An optical glass has optical constants which are an refractive index (nd) of 1.70–1.75 and an Abbe number (vd) of 45.0–54.0; a glass transformation temperature (Tg) of 500–580° C. The glass has the following composition in mass percent of: SiO2 more than 5–15%; B2O3 20-less than 30%; a total amount of SiO2+B2O3 more than 25–40%; La2O3 more than 21-less than 30%; Y2O3 more than 5–15%; Gd2O3 0-less than 10%; ZrO2 1–8%; Nb2O5 0.1–5%; Ta2O5 more than 5–12%; a total amount of ZrO2+Nb2O5+Ta2O5 7–20%; ZnO 0–10%; CaO 0–10%; SrO 0–5%; BaO 0–10%; a total amount of ZnO+CaO+SrO+BaO 5–15%; Li2O 1–8%; Sb2O3 0–1%; and As2O3 0–1%. The glass is substantially free of Yb2O3 and Al2O3. Devitrification is not generated when the optical glass is kept at a temperature of 920° C. for two hours.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical glass of a lanthanum borosilicate system having a low glass transformation temperature (Tg) and excellent resistance to devitrification property, the optical glass having optical constants which are a refractive index (nd) in a range of 1.70 to 1.75 and an Abbe number (vd) in a range of 45.0 to 54.0, the optical glass being suitable for forming a glass preform material used for precision press molding, and being suitable for precision press molding.
2. Description of Related Art
Precision press molding of a glass is a technique to obtain a glass molded product having a shape of a final product or a shape extremely close to the final product and surface accuracy by performing press molding to a glass preform material, which is soften by heating, under a high temperature by using a molding die having a cavity with a predetermined shape. According to the precision press molding, it is possible to manufacture a molded product with a desired shape on the basis of high productivity without performing grinding and polishing, or hardly performing grinding and polishing after molding. Therefore, at present, glass molded products, such as spherical lenses, aspherical lenses and the like, have been manufactured by precision press molding.
Recently, miniaturizing and lightening of optical devices have been remarkably progressing. Aspherical lenses are used so as to decrease the number of lenses that construct an optical system of the optical devices. Since it is extremely difficult to manufacture an aspherical lens in large quantities and inexpensively by a method according to grinding and polishing in earlier technology, the above-described precision press molding is the most suitable molding method for manufacturing particularly an aspherical lens.
In order to obtain a glass molded product by the precision press molding, it is necessary to perform press molding to a glass preform material under a high temperature, as described above. Therefore, the molding die used in this case is also exposed to the high temperature, and a high pressure is added thereto. Thereby, in respect to the optical glass that constructs the glass preform material, it is desired to make its glass transformation temperature (Tg) as low as possible from the viewpoint of preventing the wear of the molding surface of the molding die caused by oxidation of the surface in accordance with high temperature environment and the damage of the molding surface of the molding die in accordance with the high press pressure when press molding is performed.
As a method for manufacturing a glass preform material for performing precision press molding, there is a method for manufacturing a glass preform material having a shape close to the shape of the lens, which is a final product, or having a spherical shape by obtaining a glass block cut from a glass block material, and by grinding and polishing the glass block. However, since the cutting process of the glass block material, grinding and polishing processes are required, there is a problem that those processes take time. Further, there is a method for obtaining a glass preform material by dropping or flowing down a molten glass from the tip of an efflux pipe connected to a glass melting device, forming the molten glass in a die or the like, and cooling it. In this method, cutting from a glass block material, grinding and polishing processes are not required, and it is possible to obtain the glass preform material directly from the molten glass. Therefore, as a method for manufacturing a glass preform material, the latter method is the method that has the highest mass-productivity and the manufacturing cost is the lowest. The shape of the glass preform material obtained by the latter method is a biconvex lens-like or a spherical shape. In many cases, the biconvex lens-like shape is the shape close to the shape of an aspherical lens, which is a final product, or the like. Therefore, variations in shape when precision press molding is performed can be made small, and the biconvex lens-like glass preform material has an effect of remarkably improving the mass-productivity of the lens itself. Further, when it is a spherical shape, although variations in shape when precision press molding is performed become large in many cases, there is a merit that the glass preform material can be set easily in the center of a lower die of the molding die whose molding surface is usually a concave surface.
Incidentally, in the press molding technique of glasses in earlier technology, even though devitrification was generated on a surface of a glass preform material or a pressed glass molded product, the portion of devitrification on the surface was removed by grinding or polishing performed after press molding. Therefore, it was not a problem if devitrification was not generated in the inside of the glass. However, in the precision press molding, a glass molded product to which precision pressing is performed without performing grinding and polishing or hardly performing grinding and polishing after molding is used as an optical element, such as a lens or the like. Therefore, it cannot be used as a product even if devitrification is generated only on a surface of a glass preform material or a glass molded product. That is, in the glass preform material used for precision press molding and the optical glass used for precision press molding, it is required that devitrification is not generated at a temperature suitable for forming the glass preform material, and moreover, that devitrification is not generated when precision press molding is performed to the obtained glass preform material, in addition to the glass transformation temperature (Tg) being low, as mentioned above.
Devitrification of a glass is caused when the temperature range of the glass is in the range that the nucleation temperature range and the crystal growth temperature range, which is in the high temperature side rather than the nucleation temperature range, are overlapped. The longer the time that the glass is exposed to this temperature range is, the more the crystal is grown and the devitrification progresses. In the method for manufacturing a glass preform material by dropping or flowing down a molten glass, as mentioned above, when the viscosity of the molten glass for dropping or flowing down from the tip of an efflux pipe is too low, it becomes difficult to obtain a preform material having a smooth curved surface and a spherical shape or a shape close to a biconvex lens-like shape. Further, when the viscosity of the molten glass is too high, both dropping a glass having a weight for one piece of preform material from the tip of the efflux pipe, and separating a glass gob having a weight for one piece of preform from the molten glass flow flowed down from the tip of the efflux pipe by surface tension or the like, become difficult. Therefore, it is desired to adjust the viscosity (η) of the molten glass for being dropped or flowed down in a range of logη=approximately 1.5 to approximately 2.5.
Incidentally, for the molten glass for being dropped or flowed down from the tip of the efflux pipe, it is comparatively hard to generate devitrification since the molten glass does not remain in the temperature range that the nucleation temperature range and the crystal growth temperature range are overlapped for a long time generally. However, for the glass deposited to the peripheral portion of the tip of the efflux pipe, devitrification is easily generated since it is exposed to the temperature range lower than the upper limit of the temperature range that the nucleation temperature range and the crystal growth temperature range are overlapped, that is, the temperature range that devitrification is generated, for a long time. Then, the glass in which devitrification is generated is gradually involved in the molten glass which is dropped or flowed down. Therefore, after forming of the preform material is started, devitrification becomes to be included in the glass preform material as time passes.
As a method for preventing the above-mentioned devitrification, there is a method of raising the temperature of the tip of the efflux pipe temporarily to the temperature that devitrification of the glass disappears for every predetermined time. However, as mentioned above, while the temperature of the tip of the efflux pipe is raised, the viscosity of the glass is too low, so that it is difficult to obtain a preform material having a smooth curved surface and a spherical shape or a shape close to a biconvex lens-like shape. Thereby, when the temperature of the tip of the efflux pipe is raised frequently, the productive efficiency deteriorates remarkably. Therefore, in order to manufacture a glass preform material stably and continuously, it is required to be a glass that the upper limit of the temperature range which the nucleation temperature range and the crystal growth temperature range are overlapped is as low as possible. Moreover, it is required to be a glass that devitrification is not generated even though it is kept in the temperature suitable for forming a preform material for a long time.
Further, when the precision press molding is performed by heating and softening a glass preform material, devitrification is generated since the glass preform material is exposed to the temperature range higher than the lower limit of the temperature range that the nucleation temperature range and the crystal growth temperature range are overlapped. Therefore, it is required to be a glass that the lower limit of the temperature range that the nucleation temperature range and the crystal growth temperature range are overlapped is as high as possible, and that devitrification is not generated even though it is kept in the temperature suitable for precision press molding.
The optical glass used for an aspherical lens or the like is required to have various optical constants. In particular, a glass having optical constants that are a refractive index (nd) in a range of 1.70 to 1.75 and an Abbe number (vd) in a range of about 45 to 54 is required. In earlier technology, as a glass having optical constants in the above-described ranges, a lanthanum borosilicate system glass and a lanthanum borate system glass are known as typical glasses. However, the glasses of such systems have high glass transformation temperature (Tg), and moreover, devitrification is easily generated in many cases. Therefore, from the above-mentioned reasons, a glass having a low glass transformation temperature (Tg) and excellent resistance to devitrification property is required. Further, the general standard of the superiority or inferiority in a light transmittance in an optical glass is a wavelength which shows 80% of spectral transmittance including a reflection loss in a short wavelength side. The shorter the wavelength is, the better the light transmittance is, so that it can be said that it is a glass with little coloring. However, in the lanthanum borosilicate system glass and the lanthanum borate system glass that have not less than 1.70 of refractive index (nd), the wavelength showing above-described 80% is not less than 400 nm in many cases, so that improvement in light transmittance is also required.
For example, the Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Sho 54-3115 discloses an optical glass of B2O3—SiO2—La2O3—ZrO2—SnO2-bivalent metal oxide system. Although this glass has an excellent light transmittance, its glass transformation temperature (Tg) is high, so that it is unsuitable for using in precision press molding. Further, melting and refining of a lanthanum system optical glass is performed by using a melting device having a crucible or refining tank made of platinum or platinum alloy. While the glass is melted, alloying of the Pt of the crucible or the refining tank and the Sn of this glass is performed, and the alloyed portion is inferior to in heat resistance. Therefore, there may happen an accident such that a hole is opened in the crucible or the refining tank and the molten glass is flowed out from the hole. The cause of this accident is considered because the SnO2 included as an essential component in the glass is reduced to be SnO while melting or refining is performed, and moreover to Sn. Such an accident is rarely caused. However, when once occurred, economical loss is extremely large since the melting must be stopped immediately so as to dispose the melted glass by flowing it out, the melting device must be dismantled, and the alloyed platinum or platinum alloy must be recast, and then the hole-opened crucible or the refining tank must be repaired. Therefore, it must be said that this glass is unsuitable for producing safely and in large quantities by using a melting device having a crucible or a refining tank or the like, a portion which contacts with the molten glass being formed by a platinum or a platinum alloy.
Further, the Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Sho 60-221338 discloses an optical glass of B2O3—La2O3—Y2O3—Li2O-bivalent metal oxide system. The object of this glass is to improve its resistance to devitrification property. However, its resistance to devitrification property is not sufficient to form a glass preform material by using the above-mentioned method of dropping or flowing down a molten glass.
Further, in earlier technology, a glass including a PbO component or a glass including a fluorine component is known as a glass having a low glass transformation temperature (Tg). However, for the glass including the PbO component, since the glass is easily fused with the die when precision press molding is performed, it is difficult to use the die repeatedly. Therefore, it is unsuitable for using in precision press molding. Further, for the glass including the fluorine component, when forming of a preform material is performed, the fluorine component is selectively volatilized from the surface layer of the molten glass and clouds are generated in the preform material, or the fluorine component is volatilized and deposited to the die when precision press molding is performed to the preform material, and clouds are generated on the surface of the die or the surface of the glass molded product to which the precision press molding is performed. For these reasons or the like, it is not suitable as a glass for manufacturing a glass preform material for using in precision press molding or as a glass for using in precision press molding.


A transition metal substituted form of the mineral gmelinite.

The present invention is a synthetic crystalline zeolite (hereinafter referred to as ECR-26) which is a transition metal substituted form of the mineral gmelinite.
Gmelinite is a well-known natural zeolite having a structure in which the main feature is a large 12-ring channel, and in this regard it is analogous to zeolites Linde L, mordenite, and cancrinite. All previously reported compositions contain only Si and Al in framework sites, and have a propensity to form intergrown materials comprising atomic level intergrowths of gmelinite and chabazite. All known natural varieties are thought to be of this type, resulting in a blocked 12-ring channel and poor sorption properties resulting from a variety of possible intergrowths (G. T. Kokotailo and S. L. Lawton, Nature, 203, p. 621, (1964)). The only known gmelinite materials having open 12-ring channels are made with a DABCO polymer filling the channels (L. D. Rollman, NATO ASI Ser. E-60, "Zeolites: Science and Technology", R. Ribeiro et al, p. 109, (1984)). ECR-26 is an open channel chromiumalumino-silicate gmelinite which requires no organic template for its synthesis. The Cr.sup.3+ presumably inhibits the formation of phases which normally intergrow with gmelinite, facilitating the growth of the perfect open structure.
Materials of this general structure are important catalysts and sorbents, particularly in hydrocracking and hydroisomerization (mordenite) and aromatization and reforming (zeolite L). Similar important catalyst applications are anticipated for ECR-26, and because the transition metal may be manipulated into non-framework sites, important Fischer-Tropsch applications are possible.


In a method for ascertaining the position of a mobile closing element of an injector valve in a motor vehicle engine, in which the closing element is driven by a piezoelectric element for opening or closing the injection valve and a voltage signal allocated to an electrical voltage recorded on the piezoelectric element, the position of the closing element is ascertained from the ascertained voltage signal. Through a two-way valve arranged on the injection valve, a change in the voltage signal is brought about based upon a change in the electrical voltage on the piezoelectric element as a function of the position of the closing element.

This invention concerns a method for ascertaining the position of a mobile closing element of an injection valve in a motor vehicle engine.
Storage injection systems are used for supplying fuel for internal combustion motors which operate at very high injection pressures. Such injection systems are known, for example, as common rail systems. These injection systems are distinguished in that the fuel is conveyed with a high pressure pump into a pressure storage unit jointly allocated to all cylinders of the motor, from which the injection valves on the individual cylinders are supplied. The injection valves are frequently also called injectors. The opening and closing of the injection valves are usually electrically controlled, for example with the aid of piezoelectric elements as actuators.
A control valve can be connected between the nozzle element, with the nozzle needle which opens and closes the injection apertures in the injection valve, and the piezoelectric actuator, as a closing element in injection valves or injectors. The control valve serves to bring about the opening and closing of the actual fuel injection valve hydraulically. That in particular means establishing the beginning and the end of the injection process exactly in time. The injection valve should, for example, open and, at the end of the injection process, rapidly close in a controlled manner. The injection of minute amounts of fuel for preliminary injection before the actual injection, with which the combustion process can be optimized, should also be possible. The closing element can nonetheless also be arranged in another form and at another place on the injection valve, for example as a valve hinged cover or needle valve at the valve exit. An injector needle can be used as a closing element. The injection valve can be constructed as a needle valve.
A method for regulating a fuel injection process with a fuel injection valve for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine is known from German Patent 199 30 309 C2. A control valve as closing element is activated by a piezoelectric element as an actuator for opening the injection valve. The piezoelectric element is electrically actuated to change the state of the closing element. Following this actuation, the voltage on the piezoelectric element is measured and the beginning of injection or the needle opening of the injection valve is ascertained on the basis of the voltage measured.
An object of the invention is to make it possible to simply, exactly, and rapidly ascertain the position of a closing element of an injection valve in a motor vehicle engine.
This object is accomplished, in a method in which a closing element is driven using a piezoelectric element for opening or closing an injection valve, by determining a voltage signal allocated to an electric voltage on the piezoelectric element, and determining the position of the closing element from the voltage signal ascertained as a change of the voltage signal, based upon a change in the electric voltage on the piezoelectric element, is brought about by a two-way valve arranged on the injection valve as a function of the position of the closing element.
Preferably, the method for ascertaining the position of a closing element in connection with a fuel injection valve is conducted with a motor vehicle internal combustion engine. The closing element is driven using a piezoelectric element to open and close the injection valve. With the closing element, preferably an injector needle is guided one dimensionally in a mounting in the longitudinal direction of the needle. Nonetheless, the method is not restricted to the special case of an injector needle, and can also be conducted with other closing elements such as, for example, controllable hinged covers or ball valves.
The piezoelectric element is electrically actuated by means of a control apparatus for opening and closing the injection valve. An electric voltage is recorded on the piezoelectric element, and an output signal is allocated to the electrical voltage recorded. The position of the closing element is ascertained from a voltage signal representing the voltage incident upon the piezoelectric element. Ascertaining the position of the closing element can take place simply and exactly, since a change of the electric voltage recorded on the piezoelectric element, and consequently a change in the voltage signal, is brought about using a two-way valve arranged on the injection valve as a function of the position of the closing element.
A further advantage is that an additional sensor element and an evaluation of additional sensor signals can be dispensed with.
According to one feature of the invention, the alteration of the electrical voltage is brought about on the piezoelectric element using a change in pressure in liquid surrounding the piezoelectric element, caused by an opening or closing of the two-way valve. As an alternative to this, the pressure change can take place in a liquid standing in contact with a transmission medium, whereby the transmission medium stands in mechanical contact with the piezoelectric element.
It is especially advantageous if the pressure change takes place abruptly during opening or closing of the two-way valve. When the pressure in the liquid surrounding the piezoelectric element changes very rapidly, the voltage signal allocated to the voltage on the piezoelectric element has a pulse-like course, that is, the voltage signal changes rapidly at points in time allocated to the pressure change. Thus, it has a great "elevation" or slope. A voltage signal with a pulse-like course makes an especially exact and reliable determination of the position of the closing element possible.
It is especially advantageous if the temporal derivation of the voltage signal is adduced for ascertaining the position of the closing element. Moreover, it is possible to ascertain the position of the closing element rapidly and exactly in a pulse-like course of the voltage signal.
In one embodiment, a first portion of the batch of fuel from the injection valve, standing under pressure and to be injected into a useful space, is guided through a surrounding space formed around the piezoelectric element. A second part of the batch of fuel to be injected is led into a bypass line.
According to a further feature, the piezoelectric element is driven using a current drive for controlling the closing device of the injection valve. The closing device of the injection valve is controlled by specifying the current flowing through the piezoelectric element. The electric voltage in reference to the piezoelectric element is recorded and evaluated for ascertaining the position of the closing element. As an alternative to recording the piezoelectric voltage while administering current, recording the piezoelectric voltage can also take place in pauses in the administration of current. For this purpose, the piezoelectric element can be electrically separated from the current supply in pauses in administration of current so that recording of the piezoelectric voltage is possible on the electrically free piezoelectric element.
Preferably ascertaining the position of the closing element will be adduced for regulating the course of injection of an injection value. Regulation of the course of injection can take place to reduce fuel consumption, to diminish toxic emissions or, for example, to optimize, and especially reduce, the motor noise.
Any desired closing element, such as a valve, can be used for the closing element of the injection valve but a longitudinally displaceable injector needle is preferably used.
In a further configuration, the two-way valve includes a recess in the injector needle which, in a first position of the injector needle, interacts with a recess in the needle guide such that a liquid can flow from the one recess into the other. In a second position of the injector needle, flowing of a liquid from one recess into the other recess is prevented.
An especially advantageous application of the method arises in measuring the needle position of an injector needle driven using a piezoelectric element in an injector. With regard to their dynamic behavior, piezoelectric actuators make possible high positioning forces and short response times in tightly restricted injector contours, such as preliminary injection and postinjection, to reduce the development of noise and toxic substances during the course of combustion. Here the exact knowledge of the position of the injector needle in relation to the camshaft adjustment is especially advantageous for injection periods smaller than 100 μs.
A force F(t) acting upon the piezoelectric element, preferably in an axial direction, is transformed into piezoelectric voltage. This possesses the advantage that an additional installation of a piezoelectric element as a sensor can be dispensed with.
With the aid of the equationsΔ1=s33E·1/A·F+d33·n·up  (1)ip=d33·n·dF/dt+ε33T·n2·A/1·dup/dt  (2)in which Δ1 is a change in length of the piezoelectric element, Dn is an electric displacement flux density on the piezoelectric element, 1 the total length of the piezoelement, Em the electrical field strength on the piezoelectric element, A the surface of the piezoelectric element, Si the mechanical extension, F the external force on surface A and Tj the voltage tensor, up the piezoelectric voltage, qp=∫ip dt the electric charge, din the piezoelectric coefficient, ip the piezoelectric current, and CE=ε33T·n2·A/1 the replacement capacitance of the piezoelectric element.                                    Furthermore the following applies for the dielectric constants:εmmT=∂Dn/∂Em|Twith the number of ceramic layers n and for the elasticity coefficient:sijE=∂Si/∂Tj|E.
The description of the connections between the change in length Δ1 of the piezoelectric stack, the force F upon the piezoelectric stack, the piezoelectric current ip and the piezoelectric voltage up takes place through elimination of the change in force over time dF/dt, to detect the influence of the needle motion in the direction of its speed of motion dΔ1/dt on the temporal change of the piezoelectric voltage duP/dt.duP/dt=iP·1/A·1/(ε33T·n2)−dF/dt·1/A·d33/(ε33T·n)  (3)dF/dt=dΔ1/dt·A/(1·s33E)−dup/dt·A·d33·n/(1·s33E)  (4)The equation is solved according to dup/dt. The leading magnitudes are then iP and dΔ1/dt. The equation for the temporal change of the piezoelectric voltage duP/dt as a function of piezoelectric current iP and the change in length per unit of time dΔ1/dt then reads:duP/dt={iP·1/(A·n)−dΔ1/dt·d33/s33E}·{1/n·s33E/(s33E·ε33T−(d33)2)}  (5)By ascertaining the change in voltage on the piezoelectric element when evaluating this equation, an especially efficient ascertaining of the needle position of the injection valve is possible. For this, a specifiable disturbance is introduced into an existing piezoelectric injector system such that the originally unimpeded flow of fuel, proceeding from the common rail to the motor cylinder, assumes a pulse-like course through the two-way valve. This pressure pulse resulting as a consequence of force pulses in the liquid surrounding the piezoelectric injector acts as a change in the ambient pressure upon the piezoelectric element and is imaged in the voltage signal u(t) in the electric feeder lines of the piezoelectric element as a measured magnitude. A temporal derivation of the piezoelectric voltage makes possible a good localization of the state of the needle, especially for the beginning and end of an injection. The measuring signal stands out clearly in relation to interference signals, and an especially high resolution of the position is attainable.

Method for ascertaining the position of a mobile closing element of an injection valve


A networked control system for controlling at least one plant includes a receiver configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of a current state of a controlled variable of a plant over a wireless link and a controller configured to determine a control command based on a control error between a reference state of the controlled variable and the current state of the control variable. The system also includes a processor configured to determine, based on a function of the control error, a number of transmission times a packet with the control command needs to be transmitted over the wireless link, and a transmitter configured to transmit the packet over the wireless link the number of transmission times.

A Networked Control System (NCS) is a control system wherein the control loops are closed through a wireless communication network. The defining feature of an NCS is that control and feedback signals are exchanged among the system's components in the form of information packets through a wireless network.
The NCS has an ability to connect cyberspace to physical space enabling the execution of several tasks from long distance. In addition, networked control systems eliminate unnecessary wiring reducing the complexity and the overall cost in designing and implementing the control systems. They can also be modified or upgraded by adding sensors, actuators and controllers with relatively low cost and no major changes in their structure. Moreover, featuring efficient sharing of data between their controllers, NCSs are able to fuse global information to make intelligent decisions over large physical spaces.
Their potential applications are numerous and cover a wide range of industries such as space and terrestrial exploration, access in hazardous environments, factory automation, remote diagnostics and troubleshooting, experimental facilities, domestic robots, aircraft, automobiles, manufacturing plant monitoring, nursing homes and tele-operations. While the potential applications of NCS are numerous, the proven applications are few, and the real opportunity in the area of NCS is in developing real-world applications that realize the area's potential.
Advent and development of the Internet combined with the advantages provided by NCS attracted the interest of researchers around the globe. Along with the advantages, several challenges also emerged giving rise to many important research topics. The insertion of the communication network in the feedback control loop makes the analysis and design of an NCS complex, since it imposes additional time delays in control loops or possibility of packet loss.
To that end, practical NCS applications use remote controllers cautiously. For example, a system described by Y. Tipsuwan and M.-Y. Chow, "Control methodologies in networked control systems," provides a remote controller only as a reference provider. Such a remote controller runs much slower than necessary for a stable control loops to provide reference inputs for optimal process operation. In addition, such a remote controller has insufficient authority to shape the transient of the closed-loop control system, and thus might cause performance loss.
Accordingly, there is still a need for a control system adapted to perform as NCS.

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.


A conversation may be monitored in real time using a trained machine learning model. This real-time monitoring may detect attributes of a conversation, such as a conversation type, a state of a conversation, as well as other attributes that help specify a context of a conversation. Contextually appropriate behavioral targets may be provided by machine learning model to an agent participating in a conversation. In some embodiments, these “behavioral targets” are identified by applying a set of rules to the contemporaneously identified conversation attributes. The behavioral targets may be defined in advance prior to the start of a conversation. In this way, the machine learning model may be trained to associate particular behavioral target(s) with one or more conversation attributes (or collections of attributes). This facilitates the real-time monitoring of a conversation and contemporaneous guidance of an agent with machine-identified behavioral targets.

In a variety of contexts, customer support functions (e.g., sales, marketing, complaint resolution, informational query) may rely on any of a variety of tools to improve the quality and speed of interactions with customers. For example, agents in a call center may have paper or electronically stored scripts that may be used inappropriate circumstances. Text chats maybe facilitated by the use of "pills" that allow standard responses to be provided to an inquiring party simply by selecting the pill containing the appropriate response.
Despite uniform scripts and convenient response mechanisms, the current suite of tools used by most call centers can be inadequate. Responses maybe labor intensive and time consuming, the effectiveness of many agents maybe low leading to dissatisfied customers, and generally agent turnover is high.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Systems and methods for identifying a behavioral target during a conversation


An electrical contact comprising a holding section (2) formed of opposing side plates (6) bent from a bottom plate (5), a contact section (3) extending outwardly from the holding section (2) for electrical connection with a circuit board, a wire-connection section (4) between the side plates (6) for electrical connection to an insulated electrical wire (30), projections (18) at the sides of the wire-connection section (4) disposed in projection-receiving holes (8) in the side plates (6), and the side plates (6) having thermal-insulation holes (9, 9') adjacent the projection-receiving holes (8) to dissipate heat conducted along the contact section (3) and holding section (2) when the contact section (3) is soldered to the circuit board to obviate the melting or softening of the insulation of the electrical wire (30) in the wire-connection section (4).

In conventional technology to electrically connect an electrical wire to a printed circuit board, an electrical contact is used which is to be soldered after having a contact section inserted into a through-hole of such circuit board.
Such type of electrical contact is made of a metal plate by a stamping and forming technique and comprises a holding section for holding the contact in a dielectric housing, an insertion or contact section to be inserted in a through-hole in a circuit board, and a wire-connection section as part of the holding section.
As mentioned above, such electrical contact is normally soldered when the contact section is inserted in a through-hole in a circuit board. It is inherent that soldering heat is conducted to the wire-connection section, thereby softening or melting the insulation covering the electrical wire connected to the wire-connection section of the electrical contact. This may result in reducing the force to hold the stranded conductors of the electrical wire to such an extent that the conductors are unstably or improperly connected to the wire-connection section of the electrical contact. However, such conventional electrical contact has no effective means to overcome such problem.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an electrical contact having thermal-insulation holes for dissipating heat adjacent to the wire-connection section, thereby effectively solving the problem encountered in the conventional electrical contact.


A phthalonitrile compound of formula (I); ##STR1## and a diiminoisoindoline compound of formula (II): ##STR2## are allowed to react to produce a phthalocaynine compound of formula (III), ##STR3## which is an effective material for a near-infrared absorbing material and also as a recording material for an optical information recording medium. The methods of producing the phthalonitrile compound of formula (I) and the pthalocaynine compound of formula (III) are proposed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a near-infrared absorbing material comprising a phthalocyanine compound which can also be used as a recording material for use in an optical information recording medium, a photoelectric conversion material, and a material for use in an infrared filter; a phthalonitrile compound and a diiminoisoindoline compound serving as intermediates for producing such phthalocyanine compounds capable of absorbing near infrared rays; and methods of producing such phthalonitrile compounds.
In addition, the present invention also relates to an optical information recording medium which comprises as a recording material the above-mentioned near-infrared absorbing material comprising such a phthalocyanine compound.
2. Discussion of Background
Materials capable of absorbing near infrared rays find a variety of applications, for example, in (i) safe-light filters for photosensitive materials which are sensitive to infrared rays; (ii) infrared filters for controlling the growth of plants; (iii) materials for intercepting the heat rays in sunlight; (iv) infrared filters for protecting eye tissues from infrared rays; and (v) infrared filters for the light receiving elements of semiconductors. In addition to the above, a recording material of an optical information recording medium is one of the important applications of the above-mentioned near-infrared-ray-absorbing materials.
Conventionally, cyanine dyes, phenanthrene dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, pyrylium dyes and squarylium dyes are known as materials capable of absorbing infrared rays, In Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 55-97033, 58-83344, 58-224793, 58-214162, and 59-24692, optical information recording media are disclosed which comprise any of the aforementioned dyes as recording materials.
Each of the above-mentioned dyes, however, has its own shortcomings when used as a recording material in the optical information recording medium. More specifically, phenanthrene dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, and squarylium dyes have low reflectance although they can be readily vacuum-deposited. The low reflectance will bring about a low contrast between an information recorded area formed by application of laser beams and a non-information recorded area. This will cause inaccurate reproduction of the recorded information.
Pyrylium dyes and cyanine dyes are soluble in solvents, so that they can be applied by liquid coating. However, these dyes are so poor in light-resistance that they are readily caused to deteriorate when exposed to the light employed for the reproduction of recorded information, and exposed to natural light.
In contrast to the previously mentioned dyes, phthalocyanine dyes have remarkably high thermal stability and photostability, so that there are proposed recording media, each of which comprises a phthalocyanine compound in an organic-dye-containing thin film, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 58-183296 and 58-37851. In spite of the above-mentioned advantages of the phthalocyanine compounds, they have a shortcoming in the productivity thereof. To be more specific, a thin film of such a phthalocyanine compound can be made only by vacuum-deposition because it is impossible to use a coating method due to the poor solubility in organic solvents. In addition, the phthalocyanine compound easily tends to cause association of the molecules thereof, so that high refractive index and high reflectance cannot be obtained when used in an optical information recording medium.
Recently, in order to increase the recording density in the field of information recording, a semiconductor laser beam with a specific wavelength, that is, 680 nm or less, which is shorter than the wavelength range of the laser beam used for a conventional optical recording disk has been put to practical use. However, any conventional organic-dye-containing thin film for use in the optical disk does not exhibit appropriate light absorption and reflection in the wavelength range of 700 nm or less. Namely, high-density recording has been limited because an appropriate recording material for use in the optical recording medium is not available.
Furthermore, a write-once CD-R (CD Recordable) comprising a substrate, an organic-dye-containing thin film, a metal reflection layer and a protective layer, which are successively overlaid in this order, is required to exhibit high reflectance in order to satisfy the CD standards. Therefore, there is a demand for development of an organic dye material which has high stability and is capable of exhibiting high refractive index in the wavelength range of the reproduction light, namely, in the range of 700 to 830 nm.
To prevent the association of the molecules of the phthalocyanine compound and also to obtain high refractive index thereof when used in an optical information recording medium, the introduction of a bulky alkoxyl group at the .alpha.-position of the phthalocyanine has been carried out. Further, there are proposed various recording media of CD-R type which can match the shorter wavelength of the laser beam by halogenating the phthalocyanine compound for use in the organic-dye-containing thin film, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 3-62878, 3-215466, 4-348168, 4-226390, 4-15263, 4-15264, 4-15265, 4-15266, 5-17477, 5-86301, 5-25177, 5-25179, 5-17700, and 5-1272.
However, the above-mentioned conventional phthalocyanine compounds are still unsatisfactory as the recording materials for use in the optical information recording medium although the refractive index thereof is improved.

Optical information recording medium using a phthalocyanine compound


A light-emitting device comprises a semiconductor light-emitting stacked layer having a first connecting surface, wherein the semiconductor light-emitting stacked layer comprises a first alignment pattern on the first connecting surface, and a substrate under the semiconductor light-emitting stacked layer, wherein the substrate has a second connecting surface being operable for connecting with the first connecting surface, wherein the substrate comprises a second alignment pattern on the second connecting surface, and the second alignment pattern is corresponding to the first alignment pattern.

As the technology develops, the semiconductor optoelectrical device has a great contribution in information transmission and energy conversion. For example, the semiconductor optoelectrical device can be applied to fiber-optic communication, optical storage and military system. Generally, the semiconductor optoelectrical device can be classified as three categories according to energy conversion type: converting electrical energy to light, such as light-emitting diode and laser diode; converting light to electrical energy, such as optical detector; converting the radiation energy of light to electrical energy, such as solar cell.
The growth substrate is very important to semiconductor optoelectrical devices. The semiconductor epitaxial layers of a semiconductor optoelectrical device are grown on the growth substrate, and the growth substrate also provides the supporting function to carry the semiconductor epitaxial layer. But, different semiconductor epitaxial layers need different growth substrates. In order to form the semiconductor epitaxial layer with high quality, it is important to choose a suitable growth substrate.
However, sometimes a good growth substrate is not a suitable carrier substrate for carrying the semiconductor epitaxial layer. Taking the light-emitting diode as an example, in the manufacturing processes of the red light diode, in order to form a better semiconductor epitaxial layer, GaAs substrate is generally selected as the growth substrate because the lattice constant of GaAs substrate is close to that of the semiconductor epitaxial layer though GaAs is opaque and has low heat dissipation, which is adverse to the ultra-bright light-emitting diode which requires good heat dissipation. Such kind of growth substrate with low heat dissipation ability would cause the light-emitting efficiency to decline dramatically.
In order to satisfy the different requirement of the growth substrate and the carrier substrate of semiconductor optoelectrical devices, the substrate transfer technology is developed. Namely, the semiconductor epitaxial layer is firstly formed on the growth substrate, and then the semiconductor epitaxial layer is bonded to the carrier substrate for further processing.
The known ultra-bright light-emitting diode is produced by wafer to wafer bonding. The bonding layer, which is composed of metal or non-metal material, is used to bond the semiconductor epitaxial layer and the heat-dissipation substrate together. However, the bonding layer of a single material would limit the flexibility of light-emitting diode design and the following wafer level package.

Lighting emitting device with aligned-bonding having alignment patterns


A valve apparatus that has a longitudinal axis therethrough comprises a valve seat member, a valve closure member, a fluid flow path, and a resilient valve insert member. The valve seat member comprises a hollow bore and a first frustoconical contact surface that has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. The valve closure member comprises a valve body and a second frustoconical contact surface that is adapted to seal against the first frustoconical contact surface in a strike face area. The valve closure member is movable along the longitudinal axis of the valve apparatus. The fluid flow path extends through the bore of the valve seat member and between the valve seat member and the valve closure member. This fluid flow path is closed when the second frustoconical contact surface is sealed against the first frustoconical contact surface.

It is common to pump fluids that contain particulates into oil and gas wells. For example, fracturing fluids typically contain proppant particles, such as sand or small ceramic or glass beads, that typically range in size from U.S. Standard Sieve sizes 60 through 16 (0.01 to 0.05 inches, 0.025 to 0.12 cm), and occasionally from U.S. Standard Sieve sizes 100 through 10 (0.006 to 0.079 inches, 0.015 to 0.20 cm). Other fluids containing particles are used for abrasive jetting in oil or gas wells. Slurries (mixtures of liquids and solid particles) are more difficult to pump than particle-free fluids. The presence of solid particles adversely affects pump efficiencies and valve lifetimes, especially at high pressures and/or high flow rates.
Reciprocating plunger pumps are frequently used by oil field service companies to pump proppant-containing fracturing fluids into oil and gas formations. These pumps typically include valve assemblies that are biased toward the closed position. When the motion of the plunger creates fluid flow resulting in a differential pressure across the valve, the differential pressure forces the valve open. However, when the forward motion of the plunger slows and the valve begins to close, solid particles in the fluid can become trapped within the valve assembly. The trapped solids prevent the valve from fully closing and thereby reduce the efficiency of the pump. Trapped solids can also damage the valve assembly components and reduce the useful life of the valve assembly.
The valve assemblies in reciprocating plunger pumps typically contain an area where the metal surface of the valve closure member contacts the metal surface of the valve seat member when the valve is closed. That area is commonly referred to, and is defined herein, as the "strike face area." There is little or no damage done to the metal surfaces of the valve components when only clear fluids (e.g., clear liquids, such as water or gelled aqueous fluids) are pumped through the valve assembly. The valve lifetime can be quite long and may even outlast the fluid end of the pump in endurance test runs when the pumping medium is a clear fluid. However, when the pumping medium is a slurry, such as a fracturing fluid with proppant, the metal contact surfaces in the strike face area are severely damaged by erosion, abrasion and by pitting caused by solid particles in the fluid. If solid particles are trapped between the metal surfaces as the valve closes, the closing force of the valve is applied to the metal surfaces through the particles rather than being spread uniformly across the strike face area. The localized contact forces, Hertzian contact forces, at the interface of the trapped particles and the metal surface cause pitting in the metal surface. The damage caused by trapped particles is extensive. The valve life can be less than an hour under extreme conditions. Attempts to mitigate the damage to the valve assemblies have been made. One such technique involved an attempt to minimize or replace the metal-to-metal contact in the strike face area by including a resilient elastomeric insert in the closure member or the valve seat. While useful, this technique has not been wholly successful. Solid particles are still trapped at the outer perimeter where the resilient insert forms a hydraulic seal as it closes against the metal surface of the valve seat member. Damage to the metal surfaces near to and along that perimeter increases the extrusion gap size that the resilient insert has to span in order to form an effective hydraulic seal.
The mechanisms by which pitting and other valve damage occurs have been addressed in various patents and publications. For example, U.S. Pat. No. ("USP") 6,701,955 B2, "Valve Apparatus" by McIntire et al., describes how solid particles in a pumped slurry can become trapped between the two metal contact surfaces in the strike face area. The particles tend to be concentrated in specific locations rather than randomly distributed across those surfaces when concentrated slurries of particles are pumped. This creates concentrated stress forces at these locations and leads to localized pitting. The resulting pits or indentations in the metal surfaces are much wider than single particles. Once such pitting has occurred, the pits act as collection points and solid particles tend to concentrate at these locations on subsequent plunger strokes. This greatly accelerates the damage at these locations.
The above-mentioned technique involving resilient inserts has also been addressed by the present inventor. Valves used for slurry service typically have a resilient sealing insert around the outer perimeter of the valve closure member to provide effective valve sealing. Pressure applied to a closed valve forces the resilient sealing insert to become a hydraulic seal and a portion of the insert is extruded into the gap between the valve closure member and the valve seat member. For the insert to affect a hydraulic seal upon valve closure, the insert must protrude from the valve closure member toward the valve seat member when the valve is open. The amount of protrusion of the insert is called the insert offset. When the valve is nearly closed, the resilient sealing insert contacts the valve seat member before the contact surfaces of the valve closure member and the valve seat member make contact. When the valve is closed, the resilient sealing insert is deformed against the seat member to form the hydraulic seal, and metal-to-metal contact occurs between the valve closure member and the valve seat member in the strike face area. The resilient insert material does not compress but deforms. Repeated deformation of the insert material causes internal heat build-up and material stress within the insert material, and this can damage it. The insert material has low thermal conductivity, and even when bathed in flowing fluid the insert can overheat and be permanently deformed if exposed to large percentage deformations of the insert material.
Damage to the valve insert is also caused by large deformations of the insert material beyond its elastic limit. The elastic limit is an intrinsic property of the material, so the critical deformation is the percentage deformation defined as the deformation per volume unit of the material. If a large insert deformation occurs over a large volume of the insert material, then the percentage deformation can be low, causing minimal damage.
Proppant trapped under the resilient sealing insert can become temporarily or permanently embedded in the resilient insert material, so that the insert can contact the valve seat and affect a hydraulic seal in the presence of proppant. In the presence of proppant, the metal surfaces of the valve closure member and valve seat member do not form a good hydraulic seal. Under pressures typical of oilfield operations, the resilient insert deforms to press against the outer perimeter of the metal-to-metal contact area and makes the hydraulic seal there.
If proppant is trapped between the contact surfaces of the valve seat member and valve closure member, the metal-to-metal seal is not made. The resilient insert is extruded into the gap between the contact surfaces by the differential pressure across the valve. That differential pressure across the valve apparatus will build from zero, before the valve closes, to the full pump output pressure as the valve closes and the plunger actions continue. When the pressure forces on the valve closure member become high enough to crush proppant trapped between the metal contact surfaces, the gap between the contact surfaces decreases from the proppant diameter to the height of the crushed proppant particles. Just before the proppant is crushed, the insert is subjected to extrusion into a gap width defined by the proppant particles' diameter, with an extrusion pressure just less than the pressure required to crush the proppant. If proppant particles are piled up in the contact area, the extrusion gap can be larger than the diameter of individual particles. After the proppant is crushed, the gap between the two contact surfaces is reduced to the width of the crushed proppant debris. Then the insert is subjected to extrusion into that smaller gap, with an extrusion pressure equal to the maximum differential pressure across the pump.
The resilient sealing insert contacts the valve seat member before the valve closure member contacts the valve seat member. The gap between the sealing insert and the seat of an open valve is smaller than the gap between the valve closure member and the valve seat. This is required in order to have the resilient sealing insert contact the valve seat before the valve closure member and make a hydraulic seal. As the valve closes, the gap between the sealing insert and the valve seat member becomes too small to pass particles in the fluid, while the gap between the valve closure member and the valve seat member is still large enough to pass particles into the region between them. Thus, a standard valve-sealing insert can act as a forward-screening element that concentrates proppant particles in the strike face area, particularly in the critical area near the outer perimeter of the strike face. Such concentrations of proppant particles enhance damage to the contacting surfaces of the valve closure member and the valve seat member.
If the pump is operated in such a way as to have valve lag, i.e. the discharge valve does not close until after the plunger starts its suction stroke, there will be reverse flow through the valve before it closes. Before the valve closes, the insert will approach the valve seat so that the gap between them is less than the proppant diameter. The sealing insert will screen out proppant particles from the reverse fluid flow, preventing the particles from entering the region between the valve closure member and the valve seat member. However, the volume of fluid without proppant, which flows through current valves during the short time interval between the onset of such reverse particle screening and the closure of the valve, typically is insufficient to displace the proppant-laden fluid from the valve before closure. Particles are still trapped between the valve closure member and the valve seat member. Additional fluid without proppant would be required to flush the gap between the contact surfaces of the valve closure member and the valve seat member before the valve closes enough to trap proppant particles in that gap.
The resilient insert should extend down below the frustoconical contact surface of the valve closure member by a distance greater than the diameter of the solid particles in the slurry being pumped. Otherwise, the valve can be held open by solid particles caught between the metal contact surfaces of the valve seat member and valve closure member, without the resilient insert member reaching the valve seat member to affect a hydraulic seal. The extension of the insert member below a parallel extension of the frustoconical contact surface of the valve closure member is referred to as the valve insert member's offset. Current valve assemblies have insert member offsets typically of 0.06 to 0.08 inches. Larger offsets would result in larger insert material deformations leading to heating and material failure. Current valve assemblies were developed for pumping slurries with proppant particles that typically would pass through a U.S. Standard Sieve of 20 mesh. The maximum proppant particle diameter to pass through that mesh is 0.032 inches, so an insert offset of 0.06 inches will allow the valve insert to contact the valve seat while there is proppant between the contact surfaces of the valve body and the valve seat. The insert will be deformed over particles trapped under the insert. However, larger proppant particles are being used today to increase the efficiency of oil and gas withdrawal following fracturing operations. Proppants pumped today can include some particles with diameters larger than the typical insert offsets of current valve assemblies.
Increasing the offset of the resilient insert member to accommodate larger diameter proppant particles, by allowing the insert member to contact the valve seat member while there are proppant particles between the contact surfaces of the valve closure and valve seat members, increases the deformation of the insert member when the valve is closed. That increases heating and deformation damage to the insert member. Additional deformation damage to the resilient insert member is caused by trapping proppant particles between the resilient insert member and the valve seat member when the valve is closed. Proppant particles trapped between the resilient insert member and the valve seat member deform the resilient insert member and may be embedded in the insert. Larger proppant particles will cause significantly increased deformation damage and embedment damage when trapped between the resilient insert member and the valve seat member when the valve closes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,955 B2, "Valve Apparatus" by McIntire et al., describes the problems of packing proppant particles between the frustoconical contact surfaces of the valve closure member and the valve seat member, particularly near the outer perimeter of the strike face area, and teaches some ways to flush the proppant out of that space, mainly by trapping proppant particles between the resilient insert and the valve seat. The present invention has advantages over the apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,955 in that: a) it provides a volume of trapped slurry from which proppant is screened as that slurry is pumped through the area between the contact surfaces, b) it provides a cavity to accommodate proppant particles trapped under the insert without deforming and damaging the insert, and c) it provides an insert that will seal in the presence of large proppant particles without requiring large percentage deformation of the insert material.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,495,880 by Volpin shows a cylindrical plug, as part of the valve closure member, that protrudes down into the throat of the valve seat member when the valve is closed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,955 B2, "Valve Apparatus" by McIntire et al., teaches the use of such cylindrical plugs to increase the speed at which the valve closure member rises when the plunger starts to move forward and pump fluid through the valve apparatus, and to retard the descent of the valve closure member at the end of the plunger forward stroke. Retarding the descent of the valve closure member promotes valve lag that reduces the amount of proppant particles trapped under the valve and makes the reverse pumping aspect of the current invention more effective.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,632 B2, "Valve Apparatus" by McIntire et al., teaches the use of protrusions around the outer perimeter of the contacting surface of the resilient insert to provide a screening gap between that surface and the valve seat. This allows clear fluid (i.e., fluid without proppant particles) to flow in a reverse direction, from downstream of the valve, through the valve and to flush proppant particles from the gap between contact surfaces of the valve closure member and the valve seat member before the valve closes.
Another problem with conventional valves for high-pressure slurry pumps, such as the reciprocating plunger pumps mentioned above, is the impact of the valve closure member on the valve seat member when the valve exhibits valve lag, closing after the pump plunger has reversed direction. Valve lag can be useful for slurry pumps, because it can reduce the number of particles concentrated in the valve before closure. However, large amounts of valve lag lead to damage of conventional valves, as the valve closure member slams into the valve seat member with high velocity and considerable force in closing.
There is a need for improved valve assemblies that reduce the incidence of damage to the valve closure member and valve seat member caused by particulates in slurries. There is also a need to reduce valve insert damage due to compressive deformation, particularly for inserts with offsets large enough to accommodate large particles. There is also a need for valve assemblies that can operate efficiently while pumping slurries with large proppant particles. These needs are addressed by the present invention.
A valve apparatus that closes without particles trapped between the two metal contact surfaces in the strike face area would permit one to pump slurries without valve damage. Valve damage could also be significantly diminished by reducing or eliminating particles trapped near the outer perimeter of the metal contact surfaces. These are some of the objects of the present invention.


A device for modifying a body lumen of a mammal in need thereof is provided, comprising a helically-cut tube comprising cutting teeth, said helically-cut tube substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said device, a ramp wire that is displaced from the longitudinal axis of said device over at least a portion of said ramp wire and is enclosed by said helically-cut tube over at least a part of the length of said ramp wire, a drive rod wherein the broach may be moved proximally, distally, and/or radially via proximal, distal, and radial motions, respectively, of the drive rod. Also provided are methods for using the device.

1. Field of the Instant Disclosure
The present application relates generally to a catheter device and methods for the removal of atherosclerotic plaques in medical procedures. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a catheter device comprising multiple cutting surfaces which cut, rotate, reciprocate, and rotate again.
2. Description of Related Art
Many devices for minimally invasive removal of plaque and blockages from a body lumen (i.e., for atherectomy) exist. Such devices may be used in, for example, coronary arteries to restore circulation. Contrary to angioplasty and stenting, which only push blockages/plaques into the inner wall of the lumen, atherectomy involves introducing a catheter comprising scraping or cutting means into the lumen. Operation of the scraping or cutting means works to remove the blockages/plaques, thereby restoring circulation through the lumen. This procedure is also distinguished from endarterectomy, which comprises the surgical removal of plaque from the inner wall of a diseased artery, along with portions of the arterial lining, leaving a smooth tunica externa (the outermost layer of the blood vessel).
Devices of the prior art rely upon multiple insertions and removals of said devices over a guide-wire to enable adequate plaque removal and opening of the lumen. Continued removal and reintroduction dramatically increases the possibility of procedural complications and adds significant time to the procedure.
The technical problem underlying the present disclosure was therefore to overcome these prior art difficulties by creating a device that would successfully remove plaques/blockages without requiring multiple insertions and reintroductions. The solution to this technical problem is provided by the embodiments characterized in the claims.


The invention provides novel lin-8, lin-56, and lin-61 genes and polypeptides involved in cell fate determination and in cell proliferation. In addition, the invention includes mutants of these three genes, as well as methods for utilizing these genes, and their encoded polypeptides, in diagnosing and treating abnormal cell proliferation.

The field of the invention is cell proliferation.
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is well suited for developmental genetic studies because the entire cell lineage has been mapped and is essentially invariant from one animal to the next. Thus, by comparing the cell lineage of a wild-type animal to that of a mutant animal, the changes in cell fates caused by the mutation can be determined.
A number of mutations that alter cell lineage in C. elegans, termed lin mutations, were obtained in genetic screens conducted by Horvitz and Sulston in the late 1970's. A subset of the mutations affected the formation of the vulva, a structure on the ventral surface of C. elegans hermaphrodites through which eggs are laid and through which sperm enters during cross-fertilization. Six vulval precursor cells have the potential to undertake a vulval cell lineage, as defined by the number and pattern of cell divisions. In a wild-type animal only three of these cells actually undertake vulval cell fates and these three cells generate the 22 cells that make up the adult vulva. In multivulva (Muv) animals, most or all of the six vulval precursor cells undertake vulval cell fates. In addition to the cells required for the formation of a normal vulva, these mutant animals generate an excess of cells which cause the formation of raised, vulva-like structures on the ventral surface of the animal. On the other hand, a vulvaless (Vul) phenotype results when no or too few vulval precursor cells adopt vulval cell fates.
Genetic and molecular analyses of Muv and Vul animals have defined a Ras signal transduction pathway that mediates induction of the hermaphrodite vulva. This pathway includes the LIN-3 EGF-like ligand, the LET-23 receptor tyrosine kinase, the SEM-5 adaptor, LET60 Ras, the KSR-1 kinase, LIN-45 MEK-2, and the MPK-1 MAP kinase, and regulates the activities of the ETS transcription factor LIN-1 and the winged-helix transcription factor LIN-31 (reviewed by Horvitz and Sternberg, Nature 351:535-41, 1991; Sundaram and Han, Bioessays 18:473-480, 1996; Tan et al., Cell 93:569-580, 1998). Mutant animals in which this pathway is ectopically activated can display a Muv phenotype, whereas mutant animals that have reduced Ras pathway signaling can display a Vul phenotype.
The synthetic multivalva (synMuv) genes act in two functionally-redundant pathways as negative regulators of the nematode Ras signaling pathway. The first synthetic multivulva mutant was identified by Horvitz and Sulston. The two genetic loci mutated in this mutant were termed lin-8 and lin-9. Reduction-of-function mutations in both of these loci were required for a multivulva phenotype. Subsequent genetic screens identified a set of loci which fall into the same class as lin-8, termed class A genes, and genes which fall into the same class as lin-9, termed class B genes. In general, an animal with a reduction-of-function mutation in any class A gene and a reduction-of-function mutation in any class B gene will display a multivulva phenotype, while animals carrying one or more mutations of the same class have a wild-type vulval phenotype. These two classes appear to define two functionally redundant pathways that negatively regulate the expression of vulval cell fates.
Thus far at least four class A loci (lin-8, lin-15A, lin-38, and lin-56) and at least fourteen class B loci (lin-9, lin-15B, lin-35, lin-36, lin-37, lin-13, lin-52, lin-53, lin-54, lin-55 (dpl-1), lin-61, hda-1, tam-1 (Hsieh et al., Genes & Dev. 13:2958-2970, 1999), and the C. elegans E2F1 homolog (efl-1)) have been identified genetically. lin-15 encodes both A and B activities in two non-overlapping transcripts. In addition, lin-37, lin-35, lin-53, lin-52, lin-54, lin-55 (dpl-1), lin-15A, lin-15B, lin-36, lin-9, lin-55, and efl-1 have been cloned (Ceol and Horvitz, Molecular Cell 7:461-473, 2001; Clark et al., Genetics 137:987-997, 1994; Huang et al., Mol. Biol. Cell 5:395-411, 1994; Beitel et al., Gene 254:253-263, 2000; and PCT WO 98/54299).
A number of the synMuv family members encode polypeptides with sequence similarity to polypeptides involved in cancer development and progression. For example, lin-35 encodes a homolog of the mammalian pocket protein family, which includes retinoblastoma protein (Rb), p107, and p130. This family of proteins has been the subject of intense study since the cloning of Rb in 1986. Rb is a tumor suppressor gene; mutations that inactivate Rb predispose individuals to tumor formation. Most commonly, inactivation of Rb results in a type of eye cancer, retinoblastoma, although inactivating mutations in Rb have been found in other types of tumors. The Rb protein is thought to function as a negative regulator of cell cycle progression. A number of molecules that interact, both directly and indirectly, with Rb and the other pocket proteins have been characterized in mammalian cells.
Another synMuv family member, lin-53, encodes a homolog of p48, a protein which has been shown to bind Rb. Although the functional significance of the interaction between p48 and Rb is not fully understood, recent studies suggest that p48 may play a role in remodeling chromatin structure. In addition, lin-55(dpl-1) encodes a homolog of the DP family of proteins (Ceol and Horvitz, Molecular Cell 7:461-473, 2001). DP family members, together with E2F proteins, bind DNA at specific sites, thereby regulating the transcription of genes that are essential for cell cycle progression. Furthermore, pocket proteins such as Rb bind to the DP-E2F complex to repress transcription.
As in the nematode, Ras pathways have been found to control cell proliferation in a range of organisms from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to humans. The Ras pathway defines one class of oncogene signaling pathways; members of this pathway, most commonly Ras itself, have been shown to be mutated in a broad range of human cancers (Hunter, Cell 88:333-346, 1997). Accordingly, analysis of the Ras pathway, in particular the vulval induction pathway, in C. elegans addresses the significant need of increasing our understanding of cancer in general.


An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to the field of convenience closures for full-open type can ends. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved rivet formation for attaching a gripping tab to an end panel of such a can end.
2. Description of the Related Technology
One form of self-opening can which is in wide use is the so called full-open can, in which a peripheral score, generally circular in configuration, is formed in the end panel at or adjacent to the periphery thereof to permit its complete removal.
Full-open type cans are to be distinguished from those self opening cans which have a comparatively small removable section which, when opened, provide a comparatively small hole for dispensing the product. The latter type of can end is only appropriate for packaging soda, beer, or other liquids. Full-open type cans, on the other hand, are suitable for packaging solid products such as candy, nuts, meats, or ground coffee.
A conventional full-open type can end of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,114 to Zysset is depicted in FIG. 1. Can end 10 conventionally includes an end panel 12 and an edge-curled peripheral flange 14 that is adapted to be interfolded with an end flange of a can body. At or adjacent to the periphery of end panel 12 is a peripheral score 16 which is indented into the end panel 12 and defines a fixed can end portion 18 and a removable portion or panel 20. A gripping tab 22 is mounted to the end panel 12 by means of a rivet formation 24.
The gripping tab 22 is positioned close enough to the peripheral score 16 so that when its inner end is rocked upwardly to cause its outer end to move downwardly and exert a downward force on the end panel 12 at or near the peripheral score 16, a portion of the end panel 12 is bent downwardly to initiate rupture of the peripheral score 16. Thereafter, an upward and backward pull on the gripping tab 22 by the user induces tearing of the metal in the peripheral score 16 on both sides of the area of initial rupture to complete detachment from the can of the removable portion or panel 20 of the end panel 12.
It is also known within the prior art to employ a vent score behind the rivet formation 24 toward the center of the end panel 12 in order to relieve internal pressure or vacuum that exists within the container, and thereby avoid implosion or explosion as the container 12 is opened by rotation of the gripping tab 22 about the rivet formation 24. The most frequently used shape for the vent score is curved like a man's mustache and therefore these scores are generally known as "mustache scores."
For the aforesaid purposes and to promote flexibility and to provide a hinge point for the tab 22 when it is lifted, a mustache score 34 may be formed in the end panel 12, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Mustache score 34 typically has an inner portion 36 that is defined on a raised area 26 of rivet formation 24 having an outer edge 27, and at least one outer portion 38 that is defined on the outer surface of end panel 12. Raised area 26 includes an oval shaped first operation bubble 40, which is elongated along an axis which is a chord perpendicular to a radius of end panel 12. Raised area 26 further includes a second operation bubble 30, which is defined centrally with respect to the first operation bubble 40.
The inner portion 36 of mustache score 34 may be curved about the radial inner periphery of the second operation bubble 30. The outer portions 38 of the mustache score 34 would typically be shaped so as to flare outwardly from the respective inner portions 36, and would typically end up at their extreme outer ends to be substantially parallel or slightly curved away from the peripheral score 16.
Although conventional mustache scores such as the one that is described above are generally effective in preventing violent explosions or implosions during the opening of containers that are moderately pressurized or underpressurized, they tend to be ineffective in preventing explosions during the opening of highly pressurized containers. A highly pressurized container for purposes of this document is a container that is pressurized at least 25 pounds per square inch over ambient pressure conditions.
A need exists for an improved easy open can end that can be used with highly pressurized containers and that is capable of effectively reducing the likelihood of a violent explosion or implosion occurring when such a highly pressurized container is opened.

Easy open can end with high pressure venting


A multi-layered flexible circuit comprises a plurality of electrical traces (52) formed on a rigid substrate (50) and each including a contact pad (56) from which is raised a projecting contact feature (58). The contact pads (56) and features (58) extend along a line or lines of such contact pads and connection features, and both the contact pads and the raised features carried thereby are supported at or above the plane of the circuit traces by a compressed molded elastomeric gasket (44) positioned adjacent and edge (66) of the rigid substrate that underlies the traces. The gasket directly underlies the line of contact pads and raised features and is incorporated during the lamination of the several layers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to interconnection of electrical circuits, and more particularly concerns an improved method for positioning and resiliently supporting a raised contact.
2. Description of Related Art
The ubiquitous printed circuits are being developed in ever expanding applications and continuously varying configurations. Both flexible and rigid printed circuits are connected to similar circuits and other components by means of various types of connecting devices. Test probes often have a configuration including a plurality of contacts around the perimeter of a test membrane, which contacts must electrically contact a test probe card that is mounted in a test fixture. Flat, flexible printed circuit connecting cables employ similarly configured connecting devices and have been developed to a point where connection between one such printed circuit cable and another circuit is made by providing a plurality of projecting metallic interconnection features that may be pressed against either similar features or mating metallic connecting pads on the other circuit component or components. Flexible circuit terminations or connecting wafers of this type are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,310 to Patrick A. Reardon, II, deceased et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,517 to Gerald J. Selvin, et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,795 to Norbert L. Moulin, et al. The connectors of these patents embody a substrate having traces chemically milled thereon with a plurality of metallic raised features later formed to project from the plane of the circuit conductors. Thus, when two such connectors are placed face to face, with the raised features in registration and contact with the other, the planes of the etched electrical circuits are suitably spaced from one another because of the projection of the features. The two circuits may be physically clamped together to press the features against one another, thereby making firm and intimate electrical contact between the two circuits.
Arrangements for manufacturing circuits with such raised contacts by electrodepositing techniques without any chemical milling are described in a co-pending application for Three-Dimensional Electroformed Circuitry of William R. Crumly, Christopher M. Schreiber and Haim Feigenbaum, filed Sep. 11, 1990, Ser. No. 07/580,758, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,184, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application. The disclosure of this co-pending application is incorporated herein by this reference as though fully set forth.
In the use of circuits connected by such raised contact features (sometimes called "gold dot connectors" for the gold coating of the raised features), a group of raised metallic buttons are pressed against contact pads or similar features on a facing circuit, and by virtue of their height above the plane of the circuit, separate the two facing circuits from one another. For optimum contact of all raised features of the group, all of the contacts or pads on both of the circuits must be planar, so that pressing the two circuits together will effectively cause equal contact pressure at each contact point. Because of the difficulty of maintaining precise planarity of such contact features, it has been suggested to employ contacts that are deformable, as in the Reardon U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,310, or to employ a continuous layer of resilient material, as in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,517 to Selvin, et al. Such arrangements are relatively complex and difficult to fabricate, and may not adequately account for actual departures from planarity of one or more of the contacts of a group. Moreover, in such arrangements the two circuits are exceedingly close to one another, being clamped together and held apart only by the height of the raised features which contact one another and effectively define the magnitude of the space between the facing circuit boards. If one or more of these raised features do not have sufficient height, it is possible that the circuit boards may contact one another. In an arrangement such as shown in the Selvin patent, where a complete sheet of elastomer is employed, the elastomer has projections precisely positioned to enter the hollow rear portion of each raised feature, and thus is exceedingly difficult to fabricate and to position during lamination of the several layers. A further problem of arrangements of the prior art is that they do not readily lend themselves to effective use in test probe circuits.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide raised feature interconnections that avoid or minimize above mentioned problems.

Electrical circuit with resilient gasket support for raised connection features


According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting element includes a light emitting element includes a semiconductor stacked body including a light emitting layer, a reflection layer, a support substrate, a first bonding electrode and a second bonding electrode. The reflection layer is made of a metal and has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The semiconductor stacked body is provided on a side of the first surface of the reflection layer. The first bonding electrode is provided between the second surface and the support substrate and includes a convex portion projected toward the support substrate and a bottom portion provided around the convex portion in plan view. The second bonding electrode includes a concave portion fitted in the convex portion of the first bonding electrode and is capable of bonding the support substrate and the first bonding electrode.

For light emitting elements used in e.g. illumination devices, display devices, and traffic signals, there is an increasing demand for higher brightness.
A metal reflection layer can be provided below the light emitting layer. Then, the emission light directed downward from the light emitting layer is reflected. This increases the upward light extraction efficiency and facilitates increasing the brightness. In this case, for instance, a silicon (Si) substrate can be wafer bonded to a semiconductor substrate including the light emitting layer. Then, the crystal growth substrate can be removed to form a thin film multilayer light emitting element. This facilitates increasing the volume productivity.
The reflectance of a metal film decreases as the wavelength of visible light becomes shorter. In particular, the light reflectance of a stable electrode metal such as Au, Pt, and Pd decreases to 60% or less at 450 nm. This makes it difficult to achieve high light extraction efficiency.
In contrast, the light reflectance of Ag and Al can be made as high as 90% or more at 450 nm. However, Ag and Al are prone to migration and cause the problem of decreased reliability.

Semiconductor light emitting element and method for manufacturing same


The invention relates to the optical films, in particular to a quantum dot film applied to a backlight module. The quantum dot film aims to solve the problem that the color saturation of a liquid crystal displayer is poor. The novel quantum dot film comprises a quantum dot layer, and an upper waterproof layer and a lower waterproof layer are arranged on the upper surface of the quantum dot layer and the lower surface of the quantum dot layer respectively. The quantum dot layer comprises, by weight, 100 parts of adhesives, 5-20 parts of silica gel particles, 1-20 parts of diffusion particles and 0.1-20 parts of quantum dots. The surface of the silica gel particles is provided with a micropore structure. The quantum dots are adsorbed in micropores of the silica gel particles or dispersed in the adhesives. The silica gel particles and the diffusion particles are dispersed in the adhesives. The quantum dot film is applied to the backlight module and has the advantages of improving the color gamut and illuminance.

The backlight module is provider of light source for the liquid crystal display (LCD). All the colors showed by the liquid crystal display are derived from the light emitted by the backlight module. Currently commercially available light sources in the backlight module are mainly divided into two types, i.e., cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) and light emitting diode (LED). Compared the two light sources, LEDs have obvious advantages in the aspects of energy saving, environmental protection, small size, long life, and so on. As the cold cathode fluorescent lamp contains mercury, it not only results in high cost but also harms the environment greatly. To protect the environment, gradually replacing cold cathode fluorescent lamp with LEF will be an inevitable result. But, for the color saturation showed by the liquid crystal display, the light emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent lamp has good color saturation, and the color saturation of ordinary white LEDs is relatively poor. Therefore, it is very important to improve the color saturation of the liquid crystal display with LED light source.
The color saturation of LCD is usually shown with the NTSC color gamut which is the sum of color shown by the display under the NTSC standard. The color gamut of ordinary white light LED is 68-70% NTSC, it is very negative for the color performance of display. Currently there are two main ways to improve the color gamut of LED. The first method requires use of many LED light sources which are able to emit different colors to make color saturation exceeding 90% NTSC color gamut. Due to the higher costs of the LED light sources with different colors, the working life of the LED light sources are uneven. As a result, this method cannot be universally used. The second method requires use of ordinary white LED which emits mainly blue light. By using quantum dots, a portion of the blue light is converted into red light and green light. Compared with the white light emitted by the traditional LED, more red, green, and blue light goes through the filter and therefore displaying brighter, richer colors. But as the cost of quantum dot is higher, this method requires consideration of the light conversion efficiency of the quantum dots, stability, and other factors.

Quantum dot film applied to backlight module


A linear actuator system including a cylinder, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and defining a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the cylinder, wherein the piston includes a plurality of orifices therethrough that place the piston chamber and the rod chamber in fluid communication, and a sealing member movable between a closed position, wherein the sealing member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the plurality of orifices, and an open position, wherein the sealing member is less restrictive of fluid flow through the orifices. The plurality of orifices may include an always-open orifice that is not blocked by the sealing member when the sealing member is in the closed position.

The present invention is directed to hydraulic suspension systems and, more particularly, to linear actuators for hydraulic suspension systems.
Automobiles, including trucks and sport utility vehicles, as well as other motor vehicles, incorporate suspension systems designed to minimize the leaning or "rolling" of the vehicle body relative to the frame or wheels that occurs when the vehicle corners or turns at relatively high speeds.
FIG. 1. illustrates a typical suspension system, generally designated 10, that includes a pump 14 driven by a motor 12 that draws hydraulic fluid from reservoir 16 through supply line 18. The output of pump 14 is conveyed through line 20 to manifold 22. Fluid flow is split at 24 and is further conveyed through line 26 to power steering manifold 28 and along lines 30, 70 to solenoid valves 32, 34.
Lines 36, 38 extend from solenoid valve 32 and are in fluid communication with rod chamber 40 and piston chamber 42, respectively, of front actuator 44. Lines 46, 48 extend from solenoid valve 34 and are in fluid communication with rod chamber 50 and piston chamber 52, respectively, of rear actuator 54. Fluid supply lines 64, 66 are connected to enable valve 32 to supply fluid to lines 46, 48, respectively, and thereby pressurize rear actuator 54 at the same time as the front actuator 44.
Line 56 is connected to a pressure control valve 58 and a relief valve 60 that, in turn, are connected to line 62, which returns fluid to the reservoir 16. Lines 68, 70 connect valves 32, 34 to return line 62 and supply line 30, respectively.
A controller (not shown) actuates valve 32 to displace its spool from the position shown in FIG. 1, thereby opening lines 36, 38 to receive pressurized fluid from line 30, pressurizing rod chamber 40 and piston chamber 42 of front actuator 44 and, through supply lines 64, 66 and 46, 48, pressurizing rod chamber 50 and piston chamber 52 of rear actuator 54. This orientation causes the front and rear actuators 44, 54, respectively, to extend.
When valve 32 is actuated such that the spool is in the position shown in FIG. 1 (i.e., the unopened position), and valve 34 is actuated such that the spool is displaced from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 (i.e., the open position), pressurized fluid flows through supply lines 30, 70, to valve 34, and from valve 34 through line 64 and line 36 to the rod chamber 40 of front actuator 44 and through line 46 to the rod chamber 50 of rear actuator 54. At the same time, fluid in piston chambers 42, 52 of front and rear actuators 44, 54 flows through lines 38, 48, 66 to valve 34, and from valve 34 through return lines 68, 62 to the reservoir 16. Accordingly, the front and rear actuators 44, 54 are retracted.
Thus, by selectively pressurizing the front and rear actuators 44, 54 (which, for example, would both be mounted on one side of a vehicle) by appropriately opening and closing solenoid valves 32, 34, the associated vehicle may be leveled.
When the actuators 44, 54 receive a shock load, such as by actuator 72 (which schematically shows a test stand associated with the suspension system 10 that is designed to simulate a vehicle associated with the suspension system encountering a bump or bumps), the shock causes the pistons 74, 76 to be displaced relative to the cylinders 78, 80. The displacement is facilitated by check valves 82, 83 within the pistons 74, 76 of actuators 44, 54, respectively.
A disadvantage with such systems is that the shock imparted to the actuators 44, 54 is, in turn, transmitted to the associated supporting structure, such as a vehicle body, through bushings 84, 85 (or other actuator mountings), resulting in discomfort to passengers and possible damage to associated components.
In an effort to reduce the transmission of shock, such actuators have been modified as shown in FIG. 2. The actuator 86 shown in FIG. 2 includes a piston 87, a cylinder 88, a piston chamber 89, a rod chamber 90, an annular disk 91 and a piston rod 92. The piston 87 includes a plurality of orifices 93 therethrough that interconnect the piston chamber 89 with the rod chamber 90. The rigid, annular disk 91 extends about the piston rod 92 and is spring-biased (via spring 94) to cover the orifices 93 when the pressure in the piston chamber 89 and rod chamber 90 are equal and in conditions when the piston 87 and piston rod 92 are being forced out from the associated cylinder 88 of actuator 86. However, when a force, indicated by arrow F, is applied to piston rod 92, as by a shock load imparted to the actuator 86, thereby forcing piston 87 into cylinder 88, the flow of fluid from the piston chamber 89 to the rod chamber 90 through orifices 93 displaces the disk 91 away from the piston 87 (i.e., against the bias of spring 94), thereby facilitating the flow of fluid from the piston chamber 89 to the rod chamber 90. The presence of the disk 90 retards the flow of fluid and lessens the shock transmitted to the associated vehicle.
Nevertheless, a disadvantage with such actuators and systems is that there is noise associated with the rapid displacement of the piston 87 resulting from the flow of fluid around the annular disk 91 in response to a shock load and the aeration and compression of hydraulic fluid within the actuators. Accordingly, there is a need for an actuator for use in a suspension system in which the noise associated with rapid displacement of the actuator is minimized.