is sufficient to increase the bandwidth of the antenna. The outer dielectric is of formed expanded polystyrene and as such, this spacer will retain moisture which can reduce operating performance. The antenna has relatively large z-axis dimensions (i.e. dimensions in the direction of propagation).
A further type of antenna is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,033 (Northern Telecom), which provides a linear array of radiating elements, employing an essentially tri-plate/layered antenna. Such antennas are typically used in groups with a radome arranged to cover and protect, singly or otherwise, the radiating elements.


A thermoformed plastic package is disclosed. The package comprises a lower tray for receiving an article and a top cover. The top cover has flaps foldably connected along fold lines. The lower tray has female tabs molded into the lower trays. Inner male tabs and outer tabs are cut into in the flaps. The male tabs are engaged by the female tabs and the cover is thereby locked into place to form the assembled package. The cover is released by pulling on outer male tabs located in the flaps. The package is easily re-locked. The package optionally comprises at least one inner tray nested in the lower tray.

Thermoformed blister packaging is well-known in the art. The thermoformed blister packages are manufactured using conventional thermoforming processes from conventional clear thermoplastic sheet materials. Numerous types of articles are packaged in blister packages ranging from hardware, such as nails and screws, to medical devices. Blister packaging serves multiple purposes, including holding and retaining articles, as well as allowing the observer to see what the package contains, since the thermoplastic is typically transparent. One type of blister package consists of a thermoformed tray with a non-thermoformed cover, the cover being typically made from paper or plastic. This cover is typically glued or heat bonded to the thermoformed plastic tray. In order to have access to the contents of the package, it is necessary to tear, cut or otherwise remove the cover from the package.
Another type of thermoformed plastic package is a one piece tray and cover assembly. The cover and tray are connected by what is referred to as a living hinge. In order to close this type of package, the cover, which is hinged to the lower tray, is folded, about the hinge, over and onto the lower tray in a clam shell type fashion. In order to secure the top cover to the lower tray, it is typically necessary to weld or bond flanges, extending from the upper and lower trays, to each other using an ultrasonic welding technique which is widely known in the art. Although this type of package will secure its contents, it can be very difficult to open. Typically it is necessary to cut through the welded or bonded flanges in order to access the contents of the container. It is not unusual for the contents of the package to be punctured, cut or otherwise damaged by the cutting instrument.
It is quite common to use thermoformed blister packaging for various types of medical device products. Typically a thermoformed plastic blister tray is utilized to hold the medical device, and the tray is covered with a flat cover made from either plastic or paper. The cover is typically heat sealed to a rim or flange extending from the plastic blister. There are several deficiencies associated with the use of this type of thermoformed blister package for medical devices. One disadvantage, in particular, is that the equipment needed for heat sealing is expensive and time consuming to configure, so that it is difficult to frequently change configurations of the package. Additionally, the heat sealed cover must be carefully applied so that the cover may be removed in the field simply by pulling up on the cover. Improper application of the cover may result in the cover not being openable by pulling, and having to be cut off in order to open the package. Cutting open such a package typically requires using sharp instruments which may damage the medical device contained therein. Finally, the cover of a conventional thermoformed package cannot typically be resealed in the field.
What is needed in this art are new thermoformed blister pack packages which have easily secured covers, which are easily removed by the consumer or user.

Thermoformed blister package having quick disconnect locking cover mechanism


A discharged urine or other waste fluids processing material for pet animals composed of fluid absorbent coarse particles which are subjected to compression molding without the addition of water so as to have a prescribed pellet configuration.

This invention relates to a discharged urine or other waste fluids processing material for pet animals, composed of fluid absorbent coarse particles. More particularly, this invention relates to a processing material, composed of fluid absorbent coarse particles (particulate matter), which is used for processing discharged urine or other waste fluids of pet animals such as cats, household dogs, and the like.
The waste fluids processing material composed of the fluid absorbent coarse particles is laid flat in a tray so as to be used for processing the discharged urine or other waste fluids of cats and dogs. A feature of such waste fluids processing material for pet animals is that only the portion of the pellets of coarse particles which have absorbed the urine or the like is removed, and the removed portion is replenished with fresh coarse particles.
In order to take advantage of this feature, it is important that the coarse particles that absorb fluid are limited to the area of discharged urine or other waste fluids. Furthermore, the urine should be prevented from dispersing to an area other than the area used for discharging urine or other waste fluids, and be prevented from permeating into the coarse particles in an area other than the area in which urine or other waste fluids were discharged.
However, the conventional comparative materials are usually obtained by compressing a wet starting material (starting material with water added) by using a perforated plate, a mesh, or an extruder having tiny through-holes.
The waste fluids processing material formed by this method tends to have an irregular configuration of particles because the material is naturally torn off at the outlet ports of the tiny through-holes. Therefore, the urine waste fluids processing material is coarse in density at the tom-off portion and has low composition density (large number of voids). These voids are further enlarged by drying, thus generating a honey comb-shaped cavity and cracking.
Such particles are readily crumbled and deteriorate when they retain fluid. As a result, the area in which the urine or other waste fluids were discharged is dispersed and the coarse particles fluid absorption area is enlarged.

Discharged urine or other waste fluids processing material for pet animals


A hat/bag combination article formed from a tubular member having a closed end and an opposed open end with a drawstring closure. The article can be attractively and inexpensively made from strips of pile fleece to provide a warm and stylized lightweight hat and alternativly as a drawstring bag for holding gloves or other articles and which may be attached to the user's belt loop or wrist.

The present invention relates to a combination article which functions as a hat and bag. It is particularly useful as a combination ski hat and bag for ski gloves.
Numerous hat/bag combinations have been proposed but in general, they are unattractive to wear and often difficult and expensive to make.
There is an on going need among winter-sports enthusiasts, such as downhill and cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and ice skaters, for warm but versatile clothing. Generally, they are covering large distances and do not want to be weighted down carrying extra clothing or equipment. However, as the weather conditions change or their body temperature changes with exertion, there is a need to modify their clothing to avoid becoming overheated. Thus, it would be useful to have an adjustable article of clothing which might also serve as a small carrying bag for a number of personal items.


An indication to determine a device to host at least one shared content found on a first device is received. The first device is connected to a network. The network includes two or more devices. To each device of the two or more devices connected to the network, a request to host the at least one shared content found on the first device is transmitted. Responsive to transmitting the request, a response to host from at least one device of the two or more devices connected to the network is received. An optimal device of the at least one device to host the at least one shared content is determined. The at least one shared content is transmitted to the optimal device.

The present invention relates generally to the field of mobile ad hoc networks, and more particularly to content hosting in a mobile ad hoc network.
Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are networks that are formed by mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, that are within a certain proximity of each other. MANETs allow mobile wireless devices to connect to each other in an ad hoc manner when they come within range of each other, and disconnect when they move out of range. Each device in a MANET functions as a node (e.g., a device that is capable of functioning as a connection point, a redistribution point, and/or a communication endpoint). Because nodes in a MANET connect to each other as they come within range, the nodes any one member connects to can change as nodes move about in proximity to each other. MANETs do not require any fixed infrastructure to operate and are sometimes referred to as "infrastructureless." In other words, members of a MANET do not rely on any particular node being present in the network at any one time.

Content hosting in a mobile ad hoc network

International Business Machines Corporation


A highly transparent silicone paste composition is formulated by mixing:. (a) 100 parts by weight of a long chain alkyl-modified silicone fluid having a viscosity of 50-5,000 cS at 25.degree. C. represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a monovalent saturated straight chain hydrocarbon group having 4-18 carbon atoms and accounts for 10-50 mol % of all the Si substituents; m and n are integers such that 0.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.500, 5.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.500, and 5.ltoreq.m+n.ltoreq.500, and a and b are either 0 or 1;. (b) 1-30 weight parts of a fumed silica whose specific surface area is no less than 130 m.sup.2 /g; and. (c) 0.1-20 weight parts of an alkoxysilane represented by the formula X.sub.c Si(CH.sub.3).sub.d R.sup.2.sub.e, wherein R.sup.2 is an alkoxy group; X is selected from ##STR2## c is 0 or 1; d is 0, 1 or 2; e is 2 or 3; and c+d+e=4, or a hexamethyldisilazane represented by the formula [(CH.sub.3).sub.3 Si].sub.2 NH.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a highly transparent silicone fluid composition, and in particular to a highly transparent silicone fluid composition which has a light transmittance of 90% or greater when filled into a 10 mm-thick quartz cell and subjected to visible light of any wavelength, and is, therefore, useful in the production of articles such as optical fibers, optoelectronic products, optical instruments, etc.
2. Discussion of the Background
JP-A-50 64 354 teaches a transparent silicone fluid compound mainly composed of a methylphenylpolysiloxane and a fumed silica having similar refractive indices, and mixed with various additives such as oxyalkylenes and polyoxyalkylenes. Such silicone compounds may also contain HO(CH.sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 SiO).sub.n H or a dimethylpolysiloxane and a silica whose surface is treated with an organosilicic compound such as [(CH.sub.3).sub.3 Si].sub.2 NH.
JP-A-51 86 558 teaches a compound composed of a methylphenylpolysiloxane containing 29-34 wt. % phenyl groups, and additives such as an untreated fumed silica, an untreated precipitated silica, and a stabilizer. JP-A-2 45 561 teaches a compound composed of a methylphenylpolysiloxane containing 5-30 mol % phenyl groups, and additives such as a fumed silica whose specific surface area is no less than 130 m.sup.2 /g, diphenyldialkoxysilane and diphenyldichlorosilane. JP-A-61 246 292 teaches a compound composed of a methylphenylpolysiloxane containing 5-20 mol % phenyl groups, additives such as a fumed silica whose specific surface area is no less than 130 m.sup.2 /g, and an alkoxysilane containing either a double bond or an epoxy group.
Most of these known silicone fluid compositions contain methylphenylpolysiloxanes as the base material, are highly transparent and undergo minimal oil bleed. However, most of these compositions fail to exhibit a light transmittance of 90% or greater when filled into a 10 mm-thick quartz cell and subjected to visible light of certain wavelengths. The silicone fluid compound described in JP-A-61 246 292 undergoes virtually no oil bleed and has excellent light transmittance (greater than 90% in the case of 10 mm-thickness) and is, therefore, extensively used in optical fibers, optoelectronic products, optical instruments, scintillation camera, etc., and would be used as much in other applications if its cost were lower.

Highly transparent silicone fluid compound


The present invention provides an article comprising: a binder component, a polymerizable component; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator that causes the polymerizable component to form a polymer or co-polymer when a portion of the polymerizable component is exposed to a light source. The present invention also provides a method for making such an article, and a method and a system for holographically recording a spatial light distribution to such an article. The present invention also provides an article comprising: a binder component and a photoactive component, a method of making such an article, a method of recording to such an article and a system for recording to such an article.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optical articles including holographic recording media, in particular media useful either with holographic storage systems or as components such as optical filters or beam steerers.
2. Related Art
Developers of information storage devices and methods continue to seek increased storage capacity. As part of this development, so-called page-wise memory systems, in particular holographic systems, have been suggested as alternatives to conventional memory devices. Page-wise systems involve the storage and readout of an entire two-dimensional representation, e.g., a page, of data. Typically, recording light passes through a two-dimensional array of dark and transparent areas representing data, and the holographic system stores, in three dimensions, holographic representations of the pages as patterns of varying refractive index imprinted into a storage medium. Holographic systems are discussed generally in D. Psaltis et al., "Holographic Memories," Scientific American, November 1995, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. One method of holographic storage is phase correlation multiplex holography, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,691, issued Feb. 17, 1998, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment of phase correlation multiplex holography, a reference light beam is passed through a phase mask, and intersected in the recording medium with a signal beam that has passed through an array representing data, thereby forming a hologram in the medium. The spatial relation of the phase mask and the reference beam is adjusted for each successive page of data, thereby modulating the phase of the reference beam and allowing the data to be stored at overlapping areas in the medium. The data is later reconstructed by passing a reference beam through the original storage location with the same phase modulation used during data storage. It is also possible to use volume holograms as passive optical components to control or modify light directed at the medium, e.g., filters or beam steerers. Writing processes that provide refractive index changes are also capable of forming articles such as waveguides.
The capabilities of typical holographic storage systems are limited in part by the storage media. Iron-doped lithium niobate has been used as a storage medium for research purposes for many years. However, lithium niobate is expensive, exhibits poor sensitivity (1 J/cm2), has low index contrast (Δn of about 10−4), and exhibits destructive read-out (i.e., images are destroyed upon reading). Alternatives have therefore been sought, particularly in the area of photosensitive polymer films. See, e.g., W. K. Smothers et al., "Photopolymers for Holography," SPIE OE/Laser Conference, 1212-03, Los Angeles, Calif., 1990, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The material described in this article contains a photoimageable system containing a liquid monomer material (the photoactive monomer) and a photoinitiator (which promotes the polymerization of the monomer upon exposure to light), where the photoimageable system is in an organic polymer host matrix that is substantially inert to the exposure light. During writing of information into the material (by passing recording light through an array representing data), the monomer polymerizes in the exposed regions. Due to the lowering of the monomer concentration caused by the polymerization, monomer from the dark, unexposed regions of the material diffuses to the exposed regions. The polymerization and resulting concentration gradient create a refractive index change, forming the hologram representing the data. Unfortunately, deposition onto a substrate of the pre-formed matrix material containing the photoimageable system requires use of solvent and the necessity of using a solvent deposition process for forming the holographic storage medium. For example, it is difficult to use a solvent-based deposition method to form a data storage media having thicknesses greater than 150 μm, or to form a holographic recording medium that does not include a substrate onto which the holographic recording medium is deposited. Also, only a limited number of types of plastic may be used in an article formed using a solvent-based deposition method, and only a limited amount of post-processing may be performed on an article formed using a solvent-based deposition method.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A self cooling light effects device for use in a standard light bulb socket having a socket adaptor, surface embedded LEDs as means to generate light effects, means to control light effects, and means for cooling. Fiber optic cables provide further light effects. Means to control 5 light effects may include a logic board. Means for cooling may be any combination of fans, heat sinks, heat pipes, thermoelectric cooling, a heat conductive filler, and a heat conductive housing.

The common light bulb used in most households comprise threads at a narrower portion for inserting and securing in connection with a power source, a filament through which electricity is conducted and light is produced, a glass bulb filled with an inert gas or vacuum through which the light is emitted. This light bulb is very inexpensive and has enjoyed popular status for nearly 120 years. However, it is fragile in that the glass outer bulb breaks fairly easily. In addition, it is not highly durable since it "burns" out fairly quickly. The bulb becomes quite hot which limits not only its lifetime but its applications, as well.
Other light sources have been developed including lights employing fluorescent tubes, and neon lights. Because fluorescent lights contain mercury, the lights can be a health hazard. Further, light emitting diodes and organic light emitting diodes have been developed and are used in a variety of lighting applications. More recent developments include light sources comprising an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a substrate. These are sometimes employed in the automotive industry as they can be mounted on curved surfaces or on a substrate that is flexible. Some applications of an array of LEDs include the ability to independently light certain diodes relative to others, mixing colors of lights, etc. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,520,669 and 7,075,226.
In addition to the on-off modes for most light bulbs, the more sophisticated light sources may include controllers so that a light 'show' can be provided. Other more mundane applications of a controlled light source may include varying wavelengths, of emitted light, dimming or brightening, and on-off. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,520,669; 6,050,702. Different wavelength of light are commonly referred to as color temperature derived from the wavelength associated with black body radiation.
Although many different ways exist to provide light, some problems are prevalent and certain challenges continue to exist. For example, the lifetimes of many light sources are relatively short. Some of the life expectancy issues are due to the lack of heat dissipating mechanisms in the source. Others are due to the fragility of the materials with which the sources are made.
What was needed was a light source that included cooling features allowing the light source to expand its life expectancy beyond that of other standard bulbs. Further, a light source that included means of wireless control of color temperature or color patterns was desirable. Moreover, a light source that could replace the typical household bulb that included a much extended light life as well as a more durable construction was desired. Finally, a light source that could serve as a multi-purpose appliance by allowing high-powered light use on demand or serving as a wireless internet router was also desirable.
The first objective of the present invention is to replace the 'glass bulb' model with a source wherein the basic structure was of material far stronger than glass;
The second objective is to provide a light source wherein the source can be wirelessly controlled to provide any of a wide range of colored light;
The third objective is to provide a light source using the highly adaptable LED to provide the light;
The fourth objective is to provide a light source wherein the heat generated is dissipated in such a way as to allow the source a longer lifetime;
The fifth objective is to provide a controllable light source wherein the light source could be in the form of a standard light bulb yet be controlled wirelessly without the appearance and presence of an outer controller;
The sixth objective is to create a light source that can function as a high power source as well as a standard light source;
The seventh objective is to create a light source with multiple functions such as serving as a wireless internet router; and
The eighth objective is to create a bulb with built in emergency lighting and fiber optic transmission of light.

Web browser configurable and programmable light bulb


A thermistor is provided with a pair of opposed electrodes, and a thermistor body layer disposed between the pair of electrodes and including a cured body of a curable resin composition containing a thermosetting resin and conductive particles, and an average particle diameter of secondary particles of the conductive particles is in a range of 3.8 to 17.0 μm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermistor using an organic material as a thermistor body.
2. Related Background Art
A thermistor using a material consisting of a polymer layer and conductive particles dispersed therein as a thermistor body is generally called an organic thermistor or the like and, particularly, one having such a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) characteristic as to quickly increase the resistance with increase of temperature is sometimes called an organic positive characteristic thermistor. The thermistors of this type are applied to such devices as overcurrent/overheat protection elements, self-regulating heat generators, and temperature sensors.
For example, an organic thermistor proposed heretofore is one using a material in which conductive particles are dispersed in an epoxy resin being a thermosetting resin, as a thermistor body (PCT International Publication No. 2004/086421).


A multicarrier receiver sequentially correlates two training symbols to determine a length of a cyclic prefix associated with each of the training symbols.

Many multicarrier communication systems, including orthogonal frequency divisional multiplexed (OFDM) communication systems, include cyclic prefixes within transmitted symbols to help reduce the effects of inter-symbol interference. A cyclic prefix may be redundant with another portion of the symbol (generally an end portion) and is removed before subsequent digital signal processing.
Some multicarrier communication systems allow the use of cyclic prefixes of different lengths. This makes detecting the cyclic prefix difficult, but mandatory. Thus there are general needs for multicarrier receivers and methods that detect a cyclic prefix of an unknown length.

Multicarrier receivers and methods for detecting cyclic prefixes having unknown lengths


A lift apparatus includes a folding frame assembly and a pair of support members which are connected to the folding frame assembly by a linkage. The apparatus is mounted on a coffee table base and is capable of an open position in which the table top of the coffee table is lifted to a height appropriate for a dining table. The support member supports a hinged leaf which increases the size of the table top when in the open position.

The present invention relates generally to adjustable tables and more particularly to a table lift apparatus which is capable of a closed position which functions as a coffee table and which is capable of easily moving to an open position which functions as a dining table.
The prior art includes numerous examples of tables which are capable of expanding from a relatively smaller size to a relatively larger size. This expansion in size has, in the past, been accomplished through the use of a variety of supplementary table leaves which are added to the primary table top through the use of a variety of sliding mechanisms. In general, the operation of these tables is awkward, requiring the handling of relatively heavy and bulky leafs. The operation of these tables often requires two persons. In addition, the prior art contains a range of tables which include various types of folding legs. In general, these tables can be folded so that the legs are parallel to the table top thereby forming a storage configuration which requires a minimum of volume.
While the mechanisms for this expansion in size for the various dining tables in the prior art and the application of folding mechanisms for the storage of tables has generally been successful, there has not been a means for converting a table from a relatively smaller, and lower coffee table configuration, to a relatively larger and higher dining table configuration.


The invention is directed to a cutterhead for an overhead branch cutter. The cutterhead includes a work tool and a gear assembly housing having a lower housing part and an upper housing part defining a closure cover for the lower housing part. A gear assembly is mounted in the housing and includes an input shaft and an output shaft disposed transversely to the input shaft. A first bearing unit journals the input shaft and a second bearing unit journals the output shaft in the gear assembly housing. Intermeshing gears are mounted between the input shaft and the output shaft. The lower housing part and the upper housing part conjointly define a partition plane partitioning the first and second bearing units. A one piece attachment flange is formed on the lower housing part and the output shaft has an outer end extending through the attachment flange. The work tool is mounted on the attachment flange and is operatively connected to the outer end of the output shaft.

Cutterheads used in overhead branch cutters are known. These cutterheads are held at the end of a guide wand in which a drive shaft is journalled. The drive shaft is driven by a drive motor and is connected to the input shaft of a gear assembly mounted in the cutterhead. The drive shaft is especially connected via an insert connector in order to drive the work tool via the gear assembly. The work tool is held on the cutterhead. For this reason, the cutterhead must, on the one hand, be built to provide adequate stability so that it can assume the loads occurring during operation; while, on the other hand, the cutterhead should be as light as possible because a cutterhead, which is too heavy, makes working with the overhead branch cutter difficult and limits its functionality.

Cutterhead for an overhead branch cutter


A method of micromachining a silicon wafer that simultaneously forms narrow gaps having a width of 10 .mu.m or less and wider gap portions using an anistropic etching solution. The etching solution contains KOH in a concentration of 35% or less and the penetration etching is carried out such that the etching of the opposing walls and the face of the silicon wafer occur at the same rate. A method of manufacturing a capacitance-type acceleration detector in a silicon wafer using the aforementioned etching method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method of micromachining a semiconductor and, more particularly, to an anisotropic etching method of a silicon wafer, which is capable of forming gap portions such as a narrow gap portion and a comparatively wide gap portion disposed in an internal electrode portion of, for example, an acceleration detector, without any degradation of an element construction by means of a penetration etching.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, the technical development of an acceleration detector utilizing bulk micromachining and surface micromachining of semiconductors has been being made actively. The reason is that the significant increasing of demand for acceleration detectors used in an altitude control, a brake control and an air bag system can be prospected given the increased use of semi-conductors in motor vehicles, and given the mass production of downsized and low-cost detectors is becoming possible substrate. In addition, since an acceleration detector of the capacitive detection type has such advantages that the detector construction is comparatively simple, the temperature dependency is small and the self-diagnostics of the detector can be readily carried out by using an electrostatic power, various research and development efforts for that detector type are taking place. Particularly, there is an recent emphasis on research of the monolithic acceleration detector which has both a detector structure fabricated by the surface micromachining and a detection circuit IC that is integrally formed. The inventor of the present invention intended to obtain a trial construction of the acceleration detector 1 of the capacitive type having the internal electrode completely hermetically sealed by the three-layer structure comprising a glass layer 10, a silicon wafer layer 20 and a glass layer 30 as shown in FIG. 2 by making use of the bulk micromachining technology having a comparatively well completed technology and a good characteristic of the silicon wafer (110) for the anisotropic etching. That is, the silicon wafer layer 20 comprises a movable electrode 21, stationary electrodes 22, 23 disposed on the opposite sides of the movable electrode 21, a joist 24 for supporting the movable electrode 21, anchoring portions 25, and an auxiliary supporting portion 26 (FIG. 1) for use in obtaining the sealing structure of the element, and for detecting a displacement of the movable electrode 21 in the direction of the arrow through a signal detecting circuit (not illustrated) so as to obtain a voltage output proportional to the displacement of the movable electrode. In the trial construction of this detector, the anisotropic wet etching by a solution of KOH is applied to the silicon wafer face (110) for forming the internal electrode. Thereupon, since an etching rate for faces (111) providing wall surfaces of an etched groove perpendicular to the face (110) is smaller, namely about 1/100 or less, in comparison to that of the face (110), when using this characteristic, it becomes possible to comparatively readily form a narrow gap electrode with a high aspect having the opposed faces (111). One such method is proposed using anisotropic etching as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (unexamined) No. 53-3081 and Japanese Patent Publication (unexamined) No. 7-201806.
In the acceleration detector 1, however, as shown in FIG. 3, when the narrow gap portion GS and the wider opening portion GL are formed in the face (110) of the silicon wafer by means of anisotropic etching method, since the etching rate in the direction of the face (111) is usually lower than the etching rate in the directions of other faces, there will appear the face (110) which is the bottom surface of the narrow gap portion GS, the wall face (111) perpendicular to the face (110) and inclined surfaces having an angle of 35.5 degree with respect to the face (110). Since a high index surface, which is the face (331), could be formed depending on the concentration of the etching solution of KOH, it was found that this etching rate difference would interfere with the penetration etching of the wafer and forming the groove of the narrow gap portion GS.

Method of micromachining a semiconductor


A random number generator and a random number generating method thereof are provided. The random number generator includes a signal generating unit and a sampling unit. The signal generating unit is adapted for memorizing a status of a noise generated during a transient of an output signal of an output buffer, and accordingly generating a frequency conversion signal which changes according to time and ambient factors. The sampling unit is coupled to the signal generating unit for receiving the frequency conversion signal, and sampling the frequency conversion signal according to a sampling clock pulse, so as to obtain a plurality of sets of unpredictable random number codes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a random number generator and a random number generating method thereof, and more particularly, to a random number generator having a memorized noise, and a random number generating method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Living in a globalizing era of information explosion, human beings are more dependent on the computers and networks for convenience and popularity of electronic transactions. In order to secure each of the electronic transactions, the record of the transaction is often edited with random numbers. Conventionally, a pure digital circuit is often employed in producing the random numbers. However, random numbers produced in this conventional approach must be a loop of 2N, in which N represents the byte number of the random number. In this manner, these random numbers conventionally obtained by the pure digital circuit are mostly predictable. And therefore, being threatened by the security risk derived from the predictable random numbers, the security of the electronic transactions won't be guaranteed any more.

Random number generator and random number generating method thereof


A disclosed intershaft seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a support fixed to a static structure. A first seal housing is supported radially outboard of the support for holding a first seal. A second seal housing is supported radially inboard of the support and supports a second seal. A first biasing member is provided between the support and the first seal housing that biases the first seal housing in a first direction away from the support. A second biasing member between the support and the second seal housing biases the second seal housing in a second direction away from the support.

A gas turbine engine typically includes a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. Air entering the compressor section is compressed and delivered into the combustion section where it is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-speed exhaust gas flow. The high-speed exhaust gas flow expands through the turbine section to drive the compressor and the fan section.
In gas turbine engines, mechanical seal assemblies are used to prevent hot, high pressure air from entering a bearing compartment that operates at a low pressure and temperature. For example, a front bearing compartment in a multiple spool gas turbine engine is filled with an oil mist to lubricate the bearings that support the high speed rotor shaft and the low speed rotor shaft. The high speed rotor shaft and the low speed rotor shaft are separated by a gap filled with working medium gas. The working medium gas cools the rotor shaft. An intershaft seal assembly is required to keep leakage between the two regions within acceptable amounts during operation.
Speed variations between shafts experienced by each face seal can result in uneven loading. Moreover, limited space is available within bearing compartments at the interface between shafts sealing between the high and low speed rotor shafts.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a dual configuration intershaft seal assembly for a rotational assembly having rotor shafts including different sealing requirements that reduces seal assembly design space, reduces cost and reduces the overall weight of the assembly.

Compact double grounded mechanical carbon seal


Arrangement for generating electrical power from a flowing medium, wherein the arrangement includes a plurality of turbine generator units. At least some of the plurality of generator units are arranged at least one of one above another and one beside another. At least some of the plurality of generator units are connected to one another to form at least one module. At least one of the plurality of generator units includes a synchronous generator having permanent magnetic poles for excitation. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an equipment arrangement and a method for generating electrical power from a flowing medium, for example water. The arrangement has a number of turbine generator units of which at least some are arranged one above another and/or beside one another. These units are connected to one another to form one or more modules. The invention also relates to an installation for producing electrical power and a method of rebuilding such an installation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Equipment of the type mentioned above emerges, for example, from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,804,855 and 4,755,690 (Obermeyer). These documents describe equipment having a large number of turbine generator units arranged one above another and beside one another and connected to form modules. They are arranged on a dam between two piers and can be raised and lowered by means of a crane. The turbine generator units are constructed in the form of so-called tube generators, in which a pear-shaped tube is provided to accommodate the generator, at whose tapering end a turbine is arranged which is connected firmly to the generator so as to rotate with it via a horizontal shaft, which is mounted in the tube. At its front, tapering end, the tube is supported by guide plates on an inlet tube surrounding the generator and the turbine.
As compared with large tubular generators in conventional power stations, the arrangement of a plurality of comparatively substantially smaller turbine generator units beside one another and one above another has the advantage of a considerably shorter structural length and, associated with this, lower investment in the infrastructure sector. They are also flexible operation. In the case of a large number of turbine generator units, there is the risk that high stresses will occur on a module as a result of the superimposition of oscillations and/or vibrations of individual units. Furthermore, in the case of a large number of turbine generator units, a comparatively high weight of the module is to be expected, which results in an appropriately strengthened crane and a corresponding infrastructure.

Device and method for the generation of electrical energy


Novel methods for the removal of sodium perchlorate from electrolytic processes for the production of sodium chlorate have been discovered, allowing sodium chlorate production processes to proceed with low levels of sodium perchlorate. A portion of the mother liquor from the sodium chlorate crystallization is fed to a secondary crystallization step to concentrate sodium perchlorate in a second mother liquor. In this manner, at least a portion of the sodium perchlorate in the sodium chlorate production process is isolated in the second mother liquor, which can be removed from the sodium chlorate production process. The process is run until the concentration of sodium perchlorate in the second mother liquor reaches a desired concentration, at which point at least a portion of the second mother liquor can be removed, thereby removing a portion of the sodium perchlorate from the sodium chlorate production process. The removal of sodium perchlorate from the electrolytic production process allows extended process operating time, improved raw material utilization, and improved reaction efficiency.

The electrosynthesis of sodium chlorate ("NaClO3") by the electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions in an electrolysis cell has been known in the art for a long time and is generally described by the following reaction:NaCl+3H2O→NaClO3+3H2The reaction proceeds only partially and the resulting aqueous solution of sodium chlorate and sodium chloride is typically referred to as a cell liquor. Sodium chlorate is obtained by selective crystallization from this cell liquor. The remaining liquor after selective crystallization of sodium chlorate is typically referred to as the mother liquor. The mother liquor is recycled to the electrolysis reaction, generally after addition of make-up sodium chloride.
There are several processes occurring in the electrolysis cell that can increase the energy consumption per ton of chlorate produced by lowering cell efficiency and/or increasing cell voltage. For example, the formation of sodium perchlorate ("NaClO4") in the cell (by direct electrochemical oxidation of sodium chlorate) and its subsequent accumulation affects the function of the anode and reduces the solubility of sodium chloride in the electrolyte.
The formation of sodium perchlorate especially becomes an issue in view of the recent trend in the manufacture of sodium chlorate toward producing the sodium chlorate in closed loop processes so that there is reduced effluent discharge to the plant. In such a closed loop process or closed loop system, the mother liquor produced from the cell liquor by the removal of crystalline sodium chlorate is recycled to an earlier point in the process or system. Significant amounts of sodium perchlorate can accumulate in closed loop processes for the production of sodium chlorate.
Methods for the removal of sodium perchlorate are known in the art. For example, the addition of potassium chloride results in removal of the perchlorate in the form of potassium perchlorate. However, the addition of potassium chloride represents a significant operating expense for the sodium chlorate production process. Accordingly, there is still a need in the industry for improved methods for removal of perchlorate from an electrolytic process for producing sodium chlorate.

Perchlorate removal from sodium chlorate process


A stretch activated disposable article, such as a wipe or mitt, includes an upper material layer, and a lower material layer joined to the upper material layer such that a space is defined between the material layers. A functional element, for example a fluid composition, is stored in the space between the upper and lower material layers and becomes functional upon being exposed through the upper material layer with use of the article. The upper material layer includes a plurality of materially weakened positions along the surface thereof that are configured to part or separate upon stretching of the upper material layer to expose the functional element through the upper material layer.

Pre-moistened disposable wipes are known in the art for delivering various types of compositions, such as lotions, medications, cleaning agents, and so forth. These products are typically supplied in a rolled or stacked configuration within a container, with all of the wipes having been wetted with the desired composition prior to being loaded into the container. Refill packs of the pre-moistened wipes are often provided for subsequent insertion into the container, and are typically embodied as a sealed liquid impermeable package of the wipes.
Conventional pre-moistened wipe systems also generally require substantial and relatively expensive packaging to ensure that the wipes retain the fluid composition over prolonged periods of time prior to actual use of the individual wipes. Also, the user is required to grasp the wipe to remove it from the wipe container. This generally results in at least some of the composition being transferred to the user's hands, a consequence that is not desirable in all situations, particularly if the composition is a harsh cleaning agent or may stain or dye the user's skin. Also, it is often the situation that a relatively large container of the wipes must be transported and stored when only a single or few wipes are needed.
Another type of disposable product used to deliver a desired composition are tubular or mitt type structures that fit onto a user's finger(s) or hand. These devices are typically used for applying ointments, medications, alcohol, oral anesthetics, and the like, to various body parts, or may be utilized to remove various substances, such as makeup, or to clean body parts or other objects. The finger devices are sometimes referred to as "finger wipes" or "finger covers" and have proven particularly useful in the field of dental hygiene in that they provide a portable and efficient means for more frequent dental care, and as a cleaning device that can be easily used in public. In particular, a number of finger wipes have been developed that can be placed over a finger and wiped over the teeth and gums. These devices are typically small, portable, and disposable.
Examples of dental hygiene finger wipes are disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,987 to McDevitt, et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,549 also to McDevitt, et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. An oral hygiene finger device is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,825 to Copelan et al. Finger-mounted dental wipes have been developed to contain an elastomeric material to help prevent the device from slipping or falling off the user's finger during cleaning. Examples of such teeth cleaning devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,941 to Dunn; U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,153 to Cole; U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,764 to Kaufman et al.; and PCT Publication No. WO 95/31154 to Mittiga et al.
Finger wipes that incorporate an integral additive or composition, such as an oral hygiene agent, lotion, cleaning agent, and the like, are a convenient and desirable product. However, it may be difficult to incorporate an adequate supply of the desired composition with conventional finger wipe constructions, or to ensure that the composition is not exposed or delivered prematurely. Consumers often resort to using multiple wipes to achieve a desired application of the composition, or apply an externally carried container of the composition, such as a small tube of toothpaste, to the finger wipe after initial use of the wipe.
Thus, the art is continuously seeking improved systems and methods to provide consumers with disposable articles, such as wipes, towels, finger wipes, and the like, that are supplied with any manner of desired composition prior to use. The present invention provides just such an improvement.

Stretch activated article for delivering various compositions or functional elements