A nuclear power plant has a reactor core and a containment chamber for receiving core melt of the reactor core. A cooling system for cooling the containment chamber includes a flooding container to be filled with coolant fluid. A cooling pipe leads from the flooding container to the containment chamber. A passively opening closure element closes the cooling pipe in the flooding container and opens as a function of a level of the coolant fluid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a cooling system having a cooling pipe for cooling a containment chamber that serves to receive core melt of a reactor core of a nuclear power plant.
In order to provide safe operation, nuclear power plants have numerous diverse and redundant safety systems, including cooling systems, through the use of which operating conditions that deviate from normal operating conditions can be detected early and counteracted. As a result, such safety-critical states as reactor core meltdown are practically precluded.
In order to control that kind of accident, which is considered hypothetical, German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE 40 41 295 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,506, describes a core retainer and a method for emergency cooling of a nuclear power plant. The core retainer has a catch basin, which is disposed immediately below the reactor pressure vessel that encloses the reactor core. Both the catch basin and the reactor pressure vessel are disposed inside a reactor cavern, which is a concrete structure. Cooling channels extend along the floor and the walls of the catch basin between the catch basin and the concrete structure and coolant water can be carried through the cooling channels. The cooling channels on the floor communicate with a water supply and discharge into a cooling pipe that protrudes in siphonlike fashion into the water supply. The siphonlike cooling pipe includes one part shaped as an inverted U. The apex of the U is located above an operative level of the water supply, and although the cooling pipe does dip into the water supply, in the vicinity of its apex it protrudes out of the water supply. As a result, as long as the level is at the operative level, no coolant water enters the cooling channels. It is not until the water supply is flooded to a level higher than the apex of the U that coolant water enters the cooling channels, resulting in cooling of the outside of the catch basin. Cooling of the interior of the catch basin is carried out through a flood pipe, which is passed from the water supply through the concrete structure into the catch basin. The flood pipe is closed in the catch basin by a meltable stopper that does not melt open until at a high ambient temperature, thus allowing coolant water to flow into the interior of the catch basin. Coolant water is present in the flood pipe even during normal operation of the nuclear power plant, and as a result the meltable stopper is continuously cooled.

Cooling system for cooling a containment chamber constructed for receiving a core melt


Pigments that have been at least partially treated to form surface-attached functional groups are combined with long chain amine oxides in an ink-jet ink to provide waterfastness. The ink-jet ink for ink-jet printing comprises: (a) a vehicle comprising (1) 0 to about 30 wt % of at least one organic solvent, and (2) 0 to about 30 wt % of at least one water-soluble surfactant, and (3) about 0.1 to 10 wt % of at least one zwitterionic surfactant; (b) about 1 to 20 wt % of at least one chemically-modified, water-soluble macromolecular chromophore comprising a pigment having functional groups covalently attached thereto; and (c) the balance water. The inks of the invention evidence increased waterfastness with the presence of the zwitterionic surfactant, yet other properties, such as decap, kogation, and edge acuity, are not adversely affected by the presence of the zwitterionic surfactant. Indeed, decap and edge acuity are improved by the presence of the zwitterionic surfactant.

Thermal ink-jet printers offer a low cost, high quality, and comparatively noise-free option to other types of printers commonly used with computers. Such printers employ a resistor element in a chamber provided with an egress for ink to enter from a plenum. The plenum connects to a reservoir for storing the ink. A plurality of such resistor elements forms a pattern in a printhead. This pattern is called primitive. Each of the resistor elements line up with a nozzle in a nozzle plate, through which ink is expelled toward a print medium. The entire assembly of printhead and reservoir comprises an ink-jet pen.
In operation, each resistor element connects through a conductive trace to a microprocessor, where current-carrying signals cause one or more selected elements to heat. The heating creates a bubble of ink in the chamber, which is expelled through the nozzle toward the print medium. Firing a plurality of such resistor elements, in a particular order, in a given primitive, forms alphanumeric characters, performs area-fills, and provides other print capabilities on the medium.
Ink-jet inks used in thermal ink-jet printing typically comprise a colorant and a vehicle, with the vehicle often containing water and other relatively low surface tension liquids.
The tight tolerances of the nozzles (typically 50 mm diameter) require that the ink not clog the nozzles. Furthermore, repeated firings of the resistor elements, which must withstand about 10 million firings over the life of the ink cartridge, can result in fouling of the resistor element. Kogation is the term used for this type of fouling. The ink composition must be capable of interacting with the print medium, especially paper, to penetrate it without undue spreading. Finally, the ink composition should be smear and water resistant on the paper.
Many inks possess one or more of the foregoing properties. However, few ink compositions posses all of those properties, since an improvement in one property often results in the degradation of another. Thus, inks used commercially represent a compromise in an attempt to achieve an ink evidencing at least an adequate performance in each of the aforementioned properties.
Accordingly, investigations continue into developing ink formulations that have improved properties such as reduced kogation and reduced crusting (i.e. improved decap). Further properties sought to be improved include high edge acuity, high optical density, fast drying times, good waterfastness, and good smearfastness all without sacrificing performance in other necessary properties.
Recent advances in ink-jet inks have incorporated pigments in place of the earlier water-miscible dyes. However, pigments by definition are not water-miscible, and require the presence of a dispersing agent. Further investigations into the use of pigments have determined that surface treatment of the pigment, to form either anionic or cationic functional groups on the surface, provides a macromolecular chromophore (MMC) that is water-soluble, thus eliminating the need for a dispersing agent. However, the extent of the chemical treatment can adversely affect one of the prime properties of a pigment, namely, its waterfastness.
Accordingly, investigation continues into the use of pigments that have been treated to be water-miscible, but which retain their desired waterfastness.

Waterfast macromolecular chromophores using amphiphiles


The present invention provides a method of identifying an effective agent that alters the association of a Bit1 polypeptide with an AES polypeptide. The method is practiced by contacting a Bit1 polypeptide, or active fragment thereof, and an AES polypeptide, or active fragment thereof, with an agent under conditions that allow the Bit1 polypeptide or active fragment thereof to associate with the AES polypeptide or active fragment thereof; and detecting an altered association of the Bit1 polypeptide or active fragment thereof and the AES polypeptide or active fragment thereof, where an altered association indicates that the agent is an effective agent that alters the association of a Bit1 polypeptide with an AES polypeptide. Such an effective agent can modulate apoptosis and can be a useful therapeutic agent.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the fields of molecular biology and molecular medicine and, more specifically, to polypeptides involved in the regulation of apoptotic cell death.
2. Background Information
Apoptosis is the term used to describe a type of cellular death that occurs in many tissues as a normal physiological process. This form of cellular demise involves activation of a built-in genetic program for cell suicide by which cells essentially autodigest. Remnants of the dead cells are then cleared by neighboring phagocytic cells, without resulting in inflammation or scarring. Apoptosis thus stands in marked contrast to cell death caused, for example, by oxygen-deprivation in the settings of myocardial infarction or stroke, where cells lose their energy supplies, rupture and spill their contents into the extracellular milieu. This type of cell death, known as necrosis, often results in inflammation and undesirable consequences.
Apoptosis plays a role in many normal processes including tissue turnover, proper development and maintenance of the immune system, development of the nervous system, and elimination of virus-infected cells. It is a well-ordered process that is characterized by DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, membrane blebbing and cell shrinkage. Cells undergoing apoptosis ultimately disassemble into membrane-enclosed vesicles (apoptotic bodies) that are engulfed by neighboring cells and phagocytes, thus preventing an inflammatory response.
In contrast to the role of apoptosis in normal cellular processes, aberrantly regulated apoptotic cell death can lead to a variety of disease states and pathological conditions. As an example, dysregulation of apoptosis in the nervous system can result in unintended neuronal cell death which contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Additionally, viral infection can cause apoptosis such as T-cell apoptosis induced by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The failure of normal apoptosis also can lead to disease, as in the case of autoimmune diseases in which immune cells that normally would have been eliminated through apoptosis attack normal tissues. Suppression of apoptosis can also contribute to tumorigenesis.
Integrin-mediated cell attachment is one of the main regulators of apoptosis. Most types of normal cells are anchorage-dependent; in these cells, the loss of integrin-mediated cell attachment to the extracellular matrix results in a subtype of apoptosis known as "anoikis." Integrins suppress apoptosis (anoikis) in attached cells by activating signaling pathways that promote survival and by inactivating pathways that promote apoptosis. A number of these pathways, which vary in importance in different cell types, have been partially characterized. One integrin-regulated pathway initiates with activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by extracellular matrix-bound integrins and results in the activation of PI3K and Akt/protein kinase B, providing a major source of survival signaling in many cell types. This pathway may function through inactivation of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bad and caspase-9. Direct binding and activation of a caspase-8 by unliganded integrins also can contribute to anoikis, an effect which is reversed by integrin binding to the extracellular matrix.
Bcl-2 is one anti-apoptotic protein that protects cells against anoikis. The α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins are particularly efficient in up-regulating Bcl-2 expression, whereas other integrins such as the αvβ1 integrin are ineffective. Akt activation through a FAK/Shc-Ras-PI3K pathway also can play a role in the Bcl-2-dependent survival pathway. Unfortunately, the molecules that participate in integrin regulation of Bcl-2 expression, which can be important diagnostic indicators as well as targets for therapeutic intervention, remain to be identified.
Thus, there exists a need to identify polypeptides that regulate anoikis, such as polypeptides that play a role in integrin regulation of Bcl-2 expression, as well as molecules that bind these polypeptides or modulate their interactions. The present invention satisfies this need and provides related advantages as well.

Methods of modulating cell death based on the Bit1/AES regulatory pathway


Embodiments may comprise hardware and/or code within a cellular phone to process data related to charges for a call to indicate the charges to the user. In some embodiments, the charges may be presented in the form of an icon. The icon may indicate whether or not charges apply to the call, a range of charges, and/or a rate of charge. Further embodiments may display characters describing conditional charges for a call. In still further embodiments, the charges for a call may be indicated by an audible alert such as a volume, frequency, pattern of frequencies, or a voice generated. Embodiments may also include hardware and/or code of a cellular phone server such as an MTSO to gather and transmit account information to a cellular phone (or apparatus with similar functionality such as a mobile broadband card).

Usage of cellular phone continues to rise. In fact, many individuals and businesses have become or are becoming dependent upon cellular phones, which is promoted in part by special discounts and plans offered by cellular phone service providers for various types of calls and time periods. For instance, due in part to the proliferation of usage by businesses during weekdays, many cellular phone service providers like Cingular™, T-Mobile™, Sprint™ and Verizon™ offer unlimited weekends.
Charges for phone usage are described to some extent in a service contract that a cellular phone user executes typically when purchasing a cellular phone. More specifically, service contracts typically include a monthly charge, time periods in which different rates are charged, locations from which calls can be originated without additional charges, locations to which calls may be placed without additional charges, a number of minutes that are included in the contract for the monthly fee (often referred to as anytime minutes), and other special discounted rates. Special discounts included in service contracts can include unlimited minutes over weekends such as after, e.g., 9:00 pm on Friday through 5:00 pm on Sunday, and unlimited minutes outside certain time periods during weekdays such as after 7:00 pm or 9:00 pm. Furthermore, some service contracts may offer unlimited minutes for calls between cellular phones associated with service contracts from the same cellular phone service provider.
However, in accordance with the service contracts, most provisions a restricted to time periods and/or geographic locations for the cellular phones involved with the calls. Furthermore, most service contracts include clauses that allow provisions of the contracts to be updated or modified in response to changing conditions. For instance, rates will change over time due to lease rates that cellular service providers pay for physical phone lines or data rates over the Internet.
Geographic boundaries for cellular phone providers change over time due to the availability of and contracts with cellular phone servers such as mobile telephone switching offices (MTSOs). An MTSO is a central switch that controls the entire operation of a cellular system. The MTSO is a sophisticated computer that monitors all cellular calls, tracks the location of all cellular-equipped vehicles traveling in the system, arranges handoffs, keeps track of billing information, etc. In many cities, there may be only one MTSO to handle all cellular phone calls within the city.
Each cellular phone service provider, or carrier, is assigned a unique identification number by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) called a system identification code (SID) and each cellular phone includes the SID, e.g., on a subscriber identity module (SIM) to associate the phone with a carrier and a service contract. When a cellular phone is powered, the cellular phone looks for the frequency of a previously found MTSO and/or searches frequencies for an MTSO. Upon finding the MTSO, the cellular phone transmits the SID and the subscriber identity to the MTSO and the MTSO verifies the subscriber identity with the carrier. Upon verification, the user may send or receive calls via the MTSO.
While the average per minute charges seem to be dropping, the service contacts for cellular phone use are so complicated and subject to change that cellular phone users typically cannot figure out whether or not they will be charged for a particular call. For instance, there is no indication whether the cellular phone user will be charged is within a free time period, a geographic location that is free from additional charges, or that the user still has some remaining anytime minutes. Currently, many cellular phones indicate that the phone is "Roaming" when the phone is registered in a geographic location that is not the designated "home" location for purposes of the service contract, but "Roaming" does not actually indicate whether or not additional charges apply to a call because many service contracts include some "Roaming" areas free of additional charges.
Many cell phone carriers also offer unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to members of the same carrier; however, there is no easy way for the end user to identify the carrier of the incoming call or of the phone that is being called without actually asking the person at the other end after initiating the call. Without this identification, the user has no way of knowing whether the user can take advantage of the unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling feature. For example, a user may not want to use anytime minutes to answer a call from an unknown or blocked caller but the user may be willing to answer if the call is free of any additional charges.

Computer program product to indicate a charge for a call

International Business Machines Corporation


Embodiments herein are designed to counteract the negative effects of an attendee join in a remote session by employing several techniques. One technique maintains and determines maximum decoding capabilities of viewers, which are then used to determine, e.g., a least common denominator of encoding available. As such, a sharer can dynamically modify (either up or down) the encoding of the graphics stream without having to renegotiate decoding capabilities for each viewer upon a join/disjoin. In order to assist in resetting viewer state based on the above encoding technique, other embodiments provide for: context reset for delta and/or other types of order encoding; reset for all sharer and viewer caches; and reset of history for compression context. Another technique provides for delaying the joiner of attendees (and thus the reset of the graphics stream) based on a myriad of static and dynamic policy factors.

As computerized systems have increased in popularity, so have the needs to distribute files and processing resources of computer systems in networks both large and small. In general, computer systems and related devices communicate information over a network for a variety of reasons, for example, to exchange personal electronic messages, sell merchandise, provide account information, and so on and so forth. One will appreciate, however, that as computer systems and their related applications have become increasingly more sophisticated, the challenges associated with sharing data and resources on a network have also increased.
Some current ways for distributing resources within an organizational network might involve a centralized server or computing system (or local device) sharing resources with one or more clients (or remote devices) that may or may not have such resources installed locally. Such systems normally use a dedicated protocol such as Remote Desktop Protocol ("RDP"), Independent Computing Architecture (ICA), and others, to share various applications with such remote clients. With such protocols, a client computer system can access a centralized network server or computing system, which hosts resources of interest and interact (e.g., sending mouse and keyboard events, etc.) with those resources just as though those resources were installed locally.
The network server in turn processes those interactions, creates corresponding rendering information of the data, and sends both the processed data and created rendering information back to the client. The client computer system then receives the data and rendering information, and uses a client-side video driver to render and display the received data locally. Ideally, this interaction between the client computer system and network system occurs seamlessly as though the client computer had actually processed the data locally with its own installed resources.
Another type of real-time system that is similar in most respects to the centralized sharing model described above involves broadcasting of graphics data for application (e.g., a desktop) screen sharing. This type of feature is also sometimes referred to as a remote assistance program. In this example, the broadcasting computer (e.g., an instructor in a learning environment) and the recipient computer systems (e.g., students) connect using a commonly-installed application program that allows for sharing of desktop views and locally installed applications at the instructor computer. Similar to the centralized computing system scenario, the client computer systems (i.e., the students) might be able to interact with the windows displayed at the instructor's computer as though the windows were the viewer's own computer.
One difference between a single client scenario described above and the screen sharing/remote assistance programs, however, is there are typically multiple users involved in the later. One of the users is typically referred to as a "sharer" that shares the content of his/her computer desktop or other application; the other user's are known as "viewers" that use the remote client to view the content broadcasted by the sharer. In such cases, these multiple users (i.e., the sharer and viewers) typically share the control of the sharer's desktop based on certain restrictions that may be set by the sharer.
The protocols used in the above remote sessions utilize bitmaps for sharing at least portions of application user interfaces, which are sent across a graphics stream for viewing on the remote device. Because bitmaps are expensive in terms of bandwidth consumption when transmitted over a network connection (e.g., the Internet), rather than sending the entire bitmaps most systems nowadays (such as those described above) send graphic primitives and/or other orders, which tell a sub-routine on the client side what and how to draw something. For example, a client may be told to draw a rectangle, line, circle, etc. along with information about where it should be drawn, what size, color, etc. For instance, a rectangle may be used to draw a button for a user interface, a border around a document, or any other purpose for which a rectangular shape may be useful. Of course, there are many other shapes and operations that can be used as primitives, delta, and/or other types of encoding (e.g., compression mechanisms) that may be more sophisticated and require more processing that must be done to transfer and perform the operation on the remote client.
In most application sharing scenarios, protocols require state to be maintained between the sharer and viewers. This is especially true if the sharer is broadcasting a single stream of data to all viewers, which is typically the case since encoding separate streams for each viewer requires tremendous amounts of processing and memory resources on the sharer. Accordingly, in such single stream broadcasts scenarios, when a viewer joins the graphics stream, a stream reset is usually necessary that changes the encoding of the graphics stream. The reason for this is simple. A new viewer that joins the stream will not have its state in sync with the state of the sharer (and/or other viewers in the remote session); and therefore, it will not be able to act on the data sent by the sharer. For example, during a real-time remote session, viewers can randomly join and disjoin from the session. Note that during such time, however, the sharer is continually sending graphics data and commands in the broadcast stream. Viewers that subsequently join after the broadcast of certain primitives described above will not have sufficient information on their system to act on later orders that manipulate such data. Similarly, systems that use compression techniques such as LZ (Lempel-Ziv) based encoders/decoders require synchronization of compression histories, which also need to be synced when viewers are added.
In other words, delta encoding, bitmap caching, LZ compression, and other techniques are used to encode data based on information that was previously sent to the client. Without this information, a client cannot decode the data. As such, a stream reset is needed whenever a new viewer is added to the remote session, which typically means that the server will not encode any new information based on what was previously sent to the viewers. Instead, the server assumes that there is no such previous information when a newly joined client is added.
A stream reset, however, can be expensive in terms of bandwidth that is used, which translates directly into reduced update rate that degrades the user experience by delays in the broadcast graphics stream. This becomes more and more problematic in broadcasts with a large number of viewers and/or where viewers randomly join and leave the broadcast quite frequently. In cases like this, the user experience can degrade to the point where the viewers cannot even receive the graphic stream.


A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device, the method, comprising forming, on a substrate, a first resist pattern including a plurality of line patterns extending in a predetermined direction, injecting an impurity into the substrate by using the first resist pattern, removing the first resist pattern, forming a second resist pattern including a plurality of second line patterns extending in the predetermined direction, and injecting an impurity into the substrate by using the second resist pattern, wherein, in the forming the second resist pattern, the plurality of second line patterns are respectively formed between places where the adjacent first line patterns are formed.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device.
Description of the Related Art
A substrate formed from a semiconductor such as silicon is provided with elements such as transistors and element isolation portions for electrically isolating them from each other. The element isolation portions are formed from, for example, impurity regions. Impurity regions are formed by forming a resist pattern (a resist film or resist member having openings) on a substrate and then injecting an impurity into the substrate by using the resist pattern. A resist pattern is obtained by forming a resist film on a substrate, exposing desired regions of the resist film, and developing the resist film.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-114063 discloses a technique of forming a resist pattern having a grid-like pattern by exposing twice a grid-like region in a planar view with respect to the upper surface of a substrate, and then developing the resist film. More specifically, in the first exposure, a plurality of linear regions, of the resist film, which extend along the first direction in a planar view are exposed. In the second exposure, a plurality of linear regions extending along the second direction intersecting with the first direction are exposed. This method can reduce the influence of diffracted light which can be generated when exposing the grid-like region at once while exposing the grid-like region by the first and second exposures.
A resist pattern needs to have a sufficient height (thickness) to properly function as a mask when injecting an impurity. On the other hand, in order to achieve higher circuit integration or further miniaturization of elements, it is required to decrease the width of each impurity region or the distance between adjacent impurity regions (miniaturization of impurity regions). For the formation of such impurity regions, for example, it is necessary to decrease the width of a resist pattern.
However, such a resist pattern may collapse before or at the time of injection of an impurity. When a resist pattern collapses, an impurity cannot be properly injected into a substrate, and hence desired impurity regions are not formed. This poses a serious problem when attaining a larger number of pixels while suppressing an increase in pixel region in a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of pixels each partitioned by an impurity region. Note that Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-114063 gives no consideration to the collapse of a resist pattern described above.

Manufacturing method for semiconductor device using resist patterns and impurity injections


A device for encapsulating tissue specimens includes a wand assembly, a sheath, and a guide assembly. The guide assembly pulls, draws, or otherwise moves the sheath about the tissue specimen. The wand assembly is disposed proximate to the tissue specimen, typically either adjacent or through the specimen. The guide assembly has sheath deployment members that are disposed about the tissue specimen. The sheath, which is attached to ends of the sheath deployment members and the wand assembly, is drawn over the tissue specimen as the sheath deployment members are pushed or pulled. In another aspect of the device, the guide assembly is an arm or a housing that rotates about the tissue specimen. The sheath, which is secured at one end to the guide assembly and at another end to the wand assembly, is drawn over the tissue specimen as the guide assembly rotates.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to biopsy devices and, more specifically, to devices that encapsulate a tissue specimen.
2. Description of the Related Art
The prior art discloses numerous methods for surgically removing an internal tissue specimen from a target body. Techniques and the requisite medical devices exist to remove tissue specimens of all sizes. A basic technique is to make an incision proximate to the area of the tissue specimen and excise it with a scalpel. This technique can be extremely invasive, result in trauma to proximate tissue and a maximum amount of scar tissue, and leads to additional healthy tissue being removed unnecessarily.
The prior art also discloses techniques and methods that are less invasive than excising the tissue sample with a scalpel. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,709, a trocar is inserted into the target body, the target body is insufflated and the tissue specimen is severed. The tissue specimen may be a cyst, a tumor, parts of an organ, a whole organ, a diseased portion of the body, a biopsy sample, or any other specimen that is desired to be removed.
The prior art further discloses many techniques for removing the tissue specimen. Proper removal of the tissue specimen is critical. Cysts and other types of diseased tissue may spill into the surrounding tissue, resulting in inflammation and transfer of malignant cells or disease. Tumors or organs larger than the trocar need to be segmented for removal, which also may lead to inflammation and transfer of malignant cells. The segmenting of the tumors or organs is technically complicated and very time consuming. In certain methods, such as motor driven morcellators, there is a high danger of injury for the organs and blood vessels in the body. Further, morcellators render the tissue specimen unusable for certain pathologies.
Devices and techniques for removing the tissue specimen while limiting the transfer of malignant or diseased cells are also disclosed in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,379 discloses a surgical tissue bag for percutaneously debulking tissue. The debulking is performed by inserting the bag through an access sheath into a body cavity, inserting a surgically removed tissue mass through an open end of the bag, closing the end of the bag and pulling the closed end of the bag out of the body cavity. The end of the bag is then opened and morcellating or debulking of the tissue through the open end of the bag is performed while the remainder of the bag remains in the body cavity. The bag is made of flexible and foldable material and includes an inner layer of puncture resistant material such as nylon in either woven or solid layer form for resisting penetration by a surgical morcellating instrument. The outer layer of the bag is made of a moisture proof polymeric material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,521 discloses an entrapment envelope having a means for opening and closing. The entrapment envelope is constructed of flexible, low fluid permeability materials having sufficient strength to contain morcellator entry, organ fragmentation and removal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,754 discloses a tissue isolation bag which expands from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration when pressurized gas or liquid is supplied thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,483 discloses a tissue reduction device which is thermally activated and is used in conjunction with a tissue isolation bag. The tissue reduction member is in an expanded condition at body temperature but shrinks to a smaller specimen reduced configuration when heated to a temperature above body temperature.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,803 discloses a tissue segmentation device incorporated into an isolation bag for segmenting tissue during an operation such as in laparoscopic surgery. The device includes one or more loops of high strength wire which can be mechanically reduced in loop diameter to cut tissue into smaller pieces. The wire loops can be heated electrically to aid in the cutting through hard-to-cut parts of the tissue. The wire can be of a shape memory alloy which shrinks when heated to form a smaller diameter loop.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,709 discloses a tissue specimen being removed with a bag having a side opening and an end opening. The bag is inserted into the abdominal cavity with the end opening of the bag remaining extracorporeal to a thread casing that extends through the abdominal wall. The tissue specimen is directed through the side opening and into the bag. The bag is reduced in size to snugly hold the tissue specimen. The tissue specimen is then segmented. The bag has positioning pins to hold the tissue specimen in place in the bag during the segmenting process. The segmented tissue specimen is removed through the end opening.
The bags disclosed in the prior art for retaining the tissue specimen and performing various procedures on the specimen have the disadvantage of requiring a relatively large sized insufflated region to perform the encapsulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,697 discloses a polyp removal device that severs and removes the polyp. The snare is an electrically conductive cauterization loop that is ejected from the end of an endoscopic assembly. A cup-shaped web member is also ejected from the endoscopic assembly end. The loop is placed over the polyp and the web member is opened up. A vacuum is applied to the web member to secure the polyp in the cup-shaped web member. Electrical current is conducted to the loop to sever the polyp from the patient, and the loop is closed. The severed polyp is held in the web member by suction and is removed from the patient. This device has the restriction of being used with polyps. Additionally, the entire polyp is not enclosed, resulting in possible contamination of tissue during the removal procedure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,282 discloses a surgical instrument to remove excised tissue from an insufflated anatomic cavity through a body wall overlaying an endoscopic work space. A tissue grasping instrument attaches itself to the excised tissue and the tissue is pulled through a sleeve, or snake, which extends through the body wall. This device has numerous disadvantages, including the restriction of grasping the tissue specimen, which may result in severing portions of the tissue specimen which in turn remain in the patient to cause inflammation, spreading of disease, and contamination by malignant cells.
Further, the cited prior art does not disclose devices or techniques suitable for removing a cyst or a tumor from a region that is not insufflated while minimizing deposition of cells therefrom into the patient, such as removing a tumor from a breast.

Tissue specimen encapsulation device and method thereof


An estimation device for a cylinder intake air amount in an internal combustion engine can estimate a cylinder intake air amount to a sufficient accuracy for suitable engine control, in either of steady state operation and transient operation with a small number of adaptation constants and a small amount of calculation load, without requiring a huge memory capacity. The relation between an opening degree and an effective opening area of a throttle valve has been learned, while calculating the cylinder intake air amount in an S/D method from a volumetric efficiency correction factor map adapted by valve timing at the time of steady state operation, and in a period from a transient change until an exhaust manifold temperature is converged, an intake air amount is calculated based on the relation thus learned. The cylinder intake air amount is calculated based on a physical model of an intake system response delay.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device for an internal combustion engine which is provided with a VVT (variable valve timing drive) mechanism, and more specifically, to an estimation device for a cylinder intake air amount in an internal combustion engine, which serves for calculating an amount of intake air sucked in a cylinder with a high degree of accuracy.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in order to control an engine in a suitable manner, it is important to calculate an amount of air to be sucked into a cylinder (hereinafter also referred to as a cylinder intake air amount) with a high degree of accuracy, and to carry out fuel control and ignition timing control according to the amount of air which has been sucked into the cylinder.
In order to obtain a cylinder intake air amount, there are generally applied two kinds of methods including an AFS method of measuring the cylinder intake air amount by the use of an air flow sensor (AFS: Air Flow Sensor) which is arranged in an intake pipe at a location upstream of a throttle valve, and an S/D method (Speed Density method) of calculating by estimation the cylinder intake air amount from an intake manifold pressure and an engine rotational speed by using a pressure sensor (hereinafter referred to as an "intake manifold pressure sensor") which is arranged in an intake manifold system (a surge tank and an intake manifold) downstream of the throttle valve in the intake pipe, and an engine rotation sensor.
In addition, there have also been known a technique which serves to switch between the individual methods according to an operating state of an internal combustion engine by using the above-mentioned sensors in combination with each other, and a technique which serves to measure an intake manifold pressure, even in the case of an AFS method.
In recent years, for the purpose of further reducing fuel consumption as well as further increasing output power, there is made popular an adoption of a VVT (Variable Valve Timing) mechanism (hereinafter referred to as an "intake VVT") which serves to make variable the valve opening and closing timing of each intake valve. Moreover, VVT mechanisms are also becoming increasingly adopted for exhaust valves, too, in addition to intake valves (hereinafter referred to as an intake and exhaust VVT system).
In an engine provided with such an intake and exhaust VVT system, however, an amount of intake air sucked into a cylinder from an intake manifold changes greatly depending on the valve opening and closing timing of the intake and exhaust valves, as a result of which if the influence of the valve opening and closing timing is not taken into consideration, in particular in the S/D method, the calculation accuracy of the amount of intake air sucked into the cylinder will decrease to a large extent in all the operation regions including a steady state operation region and a transient operation region.
In addition, in cases where the valve timing is caused to change, a response delay will occur, so that at the time of transient operation, valve timing does not match that which has been set at the time of steady state operation, thus resulting in a cause that will reduce the calculation accuracy of the amount of air to a substantial extent.
In the past, as an estimation method for a cylinder intake air amount in the S/D method, there has been known a method of calculating a cylinder intake air amount from an intake manifold pressure, a volumetric efficiency, a cylinder volume, and a temperature, by assuming as a premise that engine parameters such as valve timing, etc., do not change (for example, refer to a first patent document).
In the method of the first patent document, in cases where a variable valve is applied to the S/D method, it can be considered that a volumetric efficiency in the steady state operation, in which valve timing is in coincidence with one in a control map of valve timing, is set to a map value. In this case, however, there will be no problem at the time of steady state operation, but at the time of transient operation, the calculation accuracy of the amount of air will reduce to a substantial extent.
Accordingly, in order to suppress the reduction in the calculation accuracy of the amount of air at the time of transient operation, it is also considered that many maps for volumetric efficiency have been set according to valve timing, but in the case of applying such a scheme to an intake and exhaust VVT system, it is necessary to set maps of volumetric efficiency according to valve timing of each of an intake VVT mechanism and an exhaust VVT mechanism. As a result, a large number of man hours are required in adaptation and data setting, and moreover, the capacity of memory required for a microcomputer in an ECU becomes huge.
For example, according to the method of the first patent document, as for the number of maps for volumetric efficiency corresponding values (indexes each of which indicates an amount of air coming into a cylinder from an intake manifold), in cases where the operating range of a VVT mechanism is represented by six representative points, with each region between adjacent points (hereinafter referred to as an interpoint region) being interpolated, six volumetric efficiency corresponding value maps are required for a system configuration using only an intake VVT mechanism, and a total number (6×6=36) of volumetric efficiency corresponding value maps will be required for a system configuration of an intake and exhaust VVT system.
That is, in an engine having VVT mechanisms, in cases where an S/D method of estimating a cylinder intake air amount from an intake manifold pressure and an engine rotational speed is applied, it is necessary to adapt the volumetric efficiency corresponding value according to the actual valve timing of each VVT mechanism, and hence the number of storage maps becomes huge.

Estimation device for cylinder intake air amount in an internal combustion engine


The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates providing a personalized set of available content. An interface can receive a content vector associated with available content and a profile vector associated with a user preference. Additionally, a personalization component can generate a personalized set of available content by correlating the content vector and the profile vector.

Technological advances in computer hardware, software and networking have lead to efficient, cost effective computing systems (e.g., desktop computers, laptops, handhelds, cell phones, servers, . . . ) that can communicate with each other from essentially anywhere in the world in order to exchange information. These systems continue to evolve into more reliable, robust and user-friendly systems. As a consequence, more and more industries and users are purchasing computers and utilizing them as viable electronic alternatives to traditional paper and verbal media for exchanging information. For example, many industries and users are leveraging computing technology to improve efficiency and decrease cost through web-based (e.g., on-line) services. For instance, users can search and retrieve particular information (e.g., via a search engine), view headlines related to available content, purchase goods, view bank statements, invoke monetary transactions (e.g., pay a bill on-line), research products and companies, apply for employment, obtain real-time stock quotes, obtain a college degree, download files and applications, transmit correspondence (e.g., email, chat rooms, . . . ), etc. with the click of a mouse.
A user can obtain information utilizing various techniques. For instance, information can be provided to a user as one or more headlines. Pursuant to an example, a user interface can display any number of headlines related to available content and a user can select a headline of interest to obtain related content associated therewith (e.g., selecting a hyperlink related to the headline). Additionally, a user can search for information (e.g., via a search engine). In general, a search engine is a program (e.g., computer executable instructions) designed to help find files (e.g., web pages, images, text, . . . ) stored on a computer, for example, a public server or on one's own personal computer. A typical search engine allows a user to invoke a query for files that satisfy particular criteria, for example, files that contain a given word or phrase in a title or body. Web search engines generally work by storing information about a large number of web pages retrieved from the World Wide Web (WWW) through a web crawler, or an automated web browser, which follows essentially every link it locates. The contents of each web page are then analyzed to determine how it should be indexed, for example, words can be extracted from the titles, headings, or special fields called meta-tags. Data about web pages is stored in an index database for use in later queries. Some search engines store (or cache) all or part of a source page as well as information about the web pages. When a user invokes a query through the web search engine by providing key words, the web search engine looks up the index and provides a listing of web pages that best-match the criteria, usually with a short summary containing the document's title and/or parts of the text. Some web search engines employ a real-time approach, wherein information is obtained when a query is started rather than obtaining stored information through indexing. With this approach, the information is more up-to-date and there typically are less dead links and less system resources are needed, but more time is generally required to complete the request.
In general, the usefulness of a headline or a search result depends on the relevance to a user. While there can be numerous web pages that include a particular word or phrase, some web pages may be more relevant, popular, or authoritative than others. Most search engines employ methods to rank the results to provide a "best" result first. How a search engine decides which pages are the best matches, and what order the results should be shown in, varies widely from one engine to another. Conventionally, techniques for identifying a user's interests to provide relevant headlines and/or search results include explicitly asking the user to select preferred topic(s). For instance, a user can be presented with a set of potential topics and the user can select a subset of the topics to accordingly personalize headlines and/or search results. However, these techniques typically require a user to perform initialization via explicitly inputting interests and can be subject to inaccuracies if the user's interests change without the explicit input being updated.


In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an insulating film is formed on a surface of a p-type semiconductor region, and then removed from a selected portion of the p-type semiconductor region. An n-type region having a high concentration of arsenic atoms is formed in a surface layer of the selected portion of the p-type semiconductor region from which the insulating film is removed. Subsequently, boron ions are implanted over an entire surface of the device in a concentration that is lower than that of the n-type region and higher than that of the p-type semiconductor region, to a smaller depth than that of the n-type region, and heat treatment is then effected to form a high-concentration boron diffused region in a surface layer of the p-type semiconductor region. An insulating film on the n-type region and an insulating film on the boron diffused region are selectively removed, and a metallic film is formed on an exposed surface of the n-type region and an exposed surface of the boron diffused region.

In a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOS FET), the on resistance increases with an increase in the contact resistance between a source electrode, and a surface of a source region and a surface of a p well region. The relationship between the contact resistance and the impurity concentration of silicon is disclosed in A.Y.C.Yu, Electron Tunneling and Contact Resistance of Metal-Silicon Contact Barriers, Solid State Electronics, 13, p279, 1970, and VLSI process data handbook p319 (Science Forum), for example.
FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) show the dependence of the contact resistance of aluminum (Al) and silicon upon the impurity concentration, wherein FIG. 16(a) indicates the case where n-type silicon is used, and FIG. 16(b) indicates the case where p-type silicon is used. In FIG. 16(a), the contact resistance can be reduced to 10.sup.-6 .OMEGA. cm.sup.2 or lower by controlling the impurity concentration (donor concentration) to be 10.sup.20 cm.sup.-3 or higher. If the impurity concentration is reduced by one order of magnitude, i.e., to 10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3, however, the contact resistance, which greatly depends on the impurity concentration, increases by six orders of magnitude (10.sup.6 times) to 1 .OMEGA. cm.sup.2. In FIG. 16(b), the contact resistance may be reduced to 10.sup.-6 .OMEGA. cm.sup.2 or lower by controlling the impurity concentration (acceptor concentration) to be only about 5.times.10.sup.18 .OMEGA. cm.sup.-3. Thus, in order to control the contact resistance of a MOSFET to be 10.sup.-6 .OMEGA. cm.sup.2 or lower, for example, the surface concentration of its n source region needs to be controlled to be 10.sup.20 cm.sup.-3 or higher, and the surface concentration of its p well region needs to be controlled to be 5.times.10.sup.18 cm or higher.
FIG. 17 shows a first known example of manufacturing method for reducing the contact resistance, wherein (a) through (f) are process steps to be taken in this order in this method. In the step (a), an n-type region 2a and a p-type region 3a are formed in a semiconductor region 60, and surfaces of these regions 2a, 3a, 60 are covered with an oxide film 4. In the step (b), the oxide film 4 is covered with a photoresist film (hereinafter referred to simply as "resist film) that is not shown in the figure, and selected portions of the oxide film 4 are removed by etching, using this resist film as a mask, so as to form contact holes 5. The resist film is then removed. In the step (c), a resist film 6 is formed over the entire surface of the structure obtained in the step (b), and a portion of the resist film 6 that is located on the n-type region 2a is removed so that the other portion of the film 6 that is not on the n-type region 2a remains on the structure. In the step (d), ionized n-type impurity atoms (indicated by arrows 7) are implanted using the resist film 5 as a mask exclusively used for forming an n-type impurity region 15a. In the step (e), the resist film 6 is removed and heat treatment is carried out, so that the high-concentration n-type impurity region 15a that provides an n-type contact region is formed in a surface layer of the n-type region 2a. In the step (f), metal wiring layers or conductive layers 9 are secured to the n-type contact region provided by the high-concentration n-type impurity region 15a, and a p-type contact region formed at the surface of the p-type region 3a.
FIG. 18 shows a second known example of manufacturing method for reducing the contact resistance, wherein (a) through (f) are process steps to be taken in this order. In this known method, the contact resistance is reduced by securing a metal wiring layer to both an n-type region and a p-type region. In the step (a) of FIG. 18, an oxide film 4 is formed on a semiconductor region 60, and an opening is provided in the oxide film 4. Ions of p-type impurity atoms are then implanted into the semiconductor region 60, using the oxide film 4 as a mask exclusively used for forming a p-type region 3b that provides a p-type contact region . In the step (b), an oxide film 4g is formed in the opening of the oxide film 4. In the step (c), an opening is provided in the oxide films 4, 4g, and an n-type region 2b that provides an n-type contact region is formed adjacent to the p-type region 3b, using these oxide films 4, 4g as an exclusive mask for forming the region 2b. In the step (d), an oxide film 4h is formed in the opening by thermal oxidation or CVD method. In the step (e), an opening is provided in the oxide film 4h, so as to form a contact hole 5. In the step (f), a metal wiring layer or conductive layer 9 is secured to the surface of the n-type region 2b that provides the n-type contact region, and to the surface of the p-type region 3b that provide the p-type contact region.
In either of the known examples of FIGS. 17 and 18, the ion implantation steps for forming the n-type contact region and the p-type contact region require respective photolithography steps using exclusive masks for forming these contact regions. This undesirably increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, errors in matching these exclusive masks, namely, positioning these masks relative to each other, in the photolithography steps may cause a deviation of the dimensions of the n-type contact region or p-type contact region from design values, or a deviation of the ratio of the sizes or areas of the n-type and p type contact regions from a design value, resulting in an increase in the contact resistance.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device having low contact resistance


An industrial device comprises a light emitter and a detector that is optically coupled to the emitter. A first deformable mirror/lens is optically coupled to the emitter, the first deformable mirror/lens is dynamically shaped to facilitate receipt of light at the detector. For example, the deformable mirror/lens can be associated with one or more actuators that causes the mirror/lens to be shaped in a desirable manner.

Industrial processes are employed in connection with producing numerous products that are utilized every day by consumers. For instance, everything from textiles to toothbrushes to automobiles to complex electronic devices is produced in industrial environments. To effectuate production of such items, complex and oftentimes dangerous equipment must be employed. For example, to create an automobile door, sheet metal must be cut in a desired shape by large cutting devices. Without adequate safety mechanisms, one or more individuals may become seriously injured and/or disfigured by accidentally placing a body part in an improper place at an inopportune time. Thus, many industrial devices are associated with safety mechanisms that cause such devices to automatically shut down when an individual or object is detected in an improper position.
One example of a safety device that is commonly employed in industrial environments is a safety light curtain. Safety light curtains are utilized to ensure that objects of threshold sizes do not come within a certain distance of particular portions of machinery. More specifically, a plurality of light emitters are aligned with a plurality of light detectors such that multiple beams of light are emitted in parallel to one another by the emitters and received by respective detectors. The detectors can be coupled to a device that is employed in connection with analyzing the light signals (the beams of light). In a detailed example, the detectors can be sequentially enabled by a shift register, and the received light signal can be analyzed in sequence by a microprocessor, which determines status of each light beam (e.g., whether a certain light beam is impeded).
If, upon analyzing the received signal, a determination is made that one or more beams of light has been impeded (such that light emitted from an emitter does not reach a corresponding detector), a microcontroller can communicate with output devices that are coupled to a controlling element to shut down a machine associated with the safety light curtain. Thereafter the machine can be manually restarted upon the beams being unimpeded. As can be surmised from the above, safety light curtains have saved numerous individuals from serious injury as well as increased useful life of machines (by protecting such machines from foreign objects in sensitive areas).
Yet another safety mechanism that is employed in industrial settings is a single beam safety device, where a light emitter directs a beam of light towards a detector. If an obstruction is placed between the emitter and the detector (thus impeding the beam of light), light will not be received at the detector. Control circuitry associated with the detector will cause a machine related to the single beam safety device to cease hazardous operation, cause an alarm to be initiated, and/or the like. While safety light curtains can be quite large, heavy, and stable, single beam safety devices are typically lightweight and portable. A substantial amount of vibration, dust, and the like can be associated with many industrial environments, which can cause degradation in optical signals received at the detector. For example, initially, an emitter and detector can be optimally aligned, thereby enabling the detector to receive and analyze a strong, high quality optical signal. Over time, however, due to vibration the emitter and detector may slowly become misaligned, causing a reduction in signal strength received at the detector. After a certain amount of misalignment has occurred, the emitter and detector must be re-aligned to enable use of the single beam safety device.


In a longitudinal adjuster (3) for a vehicle seat having a backrest that can pivot freely, a first seat rail (13), and a second seat rail (15) relative to which the first seat rail (13) can be displaced longitudinally, a locking device (16) for locking the longitudinal adjuster (3), a memory device assigned to the first seat rail (13) and interacting with the second seat rail (15), said memory device memorizing a set longitudinal seat position which is relinquished when the vehicle seat (1) is longitudinally displaced during the free pivoting of the backrest (5) and is then re-assumed once the seat is displaced back again, and an actuation device (101) assigned to the first seat rail (13), which actuation device actuates the resetting of the memory device and the unlocking of the locking device (16), the actuation device (101) is arranged with limited movement capability in the longitudinal direction relative to the first seat rail (13).

The present invention generally relates to a longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat having a backrest that can pivot freely, with the longitudinal adjuster including a first seat rail and a second seat rail relative to which the first seat rail can be displaced in the longitudinal direction; a locking device for locking the longitudinal adjuster; a memory device assigned to the first seat rail and interacting with the second seat rail, with the memory device storing a set longitudinal seat position, which is departed from when the vehicle seat is longitudinally displaced during the free pivoting of the backrest and is then re-assumed once the seat is displaced back again; and an actuation device assigned to the first seat rail, which actuation device actuates resetting by the memory device and unlocking by the locking device.
WO 03/062012 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,800 disclose a longitudinal adjuster of the type described immediately above. The memory device is connected through the upper side of the first seat rail with an actuation device that is mounted on the first seat rail and that actuates the memory device for resetting. The control spring is mounted on the control signal generator. A longitudinal rib of the control signal generator running parallel to the axis of rotation of the displacement measuring device, and a corresponding recess in the control spring act as a floating bearing and ensure a rotationally rigid connection, with the possibility of sliding along the axis of rotation of the displacement measuring device. Due to the special shape and high demands for dimensional accuracy, the production of these components is expensive. When the memorized longitudinal seat position has been reached, the actuated locking element pivots out and engages in the second seat rail. A small relative movement of the seat rails is required for detaching and pivoting back.

Longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat


An operating microscope includes a base set on a floor surface, a post held for rotation around a vertical rotation axis with respect to the base, a horizontal motion arm held for rotation around a first horizontal rotation axis with respect to the post, a vertical motion arm held for rotation around a second horizontal rotation axis with respect to the horizontal motion arm, a lens barrel portion supported by the vertical motion arm, an elastic member which is provided between the post and the horizontal motion arm and cancels an angular moment around the horizontal motion arm, a fulcrum which is provided on the horizontal motion arm and receives a force from the elastic member, and a fulcrum moving mechanism configured to shift the position of the fulcrum in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the horizontal motion arm.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an operating microscope used in, for example, surgical operations.
2. Description of the Related Art
An operating microscope is disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 7-16239. This operating microscope has an arm frame of a counterweight (counterbalance) type in which a lens barrel portion supported on an arm is supported for three-dimensional movement and a counterweight is used for total balancing.
Disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 57-86806 is an operating microscope having an arm frame of a spring-balance type in which a spring is used for total balancing. This arm frame can enable the overall weight or mass of the operating microscope to be less than the counterbalance-type arm frame, that is, it can make the operating microscope more compact. Thus, this operating microscope has an advantage of improved transportability.
The operating microscope having the spring-balanced arm frame thus disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 57-86806 includes a horizontal motion arm, which makes a lens barrel portion horizontally move around two vertical axes, and a vertical motion arm, which makes the lens barrel portion vertically move around one horizontal axis. This arm frame has a structure such that an angular moment generated around the one horizontal axis by the weight of the lens barrel portion or the weight of the vertical motion arm is canceled for balancing by an elastic member (coil spring, gas spring, etc.).
An operating microscope is disclosed in European Pat. Appln. Publication No. 1251380. This operating microscope is furnished with a leveling function having a solid structure such that a rotary swing bearing is attached to the arm frame and two vertical axes can be adjusted for leveling in the vertical direction without regard to inclination of a floor surface.

Operating microscope having an arm frame


Example apparatus and methods concern improved input of radicals. Example apparatus and methods facilitate more efficiently inputting Chinese radicals using a touch screen. One example method includes displaying a labeled soft key on a touch screen device. The label may represent all or a portion of a radical. The example method includes accepting a touch input associated with the soft key and then taking an action based on the label and the touch input. The action may include inputting a radical or updating the display on the touch screen. Updating the display may facilitate iterative and intuitive progress through radical construction leading to radical selection and input.

Mobile computing devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets) with touch screens are used all around the world for an ever increasing number and type of applications. Characters in some languages (e.g., English) are easier to input via a touch screen than are characters from other languages (e.g., Chinese, Japanese). A touch screen is an electronic visual display that can both display items and detect the presence and location of a touch. The touch may be made by a finger, stylus, or other item. A touch screen facilitates interacting directly with what is displayed, rather than interacting indirectly with some other device (e.g., keypad, mouse). Touch screens are used in computers, printers, navigation devices, microwaves, televisions, tablet computers, and other devices.
Practical keypads for inputting English characters through a touch screen device exist. These practical keypads may simply replicate a conventional QWERTY keyboard where there is a one-to-one correspondence between a key on the keyboard and a character. A typical English keyboard may have around eighty keys, a shift key that can effectively double the number of characters, and a control key that can double the number of characters again or allow inputting special characters. Touch screen devices may mimic the shift key and control key, and may also have additional screens of characters that can be input. While this may be practical for English, which has a small closed set of characters, this may not be practical for Chinese characters since there may be over one hundred thousand Chinese characters. Additionally, new Chinese phrases are still being created.
Chinese characters may be, for example, logograms. There are different types of Chinese characters. For example, there are phono-semantic compounds, ideogrammic compounds, pictograms, ideograms, and others. Phono-semantic compounds may also be referred to as radical-phonetic characters. Phono-semantic compounds form the vast majority of Chinese characters. Phono-semantic compounds combine a rebus with a determinative and thus combine a phonetic element (e.g., character with approximately the correct pronunciation) with a radical (e.g., limited number of determinative characters that supply an element of meaning): The radical is usually on one side (e.g., left side), while the phonetic is on the other side (e.g., right), (e.g., = "water"+ mù). The semantic and phonetic elements may also be stacked, (e.g., = "plant"+ c{hacek over (a)}i). Phono-semantic compounds may account for over 80% of Chinese characters. Therefore, there may be over eighty thousand phono-semantic compounds. It is therefore difficult, if even possible, to imagine a one-to-one correspondence keyboard similar to the QWERTY keyboard that could efficiently handle eighty thousand characters.

Inputting radical on touch screen device


An I/O connector includes a housing, an insulating body and a plurality of terminals. The housing has a recess for receiving the insulating body. The insulating body defines fixing cavities on a bottom surface thereof and fixing grooves on a back surface thereof for receiving the terminals. The terminal has a fixing portion. One end of the fixing portion bends to form a soldering portion and the other end of the fixing portion bends sideward to form a bent portion. The end of the bent portion extends downward and separates into two elastic arms. Free ends of the two elastic arms bend toward two reverse directions respectively and then bend reversely to approach each other again to form two contact portions, whereby an opposite elasticity is generated to provide a firm engagement with a printed circuit board and to prevent transmission from cutting off while being shocked.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an I/O connector, and more particularly to an I/O connector having terminals and a printed circuit board engaged with each other firmly.
2. The Related Art
Traditionally, the electronic device such as a mobile phone usually needs to use an I/O connector while charging or transmitting signal. The I/O connector is fixed on a printed circuit board by soldering terminals on the printed circuit board via SMT method, or by way of elasticity compression making terminals against the printed circuit board.
However, plastic components of the I/O connector are apt to change shape as a result of high temperature and high pressure when the terminals are soldered on the printed circuit board. The I/O connector fixed on the printed circuit board by way of elasticity compression of the terminals can overcome the problem. By this way, the I/O connector can't have the terminals and the printed circuit board engaged with each other firmly. The transmission between the terminals and the printed circuit board is easily interrupted after a sudden shock if the engagement provided by elastic compression is not firm.


A requirement acquisition system for grasping requirements from related documents such as documents the client holds, investigation results of an interview or questionnaire, meeting minutes, specification and the like, in system or software development, by reduced efforts and hours is provided. In particular, from a document being a group of character strings, one or more partial string which is a common part of the plurality of character strings is extracted as an important phrase. When the important phrase does not exist, the processing is finished. When the important phrase exists, a representative character string of the document is extracted as a candidate character string, deleting the candidate character string is deleted from the document, and the important phrase is deleted from the candidate character string. When the number of the important phrase being deleted is one or more, the candidate character string is set as an important character string.

In system or software development, to acquire requirements regarding conditions or capabilities the development system must satisfy for solving problems or achieving objects from the client is called as the requirement acquisition. In requirement acquisition, the requirements must be grasped with consideration of important phrases of related documents or relations therebetween for extracting the client's requirements without omission and utilizing them for the specifications and designs.
Conventionally, in the requirement acquisition, an analyzer extracts important phrases manually, and grasps the requirements by the clue of those important phrases with linking similar contents described in different parts thereof. However, it requires a lot of efforts and hours for extracting important phrases and linking them with repeatedly reading a large volume of documents. Further, important parts may be omitted caused by human errors.
There are methods of extracting nouns, verbs and the like for supporting the analyzer by the morphological analysis (syntactic analysis). In the requirement acquisition method described in non-patent literature 1, for example, nouns and verbs are extracted. Further, in the requirement acquisition support device described in patent literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication JP-A-H06-067862), division to words is performed by the syntactic analysis and detailed patterns are retrieved.
There is also a method without dividing to words in advance and extracting partial strings which emerges in plural times in related documents as important phrases. In the phrase extraction method described in non-patent literature 2, for example, phrases which repeatedly emerge are extracted as important phrases.
However, in methods of extracting important phrases as described in patent literature 1, non-patent literatures 1 and 2, when the analyzer determines the mean of an extracted phrase, the analyzer must refer to the original document and check it. Normally, a large number of phrases is extracted, and the number of sentences including these phrases is also large, so that huge efforts and hours are required for checking operation similarly to the case of manual extraction which is performed conventionally.
Further, one requirement does not always include only one important phrase, and in most cases, a plurality of important phrases like a noun and a verb are included. Therefore, it is difficult to link important phrases to the original document, because it is required to determine what kind of combination of important phrases are to be linked.
Moreover, when important phrases are extracted, in the method of dividing into words in advance by the morphological analysis as described in non-patent literature 1 and patent literature 1, there is a problem where the words cannot be extracted correctly caused by erroneous word division. For example, "gaikokujin-sanseiken", which means "foreigners-suffrage", may be divided into "gaikoku" "ninjin" "seiken" ("ninjin" is another reading of "jinsan" in Chinese characters), which means "foreign country"—"carrot"—"regime". In addition, there is also a problem that unknown words which are not registered in the dictionary used in the morphological analysis cannot be extracted. Therefore, for example, an abbreviation like the English string "ABC" cannot be extracted.
In a method of extracting partial strings which emerge in plural times from related documents as described in non-patent literature 2, because many similar phrases are extracted, it is required to determine whether the extracted phrases are important phrases or not to choose or refuse them by checking the original document. As a result, there is a problem that efforts and hours for determination are needed.
As a related technique, in patent literature 2 (Japanese Patent Application Publication JP2008-234049A), an abstract text generation device and an abstract sentence generation program are disclosed. In this related technique, when selecting a sentence whose degree of similarity with another sentence is equal to or more than a preset threshold value, it is extracted in order without repeatedly calculating the degree of similarity, and the threshold value is necessary to be determined in advance.

Document content analysis and abridging apparatus


A separable safety credit card which contains multiple account numbers and is mechanically detachable into two component parts whereby that part upon which is embossed the credit account numbers may be separately carried from the individual identification part thereof for purposes of safety and security so that if either component is lost or stolen the card may not be used by another in the making of unauthorized transactions.

The present invention relates to credit card security, and in particular to a separable safety credit card which has at least two component parts that are carried separately and apart such that all components thereof must be mechanically joined to form a completed credit card for either mechanical or electronic transaction uses, whereby if one such component part is lost or stolen the credit card is of no use thereby preventing unauthorized transactions.
One of the current responses to combatting credit card fraudulent use are the so-called "Smart Card" devices, which are basically micro-computer credit cards that require the inputting of codes and account data for use such that unauthorized transactions in the event of loss or being stolen are prevented by virtue of the codes. Examples of the Smart Card devices are as respectively taught by Pavlov et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,861 dated Sep. 30, 1986, Quintana in U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,087 dated May 19, 1987, and Butterworth et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,455 dated Nov. 7, 1989, and although these devices are effective in providing increased credit card security, they may be of a cost and capability which substantially exceeds that which is attractive to the typical credit card user.
In the realm of multi-piece credit cards for security purposes, the teaching by Ellingboe in U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,994 dated Jan. 25, 1972, would be an example, however, such a card is designed to interface with electronic access mechanisms only as a means for accomplishing account transactions.
The present invention embodying a simple mechanical approach as will hereinafter be more fully detailed and explained, for enhancing credit card security by way of a multi-piece separable safety credit card, is a new and convenient way for providing a more practical approach for the typical credit card user to effectively deal with the hazard of credit card loss or theft and preventing subsequent unauthorized credit card use.

Separable multi-account safety credit card


A motor assembly has an outer stator (40), a rotor assembly (30), a separating can (50), and a first bearing (36) and a second bearing (37). The rotor assembly (30) has an inner rotor (32) and a shaft (31) and defines an axial direction (77) and a radial direction (78) of the motor assembly (20). The motor assembly (20) has a magnetic air gap (53) between the outer stator (40) and the inner rotor (32). The separating can (50) has a split tube component (51) and a separating can base part (52). The split tube component (51) has a split tube section (54). The split tube section (54) extends through the magnetic air gap (53). The outer stator (40) is arranged around the split tube section (54). The split tube section (51) and the separating can base part (52) overlap in a first predefined axial region (55). A seal (60) is provided between the split tube section (51) and the separating can base part (52) in the first predefined axial region (55).

A separating can be used in the structural design of an electric motor. A separating can preferably be used to achieve a seal between an inner space and an outer space. This can be required, for example, if a pump is to deliver an aerosol containing combustible ingredients.
It is an object of the disclosure to provide a new motor having a separating can. This object is achieved by a motor assembly having an outer stator, a rotor assembly, a separating can, and a bearing assembly with a first bearing and a second bearing. The rotor assembly has an inner rotor and a shaft and defines an axial direction and a radial direction of the motor assembly. The motor assembly has a magnetic air gap between the outer stator and the inner rotor. The separating can has a split tube section and a separating can base part. The split tube section has a split tube region. The split tube region extends through the magnetic air gap. The outer stator is disposed about the split tube region. The split tube section and separating can base part overlap in a first predefined axial region. A seal is provided in the first predefined axial region. The split tube section and the separating can base part.
An overlap of the split tube section and the separating can base part makes it easier and more reliable to provide a seal between these parts. As can be derived from the dependent claims, the seal can comprise a sealing member or it can be configured as an integral joint of the two parts. The existence of a seal does not say anything about the exact quality of the seal or its sealing effect. This depends on the intended use. The IP 54 protective system can for example be sufficient to protect electric devices against dust and splash water. But IP 68 or higher may be required for protection from discharge of explosive aerosols.
According to a preferred embodiment, the separating can base part has a first bearing seat. A first bearing is provided in the first bearing seat. This provides easy installation of the first bearing in the region of the separating can base part.
According to a preferred embodiment, the split tube section has a second bearing seat. A second bearing is provided in the second bearing seat. This provides easy installation of the second bearing in the region of the split tube section. Also, the number of installation steps can be kept low.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least sections of the separating can base part are disposed radially outside the split tube section in a first predefined axial region. The split tube section can thereby extend radially outside the split tube section. It defines an additional housing section, for example, for the stator.
According to a preferred embodiment, the inner rotor and the first bearing are spaced apart from each other. Thus, a second axial region is provided between the inner rotor and the first bearing. The first predefined axial region is in the axial direction completely or partially provided in the second predefined axial region. This enables a short design of the separating can.
According to a preferred embodiment, the split tube section has an axial end facing the separating can base part. The rotor assembly extends on both axial sides of the axial end. The extension of the rotor assembly on both sides simplifies the installation and design of the rotor can part. Thus, the rotor can contact the rotor assembly when installed outside the split tube section.
According to a preferred embodiment, the split tube section or the separating can base part has an annular section. The outer surface of the outer stator is connected to the annular section. Preferably, it is connected by a press-fit connection, an adhesive bond, or a screwed connection. The connection of the outer stator to one of the parts advantageously reduces the number of required components.
According to a preferred embodiment, the seal comprises a sealing member that is formed as a layer of an elastomeric material connected to the separating can base part. The sealing member can be produced well and repeatably. The seal does not require an additional process step during assembly for adding a separate sealing member.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing member is configured as an injection molded member. It can be configured as an injection molded member efficiently and with low tolerances.
According to a preferred embodiment, the seal comprises a sealing member. The split tube section has split tube section projections on its outer surface. The outer stator has a stator core, a winding assembly, and a molded part. The molded part has a plurality of molded part projections. The motor assembly defines a sealing member space in the first predefined axial region. The sealing member space is radially inwards at least in sections defined by the split tube. The sealing member space is radially outwards at least in sections defined by the separating can base part. The sealing member space is at least in sections defined on a first axial side by the separating can base part. The sealing member space is at least in sections defined on a second axial side situated opposite the first axial side by the split tube section projections or at least in sections by the molded part projections. The sealing member is disposed in the sealing member space.
This embodiment advantageously defines a sealing member space where a sealing member can be provided. It also allows installation of the sealing member in a favorable manner. The second axial side can thus likewise be defined, at least in sections, by both the split tube section projections and the molded part projections.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing member has a sealing ring. Sealing rings are advantageous for circumferential sealing between components.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing member comprises an O-ring, an X-ring, or a V-ring. These types of sealing members achieve good sealing in the present embodiment.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing member has a support ring. The support ring adjoins the split tube section projections or molded part projections at least in sections on the second axial side of the sealing member space. The sealing ring is disposed between the support ring and the first axial side of the sealing member space. A support ring results in a more uniform pressure applied to the sealing ring if the sealing member space is not completely uniform. This can increase the sealing effect.
According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing member is pressed in the radial direction into the sealing member space, at least in sections. Pressing increases the sealing effect.
According to a preferred embodiment, the molded part is configured as a stator end disk or as a stator encapsulation. The shape of the molded part can be produced with very low tolerances. Also, the shape is in the desired design for such molded parts.
According to a preferred embodiment, the molded part is additionally configured as an insulating body, at least onto sections where the winding assembly is wound. The molded part can thus also act as an insulating part. No additional process steps are needed to produce an insulation.
According to a preferred embodiment, the molded part is configured as a substrate for a winding connection. Due to this design, the molded part can be used for disposing a winding connection and implement an additional function.
According to a preferred embodiment, the outer stator has stator grooves on its inner surface. The stator grooves are configured to allow sliding of the outer stator onto the split tube section. This occurs moving the split tube section projections in the stator grooves during assembly of the motor assembly. The stator is thus aligned by means of the split tube section projections.
According to a preferred embodiment, the split tube section projections are formed as ribs. This ribs extend in the axial direction into the region of the stator grooves to enable alignment of the outer stator relative to the split tube section. Alignment is thus possible over the range of movement.
According to a preferred embodiment, a split tube section projection is disposed at least in sections of each stator groove. This results in an equal distribution of forces.
According to a preferred embodiment, the outer stator comprises pronounced stator poles with stator pole heads. The split tube section projections engage in the region of the stator grooves between the stator pole heads. This yields an advantageous design where the stator can be aligned by the stator pole heads.
According to a preferred embodiment, the seal is configured as an adhesive bond with an adhesive. The adhesive connects the split tube section and the separating can base part to each other. Use of an adhesive makes it possible to produce a seal without an additional molded sealing member.
According to a preferred embodiment, the seal is configured as a welded connection. The welded connection connects the split tube section and the separating can base part to each other. Welded connections can also be produced without an additional sealing member. Moreover, welded connections can be made very tight.
According to a preferred embodiment, the separating can base part forms a groove at least in sections. The groove engages in the split tube section. The groove is preferably configured as a circumferential groove. The groove enables easy installation for various seals. Also, alignment is easier when joining the components. Alternatively, such a groove can also be formed on the axial end of the split tube section.
According to a preferred embodiment, a pump assembly comprises a motor assembly according to the above embodiments. Such a pump assembly can be well sealed well by the motor assembly. The region of the inner rotor does not need to be sealed towards the region of the impeller.


A faceplate assembly is disclosed. The faceplate assembly includes a cover and a backing plate. The cover has at least one hood positioned at an edge of the cover. The backing plate is connected to the cover. The hood creates an opening between the cover and the backing plate to enable cables to be routed therethrough. The backing plate also has an outer edge with a split to enable the backing plate to be installed over pre-installed cables.

Faceplates with various modules installed directly in the faceplate are well known. Faceplates having a copper jack, fiber, or audio visual module installed directly into the faceplate with two separate cables installed to complete the overall channel are known. In some applications, however, it is preferred to simply pass a cable directly through a wall or a ceiling.
One example is a pass through faceplate that has an opening in the faceplate where the cabling goes directly through the opening instead of having a module in the faceplate that serves as a transition between the inside and outside of the wall. A problem with this solution is that during installation, each cable needs to be individually fed through the faceplate. If the cable assembly includes large connectors, the installation process can be tedious and costly. Another problem is, if all cables have already been routed and connected during installation, the cables would need to be disconnected in order to install the faceplate since the faceplate cannot be placed over the cables. A further problem is that if the end user needs to re-route the cables in a different direction, the faceplate would need to be uninstalled from the wall or ceiling before the cables could be redirected.
As a result, there is a need for an improved pass through faceplate that allows for the installation of the faceplate after cables have already been installed. There is also a need for a pass through faceplate allowing for redirection of cables and aesthetic appeal.


Disclosed is an end plate for a fuel cell including an anti-bending plate, in which an anti-bending plate is assembled with an insert having a sandwich structure and the insert is injection molded, thereby easily preventing the insert from being bent due to an injection molding pressure. In the disclosed end plate, a sandwich insert including two or more stacked plates each having a specific shape is manufactured, and an anti-bending plate is coupled to the sandwich insert and then is injection molded, thereby easily preventing the sandwich insert from being bent due to a resin pressure in the injection molding process, contrary to a conventional integral metal insert.

(a) Technical Field
The present invention relates to an end plate for a fuel cell including an anti-bending plate. More particularly, it relates to an end plate for a fuel cell including an anti-bending plate, in which an anti-bending plate is assembled with an insert having a sandwich-like structure and the insert is injection molded, thereby easily preventing the insert from being bent due to an injection molding pressure.
(b) Background Art
Referring to FIG. 10, in a unit cell of a fuel cell stack mounted on a fuel cell vehicle, a Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) is located at the innermost side of the unit cell of the fuel cell stack. The MEA includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 10 through which protons pass and catalytic electrode layers, i.e., a cathode 12 and an anode 14, coated on opposite surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 10 such that hydrogen can react with oxygen. Gas Diffusion Layers (GDL) 16 and gaskets 18 are sequentially staked outside the cathode 12 and the anode 14, and separation plates 20 including flow fields for supplying fuel and discharging water generated by the reaction are located outside the GDLs 16.
After several hundred unit cells are stacked, end plates 30 for supplying and fixing each of the unit cells are assembled at the outermost sides of the fuel cell stack. In this case, a current collector plate for collecting electricity generated in the fuel cell stack and sending the collected electricity to outside of the fuel cell stack is mounted inside the end plates 30.
An oxidation reaction of hydrogen occurs in the anode 14 of the fuel cell stack and protons and electrons are generated by the reaction. At this time, the generated protons and electrons flow to the cathode 12 respectively through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 10 and the separation plate 20, so that water is generated in the cathode 12 through an electrochemical reaction of the protons and electrons from the anode 14 with oxygen in the air and electrical energy, finally generated through flow of the electrons, is supplied to a load requiring electrical energy through the current collector plate of the end plates 30.
The end plates 30 of the fuel cell stack serve to fasten a plurality of stacked separation plates, MEAs, and GDLs and simultaneously serve to provide a uniform surface pressure to each unit cell from opposite sides of the fuel cell stack respectively.
As can be seen in FIG. 9, the end plate 30 is formed with a metal insert 31, a plastic injection molded body 32, and a current collector plate 33, which are integrally formed, for weight reduction and electrical insulation. That is, the metal insert 31 is disposed inside an injection mold and then a plastic injection molding material is filled in the injection mold, thereby embodying the end plate 30 including the metal insert 31 surrounded by the plastic injection molded body 32.
In the meantime, the current collector plate 33 is disposed inside the injection mold together with the metal insert 31 and is injection molded together with the plastic injection molded body 32 or separately assembled inside the plastic injection molded body 32 later.
The metal insert of the end plate is required to have a high strength to resist an inner surface pressure. Accordingly, the metal insert is generally manufactured through machining of a metal material and also is manufactured in a complex shape to collect generated electricity from reactions within the fuel cell stack and fasten the fuel cell stack together securely.
However, a conventional metal insert of the end plate is manufactured in an integral shape, so that it has the following disadvantages:
First, in machining a material-reduction structure for weight reduction of the metal insert, it is difficult to perform injection molding for the metal insert. That is, a recess or an uneven portion should not be generated on a resin surface after the injection molding of the end plates, for assuring continuous contact with the gaskets to prevent a fuel leak. However, in applying the material-reduction structure to the metal insert, if a thickness of the resin material of the plastic injection molded body is not uniform, a recess or an uneven portion is disadvantageously generated on the surface of the resin due to the resin's contraction. In particular, if a pocket processing is performed to apply the material-reduction structure to the integral metal insert for reducing the weight, it is difficult to uniformly maintain the thickness of the injection molding material.
Second, the integral metal insert is manufactured by cutting a metal plate or a non-metal plate through machining, so it takes a long time to manufacture a single integral metal insert, thereby making it difficult to mass produce and reduce costs accordingly.
Third, the integral metal insert should be made of a single material. Therefore, applying different materials for weight reduction and strength improvement is also difficult.
In this respect, contrary to a conventional integral metal insert, a sandwich insert in which two or more plates each having a specific shape are stacked has been manufactured to maintain strength and simultaneously promote weight reduction. However, since the sandwich insert employs the centrally disposed plate having material-reduction spaces among several plates of the sandwich insert, the central portion of the sandwich insert is often bent due to resin pressure in the injection molding process for surrounding the sandwich insert with the plastic injection molded body.

End plate for fuel cell including anti-bending plate