The invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing mineral wool. The apparatus includes means (1) for producing molten mineral material, at least one fiberizing device (3) for forming fibres, into which fiberizing device the molten mineral material is fed (2) and by which fibres (12) are formed. The fiberizing device (3) comprises, rotationally arranged around a vertical axis (15), at least one fiberizing plate (13) having a vertical peripheral edge, into which are formed numerous small-sized holes (14), through which the molten material is led by centrifugal force to form fibres (12). Into the fiberizing device (3) are arranged elements to produce a vertical flow of blowing medium (16) to be led around the fiberizing plate (13), the flow causing the fibres (12) to turn downwards and, at the same time, to thin. Downstream the fiberizing device (3) is arranged a collection device (6), into which the formed fibres (12) are led and collected into a mat-like material. In connection with said at least one fiberizing plate (13) is arranged a substantially horizontal, relatively narrow channel (5), through which the fibres (12) are brought into the chamber space (7) of the collection device (6). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing mineral wool and a mineral wool product manufactured by the method.

Such mineral wool manufacturing lines are implemented with various configurations. In order to manufacture mineral wool (rock wool and glass wool), the raw material is melted in a melting furnace and led into a fiberizing device, from which it is brought into the collecting apparatus. The manufacture of rock wool typically includes a collection chamber for the fibres formed, and means for collecting the fibres into a fibre mat or web. Such a fibre mat or web, which is often called a primary mat, is then brought into the pendulum apparatus, in which is formed a secondary mat of the desired thickness.
In the manufacture of glass wool, the fiberizing apparatus is typically a plate rotationally arranged around an axis, to the peripheral edge of which plate are arranged numerous small-diameter holes. The number of holes can be even tens of thousands and their diagonal can be, for example, in the range of 0.5 mm-1 mm. The molten material led onto the plate pushes through the holes under the influence of centrifugal force, forming fibres. Around the plate is led a blowing medium, oriented substantially parallel with the axis of rotation from above to below, which can be, for example, heated air. This blowing causes the fibres to orientate downwards and to stretch, thus thinning them. The fibres are led by the blowing medium to a transportation base passing the blowing medium through, onto which base the fibres are settled into a mat-like or a web-like product to be brought for further processing. Such a fiberizing plate is typically used in the manufacture of glass wool. Such a fiberizing plate is presented, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,507.
In the manufacture of rock wool are typically used, arranged rotationally around a horizontal axis, a group of spinner discs (fiberization ring/spinner disc), in which material spins under the influence of centrifugal force and forms fibres. Around the spinner discs is led horizontally-oriented blowing medium to stretch and orient the fibres horizontally towards the collection chamber, into which are arranged collector elements to collect the fibres into a mat or web. Such an arrangement is known, for example, from WO87/06631.
A disadvantage, especially when using spinner discs, is a significantly great amount of non-fiberized material (shot), which can be as much as 40% by weight from the weight of the source material. There are various solutions for separating the shot from the fibres, but nonetheless a significant amount of them ends up in the final product, weakening its quality and increasing its weight.

Apparatus and method for manufacturing mineral wool as well as a mineral wool product


A nozzle body and coupler bearing assembly for discharging a liquid material. The nozzle body consists of approximately thirty-two serially and concentrically arranged ports which receives liquid from an attached hose under high pressures. The various points of placement of the ports, combined with the rotation produce a balanced and stabilized effect on the rotating nozzle assembly which allows the nozzle assembly to be delivered to a target area, and while in operation, have the ability to be left unattended by fire-fighting personnel. The wild and natural whipping action exhibited from a fire hose under high operating pressures is nullified with the present nozzle. The body of the nozzle is a hollow paraboloid attached to a coupler bearing assembly. The nozzle body is made from a resilient and durable material with concavo-convex surfaces with a plurality of ports emitting liquid in a radial "Dandelion puff" pattern. Three of the four port groups have approximate angles which are arranged tangentially and acutely to the axis of rotation and flow. The fourth group has an approximate angle which is arranged acutely to the horizontal plane of the longitudinal axis of rotation and flow. The nozzle assembly may be transported, delivered, placed, propelled, launched, carried, or otherwise put in any mode, means, or fashion to a target to which a liquid needs to be provided or dispersed.

The current and various styles of prior art nozzles, whether steady stream or spray, are subjected to the same vector and spiraling effects of a liquid under pressure passing through the hose and through the nozzle head. There is also the vector force of the projecting liquid and the resultant effect of this force which causes the tendency of an unsecured and uncontrolled hose under high pressure to be whipped about wildly and uncontrollable. This effect exhibits the physical principles of action-reaction which is well recognized and as a consequence, dictates that fire-fighting regulations and insurance liability requirements mandate that one, two, or three men operate a hose under high pressures. The men act in concert to stabilize the hose's tendency to whip about thus being a counter-force to the vector forces and the spiraling effect going on within and without the hose itself. A drawback of these prior art nozzles is that multiple valuable men are encumbered to a single task and that if the hose is loosed from the men controlling it, becomes in itself a lethal device until it is brought under control or shutdown.
An additional problem of prior art nozzles attached to a hose under high operating pressures is the ability to deliver the hose and nozzle head to the area of need. In the case of fires, personnel are deployed both to attend and control the hose and also to move the hose into hazardous areas to allow the hose to deliver the intended liquid to a fire or targeted area. This endangers the personnel by directly putting them into harm's way. As a consequence many lives are lost, persons injured, and insurance liabilities are high.
Another problem with existing prior art nozzles is their ability to penetrate a barrier. Prior art nozzles to this point need to be manned or engaged by personnel to aid or force the nozzle through an intended barrier to deliver a specified liquid to a target. The current practice for this method again endangers the operating personnel by requiring them to be in close proximity to the danger area. As stated before, a consequence is that many lives are lost, persons injured, and insurance liabilities are high.

Device and method to provide stabilized delivery of pressurized liquid


A swivelling glass is generally composed of a cup and a base. The bottom portion of the cup has a swivel section which has a sphere surface at its bottom portion thereof, and a slanting surface at its bottom end. The base comprises a hole on top portion with an arcuate surface corresponding to the sphere surface of the swivel section of the cup, thus the cup may swivel on top of the base.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a glass, and more particularly to a glass which enables the cup to swivel with respect to the base of the glass.
2. Description of a Prior Art
A conventional glass is generally composed of a cup A seating on top of a base B. The cup A has a hollow body to contain drinks while the base B is to support the cup A to stand on a table or so forth. This design has a few shortcomings:
1. It is inconvenient for a user to lift the glass in an angle in order to drink.
2. When a child is drinking with a straw, due to his/her height is shorter, it is necessary for him/her or his/her parent to lift the glass in an angle, this is also inconvenient.
3. When lying on a bench mat or a poor chair, a user has to sit up and lift the glass to drink.
4. It is not attractive to a user.
In view of this and many others, the inventor has invented a glass which has a swivel cup to solve the above-mentioned shortcomings.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a swivelling glass, which is generally composed of a cup and a base. The bottom end of the cup has a swivel section which has a sphere surface, and a slanting surface at its outer end. The base comprises a hole on top portion with an arcuate surface corresponding to the sphere surface of the swivel section of the cup, thus when the cup is seated on the base, the swivel section of the cup and the arcuate surface of the hole in the base shall allow the cup to swivel in an angle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a swivelling glass, which has grooves on the swivel section to increase elastic character of the swivel section.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a swivelling glass, which has an attractive appearance to customers.


A limit stop with an elastomer resilient element, which is to be secured on a door or lid and/or on an opposing stationary vehicle section for damping forces generated when the door or lid strikes stationary chassis parts of a motor vehicle. The limit stop includes an additional damping section disposed adjacent to and cooperating with the elastic resilient element in a spring deflection direction of the resilient element. The damping section comprises at least two chambers filled with a fluid and a nozzle plate arranged between the chambers with at least one channel extending through the nozzle plate and connecting the chambers. The fluid is displaced from one of the chambers into the other chamber during a spring deflection of the elastomer resilient element, thereby producing a pressure force which is caused by the buildup in pressure when the volume of one of the chambers decreases and augments the return force of the resilient element.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a limit stop with an elastomer spring, for damping forces generated when a door or lid strike a stationary chassis part of a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
To prevent clatter or damage to metal chassis parts or to the paint of motor vehicles, the area around the doors and lids, in particular the front hood and the trunk lid, typically includes means for damping the impact. In most situations, the impact from doors or lids closing on the respective chassis openings is dampened by a number of limit stops which are made of an elastomer material and arranged along the circumference of the opening. Suitable limit stops, frequently in the shape of the head of a mushroom, are used predominantly around the engine hood and the trunk lid, which close by their own weight through engagement with a snap-in lock. The limit stops operate as end stops for the respective closing height of the lid and absorb the acceleration forces generated by the closing lid.
The installation height for limit stops of this type should be selected so that the corresponding door or lid, when closed, is biased against that chassis so as to prevent rattle and leave only a very small gap spacing. A limit stop of this type is described, for example, in DE 199 29 953 A1. However, this document does not address the mechanical construction of the limit stop, but attempts to prevent accumulation of paint on limit stops which are already installed on the chassis when the vehicle is painted. In addition, DE 100 35 201 A1 describes a limit stop with a height which is adjustable in relation to the chassis frame. With the disclosed solution, manufacturing tolerances in the gap spacing of the lids or doors can be compensated. However, with the aforementioned conventional solutions, the spring characteristic of the buffers disadvantageously remains constant when the engine hood is closed, independent of the closing speed of the hood, so that the spring action is independent of the respective closing height of the hood. It would therefore be desirable to reduce peak forces exerted on the chassis parts, when the lid is accidentally and inadvertently dropped from a considerable height, by increasing the spring characteristic when the impact speed increases, and to also limit the depth with which the lid or door depresses the limit stop in view of the small gap spacing.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a limit stop with a spring characteristic which adapts within predefined limits to an increasing closing speed of a closing door or lid, and which also effectively dampens large impact forces. The limit stop should also make it possible to realize very small gap spacings.

Limit stop for a door or lid of a motor vehicle


A drill and drive apparatus includes a tube assembly which defines a tool chamber, the tube assembly including a shank adapted to be received within a chuck of a drill. The apparatus further includes a tool holder which is configured to be at least partially received in the tool chamber of the tube assembly, the tool holder having (i) a first tool locking mechanism at a first end portion thereof, and (ii) a second tool locking mechanism at a second end portion thereof. The drill and drive apparatus further includes a tube locking mechanism which is configured to releasably lock the tool holder to the tube assembly when the tool holder is at least partially received in the tool chamber. The shank defines (i) a first shank opening, (ii) a second shank opening, and (iii) a bit passage extending from the first shank opening to the second shank opening, whereby a drill bit locked to the tool holder by the first tool locking mechanism may extend through the first shank opening, the bit passage, and the second shank opening when the tool holder is locked to the tube assembly.

The present invention relates generally to a drill and drive apparatus, and more particularly to a drill and drive apparatus having a shank configured to accommodate a long drill bit when such long drill bit is being stowed within the assembly.
Throughout the years, various devices have been designed which allows an individual operating an electric drill to quickly change the tool being driven by the drill for another tool. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,839 (issued to Finnegan), discloses a drill and drive apparatus having a hollow main body portion which is adapted to receive a tool holder therein. The main body portion includes a shank which extends from the main body portion. The shank is secured to a chuck of the drill during use thereof. The tool holder is configured to releasably lock a drill bit to one of its ends, and lock a screwdriver bit to the other of its ends. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism which operates to releasably lock the tool holder to the main body portion. During operation of the Finnegan apparatus, the tool holder may be secured partially within the main body portion while exposing the drill bit. Thereafter, the user may operate the apparatus to drill a hole in a workpiece. Then, the user may quickly release the tool holder from the main body portion, and rotate the tool holder 180xc2x0. Thereafter, the user may insert the rotated tool holder into the main body portion and quickly relock the tool holder thereto with the screwdriver bit exposed. Then, the user may place the tip of a threaded side of a screw in the hole located in the workpiece, and drive the screw into the workpiece with the drill and drive apparatus and the drill.
One drawback with the drill and drive devices possessing the above-described type of design is that the size of the drill bit that is able to be used with the device is quite limited. Such limitation is attributable to the fact the drill bit, when not being used, is stowed in the hollow portion of the main body which has the shank extending therefrom. In order maintain a reasonable size of the device, the main body portion of the device has a limited size which correspondingly limits the size of the drill bit stowed therein. Also, the shank of the device is typically positioned and configured to prevent use of a drill bit possessing a length substantially longer than that permitted by the size of the main body portion.
Another drawback with designs of the above described type is that such designs are relatively mechanically complex, and consequently, are relatively expensive to manufacture.
What is needed therefore is a drill and drive assembly which overcomes one or more drawbacks of the previously designed devices. For example, what is needed is a drill and drive apparatus that is able to use a drill bit having a length which is not limited by the size of the main body portion of the device or the position and configuration of the shank of the device. Moreover, for example, what is needed is a drill and drive apparatus that is relatively less mechanically complex and inexpensive to manufacture.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drill and drive apparatus. The apparatus includes a tube assembly which defines a tool chamber, the tube assembly including a shank adapted to be received within a chuck of a drill. The apparatus further includes a tool holder which is configured to be at least partially received in the tool chamber of the tube assembly, the tool holder having (i) a first tool locking mechanism at a first end portion thereof, and (ii) a second tool locking mechanism at a second end portion thereof. The apparatus additionally includes a tube locking mechanism which is configured to releasably lock the tool holder to the tube assembly when the tool holder is at least partially received in the tool chamber. The shank defines (i) a first shank opening, (ii) a second shank opening, and (iii) a bit passage extending from the first shank opening to the second shank opening, whereby a drill bit locked to the tool holder by the first tool locking mechanism may extend through the first shank opening, the bit passage, and the second shank opening when the tool holder is locked to the tube assembly.
Pursuant to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drill and drive apparatus. The apparatus includes a tube assembly having (i) a tube body which defines a tool chamber, and (ii) a shank extending from the tube body. The apparatus further includes a tool holder which is configured to be at least partially received in the tool chamber of the tube assembly, the tool holder having (i) a first tool locking mechanism at a first end portion thereof, and (ii) a second tool locking mechanism at a second end portion thereof. The shank defines (i) a first shank opening, (ii) a second shank opening, and (iii) a bit passage extending from the first shank opening to the second shank opening, whereby a drill bit locked to the tool holder by the first tool locking mechanism may extend through the first shank opening, the bit passage, and the second shank opening when the tool holder is at least partially received into the tool chamber.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a drill and drive apparatus. The apparatus includes a tube assembly which defines a tool chamber, the tube assembly including a shank adapted to be received within a chuck of a drill. The apparatus further includes a tool holder which is configured to be at least partially received in the tool chamber of the tube assembly, the tool holder having (i) a holder body, (ii) a first tool locking mechanism located at a first end portion of the holder body, (iii) a second tool locking mechanism located at a second end portion of the holder body, and (iv) a movable screw sleeve positioned around the tool holder, the movable screw sleeve being movable relative to the holder body in an axial direction defined by an axis of rotation of the tool holder during operation of the drill and drive apparatus. In addition, the apparatus includes a tube locking mechanism which is configured to releasably lock the tool holder to the tube assembly when the tool holder is at least partially received in the tool chamber.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful drill and drive apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved drill and drive apparatus.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a drill and drive apparatus that is able to use a drill bit having a length which is not limited by the size of the main body portion of the apparatus or the position and configuration of the shank of the apparatus.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a drill and drive apparatus that is relatively less mechanically complex and inexpensive to manufacture.
Other objects and benefits of the present invention can be discerned from the following description and accompanying drawings.

Drill and drive apparatus having arrangement to accommodate long drill bits


A driver circuit for delivering a generally constant voltage to a load is disclosed. The driver circuit includes a source of incoming AC power, a rectifier, and a constant voltage driver. The rectifier is connected to the source of incoming AC power and produces a DC voltage. The constant voltage driver receives the DC voltage from the rectifier. The constant voltage driver includes a selectively activated switching element for receiving the DC voltage, a controller, and an output line. The controller receives the DC voltage and is configured to send a drive signal to the switching element in order to activate the switching element. The output line provides the generally constant voltage to the load.

Light emitting diode (LED) based lighting systems may offer several energy and reliability advantages over other types of lighting systems such as, for example, incandescent or fluorescent lighting. Thus, LED based lighting systems may be widely used to replace other existing lighting technologies.
In one approach for providing an LED based light, multiple LEDs may be connected in series with one another in a string within a lighting fixture, where the LEDs may be driven at a regulated current. Specifically, a bypass switch such as, for example, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) or a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) may be used to selectively control current to a specific group of LEDs located within the string. However, this type of arrangement may be relatively difficult or very complex to control. Therefore, there exists a continuing need in the art for a more efficient, simpler, and cost-effective approach for controlling one or more LEDs.

Constant voltage and constant current driver circuit


Apparatus in accordance with the invention is of the type in which textile fabric samples are dyed in a generally cylindrical vessel containing a liquid dyeing bath while being moved in a cyclical fashion by a sample holder having a generally vertical rod connected to an overhead stirrer. The improved apparatus includes means connected to the generally vertical rod for holding the textile fabric sample in a generally cylindrical configuration, a pump for pumping a concentrated chemical solution at a controlled rate, and means for supplying the concentrated chemical solution from the pump under the surface of the dyeing bath in at least two vertically spaced-apart locations.

The present application relates to laboratory apparatus for the dyeing of textiles and more particularly relates to such apparatus for use where it is desired to introduce dye and/or chemicals into the bath in a controlled manner.
Dyers of textile fabrics routinely perform small scale dyeings to determine the commercial viability of processes using particular dyes or combinations of dyes with certain fabrics and for shade matching, e.g., determining the amount of dye needed to obtain a desired shade. Various laboratory apparatus are known for such small scale dyeings. One type of such apparatus uses a generally cylindrical vessel containing a liquid dyeing bath and a sample holder for moving the samples in the bath in a cyclical fashion such as with a twist and stroke motion. The sample holder typically includes a generally vertical rod connected to an overhead stirrer. Forks or a basket of wire or other perforated material mounted on the rod are typically provided to hold the sample so that it is carried with the sample holder.
Known apparatus of this type is effective in performing conventional dyeing processes where the dye and chemicals such as dyeing auxiliaries are present in the bath when the dyeing is begun. However, such apparatus has been found to be unsatisfactory for laboratory dyeings in which it is desired to add dye and/or chemicals in a controlled manner as the dyeing progresses. For example, with conventional apparatus, it is difficult to achieve a level dyeing of nylon fabrics if dye is added to a heated bath in a process such as that disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO92/08838, May 29, 1992.

Laboratory apparatus for dyeing textile fabrics


A furniture foot assembly including a foot support block and an attachable furniture foot. The foot support block includes a substantially triangular-shaped body having rectangular outer walls joined together along at one of the end edges to form an intersection having an angle of about 90.degree. corresponding to the angle between adjoining rails of an item of furniture. An elongated boss is aligned with the intersection and is adapted to receive a furniture foot having a stem. The elongated boss provides a sufficient area of contact between the stem of the furniture foot without adding unnecessary weight. In the preferred embodiment, a boss support structure is formed from a bottom wall and a plurality of radial supports attached to the outer walls and the elongated boss.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to furniture feet for sofas and the like and, more particularly, to a furniture foot assembly including a foot support block adapted to receive a furniture foot.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
The retail furniture business has become extremely competitive in recent years, especially in the high volume/low price realm, so manufacturers are constantly searching for ways to improve quality while reducing costs. Two methods often employed are material substitution and reduction of cube (volume) in shipping. While new materials can be substituted for internal components, little has been done to reduce cube in shipping because the products' standard size and image are usually not changeable.
One of the few places that both cost savings actions can be employed is in the feet used on such items as easy chairs and sofas. These feet have traditionally been wood but, in recent times, lower cost plastic feet have been substituted. The production and material costs for plastic feet are much lower on a per unit basis than wooden feet. In addition, plastic feet often can be added to the furniture more easily after it has been shipped, so that the cube of the shipped product is reduced. Also, because of the nature of plastic, a small shaft or stem can be formed at the top of the foot integrally with the body of the foot. This stem can be made sufficiently strong to be driven into holes in the furniture frame, thereby speeding up the assembly process.
A stem of similar small section cannot be formed in wood because it would be too weak to withstand the side pressure to which it would be exposed. In addition, it would not be resilient and have the memory to "grasp" the hole into which it is inserted. Accordingly, wooden feet often required the use of a metal threaded rod for attachment.
However, plastic feet have a tendency to loosen over time and drop out when the furniture is moved. This results in a perception of poor quality and customer dissatisfaction. Thus, there was a need for a plastic foot design that could be successfully driven into the furniture frame and not turn or work loose.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,669, issued to the Assignee of the present invention, substantially solved this problem by providing a furniture foot including a body and a specially designed stem having a hollow cross-section. The stem has a length greater than the thickness of a lower portion of an item of furniture and a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of a hole formed in the lower portion of the furniture. The stem extends through the hole so that the body of the foot is adjacent the lower portion. The lower portion of the furniture somewhat compresses the hollow stem within the hole to form a interference, frictional fit within the hole. This secures the foot in place on the lower portion of the furniture. In the preferred embodiment, the stem has a plurality of ribs which are either tapered or do not extend the full length of the stem, thereby allowing the ribs to be more easily pressed into the lower portion of the item of furniture and, in addition, which inhibit rotation of the foot in the hole. The entire disclosure of this patent is hereby incorporated by reference.
As discussed above, the lower portion of the furniture has generally been a wooden corner block attached between two perpendicular wooden rails forming one of the generally four corners of the item of furniture such as a sofa or easy chair. Plastic corner blocks offer some advantages such as a more consistently square corner frame but have generally been too costly because of the amount of material needed to provide the necessary strength to attach the plastic corner block to the frame and support the weight on the furniture foot. In addition, the amount of material needed can produce an unsightly edge along the bottom of the item of furniture. Finally, prior art plastic corner blocks often required barb nuts or the like to provide sufficient attachment of the threaded feet to the block. Not only do these items add cost, they are also difficult to repair when they occasionally come loose since the bottom covering of the item of furniture must be removed to reattach the foot to the corner block. One example of such a prior art corner block is an item FS952 available from the carv/craft.RTM. Division of PI, Inc. in Athens, Tenn.
Thus, there remains a need for a new and improved furniture foot assembly which is strong and lightweight and cost effective and does not produce an unsightly edge while, at the same time, does not use barb nuts or the like to provide sufficient attachment of the furniture foot.


A system is provided for supporting a patient during computed axial tomography imaging. The system includes a movable platform formed of a radiolucent material, a discrete attachment region in the platform, and a curvilinear articulating arm coupled to the platform at the discrete attachment region. A method for supporting a patient during a plurality of procedures also is provided. The method includes: disposing the patient on a movable platform formed of a radiolucent material; positioning a device with respect to the patient, the device being disposed on a curvilinear articulating arm coupled to the platform; placing the platform, positioned device, and patient in a computed axial tomography imaging system and performing an imaging procedure.

Work-flows of patients from arrival at medical care facilities through post-operative recovery typically require a patient to be transferred among multiple supports on which the patient is transported and/or stabilized. For example, upon arrival at a hospital via an ambulance, a patient initially may be moved on a stretcher into the hospital. The patient then may be transferred to a hospital gurney and moved to an imaging room for assessment. In the imaging room, the patient may be transferred to an imaging table such as an x-ray table, and then returned to the gurney. Subsequently, the patient may be transferred to a patient bed while recovering or awaiting further evaluation, and/or the patient may be brought to an operating room (OR) and transferred to an operating table. Such extensive repositioning of the patient has numerous disadvantages, including a reduced ability to generally immobilize the patient, increased personnel requirements due to assisting or lifting the patient from one support to another, and even the potential for injuries to hospital personnel because of the lifting. Nevertheless, a standard patient support suitable for use in multiple hospital environments thus far has not been introduced because of the diverse design requirements that must be met for widespread application.
Patient supports used in ambulance settings, for example, must meet different standards from patient supports used in conjunction with imaging technologies. When transporting a patient in an ambulance, the patient must be immobilized so that further injury does not occur during transport. Some instrumentation may need to be supported, such as an intravenous (IV) bag, and this instrumentation may be coupled to the patient gurney. In contrast, in the imaging setting, many materials may not be present with the patient due to interference with the operation of the imaging equipment. Thus, the patient typically is supported on a tabletop or tray that is generally free of additional medical equipment. And, in some instances, several patient settings are needed at the same time, for example imaging while a patient undergoes surgery. It is clear that a patient support with generic use across many of the patient settings would be desirable. An explanation of the particular requirements of some of these settings thus is next introduced.
Various diagnostic imaging technologies are known for visualization of internal organs and structures. Computed axial tomography (CT), for example, is an x-ray scanning technique for producing cross-sectional images, while magnetic resonance imaging (MR) is a radiation-free technique that uses a strong magnet and radiofrequency waves to produce images in desired "slice planes." During CT and MR procedures in the clinical or operating room setting, a patient is placed on a movable support that translates within a housing. Traditional CT and MR equipment includes a ring-type gantry, and the patient is moved within the gantry so that images may be acquired of the anatomical region of interest. CT is known to be particularly useful for volumetric imaging but also suffers from poor soft tissue contrast, while MRI offers multi-planar imaging with superior soft tissue contrast.
The use of CT and MR for intraoperative imaging and interventional radiology (e.g., performing minimally invasive, targeted treatments using imaging for guidance) previously has been limited because of the substantial challenges posed by the geometry and overall size of the imaging equipment. The donut-shaped, ring-type gantries of traditional CT and MR equipment, for example, are not easily accommodated in operating rooms, and can cause or suffer from various deleterious effects due to interactions with other equipment. However, advances in CT and MR equipment are permitting more widespread application in intraoperative and interventional applications.
Until recently, only simple procedures such as biopsy or aspiration of fluid were performed in these scanners, and the need for additional capabilities in the support or table was limited. However, dramatic improvements in the image resolution and the speed of image acquisition of modern CT and MR scanners, the development of software and tracking technology for instrument guidance that can correlate with the images, and the development of software that permits the integration of multiple imaging modalities has greatly stimulated the use of these scanners in therapeutic procedures where image guidance can improve safety and efficacy. Some of the new minimally invasive ablative therapies require high precision placement of the delivery probes, and the monitoring and documentation achieved with concurrent CT or MR imaging is essential. Also, some newly developed surgeries simply cannot be done without concurrent CT or MR image guidance.
In such imaging procedures, the movable imaging support typically is provided on a base or carriage that receives the support at a desired height. For example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,237 to Tang et al., assigned to Med-Tec, Inc., a table base or carriage is provided with a tabletop that is mounted for longitudinal movement upon side rails attached to opposite sides of the carriage.
Imaging supports for movement on a carriage may be generally featureless, and simply may be sized to accommodate patients of a given height, weight, and girth. The supports may form patient couches when, for example, radiotranslucent cushions are placed along the supports and attached for example using Velcro®. Such cushions may enhance patient comfort and also may be readily conformable to a patient's anatomical contours so that patient movement is minimized. Typically, such a scanning tray is formed of a polymer or composite and has a smooth, generally flush and featureless surface. The tray may be cantilevered and slides into the gantry, with movement of the tray controlled by imaging software so that elevational and longitudinal positions may be set as needed.
A single imaging support also may be used with multiple imaging systems, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,571 to Josephson et al., assigned to GE Medical Systems. As described in the patent, mobile patient transport is provided, allowing for patient setup outside of imaging bays. A patient may be quickly transferred between imaging systems without lifting the patient, and a dual end docking of the patient transport allows in line motion of the patient between systems, thus minimizing patient disruption.
The surrounding geometry of the imaging equipment, along with the requisite patient translation during scanning, presents a challenge when performing invasive procedures that require or are benefited by having equipment that ideally should remain in a fixed relationship to the immobilized patient. For example, a typical practice is to hold medical instruments manually, rely on gravity, tissue structure and friction, and to improvise props using towels or other padding. However, as procedures are becoming more complex and, in particular, as CT and MR imaging equipment are moved into the operating room environment, there is a need for new approaches. Because of the needs of medical personnel conducting intraoperative and interventional procedures, new patient supports and associated components, and new instrument positioning and holding devices and methods are desired to address these needs.
A variety of modifications have been proposed or implemented for intraoperative procedures, particularly involving MRI. For example, it has been reported that patient tables may be modified to allow efficient transition between the MR scanner and the surgical pedestal, the tables may be tilted (Trendelenburg, reverse Trendelenburg), rotated/pivoted, elevated and/or lowered, and the patient can be translated past the outer edge of the scanner into the fringe field when scanning is not required. In addition, rigid skull clamps have been fixed to such a table. See, e.g., Daniel F. Kacher et al., "Design and Implementation of Surgical Instruments, Devices, and Receiver Coils for Intraoperative MRI-Guided Neurosurgical and Neuro Ablative Procedures," Automedica (2001); G. J. Rubino et al., "Interventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Neurosurgery—The UCLA Experience with the First 100 Cases," Electromedica 68—neuro 2000, pp. 37-46.
Also known is a hybrid system in which an MRI scanner is connected to a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) unit by a 2.8 meter connecting table for patient repositioning, the connecting table being disposed between a standard removable MR table and the angiographic unit table. The imaging units are installed in adjacent rooms that may be separated by a shielding door, thereby allowing patient access to either system. The special table and environment of the combined imaging suite, however, required a custom-built clinical setup. See Th. J. Vogl, "MR-Guided Interventions with a DSA-MRI Hybrid System," Electromedica 68 (2), pp. 116-121 (2000).
Some materials suitable for use in patient supports and associated components for use in the operating environment are unsuitable for use in the imaging environment. Because a strong magnetic field is created during MRI, ferromagnetic metal objects (and many other magnetic objects) must be kept out of the proximity of the machine. Such metal objects may cause poor image resolution and result in image artifacts that can mask or be misinterpreted as pathology. Concomitantly, metal objects present a safety hazard to the patient due to their attraction to the magnetic source (e.g., becoming projectiles due to their attraction by the magnet to the vicinity of the scanner table). Thus, high carbon steel alloys and pure iron must be avoided. Carbon fiber, a radiolucent material that is essentially transparent to x-rays, often is used in the CT setting but not generally accepted for use with an MRI scanner.
Thus, even the design of a patient support for use in just two different settings—such as the OR and the MR imaging environment—must meet a variety of requirements particular to each setting.
Along with the need for a new support for a patient, a variety of additional new components and methods may be desired by the technician, physician or surgeon. For example, one possible advance that may be achieved by application of such new CT and MR equipment is respiratory gating.
It is well known that the chest and abdominal organs can move several inches during respiration. One resulting problem is that this anatomical motion can adversely affect data acquisition, causing so-called ghost, or motion artifacts and thus adversely affect image quality. This problem is traditionally managed by asking patients to hold their breath, or by halting respiration if it is controlled mechanically, during the acquisition of images. A second problem arises when interventional procedures are done because of the inability of a patient to precisely repeat a given breath. This repetition is essential for accurate image correlation with a patient's anatomy when he or she is moved out of the scanner. Thus, for safety and efficacy, it is desirable to employ some method for monitoring and recording respiratory position at the time of acquisition of the CT or MR targeting image(s) that can be used to repeat that same anatomic position at the time of instrument placement. Such an exercise defines respiratory gating. Techniques have been developed for synchronizing cardiac and vascular imaging with a phase of the cardiac cycle by using electrocardiography signals to time the image acquisition and thereby provide images with consistent positions of anatomical features and to allow more accurate minimally invasive procedures. A comparable, clinically practical, real time signal of respiratory phase or internal organ position that can be used with CT or MR has not been available to date. It is especially problematic in the patient who is breathing voluntarily and not intubated with an endotracheal tube where volume input may be controlled. Normal respiration is a complex mixture of diaphragmatic and chest wall movements that may vary from breath to breath. The result is that a similar breath may not result in a similar position of internal organs that move with respiration. New minimally invasive ablative techniques such as (RF) radio frequency and cryogenic ablation require very accurate probe placement to simultaneously allow effective treatment and avoid injury to surrounding structures. Accurate respiratory gating is essential for accurate instrument placement in organs or structures that move with respiration and, in many cases, is the sine qua non of these treatment modalities. One method of respiratory gating proposed herein is to use real time ultrasound to monitor the position of the diaphragm or an organ moving with respiration throughout a procedure. For example, as the patient holds his breath for the targeting CT image(s), a "snapshot" ultrasound image of the diaphragm or other surrogate organ is also obtained. The ultrasound transducer is held against the patient in a fixed position throughout the procedure by the instrumentation described in the present invention. The patient is then withdrawn from the scanner gantry and an angle of approach and entry point on the skin is chosen. The site is suitably prepped and sterile drapes are placed if not already done. Then, either on his own or with coaching, the patient is able to watch the real time ultrasound image and breathe to the point of perfect overlap or coincidence with the earlier "snapshot" image, and then hold his breath at that point while the instrument is placed. Ideally this will result in perfect correlation of the patient's real time anatomy with the previously obtained CT image. The clinical result will be fewer sticks to achieve the ideal placement of instruments, saving time and patient morbidity. The key to success using this method is that the ultrasound transducer must remain in an absolutely fixed relationship to the patient throughout the imaging and instrument placement phases of the procedure. The present invention makes this both possible and practical.
Thus, there is a need for technology that functions within the imaging environment and addresses the problems associated with respiratory gating.
The ability to choose points in space that can be fixed relative to the patient or some part of the patient's anatomy for holding instruments, medical support equipment and patient positioning devices in a desired fixed orientation and location is fundamental to surgical and medical practice. While standard operating tables, for example, may be fitted with a broad range of accessories and attachments to facilitate a wide array of operations, the versatility and convenience provided by such a standard operating table is currently unavailable for use during CT or MR imaging using the supports currently employed therewith.
There is a need for a system that can offer many of the functions of a standard operating table when a patient is on a scanner tray. There also is a need for accessories that cooperate with the scanner tray to increase the accuracy of targeting, instrument positioning and guidance in an imaging environment.
Finally, there is a need for a versatile emergency stretcher that can carry a patient through multiple medical environments during resuscitation, diagnostic evaluation and initial treatment without risking further injury to the patient or emergency personnel that may come from the physical handling that traditionally has been required.

Support system for use when performing medical imaging of a patient


In one embodiment, a computer system comprises one or more processors, and a memory module communicatively connected to the one or more processors. The memory module comprises logic instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed on the one or more processors configure the one or more processors to receive, in a hybrid caching module, database query, determine whether at least a portion of an existing execution plan stored in a memory module coupled to the hybrid caching module can be reused to implement the database query, reuse at least a portion of an existing execution plan stored in the memory module coupled to the hybrid caching module when possible, and generate a new execution plan when the memory module lacks an existing execution plan adaptable for use with the database query.

Some database applications can generate hundreds or thousands of dynamic SQL statements for which the text and frequency of use are not known in advance. For example, order-takers in a supply chain application can use stock level queries more heavily than stock clerks adding new stock items on some days, but the reverse situation can also occur on other days. Preparing and holding hundreds or thousands of SQL statements in memory introduces problems of latency and over commitment whereby a database system may spend more time swapping unused SQL statements than running useful SQL queries. Failing to prepare SQL statements can be wasteful because it forces a database system to do many redundant computations (i.e., plan recompilations) for high usage queries. Asking SQL application developers to selectively prepare high usage queries may not be possible if the set of frequently used queries is not known in advance and can change rapidly.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A vehicle enclosure (14) and method and system of installation using an adhesive-backed attachment device (1) having a base (4) with an adhesive backing (10) and a stud (12) or a socket (2) that engages a conventional a conventional snap (8). The adhesive-backed attachment device is preferably flexible so that it may be attached to uneven surfaces of a vehicle, such as a golf cart (15). The adhesive-backed attachment device eliminates unsightly brackets, drilling or screwing into the golf cart and cuts down on installation time of golf cart enclosures. The studs and sockets may also be integrated into a new roof (14) for retrofitting an existing golf cart.

This invention relates to enclosures for vehicles, and more particularly to an enclosure having an adhesive-backed fastener that is used in conjunction with conventional snaps for quickly and easily installing the enclosure on a vehicle.
Conventional enclosures, such as enclosures for golf carts, are attached to golf carts using a combination of hook and loop fasteners and/or snaps. Conventional snaps require an installer to drill holes into the structure of the golf cart in order to attach each snap to the golf cart with a screw. Tracks having C-shaped channels are also commonly used to attach an upper edge of a golf cart enclosure to a roof of a golf cart. A golf cart enclosure is attached to the track by sliding a cord sewn into the upper edge of the golf cart enclosure into the C-shaped channel. The tracks are attached to the roof using screws or nuts and bolts. This requires designing the brackets so screw holes on the brackets line up with existing screw holes on the roof. Installation of the tracks is time consuming and costly because it often requires some dismantling of the roof and the roof support structure to gain access to existing screw holes to install the C-shaped channels (usually expensive aluminum). Furthermore, conventional installations wherein holes are drilled into any portion of a golf cart will void most golf cart manufacturers' warranties.
Therefore, a need exists for a vehicle enclosure and method of installation that will allow a user to quickly install and secure the enclosure to a vehicle without having to drill any holes into the vehicle or use brackets to attach the enclosure to the roof of a golf cart.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
Pat. No.InventorIssue/Publication Date(U.S. Pat. References)D626,452Helwig et al.Nov. 2, 2010D626,451Helwig et al.Nov. 2, 20107,560,003Naughton et al.Jul. 14, 2009D557,191Curtis, Jr. et al.Dec. 11, 20077,213,864GasperMay. 8, 20077,210,492Gerrie et al.May 1, 20076,979,044TyrerDec. 27, 20056,916,059FeinbergJul. 12, 2005RE38,272NationOct. 14, 20036,439,637TyrerAug. 27, 20026,132,089Galomb et al.Oct. 17, 20005,429,404King, Sr.Jul. 4, 19955,014,400BanMay 14, 19914,654,934HasegawaApr. 7, 19873,851,357Ribich et al.Dec. 3, 19743,784,235Kessler et al.Jan. 8, 19743,709,553Churchill et al.Jan. 9, 19731,242,108Buob, Sr.Oct. 2, 1917(Foreign Pat. References)EP2263491HayashiDec. 22, 2010

Vehicle enclosure and method and system of installation


Substrate processing methods and apparatus are disclosed. In some embodiments a substrate processing apparatus may comprise a support structure and a moveable stage including first and second stages. The moveable stage has one or more maglev units attached to the first stage and/or second stage proximate an edge of the first stage. The first stage retains one or more substrates and moves with respect to a first axis that is substantially fixed with respect to the second stage. The second stage translates along a second axis with respect to the support structure. In other embodiments, a primary motor may maintain a rotary stage at an angular speed and/or accelerate or decelerate the stage from a first angular speed to a second angular speed. A secondary motor may accelerate the stage from rest to the first angular speed and/or decelerate the stage from a non-zero angular speed.

Historically wafer writing in lithography and scanning in metrology and inspection systems have used linear stepping or scanning motion to translate a substrate. Rectilinear motion has the advantages of simplicity in the rendering process, since the die on a semiconductor wafer are typically arranged in the direction of motion. In Cartesian (XY) reticle writing the data path follows the prevailing directionality in the geometry to be rendered. However, the factor limiting the throughput is the mechanical motion of the Cartesian stage. As the data path electronics get faster, this mechanical limitation of Cartesian systems becomes more limiting, and the data path rendering in polar coordinates becomes easier. The data path rendering speed is expected to continue to follow the Moore's law and improve with newer generations of semiconductors, while throughput of Cartesian stages is subject to relatively slow progress in precision engineering.
Reciprocating stages have a practical limit of turnaround time at the end of the swath of about 100 milliseconds. To shorten this time mechanics must allow higher bandwidths. The use of high performance materials allows only for moderate improvements of highest scanning speed. The increases in acceleration at the end of the motion also have their limitation in power of actuators, heat dissipation, reaction on the vibration isolation system and the machine base, settling after acceleration etc.
It is within this context that embodiments of the present invention arise.

Substrate processing apparatus and method


Determining a route based on road conditions includes receiving an origin and a destination from a user and calculating a plurality of routes from the origin to the destination. Aspects also include obtaining weather data along each of the plurality of routes and ranking each of the plurality of routes based on the weather data, a user profile, and on historical weather response data for areas along each of the plurality of routes. Aspects also include providing a route with a highest ranking from the plurality of routes to the user.

The invention relates generally to navigation and, more specifically, to navigation based on road conditions.
Increasingly, global positioning systems (GPSs), handheld devices, and online map routing services provide mechanisms to navigate from one point to another by calculating paths based on information derived from roadway maps. These routing services typically have added features to automatically calculate the type of directions desired. For example, added features may allow an operator to specify routing objectives such as: shortest distance (using an algorithm to determine the shortest distance from one point to the next); least amount of travel time (using an algorithm to determine the shortest distance based on the road's speed limit and distance, and calculating the resulting driving time); least use of freeways; least use of energy (gasoline and/or electricity); and least use of toll roads.
Routing systems typically include cartographic maps and map databases to determine an appropriate driving route. The map databases represent a network of roads and often include information about toll roads, speed limits, highway exit points, and points of interest (POIs). The map databases also include points on a map represented in the form of latitudes and longitudes, universal transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, and/or geospatial coordinates. Some examples of final destinations and/or waypoints include POIs (e.g., museums, restaurants, railways, exit points, etc.), user-entered destinations, and fixed reference points along a route. A typical routing system resolves the starting point and the destination point and/or waypoints on the network and then uses an algorithm to determine a route between two points. Typical route calculations are based on finding shortest or cheapest route between two points.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


An electroetching method for removing excess silver-copper braze material from the edges of I/O pads during the manufacture of chip carriers for microelectronic devices, and the product thereby produced, are disclosed. The disclosed method is preferably self-limiting, such that braze material is preferentially removed from all regions of the assembly. The method is particularly useful for producing a desirable sidewall profile, size, and extent of coverage of the I/O pad for the fillet of braze material surrounding the base of pins in a pin grid array device. Agitation control is important for producing the desired uniformity and profile.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates packaging techniques and structures for microelectronic devices, and more particularly, to a methods and structures relating to pin grid array chip carriers.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In the fabrication of substrates and carriers for microelectronic components such as integrated circuit chips, the use of pin grid arrays (PGAs) is well known. Discussions of the background art have been published. See, for example, Rao R. Tummala and Eugene J. Rymaszewski, Microelectronics Packaging Handbook, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1989), at 785, et seq. During the fabrication of a chip carrier for a PGA package, the attachment of individual pins by brazing to input/output (I/O) pads on the chip carrier substrate is also well known. The following references illustrate the state of the pertinent art.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,666 to Keusseyan, et al., discloses a process for brazing metallized components to ceramic substrates.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,984 to Zalesinski, et al., discloses a process for fabricating electronic circuit packages such as PGAs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,362 to Hamzehdoost, et al., discloses package structures such as PGAs.
In the case of ceramic substrates, a number of pin brazing techniques use silver-copper (or "copper-silver") braze to attach pins to the I/O pads on the substrates. It has been found in some instances that silver migration between the I/O pads causes shorts and other disadvantages and deleterious effects. The silver migration is caused by wetting of the ceramic surface with silver in the region around the I/O pads. Subsequent nickel and gold plating over the brazed region is not sufficient to seal off the silver-copper braze at the edges of the I/O pads.
It would thus be desirable to provide a method for removing excess silver-copper braze material from chip carrier substrates to solve the aforesaid and other deficiencies and disadvantages.

Semiconductor package having etched-back silver-copper braze

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention describes a flashing light apparatus and method for operating the same. A pulse signal generated by a pulse signal generator and the states of the general purpose Input/Output pins of a CPU are used to control the lights to flash.

In electrical products, it is necessary to use different flashing lights to represent different operation situations. In FIG. 1, a low pulse signal 100 controls a switching device 104 that makes a light emitting diode 102 flash.
Typically, there are two methods of generating the low pulse signal 100. One is to use a program to control a counter in a CPU to output the pulse signals from the general purpose input/output pins. The pulse signals make the switching devices switch the light emitting diodes on/off. However, the CPU has to keep working in this method, which increase the power consumption of the electrical products. Additionally, the working efficiency of the CPU is reduced because the partial calculation period is used to generate the pulse signals.
Another method is to use an oscillation circuit to generate pulse signals with a fixed period to make the switching device switch the light emitting diodes on/off. However, an additional oscillation circuit is required in this method, which increase the cost and the volume of the electrical products. Moreover, the oscillation circuit can only generate a pulse signal with a fixed period. Therefore, the flashing period is also fixed, which limits the application range thereof.
A pulse signal generator inside a CPU is typically used to resolve the problem of fixed period resulting from use of the oscillation circuit. This pulse signal generator is used to provide a pulse signal whose period is modulated by the CPU. However, although this method can resolve the fixed period problem, a pulse signal generator can only provide a pulse signal. In other words, the number of flashing lights is related to the number of pulse signal generators inside a CPU. If the number of pulse signal generators built in a CPU is not enough, an additional pulse signal generator must be attached to the CPU, which increase the manufacturing cost and the volume of a electrical product.

Flashing light control apparatus and method thereof


A polyester resin having a diol unit containing a unit derived from ethylene glycol and a unit derived from a diol represented by the following formula (I), and a dicarboxylic acid unit containing a unit derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid in an amount of 50 mol % or more; wherein the entire diol unit contains the unit derived from ethylene glycol in an amount of 40 to 99 mol %, and the unit derived from a diol represented by formula (I) in an amount of 1 to 60 mol %:

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic resin which is useful as a material for producing various molded products. Meanwhile, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) exhibits excellent fundamental properties such as heat resistance, gas barrier property, and chemical resistance, as compared with PET. These thermoplastic polyester resins are widely used in a variety of applications including bottles, sheets and films.
However, PET or PEN exhibits high crystallinity and poses a problem in that it generates spherocrystal, which may cause turbidity or glare, during melting during the course of, for example, a molding process. Formation of a highly transparent product from PET or PEN is effectively carried out through a molding process in which crystallization is rapidly completed by performing crystallization during stretching without involving generation of spherocrystal. Thus, application of PET or PEN is limited to thin products such as bottles, films and sheets, which involve stretching when being formed; i.e., PET or PEN has not yet been widely applied to thick molded products.
As has been widely known, the crystallinity of a resin can be effectively lowered by copolymerizing or blending the resin with a third component. An amorphous polymer material can be applied to thick molded products without causing turbidity or glare, which would otherwise occur through crystallization. Therefore, in the case of production of a thermoplastic polyester resin, when the thermoplastic polyester resin is copolymerized with a monomer forming an amorphous polymer material, or when the resin is blended with an amorphous polymer material, the crystallinity of the resin can be lowered.
However, such a method poses a problem in that the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polyester resin is lowered through incorporation of an amorphous polymer material or a monomer thereof, and thus the heat resistance of the resin is impaired.
In general, in optical systems of various types of cameras such as a camera, a one-time-use camera and a video camera, aberration is corrected by using a plurality of concave lenses and convex lenses in combination. Specifically, chromatic aberration formed by a convex lens is corrected with chromatic aberration formed by a concave lens that is opposite that of the convex lens. In this case, the concave lens for aberration correction is required to exhibit high dispersion (i.e., low Abbe number). Optical glass or an optical transparent resin is employed as a material for an optical device used in the optical system of such a camera.
Optical glass exhibits excellent heat resistance, transparency, dimensional stability, chemical resistance and the like, and there are various optical glass materials having different refractive indexes and Abbe numbers. However, optical glass poses problems in terms of high material cost, poor moldability, and low productivity. Particularly, formation of an aspherical lens used for aberration correction requires a very sophisticated technique and high cost, which is a critical problem in practical use.
In contrast to the aforementioned optical glass, an optical transparent resin, in particular a thermoplastic transparent resin has advantages in that an optical lens can be mass-produced through injection molding of the resin, and also an aspherical lens can be readily produced from the resin. An optical lens produced from such a thermoplastic transparent resin is applied to a lens for a camera. Examples of the thermoplastic transparent resin include polycarbonate formed of bisphenol A, polymethyl methacrylate and amorphous polyolefin.
As for high dispersion (low Abbe number) of the aforementioned optical thermoplastic resins, polycarbonate formed of bisphenol A has a refractive index of about 1.59 and an Abbe number of about 32; polymethyl methacrylate has a refractive index of about 1.49 and an Abbe number of about 58; and amorphous polyolefin has a refractive index of about 1.54 and an Abbe number of about 56. Of these resins, only polycarbonate may be used as a material for producing a lens for aberration correction, but, because of its Abbe number of 32, cannot be considered to exhibit sufficiently high dispersion. Therefore, demand has arisen for a new material which can be used for producing a lens for aberration correction.
Patent Document 1 discloses a polyester resin produced through copolymerization of a fluorene dihydroxy compound, which resin has a refractive index of about 1.66 and an Abbe number of about 20, and can be used for forming a lens for aberration correction. The resin disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a low Abbe number and exhibits sufficiently high dispersion.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Abstract: wherein A represents an aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene and pyrene; R1 represents a C1 to C12 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C12 aryl group or a halogen atom; n represents an integer of 0 to 4; and when plural R1 are present, R1 may be the same as or different from each other.


A method is described for operating a single network adapter for use on two different sub-networks of the same type, and a corresponding apparatus. The method comprises setting up a first network address and routing table in the network adapter for use in the first sub-network; setting up a second network address and routing table in the network adapter for use in the second sub-network; receiving data for one of the first and second sub networks, and re-transmitting the data to the other of the first and second sub-network, using the network addresses and routing tables.

A system for connecting a wireless enabled device to a network via a wireless local area network is shown in FIG. 1, and is described in more detail in WO2006/021784. The system 1a comprises a wireless access point 3 connected via a modem 11 to a network 13, such as the Internet, and a server 15. The wireless access point 3 comprises a base station 7 for providing a wireless connection to a wireless enabled device 9 and a wireless access point controller 5 for controlling the connection of the wireless enabled device 9 to the network 13. The modem 11 and base station 7 are connected to the wireless access point controller 5 at ports 6a and 6b respectively of the wireless access point controller 5.
The wireless enabled device 9 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) 19, a laptop 21, a desktop personal computer 23 or other wireless enabled device. Such wireless enabled devices 9 are typically compliant with the IEEE 802.11 specification and/or the Bluetooth® specification.
The server 15 comprises a server processor 16 and a storage means 17, which may comprise a database. Software is stored in the storage means 17, and can be downloaded to a wireless access point 3. The storage means 17 also stores information about wireless access points 3 and subscription data associated with users of wireless enabled devices 9 subscribing to the network 1a. The wireless access point 3 connects to the server 15 via the network 13. A feature of this system is that any person can set-up and run a revenue generating hotspot.
A wireless access point 3 may be commissioned by downloading and installing software from the server 15 and by sending data from the wireless access point 3 to the server 15 to register the wireless access point 3. The server 15 authenticates connection of a wireless enabled device 9 to the network/Internet 13 via the wireless access point 3 based on matching subscription data provided by the user of the wireless enabled device 9 with subscription data stored in the storage means 17.
In FIG. 1, the wireless access point 3 is connected to the modem 11 by a wired connection, for example, by an Ethernet cable. Alternatively, the wireless access point 3 may be connected to the modem 11 wirelessly. A base station, such as a wireless router, may be connected by an Ethernet cable to the modem 11 and a further base station may be connected to a first port 6a of the wireless access point controller 5. This arrangement may be found, for example, where it is not possible to locate the wireless access point controller 5 close to the modem.
In the system of FIG. 1, two ports 6a, 6b are used on the wireless access point controller 5 of the wireless access point 3, each point 6a, 6b having its own Internet Protocol (IP) address. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that each port 6a, 6b requires a network adaptor, such as a network card. As commonly available personal computers and laptops are not conventionally provided with two network adaptors the requirements for two network adaptors is an impediment to commissioning of conventional wireless access points 3 as shown in FIG. 1.
However, in such prior art hotspot arrangements, it is necessary to have a separate router (for internet access) such as a modem 11 and a wireless access point 3. This invention provides improvements to the system and method described above, allowing the use of a standard wireless router to provide a hotspot for guest access.

Method and system for operating a wireless access point for providing access to a network


A decorative window well is provided with a plurality of planters coupled to the window well for supporting plants. The planters define a plurality of rows comprising a bottom row including a single planter, an intermediate row including a pair of planters, and a top row including more than two planters. The window well further has an arcuate lip integrally coupled to a top face thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to window wells and more particularly pertains to a new decorative window well for both improving the aesthetics of a window well and further providing a means of scaling the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of window wells is known in the prior art. More specifically, window wells heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art window wells include U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,334; U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,467; U.S. Pat. Des. 248,071; U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,640; U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,828; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,833.
In these respects, the decorative window well according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of improving the aesthetics of a window well and further providing a means of scaling the same.


A first electronic circuit component and a second electronic circuit component are electrically connected to an electro-conductive member via a first solder and a second solder, respectively. The electro-conductive member is formed in a resin film. The electro-conductive member is configured as containing a second diffusion barrier metal film. The second diffusion barrier metal film prevents diffusion of the second solder. Between the electro-conductive member and the first solder, a first diffusion barrier metal film is provided. The first diffusion barrier metal film prevents diffusion of the first solder. On the first surface of the resin film and on the electro-conductive member, an adhesive metal film is formed so as to contact with the resin film and the electro-conductive member. The adhesive metal film has stronger adhesiveness to the resin film than either of those of the first solder and the first diffusion barrier metal film.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same, and in particular to a semiconductor device having a solder bump electrode and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Related Art
One example of conventionally-known semiconductor devices can be found in Japanese Laid-Open patent publication No. H6-140465 (patent document 1). The semiconductor device described in this document includes an insulating base material typically composed of a polyimide film, having, as being mounted on both surfaces thereof, an IC chip having solder bump electrodes, and a circuit wiring board having solder bump electrodes. A Cu film is brought into close contact with the insulating base material. Prior art documents relevant to the present invention other than the patent document 1 includes Japanese Laid-Open patent publications No. H11-345933 (patent document 2) and No. 2001-217388 (patent document 3).

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same


A micro refrigerator includes two NIS, normal metal/insulator/superconductor tunnel junction refrigerators formed on a substrate connected in series in a SINIS structure, with a common normal metal element connected therebetween and the superconducting elements outside. The refrigerator includes an insulating membrane thermally isolated from the substrate, and the common normal metal element includes a protrusion extending to the insulating membrane, which refrigerates the insulating membrane and an object placed on the insulating membrane.

Certain radiation sensors, bolometers, used in space research demand a temperature of less than 1 Kelvin, if good energy resolution is wanted. The temperature range 100-300 mK cannot be achieved using simple devices. A temperature of about 0.3-1 K can be achieved using a Helium-3 (He.sub.3) evaporator, but even this is insufficient in certain cases.
A Peltier refrigerator utilizing a superconductor element is described in the paper Nahum, M. et al; Applied Physics Letters 65, 1994, page 31-23. Normal metal/insulator/superconductor, i.e. NIS junctions operate at extremely low temperatures of less than 10 Kelvin. An NIS refrigerator has the drawback that it is difficult to thermally insulate the cooled normal metal element. An improved refrigerator construction is described in the paper Leivo, M. M.; Pekola, J. P.; Averin, D. V. `Efficient Peltier refrigeration by a pair of normal metal/insulator/superconductor junctions`, Applied Physics Letters 68 (14), 1996, page 1996. When two NIS junctions are connected in a SINIS structure, the connected normal metal element is thermally insulated on both sides.
In addition to the cooling element, the object itself that is to be cooled must be thermally insulated from the substrate. On the other hand, the heat transmitted to the superconductor in the NIS junctions must be effectively conducted away, so that it does not limit the cooling power. In known solutions, the cooling has only been a few milliKelvins at 300 mK, though in theory a considerably greater temperature difference could have been achieved.


A crowd management system includes at least one local controller associated with an attraction area of an individual attraction within a theme park. The crowd management system includes a transceiver of the at least one local controller, where the transceiver receives guests data via wireless signals from guest-associated devices within a detection range of the local controller. The crowd management system includes a remote central controller in communication with the at least one local controller and the guest-associated device. The remote central controller receives the guest data from the at least one local controller and determines one or more crowd metrics of the individual attraction based on the guest data. The remote central controller generates an activity command based on the one or more crowd metrics. The remote central controller transmits the activity command to at least one guest-associated device of the guest-associated devices.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and equipment utilized to manage crowd control and maintenance of equipment associated with amusement park experiences.
In recent years, theme parks and amusement parks have become more popular and accessible, thereby increasing the average number of patrons that visit the theme parks each day. The expansion of parks with additional and more complex attractions (e.g., rides, restaurants, shops, and shows) generally provides an amusement park with additional capacity to handle a larger number of guests. However, the additional attractions also typically provide potential guests with an incentive to visit the amusement park. Thus, while a particular amusement park may add additional capacity, the additional capacity does not always result in an increased ability for guests to participate in park entertainment (e.g., shopping, viewing shows, riding rides) or reduced wait times for attractions. This is because there is often a corresponding increase in attendance. While guests have desired bigger, better, and more elaborate attractions, they also expect a positive overall experience. Providing a positive overall experience for amusement park guests entails addressing certain issues related to controlling the crowds and wait times associated with certain attractions. Indeed, it is now recognized that park guests can be deterred from returning to a particular amusement park due to negative experiences with large crowds resulting in longer wait times. Accordingly, it is now recognized that it is desirable to improve amusement park crowd control systems and methods. Moreover, the increase in guest traffic can cause equipment associated with the attraction to require service more frequently than usual. As such, it may be beneficial to improve park maintenance systems and methods.

System and method for crowd management and maintenance operations


An object oriented framework provides a set of objects that perform computer system server functions and that permit a framework user to add extensions for specific processing features, thereby producing a server program for managing computer system resources and performing desired functions. The framework includes a Server class of objects, which provides the server environment in which the objects performing server functions exist and serves as the primary interface between the server and the client machines, and includes a Service Object (SO) category of classes, whose objects comprise server function objects and implement two methods, one method called runMeFirst( ) and another method called runMeSecond( ) such that the runMeFirst( ) method is executed before the runMeSecond( ) method and interdependencies are resolved.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to data processing systems and, more particularly, to object oriented programming systems and processes.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a computer system having a distributed database, data communication is often implemented according to a client/server model, in which client processes send requests to a server for data or for the use of other computer system resources. For example, it is common for large amounts of data files to be stored on a computer called a file server, which communicates with multiple user machines over a local area network (LAN). The user machines comprise the clients of the file server. The clients send requests for data or for other network services (such as printing or system error reporting) to the file server, which returns the data or provides the requested service.
Server functions may be performed by one or more server processes executing in the operating environment of the server. In an object oriented programming (OOP) environment, the server processes can be implemented as server objects. That is, the operating system process/job of the file server supports an object oriented programming environment in which an OOP object representing the server manages other server objects that perform the file server functions.
OOP techniques encapsulate, or bind together, data and the methods that operate on them. This encapsulation permits program development to more closely model real-world systems for problem solution and breaks up program development efforts into smaller, more manageable pieces. OOP programs are developed around object classes that have attributes, also called data values, and methods, also called functions. Although OOP techniques have done much to improve program development efficiency, such techniques still require a great degree of code generation on the part of developers and limit program reuse.
OOP frameworks have been developed in an effort to further reduce program development costs. A framework is a set of OOP classes that embodies a predetermined set of attributes and methods for providing a common group of behaviors. An application program developer utilizes the framework and builds upon it, starting with the classes, attributes, and methods defined by the framework designer and adding subclasses and attributes and modifying methods depending on the problem to be solved. Such changes to the framework are typically referred to as framework extensions, and are made possible by the OOP notions of inheritance and polymorphism. The challenge confronting framework developers, then, is to define a set of classes and methods that will best support the desired problem solution and will accept the most likely framework extensions. Thus, the designer of a framework must carefully assess what framework users will most likely need in the way of classes and attributes.
With respect to client/server operating environments, it may be desired to add new server functions or services from time to time. Such changes in server functioning usually require modification to the server programming logic, including possibly adding classes. Modification of much code might be necessary, because the server functions are typically extremely interdependent. For example, adding a new problem reporting function to a server may require modification to the server functioning for network client communication and for log processing. That is, adding the new problem reporting function might require modification of the server logic for two other pre-existing functions. This type of logic interdependency complicates server maintenance and server development because each change in functioning can result in many other modifications that must be propagated throughout the server programming code. Similarly, it might be necessary to add a new type of server to support a new type of hardware device, such as a graphics file library or communications server. Again, interdependencies might make it necessary to propagate changes through the server program. It would be preferable if new server functions and types could be added without need for extensive server logic modification.
From the discussion above, it should be apparent that there is a need for a server program development tool that permits program developers to more quickly develop and more easily maintain server programs. The present invention fulfills this need.

Object oriented server process framework with interdependent-object creation


A system which in some embodiments comprises a wireless smart device assembly that includes a smart device, wherein the smart device assembly is attachable or mountable against an unopened surface of a wall or other structure. In some embodiments, a system comprises a smart device assembly that includes a smart device; and a fastener that includes adhesive and is coupled to the smart device assembly and releasably attachable to a wall or other structure. Some embodiments include a level indicator configured to indicate the angular position or orientation of one or more other portion of the smart device assembly relative to parallel and/or plumb to the force of gravity. In some embodiments, a mount and/or a cover define a catch to releasably attach the cover to the mount.

It is known to mount a smart device, such as but not limited to single or double on/off toggle switches, paddle or rocker switches, single or double pole dimmer switches and wall outlets (each of which may be referred to as a "smart switch") within or to an electrical box mounted within a wall.

Systems and methods associated with smart devices


Block chain based, decentralized transaction settlement systems and methods for wireless electric vehicle charging stations which enables real-time monitoring of electric vehicle charging demand for distribution system managers. The system is operable to enable easy implementation of rebate programs for electric vehicle owners, as well as charging station owners, and provides a secure, cost efficient, and transparent transaction settlement system using block chain software technology.

Wireless charging stations are expected to be a key component in electric vehicle networks. In particular, the charging information of electric vehicles is useful in the management of modern electricity distribution grids (e.g., smart grids) and in implementing subsidy rebate programs for owners of electric vehicles, as well as owners of electric vehicle charging stations. However, the modus operandi is such that all transactions in electric vehicle charging stations are settled in a centralized manner. Namely, transactions in wireless charging stations are settled through third-party transaction agents (e.g., banks, online transaction software) as has been traditionally been accomplished. In addition, the charging information of electric vehicles is either stored at, or discarded by such third-party transaction agents. As a consequence, electricity distribution network managers have little or no access to such information and are thereby in the dark when it comes to the operation and planning these electricity distribution networks. Additionally, subsidy rebate programs for electric vehicle owners and electric vehicle charging station owners cannot be efficiently implemented, since such subsidies need to be executed through the third-party transaction agents—a step that is very costly.
Therefore, a need exists for a transaction settlement system for wireless charging stations to enable a distributed, secure and transparent transaction settlement system for electric vehicle charging, without the need for a central coordinator. There also exists a need for a transaction settlement system for wireless charging stations in order to facilitate rebate programs for electric vehicle owners and charging station owners, as well as to create an effective management tool for distribution network operators to more effectively manage electricity supply grids.

Systems and methods for wireless charging stations

SICHUAN ENERGY INTERNET RES. INST., TSINGHUA UNIV.


The present technique provides a multi-tile detector and a process for assembling the multi-tile detector using a flexible structure and intermediate electrical connections. The present technique minimizes edge gaps between adjacent detector tiles by coupling the detector tiles to the flexible structure and then flexing the flexible structure to close the edge gaps. Intermediate electrical connections, such as interlayer solder bumps, also may be used to minimize visible artifacts associated with tiling of the detector tiles. The present technique also may use a plurality of soldering materials having different melting temperatures to facilitate multiple soldering steps that are nondestructive of previous soldering steps.

The present invention relates generally to imaging systems, such as radiographic systems, and more particularly, to multi-tile detector assemblies used in such systems. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for assembling detector tiles in a manner that minimizes or prevents visible artifacts associated with the tiling.
Medical diagnostic and imaging systems are ubiquitous in modern health care facilities. Currently, a number of modalities exist for medical diagnostic and imaging systems. These include computed tomography (CT) systems, x-ray systems (including both conventional and digital/digitized imaging systems), magnetic resonance (MR) systems, positron emission tomography (PET) systems, ultrasound systems, nuclear medicine systems, and so forth. Such systems provide invaluable tools for identifying, diagnosing and treating physical conditions and greatly reduce the need for surgical diagnostic intervention. In many instances, these modalities complement one another and offer the physician a range of techniques for imaging particular types of tissue, organs, physiological systems, and so forth.
Medical imaging systems often generate images by radiating a non-intrusive source into the patient and by reconstructing an image from the portion passing through the patient and impacting an imaging detector. In many imaging systems, the imaging detector may comprise a detector surface comprising a plurality of the detector tiles. For example, x-ray, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, nuclear, and gamma ray imaging detectors often use an ionizing photon detector material, such as Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), and various other crystalline semiconductor materials, which have size limitations due to a variety of production factors. For example, imaging detectors using the CZT material generally require multiple tiles, because CZT crystals can only be grown in relatively small sizes due to yield problems with current technology.
Accordingly, a plurality of CZT detector tiles are connected to a substrate, such as a silicon wafer or die, in a tiled arrangement to provide the desired size for the imaging detector. Unfortunately, the tiling process tends to create gaps that create visible artifacts in the reconstructed image. The assembly of detector tiles is also complicated by the need to connect the detector tiles electronically to their respective die, which then must be connected to the rest of the image receptor. Due to the nature of direct conversion detection of ionizing photons, an electrical connection is necessary between each detector tile and its respective die at each detection element and between each adjacent die (e.g., along at least one edge of each adjacent die). Moreover, an electrical connection is necessary between the metallized layers of each adjacent detector tile to provide the same voltage potential during imaging. The different coefficients of thermal expansion of the detector and wafer materials also complicate the foregoing electrical connections, because the temperature restraints for assembly further limit the assembly size of the detector tiles.
Accordingly, a technique is needed for assembling a plurality of detector tiles in a manner that minimizes or prevents visible artifacts associated with the tiling. In particular, a technique is needed for reducing gaps between adjacent detector tiles.

Method for assembling tiled detectors for ionizing radiation based image detection

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


The problem solved by this invention is to eliminate an oil can movement of the web of an aircraft pressurized bulkhead. A hat section support stiffener is attached to the web by an adhesive. Two end brackets are attached by Hi-Loc bolts to bulkhead stiffeners and the end brackets are attached and arranged to provide a downward pressure on the hat section stiffener to assist in holding it in place. This invention is characterized by the absence of any new fasteners passing through the fatigue critical bulkhead web and also is characterized by the absence of any requirement for removal of existing fasteners, including, but not limited to those passing through the bulkhead web.

The structural design of modern aircraft includes pressurized bulkheads, usually located at the aft end of the pressurized cabin within the fuselage of the aircraft.
In the aircraft industry, an "oil can dent", or more commonly an "oil can", is a condition in which a bulge or concavity appears in the pressurized web attached to the primary structural members such as the radial stiffeners of a bulkhead. The web will move with finger pressure accompanied by a popping noise and will either stay in one position or pop back. Those that pop inward when the airplane is depressurized will pop out during pressurization and are termed "working oil cans". This type of oil can should be stabilized if it is desired to prevent movement during each pressurization cycle because the accompanying noise may be disconcerting to passengers within hearing range.
Repairs to cure oil can problems have in the past involved the use of heavy doublers and holes for fasteners through the center areas of the span of the web.
Compared to previous repair configurations for curing an oil can problem, the method and apparatus of this invention is believed to be superior in terms of lighter weight, and the lack of any requirement for fastener holes in the web.

Structural apparatus and design to prevent oil can movement of webs in aircraft pressure bulkheads