A random access memory device having nonconforming write-in and read-out data is provided, and includes three major components: a random access memory (RAM) core, a control logic circuit, and a transfer device. The control logic circuit is responsive to a read/write signal, and a chip select signal for generating a write path enable signal, and read path enable signal. The transfer device is separated into a write path and a read path. The write path includes a write-transfer device and a tri-state buffer coupled in series. A data bus external to the memory device provides an input to the write path for write-in data, while the output of the write path is coupled to the RAM core input data. The read path includes a read transfer device coupled in series with a second tri-state buffer. The core output data from the RAM core is coupled to the read path as an input, while the output of the read path is coupled to the data bus external to the memory device. The read path and write path enable signals appropriately enable the read path and the write path for operation. The write-transfer device, and the read-transfer device operate in a noncomplementary fashion such that write-in data passing through the write-transfer device, and subsequently through the read-transfer device, is not restored to its original form, thus providing computer data protection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to memory devices, and, more particularly, relates to a random access memory device having inconsistent write-in and read-out data.
2. Description of the Background Art
Techniques for protecting computer data from unauthorized access and/or copying have been under investigation for some time. In particular, in present day technology for protecting computer data, a necessary step involves the task of encrypting the data such that it cannot be recognized by an unauthorized user. For an authorized user to recognize such data in its original form, a corresponding decryption process must be applied to the encrypted data. The restored data may then be used in normal computer operations. Computer data protection techniques of the type utilizing encryption/decryption methods are carried out, generally, by execution of specific computer software. In particular, the computer data is calculated by a specific computer microprocessor. Accordingly, such computer software may not be easily portable to other microprocessors. Further, such methodology is easily defeated. That is, in such a method that is implemented solely by execution of computer software, it is fairly easy for an unauthorized user to use the computer data to break the encryption method wherein access to the original computer data may be had.
In a conventional random access memory (RAM) device, the write-in data, and the read-out data are always the same.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved RAM device that minimizes or eliminates one or more of the prior of the problems as set forth above.

Random access memory device having inconsistent write-in and read-out data


A bicycle shift control device includes a first downshift control device and a first upshift control device. The first downshift control device is spaced apart from the first upshift control device. When used with a handlebar having an intermediate handlebar stem attachment portion, the first downshift control device may be mounted on one side of the handlebar stem attachment portion, and the first upshift control device may be mounted on an opposite side of the handlebar stem attachment portion.

The present invention is directed to bicycle shift control devices and, more particularly, to a bicycle shift control device having spaced apart operating units such as shift levers, rotatable hand grips, etc.
Many types of bicycle shift control devices are used to control the operation of bicycle transmissions. One type of conventional bicycle shift control device includes a shift lever that is integrally formed with a winding drum. A control cable is connected to the winding drum is such that rotation of the shift lever in one direction causes the control cable to wind around the winding drum, thus pulling the control cable, and rotation of the shift lever in the opposite direction causes the control cable to unwind from the winding drum, thus releasing the control cable. The control cable is connected to a bicycle transmission, usually in the form of an internally mounted hub transmission or a derailleur, such that pulling the control cable causes the transmission to either upshift or downshift, and releasing the control cable causes the transmission to perform the opposite operation.
Another type of conventional bicycle shift control device includes a rotatable handgrip coaxially mounted around the handlebar axis. The handgrip is coupled to a control cable such that rotating the handgrip in one direction causes the bicycle transmission to either upshift or downshift, and rotating the handgrip in the opposite direction causes the bicycle transmission to perform the opposite operation.
Still another type of conventional bicycle shift control device includes separate levers mounted to a single shift lever housing. The levers are usually coupled to a ratchet mechanism such that rotating one lever causes the bicycle transmission to either upshift or downshift, and rotating the other lever causes the bicycle transmission to perform the opposite operation. The two levers are located in close proximity to each other so both levers can be rotated without moving the hand from the handlebar.
Since conventional shifting devices are constructed either from a single operating device or two operating devices located in close proximity to each other, both upshifting and downshifting are performed by the same hand, and the hand is usually located in substantially the same position for both operations. This may not be desirable for some riders.

Bicycle shift control device having spaced apart operating units


User attribute data associated with a user may be used to resolve unresolved entities in connection with the performance of computer-based actions, e.g., actions resulting from action queries generated based at least in part on content being accessed on a computing device.

Computing devices, and in particular mobile computing devices, have become ubiquitous in modern society, and attempts to increase both the usability and the usefulness of such devices are ongoing. Natural language techniques as well as other non-explicit input techniques continue to evolve in order to simplify a user's interaction with a computing device, e.g., to perform various computer-based actions such as performing a search, providing driving directions, or otherwise controlling one or more applications of a computing device.
Some techniques rely on the current context of a user's interaction with a computing device to attempt infer the user's intent when performing actions on behalf of the user. Thus, for example, what a user is currently doing with a computing device and/or what a user has recently done with a computing device may be used to assist in interpreting future user requests. However, in some instances, the context of a user's interaction with a computing device may be incomplete and/or may be subject to multiple interpretations, making it difficult to provide assistance when interpreting a user request. Thus, a need continues to exist for improvements in the interpretation of user requests in the absence of sufficient context.

User attribute resolution of unresolved terms of action queries


In a camera apparatus of the present invention, a phase difference sensor, which is normally used for automatic focusing operation, is effectively used to detect a flicker of the fluorescent light (S104), and it is judged whether the flicker has been detected or not (S105). When the flicker has been detected, gain No. (3) prepared for the fluorescent light is selected to be set to a gain control circuit at a time of a capture (S106). The infrared light is detected (S107) based on an output used from an infrared light sensor, which is provided for receiving an infrared-light code signal from a remote control unit, and it is judged whether the infrared light has been detected or not (S108) . When the infrared light has been detected, gain No. (4) prepared for the incandescent light is selected to be set to a gain control circuit (S109).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pick-up apparatus, a method of white balance control and a program for white balance control.
2. Description of the Related Art
In most of conventional digital cameras or image pick-up apparatuses, an image of an object photographed or obtained using a solid state image pick-up element such as CCD is displayed as a through (finder) image on a liquid crystal display monitor independently of a shutter operation by a user. In this sort of digital camera, a white balance has to be adjusted for faithfully reproducing colors of the object. The white balance is adjusted to photograph a white object in a white color even in case that the object is photographed under various lights of different color temperatures. The white balance is secured by adjusting gains of an image signal output from the solid state image pick-up element, that is, by adjusting gains respectively for R color component, G color component and B color component of the image signal depending on the surroundings (light source) for photographing the object (photographing surroundings). Therefore, if gain-correction coefficients used as gain values and standards for plural sorts of expected photographing surroundings are prepared and stored in a memory in advance, the user can near-perfectly adjust the white balance of the image that he or she is going to photograph by using these gain-correction coefficients depending on the photographing surroundings. The white balance adjusting operation mentioned above requires the user to make troublesome operation, and therefore an automatic function for automatically adjusting the white-balance has been proposed. In a general technique for adjusting the white balance, a light source in the photographing surrounding where a through image is photographed, is judged based on the color temperatures of the through image and the like, and gains for R component and B component contained in image data are adjusted based on the judged light source (for example, refer to a Patent Document #1).
A conventional technique is also used, which detects a flicker based on an image obtained by CCD to judge the light source, and determines that the light source is a fluorescent lamp when the flicker is detected.
[Patent Document #1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Specification No. 2003-264850
However, to detect the flicker in the image data obtained by CCD as described above, it is necessary to obtain about 30 photographs per second. Therefore, when a picture is taken in a dark surrounding such as in a room, the number of photographs taken in a second is reduced by the automatic exposure function (AE function), and therefore it is difficult to detect the flicker of the fluorescent lamp, resulting in failure in correctly determining the light source. In general, since a cover glass of the image pick-up optical system and CCD is provided with a filtering function for filtering the infrared rays, it is hard to determine whether the light source is an incandescent lamp or not by detecting the infrared rays from the image obtained by CCD. Therefore, it is not possible to control the white balance by using CCD which is one of conventional sensors in the image pick-up apparatus.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an image pick-up apparatus which can control the white balance by effectively using conventionally available sensors in the conventional image pick-up apparatus, a white balance control method, and a program for controlling the white balance.

Image pick-up apparatus, method of controlling white balance, and program of controlling white balance


The present invention relates to a process for printing characters or image with high durability on a fibrous sheet by a dry method, fabrics prepared by said printing process, and an apparatus for preparing said fabrics. The present invention relates to a process for preparing an information-bearing fibrous sheet, comprising the steps of temporarily forming an image such as characters or identification mark on a fibrous sheet by a dye; heating it to let the dye migrate into the fibrous sheet; and pressing another sheet material to the fibrous sheet with the image temporarily formed, with heat treatment for removing the excessive dye. The process of the present invention does not include the step of washing by water and allows dyeing with a sense of OA apparatuses. Therefore, it can be widely applied for clothing, and industrial and fashion fabric goods, etc. and expected to tempt the development of quite new applications.

To record such information as characters, images or identification marks, etc. on a fabric, so-called textile printing by use of a dye or pigment has been practiced for keeping good washing resistance, wear resistance, etc. However, textile printing requires a printing plate for each pattern and is very poor in flexibility to entertain changes of images. When information-bearing fabrics of various kinds are produced in respectively small quantities, for example, when serial numbers changing each time of recording are printed, it can be generally said that such textile printing cannot be used at all.
Considering the above flexibility, various printers used for OA apparatuses are very promising. These printers include heat transfer printers, impact printers, electrophotographic printers, ink jet printers, sublimation type heat sensitive transfer printers, etc. Among them, the former three printers use mainly pigments as coloring agents. However, in the combination of a pigment and a fabric, even though an image can be formed temporarily by a pigment on a fabric, washing, friction, etc. easily deprive the fabric of the pigment, and so these printers cannot be said to be suitable for fabrics. On the other hand, the latter two printers are described below in detail.
For the ink jet printer, a method of printing an ink containing a dye and heating it for dyeing has begun to be studied for application of the printer to fabrics. However, since the ink is liquid, printing on a fabric not treated at all causes blurring, thereby not allowing a clear image to be obtained. So, before printing, the fabric must be treated to prevent blurring thereby raising the cost disadvantageously. Even if the additional cost of treating the fabric for preventing blurring is disregarded, all the dye applied is not fast deposited on the fabric, and some of the dye remains loose to pose a serious problem in view of fastness to friction, recontamination, etc.
On the other hand, in the case of sublimation type heat sensitive transfer printer, a sublimable dye is used, and the treatment of the fabric for preventing blurring is not required unlike the ink jet printer. So, the printer seems to be preferable. However, the sublimation type heat sensitive transfer printer uses a very highly sublimable dye to keep the heating temperature lower, since the thermal head used in the printer becomes shorter in life if the heating temperature is higher. If such a very highly sublimable dye is used for dyeing the fabric, it is low in fastness to washing, ironing, etc., and the conventional sublimation type heat sensitive transfer printer cannot be immediately applied to fabrics. The sublimation type heat transfer technique can be used for printing fabrics if the dye used is good in fastness, but such a dye good in fastness cannot be used in view of the life of the thermal head since it is high in sublimation temperature.
As described above, any of conventional printing techniques cannot provide images excellent in washing resistance and wear resistance, with flexibility to changes of images at low running cost.
In addition to the above problems, the printers other than the ink jet printer require the recording medium to be smooth on the surface, and so the problem must overcome that ordinary fabrics are very poor in surface smoothness compared to paper, etc.

Dry process for preparing information-bearing fibrous sheets by heat transfer printing


This disclosure provides a stretchable conductor structure, a garment with a stretchable conductor structure, and a method for producing a stretchable conductor structure. The conductive structure includes a set of conductive wires and a stretchable laminate. The set of conductive wires, each including a protective surface, the set of conductive wires patterned in a mesh structure to accommodate a manipulation while providing electrical conductivity across the set of conductive wires. The stretchable laminate encapsulates the mesh structure, the stretchable laminate can return the mesh structure of the set of conductive wires to an original state after the manipulation.

Current state of the art practice is to pattern solid copper foils in a meandering trace (horseshoe pattern) and embed in a polymer. Though this does provide for stretchable and flexible circuit (though typically in one axis of the conductor at a time), high stress concentration along the curves of the trace leading to plastic deformation of the conductor can develop that over time cause circuit failure (open circuit).


A fuel dispensing nozzle includes an inlet for the fuel being pumped, a spout for dispensing of the fuel, a poppet valve between the inlet and outlet, and a handle which is operable to move the poppet valve between an opened position in which fuel can flow from the inlet to the and a closed position in which fuel is prevented from flowing from the inlet to the spot. The poppet valve includes a valve member having a cap, a seal received on an under side of the cap, and a skirt, which is movable relative to the cap. The seal engages and is disengaged from the valve seat to close and open the valve. The valve member skirt has a sloped surface which engages the seal. The valve skirt is lifted by a valve stem, and when lifted, the valve member skirt engages the seal to progressively lift the seal off the valve seat. Conversely, when the stem is dropped, the valve member skirt causes the seal to progressively engage the valve seat, such that the valve does not substantially instantaneously go from a fully seated (or closed) position to a fully unseated (or opened) position (and vice versa).

Not Applicable
Not Applicable.
This invention relates to fuel dispensing nozzles, such as are used at gas stations, and in particular, to a poppet release for such fuel dispensing nozzles.
Fuel dispensing nozzles of the type used in gas stations almost always are provided with an automatic shutoff to prevent overflow of gasoline being dispensed. The automatic shutoff feature is generally responsive to the flow of air through a vent tube in the nozzle. A poppet valve is generally used to push the operating lever of the nozzle from a dispensing position to an off position. It have been found that when the automatic shutoff feature is activated to shut off the flow of fuel through the nozzle, the poppet valve closes with a xe2x80x9cbangxe2x80x9d. It would be desirable to eliminate this xe2x80x9cbangxe2x80x9d and to provide for a smoother closing of the poppet valve.
A fuel dispensing nozzle includes an inlet for the fuel being pumped, a spout for dispensing of the fuel, a poppet valve between the inlet and outlet, and a handle which is operable to move the poppet valve between an opened position in which fuel can flow from the inlet to the and a closed position in which fuel is prevented from flowing from the inlet to the spot. The poppet valve includes a valve member, a valve seat, a valve stem, and a biasing spring. The valve member is sized to sit on the valve seat to close the valve. The valve stem is operatively connected to the handle toraise the valve member off the valve seat when the handle is actuated. The spring biases the valve member to a closed position.
The valve member includes a cap, a flexible seal, and a skirt movable relative to the cap and seal. The valve cap has a flange which the seal is adjacent. The skirt, which is movable axially relative to the cap and seal, has a sloped upper surface which engages the underside of the flexible seal as the valve is opened. The valve seat is substantially even or flat. Thus, as the valve member skirt is lifted, the sloped surface of the valve member causes the seal to be progressively lifted off the valve seat. Preferably, the sloped surface includes a generally centrally located apical section (i.e., along a diameter of the skirt top surface) and sloping surfaces extending from opposite sides of the apical section.
By using a flexible seal and the sloped surface of the skirt, when the valve is opened, one edge of the valve member leaves the seat first, such that the valve is partially opened. As the valve is continued to be opened, it passes through this partially opened state to be fully opened. When the valve is closed, it passes through a partially closed position, in which one edge of the valve member contacts the seat first. Upon further closing, the valve member is in full contact with the seat.

Poppet release for poppet valve of a fuel dispensing nozzle


A magnetic ferrite microwave resonator frequency tunable filter and method for tuning a filter having both a resonator portion and a tuning portion. The resonator portion has an input for receiving an electromagnetic signal and an output for emitting an electromagnetic signal. A tuning portion includes a magnetic ferrite element disposed in first and second magnetic fields generated by a fixed magnet and an electromagnet. The magnetic ferrite element has a magnetic permeability determined by the first and second magnetic fields. The first magnetic field places a ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the ferrite element near a frequency of the electromagnetic signal transmitted by the resonator portion. The second magnetic field is variable in response to a varying current supplied to the electromagnet to change the permeability of the ferrite element, to thereby alter the center frequency of the resonator, thereby facilitating tuning of the electromagnetic signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic ferrite microwave resonator and more particularly to a magnetic ferrite microwave resonator including a magnet to bias a ferrite in the resonator so that the resonator is sensitive to changes in an applied magnetic field to provide tunability.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Microwave resonators are frequently used in narrow band filter applications. These resonator structures can include superconductive materials and have a resonant frequency and quality factor fixed by the geometry of the resonator and the intrinsic microwave impedance of the elements that make up the resonator. Generally, a resonator receives a signal and only allows the portion of the signal at a specific frequency, the resonant frequency, to pass. Different applications of the resonator frequently require that different frequencies be passed. Therefore, some frequency tunability of the resonant frequency is desired.
Tunability may be achieved by providing a ferroelectric material near the resonator and adjusting a voltage applied to the resonator to bias ferroelectrics in the resonator. Some devices currently in use, apply an electric field directly to the ferroelectrics to adjust the permittivity of ferroelectric materials in the vicinity of the resonant structure. Ferroelectric materials, however, have intrinsically broad microwave losses and can severely degrade the performance of high quality resonators.
Efficient filter resonator structures have a high Q value, which is the electrical gain/loss ratio (Q) equal to the resonant frequency (vc) over a change in frequency (xcex94v) as shown in the graph of FIG. 1.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,052, entitled xe2x80x9cTuned Oscillator Utilizing Thin Film Ferromagnetic Resonator,xe2x80x9d by Murakami et al., discloses a resonator including a microstrip structure in which the signal line is formed of YIG, a ferromagnetic material, spaced from a ground plane. Thus, the YIG film actually forms part of the resonator microstrip structure and the center frequency of the resonator equal to the ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the YIG film.
In accordance with the present invention, certain disadvantages of conventional apparatuses are resolved by having an electromagnetic filter comprising a resonator portion with an input for receiving an electromagnetic signal and an output for emitting an electromagnetic signal. A tuning portion is further provided including a magnetic ferrite element coupled to the resonator disposed in first and second magnetic fields generated by a fixed magnet and an electromagnet. Thus the magnetic ferrite element has a magnetic permeability determined by the first and second magnetic fields. Specifically, the first magnetic field places a ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the ferrite element near a frequency of the electromagnetic signal transmitted by the resonator portion. The second magnetic field is variable in response to a varying current supplied to the electromagnet to change the permeability of the ferrite element, to thereby alter the center frequency (Vc) of the resonator, thereby facilitating tuning of the electromagnetic signal.
In another embodiment, a bandpass filter includes a plurality of filters connected in parallel where each filter includes a transmission line for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, and a tuning portion that further includes a ferrite element, a permanent magnet for generating a first magnetic field, and an electromagnet for generating a second magnetic field. The ferrite element is disposed in the first and second magnetic fields such that the first magnetic field places a ferromagnetic resonance frequency of the ferrite element near a frequency of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the transmission line. The second magnetic field is variable in response to a varying current supplied to the electromagnet to change the permeability of the ferrite element so as to modulate the center frequency and facilitate tuning.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for tuning a filter, where the filter includes a ferrite element disposed adjacent a transmission line, an electromagnet, and a permanent magnet. The method includes the steps of generating a magnetic field using the electromagnet, subjecting the ferrite element to the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet, and varying the field generated by the electromagnet to change a magnetic permeability in the ferrite element to modulate the electromagnetic signal carried by the transmission line.

Magnetic ferrite microwave resonator frequency adjuster and tunable filter

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A component set for assembling toy cubes made up of a first member having a square bottom and square side walls extending from the edges of the bottom member in a direction normal thereto and a second member made up of a square lid and side walls extending similarly therefrom, the second member being of similar shape as the first member but dimensioned to fit into the cavity formed by the bottom and side walls. The first and second members are provided with recesses or slots extending from free edges thereof and protrusions to be received by the recesses or slots. When the second member is inserted into the first member the slots or other openings will form openings penetrating the center of each side wall. Some of the bottoms and lids have cylindrical protrusions extending from their center and dimensioned to fit into the openings, and some of the bottom and lids may have apertures similar to those in the side walls.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention, in general, relates to a toy cube set, and, more particularly, to toy cube sets each individual cube of which is made from a plurality of components and which may be combined with similar cubes to form more complex three-dimensional structures.
2. State of the Art.
Toys, sometimes billed as educational toys, made up of a plurality of components which may be assembled into various structures are well-known in the art.


A liquid ejecting head includes: a flow channel unit including a flow-channel-formed substrate that defines liquid flow channels including pressure chambers communicating with nozzle openings and a sealing plate formed with a diaphragm that varies the capacities of the pressure chambers and a liquid introduction hole, the sealing plate being joined to the flow-channel-formed substrate and defining lines of liquid flow channels including pressure chambers; and a head case including a storage chamber that accommodates a pressure generator for displacing the diaphragm and a case flow channel for supplying liquid to the liquid flow channel of the flow channel unit, the diaphragm being arranged at an opening of the storage chamber on the bottom surface side and the flow channel unit being joined to the head case in a state in which the case flow channel and the liquid flow channel are communicated with each other via the liquid introduction hole, and the sealing plate is formed of a composite plate member formed by adhering an electrically conductive supporting substrate which is joined to the head case and an insulative elastic film joined to the flow-channel-formed substrate to each other, the inner diameter of the liquid introduction hole at least on the side of the supporting substrate is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the case flow channel to form a shoulder portion between the case flow channel and the liquid introduction hole, and an insulating material is secured in the shoulder portion.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an liquid ejecting head such as an ink jet recording head and a liquid ejecting apparatus and, more specifically, to a liquid ejecting head including a flow channel unit which defines lines of liquid flow channels extending from a common liquid chamber through pressure chambers to nozzle openings and being capable of discharging liquid from the nozzle openings as liquid drops by driving a pressure generator and a liquid ejecting apparatus having the same.
2. Related Art
Examples of a liquid ejecting head that generates pressure variations in liquid in a pressure chambers to cause the liquid to be discharged from nozzle openings as liquid drops include inkjet recording heads used for image recording apparatuses such as printers, color material ejecting heads used for manufacturing color filters for liquid crystal displays or the like, electrode material ejecting head used for forming electrodes such as Organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display and FEDs (Field Emission Displays), and biomedical organic substance ejecting heads used for manufacturing biochips.
The recording head, which is a sort of liquid ejecting head, includes lines of liquid flow channels extending from a common ink chamber (common liquid chamber/reservoir) through pressure chambers to the nozzles, generates pressure variations in liquid in the pressure chambers by activating a pressure generator such as a piezoelectric vibrator, and causes ink in the pressure chambers to be discharged from the nozzles as ink drops using the pressure variations. Some of the recording heads of the type described above include an actuator unit (vibrator unit) formed by joining a group of piezoelectric vibrators on a fixed plate and a flow channel unit formed with the ink channels fixed to a head case.
The flow channel unit includes, for example, a nozzle plate of a metal plate type formed with a plurality of nozzle openings in line, a flow-channel-formed substrate formed with flow channel bodies which serve as ink flow channels such as pressure chambers and a sealing plate (vibrating plate) that seals the openings of the flow channel bodies on the flow-channel-formed substrate, and is manufactured by integrally laminating these members. The sealing plate is formed of composite plate material, which is manufactured by laminating a resin elastic film on a metallic supporting panel such as stainless steel and removing part of the supporting plate, and is adapted to be joined to the flow-channel-formed substrate on the side of the surface with the elastic film. A diaphragm which changes the capacities of the pressure chambers is provided on the sealing plate at a portion corresponding to the pressure chambers. The diaphragm is manufactured by removing the supporting panel around and except for island portions where the distal end surfaces of the piezoelectric vibrators are joined to by etching or the like and keeping only the elastic film remained. A portion of the sealing panel corresponding to the common ink chamber is formed with ink introducing holes (liquid introducing holes) for introducing ink from a case flow channel in the head case into the common ink chamber as a part of the ink flow channels so as to penetrate through the supporting plate and the elastic film.
The head case is a member formed into a hollow block shape with, for example, synthetic resin. The head case is formed with a storage chamber which is able to accommodate an actuator unit. The storage chamber is formed so as to extend from the bottom surface of the head case, which corresponds to a surface to which the flow channel unit is joined, continuously to the upper surface opposite from the bottom surface. In other words, the storage chamber is formed as a through opening which penetrates through the head case in the direction of the height. Provided in the interior of the head case is the case flow channel penetrated through the direction of the height thereof. The upper end of the case flow channel communicates with the ink introduction channel of an introduction needle unit provided with an ink introduction needle, and the lower end of the case flow channel communicates with the ink flow channel in the flow channel unit through the ink introduction hole on the sealing plate. Therefore, the ink introduced from the ink introduction needle is supplied to the ink flow channel through the case flow channel and the ink introduction hole.
The flow channel unit is joined to the bottom surface of the head case configured as described above. More specifically, the diaphragm of the sealing plate is arranged in the opening of the storage chamber on the side of the bottom surface and the sealing plate is joined to the bottom surface of the head case by bonding or the like in a state in which the case flow channel and the ink flow channels are communicated with each other in a liquid-tight manner via the ink introducing hole, so that the flow channel unit is fixed to the head case. The actuator unit is inserted from the opening of the storage chamber on the side of the upper surface in a posture in which free ends of the piezoelectric vibrators are positioned on the distal side, and is stored in the storage chamber in a state in which the distal ends of the free ends abut against the surfaces of the island portions. Then, the distal ends of the free ends of the piezoelectric vibrators are joined to the island portions, and the fixed plate (fixed substrate) is bonded to the inner wall surface of the storage chamber so that the actuator unit is fixed in the storage chamber. JP-A-2000-006397 is an example of related art.
In the configuration described above, since the island portions of the diaphragm are electrically independent from the rest of the supporting plate, normally, there is no possibility that an electrical current flows from the island portions to the rest even when drive signals are applied to the piezoelectric vibrators. However, since the diaphragm is exposed into the storage chamber through the opening on the bottom surface of the head case, there is a case in which foreign substances such as machining chips enter into the storage chamber during the recording head assembly process, and drop onto the diaphragm. When the substances are metal or the like having electric conductivity, short-circuit between the diaphragm (that is, the island portions) and the rest of the supporting plate may occur. When such short circuit occurs, the entire supporting plate has the same potential as individual electrodes formed on the distal end surface of the piezoelectric vibrator (positive potential). On the other hand, the nozzle plate arranged on the opposite side of the supporting plate with the intermediary of the flow-channel-formed substrate is adjusted to a ground potential for preventing electrostatic charge. Accordingly, the inner peripheral surface of an ink introducing hole which is a portion of the supporting plate coming into contact with ink and the periphery of the nozzle opening of the nozzle plate serve as if they are electrodes, and hence the ink therebetween may be electrolyzed. When such electrolysis proceeds, the components in ink such as pigment is precipitated around the ink introducing hole and sludge may clog the flow channels or the nozzle openings and cause defective discharge.

Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus


A method for providing blood flow across a surface of a mitral stent-valve frame. A portion of the stent-valve frame is placed into the left atrium and into the left ventricle with a securement band located intermediate that is attached to either the annulus or to a second support frame that is placed initially and above the mitral annulus without affecting native leaflet function. Portions of the frame above the securement band allow blood flow radially inwards to reduce stagnation regions in the atrium or outwards below the securement band to help cleanse native leaflets.

Valves of the heart including the aortic valve, mitral valve, and tricuspid valve can become hardened from atherosclerotic plaque and calcium and no longer function normally. Alternately these valve can prolapse and allow blood to pass through the valve in a retrograde manner that is opposite to the normal direction of flow through the valve. Such regurgitant flow can require repair or replacement of the valve. Surgical repair or replacement of such valve is often the gold standard at present for those patients able to withstand the rigors of surgery. An alternate and less invasive approach would be desirable via access to the valve from the femoral vasculature, vasculature of the arms, the apex of the heart, aortic access, or via other less invasive sites.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has evolved to become an accepted less invasive procedure for replacing diseased or incompetent aortic valves in high risk patients. Such less invasive surgical procedures are not as well developed for replacing abnormally functioning mitral valves.
Often the regurgitant mitral valve is a result of excessive expansion of the left ventricle (LV) leading to abnormal tension and angulation imposed on the mitral valve leaflet. The mitral valve leaflet is often unable to coapt properly with its neighboring leaflet and will therein allow retrograde blood flow to occur through the valve. The mitral valve annulus is more elastic, in part, than the aortic annulus and can expand in diameter reducing the ability of the mitral valve leaflets to coapt properly; one should not expand a stent into the mitral annulus to push it further outwards as is done with TAVR procedures onto the aortic valve annulus.
The mitral anatomy also provides that the anterior mitral leaflet not only helps close the mitral annulus during systole, but also provides one surface of the left ventricular outflow track (LVOT) during systolic pumping of blood out of the LV. It is therefore not acceptable to expand a stent indiscriminately outwards as is done in TAVR due to the potential for blockage of the LVOT by the anterior mitral valve leaflet.
The use of barbs or other fixation members to hold the TMVR device securely to the native mitral apparatus can create a set of potential clinical issues that are problematic to the patient. Expansion of barbs prior to full apposition of the TMVR stent against the mitral annulus, for example, can obviate the ability of the barbs to position themselves and the stent-valve frame uniformly around the perimeter of the mitral annulus. Furthermore, activation of barbs via a standard dilation balloon can block blood flow through the mitral annulus during balloon inflation causing the patient to temporarily go without oxygen supply to the brain with its ensuing consequences. Additionally, inflation of a standard balloon can cause the positioning of the stent-valve to become instantaneously displaced and hence inappropriately located across the mitral annulus due to blood pressure and blood flow generated by the LV.
The delivery profile of TMVR devices is generally greater than those for TAVR due to the larger diameter of the mitral annulus in comparison to the aortic annulus. This profile limitation has forced many of the TMVR devices to be delivered via the apex of the heart rather than through a more favorable transvascular and transseptal delivery approach. The apical approach is not well suited to patients that are older in age or are of higher risk. What is needed is a TMVR device that is of a lower profile such that it can be delivered via a transvascular and transseptal approach. The device should be easily positioned across the mitral annulus and secured to the native mitral apparatus without chance for device migration. The TMVR device should eliminate regions for blood stagnation that can lead to thromboemboli that could potentially result in stroke and should not restrict blood flow out of the LVOT.
Due to the potential for the replacement leaflets or frame of a TMVR device impeding blood flow through the LVOT, or impingement of the TMVR frame onto the native leaflets causing them to impede blood flow through the LVOT an advantage exists for locating the TMVR device in part in the LD and in part in the LV, or totally within the left atrium (LA). When locating a portion the TMVR above (i.e., toward the LA) the mitral annulus care must be taken to ensure that blood flow from the LA cannot form regions of stagnation that can lead to the formation of thromboemboli which can embolize to the brain and can lead to stroke. Locating other replacement valves of the heart at locations that are more upstream of the valve annulus can also provide benefits that are provided by the present invention. An advantage exists for positioning at least a portion of the stent-valve frame upstream of the native heart valve annulus; such positioning can reduce the stent-valve frame portion of the that is downstream of the annulus from impingement upon the LVOT or pushing the native valve leaflets into the LVOT. Locating the TMVR device substantially within the LA without having an extension of several millimeters of the stent-valve frame into the LV can also present negative sequellae. Without the stent-valve frame extending into the LV, the native leaflets can overhang into the replacement stent-valve and can interfere with stent-valve function. Stent-valves that are placed across the mitral annulus should reduce regions of blood stagnation that can occur upstream of the native annulus and downstream of the native annulus. What is needed is a stent-valve that does not cause impingement onto the LVOT and does not allow the native leaflets to interfere with the function of the replacement leaflets. Blood stagnation should be eliminated in the LA and in the LV such that thrombus formation and release of thromboemboli have been prevented.

Straddle mitral valve device and methods


The invention proposes a copper-based material with low thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity having good machinability and adaptability to nickel plating and also proposes a method for producing the same. The copper-based material is prepared through the steps of: adding 5 to 60% of iron-based alloy power having a certain value in thermal expansion coefficient into a matrix powder of pure copper phase powder and/or a precipitation hardening copper alloy powder; mixing the powders together; compacting the obtained powder mixture into a green compact and sintering it at temperatures of 400 to 600° C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a copper based material of low thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity that is suitable for producing, e.g., a heat sink, in which low thermal expansion coefficient that is comparable to the properties of silicon chips and ceramic boards, and efficient heat releasing property are required. The invention also relates to a method for producing the same.
2. Prior Art
Concerning a material for producing, for instance, a heat sink; a low thermal expansion coefficient and a high heat releasing property are required. As such a material, a copper-molybdenum-based alloy or a copper-tungsten-based alloy is generally used. These materials are employed in order to utilize both the high thermal conductivity of copper and the low thermal expansion coefficient of molybdenum or tungsten. For instance, it is disclosed in Patent Gazette: JPA No. S62-284032 (1987) that a material containing the dispersion of molybdenum phase in copper matrix can be obtained by compacting a mixed powder of copper and molybdenum under pressure and subjecting the obtained green compact to sintering at a temperature to generate the liquid phase of copper. In Patent Gazette: JPA No. S59-21032 (1984), materials containing copper dispersion in molybdenum skeleton or tungsten skeleton are disclosed that is produced by forming the skeletal structure through sintering molybdenum powder or tungsten powder at high temperatures and it is then subjected to copper infiltration.
Related Arts
[Patent Gazette 1] JPA No. S62-284032 (1987) and
[Patent Gazette 2] JPA No. S59-21032 (1984)

Method for producing copper-based material with low thermal expansion and high heat conductivity


A method of preparing a coated substrate is disclosed. The substrate is coated with a plasma generated polymer containing Si, Or C and H in specific atom ratio wherein the polymer also contains certain functional groups, A power density of about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.8 J/Kg is employed in the plasma polymerization process.

This invention relates to a method for producing transparent protective coatings on a substrate employing monomeric organosilicone compounds and oxygen using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) techniques.
Technology for improving the abrasion resistance of various surfaces, e.g., plastics, metals, etc. employing polymeric silicone compounds as a protective layer has been known for some time. Various PECVD processes have been developed but they all suffer from one or more defects. Some of the defects include cracking of the silicone compound coatings, delamination from the substrate surface and slightly colored coatings. Some of the coating techniques are also uneconomical, and some processes require that toxic materials be used. The resulting protective coatings are also sometimes not very abrasion resistant.
To overcome some of the defects, such as cracking, some PECVD organosilicone processes have been developed which require multiple steps thus driving up the cost of applying the coating (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,704) .
The present invention overcomes many of these problems to provide an adherent, very hard, non-cracking coating using a simple process scheme, requiring fewer steps. A thin plastic film substrate can be coated employing the principles of the invention, folded and creased without any substantial cracking of the coating.

Method of providing an abrasion resistant coating


In a method and system for storing information within a set of a cache memory, the set has multiple locations. The information is stored at a selected one of the locations. The selected location satisfies one of the following conditions (a), (b) and (c): (a) the selected location is invalid; (b) each of the locations is valid, and the selected location is unmodified; (c) each of the locations is valid and modified, and the selected location is least recently used among the locations.

A system for processing information can include a system memory. Moreover, one or more devices of the system can include a cache memory. A cache memory is a relatively small high-speed memory that stores a copy of information from one or more portions of the system memory. Normally, the cache memory is physically distinct from the system memory, and each device manages the state of its respective cache memory.
A device can copy information from a portion of the system memory into the device's cache memory. The device can modify information in its cache memory. Further, the device can copy modified information from its cache memory back to a portion of the system memory.
According to one technique, the cache memory is logically arranged into multiple sets. Normally, the cache memory is smaller than the system memory, and a limit is imposed on the maximum amount of information physically stored in a set at any single moment. If a set is storing the maximum amount of information, then at least some information in the set is replaced when different information is copied from the system memory into the set.
In a coherent memory system, all devices operate in response to the most recent version of information for the system memory. Such coherency allows synchronization, cooperative use of shared resources, and task migration among the devices. Accordingly, if replaced information is modified relative to an original version of the information stored within the system memory at the same physical address, the device (that includes the cache memory) updates the system memory by copying the modified information from the cache memory to the same physical address within the system memory.
With previous techniques, a device's cache memory operates inefficiently in certain situations where information is replaced in the cache memory. For example, with previous techniques, there is a high likelihood in certain situations that replaced information (1) will be modified relative to an original version of the information stored within the system memory and therefore will be copied from the cache memory to the system memory and (2) subsequently will be requested by the device and therefore will be copied again from the system memory into the cache memory. By repeatedly copying information back-and-forth between the cache memory and system memory in this manner, traffic is added through the system bus, and overall performance of the system is degraded.
Thus, a need has arisen for a method and system for storing information in a cache memory, in which the cache memory operates more efficiently relative to previous techniques.

System and method for cache replacement within a cache set based on valid, modified or least recently used status in order of preference

International Business Machines Corporation


A solid state lamp with efficient heat sink arrangement. To provide adequate cooling utilizing a defined form factor, such as that of the A-lamp incandescent bulb, the interior volume is used more efficiently. As one example, a solid state lamp employs a heat sink with inward facing fins. Solid state light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), are mounted on the exterior of the heat sink. An air path for convective flow is established through the center of the lamp.

1. Technical Field
The invention is generally related to the field of lighting and more particularly to an improved solid state lamp which according to one aspect is adapted to be installed in a standard incandescent or fluorescent lamp socket, such as an Edison or GU-24 socket, for example.
2. Background of the Related Art
One of the largest categories of incandescent lamps in use today is the "A" lamp or Edison lamp widely employed in the United States. FIG. 1 shows an example of an A lamp incandescent bulb 100, a Philips 75 watt (W) 120 volt (V) A 19 medium screw (E26) base frosted incandescent, having part number PL234153. Bulb 100 has a screw base 102 for screwing into a 120V lighting fixture and sealed glass bulb 104. Bulb 100 also has a nominal height, h, of 4.1 inches and a nominal width, w, of 2.4 inches. The upper portion of bulb 100 is a hemisphere and the lower portion necks down to the screw base 100. In Europe and elsewhere other standard incandescent bulb mounting arrangements are employed. All such incandescent lamps are among the least energy efficient designs in use. The exemplary Philips bulb provides 1100 lumens using 75 watts of energy or 14.67 lumens/watt. As a result, many jurisdictions are mandating the phase out of such bulbs, and many consumers are beginning to phase out their use on their own.
Compact fluorescent lamps have been developed as retrofit replacements for the standard incandescent socket. While more efficient, these fluorescent lamps present their own issues, such as environmental concerns related to the mercury employed therein, and in some cases questions of reliability and lifetime.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a compact fluorescent bulb 200 employing a GU-24 lamp base 202. GU describes the pin shape and 24 the spacing of the pins which is 24 mm. Pins 204 and 206 in base 202 are inserted into a socket such as socket 210 of FIG. 2 and then twisted to lock bulb 200 in place. Power is connected to base 210 by electrical wiring 214.
A number of light emitting diode (LED) based A lamp replacement products have been introduced to the market. FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a Topco Technologies Corp. LED lamp 300 having a lamp housing 310 comprising screw in plug 302, first cap 304, second cap 306, and lampshade 308. Lamp 300 also includes LED light source 320, heat sink 330, and control circuit 340. In another embodiment, a cooling fan is employed. Further details of lamp 300 are found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0046473A1 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such products typically utilize some sort of upper hemisphere shaped body for emitting light at the top of the lamp. A lower or bottom portion of the lamp, the portion which transitions to the neck and screw base, is utilized for they mal management and to enclose the power supply.

Compact heat sinks and solid state lamp incorporating same


A device for operating an automated machine for handling, assembling or machining workpieces, comprising: a display apparatus having a screen for displaying a graphic user interface for controlling and/or monitoring machine functions of the machine, an operating apparatus for inputting command-triggering operator actions for controlling functions of the machine and controlling functions of the graphic user interface, and a controller for implementing input command-triggering operator actions into control commands for controlling functions of the machine and/or functions of the graphic user interface. The operating apparatus comprises an apparatus for inputting manual operator actions and an apparatus for inputting contact-free operator actions. The apparatus for inputting contact-free operator actions includes: a sensor system for detecting contact-free actions of the operator and a detecting unit for picking up a command-triggering operating action of the operator by means of the contact-free operator actions detected by the sensor system.

In machine operation or machine control of machines for handling, assembling or machining workpieces known in the prior art, such as numerically controlled machine tools, by using known operating devices an operation by means of purely manual operating actions is provided which are carried out at an operator station of the machine. Here, manually operable operating elements are used, such as alpha-numerical keyboards, further input keys for machine-specific operations, control dials, soft keys, computer mice etc. to communicate instructions to the machine controller.
The feedback of the manual operating actions is output substantially via a graphic user interface on a screen at the operator station, but optionally also via signal lights. Operating actions may be provided for manifold control or monitoring functions of the machine and range from parameter changes to the displacement of the machine axes and switching of machine functions.
Regarding the manual control of numerically controlled automated machines for handling, assembling or machining workpieces by means of an operator station, for example, the SINUMERIK control for CNC machines of the company Siemens is known in the prior art, which provides a software including a graphic user interface that makes it possible to set up operator stations at automated machine for handling, assembling or machining workpieces, for controlling machine functions of the machine and for controlling functions of the graphic user interface by an operator.
In the prior art, operating actions of the operator are performed as follows: the machine operator has an idea of what he or she would like to communicate to the machine controller within the frame of the control or operating function provided by the controller or operating device or what the machine or individual axes and actuators are to do. For example, the operator would like to view certain screen masks of the graphic user interface or he or she would like to command a machining tool, an assembling device, a gripper or the like to move relative to the workpiece. In this course, the operating action is communicated by the operator directly and manually by operating particular operating elements or a sequence of operating elements on a corresponding operating field.
The operating speed depends on how ergonomically the respective operating field has been designed and how adeptly the operator handles it. The switching between various screen masks of the graphic user interface is mostly performed by using so-called soft keys, that is, keys next to the screen, the function of which may change depending on the respective mask, the respective function being shown on the screen directly next to the key.
Before pressing a key of the operating field, the operator will always have to look first where the key to be operated is and whether he or she presses the correct key. In this case, the operation of a control operating field cannot be carried out intuitively and particularly cannot be performed without eye contact with the operating elements.
Furthermore, the problem arises that the operator can only carry out operating actions directly and manually at the operator station of the machine itself. When moving closer to the machine, e.g. for looking into the machining space in the machine, in case of maintenance work in the machining space of the machine or at components of the machine at a distance from the operator station, it is not possible for the operator to carry out operating actions. Even the possibility to be able to trigger an immediate emergency stop at the machine, which is required due to aspects of safety, in occurring dangerous situations where there is danger to man and/or machine, is only possible by directly and manually activating emergency stop switches of the machine. If the operator is not near an emergency stop switch when such situation occurs, the operator will lose valuable time because he or she will have to reach an emergency stop switch first before the required emergency stop can be triggered.

Device for operating an automated machine for handling, assembling or machining workpieces


Systems and methods for multi-level optimization of emission levels and efficiency for a boiler system that includes creating both boiler-level models and burner-level models and receiving a plurality of boiler-level system variables. The received system variables are used along with boiler system constraints to optimize boiler-level setpoints. Once the boiler-level setpoints have been optimized they are sent to the burner level of a hierarchical control system, where they are used to optimize burner-level setpoints. Once the burner-level setpoints have been optimized they are sent to the burner control loops of the plant control system to be implemented.

The present disclosure relates generally to process modeling, optimization, and control systems, and more particularly to methods and systems for performing model-based asset optimization, decision-making, and control for fossil-fuel fired boiler systems.
Fossil-fuel fired boiler systems have been utilized for generating electricity. One type of fossil-fuel fired boiler system combusts an air/coal mixture to generate heat energy that increases temperature of water to produce steam. The steam is utilized to drive a turbine generator that outputs electrical power. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a by-product of combusting the air/coal mixture (or any air/hydrocarbon based fuel such as a methane mixture) especially when the air to coal (fuel) ratio, also known as the air to fuel (A/F) ratio, is low. At the same time, due to the spatial variance in combustion, CO levels at particular locations in the boiler system can be greater than a predetermined CO level while other locations have CO levels less than the predetermined CO level. The variance of CO levels in the boiler system can result in increased CO emissions at an exit plane (e.g., output section) of the boiler system and ultimately at the exhaust of the boiler system through the smokestack. At the same time, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and other by-products of combustion need to be maintained below a predetermined level. Reducing the variance of CO levels at the exit plane of the boiler also allows for lower levels of excess oxygen (O2), NOx, and CO at the stack, thereby increasing efficiency. Typically, the average CO level at the exit plane of the boiler is highly correlated with the variance in CO at the same plane. Therefore, reducing the average planar CO has a similar intended effect as is achieved by reducing the planar CO variance. As the air to fuel ratio increases, CO decreases while NOx emissions increase. Additionally, as the quantity of intake air increases, the boiler requires more fuel to combust the larger quantity of air because the fans have to drive a larger quantity of air. As a result, the efficiency of the boiler decreases.
Current combustion optimization strategies utilize a zonal control of boilers to reduce variance of CO at the exit plane of the boiler and to allow for individualized control of burner air to fuel (A/F) ratios. Such boiler control solutions use first-principles-based modeling along with data-driven models. Data driven techniques derive relationships or transfer functions from previously gathered systems input-output data. First principles models are based on a mathematical representation of the underlying natural physical principles governing a system's input-output relationships. These models compute and adjust burner level air-flows (Primary Air and Compartment Air) and coal flows to reduce stack CO emissions using transfer functions based partially on the use of Influence Factor (IF) maps. An IF map is illustrative of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology based transfer function representing the effect of individual burner airflows and fuel flows at different locations in the boiler system (e.g., at an exit plane of the boiler). CFD is a first-principle based analysis technique that predicts fluid flow behavior in terms of transfer of heat, mass (such as in perspiration or dissolution), phase change (such as in freezing or boiling), chemical reaction (such as combustion), mechanical movement (such as an impeller turning), and stress or deformation of related solid structures (such as a mast bending in the wind). The information provided by the IF maps assist in controlling and minimizing the spatial average and variance of CO at the exit plane of a boiler by adjusting a particular burner's A/F ratio in such a way that provides an expected effect on a CO sensor reading located at the exit plane in the boiler system. Such a solution is presented in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/290,754 entitled "System, Method, And Article Of Manufacture For Adjusting CO Emission Levels At Predetermined Locations In A Boiler System," which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if set forth fully herein.
This method requires the creation of multiple CFD-IF maps corresponding to each unique plant operational condition. For example, a CFD-IF map corresponding to when all mills or compartments supplying coal to their respective group of burners are operational may not represent accurately a situation when one of the mills (in other words a group of burners getting coal supply from single pulverizer) may be turned off and is not operational. As a result, these CO grid mean-variance optimization algorithms have to rely on multiple IF maps for different operating conditions of a given boiler system. While such multiple CFD-IF maps can be generated, a drawback is the effort required for the generation and fine-tuning of the individual elements of each map to suit a specific boiler condition since the dimensionality of these maps is quite a challenge for standard adaptation techniques such as Kalman filter. Consequently, it has been suggested that it might be easier to fit a hyper-plane through a generic IF map and then adapt the slope and curvature of such a hyper-plane to reduce the dimensionality for adaptation. An alternative is to adapt a weighted average of multiple IF maps representing different boiler conditions such as baseload, partload, mills out of service, etc. However, simplifying the adaptation technique often results in the reduced accuracy of the adapted map in representing the condition that it's being adapted for, and hence adversely affects the optimization accuracy as well. Another drawback of the current CO grid mean-variance optimization strategy is that it does not explicitly consider higher-level boiler performance criteria such as the amount of NOx produced and the Heat Rate at a plant-level. NOx production and Heat Rate are typically mutually competing goals, i.e., a lower NOx level usually leads to a higher Heat Rate (which is coupled to lower efficiency), and vice-versa.
What is needed is an approach that addresses the above-mentioned drawbacks, thereby achieving an optimization of coal-fired boilers at both the boiler/mill level and at the burner level addressing both higher level objectives such as NOx emissions and heat rate and lower level objectives such as spatial CO variance along with stack CO reduction.

Systems and methods for multi-level optimizing control systems for boilers


A turbine rotor is provided with a torque transfer mechanism equipped between a pair of adjacent rotor discs among a plurality of rotor discs so as to transfer a torque from one rotor disc to another rotor disc. The torque transfer mechanism is provided with a first groove having a semi-circle in cross section formed on a first contact face of one rotor disc, and a second groove having a semi-circle cross section formed on a second contact face of another rotor disc, and a torque pin inserted into cylindrical holes formed by combining the first grooves and the second grooves. The flange of the torque pin has long sides and short sides, and the length of the short sides is shorter than the width of an binary flange receiving plane formed by a pair of outer circumference planes of adjacent two rotor disc along the circumferential direction, and the long side of the flange has a longer length than the width of the binary flange receiving plane. A pair of flange receiving recessed portions is provided for receiving the end portions of the long sides of the flange on both side walls of the binary flange receiving plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to turbine rotors of turbines for industrial applications and a gas turbine having the turbine rotors.
2. Description of Related Art
The present invention is applied to turbines for industrial applications including a gas turbine and a steam turbine. Hereinafter, a description will be given of an example in which the turbine rotor of the present invention is applied to the gas turbine.
First, FIG. 7 shows a general structure of the gas turbine. In the gas turbine, air is compressed by a compressor 101, the thus compressed air is introduced into a combustor 102, a fuel is fed into the combustor 102 to generate a combustion gas, and the thus generated combustion gas is introduced into a turbine 103 to rotate the turbine for obtaining electricity from a generator 104.
In general, a turbine rotor is connected with a compressor rotor through an intermediate shaft for connecting both axes, such that they are driven coaxially trough the coaxial axis and driven coaxially.
The compressor rotor and the turbine rotor are both an assembly of rotor discs constituted by stacking disc-like rotor discs inline with an axial line direction of the rotor and fixing them by a bolt. That is, in the compressor rotor, respective blades of the disc-like rotor discs are mounted in a radial direction on the outer circumference and stacked in the axial direction of the rotor, and each of the rotor discs is integrally fixed by a spindle bolt that penetrates through the axial direction of the rotor. This structure is also the same as that in the turbine rotor. The structure is found not only in a rotor for the gas turbine but also in a rotor for the steam turbine.
As shown in FIG. 8, annular projected portions 52 arranged in a concentric manner with a rotor disc 50 are formed at a flat-plate like side-face portion 51 of the rotor disc 50. The projected portion 52 is approximately rectangular in the cross section, and the annular projected portion 52 is projected in parallel to the center axis of a rotor shaft. Further, the projected portion 52 is constituted with a central side face 53 facing the rotor shaft, an outer circumference side face 54 facing the outer circumference of the rotor disc 50 and a top face 55 that is in contact with an adjacent rotor disc (not illustrated). When a plurality of rotor discs 50 are stacked, with the centers thereof in alignment with each other, the top face 55 of the projected portion 52 is in contact with the top face of the projected portion of an adjacent rotor disc. Then, a spindle bolt (not illustrated) is inserted into a bolt hole 60a drilled in the rotor disc 50 to fasten a plurality of the rotor discs 50 integrally, by which the top faces of the projected portions are in press contact with each other by a fastening force of the spindle bolt.
Further, a plurality of grooves 33, the cross section of which is semi-circular, are formed on the top face 55 of the projected portion 52 at which the respective rotor discs 50 are in press contact with each other. At the time of assembling a turbine rotor and when one rotor discs is in contact with the adjacent rotor disc, the center of the groove 33 formed on the top face 55 in the radial direction of the projected portion 52 of one rotor disc 50 is aligned with the center of the other groove 33 formed on the top face 55 of the projected portion 52 of the other adjacent rotor disc 50, a cylindrical hole 35 penetrating through the top face 55 is formed in the radial direction by two projected portions 52 of a pair of top faces 55 which is in press contact with each other.
When the turbine rotor is assembled, a columnar torque pin 40 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 35. The torque pin 40 has functions to prevent adjacent rotor discs 50 from being disengaged in the rotational direction and the torque pin has a role to transfer a rotational torque from one rotor disc 50 to another adjacent rotor disc 50.
The torque pin 40 is provided with a cylindrical main body 41 and flanges 42, 43 attached on both ends of the main body 41 and the diameter of the torque pin 40 is greater than that of the main body 41. The flange 42 is arranged at the center of the rotor disc 50 to prevent the torque pin 40 from coming off in the radial direction due to centrifugal forces during operation. The flange 43 which is arranged on the outer circumference of the rotor disc 50, is to prevent the torque pin 40 from dropping down due to its own weight when the operation of the rotor is terminated.
Further, when an additional torque is applied to the turbine rotor 1 from one end thereof, the rotor blade assembly absorbs the torque corresponding to the additional load. In a case that the load is a generator, a torque which is several times higher than a rated load, is applied, and since a load (for example, a generator) is connected to the other end of the turbine rotor 1, the load must be absorbed by friction of top faces 55 of the rotor disc 50 and the torque pin 40.
It is necessary that all the torque pins 40 are fitted into the cylindrical holes 35 leaving no space. Therefore, after a plurality of rotor discs 50 are stacked and fastened by the spindle bolt 60 to fix the rotor discs 50 integrally, it is necessary to form a plurality of cylindrical holes 35 for connecting rotor discs for stabilization of respective rotor discs. Each cylindrical hole is formed extending two top face of the two top faces of a pair of projected portions 52 of a pair of adjacent rotor discs, the top faces 55 of the pair of adjacent rotor discs are in press contact with each other. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2001-3702 has disclosed in a specific manner an example of the above-described rotor disc.
However, in order to insert the torque pins 40 into the cylindrical holes 35 after formation of the cylindrical holes 35, it is necessary to disassemble a rotor which has been once assembled. In other words, the rotor is disassembled to separate adjacent rotor discs 50, to thereby the torque pins 40 are inserted into the grooves 33. Thereafter, the rotor discs 50 are again assembled and fastened by the spindle bolt 60, in order to integrate the rotor discs 50 into a single unit. As described above, the turbine rotor has to be disassembled and has to be reassembled, thus the assembly operation was complicated.
According to the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,079, as shown in FIG. 9, after a plurality of rotor discs are stacked and fastened into a single unit, circular holes 81 are formed between two projected portions of a rotor disc on which top faces 55 are pressed against each other. Thereafter, torque pins 70 can be inserted from the outside of the assembled rotor disc into cylindrical holes formed between two projected portions of the rotor disc, thereby it becomes possible to simplify the assembly of the turbine rotor by omitting one step of the assembly operation.
Specifically, circular holes 81 are formed at both projected portions of the rotor disc 50 on which the top faces 55 are pressed against each other, and the torque pins 70 are attached into the circular holes 81. A cam 72 attached to a main body 71 of the torque pin 70 is rocked at the center of a pivot pin 73 by pressing a dump bolt 74 and fitted into a groove 82 disposed on the circular hole 81 drilled on the rotor disc side. As a result, the rotor disc 50 and the torque pin 70 are kept engaged via the cam 72 and will not fall out even if a centrifugal force acts on the torque pin 70.
However, it is difficult to carry out machining operation for the above-described complicated structure. For example, It is necessary to drill a circular hole through an assembled structure, in which a plurality of the rotor discs 50 are fixed integrally and thereafter, to form the groove 82 in the small inner wall face inside the circular hole 81. It is quite difficult and also time-consuming to form the groove as described above. Further, in a structure in which the cam 72 rotates around the center of the pivot pin 73, the cam is likely to be heated and stacked by a high temperature atmosphere and may become made unworkable within a short time. It is, therefore, not always possible to guarantee the reliable operation.
An object of the present invention is to provide turbine rotors and a turbine in which the two-time assembly work of the turbine rotors can be avoided to greatly reduce the number of man-hours necessary for assembly. Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure which reduces the number of components and the number of steps in processing, and the number of man-hours necessary for assembly of turbine rotors, as well as to be capable of securing the operation, as compared with the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,079.

Turbine rotor and turbine having the same


A humidifier for a wooden stringed instrument. The humidifier comprises a stiff, vapor-permeable tubular member having a cap attached to one end thereof. The humidifier is supported in a hole in the side wall of the stringed instrument, the stiffness of the tubular member allows the humidifier to be cantilevered within the sound box so that the tubular member does not contact the interior of the sound box. In a preferred embodiment, the humidifier is mounted in a hole extending through the string anchor insert of the instrument.

Musicians who play wooden stringed instruments have long realized the need to maintain a sufficiently moist atmosphere within the sound box both while the instrument is stored in its case and while the instrument is being played. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,407,700--Hollander and 3,721,152--Von Meyer both relate to humidifiers that can be placed in the sound box of a wooden stringed instrument either when it is stored in its case or when it is being played. The Hollander patent discloses a humidifier, in the form of a flexible tubular snake having a water absorbent core, that is placed into the interior of a violin sound box. The humidifier is fed through the f-hole of the violin and a button, having a diameter that is greater than the width of the f-hole, at the end of the humidifier is intended to prevent the humidifier from falling completely into the interior of the violin sound box. The tubular snake is perforated along its length to allow the moisture to evaporate into the interior of the violin sound box. One disadvantage of the humidifier of Hollander is that since it is long, flexible, and limp, the violinist can not hold it at one end and feed it through the f-hole in one continuous motion but rather the violinist must feed it through the f-hole a few inches at a time. Also, when the humidifier is fully inserted into the interior of the sound box, a portion of the flexible humidifier contacts the interior surface of the sound box which blocks some of the moisture evaporation apertures and may excessively wet the contacted interior areas. Another disadvantage is that the retaining button of the humidifier is visible when the instrument is played. This humidifier tends to be loose and rattles during use of violin and tends to work free and out of the f-hole.
The Von Meyer patent discloses a humidifier that is inserted through the sound hole of a guitar and is held in position by a clip that attaches to the top surface of the guitar at the sound hole. The humidifier of Von Meyer is dimensionally limited to one that can fit through a hole in the top plate of the instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,793--Blackshear et al discloses a humidifier that extends into the interior of the sound box of a guitar during storage and which seals the sound hole. U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,051--Laskin discloses a humidifier that is supported by the strings of a wooden instrument during storage. Laskin also discloses a humidifier that uses a water impermeable container wall but with vapor permeable material. U.S. Pat. No. 2,974,556--Fawick discloses an adjustable end-rest foot assembly that is partially retractable into the interior of a violoncello or a bass viol. U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,782--O'Brien discloses an electrical connector for an electric guitar or violin wherein the connector also can serve as the string button of a guitar or the end button of a violin.
It is an object of this invention to provide a humidifier for a wooden, string instrument that can be inserted into the sound box of the instrument in one simple motion.
Another object of this invention is to provide a humidifier that can be located within the sound box of a wooden stringed instrument but has a dimension that is longer than the dimension of any natural opening of the instrument yet does not contact the interior surface of the sound box when installed.
And yet another object of this invention is to provide a humidifier for a wooden, stringed instrument that is supported through a hole in the side wall of the sound box of the instrument.

Humidifier for wooden musical instruments


A platinum/black phosphorus-carbon sphere methanol fuel cell anode catalyst and preparation method thereof including the following steps: (1) dispersing a black phosphorus solid in an organic solvent to obtain a single or a few layers of black phosphorus dispersion with set concentration; (2) mixing the dispersion with glucose and stirring until dissolved; (3) performing a hydrothermal reaction on the solution to obtain an aqueous solution of the composite material containing a carbon core black phosphorus shell structure; (4) uniformly mixing the aqueous solution with an ethylene glycol solution of sodium chloroplatinate, adjusting the pH, then reducing the platinum on the surface by using a microwave irradiation heating method; and (5) filtering, washing and drying the obtained composite material to obtain a platinum/black phosphorus-carbon sphere composite material. The composite material is applied to a direct methanol fuel cell anode catalyst, the catalytic and stability performance of which are greatly improved.

With the development of science and technology and the improvement of human living standards, the consumption of fossil fuels is increasing day by day, and the damage to the ecological environment is caused, therefore it is urgent to search for renewable alternative energy sources to relieve the environmental pressure. A direct methanol fuel cell provides a new idea for solving the environmental problem due to the high energy density, environmental friendliness, convenience for carrying and storage and the like. The direct methanol fuel cell has a broad application prospect in the fields of mobile power sources, portable electronic products and the like. However, the low activity, poor stability and other shortcomings of an anode catalyst hinder the large-scale commercial application. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find a high-performance direct methanol anode catalyst.
Black phosphorus, also known as phosphorene, has an orthogonal structure and is a phosphorus allotrope with the least reactivity of phosphorus. The layered black phosphorus is thermodynamically stable at the room temperature, and its phonons, photons and electrons exhibit high anisotropy, thereby having a great potential application value in electronic thin films and the infrared optoelectronic technology. The black phosphorus, serving as a semiconductor material, has high-performance carrier mobility (usually higher than 200 cm2 V−1 s−1), so the phosphorene has a broad application prospect in the fields of field effect transistors, optoelectronic devices, spintronics, gas sensors and solar cells.

Platinum/black phosphorus-carbon sphere methanol fuel cell anode catalyst and preparation method thereof


To provide gloss to a woolen fiber by adhering silk fibroin to the woolen fiber firmly and uniformly, a woven woolen fiber subjected to anionic processing is infiltrated with a silk fibroin solution, a cationic polymer resin is dissolved in the solution, and the cationic polymer resin is ion bonded to the woolen fiber to fix silk fibroin fine particles to the woolen fiber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing a modified woolen fiber by treating a woolen fiber with silk fibroin to modify it into a silky fiber and to a modified woolen fiber.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, to modify a woolen fiber into a silky fiber by treating the woolen fiber with silk fibroin, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, woolen fibers 11 woven into cloth and rolled round a bobbin 12 have been treated in a bath 14 filled with a silk fibroin aqueous solution 13 containing silk fibroin dispersed therein. That is, the woolen fibers 11 have been pulled into the bath 13 by pull-in rollers 15, 16 and lifted by lifting rollers 17, 18 to pass through the silk fibroin aqueous solution 13 in the bath 14 so as to adsorb silk fibroin to the surface of each of the woolen fibers 11.
The silk fibroin aqueous solution 13 is generally prepared by hydrolyzing a silk material such as a cocoon, raw silk, cocoon flocks, raw silk flocks or the like to form a solution, drying it to form fine powders and dispersing them into water again. Silk fibroin fine particles contained in the silk fibroin aqueous solution 13 infiltrate into the woolen fibers 11 together with water by a capillary phenomenon and are adhered to the surface of each of the woolen fibers 11. After the woolen fibers 11 are immersed in the bath 14 for a predetermined time, they are lifted and dried with a hot air drier or the like.
FIG. 1(b) is a diagram of the woolen fiber 11 treated with the above silk fibroin, which shows that silk fibroin fine particles S are separated from one another and sparsely adhered to the surface of each of the woolen fibers. Since the above woolen fibers treated with silk fibroin have a silky feeling and gloss and are inexpensive, they are used in various kinds of fabrics.
However, the silk fibroin treatment of the prior art has such problems as fluctuations in the degree of processing due to lack of uniformity in squeezing and lack of uniformity in dyeing which occurs at the time of dyeing because the silk fibroin fine particles are sparsely and nonuniformly adhered to the surface of the woolen fiber. Since the silk fibroin is physically adhered to the surface of the woolen fiber, the adhesion strength of the silk fibroin is insufficient and the durability thereof is low. Therefore, the adhered silk fibroin falls off from the woolen fiber and the silky feeling and gloss of the woolen fiber are lost when a fabric woven of the woolen fibers is used and washed repeatedly.
To cope with this, there is proposed a technology for improving the adhesion strength of silk fibroin to a woolen fiber by carrying out a silk fibroin treatment using a cation modified silk fibroin solution (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 4-100976). However, as silk fibroin itself is hardly ionized, the adhesion of the silk fibroin is not so improved by carrying out a silk fibroin treatment using the above solution and sufficiently high durability cannot be obtained.
Since the silk fibroin treatment is made on a cloth woven of the woolen fibers, the silk fibroin is not uniformly adhered to the cloth. Therefore, the adhesion of the silk fibroin easily becomes nonuniform.

Process for producing a silk fibroin modified woolen fiber and a modified woolen fiber


A method for effecting changes in a software system landscape with a plurality of logical software systems that are interconnected by logical transport paths, comprises: providing system role types, each system role being associated with one of a plurality of system role types; providing low level operational tasks associated to system role types; providing a transport track that defines a route through logical systems in a particular order and that specifies one source system, adjacent interconnected systems, and at least one target system; providing high level operational tasks in a software development system that define software changes; generating transport requests for transporting the software changes; and generating a low level operational task list for the logical systems affected by the changes to the software by: analyzing the transport track(s) and the system role types and selecting low level operational tasks associated with the system role types according to the high level operational tasks.

Complex software like applicant's SAP R/3 Release 4.5 (SAP) requires customization, e.g. selection of predefined functionality, and adaptation, e.g. addition of or amendment to functionality, as well as other servicing like program and data updates, cf. "SAP System Landscape Optimization" by A. Schneider-Neureither (Ed.), SAP Press, 2004, ISBN 1-59229-026-4, and "SAP R/3 Änderungs-und Transportmanagement" by Metzger and Röhrs, Galileo Press GmbH, Bonn, Germany, 4th reprint 2004, ISBN 3-934358-42-X.
Before such servicing may be performed, however, it has to be assured that the customizations, adaptations, program and data updates etc. are free of errors and integrate flawlessly into the software and data environment. In a factory for instance servicing errors are bound to result in costly workflow disruptions due to software malfunction or data corruption. Apart from the servicing side, other use of the software like training of new or inexperienced users may also result in a disruption of the productive system.
Such complex software may therefore be implemented in form of separate logical systems that together form a system landscape. A typical implementation of the aforementioned SAP software for instance may, cf. FIG. 1, comprise a development system 101 for customizing and development work, a quality assurance system 102 for testing functionality using representative test data, a training system 103 for training new users, and several productive systems 104, e.g. each for a different factory, for actual productive use. Other or additional users and systems may be defined according to the particular requirements.
The logical systems are identical in large parts, function autonomously and may be run on a single computer. The quality assurance system 102 for example resembles the productive system 104 in that it provides all the functionality, its present data and additionally special test data. New customization settings or adaptations may thus be thoroughly tested in the quality assurance system 102 without jeopardizing the productive system 104. Likewise, the training system 103 resembles the productive system 104 in that it provides some of the functionality and special test data. A new user using the training system 103 may thus become accustomed to the functionality and observe the effect of his actions, albeit without disturbing the productive system 104.
A transport management system connects the logical systems and serves to forward software services between systems of the system landscape via logical transport paths 105. A service may for example be approved in the development system 101 for export. It will then be forwarded to an input buffer of the quality assurance system 102. Import into the quality assurance system 102 is approved or denied manually by an operator. Thereafter, the software service is forwarded to the quality assurance system 102, and then to the training system 103 and the productive systems 104 where it will be imported following manual approval by an operator.
The servicing including the adaptation and customization is usually planned using a software development or project management system 200, e.g. SAP's cProject, cf. FIG. 2. The system 200 usually comprises an administrative part 201 that is concerned with time and resource management for effecting the changes, an operational part 202 that is concerned with the implementation of the changes in the landscape, and an analytical part 203 that is concerned with the analysis of the changes. The operational part 202 defines high level operational tasks like "generate a transport request comprising a change", "test change", "train users", "implement change in productive system" etc. An operator needs to implement low level operational tasks based on the high level operational tasks, the low level tasks defining the particular tasks on a system basis for routing software services through the system landscape and importing them into logical systems. This requires an analysis of the system landscape layout, of the route that each service takes through the system landscape, project status switches in each system that define the respective system's changeability options, attributes in each service that define properties of the service etc. Import of services and other tasks are performed based on this analysis.
This process is time consuming and bears the risk of errors. In view of the fact that an SAP R/3 implementation may comprise dozens of systems and require thousands of services per month during development work, the operator time required becomes considerable as does the risk for errors to occur.

Method for effecting changes in a software system landscape and computer system