A detection system is provided which is configured to have a transmitter capable of interacting with an object by generating a field, and a multiplicity of receivers operative to measure changes in the environment caused by the object's response to the generated field and mounted to a closed-looped belt, which is displaceable in a proximity to the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an object detection system coupled to and displaceable with a closed-loop belt.
2. Description of the Related Art
Landmines, airport luggage conveyor belts and food processing plant conveyor belts all have a need for detection of metal objects in a fast and efficient manner. In addition to detection of metal, these metal detectors sometimes must classify or discriminate the type of metal from clutter objects. This is particularly important for landmine detection to reject the potentially high incidence of metal clutter in the environment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation of metal detectors is based upon the principles of electromagnetic induction. Usually, a metal detector includes one or more transmitting coils or transmitters 10 carrying a time varying electric current generating a corresponding time-varying magnetic field 12, which propagates towards a metallic target 14. This primary or incident field produces eddy currents in the metallic target 14 generating, in turn, a secondary magnetic field 16, which is directed oppositely to the primary field and received by an antenna receiving coil or receiver 18, where it induces a detectable electrical voltage.
Metal detectors are proximity sensors having a region of sensitivity that is directly related to the size of the transmitter and receiver coils. Basically, the metal detector is sensitive to metal only near the receiving coil and is characterized by a time constant necessary for the metal detector to integrate or process the detected signal so as to discriminate metal from the background. The time constant is relatively fast when a human is walking and searching for metal objects such as, for example, landmines. However, in a variety of applications associated with the metal detector, this time constant is not adequate, particularly, in the context of military applications or relatively fast moving transporting belts. In a number of references, the U.S. Army has stated that a vehicle equipped with a metal detector must travel up to 10 m/sec or, approximately, 20 miles per hour (MPH) during landmine detection, which is substantially higher than the speed of a walking person. Assuming, for example, that a typical metal detector has a 0.2 m long metal detection region and a time constant of 0.2 sec, a speed of advancement of the vehicle equipped with this detector would be S=0.2 m/0.2 sec=1 m/s, which is not nearly sufficient to meet the U.S. Army guidelines.
To increase the efficiency of the detection, numerous designs of the vehicle-mounted metal detectors have been implemented. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,135 discloses a linear array of metal detectors fixed to a vehicle along a line perpendicular to the direction of travel. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,360 discloses an array of metal detectors fixed to a vehicle. These references only increase the metal detection area of coverage capabilities across the direction of motion (sweep area) and do not increase the detection capability in direction of motion.
In addition to detection of metal targets, it is necessary that these targets be discriminated from surrounding debris or metal clutter. To accomplish it, the metal detector must dwell over a metal target longer than the time needed to detect such a target. This is necessary because the signal identifying the target must be on the order of at least 10 times the noise for proper discrimination algorithms to work effectively. Accordingly, extra time is needed to integrate or process the signal and reduce the noise. For example, the time required for detection of small plastic landmines may be as long as 0.5 to 23 seconds, depending of the type of metal detector, type of metal, type of soil and the depth of the metal target
Increasing the efficiency of detection of metal targets is not limited to military and humanitarian demining. A variety of industrial processes including, for example, food and chemical processing, utilize conveyors for transporting material that has to be separated from metal targets. Conventionally, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2A, a plurality of linearly arranged metal detectors 20 are fixed to a stationary support 22 to detect metal object(s) 24 transported on a moving conveyor 26. Displacing the metal object 24 past by an array of the operating metal detectors 20 causes each detector to generate a respective output voltage signal V as long as the metal object 24 is within the field-of-view (FOV) of the receiver or antenna of the metal detector 20. Thus, the length of time T during the output voltage signal can be generated is determined by the size of the antenna, which is the combination of a metal detector's transmitter and receiver, of each metal detector 20 and the speed of the conveyor belt 26. The response time of the metal detector is governed by many parameters including, among others, magnetic field strength of the transmitter, duty cycle and timing of the transmitter, sensitivity of the receiver and the response time of the electronics configured to detect small metal signals in background noise. The response time of the electronics is characterized by the necessary signal averaging time, which is particularly important since all metal detectors must perform some type of signal processing, especially for small targets that may have signals buried in electronic noise.
The important point is all detectors 20 have a fixed response time. Typical response times are less than 1 second. Accordingly, for example, as long as the speed of the conveyor belt moves the object past the metal detector within its response time, metal objects will be detected reliably. As the speed increases, the fixed response time negatively influences the detection sensitivity and reliability. If very small metal objects are to be reliably detected, the response time needs to be increased to allow, for example, more signal averaging to reject background noise. In other words, the field of view (FOV) of the metal detector 20 must match the response time and sensitivity requirements of the metal detector. However, a typical response time of the detector(s) 20, mounted stationary relative to the conveyor belt 26, is low by comparison to the speed of this belt. As a consequence, while the metal detection technology is well developed and highly sensitive, its relatively long response time controls and, thus, limits the rate at which the detection can be performed.
Also, the discrimination of the metal object(s) 24 in the system having stationary metal detectors 20 may not be efficient since, as discussed above, the metal detector 20 does not have sufficient "dwell time" near the object 24 under study to enable the electronics to classify this object. As can be seen from FIG. 2B, a diagram of the typical metal detector output voltage versus position (or time in the case of an object moving across the array from left to right), the spatial/time variability of the output complicates any signal processing scheme that is trying to average the output of the spatial varying signal compared to a stationary output with good dwell time over the target. Particularly, a dwell or exposure time td, during which the metal object to be detected is within the field of view (FOV) of a respective detector, is relatively short. However, increasing the dwell time of the fixed detector(s) 20 may be a difficult task to accomplish, as the position of the object may be unknown. Using multiple fixed metal detectors does not provide for the sensitivity enhancing aspects of ensemble signal averaging that is possible in a single metal detector processing scheme.
A need therefore exists in a system for the detection of metal objects configured to provide reliable detection and classification of even relatively small metal targets at a relatively high speed of detection.


According to the invention, oscillating signals are generated from analog signals by providing an analog signal having a variable slope or amplitude to a circuit with a variable operating point and having a transfer function characterized by an unstable operating region bounded by a first and a second stable operating region. The unstable operating region contains a first and a second reference point. The circuit is capable of producing an oscillating signal having a variable duty cycle, the duty cycle increasing as the variable operating point is positioned closer to the first reference point, the duty cycle decreasing as the variable operating point is positioned closer to the second reference point. The variable operating point is positioned substantially within the unstable region to produce the oscillating signal. The positioning of the operating point relative to the first and the second reference points is a function of the variable slope or amplitude of the analog signal. The oscillating signal is capable of being used to directly or indirectly generate a delta modulation or sigma delta modulation signal corresponding to the analog signal.

Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Delta modulators and sigma delta modulators have existed for many years and have potential to be used in a wide range of applications such as communication systems, precision measurement devices, audio systems, and many others. Operation of the delta modulator and sigma delta modulator transforms a band-limited input signal into a one-bit output signal such that output pulse density of the output signals is modulated by the input signal. The transformation process is achieved by oversampling the input signal. Information about these modulators can be easily obtained on World Wide Web, technical notes, and journal publications. See B. P. Agrawal and K. Shenoi, Design Methodology For Sigma-Delta-M, IEEE Trans. Commun., vol. COM-31, pp.360-370, March 1983; J. W. Scott, W. L. C. Giancario, and C. G. Sodini, A CMOS slope adaptive delta modulator, in Proc. IEEE Int. Solid-State Circuits Conf., Febuary 1986, pp.130-131; David Jarman, A Brief Introduction to Sigma Delta Conversion, Harris Semiconductor Application Note, May 1995; and ADDA: CD Data Conversion (last modified Nov. 28, 1999)  less than http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/xcx9celec301/Projects99/adda/index.html greater than .
FIG. 1A shows building blocks for a conventional implementation of a delta modulator 10. An input signal 12 is received by a summing circuit 14. The summing circuit 14 also receives integrated output pulses from an integrator 16. A difference signal from the summing circuit 14 is applied to a quantizer 18. The quantizer 18 generates an output signal 19 that is applied to the integrator 16. The output signal 19 generated by the quantizer 18 is a positive pulse when the difference signal is negative. The output signal 19 generated by the quantizer 18 is a negative pulse when the difference signal is positive. An external oversampling clock 11 drives the delta modulator 10. This illustrates that the output of a delta modulator consists of pulses modulated by the slope of the input signal.
FIG. 1B shows building blocks for a conventional implementation of a sigma delta modulator 20. The sigma delta modulator is a modification of the delta modulator. The modification is made to avoid slope overload due to low oversampling ratio. An input 22 is received by a summing circuit 24. The summing circuit 24 also receives an output signal 29. A difference signal from the summing circuit 24 is applied to an integrator 26. An integrated signal from the integrator 26 is applied to a quantizer 28. The quantizer generates the output signal 29. An external oversampling clock 21 drives the sigma delta modulator 20. This illustrates that the output of a sigma delta modulator consists of pulses modulated by the amplitude of the input signal.
FIG. 2 illustrates the measured power of both the output signal and the quantization noise in a conventional implementation of a delta modulator or sigma delta modulator. Here, the oversampling rate determines the frequency range of the quantization noise shown. As can be seen, if oversampling rate is too low, the quantization noise might not be well separated from the desired output signal, and that may seriously affects the quality of the output signal.
Since quantization noise is directly related to oversampling ratios, increasing the oversampling rate is a logical approach to reducing effects of quantization noise. However, as illustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B, conventional implementations of both the delta modulator and the sigma delta modulator require a number of circuit blocks, such as an integrator, a summing circuit, a quantizer, and an external oversampling clock to drive the modulator. To operate all of this hardware at an oversampled rate, which is usually much larger than the input signal bandwidth, requires great circuit complexity. In addition, a higher oversampling ratio requires a higher speed external oversampling clock, which can add a significant or even prohibitive cost. Thus increasing the oversampling rate has not been practical in conventional implementations of the delta an sigma delta modulators. Increasing the order of the modulator can also decrease quantization noise, however, such an approach also increases circuit complexity and tend to result in less stable systems.
For the above reasons, conventional implementations of the delta modulator and sigma delta modulator have limited the use these conceptually elegant devices to low frequency applications.
According to the invention, oscillating signals are generated from analog signals by providing an analog signal having a variable slope or amplitude to a circuit with a variable operating point and having a transfer function characterized by an unstable operating region bounded by a first and a second stable operating region. The unstable operating region contains a first and a second reference point. The circuit is capable of producing an oscillating signal having a variable duty cycle, the duty cycle increasing as the variable operating point is positioned closer to the first reference point, the duty cycle decreasing as the variable operating point is positioned closer to the second reference point. The variable operating point is positioned substantially within the unstable region to produce the oscillating signal. The positioning of the operating point relative to the first and the second reference points is a function of the variable slope or amplitude of the analog signal. The oscillating signal is capable of being used to directly or indirectly generate a delta modulation or sigma delta modulation signal corresponding to the analog signal.
In a specific embodiment, the oscillating signal comprises a plurality of pulses.
In a specific embodiment, a more positive value of the slope or amplitude of the analog signal corresponds to a closer positioning of the variable operating point relative to one of the first and the second reference points, and wherein a more negative value of the slope or amplitude of the analog signal corresponds to a closer positioning of the variable operating point relative to another of the first and the second reference points.
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for delta modulator and sigma delta modulator


A lamination device for performing a lamination method for a dry film resist as a transfer layer, comprising a substrate transport part (15), a substrate preheating part (8), a lamination part (9) and, (10), an inter-substrate film processing part (3), a film feed part (2), a film accumulation part (4), a base film continuous peeling part (12, 13), and a cover film continuous peeling part (5), wherein a lamination is carried out by a pair of lamination rolls (9) and (10), part (15) being transport rolls, a base film is peeled off from a substrate after lamination, a guide roll (12) for peeling off the base film is located forward of the lamination rolls in the transport direction of the substrate, and the guide roll is free to move vertically or laterally, whereby an angle between a substrate surface and the base film being wound up, i.e., the peeling angle of the base film can be changed to any angle.

This invention relates to a method and a device both for continuously laminating onto substrates a transfer layer of a lengthy laminate film comprising a base film and the transfer layer and a cover film which are formed on the base film in this order.
There have been proposed various methods for laminating onto substrates a transfer layer formed on a base film. For example, Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 3-205134 (1991) discloses a method wherein first a laminate film is cut at its frontal side perpendicularly to the feeding direction of the laminate film, and after the frontal end part of the laminate film is pressed onto the frontal end part of a substrate relative to the transport direction of the substrate, the laminate film is continuously fed and laminated onto the substrate by lamination rolls. The laminate film is also cut to form a rear end located to give a length corresponding to that of the substrate, and lamination is carried out, with the rear end of the laminate film supported. This method involves the problem that the transfer layer or intermediate layer of the laminate film is thermally fluidized during lamination, and squeezed out from the cut ends of the laminate film, adhering to and contaminating substrates. Further, because the laminate film is laminated after cut to the length between the frontal end and rear end of the substrate, the laminate film is applied with varied tensions and wrinkles due to uneven thickness and deflection. The method involves another problem of low productivity since the temporary attachment of the laminate film prior to lamination temporarily stops the lamination operation and disables speeding up, and the base film should be peeled off after lamination.
Another method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 5-338040 (1993). After the cover film of a laminate film is peeled off, cut-lines are made in the transfer layer with cutters to form boundaries dividing the lamination layer into parts to be attached between the frontal and rear end parts of substrates and other parts not to be transferred, and lamination is carried out, with the cut-lines fitted to substrates. Lamination rolls ceases pressing operation in the region including the frontal and rear end parts of the substrates and the interval between substrates, where lamination is not necessary. After the transfer layer is laminated onto substrates by continuously repeating the lamination operation, the base film of the laminate film is continuously peeled off from the substrates. The base film is peeled off, leaving only the necessary parts of the transfer layer between the cut-lines forming the frontal and rear ends. There is disclosed another method whereby the photosensitive layer to be located at the spaces between substrates is removed previously.
At low operating speeds of about 0.5 to 0.8 m/min, the method prevents the transfer layer from adhering to and contaminating rolls between substrates. However, on high-speed lamination operation (1 to 3 m/min) requiring frequent ON-OFF switching of pressing rolls, the tension of the laminate film varies frequently, so that the laminate film shifts from the predetermined position, causing loss of the position accuracy of lamination, and lamination gets out of the prescribed position between the frontal and rear end parts of a substrate. Consequently, when the base film is peeled off, the cut-lines overlap with the ends of the substrates, whereby the transfer layer on the peeling face becomes difficult to peel off, or the transfer layer that should be attached with pressure to the surface of the substrate is also peeled off. Further, the ON-OFF switching of the pressing rolls varies the tension of the laminate film undergoing lamination, so that the transfer layer laminated on the substrate with pressure tends to have wrinkles and uneven thickness.
This invention provides a lamination device and a lamination method, which are improved in production efficiency because a transfer layer can be laminated speedily and accurately on the desired parts of substrates except the frontal and rear end parts thereof, without causing unevenness or wrinkling, and as well prevent the transfer layer from being squeezed out to form extraneous matter.
The lamination device of this invention comprises:
a mechanism for exposing a transfer layer to be laminated onto substrates to light in a region of the transfer layer corresponding to end parts of a substrate, which end parts are located to laminate the resist onto the substrate between the end parts, and to the space between two substrates, so that the region of the transfer layer does not adhere to lamination rolls nor to the parts of substrates where the transfer of the resist is not required;
a lamination mechanism;
a substrate transport mechanism for feeding substrates to the lamination mechanism at prescribed intervals;
a lengthy laminate film transport mechanism for feeding a lengthy laminate film comprising a base film and a transfer layer formed thereon to the lamination mechanism, so that the transfer layer faces the substrate; and
a peeling mechanism for continuously peeling off the base film after lamination,
wherein the lamination mechanism and the peeling mechanism comprise a pair of lamination rolls facing each other and a guide roll for peeling off the base film, which is located, in the transport direction of the substrates, forward of the lamination roll on the side of the lengthy laminate film.
The first lamination method of this invention comprises feeding, between a pair of lamination rolls facing each other, substrates fed at prescribed intervals and a lengthy laminate film comprising a base film and a transfer layer formed thereon, so that the transfer layer faces the substrate, and continuously peeling off the base film, and is characterized in that, at the frontal end part of each substrate, the base film is peeled off by a guide roll for peeling off the base film, which is located, in a transport direction of the substrates, forward of the lamination roll on the side of the lengthy laminate film and is smaller in diameter than the lamination roll being to be in contact with the lengthy laminate film, and, at a rear end part of each substrate, the base film is peeled off by the lamination roll on the side of the lengthy laminate film.
The diameter of the guide roll for peeling off the base film is preferably at most one-third as large as the diameter of the lamination roll on the side of the lengthy laminate film, and the guide roll for peeling off the base film preferably has a diameter of 30 mm or less.
The lamination roll on the side of the lengthy laminate film is preferably a heating roll, and the guide roll for peeling off the base film is preferably a non-heating roll.
The second lamination method of this invention comprises feeding, between a pair of lamination rolls facing each other, substrates fed at prescribed intervals and a lengthy laminate film comprising a base film and a transfer layer formed thereon, so that the transfer layer faces the substrate, and continuously peeling off the base film, and
is characterized in that vacant spaces are provided between the lamination rolls and the lengthy laminate film by vertically moving the lamination rolls or guide rolls, the guide rolls being located, in the transport direction of the substrates, forward and backward of the lamination roll on the side of the lengthy laminate film, respectively.
It is preferable that, after the vacant spaces are provided between the lamination rolls and the lengthy laminate film by vertically moving the lamination rolls or the guide rolls, a heat shield plate is inserted in at least one vacant space. The heat shield plate preferably has a self-cooling function.
The guide roll located, in the transport direction of the substrate, forward of the lamination roll on the side of the lengthy laminate film preferably doubles as a guide roll for peeling off the base film.
The third lamination method is for continuously laminating onto substrates continuously fed at prescribed intervals a transfer layer of a lengthy laminate film comprising a base film and the transfer layer and a cover film which are formed on the base film in this order, and is characterized in comprising
a step of continuously feeding the lengthy laminate film,
a step of pressing heating bars against the lengthy laminate film from the outer surface of the cover film without cutting the cover film, to give the transfer layer a divided region corresponding to the total of the interval between two substrates and the widths of the end parts of one substrate where lamination is not required,
a step of exposing the transfer layer to light at the region which lies between the heating bars and corresponds to the total of the interval between two substrates and the widths of the end parts of the substrates where lamination is not required,
a step of continuously peeling off the cover film,
a step of laminating the transfer layer onto the substrates, which is continuously fed and arranged at prescribed intervals, so that the divided region of the transfer layer made by the heating bars is positioned on the end parts of the substrates where lamination is not required,
a step of half-cutting the base film on the substrates at the parts pressed by the heating bars, and
a step of peeling off the cut base film together with the transfer layer that was exposed to light.


There is provided an insulation material having a dielectric constant of 10 or more, comprising a filler having a dielectric constant of 50 or more and having two peaks in different particle size ranges in a particle size distribution and an insulating resin combined with each other; an insulation material having a dielectric constant of 10 or more comprising, as essential components, 1) at least one filler selected from the group consisting of barium titanate, strontium titanate, potassium titanate, magnesium titanate, lead titanate, titanium dioxide, barium zirconate, calcium zirconate and lead zirconate, 2) an insulating resin and 3) a dispersant containing a carboxylic group; or an insulation material comprising a filler having a dielectric constant of 50 or more, a dispersant for dispersing the filler and an insulating resin as essential components, wherein an extract of a cured product of the insulation material obtained by extraction with water at 120° C. for 20 hours using a pressure vessel has a pH of 6 or higher.

Recently, in response to the demand of miniaturization and lightweight of electronic appliances, thinner and higher density circuit boards are being developed. In particular, for electronic appliances used in the fields of information/communication and information processing, higher performance is strongly demanded. Thus, a need for acquiring areas for mounting high performance parts is growing.
Up to present, to ensure such mounting areas, miniaturization of surface mounting parts, narrowing of terminal pitches, fine pattern of substrates, SMT (Surface Mount Technology) in which parts are mounted on a substrate surface at a high density and Advanced SMT which is an upgraded version thereof have been studied.
Recently, however, passive devices (capacitors, inductors and registers) responsible for electrical control occupies more than half of the mounting area compared to active devices (chip parts) contributing to higher function, and this has prevented progress of miniaturization and higher function.
Thus, development of "substrate with embedded passive devices" in which functions of passive devices are built within a substrate is required. In particular, regarding embedding of capacitors which account for more than half of the passive devices, utilization of an insulating layer as a dielectric of a capacitor has been proposed. By integrating functions of passive devices within a substrate, soldered joints conventionally used for electrical connection between surface mounting parts and wiring boards are no longer present. It is thus expected that reliability is improved and more flexible circuit design becomes possible. In addition, it is expected that since integration makes it possible to form a passive device at an effective position, wire length can be shortened and as a result, parasitic capacitance is reduced and electrical properties are improved. Moreover, because surface mounting is unnecessary, cut down of costs is expected.
The capacitance which is the performance of an embedded capacitor is represented by the following formula, and to improve the capacitance, higher dielectric constant of an insulating layer and thinning of an insulating layer are effective.C=∈·∈r·A/t  (formula 1)
In the formula, C: capacitance (F), ∈: dielectric constant in vacuum (8.85 F/m), ∈r: relative dielectric constant of insulating layer, A: electrode area (m2) and t: thickness of insulating layer (m).
As an insulating layer for a printed wiring board, glass cloth prepregs produced by impregnating glass cloth with resin, drying the same and semi-curing the resin have been conventionally used. For multi-layered printed wiring boards, in addition to such glass prepregs, prepregs without glass cloth, i.e., adhesive films obtained by semi-curing resin capable of forming film, are used. These are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 6-200216 and 6-329998. Further, for multi-layered printed wiring boards, an adhesive film with copper foil in which the above adhesive film is formed on one side of copper film is used. This is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-196862.
Conventionally, glass cloth impregnated with thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin or insulating resin coated on copper foil has been generally used. These materials have a dielectric constant of about 3 to 5. Methods of using such materials as a dielectric of an embedded capacitor have been proposed, and disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,069. The dielectric constant, however, was in the single digits as described above. In addition, to increase the capacitance of a capacitor, the thickness of an insulating layer must be reduced.
To achieve thinning of prepregs composed of glass cloth, the thickness of the glass cloth itself, which is a base material, needs to be reduced. At present, thin glass cloths of about 20 μm are available on market, but they have a problem in production that their strength is decreased due to thinning and so the base material is easily broken upon coating. Further, since the cloth is impregnated with resin and then used as an insulating layer, the resultant becomes thicker than the original base material after impregnation, and thinning has thus reached its limit.
Semi-cured adhesive film, which is a prepreg without glass cloth, is generally composed of an organic insulation material containing a thermosetting component. Although thinning of this prepreg is easier than that of a prepreg composed of glass cloth, improvement of dielectric constant was difficult.
As a technique for increasing dielectric constant, for example, an insulation material in which an inorganic filler having a relatively high dielectric constant is combined with an organic material has been studied. It has also been reported that high dielectric constant is achieved by using spherical inorganic filler having an average particle size of 20 μm or 40 μm. This is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-88198. However, despite the effort of thinning of the composite material in order to improve the capacitance, thinning was difficult because the inorganic filler had a large particle. In addition, use of particles having a sufficiently small particle size causes problems that thixotropic properties of varnish upon forming a composite are increased and thus a uniform insulating layer cannot be obtained. Further, in the case of high volume filling of filler for improvement in dielectric constant, resin is not sufficiently mixed with the filler and voids and defects are generated, and this has resulted in problems that dielectric constant is not increased and such defects have a bad effect on reliability and the like upon use as an insulation material.

Insulation material, film, circuit board and method of producing them


A method and apparatus for the volume reduction and processing of solid organic waste, in particular ion exchange media from nuclear facilities containing sulfur or chlorine. A method and apparatus for the volume reduction of nuclear waste is disclosed comprising: subjecting the waste to pyrolysis in a pyrolysis vessel, and gasifying the solid pyrolysis residue in a steam reformer to remove residual carbon. A further method and apparatus for the processing of nuclear waste is disclosed comprising: grinding the nuclear waste, addition of iron powder, pyrolysis, gasification of the pyrolysis residue, and combustion in a submerged bed heater. An evaporator cools gases from the submerged bed heater. Off gases from the evaporator are treated by a fiber bed scrubber to remove acids.

The new method of the present invention not only achieves the aim of volume reduction, but also provides, for example, such benefits as the elimination of sulphur or chloride content from exhaust gases, and similarly any radioactive content, in an effective and straight forward manner. The invention is therefore especially useful for the processing of ionic exchange media from nuclear facilities, which media display a certain degree of radioactivity and therefore would otherwise require conventional measures in relation to ultimate waste disposal and deposition. The nuclear industry annually produces a significant amount of waste which is classified as radioactively contaminated ion exchange media. Such waste is managed in various fashions prior to ultimate disposal in bedrock chambers or shallow land burial. This management is technically complex and as a rule leads to increased volumes which influences storage costs. A process resulting in diminished volume at reasonable cost is therefore highly commercially desirable.
Ion exchange medium is an organic material. The base is usually a styrene polymer with grafted sulfonic acid and amine groups. The material is therefore burnable, but air is supplied during combustion and sulphur and nitrogen oxides are formed which in turn must be separated in some manner. Additionally, during combustion the temperature becomes sufficiently high for radioactive cesium to be partially vaporized. The residual radioactivity will also accompany the resulting fly ash to some extent. This necessitates a very high performance filter system. Accordingly, both technical and economic problems are typically associated with standard combustion techniques.
An alternative to straight combustion is pyrolysis. However, previously known pyrolysis methods in this technical field are deficient in several aspects and in particular no one has earlier succeeded in devising a pyrolysis process which provides a comprehensive solution to the problem of sulphur and nitrogen-containing radioactive waste, and to do so under acceptable economic stipulations. The following can be mentioned as examples of the known technology in this respect:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,042 to J. Bradley Mason et al. describes a system for vitrification of nuclear waste (incorporating of a portion of the nuclear waste into a stable glass matrix) including several subsystems: a feed conditioning system for conditioning "dry waste," "wet waste" or ion exchange resins and "liquid waste"; a feed preparation system for blending the waste types; a feed melter chamber with an upper zone and a lower zone for oxidizing the waste into ash and off-gas; a glass handling system for packing and storing the glass product; and an off-gas cleaning and control system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,544 describes a system for the detoxification of hazardous waste utilizing a moving bed evaporator and a steam-reforming detoxification reactor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,738 also describes a system for the detoxification of solid waste which first mechanically particularized the waste in a spinning knife cutter, size reduction grinder or like device, and then subjects the particularized waste to a gas flow of a hot gas in the range of 250-750.degree. C. The particularized waste is agitated to enhance exposure to the hot gaseous flow.
SE-B 8405113-5 which describes single stage pyrolysis in a fluidised bed followed by conversion of tars in the resulting gas to non-condensable gas using limestone as catalyst.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,628,837, 4,636,335, and 4,654,172 describe pyrolysis of ion exchange resins where the pyrolysis is carried out in two stages. Both of these stages, however, are directed towards pyrolysis of the ion exchange media itself, i.e. the solid product. Speaking generally, both stages moreover are carried out at relatively low temperatures. Furthermore, none of these specifications recites any comprehensive solution to the problem of solid organic sulphur or chloride containing waste such as is the case with the method of the present invention.

Method for the volume reduction and processing of nuclear waste


A multilayer wiring board has a ceramic substrate, on which a multilayer wiring section is formed. The ceramic substrate has an internal conductor layer, which is connected to a test pad. The first conductor layer is formed, and then an electric capacitance is measured between the test pad and a wiring pattern of the first conductor layer. On the other hand, an electrical capacitance is calculated under the normal wiring pattern condition. The measured value is compared to the calculated value to determine whether the wiring pattern is good or bad. Similar measurements and comparisons are carried out for each of the second through fifth conductor layers to determine whether a three-dimensional wiring path is good or bad. As the ceramic substrate has an internal conductor layer, the electric capacitance of the wiring can be measured without an overall grounded layer in the multilayer wiring section, which is a characteristic part different from others among a variety of the multilayer wiring boards.

The present invention relates to a multilayer wiring board, which is usable in a probe card and the like, and a method for testing such a multilayer wiring board, and especially to a multilayer wiring board including a wiring path whose electric capacitance is measured to inspect whether the wiring is good or bad, and a method for testing such a multilayer wiring board.
A technique for measuring the electric capacitance between a signal line and the grounded layer in a multilayer wiring board to detect a break and a short circuit of the signal line is known and disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-10863 A (1978), which will be referred to as the first publication.
The first publication discloses a multilayer wiring board, which includes therein a grounded layer consisting of an overall conductor film. The electric capacitance between the grounded layer and a signal line is measured, and then the measured value is compared to calculated value of the electric capacitance to detect a break and a short circuit of the signal line.
Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a sectional view showing the conventional method for testing a multilayer wiring board with the use of the technique described above. A multilayer wiring section 11 is formed on a ceramic substrate 10. The multilayer wiring section 11 has five conductor layers, which include wiring patterns 22, 34, 42, 50 and 60 respectively. These wiring patterns are connected to each other via connecting conductors to make up a three-dimensional wiring path. The fourth conductor layer further includes a grounded pattern 52, which is connected to a test pad 78 located on a surface of the multilayer wiring section 11. Since the three-dimensional wiring path extends to the uppermost wiring pattern 60, it is possible to determine whether the wiring path is good or bad by measuring, with a measuring device 28, an electric capacitance between the test pad 78 and the uppermost wiring pattern 60. When the measured value Cm of electric capacitance differs widely from the calculated value, it can be determined that the wiring path may suffer a break or a short circuit. The calculated value Ct of electric capacitance is a total of a calculated value C1 of electric capacitance between the grounded pattern 52 and the wiring pattern 22 of the first conductor layer, a calculated value C2 of electric capacitance between the grounded pattern 52 and the wiring pattern 34 of the second conductor layer, a calculated value C3 of electric capacitance between the grounded pattern 52 and the wiring pattern 42 of the third conductor layer, a calculated value C4 of electric capacitance between the grounded pattern 52 and the wiring pattern 50 of the fourth conductor layer, and a calculated value C5 of electric capacitance between the grounded pattern 52 and the wiring pattern 60 of the fifth conductor layer.
The conventional testing method described above has a restriction that requires the overall grounded layer inside the multilayer wiring section 11. It is therefore impossible, for a multilayer wiring section having no overall grounded layer, to measure the electric capacitance between a signal line and the grounded layer.

Multilayer wiring board and method for testing the same


A sheet machining apparatus has a die for positioning a sheet to be machined. The die is mounted on a lower die base for movement and has a machining pattern for the sheet, a plurality of punches are mounted on an upper punch base for machining the sheet in coaction with the die in a predetermined number of machining cycles according to the individual machining pattern, and a feed mechanism horizontally moves the die to align a machining position on the sheet with the punches each time the sheet is machined by the die and the punches.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for machining a sheet with a die and a punch.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various dies or machining apparatus have generally been used to punch holes or openings in workpieces. For example, there is a prior art progressive die assembly having dies and punches movable toward and away from each other for successively punching holes in a workpiece that is being fed through the dies and punches. There is also a compound blank-and-punch die assembly for blanking and punching a workpiece at once with a die which has holes according to a machining pattern for the workpiece, and as many punches as the number of those holes in the die.
In the prior art progressive die assembly, since only the workpiece is moved, external forces are applied to move the workpiece. The workpiece is normally spaced from the dies so that it can be fed successively through the dies and punches. Therefore, the workpiece is subject to external forces when it is punched by the punches. If the workpiece comprises a thin and/or soft sheet, then the sheet tends to be strained by the external forces applied to move the sheet and also the external forces applied to punch the sheet. When the sheet is strained, it reduces the dimensional accuracy of holes punched therein, particularly if many small holes are punched in the sheet, and it cannot be fed at a highly accurate rate through the dies and punches.
The compound blank-and-punch die assembly has as many punches as the number of holes in the die according to the machining pattern for the workpiece. If the machining pattern has many small holes, then the compound blank-and-punch die assembly is required to have as many punches of small diameters as the number of the holes in the die. It is relatively expensive to manufacture such punches of small diameters, and such punches of small diameters are liable to be damaged in use. As a result, the compound blank-and-punch die assembly with many punches of small diameters needs a considerably complex maintenance process.


Systems and methods for providing access to a restricted web site to users of certain brands of printing device replaceable components are described. When a replaceable component is installed into a printing device, the printing device determines whether the replaceable component is a particular brand of component. If it is a particular brand of component, the printing device provides access, either automatically or on command, to a web site that is restricted to users of components of the brand. The restricted web site offers incentives and information to such users that is not available to printing device users that use other brands of components in their printing devices.

Most types of printing devices are equipped with replaceable components that have a life cycle during which the replaceable components are functional. At the end of the life cycle of a replaceable component, the component must be replaced for the printing device to continue to function properly.
For example, a toner cartridge is installed in a laser printer to provide toner for the printing process. As documents are printed, the toner supply is gradually depleted. When the toner supply is completely exhausted, the printer cannot print any further documents until the toner cartridge is replaced.
The market for replaceable components for printing devices is highly competitive. When a printing device user depletes a replaceable component that was included in the new printing device, the user has several options to replace the depleted component. For instance, the user may replace the replaceable component with a component of the same brand as was originally included in the printing device. Or, the user may choose to replace the replaceable component with one of many similar components on the market that are made by another manufacturer.
The main reason that such a user would choose a different brand of replaceable component to replace the depleted component is cost. Typically, non-name-brand replaceable components are less expensive. This is due to the fact that the research costs were not borne by the company making the component. Furthermore, such components typically use cheaper materials, such as less expensive toner (in the case of a laser printer toner cartridge). However, cheaper materials used in a replaceable component may not provide the same print quality and reliability that a user desires.
A printing device manufacturer wants to retain as many repeat customers as possible. When a customer buys a printing device and a component in that device is subsequently depleted, the printing device manufacturer must provide valuable incentives for the user to replace the component with a similar component of the same brand that was originally included in the printing device when it was sold.

Systems and methods for providing restricted web site access to users of certain brands of printing device replaceable components

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A data processing system includes at least a first storage system, a second storage system and a third storage system. The third storage system maintains a replication of data stored in the first storage system. When updating data in the first storage system, the first storage system updates the replication of data stored in the third storage system and creates a journal. The journal is formed from a copy of data used for update and update information such as a write command for update, etc. The second storage system also maintains a replication of data stored in the first storage system. The second storage system obtains the journal, and updates data stored therein corresponding to data stored in the first storage system in the order of data update performed in the first storage system. When updating data stored in the third storage system corresponding to data stored in the first storage system, the third storage system creates a journal using data update numbers created in the first storage system. When the first storage system fails, the second storage system obtains the journal from the third storage system, and updates data stored therein corresponding to data stored in the first storage system in the order of data update performed in the first storage system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to storage systems, and more particularly, to data replication among a plurality of storage systems and resuming data replication processing when failures occur in the storage systems.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, in order to provide continuous service to clients at all times, technologies concerning data replication among storage systems have become important to make it possible for a data processing system to provide services even when a failure occurs in a first storage system. There have been technologies for replicating information stored in the first storage system on second and third storage systems.
For example, according to one of the known technologies, a first storage system stores data in a first storage system, and transfers data stored in the first storage system to a second storage system, as well as to a third storage system. A computer and the first storage system are connected by a communications link, the first storage system and the second storage system are connected by a communications link, and the first storage system and the third storage system are also connected by a communications link. The first storage system has a first logical volume that is the subject of replication. The second storage system has a second logical volume that is a replication of the first logical volume. The third storage system has a third logical volume that is a replication of the first logical volume. The first storage system, when updating the first logical volume, performs a data replication processing on the second logical volume, and stores in management information a difference between the first logical volume data and the third logical volume data for every data size of a predetermined size. Subsequently, the first storage system uses the management information to perform a data replication processing on the third logical volume.
The conventional technology described manages the difference in data between the first logical volume and the third logical volume for every data size of a predetermined size. The management information that manages such differences entails a problem of growing larger in proportion to the amount of data that is the subject of replication. Furthermore, due to the fact that the third logical volume is updated based on the management information and in an order unrelated to the order of data update, data integrity cannot be maintained in the third logical volume.


A holder (100) for a portable electronic device (600) comprises a mountable housing (102), a latching mechanism (104), and an electrical connector (101). The portable electronic device (600) has a bottom surface (608) defining a slot (800) and a front edge (610) including an electrical connector (624). The mountable housing (102) has a first end (151) and a second end (153). The latching mechanism (104) is movably disposed on the first end (151) and includes a biasing element exerting a force on the latching mechanism (104) in a direction towards the second end (153). The electrical connector (101) is positioned on the second end (153) and includes electrical contacts facing the first end (151). When the portable electronic device (600) is properly inserted within the holder (100), the latching mechanism (104) engages the slot (800) for securing the portable electronic device (600) within the holder (100) and for establishing and maintaining an electrical connection between electrical connectors (101, 624).

Portable communication devices, such as cellular telephones, have provided convenient communications for users in various remote locations. Typically, when such communication is desired in an automobile, a hands-free communication system including a hangup cup is used. During communication, the hangup cup holds the portable communication device while the user speaks into an auxiliary microphone and listens from an auxiliary speaker. Of course, it is important that the hangup cup holds the portable communication device securely and that any electrical connections established therebetween are also reliably secured. This is particularly true when considering the environment of an automobile, where the hangup cup may be subjected to sharp and sudden movements and vibrations.
When entering and leaving an automobile, a user typically inserts and removes the portable communication device within and from the hangup cup. Unfortunately, conventional hangup cups have not provided simple methods for inserting and removing a portable communication device since such simpler methods tend to compromise the secure attachment required.
Accordingly, what is needed is a holder that provides a simple method for inserting and removing a portable electronic device while providing a reliable grip and electrical connection to the portable electronic device when inserted therein. It is also beneficial if such a holder can be adapted to a variety of portable electronic devices.


Methods and systems for updating subscriber service parameters in a communications network wherein a central provisioning unit automatically locates subscriber ports having subscriber service parameters that require updating and which automatically issues commands for updating the subscriber service parameters of the ports requiring updating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and systems for updating subscriber service parameters in a communications network.
2. Background Art
In a data or voice communications network it may become necessary to perform mass-updates that change subscriber services. For data networks, the subscriber service parameters associated with data circuits are typically changed using a Graphical User Interface (GUI) or using a Command Line Interface (CLI). When the network serves a moderate number of users, these interfaces are adequate. However, in large networks supporting thousands or millions of subscribers changing the subscriber service parameters cannot be efficiently done through manual processes using these interfaces.
In a data network that provides Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services, for example, it may be necessary to perform these mass updates based upon a set of specific selection criteria. These criteria may include specific circuits or circuits that have a common characteristic. Typical of this type of update is the requirement to change Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) parameters that represent such DSL characteristics as data speeds, noise margins, channel interleave delays, power spectral densities, etc., from one set of values to another. The changes may be the result of new services or may be required to enhance network performance.
Since it is not feasible to perform these changes one at a time or in any manual mode using known utilities, a utility is needed that overcomes these deficiencies.

Automated method and system for selectively updating communications parameters representing subscriber services in telecommunications networks


A server system is provided for analyzing user interaction in an environment. The server system comprises a memory storing a set of instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including determine a user has interacted with an item positioned in the environment based on a communication signal received from a hub physically located in the environment indicating an item tag associated with the item is linked with a user tag associated with the user. The server system may identify, based on one or more communication signals received from the hub, at least one metric associated with the user's interaction with the item and compare the at least one metric with a set of rules associated with the type of metric. The server system may provide an indication, based on the comparison, to a display device.

Brick-and-mortar merchants typically rely on customer sales to maintain an operating business. Thus, merchants may allocate significant time, energy and money toward various systems and methods to maximize their sales. Merchants may rely on advertisements, promotions, or offers, and strategic displays, product placement, and physical layout of a store to enhance consumer experience and increase sales. Many other techniques have also been used.
There are entities who study consumer behavior to learn and share advanced techniques to determine how to improve sales. Merchants typically consult with these entities or studies conducted by these entities to determine how they may be able to improve their own sales. Some studies, however, may not be useful to all merchants, as some merchants have unique needs or particular clientele etc. Additionally, a detailed study specific to a particular merchant may be cost prohibitive and therefor unavailable to many merchants, or may be useful only for a limited duration as merchant techniques evolve and develop. And some studies may rely on methods that may not effectively determine how users actually engage with a merchant. Many studies, for instance, may rely on active user participation and user response regarding a particular experience. User response may not be reflective of a true user experience, however, as the user may be unaware of the influence of certain techniques. These studies, thus, may be ineffective to analyze actual user behavior or interaction with a merchant and the various items for sell.
Current computing systems and supporting infrastructures are ill-equipped to address these and similar Issues.

Systems and methods for detecting and tracking customer interaction


An auxiliary plate (10) is fixed to a rear plane of a housing for fixedly holding a lamp unit (6) having a plurality of lamps. In the auxiliary plate (10), a convex portion and a concave portion are combined. The convex portion has a space between the housing and itself, which is formed by protruding a sheet metal, and the concave portion contacts with the housing by denting the sheet metal. In the auxiliary plate 10, an area for mounting a board vulnerable to heat is formed with the convex portion and an air layer performs as heat insulation. The convex and concave portions are arrayed in a direction where heated air easily flows in another area. Thus, rigidity can be remarkably increased compared to a flat-shaped sheet metal, and heat generated by a backlight is effectively dissipated, as well as a temperature rise and an occurrence of a temperature gradient are suppressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display panel with a direct backlight.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel has been utilized in a wide field of such as audio-visual (AV) machines, office automation (OA) machines, and portable terminal devices because of its features that it is fabricated to be thin, light in weight and low in power consumption. A backlight for the LCD panel is classified into a direct type, an edge light type, a surface light source type, and an external light type depending on its illumination style.
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a conventional LCD panel 300 with a direct backlight comprises a lamp unit 6 for holding a plurality of lamps serving as a backlight source, an optical sheet 5 for converting backlight to uniform illumination light, and a liquid crystal panel 3 sandwiching liquid crystal between a pair of substrates opposed to each other as main constituent components.
Furthermore, the conventional LCD panel 300 with the direct backlight comprises a housing for fixedly holding these components thereto (including a front side shield 2, a rear side shield 7 serving also as a reflector for reflecting the backlight, and an internal chassis 4 for positioning the liquid crystal panel 3 in the constitution of FIG. 1); and a board (a circuit board 8 for driving the liquid crystal panel 3 and an inverter board 9 for driving a lamp) held and fixed to the housing (the rear side shield 7 in FIG. 1) as constituent components.
Herein, when the LCD 300 is used as a monitor of a personal computer, a panel size needs not to be made so large. Therefore, even in the foregoing constitution, rigidity of the LCD panel 300 can be maintained, and sufficient brightness can be obtained. However, when the LCD panel 300 is used as a television set, the panel size needs to be made large, for example, about 20-inch class panel. For this reason, a slight external force for the LCD panel 300 strains the LCD panel 300, and this strain causes display unevenness.
Furthermore, since the brightness needs to be increased when the LCD panel is used for the television set, the number of lamps of the backlight must be inevitably increased.
Therefore, when the number of the lamps is increased, temperature of the constituent components such as the liquid crystal panel 3, the circuit board 8, and the inverter board 9 rises due to heat generation of the backlight of the LCD panel 300, and thus its performance is degraded.
Accordingly, in order to increase the rigidity of the LCD panel 300, it is conceived to realize a strong structure of a housing such as a frame and a chassis for fixedly holding the liquid crystal panel 3, the lamp unit 6 and the like. However, in this case, the housing itself becomes large-sized, and it is impossible to achieve a narrower picture frame size of the LCD panel 300. Moreover, weight of the LCD panel 300 increases.
Furthermore, as a measure to hold down the temperature rise of the constituent components due to the heat generation of the backlight, there is a measure in which heat radiation means is provided in a structural body (for example, the rear side shield 7 in FIG. 1) for fixedly holding the lamps of the backlight or the like. This measure is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 63(1988)-5321.
Specifically, a LCD panel, which increases radiation efficiency by providing radiation fins on a reflector for reflecting light emitted from a fluorescent tube, is disclosed. In addition, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 63(1988)-20128, a LCD panel having a structure in which a supporting component is provided in both ends of a radiation plate and thereby a light source is fitted thereto, is disclosed. This LCD panel disclosed herein increases the radiation efficiency by providing radiation fins on a rear surface side of the radiation plate.
However, in the structures described in the foregoing official gazettes, a host of fins are provided in the structural body for fixedly holding the lamps of the backlight and in the radiation plate. Accordingly, it is natural that heat generated by the backlight can be discharged with using the radiation fins. However, the provision of the fins in the structural body and the radiation plate increases the cost. This is a serious problem for the LCD panel for which a lower price is required.
On the ground that the structural body and the radiation plate becomes heavier and larger due to the provision of the host of fins, a weight reduction and a reduction in thickness of the LCD panel are hindered. This problem becomes evident more significantly as a panel size becomes larger.
Furthermore, when the panel size becomes larger, there is a problem that air heated by the heat of the backlight remains above a panel surface, in addition to the problem of the temperature rise due to the above described heat generated by the backlight. A problem that the remaining of the air elevates temperature of peripheral components and a temperature gradient occurs in the panel surface is also raised.
For example, in a 20-inch class LCD panel in which power consumption of the backlight is about 50 W, a temperature at an upper portion of the panel becomes higher than that at a lower portion of the panel by about 10° C. Thus, when the panel size is large, not only heat radiation but also an evenness of a temperature distribution are required. However, since no consideration for the temperature gradient in the panel surface is taken in the above described official gazette, characteristics of thin film transistors, optical properties of liquid crystal, and the like change owing to the temperature gradient. Thereby, display unevenness occurs, leading to significant deterioration of display quality.
The present invention has been made invented in view of the foregoing problems, and a principal object of the present invention is to maintain the rigidity of a LCD panel even when a panel size becomes larger. Additionally, an object of the present invention is to provide a LCD panel comprising a direct backlight, which can achieve an increase in brightness, by suppressing rise in temperature of constituent components of a liquid crystal panel and a substrate due to heat generation of a backlight source as well as a temperature gradient in a panel surface.

Liquid crystal display panel with heat radiation plate


A chin guard apparatus has a shell having a cup suitable for fitting upon a human chin, a resilient layer received within in the cup of the shell and having a periphery overlying an outer peripheral edge of the shell, a first strap affixed to one side of the shell and extending outwardly therefrom, and a second strap affixed to an opposite side of the shell and extending outwardly therefrom. A bladder is affixed to a surface of the resilient layer opposite the shell. Strap splitters are associated with each of the first and second straps so as to allow portions of the strap to be attached to different hook-ups of the helmet.

The invention relates to improvements in protective headgear such as football helmets, motorcycle and bicycle helmets, and helmets for other activities where protection from head impact and injury is desirable. The invention also relates to protective pads, particularly chin pads.
Protective helmets to minimize head injuries have been known and used for many years. For example, football helmet shells have been produced from injection molded ABS, or polycarbonate plastic. Helmets intended for youth usage have usually been produced from ABS plastic, and helmets for adult usage have usually been produced from polycarbonate plastic. ABS plastic is significantly less expensive than polycarbonate, but ABS plastic is not as structurally rigid as polycarbonate. As the level of intensity of contact in youth football is significantly lower than that at the adult level, ABS has been accepted as a satisfactory material for use at the youth level. For adult helmets, however, the structural rigidity of the polycarbonate material is essential to minimize the flex and deformation of the shell under extreme impact conditions.
The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) has been responsible for setting minimal performance criteria for football helmets. The minimum standard acceptance level measured by the Severity Index (SI) is set at 1200. Through the continuous testing of NOCSAE, it has been established that the rigidity of polycarbonate shells, in comparison to ABS shells, leads to significantly lower IS results. From these tests, it is believed that there is a correlation between the rigidity of the shell material and improved safety performance.
Protection can also be improved by the addition of a face mask attached to the helmet. For example, football helmets are usually equipped over the exposed face area with a vinyl coated wire or other metal structure, or an injection molded plastic face mask. The obvious purpose of the face mask is to protect the face of the player from injury, while not obstructing the players' vision unnecessarily. The addition of a face mask can also increase the rigidity of the shell which improves the SI performance. Helmets are usually tested without face masks so that the SI performance of a helmet with the mask will somewhat exceed the test standard.
Face masks have been mounted to the exterior surface of the helmet shell behind the front edge of the helmet face opening. This design can, under certain conditions, contribute to serious injury. Helmet shells are specifically designed with smooth spherical surfaces to allow the shells to glance and slide on impact. The mounting of the face mask on the outer surface creates the potential that the masks of two players hitting could become engaged as their helmets are glancing, changing the directional forces and causing the potential for serious injury.
Protective helmets usually include a chin strap to hold the helmet on, particularly during impact. In the past, chin straps were frequently constructed using a molded plastic cup made of compression or injection-molded plastic material. A pad, usually of a felt or foam material, was bonded or otherwise attached to the plastic cup. This cup construction is preferable to non-padded chin straps which have been standard equipment on football helmets. Non-padded chin straps do not offer any impact protection to the chin area, and only serve to secure the helmet to the player's head. Padded chin cups provide an added measure of protection to the chin from impacts, in addition to securing the helmet to the player's head.
Improvement in the impact absorption performance of padded chin straps is desirable. Most molded plastic chin cups currently used are molded in a manner which allows the formed cup to flex upon impact. An improved construction is a rigid material which does not flex on impact to an undesirable degree, thus distributing the impact force over a larger area of the chin.
One key to improved SI performance is related to the stiffness of the protective shell. The invention provides helmet shells which can increase the rigidity of the shell, resulting in improved SI performance. An additional and significant benefit can be a substantial reduction of weight in comparison to the current plastic shells being produced. These same methods and structures may be applied to protective headgear other than football helmets, and to chin cups.
The present inventor is one of the inventors of U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,493, issued on Oct. 1, 2001 to Schiebl et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,493 describes a protective headgear that comprises a rigid shell with face pads that can be released and removed while the headgear is still on a person's head. A protective chin guard is attached to the headgear by way of the face pads. The chin guard includes a substantially rigid shell with a removable insert made of a flexible bladder filled with a shock-absorbing fluid. The headgear includes a shell made of an inner and outer material layered over an internal foam core to effect both strength and light weight.
Existing chin straps are usually separately prepared for attachment to either the high hookup or the low hookup of a football helmet. The user of the football helmet will often desire that the chin strap have different orientations to fit the desires of the wearer and the configuration of the face of the wearer. Additionally, whether the wearer uses a high hookup or a low hookup will depend upon the desired amount of protective performance desired from the chin strap. Unfortunately, conventional chin straps cannot be interchangeably adapted to the high hookup or the low hookup configurations.
In other circumstances, the cup associated with the protective shell of the chin strap has an imperfect fit with the wearer's chin. In certain circumstances, the user may desire to have enhanced protection against impacts. The wearer may desire a more comfortable fit with the cup of the shell of the protective chin strap. Existing chin straps do not offer the degree of adjustability desired by the user so as to fit the performance and comfort goals of the user.
Often, the cup of the chin strap has a peripheral edge which bears against the skin of the user. In the event of an impact, this edge can bruise the chin of the user. In the event of a severe impact, the peripheral edge of the protective shell of the chin strap can cause adverse impacts to the face of the user. As such, a need has developed whereby the edge of the shell of the cup of the chin strap be fully cushioned and protected from the skin of the wearer.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a chin guard apparatus which maximizes the protection and comfort of the user.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a chin strap apparatus which enhances the degree of protection against the peripheral edge of the rigid shell of the cup of the chin guard apparatus.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chin guard apparatus which allows the user to adapt between different hookup points of the helmet.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chin guard apparatus whereby the cushion of the cup can be adapted to properly fit the facial configuration and desires of the user.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a chin guard apparatus that enhances shock absorption on the exterior surface of the protective shell of the chin guard.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a chin guard apparatus to provide air circulation with the skin of the user.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a chin guard apparatus whereby the straps associated with the apparatus can display team indicia and/or advertising.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

Chin guard apparatus for use with a helmet


A reciprocating pump includes a drive section and a pump section. The drive section has a reciprocating coil assembly to which alternating polarity control signals are applied during operation. A permanent magnet structure of the drive section creates a magnetic flux field which interacts with an electromagnetic field produced during application of the control signals to the coil. Depending upon the polarity of the control signals applied to the coil, the coil is driven in one of two directions of movement. A drive member transfers movement of the coil to a pump element which reciprocates with the coil to draw fluid into a pump chamber and expel the fluid during each pump cycle. The pump is particularly well suited to cyclic pumping applications, such as fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of electrically-driven reciprocating pumps. More particularly, the invention relates to a pump which is particularly well suited for use as a fuel pump, driven by a solenoid assembly employing a permanent magnet and a solenoid coil to produce pressure variations in a pump section and thereby to draw into and express from the pump section a fluid, such as a fuel being pumped. The invention also relates to a fuel injector assembly employing such a pump.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide range of pumps have been developed for displacing fluids under pressure produced by electrical drives. For example, in certain fuel injection systems, fuel is displaced via a reciprocating pump assembly which is driven by electric current supplied from a source, typically a vehicle electrical system. In one fuel pump design of this type, a reluctance gap coil is positioned in a solenoid housing, and an armature is mounted movably within the housing and secured to a guide tube. The solenoid coil may be energized to force displacement of the armature toward the reluctance gap in a magnetic circuit defined around the solenoid coil. The guide tube moves with the armature, entering and withdrawing from a pump section. By reciprocal movement of the guide tube into and out of the pump section, fluid is drawn into the pump section and expressed from the pump section during operation.
In pumps of the type described above, the armature and guide tube are typically returned to their original position under the influence of one or more biasing springs. Where a fuel injection nozzle is connected to the pump, an additional biasing spring may be used to return the injection nozzle to its original position. Upon interruption of energizing current to the coil, the combination of biasing springs then forces the entire movable assembly to its original position. The cycle time of the resulting device is the sum of the time required for the pressurization stroke during energization of the solenoid coil, and the time required for returning the armature and guide to the original position for the next pressure stroke.
Where such pumps are employed in demanding applications, such as for supplying fuel to combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine, cycle times can be extremely rapid. Moreover, repeatability and precision in beginning and ending of pump stroke cycles can be important in optimizing the performance of the engine under varying operating conditions. While the cycle time may be reduced by providing stronger springs for returning the reciprocating assembly to the initial position, such springs have the adverse effect of opposing forces exerted on the reciprocating assembly by energization of the solenoid. Such forces must therefore be overcome by correspondingly increased forces created during energization of the solenoid. At some point, however, increased current levels required for such forces become undesirable due to the limits of the electrical components, and additional heating produced by electrical losses.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved technique for pumping fluids in a linearly reciprocating fluid pump. There is a particular need for an improved technique for providing rapid cycle times in fluid pumps, such as fuel pumps without substantially increasing the forces and current demands of electrical driving components.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Reciprocating fluid pump assembly employing reversing polarity motor


A frequency range of a digital audio signal is expanded without increasing a sampling frequency f.sub.5. The digital audio signal has a frequency range with an upper frequency defined by a frequency f.sub.5 /2, and also has noise components induced when being digitized. Firstly, the digital audio signal is split into first and second audio signals. The noise components of the first audio signal are shifted up to a predetermined frequency higher than f.sub.5 so as to leave a first frequency range between the first audio signal and the noise components. Following this, the first audio signal is delayed by a predetermined time duration. On the other hand, the second audio signal is band-pass filtered such as to have a second frequency range defined by frequencies f.sub.1 and f.sub.2 wherein 0<f.sub.1 <f.sub.2 <f.sub.5. Subsequently, the second audio signal is Fourier transformed, after which the spectrum of the second frequency range is processed so as to be expanded over new spectrum. Thereafter, the second audio signal with the new spectrum is subjected to reverse-Fourier transformation. The delayed first digital audio signal is combined with the second audio signal which has been reverse-Fourier transformed, in a manner which incorporates the second audio signal into the first frequency range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements in audio signal processing, and more specifically to a method of expanding a frequency range of a digital audio signal without increasing a sampling rate which has been utilized for converting an original analog audio signal to the digital audio signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the advent of recent developments in digital signal processing, it is often the case that an analog audio signal such as a speech signal is converted into a digital signal and then is stored, for later use, in an appropriate storage medium such a RAM (random access memory), a magnetic tape, etc.
Before turning to the present invention it is deemed advantageous to briefly discuss a known method wherein a digital audio signal stored in storage medium is read out thereof for driving a speaker after being converted into the corresponding analog signal.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing such a known technique. The arrangement of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of functional blocks together with three sketches each of which schematically illustrates spectrum distribution of a digital signal appearing at the functional blocks.
As shown in FIG. 1, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 10 is supplied with an analog signal such as a speech signal. The A/D converter 10 samples the incoming analog signal and then quantizes the sampled values as is well known in the art. A digital audio signal thus obtained in stored in a suitable storage medium 12 such as a RAM. Representing a sampling rate as f.sub.5, a sampling theorem tells us that the digital signal stored in the storage medium 12 has a frequency spectrum (frequency range) extending from 0 Hz to f.sub.5 /2.
Therefore, if the A/D converter 10 samples the incoming audio signal at a sampling rate of 8 kHz, then the digital signal stored has a frequency spectrum ranging from 0 Hz to 4 kHz (=f.sub.5 /2). Further, the digital signal stored in the storage medium includes aliasing noises inherently incurred during the sampling, as is known in the art.
A digital audio signal retrieved from the storage medium 12 is applied to a digital signal processor 14. The spectrum of the digital signal is schematically shown in a sketch (A) of FIG. 1. As shown, the digital audio signal (hatched portion) has a frequency range from 0 Hz to f.sub.5 /2 and accompanying aliasing noises. The spectra of the digital signal and the noises are symmetrical with respect to the frequency f.sub.5 /2.
The digital signal processor 14 operates such as to shift the aliasing noises toward a higher frequency range. In other words, the processor 14 moves only the aliasing noises away from f.sub.5 /2. Thereafter, the output of the digital signal processor 14 is applied to a digital-to-analog converter 16 wherein the digital signal is converted into the corresponding analog. Subsequently, an analog low-pass filter 18 allows the audio signal (hatched portion) to pass therethrough. Thus, the aliasing noises can be blocked at the low-pass filter 18. The reproduced analog signal is applied to a speaker 22 via a speaker driver 20 which includes an audio frequency amplifier as is known in the art.
It has been assumed that the digital audio signal has the frequency range from 0 Hz to 4 kHz. If It is desired to reproduce a sound at the speaker 22 in a more natural manner, the frequency range of the stored digital signal should be expanded up to a higher frequency (for example, about 8 kHz). This implies that the sampling rate should be increased to 16 kHz (8 kHz.times.2).
It is sometimes desirable to expand an audio frequency range without increasing a sampling rate. However, no technique has been proposed for effectively expanding a digital audio frequency range without increasing a sampling rate.

Method of expanding a frequency range of a digital audio signal without increasing a sampling rate


In constructing assembled batteries by electrically connecting through a connecting bar the terminals of neighboring single cells by means of metallic parts of the terminals, by directly covering both sides of the connecting bar with the exception of the electrical connection with an insulating protecting layer of either natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or synthetic resin, and by directly or indirectly insulating and protecting the surface of the metallic parts for electrical connection, it was made possible to prevent corrosion of the connecting bar and the metallic parts for electrical connection, and to prevent capacity fluctuation due to heretofore observed leakage current of single cells composing electric vehicle batteries to be used under severe conditions for a long period and at a high operating voltage, thereby improving the reliability and dramatically reducing the maintenance load.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to assembled batteries and, more specifically, to layers and parts to insulate and protect metallic parts that electrically connect terminals of neighboring single cells in constructing assembled batteries.
2. Description of the Prior Art
While automotive application is one of the major applications of rechargeable batteries as represented by lead-acid batteries, various types of high energy density, small size and light weight rechargeable batteries have been developed in recent years, and are finding uses in many fields and the market is rapidly expanding. Typical examples of these applications include cordless equipment such as portable telephones, lap top computers, camcorders, and batteries for power supply such as uninterrupted power system (UPS) for computer backup and electric vehicles.
Thanks to advances in electronics technologies, cordless equipment consumes increasingly less power and the operating voltage and load current of the batteries for power supply have been suppressed. As a result, single cell or assembled batteries consisting utmost ten cells connected in series are often used as a battery pack.
On the other hand, with batteries intended for use as a power supply requiring operation at a high voltage and with heavy load as in stationary power supply for emergency and electric vehicles, a module battery with a desired nominal voltage is constructed by electrically connecting in series neighboring terminals of a plurality of single cells of the same nominal capacity by means of connecting bars, each single cell comprising positive electrodes and negative electrodes with a separator disposed between each of the positive and negative electrodes and housed in a battery container thereafter being injected with a volume of electrolyte. Depending on the requirement of nominal voltage, a plurality of such single cells are electrically connected in series and/or in parallel to make assembled batteries as a module battery.
In order to attain small size and light weight, module batteries usually use mono-block containers to allow integrated assembling of multiple single cells with the same capacity to obtain a nominal voltage of 6 volts or 12 volts by connecting them in series. However, in the case of a high nominal capacity battery exceeding 100 Ah, because of the constraint of available molding technology and economy of the battery container, module batteries and assembled batteries are usually made by assembling single cells housed in single-cell containers and connecting them in series and/or in parallel. For the connecting bar to electrically connect single cells, copper plate is generally used because of low ohmic resistance and relatively low cost. The connecting bar is fit to a pair of threaded bolt-like electrode poles that form the terminals of neighboring single cells, thereafter fastened by means of nuts together with washers to complete electrical connection. Surfaces of the metallic connecting parts including the connecting bar, electrode poles, washers, and nuts are generally plated with a corrosion resistant metal, such as lead (Pb) for lead-acid batteries, and mostly nickel (Ni) and in some cases silver (Ag) or gold (Au) for alkaline storage batteries such as of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride systems.
Among the batteries for power supply use, batteries for electric vehicles are required to have mechanical strength to withstand vibration, shock, acceleration, etc., which is equivalent to what is required of components of automobiles driven by internal combustion engines such as conventional gasoline engines and diesel engines. These batteries are also required to have not only high energy densities but also endurance to exhibit stable output characteristics over a wide temperature and humidity range under sustained exposure to dusts, splashes and corrosive substances over a long period. Even when the metallic parts that electrically connect individual single cells are plated with anticorrosive metal as described earlier, it is practically impossible to completely avoid pin holes in the plated metal layer, and sometimes corrosion appears on these metallic parts. Also, as these batteries are exposed to high temperature and high humidity over a long period, electrolyte leakage phenomenon may take place in which the electrolyte in a cell creeps up along a terminal and causes salting of the terminal and the vicinity. Since electric vehicles at times run on rough unpaved roads or winter roads sprinkled with antifreezing agents, there is a possibility that foreign objects get inside the installed housing of assembled batteries causing contamination and damage of the metallic parts and the battery surface. The foreign objects attached to and/or produced on the metallic parts and vicinity not only spoil the appearance but may also cause keeping of water resulting from moisture condensation due to temperature difference, or water splashes caused by car washing or rain, thereby wetting the metallic parts and the nearby top surface of the cover of each single cell ending in a liquid junction.
The total voltage of an electric vehicle battery ranges from about 100 volts to around 300 volts or in some case even to as high as 400 volts. When a high voltage is applied to a liquid junction formed as described above, a leakage current flows and causes reduction in the capacity as if some of the single cells in the assembled batteries have self-discharged. This further causes capacity fluctuation among individual single cells of the assembled batteries deteriorating the output characteristics of the electric vehicle battery. In an extreme case, it was observed that a single cell with reduced capacity had caused reversing polarity toward the end of discharge starting to evolve gas, and resulted in unrecoverable deterioration. Also, when the leakage current is large, there is a danger of fire due to heat generation or ignition. Therefore, it has been necessary to frequently clean and remove foreign objects from the surface of assembled batteries for electric vehicles, and the maintenance has been extremely troublesome.
FIG. 1 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of a single cell of nickel-metal hydride system that makes up a prismatic sealed alkaline storage battery for electric vehicles as an embodiment of this invention. In FIG. 1, an electrode group 5 is constructed with a plurality of positive plates and negative plates alternately stacked with a separator made of hydrophilic treated polypropylene nonwoven cloth disposed between each of the positive and negative plates. The positive plates are prepared by filling a high porosity nickel sheet with an active material paste mainly consisting of nickel hydroxide, followed by drying and pressing. The negative plates are prepared by coating both sides of a nickel plated and perforated steel sheet with a paste mainly consisting of hydrogen absorbing alloy powder of the MmNi.sub.5 (Mm: Misch metal) group, followed by drying and pressing. Lead plates 5a of the positive and negative plates are respectively connected and fixed by welding to the bottom part of the base 2a of a pair of the electrode poles 2. After fitting an O-shaped ring 3 on each of the electrode poles 2 and fixing on the top surface of the base 2a, a pair of electrode poles 2 are inserted through the terminal holes (not shown in the drawing) of a synthetic resin cover 1 composing mainly of polypropylene, thereafter pushnuts 4 are press-fit to the top surface of the cover 1 thereby press-deforming the O-shaped rings 3 underneath the bottom surface of the cover 1 in a liquidtight and airtight manner. The electrode group 5 fixed to the cover 1 is inserted and housed in a cell container 6 made of the same material as the cover 1. The lower edge of the cover 1 and the upper open edge of the cell container 6 are thermally or ultrasonically fused together in a liquidtight and airtight manner. Preparation of a single cell is completed by pouring a predetermined amount of alkaline electrolyte mainly composing of potassium hydroxide, impregnating the electrode group 5 therewith, and providing a safety valve 7 in an airtight manner.
In constructing a module battery of 6 volts or 12 volts, 5 or 10 single cells prepared as above and having the same nominal capacity are electrically connected in series by connecting neighboring terminals of single cells by means of connecting bars.
FIG. 2 shows a partially sectional view of an example of conventional method of electrically connecting in series the terminals of neighboring single cells. In FIG. 2, a connecting bar 8 made of nickel-plated copper plate is press-fit to the electrode poles 2 of opposing polarity that have been fastened by pushnuts 4 and projecting upwardly of the top surface of each of the covers 1, and fastened by screwing with nuts 2b together with washers 2c thus completing electrical connection. Conventionally, metallic parts for electrical connection and the top surface of the covers 1 were covered with a protective cover 12 made of synthetic resin or synthetic rubber. Though this protective cover 12 was effective in preventing short-circuit between the terminals on the top surface of the battery, it was not sufficiently airtight and could not perfectly shut off the outside air from the battery allowing entry and attachment of foreign objects such as dusts and splashes. Therefore, leakage current due to a liquid junction at the terminals and vicinity continued to be caused requiring periodic cleaning, and maintenance problems remained unsolved.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.