A method for compensating for inoperative ejectors in a three-dimensional object printer has been developed. A printer generates half-tone data for a material for each layer of a three-dimensional object. The printer detects half-tone data that corresponds to an inoperative ejector of a printhead. The printer modifies the half-tone data by moving the half-tone values corresponding to the inoperative ejector to adjacent positions within the generated half-tone data in which a zero half-tone value is stored. The printer operates the printhead with reference to the modified half-tone data to print the three-dimensional object.

Digital three-dimensional manufacturing, also known as digital additive manufacturing, is a process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. Three-dimensional printing is an additive process in which one or more printheads eject successive layers of material on a substrate in different shapes. Three-dimensional printing is distinguishable from traditional object-forming techniques, which mostly rely on the removal of material from a work piece by a subtractive process, such as cutting or drilling.
The production of a three-dimensional object with these printers can require hours or, with some objects, even days. One issue that arises in the production of three-dimensional objects with a three-dimensional printer is consistent functionality of the ejectors in the printheads that eject the drops of material that form the objects. During printing of an object, one or more ejectors can deteriorate by ejecting the material at an angle, rather than normal, to the ejector, ejecting drops that are smaller than an ejector should eject, or by failing to eject any drop at all. An ejector suffering from any of these operational deficiencies is known as an inoperative or malfunctioning ejector. If the operational status of one or more ejectors deteriorates during object printing, the quality of the printed object cannot be assessed until the printing operation is completed. Consequently, print jobs requiring many hours or multiple days can produce objects that do not conform to specifications due to inoperative ejectors in the printheads. Once such objects are detected, the printed objects are scrapped, restorative procedures are applied to the printheads to restore ejector functionality, and the print job is repeated.
Systems that enable detection of inoperative ejectors while printing have been developed. A system that applies restorative procedures to compensate for inoperative ejectors during object printing would enable the continued production of a properly formed object. In this manner, product yield for the printer would be improved and its printing would be more efficient.

System and method for missing ejector correction for half-toned images in three-dimensional object printing by adding drops in other layers


A sustained release composite is made from a three-dimensional piece of calcium silicate having a xontolite structure and in which are fibers of textile glass and borosilicate glass, and an active agent. The active agent can be a fire starting material, a fragrance, or a masking fragrance.

Active agent delivery devices are used to release active agent over a prolonged period of time, or, when the active agent is a fire starting fluid, over a period of time sufficient to ignite combustible material. Many different types of absorbents have been disclosed for slow release of active ingredients such as fragrances or insect repellents.
Levy, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,384, discloses silicates that can be used in blocks to trap insecticides for slow release of the insecticides into a body of water. While many different types of porous carriers can be used for this purpose, the preferred materials are silicates which have a surface area of from about 50 to 450 m2/g, an average agglomerate size of from about 3.5 to about 100 microns or an average particle size of from about 12 to 39 nanometers, a tapped density of from about 50 to about 240 g/l, a pH of from about 3.6 to about 9, and a DHP adsorption of about 160 to 335 g/100 g.
Murray et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,156, disclose fragrance releasing beads comprising a water-soluble particulate carrier coated with a finely divided inorganic matrix containing the fragrance. This matrix may be calcium silicate.
Breitenbucher et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,984, disclose porous glass bodies for storing volatile substances so as to permit a regulated evolution of the substances.
Mosbaugh, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,733, teaches an agglomeration of fused microspheres that can be used to absorb oil or alcohol-based liquids. This can be used as a long term fragrance delivery for slow release of fragrance.
Lang et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,549, disclose using calcium silicate granules in animal litter and bedding. The calcium silicate is said to have a microporous structure, which as a result of capillary action, is able to absorb oleophilic and hydrophilic liquids as well as gases.
Che et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,164, disclose sustained release composition consisting of an inorganic oxide glass monolith and a microporous volume that contains a volatile organic component and a nonvolatile organic component. The volatile organic component can be a fragrance, an insect repellant, or a fish attractant.
Chakrabarti et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,886, discloses active agent delivery devices comprising a microporous material of a matrix of an ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin, a large amount of filler, at least 50% of which is siliceous, and a releasable active agent.


The instant disclosure relates to cochleates comprising a) a biologically relevant molecule component b) a negatively charged lipid component, and c) a divalent cation component. The cochleate has an extended shelf life, even in a desiccated state. Advantageously, the cochleate can be ingested. The biologically relevant molecule can be a topical application and an in vitro treatment, a polypeptide a drug, a nutrient, or a flavor.

Plain lipid cochleates (FIG. 1) have been described previously. Protein-cochleates or peptide-cochleates have been described heretofore and patented by the instant inventors, as intermediate structures which can be converted to protein-lipid vesicles (proteoliposomes) (FIG. 2) by the addition of calcium chelating agents (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,161 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,488, the disclosures of which expressly are incorporated herein by reference). Freeze-fracture electron micrographs of protein-(cochleates containing Sendai glycoproteins made by the DC method show the rolled up lipid bilayer structures with a "bumpy" surface. Plain phospholipid cochleates are smooth in that type of preparation.
The proteoliposomes resulting from polypeptide-cochleates have been shown to be effective immunogens when administered to animals by intraperitoneal and intramuscular routes of immunization (G. Goodman-Snitkoff, et al., J. Immunol., Vol. 147, p.410 (1991); M. D. Miller, et al., J. Exp. Med., Vol. 176, p. 1739 (1992)). Further, when the glycoproteins of Sendai or influenza virus are reconstituted by that method, the proteoliposomes are effective delivery vehicles for encapsulated proteins and DNA to animals and to cells in culture (R. J. Mannino and S. Gould-Fogerite, Biotechniques, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 682-690 (1988); S. Gould-Fogerite et al., Gene, Vol. 84, p. 429 (1989); M. D. Miller, et al., J. Exp. Med., Vol. 176, p. 1739 (1992))
It would be advantageous to provide a means for stabilizing or preserving biologic molecules in a form that is stable at room temperature, capable of desiccation and is suitable for oral administration. For example, it would be beneficial to have a formulation for stabilizing polynucleotides and which could be used for delivering polynucleotides to a cell. A formulation comprised of drugs, nutrients and flavors would also be beneficial for the stabilization and delivery of the molecules to a cell.

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey


A fluid bypass tool that can be incorporated into a fishing arrangement between a fluid-operated latching tool and a fluid-operated jarring tool. The latching tool is actuated with fluid from the surface to be latched to and unlatched from a stuck tool in the wellbore. The bypass tool permits fluid flow to the latching tool to be interrupted so that the jarring tool may be operated without risk of inadvertently causing the latching tool to unlatch from the stuck tool.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to fluid bypass devices used with fishing arrangements within a wellbore and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fishing arrangements are used to try to remove stuck tools or devices from the interior of a wellbore. The stuck tool typically has an upper end fishing neck that can be engaged by a latching tool on a running string. Two common latching tools are known as a spear and an overshot tool. Often, the latching tool is actuated using hydraulic pressure to be latched and unlatched from the fishing neck. In such a case, unobstructed fluid flow from the surface is needed to operate the latching tool, since the latching tool is unlatched from the fishing neck by pumping of a predetermined rate of fluid through the latching tool.
The inventors have recognized that fluid flow through the running string to operate other tools within the running string can inadvertently cause the latching tool to be released from the fishing neck of the stuck tool, which is undesirable.

Tension-activated fluid bypass device and associated method


A tool for archery broadheads or other fasteners is provided including an engagement end having an aperture, socket or drive feature to accommodate the broadhead or engage a fastener. The tool is constructed at least partially from an elastomeric material. Upon application of a moment to the tool by a user, part of the tool deforms or twists so that indicia elements move relative to one another and output torque or moment information to a user based on the spatial orientation of the indicia elements relative to one another.

The present invention relates to archery products and fasteners, and more particularly to a tool for installing and tightening a broadhead relative to a projectile, such as an arrow, or for installing a fastener relative to a work piece.
There are a variety of broadheads on the market today. Some broadheads are fixed, replaceable blade broadheads having two, three, or four blades. The blades are replaceable relative to a ferrule of the broadhead. A popular fixed, replaceable three-blade construction is the Stryker™ available from G5 Outdoors LLC. Other broadheads are of a monolithic single-piece structure with a number of permanent blades. A well-established, standard monolithic broadhead in the industry is the Montec™ which is also available from G5 Outdoors LLC. Yet other broadheads are referred to as mechanical broadheads, which include blades that move and/or expand relative to a ferrule. A common mechanical broadhead is the Tekan™ or T3™, also available from G5 Outdoors LLC.
The above broadheads typically are attached to arrows to be shot from conventional archery bows, or bolts to be shot from cross bows. The broadheads include a threaded portion that is joined with a ferrule. The threaded portion mates with a like-threaded insert which is glued, fastened or otherwise secured to an interior or exterior of the arrow or bolt. The inserts typically are made from metal, such as aluminum, or a composite.
Typically, when an archer installs a broadhead on an arrow, the archer threads the threaded portion of the broadhead into corresponding threads in the insert. If the archer does not have an appropriate tool to grasp the broadhead and/or ferrule, frequently the broadhead is not sufficiently tightened to the insert. Sometimes, even with an appropriate tool, the archer does not sufficiently tighten the broadhead.
Accordingly, several issues can develop. For example, the broadhead can back out or unthread from the insert and/or arrow. This can happen when the arrow is transported in a quiver on an archery bow, or otherwise subjected to vibration which causes the broadhead to unthread. Alternatively, the broadhead can sometimes unthread if not properly tightened or torqued down relative to the insert by the arrow spinning through the air.
The untightening or unthreading of the broadhead from the arrow or bolt can cause further issues. For example, if a broadhead backs out too much, the broadhead can simply fall off the arrow and be lost. In other cases, the broadhead ferrule can back out sufficiently so that one or more of the broadhead blades becomes misaligned with the ferrule, other cutting edges on the broadhead, and/or vanes of the arrow. Alternatively, with a replaceable blade or mechanical broadhead, one or more of the blades can be lost altogether. The unthreading of the broadhead from the arrow further can cause erratic or inconsistent flight, which can affect accuracy and consistency in shooting of the arrow.
While there are some tools on the market which allow tightening of the broadheads, most are very simplistic—typically including a flat handle attached to a flat ring that defines a number of slots corresponding to the number of blades in the broadhead. An archer places the ferrule and blades within the slots of the tool, and turns the broadhead, tightening it down relative the arrow or bolt. While this tool can provide some degree of tightening, the exact torque with which the broadhead is installed relative to the arrow or bolt generally it is unknown. Accordingly, the archer frequently under torques the broadhead, so it is prone to unthreading. Other times, the archer over torques the broadhead, which can strip the insert and make it difficult to remove the broadhead for replacement or sharpening of the blades.
In the realm of fasteners, it is frequently the objective to tighten a threaded fastener relative to a threaded aperture in a work piece to a desired torque. Torque wrenches are sometimes utilized to achieve this objective. Many torque wrenches provide too much information, and can be overly complicated with digital readouts, scales and the like. These added features also make most conventional torque wrenches overly expensive.

Torque wrench for archery broadheads and fasteners


Containers and components thereof for use in the medical industry and methods to manufacture the same are described. An example tab for use with a medical container includes opposing sheets sealed to define an open ended chamber into which a port is to be at least partially positioned. The port is to enable access to the medical container. The tab includes a tear seal defined by each of the opposing sheets and a first guide positioned on a first side of each of the tear seals. The tab includes a second guide positioned on a second side of each of the tear seals, wherein the first and second guides are to enable a tear to propagate substantially between the guides and adjacent the tear seals.

Some containers may be used in the medical industry to store medical solutions, blood pack units or in other transfer pack applications. These containers may include ports to enable a substance(s) to be added to the contents contained within the container and/or to enable the contents to flow into or out of the container. To suspend the container from, for example, a hook, an end of the container may define a centrally located aperture.


An electromagnetic interference shielding structure includes a shielding housing to enclose an electronic component and reduce electromagnetic interference. Two tearable line-grooves are separately formed at a top surface of the shielding housing, and two long slots and two recesses are formed at two rounded portions of two sides of the shielding housing. A cover plate is movably formed between the two tearable line-grooves and the two long slots. The cover plate is removable from the shielding housing during maintenance, and a cover lid is used to restore the shielding housing. The cover lid has a top surface being as high as the top surface of the shielding housing. There is no height difference to meet the requirement of modern communication product about slim and light-weighted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic interference shielding structure, and in particular to a shielding structure that is used to enclose electrical components and reduce the electromagnetic interference.
2. Description of Related Art
To reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) on performance of circuit chips and central processing unit, a shielding housing 7 that is used to reduce EMI as shown in FIG. 1 and has a main body 71 having a receiving space to receive an electronic component 8. A tearable line-groove 72 is positioned at the top surface of the main body 71 and in the vicinity of periphery of the main body 71 so that a cover plate 73 is removably positioned at the main body 71. The shielding housing 7 is used to cover the electronic components 8 positioned at a circuit board 9 and to reduce electromagnetic interference.
When the electronic component 8 need maintenance, a sharp tool (such as screw driver) is used to insert into a pre-defined hole (not shown) so that the cover plate 73 is removed along the tearable line-groove 72 and a big hole is formed at the top of the main body 71. It is easy to do maintenance on the electronic component 8. After the maintenance, a new cover plate (not shown) is used to cover the shielding housing 7.
As described above, the shielding housing 7 is able to efficiently protect the electronic components from electromagnetic waves, and cost of the shielding housing 7 is low. However, design of the shielding housing 7 is not perfect and needs improvement. That is, the cover plate 73 is slightly higher than the top surface of the shielding housing 71 so that a height difference between the shielding housing 71 and the cover plate 73 is formed (the height difference is about 0.15 mm) and the receiving space for the electronic components is limited. In addition, after the cover plate 73 is removed, a new cover plate (not shown) is used to cover so that the height difference is larger (because of a new cover plate). All communication products should be slim and light-weighted so there is a limitation to the design of the communication product.
Thus, there is a need for an electromagnetic interference shielding structure.

Electromagnetic interference shielding structure


A method of high throughput growth and quantitative analysis of microorganisms is provided that includes providing a microtiter plate growth and gas delivery system having well plates disposed for growth of the microorganisms, and providing a spectroscopic screening system disposed to analyze lipid inclusions of the microorganisms.

Current approaches towards commercial production of PHB fall generally into two categories: nonsterile approaches in which PHB production is induced through environmental conditions, or genetic engineering approaches in which single strains are engineered for high production and rapid growth. In the first case, a vast number of conditions must be analyzed to determine which conditions select for promising microbes, and which conditions induce high PHB production. In the second case, libraries of mutant strains must be analyzed for high performing cells.
What is needed is a high throughput system that reduces the time required per replicate. What is further needed is a method and system directed to accelerating the development of high yield strains and conditions.

High throughput system for isolation, growth, and detection of lipid inclusions in bacteria

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


A metallic sliding material including at least a support member with a sliding surface and an inorganic compound coating layer formed on the sliding surface is disclosed. The sliding surface is formed from an aluminum alloy or a reinforcing material-containing aluminum alloy. The inorganic compound coating layer is formed from at least one aluminum compound, and at least one phosphorus compound, and at least one member selected from the group of molybdenum compounds, tungsten compounds, and chromium compounds. These compounds are present in such concentrations that molybdenum, tungsten, and chromium collectively constitute 2 to 48% by weight of the inorganic compound coating layer, aluminum constitutes 1 to 25% by weight of the inorganic compound coating layer, phosphorus constitutes 1 to 25% by weight of the inorganic compound coating layer, and the balance of the inorganic compound coating layer is oxygen and impurities.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a metallic sliding material usable for transportation machines, for example, motorcars and motor ships, and common industrial machines, and methods for producing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a metallic sliding material useful for producing parts of engines and methods of producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, metallic sliding members for engines are produced by working a sliding non-ferrous metal material, for example, aluminum alloy material, or a composite material made by joining a sliding non-ferrous metal alloy layer to a metallic support member into a desired form, for example, in the case of a slide bearing, the composite material is worked into a form of a cylindrical bush or a half cut cylinder.
Conventionally, copper-tin alloys and aluminum alloys have been used as an alloy for the metallic sliding materials. However, currently, to respond to requirements of high rotation speed and output of engines and of reduction in production cost of the engines, aluminum alloys and fiber-reinforced aluminum alloys are increasingly employed for the metallic sliding materials.
As an aluminum alloy for the metallic sliding materials, generally, an aluminum-tin alloy is employed. When the content of tin in the alloy is high, the resultant aluminum-tin alloy can be used even when no overlay is formed thereon. However, for a high quality metallic sliding material, the aluminum-tin alloy has relatively low content of tin of 5 to 7%, to enhance the fatigue resistance and the corrosion resistance of the alloy. In the case of the low tin content aluminum alloy, a soft tin or lead overlay coating must be formed on the aluminum alloy layer to enhance an initial running-in property of the aluminum alloy layer.
The aluminum alloys which must be plated with a overlay, are JIS 5402, AJ-1 (10%Sn-0.75%Cu-0.5%Ni and Bal. of Al), JIS 5402, AJ-2 (6%Sn-2.5%Cu-1.0% Ni and Bal. of AQ), and JIS AC8A (12%Si-1.0%Cu-1.5% Ni and Bal. of AQ).
When a soft metal overlay is formed on the aluminum alloy surface of the metallic sliding material, the resultant metallic sliding material may be disadvantageous in that when a high load is applied to the sliding material and the temperature of the sliding surface thereof is elevated due to a rise in the temperature of lubricant oil applied to the sliding surface, a fatigue phenomenon, a seizure phenomenon and/or a wearing phenomenon occurs at the sliding surface because the soft metal overlay has a low melting temperature, and thus the sliding material may become unusable.
Also, a method in which a metal material for the sliding material is mechanically worked and then an electric plating procedure is applied to the worked metal material to form an overlay thereon is known. However, this method is disadvantageous in that a plurality of working steps must be applied and thus the productivity of the method is low and the cost is high.
European Patent No. 0059273 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,695 for H. P. Baurels et al. discloses a slide bearing which is an example of a metallic sliding material and is produced by forming a chemical conversion coating having an excellent heat resistance on an aluminum alloy surface.
In the European patent, a zinc phosphate coating is formed on an aluminum alloy layer for the slide bearing to release a locally concentrated load on the aluminum alloy layer so as to evenly distribute the load over the sliding surface of the bearing and to enhance the running-in property of the aluminum alloy layer. The technique of the Japanese publication improves the technique of the European patent by preventing a formation of the zinc phosphate coating on the outer peripheral surface of the slide bearing layer.
Nevertheless, in the aluminum alloy slide bearings coated by the zinc phosphate coating as mentioned above, since the zinc phosphate exhibits a high crystallization property, the resultant coated sliding surface exhibits an insufficient smoothness and a low abrasion resistance and therefore, the resultant bearing material exhibits an unsatisfactory seizure resistance and abrasion resistance.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,695 teaches that when a slide bearing is fixed to a housing of the slide bearing, the coarse crystals of zinc phosphate coated on the back surface of the slide bearing cause the fixing of the slide bearing to the housing to be loosened. To prevent this loosening, a special treatment for preventing the formation of the zinc phosphate coating on the back surface of the slide bearing must be preliminarily applied to the back surface. This necessity is a disadvantage of the zinc phosphate coating method in practice.
Namely, it should be understood that a satisfactory surface coating for the sliding surface formed by the aluminum alloy or the fiber-reinforced aluminum alloy and having an excellent seizure resistance and a superior abrasion resistance and a method of forming the satisfactory surface coating have not yet been provided.


A process for obtaining long, continuous, thermoplastic welds on large structures. A series of tabs are used in pairs and especially in alternating, overlapping pairs to obtain resistance heating of a strip material placed in the bond line. The resistance of the tabs is less than that of the strip material. Conducting braid-tubes afford continuous welding when the bond line is curved. Alternatively, an electromagnetic field is used to take advantage of the induction heating. A wide susceptor is used to weld a current conducting substrate while avoiding bulk heating of the substrate. The unexpected property of current-conducting braid-tube susceptors, in which induction heating takes place at the center rather than at the edges of a flattened braid-tube susceptor, is used to obtain long continuous curved welds.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process and a manufacture for welding bonding and/or substrate fusing surfaces together and in particular to welding using a thermoplastic as the weld material and a conductor, especially a non-metallic conductor, to heat the thermoplastic using resistance or induction heating.
2. Background
Polymeric adhesives have been commonly used to bond various substrate surfaces together. However, such materials often involve the use of monomers, catalysts, solvents and other components that present environmental and health hazards. In the case of thermoplastic composite substrates, such adhesives often fail to match the thermal performance of the composite materials they bond. Furthermore such adhesives often have relatively long curing times. Such curing times can be hastened by heating. However, heating lamps, ovens, autoclaves and the like are often difficult to use, are expensive, and can result in excessive heating resulting in deformation, uneven heat distribution and decomposition.
When the materials to be bonded are thermoplastic polymer composites, they can be joined by simply heating the interface by means of a heating element or hot plate to a temperature sufficient to allow them to be forged together when the heating source is removed. Similarly, the interface can be heated radiantly. However, these techniques have the disadvantage of being limited to the joining of small structures, the physical size being limited by the size of the hot plates, infrared lamps, and other similar heat sources. Furthermore, the bond line is often located in positions so to be inaccessible to such heating devices. In addition to the above limitations, delamination of the composite can be a serious problem.
In an attempt to solve the heating problem, Beck (U.S. Pat. No. 2,742,390) and Thompson et al (U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,640) have demonstrated the use of metallic wire resistance heating for the purpose of heating and curing polymeric adhesives. However, this method remains complicated by vapor entrapment, insufficient wetting and adhesion to one or more substrates and incompatibility in chemical resistance and mechanical strength at higher temperatures and with aging. Further problems with bonding are accentuated with higher melting engineering resins and difficult to bond polymers because of the extensive and expensive surface treatment required.
To alleviate the monomeric component and solvent hazards and problems, Thalmann et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,168) have used a metallic heating wire to heat-seal two pieces of thermoplastic conduit together by fusing them to each other and to a thermoplastic sleeve surrounding the conduit joint. Sindt (U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,712) uses an induction heating device to produce eddy-current heating in steel shims to melt a hot-melt adhesive covering the outer surface of the shim.
The use of a metallic element made from wires, films, screens and the like for direct resistance and induction heating has the disadvantage of introducing a foreign material into the thermoplastic joint. In hostile environments, corrosion and seepage in association with the metallic material can lead to deterioration and delamination of the plastic joint.
Rather than using a metallic element, Thorsrud (U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,402) uses electrically conductive particulate materials such as carbon black, metal oxides and mineral powders in a bonding film so as to provide a material with a high dielectric loss factor. When placed between two adjoining materials to be bonded and exposed to a radio-frequency, dielectric field, the bonding film is heated causing the adjoining materials to be bonded. Similarly, Heath et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,859) uses a ferrous metal powder mixed with a thermoplastic bonding agent to bond a flanged tube to a filter cloth using radio-frequency, induction heating. However, metal, metal oxide, and carbon particles, because of their predominate rounded shape, do not serve to give reinforcement to the bond line. Rather, they often serve as crack initiation points that weaken the bond line.
Siewert et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,109) forms seams in clothing fabric by using radio-frequencies to heat a first fiber in the cloth which causes a second fiber component to become molten and act as the bonding agent. This method is limited to small bond areas and thin films less than 0.125 cm thick. Such methods are not well suited to advanced thermoplastic composites since these materials are structurally rigid in nature and are typically used in substantial thicknesses of several centimeters.
Felix et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,412) has demonstrated inductive heating for consolidated thermoplastic substrates containing layers of unidirectional electrical conductors at a frequency of 1-10 MHz. Such heating was noted to be ineffective below 400 kHz and above 27 MHz with a preferred heating range of 2-4 MHz. The method relies on bulk heating and the use of pressure rollers to effect heat transfer and effective bonding. The upper composite material is bulk heated more readily near the upper surface (the surface nearest to the induction coil) with heat flow downward through the composite to the bond line. As such, the induction heating must be applied slowly to avoid overheating of the composite surface nearest the induction coil and pressure must be applied to the substrates in order to insure good contact between the relatively cool lower substrate and the downward heat flow from the bulk heated upper composite substrate. Such bulk heating causes the composites to delaminate and the fiber layers to distort. To avoid such delamination and fiber-layer distortion, the outer surfaces of the composite and substrate must be pressurized from both sides during and/or immediately after the welding operation.
Burke (U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,450) has developed a method of resistance welding of carbon fiber laminates by applying a current perpendicular to the laminates so as to soften the thermoplastic of the laminates sufficiently to form a weld. The method is cumbersome and inadequate in that the surfaces of the laminates must be roughened to expose the carbon fibers in order to insure current conduction and, more seriously and as with Felix, this bulk heating technique can cause delamination and fiber distortion of the composite.
Because of the high resistivity of non-metallic fibers such as carbon fibers, attempts to clamp metal electrodes directly to opposite ends of the fibers in a longitudinal arrangement rather than the perpendicular electrode arrangement of Burke have met with little success. Use of fibers of more than a few inches requires ever increasing voltages that tend to char and burn the fiber resulting in lost of conductivity. Furthermore voltages of more than 100 volts are generally considered to be lethal.
As a result of these limitations, it has been difficult to obtain long, continuous welds in large structures without having to use 1) toxic solvents, 2) polymeric adhesives that often contain toxic monomeric components, 3) materials such as metallic components that are introduced into and weaken the bond line (weld), or 4) bulk heating of one or more of the substrates which causes delamination and fiber distortion of the substrate.


This invention provides a method and a terminal device for a multi-band antenna automatically tuning impedance matching, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The method includes: obtaining an operation current value and an output power value of a power amplifier upon transmitting a signal; obtaining a logical control parameter for controlling an antenna tuner based on the operation current value and the output power value, and adjusting the impedance matching of the antenna by using the logical control parameter. The efficiency for impedance matching of the antenna upon operating in the multi-bands may be improved, and the power saving can be better implemented under the condition of assuring the performance of the antenna.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a communication field, and more particularly to a method and a terminal device for a multi-band antenna automatically tuning impedance matching.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Currently, more and more bands are applied in a terminal device, while the space of the terminal device is limited, which results in that a plurality of bands have to be applied in one primary antenna. The primary antenna has to sacrifice a part of its performance to cover a broader bandwidth and a plurality of bands.
The terminal device only employs the same antenna to cover a plurality of bands while only employing a same set of matching devices, which is prone to generate a mismatching of the antenna in some bands. Furthermore, changes in the surrounding environment are also very prone to give rise to the mismatching of the antenna. Such mismatching may cause a series of problems, such as excessive power consumption and reduced antenna sensitivity, which may affect standby time and continuous call signal quality of the terminal device.
Therefore, a tuner mechanism for adjusting impedance matching of antenna according to operation environment may be required. With such tuner mechanism, the performance of the prior antenna operating at different frequencies may be maximized, and thus the effect of power saving and maintaining the call quality may be achieved.
However, the prior tuner mechanism for the impedance matching of the antenna cannot meet such requirement.

Method and terminal device for automatically tuning impedance matching of multi-frequency band antenna

ST-ERICSSON SEMICONDUCTOR (BEIJING) CO., LTD


A driver circuit includes a set of selectable drivers each having an individual drive capability, the drivers being selectable such that i) when a subset of the drivers is selected, a signal will be driven by the drivers at a first drive level, and ii) when the subset of the drivers and at least one additional driver is selected, signal will be driven by the drivers at a level that is greater than the first level by a level of drive provided by the least one additional driver.

Chips contain pads through which a signal can be driven off-chip to pins of another board and/or chip. The driver circuit must be designed with a predetermined output within a given tolerance range. This predetermined singular amplified drive signal must be sufficient to drive the output signal the required distance accounting for such impediments as available real estate, heat, resistance, capacitance and impedance.
In instances where chips are stacked, creating shorter runs, utilizing the full capacity of a driver would be both wasteful and inefficient since far less power is required. Stacking chips can significantly reduce the need for power consumption, and the use of a singular driver detracts from the efficiency created by stacking the chips, as each driver will be taking up very valuable real estate on the chip.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for technology that can address one or more of the above problems.


A releasably anchorable bushing conduit apparatus for providing access through a wall having a generally accessible side and a generally inaccessible side and an opening extending through the wall from the generally accessible side to the generally inaccessible side comprises a bushing conduit having first and second opposite end portions with first and second coterminous openings therein. The bushing conduit is insertable into the opening such that the first end portion protrudes from the wall on the inaccessible side and the second end portion protrudes from the wall on the accessible side. A retaining device external to the first and second coterminous openings retains the bushing conduit in place, yet presents no obstruction to the first and second coterminous openings. The retaining device includes an expandable and collapsible member secured to the first end portion and capable of expanding to interfere with the inaccessible side to prevent the first end portion from being withdrawn from the opening from the accessible side. The expandable and collapsible member is also capable of being collapsed to prevent interference of the member with the inaccessible side to permit the first end portion to be withdrawn from the opening. A device is provided on the bushing conduit for squeezing the wall between the expandable member and the second end portion to hold the bushing conduit securely in the wall opening.

The invention, in general, relates to an anchorable bushing for use in lining an opening to limit the size of the opening or to serve as a guide for items insertable into the opening. The device has a particular use as a temporary or permanently installed stoma lining for use in tracheostomy patients.
The problem of anchoring a device to an inaccessible side of a wall is ever present. Various devices have been devised to anchor various objects to a wall, such devices including barbed plugs, screws engaging an expanding leg member, rivets and the like. Few devices exist for anchoring a bushing to a wall, most relying on barbed projections for interfering with the walls defining the opening through which the bushing extends. Such devices are not readily removable from the opening and therefore have limited application. Preferably such anchorable bushings would be releasably anchorable in a wall opening to allow them to be removed from the opening. This would be advantageous in many applications including lining and maintaining a stoma formed during a tracheostomy.
Heretofore, at the time of tracheostomy, a cuffed endotracheal tube is inserted into the patient to permit controlled or assisted mechanical ventilation, removal of secretions and to provide access to the trachea. Currently available tracheostomy tubes provide an air tight seal in the trachea with inflatable cuffs which prevent air passage around the tracheostomy tube, either from the oral pharynx into the trachea and the tracheal bronchial tree distal to the tube, or retrograde from the tracheal bronchial airway past the cuff into the oral pharynx.
During weaning from assisted ventilation, patients are frequently initiated to the weaning process by disconnecting the patient from the ventilator to allow breathing through the open tracheostomy tube, either with air or with a supplemental oxygen supply. The tracheal tube and cuff creates a significant obstruction to the trachea, thereby interfering with the free flow of air in or out of the lungs both from the trachea, pharynx and mouth and from the tracheostomy tube. The tube and cuff markedly impedes any flow of air from the oral-pharynx in or out of the lungs.
When patients are able to be weaned from the assisted ventilation device, frequently the tracheostomy tube is changed to a non-cuffed tube to reduce the added obstruction of the tracheostomy tube and cuff and to provide a channel to clear secretions from the trachea and bronchial airways in the lungs. Non-cuffed tubes, have no air tight sealing cuffs and impose less obstruction to the trachea, but they still impede the free flow of air in and out of the lungs past the tracheostomy tube between the trachea and the oropharynx. To alleviate this impedance to air flow, tracheostomy tubes have been developed with a fenestration to provide communication between the oropharynx, through the fenestration into the trachea to allow for movement of air both around and through the tracheal tube fenestration and in and out of the lungs from the oropharynx.
Patients fitted with a non-cuffed tube may, however, not be fully recovered and therefore if the patient should again require assisted ventilation, the non-cuffed tube must be removed and a cuffed tube inserted to commence assisted ventilation. The aforementioned current cuffed tracheostomy tubes make it difficult to initiate spontaneous and normal breathing through the oropharynx because they are a mechanical obstruction in the trachea. Consequently, a tracheal tube change is frequently required to facilitate the weaning process. This can be uncomfortable to the patient and can subject the patient to the complications of frequent intubation and extubation.
Another problem with current ventilation methods is that during the weaning process, it is frequently necessary to maintain tracheal access to the lungs to assist in clearing secretions. In patients successfully weaned, the clearing of secretions is normally accomplished by coughing. An effective patient initiated cough requires a closed glottis to allow a pressure build-up, and a sudden decompression, when the glottis is opened to eject secretions. An open tracheostomy tube with an open channel from the trachea to the exterior of the body, precludes such a pressure build-up and therefore results in an ineffective, spontaneous cough.
Existing tracheostomy tubes must be inserted through an established tracheostomy. When the tube is removed from the patient, however, the stoma begins to heal. The healing process can take as little as 24 hours after which time reinsertion of the tracheostomy tube is impossible without a surgical revision to the stoma. Consequently further surgery is required in the event that further access to the trachea is necessary.
The above problems with assisted ventilation methods heretofore practiced arise because of the need to insert a plurality of different tubes into the ventilation opening at various stages of the weaning process, because of the need to close the ventilation opening to enable an effective cough once the patient has been successfully weaned and because of the rapid healing of a stoma. The insertion of the various tubes into the ventilation opening can be quite uncomfortable to the patient and closure of the opening is virtually the only way of enabling a patient to cause an effective spontaneous cough. With regard to healing of the stoma, it would be desirable to maintain the stoma until it is known for certain that it is no longer required.
One device which attempts to solve the above problems is the Olympic Trach-Button (trademark) which is a self retaining hollow cannula having an expansion lock comprised of a plurality of "petals" on a distal end thereof. The cannula is inserted into a tracheal stoma and a closure plug is inserted into the hollow cannula to expand the petals causing them to interfere with the anterior tracheal wall to prevent the cannula from being ejected. The closure plug or a ventilator adapter must always be inserted in the cannula in order to keep the petals expanded. Furthermore the cannula is of a fixed length and therefore spacers must be used to adapt it to fit the patient's stoma. Such spacers offer adjustment of the length of the cannula in discrete steps only and the spacers can irritate the exterior of the stoma resulting in discomfort to the patient. Cuffed or non-cuffed tracheostomy tubes or suction tubes may be inserted through the cannula, into the patient, to perform their respective functions.
The present invention addresses the problems with the Olympic Trach-Button and more generally addresses the problem of anchoring a bushing in a wall having only one accessible side. Cuffed, non-cuffed tracheostomy tubes or suction tubes may be inserted through the cannula, into the patient, to perform their respective functions.

Apparatus and method for maintaining a tracheal stoma


A rotor for an electrical machine includes a rotor carrier of metallic material with a back wall extending radially to the axis of rotation of the electrical machine and a tubular section extending in the axial direction, in which a laminated core is installed. The rotor carrier is designed as a single, flow-formed part with axially extending ribs which engage in grooves on the laminated core.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to a rotor for an electrical machine, including a rotor carrier of metallic material with a radially extending back wall and a tubular section extending axially from the back wall, in which a laminated core is installed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrical machines are generally known. They comprise a rotor, which rotates around a shaft, and a stator, which is stationary with respect to the rotor. The electrical machine can be, for example, a motor, a generator, or a motor-generator. The latter type of machine is used to an increasing extent in motor vehicle technology to combine previously separate functions or systems, namely, the generator which produces the electrical power for the on-board vehicle electrical system and the starter which starts the internal combustion engine, into a single system. Current developments in the automotive industry demand in general that increasing the comfort of the ride should not lead to any increase—or certainly not to any excessive increase—in the weight of the vehicle and should in fact be associated with a decrease in its weight. The starter-generator has already provided a weight advantage in this context, and efforts are continuing to achieve an even greater weight reduction in this area.
The laminated core of a rotor, which guides a magnetic flux to produce a torque, can be mounted directly on the rotor shaft, for example, or it can be mounted indirectly on the shaft of the electrical machine by means of a rotor carrier and possibly a hub, as is the case with external rotor machines. According to a known process, the rotor carrier is a single part formed by cutting operations out of a solid piece of material such as a cylinder of aluminum or steel. It is also known as an alternative that a circular blank can be welded to a section of tubing to form a rotor carrier. The known processes suffer from the disadvantage that they are too material-intensive and require a great deal of labor, as a result of which their production costs are high.


A textile machine transport apparatus is provided for transporting tube support members to and between locations at which yarn packages supported on the tube support members are handled. The transport apparatus includes an assembly for advancing the tube support members along a delivery path. The advancing assembly is reversibly drivable in a forward direction and in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction to provide the capability to, for example, reverse the advancing movement of some of the tube support members or to advance other tube support members in a different advancing direction. The transport apparatus also includes a device extending laterally relative to the delivery path of the tube support members for engaging a tube support member to prevent further upstream movement thereof. The laterally extending device may be in the form of a stop guide extending into the path of the tube support members as they are transported in an upstream direction. The stop guide may be movably mounted to permit a tube support member passing thereby to move the stop guide into a retracted position and preferably includes a spring or other resilient biasing device for automatically returning the stop guide to a laterally extending position.

The present invention relates to a textile machine transport apparatus for transporting tube support members of the type on which yarn packages are individually supported and, more particularly, to a textile machine transport apparatus which advances tube support members in an advancing direction by movement of a reversibly drivable advancing means and which selectively limits the rearward or non-advancing movement of the tube support members during reverse driving movement of the advancing means.
Textile machine transport apparatus are known for transporting tube support members in a controlled manner to and from locations at which yarn packages supported on the tube support members are handled such as, for example, the winding stations of a textile winding machine. Since each tube support member individually supports a yarn package thereon, controlled transport of each tube support member allows for individualized handling of each yarn package. For example, in a transport apparatus for transporting tube support members to and from the winding stations of the textile winding machine, it is desirable in some circumstances to separately handle those yarn packages having a yarn end which has been disposed in a preferred preliminary position for subsequent engagement at a winding station from other yarn packages which do not have such a successfully prepared yarn end. Those other yarn packages whose yarn ends are not yet disposed in a preferred preliminary position may be transported to a special handling location such as, for example, a device which mechanically works a portion of the yarn package, to facilitate loosening and preparation of the yarn end into a preferred preliminary position. Toward this end of individualized transport options for tube support members, U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,725 to Wirtz et al discloses a yarn package handling assembly with the capability to separate those yarn packages still not having a successfully prepared yarn end from other yarn packages having successfully prepared yarn ends. This capacity is provided by a system of sensors and gates operatively connected to the sensors with the gates being selectively movable into the path of transported tube support members to route such tube support members to a different transport route than other tube support members. However, the need still exists for improvements in textile machine transport apparatus having the capacity to transport tube support members in an individualized manner without significantly sacrificing efficient and accurate transport of such tube support members.


A system and a method for predicting the musical taste and/or preferences of the user and its integration into services provided by a wireless network provider. Although the present application is directed toward implementations with wireless providers, the present invention can also be implemented on a regular, i.e., wireline network. The core of the present invention is a system capable of predicting whether a given user, i.e., customer, likes or does not like a specific song from a pre-analyzed catalog. Once such a prediction has been performed, those items that are predicted to be liked best by the user may be forwarded to the mobile device of the user on the cellular (or other wireless) network. The system maintains a database containing propriety information about the songs in the catalog and, most important, a description (profile) of the musical taste of each of its customers, identified by their cellular telephone number.

Music is a highly popular media on the Internet or World Wide Web (WWW). For example, file-sharing software programs and systems such as Napster, iMesh and Gnutella enable users to share digital files containing their favorite music. Other Web sites enable users to listen to free musical selections and/or to purchase music that is of interest and/or to burn custom CDs (compact disks). In addition, an increasing number of musicians are turning to the Internet in order to promote their music, particularly musicians who are associated with independent labels or "indies", who may not have access to the large commercial brick and mortar chains that sell music to the public.
Cellular networks of mobile phones represent an unexploited opportunity for distributing music and/or selling CDs and custom CDs, unlike e-commerce through the Internet, which is well developed. Since bandwidth and airtime are expensive, it is extremely beneficial in such an application to be able to limit the search for musical items to those items preferred or probably preferred by the customer. For a number of reasons, in particular the difficulty for the user to send data over the hand set by pushing keys on the set's keypad, and the high price of airtime, it is essential to be able to recognize a returning customer and send music of interest to this customer.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Using a system for prediction of musical preferences for the distribution of musical content over cellular networks


A process for producing various organic carbonates by performing transesterification and disproportionation reactions in dual vapor/liquid phase mode preferably in the presence of solid catalyst composition selected from the group consisting of oxides, hydroxides, oxyhydroxides or alkoxides of two to four elements from Group IV, V and VI of the Periodic Table supported on porous material which has surface hydroxyl groups and the method of reactivating catalyst deactivated by polymer deposition by contacting the deactivated catalyst with a solution of hydroxy containing compound in a solvent such as benzene or THF.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to the process of producing various organic carbonates by performing chemical reactions, which are limited by equilibrium, and separating various chemical compounds involved. Achieving higher conversion than equilibrium condition is highly desirable for better economic reward. This invention discloses a method of shifting the equilibrium position of a chemical reaction to achieve higher conversion.
2. Related information
Diaryl carbonates, for example diphenyl carbonate (DPC), are an important raw material for the production of polycarbonates. The current state of the art produces DPC from dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and phenol in two steps by employing multiple reactors and a homogeneous catalyst, such as titanium alkoxide. The following three reactions are involved in producing DPC.
The equilibrium for each of the above reactions lies on far left side, whereas it is an object of the present invention that the equilibriums are moved to the right.
J. L. R. Williams et al. (J. Org. Chem., 24 (1) pp. 64-68, 1959) discovered that disproportionation of unsymmetrical carbonates such as methyl phenyl carbonate (MPC) and symmetrical carbonates such as dibenzyl carbonate can be performed in the presence of a suitable homogeneous catalyst, particularly metal alkoxide. However, the reaction accompanies a number of undesired side reactions such as decomposition of carbonate compounds to carbon dioxide, polymerization, formation of olefins, and ethers. The authors conclude that the course of the reactions depends on the structure of the carbonates and on the catalyst and the more alkaline catalysts promote more side reactions for the disproportionation of alkyl phenyl carbonates than mildly acidic catalyst such as titanium butoxide. Alkyl phenyl ether is the major undesired by-product.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,464 (1977) discloses a process for preparing diaryl carbonates from phenyl alkyl carbonates via the Reaction (3) in the presence of homogeneous Lewis acid catalysts of the formula AlX3, TiX3, UX4, TiX4, VOX3, VX5, and SnX4, where X is a halogen, acetoxy, alkoxy or aryloxy group. DPC was produced by performing the disproportionation of ethyl phenyl (EPC) or MPC at 180° C. with 95% selectivity in the presence of homogeneous titanium catalysts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,110 (1985) discloses an improved process for the preparation of aromatic carbonates from a dialkyl carbonate and phenol in the presence of catalyst comprising polymeric tin compounds. Diaryl carbonates are prepared by performing disproportionation of alky aryl carbonate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,268 (1993) discloses a process for producing diaryl carbonates by performing various transesterification reactions in two reaction zones. An aromatic carbonate mixture is prepared by a transesterification reaction between a dialkyl carbonate, an alkyl aryl carbonate and a mixture thereof, and an aromatic hydroxy compound in the first step. A diaryl carbonate is produced by primarily performing disproportionation of alkyl aryl carbonate in the second step. The patent discloses the method of overcoming unfavorable equilibrium. The transesterification is performed in reactive distillation mode by feeding reactants to continuous multistage distillation columns in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst or a solid catalyst, while continuously withdrawing the produced aromatic carbonate mixture as a high boiling point product from a lower portion of the distillation column and continuously withdrawing light coproducts such as aliphatic alcohol or dialkyl carbonate as vapor stream from upper portion of the distillation columns. The disproportionation of alkyl aryl carbonate to diaryl carbonate and dialkyl carbonate is also performed in similar fashion. Diaryl carbonate is continuously produced by performing transesterification and disproportionation in sequence, utilizing multiple multi-stage distillation columns.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,872,275 (1999) and 6,262,210 (2001) disclose for the process producing diary carbonate from dialkyl carbonate and an aromatic hydroxy compound in the presence of liquid homogeneous catalyst and methods removing heavy high boiling point byproducts and regenerating catalyst for recycle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,842 (2000) discloses the process producing diaryl carbonate from a dialkyl carbonate, an aromatic hydroxy compound and a mixed solution containing alkyl aryl carbonate by introducing three reactant streams into an extractive/reactive distillation column in the presence of a catalyst. Examples of the catalysts are lead compounds, copper compounds, alkali metal compounds, nickel compounds, zirconium compounds, titanium compounds, vanadium compounds, etc. The by-products are CO2, anisole, benzoates and heavy materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,207 (1995) discloses the process producing a diaryl carbonate such as DPC by conducting transesterification of DMC with an aromatic hydroxy compound and disproportionation of alkyl aryl carbonate in presence of a homogeneous catalyst in three successive reaction zones. Conditions are selected to maximize formation of alkyl aryl carbonate in the first and second reaction zones, while disproportionation is favored in the third reaction zone.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,517 (2004) discloses a process for the continuous production of diaryl carbonates. The process uses three reactive distillation column reactors and two rectification columns for the separation of intermediate reaction product and final product.
To alleviate shortcomings associated with using homogeneous catalysts for the production of diaryl carbonates, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,354,923 (1994) and 5,565,605 (1996), and WO 03/066569 (2003) disclose heterogeneous catalysts.
WO 03/066569 discloses a process continuously producing an aromatic carbonate such as DPC in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst prepared by supporting titanium oxide on silica (3 mm diameter) in two steps.
JP 79,125,617 (1979) and JP Application NO HEI 07[1995]-6682 discloses heterogeneous catalysts for the preparation of diphenyl carbonate by transesterification of DMC with phenol to MPC and disproportionation of MPC to DPC in the presence of MoO3 or V2O5 supported on an inorganic support such as silica, zirconia or titania. The transesterification and disproportionation are carried out in a reactor-distillation tower consisting of a reactor and distillation tower with removal of the co-products by distillation.
The publication by Z.-H. Fu et al. (J Mol. Catal. A: Chemical 118, (1997) pp. 293-299) reports the synthesis of diphenyl carbonate from DMC and phenol in the presence of various heterogeneous metal oxide catalysts. The best selectivity is reported for the MoO3 (20 wt. % optimum loading) catalyst supported on silica.
Due to many shortcomings of current DPC processes, an improved process is highly desired for saving materials, cheaper construction cost, consuming less energy, and plant operation cost. Although the prior art does not address catalyst life, all heterogeneous catalysts eventually deactivate and become useless. Heterogeneous catalysts are only practical in commercial use, if their cycle and service times are long enough or the catalysts can be rejuvenated insitu without serious financial cost. Thus, the issues of the catalyst deactivation and method of regeneration remain as substantial bars to the commercial application of the prior art.

Process for producing organic carbonates


A time-of-flight calibration system for a radar-based measurement device is provided. The time-of-flight calibration system includes a target antenna and a waveguide, e.g. a coaxial cable. The waveguide is coupled at one end to the target antenna and terminated at its other end by a wave-reflecting impedance.

Time-of-flight ranging systems are commonly used in level measurement applications for determining the distance to a reflective surface of a material, such as liquid, slurry or solid, by measuring the time of flight from a transmitted signal to a return signal or echo. From this time, the distance or level is determined. Pulse radar devices emit microwave pulses at a fixed repetition rate. Reflected echoes are detected and digitally converted to an echo profile. The echo profile is then analyzed to determine the distance to the material surface. FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) radar devices send continuously frequency-modulated microwaves to the surface of the material. At the same time, the reflected microwaves are continuously received and the difference in frequency between the transmitted and the received microwaves is directly proportional to the distance to the material.

Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments, Inc.


A Mura compensation optimization method and system for liquid crystal display panel is disclosed. The method detecting the received original picture data signal and determining whether an original picture is a grayscale transition picture or a single grayscale value picture by a timing controller; and when determining that the original picture is a grayscale transition picture or not a single grayscale value picture, turning off a Mura compensation function by the timing controller. The present invention can avoid the phenomenon of display abnormality caused by Mura compensation under some specific screens, and optimize the Mura compensation effect of the liquid crystal display panel.

The Liquid crystal display (LCD) panel has developed rapidly in recent years and has become mainstream product on the market, and has been widely applied: such as televisions, smart phones, tablet computers, computer panels, and the like.
Under the conventional technical conditions, due to poor raw materials or some uncontrollable factors in the actual process, the liquid crystal display panel product often generates an uneven brightness phenomenon when displaying images, that is, a Mura phenomenon called by the industry. Especially, when the liquid crystal display panel displays a white picture, the Mura phenomenon is especially obvious.
In order to eliminate the Mura on the liquid crystal display panel and improve the product quality, the display panel manufacturer will use the Mura compensation system to perform compensation: as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display panel 200 is first photographed by a camera 100 under the grayscale of a white picture. The brightness distribution is then calculated by a compensation data calculation unit 300 based on a center point of the liquid crystal display panel 200, and a grayscale compensation value of each region of the liquid crystal display panel 200 is calculated according to a corresponding curve of the brightness and the grayscale to reduce the grayscale value of a bright region and increase the grayscale value of a dark region, the grayscale compensation value is written into a flash card 400, and after a timing controller (TCON) 500 that drive the liquid crystal display panel 200 to display is powered on, the grayscale compensation value stored in the flash card 400 is read out, and the grayscale compensation value and the inputted original picture data signal are calculated by the Mura compensation function module 501 in the timing controller 500 to perform the Mura compensation. The Mura phenomenon on the liquid crystal display panel 200 is eliminated or attenuated.
The above-mentioned conventional Mura compensation system has certain technical defects: as long as there is a grayscale compensation value, the timing controller 500 performs the Mura compensation on all pictures, but performing Mura compensation on some specific pictures may cause display abnormality. For example, in the horizontal or vertical grayscale transition picture shown in FIG. 3, the inputted grayscale values of the regions of the liquid crystal display panel 200 are different (the adjacent regions are different by one grayscale), and if the grayscale compensation value is added, The grayscale values of different regions may become the same, or the difference is less than one grayscale, which will cause the grayscale transition boundary to be indistinguishable, forming a grayscale transition as shown in FIG. 4, and the liquid crystal display panel is not smooth, which affect the judgment of the quality of liquid crystal display panels.

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A baking oven for preparing dough pieces comprises a supply section with an inlet for the supply of dough pieces; a baking chamber and a discharge section with an outlet for the discharge of baked dough pieces. A recirculating-air arrangement comprises a source producing a flow of recirculating air, a recirculating-air heating device and a recirculating-air guiding conduit which is sectionally formed by the baking chamber. A conveyor assembly delivers dough pieces from the inlet to the outlet. To this end, the conveyor assembly comprises a plurality of continuous conveyor belts which pass along deflection pulleys and are disposed one in relation to the other in the baking chamber for transfer by gravity of the dough pieces from one to another of two adjacent continuous conveyor belts. The result is a baking oven in which, during baking, the dough pieces can be moved and spread as uniformly as possible.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a baking oven comprising a casing, a supply section with an inlet for dough pieces to be supplied, a baking chamber; a discharge section with an outlet for baked dough pieces to be discharged, a recirculating-air assembly, including a source that produces a flow of recirculating air, a recirculating-air heating device, a recirculating-air guiding conduit sectionally formed by the baking chamber; a conveyor assembly which transports dough pieces from the inlet to the outlet.
2. Background Art
A baking oven of the generic type is known from prior public use. Baking ovens of the generic type are still in need of improvement as far as the baking time of dough pieces and their implementation is involved.

Werner & Pfleiderer Lebensmitteltechnik GmbH


A local logic solver that operates with a local smart valve controller to control, test and monitor performance characteristics of a local field-mounted emergency isolation valve device, outputting a local indication of trouble on the device, which is mounted in the field away from the facility's central control panel for the process. The local logic solver includes a recording function and memory for retrieval of detected faults that are time-stamped and recorded locally to generate documentation and to track the elapsed time, starting when the degraded state of the device was detected and first signaled as a problem; other performance data is also recorded. Accordingly, the operation of the overall system is simplified by eliminating the need for an external computer to diagnose any problems. A local control panel preferably includes pushbuttons and lights used during routine operations of the valve and a fault indicator light substantially adjacent to or in close proximity to the device being monitored to alert personnel of detected faults.

Known smart valve systems and remote logic solvers can be connected to a plant-wide central monitoring computer, but such a configuration requires significant overhead in communication links among the distributed mechanisms, such as safety devices, in a process plant. Such overhead is compounded because smart valve controllers and local safety logic solvers can be separate entities each used for controlling a particular EIV.
Prior art smart valve systems include an assembly of an EIV, an actuator, a solenoid valve, a smart valve controller, a local control panel, and a plant-wide Emergency Shutdown (ESD) system. Each smart valve system uses the smart valve controller to control the travel of the EIV during routine functional testing, but relies heavily on the hard-wired input/output channels of a plant-wide ESD system for the logic required to enable local control through local control panels of individual smart valve devices and EIVs in the field.
Although some degree of local control of a safety instrumented function is provided by prior art systems, implementations of local control throughout a plant-wide ESD system have been very costly.
A need exists for integration of the logic required to perform local controls involved with a safety instrumented function for each EIV within a smart valve controller to reduce the overall ESD input/output (I/O) requirements and to provide a significant cost savings while implementing enhanced fault monitoring and detection.
Prior art implementations of a set of local control actions for each EIV to complete safety instrumented functions for each specific application have been costly.
In addition, many systems are available in the prior art which monitor devices in the field and which provide diagnostic alarms upon detection of problems of such field-based devices. However, such known systems require auxiliary computers to provide such monitoring and diagnostic functionality. In addition, operators or maintenance technicians must use a stand-alone computer with special diagnostic software to interpret the data collected during an EIV functional test and the associated test diagnostics.
Further, safety valve products in the prior art provide diagnostics remotely, but such products used in commercial processes and systems fail to provide a local indicator, mounted to devices in the field, for performing such monitoring and diagnostic functions.
A need exists for a device which simplifies operations for process plant operators and maintenance personnel by monitoring EIVs and their associated EIV control systems internally, as well as providing a local indicator of a detected fault at the time of detection, and recording valve performance data for later retrieval.
A problem with known monitoring systems of the prior art is the overload of alarms; that is, too many alarms of numerous monitoring devices in a monitoring system create human alert fatigue, which can pose a significant problem when a few serious hazardous conditions having alert indications are buried among alert indications of less serious issues.
A need exists for a straight-forward indication to personnel of problems in a plant which personnel can readily recognize as serious in order to take immediate action.
Known safety products and devices monitoring faults can track the occurrence of faults, but none provide a timeclock to track and record faults and other performance data locally, i.e., at the safety device. Accordingly, delays in transmission of clocked faults reduce the accuracy of the tracking of faults. A need exists for a locally-positioned clock to track and record detected faults and other performance data.
Known monitoring and detection systems provide limited alarm and warning capabilities. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 302,980 to Buell describes a fire extinguisher and alarm system using both local and remote central station alarm indications, but does not utilize or test EIVs using smart valve controllers.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,976,144 and 5,197,328 to Fitzgerald describe a diagnostic controller for testing and determining the operating condition of a pneumatically operated valve. However, the diagnostic controllers in Fitzgerald stroke a valve fully and so interrupts normal operations, and the diagnostic controller requires a portable external computer to be connected to pneumatic lines to collect data during testing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,092 to Bruner describes a computer system monitor and controller using both local and remote central station alarm indications, for the purpose of entirely powering down another computer system, as opposed to testing an EIV.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,465 to Arcella et al. describes an on-line valve monitoring system which relies on a remotely located expert system to analyze valve data and to track and find trends in the historical data, as opposed to a local diagnostic and indicator system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,316 to Malone describes a control system used in a waste disposal system which has sensors for measuring conditions throughout the waste disposal system in order to improve the efficiency of waste incineration combustion chambers, as opposed to testing EIVs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,032 to Lenz et al. describes a valve positioner with pressure feedback and other diagnostic functions, but the valve positioner lacks internal diagnostics and so there cannot be any local indication of detected faults.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,050 to Makel et al. describes a remotely controllable management system for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) station using both local and remote central station alarm indications. However, the management system relies on a remotely located host computer for emergency warnings and shut-down features. The management system does not relate to EIVs and does not provide local fault indications based on internal diagnostics.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,451 to Seberger et al. describes a control system for digital communications with an instrument to perform diagnostic operations for use with an electro-pneumatic valve positioner, as opposed to performing safety related EIV on-board diagnostics and local indications of detected failures.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,269 to Essam describes an emergency valve connected to a partial stroke controller to perform a partial stroke test at a predetermined time, but fails to provide any on-board diagnostics and any location indication of detected failures.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,609 to Metso et al. describes a method and apparatus for surveying the condition of a control valve using on-board sensors, with diagnostics programmed into a digital positioner of the control valve. However, when faults are detected, such detection is communicated to a remote control system in a monitoring room in a separate control building, as opposed to a local indication of the detection of the faults.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,247 B1 to Winchcomb et al. describes a device for verifying the workability of a safety device, using on-board diagnostics of a safety related final element such as an EIV, and detected faults are communicated to a Remote Communications Interface (RCI), as opposed to the local indication of a fault.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,138 B1 to Friend et al. describes a pressure relief valve monitoring device using both local and remote central station alarm indications to detect faults in pressure relief valves, as opposed to EIVs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,022 B1 to Albuaijan, based on U.S. Patent Application Publication Number US 2002/0108436 A1 to Albuaijan, describes a partial stroke testing system using a limit switch invention to control the travel of a valve during on-line testing, but lacks on-board diagnostics and local indication of detected failures.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,882 B2 to Mack describes a testing apparatus to test a shutdown device during operation of a process, but requires use of a remotely located programmable logic controller to perform the testing and alarm functions on detection of test failure conditions. No on-board self-diagnostics are provided, and there is no local indication of a detected fault.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,584 to Junk et al. describes a method and apparatus for performing diagnostics in a pneumatic control loop for a control valve, but lacks any provision of a local indication of detected dangerous faults.

Local emergency isolation valve controller with diagnostic testing and trouble indicator


Described herein are methods of preparing dual-indexed nucleic acid libraries for methylation profiling using bisulfite conversion sequencing. In various embodiments, the methods use a two-step indexing process to tag bisulfite-treated DNA with unique molecular identifiers (UMIs).

DNA methylation plays an important role in regulating gene expression. Aberrant DNA methylation has been implicated in many disease processes, including cancer. DNA methylation profiling using bisulfite conversion sequencing is increasingly recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool for detection and diagnosis of cancer. For example, specific patterns of differentially methylated regions and/or allele specific methylations can be used as molecular markers for non-invasive diagnostics using circulating cell-free DNA. However, amplification and/or sequencing artifacts (errors) introduced during library preparation and/or sequencing can bias the results of DNA methylation analysis. There is a need for new methods of preparing a DNA library for bisulfite conversion sequencing for methylation profiling.

Methods of preparing dual-indexed DNA libraries for bisulfite conversion sequencing


An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member and a scanning lens. The photosensitive member bears a latent image thereon and defines a main scanning direction. The scanning lens transmits a light beam scanningly deflected in the main scanning direction for exposing the photosensitive member to the light beam to form the latent image thereon. The scanning lens includes a lens body and a rib. The lens body is formed of resin and extends substantially in the main scanning direction. The lens body defines a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The lens body has opposite surfaces that are both substantially perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. The rib is formed integrally with the lens body and protrudes in the sub-scanning direction from either one of the opposite surfaces. The rib extends over a predetermined range in the main scanning direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a color image forming apparatus, a scanning unit, and a scanning lens. The present invention particularly relates to an image forming apparatus and a color image forming apparatus having a resinous scanning lens through which a light beam deflected in a main scanning direction passes; a scanning unit for emitting a light beam and scanning the light beam over a scanning target; and a scanning lens employed in the scanning unit.
2. Description of Related Art
In a laser printer or other electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a light source such as a semiconductor laser emits a light beam that is deflected by a polygon mirror or other deflector onto a photosensitive member, the surface of which has a uniform charge, so as to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member by scanning the light beam thereon. The latent image is subsequently developed into a visible image with toner, and the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium, such as a sheet of paper, to form an image on the recording medium.
This kind of conventional image forming apparatus has a scanning unit for irradiating the light beam on the surface of the photosensitive member. The scanning unit is often configured of a light-emitting unit such as a semiconductor laser for emitting the light beam, a deflector such as a polygon mirror for scanningly deflecting the light beam in a main scanning direction, a first scanning lens such as an fθ lens for converging the light beam in the main scanning direction, and a second scanning lens such as a cylindrical lens for converging the light beam in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. These components may be mounted on a unit frame formed of synthetic resin, for example.
While scanning lenses such as the fθ lens and the cylindrical lens were conventionally formed of glass, many of these lenses are now being formed of a synthetic resin material due to the low manufacturing cost and the ease with which such lenses can be mass produced in metallic molds, even lenses with complex curvatures.
Lenses made of a synthetic resin material are often not produced in the ideal shape defined by the molds and may be deform slightly during production due to a non-uniform temperature distribution in the mold, uneven cooling, and the like. Cylindrical lenses and other scanning lenses formed of synthetic resin are particularly susceptible to warping in the longitudinal direction. A technique designed to correct this warpage has been disclosed in Japanese patent-application publication No. 2001-91879.

Image forming apparatus with scanning lens


A hybrid aerial vehicle (HAV) comprising: a fuselage of the HAV; a first mechanism within the fuselage for accepting a plurality of wings of the HAV, the first mechanism allowing coordinated contraction of the plurality of wings essentially into the fuselage such that tips of the wings are position in proximity of the fuselage and coordinated extension of the wings such that tips of each wing are positioned away from the fuselage; a first wing extending from the port side of the fuselage and connected to the first mechanism; a second wing extending from the starboard side of the fuselage and connected to the first mechanism; a second mechanism placed within the fuselage in proximity to its front end, the second mechanism allowing motion of propellers of the HAV affixed there to between a first plain and a second plain; a first set of propellers affixed at the port side of the fuselage to the second mechanism; a second set of propellers affixed at the starboard side of the fuselage to the second mechanism; a third mechanism placed within the fuselage in proximity to its rear end, the third mechanism allowing motion of propellers of the HAV affixed there to between a first plain and a second plain, and further placing the propellers affixed thereto to be at a vertical displacement with respect to the propellers affixed to the second mechanism; a third set of propellers affixed at the port side of the fuselage to the third mechanism; and a fourth set of propellers affixed at the starboard side of the fuselage to the third mechanism.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard. In many cases the UAV's flight is controlled autonomously by onboard control unit. UAVs are used for many commercial and civil purposes including deliveries, filming video clips and images, security missions, etc. Currently UAVs have become common place but still have various deficiencies some of which are solved by the inventions described.
In particular, a UAV in a Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) configuration, enables a variety of capabilities. However, the deficiencies of the prior art encounter low performance and low reliability.


Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for reducing image interference in uplink transmission. In one embodiment, a wireless device (WD) is configured to receive an indication of a resource allocation from the network node; determine an uplink center frequency based at least in part on a center frequency of a resource allocated by the received indication of the resource allocation; and transmit uplink information according to the determined uplink center frequency.

Bandwidth reduced Low complexity/Coverage Enhancement (BL/CE) has been considered for some wireless communications and, in particular for e.g. Machine-type (MTC) wireless communications. FIG. 1 illustrates example resource configurations associated with BL/CE.
In some scenarios, an issue may arise with in-phase and quadrature (IQ) image interference. Specifically, in some cases, due to the impairment of the radio frequency (RF) front end, the IQ imbalance (also referred to as IQ mismatch) may generate an image product of its own transmission and hence result in limited image rejection performance. The image product level may be required to be controlled in certain levels to prevent too much interfering on the other user associated with the receiving network node or base station (e.g., eNB). FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a user equipment (UE) or wireless device (WD)1 image interface to wireless device 2 (WD2) in an example scenario.
One problem with existing solutions may be that, for some MTC devices with limited transmission bandwidth, when deployed in a cell with a larger bandwidth (e.g., as compared to the limited transmission bandwidth of the MTC device), the MTC device's center frequency may not be aligned with the cell center frequency. One potential problem may be that several image products may be generated and interference super-posed to one WD could be so high as to disturb the other WDs associated with the receiving network node or base station (e.g., eNB).
For example, FIG. 3 shows that the center frequencies of the WD1 and WD2 are not aligned. Thus, in the example, WD1 and WD2 may generate their own image which may overlap at the resource position where WD3 is scheduled. Thus, with a flexible MTC WD center frequency position, there could be multiple image interference problem which may degrade the system performance.

Methods and apparatuses for at least reducing an image interference for uplink transmission


A pump includes a shaft that is rotatable about a central axis. An inducer is mounted on the shaft and has an inducer blade and inducer shroud attached at an outer end of the inducer blade. An impeller is mounted on the shaft downstream of the inducer and has an impeller blade and an impeller shroud attached at an outer end of the impeller blade. There is an axially-elongated annular seal element disposed at an axial end of the inducer shroud that provides sealing between the inducer shroud and the impeller shroud.

Pumps are commonly known and used to pressurize fluids. For example, a centrifugal pump may include an inducer section and an impeller section. The inducer section initially raises the pressure of the fluid to a desired level prior to entry into the impeller section. The impeller section then serves to further boost the pressure of the fluid.

Pump with axially-elongated annular seal element between inducer and impeller


A microfiltrated clean air supply system for providing a highly filtered supply of clean air suitable for aseptic packaging (for example, class 100 or better) in a filling machine is provided. In an embodiment, the clean air supply system includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A first plurality of filters are arranged in order of increasing collection efficiency within the housing adjacent the inlet. Similarly a second plurality of filters are arranged within the housing near the outlet. The second plurality of filters are also arranged in order of increasing collection efficiency. The clean air supply system also includes a chamber located between the first plurality of filters and the second plurality of filters. The chamber includes a wall separating the chamber from the second plurality of filters. A blower is arranged in the chamber between the first and second plurality of filters. The blower has an exhaust port which is arranged in fluid communication with an aperture formed in the wall of the chamber. Thus, air is drawn in through the inlet of the housing and passes through the first plurality of filters. The air is drawn through the housing by the blower and expelled through the exhaust port into the second plurality of filters. The filtered air is then expelled through the outlet of the housing.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling containers, and more particularly, to a microfiltrated clean air supply system for a filling machine. The microfiltrated clean air supply system provides high volume, substantially particle-free air flow to the filling machine. The clean air supply system uses sets of relatively less expensive filters to advantageously provide a clean air supply to the filling machine.
Current packaging machines integrate various components necessary to fill and seal a container into a single machine unit. Such a packaging machine is used to perform a packaging process, which generally stated, includes feeding carton blanks into the machine to form cartons, sealing the bottom of the cartons, filling the cartons with the desired contents, sealing the tops of the cartons, and then off-loading the filled cartons for shipping.
Trends within the field of packaging machines point toward increasingly high capacity machines capable of rapid, continuous filling and sealing of a very large number of identical or similar packaging containers, e.g., containers of the type intended for liquid contents such as milk, juice, and the like. One such machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,812, issued Feb. 6, 1996, and entitled "Packaging Machine." The machine disclosed in that patent includes a plurality of processing stations, each station implementing one or more processes to form, fill, and seal the containers. Each of the processing stations is driven by one or more servomotors that drive the various components of each of the processing stations.
Another type of packaging machine is exemplified by the TR/7.TM. and TR/8.TM. packaging machines manufactured and available from Tetra Pak, Inc. Such machines are of a more conventional type in which many of the components are driven from a common drive motor through, for example, indexing gears and cam mechanisms.
Problems also occur in known filling machines having clean air supply systems. For example, certain machines have possible recontamination and recirculation problems as a result of not providing point of use delivery. Another problem is that known clean air systems do not provide the filters with adequate protection from product spills or other liquid splashes. Such known systems typically include blowers and HEPA filters located above the conveyor line of containers to be filled. Perforated metal diffuser plates are typically arranged beneath the filters. However, these systems do not provide adequate protection from product or other liquid splashes. Similarly, a related problem is that certain known clean air systems are not cleanable by automatic methods and equipment. As a result, the clean air systems can act as recontamination sites.
Currently, known filling and packaging machines utilize clean air systems having filters for cleaning the incoming ambient air to subsequently provide a clean air supply to the filling machine. Certain filling machines use what are known as "absolute" membrane-style filters. These filters are quite expensive, have utilities consumption costs, require substantial ancillary equipment including compressor pumps, and have relatively low throughput capacity. As a result of the high initial cost of these systems, as well as the maintenance costs, and utilities consumption costs, for a clean air supply system used on a filling machine or other apparatus is directly increased. A filtered air system in which less costly filters could be used, while still yielding a comparable collection efficiency is currently needed. In addition, a filtered air system having reduced utilities consumption costs and increased capacity is needed.

Filling machine having a microfiltrated clean air supply system


An elongated clicker (1) attached to a base (2). The base is rigid enough to distribute the pressure of the clicker on the wrist via padding (11). It is made of a lightweight material such as molded plastic, and is attached to the wrist by an adjustable strap (6). The clicker has a slidable adjustment block (12) which distributes and positions the pressure of the clicker on the back of the hand for optimum comfort and selectable clicker timing.

1. Field
This invention relates to golf swing practice aids, especially to devices producing audible feedback of wrist angle during a golf swing.
2. Prior Art
Various means for sensing and indicating the wrist angle, or constraining the wrist to a particular angle, for training in sports such as golf and bowling, have been used in the past. However, an ideal combination of practicality, sensitivity, comfort, adjustability, and economy have not been achieved.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,831,196 (Scheiber) shows a golf glove with splints (14 and 15) in pockets oriented longitudinally across the back of the wrist. The splints are tightened against the wrist so that cocking the wrist causes a discomfort that reminds the golfer not to cock the wrist too soon in the back-swing.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,064,603 (Harrison) shows an Audible Signal Device for use in golf and other sports. It has a case the shape and size of a wrist watch, with a wrist band attached. The case is strapped to any side of the wrist, and has a forward extending lever which contacts the hand adjacent the wrist for indicating bending of the wrist toward the case. The lever depresses a spring steel clicker in the case to alert the user. The timing is adjusted by replacing the lever with one of a different size, or by bending the lever.
A device on the market as of this writing has an elongated spring steel clicker in a flexible envelope attached longitudinally across the back of the wrist by a strap around the wrist. A retainer loop on the front end of the clicker can be placed around a finger of the hand. In operation, the clicker presses against a location on the back of the hand and against a second location on the wrist. These pressure points are not adjustable as to position. Clicker timing is adjusted via the tension of the wrist strap.

Audible wrist angle indicator for golfers