A technique for controlling the effects generated by the interaction of a plurality of laser pulses with a medium by selecting or varying the successive pulse parameters comprising: generating a plurality of laser pulses interacting with a medium; and selecting or varying the properties/parameters characterizing said laser pulses to control the effects resulting from the interaction among said plurality of laser pulses and said medium.

A laser or optical filament may be formed when a laser pulse with sufficiently high power undergoes self-focusing and consequently generates a plasma by ionizing the molecules of air (or by ionizing the molecules of a condensed state, through which it is propagating). A dynamic balance between diffraction, self-focusing and plasma defocusing ensures that the laser filament with its characteristically small beam size propagates over many Rayleigh lengths. For optical wavelengths in air at terrestrial densities, these filaments often require pulsewidths in the femtosecond to picosecond regime, whereas for shorter wavelengths, such as ultraviolet wavelengths, these filaments may be achieved with yet longer pulses, up to the nanosecond regime [see O. Chalus, A. Sukhinin, A. Aceves, J.-C. Diels, "Propagation of non-diffracting intense ultraviolet beams," Optics Communications, Vol. 281, No. 12, pp. 3356-3360 (2008)]. Higher or lower air densities may change some of the self-focusing and propagation characteristics, but may support the same effects. Different gases and gas mixtures may also support the desired effects. A characteristic of a subset of these laser filaments, as well as the laser-plasma interaction w/solid materials and gases other than air, is their ability to generate a supercontinuum, or "white light". This supercontinuum generation has been attributed to self-phase modulation, X-wave formation and four-wave mixing [see F. Theberge, M. Chateauneuf, V. Ross, P. Matthieu, J. Dubois, "Ultrabroadband conical emission generated from the ultraviolet up to the far-infrared during the optical filamentation in air," Optics Letters, Vol. 33, No. 21, pp. 2515-2517 (2008)]. Spatial and temporal focusing techniques have been numerically explored for individual filaments in [see M. Kolesik, D. E. Roskey, J. V. Moloney, "Conditional femtosecond pulse collapse for white-light and plasma delivery to a controlled distance," Optics Letters, Vol. 32, No. 18, pp. 2753-2755 (2007)], in order to explore control of the supercontinuum generation that accompanies a laser filament. Temporal focusing, by adjusting the chirp of a single broadband laser pulse, has been demonstrated in [see G. Mechain, C. D'Amico, Y.-B. Andre, S. Tzortzakis, M. Franco, B. Prade, A. Mysyrowicz, A. Couairon, E. Salmon, R. Sauerbrey, "Range of plasma filaments created in air by a multi-terawatt femtosecond laser," Optics Communications, Vol. 247, pp. 171-180 (2005)] to achieve optimal ionization at long distances. Spectral reshaping of ultrashort pulses via filamentation in a gas cell or a waveguide at different pressures has also been investigated [see C. P. Hauri et al., "Generation of intense, carrier-envelope phase-locked few-cycle laser pulses through filamentation," Applied Physics B, Vol. 79, pp. 673-677 (2004); and A. Couairon et al., "Pulse self-compression to the single-cycle limit by filamentation in a gas with a pressure gradient," Optics Letters, Vol. 30, No. 19, pp. 2657-2659 (2005); and L. T. Vuong et al., "Spectral reshaping and pulse compression via sequential filamentation in gases," Optics Express, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 390-401 (2008)] to reduce the pulse width and thereby increase the spectral content of the pulses. Coherent control of terahertz supercontinuum generation in ultrafast laser-gas interactions was investigated [see K. Y. Kim et al., "Coherent control of terahertz supercontinuum generation in ultrafast laser-gas interactions", Nature Photonics No. 2, pp. 605-609 (2008); and Z. Wang, "Generation of Terahertz via Nonlinear Optical Methods", IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol. 1, no. 1 (2010)] in which terahertz generation in, semiconductors and nonlinear crystals, gases, super-broadband terahertz radiation (approx 75 THz), as well as an enhanced accompanying third harmonic generation were all explored. Using the methods disclosed here, all of these effects may be optimized through tailoring of the plurality of pulses generating them, including but not limited to the repetition rate, when the pulses are regularly space in time and may be characterized in terms of a repetition rate. X-rays have also been generated in the past, using laser pulses, in a variety of solid, liquid, gas and plasma/ionized media, including but not limited to in gases, rare gases, air, and water, as well as on solid targets and solid surfaces, including but not limited to semiconductors, metals and alloys, including metals and alloys containing elements of atomic number Z=11-45 and also including heavy metals and high-Z materials, including metals and alloys containing elements of atomic number Z>45.
In considering the concept of filament length, there are two aspects to consider. The first is the actual distance over which gas is ionized, representing the total ionized length, regardless of temporal dynamics, such that a time-integrated photograph would show this total ionized length. The second aspect is having a contiguous region, ionized simultaneously, such that an instantaneous photograph would capture the instantaneous ionized length. In the literature, there are several ways to extend the length of a laser filament.
These may include but are not limited to:
1. Increasing the laser energy and power—By increasing the energy of sub-100 fs pulses to over 100 mJ, propagation distances over 20 meters have been observed with multiple filaments. However, the break-up of the initial laser beam into multiple filaments occurs due to modulational instabilities. The formation of multiple filaments along the propagation direction of the laser pulse restricts the individual laser filament length to about 1 meter, although these filaments may be regenerated through dynamic spatial replenishment from the energy reservoir that surrounds them [see K. Stelmaszcyzk et al., "Long-distance remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using filamentation in air," Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 85, No. 18, pp. 3977-3979 (2004)].
2. Controlling the laser beam focusing—To avoid small-scale filamentation that is often associated with modulational instabilities, the initial laser beam may be weakly focused to generate a laser filament. This method provides a robust way to control the density, size and length of the plasma generated by the laser pulse. The use of an axicon lens has also been reported [see S. Akturk et al., "Generation of long plasma channels in air by focusing ultrashort laser pulses," Optics Communications, Vol 282, pp. 129-134 (2008)] to generate long plasma channels. The temporal lifetime of this filament again depends on the plasma lifetime after the laser pulse interacts with the medium.
3. Concatenation of twin laser pulses—It has been shown [see S. Tzortzakis et al., "Concatenation of plasma filaments created in air by femtosecond laser infrared laser pulses," Applied Physics B, Vol. 76, pp. 609-612 (2003)] that two sub-pulses with orthogonal polarization and separated by 100 fs may be concatenated to form a longer laser plasma in air. Given that the plasma lifetime is typically much longer than 100 fs, the temporal lifetime of this filament again depends on the plasma lifetime after the laser pulse interacts with the medium, which appears to be extended by the additional "orthogonal" excitation of the second pulse.
4. Using shorter wavelengths and longer pulse widths—When using shorter wavelengths, different mechanisms may be exploited by the laser pulse to ionize the air, increasingly incorporating multi-photon ionization as wavelength is decreased. In particular, ultraviolet pulses have been postulated to exploit this mechanism to result in much longer filaments, in that a single laser pulse may maintain a sufficient intensity to ionize gas without defocusing, thereby forming a longer filament in the sense of a longer spatial extent of time-integrated ionized gas, although temporally the actual length of a simultaneously contiguous plasma is still governed by the plasma lifetime, which is dictated by the ionization and recombination dynamics resulting from passage of each single pulse [see O. Chalus et al., "Propagation of non-diffracting intense ultraviolet beams," Optics Communications, Vol. 281, No. 12, pp. 3356-3360 (2008)].
5. Extension of the plasma lifetime and/or revival of the plasma—To extend the lifetime of the electron plasma generated by a laser filament, a combination of femtosecond and nanosecond laser pulses has been adopted [see B. Zhou et al., "Revival of femtosecond laser plasma filaments in air by nanosecond laser," Optics Express, Vol. 17, No. 14, pp. 11450-11456, (2009)]. In this technique, the short lived plasma channels generated in the wake of femtosecond laser pulses through filamentation in air may be revived after several milliseconds by a delayed nanosecond pulse, which is normally unable to ionize the air, without said air having first been ionized by the preceding more intense laser pulse.

Method and technique to control laser effects through tuning of parameters such as repetition rate


In a memory card with a newly-added module for performing data communication, data communication is stably performed without receiving a noise effect. As an embodiment of the present invention, a memory card 100 has a thin-plate-shaped holding member 20, a memory section 24 provided as buried in the holding member 20, plural first connection pieces 2-10 connected to the memory section 24, a data communication section 26 provided as buried in the holding member 20, and two connection pieces 11, 12 connected to the data communication section 26. The two second connection pieces 11, 12 are disposed at the end of a row part R1 on which only the plural first connection pieces 2-10 are aligned. One first connection piece 10 positioned at the end of the row part R1 is a ground terminal. That is to say, in the plural first connection pieces 2-10, the first connection piece 10 adjacent to the second connection piece 11 is a ground terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a memory card.
2. Description of the Related Art
A memory card which has a data rewritable flash memory and in which data is written/read to/from this flash memory has been provided (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-178282).
Such memory card is used to perform data writing and reading by being inserted in the card slot of an external device such as a personal computer and a cellular phone, and it has a single function.
A flash, memory and a control circuit which is connected to this flash memory and performs control of data writing and/or reading are built into such memory card, and plural connection terminals to be connected to the connection terminals of a connector provided in a card slot are provided.
The plural connection terminals of the memory card include a power source terminal for operating the flash memory and the control circuit, a ground terminal, a data communication terminal, a terminal for control signal, or the like.


A machining device for material-removing machining of a workpiece includes a stationary frame, a workpiece magazine, a workpiece slide movable relative to the frame and accommodates a workpiece and a housing which encompasses a machining chamber and is located outside the workpiece magazine, wherein the workpiece magazine accommodates a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece magazine moves workpieces to an interchange point, the workpiece slide imparts translational movement to a workpiece along an X axis during workpiece machining and the workpiece slide is movable along the X axis to such an extent that the workpiece located on the workpiece slide is movable to the interchange point disposed outside the machining chamber encompassed by the housing.

A generic machining device comprises a stationary frame, a workpiece magazine, and a workpiece slide capable of being moved relatively to the frame and adapted to accommodate one workpiece. The workpiece magazine is configured to accommodate a number of workpieces that can be moved by the workpiece magazine to an interchange point. Furthermore, the workpiece slide is configured to carry out a translational movement of the workpiece along an X axis when the workpiece is being machined, for example, in a milling, drilling, and/or grinding operation.
Generic machining devices are known. In such generic machining devices, the workpiece magazine serves to accommodate a plurality of workpieces so that the workpiece can be interchanged automatically without manual intervention when one workpiece has been machined to completion and a new workpiece is to be mounted on the workpiece slide for machining purposes. The known machining devices usually comprise a separate manipulating mechanism that serves to transfer a workpiece from the workpiece magazine to the machining position. For this purpose, the manipulating equipment picks up a workpiece located at the interchange point of the workpiece magazine and keeps it in the machining position for subsequent machining Pallet systems are also known in which pallets, together with workpieces clamped thereon, are moved automatically to a machining position, in which machining then takes place while the pallet remains stationary.
The disadvantage of that known design is that the manipulating equipment requires additional space and involves additional costs. Particularly in the case of machining devices configured to produce dental prosthetic items from blanks, the additional space required by the manipulating equipment is a drawback since these devices are intended to have a space-saving design to allow them to be set up in a dental laboratory or a dentist's premises.
It could therefore be helpful to improve a generic machining device, especially to the effect that workpieces can be transferred from the workpiece magazine to the machining position on the workpiece slide without incurring the drawbacks of the prior art.


A high tensile strength hot-rolled steel sheet having superior strain aging hardenability, which has high formability and stable quality characteristics, and in which satisfactory strength is obtained when the steel sheet is formed into automotive components, thus enabling the reduction in weight of automobile bodies is provided. Specifically, a method for producing a high tensile strength hot-rolled steel sheet having superior strain aging hardenability with a BH of 80 MPa or more, a ΔTS of 40 MPa or more, and a tensile strength of 440 MPa or more includes the steps of heating a steel slab to 1,000° C. or more, the steel slab containing, in percent by mass 0.15% or less of C, 2.0% or less of Si, 3.0% or less of Mn, 0.08% or less of P, 0.02% or less of S, 0.02% or less of Al, 0.0050% to 0.0250% of N, and optionally 0.1% or less in total of at least one of more than 0.02% to 0.1% of Nb and more than 0.02% to 0.1% of V, the ratio N (mass %)/Al (mass %) being 0.3 or more, rough-rolling the steel slab to form a sheet bar; finish-rolling the sheet bar at a finishing temperature of 800° C. or more; cooling at a cooling rate of 20° C. to 40° C./s or more within 0.5 second after the finish-rolling; and coiling at a temperature of 650° C. to 450° C. or less.

Many thin steel sheets are used as materials for automobile bodies. Cold-rolled steel sheets used to be used for applications in which superior formability is required. However, owing to adjustment of steel compositions (chemical constituents) and optimization of hot rolling conditions, it has become possible to produce hot-rolled steel sheets having high formability (high workability), and therefore, the hot-rolled steel sheets are increasingly used as materials for automobile bodies.
In order to meet restrictions on exhaust gas in view of the global environment, reductions in automobile body weight are very important. In order to reduce the automobile body weight, it is effective to increase the tensile strength of steel sheets and decrease the thickness of the steel sheets. Automotive components to which higher tensile strength and thinner steel sheets are applied must have various characteristics. For example, the required characteristics include static strength to bending and torsional deformation, fatigue strength, and impact resistance. Therefore, the high tensile strength steel sheets used for the automotive components must have such characteristics after formation and working are performed.
On the other hand, press forming is performed to steel sheets when automotive components are manufactured. Excessively high strength of the steel sheets gives rise to problems; for example, shape fixability is degraded, and defects, such as cracking and necking, are caused during formation due to a decrease in ductility. Such problems have hindered the expansion of the application of high tensile strength steel sheets to automobile bodies.
In order to overcome the difficulties described above, for example, with respect to cold-rolled steel sheets for outer panels, a steel sheet production technique is known in which an ultra low-carbon steel is used as a raw material and the C amount ultimately remaining in the dissolved state is restricted within an appropriate range. In this technique, a strain aging hardening phenomenon, which occurs in a paint baking step performed at 170° C.× approximately 20 minutes after press forming, is used. Shape fixability and ductility are secured during formation by maintaining the softness, and dent resistance is secured after formation by an increase in YS (yield stress) due to strain aging hardening. However, in this technique, in order to avoid stretcher strain leading to surface defects, an amount of the increase in YS cannot be increased sufficiently, and since ΔTS is as small as several Mpa, the thickness of the steel sheet cannot be decreased sufficiently.
On the other hand, in the applications in which appearance is not a great problem, a steel sheet in which the bake hardening amount is further increased by using dissolved N (Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 7-30408), and a steel sheet in which bake hardenability is further improved by using a dual-phase structure composed of ferrite and martensite (Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 8-23048) have been disclosed.
However, in such steel sheets, although a higher bake hardening amount can be obtained because YS (yield stress) is increased to a certain extent after paint baking, it is not possible to increase TS (tensile strength), and no great improvement in fatigue resistance and impact resistance after formation is expected. Therefore, the steel sheets cannot be used for components in which fatigue resistance, impact resistance, etc., are required, which is disadvantageous. Since the amount of the increase in the yield stress YS is unstable, it is not possible to decrease the thickness of the steel sheets in such a way as to contribute to lightening of automotive components, which is also disadvantageous.
Moreover, when a thin steel sheet with a thickness of 2.0 mm or less is produced, since the shape of the steel sheet becomes unsatisfactory in the hot rolling process, it is considerably difficult to press-form the steel sheet.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide a high tensile strength hot-rolled steel sheet having superior strain aging hardenability which overcomes the limitations of the conventional techniques described above, which has high formability and stable quality characteristics, and in which satisfactory strength is obtained when the steel sheet is formed into automotive components, thus greatly contributing to lightening of automobile bodies. It would also be advantageous to provide a method for industrially producing such a steel sheet at low costs and without disturbing the shape thereof.

High tensile hot-rolled steel sheet having excellent strain aging hardening properties and method for producing the same


An adjustable dumbbell device includes a handle, a number of weights each having a channel to slidably receive an end portion of the handle, and a latch slidably engaged onto the end portion of the handle and engageable into the channels of a selected number of the weights, to secure the selected number of the weights to the end portion of the handle. A securing device may be used for securing the latch to the end portion of the handle, and includes one or more beams attached to the end portion of the handle, and a spring biasing catch may catch the latch to the beams or the end portion of the handle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable dumbbell, and more particularly to an adjustable dumbbell assembly having an easily and quickly adjustable structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various kinds of typical adjustable dumbbells have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,690 to Schook, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,413 to Kupferman disclose two of the typical dumbbells each including one or more weight rings that may be selectively or adjustably secured together for adjusting the weight of the dumbbells.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,690 to Schook, the weight rings each includes an outer thread for threading with the inner threads of the other weight rings and for securing the weight rings together. It takes time to thread the weight rings together.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,413 to Kupferman, the weight rings are engaged on a core or a rod and each includes a number of posts for engaging into the holes of the other weight rings. It is also required to secure the weight rings together one by one. In addition, the weight rings may be rotated and disengaged from each other while in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,997 to Roth et al. discloses another typical adjustable dumbbell including a number of weight rings to be selectively or adjustably secured together with a shaft that is required to be rotated relative to the weight rings or the like. However, the weight rings or weight members may not be solidly secured to the shaft while in use.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional adjustable dumbbells.


Disclosed is a Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. extract, specifically compounds I and II, a preparation method for same, and a use thereof in preparing a medicament for blood glucose decease, blood lipids decrease, weight loss, and kidney disease treatment or a method for treatment of said diseases, and a composition containing the extract.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a systemic metabolic disorder characterized in elevated blood glucose resulted from insulin secretion defect and (or) the dysfunction of insulin in normal physiological action. Modern medicine research found that there is an explicit epidemiological link between elevated blood lipids and diabetes mellitus. Regulation of blood lipids for overweight people can prevent high blood glucose. Reduction of body weight and regulation of blood lipids for diabetic patients are keys to decrease mortality and disability rate of diabetic patients.
Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr., also known as HuoXueDan or TouGuXiao, is dried whole plant of Glechoma Linn., Labiatae, widely distributed over temperate region of Eurasia and also cultivated in south and north Americas. In our country, it is distributed in various parts of the country except for northwest and inner mongolia. Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. was firstly recited in Bencao Gangmu Shiyi, tastes bitter and pungent, has cool nature, is attributed to channels of liver, kidney, and bladder, and has effects on promoting diuresis and treating stranguria, clearing heat and detoxifying, dissipating stasis and eliminating swelling. Clinically, Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. is mainly used for treating urinary stone, hepatic and cystic stone, damp-heat jaundice, and injury due to falling. Chinese Pharmacopeia (2010 edition) lists HuoXueDan, Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr., Labiate plant, as the source of Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. medical material.
It was reported that the total flavones in a 65% ethanol extract of Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. can decrease the blood glucose level in diabetic mouse induced by streptozotocin, and it was believed that the glucose-decreasing mechanism is to inhibit pancreatic islet β-cell damage induced by streptozotocin, thereby increasing β-cell number in diabetic mouse induced by streptozotocin (Yuan Chunlin, et al., Pharmacology and Clinics of Chinese Materia Medica, 2008, 24(3), 57-58). Yang Nianyun, et al., (Journal of China Pharmaceutical University, 2005, 36(3), 210-212) obtained 10 Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. flavone compounds from a 80% ethanol extract of Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. by means of extraction and column chromatography; after that, Yang Nianyun, et al., (Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 2006, 4(2), 98-100) separated 10 compounds again from a n-butanol extraction fraction of a 80% ethanol reflux extract liquid of Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr., wherein the yield of Compound II is merely about 2 ppm. None of Yuan Chunling, et al., and Yang Nianyun, et al., reported the antidiabetic activity of any specific flavone compound in the extract of Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. Meanwhile, the ingredients of the total flavones reported by Yuan Chunling, et al., and Yang Nianyun, et al., do not comprise luteolin-7-O-[β-glucuronosyl(1→2)β-glucuronic acid] of the present invention.
Japanese researchers once studied acute reduction of glucose by a water decoction of Glechoma hederacea subsp. grandis in an in vivo assay of animals (Shinji I., et al. Nippon Shokuhin Kagaku Kogaku Kaishi, 2007, 54(9):412-414). This reference presumed that the polysaccharide ingredients in the resulting extract liquid of Glechoma hederacea subsp. grandis are the primary active components for decreasing glucose. However, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition) does not list Glechoma hederacea subsp. grandis as a source of the traditional Chinese medicine, Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. Moreover, the Flora of China (Editorial board of Flora of China of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Flora of China (Volume 65, Fascicle 2), Beijing: Science Press, 1977) specifically lists Glechoma hederacea subsp. grandis as a separate variety of Glechoma Linn., indicating that Glechoma hederacea subsp. grandis and Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr. (Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kupr.) do not belong to the same variety.

SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF MATERIA MEDICA CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

NANJING PAILEXING PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY LTD.


The fastening arrangement (26) for an impeller (22) on a shaft (14), in particular for an impeller (22) of a turbocharger on a turbocharger shaft (14), comprises a bush (34), which can be screwed onto a shaft journal (20) of the shaft (14), and a shaft-side hub extension (30) of the impeller (22) having a central recess (32), into which the bush (34) can be inserted in a frictional manner. The hub extension (30), at least in the region of its shaft-side end, is designed approximately in the form of a hollow cylinder. The fastening arrangement (26) also comprises a press sleeve (36) which can be frictionally connected radially on the outside to the hub extension (30).

In high-speed machines, such as, for example, in high-speed fluid-flow machines, the connection between the impellers and the shaft must satisfy stringent requirements. These connections must be absolutely rotationally fixed at high speeds, despite the high forces which occur, they must be able to transmit high torques and have a long service life, but must nonetheless often be releasable for maintenance purposes.
Various possible ways of realizing such connections have been proposed. Thus, the impeller, for example, may be provided with a continuous central bore and the shaft may be provided with a tapped hole, so that the impeller can then be screwed on with a clamping screw. Or the impeller, on its side facing the shaft, is provided with a blind hole having an internal thread, and a threaded stem having a matching external thread is provided on the shaft end, so that the impeller can be screwed directly onto the shaft. Since the impellers are often produced from a material different from that of the shaft, problems repeatedly occur with these screwed connections on account of different coefficients of expansion of the materials, a factor which may lead to rotor unbalance during operation. The softer material may also sustain damage during repeated release and tightening in the region of the thread. Furthermore, "fretting" of the threads may occur. Thread furrows which are made directly in the hub of the impeller or in the shaft may lead to unfavorable notch effects in the components, a factor which may lead to the fracture of the hub in the case of threads in the hub. This is a very big problem in turbochargers having ram induction, the impellers of which are subjected to considerable torque fluctuations.
In order to avoid the problems caused by the threads, it has been proposed in the case of impellers screwed directly to the shaft to arrange a bush between the shaft and the impeller. Such a connection is known, for example, from Napier EGT 297 from "Diesel and Gas Turbine Catalog 1998, Volume 63; Page 686". In this example, the compressor wheel of a turbocharger is provided on the shaft side with a hub extension which has a central blind hole. A bush is frictionally inserted into this blind hole. This bush has an axially extending bush part and, on the shaft side, an annular bush flange which projects radially outward therefrom and has approximately the same outside diameter as the end face of the hub extension. The bush part is dimensioned in such a way that it extends just up to the base of the blind hole when the bush flange is brought to bear against the end face of the hub extension. Two cylindrical recesses lying axially one behind the other are provided in the bush part, the impeller-side cylindrical recess having a smaller diameter than the shaft-side cylindrical recess and being provided with an internal thread. Formed between the two recesses is a shoulder which, in interaction with the shoulder of the shaft journal designed to be diametrically opposed to the inside of the bush, serves for centering the compressor wheel relative to the shaft. During assembly, first of all the bush is inserted frictionally into the central recess of the compressor wheel and then the compressor wheel together with the bush is screwed onto the shaft journal of the turbocharger shaft. The compressor wheel itself has no thread and is thus freed of the notch stresses. In addition, given appropriate selection of the bush material, the problem of the different coefficients of expansion and of the fretting and also of the damage to the softer thread during repeated release and tightening can be reduced or completely removed. In this design, the blind hole and end face of the hub extension, the bush together with flange, shoulder and thread, and also the shaft journal together with thread and shoulder must be worked very accurately, which is complicated and expensive.
In addition, this design leads to large leakage flows. Nonetheless, such a connection cannot be used for connections in which very high torques or high torque fluctuations have to be transmitted between impeller and shaft, as is the case, for example, in turbochargers having ram induction, since the torque transmission is inadequate.

Fastening arrangement for an impeller on a shaft


The present invention discloses a method for advertising and processing pseudo-wire (PW) information, which comprises: the sending provider edge (PE) device using two or more methods to group PWs, identifying the group identifier assigned to each PW with each grouping method, and sending all group identifiers of each PW to the receiving PE device; the sending PE device sending to the receiving PE device the notification message that carries information identifying the affected PW group, and the receiving PE device identifying the PWs belonging to the affected PW group according to the received notification. The present invention also discloses the sending and receiving PE devices for advertising and processing PW information. The method and the devices of the present invention can support grouping PWs with more than one method, allowing for flexible use of PW group-based messaging and message processing.

MPLS Layer-2 virtual private network (MPLS L2VPN) implements L2VPN across an MPLS backbone by encapsulating user packets in MPLS labels. Virtual private LAN service (VPLS) and virtual private wire service (VPWS) are two approaches to MPLS L2VPN.
Both VPLS and VPWS fit into the PW emulation edge-to-edge (PWE3) architecture. In the PWE3 architecture, a PW is a dedicated virtual connection from PE to PE, which is achieved by using encapsulation technology. In VPLS/VPWS applications, VPLS/VPWS access is provided by PEs. Multiple PWs can share one physical link while being independent of each other. Each PW contains two unidirectional virtual circuits (VCs) in different directions. After the two VCs are established, a bidirectional PW is established.
Currently, a PW can be established manually, through Martini MPLS L2VPN, or through Kompella MPLS L2VPN. The Martini MPLS L2VPN is achieved by extending the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) while the Kompella MPLS L2VPN is achieved by extending the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). Among the three approaches, Martini MPLS L2VPN has gained wide application because it avoids the limitation of manual setup in network size and the deficiency of Kompella MPLS L2VPN in deployment flexibility.
To guide Martini signaling implementations, the IETF drafted RFC 4477. According to the RFC, The PEs in the VPLS or VPWS must first establish LDP neighborhoods and then send Label Mapping messages to each other to advertise local PW information.
In a Label Mapping message, each PW entry contains a PW ID, a PW label, and a set of interface parameters. RFC 4447 defines two types of type-length-value (TLV) attributes for PW identification: PWid FEC and Generalized PWid FEC. The PWid FEC uniquely identifies a PW by using the combination of PW type and PW ID (LDP neighborhood information in the messages may be required in addition), and identifies a PW group by using the group ID. Generalized PWid FEC uniquely identifies a PW by using the combination of AGI, SAII and TAII, and identifies a PW group by using the PW Grouping ID TLV.
The methods used by the two FECs to identify groups of PWs are called wildcard identification. The Group ID and the PW Grouping ID TLV used by the two FECs are called PW group identifiers. PW grouping is done by the sender of Label Mapping messages and the transmitted label mappings already carry the PW identifiers of PWs. The PE that receives the label mappings saves the Group ID or PW Grouping ID TLV, that is, the PW group identifier, for each PW. When the receiving PE device receives a wildcard message, it can use the group identifier of PW to identify whether a PW belongs to the PW group affected by the message.
After a PW is established, the PEs at the ends of the PW can transmit packets on it. Because the PW may fail due to the attachment circuit (AC) failure of VPWS or public network LSP failure of VPLS or any other reason, the PEs need to transmit PW unreachable messages to notify the remote PEs of the PW failure.
As described in RFC 4447, the PW unreachable message must contain the PW ID for identifying the unreachable PW. To improve transmission efficiency, wildcard identification, that is, the PW group identifier, can be used in PW unreachable messages to notify the remote endpoint of affected PWs in groups.
In present application, PW grouping is achieved by using the Group ID or PW Grouping ID TLV in the PW identifier, and only one PW grouping method can be used. This can hardly cover various failure causes and constrains the use of wildcard messaging.
Suppose PW groups are divided by physical ports connected to ACs. When a physical port fails causing the failure of all PWs on it, the PE can use a wildcard message to notify its remote peer of the PW failure. When a public network LSP fails causing the failure of all PWs on it, the PE cannot do this. Rather, the PE has to send one message to the remote peer for each failed PW.
If PW groups are divided by public network LSPs, the PE can use a wildcard message to notify its remote peer of the PW failures caused by a public network LSP failure. However, to notify of the PW failures caused by a physical port failure, the PE has to send a PW unreachable message for each PW.
Thus, single-method based PW grouping limits the use of wildcard messages, decreasing efficiency. In cases where a PE has to send a message for each unreachable PW, the delay of unreachable PW advertisement is increased and system resources are wasted.

Method and provider edge device for advertising and processing pseudo-wire information


An exposure device can exposes a circuit pattern while information data is suitably changed. An exposure device comprises a first light source (20) for irradiating a first light including ultraviolet rays, a projection exposure unit (70) for exposing a circuit pattern drawn on a photomask on a substrate, with the first light, a substrate stage (60) for mounting the substrate, a housing (11) for arranging the substrate stage, a second light source (41) for irradiating a second light including ultraviolet rays, arranged at a position different from the first light source, a spatial light modulation unit (40) for exposing information data formed electrically using the second light on the substrate, and a spatial optical light modulation unit driving means (5) for moving the spatial light modulation unit arranged on the housing (11) in a direction parallel to a moving direction of the substrate stage.

Circuits for specific tests or quality conformance tests may be formed on printed circuit boards other than circuit patterns. Circuits for tests are generally called "test coupon" or "test pattern" (hereinafter called "test coupon information"). Further, other than the circuit pattern or the test coupon information, a mark for controlling a printed circuit board, and character information or graphic information for controlling circuit pattern region after the printed circuit board is cut and divided may be formed on the printed circuit board. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the test coupon information, the character information and graphic information are all called "information data".
The above-described exposure device for exposing the circuit pattern and the information data is disclosed in Japan unexamined patent publication No. 2006-072100. The exposure device in the publication No. 2006-072100 has a photomask on which information data is drawn in advance together with a circuit pattern. The exposure device uses a masking device arranged between a light source and a photomask to mask the unnecessary circuit pattern or information data on the photomask. The exposure device exposes the circuit pattern or the information data which is not masked.    Patent publication 1: Japan unexamined patent publication No. 2006-072100


A method for reducing a volume of air within an electrical distribution system. The method includes providing at least one cable, surrounding the at least one cable with an isolating unit, placing a first shielding body on a top surface of the isolating unit, placing a second shielding body on a bottom surface of the isolating unit, wherein placing the first shielding body and the second shielding body creates a gap X1 between the first shielding body or the second shielding body and the isolating unit, and crimping the first shielding body to the second shielding body to create a shield housing, so that a gap X2 is created between the first shielding body or the second shielding body and the isolating unit, wherein X2 is less than X1. The at least a portion of the first shielding body may overlap with the second shielding body, and the first shielding body or the second shielding body may include at least one flared portion. The overlap may occur at a location corresponding to the flared portion, with the flared portion having a length N, wherein N may be equal to about 2(X1−X2). Gaps X1 and X2 may be air gaps.

Electrical distribution housings (e.g., splitters, y-distributors, etc.) are subject to temperature fluctuations due to environmental changes as well as heat dissipation from the wires that they house. Because electrical distribution housings are sealed housing, air that is trapped within the housing will expand and contract in response to these temperature changes. Thus, the temperature fluctuations cause pressure fluctuations.
Pressure changes that are experienced within electrical distribution housings causes wear and tear on the sealing elements as well as exacerbating degradation of electrical components from moisture in the air. Moreover, peak pressure values due to sudden thermal expansion of air put a high degree of strain on sealing members. For example, when an electrical distribution housing is mounted in an engine compartment of an automobile the ambient heat generated by the engine may rise to about 100° C., thereby raising the temperature of the electrical distribution housing to 100° C. However, sudden changes in the engine compartment (e.g., the introduction of rain water, cleaning solutions, cold air, etc.) may drastically and suddenly decrease the temperature of the electrical distribution housing. Such sudden changes in temperature cause peak pressure changes, which severely degrade sealing members of the electrical distribution housing.
Conventional electrical distribution housings are known to incorporate venting membranes and/or pressure equalization elements to help address this problem. But venting membranes and/or pressure equalization elements are typically expensive to manufacture and difficult to implement. Moreover, using a pressure exchange element changes the pollution degree of electrical distribution housings, which effects applicable safety standards. For example, according to the International Electrotechnical Commision's ("IEC") standards (i.e., IEC 60664-1), pollution degree three may be defined as conductive pollution or dry nonconductive pollution that becomes conductive due to condensation, while pollution degree two may be defined as nonconductive pollution with temporary conductivity caused by condensation. Implementing a pressure exchange element in a housing raises the pollution degree to three because conductive pollution due to condensation cannot be protected against with such an exchanger. At higher pollution degrees greater creepage and clearance distances are required (e.g., according to IEC standards) in order to ensure that the device is safe and non-hazardous. Moreover, a pressure exchange element is a weak link in a sealed housing because such an element includes a specialized membrane that lets air (and water vapor) pass therethrough. Through the natural surface tension of water and the very small openings in the membrane, water is kept out. Nevertheless, in the case of submerging into a liquid and pressure changes inside the housing, water may pass through the pressure exchange element.
Alternative means for reducing pressure fluctuations within a housing include reducing the ambient volume, which reduces the amount of air (and moisture). It is known in the art to overmold wiring and perform potting (e.g., filling an electronic device with a solid or viscous substance) in order to reduce the available gas volume within an electronic device. But performing overmolding and/or potting requires additional manufacturing steps, which increase costs. Additionally, overmolding and/or potting are not easily accomplished in serial processing where a combination of different materials are used. Another option could be to displace the air with a plastic granulate or powder. But this also requires additional manufacturing steps and is not easily accomplished in serial processing.
Prior art electrical distribution housings do not contemplate other means for reducing the air volume within a sealed housing. There remains a need for alternative means to reduce the air volume, and thus reduce pressure fluctuations, which is simpler, more cost effective, and maintains a lower pollution degree.

System and method for reducing air volume in a splitter


To prevent a long molding from bending during drying and hardening in a drying furnace after braiding. A pair of rotatable joints 2 and 3 are used as a stretching jig for a long braiding mandrel, the joints are connected to the respective ends of the mandrel, and a loading means 16 is used to stretch the mandrel via the joints to apply tension to it.

When a braider is utilized to form a long molding, a long braiding mandrel is generally used. This mandrel is braided with yarns such as resin or glass fiber, and wrapped with a thermal-contracting tape. The mandrel is then placed in a drying furnace, where the braided molding is heated, dried and hardened.
In this case, the long molding may bent during hardening. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to prevent the long molding from bending during drying and hardening in a drying furnace after braiding.

Stretching jig for braiding mandrel and method for forming long molding


A swing-away joystick mounting assembly (20) for mounting a joystick (12) to a wheelchair frame member (11). The joystick mounting assembly (20) produces pantographic movement of the joystick device (12) between a retracted position and an extended position to adjust the placement of the joystick (12). Ingress and egress to and from the wheelchair are eased while, further, permitting the wheelchair to be moved closer to a table or desktop (14). A pair of arms (24, 24') are pivotally mounted at first ends (25, 25') to a first mounting mechanism (21) at spaced apart locations and pivotally mounted at second ends (26, 26') to a second mounting mechanism (22) at spaced apart locations. This four-bar configuration produces pantographic movement of the second mounting mechanism with the joystick device (12) carried thereby between the retracted position and the extended position. A latch mechanism (27) releasably secures the arms (24, 24') together in either the retracted position or the extended position. A spring biasing mechanism (30 ) biases the arms (24, 24') toward an intermediate position from both the retracted position and the extended position. This permits one-handed operation of the mounting assembly (20) because the user will not be required to simultaneously disengage the latch mechanism (27) and commence movement of the assembly (20) from either the fully retracted or fully extended position.

Electric powered wheelchairs are generally controlled by joystick assemblies, operably coupled to electric drive motors, which permit an operator to accelerate, steer and brake the wheelchair from an operating position. Because some wheelchair occupants are severely impaired, physically, conventional vehicle steering means are often inappropriate and difficult to operate for these individuals. Joysticks, on the other hand, allow those severely impaired to operate the movement of the wheelchair simply by positioning a joystick knob with one hand in the desired direction of movement of the wheelchair.
Preferably, the joystick device is optimally located where the operator can comfortably rest their arm on the wheelchair armrest from the operating position and operate the joystick knob free of discomfort. This position generally places the joystick knob just forward of the front portion of the armrest at a height where the joystick may be operated by the user while seated in the operating position. Such a position optimally places the joystick knob for accessibility permitting the user to rests their arm on the wheelchair armrest.
The joystick is often mounted to a distal end of an elongated rod member which is disposed alongside the wheelchair armrest or a side portion of the wheelchair frame. This rod member is releasably coupled to a bracket member mounted to the armrest or the wheelchair frame member and formed to slidably receive the rod member. Hence, the rod member and the joystick carried thereby can slide forward, away from the armrest, or rearward, toward the armrest, in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the rod member for length adjustment purposes.
While these joystick mounting assemblies have been adequate to adjust the location of the joystick device along the longitudinal axis of the rod member, several operational problems are inherent in these designs. A locking mechanism, to secure the rod member relative to the bracket member, must be loosened, usually by turning a knob, in order to permit the rod member to slide forward or rearward. Subsequently, the latch mechanism must be tightened in order to retain the positioning of the joystick device. Moreover, to move the joystick each time, this sequence of events must be repeated which tends to be difficult and laborious to those severely impaired.
Another problem that has been encountered in connection with these prior art joystick mounting assemblies is that the mounting assembly always positions the joystick device forward of the armrest. Because of the occupant's limited mobility while seated in the operating position, it is often desirable to position the wheelchair as close as possible to working table, office desk or the like for greater access, convenience and practical working environment. Thus, in situations where the table is placed at a height similar to that of the joystick device, the wheelchair may only be moved as close to the table as the joystick device will permit. Traditional joystick mounting assemblies may be retracted somewhat in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the rod member; however, without removal of the joystick, the joystick device is still positioned between the armrest and the table.
Finally, ingress and egress to and from the operating position of the wheelchair is more difficult since the joystick device projects forward from the armrest which impairs passage to the wheelchair seat.


A control system for a linear feed-forward amplifier, using the ratio of measured spurious energy. Measuring receivers are coupled to two monitoring points to measure the spurious energy content in the error signal and at the main output of a feed-forward amplifier. The control system measures the ratio of these detected spurious, and uses this to optimize the settings of the second loop distortion cancellation. With the addition of an extra monitoring point, the same technique may also be used to control an adaptive predistorter prior to the main amplifier.

The present invention relates to electronic communication systems, and more particularly to systems in which multiple signals are simultaneously transmitted at varying power levels.
In electronic communication systems, it is often necessary that groups of information signals be amplified and transmitted simultaneously. For example, a cellular radio base station transmitter typically transmits signals to many active receiving mobile stations within a single geographic cell. The signals typically appear at multiple predetermined frequencies in such multi-carrier signals. Similarly, a satellite communications transponder amplifies and transmits large number of information signals destined for various participating remote stations. Because such systems customarily employ a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) scheme, in which information signals are modulated on signal carriers occupying several frequency channels within an allocated frequency band, care must be taken to avoid inter-channel interference which may corrupt signal transmissions.
One possible source of such cross-channel interference is known as intermodulation distortion (IMD), which may result when two or more signals of different frequencies are mixed. For example, if two carriers of different frequencies are amplified using a non-linear amplifier, spurious outputs occur at the sum and difference of integer multiples of the original carrier frequencies.
As described in detail below, third order intermodulation products resulting from two relatively strong signals may disrupt transmission of a third relatively weak signal being transmitted on a carrier having a frequency equal to the frequency of the intermodulation product.
Various solutions have been proposed for improving linearity and reducing inter-channel effects in multi-carrier amplifiers. One such solution is the feed-forward amplifier circuit. In the feed-forward amplifier two loops are used to cancel distortion. In a first loop, a portion of the signals at the input to the amplifier are fed forward and, following suitable amplitude and phase adjustment, are subtracted from the amplifier output to generate an error signal. The error signal is proportional to distortion components of the output. The first loop that generates the error signal is known as the signal-cancellation loop. The error signal is then amplified, phase-adjusted and subtracted from the amplifier output to give a corrected signal output with reduced distortion effects. This portion of the circuit is known as the error-cancellation loop.
In one design, a "pilot tone" is introduced to the first loop of the feed-forward amplifier (i.e. signal cancellation loop). Then, the amplitude and phase adjustments in the error cancellation loops are performed by varying the amplitude and phase until a desired output is obtained. The adjustments made in this manner, however, are inherently narrowband and give optimal amplifier performance only at a certain frequency.
Other possible approaches to multi-channel linearization are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,532, in which a microprocessor adjusts the feed-forward circuits, based on spectral analysis of the amplifier output signal; and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,537, in which a broadband pilot signal is used. An article by Parsons, et al., entitled "A Highly-Efficient Linear Amplifier for Satellite and Cellular Applications," in IEEE Globecom, Vol. 1 (December 1995), pp. 203–207, suggests combining analog predistortion with feed-forward linearization. PCT patent publication WO98/12800 describes an RF power amplifier that combines feed-forward correction with adaptive digital predistortion. An RF signal output by the power amplifier is down-converted and sampled, and the average power of this signal is used as an input to a look-up table, so as to vary the values of complex gain applied to the input signal to the amplifier and to a feed-forward error signal.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide other techniques which reduce intermodulation distortion to, for example, compensate for non-linearities introduced by power amplifiers in multi-carrier environments.
Those having skill in the art would understand the desirability of having a spurious ratio circuit for use with feed-forward linear amplifiers. This type of spurious ratio circuit for use with feed-forward linear amplifiers would necessarily tend to more completely cancel in-band distortion, thus allowing the linearity of the amplifier to be improved.

Spurious ratio control circuit for use with feed-forward linear amplifiers


This invention relates to a hybrid component comprising at least one nanoparticle of inorganic layered compound (in the form of fullerene-like structure or nanotube), and at least one metal nanoparticle, uses thereof as a catalyst, (e.g. photocatalysis) and processes for its preparation.

Environmental problems associated with hazardous wastes, toxic water and air pollutions have attracted much attention in recent years. Among them, organic dyes that contain major group of pollutants produced during their use industrial processes, and organo-sulfur compounds in the form of thiophene, dibenzothiophene and related compounds that form a major part of sulfur contaminants in fuels. To solve these problems there is a need to develop reactive catalysts having specificity toward particular compounds, and resistance to catalyst poisoning resulting in quick reduction in reactivity.
Cheng et al. (Adv. Materials 2006, 18: 2561-2564) disclosed MoS2 nanotubes decorated with Ni nanoparticles that exhibit high reactivity and selectivity with respect to thiophene and thiophene derivatives.

Metal nanoparticle deposited inorganic nanostructure hybrids, uses thereof and processes for their preparation


A non-linear silicon compound is provided. The non-linear silicon compound may be a non-linear aromatic compound used as a linker for manufacturing an oligomer probe array. The non-linear silicon compound may reduce self-aggregation so as to form a stable and uniform monolayer. As a result, upon hybridization analysis, the fluorescent intensity may be increased.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a non-linear silicon compound, a method of using the same, and to an oligomer probe array with the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An oligomer probe array is a tool that is widely used for genetic expression profiling, genotyping, detection of mutations, such as, for example, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), and polymorphism, analysis of protein and peptide, potential screening in medicine, development and production of new medicines, and the like.
A linker that is used for manufacturing an oligomer probe array may be introduced to allow an interactions between an oligomer probe and a target sample, for example, hybridization and to solve a difficulty in which the oligomer probe is not directly coupled to a surface of a substrate. Up to now, linear silane compounds, such as aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 4-hydroxy-N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)butanamide, and the like, have been used.
Moreover, in the existing linear silane compounds, as self aggregation readily occurs, it may be difficult to form a uniform monolayer. The reason for the above-mentioned difficulty in forming a uniform monolayer may be because the linear silane compound may be significantly affected by a solvent upon a sol-gel reaction. Accordingly, there is a need for a silicon compound that can reduce self aggregation so as to form a uniform monolayer.

Non-linear silicon compound, method of manufacturing oligomer probe array using the same, substrate for oligomer probe array with the same, and oligomer probe array with the same


Certain flavonoids, notably derivatives of flavone, chrysin and apigenin, together with dimers thereof such as amentoflavone, have been found to possess anxiolytic properties (i.e., anxiety reducing properties) without exhibiting a sedative effect. Novel compounds and pharmaceutical formulations are also described.

Some compounds of the invention are novel; other compounds are known but no pharmaceutical uses have previously been described.
Flavone is a known compound which is described in the Merck Index (entry 4030). Chrysin (2261) and apigenin (763) are other known flavonoids. Chrysin has been described as having binding properties for benzodiazepine receptors and anticonvulsant properties in Medina J. H. et al. Biochem. Pharmacol; 40: 2227-2232, 1990. This reference also suggests that chrysin may possess myorelaxant (i.e. muscle relaxant) action.
Flavone, 2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one has the formula ##STR1## Chrysin is 5,7-dihydroxyflavone Apigenin is 4', 5,7-trihydroxyflavone.

Flavonoid and biflavonoid derivatives, their pharmaceutical compositions, their anxiolytic activity


The present disclosure provides an improved method and system for loading a topsides onto an offshore structure by functional modules. A module support frame forms a supporting structure to which production modules can be assembled. The production modules are adapted to extract or process hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon well in an offshore location. One production module is a well bay production module to which other production modules can be coupled, including a drilling support production module, separation production module, export module, and utility module. The module support frame can be loaded onto floating barges and other modules assembled thereto to allow the barges to provide incremental and controlled support during the loading process and for the floatover installation. The barges can be floated out to the offshore structure and loaded onto the offshore structure by methods including a floatover method or with a heavy-lift crane vessel.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates a system and method of installing a topsides on an offshore structure. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a system and method for installing modules by lifting or by a floatover technique onto an offshore structure, such as a Spar.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many offshore structures require a topsides to provide support facilities to operate the offshore structures for their intended purpose. For example, a Spar platform is a type of floating oil platform typically used in very deep waters and is among the largest offshore platforms in use. A Spar platform includes a large cylinder or hull supporting a typical rig topsides. The cylinder however does not extend all the way to the seafloor, but instead is moored by a number of mooring lines. Typically, about 90% of the Spar hull is underwater.
Deck or topsides installation has always been a challenge for floating structures, particularly in deep draft floaters such as the Spar, which must be installed in relatively deep water. In the past, topsides for most of previous floating structures and particularly, Spar platforms, were installed by heavy lift derrick barges in single or multiple module lifts ranging from about 3000 MT (metric ton) to over 30000 MT. There are some disadvantages in a lifted installation, particularly for large topsides requiring multiple module lifts. In traditional efforts, the topsides requires multi-lifting, for example five to seven lifts, to install the whole topsides due to the lifting capacity of available heavy lifting vessels. Such multi-lifts increase the costs and time for installing the topsides to the offshore structure.
As the offshore industry has matured and deeper wells are drilled, the needs of the industry have changed. There is significant market pressure to provide larger and more sophisticated topsides to meet the current demands of customers. One logical solution is to build larger and heavier capacity derrick barges for handling such massive topsides, despite the expense.
Floatover methods offer an alternative to the heavy left derrick barges. In general, one or more barges are loaded with a topsides near land and floated to the offshore structure, where the barge(s) or the offshore structure is ballasted so that the topsides can be transferred from the barge to the offshore structure. In some applications, a single barge is used that can be floated between support structures, the barge is ballasted and lowered in the water to allow the topsides to be fastened to the support structures. Recently, catamaran float-over systems have been used to install a topsides onto a Spar hull and other offshore structures. A catamaran float-over method is a concept in which the topsides is loaded onto at least two separated float-over barges to form a catamaran system and transported with the float-over barges to the installation site for the Spar hull. At the installation site, the float-over barges are positioned on both sides of the Spar hull with the Spar hull below the topsides, the elevation is adjusted between the topsides and the Spar hull, as the topsides is installed to the Spar hull.
However, as customers demand larger offshore topsides, the ability to load the massive topsides onto the barges as the topsides is pushed onto the barges, and the ability of the barges to float such topsides to the installation site is becoming more difficult. One solution is to build larger and heavier capacity barges and cranes.
A related, but more insidious, challenge is the assembly and planning required for such massive sizes. For example, at present, there is about a three-year waiting period for availability of offshore heavy lifting barges and equipment. Thus, scheduling of a lift is done often before even the topsides design is complete and certainly before the topsides is built that usually includes design changes. If the topsides is delayed through unavailability of components or other causes, then the window of the scheduled lift date that was predicted possibly three years in advance can be missed. Missing the scheduled date can cause a significant impact on the final completion of the project, because a new suitable installation window can be hard to obtain. Further, the design of the topsides is in some aspects dependent on the type of lifting method used—heavy lift or floatover. By an early commitment of an installation method, the associated cost is very dependent on market predictions and availability for activities two to three years into the further. Thus, the lift scheduling and the interdependent topside design imposes a large risk for the cost and completion schedule.
Further, the topsides is generally assembled and commissioned onshore, before it is installed by the heavy lifting or floatover methods onto the offshore platform. Thus, the use of the topsides on the offshore platform is dependent upon the completion of the entire topsides, even if certain functions of the topsides could be used in an early stage. The onshore assembly and related steps increase efficiency and reduce overall costs compared to assembling each component on the offshore platform. However, the onshore assembly and other steps cause this inflexibility and delay of use.
There remains then a need for an improved system and method of loading a topsides onto an offshore platform that is more efficient and flexible than current methods, while allowing the topsides to enjoy the benefits of onshore assembly.

Modular topsides system and method having dual installation capabilities for offshore structures


A trampoline with a beam spring-actuated bed supported by a frame with the bed having a grommetless spring mounting portion secured to a plurality of springs. Disclosed embodiments include the jumping surface portion of the bed and the spring mounting portion being formed from a continuous sheet of material with the spring mounting portion being a fold in the bed material defining a pocket for receiving an elongate rode therein. The continuous sheet of material can also include at least one of an enclosure mounting portion and a spring covering portion.

Trampolines and other types of jumping structures with spring-actuated jumping beds (herein collectively referred to as "trampolines") offer healthy and fun recreation and sport, and they are gaining in popularity. For example, small scale exercisers and play structures are starting to include a spring-mounted jumping bed to facilitate play and exercise effectiveness.
Significant improvements in recent years aimed at improving the safety and durability of trampolines have contributed significantly to the rise in their popularity. For example, most trampolines sold today include a safely enclosure that provides a protective net around the perimeter of the trampoline bed. This prevents inadvertently falling off the trampoline. In addition, spring covers are secured over the springs extending to the trampoline bed, thereby preventing inadvertent contact with the springs during use.
Despite these improvements, over time the effectiveness of these safety items tends to diminish. For example, the spring covers are usually detachable pads that tend to need replacing long before the trampoline bed itself. Some customers may forego the expense of replacing the pads and simply choose to not install any pads over the springs. Similarly, the lower portion of the safety enclosure net needs to be effectively secured near the jumping surface of the bed, but existing attachment structures can cause confusion with some installers as to where such lower portions are to be connected.
Similarly, most trampolines beds are secured to springs with spaced apart grommets that extend through the bed material. This causes the forces generated during use of the trampoline to be isolated at the grommets thereby creating areas of high tension and other areas of less tension around the perimeter of the trampoline bed during use. Over time, this variability in tension can cause uneven and premature wear of the trampoline bed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Trampoline with elongate spring mount and bed with integral spring cover


An assembly is provided that includes a beverage container having a handle extending radially from the container in a direction that defines a handle axis. The assembly further includes a handle grip piece for connection to the handle of the container, and a support bar attached to the handle grip piece. A rotatable object is coupled to the support bar and defines an axis of rotation located in a plane extending at an angle from the handle axis such that the axis of rotation does not intersect the container.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handle grip piece for use in allowing the user to more easily grip the handle of a mug, and in particular, to a handle grip piece that includes a rotatable object for providing stress relief and amusement.
2. Description of the Related Art
There currently exist drinking mugs and containers that incorporate rotatable beads or balls providing therapeutic stress-relief or amusement to the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,248 to McConnell et al. disclose a number of embodiments where a rotatable object is secured to the handle of a mug or beverage container. These rotatable objects are positioned so that a user can use his or her fingers to play with these objects, thereby providing amusement value and helping the user to relieve stress. In some embodiments, McConnell et al. disclose the provision of detachable rotatable objects.
While McConnell et al. provide a number of different ways for orienting and configuring their rotatable objects, all of these rotatable objects are attached in close proximity to the handle, and many are provided integrally with the handle. As a result, these rotatable objects are rather difficult to manipulate when the user is gripping the handle of the mug. In particular, most of the rotatable objects can only be conveniently manipulated by a user's thumb when the user is gripping the handle.
In addition, unless McConnell et al.'s rotatable objects are provided at a very large size, the size of the handles in McConnell et al.'s mugs will be very small. In either case, having either an overly large rotatable object, or a handle that is small in proportion to the size of the mug, will make it difficult for the user to securely grip the handle, thereby affecting the stability of the mug or beverage container. Moreover, since McConnell et al. provide their rotatable objects very close to, or integral with, the handle, the user's grip of the handle is often interfered with or not completely stable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,246 to Bailey is similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,248 to McConnell et al. in that a rotatable counting disc is integrally attached to the top of the handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,542 to Chen et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,803 provide rotatable objects in the body of the mug or beverage container, away from the handle. Therefore, it is not possible to play with these rotatable objects when the user is gripping the handle of the mug or beverage container.
Thus, there still remains a need to provide a mug or beverage container having increased stress-relief and amusement value, and variety in use, while maintaining the safety and stability of the mug or beverage container when it is in use.


A light emission display includes data lines, scan lines, and pixel circuits. A pixel circuit of the pixel circuits includes: a light emission element; a first transistor including a control electrode and first and second electrodes, the first transistor outputting a current corresponding to a voltage between the first electrode and the control electrode; a first switch coupled between the control electrode of the first transistor and the light emission element and for receiving a first control signal; a first capacitor coupled to the first transistor; a second capacitor coupled between a first power source and the first capacitor; a second switch for coupling the first capacitor and a second power source in response to a second control signal; and a third switch for applying a data voltage to the first capacitor in response to a select signal provided by one of the scan lines.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent (EL) display, a display panel, and a driving method thereof.
(b) Description of the Related Art
In general, an organic electroluminescent (EL) display is a display device that electrically excites a phosphorous organic compound in a plurality of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to emit light. The organic EL display voltage- or current-drives N×M organic emitting cells to display images. An organic emitting cell of the organic EL display includes an anode (ITO), an organic thin film, and a cathode layer (metal). The organic thin film has a multi-layer structure including an emitting layer (EML), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an hole transport layer (HTL) for maintaining balance between electrons and holes and improving emitting efficiencies, and it further includes an electron injecting layer (EIL) and an hole injecting layer (HIL).
Methods for driving the organic emitting cells include the passive matrix method, and the active matrix method using thin film transistors (TFTs) or MOSFETs. The passive matrix method forms cathodes and anodes to cross (or cross over) with (or perpendicular to) each other, and selects lines to drive the organic emitting cells. The active matrix method connects a TFT and a capacitor with each indium tin oxide (ITO) pixel electrode to thereby maintain a predetermined voltage according to a capacitance of the capacitor. The active matrix method can further be classified as a voltage programming method or a current programming method according to signal forms supplied for maintaining a voltage at a capacitor.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional pixel circuit for driving an organic EL element using TFTs and representatively illustrates a pixel circuit coupled to a data line Dm and a scan line Sn from among N×M pixel circuits (or cells). As shown, a driving transistor M1 is coupled to an organic EL element OLED to supply a current for light emission thereto. The current of the driving transistor M1 is controlled by a data voltage applied through a switching transistor M2. A capacitor Cst (or a storage capacitor) for maintaining the applied voltage for a predetermined time is coupled between a source and a gate of the driving transistor M1. A gate of the transistor M2 is coupled to a scan line Sn, and a source thereof is coupled to a data line Dm.
In operation, when the transistor M2 is turned on by a select signal applied to the gate of the transistor M2, a data voltage is applied to the gate of the transistor M1 through the data line Dm, and the current flows to the organic EL element OLED through the transistor M1 in correspondence to the data voltage applied to the gate of the transistor M1 to thus generate light emission.
The current flowing to the organic EL element OLED in this instance is given in Equation 1.
                                                                        I                OLED                            =                                                β                  2                                                                                (                                          Vgs                      -                      Vth                                        )                                    2                                                                                =                                                β                  2                                                                                (                                          VDD                      -                      Vdata                      -                                                                      Vth                                                                                      )                                    2                                                                                Equation                                                  1            where IOLED is a current flowing to the organic EL element OLED, Vgs is a voltage between the gate and the source of the transistor M1, Vth is a threshold voltage of the transistor M1, Vdata is a data voltage, and β is a constant.
As given in Equation 1, a current corresponding to the applied data voltage (Vdata) is supplied to the organic EL element OLED, and the organic EL element OLED then emits light in correspondence to the supplied current in the pixel circuit of FIG. 1.
In addition, a voltage (VDD) supply line for supplying the voltage of VDD to the pixel circuit is shown in FIG. 1 as a horizontal line or a vertical line. Referring now to FIG. 2, when multiple transistors are driven, the voltage (VDD) supply line applied to the pixel circuit can be represented as a horizontal line. In the case of FIG. 2, loads (impedance) at the transistors are increased, a large amount of currents are spent, and a voltage drop is generated between a voltage supply point of a first transistor of an input terminal and a voltage supply point of a transistor of a last terminal. As such, the voltage of VDD applied to a right pixel circuit 20 of the voltage (VDD) supply line is lower than the voltage of VDD applied to a left pixel circuit 25, and a long range (LR) uniformity problem is generated in FIG. 2. The voltage drop problem of the voltage (VDD) supply line is varied depending on design conditions to which the input of the voltage (VDD) supply line is coupled.
Also, a short range (SR) uniformity problem is generated because the amount of currents supplied to the organic EL element OLED is varied by a deviation of the threshold voltage (Vth) of a thin-film transistor (TFT) caused by non-uniformity of the manufacturing process, in addition to a brightness difference generated by a voltage drop of the above-described voltage (VDD) supply line.
To solve the problems, FIG. 3 shows a pixel circuit for preventing non-uniformity of brightness caused by variation of the threshold voltage (Vth) at the driving transistor M1, and FIG. 4 shows a drive timing diagram for driving the circuit of FIG. 3.
It is needed in the circuit of FIGS. 3 and 4 for a data voltage for driving a driving transistor to correspond to the voltage of VDD while a control signal of a signal line AZn is at a low-level. Further, when the control signal of the signal line AZn is at a high-level and a low-level data voltage is applied to a data line Dm, the voltage between a gate and a source of a driving transistor M1 is given in Equation 2.
                    Vgs        =                  Vth          -                                    C1                              C1                +                C2                                                                (                              VDD                -                Vdata                            )                                                          Equation                                                  2            where Vth is a threshold voltage at the transistor M1, Vdata is a data voltage, and VDD is a power supply voltage. However, since the data voltage is divided by capacitors (or capacitances) C1 and C2 as is shown from Equation 2, the pixel circuit of FIG. 3 is restricted in that it must either have a high data voltage (Vdata) or a high capacitance at the capacitor C1 to compensate for the capacitances at the capacitors C1 and C2.

Light emission display, display panel, and driving method thereof


An instant corrugating adhesive composition comprising a dry blend of starch and a dried pre-solubilized cellulosic extract. The composition can easily be rehydrated with water to make a corrugating adhesive. The corrugating adhesive is formulated without boron compounds and with minimal or no addition of alkali. The dried pre-solubilized cellulosic extract, which includes hemicellulose as a major component, functions as the carrier portion of the corrugating adhesive. No initial cooking step is required to make the carrier and rehydration can be conducted at ambient temperatures.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to starch-based corrugating adhesive compositions. In particular, the invention has to do with a dry blend composition which easily can be rehydrated with water to make a corrugating adhesive. The adhesive is made without boron compounds and with minimal or no added alkali.
2. The Related Art
There is ever increasing customer pressure to reduce or eliminate the chemicals normally used in corrugating adhesive formulations. This market trend is being driven by environmental discharge and safety concerns. There is also a need for corrugating adhesives which are easy to use and which are stable over long periods of time. Commercially acceptable corrugating adhesives having these characteristics have not heretofore been described.
In the corrugating process, adhesive is commonly applied to the tips of the flutes of a corrugated medium. Then a noncorrugated flat paper liner is applied against the adhesive coated flutes as they pass between a corrugating roll and a pressure roll. The resulting product has the corrugating medium on one side and a flat liner on the other side and is called a single-face portion. The single-face portion may be used "as is" (called a "single face" board) or adhesive may be applied to the flute tips of the single-face portion and a second flat sheet can be applied in the same manner as the first in what is called a "double-face" or a "double-back" operation. The second liner sheet is treated with heat and reduced pressure (relative to the pressure used to make a single-face portion) immediately following contact with the adhesive.
Starch-based adhesives which can be of the carrier, no-carrier and carrier-no-carrier type are commonly used in processes for manufacturing corrugated paper board. In carrier type adhesives, a portion of the starch (or dextrin) forms a carrier, often known as the gelatinized phase, which suspends the balance of the starch which is in an ungelatinized state. Under conditions of heat and pressure, the ungelatinized starch is rapidly hydrated and gelatinized to increase quickly the viscosity and adhesivity of the adhesive composition. In no-carrier type adhesives, all of the starch is slightly cooked or swollen with heat and caustic soda for viscosity. Finally, carrier-no-carrier type adhesives have a portion of the starch which forms a carrier and is responsible for about one half of the viscosity and the remaining viscosity is obtained by slightly swelling the uncooked starch.
A water soluble adhesive composition is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,716,613. The adhesive is comprised of a lignocellulose which is hydrolyzed under elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of moisture. A water soluble reaction product is recovered and concentrated to dryness. Rehydration is accomplished by forming a slurry with methanol and refluxing while passing ammonia therethrough. This composition also can be filtered and dried.
A hemicellulose additive for paper coating compositions is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,772,981. The hemicellulose is described as a composition that can completely replace the adhesive component in paper coatings, but preferably it is added with starch, dextrin or the like. The patent does not describe a dry rehydratable composition.
Corrugating adhesives having a solubilized fiber component are described by Fitt in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,559 and by Giesfeldt et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,668. These are wet adhesives employing in situ solubilization processes.
Unlike the present invention, the foregoing references do not describe dry, rehydratable adhesive compositions having commercially acceptable characteristics for use in the corrugating industry.
In the present specification and claims, all parts and percentages are by weight/weight (w/w) unless otherwise specified.


A computer system comprises a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs) for supplying processing resources and a system controller. Each of the plurality of FRUs has a field replaceable unit identification (FRUID) memory adapted store a capacity-on-demand (COD) indication associated with the FRU, wherein the COD indication is indicative of whether the FRU is a base level resource or a COD resource. The system controller is configured to access the FRUID memory of each of the plurality of FRUs to detect the COD indication. Additionally, the system controller is configured to enable at least those of the plurality of FRUs for which the corresponding COD indication indicates that the FRU is a base level resource. The system controller is further configured to identify a need for additional processing resources, and is configured to enable additional ones of the plurality of FRUs responsive to identifying the need for additional processing resources.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a processor-based computer system and, more particularly, to a computer system with dynamically configurable capacity (i.e., capacity-on-demand).
2. Description of the Related Art
The last several years have witnessed an increased demand for network computing, partly due to the emergence of the Internet. Some of the notable trends in the industry include a boom in the growth of Applications Service Providers (ASPs) that provide applications to businesses over networks and enterprises that use the Internet to distribute product data to customers, take orders, and enhance communications with employees.
Businesses typically rely on network computing to maintain a competitive advantage over other businesses. As such, developers, when designing processor-based systems for use in network-centric environments, may take several factors into consideration to meet the expectation of the customers, factors such as the functionality, reliability, scalability, and performance of such systems.
One example of a processor-based system used in a network-centric environment is a mid-frame server system. Typically, mid-frame servers are employed in high bandwidth systems requiring high availability factors. Minimizing system downtime is an important system management goal, as downtime generally equates to significant lost revenue. Typically, such computer systems are provided with replaceable components or modules that may be removed and/or installed without shutting down the system. This on-line replacement capability is commonly referred to as hot-pluggable or hot-swappable environment.
Unlike current desktop computer systems, in which the internal cards and devices are essentially disposable (i.e., they are replaced if they fail, and the defective part is discarded without repair), the individual components used to construct higher end systems, such as the mid-frame server described above, are typically returned to the manufacturer or a third-party vendor associated with the manufacturer for repair. Repaired units are then reinstalled in the same or in a different mid-frame server. These units are commonly referred to as field replaceable units (FRUs). In the service life of a particular FRU, it may be installed in multiple servers owned by different customers. Exemplary units that may be field replaceable, are system control boards, processing boards, memory modules installed on one of the processing boards, input/output (I/O) boards, power supplies, cooling fans, and the like.
Mid-frame servers are employed in high availability, high utilization applications. When a system is installed the processing demands on the server are estimated and the appropriate processing resources are provided. These resources include the number of processing boards, the number of processors on each board, and the like. The different processing boards may be subdivided into separate logical domains, so not only do the resource requirements for the entire server need to be determined, but also the resource requirements for each of the logical domains needs to be determined. In determining the processing requirements, there is a trade-off between meeting the average load and meeting the peak load. It is generally not economical for a server owner to purchase the level of over-capacity required to meet all peak load scenarios. Hence, there may be times when the server becomes overloaded during peak load periods. This may result in a slow-down in the system and/or delays in customer servicing.

Computer system with dynamically configurable capacity


The present disclosure is directed to a mixing valve pressure balancer and temperature controller module, a mixing valve flow diverter module, a modular assembly including the pressure balancer and temperature controller module and the flow diverter module, and a mixing valve including the modular assembly.

In general, mixing valves are configured to admit separate inflows of hot water and cold water, mix the hot water and the cold water, and output a combined outflow of hot and cold mixed water. More specifically, mixing valves are configured to allow manual temperature control of mixed hot and cold water, automatic pressure-balanced or thermostatic control of mixed hot and cold water, manual volume control of mixed hot and cold water, or manual flow diversion control of mixed hot and cold water to two or more different devices, like a fixed shower head, a movable shower wand, or a tub spout. In one example, a sequential mixing valve includes a single handle, which, upon rotation, gradually opens an internal passage allowing a flow of cold water to gradually increase to a maximum and, upon further rotation, maintains the maximum flow of cold water but gradually increases a flow of hot water to raise the temperature of mixed hot and cold water. In another example, a concentric mixing valve includes two concentrically arranged handles; one to increase flow of mixed hot and cold water, and another one to control the temperature of the mixed hot and cold water. Although many such valves have enjoyed much commercial success, some valve designs may be unnecessarily complicated and costly.

Mixing valves, valve modules, and valve module assemblies