The invention relates to a feed tank for use in a high-pressure system, said feed tank having a hollow space (3) for accommodating food items, a wall (1) and a temperature-control device (5). The invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous high-pressure and temperature treatment in a high-pressure tank.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a feed tank for use in a high-pressure system and to a method for the simultaneous high-pressure and temperature treatment of a foodstuff in a high-pressure vessel.
(2) Description of Related Art
The high-pressure treatment of foodstuffs of any kind has been known for a long time and is used for the gentle preservation of the foodstuffs on an industrial basis. A high-pressure treatment of foodstuffs at simultaneously increased temperatures allows the sterilization of foodstuffs within a shortest period.
The production of selected foodstuffs, e.g. certain sausage and meat products such as scalded sausage, meat jellies and cooked-cured products or animal food requires, in addition to the high-pressure treatment, a thermal treatment to obtain a desired solid consistency and/or a taste typical for the product (e.g. cooked flavor).
In order to be capable of performing temperature-supported pasteurization and sterilization processes, viz. high-pressure and simultaneous temperature treatments, in a high-pressure system the high-pressure systems have to be constructed such that the pressure medium in the high-pressure vessel and the wall of the high-pressure system can be cooled and heated systematically. For example, the high-pressure vessels are equipped with a temperature control jacket which ensures an operation in a temperature range of −10 to 95° C. The temperature control of the pressure medium in these temperature/high-pressure systems is realized by means of high-pressure heat exchangers.
Commercial standard systems are currently not adapted for a specific homogeneous temperature control. It follows that it is impossible to perform a temperature-supported, respectively temperature control supported pasteurization and sterilization process in a standard high-pressure system without making a number of alterations to the system.

Feed tank and method for the simultaneous high-pressure and temperature treatment of a food item in a high-pressure tank

Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V.


A free channel selector for selecting from a plurality of channels an optimal channel for establishing radio communication. The channels may be selected by a radio frequency (RF) module for outputting sampled signals carried on that channel. The selected signals are digitized and provided to a peak detector. The peak detector compares the strength of the signals from the various channels. A memory device, having an array of cells, is provided for storing values representative of the sampled signals of each of the plurality of channels, each of the stored values being stored in a cell having an address indicative of the channel on which the signal represented by the stored value is carried. A stored value corresponding to the lowest signal strength is selected as being the free channel. Communication will then occur over that channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cordless telephonic communication and, more particularly, for selecting a free channel for such communication.
2. Brief Description of Related Technology
Cordless, or wireless, telephones typically include a base station and a separate handset unit which is typically adapted to be seated in a cradle formed in the base station. The general operation of the wireless telephone is controlled by a micro controller integrated therein. Such telephones are commonly capable of operating, i.e., transmitting and receiving signals, on any one of a number of separate channels. A radio frequency (RF) module is typically utilized by the micro controller for establishing communication on a single channel, the selection of which channel is discussed below. Time division multiplexing, such as duplexing, may be utilized to both transmit and receive signals on the same channel. Transmit and receive time slots are allocated so signals are alternately transmitted and received, respectively, in the different time slots. The transmit and receive time slots are of substantially equal duration and may be non-overlapping.
To select a channel for communication, the telephone automatically samples signals from each channel to determine which channel is free, i.e., has the least amount of signal traffic on it. The free channel selection is performed according to a predefined algorithm. One example may be that each of the channels is examined, or sampled, for radio frequency activity for a period of time from between 200 milliseconds (ms) to 2 seconds. The channel with the lowest radio frequency activity is the optimum channel to be used to establish a radio link between the handset unit and the base station. The signal samples, however, are valid for only a predetermined period of time. Therefore, all channels must be sampled and re-examined repeatedly.
The free channel selection function is performed typically by the micro controller according to software instructions stored therein. Accordingly, the micro controller sets the RF module to a particular channel. In one embodiment, the signal is then sampled at least four times during a 2 ms transmit/receive window. A Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) circuit then provides the strength of the signal samples. The micro controller reads the RSSI level for the signals of each channel and, using conventional comparison techniques, selects for radio communication the channel having the lowest RSSI level.
A disadvantage of the foregoing process and system is that substantial overhead is added to the micro controller, which inhibits the micro controller from performing other system tasks. Another disadvantage of the foregoing process is that it also shortens the life of the battery in the handset unit. One solution to this drawback is to use a faster, more powerful micro controller which can manage the additional overhead. But, such a micro controller increases the cost of the telephone and increases the power requirement to operate it. Since the handset of a cordless telephone draws its power from a battery, increased power demands drain the battery faster, thereby decreasing the operating time.
Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus and method in which the free channel selection of a cordless telephone is performed without unduly burdening the micro controller and without requiring increased amounts of power.
The present invention, accordingly, provides an apparatus and method in which the free channel selection of a cordless telephone is performed without unduly burdening the micro controller and without requiring increased amounts of power. To this end, a free channel selector of the present invention comprises an A/D converter which digitizes the RSSI signal from a radio frequency (RF) module for a selected and monitored channel. The A/D converter generates, for each of a plurality of channels, a first signal indicative of the strength of the signals transmitted on the respective channel, and an end of conversion (EOC) signal. The first signal and the EOC signal are then provided to a peak detector circuit which compares the strength of the first signal to the signal strength of a previously selected channel. A memory device having an array of cells is provided for storing values representative of the signal strength of the channel having the least signal activity, where the stored values stored in a cell having an address indicative of the channel on which the first signal represented by the stored value is carried. The address of the selected stored value is indicative of the free channel.
An advantage achieved with the present invention is that it enables the use of relatively inexpensive micro controllers that require relatively little power in cordless telephones, thereby extending battery life and the operating time of the telephone.
Another advantage achieved with the present invention is that it frees up the micro controller to perform other tasks while the free channel selection process is being performed.


A thin film magnetic recording head is provided with a tape bearing surface that has magnetically isolated channels while still providing a maximum continuous surface area with which to engage the media. This can be accomplished by providing spaces in the magnetically permeable thin film that are large enough to prevent cross-talk between the channels, but small enough to prevent significant interference with the moving media. Alternatively, magnetically impermeable thin film spacers can be provided to magnetically isolate each of the channels. The spacers are generally even with the magnetically permeable thin film so as to provide a continuous media-bearing surface.

While a variety of data storage mediums are available, magnetic tape remains a preferred forum for economically storing large amounts of data. In order to facilitate the efficient use of this media, magnetic tape will have a plurality of data tracks extending in a transducing direction of the tape. Once data is recorded onto the tape, one or more data read heads will read the data from those tracks as the tape advances, in the transducing direction, over the read head. It is generally not feasible to provide a separate read head for each data track, therefore, the read head(s) must move across the width of the tape (in a translating direction), and center themselves over individual data tracks. This translational movement must occur rapidly and accurately.
In order to facilitate the controlled movement of a read head across the width of the media, a servo control system is generally implemented. The servo control system consists of a set of dedicated servo tracks embedded in the magnetic media and a corresponding servo read head (which may be one of the standard read heads, temporarily tasked to servo functions) which correlates the movement of the data read heads.
The servo track contains data, which when read by the servo read head is indicative of the relative position of the servo read head with respect to the magnetic media in a translating direction. In one type of traditional amplitude based servo arrangement, the servo track was divided in half. Data was recorded in each half-track, at different frequencies. The servo read head was approximately as wide as the width of a single half-track. Therefore, the servo read head could determine its relative position by moving in a translating direction across the two half-tracks. The relative strength of a particular frequency of servo signal would indicate how much of the servo read head was located within that particular half-track. The trend toward thinner and thinner magnetic tape layers causes amplitude modulation problems with this and other amplitude based heads. That is, as the thickness of the magnetic layer decreases, normal variations on the surface represent a much larger percentage variation in the magnetic layer, which will dramatically affect the output signal.
Recently, a new type of servo control system was created which allows for a more reliable positional determination by reducing the amplitude based servo signal error traditionally generated by debris accumulation and media thickness non-uniformity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,384, issued to Albrecht et al. on Nov. 19, 1997, introduces the concept of a timing based servo pattern on a magnetic recording head.
In a timing based servo pattern, magnetic marks (transitions) are recorded in pairs within the servo track. Each mark of the pair will be angularly offset from the other. For example, a diamond pattern has been suggested and employed with great success. The diamond will extend across the servo track in the translating direction. As the tape advances, the servo read head will detect a signal or pulse generated by the first edge of the first mark. Then, as the head passes over the second edge of the first mark, a signal of opposite polarity will be generated. Now, as the tape progresses, no signal is generated until the first edge of the second mark is reached. Once again, as the head passes the second edge of the second mark, a pulse of opposite polarity will be generated. This pattern is repeated indefinitely along the length of the servo track. Therefore, after the head has passed the second edge of the second mark, it will eventually arrive at another pair of marks. At this point, the time it took to move from the first mark to the second mark is recorded. Additionally, the time it took to move from the first mark (of the first pair) to the first mark of the second pair is similarly recorded.
By comparing these two time components, a ratio is determined. This ratio will be indicative of the position of the read head within the servo track, in the translating direction. As the read head moves in the translating direction, this ratio will vary continuously because of the angular offset of the marks. It should be noted that the servo read head is relatively small compared to the width of the servo track, so that a continuously variable timing difference 15 provided as the servo read head traverses the servo track. Because position is determined by analyzing a ratio of two time/distance measurements, taken relatively close together, the system is able to provide accurate positional data, independent of the speed (or variance in speed) of the media.
Of course, once the position of the servo read head is accurately determined, the position of the various data read heads can be controlled and adjusted with a similar degree of accuracy on the same substrate. Namely, the various read heads are fabricated on the same substrate with a known spacing between them. Hence knowing the location of one allows for a determination of the location of the remainder of the read heads.
When producing magnetic tape (or any other magnetic media) the servo track is generally written by the manufacturer. This results in a more consistent and continuous servo track, over time. To write the timing based servo track described above, a magnetic recording head bearing the particular angular pattern as its gap structure, must be utilized. As it is advantageous to minimize the amount of tape that is dedicated to servo tracks, to allow for increased data storage, and it is necessary to write a very accurate pattern, a very small and very precise servo recording head element must be fabricated.
Two types of servo recording heads having a timing based pattern are known. The first is a pure thin film head, such as that disclosed by Aboaf et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,392, issued on Nov. 5, 1996. With a pure thin film head, all of the components of the head are created from layering different materials, as thin films, on an inert substrate. For example, the magnetic core, and the windings and any barrier materials are formed by producing thin films. Such a head has very low inductance; however, it is extremely difficult to manufacture. To date, pure thin film heads are generally not utilized for time based servo heads and are not seen as a practical way to produce such a magnetic head.
A very different type of recording head is taught by Albrecht et al. in the '384 patent. This second type of head is referred to herein as a surface film or surface thin film head and is illustrated as 100, in FIG. 18. The surface film head 100 includes two C-shaped ferrite blocks 110, 112 that are bonded to a ceramic member 114 that extends the entire width of the head 100. A surface is then polished flat or contoured and prepared for this film deposition. A magnetically permeable thin film 116 is deposited over an upper surface of the ferrite blocks 110, 112 and the exposed upper portion of the ceramic member 114. The thin film 116 is shown much larger than it would actually be, respective to the other elements. Gaps 118 are formed in the thin film 116, in an appropriate timing based pattern. Windings 120 are wrapped and are electrically driven to drive flux around the ferrite core and through the thin film 116 (in the direction of arrow A). The flux leaks from the gaps 118 and writes media passing over it.
Such a surface film head has a high inductance due to the large volume of ferrite forming the core and a high reluctance "back-gap", due to the separation of the ferrite block 110, 112 by the ceramic member 114, on the underside of the head (i.e., opposite the thin film 116). The size and dimensions of the head are determined by the end use characteristics. For example, the width of the head 100 is defined by the width of the media; i.e., a head that is 19 mm wide is appropriate to support a tape that is 12.5 mm wide. The ceramic member 114 must be thick enough to allow the proper angular patterns 118 to be located above it and is approximately 0.012″ in the known versions of the Albrecht et al. head, produced by IBM. The length of the head must be sufficient to support the media as it travels over the tape bearing surface and the depth (especially of the ferrite cores) must be sufficient to allow appropriate windings to be attached and to allow the head to be securely fixed in a head mount.
With the surface film head, flux is forced to travel through a magnetically permeable thin film that bridges a generally magnetically impermeable barrier between sections of the core. The writing gap is located within this thin film and the magnetic flux is expected to leak from this gap and write the media. The width of the ferrite is much larger than the sum of the channel widths. Hence, there is a large amount of unnecessary ferrite inductance. In other words, as a result of the relatively large amount of extraneous ferrite, an unnecessarily high amount of inductance is created. Therefore, to produce a relatively small amount of flux leakage through a small gap in the thin film, very high levels of voltage are required to generate sufficient magnetic flux throughout the relatively large core. This lowers the frequency response of the head and increases the rise time of the writing pulses from the head.
Therefore, there exists a need to provide efficient multi-channel timing based head having the ability to individually and separately drive and control each channel.

Wear pads for timing-based surface film servo heads


A system and interface for trading financial instruments includes an intermediary computer system that is operable to communicate with one or more trader terminals. The intermediary computer system includes one or more processors and storage media, and it communicates with trader terminals and displays to the trader terminals a listing of financial instruments, and information related to such financial instruments, that are available for trading. The intermediary computer system periodically updates the option adjusted price of financial instruments to provide traders with a time period in which the price will remain stable and during which time the traders can confidently execute orders based on the then available price. A timer, which is constantly visible to traders, displays the amount of time remaining until the displayed adjusted prices will be updated.

Financial markets function to bring together buyers and sellers and provide a mechanism for financial instruments to be traded. In recent years the use of electronic trading systems has revolutionized the industry as people have increasingly favored electronic trading systems over the older, manual methods of trading. Financial markets favor electronic trading systems as electronic trading systems offer reduced labor costs, increased accuracy, real time market information and greater versatility in communications.
Electronic trading systems are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,044, issued to Kalmus et al., entitled "Automated Securities Trading System" describes a system for trading securities wherein a centralized computer communicates with trader terminals to obtain the best bid and asked prices in order to implement a trade. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,501, issued to Silverman et al., entitled "Anonymous Matching System" provides an automated matching system where a centralized computer in communication with traders matches bid and ask prices for a trade, subject to the buyers and sellers matching specified criteria. The system described by Silverman et al. is also operable to automatically update the prices based on the best available bids present in the system.

Timing mechanism and direct messaging for electronic trading platform


A joint area formed by intersecting surfaces is provided with a caulk seal using a conventional caulking gun to apply an initial bead of silicone-based caulk to the joint. Thereafter, a spray of cleaning solvent is immediately applied to the caulk bead and the surrounding surfaces of the joint area to provide complete covering. Excess caulk is removed from the joint such as through finger wiping, to provide a smoothed caulk joint corner. A cloth fiber patch is soaked to saturation in cleaning solvent and is smoothly stroked across the smoothed joint surface to further finish the caulk material surface and to remove traces of excess caulk material from the adjoining or intersecting surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning solvent is used to caulk a tub and wall joint area of a typical bathroom facility and includes a formula of soft distilled water, glycol ether DPM, a surfactant and an antifoaming agent.

In the building and renovation industries, one of the most vexing and time consuming tasks associated with the installation, construction and remodeling of the bathroom area of a typical dwelling is found in the need to caulk or seal the intersecting joints such as those between tub surface areas and adjoining wall areas. For example, in a typical bathtub facility, an enclave is provided within which an elongated tub is situated. The tub typically defines a bathing receptacle or recess surrounded by a relatively broad upper rim or edge. Most typically, at least a portion of the upper rim of the bathtub receptacle defines a generally planar portion having curved corners intended to be seated against the surrounding walls of the tub facilitate enclave. Usually, the wall surfaces are covered with a water repellant material such as ceramic tile which intersects a portion of the upper rim of the tub receptacle. Despite the best efforts of tub installers to carefully fit the tub within the surrounding walls, their remains nonetheless a joint or seam which must be effectively sealed to prevent water leakage behind the tub and into the surrounding walls and below. This seal is usually provided by an application of a caulking material applied using a conventional caulking gun. The caulking gun applies a bead of caulking material within and upon the joint seam and surfaces. The most common and long lasting types of caulk used in such applications employ a silicone caulk material which, while effective once installed, is a sticky material which is difficult to work with. In many instances, incorrectly applied caulking seals result in leaking or unsightly unattractive areas of the tub to wall joint. Even the most expert of tub installers frequently find that an extensive cleanup of the caulked portion of the tub and tub walls must be undertaken to provide an aesthetically pleasing installation.
In another industry, the practice of construction and renovation of marine vessels, a similar need arises to caulk, seal or apply adhesives to intersecting joints between areas such as deck portions, between the interlines and the hull and various fittings which pass through the vessel hull. In addition, numerous windows and portholes within the vessel require careful and thorough sealing. Despite the best efforts employed by fabricators to carefully fit the various deck and hull portions together, there remains a joint or seam which must be effectively sealed to prevent water leakage passing behind the deck through the deck to hull seal. This seal is usually provided by an application of a silicone adhesive sealant in a process similar to the above-described caulking operation in building fabrication. For the most part, such caulking and sealing operations utilize a silicone caulk material which is similar to the above-described caulk. As with tub caulk, the material is effective when properly installed but which is also a tacky and difficult material to work with.
In another similar industry application, aircraft fabricators and renovators often need to provide effective seal joints between various aircraft portions such as aircraft skin to airframe joints and airframe to deck joints within the aircraft. This need is typically met utilizing a silicone adhesive sealant applied as a caulking bead in a similar fashion to that described above for building industries and marine industries. In further similarity to the above-described application of adhesive caulking materials, the need arises within the aircraft industry to avoid defective seals and unattractive seal beads caused by improper caulking or caulking excess. The aircraft industry is similarly vexed by cleanup problems in its attempts to effectively utilize adhesive sealing materials in the caulking type operations described above.
Thus, despite the benefits of silicone-based caulking materials, their use is subject to problems of difficult installation and often labor intensive cleanup involving careful hand work which in turn leads to increased cost. As more and more tasks become greatly automated and labor becomes a growing substantial expense in construction and remodeling operations within the building, marine and aircraft industries, practitioners have endeavored to provide less labor intensive alternatives. To date, however, these efforts have been generally unsuccessful and the task of caulking a joint area such as a tube to wall joint remains a difficult and labor intensive process.
One substantial improvement in the cleanup process relating to caulk joints has been provided by a product and cleanup method marketed under the trademark Caution: Don't Caulk Without Me! in 2000. This product utilized a spray solvent formed of isopropyl alcohol and set forth a cleanup method having the steps of: applying a bead of silicone caulk to the seam; immediately spraying cleaning solution over the caulk bead and adjacent areas on each side of the caulk bead; and removing excess caulk by dragging a finger along the caulk seam using medium pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,822 issued Apr. 3, 2007 sets forth this same method based upon a parent application Ser. No. 10/712,667 filed Nov. 13, 2003, now abandoned.


A clutch includes an input, an output, first and second control disks, and a control. The output and the input may be releasably coupled. The first control disk may be positioned between the input and the output. The first control disk and second control disk may be coupled and the output may be moveable between the control disks. The control may apply a torque to the second control disk, establishing a relative rotation between the output and the first control disk and decoupling the output and input.

A clutch may be used to selectively transmit power from one element of a system to another. In rotary clutches, friction surfaces on the elements allow rotation of one element to be transferred to another. The clutch selectively engages the friction surfaces, thereby selectively transmitting power from one element to the other.
Rotary clutches have proven costly to manufacture. Typically, these clutches require a large number of elements. A traditional rotary clutch may include an input and an output, with a complex system of control elements for selectively engaging and disengaging the input and output. In addition, assembly of such clutches can be costly due to the large number of parts associated with the control and the difficulty in assembling the parts correctly.
Some rotary clutches may require a large torque to disengage the input and the output. Typically, a torque somewhat similar to the torque provided by the input may be required to separate the elements.


A compressor case support arrangement for a gas turbine engine includes a fan section having a central axis and a compressor case for housing a compressor. An inlet case guides air to the compressor. The compressor case is positioned axially further from the fan section than the inlet case. A support member extends between the fan section and the compressor case. The support member restricts movement of the compressor case relative to the inlet case. The support member is positioned axially further from the fan section than the plumbing access area.

The present invention relates generally to a mounting arrangement for a compressor case assembly in a gas turbine engine.
Gas turbine engines are known, and typically include a compressor for compressing air and delivering it downstream into a combustion section. A fan may move air to the compressor. The compressed air is mixed with fuel and combusted in the combustion section. The products of this combustion are then delivered downstream over turbine rotors, which are driven to rotate and provide power to the engine.
The compressor includes rotors moving within a compressor case to compress air. Maintaining close tolerances between the rotors and the interior of the compressor case facilitates air compression.
Gas turbine engines may include an inlet case for guiding air into a compressor case. The inlet case is mounted adjacent the fan section. Movement of the fan section, such as during in-flight maneuvers, may move the inlet case. Some prior gas turbine engine designs support a front portion of the compressor with the inlet case while an intermediate case structure supports a rear portion of the compressor. In such an arrangement, movement of the fan section may cause at least the front portion of the compressor to move relative to other portions of the compressor.
Disadvantageously, relative movement between portions of the compressor may vary rotor tip and other clearances within the compressor, which can decrease the compression efficiency. Further, supporting the compressor with the inlet case may complicate access to some plumbing connections near the inlet case.
It would be desirable to reduce relative movement between portions of the compressor and to simplify accessing plumbing connection in a gas turbine engine.

Gas turbine engine compressor case mounting arrangement


The imaging apparatus includes a focus lens, a front zoom lens disposed on a subject side of the focus lens, a rear zoom lens disposed on an image side of the focus lens, a focus drive unit configured to drive the focus lens, a zoom drive unit configured to drive the front and rear zoom lenses, a focus origin point detector provided in a movable range of the rear zoom lens, configured to detect a focus origin point of the focus lens, and a controller configured to control the focus drive unit and the zoom drive unit. When the controller loses track of a position of the focus lens, the controller drives the focus lens in accordance with a relative movement amount of the front and rear zoom lenses by the zoom drive unit to move the focus lens to the focus origin point.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus that performs initialization control of lens.
2. Description of the Related Art
Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-42635 discloses an imaging apparatus that estimates a direction of an origin point position and determines an initial driving direction for performing origin point detection in focus lens origin point detection processing.

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A single-reel tape cartridge includes a rectangular flattened casing including upper and lower panels joined together to define a reel chamber therebetween. A tape reel includes a cylindrical hollow boss and upper and lower flanges protruding radially outwardly from upper and lower ends of the hollow boss, respectively, and is accommodated rotatably within the reel chamber. A drive ring is disposed at a lower portion of a hollow of the hollow boss and adapted to receive a rotary drive from a drive element of a tape drive mechanism when the drive element is brought into engagement with the drive ring in a planar contact fashion. This drive ring is supported in a fashion slidable up and down, but non-rotatable relative to the hollow boss. A reel retainer is biased by a biasing spring in one direction towards the lower panel of the casing, such that the drive ring can be sandwiched between the drive element and the reel retainer while the drive element is held in tight contact with an undersurface of the drive ring.

1. (Field of the Invention)
The present invention generally relates to a magnetic tape cartridge and, more particular, to the magnetic tape cartridge of a type having a single tape reel for the support therearound of a length of magnetic recording and/or reproducing tape.
2. (Description of the Prior Art)
The single-reel tape cartridge, i.e., the tape cartridge of the type referred to hereinabove, is currently available in the market as an external storage module that is used in association with, for example, a computer. As disclosed in, for example, the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publications No. 62-66486 and No. 8-63940, the single-reel tape cartridge generally comprises a tape reel rotatably accommodated within a generally rectangular flattened box or casing. A length of magnetic recording tape is accommodated within the flattened box and is connected at one end to the tape reel and at the opposite end provided with a connecting piece that is utilized when the length of magnetic tape is to be drawn out of the flattened box.
More specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates the prior art single-reel tape cartridge believed to be pertinent to the present invention. As shown therein, the tape reel 53 used therein includes a cylindrical hollow boss 52 having opposite ends formed integrally with upper and lower radial flanges 50 and 51. The cylindrical hollow boss 52 is closed at one end by a perforated end wall and accommodates therein a reel retainer 54 movable between engaged and disengaged positions and cooperable with the perforated end wall to prevent the tape reel 53 from rotating idle when in the disengaged position, that is, so long as the tape cartridge is not in use. A ring-shaped iron plate 55 is secured to an outer surface of the perforated end wall of the hollow boss 52 in coaxial relation with the perforation in the end wall and is adapted to be magnetically coupled with a rotary drive element (not shown) of a tape drive externally to the tape cartridge. An annular portion of the outer surface of the perforated end wall radially outwardly of the ring-shaped iron plate 55 provides a surface engagement SE engageable with the rotary drive element to receive a rotational force from such rotary drive element. So far illustrated, the engagement 56 is in the form of a pattern of surface indentations.
The reel retainer 54 comprises a compression coil spring 57, a disc-shaped retainer plate 58 having a cylindrical hollow slide boss 59 and a passive pin 60 both formed integrally with the retainer plate 58 in coaxial relation thereto so as to extend outwardly therefrom in respective directions opposite to each other. While the compression coil spring 57 encircling the slide boss 59 applies a biasing force to the retainer plate 58 with a lower surface of retainer plate 58 held in contact with a raised seat 61 integral with the perforated end wall of the hollow boss 52, the passive pin 60 is engaged in the perforation in the perforated end wall of the hollow boss 52 and also in the perforation of the iron plate 55. Respective mating surfaces 62 of the retainer plate 58 and the raised seat 61 are indented in a sense reverse to each other so that they can be interlocked with each other unless the retainer plate 58 is displaced away from the raised seat 61.
A top panel of the flattened box has a guide post 63 formed integrally therewith so as to protrude into the hollow of the hollow boss 52 and relatively slidably projecting a distance into the hollow of the slide boss 59. Thus, the slide boss 59 normally urged by the spring 57 in one direction with the retainer plate 58 held in contact with the raised seat 61 can displace axially in the opposite direction against the spring 57, having been guided along the guide post 63 integral with the top panel of the flattened box.
Thus, unless the passive pin 60 is shifted upwardly against the spring 57 by the rotary drive element of the tape drive during the use of the tape cartridge to disengage the retainer plate 58 from the raised seat 61, the tape reel 53 cannot rotate idle about the longitudinal axis thereof. However, once the retainer plate 58 disengages from the raised seat 61 with the passive pin 60 shifted upwardly against the spring 57, the drive element of the tape drive is magnetically coupled with the iron plate 55 and, at the same time, engages the surface engagement 56 to thereby transmit the rotational force from the drive element to the tape reel 53 and, hence, to drive the tape reel 53 about the longitudinal axis thereof.
It has, however, been that the prior art single-reel tape cartridge of the structure discussed above have numerous problems. As discussed above, in order to set the tape reel 53 in a position ready to be driven, the passive pin 60 has to be pushed upwardly against the spring 57 to bring the reel retainer 54 to the disengaged position with the retainer plate 58 disengaged from the raised seat 61. Drive of the drive element can be transmitted to the tape reel 53 when and after the drive element is magnetically coupled with the iron plate 55 with the indented mating surfaces 62 engaged with each other. With this drive transmission system, it often occurs that the drive of the drive element cannot be assuredly transmitted to the tape reel 53 by the following reason.
Specifically, during the condition in which the reel retainer 54 is in the disengaged position with the retainer plate 58 disengaged from the raised seat 61 integral with the tape reel 53, the reel retainer 54 itself may tilt with a local area of the retainer plate 54 consequently held in contact with a corresponding portion of the raised seat 61, allowing either the drive element to be rotated idle relative to the tape reel 53 or the tape reel 53 itself to be rotated in a tilted fashion.
Since the drive element must bear a substantially entire quantity of the biasing force of the spring 57 transmitted thereto through the retainer plate 58 and the passive pin 60 when the reel retainer 54 is in the disengaged position, the tape reel 53 is susceptible to tilting. Also, since the drive element and the tape reel 53 are drivingly coupled with each other by means of the magnetic force of attraction developing between the drive element and the iron plate 55, there is no assurance that the entire quantity of the drive of the drive element can be transmitted to the tape reel 53 and, rather, the presence of a magnetic gap between the drive element and the iron plate 55 opens to the possibility of the tape reel 53 to tilt.


A wheelchair frame has a guide member operatively and slidably connected thereto. A chair is pivotally attached to the slidable guide member. An actuator for moving the chair forward and backward is connected at one end to the slidable guide member and at the other end to the wheelchair frame. A link arm has one end operatively connected to the frame and the other end pivotally connected to the seat of the integral wheelchair. Upon actuation of the actuator, the guide member moves the chair forward or backwards and as a consequence thereof, the seat is tilted backward or forward by the link arm to substantially maintain the center of gravity of a person seated in the chair.

Heretofore, chairs per se or wheelchairs have existed wherein the chair back, or the chair back and base (seat), were reclinable.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,151 to Re relates to a reclining chair adapted to be positioned in close adjacency to a room wall when in the upright sitting position and yet so structured as to allow ready assumption of any of a variety of reclined positions of occupancy without physical contact of any element thereof with the same room wall, the chair concept envisioning a fixed platform, a chassis movable linearly relative to the platform, and a body-supporting unit movable between the sitting and reclining positions relative to the chassis with a concomitant movement of a leg supporting unit between the retracted and extended positions respectively, a propeller link or other means connecting between the body-supporting unit and platform for propelling the body-supporting unit relative to the platform, with the chassis moving forwardly and progressively away from the wall as transition is made from upright sitting position to progressive positions of reclination, wherefore the body supporting unit is concomitantly moved forwardly away from the room wall, and with the chassis moving rearwardly and progressively toward the wall as transition is made from positions of reclination to upright sitting position, wherefore the body-supporting unit is concomitantly moved rearwardly and toward the room wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,561 to Janssen relates to a wheelchair comprising an underframe with front and rear wheels, and a seat part (1) which is adjustable relative to the underframe, which seat part (1) can be tilted forward and backward relative to the underframe in such a way that the overall center of gravity (6) of seat part (1) and wheelchair user (5) essentially assumes a fixed position relative to the underframe.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,379 to Mulholland relates to a wheelchair having opposing sideframes each of which comprise a base section which is pivotally connected by a brace member to an inclinable seat section. An extender mechanism interconnects the seat section to a brace member and provides releasable securement for a wheelchair seat at selected angular positions. Backrest bars are independently adjustable with a similar extender mechanism that interconnects the bars with a respective seat section. The sideframes are spaced apart with hinged spacer bars, which includes a latching device for releasably securing the bars in an open position. The bar and frame sections have elongated slots containing fasteners for adjustable connections with fasteners from adjunct wheelchair assemblies.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,647 to Patterson relates to a kit or assembly which can be used in the manufacture of a new wheelchair or to retrofit an existing wheelchair. The basic wheelchair structure includes a base portion having a pair of cross members mounted in the rear half of the upper portion of the wheelchair base structure. A pair of parallel guide rails is mounted between the cross members with a seat support bar attached to a pair of pillow blocks mounted on the guide rails. A linear actuator is centrally positioned within the wheelchair base structure to longitudinally move the seat support bar forwardly or rearwardly within the wheelbase of the wheelchair. A rear edge of a wheelchair seat unit is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the seat support bar. Cam plates, each having a curved cam slot, are provided on each side of the seat unit with the cam slots engaging cam followers mounted on a pair of stanchions provided on each side of the rear portion of the base structure. A control switch causes the linear actuator to move the seat support bar in a forward or rearward direction, which causes the seat unit to move causing the cam follower pins positioned within the cam slots to tilt or angularly move the seat unit to a maximum reclined position of approximately 60 degrees. The entire seat unit is moved forward a predetermined distance to obtain the desired degree of tilt and to maintain the center of gravity substantially centered within the base structure to maintain the balance and stability of the wheelchair and the safety of the patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,021 to Koerlin et al. relates to a wheelchair seat having a backrest assembly with a counter balance to provide equilibrium. A control loop is included on the sliding backrest to sense the onset of shear and compensate the backrest to a zero shear position during recline. A leg rest assembly has a selectable lift arrangement for either independent or recline lift.

Constant center of gravity tiltable chair of a wheelchair


An anode inlet unit for a split fuel cell stack or two fuel cell stacks having two anode inlets. The anode inlet unit has particular application for a small vehicle that requires less power. In one embodiment, the anode inlet unit only includes three injectors. Two of the injectors provide flow control for the hydrogen gas to the two anode inlets to provide the desired turn-down ratio. For a split stack design, the two injectors may provide flow-shifting where the injection of hydrogen gas into the sub-stacks is alternated. The other injector injects a small amount of hydrogen into the cathode side of the fuel cell stack at system start-up to quickly increase the operating temperature of the system. Additionally, two valves can be provided in the unit that receive a flow of air to purge the anode side of the stack for system shut-down.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an anode inlet unit for a fuel cell system and, more particularly, to an anode inlet unit for fuel cell systems including a small fuel cell stack for a small vehicle, where the anode inlet unit employs three injectors and two purge valves.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Hydrogen is a very attractive fuel because it is clean and can be used to efficiently produce electricity in a fuel cell. A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical device that includes an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte therebetween. The anode receives hydrogen gas and the cathode receives oxygen or air. The hydrogen gas is dissociated in the anode to generate free protons and electrons. The protons pass through the electrolyte to the cathode. The protons react with the oxygen and the electrons in the cathode to generate water. The electrons from the anode cannot pass through the electrolyte, and thus are directed through a load to perform work before being sent to the cathode. The work acts to operate the vehicle.
Several fuel cells are typically combined in a fuel cell stack to generate the desired power. For the automotive fuel cell stack mentioned above, the stack may include two hundred or more cells. The fuel cell stack receives a cathode reactant gas, typically a flow of air forced through the stack by a compressor. Not all of the oxygen is consumed by the stack and some of the air is output as a cathode exhaust gas that may include water as a stack by-product. The fuel cell stack also receives an anode hydrogen reactant gas that flows into the anode side of the stack.
Flow control pressure regulators are typically employed in fuel cell systems at various locations to provide a desired gas flow rate. For example, flow control pressure regulators are typically employed at the anode inlet of the fuel cell stack to provide a desired pressure reduction and hydrogen gas flow rate for hydrogen gas from a hydrogen pressure storage tank, or other hydrogen storage device.
Solenoid-controlled valves or injectors usually provide pressure regulation and flow control in a fuel cell system. An injector is a 2/2-way valve that switches between a fully opened and a fully closed position at a particular frequency and duty cycle. The frequency determines the time of each switching cycle of the injector, and the duty cycle determines how long the injector is open and closed per cycle, where the ratio of time between the open and closed position of the injector is its duty cycle. An injector can be operated at a constant frequency. However, for low duty cycles, it may be desirable to decrease the frequency because low duty cycles can be adjusted more precisely at low frequencies to increase the injector's turn-down ratio, where the turn-down ration is the ratio of the pressure an the inlet of the valve to the pressure at the outlet of the valve.
Proportional valves are typically not the most desirable for the anode inlet to a fuel cell system because they have a hysteresis that affects fuel cell system operation by making pressure regulation and flow rate more difficult. Also, proportional valves have a low turn-down ratio (1:10). Injectors are usually more desirable because they typically have a large turn-down ratio (1:20) and no hysteresis. In an injector, the flow rate is proportional to the duty cycle of the injector. The opening frequency of the injector can be selected to provide the desired turn-down ratio, where low frequencies are typically required for small flow rates and high turn-down ratios.
Typically, the various flow control valves and injectors for the anode side of a fuel cell stack are part of an anode inlet unit (AIU) that controls the hydrogen gas flow to the anode side of the fuel cell stack. It is typically desirable to make the anode inlet unit as small, lightweight and inexpensive as possible, especially for small vehicles that may employ short stacks. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the number of valves, pipes, hoses, brackets, fittings, etc. in the anode inlet unit.

Compact anode flow shift design for small fuel cell vehicles


An airship (100) for conveyance through a fluid medium in a selected direction of travel. The airship includes a hull adapted to contain a lifting medium therein, wherein the hull (108) includes a first section having a width which varies along the selected direction of travel, the width increasing from a bow of the hull to a maximum width and decreasing from the maximum width to a tail section of the first section; and a second section coupled to the first section and having a width which varies along the selected direction of travel, the width increasing from a leading edge of the second section to a maximum width and decreasing from the maximum width to a stern of the hull.

Airships have long been known and used as a means of conveyance, surveillance, and entertainment. In one common form of an airship, an elongate ellipsoidal shaped bladder is used to suspend a gondola housing crew, equipment, etc., thereunder. This airship is a non-rigid lighter than air craft commonly referred to as a "blimp." Although previously developed airships are effective in accomplishing their intended purpose, they are not without their problems. For instance, in ellipsoidal airships, many attachment mechanisms are coupled to the exterior of the ellipsoidal lift bladder to couple the lifting force of the bladder to the gondola. These attachment mechanism increase the drag of the airship, thus decreasing its efficiency.
Further, propulsion sources are exposed to the main air stream, thus increasing drag. Further still, the airship has a horizontally oriented lifting bladder defining a large footprint. Such a large footprint increases storage costs and the potential for an accident, as well as increasing landing and takeoff area space requirements. Inasmuch as the lifting bag is horizontally oriented, large forces are required to turn the airship since the horizontal arrangement of the lifting bladder increases the moment of inertia of the airship about a vertical axis. Thus, larger control surfaces, which develop large amounts of drag, are needed. Further, steerage is sluggish due to the large moment of inertia.
In the ellipsoidal airship, altitude changes are instigated by manipulating the pitch of the airship. For instance, to rise in altitude, the bow of the airship is elevated relative to the stern, thus providing a tilted attitude of the airship, causing an awkward and uncomfortable environment onboard the airship. Ellipsoidal airships also use semi-rigid to rigid lift bladder designs that are heavy and expensive, wherein loss of balloon pressure often causes severe safety issues. Further, the propulsion sources are often located adjacent to or attached to the gondola. This causes significant safety concerns for manned gondolas, and exposes any occupants to unpleasant noise and vibration.
Also, in ellipsoidal airships, the outer skin is typically laminated to enhance the rigidity of the outer skin and to aid in retaining the lifting gas therein. This results in a heavy and expensive outer skin. Further still, previously developed airships only use a single lifting bladder, causing significant safety issues should the single lifting bladder become punctured. Further, the breakdown of the airship requires the dumping of the lifting gas from the lifting bladder, since the lifting bladder is non-removably attached to the gondola. Also, if the propulsion fails in the previously developed ellipsoidal airship, steerage is lost and the airship will drift at the whims of the wind, an inherently dangerous situation.


Methods of treating autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, are disclosed. The methods employ administration of interferon-tau (IFN.tau.) in a therapeutically-effective dose.

The immune system is the body's primary defense against diseases caused by invading organisms, such as bacteria, viruses or parasites, as well as diseases caused by abnormal growth of the body's own tissues (i.e., cancerous tumors). Normally, the immune system is able to distinguish the body's normal tissues, or self, from foreign or cancerous tissue, or non-self. The loss of recognition of a particular tissue as self, and the subsequent immune response directed against that tissue, typically results in an "autoimmune response" that often has serious clinical consequences.
One specific example of such an autoimmune disease is multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in which patches of myelin (the protective covering of nerve fibers) in the brain and spinal cord are destroyed by the body's own immune system. This destruction leads to scarring and damage to the underlying nerve fibers, and may manifest itself in a variety of symptoms, depending on the parts of the brain and spinal cord that are affected. Spinal cord damage may result in tingling or numbness, as well as a heavy and/or weak feeling in the extremities. Damage in the brain may result in muscle weakness, fatigue, unsteady gain, numbness, slurred speech, impaired vision, vertigo and the like.
Current therapies for multiple sclerosis include corticosteroid drugs (to alleviate the symptoms of acute episodes), as well as other biomolecules. In particular, beta-interferon (IFN.beta.) has been tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an MS therapy. Unfortunately, the presently-used therapies suffer from a range of problems. The drugs are often toxic at the doses required for a maximal therapeutic effect. Further, the body may become desensitized to the drug such that higher (and more toxic) doses are required to maintain even a minimal therapeutic effect.
The present invention provides a method of treatment for autoimmune diseases, such as MS, that does not have the toxic side effects associated with currently-used therapies.

Method for treatment of autoimmune diseases


Magnetic display devices include low-density silica coated magnetic and nonmagnetic particles. In a one-particle system, low-density silica coated magnetic particles coated by a sol-gel process are used in combination with non-magnetic particles. In a two-particle system, low-density silica coated magnetic particles coated by a sol-gel process are used in combination with low-density silica coated non-magnetic particles. Display devices employing silica coated magnetic particles minimize the tendency of the magnetic particles to aggregate. Silica coated magnetic particles in a display device results in a magnetic display with improved image stability. Low-density silica coated magnetic particles in a display device allow for particles to move easily through a dispersion fluid in response to a magnetic field.

Magnetic display devices generally utilize a magnetic force to move magnetic particles into a display image. For example, a magnetic display system may include a transparent plastic sheet formed over a surface of honeycomb-shaped cells or cavities, each cavity being filled with a white pigment fluid and magnetic particles. A magnetic field may be applied to the display surface to move the particles into a display image, such as through a rod-like magnetic pen.
Various methods of making a magnetic display are known in the art. For example, a magnetic display may include cells containing spherical-shaped magnetic and non-magnetic particles in fluid sealed between two plates or substrates. In one such system, the particles may include magnetic particles having one color (e.g., black) and non-magnetic particles having another color (e.g., white). A graphic may be initiated on the display by scanning a magnet on or near one or more of the display plates so as to attract one of the two colored particles to the desired surface. While making contact with the surface of the magnetic display using a magnetic pen, the magnetic particle in the area of contact moves to the surface and an image appears.
Various improvements to magnetic displays have been proposed in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,531, herein incorporated by reference, describes a display system wherein both magnetic fields and electric fields may be applied for addressing, aligning, and moving the elements into place within a display. As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,630, herein incorporated by reference, describes a magnetic display panel including a dispersion fluid layer composed of a magnetic particle, a dispersion medium, a thickening agent, and a coloring material on a substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,398, herein incorporated by reference, describes a magnetic display system wherein light-absorptive magnetic particles and light-reflective non-magnetic particles are encapsulated in microcapsules.
As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,493, incorporated herein by reference, describes gelatin microcapsules for magnetic display, wherein the microcapsules contain a dispersion medium of two solvents and magnetic powder and nonmagnetic powder. Ferromagnetic particles of about 400–800 μm diameter are used. In one embodiment of the magnetic displays described in the '493 Patent, the magnetic and nonmagnetic particles are affinity-treated in order to facilitate particle movement within the display. In one example, a mixture of alumina and silica was used as water-bearing metal oxides. The coating with water-bearing metal oxides is about 1% to 16% by weight of the particle.
Other examples of displays which incorporate magnetic and non-magnetic particles or powders are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,577,433; 6,574,034; 6,529,313 and 6,525,866, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In these patents, a magnetic display device has a number of individual reservoirs, each containing a transparent or colored fluid dispersion medium and two sets of particles, each reservoir being separated within the device by a spacer. In these patents, one embodiment is described wherein within the reservoirs the two sets of particles of the display fluid are encapsulated in a metal oxide shell, preferably a titania shell or silica shell. Encapsulation of particles in a metal oxide shell improves the electrical mobility properties of the particles while retaining the optical or colorant functionality of the underlying particles encapsulated therein.
There are some problems among the magnetic devices comprising both magnetic particles and non-magnetic particles that are available to date. Magnetic and non-magnetic particles used in magnetic displays generally have high density. Thus, magnetic and non-magnetic particles tend to settle within the display device, which results in the loss of image stability over time. Moreover, bare magnetic and non-magnetic particles have a strong tendency to aggregate, and thus require higher magnetic fields for moving. Aggregation decreases resolution of the display. Attempts to produce particles dispersed in a polymer as opposed to an aqueous fluid have been successful for non-magnetic particles to some extent, but magnetic particles, dispersed in a polymer may still have the tendency to aggregate.

Sol-gel nanocoated particles for magnetic displays


A system and method for improving proprioception in a patient having a feedback site are disclosed. The method includes affixing to the feedback site a sensor adapted to provide a sensor signal indicative of a sensed parameter, providing to the patient a signaler adapted to generate a manual signal in response to actuation by the patient, providing a microprocessor programmed to receive the sensor signal and the manual signal and to generate a system output based on the sensor signal and the manual signal, causing the patient to actuate the signaler on the basis of sensation at the feedback site, and causing the microprocessor to generate a system output based on the sensor signal and the manual signal.

Proprioception involves neuromuscular receptors in the skeletal muscles and on the surface of the tendons. These receptors provide constant feedback to the brain regarding movement, posture, changes in equilibrium, knowledge of position, weight, and resistance against its body parts. Using this feedback, the brain is typically able to correct or adapt to changes in these parameters. Amputees, and particularly amputees who have been fitted with prostheses, must learn to move their natural and prosthetic limbs without the benefit of proprioceptive feedback from the limb that is no longer present.
In cases of limb amputation, it is typically necessary for the amputee to undergo rehabilitation in order to regain functionality that is as close to normal as possible. In particular, if the amputated limb is replaced with a prosthesis, it is necessary for the amputee to learn to use the prosthesis in a way that will maximize restored functionality. The rehabilitation prescribed in such cases is designed to modify the amputee's proprioception such that he or she learns to use the prosthesis in a manner that approximates that of the lost limb.
At the same time, amputees often sense that the amputated limb is still present. This is known as Phantom Limb Syndrome. Phantom sensations can occur as passive proprioceptive sensations of the limb's presence, or more active sensations such as perceived movement, pressure, pain, itching, or temperature. The etiology of the phantom limb phenomenon is not well understood; both neurological and psychological explanations have been postulated. The sensations can be distressing, and patients are often counseled to ignore or suppress them.
Still further, after many types of major surgery, including amputation, moderate forms of exercise are prescribed as beneficial to the healing process. Exercise that directly affects the wounded area, e.g. amputation cite, while particularly helpful for increasing blood flow and reducing atrophy and stiffening, also brings associated risks of increasing damage to the wounded tissue, such as through trauma or excessive stress.
It would be advantageous to provide a device that allows an amputee to re-direct and use the sensory perceptions associated with a phantom limb in re-establishing proprioception with respect to his or her prosthesis. It would also be desirable to provide a system that allows an amputee to obtain the benefits of exercise and a desired level of vaso-stimulation without risking tissue damage.


A scanner with an automatic density adjustment function executes image processing in which prescanning is performed and the background level is made white before the next scan starts. However, if an automatic density adjustment is applied when the same document is read as a color image and as a monochrome image, it is necessary to perform prescanning before the color image is read and prescanning before the monochrome image is read. Reading the image therefore takes time. Accordingly, if an automatic density adjustment based upon prescanning has been designated, prescanning is carried out and then a histogram is obtained for each of the components R, G and B and the background levels are calculated for color scanning and monochrome scanning. A table in a scanner image processor is set in accordance with a background peak value PeakBW for monochrome scanning. For color scanning, on the other hand, the table in the scanner image processor is set in accordance with a background peak value PeakCL for the color scan.

Multifunction copiers and network scanners have appeared and these devices can be used to freely exchange images with computers via a network. Recently, devices have also been announced that support multiple network and communications protocols so that a single entered image can be broadcast to multiple destinations by using different protocols. However, there are also devices that are capable of exchanging only monochrome images depending on the communication protocol, as is the case with facsimile machines. In view of such instances, the same document is read as both a color image and a monochrome image and either the color or monochrome image is sent in accordance with the communication protocol.
A scanner with an automatic density adjustment function executes image processing in which prescanning is performed and the background level is made white before the next scan starts. The reading of an image after the prescan in such a scanner is limited to the reading of color or monochrome image. As a consequence, if an automatic density adjustment is applied when the same document is read as a color image and as a monochrome image, it is necessary to perform prescanning before the color image is read and prescanning before the monochrome image is read. Reading the image therefore takes time.


There is provided a substrate treatment method performed on a substrate before forming a Cu film on a surface of a base material of the substrate. In the substrate treatment method, a substrate on which a Cu film is to be formed is prepared; and a specific treatment is performed on the substrate so that a crystalline orientation of the surface of the base material of the substrate has a small lattice mismatch with the Cu film.

With the realization of high-speed semiconductor devices miniaturization of wiring patterns, Cu is attracting attention as a wiring material, for it has higher conductivity than aluminum as well as high electromigration tolerance. As a method for forming a Cu film, there has been known a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method of forming a Cu film on a substrate by a pyrolysis reaction of a source gas containing Cu or by a reduction reaction between the source gas containing Cu and a reducing gas. A Cu film formed by this CVD method is suitable for forming fine wiring patterns because it has high coverage as well as high infiltration in a deep and narrow pattern.
With regard to various thin film forming processes using the CVD method, there has been proposed increasing a substrate temperature as a method to improve a film forming rate (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2002-151488 (paragraphs 0002, 0003, etc.). However, if the temperature of the substrate is set to be high when a Cu film is formed, it would result in an agglutination of the Cu film.

Substrate treatment method and film forming method, film forming apparatus, and computer program


A network device may include a plug that couples with a socket to couple the network device to a PLC network. A position of the plug may be interchanged when the plug is coupled with the socket. In one example, the network device may determine a coupling orientation of the plug that indicates the position of the plug with respect to the socket. The plug includes a first plug terminal, a second plug terminal, a first ground plug terminal, and a second ground plug terminal. The network device may select a signal polarity for the plug based, at least in part, on the coupling orientation. The signal polarity indicates over which of the plug terminals data is to be transmitted for communication over the PLC network.

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein generally relate to the field of communications, and, more particularly, to switching polarity of a network device plug used in a powerline communication network.
Some network devices may communicate data over powerline communication networks. For example, a powerline communication (PLC) network carries data on PLC network conductors that are also used for alternating current (AC) power. A network device may include a plug that couples with a socket that is connected to the PLC network. The plug includes at least two plug terminals, a first plug terminal and a second plug terminal. The first plug terminal is coupled to a first plug connection of the network device. The second plug terminal is coupled to a second plug connection of the network device.
The socket also includes at least two terminals. When the plug is coupled with the socket, the first and second plug terminals each couple with line and neutral terminal of the socket. Some sockets and plugs may include three, four, or more separate terminals, including a protective earth (also referred to as ground) terminal. Some plugs may be capable of coupling with sockets in different coupling orientations. In a first coupling orientation, the first plug terminal may be coupled with the line socket terminal, and the second plug terminal may be coupled with the neutral socket terminal. However, in a second coupling orientation, the first plug terminal may instead be coupled with the neutral socket terminal, and the second plug terminal may instead be coupled with the line socket terminal. This results in interchanged first and second plug connections. Communication issues may arise when data is transmitted over the interchanged first and second plug connections.

Switching signal polarity of a network device plug for use in a powerline communication network


A carrying case for transporting personal hygiene products includes at least one chamber having a pivotal door and including a first section having at least one divider for adjusting a length of the section. The door includes a first portion formed from opaque material and a second portion formed from transparent material and the chamber includes a second section oppositely spaced from the first section. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention includes a compartment for lip liners. In another embodiment, the present invention includes a lid formed from reflective material for assisting a user to in applying makeup.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a cosmetic case and, more particularly, to a transparent portable lipstick carrying case that may be used to carry multiple tubes of lipstick.
2. Prior Art
The use of cosmetic cases is known in the prior art. More specifically, cosmetic cases heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of holding cosmetics are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs, which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, a lipstick case for containing a plurality of tubes of lipstick to organize and effectively protect the lipstick while being carried in a handbag is hard to come by.
In general, lipstick and mascara are encased in similar stick-type cases of similar sizes. Therefore, when a number of these stick-type case-encased cosmetics are put individually in a pocketbook, it is difficult and troublesome to find a particular cosmetic among the others. The plastic cosmetic bag cannot hold the cosmetic cases in organized manner, and moreover, is not convenient to handle since it is flexible. The plastic box enables the cosmetic tubes or cases to be arranged neatly, however, is not convenient to handle either since such a box serves not only as a container for lipstick tubes but also as a cap for the lipstick tubes. More specifically, almost the entire lipstick tube must be inserted into the box in order to put each of the tubes in the box, while the lipstick tube must be pulled out in order to take each of the tubes out of the box.
Holders for cosmetic sticks such as lipsticks or similar soft solid materials formed by molding or extrusion frequently have transparent covers, and are constructed so that the tip of the lipstick will be visible through the transparent cover, even when the lipstick is fully retracted into the holder. This is accomplished by locating the elevator cup holding the lipstick at a predetermined height in the holder. While such design permits display of the lipstick being used and enables the user to see the actual color without having to remove the cover, it is sometimes the situation that the true color is not as clearly seen as would be desired.
Accordingly, a need remains for a transparent portable lipstick carrying case that holds multiple tubes of lipstick and overcomes the above-noted shortcomings.


Methods and systems for ordering blades in a rotatable machine is provided. The method includes receiving at least one geometric parameter measurement of each blade in a row of blades, determining a root sum squared value of a difference of a selected one of the received geometric parameter measurements between adjacent blades in the row of blades, determining a vector sum of a selected other one of the received geometric parameter measurements, determining a moment weight vector sum of each blade to be positioned on the rotor, and determining, using a computer, a sequence map of each blade using the root sum squared value of the difference of the geometric parameter measurement between adjacent blades in the row of blades, the vector sum of a selected other one of the received geometric parameter measurements, and the moment weight vector sum.

This invention relates generally to gas turbine engines and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for ordering blades in rotatable machines.
Gas turbines are used in different operating environments, such as, to provide propulsion for aircraft and/or to produce power in both land-based and sea-borne power systems. At least some known gas turbine engines include a core engine having, in serial flow arrangement, a fan assembly and a high pressure compressor that compress airflow entering the engine. A combustor ignites a fuel-air mixture that is then channeled through a turbine nozzle assembly towards high and low pressure turbines. The turbines each include a plurality of rotor blades that extract rotational energy from airflow exiting the combustor.
At least some known turbofan gas turbine engines include a fan assembly that includes a plurality of fan blades extending radially outwardly therefrom. During normal operation, gas turbine engines may experience high rotational speeds, and any imbalance of the rotor may induce vibrational stresses to the rotor and/or rotor bearings and/or support structures. Over time, continued operation with such stresses may lead to premature failure of the bearings, bearing support structure, and/or rotor components.
Moreover, at least some known commercial jet engine fans operate with a relative blade tip Mach number in the transonic regime and may be subject to an operating characteristic called multiple-pure-tone (MPT) noise, or buzzsaw noise. Such noise may occur if at least some blades are oriented differently relative to other blades extending around the circumference of the fan case. Moreover, such noise may occur if blade-to-blade geometry variations exist within the fan. As a result, variations may exist within the fan assembly in the amplitude (strength) and/or spacing of the shockwaves originating from those portions of the blades that have sonic or supersonic velocities. Specifically, at axial locations close to the fan blades, the noise due to the shock waves is generally at multiples of the fan shaft per revolution frequency, which is the frequency with which one point on the shaft passes any particular fixed point as it rotates.
Shock waves of different strengths may propagate at different speeds. Accordingly, as the shock waves travel away from the blades, the noise at a blade passing frequency degenerates into a broad spectrum of lower frequency tones as the shock waves merge with each other. Buzzsaw noise may be an issue with passenger annoyance and comfort, and may also adversely affect community noise levels.
To facilitate minimizing imbalance and multiple pure tone noise of the fan during operation, at least some known fan assemblies are assembled in a controlled manner. For example, one control that may be used in assembling fan rotors involves mapping each fan blade into specific slots in the fan base. Within other known fan assemblies, a moment weight of each fan blade is determined and is used to map each blade into specific fan base slots. However, because the geometry of adjacent blades may be different, during operation, a rotor may still experience a shift in balance and/or pure tone noise associated with the moment weight of each blade and/or due to different aerodynamic loading between blades.

Methods and apparatus for assembling rotatable machines


A non-diagnostic, stereoscopic x-ray tracking apparatus and method for tracking moving objects in the context of radiotherapy and radiosurgery includes using two x-ray tubes to alternately and repeatedly record x-ray images of an object along two different viewing lines through the target area of an irradiating apparatus. The viewing lines intersect at a known angle, wherein an extrapolated object trajectory is ascertained by determining surfaces and intersecting points. Further, a minimum transversal from the object trajectory onto a current viewing line is ascertained, wherein the three-dimensional position of the tracked object is approximated at the point at which the object trajectory meets the viewing line.

Real-time x-ray tracking of moving targets, for example implanted tracking markers, is known in principle in the context of radiotherapy and/or radiosurgery. Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,223 describes a method and apparatus for selectively irradiating a target within a patient, wherein images of the target area and of a marker implanted in its vicinity are repeatedly taken using two x-ray image recording systems arranged at an angle to each other. The data obtained can be used to establish, in real time, where the marker and therefore the target area is actually situated at each point in time. This is particularly important for targets or target areas which move (for example movement of the target area with movement of the patient due to the patient's breathing). In this method, both x-ray image detecting units are actuated at the same time or substantially the same time. As a result, the two viewing lines for a moving object intersect in three-dimensional space at the same time and can be used to determine the detected position of the marker and/or target area for a particular point in time.
Given the high scanning rates used, which are necessary to precisely track the movement, such systems expose the patient to a relatively high radiation load when both x-ray systems are respectively activated at the same time.

Non-diagnostic stereoscopic x-ray tracking of moving objects in the context of radiotherapy and radiosurgery, with time-offset image recording


An apparatus for consolidating fiber-reinforced resin material comprises a housing, comprising a barrel and a receptacle. The receptacle comprises a base, a lid, positionable relative to the base and relative to the barrel such that the housing is in an open state or a closed state, and a de-gassing port. The apparatus comprises a gasket that is in contact with the lid, the base, and the barrel when the housing is in the closed state. The apparatus comprises a piston, movable between a retracted position, in which the piston, in its entirety, is in the barrel, and an extended position, in which a portion of the piston is in the receptacle and another portion of the piston is in the barrel. The apparatus comprises a seal, which is in contact with the piston and the barrel, and a drive system, configured to control movement of the piston.

During assembly of a structure, such as an aircraft or a component thereof, fiber-reinforced resin material is often deposited onto a surface of the structure. One technique for depositing the fiber-reinforced resin material is to extrude the fiber-reinforced resin material. However, prior to extrusion, the fiber-reinforced resin material may have internal air-pockets that result in the extruded fiber-reinforced resin material having an undesirably high porosity for some applications.

Apparatuses and methods for consolidating fiber-reinforced resin material


A calibration circuit for calibrating a device to be calibrated includes a variable current generator, a device under test and a control unit. The variable current generator is coupled to a first node of a reference voltage and configured to generate a variable current responsive to variations of the reference voltage. The device under test is a copy of at least one portion of the device to be calibrated, and coupled to the variable current generator to derive, at a second node, a voltage dependent on the variable current. The control unit is coupled to the second node to receive the derived voltage and configured to compare the derived voltage with the reference voltage and to generate, based on a comparison result, at least one calibration signal for adjusting an adjustable electrical parameter of the device under test and the device to be calibrated.

Various electronic devices are configured to operate under predetermined and/or optimal operating conditions. The operation of an electronic device is likely affected by a number of factors, such as temperature, operating voltage, etc., especially when the electronic device has complex circuitry and/or operates at high frequency. A calibration circuit is used to calibrate an electronic device and the output of the calibration circuit is used to bring the electronic device toward the predetermined and/or optimal operating conditions under which the electronic device operates as intended.

Calibration circuit, integrated circuit having calibration circuit, and calibration method

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.


Methods and systems for determining elevator car locations are provided. Aspects includes a sensor affixed to a moving component of an elevator system, wherein the sensor is operated by a controller and wherein the controller is configured to determine that the elevator car is in motion based at least in part on the sensor. A direction of the elevator car is determined while the elevator car is in motion based at least in part on the sensor. Sensor data associated with the elevator car is collected while the elevator car is in motion, wherein the sensor data includes a travel time while the elevator car is in motion. Elevator car travel data is accessed from a travel time profile associated with the elevator car and the travel time is compared to the elevator car travel data to determine a location of the elevator car in a hoistway.

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to elevator systems and, more particularly, to floor mapping using elevator sensors.
Elevator systems typically operate with a variety of sensors that are utilized to determine the position of an elevator car within a hoistway. At the same time, sensor data can be collected to predict maintenance needs and any changes to operating conditions. Sensor data collected from a variety of sensors is most useful when tied to a location of the elevator car within a hoistway.


A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel system, a valve train, and a fuel injector including a cam actuated plunger. The fuel injector has a noise suppressor fluidly connecting a plunger cavity to each of a spill passage and a nozzle supply passage in the fuel injector. The noise suppressor has an inlet configuration forming a fuel admission flow area to the plunger cavity, and an outlet configuration forming a fuel discharge flow area. The fuel discharge flow area is smaller than the fuel admission flow area, and the noise suppressor adjusts to the outlet configuration to throttle discharging of fuel from the plunger cavity to limit valve train noise.

A wide variety of fuel systems are well known and widely used in modern internal combustion engines. In some instances, fuel is pressurized for injection in a so-called common rail that stores a reservoir of pressurized fuel that is delivered to individual fuel injectors, typically in fluid communication directly with combustion cylinders in the engine. In other designs mechanical unit injectors each include a cam actuated plunger that pressurizes fuel for injection by one of a plurality of fuel injectors in the engine, or in some instances each plunger charges a pressure accumulator that stores pressurized fuel for less than all of the fuel injectors in the engine. Both types of systems have certain advantages and disadvantages.
In the case of mechanically actuated unit injectors the fuel system, and in particular the valve train, can be a significant source of undesirable engine noise. Depending upon jurisdictional requirements and variations engine to engine, noise produced by the engine can range from a relatively minor annoyance to an operating property that has to be managed. Specialized parts in the nature of ground gears, viscous dampers, and expensive noise panels can be required to reduce engine noise to acceptable levels. The use of such noise management equipment can add not only expense but also complexity, weight, packaging issues and other undesired properties to the engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,189 to Coldren et al. is directed to a method of reducing noise in a mechanically actuated fuel injection system. The strategy proposed by Coldren et al. employs a flow restriction between a fuel pressurization chamber of the fuel injector and a fuel source, ostensibly for the purpose of limiting momentum of fuel exiting the fuel injector past a spill valve. Sufficient momentum of such exiting fuel can produce physical separation followed by rapid reengagement of cooperating engine components. Coldren et al. indicates sufficient contact force can be maintained between the various engine components to reduce the mechanical noise levels. The strategy set forth in Coldren et al. appears to have applications for certain sources of excessive engine noise, however, there is always room for improvement and advancements in this field.

Fuel injector and fuel system with valve train noise suppressor


Methods and compositions for preventing high density well completion fluid loss are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing a high density cross-linked aqueous gelled composition having the rigidity required to resist entry into a permeable subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, placing the high density cross-linked aqueous gelled composition in the portion of the well bore within the permeable subterranean formation and placing a high density completion fluid in the well bore behind the high density cross-linked gelled composition.

1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing the loss of high density completion fluids used in completing wells.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
In drilling a well bore penetrating one or more subterranean formations, a drilling fluid is generally circulated through the well bore to provide hydrostatic pressure in the well bore, remove cuttings therefrom, lubricate the drill bit, etc. Most drilling fluids are comprised of water containing a viscosity increasing material and a weighting material such as barite for increasing the density thereof. A variety of additives are also commonly included in drilling fluids to impart desired properties thereto such as low fluid loss and the like.
After the well bore penetrates a permeable subterranean formation containing hydrocarbons, casing is often cemented in the well bore and perforations are formed therein which extend from the well bore through the casing and cement into the hydrocarbon containing formation. Thereafter additional well completion operations can be carried out in the well bore such as the installation of a prepacked screen or other screening device, the formation of a gravel pack, etc.
In order to prevent damage to the permeable hydrocarbon containing formation, prior to perforating the formation the drilling fluid in the well bore is often replaced with a completion fluid comprised of a non-damaging aqueous salt solution which does not contain insoluble solids. When the producing formation penetrated by the well bore contains fluids under high pressure, the completion fluid utilized must have a very high density, i.e., a density up to about 21.5 pounds per gallon to prevent the pressurized fluids from blowing out the well bore. Typically, the completion fluid is an aqueous solution of one or more salts such as potassium chloride, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium bromide, calcium bromide, zinc chloride and zinc bromide. The cost of a high density aqueous solution of such a salt or salts is very high, and as a result, after being used the completion fluid is recovered, filtered and reused. However, during the use of a high density completion fluid in a well being completed, portions of the completion fluid can and very often are lost into the permeable formation penetrated by the well bore. While such fluid loss has been reduced through the use of various fluid loss control additives known to those skilled in the art, portions of the completion fluid are still often lost, particularly during gravel packing and other similar procedures.
Thus, there is a need for methods and compositions for preventing the loss of high density well completion fluids.


Technologies are presented for providing circularly polarized antenna topologies based on multiple bent-dipole elements over a ground plane configuration. In some examples, Moxon based cross radiating elements may be fed through a hybrid 90° quadrature coupler. The radiating element may be widened and tapered relative to a standard bent-dipole configuration forming bow tie structures with approximately 90° bends to achieve broadband operation. The tapered branches may be split into two sub-branches and the bend angle increased to further increase bandwidth and gain of the antenna.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Wide band needs of modern communication applications on airborne and ground platforms at high frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF), and ultra-high frequency (UHF) bands result in desired antenna specifications such as high forward gain, low cross-polarization, low back lobe radiation, compact size, and low cost. Some widely used SATCOM antennas in the UHF band include, for example, the eggbeater antenna including two cross circular loop antennas coupled to a hybrid quadrature coupler.
In Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) mobile applications, an RFID reader antenna needs to have high performance including a broadband operation, circular polarization, and a large angular coverage from horizon to zenith. For systems at RFID frequencies (e.g., 900 MHz range), wavelength may be on the order of one third to one quarter of a meter and conventional antennas may be physically too large for commercial use. In GPS applications, antennas need to have precise narrow band performance at specific frequency bands (e.g., L1 and L2 bands).

Broadband circularly polarized bent-dipole based antennas


A method of operating an audio entertainment system in a vehicle includes detecting an operating parameter of the vehicle. A sensor signal corresponding to the detected operating parameter is transmitted. Music that is audibly produced within the vehicle is musically modified dependent upon the sensor signal.

1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to entertainment systems for use in vehicles, and, more particularly, to methods of controlling the output of such entertainment systems.
2. Description of the Related Art.
Entertainment systems in motor vehicles are known to operate independently of the operation and functions of the remainder of the vehicle. User inputs may be used to select the content of the output of the entertainment system, but it is not known for user inputs to be used to modify the content of the output of the entertainment system. There are existing automatic noise cancellation (ANC) systems that reduce background noise. There are also automatic volume control (AVC) systems that maintain a constant sound pressure level (i.e., volume) based on the engine RPM or speed. However, entertainment systems today are otherwise not interactive and are largely unaware of the vehicle running status. Nor do current entertainment systems synthesize music.

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America


A structural member comprises a main body formed from a cellular material. The structural member may be a casing for a rotary assembly e.g. a fan of a gas turbine engine. The main body may incorporate strengthening ribs and conduits and may have a random or graduated arrangement of different sized cells forming the cellular material. A recess may be defined on the radially inner face of the main body to receive an abradable material suitable for forming a seal with the blades of the fan.

Certain constructions of gas turbine engine are provided with a fan in the forward portion of the engine. A casing surrounds the fan and is required to perform several functions, namely to reduce the noise from the fan, to perform blade containment in the event of a failure of one or more of the blades, to support accessories mounted on the fan and to provide sealing for the airflow through the fan.