A focus detection device that is capable of performing focus detection in several focus detection areas within a photographic image plane using, for example, a phase difference method and that uses an auxiliary illumination light with at least one of the areas also includes infrared light cut filters that block the transmission of light above predetermined wavelengths. In particular, the maximum wavelength of the light transmitted by the infrared cut filter for one of the focus detection areas is different than the maximum wavelength of the light transmitted by the infrared cut filter for another one of the focus detection areas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to focus detection devices having an arrangement of filters, e.g., infrared cut filters, for use in cameras and the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, in focus detection devices that utilize phase difference methods (in which defocus amounts are calculated and then used to drive a lens), luminous flux is transmitted through different regions of the photographic lens and forms an image through a plurality of re-imaging lenses onto a corresponding plurality of line sensors. The focus state (e.g., a defocus amount) of the photographic lens is detected from the output of these line sensors. Photoelectric conversion elements, such as for example CCDs, which typically are utilized as these line sensors, generally have a peak spectral sensitivity in the infrared regions. Accordingly, a filter is used with the focus detection optical system in order to reduce light in the infrared regions. Such filters are referred to as infrared cut filters or infrared reduction filters. These filters change the luminosity factor of the photoelectric conversion elements, so that it is more comparable to the visual sensitivity of the human eye. Frequently, a reflecting type of filter has been utilized as a type of infrared cut filter. Such reflecting type filters are made by coating a glass substrate with many layers of film.
In general, the filter can be positionally arranged at a number of locations within the camera. However, there are many cases in which the view field mask, in the vicinity of the primary focal plane of the photographic lens, is positionally arranged on the front plane of the field lens. This results in the infrared cut filter being positioned on the front side of the field lens.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a positional arrangement of an infrared cut filter. FIG. 2 shows a focus detection device capable of focus detection in a plurality of areas. Specifically, the focus detection areas are provided at the center of the image plane and at two points, one to the left and one to the right of the image plane center. Luminous flux penetrating through the photographic lens L, passes through a half-transparent mirror M1 and is reflected by a reflecting mirror M2, so that the light rays reach a view field mask SM. Openings SM1-SM3 are provided in the view field mask SM at the prescribed focus detection areas. The opening SM1 corresponds to the focus detection area in the center of the image plane, and the openings SM2 and SM3 correspond to the areas at the left and right of the center of the image plane. The standard construction of the focus detection device generally includes a field lens L0, a reflecting mirror M3, an aperture mask AM, a re-imaging lens L2, and a line sensor CS, etc. As these elements are known in the art, a further explanation is omitted herein.
Typically, the function of the view field mask SM is to prescribe the focus detection areas. Therefore, in the case of a camera, the view field mask is positionally arranged in the vicinity of the primary focal plane, which is arranged in a position corresponding with the surface of the film. The infrared cut filter IR is arranged on the top side (in FIG. 2) of the view field mask SM. This is also referred to as the front surface of the view field mask SM. Additionally, in conjunction with the view field mask SM and the field lens L0, etc., the infrared cut filter IR is fixed by an adhesive or the like in a holder (not shown) for the focus detection device. The front surface (also referred to as the input surface or upstream surface) of the field lens LO has the smallest angle at which the luminous flux can enter, within the focus detection optical system. Accordingly, the infrared cut filter IR preferably is arranged on the front surface of the field lens L0, so that changes in the angles of the entering rays, which occur due to the change of transparency characteristic of the infrared cut filter IR, can be minimized. Additionally, as this filter includes a glass substrate, the entrance of dust or the like to the field lens LO is prevented by this location of the infrared cut filter IR.
It also has been proposed, in the event that the subject is dark or the contrast is low, that focus detection be performed by illuminating the subject. In such a case, auxiliary illumination light is cast from a direction other than that of the optical axis of the photographic lens from an auxiliary illumination device provided within the camera body, or within the accessories attached to the camera. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 63-82407 discloses a focus detection device capable of focus detection in three focus detection areas within the image plane, similar to what is shown in FIG. 2. An auxiliary illumination device is provided to illuminate each focus detection area, respectively.
FIG. 3 shows the construction of the optical system for such an auxiliary illumination device. FIG. 4 shows the relation of the auxiliary illumination luminous flux to the three focus detection areas. In order to illuminate the three areas, three auxiliary illumination light sources LD1-LD3, formed by LEDs or the like, are provided behind (on the right side in FIG. 3) a light-casting lens TL. In FIG. 4, p, q and r denote the auxiliary illumination luminous flux of light sources LD2, LD1 and LD3, respectively. The relation of the luminous flux to the focus detection areas is altered by the focal length of the photographic lens. When the photographic lens has a given focal length, the focus detection areas are defined respectively as P, Q and R. When the photographic lens has half that given focal length, the focus detection areas are defined as P2, Q2 and R2. In the event that the focal length is shorter than one half the given focal length, the areas to the left and right of the center area fall outside of the auxiliary illumination luminous fluxes p and r. Consequently, focus detection cannot be performed by utilizing auxiliary illumination light in the left and right areas for all desired focal lengths.
The device of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 63-82407 can operate in a mode in which first, the auxiliary illumination light sources LD1-LD3 all cast light. Then, the area (from amongst the three is areas) in which the reflective light quantity is the largest, is considered to be the area containing the nearest photographic subject. Accordingly, subsequent light casting for focus detection is performed only for that one area. Using this method, if the photographer selects the area containing the nearest subject as the area to focus upon, focus detection can be performed. One drawback of this process is that auxiliary illumination light must be cast two times. Thus, it takes a certain amount of time until photography can be performed, which is a drawback. In addition, the first light casting is performed simultaneously for all areas, resulting in a large consumption of power from the power source, which is a problem.
In view of the above problems, one might consider limiting focus detection area selection only to a manual selection by the photographer. In this case, preferably the auxiliary illuminating light is cast only on the manually selected area. Therefore, the light casting of illumination light need only be performed once, which avoids the problems described above. However, several auxiliary illumination light sources must be provided (e.g., one for each area) and it is necessary to provide space for them within the camera body or within the accessories, so that the camera becomes large in size. This arrangement still suffers from the problem, described above, when the focal length of the photographic lens becomes short, i.e., the left and right areas move out of the light casting range of the auxiliary illumination light. Consequently, focus detection cannot be performed by auxiliary illumination light within the left and right areas for all lens positions, which is a problem. The center area, however, is within the center of the light casting range regardless of the focal length of the photographic lens, and thus it is never outside of the light casting range.
Accordingly, as a method to allow there to be no restriction of the focal length of the photographic lens and so as to lessen the influence of the light casting of auxiliary illumination light on the size of the camera and the like, or on power source consumption, so that, for example, focus detection can be performed in several areas, even in areas in which there is a common level of brightness, one might consider providing an auxiliary illumination light source only for the center area, so that focus detection is performed only in the center area using auxiliary illumination light.
However, when this is performed in focus detection devices in which focus detection can be performed in the three areas denoted in FIG. 2, for example, the following type of problems occur. Generally, light from the LED or the like, which is used as an auxiliary illumination light source, has wavelengths that are on the longer side of the human visual region. However, as described above, the region in which the wavelengths are long exerts a negative influence on the focus detection accuracy due to the spectral sensitivities of CCDs. Thus, as described above, an infrared cut filter is provided. The light from the auxiliary illumination light also passes through the focus detection optical system, resulting in the wavelengths of this light being reduced by the infrared cut filter (so that light from the long wavelengths does not pass therethrough). In improving the accuracy of this focus detection system, the infrared cut filter blocks light having wavelengths above, for example, 680 nm. However, because the wavelengths of light from the LED are about 700 nm, if such an infrared cut filter is used, the auxiliary illumination light is also blocked. Therefore, the infrared cut filter used in focus detection optical systems that can use auxiliary illumination light is typically designed so as to block wavelengths above about 710 nm. In this case, as compared to a case in which a 680 nm filter is used, a certain extent of light source error due to long wavelength light from various types of light, must be allowed in regular focus detection precision.
In the construction of FIG. 2, one infrared cut filter IR is arranged in front of the field lens L0. In this construction, when focus detection is performed using the auxiliary illumination light in the center area, it is necessary to define filter IR as a filter that blocks light above a wavelength of about 710 nm. If this is done, then the cutoff wavelength of the right and left areas, in which focus detection using auxiliary illumination light is not performed, also becomes 710 nm, and the focus detection accuracy is detrimentally affected by long wavelength light from illumination during regular focus detection. Since focus detection accuracy in areas separated from the optical axis (i.e., at areas other than the center area) is influenced, for example, by aberrations and the like of the photographic lens, as compared to the center area, the accuracy on both sides (i.e., the left and right sides) drops. Further, with the same 710 nm filter, even though accuracy in the center area remains within a range in which there are no practical problems, accuracy drops in the left and right areas, which is a problem.
A filter exchange mechanism can be provided to change the filters during focus detection, and during auxiliary illumination light focus detection without causing any optically-related problems. However, this requires that a fairly complicated mechanism be provided around the focus detection device, which enlarges the camera body. Moreover, a problem occurs in that the filter exchange causes a long amount of time to be taken during photography, and the like. Furthermore, in a focus detection device performing focus detection in a plurality of areas, the device itself is already fairly large, and there is little available space for the introduction of a filter change-over mechanism.


A vehicular lamp has a plurality of light source modules for emitting light. Each of the light source modules has a semiconductor light-emitting element, a lighting circuit operable to control an electric current flowing into the semiconductor light-emitting element to turn the semiconductor light-emitting element on and off, a power cable operable to supply electric power from a power source located outside the vehicular lamp to the lighting circuit, a control cable operable to transmit a control signal that controls turning the semiconductor light-emitting element on and off to the lighting circuit, and a mounting substrate that mounts the semiconductor light-emitting element and the lighting circuit. One of the light source modules is connected to the power source by means of said power cable. The light source modules other than the one light source module are connected to the one light source module in parallel via the power cable.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source module and a vehicular lamp.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a vehicular lamp that uses a semiconductor light-emitting element is known as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-231013. In some cases, a vehicular lamp uses a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements to light each element individually, and thus various light distribution pattern can be formed.
In such a vehicular lamp, there was a problem that a circuit scale increases, e.g., to control each of the semiconductor light-emitting elements independently, in some cases. In this way, a cost of a vehicular lamp also increased in some cases.


In an exhaust purifying device for an internal combustion engine, a honeycomb core is constituted by a single webbing which is implemented as foil of stainless steel. The webbing is made up of a flat portion and a corrugated portion adjoining each other in the longitudinal direction of the webbing. The flat portion is held by a core metal forming part of a jig at a particular position which is a predetermined distance remote from a position where the corrugated portion begins. The core metal is rotated about its own axis in such a direction that the flat portion underlies the corrugated portion. As the core metal is rotated, the flat portion forms a core portion around the core metal. Thereafter, the corrugated portion and flat portion are sequentially wound around the core metal while lying one above the other to thereby form the honeycomb core. The honeycomb core is received in a casing to be attached to the exhaust system of the engine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exhaust purifying device for purifying exhaust gases emanating from an internal combustion engine, and a method of producing the same and, more particularly, to an exhaust purifying device of the type having a core provided with a honeycomb structure and applied with a catalyst, and a method of producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is a common practice with an internal combustion engine, e.g., an automotive internal combustion engine to attach an exhaust purifying device or so-called catalytic converter to an exhaust pipe or a muffler forming part of the exhaust system of the engine. The catalytic converter promotes the oxidation of exhaust gases emanating from the engine to reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other toxic components contained therein. Typical of conventional catalytic converters is one having a metallic casing and a metallic core received in the casing and provided with a honeycomb structure. The casing is attached to the exhaust system of the engine as, for example, part of an exhaust pipe or part of a muffler.
Specifically, the core of a catalytic converter mounted on an automobile has a flat metallic sheet and a corrugated metallic sheet overlying the flat sheet. The two sheets are held by a metal core and then sequentially rolled up together to form a spiral honeycomb structure. However, the problem with such a structure is that the two sheets are likely to shift relative to each other when initially being wrapped around the metal core. The relative shift of the sheets directly translates into deformation of the honeycomb structure, i.e., it is likely that the honeycomb core suffers from critical structural defects including collapsed corrugations and gaps. Such defects potentially constitute a cause of irregular strain in the honeycomb core. When the core having such defects is applied to a motorcycle or similar automotive vehicle, it comes apart, gets out of shape or otherwise deforms due to aging. This not only aggravates the structural defects but also often lowers the purifying ability of the catalytic converter.
In light of the above, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 163437/1989 discloses a catalytic converter having a honeycomb core produced by abutting the end of a corrugated sheet and that of a flat sheet, connecting the abutting ends by spot welding or similar technology. Although this scheme eliminates or at least reduces the problems particular to the above-described conventional core, it is not practical without resorting to two different kinds of sheets, i.e., the corrugated sheet and flat sheet and, moreover, an extra spot welding step. In addition, delicate and troublesome work is needed for the two sheets to be abutted and affixed together in accurate alignment. Should the two sheets be brought out of alignment, the resulting honeycomb core would have an auger-like or similar incomplete configuration.

Exhaust purifying device and method of producing the same


An ATM radio transmission apparatus includes an ATM unit having a normal operation mode and a low power consumption mode, a CPU for determining a transmission request based on information of a radio section, and a control line for switching an operation mode of the ATM unit from the CPU. The operation mode of the ATM unit is switched between the normal operation mode and the low power consumption mode in accordance with the transmission request of the radio section. When the reception is requested from a base station, the ATM unit is operated, and when the transmission/reception with the base station is completed, the ATM unit is shifted to the low power consumption mode to reduce the power consumption.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) radio transmission apparatus which recovers data from ATM information included in a received radio signal or converts input data into ATM information and transmits it as a radio signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a broad band ISDN (B-ISDN), the ATM (which is a transfer mode for rapidly transmitting a large volume of information) has recently been adopted in place of a conventional synchronous transfer mode (STM), and an ATM radio transmission apparatus for radio-transmitting data by using the ATM has been developed.
An outline of the ATM is described in "Pictorial Text for ATM & Multi-media", chapter 2, published by OHM Co., Ltd.
A conventional ATM radio transmission apparatus comprises (1)a radio transmission unit for receiving a signal transmitted at a radio frequency, demodulating and channel-decoding the signal to obtain received date, and for channel-coding transmission data and performing modulation transmit the transmission data over a radio frequency, (2)an ATM unit for extracting desired received ATM information from the received data, and for preparing the transmission data on the basis of transmission ATM information, and (3)an ATM unit terminal such as a personal computer (PC) for displaying the data included in the received ATM information and for outputting the transmission ATM information to the ATM unit.
The ATM unit extracts cells of the received data to recover data and inserts cells into the transmission data. The cell is a unit of a block of information handled by the ATM and has a length of 53 bytes. Each cell comprises a cell header representing a cell attribute and user information.
In order to extract the cell of the received data, it is necessary to hold cell synchronization, that is, to locate the header of the cell from the received bit sequence and identify the cell having the 53-byte length.
An operation for holding the cell synchronization in the ATM unit is explained in the above-referenced article "Pictorial Text for ATM and Multi-media", FIG. 2-9.
In order to hold the cell synchronization, a "self-synchronization" function by an HEC (Header Error Control) is used. Three states transit before the cell synchronization is established. First, in "hunting state" in which a head of the cell is not known, a CRC of the header is calculated and the calculation is repeated by shifting the received bit sequence one bit by one bit until the remainder becomes the "0". When the remainder of the CRC becomes "0", the state becomes "pre-synchronization state". In the pre-synchronization state, the HEC of the header is calculated for every 53 bytes from the time point when the remainder first becomes "0" to determine the position of the cell. When the cell header is continuously identified six times as normal, the state becomes the "synchronization established state" or "synchronization state". If the correct HEC is not continuously identified six times, the process immediately returns to the "hunting state".
In the "synchronization established state", since the head position of the cell is identified, the HEC is calculated based thereon for every 53 bytes, and if it is correct, the synchronization established state is maintained. Even if an HEC error is detected in the course of this process, it is not determined as out-of-synchronization unless the error is continuously detected seven times, and the synchronization established state is maintained. When the HEC error is continuously detected seven times, it is immediately determined as out-of-synchronization and the process returns to the "hunting state" to start the identification of the head position of the cell.
The operation of not immediately causing the state to transit even if the condition change occurs is commonly referred to as "protection", and a period until shifting to the synchronization state is referred to as "backward protection" and a period until shifting out of the synchronization state is referred to as "forward protection".
Thus, in ATM unit, the processes for the following three states are conducted:
(1) In the "hunting state", the HEC calculation is effected by shifting the temporary 32-bit header one bit by one bit. PA1 (2) In the "pre-synchronization state", the HEC calculation is effected for every 53 bytes. PA1 (3) In the "synchronization state", the HEC calculation is effected for every 53 bytes.
However, in the process performed by the ATM unit, the HEC calculation needs a very high speed of operation of 156 Mbps and power consumption is large. Therefore, a problem exists in that the ATM radio transmission apparatus including the ATM unit is required to significantly reduce the power consumption in order to be conformed to a battery-driven system.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A wheel suspension system for a bicycle is provided with a telescopically coupled sliding tube and a fork leg forming a suspension assembly with a shock absorber assembly. The fork leg is provided satisfactorily high rigidity for withstanding torsional torque which is potentially exerted through a brake lever during application of a brake. The fork leg with sufficient rigidity can be formed from a tubular material. For this purpose, the wheel suspension system comprises a pair of left and right sliding tubes secured to a steering bracket which is rotatably supported in the front portion of a body frame of the bicycle, a pair of left and right fork legs supporting a front wheel and slidably receiving corresponding one of the sliding tubes, shock absorber assemblies respectively disposed between respective sliding tubes and the fork legs, cross member holders externally mounted on the outer peripheries of the upper portions of the fork legs, and a cross member provided with a predetermined torsional strength and bridging over the cross member holders.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wheel suspension system for a bicycle and a fork leg therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
(1) Wheel Suspension System for Bicycle
(A) Conventionally, for bicycles, such as a so-called "mountain bicycle" or "Off-Road bicycle", there is employed a wheel suspension mechanism which includes a sliding tube fixed to a steering bracket which is rotatably supported in the front portion of a bicycle body frame, a pair of left and right cylindrical fork legs slidingly engaged with the sliding tube and supporting a front wheel, and a shock absorber assembly disposed between the sliding tube and a respective one of the fork legs, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2-231289, for example. In such a wheel suspension mechanism, when the fork leg slides with respect to the sliding tube, the shock absorber assembly becomes active to absorb road shock caused by undulation on the road surface.
However, in the above-mentioned suspension mechanism, a suspension member for supporting the front wheel with respect to the steering bracket is separated into a sliding tube and the fork legs thus have relatively low rigidity. Particularly, when a brake lever is mounted on the outer periphery of the fork member at the upper portion thereof, a reacting brake force exerted on the brake lever during application of the brake is transmitted to the fork leg as a torsional stress. Therefore, in such case, it becomes necessary to provide sufficient rigidity.
The above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2-231289 proposes, as a solution for the lack of rigidity, to provide an essentially a U-shaped cross member with a given torsion strength to connect the left and right fork legs.
However, in such prior art, mounting bosses are necessary in the upper portion of the fork members for connecting the cross member. Typically, a mounting boss is formed by machining, after casing the fork leg with a material, such an as aluminum alloy. This makes it impossible to employ a tube material, such as extrusion tubes, drawing tubes and so forth, as a material for the fork leg.
In view of the problem set forth above, it is an object of the present invention to enable the tube material to be used as the material for the fork legs in constructing the suspension mechanism, in which the sliding tube and the fork legs are telescopically coupled and the upper portions of the left and the right fork legs are joined by means of a cross member.
(B) On the other hand, the conventional shock absorber assembly merely comprises a compression stroke relief valve which is responsive to a shock acting on the suspension mechanism due to an undulation over 1 inch on the road surface to open a compression stroke fluid path, and a check valve which is closed during compression stroke and open during and extension stroke.
With such construction, the conventional shock absorber cannot absorb a small undulation an the load surface and thus causes a rough and uncomfortable ride feeling.
In view of such a defect in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel suspension system which can satisfactorily absorb shock even when the shock is caused by a substantially small road undulation, for providing a stable and comfortable ride and can generate a damping force both in the compression stroke and the extension stroke.
(2) Fork Leg for a Wheel Suspension System of Bicycle
(C) As the conventional wheel suspension system for the bicycle, the foregoing Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2-231289 discloses a structure, in which a damping force generating fluid chambers are defined within the fork legs to slidingly receive therein the bifurcated lower portions of the sliding tube, and a wheel axle supports are formed on the lower reduced diameter sections of the respective fork legs.
In the prior art, such fork legs are manufactured by casting from aluminum alloy and then machining. This increases the manufacturing cost of the fork legs.
The inventors have attempted to manufacture less expensive fork legs by employing a cold forging technique of tubular material.
However, when the fluid chamber is to be defined within the interior space of the fork leg, a substantially high precision level in the shape of the periphery of the fluid chamber is required. For this reason, during a forging process for reducing the diameter at the lower portion of the fork leg, some measure, such as an insertion of a core metal, becomes necessary for maintaining a sufficient level of precision of the shape of the periphery of the fluid chamber. This makes the process complicated and time and labor intensive work.
Therefore, it is a further object of the present invention to make a high precision and less expensive fork legs with a simplified process.


A monitoring system for monitoring low voltage disconnecting value of a secondary battery includes a signal collection apparatus, an analogy-digital converter, a processor, a switch, and a controller. The signal collection is connected to a secondary battery to read voltage signals of the secondary battery at regular intervals. The analogy-digital converter is connected to the signal collection apparatus to receive the voltage signals and convert the voltage signals to digital signals. The processor is connected to the analogy-digital converter to determine whether the voltage of the secondary battery reach a low voltage disconnecting value. The switch is connected to the secondary battery to supply power to a functional unit. The controller is connected to the switch and the processor to determine status of the switch according to the determined result of the processor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring low voltage disconnecting value of a secondary battery and a method for the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Secondary batteries do not normally tolerate deep discharges. Deep discharge of a battery may cause damages in a long term and shorten the life of the battery. When the power level of the secondary battery drops to a certain voltage value, it should stop supplying power to the corresponding components to prevent damages to the battery.
Therefore, what is needed, is a new monitoring system for preventing deep discharge of a secondary battery.

Monitoring system for monitoring low voltage disconnecting value of secondary batteries and method for the same


The present disclosure is directed to a system for providing substantially 180 degrees, or more, of rotation between a sheet metal door mounted on a sheet metal sidewall of a chassis, relative to the chassis. The system includes a first and a second shaft passing through a module positioned between the door and the sidewall, whereby the door rotates about the two shafts, where the two shafts are not axially aligned. The chassis may hold sleds of a server, and the door may further comprise multiple linking modules, such that the sleds are coupled to the linking modules when the door is in a closed position, and the sleds are slid home within the chassis.

Computing demand is growing continuously. GPU servers have evolved to multi-sled systems with heights of 7, 8, or even 10 U. In expectation of maximizing computing density of servers, the width of the mother board or GPU board is as wide as possible. For example, the HGX2 baseboard from NVidia is 416 mm in width. While the width of a standard server is 440-448 mm, there is only a limited amount of space between the sides of chassis and the sled. Therefore, connections between each sled become a key point in such systems.
A known server uses a side door with a linking board module to achieve connecting with each sled, and even allows the sled to be installed or extracted simply and without cable routing. An ordinary sheet metal rotating mechanism on a flip door or rotating cover has a limit on the amount of rotation angle constrained by the geometry of the sheet metal. The limit of rotation on existing flip doors or rotating covers is about 110 degrees. This limited degree of rotation effectively limits the access through the opening.
Typical flip doors utilize couple "C" geometry on two sheet metal parts, with a pin through the "C" becoming a rotary axis shaft. Such geometry is simple to fabricate but has a limit on rotation angle caused by the interference of the rotatable parts, and therefore limits the degree of rotation to about 110 degrees.
Therefore, it would be desirable to increase the angle of rotation beyond the limits of about 110 degrees with existing flip doors. The increase in the degree of rotation permits easier access to the interior of the chassis, including sleds contained therein. Such an increase in the angle of rotation of the door or cover permits useability and serviceability of linking board modules, and permits the sleds to be installed in the server without cabling. More user friendly access is achieved through the use of the disclosed embodiments that permit door rotation on the order of 180 degrees.

Double shaft 180 degrees rotation sheet metal mechanism


A network caching system has a multi-protocol caching filer coupled to an origin server to provide storage virtualization of data served by the filer in response to data access requests issued by multi-protocol clients over a computer network. The multi-protocol caching filer includes a file system configured to manage a sparse volume that “virtualizes” a storage space of the data to thereby provide a cache function that enables access to data by the multi-protocol clients. To that end, the caching filer further includes a multi-protocol engine configured to translate the multi-protocol client data access requests into generic file system primitive operations executable by both the caching filer and the origin server.

Often, organizations with remote locations may need to replicate critical data, such as engineering applications and libraries, to different locations. In order to make such critical data available to users in those remote locations without incurring network delays, the organizations may consume substantial resources (such as, e.g., file systems executing on file servers) managing a complex replication infrastructure and process. Data replication is a known technique that enables distributed online access to generally read-only data sets. Traditional data replication may rely heavily on file system mirroring to create entire read-only copies of data sets on distributed servers.
The mirrors generated by file system mirroring typically require a large amount of administrative overhead. For example, an administrator must determine what data needs to be replicated, as well as manage physical resources (file systems, files servers, etc.) for each mirror. As data sets grow, this type of data replication becomes increasingly impractical. In addition, the replication infrastructure may require the presence of servers in remote locations to store the replicated data, thus preventing organizations from consolidating their server infrastructures to a central location. Therefore, there remains a need to eliminate this expensive replication infrastructure and process without losing the benefit of immediate access to critical data.
One alternative to data replication mirroring is proxy caching. Proxy caching systems are typically employed to transparently replicate data sets on demand. A typical proxy cache system includes a front-end storage system or "proxy device" having local storage, i.e., a "cache", coupled to a back-end storage system or "origin server" having remote storage. When a client request cannot be satisfied by the cache, it is proxied to the origin server. The server response is, in turn, proxied back to the requesting client and all associated data is cached in the local storage. This type of transaction is called a "cache miss". Cache misses typically result in the data, such as file system data, being "filled" into the cache. When the data required to satisfy a client request is available in the cache, the proxy device may construct and send a response without communicating with its associated server. Such a transaction is called a "cache hit". Using cache miss transactions, a proxy device allows clients to modify the state of a file system on the device. In contrast to standard replicas, this enables automatic replication without constraining clients to read-only access.
A conventional proxy caching solution provides the ability to distribute data, e.g., files, to remote locations without the need for continuous hands-on administrative management. An example of such a proxy caching solution is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,798 titled Apparatus and Method for a Proxy Cache, by E. Ackaouy, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,030 on Oct. 16, 2007 and assigned to Network Appliance, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif. A proxy storage system or appliance having a cache is coupled to a server storage system. A file system manages a set of files served by the proxy appliance; these files are accessed by clients using a file system protocol, such as the Network File System (NFS) and/or Common Internet File System (CIFS) protocol. In response, the proxy appliance serves the files using a file index hashing scheme based on file handles.
Broadly stated, the proxy appliance "listens" for a NFS/CIFS data access request issued by a client and determines whether it can serve that request locally using the hashing scheme. To that end, the proxy appliance converts the client request to a unique caching name before forwarding to its file system for a caching decision. A hashing is function performed on the file handle produces the caching name, which is used by the file system to obtain a cache file or object store identifier to determine if the file is resident in the cache. If the file is resident in the cache, a determination is made as to whether all of the data that is requested by the client is resident in the cache. If not, the appliance proxies the request over to the server. When the server responds with the requested data or acknowledgement, the appliance passes the server response to the client. The proxy appliance also "fills" its cache with the server response to ensure that subsequent client requests may be served by the appliance.
The present invention is directed, in part, to an improved caching system that enables multi-protocol access by clients to data served by the system. In addition, the present invention is directed, in part, to an improved caching system that enables efficient client access to data served by the system using file system data structures and names. Moreover, the present invention is directed, in part, to an improved caching system that provides storage virtualization of data served by the system in response to multi-protocol data access requests issued by clients. In this context, storage virtualization denotes presenting a transparent view of storage to a client that involves cooperating storage resources from multiple storage systems, typically across a network.

System and method for caching network file systems


An electromechanical actuator is provided comprising a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, an selective gearbox mechanically coupled to the rotor and disposed in the housing, a first output of the selective gearbox configured to rotate at a different speed than the rotor, and a second output of the selective gearbox configured to rotate at a same speed as the rotor.

Braking for aerospace applications traditionally makes use of hydraulic piston adjusters, which may respond to input quickly. Recently, some applications for aerospace braking applications have made use of electromechanical piston actuators. These electromechanical actuators (EMA) may respond to input relatively slowly compared to their hydraulic counterparts.
Electric actuation typically does not match the response speed of hydraulic actuation. The reason for this is that in electric braking, an electric motor is used to drive through a gear train that is used to then drive a ball screw piston. The gear train serves the purpose of increasing the motor torque to obtain the high linear forces that are needed for aircraft braking. By increasing the motor's output torque through the gear train, the output actuation speed is decreased by the same ratio. For instance, the targeted actuation speed of an EMA may be selected to meet desired characteristics. However, increasing the speed output from the EMA may reduce the available torque at the output.
Reduced running clearance positions may be used to reduce the distance that an EMA actuates to apply braking force. However, a reduced running clearance position may lead to dragging brakes.

Electromechanical brake actuator with variable speed epicyclic gearbox


An outdoor electrical outlet protector (10) comprising a waterproof extension cord (12). A timer (14) is electrically built into the waterproof extension cord (12), which will safely connect an outdoor electrical outlet (16) to exterior Christmas lights (18) and exterior security lights (20) on a building (22).

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to weatherproof electrical enclosures and more specifically it relates to an outdoor electrical outlet protector. The outdoor electrical outlet protector consists of a waterproof extension cord with two electrical receptacles and a built-in timer, to safely connect an outdoor electrical outlet with exterior Christmas lights and security lights in a house.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous weatherproof electrical enclosures have been provided in prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,228,584 to Williams, Jr.,; 5,245,507 to Ericksen; 5,527,993 to Shotey et al. and 5,556,289 to Holbrook, Jr. all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


A fuel injector employs at least one sensing device for sensing material deformations occurring in the injector components during usage to thereby monitor injector performance. The sensing device is preferably at least one of the many piezoelectric sensors available and is advantageously affixed within a cylinder of an injector to detect deformations of the injector cylinder within the needle valve/power piston column of an injector to detect deformations of the column which occurs when the high-pressure fuel in the control chamber is suddenly converted pressure and vice versa. Whereas the sensing devices of the invention can be placed at a variety of locations, they are advantageously arranged to detect material deformations within the injector cylinder or valve/piston column where such deformations are appreciably large during injector usage. Preferably, injectors of the invention are compatible with microprocessor-based fuel injection control systems of the type described above to maintain near-ideal control over the injector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved fuel injector for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine and methods of controlling the improved fuel injection nozzle. Accordingly, the general objects of the present invention are to provide novel and improved methods and apparatus of such character.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fuel injection nozzles for supplying fuel to internal combustion engines are well known in the art. Such injectors typically employ an injector body which is affixed to an internal combustion engine such that a nozzle end thereof extends into an engine cylinder. The injector body defines an interior cavity which is fluidly connected with a fuel supply and includes a needle valve which cooperates with the injector body to selectively permit fluid received from the fuel supply to pass through the interior cavity of the injector body and into the engine cylinder. Since most internal combustion engines employ a plurality of cylinders, it is common to employ one or more of such injectors with each engine. Recent developments have focused on supplying fuel to these multiple injectors from a common fuel supply rail which is maintained at very high-pressure, e.g., typically between 2900 to 26100 psi or 200 to 1800 bar.
One of this type of common rail injector is shown in FIG. 1, during the non-injection phase of the injection cycle. The injector 10 of FIG. 1 employs a hydraulic force imbalance scheme wherein a power piston 12 disposed at one end of a needle valve 14 cooperates with other components to control the net system forces acting upon the needle valve 14. In the design shown, a control chamber 16 which lies adjacent one end of the power piston 12 contains a volume of high-pressure fuel during the non-injection phase of the injection cycle. The force of this high-pressure fuel acts downwardly on the power piston 12 to overcome the opposed upward force of the high-pressure fuel acting on annular surface 17 and to thereby urge an opposite end 20 of the needle valve 14 into sealing engagement with apertured nozzle 21 of an injector body 24. In this phase of injection operation, the fuel supplied to injector 10 via inlet 11, is not permitted to pass into the engine cylinder. However, for the injection phase, the pressure within the control chamber 16 can be relieved by energizing a solenoid actuator 33 to move a valve 26 and open a spill path 28 from the control chamber 16 to low-pressure fuel region 52 thereby decreasing the pressure in the control chamber 16. When the pressure within the control chamber 16 drops to a predetermined level, based on the geometry of various injector components, the needle valve 14 moves upwardly to permit fuel to flow through the apertured nozzle 21 of the injector body 24 and into the engine cylinder. De-energizing the solenoid actuator 33 closes the fuel spill path 28. The pressure within the control chamber 16 then increases until it overcomes the upward force acting on the surface 17 and the needle valve 14 is again urged into its initial position. With the fuel injection cycle thus completed, it can be repeated as desired.
Fuel injectors of the type discussed above suffer from a number of deficiencies which tend to limit overall performance. Injector performance can deviate from the ideal due to a wide variety of performance variables and conditions. For example, limitations on manufacturing tolerances can result in the production of injectors which deviate from nominal design specifications. Moreover, changes in fuel viscosity can have a substantial impact on injector performance even in perfectly manufactured injectors. A difference in fuel viscosity can, for example, result from the use of different fuel types and grades. Additionally, ambient environmental conditions such as temperature can cause further fuel viscosity variations. Another factor impacting injector performance characteristics is physical wear and deterioration of injector components occurring over the field-life of the injector. Finally, changes in the electrical characteristics of the actuators employed with such injectors can result in still further deviations from ideal performance. These and other factors all contribute to injector performance characteristics which can deviate measurably from those originally intended.
In order to detect and compensate for such deviations, microprocessor-based fuel injector control systems and microprocessor-based diagnostic systems have been developed. Such control systems more precisely regulate the fuel injection timing and/or quantity by improving the electrical control of electrical actuators used with such injectors. One example of such a control system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,792 dated Apr. 14, 1992 and entitled "Processor Based Fuel Injection Control System", the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Several examples of sensing devices for use with such control systems and microprocessor-based diagnostic systems are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,516, dated Oct. 4, 1988, the contents of which are also hereby incorporated by reference. The systems discussed therein all utilize piezoelectric sensors to detect fluid flow through fuel conduits at locations remote from fuel injectors connected thereto. As a result, these systems are subject to severe limitations as to sensor and/or control system accuracy, versatility, reliability, sensitivity and/or economy.
Other microprocessor based systems utilize sensors which monitor the electrical signal delivered to, or the movement of, an injector actuating solenoid. Such sensors may include a solenoid position sensing coil formed as a part of the solenoid or means to detect the back electromotive force coming from an actuated solenoid. Since movement of the needle valve in such a fuel injector is so remote from the solenoid, however, solenoid-type sensors suffer from many, if not all, of the deficiencies noted above with respect to previous piezoelectric schemes. Therefore, while the injection diagnosis and control methods and devices such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,103,792 and 4,775,816 have resulted in marked improvements in injector performance, further improvements are still possible. In particular, further improvements in the art are possible because the more directly and rapidly a dedicated sensor can detect the moment at which actual fuel injection into an engine begins (BOI) and/or ends (EOI), the more precisely the control system can regulate fuel injection timing and quantity.

Duration control of common rail fuel injector


An optical disc drive has an improved vibration preventing device. A main chassis has opposite sidewalls and first and second mold tension parts integrally formed with the sidewalls, respectively. A pickup deck has a turn table adapted to receive a disc and a pickup moving in a radial direction of the disc and mounted to the main chassis to move up and down. A sub chassis has first and second mold tension guide parts mounted on a front of the pickup deck and supported by and under the first and the second mold tension parts. A disc tray moves inwardly and outwardly with respect to the main chassis. The mold tension guide parts of the sub chassis are elastically supported by the mold tension parts of the main chassis in an up-position of the pickup deck, thereby absorbing external impacts and inner vibrations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vibration preventing device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vibration preventing device for apparatuses such as a compact disc (CD) and a digital versatile disc (DVD) and an optical disc drive having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
General optical disc drives record and reproduce information with respect to an optical recording medium, such as a compact disc (CD) and a digital versatile disc (DVD), using a non-contact type pickup unit. Therefore, the optical disc drives are excellent in repetitive data reproducing, however, their performances are subject to vibration.
In addition, as the speeds of the optical disc drives are getting faster, prevention and restraint of vibration has become an increasingly important matter.
FIG. 1 illustrates an optical disc drive applying a general vibration preventing device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the general optical disc drive includes a main chassis 10 and a pickup deck 20 mounted to the main chassis 10, which is adapted to move vertically. The pickup deck 20 also has a turn table 21 to receive a disc and a pickup 22 that moves near to and away from the disc received in the turn table 20 in a radial motion to record and reproduce information. A disc tray 30 mounted to the main chassis 10 moves in and out with respect to the main chassis 10. A vibration preventing device 40 is disposed between the pickup deck 20 and the main chassis 10 to prevent vibrations from external agitation and noise from inner vibration while an eccentric disc is driven.
The vibration preventing device 40 includes three vibration preventing members 41, 42 and 43 respectively disposed on opposite sides of a front portion and on a rear portion of the pickup deck 20. Typically, the vibration preventing members 41, 42 and 43 are made of rubber.
The vibration preventing members 41, 42 and 43 absorb shock between the pickup deck 20 and the main chassis 10. Although a user hits the set or puts a remote controller on the set, for example, vibration generated by such external agitation or an impact is not transmitted to the pickup deck 20. Also, the inner vibration generated when an eccentric disc is driven is not transmitted to the surroundings, and accordingly, errors can be prevented from occurring when the optical disc drive records or reproduces information.
However, the three vibration preventing members 41, 42 and 43 increases the manufacturing costs. Further, impurities, such as sulfur, are generated in the members 41, 42 and 43. These impurities may contaminate adjacent parts, such as a direct current (DC) motor 23 for driving the pickup 22, thereby causing breakdown of the parts.

Vibration preventing device and an optical disc drive having the same


An audio system for a computer visual display unit (VDU), providing four loudspeakers 1 to 4 at the corners of the VDU screen. Sound is distributed to the loudspeakers under computer program control, to simulate the emission of sound from an image on the VDU screen.

A personal computer usually includes a loudspeaker and audio circuitry for generating sounds in conjunction with programs as they are run. Speech or music may be simulated or played from a digital recording. A growing application for computers is in conferencing, where several users may be connected together in a network, each with a terminal. Each screen may contain representations of the users such as icons, photographic representations, or freeze-frame or even real-time video pictures. Each user will generally have a particular region of the screen devoted to him, with the program typically running under a windows environment.
It is found that there is enhancement of a user interface if the sound associated with a window appears to emanate from the position of the window. The invention provides a means of achieving this and in more general terms provides a means of generating sound which is spatially associated with the position of the image of the sound source on the screen. It will be seen that such a facility has application in various types of computer displays including games with moving sound sources and video type displays


An organic electroluminescent (EL) device is provided that may include a first electrode, an organic layer and a second electrode arranged in a light-emitting region of a substrate. The device may also include a cap for sealing the light-emitting region of the substrate. The cap may have a caved surface with a minimum depth of 10 μm and a maximum depth of 10% of a total thickness of the cap.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention may relate to an organic electroluminescent (EL) device (hereafter an organic EL device).
2. Background
Organic electroluminescent (EL) devices may use a principle that when charge carriers are injected into an organic film formed between an electron injecting electrode (cathode) and a hole injecting electrode (anode), electrons may combine with holes to create electron-hole pairs, which may then decay to emit light.
Organic EL devices may be fabricated on flexible transparent substrates (e.g., plastic substrates) and may operate at a voltage (e.g., 10V or below) lower than voltages required to operate plasma display panels (PDPs) and inorganic electroluminescent devices. Organic EL devices may have relatively low power consumption and excellent color representation. Organic EL devices may emit light of three colors (i.e., green, blue and red). Organic EL devices may be considered as next-generation full-color display devices.
However, organic EL devices may readily deteriorate due to moisture and oxygen, thus disadvantageously reducing a lifespan of the device. Organic EL devices may be capped with a transparent cap and may be sealed to prevent permeation of external moisture and oxygen.

Organic electroluminescence device and method for fabricating the same


A method of fabricating a lead frame for a semiconductor device having a semiconductor chip resin-sealed therein. The lead frame includes a lead to be electrically connected to the semiconductor chip within sealing resin and to be sealed into the sealing resin such that at least a part of its mounting surface is exposed from the sealing resin. The method includes a lead forming step for forming the lead, and a side edge coining step for subjecting a side edge of a sealed surface, which is a surface on the opposite side of the mounting surface, of the lead to coining processing from the side of the sealed surface, to form a slipping preventing portion. The slipping preventing portion is to project sideward from the lead and to have a slipping preventing surface between the mounting surface and the sealed surface of the lead.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a lead frame for a semiconductor device fabricated by resin-sealing a semiconductor chip and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same, and such a lead frame and a semiconductor device using the same.
2. Description of Related Art
In order to high-density mount a semiconductor device on a wiring substrate, a package for high-density mounting allowing surface-mounting on the wiring substrate by eliminating extension of a lead from a molding resin package and exposing a lead (a terminal portion electrically connected to a semiconductor chip) of a lead frame to a lower surface of the package has been conventionally used. Known as such a package for high-density mounting have been leadless packages such as QFN (Quad Flat Non-leaded Package) or SON (Small Outlined Non-leaded Package).
In the packages in these forms, a lower surface of the lead sealed with molding resin, together with the semiconductor chip, is exposed to the lower surface of the package, so that the lead easily slips off the molding resin. Therefore, the lead can be prevented from slipping off by forming the lead into a reverse tapered shape and forming a step on a side surface of the lead.
In order to form the lead having such a cross-sectional shape, the lead frame has been conventionally processed by etching. However, a long time is required for the processing. Therefore, the fabrication of the lead frame using a precision press metal mold has been recently proposed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,133.
In the method disclosed in the U.S. Patent, the lead frame is fabricated by subjecting a metal plate serving as a material for the lead frame to punching processing and pressing processing using a punch from the side of a lower surface of the lead frame, and stepped shapes for slipping prevention are respectively formed at a front end and on a side surface of the lead.
More specifically, in the method disclosed in the U.S. patent, the center of the lead is made wide, and a side edge of the center is subjected to pressing processing using a punch from the side of a lower surface of the lead, thereby forming a two-step shape for slipping prevention. For the purpose of preventing a burr from occurring in the case of pressing processing from the side of the lower surface, a constricted part is formed on a side surface between the center and the base of the lead.
In the method disclosed in the U.S. patent, the shape of the lower surface of the lead obtained by the punching processing is lost in performing the pressing processing from the side of the lower surface. Therefore, the lower surface of the lead for making electrical connection to the exterior may not have a desired shape (e.g., a linear shape).
In order to prevent the metal burr occurring in the case of frame processing, the constricted part must be formed between the center and the base of the lead, so that the shape of the lead first formed by the punching processing is complicated. Consequently, required as a metal mold (a punch) for the punching processing is one which is subjected to complicated processing.
In the prior art disclosed in the U.S. patent, therefore, a lot of metal molds having a precise and complicated structure are required, so that the fabrication costs of the metal molds pile up. As a result, the fabrication cost of the lead frame and therefore, the fabrication cost of the semiconductor device rises.
On the other hand, in the above-mentioned semiconductor package, a package (e.g., HQFN: Heat Sinked Quad Flat Non-leaded Package) having a structure for exposing an island (a chip support having a semiconductor chip carried thereon) of a lead frame on a lower surface of the package has been put to practical use in order to enhance heat dissipating properties.
In the package having such a structure, a lower surface of the island, together with the semiconductor chip, sealed with molding resin is exposed to the lower surface of the package, so that the island easily slips off the molding resin. Therefore, an end surface of the island is made to have a reverse tapered shape, or the island is formed with a step to prevent the island from slipping off.
The island having such a cross-sectional shape has been formed by etching, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0096790A1, for example.
Since running cost is required to process the end surface of the island by etching, however, the lead frame cannot be fabricated at low cost.
In the prior art disclosed in the U.S. Patent Application Publication, in order to expose both the lead and the island from the lower surface of the package, they have been arranged so as to be flush with each other before resin sealing. When the lead is interposed between upper and lower metal molds to supply molding resin to a cavity between the metal molds, a pressing force from the upper metal mold is not exerted on the island, so that the resin detours toward the lower surface of the island. Therefore, the lower surface of the island is insufficiently exposed, thereby not obtaining a desired cooling effect.

Method of fabricating lead frame and method of fabricating semiconductor device using the same, and lead frame and semiconductor device using the same


Methods and apparatus relating to distribution of intelligence across a network are described. In one embodiment, one or more content processors may be provided at the edge of a computer network (e.g., prior to a point where data is aggregated or routed by the network). Other embodiments are also disclosed.

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of computing. More particularly, an embodiment of the invention relates to distributing intelligence across networks.
Introduction of faster Internet service has enabled some end-users to access data at speeds and bandwidths that rival or exceed the traditional T-carrier 1 digital transmission line (T-1) connections. Most on-demand services, however, rely on buffering of data. That is, the corresponding data is downloaded and stored for future access. For example, to watch a movie, a user may have to download a movie first. The buffering is generally required because bandwidth over broadband connections may not be guaranteed to ensure a satisfactory quality of service (QoS) outcome. Also, keeping the buffered data secure may not be an easy task, possibly resulting in data security vulnerabilities, in part, because the content is stored locally on an end-user's computer and more prone to unauthorized access.
For example, some traditional network architectures may take advantage of statistical multiplexing of subscribers. More particularly, content services may be processed at a remote centralized content processing node and then pushed across a best effort network. For some Internet protocol (IP) services, this deployment model results in time-shifted content to be delayed, dropped, and retransmitted. As more services and content are added, this model will bottleneck and cause congestion at the edge of the network, for example, causing dropped packets and unacceptable jitter. Accordingly, such best effort models will not be adequate for latency sensitive content and functions, e.g., because there is no guaranteed QOS with such approaches.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Distributing intelligence across networks


An electrical connector and method of construction of an electrical connector of the type for use in seismic operations in corrosive environments is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes: a substantially hard plastic housing having a first end and a second end having an annular lip defining a chamber, the housing encapsulating at least one electrical connector therein, a section of the electrical connector extending into the chamber; an open ended shell connected to the annular lip; an insulated, electrical conductor connected to the electrical connector and extending outwardly therefrom; a potting material disposed within the chamber and about the connection between the electrical connector and the electrical conduit; and a tail member extending from the annular lip over the shell and a section of the insulated electrical conductor and bonded thereto. Wherein the plastic tail being made of a material substantially the same as the housing and irrevocably fused to the housing, but which is softer than the housing.

Underwater electrical cables and marine conductors in general cause major problems when they begin to leak. Leakage of course is common due to the fact that such cables, and their connectors, commonly operate in subsurface environments or in near surface atmospheric environments characterized by extreme salt and humidity. The primary water and humidity sealing means in underwater connectors is generally the insulation encapsulating the strands of individual conductors, or it is an encapsulating plastic around the machined stainless steel connector. Frequently, these connectors are made of corrosion resistant metals, such as stainless, or the like, and are coated with a plastic coating for the purpose of precluding entry of moisture.
Further, in marine seismic operations, underwater electrical plugs or connectors are needed to connect power and instrumentation conductors to other equipment, such as seismic sound generators, i.e., air guns. These "guns" are used as a sound source to obtain acoustic reflections from the sea-floor. Typically, they are fired every ten to fifteen seconds producing extremely strong pressure waves. As a result, the electrical cables, conductors and connectors are subjected to a great deal of structural abuse, and normally they may not last for extended periods of time before developing leaks or other operational defects. Therefore, all of the electrical connectors and other components used in these harshest of environments must necessarily withstand repeated explosive forces on their exteriors while allowing for a degree of flexibility there within lest the internal conductor be jolted loose from its external housing. In addition, these electrical connectors must be able to withstand corrosive environments such as in sub-sea, swamp and marsh operations.
The inventor originally believed that the best way to obtain a marine electrical connector which would satisfactorily handle the type of punishment which would be incurred, based upon the foregoing conditions, was by having a rigid or very strong external housing material which would not fracture while simultaneously precluding leakage from the environment and mounting the electrical conductor inside the housing within a flexible shock absorbent material. The shock absorbent material was to allow for the repeated percussive forces, which would be incurred without producing a short in the circuit. This previous invention is described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,268, which was issued on Jun. 9, 1992. In that application, the Applicant pointed out that he was unaware of electrical conductors which utilized flexible shock absorbent interiors, and that it was common for the exterior and interior of electrical connectors to be comprised of different materials, such as, for example, metal and rubber, thus requiring difficult and expensive bonding techniques which frequently result in unreliable adhesion. Applicant further notes, that this is believed to be true whenever different materials of substantially different hardness and/or density are bonded together. Applicant's concepts remain true to date and the present invention expands upon those principals in light of the development of a new and improved marine electrical connector.
Applicant's main advantage with respect to the previous invention was that two types of plastic were utilized to comprise the electrical connector and the connectors were not made of stainless steel or any other metal alloy normally resistant to corrosion and other abusive environmental conditions, thereby greatly decreasing the cost of the connector. Instead, Applicant utilized a method for making reliable, multi-component, electrical connectors which, theretofore, were not capable of a reliable, permanent fusion to one another. The dual material electrical connector of the invention was characterized by a flexible shock absorbent internal core and relatively hard external housing each fusionly connected to one another in an irrevocable bond. Applicant discovered the use of the glass impregnated external housing consisting of a hard plastic material and an interior shock absorbent material of substantially the same plastic which obviated the short comings of the prior art. This combination not only enabled the production of electrical connectors having operational advantages over that which had been known theretofore, but it also markedly simplified the manufacturing of connectors and reduced the expense thereof.
In the present invention, Applicant has designed away from the hard external housing and instead now utilizes a soft plastic external housing which is fused to a connector element and which is still more than sufficiently capable of withstanding the shocks and abuses incurred by marine electrical connectors and is even less susceptible to leakage than the prior art. Further, the present invention greatly reduces the steps required to manufacture the connector, thereby, once again, reducing cost and time in the manufacturing process, while yielding an even more desirable end product. The present invention is also even more capable of providing leakage protection and withstanding harsh and corrosive environmental elements and operational conditions than the prior art connectors.


A method is provided for stabilizing Czochralski (CZ) silicon melt by controlled oscillation of the crucible rotation during the stabilization period of the silicon melt to reduce the gas bubbles and unmelted polysilicon particles contained therein and thereby increase the yield and productivity of CZ silicon crystal production. The crucible rotation is controlled to follow an Oscillating Crucible Rotation (OCR) pattern or a saw tooth rotation pattern, which include rapid oscillations between a high rate of rotation and a low rate of rotation of the crucible during a period prior to the growth of the CZ crystal ingot.

1. Area of the Art
The present invention generally relates to the field of manufacturing single Czochralski (CZ) silicon crystals. More particularly, it relates to a method of stabilization of a CZ silicon melt contained in the crucible of a CZ silicon crystal puller.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Czochralski (CZ) silicon crystals are produced by growing single crystal silicon ingots from molten polysilicon contained in a crucible of a CZ silicon crystal puller. However, the molten polysilicon often contains gas bubbles and unmelted polysilicon particles that may stick to the sidewall of the crucible. These bubbles and polysilicon particles can cause the formation of dislocations in crystal growth by aggregating at the liquid-solid interface during the freezing process.
In a conventional process of manufacture, heating elements and heat shields are carefully arranged in a CZ silicon crystal puller to produce temperature convection currents within the molten silicon to establish balanced axial and radial temperature gradients, while the crucible is rotated at a constant, low RPM (rotations per minute) for the purpose of stabilizing the silicon melt. However, the temperature convection currents naturally occurring within the molten silicon and the constant low RPM rotation rate of the crucible are not sufficient to release all gas bubbles and polysilicon particles stuck on the crucible wall.
Several prior art references have disclosed the technique of oscillating the crucible during the ingot growth period. For example, Hyland et al. ("Characterization of Silicon Crystals Grown by the Heat Exchanger Method"; S. Hyland, K. A. Dumas, G. H. Schwuttke, J. A. A. Engelbrecht, D. Leung; Proceedings of the Electrochemical Society; Volume 83-11; Pages 192-199, 1983) disclosed the application of an oscillating crucible technique (OCT) in the heat exchanger method (HEM) for silicon ingot growth. This method utilizes a shaping quartz mold in which molten silicon contained in a crucible solidifies from a single crystal seed.
Katherine A. Dumas et al. ("Silicon Ingot Growth By An Oscillating Crucible Technique"; K. A. Dumas, G. H. Schwuttke, T. Daud; Proc SPIE--Photovoltaics for Solar Energy Applications; Page 121; 1983) also disclosed the application of an OCT for casting silicon crystal from a melt within a crucible, to maintain a sufficiently fast liquid flow at the crystal surface, control localized nucleation, prevent supercooling, and avoid dendritic growth after nucleation.
Daud et al. ("Directional Solidification of Silicon In Carbon Crucibles by an Oscillating Crucible Technique"; T. Daud, K. A. Dumas, G. H. Schwuttke, P. Smetana, K. M. Kim; Conference record of the 16th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference; Page 63, 1982) further disclosed the application of an OCT for directional solidification of silicon in carbon crucibles.
However, in all of the above cited prior art references, the crucible is oscillated during the growth period of the silicon ingot, not during the stabilization period of the molten silicon--a period preceding the growth period. Further, the oscillation of the crucible is designed and conducted for the purpose of crystal growth, not for the purpose of reducing the bubbles and polysilicon particles contained in the silicon melt.
It is desirable to provide a method of effectively eliminating or at least substantially reducing gas bubbles and polysilicon particles contained in the silicon melt during its stabilization period, to therefore increase the yield and productivity of CZ silicon crystal production.

Oscillating crucible for stabilization of Czochralski (CZ) silicon melt


An articulated spindle (3) which is arranged in particular in a drive of a rolling mill, comprises a coupling sleeve for establishing a connection to an articulated head, or an articulated head (4) for establishing a connection to a coupling sleeve (2), wherein the tongue (1) of the coupling sleeve (2) engages with a cylindrical opening (5) of the articulated head (4) that is located transverse to the rotational axis. A sliding block (19) is arranged between the articulated head and the tongue (1), said block being formed by two sliding bodies (21, 22), which have rotational body contours (23, 24) in two portions, said sliding bodies being arranged rotatably in a rotational body-shaped recess (25, 31) adjusted to the shape of the sliding bodies (21, 22) such that they can perform a pivoting motion in the articulated head (4). The articulated spindle (3) is characterized in that the rotational body contours (23, 24) are designed to be concave or convex and the recess (25) is designed to be accordingly convex or concave.

The invention relates to a joint spindle arranged particularly in a drive of a rolling mill, which has a wobbler for effecting a connection with a joint head, or a joint head for effecting a connection with a wobbler, whose tongue engages in a cylindrical opening of the joint head extending transversely of the axis of rotation, wherein a sliding block is arranged between the joint head and the tongue, which sliding block is formed by two sliding bodies which have in partial areas thereof contours of a body of rotation, wherein the sliding bodies are arranged in a recess in the joint in such a way that they can carry out a pivoting movement in the joint head.
Sliding blocks, also called joint blocks, are known. The sliding block is composed of a non-metal or metal material, and is used in joint spindles and joint coupling heads of rolling mill drives. When using a joint block in the heads of the joint spindles arranged on both sides, or in the subsequent coupling heads, a flat pin of the spindle or of the head interacts with the joint block. The purpose of the joint blocks is essentially to carry out compensation with respect to length and direction between the joint spindles, which are changeable relative to each other within certain limits in their axial direction and the rigidly arranged coupling elements in the pinion and roll stand. In addition to the transmission of the high torques and the impact-like loads, as they occur during the start-up of the stands and primarily in very short sequences when tapping the rolling stock in the work rolls, the joint or sliding block has the added purpose of receiving additional relative movements under high surface pressures.
These various loads, many of which are superimposed, lead to a relatively quick and marked wear. Although it has always been attempted to increase the durability of the joint blocks by ever more suitable novel materials, for example, by the use of new materials, it is so far still necessary to frequently exchange the sliding blocks because of wear.
Aside from the costs of the replacement parts and the attendant storage capacity, and primarily because of the exchange of the sliding blocks, the time periods for idle and assembly times caused by the replacement of the sliding blocks are extremely long, because when exchanging the sliding blocks usually a complete separation of the joint spindles from the subsequent coupling elements is required. In the cost intensive rolling mill plants, the idle and assembly times caused by repairs are an extremely high burden, especially when they occur at unscheduled times.
For lowering these material costs, and especially for reducing the required material, a sliding block or joint block for joint spindles and joint coupling heads of rolling mill drives is known from DE 26 56 257 A1, which is composed of several partial sections. In this connection, dividing planes for the partial sections in the transverse direction of the longitudinal axis of the joint block are provided.
Moreover, WO 2004/072501 discloses a sliding block for giant spindles in drives of rolling mills, which permits a high surface pressure and, furthermore, also has a high resistance to heat. In this regard, the joint spindle has a wobbler with a flat pin whose tongue engages in a cylindrical opening of the spindle head extending transversely of the axis of rotation, wherein a sliding block is arranged between the spindle head and the flat pin. This sliding block is of a composite construction and has a metal inner body and an outer layer of polymer fiber material surrounding the inner body.
From GB 262 144 a joint spindle is known which effects a connection with an articulated head or with a wobbler. For this purpose, sliding blocks are used which have the shape of a truncated cone. GB 284 462 describes an articulated connection between a cam and a shaft in which elements with cylindrical surfaces are used.
The state of the art is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows in an exploded view a wobbler 2 equipped with a tongue 1 for connecting with a joint spindle 3.
FIG. 2 shows a sectional view perpendicular to the sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along sectional line II-II.
The joint spindle 3 has a joint head 4 which is equipped with a recess 5 for receiving the tongue 1. The tongue 1 is composed of two protruding elements 6, 7 forming a finger-shaped flat blade together with a cylindrical contour facing the outer side of the wobbler 1, and a parallelepiped-shaped contour facing the inner side of the wobbler 1. A sliding block 8 with two sliding plates 9, 10 is fastened on the elements 6, 7. The sliding plates 9, 10 have surfaces 11, 12 which rest in the recess 5 to make it possible that the sliding block 8 and the joint spindle can be turned or pivoted perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis x of the joint spindle 3 about an axis z. The surfaces 11, 12 are constructed in such a way that they fit into corresponding contours 13, 14 within the recess 5 in the joint head 4 of the joint spindle 3.
The joint blocks or sliding plates 9, 10 are connected to each other through a bolt 15 which protrudes into the wobbler recess formed by the elements 6, 7 and which generally is guided in a bore 16 or 17 in the sliding blocks 9 or 10, respectively. The relative movement between the joint head 4 and the wobbler 2 is carried out by the rotation of the sliding block 8 and by a pivoting movement of the elements 6, 7. The sliding plates 9, 10 must be guided through a stop, in order to prevent slipping of the sliding plates 9, 10 in the direction of the z axis. In a standard embodiment, a cylindrical groove 18 is provided for this purpose in the middle of the joint head 4 of a cylindrical groove 18 in which the sliding plates 9, 10 are placed with a guide cam 19.
In the past, it has been found that the increased output of the rolling plant causes stress fractures at these guide grooves.

Sliding block for an articulated spindle


A method for charging a plurality of motor vehicles, in particular hybrid electric/electric vehicles, at a plurality of public charging stations, having the steps of: determining release times at which the respective charging stations are released for charging; determining arrival times at which the respective motor vehicles can arrive at the respective charging stations; calculating intervals of time between the respective determined release times and the respective determined arrival times as required waiting times for charging the respective motor vehicles at the respective charging stations; deciding, on the basis of the calculated waiting times, which of the charging stations will be approached by the respective motor vehicles for charging, with the proviso that an actual total waiting time, which forms a sum of actual waiting times for charging the respective motor vehicles at the respective charging stations, is minimized.

There are electrically chargeable motor vehicles, in particular hybrid electric/electric vehicles, the batteries of which, in particular traction batteries, can be charged by stationary public charging stations. For technical reasons, the operations of charging the motor vehicles at the charging stations generally take several hours.
On account of the long charging time and the currently restricted number of public charging stations, there are often traffic jams at the charging stations. This results in inefficient use of the motor vehicles. On the other hand, despite the currently restricted number of charging stations, some charging stations (for example on account of the position which is unfavorable to drivers) are rarely used. This results in inefficient use of the public charging stations.

Method and system for charging motor vehicles at public charging stations


A deflection correcting device includes a banknote running passage formed by a first passage plate and a second passage plate, and a deflection correcting wheel is arranged inside the banknote running passage and has a deflection correcting direction deviated with respect to a reference wall of the banknote running passage. Multiple deflection correcting wheels are dispersedly arranged in a conveying direction of the banknote running passage and are arranged to gradually close to the reference wall. An adjusting wheel having a guide direction along a guide direction of the reference wall is provided at the position of the reference wall, and the adjusting wheel is arranged between a first deflection correcting wheel and a second deflection correcting wheel in the multiple deflection correcting wheels. A linear speed of rotation of the adjusting wheel is greater than a linear speed of rotation of the respective deflection correcting wheel.

In the process of depositing banknotes into an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), the banknotes are apt to be deflected when being put into a banknote depositing port of the ATM by a customer, thus a recognition module is required to perform defection correction on the banknotes put in the ATM.
A conventional deflection correcting device is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a deflection correcting device according to the conventional technology, and FIG. 2 is a sectional schematic view of FIG. 1 taken along the direction A-A. The deflection correcting device includes a banknote running passage formed by arc-shaped passage plates (8′) and (9′), a deflection correcting wheel (14′), a reference wall (8a′) and a polygonal adjusting wheel (19′). The deflection correcting wheel (14′) is set to form a certain angle with the banknote running passage, to move the banknotes towards the reference wall (8a′) at the same time when the banknotes are conveyed forward in the banknote running passage formed by the arc-shaped passage plates (8′) and (9′), thereby correcting the banknotes. The banknotes are entered at the position (1′) and are discharged at the position (2′).
The polygonal adjusting wheel (19′) presses one side, close to the reference wall, of the banknote downward, to loosen a top corner of the banknote that is in contact with the reference wall (8a′). The resistance disappears when the top corner is loosened, and when the wheel presses the banknote downward, it also provides a resistance on the banknote to prevent the banknote from moving towards the reference wall (8a′), thus the banknote no longer moves towards the reference wall (8a′); at this time, since the speed of the adjusting wheel is greater than the speed of the deflection correcting wheel, the banknote may be deflected, and the top corner of the banknote may leave the reference wall (8a′) gradually.
In the conventional deflection correcting device, it is noted in particular that two columns of deflection correcting wheels are arranged at the position of the first row of the deflection correcting wheels (14′), to ensure that the banknotes of certain size and specification are acted on two points synchronously when being clamped by the deflection correcting wheels (14′), thereby preventing the banknotes from generating a large deflection around the clamping point in the case that the single column of the deflection correcting wheel (14′) acts on the banknote on one point.
In the deflection correcting device, the position relationship among the polygonal adjusting wheel (19′), an inlet conveying wheel (11′) and the deflection correcting wheel (14′) is fixed. After the banknotes enter into the deflection correcting device, two columns of deflection correcting wheels arranged at the position of the first row of the deflection correcting wheels (14′) makes the banknotes unable to generate deflection, and in this case, the polygonal adjusting wheel (19′) cannot act on the banknotes. The polygonal adjusting wheel (19′) can only act on the banknotes until the banknotes leave the first row of the deflection correcting wheels (14′). Therefore, the conventional deflection correcting device needs a correction passage with enough length, and the length of the correction passage is in direct proportion to the length of the banknote or other valuable paper to be processed by the ATM.
Under the circumstance that the core structure of the ATM has a compact space, the space requirement of the conventional deflection correcting device is difficult to satisfy.
Therefore, a technical problem to be solved presently by those skilled in the art is to decrease a banknote conveying space of the deflection correcting device.

Automatic teller machine and deflection correcting apparatus thereof


An oxide film having a desired pattern is first formed on a magnesia substrate. A superconducting oxide film is then formed on the exposed portion of the magnesia substrate and also on the oxide film. Thus, a tilt-boundary junction is formed in the boundary between the superconducting oxide film portion on the magnesia substrate and the superconducting oxide film portion on the oxide film. The tilt-boundary junction functions as a Josephson junction. By utilizing the Josephson junction in the tilt-boundary junction, a SQUID pattern can be formed on the magnesia substrate to provide a SQUID device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process of making a SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) device having a superconducting film with a high superconducting transition temperatures.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A SQUID device using superconducting film utilizes Josephson junction and is currently used as a fluxmeter for measuring an abnormal localized field and its derivative amount with increased sensitivity and accuracy (see "Technique of Josephson Computer", Parity, Separate Volume No. 1, 1986, pp 26-38).
The prior art provides SQUID devices which mainly utilize a tunnel junction including a very thin insulation film which is sandwiched between members of niobium (Nb) or niobium nitride (NbN). It is always assumed that these SQUID devices operate at boiling point of liquid helium (4.2K). If SQUID devices are formed of a superconductor of high-temperature oxide, they can operate at boiling point of liquid nitrogen, resulting in increased practicality and economical efficiency.
Presently, however, many DC-SQUID's formed of superconducting oxide films are produced by forming steps in any suitable manner before growth (see "Japanese Journal of Applied Physics", Vol. 30, No. 6B, L1121-L1124, January 1991).
On the other hand, it is known in the art that the naturally produced tilt-boundary junction functions as a Josephson junction. It has been reported that the critical current was measured in a twin tilt-boundary junction of yttrium compound (YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta.). (See "PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS" issued on Jul. 11, 1988, Vol. 61, No. 2, pp 219-222.)
However, a method of controlling the production of Josephson junctions from the tilt-boundary junction is still not known.
It was further difficult to arrange a number of stepped DC-SQUID's in any pattern at desired locations.

Process of making squid device having tilt-boundary junction


Disclosed is a structure of a floor panel which includes a rear floor panel that is provided in a vehicle body, and has a storage portion for a spare tire; a rear crossmember that is installed on a front side of the rear floor panel so as to extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle body, and is joined to the rear floor panel; a rear end panel that is installed on a rear side of the rear floor panel 10 so as to extend in the lateral direction of the vehicle body, and is joined to the rear floor panel 10; and a bead portion that is formed in the rear floor panel while having a lengthwise direction of the vehicle body as a longitudinal direction of the bead portion, and extends to an installation region of the rear crossmember.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the structure of a floor panel of a vehicle body.
2. Related Background Art
In the related art, for example, Pamphlet of International Publication No. WO2013/057892 discloses the structure of a floor panel of a vehicle body in which longitudinally opposite ends and laterally opposite ends of a rear floor panel are inclined toward the center of the rear floor panel. With this structure, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the rear floor panel, and control the vibration characteristics thereof.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-297543 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2000-291443 are examples of the related art.
However, in the structure of the floor panel, it is necessary to change the size of the rear floor panel depending on the respective inclined angles of the opposite ends of the rear floor panel, and thus there may be some restrictions in the design of the vehicle body.
An object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a floor panel of a vehicle body in which it is possible to improve the rigidity of the floor panel and control vibration characteristics of the floor panel while reducing restrictions in the design of the vehicle body.
The structure of the floor panel according to an aspect of the present invention includes a rear floor panel that is provided in a vehicle body, and has a storage portion for a spare tire; a first framework member that is installed on a front side of the rear floor panel so as to extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle body, and is joined to the rear floor panel; a second framework member that is installed on a rear side of the rear floor panel so as to extend in the lateral direction of the vehicle body, and is joined to the rear floor panel; and a concave portion that is formed in the rear floor panel in a longitudinal direction toward a lengthwise direction of the vehicle body, and extends to an installation region of the first framework member.
In this configuration, the concave portion is formed in the rear floor panel in the longitudinal direction toward a lengthwise direction of the vehicle body. The concave portion extends to the installation region of the first framework member. Accordingly, since the concave portion with high rigidity functions as a framework portion of the rear floor panel, and the first framework member supports the rear floor panel with the front side of the rear floor panel proximate to a fixing end, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the entirety of the rear floor panel. The rear floor panel is deemed to have a beam structure in which one end of the rear floor panel is fixed and the other end is pin-supported, and it is possible to control the vibration characteristics of the rear floor panel. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the rear floor panel and control the vibration characteristics of the rear floor panel while reducing restrictions in the design of the vehicle body.
In this aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide the structure of the floor panel of the vehicle body in which it is possible to improve the rigidity of the floor panel and control the vibration characteristics of the floor panel while reducing restrictions in the design of the vehicle body.

Structure of floor panel of vehicle body