A microwave arrangement for affixing the toner onto a printing material by heating, wherein a resonator chamber for feeding printing material therethrough includes at least one element, which extends into the resonator chamber and is used for tuning the resonance state in the resonator chamber. The element includes at least a first portion of a material with properties that essentially do not absorb the microwave radiation and a second portion of a material with mechanically stable properties and a slightly higher absorption of the microwave radiation than the first portion.

In printing presses, a toner material is applied to a printing material during various printing processes. The toner material or toner is affixed securely onto printing material or interlaced therewith. After the printing process, the toner should be fused securely to the printing material without smears. For this purpose, frequent use is made of fuser rolls that apply heat and pressure to both sides of the tonered printing material and melt and fuse the toner, which has been applied in various ways, to the printing material. This has disadvantages, for example, the wear and tear of the fuser rolls and the risk of damaging the printing material.
One solution to overcome these problems includes using contact-free fusing arrangements that do not touch the printing material during the fusion or affixing of the toner to the printing material. In the prior art, it has been recommended, among other things, that the fusion be accomplished by microwave radiation as the printing material travels through a microwave resonator. When this recommended solution is implemented, however, problems occur if different printing materials are used, wherein the printing material is not uniformly and properly heated. A terminating sliding valve or a short-circuit valve on a microwave arrangement, which is used to adjust the resonance state or the resonance condition, requires good contact in order to avoid electrical flashovers and is unsuitable for the high number of adjustment operations for different printing materials.

Microwave arrangement with resonance state tuning for affixing toner onto printing material


A brush dispenser designed to emit a controlled amount of liquid through and out the ends of or other opening in the middle set of bristles. Selection of the number of bristles being used as conductors can be achieved by adjusting the shaft to which cams are connected. Control of the amount of liquid flowing through the selected bristles can also be achieved by adjustment of the shaft to which the cams are connected. The liquid is contained in a removable container in the handle of the brush. Finger pressure on the removable container activates the liquid flow. A cutout in the handle allows the fingers to contact the liquid-holding container.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to brushes and, more particularly, to brushes adapted to dispense liquids.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art discloses a number of brushes by which a liquid can be dispensed. Through either design faults, or manufacturing deficiencies, these brushes have proven to be ineffective for proper application of liquids to the skin of animal pets or the scalp of humans. Typically, these brushes permit only downward flow of the liquid or have proven too cumbersome for normal grooming use; see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,543,913; 4,922,859.
The bristles of the prior art brushes are not designed to flow freely through animal fur or human hair. This results in the improper placement of a liquid on the animal skin surface or human scalp and increases the tendency to remove loose hair, thus further reducing the effectiveness of the brush.
Furthermore, these prior art brushes typically control the amount of liquid dispensed through a gravity feed arrangement that changes in the device orientation. Also, proper application is extremely difficult to control when both hands of a user are needed for application.


The present invention features a smart remote controller system which can also receive phone calls from any mobile device via Bluetooth. The system comprises a remote controller, at least a smartphone, and an optional docking station. This remote controller has speakers and can stream music from the mobile device via Bluetooth while the device is charging on the docking station. The smart remote controller is banana shaped remote which fits comfortable in a user's palm. The top curved area is to control TV, DVR and other devices needing remote controller. The inner face is designed to be a comfortable ear to mouth piece to make/answer calls via the mobile device. One side is a Wi-Fi speaker system playing back music from any mobile device. The handset can be conveniently charged on the docking station when not in use.

With the tremendous popularity of Mobile smart devices, the battery life of these devices limits their usage for power heavy applications throughout the day. Most users come home and charge their mobile devices. Charging these devices they are fully charges helps improve the longevity of these devices but most users have to undock these devices when the phone rings. This behavior damages the battery and eventually reduces battery life and adds costs. Most consumers have a universal remote at home which can potentially do more than a remote controller function. The remote can be used as a handset to make or answer calls, enjoy music and browse through your TV shows while the mobile device is charging.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.


A quickly attachable/detachable extension wall structure for a pickup truck has side panels which are attached to conventional stake pocket tie-downs having transverse apertures. Each side panel includes a lower slotted channel within which threaded nuts may slide. Flanged fasteners have a first "quick release" end for attachement to the tie-downs, and a second end which is attached to the slidable nuts in the side panels, for rigid attachement of the side panels to the tie-downs. A front panel is removably attachable to the side panels, and a rear panel is removably, swivelly attached to the side panels.

This invention relates generally to cargo compartments of pickup trucks. More particularly, this invention pertains to upstanding extension walls and means for attaching such extension walls to the cargo compartment of a pickup truck for increasing the load capacity.
Conventional pickup truck cargo compartments consist of a pair of spaced sidewalls rigidly connected to a supporting floor. A front wall interconnects the forward ends of the side walls and a tail gate typically spans the rear end of the cargo compartment. The sidewall, front wall and tail gate extend a relatively short distance above the floor, limiting the capacity of the compartment. Efforts have been expended in developing extension walls for increasing the capacity of pickup trucks and other vehicles.
An early form of upwardly extending wall panel is typified in U.S. Pat. No. 979,309 of Johnston. The panel is held in place by two sets of cleats and an external clamp. The use of cleats for attaching an extension wall panel to a pickup truck cargo compartment is impractical because of the complex shape of the compartment's side walls. The clamp requires the drilling of holes in the pickup truck, and is designed for permanent installation.
An apparatus found useful by a large number of pickup truck users is the tie-down which is fitted into a stake pocket. A common form of the tie-down includes an exterior annulus such as an eye hook, and an expansion member which is inserted and locked in a stake pocket. The apparatus of the Johnston patent would require removal of any installed tie-downs prior to installation of the extension wall panels.
Other extension wall panels are attached to the pickup truck by stakes which are installed in the stake pockets. The stakes may be fixed to the wall panel, as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,585,264 of Miller and 2,711,342 of Selzer. Alternatively, sliding stakes may be used, as shown in Selzer U.S. Pat. No. 2,856,225. In each of these versions, any tie-downs installed in the stake pockets must first be removed. In addition, the particular fasteners used are mounted on the external walls of the panels so that the extension wall panels do not have a smooth, aerodynamic exterior but have visible fasteners and/or other extraneous apparatus on the wall exterior.
None of the wall structures of these patents may be interchangeably installed on cargo compartments having varying spacing between the stakes, or having a variable number of stakes.

Extension wall attachment structure for pickup trucks


Techniques for using photo detectors as tunable proximity sensors for detection of target objects and ascertaining their distance from the proximity sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a proximity sensor system including a photo detector having a first doped region, a gate, a second doped region and a light absorbing region, a control circuitry for generating a plurality of control signals to be applied to the photo detector, and a signal detector to detect an output signal from the photo detector.

There are many inventions described and illustrated herein, as well as many aspects and embodiments of those inventions. In one aspect, the present inventions relate to, among other things, a tunable proximity sensor system comprising monolithic detectors or sensors to detect target objects by detecting reflected light incident on the sensors and, in response thereto, to generate an electrical signal. In another aspect, the present inventions relate to methods of controlling such proximity sensors to meet or accommodate response time specifications as well as power consumption specifications.

Proximity sensor systems and methods of operating same


The present disclosure relates to a metal oxide-carbonaceous hybrid thin film, a preparing method of the metal oxide-carbonaceous hybrid thin film, and a dye-sensitized solar cell using a photoelectrode including the metal oxide-carbonaceous hybrid thin film.

Since the Gratzel group in Swiss reported a dye-sensitized solar cell in 1991, which can be prepared at low costs, to replace the commercialized amorphous silicon solar cell, there have been active researches on improving photo-conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell.
With respect to principle for operation of the dye-sensitized solar cell, when photosensitive dye molecules adsorbed to an n-type nanoparticle oxide semiconductor are exposed to the sunlight, electrons are excited. The excited electrons are transferred to a conductive transparent substrate through the oxide semiconductor. The transferred electrons are transferred to a counter electrode through an external circuit so that currents flow. At this time, holes formed in the photosensitive dye molecules are reduced again by a redox electrolyte. During this process, the oxidized electrolyte component receives electrons from the counter electrode so as to be reduced. The maximum efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell operating based on the above-described principle is currently about 11%.
Researches for promoting commercialization of a dye-sensitized solar cell are being actively conducted over the whole world. Five (5) representative strategies for the commercialization of the dye-sensitized solar cell can be summarized as follows: (i) research on a photosensitive dye, which can absorb light of entire wavelength bands including a visible light region and an infrared region; (ii) research on controlling a structural form of an n-type nanoparticle oxide semiconductor in order to maximize adsorption of a photosensitive dye and injection of electrons; (iii) research on a redox electrolyte which induces stable and effective reduction; (iv) research for replacing an expensive platinum electrode; and (v) research on improvement of stability of a solar cell.
With respect to the strategy (ii) among the five (5) representative strategies above, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2010-0126986, which relates to a "photoelectrode using a conductive non-metallic film and a dye-sensitized solar cell containing the same," and others disclose more effective preparation of a photoelectrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell. However, there have no sufficient researches conducted on improving the photo-conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell by preparing a hybrid material by using carbons and other materials, and then, using the hybrid material as a part of the photoelectrode for the dye-sensitized solar cell.

Metal oxide-carbonaceous hybrid thin film and preparing method thereof

Ewha University Industry Collaboration Foundation


A method is for controlling an impedance of a via of a printed circuit board. The Via is connected with a trace and includes a drill hole, a pad and an anti-pad. The method includes steps of: building a math model; testing whether an impedance of the via matching with an impedance of the trace; analyzing the impedance of the via if passing the testing; and adjusting parameters of the pad, the anti-pad, and the drill hole if fails testing, and returning to the simulating step, till impedance matching achieved. The method which can efficiently keep signals integrality and increase signal transmission speed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of controlling impedance of vias, and more particularly to a method of controlling impedance of vias for efficiently maintaining signal integrity and increasing signal transmission speed.
2. General Background
Conventionally, there has been a high-frequency multilayer circuit substrate, in which transmission lines are connected by way of vias provided for the improvement in performance of a high-frequency circuit and for high-density mounting. As reduction in size and increase in transmission signal frequency of this multilayer circuit substrate have been needed, a transmission loss due to signal wave reflection in the transmission lines and via connecting portion have become a more serious problem. These may harm integrity of the signals. Stray capacitance and parasitic inductance of the vias always exist. The stray capacitance may delay a rising time of the signal and decrease a transmitting speed of the signal. The parasitic inductance may weaken shunt capacitors mounted on the circuit substrate and lead to a poor filter performance of the circuit substrate. The high-frequency multilayer circuit substrate is required to control the characteristic impedance of the vias.
What is desired, therefore, is a method of controlling impedance of vias which can efficiently maintaining signal integrity and increase signal transmission speed.

Bao-an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


Provided is a method for quantifying an initial concentration of a nucleic acid from a real-time nucleic acid amplification data. Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) extracted from organism or virus is amplified using an enzyme. Then, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid is found by calculating the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid has half of its maximum value, or the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the amplification efficiency has the maximum or the minimum value, or the prior-to-amplification fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid. Accordingly, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid can be calculated without differentiation or integration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for quantifying the initial nucleic acid concentration, and more particularly, to a method for quantifying the initial nucleic acid concentration from real-time nucleic acid amplification data, which is obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), strand displacement amplification (SDA), nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), transcription mediated amplification (TMA), rolling-circle amplification (RCA), and so on.
2. Description of the Related Art
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is most widely used among a variety of analysis methods for detecting and quantifying nucleic acid. A principle of the PCR is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202.
Conventional PCR gives only a qualitative result of an amplified DNA at end point by an agarose gel. However, such conventional PCR has a problem in that it cannot be used in quantitative analyses. In order to solve the problem, real-time PCR has been developed. The real-time PCR uses an optical detection system to detect in real time the fluorescence intensity that is proportional to the concentration of an amplified DNA, such that a quantitative analysis of DNA is possible.
Conventional methods for quantifying the initial concentration of a nucleic acid from a nucleic acid amplification data are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,303,305 and 6,503,720. In these conventional methods, a nucleic acid is amplified and a function representing the amount of the nucleic acid in each amplification cycle is obtained. Then, n-th order derivative of the function is calculated and the initial concentration of the nucleic acid is calculated from the result. Also, a quantitative analysis method using the maximum value of the derivative as threshold cycle (Ct) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,305, and a quantitative analysis method using maximum, minimum and zero value of the derivative as Ct is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,720.
Also, another method for quantifying the initial concentration of a nucleic acid from the nucleic acid amplification data is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002-0031768. Herein, the concentration of the nucleic acid is quantified using a specific value of the derivative.

Method for quantifying initial concentration of nucleic acid from real-time nucleic acid amplification data


A catalytic cracking catalyst, which comprises (1) a zeolite, (2) a silica.cndot.alumina or an alumina and (3) a kaolin, has a pore diameter distribution having a peak at a pore diameter of 450 to 3,000 .ANG., and has 40 to 75% of a pore volume of pores of not less than 200 .ANG. and less than 2,000 .ANG. in pore diameter and 5 to 45% of a pore volume of pores of not less than 2,000 .ANG. and less than 18,000 .ANG. in pore diameter, both based on a pore volume of pores of 40 to 18,000 .ANG. in pore diameter.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a catalytic cracking catalyst useful for catalytic cracking heavy oils, methods of production thereof, and a method of catalytic cracking of heavy oil using the catalytic cracking catalyst.
(b) Description of the Related Art
In these days of increasingly heavier heavy oils and increasing demands for white oils (gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel) rather than heavy oils, catalytic cracking of heavy oils has becoming very important. This has caused a demand for improved catalytic cracking catalysts which increase the yields of gasoline and LCO (light oil fractions).
To crack tower bottoms of heavy oils, such as desulfurized heavy oils, large pores of catalytic cracking catalysts should be increased to allow easy penetration of the tower bottoms into the catalysts to cause initial rough cracking. The products of the rough cracking are then further cracked by zeolites contained in the catalysts, to form light distillates including gasoline and LCO.
Without large pores, catalysts cannot allow raw materials of large molecules to penetrate therein and cannot work effectively, so that the yields of products of low economical value, such as coke and heavy oils, are increased.
Therefore, it is necessary to crack the tower bottoms of heavy oils in pores of different sizes in steps, first in pores of 2,000 to 18,000 .ANG. and then in pores of 200 to 2,000 .ANG..
Some of the literature refers to the sizes of pores of catalytic cracking catalysts. Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 6-25675 (1994) discloses meso-porous cracking catalysts, which, however, have a pore distribution with a peak around 150 to 350 .ANG., and cannot crack tower bottoms of heavy oils to give sufficiently high yields of gasoline and LCO. Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 2-298351 (1990) refers to pore distribution of catalytic cracking catalysts, but does not clarify the amount of large pores and the forms of pores. Further, it does not disclose the production of catalysts using silica alumina or alumina which has a sharp pore diameter peak. Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. 55-109446 (1980) discloses forming pores of about 100 to 275 .ANG. in diameter by decomposing organic polymers which are mixed into the raw materials of catalysts. Such pores, however, cannot crack the tower bottoms of heavy oils sufficiently to increase gasoline and LCO yields.

Catalytic cracking catalyst and method for cracking a heavy oil


An illumination system for projecting a line of light includes a linear array of diode lasers having a fast and a slow axis and an optical system aligned with the linear array and having different optical power in the fast and slow axes. The optical system is arranged to focus fast-axis diverging rays from the array in a fast axis focal plane of the optical system, and arranged to form slow axis diverging rays of the array into a plurality of bundles of parallel rays, one for each diode-laser, in the array. The bundles of parallel rays intersect in the fast-axis focal plane, such that light from the diode-lasers is formed into a line of light in the fast-axis focal plane. The line of light has a width in the fast axis and a length in the slow axis. The illuminator is useful as an illuminator for a linear spatial light modulator array.

The present invention relates in general to diode-laser light-sources. It relates in general to a light source for projecting light from a linear diode-laser array into an elongated line of light.
Diode-lasers are commonly used as sources of illumination in various graphics applications such as display systems, optical printing systems and optical recording systems. In one type of prior-art imaging system a linear (one-dimensional) array of light modulators is illuminated by an illuminator including a light source. Illumination from the array of modulators is projected onto a recording medium or the like in the form of a line of images of the modulators. By scanning the recording medium past the line of images and appropriately synchronizing the scanning with operation of the modulator array, the modulator array is used to draw a two-dimensional image on the recording medium.
A preferred light-source for the illuminator is a linear array of diode-lasers commonly referred to as a diode-laser bar. A diode-laser bar can efficiently provide relatively high illumination power, for example 60.0 Watts (W) or more, from a source having a maximum overall dimension no greater than about 10 centimeters (cm). A disadvantage, however, is that each of the diode-lasers in the bar is an individual emitter. This presents problems in selecting an appropriate optical configuration for the illuminator.
This problem is addressed in one prior-art illuminator by including a diode-laser array (or correspondingly an array of light-emitting diodes) having a number of emitters equal to the amount of modulators to be illuminated, and an optical system configured to image each emitter onto a corresponding modulator. This type of illuminator has a disadvantage that it is dependent on all emitters continuing to function. Failure of one emitter could cause at least a reduction in performance of the recording system, for example, a black line on an image in the direction of scanning.
An illuminator arrangement for overcoming this disadvantage is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,359 (Gelbart et al.). Here an optical system is used to project elongated overlapping images of each individual emitter onto a modulator array. The number of emitters need not correspond to the number of modulators, and failure of an individual emitter is described as merely reducing the overall illumination on the modulator rather than effecting the spatial distribution of illumination on the modulator.
An important feature of the Gelbart et al. system is an array of microlenses which are used in forming the elongated images. The microlenses correspond in number to the number of emitters in the diode-laser bar, but are spaced closer together than the emitters in a predetermined ratio of emitter and microlens spacing. It is believed that the requirement for such a microlens array imposes certain cost and manufacturing disadvantages on the illuminator. By way of example, normal manufacturing variations in spacing of both emitters and microlenses could lead to a requirement for matching individual diode-laser bars to individual microlens arrays. Further, even given an appropriately matched diode-laser bar and microlens array, alignment of one with the other may be very difficult. This is because the microlens array must be aligned laterally with respect to the emitters such that the lateral spacing between end ones of the microlenses and arrays is equal. This requirement of course is in addition to a requirement that the microlens array be a ligned, parallel to the line of emitters and at the correct distance from the emitters.
There is a need for a diode-laser bar powered illuminator which projects a line of light wherein any point is illuminated about equally by all emitters of the diode laser bar, but which does not require an optical system including an array of microlenses to accomplish this result.
In one aspect of the present invention, apparatus for projecting a line of light includes a plurality of diode-lasers spaced apart in an elongated linear array. The linear array has a slow axis which is parallel to the length direction of the diode-laser array, and a fast axis perpendicular to the slow axis. Light is emitted from each of the diode-lasers as diverging rays in both the fast and slow axes. The rays are emitted in a general direction of propagation mutually perpendicular to both the fast an slow axes. An optical system is arranged with a longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the propagation direction of light from the diode-lasers. The optical system is arranged to focus the fast-axis diverging rays in a focal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal optical axis, and arranged to form the slow-axis diverging rays into a plurality of bundles of parallel rays, one thereof for each diode-laser. The bundles of parallel rays intersect in the focal plane. The optical system thereby causes light from the diode-lasers to be formed into a line of light in the focal plane. The line of light has a width in the fast axis and a length in the slow axis.
In another aspect of the present invention, the emitting apertures of the diode-laser bars are located in a slow-axis object plane of the optical system and the bundles of parallel rays intersect in a slow-axis exit-pupil of the optical system. Fast axis rays are focussed in the slow-axis exit-pupil thereby providing the line of light. The line of light has a width equal to about the fast-axis focal spot-size and a length about equal to the width of the slow-axis exit-pupil.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the optical system does not include any microlens arrays wherein individual optical elements operate on rays from corresponding individual diode-lasers. In the inventive optical system, rays from all diode-lasers traverse all optical elements of the optical system.
In still another aspect of the present invention the optical system may include one or more physical stops arranged to prevent selected portions the fast and slow-axis diverging rays from the diode-laser array from reaching the fast-axis focal plane. The selected portions are chosen to optimize the intensity of light distribution along the length of the line of light. In one preferred embodiment, each of the physical stops is an elongated stop formed from a length of optical fiber having a length extending completely through the fast-axis rays from the diode-laser array.

Diode-laser light projector for illuminating a linear array of light modulators


An encoder receives an input enhanced dynamic range (EDR) image to be coded in a layered representation. Input images may be gamma-coded or perceptually-coded using a bit-depth format not supported by one or more video encoders. The input image is remapped to one or more quantized layers to generate output code words suitable for compression using the available video encoders. Algorithms to determine optimum function parameters for linear and non-linear mapping functions are presented. Given a mapping function, the reverse mapping function may be transmitted to a decoder as a look-up table or it may be approximated using a piecewise polynomial approximation. A polynomial approximation technique for representing reverse-mapping functions and chromaticity translation schemes to reduce color shifts are also presented.

As used herein, the term 'dynamic range' (DR) may relate to a capability of the human psychovisual system (HVS) to perceive a range of intensity (e.g., luminance, luma) in an image, e.g., from darkest darks (blacks) to brightest brights (whites). In this sense, DR relates to a 'scene-referred' intensity. DR may also relate to the ability of a display device to adequately or approximately render an intensity range of a particular breadth. In this sense, DR relates to a 'display-referred' intensity. Unless a particular sense is explicitly specified to have particular significance at any point in the description herein, it should be inferred that the term may be used in either sense, e.g. interchangeably.
As used herein, the term high dynamic range (HDR) relates to a DR breadth that spans the some 14-15 orders of magnitude of the human visual system (HVS). For example, well adapted humans with essentially normal vision (e.g., in one or more of a statistical, biometric or ophthalmological sense) have an intensity range that spans about 15 orders of magnitude. Adapted humans may perceive dim light sources of as few as a mere handful of photons. Yet, these same humans may perceive the near painfully brilliant intensity of the noonday sun in desert, sea or snow (or even glance into the sun, however briefly to prevent damage). This span though is available to 'adapted' humans, e.g., those whose HVS has a time period in which to reset and adjust.
In contrast, the DR over which a human may simultaneously perceive an extensive breadth in intensity range may be somewhat truncated, in relation to HDR. As used herein, the terms enhanced dynamic range (EDR) or visual dynamic range (VDR) may individually or interchangeably relate to the DR that is simultaneously perceivable by a HVS. As used herein, EDR may relate to a DR that spans 5 to 6 orders of magnitude. Thus while perhaps somewhat narrower in relation to true scene referred HDR, EDR nonetheless represents a wide DR breadth.
In practice, images comprise one or more color components (e.g., luma Y and chroma Cb and Cr) wherein each color component is represented by a precision of n-bits per pixel (e.g., n=8).). Although luminance dynamic range and bit depth are not equivalent entities, they are often related. Images where n≦8 (e.g., color 24-bit JPEG images) are considered images of standard dynamic range, while images where n>8 may be considered images of enhanced dynamic range. EDR and HDR images may also be stored and distributed using high-precision (e.g., 16-bit) floating-point formats, such as the OpenEXR file format developed by Industrial Light and Magic.
Video signals may be characterized by multiple parameters, such as bit-depth, color space, color gamut, and resolution. Modern televisions and video playback devices (e.g., Blu-ray players) support a variety of resolutions, including standard-definition (e.g., 720×480i) and high-definition (HD) (e.g., 1920×1080p). Ultra high-definition (UHD) is a next generation resolution format with at least a 3,840×2,160 resolution (referred to as 4K UHD) and options to go as high as 7680×4320 (referred to as 8K UHD). Ultra high-definition may also be referred to as Ultra HD, UHDTV, or super high-vision. As used herein, UHD denotes any resolution higher than HD resolution.
To support backwards compatibility with legacy, 8-bit, playback devices as well as new HDR or UHD coding and display technologies, multiple formats may be used to deliver UHD and HDR (or EDR) video data from an upstream device to downstream devices. Given an EDR stream, some decoders may use a set of 8-bit layers to reconstruct an HD SDR or EDR version of the content. Advanced decoders may use a second set of layers, coded at a higher bit depth than the traditional 8 bits, to reconstruct an UHD EDR version of the content to render it on more capable displays. As appreciated by the inventor here, improved techniques for the coding and distribution of EDR video are desirable.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section. Similarly, issues identified with respect to one or more approaches should not assume to have been recognized in any prior art on the basis of this section, unless otherwise indicated.

Adaptive reshaping for layered coding of enhanced dynamic range signals

Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation


In a receiver for signals in a multilevel partial response class-IV communication system, the coefficients of a digital adaptive equalizer need to be updated to minimize the error due to noise and signal distortion. After initial convergence of the equalizer coefficients to near-optimum settings, an estimate of the mean-square error gradient for coefficient updating can be obtained in decision-directed mode from an estimate of the error signal. In the absence of a reference signal, initial convergence must be achieved in self-training mode. The decision-directed error signal is then replaced by a pseudo-error signal for the computation of an approximation of the mean-square error gradient. The invention provides a particular self-training procedure which outperforms known methods in terms of speed of convergence and achieved mean-square error values, and does not require timing recovery prior to equalizer convergence.

An adaptive digital equalizer is usually realized as a finite impulse response (FIR) filter, also known as a transversal filter. The filter output is obtained by linear combination of N signal samples stored in the equalizer delay line, i.e., EQU y.sub.n =C.sub.n X.sub.n.sup.T (1)
where C.sub.n ={c.sub.0,n, . . . , c.sub.N-1,n } is the vector of equalizer coefficients and X.sub.n ={x.sub.n, . . . , x.sub.n-N+1 } is the vector of signal samples stored in the equalizer delay line at lime n. The filter coefficients are traditionally adjusted by the least-mean square (LMS) algorithm with the objective of minimizing noise and residual signal distortion at the filter output. In the LMS algorithm, an error signal is first computed. This error signal is then correlated with each signal sample stored in the delay line to generate an estimate of the gradient vector of the mean-square error (MSE). The vector of filter coefficients is finally updated by subtracting a term that is proportional to that estimate. In reference-directed mode of operation, the error signal is obtained as the difference between the equalizer output signal and a known reference signal. In decision-directed mode, the reference signal is replaced by the locally determined, most likely received signal among the discrete signals of the employed signal constellation.
In reference-directed mode, convergence of the equalizer coefficients to correct settings can always be achieved, provided the receiver has proper knowledge of a training sequence sent prior to random data signals. If after this training, the receiver makes decisions with sufficiently low probability of error, equalizer adaptation will operate reliably also in decision-directed mode. However, if the equalizer is not well trained at the beginning of decision-directed equalization, convergence will usually not be achieved except in the cases of binary modulation or pure phase modulation.
The sending of a training sequence and the means required to determine in a receiver the exact time when reception of a training sequence begins introduce complexities in the modem design and lead to communication overhead, which may not be desirable. The use of a training sequence may also be inappropriate for various situations. For example, in multipoint networks of modems it is usually not practical to send training sequences from a master modem to the receivers of slave modems, which may independently be activated or deactivated by their users.
When initial reference-directed equalizer adjustment by a training sequence is either undesirable or not possible, self-training equalization methods must be employed to train an equalizer from random data signals. These methods generally require much longer training periods than needed for reference-directed training. However, for many applications the length of these training times is quite tolerable.
Self-training methods usually rely on the definition of a pseudo-error, which on average will lead to correct coefficient adjustment although initially no reliable individual decisions can be obtained from the equalizer output signals.
A partial-response class-IV (PRIV) system is defined by its discrete-time channel symbol response, which in D-transform notation is given by h.sub.PRIV (D)=1-D.sup.2, where D denotes the operator for delay by one modulation interval T. Note that in a PRIV system, intersymbol interference is introduced in a controlled fashion. This distinguishes PRIV systems from full-response systems, where no intersymbol interference is present. If a(D)= . . . a.sub.n D.sup.n +a.sub.n+1 D.sup.n+1 + . . . is the sequence of data symbols transmitted at the modulation rate 1/T, a sequence of correlated signal samples b(D)= . . . b.sub.n D.sup.n +b.sub.n+1 D.sup.n+1 = . . . (a.sub.n -a.sub.n-2)D.sup.n +(a.sub.n+1 -a.sub.n-1)D.sup.n+1 + . . . is obtained at the output of an ideal PRIV system. For example, for a quaternary PRIV system, the input symbols a.sub.n are taken from the set {-3, -1, +1, +3} and the ideal channel output signal samples can assume one of the seven levels {-6, -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, +6}. In general, for an M-ary system, the input symbols are taken from the set {-(M-1), . . . , -1, +1, . . . , +(M-1)} and the ideal channel output signal samples can assume one of the 2M-1 levels {-(2M-2), . . . , -2, 0, +2, . . . , +(2M-2)}. Note that max .vertline.a.sub.n .vertline.=M-1.
The objective of an adaptive digital equalizer for a PRIV system is to provide an equalized signal of the form EQU y.sub.n =(a.sub.n -a.sub.n-2)+e.sub.n =b.sub.n +e.sub.n (2)
where e.sub.n is an error signal due to noise and residual signal distortion. As mentioned above, in decision-directed mode, the equalizer coefficients are updated by the LMS algorithm EQU C.sub.n+1 =C.sub.n -.alpha..sub.dd e.sub.n X.sub.n (3)
where .alpha..sub.dd is the adaptation gain and e.sub.n is an estimate of the error e.sub.n. The estimate e.sub.n is given by EQU e.sub.n =y.sub.n -(a.sub.n -a.sub.n-2)=y.sub.n -b.sub.n (4)
where a.sub.n is a tentative decision on the transmitted symbol a.sub.n.
Self-training equalization is generally more difficult to achieve for partial-response systems than for full-reponse systems. This is especially the case for partial-response systems where the input signal alphabet comprises more than two signal levels. Since self-training is always a slow process, the degree to which the modulation rate and the phase of the received signal are recovered prior to equalization plays an important role. Self-training methods can easily fail when the phase of the received signal is unknown and can drift relative to the phase of the local receiver clock.
Self-training adaptive equalization has in the past mainly been applied for full-response systems, cf. the following publications: (a) D. N. Godard, "Self recovering equalization and carrier tracking in two-dimensional data communication systems", IEEE Trans. Commun., Vol. COM-28, pp. 1867-1875 (November 1980); (b) S. Bellini, "Bussgang techniques for blind equalization", Proc. of IEEE GLOBCOM 1986, pp. 46.1.1-46.1.7 (December 1986); and (c) G. Picchi et al., "Blind equalization and carrier recovery using a "Stop-and-Go" decision directed algorithm", IEEE Trans. Commun., Vol. COM-35, pp. 877-887 (September 1987).
Methods to achieve self-training equalization for partial-response systems have been proposed for linear and for distributed-arithmetic equalizers in following publications: (d) Y. Sato, "A Method of Self-Recovering Equalization for Multilevel Amplitude-Modulation Systems", IEEE Trans. Commun., Vol. COM-23, pp. 679-682 (June 1975); and (e) G. Cherubini, "Nonlinear Self-Training Adaptive Equalization for Partial-Response Systems", IEEE Trans. Commun., Vol. COM-42, pp. 367-376 (February 1994).
For example, the self-training algorithm proposed in prior art publication (d) mentioned above for computing the adjustments of the coefficients of a linear equalizer in a multilevel PRIV system can be expressed by EQU C.sub.n+1 =C.sub.n -.alpha.e.sub.S,n X.sub.n (5)
where .alpha.>0 is the adaptation gain and e.sub.S,n is a pseudo-error. FIG. 1 shows an equivalent block diagram of this prior art self-training linear equalizer. The pseudo-error is generated by subtracting from the equalizer output y.sub.n a reconstructed PRIV signal b.sub.S,n, EQU e.sub.S,n =y.sub.n -b.sub.S,n. (6)
To obtain the signal b.sub.S,n, the equalizer output signal is first filtered by a filter with transfer characteristic 1/(1-.beta..sub.S D.sup.2), giving the signal EQU u.sub.S,n =y.sub.n +.beta..sub.S u.sub.S,n-2, (7)
where 0<.beta..sub.s <1. The transfer characteristic of this filter approximates the inverse of the transfer characteristic of an ideal PRIV channel, 1/(1-D.sup.2). Since the frequency response of a PRIV channel exhibits spectral nulls at 0 Hz and at the frequencies .+-.1/2T Hz, the parameter .beta..sub.s cannot be chosen equal to one. This choice would correspond to "inverting the channel" and would result in infinite noise enhancement.
The signal u.sub.S,n is input to a two-level decision element that generates the signal .gamma.sign(u.sub.S,n), where .gamma.=E{a.sub.n.sup.2 }/E{.vertline.a.sub.n .vertline.}. Finally, the reconstructed PRIV signal is obtained as EQU b.sub.S,n =.gamma..vertline.sign(u.sub.S,n)-sign(u.sub.S,n-2).vertline..(8)
Prior art solutions have the following disadvantages. The MSE achievable by a particular self-training algorithm depends on the method used to generate the pseudo-error. The methods for self-training adaptive equalization described in prior art publications (d) and (e) have the disadvantage that the variances of the employed pseudo-errors do not diminish below significant values even if the true MSE after equalization would become small. This means that the useful driving force provided by the pseudo-error relative to its random fluctuations is generally very small and that low MSE can only be achieved at the expense of very, very slow convergence. In partial-reponse systems, the problem of slow convergence is further aggravated by the fact that the received signals are highly correlated. Therefore the prior art methods can only be applied for systems where satisfactory timing recovery prior to equalization is achieved. In the case of partial response systems, however, no simple solution exists for timing recovery prior to equalizer convergence. In some communication systems, timing recovery in a conventional sense is not even performed. In these systems, an equivalent function is obtained by operating the receiver at fixed local timing and letting the equalizer coefficients adapt to changing timing phase. Thus, the equalizing methods proposed in prior art publications (d) and (e) mentioned above cannot be applied.

Adaptive equalization for PRIV transmission systems

International Business Machines Corporation


A method to provide additional gaming network functionality links a user's gaming network identity with the user's social network identity. Linkage of the user's gaming network and social network identities establishes a two way communication link by which a gaming (social) network service can obtain information from, and send information to, a social (gaming) network service on behalf of the user. The gaming (social) network service may obtain information regarding the social (gaming) network relationships of the user's social (gaming) network identity and suggest gaming (social) network relationships to the user based on the social (gaming) network relationships. The gaming (social) network service additionally enables a user having linked identities to post gaming (social) network related messages as social (gaming) network messages via their social (gaming) network identity.

This disclosure relates generally to a technique for integrating a user's social network account with the user's gaming network account to provide additional gaming network functionality.
With the advancement in processing power and functionality of mobile devices, video game applications, which were once reserved for stand-alone gaming systems, have become an extremely popular category of applications for these devices. Based on the popularity of gaming applications and the connected nature of the mobile devices on which they are often executed, a relatively recent development is a gaming network service that allows users to establish relationships with friends, initiate games with these friends, and track game statistics with respect to friends and other game users from within the gaming network. Developers of gaming applications that are compatible with the gaming network provide functionality in the gaming application that enables the application to interface with the gaming network to provide scores, statistics, and the ability to initiate the game from within the gaming network. One example of this type of gaming network is the Apple® Game Center service. (APPLE is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.)
A gaming network is a type of social network in that it allows users to establish relationships with friends and to compete against and compare game statistics with these friends. While a gaming network allows a user to establish relationships and control their gaming experience from a single location, some users may not utilize the full capability that a gaming network provides. For example, a user may not be aware of acquaintances that also have gaming network identities.
In order to facilitate the establishment of gaming network relationships, a gaming network service may provide automatic friend recommendations based on various factors. For example, the gaming network may recognize an overlap in the friends of two gaming network users and may provide friend recommendations to one of the users based on friends of the other. In addition, the gaming network service may obtain contacts from an email account of a user and search for gaming network users associated with any of the obtained email addresses. The gaming network might also allow a user to manually search for gaming network friends by email address, user identity, etc. While these methods may allow a user to establish relationships over time, it would be beneficial to provide another mechanism to facilitate the establishment of gaming network relationships.
A gaming network user having a gaming network identity may also be a social network user having a different social network identity. Example social networks may include Facebook®, Twitter®, and LinkedIn®. (FACEBOOK is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc, TWITTER is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. LINKEDIN is a registered trademark of LinkedIn Corporation.) Oftentimes, it will be the case that the user has a much more established set of relationships in the social network than in the gaming network. For example, a new user of a gaming network may have very few gaming network friends but may have hundreds or thousands of social network friends. Many of the user's social network friends may also have gaming network identities and may be in a similar situation of having relatively few gaming network friends. It would be beneficial to take advantage of a user's already established social network relationships and the functionality of the social network to maximize a user's gaming network experience.

Utilizing a social network account to provide additional functionality to a gaming network account


An apparatus for continuously produced pressed board has a structuring belt in the form of a metal wire screen which is fed with a respectively endless steel belt and the wood-based mat passing through a continuous press whose heated upper and lower press platens have the belts guided therealong via rollers displaceable along closed paths. The wire mesh configuration of the structuring belt is continuously impressed into the pressed board strand which is produced.

Continuous presses of the aforedescribed type are widely used to press mats of wood chips, wood fibers, sawdust and the like, usually admixed with a thermally activatable or thermosetting binder, into a continuous strand which can be then subdivided into pressed board for use in a wide variety of structural and other applications. Depending on the pressing characteristics, the pressed board can have narrow thickness tolerances, high quality surfaces and surfaces which have a high degree of smoothness. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) has wood-based strands or chips with lengths ranging between 30 and 150 mm and width/length ratios of 1:5 to 1:10 and thicknesses of 0.25 to 1.5 mm. These elongated chips are deposited with a preferred orientation, usually in the longitudinal direction, and give rise to especially high strength and high quality boards.
It is common, with such systems, to press the mat after it has been pretreated with a heating fluid.
Substantially all of the boards described are exclusively smooth-surfaced members.
There are, however, also on the market wood-based pressed boards which have structured surfaces on one or both of its broad sides. Structured surfaces are advantageous because they increase the frictional coefficient of the surface, increase the ability of glue to anchor to the surface or otherwise provide advantages in the use of the product. The structuring can be in the form of alternating rises and depressions, also referred to as bumps and grooves. Up to now, continuous presses of the type described could not, to the best of our knowledge, be utilized effectively in the formation of structured surfaces for high quality pressed board.
To produce structured surfaces in wood-based pressed board, a cyclically operating system was used, usually involving platen presses and, most commonly, multilevel platen presses. The mats were charged into the various levels of the press upon a tray or other support and the press platens were provided with structuring complementary to that desired in the pressed board or a steel wire screen was placed upon the charging tray or interpositioned between the platen and the mat to impress the pattern of that screen in the board as it was pressed.
However, such cyclically operating systems present problems with respect to the charging and emptying of the press, problems with handling the pressed board and charge trays subsequent to the pressing operation and problems with removal of the wire mesh or sieve-like patterning members.

Apparatus for producing wood-based pressed board


An aquarium/terrarium terraining system for providing at least two different terrain levels within the aquarium/terrarium. A substantially rectangular terraining partition of varying or adjustable height is securely inserted into the aquarium/terrarium and thereby creates a partition between front and back, or two sides or two other wall of the an aquarium or terrarium. The partition enables the creation of various terrain levels using gravel or other aquarium/terrarium fillers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to aquariums and/or terrariums. More particularly, it relates to a terraining system for creating at least one different terrain level in an aquarium and/or terrarium.
2. The Prior Art
The current landscape systems for aquariums/terrariums range from multi-colored gravel to the addition of plastic scenic layovers which fit on the back of the aquarium/terrarium or within them against the back side. These methods of providing scenery for the aquarium/terrarium are relatively inexpensive, but are cheap in appearance. In addition, these systems do not enable the creation of multiple terrain levels within the aquarium.
Applicant's co-pending application Ser. No. 08/475,468 discloses an Aquarium landscape system that includes a partition device for creating at least one different terrain level within the aquarium. The disclosed partition device is not adjustable in height and requires the sides of the aquarium for vertical disposal therein.


An oil filter crusher includes a frame, a threaded drive screw, and a ram assembly, but does not include any actuator for driving the screw. Rather, a first end of the drive screw has a drive head to which a user may couple a conventional wrench, such as a pneumatic impact wrench of the type commonly used in automotive service centers. A thrust bearing assembly couples the second end of the drive screw to the ram assembly. A threaded portion of the drive screw engages a threaded opening in a portion of the frame. The ram assembly thus moves in an axial direction in response to rotation of the drive screw with respect to the frame. Rotating the drive screw in one direction moves it toward the filter to be crushed, and rotating it in the opposite direction moves it away from the filter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to compacting and crushing devices and, more specifically, to an oil filter crusher that can be operated by a conventional pneumatic or electric impact wrench.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automotive service centers, including commercial truck fleet service centers, in the United States and other countries change millions of automobile and truck oil filters each year. Retail automotive supply stores sell millions of oil filters to people who change their own vehicle's oil. Oil filters of various sizes and types are known, but an oil filter generally consists of a metal housing in which is disposed a paper filter element.
An oil filter crusher is used to crush or compact an oil filter that has been removed from an automobile or other vehicle after a period of use. Not only does compaction facilitate temporary bulk storage of used oil filters by minimizing their volume, but it also facilitates recovery of residual oil that has economic value. Although many types of oil filter crushers are known, a conventional oil filter crusher typically includes a reciprocating ram that is driven by a hydraulic or electric actuator. When a filter is positioned in the crusher, the actuator drives the ram toward the filter. The residual oil that drains from the filter during crushing may collect in a pan or container. After crushing, the actuator retracts the ram. The crushed filter may then be removed for disposal or recycling as scrap metal.
Conventional oil filter crushers are uneconomical because they typically include, among other uneconomical components, an integral hydraulic, pneumatic or electric actuator. Although certain service centers may change a sufficient number of oil filters per year to justify the cost of purchasing a conventional oil filter crusher, the majority of service centers do not. Furthermore, many conventional oil filter crushers are intended for bulk operation and are simply too large to be conveniently located in a typical service center. For these reasons, smaller service centers typically send their (uncrushed) collected filters to a regional oil filter recycling service, which then crushes the filters in bulk.
Oil filter crushers not having powered actuators are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. D355,425, issued to Weaver, shows an oil filter crusher having a threaded drive screw with a hexagonal head. The crusher is of a simplistic design, with a disc-shaped ram apparently fixedly mounted on the end of the drive screw opposite the end having the hexagonal head. U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,906, issued to ter Haar, describes an oil filter crusher having a threaded screw drive that may be driven using a pneumatic wrench. Nevertheless, its design is uneconomical. Furthermore, although the end of the drive screw is rotatably mounted to the ram, the rotatable mounting appears prone to substantial frictional resistance.
It would be desirable to provide an economical oil filter crusher that can be quickly and easily used by automotive service center personnel. The crusher should be easy to use and unobtrusive. Such a crusher would be desirable not only to automotive service centers but also to retail automotive supply stores, which could offer a crushing service to people who purchase filters from them to complement the used oil recovery services that many such stores currently offer. These needs are clearly felt in the art and are satisfied by the present invention in the manner described below.


A chromium VI reducing composition comprising particles of solid material selected from the group consisting of iron (II) sulfate and tin sulfate, the particles being substantially uniformly dispersed within a liquid carrier. Methods for modifying hydratable cementitious materials using the chromium reducing composition are also disclosed and provide advantages over dry powder or dissolved forms of sulfate compositions when used in cement manufacturing.

Chromium is an unavoidable trace element of the raw material used in the manufacture of cement clinker, which is ground to produce cement. In particular, hexavalent chromium ("Cr VI") may form in the oxidizing and alkaline burning condition of the cement kiln. Cr VI compounds are classified as extremely toxic because of their high oxidation potential and their ability to penetrate human tissue, thereby causing dermal sensitization, allergic reactions, and eczema. As Cr VI compounds have high solubility and are released when cement and water are mixed together, they tend to come into contact with human skin during the handling of wet cement and mortar.
It is desirable to reduce hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) to trivalent chromium (Cr III). This is because Cr III tends to precipitate from solution as a stable complex, thereby posing smaller risks as a serious dermal irritant. Indeed, a number of reducing agents are known. However, they tend to be effective at low pH levels rather than in the high pH environments of cementitious compositions.
Iron (II) sulfate has customarily been used for reducing chromium in cementitious systems. Iron (II) is oxidized to iron (III) in the process of reducing chromium. The actual dosage of Iron (II) sulfate needed for reducing chromium, however, is 10 times the stoichiometric amount required. This is due, in part, to the fact that iron (II) sulfate is added usually in dry form at a dosage of 0.3% to 0.5% (wt) of cement, and may be oxidized by moisture in the air. Moreover, such high addition of iron (II) sulfate in dry form is problematic. For one thing, dry materials are difficult to add accurately in cement milling operations. They also present a dusting problem that is logistically difficult to control, and the health hazards posed by the dust are cause for concern.
Equally significant, the excessive levels of iron sulfate needed are disadvantageous for cementitious systems because they increase water demand for workability, and extend setting time.
Typically, dry iron (II) sulfate cannot be added to cement at a temperature over 80° C., without risking considerable oxidation. As cement exits the mill at temperatures up to 130° C. and sent to storage at temperatures in excess of 80° C., iron (II) sulfate must be added in the later stages of the cement manufacturing and distribution process. Most often, iron (II) sulfate must be added just before the cement is packaged for shipment. This necessitates a further quality control step to check for chromium levels in the cement, and is inconvenient and costly for the cement manufacturer.
As an alternative to iron (II) sulfate, stannous (tin) sulfate can be employed as a chromium reducer. The required dosages of solid stannous sulfate are much lower than that of iron II sulfate (˜0.02% wt of cement). It is believed to be somewhat easier to use and to be more heat resistant and storage stable when combined with cement in the milling process. Still, however, there are similar logistical concerns with adding stannous sulfate as a dry powder into the cement milling operation.
Although stannous sulfate is water soluble, it quickly loses dosage efficiency when added as an aqueous solution to cement. The actual amount of stannous sulfate needed is at least double the amount that is required when stannous sulfate is added as a powder. Such a disparity precludes the use of stannous sulfate in solution form as a matter of economics.
Accordingly, in view of the foregoing disadvantages, the present inventors believe that a novel chromium reducing agent is needed that would require relatively low dosage addition rates and could be delivered and dispensed in liquid form.


An apparatus for crimping a radially expandable stent includes a pressure vessel, shaping balloon, and mandrel. The mandrel is configured to slidingly receive a stent thereon, and to be slidingly advanced into the pressure vessel. The shaping balloon is inflated to radially compress the stent onto the form of the mandrel; such compression need not be uniform. Pressurization of the shaping balloon facilitates the expansion of the balloon to achieve compression of the stent, with depressurization of the shaping balloon causing the balloon to return to an unexpanded state.

The term "stent" is generally used to refer to medical devices and/or supports therefore which can be implanted in anatomical passageways (e.g., blood vessels, valve annuluses, body ducts, etc.) of the body for the purpose of maintaining the patency or state of dilation of the passageway, reinforcing the passageway, or anchoring a valve or graft or other object within the passageway. For purposes of this application, the term "stent" is used to refer to such supports, including supports intended for radial expansion as well as supports which are not intended for radial expansion.
Many stents are not intended for delivery and subsequent expansion via catheter, but are instead delivered and deployed in their full form and shape. Examples of such stents include supports for surgical heart valves and grafts. Stents for delivery via catheterization may be initially disposed in a compact configuration of relatively small diameter upon or within a delivery catheter to facilitate insertion and advancement of the stent into a desired anatomical passageway. Once at the implantation site, such stents may be radially expanded to a larger diameter which is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the anatomical passageway in which the stent is to be implanted. When radially expanded to the larger diameter, the stent may be released from the delivery catheter, and left in place where it is anchored (e.g., via frictional engagement) to the surrounding wall of the anatomical passageway.
In general, expandable stents fall into two major categories: a) self-expanding and b) balloon-expandable. Self-expanding stents may be formed of resilient or shape memory material (e.g., spring steel or nitinol) which is capable of self-expanding from a relatively small delivery diameter to a larger deployed diameter, with the expansion being achieved by releasing the stent from its compressed configuration whereupon it expands to its larger diameter in spring-like fashion. Balloon-expandable stents may be formed of plastically deformable material (e.g., stainless steel) which can be radially expanded by inflating a balloon positioned within inner lumen of the stent.
Stents can be provided in various sizes and shapes. Many stents are simple cylindrical forms and have substantially constant diameters along their lengths. However, for some applications it may be desirable for a stent having a more complex shape, including shapes where the diameter of the stent varies substantially along the length of the stent.
Stent shapes can be defined using various techniques. One common device for shaping stents is a crimper. Current stent crimpers tend to be purely mechanized devices that crimp stent frames into basic geometric shapes such as constant-diameter cylinders and simple cones. They have relatively complex mechanisms but are limited to forming relatively simple shapes.
What are needed are crimping devices and methods for forming stents in complex shapes using a relatively simple forming mechanism. The current invention meets these needs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention discloses an integrated circuit (IC) driver chip for electroluminescent (EL) device, including an EL display-data-control block (DCB) and an EL display-segment-driver block (SDB), wherein said DCB stores the data for display and generates data-control-pulses for the EL segment display; and said SDB receives the data from the DCB and then drives the EL segments to display the desired information in real-time. This integrated circuit driver chip is suitable to be used to control and drive a multiple segment EL display. The applications of the IC include, but are not limited to, the display alphanumeric digits and image information. By cascading multiple IC driver chips together, it is possible to enlarge the number of display segments.

Presently, the change of the dark-and-light status of each segment of an EL independently is controlled by a corresponding transistor, that is to say, the number of transistors increases in proportion to that of the EL. Therefore, in a multiple segment EL, a large number of transistors are required to control the dark-and-light status of the EL, which may increase the area of the circuit board for controlling the EL, and make the design of a circuit board complex and the cost higher. In addition, displaying an EL with different dark-and-light scale is generally controlled by increasing or decreasing the input voltage of a power supply circuit of the EL, or by controlling the frequency of an oscillating circuit in the power supply circuit of the EL. Accordingly, the driving circuit board should comprise the power supply circuit, which further increases the area of the circuit board. On the other hand, it is inconvenient for the user to have to be familiar with the driving method of an EL and the design procedures of a power supply circuit, in order to achieve a proper design of a driving circuit board of an EL.

Integrated circuit driver chip for an electroluminescent device


An exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) is provided for use with associated insulation and substrate layers of a building. The system includes primary and secondary water resistant barriers on first and second surfaces of the associated insulation layer. The secondary water resistant barrier includes a single adhesive and sealing layer defining at least one channel and adhesively securing the second surface of the associated insulation layer to the associated substrate layer. The system is usable with a plurality of associated insulation layers disposed in abutment, the single adhesive and sealing layer defining at least one channel extending from the first insulation panel to the second insulation panel and being adapted to conduct fluid therethrough. Further, a hand tool for working the adhesive and sealing layer is provided. The hand tool includes a handle connected with a flat inflexible rectangular plate, at least one of the longer edges thereof being upwardly curved and including a plurality of spaced apart teeth.

Basic drainage type exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) and construction techniques therefor are well known in the art. In the general case, as shown in FIG. 1, exterior insulation and finish systems are applied over a first layer of a sheathing substrate which is normally applied to the exterior of a building under construction. The sheathing 12 may be a gypsum sheathing, exposure oriented strand board (OSB), exterior or exposure 1 grade plywood, or cementitious materials. EIFS may also be applied over other masonry substrates such as cement masonry unit blocks or bricks.
Using a paint roller, an adhesive and seal layer 14 is applied onto the first layer 12 of sheathing. Preferably, the adhesive is water based and fast drying and, once dried, is flexible so as to bridge normal movement in the first layer 12. The adhesive and seal layer 14 forms a weather proof seal for the first layer 12.
After drying, an insulation board 16 is adhered to the first layer 12 by the adhesive and seal layer 14. In the prior art system illustrated, the insulation board 16 is special in that it includes a plurality of grooves 18 provided for purposes of conducting fluid which may accumulate between the insulation board 16 and the first layer 12.
An initial base coat 20 is then applied to the surface of the insulation board 16 opposite the surface which is secured to the substrate layer 12 by the adhesive and seal layer 14. The initial base coat may be applied over the insulation board with spray equipment or a trowel to a uniform thickness. Next, a mesh layer 22 is immediately embedded in the wet base coat 20 by troweling or using other techniques. An additional base coat 24 may be applied over the surface of the mesh material 22 as needed and, lastly, a finish coat 26 is applied to the base coat 24 by spraying or troweling, depending on the specific finish desired.
Although drainage type EIFS of the type described above have been very successful, some limitations in application have been encountered. More particularly, the insulation board 16 must either be provided with a plurality of grooves 18, or have some other means in order for the system to properly conduct fluid. Also, during installation, the grooved insulation board 16 must be oriented in the proper direction with the grooves 18 oriented vertically and facing the sheathing substrate 12 of the structure. Still further, although the system described above functions to conduct fluid, care is required in order to position ends of insulation boards 16 so that the grooves 18 formed are in alignment to provide a continuous fluid evacuation conduit. Also, a delay is necessary to allow the seal coating to fully cure prior to adhering the insulation board. Such a delay is usually a minimum of 24 hours and can result in additional costs to the contractor both in delays as well as costs of providing weather protection for the additional time cause by the delay.
Lastly, if construction workers are impatient or for other reasons apply the insulation board 16 onto the sheathing 12 before the adhesive layer 14 is adequately cured, the adhesive layer material could migrate into the grooves 18 formed in the board 16 and thereby obstruct the fluid path.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and tool for installing exterior insulation and finish systems which overcomes the above limitations and others and provides an inexpensive and convenient solution thereto.

Exterior insulation and finish system and method and tool for installing same


A clamp assembly for firmly connecting a tap in a sanitary or kitchen appliance without consuming a large space, the assembly comprising a compact clamp and a short screw, the clamp having a large orifice to be passed along a pipe portion of the tap and a small orifice receiving the screw, the clamp operating like a lever around the pipe portion of the tap and being retained against an outer surface of the pipe portion by screwing the screw in the small orifice and making a distal tip of the screw engaging a wall of the device so as to cause the clamp move like a lever and make the large orifice to wedge against the pipe portion of the tap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of sanitary devices or appliances such as toilettes, sinks, bathtubs, bidets and the like, wherein taps, faucets, valves, and other water or liquid supplying devices are connected, which devices must be firmly retained in at least a wall of the corresponding device to facilitate the connection of the device to the water carrying pipeline of the water home or public installation.
To the purpose of the present specification the term device wall must be understood as comprising any surface and/or wall of a device preferably comprising a public or home sanitary device such a sink, bidets, tubs, or kitchen counters and the taps comprise any kind of valve devices or faucets that have a tube portion passing through the cited device wall and being connected to the water or other fluid carrying pipeline.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known to provide a firm connection between the set of taps provided in any sanitary device or kitchen counter wherein the taps include a pipe portion extending through a wall of the device, with the pipe or conduit portion being provided with threads on the outer surface thereof for a nut to be threaded in the pipe threads to retain the tap against the device wall. The installation of the nut, and particularly the insertion of a tool for rotating the nut is not always possible in the very small room available under sinks, bathtubs and bidets. This situation makes the nuts to be rotated by hand and then adjusted, as much as possible, by any kind of a small tool which causes the nut to be not always well adjusted.
To overcome the above problem a clamp for retaining the tap against the device wall have been devised by the inventor of the present application and disclosed in the Argentine Pat. No. 235827. This patent discloses a clamp comprising a slight V-shaped plate with two portions angularly arranged, one portion including a large orifice for passing the conduit portion of the tap therethrough and the other portion having a small orifice with a screw passing therethrough. The large orifice is capable of clamping against the threaded portion of the tap upon tilting of the clamp by rotating the screw inserted in the small orifice and making the screw to engage the device wall to as to move the clamp with a lever movement around the pipe portion of the tap. With this movement, the large orifice is wedged against the pipe portion and the pipe portion is pulled out of the device wall so as to fix the tap against the device. This clamp, however, occupies a large space and it becomes an obstacle for the further connection of the pipe portion to the water supplying pipeline. Some times, when connecting the water pipeline, the clamp is inadvertently knocked and the retention is released.
In addition, the large and clamping orifice of the patented clamp hardly remained retained against the pipe portion because the retention, gripping or grasping effect between the inner edges of the orifice and the outer surface of the pipe portion is not enough for a well retention and no means are provided for enhancing this retention.
It would be therefore convenient to have a clamp for replacing the nut-threaded pipe retention but without the drawbacks of space consuming like with the clamp disclosed in the prior patent of the same inventor.

Clamp assembly for fastening connections of taps onto a device wall


A programmable fluid or gas control system controls the operation of one or more solenoid valves, each of which in turn controls a gas or fluid dispensing unit. The control system may be used to control water dispensing fixtures such as sprinklers, sinks, showers, toilets and the like, or it may be used in heating-ventilating-air conditioning (HVAC) applications. The control system may have several configurations. In one configuration, a master controller controls one or more slave circuits, which in turn control one or more solenoid valves. Each valve controls at least one gas or liquid dispensing device. The mode of operation of any particular valve and the timing of its operation may be input either via the master controller or via the associated slave control circuit. The operation of the valve may be easily changed without changing hardware or software, allowing the system to be used in a wide variety of applications. In other configurations, the master controller is not used. Either a single slave control circuit may be used to operate one or more valves, or multiple slave controllers, each controlling at least one valve, may be linked together via a communications data bus to transfer information between them.

This invention relates to programmable control systems that control gas or liquid dispensing devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to programmable heating, ventilating and air conditioning control (HVAC) systems, and to programmable water control systems for controlling the operation of a plurality of plumbing fixtures, such as showers, sinks, toilets, sprinklers and the like.
Control systems are known that control a plurality of gas dispensing devices such as heaters, ventilators, and air conditioners in an HVAC system. Water control systems are also known that control a plurality of water dispensing devices, such as sprinklers, sinks, showers, toilets and the like. A typical water control system has a controller that controls the operation of one or more solenoid valves. In general, each valve controls the water flow to at least one water dispensing device. The time at which one or more valves is to be turned ON, the length of the ON time of a particular fixture or group of fixtures, any designated OFF times for the fixtures, and the number of operations of a fixture during a predetermined time period may be either preprogrammed or input via an input device such as a keypad. The controller receives the input information and controls the operation of the associated valves to implement the instructions.
Although the duration of fixture operation may be readily changed, the manner or mode in which the fixture operates typically cannot be changed in prior art control systems. That is, the mode or "personality" of the fixture and its operation is predetermined because the fixture's controller is typically a dedicated processor. The only way to change the fixture's mode of operation--other than the duration and timing of its operation--is to replace the controller altogether.
For example, assume that a controller controls several water dispensing devices of a first type, such as a group of showers. Although the duration of shower operation, the number of operations per unit time, and any periods when the showers are prevented from operating (called "block-out" times) may be changed, the controller is a dedicated shower controller. It cannot also be used to control toilets, faucets, or other types of water dispensing units since these units have much different timing requirements. For example, a shower may be set to operate both hot and cold water valves for five minutes each, but a toilet only uses cold water and only flushes for a few seconds. Thus, a separate dedicated controller having different programmed instructions and different circuitry would be needed to control the toilet. Similarly, a different type of controller would be needed to control the faucet operation as well.
This requirement for several different types of controllers and programming instructions results in a water control system which is very expensive where more than one type of water dispensing unit is being controlled. In a prison system, for example, distinct controllers and/or software programs must be used to control the toilets, the sinks, and the showers for each group of cells. Also, the controller for the toilets cannot be used to control the showers.
A related disadvantage of prior art systems is that once the mode of a particular water dispensing fixture has been preset, it cannot be changed without replacing the controller or rewriting the software. For example, one mode of operating a shower is a "meter-only" mode. When the user presses a button, the metering or ON cycle begins. The cycle runs its full course for the preset time even if the button is pushed again. Once the showers have been installed in a meter-only mode, the mode cannot be changed. However, the proprietor of the facility may later wish to change the shower mode to a "double-touch" mode in which one touch of the button starts the cycle, and a second touch of the button ends the cycle even if the cycle is not completed. In a typical prior art water control system, this mode could only be changed by replacing the entire controller or by re-writing the software which operates the controller.
Since prior art water control systems have only a single controller, the mode of all the showers would have to be changed. That is, there is no provision for changing the mode of only a single group of showers without changing the mode for all of the showers. Even if the mode is to be changed, the water and/or the power must typically be shut off to the system to make the change, resulting in down time.
Since the prior art control systems have hardware or software which is not readily changed, the system cannot be used in different types of applications without redesigning the circuitry or rewriting the software. For example, a water control system for a prison cannot be readily adapted to control the restrooms in an office building. This limitation of prior art systems increases the cost of the systems since additional engineering time is needed to redesign the system for different applications.

Programmable control system for gas and liquid dispensing devices


Apparatus for operation of a vehicle seat swivel or rotation mechanism are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a cable assembly having a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable assembly is configured to be operatively coupled to a rotation mechanism of a vehicle seat. A release member is operatively coupled to the second end of the cable assembly so that the rotation mechanism is urged toward a locked condition in the absence of a force being applied to the release member by a person.

Many vehicle seats such as those used in boats include a swiveling or rotatable seat mount coupled to a post and base assembly in the boat. A swiveling or rotatable seat mount enables a seated vehicle occupant to rotate their seat to a desired position, which typically occurs when the vehicle is relatively stationary to enable, for example, an operator of the vehicle (e.g., a driver) to adjust the position of their seat for use of vehicle controls, comfort, safety, etc.
Typically, vehicle seat swivel or rotation mechanisms are operated via a lever or other similar mechanical member that is directly or rigidly coupled to the rotatable seat mount. Additionally, the lever or other member for operating the seat swivel or rotation mechanism is typically located in close proximity to the seat and its swivel or rotation mechanism so that a seated vehicle occupant can easily operate the rotation mechanism. For example, in the case of boats, a lever for operating (e.g., locking/unlocking) the seat swivel or rotation mechanism is often located near the right or left side of the seat bottom.
The above-noted direct and proximate relationship between the rotation mechanism control (e.g., lever) results in a relatively low overall seat cost and provides a relatively high degree of occupant safety. In particular, such known mechanical rotation controls use relatively few parts that are unlikely to bind, seize, or otherwise impede the return of the rotation mechanism to a locked condition following an adjustment by the occupant. Leaving a seat in an unlocked condition is unsafe for operation of the vehicle and could, for example, significantly increase the likelihood of injury to an occupant during an accident (e.g., a collision).
Unfortunately, in the case of boats, for example, some seat pedestals or mounting posts are relatively short (e.g., less than eight inches), which may significantly limit the permissible length of the operating lever for the swivel or rotational locking mechanism. In particular, a lever that extends near to the outer edge of the seat bottom is easier for a seat occupant to reach and operate. However, a longer lever requires more vertical space in which to actuate and travel. As a result, for those seats having relatively short mounting posts or pedestals, a lever that operates (i.e., unlocks the locking mechanism) when moved downward must be made relatively shorter and, thus, may have to be disposed substantially inward from the edge of the seat bottom making it more difficult for the seat occupant to reach and operate the lever.
In the case of an operating lever that operates (i.e., unlocks the locking mechanism) when moved upward, the lever must be made short enough to ensure that the free end (i.e., the end actuated by the seat occupant) of the lever does not contact the seat bottom before the unlocked condition is achieved, which would prevent unlocking of the swivel or rotational mechanism.

Cable operated seat mount locks for rotatable vehicle seats


A notched fluid applicator comprising a base with a dispenser pad or a brush. The notch allows the application of a fluid to a surface containing one or more protrusions. The applicator may be used to apply fluid to the surface of an article such as a glass substrate, printed circuit board, or other surface containing one or more protrusions.

In the prior art, materials are applied to an object such as the surface of a substrate by a variety of means that include dispensing, depositing, coating, labeling, spraying, wetting, brushing, dripping, flow coating, immersion, screen printing, and so forth.
One of the primary uses of fluid applicators is in the automotive industry where a fluid applicator is used to apply fluids to the edge or edges of a glass substrate such as windshields, moldings, channels, and sunroofs. In the automotive industry a coating of material is deposited on the periphery or marginal edge of a glass or plastic substrate in preparation for the application of an adhesive or sealant bonding the substrate to the vehicle. For vehicle windows, any discontinuities in the deposited coating may affect the ability of the coating to act as a moisture barrier and may affect the strength of the bonding of the window to the vehicle. Thus it is important to uniformly apply the fluid and prevent any discontinuities. The present invention is directed to a notched fluid applicator that uniformly applies a relatively thin layer of fluid with little or no discontinuity to the surface of an object such as a substrate that contains at least one protrusion.


A horizontal type thermo-shrinking film labeling machine includes a tubular thermo-shrinking film dispensing wheel controlled to let off a thermo-shrinking film, a film delivery uni controlled to deliver the thermo-shrinking film forwards, a central guide shaft which guides the thermo-shrinking film in an opened status, a cutter unit controlled to cut the thermo-shrinking film being delivered from the central guide shaft, a packing wheel rotated to pick up the cut pieces of the thermo-shrinking film, permitting the cut pieces of the thermo-shrinking film to be sleeved onto products carried thereon individually, a feed unit controlled to feed products to respective receiving troughs on the packing wheel, a conveyer controlled to carry thermo-shrinking film packed products to a heating unit for heating, enabling each cut piece of the thermo-shrinking film to shrink and to be firmly secured to the periphery of the corresponding piece of product.

The present invention relates to a labeling machine for putting a label of thermo-shrinking film on a product, and more particularly to a horizontal type labeling machine which is suitable for putting a label of thermo-shrinking film to any of a variety of products.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional thermo-shrinking film labeling machine. This labeling machine 1 is a vertical type, comprised of a machine base 10, a thermo-shrinking film dispensing wheel 12 mounted on the machine base 10 at one side, a conveyer 13 mounted on the machine base 10 below the thermo-shrinking film dispensing wheel 12, a heating unit 14 mounted on the machine base 1 over the conveyer 13, a cutter unit (not shown) mounted within a box on the machine base 10 above the conveyer 13 between the thermo-shrinking film dispensing wheel 12 and the heating unit 14. When in use, a tubular thermo-shrinking film 15 is wound round the thermo-shrinking film dispensing wheel 12, permitting the lead end of the tubular thermo-shrinking film 15 to be moved over guide rods 100 on the machine base 10 and inserted into the box in which the cutter unit is mounted. When in use, the tubular thermo-shrinking film 15 is cut at a predetermined frequency, enabling each cut piece of tubular thermo-shrinking film to fall to a corresponding bottle 16 carried on the conveyer 13. When a bottle 16 is carried by the conveyer 13 through the heating unit 14, the respective cut piece of tubular thermo-shrinking film is heated to shrink, and to become firmly secured to the periphery of the bottle 16. This vertical type thermo-shrinking film labeling machine is suitable for labeling products that can be carried on the conveyer 13 in vertical. For labeling products that cannot be stably carried on the conveyer 13, much labor is needed to manually put individual pieces of tubular thermo-shrinking film on the products to be labeled, so that individual pieces of thermo-shrinking film can be further heated with the products.

Horizontal type thermo-shrinking film labeling machine


A boat mooring device comprises two PVC pipes pivotally joined at a common midpoint to be selectively positionable from a coextensive linear configuration to an X-shaped configuration. Each pipe has a segment of nylon line extending therethrough and secured therein. The device includes a first pair of line anchoring structures adapted for spaced-apart attachment to a docking structure, and a second pair of line anchoring structures adapted for spaced-apart attachment to a watercraft. In use, the pipes are arranged in an X-shaped configuration and the ends of the nylon lines are attached to the anchoring structures on the dock and watercraft. Each pair of line anchoring structures are spaced apart at a distance approximately equal to half the length of the pipes. In this arrangement, the pipes form an angle of approximately 60° with respect to one another, which provides the optimal configuration for maintaining the moored boat in position.

There are many different systems in the prior art for standoff mooring of a boat to a dock or pier. These systems serve to prevent the boat from contacting the dock or pier to prevent damage which could be incurred from rough seas, high winds, tidal changes etc. Fenders are commonly used to protect boats moored to a dock. Fenders are usually made of a rubber-like plastic and filled with air under low pressure. Some are sealed, others can be inflated to higher pressures with a hand pump. Fenders generally have an eye molded in at each end for attaching a short length of light line used to suspend them along the side of a boat.
Fenders can be very effective for preventing contact between moored boats or the boat and the dock, however fenders can become displaced by vertical motion of the boat. This can result in damage to the boat when the dock contacts the boat above or below the fender. Another drawback is that the fenders are bulky, and on a relatively small boat (10–25 feet in length) take up a large percent of the available storage space.
There are several systems for standoff mooring disclosed in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,234 discloses a device to fix a floating boat to a dock that allows the boat to move up and down freely in the water. The device includes two elongated arms that are fixed to a cleat on the boat which extend to the dock forming a triangle. The device can only be used on a wooden dock constructed of lateral planks since the dock attachment fits in the slots between the planks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,138 discloses a standoff mooring bar for a boat which is adjustable in length. The device must be attached to upright pylons, which may not be present in every docking situation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,846 discloses a mooring device which comprises a mounting bracket which may be attached to a dock in various positions and provides for pivotal attachment of a mooring arm to the mounting bracket. The mooring arm comprises an inner hollow elongated member telescoping within an outer elongated hollow member.
In each of the above prior art patents, at least two of the disclosed devices must be used in a parallel arrangement to properly moor the boat. It would be highly desirable to provide a simplified system wherein standoff mooring could be accomplished with a single device.
The present invention as disclosed herein overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art systems by providing a lightweight device of economic design which accomplishes standoff mooring of a boat while allowing for vertical differentials in the distance between the boat and dock, and which also requires that only a single device be employed, thus providing ease of installation and storage.


A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes mounting a core engine to a vehicle, coupling a fuselage radially outward and around the core engine, coupling an exhaust nozzle to the core engine to channel exhaust gases discharged from the core engine, wherein the exhaust nozzle includes a cowl and a primary nozzle coupled radially inward from the cowl, and coupling an infrared suppression system in flow communication with the engine exhaust nozzle to facilitate suppressing an exhaust infrared signature of the core engine, wherein the infrared suppression system includes a blocking fin having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile and such that a cooling air flowpath is defined between the cowl and the blocking fin.

This invention relates generally to infrared suppression devices and more generally to methods and apparatus for reducing infrared emission from gas turbines such as those used, for example, in helicopters.
In some helicopters used in hostile environments, gear boxes used to drive helicopter rotors are driven by gas turbine engines. Known gas turbine engines rotate at typically higher revolutions per minute (RPM) than the helicopter rotors. Known engines also include a tailpipe which channels exhaust overboard from the gas turbine engines. As a result of hot exhaust gases flowing therethrough, the operating temperature of a known tailpipe increases during engine operation, and thus, an infrared signal generated by the tailpipe also increases.
With recent advancements in weapons detection technology, there is growing recognition of the importance of reducing the infrared signature associated with gas turbine engines powering military aircraft and land combat vehicles. Moreover, infrared signature reductions facilitate reducing the possibility of detection and pursuit by enemy anti-aircraft forces including heat-seeking missiles. As a result, at least some known aircraft use a combination of infrared defensive systems. For example such systems may include a propulsion system infrared suppression, a suppression system to facilitate suppressing other infrared sources on the aircraft, infrared countermeasures, i.e., a jamming device, and/or improved aircraft paint. These defensive systems contribute individually and as a system to synergistically facilitate reducing the susceptibility of the vehicle to a missile attack, and as a result, such systems facilitate reducing aircraft vulnerability, while increasing aircraft, crew, passenger and payload survivability.
Generally, the largest source of infrared energy is emitted from the aircraft engine exhaust. More specifically, exposed metal surfaces within the exhaust pipe emit infrared electromagnetic radiation at all wavelengths after being exposed to the high temperature exhaust gases. Specifically, at least some known metal surfaces exposed to hot gases can emit large amounts of infrared radiation between approximately 1.5 and approximately 5.0 microns. Moreover, hot exhaust gases from the engine exhaust can include CO2, NO2, and/or H2O molecules that can emit infrared energy at wavelengths of approximately 1.4, 1.8-2.0, 2.6-2.8 and 4.24.3 microns, respectively, thus contributing to the infrared signature.
To facilitate reducing an aircrafts's susceptibility to an infrared missile attack, at least some known engines channel ambient air past at least some of the exposed visible surfaces to facilitate diluting exhaust gases discharged from the engine. However, at least one known infrared suppression system actually absorbs heat that is emitted from the gas turbine exhaust thus increasing a temperature of the infrared suppression system itself.

Gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle including an infrared suppression system having a plurality of U-shaped blocking fins and method of assembling said exhaut nozzle