An object recognition apparatus in an embodiment includes an image input unit, an object detection unit, a diffuse reflection image generation unit, an object model storage unit, a difference image generation unit, a weight calculation unit, a weighted Gaussian filter application unit, a filter processing unit, and an identification unit. A weight to be assigned to a weighted Gaussian filter is determined in view of variations in lighting conditions and reflection components of pixels of an input image.

When to make recognition of an object from the image, it is necessary to minimize the influence caused by illumination variation which would decrease success rate of the recognition. For this purpose, in WANG (Haitao Wang, Stan Z. Li, Yangsheng Wang, Generalized Quotient Image, Proceedings IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, vol. 2, (2004) 498-505), there is proposed a method in which in face image recognition, a filter processing called "Self Quotient Image" is applied to an input image, so that the intrinsic feature robust against varying illumination is extracted, and the object recognition is performed.
The "Self Quotient Image" is a method in which "Center/Surround Retinex" of RAHMAN (METHOD OF IMPROVING A DIGITAL IMAGE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,456) is extended. An output image R(x, y) of the Center/Surround Retinex to an input image I(x, y) is defined by expression (1).
                              R                                (                          x              ,              y                        )                          =                              I                                      (                              x                ,                y                            )                                                          G                                            (                                  x                  ,                  y                                )                                      *                          I                                            (                                  x                  ,                  y                                )                                                                        (        1        )
Where, G(x, y) denotes a Gaussian function, and "*" denotes convolution. In RAHMAN, a Gaussian filter is applied to an input image to generate a smoothed image. In WANG, a weighted Gaussian filter is applied to an input image to generate a smoothed image.
There is a merit that the intrinsic feature robust against varying illumination can be calculated from only one given image, and the method is especially effective in the case where only one registration image can be obtained.
In the Center/Surround Retinex, as described in RAHMAN, when a normal direction and a lighting condition are constant in a local area of an input image, invariance to a diffuse reflection can be obtained. Diffuse reflection is one of the components caused by varying illumination.
However, in the case where the lighting condition varies in the local area, mainly in the case where a shadow is formed, the invariance can not be obtained, and erroneous recognition or identification is caused. The shadow area is formed on an object when light beams from a first light source are blocked by another object. Because the shadow area is illuminated by second light source (for example, environmental light) other than the first light source, the lighting condition in the shadow area is different from that in other areas.
FIG. 8 shows an example in which the Center/Surround Retinex is applied to a face image.
In an image 502, the influence caused by illumination is suppressed. The image 502 is generated from a face image 501 in which a shadow is formed on a person's face in an area on right-hand side and under a nose. However, since the lighting conditions in the shadow areas are different from those in other areas, it is impossible to completely remove the influence caused by illumination variations, as schematically indicated in the face image 502.
In order to prevent halo effects around edge, in the Self Quotient Image, when a smoothed image is generated, a weighted Gaussian filter (a weight function having anisotropic waveform is applied to a Gaussian function having isotropic waveform) is used. The weight function divides a local area into two sub-areas using the binarization.
However, in the binarization, there is a possibility that an area with a low albedo (for example, in the case of the face image recognition, a pupil or an eyebrow) is also erroneously detected as a shadow area. The important information representing the feature of the object would be also removed.
Besides, in an area where a pixel value is gradually changed like a soft shadow formed in a contour portion of a shadow area, since it is difficult to set a suitable threshold, an irregular or improper recognition would occur in the binarization technique.
Further, in an area where for example, specular reflection occurs and a reflection component varies, since it is difficult to extract a value of a diffuse reflection component from only the one given input image, the invariance can not be calculated in the conventional method.


An air-conditioning control switch for setting a direction in which conditioned air is to be blown from a vehicle air conditioner, which includes a defog mode switch section for defogging by at least blowing conditioned air to a vehicle window glass, a vent mode switch section for blowing conditioned air to the upper body of a person in the vehiche, and a foot mode switch section for blowing conditioned air to the lower body of a person in the vehicle. The defog mode switch section and the vent mode switch section are disposed substantially horizontally so as to be spaced apart, while the foot mode switch section is disposed downwardly of the defog mode switch section and the vent mode switch section. The vehicle air-conditioning control switch makes it possible to prevent improper operation thereof by arranging its switch sections for setting a direction in which conditioned air is to be blown in correspondence with the actual blowing locations, that is the blowing directions, forward, backward, upward, and downward.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning control switch for setting a direction in which conditioned air is to be blown from an air conditioner mounted to the vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
An air conditioner mounted to a vehicle is provided with an air-conditioning control switch for setting a direction in which conditioned air is to be blown. Conditioned air is blown in different directions by operation in a total of five typical modes, the first three being single modes and the remaining two being combined modes: (1) a vent mode in which conditioned air is blown to the upper body of a passenger, (2) a foot mode in which conditioned air is blown to the lower body of a passenger, (3) a defog mode in which conditioned air is blown to the window glass of a vehicle to defog the window glass, (4) a bi-level mode in which conditioned air is blown to both the upper body and lower body of a passenger at the same time, and (5) a defog/vent mode in which conditioned air is blown to both the vehicle glass of the vehicle and the lower body of a passenger.
The air-conditioning control switch used to set these five modes may include five separate pushbutton switches disposed side by side each other in order to set each of the modes, or may be a dial-type switch which can be set and adjusted to at least five rotational angles to set any one of the above-described five modes.
Higher technology vehicles has made it necessary to place various instruments and operating switches on a dash board that provides a limited space, and has thus caused the constant demand for size reduction, without reducing safety and visibility. Accordingly, when pushbutton switches are used, pictures or characters that symbolize the setting modes are formed on each of the keytops, and when a dial-type switch is used, pictures or characters that symbolize the setting modes are formed on each dial memory portion, so that a desired mode can be set without accidentally setting an undesired mode. However, the pushbutton switch keytop arrangement and dial switch scales depend on the vehicle type and the air conditioner type, even for the same manufacturer, so that an inexperienced operator is very likely to incorrectly operate the pushbutton switches or the dial switch, until he gets used to operating the switches or the dial switch.


An image projection system includes a scaler IC, a micro-projector, a video connector, and a controller. The video connector is coupled to the scaler IC and the micro-projector. The controller controls the video connector and the scaler IC to form a first signal path mode and a second signal path mode. The video connector transmits a first image signal from the scaler IC for external displaying in the first signal path mode. The video connector receives a second image signal from a peripheral device and passes the second image signal to the micro-projector for projection in the second signal path mode.

1. Technical Field
The disclosure relates to image projection system and image projection method.
2. Related Art
An all-in-one (AIO) computer system and a notebook may be implemented with a projection unit. Such computer systems having projection function can be treated as a projection system and project the image or display the image as a choice by user. However, there are many computer systems without projection function still in use. The computer system without projection function is not able to project image.
FIG. 1 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a conventional computer system without projection function. In FIG. 1, a conventional computer system includes a main processing unit 100 and a display device 102. The main processing unit 100 usually has a scaler IC 104 and outputs image data to the display device 102, such as a display panel or a LCD monitor, via the video connector 106 and a video cable. Such computer system has no projection function, so it cannot display the image by projection manner.
FIG. 2 is a drawing, schematically illustrating a conventional computer system with projection function. In FIG. 2, the computer system with projection function includes a main processing unit 100′ and a display device 102. The main processing unit 100′ can have the function as described in FIG. 1. In addition, the main processing unit 100′ includes a micro-projector 108, so that the main processing unit 100′ can pass the image data to the micro-projector 108 for projecting the image, which is to be displayed by the computer system.
In conventional computer system, although some computer systems, such as AIO computer system and notebook, has the projection function. This projection function is just used in the individual computer system. In other words, the projection function of the micro-projector 108 in FIG. 2 is not used by the computer system in FIG. 1 for projecting image. This may cause inconvenient operation.

Video signal paths switching in a portable display system


A display system includes a switchable display screen comprising a first transparent substrate, a first transparent conductive layer disposed upon the first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, and a second transparent conductive layer disposed upon the second transparent substrate. The display screen further includes a polymer-stabilized cholesteric texture layer and spacer elements disposed between and in contact with the first transparent conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The display screen comprises a plurality of addressable regions, each region capable of being switched from a transparent state to a diffuse state.

Display systems, such as digital signs, typically include an illumination device, such as a projector or backlit panel, and a display screen. During operation of the display system, the illumination device typically projects an image onto or through the display screen for presentation to viewers. The display screen can be a sheet-like optical device with a relatively thin viewing layer that is placed at an image surface of the illumination device.
Switchable display screens include polymer-dispersed liquid crystals that allow the illumination device to be transmitted or scattered in various sections by making the display screens or sections of the display screens transparent or diffuse depending upon the orientation states of the liquid crystals. The use of layered polymer-dispersed liquid crystals in display screens can increase the complexity of shapes that can be displayed, increase the number of haze levels, and allows the user to create patterns with fully clear and hazy sections simultaneously by stacking or layering patterned PDLC layers on top of one another.
Display systems can be used for advertising in malls, showrooms, exhibitions, and stores. Rear projection systems are one such example. A rear projection system includes at least a projection device (e.g. a three-color liquid crystal display projector that combines polarized light from different liquid crystal displays and emits combined light to form images) and a display screen. The projector can be configured to project an image within a limited projection area which may be a basic shape, such as a square or rectangle or other shape.

Addressable switchable transparent display


A catalyst for use in aromatic alkylation, such as toluene alkylation with methanol, is comprised of a zeolite with pore size from about 5.0 to about 7.0 Å containing a hydrogenating metal. The catalyst may be used in preparing an alkyl aromatic product by providing the catalyst within a reactor. The catalyst may be contacted with an aromatic hydrocarbon and an alkylating agent in the presence of hydrogen under reaction conditions suitable for aromatic alkylation. The catalyst may also be treated to further increase its stability. This is accomplished by heating the hydrogenating metal loaded zeolite catalyst in the presence of a reducing agent prior to use in an aromatic alkylation reaction to a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 500° C. for about 0.5 to about 10 hours.

Para-xylene is a valuable substituted aromatic compound because of its great demand for its oxidation to terephthalic acid, a major component in forming polyester fibers and resins. It can be commercially produced from hydrotreating of naphtha (catalytic reforming), steam cracking of naphtha or gas oil, and toluene disproportionation.
Alkylation of toluene with methanol, which is also known as toluene methylation, has been used in laboratory studies to produce para-xylene. Toluene methylation has been known to occur over acidic catalyst, particularly over zeolite or zeolite-type catalyst. In particular, ZSM-5-type zeolite, zeolite Beta and silicaaluminophosphate (SAPO) catalysts have been used for this process. Generally, a thermodynamic equilibrium mixture of ortho (o)-, meta (m)- and para (p)-xylenes can be formed from the methylation of toluene, as is illustrated by the reaction below.

Thermodynamic equilibrium compositions of o-, m-, and p-xylenes may be around 25, 50 and 25 mole %, respectively, at a reaction temperature of about 500° C. Such toluene methylation may occur over a wide range of temperatures, however. Para-xylene can be separated from mixed xylenes by a cycle of adsorption and isomerization. Byproducts such as C9+ and other aromatic products can be produced by secondary alkylation of the xylene product.
A significantly higher amount of p-xylene can be obtained in toluene methylation reaction if the catalyst has shape selective properties. Shape selective properties can be obtained in modified zeolite catalysts by narrowing zeolite pore opening size, inactivation of the external surface of the zeolite or controlling zeolite acidity. Toluene methylation may occur over modified ZSM-5 or ZSM-5-type zeolite catalyst giving xylene products containing significantly greater amounts of p-xylene than the thermodynamic concentration.
Unfortunately, there are a number of technical hurdles for toluene methylation to be commercially successful. These include fast catalyst deactivation, low methanol selectivity, and so on. Most of the catalysts, if not all, for toluene methylation show fast catalyst deactivation. Typically, toluene conversion declines with time on stream due to rapid coke formation on the catalyst. The catalyst deactivation is one of the most difficult technical hurdles to overcome for commercial use of toluene methylation.
The present invention describes a catalyst and a method for its activation for catalyst stability for toluene methylation. The catalyst described here produces mixed xylene with isomers of thermodynamic concentrations from toluene methylation reaction, and the catalyst shows improved stability for toluene conversion. The invention has application to other aromatic alkylation reactions, as well


A non-flooded bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a rotating body and selected from tilting pad journal, tilting pad thrust and sleeve bearings, has a body made from Ampcoloy(trademark) and provided with babbitted bearing and outer surfaces. The bearing assembly has a combination of passages extending between the outer and bearing surfaces for delivering a pressurized liquid lubricant to the bearing surface. A plurality of heat transfer chambers are provided in the body separately from and at a distance from the bearing surface to convey the pressurized liquid lubricant carrying the heat generated by the bearing surface away from the assembly.

The invention relates to a bypass cooling assembly adapted to carry the heat away from bearing assemblies such as radial, thrust and sleeve bearings of the non-flooded housing type.
A segmented bearing assembly is known and includes a plurality of arcuate pads, each tilting through a small angle so as to create a thin wedge shape opening between a shaft and an inner surface of the pad. The opening allows developing a film of oil which supports the load. However, because the film of oil interface is sheared as the oil is dragged through the bearing interface, the oil temperature rises. If the oil temperature rises sufficiently, its viscosity falls, and if the temperature rises substantially, its viscosity falls to a point where there is a direct rubbing of the metal shaft on the metal bearing surfaces, resulting in greater friction which may increase the bearing temperature to destructive level. Also, Babbitt softens at high temperatures and moves or xe2x80x9cwipesxe2x80x9d due to the shearing forces causing direct metal to metal rubbing.
It is also known that some power loss in tilting pad bearing assembly results from churning the oil after it passes out from underneath the trailing end of the pads. Churning imparts energy to the oil and elevates its temperature. Furthermore, since it is necessary to have some space between the leading and trailing edges of the spaced apart pads to allow the pads to tilt, hot oil emerging from the pad and shaft interface at the trailing end of one pad is carried by the shaft under the leading end of the next ensuing pad contributing to elevated temperatures. Also, cool inlet oil mixes with the hot oil from the pad trailing edge in the space between pads, elevating the temperature of the inlet oil before it enters the next pad""s leading edge.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,447 to Nicholas, which belongs to the same assignee as the present application and is fully incorporated herein by reference, discloses a non-flooded housing wherein the end seals are wide open and additional drain holes are located in the housing to allow the lubricating oil to exit the housing immediately. The assembly includes a spray bar blocker effectively blocking the hot oil that exits the trailing edge of one pad from mixing with the cool inlet oil. In addition, cool lubricating oil is injected directly onto the leading edge of the next pad.
A material made of C18200 Chrome Copper or Ampcoloy(trademark) copper-based alloy known for its excellent thermal conductivity has been successfully utilized for many years in tilting pad journal and thrust bearings having a flooded bearing shell. This design allows lubricating oil to carry the heat away from the Ampcoloy(trademark) surface at the back and edges of the tilting pads. It is this oil that eventually drains out of the bearing housing carrying away the heat conducted by the Ampcoloy(trademark) away from the babbitt surface.
However, sleeve and segmented bearings having a non-flooded housing design cannot effectively use pads or sleeves made of Ampcoloy(trademark), since the non-flooded structure has no means for carrying the heat away from the tilting pads or from the shell.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a cooling bypass assembly used in conjunction with a segmented bearing, such as tilting pad journal and thrust bearings having a non-flooded housing, and with a sleeve bearing made predominantly of copper in a such a manner that cool inlet oil carries heat away from the pads and sleeve without interfering with a lubricating process.
A bypass cooling system including a plurality of heat-transfer chambers, which are strategically located in a bearing assembly having a non-flooded housing and a plurality of blocker bars, effectively carries away the heat from the pads and the sleeve.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a sleeve bearing assembly preferably manufactured from C18200 Chrome Copper or Ampcoloy(trademark) has a non-flooded bearing shell which is cooled by inlet cool oil. The cool oil is introduced into circumferential heat transfer chambers or grooves in the vicinity of the bearing""s top-dead-center location. Gravity and the inlet oil pressure drives the oil into these heat transfer chambers and further down to the bottom of the bearing shell. Along the way, the cool inlet oil picks up the heat conducted away from the babbitt surface by the Ampcoloy(trademark). Eventually, the cool oil runs directly to the oil drain and is never involved in the lubricating process.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a bypass cooling assembly has a plurality of circumferential heat transfer chambers formed along the outer surface of tilting pads of a tilting pad journal bearing, wherein the tilting pads are housed in a non-flooded housing. Cool inlet oil runs along the chambers, which are machined on the outer face of the pads, and picks up the heat conducted away from the babbitted inner and side surfaces of the pads.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a bypass cooling assembly for carrying the heat away from copper pads includes a combination of radial and axial supply channels delivering inlet cool oil into a plurality of circumferential channels, which are machined within the pads. Similarly to the above-discussed modifications of the bypass assembly, this structure allows the heat to be carried away from the babbitted surfaces of the Ampcoloy pads.
The term xe2x80x9coilxe2x80x9d is used herein as generic to any liquid lubricant that can be used to cool and lubricate the bearings encompassed by the present inventions.
It is an object of the invention to provide a bypass cooling assembly in bearing assemblies predominantly made from copper and characterized by non-flooded housings.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a bypass cooling assembly for a sleeve bearing assembly wherein cool inlet oil does not interfere with a lubricating process.
Another object of the invention is to provide a bypass cooling assembly for a tilting pad journal bearing assembly having a non-flooded housing.
A further object of the invention is to provide a bypass cooling assembly wherein the outer surface of tilting pads is formed with heat transfer chambers preventing cool inlet oil from mixing up with lubricating oil.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a bypass cooling assembly wherein a series of heat transfer chambers are machined within the tilting pads between the opposite outer and inner surfaces.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a bypass cooling assembly in a segmented thrust bearing.


A remote drain and filter arrangement for a portable engine-driven generator is disclosed that positions the oil filter and oil drain at a location outside the enclosure of the generator. The arrangement generally consists of an oil filter assembly and oil drain assembly. The oil filter assembly includes an oil filter adapter used to interface with the oil filter and is coupled to the engine via oil conduits. The oil drain assembly includes an oil drain conduit and a flow control device that allows the oil to be drained from a location outside of the enclosure of the generator. A pump can be used to allow for sufficiently longer oil conduits. The invention is retrofittable to current engine-driven generators and can also be incorporated into future designs.

The invention relates generally to the field of portable engine-driven generators. More specifically, the inventions relates to a remote drain and filter arrangement that is used for an engine-driven generator or an engine-driven welder.
Portable engine-driven generators are commonly used to provide electrical power in locations where conventional electrical power is not readily available. Both gasoline and diesel engines are used to drive such generators, and the power produced is typically either 120 VAC or 240 VAC. One specific generator application is for welding processes and these units are commonly known as portable engine-driven welders. These units include a control system to regulate the power produced by the generator thereby making it suitable for an arc welding operation. Typical welding operations for which these units are intended include stick electrode welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, or plasma torch cutting.
One issue with engine-driven generators and engine-driven welders relates to their weight and the positioning of the unit in order to perform routine oil changes and other engine maintenance. These units are relatively heavy, some weighing over 500 pounds, and are typically mounted in a truck bed or other motor vehicle making them more transportable. Given that space is limited in these vehicles, the unit usually is placed adjacent to the cab of the vehicle and/or surrounded by permanently mounted tool boxes or other built-in structures of the vehicle. Moreover, the engine and generator are typically fully enclosed by an enclosure and servicing the engine becomes difficult because direct access is at best very limited. Such systems are fully enclosed for several reasons, such as to protect the engine and generator form dust, debris, and rough handling. Also, the enclosure reduces noise and helps to cool the engine by preventing hot air recirculation when the welder is placed in service. All of these benefits lead to longer component and engine life. In short, the benefits provided by full enclosure far outweigh the current inconveniencies of servicing the engine in these space constrained environments.
However, engine maintenance is critical to engine performance and is a task that must be performed at regular intervals. Given the required regularity of the engine maintenance, the current inconveniencies of performing engine service can become a major issue for the user. Currently, access to the serviceable components is often gained through a removable panel located in a side wall of the enclosure. As alluded to above, the location of this panel is often blocked by nearby tool boxes or other structures. In this situation, the user is required to relocate or reposition the unit in order to gain access to the serviceable components via the removable panel. Given the weight of the unit, this can be a very time consuming and arduous task. While certain facilities have been provided by the ability to relocate oil filter and drain locations within the enclosure, even these do not alleviate the need to access the interior via panels and the like.
Thus, there is a need for quickly and easily accessing serviceable engine components in portable generators and welders without requiring relocation or repositioning of the unit. This would not only save time and money but would have a secondary effect of promoting regular maintenance by reducing the difficulty in performing the service. Furthermore, it would be advantageous if the serviceable components could be positioned so that they did not increase the space or volume occupied by the unit. Finally, it would be very beneficial to provide such access in a kit that is retrofittable to current engine-driven welders and engine-driven generators.

Remote drain and filter arrangement for a portable generator system


An inflatable boot and method for its manufacture, in which the boot includes a bladder for encasing at least a portion of a human foot and at least a portion of an ankle. The bladder is defined by an inner and an outer layer of substantially gas-tight material, and includes fluidically interconnected wall and sole portions. The wall portions are sized and shaped for collectively encasing a human ankle and the sole portion is sized and shaped for encasing a sole of a human foot. A structural interconnection joins the inner layer of the bladder substantially directly to the outer layer at a location interposed the sole portion and one of the wall portions to create a foot-supporting contour for the sole portion of the bladder when the bladder is inflated. The bladder for the boot is manufactured in a flattened condition, and then folded over and joined at seams to define a boot.

The present invention relates generally to devices for the rehabilitation of injuries, and particularly to an improved inflatable boot for wearing by an individual to promote healing of an injured foot, ankle or lower leg area. An inflatable boot is a therapeutic device worn on an injured foot and ankle to encase and massage the injured area, and to create an increase and decrease of pressure within the muscles of the foot and lower leg to simulate the pressure changes normally experienced during walking. These pressure changes are important to the flow of blood through the foot and lower leg. My earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,601, incorporated herein by reference, discusses one such inflatable boot. The present device offers many advantages over my earlier device, such as being easier to manufacture and use.
The increase and decrease of pressure within the muscles of the foot and lower leg improves blood flow by acting as the driving force of a naturally occurring pump within the foot and lower leg. The veins of the foot and lower leg contain one-way check valves. When the pressure in the muscles and tissues surrounding the veins is increased, blood is forced out of the veins toward the heart, and when the pressure decreases, fresh blood is allowed to flow into the veins. Repeated increases and decreases of pressure, such as when walking, therefore operate to pump blood through the foot and lower leg. This pumping action is particularly important for the return of blood to the heart from the foot and lower leg because these portions of the human body are a long way from the heart.
When a foot is injured, it often is painful and harmful to put weight or the foot, or even to flex the muscles of the foot. It therefore is very difficult to maintain a proper flow of blood through the injured foot. A proper flow of blood is helpful to recovery of the injured area because blood is essential to the functioning of the cells in the body.
It has been found that one safe way to improve the flow of blood within an injured foot is to encase the foot and injured area in an inflatable bladder, as described briefly above. The pressure within the bladder then is increased and decreased to result in an increase and decrease of pressure on the tissues of the foot. A pressure change within the bladder may be controlled by a pump and valve attached to the bladder, or by pressing on and releasing the exterior of the bladder.
A simple way of pressing on the exterior of a bladder is for the wearer of the bladder to press the bladder against a wall, floor, bed frame, or other obstacle. The boot shape of the bladder of the present invention includes a sole portion corresponding to the sole of an encased foot, and allows a pressure change to be controlled by pressing on and releasing the sole portion of the foot. This is a movement that is particularly easy for an injured wearer of the boot to make, because it takes advantage of the large muscles of the leg that are used for walking. The sole portion of the bladder is fluidically interconnected to a leg portion, by which it is meant that a pressure change in fluid within the sole portion effects an immediate, corresponding pressure change in fluid within the leg portion. In this manner, an injury located anywhere within the area encompassed by the boot may be operated upon by a pressure change in the boot, and may receive fill benefit of the pumping action described.
Inflatable boots are used to treat various types of injuries, including bruises, sprains, fractures, torn muscles, and injured tendons. For most of these injuries, the orientation of the injured foot within the boot is very important. The boot must protect the injured foot and lower leg, prevent excessive motion of the foot about the ankle, and include a sole portion that is of a sufficient volume so that pressing on the sole portion produces a desirable increase in pressure within the bladder surrounding the foot, preferably from approximately 1-psi to 2-psi.
An inflatable boot provides protection by maintaining a cushion of slightly pressurized air around the foot and lower leg, at a pressure of approximately 1-psi when the boot is in its relaxed condition. A thick cushion usually provides better protection than a thin one. The pressure within the cushion tends to force the walls of the cushion into a stable configuration, at least partially immobilizing the foot to limit motion about the ankle. A thick cushion within the sole portion of the boot also means that the sole portion is of a relatively large volume, allowing a substantial increase of pressure within the sole portion with a simple pressing force applied to the sole portion. For the preferred embodiment, the pressure within the boot may be increased from 1-psi when relaxed to 2-psi when a pressing force is applied to the sole portion. If adequate interconnection is provided between the sole portion and the rest of the boot, an increase of pressure in the sole portion results in the desired increase in pressure within the entire bladder of the boot.
The importance of each of these factors varies depending on the condition of the wearer of the boot. For a relatively immobilized wearer, such as someone suffering from injuries in addition to those of the foot, none of the factors is particularly important. The foot will not be subjected to many dangers that would require protection and support, and the boot may be used with an external pressure source like a pump. As the wearer becomes more mobile, protection and support become more important, and utilization of the self-powered method of pressure increase becomes more viable.
After careful study of all of the issues identified above, I have found that the effectiveness of an inflatable boot is a function of how accurately the boot may be placed on the foot, how thick of an air cushion is provided around the foot for protection, how positively the sole of the foot may be located on a fluid-filled platform within the boot, and how effectively pressure is transmitted from a sole portion of the boot underlying the sole of the foot to wall portions, surrounding the ankle and lower leg. The present invention includes elements that satisfy each of these design parameters. The preferred embodiment includes both visual and tactile indicators of the proper placement of the boot, in the form of notches near a heel region of the boot corresponding generally to the bottom of the heel of the foot, regions of noninflation near the sole portion of the boot generally along lines that correspond to the proper placement of the sole of the foot, and a partially enclosed toe region that corresponds generally to the proper placement of the top of the toes of the foot. It also includes a structure that causes the boot to form a foot-supporting platform under the sole of the foot when the boot is inflated. The structure also defines a sole portion and connected wall portions with fluid transfer between the sole portion and the wall portions being facilitated by a relatively unobstructed interior. Alternatively, a sling may be suspended within the boot to provide a platform for both locating and supporting the foot. The construction of the preferred and alternative embodiments is relatively simple, allowing the production of a cost-effective therapeutic device.
The inflatable boot of my earlier patent fulfilled all of the design requirements identified above, but only because the boot of my earlier patent is a relatively complicated structure, with separately defined sole and wall portions interconnected by a series of openings or apertures. A resulting drawback of that structure is that it is difficult to manufacture, and therefore relatively expensive. This drawback is solved by the novel construction of the present invention.
In addition to my earlier patent, several other patents show examples of inflatable boots. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,083,708 and 3,403,673, incorporated herein by reference, each show what is believed to be an inflatable boot formed with one or two chambers that have a substantially unobstructed interior. The boots disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,083,708 and 3,403,673 also appear to be relatively simple in construction, and therefore easy to manufacture.
However, each of these two devices is formed with a seam that extends along the center of the sole portion of the boot, creating a valley that may limit the volume of the sole portion when inflated. This may limit the effective increase in pressure that is affected by pressing on the sole portion. The boot of my present invention may be made from a folded-over bladder that eliminates the center seam of these prior devices, as described in more detail below. The other benefits of my invention, as described herein, may be used with boots that include such a center seam, and these alternative constructions of boots are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention defined in some of the appended claims.
More complicated inflatable boots are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,824,992, and 3,888,242, also incorporated herein by reference. As with the above-discussed patents, these boots are manufactured with what appears to be a single bladder having a relatively unobstructed interior. The '992 device includes a relatively stiff outer cover, and the '242 device includes numerous seams and overlapping flaps. Both of these features may complicate manufacture and use of inflatable boots, but may be used as part of alternative embodiments also within the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
The treatment of foot and lower leg injuries may involve the application of cold or heat to the injured area, such as by placing an ice pack or a heat pack on the injured area. Ice packs and heat packs are examples of what are referred to more broadly herein as thermal treatment devices. Proper placement of thermal treatment devices is very important, and often very difficult, because of the numerous possible locations of the varied injuries for which inflatable boots are used.
For many foot injuries, the application of a thermal treatment device under slight pressure, such as the 1- to 2-psi found within an inflatable boot, may be beneficial because it increases the thermal transfer rate between the treatment device and the injured area to be treated. The increase and decrease of pressure provided by proper use of an inflatable boot also helps to reduce the discomfort of a treatment device pressing against the foot, and to maintain the blood flow that otherwise would be restricted further by the treatment device. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a pocket formed on the inner, foot-contacting portion of the boot that aids in proper placement of a thermal treatment device on the foot, and allows the beneficial increases and decreases of pressure on the foot to be transmitted through the treatment device.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an inflatable boot that is easy to manufacture and simple to use.
It is another object of the invention to provide an inflatable boot with a bladder, and with a structural interconnection joining an inner layer of the bladder to an outer layer of the bladder to create a foot-supporting contour when the bladder is inflated.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an inflatable boot with a visual reference indicating the proper placement of a heel of a human foot, prior to inflating the boot, so that an inflated cushion may form properly under the sole of the foot when the boot is inflated.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide an inflatable boot with a platform-defining sling so that the sling may support a human foot that is inserted into the boot.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an inflatable boot with a pocket in which a thermal treatment device may be held.
These and additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

Inflatable boot and method for its manufacture


Phase-to-sinusoid conversion and method for direct digital synthesis are described. At least one quadrant of values for a sinusoidal signal are real-to-finite bit resolution mapped to provide preconditioned values which are on average shifted down by half of a LSB position. The at least one quadrant of preconditioned values are stored in a lookup table. MSBs of a phase-accumulated signal are used as an address for accessing from the lookup table a sinusoid value. At least a logic 1 is added as an LSB to an interim output associated with the sinusoid value to provide an adjusted sinusoid value having a bit width greater than that of the sinusoid value to provide a digitally synthesized sinusoidal value.

Programmable logic devices ("PLDs") are a well-known type of integrated circuit that can be programmed to perform specified logic functions. One type of PLD, the field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), typically includes an array of programmable tiles. These programmable tiles can include, for example, input/output blocks ("IOBs"), configurable logic blocks ("CLBs"), dedicated random access memory blocks ("BRAMs"), multipliers, digital signal processing blocks ("DSPs"), processors, clock managers, delay lock loops ("DLLs"), and so forth. Notably, as used herein, "include" and "including" mean including without limitation.
One such FPGA is the Xilinx Virtex™ FPGA available from Xilinx, Inc., 2100 Logic Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95124. Another type of PLD is the Complex Programmable Logic Device ("CPLD"). A CPLD includes two or more "function blocks" connected together and to input/output ("I/O") resources by an interconnect switch matrix. Each function block of the CPLD includes a two-level AND/OR structure similar to those used in Programmable Logic Arrays ("PLAs") and Programmable Array Logic ("PAL") devices. Other PLDs are programmed by applying a processing layer, such as a metal layer, that programmably interconnects the various elements on the device. These PLDs are known as mask programmable devices. PLDs can also be implemented in other ways, for example, using fuse or antifuse technology. The terms "PLD" and "programmable logic device" include but are not limited to these exemplary devices, as well as encompassing devices that are only partially programmable.
For purposes of clarity, FPGAs are described below though other types of PLDs may be used. FPGAs may include one or more embedded microprocessors. For example, a microprocessor may be located in an area reserved for it, generally referred to as a "processor block."
In a Direct Digital Synthesizer ("DDS") or a Numerically Controlled Oscillator ("NCO"), a lookup table ("LUT") may be implemented for performing a phase-to-sinusoid conversion. Conventionally, to reduce the memory footprint of such a LUT, quadrant symmetry is used for storing only a quarter of a full cycle of sinusoid values for purposes of phase-to-sinusoid conversion. The other three quadrants of such a full cycle may be derived by complementing an address input to the LUT or complementing sinusoid values obtained from the lookup table, or a combination thereof. Thus, for example, the mathematical properties of a sine wave may be used, namely sin(180+x)=−sin(x) and sin(180−x)=sin(x), to obtain the other three quarter waves. For obtaining cosine values from a lookup table of sine values, the equation cos(x)=sin(90−x) may be used.
Because only one quadrant of sinusoid values or samples is stored in a LUT, conventionally output from such a LUT was complemented using a 2's complement. An example of a 2's complement output from a LUT may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,649. It should be appreciated that a sinusoid's amplitude resolution is dependent upon the width of the LUT, whereas the depth of the LUT affects the phase angle resolution of the sinusoid. However, sinusoid values in the LUT are conventionally rounded to accommodate a target amplitude resolution while limiting the bit width.
As rounded sinusoid values in a LUT are conventionally stored as positive numbers, there is no need to store a sign bit. Thus, such sinusoid values stored in a LUT conventionally are unsigned. However, after a sinusoid value is output from a LUT, a logic 0 or 1 may be pre-appended to expressly indicate that the value is either positive or negative, respectively, for using a 2's complement notation. Notably, an unsigned value is conventionally signed prior to any 2's complementing operation on such a value. To negate such a number in such a two's complement representation, all bits of the number are inverted and then a logic 1 is added to the LSB of such an inverted number. This addition of a logic 1 conventionally involves a true arithmetic add rather than simply a logic function applied to each bit independently. In short, this means that a carry chain is implemented for a 2's complement on an output from such a LUT. A carry chain may be speed-limiting with respect to digital signal processing. Thus, a carry chain may be a limit on an upper speed at which a digital signal processing circuit may be operated. Even where ripple carry logic is supported, a carry chain may be a limiting factor in digital signal processing speed. Notably, there are other forms of arithmetic addition that may be implemented, including carry lookahead, and carry-skip, carry-save, among others.
Accordingly, it would be both desirable and useful to provide phase-to-sinusoid conversion without having to use a carry chain as associated with a 2's complement, while having a LUT that stores only a portion for a cycle of a sinusoid.


A DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence homologous to some or all of a sequence encoding a xanthophyll biosynthetic enzyme or a xanthophyll degradative enzyme. In an embodiment the DNA sequence encodes capsanthin-capsorubin synthase (CCS).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to novel DNA constructs, plant cells containing the constructs and plants derived therefrom.
In particular it relates to the modification of carotenoid metabolism in plants using DNA constructs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The modification of plant gene expression has been achieved by several methods. The molecular biologist can choose from a range of known methods to decrease or increase gene expression or to alter the spatial or temporal expression of a particular gene. For example, the expression of either specific antisense RNA or partial (truncated) sense RNA has been utilized to reduce the expression of various target genes in plants (as reviewed by Bird and Ray, 1991, Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Reviews 9: 207-227). These techniques involve the incorporation into the genome of the plant of a synthetic gene designed to express either antisense or sense RNA. They have been successfully used to down-regulate the expression of a range of individual genes involved in the development and ripening of tomato fruit (Gray et al., 1992, Plant Molecular Biology, 19: 69-87).
Methods to increase the expression of a target gene have also been developed. For example, additional genes designed to express RNA containing the complete coding region of the target gene may be incorporated into the genome of the plant to "over-express" the gene product. Various other methods to modify gene expression are known; for example, the use of alternative regulatory sequences.
The carotenoid pathway in plants produces carotenes, lutein, xanthophylls, and pigments such as lycopene. An earlier patent application (published as EP-A-505405) describes a process to modify (inhibit or promote) the synthesis of such compounds in plants using DNA constructs comprising a DNA sequence preferably encoding a phytoene synthase enzyme (which particularly modifies colour of plant parts, especially fruit).
The late steps of carotenoid biosynthesis in plants involve the formation of xanthophylls. Little is known about the enzymology of these steps. No plant xanthophyll biosynthetic enzyme has previously been cloned. In work leading to the present invention we have purified to homogeneity a xanthophyll biosynthetic enzyme from Capsicum annuum (pepper) chromoplasts, which catalyzes the conversion of the ubiquitous 5,6-epoxycarotenoids, antheraxanthin and violaxanthin, into capsanthin and capsorubin, respectively. Due to its bifunctionality, this new enzyme has been named capsanthin-capsorubin synthase (CCS).
Both capsanthin and capsorubin are red and give colour to plant tissue. Currently both of these xanthophylls (extracted from paprika) are used as food colourants. Capsanthin and capsorubin are unique to Capsicum fruits and CCS may only be naturally expressed in species of this genus (including peppers, chillies and paprika). However, the immediate precursors for capsanthin and capsorubin (violaxanthin and antheraxanthin) are present in all green tissues.

DNA constructs related to capsanthin capsorubin synthase, cells and plants derived therefrom

Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique


A communication network includes first and second terminals, nodes, and links. The first node is coupled to the first terminal through the first link, and coupled to the second terminal through the second link and the second node. The first node preferably includes communication paths, each coupled to one corresponding first link and to the second link, through a multiplexing device, and routing signals between the links. The first node also preferably includes an alternate communication path coupled through the multiplexing device to the second link, a switch coupled to the alternate path, and a detector detecting failure of a communication path. A controller is responsive to the detector detecting a failure in a communication path and controls the switch to couple the alternate path to a corresponding first link, thereby enabling a signal to be routed between that first and second links through the alternate path.

It is known to provide protection in optical networks against line failures, node failures, and the like, by equipping such networks with bypass equipment for bypassing failed components and routing signals to their intended destinations. An example of a prior art network that includes bypass equipment is depicted in FIG. 1. The network includes optical line terminals (OLTs), or nodes, 100 and 200, and a plurality of terminals 100-1 to 100-n, 200-1 to 200-n. The nodes 100 and 200 are bidirectionally coupled to one another through a bidirectional transmission link (L).
The node 100 comprises a plurality of bidirectional communication paths P-1 to P-n and P-1′ to P-n′ that are interposed between an interface (I′) and a WDM multiplexer/demultiplexer (MUX/DEMUX) 106 of the node 100. Bidirectional transponders 102-1 to 102-n are included in the communication paths P-1 to P-n, respectively, and bidirectional transponders 104-1 to 104-n are included in the communication paths P-1′ to P-n′, respectively, of node 100. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the node 200 is assumed to include components which mirror those of node 100.
Bidirectional links L100-1 to L100-n couple an interface IF1 of each of the terminals 100-1 to 100-n, respectively, to node interface (I′), and bidirectional links L200-1 to L200-n couple interface IF1 of each of the terminals 200-1 to 200-n, respectively, to the node 200. Similarly, bidirectional links BL100-1 to BL100-n couple an interface IF2 of each of the terminals 100-1 to 100-n, respectively, to the interface (I′) of node 100, and bidirectional links BL200-1 to BL200-n couple interface IF2 of the terminals 200-1 to 200-n, respectively, to the node 200.
Each of the terminals 100-1 to 100-n and 200-1 to 200-n normally transceives signals through the interface IF1 of that terminal, and transceives signals through the other interface IF2 only in cases where the interface IF1 and/or the link coupled thereto is inactive. Accordingly, the interface IF1 is known to persons skilled in the art as a "working" interface, and the links L100-1 to L100-n and L200-1 to L200-n coupled thereto are known as "working" links. Also, the interface IF2 is known in the art as a "protection" interface, the links BL100-1 to BL100-n and BL200-1 to BL200-n are known as "protection" links, and the transponders 104-1 to 104-n are known as "protection" transponders. Moreover, the terminals 100-1 to 100-n and 200-1 to 200-n are known as "protected" terminals, since they include the protection interface IF2, whereas terminals that do not include a protection interface IF2 are known as "unprotected" terminals.
The so-called protected terminals operate in the following manner. In the event that a failure occurs in the interface IF1 of a terminal 100-1 to 100-n, 200-1 to 200-n, and/or in a link or communication path coupled to that interface, the terminal recognizes the occurrence of the failure and discontinues transceiving signals through the interface IF1. Assuming that the terminal also recognizes that the protection link coupled thereto is active, the terminal resumes transceiving the signals over that protection link through the protection interface IF2. As a result, the failed component is bypassed, and the signals are communicated through the various protection components of the network.
Unfortunately, the above-described network has drawbacks in that it requires the use of many protection components (e.g., transponders 104-1 to 104-n) in the nodes 100 and 200, and those nodes 100 and 200 are generally expensive. Also, the above-described network does not provide any failure protection for unprotected terminals (not shown) that may be included in the network. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a network which overcomes the above-described drawbacks, and which provides protection against network component failures for both protected terminals and unprotected terminals. It would also be desirable to provide an optical line terminal that is less expensive than those of the prior art network described above.


A magnetic recording tape of plural magnetic coating layers, which has excellent properties of both the electromagnetic conversion properties, particularly the chromatic output, and the corrosion resistance is disclosed. The top layer contains magnetic metal powder having the weight ratio of Al to Fe being 0.005 to 0.2, and the lower layer has the coercive force of not less than 650 Oe and not more than 1200 Oe.

It is a common practice to incorporate ferromagnetic metal powder in the uppermost layer of a plurality of magnetic layers to improve magnetic recording medium properties [e.g., Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection (hereinafter referred to as Japanese Patent O. P. I. Publication) No. 19524/1989, Japanese Patent Application Nos. 77450/1989 and 79307/1989].
However, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent O. P. I. Publication No. 19524/1989 does not offer satisfactory improvement in the electromagnetic conversion properties or corrosion resistance, and the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 77450/1989 and 79307/1989 do not offer satisfactory improvement in the electromagnetic conversion properties, particularly the chroma output.


A conversion LED comprising a chip which emits primary radiation and a luminescent substance-containing layer which is on the chip or positioned so that it intercepts the primary radiation emitted from the chip and which converts at least some of the primary radiation of the chip into secondary radiation, wherein a first luminescent substance of the A3B5O12:Ce garnet type which emits yellow green and a second luminescent substance of the MAlSiN3:Eu calsine type which emits orange red is used, wherein the peak wavelength of the primary radiation lies in the 435 to 455 nm range, the first luminescent substance being a garnet having essentially the cation A=75 to 100% Lu, remainder Y and a Ce content of 1.5 to 2.9%, where B=10 to 40% Ga, remainder Al, while the second luminescent substance is of the basic MAlSiN3:Eu type where M is Ca alone or at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, preferably at least 95% Ca and the remainder of M may be Sr, Ba, Mg, Li or Cu, in each case alone or in combination, wherein some of the Al up to 20%, preferably at most 5%, can be replaced by B, and wherein N can be partially replaced by O, F, Cl, alone or in combination.

A conversion LED which uses a calsine as the red luminescent substance is known from EP 1 696 016. A white LED is realized therewith using a blue LED and a yellow or green luminescent substance chosen from α sialon, Y2A15O12:Ce or (Y,Gd)2(Al,Ga)5O12:Ce.
EP-A 1 669 429 discloses a conversion LED which employs a blue chip together with special luminescent substance of the type (Sr,Ba),Si5N8:Eu in order to produce a white LED, wherein LuAG:Ce as well as similar luminescent substances which are co-doped with Ce and Pr are also used as additional luminescent substances to improve color rendering.

Conversion LED with high color rendition index


The present invention relates to the isolation, purification, characterization and use of a mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) gene [SEQ ID NO:1](pYA5; ATCC No 209562) from the Brassicaceae (specifically Arabidopsis thaliana). The invention includes isolated and purified DNA of the stated sequence and relates to methods of regulating fatty acid synthesis, seed oil content, seed size/weight, flowering time, vegetative growth, respiration rate and generation time using the gene and to tissues and plants transformed with the gene. The invention also relates to transgenic plants, plant tissues and plant seeds having a genome containing an introduced DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; or a part of SEQ ID NO:1 characterized in that said sequence has been introduced into an antisense or sense orientation, and a method of producing such plants and plant seeds. The invention also relates to substantially homologous DNA sequences from plants encoding proteins with deduced amino acid sequences of 25% or greater identity, and 50% or greater similarity, isolated and/or characterized by known methods using the sequence information of SEQ ID NO:1, and to parts of reduced length that are still able to function as inhibitors of gene expression by use in an anti-sense, co-suppression or other gene silencing technologies.

This invention relates to plant genes useful for the genetic manipulation of plant characteristics. More specifically, the invention relates to the identification, isolation and introduction of genes useful, for example, for altering the seed oil content, seed size, flowering and/or generation time, or vegetative growth of commercial or crop plants.
Through a coordination of the light and dark reactions of photosynthesis, plants assimilate CO2 in the formation of sugars. Via the catabolic and anabolic reactions of metabolism, these sugars are the basis of plant growth, and ultimately plant productivity. In the process of plant growth, respiration, which involves the consumption of O2 and catabolism of sugar or other substrates to produce CO2, plays a central role in providing a source of energy, reducing equivalents and an array of intermediates (carbon skeletons) as the building blocks for many essential biosynthesic processes. It is known that any two plants with equal photosynthetic rates often differ in both total biomass production and harvestable product. Therefore, the relationship between rate of respiration and crop productivity has been one of the most intensively studied topics in plant physiology. In a biochemical sense, respiration can be taken to be composed of glycolysis, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, the Kreb""s (tricarboxylic acid, TCA) cycle and the mitochondrial electron transport system. The intermediate products of respiration are necessary for growth in meristematic tissues, maintenance of existing phytomass, uptake of nutrients, and intra- and inter-cellular transport of organic and inorganic materials. In soybean there is evidence that an increase in respiration rate by the pod can lead to an increase in seed growth (Sinclair et al., 1987), while decreased respiration can result in decreased reproductive growth (Gale, 1974). Respiration is therefore important to both anabolic and catabolic phases of metabolism.
Although the pathways of carbon metabolism in plant cells are quite well known, control of the flux of carbon through these pathways in vivo is poorly understood at present. The mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (mtPDC), which catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to give acetyl CoA, is the primary entry point of carbohydrates into the Krebs cycle. The mtPDC complex links glycolytic carbon metabolism with the Krebs cycle, and, because of the irreversible nature of this reaction, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is a particularly important site for regulation.
Mitochondrial PDC has been studied intensively in mammalian systems, and available knowledge about the molecular structure of plant mtPDC is largely based on studies of the mammalian mtPDC. The mtPDC contains the enzymes E1 (EC 184.108.40.206), E2 (EC 126.96.36.199) and E3 (EC 22.214.171.124) and their associated prosthetic groups, thiamine PPi, lipoic acid, and FAD, respectively. The E1 and E3 components are arranged around a core of E2. The E2 and E3 components are single polypeptide chains. In contrast, the E1 enzyme consists of two subunits, E1xcex1 and E1xcex2. Their precise roles remain unclear. Another subunit, the E3-binding protein, is thought to play a role in attaching E3 to the E2 core. The E1 kinase and phosphatase are associated regulatory subunits (Grof et al., 1995).
Plants are unique in having PDH complexes in two isoforms, one located in the mitochondrial matrix as in other eukaryotic cells, and another located in the chloroplast or plastid stroma (Randall et al., 1989). Although both plastidial and mitochondrial PDH complex isoforms are very sensitive to product feedback regulation, only the mitochondrial PDH complex is regulated through inactivation/reactivation by reversible phosphorylation/dephosphorylation (Miernyk and Randall, 1987; Gernel and Randall, 1992; Grof et al., 1995). More specifically, the activity of mitochondrial PDC (mtPDC) is regulated through product feedback inhibition (NADH and acetyl-CoA) and the phosphorylation state of mtPDC is determined by the combined action of reversible phosphorylation of the E1xcex1 subunit by PDC kinase (PDCK) and its dephosphorylation by PDC phosphatase. PDCK phosphorylates and inactives PDC, while PDC phosphatase dephosphorylates and reactivates the complex. Maximum PDC activity also appears to vary developmentally, with the highest catalytic activity observed during seed germination and early seedling development (e.g. in post-germinative cotyledons, Hill et al., 1992; Grof et al., 1995).
Acetyl-CoA, the product of PDC, is also the primary substrate for fatty acid synthesis. While it is known that plant fatty acid biosynthesis occurs in plastids has been the subject of much speculation. It remains a major question which has not been resolved. Because of the central role of acetyl-CoA in many metabolic pathways, it is likely that more than one pathway could contribute to maintaining the acetyl-CoA pool (Ohlrogge and Browse, 1995).
One school of thought takes the view that carbon for fatty acid synthesis is derived directly from the products of photosynthesis. In this scenario, 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) would give rise to pyruvate, which would be converted to acetyl-CoA by pyruvate dehydrogenase in plastids (Liedvogel, 1986). This hypothesis has many appealing aspects, but also several unaddressed questions: (1) fatty acid synthesis occurs in photosynthetic (chloroplasts) and non-photosynthetic plastids (in root, developing embryo cotyledons, endosperm leucoplasts); (2) some plastids may lack 3-phosphoglycerate mutase (Kleinig and Liedvogel, 1980), an essential enzyme for converting 3-PGA, the immediate product of CO2 fixation, to pyruvate. (3) Acetate is the preferred substrate for fatty acid synthesis using isolated intact plastids, and there is evidence that a multienzyme system including acetyl-CoA synthetase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, exists in plastids, which channels acetate into lipids (Roughan and Ohlrogge, 1996). It is almost certain that at least some of the acetyl-CoA in plastids is formed by plastidic pyruvate dehydrogenase, using pyruvate imported from the cytosol or produced locally by plastidial glycolysis.
A further possibility, especially in non-photosynthetic tissues (e.g., roots and developing embryos), is that acetyl-CoA, generated in the mitochondria, is an alternate means to provide acetate moieties for fatty acid synthesis (Ohlrogge and Browse, 1995). Mitochondrially-generated acetyl-CoA could be hydrolysized to yield free acetate, which could move into the plastid for conversion to acetyl-CoA via plastidial acetyl-CoA synthetase, an enzyme with 5- to 15-fold higher activity than the in vivo rate of fatty acid synthesis (Roughan and Ohlrogge, 1994). Alternatively, the mitochondrial acetyl-CoA could be converted to acetylcarnitine and transported directly into the plastid. Hence, in theory, the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex has an important role to play in fatty acid biosynthesis (see FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings). The proof of this hypothesis has been hindered by the difficulties of directly measuring the existence of acetate in the cytosol.
The mitochondrial PDC (mtPDC) is a tightly regulated multiple subunit complex. As mentioned previously, one of the key regulatory components of this complex is PDH kinase (PDHK). PDHK functions as a negative regulator by inactivating PDH via phosphorylation. By modulating the PDCK, the activity of PDC can be genetically engineered.
Various attempts have been made to increase or channel additional carbon towards fatty acid biosynthesis. Targets have included genetically modifying acetyl-CoA carboxylase and pyruvate kinase gene expression through over-expression and antisense mRNA techniques with limited or no success.
However, there are many examples of successful modifications to plant metabolism that have been achieved by genetic engineering to transfer new genes or to alter the expression of existing genes, in plants. It is now routinely possible to introduce genes into many plant species of agronomic significance to improve crop performance (e.g. seed oil or tuber starch content/composition; meal improvement; herbicide, disease or insect resistance; heavy metal tolerance etc.) (Somerville, 1993; Kishore and Somerville, 1993; MacKenzie and Jain, 1997).
For example, increases in the proportions of some strategic fatty acids and in the quantities of seed oil have been achieved by the introduction of various fatty acid biosynthesis and acyltransferase genes in oilseed crops. These include the following demonstrations: Expression of an anti-sense construct to the stearoyl-ACP xcex949 desaturase in Brassicaceae led to an increase in the stearic acid content (Knutzon et al., 1992). Expression of a medium chain fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase from California Bay, in Brassicaceae was demonstrated to increase the lauric acid (12:0) content (Voelker et al., 1992; 1996). Expression of a Jojoba xcex2 keto-acyl-CoA synthase in low erucic acid Brassicaceae led to an increase the level of erucic acid (22:1); the effect following expression in high erucic acid cultivars was negligible (Lassner et al., 1996). Increased proportions of oleic acid in Brassica napus and in soybean have been achieved by silencing the microsomal FAD2 (xcex9412) desaturase (Hitz et al., 1995; Kinney, 1995; 1997). Transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana and rapeseed (B. napus) with a yeast sn-2 acyltransferase resulted in seed oils with increased proportions of 22:1 and other very long-chain fatty acids and significant increases in seed oil content (Zou et al., 1997).
Starch deposition has also been altered by genetic engineering. By expression of a mutant E. coli glgC16 gene encoding an ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase in potato tubers, an increase in starch accumulation was achieved (Stark et al., 1992).
However, because a PDHK gene has not heretofore been cloned from any plant, until now, no genetic modifications have addressed the possibility of altering carbon flux, increasing fatty acid synthesis, oil content or seed size, altering flowering and/or generation time, vegetative growth, or plant respiration/productivity by modulating plant mitochondrial PDH activity.
An object of the invention is to identify, isolate and characterize a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) (gene and cDNA) sequence from Arabidopsis and to utilize this sequence in the genetic manipulation of plants.
Another object of the invention is to provide a vector containing the full-length PDHK sequence or a significant portion of the PDHK sequence from Arabidopsis, in an anti-sense orientation under control of either a constitutive or a seed-specific promoter, for re-introducing into Arabidopsis or for introducing into other plants.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method to construct a vector containing the full-length PDHK sequence or a significant portion of the PDHK sequence from Arabidopsis, in a sense orientation under control of either a constitutive or a seed-specific promoter, for re-introducing into Arabidopsis or for introducing into other plants.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of modifiying Arabidopsis and other plants to change their seed oil content.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of modifiying Arabidopsis and other plants to change their average seed weight or size.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of modifiying Arabidopsis and other plants to change their respiration rate during development.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of modifiying Arabidopsis and other plants to change their vegetative growth characteristics.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of modifiying Arabidopsis and other plants to change their flowering time or patterns of generative growth.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of modifiying Arabidopsis and other plants to change the period required to reach seed maturity.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided isolated and purified deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of SEQ ID NO:1 (pYA5; ATCC No 209562).
According to yet another object of the invention, there is provided a vector containing SEQ ID NO:1 or a part thereof, for introduction of the gene, in an anti-sense orientation (e.g. pAsYA5; ATCC No 209561) into a plant cell, and a method for preparing a vector containing SEQ ID NO:1 or a part thereof, for introduction of the gene in a sense orientation, into a plant cell.
The invention also relates to transgenic plants and plant seeds having a genome containing an introduced DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and a method of producing such plants and plant seeds.
The invention also relates to substantially homologous DNA sequences from plants with deduced amino acid sequences of 25% or greater identity, and 50% or greater similarity, isolated and/or characterized by known methods using the sequence information of SEQ ID NO:1, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, and to parts of reduced length that are still able to function as inhibitors of gene expression by use in an anti-sense or co-suppression (Transwitch; Jorgensen and Napoli 1994) application. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that small changes in the identities of nucleotides in a specific gene sequence may result in reduced or enhanced effectiveness of the genes and that, in some applications (e.g. anti-sense or co-suppression), partial sequences often work as effectively as full length versions. The ways in which the gene sequence can be varied or shortened are well known to persons skilled in the art, as are ways of testing the effectiveness of the altered genes. All such variations of the genes are therefore claimed as part of the present invention.
Stated more generally, the present invention relates to the isolation, purification and characterization of a mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) gene from the Brassicaceae (specifically Arabidopsis thaliana) and demonstrates its utility in regulating fatty acid synthesis, seed oil content, seed size/weight, flowering time, vegetative growth, respiration rate and generation time. Until now, no concrete data is available on the gene structure of plant PDC regulatory subunits (PDCK and PDC phosphatase).
The PDHK gene was cloned and characterized in the course of experiments designed to complement an E. coli mutant, JC201 (Coleman, 1990) with a plant (A. thaliana) cDNA library. By expressing the cDNA as a fusion protein in E. coli, its function was established as a PDHK in a protein kinase assay where it specifically phosphorylated the mammalian PDH E1xcex1/E1xcex2 subunits (the specific substrates of PDHK). The A. thaliana PDHK structure is significantly homologous to its mammalian counterpart, particularly among the functional domains.
The PDHK of the invention is useful in manipulating PDH activity, and the respiration rate in plants. For example, by transforming plants with a construct containing the partial PDHK gene in an antisense or in a sense orientation, under the control of either constitutive or tissue-specific promoters, the expression of mitochondrial PDHK can be silenced to some degree by anti-sense or co-suppression (Transwitch) phenomena (De Lange et al., 1995; Mol et al., 1990; Jorgensen and Napoli, 1994; Kinney, 1995), respectively. This can result in increased mitochondrial PDH activity, and hence an increased production or availability of mitochondrially-generated acetyl-CoA, or an increased respiration rate.
Alternatively, by over-expressing the full-length PDHK gene selectively in a tissue-specific manner, the activity of mitochondrial PDH may be negatively regulated, resulting in decreased respiratory rates in tissues, such as leaves or tubers, to decrease maintenance respiration and thereby increase the accumulation of biomass.
Some of the manipulations and deliverables which are possible using the PDHK gene or a part thereof, include, but are not limited to, the following: seeds with increased or decreased fatty acid and oil content; plants exhibiting early or delayed flowering times (measured in terms of days after planting or sowing seed); plants with increased or decreased vegetative growth (biomass); plants with root systems better able to withstand low soil temperatures or frost; plants with tissues exhibiting higher or lower rates of respiration; plants exhibiting an enhanced capacity to accumulate storage compounds in other storage organs (e.g. tubers); plants exhibiting an enhanced capacity to accumulate biopolymers which rely on acetyl moieties as precursors, such a polyhydroxyalkanoic acids or polyhydroxybutyric acids (Padgette et al., 1997).

Plant pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase gene


A bushing removal tool includes a pressing mechanism and a threaded rod threaded through the pressing mechanism. The bushing removal tool also includes a bushing press adaptor fitting onto an end of the threaded rod. The bushing removal tool further includes a bushing receiver fitting onto the pressing mechanism and opposing the bushing adaptor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tools for motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a bushing removal tool for a rack and pinion gear of a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A bushing, as well known in the art, is a sleeve that provides structural support to an opening in a member. For example, a power steering system in a motor vehicle includes a rack and pinion gear having a mounting portion for bolting the rack and pinion gear to a cross member of the motor vehicle. The mounting portion includes an aperture and a bushing compressedly fitting within the aperture.
Extraction of the bushing from the aperture requires a significant level of force. An arbor press, as is well known in the art, is able to provide the necessary level of force required to push the bushing out of the aperture. However, the rack and pinion gear must first be removed from the motor vehicle in order to use the arbor press. This involves removing the tire and wheel from the motor vehicle, disconnecting a power steering line and draining any power steering fluid, before unbolting the rack and pinion gear. Thus, there is a need in the art for a hand-held bushing removal tool that provides adequate leverage to force out a bushing.


An apparatus and method for manufacturing a steel tube are provided. The apparatus includes: a tube-forming device for forming a steel plate into a steel tube; a heat treatment device connected in-line to the tube-forming device to heat the steel tube to a high temperature; a pre-treatment device for annealing the steel tube and providing a reduction atmosphere; and a plating device including a pot for storing a SeAHLume alloy composed of aluminum and zinc in a molten state, a level block selectively inserted into the molten alloy to adjust a level of the molten alloy, and a plating part into which the molten alloy flows in response to insertion of the level block and through which the steel tube passes substantially vertically. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a steel tube having a plated surface to improve its corrosion-resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a steel tube, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for manufacturing a steel tube having an improved surface treatment structure.
2. Background of the Related Art
Generally, methods for manufacturing a steel tube include an injection method and a method of forming a steel plate into a tube shape. Since the injection method is more costly, the method using a steel plate is widely used.
The steel tube manufactured by the steel plate method is referred to as an electric-welded tube, since the steel plate is deformed into a tube shape and its ends are welded together using an electric-resistance welding method.
The method for manufacturing an electric-welded tube is widely employed in most steel tube manufacturing methods, from small to large diameter tubes. A small diameter steel tube manufactured as described above is widely used in a condenser of a cooling apparatus such as a refrigerator, a hydraulic line of a brake system, and other such applications which require high durability and reliability. Therefore, such a small diameter steel tube should be manufactured carefully.
Meanwhile, in order to prevent surface corrosion of a small diameter steel tube, research into more effective surface treatment technology is ongoing.

Apparatus for manufacturing steel tube and method for manufacturing the same


A windshield wiper apparatus comprises an arm carrying a blade. The latter comprises a mounting member carrying a wiping strip, the apparatus being adapted to be fitted with an air deflector. In accordance with the invention, the air deflector is carried by the arm or the blade, through at least two articulations. The invention is especially applicable to automotive vehicles.

A windshield wiper blade conventionally comprises a mounting member consisting of at least one stirrup which is adapted to hold a wiping strip, which is generally made of rubber based material. It has been found that, in operation and when the vehicle in which the wiper is incorporated is travelling at high speed, the air flow acting on the wiper blade sets up a force which tends to lift the blade; and in extreme conditions this force can cause the blade to separate from the surface being swept, thus impairing the quality of the wiping action on the swept surface.
It has been proposed, in particular in the specification of French published patent application No. FR 2 513 952A, to provide air deflectors which are arranged parallel and at a suitable spacing from the wiping strip, the said deflectors including, or being arranged to extend from, a resilient bar which is carried by the wiping strip, in such a way as to divert the air flow away from the working zone of the wiping strip.
Although this deflector arrangement does partly overcome the problem of air flow setting up a lifting force, it does still reduce the quality of the wiping action performed by the wiping strip. What happens is that the deflector and the resilient bar tend to cause the wiping strip to become more rigid, and, in the case of a swept surface having a large curvature, for example windshields of automotive vehicles, the wiping strip is unable to hug this curvature accurately. The result is that during operation on certain parts of the windshield, its surface is not wiped, with the inevitable result that the driver's visibility is impaired.
In addition, this type of air deflector can, in the case in which the air flow penetrates between the wiping strip and the deflector, cause separation of the whole wiper blade, due to the creation of a lifting force on the face of the deflector which lies facing that of the wiping strip.

Windshield wiper air deflector movable in a single plane to compensate for windshield curvature


A glass polarizer having an excellent transmittance and extinction ratio with respect to light in the visible light range including blue using silver halide containing glass as a starting material is provided.

A polarizer (polarizing element) has a function to selectively pass light having a predetermined polarization plane and is widely used in various optical systems. Major fields of use of polarizers include devices for optical communication and liquid crystal displays including projection-type liquid crystal displays. The present invention is a technology applicable to polarizers used in wide areas. A polarizer according to the present invention will be described by focusing on application to a projection-type liquid crystal display to show characteristics characterized particularly in a visible light region.
In recent years, projection-type liquid crystal displays are widely used as display units for displaying on a big screen. Rear projection-type liquid crystal displays are mainly used for big-screen TVs and front projection-type liquid crystal displays for presentation of personal computer data. A projection-type liquid crystal display has a structure to enlarge and project an image on small liquid crystal elements onto a big screen by using an optical system of projection. A detailed technical description can be found, for example, in Non-Patent Document 1 (big-screen display).
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a typical projection-type liquid crystal display. Light from a light source 4 is separated into blue (B), green (G), and red (R) components by optical components 5 to 16. The separated lights are guided to corresponding liquid crystal elements 2B, 2G, and 2R, respectively. The liquid crystal elements 2R, 2G, and 2B have incident-side polarizers 1R, 1G, and 1B on the incident side and exit-side polarizers 3R, 3G, and 3B on the exit side, respectively. A set of polarizers each having an incident-side polarizer and an exit-side polarizer corresponding to red, green, or blue has a function to selectively allow light passed through the liquid crystal element in a predetermined polarization direction to pass. This function allows lights in three primary colors passed through the liquid crystal elements 2B, 2G, and 2R to become a light intensity modulated image signal. These lights in three primary colors are further synthesized optically by a synthesis prism 17 and further projected onto a screen 19 through a magnifying projector lens system 18.
Polarization characteristics required for a polarizer include a property that transmits optical signals having a desired polarization plane, while at the same time blocking unnecessary optical signals having a polarization plane perpendicular thereto. That is, a desired property is to have a large transmittance with respect to light having a desired polarization plane and a small transmittance with respect to light having a polarization plane perpendicular thereto.
The ratio of these transmittances is called an extinction ratio and is widely used by those skilled in the art as a performance index representing performance of a polarizer. Performance required for polarizers applied to a projection-type liquid crystal display is to have a large transmittance and a large extinction ratio with respect to an optical signal. For a projection-type liquid crystal display, performance required for a polarizer is said to preferably have the transmittance of 70% or more with respect to light of the wavelength to be used and the extinction ratio of 10:1, preferably 3000:1 (Patent Document 1). Values of the transmittance and extinction ratio required for a polarizer are determined depending on a device to which the polarizer is applied.
A social demand for a projection-type liquid crystal display is a demand to realize bigger and clearer images by a smaller device. To realize this demand, a recent technical trend is to apply a light source of a larger quantity of light and to use smaller liquid crystal elements. As a result, light of higher energy density is introduced not only to liquid crystal elements, but also to polarizers placed before and after the liquid crystal elements. Particularly high heat resistance and light resistance are increasingly demanded for polarizers having a function to absorb unnecessary light.
According to principles of polarizers, dichromatic polarizers that selectively absorb light depending on the polarization plane and non-dichromatic polarizers (such as a Brewster polarizer) are known (See Patent Document 2). Dichromatic polarizers have thin elements and do not need any special device to absorb unnecessary light and thus are desired for projection-type liquid crystal displays whose miniaturization is particularly demanded.
Currently, dichromatic polarizers realizing practical optical performance in the visible light region are only polarizing films made of organic material. However, polarizers made of organic resin have a fatal defect of low heat resistance (See Patent Document 1).
To rectify the defect, polarizing films made of organic resin are used by sticking polarizing films to a sapphire substrate having a high thermal conductivity (Patent Document 3). However, the polarization function of polarizers stuck to sapphire having an excellent thermal conductivity may be degraded due to technical requirements of higher intensity in recent years, that is, light absorption/heat generation in a green region with the highest intensity. Thus, a cooling device including a cooling fan is installed in a projection-type liquid crystal display to protect organic resin films from heat. The cooling device not only is against social needs of miniaturization, but also creates another problem of noise.
As a method to solve this technical problem, an idea of applying polarizing glass applied to elements for optical communication to projection-type liquid crystal displays has been proposed (Patent Document 1). However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not disclose any technology to provide effective characteristics to glass polarizing elements with respect to light in the visible light region.
Here, the technical background of polarizing glass will be briefly described. As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the polarizing glass is glass characterized in that metallic fine particles 102 having shape anisotropy oriented and dispersed in an optically transparent glass substrate 100 are contained. Polarization characteristics are realized by using an anisotropic resonance absorption phenomenon of surface plasmons present on the surface of the metallic fine particles 102 (See Patent Document 4 and Non-Patent Document 2).
FIG. 3 shows surface plasmon absorption characteristics of metallic fine particles cited from Patent Document 4. Wavelength dependence (solid line) of optical absorbance depending on the polarization plane when light having polarizability is transmitted through glass in which metallic fine particles shown in FIG. 2 are dispersed is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 shows a case in which metallic fine particles have shape anisotropy and, as a special case thereof, metallic fine particles may be spherical having no shape anisotropy. In FIG. 3, surface plasmon absorption of spherical metallic fine particles is shown as a reference state (broken line).
The broken line A in FIG. 3 corresponds to surface plasmon resonance absorption by spherical metallic fine particles. Resonance absorption of metallic fine particles having shape anisotropy shows different characteristics due to correlations between the polarization plane of incident light and metallic fine particles having shape anisotropy. When the polarization plane is in parallel with the longitudinal direction of metallic fine particles, characteristics indicated by B are exhibited. It is seen that the wavelength of resonance absorption is shifted to a longer wavelength as compared with the characteristics A. It is known that this resonance absorption wavelength depends on the ratio of a longer diameter to a shorter diameter of metallic fine particles and the resonance absorption wavelength becomes larger as the ratio increases (See Non-Patent Document 2). With respect to light having the polarization plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, on the other hand, properties shown by a solid line C are exhibited. That is, resonance absorption is more exhibited for light of a shorter wavelength than that of the resonance wavelength of spherical metallic fine particles.
From the graph shown in FIG. 3, it is understood that the glass exhibits polarization characteristics with respect to light near 600 nm. That is, the glass has a small transmittance with respect to light having the polarization plane in parallel with the longitudinal direction of metallic particles due to strong absorption. On the other hand, the glass shows poor absorption of light having the polarization plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of metallic particles and, therefore, a larger transmittance. As shown in FIG. 2, polarization characteristics are realized by light having a polarization plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of metallic fine particles being selectively transmitted through the glass.
Many technologies have been proposed for polarizing glass and glass polarizers using polarizing glass. Many of these technologies relate to glass polarizers applicable to light in the infrared region (such as Patent Document 5 and Patent Document 6) and few technology applicable to light in the visible light region used in a projection-type liquid crystal display, which is an object of the present invention, is disclosed.
Patent Document 7 discloses a technology to provide polarizers effective for light in the visible light region by using characteristics of copper fine particles having shape anisotropy. Characteristics disclosed in Patent Document 7 are shown in FIG. 4. As seen in FIG. 4, a large extinction ratio particularly for wavelengths equal to 600 nm or less cannot be realized. That is, the ratios (extinction ratios) of values of parallel transmittance curves D and F to those of transmittance curves C and E perpendicular to the stretch axis are small and also the value of the transmittance C is only 10 to 30%, leading to a conclusion that the polarizer does not have practical characteristics.
Patent Document 8 discloses a technology to realize dichromatic absorption with respect to wavelengths in the visible light region. However, there is no specific and quantitative description to realize a high transmittance and a high extinction ratio and thus, the technology cannot be considered to be able to realize polarizers. Like Patent Document 8, Patent Document 9 proposes a technology to obtain an effective extinction ratio in the visible light region, but no technology to realize a high transmittance is disclosed.
CODIXX AG offers polarizing glass effective in the visible light region by using a manufacturing technique providing shape anisotropy to silver fine particles by introducing silver ions by diffusion from the glass surface, causing silver fine particles to deposit by heat treatment and stretching the glass (Non-Patent Document 3). However, since the ion diffusion process is generally unstable and concentrations of silver ions are distributed in the thickness direction of the glass, dimensions of generated silver particles tend to be non-uniform. As a result, the ion diffusion process has a weak point of producing fluctuations in characteristics of polarizers.
A different manufacturing method from the above technique of CODIXX AG is used for infrared glass polarizers for communication industrially widely used(Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5). As schematically shown in FIG. 5, glass in which halogen and silver ions are melted is produced as step 1 (glass production). Next, silver halide fine particles are caused to deposit by heat treatment as step 2 (silver halide deposition). Next, glass in which needle-shaped fine particles of silver halide are oriented and dispersed is produced by stretching glass in which silver halide fine particles are dispersed as step 3 (glass stretch). Lastly, silver fine particles having shape anisotropy are generated by reducing silver halide as step 4 (reduction).
Conventionally, it is understood that polarizers manufactured by this manufacturing method do not exhibit practical performance that can be used for visible light region (Patent Document 5).
FIG. 6 is cited from Patent Document 5 and does not realize performance that is required for a polarizer applicable to projection-type liquid crystal displays. The cause thereof will be described using FIG. 4.
The curve C in FIG. 4 shows that surface plasmon resonance absorption with respect to light having a polarization plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of metallic fine particles having shape anisotropy is present at about 350 nm to 400 nm. At the same time, the curve C in FIG. 4 also shows that an influence thereof extends from 500 nm to 600 nm. The influence is that light having a polarization plane to pass through is absorbed. In other words, the transmittance of the light to be transmitted is suppressed. Thus, the transmission curve A in FIG. 6 shows a small transmittance value in the wavelength of 500 nm to 600 nm.
For polarizers applied to light in the infrared region, light to be transmitted has a wavelength far away from the wavelength of the resonance absorption and the above influence is at a negligible level, causing practically no problem. In contrast, when realizing polarizers for visible light, the above influence is at a level that cannot be ignored. Therefore, to realize a polarizer applied to visible light, a new technical means for minimizing light absorption in the wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm is needed.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-77850    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-519743    Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-206507    Patent Document 4: U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,819    Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent No. 1618477    Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent No. 2740601    Patent Document 7: Japanese Patent No. 2885655    Patent Document 8: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-523804    Patent Document 9: Japanese Examined Application Publication No. 2-40619    Patent Document 10: Japanese Patent No. 2628014    Patent Document 11: Japanese Patent No. 3549198    Non-Patent Document 1: N. Nishida, "Big-Screen Display (Series, Advanced Display Technology 7)", Kyoritsu Shuppan, Tokyo, 2002    Non-Patent Document 2: S. Link and M. A. El-Sayed, J. Phys. Chem. B103 (1999), pp. 8410-8426    Non-Patent Document 3: K. Suzuki, Kogyo Zairyo Vol. 52, No. 12, pp. 102-107

Glass polarizer and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract: A manufacturing method according to the present invention to manufacture glass polarizers is characterized in that borosilicate glass in which silver halide particles are dispersed and deposited by heat treatment is reduced to generate metallic silver particles from at least a portion of silver halide and then, heated for stretching to generate silver halide particles oriented and stretched in the glass.