An oxygen enriched boiler having a burner subassembly and a steam subassembly is disclosed. The burner subassembly has a fuel inlet, an oxidant inlet, a combustion chamber, a flue gas composition detector and a flue gas outlet. The fuel inlet provides fuel to the combustion chamber, the oxidant inlet provides an oxygen-enriched inlet stream to the combustion chamber, the combustion chamber burns the fuel and the flue gas composition detector measures at least one characteristic of the flue gas. The steam subassembly has a supply water inlet, a heat exchange zone, a water drum, a steam quality actuator and a steam outlet. The supply water inlet provides feed water to the heat exchange zone, the heat exchange zone transfers heat generated by combustion of the fuel to the water to generate steam, the water drum receives the heated water and steam from the heat transfer zone and maintains the water and steam at a selected steam pressure and water level, and the steam quality actuator regulates at least one characteristic of the steam. Flue gas characteristics, as well as other boiler performance variables, are monitored. At least one controller actuates on the oxidant injections to control combustion. The controller calculates the optimum oxidant distribution in real-time for a series of injection points to minimize undesired flue gas emissions while maintaining the desired steam conditions and boiler operating conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of control of oxygen enhanced boilers. A method for controlling emissions in a boiler delivering a controlled steam output is disclosed. One or more oxygen enriched oxidant streams are introduced into the combustion chamber. The flue gas characteristics, as well as other boiler performance variables, are monitored. At least one controller actuates on the oxidant injections to control combustion. The controller calculates the optimum oxidant distribution in real-time for a series of injection points to minimize undesired flue gas emissions while maintaining the desired steam conditions and boiler operating conditions. Due to the multivariable nature of the boiler and its complexity, the controller can be a multivariable advanced controller. The controller can be adapted as a retrofit, by integration with existing control technology, or it can be installed as an integral unit in a new application. A real time optimizer is continuously calculating the optimum set points for the controller.
2. Related Art
In a combustion process for steam generation, a fuel-fired boiler delivers steam at constant temperature and pressure and at user-defined demands. In order to achieve these requirements, the boiler consists of a variety of control (output) variables and manipulating (input) variables. The most common control (output) variables are the steam mass flow rate, the water level in the drum, the steam pressure in the drum, the boiler pressure and the gas composition of the flue gases. Meanwhile, the typical manipulating (input) variables are the fuel flow rate, the oxidant flow rate, the feed water flow rate and the flue gas fan. As can be seen, the control and manipulating variables are the same or similar regardless of the fuel type; coal-fired boilers represent just an example of the technology.
A typical boiler control system has a burner subassembly and a steam subassembly. In the boiler, fuel is mixed with an oxidant to burn and generate heat to be transferred to feed water to create steam. The amount of steam required is quickly varied by an actuator valve; however, replenishment of the steam is typically more slowly accomplished by varying the combustion rate. Oxygen in the flue gas is measured so that a pre-selected range of excess oxygen in the flue gas is maintained; the oxidant input is varied to ensure good combustion and provide the amount of oxygen necessary to achieve the pre-selected range of excess oxygen in the flue gas. Adequate pressure in the boiler is maintained, and the pressure in the water drum ensures the quality of steam delivered.
Thus, the typical approach to boiler control employs dedicated controllers for each subassembly. Often, steam subassembly control is provided by controlling the steam flow rate using a steam valve. Pressure in the drum is controlled with the fuel flow rate and compensated by the steam flow rate. The water level in the drum is controlled by the feed water valve and also compensated by the steam flow rate. The pressure in the boiler is controlled by the draft created by the flue gas fan. Simultaneously, burner control is provided by monitoring the oxygen excess in the flue gases and manipulating the flow rate of the oxidant, thereby controlling the stoichiometry of the combustion.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,296, a control system for an integrated gasification combined cycle steam system (IGCC) locally in the gasifier and globally in the cycle is disclosed. Information from on-line gas analyzers is not utilized in the control. In U.S. patent application Nos. 2002/0192609 A1 and U.S. application No. 2003/0000436 A1, real-time flue gas concentrations are monitored and the data used to adjust the air-to-fuel ratio and increase combustion efficiency. This is extended to use a model based predictive control to control the flue gas concentrations while using the smallest amount of air while including secondary and tertiary air supplies. U.S. patent application No. 2003/0014131 A1 uses the inputs and outputs of a boiler to create a steady state model. The values are then optimized to find the optimum input to the plant. The static model is converted into a dynamic model and then the multivariable problem is executed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,774, a steady-state neural network model and a nonlinear optimization are disclosed. Steady state fuel conditions are controlled to optimize operating conditions, but the system cannot accommodate dynamic operating conditions. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,372, control of oxygen supply in a gasifier based on on-line sensors for gas products is disclosed.
However, nothing in the art discloses a controller for optimizing oxidant distribution in real-time for a series of injection points to minimize undesired flue gas emissions while maintaining the desired steam conditions and boiler operating conditions. Thus, process control by oxygen enrichment in a variety of injection points in boilers to minimize the pollutant concentrations in the flue gas while simultaneously maintaining the required steam properties and the desired load and continuously updating the conditions that make the boiler operate at the maximum efficiency is not disclosed. The present application discloses applying oxygen-enriched inputs in boilers that use on-line flue gas measurements and an advanced multivariable controller supplying oxygen rich inputs in a plurality of inputs.
Thus, a problem associated with boilers that precede the present invention is that they do not provide oxygen enrichment of the combustion process while at the same time providing adjustment of the steam generation process to accommodate changing characteristics of the boiler.
Yet another problem associated with boilers that precede the present invention is that they do not provide control of the combustion process to reduce NOx and other undesired combustion by-products while at the same time providing optimal steam generation control.
Still another problem associated with boilers that precede the present invention is that they do not provide integration of combustion control with steam generation control to accommodate varying conditions in the combustion process and their consequent effects on the characteristics of the boiler operation.
Another problem associated with boilers that precede the present invention is that they cannot be readily adapted to retrofit existing boilers with oxygen enhancement for the combustion and simultaneously provided with integrated control of the combustion process and the steam generation process.
For the foregoing reasons, there has been defined a long felt and unsolved need for a boiler that overcomes the aforementioned problems and provides an economical, reliable boiler control system that can be either retrofitted to existing equipment or designed into new construction.

Real time optimization and control of oxygen enhanced boilers


A method of producing a lordosis support (12) with a supporting element (22) of plastic of adjustable curvature at rods (18) of a lattice mat (10), formed by longitudinal and transverse rods (14, 16, 18), wherein the rods (14, 16, 18) are introduced into an injection mold (42, 44) for the supporting element (22) and, during the injection molding of the supporting element (22), are embedded in the latter.

The invention relates to a method of producing a lordosis support with a supporting element of plastic of adjustable curvature at rods of a lattice mat, formed by longitudinal and transverse rods.
A lordosis support is frequently incorporated in the backrest of seats, especially of motor vehicle seats. By adjusting the curvature, the lordosis support enables the contour of the backrest to be adapted to the anatomy of the user and to give a better support to the spine of the user. The supporting element of such a lordosis support is formed by a plastic plate, which is perforated variously and the upper and lower edges of which can be pulled together with the help of a Bowden cable, so that the plate is deflected and, by these means, its curvature is changed. The supporting element is fastened in the region of its upper and lower edges at transverse rods of a lattice mat, the function of which is to reinforce the backrest in the area. This lattice mat usually is formed by a wire lattice, which is suspended with compression or tension springs in the frame of the backrest, so that the longitudinal rods extend essentially vertically in the plane of the backrest. The transverse rods, consisting of thinner wires, are bent at the ends into eyelets, which embrace the longitudinal rods tightly and thus fasten the transverse rods to the longitudinal rods.
An example of a unit consisting of a lattice mat and a lordosis support of this type is described in the EP-A-O 780 262. For the production, the lattice mat and the supporting element initially are produced as separate components. The supporting element, formed by a plastic injection-molded part, is then fastened in a special step by locking it to the transverse rods of the lattice mat. For this purpose, the locking organs at the supporting element must be constructed so that, on the one hand, sufficiently stable fastening is assured and, on the other, the transverse rods can be locked in so that they can move easily so that, when produced on an industrial scale, the locking can be brought about in a short time and with a high degree of functional reliability.


A radio frequency antenna structure includes a base station antenna and an auxiliary antenna mounted within a common antenna assembly. The base station antenna is configured to transmit or receive signals in a first frequency range and to develop a main beam that is substantially wider in azimuth than in elevation, and the auxiliary antenna is configured to transmit or receive signals in a second frequency range at least partially overlapping the first frequency range and to develop an auxiliary beam at least partially overlapping the main beam. Means are included for decoupling the base station and auxiliary antennas to thereby suppress interference between the main and auxiliary beams, and for suppressing interference between the auxiliary antenna and any co-located antennas.

Recent regulations promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) require wireless telephone service providers within the United States to implement Emergency 911 location service for identifying the location of a mobile user making a 911 call. In providing such service, a location measurement unit (LMU) antenna is used, wherein the LMU antenna in the communications system must be isolated from co-located transmitting antennas so that signals from neighboring cell sites are not drowned out. Although physically separating the LMU antenna from co-located antennas on an antenna tower may provide some isolation, the limited space on typical antenna tower platforms prevents physically separating such antennas by distances great enough to provide necessary isolation.
Isolation of an auxiliary antenna, such as an LMU antenna, from a main antenna, such as a base station antenna, mounted within a common antenna assembly is non-trivial, particularly when the transmitting and/or receiving frequency range of the auxiliary antenna at least partially overlaps the transmitting and/or receiving frequency range of the main antenna.
The present invention is accordingly directed to an antenna system for isolating an auxiliary antenna, such as an LMU antenna, from a main antenna, such as a base station antenna, mounted within a common antenna assembly, and also from other co-located antennas mounted to an antenna tower.
The present invention comprises one or more of the following features or combinations thereof. A main antenna, such as a base station antenna, and an auxiliary antenna, such as an LMU antenna, are mounted within a common antenna assembly. The main antenna may be configured to transmit or receive signals in a first range of radio frequencies, and to develop a main beam that is substantially wider in azimuth than in elevation. The main beam may define a beam elevation configured to communicate with mobile terminals. The auxiliary antenna may be configured to transmit or receive signals in a second frequency range at least partially overlapping the first frequency range, and to develop an auxiliary beam at least partially overlapping the main beam. The auxiliary antenna may be configured to communicate with co-located or remote base station antennas. The auxiliary beam may be substantially wider in azimuth than the main beam, and/or may be omni-directional. The auxiliary antenna may be positioned elevationally above or below the main antenna.
The main and auxiliary antennas may define a space therebetween sized to decouple the main and auxiliary antennas and minimize interference therebetween. The space may include a radio frequency energy absorbing member and/or a radio frequency energy scattering member operable to decouple the antennas to suppress interference between the main and auxiliary beams. The radio frequency energy absorbing member may be formed of a material configured to absorb energy in the second frequency range. The radio frequency energy scattering member may be a radio frequency choke structure which may comprise a body defining at least one slot between a pair of electrically conductive plates each defining a channel therethrough, each of said plates defining a length of about one-quarter of the wavelength of said second frequency range between an outer periphery thereof and an outer periphery of said channel.
The auxiliary antenna may comprise one or more radiator elements that may be designed so as to minimize transfer of energy to the main antenna, for example, by suppressing the signals radiated by the auxiliary antenna in the direction of the main beam of the main antenna.
The auxiliary antenna may include one or more energy absorbing members positioned about the one or more radiator elements to absorb energy in the second frequency range transmitted or received by the auxiliary antenna to thereby isolate the auxiliary antenna from other co-located antennas.
The main antenna may be positioned adjacent to a first ground plane and the auxiliary antenna may be positioned adjacent to a second ground plate isolated from the first ground plate. The main antenna may or may not be mounted to the first ground plate, and the auxiliary antenna may or may not be mounted to the second ground plate.
An electrically non-conductive support structure may be provided to interconnect the main and auxiliary antennas by uniting the first and second ground plates and/or the main and auxiliary antennas. The non-conductive support structure may comprise an electrically non-conductive radome surrounding the main and auxiliary antennas and/or at least one electrically non-conductive elongated member interconnecting the first and second ground plates and/or the main and auxiliary antennas.
Such an antenna system may comprise part of a multi-antenna installation having an antenna tower including a number of antenna mounting platforms each having one or more signal receiving and/or signal transmitting antennas mounted thereto. Such an antenna system may be mounted to any one of the number of antenna mounting platforms.
These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the illustrative embodiments.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System for isolating an auxiliary antenna from a main antenna mounted in a common antenna assembly


The present disclosure provides systems and methods for calibrating medical devices and processing physiological measurements using a medical device management system. As an example, the medical device can be a handheld glucometer configured for invasive testing and non-invasive testing of physiological parameters of a patient.

Medical device manufacturers are continually increasing the processing capabilities of physiological monitors that process signals based upon the attenuation of light by a tissue site. In general, such physiological monitoring systems include one or more optical sensors that irradiate a tissue site and one or more photodetectors that detect the optical radiation after attenuation by the tissue site. The sensor communicates the detected signal to a physiological monitor, which removes noise and preprocesses the signal. Advanced signal processors then perform time domain and/or frequency domain processing to determine blood constituents and other physiological parameters.
Manufacturers have advanced basic pulse oximeters from devices that determine measurements for blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate (PR) and plethysmographic information to read-through-motion oximeters and to cooximeters that determine measurements of many constituents of circulating blood. For example, Masimo Corporation of Irvine Calif. ("Masimo") manufactures pulse oximetry systems including Masimo SET® low noise optical sensors and read through motion pulse oximetry monitors for measuring SpO2, PR and perfusion index (PI). Masimo optical sensors include any of Masimo LNOp®, LNCS®, SofTouch™ and Blue™ adhesive or reusable sensors. Masimo pulse oximetry monitors include any of Masimo Rad-8®, Rad-5®, Rad®-5v or SatShare® monitors. Such advanced pulse oximeters and low noise sensors have gained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of medical applications, including surgical wards, intensive care and neonatal units, general wards, home care, physical training, and virtually all types of monitoring scenarios.
Many innovations improving the measurement of blood constituents are described in at least U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,770,028; 6,658,276; 6,157,850; 6,002,952; 5,769,785 and 5,758,644, which are assigned to Masimo and are incorporated by reference herein. Corresponding low noise optical sensors are disclosed in at least U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,985,764; 6,088,607; 5,782,757 and 5,638,818, assigned to Masimo and hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
Advanced blood parameter measurement systems include Masimo Rainbow® SET, which provides measurements in addition to SpO2, such as total hemoglobin (SpHb™), oxygen content (SpOC™), methemoglobin (SpMet®), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO®) and PVI®. Advanced blood parameter sensors include Masimo Rainbow® adhesive, ReSposable™ and reusable sensors. Advanced blood parameter monitors include Masimo Radical-7™, Rad87™ and Rad57™ monitors, all available from Masimo. Advanced parameter measurement systems mayaiso include acoustic monitoring such as acoustic respiration rate (RRa™) using a Rainbow Acoustic Sensor™ and Rad87™ monitor, available from Masimo. Such advanced pulse oximeters, low noise sensors and advanced parameter systems have gained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of medical applications, including surgical wards, intensive care and neonatal units, general wards, home care, physical training, and virtually all types of monitoring scenarios. An advanced parameter measurement system that includes acoustic monitoring is described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0274099, filed Dec. 21, 2009, titled Acoustic Sensor Assembly, assigned to Masimo and incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
Innovations relating to other advanced blood parameter measurement systems are described in at least U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,083, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Multiple Wavelength Sensor Equalization; U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,733, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Configurable Physiological Measurement System; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0211925, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Physiological Parameter Confidence Measure and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0238358, filed Mar. 1, 2006, titled Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor, all assigned to Cercacor Laboratories, Inc., Irvine, Calif. (Cercacor) and all incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.


An aviation transponder system comprising a permanently-mounted antenna, a permanently-mounted receiver module comprising a receiver, a signal splitter, and an external connector, and a portable receiver module, wherein a signal received on the permanently-mounted antenna is passed to the signal splitter of the permanently-mounted receiver module, wherein the signal splitter splits the signal such that the signal is sent to both the receiver and to the external connector, and wherein the portable receiver module is connected to the external connector, whereby the permanently-mounted antenna is used by the receiver of the permanently-mounted receiver module and fed through the permanently-mounted receiver module and made available to the portable receiver module through the external connector.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of aviation, and specifically to the use of a permanently mounted antenna with a portable device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of both permanently-mounted avionics (avionics modules integral to an aircraft, installed "permanently" in the aircraft by a qualified installation technician) and portable electronics (hand-held devices that can be carried in and out of an aircraft as needed) is common to the aviation industry. Both types of equipment have their advantages.
For example, permanently-mounted avionics modules, and in particular avionics modules which are radio frequency (RF) receivers, are installed with rugged mounts using certified processes and installation procedures. They are connected to permanently-mounted antenna when needed, and the antenna are mounted on the exterior of the aircraft, allowing the antenna to have the best possible view of the systems with which they are to communicate. These systems perform well, are reliable, and provide confidence to the operators (pilots) of the aircraft.
Permanently-mounted RF avionics, however, are not as flexible as portable RF electronics, and they are typically many times more expensive than portable RF electronics. Portable RF electronics devices are typically within the price range of general aviation pilots and can be moved easily from one aircraft to the next. Portable RF electronics devices often offer the same types of information as the more expensive permanently-mounted systems, at a fraction of the cost. But portable RF electronics do have their own weakness in that they do not tie into the permanently-mounted, certified antenna systems on the exterior of the aircraft, and thus their reception may suffer as a result.
What is needed in the industry is a system and method for providing the flexibility and low cost of a portable electronic device, specifically an RF receiver, while allowing that device to be tied into a permanently-installed antenna system for best performance.

Radio frequency feedthrough to portable device


A system, and corresponding method for its use, for performing various monetary transactions in a vehicle such as an aircraft, including exchanging one currency for another, obtaining currency using traveler's checks or a credit or debit card, and dispensing value cards purchased with cash or credit/debit cards. The value cards may be, for example, long-distance telephone usage cards or gaming cards, and the value cards may be increased in value or exchanged for cash using the system of the invention. A key feature of the system is that cash is always distributed in the currency of the next destination of the aircraft, as determined from flight management system data available on the aircraft. At each intermediate destination, a note dispenser is conditioned to dispense only the currency of the next destination.

This invention relates generally to currency dispensing and value card dispensing systems and, more particularly, to systems of this type suitable for use in aircraft or other passenger carrying vehicles. International travelers are well aware of the need to carry multiple currencies, and of the inconvenience that frequently ensues when one arrives at a destination without a supply of the local currency. Currency changing facilities are usually available at major airports, train stations, banks, and even in stores, but busy air travelers who forget or do not allow enough time to exchange their currency at a point of departure may prefer not to take the time needed to buy local currency at their destination.
A possible solution that has been proposed is to provide a cash dispensing machine in an aircraft. (See, for example, European Patent Application No. 94120354.9, filed Dec. 21, 1994, Andrea Modiano, inventor.) Airline passengers, particularly on long international trips, typically have plenty of time available for such tasks as exchanging their currency to the currency of their destination country. An onboard machine for this purpose would fulfill a significant need for the passengers. Unfortunately, however, the practicalities of modern air travel do not make it easy to design such a currency dispenser. Most aircraft on international routes fly multiple flight legs before being serviced, and these flight legs usually take the aircraft to multiple countries having different currencies. In most cases, each aircraft flies up to four flight legs before being serviced at an airline hub of operations. It would be impractical, and in some cases impossible, to service a currency dispensing machine at the intermediate destinations, so the dispensing machine must be capable of dispensing at least four separate currencies, and accepting multiple currencies in exchange. The system described generally in the European patent application referenced above attempts to achieve these functions by employing multiple currency note cassettes and multiple currency acceptance units. The system is extremely bulky and must be rolled on and an off the aircraft for servicing. Moreover, although the dispenser is controlled by a computer, it is not clear how the control functions are performed and, in particular, how the appropriate currency is selected.
Accordingly, there is a need for a currency exchange system of more compact construction, suitable for installation on an aircraft and able to dispense multiple currencies as the need arises during a flight having multiple legs. The present invention satisfies this need. In addition, it would be highly desirable to incorporate other related functions into a currency exchange system, specifically the ability to read various value cards, such as credit or debit cards, and the ability to dispense value cards for use in making telephone calls, or for use in gaming machines. The present invention meets these requirements also.

Onboard currency and value card exchanger


A system, method, and program product is provided that passively detects the existence of wireless networks in proximity to a wireless signal detector. A determination is made as to whether the detected wireless networks are encrypted or unencrypted. For those wireless networks that are unencrypted, a restriction level that applies to the unencrypted network is identified. The user is then notified when an unencrypted and unrestricted wireless network is detected.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system and method that detects wireless networks, often referred to as "hot spots." More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method that determines if a wireless network is truly open or if restrictions apply to usage of the wireless network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many computer users that frequently travel enjoy accessing computer networks, such as the Internet, using publicly available wireless networks called "hotspots." Hotspots are publicly accessible network (Internet) connections that anyone with a wireless device can connect to, provided that the user knows that the hotspot is present. Once aware of the hotspot, the user generally uses a mobile computing device, such as a laptop computer, to access the network. Because of the cumbersomeness of repeatedly pulling out a laptop computer and powering the computer up to see if the user is currently in a hotspot, hotspot detectors have been developed.
Hotspot detectors are generally small devices (usually small enough to connect to a keychain or store in a small pouch in your laptop carry case) that detect the presence of a hotspot. Hotspot detectors are a more efficient way to determine whether an available wireless connection exists than the "pull and power" routine of using a portable (e.g., laptop) computer to check availability.
Traditional hotspot detectors detect whether a wireless network is in the vicinity (in range) as well as whether the network is "open" or "protected." A protected wireless network is generally an encrypted network that only allows access to the network to employees or other individuals that have access to "secrets," such as passwords, needed to access the protected wireless network. A wireless network used by a business, home, or organization to access that entity's data is usually encrypted (protected) to prevent outsiders from accessing sensitive data. Obviously, a user that is passing through likely would not possess the security credentials needed to access the protected wireless network. So, knowing that a hotspot is a protected hotspot, prevents the user from trying to access the network using the user's portable computing device. Instead, the user is searching for open wireless networks.
A challenge of existing art is that unencrypted (unprotected) networks are often not truly open. Instead, the quasi-open network may require the user to access the network using a particular proxy server that requires the user to either agree to certain terms and conditions or pay money before being allowed to use the network. However, traditional hotspot detectors only detect that the wireless network is not encrypted (i.e., not protected) and do not detect the existence of these extra requirements, terms, or conditions. Using traditional hotspot detectors, the user would receive an indication from the hotspot detector that an "open" hotspot was available. The user would then have to use his or her portable computing device, such as a laptop computer, to access the network. At this point, the user would finally be presented with the extra requirements, terms, or conditions required to access the network through this wireless network.
A user searching for a truly open wireless network (hotspot) to access the Internet may wind up trying several "open" networks identified at various points of time by his or her hotspot detector before finding a truly open hotspot. Consequently, the traditional hotspot detector's inability to distinguish "truly open" hotspots from "quasi-open" hotspots can be exceedingly aggravating and time consuming to a user in need of accessing the computer network.

System and method for detecting free and open wireless networks


A local exposure apparatus for performing exposure processing on a specific area of a photosensitive film formed on a substrate includes a substrate conveyor configured to define a substrate conveying path and to horizontally convey the substrate along the substrate conveying path, a chamber configured to define an exposure processing space, a light source including a plurality of light-emitting elements linearly arranged above the substrate conveying path, a light emission drive unit configured to selectively drive one or more of the light-emitting elements of the light source, a substrate detector configured to detect the substrate conveyed by the substrate conveyor, and a control unit configured to control the light emission drive unit such that, when the specific area of the photosensitive film moves below the light source, only the light-emitting elements capable of irradiating the given area are driven to emit the light.

In the manufacture of, e.g., an FPD (Flat Panel Display), a circuit pattern is formed through a so-called photolithography process. In this photolithography process, as disclosed in JP2007-158253A, a specified film is formed on a target substrate such as a glass substrate and, subsequently, photoresist (hereinafter referred to as "resist") is applied to form a resist film (or a photosensitive film). Then, the resist film is exposed in conformity with a circuit pattern and is developed to form the circuit pattern.
In the photolithography process, as shown in FIG. 19A, a resist pattern R may be made to have different thickness portions (namely, thick portions R1 and a thin portion R2, for example, having nearly half the thickness of the thick portions R1) and then may be subjected to etching more than once. This makes it possible to reduce the number of photomasks and the number of processing steps. Typically, the resist pattern R of this type can be obtained by half (halftone) exposure processing that makes use of a single halftone mask having different light transmittance portions.
A circuit pattern forming process using the resist pattern R applied with the half exposure processing will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19A through 19E. Referring to FIG. 19A, a gate electrode 200, an insulating layer 201, a Si layer 202 composed of an a-Si layer (undoped amorphous Si layer) 202a and an n+a-Si layer (phosphor-doped amorphous Si layer) 202b, and a metal layer 203 for formation of electrodes are sequentially arranged on a glass substrate G. A resist pattern R obtained by the half exposure processing and the development processing is formed on the metal layer 203.
After forming the resist pattern R (having the thick portions R1 and the thin portion R2), the metal layer 203 is subjected to etching (first etching), as shown in FIG. 19B, at which time the resist pattern R is used as a mask. Then, the resist pattern R as a whole is subjected to ashing under the presence of plasma. This produces resist patterns R3 having a nearly halved thickness, as shown in FIG. 19C (for example, the thicknesses of the thick portions R1 are nearly halved while the thin portion R2 may be removed to expose an underling portion of the metal layer 203). Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 19D, the exposed portion of the metal layer 203 and the exposed portion of the Si layer 202 are subjected to etching (second etching), at which time the resist patterns R3 are used as masks. Finally, as shown in FIG. 19E, a circuit pattern is obtained by removing the resist patterns R3.
In the half exposure processing using the resist pattern R having the thick portions R1 and the thin portion R2, however, the thickness of the resist pattern R may become uneven through the substrate plane during formation of the resist pattern R. This poses a problem in that the line width of the resultant patterns and the pitch between the resultant patterns become irregular.
In this regard, description will be made in more detail with reference to FIGS. 20A through 20E. FIG. 20A shows an instance where the resist pattern R is formed such that the thickness t2 of the thin portion R2 of the resist pattern R becomes greater than the thickness t1 of the thin portion R2 shown in FIG. 19A. In this instance, just like the process shown in FIGS. 19A through 19E, the metal layer 203 is subjected to etching (see FIG. 20B) and the resist pattern R as a whole is subjected to ashing (see FIG. 20C).
This produces resist patterns R3 having a nearly halved thickness as shown in FIG. 20C. Assuming that the thickness of the resist film removed is equal to that shown in FIG. 19C, the pitch p2 between the resist patterns R3 may become smaller than the pitch p1 shown in FIG. 19C. In this state, the metal layer 203 and the Si layer 202 are subjected to etching (see FIG. 20D) and the resist patterns R3 are removed (see FIG. 20E). Consequently, the pitch p2 of the circuit pattern thus produced becomes smaller than the pitch p1 shown in FIG. 19E (in other word, the line width of the circuit pattern becomes greater).

Local exposure apparatus, local exposure method and storage medium


Kit and apparatus for watering a Christmas tree or other plant supported in a stand with a water receptacle.

Numerous situations occur in which it is desirable to provide a constant source of water to growing plants. Perhaps the most common of these situations is the Christmas tree, which is a key part of the traditional celebration of the Christmas holiday season. A tree is usually supported in a stand with a mechanism for holding the tree upright and a water reservoir. The base of the tree and the stand may be made more attractive with a skirt that surrounds the tree. Typically, in a home, wrapped, unopened gifts are placed around the base of the tree prior to Christmas day. In commercial settings, attractively wrapped boxes that simulate wrapped presents are often placed about the base of the tree.
Evergreen trees are usually cut some time prior to the holiday season for use as Christmas trees, and they tend to dry out during storage and display. In addition, if the cut end of the tree trunk is not immersed in water, a seal of resin will form over the end, and the tree will not be able to absorb water through the cut end. If a tree becomes too dry, it can present a fire hazard. In addition, needles drop off branches as the tree dries out, resulting in a messy accumulation of needles under the tree and a loss of the esthetic character of the tree. Thus, it is desirable to provide water to the tree to help prevent excessive drying of the tree. An average tree consumes between a quart and a gallon of water per day, and will dry out quickly if water is not provided. Although most Christmas tree stands include a bowl or receptacle that can be filled with water for absorption through the tree trunk, low tree branches extending outward from the tree trunk and stacked gifts around the base of the tree often make it difficult to access the water receptacle for refilling and replacing the water that evaporates and is taken up by the tree.
A number of watering systems have been described previously that can be located some distance away from the base of the tree and include a conduit for transporting water to a receptacle in the tree stand. Many of these systems include electrically operated pumps and/or valves which require connection to an electrical outlet via a cord between the device and the outlet. Extending a cord between the tree and a wall can create a tripping safety hazard, and it may also limit where a tree can be placed in a room if the tree must be located fairly close to an electrical outlet. In some homes, as well as in some commercial settings, it may be desirable to place a tree further away from an outlet or even in the middle of a room, such as in the lobby of a commercial building. In addition, there are potential hazards from short circuits if water is spilled or if a spark ignites a somewhat dry tree or an accumulation of dry needles.
Other watering systems have been described that do not require connection to a source of electricity, but they include special tree stands and/or specialized hardware or parts for proper function. Examples of such specialized parts include protective sleeves and side guards to prevent crushing of the conduit, metal rods that prevent the end of the conduit from resting on the bottom of the water receptacle in the tree stand, and rigid tubes extending from the end of a hose and into the water receptacle in the stand. In some cases, the conduit extends between the top of a water reservoir and the top of the tree stand, such that the conduit does not rest on the floor. In this case, the conduit may be unsightly because it is not hidden behind or under gift boxes and/or a decorative skirt that surrounds the base of the tree and the tree stand.
There also are devices with reservoirs shaped like holiday symbols, such as Santa boots and snowmen. However, these symbols tend to be less formal than the typical assortment of wrapped presents under a tree, and they may not fit into the desired decor and visual effect of the tree and/or the surrounding environment, particularly in an elegant setting.


An amplifying circuit has a feedback reactance element connected across a biasing feedback resistor and an input terminal for suppressing feedback of thermal noise generated by the biasing feedback resistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an amplifying circuit suitably used for high-frequency radio devices such as a portable telephone set. In particular, the present invention relates to an amplifying circuit which can be stably used, even when formed on a silicon substrate, for a portable telephone set as a first stage amplifying circuit to which signals received by a receiving antenna are directly input.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a prior art amplifying circuit disclosed in JP-A No. 7-263977. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 indicates an input terminal through which an input signal of a predetermined frequency is input to the amplifying circuit; 17 indicates an output terminal from which a signal amplified by the amplifying circuit is output; 18 indicates a first stage NPN type transistor having a base electrode connected to the input terminal 16 through a reactance element 20, an emitter electrode grounded, and a collector electrode connected to a high voltage side power supply of the amplifying circuit through a first stage load resistor 19; 31 indicates a second stage NPN type transistor having a base electrode connected to the collector electrode of the first stage NPN type transistor 18, an emitter electrode grounded through an emitter register 33, and a collector electrode connected to the output terminal 17 and the high voltage side power supply through a second stage load registor 32; 19 indicates the first stage load resistor connected across the collector electrode of the first stage NPN type transistor 18 and the high voltage side power supply; 32 indicates the second stage load resistor connected across the collector electrode of the second stage NPN type transistor 31 and the high voltage side power supply; 33 indicates the emitter resistor connected across the emitter electrode of the second stage NPN type transistor 31 and a ground potential; and 20 indicates a matching reactance element connected across the input terminal 16 and the base electrode of the first stage NPN type transistor 18 to match an input impedance from the viewpoint of the input terminal 16 with a predetermined impedance. A voltage generated at the emitter resistor 33 is fed-back to the node between the input terminal 16 and the matching reactance element 20.
The operation of the prior art amplifying circuit will be described hereinafter.
When an input signal of a predetermined frequency is inputted into the input terminal 16, since impedance matching is established by the matching reactance element 20, a signal having an amplitude equal to that of the input signal is inputted into the base electrode of the first stage NPN type transistor 18. And, the first stage NPN type transistor 18 amplifies an input voltage in an inverted phase. The second stage NPN type transistor 31 also amplifies an output voltage from the first stage NPN type transistor 18 in an inverted phase. Accordingly, an amplified signal of the same phase as that of the input signal applied to the input terminal 16 is outputted from the output terminal 17.
Since a voltage of a phase inverted to that of the input signal is basically generated at the emitter resistor 33 and is fed-back to the node between the input terminal 16 and the matching reactance element 20, an amplification factor of the amplifying circuit is suppressed by the negative feedback, to thereby realize a stable operation of the amplifying circuit without oscillation. Incidentally, the amplitude of the amplified signal is basically equal to an amplitude calculated by multiplying the amplitude of the input signal by the product of the amplification factor of the first stage of the NPN type transistor 18 and that of the second stage NPN type transistor 31.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing another prior art amplifying circuit disclosed in JP-A No. 7-263977. In this figure, reference numeral 42 indicates a feedback matching reactance element connected across an input terminal 16 and the emitter resistor 33 for matching an input impedance from the viewpoint of the input terminal 16 with a predetermined impedance. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, and therefore, parts corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same characters and the explanation thereof will be omitted.
With this configuration, even if a phase of the output signal is not just inverted to a phase of the input signal due to the impedance of a signal passage of the amplifying circuit, the phase of the output signal can be accurately adjusted to be inverted to the phase of the input signal, thus achieving effective feedback. In addition, as the feedback matching reactance element 42 used for such a purpose, like the matching reactance element 20, there is used a reactance element having an inductance of several nH if the frequency of the input signal is in the 800 MHz band.
Each of the prior art amplifying circuits having the above configurations has a problem that it cannot amplify signals of frequencies in the 800 MHz band used for portable telephone at a low noise level unless the amplifying circuit is monolithically formed on an expensive GaAs substrate having an insulation resistance higher than that of a silicon substrate.
Problems in the prior art amplifying circuits will be specifically described below.
When passive elements, such as resistor elements and reactance elements, are formed on a substrate for semiconductor devices, a parasitic capacitance formed between the substrate and the wiring pattern for connecting the passive elements exhibits a high-frequency wave cutting off characteristic. With respect to the capacity of the parasitic capacitance, the cut-off frequency of the parasitic capacitance formed on a silicon substrate is lower than that of the parasitic capacitance formed on a GaAs substrate. Therefore, if the above amplifying circuit is formed on a silicon substrate, it cannot amplify even an input signal of a frequency in the order of 800 MHz and -110 dBm with a low level of noises.
The emitter resistor generates thermal noises when a bias voltage is applied. The level of noises inputted to the base electrode of the first stage NPN type transistor is raised by the thermal noise generated by the emitter resistor. As a result, even if the input signal of a frequency in the order of 800 MHz and about -110 dBm cannot be amplified at a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (hereinafter referred to as "S/N ratio"). In particular, in an amplifying circuit composed with impedance matching of a 50.OMEGA. system to transmit high-frequency signals, since the impedance of the matching reactance element and the feedback matching reactance element is small, the rise of the level of input noises due to feedback cannot be effectively suppressed.


An x-ray CT scanner is operated in a calibration procedure to produce error signature vectors that indicate detector elements that have a non-uniform response along the z-axis and which may generate ring or band artifacts when certain anatomies are scanned. A correction process employs these error signatures during the scan to determine when correction is necessary and to make those corrections to the projection data as it is acquired.

This invention relates to computed tomography equipment and specifically to the correction of errors caused by variations in x-ray detector sensitivity along the z-axis.
Computed tomography (CT) systems, include an x-ray source collimated to form a fan beam, the fan beam extending generally along a fan beam plane and directed through an object to be imaged. After passing through the imaged object, the fan beam is received by an x-ray detector array extending along the fan beam plane. The x-ray source and detector array are rotated together on a gantry within an imaging plane, generally parallel to the fan beam plane, around the image object.
The axis of rotation of the gantry is designated as the z-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system and the fan beam plane and imaging plane is parallel to the x-y plane of the coordinate system.
The detector array is comprised of detector cells each of which measures the intensity of transmitted radiation along a ray from the x-ray source to that particular detector cell. At each gantry angle, a projection is acquired comprised of intensity signals from each of the detector cells. The gantry is then rotated to a new gantry angle and the process is repeated to collect a number of projections along a number of gantry angles to form a tomographic projection set.
Each tomographic projection set is stored in numerical form for later computer processing to "reconstruct" a cross sectional image according to algorithms known in the art. The reconstructed image may be displayed on a conventional CRT or may be converted to a film record by means of a computer driven camera.
Ideally, the fan beam plane will strike the center line of the detector array. In practice, however, the fan beam plane may be displaced along the z-axis from the center line because of two effects. The first effect is the thermal expansion of the x-ray tube's anode and its support. The surface temperature of the tube's anode may rise as high as 2000.degree. C. and the anode supporting structure may rise to 400.degree. C. or more. This heating and the resulting expansion of the tube's anode and its support causes a shifting of the focal spot of the tube which moves the point from which the x-rays emanate. The shifting of the focal spot causes a corresponding shift in the fan beam plane.
The second effect is the mechanical deflection of the gantry and anode support as the gantry rotates. This deforming stress results from the changing angle of gravitational acceleration and the changing magnitude of centripetal acceleration as a function of the rotational velocity of the gantry, acting both on the gantry and anode.
Displacement of the fan beam plane along the z-axis of the detector array is a problem because it causes variations in detector signals that are "exogenous" or unrelated to the internal structure of the imaged object. Generally each detector cell's sensitivity to x-rays will be a function of the z-axis position of the fan beam along the surface of that cell, that is, the detector cells exhibit a non-uniform "z-axis sensitivity". This z-axis sensitivity, combined with motion of the fan beam plane on the detectors, produces the undesired variations in the strength of the detector signal. Such exogenous variations in the detector signals produce undesirable ring like artifacts in the reconstructed image.
Compounding the problem of correcting for variations in z-axis sensitivity is the fact that the z-axis sensitivity generally differs among different detector cells in the detector array. This difference will be termed "intercell sensitivity variation".
Displacement of the fan beam plane and thus variations in the detector signals may be predicted and corrected. In U.S. Pat. No 4,991,189, issued Feb. 5, 1991, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and incorporated by reference, a control system using a movable collimator adjusts the z-axis position of the fan beam plane as deduced from a pair of special detector cells. The special detector cells provide information to a computer model of the system which in turn is used to control the collimator and to correct the placement of the fan beam plane. While such closed loop controls of the fan beam location reduce z-axis artifacts, they do not eliminate the problem.
Intercell sensitivity can be corrected using data from a calibration scan performed before a patient is in place. However, such corrections do not eliminate ring and band artifacts due to variations in detector sensitivity along the z-axis. Consider, for example, the z-axis sensitivity profiles of three different detector cells #1-3 in FIGS. 4(a)-4(c). Detector cell #1 represents a perfect sensitivity profile, while detector cells #2 and #3 represent actual sensitivity profiles with different characteristics. If these three detector cells are exposed to an x-ray flux which is uniform, the detector responses will differ because of the different z-axis sensitivities profiles, but these can be corrected using the calibration data.
Consider, however, the situation in which the x-ray flux is not uniform along the z-axis, but is instead variably attenuated by the patient being imaged. One such x-ray flux density profile is shown in FIG. 5(a), and the resulting response of these three detector cells after air calibration in FIG. 4 are shown in FIG. 5(b). On the other hand, consider a different x-ray flux density profile as shown in FIG. 6(a) and the resulting response of the same three detector cells after air calibration in FIG. 6(b). It is apparent that the corrections needed to level the detector responses is a function of the x-ray flux density profile, which in turn is a function of the attenuation characteristics of the object being imaged. In other words, the corrections needed depend on the object being imaged, and calibration data acquired with no object present will not suffice to eliminate ring and band artifacts caused by variations in the z-axis sensitivity of detector cells.

Computed tomography system with z-axis correction


A document size sensing device incorporated in an image recorder and capable of sensing a plurality of document sizes with a small number of optical elements. A sensor is made up of a single light emitting element, a spectroscope for dividing light issuing from the light emitting element into a plurality of beams toward a plane where a document is laid, a lens on which light reflected by the document is incident, and a plurality of light-sensitive elements for receiving the light propagating through the lens. A single sensor with such a configuration can sense a plurality of document sizes.

The present invention relates to a copier, image reader, facsimile transceiver or similar image recorder and, more particularly, to a device incorporated in an image recorder for sensing the size of a document laid on a glass platen to be copied.
An image recorder of the type laying a document to be copied on a glass platen, scanning the document to read an image thereof, and then reproducing it on a paper or similar recording medium is conventional. It is a common practice with this type of image recorder to determine the size of the document positioned on the glass platen in the event of reading an image printed on the document. For this purpose, it has been customary to arrange a group of sensors responsive to the document width below the glass platen in a main scanning direction, and another group of sensors responsive to the document length in the subscanning direction. Such a sensing device, however, cannot cope with many document sizes without resorting to a great number of sensors in each of the main and subscanning directions. Moreover, since each sensor is made up of a light emitting element and a light-sensitive element, a great number of optical elements are required in total, increasing the cost of the sensing device.

Document size sensing having a spectroscope


A fluid-contained display ornament comprising a transparent fluid container for holding a fluid, a pilot device, and a display device having one end secured to one end of the transparent fluid container and an opposite end secured to the pilot device. The pilot device floats in the fluid to spread out the display for exhibition when the transparent fluid container stands up. The display device is forced by the pilot device to conceal itself at said one end of the transparent fluid container when the transparent fluid container is turned upside-down.

The present invention relates to fluid-contained display ornaments. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fluid-contained display ornament which extends out a display device for showing when it stands up or conceals such a display device from the sight when it is turned upside-down.
Several fluid-contained ornaments are known. These fluid-contained ornaments are generally comprised of a transparent fluid container having an ornamental float floating in a fluid contained therein. Moving the transparent fluid container of a fluid-contained ornament causes the ornamental float to navigate through waves.


A friction clutch which is provided with a system to compensate for wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc and, if necessary, for wear upon certain other parts employs one or more diaphragm springs or other energy storing elements which assist in the disengagement of the clutch so that the disengaging force is relatively low and/or that such force fluctuates within a relatively narrow range. The energy storing element or elements can operate in parallel with the clutch spring and can be installed between the housing of the friction clutch and the clutch spring. The disengaging force of the energy storing element or elements can be assisted by the bias of resilient segments between the friction linings of the clutch disc.

The invention relates to clutches in general and more particularly to improvements in friction clutches. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in friction clutches which can be utilized with advantage in power trains between the engines and the wheels of motor vehicles.
A friction clutch of the type to which the present invention pertains normally employs a housing or cover which receives torque from the prime mover of a vehicle, for example, by way of a counterpressure plate (such as a flywheel) which is driven by the output element (e.g., a camshaft or a crankshaft) of a combustion engine. An axially movable pressure plate is installed between the is housing and the counterpressure plate and is caused to bias a clutch disc against the counterpressure plate when the clutch is engaged. The clutch disc then transmits torque to the input shaft of a transmission or another torque receiving part in the power train of the vehicle. The means for biasing the pressure plate toward the counterpressure plate (to thus clamp the clutch disc between the two plates in the engaged condition of the clutch) normally comprises a clutch spring (particularly a diaphragm spring) which reacts against the housing and bears against the adjacent side of the pressure plate when the clutch is engaged. The pressure plate shares the angular movements of the housing and of the counterpressure plate; to this end, the pressure plate is normally coupled to the housing by leaf springs which permit the pressure plate to move toward and away from the counterpressure plate in the direction of the common axis of the housing and the counterpressure plate but prevents the pressure plate from turning relative to the housing.
It is further known to provide a friction clutch of the above outlined character with a unit which can compensate (preferably automatically) at least for wear upon friction linings which form part of the clutch disc and are in frictional contact with the pressure plate and the counterpressure plate in the at least partially engaged condition of the clutch.
Friction clutches of the aforedescribed type are described and shown, for example, in published German patent application Serial No. 42 39 289 as well as in the prior art which is referred to in such application.
An advantage of the wear compensating unit is that it renders it possible to bias the pressure plate and the counterpressure plate of the friction clutch against the adjacent friction linings of the clutch disc with a considerable force even after the friction linings have already undergone extensive wear. Another purpose of the wear compensating unit is to render it more likely that the clutch can be disengaged in response to the application of a relatively small disengaging force, namely a disengaging force whose maximum value can be said to be within an acceptable (relatively low) range, as well as to establish circumstances under which the disengaging force is likely to remain at least substantially constant during the useful life of the clutch. The useful life of the clutch is determined, to a considerable degree, by the useful life of the friction linings on the clutch disc even though certain other factors (such as the wear upon the pressure plate, the wear upon the counterpressure plate and/or the wear upon the clutch spring or springs) are also apt to affect the life expectancy of the friction clutch.
The utilization of diaphragm springs as a means for biasing the pressure plate against the adjacent friction linings of the clutch disc in the engaged condition of the friction clutch has been found to exhibit the advantage that the clutch can be disengaged in response to the application of a relatively small (maximum) disengaging force and that the disengaging force need not fluctuate within a relatively wide range. The nature and the mounting of the diaphragm spring (which serves to bias the pressure plate against the clutch disc in the engaged condition of the friction clutch) are such that the magnitude of the force being applied by the diaphragm spring decreases at least during the major part of the distance that must be covered, by the pressure plate for the purpose of disengagement of the clutch, i.e., the diaphragm spring exhibits a degressive force-to-distance characteristic.
However, the aforedescribed conventional friction clutches also exhibit certain serious drawbacks. Thus, even if the means for engaging the clutch employs one or more diaphragm springs, the magnitude of the disengaging force which must be applied in order to move the pressure plate away from the clutch disc often varies within an excessively wide range. As a rule, the disengaging force which must be applied to move the pressure plate away from the counterpressure plate at first rises toward an undesirably high maximum value to thereupon gradually decrease to a minimum value. The difference between the maximum and minimum values of such disengaging force is considerable and, in many instances, well above the acceptable range. As a rule, the ratio of the maxima and minima of disengaging forces which must be applied in heretofore known friction clutches of the above outlined character is between 1.5 and 2.5 or even higher.
The need for the application of very pronounced disengaging forces is undesirable irrespective of whether the clutch is being manipulated by the operator of the vehicle or automatically, e.g., by a servomotor. If the clutch is to be disengaged by a motor, the dimensions of such motor are proportional to the magnitude of the disengaging force which is to be applied in order to move the pressure plate away from the counterpressure plate. The same applies for the energy requirements of the motor. Moreover, it is necessary to employ stable and hence bulky and more expensive means for transmitting motion in order to disengage the clutch. Rather bulky, heavy and expensive motion transmitting means are necessary on the additional ground that such parts must withstand pronounced deforming stresses during transmission of large forces from the disengaging motor to the pressure plate in order to disengage the clutch. Even the elasticity of the motion transmitting parts must be limited to a minimum in order to ensure predictable disengagement of the clutch against the opposition of the diaphragm spring(s).


A refrigerator comprises a main cabinet formed with a storage compartment, a partition which partitions the storage compartment into a first storage compartment, a second storage compartment, a multipurpose compartment; a first evaporator provided to the main cabinet to generate cool air supplied to the first storage compartment; a second evaporator which is provided to the main cabinet to generate the cool air supplied to the second storage compartment; a first sub cool air duct which guides the cool air generated from the first evaporator to the multipurpose compartment; a second sub cool air duct which guides the cool air generated from the second evaporator to the multipurpose compartment; and at least one sub cool air supplying apparatus provided to the first sub cool air duct and the second sub cool air duct to supply the cool air from the first evaporator and the second evaporator to the multipurpose compartment.

1. Field
A refrigerator and an operating method thereof relate to providing a multipurpose compartment to a partition partitioning a storage compartment into a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, and cooling the multipurpose compartment with cool air generated from a first evaporator and a second evaporator.
2. Description of the Related Art
A refrigerator uses a refrigerating cycle including compressing, condensing and evaporating to store items therein at a low temperature for a long period of time. An inner part of the refrigerator is formed with a storage compartment supplied with cool air generated by the refrigerating cycle, and storing the items. The storage compartment is partitioned, according to the amount of the cool air, into a freezing compartment storing the items below the freezing point, and a refrigerating compartment storing the items at a relatively high temperature, that is, above the freezing point.
Recently, a refrigerator formed with a multi storage compartment capable of extending the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment as necessary has been introduced. Also, a refrigerator formed with a multipurpose compartment storing an item under a temperature condition different from the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment has been introduced.
However, in the conventional refrigerator, since the multi storage compartment or the multipurpose compartment is cooled by using the evaporator extended from the evaporator cooling the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are overcooled, and manufacturing costs increase. Also, in the conventional refrigerator, since the compressor is excessively operated to cool the multi storage compartment or the multipurpose compartment, operating efficiency of the compressor decreases, and power consumption costs increase.

Refrigerator and operating method thereof


A distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant named xe2x80x98KLEC00070xe2x80x99, characterized by its compact and cascading plant habit; early and freely flowering habit; violet purple-colored flowers; and good weather tolerance.

Calibrachos sp. cultivar KLEC00070.
The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant, botanically known as Calibrachoa sp., and hereinafter referred to by the name xe2x80x98KLEC00070xe2x80x99.
The new Calibrachoa is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Stuttgart, Germany. The objective of the program is to create new early-flowering Calibrachoa cultivars with cascading and freely branching growth habit and attractive flower colors.
The new Calibrachoa originated from a cross made by the Inventor during the summer of 1998 of a proprietary selection of Calibrachoa identified as code number R 14, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Calibrachoa identified as code number J 57, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Calibrachoa was selected by the Inventor in May, 1999 in a controlled environment in Stuttgart, Germany, on the basis of its cascading plant habit and violet purple-colored flowers.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in a controlled environment in Stuttgart, Germany since June, 1999, has shown that the unique features of this new Calibrachoa are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.
Plants of the cultivar KLEC00070 have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, daylength, water status and fertility level without, however, any variance in genotype.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of xe2x80x98KLEC00070xe2x80x99. These characteristics in combination distinguish xe2x80x98KLEC00070xe2x80x99 as a new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa:
1. Compact and cascading plant habit.
2. Early flowering.
3. Freely flowering habit.
4. Violet purple-colored flowers.
5. Good weather tolerance; tolerant to rain and low and high temperatures.
Plants of the new Calibrachoa differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection, R 14, in flower color as flower color of plants of the new Calibrachoa is darker than flower color of plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Calibrachoa differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection, J 57, in plant habit as plants of the new Calibrachoa have a more cascading plant habit than plants of the male parent selection.
Plants of the new cultivar can be compared to plants of the Calibrachoa cultivar KLEC00069, U.S. Plant Patent application filed concurrently with this application. In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in Stuttgart, Germany, plants of the new Calibrachoa differed from plants of the cultivar KLEC00069 in the following characteristics:
1. Plants of the new Calibrachoa are not as cascading as plants of the KLEC00069.
2. Plants of the new Calibrachoa have smaller flowers than plants of the KLEC00069.
3. Flower color of plants of the new Calibrachoa is darker than flower color of plants of the KLEC00069.
Plants of the cultivar KLEC00070 can also be compared to plants of the Calibrachoa cultivar Sunbelkubi, not patented. However in side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in Stuttgart, Germany, plants of the new Calibrachoa and the cultivar Sunbelkubi differ in the following characteristics:
1. Plants of the new Calibrachoa have smaller leaves than plants of the cultivar Sunbelkubi.
2. Plants of the new Calibrachoa have larger flowers than plants of the cultivar Sunbelkubi.
3. Flower color of plants of the new Calibrachoa is slightly lighter than flower color of plants of the cultivar Sunbelkubi.
4. Flowers of plants of the new Calibrachoa do not close under low light conditions whereas flowers of plants of the cultivar Sunbelkubi close under low light conditions.


An upstream portion of an intake passage is positioned upstream of a supercharger. An intermediate portion is positioned between the supercharger and a throttle valve. A downstream portion is positioned downstream of the throttle valve. A blow-by gas processing apparatus has a first breather passage, a second breather passage, and an introduction passage. The first breather passage connects an interior of the engine with the downstream portion. The second breather passage has a pump that pressure feeds gas from the interior of the engine to the intake passage. The introduction passage connects at least one of the upstream portion and the intermediate portion with the interior of the engine. Accordingly, the interior of the engine is efficiently ventilated.

The present invention relates to a blow-by gas processing apparatus provided in an internal combustion engine provided with a supercharger.
A vehicle internal combustion engine can be provided with, for example, a blow-by gas processing apparatus. The blow-by gas processing apparatus recirculates a combustion gas leaking to a crank chamber from a gap between a cylinder and a piston of the engine, that is, a blow-by gas to an intake passage. Specifically, an intake negative pressure generated in a portion of the intake passage in a downstream side of a throttle valve draws the blow-by gas in an interior of the engine so as to flow into a breather passage. The blow-by gas is returned to the intake passage from the breather passage, is again fed to the combustion chamber, and is burned. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a discharge amount of hydrocarbon (HC) to the atmosphere. Further, it is possible to inhibit the blow-by gas from deteriorating oil in the interior of the engine. As mentioned above, the blow-by gas processing apparatus ventilates the interior of the engine.
However, in the case that the supercharger is provided in the engine, if the supercharger is operated, the intake negative pressure is lost. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-164918 discloses a gas pump provided in a breather passage, however, no supercharger is provided in the engine in the publication.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a blow-by gas processing apparatus which efficiently ventilates the interior of an engine.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a blow-by gas processing apparatus applicable to an internal combustion engine is provided. An intake passage extends from the engine. Intake air flows from an upstream side to a downstream side in the intake passage, whereby the intake air flows toward the engine. A supercharger and a throttle valve are arranged in the intake passage. A throttle valve is positioned downstream of the supercharger. The supercharger pressure feeds the intake air flowing through the intake passage toward the engine, thereby supercharging the intake air to the engine. The throttle valve variably sets a passage cross-sectional area of the intake passage. The intake passage has an upstream portion, an intermediate portion, and a downstream portion. The upstream portion is positioned upstream of the supercharger. The intermediate portion is positioned between the supercharger and the throttle valve. The downstream portion is positioned in a downstream side of the throttle valve. The processing apparatus has a first breather passage, a second breather passage, and an introduction passage. The first breather passage connects the interior of the engine with the downstream portion. The first breather passage has a one-way valve allowing only a gas discharge from the interior of the engine to the intake passage. The second breather passage connects the interior of the engine with the intake passage. The second breather passage has a pump pressure feeding the gas to the intake passage from the interior of the engine. The introduction passage connects at least one of the upstream portion and the intermediate portion with the interior of the engine.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.


A well logging instrument including a plurality of detectors having different precisions and accuracies, the more precise detectors generally having lower accuracies. The detectors are responsive to the interaction of radiation from a suitable source on the instrument with earth formations. Outputs from the plurality of detectors are smoothed and combined to provide processed measurements with improved accuracy and precision.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of pulsed neutron well logging. More specifically, the invention is an apparatus and method for improving accuracy and precision of capture cross-section measurements.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pulsed neutron well logging instruments are known in the art for determining the macroscopic thermal neutron capture cross-section of earth formations penetrated by a wellbore. Typical pulsed neutron instruments include a controllable source of high-energy neutrons and one or more gamma ray radiation detectors positioned at spaced apart locations from the neutron source. The source is periodically activated to emit controlled-duration "bursts" of high-energy neutrons into the earth formations surrounding the well borehole. These neutrons interact with the atomic nuclei of the materials in the earth formations, losing energy with each interaction until the neutrons reach the thermal energy level (defined as having a most likely energy of about 0.025 electron volts). Depending on the material composition of the earth formations proximal to the instrument, the thermal neutrons can be absorbed (captured), at various rates by certain types of atomic nuclei in the earth formations. When one of these atomic nuclei captures a thermal neutron, it emits a gamma ray, which is referred to as a "capture gamma ray".
The rate at which the capture gamma rays are emitted, with respect to the elapsed time after the end of the neutron "burst" depends on, among other things, the relative concentration per unit volume in the earth formations of those atomic nuclei which have a relatively large tendency to absorb thermal neutrons and emit capture gamma rays in response. This tendency is referred to as the thermal neutron capture cross-section.
The capture cross section, designated as Σ, of the formation is determined by sending a burst of neutrons from the tool and watching the decline of the gamma ray count rate with time as the neutrons are captured by the surrounding materials (neutron capture) and as they diffuse farther away (neutron diffusion). Σ is inferred from this observed decline in the gamma ray count rate versus time. However, in addition to the neutron capture, two key environmental effects contribute to the observed decline, or decay rate: diffusion and the so-called "borehole contamination." These effects need to be carefully characterized in order to determine the correct Σ throughout the wide range of operating conditions typically encountered in the oilfield. These effects are controlled by parameters which include borehole size, casing size, casing weight, borehole fluid salinity, porosity, and lithology.
Some approaches to handling these environmental effects have been described in the prior art literature. See, for e.g., , Steinman, et al. "Dual-Burst Thermal Decay Time Logging Principles," 1986 SPE Annual Technical conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, La., (Oct. 5-8, 1986), paper SPE 15437; Smith, et al., "Obtaining Intrinsic Formation Capture Cross Sections with Pulsed Neutron Capture Logging Tools," Transactions of the 29th Annual SPWLA Symposium, San Antonio, Tex. (Jun. 5-8, 1988), paper SS; Murdoch, et al., "Diffusion Corrections to Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs: Methodology," Transactions of the 31st Annual SPWLA Symposium, Lafayette, La. (Jun. 24-27, 1990), paper Q; and Odom et al., "Quantitative Use of Computer Models in Calibration of the Computalog Pulsed Neutron Thermal Decay, Transactions of the 33rd Annual SPWLA Logging Symposium, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Jun. 14-17, 1992), paper P.
Under certain wellbore conditions, it is difficult to determine the fractional saturation of oil or gas by processing the capture gamma ray measurements according to methods known in the art for determining the thermal neutron capture cross-section, ΣF, of the earth formation of interest. Several factors contribute to this difficulty. First, the well logging instrument is typically inserted into a wellbore which is filled with liquid. At the time the pulsed neutron instrument is typically used, the wellbore generally has inserted therein a steel liner or casing. The liner or casing is generally held in place by cement filling the annular space between the wellbore wall and the exterior of the liner or casing. As high-energy neutrons leave the neutron source in the logging instrument, the mud in the wellbore has the effect of rapidly moderating (or slowing down) the high-energy neutrons to the thermal level due to of the high concentration of hydrogen nuclei in the mud.
In general, the relative numbers of thermal neutrons ("population") at any particular time after a neutron burst, or thermal neutrons in the wellbore and in the earth formations proximal to the wellbore, will depend on the porosity and on the hydrogen nucleus concentration within the earth formation. This population can be "captured," or absorbed by nuclei of various chemical elements in the wellbore and formations, at a rate which depends upon the relative concentration and on the thermal neutron capture cross-section of these elements. In wellbores and in earth formations, some of the more common elements having high thermal neutron cross-sections include chlorine, hydrogen, iron, silicon, calcium, boron, and sulfur. As determined from measurements of capture gamma rays made by the well logging instrument, the thermal neutron decay time (neutron lifetime), represents combined effects of the thermal neutron capture cross-section in each of several regions within the wellbore as well as in the earth formations proximal to the wellbore. These regions include the instrument itself, the fluid in the wellbore, the steel casing, the cement, the earth formations radially proximal to the wellbore wall (which may have been infiltrated by fluid from within the wellbore), and the earth formations radially more distal from the wellbore wall (which have minimal infiltration from the fluid in the wellbore).
Several prior art are aimed at improving measurements in capture cross-section logging. A method and apparatus employing a source and two detectors are discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,645,926 and 4,656,354, both issued to Randall. A subsurface instrument includes a long-spaced (LS) and short-spaced (SS) detector for detecting natural or induced gamma ray emissions from subsurface formations. The detectors produce electrical pulses, with each pulse corresponding in time with the incidence of a corresponding gamma ray on the detector and having an analog voltage amplitude correlative of the gamma ray. A method is discussed in Randall '354 for determining presence of a gas by comparing first and second parameters obtained at the detectors. The first parameter is indicative of a count of detected impingements of primarily inelastic gamma radiation upon a detector. The second parameter is indicative of a count of detected impingements of primarily capture gamma radiation upon a detector. Randall '926 discusses a method of determining a parameter of the borehole, wherein primarily inelastic gamma radiation is normalized upon impingement on a detection means.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,863, issued to Gray, et al., an apparatus is used to analyze and process parameters including, for example, the macroscopic thermal neutron absorption capture cross-section of the formation at borehole elevations corresponding to the locations from which such spectra are derived. For acquiring temporal spectral data, a multi-channel scale section is provided which includes a channel number generator which produces a numerical sequence of memory address codes corresponding to a sequence of adjacent time windows. A suitable memory device is part of the downhole apparatus. Each code uniquely defines a start time, whereby the windows collectively comprise the time interval of the desired spectrum. Each time a gamma ray pulse is detected, the memory address generated at that time addresses a corresponding memory location and increments the count value resident therein. At the conclusion of the time spectrum interval of interest, the memory locations may be interrogated by the CPU and the resultant spectral data analyzed, transmitted to the surface, or presented visually as a gamma ray emission count versus time plot. Correlation is made of detection signals in response to impingement of gamma radiation upon first and second detectors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,321, issued to Schmidt, discusses a method for determining the fractional amounts and the thermal neutron capture cross-sections of various regions in a wellbore and regions in earth formations in the vicinity of the wellbore, each having a distinct mean neutron decay time or macroscopic thermal neutron capture cross-section. The method includes generating a data kernel which is made up of representors (models), or potential decay components of the wellbore and of the earth formations in the vicinity of the wellbore. A thermal neutron decay spectrum is measured by a pulsed neutron instrument including a controllable source of high-energy neutrons and one or more gamma ray detectors at spaced-apart locations from the source. The decay spectrum measured by the instrument is inverted to determine model parameters by which the individual representors are scaled so that when combined, the scaled representors most closely match the measured decay spectrum.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,298, issued to Mickael, discusses a method for determining the oil saturation in an earth formation penetrated by a wellbore. Measurement of the relative amounts of carbon and oxygen in the wellbore and formation are made by spectral analysis of neutron-induced inelastic gamma rays detected from the earth formation at spaced-apart locations. The method includes calculating an apparent oil holdup in the wellbore at each one of the spaced-apart locations from the measurements of the relative amounts of carbon and oxygen. A corrected oil holdup is calculated in the wellbore from differences between the apparent holdups determined at each of the spaced-apart locations. An apparent oil saturation in the formation is determined at each of the spaced-apart locations from the relative amounts of carbon and oxygen and the corrected oil holdup. A corrected formation oil saturation is determined from differences between the apparent oil saturations at each of the spaced apart locations.
Plasek et al., 1995, "Improved Pulsed Neutron Capture Logging With Slim Carbon-Oxygen Tools: Methodology," SPE Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition, Dallas, Tex., Oct. 22-25, 1995, paper SPE 30598, discusses a method of carbon-oxygen ratio determination using a reservoir saturation tool for determining physical parameters of a formation. In one embodiment of the tool, the source and detectors are cylindrically symmetrical. In an alternate embodiment of the tool, the short-spaced detector is positioned so as to face toward the borehole while the long-spaced detector is positioned against a face of the borehole wall so as to receive signals from inside a formation layer.
A need exists for improving a precision and accuracy of parameter estimation obtained from earth formations. The present invention fulfills this need.

Apparatus and method for determining thermal neutron capture cross section of a subsurface formation from a borehole using multiple detectors


The present invention provides elimination of atmosphere that is not suitable to a space concerned by controlling atmosphere.

Five senses (eyesight, smell, touch, taste and hearing) can make a direct appeal to our sensitivity. As a technology that utilizes this fact, there is a method that enables to intentionally create atmosphere by controlling illumination.
A technology intending to control illumination in synchronization with music has been known, wherein, by picking the melody tune out of the music and then irradiating illumination that is suitable to the music (See Patent Reference 1, for example). However, the technology only creates atmosphere of the music and it does not create atmosphere of the space by detecting atmosphere that is given off by a person who is present in the space.
Further, there is a technology that, when downloading Karaoke information through Karaoke on demand from a server, it enables presentment suitable for the music by adding a control command of illumination in addition to music and video (See Patent Reference 2, for example). However, since the control command of illumination synchronizes with the music, it is not possible to detect the state of mind of a person who is singing Karaoke and control illumination by considering his or her state of mind.
Furthermore, there is a technology that, by mounting a sensor on the microphone, irradiates a person who holds the microphone with spot light (See Patent Reference 3, for example). However, since this technology is arranged to irradiate the spotlight to a person who is designated in advance, it is able to follow movements of a person, but it cannot deal with atmosphere of a space.    Patent Reference 1: JP-A-2004-163767    Patent Reference 2: JP-A-6-274188    Patent Reference 3: JP-A-8-124406

Abstract: The present invention is characterized that atmosphere in space is analyzed based on voice, and if atmosphere that is not suitable to the space is detected, the atmosphere in the space is controlled by choosing and irradiating illumination that enables to create atmosphere suitable to the space, atmosphere in the space is controlled for creating atmosphere that is suitable to the space.


A system and method for broadcasting to a plurality of client side devices over a network, such as the Internet, using visual layers for assembly in a media broadcast. In response to receiving input for simulating the media broadcast defined by content objects and arrangement of each layer in the simulation, transmitting the content objects for each of a plurality of the layers in a different live stream to each of the client side devices and transmitting design parameters defining the arrangement of the layers in the simulation to each of the client side devices. Each of the client side devices may be adapted to assemble the layers of a media broadcast according to the content objects and design parameters of the transmissions so that the content objects and design of the media broadcast assembled at each of the client side devices substantially matches that of the simulated media broadcast.

Broadcasts for news or media shows or for personal use may stream multiple video, audio, graphics and/or text objects, simultaneously, using separate media layers. Such broadcasts can occur via standard broadcast format, e.g., on a monitor display, or via Internet, e.g., in a webpage. Each media layer may be a static object (e.g., a logo or title of the broadcast) or may be dynamic (e.g., a news ticker or video player).
Different media layers may have different media sources. For example, layer 1 (the primary layer) may be a media show (e.g., recorded via one or more video cameras), layer 2 may be a logo for the network (e.g., uploaded from a computer) and layer 3 may be a news ticker (e.g., streamed from a news server). However, regardless of the diversity of data sources, all the media layers may be assembled and merged at a centralized server into a single media stream transmitted to all the viewer devices for display. Accordingly, every viewers' broadcast is identical. Furthermore, since the media layers are merged before transmission, every viewer's broadcast is fixed and can only be passively viewed, not actively manipulated. Such systems may prevent interactive or collaborative broadcast environments.

System and method for synchronized interactive layers for media broadcast


A start control circuit is provided, which comprises a first switch unit, a start control unit and a second switch unit; the first switch unit is configured to determine a charging path of the start control unit according to the input signals of different start modes; the start control unit is configured to carry out the corresponding start modes, and start energy of the corresponding start modes is stored during a period of charging time corresponding to the charging path, thereby control the current of the second switch unit at the starting moment; and the second switch unit is configured to control an external circuit by receiving gating signals outputted from the start control unit. The present invention also provides a display panel driving circuit and a display device using the start control circuit.

For existing LED televisions, soft start times of starting moments in different starting modes are the same. When the starting mode is a three-dimension starting mode, a maximum current flowing through the LED is much more than the maximum current flowing through the LED in a two-dimension starting mode. If the soft start times of the starting moments in different starting modes are the same, then it will cause that when the starting mode is the three-dimension starting mode, at the starting moment, the current flowing through the inductor is excessive thus it exceeds the saturation current of the inductor or it exceeds the rated current specification of the field-effect tube.

Start control circuit, display panel driving circuit and display device

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.