A mechanism that relies on round magnets (or an alternative modification that imitates round magnets) and their property that when magnetically attached tangentally and parallel to their axis of symmetry they have the tendency to counter-rotate rotate freely when their structural containment is tilted or turned or either magnet is moved, and that they resist twisting on their respective axes such that when an Inner Magnet is arranged so that its rotational circumference is less than an Outer Magnet, and Mechanical Force is applied to either the Outer Magnet or the Inner Magnet, the system exhibits the inverted gyroscopic effect when the apparatus implements one or more features of Mechanical Give is disclosed.

A mechanism is disclosed that can be applied to the sports fitness, machinery, automotive, aerospace, oceanography, toy and hobby, electrical or other varied industries that causes an inverted gyroscopic effect. Magnets have been used in various rotational configurations and gyroscopes have been implemented in various inventions. All other similar prior art devices are known to Applicant, but does not use the unique configuration disclosed and claimed in this application.
The mechanism of this disclosure relies on round magnets (or an alternative modification that imitates round magnets) and their property that when magnetically attached tangentally and parallel to their axis of symmetry (in the direction of the polarity), as will be described so that their poles are pointed in opposite directions, they counter-rotate freely when their structural frame is tilted or turned or either magnet is moved, but resist twisting on their respective axes. When one of the magnets (referred to herein as the "Inner Magnet") is arranged so that its rotational circumference is less than another (the "Outer Magnet") and linear force (the "Mechanical Force") is applied to either the Outer Magnet or the Inner Magnet, the system will exhibit the inverted gyroscopic effect provided the apparatus implements some element of structural give between, around or outside the two magnets (the "Mechanical Give").

Mechanism for causing inverted-gyroscopic precession


A bicycle computer is provided that can be mounted between free ends of a handlebar to form an integrated part of the handlebar. The computer includes an elongated housing portion with first and second attachment portions disposed at first and second ends of the housing portion. The first attachment portion is arranged and configured to be coupled to one free end of the handlebar, while the second attachment portion is arranged and configured to be coupled to the other free end of the bicycle handlebar. Preferably, at least one of the attachment portions includes a retractable member receivable within a corresponding free end of the handlebar. Preferably, the bicycle computer is coupled to the free ends of the handlebar to form a closed loop.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle computer. More specifically, the present invention relates to an elongated bicycle computer mounted between free ends of a bicycle handlebar to form an integrated part of the handlebar.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. One component that is often used with modern bicycles is the bicycle computer.
Typically, a bicycle computer unit is mounted on the handlebar in a location where the rider can view a display of the unit and operate one or more buttons of the unit. A wire usually extends from the computer unit to a front wheel sensor. The front wheel sensor sends an electrical signal to the computer unit each time a spoke magnet passes the sensor. The computer unit uses the electrical information received from the sensor to calculate various information. For example, the computer unit can display data such as speed, average speed, time, elapsed time, distance, etc. Optionally, bicycle computer units can have additional wires extending to other bicycle components or sensors such that the computer unit can display other information or make other calculations based on information from the other sensors or components. For example, the bicycle computer can be coupled to a cadence sensor, shifters, derailleurs, etc. to display various information. In any case, the bicycle computer unit is usually a separate element mounted on the handlebar via a clamping member or the like.
These typical computer units can sometimes rotate on the handlebar causing the display to not be visible to the rider or the button(s) to be difficult to access for the rider. Moreover, these units are often offset to one side of the bicycle. Thus, the rider must look sideways in order to view a display that is offset to the side of the bicycle. Depending upon the function of the unit, this may result in the rider frequently having to look for the display. Furthermore, these typical computer units often have their wires taped or strapped to the handlebars and various frame parts such as the front fork. These wires can be inadvertently torn from the unit and/or the frame of the bicycle. These wires also are often very unsightly. Finally, the computer unit can be caught on debris or the like, and can be unattractive when mounted as a separate element on the handlebar.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved bicycle computer and handlebar assembly with bicycle computer, which overcomes problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Bicycle computer and handlebar assembly with bicycle computer


An embodiment radio frequency MicroElectroMechanical (RF-MEMS) tunable bandpass filter includes one or more tunable resonators, each of which includes an electrically reconfigurable capacitor bank, a tuning screw, and a resonating structure. In an embodiment, the capacitor bank includes fixed value capacitors and switches to vary the capacitance of the resonator. In an embodiment, the capacitor bank includes variable capacitors and direct current (DC) bias circuits to vary the capacitance of the resonator. The filter may be incorporated into a time division duplexing (TDD) base station or other wireless communications device.

The wireless spectrum is heavily segmented. For a given frequency band, a wireless provider may only have 20 MHz of the frequency spectrum out of the whole band. Wireless base transceiver stations (BTSs) have filters to interface with the antenna. Filters in each BTS match with the frequency spectrum possessed by the wireless provider. Therefore many types of filters may be used in a given wireless service provider's network. Filters are large and heavy, however, accounting for approximately 20% of the BTS form factor. Furthermore, current base stations with fixed bandpass filters offer very limited upgradability once installed in the field.
Tunable filters can reduce the numbers of types filters used in a given network, and simplify logistic management. Tunable filter technology generally allows a base station to be reconfigured/upgraded after installation. Most tunable filters in BTSs use a mechanical motor to drive a tuning mechanism to change the filter's frequency. The mechanical motor and tuning mechanism increase filter size and may cause reliability issues.

Tunable bandpass filter device and method


Disclosed are methods of allocating tasks for a print job in a multi-threaded system. One method determines a utilisation measure of at least one of a plurality of intermediate data generating threads, and a complexity limit of a intermediate data generation task. The complexity limit is decreased if the determined utilisation measure of the intermediate data generating thread is under a predetermined threshold. The complexity limit limits a processing load of the intermediate data generation task to be allocated to the intermediate data generating thread. The method then compares the processing load of the intermediate data generation task to be allocated with the determined complexity limit, and allocates the intermediate data generation task to the intermediate data generating thread for processing in an event that the processing load of the intermediate data generation task satisfies the complexity limit.

The trend of achieving performance speedup through the use of multi-core and multi-processor architectures in computer systems, including printing systems, has gained widespread use in recent years. Multi-core and multi-processor architectures allow a number of threads belonging to one or more processes to execute in parallel across a number of CPUs, thereby reducing the overall execution time.
In order to take advantage of such parallelism, a process must typically be broken down into "tasks". A task is a well-defined portion of the overall process to be performed on given input data to produce some output data. The tasks of a process should be largely independent and able to be executed in parallel.
Existing methods in the prior art attempt to dynamically change the size of the tasks processed by different CPUs. However, the prior art methods do not consider the state of the system, which may be changing frequently as the process is executed.
In prior art methods, a print driver determines the appropriate level of granularity for rendering a particular print job using the available processors and characteristics of the print job. Granularity may be at the level of complete pages, groups of graphical objects, or bands of the page. Granularity may change many times during the processing of a job depending on the job being processed. Thus, the whole job has to be received before the granularity of the job is decided. Furthermore, whether resources are well-utilised at any point in time (the state of the system) is not considered.

Dynamically adjusting the complexity of worker tasks in a multi-threaded application


A bearing system includes a first bearing ring, a second bearing ring spaced radially outwards from the first bearing ring, and a bearing cage between the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring. The bearing cage includes a circumferential outer side, a circumferential inner side, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced retainer portions between an axially forward end and an axially trailing end. Roller elements are located in the plurality of retainer portions of the bearing cage. At least one fluid nozzle is axially spaced from the bearing cage for dispensing a fluid to the roller elements.

This disclosure relates generally to bearing systems and, more particularly, to a new arrangement that reduces a need for fluid passages through components of the bearing system.
Gas turbine engines and other types of machinery typically utilize bearing assemblies. A typical bearing assembly may bear relatively high centrifugal and operating loads that result in relatively high stress levels on components of the bearing assembly, such as an inner ring.
The stress levels on the inner ring may be amplified by the particular design. For instance, some inner ring designs include slots that are used to deliver oil to bearing elements within a raceway. In some designs, the inner ring may include axial slots and radial holes that extend radially outwards from the axial slots. The oil flows through the axial slots and outwards through the radial holes to provide lubrication. The intersection between the axial slots and the radial holes may amplify stresses in the inner ring.

Bearing system and method for lubrication


An instrument adapted for the determination of fluid levels within a vessel by the comparison of the density of the fluid along the length of the instrument, said instrument comprising: (i) at least one generally linear source array comprising a plurality of sources of penetrating radiation, shielding and collimation means and a source supporting structure for supporting the sources and shielding and collimation means in a linear array (ii) at least one generally linear detector array comprising a plurality of radiation detectors, supported on a detector support structure, capable of detecting radiation emitted by the sources, and (iii) means to position the source and a respective detector array such that (a) radiation emitted from each of the sources is capable of following a linear path from the source, through the vessel and material to at least a respective one of the detectors forming a part of the respective detector array, and (b) the linear axis of the source array and the linear axis of its respective detector array are substantially parallel to each other (iv) means for analyzing the detector output signals to determine the density of the medium traversed by the beams of radiation in passing from a source to a detector characterized in that the detector support structure and/or its associated electrical circuits and connectors is formed from a plurality of modular portions, each modular portion being adapted to be joined to an adjacent portion to provide a detector array of the required length.

Level measurement systems, i.e., for use in measuring the level of a material within a vessel, are well known. It is also known to locate the boundaries between different materials in a vessel by measuring the density of the vessel contents at different locations to form a density profile of the vessel and contents in order to identify density changes which are indicative of boundary regions. For example, it has been proposed in WO-A-00/22387 to measure the density profile of a medium by providing an axially distributed array of sources of ionising radiation, e.g. 241Am which is a source of low energy gamma radiation, to give collimated beams of said radiation and an axially distributed array of detectors disposed so that the medium under study extends between the sources and the detectors. By monitoring the radiation received by the detectors, the amount of radiation absorbed by the medium from each beam can be determined and so variations in the medium density can be detected. The system of WO-A-00/22387 employs linear arrays of sources and detectors which may extend to several meters in length when the system is intended for use in large vessels such as oil separators and storage vessels. In certain cases, such as high pressure applications or harsh environments, the level measurement system must be contained in a case of a minimum thickness and/or of a particular material. This can impose constraints on the type of radiation that may be used which in turn determines the type and amount of shielding and collimation required. A problem with forming such long source and detector arrays is that dense materials can be required to provide shielding and collimation of the sources and this results in a heavy instrument which is expensive and difficult to manufacture and manoeuvre. Also such long instruments may be prone to breakage during manufacture and installation. It is an object of the invention to provide a level measurement system that overcomes some, at least of the problems with the prior art systems.


A mounting device for mounting an optical sensor to a combustor basket of a combustion gas turbine engine includes a base, an alignment member, and a clamp. The base is mounted over an access hole formed in the combustor basket and is formed with a spherical socket. The alignment member carries the optical sensor and includes a ball that is adjustably received in the socket. During alignment of the alignment member, a laser or other directed light source is applied to the end of the optical sensor. The laser delivers a laser beam that shines out of the optical sensor and permits the alignment member and the optical sensor to be properly aligned. The clamp selectively applies a non-rotational clamping force to the ball of the alignment member to clamp the alignment member in a given orientation with respect to the base. The clamp advantageously includes a tab formed with a compression ledge having at least a first protrusion that selectively and compressively engages the ball to non-movably retain the alignment member in a desired orientation with respect to the base.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to combustion gas turbine engines and, more particularly, to optical sensors mounted on combustor baskets of combustion gas turbine engines for analyzing the efficiency thereof. Specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable mounting device that adjustably mounts an optical sensor on a combustor basket of a combustion gas turbine engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known in the relevant art, combustion gas turbine engines typically include a compressor region, a combustor region and a turbine region. Air is drawn into the engine and is compressed in the compressor region of the engine and delivered to the combustor region. The combustor region includes a pressurized plenum within which are disposed a plurality of combustor baskets, with each combustor basket being formed with a plurality of air inlet holes. The pressurized air travels from the compressor region, into the pressurized plenum, and through the air inlet holes into the combustor baskets where the compressed air is mixed with fuel and combusted. The combustion gases flow through the combustor basket into the turbine region of the engine where the high velocity combustion gases rotate one or more turbine stages that drive the compressor stages in the compressor region of the gas turbine engine.
To increase engine efficiency, it is preferred to closely monitor and control the combustion of the fuel/air mixture within the combustor baskets to achieve the highest and most advantageous combustion and energy from a given quantity of fuel. An optical sensor is mounted on the exterior of a combustor basket and is oriented to observe the combustion occurring within the combustor basket, with the signal from the optical sensor being delivered to appropriate analytical equipment for interpretation of the signal. While such optical sensor systems have been effective for their intended purposes, such optical sensor systems have not, however, been without limitation.
Such optical sensors are effective only if properly aimed at the combustion occurring within a specific downstream region of the combustor basket. Misalignment of the optical sensor can cause unintended signals to be received by the optical sensor, which can result in incorrect control and inefficient operation of the gas turbine engine. As such, it is preferred that the optical sensor be mounted on an adjustable fitting that permits the optical sensor to be positioned such that it is oriented toward a desired location within the combustor basket and is retained in such position during operation of the engine.
Proper alignment of an optical sensor is difficult to achieve inasmuch as the sensor must be positioned at a time when the engine is shut down. As such, it is necessary to understand the specific location in which the optical sensor is intended to point and to accurately orient the optical sensor in an appropriate orientation. It is thus preferred to provide a method for determining the specific orientation and observation point of the optical sensor when the engine is shut down.
Moreover, adjustable mounting devices that have been employed to mount such optical sensors have met with only limited success. Such mounting devices typically include a clamping system that limits the movement of an optical sensor once the optical sensor has been aligned in a given position. Such known clamping systems have, however, invariably at least nominally repositioned the optical sensors whenever a retention force is applied to the optical sensor. Such undesired repositioning results in misalignment of the optical sensor from the desired objective, which thus results in spurious optical signals that prevent proper analysis and control of the gas turbine engine. It is thus desired to provide a mounting device for an optical sensor that does not reposition the optical sensor during fixing of the optical sensor in a given position.
In view of the foregoing, a mounting device for mounting an optical sensor to a combustor basket of a combustion gas turbine engine includes a base, an alignment member, and a clamp. The base is mounted over an access hole formed in the combustor basket and is formed with a spherical socket. The alignment member carries the optical sensor and includes a ball that is adjustably received in the socket. During alignment of the alignment member, a directed beam of light such as a laser is applied to the flexible fiber-optic sensor mounted on the adjustable mounting device that ordinarily would be connected with the analytical equipment, whereby the laser emits a laser beam which is directed out of the optical sensor and into the combustor basket. The laser beam shining out of the optical sensor permits the alignment member and the optical sensor to be properly aligned.
The clamp selectively applies a non-rotational clamping force to the ball of the alignment member to clamp the alignment member in a given orientation with respect to the base. The clamp advantageously includes a tab formed with a compression ledge having at least a first protrusion that selectively and compressively engages the ball to non-movably retain the alignment member in a desired orientation with respect to the base. The tab includes an elongated clamping opening along which the compression ledge is formed, and further includes an elongated fastener opening that at least partially receives a threaded bolt therein. The tab is also formed with a pair of prongs that are movably received in a slot formed in the base. The elongated fastener and clamping openings, as well as the movable relationship of the prongs within the slot permit the tab and thus the alignment member and the optical sensor to be adjusted, yet permit the alignment member to be non-movably retained in a given orientation once the given orientation has been achieved.
In view of the foregoing, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a mounting device for adjustably retaining an optical sensor on a combustor basket of a gas turbine engine, the general nature of which can be stated as including a base structured to be mounted on the combustor basket, the base being formed with a socket, an alignment member formed with a ball, the ball being adjustably received in the socket, the alignment member being structured to carry the optical sensor, and a clamp mounted on the base, the clamp being structured to apply a non-rotational clamping force to the alignment member to clamp the alignment member in a given orientation with respect to the base.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of adjustably retaining an optical sensor on a combustor basket of a gas turbine engine, the general nature of which can be stated as including the steps of placing the optical sensor in an alignment member having a ball, positioning the alignment member in a given orientation with respect to a base, the base being disposed on the combustor basket and having a socket for receiving the ball of the alignment member, and applying a non-rotational clamping force to the alignment member.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of aligning an optical sensor mounted on a combustor basket of a gas turbine engine, the general nature of which can be stated as including the steps of operatively connecting a light source to the optical sensor, generating a beam of light with the light source, projecting the beam of light out of the optical sensor, and positioning the optical sensor such that the beam of light is directed in a given orientation.
Again still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a turbine engine, the general nature of which can be stated as including a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section, the combustor section including at least a first combustor basket, a base structured to be mounted on the combustor basket, the base being formed with a socket, an alignment member formed with a ball, the ball being adjustably received in the socket, an optical sensor mounted on the alignment member, and a clamp mounted on the base, the clamp being structured to apply a non-rotational clamping force to the alignment member to clamp the alignment member in a given orientation with respect to the base.

Adjustable mounting device for aligning optical sensor in gas turbine engine combustor


This invention relates to an apparatus producing distributed X-ray, and in particular to a cathode control multi-cathode distributed X-ray apparatus, which produces X-ray that changes focal position in a predetermined order by arranging multiple independent hot cathodes and controlling cathodes in an X-ray source device, and a CT device having said X-ray apparatus.

An X-ray source is a device that produces X-ray. It is composed generally of an X-ray tube, a power supply and control system, cooling and shielding and other accessories, with the X-ray tube being the core. The X-ray tube is usually composed of a cathode, an anode, a glass or ceramic housing. The cathode is a directly heated spiral tungsten filament which, when in operation, has current passes through and is heated up to the working temperature of about 2000K, thereby generating a thermally emitted electron beam stream. The cathode is surrounded by a metal cap that opens a slot in the front and enables electron focusing. The anode is a tungsten target inlaid at the end surface of a copper billet, and when in operation, a high voltage of hundreds of thousands of volts is applied between the anode and the cathode. The electrons generated by the cathode accelerate and fly to the anode under the action of the electric field, and hit the target surface, thereby producing X-ray.
X-ray is widely applied in such fields as industrial nondestructive examination, security check, medical diagnosis and treatment. In particular, the X-ray imaging device that makes use of the strong penetrating power of X-ray plays a vital role in every aspect of our daily life. At the early stage, said device was a planer X-ray imaging device of film, but now is the advanced digital 3D imaging device of high definition and multi-angle of view, e.g., computed tomography (CT), capable of acquiring 3D graphics or section images of high definition, being an advanced high-end application.
In a CT device (such as industrial defect detection CT, baggage inspection CT, medical diagnosis CT and so on), it is usual to put the X-ray source at one side of the object under inspection and a detector for receiving ray at the other side. When X-ray passes through an object, its strength varies with such information as the thickness and density of the object. The strength of X-ray received by the detector includes the structural information of one angle of view of the object under inspection. If the X-ray source and detector rotate around the object under inspection, we can acquire the structural information of different angle of view. Restructuring said information by a computer system and software algorithm can obtain a 3D image of the object under inspection. At present, the CT device is securing the X-ray source and detector to a circular slip ring surrounding the object under inspection. Every round of movement in work can get an image of a section of one thickness of the object under inspection, which is called a section. The object under inspection then moves along the direction of thickness to obtain a series of sections, which put together is just a fine 3D structure of the object under inspection. Therefore, for an existing CT device, in order to acquire information of different angle of view, it has to change the position of the X-ray source, so the X-ray source and detector need to move on the slip ring. To step up the inspection, the moving speed of the X-ray source and detector is often very fast. Due to the high speed movement on the slip ring, the overall reliability and stability of the device are reduced. Besides, as hindered by the moving speed, the CT inspection speed is also limited. Although the newest generation of CT in recent years mounts the detector in a circumferential manner such that the detector does not have to move, the X-ray source still has to move on the slip ring. Besides, multiple rows of detectors may be mounted so that a plurality of section images can be obtained every round the X-ray source moves, thereby increasing the CT inspection speed, but this does not solve the problem resulted from the movement on the slip ring fundamentally. Therefore, the CT device is need of an X-ray source capable of producing multiple angles of view without having to shift position.
Besides, in order to improve the inspection speed, it is usual that the electron beam produced by the cathode of the X-ray source has long and continuous high power bombardment on the anode tungsten target. However, because the target spot has a small area, the heat radiation of the target spot also becomes a big problem.
To solve the reliability and stability problem as well as the inspection speed problem and the anode target sport heat radiation problem brought about by the slip ring of the current CT device, existing patent documents propose some methods, such as rotary target X-ray source, which can solve the problem of overheating of the anode target to a certain extent, but its structure is complex and the target spot producing X-ray is still a definitive target spot position relative to the whole X-ray source. For example, in order to achieve multiple angles of view for a fixed X-ray source, some techniques arrange a plurality of independent traditional X-ray sources in a compact way on a circumference to displace the movement of the X-ray source. This may achieve multiple angles of view, but is too costly, and because the space between target spots of different angles of view is large, the image quality (3D resolution) is quite poor. In addition, the patent document 1 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,452) brings forward a light source and method for producing distributed X-ray, wherein the anode target has a very large area that alleviates the problem of the target overheating, and the target spot positions changing along the circumference can produce many angles of view. Although the patent document 1 is to scan and deflect the accelerated high energy electron beam, having the problem of being difficult to control, the locations of the target spots being not discrete and poorly repeatable, it is still an effective method capable of producing distributed light source. Moreover, the patent document 2 (US20110075802) and the patent document 3 (WO2011/119629) bring forward a light source and method for producing distributed X-ray, wherein the anode target has a very large area that alleviates the problem of the target overheating, and the target spots are scattered and fixed and arranged in an array, being able to produce many angles of view. Besides, carbon nano-tubes are used as the cold cathodes, the cold cathodes are arranged in an array, using the voltage between cathode grids to control field emission, thereby controlling every cathode to emit electrons in order, and bombard the target spots in a corresponding order of positions on the anode, thus becoming a distributed X-ray source. However, there are still such shortcomings as complex production process and insufficient capacity of emission and service life of carbon nano-tubes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cathode control multi-cathode distributed X-ray apparatus and CT device having said apparatus


Embodiment relates to film for bonding, and a light-transmitting laminate including the same and the like, a film for bonding comprising an embossed surface, wherein the embossed surface has an A2/A1 value of 1 or less are disclosed. A film for bonding have improved in deairing stability during formation of a light transmitting laminate, an edge sealing characteristic, and the like by controlling characteristics of a embossed surface.

Polyvinyl acetal is being used as an interlayer (film for laminated glass) of a laminated glass (safety glass) or a light transmitting laminate. Laminated glass is mainly used in windows of architecture, cladding, and window glass of automobiles, and due to characteristics, such as anti-scattering of glass fragments when broken and penetration resistance against impact of a certain strength, it can secure stability for minimizing damage or injury given to objects or people placed in the inside thereof.
A film for bonding may be a wedge-shaped film whose section has an even wedge angle for preventing the formation of a double-image when used as a Head Up Display film.
A film for bonding has plural minute embossments formed in the surface to improve a characteristic of preventing blocking among interlayers, a workability of overlapping a glass plate with an interlayer (sliding degree from a glass plate as handling workability), and de-airing stability when processed to be laminated with a glass plate.
When a film for bonding in which embossments are formed is used in lamination, there is a possibility of generating an interference pattern or a bubble due to the embossments placed in both surfaces of the film, and a case of lowering visibility may be made. Also, there is a problem of degrading workability when a dazzle occurs.

Bonding film, and light-transmitting laminate including same


The present invention provides a capacitor comprising: a semiconductor substrate; an inter-layer insulator formed over the silicon substrate; at least two interconnections formed within the inter-layer insulator, the two interconnections being distanced at a pitch in a lateral direction; a fin-structured storage electrode comprising a vertically extending column portion and a plurality of fins, each of which laterally and radially extends from the vertically extending column portion, the fins being spaced in a vertical direction and the vertically extending column portion extending through the inter-layer insulator to a surface of the semiconductor substrate and also extending upwardly from a surface of the inter-layer insulator, wherein the vertically extending column portion is smaller in diameter within the inter-layer insulator and larger in diameter over the inter-layer insulator; a capacitive insulation film formed on a surface of the fin-structured storage electrode; and an opposite electrode formed on the capacitive insulation film.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly to a dynamic random access memory cell having an improved fin-structured storage electrode and a method of fabricating the same.
Generally, the dynamic random access memory cell has a pair of a transfer field effect transistor and a memory cell capacitor. This simple structure of the dynamic random access memory cell is suitable for high integration of the dynamic random access memory device. There has been developed a memory cell capacitor having a three dimensional structure for further increase in the density of the integration of the memory cell array in the dynamic random access memory device.
Namely, in the light of the scale reduction of the memory cell and increase in the density of the integration of the memory cell array, it is required to reduce an occupied area of the memory cell capacitor and ensure a large capacitance necessary for allowing the dynamic random access memory device to show stable operations and has a reliance on operations thereof, for the purpose of which it is further necessary to increase in surface area of a memory cell capacitor storage electrode as much as possible.
The three dimensional structured memory cell capacitor is classified into two types. First one is the stacked memory cell capacitor and second one is the trench memory cell capacitor. The stacked memory cell capacitor has a high resistivity to noises due to alpha-ray incidence or circuits, for which reason the stacked memory cell capacitor is capable of performing stable operations even if the capacitance of the stacked memory cell capacitor is relatively small. Generally, it seems considered that the stacked memory cell capacitor is available to 0.15 micrometers scale rule for 1 Gbit dynamic random access memory device.
As one of the stacked memory cell capacitors, various fin-structured memory cell capacitors have been proposed and, for example, disclosed in INTERNATIONAL ELECTRON DEVICES MEETING, 1988 pp. 593-595, entitled "3-DIMENSIONAL STACKED CAPACITOR CELL FOR 16M AND 64M DRAMS", and also disclosed in the Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 5-291524. The fin-structure is effective to increase the surface area of the memory cell capacitor storage electrode. In order to obtain a further increase in the surface area of the fin-structured storage electrode of the stacked memory cell capacitor, it is effective to increase the number of fins of the storage electrode. Since each fin comprises a conductive layer, if the number of the fines of the storage electrode is increased, then the mechanical strength of the fin structure of the storage electrode of the memory cell capacitor is reduced whereby the conductive film forming each fin may be curved. As a result, the reliability of performances of the fin structured storage electrode of the stacked memory cell capacitor is reduced. In the Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 5-291524, it is disclosed to strengthen the fin structure of the storage electrode of the memory cell capacitor. The fin-structured storage electrode of the stacked memory cell capacitor may be fabricated in accordance with a method to be described below with reference to FIGS. 1A through 1E which are fragmentary cross sectional elevation views illustrative of a conventional fin-structured storage electrode of the stacked memory cell capacitor.
With reference to FIG. 1A, a first silicon oxide film 52 is formed as an inter-layer insulator over a silicon substrate 51. A first silicon nitride film 53 is formed over the first silicon oxide film 52. The first silicon nitride film 53 will serve as an etching stopper to etchant of hydrofluoric acid in later process to be described below. A second silicon oxide film 54 is formed over the first silicon nitride film 53. A second silicon nitride film 55 is then formed over the second silicon oxide film 54. A first polysilicon film 56 is then formed over the second silicon nitride film 55. A third silicon oxide film 57 is formed over the first polysilicon film 56. A third silicon nitride film 58 is further formed over the third silicon oxide film 57. A second polysilicon film 59 is then formed over the third silicon nitride film 58. A fourth silicon oxide film 60 is then formed over the second polysilicon film 59. A fourth silicon nitride film 61 is then formed over the fourth silicon oxide film 60.
With reference to FIG. 1B, a contact hole 62 is formed, which vertically extends from the fourth silicon nitride film 61 to the first silicon oxide film 52 so that a part of the silicon substrate 51 is shown through the contact hole 62.
With reference to FIG. 1C, a third polysilicon film 63 is entirely formed over the fourth silicon nitride film 61 and within the contact hole 62 so that the silicon substrate 51 is made into contact with the polysilicon film 63.
With reference to FIG. 1D, the laminations of the second silicon nitride film 55, the first polysilicon film 56, the third silicon oxide film 57, the third silicon nitride film 58, the second polysilicon film 59, the fourth silicon oxide film 60, the fourth silicon nitride film 61 and the third polysilicon film 63 are subjected to an anisotropic etching to pattern the same.
With reference to FIG. 1E, by use of a hydrofluoric acid solution is used to carry out a wet etching or an isotropic etching to etching the second silicon oxide film 54, the third silicon oxide film 57 and the fourth silicon oxide film 60, wherein the first silicon nitride film 53, the second silicon nitride film 55, the third silicon nitride film 58 and the fourth silicon nitride film 61 serve as etching stoppers thereby to form a fin-structured storage capacitor electrode 64 over the silicon substrate 51. The first polysilicon film 56 serves as a first conductive layer of the fin-structured storage capacitor electrode 64. The first conductive layer is supported by the second silicon nitride film 55. The second polysilicon film 59 serves as a second conductive layer of the fin-structured storage capacitor electrode 64. The second conductive layer is supported by the third silicon nitride film 58. The third polysilicon film 63 serves as a third conductive layer of the fin-structured storage capacitor electrode 64. The third conductive layer is supported by the fourth silicon nitride film 61. In this case, the fin-structured storage electiode has three fins. Notwithstanding, it is possible to increase the number of fins of the fin-structured storage electrode in order to increase the surface area of the fin-structured storage electrode.
As described above, the second silicon nitride film 55, the third silicon nitride film 58 and the fourth silicon nitride film 61 serve as the supporting layers for supporting the three fins of the first, second and third conductive layers of the fin-structured storage electrode in order to prevent the three fins of the first, second and third conductive layers from being curved or bent to contact with each other. However, the supporting layers of the second, third and fourth silicon nitride films 55, 58 and 61 make it difficult to reduce the thickness of a capacitive insulation film covering the fin-structured storage electrode. The reduction in the thickness of the capacitive insulation film of the fin-structured storage electrode is essential to increase the capacitance of the fin-structured storage electrode, for which reason the difficulty in reduction in the thickness of the capacitive insulation film of the fin-structured storage electrode makes it difficult to increase the capacitance of the fin-structured storage electrode.
In order to settle the above problem, it is required to remove the second, third and fourth silicon nitride films 55, 58 and 61 by a wet etching or an isotropic etching. Since the etching rate of the silicon nitride film is low, a relatively long time is necessary for removal of the second, third and fourth silicon nitride films 55, 58 and 61 by the wet etching or the isotropic etching. In the light of mass productions, it is not suitable to increase the number of fins of the fin-structured storage electrode.
In order to increase the surface area of the fin-structured storage electrode, it is effective to increase a lateral length by which each of the fins extends laterally and outwardly from a column portion of the third polysilicon film. Namely, the lateral length of the fins is long as compared to a diameter of the contact hole 62. In order to increase the lateral length of the fins of the fin-structured storage electrode, it is needed to provide the silicon nitride films which support the conductive films serving as the fins and also prevent the fins from being curved or bent.
If, however, the diameter of the contact hole 62 is increased whilst the lateral length of the fins is reduced, then this suppress the fins from being bent even without support by the silicon nitride films. It is however impossible to decide the diameter of the contact hole without consideration of a pitch of low level interconnections, for example, word lines or bit lines. In other word, the diameter of the contact hole is decided by the pitch of the low level interconnections, for example, word lines or bit lines. In the light of increase in the density of the integration of the memory cell arrays or a possible reduction of the occupied area of the memory cell, it is required to set as narrow as possible the pitch of the low level interconnections, for example, word lines or bit lines. In order to obtain a maximum density of the integration or a minimum occupied area of the memory cell, it is required to set the pitch of the low level interconnections, for example, word lines or bit lines at the minimum scale. The diameter of the contact hole is required to be not larger than the pitch of the low level interconnections, for example, word lines or bit lines in order to prevent any short circuit. If, however, the diameter of the contact hole is larger than the pitch of the low level interconnections, for example, word lines or bit lines, then the contact hole is made into contact with the word lines or bit lines.
On the other hand, if the diameter of the contact hole is so small as compared to the lateral length of the fins, then the fin-structured storage electrode is likely to fall down or peel off.
In the above circumstances, it had been required to develop a novel fin-structured storage capacitor of the stacked memory cell capacitor free from the problems as described above and provide a novel method of fabricating the same.

Dynamic random access memory cell having an improved fin-structured storage electrode


A dual fuel heater (10) includes a pressure regulator converter (11) in fluid communication with a control valve (21), which in turn is in fluid communication with a selector valve (40) through a NG/LP pilot line (48) having a splitter (49) to form a NG pilot line (50) and a LP pilot line (51) extending to an LP pilot nozzle (67). The selector valve is moveable between an NG “on” position wherein fuel entering the selector valve passes to a burner (60) and to a NG pilot nozzle (65), and an NG “off” position (LP “on” position) wherein fuel passes to the burner and not to either the NG pilot nozzle or the LP pilot nozzle. The NG pilot nozzle is oriented so that its flame heats the first thermocouple associated with the NG pilot nozzle and ignites fuel expelled from the LP pilot nozzle.

Heaters may come in the form of space heaters, fireplace inserts, wall heaters, or the like. These heaters utilize a combustible fuel such as natural use (NG) or liquid petroleum (LP). Because each of these fuels is released at different pressures, the heater is usually designed to operate on one fuel or the other.
Recently, heaters have been designed which may operate on both natural gas or liquid petroleum. These heaters require that the user "set up" the device for each of the two fuels in different manners, such as utilizing different gas regulators and nozzles to achieve the different pressures associated with each gas. The requirement that the system be set up differently for each gas in not only tedious, but also increases the possibility that one may set up the system in the wrong manner with potentially disastrous consequences.
Accordingly, it is seen that a need remains for a dual fuel heater which may quickly and easily be converted from on gas type set-up to another. It is to the provision of such therefore that the present invention is primarily directed.


A machine for folding and gluing peripherally the edges of a piece of work has a top on which the piece of work moves, a motor for transporting the moving piece of work, and a folding shoe which cooperates with a guide. A glue is fed. A plurality of actuators (Al-An) controls the various parts of the machine, and a control unit (UC) controls the machine operating parameters. The control (UC) has a programming device (PR) connected to the actuators (Al-An), a memory (M) accessible through the programming device (PR) and is designed to contain the parameters used in a more recent processing of the work executed manually by the operator. The operating parameters for processing a given piece of work are furnished to the machine through a learning phase controlled manually by the operator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a machine for folding and peripheral glueing of the edges of sheet material and the like.
In particular the present invention relates to a machine for folding and glueing of the upper in the manufacture of a shoe or leather products.
The invention also relates to a method for definition of the operating parameters in a machine for folding and peripheral glueing of the edges of sheet material and in particular for folding and glueing of the upper in the manufacture of a shoe or leather products.
For the sake of simplicity the present invention is described below in relation to the manufacture of shoes, however the invention finds application in the production of various types of products which require folding and glueing of sheet materials such as belts, wallets, purses and the like. The machine of the present invention can be used for these applications merely by replacing appropriate tools. The present description is therefore not intended to be limiting but extends also to machines for the fabrication of these products.
Description of the Prior Art
Machines of this type, also known as gluer-folders, comprise a working top on which is made to travel the piece to be folded peripherally and a main shaft driven through a transmission by an electric motor.
The main shaft drives various members for the transport with reciprocating movement of the work to be processed in accordance with straight or curved directions and for movement lengths (so-called movement pitch) varying in accordance with the length to be executed. The pitch movements take place thanks to a second motor, generally of the step or some other type.
Folding means are also provided for folding the work piece peripherally, pressing means for holding and advancing the folded piece, a glue feeder, and a plurality of photoelectric cells located in various points of the work top to identify the presence and serial conformations of the work piece being processed. The signals detected by the photoelectric cells allow automatic control through processing circuits of the beginning and end of application of the glue, reduction or increase of the pitch in accordance with the type of length (of folding) to be executed, main motor speed change, insertion of a cutting blade, etc.
Means for folding of the length to be folded generally consist of a folding shoe cooperating with a guide or fixed striker and an oscillating finger for folding the edge of the piece against the folding shoe.
Usually the folding shoe is axially hollow and through it is fed the glue in a predetermined quantity depending on the machine rotation speed and pitch. The glue is kept at a predetermined temperature in a tank and delivered through a gear pump controlled through servomechanisms by an electric motor, e.g. a step motor.
There are also provided knives or blades for performance of cuts in the work piece to facilitate folding generally opposite the internal curvatures.
These machines were originally provided for use substantially under manual control and were recently equipped with automatic control means of the electronic type based on programmed microprocessors in which the working parameters can be modified in accordance with the work piece being processed, thus providing automatic operation but still under the supervision of the operator.
Typical operating parameters in this sense are speed of feed, transport pitch, glue delivery, etc.
It has also been proposed to equip the control unit with a sufficiently capacious memory to contain the functional parameters of a large number of work pieces which the machine is capable of producing. These parameters are memorized in advance and in fact constitute an essential part of the machine. The parameters of a given piece are called up upon selection by the operator of this piece which, for example, is characterized by the type of shoe, the number, right or left, type of leather, etc. A machine of this kind is described for example in EP-A-0 340 695.
Folding-glueing machines of the above type have however some limitations and shortcomings.
In the first place, for these known machines it is necessary to define in advance all the parameters of the several uppers or in general of the pieces to be processed and memorize them. Therefor this machine has considerable complexity of the setting up operations and in addition is preset for a certain number of uppers or pieces which may never be used during the life of the machine.
In addition, programming of the parameters can be excessively rigid, e.g. a lot of skins softer than foreseen can require reprogramming at least of some parameters of a setting, which is performed on the basis of defects found in the first pieces processed.
Finally, known machines allow memorization only of three values for each of the main parameters of speed and pitch, i.e. one for the straight lengths, one for the curved lengths with inward concavity (internal curves), and one for the curved sections with outward concavity (external curves).

Machine for folding and peripheral glueing of the edges of sheet material and the like


To permit easy removal of a printing machine inker fountain box, without leakage of ink from the box, the box is formed with a box body (1) and side walls (3) which have curved front faces (12) fitting against an inker roller (9). To remove the box, for example by lifting off with handles (2) from a printing machine, a curved cover (4) is inserted into guide slots (5) formed in the side walls, which are located just inside of the end surfaces (12) of the end walls. The cover, preferably, has a stripper element (6) at the end, so that, as it is inserted into the curved slots (5), ink on the inker roller (9) is stripped downwardly leaving, at the end, only a small accumulation of ink (19) which can easily be wiped off. The bottom of the inker cover (4) fits against the inker body (1) to prevent leakage of ink from the now removable inker box (1). To permit return of ink stripped off the inker roller (9) in operation of the machine by a doctor blade (22) mounted on the inker body (20), the bottom wall (1') of the inker body is formed with a recessed edge (127) or a group of apertures (27) therein, which can be closed off by a flap (28) of a flap valve, or by a sealing strip or flap (28, 928) secured to the cover (4) and overlapping the opening (127) or openings (28) when the cover is inserted in the guide slots.

It is frequently necessary to exchange ink fountain boxes in printing machines, for example to exchange ink of a specific color with differently colored ink. In rotary printing machines, particularly offset printing machines, it is customary to form the ink fountain boxes in such a manner that they are removable. Removal and interchange of ink fountain boxes causes problems if the ink fountain box is directly engaged against an inker roller of the printing machine inker. In such arrangements, the forward region of the inker box is open, that is, exposed to a roller so that the roller can have ink directly applied from the box, or pick up ink which flows downwardly from the box.
It is, of course, possible to install the inker box in the printing machine, when empty, and then fill ink thereinto. If the inker box is to be exchanged, however, and removed, ink may still be within the inker box and, upon removal from the printing machine, may leak off. The ink is quite viscous. In the past, this required removal of the ink from the inker box or inker fountain box before the fountain box itself could be removed from the printing machine. This is time-consuming, and frequently difficult to carry out because of the nature of the ink. Contamination, soiling and loss of ink is practically unavoidable.
It has previously been proposed to provide inker boxes with a forward cover, which is formed with an opening that can be closed by a valve closing element. This arrangement permits exchanging of inker fountain boxes with ink still therein; due the nature of the ink, however, such closure elements are difficult to handle and, if the inker box is to be used with ink of a different color, the closure valve element additionally requires cleaning.

Portable, removable and insertable ink fountain box for a printing machine


A low friction ball bearing tracker assembly for use in spatial object, particularly solar tracking, the assembly including a housing, having a base and top cover affixed to the housing, the housing further including a spherical chamber for receiving a rounded orb and ball bearings sufficient to surround at least fifty percent of the surface area of the orb, for allowing the orb to swivel, and translate, while tracking the spatial object, the orb being affixed to a solid shaft having an oval cross section, such as an ellipse, with major and minor axes, whereby the solid shaft holds a plate for retaining an array of panels, the top cover of the assembly further including a recessed channel along the inner circumference of the top cover to accommodate additional ball bearings to allow additional range of low friction motion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to a ball bearing tracker assembly. In particular, the invention is a ball bearing tracker assembly for the low friction movement of an array or other device for spatial object, particularly solar, tracking, whereby the ball bearing assembly includes a solid shaft with an oval or elliptical cross section and a top cover with a recessed channel having a diameter sufficient to accommodate a ball bearing diameter, thereby providing low friction rotation and angular translation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Climate change has increased the demand for green energy produced by renewable sources. Solar power in particular, is a highly valuable source of renewable energy and requires the use of solar tracking devices or systems using arrays or solar panels, to follow the motion of the sun and harness its immense power. Solar tracking systems are required for orienting a solar panel or concentrating a solar reflector or array towards the sun. Effective and efficient tracking of the sun with a panel or array of panels having a full range of motion is required in order to ensure that the maximum sunlight is captured and retained for optimal performance.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,353 (to Hall et al.) teaches a solar tracker that operates on a single axis, but partially simulates a dual-axis tracker by adjusting tilt angle as the tracker rotates. The tracker is disclosed in particular embodiments which fit efficiently with a hemispherical transparent dome. Hall et al.'s single-axis tracking system claims to partially emulate multiple-axis trackers that rotate about more than one axis so as to follow both the azimuth variation (progression of the sun's bearing angle, i.e. east to south to west) and the sun's change in elevation angle from the horizon. However Hall et al.'s single-axis tracking system does not provide enough range of low friction angular translation.
U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2007/0215199 A1 (to Dold et al.) discusses a two-axis solar tracker having a base pivotally connected to a pivot frame and defines a pivot axis for movement of the solar array. A first actuator controls elevational movement and a second actuator controls azimuthal movement of the solar array. Dold et al. does not provide a low friction articulating joint or an adequate range of motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,470 (to Brodowski) discloses a ball bearing assembly. However, the mechanical structure of the ball bearing assembly of Brodowski does not provide an expansive range of motion that can accommodate high loads and is not suitable for solar tracking.
It is therefore desirable to have a ball bearing assembly having a low friction articulating joint, with sufficient range of motion to be useful for the high capture of solar energy.


The present invention relates to a filter device for removing impurities contained in liquid. A filter housing 18 is provided with a container for accommodating a filter bag 2 therein, a deposit recovery tank 3 for recovering a deposit and a floating material recovery tank 4 for recovering a floating material. Thus, it is possible to prevent any deterioration of filtration performance caused by filtered and separated impurities, and to achieve both of filtration and specific gravity difference separation by a single device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a filter device for removing impurities contained in liquid, and so on.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been conventionally used a filter device by the use of a bag filter for the purpose of cleaning of liquid or the disposal of waste liquid.
A filter device in the conventional art will be explained in reference to FIGS. 18 to 20. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a bag filter in the conventional art; and FIGS. 19 and 20 are diagrams illustrating the flow of a filter system by the use of the bag filter in the conventional art.
A bag filter 100 in the conventional art comprises a filter bag (bag-like filter) 101, a mesh-like bag filter bucket 102 for protecting the filter bag 101 and a filter presser 105 for positioning the filter bag 101. These are housed inside of a filter housing 108 (see FIG. 18).
Furthermore, the bag filter 100 comprises a cover 106 for the filter housing 108 and a clamp 107 for fixing the bag filter 100 at a predetermined position.
At the filter housing 108 are formed an inlet 103 for introducing liquid to be filtered into the filter housing and an outlet 104 for introducing filtered liquid (i.e., purified liquid) out of the filter housing. The bag filter 100 is used in the state in which the inlet 103 is located above while the outlet 104 is located below.
A filter system for performing specific gravity difference separation by the use of the bag filter 100 will be explained below in reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. Incidentally, the specific gravity difference separation signifies separating things of a specific gravity smaller than that of constituent liquid of purified liquid (liquid to be filtered) such as floating oil (for example, oil with respect to water).
In the filter system illustrated in FIG. 19, a pump 120 is disposed downstream of a cleaning tank 110. The bag filter 100 is disposed downstream of the pump 120. Moreover, a coalescer 130 is disposed downstream of the bag filter 100.
Cleaning liquid as liquid to be filtered contained inside of the cleaning tank 110 flows in a direction indicated by an arrow K by the pump 120. The cleaning liquid further flows in a direction indicated by an arrow L, to be filtered by the bag filter 100. Here, impurities contained in the cleaning liquid are separated, and then, the filtered liquid flows in a direction indicated by an arrow M.
Oil, which is small in specific gravity out of the filtered liquid, is separated by the effect of the specific gravity difference separation by the coalescer 130. The separated oil is discharged in a direction indicated by an arrow N.
The liquid, from which the impurities are separated and the oil is separated and removed, is allowed to flow in a direction indicated by an arrow O, and then, returns to the cleaning tank 110.
In a filter system illustrated in FIG. 20, a hollow fiber membrane module (UF: ultrafiltration) 140 is further disposed downstream of a coalescer 130, unlike the system illustrated in FIG. 19. With this system, the liquid after the oil is discharged is further cross-flow filtered by hollow fiber membrane module 140. Consequently, finer impurities can be removed. Here, the liquid which is not filtered by the hollow fiber membrane module 140 returns upstream of a pump 120.
The above-described bag filter 100 is used such that the opening formed at the bag-like filter bag 101 is located above. And, the liquid to be filtered is allowed to flow in through the inlet 103 located above, and then, the filtered liquid is allowed to be flow out through the outlet 104 located below. In this manner, the filtration is performed. Therefore, the impurities to be filtered are liable to stay at the lower portion of the bag-like filter. In this way, if the impurities are deposited at the lower portion of the filter, a filtration effective area is reduced. This shortens the lifetime of the filter.
Moreover, in the above-described bag filter 100, the liquid flowing into the bag filter is agitated by the flow. As a consequence, the bag filter 100 cannot perform the specific gravity difference separation. Thus, in order to perform the specific gravity difference separation, a special tank for recovering the floating oil or the like (such as the above-described coalescer 130) is required independently.


A bias structure for an integrated circuit including first and second transistors having emitter terminals coupled respectively to the supply and to a terminal of a resistor whose potential, under certain operating conditions of the circuit, exceeds the supply voltage; base terminals connected to each other and to a current source; and collector terminals connected electrically (12) to an epitaxial tub housing the resistor. A resistor is preferably provided between the two collectors, so that, when the potential of the terminal of the resistor exceeds the supply voltage, the second transistor saturates and maintains the epitaxial tub of the resistor at a potential close to that of the resistor terminal, thus preventing the parasitic diode formed between the resistor and the epitaxial tub from being switched on.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an epitaxial tub bias structure for integrated circuits comprising at least one epitaxial tub housing regions whose potential, under certain operating conditions of the circuit, may exceed the supply voltage.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In integrated circuits that drive inductive loads, the possibility exists that the output potential may exceed the supply voltage, which phenomenon creates serious problems in the event that the output is connected to components on the integrated circuit, such as internal resistors or PN junction capacitors. By way of illustration, FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a chip 1 of semiconductor material, comprising a P type substrate 2, and an N-type epitaxial tub 3 electrically isolated from the adjacent tubs by diffused P.sup.+ type isolation regions 4. The N-type epitaxial tub 3 also houses an elongated P-type layer 5 (forming a resistor 6 indicated by the dotted line and forming part of integrated circuit 15) terminating at either end in two P.sup.+ type regions 7, 8 on which are formed contacts 9, 10. Tub 3 also houses an N.sup.+ type region 11 on which is formed a contact 12 for biasing the tub.
In the FIG. 1 structure, if the potential of either one of the end regions of resistor 6, e.g. region 7, exceeds that of tub 3, as determined for example by contact 12, the equivalent diode formed by the PN junction between region 7 and tub 3 (shown schematically by 13) may be turned on and conduct such a high current so as to charge the parasitic equivalent capacitor formed between tub 3 and substrate 2 (shown schematically by 14), and/or turn on parasitic transistors formed by region 7, tub 3 and substrate 2, or by any other components including P type, regions integrated in tub 3, thus resulting in impaired operation of the circuit, high power loss, and even irreparable damage to this part of the integrated circuit.
Consequently, if the integrated circuit on chip 1 is designed to operate under conditions wherein the potential of either one of the P-type regions integrated in and forming a junction with tub 3 exceeds the supply voltage, the tub cannot be connected directly to the supply.
Various solutions have been devised for solving the above problem, such as providing for a floating tub or connecting it to the supply via a diode. The latter solution is shown in FIG. 2, which shows a view in perspective of a portion of a chip 18 of conducting material, again comprising a substrate 2 and an epitaxial tub 3. Tub 3 (or another tub not shown but connected electrically to tub 3) houses a P-type region 19 connected by a contact 20 to supply voltage V.sub.CC and forming a diode 21 with tub 3. Tub 3 also houses P-type region 5 forming resistor 6, one terminal of which may present a higher potential than V.sub.CC ; and a further P-type region 22 defining a further resistor 23 integrated in tub 3. In the FIG. 2 structure, regions 6, 23 and tub 3 form a parasitic PNP transistor 24, and region 5, tub 3 and substrate 2 form a further parasitic PNP transistor 25. FIG. 2 also shows two parasitic capacitors 26, 27, formed by substrate 2 and tub 3, located between the bases of parasitic transistors 24, 25 and substrate 2.
In the FIG. 2 structure, and also in the case of a floating tub, any leading edges of the potential at either one of the terminals (not shown) of resistor 6 switch on parasitic diode 13 between the terminal and tub 3 (as shown in FIG. 1). The resulting current pulse generated by the diode charges the parasitic capacitance between tub 3 and substrate 2; and, during the current pulse, the resistance of resistor 6 falls sharply so that parasitic transistor 24 and/or 25 may also be switched on. As such, the FIG. 2 structure also fails to provide a solution to the problem.
Another solution consists in forming a Schottky diode between the epitaxial tub and the P-type region whose potential may exceed the supply voltage. Schottky diodes are in fact switched on by lower direct bias voltages as compared with PN junctions, so that, when connected as described above, a Schottky diode would be switched on immediately, thus shortcircuiting the junction formed by the P region and the tub, and so preventing the parasitic diode and transistors from being switched on. Such a solution, however, is only applicable to processes that allow the formation of Schottky diodes.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tub bias structure for preventing turn-on of the parasitic diode between the tub and the region whose potential may exceed that of the tub, and which is producible regardless of the integration process involved.

Epitaxial tub bias structure for integrated circuits


A volume of platelet-rich blood product is obtained from a volume of anti-coagulated blood to prepare a composition for promoting the growth of hair follicles within skin. A portion of the skin is traumatized to form a treatment area in which stem cells within the hair follicles are activated. A protein matrix is formed from the platelet-rich blood product composition to entrap growth factors. The platelet-rich blood product composition is infused into the treatment area to form a complex between the protein matrix and the growth factors so that the stem cells attach to the complex and proliferate within the hair follicles.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a skin treatment and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for treating skin to promote hair growth.
2. Description of the Related Art
Certain skin treatments are directed to skin rejuvenation, such as micro needling. The earliest form of micro needling, acupuncture, traces its roots to the Chinese centuries ago. A French skin rejuvenation technique, called nappage, has been used within the past fifty years. Nappage is another form of micro needling in which micro incisions are made into the skin placing a drop of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants to replace depleted cellular levels.
A major advantage provided by micro needling is the preservation of the epidermis, the protective layer of the skin. The publication entitled "Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Collagen Induction" by D. Fernandes, J Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2005 at 17:51-63, discloses the benefits of preserving the epidermis.
The publication entitled "Subcutaneous Incision-less (Subcision) Surgery for the Correction for Depressed Scars and Wrinkles" by D. S. Orentreich et al., Dermotol Surg, 1995, 21:543-549, discloses a skin treatment in which subcision with a needle is used to treat wrinkles near the lip lines.
The publication entitled "Needle Dermabrasion" by A. Camirand et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg. 1997; 21:48-51, discloses that hypochromic facial scars become tattooed with a skin color pigment over time. The skin color pigment is replaced with melanin within one to two years. The appearance, the color, and the texture of the scars improve through micro needling.
The publication entitled "Reflections about Collagen-Induction-Therapy (CIT)—A Hypothesis for the Mechanism of Action of CIT using Micro-Needles" by Schwartz et al., 1st edition February 2006, 2nd revision January 2007, discloses new collagen and elastin formation at 6 weeks after "dry" micro needling. The term "dry microneedling" refers to microneedling in which no substance was used or infused into the skin. The study demonstrated a substantial increase in new collagen fibers. The fibers were only found at the corium not deeper than 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm. Even though 1.5 mm needles were used, no new collagen fibers could be found in the sub dermal layer illustrating no benefit to using longer more invasive needles. The study also evaluated the penetration forces and needle length.
Other types of skin treatments are directed to treating hair loss. Hair loss including androgenetic alopecia, also known as male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss, represents approximately fifty percent of cases involving hair loss in the United States. Hair loss may also be caused by environmental and genetic factors unrelated to androgens including alopecia greata, permanent alopecia, anagen effluvium, lichen planopilaris and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved skin treatments for hair loss include two pharmaceutical treatments and low level light or "cold laser" therapy. Pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia stimulate existing hair follicles to produce thicker hair and prevent hair thinning. The pharmaceutical treatments include topical minoxidil (sold under the trademark Rogaine® by Pfizer) and oral Finasteride (sold under the trademark Propecia® by Merck). Humans are born with a finite number of approximately 100,000 terminal hair follicles on the scalp.
The existing pharmaceutical treatments inhibit the effects of androgens. Individuals who are genetically susceptible to the effects of androgens experience shortened hair growth cycles, which manifest in thinning and bitemporal recession of hair.
Both pharmaceutical treatments attack the effects of dihydrotestosterone. However, neither drug restores all the hair. Neither treatment produces new follicles. Both treatments require prolonged usage of the drug, and if treatment is stopped, any benefits gained will be lost. In such instances, the hair thickness regresses to pre-treatment levels.
Reversible side effects are associated with the use of these androgen inhibitors. These side effects include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and dermatologic discomfort.
Other modalities for treating hair loss include in vivo hair transplantation whereby donor hair follicles from areas of the scalp that are insensitive to the effects of androgens are transplanted to areas experiencing irregular hair follicle cycling or areas with few hair follicles.
Hair transplantation can be assisted through the use of growth factors. Growth factors act in the bulge area of a hair shaft, below the sebaceous gland where stem cells are found. Growth factors interact with cells of a matrix to activate the proliferative phase of the hair. Stem cells are more primitive and of ectodermal origin. Stem cells give origin to the epidermal cells and the sebaceous glands. Cells of the dermal papilla, which are found at the capillary base, are of mesenchymal origin. Both cells need each other and interact through the action of various growth factors to give rise to the future follicular unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,072 discloses a method for producing a mixture of platelet-rich plasma and concentrated platelet-poor plasma. The method creates a natural protein extra cellular matrix (ECM) that entraps various growth factors (GF), which allows cells to attach and proliferate.
The publication entitled "Synergistic Signaling from Extra cellular Matrix-Growth Factor Complexes" by R. Clark et al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2008) 128, 1354-1355. doi:10.1038/jid.2008.75, discloses that "GF-ECM complexes may well be the most effective and efficient method to stimulate cell proliferation, as well as tissue healing or regeneration."
Platelet rich plasma (platelet-rich plasma) contains several growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) at high levels and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). When platelets are activated growth factors are released which emit chemical signals to surrounding areas multiplying the growth factors thus causing a heighten "immune response".
The main function of PDGF is to stimulate cell replication (mitogenesis) of healing capable stem cells. The publication entitled "The Importance of Growth Factors in Wound Healing" by V. Declair, Ostomy Wound Manage, 45, 64-68 (1999), discloses that growth factors are essential for the regulation of the cellular events involved in wound healing by attracting cells to the wound, stimulating proliferation, and significantly influencing matrix deposition.
The publication entitled "TGF-beta and Retnoic Acid Regulation of Growth and Modifiers of Differentiation Human Epidermal Cells" by Y. Choi and E. Fuchs, E., Crell regal. 1, 791-809 (1990), discloses that TGF-beta is extremely important because it affects most aspects of tissue wound repair, namely initiation and termination and also promotes differentiation and proliferation.
Fibroblasts are among the cells that are activated by TGF-beta. When a fibroblast is activated, the fibroblast will undergo cell division to produce collagen. Collagen deposition is responsible for plumping the skin and reversing the visible signs of aging.
The publication entitled "Platelet-Derived Growth Factor" by R. Ross, Am Rev. Med. 38, 71-79 (1986) discloses that PDGF improves dermal regeneration, acts locally to promote protein and collagen synthesis, and causes endothelial migration or angiogenesis. The publication entitled "Transforming Growth Factor B Reverses the Glucocorticoid-induced Wound Healing Defect in Rats: Possible Regulation in Microphages by Platelet-Derived Growth Factor" by G. F. Pierce, T. A. Mustoe, J. Lingelbach, V. R. Masakowski, P. P. Gramates, T. F. Deuel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 86, 2229-2233 (1989), discloses that PDGF induces the expression of TGF-beta.
The publication entitled "Involvement of Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor-a in Hair Canal Formation" by N. Takakura et al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology. (1996) 107, 770-777, discloses that PDGF signals are involved in epidermis-follicle interaction and dermal mesenchyme interaction. Epidermis-follicle interaction is required for hair canal formation. Dermal mesenchyme interaction is required the growth of dermal mesenchyme.
PDGF also performs other functions. The publication entitled "Platelet-Derived Growth Factor" by R. Ross, Am Rev. Med. 38, 71-79 (1986) discloses that PDGF improves dermal regeneration, acts locally to promote protein and collagen synthesis, and causes endothelial migration or angiogenesis. The publication entitled "Transforming Growth Factor B Reverses the Glucocorticoid-induced Wound Healing Defect in Rats: Possible Regulation in Microphages by Platelet-Derived Growth Factor" by G. F. Pierce, T. A. Mustoe, J. Lingelbach, V. R. Masakowski, P. P. Gramates, T. F. Deuel, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 86, 2229-2233 (1989), discloses that PDGF induces the expression of TGF-beta.
The publication entitled "Involvement of Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor-a in Hair Canal Formation" by N. Takakura, H. Yoshida, T. Kunisada, S. Nishikawa, J. of Investigative Dermatology, (1996), 107, 770-777, discloses that PDGF signals are involved in both epidermis-follicle interaction and the dermal mesenchyme interaction required for hair canal formation and the growth of dermal mesenchyme.
The publication entitled "Control of Hair Growth and Follicle Size by VEGF-mediated Angiogenesis" by K. Yano et al., J Clin Invest, February 2001, Volume 107, Number 4, 409-417, identifies VEGF as a major mediator of hair follicle growth providing the first direct evidence of follicular revascularization. The publication discloses that improved follicle revascularization promotes hair growth, increases follicle size, and increases hair size.
The publication entitled "Substrate-Bound Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-I-IGF Binding Protein-Vitronectin-Stimulated Breast Cell Migration Is Enhanced by Coactivation of the Phosphatidy linositide 3-Kinase/AKT Pathway by v-Integrins and the IGF-I Receptor" by Z. Upton et al. discloses that vitronectin (VN) complexes with insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) could enhance migration of human keratinocytes in vitro and possibly in vivo.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0248083 discloses an enriched platelet-containing mixture for treating injuries. The mixture is isolated from whole blood and resuspended in a small volume of plasma. The platelets are living, terminal cytoplasmic portions of marrow megakaryocytes that have no nucleus for replication and die off in 5-9 days. The platelets adhere together to form a platelet plug at an injury site and actively extrude the growth factors involved in initiating wound healing. These growth factors, also called cytokines, are small proteins each of about 25,000 Daltons molecular weight. They are stored in granules in platelets. In response to platelet to platelet aggregation or platelet to connective tissue contact, the cell membrane of the platelet is "activated" to release these alpha granules. These growth factors include PDGF, transforming growth factor beta 1 and 2 (TGF-β), fibronectin (FN), VN, fibrin and insulin-like growth factor (ILGF). These growth factors function to assist the body in repairing itself by stimulating stem cells to regenerate new tissue and by promoting vascularization.
The publication entitled "Our Experience Utilizing Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma in all Phases of Hair Transplant Surgery" by J. Greco et al., Hair Transplant Forum International, July-August, 2007, pp 131-132, discloses that platelet-rich plasma and PDGF can be used in hair transplantation surgery. The publication discloses the bathing of hair grafts in activated platelet-rich plasma to increase graft survival and yield in hair restoration surgery. The publication discloses that using platelet-rich plasma as a graft storage medium provides quicker healing.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0258956 discloses treatments for androgenetic alopecia and other forms of hair loss by inducing and expediting the growth of hair in the scalp of a patient. The disclosure includes the steps of isolating adipose-derived cells and hair follicles from the patient and implanting the combined cells and follicles into the scalp in areas requiring new growth of hair. The use of differentiated and undifferentiated adipose-derived cells with processed and grafted hair follicles for the therapeutic and cosmetic treatment of hair loss in vivo is disclosed. The use of adipose-derived cells with platelet concentrate or platelet-rich plasma is also disclosed.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0198687 discloses a method for promoting hair growth using platelet-rich plasma. The platelet enriched plasma is injected into subcutaneous tissue to promote hair growth.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,742 discloses a method for promoting hair growth using platelet enriched plasma. The platelet enriched plasma is applied to tissue to promote hair growth.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,883 discloses a method for preparing platelet enriched plasma. The platelet enriched plasma is applied to tissue to inter alia promote hair growth.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,938 discloses a method for preparing platelet enriched plasma. The platelet enriched plasma is applied to tissue to treat wounds.
The publication entitled "Plate-rich Plasma Gel Promotes Differentiation and Regeneration during Equine Wound Healing" by C. A. Carter, D. G. Jolly, C. E. Worden, D. G. Hendren, C. J. M. Kane, Experimental and Molecular Pathology, 74 (2003) at 244-255, discloses that wounds treated with platelet-rich plasma gel exhibit enhanced wound repair and possess more organized collagen. The use of platelet-rich plasma gel does not result in excessive disposition of connective tissue or scar formation.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,811,777 and 7,314,617 disclose the use of platelet-rich plasma for treating an injury. The term injury refers to any tissue damage including a wound, trauma or lesion or any tissue degeneration. In particular, the inventive platelet compositions may be used to treat incomplete repair of various connective tissues.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0193424 discloses a treatment of tissue defects using a therapeutic composition. The composition may include a mixture of platelet-rich plasma and concentrated platelet poor plasma. The composition is used to treat traumatized regions of the body.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0280959 discloses a new use for platelets or platelet rich plasma that is obtained by disruption of membranes for the preparation of an agent for the treatment of bone, cartilage or skin.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0057224 discloses a method for treating an open wound using platelet poor plasma and platelet rich plasma as a sealant.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0007957 discloses a method for treating wounds in traumatized areas using platelet-rich plasma with a structural matrix.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,303,112 and 7,112,342 disclose the use of an improved platelet gel wound healant for treating traumatized regions of the body. The improved wound healant includes a therapeutically effective amount of activated growth factors and ascorbic acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,852 discloses a method for separating, retrieving and concentrating platelets from whole blood relying on aggregation of the platelets followed by filtration. The purpose of this method is to prepare a platelet-rich plasma composition for treating injuries.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,285 discloses a method for obtaining fibrinogen and other growth factors to form a platelet-rich plasma composition. The platelet-rich plasma composition is used to promote tissue repair.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,558 discloses a method of making platelet releasate product. The platelet releasate product has many applications, including for the promotion of hair growth.
The publication entitled "Platelet Rich Plasma Gel Promotes Differentiation and Regeneration during Equine Wound Healing" by C. Carter, Experimental and Molecular Pathology 74; 244-55 (2003), discloses that platelet-rich concentrate enhances wound repair, decreases scar collagen, enhances Type III collagen, and increases wound tensile strength. Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved treatment that promotes hair growth and rejuvenates skin.

Skin treatment for promoting hair growth


A tire which includes a carcass ply and a band ply for reinforcing the carcass ply, the carcass ply having an inner ply and an outer ply which are provided in a radial direction, the inner ply being wound from an inside toward an outside in the axial direction of a bead core to constitute a fold-back portion and the outer ply being provided to cover the inner ply. A width (JW) of the band ply is set to be 80% to 98% of a tread width (TW) and an overlap dimension (LW) of the fold-back portion and the band ply is set to be 15% to 35% of the width (JW) of the band ply.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of a tire for a motorcycle.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a motorcycle can carry out high speed running and the size and weight have been increased. This is caused by an increase in the amount of exhaust from the engine. For this reason, an enhancement in the performance of the tire for the motorcycle (the realization of a high straight running stability and a high cornering stability) has increasingly been required in order to withstand the high speed running of the motorcycle.
In the motorcycle, a body is greatly inclined during cornering. Therefore, the tire for the motorcycle is also inclined and rolled with respect to a road surface. Accordingly, the tire for the motorcycle is to be designed in such a manner that a cornering force and a camber thrust are properly generated.
In the case in which only the cornering of the motorcycle is taken into consideration, a shoulder portion in the tire for the motorcycle is set to have a high stiffness. Consequently, stable cornering can be implemented. In the tire for the motorcycle, however, the stiffness of a tread portion is generally improved with an enhancement in the stiffness of the shoulder portion. Consequently, in the case in which the motorcycle carries out straight running, there is a tendency that the stiffness of the tread portion of the tire for the motorcycle is excessively increased so that the straight running stability of the motorcycle is deteriorated.
Under such circumstances, conventionally, the tire for the motorcycle has been required to maintain the high stiffness of the shoulder portion and a more reduced stiffness of the tread portion (particularly, a central part) as compared with the shoulder portion.
For this reason, various improvements have conventionally been made for the structure of the tire for the motorcycle.
In a tire for a motorcycle which has conventionally been provided in order to obtain the compatibility of the straight running stability with the cornering stability, an enhancement in the stiffness of the shoulder portion is not always balanced with a reduction in the stiffness of the tread portion so that the straight running stability and the cornering stability are not always compatible with each other at a high level. Moreover, the structural unification of the tread portion and the shoulder portion is not always achieved. For this reason, a running condition for a transition period from straight running to cornering (or from the cornering to the straight running) holds a linearity with difficulty.