The present invention relates to a controlled delivery system that can be incorporated in liquid, as well as, dry granular, or powder, fabric care products, such as fabric softeners, laundry detergents, rinse added products, and other fabric care products, to enhance fragrance performance. The controlled delivery system of the present invention is a solid, substantially spherical particle comprising hydrophobic cationic charge enhancing agents in conjunction with cationic fabric softening agents that assist in adhering the particles onto fabric. The particles can also include a fragrance. The particle can have an average particle diameter of from about 1 micron to about 500 microns. The controlled delivery system of the present invention can be utilized to deliver a broad range of fragrance ingredients onto fabric and prolong fragrance release from the dry laundered fabric over an extended period of time, or yield a high impact fragrance “burst” upon ironing the fabric. The invention also pertains to fabric care products comprising the controlled release system of the present invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a controlled release carrier system that can be incorporated into fabric care products, such as fabric softener, laundry detergents, rinse added products, and other fabric care products, and that enhances fragrance deposition onto fabric and which provides prolongs release of an active agent, such as a fragrance from the dry laundered fabric over an extended period of time, or yields a high impact fragrance "burst" upon ironing the fabric.
2. Description of the Related Art
The household industry has searched for many years for ways to enhance the performance of fabric care products and make them more aesthetically pleasing for the consumers. Consumer acceptance of laundry products is determined not only by the performance achieved with these products but the aesthetics associated therewith. Fragrance is an important aspect of the successful fabric care products and they are being utilized, in addition to imparting an aesthetically pleasing odor, to convey to the consumer the product performance and effectiveness (i.e., the fabric is clean, freshly washed, etc.).
Fragrances are typically added to fabric care products to provide a fresh, clean impression for these products as well as the laundered fabric. While the fragrance does not add to the performance of fabric care products, it does make these products more aesthetically pleasing and the consumer has come to expect such products to have a pleasing odor. The fragrance plays a major, and often determining, role for the consumer in selecting and purchasing the fabric care product. Consumers are becoming increasingly educated and expect a high level of sophistication in their fabric care products. Many consumers would prefer for the fragrance, present in these products, to be deposited on the fabric and remain there for an extended period of time to convey a lasting impression of freshness. Consumers are also interested in fabric care products that deposit high level of fragrance onto the fabric and release the fragrance upon ironing. Fragrance creation for fabric care products is restricted not only by considerations such as availability and cost, but also by compatibility of the fragrance ingredients with other components in the product composition and the ability of the fragrance ingredients to deposit onto the fabric and survive the wash and rise process. Furthermore, large amount of fragrance is being lost during the drying process, even when the fabrics are line dried. Practice has shown that when currently available fabric care products are used, a large fraction of the fragrance is lost during the rinse process due to the solubility of certain fragrance ingredients in aqueous washing compositions, and the fraction of the fragrance which was deposited, quickly evaporates, due to the volatility of fragrance ingredients.
Typical fabric care products such as laundry detergent compositions and fabric softener compositions contain 0.5% to 1% by weight fragrance in their formulations. U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,540, issued to the inventor of this disclosure, discloses that in the course of the washing process wherein clothes are washed with the standard powdered laundry detergent, or fabric softener rinse, a very small fraction of the fragrance that is contained in these fabric care products is actually transferred to the clothes. Tests are described showing that the amount of fragrance that is left as a residue on the clothes can be as low as 1% of the original small amount of fragrance that is contained in these products formulation itself.
Attempts have been made to increase fragrance deposition onto fabric and to hinder or delay the release of the perfume so that the laundered fabric remains aesthetically pleasing for a prolonged length of time. One approach used a carrier to bring the fragrance to the clothes. The carrier is formulated to contain a fragrance and to attach itself to the clothes during the washing cycle through particle entrainment or chemical change.
Perfumes have been adsorbed onto various materials such as silica and clay to deliver perfume in detergents and fabric softeners. U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,285 discloses perfume particles especially for use in dryer released fabric softening/antistatic agents. The perfume particles are formed, by adsorbing the perfume onto silica. The particles have a diameter of greater than about one micron. The particles can be used to reduce the shiny appearance of visible softener spots, which occasionally are present on fabrics treated with said fabric softening compositions and to maintain a relatively constant viscosity of the molten softening composition. The perfume particles are especially adapted for inclusion in dryer activated solid fabric softener compositions including coated particles of fabric softener, which are added to a detergent composition for use in the washing of fabrics. The compositions release softener to the fabrics in the dryer and improve the aesthetic character of any fabric softener deposits on fabrics. The perfume particles can also be admixed with detergent granules and can either be coated or uncoated. This system has the drawback that the fragrance oil is not sufficiently protected and is frequently lost or destabilized during processing.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,946,624, 5,112,688, and 5,126,061 disclose microcapsules, prepared by a coacervation process. The microcapsules have a complex structure in which there is a large central core of encapsulated material, preferably perfume, and the walls contain small wall inclusion particles of either the core material or some other material that can be activated to disrupt the wall. The microcapsules that are prepared by coacervation and contain perfume are incorporated into fabric softener compositions that have a pH of about 7 or less and which contain cationic fabric softener. The encapsulated perfume preferably does not contain large amounts of relatively water-soluble ingredients. Such ingredients are added separately to the fabric softener compositions. Ingredients that have high and low volatilities as compared to desired perfume, can either be added to, or removed from, the perfume to achieve the desired volatility. These type of controlled release system have the limitation of not working with all type of fragrance ingredients, especially not with fragrance ingredients that are relatively water-soluble and do not deposit into the fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,856 describes the use of coaservation technique to create perfume particles for fabric care products composed of gelatin or a mixture of gelatin with gum arabic, carboxymethylcellulose and/or anionic polymers. The gelatin is hardened with a natural and/or synthetic tanning agent and with a carbonyl compound. According to the invention, the particles adhere to the fabric and are carried over to the dryer. Diffusion of the perfume out of the capsules occurs only in heat-elevated conditions of the dryer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,272 teaches incorporating perfume into wax particles to protect the perfume during storage and through the laundry process. The perfume/wax particles are incorporated into an aqueous fabric conditioner composition. The perfume then diffuses from the particles onto the fabric in the heat-elevated conditions of the dryer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,841 discloses wax encapsulated actives based on emulsion process for household applications including fabric. The process for preparing encapsulated active particles comprises the steps of: dispersing active materials in molten wax; emulsifying the active/wax dispersion in aqueous surfactant solution; quenching the capsules by cooling; and retrieving solidified capsules. The active materials may be selected from chlorine or oxygen bleaching agents, bleach precursors, enzymes, perfumes, fabric softening agents, and surfactants. The resultant capsules are in a form of dispersion (liquid) and have utility for cleaning compositions such as automatic dishwashing detergent formulations.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,792 issued to the inventor of this disclosure also describes an aqueous dispersion. A controlled, time-release microparticulate active and bioactive compositions (including perfuming compositions) for targeted delivery to services such as skin, hair and fabric and the environment proximate thereto is described in which the active and bioactive materials have a calculated log P values of between 1 and 8 (P being the n-octanol-water partition coefficient). Such compositions include the active or bioactive material in single phase, solid solution in a wax or polymer matrix also having coated thereon and/or containing a compatible surfactant. Also described are processes and apparatus for preparing such compositions and processes for using same. The fragrance formulation is selected and according this patent has the disadvantage of limiting the type of fragrances that can be used with the system.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,446,032 and 4,464,271 disclose liquid or solid fabric softener compositions comprising microencapsulated fragrance suspensions. The compositions contain sustained release fragrances that are prepared by combining non-confined fragrance oils with encapsulated or physically entrapped fragrance oils. These combinations are fashioned so that the free fragrance oil or fragrance oil emulsion, are bound in a network of physically entrapped fragrance oil and suspending agent. The thixatropic pastes or free-flowing powders which result are products where the unconfined fragrance oil or unconfined fragrance oil emulsion, the "encapsulated" or physically entrapped fragrance oil and suspending agent are held together by physical forces. The controlled release system comprise of a mixture of (i) a non-confined fragrance composition; (ii) one or more fragrance oils which are physically entrapped in one or more types of solid particles and (iii) a suspending agent such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, silica, xanthan gum, ethyl cellulose or combinations of the previously mentioned four substances; the non-confined fragrance substance, the entrapped fragrance oil and the suspension agent being premixed prior to the subsequent creation of the liquid or solid fabric softener compositions of matter.
Water soluble polymers have also been used to encapsulate fragrance oils. Such capsules have proved useful in releasing perfume in deodorants. However, such capsules have not been commercially successful in extended release of perfume from fabrics. U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,887 discloses an encapsualted perfume system in tumble dryer articles. The encapsulating material is a water-soluble natural or synthetic polymer with a molecular weight of less than about 300,000 that will release the perfume in response to moisture. Since these systems are water sensitive, these types of particles cannot be incorporated in aqueous fabric softener compositions.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,066,419, and 5,154,842 disclose coated perfume particles. The perfume particles comprise perfume dispersed within certain water-insoluble non-polymeric carrier materials and encapsulated in a protective shell by coating with a friable coating material. The coated particles allow for preservation and protection of perfumes, which are susceptible to degradation or loss in storage and in cleaning compositions. In use, the surface coating fractures and the underlying carrier/perfume particles efficiently deliver a large variety of perfume types to fabrics or other surfaces.
Several patents disclose the use of controlled release systems based on cyclodextrin complexes for fabric care applications, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,094,761, 5,207,33, 5,232,612, 5,234,611, 5,236,615, 5,102,564, and 5,234,610. These patents disclose that fabric softening compositions, preferably in liquid form, for use in the rinse cycle of home laundry operations are improved by: (a) using certain protected water sensitive materials, especially particulate complexes of cyclodextrins and perfumes, which are protected in fabric softening compositions and/or detergent compositions, by imbedding the particulate complex in relatively high melting protective material that is substantially water-insoluble and, preferably, non-water-swellable and is solid at normal storage conditions, but which melts at the temperatures encountered in automatic fabric dryers (laundry dryers); (b) using soil release polymers to help suspend water-insoluble particles in aqueous fabric softening compositions; and/or (c) preparing the said protected particulate water sensitive materials (complexes) by melting the said high melting materials, dispersing the said particulate complexes, or other water sensitive material, in the molten high melting protective material and dispersing the resulting molten mixture in aqueous media, especially surfactant solution or aqueous fabric softener composition, and cooling to form small, smooth, spherical particles of the particulate complexes, or other water sensitive material, substantially protected by the high melting material. These systems have the disadvantage that the materials are expensive resulting in increased manufacturing costs.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,973,422, and 5,137,646 disclose perfume particles for use in cleaning and conditioning compositions. Perfume particles are disclosed comprising perfume dispersed within wax materials. The particles can be further be coated with a material that makes the particles more substantive to the surface being treated for example, fabric in the laundry process. Such materials help to deliver the particles to the fabric and maximize perfume release directly on the fabric. Generally, the coating materials are water-insoluble cationic materials. Cleaning and conditioning compositions comprising these perfume particles are also disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,943 discloses particles containing absorbed liquids and methods of making them. Perfume is absorbed within organic polymer particles, which have a further polymer at their exterior. The polymer incorporates free hydroxyl groups and serves to promote deposition of the particles from a wash or rinse liquor. The polymer may be part of an encapsulating shell, but more conveniently is used as a stabiliser during polymerisation of the particles. Highly hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol is preferred. Particles containing organic polymer, which are insoluble in water, with liquid imbibed by the particles, the particles having at their exterior, a polymer which incorporates free hydroxy groups.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,660 discloses compositions to deposit an active substance on a target surface. The active substance is left on the surface after the product is rinsed off the surface. The preferred deposition is from compositions containing an anionic or nonionic active in the co-presence of an anionic surfactant. The compositions contain carrier particles having a zwitterionic or cationic surface and a plurality of outwardly protruding filaments containing charged organocarbyl groups. The term "zwitterionic" employed in this patent means a mixture of cationic and anionic (not necessarily neutral); thus the surface of the zwitterionic particles, have both cationic and anionic groups (i.e., positively charged and negatively charged organocarbyl groups). The active substance is contained within the carrier particles. Examples of target surfaces are mammalian skin, hair or nails.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,540 discloses a method employing drum chilling for production fragrance-containing long lasting solid particle for incorporation into laundry detergents, fabric softener compositions, and drier-added fabric softener articles. The invention relates to encapsulating a pre-selected fragrance in a fat and a solid, non-ionic, surface active agent, from the group consisting of SPAN® surfactants for the purpose of imparting a fragrance to a laundry detergent composition, a fabric softener composition or a drier-added fabric softener. The invention also relates to a method of formulating a pre-selected fragrance formulation and a fat and surface-active agent carrier for the pre-selected fragrance formulation. The emphasis of U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,540 is in engineering the fragrance formulation and thus limiting the type of fragrances that can be used with the system. This patent also has the drawback that production of these particles, consists of a two step process (i.e., drum chilling and grind) which makes the production of this fragrance-particles to have high manufacturing costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,899 discloses fabric softener compositions that have enhanced softening benefits. The fabric softeners of consist of a fabric softener active in combination with a cationic charge booster. The cationic charge boosters disclosed are suitable for use with any fabric softener active, preferably with diester and diamide quaternary ammonium (DEQA) compounds. The invention only relates to the enhanced performance of the fabric softener actives as a result of incorporating the cationic charge boosters in these compositions. The invention does not disclose the use of cationic charge booster to deposit particles onto fabric.
The prior art of which applicant is aware does not set forth a fragrance controlled release system that can be incorporated in liquid, as well as, dry granular, or powder, fabric care products to enhance fragrance performance, especially not for fragrance ingredients that are more soluble into the aqueous phase of the washing compositions and do not deposit onto the fabric. There is also a need for a fragrance carrier system, for fabric care products, that will allow using a wider range of fragrance ingredients that are currently not substantive on fabric and improved fragrance substantivity and longevity onto the laundered fabric. It is desirable to provide a control release system for overcoming these limitations. It is also desirable to provide a method using an efficient and economical process for delivering a broad range of fragrance ingredients onto fabric and prolong fragrance release from the dry laundered fabric over an extended period of time, or yields a high impact fragrance "burst" upon ironing the fabric.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Controlled delivery system for fabric care products


This invention relates to a process to remove the unsaturated impurities (in particular vinylidene chloride) present in a crude 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane. This process comprises subjecting the product to be purified, in the liquid phase, in the presence of oxygen, to an irradiation by short wavelength UV rays (200 to 360 nm), then washing with an alkaline and/or reducing solution, and drying.

1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane, prepared by fluorination of Vinylidgne chloride (A. E Feiring, J. Fluorine Chem., 1979, 14(1), 7-18)or of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (U.S. Pat. No. DE 2,137,806), contains, as impurities, chlorinated or chlorofluorinated unsaturated compounds which are undesirable when 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane is used and must therefore be removed. Among the unsaturated impurities, the most harmful is vinylidene chloride, whose boiling point (31.7.degree. C.) is too close to that (32.degree. C.) of 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane for its separation to be possible by distillation.
Among the various techniques already proposed for removing the unsaturated impurities (in particular vinylidene chloride ) present in 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane, there may be mentioned:
liquid phase photochlorination (U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,479 ) or vapour phase photochlorination (publication WO 92/10452)
chlorination in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst (publication EP 0,420,709)
absorption of the impurities on a carbonaceous molecular sieve (U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,824) or on active charcoal (U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,816)
catalytic hydrogenation (U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,035)
treatment with concentrated H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 (publication JP 04-99737 ).
It has now been found that the unsaturated impurities, in particular vinylidene chloride, may be removed by photooxidation.


A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly includes a PCB having a core substrate, a plurality of conductive traces on a first surface of the PCB, and a ground layer on the second surface of the PCB. The conductive traces comprise a pair of differential signal traces. An intervening reference trace is disposed between the differential signal traces. A connector is disposed at one end of the plurality of conductive traces. A semiconductor package is mounted on the first surface at the other end of the plurality of conductive traces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improved signal transmitting channel with SGS or GSGSG pattern for high-speed signaling applications. This channel design can be implemented in, for example, printed circuit boards (PCBs), PCB assembly (PCBA), chip packages such as leadframe packages or the like, for both differential-mode impedance (Zdiff) and common-mode impedance (Zcom) matching.
2. Description of the Related Art
As known in the art, semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) chips have input/output (I/O) pads that are connected to external circuitry in order to function as part of an electronic system. The connection media may be an array of metallic leads such as a leadframe or a support circuit such as a ball grid array (BGA) substrate. Wire bonding and flip-chip bonding are two widely used connection techniques. In wire bonding approach, wires are bonded, one at a time, from the chip to external circuitry by ultrasonic or thermocompression processes. During wire bonding, mechanical force such as pressure or a burst of ultrasonic vibration and elevated temperature are typically required to accomplish metallurgical welding between the wires or bumps and the designated surface.
Flip-chip bonding involves providing pre-formed solder bumps on the pads, flipping the chip so that the pads face down and are aligned with and contact matching bond sites, and melting the solder bumps to wet the pads and the bond sites. After the solder reflows, it is cooled down and solidified to form solder joints between the pads and the bond sites. A major advantage of flip-chip bonding over wiring bonding is that it provides shorter connection paths between the chip and the external circuitry, and therefore has better electrical characteristics such as less inductive noise, cross-talk, propagation delay and waveform distortion.
A leadframe typically includes a plurality of metal leads temporarily held together in a planar arrangement about a central region during package manufacture by a rectangular frame. A die pad is supported in the central region by a plurality of tie bars that attach to the frame. The leads extend from a first end integral with the frame to an opposite second end adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the die pad. During package manufacture, a semiconductor die is attached to the die pad. Wire-bonding pads on the die are then connected to selected ones of the inner leads by fine, conductive bonding wires to convey power, ground or signals between the die and the leads. A protective body of an epoxy resin is molded over the assembly to enclose and seal the die, the inner leads, and the wire bonds against harmful environmental elements. The rectangular frame and the outer ends of the leads are left exposed outside of the body, and after molding, the frame is cut away from the leads and discarded, and the outer ends of the leads are appropriately formed for interconnection of the package with an external printed circuit board.
A semiconductor chip can generate or receive a high-speed I/O signal at an I/O cell and may conduct the signal to or from a package terminal. The high-speed I/O signals may travel on transmission lines that are intended to maintain signal fidelity over a distance. Signal integrity is a set of measures of the quality of an electrical signal. Signal integrity engineering is an important activity at all levels of electronics packaging and assembly, from internal connections of an IC, through the package, the printed circuit board (PCB), the backplane, and inter-system connections. In nanometer technologies at 0.13 μm and below, unintended interactions between signals (e.g. crosstalk) became an important consideration for digital design. At these technology nodes, the performance and correctness of a design cannot be assured without considering noise effects.
The main cause of signal integrity problems is crosstalk. This is primarily due to coupling capacitance, but in general it may be caused by mutual inductance, substrate coupling, non-ideal gate operation, and other sources. The fixes normally involve changing the sizes of drivers and/or spacing of wires. In digital ICs, noise in a signal of interest arises primarily from coupling effects from switching of other signals. Increasing interconnect density has led to each wire having neighbors that are physically closer together, leading to increased coupling capacitance between neighboring nets. Larger mutual capacitance and mutual inductance also induce larger common-mode impedance and smaller differential impedance. The signal reflection also causes poor signal integrity due to impedance mismatch.
As circuits have continued to shrink in accordance with Moore's law, some effects have conspired to make noise problems worse. For example, to keep resistance tolerable despite decreased width, modern wire geometries are thicker in proportion to their spacing. This increases the sidewall capacitance at the expense of capacitance to ground, hence increasing the induced noise voltage. These effects have increased the interactions between signals and decreased the noise immunity of digital circuits. This has led to noise being a significant problem for digital ICs and high-speed signaling applications.
As a consequence of the low impedance required by matching, PCB signal traces carry much more current than their on-chip counterparts. This larger current induces crosstalk primarily in a magnetic, or inductive, mode, as opposed to a capacitive mode. The signal itself and its returning signal current path are equally capable of generating inductive crosstalk. Although differential trace pairs may help to reduce these effects, however, in some cases, there are still drawbacks to be overcome. For example, in leadframe packages or circuit boards such as 2-layer PCBs, the lack of a near reference plane (e.g. power plane or ground plane) leads to larger mutual inductance and capacitance, this in turns, causes smaller differential-mode impedance (Zdiff) and larger common-mode impedance (Zcom), which are undesirable in high-speed signal transmission applications such as data transmission through interfaces that are compatible with Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) specification.

SGS or GSGSG pattern for signal transmitting channel, and PCB assembly, chip package using such SGS or GSGSG pattern


A neck dam collar is formed of a substantially vapor-proof material. Resiliently compressible portions of the collar either act as a cushion, a spacer, or both between a neck dam and the wearer's neck. In one embodiment, the collar is a discrete, cylindrical tube of flexible, elastic material. In another embodiment, a protective garment includes the neck dam collar.

Workers in certain hazardous professions, such as emergency rescue workers and military personnel, may in certain circumstances deal with various chemical or biological agents, the inhalation of which, or exposure to which, can be irritating, health-threatening, or even life-threatening. Members of those professions have benefited from the development of hoods and escape mask systems designed to protect the wearer by providing a physical barrier between the wearer and the external environment, and thus preventing chemical or biological threats from contacting the wearer. Such hoods and masks are generally fluid- and air-tight, at least partially envelope the wearer's head, and interface with the wearer's neck. The effectiveness of such hoods and masks in providing complete protection to the wearer depends in part on the ability of one portion of the hood or mask, the neck dam, to form an adequately sound seal about the wearer's neck.
A neck dam is a structure surrounding an opening in a protective hood or mask through which a wearer inserts his or her head into the hood or mask. The neck dam, typically constructed of an elastic or resilient material, is generally smaller in diameter than the head of the wearer, and can be stretched so that the wearer can insert his or her head into the hood. When released, the neck dam contracts and thus becomes positioned proximate to and generally against the wearer's neck, often forming a seal that prevents the entry of gases or agents from the external environment into the hood.
Traditionally, a neck dam relies on the elasticity of the material from which it is constructed to create the seal about the wearer's neck. This construction has certain limitations and drawbacks. For example, the elastic material chosen for use in traditional neck dams may not conform to the physical dimensions of a wearer's neck. In the case of a wearer with a larger diameter neck, the dam may be too tight, possibly leading to shortness of breath and reduced blood flow to the brain due to the pressure of the neck dam on the individual's windpipe and carotid arteries. In the case of a wearer with a smaller diameter neck, the neck dam may be too loose, and thus compromise the quality of the desired seal. When there is not enough sealing pressure to provide an adequate seal around the wearer's neck, movements of the head, such as looking upward or downward, can cause the neck dam to leak, permitting chemical or biological agents to enter the hood or mask.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device and method that may improve the level of protection and/or the level of comfort afforded by neck dams of chemical and biological hoods and escape mask systems.

Neck dam collar for use with chemical-biological protective masks and hoods

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Systems and methods for assisting user with hearing by amplifying sound using an amplifier with gain and amplitude controls for a plurality of frequencies; and applying a learning machine to identify an aural environment and adjust the amplifiers for optimum hearing.

The preferred embodiment relates to in-ear monitoring systems.
Hearing aid appliances with custom fit are known. The "In the Ear (ITE)," "In The Canal" or "Completely In the Canal" types of hearing aids have typically been manufactured using manual labor to a very large extent. Tto produce ITE hearing devices, the shape of the auditory canal to be transferred to the housing shell of an ITE hearing device is determined in as precise a manner as possible. An ear impression of an auditory canal is usually taken in order to produce the shape for a housing shell therefrom. Ear impressions of this type have been read into PC systems by means of scanning for some time, in order then to be further processed digitally. These scanners mostly use the triangulation method for measuring the 3D data of the objects. To this end, a light source (projector) is used, which projects a pattern. This pattern is recorded again by a camera, which is disposed at an angle from the projector. The spatial depth structure can be calculated.
Methods are also known, in which the auditory canal is directly scanned, without requiring an ear impression. These scanners, like those used to record an ear impression, are relatively expensive and are almost exclusively based on triangulation measurement methods, which necessitate precise optical systems and also require a complex system adjustment. Normally, due to the natural curvature of the ear canal, the eardrum is not visible from outside the ear. In order to overcome the natural curvature of the ear canal, a skilled operator or physician has to carefully pull the outer ear upward and to the back while carefully pushing the tip of the scanner into the ear canal as deeply as necessary to display the eardrum. The ear canal has to be deformed in such a way that the physician has a free view onto the eardrum along the optical axis of the camera. The procedure needs manual skills and significant training to carefully push the funnel into the ear canal while looking inside and manipulating the curvature of the ear canal by pulling the ear. For example, the trained operator is well aware to brace the hand holding of the camera against the subject's head to avoid injury to the ear canal and the eardrum by placing the index finger or little finger against the head. Thus, the risk of penetration of the sensitive ear canal skin or even of the eardrum exists. Other than pain and handicapped hearing, such an injury is also known to potentially induce cardiovascular complication through vagal overstimulation and, therefore, has to be avoided under all circumstances.


A mounting plate for electronic components, including cooling conduits that are integrated into a plate body and that are traversed by a coolant, a fixing device for mounting electronic components that are to be cooled being located on the plate body. The mounting plate has the fixing device including at least one first groove with an approximately C-shaped cross-section, which extends in a linear manner in the extension direction of the mounting plate. At least one screw nut is inserted and locked against torsion in the groove in order to form a screw connection with an electronic component.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a mounting plate for electronic components, having coolant lines integrated in a plate body for cooling fluid to flow through, wherein a fastening arrangement for mounting electronic components to be cooled is arranged on the plate body.
2. Discussion of Related Art
It is known to install cooling coils in a mounting plate or a mounting board for cooling electronic devices, for example frequency converters, which are to be mounted on the mounting plate. The waste heat from the electronic components can be removed by a so-called "cold plate".
The electronic components can be held on a known mounting plate by screw connections. Screw holes are thus provided in the housings of the electronic components, through which a screw can be screwed into threaded holes to be cut into the mounting plate. However, holes cannot be cut into the known mounting plates without the danger of damage to the cooling coils. The electronic components often have varied dimensions, so that different fastening dimensions also exist. It is often not possible to provide the mounting plate with a prefabricated grid of threaded holes, because the threaded holes arranged on the housings of the electronic components are not aligned with the other threaded holes.
In known mounting plates of the PADA Engineering company, cooling coils are placed so they are visible from the plate surface in order to prevent accidental damage of the coolant conduits during the subsequent mechanical processing of the mounting plate.
However, it is necessary in connection with the known mounting plates to cut specially arranged threaded bores, depending on the fastening dimensions of the electronic components to be mounted. This is expensive from a manufacturing technology standpoint.
The packing density of several electronic components to be mounted is also reduced by the mounting areas prescribed by the position of the cooling coils, because not every location is suitable for drilling a threaded hole due to the layout of the coolant lines.

Mounting plate for electronic components


A golf club head includes a body and a striking portion. The body includes a front side with a coupling section. The striking portion is coupled with the coupling section. The striking portion includes a metal matrix forming a basic structure of the striking portion. The metal matrix includes at least one groove. At least one light, reinforcing member is securely mounted in the at least one groove to reduce a weight of the striking portion to allow downward and rearward shifting of a center of gravity of the golf club head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club head. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf club head with a lower center of gravity.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,223 discloses a golf club head comprising a body, a ball-hitting face, and a balance weight. The body includes a shaft attaching portion to which a shaft is attached and an assembling portion to which the balance weight is mounted. The assembling portion is formed on the bottom portion of the back of the body. The ball-hitting face is integrally formed with or mounted on a front face of the body. The balance weight has a specific gravity greater than that of the body for shifting the center of gravity downward and rearward, which is particularly useful when the ball-hitting face is made of a material having a low specific gravity.
In actual manufacturing, the body is made of a steel material having a specific gravity of about 7.8 g/cm3, the balance weight is made of a metal material having a specific gravity greater than 9.0, and the ball-hitting face is made of a light metal material (such as titanium alloy) having a specific gravity of about 4.5 g/cm3. It is difficult to largely shift the center of gravity of the golf club head by significantly reducing the weight of the front portion of the golf club head if the ball-hitting face is made of a light metal material. Namely, it becomes more and more difficult to shift the center of gravity of the golf club head further downward and rearward.

Golf club head with lower center of gravity


A metal member is produced with enhanced corrosion resistance by salt bath nitriding. Specifically, in a nitriding salt bath containing Li+, Na+ and K+ ions as cation components and CNO− and CO3−− ions as anion components and enhanced in oxidizing power by addition of an oxidizing-power-enhancing substance selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, bound water, free water and moist air, the metal member is immersed such that an nitrided layer is formed on a surface of the metal member and concurrently, an oxide film is formed on an outermost layer of the nitrided layer. As a subsequent step to the immersion in the nitriding salt bath, the metal member is immersed in a displacement cleansing salt bath which contains an alkali metal nitrate.

Salt bath nitriding treatment is widely used to improve material properties such as abrasion resistance and fatigue strength of metals, especially iron and steel, by forming both nitrided layers and nitrogen diffusion layers on their surfaces. This salt nitriding treatment is applied not only to plain steel but also to alloy steel such as stainless steel and nickel-based alloys (so-called super alloys) represented by "Inconel" and the like.
Such nitrided layer and nitrogen diffusion layer, which have been obtained by the above-described method, have a function to heighten the surface hardness of the associated metal member such that the metal member is improved in abrasion resistance and fatigue strength and at the same time, is protected from a corrosive loss. Conventional salt bath nitriding treatment, therefore, needs no further treatment insofar as corrosion resistance of an ordinary level is required. Further treatment is, however, needed in an applications where corrosion resistance is required to such an extent as available from hard chromium plating as one of competing surface hardening techniques. To make improvements in the corrosion resistance of metal members nitrided as described, a variety of inventions have been made (see, JP 56-33473 A, JP 60-211062 A, JP 05-263214 A, JP 05-195194 A, JP 07-62522 A, and JP 07-224388 A).
To make further improvements in corrosion resistance, combinations of nitriding treatment and oxidizing bath treatment have also been proposed (see, JP 56-33473 A and JP 07-224388 A). Corrosion resistance available from such combined treatment is stated to be comparable or better compared with hard chromium plating when determined by the salt spraying test. However, the corrosion resistance available from such combinations of salt bath nitriding treatment and oxidizing bath treatment varies so much that their adoption has been avoided in many instances. With a view to overcoming this drawback, it has also been proposed to impregnate a treated product with wax or to coat a treated product with a polymer after the application of the nitriding treatment and oxidizing bath treatment in combination (see, JP 05-195194 A and JP 05-263214 A).
These two methods are intended to achieve both an improvement and stabilization (improved reproducibility) in corrosion resistance by conducting the wax impregnation or polymer coating treatment such that the coefficient of friction is lowered to make an improvement in abrasion resistance and at the same time, an oxide layer is sealed or covered with a wax or polymer coating. These two methods can bring about good material properties such as high abrasion resistance and fatigue strength and at the same time, improvements in corrosion resistance and its reproducibility.
Nonetheless, the incorporation of an impregnation or coating step in addition to oxidizing bath treatment after a nitriding step is not readily acceptable in view of factors such as initial cost, productivity, production cost and the like.
The present inventors, therefore, invented a method of forming an oxide layer, which is excellent in barrier properties, on an outermost surface concurrently with achieving nitriding upon subjecting a metal member, especially an iron-based member to nitriding treatment in a salt bath, and succeeded in imparting corrosion resistance, which is superior to that available from hard chromium plating, in addition to making improvements in material properties such as abrasion resistance and fatigue strength. An application for a patent was filed on the invention (Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-361544, now JP 2002-226963 A).
The above-described method features that upon forming a nitrided layer on a surface of a metal member, especially an iron-based member by immersing the metal member in a molten salt bath containing Li+, Na+ and K+ ions as cation components and CNO− and CO3−− ions as anion components, the oxidizing power of the salt bath is enhanced by addition of an alkali metal hydroxide, bound water, free water, moist air or the like to form, concurrently with formation of a nitrided layer on a surface of the member, an oxide layer on an outermost surface of the nitrided layer.
The oxide layer is a thin layer composed of a lithium iron oxide layer and having a thickness as small as 0.5 to 5 μm, but is equipped with an excellent barrier function against chlorine ions as a corrosive environment factor and can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of a nitrided metal member. The method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A is, therefore, expected to find wide-spread utility as a surface hardening method capable of imparting high corrosion resistance as a substitute method for hard chromium plating.
With respect to stainless steel widely employed as a corrosive metal material, salt bath nitriding, ionitriding, gas nitriding and the like are also practiced for applications each of which requires an improvement in surface hardness. These nitriding treatment methods are, however, accompanied by a drawback that a passivated film on a surface of stainless steel is destroyed to impair the corrosion resistance which stainless steel is inherently equipped with (see JP 2001-214256 A) Therefore, the hard chromium plating has been applied for the improvement of surface hardness of stainless steel with inherent corrosion resistance, although the plating film has problems of unsatisfactory adhesion and the like.
The method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A can form, concurrently with nitriding a surface of stainless steel, a lithium iron chromium oxide layer having good adhesion and high corrosion resistance on an outermost surface. This method is, therefore, expected to find practical utility as a surface hardening method for stainless steel as a substitute method for hard chromium plating.
Reference is next had to FIGS. 1A through 2B. FIGS. 1A and 2A are cross-sectional schematics of surface-modifying layers formed on plain steel and stainless steel, respectively, by a conventional method, while FIGS. 1B and 2B are cross-sectional schematics of surface-modifying layers formed on plain steel and stainless steel, respectively, by the method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A. In these drawings, there are shown nitrogen diffusion layers 1 (thickness: 0.2 to 1 mm), compound layers 2 (also called "white layers", Fe2N, thickness: 5 to 30 μm), a black lithium iron oxide layer 4 (thickness: 0.5 to 5 μm), nitrogen diffusion layers 11 (thickness: 0.2 to 1 mm), first compound layers 12 (also called "white layers", Fe2N+Cr2N, thickness: 10 μm), second compound layers 13 (also called "black layers", CrN+Fe2N, thickness: 20 to 80 μm), and a black lithium iron chromium oxide layer 14 (thickness: 0.5 to 5 μm) The lithium iron oxide layer 4 and lithium iron chromium oxide layer 14, both of which have been formed by the method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A, are extremely thin layers, but are excellent in barrier effects against chlorine ions and the like as corrosive environment factors and contribute to improvements in the corrosion resistance of the nitrided materials. On the other hand, the compound layers 2, 12, 13 shown in the drawings have high hardness and impart superb abrasion resistance to the plain steel and stainless steel. The nitrogen diffusion layers 1 and 11 formed below the compound layers 2 and 12, respectively, are solid solution layers with nitrogen dissolved in the plain steel and stainless steel, respectively. Owing to the compression stress produced as a result of dissolution of nitrogen, the resulting members are provided with significantly-improved fatigue strength.
To obtain such a nitrogen diffusion layer, it is necessary to quench a member from a temperature of at least 300° C. or higher subsequent to its nitriding treatment. In salt bath nitriding by the method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A, quenching is also conducted at 450 to 650° C. as in conventional salt bath nitriding treatment. Taking into consideration residual strain in the treated product, prohibition of γ′ (Fe4N) deposition in a nitrogen diffusion layer, and the like, however, post-nitriding quenching is conducted by one of the following three methods, said one quenching method being selected to obtain target material properties:                Salt bath nitriding→water quenching→hot water rinsing→drying.        Salt bath nitriding→oil quenching→hot water rinsing→drying.        Salt bath nitriding→air quenching→hot water rinsing→drying.
Water quenching is the highest in quenching rate, and is adopted when importance is placed on the inhibition of γ′ (Fe4N) deposition in a nitrogen diffusion layer. Air quenching, on the other hand, is the lowest in quenching rate and is adopted when importance is placed on the inhibition of residual strain. Oil quenching is selected in view of a balance between quenching rate and strain. To achieve both of the prevention of residual strain and the inhibition of γ′ (Fe4N) deposition, air quenching may be applied to around 400° C., following by water quenching.
As one example of the compositions of conventional molten salt nitriding baths, the following composition can be mentioned: 35 wt. % CNO−, 18 wt. % CO3−−, 3.5 wt. % Li+, 18 wt. % Na+, 22.5 wt. % K+, and 3 wt. % CN− (hereinafter called "the salt bath C"). As an illustrative composition of a molten salt nitriding bath for use in the method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A, on the other hand, the following composition can be mentioned: 15 wt. % CNO−, 40 wt. % CO3−−, 4 wt. % Li+, 18 wt. % Na+, 22.5 wt. % K+, and 0.5 wt. % CN− (hereinafter called "the salt bath N").
To permit formation of an oxide layer on an outermost layer concurrently with nitriding, the salt bath for use in the method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A has such a formula design that contains CNO−, a source component for the formation of cyanide, at a minimized level to reduce CN−, which is a reducing substance and has dissolving action on iron oxides, to as low a concentration as possible. As a result, the proportion of a carbonate having a relatively low solubility in water is greater compared with the corresponding proportion in the conventional bath.
Subsequent to the salt bath nitriding, the treated product is subjected to water quenching (or oil quenching or air quenching) to quench it, and is then rinsed with hot water in the subsequent step. As the conventional salt bath contains a cyanate, which has high solubility in water, in a large proportion, the molten salt adhered on the treated product can be readily dissolved and rinsed off with water. In the salt bath for use in the method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A, on the other hand, the carbonate which is lower in solubility than the cyanate is contained in a large proportion. The molten salt dragged out in a state adhered on the treated product, therefore, tends to remain on the treated product without being completely rinsed off with water where the treated product is a part of complex configurations, although such a molten salt can be readily rinsed off with water in the case of a part of simple configurations. In general, no molten salt is allowed to adhere and remain on a treated product. Especially in the case of a molten salt nitriding bath in which by produced cyanides exist although they are contained only in trace amounts, the molten salt is by no means allowed to remain on the treated product.
In the salt bath composition for use in the method disclosed in JP 2002-226963 A, the reduction in the content of the cyanate is replaced by the carbonate for the reasons to be mentioned next. The nitriding of steel in a salt bath is known to take place by solid diffusion of nascent nitrogen, which is produced by decomposition of a cyanate by the following formula (1) or (2), into the steel:4MeCNO→2MeCN+Me2CO3+CO+2N  (1)5MeCNO→3MeCN+Me2CO3+CO2+2N  (2)wherein Me represents a monovalent alkali metal.
The cyanide formed by the reaction of the formula (1) or (2) is considered to be an effective component, because it is oxidized and converted back into the effective cyanate through the following reaction by salt bath aeration conducted as a standard procedure upon performing salt bath nitriding:2MeCN+O2→2MeCNO  (3)
The carbonate formed by the reaction of the formula (1) or (2), on the other hand, accumulates as the salt bath nitriding treatment proceeds. Before the technique disclosed in JP 51-5024A was invented, cyanate the content of which dropped through the treatment was replenished with an alkali metal cyanide. Due to accumulation of the unnecessary carbonate, however, the replenishment of a fresh supply of the alkali metal cyanate was hardly feasible unless a portion of the salt bath was discarded. The invention disclosed in JP 51-50241 A made it possible to maintain the concentration of a cyanate in the salt bath without pumping out the old salt, which contains a toxic cyanide, by reacting a useless carbonate, which is contained in the salt bath, with a nitrogen-containing organic compound to convert it back directly into the effective cyanate.
The conversion back into the cyanate when urea is used as a nitrogen-containing compound can be represented by the following formula:Me2CO3+2CO(NH2)2→2MeCNO+2NH3+CO2+H2O  (4)
The above description is believed to make it possible to understand the inevitability of the salt bath composition of MeCN/MeCNO/Me2CO3, that is, the reason for the replacement of the reduction in the content of MeCNO with Me2CO3.

Method of producing metal member with enhanced corrosion resistance by salt bath nitriding


A stabiliser (10) has a body (12) having a through-bore (16). A mandrel (14), also having a through-bore (20), is axially slidable in the body bore to actuate and de-actuate the tool. A step (64) in the body defines annular chambers (102, 104) between the mandrel and body on either side of the step. A control piston (18) in the mandrel alternately directs drilling mud pumped under pressure along said body bore and mandrel bore to the chambers to drive the mandrel hydraulically to actuate and de-actuate the tool.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to down-hole tools and particularly to stabilisers for drill strings, especially near-bit stabilisers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Directional drilling is either sophisticated, expensive and unreliable or simple, reliable but rather limited. For the most part, the latter type meets all requirements. This type relies entirely on gravity and can only adjust the inclination of a hole, rather than its horizontal direction.
An adjustable stabiliser has a base diameter larger than the drill string, but not as large as the hole bore being drilled. It prevents the drill string from contacting the sides of the bore. When actuated however, its diameter increases and so the drill string is constrained to run concentric with the hole being drilled. Thus an adjustable stabiliser near the drill bit steers the drill bit depending on its actuation.
Down-hole motors are frequently used in drilling. The string itself is not rotated. Instead, the motor near the end of the string rotates just the bit at the end. The motor is hydraulically driven by drilling mud pumped from the surface. The down-hole motor should be as close to the drill bit as possible, but a stabiliser can be interposed between them in order to provide steerage.
Thus a short stabiliser is called for. Down-hole stabilisers have been actuated in a number of different ways.
In EP-A-0251543, a fairly short stabiliser is disclosed, but it involves using mechanical compressive forces on the drill string to set and unset it.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,760, a stabiliser is hydraulically operated, employing fluid pressure of pressurised drilling mud to actuate the stabiliser by a piston mandrel moving axially in a bore of the body of the stabiliser and having ramps or cams which move a stabiliser bar radially outward. A long, and strong, spring returns the stabiliser to a deactivated position when the fluid pressure is released.
In the same patent a throttle member increases the pressure drop across the tool, serving both to accelerate movement of the mandrel for actuation of the tool and to signal to the surface the state of actuation of the tool.

Adjustable stabiliser for directional drilling

Abstract: The control piston has a through-bore (46) and is slidable in the mandrel bore against the force of a return spring (40) by drilling mud pressure from a low-pressure position to a pressure position. The pressure position is alternately one of an actuate position (a) and a de-actuate position (b), axially spaced along the mandrel bore from said actuate position.


According to the present invention, high-k film can be etched to provide a desired geometry without damaging the silicon underlying material. A silicon oxide film 52 is formed on a silicon substrate 50 by thermal oxidation, and a high dielectric constant insulating film 54 comprising HfSiOx is formed thereon. Thereafter, polycrystalline silicon layer 56 and high dielectric constant insulating film 54 are selectively removed in stages by a dry etching through a mask of the resist layer 58, and subsequently, the residual portion of the high dielectric constant insulating film 54 and the silicon oxide film 52 are selectively removed by wet etching through a mask of polycrystalline silicon layer 56. A liquid mixture of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid is employed for the etchant solution. The temperature of the etchant solution is preferably equal to or lower than 200 degree C., and more preferably equal to or less than 180 degree C.

In recent years, utilizations of a higher dielectric constant thin film called high-k film for the application of a material composing of a semiconductor device are investigated. Typical high-k materials include oxides containing Zr, Hf or the like. Novel superior device performances can be achieved by employing such materials for a gate insulating film of MOSFET and a capacity film of a capacitance element.
JP-A-2003-8004 (paragraphs [0026] to [0029] and FIG. 1) describes a MOSFET having a gate insulating film of a multi-layered structure (Al2O3—HfO2—Al2O3) comprising aluminum oxide films formed on both of an upper and a bottom surfaces of a hafnium oxide film. When the high-k material is employed for a gate insulating film of a transistor, thinner film thickness converted into the silicon oxide film may be applicable even if the thickness of the gate insulating film is designed to be thicker in a certain level, thereby providing the gate insulating film which is physically and structurally stable.
In the preparations for forming the transistor comprising such gate insulating film, it is necessary to remove gate insulating films formed in regions where gate electrode is not formed after the gate electrode is fabricated. If this gate insulating film is not removed to remain thereon, the undesired short-channel effect may be remarkable, thereby reducing the reliability of the transistor.
Nevertheless, the hafnium oxide film is generally difficult to be etched. In the above-described patent application, it is described that the gate insulating film can be etched off by conducting reactive ion etching (RIE), and it is also described therein that if it is not sufficient with RIE, plasma etching may be employed. However, in reality, it is not easy to remove hafnium oxide film by conducting the dry etching. In particular, it is necessary to conduct a thermal processing at relatively higher temperature in the step for annealing the gate electrode or the like during the manufacturing process for the MOSFET. During this step, crystallization of the hafnium oxide film is caused to further convert the hafnium oxide film into a film that is more difficult to be etched.
In addition, when the hafnium oxide film is dry etched, there might be a problem of plasma damage to an underlying material of the high-k material. In addition, silicon substrate is undesirably etched by the dry etching of the hafnium oxide film to vary the junction depth of the impurity diffusion layer of the transistor, thereby increasing the leakage current therefrom.
On the other hand, even if the hafnium oxide film is to be removed via the wet etching, the removal thereof may not easily be carried out. Such circumstances are described in No. 50 Extended Abstracts, Japan Society of Applied Physics and Related Societies (Oyo Butsurigaku Kankei Rengo Koenkai Koen Yokoshu), No. 2 (issued Mar. 27, 2003, at Kanagawa University), p.p. 934 (29a-ZW-5), entitled "Wet etching of HfO2 by irradiating ultra-violet ray (Shigaisen-o shosha suru HfO2 no wet etching)", and it is described in the literature that the hafnium oxide film is difficult to be etched off and it is also described that the etching thereof becomes possible if the wet etching of such film with phosphoric acid under the exposure to the UV light is conducted. Conversely, there is nothing more difficult film for being etched off than the hafnium oxide film so that such special processing must be conducted.
In addition, it is critical that the surface of the silicon substrate as an underlying material should not be damaged when the etching is conducted in the case of carrying out the wet etching. As described earlier, it is general to form a silicon thermal oxide film between the film consisting of high-k material and the substrate, and an etchant available for etching the hafnium oxide film may also ordinarily etch the silicon thermal oxide film, so that these films are simultaneously removed with the identical etchant, and eventually the surface of the silicon substrate is exposed. When such process is adopted, silicon substrate is readily damaged. Such problem is similarly occurred when silicon native oxide film is chemically formed during a process step for cleaning the substrate employing a sulfuric acid-hydrogen peroxide mixture (SPM) and/or an ammonia-hydrogen peroxide mixture (APM), in addition to the case of forming the silicon thermal oxide film.
Further, in the case of wet etching, a device isolating film of shallow trench isolation (STI) structure is exposed to the surface by the etching, and thus problems of causing dissolution and/or damage of the exposed device isolating film may be caused when the above-described etchant is used. This is because the device isolation film is ordinarily constituted of a silicon oxide film, which is readily dissolved by using the etchant available for etching the hafnium oxide film.

Method of forming a high-k film on a semiconductor device


Disclosed is an insulation treatment method for a helium inlet pipe of a superconducting magnet. The superconducting magnet has a structure with varying T-shaped cross section. The irregular parts of the magnet are filled with G10 to reduce the difficulty in the insulation treatment caused by the irregular shape. Moreover, a skirt-shaped insulating material is provided around the metal conduit to overcome the reduction in the insulation electrical performance caused by the defects in the insulation treatment for such irregular parts. The application designs a sample structure for insulation treatment, and can wrap the superconducting magnet having the T-shaped varying cross-section with insulating materials before vacuum pressure impregnation, meeting special requirements of high-voltage insulation treatment for the superconducting magnet with a complex structure under low temperature and vacuum environment.

Thermonuclear fusion, as one of ultimate energy solutions, will provide humans with inexhaustible clean energy. In the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER) under construction, a superconducting magnet, as one of the most crucial components, is generally exposed to a very harsh working environment such as complex mechanical and electromagnetic conditions and thermal stress loads, so there are relatively high requirements for the electrical insulation properties of the magnet. During the insulation treatment of the magnet, the insulation treatment for the irregular parts of the magnet plays a crucial role in affecting the insulation performance of the magnet. Among such parts, the helium inlet pipe of the superconducting magnet for cooling, due to the high irregularity in shape, is required to be designed into a special insulation structure before the vacuum pressure impregnation with insulating resin, ensuring the magnet to have satisfactory insulation properties after the vacuum pressure impregnation.

Insulation treatment method for helium inlet pipe of superconducting magnet

HEFEI INSTITUTES OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES


An emergency water release device comprises heating elements adapted to heat water, a shower and an eyewash, a valve and a controller which sends a first signal to turn off at least one of the plurality of heating elements when a temperature of the water exceeds a predetermined limit, and when a flow rate of the water is reduced to a reduced flow rate, the valve opens so that water is dispersed away from both the shower and the eyewash in an amount equal to the difference between the flow rate and the reduced flow rate. The heating elements form a first set electrically connected in series which provides heat for water to be dispensed by the shower, a second set electrically connected in series which provides heat for water to be dispensed by the eyewash. The first and second set of heating elements can be connected in parallel. The controller may also be configured to send a signal to another valve to open so that unheated water is mixed with heated water.

Emergency shower and eyewash stations are often used when there is a risk that an individual may be exposed to hazardous chemicals. One who is exposed stands under the shower (or at the eyewash) for an extended period of time to flush away any such hazardous chemicals. Hypothermia or shock can occur if one is required to stand under an emergency shower for an extended period of time under cold water, especially where the surrounding environment is cold. Emergency shower and eyewash heaters have been provided to heat the water, and can comprise water tanks which are heated to supply a steady stream of warm water. However, such tanks are expensive and the duration of the shower is limited by the size of the tank. One solution to this problem has been the use of an instantaneous water heater, where the water is heated only on demand, that is, only on use of the shower or eyewash. With such designs there is also the need for better temperature control of the water reaching the shower and eyewash.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,531 to Kline et al discloses a control valve system for use in emergency shower and eyewash systems. The valve system mixes cold water with hot water to regulate the temperature of the water delivered to the shower and eyewash. However, such mixing valves are relatively costly. Emergency shower and eyewash stations have also been developed with on-demand heaters having controllers which monitor the output temperature of the water from the heater and attempt to hold that temperature with a predetermined range. However, such known designs do not prevent overshoot of water temperature upon reduction of a water flow rate from a high rate to a lower rate, as occurs, for example, when either the shower or the eyewash is shut off, or the shower is shut off and the eyewash is left on, etc. It would be desirable to have an emergency shower and eyewash station with heated water which avoids problems with temperature overshoot upon reduction of the flow rate of water.

Emergency shower and eyewash station with temperature control


A method and system for allowing a vehicle dealer and manufacturer to match dealer orders and manufacturing plant shipments easily and equitably are disclosed. The method significantly decreases processing time, saving valuable time, money, and manpower resources. An automated linear expression calculation for determining and balancing vehicle allocation allows for equitable balancing of manufacturing plant orders and efficient optimization. The linear expression calculation may be performed in an iterative series of steps. The linear expression calculation handles a plurality of attribute features, thereby accommodating a plurality of dealer requests and vehicle options. The linear expression calculation creates a matrix representing the plurality of attribute features, and with each iteration the values within the matrix are refined and optimized, with the resulting matrix representing an optimized and balanced allocation of manufacturing plant production orders among a plurality of manufacturing plants.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vehicle manufacturing and systems for managing its administration and distribution. More particularly, the invention relates to computerized tools for receiving, summarizing, organizing, and balancing vehicle order requests among a plurality of manufacturing plants and re-sellers.
2. General Background and State of the Art
Automobile dealers make a variety of demands for vehicle models, options, and colors. These demands can vary according to time of year, consumer trends, and geographic location. In stocking their lots, automobile dealers are usually limited to the capacities of the manufacturer to produce certain vehicle configurations. Although they can make requests to modify their orders, there is no guarantee that dealers' requests will be fulfilled.
One example of a manufacturing plant's inability to fulfill specific dealer requests on shipment orders comprises limitations or constraints on the production of a certain vehicle model. Such constraints may be the result of a shortage of parts production limitations of the particular manufacturing plant. The constraints on manufacturing plant production in turn limit what can be shipped to dealers.
Due to such limitations, there has been a problem in matching manufacturing plant vehicle productions with consumer and dealer demands and requests. Typical methods for dealing with this problem in the past have involved requiring dealers to construct their requests as a function of manufacturing plant capabilities in lieu of, or in addition to, consumer demand. That is, auto dealers typically receive a suggested order from the manufacturer, or corporate office, which details the contents of the future shipment to the dealer's lot. Once the detailed order arrives at the dealer, it is reviewed by a manager or other employee, who can then make changes to the order. These changes are handled by the manufacturer, but without a guarantee that the changes can actually be accommodated.
This process is very time consuming and inefficient. Moreover, it does not ensure that the problem of matching manufacturing plant output with consumer demand and dealer requests is fully resolved, because there is no mechanism for ensuring that the dealer's annotations will be adhered to or dealt with by the manufacturer. For the dealers, the process is inconvenient and time consuming. Also, because there is no specific or consistent formula for granting these requests to the dealers, the method often produces results that are unfair from the perspective of the dealers. Overall, the result is a time consuming system that has difficulty matching dealers' preferences and demand for vehicles with the manufacturing plant's resources and availability.
Other current methods for matching dealer preferences with manufacturing plant resources and availability include computer assisted calculations for balancing dealer orders among a plurality of manufacturing plants. Ideally, the dealer orders would be consolidated and re-divided into manufacturing plant orders. The manufacturing plant orders would be optimally balanced and distributed among the plurality of manufacturing plants such that, as a minimum requirement toward achieving optimization, each manufacturing plant assigned a manufacturing plant order would be capable of manufacturing and producing the assigned manufacturing plant order. Additional goals commensurate with optimization of manufacturing plant order balancing would include minimizing shipping costs from manufacturing plants to dealers. Unfortunately, current computer assisted methods do not adequately handle dealer requests, and the resulting manufacturing plant order balancing is not optimized.
An example of a dealer request that cannot be handled by current methods for matching dealer preferences with manufacturing plant output involves vehicle emission type. California requires a specific emission type, which is different from the emission types allowed in the other 49 states. Current methods for matching dealer requests to manufacturing plant output do not yield consistent results. As a result, current methods frequently result in manufacturing plant orders including certain emission types to be assigned to the incorrect manufacturing plants, in zones where the emission type is inapplicable or unsupported. In these cases, users of systems operating these methods are required to modify the manufacturing plant orders by hand, which is an inefficient and time-consuming step. Of course, this problem is not limited to vehicle emission type. Rather, it is a widespread problem in the industry, and effects a plurality of vehicle options.
Yet another problem that is common with current systems and methods for matching dealer requests with manufacturing plant production capabilities is the manpower required to administer them. Current methods for balancing a set of dealer orders among a plurality of manufacturing plants involve (1) constructing a combined order model comprising all of the dealer orders (2) dividing the combined order model into component order models and (3) distributing the component order models among multiple system operators during processing. As part of the balancing calculations, the multiple system operators review results of the component order models and modify them by hand. The final result of processing the combined order model is achieved only after each of the component order models is completely processed, including hand-modifications made by each of the multiple system operators. The results of the component order model processing can then be assembled into the final result representing processing of the combined order model. These methods require the multiple system operators to run the system and wait for their component outputs at the same time. Thus, system operators are dependent on each other, and the end result is dependent on all of the system operators. Therefore, these systems and methods are inefficient and require substantial manpower to administer.
In the prior art method of FIG. 1, for example, the lot size balancing process begins at block 100, where a computer program, the "M.O.V.E." program, is executed to generate a unit table for the allocation that will eventually result from the process. The unit table identifies available manufacturing plants and will, eventually, store data representing manufacturing plant orders that have been transformed from received dealer requests. Each manufacturing plant order is considered a unit within the unit table.
The procedure continues at block 102, where a balance is performed by executing a second computer program, the balance program, to generate a plant production order based on the unit table. Specifically, the plant production schedule is an allocation of received dealer requests or orders among a plurality of manufacturing plants identified in the unit table. The allocation is calculated by the second computer program by forcing the plant production order to conform to lot size rules at each individual manufacturing plant as well as to any production constraints that apply to those manufacturing plants. Lot size rules may include, for example, minimum or maximum limitations on production numbers of vehicles of a certain type. A group of vehicles sharing a common type is considered a lot. Production constraints may result from, for example, manufacturing plant inventory, manufacturing plant production capabilities, and the like.
Next, at block 104, the preliminary production order generated at block 102 undergoes a manual examination. At this point, users such as corporate employees may inspect and modify the preliminary plant production order. Such modifications may be made, for example, for sales or production planning purposes. Following any modifications that occur in this step, a third computer program, a spreadback program, is executed at block 106 to force changes made to the preliminary plant production order to be reflected in the unit table as a revised production order.
The revised production order is sent to automobile dealers at block 108 as a suggested production order. At this step, dealers have an opportunity to review the suggested production order and recommend or request changes to account for demand not reflected in the original allocation but later identified by the dealers. This step may occur multiple times as change requests are received from a plurality of dealers.
The modified production order is then subjected to the balance program a second time, at block 110. Once the production schedule is re-balanced, corporate employees have a second opportunity to inspect the production schedule and make manual changes at block 112. Any changes are forced into the production order via the spreadback program at block 114. Finally, a plant program computer program is executed, at block 116. The plant program assigns a manufacturing plant to each unit in the unit table containing the production schedule.
Clearly, this method results in a number of inefficiencies including a great amount of processing time, several instances of manual user input and, therefore, significant manpower requirements for administering the process. These drawbacks are the result of the general processing algorithm used by this method. Generally speaking, the M.O.V.E. program receives the results of the allocation process as input, and prepares a plant production schedule which closely approximates the results of the allocation while observing lot size rules and constraints that apply at the manufacturing plant that will build the units requested in the allocation. Specifically, the balance program divides the desired quantity of vehicles into groups according to attribute type. Therefore, each member vehicle of a group shares the same attribute type. Each group is then considered by itself, regarding conformity to lot size rules and manufacturing plant constraints. After the balance routine is run for groups according to one attribute type, the allocation is regrouped according to the next attribute type. In this manner, the balancing procedure is applied recursively, by attribute type, each time the balance program is run. Unfortunately, this inefficient method of balancing creates the need for multiple instances of manual user input to re-adjust the balancing results during the process. Moreover, the result is that vehicle manufacturers offer for sale only those vehicles that they have built, which are not necessarily the vehicles that customers want.

Move lot size balancing system and method


A masking fixture for coating dishware includes a support base having a first ferromagnetic member and a contoured support surface configured for engagement with a lower contour of the dishware. A mask base includes a second ferromagnetic member. The second ferromagnetic member is magnetically attracted to the first ferromagnetic member. The mask base includes a mask guide. A mask includes a masking surface configured for engagement with the upper contour. The mask is moveably coupled to the mask guide for movement between an engaged position in which the masking surface is engageable with the upper contour and a disengaged position. The mask can be moved to the disengaged position to facilitate removal of the mask base from the dishware after a coating operation.

Kitchen ware, such as bake ware, tableware, dinner ware, service ware, and the like are provided in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Although various materials can be used, much kitchen ware is formed of ceramic materials. As a result, it can be difficult from a manufacturing perspective to precisely control the dimensions of the various curves, radii, and the like that define the overall contour of the plate. This relative lack of dimensional stability of the kitchen ware poses challenges for the high-volume manufacturer kitchen ware, particularly with respect to the application of colors and patterns to the kitchen ware during the manufacturing process. For example, it can be difficult to precisely and repeatably fixture multiple samples of a given piece of kitchen ware for the application of paint or other coatings because there may relatively large dimensional variations from sample to sample.


Input filters correlate to target components. For a given target component, the input filter defines input validation information. The input filter might also define conversions or transformations to be applied to valid input prior to being provided to the target component. At build time, code is accessed that contains the input validation, conversion and transformation and that identifies the associated target component. The information is then used to construct an input filter. At run time, when an input processing component receives an input, the input processing component identifies the target component, accesses the associated input filter, and uses the information contained in the input filter to determine whether the input is valid, and whether and how to convert and transform the value.

Computers and computing systems have affected nearly every aspect of modern living. Computers are generally involved in work, recreation, healthcare, transportation, entertainment, household management, and so forth. Computing systems are providing ever more complex and sophisticated functionality. Such functionality is often primarily driven by underlying software, which itself is becoming ever more complex. Application developers have the task of developing such software, and to tune performance to ensure efficient and secure operation.
Web applications are often designed and implemented following a client-server computing model. This model usually provides that core application logic is executed on remote servers, execution results are accessed through clients (e.g., web browsers), and client code communicates with server code using an application-layer protocol (e.g., HTTP). Execution of a web application on a server is often driven by a component that takes and parses inputs received from clients, dispatches requests with recognized input parameters to respective business-logic components for processing, and then produces outputs to be sent back to clients.
When processing input, the input processors typically create a data structure for each piece of input provided by the client. The data structure is then provided to the respective business-logic components. However, if an input was received that was an invalid input, the input processors typically create a data structure before determining that the input is, in fact, invalid. Thus, computing resources are used even to process invalid input.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Input filters and filter-driven input processing


In a communication complex having attendant positions and data terminals, the audio equipment of each position can be associated with the data terminals without direct connections between the switching system which drives the audio equipment and the host computer which drives the terminals. A programmed controlled call processor communicates between the switching system and the host computer and maintains a correlation between the audio equipment and the data terminals. In response to incoming calls, the call processor solicits from an attendant identification information and then accesses a look-up table with such information to find a data terminal associated therewith. Data terminal identification information is coupled to the host computer so that data can be transmitted and displayed on the terminal associated with the attendant responding to the incoming call.

The automation of many telecommunication services has facilitated the completion of calls without requiring the assistance of live operators, agents, attendants or the like. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,696,028 and 4,783,796 illustrate techniques for automating private branch exchange (PBX) and other types of switching systems with call processors so that the calling parties can direct and supervise the completion of their calls, all without the assistance of live operators. Voice prompts are generated by the call processors and transmitted to the calling parties to input the extension number. Upon receipt of DTMF digit information input by the calling party, the call processor provides a communication path through the switching system to the telephone set assigned the extension number. Calls can thereby be completed without the assistance of operators.
Other communication services often require the exchange of information, often necessitating the retrieval of data stored in a computer data base. For example, many wholesale, retail, distributor and service organizations require the exchange of information involving the calling party and the data base files of a data processing system. An order entry system providing such services is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,850. In such a system, an interactive voice response computer allows an exchange of information between a data base and the calling party wishing to place an order. In the event operator assistance is required, a computer connects the calling party to an attendant position equipped with a data terminal, whereupon an operator can communicate information between the calling party and the data base. Once the calling party is connected to the data base, the interactive voice response system is disconnected. In such a system, a computer actively controls the interactive voice response computer by a data line, thereby slaving the systems together. Moreover, the various systems are especially designed for a unique connection together so that high level functions can be carried out.
Another customer account system providing operator/data terminal interfaces between customers and a data base is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,911. In this system, a complicated arrangement of a system controller, data controller, PBX switch, mainframe computer and other interfaces is utilized to provide an interaction between the calling parties, the live operators, associated data terminals, and a mainframe computer data base. Here, the system controller is connected to a PBX switch by a serial control line, thereby slaving all the equipment together.
Other computer systems and telephone switching systems, for example those using capabilities known by the trademark CALLPATH.TM., have integrated such systems together with a data link to allow the telephone system to identify attendants who have answered incoming calls so that the computers can transmit data to the agent's terminal screen. Although data and oral communications can be carried on with such type of system, there is required complex software in order to allow communications between such systems. In addition, such computer to telephone system data links are proprietary and often require different protocols which are specifically adapted to operate with specific computers and telephone systems.
In yet other telecommunication systems, incoming calls are also transferred to an idle operator. By communicating with the calling party, the attendant is apprised of the identity of the calling party, such as name, address, account number, etc. The attendant then inputs the calling party identification number into the keyboard of the data terminal, whereupon the data base computer retrieves the data files of the calling party and displays such information on the data terminal screen. Although such manual entry of the identification information by the attendant may be lengthy and time consuming, such system is effective in providing the attendant with the appropriate data files.
In situations in which many calls are processed, a good deal of time and money could be saved if the identification process and the entry of such identification information to the computer system could be automated. If the portion of each call involved in the identification and concomitant data entry portion of such calls could be substantially reduced, then the organization taking such calls could decrease the time a calling party must wait for service. By reducing the time required of an attendant to initially provide information and services to calling customers, the organization could provide the same level of service to callers with corresponding fewer attendants.
Other similar applications often arise in which the switching system and the data base computer are physically separate and the interconnection therebetween of a specialized digital control line is inappropriate or electrically disadvantageous. The integration of switching systems and data base computers would be facilitated if standardized systems of both types could intercommunicate without specialized lines.
From the foregoing it can be seen that a need exists for a telecommunication complex in which the switching system and the host computer operate autonomously, and no specialized, slaving or control lines are required directly therebetween. A further need exists for a telecommunication system in which information is passed between the switching system and the host computer by way of a call processor which provides information correlating live attendants to data terminal equipment so that the switching system can provide aural communications to the attendant and the host computer can provide data information to the terminal presently being used by the attendant. In this manner, the attendant is not required to input lengthy calling party identification data into the terminal keyboard.

Automated identification of attendant positions in a telecommunication system


A preplasticizing type injection apparatus having an injection cylinder internally provided with an injection plunger and a plasticizing cylinder provided in the inside with a plasticizing screw or plunger, the injection and plasticizing cylinders being arranged in juxtaposition and held in communication with each other by way of a resin conduit connecting an inlet path of the injection cylinder arranged at the front end thereof and defining the limit of advancement of the plunger and an outlet path of the plasticizing cylinder arranged at the front end thereof so that a front end portion of the injection cylinder is charged with resin molten in the plasticizing cylinder and the resin in the front end portion of the injection cylinder is injected into a mold by the plunger, characterized in that the resin conduit is realized in the form of a small metal pipe having an inner diameter between 5 and 10 mm and a length at least five times and preferably twenty to forty times greater than the inner diameter of the pipe and provided on the outer periphery with temperature control element is provided. With such a conduit, resin passing therethrough can be more kneaded to improve the distribution of heat and plasticity before it gets to the injection cylinder.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a preplasticizing type injection apparatus for injecting resin into a mold by means of a plunger after melting and kneading (plasticizing) resin in a plasticizing cylinder and charging an injection cylinder with a given amount of plasticized resin.
2. Background Art
A conventional preplasticizing type injection apparatus typically comprises an injection cylinder internally provided with an injection plunger and a plasticizing cylinder provided in the inside with a plasticizing device such as a screw or a plunger, said injection and plasticizing cylinders being arranged in juxtaposition and held in communication with each other by way of a resin conduit connecting the front ends of the cylinders.
With such a preplasticizing type injection apparatus, resin is plasticized in the plasticizing cylinder and a given amount of molten resin is transferred from the plasticizing cylinder to the injection cylinder by way of the resin conduit connecting the front ends of the cylinders to charge the injection cylinder with the resin, which is then injected into a mold as a plunger in the injection cylinder moves forward from its retracted position.