An aircraft brake assembly (10, 100, 200) designed as original equipment to have convertible heat sinks comprises one of a steel heat sink aircraft brake assembly (100, 200) and a carbon-carbon composite heat sink aircraft brake assembly (10). When a carbon-carbon composite heat sink (40) is contained within the brake assembly (10), the piston housing (30) contains a plurality of piston bushing assemblies (32) with bushings (33), pistons (34), and adjuster mechanisms (36). The backing plate (28) of the torque tube (20) has riveted thereto a series of cups or connectors (33) which are received within corresponding openings (29) of a carbon-carbon composite backing plate friction material stator disc (27) to prevent rotation thereof. When the carbon-carbon composite heat sink (40) is converted to a steel heat sink (140, 240), the carbon-carbon composite heat sink (40) is separated from the torque tube (20) and piston housing (30), the connectors (33) removed from the rivets (31) and backing plate (28), and the piston bushing assemblies (32) removed from the piston housing (30). A second group of piston bushing assemblies (132, 232) are inserted within the piston housing (30), the second group of piston bushing assemblies having internal components that are dimensionally different from the first group of piston bushing assemblies (32). Backing plate friction material pads or metallic pads (127, 227) are attached to the backing plate (28) of the torque tube (20) by way of rivets (31) as the steel heat sink (140, 240) is assembled with the torque tube (20) and piston housing (30). The steps are reversed in order to convert the steel heat sink aircraft brake assembly (100, 200) to the carbon-carbon composite heat sink aircraft brake assembly (10).

The present invention relates generally to aircraft brakes, and in particular to aircraft brake assemblies that are convertible from a first type of heat sink to a second type of heat sink.
Aircraft brakes having a steel heat sink have been utilized for many years. Such brake assemblies commonly include a plurality of steel rotors, a plurality of stators with friction material pads attached thereto, a plurality of friction material pads attached by rivets to the backing plate of a torque tube, and piston bushing assemblies. Steel heat sink aircraft brake assemblies have proven to be economical, reliable, and desirable for aircraft that fly relatively short hauls. Carbon-carbon composite heat sink aircraft brake assemblies have become more prevalent as the size of commercial aircraft has increased. Typically, commercial aircraft flying long distances or long hauls may increase revenue and/or reduce operating costs by utilizing the significant weight benefits offered by a carbon-carbon composite heat sink as compared to a steel heat sink. However, if an aircraft with carbon-carbon composite heat sinks is scheduled to fly a short haul, the use of such heat sinks may not be cost effective. Therefore, given a sufficiently sized wheel cavity it is highly desirable to provide an aircraft brake assembly designed as original equipment to be easily converted from (and compatible with) a first type of heat sink to a second type of heat sink. It is highly desirable that a carbon-carbon composite heat sink of an aircraft brake assembly be easily converted to a steel heat sink, and vice versa. This would provide significant advantages over converting or retrofitting an existing brake assembly from a carbon-carbon composite heat sink to a steel heat sink which could result in a heavier steel aircraft brake assembly than a brake assembly designed originally to be only a steel aircraft brake assembly. Converting an existing carbon-carbon composite heat sink aircraft brake assembly to one having a steel heat sink can result in a brake assembly having an overly large torque tube and/or pistons that result in unnecessary weight. Too much weight can result in difficulties with retracting the landing gear. With the present invention, an airline would be able to order a group or fleet of aircraft suitable for both long and short hauls, with the long haul aircraft utilizing carbon-carbon composite heat sink aircraft brake assemblies while the short haul aircraft utilize the more economical steel heat sink aircraft brake assemblies. Should changes in scheduling occur or certain planes be needed for longer or shorter hauls, the particular type of heat sink utilized in the brake assemblies can be converted easily to a different type of heat sink.

Method of converting aircraft brake assemblies


The invention provides a method of lubricating a mechanical device by supplying a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and a compound having 2 to 20 hydroxy-carboxylic acid residues. The invention further relates to the use of the compound in a driveline device to provide at least one of antiwear performance, friction modification (particularly for enhancing fuel economy).

One of the important parameters influencing durability or wear resistance of devices employing a lubricating composition is the effectiveness of phosphorus antiwear or extreme pressure additives at providing devices with appropriate protection under various conditions of load and speed. However, many of the phosphorus antiwear or extreme pressure additives contain sulphur. Due to increasing environmental concerns, the presence of sulphur in antiwear or extreme pressure additives is becoming less desirable. In addition, many of the sulphur-containing antiwear or extreme pressure additives evolve volatile sulphur species, resulting in lubricating compositions containing antiwear or extreme pressure additives having an odour, which may also be detrimental to the environment or evolve emissions that may be higher than increasingly tighter health and safety legislation specifies.
A lubricating composition having the correct balance of phosphorus antiwear or extreme pressure additives provides driveline power transmitting devices with prolonged life and efficiency with controlled deposit formation and oxidation stability. However, many of the antiwear or extreme pressure additives employed have at least one of (i) limited extreme pressure and antiwear performance over a wide range of operating conditions, (ii) limited oxidative stability, (iii) form deposits, or (iv) cause corrosion (for example copper corrosion). In addition, many phosphorus antiwear or extreme pressure additives typically contain sulphur, which results in an odorous lubricating composition containing the phosphorus antiwear or extreme pressure additives. A number of references disclosing antiwear chemistry are discussed below.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,470 discloses alkylated citric acid derivatives obtained as a reaction product of citric acid and an alkyl alcohol or amine. The alkylated citric acid derivative is effective as an antiwear agent and friction modifier.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,022 discloses tartrimides useful as additives in lubricants and fuels for effective reduction in squeal and friction as well as improvement in fuel economy.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,328 discloses lubricating oil compositions for internal combustion engines, comprising (A) oil of lubricating viscosity, (B) a carboxylic derivative produced by reacting a succinic acylating agent with certain amines, and (C) a basic alkali metal salt of sulphonic or carboxylic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,972 discloses lubricant compositions for improving fuel economy of internal combustion engines. The composition includes a specific sulphurised composition (based on an ester of a carboxylic acid) and a basic alkali metal sulphonate.
International Patent application WO 2008/070307 discloses malonate esters suitable as antiwear agents.
International publication WO 2010/141003 discloses a driveline device lubricated with a composition containing a derivative of a hydroxycarboxylic acid and a phosphorus compound that may be either (i) a hydroxy-substituted di-ester of (thio)phosphoric acid, or (ii) a phosphorylated hydroxy-substituted di- or tri-ester of (thio)phosphoric acid.
International publication WO 2005/087904 discloses lubricants containing hydroxy carboxylic acid and hydroxy polycarboxylic acid esters in combination with phosphorus-containing additives. The phosphorus-containing additives include zinc dihydrocarbyldithiophosphates and/or neutral phosphorus compounds, such as trilauryl phosphate or triphenylphosphorothionate. The lubricants are useful in engine lubricants.
International Patent application PCT/US10/045,576 (based on U.S. Patent Application 61/234,717) discloses a method of lubricating an internal combustion engine comprising supplying to the internal combustion engine a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and a compound obtained/obtainable by a process comprising reacting a glycolic acid, a 2-halo-acetic acid, or a lactic acid, or an alkali or alkaline metal salts thereof, (typically glycolic acid or a 2-halo-acetic acid) with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an amine, an alcohol, and an aminoalcohol.

Method of lubricating a driveline device


The keyboard for blind people comprises a body carrying a plurality of keys and interface means for its connection to an external unit. The keys have a number of portions each having associated a function of the key and having represented such a function in Braille characters thereon. Moreover, the keys are jerky rotatable connected to the body so as to select one of the portions of the key and are also pressable in order to activate that function associated to the activable portion, so that each function is selected through rotations and subsequent pressure of the corresponding key portion.

As known in the art, electronic devices usually comprise a keyboard as an input device and displays as output devices (such devices are for example PC, telephones, mobiles, laptops, and so on).
Such input and output devices have dimensions and structures particularly arranged to be used by people having no visual problem.


Novel diazaanthracenes of formula wherein the dotted line in the central ring indicates that either the central ring is aromatically unsaturated, and in this case either R.sup.3 or H is absent from the 10-position and either R.sup.4 or H is absent from the 5-position, or the central ring is saturated and R.sup.3 and H and R.sup.4 and H are present, and the corresponding 5,10-diones, N-oxides, N-halides, N-amine, salts, dimers, Diels-Alder adducts, carbene adducts and complexes with transition metal compounds display valuable antibacterial, anticancer and antifungal properties. The compounds of formulae (I) and (II) in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are both methyl groups can be obtained by subjecting 3,5-lutidine to the effect of a strong reducing agent, for example molten sodium.

Diazaanthracenes ("daas") are heterocyclic analogues of anthracene in which there are two nitrogen atoms in the anthracene framework. The anthracene framework and the numbering system used by the inventors are illustrated below: ##STR1##
It is remarked, however, that on some occasions the prior art uses the following numbering system: ##STR2##
The present invention concerns daas which have one nitrogen atom in each of the terminal or outer rings. There are only six such possible arrangements of daa, which are presented below, along with the corresponding IUPAC nomenclature and the more descriptive names preferred by the inventors. ##STR3##

Substituted diazaanthracene compounds having pharmaceutical utility


A buffer circuit comprised of two matched stages is provided. The first stage develops a replica voltage that is used in the second stage as the input to a wide-band amplifier. The combination of the two feedback loops in the circuit result in improved linearity. The first amplifier dominates for moderate frequencies while the second amplifier takes over for high frequencies.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the areas of buffers and buffer amplifiers, such as unity gain buffers and replica amplifiers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Buffer circuits are used to provide buffering between a first circuit and a second circuit. In other words, a buffer circuit is normally used to transfer voltage from a first circuit, having a high impedance level, to a second circuit with a lower impedance level. The interposed buffer circuit prevents the first circuit from unacceptably loading the second circuit and thus interfering with its desired operation.
If the voltage transferred is unchanged, the amplifier is known as a unity gain buffer. A simple unity gain buffer may be constructed by connecting the output of an operational amplifier to its inverting input, and using the non-inverting input. Other unity gain buffers may include an emitter follower, Darlington pair, or similar configurations using field effect transistors, vacuum tubes or other active devices.
Two preferred traits of a buffer amplifier are high input impedance and low output impedance. In addition, succeeding stages should be linear so as not to introduce distortion. As a result, there can be difficulty involved in designing a buffer stage that is linear and has sufficient bandwidth to process the signal with enough linearity such that distortions are not introduced. Feedback is typically used in this situation. However, there are limitations with respect to the amount of feedback that may be applied, the bandwidth of the feedback, and the loop gain that results.
In a related system, replica amplifiers may be used within a replica structure in order to predict a normal amplifier response and then couple the replica amplifier with a normal feedback amplifier such that the feedback system now only needs to do small corrective changes to the output. For example, if driving 1V into 1-ohm load, a replica amp may be used to supply the bulk of the current and the feedback amplifier can then operate with much lower currents.
Nevertheless, achieving both wide bandwidth and high linearity can be challenging. The previous topologies, discussed above, do not adequately address the need for wide bandwidth and high linearity within desirable power limitations. The claimed invention, however, is able to achieve higher linearity than previous solutions for a given power and area budget.


A method and apparatus for removing excess coating material from a honeycomb body of a catalytic converter. The coated honeycomb body is mounted on an eccentric tappet and is rotated around a first rotational axis with a first rotational frequency such that the distance from the center of gravity of the honeycomb body to the first rotational axis is at least 1.5 times the length of the honeycomb body. The honeycomb body is further rotated around a second rotational axis even out the coating material and provide a more uniform coating surface.

The present invention relates to catalytic converters, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for the removal of excess coating material from a catalytic converter honeycomb body which is capable of having fluid flow through it and which exhibits flow channels. The general flow direction of the flow channels is defined by the longitudinal axis of the honeycomb body and the honeycomb body has an axial length and a center of gravity. The honeycomb body is surface coated and is then rotated around a first rotational axis with a first rotational frequency in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The distance between the center of gravity of the honeycomb body and the rotational axis is at least 1.5 times the axial length of the honeycomb body.
A catalytic converter support body generally includes a honeycomb body having a large enough surface to exchange exhaust fumes flowing through the support body with high efficiency. As shown in FIG. 1, a honeycomb body 2 includes a plurality of flow channels 17 formed of wrapped or layered metal foils 4 that are located between bordering layers 3. The flow channels 17 define the longitudinal axis of the honeycomb body 5. The honeycomb body 2 is preferably made from rust resistant and high temperature resistant steel.
Even though the flow channels 17 of the honeycomb body 2 preferably have a large enough surface area to exchange harmful fumes, it is known in the art to coat the flow channels 17 of the honeycomb body 2 with a coating material 1. Such coating materials may include gamma-aluminum oxide or washcoat made from oxides. These coatings are catalytically active or are necessary coating materials for machines. Specifically, the coating material lifts catalysts such as platinum or rhodium, and thereby causes a further mixing of the exhaust fumes which flow through the honeycomb body 2 because of the extremely intensive contact of the catalysts with the exhaust fumes. Normally, the honeycomb body 2 is submerged into a bath of emulsified coating material or sprayed with such material so that the complete surface of the honeycomb body is coated. Afterwards, the excess coating material is removed from the surface by means of compressed air, especially from the flow channels 17. This procedure for removing the excess coating material is suitable if the flow channel 17 cross section is large enough and if the coating thickness is relatively thick because in such a case, the surface tension of the capillary force is of no significance.
However, in order to enlarge the surface of the catalyst to increase catalytic conversion efficiency, it is necessary to further increase the density of the flow channels 17. Until recently, cell densities of less than 600 cpsi (cells per square inch) were usual, but the goal now is to reach a cell density of 1000 or more cpsi. With higher cell densities, smaller flow channel 17 cross-sections exist, so the influence of the surface tension and the capillary power increases. This causes drops of the coating material 1 to fall into the flow channels 17, which leads to a coating surface having varied thickness 19 and sometimes clogs and damages the flow channel 17, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the varying thickness D of the coating is a significant problem associated with increasing cell densities in honeycomb bodies 2.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method of removing excess coating material from honeycomb bodies having increased cell densities and small flow channels to provide a uniform application of the coating material. There is a further need for an apparatus suitable for performing such a procedure.

Method and apparatus for the removal of excess coating material from a honeycomb body


Degree of hierarchical modulation can be varied as a function of satellite position, where such hierarchical modulation can be a combination of phase and amplitude shifts. As each satellite in a multiple satellite system moves towards a D-node or an A-node position, the offset angle of a phase-based hierarchical modulation scheme can be varied. Starting with the lowest satellite position in the sky an offset angle for overlay bits can progressively increase as the position of the satellite in the sky increases. At a satellite's highest point in the sky, the overlay offset angle can be at its maximum. The value of a varying overlay offset angle (for each satellite) can be embedded in an Overlay Identification Marker (OIM) in the broadcast. The receiver can then appropriately correct MRC weightings (weighting more heavily the (higher lying) satellite).

In certain broadcast communications systems, such as, for example, satellite radio, in order to optimize the utilization of a fixed bandwidth, hierarchical modulation ("HM") can be used to overlay data for new services on top of a legacy transmission. Such a scheme can be used, for example, to offer additional channels or services. For example, in the Sirius XM Radio Inc. ("Sirius") Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service ("SDARS"), video channels can be sent over existing audio channels via such an overlay modulation scheme, where the video signal is sent in a "Layer 2" or overlay modulation layer. Similarly, such Layer 2 data can be used for other types of content, such as data, traffic, etc.
Additionally, it is well known in the SDARS community that signal reception for polar orbiting satellites is a function of satellite position in the sky. As a satellite approaches its lowest position in the sky, the reception is poorest, and conversely, it is best when the satellite is at it highest position in the sky. This has been a limiting factor in satellite radio broadcasting systems from their outset. Unfortunately, this problem is not easily rectified, which, ultimately, along with many other factors, can limit the overall throughput of such broadcast satellite services.
Sending overlay bits, such as for a video service, for example, compounds this problem, as these bits appear as noise to a legacy receiver (i.e., a standard SDARS receiver not demodulating the overlay layer modulation prior to passing the received signal to a legacy signal demodulator). For example, the Sirius Backseat TV™ video service has been implemented by hierarchically modulating the original (i.e., legacy audio) Sirius QPSK symbol constellation with video data.
As noted, hierarchical modulation, also known as overlay modulation, appears as a noise-like source to legacy receivers, precisely because it further modulates the legacy symbols transmitted such that two symbols having the same legacy bit values generally appear in a different portion of the IQ plane. An additional noise source is un-welcome in any scenario and in the context of satellite radio is simply a consequence to pay if additional bandwidth is to be claimed from an SDARS system.
Fortunately, the additional noise source due to overlay modulation is essentially unnoticeable to legacy receivers for most of the positions of a broadcast satellite in the sky. It is only when a satellite is lowest in the sky (for example, at what are known as Ascending A-node and Descending D-node times, when a satellite's ground track crosses the equator, for a satellite receiver located in North America) that the additional noise-like source due to overlay modulation can cause the most harm to legacy receivers. Such harm is generally manifested as additional mute seconds (FEC coding failure) during the A-node and D-node positions/times of the satellite.
Thus, what is needed in the art are systems and methods that can minimize the harmful effects of overlay modulation on legacy receivers as a broadcast satellite approaches points in the sky where reception of its signal is at a minimum.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method to minimize interference into legacy SDARS reception by varying overlay modulation as a function of satellite position


An ink for inkjet recording, which is used for recording on a paper having a concentration of an eluted Ca ion of from 1.0×10−4 to 5.0×10−4 g/g when dipped in pure water. The ink includes at least a pigment, a pigment dispersant, a water-soluble organic solvent and water. The pigment dispersant is a copolymer synthesized using at least (1) unsaturated ethylene monomer having a phosphoric acid group or a phosphonic acid group and (2) unsaturated ethylene monomer having an alkyl group having 12 to 22 carbon atoms.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an ink for inkjet recording, an ink cartridge, an inkjet recording method, an inkjet recorder, an ink-recorded matter and a method of producing the ink-recorded matter using the ink.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, inkjet recording methods have been popular as image forming methods because of having advantages of having simpler process and easier full-colorization than the other recording methods, and producing high-resolution images even with an apparatus having simple composition. The inkjet recording methods have a small amount of ink soar and adhere to recording media such as papers to form images thereon with an inkjet recorder, and applications thereof are expanding, e.g., personal and industrial printers and printings.
In the inkjet recorder, an aqueous ink using a water-soluble dye is mostly used as a colorant. However, the ink has disadvantages of having poor weatherability and water resistance. Therefore, a pigment ink using a pigment instead of the water-soluble dye has been studied recently. However, the pigment ink is still inferior to the dye ink in colorability, ink discharge stability and preservation stability. In company with improvement of higher-quality image technology of OA printers, even when recorded on plain papers as recording media with the pigment ink, image density equivalent to that of the dye ink is required. However, the pigment ink penetrates into a plain paper as a recording medium and pigment density at the surface of the paper lowers, resulting in lower image density. In order to dry the ink adhering to the recording medium quicker to print quicker, a penetrant is added to the ink for water to penetrate into the recording medium. Then, not only water but also pigment penetrates deeper into the recording medium, resulting in lower image density.
Various methods are disclosed to improve image density. For example, Japanese published unexamined application No. JP-2011-122072-A discloses an ink used for recording on a paper including a water-soluble multivalent metal salt. The ink includes (a) a pigment and (b) at least one compound having no surface activating ability, a molecular weight of from 150 to 10,000, and a content rate of phosphorous ((p/molecular weight)×100) from a functional group selected from a functional group having a basic skeleton of phosphoric acid and functional group having a basic skeleton of phosphonic acid not less than 1.4. Further, the ink includes the (b) compound of from 1.5 to 10.0% by weight.
Japanese published unexamined application No. JP-2007-153985-A discloses an aqueous ink for inkjet recording, essentially including carbon black or an organic pigment, a polymer, a basic material and water. The ink includes a copolymer essentially including a (meth)acrylic acid and other copolymerizable monoethylene unsaturated monomers and a copolymer essentially including monoethylene unsaturated monomers including a phosphoric acid group and other copolymerizable monoethylene unsaturated monomers.
Japanese published unexamined application No. JP-2004-277519-A discloses an inkjet ink including a pigment, a resin having a weight-average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 50,000 and a phosphoric acid group and a solvent having a boiling point not less than 130° C., and a viscosity o from 3 to 15 mPa·s at a temperature of the head when discharging the ink.
However, the ink disclosed in Japanese published unexamined application No. JP-2011-122072-A does not sufficiently improve image density on a plain paper having a low content rate of a water-soluble multivalent metal salt.
The ink disclosed in Japanese published unexamined application No. JP-2007-153985-A does not produce images having sufficient image density when the content of the monoethylene unsaturated monomers including a phosphoric acid group in the copolymer is low. When the content is increased, the carbon black or the organic pigment may unstably be dispersed in the ink.
The ink disclosed in Japanese published unexamined application No. 2004-277519-A is not an aqueous ink and supposed to be used on a film as a recording medium. Improvement of image density on a plain paper by reaction between the metallic ion and the phosphoric acid cannot be expected. Further, since the dispersant stabilizes dispersion of a pigment in a nonaqueous solvent, a pigment may be unstably dispersed in an aqueous ink when the same dispersant is used therein.
Namely, the inks disclosed in Japanese published unexamined applications Nos. JP-2011-122072-A, JP-2007-153985-A and JP-2004-277519-A do not produce images having high image density on a plain paper including no or a low content rate of a water-soluble multivalent metal salt.
Because of these reasons, a need exists for an ink for inkjet recording, which produces images having high image density even on a plain paper including no or a low content rate of a water-soluble multivalent metal salt, and in which a pigment is stably dispersed.

Ink for inkjet recording, and ink cartridge, inkjet recording method, inkjet recorder, ink-recorded matter and method of producing the ink-recorded matter using the ink


A reflective type liquid crystal display device including a layer of liquid crystal having a light scattering property such as a polymer dispersed type liquid crystal or a phase change type liquid crystal. The layer of liquid crystal is arranged between first and second plates having transparent electrodes, respectively, the first plate being transparent and the second plate having a reflecting layer. A color filter including red, green, and blue color portions and a black color portion, and an internal transparent plate having a thickness to provide a sufficient distance between the layer of liquid crystal and the color filter to diffuse the appearance of the color filter viewed through the scattering liquid crystal in the light scattering mode are also placed between the first and second plates. The layer of liquid crystal having light scattering property is brought into a light scattering mode to produce a white display when the voltage is not applied, and into a transparent mode to produce a color display and a black display when the voltage is applied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reflective type liquid crystal display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are transmitting-type liquid-crystal display devices in which light passes through the liquid crystal panel from the rear to the front thereof, and reflective-type liquid-crystal display devices in which a light enters from the front of the liquid crystal panel, is reflected at a reflecting layer at the rear of the liquid-crystal panel and exits from the front side of the liquid crystal panel. The transmitting type liquid crystal display device can include a back-light or the like on the rear of the liquid crystal panel to enhance brightness and contrast. However, the reflective type liquid crystal display device cannot use a back light, and thus brightness and contrast are relatively low. Recently, a demand for a reflective-type liquid crystal display device with increased brightness and contrast, and color, has arisen.
A reflective-type liquid crystal display device providing with color is disclosed, for example, in the report of the Japanese electronic display society, "ED85-40, p81". This is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in the attached drawings. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the layer of liquid crystal 3 is arranged between the first and second plates 1 and 2, the first plate 1 is transparent, and the second plate 2 has a reflecting surface 4 for reflecting a light entering from the first plate 1. The layer of liquid crystal 3 comprises a guest-host phase change type liquid crystal having a dichroic dye 5 mixed therein. The first plate 1 has a color filter 6 formed on the inner surface thereof.
In the phase-change liquid crystal display device, molecules of the liquid crystal are in a twisted cholesteric phase when the voltage is not applied, as shown in FIG. 6, and into a nematic phase, in which molecules of the liquid crystal are aligned perpendicular to the plates 1 and 2, when the voltage is applied, as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, in the condition of FIG. 6, the particles of the dichroic dye 5 with the molecules of the liquid crystal 3 are generally randomly distributed, and the light inputting from the first plate 1 impinges against the particles of the dichroic dye 5 and absorbed therein to produce a black display. In the condition of FIG. 7, the particles of the dichroic dye 5 with the molecules of the liquid crystal 3 become perpendicular to the plates 1 and 2, and the light entering from the first plate 1 passes through the particles of the dichroic dye 5. Thus, the light entering from the first plate 1 is reflected at the reflecting layer 4 of the second plate 2, and passes through the color filter 6 to produce a color display corresponding to the color or colors of the color filter 6. When the pixel electrode corresponding to all colors in one pixel are switched on, a white display is produced.
In the above described prior art reflective-type liquid crystal display device, to produce a color display or a white display, the light entering from the first plate 1 must initially pass through the color filter 6, then through the layer of liquid crystal 3 and the dichroic dye 5, and be reflected at the reflecting layer 4 to return to the layer of liquid crystal 3, the dichroic dye 5, and the color filter 6. However, the transmissivity of the color filter 6 is low, and the amount of the light first passing through the color filter 6 is reduced. Also, since the light passing through the color filter 6 further passes through the layer of liquid crystal 3 and the dichroic dye 5, and returns to the color filter 6 after reflected at the reflecting layer 4, brightness of the color display and the white display thus obtained is relatively low.

Reflective type LCD with color filters having black portions


Provided is a lactic acid-based resin composition that comprises a lactic acid-based resin (component (A)), and an ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer (component (B)) and/or an ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer ionomer (component (C)). The lactic acid-based resin composition has good physical properties in melt and can be efficiently formed into films and laminates through casting or extrusion lamination. The paper laminates obtained through extrusion lamination with the resin composition have good moisture barrier property, and have the advantages of good antibacterial ability, good biodegradability and low combustion heat. And the moldings obtained from the resin composition of the invention have a characteristic which is excellent in impact strength. Further, the films and sheets formed of the resin composition have good low-temperature heat-sealability and hot-tack sealability, and the resin composition well serves as a sealant. The resin composition is favorable to various materials in a broad range, for example, for wrapping and packaging materials for foods, drinks, electronic appliances, medicines and cosmetics, for materials for use in agriculture, civil engineering and construction and for materials for compost, etc.

In general, resins of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and others are used in paper laminates. However, when disposed of after use, they will increase the amount of their wastes. In addition, since they do not almost degrade in the natural environment, they will semi-permanently remain in the ground even after disposed of for land reclamation. Moreover, some plastic wastes are further problematic in that they destroy the scenery and even the living environment of marine organisms.
To solve these problems, polyhydroxycarboxylic acids such as polylactic acid, and aliphatic polyesters derived from aliphatic polyalcohols and aliphatic polycarboxylic acids have been developed these days for biodegradable thermoplastic polymer resins.
These polymers are characterized in that they may 100% biodegrade in animal bodies within a period of from a few months to one year, or when kept wetted in soil or seawater, they begin to degrade in a few weeks and completely degrade within a period of from about one year to a few years, and their degradation products are lactic acid, and carbon dioxide and water all harmless to human bodies.
In particular, the application of polylactic acid is expected to expand since its starting material, L-lactic acid has become mass-produced through inexpensive large-scale fermentation and since the polymer has good properties in that it rapidly degrades in compost and is resistant to fungi and it causes little odorization and discoloration of foods and drinks that contain it.
The following patent publications are referred to herein.
JP-A-4-334448 discloses a technique that relates to a biodegradable composite material and its production method.
Specifically, the composite material of the technique disclosed is produced by coating the surface of a substrate that contains vegetable fibers, with a polylactic acid or its derivative. This is highly resistant to water and oil and is highly biodegradable, and this is favorable for wrapping and packaging paper for foods and drinks and for wrapping and packaging materials for medical use.
The composite material is biodegradable and biocompatible, and when disposed of after use, it is naturally biodegraded by the action of microorganisms in soil and water and therefore does not pollute the natural environment. This is produced by coating the surface of a substrate that contains vegetable fibers, with a polylactic acid or its derivative. The substrate is formed of a material that consists essentially of various vegetable fibers. It includes, for example, paper such as woodfree paper, shoji paper; yarn and rope of cotton, Manila hemp or the like; containers, nets and others formed of them.
Polylactic acid for use herein includes poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, and poly-D,L-lactic acid; and its derivatives are, for example, polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers and polylactic acid-glycerin copolymers.
JP-A-8-290526 discloses a technique that relates to an aluminium-biodegradable plastic laminate. When disposed of in the ground, the laminate readily biodegrades. This is a laminate of an aluminium material and a biodegradable plastic that generates acid when it degrades. The aluminium material includes aluminium foil, aluminium deposit layer, etc. The biodegradable plastic may be in any form of film, adhesive, ink, etc. The biodegradable plastic that generates acid when it degrades includes 3-hydroxybutyric acid-3-hydroxyvaleric acid copolymers, condensates of aliphatic diols and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, polylactic acid prepared through polymerization of lactic acid, etc. These biodegradable plastics generate their starting acids such as aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or lactic acid. The acid acts on the aluminium material to convert it into aluminium oxide, and the aluminium material is thereby decomposed and lost.
However, the melt tension of lactic acid-based resin such as polylactic acid is low, and the resin melt therefore greatly necks in when extruded out through a die hole in extrusion lamination molding. As a result, the selvage of the resin laminate produced significantly fluctuates and the laminate is often difficult to wind up. Further, thin laminates with the resin are often cut and broken while produced, and, if so, their safe production is impossible.
Moreover, the thickness fluctuation of the resin layer of the paper laminates produced is great, and under ordinary molding conditions in ordinary molding machines, the width of the laminate that is substantially uniform in the cross direction is approximately from 80 to 85% or so of the total laminate width.
Adding a peroxide to polylactic acid is generally known method of increasing the melt tension of the resin. This is for crosslinking the polymer during its extrusion pelletization or extrusion molding (JP-A-10-501560).
The method is surely effective for increasing the melt tension of polymer, but has many industrial problems such as those mentioned below:
<1> The polymer is much crosslinked to give gel, and the films formed of it have many fish eyes and therefore have no commercial value;
<2> The reaction is difficult to control, and the reproducibility of the method to give the intended crosslinked products is not good;
<3> The peroxide requires an additional apparatus for safely handling it.
On the other hand, JP-A-2001-123055 discloses a mixture of polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene generally used for extrusion lamination, and microorganism-degradable thermoplastics or polylactic acid.
However, though an apparent melt tension of the mixture is increased, the mixture has problems such as those mentioned below:
<1> It is impossible to obtain a uniform molding,
<2> A heat-seal strength of the film extremely decreases by lamellar peeling and,
<3> An impact strength of the molding extremely decreases by lamellar peeling.
As in the above, it is substantially impossible to obtain laminates of polylactic acid through conventional extrusion lamination in the current situation in the art.


An object is to provide a glow plug in which a gap can be prevented from being generated between a ceramic heater and a cylindrical member even at the time of use in an internal combustion engine, etc. so that electrical conduction of the glow plug can be prevented from being lowered. A glow plug includes: a rod-shaped ceramic heater 2; a rod-shaped center pole 5 extending axially so as to electrically connect to the outside; and a cylindrical member 100 having a front end portion 101 bonded to an outer circumferential surface 2a of a rear end side of the ceramic heater 2, and a rear end portion 102 bonded to an outer circumferential surface of a front end side of the center pole 5, the cylindrical member 100 being made by a metal material for electrically connecting one of a pair of lead portions and the center pole 5 to each other, the glow plug characterized in that the cylindrical member 100 has a Vickers hardness of not lower than 200 HV at 25° C.

As shown in FIG. 7, a glow plug 90 according to the background art has a rod-shaped ceramic heater 91, a cylindrical outer pipe 92, and a cylindrical metal shell 93. The ceramic heater 91 is held in the outer pipe 92 by tight fitting in the condition that a front end portion 91a and a rear end portion 91b of the ceramic heater 91 are protruded from the outer pipe 92. A front end portion of the metal shell 93 is bonded to an outer circumferential surface 92a of a rear end portion of the outer pipe 92. The ceramic heater 91 has a heating portion 912 in a front end portion 911a of a ceramic heater body 911. The heating portion 912 generates heat when electricity is applied to the ceramic heater 91. The ceramic heater body 911 extends in a direction of an axis O. The ceramic heater 91 further has a pair of lead portions 913 for current conduction. The pair of lead portions 913 are provided to extend from the heating portion 912 so that the pair of lead portions 913 are exposed to an outer circumferential surface of a rear end side 911b of the ceramic heater body 911. Application of electricity to the ceramic heater 91 is performed by a rod-shaped center pole 94 and a cylindrical member 95 in the following manner (e.g. see Patent Document 1). That is, the center pole 94 is located in the rear of the ceramic heater 91 in the direction of the axis O and extends in the direction of the axis so as to be electrically connected to the outside. The cylindrical member 95 has a front end portion 951 bonded to the outer circumferential surface of the rear end side 911b of the ceramic heater 91 by a wax material, and a rear end portion 952 bonded to an outer circumferential surface of a front end portion 94a of the center pole 94 by caulking so that one of the lead portions 913 is electrically connected to the center pole 94. As the material of the cylindrical member 95, a metal elastic material having elasticity such as stainless steel, copper, etc. is used in consideration of caulking, etc.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 42671/1997 (FIG. 3)


A medical instrument usable with an ultrasound-endoscope for performing a needle biopsy on a patient's internal body tissues usable at a surgical site not visible to the unaided eye or viewed endoscopically, comprises an elongate tubular member with a hollow needle element connected at its distal end, a sheath member housing said tubular member and needle element, an actuator subassembly with a shifter member operatively connected to elongate tubular member's proximal end, and a distal camming subassembly, said subassembly enabling a rotating motion of said needle member while handle actuator is moved in the forward direction. Upon inserting an ultrasound-endoscope into a patient and locating a mass, the fine needle with sharply pointed spoon shaped distal end is inserted into the mass aided by endoscopic and ultrasonographic guidance. Once in the mass, a camming action is initiated, causing rotation of the fine needle within the mass, resulting in a scooped out core biopsy. This instrument enables the performance of a fine needle aspiration requiring only one or two needle introductions, with a resultant core biopsy substantial enough for diagnostic purposes.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been a well accepted method for obtaining tissue samples for pathologic or histologic analysis in diagnosing tumors of the pancreas and other soft tissue organs. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) have become important tools in the evaluation of pancreatic masses.
Conventional surgical techniques for obtaining tissue samples accessible only through a flexible ultrasound-endoscope using a fine needle generally require numerous needle sticks. These procedures often result in obtaining a small number of cells with each aspiration, cells which may or may not be diagnostic. In addition, such procedures are often traumatic because of the multiple needle passes that it necessitates. This is especially true in the case of pancreatic biopsies. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes. When injured, these enzymes are released, and may induce self digestion, and necrosis of the pancreas, and adjacent organs. The current technique used during Endoscopic Ultrasound Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS-FNA) of a pancreatic tumor entails the passage of an 18-22 gauge stainless steel needle. This needle is passed through the working channel of a linear echo endoscope under real-time guidance into the endo-sonographically visualized pancreatic mass. The needle is moved back and forth multiple times through the lesion with varying degrees of suction applied to it. The specimens obtained are then deposited onto a cytology slide for immediate fixation, staining and cytopathologic examination.
Aspirating a sample from a fluid medium through a needle is a simple procedure. Aspirating a sample from a solid mass is difficult. Most pancreatic EUS-FNA procedures take up to 30 needle passes to make a definitive cytological diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Oftentimes, the only cells that are obtained are blood cells, or normal pancreatic tissue cells. Even when tumor cells are captured, these are often fragmented, and separated from each other. It is therefore almost impossible to differentiate a primary pancreatic tumor from a metastatic lesion.
Despite the time consuming and traumatic nature of the current FNA procedure, the consequence of a non-diagnostic aspirate is worse, because a missed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is a sure death sentence. Therefore, if a pancreatic tumor is suspected but the FNA result is negative, the patient must then undergo a pancreatic biopsy through an abdominal incision. Although needles for taking core biopsies of internal organs exist, these needles are much thicker than the needles used during fine tissue aspiration. An example of such a needle is the Mangini needle, with which percutanious liver biopsies are used. In order to introduce this needle into the liver, an incision must be made in the skin with the sharp tip of a scalpel. The needle is then pushed into the incision, and under aspiration is quickly pushed in and out of the liver with a quick stabbing motion. The resulting core biopsy is almost always diagnostic, and ample to examine sheets of tissue cells representative of the pathology that is sought. The injury, however, is much greater than that inflicted with a fine needle.
The choices for obtaining diagnostic tissue from internal organs are three fold. The first choice is to obtain a biopsy though an open operative incision or a laparoscopic technique, which entails surgical intervention. The second option is to use a large diameter stiff stainless steel needle. This method may only be used for lesions that are near the exterior of the body, such as described above in relation to the Mangini needle. The third method is to obtain cells through a fine needle with ultrasound guidance. While this method is least traumatic with only one needle introduction, it produces a poor yield of diagnostic material. In the best case scenario, and after multiple needle sticks, several cells of the tumor are retrieved. Because the cells are obtained separate from one another, they are examined by the pathologist without their spatial relationship to the rest of the organ that they originated from. In the worst case, even these tumor cells are not obtained, only blood cells and normal tissue, necessitating one of the more invasive procedures. It is therefore most desirable to have an instrument of being passed through the flexible endoscope that is both delicate so as not to traumatize the area that is being biopsied, and at the same time be capable of obtaining a core tissue biopsy that will be diagnostic. It would be of great advantage if diagnostic certainty could be achieved with a minimal number of instrument passes, thus achieving excellent results with minimal trauma to the patient.
The fine needle aspiration technique is also widely used to obtain cells from suspected lesions in organs that are more superficial. These organs include breast, prostate, thyroid and parathyroid. Although these organs are more accessible to the needle than the pancreas, the trauma incurred by a thick core biopsy needle stick is great. Millions of women undergo fine needle aspirations for suspected breast cancer. Here too, 10-15 needle sticks are required to obtain what is deemed a sufficient number of cells for an adequate specimen.
When a woman comes for such a biopsy, she is anxious and afraid of the impending diagnosis. Oftentimes she leaves the procedure with a large hematoma, an internal blood-clot in a severely bruised breast, resulting from the numerous needle sticks required to obtain cells. Recently, a biopsy gun has been introduced for this purpose. The gun is equipped with a thicker needle, spring loaded to jump out of the instrument, and into the suspected lesion. This method has rendered many women even more anxious. A short, inflexible fine needle, one of the same diameter as the fine needle currently used for aspiration, would be of great benefit if it would enable a single needle pass into an organ such as the breast, and obtain a core biopsy on one relatively atraumatic needle pass.

Rotating fine needle for core tissue sampling


A method is provided for operating a turbocharger. The method includes sensing a parameter indicative of a speed of a turbocharger and a parameter indicative of an engine speed. The method also includes determining a first desired engine speed based on the speed of the turbocharger, the engine speed, and a maximum desired speed of the turbocharger. The method further includes regulating a flow of fuel to an engine based on the first desired engine speed.

Internal combustion engines such as, for example, diesel engines, gasoline engines, and gaseous fuel powered engines, combust a mixture of air and fuel to produce power. The amount of air and fuel, and the ratio of air-to-fuel introduced into a combustion chamber of the engine can affect power output, efficiency, and exhaust emissions of the engine. Typically, the amount of air introduced into the engine and the ratio of air-to-fuel are controlled by a number of different fluid handling components located in both the air induction and exhaust systems of the engine.
An engine often includes a turbocharger to increase a power density of the engine. A turbocharger includes a turbine, driven by exhaust of the engine, to rotate a compressor and pressurize air directed into the engine. As more exhaust is directed to the turbine, the turbine rotational speed increases, thereby causing the compressor rotational speed to increase, which raises the pressure of air being directed into the engine. However, if the speed of turbine rotation is above an overspeed limit, damage may occur to the components of the turbocharger.
One method that has been employed to prevent the speed of the turbocharger from exceeding the overspeed limit can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,659 (the '659 patent) issued to Shao et al. on Apr. 27, 2004. The '659 patent discloses a fueling control system that generates a fueling signal for an engine based on various fuel limits stored in a memory of the control system. Among the fuel limits included in the fueling control system is an air-to-fuel or oxygen-to-fuel control (AFC/OFC) table, which controls fueling based on an air-to-fuel ratio. Another fueling limit included in the fueling control system is a turbo speed limit for limiting the rotational speed of the turbocharger. Both the AFC/OFC limit and the turbo speed limit are set and activated in response to various parameters of the engine system. When the final fueling signal is generated by the fueling control system, the limits stored within the memory are compared to each other. The limit having the lowest value is used as an upper threshold for the fueling rate.
Although the system disclosed in the '659 patent may set an upper limit for the turbocharger speed, the efficiency of the turbocharger and any protection from overspeed damage may be limited. In particular, the '659 system relies on engine parameters such as, for example, boost pressure, engine acceleration, etc. to set the turbo speed limit and determine when to invoke such a limit. Such parameters may indicate an estimated turbocharger speed but do not measure the actual turbocharger speed. Any error between the estimated speed and the actual speed may have consequences regarding the performance of the turbocharger. For example, if the actual speed is less than the estimated speed, the turbine may not be permitted to reach its full power generation capacity, thereby reducing efficiency. In addition, if the actual speed is greater than the estimated speed, the turbocharger speed may exceed the overspeed threshold and possibly damage the turbocharger.
The disclosed system is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.

Fuel control system for limiting turbocharger speed


A computer-controlled device for detecting optical transmission and/or remittance properties of a measuring object has a measuring unit for illuminating the measuring object and for receiving the light transmitted by the measuring object and/or reflected from the measuring object. Furthermore, it has an input unit for selecting the type of measurement and the like, as well as a display unit for displaying the values measured. Moreover, it comprises a first non-volatile memory in which the measuring functions of the device are stored, as well as a control unit for controlling all procedures in the device. In a second non-volatile memory are stored release codes assigned to the individual measuring functions and, with the help of which, the control unit accesses the measuring functions in the first non-volatile memory.

Computer-controlled devices for detecting optical transmission and/or remittance properties of a measuring object such as densitometers or spectrophotometers are widely known. They can either be installed in fixed manner in a pressure contrivance or designed as mobile hand-held devices. Such a hand-held device in the form of a hand-held densitome meter is known from European Patent EP-A-0,603,448. This hand-held densitometer comprises a measuring unit for receiving the light transmitted by the measuring object (e.g., a printed sheet) and/or remitted from the measuring object. Furthermore, an exemplary hand-held device described therein has an input unit that is designed as a handwheel. With the help of this handwheel, for example, the type of measurement can be input (density measurement, tonal value determination, etc.), specific parameters of the measurement can be input, the measurement can be triggered, and so forth. In the case of other hand-held devices of this type, it is also common to input such features and/or to trigger the measurement with the help of a keyboard provided on the ha hand-held device naturally comprises a display unit (e.g., an LCD display) for displaying the values measured and, as before, for displaying the selected type of measurement, the parameters, etc.
On the inside, such devices typically also have a non-volatile memory (e.g., a ROM) in which the individual measuring functions of the device are stored. These measuring functions stored in the non-volatile memory are accessed during operation of the device in such a way that all measuring functions stored in this non-volatile memory are available to the user. At the same time, a control unit (control computer, microcomputer) controls the sequence of all procedures in the device.
In principal, such devices can be equipped with a large number of measuring functions, such as density measurement, measurement of density differences, measurement of density increases, determination of pressure characteristics, determination of area coverage, contrast measurement, measurement of color shading errors, and many more measuring functions. However, the various users of such devices do not always need all of these measuring functions. Thus, when purchasing such devices, the users do not insist on the device having the unnecessary measuring functions, since in the first place, the better-equipped devices usually cost more, and secondly, the not so well-equipped devices are naturally easier to handle, since certain measuring functions are not offered as options at all and therefore cannot contribute to the user's confusion. For example, a typical printer needs the measuring functions of density, density increase and area coverage. A printing-system with high quality requirements, for example, needs the measuring functions of density, density increase, area coverage, pressure characteristic and area coverage. A processing establishment (such as a photographic film processing establishment), on the other hand, typically needs the measuring functions of density and density increase, for example. However, other users only need the measuring function of density. Still other customers do not yet know, when purchasing such a device, exactly what they will want to measure in the future, or due to a change in operation (e.g., higher quality requirements of a printing-system), additional values must suddenly be measured with such a device.
For this reason, different devices are obtainable that are equipped with various measuring functions. This is usually realized in such a way that at any given time, all the measuring functions (programs) that the device can execute are stored in the non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM). In the case of devices that can execute different measuring functions, different measuring functions (programs) are also stored in the ROM at any given time. In principle, this is a solution as to how devices with different measuring functions can be provided, while the unwanted measuring functions are not provided and thus cannot contribute to the user's confusion. However, this is disadvantageous in the production of the devices insofar as the ROMs for the devices must in each case be specifically programmed in such a way that only very specific measuring functions (programs) are stored in them. As a result, depending on the customer's wishes and/or depending on the type of device offered for sale, a special ROM must be programmed and produced, and thus the production of the various devices is relatively expensive.

Computer-controlled device for detecting optical transmission and/or remittance properties of a measuring object, method for operating such a device and method for initializing measuring functions of such a device


A shift register circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an input sub-circuit and N-stage output sub-circuits. The input sub-circuit is configured to transmit an input signal to a pull up node at a first stage. The output sub-circuit at each stage is configured to transmit a clock signal from a clock signal terminal at a same stage to an output signal terminal at the same stage under the control of a pull-up node at the same stage. The output sub-circuit at each stage is further configured to transmit a signal transmitted to an output signal terminal at the same stage to a pull-up node at an immediately subsequent stage under the control of a shift control signal from a shift control signal terminal at the same stage.

A Gate Driver On Array (GOA) circuit includes a plurality of shift register circuits connected in cascade, in which the shift register circuit at each stage controls a row of gate lines. However, such a GOA circuit takes up a relatively large space, especially for small-sized panel products or high-resolution panel products, which affects the implementation of narrow borders.

Shift register circuit and its driving method, gate driving circuit and its driving method, and display device


A flexible plasma display panel including a display area defined by a first substrate and a second substrate, which are disposed to face each other to form discharge spaces therebetween, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are flexible and include a plurality of electrodes; and a sealing area for sealing the first substrate and the second substrate by compressing the first and second substrates on edges of the display area.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate to a plasma display panel including flexible substrates, and more particularly, to a plasma display panel having flexible substrates that can be sealed easily and stably as the flexible substrates are compression-coupled in a sealing area about a display area.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, as transmission of information has greatly increased due to the development of communication technologies and wide distribution of the Internet, ubiquitous display devices for use in public and private places have been introduced. In order to realize such display environments, display devices must be freely installed in various spaces.
Conventional plasma display panels including substrates formed of a non-flexible material, such as a rigid glass, are thick, heavy, and inflexible. Areas in which rigid plasma display panels can be used are limited, and thus, ongoing research is dedicated to plasma display panels using substrates formed of flexible materials so as to provide flexible plasma display panels for use in non-traditional locations.
Plasma display panels are flat panel display devices displaying images using a gas discharge phenomenon, and have superior characteristics, such as high image quality, ultra-thin thickness, light weight, and wide viewing angle all in a large screen. In addition, plasma display panels can be easily fabricated and can have large sizes. Therefore, the plasma display panels are considered to be the next generation of large panel displays.
In general, a plasma display panel includes a discharge gas injected into a plurality of discharge spaces formed between a pair of substrates. The discharge gas generates ultraviolet rays when electrons of the discharge gas are excited by a voltage potential. The ultraviolet rays then excite electrons in phosphor materials disposed in the discharge spaces, which then emit visible rays. The discharge spaces are arranged and driven so as to display still or moving images.
A process of fabricating the conventional plasma display panel having the rigid glass substrate includes sealing the pair of substrates using a sealing material, such as a frit glass. To seal the pair of substrates together, frit in a melted or a paste state is applied along edges of the substrates using a printing method or a dispensing method, and then, dried and baked. When the sealing of substrates is completed, an impurity gas in the plasma display panel is released and purged, and a discharge gas is filled in the panel.
As described above, the sealing member must stably couple the substrates and maintain an airtight seal of the panel so that the discharge gas can be filled and maintained in the plasma display panel.
The conventional sealing method using frit can stably couple the conventional rigid glass substrates; however, such frit is not suitable for the plasma display panel having flexible substrates.
As the frit is a glass material, it becomes rigid after drying and baking are effected on the substrates.
If the frit glass is applied on the flexible substrates, the flexibility of the substrates may be degraded. In addition, when the frit is baked after it is applied on the substrates, the frit can shrink. Thus, the frit or the substrate may break and the substrates are not firmly sealed, resulting in degraded sealing of the substrates and increased complexity of the sealing of the substrates.

Flexible plasma display panel and sealing thereof


A hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a source of vacuum, a hose removably connected to an intake section of the housing, a rotatably driven brush located at the intake section, and a system to automatically stop the brush from being driven when the hose is disconnected from the intake section. The hose is located on an exterior of the housing and connects the intake section to the source of vacuum. The hose is flexible and expandable with a relatively compact, free-standing, curved shape when connected between the intake section and the source of vacuum, but can be expanded in general accordion-like fashion when the hose is removed from the intake section to expand to about four times its compact length. The system to automatically stop the brush can also automatically reengage driving of the brush when the hose is reconnected to the intake section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to a hose that can be disconnected from an intake section and a rotating brush at the intake section that can be automatically disengaged when the hose is disconnected.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,106 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a hand-held hose that can be disconnected from a nozzle linkage to a brush set. U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,714 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a manual belt shifting arrangement to shift a belt to an intermediate idler pulley. U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,787 discloses a manual switch to actuate a belt shifter in a floor nozzle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,595 discloses a vacuum cleaner with a floor nozzle having a belt driven rotary brush. A belt switching member with a hook is used to move the belt. U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,736 discloses a vacuum cleaner with an exterior disconnectable hose that conduits air from the lower body to the upper body. Other relevant art includes the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,879,797; 4,446,594; 4,472,856; 4,490,882; 4,563,790; 4,571,772; 4,637,092; 4,648,150; 4,660,246; 4,799,286; 4,811,450; 4,942,641; and 4,811,452.

Vacuum cleaner with extendable hose and brush disengagement


An optical light guide has a substantially rigid light transmissive body having an input window, a distal end, a front side, and a rear side. The light transmissive body has a substantially smooth exterior surface on the front side and a substantially clear and solid interior. The input window transmits light into the light transmissive body and extends substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of a light emitting diode (LED) light source. The light transmissive body has a substantially constant thickness measured between the front side and the rear side. The light transmissive body extends away from the input window through an arc of from 60 to 120 degrees to an extension that forms an output region extending towards the distal end. The rear side, at least in said output region, is formed with a plurality of totally internally reflective steps directing intercepted light towards the front side.

It is an industry standard that is treated as a necessity to make light sources as small as possible. This saves material costs, and can improve optical imaging. In competition with these needs, large fields areas may need to be illuminated, and with vehicle illumination, a substantial visual image is need on the surface of the vehicle to mark the presence of the vehicle. These goals have been met in the past by the use of relatively large incandescent lamp and reflector systems. The advent of solid-state lighting has pointed in the direction of improving these systems by drastically reducing the size of the light source; however, there is still a need to spread beam-forming illumination over a broad area to better illuminate the vehicle. It would be an advance in the art if such a system could be provided without the necessity of using a reflector. It would be a further advance in the art to provide a lighting system that can utilize replacement light sources.


A fitting including a tubular extension, flange with apertures, and interface there between is fused with surrounding cured in place pipe and subsequently connected with an adjoining fitting, to connect two segments of pipe in a pipeline. The tubular extension is sized and shaped to mate with the host pipe with which it is associated, and the flange is sized, shaped, and has an aperture pattern that corresponds with the fitting to which it will be attached.

The present invention relates to repairing and reinforcing segments of pipe in pipelines, and more specifically, to cured in place pipe fittings for use with cured in place pipe systems.
Pressure pipe systems are typically constructed of multiple pipe segments with each pipe segment having a pipe fitting at each terminal end. The pipe segments are connected end to end by joining and bolting pipe fittings one to another. With time and usage these segments become critically deteriorated or damaged and require repair and/or reinforcement. Replacing pipe segments can be achieved in a variety of ways including digging to access the pipe, removal of the old pipe, putting in new pipe, and tying new pipe into existing pipeline; and various trenchless pipe repair methods. Of the trenchless pipe repair systems, Cured In Place Pipe ("CIPP") technologies have shown great promise.
CIPP technology generally involves lining the inside of a damaged or deteriorated host pipe with a flexible substrate that has been impregnated with a liquid curing agent such as epoxy, then curing the wetted substrate with heat, pressure, UV, or the like.
An improved CIPP system developed by the inventor(s) of the current application is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/614,852, filed Jun. 6, 2017, entitled CURED IN PLACE PIPE SYSTEM HAVING INTEGRATED THERMOPLASTIC WITH IMPROVED MELT-FLOW CHARACTERISTICS. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/357,796, filed on Jul. 1, 2016. Both of these references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The aforementioned improved CIPP system includes a flexible tubular substrate comprised of fibers of carbon, aramid and thermoplastic which have been needle punched together and formed in a tube of overlapping layers that can circumferentially expand to accommodate the size and shape of the host pipe. An outer plastic film encapsulates the tubular structure to protect it from contamination by the host pipe during installation. The thermoplastic has a melt/flow point of approximately 300-342° F., a cure point of approximately 330-370° F., and a bonding point of approximately 372-412° F. at approximately 5-20 psi.
In use, the uncured CIPP system is introduced into the host pipe, an internal bladder is pumped with hot air, the tubular substrate's thermoplastic melts, carbon and aramid fibers bond, and the thermoplastic cures. After curing, the bladder is removed, and ends of the cured lining system are cut. The result is a repaired and/or reinforced host pipe.
One issue with CIPP technologies, both conventional and the aforementioned improvement, is the reconnection of a CIPP enhanced host pipe to the existing pipes in a pipeline. More specifically, CIPP repair of pressure pipes typically requires rehabilitation of the entire pipe including fittings, then the possibility of cutting off the fittings, then installation of new fittings, after the insertion of CIPP enhanced segment back into the pipeline. Replacement fittings are difficult to install, and their failure rate is high.
FIG. 1 depicts a known method of repairing pipe segment 23 within pipeline 22. As shown in FIG. 1A, compromised portion 28 of host pipe 20 requires repair. FIG. 1B shows removal of damaged segment 23, including conventional fittings 25. In FIG. 1C, host pipe 20 has been repaired with CIPP 30, and fittings 25 are poised for attachment. FIG. 1D depicts attachment of fittings 25, with internal patch 60, typically epoxy laden fiberglass, wrapped around internal junction between host pipe, proximal end of fitting, and edge of CIPP. Next, external patch 62, typically epoxy laden fiberglass, is wrapped around exterior junction between host pipe and fitting. As shown in FIG. 1F, the entire assembly is then reinserted into the pipeline. Problems with this technique include difficulty in applying patches and in particular the internal patch, imperfect bonding, deterioration, flow disruption and leaking.
FIG. 2 depicts another known method of repairing pipe segment which is similar to the technique depicted in FIG. 1, except that instead of internal patch 60 and external patch 62, internal band 64 (see FIGS. 2C and 2D) and external band 66 (see FIGS. 2E and 2F) are employed. These bands are mechanically expandable rings that include a locking gasket. Problems with this technique include difficulty in installation, deterioration, flow disruption and leaking.
As can be seen, there is a need for improved fittings for use with CIPP enhanced pipe. It is desirable that these fittings are easy to install, irreversibly bond with the host pipe, are strong and resistant to deterioration, cause little resistance to flow, and don't leak. Methods for installing and using these improved fittings are also needed.

Pipe fittings having integrated thermoplastic with improved melt-flow characteristics for cured in place pipe systems and associated method of use


Controller for retrofit connection to a pre-installed door entry system of an area having a communal entrance secured by a communal door having a first electrically operated lock and a non-communal internal region secured by an internal door having a second electrically operated lock, the door entry system comprising a door panel associated with the communal entrance and an entry phone located within the internal region; the controller being connectable to existing circuitry of the entry phone to be able to receive a request for entry into the internal region from the door panel; and transmit an electrical signal to the entry phone to unlock the first and second electrically operated locks. The controller comprises a detector; a verifier; and a lock controller arranged to generate the signals to control the entry phone to unlock the first and second electrically operated locks when the right of access has been verified.

The present invention relates to a device and system for augmenting the functionality of a door entry system installed within a premises in a non-destructive way, enabling remote access control of that premises.
In buildings shared by multiple occupants there is often a door entry system installed, the purpose of which is to allow people to open the door entering the building from within their own unit, and to speak to people who are at the entrance of the building over an audio or video interface. The unit could be an apartment, an office, or any other piece of space requiring access control.
These systems are commonly referred to as door entry systems, However they are also marketed as access control systems, and door entry intercoms. They are typically sold as integrated solutions consisting of a door panel, a transformer, and one or more handsets for installation within each unit. The handsets can be wired directly to the door panel at the entrance to the building, or via an intermediate control box. The door panel is wired to some form of electric lock at the entrance to the building.
The door panel consists of at least three elements—a buzzer for each unit with an entry phone installed, and a microphone and a speaker allowing a conversation to take place between a person in the unit and the visitor.
WO2007/012831 discloses a door entry system which provides remote access control and WO98/39894 discloses a system for augmenting communal parts of an existing door entry system for remote access to communal areas.
In situations where an individual unit owner wants to upgrade the functionality that they have access to, they would have to purchase one of these integrated solutions and replace all or part of the existing system. This is because a lot of the functionality of the system is contained within the door panel, rather than the individual entry phones. There are exceptions—for instance, if the existing system supports both audio and video handsets and the unit owner currently has an audio handset installed, then they could replace it with a supported video handset. However, in the vast majority of cases the system is designed for a single handset design, so getting improved functionality is not as straightforward as installing a different handset.
Since door entry systems are spread throughout the entire building, in order to install a replacement a unit owner would require permission to makes changes to the communal area of the building, which is often managed by a third party management company on behalf of the occupants of the building. In other cases the communal area may be managed by an occupant elected by the other occupants. There are other conceivable setups, but the main point is that getting permission to replace the system is an obstacle to making improvements. Furthermore, the changes required are quite invasive, involving installation of a new door panel, as well as wiring and any other support accessories.
Likewise, if the unit owner has access to some sort of sophisticated lock which they want to install at the entrance to the building, then they would also require permission from the relevant parties. A specific example is where a unit owner wishes to control access to their unit when they are not personally present. This could be in response to a tradesman visiting, or a cleaner. For the reasons outlined above, installing a new lock at the entrance, or replacing the entry system would be difficult. The present applicant has appreciated that a device which adds this functionality to the existing system would be favourable, such that the intervention was low impact, and didn't involve any changes to the communal area. This would also have the specific benefit of limiting the number of keys which have to be given out to numerous visitors who may require access to the unit at different points in time.


The invention relates to a multilayer ceramic capacitor having dielectric layers and internal electrode layers disposed alternately. The dielectric layers include a dielectric ceramic containing barium titanate as a main component, and also calcium, magnesium, vanadium, manganese, and a rare-earth element. Crystals constituting the dielectric ceramic are constituted by grains containing barium titanate as their main component and containing calcium in a concentration of 0.2 atomic % or less or containing the calcium in a concentration of 0.4 atomic % or more. The crystals grains are also distinct in their relative distributions of magnesium and rare-earth elements between the center of the grain and the surface of the grain. Finally, the relative areas of the two kinds of crystals observed in the plane of a polished surface of the dielectric ceramic are described by a ratio b/(a+b), which is 0.5 to 0.8.

With the recent trend toward widespread use of mobile devices such as cellular phones and achievement of higher speed and higher frequency in semiconductor devices serving as main components for personal computers, there is an ever increasing demand for a multilayer ceramic capacitor having a smaller size and a higher capacitance, the multilayer ceramic capacitor being implemented in such electronic devices. To provide such a multilayer ceramic capacitor, attempts have been made to reduce the thickness of dielectric layers constituting a multilayer ceramic capacitor and to increase the number of dielectric layers stacked.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes use of a mixture of a barium titanate powder (BCT powder) in which the A site is partially substituted by Ca and a barium titanate powder (BT powder) containing no Ca as dielectric powders constituting a dielectric ceramic. Such a combined use of two dielectric powders provides a multilayer ceramic capacitor in which fired dielectric layers are constituted by composite grains of crystal grains having a Ca concentration of 0.2 atomic % or less and crystal grains having a Ca concentration of 0.4 atomic % or more, both types of crystal grains containing barium titanate as the main component; and the thickness of the dielectric layers is reduced to 2 μm.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-156450


A composition, suitable for topical application to the skin, containing at least one benzoisothiazolone of formula (I):

Many women, from the age of thirty-five, and more particularly after the menopause, frequently complain of dryness of their skin, and of unattractive or uncomfortable manifestations resulting therefrom (desquamation, dull complexion, cutaneous atony). Now, as is now known, this dryness is caused by a decrease in the production of sebum with age.
Sebum is the natural product of the sebaceous gland which, together with the sweat produced by the eccrine or aprocrine glands, constitutes a natural moisturizer for the epidermis. It consists essentially of a more or less complex mixture of lipids. Conventionally, the sebaceous gland produces squalene, triglycerides, aliphatic waxes, cholesterol waxes and possibly free cholesterol (Stewart, M. E., Semin. Dermatol. 11, 100–105 (1992)). The action of bacterial lipases converts a variable portion of the triglycerides into free fatty acids.
Sebocytes are the competent cells of the sebaceous gland. The production of sebum is associated with the programme of terminal differentiation of these cells. During this differentiation, the metabolic activity of the sebocytes is essentially focused on the biosynthesis of lipids (lipogenesis) and more specifically on the neosynthesis of fatty acids and squalene.
A compound for stimulating the production of the lipids that form sebum, by the cells of the sebaceous gland (the sebocytes), would therefore be of definite advantage for the treatment of oligoseborrheic dry skin, i.e. skin with a sebum content of less than 100 μg/cm2 on the forehead.
To this end, it has been proposed in patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,496,556 to use DHEA, a steroid secreted by the adrenal glands, or its esters, administered topically, to increase the production of sebum.
However, due to regulatory matters, it is not always possible to use compounds of this type in cosmetics. In addition, its efficacy is insufficient for oligoseborrheic skin. There is thus still a need for cosmetically acceptable compounds allowing the sebaceous function to be efficiently stimulated, for the purpose of treating oligoseborrheic dry skin.
Such compounds would also be useful in the treatment of a dry scalp, which is often associated with dull, lifeless hair.

Abstract: Novel benzoisothiazolones of formula (I) and a method of caring for dry and/or mature skin.


A computer system and method allow memory locations in both system memory and expansion memory devices coupled to an input/output (I/O) bus to be cacheable in a central processing unit (CPU) cache. The computer system contains an I/O bus connected to I/O devices and an expansion bus connected to expansion memory devices, a system memory not accessible via the I/O bus or expansion bus, and the system bus used for conducting data transfers between the I/O bus and both the CPU cache and system memory. The I/O bus supports data transfers between pairs of I/O devices, and I/O devices and expansion memory devices on the expansion bus, as well as data transfers between individual I/O devices and the system, which presents a problem of maintaining coherency in the CPU cache when data is written by one I/O device or expansion memory device to a cacheable memory location in another I/O device or expansion memory device. The computer system employs a snoop/data invalidation function at the system interface to the I/O bus to determine when a memory location in an expansion memory device coupled to the expansion bus is being written to by another expansion memory device coupled to the expansion bus or an I/O device coupled to the I/O bus. If such a write is taking place, it is then determined if the address of the location being written is in and address range predesignated as cacheable; if so, then the CPU cache controller or other device controlling the CPU cache is notified that memory at a cacheable location in an expansion memory device has been overwritten.

Generally in computer systems and especially in personal computer systems, data is transferred between various system devices such as a central processing unit (CPU), memory devices, and direct memory access (DMA) controllers. In addition, data is transferred between expansion elements such as input/output (I/O) devices, and between these I/O devices and the various system devices. The I/O devices and the system devices communicate with and amongst each other over computer buses, which comprise a series of conductors along which information is transmitted from any of several sources to any of several destinations. Many of the system devices and the I/O devices are capable of serving as bus controllers (i.e., devices which can control the computer system) and bus slaves (i.e., elements which are controlled by bus controllers).
Personal computer systems having more than one bus are known. Typically, a local bus is provided over which the CPU communicates with cache memory or a memory controller, and a system I/O bus is provided over which system bus devices such as the DMA controller, or the I/O devices, communicate with the system memory via the memory controller. The system I/O bus comprises a system bus and an I/O bus connected by a bus interface unit. The I/O devices communicate with one another over the I/O bus. The I/O devices are also typically required to communicate with system bus devices such as system memory. Such communications must travel over both the I/O bus and the system bus through the bus interface unit.
Typically, one function that a CPU complex contains is that of a cache storage, that stores frequently used data which it reads from various locations in system memory. These cached data are readily available to the CPU without the necessity of frequently going into system memory to fetch the required data, which can be time consuming. Of course, in the case of system memory that can be rewritten with updated or changed data, it is necessary that the CPU complex be "informed" of this rewriting so that any cached data in the CPU complex which corresponds to data which has been rewritten in the memory, and is thus "corrupted, " can be discarded and the new or rewritten data cached, or at least the corrupted data be identified.
This is accomplished by the provision of a snoop/data invalidation function. This function is performed by monitoring the data address and command instructions on the system bus. If at any time this monitoring function detects a write operation to a memory location in system memory which is a location from which the data therein can be cached in the CPU complex, a signal is sent to the CPU complex indicating the address of new data being written into the system memory. This is often referred to as a "positive snoop invalidation". When receiving the signal, the CPU complex can take appropriate action such as discarding the corrupted data and caching the rewritten data.
This technique works well when the write operations to cachable memory are performed on the system bus. However, if the write operation to a memory location is not on the system bus, i.e. it is to a device coupled to the I/O bus, then the snooping function on the system bus can not detect rewritten data to the memory locations; and thus, if data from those locations has been previously cached in the CPU complex, the CPU complex would not "know" that the cached data were corrupted. Such is the case when the memory locations are on devices coupled to the I/O bus, and the rewriting is being performed from a device coupled to the I/O bus and thus never gets put on the system bus. In the absence of a snooping/data invalidate function detecting any rewriting of data into memory, no memory locations coupled to the I/O bus can be cached by the CPU complex, since the CPU complex would never "know" when new data has been written to I/O memory.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a technique for providing and indicating cachable memory locations in devices coupled to the I/O bus, allowing memory to be cached in the CPU complex from these identified cachable locations and notifying the CPU complex when data has been written into any cachable memory location from devices coupled to the I/O bus.

Computer system and method for snooping date writes to cacheable memory locations in an expansion memory device


A synchronized driving assist apparatus includes: a first acceleration power spectrum acquisition section that acquires a first acceleration power spectrum according to acceleration of a first vehicle; a second acceleration power spectrum acquisition section that acquires a second acceleration power spectrum according to acceleration of a second vehicle; a cross power spectrum calculation section that calculates a cross power spectrum between the first vehicle and the second vehicle by using the first acceleration power spectrum and the second acceleration power spectrum; a coherence calculation section that calculates coherence from the cross power spectrum; and a correlation evaluation section that evaluates correlation in a synchronized driving of the first vehicle and the second vehicle on the basis of the coherence.

In the related art, for example, a control system which keeps an inter-vehicle distance constant by controlling an output of a following vehicle corresponding to information of a throttle opening degree of a preceding vehicle to synchronize the output change timing between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Synchronized driving assist apparatus and synchronized driving assist system