A welded intermediate transfer belt and process for making the same having a substrate made primarily of at least one polyimide polymer. The weld may be ultrasonically or otherwise welded and may have favorable properties such as relatively thin seam thickness and small weld steps. The weld may be overlapped or miter cut.

The present invention relates to intermediate transfer members, and more specifically, to intermediate transfer members useful in transferring a developed image in an electrostatographic, for example xerographic, including digital, image on image, and the like, machines or apparatuses. In embodiments, there are selected intermediate transfer members comprising a layer or substrate comprising a filled polymer, such as a filled polyimide, and for example, a polyaniline filled polyimide. In embodiments, a weldable intermediate transfer member dispenses with the need for puzzle cut seams, which are highly labor intensive. The net manufacturing cost to produce the weldable intermediate transfer members, in embodiments, is lowered. In embodiments, the weldable intermediate transfer members are imageable.
In a typical electrostatographic reproducing apparatus, a light image of an original to be copied is recorded in the form of an electrostatic latent image upon a photosensitive member and the latent image is subsequently rendered visible by the application of electroscopic thermoplastic resin particles, which are commonly referred to as toner. Generally, the electrostatic latent image is developed by bringing a developer mixture into contact therewith. The developer mixture can comprise a dry developer mixture, which usually comprises carrier granules having toner particles adhering triboelectrically thereto, or a liquid developer material, which may include a liquid carrier having toner particles, dispersed therein. The developer material is advanced into contact with the electrostatic latent image and the toner particles are deposited thereon in image configuration. Subsequently, the developed image is transferred to a copy sheet. It is advantageous to transfer the developed image to a coated intermediate transfer web, belt or component, and subsequently transfer with very high transfer efficiency the developed image from the intermediate transfer member to a permanent substrate. The toner image is subsequently usually fixed or fused upon a support, which may be the photosensitive member itself, or other support sheet such as plain paper.
In electrostatographic printing machines wherein the toner image is electrostatically transferred by a potential between the imaging member and the intermediate transfer member, the transfer of the toner particles to the intermediate transfer member and the retention thereof should be as complete as possible so that the image ultimately transferred to the image receiving substrate will have a high resolution. Substantially 100% toner transfer occurs when most or all of the toner particles comprising the image are transferred and little residual toner remains on the surface from which the image was transferred.
Intermediate transfer members allow for positive attributes such as enabling high throughput at modest process speeds, improving registration of the final color toner image in color systems using synchronous development of one or more component colors using one or more transfer stations, and increasing the range of final substrates that can be used. However, a disadvantage of using an intermediate transfer member is that a plurality of transfer steps is required allowing for the possibility of charge exchange occurring between toner particles and the transfer member which ultimately can lead to less than complete toner transfer. The result is low-resolution images on the image receiving substrate and image deterioration. When the image is in color, the image can additionally suffer from color shifting and color deterioration. In addition, the incorporation of charging agents in liquid developers, although providing acceptable quality images and acceptable resolution due to improved charging of the toner, can exacerbate the problem of charge exchange between the toner and the intermediate transfer member.
Attempts at controlling the resistivity of intermediate transfer members have been accomplished by, for example, adding conductive fillers such as ionic additives and/or carbon black to the outer layer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,034 discloses use of fluorinate carbon filler in a polyimide intermediate transfer member layer.
Use of polyaniline filler in a polyimide has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,156. However, the patent discloses a polyaniline filled polyimide puzzle cut seamed belt. The use of the polyaniline filled polyimide puzzle cut seamed belt provides a belt, which has improved mechanical and electrical properties over other filled belts. However, manufacture of the puzzle cut seamed belt is labor intensive and very costly, and the puzzle cut seam, in embodiments, is sometimes weak. The manufacturing process for a puzzle cut seamed belt requires a lengthy high temperature and high humidity-conditioning step. For the conditioning step, each individual belt is rough cut, rolled up, and placed in a conditioning chamber that is environmentally controlled at 45° C. and 85 percent relative humidity, for approximately 20 hours. Another 3 hours is required to bring the belt back down to ambient conditioning to prevent condensation and watermarks before it can be removed from the conditioning chamber. This conditioning operation is required to bring the belt into the proper resistivity range for use in a color printer. The conditioning step necessitates that sheets of the belt material be cut roughly to size prior to conditioning. This makes it virtually impossible to automate the manufacturing process for puzzle cut seamed belts. Without the 24-hour high temperature and high humidity conditioning step, the belt's electrical properties and hence image quality, will not be stable for several months.
Also, after the 1-day high temperature and high humidity-conditioning step, puzzle cut seamed belts are then additionally prepared by using tape or glue at the seam. This step is followed by the highly labor intensive step of having an operator manually zip the puzzle cut pieces together with their fingers. Once seamed, the strength of the puzzle cut seam is limited by the strength of the puzzle cut piece necks. Most belt break failures occur when the puzzle necks break.
Smaller circumference intermediate transfer belts are made by extrusion or spin casting. However, extrusion and spin casting are not cost effective for belts requiring larger circumferences. Larger circumference belts are necessary in color tandem engine architecture machines.
Therefore, it is desired to provide a welded intermediate transfer belt that does not have puzzle cut seams, but instead, has a welded seam, thereby providing a belt that can be manufactured without such labor intensive steps as manually piecing together the puzzle cut seam with fingers, and without the lengthy high temperature and high humidity conditioning steps. Further, it is desired to provide a belt that has a stronger seam than current puzzle cut seams. It is also desired to provide a higher circumference weldable belt for color machines.
One embodiment of the present invention is an intermediate transfer belt, comprising: a belt substrate comprising primarily at least one polyimide polymer; and a welded seam.
Another embodiment of the present is a process for welding an intermediate transfer belt comprising primarily at least one polyimide polymers, comprising: mounting two end sections of an unseamed polyimide belt in proximity to an ultrasonic welding horn; moving the ultrasonic welding horn into physical contact with at least one of the end sections; and imparting sufficient energy, with the ultrasonic horn, to raise temperatures within at least a portion of the end sections above the glass transition temperature of the polyimide polymer.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising: a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent image thereon; a development component to apply toner to said charge-retentive surface to develop said electrostatic latent image and to form a developed image on said charge retentive surface; an intermediate transfer belt, comprising a belt substrate comprising primarily at least one polyimide polymer; and a welded seam; and a fixing component.

Welded polyimide intermediate transfer belt and process for making the belt


Methods and apparatus of embodiments of the invention relate to treating water including contacting a liquid stream with a source comprising inorganic and/or divalent ions and separating the stream into an effluent and a fluid comprising less sulfate than the stream, wherein the effluent comprises more sulfate and more inorganic and/or divalent ions than the stream. Methods and apparatus relate to treating water including a reaction unit comprising an inlet for feed fluid and an inlet for inorganic and/or divalent ions and a separator unit comprising an inlet for output from the reaction unit, an outlet for effluent, and an outlet for fluid comprising less sulfate than the feed fluid. Some embodiments include introducing the fluid comprising less sulfate than the stream into a subterranean formation.

Hydraulic fracturing uses a large volume of water that is selected for its chemical properties. The demand for this type of well services has increased over the past decade, especially because of its successful application for difficult conditions. Horizontal wells are often standard, requiring as much as 4.2 million gallons of water per well in as many as 6 to 9 fracture stages. Because of environmental concerns and fresh water availability, salt water and the flowback and produced water are collected and used for subsequent fracture treatments.
Scale formation due to seawater injection into an oilfield reservoir often causes significant impairment to production. In some cases, sulfate reduction plants are used for example using membrane technologies/reverse osmosis, which can be economically expensive. For cases where seawater is used as a base liquid during stimulation operations, installing a sulfate removal plant can be uneconomical.
Various different methods can be applied to reduce water salinity and to prevent bacteria growth and reduce operational expenses related to corrosion prevention, remediation of corrosion effects, and remediation of emulsion-like produced fluids. Historically, removing sulfate is performed by using a membrane (or other filtration techniques) to filter out the sulfate molecules whereby the feed seawater are partially desalinated. Also, previous methods remove the sulfate ions through filtering technologies, rather than through precipitating out unwanted metal ions by reacting it with non metal ions. While some solutions are technically feasible, the economics and operational requirements are quite costly. A simple, cheap, and highly efficient technology to remove sulfate from a stream of saline liquid that is compatible with other fluid additives and that is easily transportable is needed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Sulfate molecule removal through inorganic or divalent ion nuclei seeding


A highly reliable multi-layer ceramic electronic part in which is compact, in which cracks tend not to occur in the ceramic element even in cases where it is handled in bulk by a chip mounting device. A plurality of electrodes (internal electrodes) are disposed within a ceramic element whose length L.ltoreq.1.0 mm, height H.ltoreq.0.5 mm and width W.ltoreq.0.5 mm. The thickness t.sub.1 of a ceramic outer layer portion of the multi-layer ceramic electronic part, is 0.15 mm or less. The thickness of the ceramic outer layer portion t.sub.1 and the thickness t.sub.2 of the portion where the internal electrodes are disposed have the relationship 1/4 t.sub.2 .ltoreq.t.sub.1.ltoreq.1/3 t.sub.2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic parts, in particular to multi-layer ceramic electronic parts having a structure in which a plurality of internal electrodes are disposed throughout a ceramic layer in a ceramic element.
2. Description of the Related Art
One type of surface-mounted type ceramic electronic part, for example as shown in FIG. 3, has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped ceramic element 33 in which a plurality of electrodes (internal electrodes) 32 are disposed so as to face each other via a ceramic layer 31. External electrodes 34 are disposed at opposite ends of the electronic part and are conductively coupled with respective internal electrodes 32, to form a multi-layer ceramic capacitor 35.
This type of ceramic electronic part has become increasingly miniaturized, which has resulted in an extremely compact ceramic electronic part such as the ceramic element 33 shown in FIG. 2, whose length (L) is 1.0 mm or less and height (H) and width (W) are 0.5 mm or less. Also, in such a ceramic electronic part, the distance (thickness of a ceramic outer layer portion 36) t.sub.1 from the internal electrode 32 (32a) of the outermost layer to the surface of the ceramic element 33 is very small at 0.10 mm or less.
However, in the field of miniaturization described above, ceramic electronic parts in which the thickness t.sub.1 of the ceramic outer layer portion 36 is small have little mechanical strength (resistive strength etc.), and in a case where they are handled in bulk (for example by a chip mounting device), cracks C in the ceramic element occur easily due to mechanical impacts, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and (b). Thus, for example, cracks C can occur across a plurality of internal electrodes 32, resulting in the problem that the desired electrical characteristics become unattainable.


A cellular phone in the form of a glove with a cellular phone assembly incorporated therein. The cellular phone assembly comprises a slim line housing having the cellular phone circuitry therein, the housing attached to the back hand of the glove. A wire extends from the voice output portion of the cellular phone circuitry and along the thumb portion of the glove for connection to a speaker found on the outside of the thumb appendage. A second wire extends from the cellular phone voice input circuitry and along the little finger appendage of the glove for connection to a microphone. The central housing presents the conventional phone buttons on the back hand side of the glove. The glove with the cellular phone incorporated therein allows a user to easily transport and use a cellular phone without interference with the manual dexterity of the gloved hand. In use the gloved thumb with speaker thereon is held near the ear and gloved little finger with microphone thereon is held near the mouth.

This invention relates to a cellular phone and, more particularly, to a cellular phone adapted to be worn about a hand of the user without diminishing the user's manual dexterity.
The use of mobile cellular phones is a burgeoning one. Heretofore, the use of a cellular phone limits the dexterity of at least one hand of the user. Thus, it is desirable in some cases to have a cellular phone, readily available for use, without interfering with the user's normal manual dexterity.
In response thereto I have invented a cellular phone incorporated into a glove which easily interfaces with the user's preferred hand. A central phone housing is incorporated into the glove which releasably engages the user's hand via the normal hand/glove interface. A phone earpiece and mouthpiece are displaced from the cellular phone housing in the form of a separate speaker and microphone attached to separate fingers of the glove, these elements being wired to the phone circuitry found in the central phone housing. The glove carrier/phone combination enables the user to easily transport the phone and use the same without interfering with the user's manual dexterity.
It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide a cellular phone for wear on a body part of the user.
Another general object of this invention is to provide a cellular phone, as aforesaid, which interfaces with a hand of the user.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a cellular phone, as aforesaid, which does not interfere with the manual dexterity of the user.
A further object of this invention is to provide a cellular phone, as aforesaid, having a glove carrier which is easily fitted about and releasably secured to the hand of the user.
Another object of this invention is to provide a cellular phone, as aforesaid, which is easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and mobile.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention.


A method and apparatus for monitoring the respiratory gas of a patient includes an adjustable volume gas mixing chamber which allows for the differences in lung capacity of patients from neonate to adult. A constant flow of a therapeutic gas mixture is measured by a flow meter in a supply line leading to a face mask breathing device. The mask is by-pass connected to the supply line such that the patient inspires from and exhales into the flow from the supply line. Both by-pass and expired gas mix and enter the adjustable-volume chamber, which contains an internal fan and sensors for detecting percentage content of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The chamber is adjusted to a volume where the sensor readings become stable rather than pulsatile. The change in percentages of oxygen and carbon dioxide content in the chamber, as compared to the content in the supply gas, is then entirely due to total-body consumption and production. Whole body rates can be determined by multiplying the percentage change by the flow rate in the supply line.

Gas monitors are frequently used in conjunction with respirators in intensive care units, particularly in the case of premature infants suffering from respiratory distress syndrome. A medical staff's ability to evaluate a neonate's oxidative status, and to detect any status change during respiratory therapy, would be significantly assisted by a monitor which measures and displays the patient's whole-body oxygen consumption rate and carbon dioxide production rate. Knowledge of the whole-body oxygen consumption rate enables the staff to determine whether the gas mixture supplied through the respirator contains the proper quantity of oxygen. Consumed oxygen and expired CO.sub.2 measurements are also used to calculate metabolic rate, Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) and cardiovascular function.

Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education


A foldable support device for a stand lamp includes a lower support member and an upper support member, each including a front support component and a rear support component parallel to and arranged behind the front support component. Each of the front and rear support components includes a bottom support rod having an upper end, and a top support rod having a lower end pivoted to the upper end of the bottom support rod such that the top support rod is foldable downwardly toward one of left and right sides of the bottom support rod and upwardly away from the bottom support rod.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a support device for a stand lamp, more particularly to a foldable support device for a stand lamp.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional stand lamp generally includes a lamp base, a support device extending upwardly from the lamp base, and a lighting unit disposed on a top end of the support device. Since the conventional support device of the stand lamp has an elongated non-foldable shape, an elongated packaging box is required to pack the conventional support device. The larger packaging box may, as a result, incur more material and manufacturing costs, as well as inconvenience when transporting the same.
Another type of a conventional stand lamp further includes a hanging arm that is disposed at the support device and that is rotatable upwardly and downwardly with respect to the support device, such that height of the lighting unit, which is disposed at one end of the hanging arm, can be adjusted by rotation of the hanging arm relative to the support device.
However, the support device of this conventional stand lamp is still too long and is not foldable.

Foldable support device for a stand lamp


Methods and compositions are disclosed for enhancing .sup.19 F magnetic resonance imaging which utilize trifluorometyl derivatives of iodinated X-ray contrast media. Typical magnetic resonance contrast media within the scope of the present invention include bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene derivatives, tris(trifluoromethyl)benzene derivatives, tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)benzene derivatives, and other related trifluoromethylated benzene derivatives.

This invention relates to compositions for improving magnetic resonance imaging ("MRI"), magnetic resonance spectroscopy ("MRS"), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging ("MRSI"). More particularly, the present invention relates to low concentration fluorine-19 imaging agents.
The technique of MRI encompasses the detection of certain atomic nuclei (those possessing magnetic dipole moments) utilizing magnetic fields and radio-frequency radiation. It is similar in some respects to X-ray computed tomography ("CT") in providing a cross-sectional display of the body organ anatomy with excellent resolution of soft tissue detail. The technique of MRI is advantageously non-invasive as it avoids the use of ionizing radiation.
The hydrogen atom, having a nucleus consisting of a single unpaired proton, has the strongest magnetic dipole moment of any nucleus. Since hydrogen occurs in both water and lipids, it is abundant in the human body. Therefore, MRI is most commonly used to produce images based upon the distribution density of protons and/or the relaxation times of protons in organs and tissues. Other nuclei having a net magnetic dipole moment also exhibit a nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon which may be used in MRI, MRS, and MRSI applications. Such nuclei include carbon-13 (six protons and seven neutrons), fluorine-19 (9 protons and 10 neutrons), sodium-23 (11 protons and 12 neutrons), and phosphorus-31 (15 protons and 16 neutrons).
While the phenomenon of MRI was discovered in 1945, it is only relatively recently that it has found application as a means of mapping the internal structure of the body as a result of the original suggestion of Lauterbur (Nature, 242, 190-191 (1973)). The fundamental lack of any known hazard associated with the level of the magnetic and radio-frequency fields that are employed renders it possible to make repeated scans on vulnerable individuals. Additionally, any scan plane can readily be selected, including transverse, coronal, and sagittal sections.
In an MRI experiment, the nuclei under study in a sample (e.g. protons, .sup.19 F, etc.) are irradiated with the appropriate radio-frequency (RF) energy in a controlled gradient magnetic field. These nuclei, as they relax, subsequently emit RF energy at a sharp resonance frequency. The resonance frequency of the nuclei depends on the applied magnetic field.
According to known principles, nuclei with appropriate spin when placed in an applied magnetic field (B, expressed generally in units of gauss or Tesla (10.sup.4 gauss)) align in the direction of the field. In the case of protons, these nuclei precess at a frequency, F, of 42.6 MHz at a field strength of 1 Tesla. At this frequency, an RF pulse of radiation will excite the nuclei and can be considered to tip the net magnetization out of the field direction, the extent of this rotation being determined by the pulse, duration and energy. After the RF pulse, the nuclei "relax" or return to equilibrium with the magnetic field, emitting radiation at the resonant frequency. The decay of the emitted radiation is characterized by two relaxation times, T.sub.1 and T.sub.2. T.sub.1 is the spin-lattice relaxation time or longitudinal relaxation time, that is, the time taken by the nuclei to return to equilibrium along the direction of the externally applied magnetic field. T.sub.2 is the spin-spin relaxation time associated with the dephasing of the initially coherent precession of individual proton spins. These relaxation times have been established for various fluids, organs, and tissues in different species of mammals.
For protons and other suitable nuclei, the relaxation times T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 are influenced by the environment of the nuclei (e.g., viscosity, temperature, and the like). These two relaxation phenomena are essentially mechanisms whereby the initially imparted radio-frequency energy is dissipated to the surrounding environment. The rate of this energy loss or relaxation can be influenced by certain molecules or other nuclei which are paramagnetic. Chemical compounds incorporating these paramagnetic molecules or nuclei may substantially alter the T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 values for nearby nuclei having a magnetic dipole moment. The extent of the paramagnetic effect of the given chemical compound is a function of the environment within which it finds itself.
In MRI, scanning planes and sliced thicknesses can be selected. This selection permits high quality transverse, coronal and sagittal images to be obtained directly. The absence of any moving parts in MRI equipment promotes a high reliability. It is believed that MRI has a greater potential than CT for the selective examination of tissue characteristics. The reason for this being that in CT, X-ray attenuation and coefficients alone determine image contrast, whereas at least four separate variables (T.sub.1, T.sub.2, proton density, and flow) may contribute to the MRI signal. For example, it has been shown (Damadian, Science, 171, 1151 (1971)) that the values of the T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 relaxation in tissues are generally longer by about a factor of two (2) in excised specimens of neoplastic tissue compared with the host tissue.
By reason of its sensitivity to subtle physiochemical differences between organs and/or tissues, it is believed that MRI may be capable of differentiating different tissue types and in detecting diseases which induce physicochemical changes that may not be detected by X-ray or CT which are only sensitive to differences in the electron density of tissue.
In some cases, the concentration of nuclei to be measured is not sufficiently high to produce a detectable MR signal. For instance, since .sup.19 F is present in the body in very low concentration, a fluorine source must be administered to a subject to obtain a measurable .sup.19 F MR signal. Signal sensitivity is improved by administering higher concentrations of fluorine or by coupling the fluorine to a suitable "probe" which will concentrate in the body tissues of interest. High fluorine concentration must be balanced against increased tissue toxicity. It is also currently believed that a fluorine agent should preferably contain magnetically equivalent fluorine atoms in order to obtain a clear, strong signal.
From the foregoing, it would be a significant advancement in the art to provide fluorine MRI agents for enhancing images of body organs and tissues which may be administered in relatively low concentrations, yet provide a clear, strong signal.
Such MRI agent are disclosed and claimed herein.

Trifluoromethyl analogs of X-ray contrast media for magnetic resonance imaging


A receiver designed for use in a mobile environment, which includes an adaptive equalizer driven by phase estimation and rotation circuitry, and which is operable in multipath fading channels. The present invention uses an AFC loop and a phase rotation circuit in front of the adaptive equalizer to improve equalizer performance in the fading channel. The present invention uses .pi./4 phase rotation circuitry before a phase quantization decision is made. This .pi./4 phase rotation circuitry allows for decisions to be made on a QPSK constellation, rather than on an input 8PSK constellation, thus improving detection performance.

The present invention relates generally to digital demodulars and, more particularly, to a digital modem adapted for use with transmission channels that are affected by multipath fading.
The prior art related to this invention is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,561, assigned to International Mobile Machines Corp. The modem receiver disclosed in this patent is designed for fixed-site applications and is not optimized for the mobile environment. It has been verified by simulation and by testing of operational hardware that this prior art modem does not provide the required bit error rate performance of the IS-54 Digital Cellular Dual Mode standard, and thus, is relatively ineffective in applications wherein multipath fading is experienced.

Modem for fading digital channels affected by multipath


Described in the use of dihydromethyl jasmonic acid having the structure: ##STR1## in augmenting, enhancing or imparting fragrances in or to perfume compositions, perfumed articles and colognes.

Dihydromethyl jasmonic acid having the structure: ##STR2## is known as an intermediate in the preparation of dihydromethyl jasmonate having the structure: ##STR3## a known perfumery material. However, the perfume use of the intermediate, dihydromethyl jasmonic acid is unknown and, in fact, its perfumery properties are unexpected, unobvious and advantageous over the ester having known use in perfumery.
The dihydromethyl jasmonic acid having the structure: ##STR4## is shown to be useful as an intermediate in a paper by Ravid and Ikan, J. Org. Chem., Volume 39, No. 17, 1974, pages 2637-2639.

Fragrance use of dihydromethyl jasmonic acid


Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.

The present invention relates to light sensors incorporating a charge integrating photodiode as a light transducer.
A light sensor generates an output signal indicating the intensity of light incident upon the light sensor. The light sensor includes a light transducer for converting light into an electrical signal and may also include electronics for signal conditioning, compensation for cross-sensitivities such as temperature, and output signal formatting. Light sensors are used in a wide range of applications including remote sensing, communications, and controls.
One application for light sensors is in automatically dimming vehicle rearview mirrors. Vehicle operators use interior and exterior rearview mirrors to view scenes behind the vehicle without having to face in a rearward direction and to view areas around the vehicle that would otherwise be blocked by vehicle structures. As such, rearview mirrors are an important source of information to the vehicle operator. Bright lights appearing in a scene behind the vehicle, such as from another vehicle approaching from the rear, may create glare in a rearview mirror that can temporarily visually impair or dazzle the operator. This problem is generally worsened during conditions of low ambient light, such as those that occur at night, when the eyes of the vehicle operator have adjusted to the darkness.
Automatically dimming rearview mirrors eliminate the need for the operator to manually switch the mirror. The earliest designs used a single glare sensor facing rearward to detect the level of light striking the mirror. This design proved to be inadequate since the threshold perceived by the operator for dimming the mirror, known as the glare threshold, varied as a function of the ambient light level. An improvement included a second light sensor for detecting the ambient light level. The glare threshold in these systems is based on the amount of ambient light detected. Among the dual sensor designs proposed include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,614 to Platzer; U.S Pat. No. 3,746,430 to Brean et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,875 to Bechtel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,690 to Gahan et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,960 to Molyneux et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,477 to Bechtel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,778 to Bechtel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,822 to Bechtel et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,093 to Schierbeek et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
A key element in the design of an automatic dimming mirror is the type of light transducer used to implement ambient light and glare detection. A primary characteristic of interest in selecting a light transducer type is the dynamic range. The ratio between the intensity of bright sunlight and moonlight is roughly 1,000,000: 1, indicating the wide range that must be sensed by the ambient light sensor. Both the ambient light and the glare light sensors must operate within the ranges of temperature, humidity, shock, and vibration experienced within a vehicle passenger compartment. If a sensor is to be mounted in an outside mirror, even harsher operating conditions can be expected. Sensors and support electronics must also be inexpensive to allow the cost of an automatically dimmed mirror to fall within the range deemed acceptable by an automobile purchaser. Transducers should have good noise immunity or be compatible with noise compensation electronics within the sensor for sensitivity at low light levels. Transducers should further have a spectral response similar to the frequency response of the human eye. As a final desirable characteristic, the sensor must be easily integratable into the types of digital control systems commonly found in automotive applications.
Photodiode light sensors incorporate a silicon-based photodiode and conditioning electronics on a single substrate. The photodiode generates charge at a rate proportional to the amount of incident light. This light-induced charge is collected over an integration period. The resulting potential indicates the level of light to which the sensor is exposed over the integration period. Light sensors with integral charge collection have many advantages. By varying the integration time, the sensor dynamic range is greatly extended. Also, the ability to incorporate additional electronics on the same substrate as the photodiode increases noise immunity and permits the sensor output to be formatted for use by a digital circuit. Component integration additionally reduces the system cost. Silicon light sensors are relatively temperature invariant and can be packaged to provide the necessary protection from humidity, shock, and vibration. One disadvantage of silicon-based light transducers is a frequency response different from that of the human eye. A variety of charge integrating photodiode devices have been described including those in U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,307 to Nishibe et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,274 to Yang; U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,215 to Enomoto et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,691 to Enomoto et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,737 to Street, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
One difficulty with all types of light sensors is the occurrence of operating anomalies at high temperatures. Some devices become extremely non-linear at high temperatures. Some devices may suffer a permanent change in operating characteristics. Devices may even provide completely false readings such as indicating bright light in low light conditions due to excessive thermal noise. Traditionally, the only way to deal with this problem has been to incorporate a temperature sensor and associated electronics into systems that use light sensors.
What is needed is a light sensor with a wide dynamic range that may be incorporated into cost sensitive digital systems such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors. The light sensor should compensate for temperature cross-sensitivity and, preferably, provide an indication of light sensor temperature. A charge integrating light sensor having an externally determined integration period is also desirable.

Vehicle rearview assembly having a light sensor with two or more transducers


A pistol arm brace is provided with a slide portion and a stabilizing structure extending from the slide portion. The slide portion is configured to connect with a receiver extension of a pistol. The stabilizing structure includes a spring-loaded clamping portion configured to secure the stabilizing structure to a user's forearm based on urging of one or more springs in the spring-loaded clamping portion.

Pistol arm braces are accessories for pistols that stabilize the shooter's forearm during single-handed shooting to increase accuracy and reduce muzzle rise. FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art pistol arm brace 10 that includes a brace body 12 with a slide portion 14 for attaching the brace body 12 to a pistol (not shown). An arm assembly 16 includes a first flexible arm 18 and a second flexible arm 20 that are made from a flexible, rubber-like material. Although the flexible arms 18, 20 are comfortable against the shooter's forearm, the flexible arms 18, 20 are generally flimsy without providing any rigidity or structure for the arms 18, 20. An adjustable strap 22 is wrapped around the slide portion 14 and the arms 18, 22 to increase rigidity.
In the closed position shown in FIG. 1, the strap 22 is pulled tight so the flexible arms 18, 20 are pulled together. During use, the strap 22 would be loosened so that the shooter's forearm can be inserted through the opening 24 and then the strap 22 would be tightened around the shooter's forearm. By tightening the strap 22 around the shooter's forearm, this clamps down the flexible arms 18, 20 around the forearm of the shooter. Since the flexible arms 18, 20 cannot clamp down on the shooter's forearm by themselves, the strap 22 is an essential component of the pistol arm brace 10 shown in FIG. 1 to clamp the arms 18, 22 around the shooter's forearm for stability. Without the strap 22, the flexible arms 18, 20 are too flimsy to clamp down around the shooter's forearm and the brace would merely fall off during use.
Although pistol arm braces, such as shown in FIG. 1, are generally acceptable for their purpose, the strap increases complexity and adjusting the strap during use takes time. Therefore, there is a need for a strapless pistol arm brace.


A laminated groundplane structure for shielding electrical equipment such as printed circuit boards has a conductive sheet sandwiched between a soft foam layer and a rigid foam layer. A connection pin coupled to the printed circuit board or the like pierces the soft foam layer to engage in the conductive sheet. The groundplane can include, in order, laminated layers of soft closed cell foam, an insulating dielectric layer, a conductive fabric defining the conductive sheet, and a relatively rigid foam for maintaining a shape in the groundplane structure. The connection pin includes a conductive post protruding toward the groundplane, and a movable conductive shaft which is spring biased to protrude axially relative to the conductive post for piercing the conductive sheet through the soft foam layer The movable shaft resembles a twist drill with an enlarged or barbed head, which passes through the conductive sheet to engage in filaments of the conductive sheet. The conductive shaft is helically fluted over at least a part of its length engaging the filaments of the conductive sheet. The arrangement is particularly useful in mounting circuit cards in conductive housings of equipment subject to vibration, for example automobiles, because the groundplane structure resiliently cradles the circuit card while the connection pin bites into the conductive sheet due to engagement of the barbed head, the fluted shaft and the filaments of the sheet.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of structures for at least partly blocking or enclosing equipment against the passage of electromagnetic interference. In particular the invention concerns a shielding ground plane structure comprising a laminate of conductive material and elastomeric foam, wherein the conductive material is electrically coupleable to a circuit board or the like by means of a spring pin that resembles a twist drill, and pierces the foam and the conductive material to make a connection such as a grounding connection to the conductive material at the spring pin.
2. Prior Art
Shielding to damp or block the passage of electromagnetic interference is well known in connection with electrical equipment which either generates an electromagnetic field or is sensitive to induction of currents from incident electromagnetic fields. Radio equipment, computing equipment and the like often include a grounded conductive enclosure at least for the high frequency portions of the circuitry to block propagation of the fields generated therein and thus avoid affecting nearby circuitry. Such an enclosure may or may not wholly enclose the circuits which generate or are sensitive to electromagnetic interference. In connection with a particular circuit board, for example, a simple grounded conductive sheet disposed adjacent the conductors of the circuit board can reduce electromagnetic interference that otherwise would couple high frequency signals among the components on the circuit board. Electromagnetic radiation incident on the grounded sheet induces currents in the sheet that are dissipated as eddy currents A wide variety of uses of conductive sheets for shielding and the like are possible.
In connection with a sheet which is to function as a ground plane, i.e., a conductive plane which is electrically connected to circuit ground, it would be possible to connect the conductive sheet to ground at various points However, it is useful to consider carefully the particular connections to be made to a ground plane because if even a small electrical potential exists between the points of connection to the ground plane, substantial currents can be generated between the points due to the normally low electrical resistance of the conductive sheet Such currents generate electromagnetic fields which propagate to cause emission of electromagnetic interference and/or high frequency coupling of elements on the circuit card. This problem can be minimized by grounding a number of circuit grounds at a common point forming the reference ground.
Some examples of shielding techniques involving conductive enclosures and/or ground planes are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,840,571--Minata et al; 3,731,202--Meyers; and 1,641,395--Moore. A full or partial conductive enclosure is connected to the circuit ground of an electrical apparatus to block propagation of electromagnetic interference. Arrangements involving the insertion of conductor pins into mating receptacles for achieving connection of circuit cards to a housing, backplane or groundplane are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,811,168--Chesnut et al; 4,649,461--Matsuta; 4,510,553--Faultersack; and 3,375,576--Klein et al. Rigid soldered connections between points on multilayer circuit cards are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,933,228--Katagiri et al and 4,933,208--Dorinski.
A conductive sheet or enclosure for blocking electromagnetic propagation may be rigid or flexible. U.S. Pat. No. 1,942,575--Shapiro discloses a material which comprises woven conductive strands forming a conductive fabric. Provided any gaps in the conductive sheet between filaments of the weave are small compared to the wave length of the frequency of interest, such a material will effectively block propagation Flexibility also has advantages in that the material will assume a desired shape. Another form of flexible conductive material is the metal plated plastic fabric disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,668--Buonanno, wherein a nylon knit or weave is electroplated to provide a conductive element in a seal or gasket.
It is sometimes desirable, particularly in printed circuit boards, to build a conductive sheet directly into the structure of the printed circuit board. A metal layer which can be photo-etched is applied to one or both sides of a circuit card, and after etching forms the conductors which couple particular circuit pins. The metal on an area of the opposite side can be left as a groundplane, connected to ground on the conductor (component) side to reduce propagation to or from components on the printed circuit board. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,933,045 DiStefano et al; 4,654,755 Henderson et al; and 2,955,974--Allen et al, laminates of metal and plastic are disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,222,442--Parker et al discloses using plastic (in particular a polystyrene foam) as a means to position components while an insulating base or circuit card is formed to engage the leads of the components.
The structure needed functionally to effect a groundplane or similar shield is relatively simple, including a conductive sheet and a conductor passing from a circuit ground on the shielded apparatus to a point on the conductive sheet. However, the specific manner in which the sheet and the connection are embodied are subject to practical requirements. For example, the designer must avoid allowing the conductors of the circuit (apart from the grounding conductor) to short against the groundplane The groundplane should be protected from contact with any conductive outer housing to avoid altering the characteristics of the groundplane arrangement In an apparatus subject to vibration, some form of flexible or resilient coupling is needed, and preferably the connection structure is dimensionally tolerant.
According to the present invention, a conductive groundplane is embodied in a laminate of plastic foam. The conductive sheet is preferably defined by a conductive fabric such as a weave or knit of metallic or metallic-plated fibers The laminate includes a relatively stiffer foam layer to define a shape, and a relatively soft foam laminate which insulates between the conductive layer and the circuit being shielded. To effect at least one electrical connection between the conductive sheet and the circuit, a spring pin is mounted on the circuit to protrude toward the groundplane. The spring pin pierces the soft foam layer and engages the conductive layer. Preferably the spring pin includes a post which is soldered rigidly to the circuit, and a movable shaft that protrudes axially from the post at the distal end. The movable shaft can have an enlarged end and a shaft that is helically fluted in the manner of a twist drill The flutes of the shaft can engage a guide on the post so as to twist the shaft with axial displacement relative to the post. Accordingly, when the spring pin is forced through the soft foam into the conductive fabric, the pin pierces through the conductive fabric such that the enlarged end passes through and locks behind the fabric. Any subsequent vibration is countered in several ways. The resilient foam layers hold the pin in position while admitting some relative motion The pin locked in the fabric maintains good electrical connection due to the locking and also due to the fact that the flutes tend to engage in the metallic material of the fabric.
The groundplane arrangement according to the invention can form a ready packing element to be disposed between a printed circuit card or the like and an outer housing. The groundplane material thus forms a resilient vibration resistant lining for the outer housing, providing a very good connection to the conductive sheet, and therefore maintaining effective shielding. Insofar as the outer housing includes conductors, the invention insulates the circuit card from shorting against the outer housing. These advantages are made possible even though installation is extremely simple. The laminate material is simply placed and the circuit card (with protruding spring pin) is urged against the laminate until the spring pin punches through the soft foam to engage with the conductor.
Unlike an arrangement wherein a pin piercing a metal foil tends gradually to enlarge the hole in the foil due to relative motion between the pin and the foil in the plane of the foil, eventually losing electrical contact, the enlarged pin end, helical fluting and engagement with a conductive fabric according to the invention are such that vibration tends to improve the electrical connection of the pin and the conductive fabric.


A beverage receptacle for louching alcohol. Particular implementations include a beverage receptacle with a first reservoir and a second reservoir coupled by a communication channel with a minimum diameter sufficient to cause dripping. Beverage receptacle dimensions and features may vary. Communication channel may comprise any of a plurality of shapes and sizes and may even comprise a controllable valve. Mixed beverage may be served directly from the beverage receptacle or in a separate glass.

1. Technical Field
This document generally relates to beverage receptacles and more specifically to a device and associated methods to louche liquids within a beverage receptacle.
2. Background Art
Certain social beverages are best served after combining two liquids at a slow rate. One such beverage that is most common in European countries is absinthe, which is a form of alcoholic beverage associated with the wormwood plant. Traditional preparation of absinthe as a social beverage involves pouring absinthe into a glass and placing a slotted spoon holding a sugar cube over the glass. Ice water is then dripped or slowly poured over the sugar cube and into the absinthe below in order to dilute the beverage according to taste. The process of dripping the ice water into the absinthe is generally believed to release certain flavors from within the alcohol. The process also creates a milky opalescence in the absinthe; the creation of the milky look within a drink is commonly called "louching."
Traditional louching of a social drink, particularly for drinks such as absinthe, can be challenging in social settings because the preparation requires the slotted spoon and a pouring pitcher or fountain for the ice water, and the process can be difficult to complete properly for those without experience in dripping the ice water over the sugar cube at a slow enough rate for proper louching. There is a need, therefore, for a beverage receptacle that can be used to prepare and serve a louching social beverage, such as absinthe, without the need to manually control the dripping flow rate of ice water over a slotted spoon.


A thermoplastic vulcanizate comprising a dynamically-cured rubber, a thermoplastic polymer, and at least 2 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic vulcanizate, of a polyalphaolefin oligomer, where the polyalphaolefin oligomer is characterized by a kinematic viscosity per ASTM D445 at 100° C. of at least 35 cSt.

Thermoplastic elastomers are known. They have many of the properties of thermoset elastomers, yet they are processable as thermoplastics. One type of thermoplastic elastomer is a thermoplastic vulcanizate, which may be characterized by finely-divided rubber particles dispersed within a plastic matrix. These rubber particles are crosslinked to promote elasticity.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,292 teaches thermoplastic vulcanizates that include a semi-crystalline polyolefin, a rubber that is at least partially vulcanized, and an oil. The oil is characterized by low aromatic content (less than 4 weight percent), and has a viscosity of at least 85 cSt (and preferably 90-25 cSt) as measured at 40° C. The oil to rubber (e.g., EPDM) ratio is from 0.7 to 2.0, and preferably between 1.3 and 1.6.
Because thermoplastic vulcanizates have many advantageous characteristics including processability, ease of fabrication, and useful mechanic and dynamic properties, thermoplastic vulcanizates are widely used. In particular applications, thermoplastic vulcanizates are used in applications where they are in contact with water, particularly potable water. As a result, these articles often must meet governmental standards for microorganism growth (i.e., give rise to less than threshold amounts of microorganism growth). Inasmuch as thermoplastic vulcanizates are hydrocarbon-based, the ability to meet these governmental standards is not trivial.

Thermoplastic vulcanizates for potable water applications


A system comprises a slip module and a gas temperature module. The slip module adjusts slipping of a clutch of a torque converter based on a first slip value before a cylinder of an engine is deactivated. The gas temperature module determines a temperature of a gas within the cylinder after the cylinder is deactivated. The slip module determines a second slip value based on the temperature of the gas and adjusts the slipping of the clutch based on the second slip value, wherein the second slip value is less than the first slip value.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of an engine system 100 is presented. The engine system 100 includes an engine 102 that produces drive torque. Air is drawn into the engine 102 through an intake manifold 104. A throttle valve 106 varies the volume of air drawn into the intake manifold 104. The throttle valve 106 is actuated by an electronic throttle controller (ETC) 108, thereby controlling opening of the throttle valve 106. The air mixes with fuel provided by a fuel injector 110 to form an air and fuel mixture.
The air/fuel mixture is combusted within one or more cylinders of the engine 102, such as cylinder 112. In various engine systems, such as the engine system 100, combustion of the air/fuel mixture is initiated by spark provided by a spark plug 114. Exhaust gas resulting from combustion is expelled from the cylinders to an exhaust system 116. The engine 102 transfers torque to a transmission 118 via a torque converter 120. The transmission 118 may then transfer torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle.
An intake valve and an exhaust valve are associated with each cylinder of the engine 102. For example, intake valve 122 and exhaust valve 124 are associated with the cylinder 112. Generally, opening of the intake and exhaust valves 122 and 124 is regulated based on rotation of a camshaft (not shown). However, the opening of the intake valve 122 and the exhaust valve 124 may be adjusted by an intake cam phaser 126 and an exhaust cam phaser 128, respectively.
An engine control module (ECM) 150 regulates torque output by the engine 102. The ECM 150 may regulate torque output of the engine 102 to, for example, meet torque demanded by a driver of the vehicle. The driver's torque demands are transmitted to the ECM 150 by a driver input module 132. In some circumstances, combustion within all of the cylinders of the engine 102 may not be necessary to meet the torque demands. Accordingly, the ECM 150 may instruct a cylinder deactivation module 130 to deactivate one or more of the cylinders of the engine 102. The ECM 150 may be said to be operating in an active fuel management (AFM) mode during the time that the cylinders are deactivated.

Active fuel management mode torque converter clutch control


A height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of a shower head by the use of the water pressure within the shower system is comprised of an inflatable bladder disposed within a channel. A first hollow tubular member extends from an opening on the bladder and has a typical shower head attached thereto while a second hollow tubular member extends from another opening on the bladder and connects to a typical water source. As water is presented into the system, the bladder inflates and engages the walls of the channel thereby holding the shower head in place. Cooperating protrusions and indentations can be used to assist in the friction engagement of the bladder with the channel walls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a height adjustment mechanism for height adjusting a shower head within a shower stall.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Many devices have been proposed for adjusting the height of a shower head within a shower stall. Generally, these devices all rely on some form of mechanical securement mechanism to provide the required force to hold the shower head in place once the desired shower head height has been achieved. None of the prior art techniques rely on the forces of the water within the shower itself to provide the requisite forces to hold a shower head in place.


Provided herein are agents that bind to soluble beta-amyloid. Also provided are in vivo and in vitro methods for detecting soluble beta-amyloid in a sample that may include brain tissue.

The main histopathological characteristic of Alzheimer's disease ("AD") is the presence of neuritic plaques and tangles combined with associated inflammation in the brain. It is known that plaques are composed mainly of deposited (or insoluble in aqueous solution) fibrillar forms of the beta-amyloid ("A-beta") peptide. The formation of fully fibrillar aggregated A-beta peptide is a complex process that is initiated by the cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein ("APP"). After cleavage of APP, the monomeric form of A-beta may associate with other monomers, presumably through hydrophobic interactions or domain swapping, to form dimers, trimers and higher-order oligomers. Oligomers of A-beta may further associate to form protofibrils and eventual fibrils, which is the main constituent of neuritic plaques. Soluble oligomers (soluble in aqueous buffer) of A-beta may contribute significantly to neuronal dysfunction. In fact, animal models suggest that simply lowering the amount of soluble A-beta peptide, without affecting the levels of A-beta in plaques, may be sufficient to improve cognitive function.
Presently, the only definitive method of AD diagnosis is postmortem examination of brain for the presence of plaques and tangles. The antemortem diagnosis of AD is difficult, especially during the early stages, as AD symptoms are shared among a spectrum of other dementias. Currently, AD diagnosis is achieved using simple cognitive tests designed to test a patient's mental capacity such as, for example, the ADAS-cog (Alzheimer's disease assessment scale—cognitive subscale) or MMSE (Mini-mental state examination). The subjective nature and inherent patient variability is a major shortcoming of diagnosing AD by such cognitive means. The fact that AD cannot be accurately diagnosed early creates a formidable challenge for pharmaceutical companies that aim to test anti-A-beta drugs as therapy to slow or halt AD pathogenesis. Furthermore, even if AD could be detected early and patients could be treated with A-beta lowering compounds, there is currently no way to know if the therapy is clinically efficacious. Therefore, a significant need exists to develop methods of measuring the soluble A-beta peptide levels locally in the brain.
Diagnosing AD by directly measuring levels of beta-amyloid non-invasively has been attempted by the targeted imaging of senile plaques. This approach fails as a specific measure of soluble A-beta peptide because current A-beta targeted imaging agents are directed at insoluble aggregates that are characteristic of A-beta fibrillar deposits in the brain. Small molecules that specifically bind to insoluble A-beta deposits include, for example, Congo red, Chrysamine G, methoxy-X04, TZDM, [11C]6, IMSB, Thioflavin(e) S and T, TZDM, 1-BTA, benzathiozole derivatives, [125I]3, BSB, IMSB, styrylbenzene-derivatives, IBOX, benzoxazole derivatives, IMPY, pyridine derivatives, DDNP, FDDNP, FENE, dialkylaminonaphthyl derivatives, and certain benzofuran derivatives (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,133,259; 6,168,776; and 6,114,175).
Certain nucleic acid sequences have been shown to bind to insoluble senile plaques of A-beta, including mRNA for furin and amyloid precursor protein ("APP").
Peptides also have been developed as imaging agents for insoluble deposits of A-beta and senile plaques. The sequence specific peptides that have been labeled for the purpose of imaging insoluble A-beta includes the labeled A-beta peptide itself, putrescine-gadolinium-A-beta peptide, radiolabeled A-beta, [111In]A-beta, [125I]A-beta, A-beta labeled with gamma emitting radioisotopes, A-beta-DTPA derivatives, radiolabeled putrescine, and KVLFF-based ligands.
Inhibitors of aggregated A-beta have been suggested to disrupt the formation of these aggregates by interacting with soluble or insoluble fibrils of A-beta. Examples of inhibitors or anti-aggregation agents include peptides of A-beta, KVLFF-based ligands, small molecular weight compounds, carbon nanostructures, rifamycin, IDOX, acridone, benzofuran, and apomorphine. Agents have also been identified that promote A-beta aggregation (e.g., agents such as A-beta42, proteins, metals, small molecular weight compounds, and lipids).
Targeted imaging of plaques may not provide early diagnosis, as large plaque burden is mostly associated with mid-to-late stage disease. Moreover, it has not been shown that current anti-A-beta therapies will affect fibrillar deposits appreciably to detect by imaging techniques at clinically relevant time points.
In vitro measures of A-beta may be specific for soluble A-beta in the cerebral spinal fluid, but lacks the necessary selectivity for local A-beta in the brain that is necessary for direct, accurate assessment of brain levels of soluble A-beta species. To date, the targeted non-invasive measurement and imaging of soluble A-beta peptide species that exist in the central nervous system have not been addressed.


A desk includes a seat mounting member configured to attached to a vertical surface such as the back portion of a seat in an auditorium, a horizontal support member defining an at least partly planar upper surface for use as a desktop, and a horizontal support mounting unit that has a first position connecting the horizontal support member to the seat mounting member in which the upper surface of the horizontal support member is substantially in an in-use position, and a second position connecting the horizontal support member to the seat mounting member in which the upper surface of the horizontal support member is substantially in a stowed position. The horizontal support can be moved between its first, use and second, stowed positions by manipulating the horizontal support mounting unit.

There are several situations where it is desirable to have a support surface temporarily formed in front of a seat or chair to allow for placement of objects thereon, that also is collapsible or may be otherwise moved out of its in-use position to a stowed position, e.g., to allow for passage of people in front of the seat or chair.
For example, it is known in the art that armchairs are equipped with lecterns or small boards incorporated at the side or on the armrest so that the lectern or board may be swiveled to an in-use position or folded in a stowed position. In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 7,635,160 describes an armchair and table for conference halls that includes a backrest that can be lowered over a seat in combination with movement of a table board that can swivel between a stowed position and an in-use position. The board is on a column, with a variable height, that is fastened to the armchair by a ball joint anchor. The column allows the board to be positioned at a height useful for a desk.
As another example, various food and beverage holders have been developed to attach to the back of a chair of the type often found in a sports stadium, and provide surface area to support one or more items such as food or beverage. In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,005 describes a tray for supporting items such as food or beverage in a substantially horizontal position relative to a stadium seat. A retaining flange is coupled to the tray and integrated with an existing stadium seat such that the tray may retain items in a fixed relationship with a stadium seat situated rearward of the stadium seat to which the tray is attached.
As another example, various tables for a motor vehicle seat are known, typically including a plate-shaped table attached to the back of a motor vehicle seat by attaching means or supporting means. U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,292 describes a table supporting device having a loop at an upper end. The loop is the supporting device which is removably hung on the headrest of the motor vehicle seat so that the supporting device is positioned substantially vertically. A plate-shaped table has a table holding mechanism that holds the table vertically rotatable by means of a horizontal shaft. The table holding mechanism has a vertical hole having a larger diameter than the table supporting device. The table supporting device passes through the vertical hole of the table holding mechanism. A vertical bolt threadedly engages with the table holding mechanism to maintain the table at a desired angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,909 discloses a table assembly swingably supported from the rear of a supporting member. A hook enables hanging of objects from the table and is situated so as to hang below a hole in the table when the table is in an in-use position, and to be automatically stored within said hole when the table is in a stowed position.
Yet another example of a table assembly for a vehicle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,060. This table assembly includes a table pivotably connected to a frame, two bars retractably fastened to the frame, and lock screws threaded into screw holes on the frame for locking the retractable bars at a desired elevation. Each retractable bar has a top end that terminates in a swivel hook for mounting on the head rest of a car seat. The table has recessed top compartments covered by a sliding cover for storage, and collapsible stands at the bottom for supporting the foldaway table on the ground if it is removed from the car seat.
Still another example of a table assembly for a vehicle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,209. The table assembly is attached to a vehicle passenger seat including a seat bottom, seat back and seat frame. The table assembly includes a tray table, a pair of legs on which the tray table is mounted. The legs include first and second extensions projecting outwardly from the end of the pair of legs remote from the tray table and define respective stud-receiving recesses between the first and second extensions. A seat back pivot mounts the seat back on the seat frame for movement between a seating position with the seat back substantially upright and substantially perpendicular to the seat bottom and a break back position with the seat back forward and substantially parallel to the seat bottom. A tray table pivot is carried on the seat frame and includes first and second pivot studs positioned on respective sides of the seat frame for being received in the stud receiving recesses of the tray table legs.
Another example of a table assembly for a vehicle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,178. The assembly permits the table to be quickly removed and replaced by persons without the use of tools. Small studs on each side of the seat pivotally support apertures in the lower ends of the tray table legs. The legs may be deflected toward each other to release their mounting engagement with the studs.


Methods of treating via obstructions during design rule checking. The method comprises examining the size of the via obstruction with respect to a minimum size and a minimum spacing constraint of a design rule. Based upon the comparison, a neighboring via count for a number of via shapes neighboring the via obstruction may be initialized to equal a positive integer. Based upon the comparison, the via obstruction may be represented with a plurality of smaller via shapes during design rule checking.

Automated design systems are commonly used to layout and design integrated circuits and, in particular, to design back end of line (BEOL) interconnect structures. A design rule checker is employed by the design system to verify that the layout of the BEOL complies with mandated design rules. Design rule spacing constraints are imposed in BEOL interconnect structures on spacings for troughs in the dielectric material of different metallization levels (i.e., Mx-levels), which are filled by metal lines, and on spacings for vias in the dielectric material of different via layers (i.e., Vx-layers), which are filled by metal plugs that supply vertical interconnections between adjacent Mx-levels. The actual shapes for the troughs and vias are represented to the design rule checker as design shapes, such as rectangles and squares.
Design rules may be supplied to the design rule checker that limit the number and spacing of nearest neighbor via cuts or shapes in the Vx-layers. For example, a design rule may constrain the number of nearest neighbor via shapes that are permitted within a given center-to-center distance of any other arbitrary via shape. When actual via shapes are known, design rules on the number and spacing of nearest neighbor via shapes are relatively simple to implement when the integrated circuit is designed. However, the design rule checker may encounter difficulties if multiple discrete via shapes have been abstracted into a shape element known as a via obstruction (e.g., cores, technology library, via level abstraction, hierarchical objects). Specifically, the locations of the actual via shapes contained within the via obstruction are unknown to the design rule checker. In addition, the center of the via obstruction may not be the true center of a via shape within the via obstruction. Consequently, the design rule checker may not be able to accurately verify whether or not the relation between the via obstruction and other via shapes complies with the design rules.
Consequently, methods are needed that permit the design rule checker to comply with design rules on the spacing among nearest neighbor via shapes in Vx-layers when analyzing via shapes having the abstracted form of via obstructions.

Methods for design rule checking with abstracted via obstructions

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for installing a drawer and a construction kit for the displaceable mounting of a drawer element having a first and a second pullout guide, which are installable on opposing side walls, and a preinstalled device for synchronizing the movement of the movable rails of the two pullout guides using a cable pull. The side walls are preferably the side walls of furniture bodies or household appliances.

The present invention relates to a method for installing a drawer and a construction kit for the displaceable mounting of a drawer element having a first and a second pullout guide, which are installable on opposing side walls, and a preinstalled device for synchronizing the movement of the movable rails of the two pullout guides using a cable pull. The side walls are preferably the side walls of furniture bodies or household appliances.
DE 10 2013 113 672 A1 discloses a pullout guide system, in which two pullout guides are installable on opposing side walls of a piece of furniture, wherein the movable rails of the pullout guides are coupled to one another via a device for synchronization. The device for synchronization in this case comprises deflection rollers on a middle rail of the pullout guide and holders to fix a cable pull on the stationary guide rails in the movable slide rail. This device for synchronization has proven itself per se, however, the installation is relatively complex, since a holder having deflection rollers has to be installed in the rear region of the middle rail by means of screws. Moreover, a locking element, which is inserted into grooves on a tensioning sleeve of a housing, has to be installed on a tensioning device to tension the cable pull. The problem exists here that inserting the locking element is only possible when the grooves are aligned, which is difficult in particular in poor light conditions. Moreover, the locking element can be removed from the tensioning device and can be lost. The installation of the cable pull having the individual cable pull sections is also comparatively complex, since every cable pull section has to be installed separately.

Method for installing a drawer element and construction kit for the displaceable mounting of a drawer element, a piece of furniture, and a domestic appliance


A method for operating an internal combustion engine Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system that includes producing an EGR valve position signal to decrease the amount of exhaust gas passed to the EGR cooler when a processor determines the EGR cooler efficiency is less than the predetermined level and producing an EGR coolant valve position signal to decrease the amount of coolant passed to the EGR cooler when such processor determines the EGR cooler efficiency is less than the predetermined level. The processor produced EGR valve and the EGR coolant valve position signals result in regeneration within the cooler, returning the effectiveness of the cooler to a near “clean” condition.

As is known in the art, the effectiveness of the EGR coolers degrade as a function of engine run time, level of cooling, and EGR rate. More particularly, EGR coolers lose effectives as soot builds up on the surface of the coolers. The soot layer acts as an insulator preventing heat transfer from the gas to the coolant. Under the engine operating conditions expected for 2010 diesel applications, the level and rate of EGR cooler fouling may require a service procedure or an intrusive "cooler regeneration" mode. Servicing the cooler at the dealership would be very expensive and inconvenient for the customer.


Methods for producing cast-coated papers showing a reduced level of curling and reduced curling or wavy deformation caused by moisture absorption or other reasons as well as showing a high surface quality in the cast-coated surface. The steps for producing cast-coated papers include applying a coating color based on a pigment and an adhesive on one side of a base paper, and pressing/drying the coated layer in the wet state against a casting drum mirror surface, where moisture is added to the coated paper by passing it through conditioned air at a high temperature and a high humidity (for 20 seconds or more) after pressing/drying the coated layer against a casting drum.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for producing cast-coated papers, particularly to processes for producing cast-coated papers for ink jet recording, which can effectively prevent curling in a wide range of environments as well as curling during printing/recording.
2. Description of Related Art
Cast-coated papers are characterized by higher sheet gloss and better surface quality as compared with ordinary coated papers because the surface feature of the mirror surface of a casting drum is transferred onto the paper. Conventionally, cast-coated papers have been widely used for various purposes including commercial printing such as the covers of magazines and posters; bags such as high-quality shopping bags and fancy packing boxes; release papers for adhesive labels; ink jet recording for ink jet printing and the like. It has become especially possible recently to achieve very high quality full-color printing close to silver salt photographic printing using cast-coated papers for ink jet recording by improving the suitability of cast-coated papers for use in ink jet recording such as ink absorbency and image reproducibility.
Generally, processes for producing cast-coated papers are roughly classified into the following categories: the direct process involving applying a coating color onto the surface of a base paper and then immediately pressing the coated layer in the wet state against a casting drum with forming rolls; the gel cast coating process involving applying a coating color, then passing the coated layer through a gelling bath to convert it into a malleable gel state with plasticity and then pressing it against a casting drum; the re-wet cast coating process involving the application of a coating color to the paper and once drying, to give the paper a dry coated surface and then rewetting/plasticizing the coated surface with water or an appropriate rewetting solution and pressing it against a casting drum, etc.
All of the above-described processes provide a glazed finish by applying a coating color containing a pigment and an adhesive onto a base paper and pressing the coated layer side of the paper plasticized with water, against the surface of a heated casting drum having a mirror surface with forming rolls (press rolls), and drying and releasing the paper. In general, cast-coated papers show a great difference in the coating amounts used on the two sides of the paper and, therefore tend to be more liable to curling than ordinary coated papers when exposed to atmospheric changes and fluctuations in humidity. This is so especially with cast-coated papers provided with ink jet-printability as a coated layer which have a strong tendency to undergo curling when exposed to changes in humidity; presumably because of their good affinity to water.
When storing paper that has been cut into sheets for use in offset printing, it is necessary to keep the paper flat and pressed because offset printing paper which has been cut into sheets and stacked can absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere if the moisture content of the paper is low, and therefore, has a greater tendency to curl and warp when printing is performed on the cast-coated surface or the opposite surface.
Ink jet recording is a recording process of depositing small ink particles that are projected by various mechanisms onto a recording paper to form dots having the advantage of being readily adaptable to full-color printing and performing high-speed printing. However, the ink jet recording process has the disadvantage that a significant level of curling occurs after printing, depending on the kind of paper used, because of swelling (with the aqueous inks used in printing) and shrinking (by drying) of the fibers of the base paper. In an attempt to reduce this curling, the non-cast-coated surface of the printing paper was acted upon by water vapor to give 1.0 g of moisture per m2 of paper (see JPA HEI 9-11607, pp. 3-9), but the product significantly curled in the direction of the non cast-coated surface. Moreover, the treatment with water vapor was found to be insufficient with regard to reducing waving and curling of the printing paper when exposed to environmental change.

Processes and apparatus for producing cast coated papers


A hydraulic strut having a damping rate that is variable includes a bypass valve which is operated to open and close by a gas spring supported within the piston of the strut. A main orifice plate divides an oil-filled cavity within the strut into first and second oil chambers, the orifice plate defining a primary orifice for passage of oil between the chambers. The gas spring includes an inner cylinder member affixed to the end wall of the piston, and a diaphragm slidably mounted within the cylinder member, the cylinder member and diaphragm defining a pressurized gas-filled cavity. The diaphragm supports a valve pin which is slidable within a passage in a tubular valve body, the valve body being fixed with respect to the piston, and the passage extending between the first and second oil chambers. Secondary orifices in the valve body communicate with oil in the first oil chamber. The valve pin includes openings which are alignable with the secondary orifices, the openings extending into an axial hole in the valve pin, the axial hole being in communication with the passage in the valve body. Compression of the strut causes compression of the gas spring, which causes movement of the diaphragm so as to move the valve pin within the valve body and thereby bring the openings in the valve pin into alignment with the secondary orifices in the valve body. Oil is thereby allowed to bypass the primary orifice and flow through the bypass valve between the oil chambers.

Shock-absorbing struts are commonly used in vehicle suspension systems for absorbing and damping transient loads imposed on the suspension system. Two types of struts are commonly used. So-called "oleo" struts have an internal oil-filled cavity and an orifice through which oil flows upon compression of the strut, such that motion of the piston is damped by the flow of viscous oil through the orifice. The other type of strut in common use is the "oleo-pneumatic" strut which acts as both a damper and a spring by means of an oil-filled cavity and a compressible gas-filled chamber. In both types of devices, the degree of damping is chosen so as to effectively manage the types of transient loads expected to be imposed on the device during use.
Shock struts for use in aircraft must be able to absorb and damp loads imposed during a number of diverse use regimes, including landing, taxi, and takeoff. Unfortunately, a damping rate which may be suitable for absorbing the types of loads experienced during landing may not be suitable for damping the types of loads experienced during taxi. Thus, the design of the strut is necessarily compromised between the disparate requirements of the landing and taxi modes. Consequently, the rebound damping characteristics of the strut may be less than ideal during landing.
Aircraft rebound occurs when the aircraft, after the landing gear shock struts have been compressed by the forces of initial touchdown on the runway, is propelled back upward by the spring action of the landing gear shock struts. If shock strut rebound occurs too rapidly and forcefully, the aircraft may be propelled upward with enough energy to cause it to leave the runway. This is undesirable because during the rebound period, braking efficiency is reduced, resulting in a greater runway length required to bring the aircraft to a stop. Furthermore, should the wing lift spoilers extend on initial touchdown, and the aircraft then rebound with the spoilers still extended, subsequent ground loads may be unnecessarily severe as the aircraft touches down a second time.
Accordingly, aircraft shock struts are sometimes designed to prevent substantial rebound by building a high degree of damping into the strut. Such "stiff" shock struts, however, tend to transmit much of the transient loads imposed on the landing gear by surface discontinuities such as bumps on the ground during taxiing of the aircraft, resulting in passenger discomfort and possible structural damage to the strut if the piston bottoms in the cylinder.
As a partial solution to some of the problems described above, dual-rate shock struts have been developed which have two different damping rates depending on how hard the strut is compressed. For example, shock struts having overpressure relief valves are known, an example being described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,207 issued to Hartel. The aircraft strut described in the Hartel patent includes an oil bypass valve between the high-pressure oil chamber and the low-pressure oil chamber of the strut. The bypass valve is held closed by compression springs in a relaxed state of the strut and during initial compression of the strut, such as at initial landing touchdown, and accordingly the damping rate of the strut is high. Furthermore, the strut is configured to maintain the bypass valve closed until the aircraft has stopped its vertical sink velocity and the strut piston movement has ceased, thereby equalizing the oil pressures in the two chambers. However, the bypass valve is designed to open when a predetermined increased pressure exists in both the high-pressure and low-pressure oil chambers, such as during the last portion of piston stroke during landing as well as during taxiing of the aircraft. Accordingly, the damping rate of the strut is reduced during taxi relative to the damping rate during landing. The Hartel strut, however, does not solve the strut rebound problem because the bypass valve is open as the piston begins to be extended following the initial compression stroke, and remains open until the pressure in the oil chambers falls below the predetermined value such that the compression springs can overcome the fluid pressure forces acting on the bypass valve plunger and close the valve. Thus, the strut would have an undesirable rebound tendency.

Hydraulic strut with over-pressure control


A clamping apparatus for clamping at least one strap (3), wherein the clamping apparatus has a basic body (1) on which are arranged at least two basic body clamping bodies (5, 17) which are realized as webs for winding the strap (3) around, characterized in that at least one third basic body clamping body (4), which is realized as a lever which is pivotable in relation to the basic body (1), is arranged on the basic body (1), wherein the third basic body clamping body (4) is pivotable into a clamping position for locking the strap (3) between the basic body clamping bodies (5, 17) which are realized as webs and the third basic body clamping body (4).

The present invention relates to a clamping apparatus for clamping at least one strap, wherein the clamping apparatus has a basic body on which are arranged at least two basic body clamping bodies which are realized as webs for winding the strap around.
Generic clamping apparatuses are used, for example, for the purpose of securing a load by means of a tensioned strap or for connecting straps together in another manner. A generic clamping apparatus is known, for example, from DE 25 52 993. The forces required for clamping the strap in the tensioned state are produced essentially from the friction between the basic body clamping bodies which are realized as webs and the belt which is wound around them.
In order to be able to increase the friction and consequently the holding forces on the strap, it is known to provide the basic body clamping bodies with a roughened, for example serrated or undulating surface. The projections of said surfaces are provided for the purpose of being pressed into the strap in order to increase the friction forces in this manner. A disadvantage of said development forms though is that the wear on the strap is increased in this manner.

Clamping apparatus for clamping at least one strap


Systems and methods for operating an engine with a fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, during a diurnal condition, providing a first amount of venting to a fuel vapor canister, and during a purge condition, providing a second amount of venting to the fuel vapor canister, where the second amount is greater than the first amount.

Vehicles may be fitted with evaporative emission control systems to reduce the release of fuel vapors to the atmosphere. For example, vaporized hydrocarbons (HCs) from a fuel tank may be stored in a fuel vapor canister packed with an adsorbent which adsorbs and stores the vapors. At a later time, when the engine is in operation, the evaporative emission control system allows the vapors to be purged into the engine intake manifold for use as fuel. Further, such evaporative emission control systems may be monitored during certain conditions to detect degradation of system components, such as leaks, for example.
The inventors herein have recognized that an increasing number of vehicle application are having issues with canister purge due to lower available engine vacuums, such as in stop/start and hybrid applications. Approaches are known which use a two way (open/closed) canister vent valve and an open venting system where the vent valve is in a normally open position during diurnal conditions, such as during refueling and other engine off conditions. The inventors herein have recognized that approaches which use a normally open canister vent valve, where the vent valve is positioned in a fully open position, during diurnal conditions may result in reduced vapor storage capacity and an increased an amount of vacuum needed to effectively purge the canister. Further, in some examples, such approaches may rely on fuel tank isolation valve to effectively monitor and purge the system which may increase costs.
In order to address these issues, in one example approach a method for an engine with a fuel vapor recovery system is provided. The method comprises, during a diurnal condition, providing a first amount of venting to a fuel vapor canister, and during a purge condition, providing a second amount of venting to the fuel vapor canister, where the second amount is greater than the first amount.
In this way, vapor generation in a fuel vapor recovery system may be reduced and vapor storage capacity of the canister may be more effectively utilized by restricting the canister fresh air vent during diurnal events. For example, by restricting the fresh air path at the canister vent during diurnal events and allowing the evaporative system to build positive pressure, vapor generation may be reduced and an increased amount of pressure may be available during purging and monitoring conditions without relying on costly valve systems. Also, by restricting the canister vent, vapor may be forced to travel over the canister bed at a slower rate allowing more residence time within the canister which allows the canister bed material to bond more vapor in the bed before reaching the atmosphere.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Partially sealed fuel vapor purge system