In semiconductor manufacture a method of shaping the features of a semiconductor structure using chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) is provided. During CMP, a relatively soft polishing pad is utilized to conform to and contour a topography of the semiconductor structure. Another layer of a material such as a dielectric (e.g. TEOS based silicon dioxide) can then be deposited over the contoured topography without the inclusion of voids. The method of the invention is particularly suited to the formation of void free dielectric layers.

In microchip fabrication, integrated circuits are formed on a semiconducting substrate. In general, various materials which are either conductive, insulating, or semiconducting are utilized to form the integrated circuits. These materials are patterned, doped with impurities, and deposited by various processes to form the integrated circuits. Active devices (e.g. transistors, diodes, etc.) formed on the substrate are interconnected utilizing metal lines embedded in a dielectric layer.
As silicon technology advances to ultra large scale integration (ULSI), the devices on silicon wafers shrink to sub-micron dimension and the circuit density increases to several million transistors per die. In order to accomplish this high device packing density, smaller and smaller feature sizes are required. This may include the geometry of various features and the width and spacing of the interconnecting lines.
These diminishing geometries have necessitated improved deposition and patterning techniques during the manufacture of semiconductor devices. As an example, dielectric layers formed over interlevel conducting lines are typically planarized to minimize topographic effects on subsequent photolithography processes. In a typical process, a dielectric layer is conformally deposited over patterned metal or semiconductor lines in such a way as to fill in the gaps between the lines. The dielectric deposition is followed by a planarization step such as chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), to remove excess material and planarize the surface topography.
In general, the chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process involves holding a semiconductor substrate, such as a wafer, against a rotating wetted polishing pad under a controlled downward pressure. A polishing slurry, metered onto the polishing pad contains etchants and an abrasive material such as alumina or silica. A rotating polishing head or wafer carrier is typically utilized to hold the wafer under controlled pressure against the rotating polishing pad. The polishing pad is typically formed of a relatively soft wetted pad material such as a felt fiber fabric impregnated with blown polyurethane.
As patterned line widths become smaller, a conventional CMP process may not be entirely suitable for planarizing a dielectric layer of a semiconductor structure. As an example, the conformal deposition of a dielectric layer may not completely fill the gaps between conducting lines of a semiconductor structure. This may cause voids to be present in the completed dielectric layer. This situation is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
With reference to FIG. 1A, a semiconductor structure includes a substrate 10 and an arrangement of patterned conducting lines 12. A dielectric layer 14 is being conformally deposited over the conducting lines 12 and into the gaps 16 between the conducting lines 12. As the deposition process is not perfectly conformal, however, the dielectric layer 14 bulges outwardly in the area 18 directly over the conducting lines. This phenomena is known as "breadloafing" or "cusping". The cusping effectively closes the mouth of the gaps 16 and increases the aspect ratio (depth/width) of the gaps 16. This makes filling of the gap with subsequently deposited dielectric material difficult. As the deposition process continues further, and as shown in FIG. 1B, voids 20 are formed in the dielectric layer 14.
These voids 20 are at a minimum, a cosmetic imperfection, which are not removed by the subsequent planarization process. More seriously, these voids 20 may be opened up during a subsequent planarization process (e.g. CMP) and adversely affect subsequent processing by outgassing or causing photo-notching during photopatterning of the dielectric layer 14. Furthermore, even if the voids 20 are not opened during planarization, outgassing from the voids 20 over extended periods of time may degrade the long term reliability of the semiconductor structure.
In order to prevent the formation of voids in a dielectric layer, improved dielectric materials and deposition processes have recently been developed for semiconductor manufacture. In general, such improved deposition processes and materials allow a more conformal deposition of high quality dielectric layers so that cusping or breadloafing of the dielectric material over the conducting liner is minimized. As an example, ozone doped tetraethyl orthosilicate based (TEOS) dielectric films can be deposited with a high degree of conformality utilizing new gas chemistries. These new deposition processes however, have not entirely eliminated the formation of voids.
Multistep deposition processes have also been developed to provide a more conformal deposition of a dielectric layer. As an example, an initial deposition of a dielectric layer is sometimes followed by an etch step and then by a second deposition step. The purpose of the etch step is to shape the profile of the initially deposited dielectric layer in such a way that no voids will form as the deposition process is continued. Such an etch step is sometimes referred to as "facet etch" because facet-like surfaces are formed in the etched material.
FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate such a multi step deposition process. With reference to FIG. 2A, a dielectric layer 14 (e.g. 3000-5000 angstroms) is again being deposited over parallel spaced conducting lines 12 and into the gaps 16 of a semiconductor structure. Instead of continuing the deposition process, however, the deposition procedure is stopped before the gaps are completely filled and the dielectric layer 14 is etched using a facet etch procedure. This is shown in FIG. 2B. The facet etch step can be performed using a anisotropic chemical etch or a physical sputter etch.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the facet etch step removes the breadloaf area 18 (FIG. 2A) of the dielectric layer 14. In addition, the facet etch step removes some of the dielectric layer 14 on the sidewalls of the conducting lines such that the mouth of the gaps 16 is opened and the width "w" of the gaps 16 is increased. The aspect ratio (depth/width) of the gaps 16 is thus decreased. In addition, the facet etch step shapes and facets the profile of the dielectric layer 14 and removes the corners of the breadloaf area 18 (FIG. 2A) substantially as shown in FIG. 2B.
Following the facet etch step, the deposition process is continued to complete the dielectric layer 14. As shown in FIG. 2C, however, voids 20 may still form within the dielectric layer 14. As with the prior art single step deposition process, with the present state of facet etch technology, complete void removal is not possible in one step. A series of deposition/etch steps are thus required to completely remove the voids. This is a limitation of a prior art multistep deposition/etch/deposition process. In addition, such multistep processes are relatively expensive and time consuming and require additional process equipment (e.g. vacuum etching equipment).
As is apparent then, there is a need in the art for an improved method for forming dielectric layers without the inclusion of voids. More generally, there is a need in the art for improved methods for shaping the features of a semiconductor structure that can be accomplished without etching.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for shaping the features of a semiconductor structure. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved method for forming a dielectric layer of a semiconductor structure without the inclusion of voids. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved method for shaping the features of a semiconductor structure using chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), that is efficient, cost effective, and adaptable to large scale semiconductor manufacture.

Method for shaping features of a semiconductor structure using chemical mechanical planarization (CMP)


A patellofemoral brace or support has a main substrate, a hinge located on at least one of the lateral and medial sides, and a support system coupled to the main substrate and the hinge. The support system has a compression element removably securable over the main substrate and a cable having a first end anchored to a pivoting element connected to the hinge and a second end anchored to the compression element. The cable engages the hinge such that articulation of the hinge from an extension position to a flexion position pulls the compression element toward the hinge to exert a generally medial force over the main substrate.

There are numerous orthopedic devices such as braces that provide support around a patella of a user. Many of these braces use a stationary or static buttress that provides support about the patella of the user.
Some of the known braces include a front central opening that allow for the wearer's patella or kneecap to project therethrough. The front central opening relieves pressure otherwise exerted on the patella, particularly when the knee is bent or in flexion. These braces may include a pad or buttress located about the front central opening to provide a restraining force to the patella and additional support for preventing lateral or medial displacement of the patella in the femoral groove.
Despite known solutions, many braces fail to maintain the patella pad in a proper position on the support so the opening or pad can prevent patella displacement.
Alternatively, another example of a brace has a strap and a patella buttress attached to the strap for applying patellar support. One end of the strap has the patella buttress fixed near the patella of a user and a second end secures to a connection point along a lateral or medial side of the brace. As the strap is tensioned, the buttress applies pressure about the patella.
Despite known solutions, many devices fail to maintain the patella pad in a proper position on the support so the opening or pad can prevent patella displacement. Therefore, there is a need for a knee brace that at least provides means for stabilizing and supporting the patella.

Patellofemoral device and method for using the same


A lift device for an industrial vehicle includes a hydraulic cylinder provided substantially upright between masts and having a piston rod, a pulley provided on a lateral side of an upper end portion of the piston rod, a lift bracket connected to a chain wound around the pulley and movable up and down through the chain by extension and retraction of the piston rod, a hose provided for supplying hydraulic fluid to an attachment installed on the lift bracket, and a guide mechanism provided on a top end of the piston rod for guiding the hose. The guide mechanism includes a plurality of rollers, a support member rotatably supporting the plurality of rollers, and an endless band fitted around the plurality of rollers so as to form an arc-shaped guide surface for supporting the hose. The endless band travels around the plurality of rollers with movement of the hose.

The present invention relates generally to a lift device and more specifically to a lift device for an industrial vehicle which is equipped with a guide mechanism for guiding a hose.
In a forklift truck as an industrial vehicle, its lift bracket may be equipped with various kinds of attachments which are designed to perform different kinds of operations. In this case, hydraulic piping is needed for supplying hydraulic fluid for actuating the attachment.
A conventional lift device for an industrial vehicle is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-20087. The lift device for the industrial vehicle (hereinafter referred to merely as "lift device") is a lift device for a three-stage mast forklift truck. The lift device has a hydraulic cylinder located between the spaced masts. At the top end of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is supported a pulley which has two grooves for guiding a chain and a hose, respectively. The chain is connected to a lift bracket and wound around the pulley along one of the grooves. The hose which is used for supplying hydraulic fluid to an attachment installed on the lift bracket is wound around the pulley along the other groove. The lift bracket is movable up and down relative to the masts according to the extension and the retraction of the piston rod. While the lift bracket are moved up and down, the pulley guides the chain and the hose. In this case, the hose and the chain are reversibly moved while being guided by the pulley.
The lift device provides a good front view to an operator of the vehicle. However, this advantage is limited to the front view in lateral directions, and the pulley at the top end of the piston rod obstructs the front view of the operator in vertical direction. Further improvement of the front view may be accomplished, for example, by reducing the pulley diameter. However, the reduction of the pulley diameter is limited because of the restriction by mechanical properties of the hose, performance of hydraulic control and the like. In a vehicle having full free lift masts, a distance for which the lift bracket is raised without raising the masts is defined as a free lift distance. When the pulley is provided on the top end of the piston rod, the free lift distance is reduced by the length corresponding to the diameter of the pulley.
The problems with the lift device of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-20087 are solved by a lift device which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-359445. The lift device for an industrial vehicle according to this Publication includes a guide pulley which is provided on a lateral side of the upper end portion of the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder for guiding a chain, a lift bracket which is connected to the chain wound around the pulley and operable to rise and lower through the pulley according to the extension and the retraction of the piston rod, and a plurality of hoses for supplying hydraulic fluid to an attachment installed on the lift bracket. A plate-like roller-mounting member is provided on the top of the upper end portion of the piston rod, and a plurality of guide rollers are mounted on the roller-mounting member for guiding the plurality of hoses. Each guide roller has guide grooves formed with a curvature, and the hoses are received in and wound around the guide grooves. The guide rollers are rotatable and arranged along an arc, thereby guiding the hoses in a state curved along the guide grooves. The grooves of each guide roller serve to prevent the hoses from falling off from the guide rollers. The lift device which uses the plurality of guide rollers in place of a pulley for guiding the hoses solves problems of the life device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-20087 concerning the vertical front view and the free lift distance.
In the lift device of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-359445, however, the hoses which are guided by the plurality of guide rollers are inevitably placed in point contact therewith. Such point contact between each hose and each guide roller produces local contact pressure against the hose, which may damage the hose. Since the plurality of guide rollers guide the hoses while in point contact therewith, the hoses tend to be guided in such a manner that they climb over each guide roller and, therefore, the hoses are not guided smoothly. Furthermore, since the diameter of the guide rollers is small, the guide rollers rotate at a high speed in guiding the hoses, so that the hoses tend to slip easily relative to the guide rollers and the surfaces of the hoses may be damaged, accordingly. Replacing the damage hose with a new one is a laborious and time-consuming work because the hydraulic fluid in the hose must be removed before the hose is removed for the replacement. Additionally, hydraulic fluid or oil may leak accidentally from the hose during the above replacement work thereby to impair the working environment. Thus, the frequency of replacing the hose need be reduced as much as possible by preventing the hose from damage.
The present invention is directed to a lift device for an industrial vehicle which prevents the damage to a hose which is guided by a guide mechanism which dispenses with a pulley.


An apparatus for sensing an applied force comprising a deflectable bridge, formed in a substrate and spanning a recessed area. The deflectable bridge also has a sensing element. The force is applied to the bridge and in response thereto, an output characteristic of the sensing element changes in proportion to the magnitude of the applied force. The apparatus can further comprise a sensing bump in contact with the bridge, wherein the force is applied to the bridge through the sensing bump.

The need for high quality, low cost, and high productivity in industrial manufacturing and processing demands an increase in the use of automation and the utilization of robots. For an automated process, such as a manufacturing robot, to operate correctly in a given environment, the robot should have a means of determining information about the surrounding environment. For instance, an automated riveting machine on an assembly line should be able to compensate for positional variances in the object that is to be riveted and be able to determine the correct amount of force to apply to place and pop a rivet.
To enable automated processes (e.g., robots) to make determinations about a given environment, the robot should have sensors that are able to sense specific aspects of that environment. For a robotic riveter, the riveter should have sensors that determine the positioning of an object that is to be riveted. In the case where the positioning is improper, there should be further systems (e.g., feedback systems) that use the sensor data to compensate for the positional variations either by repositioning the object that is to be riveted or by repositioning the riveter.
For a sensor to effectively operate in a dynamic environment like an assembly line, the sensor should be able to differentiate between more than just a bi-level state as in an "on" or "off" condition. The sensor should be able to differentiate between graded inputs such as variations in an applied force.
A tactile sensor is a, type of sensor that is widely used in automated industrial processes. A tactile sensor detects a given parameter (e.g., pressure) by actually coming into contact with the object or environment that it is detecting. Tactile sensors may be used to measure not only force but also force distribution and surface texture of objects as the objects come in contact with a piece of automation such as a robotic arm. The tactile sensors may provide the robotic arm with a sense of touch and therefore enable such functions as determining the magnitude of an applied force, determining part orientation, identifying parts, sorting of parts, retrieval of parts (e.g., from a storage bin), etc. Precision tactile sensors may be utilized in numerous other applications. For instance, in the health care field, tactile sensors can be used in devices such as prosthetic gloves for the handicapped to in effect, give the prosthetic glove a sense of touch.
A good tactile sensor should have a high resolution to make determinations about small variations in measured parameters. The sensor should be scalable to enable appropriate sizing of the sensor for a given task. For instance, groups of sensors should be able to be manufactured in a high density so that variations in a sensed parameter can be determined over a small area. The tactile sensor should have a fast response time to enable rapid determinations in a changing environment. Further, the tactile sensor should be stable so that a given sensed parameter, such as an applied force, can be reliably determined.
There are a variety of tactile sensors that are known in the prior art. One prior art tactile sensor uses conductive elastomers as a sense element. The conductive elastomers change resistance when compressed by an applied force. Conductive elastomers cannot be formed as part of a CMOS fabrication process and therefore are not capable of being integrated with on-chip CMOS signal processing. A better approach uses a piezoelectric film as the sense element These tactile sensors utilize a diaphragm as a sensing element, and are relatively simple and inexpensive to fabricate. However, piezoelectric film sensors have poor stability and are difficult to scale to smaller dimensions.
Some other tactile sensors utilize semiconductor integrated circuit ("IC") technology. IC tactile sensors may use a resistive or capacitive device as a sense element. These devices may, for instance, be fabricated using a wet chemical etching of a silicon or polysilicon to form a piezoresistor. Although some prior art methods offer high performance (e.g. stability), most of the methods do not lend themselves easily to large, high resolution arrays since the minimum size of a single sensing cell is too large for very dense applications.
Prior art tactile sensors may not be reliable or stable because a response to a force applied to a sensing cell may vary depending on where, with respect to the sensing cell, the force is applied. This affects the accuracy of the prior art tactile sensors.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to utilize a method of manufacturing a tactile sensor, wherein said manufacturing process is simple and inexpensive.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a tactile sensor that results in a sensor that exhibits a high degree of reliability and stability.
A further object of this invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a plurality of tactile sensors in an integrated circuit, wherein said plurality of sensors may be densely placed together or otherwise appropriately sized and spaced.
A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved sensor that exhibits a high degree of resolution.
A yet further object of this invention is to provide an improved sensor that is reliable, stable and can accurately determine the magnitude of an applied force.


A method and tool for joining a first metal structure, such as a sheet metal stud and a second metal structure, such as a sheet metal runner is disclosed. The tool includes a first clamp and a second clamp for moving with respect to each other to clamp the sheet metal therebetween. A linearly reciprocating punch being retrieved by a spring bias punches through the sheet metal to form a tongue for joining the sheets together. Angular relationships between the punching direction and the sheet metal are disclosed as well as a movable, yet lockable, inter-relationship between the clamping mechanism and the punching mechanism to allow a single stroke punching and clamping action.

This invention relates generally to hand-held power tools, and more specifically to a tool for joining a first sheet metal structure and a second sheet metal structure, such as a metal stud and runner used in wall construction.
Horizontal metal runners and vertical metal studs are used in the fabrication of interior wall structures and exterior wall structures in buildings. Conventionally, these are joined together by fasteners, such as screws driven by power guns. This approach is disadvantageous for several reasons, including the cost, materials and lack of one hundred percent (100%) reliability of shooting a fastener through the metal members. Other devices exist generally for joining sheet metal together by punching and crimping. However, insofar as applicant is aware, these devices have not enjoyed widespread acceptance, the industry tending to use conventional fastener technology. Some approaches have been shown in patents generally regarding punching and crimping metal. However, these do not provide the benefits, advantages and relative simplicity of the present invention.

Method and tool for joining sheet metal structures


A system and method for implementing integrated and adjustable image projection with auto-image correction in electronic devices using an in-facing or world-facing image projector are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes an electronic device including: a lid; a base including a hinge coupling the lid with the base; and an image projection subsystem including an image projector installed in the lid, the image projector being configured to produce a projected image that is projected onto a projection surface, the angle of the projection being adjustable by adjusting the angle of the lid relative to the base.

Consumers frequently store many types of data on electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, portable media players, laptop computers, and personal data assistants. For example, consumers may store photographs, movies, presentations, messages, documents, databases, and spreadsheets on electronic devices. Due to the increasing portability of electronic devices, consumers frequently share data stored on electronic devices with other people. Many electronic devices include display screens that allow a consumer to display the data and allow viewing of the data by other people. However, to facilitate portability, these display screens may be small, which may inhibit viewing by larger groups of people. Further, to facilitate viewing on the display screen, the electronic device may be transferred between viewers, which may be inconvenient.
Electronic devices, such as mobile computing platforms, portable devices, all-in-one desktop devices, laptop computers, handheld computers, touch screen systems, and other electronic devices typically include a base with keys and a cover or lid rotationally coupled to the base. These devices are designed for portability and convenience wherein the lid serves both as protection and as a functional portion of the device. The lid often includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or plasma display which is functionally connected to the electronic device's data processor and memory to display information. The lid may be pivoted from a closed position in which it is folded against the base for storage or transport and to an open position for operation. In the open position, the lid is pivoted to a position so that the user can effectively see and use the screen. In some cases, using the screen can include enabling the user to effect user input by touching the screen or touchscreen on the lid. The position of the screen will depend on factors such as, the height of the user, position of the user in relation to the device, lighting conditions, and the like.
Personal computing solutions, including but not limited to, laptops, ultrabooks, 2-in-1 detachable laptops, all-in-one computing systems, convertibles, and tablets allow the user to engage with digital content on the fixed display screen; but, these systems limit the user to only interacting with content on the fixed display screen in a particular size and format. Several problems can occur with a fixed screen size and format. These problems can include, but are not limited to: the fixed screen is non-customizable (e.g., in size, angle, and distance); the fixed screen is a non-immersive experience and does not enable information sharing with others; and current projection solutions are limited in their adjustment capabilities and are typically implemented as a separate device that is entirely independent of the personal computing system.

Integrated and adjustable image projection with auto-image correction in electronic devices using an in-facing or world-facing image projector


Integrated circuit devices include an integrated circuit substrate having a channel region therein. A gate pattern is disposed on a top surface of the channel region. A depletion barrier layer covers a surface of the integrated circuit substrate adjacent opposite sides of the gate pattern and extending along a portion of a lateral face of the channel region. A source/drain layer is disposed on the depletion barrier layer and electrically contacting the lateral face of the channel region in a region not covered by the depletion barrier layer. The channel region may protrude from a surface of the substrate. The depletion barrier layer may be an L-shaped depletion barrier layer and the device may further include a device isolation layer disposed at a predetermined portion of the substrate through the source/drain layer and the depletion barrier layer. The depletion barrier layer and the device isolation layer may be formed of the same material.

The present invention relates to integrated circuit devices and, more particularly, to source/drain regions of integrated circuit devices and methods of forming the same.
As the density of semiconductor devices increases, a number of attempts have been made to overcome punch-through, drain induced barrier lowering (DIBL) and leakage current, which may be induced by a short channel effect. It is known to use a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate, which may lead to an increased fabrication cost and cause a floating body effect. Conventionally, a buried oxide layer is typically partially inserted below source/drain regions of a device in order to reduce or prevent depletion. However, the partially inserted buried oxide layer generally does not prevent depletion from occurring in a horizontal direction at a sidewall of the source/drain region.

Integrated circuit devices including an L-shaped depletion barrier layer adjacent opposite sides of a gate pattern and methods of forming the same


An apparatus and method for providing electrical energy to an electrical device by deriving the electrical energy from motion of the device. In one embodiment, the inventive apparatus includes a novel kinetic electrical power generator (KEPG) consisting of an inventive oscillating weight having an internal cavity with a freely movable acceleration element disposed therein, resulting in improved acceleration and oscillation capabilities and lower motion threshold for the weight, a system for converting the weight's oscillating motion into rotational motion, and an electromechanical transducer system for generating electrical energy from the rotational motion. The novel KEPG includes components for modifying the electrical energy for storing and/or feeding the modified electrical energy to the electrical device. Optional components may be included for using the modified electrical energy to recharge one or more rechargeable batteries used in an electric device. Alternate advantageous embodiments of the inventive apparatus include, but are not limited to: a KEPG with multiple inventive oscillating weights to increase velocity and frequency of desirable rotational motion, and a KEPG system utilizing multiple electrically coupled KEPG sub-systems.

The multitude of electrical and electronic devices in common use today, from cellular telephones to computers to lighting systems, all depend on a steady supply of electrical energy. Such a supply is not an issue when a device is connected to a constant source of electrical energy via a land electrical power line, for example through a power receptacle. However, portable electrical devices or devices located in areas without electrical power lines (for example marine craft, space vehicles, non-powered air vehicles, etc.), must acquire their electrical energy from batteries or through other electrical energy sources (solar panels, hydro-power generators, fuel cells, wind-power generators, etc.). Examples of portable electrical devices include, but are not limited to: miniature electrical devices (such as: an implantable cardiac device (pacemaker, defibrillator), a chronograph, a miniature surveillance device (remote mini-camera, concealable tracking device, motion detecting device), an electronic tag (RF, etc.), and small to medium electrical devices (such as a personal electronic device (a mobile telephone, a radio, a television, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player and/or recorder, a video or photo camera, a game console, binoculars, night vision goggles, a portable computer (notebook, laptop, or tablet computer), a portable data acquisition device (i.e. RF or barcode scanner), a portable medical diagnostic or treatment delivery device (e.g. blood pressure monitor, electrocardiogram machine, defibrillator, drug pump, etc.), a surveillance device (remote camera, tracking device, motion detecting device), a weapon or weapon accessory with electrical or electronic capabilities (e.g., a camera and/or scope on a rifle, a taser, a laser targeting sight, or a laser targeter), toys, and robotic devices.
In the past several decades, the proliferation of portable electrically powered devices, such as illustrated above, has created a great need for efficient and miniaturized sources of electrical energy. Utilization of ordinary disposable batteries (alkaline, etc.) greatly increases the cost of operation of such devices, especially because many electrical devices (for example, digital cameras) draw electrical energy in such a way as to quickly exhaust a conventional battery. In addition, users find frequent replacement of batteries and carrying spare batteries very inconvenient.
Therefore, in recent years, rechargeable batteries (such as Metal Oxide, NiCad, etc.) are typically used. Nevertheless, while rechargeable batteries, especially the latest currently available models, offer longer operational time and lower cost of operation, they are still finite sources of electrical energy and must be recharged relatively often. This is problematic for high utilization devices, such as PDAs, media recorders/players, portable telephones and laptop computers. Furthermore, because recharging involves connecting the device or its battery to a land power line, the recharging process limits the user's mobility. For that reason, many users are forced to carry one or more additional spare rechargeable batteries for their devices, and in some cases a recharging device or adapter (for example, when traveling). Other portable electrical devices, such as flashlights and the like, can also benefit from efficient long-lasting sources of electrical energy and sometimes rely on rechargeable batteries to lower operational costs with similar disadvantages as previously described electrical devices.
In some cases, where the use of rechargeable batteries is not practical or possible (such as in pacemakers and wrist chronographs), special extended duration non-rechargeable batteries (for-example, lithium batteries) are used. While such batteries may be replaceable, in the case of implantable medical devices, surgical intervention is necessary to extract the device. Furthermore, to maintain sterility, batteries in implantable medical devices are never changed, even when the device is extracted. Rather, the implantable device is disposed of, and replaced with a new one.
In addition, certain critical function devices, such as medical devices (e.g. pacemakers, drug pumps, etc.), environmental hazard (chemical, radiation, and/or biological) suits, or space vehicles (satellites, space shuttle, planetary robotic vehicles, extra-vehicular activity (EVA) suits, etc.) often require very reliable and sometimes redundant sources of electrical energy.
All types of batteries (rechargeable and otherwise), suffer from two additional disadvantages. First, most batteries utilize non-recyclable toxic and/or environmentally polluting materials in their construction, making disposal of used batteries a environmental danger. Second, all batteries generate heat during operation, requiring cooling in sensitive electronic equipment (such as in portable computers). The heat generation from batteries is a particular danger in military devices where the heat signature exposes the carrier of the device to enemy infra-red or other heat sensing surveillance or targeting equipment. This is particularly true of fuel cell batteries often used in military applications due to their inherent high capacity. For example, fuel cell batteries have operating temperatures that often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
To address these challenges, there has been some development in the field of portable generation of electrical energy that may be utilized to power an electrical device, to recharge the rechargeable batteries in a device, or both. Typically, previously known portable electrical generators involve some form of transduction of mechanical energy into electrical energy by implementation of the Faraday's Principle of Induction, in which motion of the generator (such as shaking or vibration) is translated into rotational movement of a coil and a magnetic rotor, at least partially disposed within the coil, relative to one another. This relative motion generates electrical energy at the coil caused by the rotation of the magnetic field of the rotor. The generated electrical energy is then typically rectified by a capacitor circuit to convert it to direct current (DC) power. The electrical energy may be used directly, stored, or routed to a rechargeable battery.
Some previously known kinetic-power generation (hereinafter "KEPG") systems are configured to derive electrical energy from relative linear motion of the coil and rotor—these systems require vigorous shaking motion to generate electrical energy and offer some advantages in that the desired electrical energy is relatively quickly generated. However, this approach requires direct dedicated action by the user to generate the energy that is difficult and impractical to sustain. Also, only small amounts of electrical energy may be practically generated in this manner. Furthermore, vigorous motion of certain electronic devices, such as laptop computers or medical devices, is highly undesirable.
In many previously known KEPG systems, an attempt has been made to utilize ordinary motion (such as walking, moving a limb, floating on waves in the water, etc.) to generate electrical energy in a manner that is transparent to the user. In most of these systems, translation of ordinary motion has been accomplished by utilizing an oscillating weight to convert relatively linear motion of the KEPG system into rotary motion of the rotor relative to the coil via a mechanical motion converter, such as a gear train. However, except for limited use in wrist chronographs, these systems have failed to achieve commercial success for a number of reasons. First, miniaturized KEPG systems must overcome a significant challenge in that the oscillating weight responsible for translating vibrational or semi-linear motion into desirable rotary motion must be of a very small size which makes it light, and thus limits its acceleration and range of angular motion during continuous operation, resulting in a decrease overall system performance proportional to the oscillating weight's size. Accordingly, previously known KEPG systems cannot provide sufficient amounts of electrical energy for tiny, small or medium electrical devices to justify their use.
In addition, due to the construction and operational characteristics of the previously known oscillating weights, the motion threshold—i.e. the minimum mechanical disturbance (in terms of the magnitude and directionality of inertial forces) that must be applied to the electrical device and transferred to the oscillating weight, to cause the weight to achieve sufficient repetitive angular motion to cause rotation of the rotor—is typically very high. Thus, to exceed the motion threshold, a device equipped with a previously known KEPG system must be subjected to significant mechanical disturbances to derive a meaningful benefit from the KEPG system. This is one of the reasons why the only commercially successful use of oscillating weight-based KEPG systems has been in wrist chronographs—the routine motion of an average person's wrist during typical daily activities continually provides a sufficient amount of mechanical disturbances of a magnitude that meets or exceeds a typical wrist chronograph-based KEPG system's motion threshold.
The challenge of the high motion threshold in previously known KEPG systems have also stymied their utilization in applications where the size of a KEPG system is less of an issue—for example, in marine power (buoy, marine craft, etc.) applications. In marine applications, moderately calm to slightly choppy waters—the most common marine conditions in the majority of the bodies of water, will typically fail to produce sufficient mechanical disturbances to the marine device or craft to exceed the motion threshold of most KEPG systems.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for efficiently generating electrical energy from motion, including routine motion. It would also be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for efficiently generating electrical energy utilizing an oscillating weight with superior acceleration and momentum characteristics relative to its size, to enable advantageous KEPG system utilization regardless of its size. It would further be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for generating electrical energy having a lower motion threshold than previously known KEPG systems.

Electrical generator having an oscillator containing a freely moving internal element to improve generator effectiveness


A medical treatment implement which has an excellent degree of freedom of a procedure and into which a trocar can be re-stuck includes a tubular retractor main body configured to be indwelled in an incision wound and a converter (20) configured to close an opening end portion of an upper end of the retractor main body and to be puncturable with a trocar.

In laparoscopic surgery, so-called single-hole surgery is performed in which surgery is performed by inserting a plurality of treatment tools such as forceps or optical devices from one incision wound. PTLs 1 and 2 disclose medical treatment implements called a retractor for inserting various treatment tools into one incision wound. The retractor is formed of a tubular retractor main body holding an incision wound in an open state which is made by incising a body wall of a subject with a scalpel and a lid-like converter which closes an opening at an upper end of the retractor main body. A plurality of insertion holes (ports) for inserting treatment tools are formed in advance in the converter of PTL 1. In addition, PTL 2 discloses that a large number Of recesses are densely formed in a converter, or the converter is made into a planar plate.
By using a retractor, it is possible to perform less invasive surgery by decreasing an incision wound and to protect the incision wound from infection. In addition, the laparoscopic surgery is generally performed in a pneumoperitoneal manner in which the abdomen of a subject is expanded with pneumoperitoneum gas such as carbonic acid gas. The ports provided in the converter of PTL 1 have cross valves which are closed when the treatment tool is pulled out from the ports, and leakage of pneumoperitoneum gas is suppressed.

Abstract: The converter (20) includes a ring-shaped frame portion (22) detachably mounted on the opening end portion and a sheet portion (21) which is mounted inside the frame portion (22) and airtightly covers the opening end portion. A compression force P is applied to the sheet portion (21) in an inner diameter direction.


A cleaning unit for cleaning at least one head section of a teat cup including a chamber that has a substantially circular cross-section, is delimited by a wall and has an opening delimited by a scaling element. The chamber has at least one inlet and is characterized in that at least one section of the sealing element or at least one section of the wall adjoining the opening and a section of the sealing element is or are flexible around the circumference of the chamber.

The subject of the invention relates to a cleaning unit for cleaning at least one head section of a milking cup.
Raw milk represents an important food and is an important raw material for the food industry. In order to protect the consumer and for the purposes of technical processability, it is necessary that the milk meets both national and international quality requirements. In the Federal Republic of Germany, according to §3 of the Milk Regulations, raw milk must not have any abnormal sensory features so that, according to Annex 3 of the Milk Regulations, the udder of animals from which milk is obtained as a food must be cleaned at the start of a milking operation. Here, it is required that a thorough and complete cleaning takes place.
It is important to maintain prescribed standards of hygiene in order to ensure a high milk quality. It is therefore not only necessary to clean the udder and the teats of the animal but also the components of a milking machine. The cleaning can also include a disinfection of the components of the milking machine. The cleaning operation can be carried out by means of a fluid, in particular by means of water, with and without cleaning, disinfecting or other additives. In particular, it is necessary to clean and to disinfect the milking cluster of milk residues. It is not necessary for a disinfection of the milking cluster to take place during every cleaning operation.
The cleaning operation can take place after each milking operation or after a certain number of milking operations.
It is known that, after milking each cow, the milking cluster is cleaned by means of water, a disinfection solution and again water in combination with compressed air. This is a so-called intermediate disinfection.
It is not only necessary that the milk-conveying parts of the milking machine, in particular of a milking cluster, are cleaned. To ensure the quality of the milk, it is, if appropriate, also necessary to clean the outer surface of the milking cups, in particular of the head section of the milking cups. The head section comprises a region which has parts of a teat rubber. The cleaning of the outer part of the teat rubber, in particular of the region of the teat rubber which spans a milking cup sleeve, is particularly expedient when the teat rubber, or generally speaking the shaped teat tube, is made of silicone. The teat rubber can be formed from rubber or other materials. In the case of teat silicone, it is necessary, owing to the greater fat take-up of silicone, also to clean the outer region of the teat silicone head.
For the purpose of cleaning milking cups, different embodiments of a cleaning unit are known. WO 96/08137 discloses a cleaning unit for cleaning at least one head section of a milking cup, comprising a chamber which is substantially circular in cross section. The chamber is delimited by a double-walled wall. The chamber has an opening which is delimited by a sealing element. Adjacent to the sealing element are provided outlet openings through which a liquid conveyed in the double-walled wall can flow into the chamber. The liquid flows along the outer surface of the head section into the milking cup, thereby cleaning the head section and the inner part of the milking cup and also the parts connected to the milking cup.
A problem of such a configuration of the cleaning unit is that the introduction of the head section of the milking cup into the chamber is associated with a considerable expenditure of force. The reason for this is that the sealing element must ensure a fluid-tight connection between the sealing element and the head section in order to avoid vacuum losses.
Document DD 38 942 discloses a cleaning unit for cleaning at least one head section of a milking cup. The cleaning unit has a chamber which is delimited by a wall. The shape of the chamber is substantially in the form of a spherical cap. Sealing between the wall of the chamber and the head section of the milking cup takes place in that the head section is brought to bear against the inner surface of the wall of the chamber. In such a configuration of the cleaning unit, although the end face of the head section of the milking cup is cleaned, the lateral surface of the head section is not, which is particularly disadvantageous when the head section has an inner groove.

Cleaning unit for cleaning at least one head section of a teat cup


A hair drying apparatus comprising a conventional hand-held hair dryer, a hair dryer holder, a power cord retainer and a base, wherein the hair dryer holder has features for removably receiving the hair dryer, for making an elevation adjustment for the hair dryer and for maintaining the position of the barrel of a hair dryer, the power cord retainer comprises features for storing and releasing a length of flexible power cord, such that when the hair dryer is detached from the hair dryer holding means, the hair dryer is connected to the base by a length of flexible cord released from the power cord retainer. In addition, a detachable wall-mount member may be added to this apparatus, making it transformable between hand-held, table-top and wall-mount types of hair dryer which would offer a high degree of flexibility particularly to consumers.

Hair dryers can be divided into three main structural types: hand-held, wall-mountable and table-top types. Among these three types, the portable hand-held type is probably the most commonly and widely used one which can be found in almost every modern household.
A hand-held hair dryer usually comprises an elongate barrel inside which an electric heater and a fan-blower are accommodated. Air for hair drying usually travels along the barrel in response to the accelerating force generated by the fan-blower. The accelerated air, heated or un-heated, is then caused to leave the hair dryer through a free end of the barrel. A handle is usually provided and connected to the barrel substantially at right angles to it and near its other end. This type of hand-held hair dryer is usually provided with a length of flexible power cord which is connected to the hair dryer through an opening at the bottom part of the handle portion.
A major advantage of this hair dryer type is that it can easily be moved around and flexibly positioned about the head to achieve optimum hair drying or styling. However, a user has to hold the hair dryer throughout the entire drying process which can be a tiring exercise. In addition, since a user must hold the dryer in one hand, only one hand is free to use other styling tools such as a brush or curling iron. Sometimes an unwary person may be burnt by the hot barrel of a hand-held hair dryer which has been left lying around just after use. Another disadvantage of this hair dryer is that the long power cord may easily get entangled and requires constant dis-entanglement.
Wall-mounted hair dryers are most commonly found in commercial or recreational establishments such as hotels or swimming pools. This type of hair dryer usually comprises a bulky and permanently wall-mounted compartment housing inside which an electric heater and a fan-blower are mounted. In one form of this hair dryer, the air-outlet is usually fixed on the compartment housing with an adjustable air exit-angle. In an alternative form, the air-outlet is connected via a length of flexible hose to the compartment.
This wall-mounted type of hair dryer is particularly useful when a user wishes to have his/her hair dried within a short time. This style of hair drying, more commonly known as the "ready-to-go" drying style, is particularly suitable for the wall-mounted type since both hands of the user are left free and a user can therefore use his/her fingers to plough or comb through the hair to help speed up hair drying.
However, when using a wall-mount hair dryer, a user usually has to bend or stoop their body and move his/her head around to get close to the air-outlet in order to enjoy the benefits of hands-free operation. It is also usual that a user has to remaining standing all the time while using the dryer. When a user is too tall or too short compared to the mounted position of the hair dryer, its use becomes awkward, uncomfortable and even difficult.
Moreover, because a wall-mounted unit is usually permanently mounted, it would be difficult to relocate it once installed. This is probably the main reason why the wall-mount type is not commonly used at homes even though it provides great benefits.
The table-top hair dryer is a hybrid between the wall-mount and table-top types. This hair dryer type provides hands-free operation while allowing a hair dryer to be moved around. Such a hair dryer can be moved to and placed in almost any place and can operate from wherever the user feels most comfortable or convenient. It is especially useful when a user wishes to dry the hair on the sides or the back of the head and particularly so when he or she does not have very flexible hand or arm joints.
With such a table-top hair dryer, a user can for example enjoy hands-free hair drying and styling under the comfort of room air-conditioning and with the luxury of sitting in front of a dressing table or even below a shelf on which a hair dryer appropriately stands. Also, it would be more convenient for an adult to take care of the hair of a child using a table-top hair dryer when both his/her hands are left free.
A desk-top hair dryer usually comprises a conventional patentable hand-held hair dryer and a table-top stand which is permanently mounted to the body of the hair dryer. The table-top stand is usually a retractable tripod which can be pivotally expanded to form a supporting base. However, because of the built-in stand, the handle of the hair dryer usually becomes too bulky and is quite difficult or uncomfortable to use as a hand-held hair dryer.
Similar to a hand-held hair dryer, a table-top hair dryer usually has an un-restrained length of power cord which is a potential source of hazard that requires particular attention. Furthermore, the centre of gravity of a table-top apparatus having a tripod-type stand is usually quite high which means that such a hair dryer can easily topple over when supported only by a tripod-type stand.
From the above, it would be appreciated that each hair dryer type possess useful and advantageous features which are characteristic of their specific structural type. However, each hair dryer type also has some typical drawbacks. It would therefore be beneficial if an improved hair drying apparatus having the advantages of more than one type of hair dryer while having their respective inherent disadvantages alleviated is provided.
For example, it would be beneficial if a hair drying apparatus having the combined advantages of hand-held and table-top type hair dryers but without having a bulky handle were made available. Thus, it would be convenient if a user can use the apparatus reversibly as a hand-held hair dryer without a bulky handle and as a table-hair dryer without a surplus length of annoying power cord.
Furthermore, it would also be desirable if there were provided a hair drying apparatus having the combined advantages of hand-held, table-top and wall-mounted type hair dryers which can be reversibly used in a different operating mode.


A lock pin bore in a two-step rocker arm assembly contains a hydraulically-actuable lock pin. A return spring urges the lock pin toward an unlatched mode. The bore has one or more annular grooves formed near the outer end of the bore. A plug, formed preferably of a soft metal, is pressed as a hydraulic seal into the bore. During assembly, the final position of the lock pin within the bore is set by positioning a stopping assembly fixture into the locking end of the bore. The plug is pressed into the bore until contact is made with the lock pin and the lock pin engages the fixture. The plug is radially deformed into the annular groove(s) to anchor the plug and fix the outer limit of travel of the locking pin and the compressive load on the return spring.

Variable valve activation (VVA) mechanisms for internal combustion engines are well known. It is known to be desirable to lower the lift, or even to provide no lift at all, of one or more valves of a multiple-cylinder engine, during periods of light engine load. Such deactivation or cam profile switching can substantially improve fuel efficiency.
Various approaches are known in the prior art for changing the lift of valves in a running engine. One known approach is to provide a latching mechanism in the hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) pivot end of a rocker arm cam follower, opposite from the valve-actuating end, which locks and unlocks the valve actuator portion from the follower body. The cam follower mechanism is latchable by a lock pin whose motion typically is governed in a latching direction by application of pressurized engine oil and in an unlatching direction by a return spring. The lock pin is disposed as a piston in a smooth bore and is retained therein by a plug pressed into the end of the bore.
A prior art cylindrical plug serves to seal the prior art smooth bore, thus forming a hydraulic chamber between itself and an end of the lock pin. However, this prior art plug arrangement suffers from at least two shortcomings.
First, the axial rest position of the lock pin within the bore is not well defined by the manufacturing process because the distance from the inner end of the plug to the cam-actuated follower to be latched by the lock pin is not controlled. Further, and because of this, the installed compression of the return spring is not controlled, resulting in variability in required oil pressure for actuation among the population of rocker arm assemblies.
Second, two-step rocker arm assemblies are known to experience variation in actuation timing which can result in violent rejection of the lock pin when the lock pin is not fully engaged with the cam-actuated follower at the start of a lift event. Such rejection is known in the trade as a premature lock pin ejection. Such ejection can cause an instantaneous buildup in hydraulic pressure against the plug as the lock pin direction of travel is abruptly reversed, which can be sufficient to blow the plug from the bore, resulting in permanent failure of the rocker arm assembly (permanent lost motion of the rocker arm assembly and non-opening of the associated engine valve).
Third, some prior art two-step rocker arm assemblies include a retaining ring within the bore and the hydraulic chamber specifically to define the intended stroke length of the lock pin, which adds to the cost and complexity of manufacturing the rocker arm assembly.
What is needed in the art is an improved method and apparatus for forming a lock pin sub-assembly for a two-step rocker arm assembly wherein a bore plug cannot be blown out by a premature lock pin rejection; wherein a reliable hydraulic seal of the lock pin bore is formed; and wherein the position of the lock pin in its bore and the consequent compression of a return spring are fixed and controlled to a predetermined standard during manufacture of the rocker arm assembly.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a two-step rocker arm assembly having a highly precise response characteristic among members of a manufactured population of two-step rocker arm assemblies.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a simplified variable valve lift apparatus wherein manufacturing assembly is simplified and cost is reduced.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a two-step rocker arm assembly wherein a bore-sealing plug of a lock pin assembly cannot be expelled from the bore by a premature lock pin ejection of the rocker arm assembly during use.

Lock pin retention plug for a two-step rocker arm assembly


A method for air conditioning including installing an air conditioning unit at a desired location. The air conditioning unit includes a housing that has air supply inlets and exhaust air outlets. The housing encloses a mode control unit that switches a zone coil associated with a zone from a cooling mode to a heating mode by switching from a cooling medium to a heating medium flowing through the zone coil. The zone coil receives the heating or cooling medium and conditions incoming air from a supply fan to be exhausted in a zone associated with the zone coil. A variable refrigerant flow cooling/heating unit provides a cooling medium or a heating medium at varying rates to control a temperature of a zone.

Conventional multi-zone ("MZ") air conditioning units are typically constant volume systems that maintain room air changes, space temperature, and relative humidity with a high degree of precision. A basic MZ unit can include a supply air blower segment, a coil segment and discharge air elements. Other elements, such as filters, air mixing boxes, access, and full economizer with a return/exhaust air blower, can be offered to customize a unit for a particular application. A unit discharge can be available with dampers or dual-duct openings, either in horizontal or up-blast configurations.
MZ systems often use zone dampers, located at the air unit in a particular space, to mix heated air from a heating coil and chilled air from a chilled water coil to regulate the air temperature for a space, or zone. The zone dampers, mixing air in proportions, keep the flow of mixed air to each zone approximately constant. A zone thermostat controls each pair of zone dampers. Zones are typically designed to have a separate duct that extends from the air-handling unit to the space. The MZ system is best suited for offices, schools and other similar buildings where a relatively small space requires independent zone thermostatic control.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.

Multi-zone variable refrigerant flow heating/cooling unit


The disclosure describes obtaining a first reference wavefront generated from a object plane mask slit, obtaining a second reference wavefront generated from a first image plane mask slit, measuring a wavefront of a target optical system including a reference wavefront error, and subtracting the first and the second reference wavefronts from the target optical system include the reference wavefront error.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a measurement method and apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A projection exposure apparatus has conventionally been used to manufacture a fine semiconductor device, such as a semiconductor memory and a logic circuit, using the photolithography technology. The projection exposure apparatus uses a projection optical system to project and transfer a pattern of a reticle onto a wafer.
The projection exposure apparatus is required to precisely transfer a reticle pattern onto a wafer at a preset magnification or reduction ratio, and use of a projection optical system having an extremely reduced aberration (or an excellent imaging characteristic). In particular, along with the recent rapid miniaturization of a semiconductor device, a transferred pattern is sensitive to an aberration of an optical system. There is a demand for a precise measurement of an optical characteristic of the projection optical system, such as a wavefront aberration, while the projection optical system is installed in the exposure apparatus. In order to improve the productivity and the economical efficiency, easy, rapid, and inexpensive measurements are important.
An interferometer, such as a Fizeau interferometer and a Twyman-Green interferometer, is known as one conventional measurement apparatus that measures a wavefront aberration of an optical system, and an exposure apparatus mounted with the interferometer is proposed. See Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-277412. However, the conventional interferometer, such as a Fizeau interferometer and a Twyman-Green interferometer, complicates a structure of the entire system, has a problem of a large size and an increased cost, and it is very difficult to actually install it in the exposure apparatus. Accordingly, it is proposed to install in an exposure apparatus a comparatively simply structured interferometer, such as a point diffraction interferometer ("PDI") (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-97666) and a linear diffraction interferometer ("LDI") (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-273748).
Nevertheless, the conventional interferometer or measurement apparatus cannot precisely measure a wavefront aberration of a projection optical system. For example, the LDI finds a primary wavefronts of the projection optical system in two measurement directions which has a correct relative relationship in a direction perpendicular to the slit's longitudinal direction, and measures a final wavefront (wavefront aberration of the projection optical system) using phase information of the mutual measurement directions. The reference wavefront used to calculate the primary wavefront utilizes a slit diffraction wavefront that is a wavefront generated by a fine aperture slit equal to or smaller than the diffraction limit. When the slit diffraction wavefront is not an ideal reference wavefront (or when a reference wavefront contains an error), a difference from the ideal reference wavefront causes a measured optical system to contain a wavefront error and an error factor in the wavefront measurement by the LDI.

Wavefront-aberration measuring method and device, and exposure apparatus including the device


A short wavelength light source of the present invention comprises a nonlinear crystal having a periodical polarization reversal structure. The polarization reversal structure of the nonlinear crystal is divided into a plurality of regions and the polarization reversal structure and the optical axis of the fundamental wave are inclined with different angles in the respective regions, so that higher harmonic generated is divided into a plurality of beams. By dividing the higher harmonic component into a plurality of beams, it is possible to reduce the power density of the higher harmonic and generate walk off in the fundamental wave and the higher harmonic, thereby to suppress generation of the sum frequency waves of the fundamental wave and the higher harmonic so as to enhance the tolerance to high output. Therefore, SFG generation is suppressed, and a high output power coherent light source is realized.

Second higher harmonic generation utilizing nonlinear optical effects can convert coherent light outputted from a fundamental wave light source into a second higher harmonic having a half wavelength. In the wavelength conversion, when phase matching is non-critical, the conversion efficiency is improved by an increase in element length or by an increase in power of an incident fundamental wave. Accordingly, high output power short-wavelength light generation becomes possible. In wavelength conversion using potassium titanate phosphate (KTiOPO4:KTP) as a nonlinear optical crystal, an increase in power density of the fundamental wave or the higher harmonic causes generation of color center that is called as a gray track, thereby resulting in absorption of the fundamental wave or the higher harmonic. When a gray track is generated, heat distribution occurs due to the above absorption and the nonlinear crystal is subjected to destructive damages. As a way to solve this problem, there have been proposed methods for obtaining the second higher harmonic separated from the divided crystal regions as shown in patent document 1.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a schematic structure of a conventional short wavelength light source.
In FIG. 17, a part of the fundamental wave 1006 that is outputted from a fundamental wave light source 1001 is wavelength converted by a KTP 1002, and is separated into the fundamental wave 1006 and a higher harmonic 1007 by a wavelength separation mirror 1004. Then, a part of the fundamental wave 1006 is again wavelength converted by the KTP 1003, and is separated into the fundamental wave 1006 and a higher harmonic 1008 by a wavelength separation filter 1005.
In this way, a second higher harmonic is taken out by using a plurality of KTP crystals in a state where the power density of the generated second higher harmonic does not exceed a certain value. Thus a higher efficiency is realized. Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Patent Application No. Hei. 11-271823


A machine arrangement includes a plurality of machines arranged to cooperate with each other in a manner which comprises a machine line. This machine line incorporates apparatus which is associated with and/or comprises part of the machines for: at least one of moving, holding, manipulating and shaping cans as they pass from a can infeed to a can discharge of the machine line and move along a path having a predetermined configuration. This apparatus minimizes operations necessary for changing from a set up suitable for modifying a can having a first set of dimensions to a set up suitable for a can having a second set of dimensions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to series of machines or machine units which constitute a machine line, and more specifically to apparatus which forms part of the machines and which enables the line to be quickly switched between a first set-up wherein a first sized product is modified/manufactured and at least one other set-up wherein a different dimensioned product is modified/manufactured.
2. Background of the Invention
Necking machines have been used to form the neck on beer and beverage cans and the like for some time. These machines have evolved to the degree that reliable high speed precision necking is reliably realized. However, a drawback is encountered when switching from a run of one sized can to another, in that the downtime tends to be considerable. That is to say, the change-over requires the switching of an extensive number of elements and replacing them with new elements and/or re-adjusting current element to accommodate either the new diameter or length of the next can to be necked. Merely by way of example, with a change in diameter or neck profile, the current series of dies and knockout punches on each of the turrets needs to be changed. Transfer starwheels which temporarily hold, and then transfer cans to turret starwheels during their serpentine travel through the line or battery of necking turrets, need to be changed for a change in diameter and/or repositioned for a change in length, or both, if the can is both longer and different in diameter. The turrent starwheels likewise must be changed with a change in diameter.
The close proximity of the turrets and the serpentine path along which the cans are conveyed, introduces problems such that, merely by way of example, when it is necessary to change over the dies, only two or three of these dies are accessibly exposed at the top of the turret on which they are supported, the remaining dies remaining between or below the turrets and thus totally inaccessible to an operator. This necessitates that an operator or operators, charged with the task of changing over these elements, change those which are exposed and rendered accessible, and then jog the machines to rotate the rotatable elements on each of the turrets to positions wherein the next two or three elements are rendered accessible. These dies are usually attached with a threaded collar and require a number of rotations to thread/unthread. This of course is inevitably carried out by hand.
In the event that twelve elements are carried per turret and there are 12-14 turrets involved in the necking process, no less than 168 operations are necessary. Thus, if it takes, for example, just 3 minutes on average to release one die and replace it with another and secure the new die in position, it will take at least 8 man hours to simply change over the dies on the aligned series of turrets. Accordingly, as will be understood, any change in change-over time is multiplied significantly.
Of course, this is merely the tip of the iceberg and, at least in addition to the above, it is necessary to replace/relocate (in the case of a change of diameter/length) the starwheels which respectively transport and position the cans for the sequence of necking operations necessary in order to achieve the required neck profile. It is also necessary to painstakingly set each of the can handling starwheels with respect to those on either side, so that can hand-off is carried out precisely and smoothly and without damage to cans.
Thus, to be able to reduce this non-productive labor intensive downtime, is highly desirable.

Quick change over apparatus for machine line


The pneumatic tool has a check valve placed inside that includes an internal and external valve base and traveling valve. The internal valve base has an inlet hole, and an enlarged slot is formed on the external end of the inlet hole. An annular oblique edge is formed between the enlarged slot and inlet hole, and an air hole is placed on the enlarged slot. The external valve base has an outlet hole that is connected to the outside of the pneumatic tool. A protruding tube is formed inside the outlet hole. Interval space is formed between the inside of the protruding tube and the inlet hole for the internal valve base; and the traveling valve can be traveling inside the interval space. The built-in check valve can avoid external force, which extends the shelf life and makes appearance of the product look neater and practical.

The conventional pneumatic nail gun uses a single cylinder and piston to accomplish the nailing function.
Some nail guns have other functions besides a nailing function, such as sending the pad to the nail outlet when nailing so that there is an extra padding effect after the nail is sent. These nail guns satisfy multiple needs of the users, and there is a typical embodiment. So as to implement these multiple functions, the industry usually adds a second cylinder and piston on one side of the original cylinder (hereafter referred to as first cylinder) to drive the component of the other function mentioned above. Moreover, it creates the air channel between the second cylinder and the first cylinder so that the piston inside the second cylinder can create displacement while the first cylinder is nailing.
Among them, the conventional check valve that is placed between the second cylinder and the first cylinder is shown in FIG. 1. The check valve 03 is placed on the outside of the second cylinder 02, and the check valve 03 is connected to the first cylinder 01 by a pipe 04. Except, it is found that the conventional structure is easily broken due to the external force of using the check valve 01 and its pipe 04, which shortens the shelf life. In terms of the product, it affects the entire look and unity, which is a subject that needs to be improved further.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
To this end, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.


A hand-held clothing iron that solves the problems of the prior art by providing a clamping iron that is used on an article of clothing while it remains hanging, including the ability to apply disparate levels of heat to different sections of the clothing to provide the ideal temperature for each section.

Clothing irons, also known as flatirons or merely irons, are devices used to press clothing to remove wrinkles and creases. Such irons were originally heated using hot coals, but are now more commonly heated using electricity.
But the process of using a household iron is time-consuming, requiring one to remove clothing from its hanger, locate an ironing-board, position the clothing with the portion to be ironed on a flat portion of the board, and finally iron the clothing. This is time-consuming at home, only made worse when traveling. Furthermore, a typical iron requires a large heated plate because a small plate does not provide a stable base for the iron.
The result is that ironing specific sections of an article of clothing is difficult, often requiring the use of different parts of the ironing board to iron different sections of an article of clothing.
What is needed is a low-weight iron that can be used on clothing while it remains hanging, allowing a user to iron specific parts of the clothing without creating creases in unwanted parts.


A steer-sensitive jounce bumper and bump plate are adapted for use with a steerable hydraulic strut. The jounce bumper is a generally tubular member formed from a compressible material having a pattern of predetermined indentations formed in its lower end. The jounce bumper is mounted about a piston rod of the strut and secured to a mount assembly. A bump plate having a series of alignment pins is mounted to an upper end of the strut. As a wheel assembly is steered, the bump plate is rotated so that misalignment occurs between the pins and the indentations. When misaligned, compression of the jounce bumper is reduced, thereby reducing the compression stroke of the strut.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to vehicular suspension systems, and in particular is concerned with a steer-sensitive jounce bumper and bump plate for use with a steerable hydraulic damper.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hydraulic dampers, including shock absorbers and struts, are well-known in vehicular suspension systems. The rate of damping of a hydraulic strut is often tuned by a piston valve assembly and/or a base valve assembly. Conventional piston and base valve assemblies employ various disk packs and spring-biased blow-off elements. During compression and rebound strokes of a strut, fluid flow through these valve assemblies determines the type of damping characteristics produced by the strut.
A strut is mounted between the unsprung portion of a vehicle (wheel assembly, control arm, etc.) and the sprung portion (body). A mount assembly connects a telescoping piston rod of the strut to a mounting tower formed in the body. As a wheel assembly encounters road inputs, a strut undergoes compression (jounce) and extension (rebound) strokes. Many mount assemblies include elastomeric elements to isolate the strut from the body, thereby reducing the transmission of vibrations and noise to the body caused by road inputs.
The compression stroke of a strut is controlled by a jounce bumper mounted axially on the piston rod. Many jounce bumpers are either convoluted in shape and function by a progressive stacking of the convolutions to provide resistance to jounce forces, or are solid in cross section and utilize soft elastomers in straight compression.
The art continues to seek improvements. It is desirable to provide a jounce bumper which prevents a strut from fully compressing at large steer angles. Prevention of full compression of a strut restricts body lean and results in better road handling. Furthermore, a tighter wheel-to-body relationship for body styling can be accomplished when strut compression is limited.

Steer-sensitive jounce bumper and bump plate


A method for producing an electrochemical device which exhibits improved output performance and improved durability in thermal, chemical, and mechanical is provided. The electrochemical device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an ion exchange membrane held between the two electrodes. The method includes forming a catalyst layer containing a catalytic substance such as platinum and polyvinylidene fluoride and attaching ion exchange groups to the polyvinylidene fluoride in the catalyst layer. The resulting catalyst layer containing ion exchange groups is used for at least either of the first and second electrodes.

The present invention relates to a method for producing an electrochemical device.
The existing electrochemical device that is fueled by alcohol aqueous solution is composed of an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an ion exchange membrane formed from a polymeric solid electrolyte, all of which constitute the MEA (Membrane & Electrode Assembly). The ion exchange membrane is usually made of monomer such as Nafion (a registered trade mark of DuPont for perfluorosulfonic acid resin), which has a high ion conductivity. Nafion is used also as a binder in the electrode. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 61-67787 (from column 11, line 16, to column 15, line 7) and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 61-67788 (from column 12, line 9, to column 16, line 2.)
The fuel for the electrochemical device is dominated chiefly by methanol. Other fuels under study include hydrogen gas and organic materials such as ethanol, dimethyl ether (DME), and diethyl ether (DEE). (See, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-208260, from column 3, line 1 to line 16, and FIG. 1.)
Promising among these electrochemical devices is the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), which uses methanol aqueous solution as a fuel for direct reaction with the anode electrode. The DMFC is highly expected to be a small portable fuel cell as a next-generation power source on account of its high energy density.
The electrochemical device such as direct methanol fuel cell mentioned above is required to have improved output efficiency and durability. However, the direct methanol fuel cell is inferior to hydrogen fuel cells in thermal durability, chemical durability, and mechanical durability.
Nafion (registered trade mark) mentioned above or conventional sulfonated fluorocarbon polymer is liable to dissolve in the alcohol fuel and hence it liberates catalyst particles due to poor binding force, resulting in a reduced output. The tendency toward dissolution causes not only the peeling of the catalyst layer but also the weakening or breakage of the MBA film.
For this reason, the binder in the electrode and the ion exchange membrane (or polymeric solid electrolyte membrane) should be formed from a material which is hardly soluble in alcohol fuel and which has a high proton conductivity.

Method for producing electrochemical device


The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for image guided ablation. One system for image guided ablation includes an ultrasound transducer for producing a real-time ultrasound image of a target volume and of surrounding tissue. The system further includes an ablation probe for ablating the target volume. The system further includes a display for displaying an image to guide positioning of the ablation probe during ablation of the target volume. The system further includes at least one tracker for tracking position and orientation of the ablation probe during the ablation of the target volume. The system further includes a rendering and display module for receiving a pre-ablation image of the target volume and for displaying a combined image on the display, where the combined image includes a motion tracked, rendered image of the ablation probe and an equally motion tracked real-time ultrasound image registered with the pre-ablation image.

Ablation, such as radio frequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation, and cryo-ablation, is a first-line treatment for non-resectable hepatic and other types of tumors. RFA is a minimally invasive intervention (MII) uses high-frequency electrical current, introduced—under 2D ultrasound guidance—via a percutaneous needle-like probe, to heat the targeted tissues to physiologically destructive levels. RFA probes are characterized by manufacturer-specified ablation zones that are typically spheres or ellipsoids. The interventional radiologist who performs the procedure must place the probe such that the entire tumor as well as a safety boundary of several millimeters thickness are contained within the predicted ablation area. Frequent tumor recurrence on the periphery of the original tumor [1] indicates that probe placement accuracy may be a major cause for the low 5-year survival rates of hepatic carcinoma patients.
It is believed that physicians will more accurately target RFA to hepatic and other tumors using a contextually correct 3D visualization system than with standard 2D ultrasound alone. If proven beneficial, 3D guidance could decrease the high post-RFA tumor recurrence rate [3]. Prior experience in developing and evaluating a guidance system for breast biopsy [5] yield results that support this hypothesis.
Accordingly, there exists a long-felt need for methods, systems, and computer readable media for image guided ablation.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for image guided ablation

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


A system and method to propagate data over a network such as the Internet. The system and method determine a first set of addresses and perform a function such as a primitive element exponentiation upon those addresses to map to a second address space. The second address space could be a pseudo random ordering of addresses in the first address space such that each address in the first address space maps to an address in the second address space. The second address space is traversed to deliver data to receptive elements on the network. Each receptive element on the network is enlisted to continue propagating the data across the network resulting in a one-to-one, pseudo-random, exponential propagation.

The Internet address space is a set of globally (world-wide) unique numbers. Addresses are assigned to various networks, to ensure that no two networks attempt to use the same network address in the Internet. The address assignment is provided by a registration service referred to as Regional Internet Registries that track IP address allocation. Users normally refer to specific computing devices and services on the internet using "names," (e.g., www.microsoft.com) as opposed to numbers. But when computers make network connections these names are immediately translated to numeric IP addresses, which are used in connecting to the desired computing device or service.
The traditional numeric IP address (also called IPv4, standing for IP version 4) is a 32-bit number that uniquely identifies a network interface on a host. A host typically has one network interface and consequently one IP address, although sometimes it is equipped with multiple network interfaces. Because of the 32-bit limitation, the IPv4 address space is capable of addressing a theoretical maximum of 4,294,967,296 (232) distinct IP numbers (hosts). The IP addresses are commonly written in "dot notation", as four decimal numbers, separated by dots, e.g. 184.108.40.206. Each number can have a maximum value of 255. Hence, IP address space is from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.
The IP has the addressing structure, which developed as a two-level hierarchy in both addressing and routing. One part of the address, the network part, identifies the particular network a host is connected to, while the other part, the local part, identifies the particular end host on that network. Internet routing, then, has to deal only with the network part of the address, routing the packet to a router directly connected to the destination network. The local part is not used at all in Internet routing itself; rather it is used to determine the intended host on the destination network. An organization can use some of the bits in the host part of the address to identify a specific subnet. Effectively, the IP address then contains three parts: the network number, the subnet number, and the machine number.
IP addresses can be one of several classes, each determining how many bits represent the network number and how many represent the host number. The most common class used by large organizations (Class B) allows 16 bits for the network number and 16 for the host number. Using the above example, here's how the IP address is divided:
  <            --      Network                                    address      --        >  <            --      Host                                    address      --        >                          209.92                      .                      56.2  To add subnetting to this address, some portion (in this example, eight bits) of the host address could be used for a subnet address. Thus:
      <                  --        Network                                                    address        --              >    <                  --        Subnet                                                    address        --              >    <                  --        Host                                                    address        --              >                                              209.92                                .                                56                                .                                2                In other words, the subnet is divided into eight bits but an organization could choose some other scheme using only part of the third quad or even part of the fourth quad.
A subnet (short for "subnetwork") is an identifiably separate part of an organization's network. Typically, a subnet may represent all the machines at one geographic location, in one building, or on the same local area network (LAN). Having an organization's network divided into subnets allows it to be connected to the Internet with a single shared network address. Without subnets, an organization could get multiple connections to the Internet, one for each of its physically separate subnetworks, but this would require an unnecessary use of the limited number of network numbers the Internet has to assign. It would also require that Internet routing tables on gateways outside the organization would need to know about and have to manage routing that could and should be handled within an organization.
The ubiquity of the Internet has spawned a variety of attacks that attempt to provide a payload of malicious code to a significant percentage of computing devices connected to the Internet. Because of the number of computing devices connected to the Internet (e.g., 232 for IPv4 and 264 for IPv6) propagation of the payload is an obstacle to the spread of the malicious code during an attack. Several propagation algorithms have surfaced that provide for rapid propagation. For example, a typical propagation technique scans through the IP address space sequentially, i.e., starting at 0.0.0.0 and ending at 255.255.255.255. The scanning program usually looks for active network connected computing devices by sending a message to an arbitrary IP address and listening for a response.
Typically, scanning is done by dividing the IP address space of interest (e.g., the entire IPv4 address space) among a number of computing devices, each of which will start at the beginning of its assigned IP address space and scan for a computing device that responds to an inquiry. After a connected, responsive computing device is found, that computing device will be provided with a payload. The payload usually enlists the newly infected computing device to join the scanning within an assigned address space, which is a subset of the address space assigned to the infecting machine.
Some such scanning techniques use a form of a binary tree. With each computing device, dividing its assigned address space into two parts. Each part is scanned until a computing device is found and provided with the payload. The newly infected machines repeat the process until the entire IP address space has been scanned.
Other techniques for propagating address space employ a hit list. Using such that techniques, a block of address space is forwarded to a computing device, which then divides the hit list and passes portions on to found computing devices. This allows a complete randomization of the address space, but also requires a large file to be transmitted over the network.
The subject invention addresses the drawbacks of the scanning and hit list techniques for propagating a payload through a network.

Propagation of information on an indexed addressed network


The seat includes a back whose rear face is provided with a retractable table hinged thereto and including a strut having a first end pivotally mounted to the rear face of the back for selectively holding the table in a retracted position and in a deployed position. The table also has at least one cam secured to the rear face of the back and possessing a sliding path which co-operates resiliently with the strut, which strut has a second end slidably mounted relative to a guide secured to the table, the sliding path of the cam being curvilinear so as to oppose and enhance in succession the movement of the table from one of its two positions to the other.

In known vehicle seats, the strut is the bottom rod of a resilient telescopic arm whose two ends are pivotally mounted respectively on the rear face of the back and on the bottom face of the retractable table.
The arm is compressed when the table is retracted and it is extended when the table is in its deployed position, and in that position it holds the table substantially perpendicular to the rear face of the back.
Unfortunately, such an arm is relatively expensive.
In addition, when the table is in its deployed position, the arm possesses a degree of operating slack that rattles while the vehicle is moving.


An electrocardiograph system which enables safe data transfer with high reliability between a portable electrocardiograph and a recorder, such as a printer, and in which an effect of leakage magnetism is taken into consideration. In the electrocardiograph system, electrical signals and/or electric power are transferred between the electrocardiograph and the recorder by electro-magnetic coupling therebetween using independent coils. The electrocardiograph system is further provided with a device for rejecting noise of an electric power signal from the electrical signals or noise of an electrical power signal and a clock signal from a data signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrocardiograph system comprising an electrocardiograph recorder and a printer, and particularly to a data transfer system between a small portable electrocardiograph recorder and an electrocardiogram printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional portable (holder) electrocardiographs, after an electrocardiogram is magnetically recorded on an electrocardiogram recording medium for 24 hours using a magnetic tape, the electrocardiogram is analyzed by a private analysis apparatus while being reproduced thereby, and the analytical results are printed. Such an electrocardiograph system has the faults that analysis and printing require much time and that a magnetic recording/reproducing system causes distortion in the waveform measured. The electrocardiograph system also has the problems that since analysis is performed by high-speed reproduction,-analysis cannot be performed for a sufficient time with high accuracy, and that the apparatus used is limited in reduction in its size and is expensive.
In addition, an electrocardiograph system has recently been developed in which the body of a portable electrocardiograph recorder contains a solid-state (semiconductor) memory and a microcomputer so that the electrocardiogram is analyzed in real time by the microcomputer during measurement for 24 hours, and the analytical results and the electrocardiogram waveform are recorded on the solid-state (semiconductor) memory. Such a system comprising a portable electrocardiograph recorder having a body which contains a memory generally employs a data transfer method in which a connector attached to the body of a portable electrocardiograph recorder is electrically connected to a connector attached to the printer and having electrical contact points when the electrocardiogram data recorded on the memory is output to a printer. However, this system has the problems that an increase in number of connections causes deterioration in the reliability because the connector has a mechanical portion, and that since there is an electrical connection, a human body is in danger if being connected to the body of the portable electrocardiograph recorder.
On the other hand, JPA 59-212949 (laid open to public on Dec. 1, 1984; corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,636) discloses electro-magnetic couplings for transferring electric power, clock and data between an IC card and a card processor. In JPA 59-212949, the electric power and clock are transferred by a common contact point, and the data is transferred by two contact points which are independently provided in the transmitting and receiving directions.
However, although the common use of the contact point for the electric power and clock causes no danger of mixing noises having different frequencies because the transfer frequency of the electric power is the same as that of the clock, the common use produces an unstable factor during receiving of the clock because the magnetic signal is distorted by a variation in the load. Further, since the area and the number of turns of a coil is increased in order to connect magnetically and efficiently more electric power, the inductance of coil is increased and it results in that the self-induction voltage is increased and that the current flowing through coil is reduced as the transfer frequency is high. Therefore, the common use of the contact point for the electric power and clock limits the setection of the transfer frequency of clock.