A system is provided for synchronizing a PSTN clock and a DSL clock. The system comprises a PSTN interface for transmitting and receiving voiceband samples, a data DSL transceiver for modulating and demodulating data to and from DSL samples, a synchronization circuit for synchronizing the voiceband samples and the data samples, and a converter for converting the synchronized voiceband and DSL samples between analog and digital formats. The synchronization circuit synchronizes the voiceband and the data samples for conversion by the same converter.

With the increasing popularity of the Internet, there has been a corresponding increase in the demand for high rate digital transmission over the local subscriber loops of telephone companies. A loop is a twisted-pair copper telephone line coupling a user or subscriber telephone to a central office (CO).
Traditionally, data communication equipment uses the voice band of the subscriber loop. Such equipment includes voice band modems, which operate at up to 56 kbps using compression techniques. On the other hand, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) systems have boosted data rates over existing copper phone lines to 128 kbps. However, traditional voice band equipment is limited by the maximum data rate of the existing switching networks and PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) data highways.
Utilization of the frequency bandwidth of the loop outside the voiceband has enabled other high-speed systems to evolve. However, because loops can differ in distance, diameter, age and transmission characteristics depending on the network, they pose some limitations and challenges for designers of these high-speed systems.
Current high-speed digital transmission systems of the above type include asymmetric, symmetric, high-rate, and very high-rate digital subscriber loops, conventionally known as ADSL, SDSL, HDSL and VDSL, respectively. Normally these and other similar protocols are known as xDSL protocols.
Of these flavors of xDSL, ADSL is intended to co-exist with traditional voice services by using different frequency spectra on the loop. In the future, it is possible that multiple different transmission schemes may be employed in different frequency bands on the same loop, and that these transmission schemes may include traditional analog voice services as well as current and new forms of xDSL. In today's ADSL systems, the plain old telephone services (POTS) use the frequency spectrum between 0 and 4 kHz and the ADSL uses the frequency spectrum between 30 kHz and 1.1 MHz for data over the telephone line.
FIG. 1 illustrates an independent voice circuit and ADSL line interface represented generally by the numeral 10. As is shown in the diagram, the data and voice transmissions use different Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) 12. Similarly, the data and voice receptions use different Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) 14.
There is a trend in electronics to manufacture more integrated components. The reasons for this trend include both reducing the cost and reducing complexity of the component. Therefore, it would be beneficial to integrate the circuit as shown in FIG. 1 such that it uses only one DAC 12 and one ADC 14. While this concept may seem trivial, it is complicated by the fact that the timing for each DAC 12 is derived from a separate clock. The situation is the same for each ADC 14. Therefore, the timing of an integrated DAC or ADC will require significant changes to the current technology.
In addition, any of the xDSL systems may be used to transport digitized voice as part of its payload. When a clock domain of the digitized voice and a clock domain of the xDSL bit streams are not synchronous, it can lead to inefficiencies in the framing rate of the voice channels in the xDSL data streams. The asynchronous nature of the clocks can also lead to difficulties with voice sampling clock generation at the customer premises end of the xDSL loop.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate some of the above disadvantages.

System and method for synchronizing sample rates of voiceband channels and a DSL interface channel


The mass of an object may be estimated based on intersection points of a representation of a surface in an image space with cubes defining the image space, the surface representing a surface of an object. The representation may be, for example, based on marching cubes. The mass may be estimated by estimating a mass contribution of a first set of cubes contained entirely within the representation of the surface, estimating a mass contribution of a second set of cubes having intersection points with the representation of the surface, and summing the estimated mass contribution of the first set of cubes and the estimated mass contribution of the second set of cubes. The object may be segmented from other portions of an image prior to estimating the mass of the object.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure is generally related to techniques to process data produced by three-dimensional ("3D") scanners, such as, for example, magnetic resonance scanners.
2. Description of the Related Art
Three-dimensional volume scanners, such as magnetic resonance imaging ("MRI") scanners, computed topology ("CT") scanners, computed axial tomography ("CAT") scanners and positron emission tomography ("PET") scanners produce three-dimensional images of an object, such as an image of a human brain, an image of a bone, etc. The data produced from such scans may be represented by a data set of points, each point having an associate value, such as an intensity gray-scale value. Pseudo-three-dimensional images in two dimensions may be produced using various techniques, including volume-based techniques, such ray-casting, texture-based methods, surface-based algorithms, such as Marching Cubes, etc.


A new cultivar of Dahlia named ‘SCARLET FERN’ that is distinguishable by upright habit, mahogany-black divided leaves, and orange-red star-shaped blossoms. In combination these traits set ‘SCARLET FERN’ apart from all other existing varieties of Dahlia known to the inventor.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia grown for use in mixed combinations, beds and the landscape. The new invention is known botanically as Dahlia variabilis and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name 'SCARLET FERN'. The specific epithet variabilis represents a hybrid seedling line that came from crossing various original wild species in the early 1800's, and refers to the species' wide range of flower color and shapes. Dahlia is in the family Compositae. The flower of 'SCARLET FERN' is a "single" form blossom and exhibits a single row of ray flowers surrounding a central cluster of disk florets.
'SCARLET FERN' was selected as a seedling that resulted from the controlled cross-pollination carried out by the inventor in a cultivated area of Auckland, New Zealand. The breeding began in 1999 by crossing an individual plant Dahlia variabilis 'Roxy' (unpatented) as the female parent and an individual of Dahlia variabilis 'Razzmatazz' (unpatented) as the male parent. Seed was collected from the female parent and coded as 71152, then sown with the intention of making a selection from the seedlings that resulted.
'SCARLET FERN' was selected in 2000 based on the criteria of leaf color, and shape, plant height, and flower color. Selection was conduced by the inventor, in Auckland, New Zealand. The unique traits that distinguish the new Dahlia variety named 'SCARLET FERN' from other varieties of Dahlia known to the inventor are mahogany-black divided leaves and profusions of vivid orange-red star-shaped blossoms. The new Dahlia named 'SCARLET FERN' is distinguishable from the parents by height, leaf shape and color, and flower color.
'SCARLET FERN' can be distinguished from other Dahlia cultivars with dark foliage by its size, type of flower, and color of leaves. When compared to 'Redskin', 'SCARLET FERN' is twice the size in height and width. 'Redskin' has double flowers whereas 'SCARLET FERN' has single blooms. The foliage of 'SCARLET FERN' is a darker, almost black color compared to the lighter maroon/green foliage of 'Redskin'. When compared to 'Bishop's Children', 'SCARLET FERN' is bigger in size. At maturity, it is 36″ by 36″ compared to 'Bishop's Children' which reaches a height and width of 24″ by 12″. The flowers of 'SCARLET FERN' are stable in color and form whereas 'Bishop's Children' vary from plant to plant in color and form.
'SCARLET FERN' exhibits upright habit, large grey-orange buds, fragrant orange-red flowers, mahogany-black foliage, and brown stems. The large star-shaped blossoms bloom in summer and fall. Cultural conditions include full sun, regular water and rich well-draining potting soil. 'SCARLET FERN' is hardy is USDA Zone 8 and grows to 0.9 m in height and 0.9 m in width at maturity.
The first asexual reproduction of 'SCARLET FERN' was conducted in 2004 in Auckland, New Zealand. The method of asexual propagation utilized was tissue culture. Since that time under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics have been determined stable, uniform, and to be reproduced true to type in subsequent generations of asexual propagation.


A fault tolerant liquid measurement system includes a plurality of sensors for measuring parameters of a liquid in a container; each sensor generating a measurement signal representative of the liquid parameter measured thereby. The sensors are grouped into a number of sets, each set including some sensors of another set. The measurement signals of each set of sensors are processed in a processor to determine for each set of sensors a first estimate signal representative of a likelihood of measurement signal validity for the measurement signals of the corresponding set, and a second estimate signal representative of liquid quantity in the container based on the measurement signals of the corresponding set. The processor further determines a third estimate signal of liquid quantity in the container based on a function of the first and second estimate signals.

The present invention is directed to fault tolerant liquid quantity measurement systems, in general, and more particularly, to fault tolerant liquid quantity measurement system using multiple model state estimators.
Liquid quantity measurement systems, like an aircraft fuel gauging system, for example, may be physically compartmentalized into tanks remotely located from each other and each tank may have compartments or sections referred to as bays. The tanks and bays of the system may encounter significantly different environmental and operational conditions, such as temperature, vibration, aeration, attitude and the like. To provide accurate liquid quantity measurements under these conditions, each tank, and possibly even each bay thereof, may be instrumented with its own set of sensors to measure the liquid parameters affected by these conditions. Accordingly, the liquid quantity of each tank and/or bay may be independently computed utilizing the corresponding set of sensors in each case, and the total quantity may be computed as the sum of the individual quantities. With the total amount of sensors used in the overall liquid quantity system, it is of paramount importance to include a level of fault tolerance in the system to maintain reliability for flight critical operations. While the present systems are considered reliable, there is always room for improvement.
Current systems offer some degree of fault tolerance by including built-in-test (BIT) circuitry in the interface modules which receive and signal condition the various sensor signals for a tank and/or bay thereof. In addition, the sensors may be divided redundantly for inputing to separate interface modules for added tolerance to a fault in an interface module, for example. Still further, presently proposed systems offer sensor fusion techniques for computing liquid quantity. Some sensor fusion techniques are considered to offer built-in fault tolerance without explicit fault detection. Competitive sensor fusion techniques, for example, operate with physical sensor redundancy, whereby a number of homogeneous sensors measure the same physical quantity, and simple algorithms, such as averaging, trimmed averaging, rank selection filtering or other voting schemes may be used to provide fault tolerance without explicit fault detection. In order for these systems to work, more than half of the sensors must function properly so they can form a majority. For example, in order to detect an accelerometer sensor failure through competitive fusion techniques, it is necessary to use at least three separate accelerometers.
Other sensor fusion techniques use analytical redundancy instead of physical redundancy whereby the sensors measure parameters that depend on each other via a set of equations. Thus, the outputs of each sensor may be predicted from the outputs of the other sensors. In these type systems, fault tolerance is achieved via appropriate partitioning of the sensor set. For example, suppose that the fuel mass of an aircraft were calculated by a number of algorithms that use different subsets of sensors, this would result in a set of fuel mass estimates. Then, trimmed averaging, median filtering, or other voting scheme could be used to reject or discount outliers caused by a sensor failure. But, this technique requires that for any single sensor fault, more than half of the competing algorithms remain unaffected.
Accordingly, such sensor fusion techniques as herein above described alone will not render the system single-fault tolerant, and there is still a need for a separate fault detection module. The present invention is directed to a fault tolerant system which overcomes the drawbacks of the aforementioned systems and offers an implicit sensor diagnosis performed in conjunction with the sensor fusion process itself.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fault tolerant liquid measurement system comprises: a plurality of sensors for measuring parameters of a liquid in a container; each sensor generating a measurement signal representative of the liquid parameter measured thereby; means for grouping said sensors into a number of sets, each set including some sensors of another set; and processing means for processing the measurement signals of each set of sensors to determine for each set of sensors a first estimate signal representative of a likelihood of measurement signal validity for the measurement signals of the corresponding set, and a second estimate signal representative of liquid quantity in the container based on the measurement signals of the corresponding set, said processing means for determining a third estimate signal of liquid quantity in the container based on a function of the first and second estimate signals.
More specifically, the fault tolerant liquid measurement system comprises: a number M of sensors for measuring the parameters of the liquid; means for grouping the M sensors into M+1 subsets, one subset including all M sensors and said other M subsets each including all of the M sensors except one and said missing sensor in each of said other M subsets is a different sensor of said M sensors; and processing means for processing the measurement signals of each subset of sensors with a respectively corresponding algorithm based on a state estimation model to determine for each subset of sensors a first estimate signal representative of a likelihood of measurement signal validity for the measurement signals of the corresponding subset, and a second estimate signal representative of the liquid quantity based on the measurement signals of the corresponding subset; the processing means for determining a third estimate signal of the liquid quantity based on a function of said first and second estimate signals.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system for detecting a faulty measurement signal comprises: means for grouping the sensors into a number of sets, each set including some sensors of another set; and processing means for processing the measurement signals of each set of sensors to determine for each set of sensors a signal representative of a likelihood that at least one of said measurement signals of the corresponding set is a faulty measurement signal, said processing means for detecting a faulty measurement signal of liquid quantity in said container based on a function of said likelihood signals.

Fault tolerant liquid measurement system using multiple-model state estimators

BFGoodrich Aerospace Fuel and Utility Systems


A method for examining an edible product, such as fresh fish flesh, for dielectric inclusions, such as encysted parasites. The product is subjected to a current flow, which may be perturbed or deviated by any hidden inclusions. An electromagnetic effect of perturbed current flow is detected. In a preferred implementation, one or more scans of the external magnetic consequences of the effect of an inclusion allows the discovery and removal of the inclusion.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the detection of defects in food, especially fish for human consumption.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Currently, parasite detection and removal in fish for human consumption is accomplished through visual inspection and manual removal. Detection is assisted by candling, which involves shining a light through each fillet to enhance the ability to detect embedded parasites. This method, although widely used, has several limitations. First, refraction of light by the fish musculature, especially in thick fillets, makes embedded parasites undetectable. Second, the candling process is extremely difficult to automate. Although advancements have been made, it is impossible for these systems to consistently differentiate parasites from other irregularities in the flesh. Light refraction also limits automated detection systems which utilize optical techniques. Third, worker fatigue and boredom reduces the efficiency of the detection and removal process. In addition, defects such as blood clots, bruises and discoloration also introduce inefficiencies. Consequently, candling techniques are labor-intensive and costly. It has also been found that varying light intensity and wavelength affords insufficient improvement in efficiency and may actually increase costs.
Alternatives to optical methods for detecting parasites in fish flesh have also been investigated. These techniques include ultrasonic, ultraviolet light, X-ray, sonic laser acoustic, and electronic candling. These technologies were initially developed for other applications and extensive modifications and adaptations were required for parasite detection. Application of these techniques have only marginally improved the detection efficiency over that of optical techniques. Deeply imbedded parasites may be detected by some of these procedures; however, the accuracy of detection is still limited due to the problem of pattern recognition. Thus far, no satisfactory alternative to candling has been found.
The physical state of agricultural commodities, and to some extent fishery products, has been measured using their electrical properties. See, for example, the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 3910636, published Nov. 30, 1989. Conduction of electrical energy is used for determining moisture content and to predict cooking characteristics in high-frequency dielectric or microwave heating. The Torry meter for example, uses electrical properties of fish flesh to provide a measure of fish quality. Application of electrical properties is also used extensively in the biomedical field to study the function of nerve and muscle fibers. These applications and studies have shown that DC conductivity is the most sensitive indicator of material parameters.
Nevertheless, because of the variation in size and state of fish samples that are not to be further cut up for the commercial market, it is not immediately apparent how to apply such knowledge to detect a hidden defect, such as a parasite.

Detection of defects in food by detecting pattern of current flow


An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit acquiring keywords extracted from text data representing a first content to be a base of a search and scores of the respective keywords, and keywords extracted from text data representing a second content for calculating a degree of matching with the first content, and scores of the respective keywords, a matching-degree calculation unit calculating the degree of matching between the first content and the second content based on scores of keywords commonly included in the acquired keywords relating to the first content and the acquired keywords relating to the second content, and an output unit outputting, as a search result, information on a predetermined number of the second content which has a high degree of matching with the first content based on a result of calculation performed by the matching-degree calculation unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and, more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program which can calculate the degree of matching between contents based on scores of common keywords.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a related art which, a content being an input, searches for contents relating to the input content.
For example, JP-A-2005-115790 discloses a technique of displaying a program, extracting keywords relating to the displayed program, searches contents, such as Web pages, based on keywords selected from a list of the extracted keywords by a user, and displaying a predetermined content obtained as a search result. That is, according to the technique, with a content or a program being an input, contents, such as Web pages, are searched.
In such a content search, in a case of calculating the degree of matching to be a criterion in selecting a content to be output as a search result based on scores set for keywords extracted from a content to be a base of the search and scores set for keywords extracted from contents to be searched (candidate contents to be selected as a search result), for example, it may be possible to calculate a more preferable degree of matching in consideration of the scores of the keywords as the criterion for selecting the content of the search result, as compared with a case where a content from which a same keyword as included in the keywords extracted from the base content is extracted is selected as the content of the search result and a case where a content from which a greater number of same keywords as included in the keywords extracted from the base content are extracted is selected as the content of the search result.

Processing apparatus and associated methodology for keyword extraction and matching


A spinning can stand of a fiber sliver-processing machine such as a flyer or a jet spinning frame having a plurality of spindles in at least one row. Rectangular cans are used instead of round cans for reducing the expenditure for exchanging the spinning cans. Each unreeling spinning can or operating can has an instantaneous filling level. The filling level differs between adjacent operating cans by a fraction of the can filling. A full can or reserve can is allocated to the position of the operating can emptied to the greatest extent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the spinning can stand of a fiber sliver-processing machine such as a flyer or a jet spinning frame. This machine has a large number of spindles arranged in at least one row. A spinning can or operating can is allocated to each individual spindle which draws off fiber sliver from the operating can. There is at least one row of operating cans allocated to the spindles as a whole.
2. The Prior Art
Fiber sliver-processing machines include stretching machines and machines for preparing the combing process, among others. The term "fiber sliver-processing stations" is used in this connection instead of "spindles".
The present invention, however, is applicable particularly with flyers or jet spinning machines. The spindles of a flyer are generally arranged in two straight rows, which are displaced against each other. The spindles of a jet spinning frame have to be arranged in one straight row. A flyer conventionally comprises at least four straight rows of round operating cans, or "operating rows". If there is a conveying lane (or conveying passageway) between an operating row and the spindles, the fiber sliver pulled off from the operating can may be guided to the processing spindle high above the conveying lane by a creel. Similar measures apply to a jet spinning frame. However, a jet spinning frame conventionally comprises only two rows of round operating cans, as a rule. The fiber slivers processed on such spinning machines are normally supplied by one or by a plurality of stretching machines.
As mentioned above, flyers and jet spinning frames, like other fiber sliver-processing machines, have been supplied heretofore from round spinning cans. Round spinning cans have standard sizes, in particular, standard circular diameters. Systems for changing and transporting these round cans are available. With a flyer, for example, the round spinning cans are moved from a stand-by position into an operating position in an operating row, or the stand-by or reserve cans are set up in a second row. In summary, four rows of round operating cans are allocated to a flyer, and two rows of round cans to a jet spinning machine. A row of reserve cans (i.e., the "reserve row") can be allocated to each row of operating cans.
The work required for changing the round cans is time-consuming if fewer reserve cans are available than operating cans because the empty operating cans have to be replaced by full reserve cans. If, on the other hand, as many reserve cans as operating cans are to be available, costly, driven conveying elements are needed for the cans.


A sampling rate converting circuit receives plural pieces of input data having different sampling frequencies. A plurality of FIR circuits is shared to reduce a circuit area, and, in a case where a magnification ratio of an input frequency and an output frequency is not an integer, signal deterioration due to resampling is solved. An oversampling component performs oversampling on input data Fs1 and outputs output data Fs′. An input timing timer calculates an input/input time based on an input timing signal CK1. An output timing timer and an accumulator calculate an input/output time based on an output timing signal CK′ and the input timing signal CK1 and multiplies the input/output time by an oversampling multiple W to obtain a multiplied result. A divider divides the multiplied result by the input/input time to obtain a sampling position. A coefficient generator generates a filter coefficient based on the sampling position and supplies the filter coefficient to a multiplier.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a sampling rate converting method and circuit for converting data having different rates, which is input to a plurality of synchronous serial circuits of which transmission clock signals (hereinafter, referred to as "clock") are asynchronous, into a same sampling rate.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, when two input digital audio (speech) signals having different sampling rates of 48 KHz and 32 KHz in broadcasting satellite are converted into an output digital audio signal having a sampling rate of 44.1 KHz to be recorded in a compact disc (CD), a sampling rate converting circuit for converting the two input digital audio signals (having the sampling rate of 48 KHz and 32 KHz) into one output digital audio signal (having the sampling rate of 44.1 KHz) is needed.
Conventionally, a sampling rate converting method or circuit is disclosed in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 5-327409 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Kokai No. 8-125493 (Patent Document 2).
In general, in 3-wired serial data communication of a digital audio signal, three signals including a clock clk, a channel signal ch, and data D(Fs) which is a digital audio signal are transmitted. A transmission master circuit (master circuit) outputs timing signals CK (clock clk and channel signal ch) and a reception slave circuit (slave circuit) receives the data D(Fs) and outputs D′(Fs′) in synchronization with the clock clk. To this end, in the sampling rate converting circuit provided in the slave circuit, synchronization is performed by a reference signal (clock clk or input timing signal ck which is the channel signal ch) transmitted from the master circuit, multiply is, if necessary, performed by a phase-locked loop (PLL), and an operation portion is performed depending on the clock clk of the master circuit.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a conventional sampling rate converting circuit.
The sampling rate converting circuit includes a serial/parallel converting circuit 1 for converting serial data into parallel data, a finite impulse response (FIR) circuit 10 for performing a FIR filter operation, and a resampling circuit 19.
Among an input timing signal CK1 and input data D1(Fs1) which is a digital audio signal having any sampling frequency Fs1 transmitted from the master circuit, the input data D1(Fs1) is converted into the parallel data by the serial/parallel converting circuit 1 and the parallel data is subjected to a filter process (oversampling) by the FIR circuit 10. The oversampled data is resampled based on an output timing signal CK′ by the resampling circuit 19 and output as output data D1′(Fs′) which is a digital audio signal.
In paragraphs 0014 and 0016 to 0018 and FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a technology of performing a FIR operation at points of times t3 and t4 among points of times t1 to t4 obtained by quartering a period of a first clock P21 synchronized with input data which is a digital audio signal before sampling rate conversion, based on a second clock P27 synchronized with output data which is a digital audio signal after the sampling rate conversion and reducing a multiplication coefficient applied to a FIR digital filter, in a FIR digital filter for performing oversampling.
In addition, in claim 1 and paragraphs 0045 and 0046 of Patent Document 2, there is disclosed a technology of applying f2/k multiple oversampling to first sampling data and extracting data from each of f1/k sets of data based on the oversampled result when a prescribed integer k is selected so that f1/k and f2/k are both integers, thereby suppressing signal level error from increasing, obtaining output data with high precision, and simplifying a circuit configuration, in a sampling rate converter that provides an output of an input signal sampled by a first sampling frequency f1 as a signal with a second sampling frequency f2.
However, in the conventional sampling rate converting circuit or method shown in FIG. 1, since the input of the input data D1(Fs1) and the output of the output data D1′(Fs′) should be controlled depending on the master circuit operation clock clk transmitted from the transmission master circuit, the FIR circuit 10 should be operated based on the clock clk. To this end, following problems (A) and (B) are caused.
(A) A case where plural pieces of input data having different sampling frequencies are input
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration when mixing plural pieces of input data having different sampling frequencies using the conventional method shown in FIG. 1.
When processing plural pieces (N) of input data having different sampling frequencies [input data D1(Fs1) having a sampling frequency Fs1 (for example, 48 KHz), input data D2(Fs2) having a sampling frequency Fs2 (for example, 32 KHz), . . . , and input data DN having a sampling frequency FsN] transmitted from the slave circuit, N sampling rate converting circuits shown in FIG. 2 are generally required. The N sampling rate converting circuits include serial/parallel converting circuits 1-1, 1-2, . . . , and 1-N for receiving the input data D1(Fs1), D2(Fs2), . . . , and DN(FsN) and input timing signals CK1, CK2, . . . , and CKN, FIR circuits 10-1 to 10-N, and resampling circuits 19-1 to 19-N for outputting output data D1′(Fs′), D2′(Fs′), . . . and DN′(Fs′) based on a common output timing signal CK′.
Since the FIR circuits 10-1 to 10-N provided in the sampling rate converting circuits perform operations on the plural pieces of input data D1(Fs1), D2(Fs2), . . . , and DN(FsN) which are asynchronously input, that is, perform oversampling of the input data D1(Fs1), D2(Fs2), . . . , and DN(FsN) having different sampling frequencies Fs1, Fs2, and FsN, times required for the FIR operations on the input data D1(Fs1), D2(Fs2), . . . , and DN(FsN) are different from one another. To this end, it is difficult to provide a common FIR circuit 10 instead of the plurality of FIR circuits 10-1 to 10-N and to perform the operations on the input data D1(Fs1), D2(Fs2), . . . , and DN(FsN) in a time division fashion. Accordingly, it is difficult to unify (share) the plurality of FIR circuits 10-1 to 10-N to reduce a circuit area.
(B) A case where a magnification ratio of an input frequency and an output frequency is not an integer
FIG. 3 shows an example of a conventional oversampling method in the sampling rate converting circuit shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, for example, a configuration of oversampling a sampling frequency Fs (before conversion) to 2(n+1) times using the FIR circuit 10 shown in FIG. 1 is shown. The FIR circuit 10 for oversampling includes a high-order FIR filter, n low-order FIR filters [or infinite impulse response (IIR) filter]. In the FIR circuit 10, the sampling frequency Fs of input data X1, X2, X3, . . . is oversampled to output data of a sampling frequency (2(n+1))Fs. This data is resampled based on an output timing signal CK′ (sampling frequency Fs′) by the resampling circuit 19 and output data Y1, Y2, . . . are output.
FIG. 4 shows an example of resampling after oversampling using the conventional method shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, abscissa represents a time and ordinate represents an amplitude. In addition, oversampling wavelengths of x2, x4, x8 of the input data X1, X2, X3 and wavelengths of output data Y1 and Y2 are shown.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show a relationship between an input frequency and a FIR position (sampling position), where FIG. 5A shows a case where the output frequency is higher than the input frequency and FIG. 5B shows a case where the output frequency is lower than the input frequency.

Sampling rate converting method and circuit


A zoom lens substantially consists of a first lens group having a negative refractive power and a second lens group having a positive refractive power arranged in order from the object side; that changes magnification by moving the first lens group and the second lens group; and wherein the first lens group is configured by a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, arranged in order from the object side. The zoom lens satisfies a predetermined conditional expression.

Heretofore, as one of the wide angle zoom lenses with a zoom ratio of about 2.5, a two-group type zoom lens formed of a first lens group having a negative refractive power and a second lens group having a positive refractive power disposed in order from the object side in which zooming is performed by moving the first and the second lens groups in optical axis directions is known. This type of zoom lens is favorably used for small video cameras and the like.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,901 describes a two-group type zoom lens in which the first lens group is formed of four lenses, i.e., a negative lens (lens having a negative refractive power), a negative lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens (lens having a positive refractive power) disposed in order from the object side (Example 5).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,940,655 describes a two-group type zoom lens in which the first lens group is formed of four lenses, i.e., a negative lens, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens disposed in order from the object side (Example 1).
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 7,050,240 describes a two-group type zoom lens in which the first lens group is formed of four lenses, i.e., a negative lens, a negative lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens disposed in order from the object side and the second lens group is also formed of four lenses, i.e., a positive lens, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens disposed in order from the object side (Example 1).
Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,635 describes a two-group type zoom lens in which the first lens group is formed of four lenses, i.e., a negative lens, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens disposed in order from the object side and the second lens group is also formed of four lenses, i.e., a positive lens, a positive lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens disposed in order from the object side (Example 4).


To enhance assembling property of a throttle valve control device comprising a mechanical drive means and an electric drive means, and to enhance maintenance property at the time of checking and exchange operations of an accelerator wire, the electric drive means and the mechanical drive means are provided at an one side wall 1a of a throttle body 1 toward the one side wall 1a side from the one side direction A, the electric drive means comprises throttle valve lever 5 including a throttle valve lever open spring 8, a motor gear 9, and a drive gear 6 including an intermediate gear 10, and the mechanical drive means comprises a limb opening control lever 15, and an accelerator drum 14 including a drum close spring 16.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a throttle valve control device for controlling air amount supplied to an internal combustion engine of a two-wheeled vehicle, an outboard motor or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved throttle valve control device comprising a throttle valve shaft crossing an intake passage, being rotatably supported by a throttle body, and being mounted with a throttle valve for opening/closing the intake passage;
a throttle valve lever being fixedly provided at the throttle valve shaft, being rotated synchronously with the throttle valve shaft, and being energized in the opening direction of the throttle valve by a throttle valve lever open spring;
an accelerator drum being provided at one end of a drum shaft, being mechanically rotated and operated in the opening/closing directions of the throttle valve by an accelerator wire, and being energized in the closing direction of the throttle valve by a drum close spring; and
a limb opening control lever being provided at another end of the drum shaft, facing the throttle valve lever, and being for controlling to make an open position of the throttle valve lever by the throttle valve lever open spring to a limb opening position of the throttle valve, in a full closing operation position of the accelerator drum; and
a drive gear being rotated and controlled by a motor gear rotated synchronously with a motor, being rotatably supported by the throttle valve shaft, being for controlling a throttle valve open directional position of the throttle valve lever and a throttle valve close directional position of the throttle valve lever, and being for controlling opening/closing of the throttle valve corresponding to rotation of the motor,
wherein the drive gear is driven and controlled through the motor so as to make the opening position of the throttle valve correspond to the opening position of the accelerator drum.
2. Description of the Conventional Art
The above-described conventional throttle valve control device has been indicated in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2005-98178.


A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a substrate. An insulating film is provided above the substrate. Electrode pads are provided on the insulating film. Metallic bumps are respectively provided on surfaces of the electrode pads. A sidewall film comprises a metallic oxide or a metallic hydroxide provided on side surfaces of the metallic bumps. A barrier metal layer comprises first portions each provided between one of the metallic bumps and a corresponding one of the electrode pads and comprising a metal, and second portions provided at least on the electrode pads at a periphery of the metallic bumps and comprising a metallic oxide or a metallic hydroxide.

Metallic bumps are sometimes formed on electrode pads of a semiconductor wafer to enable flip chip bonding. In order to form the metallic bumps, a barrier metal layer is formed on the electrode pads and the metallic bumps are formed on the barrier metal layer. After formation of the metallic bumps, the barrier metal layer needs to be removed to suppress a short circuit between the metallic bumps.
However, in the process of removing the barrier metal layer, there is a case where sidewalls of the metallic bumps are also etched and the metallic bumps are thinned. Furthermore, the surfaces of the electrode pads may corrode in the process of removing the barrier metal layer.
If the metallic bumps are thinned, there is a risk that the metallic bumps detach from the electrode pads or break. If the surfaces of the electrode pads corrode, the adhesiveness between a sealing resin and the electrode pads is degraded. These situations deteriorate the reliability of a semiconductor device.

Semiconductor device having a metallic oxide or metallic hydroxide barrier layer


Disclosed are a dicarboxylic acid compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, phenyl group or hydroxyl group; R.sup.1 represents a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a lower alkyl group substituted by a group selected from aryl group, a sulfur- or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic monocyclic group and a cycloalkyl group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a cycloalkyl group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms or a sulfur-containing or nitrogen-containing heterocylcic group; X represents sulfur atom, oxygen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted imino group; Y.sup.1 represents imino group, oxygen atom or sulfur atom and Y.sup.2 represents nitrogen atom, or Y.sup.1 represents a vinylene group and Y.sup.2 represents a group: --CH.dbd.; m represents 0 to 3; and n represents 0 or 1, an ester thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and a process for preparing the same.

This invention relates to a novel dicarboxylic acid derivative having antihypertensive activity and/or heart failure curing activity, and a process for preparing the same.
It has been known that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secreted from atrial myocytes having strong diuretic, natriuretic and vasodilating activities and inhibiting activity on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is effective for curing hypertension and heart failure. However, ANP itself is a polypeptide and poorly absorbed in the digestive tracts, so that its administration route is limited to the parenteral route. On the other hand, it has been known that ANP is inactivated by neutral metalloendopeptidase, and the inhibitor of that enzyme increases the concentration of ANP in the blood and can also be used as a medicine for curing hypertension and/or heart failure.


A fuel cell system (S) is provided with a fuel cell body (12), an air supply system (1, 2, 3, 4) supplying air to the fuel cell body, an air flow rate control system (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14) varying opening degrees of flow paths, through which air is supplied, to control flow rates of air, and a droplet removal structure (3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) removing droplets adhered to the air flow rate control system. The droplet removal structure is operative to set the opening degree of the air flow rate control system to have a droplet removal opening degree to increase a speed with which the air flows and allows the air to flow at the droplet removal opening degree for blowing off the droplets adhered to the air flow rate control systems.

When an operation of a fuel cell system is stopped in a low temperature atmosphere, it is conceived that condensed dew in the fuel cell system is apt to freeze to provide an affect to a restart of the fuel cell system.
If the fuel cell system is left under such a stoppage condition in the low temperature atmosphere below 0° C., it is conceivable that an air flow rate control system of the fuel cell system tends to freeze due to moisture contained in air with a resultant situation which requires such frozen ice to be melted and thawed at the restart of the fuel cell system for rendering the air flow rate control system to be operative.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-12060 proposes a structure in which a compressor, serving as a source of air supply, is operated at a compression ratio higher than the highest efficiency point to permit high temperature air to be produced, due to adiabatic compression, by which the temperature of its system is increased to thaw such frozen ice.


A fiber optic network transmits data between a hub node and a plurality of local nodes connected by at least one unidirectional fiber ring. Downstream data streams are carried on wavelength-division-multiplexed optical carriers from the hub node to the local nodes. An optical carrier corresponding to a specific wavelength carries downstream data streams to a specific local node. Downstream data streams are multiplexed onto an optical carrier via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. A parallel signal detector in each local node detects all downstream optical carriers. A signal processing module demultiplexes the data stream from the optical carrier having the specific wavelength corresponding to the local node. An upstream data stream is multiplexed via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing onto an upstream optical carrier having the same specific wavelength and transmitted from the local node to the hub node. Upstream data awaiting transmission is allocated to specific subcarriers and time slots.

The present invention relates generally to optical transmission (transport) networks, and more particularly to an orthogonal frequency division multiple access based optical ring network.
Optical transmission over fiber has become the primary transmission mode for high-speed voice and data transport for core (backbone) networks. With the increasing customer demand for multi-media services (voice, data, video), optical transmission networks are also being deployed in local access networks and customer premises networks. Core networks are typically under the control of major telecommunications providers and have well-defined architectures and network configurations. Costs are also amortized over many customers. For high-speed transport in local access networks and customer premises networks, however, architectures are not as well-defined. Costs are also amortized over a fewer number of customers. What are needed are optical transmission systems with flexible, adaptive, robust architectures and low-cost components.

Orthogonal frequency division multiple access based optical ring network


A low resistance ohmic contact for n-type GaAs and GaAlAs is provided by Ni-Ge-Au structure (1). The contact is suitable for device substrates (2) which have carrier concentrations of between about 10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 and about 10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. The ohmic contact has a nickel layer of between 40 .ANG. and 200 .ANG. deposited on the substrate, followed by a Ge deposition (4) of between 150 .ANG. and 400 .ANG. and finally an Au deposition (5, 6) of greater than 4000 .ANG.. The Au layer is preferably deposited in two separate layers of between 500 .ANG. and 1000 .ANG., (5), and greater than 4000 .ANG., (6). A preferred construction (1) is 50 .ANG./200 .ANG./800 .ANG.+5000 .ANG. (Ni/Ge/Au+Au). The ohmic contact deposition must be followed by annealing, typically at temperatures between 300.degree. C. and 500.degree. C. for times of between 1 second and 200 seconds. The preferred annealing conditions are a temperature of 400.degree. C. maintained for 15 seconds.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to ohmic contacts used on n-type GaAs and GaAlAs devices.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
GaAs and GaAlAs are preferred materials for the manufacture of high speed devices such as bipolar transistors, heterojunction bipolar transistors or high mobility electron transistors. However, for efficient use of the higher device operating speeds of such materials, it is necessary to minimise the resistance of the ohmic contacts. Lower ohmic contact resistances lead to a reduction in undesirable heat production, improved frequency response and an increase in noise immunity for logic circuits.
Alloyed Ge-Au and Ni-Ge-Au films are widely used for fabricating ohmic contacts to n-type GaAs. In general, adding small amounts of Ni to Ge-Au leads to lower contact resistance as well as serving to maintain a smooth surface morphology after alloying the contact metallisation.
Heime et al (Sol. St. Electronics 17 pp 835-837 1974) have reported specific contact resistivities of 4.times.10.sup.-4 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2 for carrier concentrations of 2.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and 1.times.10.sup.-6 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2 for carrier concentrations of 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3. These values were achieved using contacts where a 50 A layer of Ni was evaporated onto GaAs, with a 700 A layer of eutectic AuGe laid on the nickel and a final 300 A Ni overplate evaporated onto the AuGe.
In 1987 Rai et al (J. App. Phys. 61(9) pp 4682-4688 1987) were able to achieve an ohmic contact resistance minimum of about 0.2 .OMEGA.-mm after an alloy anneal of 420.degree. C. Their ohmic contact metallised structure consisted of sequential electron beam deposited layers of 50 A Ni; 170 A Ge; 300 A Au; 150 A Ni; and 2000 A Au. This contact definition was deposited on n.sup.+ GaAs. A direct comparison of this reported ohmic contact resistance with that of the contacts reported by Heime et al is difficult due to the fact that Heime et al did not report the sheet resistance of the substrate material.
Further reductions in ohmic contact resistance are reported in J. Vac.. Sci. Technol. B4(4) pp 903-911 1986 by Murkami et al. Three different ohmic contact constructions were detailed, each deposited on GaAs implanted to contain 1.times.10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3 carriers. The mean contact resistance of each type of contact construction was about 0.1-mm or slightly greater. Type A sample was prepared by sequentially depositing a 1000 .ANG. Au-Ge layer followed by 350 .ANG. Ni and 500 .ANG. Au layers. Sample types B and C were prepared by depositing 50 and 100 .ANG. of Ni, respectively, as the first layer, followed by Au-Ge (1000 .ANG. thick), Ni (300 .ANG. and 250 .ANG. thick respectively) and Au (500 .ANG. thick) layers.
Ohmic contacts may also be made to n-type GaAlAs layers by the use of a thin buffer GaAs contact layer. The buffer layer prevents oxidation of Al and also helps to improve adhesion.

Ni-Ge-Au ohmic contacts for GaAs and GaAlAs

The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland


The invention relates to a measuring unit for a weight-stack gym machine where a frame supports a load unit equipped with a plurality of substantially identical weights. The weights have a hole through them to form a vertical channel for a load selecting bar. A remote load measuring unit is envisaged to calculate static and dynamic training parameters.

The present invention relates to a measuring unit for a weight-stack gym machine. The unit can be effectively used to measure the static and dynamic (or training) parameters connected with the load that can be lifted by a user performing an exercise.
For the measurement of these parameters, known systems include devices of an electromechanical and mixed electromechanical and optical type. Of these, the ones described in the following patent documents are worthy of note: patent application PCT WO 87/05727 filed in the name of the American company Physio Decisions, Inc. with priority date Mar. 10, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,940 granted to the American company Fike Corporation, with priority date Apr. 4, 1986, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,655,977 and 5,785,632 granted to Integrated Fitness Corporation with priority dates Jul. 7, 1994 and Mar. 7, 1997.
Since experts in the trade are well aware of the teachings of these documents, the text which follows will only describe those aspects which evidence the drawbacks of the measuring units disclosed therein.
Firstly, it should be noted that all the above mentioned documents refer to gym machines where the load unit has a plurality of weights with a given thickness and slidably mounted on vertical bars. The weights can be lifted vertically by the user through a load unit comprising a bar, normally called through bar which goes through a vertical hole made in the middle of all the weights. Each weight also has a transversal hole made centrally in its side and the through bar has a plurality of transversal holes distributed along its length equally spaced according to the thickness of the weights so that when the weights are at rest, each of the holes in the through bar is aligned with the corresponding hole in each of the weights. The user selects the load to be lifted while the weights are at rest, supported by the frame, by inserting a transversal pin through one of the weights and into the corresponding hole in the through bar.
The above mentioned documents described measuring units equipped with an electrical position transducer, usually called xe2x80x9cencoderxe2x80x9d. This instrument normally includes a processor to which a rotary element is electrically connected in such a way that its angular position can be measured instant by instant. Thus, used in a weight lifting device having a flexible cable, it can keep track of the current position of the weight to be lifted relative to a reference position.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,940 describes a direct readout, digital encoder where a mechanical transmission pulley used to lift the weights has a plurality of holes made in it, the holes being equally spaced around the axis of rotation. The pulley is located between a light emitter and a light receiver. The alternation of light and dark pulses or a permanent dark signal provide the information used by the control unit to track the position of the load being lifted.
Document PCT WO 87/05727 is the first document which suggests the use of a xe2x80x9cwire encoderxe2x80x9d. This instrument, which comprises a tachogenerator and an automatic cable reel whose cylinder is coaxial with the axis of the tachogenerator, is connected to an electronic control unit that processes the position signal provided by the encoder and combines it with a time signal to provide as its output the speed and acceleration of the through bar while the machine is being used. The combination of this information, which is necessarily recorded by the control unit, and the values of speed and acceleration enable the control unit to calculate the dynamic parameters such as, for example, the instantaneous power exerted by the user and the total energy used at the end of the exercise. In this case, the encoder is connected to the weight stack and, in particular, to the pin used to select the load to be lifted. Thus, the detecting device permits measurement of the load selected by the user when the weights are at rest, with reference to the initial position of the pin relative to an initial encoder reference, that is, before the exercise starts.
In documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,655,997 and 5,785,632, the encoder wire is connected to the weight at the top of the weight stack and an optical device having the function of a switch permits calculation of the total thickness of the weights lifted by the user. The interruption of a light beam by the weights tack and the subsequent return to a continuous light beam condition, combined with the measurement of load movement by the encoder, enables the control unit to calculate the total load lifted.
Each of the measuring devices described in the above mentioned documents has drawbacks, some of which are common to more than one device.
Firstly, in the measuring devices equipped with wire encoder (PCT WO 87/05727, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,655,977 and 5,785,632), the main disadvantage is the fact that the devices which define the change between the static position (where the number of weights selected, that is, the load, is measured) and the dynamic position (corresponding to the movement of the weight pack selected by the user) do not guarantee constant, reliable operation. For example, photocells may be blacked out by dust or they may move out of position as a result of the vibrations which are always present on machines of this kind. That means the state of the system must be periodically checked in order to prevent failure while an exercise is being performed.
The device described in document U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,940 is also negatively affected by wear since the load to be lifted acts directly on the pulley that constitutes the encoder which, in turn, transmits the stress to a pin supported by the frame. Further, in a measuring device based on an encoder of this kind, the static load must be set by the user and only on the basis of this information can the control unit calculate the training parameters. Consequently, incorrect programming by the user may result in the parameters being calculated inaccurately.
Moreover, although the encoder described in document WO 87/05727 is sufficient to measure the total lifted load and the training parameters, in patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,1817,940, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,977 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,632, the calculation of the training parameter is performed by two separate devices. As is known, the duplication of the devices negatively affects the efficiency of the machine because the problems of one measuring device combine with those of the other to double the operating problems of the machine as a whole. Furthermore, the electronic control unit forming part of the measuring device must have two inputs for the signals corresponding to the static load and the training parameters.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a measuring unit for a weight-stack gym machine that is not subject to the drawbacks described above.
In particular, the present invention has for an object to provide a measuring unit for gym machines that permits automatic calculation of the parameters relative to the movement of the weights which form part of the training load, thus obviating problems due to wear, and using reliable measuring elements which can be retrofitted on existing machines without particular technical problems tending to radically modify the computing components of the machine.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a measuring unit for a weight-stack gym machine.

Measuring unit for a weight-stack gym machine


The cylindrical enclosure 12 of a recuperator 10 as in FIG. 2 contains an annular coaxial heat exchanger 50 full of cooling liquid 22 circulating therethrough. Exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine flows from an inlet end 32 through the heat exchanger 50, first in an axial region 15 via a conduit 14, then back through a surrounding annular region 18, then through tubes 37 to an outlet end 34. The inlet 30 and outlet 31 for the gas are in the side wall 40 of the cylindrical body 12, and the exhaust gas 11 enters and leaves via conduits 14 and 19 that are perpendicular to the side wall 40 at the inlet 30 and at the outlet 31. So the ends 41 and 42 of the body 12 are free of adjacent obstruction, and at least one of them is removable, as in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 . Thus, the recuperator 10 can be opened and closed to make the interior accessible for inspection, cleaning, or other desired purpose.

The exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine has a high temperature, typically about 850.degree. F. to 1200.degree. F. In some applications the exhaust must be cooled before it is discharged into the atmosphere to reduce the safety hazard of the hot exhaust. Heat recovery mufflers have been used also to recover energy that would otherwise be wasted in the exhaust discharge. The recovered energy can be used directly as heat or it can be converted to mechanical energy to provide a supplement to the main engine drive power. Some heat recovery systems include an exhaust gas muffler that cools the exhaust gas and may provide an auxiliary source of heated water.
In a heat recovery muffler, the main objective is to attenuate the sound energy and remove heat from the exhaust gas, while maintaining the exhaust gas pressure drop within an acceptable limit.
The present exhaust gas recuperator is of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,932, issued May 29, 1984, to Mostafa M. Khosropour and Thomas C. Learn, for Heat Recovery Muffler. Typical embodiments of the present invention omit some of the secondary features of the cited muffler (although some of them may be included optionally), and they include other features making them advantageous for certain purposes.
The heat recovery muffler of Khosropour and Learn (K&L) comprises an outer body with an annular heat exchanger disposed therein and spaced from each end. The heat exchanger has a central opening surrounding an exhaust gas inlet pipe to provide an annular passage. The downstream end of the central opening is closed off so that the flow of exhaust gas through the inlet pipe is reversed and is directed back upstream. A plurality of tubes communicate between opposite ends of the body, so that the exhaust gas then flows downstream through the tubes in heat exchange relation with a cooling medium, such as water, to cool the exhaust gas and heat the cooling medium. The cooled exhaust gas is discharged to the atmosphere through an outlet pipe in the downstream end of the body.


A safety bolt device comprising: a drop down bolt, the drop down bolt comprising: a cross-member; a first vertical pin attached to a first end of the cross-member; a second vertical pin attached to a second end of the cross-member; a door receiver configured to receive the first vertical pin, the door receiver comprising: a bolt; a jamb receiver configured to receive the second vertical pin, the jamb receiver comprising: a pin; where the door receiver is configured to attach to a door, and the jamb receiver is configured to attach to the door jamb of the door, and where the safety bolt device is configured to prevent the door from being opened when the drop down bolt has been dropped into the door receiver and the jamb receiver.

There have been many instances of school and/or workplace violence. If an assailant has or obtains keys to a school or workplace, then locking the door will not protect the occupants in a room. Even if the door is locked, and the assailant does not have a key, many times an assailant can kick or otherwise knock down a door that is merely held in place by a standard door lock.
Thus there is a need for a device and system that can overcome the above and other disadvantages.


In a jet loom, a weft insertion start timing, a jet injection start timing of a main weft inserting nozzle and a jet injection stop timing of auxiliary weft inserting nozzles are controlled on the basis of empirical rules. A weft insertion control program incorporating the empirical rules is provided for a control computer for controlling an energization start timing of a solenoid, an energization start timing of an electromagnetic valve and a deenergization timing of an electromagnetic valve on the basis of the weft insertion start timing obtained from a weft release detector and the weft leading end arrival timing obtained from a weft detector. The control program is so prepared as to detect the control quantities for the detected data on the basis of specific correspondence relations between sequential arrayed data including a plurality of weft insertions start timing data and a plurality of weft leaving and arriving timing data, both data being classified in a particular order in accordance with empirical rules, and sequentially arrayed control quantities also classified in a particular order in accordance with an empirical rule.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a weft insertion control apparatus in a jet loom. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a weft insertion control apparatus for a jet loom for controlling insertion of a weft into a warp shed under the action of air jet injected by a main weft inserting nozzle after the weft is released from a retaining action of a weft release stop mechanism capable of being changed over between a weft retaining state in which the weft is prevented from being drawn and a state in which the weft is released from the retained state.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For a jet loom, it is important for weaving a fabric of high quality to realize satisfactory conditions for insertion of a weft in which the leading end of the weft is caused to reach a weft arrival terminal position at a predetermined timing. As control factors or quantities which can affect the conditions for the weft insertion, there may be mentioned, for example, a weft insertion start timing at which the weft insertion commences and air jet injection timings of main and auxiliary weft inserting nozzles. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 117853/62 (JP-A-62-117853), there is disclosed a weft insertion control mechanism which is so arranged as to compare an actual weft leading end arrival timing (i.e. time point at which the leading end of the weft reaches a predetermined goal or terminal position located widthwise of woven fabric) with a preset arrival timing to thereby control a weft release start timing of a weft retainer pin provided in association with a winding type weft length measuring/reserving device.
According to the prior art weft insertion control technique mentioned above, when the leading end of the weft as inserted has reached the predetermined goal position later than the preset time point, the weft insertion start timing is advanced correspondingly for a predetermined time, while the weft insertion timing is delayed correspondingly when the leading end of the inserted weft has reached the goal position earlier than the preset time point.
In this conjunction, it is however noted that there may occur three different states "normal", "late" and "early", respectively, for the weft leading end to reach a predetermined weft insertion goal position, being correspondingly accompanied with three different weft insertion start time points or timings. As a result, as many as nine different sets are conceived as combinations of weft insertion start conditions and weft leading end arrival conditions. Moreover, when taking into consideration the magnitudes or extents of deviations of the weft insertion start timing and the weft leading end arrival timing from the respective preset time points, there exist an enormous number of weft insertion conditions which can be identified discriminatively from one another. For this reason, it is impossible with the prior art simple weft insertion control technique to realize a fine weft insertion control in which numerous and various conditions or states for the weft insertion are properly taken into account.

Apparatus for controlling weft insertion in jet loom

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho


An electrical connector is used to mount to a circuit board. The electrical connector comprises a housing having a spacer, a cage and a terminal block. The cage is engaged with the housing, the cage and the housing together are provided on the circuit board and the spacer is spaced apart from the circuit board, so as to together define a first slot positioned above the spacer and a receiving space positioned under the spacer and is adjacent to the circuit board. The terminal block comprises an insulative plate positioned in the receiving space and the insulative plate is parallel to and spaced apart from the spacer so as to in turn form a second slot in the receiving space.

With development of wireless communication technology, at present, a mobile phone has been developed on a type which may read two Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. Because the SIM card is electrically connected to a circuit board via an electrical connector, in order to meet the requirement on the connector which may mate with two SIM cards at the same time and reduce a surface area of the circuit board occupied by itself, a stack-type SIM card connector is proposed, as disclosed in Taiwanese utility model patent publication No. TWM324877 (corresponding to Chinese patent grant Publication No. CN201081824Y).
In the electrical connector as disclosed in the above patent, a first housing and a second housing (which are formed of an insulative material) which are engaged in a vertical direction and a shield together define two card insertion spaces respectively positioned in an upper layer and a lower layer. However, because the second housing in the lower layer has a larger surface area, when the electrical connector is connected to a circuit board by means of reflow, the second housing is easy to warp due to heat so that the whole coplanarity of the second housing is reduced. Moreover, during reflow, the second housing is subjected to more heat than the first housing, and thus the warping potential of the second housing is larger than that of the first housing, thereby resulting in that assembly of the first housing and the second insulative becomes tight, and the first housing and the second insulative will affect on each other in warpage and coplanarity after reflow, which results in that the quality of the electrical connector is not stable. Moreover, obviously, the design of the second housing itself is more complicated, which requires more cost in material and manufacturing process.


An engine system includes an internal combustion engine, an energy storage device configured to provide electrical power, and an electrified air-boost system powered by the electrical power from the energy storage device to boost intake air to the engine, with the electrified air-boost system further including an electrical machine and a pressure device driven by the electrical machine to output boosted intake air to the engine. The engine system also includes a controller operably connected with the electrified air-boost system, with the controller configured to monitor engine speed and engine load during operation of the engine, identify an impending engine stall condition based on the monitored engine speed and engine load, and when the impending engine stall condition is identified, temporarily operate the electrified air-boost system to boost the intake air to the engine, thereby boosting a torque output of the engine.

Internal combustion engines are used to power non-road or work vehicles under a wide variety of load conditions and must be able to accept sudden changes in load. Thus, when a sudden increase in load is demanded, the engines are expected to respond by quickly increasing output torque. When this sharp increase in load demand occurs with the engine operating at low speeds, such as during engine idling speed, the engine speed can drop even further, thereby potentially resulting in engine stalling or stopping. This hard stopping or stalling of the engine can result in damage to the engine or drivetrain and lead to delays in completing the job function being performed by the work vehicle.

Electrified engine boost components for mitigating engine stalling in a work vehicle


The present disclosure pertains to a tool and repair method that facilitates restoring an exhaust pipe that has been become deformed as the result of a rear end collision which both restores to the pipes original shape and re-aligns the pipes to their original configuration, so the exhaust pipes can be re-attached to the pipe hanger without the need to replace the exhaust system pipes. The tool is comprised of a hydraulic piston cylinder, a stationary rectangular steel head attached to the body of the hydraulic piston, and a movable flat plate, located inside of the rectangular steel head and connected to the piston shaft of the hydraulic piston cylinder. To use the tool the deformed section of pipe is placed within the head of steel head of the compressive pipe repair apparatus when the cylinder piston shaft and movable flat plate are retracted. The hydraulic piston cylinder is activated by the mechanic and the cylinder piston shaft and movable flat plate will extend upward and contact the bottom of the deformed section is exhaust pipe, exerting compressive stresses against the exhaust pipe until the pipe has been reformed to match the original shape.

An automobile's exhaust system transports the gases created from the engine when the fuel and air are burned in the combustion chamber to the rear of the vehicle, where the gases are exhausted. The major components of the exhaust system are the exhaust manifold(s), exhaust pipes, catalytic converter(s), muffler, tailpipe, and pipe hangers. The exhaust pipes convey the exhaust to the rear of the vehicle. The catalytic converter converts harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they ever leave the car's exhaust system. The muffler reduces engine exhaust noise, and the tail pipe is a final section of exhaust pipe which opens to the atmosphere. The pipe hangers support the exhaust pipes from the underbody of the car, with enough strength to keep them in place but also enough flexibility to withstand movement caused by driving.
When designing an automobile exhaust system the exhaust pipes are often bent to wrap around or otherwise accommodate other nearby components of the car, such as the axles. The exhaust pipes are circular, and when the car is built, special pipe bending machines, which support the pipe during the bending process, are used to maintain the round shape of the pipe throughout the pipe bends. The pipes are fabricated on the machines, and then mounted onto the vehicle.
Failure to maintain the circular profile shape of the exhaust pipes in the bends results in a flawed elliptical profile shape known as ovality, which will restrict exhaust flow through the pipes, negatively affecting engine performance. The deformed pipe will have an axis that is longer than the original Nominal Outer Diameter (OD) of the pipe, known as the Max OD and an axis that is shorter than the Nominal OD of the pipe, known as the Min OD.
When an automobile experiences a rear end collision, it is common that the tailpipe will be contacted by the bumper of the car colliding into it, exerting forces on the exhaust system. These forces will typically cause the exhaust pipes to bend and deform, most typically at the location of an existing bend, where the pipe is the weakest. Because the bending of the pipe is not properly supported during an automobile rear end collision, as it is during the fabrication of the pipe, the resulting pipe bend will have ovality. Additionally, when the pipe is bent, the collision will also break a number of the pipe hangers which supports the exhaust system.
Once exhaust pipes have become deformed as the result of a rear end collision, it is imperative the pipes be restored to their original configuration and circular profile shape. As noted above, an out of round pipe will restrict exhaust flow through the pipes, negatively affecting engine performance. Additionally, exhaust pipes not supported by pipe hangers will be subjected to stresses from vibration and shock from the automobile, which will likely further deform the exhaust pipe, or cause the pipe to break from the exhaust system, likely where the pipe connects to one of the other exhaust system components, such as the muffler. A break in the exhaust system could allow poisonous exhaust fumes to enter the inside of the passenger component of the automobile.
Currently, there are two methods commonly utilized to repair exhaust pipes that have been deformed as the result of a rear end collision. One method is to replace the exhaust system with new components, either completely, or partially. Replacing the exhaust components is not labor intensive, but is an expensive repair method because the cost of the replacement parts can be several thousand dollars.
A second method commonly utilized to repair exhaust pipes that have become deformed as the result of a rear end collision is to cut the damaged section of pipe from the exhaust system, use a pipe bending machine to re-form the pipe back to its original configuration, and then weld the repaired section of pipe back into the exhaust system. While a cost effective from the aspect of not having to purchase new components, this repair method is still costly due to the significant labor hours required to complete a repair using this method. Additionally, not all repair shops have the appropriate pipe bending machine available to utilize this method or repair.
While both of these methods of repairs are effective to remediate repair exhaust pipes that have become deformed as the result of a rear end collision, both methods will likely result in a repair bill of several thousand dollars to be borne by the automobile owner or the insurance company.
There have been a number of innovative approaches and inventions introduced to the market in previous years addressing methods to repair bent tubing and pipes. The "Ball-bat repairing method" outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,000 describes a ball-bat repairing apparatus to repair softball and baseball bats, in which particularly aluminum ball-bats which have been deformed from repeated use are returned to substantially their original diameter along the longitudinal extent of the ball-bat barrel. The ball-bat repairing apparatus has a frame which holds a two-piece die therein. The two-piece die has a top half and a bottom half in which a pair of semi-cylindrical die inserts are secured. A compression member is threadedly received through the frame and is located in mechanical cooperation with a first of the die halves. When a ball-bat is placed within the die so that the damaged portion of the barrel is positioned between the die insert halves, a user compresses the deformed portion of the ball-bat between the first and second die inserts to substantially return the ball-bat barrel to its original diameter. While the device may be effective for repairing a bent exhaust system, as well as a baseball bat, the apparatus would still require the mechanic to cut the damaged section of pipe from the exhaust system, use the ball-bat repairing apparatus to re-form the pipe back to its original configuration, and then weld the repaired section of pipe back into the exhaust system.
The "Hydraulic powered pipe and tubing straightener" outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,373 depicts a somewhat different approach wherein a pipe straightening tool that includes an operating unit that can be inserted forwardly in a pipe. A hydraulic cylinder unit is disposed between and connected to the actuator and another toggle linkage connecting the lower and nose segments so that extension of hydraulic cylinder unit concurrently urges upward movement of both the upper segment and the nose segment which will push on the inner wall of the deformed section of pipe, restoring the pipe to its original circular profile shape. While this apparatus would be effective for restoring deformed straight pipes to their original circular profile shape, the unit is long and is fitted to the inner diameter of the pipe the tool is inserted into, the apparatus would not be effective to travel though the designed bends in an automobile exhaust system. Additionally, while the device could restore the deformed straight pipes to their original circular profile shape, the apparatus would not re-align the pipes to their original alignment with the pipe hanger, which would then require an additional step, and time to complete.
The "Vibrating pipe straightener" outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,739 depicts another novel approach to restoring deformed straight pipes to their original circular profile shape wherein a straightener for removing dents from an installed section of pipe. The inventive device includes a tapered body position-able within the pipe and attached to a cable. A vibrating assembly within the body removes dents from the pipe as the device is pulled therethrough the pipe by the cable. While this apparatus would be effective for restoring deformed straight pipes to their original circular profile shape, the use of the apparatus requires access to both ends of the pipe, therefore to use the apparatus to repair an exhaust system, a portion of the exhaust pipe upstream of the damaged area would need to be cut to insert the apparatus into the exhaust pipe, and then welded beck into place once the repairs are complete. The resulting repair would still be quite time consuming and costly to complete. Additionally, while the device could restore the deformed straight pipes to their original circular profile shape, the apparatus would not re-align the pipes to their original alignment with the pipe hanger, which would then require an additional step, and time to complete.
Therefore, a need exists for a novel tool and repair method that facilitates restoring an exhaust pipe that has been become deformed as the result of a rear end collision which both restores to the pipes original shape and re-aligns the pipes to their original configuration, so the exhaust pipes can be re-attached to the pipe hanger without the need to replace the exhaust system pipes. Additionally this novel tool and repair method should be able to complete the aforementioned repair with the exhaust system remaining on the automobile during the repairs, thereby reducing labor costs to complete the repair as well.

Exhaust system repair apparatus and repair method


Reaction products of polyisobutenes having an average degree of polymerization P of from 10 to 100 and a content E of from 60 to 90% of double bonds which can react with maleic anhydride, E=100% corresponding to the theoretical value for the case where each molecule of the polyisobutene has such a reactive double bond, with oxides of nitrogen or mixtures of oxides of nitrogen and oxygen, are suitable as additives for fuels, in particular for gasoline engines, and for lubricants.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to reaction products of polyisobutenes having an average degree of polymerization P of from 10 to 100 and a content E of from 60 to 90% of double bonds which can be reacted with maleic anhydride, where E=100% would correspond to the theoretical value for the case where each molecule of the polyisobutene has such a reactive double bond, with oxides of nitrogen or mixtures of oxides of nitrogen and oxygen.
The present invention furthermore relates to the use of these reaction products as fuel and lubricant additives and to gasoline engine fuels and lubricants containing these reaction products.
2. Discussion of the Background
The carburetor and intake system of gasoline engines, as well as injection systems for metering fuel into gasoline and diesel engines, are contaminated with impurities which are caused by dust particles from the air, uncombusted hydrocarbon residues from the combustion space and the crankcase vent gases passed into the carburetor.
The residues shift the air/fuel ratio in the idling state and in the lower part-load range so that the mixture becomes richer and the combustion more incomplete and in turn the proportions of uncombusted or partially combusted hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas increase and the gasoline consumption rises.
It is known that these disadvantages can be avoided by using fuel additives for keeping valves and carburetor or injection systems clean (M. Rossenbeck in Katalysatoren, Tenside, Mineraloladditive, Editors J. Falbe and U. Hasserodt, page 223 et seq., G. Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1978).
Depending on the mode of action, but also on the preferred place of action of such detergent additives, a distinction is now made between two generations of such assistants.
The first generation of additives could prevent only the formation of deposits in the intake system but could not remove existing deposits, whereas the additives of the second generation can accomplish both (keep-clean and clean-up effect) and can do so because of their excellent heat stability, in particular in zones at relatively high temperatures, ie. in the intake valves.
In general terms, the molecular structural principle of fuel detergents can be expressed as the linking of polar structures with generally relatively high molecular weight, nonpolar or lipophilic radicals.
Typical members of the second generation of additives are often products based on polyisobutenes in the nonpolar moiety. Among these in turn, additives of the polyisobutylamine type are particularly noteworthy.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,742 (1), filed in 1968 and granted in 1971, describes reaction products of branched long-chain aliphatic olefins, for example polypropylene, polyisobutylene or copolymers of ethylene and isobutylene, and oxides of nitrogen as detergents for lubricants. These olefins are prepared from lower olefins of 2 to 6 carbon atoms by conventional polymerization methods. In the resulting nitro-containing reaction products, the presence of further functional groups, such as hydroxyl, nitroso, nitrate, nitrite or carbonyl, and the relative proportions thereof are unknown. The structure and composition of these olefins are thus undefined.
DE-C 27 02 604 (2) published in 1978 describes a preparation process for polyisobutenes having an average degree of polymerization of from 10 to 100, by means of which highly reactive polyisobutenes, ie. those having predominantly terminal double bonds, were obtained for the first time. On the other hand, the polyisobutenes prepared by conventional polymerization methods, as in (1), have only a low content of terminal double bonds.
The nitro-containing reaction products disclosed in (1) and based on conventional polyisobutene do have a certain action as lubricant additives, but this action is still unsatisfactory. Furthermore, it is said that the compositions can also be used as additives for fuels for gasoline engines.

Reaction products of polyisobutenes and oxides of nitrogen or mixtures of oxides of nitrogen and oxygen and their use as fuel and lubricant additives


A device comprises a substrate having at least one active region, an insulating layer above the substrate, and an electrode in a gate electrode layer above the insulating layer, forming a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. A first contact layer is provided on the electrode, having an elongated first pattern extending in a first direction parallel to the electrode. A contact structure contacts the substrate. The contact structure has an elongated second pattern extending parallel to the first pattern. A dielectric material is provided between the first and second patterns, so that the first and second patterns and dielectric material form a side-wall capacitor connected in parallel to the MOS capacitor.

Metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors are frequently formed as part of the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. In a CMOS process, transistors are typically formed by providing an active area with doped source/drain regions in the substrate, a gate insulating layer over the substrate, and a gate electrode over the gate insulating layer. Contacts (e.g., tungsten) connect the source/drain regions and gate electrode with a conductive interconnect structure having several horizontal conductive pattern layers (typically referred to as M1, M2, etc.) and vertical via layers formed within a plurality of inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layers.
For integrating the MOS capacitor fabrication into the same process, the top electrode of the MOS capacitor is formed as part of the gate dielectric layer. The capacitor dielectric is formed as part of the gate insulation layer. The anode contact of the capacitor is formed on the top electrode of the capacitor. A cathode contact connects to the source/drain and bulk substrate.
As transistor dimensions (including gate insulation layer thickness) shrink, leakage becomes a problem, and the gate insulation layer becomes more vulnerable to breakdown. To reduce leakage in advanced, smaller transistors, high-k metal gate structures have been considered. The traditional silicon dioxide gate insulating layer is replaced with a relatively thicker layer of a high-k dielectric material, such as hafnium silicate, zirconium silicate, hafnium dioxide or zirconium dioxide. The polycrystalline silicon gate electrode material is replaced with a metal, such as titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, or aluminum nitride.
Advanced methods of fabricating MOS capacitors, which are compatible with a high-k metal gate process, are desired.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A method is provided for updating a uniformity map of a detector. The detector defines a detector surface area. The method includes positioning a flood on a sub-portion of the detector surface area of the detector. The flood defines a flood area that is smaller than the detector surface area. Also, the method includes collecting counts from the flood for the sub-portion of the detector surface area. Further, the method includes updating an adjustment portion of the uniformity map using the counts collected for the sub-portion of the detector surface area, wherein the adjustment portion corresponds to at least a part of the sub-portion of the detector surface area.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to calibration of detectors.
In nuclear medicine (NM) imaging, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, radiopharmaceuticals are administered internally to a patient. Detectors (e.g., gamma cameras) capture the radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceuticals and this information is used, by a computer, to form images. The NM images primarily show physiological function of, for example, the patient or a portion of the patient being imaged.
Detectors used in NM imaging may have a relatively large (e.g., 50 centimeters×40 centimeters) field of view. The sensitivity of the detector may vary throughout the detector due to inconsistencies in the electronics, crystals, and/or collimators of detectors. Isotope specific extrinsic maps for high statistics data on detectors may be created and/or updated using flood sources that cover the entire detectors. Use of such large flood sources may be inconvenient or impractical for updating maps of detectors.

Systems and methods for localized calibration


A fuel cell system includes: a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction by using a raw material and steam; a raw material supply device configured to supply the raw material to the reformer; a steam supply device configured to supply the steam to the reformer; a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the reformer; a fuel cell configured to generate electric power by using the hydrogen-containing gas; a combustor configured to combust the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the fuel cell to heat the reformer; and a controller configured to, while controlling the raw material supply device such that the temperature detected by the temperature detector becomes a target temperature, control the steam supply device such that a change rate of a steam supply amount to the reformer becomes less than a change rate of a raw material supply amount to the reformer.

Fuel cell systems are configured to: supply a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas to a fuel cell stack (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "fuel cell") which is the main body of the system's power generating part; cause an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to progress; and extract chemical energy generated through the electrochemical reaction as electrical energy to generate electric power. Fuel cell systems are capable of generating electric power with high efficiency, and allowing thermal energy generated during a power generation operation to be readily utilized. Therefore, fuel cell systems are being developed as distributed power generation systems that make it possible to realize highly efficient energy utilization.
Generally speaking, it is often the case that an infrastructure serving as the source of supply of the hydrogen-containing gas is not developed. Therefore, conventional fuel cell systems are provided with a hydrogen generation apparatus. Such a hydrogen generation apparatus includes a reformer configured to generate a reformed gas (a hydrogen-containing gas) (see Patent Literature 1, for example). The hydrogen generation apparatus uses water and a raw material. The raw material is, for example, city gas which contains natural gas as a main component and which is supplied from an existing infrastructure, or LPG. The hydrogen generation apparatus causes a reforming reaction between the water and the raw material at temperatures of 600° C. to 700° C. by using a Ru catalyst or a Ni catalyst, thereby generating the reformed gas. Usually, the reformed gas obtained through the reforming reaction contains carbon monoxide, which is derived from the raw material. If the carbon monoxide concentration in the reformed gas is high, it causes degradation of the power generation performance of the fuel cell. Therefore, it is often the case that, in addition to the reformer, the hydrogen generation apparatus includes reactors, for example, a shift converter and selective removers such as a selective oxidizer and a methanation remover. The shift converter includes a Cu—Zn based catalyst, and causes a shift reaction between carbon monoxide and steam to progress at temperatures of 200° C. to 350° C., thereby reducing carbon monoxide. The selective oxidizer selectively causes a carbon monoxide oxidation reaction at temperatures of 100° C. to 200° C., thereby further reducing carbon monoxide. The methanation remover selectively causes carbon monoxide methanation, thereby reducing carbon monoxide.
In the hydrogen generation apparatus, there are cases where aging variation of a reforming water pump and a raw material flowmeter, which are included in the source of supply of the reforming water and the raw material, causes a temporal change in the ratio between the supplied raw material and the supplied water. In this case, a change in steam/carbon ratio occurs. If a significant abnormality occurs in the steam/carbon ratio, it becomes difficult to cause a proper reaction in the reformer. This may consequently cause, for example, problems as follows: the hydrogen-containing gas content in a fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell decreases, or the carbon monoxide gas content in the reformed gas after passing through the shift converter increases. Moreover, in some cases, the power generation voltage of the fuel cell drops, which may cause the fuel cell to stop. Therefore, there is proposed a method for determining an abnormality that the steam/carbon ratio is high (see Patent Literature 2, for example).

Fuel cell system and method of operating the same

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A laser beam machine capable of preventing contaminants from entering a machining head. A laser beam (2) is reflected by a mirror (4) in a light guide passage (12) and introduced into the machining head (5). The laser beam is then focused by a parabolic mirror (6) to be irradiated onto a spot (7a) on a surface of a workpiece (7). An auxiliary gas (10) is ejected from a gas supply section (9) and throttled by a nozzle (11) to be supplied to the workpiece (7). The surface of the workpiece (7) is melted due to interaction between the laser beam (2) and the auxiliary gas (10), whereby a laser beam machining is achieved. An impeller (20) is arranged between the parabolic mirror (6) of the machining head (5) and the workpiece (7). A motor (21) for driving the impeller (20) is secured to a side wall (51) of the machining head (5) and rotates the impeller (20) at a high speed.

Recently, an increasing number of metal machining techniques using a laser beam machine have been proposed. FIG. 4 schematically shows the arrangement of a conventional laser beam machine which is in wide use. In this laser beam machine, a laser beam 2 emitted from a laser oscillator 1 is reflected by mirrors 3 and 4 in a light guide passage 12 and introduced into a machining head 5. The laser beam is then focused by a parabolic mirror 6 and irradiated onto a surface of a workpiece 7. An auxiliary gas 10 is supplied from a gas cylinder, not shown, to a gas supply section 9 through a gas pipe 8. The auxiliary gas 10 is ejected from the gas supply section 9 and throttled by a nozzle 11 to be supplied to the workpiece 7. The surface of the workpiece 7 is melted due to interaction between the laser beam 2 and the auxiliary gas 10, whereby a laser beam machining is carried out.
In the laser beam machine shown in FIG. 4, however, a large amount of contaminants 13 such as spatters and oil mist (contaminative gas) is scattered from the workpiece 7 and enters the machining head 5. Such contaminants 13 stain the parabolic mirror 6 and even the light guide passage 12 and the mirrors 3 and 4. A problem therefore arises in that these parts must be frequently cleaned, making the maintenance difficult. Further, in the case of a three-dimensional machining operation using a laser beam machine so designed, the machining head 5 is oriented in every direction, sideways or upward, and thus can be even more contaminated by spatters and the like. Consequently, the application of three-dimensional laser beam machining is severely restricted.