Treating fluid compositions for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations from subterranean formations are described, as well as methods for their preparation and use. In particular, treating fluid compositions are described which comprise a liquid, a crosslinkable organic polymer material that is at least partially soluble in the liquid, a crosslinking agent that is capable of increasing the viscosity of the treating fluid by crosslinking the organic polymer material in the liquid, and a crosslinking modifier additive which can delay or accelerate the crosslinking of the treating fluid composition. Such compositions may be used in a variety of hydrocarbon recovery operations including fracturing operations, drilling operations, gravel packing operations, water control operations, and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to compositions and methods for controlling the gelation rate in aqueous-based fluids useful in treating subterranean formations. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to improved compositions for use in the controlled gelation, or crosslinking, of polysaccharides in aqueous solutions with sparingly-soluble borates, as well as methods for their use in subterranean, hydrocarbon-recovery operations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many subterranean, hydrocarbon-containing and/or producing reservoirs require one or more stimulation operations, such as hydraulic fracturing, in order to be effectively produced. Borates were some of the earliest crosslinking agents used to increase the viscosity and proppant-transport capabilities of aqueous, guar-based stimulation fluids, and have been used successfully in numerous low- to moderate-temperature (<200° F.) reservoirs. However, as hydrocarbon exploration capabilities expanded, the number of subterranean reservoirs being developed with temperatures greater than 200° F. increased, the conventional borate-salts used, and the resulting crosslinked fluids, were found to provide inadequate rheological stability.
Thus, as the development of high-temperature (>200° F.) well stimulation fluids were developed, an emphasis was placed on the maximization of the thermal stability of the rheological properties of the fluids. In particular, titanium and zirconium crosslinking agents were developed for their ability to provide stable, somewhat controlled, bonding in high-temperature subterranean environments.
Fracturing fluids that are crosslinked with titanate, zirconate, and/or borate ions (using compounds which generate these ions in the fluid), sometimes contain additives that are designed to delay the timing of the crosslinking reactions. Such crosslinking time delay agents permit the fracturing fluid to be pumped down hole to the subterranean formation before the crosslinking reaction begins to occur, thereby permitting more adaptability, versatility or flexibility in the fracturing fluid. Additionally, the use of these gelation control additives can be beneficial from an operational standpoint in completion operations, particularly because their use allows for a decrease in the amount of pressure required for pumping the well treating fluids. This in turn can result in reduced equipment requirements and decreased maintenance costs associated with pumps and pumping equipment. Examples of early crosslinking time delay agents that have been reported and have been incorporated into water-based fracturing fluids include organic polyols, such as sodium gluconate, sodium glucoheptonate, sorbitol, glyoxal, mannitol, phosphonates, and aminocarboxylic acids and their salts (EDTA, DTPA, etc.).
A number of additional classes of previously used delay additives and compounds for use in controlling the delay time and the ultimate viscosity of treating fluids, such as fracturing fluids, have been previously reported. As can be imagined, the gelation control additives and methods vary, depending upon whether the crosslinking agent is a borate-based crosslinker or a transition metal crosslinker (e.g., Zr or Ti). Generally, the agents used to slow the crosslinking of guar and guar-type fluids are polyfunctional organic materials which have chelating capabilities and can form strong bonds with the crosslinking agent itself Several classes of agents have been described to date, especially for the controlled crosslinking by zirconium and titantium. For example, a hybrid delay agent having the trade name TYZOR® (DuPont) for the delay of viscosity development in fracturing fluids based on guar derivatives crosslinked with a variety of common zirconate and titanate crosslinkers under a wide pH range and under a variety of fluid conditions has been described by Putzig, et al [SPE Paper No. 105066, 2007]. Other delay agents for such organic transition-metal based crosslinkers include hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,797,216 and 4,861,500 to Hodge, selected polyhydroxycarboxylic acid having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms as described by Conway in U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,915, and alkanolamines such as triethanolamine-based delay agents available under the trade name TYZOR® (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Inc.). However, the use of many of these transition-metal based crosslinkers, and their often-times costly crosslink time delay additives have occasionally been associated with significant damage (often greater than 80%) to the permeability of the proppant pack when used in hydraulic fracturing operations, especially in formations having elevated temperatures [Penny, G. S., SPE 16900 (1987); Investigation of the Effects of Fracturing Fluids Upon the Conductivity of Proppants, Final Report, (1987) STIM-LAB Inc. Proppant Consortium (1988)].
A number of approaches to the control of the crosslinking process in fluids comprising fully-soluble borate crosslinkers have also been described. For example, a number of polyhydroxy compounds such as sugars, reduced sugars, and polyols such as glycerol have been reported to be delay agents for crosslinkers based on boron. Functionalized aldehyde-based and dialdehyde-based delay agents for fully-soluble borates, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,082,579 and 5,160,643 to Dawson, have also been reported. However, numerous of these gelation control agents for use in boron-based crosslinker compositions are highly pH and temperature dependent, and cannot be used reliably in subterranean environments having elevated pHs, e.g., a pH greater than 9 and/or temperatures greater than about 200° F.
The mechanism for delay in crosslinking time of organic polymer in fluids comprising sparingly-soluble borate-based crosslinkers has also been documented to some extent. As was described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,776 to Mondshine, the unique solubility characteristics of the alkaline earth metal borates or alkali metal alkaline earth metal borates enables them to be used in the controlled crosslinking of aqueous systems containing guar polymers. The rate of crosslinking could be controlled by suitable adjustment of one or more of the following variables—initial pH of the aqueous system, relative concentrations of one or more of the sparingly-soluble borates, temperature of the aqueous system, and particle size of the borate. However, there are several limitations in the aforementioned art for sparingly soluble borates which are incorporated in water-base crosslinking suspensions for fracturing operations—particle size/concentrations of the borate solids, and the initial pH of the guar solution.
At present, the primary method for varying crosslink times of a treatment fluid utilizing sparingly soluble borate is with modification of the borate particle size alone. Operational requirements for delayed crosslink times as fast as 30-45 seconds have not been accomplished with present technology. Smaller particles may sometimes decrease crosslink times, but even with milling and air classification, the size is often not sufficiently fine or small enough to produce the desired rapid crosslink times. Additionally, limited solubility borate solids exhibit a major change as the pH of the base guar solution is changed. For example, when the alkalinity is incrementally increased from a more acidic pH to a basic pH 10.0, the crosslink time is faster. At pH values greater than about pH 10.0, the crosslink time reverses and becomes slower as the alkalinity is increased. As a result, higher pH values (e.g., about 11.6) which are utilized to provide gel viscosity stability at elevated temperatures exhibit crosslink times greater than 12 minutes even with very fine borate solids. Accelerating crosslink times using finer particles with more surface area, or increased concentrations of sparingly-soluble borate is not feasible due to gelation of the crosslinking concentrate caused by more solids and their subsequent interaction.
In view of the above, the need exists for compositions, systems, and methods for providing more precise control of delays over the crosslinking reaction of borated aqueous subterranean treating fluids, such as fracturing fluids. The inventions disclosed and taught herein are directed to improved compositions and methods for the selective control of the rates of crosslinking reactions within aqueous subterranean treating fluids, especially at varying pH and over a wide range of formation temperatures, including formation temperatures greater than 200° F.

Methods, systems, and compositions for the controlled crosslinking of well servicing fluids


A rotary compressor including a cylinder to form a compression chamber, and including a vane slot including a vane guide part recessed outward from an inner surface of the compression chamber and an extended part having a width wider than the width of the vane guide part by a predetermined extension width in an outer end area of the vane guide part, a roller to eccentrically rotate in the compression chamber and to compress a medium, a vane reciprocatingly accommodated in the vane slot, and contacted to an outer surface of the roller to divide the compression chamber, and a filling member accommodated in a space of the extension width in the extended part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to a rotary compressor, and more particularly, to a rotary compressor with a variable capacity.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional cooling apparatus applied to an air conditioner or a refrigerator employs a variable capacity rotary compressor having a variable cooling ability for optimum cooling, and a variable coolant compressing ability for energy saving.
As disclosed in Korean Patent First Publication No. 2004-21140, the variable capacity rotary compressor includes a housing formed with a compression chamber, a rotating shaft having an eccentric part rotating in the compression chamber, a roller rotatably disposed to an outer surface of the eccentric part so that an outer surface of the roller is in contact with an inner surface of the compression chamber, a vane disposed in the housing to reciprocate in a radial direction of the compression chamber with a front end part of the vane being in contact with an outer surface of the roller when the roller rotates, and a restricting means restricting the vane.
The restricting means includes a cylinder coupled to an outer side of the housing to restrict the vane by pressure of an inlet and an outlet of the rotary compressor, a piston disposed in the cylinder to reciprocate in an actuating direction of the vane and accommodating a rear end part of the vane to reciprocate in an inner part of the piston, a first channel communicating with an inner part of the cylinder, a second channel connecting the outlet of the rotary compressor and the first channel, a third channel connecting the inlet of the rotary compressor and the first channel, and a channel changing valve disposed at a junction where the first, second, and third channels are connected.
Here, the cylinder forms an extended space having a width relatively greater than the width of the vane to a rear end area of a vane coupling groove in which the vane is accommodated. By controlling pressure of the extended space, reciprocating of the vane is controlled.
However, in the conventional rotary compressor, since the extended space formed to a rear end area of the vane has a width excessively greater than the width of the vane, a large amount of compressed media is required to actuate the vane. Accordingly, an actuating response speed of the vane is deteriorated, and an actuating noise of the vane is generated.

Rotary compressor with a filling member in the vane slot


The present invention provides an electroluminescent material that includes phosphor particles with an overlaying coating of a conductive inorganic oxide.

Display devices, such as desk-top computer screens and direct view and projection television sets, include electron excited fluorescent display devices such as cathode ray tubes. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) function as a result of a scanning electron beam from an electron gun impinging on phosphors on a relatively distant glass screen. The phosphors absorb the energy from the electron beam and subsequently emit a portion of the energy, which is typically in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This visible emission is then transmitted through the glass screen to the viewer. Other display devices, such as field emission displays for use in flat panel display screens, which include cold cathode emission devices, and vacuum fluorescent displays for use in handheld calculators, which include hot cathode emission devices, also function as a result of electrons exciting phosphors on a screen.
Phosphors are inorganic luminescent materials that typically include "activator" atoms that can modify the emitted radiation, such that the emission is in the visible region, as well as modify the emission intensity and the persistence of the image. Phosphors should preferably be capable of maintaining luminescence (e.g., fluorescence) under excitation for a relatively short period of time to provide superior image reproduction. This is a characteristic known as "persistence." Typically, persistence for display phosphors is less than about 50 milliseconds. Persistence that is too long can be undesirable in display devices, causing a smearing effect on the screen, but may be desirable in a fluorescent light tube or the like. Another characteristic of phosphors is lifetime, which refers to the degradation of the phosphor over the time of use, which may extend to months or years of normal use, depending upon the application.
In general, it is desirable to produce highly pure phosphors to increase absorption of the available excitation energy by the activator that emits the required radiation, rather than being consumed by other impurities or "killer" centers, which would result in lower luminescence and lower efficiency. Therefore, the quality of the deposited phosphor is an important parameter.
Typically, in field emission displays, cathode ray tubes, powder electroluminescent cells, and other electroluminescent articles, a phosphor is deposited on an insulating substrate, which can be coated with a transparent, conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or tin oxide (TO). In conventional cathode ray tubes (CRTs), a reflective layer (such as aluminum) is evaporated on one side of the insulating substrate in order to reflect emitted light. The reflective layer and the transparent conductive material assist in dissipating charge which builds up during use.
Commonly used methods for depositing phosphors include settling techniques, slurry methods (such as screen printing, spin coating, and spin casting), electrophoresis, or dusting methods (such as electrostatic dusting, "phototacky" methods, and high pressure dusting).
In settling methods, phosphor is suspended in a solution and allowed to settle gravitationally or centrifugally onto the substrate. In slurry methods, phosphors typically are mixed with a liquid, such as a photoresist, to form a slurry or suspension. The slurry is deposited onto the substrate, dried, and exposed to ultraviolet radiation through a photomask to produce a desired pattern. Exposed areas will be washed away during development when using a positive photoresist system, for example.
In electrophoresis, phosphor particles are deposited from a suspension under the action of an electric field. They may be deposited in a pattern onto the substrate. The suspension typically includes a nonaqueous liquid, such as an alcohol, and an electrolyte, such as a salt of yttrium, cerium, indium, aluminum, magnesium, lanthanum, or thorium. Such metal salts make it possible to electrically charge the phosphor particles. The part coated typically serves as the cathode (cataphoresis). An electrochemical reaction occurs at the cathode, believed to convert metal salts to metal hydroxides, thus assisting in phosphor adhesion.
In dusting methods, a photoresist is applied to a substrate and partially dried. Phosphor particles are then blown onto the surface, sticking to the partially dried photoresist. The layer is then completely dried and exposed to radiation through a photomask to produce a desired pattern. Unexposed areas are removed during development if a negative photoresist system is used. Electrostatic dusting is carried out in a similar manner, except that electrostatic charge is used to attract the phosphor particles onto the partially dried photoresist. In "phototacky" methods, photoresist is applied and dried to a substrate, followed by exposure to radiation through a photomask. The photoresist becomes tacky in the exposed areas and phosphor is applied to the surface, sticking only to the tacky areas.
After a phosphor screen is in use (such as for a cathode ray tube or a field emission display device), other problems can develop. For example, when a voltage is applied to a phosphor screen, electrochemical reactions can occur which result in poisoning of the cathode. In addition, reactions can occur which degrade the color and/or the intensity of phosphor emission. This can be the result if applied voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage of any of the constituents of the screen.
Thus, there is a need in the art for electroluminescent materials that have good performance in terms of the ability to conduct excess charge away from a charged phosphor screen, and an ability to reduce or prevent poisoning of the cold cathode and phosphor degradation due to unwanted electrochemical reactions.

Electroluminescent material and method of making same


A labeling machine for labeling a plurality of containers is disclosed. The labeling machine includes a loading mechanism that sequentially receives containers and discharges containers in a spaced relationship. A star wheel has a plurality of receptacles disposed about the periphery of the star wheel, and is rotatable around an axis of rotation. The star wheel sequentially receives containers from the loading mechanism. The receptacles are pivotally secured to the star wheel for limited radial and pivotal movement. The receptacles have a leading end and a trailing end relative to the direction of rotation of the star wheel. A label dispenser including a label holder is disposed adjacent the periphery of the star wheel. The label has a decorated side facing the dispenser and an adherent side facing the star wheel. Each container is fed by the loading mechanism to one of the receptacles that grips the container as it is rotated around the star wheel until it reaches a pick-up point where the container contacts the adherent side of the label causing the label to adhere to the container. The leading end and trailing end of the receptacle alternately extend radially and retract radially to adjust for changes in a contoured surface of the container relative to the axis of rotation of the star wheel as the star wheel rotates the container past the label dispenser.

Different labeling systems have been developed for labeling containers. For example, pressure-sensitive labels, roll-fed labels and magazine-fed labels may be applied in conjunction with glues or solvents to apply labels to a wide variety of containers including glass bottles, cans, plastic containers and laminated composite containers.
Pressure-sensitive labels are frequently provided with a web-backing that is used to protect the pre-applied adhesive layer on the back of the label and prevent the label from adhering to other labels prior to application of the pressure-sensitive label. When labeling with this type of label, it is necessary to handle both the label and the web-backing.
Generally, pressure-sensitive labels are formed from relatively thick label stock that can be extended out in an unsupported manner by a labeling machine for pick-up by a container as it passes by the label. Direct contact is required between the label and backing throughout the labeling process until the label is applied to the container. When the label is extended for adherence to the container, problems arise relating the lack of control of the label. This disadvantage is frequently compensated for by running the labeling operation at low speeds, for example 100 containers per minute.
Pressure-sensitive labels are the label of choice when it is necessary to label contoured containers such as shampoo bottles, cleaning supplies, laundry products, and the like. Prior to the present invention, it has been difficult to label contoured (non-cylindrical) containers utilizing roll-fed labels or magazinefed labels having a leading and trailing edge or other glue patterns.
Roll-fed labels and magazine-fed labels are well-suited for application to cylindrical containers requiring a partial or full wrap label. Straightthrough label machines and turret-style machines have been developed to apply labels to cylindrical containers at high speeds wherein the containers are rotated past a label application mechanism such as a magazine or vacuum drum which supports the label during the label transfer process. Oblong, oval, or other non-cylindrical containers are difficult to handle on roll-through labelers and complicate the construction of turret-style labelers.
These and other disadvantages and problems associated with prior art labeling systems are addressed by applicant's invention as summarized below.

Labeling machine with radial motion turret


Methods and systems are provided for evaluating a steering system of a vehicle, in which the steering system includes a steering column, steering rack, and pinion. The rack is manipulated as the steering system is mounted to a testing system. The steering column is also manipulated as the steering system is mounted to the testing system. Data is collected from the manipulating of the rack and the dithering of the steering column for use in evaluating the steering system.

Vehicle steering systems contain various components and/or subsystems, such as a steering wheel, a steering column, a rack, and a pinion. It is often difficult to evaluate the vehicle steering systems and/or the various components and/or subsystems thereof. For example, when the vehicle is operating, it may be difficult to separate characteristics of the vehicle steering system, its components, and/or subsystems from other factors, such as the operation of other vehicle systems, a driver's operating characteristics for the vehicle, environmental conditions, and the like.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved method for testing a vehicle steering system, for example before the vehicle steering system is integrated into a vehicle. It is also desirable to provide an improved program product and an improved system for such testing of a vehicle steering system. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Methods and systems for evaluating vehicle steering systems


A system for delivering ultrasound energy to a treatment section in a vessel is disclosed. The system includes a sheath with a utility lumen and an energy delivery section at least partially constructed from a material which transmits ultrasound energy. The system also includes a drug delivery member having a plurality of drug delivery ports which are positioned adjacent the energy delivery section. The system further includes an elongated body including at least one ultrasound element and configured to be movably positioned within the utility lumen to transmit the ultrasound energy from the ultrasound element through the energy delivery section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultrasound enhanced drug delivery apparatus, and more particularly, to an ultrasound element which can be movably positioned within a drug delivery sheath.
2. Description of Related Art
Thrombus formation is a protective and healing mechanism, however, formation of thrombi can be detrimental. For instance, if a blood vessel becomes blocked, distal tissue may be deprived of oxygen with resulting damage or necrosis. In the case of cerebral circulation, an arterial thrombus blockage is one cause of cerebral strokes. In the case of coronary thrombosis, blockage and subsequent distal tissue necrosis of cardiac muscle tissue will impair cardiac pump output, may cause electrical abnormalities, and potentially catastrophic heart failure and death. The thrombus can form at the site of artery narrowing due to arterial wall damage or disease, or the thrombus may have broken free from some proximal site only to become wedged in a distal stenosis. Thrombus can also form subsequent to attempts to remove a stenosis using balloon angioplasty or rotary atherectomy.
Ultrasound sheaths have been described specifically for removal or dissolution of thrombus (U.S. Pat. Nos.: Tachibana 5,197,946; Bernstein 5,163,421; Weng 5,269,297). The sheaths of Bernstein and Weng place an ultrasound generator external to the body and transmit acoustic energy through a metal wire wave-guide to the distal sheath. The sheath of Tachibana includes a small ultrasound element positioned at the distal end of the sheath that is energized by electrical wires. In either case, ultrasound energy is delivered to and radiated from the distal tip of the sheath in the vicinity of a blocking thrombus. The application of ultrasound can directly emulsify nearby thrombus through the motion of the sheath tip, associated cavitation, and bioeffects.
The application of ultrasound can also enhance delivery of drug into a vessel wall. There are instances where the vessel wall is diseased or has been injured during balloon angioplasty or rotary atherectomy. Narrowing of the vessel can occur in response to these injuries. Certain drugs, such as heparin, may inhibit this narrowing of the blood vessel if the drug can be delivered into the blood vessel wall. A sheath can be used to deliver drugs into any portion of the body or target organ. Ultrasound energy in the presence of these drugs can enhance the delivery through and across bodily fluids and tissue. Hence, an ultrasound drug delivery sheath placed in a blood vessel will assist delivery across the blood vessel wall, whether it be an artery or a vein, into the surrounding muscle or tissue.
The intensity of the ultrasound delivered from a cylindrical ultrasound element decreases exponentially with radial distance from the sheath tip. Hence, treatment of thrombi is limited to the circumferential area surrounding of the sheath tip of a sheath with an ultrasound element. This limited treatment area may be effective for small length clots, however, larger clots must be treated one section at a time.
Some thrombi can be large. For instance, a deep vein thrombus in a patient's lower leg and can have a length from several centimeters to as much as 30-50 cm long. Early treatment protocols for these long thrombi used a drug infusion sheath to drip lytic drug at one end of a thrombus. As the thrombus was dissolved, the sheath would be advanced. This process was repeated until the entire clot was dissolved. More current therapy for a deep vein thrombosis is to use an infusion sheath with drug infusion ports distributed along the lateral dimension of the sheath. The sheath can be pushed through the entire length of the clot. The thrombolytic drug is then infused throughout the lesion for a period of hours.
There is a need for an ultrasound sheath that is useful for treating a deep vein thrombus to enhance and accelerate the action of the thrombolytic drug. There is a further need for an ultrasound sheath that is useful for treating vessel lesions, particularly those that have extensive lengths.

Sheath for use with an ultrasound element


The disclosed novel heterojunction bipolar transistor, to be referred to as the enhanced diffusion transistor (EDT), comprises a base of composition selected such that the base bandgap narrows from emitter towards collector in substantially step-wise fashion, resulting in N (N.gtoreq.2) substantially flat levels in the base bandgap. The height .DELTA..sub.j of the steps in the bandgap is greater than kT (typically at least about 30 meV), and also greater than the threshold energy of an appropriate rapid inelastic minority carrier scattering mechanism (e.g., optical phonon scattering, plasmon scattering) in the base material. The presence of the "steps" in the base bandgap of the EDT can, in consequence of the resulting strongly accelerated diffusive minority carrier transport in the base, lead to, e.g., improved high frequency characteristics, as compared to otherwise identical prior art (N=1) transistors.

Since the invention of the transistor in 1947, much effort has been directed towards extension of the device operating range towards higher and higher frequencies.
Conventionally, the cut-off frequency f.sub.T (defined as the frequency at which the current gain .beta., i.e., the absolute value of the parameter h.sub.fe .ident..differential.J.sub.C /.differential.J.sub.B, is unity) is used as a figure of merit that is indicative of the high frequency capability of a transistor. See for instance, S. M. Sze, "Physics of Semiconductor Devices", 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1981, Chapter 3, incorporated herein by reference. It is well known that .beta. at high frequencies decreases at a rate of 10 dB/decade, i.e. proportionally to inverse frequency.
Another parameter that can be used to characterize the high frequency capabilities of a (typically microwave) transistor is the unilateral (power) gain U. See S. M. Sze, op. cit., pp. 160-165. It is well known that U at high frequencies decreases at the rate of 20 dB/decade, i.e., proportionally to inverse square of the frequency. The frequency at which the unilateral gain is unity is the maximum oscillating frequency f.sub.max, which can, but need not, be larger than f.sub.T. Both f.sub.T and f.sub.max are conventionally determined by extrapolation of the measured roll-off in h.sub.fe and U, respectively. Although HBTs having f.sub.T substantially above 100 GHz have recently been reported (see, for instance, Y. K. Chen, et al. IEEE Electron Dev. Lett., Vol. 10, No. 6, p. 267, 1989), it would clearly be highly desirable to have available transistors that can, inter alia, operate at even higher frequencies.
G. T. Wright, (see, for instance, Solid State Electronics, Vol. 22, p. 399, 1979) proposed extension of active transistor operation to frequencies beyond the conventional cutoff frequencies. The proposal involved the utilization of transit time resonances that arise from carrier drift in the collector space charge region, resulting in a negative output resistance of the transistor. The proposed model suggested for an ideal transistor (i.e., a transistor without any parasitic extrinsic impedances) the possibility that .vertline.U.vertline. could exceed unity at frequencies above f.sub.max. However, it has now been shown (S. Tiwari, IEEE Electron Device Letter, Vol. 10, No. 12, p. 574, 1989) that the proposed utilization of the collector transit time resonances in a conventional GaAs/AlGaAs HBT would require reductions of each of the base and collector resistances and of the collector capacitance by at least an order of magnitude from state of the art values. Clearly, the proposed mechanism is, at least for the foreseeable future, not likely to be embodied in a practical device. Recent analysis shows that the indicated difficulty in utilization of the collector transit-time effect arises because of a relatively large decrease (by at least a factor of three) in the magnitude of the common-base current gain, which is in principle unavoidable if a necessary transit angle of order 180 degrees is acquired in carrier transit across the collector space-charge region. The resultant gain is so weak that it is practically damped by parasitic extrinsic impedances.
Almost 40 years ago it was suggested (W. Shockley, Bell System Technical Journal, Vol. 33, p. 799) that active transistor behavior above the conventional transit time cutoff could be obtained from the base transport of minority carriers. A necessary condition for this is that the directed minority carrier transport across the base is much faster than the diffusive transport. In principle, this condition could be met in a transistor with exponentially graded base doping profile. To the best of my knowledge, no such device has ever been realized.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/981,588, filed Nov. 25, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference, discloses a "coherent" ballistic transistor capable of providing gain at frequencies above the conventional cut-off frequency. The coherent transistor employs the base transit angle and therefore is much less susceptible to the parasitic damping than previous proposals utilizing the collector transit angle. However, because of the requirement that the minority carrier transport across the base be ballistic, practical realizations of the disclosed are likely to be restricted to low-temperatures and ultra-high frequencies (exemplarily well above 100 GHz).
It would clearly be desirable to have available a transistor that can operate at room temperature, exhibiting transit time resonances at frequencies above the conventional cutoff frequencies. Moreover, it would be desirable to be able to choose the resonant frequency in a wide range, not necessarily above 100 GHz.
This application discloses such a transistor. The novel device, to be referred to as the "enhanced diffusion" transistor (EDT), has utility in many fields, e.g., high speed computation or communications.

Heterojunction bipolar transistor with a specific graded base structure


A coupling device is adapted for attachment to an elastomeric tubular body having integral, looped reinforcement fibers as part of a tubular assembly. The coupling device includes a coupling member, a stem and a mechanism for retaining the elastomeric tubular body in sealing engagement with the stem when connected therewith. The retaining mechanism maintains this engagement by being interposed within loops of the reinforcement fibers to limit axial movement of the reinforcement fibers relative to the stem. Thus, the grommet retained coupling and the elastomeric tubular body are maintained in spaced relation to and sealing engagement with each other.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the joining of rigid couplings to elastomeric tubular structures for use with inflatable packers and fiber reinforced elastomeric hose or tubing and, more particularly, to couplings designed to interact with fiber reinforcements to become integral members of inflatable packer, hose and tubing assemblies. More specifically, the invention relates to improved coupling designs connecting with enhanced load capability for these assemblies to other such assemblies or other structures with which these assemblies communicate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An inflatable packer is a down-hole tool which is inflatable with fluid or some other mechanism to seal off an annular space in a well bore. Inflatable packers generally include a tubular elastomeric structure or bladder that is inflated to expand and engage the inner surface of a well bore. A coupling is typically provided on at least one end of the bladder to connect the packer to a mandrel, other packers, or to a well string. Because inflatable packers operate under great pressure, both from the well environment and from the internal pressure necessary to inflate the elastomeric tubular structure to seal the well bore, the elastomeric tubular structure must preferably be reinforced. One such form of reinforcement includes the use of integral fibers, and the attachment of such a fiber reinforced structure to the coupling must be very strong. Integral fibers include, but are not limited to, random fiber impregnations, strands, and cords.
Some hose and tubing assemblies are likewise operated under great external and internal loads and pressures. These hose and tubing assemblies generally include an elastomeric tubular structure reinforced with integral fibers, and a coupling on at least one end to connect the assemblies to other hose or tubing assemblies and other structures with which the assemblies are adapted to function.
The prior art approaches for joining couplings to the fiber reinforced tubular structures of inflatable packer, hose and tubing assemblies, have included use of epoxies or numerous variations of applying a clamping pressure across the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular structures, or directly to the integral reinforcing fibers within the structures.
In order for inflatable packer, hose, and tubing assemblies to function properly, the junction of the couplings and tubular elastomeric structures must effectively seal. Prior art inflatable packer, hose, and tubing assemblies have upper pressure and load limits, above which the junction of the coupling and elastomeric tubular structure tends to fail. This is because the retentive force which the coupling can exert at the junction is exceeded, at which the junction loses its seal, and the elastomeric tubular structure separates from the coupling. The retentive force which the coupling can exert, where clamping is used, is limited to the friction generated across the surfaces of abutting tubular structures or the surfaces of the reinforcing fibers, as appropriate.
Consequently, there is still a need for a coupling design or structure which provides high retentive force and can withstand high pressures and internal loads without rupture of its seal or separation from the coupling.


A swingable spacing dock is configured to berth a ship spaced from the shoreline and includes a support positioned on shore, a swingable dock arm pivotally mounted on the support, and a powered drive. The dock arm is driven by the powered drive to swing between a ship docking position where the dock arm extends outwardly beyond the shoreline to engage the berthed ship and a storage position where the dock arm is positioned substantially entirely over the shore.

1. Field
The present invention relates generally to a dock for berthing a ship. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a spacing dock for berthing a ship along a shoreline, with the dock being movable from a position entirely over the shore to a position where the dock extends beyond the shoreline.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
It is often desirable to load and unload bulk materials from a location along a shoreline that is not served by permanently installed port facilities. For instance, docks that are anchored below water are well known in the art, but such permanent docks may not be conveniently located. Aggregate, coal, grain, and other goods are preferably transferred to a ship at a location nearest the source and such goods are also preferably transferred from a ship to a location nearest the destination. Thus, it is also known in the art, where permanently installed facilities are not available and particularly in shallow water conditions, to use spacer barges to moor a ship alongside a shoreline. In particular, the barges are spaced between the ship and the shoreline, with mooring lines that tie the ship to bollards that are anchored on shore. In this manner, the barges prevent the ship from running ashore.
Prior art docks are problematic and suffer from various undesirable limitations. Traditional dock facilities are typically not configured to permit the unloading boom of a bulk material ship to swing out from the ship and precisely unload material. Traditional docks are also expensive because of permits that are required and because specially trained and insured workers are necessary to operate such facilities.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The invention concerns a chip card associated with RF transmission means. Said chip card comprises on each surface high permeability zones arranged so as to concentrate the flux generated by the RF transmission means onto a sensor coil. To ensure the proper functioning of the system, the transmission means generate flux lines parallel to the surface of the chip card.

The most prevalent smartcards on the market most often include a access system via contacts, which poses certain problems as to reliability and excludes any possibility of communication from a distance. In order to overcome this problem, certain manufacturers propose incorporating a passive RF system into the card, which allows both the card""s integrated circuit to be supplied with power and communication with the circuit to be assured. This type of card includes one or more pick up coils connected to the integrated circuit and placed in the thickness of the card. These coils can be of the conventional coiled wire type, but may also be etched onto the surface of the printed circuit acting as interconnection support or etched directly on the surface of the integrated circuit. These solutions are interesting, but currently come up against restrictions as to their use which limit the field of application thereof. Indeed, in order to be polyvalent, this type of card should be able to answer equally well the requirements of conventional bank cards and the requirements of xe2x80x9chands freexe2x80x9d access cards. This polyvalence is desirable not only for the card itself, but also for the associated RF transmission means which allow reading from, and even writing to the card. In the case of bank cards, the RF transmission occurs at a short distance, but the read-write means must be simple and compact so as to be able to be incorporated in portable, light apparatus, such as are increasingly used in commerce and restaurants. In the case of xe2x80x9chands freexe2x80x9d cards, more voluminous and sophisticated RF transmission means can be used, but significant reading distances of up to a meter are sought.
In both cases, it is important to have the best magnetic coupling possible between the card, and particularly the pick up coil or coils, and the RF transmission means allowing reading from and writing to the card. The present invention proposes precisely a particular card/RF transmission means combination allowing this magnetic coupling to be significantly improved, in all the aforementioned applications. The invention concerns a smartcard associated with RF transmission means for communicating with said smartcard and supplying it with power as required, this smartcard including at least one pick up coil connected to an integrated memory circuit, characterised in that said RF transmission means are arranged so as to generate lines of flux parallel to the surface of said smartcard, the latter including on its two faces zones of high magnetic permeability arranged so as to pick up these lines of flux across a first face, and to transfer them to a second face at the location in which the pick up coil(s) are situated. The smartcard can also have multiple applications, it may for example be an electronic memory tag.

Contactless chip card associated with RF transmission means


Embodiments disclosed herein disclose a fish brooding and filtration system. The system includes a brooding tank configured to contain water and fish for breeding. The brooding tank is in fluid communication a filtration tank, which is configured to extract nitrites from the water circulating through the system. A pump circulates the water through at least one conduit and an injector that receives a flow of water generated by the pump and draws air into the injector. The injector is further operable to inject a mixture of the drawn air and the water into the brooding tank.

Aquaponics is a sustainable food production process that symbiotically combines breeding and raising aquatic animals for food and using the fish water in connection with growing plant life. Effluents accumulate in the water sustaining the aquatic animals. These effluents may be filtered out and the by-products may be used by the plant life as vital nutrients, resulting in more plentiful harvests and faster growth times. In some aquaponic systems, the effluents may be converted using a biological process. Aquaponic systems are environmentally friendly and may provide impoverished regions with food sources that would otherwise be unavailable.

Recirculating fish brooding and filtration system


The present invention relates to a photothermographic material including, on a same surface of a support, a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, wherein the photosensitive silver halide has a silver iodide content within a range from 40 to 100 mol %, and the material is thermally developed within a developing time of 12 seconds or less. The invention also relates to an image forming method using the photothermographic material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photothermographic material and an image forming method, and more particularly to a novel photothermographic material having an excellent printout property and having improved unprocessed stock storability and to an image forming method using the photothermographic material.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there is a need in the medical field to reduce the amount of waste processing liquids in consideration of environmental conservation and space-saving. For this reason, there is a need for a technology for a photothermographic material for medical diagnosis and for photographic applications, the technology being capable of efficient exposure with a laser image setter or a laser imager and capable of forming a sharp black image with a high resolution and a high sharpness. Such a photothermographic material can eliminate use of processing chemicals in solutions and can provide users with a thermal development system which is simpler and does not destruct the environment.
Although similar requests are present in the ordinary image forming materials, an image for medical use has to have a particularly high image quality with an excellent sharpness and granularity because a precise image is required. Also there is preferred an image of cold black tone in order to facilitate diagnosis. Currently, various hard copy systems utilizing pigments or dyes, such as an ink jet system and an electrophotographic system, are available as ordinary image forming systems, but no such system yet is satisfactory as an output system for medical images.
Thermal image forming systems utilizing an organic silver salt are known. Such systems are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,152,904 and 3,457,075, and D. Klosterboer, Thermally Processed Silver Systems, ed. Sturge, V. Walworth and A. Shepp (Imaging Processes and Materials, Neblette 8th edition, 1989), chapter. 9, p. 279. More specifically, a photothermographic material generally has a photosensitive layer in which a photocatalyst (for example silver halide) in a catalytically active amount, a reducing agent, a reducible silver salt (for example organic silver salt) and a toning agent for regulating tone of silver if necessary, are dispersed in a matrix binder. The photothermographic material is heated, after image-wise exposure, to a high temperature (for example 80° C. or higher) whereby a black silver image is formed through a redox reaction between the silver halide or the reducible silver salt (acting as an oxidizing agent) and the reducing agent. The redox reaction is accelerated by a catalytic effect of a silver halide latent image, which is formed by the exposure to light. Therefore, a black silver image is formed in an exposed area (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,377 and JP-B No. 43-4924). As a medical image forming system utilizing a photothermographic material, Fuji Medical Dry Imager FM-DPL is available.
A thermal image forming material utilizing an organic silver salt may be prepared by solvent coating, or by coating and drying a coating solution containing an aqueous dispersion of fine polymer particles as a main binder. The latter method can be applied with a simple manufacturing facility and is advantageous to a mass production since solvent recovery and the like are unnecessary.
A photothermographic material generally has an image forming layer in which a photocatalyst (for example silver halide) in a catalytically active amount, a reducing agent, a reducible silver salt (for example organic silver salt), and the like are dispersed in a matrix binder.
A photothermographic material has a big problem that a reducing reaction of silver ions proceeds when exposed to indoor light after an image formation or when exposed to a high temperature during storage, thereby generating a fog. The reducing reaction proceeds because unreacted compounds are unremoved from the photosensitive material after a thermal development process and such compounds remain in the photothermographic material. Consequently, it has been requested to develop a technology for improving image storability.
Regarding a method for improving the image storability, a polyhalogen compound is known to be effective, which oxidatively decompose unnecessary fogging silver which is generated in a processed photothermographic material with time (for example cf. JP-A No. 2001-33911). Also there is disclosed a complex forming agent capable of forming a complex with a developing agent, thereby suppressing an undesirable reducing reaction during storage (for example cf. JP-A Nos. 2002-156727 and 2002-318431). However, even these technologies can reduce a "printout", an increase in the fog level under an exposure to light, only insufficiently, and a further improvement is therefore requested.
As a result of intensive investigation, it was found that the printout could be significantly improved by using a silver iodide emulsion as a photosensitive silver halide (for example cf. JP-A No. 2001-209145 and EP Nos. 1276006 and 1276007). However, it has been found that a silver iodide emulsion involves a problem of a sensitivity loss in a photothermographic material during a storage period from a manufacture thereof to a laser exposure or a thermal development for image formation. Since such sensitivity loss becomes larger as a temperature or a humidity during storage becomes higher, and the sensitivity loss increases with time, it is not possible to obtain a constant sensitivity in use. Further, it is unable to predict the tendency of sensitivity loss in advance, thus there is a need for a stabilization of the sensitivity.

Photothermographic material and image forming method


The present invention relates to a carbon fiber sizing agent comprised of water-soluble thermoplastic resin and amphoteric surfactant within a weight ratio range of 6/1 to 1/3, a carbon fiber sizing method comprising treating carbon fibers using a sizing liquid containing the aforementioned sizing agent, sized carbon fibers comprising adhering the aforementioned sizing agent to their surfaces, and a fabric that uses said carbon fibers. The carbon fiber sizing agent of the present invention has satisfactory solubility in water over a wide pH range, and is able to impart to carbon fibers adequate convergence for forming stable chopped carbon fibers, superior workability and satisfactory uniform tow dispersibility in water over a wide pH range. Since a fabric of the present invention demonstrates affinity to water over a wide pH range, it is suitable for applications such as immersing said fabric in an aqueous matrix in order to impregnate the fabric with that matrix.

Carbon fibers used as reinforcing fibers and so forth of fiber-reinforced composite are fibers in which no less than 90 weight % of the chemical composition is composed of carbon, and which are produced by using regenerated cellulose, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or pitch and so forth as starting material. These carbon fibers are divided into, for example, high-strength carbon fibers, high-modulus carbon fibers and so forth.
Since carbon fibers are lightweight, have particularly superior properties with respect to specific strength and specific modulus and also have superior heat resistance and chemical resistance, they are particularly effective as reinforcing fibers of fiber-reinforced composite, and are used over a wide range of applications.
In addition, resin compounds such as epoxy resin or inorganic compounds such as cement and ceramics are used for the matrix of fiber-reinforced composite using carbon fibers as reinforcing fibers, and fiber-reinforced composite are formed that have superior mechanical properties.
In recent years, carbon fibers have also come to be used as reinforcing fibers of short-fiber reinforced composite materials. For example, after chopping carbon fibers into the form of chopped carbon fibers, they are dispersed in water to produce paper containing randomly dispersed chopped carbon fibers and so forth. In addition, chopped carbon fibers are also uniformly mixed and stirred into an inorganic matrix slurry such as concrete to produce a short-fiber reinforced composite in which chopped carbon fibers are randomly dispersed.
In order to obtain chopped carbon fibers for use in these applications, carbon fibers are typically treated with a water-soluble sizing agent followed by chopping. Preferable sizing agents used for this purpose are provided with superior solubility in water, while also being able to impart both the necessary convergence required for forming stable chopped carbon fibers as well as superior uniform tow dispersibility in water to the carbon fibers.
In addition, there are also many applications in which fabrics using carbon fibers are suspended in water or immersed in an aqueous matrix to impregnate with that matrix. Carbon fibers used in these applications are required to have superior workability (e.g., processability) when in the form of a fabric and superior uniform tow dispersibility in water. Treatment using a water-soluble sizing agent is also carried out to obtain carbon fibers provided with these properties.
Here, examples of known sizing agents include sizing agents composed of bisphenol type polyalkylene ether epoxy compounds (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho 61-28074), sizing agents composed of compounds in which several ten molecules of alkylene oxide are added to bisphenol A (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 1-272867, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 7-9444), polyvinyl alcohol and water-soluble thermoplastic resins such as water-soluble Nylon resin (Japanese Examined Patent Application, Second Publication No. Hei 5-4348 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 2838309).
However, conventional sizing agents have the problems described below.
The sizing agents composed of bisphenol type polyalkylene ether epoxy compounds indicated in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho 61-28074 have comparatively satisfactory converging performance and allow the obtaining of carbon fibers having superior processability and other workability when formed into chopped carbon fibers or fabrics as a result of providing a glycidyl group in the compound serving as said sizing agent. However, these sizing agents have the disadvantages of being sticky due to the glycidyl group present in the compound, having inadequate solubility in water, and preventing the obtaining of carbon fibers having satisfactory uniform tow dispersibility in water.
On the other hand, sizing agents composed of a compound in which several ten molecules of alkylene oxide are added to bisphenol A indicated in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 1-272867 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 7-9444 is able to impart superior uniform tow dispersibility in water to carbon fibers as a result of having superior solubility in water.
However, since this type of sizing agent composed of a compound containing ethylene oxide has somewhat weak converging performance that can be imparted to carbon fibers, in order to obtain carbon fibers having adequate convergence required for forming stable chopped carbon fibers and superior processability and other workability when forming into fabrics, it has the disadvantage of requiring a large amount of sizing agent to be adhered to the carbon fibers. In addition, the stickiness of this type of sizing agent increases as a result of adsorbing moisture in the air due to the presence of hydrophilic groups such as (—CH2—CH2—O—) in its molecules thereby resulting in sticking which lowers the processability and other workability of the carbon fibers when formed into fabrics. Consequently, in the case of using this type of sizing agent, the amount of sizing agent adhered must be strictly controlled in order to provide satisfactory processability and other workability to the resulting carbon fiber bundles, thereby increasing the complexity of the production process.
Moreover, sizing agents composed of polyvinyl alcohol or a water-soluble thermoplastic resin such as water-soluble Nylon resin indicated Japanese Examined Patent Application, Second Publication No. Hei 5-4348 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 2838309 have superior solubility in water as well as satisfactory converging performance. Consequently, they are able to impart adequate convergence required for forming into stable chopped carbon fibers as well as superior processability and other workability when forming into fabric to the carbon fibers. However, although carbon fibers imparted with polyvinyl alcohol have superior uniform tow dispersibility in an aqueous solution in the vicinity of pH 7, uniform tow dispersibility in acidic or alkaline aqueous solutions is inadequate. In addition, although carbon fibers imparted with water-soluble Nylon resin have superior uniform tow dispersibility in acidic aqueous solutions, their uniform tow dispersibility in neutral or alkaline aqueous solutions is inadequate.
As has been explained above, there are no conventional sizing agents having satisfactory solubility in water over a wide pH range, or which are able to simultaneously impart adequate convergence required for forming stable chopped carbon fibers, superior workability (e.g., processability) to carbon fiber when forming fabrics, and superior uniform tow dispersibility in water over a wide pH range.

Sizing agent for carbon fiber, method for sizing carbon fiber by said sizing agent, sized carbon fiber and knitted or woven fabric using said carbon fiber


A system and method for controlling an amplifier in a bar code reader are disclosed, wherein the method may include receiving light at a photodiode within the bar code reader from a bar code being scanned by a scan mirror powered by a scan motor; converting the received light into an initial electrical signal; determining whether the scan motor is undergoing a change in direction; establishing a gain value for the amplifier based on an outcome of the determining step; and amplifying the initial electrical signal into an amplified signal using the established gain value.

A transition from fluorescent and other forms of traditional lighting to Light Emission Diode (LED) illumination is occurring in various environments including retail outlets, office buildings, warehouses, hospitals, and private homes. LED illumination may provide the benefits of low power consumption, low running cost, long life, and high color rendering effect among other desirable features. Some nations are now moving to ban further manufacture of conventional light bulbs for environmental reasons.
Bar code readers are commonly used in retail environments, including convenience stores, supermarkets and the like. Generally, a laser-scanned barcode reader operates by sweeping a laser beam, commonly having a 650 nm wavelength, over a bar code and receiving light energy reflected from the bar code, which is processed to generate a bar code signal. In a typical application, a laser beam using a 100 Hz scan rate will produce a signal having a frequency range of 30 kHz (kilohertz) to 200 kHz, depending on the resolution of the bar code and the read distance (the distance from the bar code to the bar-code reader).
To suppress power consumption, LED bulbs are generally driven at a frequency within a range of about 30 kHz to 100 kHz, a range which overlaps with the frequencies of many bar code signals. It would be hard for a bar code reader to distinguish light energy from ambient light from light energy from a bar code signal if the frequency ranges of the two signal types overlap. To eliminate interference of the ambient light with bar code readers, U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,087, which is incorporated by reference herein, discloses a technique to scan a bar code using a pulsed laser at a frequency of 2 MHz (megahertz) and using a synchronous detector to detect this frequency and preferably no other frequencies. This technique significantly removes ambient light having a constant intensity (such as sunlight) and light energy from high frequency L.E.D. illumination. However, where there are ambient light frequency components in common with a bar code signal, the decoder within the bar code reader could misread ambient light as being part of a bar code signal, which could lead to a signal reading failure.
Moreover, other possible sources of noise may be present in bar code reading environments as discussed in the following. Laser-scanned bar code readers commonly have exit windows made of glass or plastic (i.e., polycarbonate, Polymethyl methacrylate material) to protect the sensitive parts inside the reader housing. Although coated with an anti-reflective film, dirt or a finger-print on the exit window would present an optical obstruction resulting in significant back-scatter light being directed toward the photo sensor. The back-scattering of light would be more severe in a retro-reflective type barcode reader, in which the outgoing laser beam and the collected light beam received by the reader share the same optical path. Whereas the signal intensity from a bar code at a distance of 300 to 500 mm has a magnitude of about 0.1 uW (microwatts), the back scatter light could reach a magnitude of 1 uW, which is ten times the magnitude of the bar code signal. The above-described situation may thus lead to an inability of the bar code reader to accurately read a bar code. Accordingly, suitable amplification of the bar code signal is desirable.
Existing preamplifier circuits have amplifier controllers that provide feedback resistance that is controllable based on the magnitude of the output signal. When the output magnitude causes the amplified signal to reach the saturation point of the circuit, the resistance used as part of the amplification circuit is decreased to a smaller value by adding resistor in parallel to the feedback resistance, to lower the output to a level below the saturation level. However, the resistance remains at a larger value if the output is safely below the circuit saturation level, in order to maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio. The feedback resistance can be altered such that the output always reaches a predetermined maximum value.
The existing art also discloses a low pass filter coupled to an amplifier as described above for transmitting therethrough a low-frequency component of the voltage signal amplified by the preamplifier. A thresholding function may be implemented such that if the output signal of the low pass filter is lower than a predetermined level, the output is brought to a zero level. A function may be implemented to linearly increase the magnitude of the output signal when the output signal is equal to or higher than a selected predetermined level.
Using an existing approach, two or more different feedback resistance values are switched depending on scanned signal levels. When the feedback resistance is switched, the signal level variation becomes larger, and if the switching occurs during bar code scanning, the switching action may lead to ambiguity in determining whether a received bar code signal corresponds to a "bar" or "no-bar" condition within the bar code being scanned.
A low-pass filter (LPF) may be used to resolve the signal interpretation issue discussed above. However, it is difficult to ensure that the LPF is tuned with sufficient precision to ensure accurate interpretation of signals that are received as the resistance values are in the midst of being altered. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to ensure that ambiguity in interpreting signal values from a bar code reader is not generated by altering the gain of an amplification circuit while reading a bar code.

Variable gain amplifier for bar code reader


An optical detecting assembly includes: a photosensitive element configured to receive an optical signal and convert it into an electrical signal; and a light guide member comprising a first portion for receiving a first light beam from a rotating light source at a first time point and guiding the first light beam to the photosensitive element and a second portion for receiving a second light beam from the rotating light source at a second time point and guiding the second light beam to the photosensitive element. A distance between the optical detecting assembly and the rotating light source is calculated based on a distance between the first portion and the second portion, a time difference between the first time point and the second time point, and a rotating speed of the rotating light source.

In the prior art, the published patent literature CN101206113A discloses a rangefinder and a ranging method thereof. The rangefinder disclosed in the patent provides a light beam having a predetermined rotating speed by a rotating light source, and then detects the time between the time point at which the light beam is received by a receiver at a first position of the receiver and the time point at which the light beam is received by the receiver at a second position of the receiver, and calculates the distance from the receiver to the rotating light source based on the detected time and the distance between the first position and the second position of the receiver. The above rangefinder and the ranging method can easily implement the function of distance measurement in the laser level, thereby improving the construction convenience of engineering personnel.
Specifically, referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a rangefinder according to the disclosure of the patent. In FIG. 1, in order to improve the profitability of the construction of engineering personnel, the rangefinder 10 is constructed on the uniaxial rotating laser level 11 and its receiver 12, so that the uniaxial rotating laser level 11 can not only provide an automatically flattened rotating laser beam 13 to project a horizontal reference line on the construction wall, but also assist the engineering personnel in measuring the distance required for the construction marking. The receiver 12 may further include a remote control circuit 16 for remotely controlling the operation of the uniaxial rotating laser level 11 such as a rotating speed, to become a remoter for remotely controlling the uniaxial rotating laser level 11. In FIG. 1, in addition to the rotating light source constructed using the uniaxial rotary laser level 11 without providing the laser beam 13 rotating at a predetermined rotating speed, the receiver 12 is further applied to detect a time between the time point at which the light beam is received by a receiver 12 at a first position 14 of the receiver 12 and the time point at which the light beam is received by the receiver 12 at a second position 15 of the receiver, so as to calculate the distance from the receiver 12 to the uniaxial rotating laser level 11 based on the time and the distance between the first position 14 and the second position 15 of the receiver.
From the above discussion, the detector assembly includes an independent first receiving circuit and an independent second receiving circuit, and the first receiving circuit and the second receiving circuit respectively include: an optical sensor for receiving the light beam and outputting a current signal; the converting circuit connected to the optical sensor for converting the current signal into a voltage signal; an amplifying circuit coupled to the converting circuit for amplifying the voltage signal, and a comparator connected to the amplifying circuit for comparing the amplified voltage signal with a reference level, and outputting a voltage signal which represents the detected light beam.
In this way, each detector assembly must include at least two sets of optical sensors, converting circuits, amplifying circuits, and comparators. Such detector assemblies are expensive to manufacture and complex in structure.

Optical detecting assembly, detector and laser ranging system


The methods and apparatus for lighting systems provide a camera integral to a particular image projection lighting device (IPLD) to capture the projected image from the particular IPLD. The captured image can then be sent over a communication system to the operator for viewing on a visual display device such as a computer monitor on a central controller. Using the captured image of the projected image as viewed upon the display device, the operator may then command using the central controller the focusing, position or other parameters of the projected image upon the stage or projection surface to the desired value. The captured image may also be used, such as by a central control system, to automatically, and without operator intervention, adjust parameters of the IPLD to desired values.

The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to lighting systems that are digitally controlled and to the lighting fixtures used therein, in particular multiparameter lighting fixtures having one or more image projection lighting parameters.
Lighting systems are typically formed by interconnecting, via a communications system, a plurality of lighting fixtures and providing for operator control of the plurality of lighting fixtures from a central controller. Such lighting systems may contain multiparameter light fixtures, which illustratively are light fixtures having two or more individually remotely adjustable parameters such as focus, color, image, position, or other light characteristics. Multiparameter light fixtures are widely used in the lighting industry because they facilitate significant reductions in overall lighting system size and permit dynamic changes to the final lighting effect. Applications and events in which multiparameter light fixtures are used to great advantage include showrooms, television lighting, stage lighting, architectural lighting, live concerts, and theme parks. Illustrative multi-parameter light devices are described in the product brochure entitled "The High End Systems Product Line 2001" and are available from High End Systems, Inc. of Austin, Tex.
Prior to the advent of relatively small commercial digital computers, remote control of light fixtures from a central controller was done with either a high voltage or low voltage current; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,914, issued Dec. 19, 1972 to Van Buren, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,643, issued Aug. 5, 1975 to Ettlinger, both of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. With the widespread use of computers, digital serial communication was widely adopted as a way to achieve remote control; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,139, issued Jun. 13, 1978 to Symonds et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,227, issued Sep. 29, 1987 to Callahan, both of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
In 1986, the United States Institute of Theatre Technology ("USITT") developed a digital communications system protocol for multiparameter light fixtures known as DMX512. Basically, the DMX512 protocol is comprised of a stream of data which is communicated one-way from the control device to the light fixture using an Electronics Industry Association ("EIA") standard for multipoint communications know as RS-485.
A variety of different types of multiparameter light fixtures are available. One type of advanced multiparameter light fixture, which is referred to herein as an image projection lighting device ("IPLD"), uses a light valve to project images onto a stage or other projection surface. A light valve, which is also known as an image gate, is a device, such as a digital micro-mirror ("DMD") or a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), that forms the image that is to be projected. Various IPLD's and IPLD systems are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/190,926, filed Mar. 4, 2002, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/206,162, filed Jul. 26, 2002, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/290,660, filed Nov. 8, 2002, all of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
In their common application, IPLD's are used to project their images upon a stage or other projection surface. Control of the IPLD's is affected by an operator using a central controller that may be located several hundred feet away from the projection surface. In many applications, the stage, or projection surface, is also elevated such that, with the central controller located at a significant distance from the stage, the operator can not see the image projected upon the stage. This lack of vision may prevent effective control of the projected images from the central controller. For example, the operator may not be able to set the desired focus parameter value of the image, or set the projected image to the desired position, upon a remote projection surface because the operator may not be able to see the projection surface from the central controller location.
In a given application, there may be up to hundreds of IPLD's used to illuminate the projection surface, with each IPLD having many parameters that may be adjusted to create a scene. Once a scene is constructed, the operator of the central controller can adjust the parameters of the many IPLD's in order to construct a new scene. The work of adjusting or programming the parameters to the desired values for the many IPLD's to create a scene can take quite some time. Many times the scenes are created by the operator during a rehearsal and the time for programming the many IPLD's has limitations.
Since the operator of the control system often can not see the projected images from the central controller location, the desired focus, position or other parameters of the IPLD's may be set with the operator having a human spotter in proximity to the stage or projection surface. The spotter can communicate verbally, such as over a radio, to give directions to the operator as to when the desired image or effect is achieved. In certain applications, a portable remote control unit of the central controller can be used by the operator in close proximity to the stage or projection surface for setting the focus, position or other parameter of the image projected upon projection surface. Although this eliminates the spotter, the operator can not see the projected images from the central controller, making last minute adjustments difficult.
Thus, there remains a need in the art for methods and apparatus for improving the control system of a remotely located IPLD. The embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus for improved lighting devices and complimentary control systems that seek to overcome the limitations of the prior art.

Image projection lighting device and control system


Conference call alerting is provided. A first device of a plurality of telecommunications devices initiates a telecommunications link between the first device and a second device of the plurality of telecommunications devices. The first device receives an interaction that includes a communications address of a third device of the plurality of telecommunications devices. The telecommunications link is modified to include the third device. In response to the third device joining the telecommunications link, the first device issues an alert to the second device and the third device, wherein the alert indicates that the third device has joined the telecommunications link.

The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications and, more particularly, to conference call alerts.
A conference call is a telephone call in which the calling party wishes to have more than one called party listen in to the audio portion of the call. The conference calls may be designed to allow the called party to participate during the call, or the call may be set up so that the called party merely listens into the call and cannot speak. It is sometimes called ATC (Audio Tele-Conference).
Conference calls can be designed so that the calling party calls the other participants and adds them to the call; however, participants are usually able to call into the conference call themselves by dialing a telephone number that connects to a "conference bridge" (a specialized type of equipment that links telephone lines).
Companies commonly use a specialized service provider who maintains the conference bridge, or who provides the phone numbers and PIN codes that participants dial to access the meeting or conference call.
The more limited three-way calling is available (usually at an extra charge) on mobile, home, or office phone lines. For a three-way call, the first called party is dialed. Then the hook flash button (or recall button) is pressed and the other called party's phone number is dialed. While it is ringing, flash/recall is pressed again to connect the three people together. This option allows callers to add a second outgoing call to an already connected call.
Short Message Service (SMS) is a text messaging service component of phone, Web, or mobile communication systems. It uses standardized communications protocols to allow fixed line or mobile phone devices to exchange short text messages.

International Business Machines Corporation


A real-time task may initially be performed by a first thread that is executing on a first core of a multi-core processor. A second thread may be initiated to take over the performance of the real-time task on a second core of the multi-core processor while the first thread is performing the real-time task. The performance of the real-time tasks is then transferred from the first thread to the second thread with the execution of the second thread on the second core to perform the real-time task.

Real-time tasks are high priority tasks that are to be executed in real-time without delay by a processor of a computing device. For example, it may be essential for a computing device that is communicating with a network to perform the task of parsing out data from a communication signal without delay to avoid losing data. Real-time tasks may be performed by high priority threads that are executed by the processor. However, the continuous execution of real-time tasks using high priority threads on a processor may block other system threads that are performing non real-time tasks from being executed by the processor. The blocking of such system threads from execution may cause deadlocked applications, disabled application features, and/or general unresponsiveness in the operations of applications on the computing device.
The blocking of system threads that are executing non real-time tasks may also occur on a computing device with a multi-core processor. For example, many system applications that are running on a computing device may have been programmed to run threads on specific cores. Thus, when these specific cores are blocked by high priority threads that are running real-time tasks, slowdowns of the applications on the computing device may still occur.


A Raster Output Scanner (ROS) color printer is formed by providing several ROS imagers adjacent image exposure locations of a photoreceptor belt. Each ROS imager forms a separate color image in response to video input signals with each color image superimposed in registration over the previously formed images. Registration in the process direction is enabled by a quad cell photosensor whose output is continually compared to determine whether process registration deviations from a previously established position are necessary. Correction signals are generated in an iterative fashion until a preselected process registration position is re-established. The quad cell detector is also used for a second function; to produce the start and end of scan signals which enable image registration in the cross-process direction.

The present invention relates to a color printer which uses a plurality of Raster Output Scanner (ROS) imagers to form sequential, registered color images on the surface of a photoreceptor belt moving through imaging stations associated with each imager. More particularly, the present invention is related to use of a quadrant photodetector cell which provides the dual functions of locating the start and end of each ROS scan line, as well as detecting and correcting for registration errors in the process direction.
In recent years, digital color printers have been increasingly utilized to produce output copies from input video data representing original image information. The printer may use a plurality of imagers, either ROS or LED print bars, to expose the charged portions of a photoconductive member to record an electrostatic latent image thereon. Generally, a ROS incorporates a laser for generating a collimated beam of monochromatic radiation. The laser beam is modulated in conformance with the image information. The modulated beam is incident on a scanning element, typically a rotating polygon having mirrored facets. The light beam is reflected from each facet and thereafter focused to a spot on the photosensitive member. The rotation of the polygon causes the spot to scan linearly across the photoconductive member in a fast scan (i.e., line scan) direction. Each scan line crosses a start of scan (SOS) sensor and an end of scan (EOS) sensor, which regulates the image forming areas of the exposed image. Meanwhile, the photoconductive member is advanced relatively more slowly in a slow scan direction which is orthogonal to the fast scan direction. In this way, the beam scans the recording medium with a plurality of scan lines in a raster scanning pattern. The time between the formation of each scan line is constant due to the uniformly rotating nature of the polygon. Thus, such operation is characterized as synchronous. The light beam is intensity-modulated in accordance with an input image serial data stream, at a rate such that individual picture elements ("pixels") of the image represented by the data stream are exposed on the photoconductive member to form a latent image, which is then developed and transferred to an appropriate image receiving medium such as paper.
Color digital printers may operate in either a single pass or multiple pass mode. In a single pass, process color system, three or four ROS imagers are positioned adjacent to a moving photoreceptor surface and are selectively energized to create successive image exposures, one for each of the three process colors, cyan, magenta and yellow. A fourth black imager is usually added. A color digital printer may also operate in a highlight color mode wherein one or two colored images and black are exposed.
In a multiple pass, process color system, each image area on the photoreceptor surface must make at least three revolutions (passes) relative to the transverse scan lines formed by the modulated beam generated by the imagers. With either system, each image is typically formed within a tight tolerance of .+-.0.05 mm. Each color image must be registered in both the photoreceptor process direction and in the direction perpendicular to the process direction (referred to as fast scan, lateral or transverse registration).
Techniques for registration in the process direction of ROS systems are known in the prior art and disclosed, for example, in copending application, U.S. Ser. No. 07/946,690 filed on Sep. 18, 1992, U.S. Ser. No. 07/951,744, filed on Sep. 25, 1992 , and U.S. Ser. No. 07/923,925, filed on Aug. 20, 1992, all assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, all of whose contents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Raser output scanner color printer with improved start of scan detection and process registration


The invention is directed to a throttle control apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an accelerator operating mechanism, a driving source, and a supporting member secured to an end portion of a throttle shaft extending out of a housing. A rotor is rotatably mounted on the throttle shaft, and connected with the driving source to be rotated thereby. A movable member is mounted on the throttle shaft between the rotor and the supporting member to be axially movable. A connecting member is disposed for connecting the movable member with the supporting member, and biasing the former toward the latter. An electromagnetic coil is disposed to face the rotor. There is provided an engaging member which has a base end mounted on the movable member for supporting the engaging member rotatably within a predetermined angle range. A driving member having an end face engageable with the engaging member is mounted rotatably about an axis parallel with the axis of the throttle shaft, and connected with the accelerator operating mechanism. The engaging member has an axial length engageable with the end face of the driving member only when the movable member is positioned at the side of the supporting member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a throttle control apparatus mounted on an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a throttle control apparatus which controls an opening angle of a throttle valve by a driving source such as a motor activated in response to operation of an accelerator operating mechanism, and which enables the accelerator operating mechanism to directly control the opening angle of the throttle valve, when the driving source is inoperative.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, an accelerator operating mechanism has been mechanically connected to a throttle valve, whereas an apparatus for opening and closing the throttle valve, or controlling an opening angle of the throttle valve by a driving source such as a motor in response to operation of an accelerator pedal has been proposed recently. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2-204641 disclose a device including means for opening and closing a throttle valve, second driving means driven by a driving source in response to operation of an accelerator operating mechanism, and clutch means for connecting or disconnecting them.
The device is so arranged that when the driving source operates abnormally, the clutch means, which connects the throttle opening means and the second driving means driven by the driving source, will be disconnected, and then the throttle opening means will be driven by first driving means, if the accelerator operating mechanism is operated more than a predetermined amount, to obtain a desired opening angle of the throttle valve. More particularly, in the case where an electromagnetic clutch mechanism constituting the clutch means is de energized, when the accelerator pedal is depressed more than the predetermined amount, it will be mechanically connected with the throttle opening means to obtain the desired opening angle of the throttle valve.
The device disclosed in the above-described publication may perform a so-called traction control. However, if a driver of an automobile depresses the accelerator pedal more than the predetermined amount in the traction control mode, the throttle valve will be opened irrespective of the traction control mode. In this case, if the throttle valve has been required to be fully closed in the traction control mode, the desired acceleration slip control will not be made.
In order to avoid this problem, the device may be structured as follows. First of all, a supporting member is fixed to an extending portion of a throttle shaft to be held at a certain position thereof and restricted from moving in the axial direction thereof. On the extending portion, a rotor is mounted rotatably, and a movable member is mounted between the rotor and the supporting member movably in the axial direction of the throttle shaft. The movable member and the supporting member are connected by a connecting member, e.g., a leaf spring, to bias the movable member toward the supporting member. At a position facing the rotor, disposed is an electromagnetic coil, which is arranged to attract the movable member toward the rotor when energized. The movable member is provided with a pin which extends in parallel with the axis of the throttle shaft. Further, there is provided a driving member which is mounted rotatably about an axis parallel with that of the throttle shaft, and which has an end face to be engageable with the pin perpendicularly to the axis of the throttle shaft. In this case, provided that the axial length of the pin is set to such a length that the pin can be engaged with the end face of the driving member only when the movable member is positioned at the side of the supporting member, as long as the rotor is rotated by the driving force of the driving source, the movable member will not be prevented from rotating, even if the driving member is rotated in response to operation of the accelerator operating mechanism, because the driving member is positioned not to be engaged with the pin.
However, in the case where the electromagnetic coil is de-energized when the driving member is positioned on a line extending axially from the tip end of the pin in the throttle control mode, the movable member might be prevented from being moved toward the supporting member for returning to its initial position, with the pin engaged with the driving member. For example, in the case where the accelerator pedal is depressed largely in the throttle control mode to cause slip of driving wheels so that the acceleration slip control is initiated, if the electromagnetic coil is de-energized by some reason, the pin will contact the driving member to prevent the movable member from returning to its initial position. Depending upon the dimensional relationship among them, therefore, the movable member and rotor might not be disengaged, unless the accelerator pedal is returned to its initial position. Consequently, the driving source and the throttle shaft will be maintained to be engaged with each other, so that the desired acceleration slip control might not be made.
Further, in the case where a single pin is fixed to a position remote from the axial center of the movable member, and the movable member is arranged to be engageable with the rotor at a position remote from the axial center, when the driving member engages with the pin to transmit a driving force thereto in accordance with the accelerator operation, the movable member will be forced to be inclined to its rotational axis, so that the movable member might engage with the rotor. If the movable member is inclined to engage with the rotor, they might be maintained to be engaged with each other, even after the electromagnetic coil is de-energized due to abnormality or the like. In this case, the throttle valve will not be controlled, even if the accelerator operation is made. Whereas, this will not be caused, provided that the clearance between the movable member and the rotor is set to be large enough. In this case, however, a large electromagnetic force will be required, so that not only the large clearance but also a large space for the electromagnetic coil will be needed. Therefore, the apparatus as a whole will become much larger in size than the proposed device in that publication. Although the above described case may rarely happen, it is desirable to provide a structure which will never cause such case, rather than leaving the case as a matter of design.