A process for producing an improved super absorbent polymer is disclosed. The process comprises adding to a water-retained super absorbent polymer retaining 10 to 100 parts by weight of water per 100 parts by weight of the super absorbent polymer, (a) a polyfunctional compound having two or more reactive groups and selected from a hydrophilic polymer or a metallic compound in an amount of 0.005 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the super absorbent polymer, and (b) a crosslinking agent having two or more functional groups capable of reacting with the polyfunctional compound at a weight ratio of the polyfunctional compound to the crosslinking agent of 0.1 to 30; mixing; and allowing the mixture to react by heating.

While various types of super absorbent polymers have beer proposed to date and are known to the art from literature and patents, it is polyacrylic acid type super absorbent polymers that have been practically leading in the art. The term "polyacrylic acid type super absorbent polymer" as used herein denotes a polymer containing an acrylic acid monomer unit of at least 50 mol %, which is substantially water-insoluble but is highly swellable with water. Such polyacrylic acid type super absorbent polymers include polyacrylic acid crosslinked polymers or copolymers, starch-acrylonitrile grafted polymer hydrolyzates, starch-acrylic acid grafted crosslinked polymers, and vinyl acetate-acrylic ester copolymer saponified products. In these Polymers and copolymers 60 to 90 mol % of the carboxyl groups thereof generally have their hydrogen atom substituted with an alkali metal.
Super absorbent polymers are usually supplied for practical use in the form of powder or coating film. The performance of super absorbent polymers is evaluated in terms of absorptivity (absorption), rate of absorption, liquid Permeability, stability of swollen gel with time, and the like. Since many of these physical properties are conflicting with each other, it is very difficult to satisfy all these requirements, which has been a problem waiting for solution in further development of super absorbent polymers. For example, a super absorbent polymer having high absorptivity, i.e., a gel having a low degree of crosslinking, is inferior in rate of absorption, liquid permeability, and stability of swollen gel with time. On the other hand, a super absorbent polymer superior in rate of absorption, liquid permeability and stability of swollen gel with time, i.e., a gel having a high degree of crosslinking, tends to have low absorptivity.
In order to satisfy all the requirements, it has been proposed to improve practical performance by forming a highly crosslinked dense layer on the surface of a high absorbent polymer as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-opens 58-117222, 57-44627 and 63-99211, and Japanese Patent Publications 60-18690 and 61-48521. Japanese Patent Publication 5-19563, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-opens 61-211305, 61-264006 and 62-36411 disclose a method of graft treating a super absorbent polymer containing a carboxyl group and/or carboxylate group by using a silane coupling agent. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open 6-306118 proposes a method of treating with alkoxy titanium. Another known process comprises spraying an aqueous solution of a compound capable of readily reacting with the functional group, such as a carboxvlate group, of a super absorbent polymer, and then heating to form a highly crosslinked dense layer on a super absorbent polymer. Examples of the compound include a polyfunctional metal salt, a polyglycidyl ether and a polyisocyanate.
Another known process for producing a super absorbent polymer comprises adding to a super absorbent polymer a hydrophilic polymer having a reactive group and a crosslinking agent having at least two functional groups capable of reacting with the hydrophilic polymer and allowing the mixture to react by heating to coat the surface of the super absorbent polymer with the hydrophilic polymer with part of the functional group of the hydrophilic polymer being, crosslinked with the crosslinking agent. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open 60-36534 (corresponding to DE-A-3429379) discloses a process for producing a super absorbent polymer having a functional group on the surface thereof. According to this process, the aforesaid hydrophilic polymer is used in an amount as large as 1 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of a super absorbent polymer to coat the surface of the super absorbent polymer, and a relatively small amount of a crosslinking agent is used to crosslink only a small portion of the hydrophilic polymer so that the functional group may remain effective. That is, the ratio of hydrophilic polymer to crosslinking agent is extremely high. For example, the ratio of the hydrophilic polymer to the crosslinking agent in the examples of JP-A 60-36534 is 40 to 180. This shows that the publication aims at employing a reactive group on the surface of a super absorbent polymer to change the quality of the super absorbent polymer, not at crosslinking the surface of the super absorbent polymer. Therefore, the process disclosed in the JP-A 60-36534 cannot provide a super absorbent polymer excellent in gel stability after swelling.
According to the process using a polyfunctional crosslinking agent capable of reacting with a carboxylate group, completion of the reaction requires a considerably long time, and strict conditions are imposed on adjustment of the water content of the super absorbent polymer at the time of crosslinking. In addition, it is necessary to moderately adjust not only the water content of the super absorbent polymer at the time of crosslinking but also the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties and reactivity of the crosslinking agent in order to form a crosslinked layer in the vicinity of the surface layer of the super absorbent polymer, and it is extremely difficult to control the small thickness of the crosslinked layer. If the water content of the super absorbent polymer is reduced or if the crosslinking agent is rendered hydrophobic in order to form a thin crosslinked layer, the crosslinking efficiency of the crosslinking agent would be reduced or a desired crosslinking density could not be attained. Besides, a large proportion of the crosslinking agent, which is unfavorable for safety for use in sanitary materials, would remain in the final product.

Process for producing improved super absorbent polymer


There are provided a wavelength selective switch device, a communication apparatus and a wavelength switching method. The wavelength selective switch device includes an incidence unit; an exit unit; a wavelength diversifying-synthesizing unit for diversifying and multiplexing the respective incident lights in a first axis direction; a light adjustment unit for making the lights of respective wavelengths be not diversified in the second axis direction; a liquid crystal beam deflection unit having a plurality of pixels divided into sub-regions, for deflecting the lights of the respective wavelengths by changing phase-shift characteristics of the pixels in the sub-regions; a reflection unit, disposed in parallel with the liquid crystal beam deflection unit; a deflection driving unit for driving electrodes of the pixels to generate required phase-shift characteristics.

An Intelligent Optical Network (ION) is capable of mining potentialities in bandwidth of the optical network sufficiently, producing various new services in an optical domain and satisfying diversify and personalized requirements from users, so its development has much attention. The ION is mostly composed of a series of system apparatuses with high flexibility. Wavelength Selective Switches (WSSs) are one of important component modules in the ION, with which adding, dropping and direct-passing of optical signals of various wavelengths may be realized.
The existing wavelength selective switch is generally a 1×N wavelength selective switch comprising an incidence unit having one incidence port, and an exit unit having N exit ports. In the wavelength selective switch having a plurality of ports, which is made with a Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS), different wavelengths from different input ports can not be implemented to be output from a same output port, and the bandwidths of the optical signals of the different wavelengths are fixed and not adjustable.
With the development of the ION to a net system with higher dimensions, the existing wavelength selective switch leads to a great increasing in the number of the wavelength selective switches in the ION due to its limit number of the ports, and a management of the network is more complex and also a cost for power consumption increases accordingly. Therefore, it is desired to increase the numbers of the incidence ports and the exit ports in the wavelength selective switch and realize a flexible switching among the respective wavelengths.

Wavelength selective switch device, wavelength switching method for the same and communication apparatus

WUHAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF POSTS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS


The stack package may have a structure in which unit packages may be inserted into slots of a receiving substrate. The unit package may have a plurality of connecting pads. The receiving substrate may have substrate pads, which may be electrically connected to the connecting pads of the unit packages inserted in the slots by mechanical contact. The slots may be provided at regular vertical intervals so that the unit packages may be stacked in the vertical direction. A semiconductor module may include stack packages installed on at least one surface of a module substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a stack package having a plurality of unit packages that may be inserted into a receiving substrate to be stacked and electrically connected to each other, and a semiconductor module that may implement the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The electronic industry may seek to provide products having (for example) characteristics of light-weight, miniaturization, high speed, multifunction, high performance, high reliability and low production cost. Packaging may be one technology area that may enable design of such a product. One packaging technique may provide a chip scale package (CSP), which may have a size comparable to a semiconductor chip.
Various technologies may attempt to provide a greater number of cells in the limited space of a semiconductor chip to increase the capacity of a semiconductor chip, but such technologies are not without shortcomings. For example, such technologies may involve fine line-widths and/or a substantial development time. Accordingly, some approaches may attempt to increase integration by stacking semiconductor chips and/or semiconductor packages to form a stack package.
One stack package may be manufactured by stacking a plurality of semiconductor chips. However, the chip stacking techniques may suffer from a decreased yield. For example, a stack chip package may be classified as a failed product if it includes a defective semiconductor chip. Here, repair work may not be possible.
Another stack package may be manufactured by stacking a plurality of unit packages. On the one hand, the unit package stacking technique may result in a stack package that is thicker than one manufactured by stacking chips. On the other hand, yield may be improved because (for example) the quality of a unit package may be verified prior to the stacking process. Additionally, the increase in thickness may be reduced by using a chip scale package as the unit package.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional stack package that may implement a chip scale package as a unit package. Here, the stack package 10 may include a stack of four unit packages 20.
Each of the unit package 20 may be a chip scale package. A semiconductor chip 24 may be mounted on the upper surface of a substrate 22. Conductive bumps 26 may be provided on the lower surface of the substrate 22. Connecting pads 28 may be provided on the upper surface of the substrate 22. The connecting pads 28 may be located over the conductive bumps 26. Electrical connections between the semiconductor chip 24 and the substrate 22 may be sealed with a molding resin (not shown). The molding resin may be selected from the epoxy family, for example.
Stacking the unit packages 20 may involve mounting an upper unit package on a lower unit package, and applying heat to melt the conductive bumps 26. When melted and then cooled, the conductive bumps 26 of an upper unit package may be fixed to the connecting pads 28 of a lower unit package. This stacking process (inclusive of the heat application technique) may be repeated to complete the stack package 10.
Heat over 200° C. may be applied to melt the conductive bumps 26. The application of heat may cause thermal stresses in the components of the stack package 10. Such thermal stresses may damage the components.
For example, thermal stresses may cause defects, such as splitting of conductive bumps and/or short circuits between adjacent conductive bumps. Package defects may occur more frequently as the number of unit packages in the stack increases.
Additionally, components of a stack package such as substrates, molding resin, and semiconductor chips may have different coefficients of thermal expansion. Thus, during processes that may involve the application of heat (e.g., the stacking of unit packages), substrate warpage may occur. Substrate warpage may cause defects. For example, conductive bumps may become disconnected from a lower substrate.
A stack package may be subjected to test processes that may include (for example) an appearance inspection. A stack package identified as incorrectly assembled and/or including a defective unit package may be repaired by a process that may involve re-assembly of the stack package. If the stack package is identified as including a defective unit package, then the repair process may involve replacing the defective unit package with another unit package. In the repair process, heat may be applied to the defective unit package, as well as other component parts of the stack package. Accordingly, the repair process may cause the aforementioned defects.
In addition, the unit package may have a structure that exposes a semiconductor chip. Thus, the semiconductor chip may be susceptible to damage from external forces.
By way of example only, the stack package may be installed on a motherboard or, as shown in FIG. 2, on a module substrate 60 as a component part of a semiconductor module 50. The stack packages 10 may be installed on both sides of the module substrate 60.
The semiconductor module 50 may suffer from thermal stresses as described above, because the stack packages 10 may be installed on the module substrate 60 by a process that may involve the application of heat.

Stack package and semiconductor module implementing the same


A multipath transmission system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of multiplex nodes connected to two multiplex buses. Each of the multiplex nodes is assigned to a specific apparatus, and includes a communication control circuit (LSI) for fetching multiplex signals from the apparatus and transmitting the multiplex signals to the multiplex buses. One multiplex node, out of the plurality of multiplex nodes, includes communication control circuits driver/receiver circuits, and troubleshooting driver/receiver circuits, which are connected to the multiplex buses and used for signal transfer between the buses, and a microprocessor for troubleshooting the multiplex buses and the multiplex nodes. The multiplex node relays a failure signal, corresponding to the result of troubleshooting, to the other network which suffers no trouble.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multipath transmission system for transferring signals between multiplex nodes connected to a plurality of networks, and more particularly, to a multipath transmission system for system troubleshooting.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some of multipath transmission systems of this type are used in a system which includes two networks with different response characteristics (e.g., transmission speed). In these first and second networks, a plurality of multiplex nodes transmit signals, such as data, to each other through multiplex buses, thereby effecting independent control.
One of the multiplex nodes constitutes an element common to both networks. This common node has a function as a gateway for relaying signals used in common in the two networks, as well as a communication facility for signal transmission. This multiplex node will hereinafter be referred to as gateway node.
A specific multiplex node in each network periodically transmits signals to the network to which it belongs. This specific node checks reception response signals from the individual multiplex nodes. Alternatively, the specific multiplex node checks to see if the other multiplex nodes are normally operating by periodically transmitting signals to the nodes.
In case of a failure in one of the multiplex nodes, the specific multiplex node infers an occurrence of some trouble from the absence of response signals, transmission failure, etc. if the defective node is in the same network as the specific multiplex node. If the defective node is in the other network to which the specific multiplex node does not belong, the specific node cannot detect it at all. In this multipath transmission system, the control method for each node must be changed, so that the other network should be informed of the details of the failure.
The following is a description of the operation of the system which is supposed to be performed when a certain multiplex node in the first network is disabled from communication due to a failure. First, the specific multiplex node in the first network detects the disabled state of the defective multiplex node by periodic inspection, and then immediately transmits a signal indicative of the occurrence of the failure in the defective node to the first network. On receiving this failure signal, the gateway node relays it to each multiplex node in the second network. Thus, the control method for each multiplex node in the second network can be also changed. The multiplex nodes in the first network can also utilize the failure signal, and the failure, having occurred in the same network, can be detected by any other suitable means. The operation of the system can be supposed to be performed in like manner when the defective multiplex node is in the second network. More specifically, in this case, the specific multiplex node in the second network detects the failure, and the gateway node relays a failure signal to the first network.
The specific multiplex node comprises an emergency communication device and a troubleshooting device, and periodically checks to see if multiplex transmission lines (hereinafter referred to as multiplex buses) are normal. The emergency communication device can perform communication even if one wire of a twisted pair cable, which constitutes each transmission line, is shorted. The troubleshooting device can perform communication only when both wires of the cable are normal. When the specific multiplex node finds, through the periodic inspection, a failure in the network to which it belongs, it turns on an alarm lamp in a meter, for example, thereby informing an operator of the failure. The specific multiplex node may be designed so that it can remember the occurrence of a failure if the failure is a relatively safe one, and can output failure record information when the system is inspected later in a repair shop or the like.
If the communication facility of the gateway node suffers a failure, in this multipath transmission system, a failure signal cannot be relayed to the other network. This is because a relaying function is given to the very gateway node in trouble. Despite the occurrence of the failure, therefore, the control method for each multiplex node in the other network cannot be properly changed. If any of the multiplex buses suffers a failure, that is, if a connector which connects the multiplex bus and its corresponding multiplex node is disengaged, or if the two wires of the bus is shorted, for example, no failure signal is delivered, so that the control method for each multiplex node in the other network cannot be properly changed, as in the aforesaid case.

Multipath transmission system with a troubleshooting arrangement for detecting failure


A system for securing at least one socket includes a base member and at least one clip sized to engage the socket. The clip can have a top surface, at least one leg extending from the top surface for detachably mounting the clip to the base member, and at least one releasing structure extending from the top surface. The releasing structure can have a release tab for disengaging the socket from the clip.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a tool-holding device and, more particularly, to an apparatus for holding sockets.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wrenches having a head with a square or rectangular ratcheting shaft are well known and are commonly used in various home, shop and office environments. Shafts for such wrenches are typically available in various sizes of the English and metric measurement systems. Interchangeable sockets can be mounted to the shaft for loosening or tightening bolts and other threaded fasteners. The sockets are often designed in sets so that multiple sockets have the same sized square shaft opening with hexagonal openings for receiving bolts heads that vary in size, such as in increments of one-sixteenth of an inch.
As sockets come in many different sizes, they can be difficult to organize and maintain so that a particular sized socket can be easily located when needed. Such organization can be particularly difficult when sockets are stored in a portable tool tray or chest in which the order of the sockets can be easily disturbed, or when a user carries more than one set of sockets for various English or metric unit wrenches.
To overcome these problems, socket wrench cases have been developed with incrementally sized recesses for holding the sockets. Typically, however, the sockets will be tossed out of their corresponding recesses and scattered throughout the case if the case is tipped over or jolted, even if the case is covered.
One solution to this problem is the use of socket holders having one or more spring clips. For example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,694 to Newton, a spring clip secured to a mounting rail can be used to engage a socket by forcing the ratchet shaft opening of the socket onto the spring clip. Although the spring clips in Newton can hold sockets in place, it can be difficult for a user to remove the sockets from the clips. Thus, a need exists in the art for a socket holder in which the sockets can be securely retained for storage but easily released when desired.
The invention features a system for securing at least one socket. In one arrangement, the system include a base member and at least one clip sized to engage the socket. The clip has a top surface. The system further includes at least one leg extending from the top surface for detachably mounting the clip to the base member, and at least one releasing structure extending from the top surface. The releasing structure has a release tab for disengaging the socket from the clip.
In another arrangement of the invention, the system includes at least one clip sized to engage the socket. The clip has a top surface. The system further includes at least one leg extending from the top surface for detachably mounting the clip to the base member, and at least one releasing structure extending from the top surface. The releasing structure has a release tab for disengaging the socket from the clip.
The releasing structure can have a protruding section, in which the protruding section is positioned against an inner surface of the socket when the clip engages the socket. The release tab can cause the protruding section to move away from the inner surface of the socket when the release tab is compressed. The release tab can extend outward from the base member. In addition, the release tab can have a rounded end.
The clip can have a first side and a second side opposing the first side. Further, the first and second sides each can have at least one releasing structure, at least one leg, or a combination thereof. The clip can slidably engage the base member.
The base member can be an elongated rail having parallel tracks. Further, at least one end of the elongated rail can contain at least one aperture for securing the rail to a surface.


An electronic data-storage apparatus having ROM embedded in an STT-MRAM. The apparatus comprises at least two bit lines, a plurality of bit cells, each including, connected to a source line (SL), a series connection (in any order) of a selection element (e.g., transistor gated by word line WL), a resistive storage element (e.g., MTJ), and a permanent connection to one of the bit lines (e.g., BL0, BL1). The apparatus may also include a ROM sense amplifier which is configured to precharge two output nodes connected to respective ones of the bit lines, so that the jumper in a selected memory cell pulls one of the output nodes to a first reference potential (e.g., GND) and the ROM sense amplifier pulls the other of the output nodes to a second reference potential (e.g., Vdd).

There is a need for increased storage density in memory, and increased flexibility in the use of different types of memory.
Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 8,059,442, published Nov. 15, 2011; to U.S. Pat. No. 7,791,921, published Sep. 7, 2010; to US20130094282, published Apr. 18, 2013; to U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,376, published Oct. 4, 2005; to US20130155759, published Jun. 20, 2013; to US20110085373, published Apr. 14, 2011; to US20130329488, published Dec. 12, 2013; to US20110122674, published May 26, 2011; to U.S. Pat. No. 8,194,444, published Jun. 5, 2012; and to US20120106241, published May 3, 2012, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The attached drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not necessarily to scale.


A system for detecting the operational status of a ground engaging tool of a tillage implement including an agricultural implement including a frame and a tool assembly supported relative to the frame. The ganged tool assembly includes a toolbar coupled to the frame and one or more ground engaging tools coupled to the toolbar. The system further includes a sensor coupled to the tool assembly and configured to capture data indicative of a load acting on the one or more ground engaging tools. Additionally, the system includes a controller configured to monitor the data received from the sensor and compare at least one monitored value associated with the load acting on the ground engaging tool(s). Moreover, the controller is further configured to identify the ground engaging tool(s) as being plugged when the monitored value(s) differs from the predetermined threshold value.

It is well known that, to attain the best agricultural performance from a field, a farmer must cultivate the soil, typically through a tillage operation. Modern farmers perform tillage operations by pulling a tillage implement behind an agricultural work vehicle, such as a tractor. Tillage implements typically include a plurality of ground engaging tools configured to penetrate the soil to a particular depth. In this respect, the ground engaging tools may be pivotally coupled to a frame of the tillage implement. Tillage implements may also include biasing elements, such as springs, configured to exert biasing forces on the ground engaging tools. This configuration may allow the ground engaging tools to maintain the particular depth of soil penetration as the agricultural work vehicle pulls the tillage implement through the field. Additionally, this configuration may also permit the ground engaging tools to pivot out of the way of rocks or other impediments in the soil, thereby preventing damage to the ground engaging tools or other components on the implement.
However, in certain situations, the ground engaging tools may become plugged with debris and no longer efficiently engage the ground. For example, dirt clogs or left over crop residue may become trapped between the ground engaging tool and the ground and reduce a desired penetration depth of the ground tools. As another example, the plug may form in front of a ground engaging tool relative to a direction of motion of the tillage implement. As such, the ground engaging tool may plow such plug and thereby suffer from undesirable loading and premature mechanical failure
Accordingly, an improved system and method for detecting the operational status of ground engaging tools of a tillage implement would be welcomed in the technology.

System and method for detecting a plug of a tool of a tillage implement


Apparatus and associated methods relate to health-monitoring of a magnetic speed probe. An inductive coil of the magnetic speed probe is used for two purposes: i) to sense a changing magnetic field caused by rotation of a rotating member; and ii) to radiatively transmit radio-frequency signals for determining the health of the magnetic speed probe. A signal generator coupled to the inductive coil of the magnetic speed probe generates the radio-frequency signals that, when conducted by the inductive coil, causes an inductive coil to act as a radio transmitter by radiatively transmitting the radio-frequency signals. The radio-frequency signals transmitted by the inductive coil are detected by a radio receiver. The radio-frequency signals received are indicative of health of the magnetic speed probe.

Magnetic speed sensors are used in a variety of apparatus and for a variety of purposes. Some environments in which a magnetic speed sensor is used can present harsh chemicals, high temperatures, abrasive atmospheres, etc. Such challenging environments can cause degradation of some components of the magnetic speed sensor so situated. For example, aircraft engines can be equipped with such magnetic speed sensors for measuring the rotational speed of a shaft thereof. Such magnetic speed sensors can be exposed to very high temperatures, abrasive and/or reactive elements in the atmosphere where the magnetic speed sensor is located. Behavior of such magnetic speed sensors can change in response to exposure to such a challenging environment.

Health-monitoring system for determining rotation frequency of a shaft


The invention relates to scissors. Hitherto scissors have been formed with rigid and identical handles to allow use in either hand, but with some discomfort to the user, or with handles specifically shaped to suit a right-handed or a left-handed user, but not both. The object of the invention is to provide a pair of scissors able to be used in comfort by both right-handed and left-handed users, an objective met by a construction comprising blades and associated handles pivotally secured together, the handles forming respective finger and thumb bows that are symmetrical about the center plane at the mid-point through their thickness, at least one (thumb) bow being formed as a rigid structure from the forward end towards the pivot to a point along the length of that bow, from where the at least one (thumb) bow has a rearward part formed from a form-stable but resilient and/or flexible material.

This invention relates to scissors.
It has long been known to manufacture scissors with finger and thumb bows either of the same size or with the finger bow larger than the thumb bow, and with both bows symmetrical about a central plane mid-point-of the handle thickness. So formed, the scissors can be used in both the left and right hand, but with the scissors not ideally suited for use in either hand.
To make scissors more comfortable to use, it has long been known to shape the finger and/or thumb bows to better suit their engagement by the hand of the user. However, and hitherto, shaping scissor bows has only been done to suit either the right hand or the left hand, and not both, and as there are greater numbers of right handed prospective users of scissors, it has been so that right handed scissors have been dominant, to the disadvantage of left-handed users.
The object of the invention is to provide a pair of scissors able to be used in comfort by both right handed and left handed users.
According to the present invention, a pair of scissors comprises blades and associated handles pivotally secured together, the handles forming respective finger and thumb bows that are symmetrical about the centre plane at the mid-point through their thickness, at least one (thumb) bow being formed as a rigid structure from the forward end towards the pivot to a point along the length of that bow, from where the at least one (thumb) bow has a rearward part formed from a form-stable but resilient and/or flexible material.
Preferably the aperture through the at least one (thumb) bow is formed wholly within the part of that bow formed from resilient and/or flexible material.
The other (finger) bow of the pair of scissors may be formed from hard material in conventional manner but preferably is also formed partly from hard material and partly from form-stable but resilient and/or flexible material, and again, it is desirable for the aperture in the other (finger) bow to be formed wholly within the part of that bow formed from resilient and/or flexible material.
For smaller scissors, it is conventionally so that the two bows are identically formed and this may be so with scissors of the invention. Thus, the handles may be identically formed as forward sections of hard material, and rearward sections containing the bows for the finger and the thumb respectively of either the left or the right hand. When the scissors are closed with reasonable force to cut the material placed between the blades, pressure from the thumb at least, is applied to the resilient and/or flexible section of the respective bow, to cause the rearward portion of the bow to flex, to the considerable comfort to the user, whether they be right or left handed.
With regard to both larger and smaller scissors, the hard material of the parts of the handles towards the pivots is preferably polypropylene, and the resilient flexible material of the rearward section is preferably santropene.
For larger scissors, it is customary for the finger bow to be larger than the thumb bow and allow several fingers to engage in the aperture. Here again whether used in the left or the right hand, a cutting force applied to the bows causes at least the thumb bow to yield or flex, to the considerable comfort to users whether they be right or left handed. With large scissors, the hard material of the forward part of the finger bow may be extended further along that bow over its upper and/or lower edge to provide a greater stability in the finger bow to resist the force applied by the fingers during the cutting action.


A light source module including a light guide and a light source is provided. An end of the light guide has a light incident surface, and the other end of the light guide has at least three light-guiding branches. The light-guiding branches respectively extend along different extending directions and each light-guiding branch has a light emitting surface. The light source is adapted for providing a light beam, wherein the light beam enters the light guide through the light incident surface and the light beam exits the light guide from the light emitting surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to a light source module, and more particularly to a light source module having a plurality of light-guiding branches.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, light-emitting efficiency and service life of light-emitting diode (LED) are enhanced, and since the LED has device features and advantages of low power consumption, low pollution, high efficiency, high response speed, small volume, light weight and capable of being disposed on various surfaces, the LEDs are widely used in various optical fields. Taking the application of the LED in illumination as an example, applications of applying LED packages in light sources (for example, lamps, street light, flashlights, etc.) or related illumination equipment have been developed.
In general, since the LED is a directional light source, it is required to incorporate the design of disposing a light guide in order to allow the light emits from a light source module to fulfill the design requirements of intensity and illuminating axis. However, since the optical pathway design of the light guide of the light source module is mainly to allow the light to exit from the same plane and each light emitting plane is required to have light guide design such that each light emitting plane is accompanied by a light source and a light guide, the power consumption in such configuration is higher. Moreover, in existing light source module design, the light source module is required to add a plurality of epitaxial on the light source to allow the light to exit from different planes. As a result, the manufacturing cost is also increased.


There is provided an analog-to-digital conversion apparatus that converts analog signals into digital signals. The analog-to-digital conversion apparatus includes: a plurality of analog-to-digital converters that converts analog signals into digital signals in different timing by a predetermined phase; a plurality of data inserting units that is provided corresponding to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters and outputs zero-inserted data that is made by respectively inserting data with data value zero between the digital data output from the respectively corresponding analog-to-digital converters by a predetermined number; a synthesizing unit that respectively synthesizes the zero-inserted data to generate the digital signal; and a plurality of filter units that is provided corresponding to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters, has filter coefficients based on a frequency characteristic of each of the analog-to-digital converters so that the digital signal generated form the synthesizing unit is a digital signal obtained when the frequency characteristics of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters are the same as one another, and passes through the corresponding zero-inserted data to supply the data to the synthesizing unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an analog-to-digital conversion method and an analog-to-digital conversion apparatus for converting an analog signal to a digital signal, and a program making the analog-to-digital conversion apparatus function.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, in case of converting an analog signal into an digital signal, there is known an N-phase (N-way) interleaved analog-to-digital conversion method using N analog-to-digital converters (hereinafter, referred to as ADCs) in order to raise a sampling rate apparently.
However, in the interleaved analog-to-digital conversion method as described above, when some errors are observed in phases of sampling clocks being supplied to each of ADCs and a frequency characteristic of each of ADCs, a frequency spectrum of a digital signal cannot be computed with high precision.
For example, phases of sampling clocks being supplied to each of ADCs have to be different from one another by a predetermined phase. However, it is difficult to move a phase of each of sampling clocks by a predetermined phase precisely. Moreover, although sampling clocks are supplied to each of ADCs with a precise phase, when a frequency characteristic of ADC is not ideal, a variation is observed in sampling timing and a gain in each of ADCs and thus it is difficult to compute a frequency spectrum of a digital signal with high precision.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an analog-to-digital conversion apparatus and a program that can solve the foregoing problems. The above and other objects can be achieved by combinations described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous and exemplary combinations of the present invention.

Analog digital converter and program therefor


An ion mobility spectrometer is provided including at least one ionization chamber (1), which can be passed through by analyte-containing gas and at least one radiation source (2), from which ionizing radiation which is suitable for at least partially ionizing the analyte-containing gas enters the ionization chamber (1). At least one transition area (3) is provided, into which the at least partially ionized gas as ion carrier gas (4) and an almost ion-free gas as drift gas (5) can be charged in a way that, at least at the end of the transition area (3), a flow is established, in which cross-sectional areas (6) are mainly passed through by ion carrier gas (4) and other cross-sectional areas (7, 7′) are mainly passed through by drift gas (5). At least one separation area (8) is provided lying in the direction of flow behind the transition area (3), in which, likewise, cross-sectional areas are mainly passed through by ion carrier gas (4) and other cross-sectional areas are mainly passed through by drift gas (5). The drift gas (5) and ion carrier gas (4) flow unidirectionally, and the cross-sectional areas (6) that are mainly passed through by ion carrier gas (4) are smaller at least in one dimension than the cross-sectional areas (7, 7′) that are mainly passed through by drift gas (5).

Ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) are used for detecting trace substances in the air. They are widely used particularly in the detection of explosives, illegal drugs, chemical weapons and toxic industrial gases. The characteristic structural components of an ion mobility spectrometer are ionization chambers, drift chambers and detectors. The ionization chamber and the drift chamber in conventional ion mobility spectrometers are usually separated by a grid. In the ionization chamber, the analyte molecules to be determined are converted into ions. The ions formed are transferred from the ionization chamber to the drift chamber as an ion swarm due to the effect of an electric field. Under the effect of an electric high voltage field, the analyte ions pass through the drift chamber against the resistance of the drift gas and are, partly due to a different mobility of various ions, detected by the detector in a time-resolved manner, because different analyte ions display different interactions with the drift gas, therefore have different flight times and may thus be separated from one another.
Ion mobility spectrometers have become known, in which the drift gas flows from the detector in the direction of the ionization chamber. The analyte gas is ionized and flows within the ionization chamber in the direction of a grid. The ions formed thus move with the analyte gas in the direction of the grid and then up to the detector under the effect of a high voltage field against the direction of flow of the drift gas (Spangler and Carrico, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Phys., 1983, 52, 627).
A unidirectional flow guide, in which the analyte gas is fed into the device on the detector side and leaves the device again on the ionization chamber side, is described by Eiceman in U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,363. The ionization takes place in the ionization chamber, and the ions are accelerated against the flow of analyte gas up to the detector. Drift gas and analyte gas are identical here.
Both systems require a homogeneous electric field within the drift chamber for the separation of the ions. This homogeneous electric field is composed from a series of annular electrodes, each of which is electrically insulated. The necessary high voltage is usually 2,000–3,000 V. Such systems are very expensive, complicated to manufacture and are miniaturized only with difficulty.
Furthermore, unlike the IMS described above, it has become known how to guide the ions to be separated unidirectionally with the drift gas flow. The ions can be deflected out of this direction of flow by a relatively low voltage. Once they have then reached electrodes, which are formed by the walls, they can be discharged, and a flow can be measured. Drift gas and analyte gas are identical here.
Such a system is found in so-called electron capture detectors. Lovelock discloses an early example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,888. Total ion flows can be measured with such systems. On the other hand, making a distinction between individual types of ions is not possible.
It has become known how to separate long-lived ions from short-lived ions by means of extending the drift sections, e.g., by incorporating flow spoilers. This principle is described, for example, in the detection of chemical weapons (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,835,328, US 4,075,550, as well as US 5,223,712). The separation efficiency of systems of this type is relatively poor, which may relatively frequently lead to the triggering of a false alarm.
A variant is described by Puumalainen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,723. In this case, the gas flow to be analyzed is first ionized and then guided by a series of electric deflecting fields. Depending on the type of the ions, these are each discharged to different electrodes. The flow is measured and is an indicator of the analytes present.
In WO 9416320 Paakanen et al. further modified a system of this type and identify substances based on the characteristic patterns that result from a plurality of electrodes closely connected in series by means of the discharge of ions. Besides ion signals, signals of semiconductor sensors were also included in a pattern recognition.
Furthermore, it has become known how to improve the last-mentioned system by the analyte gas being heated before the analysis and by the sensor electrodes forming multidimensional arrays (US 2003/0155503 A1). In this case as well, the evaluation of signals is based on a pattern recognition. Connected to this is the drawback that the measuring system must first learn the respective pattern, thus an extremely high calibrating expense is necessary. This applies particularly in mixtures. Not considered mixtures, i.e., for example, combinations of analytes to be monitored with unknown impurities, may lead to false alarms or may prevent the detection of the analytes to be monitored.
Finally, it has become known to deflect the analyte ions by means of a high-frequency alternating field, on which is superimposed a low compensating voltage. Here, the analyte ions are transported in a system likewise in the direction of the drift gas (U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,823). A defined kind of analyte ion is allowed through the system and reaches the detector only under the defined conditions of the alternating field and of the compensating voltage. These ion sensors, which can be manufactured structurally small, can be joined together into arrays. Systems of this type are, however, expensive and extremely susceptible to environmental influences, such as pressure and humidity.

Ion mobility spectrometer with parallel running drift gas and ion carrier gas flows


A system for removing hydrocarbon and heavy metals from dirt, coal tar, sludge, slurries and aqueous particulates having three mobile units including: a hydrocarbon removal mobile unit, a heating and power support unit, and a clarifying mobile unit.

A need exists for a trailerable modular system that uses a separate trailerable power unit and a separate modular, trailerable clarifier unit or a trailerable centrifuge unit instead of the clarifier unit, to remove heavy metals and/or hydrocarbons from dirt or particulate.
There is a need for a system that is less liable to pollute and can produce clean particulate immediately (within a few minutes) of multiple sizes of clean particulate usable immediately essentially simultaneously.
A further need exists for a compact multi-trailer system that can move on a roadway without permits, but can remove hydrocarbons and heavy metals from dirt, sludge, or aqueous particulate in different configurations, such as L shapes or T-Shapes.
A need exists for a system for creating multisized clean particulate simultaneously using a floating system that is relocatable to other locations easily.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

System for removing hydrocarbons and contaminates


An air flap apparatus for a motor vehicle, encompassing:                a frame having an air passthrough opening;        a first air flap arrangement and a second air flap arrangement respectively encompassing at least one displaceable first and second air flap;        a common motion drive system for displacing the first and the second air flap arrangement;        a motion coupling for coupling both the first and the second air flap arrangement to the motion drive system,the first air flap arrangement and the second air flap arrangement being respectively displaceable between a blocking position having a greater degree of coverage of the air passthrough opening and a passthrough position having a lesser degree of coverage of the air passthrough opening;the motion coupling the first and the second air flap arrangement to the motion drive system in such a way that the first and the second air flap arrangement are drivable by the motion drive system asynchronously for a displacement motion, the motion coupling encompasses a toggle lever linkage having a first and having a second toggle lever that are connected to one another, pivotably around a toggle joint axis, to form a toggle joint; the first toggle lever being motion-transferringly coupled to the first air flap arrangement; and the second toggle lever being motion-transferringly coupled to the second air flap arrangement; and the motion drive system being motion-transferringly coupled to the first and/or to the second toggle lever.

An air flap apparatus of this kind for a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle of that kind, are known from DE 10 2017 222 678 A1.
The teaching of this document is to drive a shifting drum, having control grooves on the enveloping surface, by way of the common motion drive system to rotate and, by means of the control grooves and control pegs guided therein, to displace the first air flap arrangement, and the second air flap arrangement positionally offset therefrom, asynchronously between the aforesaid operating states. "Asynchronously" means here that the two air flap arrangements are displaced between the blocking operating state and the passthrough operating state, by operation of the motion drive system, in such a way that the first and the second air flap arrangement travel different displacement distances in identical driving time segments even though the operation of the motion drive system is uniform for the two air flap arrangements. The first and the second air flap arrangement therefore exhibit, in a plurality of intermediate operating states between the blocking operating state and the passthrough operating state, air flap positions that cover to different degrees their respective portion of the air passthrough opening.
The air flap apparatus known from DE 10 2017 222 678 A1 makes it possible to establish this state of a different coverage of the portions of the air passthrough opening which are respectively associated with the two air flap arrangements by way of a corresponding course of the two control grooves, and corresponding rotation of the shifting drum.
A disadvantage of the air flap apparatus known from DE 10 2017 222 678 A is the outlay associated with manufacture and assembly of the shifting drum that carries the control grooves.
A further air flap apparatus, in which the first air flap arrangement and the second air flap arrangement are coupled to one another by a motion coupling for an asynchronous displacement, is known from DE 10 2011 055 394 A1. This air flap apparatus uses a cam plate as a motion coupling, and is also complex in terms of manufacture and assembly.
An air flap apparatus having a first and a second air flap arrangement, which are coupled by means of a Bowden cable for motion together, is known from DE 10 2019 002 333 A1. Bowden cables are subject to a certain stretching over their service life under load, however, and are thus at risk of a loss of precision as the service life proceeds.

Air flap apparatus having a toggle joint coupling


A meter has a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel is adapted to display a dial picture image thereon. A backlight illuminates the liquid crystal display panel. A movement is located in front of a front surface of the liquid crystal display panel. A semi-translucent panel covers the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel. A pointer is pivotably supported by the movement in such a manner that the semi-translucent panel is located between a pivotal trajectory plane of the pointer and the liquid crystal display panel. The semi-translucent panel enhances a contrast between the dial picture image and a background image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a meter that is suitable for an installation on a vehicle, etc.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, a meter that has a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel instead of a printed dial plate has been proposed. This is because an amount of information that the meter can indicate is greatly increased by using a LCD panel. In a case in which a LCD panel is used instead of a printed dial plate, it is difficult to form an opening on the LCD panel. Thus, in such a meter, a motor for moving a pointer is arranged on a front side of the LCD panel (see JP2006-162569A).
The LCD panel displays information by changing a translucency of a backlight. However, it is difficult to get the translucency perfectly zero, so that the LCD panel cannot display dark black color as a surface of the printed dial panel does. That is, because of a leakage of the backlight, the meter having the LCD panel has a problem that a contrast between a dial picture image and a background image is lower than a contrast on a printed dial plate that is transparently illuminated from a rear side.


A method and system for inserting repeaters at different levels in a processor hierarchy involve tracing a net in a processor circuit followed by inserting repeaters at different locations in the net. The net is a circuit trace of wiring between circuit elements of a circuit, the net being divided into two nets. One net includes internal circuit elements of a processor component and another net includes external circuit elements of a processor component. A repeater solution, which includes inserted repeaters coupled to the internal circuit elements, is instantiated to other processor components. Subsequently, after instantiation of the repeater solution, repeaters are inserted in the nets external to the processor component.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor design, and more specifically to optimizing semiconductor repeater design.
2. Description of the Related Art
A central processing unit (CPU) typically includes many components such as a processor core, cache memory, and registers. Further, within the components are logic elements such as NOR, NAND and inverters, which are manufactured from circuit elements such as transistors and conductive wires. Designing the CPU involves resolving many problems such as accounting for multiple operating frequencies between the components, jitter, and attenuation. For example, if a processor core operates at a higher frequency than a register outside the processor core, resulting in clock timing differences between the components, then a phase-locked loop (PLL) or delay-locked loop (DILL) circuit can resolve the differences. DLL circuits can also resolve jitter, which is noise propagated along a signal by other circuit elements, such as a power supply. Similarly, other circuit elements can resolve attenuation, which is the reduction of a signal during transmission.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a central processing unit having multiple cores. A CPU 100 can include multiple cores 110 and modules 130 connected together via connectors 120. The connector 120 is a conductive interconnect metal line (e.g. copper or the like) and module 130 can be memory or an I/O controller. Cores 110 can also have a driver 150, a transceiver 155, and a receiver 160. The driver 150 can drive a signal to the transceiver 155, which receives the signal and transmits to the receiver 160. Connectors 120 can also have multiple repeater locations 140. Further, a core solution 170 can include two repeater locations 140 in the core 110.
During the design phase, an optimal repeater solution includes multiple repeater locations 140 that propagate signals along the connectors 120 with minimal problems. However, by designing the optimal repeater solution, each component will have different repeater solutions. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, one core 110 has the core solution 170 while another core 110 does not. In a design that includes more than two cores, the problem of different repeater solutions increase development costs because each core 110 can have different core solutions 170.
Another problem from the design illustrated in FIG. 1 is the placement of multiple repeater solutions 140 between the cores 110 and modules 130. When the CPU 100 has one core 110 with the core solution 170 and another core 110 without the core solution 170, the CPU 100 includes many repeater locations 140 outside the cores 110. These repeater locations 140 take up valuable space on the CPU 100 and further add circuit elements that increase the operating temperature of the CPU 100.
Accordingly, what is needed is a method and apparatus for inserting repeaters in a CPU 100 to solve problems such as resolving multiple clock frequencies and attenuation, while reducing design and manufacturing costs.


Ceramics containing 80 wt % or greater of alumina (Al2O3), with Mn, Ti, Fe, Si, Ca and Mg, with Mn—Al spinal (MnO.Al2O3) crystals and anorthite crystals (CaO.Al2O3.2SiO2) generated by calcination, and having a volume resistivity of 1×1011 Ω·cm or less. Preferably, the ceramics contains a combined weight of 2–11 wt % or greater of Mn, Ti and Fe as the oxides, 0.5 wt % or greater of Mn as manganese dioxide (MnO2), 0.5 wt % or greater of Ti as titanium oxide (TiO2), and 0.5 wt % or greater of Fe as iron oxide (Fe2O3).

In FPD manufacturing devices and semiconductor manufacturing devices, various types of precision chuck or support platform are used to hold a glass substrate or semiconductor wafer. These devices are generally averse to unnecessary reflected or transmitted light.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 8-262090 discloses a support platform on which a glass substrate for an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is mounted, and which is subjected to alumite processing and blackened. Light is randomly reflected at the surface of the blackened support platform and also absorbed, which means that undesired halation that causes reflection of light is prevented.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No, 8-139168 discloses a vacuum chuck of ceramics formed with a thin film layer of low reflectance. Recently, since it has become possible to provide larger FPD substrates and wafers, there has been an increased demand for ceramics chucks of high specific rigidity (young's modulus/specific gravity). Compared to aluminum, which has a specific rigidity of 28 GPa·cm3/g, Alumina ceramics or AlN ceramics have a specific rigidity of 80–95 GPa·cm3/g or 90–95 GPa·cm3/g.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos. 2001-019540 and 10-095673 respectively disclose blackened ceramics with a base of cordierite, and blackened ceramics with a base of AlN. These blackened ceramics are the same insulators as an FPD substrate. If a chuck made of insulating ceramics is brought into contact with an FPD substrate, electrostatic polarization occurs inside the substrate. As a result of this, spark discharge occurs and the substrate is damaged.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 11-245133 describes problems caused by electrostatic polarization that occurs, for example, when manufacturing a slider for a magnetic head. A plurality of sliders are obtained by cutting a slider bar having a plurality of thin film elements formed thereon. If the slider bar is joined to an insulating jig, electrical charge is polarized inside the metal layer of the thin film elements. This publication discloses using a jig of semiconductive ceramics in order to solve this problem caused by electrostatic polarization. Surface resistivity of the disclosed jig is within a range of greater than or equal to 1×106 ohms per square to less than 1×1012 ohms per square.
Semiconductor ceramics having a base of alumina (Al2O3) with 0.5–2 wt % TiO2 added is known from Japanese Patent laid-open No. 62-094953. This alumina ceramics is calcinated in a reducing atmosphere.
Japanese Patent laid-open No. 11-189458 discloses semiconductor ceramics having a volume resistivity of 104–1012 Ω·cm, and a withstand voltage of 10 kV/mm or greater. This semiconductor ceramics contains alumina crystal grains of 40–85% by volume, and one or more of MnNb2O6, Mn2AlO4, and MnFe2O4. Comparatively inexpensive alumina is generally calcinated in an ordinary atmosphere, which means that it is possible to manufacture semiconductor ceramics on a large scale.
The object of the present invention is to provide an alumina ceramics having high specific rigidity by including alumina, which is the main component, in a high proportion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide ceramics that satisfies the requirements of low reflectance and semiconductivity, without excessively lowering the proportion of alumina.

Enhanced ceramic material for precision alignment mechanism


A cleansing composition containing the following components (A) to (C):    (A) an anionic surfactant    (B) a copolymer of a dialkyl diallyl ammonium salt/acrylamide    (C) fatty acid alkanolamide and/or polyoxyethylene alkyl ether,wherein pH at 25° C., in 20 weight times water dilution, is 2 to 4.5.

Hair is liable to become dry and coarse by environmental factors such as daily exposure to UV ray or heat from the sunlight, along with physical factors such as hair washing, brushing and heating with a dryer. Furthermore, recently hair dying or hair styling has become a trend for personal pleasure and thus, with increasing frequency of coloring and permanent treatment, hair tends to be damaged, lose gloss as well as elasticity and smoothness, and consequently becomes dry and less manageable in styling. In particular, the smoothness of hair in washing is significantly reduced, resulting in further poorer texture feeling during rinsing after lathering such as being crunchy, tangling etc.
To attain smoother feeling of hair in washing, various cationic polymers have generally been added into hair-cleansing compositions. Examples include; a shampoo composition superior in conditioning effect by a combined use of a cationic polymer and silicone derivatives (JP-A-56-72095), a shampoo composition providing smooth feeling, having a certain pH range and containing a specific anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant and a cationic polymer (JP-A-10-182368) and a shampoo composition superior in texture feeling and conditioning effect by a combined use of a copolymer of a dialkyl diallyl ammonium salt and cationic cellulose (JP-A-1-128914).
However, conventional technologies have not been sufficient for an excessively damaged hair, which is often seen recently, to attain smoothness of hair during lathering and rinsing.

Abstract: The present cleansing composition has a good foamability in hair washing, a fine-textured and soft foam quality, and in particular, a good smoothness in rinsing and lasting the smoothness longer in rinsing.


A floor support structure for a bathtub or a shower tray floor, taking the form of a separate element to be used in conjunction with a traditional bathtub or shower tray floor, or as a unitary shower tray floor formed with the support structure integrated therein. The supports include a hollow plastic shell having a lower surface for lying on a planar subfloor, an upper surface contoured to the desired shape and a peripheral sidewall extending there between. Preferably, a drain hole is formed in the plastic shell which also interconnects the upper and lower surfaces thereby defining a hollow interior cavity. The cavity is filled with expandable thermoplastic foam beads which are expanded in place with steam in order to substantially fill the interior cavity thermally bonding the beads together and to the shell interior wall. The expanded foam bead is capable of being compressed without substantial permanent set.

Bathtubs and shower trays, particularly those made of fiber reinforced thermoset plastic or acrylic laminate are susceptible to significant floor flexing making it necessary to provide some sort of support between the underside of the bathtub or shower tray floor and the building subfloor. Various approaches have been tried including a mortar bed, foamed in place expandable polyurethane foam and various types of filler blocks including blocks of polystyrene foam.


An output driver of a semiconductor device includes driving transistors and a body bias providing unit. The driving transistors are coupled in parallel and configured to drive an output terminal. The body bias providing unit is configured to supply the driving transistors with respective body biases of at least two levels.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a digital circuit, and more particularly, to an output driver which outputs an input signal to an external circuit.
In a digital circuit, an output driver transfers a generated signal to other chips. Hence, a final output stage must have higher drivability than any other internal circuit. To this end, an output driver includes a pull-up driver and a pull-down driver. The pull-up driver includes a plurality of PMOS transistors which are coupled in parallel in order to increase a voltage of an output terminal, and the pull-down driver includes a plurality of NMOS transistors which are coupled in parallel in order to lower a voltage of an output terminal.
The pull-up driver refers to a driver which increases current drivability, that is, implements a pull-up driving operation. The pull-down driver refers to a driver which lowers current drivability, that is, implements a pull-down driving operation. The pull-up driving operation means that a specific node of a circuit is coupled to a power supply voltage (VDD) by an active element such as a pull-up transistor. The pull-up driving operation increases an output gain and lowers an output impedance, as compared with a case in which the pull-up driving operation is performed using a resistor. The pull-down driving operation means that a specific node of a circuit is coupled to a ground (VSS) by an active element such as a pull-down transistor. A current gain or an operating speed can be improved, as compared to a case in which the pull-down driving operation is performed using a resistor.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional output driver.
As shown, the output driver includes a pull-up driving unit 110, a pull-down driving unit 120, a pull-up resistor RU, and a pull-down resistor RD. Specifically, the pull-up driving unit 110 includes a plurality of PMOS transistors coupled in parallel, and the pull-down driving unit 120 includes a plurality of NMOS transistors coupled in parallel. The pull-up resistor RU is coupled between drains of the PMOS transistors and an output terminal, and the pull-down resistor RD is coupled between drains of the NMOS transistors and the output terminal.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are waveform diagrams illustrating an input signal IN inputted to the input terminal INPUT of the output driver and an output signal OUT outputted from the output terminal OUTPUT of the output driver.
When an ideal square wave is inputted as illustrated in FIG. 2, a substantially ideal square wave is also outputted. However, while passing through a package, a printed circuit board (PCB), and so on, the output waveform of the output driver includes harmonic components dispersing outside the circuit or module. In particular, when the output waveform is close to the ideal square wave, as illustrated in FIG. 2, means that many third-order, fifth-order and seventh-order harmonic components are included in the output waveform. This causes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) problem related to the magnitude of the harmonic components. To solve the EMI problem, a slew rate of the output signal OUT is limited as illustrated in FIG. 3 which shows the waveform of the final output terminal. The slew rate may be defined as a voltage change rate with respect to time when the output signal OUT changes from a high level to a low level or changes from a low level to a high level in response to the square wave input signal IN of a system. In a system requiring a high-speed signal transmission, the slew rate is an important factor in determining the characteristics of the system.
Conventionally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, methods of adjusting the slew rate of the input signal have been used to adjust the slew rate of the output signal OUT. That is, in order to solve the EMI problem, the slew rate of the output signal OUT is reduced by reducing the slew rate of the input signal IN. However, as the slew rate of the input signal of the output driver is lowered, the output driver becomes more vulnerable to power noise, causing distortion of the output waveform.


Methods and systems for generic adaptive multimedia content delivery are described. In one embodiment, a novel framework features an abstract content model and an abstract adaptive delivery decision engine. The abstract content model recognizes important aspects of contents while hiding their physical details from other parts of the framework. The decision engine then makes content adaptation plans based on the abstracted model of the contents and needs little knowledge of any physical details of the actual contents. Thus, under the same framework, adaptive delivery of generic contents is possible.

Today we live in a diversified world with a seemingly infinite number of diverse and different sources of on-line information. Typically, this information is accessed via a network such as the Internet. As the Internet and, more generally, computing evolve, people are beginning to become accustomed to and demanding better access to different types of electronically available information.
Against the backdrop of the diverse and different sources of electronic information is the wide range of devices that are connected being used to access the information. For example, people can now typically access network-accessible information using personal computers, handheld computers, personal digital assistants and the like. The situations encountered by individuals attempting to access this diverse collection of information using an ever growing collection of computing devices differs from user session to user session.
For example, some contents may be authored and suitable for use with a certain type of browser. Yet, the contents may not be suitably acceptable for use in other situations. For example, web contents that are authored for use in connection with a browser installed on a personal computer may not be suitable for display on a small handheld device for reasons not the least of which include the size disparity between the different devices' displays.
One possible solution for this problem is to author the same contents so that they reside in different forms that are suitable for all of the different situations that might be encountered. While this is theoretically possible, the solution is practically infeasible due to the time and expense involved.
One area of promise is in the area of so-called adaptive content delivery. One goal of adaptive content delivery is to have content that is readily or easily adaptable to different computing environments.
Early commercial applications focused on providing faster web page downloads for narrow bandwidth connected users (such as dialup and mobile access). Most of the applications accelerated downloads by simply reducing the sizes of embedded image files using aggressive lossy compression schemes. The cost of this solution is lower quality, which is highly undesirable from a customer service standpoint. Some schemes also supported lossless text compression to reduce the transmission time of web pages.
Some companies such as ProxyNet (based on TranSend technology), SpyGlass, and OnlineAnywhere provide proxies or servers that can adjust web pages to fit the display of smaller devices. Their technologies, however, are based on heuristic rules and customized content filters that are designed for specific websites and are used to extract the most important contents from these web pages. Thus, these solutions tend to be rigid and inflexible.
Accordingly, this invention arose out of concerns associated with providing adaptive systems and methods for efficient and flexible content delivery.

Methods and systems for adaptive delivery of multimedia contents


A launch system for a hybrid vehicle includes a pump, an electronic throttle, a sensor, and a hybrid control module. The pump is driven by an internal combustion engine and provides pressurized fluid to a transmission. The electronic throttle selectively adjusts airflow to the internal combustion engine and current to an electric motor. The sensor detects when a brake pedal has been released. The hybrid control module increases pressure of the pressurized fluid and limits torque transfer from at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor when the sensor detects that the brake pedal has been released until a predetermined condition has been met. The hybrid control module increases pressure of the pressurized fluid with the pump by increasing the revolutions of the internal combustion engine and limits torque to the transmission by retarding the responsiveness of the electronic throttle.

The increasing demand to improve fuel economy, eliminate emissions, and reduce noise levels has driven the automotive market to develop a variety of propulsion mechanisms. As an alternative to the internal combustion engine (ICE) the industry has developed a hybrid electric system powered by an electric traction motor(s) and an internal combustion engine. During varying driving conditions, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) will alternate between the separate power sources, depending on the most efficient manner of operation of each source.
An HEV may contain either a parallel drivetrain configuration, a series drivetrain configuration or a combination of series and parallel configurations. The configurations allow the ICE to perform relatively more efficiently than its conventional counterpart. In a parallel hybrid vehicle, the electric motor works in parallel with the ICE to combine the power and range advantages of the ICE with the efficiency and the electrical regeneration capability of an electric motor. The ICE drives the wheels through a transmission or transaxle. In a series hybrid vehicle, the ICE drives a generator to produce electricity for the electric motor, which drives the transmission or transaxle. This allows the electric motor to assume some of the power responsibilities of the ICE, thereby permitting the use of a smaller and more efficient engine.
Generally, a conventional automatic transmission, clutch-to clutch auto transmission and/or manual transmission is coupled to the internal combustion engine. The transmission is the mechanical component of a vehicle that transfers power (torque) from the engine to the wheels. The automatic transmission accomplishes this task by providing a number of forward gear ratios that automatically change as a function of vehicle speed and/or throttle position. The variety of gear ranges provided is made possible through the interaction of numerous mechanically, hydraulically and electronically controlled components inside the transmission.
The fuel economy benefits of certain HEV configurations are derived from the vehicle's ability to quickly and smoothly stop and restart the engine, as well as regenerative braking. A parallel hybrid vehicle will turn off the ICE during a normal engine idle period such as static or stopped condition. When the brake pedal is released, the engine will restart.
In order to achieve a smooth vehicle launch during the "engine-off" idle, adequate transmission oil line pressure must be maintained to prime the transmission and eliminate jerk upon a vehicle launch. This line pressure provides system cooling, torque transfer, and is the primary control medium of an automatic transmission. Normally, in a non-hybrid vehicle, the engine will spin the transmission oil pump, which will provide adequate line pressure. In many hybrid applications, a separate auxiliary electric pump is often added to maintain the line pressure when the engine is off. This auxiliary pump adds complexity and cost to the hybrid powertrain system.


Disclosed is a method and apparatus for treating a substrate with a reaction solvent formed of supercritical ozone in a feed phase. The feed phase can be aqueous, e.g., formed of heated, deionized water, nonaqueous, e.g., formed of a dense fluid, such as supercritical carbon dioxide, liquid carbon dioxide, supercritical nitrogen or combinations the dense fluids or the feed phase can be a mixture of aqueous and nonaqueous phases.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the chemical arts. More particularly the invention relates to a method for cleaning, rinsing and/or drying substrates with a dense fluid.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The manufacture of patterned photoresist wafer using lithographic techniques, such as ion implanting organic photoresist techniques, results in a product contaminated with photoresist residues, such as organic films and particles. The presence of particles on the wafer's surface is undesirable because it often results in lower die yields on the semiconductor wafer.
This has resulted in a great need for the development of methods for photoresist stripping, including the steps of cleaning, rinsing and/or drying contaminated patterned photoresist wafers that avoid the use of hazardous chemicals, such as organic solvents, acids, hydrogen peroxide, and amine-based cleaning agents. The efforts have been made more difficult by recent technological advances in the area of manufacturing patterned photoresist wafers, such as Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS). The shrinking of line widths and production of trenches with high aspect ratios exasperate the problem of developing acceptable cleaning technologies.
Resist layers may be heavily doped with ions following ion implantation or may be hardened through multiple exposures to cross-linking radiation. The challenge presented in removing these layers is that the resist materials are very resistant to attack by most chemicals and the vias in the wafer create the added problems of being very narrow and deep (high aspect ratio)—creating very high capillary pressure. High capillary pressure hinders penetration by cleaning agents, and once filled, prevents them from being removed.
Ozone is a naturally occurring triatomic form of oxygen, which, under atmospheric temperature and pressure, is an unstable gas that decomposes readily into molecular oxygen. With an electrochemical oxidation potential of 2.07, ozone is a powerful oxidant and is used commercially in precision cleaning systems in combination with deionized water. Ozone is an attractive cleaning chemical because it can be generated in-situ and following use, decomposes back into oxygen gas.
With respect to cleaning wafers to remove photoresist contamination, commercial cleaning systems have been developed which employ ozone and water to replace the dangerous or ecologically unsafe chemical processes. One such system, the SMS D103 photoresist strip process (Legacy Systems Inc., Fremont, Calif.), uses an ozone generator and diffuser located in a tank of chilled (5° C.) deionized water, which is circulated into a tank containing the wafers. However, this system suffers from an inability to apply thermal energy to the substrate, because raising the temperature lowers the solubility of ozone in solution. Furthermore, the solid ozone gas interfacial reaction is essentially time-dependent and concentration-dependent.
Another the system, the HydrOzone process, diffuses ozone gas through a thin film of heated water spread over a spinning wafer. However, similar to the SMS D103 process, transport of ozone gas of any significant concentration into micron features on the wafer surface is very limited due to the solid-ozone gas interface. Further, excessive agitation caused by rapid movement of water over the spinning wafer accelerates the decomposition of the ozone gas as it diffuses through the thin film boundary. An additional drawback of both methods is that complete drying of the substrate following cleaning is limited due to hydration of small capillaries, vias, and interstices present on the wafer. Finally, a lack of solvent selectivity can be limiting in many photoresist removal applications.
Commercial cleaning of textiles using ozonated water is also known. Ozone acting as a cleaning agent additive is used to destroy soils contained on fabrics. This method is similar to ozonated water treatment of wafer and suffers from the same solubility and selectivity problems.
Following these ozone-cleaning processes, a method often used to rinse wafers is the "quick dump" method. The quick dump method relies upon the rapid deployment of water from the rinse tank to remove water and impurities from the semiconductor wafer. A limitation with this method is its inability to remove all the contaminate particles from the wafer. In fact, the rapid deployment of water from the tank often transfers more particles onto the wafer. In addition, the wafers from the quick dump tank must still undergo a drying operation, which can further increase the number of particles on the wafer.
Another technique used to both rinse and dry wafers relies upon a spin rinse/dryer. The spin rinse/dryer uses a combination of rinse water spray to rinse the wafers and centrifugal force to remove the water. The drying step removes water from the semiconductor wafer substantially by centrifugal force and evaporation. However, the spin rinse/dryer also can introduce more particles onto the wafer. Initially dissolved or suspended contaminants, such as particles in the water are often left on the semiconductor wafer, thereby reducing the number of good dies on the wafer. Additionally, static electricity often builds up on the wafers during the spin cycle, thereby attracting even more particles onto the surface of the semiconductor. Another limitation with the spin rinse/dryer is its complex mechanical design with moving parts and the like. The complex mechanical design often leads to problems such as greater downtime, wafer breakage, more spare parts, and greater costs, among others.
Other techniques used to dry wafers include an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) vapor dryer and a full displacement IPA dryer. An example of such a technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,761, in the name of McConnell et al. McConnell et al. generally describes the use of a superheated or saturated drying vapor as a drying fluid. The superheated or saturated drying vapor forms a thick organic vapor layer overlying the rinse water to displace (e.g., plug flow) such rinse water with the drying vapor. The thick vapor layer forms an azeotropic mixture with water, which will condense on wafer surfaces, and will then evaporate to dry the wafer. A drawback of these dryers is their use of the large solvent quantity, which is hot, highly flammable, and hazardous to health and the environment. Another limitation with such these dryers is their cost.
Still another drying technique relies upon hot process water to rinse and promote drying of the semiconductor wafer. However, hot water often produces stains on the wafer, and also promotes build-up of bacterial and other particles.
As line size becomes smaller and the complexity of semiconductor integrated circuits increases, there is a definite need for an improved wet processing method and an apparatus for practicing the method that removes unwanted organic films and particles from wafers, prevents additional particles from being deposited on the wafer, and does not introduce stains on the wafers. There is a further definite need for an improved process for then drying the wafers.

Method and apparatus for supercritical ozone treatment of a substrate


A pole apparatus for supporting and operating the push button of a spray can. The apparatus includes an elongated pole having a base end and a top end, a body member mounted at the top end of the pole, means for supporting the spray can from the body member, an actuation slide supported by the body member and including an actuation tab for engagement with the push button of the spray can, a biasing member for biasing the actuation slide to an un-actuated position and a cord that extends between the base and top ends of the pole for operating the slide member. The cord is operable by manually engaging the cord and moving the cord orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the pole to move the slide member so that the actuation tab operates the spray can push button.

In pruning a tree the branches of the tree are typically cut and this leaves an exposed wound. If the exposed branch wound is left untreated, the tree is then vulnerable to invasion by insects and infection by diseases such as Oak Wilt. In order to prevent an infestation of a disease the wound is usually sealed. One sealing technique is to use a spray tree wound sealant. The sealant is typically provided in a 12 ounce push-button spray can.
In order to properly apply the sealant one has to be relatively close to the area of the wound. For tall trees this involves either the use of a ladder or a bucket truck. The use of a ladder can be dangerous and the bucket truck expensive. While pole devices with saws and the like are relatively readily available for carrying out the pruning step, there is presently no effective pole device available that can be operated from the ground to apply a proper sealant or dressing to the wound area of the tree. Moreover there is presently no pole device available that can combine both a cleaning step and a sealing step in a single and yet relatively simple pole structure. Furthermore existing device for remote sealant application are ineffective in use.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for applying a sealant to a tree part wound.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device that combines both a cleaning action and a sealing action in a single and yet relatively simple pole structure.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a device that is effective in its use, that is durable and that is safe to operate as it is constructed of electrically non-conducting material.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a pole device that can be used for any number of different applications in remotely controlling a spray can or the like.


The epoxy resin curing agent of the present invention comprises a polyamino compound obtainable by addition reaction of aliphatic diamine represented by the formula (1) and styrene and a curing accelerator comprising an organic compound having at least one carboxyl group and at least one hydroxyl group within the molecule, which can achieve a low viscosity without containing environmental harmful substances such as phenol and solvents. In addition, the epoxy resin composition using said epoxy resin curing agent shows an excellent curability at low temperature and it provides a cured coating film having excellent appearance.H2N—H2C—A—CH2—NH2   (1)wherein A is a phenylene group or a cyclohexylene group

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a low-temperature curable epoxy resin curing agent comprising a polyamino compound and a curing accelerator, and an epoxy resin composition comprising said epoxy resin curing agent.
The epoxy resin curing agent is applicable to a curing agent for epoxy resin utilized in extremely wide fields including a field of coating materials such as an electrodeposition paint for motor vehicle, a corrosion-resistant paint for ships, bridges and a land and marine iron structure, and an inner surface coating paint for a beverage can; a field of materials for electricity and electronics such as a laminated sheet, a semiconductor sealant, an insulating powdered paint and a coil impregnant used in home electric appliances, communication facilities, a control system for automobiles and aircraft and the like; a field of materials for civil engineering and construction such as a material for quake-resistant reinforcement of bridges, a material for lining, reinforcement and repair of a concrete structure, a flooring material of a building, a lining of water supplying facility and sewerage, a pavior for waste water and permeating water; a field of an adhesive for vehicle and airplane, and a field of composite materials for airplane, industrial materials and sports equipment.
2) Related Art
It has widely been known that various amino compounds such as an aliphatic amino compound and an alicyclic amino compound are used as a curing agent for epoxy resin and a raw material thereof.
Among the aliphatic amino compounds, an aliphatic diamine represented by the following formula (1) has such features that, when it is used as a raw material of a curing agent, it provides a curable composition which can be cured quickly at low temperature and a cured product having an excellent chemical resistance.H2N—H2C—A—CH2—NH2   (1)wherein A is a phenylene group or a cyclohexylene group
On the other hand, however, the diamine represented by the formula (1) easily produces carbamate by absorbing carbon dioxide or water vapor in the atmosphere which causes such defects that the phenomena of whitening or stickiness tends to appear on an epoxy resin cured coating film wherein the diamine is used as a curing agent.
Consequently, as a curing agent for epoxy resin, the diamine represented by the formula (1) is scarcely used as it is without modification. In most cases, they are used after various modifications.
Representative methods for modification of diamines include a modification by reaction with a compound having a carboxyl group, a modification by reaction with an epoxy compound, a modification by Mannich reaction with an aldehyde compound and a phenolic compound, a modification by Michael reaction with an acryl compound and the like.
Among these various methods for modification, a reaction product of Mannich reaction of an amino compound with an aldehyde compound and a phenolic compound has a feature that its curing speed is high. Especially, a reaction product of Mannich reaction of diamine represented by the formula (1) is widely utilized as an epoxy resin curing agent in the field wherein a low-temperature curability is required. (See "New Development Of A Curing Agent For Epoxy Resin" edited by Hiroshi Kakiuchi, published by CMC Co. Ltd., P88, May 31, 1994).
In general, it is preferable that the viscosity of a curing agent is relatively low from the viewpoint of workability. Since a reaction product of Mannich reaction is a modified product of an amino compound with an aldehyde compound and a phenolic compound, it is possible to obtain a Mannich reaction product having a low viscosity by reducing the reaction mole ratio of the aldehyde compound to the amino compound or by increasing the reaction mole ratio of the phenolic compound to the amino compound. However, a relatively large amount of unreacted phenolic compound remains in a low-viscosity Mannich reaction product obtained by such modification.
At present, phenol is generally used as a raw-material phenolic compound of the Mannich reaction product. However, since phenol is designated as a poisonous substance and besides, its mutagenicity is identified, it has come to believe that unreacted phenol should not remain in the Mannich reaction product. Thus, a strong tendency not to use phenol has been developed recently.
In order to reduce the amount of unreacted phenol remained in the Mannich reaction product, a method such as increasing the reaction mole ratio of an aldehyde compound to an amino compound or decreasing the reaction mole ratio of a phenolic compound to an amino compound can be applied. However, the viscosity of a Mannich reaction product obtained by such methods becomes high. When the high-viscosity Mannich reaction product is used as a curing agent or a raw material thereof, it is necessary to dilute the product by adding a solvent in order to improve workability.
Recently, there is a strong tendency not to use solvents in an epoxy resin curing agent for a coating material in order to prevent the global environmental pollution, and it is desired to develop an epoxy resin curing agent which is available in a non-solvent condition.
An amino compound obtained by modifying metaxylylenediamine and the like is referred as an epoxy resin curing agent in Japanese Patent Kokai (Laid-open) No. 2002-161076, p3-5, and it discloses that said amino compound has relatively low viscosity.
However, it is described in the above document that said amino compound, when it is used as an epoxy resin curing agent, has a long pot life at room temperature. Therefore, it is believed that, when said amino compound is used as a curing agent, curing reaction would not progress at low temperature.

Curing epoxy resin with aliphatic diamine-styrene product and carboxyl- and hydroxyl-containing accelerator