An automatic dump trailer leveler provides for the lateral leveling of the dump box of a semi trailer dump body vehicle during dumping operations. The present leveling system may also be adapted for other vehicles having tilting bodies or body components, for precluding their lateral tipping when dumping operations are undertaken on laterally sloping terrain. The present system includes low and high pressure hydraulic pumps, with the low pressure pump providing hydraulic fluid for taking up slack in the leveling struts or jacks and the high pressure pump providing pressure for leveling the dump box of the trailer or dump vehicle. The present system is operable simultaneously with operation of the dump box lift strut, and may include delay switches for precluding secondary extension of struts immediately after they have extended to adjust for settling to one side. Rather, the present system responds to such secondary adjustment by releasing pressure on the opposite side, thus providing a greater range of travel than would otherwise be the case. Dump box lift strut cutout and/or lowering may also be provided, in the event the tilt of the dump box reaches or exceeds the limits of the system. An audible or visual alarm may also be provided in the operator cab of the vehicle to alert the operator when such a condition occurs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to systems and apparatus for leveling a motor vehicle or trailer on sloping terrain, and more specifically to a system and apparatus for automatically laterally leveling the bed of a semi dump trailer when dumping operations are underway. The apparatus automatically compensates for the lateral tilt of the trailer frame when dumping is taking place on sloping terrain, and automatically discontinues dumping operations if a predetermined lateral slope is exceeded. Warning means may be included if a predetermined lateral slope is exceeded.
2. Description of the Related Art
Trucks having rearwardly tilting boxes or beds have been in use for some time, for use in carrying and dumping large quantities of materials (gravel, sand, dirt, etc.) in construction work and the like, hauling agricultural material, trash and refuse, scrap metal, etc. Most such trucks comprise an integrated vehicle having a single, unitary frame for the cab and dump body, with no separate trailer. Such vehicles generally have a relatively short dump box, with the box not extending to any great height when raised for dumping.
However, the development of larger dump vehicles comprising a relatively long semi trailer towed behind a semi truck, has permitted dump body trailers to be developed which have considerably more capacity and which are considerably longer than the more common unitary dump truck. When the forward end of the dump box of such a trailer is raised in order to tilt the box rearwardly for dumping the contents thereof, the forward end of the elongate dump box is raised to a considerable height, perhaps thirty feet or more above the surrounding terrain. While the dump box would not normally be raised to its maximum slope immediately with a full load therein, the dump box will still have a fair quantity of material therein when it is raised to its maximum extent, and in any event, the structure of the dump box itself is relatively heavy in order to provide the required structural strength for the vehicle.
It will be seen that the center of gravity of the partially laden dump box is elevated considerably above the underlying surface of the vehicle, and that any lateral slope upon which the semi truck is parked during dumping, will cause the center of gravity of the dump box (and thus of the entire vehicle of which the dump box is a part) to be laterally shifted toward the downhill side of the slope. If the dump box is raised sufficiently high and has a sufficiently heavy load therein, and the slope is sufficiently steep, this can easily lead to the entire semi truck and trailer tipping over, even though the slope may have been easily negotiable with the trailer in its lowered position.
It should be noted that the types of operations and materials for which such semi truck dump trailers are frequently used, often result in the dumping of materials in relatively unstable areas (soft farm fields, road and building construction sites, and particularly, sanitary landfills). Even when the slope initially appears sufficiently shallow to allow the dump box to be raised to its maximum extent, the rearward shift of the center of gravity of the trailer as the dump box is tilted upwardly and rearwardly, will place additional weight on the rear wheels of the vehicle. This can often result in further settling of the ground beneath the rear wheels of the trailer, particularly on the low side of the trailer as the center of gravity shifts laterally when the box is raised.
Accordingly, various mechanisms have been developed in the past for leveling at least the dump box of such a semi trailer dump vehicle, and/or for warning the operator of the vehicle if the slope is hazardous. The present inventor is aware of many such mechanisms providing for such leveling or warning, but in each case, the related art device fails to provide for all of the features required of such a mechanism, such as a slight time delay to allow for settling of the vehicle wheels as the dump box is initially tilted, automatic stopping of the operation if a predetermined slope is reached or exceeded, and other features providing optimum operational efficiency of such a system. A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,044,832 issued on Jul. 17, 1962 to Frank C. McManus, titled "Fluid Stabilizing Means For Semi-Trailer Tilting Bodies," describes hydraulic and manual means for leveling a tilting semi trailer body by applying bracing against the outboard tires of the trailer. No automated means of determining a level position for the trailer, is disclosed. The use of bracing against the treads of pneumatic tires produces less than optimum stability for the assembly, as the tires themselves would distort as the load placed upon them varies according to shifting of the load as it dumps, wind loads, etc. The present invention provides a fully automated means of leveling a semi dump trailer by applying hydraulic force between the dump box and the underlying frame, or between the frame and the axle(s).
U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,735 issued on Aug. 31, 1965 to Petrus A. Vestin, titled "Fluid Operated Tilting Dump Truck Stabilizer," describes a system for locking the rear suspension of the truck in the loaded or compressed position during dumping operations. The rear suspension of the truck remains compressed during the time the dump box is raised and the load is emptied therefrom, with the spring compression being released when the empty box is lowered to its rest position. However, the Vestin system does not operate like the present system, in that it does not provide for any differential adjustment of the dump box tilt. The Vestin system operates on both sides of the suspension equally, with no lateral differential provided. Also, Vestin does not disclose any means for adjusting the suspension while the box is elevated.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,755 issued on Sep. 2, 1969 to Edward Brown, titled "Dump Trailer Safety Device," describes a system for automatically lowering the dump box of a semi trailer dump rig. If a predetermined tilt angle is reached, the Brown system overrides the manual dump box control and automatically lowers the trailer dump box. However, Brown does not provide any lateral adjustment means in his system, as provided by the present invention. A truck using the Brown system would have to be repositioned by the driver, which would take up additional time during the dumping operation, and likely delay other trucks waiting to dump in the same area. The present system includes means for automatically leveling the trailer dump box, or at least positioning the dump box within predetermined lateral angular limits, unlike the Brown system.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,128 issued on Nov. 18, 1975 to Edwin DeS. Snead, titled "Truck Roll Warning System," describes a system using a pair of mercury switches as leveling switches and mounted to the tilting dump box of the truck. The switches are connected to a warning means to warn the vehicle operator if the truck exceeds a predetermined lateral slope with the dump box lowered. As the dump box is raised, the angle of the mercury switch tubes is lowered relative to the horizontal, resulting in a smaller lateral tilt angle being required to set off the alarm. The system also automatically retracts the dump box when it is activated and the box is raised. No means for automatically leveling the truck trailer is provided by Snead.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,528 issued on Jul. 19, 1977 to Heinrich Langendorf, titled "Truck With Tiltable Body," describes a system wherein the dump box and frame are pivoted on a longitudinal axis. One or more hydraulic struts are used to level the dump box relative to the underlying axle and structure. Langendorf notes that some automatic means of leveling the dump box would be preferable (column 2, lines 21-24), but does not disclose any means of accomplishing such automated leveling. Moreover, no means of detecting when the dump box is not level (mercury level switches, etc.) is disclosed by Langendorf.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,295 issued on Nov. 10, 1987 to Gerald E. Fought, titled "Material Handling Vehicle Stabilizer," describes a system adapted for use with vehicles having remotely operated booms, cranes, buckets, and the like. Such devices can upset the vehicle upon which they are mounted when they are displaced laterally from the vehicle, and some stabilizing means is desirable for such vehicles, just as in the case of the dump trailers to which the present invention is applied. However, the Fought system serves to lock hydraulically the hydraulic suspension members of the vehicle when the remote control system is activated. Such a system is not desirable for a dump trailer vehicle operating on potentially unstable terrain, where it is desirable to provide a continuous, automatic means of adjusting for the tilt of the vehicle. The present invention provides such automatic lateral adjustment for the rear axle of the dump trailer, as well as other advantages not provided by the Fought system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,682 issued on Mar. 20, 1979 to John Cook, titled "Semi-Dump Truck Level Indicator," describes a device containing a pair of mercury operated level switches for activating a warning in the vehicle cab. The Cook system does not involve any pneumatic or hydraulic systems for actually leveling the vehicle, as provided by the present invention. Rather, the Cook system only provides a warning to the vehicle operator if the dump body is tilted laterally either left or right to a predetermined point. The same problem results with the Cook system as with the system of the Brown '755 U.S. Patent discussed further above, in that the vehicle operator would have to reposition the vehicle when the warning was activated, thus taking further time for the dumping operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,616 issued on Apr. 14, 1981 to William I. Beegle, titled "Apparatus For Preventing The Tipping Of Dump Vehicles," describes a mechanical system for operating a relief valve in the hydraulic strut for raising the dump body of the truck. If an excessive weight differential occurs between the two sides of the dump body, indicating excessive lean or tilt toward the heavier side due to suspension compression, the linkage causes a valve to turn, thereby releasing the hydraulic pressure in the lift strut. The same problems result here as in the Brown '755 and Cook '682 U.S. Patents, in that no means is provided for leveling the dump box relative to the rest of the vehicle, as provided by the present invention. Thus, a vehicle equipped with the Beegle system would have to be moved before dumping could be continued.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,903 issued on Mar. 8, 1983 to Patrick A. Lovell, titled "Vehicle Suspension System Augmenter," describes a system of hydraulic jacks located at the rear axle(s) of the vehicle or vehicle trailer. The system includes means for retracting the jacks so they remain clear of all opposite frame or suspension members when not in use, thus reducing wear and tear on the system. The present invention also utilizes means for retracting the hydraulic struts to remain clear of other components when not in use. However, the present invention includes means for automatically leveling the dump trailer during dumping operations, and for warning the vehicle operator and/or discontinuing the dumping operation if a predetermined tilt angle is reached. Lovell does not disclose any system for automatically actuating his hydraulic jacks, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,742 issued on Mar. 4, 1986 to Sheldon D. Tegtmeier, titled "Hydraulic Stabilizing Mechanism For Use With Hydraulic Elevating System," describes a hydraulic system in which a plurality of hydraulic struts are simultaneously extendible or retractable to bear against the bolster or axle of a wagon. No level sensing means is disclosed by Tegtmeier. Rather, the system merely extends all of the jacks simultaneously to lock the wagon body rigidly relative to the underlying axle(s). If lateral tilting of the wagon body produces a greater lateral differential force in the wagon, the Tegtmeier system cannot compensate for such. The present invention provides means for automatically adjusting the level of a trailer during the dumping operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,908 issued on Aug. 28, 1990 to John A. Sanner, titled "Trailer Stability Monitor," describes a system for alerting the operator of a tractor truck in motion, i.e., traveling along a roadway. The Sanner system is adapted for detecting an incipient rollover of the trailer portion of the rig, and sending a signal to the cab to alert the driver. The system depends upon the driver to reduce speed and/or increase the turning radius, and/or to take some corrective action to reduce the lateral centrifugal forces acting on the trailer. While the Sanner system would provide a warning of excessive trailer tilt for dumping operations, it does nothing to level the trailer or to stop the operation of the trailer, as does the present invention. A vehicle operator would likely not have sufficient time to lower the lift box in the event of a warning by the Sanner device.
Soviet Patent Publication No. 1,289,734 published on Feb. 15, 1987 illustrates a hydraulically actuated stabilizing system wherein a pair of laterally opposed hydraulic struts are extended to make ground contact, before dumping operations may occur. The lateral cylinders must contact the ground and build up a predetermined amount of pressure before the dump box lift strut may be activated. No automatic leveling of the dump trailer is indicated, as provided by the present invention. The present inventor is aware of vehicles using such lateral struts, but such assemblies are excessively complex and require excessive time for deployment and retraction for dumping operations, and are not in general use with tractor trailers with dump trailer bodies.
British Patent Publication No. 2,202,497 published on Sep. 28, 1988 describes an electrohydraulic system for leveling the dump box of a semi trailer dump vehicle. The system includes electric and hydraulic circuitry which releases all hydraulic pressure from the leveling struts when the dump box is in its lowered position. Thus, the trailer cannot be leveled before dumping operations begin. Leveling is entirely dependent upon the vehicle operator, who must position the trailer in an area having no more than a two degree lateral slope, according to the limits disclosed in the British patent publication. If two degrees or more of lateral slope is encountered, the operator must move the vehicle and reposition it for another attempt. The present invention allows the simultaneous operation of the leveling struts with the dump box lift strut, thereby saving time during the dumping operation for greater efficiency, unlike the system of the British publication. Also, the present system may provide for alarm and/or dump box lift cutout means if a predetermined maximum tilt angle is reached.
Finally, German Patent Publication No. 3,807,018 published on Sep. 14, 1989 illustrates a pneumatically operated leveling system. The English abstract states that the system may be trimmed automatically or manually during dumping operations, but no schematic or componentry is shown for such a system, and moreover, no warning or disabling means is apparent from the disclosure, which means may be included in the present system.
None of the above inventions and patents, either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


An airbag system includes belt support members for housing support belts used for coupling an airbag to a vehicle body, and belt covers disposed over the belt support members. A central cover panel on the vehicle body is adjacent to an airbag module in which an airbag is accommodated. Left and right cover panels are engaged with, and disposed laterally outside of the central cover panel in the vehicle-width direction. The belt support members are configured by overhanging parts of the central cover panel, which are overhung laterally outside, and extension parts of the cover panels and which extend laterally inside; and both of these components are engaged with each other through engaging portions in the belt support members. Notches are provided in the extension parts, extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body outside in the vehicle-width direction relative to the engaging portions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an airbag system for a motorcycle, and particularly to an airbag system for a motorcycle in which selected components are configured to be ruptured in a planned way, so as to prevent unpredictable deformation of exterior components.
2. Background Art
A number of motorcycle airbag devices have previously been described, for applying an airbag to a motorcycle by which a rider is effectively restrained when an impact exceeding a predetermined force is applied to a vehicle body. One point where motorcycles largely differ from four-wheeled vehicles is that a rider is not restrained on a vehicle body through a seat beat or the like. In response to this fact, there is a known method in which one end of a support belt, whose other end is fixed to a vehicle body, is coupled to an airbag, and at the time of deployment and expansion of the airbag, the airbag is supported so as to be pulled from the rear side of the vehicle body.
Published Japanese Patent Document JP-A No. 2003-327182 discloses an airbag system in which support belts for an airbag are accommodated in a pair of left and right accommodation grooves passing from a front cover through leg shields, footrest parts, and a rear cover in a scooter-type motorcycle. According to the airbag system described in JP-A No. 2003-327182, since the support belts support the airbag, it is possible to effectively restrain a rider even when yawing and rolling behavior of a vehicle body are large.

Airbag system for a motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating same


Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. To enhance electrolysis, platinum catalysts are present between the anode and the PEM and between the cathode and the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers having a density of about 0.2-0.55 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration, without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for differential pressures up to about 400 psi).

The present invention relates generally to proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cells and relates more particularly to a novel PEM electrochemical cell and to a novel PEM electrochemical cell stack.
In certain controlled environments, such as those found in airplanes, submarines and spacecrafts, it is often necessary for oxygen to be furnished in order to provide a habitable environment. An electrolysis cell, which uses electricity to convert water to hydrogen and oxygen, represents one type of device capable of producing quantities of oxygen. One common type of electrolysis cell comprises a proton exchange membrane, an anode positioned along one face of the proton exchange membrane, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the proton exchange membrane. To enhance electrolysis, a catalyst, such as platinum, is typically present both at the interface between the anode and the proton exchange membrane and at the interface between the cathode and the proton exchange membrane. The above-described combination of a proton exchange membrane, an anode, a cathode and associated catalysts is commonly referred to in the art as a membrane electrode assembly.
In use, water is delivered to the anode and an electric potential is applied across the two electrodes, thereby causing the electrolyzed water molecules to be converted into protons, electrons and oxygen atoms. The protons migrate through the proton exchange membrane and are reduced at the cathode to form molecular hydrogen. The oxygen atoms do not traverse the proton exchange membrane and, instead, form molecular oxygen at the anode. (An electrolysis cell, when operated in reverse to generate water and electricity using molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen as starting materials, is referred to in the art as a fuel cell. Electrolysis cells and fuel cells both constitute electrochemical cells, and all discussion herein pertaining to electrolysis cells is correspondingly applicable to fuel cells.)
Often, a number of electrolysis cells are assembled together in order to meet hydrogen or oxygen production requirements. One common type of assembly is a stack comprising a plurality of stacked electrolysis cells that are electrically connected in series in a bipolar configuration. In a typical stack, each cell includes, in addition to a membrane electrode assembly of the type described above, a pair of multi-layer metal screens, one of said screens being in contact with the outer face of the anode and the other of said screens being in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The screens are used to form the fluid cavities within a cell for the water, hydrogen and oxygen. Each cell additionally includes a pair of polysulfone cell frames, each cell frame peripherally surrounding a screen. The frames are used to peripherally contain the fluids and to conduct the fluids into and out of the screen cavities. Each cell further includes a pair of metal foil separators, one of said separators being positioned against the outer face of the anode screen and the other of said separators being positioned against the outer face of the cathode screen. The separators serve to axially contain the fluids on the active areas of the cell assembly. In addition, the separators and screens together serve to conduct electricity from the anode of one cell to the cathode of its adjacent cell. Plastic gaskets seal the outer faces of the cell frames to the metal separators, the inner faces of the cell frames being sealed to the proton exchange membrane. The cells of the stack are typically compressed between a spring-loaded rigid top end plate and a bottom base plate.
In another typical electrolysis cell stack design, the multi-layer metal screen on the anode side is omitted, and the separator is provided with a set of molded or machined grooves for defining a fluid cavity.
Patents and publications relating to electrolysis cell stacks include the following, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,053, inventor Gibb, issued May 2, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,496, inventors Smith et al., issued Sep. 27, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,644, inventors Titterington et al., issued May 31, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,968, inventors Guthrie et al., issued Apr. 23, 1991; and Coker et al., xe2x80x9cIndustrial and Government Applications of SPE Fuel Cell and Electrolyzers,xe2x80x9d presented at The Case Western Symposium on xe2x80x9cMembranes and Ionic and Electronic Conducting Polymer,xe2x80x9d May 17-19, 1982 (Cleveland, Ohio).
In order to ensure optimal conversion of water to hydrogen and oxygen by each electrolysis cell in a stack, there must be uniform current distribution across the active areas of the electrodes of each cell. Such uniform current distribution requires uniform contact pressure over the active areas of the electrodes. However, uniform contact pressure over the active areas is seldom attained solely through design since the dimensions of the various components of a cell typically vary within some specified limits due to the production methods used in their fabrication. In fact, standard electrolysis cells often show compounded component dimensional variations of about 0.007 to about 0.010 inch due to fabrication limitations, with additional dimensional variations of up to about 0.002 inch due to differential thermal expansion during electrolysis cell operation.
One approach to the aforementioned problem of maintaining uniform contact pressure over the entire active areas of the electrodes has been to provide an electrically-conductive compression pad between adjacent cells in a stack. One type of electrically-conductive compression pad that has received widespread use in the art comprises an elastic disk, said disk being provided with an array of transverse holes and transverse slots. The transverse holes are provided in the disk to allow for lateral expansion during compression of the disk. The transverse slots are provided in the disk so that a plurality of parallel metal strips may be woven from one face of the disk to the opposite face of the disk through the slots.
Other types of electrically-conductive compression pads are disclosed in the following patents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,354, inventors Leonida et al., issued Nov. 14, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,823, inventors Leonida et al., issued Nov. 22, 1994; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,565, inventors Leonida et al., issued Jun. 28, 1994.
Compression pads of the type described above comprising an elastic disk having parallel metal strips woven therethroughout are generally capable of compensating for dimensional variations of a cell to maintain uniform contact over the active areas of the cell up to pressures of about 500 psi. However, for many military and commercial applications, the present inventors have noted that it is also important that a cell stack be lightweight and inexpensive. As can readily be appreciated, the above-described compression pad, which is physically separate from the individual cells of a stack, adds weight and expense to the stack and is, therefore, not optimal for such applications. Other components of conventional cells, such as the metal screens, also add weight and expense to the stack.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel PEM electrochemical cell.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a PEM electrochemical cell that overcomes at least some of the shortcomings discussed above in connection with existing PEM electrochemical cells.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel PEM electrochemical cell stack.
According to one aspect of the invention, the multi-layer metal screen of a conventional PEM electrochemical cell that is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode is replaced with an electrically-conductive, spring-like, porous pad. Preferably, said pad is a mat of carbon fibers having a density of about 0.2-0.55 g/cm3, more preferably 0.44-0.55 g/cm3.
Because the pad of the present invention is spring-like (i.e., compressible), a plurality of pad-containing cells can be arranged in a stack, without requiring that a separate compression pad be interposed between adjacent cells for the purpose of maintaining uniform pressure over the active areas of the electrodes, provided that the differential pressure within the stack does not exceed about 400 psi.
In addition, because said pad does not typically experience the same problem of fretting corrosion experienced by a conventional multi-layer screen, a separator plate of the type conventionally used to prevent fretting corrosion of the multi-layer screen may also be omitted from the cell, thereby reducing the cost and weight of the cell.
According to another aspect of the invention, the aforementioned porous pad and the multi-layer anode screen may be approximately equal in thickness to their corresponding peripheral cell frames or, alternatively, the multi-layer anode screen may be thinner than its peripheral cell frame, with the porous pad being thicker than its peripheral cell frame. In the case of the latter alternative, the two straight separators used to axially contain the fluid cavities are replaced with two bent separators shaped to conform to the outer faces of the multi-layer screen and the porous pad, respectively. Preferably, the reduction in thickness to the multi-layer screen is approximately equal to the increase in thickness to the porous pad, and the two bent separators are identical in shape. Moreover, because the porous pad of the present invention obviates the need for a separate compression pad between adjacent cells (for pressure differentials up to about 400 psi), one of the two separators between adjacent cells may be omitted.
Additional objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments for practicing the invention. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell having an integral, electrically-conductive, compression pad


The present invention is directed to embodiments of an anti-zipper sliding device that may include at least one body, a gripping surface affixed onto the body, a fastener to removably attach the body and the gripping surface onto a piece of luggage having a zipper with a zipper track and a zipper puller so as to prevent the anti-zipper sliding device from moving along the zipper track of the luggage. The anti-zipper sliding device may also include at least one locking mechanism or be configured for engagement with at least one locking mechanism in order to lock at least one zipper puller to the anti-zipper sliding device in order to prevent the zipper from being re-zipped after a zipper breach.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for making a zipper breach evident, and more particularly a device for making a zipper breach in luggage evident.
2. Description of Related Art
There are many types of baggage locks which are used to lock together the zipper pullers on luggage, thereby preventing the zipper from being opened by unauthorized personnel. Many of these locks are approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and have means for allowing a master key to open the locks by TSA approved personnel.
However, a luggage zipper can be easily breached by use of a pointed article, such as a ball point pen. The term "zipper breach" in this application means the use of a sharp pointed item, such as a needle, ball point pen, or screw driver, to break into (open) the zipper track so as to break into a piece of luggage. Furthermore, the luggage zipper can be re-zipped by simply sliding the lock with the zipper pullers locked thereto around the path of the zipper, thereby re-zipping the luggage. When re-zipped, there is no visible evidence that the luggage has, in fact, been breached. Such breaching of luggage where no evidence is left that the luggage was breached, is a significant security threat since items could be placed in a piece of luggage without knowledge of the owner of the luggage, even though the luggage zipper is locked with a TSA approved luggage lock.
As noted above, once there is a zipper breach, a person can slide the zipper pullers attached to a lock (usually the zipper pullers are locked by a padlock) to seal the gap of the zipper (i.e., re-zip the zipper) so that the luggage appears as if it had not been breached. This means that an unauthorized person can steal items from a locked piece of luggage within seconds; yet, the lock is not being tampered with nor is there evidence of the zipper breach. This is a serious problem which can make the owner of the luggage feel unsafe, especially, when there are valuable items placed in luggage. Such theft of items would typically not be noticed until the luggage lock is unlocked and the luggage opened. Furthermore, such a zipper breach could be used by a terrorist or smuggler to insert some type of contraband into the luggage. Therefore, there is a need to restrict the movement of the zippers so that the gap of the zipper cannot be resealed once there has been an unauthorized zipper breach.


A portable magnetic field analyzer for sensing ion specific resonant magnetic fields. The analyzer has a magnetometer which measures the magnetic field produced by both ac and dc sources along an axis and determines the dc field plus the fundamental and various harmonic frequencies. A microcontroller uses this information to calculate various cyclotron resonance frequencies and then compares the calculations to stored data relating to cyclotron resonance frequencies of certain biologically important ions such as calcium, potassium and magnesium. A display notifies the user when resonance conditions (within a set tolerance) exist.

It has been known for many years that magnetic fields can influence biological processes. For example, in the article "Time-Varying Magnetic Fields: Effect on DNA Synthesis" Science 223: 818-820 (1984), a correlation between DNA synthesis and time varying magnetic fields is shown. In the article "Effects of ELF (1-120 Hz) and Modulated (50 Hz) RF Fields on the Efflux of Calcium Ions From Brain Tissue In Vitro", Bioelectromagnetics 6: 1-11 (1985), Blackman reports that calcium efflux from cerebral tissue can be increased by exposing the tissue to an electromagnetic field.
In addition, a number of devices and methodologies have been developed for the treatment of various medical conditions which rely on the application of specific magnetic fields to a biological subject or target tissue of a patient. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,951 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Controlling Tissue Growth With an Applied Fluctuating Magnetic Field" the use of an applied magnetic field which combines with the existing geomagnetic field is described for regulating tissue growth. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,697, "Techniques for Enhancing the Permeability of Ions Through Membranes" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,298 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Regulating Transmembrane Ion Movement", there are described methods and apparatus for applying magnetic fields to biological systems based on achieving resonance states for ions such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. The specific resonances described therein are a function of the charge-to-mass ratios of the ions. The role of cyclotron resonance frequencies in transmembrane ion movement of selected ions through applied magnetic fields is also disclosed. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,336 entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Regulating Transmembrane Ion Movement Utilizing Selective Harmonic Frequencies and Simultaneous Multiple Ion Regulation", the interplay of harmonic frequencies and cyclotron resonance is also described.
Most recently research has been conducted on the question of whether there are health risks associated with electromagnetic fields produced from electric current-carrying devices such as power transmission lines, distribution lines, or even house wiring and grounding systems. Some researchers believe that a strong correlation exists between the incidence of certain diseases and the subject's proximity to sources of electromagnetic fields. For example, D. A. Savitz and E. E. Calle, in their study entitled "Leukemia and Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields: Review of Epidemiological Surveys", Journal of Occupational Medicine 29: 47-51 (1987), present data suggesting an increased risk of leukemia among men with occupational exposure to 60 hertz (60 Hz) type electromagnetic fields. Additionally, R. S. Lynn, P. C. Dischinger, J. Conde, and K. P. Farrell have found that 60 Hz electromagnetic field exposure may promote brain tumors. These findings are presented in the article entitled "Electromagnetic Fields and the Occurrence of Brain Tumors: An Analysis of Possible Associations", Journal of Occupational Medicine 27: 413-415 (1985). There are a number of theories which have been advanced in an effort to explain the apparent correlation between 60 Hz electromagnetic fields and perceived health risks and the issue is the subject of much debate.
It is also known that a number of portable devices are available which sense magnetic fields and which provide a readout of the field parameters. None of these prior art devices, however, provide a portable device which determines the magnitudes and directions of dc (including the geomagnetic field) and ac magnetic fields along three perpendicular axes, calculates specific field values which are automatically compared to a second set of values representative of ion resonance values and displays information regarding the presence of a field value near a resonant value which could pose health risks. The present invention addresses this need.

Portable magnetic field analyzer for sensing ion specific resonant magnetic fields


There is provided a system and method for extending media device functions using a peripheral control interface. There is provided a media device for controlling a peripheral device where the media device provides a plurality of native functions. The media device comprises a network interface and a processor configured to establish a connection with a network using the network interface, execute a media application to discover a route to a server through the connection, obtain via the route a peripheral control interface for providing a mediation service associated with the peripheral device, and send a command to the server using the route for controlling the peripheral device using the peripheral control interface, which causes the peripheral device to execute a function outside of the plurality of native functions provided by the media device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to media playback devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to using media playback devices with peripheral control interfaces.
2. Background Art
Media devices such as DVD players, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, media streaming boxes, and other devices have established a ubiquitous presence in the modern household. By providing entertainment functionality accessible through a simple interface such as a remote control and an on-screen display, these media devices are often much easier and more convenient to use than a more generalized device such as a personal computer. Additionally, by including only the necessary hardware for media functionality, media devices can adopt energy efficient, slim and unobtrusive form factors that may be prohibitively expensive for more generalized devices.
However, precisely because media devices tend to support only a limited range of functionality such as media playback, peripheral device support may be severely restricted. For example, input reception to a media device may be restricted to signals from an infrared remote control. However, a user may wish to use a USB mouse, a wireless keyboard, a game controller using the Bluetooth protocol, or another input device that is not directly supported through native functionality of the media device.
In a similar manner, output may be limited to playback of video on a display and audio on an audio device directly connected to the media device. However, the user may also want to use certain peripherals, such as Bluetooth enabled speakers for audio output and a USB printer to print still images from a movie. Unless the media device has natively integrated Bluetooth audio and USB printing support, the user cannot use the media device with the desired peripherals. Given that there may be a wide range of different peripherals that the user may want to use, providing support for all possible peripherals natively on a media device may prove to be costly and impractical due to additional development and hardware costs.
Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies in the art by finding a way to support a wide variety of peripheral devices on a media device without incurring the costs and drawbacks of natively implementing peripheral support.

System and method for providing a peripheral control interface for extending media device functions


A method for using low dielective SiOF in a process to manufacture semiconductor products, comprising the steps of: obtaining a layer of SiOF; and depleting fluorine from a surface of the SiOF layer. In a preferred embodiment, the depleting step comprises the step of treating the surface of the layer of SiOF with a plasma containing hydrogen. It is further preferred that the treated surface be passivated. The invention also encompasses a semiconductor chip comprising an integrated circuit with at least a first and second layers, and with a dielective layer of SiOF disposed between the layers, wherein the SiOF dielective layer includes a first region at one edge thereof which is depleted of fluorine to a predetermined depth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of semiconductor chip processing, and more particularly, to the processing for an interlayer dielectric.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fluorinated SiO.sub.2 (typically PECVD or HDP) can be used to lower the dielectric constant of SiO.sub.2 from, for example, 4.0 to 3.6-3.8. The lowering of the dielectric constant is advantageous for a number of reasons, including to reduce the capacitance of the semiconductor device and thereby increase its performance.
However, fluorine in SiO.sub.2 will react with PVD barrier metals (Ti, TiN, Ta, TaN, Al, Cu, etc.) which are subsequently deposited on the surface of the fluorinated SiO.sub.2. This reaction between fluorine and the barrier metals will cause delamination on flat SiOF surfaces, as well as inside via holes.

Surface treatment of low-k SiOF to prevent metal interaction


The present invention relates to polycrystalline silicon chunks which are cubic and have a metal content of less than 200 pptw and a dopant content of less than 50 ppta. Methods for producing polycrystalline silicon chunks, include the steps of providing a polycrystalline silicon rod, comminuting the polycrystalline silicon rod into cubic chunks, and cleaning the polycrystalline silicon chunks, wherein comminution takes place using a spiked-roll crusher having at least one spiked roll, the spiked roll including W2C phases or WC phases with 0.1-10% of a metal carbide selected from the group consisting of titanium carbide, chromium carbide, molybdenum carbide, vanadium carbide, and nickel carbide or consisting of steel with 1-25% W.

The invention relates to polycrystalline silicon chunks and to methods for producing them.
Polycrystalline silicon serves as starting material for the production of electronic components and solar cells.
It is obtained by thermal decomposition of a silicon-containing gas or of a silicon-containing gas mixture. This process is identified as deposition from the vapor phase (CVD, chemical vapor deposition). On the large scale, this process is realized in reactors called Siemens reactors. The polysilicon here is produced in the form of rods.
The polysilicon rods are uninstalled from the reactor and comminuted by means of manual methods or mechanically. The coarse-chunk polysilicon this produces is comminuted further, using crushers, to give polycrystalline silicon fragments. A suitable crusher, namely a roll crusher, is known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,600 B2. The claimed roll crusher comprises a roll which rotates with a shaft and comminutes polycrystalline silicon, said roll consisting of a steel carrier roll and a plurality of hard-metal segments, the hard-metal segments consisting of a cobalt matrix in which tungsten carbide is incorporated, and the hard-metal segments being fastened reversibly with a form fit on the carrier roll.
Following comminution, the chunk polysilicon is typically classified or sorted by a mechanical screening method or by means of optical sorting.
US 2007/0235574 A1 discloses a device for comminuting and sorting polycrystalline silicon, comprising a facility for feeding coarse-chunk polysilicon into a crusher unit, the crusher unit, and a sorting unit for classifying the chunk polysilicon, characterized in that the device is provided with a controller which allows variable adjustment of at least one crushing parameter in the crusher unit and/or of at least one sorting parameter in the sorting unit.
The crusher unit comprises roll crushers or jaw crushers, preferably spiked roll crushers.
By means of the method it is possible specifically to produce cubic chunk polysilicon with a size of 45 to 250 mm that is no longer flowable, and to do so reproducibly and with a high yield.
By using profiled rolls such as spike rolls, a cubic polysilicon chunk is formed that has a size of 45 to 250 mm, with the ratio of the weight of a chunk and the maximum length of a chunk being ≧3 g/mm on average over all the chunks.
US 2010/0001106 A1 discloses a method for producing high-purity classified chunk polysilicon by comminuting and classifying polysilicon from the Siemens process, using a device comprising comminuting tools and a screening device, and cleaning the resultant chunk polysilicon by means of a cleaning bath, characterized in that the comminuting tools and the screening device consistently possess a surface that comes into contact with the polysilicon and that comprises a material which contaminates the chunk polysilicon only with extraneous particles which can be subsequently removed selectively by the cleaning bath.
Comminution takes place in a crushing unit which comprises a roll crusher or a jaw crusher, preferably a spiked-roll crusher.
Advantages are promised by this method especially when comminuting tools and screening device have a surface made of low-alloy steel.
By use of spiked-roll crushers, cubic polycrystalline silicon chunks are obtained. Metallic impurities can be lowered to a low level through use of comminuting tools made from low-contamination materials such as tungsten carbide.
Nevertheless, low-contamination materials cannot be used for all parts of the units—crushing shells with spikes are stated explicitly. In view of its high brittleness and low toughness, low-abrasion tungsten carbide is not very suitable for use for profiled rolls.
If low-abrasion tungsten carbide is used, as ought to be possible only in the case of smooth rolls, the resulting chunk is non-cubic and has increased tungsten levels, which is a disadvantage.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,706 B2, however, discloses a profiled roll having teeth disposed around the circumference of the roll, a shaft on which the roll is rotatably mounted, a housing having surfaces defining a cavity inside which the roll is disposed and/or fastened, an inlet port on top of the housing, an exit port on the bottom of the housing, a plate inside the housing opposite the roll, where the roll, teeth, plate, and housing surfaces defining the cavity are produced from or coated with a material that minimizes contamination of polycrystalline silicon. The material is preferably selected from the group consisting of carbides, cermets, ceramics, and combinations thereof. Particularly preferred is the use of a material selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, tungsten carbide with a cobalt binder, tungsten carbide with a nickel binder, titanium carbide, Cr3C2, Cr3C2 with nickel-chromium alloy binder, tantalum carbide, niobium carbide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide in a matrix, such as Fe, Ni, Al, Ti, or Mg, for example, aluminum nitride, tantalum carbide, niobium carbide, titanium carbide with cobalt carbonitride and titanium carbonitride, nickel, nickel-cobalt alloy, iron, and combinations thereof.
It has been found that for a profiled roll made of tungsten carbide or tungsten carbide with a cobalt binder or tungsten carbide with a nickel binder it is impossible to attain high durability. After comminution of just 100 metric tons of silicon, teeth break off from the roll. Accordingly, in order to be able to continue producing cubic polysilicon chunk, the rolls must be replaced, which is expensive and therefore disadvantageous. It would be desirable to be able to comminute at least 1000 metric tons of silicon before the roll becomes unusable, in order to allow economic production of cubic polycrystalline silicon chunk by low-contamination tooling.
If steel rolls, made from low-alloy steel, for example, are used instead of rolls made from low-contamination material, the result is increased instances of metal contamination. This makes subsequent cleaning unavoidable.
The cleaning method of US 2010/0001106 A1 provides a preliminary cleaning procedure in at least one stage with an oxidizing cleaning solution comprising the compounds hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrogen peroxide, a main cleaning procedure in a further stage with a cleaning solution which comprises nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid, and a hydrophilization of the chunk polysilicon by means of a further stage with an oxidizing cleaning solution.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,706 B2 as well proposes corresponding, optional cleaning methods.
Such cleaning methods allow the instances of metal contamination on the surface to be reduced.
However, not all metals are readily soluble in the mineral acids used. It has emerged that tungsten—when tungsten carbide is used as roll material, the material becomes contaminated with tungsten—cannot be removed satisfactorily, because tungsten is not readily soluble in the mineral acids.
It has emerged, moreover, that the concentrations of dopant in the polysilicon chunks produced by the two methods described above are high: specifically, at least 100 ppta (dopants boron, phosphorus, and arsenic in total).
Arising from this problem scenario is a first objective of the invention. A further goal is to lower the acquisition costs for the cleaning unit by 25%, and the acid and disposal costs likewise by 25%, relative to the existing methods.

Polycrystalline silicon chunks and method for producing them


The present invention comprises a malleable ferrule or connector that is impact mounted to an optical fiber at both its forward end and its rearward end. The mounting is accomplished utilizing an impact driver device and a shaped rearward stationary anvil. A tubular ferrule is placed upon an optical fiber and positioned within a mounting device such that the rearward end of the ferrule butts against the stationary rear anvil. An impact driver is then pressed against the forward end of the ferrule to deliver a mechanical impact that simultaneously deforms both the forward end and the rearward end of the ferrule to simultaneously mechanically deform both ends of the ferrule. The ferrule is thereupon mechanically engaged to the optical fiber at both ends, and the excess fiber projecting from the front end is then removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical fiber connectors, and more specifically to a malleable ferrule that is engaged to an optical fiber utilizing a mechanical impact device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The engagement of a ferrule, or a connector having a malleable body to an optical fiber utilizing an impact device is taught in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,406. That patent teaches the impact mounting of the front end of a malleable ferrule or connector and the crimping of the rearward end. For ferrules having a short cylindrical length, however, the crimping of the rearward end is difficult and generally not feasible, and the utilization of epoxy adhesives is also difficult. The present invention achieves the impact deformation of both ends of the ferrule to achieve a fully mechanical engagement of both ends of the ferrule to an optical fiber.

Double impact mounted ferrule for fiberoptic connector


The strip 2 is inserted between forming rollers 1a and 1b so that fins 3 are formed on the strip 2. The forming rollers 1a 1b have a line of protrusion protruding radially on the periphery thereof and the protrusion of one roller mates with protrusion of the other roller. A pair of forming rollers or more pairs of forming rollers are employed. A part of the strip 2 sandwiched between side face portions 13a and 14a of the protrusion 13 and 14 is pressed in the direction of the thickness of the strip with a stress between yield stress and maximum stress of the strip 2. To adjust the stress, a clearance G between protrusions is controlled.

This invention relates to a method of forming fins on a strip. This fin strip is then inserted into a flat tube for a heat exchanger and brazed.
Conventionally, there are three methods of forming a corrugated plate from a strip with rollers. The first method is shown in FIG. 13. A strip 60 is advanced by rotation of plural pairs of rollers, including upper rollers 31 and 33 and lower rollers 32 and 34, so that a fin 61 is gradually formed on the strip 60.
The upper rollers 31 and 33 have protrusions 31a and 33a which protrude radially with respect to the axis of rotation along their circumferences and the lower rollers 32 and 34 have matrix depressions 32a and 34a which mate with the protrusions 31a and 33a through clearances along their outer circumferences. The thickness of the strip is almost the same before and after the process.
The second method of forming such a plate is shown in FIG. 14. An upper roller 41 and a lower roller 42 having a plurality of protrusions vary the thickness of the strip 60 in the direction of width with one or two steps of the process so that fins 62 are formed on the strip 60. This method is disclosed in Japanese patent application laid open (KOKAI)62-212025.
The third method is shown in FIG. 15. The strip 60 is put between gears 51 and 52 which have almost the same length as the width of the strip 60 so that a corrugated plate is formed at one time. This method is disclosed in Japanese patent application laid open (KOKAI)43-29307.
However, each of the above methods have their own defects. In the first method, the number of paired upper and lower rollers become large so that the number of steps of the manufacturing process increases. In the second method, tensile stress beyond the yield stress is applied to cause residual extensional deformation so that a corrugated plate is formed. However, to form accurate corrugations with a flat plate having equal thickness is generally completed only when a sine wave corrugation having low height against the pitch of the wave is required. If the rectangular corrugation is required, the corrugated plate partially loses its thickness and may rupture. In the third method, if the length b of fins 63 in FIG. 15 is required to change a strip 60 which has a width to cover the change and further rollers 51 and 52 which have a length to cover the change are required so that flexibility for responding variation of fin length b becomes small.
The object of this invention is to provide a method of forming fins which makes a manufacturing process simple, which does not cause the strip to be ruptured at the time of process and which easily obtains production having requested length.


Physical block numbers are assigned to pages loaded into memory of an in-memory database. Thereafter, pages having a same size are distributed to one of a plurality of helper threads executing in parallel for processing if such pages having consecutive physical block numbers. Each of these helper threads can have a corresponding small page buffer. Contents of the respective small page buffers are later flushed to physical disk persistence when such small page buffers are full.

With an in-memory database, pages are loaded into memory for more rapid operations. These pages are subsequently flushed into physical persistence so that any changes in such pages can be permanently stored. The process of flushing pages into the physical persistence can, in some cases, be resource intensive (e.g., write I/O) and slow down database performance.


Gaseous coolant, preferably helium, flows from coolers 12 past the winding overhangs 7 of the stator 3, then through cooling channels in the rotor 1, then into the rotor/stator gap 4, then through cooling ducts in the stator core 6 into a coolant receiving region 11, and then through the coolers 12. The coolant flow is preferably caused solely by the rotor auto-ventilation effect.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a gas-cooled generator, in particular a generator forming part of a turboset.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Generators are known which comprise a rotor and stator with a gap between them. The stator comprises a core and windings which form a winding overhang at each end of the stator. The rotor has axially extending cooling channels communicating with end portions of the rotor beyond ends of the stator core and has radially extending cooling channels communicating between the axially extending cooling channels and the said gap. The stator core has cooling ducts communicating between the said gap and a region for receiving gaseous coolant outside the stator core; the generator further comprises cooling apparatus communicating with the said receiving region.
In some known generators, the rotor, stator, and cooling apparatus are in an enclosure filled with the gaseous coolant, which is driven through the cooling apparatus by fans mounted on the ends of the rotor. From the cooling apparatus separate streams of gaseous coolant under pressure flow to the stator and to the rotor. In the stator the gaseous coolant flows radially inwards or outwards or alternately inwards and outwards.
Such generators suffer from losses due to the driving of the fans and friction of the gaseous coolant.


A copying machine is equipped with an automatic document feeder, which separates documents in a document storing section and feeds them one by one onto a platen glass. The documents are stopped at an exposure position by a document conveyance stopper, where they are exposed and scanned by an exposure scanning device, and then delivered to a document delivery tray. A sensor is provided in a feeding path of the document feeder, for detecting a leading edge or a trailing edge of the document. A delaying device for delaying a drive source stopping signal of the document conveyance stopper is outputted after a predetermined period of time has passed, or after a predetermined number of pulses have been counted after the document leading or trailing edge signal outputted from the sensor has been received. A detection device detects the documents actual stopping position and a signal is output after the drive source stopping signal of the document conveyance stopper has been generated. A controller controls the generation of a signal for the recording sheet conveyance operation. The start signal occurs at a time which corresponds to the driving of the exposure scanning device, as adjusted based on a detection at the actual document stopping position by the detection device. The document stopping position is at the location on the platen where the motor drives and transports the original plus the distance that the sheet is carried by inertia.

The present invention relates to an improvement of a copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder by which a document is automatically supplied onto the exposed surface, and particularly to a copying machine equipped with an automatic document feeder by which timing of document feeding, exposure scanning, and recording sheet feeding is automatically adjusted, and controlled so that copying productivity is efficiently increased.
The automatic document feeder for the copying machine (which will be called ADF, hereinafter) is an apparatus by which a document set in a document tray is automatically conveyed to a platen, and the document is delivered on a delivered sheet tray after the document has been copied by the copying machine. This apparatus is suitable for high speed copying of documents having many pages.
Recently, in copying machines, the following is required in order to increase the copying property high speed copying is required in order to increase the number of copied sheets per minute; a high document conveyance speed of the ADF (about 1000 to 1200 mm/sec) is required; and the times for document exchange, such as setting the document in a predetermined exposed position and delivering the document therefrom, are reduced so that the number of processed original sheets per minute (OPM) is increased.
Generally, in copying machines with ADF, there are the following methods by which a document is fed to a predetermined position on the platen glass provided on the upper surface of the copying machine and stopped thereon.
(1) An end of the document is contacted with a document positioning stopper provided on one side of the platen glass, and the document is stopped. In this method, there are the following problems: collision noises are generated when the document is contacted with the stopper; a means to prevent the document from going over a positioning plate is necessary; ends of the document are sometimes damaged; productivity is low because the document is switched back or conveyed at low speed when the document is contacted with the document positioning plate; and when a movable stopper is used for reversal conveyance of a two-sided document, the structure is complicated.
(2) In a method by which the document is stopped at a predetermined position on the platen glass by controlling a motor, without using the document positioning plate when the ADF is operated, for example, an encoder is directly coupled with the motor, and an operator stops the motor by an electromagnetic brake while monitoring a signal generated by the encoder. In this case, there are problems in which: a strong electromagnetic brake is necessary; the structure of the apparatus is complicated; and noises are generated when the magnetic brake is operated.
These are document stopping methods in the automatic document feeder(ADF). In the recording sheet feeding of the copying machine, the recording sheet supply is started in timed relation with an optical travelling system of an exposure scanning means, which is unconnected with the ADF control.
Therefore, the timing of the document conveyance by ADF is not matched with the recording sheet supply in the copying machine. In order to prevent a time lag of the image on the recording sheet, sufficient time is necessary when the document is exchanged, and therefore copying productivity, that is, a ratio of OPM (the number of original sheets conveyed per minute in ADF) and CPM(the number of sheets copied per minute in the copying machine) is lowered.
As a document feeding control apparatus, techniques in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59308/1987, Japanese Patent Publication Open to Public Inspection No. 79820/1977, and Japanese Utility Model Open to Public Inspection No. 31550/1980 have been disclosed. However, these techniques relate to document stopping control in ADF, or document jamming detection.

Copying machine having an automatic document feeder with original positioning means


The present invention provides methods and systems for a rotary impact device having an annular exterior surface for use with an impact wrench for providing torque to a fastener. The rotary impact device includes an input member having an input recess for receiving the anvil of the impact wrench, an output member having an output recess for receiving the fastener, and an inertia member. The inertia member is stationary and positioned on the exterior surface of the rotary impact device for increasing the torque applied to the fastener.

Impact tools, such as an impact wrench, are well known in the art. An impact wrench is one in which an output shaft or anvil is struck by a rotating mass or hammer. The output shaft is coupled to a fastener (e.g. bolt, screw, nut, etc.) to be tightened or loosened, and each strike of the hammer on the anvil applies torque to the fastener. Because of the nature of impact loading of an impact wrench compared to constant loading, such as a drill, an impact wrench can deliver higher torque to the fastener than a constant drive fastener driver.
Typically, a fastener engaging element, such as a socket, is engaged to the anvil of the impact wrench for tightening or loosening the fastener. Most fasteners have a polygonal portion for engaging a socket. The socket typically has a polygonal recess for receiving the polygonal portion of the fastener, thus resulting in a selectively secured mechanical connection. This connection or engagement of the socket to the anvil results in a spring effect. Additionally, there is a spring effect between the socket and the fastener. Therefore, it is desirable to increase the amount of torque applied by the socket to overcome the spring effect and to increase the net effect and improve performance of the impact wrench.


A toy capable of interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component through the same trigger mechanism providing for a fun and interesting toy with a variety of play modes. A holder assembly including a receiving compartment is capable of accepting the electronic controller and the projectile launching component. The electronic controller includes at least one human user interface input button for controlling an electronic game, and the projectile launching component includes a mechanical actuator for launching a projectile. The trigger mechanism is in mechanical communication with the holder assembly for engagement with the human user interface input button for controlling the electronic game and the mechanical actuator for launching the projectile.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to toys and more particularly to a toy capable of interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component through the same trigger element providing for a fun and interesting toy with a variety of play modes. The invention also relates to methods for interchangeably activating electronic and launching components through the versatile trigger element of the present invention.
2. Background of the Invention
Many kinds of shooting toys exist and are designed for the amusement of children and adults alike. Shooting toys come in various shapes with some of the most common toys shaped like guns of all sizes. Many of the known guns are shown to include a variety of projectiles for launching at a variety of stationary or moving targets. Alternatively, electronic toys and computer games are known to embody electronic controllers utilizing radio frequency, lasers and infrared light communications, etc. to simulate projectile shooting at stationary and moving targets.
Various known shooting devices exist and include configurations which squirt water from reservoirs and discharge numerous projectiles from multiple chambers. Water guns in the shape of hand guns, rifles, machine guns, and other configurations have been the most common type of toy utilizing water as a projectile.
These configurations can be simple hand-held squirt guns that use trigger-activated pumps to eject water, or more complicated and sophisticated shooters that rely upon pressurized tanks to shoot a stream of water a significant distance.
Other known projectile discharge devices include held or worn devices which are capable of shooting numerous projectiles. Some of these devices are shaped like guns employing a variety of discharge ports and a distribution mechanism to conduct the pressurized gas or liquid to the discharge ports in order to eject solid projectiles, liquid, or gas. Other known devices include a wearable toy employing a plurality of chambers capable of receiving numerous projectiles which are deployed by pulling each one of the multiple triggers linked to each one of the plurality of chambers, or by employing a mechanism with the triggering action capable of projecting a discharge element from a plurality of rotating pods to launch a variety of projectiles with the activation of a single lever.
Electronic gaming devices have been shown to integrate optical guns within a computer game scenario, and also enclose an electronic controller with attached transmitter and receiver of infrared light signals within a gun body. One of the most popular electronic controllers on the market is the Wii Remote® which is known to allow a user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via movements and pointing through use of accelerometer and optical sensor technology. It is also known to couple the Wii Remote® to attachments.
Significantly, known shooting toys and known electronic toys and computer games which simulate shooting do not include a versatile trigger mechanism which is operable to interchangeably actuate two different actuating mechanisms. It would be desirable to provide a toy with the triggering action capable of interchangeably activating an electronic controller and a projectile launching component.

Versatile toy capable of activating electronics and launching components thereof


A system and method for controlling power supply of a power source to at least one power consumer to a desired value in the range of from 0 and 100% in which the operating time of the power consumer is divided up into periods and the power output by the power source is switched on within one period only during the duty cycle which is the portion of the period length that corresponds to the desired value. Resolution provided by the present system and method is improved over known techniques for the static division of the period into equally long periods, especially in the control of light modules having low intensities. The present system and method includes the feature in which the period length is divided up into a number of blocks, every block having at least one switch segment in which the switching state can be modified, and at least one static segment in which the switching state cannot be modified.

Numerous methods for controlling the power supply from a power source to a power consumer are known from the related art, where a certain input value is preselected by a control unit. With the digital control units customary today, a binary number is used as the input value, e.g., an 8-bit number which may represent an integer between 0 and 255.
In the method known as pulse width modulation, as described in the white paper of Artistic Licence (UK) Ltd., Great Britain, dated May, 2002, entitled "An overview of the electronic drive techniques for intensity control and colour mixing of low voltage light sources such as LEDs and LEPs", for example, the operating time of the power consumer is divided into successive periods. Each period is first switched on and switched off at a point in time within this period which depends on the setpoint value to be set.
The use of this method for controlling the power supply to light sources, in particular LEDs, via a microcontroller is known from EP 1 016 062 B1, for example.
Pulse width modulation is performed with the help of a counter which is incremented in integral increments up to a maximal value during each period, the control signal being initially set high at the start of each period, i.e., at the lowest count value. This means that the period starts with an ON segment. As soon as the count value corresponds to the brightness setpoint value stored in the register, the control signal is set low, so that the OFF segment of the period is initiated. In this method, a check is performed at each count value of the counter during a period, i.e., typically 255 times in the case of an 8-bit control, to ascertain whether it is necessary to switch from the high control signal to the low control signal. This is very complicated and is associated with the use of a large amount of computation resources for the particular program control. When using the method for illumination control, very short period lengths in the range of a few milliseconds are required to prevent a visible flickering effect. With such short period lengths, most of the computation time available during a period is occupied by checking on whether the system is to be shut down at the next count value. Under some circumstances adequate computation time is no longer available on the microcontroller for implementing other tasks.
An alternative method known as bit angle modulation is also described in the white paper of Artistic Licence (UK) Ltd., Great Britain, referenced above.
With this known method, the period length is divided into fixed blocks of different lengths in the manner of the binary system so that starting with the block of the shortest length, the next-longer block is doubled in length in comparison with the next-shorter block. At the beginning of each block, the control state may be altered. Within the blocks, the control state cannot be altered. Each block may be assigned to a bit within the binary input value. The longest block is assigned to the most significant bit and the shortest block is assigned to the least significant bit. When a bit is occupied with 1 the assigned block is switched on. Due to this combination of switched on and/or switched off blocks, preselected binary input values are directly converted to ON times. Within each block the control state does not change so that no computation time is engaged by the control during the length of each block. The computation time of the microcontroller which is thus free in comparison with pulse width modulation is now available for implementation of other tasks.
In both pulse width modulation and bit angle modulation, the ON period within the period is controllable as a proportional function of a binary input value. In other words, a change in the input value takes place in integral increments, one increment being assigned a fixed segment of time. In the case of an 8-bit input value which may represent integral values between 0 and 255, for example, exactly the same number of ON periods are implemented, the time segment of the ON period for each integral increment of the input value constituting 1/255 or 0.392% of the entire period.
However, proportional mapping of the input value often does not correspond to the ratio between the power supplied and the perceived increase in intensity. In the case of light sources, for example, the perceived increase in intensity is a logarithmic function of the power supplied. This means that at a low luminous output, even a very minor increase in power supply results in a substantial increase in intensity. At a high luminous output, however, increases in power supply result in less perceived intensity. The same thing also applies to sound sources. When a sound source is operated quietly, a minor increase in power supply results in a great increase in loudness. In a loud environment, however, an increase in power supply results only in a minor increase in loudness.
However, the input value often reflects the subjective output, e.g., the subjectively perceived brightness or loudness. Therefore, tables for mapping the input values via an exponential function are frequently used, so that the power supply increases exponentially and an essentially linear relationship between the input value and the subjectively perceived power (e.g., brightness) is achieved. Mapping via an exponential function in the range of low powers results in very minor changes in power per increment of the input value. The changes are frequently much smaller than the smallest time segment by which the ON period may be varied. In this case, the same ON periods are assigned to different successive input values. On the other hand, at a high power, the resolution of the known methods is too high. A plurality of possible regulating steps is skipped directly with one increment of the original input value by using the table which maps the input values via an exponential function, so that multiple time segments of the ON period are added for each increment at the high power values.
Accordingly, it would desirable to create a method for controlling the power supply from a power source to a power consumer which will permit a high resolution with a low processor load.

Method for controlling the power supply from a power source to a power consumer


Techniques for obtaining information about dynamic properties of a first program. The techniques involve making a static analysis of the first program to determine what instrumentation is needed to produce the desired information and then producing a second program which causes a programmable instrumentation apparatus to produce an instrumented version of the first program. The programmable instrumentation apparatus may be a programmable binary editor or a a debugger. Execution of the instrumented program provides the information about the dynamic properties. The program for the instrumentation apparatus is produced by a source code analyzer which statically analyzes the source code. The source code analyzer is in turn produced by a code analyzer generator. Output from the instrumentation may be provided to a graphical display system. In one use of the techniques, the code analyzer generator not only generates a source code analyzer for producing the second program, but also a source code analyzer for producing a program which when executed by a graphical browser makes a flow graph for the program. In this case, the graphical browser responds to the output from the execution environment by altering the appearance of the flow graph.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to software testing and verification in general and more particularly to determining dynamic properties of programs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Introduction
When developing large programs, it is often important to have knowledge about dynamic properties: properties that can be determined only by running the program. Often, the dynamic properties involve information that is not visible during the normal operation of the program. Examples of such dynamic properties with respect to a program P and a set of inputs I for the program are:
1. When run with inputs I, does P execute all its functions? PA1 2. When run with inputs I, does P execute all its IF-statements in both directions? PA1 3. When run with inputs I, does it ever happen that the pointer variable aPerson, which is known be of type struct person * ever point to an object which is not of type struct person?
In order to make the above information and other information like it externally visible, the program needs to be instrumented in some way so that it when the program is executed, it produces output containing the desired information.
The prior art has developed a number of ways of instrumenting a program. One class of these ways adds instrumentation during the process of building the program, that is, the process of compiling the source code to produce object code. One of the ways that belongs to this class is simply adding code for the instrumentation to the source code and then compiling the source code to produce the object code. The object code of course contains code corresponding to the instrumentation code which was added to the source code. Another way is to compile the source code using a special compiler which adds the necessary instrumentation to the object code.
The first technique, adding instrumentation code to the source code, is very general; the kinds of instrumentation which can be added are limited only by the ingenuity of the programmer. The disadvantage, of course, is that adding the instrumentation has meant changing the source code; thus, the source code being investigated is no longer the original source code. The second technique does not require changing the source code, but is considerably less general; only those kinds of instrumentation can be added which are provided by the particular special compiler. Other types of instrumentation require other special compilers or even modification of one of the existing special compilers. Examples of such special compilers are lcc or cc -p, available on computer systems operating under the well-known UNIX operating system (UNIX is a registered trademark of XOPEN).
All of the techniques for instrumenting a program when it is built suffer from the difficulty that the building process can be very complex, and it is often difficult to ensure that the instrumented version of the program built by the build process is functionally equivalent to the version which the build process builds for customers.
Another class of techniques uses tools for instrumenting the object code of a program after the program has been built. An example of such a tools is PURIFY, sold by Pure Software, Inc., 1309 S. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, Calif., which exploits special patterns of machine code sequences and compiler code generation techniques to identify locations in the binary that are relevant to the property being investigated. The disadvantages of tools like PURIFY are that each tool permits investigation of a small fixed set of properties and that there is no portability, since a version of the tool is required for each different class of processor.
FIG. 1 provides a conceptual overview of systems of the type just described. Under normal circumstances, a system 102 of one or more programs runs with inputs 101 in an execution environment 104. Under these conditions, an internal property such as "does this system execute all functions on inputs 101" cannot be determined. To determine the internal property, we build a transformed version of the system 105, which has been instrumented to generate side effects when something happens during an execution of system 102 which is relevant to the desired property.
For instance, if one wants to find out if system 102 executes all of its functions when executed with inputs 101, one can instrument system 102 by inserting a print statement at the beginning of the source code for each function called by system 102. The instrumentation transforms system 102 into system 105. Now this transformed system 105 is run on inputs 101. Each time transformed system 105 executes a function, it executes the print statement which was inserted at the beginning of the function. The execution of the print statement is a side effect 106, and by looking at the output from the print statements, the programmer can determine which of the print statements were executed and can use that information to determine which functions were executed.
An example of how source code may be modified to determine test coverage for a given set of test inputs is shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the goal is to determine if the test has caused every if-statement to exercise both its true branch and its false branch. The original source code 401 with an if-statement (true and false branches on lines 2 and 5 respectively) is modified by inserting print statements (402) at lines 1.i and 4.i; when this modified code is executed, messages about branch executions are output to a log file and test coverage can be determined by looking at the messages in the log file.
The above techniques all have important drawbacks. Hand instrumentation is completely flexible, and is limited only by the programmer's ingenuity, but is impractical for large programs. Instrumentation tools are practical for large programs, but each tool only provides a limited variety of instrumentation possibilities, and consequently, instrumentation done with these tools is far less flexible than hand instrumentation.

Determining dynamic properties of programs


A piston pump for delivering fluids includes a cylinder, a piston that is movably mounted in the cylinder, and a pressure chamber that is arranged between an inlet valve and an outlet valve and that is closed off by a cover. The piston pump further includes a throttle element that is disposed in the fluid flow downstream of the outlet valve and that is configured to throttle the fluid flow. The throttle element is in the form of a resiliently elastic disk that is inserted into the cover. The cover further includes a mechanism configured to pre-center the throttle element.

The disclosure starts from a piston pump for delivering fluids. In addition, the present disclosure relates to an assembly process for such a piston pump.
Piston pumps are known from the prior art in various embodiments. For example, radial piston pumps having a plurality of pump elements for delivering pressure media, wherein at least one piston is movable reciprocatingly by means of an eccentric, are frequently used in vehicle brake systems. These so-called pump elements typically consist of a piston, a piston running surface often in the form of a cylinder, inlet and outlet valves and sealing elements. The valves serve to control the fluid during the pumping movement of the piston. In this case the inlet valve serves to prevent the fluid from flowing back into the suction chamber during the compression phase. The outlet valve prevents the fluid from flowing back from the pressure side into the pump interior and is typically housed in the cover of the pump. In order to optimize noise and pulsation, at least one throttle arrangement for throttling the fluid flow is provided downstream of the outlet valve.
The patent application DE 10 2008 002 740 A1 describes, for example, a piston pump for regulating brake pressure in a hydraulic vehicle brake system. The piston pump described comprises a pump housing, a receiving bore for the piston pump arranged in the pump housing and a valve cover closing the receiving pump to the outside, in which cover an outlet valve and first and second channel sections of a discharge channel are accommodated. The discharge geometry influences the noise behavior of the piston pump and is therefore usually implemented with a suitable narrowing of the discharge channel, which then provides a throttling effect.
The patent application DE 10 2006 027 555 A1 describes, for example, a piston pump with reduced noise generation. The piston pump for delivering fluids which is described comprises a piston, a cylinder element, and a pressure chamber which is arranged between an inlet valve and an outlet valve and is closed by a cover; the outlet valve comprises a closing body in the form of a ball, a pretensioning device in the form of a helical spring acting on the closing body; the pump further comprises a base element for supporting the pretensioning device and a disk element, a sealing seat of the outlet valve being arranged in the disk element. The use of the disk element is intended to ensure that component tolerances of various components of the piston pump do not negatively affect the outlet valve.

Piston pump for delivering fluids, and corresponding assembly process for a piston pump


Topically-applied binder materials for imparting wet strength to soft, absorbent paper sheets, such as are useful as household paper towels and the like, include an epoxy-reactive polymer, such as a carboxyl-functional polymer, and an epoxy-functional polymer. These binder materials can be cured at ambient temperature over a period of days and do not impart objectionable odor to final product when wetted.

In the manufacture of certain bonded non-woven products, the use of topical binders to impart added strength to the final product is well known. An example of such a process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,257 entitled "Absorbent Unitary Laminate-Like Fibrous Webs and Method for Producing Them" and issued Apr. 22, 1975 to Gentile et al., herein incorporated by reference. A problem associated with commercially available topical binders is that they require a highly elevated curing temperature to impart the desired strength, which in turn requires a curing oven or equivalent apparatus. These requirements add to the capital and manufacturing costs associated with the product. Also, some commercially available binders can emit hazardous air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, and the resulting product can exhibit an undesirable odor, particularly when wetted.
Therefore there is a need for a binder system that provides sufficient strength to the product, yet does not require high temperatures and associated equipment for curing, does not emit formaldehyde during crosslinking and does not produce an objectionable odor when the resulting paper product is wetted.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low odor binders curable at room temperature


A MOS device has: a semiconductor body defining a surface; a stack on top of the semiconductor body; and a passivation layer on top of the semiconductor body and covering the stack. The stack is formed by a first polysilicon region and by a second polysilicon region arranged on top of one another and separated by an intermediate dielectric region. An electrical connection region extends through the passivation layer as far as the surface of the semiconductor body laterally with respect to, and in contact with, the first and the second polysilicon regions so as to contact them electrically.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a MOS device and to a process for manufacturing MOS devices using a dual-polysilicon layer technology with side contact.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known, simultaneous fabrication in a same integrated device of dual-layer polysilicon memory cells and transistors requires removal of the polysilicon layer overlying the dielectric and of the intermediate dielectric layer in the circuitry area, where the transistors or the electrical connection are made, or forming an electrical connection between the first and the second polysilicon layers for the individual transistors.
In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,184, filed in the name of the present applicant, describes a process, referred to as the double-poly-short-circuited (DPCC) process, which enables short-circuiting between the first and second polysilicon layers. According to the aforesaid process, after deposition of the first polysilicon layer and of an interpoly-dielectric layer, part of the interpoly-dielectric layer is removed in the circuitry area, using a purposely designed mask referred to as "matrix mask". This mask enables removal of all of the interpoly dielectric on top of the active area of the transistors, or in preset portions, on top of or outside the active area. In this way, when the second polysilicon layer is deposited, it directly contacts the first polysilicon layer where the interpoly dielectric has been removed.
According to a further possibility, the electrical connection between the first and second polysilicon layers is obtained using a connection region, the production of which requires two masking and etching steps. In fact, first it is necessary to remove part of the second polysilicon layer and of the interpoly-dielectric layer so as to expose part of the first polysilicon layer, and then to open the vias through the passivation layer, for forming the connection region.
The above solution is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate, respectively, a top view and a cross-section of a MOS transistor obtained using the process described. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a body 1, of semiconductor material, has an insulation region 2 surrounding an active area 3 (FIG. 1). A stack 4 extends on top of the body 1 and comprises (FIG. 2): a gate-oxide region 5; a poly1 region 6; an interpoly-dielectric region 7; a poly2 region 8; and a silicide region 9. Spacing regions 10 are formed at the sides of the stack 4, and a passivation layer 11 extends on top of the body 1. A plug 12 extends through the passivation layer 11 as far as the stack 4.
FIG. 1 moreover illustrates the shape of the mask that enables forming the first hole, which has an opening 15 that allows the removal of a portion of the silicide region 9, the poly2 region 8, and the interpoly region 7. Thus, these regions have a width smaller than the poly1 region 6, as may be seen in the cross-section of FIG. 2. FIG. 1 moreover illustrates a subsequent mask having, i.e., an opening 12a for the plug 12, which is staggered with respect to the opening 15, and in particular is set on top of both of the remaining portions of the silicide region 9 and the poly2 region 8 and on top of the portion of the poly1 region 6 not overlaid by the silicide region 9 and the poly2 region 8 to ensure the polysilicon regions 6, 8 to be electrically connected by the plug 12. The plug 12 thus has a step at the silicide layer 9 and, in its bottom part, alongside the regions 7 to 9, has a cross-sectional area much smaller than the top part (on top of the stack 4).
Both for the solution just described and for the solution described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,184, it is disadvantageous that two masks are necessary for electrically connecting poly1 and poly2, and hence the costs of fabrication are high.

MOS device and a process for manufacturing MOS devices using a dual-polysilicon layer technology with side contact


A tool that is easily convertible from a frac plug to a bridge plug is disclosed. The tool comprises a mandrel with a mule shoe connected to the lower end thereof. A closing ball is disposed in a cavity defined by the mule shoe. The mandrel is threaded to receive a plug at or near the upper end thereof to convert the frac plug to a bridge plug.

In the drilling or reworking of oil wells a great variety of downhole tools are used. Many downhole tools for use in oil and gas wellbores have drillable components made from metallic or non-metallic materials. One common downhole tool is used to seal tubing or other pipe from the casing of the well such as when it is desired to pump a fluid slurry down the tubing and to force the fluid down into a formation. It is necessary in such cases to seal the tubing with respect to the well casing and to prevent the fluid pressure from lifting the tubing out of the well. Downhole tools referred to as packers and bridge plugs are designed for these general purposes and are well known in the art of producing oil and gas. Bridge plugs generally completely isolate the portion of the well below the bridge plug from the portion thereabove. Such bridge plugs may often be made of drillable components so that they can be drilled from the well after use.
A frac plug is another commonly used well tool. Frac plugs are typically set in a well to isolate the portion thereabove from the portion therebelow so that fluid can be forced into a formation above the frac plug. When frac plugs are set in the well, however, they will allow flow in one direction. Frac plugs therefore may generally be used when it is desired to produce fluid from zones above and below the frac plug. When fluid is pumped into a well above a frac plug so that pressure above the frac plug is greater than the pressure therebelow, the frac plug will prevent flow downwardly therethrough so that the fluid may be forced into a formation thereabove. Once such treatment is completed and pressure below the frac plug is greater than the pressure thereabove, fluid from below the frac plug may flow upwardly through the frac plug and along with fluid from any formations above the frac plug can be flowed to the surface. While both frac plugs and bridge plugs are known, there are no known tools that are easily convertible from frac plugs to bridge plugs.

Fracturing plug convertible to a bridge plug