An apparatus for detecting imbalance abnormality in an air-fuel ratio between cylinders in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes an imbalance determining unit programmed to determine imbalance in an air-fuel ratio of a first cylinder belonging to a cylinder group based upon a difference value between an index value correlative with a crank angular speed detected in the first cylinder and an index value correlative with a crank angular speed detected in a second cylinder belonging to another cylinder group, and further a correction unit programmed to correct the difference value for the first cylinder based upon the index value detected in at least one of other cylinders belonging to the same cylinder group as that of the first cylinder.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting imbalance abnormality in an air-fuel ratio between cylinders in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, and particularly, to those that can be suitably applied to an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinder groups.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust purifying system using a catalyst, for highly efficiently performing purification of harmful substances in an exhaust gas by the catalyst, it is fundamental to control a mixing ratio of air and fuel in a mixture to be burned in the internal combustion engine, that is, an air-fuel ratio. For controlling such an air-fuel ratio, an air-fuel ratio sensor is provided in an exhaust passage in the internal combustion engine, and feedback control is performed in such a manner as to make the air-fuel ratio detected by the air-fuel ratio sensor be equal to a predetermined target air-fuel ratio.
On the other hand, since the air-fuel ratio control is usually performed applying the same control amount to each of all the cylinders or each bank in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, an actual air-fuel ratio may vary between cylinders even if the air-fuel ratio control is performed. When the degree of the imbalance is small at this time, the imbalance can be absorbed by the air-fuel ratio feedback control and the harmful substances in the exhaust gas can be purified also in the catalyst, and the imbalance has no adverse influence on exhaust emissions and raises no particular problem.
However, when the air-fuel ratio varies largely between the cylinders due to a failure of a fuel injection system in a part of the cylinders, the exhaust emission is deteriorated, thus raising a problem. It is desirable to detect the imbalance in the air-fuel ratio as large as to thus deteriorate the exhaust emission, regarding it as imbalance abnormality. Particularly in a case of an internal combustion engine for an automobile, for beforehand preventing a travel of a vehicle in which the exhaust emission has deteriorated, it is requested to detect the imbalance abnormality in the air-fuel ratio between the cylinders on board (so-called OBD; On-Board Diagnostics), and there is recently a movement of legalizing such on-board detection.
For example, in an apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-112244, a variation parameter representative of the degree of unevenness in variations of a rotation speed of an output shaft in an internal combustion engine is detected, and when it exceeds a predetermined reference value, it is determined that abnormality occurs. Examples of the variation parameter include a rotation speed of the output shaft or a value as a difference in time required for rotation of a predetermined crank angle between neighboring cylinders in ignition order.
In an apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-011246, a difference in a variation parameter between at least one set of opposing cylinders that are different by 360 degrees in ignition timing from each other is used to determine imbalance abnormality. According to this configuration, it is possible to restrict a measurement error due to product variations in a timing rotor fixed on an output shaft (crankshaft), particularly due to variations in a rotational position of a number of projections formed on a timing rotor peripheral surface.
Incidentally in the internal combustion engine having a plurality of banks as in the case of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-011246, even if variations occur in the rotation speed of the output shaft between the opposing cylinders that are different by 360 degrees in ignition timing from each other, in a case where a rotation speed of the output shaft in each cylinder inside each of banks in which the opposing cylinders are disposed is balanced, even in a case where air-fuel ratio feedback control is performed in each bank, an air-fuel ratio of each cylinder in the bank does not deviate largely from a target value, so that deterioration of exhaust emissions is not generated substantially. However, although the deterioration of the exhaust emissions is not substantially generated in such a case, due to variations that occur in the rotation speed of the output shaft between the opposing cylinders that are different by 360 degrees in ignition timing from each other, the variation results in being detected as abnormality.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for detecting imbalance abnormality in an air-fuel ratio between the cylinders in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine provided with a plurality of cylinder groups configured with a plurality of the cylinders, comprising an imbalance determining unit configured to determine imbalance of an air-fuel ratio of a first cylinder belonging to a cylinder group based upon a difference value between an index value correlative with a crank angular speed detected in the first cylinder and an index value correlative with a crank angular speed detected in a second cylinder belonging to another cylinder group, for restricting determination of the imbalance abnormality in a case where a torque difference exists between the cylinder groups but an index value of each cylinder inside the same cylinder group is equalized.

Apparatus for detecting imbalance abnormality in air-fuel ratio between cylinders in multi-cylinder internal combustion engine


A cutting assembly comprising a drive arm assembly and knife head assembly for a header of a plant-cutting machine is disclosed. The drive arm assembly generally includes a drive unit connected to a pivotable drive member and a bearing element with a rounded head. The knife head assembly generally includes a mounting bar and a clamping portion that collectively form a cavity for receiving the bearing element and forming a pivot joint. The knife head assembly is attached to a cutter bar such that the operation of the drive unit causes the cutter bar to have substantially linear motion by way of the pivot joint.

Cutting assemblies of large headers of plant cutting machines are typically driven either from near the center of the header or from an end of the header by an oscillating drive. Both a center driven and a side driven header have advantages and disadvantages over the other.
In the case of a side driven header, i.e. a header having a driver located in one of the sides of the header, an advantageous aspect is that the driver does not obstruct or interfere with how plants are cut. However, a disadvantageous aspect is that the weight of the oscillating drive is concentrated at the end of the header. Because the weight is distally concentrated, the structure of the header must be reinforced to properly accommodate this stress. Additionally, relatively long drive lines are generally required to establish a connection between the oscillating drive and the power source, such as a combine attached to the header, the connections of which are more proximate to the center of the header.
While a center driven header may rectify some of the disadvantages of a side driven header such as the weight distribution, a more prevalent problem presents itself. Specifically, the use of a center driven header typically requires an assembly extending up above and connected to the cutter assemblies. Consequently, the space for collecting cut plants must also rise which creates inefficiencies, increases the moment of forces and waste.
Additionally, a problem that exists between both a side driven and a center driven header is the connecting mechanism between the cutter assembly and the driver. As a plant cutting machine is operated, it travels over great distances on non-planar ground. Therefore, the connecting mechanism should preferably be able to accommodate the shift in ground level as the plant-cutting machine is operated, however, a rigid construction creates unnecessary stress on the assembly, thereby reducing its life expectancy and efficiency.
Accordingly, what is sought is a cutting assembly that is efficiently removable and is compatible with a drive mounted proximate the center of the header and that increases efficiency with space claims above the cutter assembly. When the disclosed invention is used in combination with such a drive, the invention overcomes one or more of the disadvantages referenced above by providing more flexibility with space issues and connections at the cutter assembly to driver connection.

Cutting assembly for a plant cutting machine


Infra-red light from an emitter is directed through a glass slide to an area on which a solid substance is located. Light reflected from the undersurface of the solid substance is received by a receiver. The substance is heated by a strip heater. When the substance changes state, the amount of reflected light arriving at the receiver varies, and information coming from an electronic thermometer records the temperature at which the change of state has occurred.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for determining the temperature at which a substance changes state and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with determining the melting point of a substance.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
A prior method of determining the melting point of a substance comprises emitting light from a source and directing that light at a solid substance. A photocell is located on the other side of the substance to receive any light transmitted through the substance. The substance is then heated. Some melted substances allow more light to be transmitted therethrough when they are melted and the increase in light transmitted through the substance indicates the melting point temperature of the substance. However, some substances become frothy or are dark when they melt and thus there may be no light, or no change in light received by the photocell, or no such discernible change when the substance melts thereby rendering determination of the melting point impossible with this method. Furthermore, the substance is placed in a capillary tube prior to having light directed at it which is a difficult and messy operation to perform.
An alternative prior method of determining the melting point of a substance is shown in GB 2 202 941A (Fisons) in which light is emitted downwardly on to a solid sample which is being heated. When the sample becomes molten, light is no longer scattered by the sample but is instead reflected upwardly, and the change determined by the detector is used to indicate that the sample has melted. However, as the temperature of the heating block is continually rising, and as there is a delay between the time when the bottom of the sample melts and the time when the top surface melts, by the time the change in reflection is determined the temperature of the heating block will have risen slightly and the recorded melting temperature will not be the actual melting temperature. Furthermore, the location of the light source and light detector above the sample plate causes the source and detector to be in the way when the plate is loaded and unloaded, and the source and detector are exposed to the environment and any splashes or vapour rising from the sample thereby becoming dirty and impairing their function.

Determining the temperature at which a substance changes state


A seismic shut off valve includes a cripple column responsive to seismic movement. A toggle spring overlies the cripple column. Latch pins extend from the toggle spring into a valve body to hold a popper valve in an open position. During an earthquake, the cripple column buckles causing the toggle spring to bow upwardly under spring force exerted on the toggle spring through the latch pins from the popper valve. The latch pins release the poppet valve which shifts to seal against a valve seat in a valve body. A ball joint connecting the valve body and cripple column allow the cripple column to be vertically aligned despite use of the valve on a non-vertical pipe.

Seismic valves are valves which automatically close and shut off flow of natural gas or other media during and after an earthquake. If pipes or fittings are cracked or broken by an earthquake, a seismic valve can shut off flow and prevent leakage to reduce the threat of explosion and fire. Seismic valves typically have pendulums, balls or other inertial elements which undergo relative movement with respect to other valve components, during an earthquake, to close the valve.
A disadvantage of many seismic valves is that the entire valve unit has to be level for the valve to properly operate. Consequently, the pipe (e.g., a natural gas pipe) on which the seismic valve is installed must be vertical plumb. In addition, certain seismic valves may inadvertently reopen if the valve body is rotated much beyond 45.degree. from vertical, which rotation may occur when a building foundation collapses in an earthquake.
Certain seismic valves also have a large cover requiring a large seal area. In a fire, large seals can result in large gas leaks, an inherent potential safety problem. The large cover is also disadvantageously under media (e.g., gas) pressure when the valve is closed.
In various seismic valves, friction in pivot joints can cause tripping or closing of the valve at unintended seismic acceleration levels, i.e., the valve closes under unduly low levels of seismic shock and vibration, or it fails to close when it should at higher seismic movements. In addition, friction in pivoting or rotating joints in ball or plug type seismic valves may prevent complete closure of the valve. Certain prior art valves also incur relatively large pressure flow losses of gases or liquids through the valves, due to the valve configuration.


A wafer test device and methods of assembling a wafer test device involve a first laminate structure, and a second laminate structure arranged to interface with a microcircuit of the wafer. The wafer test device includes a compliant layer between the first laminate structure and the second laminate structure. The compliant layer includes an elastomer that exhibits compliance within a limited range of movement.

The present invention relates to wafer testing, and more specifically, to a compliant organic substrate assembly for rigid probes.
A wafer is a semiconductor layer used for the fabrication of integrated circuits. The wafer serves as a substrate for microcircuits of microelectronic devices that are built in and on the wafer and that make up the integrated circuits. During fabrication, wafer testing is performed to identify any functional defects in the microelectronic devices. A probe device that can be referred to as a wafer probe is used to perform automated testing. For electrical testing, a set of contacts or probes of the probe device are held in electrical contact with contact points or solder bumps of the microelectronic devices of each microcircuit in turn. Once testing is completed, individual integrated circuits are obtained through a process referred to as dicing. The dicing separates each microcircuit as a die which is then packaged as an integrated circuit.
Existing probe devices include those with vertical probes such as buckling beam needles, for example. The probe device, which can be referred to as a probe card, includes a large number of these needles with pointed or flat tips. As a load is applied to bring the probe card in contact with a microcircuit of the wafer, each of the needles flexes by an amount that is independent of the movement of the other needles. Each needle of the probe card contacts and deforms a corresponding solder bump of the microcircuit. The probe card provides an electrical path between the test system and a given microcircuit of the wafer. The wafer can be moved relative to the probe device to test each microcircuit in turn.
Another existing type of probe device is rigid. An array of rigid probes are mounted on a rigid substrate. The probes are generally copper and may be plated (e.g., nickel or gold plating). Unlike the compliant (i.e., individually flexing) vertical probes, the rigid probes are not limited in the power they can convey to the microelectronic devices of each microcircuit of the wafer. In addition, the cost of manufacturing a rigid probe device is relatively less than the cost of manufacturing a vertical probe card, for example. This is because the rigid probes, unlike the vertical probes, may be fabricated using photolithography. While rigid probes facilitate conveying more power than flexible vertical probes, the lack of deformation in any aspect of the probe device can create issues in coupling to non-uniform solder balls. The shape of solder balls is generally characterized by height, diameter, and volume (e.g., of tin). The tin height of solder balls is generally decreasing (e.g., from 55 micrometers (microns) to 17 microns), and contact points on the order of 20,000 to 30,000 solder balls may be present on a given microcircuit. Thus, any increased tolerance due to the shape of the solder balls can make achieving electrical contact with the complete set of solder balls of the microcircuit challenging.

Compliant organic substrate assembly for rigid probes

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


An electronic learning device configured to receive in a predetermined orientation a book having an arrangement of selectable mode icons, selectable content and a page identifier. Non-volatile memory in the electronic learning device has instructions associated with each mode icon, and data associated with the selectable content. A controller is in electrical communication with a page identification sensor and a position sensor for detecting the presence of a selector. The controller is configured a) to operate in accordance with instructions associated with each mode icon, b) to determine the position of the selector when the selector is within the active range of the position sensor, c) to recognize the page identifier, and a selection by the selector of one of the selectable mode icons, the selectable indicia or the selectable content and d) to send to the electronic user interface a signal associated with the selection.

The present invention relates to an electronic learning device for an interactive multi-sensory reading system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic learning device that is configured as a folding book and that allows a child to activate electronic speech, sound and lights by selecting words or images on the covers and pages of multi-page books removably insertable in a book recess area of the electronic learning device.
The typical electronic learning system comprises one or more books each of which has at least one area of selectable content, non-volatile memory having stored therein material associated with the selectable content, a sensor for identifying a specific selection made from the selectable content and a reader configured to produce an output based on the stored material in response to the selection. The selectable content can include letters, words, graphics and the like. The sensor for selecting the content is typically a stylus or a pressure sensitive switch underlying the selection and the output associated with the selection is typically an audio signal.
Typical interactive, electronic learning systems allow a child to activate electronic speech, sound and lights by pointing to words or images on the cover and pages of multi-page books. The principle components of the typical system are a hinged, book-like folding base unit housing system electronics, a library of books removably mountable in a book well in the base unit, and read only memory ("ROM") within the base unit or within cartridges removably insertable in the base unit having stored therein software associated with the content of the books.
The conventional hardware for the implementing the aforementioned systems is generally not user friendly as a hardwired stylus or difficult to press pressure sensitive switches are required to identify the page being viewed and to select the interactive content on the viewed page. Accordingly, the conventional hardware usually requires an unreasonable amount of assistance and instruction before a child can knowledgeably and properly use the system. For example, to identify a currently viewable page or to detect a page turn or to select an interactive content, a child is typically instructed to touch with a stylus a uniquely positioned page identification icon, such as a graphic having a particular geometric shape or an easily recognizable key word such as the word "Go" and then the desired object of interest on the page. The systems are error prone due to the positional certainty with which the pages of the book must be placed on the reader. The systems are also error prone due to user behavioral issues such as failure to select the page identification icon before interacting with a page or the turning of multiple pages at once or the partial turning of a page or the difficulty of manipulating a stylus. Accordingly, current methods for page identification and synchronization and selection of objects of interest on a page employed by conventional learning systems result in a large percentage of synchronization and selection errors.
A user friendly base unit designed for an easy to use electronic learning system, and more particularly for autonomous page identification and finger-based content selection, will significantly increase the value of conventional electronic reading aids and, through fun and engaging play, more enjoyably assist a child in developing literacy skills.

Electronic learning device for an interactive multi-sensory reading system


A system design support apparatus generates new user data on the basis of derived user data including: base user data reference information that is information specifying user data to be referred to; and information on an item changed from the user data specified by the base user data reference information and on changed contents. A system design support method includes a step of selecting user data to be used, a step of generating derived user data including: base user data reference information for specifying the selected user data to be used; and information on an item changed from the user data specified by the base user data reference information and on changed contents, and a step of generating new user data on the basis of the derived user data.

A programmable logic controller (hereinafter referred to as a PLC) has been used as a control device for industrial machines and the like. The PLC is composed of a base unit and a plurality of units disposed on the base unit. For example, the PLC is made up of various types of units combined suitably as needed such as a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the entire PLC, a CPU unit that manages the control of the entire PLC, a motion unit that controls a servo motor mounted to a drive unit of production equipment or facility equipment via a servo amplifier, an input unit that receives signals from a switch or a sensor mounted in an appropriate place of the production equipment or the facility equipment, an output unit that outputs control output to an actuator or the like, and a communication unit for connecting the PLC to a communication network.
To construct a system using a control device such as a PLC, a system design support apparatus provided outside the PLC has conventionally been used to edit user data such as programs and parameters and write the edited user data to each control device (Patent Literature 1). To newly construct a system similar to an existing system, user data created in the past has been copied once and then corrected suitably for use.

System design support apparatus and system design support method


A communication method comprises: starting, at time T1, searching for a first communication network and reading a first network parameter; terminating, at time T2, the searching for the first communication network; determining, when the first communication network has been found, whether the reading of the first network parameter has been completed, when completed, matching the first network parameter with the first communication network, and registering with the first communication network; when the first communication network has not been found or when the first network parameter does not match the first communication network, stopping the reading of the first network parameter and starting reading the second network parameter when the type of network corresponding to the network parameter is inconsistent with the first network parameter and after reading, searching for the second communication network based on the second network parameter and registering with the found second communication network.

Currently, a communication card, such as a User Identity Module (UIM) card, in a mobile terminal may include two sets of network parameters. One set of network parameters is used for communicating with one type of network, e.g., Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network parameters can be used for communicating with a CDMA network, and the other set of network parameters is used for communicating with another type of network, e.g., Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) network parameters can be used for communicating with a GSM network. When the mobile terminal is powered on and conducts network search, it has to complete reading of these two sets of parameters sequentially before starting searching the network. Thus, the time for network search is relatively long, which degrades user experience.

Communication method and electronic device


In a liquid crystal display module of edge light system, a periphery of a liquid crystal panel, a light guide plate and a reflective sheet are laid one upon another and surrounded by a case, and a lamp and a reflecting plate are disposed between an incidence surface of the light guide plate and a side of the case. A rear side of the module is not covered by the case. The reflecting plate is of a groove type that the lamp is held in the groove while an opening of the groove is opposed to the incidence surface. The case has an opening formed in a predetermined side of the case. The reflecting plate is insertable through the opening. The reflecting plate is slid from the opening while a reflecting plate bottom is in abutment against a side of the case, thereby being detachably attachable.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) module of the edge light system.
2. Description of the related art
Conventional LCD modules of the edge light system comprise a reflector 2 formed into a groove-shape so that a lamp with two sockets at both ends respectively is housed in the groove, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The reflector 2 is attached to a frame 3 after an opening of the groove has been aligned with an incidence surface of a light guide plate 1. A liquid crystal panel is disposed at the front side of the light guide plate 1, and a reflective sheet is disposed at the rear side of the light guide plate 1. A metal bezel having a rectangular opening is attached to the liquid crystal panel from a display surface side, thereby covering left, right, upper and lower ends of the display surface and the frame 3 side surface of the liquid crystal panel. The bezel is fastened onto the frame 3 side surface. Furthermore, the rear side of the LCD module is also covered with a plate.
Accordingly, when a lamp housed in the reflector 2 is replaced by a new one, screws are taken out so that the bezel and liquid crystal panel are detached, and then, the light guide plate 1 and reflector 2 need to be detached from the frame 3. More specifically, the LCD module needs to be completely disassembled for replacement of lamps.
The following are known techniques to cope with the aforesaid problem. JP-A-H10-339868 discloses a structure in which a reflector housing a lamp is provided with protrusions formed at a light emitting side and a light guide plate has engagement holes extending substantially perpendicularly to an incidence surface of the light guide plate. The protrusions are inserted into the respective engagement holes so that the reflector is held on the light guide plate. Furthermore, JP-A-H10-97806 and JP-A-H06-51293 each disclose structures in which a reflector is slid from a side opening of a LCD module so as to be detachably attachable.
However, the engagement holes are formed in the incidence surface of the light guide plate in the technique disclosed by JP-A-H10-339868. Accordingly, light incidence upon the light guide plate is reduced and there is a possibility that the incidence surface of the light guide plate may be damaged. In the technique disclosed by JP-A-H10-97806, the incidence surface of the light guide plate cannot be cleaned. In the technique disclosed by JP-A-H06-51293, the front of the sliding mechanism is opened and the rear of the sliding mechanism is covered by a holding case. Since such a sliding mechanism spoils the design of the module, the sliding mechanism is hidden from outside. As a result, a liquid crystal display device (LCD module) needs to be uninstalled from a base unit or apparatus in order that the incidence surface of the light guide plate may be cleaned.


A manufacturing method of a Ta sputtering target in which a Ta ingot or billet formed by melting and casting is subject to forging, annealing, rolling processing and the like to prepare a sputtering target, wherein the ingot or billet is forged and thereafter subject to recrystallization annealing at a temperature of 1373K to 1673K. As a result of improving and devising the forging process and heat treatment process, the crystal grain diameter can be made fine and uniform, and a method of stably manufacturing a Ta sputtering target superior in characteristics can be obtained thereby.

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a sputtering target in which a Ta ingot or billet formed by melting and casting is subject to forging, annealing, rolling processing and the like, and to a Ta sputtering target obtained thereby.
In recent years, the sputtering method for forming a film from materials such as metal or ceramics has been used in numerous fields such as electronics, corrosion resistant materials and ornaments, catalysts, as well as in the manufacture of cutting/grinding materials and abrasion resistant materials.
Although the sputtering method itself is a well-known method in the foregoing fields, recently, particularly in the electronics field, a Ta sputtering target suitable for forming films of complex shapes and forming circuits is in demand.
Generally, this Ta target is manufactured by hot forging and annealing (heat treatment) an ingot or billet formed by performing electron beam melting and casting a Ta material, and thereafter performing rolling and finishing processing (mechanical processing, polishing, etc.) thereto. Such hot forging and annealing can be repeated. In this kind of manufacturing procedure, the hot forging performed to the ingot or billet will destroy the cast structure, disperse or eliminate the pores and segregations, and, by further annealing this, recrystallization will occur, and the precision and strength of the structure can be improved.
In this kind of manufacturing method of a target, ordinarily, recrystallization annealing is performed at a temperature of roughly 1173K (900° C.). An example of a conventional manufacturing method is described below.
Foremost, the tantalum raw material is subject to electronic beam melting and thereafter cast to prepare an ingot or billet, and subsequently subject to cold forging—recrystallization annealing at 1173K—cold forging—recrystallization annealing at 1173K—cold rolling—recrystallization annealing at 1173K—finish processing to form a target material. In this manufacturing process of a Ta target, the melted and cast ingot or billet generally has a crystal grain diameter of 50 mm or more.
As a result of subjecting the ingot or billet to hot forging and recrystallization annealing, the cast structure is destroyed, and generally even and fine (100 μm or less) crystal grains can be obtained. Nevertheless, with the conventional forging and annealing manufacturing method, there is a problem in that a pattern in the form of wrinkles or streaks is formed from the center to the peripheral edge of the disk.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic of the target surface, and several to several ten black patterns have appeared. The micrograph of the structure of this portion of the crystal grains is shown in FIG. 3. Although there is no significant difference in the crystal grain diameter, heterophase crystal grains gathered in the form of wrinkles were observed in a part of the ordinary structure.
Generally, upon performing sputtering, finer and more uniform the crystals of the target, more even the deposition, and a film having stable characteristics with low generation of arcing and particles can be obtained.
Therefore, the existence of irregular crystal grains in the target that are generated during forging, rolling or the annealing to be performed thereafter will change the sputtering rate, and there is a problem in that evenness (uniformity) of the film will be affected, generation of arcing and particles will be promoted, and the quality of sputtered deposition may deteriorate thereby.
Further, if a forged product with stress remaining therein is used as is, the quality will deteriorate, and this must be avoided at all costs.
Accordingly, with the conventional forging and annealing process, there is a problem in that irregular crystal grains will be generated in the Ta sputtering target, and the quality of the film will deteriorate as a result thereof.

Ta sputtering target and method for preparation thereof


The technology disclosed relates to organizing network performance metrics into historical anomaly dependency data. In particular, it relates to calculating cascading failure relationships between correlated anomalies detected in a network. It also relates to illustrating to a network administrator causes of system failure by laying out the graph to show a progression over time of the cascading failures and identify root causes of the cascading failures. It also relates to ranking anomalies and anomaly clusters in the network based on attributes of the resources exhibiting anomalous performances and attributes of the anomalous performances. It further relates to depicting evolution of resource failures across a network by visually coding impacted resources and adjusting the visual coding over time and allowing replay over time to visualize propagation of anomalous performances among the impacted resource.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
The advent of cloud computing and on-line services has led to exponential growth in size and complexity of data centers. This has created unprecedented challenges for system management and monitoring. Given the scale and scope of such large data centers, network operators and monitoring tools are overwhelmed with monitoring and analyzing metrics across several thousand network layers and network elements. Currently, network operators and monitoring tools conduct much of the forensic examination when anomalous behaviors have already occurred by examining protocols or log files of past or recent running processes of the affected devices or applications.
It is therefore necessary to correlate, rank, and visualize these alarms, so as to take timely actions that maintain the service level agreements for the data centers. An opportunity arises to increase automation in network monitoring environments. Improved user experience and engagement and higher customer satisfaction and retention may result.

Organizing network performance metrics into historical anomaly dependency data


A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Rosetta’, characterized by its upright and broadly outwardly spreading plant habit; freely basal branching growth habit; freely flowering habit; pink-colored flowers with light pink-colored centers; and good garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Geranium, botanically known as Geranium wallichianum, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Rosetta'.
The new Geranium originated from a cross-pollination of the Geranium wallichianum cultivar Syabru, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with an unnamed selection of Geranium wallichianum, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Geranium was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled environment in Ede, The Netherlands in July, 2001.
Asexual reproduction of the new Geranium by terminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Zandvoort, The Netherlands since January, 2004, has shown that the unique features of this new Geranium are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


An exterior rearview mirror including a mirror mounting bracket for attachment to a vehicle, and at least one perimeter light with a light source arranged on a thermally conductive carrier (e.g. a printed circuit board) in thermally conductive connection with the mirror mounting bracket. The light source is preferably an LED.

Exterior rearview mirrors are known in which the mirror mounting bracket is provided with a perimeter light containing at least one lighting means. Such lighting means develop relatively intense heat which can lead to damage to the perimeter light and/or the exterior rearview mirror.
The object of the invention is to design an exterior rearview mirror of this type such that the heat generated by the lighting means has no adverse effects.
This object is attained in accordance with the invention in an exterior rearview mirror of the type of the present invention.

Mirror mounting bracket with illumination means


A mounting shaft for a car visor having a lighting fixture. The mounting shaft includes an inner L-shaped preform and an outer L-shaped supplementary body surrounding it. The preform and the supplementary body are plastic injection-molded parts. Two electric connecting wires and two contact pins are incorporated in the preform. The preform includes an end part to which the contact pins are attached by direct extrusion coating to be connectable to the lighting fixture. Two half shells are integrally formed on the end part and connected to it by two hinge connection. Each half shell includes an open cavity for receiving an electric wire and can be swung together to be fastened with the inclusion of the electric connecting wires.

The present invention relates to a mounting shaft for use in mounting a visor in a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a shaft for mounting a vehicle sun visor having a lighting fixture.
Federal Republic of Germany Application OS 39 16 560 discloses a mounting shaft of this type having a two part construction consisting of an inner insert and an outer supplementary body. Two insulated electric wires extend between the insert and the supplementary body. The insert has two longitudinal grooves which are open toward the outer surface of the insert and extend over its entire length. A contact pin and an electric wire connected with the pin are contained in each longitudinal groove. The manufacture of this known mounting shaft has certain disadvantages. It is possible that the electric wires will be forced out of the longitudinal grooves by the extrusion pressure upon molding the supplementary body around the insert, and that the wires will therefore be pressed against the wall of the mold cavity. In such a case the electric wires could be visible on the outside of the mounting shaft, which, of course, is undesirable.
In another mounting shaft, shown in Federal Republic of Germany Application OS 39 32 808, the shaft is developed as a plastic extrusion with a circuit board having electrically conductive paths incorporated in it. This is done by extrusion coating the free ends of the board extending out of the end of the mounting shaft. This approach requires the manufacture of a circuit board which is presently too expensive.

Mounting shaft for a visor having a lighting fixture


A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and network traffic management apparatus that receives an authentication request from a user of a client computing device, the request comprising credentials for the user. A connection is established with a selected one of a plurality of active directory servers using a stored Internet Protocol (IP) address for the selected active directory server. At least a portion of a fully qualified domain name of the selected active directory server is received in response to an anonymous lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) query sent to the selected active directory server using the established connection. The user of the client computing device is authenticated using the at least a portion of the fully qualified domain name and the credentials.

Network resource utilization and traffic distribution in a network environment can be optimized using an intermediary network traffic management apparatus configured to communicate with client computing devices and content and/or service providers, such as one or more server computing devices. A network traffic management apparatus can be utilized to receive requests from client computing devices and communicate with the server computing devices to open connections that can be utilized to service the requests. Network traffic management apparatuses can be used in an asymmetric deployment, and disposed proximate either the client computing devices or server computing devices, or in a symmetric deployment, and disposed proximate both the client and server computing devices.
In one asymmetric deployment, a network traffic management apparatus is disposed proximate the server computing devices, such as between the server computing devices connected to a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet. In such a deployment, the network traffic management apparatus can perform a variety of functions including enforcing network security policies by facilitating authentication and authorization services. These services can be provided by one or more domain controllers or active directory servers (referred to herein as "active directory servers") in communication with the network traffic management apparatus.
The active directory servers can be managed by a domain name service (DNS) server that monitors the health of the active directory servers and responds to requests from the network traffic management apparatus for the Internet Protocol (IP) address of an active directory server that can provide the appropriate security services. However, reliance by the network traffic management apparatus on the DNS server for such functionality is not desirable because the DNS server is a single point of failure, the round trip communications with the DNS server are expensive, and the DNS server is relatively less efficient at implementing server health monitoring and selection functionality.

Methods for providing secure access to network resources and devices thereof


An absorbent article includes at least one liquid-permeable layer material (105) and an absorbent structure (106), the absorbent structure (106) having the ability to expand on wetting, which entails that the absorbent structure (106) displays a first volume in dry condition and a second volume in completely expanded wet condition, the second volume being greater than the first volume. The liquid-permeable layer material (105) encloses the absorbent structure (106) so that the absorbent structure (106) is prevented from reaching complete expansion during wetting.

Absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence protectors and sanitary napkins are intended to receive and absorb body fluids such as urine and menstrual fluid. Of course, articles with different forms and sizes exist depending on the area of use and the amount of fluid the article must be able to absorb. For example, diapers for heavily incontinent adults are considerably larger and have greater absorption capacity than diapers for babies. Furthermore, in addition to the requirements for sufficient absorption capacity and leakage security, there is also a requirement that the diaper be comfortable to wear. For adult users it is also important that the articles are discreet and can be worn without being noticed under normal clothing. A further important criterion for absorbent articles intended for single use is that they do not take up too much space during storage, transport and in the package bought by the consumer.
In order to obtain a sanitary napkin which has a good fit, it is known to produce articles with a three-dimensionally formed, anatomically adapted form. Absorbent articles which comprise shape-stable stiff members are described in SEA-9604223-9 and SE-A-9604221-3. The shape-stabilising members, or forming members, are three-dimensionally formed members constructed from materials which resist wrinkling or flattening when they are subjected to forces from the user's body, for example when the user walks or sits on the article. Although the three-dimensional shape solves the problem of obtaining a good fit during use of the absorbent articles, three-dimensional absorbent articles entail considerable difficulties during manufacturing and storage. Three-dimensional parts are difficult to handle in a manufacturing process, for example when they have to be assembled to make an absorbent article.
EP 0 834 296 A1 concerns an absorbent article which is flat in dry condition but which expands on wetting to a pre-determined, three-dimensional profile. The absorbent article has an expanded layer, preferably a foam of regenerated cellulose, i.e. viscose foam. Furthermore, the absorbent article has a liquid-permeable surface material. The liquid-permeable surface material has pleats in dry condition, which pleats unfold on wetting so that the expanding layer can swell to several times its dry volume. However, a problem with such an article is that viscose foams are very soft after being wetted. A further problem with the known article is that viscose foams have an insufficient liquid-retaining ability.

Absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable material layer


A printed circuit board comprises a board main body, a sensor, an external connection pad, and a hollow-structured electrical conductor. The board main body has a top face and a bottom face opposite the top face. The sensor is mounted on one of the top face and the bottom face of the board main body. The external connection pad is provided on the top face or the bottom face of the board main body opposite the sensor. The hollow-structured electrical conductor extends through the board main body and electrically connects the sensor to the external connection pad.

Many different types of electronic equipment include a printed circuit board on which an Integrated Circuit ("IC") chip, a capacitor, and the like, are disposed. Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-008184A, for example, discloses a printed circuit board having a pair of first pads 2a, 2b disposed at a predetermined interval and a pair of second pads 2c, 2d provided between the first pads 2a, 2b. The pair of second pads 2c, 2d allow excessive solder overflowing from the pair of pads 2a, 2b to adhere thereto, preventing a solder ball from being formed.
A printed circuit board is required to undergo processing for operation of the IC chip, such as programming, and/or an inspection to determine whether it operates properly for the IC chip. Such an inspection is conventionally performed after the printed circuit board is loaded in a housing, such as a package. Consequently, when the printed circuit board is found to be defective, it has to be discarded together with the housing, which is wasteful and increases costs.


A voltage at an output end of a switch of an electric vehicle supply equipment is detected before charging an electric vehicle. An earth leakage circuit breaker is tripped for cutting off power inputted to the switch and preventing the output end from outputting the power when the voltage is higher than a first predetermined value. The switch is turned on for outputting the power from the output end to charge the electric vehicle when the voltage is lower than the first predetermined value. A current is detected at the output end. Power inputted to the switch is cut off for preventing the output end from outputting the power when the current is higher than a second predetermined value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to an electric vehicle supply equipment control method, and more particularly, to a method that prevents fail-to-danger scenario of the electric vehicle supply equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is diagram illustrating a prior art electric vehicle supply equipment 100. The electric vehicle supply equipment 100 may include a switch 102, a relay 104, a relay controller 106, a controller 108, a current detector 110, and a communication unit 112. The relay 104 is used to control turning the switch 102 on and off. An input end of the switch 102 is coupled to an AC power source 122 and an output end of the switch 102 is coupled to a connector 120 for connecting to an electric vehicle. The AC power source 122 may be 110 VAC, 220 VAC, or other commonly used utility AC power source voltages. The electric vehicle supply equipment 100 may communicate with the electric vehicle via the communication unit 112 so that the communication unit 112 may verify that the connector 120 has been connected to the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle is ready to be charged by utilizing a control pilot signal CP and a proximity pilot signal PP of the electric vehicle supply equipment communication protocol. Next, the communication unit 112 may inform the controller 108 to output a control signal for controlling the relay controller 106 to turn on the relay 104 in order to turn on the switch 102 by the relay 104. After the switch 102 has been turned on, the AC power source 122 may be outputted to the connector 120 of the switch 102, which is connected to the electric vehicle, and begins to charge the electric vehicle.
The current detector 110 is utilized as a protection mechanism of the electric vehicle supply equipment 100. If a current outputted to the electric vehicle is higher than a predetermined value, the controller 108 controls the relay controller 106 for cutting off the switch 102 to avoid danger. However, if at least one of power components such as the switch 102, the relay 104, or the relay controller 106 of the electric vehicle supply equipment 100 fails, such as an abnormal short circuit happens, the aforementioned protection mechanism may not provide proper protection to prevent danger from happening. For example, if the switch 102 is short circuited, the AC power source 122 may deliver power to the connector 120 before the connection condition between the connector 120 and the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle's charge condition are confirmed by the communication unit 112, resulting in a fail-to-danger scenario.
Therefore, the switch 102, the relay 104, and other power components of the electric vehicle supply equipment 100 must be selected from components having safety levels higher than specific levels of SIL safety approval such as SIL2 or SIL3. Due to the fact that components meeting these levels of approval are expensive and difficult to purchase, it is the scope of the present invention to improve the protection mechanism of the electric vehicle supply equipment so as to meet the specific levels of SIL safety approval by using components with lower cost which are also easy to purchase.

Electric vehicle supply equipment and control method thereof


A structure of gas regulator comprises a space for setting an intake switchover valve formed at an outer end of a high-pressure portion and interconnected with the inside of the high-pressure portion. A pushing block is outside a diaphragm, and an elastic element is set between the pushing block and a flange at the periphery of an inner end of the pushing block. A support base outside the pushing block is abutted the elastic element and comprises an extending section extended from an inner end thereof and corresponding to the outer periphery of the elastic element and a through-hole corresponding to the pushing block. A display diaphragm with a center slot is outside the support base. A cover covered the space has a transparent side display window at the periphery thereof and a transparent outer display window at an outer end thereof.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates a structure of gas regulator. More particularly, the status of gas transportation can be showed by the gas regulator, and the connection of the high-pressure portion and the low-pressure portion is avoided deforming and loosing, achieving that the effects of the gas regulator in all use are promoted.
Description of Related Art
A general gas regulator is disclosed as shown in the Taiwan Patent application with the Issued No. 154178 "AUTOMATIC CHANGEOVER GAS REGULATOR". However, the red display of the automatic changeover gas regulator for showing the exhaustion of gas is set above the regulator body, so the user only can observe from above the regulator body. When the regulator is set, if something covers above the regulator body, the user cannot observe the red display to know the use status of gas, resulting in inconvenience in use.


Heat exchanger for exchanging heat between at least two fluids which are guided through chambers of the heat exchanger (1), wherein at least one guiding profile (11) is provided in the chambers (19,20), and the guiding profile (11) is an extruded tubular profile (12) which includes two parallel walls (13) which are connected to one another by means of two sidewalls (14). One or several dividing walls (15) extend in the extrusion direction of the tubular profile (12). One or several passages (17) are provided in the dividing walls (15) and/or in the sidewalls (14) for guiding a fluid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an improved heat exchanger.
2. Related Art
In particular, the invention concerns a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between at least two fluids being guided through the heat exchanger, whereby the heat exchanger is of the type which is built of parallel plates which are connected by means of connecting walls to define chambers provided with an inlet and an outlet. An inlet or outlet is situated in the connecting walls.
Both fluids are sent through adjacent chambers which are separated from one another by means of an above-mentioned plate, such that the heat can be transferred from one fluid to another fluid via the above-mentioned plate, which is thereby made of a heat-conducting material such as copper or aluminium.
In order to promote the heat transfer, strips with cooling fins are provided in the chambers between the parallel plates, which are also made of a heat-conducting material and which must enhance the contact surface between a fluid flowing through and the heat-conducting material of the heat exchanger in the known manner.
Said cooling fins guide the flow over a certain length of the chambers in a particular, preferred direction, whereby the shape of the cooling fins forces the flow to make a zigzag movement along the above-mentioned preferred direction.
Depending on the available space for the heat exchanger and the location of supply and discharge of the fluids, the above-mentioned inlets and outlets may be provided in different locations.
A first possibility is to guide the fluid in a straight line through a chamber, whereby the inlet and the outlet are situated in the extension of the preferred direction of the cooling fins.
Another possibility is to locally change the flow direction of the fluid one or several times as it flows through a chamber, for example when, due to lack of space or for other reasons, an inlet or an outlet must be positioned laterally in relation to a direction of flow through the strips with cooling fins, and as a result, the flow direction of the fluid must hereby take a hooked bend at the inlet or at the outlet.
In order to guide said change in the flow direction, guiding profiles are used which in some known embodiments of heat exchangers are formed of strips with cooling fins which connect at right angles, whereby the strips are mitred at an angle of preferably 45° and are joined so as to bend away the flow at right angles.
The lateral inlet and/or outlet must be sufficiently wide so as to obtain a good guiding, whereby for example in the case of a mitre joint of 45°, the inlet or outlet is equally wide as the width of the heat exchanger measured in a direction transversal to the longitudinal direction of the actual cooling fins.
This implies that the length of such a heat exchanger will increase along with the width, resulting in a sizeable heat exchanger.
In other known embodiments, use is made of a specially provided guiding profile in the shape of a pleated, thin metal plate which is each time folded down at right angles along successive parallel folding lines so as to form a profile with a series of successive parallel ridges and grooves as if it were, defined by parallel standing walls formed of folded plate which are alternately connected at the top or at the bottom by folded strips of the metal plate and whereby, in the standing walls, passages are provided at regular distances from one another.
Said guiding profile extends over the entire width of the heat exchanger between two opposite walls of the heat exchanger and thereby connects with one far end to an inlet or outlet in an above-mentioned wall, whereas the guiding profile also connects at right angles to the strips with cooling fins with one side wall, such that the fluid flowing in the guiding profile in the longitudinal direction is diverted at right angles in the direction of the preferred direction of the cooling fins.
A disadvantage of such profiles, however, is that they are difficult to produce and are not firm either, as a result of which they are easily deformed while being transported or processed.
As a result, such guiding profiles have to be put back into shape before use by means of an additional rolling or pressing operation or any other operation to flatten the guiding profiles.
Such an additional operation is disadvantageous in that it makes the production costs rise and in that the guiding profile is weakened due to fine cracks which may possibly occur, which has a negative effect on the general strength of the heat exchanger.
Moreover, it appears that following the above-mentioned rolling or pressing operation, the height of the guiding profile still is not entirely equal everywhere, such that in certain places, the guiding profile makes a good contact with the parallel plates defining the chamber in which the guiding profile has been provided, whereas in other places there is no contact or only a partial one, which results in a weak point in these places given the freedom of movement of the plates there.

ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP


A system is provided for heating a comestible. The system includes a container and a flexible vented package containing a liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestible. The package is positioned within the container in a manner that hinders the comestible from escaping through the package's vent(s). The container is penetrable to microwaves and is adapted to not experience heat-induced damage when subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven. The container is adapted to protect the package from heat-induced damage when the container is subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to products and methods for heating comestibles. More particularly, this invention relates to containers and packages that may be used to heat liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles, e.g., in combination microwave and convection ovens.
2. Description of Related Art
Soups, sauces, chilis, and other such liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles are often served in eating establishments, e.g., restaurants and cafeterias. Many eating establishments, especially quick service restaurants (QSR), do not prepare such foods from scratch. Rather, eating establishments often heat up ready-made liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles that were previously prepared and cooked by comestible manufacturers. These comestibles are often packaged and stored at room temperature or are refrigerated or frozen until they are ready to be heated and served.
Eating establishments may use any of a number of different modalities to heat liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles. For example, large amounts of soup are often heated at one time in a large pot on a stove or warmer and then transferred to soup bowls, one serving at a time. However, heating a large amount of soup takes a long time. Often, the soup is maintained at a hot temperature for hours until all of it is served or any remaining portion is disposed of. The result is an over-cooked product, much of which goes to waste. In addition, the pot, utensils and soup bowls (unless disposable) will need to be cleaned after use. While microwave ovens may be used to heat such comestibles, a significant number of eating establishments, especially in the QSR segment, do not have microwave ovens.
Increasingly, eating establishments are using combination microwave and convection ovens, such as those sold under the trademark TURBOCHEF®, to cook or reheat essentially solid comestibles. Combination microwave and convection ovens use both microwave energy and convection heating to enable rapid and convenient cooking and heating of comestibles. For example, such ovens can quickly warm hoagies and grinders, leaving the bread crispy rather than soft or soggy, as would be the likely result using a microwave oven alone.
Notwithstanding their increasing popularity in eating establishments, combination microwave and convection ovens are not used to heat liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles because there are currently no feasible means to do so, especially in the QSR setting. Typical microwaveable cookware, such as ceramics, glass, PYREX®, foams, ovenable plastics, or ovenable paper/paperboard, are not practical and in some cases unsuitable for heating soups and the like in combination microwave and convection ovens. Disposable containers made from ovenable paper/paperboard, ovenable plastic and foam can only be used in ambient temperatures of up to about 400° F. Those materials will melt or burn if subjected to the ambient environment of a combination microwave and convection oven, which typically holds at 480° F. or above all day in an eating establishment (especially in a QSR). Thus, while disposable materials are convenient in that they allow for little to no cleanup after use, currently available disposable containers are unfit for direct use in combination microwave and convection ovens.
Ceramics, glass and PYREX®, on the other hand, can withstand ambient temperatures in a combination microwave and convection oven. However, those materials retain a significant amount of heat. Consequently, they can be extremely hot to the touch. In addition, heating comestibles directly in containers made from such reusable materials would require that the containers be cleaned after use. Accordingly, ceramic, glass and PYREX® cookware are inconvenient for an operator to use for heating soups and the like in combination microwave and convection ovens, especially in a QSR setting, where the operator works under tight time constraints. Also, heating soup and the like directly in ceramic, glass or PYREX® cookware in a combination microwave and convection oven can burn or scorch the soup due to the extremely high temperatures in such an oven. Thus, ceramic, glass and PYREX® cookware are not feasible options for an operator, especially in a QSR setting, to deliver a quality product with convenience and speed using a combination microwave and convection oven.
In short, many eating establishments have combination microwave and convection ovens and serve hot liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles. But such eating establishments tend not to use such ovens to heat such comestibles because there are no practical and disposable means to do so. This is indeed surprising, considering that combination microwave and convection ovens have been commercially available for many years and have greatly increased in popularity in recent years. Accordingly, there is a need for practical systems and methods that enable liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles to be heated in combination microwave and convection ovens. Such systems and methods should enable rapid and substantially uniform heating of the comestible in a manner that is convenient and would require little to no cleanup. Preferably, such systems and methods would be used for heating single-serving packages of liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles. More preferably, such systems and methods would provide thermal protection to a single-serve comestible-containing disposable package so that the package can withstand the high ambient temperatures (e.g., 480° F. to 540° F.) in a combination microwave and convection oven.

Systems and methods for heating liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestibles in combination microwave and convection ovens


A simulation method for the management of a pipeline network having input and output nodes (S1, S2, C1) and including defining operating states describing operating conditions of the pipeline network, determining, for each operating state STp, a three-dimensional dynamic matrix DMSTp whose each coefficient DMSTp(i,j,tk) corresponds to a pressure variation value from an initial pressure value at a j-th node at a k-th time step tk following a variation, at a i-th node, of a flow rate value, and estimating, for a given node at a given moment, a pressure value on the basis of an operating schedule providing information regarding variations of the flow rate value for each node and evolutions of the operating conditions of the pipeline network until the given moment, the estimation using the operating states and the three-dimensional dynamic matrices.

The field of the present invention relates to the optimization of a pipeline network, for instance a pipeline network supplying gas to customers from an industrial plant, such as an air separation unit supplying also liquid customers by trucks.
The optimization of a pipeline network presents an important technological issue, since the mathematical model of a pipeline network is a highly non-linear system. In addition, the difficulty of solving such a system increases with the complexity of the pipeline network (number of sources, typically located in air separation units, number of customers intended to be supplied with gas and the architecture of the network). Consequently, the optimization of a pipeline network requires a very high number of equations to obtain a satisfying and reliable result.
Furthermore, not only does the pipeline network exhibit non-linear behavior but the optimization and the management of a pipeline network also include binary variables corresponding to discrete decisions. The projection over a distant time horizon to determine in advance the operating mode of industrial equipment, typically start-up or shutdown, of the air separation unit or one of its equipment supplying the pipeline network also drastically increases the complexity of the optimization of the pipeline network, especially since the latter has a strong non-linearity. Indeed, the decision to start or stop industrial equipment of an air separation unit is a typical binary decision, and thus a binary variable in the optimization of the pipeline network.
Therefore, known optimization methods such as mixed-integer non-linear programming (also known as MINLP), often used to meet the requirement of binary decision variables, hence start and stop industrial equipment, do not give satisfactory results on a very large number of equations or constraints. This is typically the case over a distant time horizon. Moreover, the results obtained by using conventional optimization methods can lead to local optimum with respect to the several operating conditions of the pipeline network, such operating conditions depending on the total load of the pipeline network, the consumption of the customers or the injection of the sources.
In addition to the problem of non-linearity, the large number of equations required to describe the system is also an important technological issue since it may lead to prohibitive calculation time. Indeed, several solutions have been proposed to the problem of the non-linearity of the pipeline network, such as a piecewise linear approach to replace a non-linear equation by a high number of linear equations describing the behavior of the pipeline network. However, this kind of solution does not limit the number of equations and, worse, increases it.

Simulation method and system for the management of a pipeline network

L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude


A packaging system for a printer/copier or other large article that uses less material than conventional packaging systems. In one embodiment the system comprises a pair of elongated foam braces that slide over pairs of vertically oriented corner posts for holding and cushioning the packaged article. In another embodiment the system comprises four foam braces wedged between the four vertical edges of the article and vertical corner posts.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention patent relates to a packaging system. More particularly, this invention relates to a packaging system for a printer/copier or other large article that uses less material than conventional packaging systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many current packaging systems for medium to large format copier/printers are based on the concept that more packaging material equals more protection. With current packaging material costs increasing and the increased need for sustainable packaging, excessive packaging is becoming cost and environmentally prohibitive.
Another disadvantage of many existing packaging systems is that they are heavy and difficult to stack during storage, shipping and handling.
A third disadvantage of conventional packaging for copiers and printers is that it is difficult to remove the product from the packaging.
Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for a copier/printer or other heavy article that uses less packaging material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging system that is lighter than conventional packages and easier to stack during storage, shipping and handling.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging system that is makes it easier to remove the product from the packaging.
Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.
A number of packaging systems are known in the art, of which the following are representative:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,419 discloses a package comprising a base, corner posts, a top cap and stretch wrap.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,854 discloses a pallet base for wheeled equipment such as a photocopier. The pallet base comprises a series of ramps and built-in removable wedges that can placed on the ramps to form a level track for rolling a copier onto the pallet.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,881 discloses a pallet base with an integral ramp.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0179 18 9 discloses a package for a photocopier.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0108238 discloses a pallet base with integral fold down ramp members.


The present invention is directed to an absorbable, conformable composite preform for use in making a solid bone filler which is an absorbable mixture of oppositely charged, solid microparticulate polyelectrolytes encased in a sealed, flexible, absorbable copolyester fabric construct and is capable of undergoing solidification to a solid, integral mass having a modulus of more than about 0.5 GPa upon contact with an aqueous medium. In an alternative embodiment the absorbable copolyester fabric construct is filled with a mixture of a microparticulate zincophosphate glass or glass-ceramic and at least one material carrying both acidic and basic groups on the same molecule.

A major area in the clinical application of biomaterials that presents a formidable challenge to clinicians, material scientists, and bioengineers pertains to their use for the repair/replacement of bone tissues and particularly craniomaxillofacial bones. Related to this are (1) the inability of most biomaterials to form an active interface with natural tissues; (2) the limited availability of materials with tailored half life to allow the natural tissues to grow gradually and predictably into defective sites, temporarily occupied by a transient absorbable scaffold designed to support bone ingrowth; (3) scarcity of biomaterials that can be applied easily and precisely in irregular defective sites; (4) lack of bioactive biomaterial inserts or scaffolds for bone regeneration that conform to irregular structurally defective sites and transform into solid articles having a modulus that approaches those of typical bones; and (5) complications associated with occasional release of transition metallic ions from metallic implants that may cause allergic reactions in certain patients. Although great efforts were directed towards addressing these issues in orthopedic implants, limited attention was given to craniomaxillofacial implants. The promise of tissue engineering and particularly, directed tissue ingrowth about the implant, or what can be denoted, in situ tissue engineering, have created new, practical directions in dealing with current implants for bone repair or replacement. The latter are mostly metallic and designed for mechanical interlocking with bone or use in conjunction with bone cement.
In spite of the relatively limited attention given to the craniomaxillofacial implants by clinicians pertinent to concerns about the use of metallic materials, impressive efforts have been made by biomaterial scientists to explore the use of absorbable polymeric materials. This is understandable if one acknowledges the fact that in most craniomaxillofacial applications, the load-bearing requirements for the implants are generally much lower than those noted for orthopedic implants. And the less demanding mechanical requirements for craniomaxillofacial implants were very much in concert with the relatively low modulus of polymers as compared to metals. This, in turn, provided a strong incentive to explore the use of bioabsorbable polymers over the last three decades. However, limited availability of these polymers in terms of types and forms has compromised their acceptance by clinicians. Of the craniomaxillofacial family of implants, the maxillofacial subfamily, and more specifically, the intraoral implants, attracted the attention of most investigators. In their study of the intraoral implants, these investigators used absorbable polymers for repairing maxillary, mandibular, and facial bone defects. Commercial and experimental polymers used by these investigators were, for the most part, based on homopolymers such as poly(l-lactide) (PLLA), random copolymers of l-lactide/dl-lactide (PDLL), l-lactide/trimethylene carbonate (PLL/TMC), polyglycolide (PGA), terpolymers of l-lactide, d-lactide and glycolide (PDLLG), self-reinforced polyglycolide (SR-PGA), and to a lesser extent, poly p-dioxanone (PDS), as well as blends of these polymers. Unfortunately, in most of the explored applications, these materials did not meet fully the general requirements for successful craniomaxillofacial and particularly the intraoral, implants, namely: (1) mechanical and chemical stability during the expected period of functional performance; (2) biomechanical compatibility of the implant and surrounding bone, primarily in terms of modulus; (3) ability to support osseointegration and, hence, a timely healing and mechanical stability; and (4) ease of fabrication and shape modulation. Applications of bioabsorbable polymers as maxillofacial surgical implants have been reviewed by Mayer and Hollinger [Chapter 9 in Biomedical Applications of Synthetic Biodegradable Polymer, J. O. Hollinger, Ed., CRC Press, New York, 1995]. Most of these and more recent applications dealt with the use of (1) PLA sutures for internal fixation of iatrogenic mandibular symphysis fracture in monkeys; (2) PDLLA rods for the fixation of mandibular fractures in monkeys; (3) PLA plates and screws for reducing mandibular fractures in monkeys; (4) PDS lag screws for the fixation of a fracture of the mandibular angle; (5) PLA/PGA bone plates reinforced with PGA fabric for repairing mandibular and skull fractures; (6) PDS plates for orbital floor reconstruction; (7) SR-PLLA plates for the fixation of unfavorable transverse osteotomies; and (8) PLA plates and screws for the fixation of zygomatic arch fractures in rabbit. In practically all of the aforementioned craniomaxillofacial applications, the type of polymeric materials and the form of the implants were less than ideal because the limitation imposed on the clinical and scientific investigators in terms of availability of site-specific polymer types and forms. And this was the driving force to pursue the present invention.
Accordingly, this invention deals with an absorbable microparticulate mixture encased in a textile construct to form a sealed conformable article which transforms to a biocompatible, rigid mass that supports bone regeneration as part of in situ (or locally directed) tissue engineering. Although there have been a large number of citations in the prior art dealing with bone regeneration, none has dealt with the novel approach to bone regeneration described in this invention. Typical examples of the prior art are outlined below.
In an approach to the development of a novel scaffold for bone tissue engineering, Zhang and Zhang [Journal of Biomedical Material Research, 61, 1, (2002)] prepared a three-dimensional composite scaffold of macroporous HAP/β-TCP bioceramic matrices nesting chitosan. In comparison with pure porous bioceramics, the nested chitosan sponges enhanced the mechanical strength via reinforcement of the bioceramic matrix. The nested chitosan sponges also caused the composite scaffolds to have a high surface area/volume ratio leading to an increase in the number of cells adhered to the composite scaffolds. The results of the simulated body fluid experiments showed that a high density of randomly oriented, needlelike apatites have grown on the scaffold surface, suggesting that the material has good bioactivity. The cell culture experiments showed that MG63 osteoblast cells were attached and proliferated on the surface of the composite scaffold and migrated onto the pore walls. The cells have almost the same alkaline phosphatase activity on the composite scaffolds as on tissue culture dishes during the first 11 days of culture.
Towards the development of a new bone substitute material, Yokoyama and coworkers [Biomaterials, 23, 1091, (2002)] prepared a calcium phosphate cement that consists of chitosan, glucose, and citric acid solution as the liquid component, and tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) and tetracalcium phosphate (TeCP) as the powder components. This cement could be molded to desired shape because of its chewing-gum-like consistency after mixing, and it demonstrated good biocompatibility in both soft and hard tissues. In this study, liquid components of 20% and 45% citric acid were used to investigate the influence of acid, and the results indicated that the concentration of citric acid in the liquid component influences both the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the cement.
A communication by Zhao and coworkers [Biomaterials, 23, 3227, (2002)] described the preparation and histological evaluation of biomimetic, three-dimensional hydroxyapatite/chitosan-gelatin (HAP/CS-Gel) network as a composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering. In their study, the authors demonstrated the feasibility of using the phase separation technique to prepare such a scaffold. They further showed adhesion, proliferation, and expression of rat calvaria osteoblasts on these highly porous scaffolds. The HAP/CS-Gel composite scaffolds were characterized by their biomimetic composition, and further studies on cell densities, porosities of scaffolds as ell as in vivo implantation are underway.
Consistent findings on the role of zinc in bone growth prompted recent studies on the development and effectiveness of zinc-releasing calcium phosphate ceramics to promote bone formation with zinc-containing β-calcium phosphate (ZnTCP) ceramics as the zinc carrier [Kawamura, H. et al., Journal of Biomedical Material Research, 50, 184 (2000)]. A representative ceramic composite was made of ZnTCP and hydroxyapatite (HAP) having a Ca/P molar ratio of 1.60 at ZnTCP/HAP of 1.60. Thus, this composite was found to significantly promote mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation in vitro at a zinc content of 1.2 weight percent. And bone formation about 1.60 ZnTCP/HAP implant in rabbit femur increased by 51% at zinc content of 0.316 weight percent in comparison with a composite of the same Ca/P molar ratio without zinc. Bone formation around monophasic ZnTCP implants in rabbit femora appeared to be a function of zinc content with a maximum bone formation at 00.316 weight percent. Interestingly, there was no statistically significant difference in the maximum bone formation due to ZnTCP and β-tricalcium phosphate at the same weight percent.
Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) have been shown to stimulate the production of bone in vivo when combined with an appropriate carrier material, such as collagen, calcium phosphate, or 2-hydroxyacid polymers [Ursit, M. R. in Encyclopedia Handbook of Biomaterials & Bioengineering—Materials and Applications, Vol. 1, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1995, pp. 1093-1122]. Recognizing the potential need for a puttylike absorbable matrix, which can be molded into shape of the desired new bone and hardened in situ by contact with aqueous fluids led Andriano and coworkers [J. Biomedical Material Research—Applied Biomaterials, 53, 36 (2000)] to develop a liquid polymer system consisting of lactide-glycolide copolymers dissolved in a "biocompatible" solvent which solidifies in situ by contact with aqueous fluid. The pursuit of this study was consistent with an earlier study by Chandrashekar and coworkers [Proceedings of Portland Bone Symposium, Portland, Oreg., August 1997, pp. 583-587] who incorporated BMPs in the same type of polymeric carrier system and used it to promote bone ingrowth in ectopic and orthotopic sites, such as subcutaneous and skull onlay, respectively. In their in vivo study of osteogenic potential BMPs delivered from the puttylike matrix, Andriano and coworkers first incorporated the proteins in a polymer matrix consisting of 50/50 poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The matrix was implanted in an 8 mm critical-size calvarial defect created in the skull of adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n=5 per treatment group). After 28 days, the implant sites were removed and examined for new bone formation, polymer degradation, and tissue reaction. Gamma-irradiated polymer matrices appeared to give more bone formation than non-irradiated samples (histological analysis: 2.76±1.34 mm2 of bone versus 1.30±0.90 mm2 of bone, respectively, and X-ray analysis: 27.2±15.9 mm2 of bone versus 20.7±16.7 mm2 of bone, respectively) and less residual polymer (0.0±0.0 versus 0.2±0.4, respectively). The polymer implants with bone morphogenic proteins also gave less inflammatory response than the polymer controls (gamma irradiated polymer/BMPs=1.8±0.4 and non-irradiated polymer/BMPs=1.2±0.4 versus polymer only=3.0±1.2, respectively).

Conformable, absorbable, solid composite preforms and their use for bone tissue engineering


A fiber optic cable suitable for indoor applications includes a core tube surrounding a plurality of coated optical fibers; a jacket formed of a polymer material surrounding the core tube; and at least one layer of strength members disposed between said core tube and said jacket. The jacket has an outer diameter of not greater than about 7 to 12 mm and the coated optical fibers experience a short-term increase in signal attenuation of no more than about 0.01 dB when the cable is looped in a radius of 5 centimeters.

This invention relates to optical fiber cables which are suitable for use within building vertical shafts and also are provided with protection against moisture internal migration. In particular, this invention relates to single-tube design optical fiber cables suitable for such uses.
Drop cables are outdoor cables which bring telephone service to buildings, whereas riser cables provide telephone service within buildings. Riser cables extend upwards from basement vaults to wiring closets located on upper floors.
Drop cables must be able to withstand the changing conditions found in the outdoor environment. Most materials increase in length and volume with increases in temperature and decrease in length and volume with decreases in temperature. Each material may have a different rate of change of length given a specified change in temperature. Such a rate is called the coefficient of thermal expansion for a material. Because different materials in a cable may have different coefficients of thermal expansion, temperature changes may induce strains in the cable components. For this reason, changes in optical fiber attenuation over different temperatures are measured in cables intended for outdoor use. Successful cables must not experience unacceptable increases in optical fiber attenuation caused by cable strains induced by temperature-related conditions.
Drop cables also must be protected against migration of moisture within the cable. Although cable jackets are intended to prevent the ingress of water into the cable, no plastic material perfectly stops the ingress of moisture. Furthermore, water may enter a cable at points where the cable jacket has been damaged, or at the end of the cable. Therefore, longitudinal movement of water along the inside of the cable must be prevented. For this reason, water-blocking or water-absorptive material is provided in cable interstices which otherwise could act as conduits for moisture internal migration. Types of materials which may be used for this purpose are gel-like filling and flooding compounds. Filling compounds are disposed alongside the optical fibers within buffer tubes, while flooding compounds are disposed in spaces between the cable jacket and the buffer tubes holding the optical fibers. Many filling and flooding compounds are oil or grease-based. As a result, most filling and flooding compounds provide fuel for combustion. However, most cables intended for outdoor use are not required to be flame-retardant.
Other types of materials are becoming more widely used in outdoor use cables for protection against cable moisture migration. Examples include water-absorptive polymers, which may be inserted into a cable as loose powders or incorporated into tapes which are wrapped about other cable components. Another example is water blocking strength members, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,517 and 5,389,442.
Cables intended for use within buildings normally are not exposed to the moisture and extreme temperature conditions experienced by cables intended for outdoor use. However, building cables are required by the National Electrical Code to meet criteria indicating that the cables will not act to spread fires within a building. The most well-known test standard for riser-rated cables is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 1666, xe2x80x9cTest for flame propagation height of electrical and Optical-fiber Cables installed vertically in Shaftsxe2x80x9d (Second Edition, Jan. 22, 1991). The second edition of this standard is referred to herein as UL Standard 1666.
An optical fiber service cable designed to be suitable for both indoor and outdoor use is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,266, which issued on Oct. 15, 1996 in the names of Navxc3xa9 and McDowell. However, the disclosed cable is designed for use with a rather high optical fiber count and discloses an inner tube which itself has an outer diameter of 10.2 mm. Such a cable could not be connectorized using standard buffer tube fanout kits. The cable also employs a tape formed from materials such as a polyimide. Such tapes significantly add to the cost of the cable, and it is necessary to process and splice such tapes.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide riser-rated cables having a small diameter and low minimum bend radius which also is formed using low-cost materials.
These and other objects are provided, according to the present invention, by fiber optic cables suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications, comprising: a core tube having an OD of about 3.0 mm or more surrounding a plurality of coated optical fibers; a jacket formed of UV-resistant flame-retardant polymer material surrounding said core tube; and at least one layer of strength members disposed between said core tube and said jacket. The jacket can have an OD of about seven mm or more. The coated optical fibers can experience a short-term increase in signal attenuation of no more than about 0.01 dB when the cable is looped in a radius of 5 centimeters. The strength members can be wrapped around the core tube in opposite directions and the set of two strength member layers can be disposed between and directly contiguous to said core tube and said jacket. The cable is capable of meeting the flame retardance requirements set out in UL Standard 1666 in the absence of a flame-resistant tape. The strength members may be impregnated with a water blocking material.


A single information processing device capable of configuring an information system that maintains matching between information retained by a self device and information retained by a partner device in a way that links up a plurality of information processing devices with each other, has a storage unit including a memory cell retaining a predetermined quantity of information and a comparing unit that compares the information retained by the memory cell at the present with information written afresh to the memory cell, an extraction unit extracting the information written afresh to the memory cell about which the comparing unit judges that the information retained at the present is different from the information written afresh, and a transmitting unit transmitting the extracted information to the partner device linking up with the self device.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor storage device and an information processing device including the semiconductor storage device.
Communication devices such as routers and load balancers are dualized (into an active/standby system) in preparation against a fault. Then, take-over information is constantly transferred between an active device and a standby device so that the standby device can continue the process even if the active device falls into the fault. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state of how the take-over information is transferred between a load balancer A serving as the active device and a load balancer B serving as the standby device. In FIG. 1, the dualization is implemented, and hence, even if the load balancer A gets into the fault, the load balancer B can continue the process in succession. The take-over information represents, for example, session information of communications.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state of how the session information defined as the take-over information is transferred to the load balancer B from the load balancer A. In the event of the fault of the active device, the communications of the information of which the transfer between the active device and the standby device is not yet completed, are unable to continue and get interrupted. In FIG. 3, part of the take-over information is transferred to the load balancer B from the load balancer A, while part of the take-over information is not transferred to the load balancer B from the load balancer A. Namely, when the take-over information is transferred to a main memory of the load balancer B from a main memory of the load balancer A, information an area X in FIG. 3 is lost. In this case, the information to be lost is desired to be small in size.    [Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.8-36501    [Patent document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No.3467750    [Patent document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2002-342298

Semiconductor storage device detecting change of memory content and information processing device including semiconductor storage device detecting change of memory content


When a battery case (24) housing a plurality of batteries (42) is mounted on the vehicle body frame (11) that includes a cross member (20) extending in a vehicle width direction, the cross member (20) of the vehicle body frame (11) is disposed within the recess portion (39b), extending in the vehicle width direction, that is formed in the battery case (24), and therefore, it is possible to mount the battery case (24) while avoiding interference with the cross member (20). Although the intermediate part in the fore-and-aft direction of the battery case (24) housing heavy batteries (42) is susceptible to downward deformation, it is possible to prevent deformation of the battery case (24) by fixing the recess portion (39b) of the battery case (24) to the cross member (20) by fixing means (54).

Such a vehicle mounting structure for batteries is known from Patent Document 1 below.
In accordance with this vehicle mounting structure for batteries, providing a cross member enables the stiffness of a vehicle body frame to be enhanced and a battery case to be mounted at a desired position of the vehicle body frame while avoiding interference between the battery case and the cross member, and this enables a balance to be achieved between ensuring a minimum ground clearance between the battery case and a road surface and ensuring the capacity of a vehicle compartment above the battery case.

Vehicle mounting structure for batteries


A rotor stack for a gas turbine engine includes a first rotor disk with a first rotor spacer arm, the first rotor spacer arm having a first flange with an outboard flange surface and an inboard flange surface, a first hole along an axis through the first flange, the first hole having a counterbore in the outboard flange surface; a second rotor disk with a web having a second hole along the axis; a third rotor disk with a third rotor spacer arm, the third rotor spacer arm having a third flange with an outboard flange surface and an inboard flange surface, a third hole along the axis through the third flange, the third hole having a counterbore in the inboard flange surface; and a bushing with a tubular body and a flange that extends therefrom, the tubular body comprising at least one axial groove along an outer diameter thereof, the bushing extends through the first hole, the second hole and partially into the counterbore in the inboard flange surface of the third hole.

The present disclosure relates to a gas turbine engine, and more specifically to a bolted attachment that provides airflow metering through a rotor stack.
Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor section to pressurize airflow, a combustor section to burn a hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of the pressurized air, and a turbine section to extract energy from the resultant hot-side effluent of the combustion gases.
In gas turbine engines, turbine sections require a secondary cooling flow to prevent the hardware from failing due to air temperatures far exceeding their material capability. This flow is sourced from the compressor section, where flow is typically sent below the backbone via "fingernail" cuts in the rotor flanges that are bolted together, allowing air to pass through without structurally compromising the rotor. The axial source position of this air is chosen by evaluating the air pressure required to purge the turbine cavities, but also for an air temperature low enough to cool the turbine parts. The compressor also makes use of this air to mitigate thermal gradients in the compressor rotor disks, and condition the compressor rotor webs and bores to benefit rotor tip clearances and improve compressor efficiency. This type of cooling provides only minimal regulation of temperature differentials in aft stages of the compressor as one air source location may be too hot but moving only half a stage backward or forward can be too cold. This differential in temperature across a single rotor can be upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rotor stack bushing with adaptive temperature metering for a gas turbine engine