A well fluid sampling tool and method for retrieving reservoir fluid samples from deep wells. The sampling tool is lowered to the required depth, an internal sample chamber is opened to admit well fluid at a controlled rate, and the sample chamber is then automatically sealed. The temperature of the sampled well fluid is maintained at or near initial as-sampled temperature to avoid the volumetric shrinkage otherwise induced by temperature reduction, mitigate precipitation of compounds from the sample, and/or maintain the initial single-phase condition of the sample. The sample chamber is thermally insulated, provided with a storage heater, electrically heated, given a high hear capacity, and/or pre-heated to sample temperature.

Reservoir fluids (liquids (such as water or oil) and gas) are found in geological reservoirs wherein they are contained at a high pressure (relative to ambient atmospheric pressure), and usually also at an elevated temperature (relative to ambient atmospheric temperature). At such pressures, the gas is dissolved in the liquid such that the reservoir fluid initially exists as a single-phase fluid, but the reservoir fluid will release dissolved gas to form a two-phase fluid with separate gas and liquid components if the reservoir fluid has its initial pressure sufficiently reduced towards ambient atmospheric pressure. Also, the initial relatively high temperature of the reservoir fluid results in volumetric contraction of a given mass of fluid as it cools towards ambient atmospheric temperature if withdrawn from the well.
When hydrocarbon exploration wells, for example, are drilled and hydrocarbon fluids are found, a well fluid test is usually performed. This test usually involves flowing the well fluid to surface, mutually separating the oil and gas in a separator, separately measuring the oil and gas flow rates, and then flaring the products (or transporting the products elsewhere for use or safe disposal).
It is also desirable to take samples of the reservoir fluid for chemical and physical analysis. Such samples of reservoir fluid are collected as early as possible in the life of a reservoir, and are analysed in specialist laboratories. The information which this provides is particularly-vital in the planning and development of hydrocarbon fields and for assessing their viability and monitoring their performance.
There are two ways of collecting these samples:
1. Bottom Hole Sampling of the fluid directly from the reservoir, and PA1 2. Surface Recombination Sampling of the fluid at the surface.
In Bottom Hole Sampling (BHS) a special sampling tool is run into the well to trap a sample of the reservoir fluid present in the well bore. Provided the well pressure at the sampling depth is above the "Bubble Point Pressure" of the reservoir fluid, all the gas will be dissolved in the liquid, and the sample will be a single-phase fluid representative of the reservoir fluid, i.e. an aliquot.
Surface Recombination Sampling (SRS) involves collecting separate oil and gas samples from the surface production facility (e.g. from the gas/liquid separator). These samples are recombined in the correct proportions at the analytical laboratory to create a composite fluid which is intended to be representative of the reservoir fluid, die a re-formed aliquot.
Several BHS tools are currently available commercially, which function by a common principle of operation. A typical BHS tool is run into the well to trap a sample of reservoir fluid at the required depth by controlled opening of an internal chamber to admit reservoir fluid, followed by sealing of the sample-holding chamber after admission of a predetermined volume of fluid. The tool is then retrieved from the well and the sample is transferred from the tool to a sample bottle for shipment to the analytical laboratory. As the tool in retrieved from the well, its temperature drops and the fluid sample shrinks causing the sample pressure to drop. This pressure drop occurs because the sample-holding chamber within the typical BES tool has a fixed volume after the sample is trapped and because the sample temperature is uncontrolled. Usually the sample pressure falls below the Bubble Point Pressure, allowing gas to break out of solution. This means the sample is now in two phases, a liquid phase and a gas phase, instead of in single-phase form as it was before the pressure dropped. In order successfully to transfer the sample from the tool to the sample bottle, it is necessary to pre-pressurise the sample sufficiently to force the free gas back into solution, recreating a single-phase sample. This recombination is a lengthy procedure and thus expensive.
The temperature change which the sample experiences and the resultant pressure change may also cause the precipitation of compounds previously dissolved in the well fluid, some of which cannot be re-dissolved by re-pressurisation. The absence of these compounds in the re-formed aliquot renders certain analyses meaningless.
A means by which a well fluid sample could be collected, retrieved and transferred in single-phase form, without a pressure-induced phase change, would a mitigate these problems. Not only would time spent recombining a two-phase sample back to single phase be saved, but pressure-sensitive compounds would remain dissolved, allowing more accurate analyses to be performed on the sample. One such means is described in our co-pending European Patent Application EP-A-0515495, which utilises pressurisation of the sample to maintain the sample in single-phase form.
In more general terms, it is also desirable to retrieve a sample whose temperature is close to its original temperature.

Well fluid sampling tool and well fluid sampling method


Provided are methods and systems for selectively communicating data between a source device and one or more sink devices. The method includes generating a selection signal based on received configuration data associated with the sink device(s). Based at least in part on the selection signal, the data can be caused to be selectively provided to the sink device(s) by the first device. The data includes Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol data, uncompressed high definition media data, or a combination thereof. In forward connections, the data may be provided variously at one of the following rates: 2.7 Gbps, 5.4 Gbps, 3.375 Gbps, and 6.75 Gbps. At 6.75 Gbps, the data may include a combination of USB data and audio/video data (having high resolution high definition video) or just standalone audio/video data (having higher resolution high definition video). In backward connections, the data includes USB data and can be transferred at either 2.7 Gbps and 3.375 Gbps.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication standard is directed to a universal wired interface and protocol to enable electronic devices to exchange data. Various connectors are specified for information exchange in accordance with the standard. One or more dedicated USB ports, i.e., USB connectors, are typically employed in an electronic device. There are three basic types of connectors identified in various USB 2.0 Specifications: Standard, Mini-USB, and Micro-USB connectors. According to USB 3.0 Specifications, two basic types of connectors are defined: standard and Micro-USB connectors. A USB port of a device can be coupled to a USB port of another device via a cable. A USB transceiver may be employed in each device to send and receive USB protocol signals to and from the corresponding USB port. Additionally, the USB protocol can define the power and ground connectivity between two devices.
A DisplayPort (DP) communication standard is an interface and link protocol for transferring high definition video/audio and data across computer systems and electronics devices. The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has defined various standards versions, which are incorporated by reference herein, including versions 1.1, 1.1a, 1.2, and 1.2a. The DisplayPort standard defines a multi-laned one-way serial interface for connecting a source device, such as a system that generates a media or multimedia signal, i.e., video and/or audio, with a sink device, such as a display that renders the signal on an output device. Additionally, the DisplayPort standard defines a two way serial communication side-band channel, along with the multi-laned serial interface, for device configurations on either side of the connected link to identify and set the correct transmission of the multimedia content. The DP communications standard is defined by the VESA as royalty free.
The DP protocol is scalable in terms of usable bandwidth and has a higher bandwidth than the high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) standard. The DP protocol uses one to four pairs of communication lines (also referred to as lanes) depending on the bandwidth needed to transmit a single video/audio stream. Where the link does not need four lanes to transfer information, one or two lanes can also be used to transfer one stream of video/audio data or multiple streams/displays of video/audio data depending on the bandwidth needed. The two-way serial communication side-band channel is responsible for setting up the lanes requirement and other communications on both sides.
A dedicated DP protocol connector can be employed in a device for multimedia content communication with an external device in accordance with the DP communication standard. Most electronic devices that support wired data communication employ one or more USB connectors but do not include a DP protocol connector due to the size or upgradability limitations. Such electronic devices may include set-top boxes and handheld communication devices, such as, for example, mobile telephones, tablets, digital still cameras, digital video camcorders, mp4 players, and media players.
However, existing solutions do not provide an efficient system for communicating with devices having different communication protocols. More specifically, the existing solutions do not provide a definition for an enhanced protocol, based on the DisplayPort standard and MyDP standard, as a digital audio-video interface as well as a USB 2.0 data interface connectivity between a transmitter (source) device and a receiver (sink) device using a standard 5-pin connector. Such enhanced protocol can be referred to as Slimport AVD or Slimport Pro, an extension of SlimPort 1.0 specification.

Protocol for digital audio-video interface


Liquid crystal films with excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength are provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal film and a liquid crystal display device equipped with such a liquid crystal film.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, as a result of the research development which has been actively conducted to apply liquid crystal materials for optical purposes, a liquid crystal film produced by aligning a liquid crystal material and forming the material into a film has been practically used for the purposes of compensating color and widening a viewing angle of a liquid crystal display device.
Various methods of forming a liquid crystal material into a film are known. For example, there is a method in which a liquid crystal film is produced by forming a thin film of a polymeric liquid crystalline substance over a substrate with alignability and then heating the film to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature "Tg" so as to align the liquid crystal (liquid crystal molecules), followed by quenching the film so as to fix the aligned liquid crystal, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 3-9321. However, although this method is applicable to both main chain- and side chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substances, it has problems that the process would be increased in load and eligible alignment substrates are limited because the temperature at which the liquid crystallinity is exhibited rises when using a main chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substance with a high Tg. Furthermore, when using a side chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substance, this method has a problem in the heat resistance of the resulting liquid crystal film and a disadvantage that the orientation of the liquid crystal would be disordered at a temperature in the vicinity of the Tg.
Alternatively, there is a method in which a liquid crystal film is produced by sealing a liquid crystalline low molecular weight substance having a reactive group into a liquid crystal cell provided with an alignment substrate and heating the cell to a temperature at which the substance exhibits a liquid crystallinity so as to be aligned, followed by fixing the aligned liquid crystal by polymerization with an external stimulus such as light or heat, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-21915. However, in this method, it is difficult to control the parameters of the resulting liquid crystal film because the liquid crystal to be aligned is a low molecular weight substance and thus the physical properties such as fluidity and birefringence are heavily dependent on temperature. Further, this method may often have a problem in the heat resistance of the resulting liquid crystal film because the liquid crystal after polymerization becomes similar in structure to a side chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substance and thus fails to raise the Tg sufficiently.
As an alternative for fixing a liquid crystal orientation by polymerization with an external stimulus, there is a method in which a mixture of a polymeric liquid crystalline substance and a reactive low molecular weight substance is aligned and reacted, i.e., cured with an external stimulus, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-120640. However, because the reaction between the polymeric liquid crystalline substance and the reactive low molecular weight substance does not progress sufficiently, the Tg is not sufficiently raised, leading to a problem in the heat resistance of the resulting liquid crystal film.
In view of these problems, it can be said that a method disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-319527 is the most effective in which method a reactive group is directly introduced into a polymeric liquid crystalline substance with a relatively low Tg, such as a side chain-type one and then cross-linked with an external stimulus such as light or heat after aligning the reactive group in a liquid crystal state, thereby raising the Tg. However, this method has a problem that it is difficult to synthesize such a side chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substance with a reactive group. For example, when the polymeric structure is constructed prior to the introduction of a reactive group, the amount thereof is prone to be insufficient. On the other hand, in a method in which a side chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substance having a reactive group is synthesized from a monomer having two reactive groups by polymerizing one of the reactive groups, it is necessary that the reactivity of the other reactive group must be maintained lower than that of the reactive group to be reacted, leading to a problem that the reaction of the reactive group after aligning the reaction group in a liquid crystal state is prone to be insufficient.
Furthermore, in the case of using only a side chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substance, it may be difficult to shift the reactive region during a cross-linking reaction and thus there arises a problem that the cross-linking does not progress sufficiently.
The present invention provides a liquid crystal film with an excellent heat resistance, which can solve the above-described problems and a liquid crystal display device mounted with such a liquid crystal film.
The present invention was made in view of the forgoing problems and provides a liquid crystal film with an excellent heat resistance, and which is produced by fixing an aligned liquid crystal material containing a side chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substance obtained by polymerizing a novel compound having reactive groups with excellent reactivity for fixing the aligned liquid crystal structure and a difunctional low molecular weight liquid crystalline substance having two or more such reactive groups.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Liquid crystal film and liquid crystal display device equipped with same

Abstract: A liquid crystal film is obtained by fixing an aligned liquid crystal material containing at least a side chain-type polymeric liquid crystalline substance obtained by homopolymerizing the (meth)acrylic portion of a (meth)acrylic compound having an oxetanyl group represented by formula (1) below or copolymerizing the same with another (meth)acrylic compound and a difunctional low molecular weight liquid crystalline substance having two oxetanyl groups represented by formula (2):


The invention concerns a method and a device (10) for closing wedge simulation to set gap dimensions between a movable flap (5; 5a, 5b) of a vehicle and the surrounding body (1) of the vehicle. The flap (5; 5a, 5b) is initially fitted and held in a roughly adjusted installation position in alignment with the body (1). The flap (5; 5a, 5b) is then finely adjusted such that predeterminable gap dimensions can be met with optimum precision. Finally, the flap (5; 5a, 5b) is movably fixed in the finely adjusted installation position on the body (1). To simplify the closing wedge simulation without losing accuracy for fine adjustment of the flap (5; 5a, 5b), the invention proposes to suction the flap (5; 5a, 5b) against a mechanical stop (15) for fine adjustment using a pneumatic suctioning device (16), wherein the mechanical stop (15) is fixed relative to the surrounding body (1) and is freely pivotable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation (13).

The present invention concerns a method for setting the gap dimensions between a movable flap of an automotive vehicle and the adjacent body of the vehicle. In this method, the flap is initially fitted and held in a roughly adjusted installation position in alignment with the body, then finely adjusted such that predetermined gap dimensions can be established with maximum precision, and finally movably fixed in the finely adjusted installation position on the body.
The invention also concerns a device for setting the gap dimensions between a movable flap of a vehicle and the adjacent body of the vehicle. The device comprises means for fitting and holding the flap in a roughly adjusted installation position in alignment with the body, means for detecting the gap dimensions and means for fitting and movably fixing the flap in a finely adjusted installation position in which predetermined gap dimensions are met with optimum precision.
The flaps are installed during vehicle assembly. The flaps are, in particular, the doors of the vehicle as well as hood and trunk lid or rear flap. The flaps are installed in corresponding installation openings in the body and movably mounted in a suitable installation position on hinges or joints on the body. A suitable installation position is characterized in that the flaps terminate flush with the adjacent body or with bordering flaps, and are separated uniformly from the adjacent body or the bordering flaps. This process is also referred to as maintenance of predetermined gap dimensions (width and offset) in the installation position.
Conventionally, the flaps are mounted to the hinges or joints on the body in a roughly adjusted installation position. At least one wedge-shaped element, a so-called closing wedge, is inserted into the gap between the flap and the adjacent body or bordering flaps to fit the flap in the installation opening to be flush with the body. The flap is subsequently finely adjusted such that predetermined gap dimensions are maintained with maximum accuracy while the closing wedge continues to hold the flap flush with the body. Finally, the flap is movably fixed in the finely adjusted installation position on hinges or joints. The insertion of the closing wedge is a very difficult and also very inaccurate procedure
For this reason, other methods were developed which permit mounting of the flaps of a vehicle and, in particular, setting of the gap dimensions between the flaps and the adjacent body or bordering flaps without using a closing wedge (so-called closing wedge simulation). In the simplest embodiment, instead of a closing wedge, a magnetic element is externally disposed onto the body in the region of the gap between a flap to be installed and the adjacent body or bordering flap such that it covers the flap and also the adjacent body or the bordering flap. The use of a magnet for closing wedge simulation is, however, also very demanding and very imprecise.
A relatively demanding method for closing wedge simulation has been developed with which the entire vehicle body must be disposed at a predetermined position in three-dimensional space using a so-called lifting station. This method provides a device for closing wedge simulation which comprises a mechanical stop supported on the adjacent body or on the already installed bordering flap as well as on the flap to be installed, and a pneumatic suctioning device which draws the flap to be installed against the stop. These mechanical and pneumatic tools for closing wedge simulation are moved by a handling device having e.g. an articulated arm robot. The handling device and tools mounted thereto are positioned at an absolute location in three-dimensional space. Positioning of the body in three-dimensional space brings the body into a defined position relative to the tools for closing wedge simulation. In this conventional method, closing wedge simulation takes place at a predetermined absolute position in three-dimensional space, which requires positioning of the entire body. This involves, however, great effort and the costs for such closing wedge simulation are very high.
It is the underlying purpose of the present invention to facilitate and reduce the costs for closing wedge simulation while still permitting highly precise fitting of a flap into the surrounding body of a vehicle.

Method and device for simulation of a closing wedge


Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate switching a lamp ballast between DALI and analog control states as a function of control state information stored prior to the ballast being powered of and control information received by an interface circuit for the ballast circuit. A depolarization circuit is coupled to the interface circuit and ensures consistent polarity across a rectifier circuit regardless of the polarity of two control wires coupled to a miswiring protection circuit in the interface circuit. In this manner, a single interface circuit provides dual 0-10V analog and DALI control for dimming a lighting device regardless of whether a wall-mounted controller coupled to the interface circuit is an analog or a DALI type controller, thereby mitigating a need to switch out a ballast circuit coupled to the lighting device when changing between DALI and analog type controllers.

The present application is directed to electronic interface circuits. It finds particular application in conjunction with digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) circuits and 0-10V dimming interface circuits, and will be described with the particular reference thereto.
Classical 0-10V dimming interface circuits employ a 0-10V control signal to dim a lighting device over a practical range of output power. Light level is determined by an analog voltage level set by a user in the range of 0-10V. Such circuits have a positive-negative polarity that must be adhered to in order for the system to function properly. The interface circuit is required to provide a controlled current that is electrically isolated from the electronics of the lighting device so that passive control components such as contacts and potentiometers may be used to dim the lighting device.
Other interface circuits allow lighting devices to be dimmed using the DALI standard protocol. Such circuits are generally not polarized, allowing the control wires to be interchanged. Light level is controlled by digital messages that are passed to a DALI control bus, at up to 22V according to the standard.
Attempts to depolarize a 0-10V power supply interface have thus far included using a synchronous rectifier bridge that requires continuous commutation and a diode bridge in the depolarizing circuit.
The following contemplates new methods and apparatuses that overcome the above referenced problems and others.

Unified 0-10V and DALI dimming interface circuit


A noise margin self-diagnostic receiver circuit has been developed. The self-diagnostic circuit includes one comparator for comparing the signal voltage to a high reference voltage, a second comparator for comparing the signal voltage to a low reference voltage, and a logic circuit that activates an alarm if a noise error is detected. The circuit analyzes the data from the comparators and determines if a noise error has occurred dependent on being clocked by one or both of an output from the comparator comparing the signal voltage to the high reference voltage and an output from the comparator comparing the signal voltage to the low reference voltage.

In digital signaling, the voltage swing of the signal often encounters significant noise. This is especially the case with low voltage signals at a high speed interface. In such applications, problems such as power noise or ground noise can be the result of simultaneous switching of input/output (I/O) buffers, signal reflections, or signal cross-talk. Noise can also result from a weakened physical interconnection caused by a bad solder joint, an improper connection, etc. The result of such noise is the reduction of signal voltage margin as well as degradation of signal performance and reliability.
FIG. 1A shows a graphical depiction of an example of an ideal signal 10. The graph represents the voltage of the signal as depicted over time. VREF represents the mid-point reference of the voltage. VREF_L represents the lower voltage boundary. Any signal voltage level below this point, is considered a LOW signal value. VREF_H represents the high voltage boundary. Any signal voltage level above this point is considered a HIGH signal value.
In FIG. 1A, the signal 10 starts LOW and transitions to HIGH before returning to LOW. The signal 10 clearly and unambiguously makes the successful transition in signal value. However, FIG. 1B shows the effect on the signal 20 of noise caused by a ground glitch. The signal 20 never clearly makes the transition from LOW to HIGH. Instead, it is stuck in the transitional area between VREF_L and VREF_H. FIG. 1C shows the effect on the signal 30 of noise caused by a power glitch. The signal 30 never clearly makes the transition from HIGH to LOW. As with the ground glitch of FIG. 1B, the signal is stuck in the same transitional area without a clear, discernable value. Finally, FIG. 1D shows an example of the effect of a high resistance path. The signal 40 never crosses VREF_L during its transition from HIGH to LOW. As seen in the previous examples, its value it indeterminate.
In general, electrical characterization of noise related problems require proper software support in generating data patterns and robust hardware support to determine the transient voltage. A common method of debugging a system involves pin by pin testing to find signal voltage errors. This is a very costly and time-consuming operation whether in the laboratory, in the production facility, or in the field.

Noise margin self-diagnostic receiver logic


An optical fiber for long-distance optical communication networks has a zero dispersion wavelength value in the range of 1560 to 1570 nm and a dispersion gradient value, at a wavelength band of 1550 nm, in the range of 0.055 to 0.075 ps/nm2/km.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical fiber and, more particularly, to an optical fiber applicable in long-distance optical communication networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an effort to cope with an ever-increasing demand for higher capacity and speed, optical communication systems—namely, a WDM (wavelength division multiplex) technique that can perform a large-capacity transmission at high speed—are being deployed. The WDM systems may be classified into DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplex) systems and CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplex) systems.
The optical communication networks utilizing the WDM mode are classified into access networks, metro-access networks, metro-core networks, long-haul networks, and ultra long-haul networks depending on the transmission distance. The access networks represent short-distance optical communication networks, while the metro and long-haul networks are long-distance optical communication networks. Specifically, the access networks are used for a distance range of 1–5 km; the metro-access networks for 20–100 km; the metro-core networks for 100–300 km; the long-haul networks for 300–1000 km; and the ultra long-haul networks for 1000 km or more.
Optical fibers used in long-distance optical communication networks in the range of hundreds of kilometers, such as metro and long-haul networks, include a core having a high refractive index, a clad having a low refractive index, and an optional ring region positioned between the core and the clad with a lower refractive index than that of the core. For economic reasons, the conventional long-distance optical communication networks use optical fibers having a dispersion value of −7 to −8 ps/nm/km at a wavelength of 1550 nm.
However, the optical fibers having a dispersion value of −7 to −8 ps/nm/km at a wavelength of 1550 nm tend to experience a degraded transmission efficiency due to dispersion at a transmission rate of 2.5 Gbps. Furthermore, they are not suitable for use in metro networks, which have a transmission distance of 100 km or more and a transmission rate of 10 Gbps, due to this excessively negative dispersion value.
In an effort to solve the above problem, it is proposed to use optical fibers having a large dispersion gradient in the long-distance optical communication networks with a transmission distance of 100 km or more. However, this proposal has a problem in that, although the dispersion characteristics are suitable for metro networks for 200 km or less, it has a limited transmission distance due to a dispersion phenomenon in the case of long-haul networks for long-distance transmission of 200 km or more. Moreover, a nonlinear phenomenon, such as FWM (four-wave mixing), occurs when the optical fibers have a small dispersion-gradient value at a wavelength of 1550 nm, and have a limited transmission distance due to an increased dispersion, which occurs when the dispersion gradient value is large.

Optical fiber for long-distance optical communication network


A very narrow band excimer laser. The very narrow bandwidth is achieved by using an etalon as an output coupler in combination with a line narrowing element located at the rear of the laser. Preferred embodiments are capable of producing 10 mJ laser pulses at 1000 Hz with a 95% integral bandwidth of less than 1.5 pm.

KrF excimer lasers are currently becoming the workhorse light source for the integrated circuit lithography industry. A typical prior art KrF excimer laser is depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. A pulse power module 2 provides electrical pulses lasting about 100 ns to electrodes 6 located in a discharge chamber 8. The electrodes are about 28 inches long and are spaced apart about 3/5 inch. Typical lithography lasers operate at a high pulse rate of about 1,000 Hz. For this reason it is necessary to circulate a laser gas (a typical example being about 0.1 percent fluorine, 1.3 percent krypton and the rest neon which functions as a buffer gas) through the space between the electrodes. This is done with tangential blower 10 located in the laser discharge chamber. The laser gasses are cooled with a heat exchanger also located in the chamber. Commercial excimer laser systems are typically comprised of several modules which may be replaced quickly without disturbing the rest of the system. Principal modules are shown in FIG. 1 and include:
Laser Chamber 8, PA1 Pulse Power Module 2, PA1 Output coupler 16, PA1 Line Narrowing Module 18, PA1 Wavemeter 20, PA1 Computer Control Unit 22, and PA1 Peripheral Support Sub systems.
The discharge chamber is operated at a pressure of about three atmospheres. These prior art lasers typically operate in a pulse mode at about 600 Hz to about 1,000 Hz, the energy per pulse being about 10 mJ and the duration of the laser pulses is about 15 ns. Thus, the average power of the laser beam is about 6 to 10 Watts and the average power of the pulses is in the range of about 700 KW.
At wavelengths below 300 nm there is no available technique for providing refractive systems with chromatic correction. Therefore, stepper lenses will have no chromatic correction capability. The KrF excimer laser operates at a nominal wavelength of about 248 nm and has a natural bandwidth of approximately 300 pm (full width half maximum, or FWHM). For a refractive system (with a numerical aperture >0.5)--either a stepper or a scanner--the wavelength of the light source needs to be held substantially constant with variations and spread minimized to the picometer range. Current prior art commercially available laser systems can provide KrF laser beams at a nominal wave length of about 248 nm with a bandwidth of about 0.8 pm (0.0008 nm). Wavelength stability on the best commercial lasers is about 0.25 pm. With these parameters stepper makers can provide stepper equipment to provide integrated circuit resolutions of about 0.3 microns.
To improve resolution a more narrow bandwidth is required. For example, a reduction of a bandwidth to below 0.6 pm (FWHM) would permit improvement of the resolution to below 0.25 microns. As indicated above, the bandwidth is usually specified as the pulse width measured (on a chart of pulse power versus wavelength) as the full width at one half the maximum power of the pulse. Another important measure of the pulse quality is referred to as the "95% integral." This is the spectral width of the portion of the pulse containing 95% of the pulse energy. The desired 95% bandwidth is less than about 1.5 pm to 2.0 pm. However, the prior art KrF laser can only provide "95% integral" values of 3 pm over the lifetime of the laser.
It is known to use etalons in excimer lasers for wavelength control, either alone or in combination with gratings and/or prisms. The main disadvantage of etalons in a high power laser is that heat produced by the laser beam can distort the etalon changing the optical parameters of the etalon. This problem has been recognized and dealt with in at least two patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,370 issued on Sep. 22, 1992 to Furuya et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,816 issued on Sep. 24, 1996 to Basting and Kleinchmidt. Both of these arrange for a laser as two polarization-coupled cavities with the main light generation taking place in the first cavity and the wavelength control being done by the etalon placed in relatively low-power second cavity. This technique, even though improving optical performance of the etalon, still is not able to reduce "95% integral" to required 1.5-2.0 pm; and also, this technique is quite complicated.
The performance of stepper equipment depends critically on maintaining minimum bandwidth of the laser throughout the operational lifetime of the equipment. Therefore, a need exist for a reliable, production quality excimer laser system, capable of long-term factory operation and having wavelength stability of less than 0.2 pm and a FWHM bandwidth of less than 0.5 pm and a 95% integral bandwidth of less than 2.0 pm.


This invention relates to a resin composition useful as a vibration-damping agent and the like. The resin composition is formulated by adding 1 wt % or more of styrenated phenol obtained by the reaction of a phenol with styrene to a polycyclic aromatic oligomer obtained by condensing a polycyclic aromatic compound containing 2 to 3 rings and formaldehyde. The polycyclic aromatic oligomer is obtained by the reaction of a polycyclic aromatic compound with formaldehyde and, if necessary, further with a phenol in the presence of an acid catalyst and has a number average molecular weight of 300–1000. The styrenated phenol is obtained by the reaction of 1 mole of a phenol with 1–2.5 moles of styrene in the presence of an acid catalyst.

A variety of methods are proposed for controlling the vibration damping property by the use of hydrocarbon resins; for example, commercial petroleum resins and coumarone-indene resins in JP63-11980 A and JP62-141069 A, commercial polybutene, terpene resin and modified rosin in JP2-49063 A and polycyclic aromatic resins or alkylbenzene-methylnaphthalene resins in JP7-90130 A.
A vibration-damping agent is incorporated in a base material such as rubber, resin and bitumen as an improver of the vibration-damping property and the resulting damping material is expected to show a large loss factor (tan δ) in the use range and minimal dependence of tan δ on temperature. However, these properties are often known to be contradictory.
The official gazette of WO01/16199 gives a description of a method for preparing polycyclic aromatic oligomers by the condensation reaction of a polycyclic aromatic compound containing 2 to 3 rings, a phenol and formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst and also gives a description to the effect that the oligomers thus prepared are excellent vibration-damping agents.


A process for forming thermoplastic composites that uses wet use chopped strand glass is provided. Wet reinforcement fibers such as wet chopped strand glass fibers are opened by passing the fibers consecutively through a first opener, a condenser, and, optionally, a second opener. The opened reinforcement fibers are mixed with a resin and transferred to a first sheet former. The resin is preferably polypropylene fibers. An optional second sheet former may be used to form a final composite having high structural integrity. The resulting sheet may be optionally passed through a needle felting machine for mechanical strengthening. The sheet is then passed through a thermal bonder to thermally bond the reinforcement glass fibers and resin. The composite product that exits the thermal bonder can be subsequently used as a reinforcement in a molding process to produce composite articles.

Typically, glass fibers are formed by drawing molten glass into filaments through a bushing or orifice plate and applying a sizing composition containing lubricants, coupling agents, and film-forming binder resins to the filaments. The aqueous sizing composition provides protection to the fibers from interfilament abrasion and promotes compatibility between the glass fibers and any matrix in which the glass fibers are to be used for reinforcement purposes. After the sizing composition is applied, the fibers may be gathered into one or more strands and wound into a package or, alternatively, the fibers may be chopped while wet and collected. The collected chopped strands can then be dried and cured to form dry use chopped strand glass (DUCS), or they can be packaged in their wet condition as wet use chopped strand glass (WUCS). Such chopped glass fiber strands are commonly used as reinforcement materials in thermoplastic articles. It is known in the art that glass fiber reinforced polymer composites possess higher mechanical properties compared to unreinforced polymers. Thus, better dimensional stability, tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, impact resistance, and creep resistance can be achieved with glass fiber reinforced composites.
Fibrous mats, which are one form of fibrous non-woven reinforcements, are extremely suitable as reinforcements for many kinds of synthetic plastic composites. The two most common methods for producing glass fiber mats from chopped glass fibers are wet-laid processing and dry-laid processing. Generally, in a conventional wet-laid process, the chopped fibers are dispersed in a water slurry which may contain surfactants, viscosity modifiers, defoaming agents, or other chemical agents. Once the chopped glass fibers are introduced into the slurry, the slurry is agitated so that the fibers become dispersed. The slurry containing the fibers is then deposited onto a moving screen, and a substantial portion of the water is removed to form a web. A binder is then applied, and the resulting mat is dried to remove the remaining water and cure the binder. The formed non-woven mat is an assembly of dispersed, individual glass filaments. Wet-laid process are commonly used when a very uniform distribution of fibers is desired.
Conventional dry-laid processes include processes such as an air-laid process and a carding process. In a conventional air-laid process, dried chopped glass fibers are air blown onto a conveyor or screen and consolidated to form a mat. For example, dry chopped fibers and polymeric fibers are suspended in air, collected as a loose web on a screen or perforated drum, and then consolidated to form a randomly oriented mat. In a conventional carding process, a series of rotating drums covered with fine wires and teeth comb the glass fibers into parallel arrays to impart directional properties to the web. The precise configuration of the drums will depend on the mat weight and fiber orientation desired. The formed web may be parallel-laid, where a majority of the fibers are laid in the direction of the web travel, or they can be random-laid, where the fibers have no particular orientation.
Dry-laid processes are particularly suitable for the production of highly porous mats and are suitable where an open structure is desired in the resulting mat to allow the rapid penetration of various liquids or resins. However, such conventional dry-laid processes tend to produce mats that do not have a uniform weight distribution throughout their surface areas, especially when compared to mats formed by conventional wet-laid processes. In addition, the use of dry-chopped input fibers can be more expensive to process than the fibers used in a wet-laid process because the fibers in a dry-laid process are typically dried and packaged in separate steps before being chopped.
For certain reinforcement applications in the formation of composite parts, it is desirable to form fiber mats in which the mat includes an open, porous structure (as in a dry-laid process) and which has a uniform weight (as in a wet-laid process). Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a cost-effective and efficient process for forming a non-woven mat which has a substantially uniform weight distribution, and which has an open, porous structure that can be used in the production of reinforced composite parts that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional wet-laid and dry-laid processes.

Development of thermoplastic composites using wet use chopped strand (WUCS)

Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.


A semiconductor structure includes a strain-inducing substrate layer having a germanium concentration of at least 10 atomic %. The semiconductor structure also includes a compressively strained layer on the strain-inducing substrate layer. The compressively strained layer has a germanium concentration at least approximately 30 percentage points greater than the germanium concentration of the strain-inducing substrate layer, and has a thickness less than its critical thickness. The semiconductor structure also includes a tensilely strained layer on the compressively strained layer. The tensilely strained layer may be formed from silicon having a thickness less than its critical thickness. A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate, providing a compressively strained semiconductor on the substrate, depositing a tensilely strained semiconductor adjacent the substrate until a thickness of a first region of the tensilely strained semiconductor is greater than a thickness of a second region of the tensilely strained semiconductor, forming a n-channel device on the first region, and forming a p-channel device on the second region.

Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) having a channel formed in strained semiconductor, for example, in strained silicon formed on relaxed Si1-xGex, can exhibit improved carrier mobility in comparison to traditional MOSFETs. To provide compatibility with traditional silicon-based fabrication equipment and methods, "virtual substrates," which include a strained semiconductor, can be used in place of conventional silicon wafers.
Virtual substrates based on silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) provide a platform for new generations of very large scale integration (VLSI) devices that exhibit enhanced performance in comparison to devices fabricated on bulk Si substrates. An important component of a SiGe virtual substrate is a layer of SiGe that has been relaxed to its equilibrium lattice constant (i.e., one that is larger than that of Si.)
The relaxed SiGe layer can be directly applied to a Si substrate (e.g., by wafer bonding or direct epitaxy), or atop a relaxed graded SiGe buffer layer in which the lattice constant of the SiGe material has been increased gradually over the thickness of the layer. The SiGe virtual substrate may also incorporate buried insulating layers, in the manner of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer.
To fabricate high-performance devices on these platforms, thin strained layers of semiconductors, such as Si, Ge, or SiGe, are grown on the relaxed SiGe virtual substrates. The resulting biaxial tensile or compressive strain alters the carrier mobilities in the grown layers, enabling the fabrication of high-speed and/or low-power-consumption devices.
One technique suitable for fabricating strained Si wafers can include the following steps:
1. Providing a silicon substrate that has been edge polished;
2. Epitaxially depositing a relaxed graded SiGe buffer layer to a final Ge composition on the silicon substrate;
3. Epitaxially depositing a relaxed Si1-xGex cap layer having a constant composition on the graded SiGe buffer layer;
4. Planarizing the Si1-xGex cap layer by, e.g., chemical mechanical polishing (CMP);
5. Epitaxially depositing a relaxed Si1-xGex regrowth layer having a constant composition on the planarized surface of the Si1-xGex cap layer; and
6. Epitaxially depositing a strained silicon layer on the Si1-xGex regrowth layer.
The deposition of the relaxed graded SiGe buffer layer enables engineering of the in-plane lattice constant of the SiGe cap layer (and therefore the amount of strain in the strained silicon layer), while reducing the introduction of dislocations. The lattice constant of SiGe is larger than that of Si, and is a function of the amount of Ge in the SiGe alloy.
As a lattice-mismatched layer (such as a SiGe layer on Si, or a Si channel layer on a relaxed SiGe layer) is deposited, the layer will initially be strained to match the in-plane lattice constant of the underlying silicon substrate. Above a certain critical thickness of the lattice-mismatched layer, however, misfit dislocations form at the layer interface. The layer can relax to its inherent lattice constant due to mismatch accommodation by the misfit dislocations.
The process of relaxation occurs through the formation of the misfit dislocations at the interface between two lattice-mismatched layers. The misfit dislocations accommodate the lattice mismatch at the interface. Moreover, misfit dislocations are associated with bulk lattice dislocations that extend from each end of a misfit dislocation (termed "threading dislocations"). A threading dislocation can rise through the crystal to reach a top surface of the wafer.
A structure that incorporates a compressively strained SiGe layer in tandem with a tensilely strained Si layer can provide enhanced electron and hole mobilities. In this "dual channel layer" structure, electron transport typically occurs within a surface tensilely strained Si channel and hole transport occurs within a compressively strained SiGe layer below the Si layer.
Complementary metal-oxide silicon (CMOS) circuit design is simplified if carrier mobilities are enhanced equally for both NMOS and PMOS devices. In conventional silicon-based devices, electron mobilities are approximately two times greater than hole mobilities. As noted, electron mobilities have been substantially increased with strained silicon. Methods for equally increasing hole and electron mobilities by forming dual-channel NMOS and PMOS devices on the same substrate are problematic, in part because of different surface strained-silicon thickness requirements for the two types of devices.
Moreover, SiGe-based substrates can increase the complexity of device fabrication. For example, the electronic defects and fast diffusion pathways that misfit dislocations can introduce into a substrate can be detrimental for device fabrication and performance. Also, for example, the concentration profile of a Si—SiGe interface can deteriorate due to diffusion that occurs during elevated temperature processing steps. Thus, for example, the desired hole mobility enhancement of a SiGe channel layer can be substantially less than theoretical predictions suggest.

Semiconductor devices having strained dual channel layers


A manager for playing of broadcast specific information is disclosed. The manager for playing of broadcast specific information includes a managing node that is at least partially resident at a radio broadcast point, wherein the managing node includes a plurality of inputs for receipt of the broadcast specific information from at least two sources, wherein the hub records the broadcast specific information entering at least two of the plurality of inputs for eventual broadcast from the radio broadcast point, and at least one broadcast non-specific information input associated with the managing node, wherein at least one of a format, play time, and play type of the broadcast specific information are varied in accordance with the broadcast non-specific information, and wherein the varied broadcast specific information is broadcast from the radio broadcast point.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is radio frequency communications.
2. Description of the Background
Transmission of data via radio signals is an effective means of communication to a variety of devices located within range of the signal. An advertiser or other provider of the data (including content) may pre-select a radio frequency carrier type (e.g. FM sub-carrier, AM sub-carrier, Cellular etc . . . ), a broadcasting station (e.g. KUS FM), and/or a frequency over which the data will be broadcast (e.g. 102.7 MHz @57 kHz RBDS) based on the geographic location of the target audience. The particular frequency maybe chosen because of its popularity with the target audience, its spectrum availability, the type or device that will receive the signals, and importantly because it's signals will cover (i.e. reach) the targeted audience.
Covering the target audience is deemed essential, and since many applications of radio frequency (RF) communication target an audience existing within a relatively small geographic area, often coverage is not a problem. For example, it is common to broadcast music or news over a pre-selected frequency to all areas of an office building. Pre-selection of the frequency and pre-tuning of the receivers to that frequency is a relatively easy process. Another example of an RF communication within a relatively small area is a radio controlled car that is set to receive signals broadcast over a pre-selected frequency. Yet another example is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,218 to Lowe et al. (October 2001). The '218 patent targets audiences within a few feet of the transmitting device. This is exemplified by an athletic club environment in which a user device receives different broadcasts on different frequencies depending on his proximity to specific pieces of gym equipment having transmitters. Thus, those applications that target audiences over a relatively small area typically work well with pre-selection of the frequency and the station. Coverage becomes an issue and complications arise, however, when the target audience is spread over an area that encompasses more than one frequency, station, and/or band. These complications are due in part to the necessity to pre-select many, perhaps hundreds or thousands, of frequencies and stations in order to cover the entire target audience. Thus, pre-selection of frequencies becomes extremely burdensome when a wide spread audience has been targeted.
The need to employ several stations simultaneously is addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,562 to Martinez (May 1985), however the '562 patent still does not solve or even recognize problems related to the difficulty of scheduling and coordinating communications over a wide spread area. These problems are exacerbated by competition for available RF spectrum and perhaps the distance between a data provider and a data recipient.
There is a need for systems and methods which facilitate use of radio signals to communicate to devices that may be spread over a relatively large area.
A system and method of tracking and reselling inventoried items is disclosed. This method includes assigning an audit code to an incoming inventoried item, wherein the audit code comprises a manual audit code and an automated audit code; auditing the incoming inventoried item to assess the incoming inventory item as such for one or more of, for example, the destruction, demanufacture, resale, recondition, storage, and redeployment; sending the incoming inventoried item to one of a redeployment, a demanufacture, a recondition, a resale, a storage, and a destruction in accordance with the auditing; manually updating the manual audit code in accordance with the auditing and the sending; providing, after the sending and the manually updating, redeployment or resale of at least a portion of the incoming inventoried item audited as suitable for at least one of demanufacture, resale, recondition, and redeployment; and, finally updating the manual audit code based upon the information provided to the system.
Further, a system and method of reselling inventoried items is disclosed. This method includes auditing the incoming inventoried item to assess the incoming inventory item as suitable for resale; making the incoming inventoried item available for auction in accordance with the auditing; auctioning the incoming inventoried item by at least one of a line item auction and a lot auction; disposing of the incoming inventoried item, upon completion of the auctioning, in accordance with an outcome of the auctioning; and, tracking the disposing, wherein the tracking updates a code associated with the auditing.
A system for tracking and disposition of inventoried items is additionally included in the present invention. The system includes an audit code assigner that assigns a manual audit code and an automated audit code to the inventoried item, an auditor that audits the incoming inventoried item to assess the incoming inventory item as suitable for one or more of destruction, demanufacturing, resale, reconditioning, storage, and redeployment, at least one of a redeployer, a demanufacturor, a reconditioner, a reseller, a storer, and a destructor associated with the auditor, and at least one updator that manually updates the manual audit code at each of the audit code assignor, the auditor, and the at least one redeployer, demanufacturor, reconditioner, reseller, storer, and destructor.
Thus, the present invention provides an inventory tracking system and method that tracks and audits the status of all items within the inventory tracking system, including disposed items, and that tracks separately, but in communication with the inventory tracking system, auction items, items redeployed, reconditioned or for sale, or items destroyed.
It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purposes of clarity, many other elements found in a typical inventory tracking system. Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art will recognize that other elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the present invention.

Dynamic selection and scheduling of radio frequency communications


An acaricide fiber material including a number of individual fibers and an acaricide component fixed to the individual fibers and consisting essentially of a solution comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of N-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-phthalimide, N-methyl-N,-phenyl-(N'-fluorodichloro-methylthio)-sulfamide, 4-chlorophenyl-3'-iodoproparagyl formal, and 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl-ether, dissolved in a carrier consisting of at least one type of phthalic acid ester, prepared by suspending the acaricide solution in an aqueous medium, applying the acaricide aqueous suspension to a fiber material comprising the individual fibers, and drying the aqueous suspension layers on the individual fibers to fix the acaricide component to the individual fibers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an acaricide fiber material and a process for producing same.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an acaricide fiber material having an excellent and durable acaricide effect and a satisfactory processability and practical properties, and a process for producing same at a high efficiency.
2. Description of the Related Art
Usually, a fiber mass to be stuffed in bedquilts is made from cotton fibers, feather fibers, wool fibers, floss (silk) fibers or buckwheat chaffs.
The above-mentioned fiber materials are all natural materials and thus contain small insects or other animalcules which can become verminous under certain conditions.
Currently, synthetic fiber, for example, polyester fibers, which are usually free from small insects or other animalcules, are used as a stuffing or wadding material.
Also, due to the westernization of lifestyles in Japan, the livingrooms and bedrooms of Japanese houses are now closed rooms.
A closed room in Japan will often become hot and very humid or damp, and this heat and humidity in such closed rooms causes an extraordinary propagation of various moulds, bacteria, and zooparasites. Especially, various acarina, for example, acarus scabiei and acaridae, easily propagate in tatami mats, carpets, and bedquilts, under such hot and humid conditions.
Acarina bite the skin of humans to cause not only itching but also infantile asthma. Furthermore, acarina is considered to be a pathogenic organism causing Kawasaki disease.
Accordingly, the extermination of acarina is now very important from a social viewpoint.
In the past, an old type of acaricide, for example, DDT or BHC was used to exterminate acaruses, but due to a high toxicity or harmfulness thereof, the use of DDT or BHC is now prohibited.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 60-239401 discloses an acaricide which exhibits a low toxicity and a broad applicability to various types of acaruses and comprises, as an effective component, at least one member selected from the group consisting of N-(fluorodichloromethylthio)phthalimide, N-dimethyl-N'-phenyl-(N'-fluorodichloromethylthio)sulfamide, 4-chlorophenyl-3'-iodopropagyl formal, and 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether.
It was not known how to firmly fix the acaricide to individual fibers in the fiber material, i.e., even when applied to the fiber material, the acaricide on the individual fibers was easily removed by an external force. Namely, when the fiber material containing the acaricide is processed in a carding step or bedquilt-making step, the acaricide is easily separated and removed from the individual fibers, and accordingly, the final fiber product contains substantially no acaricide, and thus has no acarus-extermination effect.
In another attempt at fixing the acaricide to the fibers, the acaricide material was blended with a fiber forming polymer and the blend converted to synthetic fibers. It was found that the resultant synthetic fibers exhibited an unsatisfactory modulus of elasticity, bulkiness, and elastic recovery, in comparison with those of corresponding ordinary fibers. Also, in the acaricide blend fiber, only a portion of the acaricide on the outer surface of the fiber and exposed to the outside is effectively utilized, i.e., the utilization efficiency of the acaricide is very poor.
Under the above-mentioned circumstances, there is a strong demand for the provision of a new method of firmly fixing the acaricide to fiber materials, whereby the fixed acaricide is utilized at a high efficiency.

Acaricide fiber material and process for producing same


In an image creating apparatus, a liquid-object model is realistically represented by using a simple liquid-object model consisting of a plurality of polygons. A ROM stores wave-swell polygon data and texture data representing the swell of waves. The swell of a wave is formed of N liquid-object polygon sets. Each of the polygon sets consists of a plurality of hexagonal polygons. The lateral surfaces, i.e., the longitudinal dimensions, of the polygons are arranged orthogonal to the Z axis. The polygon sets are sequentially arranged in the Z-axis direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image creating method and apparatus for creating an image of a liquid-object model which virtually represents a liquid object set in a three-dimensional virtual space. The invention also relates to a recording medium for recording a program implementing the above-described image creating method and to a video game machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, many game systems have been proposed: for example, a system consisting of a home-use game machine and a television monitor; and a system consisting of a commercial-use game machine, such as a personal computer or a workstation, a display unit, and a sound output unit.
Both types of systems are formed of a controller operated by a player, a recording medium on which a game program is recorded, a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the generation of sound and images based on a game program, a processor for generating images, a processor for issuing sound, a monitor for displaying images, and a speaker for outputting sound. The above-described recording medium may include a CD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or a cassette having a built-in semiconductor memory.
In the above types of game systems, a video game in which a liquid-object model virtually representing a liquid object, such as a sea or a river, is displayed on a monitor, for example, a fishing video game, may be considered. In this case, a liquid-object model is three-dimensionally formed by using polygons, and a texture representing, for example, a sea, is mapped on the individual polygons, thereby displaying the resulting model on a monitor.
In displaying such a model, there is a demand for realistically representing a virtual liquid object, such as the swell of waves and the flow of water, by suitably forming a liquid-object model by using polygons.
Accordingly, in view of the above background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image creating method and apparatus for realistically representing a virtual liquid object by using a simple liquid-object model consisting of a plurality of polygons, and also to provide a recording medium for recording a program implementing the above image creating method and a video game machine.
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image creating apparatus for rendering a liquid-object model which virtually represents a liquid object set in a three-dimensional virtual space. The image creating apparatus includes a display unit. A first polygon storage unit stores at least one polygonal-prism liquid-object polygon set which consists of a plurality of polygons and which forms the liquid-object model, a lateral surface of the polygon set being arranged in a direction intersecting a line from a predetermined viewpoint. A first texture storage unit stores a liquid-object texture to be mapped on the polygons of the liquid-object polygon set. A first polygon-coordinate processing unit tilts a longitudinal dimension of the liquid-object polygon set in a predetermined direction with a predetermined amplitude with respect to a set position. A rendering processing unit displays the liquid-object model on the display unit by mapping the liquid-object texture on the polygons of the liquid-object polygon set.
With this arrangement, a liquid-object model is suitably displayed by a simply constructed liquid-object polygon set.
The aforementioned first polygon storage unit may store a plurality of the liquid-object polygon sets which are sequentially arranged along the line from the viewpoint.
Accordingly, since a plurality of the liquid-object polygon sets are displayed along the line from the viewpoint, the depth of the virtually displayed liquid-object is added, and the virtual liquid-object is more realistically displayed.
The first polygon-coordinate processing unit may rotate the liquid-object polygon set around an axis intersecting the line from the viewpoint with respect to the set position.
With this arrangement, the liquid-object texture is rotated on the display unit. Thus, it appears to the viewer that the liquid-object texture is rotated, thereby more realistically displaying the virtual liquid-object.
The above-described image creating apparatus may include: a second polygon storage unit for storing at least a spray polygon which forms a spray model virtually representing spray of the liquid object; a second texture storage unit for storing a spray texture representing the spray model; and a second polygon-coordinate processing unit for enlarging and reducing dimensions of the spray polygon over time within a predetermined range. The rendering processing unit may display the spray model on the display unit by mapping the spray texture on the spray polygon.
With this configuration, it is possible to suitably display the spray of the liquid object.
The aforementioned image creating apparatus may further include: a third polygon storage unit for storing at least one quadrilateral wake polygon which forms a wake model virtually representing wake of the liquid object and which has a pair of first sides intersecting the line from the viewpoint and a pair of second sides orthogonal to the first sides; a third texture storage unit for storing a wake texture representing the wake model; and a third polygon-coordinate processing unit for enlarging dimensions of the first sides and also reducing dimensions of the second sides with a lapse of time while fixing positions of the second sides. The rendering processing unit may display the wake model on the display unit by mapping the wake texture on the wake polygon.
With this configuration, the wake of the liquid-object can be suitably displayed on the display unit.
The above-described liquid-object model may virtually represent a sea wave, in which case, a virtual wave can be realistically displayed on the display unit.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image creating method for rendering a liquid-object model which virtually represents a liquid object set in a three-dimensional virtual space. The image creating method includes the steps of: storing at least one polygonal-prism liquid-object polygon set which consists of a plurality of polygons and which forms the liquid-object model, a lateral surface of the polygon set being arranged in a direction intersecting a line from a predetermined viewpoint; storing a liquid-object texture to be mapped on the polygons of the liquid-object polygon set; tilting a longitudinal dimension of the liquid-object polygon set in a predetermined direction with a predetermined amplitude with respect to a set position; and displaying the liquid-object model on a display unit by mapping the liquid-object texture on the polygons of the liquid-object polygon set.
With this arrangement, it is possible to realistically display the virtual liquid object by a simply constructed liquid-object polygon set on the display unit.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium for recording an image creating program used for rendering a liquid-object model virtually representing a liquid object set in a three-dimensional virtual space. The image creating program includes: a providing step of providing at least one polygonal-prism liquid-object polygon set which consists of a plurality of polygons and which forms the liquid-object model, a lateral surface of the polygon set being arranged in a direction intersecting a line from a predetermined viewpoint; a providing step of providing a liquid texture to be mapped on the polygons of the liquid-object polygon set; a tilting step of tilting a longitudinal dimension of the liquid-object polygon set in a predetermined direction with a predetermined amplitude with respect to a set position; and a mapping step of mapping the liquid texture on the polygons of the liquid-object polygon set.
By reading the recording medium by a computer and executing the above-described program, the foregoing steps are implemented. This enables the virtual liquid object to be realistically displayed on the display unit by using the simply constructed liquid-object polygon set.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game machine including an image creating unit, which is formed by the above-described image creating apparatus, for rendering a liquid-object model which virtually represents a liquid object set in a three-dimensional virtual space. An externally operable operation unit outputs an operation signal according to an operation state. A viewpoint-line changing unit changes a viewpoint-line direction according to the operation signal.
With this configuration, the liquid-object model can be suitably displayed on the display unit according to the viewpoint-line direction.

Image creating method and apparatus, recording medium for recording image creating program, and video game machine


It is aimed at providing a fluoride crystal growing method capable of controlling a shape of the crystal by a micro-pulling-down method. Fluoride crystals in shapes depending on purposes, respectively, can be grown by adopting carbon, platinum, and iridium as crucible materials adaptable to fluorides, respectively, and by designing shapes of the crucibles taking account of wettabilities of the materials with the fluorides, respectively.

Patent-Related Reference 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-119000
Patent-related Reference 2: JP-A-10-265293
Patent-related Reference 3: JP-A-8-259375
Patent-unrelated reference 1: Applied Physics Handbook, second edition, p427, MARUZEN Co., Ltd.
Highly integrated semiconductor devices have brought about various light sources at shorter wavelengths, and the needs thereof have reached a vacuum ultraviolet range. Utilized as an optical material in this wavelength range is a fluoride crystal exhibiting an excellent transmissivity, and a single crystal of fluoride such as calcium fluoride is used as an optical material for optical lithography where ArF excimer laser (193 nm) and F2 excimer laser (157 nm) are used, for example. Additionally, it is earnestly desired to develop a novel fluoride crystal usable as: a crystal for all-solid-state ultraviolet/infrared laser; a window material for an ultraviolet range; an optical material for a medical treatment; and the like.
These fluoride crystals are each grown as a bulk single crystal mainly by a Bridgman method, a Cz method, or the like, thereafter worked by cutting, and used for various usage and for measurement. However, such methods require enormous costs and a number of days to obtain a single crystal, thereby bringing about an obstruction to a development speed of a novel material.
Meanwhile, concerning production of a single crystal and eutectic crystal of oxide, and production of Si, there has been known a micro-pulling-down method (patent-related reference 2, patent-related reference 3, and patent-unrelated reference 1). For example, the patent-related reference 2 describes a definite apparatus, at its paragraph numbered (0025) and in its FIG. 1.
In the techniques described in the patent-related references 2, 3, and patent-unrelated reference 1, there is enabled a crystal growth at a rate one order or two orders higher than those of the other melt growth methods. This leads to shorter times to be required for production of crystal, thereby enabling obtainment of a single crystal in a meaningful size with high-quality from a small amount of raw material. It is further possible to grow a crystal without eliminating impurities floating on an upper surface of melt, because the crystal is drawn through a small hole at a bottom of a crucible.
The present inventor has applied the micro-pulling-down method to fluorides, investigated an apparatus and production method therefor (patent-related reference 1), and succeeded in growing a crystal having a diameter on the order of 1 mm. However, it is becoming apparent that the crystal grown by this method is required to have an adapted shape in case of evaluation as to whether or not the crystal is suitable as a material for various usages such as solid-state laser and scintillator.

Method for producing crystal of fluoride


A horizontal navigation system aided by a carrier phase differential Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and a Laser-Scanner (LS) for an Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV). The high accuracy vehicle navigation system is highly demanded for advanced AGVs. Although high positioning accuracy is achievable by a high performance RTK-GPS receiver, the performance should be considerably degraded in a high-blockage environment due to tall buildings and other obstacles. The present navigation system is to provide decimetre-level positioning accuracy in such a severe environment for precise GPS positioning. The horizontal navigation system is composed of a low cost Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) and a precise odometer. The navigation errors are estimated using a tightly coupled Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). The measurements of the EKF are double differenced code and carrier phase from a dual frequency GPS receiver and relative positions derived from laser scanner measurements.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to navigational systems using inertial and satellite-based navigation.
The present invention includes the use of various technologies referenced and described in the documents identified in the following LIST OF REFERENCES, which are cited throughout the specification by the corresponding reference number in brackets:

System for autonomous vehicle navigation with carrier phase DGPS and laser-scanner augmentation


A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet received within a lumen of the catheter sheath. A carrier arrangement projects from the distal end of the handle, the carrier arrangement mounting the catheter sheath and at least part of the deflection stylet. The catheter handle includes an adjustment unit having a gear mechanism that controls at least one of the deflection of the distal part of the stylet and the extent of deflection of the distal part of the stylet.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
In the field of cardiac procedures, use is made of a catheter that is steered through a patient's vasculature and is then placed at the desired site. Generally, the site is within a heart of the patient and a distal part of the catheter needs to be maneuvered into position against heart wall tissue. To be able to manipulate the distal part of the catheter to place it in tissue contact, the end of the catheter is flexible and steerable. A deflectable stylet is associated with the catheter for deflecting the distal part of the catheter.
Often, the part of the heart wall that needs to be accessed is awkwardly situated resulting in it being difficult to place the distal part of the catheter in contact with the desired part of the tissue to be treated or diagnosed.

Catheter assembly with deflection size adjustability


A wireless communication terminal comprises a first housing section including an antenna for enabling wireless communications with the terminal and a second housing section including a second communications antenna, the second housing section being extendibly connected to the first housing in an manner such that when the second housing section is in its extended position the second antenna is located one half wavelength from the first antenna. One or both of the antennas may be a fixed type, e.g., a whip or stub, or a retractable type, e.g., telescoping. The antennas may be located external or may be internal (e.g., patch type antennas) to the housing sections.

Small portable wireless communication devices typically include a single stub, patch, or L-shaped antenna to receive/transmit over a wireless communications link to the device. While such antenna arrangements generally work well, there remains dead or weak spots which require the user to change position or move to obtain better reception/transmission. This is particularly true for devices such as a Personal Digital Assistance (PDA) which use a patch antenna which is usually placed on the back of the PDA. Such PDAs often must be oriented with the back facing the general direction of the base station to obtain good reception.
Unfortunately, because of the small dimensions of these wireless communication devices, there is typically no way to add a second antenna to provide antenna diversity. Thus there is a continuing need to improve the performance of these wireless communication devices.
The present invention describes a technique for placing more than one antenna on a wireless expandable terminal which is extended during use. In accordance with the present invention, a second antenna is placed in a moveable section that extends away from the main body of the device, in the extended position the second antenna is located at a spacing which is half a carrier wavelength from the main antenna. The second antenna can be a fixed or a retractable antenna.
The use of multiple antennas on a wireless terminal has been described in the prior art, for example see U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,061 entitled "High Performance Antenna for Hand-Held and Portable Equipment" issued to M. R. Pye et al on Aug. 9, 1994. In that patent the terminal is provided with two antennas which are not used for antenna diversity purposes, but rather the second antenna is switchably substituted for a first antenna when the performance of that first antenna is degraded due to its proximity to the user's head or other obstacle. Since the two antennas, are not necessarily located one half wavelength apart they do not provide the antenna diversity of our invention. Additionally, the Pye patent switches between the two antennas rather than combining both antenna signals as in our invention.

Antenna diversity in wireless communication terminals


The invention relates to a stator (2), in particular for a housing-less electrical machine (1), wherein substantially axially running cooling channels (3, 13) are located in the stator (2), into which channels cooling pipes (4, 6, 7) can be inserted and, at least in sections, means are provided which, by means of deformation of the cooling channels (3, 13), cause the cooling pipes (4, 6, 7) to be pressed against the cooling channel (3, 13) on the side facing the heat sources of the electrical machine (1); efficient liquid cooling is therefore provided.

The invention relates to a stator in particular of a housing-less electrical machine with liquid cooling, and to a manufacturing process for such a stator arrangement.
It has long been known to cool electrical machines such as electric motors or generators with a gaseous or liquid medium. Air is preferably used as the gaseous medium and water as the liquid medium. In the case of air cooling, the electrical machines are self-ventilated or externally ventilated.
In the case of liquid cooling, water is typically used as the cooling medium, which is conducted through metallic pipes such as through copper or steel pipes, for example. These pipes can be laid in meandering fashion through the stator of the electrical machine. For this purpose, the respective cooling pipes are connected at both end sides of the electrical machine to deflecting devices, such as U pipes, for example, or to a deflecting chamber. Furthermore, a cooling water inlet and a cooling water outlet also need to be provided. The heated cooling water is supplied to a heat exchanger or a radiator, via which the majority of the waste heat of the electrical machine can be dissipated further to the surrounding environment.
The stator of an electrical machine is conventionally in laminated form in order to minimize the eddy current losses resulting during the excitation. For this purpose, the stator is in the form of a laminate stack comprising a large number of thin electrical steel laminations with an axial stacking order. In order to cool the electrical machine, corresponding cutouts, preferably in the form of punched-out portions, are provided primarily in the lamination section of a stator electrical steel lamination. Once the laminate stack has been assembled, axially running cooling channels are produced, through which, for example, air can be conducted for cooling purposes.
In the case of liquid cooling of the electrical machine, metal pipes can be provided which are fitted into the channels resulting from the punching-out process, wherein the diameter of the usually circular metal pipes is intended to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the corresponding circular punched-out portions in the electrical steel lamination. The aim of this is to produce good heat transfer between the laminate stack and the cooling liquid.
One disadvantage in this case is the considerable degree of complexity involved with installation in order to introduce the cooling pipes into the stator, primarily in the case of axially relatively long electrical machines.
Liquid cooling is preferably used when electrical machines are intended to be operated close to their power limit, i.e. the thermal power loss to be dissipated is comparatively high. The electrical connection power of such electrical machines is typically more than 5 kW. Liquid-cooled electrical machines are additionally quieter during operation since no fans are needed. On the other hand, the technical complexity involved for liquid cooling is much greater than for air cooling.
Different housings are used for the electrical machines depending on the type of cooling, with the cooling means being provided in the housings. In the case of electrical machines without a housing, both cooling types can also be provided by suitable lamination cutting of the electrical steel laminations. Thus, in the case of liquid cooling, cooling pipes with a preferably circular cross section can be inserted into corresponding channels in the laminate stack.
The disadvantage here is the fact that a large number of pipe connections is required in the case of liquid cooling in order to join the numerous cooling pipe ends tightly in terms of hydraulics. This can take place in the case of copper pipes, for example, by means of a soldered joint or screw connection. The manufacture of such a cooling device is correspondingly involved.
In order to cool a housing-less electrical machine with water, cooling pipes, heat pipes or cool jets need to be passed through the laminate stack of the stator since the laminate stack on its own does not produce a sufficient sealing effect. This deficient sealing effect can result in considerable operational faults, in particular in the direction of the winding system of the electrical machine. An air gap is thus produced between the cooling pipe and the laminate stack, which air gap impairs the thermal connection between the cooling pipe and the stator.
The possibility of reducing the air gap between the cooling pipe and the laminate stack of the stator can be performed either by axial press-in operations of the cooling pipes into the cooling channels of the stator or else by virtue of the fact that this air gap is filled with thermally conductive paste or by impregnating resin in order to improve the thermal connection.
For example, DE 197 42 255 C1 has disclosed a housing-less three-phase machine with axially parallel coolant pipes which are arranged in the stator laminate stack. Since these coolant pipes are designed to be rigid, difficulties can arise when they are pushed into bores of the stator laminate stack, primarily since there is intended to be a comparatively small air gap between the cooling pipe and the stator laminate stack.
DE 101 03447 A1 has disclosed a cooled stator for an electrical machine, in which a corrugated metal tube is arranged in the cooling channels in order to facilitate fitting.
US 2004/0012272 A1 has disclosed an electrical machine in which metal pipes are pressed into half-open cooling channels on that side of the laminate stack which faces away from the winding system.
These previously known solutions are either extremely complex in terms of manufacturing technology and/or are comparatively ineffective thermally.

Stator for an electrical machine with liquid cooling


Only a necessary region is imaged on the basis of a result of interleaving imaging. An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, an analog-to-digital converter, and a conversion control unit. The imaging element generates analog signals of a plurality of pixels for a plurality of pixel blocks each including a plurality of pixels. The analog-to-digital converter performs analog-to-digital conversion processing for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. The conversion control unit controls the analog-to-digital conversion processing of a plurality of pixels included in a predetermined pixel block according to a difference between a digital signal of a representative pixel in the predetermined pixel block in the plurality of pixel blocks and a predetermined reference value.

There is known a conventional imaging apparatus having an interleaving imaging mode for reducing power consumption and the like. For example, a driving method of a solid-state imaging element has been proposed in which interleaving reading is performed when moving object detection is performed, and full-screen reading is performed when motion has been detected (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Imaging apparatus and imaging control method


A system for securing and wirelessly charging a chargeable device on a charger, particularly in a vehicle, is provided. The system includes at least one transmitting coil in proximity to a charging surface and an adjustable retaining assembly configured to substantially engage at least a portion of a perimeter of the chargeable device to position the chargeable device on the charging surface.

Portable battery operated electronic devices, such as cell phones, employ rechargeable batteries that must be recharged when battery charge is consumed. Typically, electric powered or electronic devices are physically connected to an electrical charger via a wire connection. More recently, wireless charging devices such as inductive chargers are available to charge the battery without any physical wire connection between the electronic device and the charging device. Wireless chargers generate an electromagnetic field through the use of electromagnetic transducers to transfer the electric energy from the charging device to a receiver on a battery or device managing battery charging.
Inductive chargers generate a magnetic field through the use of inductive coils to transfer the electric energy from the charging device to a receiver on a battery or device-managing battery charging. Inductive chargers have been proposed for use in various locations within the cockpit of a vehicle for charging a portable battery or a battery operated device. Typically, the charger is near the driver and passengers, for the sake of convenience to allow easy access to the devices. Generally, efficiency of wireless charging of electronic devices on the wireless charger depends on proper alignment of a device with the charger. However, devices may become substantially misaligned due to wireless charging in a non-static environment such as a moving vehicle. Such misalignment during charging may result in inefficiency of charging that leads to excessive heating posing potential damage to the battery of the device and/or the device being charged. Additionally, the battery charging control circuit in most consumer electronic devices will disallow charging when the battery gets too warm and the device will stop working until it cools. It is therefore desirable to provide a flexible and universal system in a manner that properly secures alignment of the device for wireless charging, thereby minimizing inefficiently of charging and damage to the battery of the device and/or the device being charged due to the misalignment.

System of securing a wide-range of devices during wireless charging


A locking joint seal includes a ring-shaped body made from poly tetra fluoroethylene and having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends each include mutually engageable first and second locking features. The first locking feature including a first axially extending portion overlapping a second axially extending portion of the second locking feature in an assembled condition.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A type of a split rotating seal, widely known as a scarf cut plastic seal, is used in many industries and is manufactured by a large number of companies worldwide. This type of seal is used in modern automatic transmissions to seal shafts and clutch components against the passage of hydraulic fluid, usually transmission fluid. An exemplary scarf cut seal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,010,844.
In many cases, a scarf cut plastic seal is made from PTFE compound, short slender fibers of glass, graphite or Kevlar, and a number of additives, the amalgam being a homogeneous mixture of PTFE compound, the fibers and additives. A purpose of the fibers is to reinforce the PTFE compound in order to improve its structural properties or to produce a seal whose functional characteristics are particularly suited to an application of the seal or to the environment in which the seal is intended to function. The additives have a similar purpose.
This type of seal typically has a rectangular cross section and a beveled split or scarf cut having an angle in the range of 7-45 degrees when projected on the longitudinal axis of the seal. This type of seal can be installed in an outer groove formed in the outer surface or journal of a rotating or stationary shaft. Alternatively, the seal can be installed in an internal groove formed in a bore of a rotating or stationary housing.
Scarf cut seals tend to loose their cylindrical form due to radial compression, which results in plastic deformation. They become dislocated in the retaining groove due to clearance between the surfaces of the seal and the groove, and they are susceptible to deformation. These factors cause unintended interference between the installed seal and shaft as the shaft is inserted within a bore. The seal is often cut by the shaft during shaft installation, commonly referred to as a "cut seal" condition. Or the seal is unintentionally forced from its groove by the shaft as the shaft slides in the bore past the installed seal.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a jointed seal with improved retention characteristics as compared to scarf cut seals. According to the present disclosure, a locking joint seal includes a ring-shaped body made from PTFE, rubber, thermal plastic material, or other known seal materials, and having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends each include mutually engageable first and second locking features. The first locking feature including a first axially extending portion overlapping a second axially extending portion of the second locking feature in an assembled condition.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.