The invention describes compositions and methods for recombinant protein expression in a wide range of cell types. The compositions comprise an IRES sequence from the Drosophila labial (lab) gene, or a variant or fragment thereof, or alternatively, a homolog of a lab IRES, or a variant or fragment thereof. Methods of using the compositions are also described.

The Drosophila undergoes a complete metamorphosis in its progression from an embryo to an adult. The embryo is characterized by its polarity, which readily distinguishes the anterior and posterior, dorsal and ventral parts of the animal, and by serially repeating segments (or metameres), each with characteristic structural patterns. The adult body is also segmented, and groups of these segments are organized into a head, thorax, and abdomen.
Three major classes of pattern-regulating genes specify the basic features of the Drosophila embryo's body and function in successive states of development. The maternal genes are expressed in the unfertilized egg and provide most of the proteins needed in very early development. The maternal genes direct the spatial organization of the developing embryo at early stages, establishing its polarity. The segmentation genes are expressed after fertilization and direct the formation of the proper number of body segments. Finally, the homeotic genes are expressed later and affect the unique characteristics of the individual body segments.
In general, the homeotic genes control the fundamental architectural plan of the embryo. The two main clusters of homeotic genes found in the Drosophila genome are the Antennapedia complex (ANT-C) and the Bithorax complex (BX-C). The ANT-C directs the proper development of the head and anterior thoracic segments during fruitfly development and comprises five homeotic genes in the following sequential order: labial (lab), proboscipedia (pb), Deformed (Dfd), Sex combs reduced (Scr), and Antennapedia (Antp). The BX-C directs the proper development of the posterior thoracic segments and abdominal segments and comprises three homeotic genes in the following sequential order: Ultrabithorax (Ubx), abdominal A (abdA), and Abdominal B (AbdB). All of these homeotic genes code for specific RNA polymerase II transcription factors which are required for DNA transcription. Thus, the homeotic genes regulate segment development and body plan formation by regulating DNA transcription.
The genetic order of the homeotic genes within the two complexes correlates with the sequence of metameres on which they act. Thus, the most proximate member of the ANT-C complex, the labial (lab) gene, is the most anteriorly expressed and is critical for the development of the embryonic and adult head. In contrast, the AbdB gene of the BX-C complex is the most posteriorly expressed homeotic gene and affects the formation of structures at the posterior end of the embryo or the adult fly. Thus, the functional specificity of the different homeotic genes is achieved partly by their precise spatial and temporal expression patterns.
It has been reported that two of the Drosophila homeotic genes, Antp and Ubx, are translated by a unique cap-independent mechanism in contrast to the cap-dependent mechanism utilized by most other eukaryotic genes. Eukaryotic mRNAs have a distinctive structural feature at its 5′ end, called a 5′ cap, which is a residue of 7-methylguanosine linked to the 5′ terminal residue of the mRNA through an unusual 5′, 5′-triphosphate linkage. Cap-dependent translation is initiated by the binding of the cap-binding protein complex eIF-4F to the 5′ cap, which in turn facilitates the binding of the 43S ternary ribosomal subunit near or at the 5′ cap region. The ribosome complex is purported to scan the mRNA from the 5′ cap until it encounters the first AUG initiation codon, where translation of the mRNA is initiated. (see Kozak, M, (1989) Cell 44:283–292; Kozak, M (1989) J. Cell. Biol. 108:229–241).
The cap-independent translation mechanism was proposed to explain the efficient translation of some mRNAs despite the presence of a highly ordered RNA structure in the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of mRNAs which was predicted to interfere with ribosome scanning of the mRNA. The picornavirus mRNA was the first mRNA identified that displayed a cap-independent translation mechanism. The picornavirus mRNA is characterized by a unique structure, including the absence of a 5′ cap, the presence of an extraordinarily long and structured 5′ UTR, and the presence of multiple upstream AUG initiation codons. This long and structured 5′UTR was found to serve as an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) or a ribosome landing pad, where the 43S ternary ribosomal subunit would bind and initiate translation independently of the 5′ cap structure.
The 5′UTR containing an IRES is generally characterized by three complex features: a long 5′UTR, a stable secondary structure, and potential upstream AUG initiation codons. The stable secondary structure is considered to be the major determinant of IRES function. A low proportion of vertebrate mRNAs have long, highly structured 5′UTRs that contain multiple AUG initiation codons. Among these, the Drosophila Antp gene has been found to harbor a 1,735 nt-long 5′UTR and 15 upstream AUG codons, and the Ubx gene has a 968 nt-long 5′UTR and two upstream AUG codons. To date, a limited, but a growing subset of IRESs have been identified in cellular mRNAs in various species including human (Macajak, D. G. and P. Sarnow, (1991) Nature 353:653–656; Sarnow, P, (1989) PNAS 86:5795–5799; Vagner, S. et al., (1995) Mol. Cell. Biol. 15:35–44), and yeast (Zhou, W. et al., (2001) PNAS 98:1531–1536; Paz, I. et al., (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:21741–21745). IRESs have also been identified in viral mRNAs, such as in poliovirus (Pelletier, J. and N. Sonenberg. (1988) Nature 334:320–325), encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) (Jang, S. K., and E. Wimmer, (1990) Genes Dev. 4:1560–1572), and human rhinovirus (HRV) (Borman, A. et al., (1993) J. Gen. Virol. 74:1775–1788). The Antp and Ubx homeotic genes of Drosophila are also translated via an IRES in their long 5′UTRs (Ye X. et al., (1997) Mol. Cell. Biol. 17:1714–1721; Ho, S.-K. et al., (1992) Genes Dev. 6:1643–1653).

Internal ribosome entry site of the labial gene for protein expression


An integral dump block for use in a dragline bucket that comprises a sheave to movably support a dump line, a central pin rotatably supporting the sheave, and a housing to couple the pin to lift lines. Bearings are disposed within the sheave and each side of the housing for receiving the pin for free rotation. Hoist lines for supporting a dragline bucket are connected to each end of the pin. In this way, moment forces in the hoisting assembly can be substantially eliminated. Further, a number of parts can be eliminated to provide a reduction in weight and height of the hoisting linkage assembly.

Dragline buckets are shovel-like enclosures which are advanced and controlled by flaccid lines, such as chains, cables or ropes. The buckets include an open end through which earthen material is received and accumulated as the buckets are dragged through the ground.
In a typical prior art system, a dragline bucket 2 is supported generally at a rear portion thereof by a pair of hoist lines 4 attached to the opposed side walls of the bucket. The upper ends of the hoist lines are secured to a dump block connecting link member 16 by swivel links 18. A spreader bar 5 is placed between the two hoist lines to prevent the lines from rubbing on the sides of the bucket. The upper end of link member 16 is attached to a hoist link 20 which, in turn, is connected to an equalizer 22. The equalizer is secured to the lower ends of lift lines 26 by hoist sockets 24. The lift lines are coupled to an overhead boom (not shown) for lifting and lowering the bucket. Equalizer 22 rotates relative to hoist link 20 to account for any differences which may exist in the lengths of the two lift lines.
A dump line 6 is provided to support and control the front end of bucket 2. One end of the dump line is attached by a socket 8 to a front upper edge of the bucket 2. The other end of dump line 6 is secured by a socket 13 to a drag line 7, which is typically referred to as a drag rope. The drag line 7 is connected to the front of the bucket by a pair of pull lines 9, typically referred to as drag chains, in order to pull the bucket through the ground in a digging operation.
The dump line is supported along a medial portion by a dump block 10, which is secured by a dump link 14 to an outwardly extending arm 16a of link member 16. Dump block 10 includes a rotatable sheave 12 about which dump line 6 is passed, and a housing 11 which is used to attach the sheave to link member 16. The tension applied to the dump line by its connection to drag line 7 is used to lift the front of the bucket and thereby prevent unwanted forward tipping of the bucket. Release of the tension in the drag line 7 permits the bucket to tip forward and the accumulated load to be dumped.
As can be appreciated, the forces encountered in a dragline bucket operation are typically very large. As an example, the forces experienced in the lift lines for a large dragline bucket can reach 500,000 pounds or more. As can be appreciated, hoist lines 4, lift lines 26, and dump line 6 via dump block 10 all transmit large forces with vertical and horizontal components to the hoist linkage assembly, and particularly to link member 16. These large and disparate forces translate into large moment forces which impose additional substantial stresses on the parts of the hoist linkage assembly. These additional stresses work to limit the usable life of the various parts. Such reductions in the usable life of these parts not only results in additional replacement costs, but also increased down time in the operation of the bucket.
Moreover, conventional hoist linkage assemblies for dragline buckets have typically included many components which collectively add a significant weight to be supported by the boom. This weight of the hoisting assembly causes a concomitant reduction in the amount of load which can be carried by the bucket because of weight limitations of the boom and other related equipment. This collection of parts in the hoisting linkage also has a significant length which limits the distance the bucket can be pulled up to the boom, and hence, the height to which the bucket can be raised.


An apparatus to control the air as it passes a tractor trailer combination as they travel along a road. This device will allow for variable redirection of the air flow to allow various desired effects to be met. The flow of air is streamlined to minimize the effects of cross winds. Air pressure responsive plates are provided at the ends of laterally extending gates mounted on tractor trailer combinations to minimize the effects of sudden drafts of air that sweep across roadways. A method of redirecting the air flow for ventilation and cooling purposes for both refrigeration units and brake components is provided. Air ducts are provided for the transport of the redirected air for the ventilation and cooling of the brake components. Additionally the air flow can be directed to impact with the exterior vertical front face of the trailer section to create an air drag which will create resistance to forward travel. Deflection protection is provide for the vehicle as a whole and for the refrigeration unit specifically.

Heretofore the streamlining of the area between the cab top of the tractor vehicle and the upper front face of the trailer vehicle have been streamlined to reduce the resistance to travel.
I have now devised a construction wherein the end walls between the cab top and the upper front wall of the trailer vehicle can be pressure actuated to counter balance in part the effect of cross winds.
A further important feature of this invention is to provide cooling air to the refrigeration units, and to the provision of cooling air to keep the brakes from over heating and becoming ineffective to slow down and stop the vehicle.


A disclosed method extends a support system for a maglev vehicle, the support system having at least a first landing gear assembly and a second landing gear assembly. The method includes the steps of determining a weight-on-wheels status for each of the first and the second landing gear assemblies and determining a distance from each of the first and second landing gear assemblies to a support surface. First and second extension speeds are determined for each of the first and second landing gear assemblies, respectively. The first landing gear assembly is extended at the first extension speed until the first landing gear assembly reaches a weight-on-wheels condition, and the second landing gear assembly is extended at the second extension speed until the second landing gear assembly reaches the weight-on-wheels condition.

Magnetically levitated ("maglev") transportation systems, such as a Hyperloop vehicle, provide the potential to move passengers and cargo at faster speeds and with improved efficiency compared to currently utilized modes of transportation. These systems employ vehicles that include one or more pressurized capsules to carry passengers and/or cargo through evacuated, i.e., low pressure, tubes. When traveling at high speeds, the vehicles are levitated by magnetic fields, compressed air, or other suitable means. By reducing/eliminating the high-speed air resistance and the friction inherent in the wheels of known vehicles, maglev systems are able to provide greater travel speeds and improved efficiency.
When traveling at low speeds or stopped, the vehicles do not levitate, but are instead supported by a support system that includes a plurality of independently controlled landing gear assemblies. Like aircraft landing gear, the maglev support systems reciprocate between an extended (deployed) position and retracted (stowed) position by extending and retracting the individual landing gear assemblies. When the vehicles are levitated, the support system is retracted, and the wheels of the landing gear assemblies do not contact the ground. When the vehicles are traveling at low speeds or stopped, the support system is extended so that the wheels of the landing gear assemblies contact a ground surface to support the vehicles.
In some embodiments, the landing gear assemblies are grouped on two or more independent bogies (like a train). Each landing gear assembly includes a wheel assembly that is extendable and retractable by an actuator. The actuator, which may be hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, etc., is configured to control the position of the wheel assembly so that the landing gear assemblies control the height of the vehicle relative to the ground interface (track) when the vehicle is supported by the support system.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a known extendable and retractable landing gear assembly 20 suitable for use as part of a wheeled support system for a maglev vehicle. The landing gear assembly 20 is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2018/0312245 ("Klim et al."), filed Apr. 26, 2017, and currently assigned to Safran Landing Systems Canada Inc., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein. The landing gear assembly 20 includes a wheel assembly 22 that is selectively reciprocated between an extended position and a retracted position by an actuator 24.
As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel assembly 22 includes a pair of wheels 30 rotatably mounted to an axle 32 that is positioned at one end of a trailing arm body 34. A pivot pin 36 is positioned at the other end of the trailing arm body 34 and rotatably couples the trailing arm body to the vehicle.
The actuator 24 comprises a housing 38 pivotably mounted to a vehicle (not shown), such as an aircraft or a maglev vehicle. A shock absorber 40 extends through an aperture in the housing 38 and includes a cylinder 42 and a piston 44 slidingly engaged with the cylinder. The piston 44 is pivotably connected to the trailing arm body 34 of the wheel assembly 22. A torsion link assembly 46 maintains the rotational position of the trailing arm body 34 relative to the housing 38 about the longitudinal axis of the piston 44.
The cylinder 42 includes an external screw thread 48 that engages an internal screw thread formed in the aperture of the housing 38. A motor 50 is fixed to the housing 38 and selectively rotates the cylinder 42. Rotation of the cylinder 42 moves the piston 44 in an axial direction. The axial movement of the piston 44 rotates the wheel assembly 22 about its pivotal connection to the vehicle, thereby extending and retracting the landing gear assembly 20.
It will be appreciated that the disclosed landing gear assembly 20 is exemplary only and should not be considered limiting. In this regard, various wheel assemblies are possible. In some embodiments, the landing gear assembly includes one or more of braking and/or motorized wheels, enabling the landing gear assemblies to brake/decelerate (using brakes and/or wheel drives) and accelerate (using wheel drives). Some embodiments include two-wheel assemblies equipped with brakes (electric or hydraulic) and/or two-wheel assemblies equipped with at least one electric wheel per bogie. Still other embodiments may include combinations of the already mentioned and unequipped wheel assemblies (load bearing with extension/retraction function, no brakes, no wheel drive). These and other embodiments are contemplated and should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.
Deployment of landing gear assemblies for a maglev vehicle presents particular challenges not typically faced by similar landing gear assemblies used in aircraft. For typical aircraft applications, all of the landing gear assemblies reach their fully extended position well before the aircraft touches down. In a maglev vehicle application, unsupervised free extension of the landing gear assemblies can result in conditions in which one or more wheels touch down and begin bearing load before the others. This can cause a number of undesirable issues.
Large magnetic suspensions are inherently unstable such that upon excitation, the suspensions will oscillate until externally damped. For a maglev vehicle, touchdown of one or more landing gear assemblies before the rest can cause the vehicle to rotate about its center of gravity, resulting in an oscillation in the pitch and/or roll directions. Touchdown of one or more landing gear assemblies before the others can also result in undesirable vehicle tilt and/or excess single wheel loads. Each of these conditions may result in one or more landing gear assemblies being loaded beyond typical operating loads, thus potentially reducing the fatigue life of the landing gear components.

Extension logic for hyperloop/maglev vehicle


A liquid processing apparatus, includes an apparatus main body, a power room having an atmosphere separated from the clean room by a partition member, an air suction path configured to suction an air in the clean room and take the air into the power room, a temperature control part provided in the power room and configured to control at least a temperature of the air taken in via the air suction path, an air supplying path configured to supply the air from the temperature control part to the liquid processing unit, a ventilation part configured to take the air from the air suction path and supply the air via the air supplying path, and a cleaning filer configured to clean the air taken in from the air suction path.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to liquid processing apparatuses, liquid processing methods and storage media. More specifically, the present invention relates to a liquid processing apparatus including a liquid processing unit configured to supply a chemical solution to a substrate so that a liquid process is performed, a liquid processing method, and a storage medium where a computer program for implementing its coating method is stored.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in a photo resist process as one of semiconductor manufacturing processes, for example, resist liquid is coated on a surface of a substrate, a semiconductor wafer that will be referred "wafer" hereinafter so that a resist film is formed; the resist film is exposed with a designated pattern; and then the substrate is developed so that desired pattern is formed on the substrate.
Such a process is generally performed by using a system where an exposing apparatus is connected to a coating and developing apparatus configured to perform a coating process and a developing process.
Such a system is provided in a clean room. A down flow of air is maintained in this clean room in order to prevent particles from flying. The air is controlled so as to have the designated temperature and moisture content in order to prevent influencing on a process of the system.
In addition, in the above-mentioned coating and developing apparatus, various kinds of liquid processing apparatuses including a resist liquid coating unit, developing unit, or the like are provided. The resist liquid coating unit is configured to coat the above-mentioned resist liquid. The developing unit is configured to coat developing liquid so as to perform the above-mentioned developing process.
When the liquid process is applied to the wafer in each liquid process unit, it is necessary to maintain a process atmosphere of the wafer to be a designated atmosphere. Because of this, it is necessary to supply air whose temperature and moisture content are controlled to these liquid processing units.
Accordingly, a temperature and moisture control unit configured to take air of the designated atmosphere and perform temperature and moisture control of the taken air, a filter configured to clean the air whose temperature and moisture are controlled, and others are provided in the coating and developing apparatus. In addition, an air supplying part configured to supply the air, whose temperature and moisture content are controlled by the temperature and moisture control unit, to each liquid process unit is provided in the coating and developing apparatus.
If the difference of the temperature and moisture between the air before the temperature and moisture are controlled and the air after the temperature and moisture are controlled is large, the workload of the temperature and moisture control unit becomes large. In order to prevent generation of such a workload, it is normal practice that the air in the clean room where the temperature and moisture are controlled is taken by the air supplying part so that the temperature and moisture control is performed and the air is supplied to each liquid processing unit.
However, an apparatus for directly applying a process to the wafer such as the coating and developing apparatus or the exposing apparatus should be provided in a limited space of the clean room with a priority. Therefore, this air supplying part is frequently provided under the floor. It is necessary to provide an air supplying pipe and an air suction pipe under the floor. Here, the air supplying pipe is configured to supply the air in the clean room to the air supplying part. The air suction pipe is configured to supply the temperature and moisture controlled air from the air supplying part to the coating and developing apparatus.
As discussed above, the area of the clean room is limited. Under the floor of the clean room, not only the air supplying pipe and the air suction pipe but also a complex and large pipe system is provided. Gas or liquid for supplying power to the coating and developing apparatus flows in the pipe system. Accordingly, it may be necessary to provide the air supplying pipe and the air suction pipe through a small space formed between pipes of this pipe system.
In the meantime, recently, as the wafer size has become large, each processing unit in the coating and developing apparatus has become large. Furthermore, as the resist pattern to be formed becomes minute, it is necessary to perform the temperature and moisture control of the periphery of the wafer with high precision. Accordingly, it is considered to supply the temperature and moisture controlled air in not only the processing unit but also the conveyance area of the wafer between the processing units.
In this case, it is necessary for the air supplying part to supply a large amount of the air to the coating and developing apparatus. For example, while the temperature and moisture controlled air of 35 m3/minute should be supplied according to the conventional art, it is now required to supply the air at 70 m3/minute.
In addition, as the amount of the temperature and moisture controlled air to be supplied is increased, the amount of suction of the air in the clean room should be increased. Because of this, it is required to make the diameter of the air supplying pipe large.
Furthermore, it is considered to provide a heat insulation material in the periphery of the air supplying pipe in order to prevent the influence of outside air and control the temperature and moisture with high precision.
However, as discussed above, the complex pipe system is provided under the floor of the clean room. Accordingly, if the diameter is large and there is heat insulation material on the periphery of the air supplying pipe, the sizes of the air supplying pipe and the air suction pipe are large so as not to be provided between the space between the pipes of the pipe system. Hence, it may be difficult to provide the large size air supplying pipe and air suction pipe.
The length of the air supplying pipe and air suction pipe may be made large and plural portions of the air supplying pipe and air suction pipe may be curved so that the air supplying pipe and air suction pipe are provided with a space with the pipe system under the floor. However, if the air supplying pipe is too long and curved too much, it may be difficult to control the temperature and moisture and the amount of the air flowing into the pipe with high precision. As a result of this, a processing atmosphere of the wafer in the liquid processing unit may be influenced.
In addition, it is necessary to provide the air supplying pipe and the air suction pipe so that the air supplying pipe and the air suction pipe can be separated from not only the pipe system but also a beam or the like of a structure where the clean room is provided.
Thus, there may be an obstacle to providing the coating and developing apparatus with the air supplying pipe and the air suction pipe.
While a mechanism for supplying clean air to a resist coating apparatus and receiving the supplied air is discussed at paragraph 0045 of Japanese Patent No. 3375294, this mechanism does not solve the above-discussed problems. Furthermore, while a mechanism for individually controlling the atmosphere of each processing unit of a processing apparatus is discussed at paragraph 0021 and 0022 of Japanese Patent No. 3388706, this mechanism does not solve the above-discussed problems.

Liquid processing apparatus, liquid processing method and storage medium


An integrated circuit may have interconnect circuitry which may include a sequence of tiles. Each tile may include a predetermined routing of multiple wires on multiple tracks. Wires may change tracks within a tile through wire twisting or through via connections and wires in another metal layer. Wires that change tracks may reduce the overlap between pairs of adjacent wires, thereby reducing the coupling capacitance between the respective wires. Reducing the coupling capacitance may result in reduced crosstalk between the wires which may speed up the signal transition along those wires compared to the signal transition in conventional interconnect circuitry. At the same time, sub-optimal wire stitching in a routing tile that connects a wire that ends in the next routing tile to a wire that starts in the routing tile, whereby the two wires overlap each other may enable beneficial crosstalk, which may further improve signal transition time.

This invention relates to integrated circuits and, more particularly, to interconnect circuitry in integrated circuits.
Integrated circuits may include many components such as inputs, outputs, memory blocks, logic circuits, etc. Interconnect circuitry in the integrated circuit may route signals over wires among these components.
In an effort to ease chip design and to provide a simple and regular layout, many integrated circuits may include multiple instantiations of a same tile of interconnect circuitry, which may be repeated across the entire integrated circuit. Each tile of interconnect circuitry may include two or more parallel tracks. Each track is a lane that may route at most one wire in parallel.
A tile of interconnect circuitry often has at least one wire starting in a given track and at least one other wire ending in another track with all other wires changing tracks. The change in tracks (e.g., every wire may be shifted one track to the right) is sometimes also referred to as wire twisting.
A wire that spans L tiles overlaps a neighboring wire for L-1 tiles in such a configuration. As design geometries shrink, a reduction in the spacing between wires may result in increased interconnect capacitance, which may be further exacerbated by the long spatial overlap between the adjacent wires. Situations frequently arise where signal delays are affected by effects such as crosstalk in which a signal toggling in an aggressor wire slows down the signal transition in a victim wire.

Methods and apparatus for reducing spatial overlap between routing wires


An apparatus for manufacturing a band plate has a rolling mill that includes a pair of upper and lower work rolls that roll a slab material having edge drop portions at both ends thereof, and a pair of backup rolls that contact non-rolling side surfaces of the pair of upper and lower work rolls, respectively to prevent the work rolls from being deformed. The work roll includes a reverse taper portion where a roll diameter gradually increases towards a barrel end portion thereof corresponding to the edge drop portion. The upper and lower work rolls are configured to be shiftable individually in the axial direction thereof. The backup roll includes an escape portion whose diameter gradually decreases towards an axial end thereof so as not to contact the reverse taper portion of the work roll, within a shifting range of the work roll.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a band plate that presses edge drop portions at both ends of a plate before rolling, together with a center part of the plate, and leaves edge drops on the plate after rolling.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1A and 2 are schematic views of a continuous casting machine of a double-roll type. As shown in these figures, when a slab of a predetermined width is manufactured using a continuous casting machine 50 (strip caster), casting metal in a molten state is passed through two rolls 51 (casting rolls) that rotate in reverse directions. Casting rolls 51 are separated by a predetermined gap that is appropriate for forming the thickness of a slab plate, and are installed in parallel and horizontally.
Molten metal for casting is supplied to a pouring basin formed between side dams 53 disposed between both ends of the casting rolls and a top portion of outer peripheries of casting rolls 51, from an opening of a flat-shaped nozzle 52 of a tundish arranged immediately above (top portion of) the two casting rolls 51. Both side dams 53 are disposed to match the width of the slab to be manufactured, and to prevent molten metal from leaking onto the side surfaces of the ends of casting rolls having the same length as the width of the slab.
The continuous casting machine 50 of a double-roll type manufactures a slab with a predetermined approximate width of 1,200 to 2,000 mm. The continuous casting equipment of a double-roll type can operate using simple ancillary equipment in a compact layout compared to other continuous casting apparatus such as caterpillar-type continuous casting equipment.
When a slab material that has been manufactured with double rolls or a single roll is rolled by a rolling mill 56 downstream on the line, the rolling mill is a conventional non-shifting mill, instead of using a rolling mill in which rolls are shifted in the axial direction of the roll. Conventionally, a roll of the rolling mill has a shape of a parabolic or sinusoidal curve, and have diameters larger at the axial center of the roll than at the ends (barrel-shaped rolls). Barrel-shaped rolls are widely used in a conventional rolling mill to compensate for warping of the pressing roll.
However, the aforementioned continuous casting machine 50 of a double-roll type suffers from a heat crown phenomenon at the casting rolls during casting, because of the long casting roll 51. As a result of this heat crown phenomenon, casting conditions vary along the width of the casting roll. In particular, the variation at the width ends of the work roll becomes greater. Therefore, at the position nearer to the width ends of the roll, the distribution of a plate thickness in the lateral (width) direction of a slab varies more largely.
In addition, because side dams 53 are disposed at both ends of the rolls, heat dissipation efficiencies are high at the roll surfaces that are in contact with side dams; along a lateral section of the slab, portions close to the roll width ends are cooled more efficiently than at the center, so the plate thickness changes from the center to the width ends, resulting in a concave or convex shape. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B for instance, the section of the slab is tapered at both ends; or conversely, the thickness of the slab may increase at both ends. In the following description, the sectional shape of a slab with tapered ends is called an "edge-drop crown," and the shape with elevated ends is called an "edge-up crown."
The inventors of the present invention have already invented a technique and applied it for a patent. This technique is described in Patent literature 1 correcting the edge drop or up crown described above. Patent literature 1 "Band plate manufacturing apparatus" discloses a continuous casting machine of a double-roll or single-roll type, that continuously casts a slab of a predetermined width with molten metal for casting, supplied from a tundish arranged at an upstream location, and a single finish rolling mill that is disposed downstream of the continuous casting machine, and is provided with a pair of up/down work rolls that can move along the axes thereof in opposite directions. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the upper and lower work rolls 61, 62 is shaped for the roll crown such that a diameter of the work roll is made to decrease over a part to one end of the work roll from a position separated by 200 mm from the one end of the work roll, and a diameter of the work roll is made to increase over a part to the other end of the work roll from a position separated by 200 mm from the other end of the work roll. In addition, the work roll profile (outline) between the diameter-changing points is formed as a straight line or an united shape of the straight line and a center convex shape. In other words, each work roll 61 or 62 is a ground crown roll. In addition, both rolls with the roll crown described above are disposed point-symmetrically about a rolling center such that the diameter-decreasing and diameter-increasing part of the upper work roll are respectively positioned at opposite sides of the diameter-decreasing and diameter-increasing part of the lower work roll.
[Patent Literature 1]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent publication No. 11503, 2002
As described above, a plate to be rolled by a rolling mill may have a large edge drop. In particular, a strip caster often produces large edge drops, so slabs manufactured therewith must be specially processed.
Furthermore, edge drops produced by a strip caster can often differ at both ends, because molten metal solidifies differently near both side dams. Therefore, a means for controlling edge drops in a way that differs for left and right side portions is required.
Generally, if the edge drops of a raw material is large and the material is rolled so deeply that edge drops are eliminated, the elongation ratio at a center portion, originally free from edge drops, becomes excessively high, resulting in a problem of undulation produced at the center portion. Therefore, as shown typically in FIG. 4, it is required that both center portion and edge drop portions are rolled so as to leave the edge drops at both end portions after rolling. In FIG. 4, "BEFORE ROLLING" indicates a shape of the plate before rolling, and "AFTER ROLLING" indicates a shape of the plate after rolling.

Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.


A reclining chair with exercising function includes symmetrical front and rear chair frames, and an adjusting rod pivotally connected to said front and rear chair frames by connecting plates. The adjusting rod is connected by springs to the rear chair frame. Both sides of the front chair frame are respectively provided with connecting plates to pivotally connect to a securing rod and a front support rod. The rear chair frame is pivotally connected to a rear support rod at both sides thereof by connecting plates. When the adjusting rod is retained at a bottom rod, an ordinary reclining chair is accomplished. When the adjusting rod is pulled upwardly, the reclining chair will bent downwardly or upwardly for V-shaped or inverted V-shaped body exercises.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a reclining chair with exercising function, and more particularly to a reclining chair utilizable as a waist bending exerciser.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Modern people work under stress and pressure and often suffer from sore back and waist. Cities are densely populated, and one's living space is limited. Exercising apparatuses are often expensive and occupy much space.

Reclining chair with exercising function


Methods and apparatus are provided for a damper having a jounce shock. The damper includes a top mounting portion adapted to couple the damper to a vehicular frame and a bottom mounting portion adapted to couple the damper to a vehicular suspension system. The damper further includes a damper tube assembly disposed between the top mounting portion and the bottom mounting portion. The damper tube assembly includes a jounce shock system and a rod having a first piston and a second piston. The rod is movable within the damper tube assembly from a first position to a second position, and the second piston engages the jounce shock system as the rod approaches the second position.

Vehicles are typically equipped with suspension systems that include components that contract and expand to provide flexible relative movement between the body and chassis. During normal driving conditions, these components gradually dissipate the forces generated by bumps, potholes, and other road surface anomalies in a controlled manner that helps the driver to maintain control over the vehicle and provides passengers a comfortable driving environment.
In certain instances, the vehicle may encounter a road surface anomaly that causes the components of the suspension to contract beyond the designed operating range of springs and shocks/struts. Thus, many suspension systems employ impact load management systems that limit jounce. Such systems typically include jounce bumper assemblies configured to engage during severe impact events and provide a "bottoming" or a limit to further contractive motion. These assemblies may be used to limit jounce between, for example, sprung and unsprung vehicle masses and may be conveniently located within the body of a shock or strut. Such integrated assemblies typically include a rigid metallic striker plate coupled to the end cap of the damper tube and a jounce bumper coupled to the upper mount. Each is aligned along a common piston rod and spaced apart so that, during an impact event, the striker cap and jounce bumper engage causing the bumper to deform axially along the piston rod in the direction of loading. However, such a configuration provides little cushioning effect from impact loads because of the rigidity of the striker plate and the marginal capacity of the bumper to absorb associated energy. Accordingly, these and other similarly affected elements including the chassis frame and vehicle body structure are generally designed with a more rugged construction of greater mass and volume than would otherwise be required if the suspension system components were more energy absorbing.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems and methods for a damper having a jounce shock for managing impact load in a vehicular suspension system that enables the use of lighter weight supporting materials without adversely impacting other desirable vehicle characteristics such as driving comfort or vehicle controllability. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Systems and methods for damper having jounce shock


A Darlington differential amplifier includes a differential pair of Darlington transistors, with each pair including a first transistor and a second transistor connected in cascade to the first transistor. The first transistor is controlled by an externally generated voltage and drives the second transistor. The first and second transistors each include first and second conducting terminals, with the first conducting terminals being connected together and forming an output node of the amplifier. A first degeneration impedance is connected between the second conduction terminals of the second transistors in the pair of Darlington transistors. A second degeneration impedance is connected between the second conduction terminals of the first transistors in the pair of Darlington transistors for reducing harmonic distortion of the amplifier.

In many applications it is desirable to have high gain amplifiers, and at the same time have a linear transfer characteristic to prevent distortions of the signal to be amplified. An architecture of a differential amplifier commonly used in communication systems, in which these requirements are particularly desired, is a Darlington differential amplifier as shown in FIG. 1.
The illustrated Darlington differential amplifier is formed with bipolar transistors. The bipolar transistors may be replaced with MOSFETs and the following discussion still holds.
The amplifier is substantially formed by a pair of Darlington transistors QD1, Q1, QD2, Q2. Each pair includes an input transistor QD1 (QD2) controlled by a voltage Vin+ (Vin−) of a differential signal to be amplified. The input transistor QD1 (QD2) controls another transistor Q1 (Q2) connected in cascade. The collector or drain nodes in common of the two Darlington transistors QD1, Q1 and QD2, Q2 that form the output nodes of the amplifier are coupled to a supply line VDD through respective load resistors RC1, RC2. The Darlington transistors are coupled between them through two identical emitter degeneration resistors RE1, RE2. These amplifiers are characterized by high gains approximately equal to the ratio between the load resistance RC1 (or RC2) and the emitter degeneration resistances RE1 (or RE2).
The resistors RC1 and RC2 are generally determined by external circuits connected to the amplifier, such as via a cable or an antenna. The resistors RC1 and RC2 cannot be modified. As a consequence, it is necessary to reduce the resistances RE1 and RE2 to increment the gain.
It is well known that the amplitudes of high order harmonics depend from a decreasing function of the normalized voltage drop Vn on each emitter degeneration resistor:
      V    n    =            IC1      ·      RE1              V      T      where VT=kT/q is the thermal voltage. To summarize, the transfer characteristic of the amplifier is even more linear as the product between the collector current IC1 (or IC2) and the resistance RE1 (or RE2) increases. When values of the emitter resistance are chosen too small, this increases the current IC1 (or IC2) for a sufficiently linear transfer characteristic. Consequently, the power dissipated by the amplifier is increased.


Provided is an image sensor and method for manufacturing the same. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a photodiode for each unit pixel, an interlayer insulating layer including metal lines on the semiconductor substrate, and an optical refractive part in a region of the interlayer insulating layer corresponding to the photodiode for focusing light on the photodiode. The optical refractive part can be formed by implanting impurities into the interlayer insulating layer.

An image sensor is a semiconductor device that converts an optical image to an electrical signal. Image sensors are generally classified as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor (CIS).
The CIS includes a photodiode and a MOS transistor in a unit pixel. The CIS sequentially detects electric signals of unit pixels in a switching manner to realize an image.
As the design rule in the CIS decreases gradually, the size of a unit pixel also decreases, which may cause the photosensitivity to be decreased. To increase the photosensitivity, a microlens is often formed on a color filter.
However, an additional structure, such as a metal line or the like, existing on a light path from the microlens to a photodiode, may cause light diffraction, light scattering, or the like, thereby decreasing the photosensitivity of the image sensor.

Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same


A Bolted Flanged Connection (BFC) includes “negative creep” bolts with cores manufactured from Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) and “negative creep” gasket manufactured from the same SMA. The gasket is shape-memorized to the “swelling”, and bolt cores are shape-memorized to the compression. Temperature interval of reverse martensitic phase transformation of SMA is close to operational temperature interval of the assembly. The constrained shape recovery of the gasket and bolt cores is combined with inverse flexion flange design that constitutes original type of BFC with feature to inhibit flange rotation and creep of bolts and gasket under conditions of a variety of operational temperatures and internal pressures. Presented type of BFC allows increasing significantly internal pressure and leak tightness providing safe and extended service life of pressure vessels and plant/piping systems used in aerospace, submarine shipbuilding, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, fossil fuel and nuclear power generation, and other industries.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to Bolted Flanged Connections (BFCs) with gaskets as a sealing elements that have to provide a leak-tight joint and extended service life of plant/piping systems such as reactors, steam generators, heat exchangers, boilers, pressure vessels and piping, and others engineering structures that operate under critical operational conditions including high internal pressures and a variety of operational temperatures.
2. Prior Art
Bolted Flanged Connections are one of the most popular ways to assemble different parts of engineering structures. For many reasons this type of connection should be considered as unique means to create specific mechanical clamping forces and ensure a durable and leak-tight joint between adjacent members of pressure vessels and piping systems providing their simple assemblage, disassemblage and reassemblage.
From structural integrity point of view safe design of BFCs has been solved and standardized, but joint leakage events remain currently an unresolved problem and a main cause of bolt-flange-gasket damage and failure. The leakage problem is especially important for plant/piping systems used in aerospace, submarine shipbuilding, petrochemicals, petroleum refining, fossil fuel and nuclear power generation, and other industries. As a rule, these systems operate under critical conditions including high internal pressures and a variety of operational temperatures. Experimental and analytical investigations of BFCs have revealed that joint opening followed by leakage results from decrease of gasket contact stress due to creep relaxation of bolted fasteners and gaskets under critical operational conditions accompanied by flange flexion with rotation due to internal pressure.
Industry experience with continuing flanged joint leakages has demonstrated that leakage events are attributed to high rate of corrosion of bolt-flange-gasket systems that is combined with high level of stresses and strains due to internal pressures, flow-induced vibrations, elevated temperatures, integral flow of neutrons, and other critical factors. Statistic data show that, for example, piping system leakages alone conservatively cost each process industry hundreds millions of dollars annually in lost profits as a result of plant shutdowns, production penalties, maintenance rework activities, and equipment repair or replacement. It is necessary to add enormous material and financial losses due to possible fires, explosions, environmental pollution, and some other disasters. Hence, the leak tightness has a greater influence on safe service life of BFCs, and highest priority in plant reliability programs is to limit or exclude the leakages, thus protecting critical engineering structures from untimely degradation and failure.
A wide range of patent documents is dedicated to flange and gasket design improvements in order to increase leak tightness of BFCs. Most of them relate to different flange designs and sophisticated gasket materials and styles that should improve the interaction of the bolts, flanges and gaskets in order to prevent operational leakages. It is impossible to describe all patent documents relating to BFCs' improvement, but the closest of them to the present invention are the followings.
The BFC described by DE Pat. No. 64013 to Schwoerer has a small clearance between adjacent flange faces located at the periphery of the flanges and bridged by the bolt preload force to create a clamping of lens-shaped gasket. Same approach is used in DE Pat. No. 124715 to Janke and GB Pat. No. 2200179 to Porter.
DE '715 discloses superimposed annular flanges having a small clearance at the periphery of flanges that is bridged by the bolt preload force to clamp a gasket compressed between two tube ends.
GB '179 describes a flanged joint having a small clearance at the periphery of flanges that is closed when the bolts are correctly and uniformly tightened forming initial joint between inner flat faces of the flanges by means of metal-to-metal contact.
All three patent documents reproduce on the whole a conventional approach to the flange design based on application of raised-face or flat-face flanges. The only difference that is disclosed in GB '179 consists in possibility to prevent bolt overstressing during the bolt tightening followed by internal pressure and external loading.
Next attempts to improve flange design in relation of leak tightness increase are contained in U.S. Pat. No. 2,412,487 to Amley, FR Pat. No. 1024183 to Syndicat Dauphinois, GB Pat. No. 1210291 to Haworth, U.S. Pat. No. 3,135,538 to George and U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,817 to Schnabel.
All these documents disclose the means to mechanically change a shape of adjacent flanges in order to increase compression of the gaskets or other sealing elements. The general approach used in cited patent documents consists in fabrication of frusto-conical faces of adjacent flanges having a hollow space to place the gasket or other sealing element that is further compressed during the bolt preload.
The GB '291 entitled "Metal-to-metal joint" discloses a sealing joint between two members which comprise metals of different elastic limits. The member having lower elastic limit is adapted to form the area of contact by means of plastic deformation of its initial frusto-conical shape during the bolt tightening.
U.S. '817 describes a similar approach to join two mutually braced metal parts of the pipes having a covering of plastic material. The metal parts have annular clamping flanges of frusto-conical shape with the hollow space adapted to extend parts of plastic material. The flanges have a free peripheral edge for compressing the plastic material between annular clamping faces in hollow space, so that the plastic material may flow into the hollow space to provide a perfect seal during the bolt tightening. The similar approach is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,412,487 and 3,135,538.
FR '183 proposes a sealing joint with flanges of sophisticated shape having frusto-conical parts and internal annular cavities that facilitates flange deformations during the bolt tightening to provide a contact stress distribution favorable for leak tightness.
A common weakness of all cited above prior patent documents is a general approach to form the flange design by means of raised-face flanges which will be inevitably subjected to rotation around a gasket surface due to internal pressure that will create conditions favorable for early joint opening followed by leakage. Moreover, the problem of creep relaxation of bolted fasteners and gasket remains out of consideration.
Generally, creep is accompanying by stress relaxation, and elongation of the bolts along with contraction of the gasket due to creep is a very serious problem because it leads to bolt load and gasket stress losses that, in turn, increase the leakage rate. A plant maintenance practice includes periodical retightening or replacement of the bolts and gaskets subjected to extended creep relaxation to prevent leakages, and, having in mind millions of bolts and gaskets used in critical technological equipment, this procedure involves an expensive time-consuming process and provides only temporary effect because the creep relaxation increases rapidly after each additional retightening, and risk of leakage events or connection blowout relatively increases. Nevertheless, during the development of must design procedures little consideration has been given to the creep relaxation of bolted fasteners and gaskets, and similar situation is observed with existing patent documents.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,453 to Steinbock entitled "High temperature bolting system" offers a sophisticated apparatus for maintaining a clamping force between component parts of a steam turbine while operating at temperatures from 800 DEG. F. to 1200 DEG. F. However, the disclosed elongated stepped fastener shank manufactured from superalloy Inconel 718 having a thermal expansion coefficient similar to flange material and creep strength which is several times greater than creep strength of flange material cannot stop a creep relaxation process and protect proposed bolting system from bolt elongation increase and gasket stress decrease. Moreover, the high level of stresses and high operational temperatures will induce the high level of creep relaxation of the bolts and gaskets.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,951 discloses a method of fabrication of reinforced polytetrafluoro -ethylene (PTFE) gasketing materials "characterized by high strength, excellent recovery and superior creep relaxation resistance". This material is proposed for use in BFCs. However, these super characteristics did not exclude the creep relaxation from 20% to 30% depending on thickness of proposed tested materials. Moreover, the tests were carried out under standard procedure during only 22 hours at only 212 Deg. F. Thus, the proposed gasketing materials demonstrate "superior" physical and functional properties when compared with previous PTFE gasketing materials described in prior art.
The most important failing, however, is the fact that proposed gasketing materials copy a typically used approach to the fabrication of sealing elements based on traditional "passive" behavior under critical operational conditions of all known today gasketing materials excepting those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,683 to Julien et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,519 to White. These two documents are the first attempts to introduce the new gasketing material fabricated from NiTi (Nitinol) Shape Memory Alloy (SMA).
U.S. '683 discloses a method to use a gasket of Nitinol SMA under its martensite state to fill the space between the hard flange faces having microscopic surface irregularities that can prevent the fluid leakage between the faces and will allow further to reuse the gasket. The Nitinol SMA from which the gasket of this invention is fabricated "remembers" the gasket shape which it had when it was last formed in its austenite state. When this gasket is deformed under temperature of martensite state it fills the irregularities of flange faces under pressure exerted by hard clamping members of the flanges.
The shape memory effect is used when gasket resumes its original shape after heating to austenite state during the restoration step after release and before reuse. Although this invention has failed a main problem of leakage reduction by means of creep inhibition, it remains a turning point to use advanced shape memory materials as a sealing elements of BFCs.
U.S. '519 represents a next attempt to use the Nitinol SMA as a gasketing material to provide a seal between component parts of imaginary generalized assembly. Unfortunately, this invention claims a well-known procedure to clamp the gasket between adjacent flange faces. As for application of gasket of Nitinol SMA, this invention claims the spring forces generated by bending of the gasket when it is in super-elastic state. However, the shape memory alloys in super-elastic state display all mechanical properties of typical elastic materials including the property of creep relaxation while subjecting to elevated temperature and external loading. Meanwhile, this invention tries to open a real way to the application of shape memory alloys as sealing materials even though the problem of creep relaxation and leakage elimination remains out of consideration.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,759,552, 4,001,928, 4,149,911, 4,198,081, 4,281,841, 4,450,616, 4,469,357, 4,501,058, 4,537,406, 5,791,847 as well as GB Pat. Nos. 1554432, 1580036, SU Pat. No. 1086282 and JP Pat No. 62-116292 describe the means of stressing a structural members of Nitinol shape memory alloy components that provide stiffness to shell structures and tubular members as well as the means of stressing head bolts or other prestressed fasteners. These documents, however, did not touch the problem of creep relaxation of mechanical fasteners and gasketing joints.
Japanese Pat. No. 62-188764 describes a method to manufacture a bolt of Nitinol SMA that may be easily fastened and detached. This bolt is subjected to axial compression and aging treatment under specific temperatures while holding it under compressive strain. Thus-obtained bolt reversibly repeats the elongation in a length direction at initial temperature of martensite transformation and the contraction at initial temperature of reverse transformation. Owing to these characteristics, the bolt length is arbitrary changed, so that bolt may be firmly fastened or easily detached. The procedure of bolt manufacturing relates to known method of shape memory formation by means of stress-induced martensite that is obtained under conditions of fixed shape at temperature higher than temperature of austenite state of shape memory alloy followed by aging and unloading under temperature lower than temperature of martensite state. This procedure is very complex for a compressed bolt because of possible bolt's buckling, and moreover, the problem of creep relaxation of the bolts is failed too.
None of the above-mentioned prior patent documents touch the problem of flange rotation and creep relaxation of the bolts and gaskets that have a major influence on operational leakage events. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to form a novel type of BFC with feature to inhibit flange rotation and creep-relaxation of bolted fasteners and gaskets due to critical operational conditions including high internal pressures and a variety of temperatures.

Bolted flanged connection on a basis of shape memory effect and inverse flexion flange design


Products fed by a first conveyor at substantially constant speed along a first substantially circular path and inside respective first seats are transferred successively into respective second seats on a second conveyor by which each second seat is advanced at a speed equal to that of the first conveyor along a second path tangent to the first path; which transfer is effected by a pusher and a counterpusher cooperating respectively with the first and second conveyors, and moving both parallel and perpendicular to the respective path;. the pusher moving, during transfer, both parallel and perpendicular to the second path and in time with the counterpusher.

The present invention relates to a method of transferring products between continuously-moving conveyors.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of transferring products from a first to a second conveyor by which the products are conveyed respectively at substantially constant speed along a first and second path tangent to each other, and at least the first of which is a curved path.
The present invention is particularly suitable for use on cigarette manufacturing machines, in particular, cigarette packing machines, to which the following description refers purely by way of example.
On known cigarette packing machines, said first conveyor consists of a packing wheel having a number of peripheral seats which, as the wheel is rotated about its axis, are fed through a loading station where each seal is fed with a preformed group of cigarettes, preferably foil-wrapped, and a blank which is folded partially about the group as this is inserted inside the seat. As it is fed by the packing wheel along a circular path, each blank is gradually folded about the group to form a packet, which is normally completed, by a final folding operation, as the packet is transferred from the packing wheel to said second conveyor consisting of an output conveyor substantially tangent to the packing wheel.
On known packing machines of the aforementioned type, the first and second conveyor are normally step-operated, so that the products are transferred without difficulty as the conveyors are arrested between one step and the next.

Method of transferring products between continuously-moving conveyors


An electromagnetic, EM, device, includes: a substrate having a dielectric layer and a first conductive layer at a first side of the substrate, the substrate having a via that extends at least partially through the substrate from the first side toward an opposing second side of the substrate; at least one dielectric structure having at least one non-gaseous dielectric material that forms a first dielectric portion that extends outward from the first side of the substrate, the first dielectric portion having a first average dielectric constant, the at least one dielectric structure further having a second dielectric portion that is contiguous with the first dielectric portion; wherein the second dielectric portion extends into the via of the substrate, the via having a mechanical interlock surface; and wherein the at least one dielectric structure includes a mechanical interlock between the second dielectric portion and the mechanical interlock surface of the via of the substrate.

The present disclosure relates generally to a dielectric structure attachment assembly, particularly to an electromagnetic device, and more particularly to a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) system, a dielectric electronic filter, or a dielectric loaded antenna.
While existing dielectric structures and arrays thereof may be suitable for their intended purpose, the art of dielectric structures would be advanced with an improved attachment arrangement for improving the adhesion of the dielectric structures to a substrate.

Electromagnetic dielectric structure adhered to a substrate and methods of making the same


The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal, a server and a calling method based on a cloud contact list. The method comprises: obtaining number information of a calling party according to a calling request from the calling party; sending an inquiry request to a cloud contact list server according to the number information of the calling party; receiving contact information corresponding to the number information of the calling party from the cloud contact list server; and displaying the contact information. When a cold call is received from an unknown number, the mobile terminal, server and calling method based on the cloud contact list provided in the present disclosure may obtain the contact information corresponding to the number from the cloud contact list, and then display the contact information to the user. In this way, the user can get to know the contact information associated with the unknown number.

Along with proposals of the concept of cloud technology, the development of network communication technologies based on cloud computing mode applications are under continuous growth. Information technology, integration technology, management platform technology, application technology and the like can be used to form a resource pool in the cloud, which can be used when needed, therefore, is flexible and convenient to the user.
Nowadays, with the increasing popularity of mobile phones, the mobile phones are becoming widely used, which eliminates the needs of using corded phones for some people. When using mobile phones in one's daily life, many phone calls or short messages may come from unknown phone numbers. The calls from the unknown numbers may include solicitation or harassing calls that are advertisements in nature, and may include other very important calls that may not be missed.

Mobile terminal, server and calling method based on cloud contact list


Controlling establishment of a synchronous communication link depending on how the communication band is used, the controlling being applied to a wireless communication terminal which supports both asynchronous communications and synchronous communications. A asynchronous communication link management section manages the presence of asynchronous communication links between wireless communication terminals. A synchronous communication link management section manages the presence/status of synchronous communication links between wireless communication terminals. When a request to establish a new synchronous communication link is made by a user, a link establishment determination section determines whether the currently-established asynchronous communication links can be maintained based on the presence/status of the asynchronous and synchronous communication links and the requested communication quality. The link establishment determination section allows the requested synchronous communication link to be established only when it is determined that the currently-established asynchronous communication links can be maintained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless communication terminal for performing the establishment of a communication link, a method therefor, a program for executing the method, and a recording medium containing the program. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wireless communication terminal which supports both synchronous communications and asynchronous communications, and is capable of concurrently establishing a plurality of communication links with a plurality of other wireless communication terminals, a method for establishing such communication links, a program for executing the method, and a recording medium having the program recorded thereon.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is well known, communication terminals, e.g., PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), cellular phones, or personal computers, can realize various functions such as an internet connection, LAN (Local Area Network) access, exchange of business card data, telephone calling, music reproduction, and the like. These functions are realized through either asynchronous (ASYNC) communications (which are chiefly used for data transmissions which do not require real time capabilities), or synchronous (SYNC) communications (which are chiefly used for data transmissions which require real time capabilities). Generally speaking, internet connection, LAN access (data communications, file transmission), and exchange of business card data (file transfer) are realized through asynchronous communications. On the other hand, telephone calling (audio communications) and music reproduction (audio communications) are generally realized through synchronous communications.
In recent years, communication terminals are being used in more and more diversified manners. In one manner, a plurality of functions may be simultaneously executed. Examples of functions that can be simultaneously executed are: functions using the same communication mode, such as performing an exchange of business card data during an internet connection (both of which are asynchronous communications), or making telephone calls while listening to music (both of which are synchronous communications); and functions using different communication modes, such as making telephone calls during LAN access (i.e., an asynchronous communication and a synchronous communication).
In the field of wired communications, the IEEE1394 standard or the like already enables communications which involve such simultaneous use of a plurality of functions, i.e., communications involving both asynchronous communications and synchronous communications. In the field of wireless communications, a technique supporting both asynchronous communications and synchronous communications already exists. However, this technique only enables execution of either asynchronous communications or synchronous communications (referred to as "single link communications"), rather than enabling simultaneous execution of asynchronous communications and synchronous communications (referred to as "multi link communications"). Therefore, efforts have been made to develop techniques for realizing simultaneous execution of asynchronous communications and synchronous communications in the field of wireless communications. One example of such a technique is the Bluetooth™ communication standard. For details of Bluetooth communications, see Kazuhiro Miyatsu, "Technology Kaitaishinsho Bluetooth Gijutsu Guide", 1st ed., Ric Telecom, Ltd., Jun. 11, 2001.
Hereinafter, a technique for simultaneously executing asynchronous communications and synchronous communications will be described with respect to a control module for Bluetooth communications. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic structure of a conventional wireless communication terminal incorporating a control module for Bluetooth communications.
In FIG. 14, the conventional wireless communication terminal comprises a user input section 110, a link management section 120, communication processing section 130, wireless communication section 140, specific function processing section 150, and a display section 160. The link management section 120 includes an asynchronous communication link management section 121, a synchronous communication link management section 122, an asynchronous communication link control section 123, and a synchronous communication link control section 124.
The user input section 110 receives, from a user, an instruction concerning functions of the wireless communication terminal (begin data transfer, begin download, establish a communication link, etc.), and issues, to the link management section 120, an instruction to establish a communication link, and issues other instructions to the specific function processing section 150.
Hereinafter, the largest number of synchronous (or asynchronous) communication links which can be simultaneously established with other wireless communication terminals will be referred to as the "limit number concerning synchronous (or asynchronous) communication links". Moreover, the number of synchronous (or asynchronous) communication links which have already been established with other wireless communication terminals will be referred to as the "established number concerning synchronous (or asynchronous) communication links".
The asynchronous communication link management section 121 retains a limit number and an establish number concerning asynchronous communication links, and based on these numbers, determines whether it is possible to establish an asynchronous communication link which has been designated by the user. The synchronous communication link management section 122 retains a limit number and an established number concerning synchronous communication links, and based on these numbers, determines whether it is possible to establish a synchronous communication link which has been designated by the user. Upon receiving an instruction to establish an asynchronous communication link from the asynchronous communication link management section 121, the asynchronous communication link control section 123 establishes an asynchronous communication link with a corresponding wireless communication terminal by means of the communication processing section 130 and the wireless communication section 140. Upon receiving an instruction to establish a synchronous communication link from the synchronous communication link management section 122, the synchronous communication link control section 124 establishes a synchronous communication link with a corresponding wireless communication terminal by means of the communication processing section 130 and the wireless communication section 140.
The communication processing section 130 performs a process of establishing a communication link and a process instructed by the specific function processing section 150. The wireless communication section 140 carries out a wireless communication with another wireless communication terminal. The specific function processing section 150 is a section which processes functions that are specific to the wireless communication terminal. The display section 160 displays various information related to the wireless communication terminal.
Based on the above structure, the conventional wireless communication terminal realizes not only simultaneous establishment of a plurality of asynchronous communication links or simultaneous establishment of a plurality of synchronous communication links, but also realizes simultaneous establishment of an asynchronous communication link and a synchronous communication link.
An example of a conventional technique related to concurrent establishment of asynchronous communication links is disclosed in the specification of, e.g., Japanese Patent No. 2500097, which relates to adding an asynchronous communication link in a packet communication network. According to this conventional technique, the resource for establishing an asynchronous communication link (average bit rate, deviation of average bit rate, and bandwidth) is checked with respect to each exchange node. If an exchange node has sufficient resource, establishment of an asynchronous communication link is permitted, and if an exchange node does not have sufficient resource, establishment of an asynchronous communication is denied.
The conventional wireless communication terminal having the aforementioned structure carries out the asynchronous communication link management and the synchronous communication link management in independent manners, i.e., without giving consideration to how each other link is established. Therefore, if a request for establishing a synchronous communication link is made when an asynchronous communication link is already established, the conventional wireless communication terminal will establish a synchronous communication link without determining how an asynchronous communication is established (FIG. 15). Since synchronous communications are generally given precedence over asynchronous communications, a problem may occur in the communications in that an already-established asynchronous communication link may be disrupted depending on the communication band (i.e., required communication quality) to be exclusively used by the synchronous communication link which is being established. Note that this problem is unique to wireless communications, where there are limitations on the communication band, and does not pertain to wired communications, which require no particular considerations with respect to the communication band.
The aforementioned problem in wireless communications are illustrated below. FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary configuration in which a wireless communication terminal A which functions as a master connected to a public network (a personal computer) establishes a communication link with slave wireless communication terminals B, C, D, and E (cellular phones) FIGS. 17 and 18 are charts illustrating how communication links are established based on a packet type of a different communication quality.
In FIG. 16A, the master wireless communication terminal A has previously established asynchronous communication links with the slave wireless communication terminals B to E for realizing LAN access. In this state, let us assume that the slave wireless communication terminal B newly establishes a synchronous communication link with the master wireless communication terminal A for placing a telephone call via the public network. In this case, the master wireless communication terminal A has not established a synchronous communication link with any of the slave wireless communication terminals B to E, and therefore unconditionally establishes a synchronous communication link with the slave wireless communication terminal B. In general wireless communications, a request for establishing a synchronous communication link contains an instruction concerning the communication band, i.e., communication quality. Therefore, there if no problem if the communication band for the requested synchronous communication link can be secured within a communication band which was unused before the establishment of the synchronous communication link. However, if the communication band for the requested synchronous communication link cannot be secured within the unused communication band, the communication band for the already-established asynchronous communication link is depleted, so that the asynchronous communication link is disrupted (FIG. 16B).
For example, packet types corresponding to communication quality are defined in Bluetooth communications (see pp. 104 and 105 of Bluetooth technology guidelines). An HV1 packet is a packet for a synchronous communication which exclusively uses all of the communication band. An HV2 packet is a packet for a synchronous communication which exclusively uses ½ of the communication band. An HV3 packet is a packet for a synchronous communication which exclusively uses ⅓ of the communication band. A DM1 packet is a packet for a synchronous communications. A DV packet is a packet which, for a synchronous communication link and an asynchronous communication link that are performed between the same pair of wireless communication terminals, can contain both the data of synchronous communication packets (HV1 to HV3) and the data of asynchronous communication packets (DM1) (see p. 106 of the aforementioned Bluetooth guidelines). In Bluetooth communications, there is also a stipulation that a synchronous communication link (HV1 to HV3) can be established after an asynchronous communication link (DM1) is established. Therefore, in the case illustrated in FIG. 16A, there is no problem if a synchronous communication link is requested based on HV2 packets (FIG. 17). On the other hand, if a synchronous communication link is requested based on HV1 packets, there is a problem in that the asynchronous communication links with the slave wireless communication terminals C to E will have to be disrupted (FIG. 18).
Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication terminal which can control the establishment of new synchronous communication links while maintaining already-established a synchronous communication links, a communication link establishment method to be executed by the wireless communication terminal, a program for executing the method, and a recording medium containing the program.

Wireless communication terminal method and recording medium capable of establishing both synchronous or asynchronous communication links depending on signal quality

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A fold-up display container for printed material, discrete articles and the like includes a single, integrally molded plastic unit including a base panel, a front panel, a rear panel, left and right side panels and support panels. Each of the panels are interconnected by means of molded, flexible and integrally connected hinge portions whereby the front panel is hinged to the base panel, the side panels are each hinged to the base panel and the rear panel is hinged to the base panel. The support panels are hinged on opposite sides of the rear panel and in the folded-up orientation a box-like structure is created including the base and four sides and the four sides are interconnected and locked into each other by means of a locking tab and slot arrangement. Front elevator feet are used to orient the container in an inclined and rearwardly tilted position when used for horizontal countertop display.

The present invention relates generally to free-standing, self-supporting containers which may be used to store and display various articles, particularly printed material. More specifically the present invention relates to a plastic fold-up display container which incorporates living hinges and a locked, snap-fit assembly of folded panels.
In the design of plastic containers that store, hold and/or display articles, such as printed material, there are several construction options which may be employed. One option is for the container to be molded, normally by an injection molding process, as a one-piece integral unit. One example of an injection molded structure is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,024, issued Jul. 24, 1990 to Meyer, referring to chart and file holder 20. Another option is to create the container by the assembly of individually molded pieces. The assembly technique may be by means of a snap-fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,024, referring to legs 66 and 67 which snap onto holder 60. Separate pieces may also be attached by fasteners or adhesive. A third option is to create the container from a one-piece form including hinged panels which are then folded up and snapped together in order to create a free-standing, self-supporting display container. The present invention is structural along the lines of this third construction option.
The advantages of the present invention include the molded efficiency of the flat form, unitary construction and the absence of several different, individualized component parts which would have to be separately fabricated and then assembled. The molded flat form of the present invention, prior to folding it up into the display container form, provides packaging, shipping and storage efficiencies over the corresponding inefficiencies of containers which may be initially molded or assembled in three-dimensional form. With the present invention, the end user performs the assembly steps and thus is able to both fold up the display container as well as unfold or knock it down for ease of storage at any time in the life cycle of the display container when it is not in use. The particular snap fit approach followed in the present invention, although intended to be permanent once it is folded up, is still reversible such that the folded-up form can be disassembled back to the flat form.
While other flat-form, fold-up plastic containers are known to exist, the present invention has certain advantages over these earlier designs. One such earlier design is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,792 issued Apr. 11, 1989 to Christian. This patent discloses a folding display for use as either a countertop or wall display. The structure begins as a single stamping and is then folded and the side edges of the various panels are interlocked in order to hold the folded form. Score lines are disposed between adjacent panels so that the bend between panels is clean and neat.
In Christian, the side panels are formed with rigid, planar extensions (i.e., feet) which are required to help support the display on a flat surface. When the option of wall mounting is desired, a different styled support is required as the feet cannot be hinged flat against the sides or back for any optional wall mounting using the same design. When wall mounting is desired, the pair of support feet must be replaced with a single, central foot which is described as being of the type common in desk calendars which can be made to bend out of the way for the desired wall mounting. This desk calendar type of foot is not believed to be as sturdy as the dual feet arrangement, but in Christian the dual feet cannot be interchangeably converted between a wall mounting configuration and a countertop support configuration.
In the present invention, feet are hinged to the rear panel and can be folded out for a countertop display or left in their originally molded orientation flush with the rear panel to enable a flush wall mounting configuration. In the present invention, the plastic material which is used has a short memory and thus when the support feet are hinged in a rearward direction, they will stay in that orientation without any need for further interlocking or holding structures. In Christian, the tilted orientation as illustrated for the countertop display is achieved by means of two cooperating design features. The first feature involves hinging the side panels to the front panel and the second feature involves angling the lower edge of the side panel and feet. This angled lower edge is such that in its flat form the included angle between the angled lower edge and the side edge of the base is greater than 90 degrees. In the present invention, the side panels are hinged to the base panel rather than to the front panel and thus cannot be used to create any tilt in the display container. As a consequence, the present invention uses two front feet which are cut in an offset fashion relative to the integral connecting hinge (i.e.. the fold line) between the front panel and base panel so as to extend below the base panel at the front edge.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,623 issued Jul. 10, 1973 to Woofter, a plastic self-locking caddy is disclosed. The caddy includes a base panel, a front panel, a pair of side Panels and a rear panel. The free edges of the side panels fit into channels in the rear panel and base panel and locking tabs fit into rear panel slots in order to hold the caddy in the closed and erected position. This design is not intended to be free-standing as there are no legs and the base is smaller than the top suggesting that any attempt to make the caddy free-standing would result in it tipping over or at least having an unacceptable level of stability.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,294 issued May 25, 1965 to Lustman an easel is disclosed which begins as a flat sheet of material and is folded closed much like a box is folded into a closed condition with the various flaps tucked into position between adjacent panels of material. In Lustman there are in fact flaps very similar to a box and these are folded and tucked into seams in order to create a display package which includes a pair of tabs 3 and 4 hinged to back portion 6 and which serve to maintain the easel in an upright position. In this design there are no snap-fit or interlocking features used to hold the form of the easel. This lack of interlocking features is made possible by the folded box-like configuration. What is sacrificed is the ability to provide an open-top container for the display of printed material or for holding discrete articles. Also lost by the specific structure of Lustman is any recognition of design changes to enable the easel to be wall mounted. The angled cut of side panels permits the easel to be positioned with a slight rearward incline. While this configuration may appear subtly minor, it is subtly important.
In the present invention there are front feet which provide for a slight elevation and thus a rearward incline for the present invention when it is mounted on a countertop or other horizontal support surface. In Lustman as in Christian the base panel is horizontal when the device is in the folded and erected position and thus if Lustman was configured to hold printed material by opening the top panel, the top edges of the printed material would be horizontal as is the case with Christian. In order to grasp one copy or one thickness of the printed material one would have to find a top edge and be able to pull that one copy forward in order to grasp the copy with the fingers. Single sheet printed material which is stacked together does not always present a free edge of the first copy apart from the remaining copies and thus use of the fingernail or a fanning motion of the multiple copies is needed in order to separate the first copy from the remainder. When all the top edges are horizontally flush, care must be taken to separate and select a single copy.
In contrast, in the present invention the base panel is inclined upwardly along its front edge and thus the top edges of the printed material are likewise inclined with the foremost or front copy slightly elevated from the second and third copies, and so forth. Consequently, the top edge of the forward most copy is slightly higher, relative to horizontal, and is more easily separated from the remaining copies. By means of a drawing motion of the fingers in a horizontal direction across the top, protruding edge of the printed material the first copy will more easily be selected by the customer or user. The present invention allows the printed material to have a forward protruding, slightly elevated front edge which makes selection of the material easier and reduces the risk that waste will result. Typically when a customer or user cannot select one copy from the remainder they will take two or three copies and those extra copies are simply thrown away resulting in waste and inefficiency. In the present invention the first copy is able to pivot forward slightly separating itself from the remainder without any bending or creasing and without having to fan the multiple copies in order to separate one from the remainder.
Another advantage of the angled or inclined floor of the base panel in the present invention is that the printed material will naturally lay back against the rear panel. Consequently, as the quantity of copies decreases the remaining stack of copies will lay neatly against the back panel due to this incline rather than possibly leaning forward and with time sagging or drooping over the front edge of the display. In displays of this type, it is important that the printed material be visible so that the person selecting a copy will be able to choose from different offerings. If the material is supported on a horizontal base surface, the front copies could easily lean forward as the quantity is reduced. If the copies droop or sag forward so that their content cannot be visually reviewed, the printed material which one wishes to distribute may simply not be as readily selected. This problem is eliminated by the specific design of the present invention.


The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for separating a first substance from a mixture of the first substance and a liquid. The apparatus comprises inlet means adapted to receive a portion of the mixture into a separator tank; a separator tank for holding a collected portion of the mixture and allowing the first substance to separate from the liquid due to the first substance having a different specific gravity to the liquid; and outlet means adapted to discharge the separated liquid and/or the first substance from the separator tank.

The present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for separating a first substance from a mixture of the first substance and a liquid.
Oil spills damage the environment and endanger marine life. There is therefore a continuing need to provide apparatuses and methods which can be employed to provide cleanup and recovery from an oil spill.
One known apparatus for removing oil floating on water, is an oil skimmer. There are a number of known oil skimmers, for example a weir skimmer or a drum skimmer.
A weir skimmer skims a top level of surface fluid. The fluid passes through the skimmer and is pumped out of the skimmer. To collect oil floating on water, the depth of fluid skimmed can be set to a depth of the oil floating on top of the water, such that oil is passed through the skimmer.
Drum skimmers function by using a rotating element such as a drum, to which the oil adheres. The oil is wiped from the surface of the drum and collected.


A surgical instrument includes a hub, a rotating member, an impeller, and an impeller enclosure. The hub has a proximal portion and a distal portion and defines a lumen therebetween. The distal portion of the hub includes a sleeve portion configured to rotatably support the rotating member. The rotating member extends through the hub and has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the rotating member is configured to couple to an external driving mechanism. The impeller is coupled to the distal end of the rotating member and is configured to accelerate fluid flowing into or out of the lumen. The impeller enclosure is coupled to the distal portion of the hub and defines an impeller volume around the impeller. One or more openings are defined around the sleeve portion of the hub such that the lumen is in fluid communication with the impeller volume.

Various types of medical pump systems are used in endoscopy, and particularly in arthroscopy. Some pump systems may use a dedicated electric powered control unit that generates fluid flow within a tubeset. In some cases, a non-powered pumping system may be used. A gravity-fed tubeset, which establishes fluid flow via gravity alone by raising a fluid bag above a surgical site, is one such example. Alternatively, or additionally, fluid from the fluid bag may be forced to the surgical site by squeezing the fluid bag and thus increasing fluid pressure. In some cases, an inline flexible fluid chamber may be squeezed manually or by a mechanical device to augment gravity flow by providing additional flow/pressure.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.