A lightweight, low permeation, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes a cylindrical composite pressure vessel with two integral rounded ends. A piston slidably disposed in a thin nonpermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two chambers, one adapted for containing a working fluid and the other adapted for containing gas under pressure. Working fluid is provided in a volume between the nonpermeable internal sleeve and the composite pressure vessel wall. Further means are provided for withstanding harmful effects of radial flexing of the composite vessel wall under high pressures, and from stresses present in use in mobile applications such as with a hydraulic power system for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle. A method for pre-charging the device is also presented.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to accumulators for high pressure applications, and more particularly to high pressure accumulators of the piston-in-sleeve (or "piston and sleeve") type. This invention further relates to the potential use of such accumulators in conjunction with fuel efficient hydraulic hybrid motor vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
1. Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid powertrains are an increasingly popular approach to improving the fuel utilization of motor vehicles. "Hybrid" refers to the combination of one or more conventional internal combustion engines with a secondary power system. The secondary power system typically serves the functions of receiving and storing excess energy produced by the engine and energy recovered from braking events, and redelivering this energy to supplement the engine when necessary. This frees the internal combustion engine to operate more efficiently, while the secondary power system acts in concert with it to make sure that enough power is available to meet road load demands and any excess power is stored for later use.
Several forms of secondary power systems are known in the art. For example, various electrical systems, such as batteries and electric motor/generators, are becoming popular in commercial applications. Recently, however, hydraulic power systems have been demonstrated to have comparable or even better efficiency, while offering potential advantages in power density, cost, and service life. A hydraulic power system takes the form of one or more hydraulic accumulators for energy storage and one or more hydraulic pumps, motors, or pump/motors for power transmission. Hydraulic accumulators operate on the principle that energy may be stored by compressing a gas. An accumulator's pressure vessel contains a captive charge of gas, typically nitrogen, which becomes compressed as a hydraulic pump pumps liquid into the vessel. The liquid thereby becomes pressurized and when released may be used to drive a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic accumulator thus utilizes two distinct working media, one a compressible gas and the other a relatively incompressible liquid. Throughout this document, the term "gas" shall refer to the gaseous medium and the term "fluid" shall refer to the liquid working medium, as is customary in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,912 ("Hybrid Powertrain Vehicle") and U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,080 ("Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicle") provide additional context on the role of hydraulic accumulators in hydraulic hybrid powertrains, as well as detailed descriptions on the preferred series and parallel hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle configurations for use with the accumulator of the present invention, and are therefore incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
2. High Pressure Accumulator Design Considerations—Permeation
Care must be taken in the design of a high pressure accumulator to minimize the extent to which the gaseous medium mixes with and dissolves within the hydraulic fluid. The dissolution of gas molecules in hydraulic fluid may cause several significant problems, particularly in a hydraulic hybrid vehicle application. For example, when highly pressurized fluid is discharged from the accumulator to drive a hydraulic motor, the fluid pressure will drop rapidly and dramatically (e.g., from 5000 psi to 100 psi in less than one second) as the fluid flows through the motor. Such a pressure drop causes any dissolved gas present in the fluid to immediately come out of solution and form small bubbles or gas pockets. As the depressurized fluid is discharged from the motor, the gas travels with it, generally into a low pressure accumulator (or reservoir) where the fluid is stored until needed again. A significant quantity of gas may thus over time become trapped in the low pressure accumulator. Although it is possible to develop means to vent the gas after it collects at the fluid surface in the low pressure accumulator, the loss of this gas would nevertheless also represent a gradual depletion of the gas pre-charge of the high pressure accumulator and thus would lead to the need for occasional gas recharging (which would not be a desirable result for consumers, particularly for use in a motor vehicle application). In addition, such gas in the low pressure accumulator may also become entrained as bubbles or gas pockets in fluid that is later pumped back out, causing the pump to experience potentially damaging effects such as cavitation or torque fluctuations. Further, the accumulating volume of gas reduces the effective fluid capacity of the low pressure accumulator.
Systems that operate at very high pressures are particularly vulnerable to all of these difficulties because high pressures encourage greater dissolution of gas in the fluid, and the greater degree of pressure drop increases the rate at which gas comes out of solution.
Prior art high pressure accumulator designs therefore go to great lengths to minimize gas dissolution and ensure physical separation of the charge gas from the fluid. Several separation means are known, including the use of an elastic bladder or diaphragm, a flexible bellows, or a piston in a cylinder. However, thus far prior art separation means do not minimize gas dissolution to the degree that would be preferred in a commercially acceptable hydraulic hybrid vehicle. Such an application calls for a high pressure system that is preferably "closed," that is, capable of operating indefinitely without frequent adjustment of gas or fluid levels in the accumulator.
3. High Pressure Accumulator Designs in the Present State of the Art
In the present state of the art, most commonly available accumulators employ an elastic bladder. Although the pressure in the hydraulic fluid on one side of the bladder is generally the same as the pressure of the compressed gas on the other side of the bladder, molecules of gas tend to permeate through the bladder and dissolve in the fluid, seeking an equilibrium concentration. Some elastic bladder materials have properties that minimize permeation, but due to the molecular nature of elastomers, permeation cannot be eliminated completely. In addition, permeation resistant, flexible coatings such as poly-vinyl alcohol can be, used on the gas side of the bladder, but even with such coatings the permeation level is still unacceptable at high pressures.
Some success has been achieved by replacing the elastic bladder with a flexible metallic or metallic-coated bellows structure. For example, the inventions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,936 granted to Sasaki et al. (1998) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,051 to Drumm et al. (2002) depict such a bellows. However, a principal shortcoming of this approach lies in the potential for the bellows to experience stresses and longitudinal disorientation that would soon lead to failure under a severe duty cycle, such as would be present in an automotive power system application.
Standard piston accumulators are also well represented in the art. In a standard piston accumulator, the hydraulic fluid is separated from the compressed gas by means of a piston which seals against the inner walls of a cylindrical pressure vessel and is free to move longitudinally as fluid enters and leaves and the gas compresses and expands. Because the piston does not need to be flexible, it may be made of a gas impermeable material such as steel. However, the interface between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder must be controlled tightly to ensure a good seal, and the degree of dimensional tolerance necessary to ensure a good seal increases the cost of manufacturing. It also requires that the pressure vessel be extremely rigid and resistant to expansion near its center when pressurized, which would otherwise defeat the seal by widening the distance between the piston and cylinder wall. This has eliminated the consideration of composite materials for high pressure piston accumulator vessels, as composite materials tend to expand significantly under pressure (e.g., about 1/10 of an inch diametrically for a 12 inch diameter vessel at 5,000 psi pressure). Furthermore, the need to assemble the cylinder with a piston inside traditionally requires that the cylinder have at least one removable end cap for use in assembly and repair, rather than the integral rounded ends that are more structurally desirable in efficiently meeting pressure containment demands. Composite pressure vessels are not constructed effectively with removable end caps.
As a result of the foregoing, standard piston accumulator vessels tend to be made of thick, high strength steel and are very heavy. Standard piston accumulators have a much higher weight to energy storage ratio than either steel or composite bladder accumulators, which makes them undesirable for mobile vehicular applications (as such increased weight would, for example, reduce fuel economy for the vehicle). More specifically, piston accumulators for the same capacity (i.e., size) and pressure rating are many times heavier (e.g., by up to 10 times) than an accumulator with a lightweight composite pressure vessel design, as would be preferred in such applications where accumulator weight is an issue. Therefore, despite their potentially superior gas impermeability, piston accumulators are largely impractical for vehicular applications.
4. Prior Art Regarding Piston-in-Sleeve Accumulator Designs
One piston accumulator concept, considered, for example, for military aircraft applications, utilizes a piston and sleeve assembly, in which the piston resides within and seals against a cylindrical sleeve that is separate from the inner wall of the pressure vessel. This piston-in-sleeve approach provides at least two benefits over the prior art for high pressure accumulators, namely (i) separating the pressure containment function of the vessel wall from its piston sealing function, allowing an effective seal to be pursued with a sleeve independently of issues relating to pressure vessel construction, and (ii) providing an intervening (aka "interstitial") volume between the sleeve and vessel wall which may be filled with the charge gas to provide a safety factor against explosion in the event of puncture of the pressure vessel (e.g., by a bullet in military combat). U.S. Pat. No. 2,417,873 (Huber 1947), U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,108 (McQuistion 1955), U.S. Pat. No. Re24,223 (Ford 1956), and later U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,094 (Tovagliaro 1987) each teach the use of a piston and sleeve assembly on a high pressure accumulator. Such designs comprise a generally thickwalled strong cylindrical pressure vessel constructed of a steel alloy, and a metal sleeve which is thin relative to the vessel walls. The sleeve is permanently attached to the inner surface of one end of the pressure vessel near its circumference, creating (with the piston) a closed or "inside" chamber for the working fluid. The other end of the sleeve extends toward the other end of the vessel and is generally left open to create an "outside" chamber that consists of the open volume of the sleeve, the remaining volume of the pressure vessel, and the intervening/interstitial space between the outer wall of the sleeve and the inner wall of the pressure vessel, each filled with the gaseous medium of the accumulator.
In operation of these prior art piston-in-sleeve accumulator designs, the sleeve must be tightly retained and centered within the vessel to prevent radial movement, for example, due to vibrations in use with mobile (e.g. aircraft) applications. Sleeve movement would fatigue the rigid fixed end of the sleeve possibly leading to leakage due to cracking, distortion, or wear of the sealing gasket if one is present. This requires the sleeve to either be stiffened by connecting it at points to the vessel wall, or requires the sleeve to be thicker than the minimum that would be necessary to withstand the small pressure differentials normally encountered in charging and discharging. Further, the outer walls of the vessel must be thicker than would be necessary for pressure containment alone because the walls must be prevented from expanding and thus loosening the sleeve or distorting it from the true circular form necessary for piston sealing.
Prior art piston-in-sleeve designs also uniformly contain the fluid within the closed (inside) chamber, with the charge gas residing on the other side of the piston and in the interstitial space between the sleeve and vessel wall. This fluid-inside, gas-outside arrangement is used in the prior art for at least two reasons. First, as mentioned above, the prior inventors sought a resistance to structural splitting if a bullet or shrapnel were to enter the fluid side during military combat. With the charge gas residing in the interstitial space at the cylindrical periphery of the vessel, the displacement caused by the bullet would be largely absorbed by compression of the gas in this space. Second, this arrangement is naturally preferable because it maximizes the fluid capacity and hence energy capacity of the device. That is, the working medium that resides inside the sleeve may be discharged completely, while some portion of the medium outside the sleeve will always remain trapped in the interstitial space; because working capacity is determined by how much fluid may be discharged, it is a natural choice to have the fluid reside on the inside of the sleeve and gas on the outside.
Like standard piston accumulators discussed above, these prior art piston-in-sleeve accumulators are unacceptably heavy for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle application or other application where accumulator weight is a significant issue. Notably, U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,094 (Tovagliaro 1987) attempts to reduce the weight of such piston-in-sleeve accumulators through the use of lightweight composite materials in place of steel for the pressure containment function in the vessel wall. However, the Tovagliaro device still requires an internal metallic core to the vessel wall (in addition to the composite envelope, likely at least in part to resist permeation of the gas under pressure out through the composite vessel wall) and a thickened metal area at one (flat) end of the accumulator (to enable providing a removable end cap and to tightly retain and center the sleeve, as discussed above). As such, the Tovagliaro device would still remain undesirably heavy for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle application, and would also entail significantly greater manufacturing cost than desired (e.g., because of complexity of the design and entailing vessel construction with both a composite envelope and metallic core and end). In addition, the internal metallic core (or liner) used in conjunction with composite materials would be unacceptable for use in hydraulic hybrid vehicles. The intense duty cycle experienced by the accumulator (i.e., the extremely large number of charge-discharge cycles, in some cases exceeding one million cycles) and the significant radial expansion of composite materials (about 1/10 of one inch diametrically for a 12 inch diameter vessel at 5,000 psi pressure) together would result in expected fatigue failure of the metal core or liner.
In addition, the flat end construction (on at least one end) of prior art piston accumulators also adds significantly to the complexity, weight and cost of the accumulator.
5. Disadvantages of the Prior Art
In summary, as has been explained above, despite the many years of development for accumulator designs, the prior art has thus far failed to provide a high pressure accumulator design that is lightweight, low cost, durable under stresses, and does not have permeation difficulties at high fluid pressures. Prior art bladder accumulators have unacceptable permeation. Prior art metal bellows accumulators are not sufficiently durable under stresses. Prior art piston accumulators of all types are unacceptably heavy and costly. As a result, the prior art has failed to provide a high pressure accumulator that is satisfactory for hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle applications, as is desired for the present invention.

Lightweight low permeation piston-in-sleeve accumulator

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency


A building frame alignment apparatus includes a T-shaped beam member which includes a top planar portion and a bottom planar portion which projects from the top planar portion at a right angle. A longitudinally oriented leveling indicator assembly is connected to the bottom planar portion, and a transversely oriented leveling indicator assembly is connected to the bottom planar portion. The bottom planar portion includes a plurality of beam-reception notches positioned longitudinally along a bottom edge of the bottom planar portion. Side walls of the beam-reception notches are oriented perpendicular to the top planar portion. The plurality of beam-reception notches includes a first beam-reception notch located at a first end of the bottom planar portion, a second beam-reception notch located at a second end of the bottom planar portion, and a third beam-reception notch located on the bottom planar portion between the first beam-reception notch and the second beam-reception notch. The beam-reception notches include two side walls and a top wall which is perpendicular to the two side walls. The top planar portion includes a writing-implement access channel. A writing implement, such as a pencil, can be used with the writing-implement access channel to enable scribing on a board. The bottom planar portion bisects the top planar portion. An adjustable clamping assembly is connected to the top planar portion.

1. Cross-Reference to Related Application
This application claims priority based my copending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/033,939, filed Dec. 23, 1996.
2. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hand-held alignment tools, and, more particularly, to a hand-held tool especially adapted for aligning trusses or studs in the construction industry.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The need to alignment trusses and studs in the construction industry is well known. In this respect, throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating to hand-held tools used for aiding in the alignment of trusses and studs, and the following U.S. patents are representative of some of those innovations: 4,322,064, 4,704,829, 4,843,726, 5,129,153, and 5,163,233. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,064 discloses a truss alignment tool that employs a plurality of components pivotally connected to each other. Handling pivotally connected alignment members may be cumbersome, especially on elevated structures such as roofs. In this respect, it would be desirable if a truss or stud alignment tool were provided which does not employ segments that are pivotally connected to each other. U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,829 discloses truss clamping devices. Although such clamping devices have important utility, they do not perform an important alignment function. U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,726 discloses a stud alignment and positioning tool that includes components that are nailed to studs which are to be aligned. Nails may be difficult to drive in and subsequently remove. Moreover, when a nail is removed, an undesirable hole may be left. In this respect, it would be desirable if a truss or stud alignment tool were provided which does not employs nails. U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,153 discloses a structural member spacing tool that is limited to the engagement the structural members at the opposed ends thereof. This tool does not provide means for establishing variable spacing between or among structural members. Moreover, this tool does not disclose a cooperating clip for clamping purposes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,233 discloses a stud alignment tool that employs a U-shaped clip for engaging a structural member. The U-shaped clip occupies a single fixed position midway between the ends of the tool. Rather than being limited to placement of an alignment tool halfway between adjacent left and right structural members, it would be desirable if a truss or stud alignment tool were provided which provides a variety of alignment distances between the ends of the tool.
Still other features would be desirable in a truss alignment apparatus. For example, it would also be desirable if a truss alignment tool could function as a straight edge and ruler. It would also be desirable if a truss alignment tool can be used for scribing lines on plywood.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use truss alignment devices, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a truss alignment apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) does not employ segments that are pivotally connected to each other; (2) performs an important alignment function; (3) does not employs nails; (4) provides means for establishing variable spacing between or among structural members; (5) discloses a cooperating clip for clamping purposes; (6) provides a variety of alignment distances between the ends of the tool; (7) can function as a straight edge and ruler; and (8) can be used for scribing lines on plywood. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique truss alignment apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.


A switch circuit includes: a first input and output terminal; a first inductor connected with the first input and output terminal; a capacitor connected with the first inductor; a second input and output terminal connected with the capacitor; a first MEMS switch connected with one end of the capacitor; a second MEMS switch connected with the other end of the capacitor; and a second inductor connected between the first MEMS switch and the second MEMS switch, and satisfies a relationship of f=1/(2π√CL1)=1/(2π√CL2), where L1 is an inductance of the first inductor, L2 is an inductance of the second inductor, C is a capacitance of the capacitor, and f is a use frequency.

According to a conventional single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch, when two microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches are separately controlled, a path of a high-frequency signal inputted to an input terminal can be controlled for two output terminals (see, for example, Non-patent Document 1).
Non-patent Document 1: Sergio P. Pacheco, Dimitrios Peroulis, and Linda P. B. Katehi, "MEMS Single-Pole Double-Throw (SPDT) X and K-Band Switching Circuits", IEEE MTT-S, 2001


In a pattern recognition section of a digital color copying machine, a position analysis section successively selects, in units of a predetermined number, position data of rectangular regions stored in a position information memory, calculates distances between the rectangular regions, and determines whether a combination of the distances coincides with that of a pattern to be detected. If the combination of distances coincides with that of the pattern to be detected, the position analysis section outputs to a rear-stage page memory a control signal for resetting the page memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image recognition method for recognizing an image of a predetermined pattern in an image forming apparatus such as a digital color copying machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art, in general, pattern matching is executed for the entirety of a pattern to be detected, with respect to input image data.
As regards a method of detecting a copy-protection mark, Japanese Patent No. 2893080, for instance, discloses a method wherein a plurality of small marks with the same shape are detected from an input image, and a copy-protection mark is determined on the basis of the number of small marks that are present on an outline of a certain figure.
However, in the case of the matching with respect to the entirety of the to-be-detected pattern, if the size of the entire pattern is large, the amount of computations would become enormous.
In the case of counting the number of small marks with the same shape, which are present on the outline of the figure, if the shape of the outline is complex, it is likely that the uniqueness of the to-be-detected pattern cannot be maintained.


A valve actuator system is capable of operating a number of valves with a single cam. The system includes a power shaft, a cam mounted around the power shaft and a gear train to drive the cam when the shaft rotates. Hydraulic actuator assemblies corresponding to the number of valves are radially positioned around the shaft axis for operation by the cam. Hydraulic tubes connect each actuator to a valve follower disposed adjacent to the respective valves. The cam profile pressing each actuator plunger in sequence as the cam rotates causes the hydraulic fluid to flow out of the actuator assembly, through the like-numbered pipe, and into the like-numbered follower assembly, which in turn causes the follower plunger to move the like-numbered valve from an open position or a closed position. This occurs sequentially for each valve.

Current engine designs such as those used in automotive and many other applications typically use an in-line or "V" arrangement of multiple pistons. Each intake and exhaust engine valve is opened and closed by a cam on one or more camshafts. Since each piston employs two or more valves, many cams are required for the engine. The camshafts are aligned parallel to the crankshaft that controls the oscillatory motion of the pistons. They extend approximately the entire length of the engine. The possible locations of the camshafts are limited due to the need to arrange them in concert with the valves they operate.
The arrangement of the camshafts is determined by the mechanical link between the cam and the valve the cam operates. The cam may operate directly on the valve, use a "push rod" and/or a "valve lifter" as a direct link between the cam and valve, or incorporate rocker arms to transfer the cam motion to the valve. A push rod is a small shaft that allows the cam and camshaft to be located some distance from the valve. A valve lifter is a small device that uses engine oil to maintain proper adjustment of the valve actuation mechanism. All of these options for valve actuation limit the practical locations for the cams and camshafts on the engine.
The rotation of each cam on each camshaft must be synchronized with the crankshaft in order for the valve to open and close at the proper position of the piston in the engine cycle. In four-stroke engines, the rotation of the camshaft is one-half as fast as the rotation of the crankshaft. Synchronization of the camshafts and crankshaft is accomplished in newer engines using timing belts or timing chains since the camshafts are often located too far from the crankshaft (for example, in the cylinder head) for them to be synchronized by gear arrangements alone. Timing belts can fail due to wear or breakage and require expensive replacement at specified intervals of operation.

Valve actuator system capable of operating multiple valves with a single cam


A photodiode that can provide a THz operation with a stable output. A photodiode having a pin-type semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer structure and n and p electrodes. The semiconductor layer structure is obtained by sequentially layering an n-type contact layer, a low concentration layer, and a p-type contact layer. The low concentration layer is obtained by layering an electron drift layer, a light absorption layer, and a hole drift layer while being abutted to the n-type contact layer. The n electrode and the p electrode are connected to the n-type contact layer and the p-type contact layer, respectively. During operation, the low concentration layer is depleted.

As a method of generating terahertz band (0.3˜3 THz) radiation light based on an optical technique, a device has been conventionally used that mainly uses optical nonlinear material or optical electricity-conducting material. Optical electricity-conducting material and photodiode are both one type of a light-receiving device. Recently, attention has been paid on a photomixing method using photodiode (the conversion of optical beat to an electric signal) because of the high efficiency. With regard to a case using photodiode operating at a communication waveband (wavelength of 1.5 gm), the antenna radiation of a few μW level at 1 THz has been already reported and has been considered as a promising technique. The use of a high-performance photodiode operating at a THz band provides a remarkably-improved spectroscopic performance than in the case where a conventional light-receiving device is used. As a result, an application has been expected for example in which a substance-specific absorption spectrum called as a fingerprint spectrum is observed so that a lot of substances (e.g., medical agents) can be determined.
However, the conventional photodiode structure developed for the purpose of application for an optical communication or a measurement instrument device (having a bandwidth up to 100 GHz at the maximum) is manufactured so as to have a response characteristic having a wide bandwidth suitable for digital application. Thus, the conventional photodiode is not always suitable for the THz band operation. The reason is that, while a typical conventional photodiode has an operation frequency range of about 3 dB bandwidth, in a THz application a wide frequency band including a frequency range much higher than a 3 dB bandwidth is typically used.
The photodiode true response is obtained by a delay id caused by the transit time of electrons or the transit time of both of electrons and holes among carriers (electrons and holes) generated in a light absorption layer. Generally, id can be reduced by reducing the thickness of a depletion layer. This reduction of the thickness of the depletion layer is still one factor required for a higher speed of transit. However, since the reduction of the thickness of the depletion layer requires an increase of the junction capacitance, the photodiode junction size or operation current must be adjusted for optimization. No detailed result has been reported with regard to the photodiode operation focusing on the THz operation as described above.
Furthermore, in the case of a communication photodiode, not only a bandwidth but also a light-receiving sensitivity are considered important. On the other hand, there is a difference in requirement such as that the maximum output is regarded as an important in a THz application. Thus, requirements are different. Although in the THz application, a light-receiving sensitivity having a fixed level or more must be secured, its importance is low. Generally, the operation current is maximized in order to increase the THz output, thus causing a disadvantage of the self heating of the photodiode. Under such conditions, how much THz output can be taken out with regard to fixed operation current is most important than the light-receiving sensitivity. No specific report has been found with regard to the design of a THz photodiode from the viewpoint as described above.


Wireless device, method, and computer readable media are disclosed for determining which channel status information (CSI) report of a user equipment (UE) to drop from a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) packet. The method may include determining that a first CSI report and a second CSI report are to be sent in the PUCCH, where the first CSI report has a first reporting type and a first CSI sub-frame set, and the second CSI report has a second reporting type and a second CSI sub-frame set. The method may include determining to drop the first CSI report if the first CSI sub-frame set has a second lower priority than the second CSI sub-frame set. The determination to drop may be further based on a CSI processor index, serving cell index, and the CSI report priority.

User equipment (UE) in long term evolution (LTE) may communicate with the radio access network (RAN) in different ways. Often the RAN needs feedback regarding the quality of the communications between the UE and the RAN.
The RAN may be able to improve or change the communications between the UE and the RAN based on the feedback from the UE. For example, downlink scheduling (assigning control and shared channel resource blocks to UEs within a cell) may be performed at an eNodeB (part of the RAN) based on channel quality information fed back from the UEs to the eNodeB.
However, the number of packets the UE can transmit to the RAN is often limited. Thus, there are general needs for improved feedback reporting to an LTE network from the UE.

Periodic channel status information (CSI) reporting for enhanced interference management and traffic adaptation (EIMTA) systems with CSI subframe sets


A multilevel one-time programmable memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each of the plurality of memory cells includes: a first electrode to which a first voltage is applied, a second electrode to which a second voltage is applied and a plurality of fuse lines performing a fusing operation according to a voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. The plurality of fuse lines are connected to each other between the first electrode and the second electrode. In addition, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed such that the first electrode and the second electrode have different valid line lengths from each other therebetween so that the plurality of fuse lines have different resistances from each other.

(i) Technical Field
The inventive concept relates to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly, to a one-time programmable memory device having a low cost large area or stacked structure.
(ii) Description of the Related Art
It is difficult for conventional one-time programmable memory devices to have a large area and a stacked structure at low cost. Thus, there is a need in the art for a multilevel one-time programmable memory device which can be readily realized at high density and low cost.

Multilevel one-time programmable memory device


A rear window glass antenna on a rear window glass panel of an automobile includes a plurality of heating electric wires disposed horizontally on the rear window glass panel, a feeder terminal disposed on the rear window glass panel near an edge thereof, and a plurality of antenna wires disposed on the rear window glass panel. The antenna include a first section extending from the feeder terminal along an edge of the rear window glass panel, a second section folded from an end of the first section toward a vertical central line of the rear window glass panel, and a third section extending as a main antenna section from an end of the second section. The second section includes a horizontally folded portion which comprises a plurality of thin wires lying parallel to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rear window glass antenna for use on an automobile for receiving radio or television broadcast signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is customary for automobiles to have an antenna on a rear window glass panel for receiving radio or television broadcast signals in combination with a plurality of defrosting electric wires. The rear window glass antenna has antenna wires including a folded portion to achieve phase adjustment with respect to certain frequency bands for an increased reception gain.
Any portions of the antenna wires which are exposed cut of a masked area on the rear window glass would pose a problem on the appearance of the rear window glass. Therefore, the width of the folded portion of the antenna wires which is exposed out of the masked region should not be too large, and is usually held to 1 mm.
The antenna wires in the masked area where they are concealed by a flange of the automobile body have a width ranging from 3 to 5 mm.
Since the folded portion of the antenna wires has a high impedance, its sensitivity is very low because of the small width of about 1 mm.
One known rear window glass antenna is disclosed in Japanese patent publication No. 61-5282 published Feb. 17, 1986.

Rear window glass antenna for automobiles


In a communication network, the responsiveness of the transmission rate of data packets to packet drops is quantified for an aggregate of flows as opposed to on a per-flow basis. In an Aggregate Perturbation Method (APM), a small number of data packets is intentionally dropped from the aggregate at a switching node and a response thereto is measured. Traffic not conforming to the predetermined transmission control protocol may be discovered as a decrement in the reduction in traffic rate compared to that anticipated based on the rate of dropped packets. To prevent interference from the simultaneous application of APM at multiple switching nodes, an orthogonal drop rate signature defining the instantaneous drop rate is assigned thereto. The orthogonal drop rate signature is based on the code division multiple access (CDMA) coding of data, and for that reason, APM with the application of orthogonal drop rate signatures is termed CDMA-based APM, or CAPM. APM or CAPM may be utilized as a component in fair congestion control or in mitigating distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks of the Internet.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention described herein is related to determining the responsiveness of the data transmission rate in a communication network to packet drops or packet marking. More specifically, the present invention actively drops or marks packets of data from an aggregate of flows in a communication network and then measures the data traffic rate subsequent thereto. In so doing, the present invention can detect an amount of traffic not conforming to the transmission protocol of the aggregate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, much research has been conducted to identify and model non-conforming traffic in a communication network operating under the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Most of the research in this field models the network traffic as individual flows under steady state conditions. Recently, it has been determined that much of the traffic in a wide area network such as the Internet is composed of so-called mice traffic, which, on a per-flow basis, is short-lived and sparse. However, when measured across all flows, the mice traffic accounts for a large percentage of traffic on the Internet. Thus, measuring traffic on a per-flow basis may lead to inaccurate estimates thereof or may require highly complex models for making approximations.
In the Journal paper "Promoting the Use of End-to-End Congestion Control in the Internet", (Floyd, S. and Fall, K.; IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, Vol. 7, No. 4, August 1999), the authors disclose a method of testing a TCP flow by comparing the steady state throughput thereof with a theoretical predicted value for conforming flows. If the test response is similar to the model output, the flow is considered to be TCP conforming. Thus, non-conforming flows may be identified and subsequently penalized in order to control congestion on the network. The disclosed method describes how large sustained individual flows may be tested for TCP conformance, however, as previously stated, the traffic on individual flows of the Internet consists of mice traffic, which is by no means a large sustained flow.
In the paper "The BLUE Active Queue Algorithms", (Wu-Chang, F., et al.; IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, Vol. 10, No. 4, August 2002), the authors disclose a Stochastic Fair BLUE (SFB) queue management algorithm which can identify and rate-limit non-responsive flows using a small amount of state information of the network. SFB provides a per-flow responsiveness test by mapping different flows to parallel bins. Those bins that become overloaded are considered to be receiving a non-conforming flow. However, if many non-conforming flows in a traffic aggregate exist, it is likely that all bins will become overloaded and the SFB algorithm will not be able to distinguish between conforming and non-conforming flows.
Thus, in view of the shortcomings of the prior art, there exists an apparent need for a technique to quantify the responsiveness to packet drops of network traffic that may not be in a large, sustained flow.

Method for quantifying reponsiveness of flow aggregates to packet drops in a communication network


The system described herein provides for the reusability of customizations to a software product. Once customizations are made to a software product, using the system described herein, if the software product is revised, the customizations made to the software product can be reused with little or no effort. The system described herein also facilitates the process of customizing the software product. In addition, the system described herein allows customizations made to one portion of the software product to be used by other portions of the software product. The system described herein performs its functionality by utilizing various object-oriented techniques. Object-oriented software products typically comprise a hierarchy of classes. For each class within the software product, the system described herein provides a corresponding empty class that is customizable. As such, the system described herein provides a class hierarchy for a software product that is divided into pairs of classes. Each pair of classes contains a standard class and an empty or shell class. The standard class contains functions and data to perform the functionality of the software product and the shell class contains customizations added by a customer. The customer of the software product may add whatever customizations they desire into the shell classes, which will then augment or supersede the processing of the corresponding standard class. The two classes within each pair of classes have a hierarchical relationship in which the standard class is the parent and the shell class is the child. In accordance with the system described herein, the pairs are arranged in the hierarchy in such a manner as to allow for the use of customizations within one shell class to be used by another. This hierarchical arrangement provides that when two pairs are to be placed in a parent-child relationship in the hierarchy, the shell class of the first pair is made a parent (i.e., base class) to the standard class of the second pair.

Customers who purchase software products sometimes customize the software products to suit their needs. For example, a customer may customize the appearance of the user interface of the software product to their liking. After customizing the software product, it is not uncommon for the company that developed the software product to release a new version of the product. In this situation, the customizations that were made by the customer to the software product need to be reimplemented. That is, the customizations are typically not reusable in conventional software products. Thus, the customer must recustomize the software product, which is time-consuming and can introduce bugs into the software product. As such, it is desirable to design software products so that customizations are reusable when a new version of the software product is released.

Method and system for reusing customizations to a software product


A firearm bore sighting system is described for in-line muzzle loaders which include a breach plug, the bore sighting system rotating into the breach plug threads and which may include a stop to locate the bore sighting system relative to the breach.

The prior processes involved for "sighting in" a firearm typically involve the use of a target and live ammunition. While this process is typically satisfactory for the shooter, a considerable amount of time and a degree of expense are involved.
The above "sighting in" process may not be available in certain situations. For example, a hunter may jar the firearm and upset the previous sight adjustments. The hunter may be in a situation where the typical process for "sighting in" the weapon is not possible or advisable. This is especially true in situations where the discharge of the firearm could have a negative effect on hunting situations. Further, access to a proper target range is not always easily available. A need has therefore been realized for some form of sighting device that does not require discharge of live ammunition to at least initially accurately set the targeting sights of the firearm.
In response to the above need, various forms of "bore" sighting devices have been developed. In the distant past, such sighting devices made use of incandescent-type lights. More recent developments, however, have lead to the use of laser sighting arrangements. Of these, numerous units are adapted for insertion at the muzzle end of the firearm. The use of a laser certainly increases the potential for accuracy. However, the mounting of a laser in the muzzle end of a firearm does not necessarily lead to an accurate representation of the path a bullet will travel to a selected spot on a target. A very slight misalignment of the laser beam from this point will result in huge magnification of the error at even relatively short distances.
Others have sought the solution of mounting a laser optical device within the firing chamber of a firearm. One such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,631 to Kendall. Another such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,580 issued to Davis et. al., which is incorporated herein by this reference.
A need has remained for a firearm bore sight system that will maintain an accurate coaxial relationship with a firearm cartridge-shaped insert so that a light beam will be maintained in a coaxial relationship with a muzzle loader type of firearm bore so a reliable and repeatable identification can be easily and quickly determined. A dot of light, then, at a distance of, say, twenty-five to thirty yards, will reliably indicate that point as being along the axis of the firearm bore. This point can then be used to accurately gage and calibrate the external sighting device for the weapon.
In-line muzzle loader firearms and the configuration thereof present a unique problem in the use of such laser sighting cartridges due to the less than desirable chamber to hold and accurately locate a laser cartridge, and difficulty in placing a bore sight into the same location of the breach each time.
An object of the present invention is to provide a laser based in-line muzzle loader firearm bore sighting system for sighting a muzzle loader with internal threads in the breach.

In-line muzzle loader bore sight and maintenance system


Improvements are disclosed in apparatus for air classifying mineral particles by size. The apparatus is of the type including a vertically oriented flow channel for carrying an upwardly directed air flow stream in which the particles are dispersed and a cylindrical air classifier mounted in the flow channel. The classifier has a cage which is rotatable about a vertical axis and is laterally open to the flow channel. A plurality of spaced vertical rejector blades are mounted about the lateral periphery, and the cage is closed at its lower end by a support plate. An outlet is connected to the classifier interior for withdrawing particles passing radially through the blades for collection; and air drawing device is connected to the outlet for drawing the air stream and particles into the classifier and establishing an upward flow of air and dispersed particles within channel. The improvement prevents or limits damage of the classifier support plate by the abrasive impact of the particles carried by the upward flow. A hollow funnel-shaped deflector is fixedly secured below the classifier with its tip facing downwardly. The deflector is open at its base, and formed thereat into an axially-extending lip, the inside of which surrounds but is slightly spaced from the lateral edge of the face plate. An outward air flow is induced through the space between the support plate edge and the deflector lip. This provides an air seal preventing particles from entering the interior of the deflector where they can interfere with the rotation of the classifier or damage the support plate.

This invention relates generally to vertical blade rotary air classifying and separating apparatus. Such devices are used to classify and separate particles (such as mineral particles) according to their size, and produce separate discharges of coarse and fine particulate materials. More specifically the invention relates to an improvement in such apparatus, wherein a deflector is incorporated into same to reduce wear to the rotor and associated components caused by abrasive impact with air entrained feed materials.
Vertical blade rotary air classifiers are well known to industry for use in separating dry granular materials (such as minerals) according to particle size. In a typical configuration, dry granular material is entrained in an air stream induced by a fan arrangement, and the entrained material is presented to a vertical blade rotary rejector. The entrained fine fraction of the material passes through the rotating vertical blade rejector to a conduit which directs it to a collection device. The coarse fraction of the materials is prevented from passing through the rotary rejector by impact with the vertical rejector blades, and is forced away for collection or for further processing.
Collision of the entrained feed material with the rotating vertical rejector blades subjects the component parts of the rejector cage to severe abrasion. The vertical blades and the lower rotor support section of the vertical blade rotary rejector cage are subjected to the most severe abrasion. In the past this abrasion problem in respect to the rotor rejector blades has typically been addressed by constructing the blades from an abrasion resistant material, or by coating the leading side of the blades with an abrasion resistant material. The abrasion problem in respect to the bottom support members of the rotating rejector cage has typically been addressed by attaching some type of protecting shield or deflector to the bottom support member of the rotor to protect the components in the lower part of the rotor from the effects of material abrasion. Since, however, this type of shield rotates with the rotor, the abrasion problem is shifted from the lower rotor to the rotating deflector. If the wear is not detected and holes are allowed to develop in the rotating deflector, material will enter the deflector cavity, lodge against the inside walls of same and upset the balance of the rotating assembly of the classifier. Rotating deflectors also impart centrifugal force to particles colliding with them. This centrifugal force drives the particles against the wall of the classifying chamber and back into the rotating rejector blades causing abrasive wear to the blades.
In accordance with the foregoing, it may be regarded an object of the present invention, to provide an improved air classifying apparatus of the type utilizing vertical blade rotors, which is effective in preventing or limiting damage of the downwardly facing rotor support plate.

Air classifying apparatus with wear reducing deflector


Optical fiber interfaces, apparatuses including the optical fiber interfaces, and methods for manufacturing the optical fiber interfaces. Optical fiber interfaces comprise a cup piece and a base piece. The cup piece includes an open first end for receiving an optical fiber end, and a second end includes an aligning protrusion. The base piece includes a top surface with an aligning cavity and an active optical device coupled to the base piece. The cup piece may be attached to the base piece. The base piece may be part of an outer housing portion of a transceiver or other optical component. The base piece may include a molded-in optical fiber interface and the cup piece may include a clearance cavity. A method for making the optical fiber includes locating the center of the active optical device and manufacturing the aligning cavity into the top surface of the base piece.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fiber optic communication. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for coupling and aligning an optical fiber with a fiber optic device for optical signal communication.
2. The Relevant Technology
Fiber optic technology is increasingly employed in the binary transmission of data over communication networks. Networks employing fiber optic technology are (known as optical communications networks, and are typically characterized by high bandwidth and reliable, high-speed data transmission.
To communicate over an optical communications network using fiber optic technology, fiber optic components such as a fiber optic transceiver are used to send and receive optical data. Generally, a fiber optic transceiver can include one or more optical subassemblies ("OSA"), such as a transmitter optical subassembly ("TOSA") for sending optical signals, and a receiver optical subassembly ("ROSA") for receiving optical signals.
More particularly, the TOSA includes an active optical device that receives an electrical data signal and converts the electrical data signal into an optical data signal for transmission onto an optical network. The ROSA includes an active optical device that receives an optical data signal from the optical network and converts the received optical data signal to an electrical data signal for further use and/or processing. Both the ROSA and the TOSA include specific optical components for performing such functions.
In particular, a typical TOSA includes an optical transmitter such as a light emitting diode or a laser diode for transmitting an optical data signal to an optical fiber. A typical ROSA includes an optical receiver, such as a PIN photodiode or avalanche photodiode ("APD") that receives the optical data signal from an optical fiber and converts the optical data signal to an electrical data signal.
A typical optical cable has an optical fiber of high refractive index surrounded by a low-index cladding. In order for an optical transmitter to transmit an optical signal to an optical fiber the optical transmission of the optical transmitter must be aligned with a viewing window of the optical fiber. Likewise, in order for an optical receiver to receive an optical signal from an optical fiber the optical fiber must be aligned with the receiving surface of the optical receiver.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional molded-in optical fiber interface 10 is shown for passive alignment of an optical cable 20 with a laser 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical fiber interface 10 has an incorporated plastic cup 11 for receiving an optical cable 20, and an incorporated plastic base portion 12. The optical cable 20 comprises an optical fiber 21 of high refractive index surrounded by a low-index cladding 22. The laser 30 is incorporated into the optical fiber interface 10 opposite the optical fiber end-face 24 for transmission of an optical signal to the optical fiber 21.
Manufacture of the molded-in optical fiber interface 10 shown in FIG. 1 typically includes several manufacturing processes such as molding, die attach, and lead frame etching. These manufacturing processes must be carefully controlled because they contribute to the overall tolerance for alignment of the laser 30 with the end-face 24 of the optical fiber 21.
The optical transmission of the laser 30 may typically be about 8 micron wide when it leaves an emission cavity 31 of the laser 30, and project to about 50 micron wide when it reaches the end-face 24 of the optical fiber 21. Assuming a relatively large 200 micron diameter optical fiber 21, the manufacturer would be allowed a 75 micron overall tolerance for alignment. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that a 75 micron overall tolerance does not allow much room for error in the stackable tolerances of each of the several manufacturing processes required to manufacture the molded-in optical fiber interface 10. Equipment for obtaining these stackable manufacturing tolerances can be expensive. Holding the overall tolerance may still be difficult using this expensive equipment.
The molded-in optical fiber interface 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 where the stackable manufacturing tolerances for the various manufacturing processes have not been met. As a result, the emission cavity 31 of the laser 30 is not aligned on axis with the end-face 24 of the optical fiber 21 resulting in at least a portion of an optical transmission from the emission cavity 31 of the laser 30 to fall outside of the end-face 24 of the optical fiber 21. This misalignment would likely result in a yield loss. The risk of losing the overall tolerance resulting in misalignment during the manufacturing processes further increases as the diameter of the optical fiber 21 becomes smaller, and also as the optical transmission of the laser 30 becomes more narrow and defined (e.g. a laser as compared to a LED).
Typically, in the case of a misaligned molded-in optical fiber interface the optical component incorporating the misaligned optical fiber interface must be discarded. Thus, the optical component along with any nonrecoverable components, for example at least the VCSEL and housing incorporating the molded-in optical fiber interface, would be wasted.
Therefore, in recognition of the foregoing, and other, problems in the art, apparatuses and methods for manufacturing the apparatuses are described allowing for more accurate and economic alignment of an active optical device with an optical fiber.

Component feature cavity for optical fiber self-alignment


A receiver having an integral stock connector component that extends along the receiver; two extension rod/rail apertures formed through the integral stock connector component, wherein each extension rod/rail aperture is formed so as to slidably receive an extension rod/rail extending from a buttstock, such that each extension rod/rail is slidably movable within one of the extension rod/rail apertures; wherein each extension rod/rail comprises a rod channel and two or more rod dimples/detents formed along the rod channel; and a latch that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein when the latch is in the engaged position, a protrusion portion urges latch elements into the rod/rail apertures a distance that seats the latch elements into the rod dimples/detents, and wherein when the latch is in the disengaged position, the protrusion portion allows the latch elements to retract from the rod dimples/detents and into the rod channels.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of firearms. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lower receiver for a firearm and an associated collapsible buttstock.
2. Description of Related Art
The AR-15 is based on the AR-10, which was designed by Eugene Stoner, Robert Fremont, and L. James Sullivan of the Fairchild ArmaLite Corporation in 1957. Today, there are numerous variants of the AR-15 that are manufactured by a number of companies. The AR-15 and its various related derivative platforms are used by civilians, law enforcement personnel, and military forces around the world.
Various firearms, such as, for example, the AR-15 or M-4 style firearms utilize a variable position buttstock 2 that is slidable and lockable at various positions along a buffer tube 5. A typical variable position buttstock 2 can be locked into a collapsed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or locked into a fully extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the typical buffer tube 2 includes a capped cylindrical portion having a threaded portion 8 for installation into a firearm receiver. Typically, an endplate 6 and a lock ring 4 are utilized to complete installation of the buffer tube on the receiver. A key protrusion 7 extends from the cylindrical portion 9, typically at the 6 o'clock position. An interior portion of the key protrusion includes a plurality of spaced apart recesses or apertures that interact with a retractable bolt to lock the buttstock 2 in a desired position relative to the buffer tube 5.
Certain retrofit collapsible stock assemblies are available. These assemblies require use of a shortened, proprietary buffer tube and use of a proprietary bolt carrier, which includes a built-in buffer. In order to install these retrofit collapsible stock assemblies, the upper receiver must be attached to the lower receiver and the existing buffer tube and buffer retainer must be removed from the lower receiver. Next, the proprietary bolt carrier must be inserted through the buffer tube attachment aperture. Then, the proprietary bolt carrier, a proprietary buffer spring, and a proprietary stock adapter are appropriately positioned at the rear of the receiver. Once appropriately positioned, the proprietary buffer tube is then affixed to the lower receiver, via the buffer tube attachment aperture, to secure the components to the receiver.
Finally, the stock is attached to the stock adapter.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, or the like, which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Receiver and collapsible buttstock for a firearm


Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves by way of a variable position hard stop. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments controlling lift by providing a choice of two different fixed stops, three different fixed stops, stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts, and a fixed stop and stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts. The valves controlled by a variable position hard stop may be a single engine intake or exhaust valve, or multiple valves of any number, and of either intake or exhaust valves or both, or of one intake or one exhaust valve for one or more cylinders in engines having more than one intake or exhaust valve per cylinder. Dashpot deceleration of engine valve velocity on opening to the hard stop and on engine valve closure is disclosed, as are other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of piston engines.
2. Prior Art
Historically, piston engines have used mechanically actuated poppet type intake and exhaust valves operated by way of an engine driven camshaft. While such systems are in a high state of development and usually provide reliable performance for the life of the engine, they have the disadvantage of providing a fixed relationship between crankshaft angle and valve position. Accordingly, the timing for valve opening and closing, the valve lift obtained, etc., are predetermined and fixed throughout the operating range of the engine, thus providing a substantial engine performance compromise under most engine operating conditions.
More recently, considerable work has been done in the development of alternate engine valve actuation systems, generally with a goal of allowing the varying of valve opening and closing crankshaft angle with varying engine operating conditions, and in some cases, of varying the valve lift based on engine operating conditions. One such alternate actuation system comprises hydraulic valve actuation using a spring return, a hydraulic return, or a combination of both. Generally, such valve actuation systems use either a single stage or a two-stage electrically controlled valving system for operation of the hydraulic actuator, the valving system being operative between three states, the first coupling the hydraulic actuator to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, the second blocking hydraulic fluid communication to or from the hydraulic engine valve actuator, and the third coupling the hydraulic engine valve actuator to a low pressure drain or vent. Thus engine valve lift may be controlled by controlling the timing between initiating valve opening by coupling the hydraulic engine valve actuator to the source of fluid under pressure and the blocking of the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from the hydraulic engine valve actuator. This, in theory, provides the desired result, though in practice may not provide the accuracy and uniformity in valve lift desired for smooth engine operation under all conditions.
Systems are also known for controlling the valving based on actual measurement of valve position. This has certain advantages, but also adds to the complexity of the system. In engines with multiple intake and/or exhaust valves per cylinder, a common engine valve actuator for the multiple valves of each type would need to be used, as typically the control would be common for economic reasons, and separate actuators may not track each other that well. Also, the control would need to be closed loop in real time for each actuator, preferably with a self adapting capability based on feedback of the actual lift obtained on the last engine cycle, making the control algorithm complicated and limiting the accuracy achieved by the limited speed of the control valving.


The present invention is directed to an article, system and method for determining and/or selecting the location of a toner engaging member in a developing agent device such as a toner cartridge. The article, system and method may be applied to a printing device such as a laser printer.

Electrophotographic devices, such as printers, copiers or faxes, may use a developing agent, such as toner, to form images on sheets of media. The developing agent may be stored in a cartridge or other device. The developing agent device may be either fixed or removable from said electrophotographic device.
Developing agent devices may incorporate agitators within the cartridges to stir the toner particles during operation, which may help prevent clumps and keep the toner particles fluid. Agitators may include paddles or other members that may sweep the inner surface of the developing sump, or the area of the device in which the developing agent may be stored. As media is fed through the printing device, the agitators may also help feed the developing agent to the developing portion of the printing device.
Developing agent devices may also include sensors, such as optical sensors, to determine when the device is out of developing agent. Optical systems may use transparent windows located within the sump area of the cartridge. A signal emitter and sensor, for example, may be placed in communication with a reflector inside of the sump area. In some instances, signal quality may be correlated with the amount of toner in the sump.


An exhaust gas purification apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust gas duct connected to the engine through which the exhaust gas containing NOx gas passes and a catalyst so disposed in the exhaust gas duct that it contacts with the exhaust gas.

This application claims the priority of Japanese patent documents No. 8-146981, filed Jun. 10, 1996; No. 8-153718, filed Jun. 14, 1996; and No. 8-209587, filed Aug. 8, 1996, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a purification apparatus for an exhaust gas which is discharged or emitted from an internal combustion engine such as an automobile, and particularly to an apparatus which includes a catalyst for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine that is operated under a lean air-fuel ratio (a lean burn), and from an automobile which has such a lean burn internal combustion engine.
Exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine such as an automobile includes carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) etc. which pollute the environment, adversely affect the human body, and disturb the growth and the development of plants.
Accordingly, up to now a great deal of effort has gone into reducing the amount of such pollutants by improving a combustion in the internal combustion engine, and developing a method for purifying the discharged or the emitted exhaust gas using a catalyst to obtain a steady result.
Gasoline engine vehicles frequently utilize a three component catalyst in which platinum (Pt) and rhodium (Rh) are main active components. The oxidation of HC and CO and the reduction of NOx are carried out at the same time to convert the above air pollution materials to harmless materials.
It is characteristic of a three component catalyst, that it operates effectively only for exhaust gases which are generated within a range ("window") in the vicinity of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
In the conventional technique, the air-fuel ratio fluctuates in accordance with an operation condition of the automobile. A fluctuation region is principally controlled to the vicinity of the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, which is a ratio between A (weight of air) and F (weight of fuel), being about 14.7 in case of the gasoline. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio is represented by A/F=14.7, but this value varies in accordance with kinds of the fuels.
However, when the engine is operated under a lean air-fuel ratio in comparison with the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio atmosphere, the fuel consumption can be improved. Therefore, the development of a lean burn combustion technique is promoted; and recently automobiles have been developed in which the engine is combusted under the lean area having the air-fuel ratio of more than 18.
However, when a conventional three component catalyst is adopted for purification of a lean burn exhaust gas, although the oxidation purification with respect to HC and CO is performed effectively, the reduction of NOx is not.
Accordingly, to promote the application of the lean burn system for large size vehicles and to enlarge the lean burn combustion time (that is, enlarge the operation area of the lean burn system), it is necessary to develop an exhaust gas purification technique which is suitable to the lean burn system. Thus, the development of a technique for purifying HC, CO and particularly NOx where a large quantity of oxygen (O2) is included in the exhaust gas, has been promoted vigorously.
Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 61,706/1988 discloses a technique in which HC is supplied upstream of a lean burn exhaust gas. The operation of a catalyst is facilitated by lowering the oxygen (O2) concentration in the exhaust gas to a concentration area for effective functioning of the catalyst.
Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 97,630/1987, Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 106,826/1987 and Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 117,620/1987, propose a technique in which N included in the exhaust gas (after the conversion of an easily absorbable NO2 by oxidizing NO) is absorbed and removed by contact with a catalyst having NOx absorbing ability. When the absorption efficiency decreases, by stopping a passing-through of the exhaust gas accumulated NOx is reduction-removed using H2, HC included in a methane gas and a gasoline etc., and so that NOx absorbing ability of the catalyst is regenerated.
Further, WO 93/07363 and WO 93/08383 discloses an exhaust gas purification apparatus in which an NOx absorbent material arranged at an exhaust gas flow passage absorbs NOx from a lean exhaust gas, and when an oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is lowered the NOx absorbent material discharges the absorbed NOx. The exhaust gas absorbs NOx during the lean atmosphere and the absorbed NOx is discharged by lowering O2, concentration in the exhaust gas which flows into a NOx absorbent.
However, in Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 61,708/1988, to attain a composition of the exhaust gas which corresponds to the air-fuel ratio of A/F=14.7 where the catalyst can function (O2 concentration having about 0.5%), it needs a very large quantity of HC. A use of a blow-by gas in this patent document is effective, but the blow-by gas does not have an amount which is sufficient for efficient to treat an exhaust gas during an operation of an internal combustion engine. It is possible technically to throw the fuel but it eliminates the fuel consumption gains achieved by the lean burn system.
In Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 97,630/1987, Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 106,826/1987 and Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 117,620/1987, to regenerate a NOx absorbent material a flow of exhaust gas is stopped and the gaseous reducing agent of HC etc. is contacted to NOx absorbent. Further, two NOx absorbent materials are provided and the exhaust gas flows alternately to these two NOx absorbent materials. It is therefore necessary to provide an exhaust gas change-over mechanism, which complicates the structure of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus.
In WO 93/07363 and WO 93/08383, the exhaust gas is flowed continuously to an NOx absorbent material, and the NOx in the exhaust gas is absorbed during the lean atmosphere. By lowering O2 concentration in the exhaust gas, the absorbed NOx is discharged and the NOx absorbent material is regenerated. Accordingly, since the change-over of the exhaust gas flow is unnecessary, the problem in the above stated system can dissolved. However, these systems require a material which can absorb NOx during the lean condition and can discharge NOx when O2 concentration in the exhaust gas is lowered. Since the repeated NOx absorption and discharge inevitably causes a periodic change of a crystal structure of the absorbent, it is necessary to take a careful consideration about the durability of the absorbent. Further, it is necessary to treat the discharged NOx; in the case of a large quantity of the discharged NOx it may be necessary to provide a post-treatment using a three component catalyst.

Exhaust gas purification apparatus of internal combustion engine and catalyst for purifying exhaust gas of internal combustion engine

Abstract: The catalyst chemically adsorbs NOx under the condition that a stoichiometric amount of a gaseous oxidizing agent present in the exhaust gas is larger than that of a gaseous reducing agent present in the exhaust gas for reducing NOx, while NOx being adsorbed is catalytically reduced in the presence of the reducing agent under the condition that the stoichiometric amount of the oxidizing agent is not larger that of the reducing agent.

Abstract: Thereby, NOx, the lean burn exhaust gas in the engine can be effectively made harmlessly.


A Lasagna noodle cooking and drying rack including, a plurality of noodle cooking shelves formed from a plurality of horizontal shelf arms and a plurality of horizontal support members with the horizontal shelf arms attached to a plurality of vertical shelf support structures at an incline to hold the noodles securely on their individual shelves during the cooking process. Cooking the noodles on their individual shelves prevents the noodles from sticking together and promotes even cooking of the noodles which in turn prevents them from breaking apart when they are removed from the cooking water. The Lasagna noodle cooking and drying rack has a removable handle which can be hooked on to the two end vertical support structures to lift the rack from the cooking pot. The Lasagna noodles can be drained and dried on their individual shelves after the rack is lifted out of the cooking water.

Lasagna is a savory main dish enjoyed by many in the United States and around the world. A major ingredient in the making of the Lasagna dish are, the Lasagna noodles. Although Lasagna noodles can be made by hand following a recipe and the right equipment, most home cooks find it more convenient to use the pre-packaged Lasagna noodles available in the stores. The packaged store bought Lasagna noodles are generally dry and brittle requiring them to be immersed in water and cooked for a period of time to soften and make them pliable so that they can be layered between the sauce, cheese and other ingredients to form the dish before baking.
Lasagna noodles are generally cooked in a big pot of boiling water. When the noodles are initially introduced into the cooking pot, the top end of each noodle extends out from the pot, resulting in only the lower parts of the noodles getting submerged in the cooking water. Once the lower parts of the noodles submerged in water soften as they cook, the practice generally is to push down the pliable cooked ends so that the upper ends of the noodles sticking out of the pot can be submerged in the water and get cooked. This may result in some of the noodles breaking.
The other challenge in cooking Lasagna noodles is that they generally have a tendency to stick together while in the cooking water preventing the exposure of parts of their individual surfaces to the cooking water, and resulting in uneven cooking of each noodle, with some areas of each noodle being soft and other areas hard, and not completely cooked. It is generally the practice to stir the noodles while they are cooking to prevent them from sticking together which results in some of the noodles tearing and/or breaking apart. A partial tear can sometimes turn into a complete break as the noodles continue to cook and become increasingly softer and weaker.
A third challenge in cooking Lasagna noodles is to extricate them from the cooking water without tearing or breaking the individual noodles. The noodles have to be individually removed from the cooking water without tearing or breaking them. This is a very delicate and somewhat difficult procedure since the cooked noodles are soft and slippery. Further as each noodle is extricated with a pair of tongs or other suitable utensil, the others remaining in the hot cooking water continue to cook and become softer and more prone to breaking. A noodle that is overcooked is more slippery and difficult to handle without breaking. Once the noodles are removed from the cooking water, they have to be placed on a suitable surface to drain and dry before using them to construct the Lasagna dish with the sauce, cheese and other ingredients.
The ultimate goal when cooking Lasagna noodles is to produce unbroken, evenly cooked noodles to construct the Lasagna dish. The present invention of a Lasagna noodle cooking and drying rack accomplishes the goal of producing evenly cooked, unbroken Lasagna noodles for the preparation of the Lasagna dish.
The exemplary features of the Lasagna noodle cooking and drying rack of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention, detailed description of the invention, and the claims that follow.


An automated login process is provided for a user connecting to a first server of multiple servers that are connected via a computer network. The server receives a connection to the user via a client data terminal, receives an identifier associated with a second server of the multiple servers, and authenticates the user based on the identifier.

A typical electronic commerce (eCommerce) web site allows a consumer, logging onto the web site from a client data terminal, such as a personal computer (PC) or a workstation, to purchase goods or services offered by the company maintaining the web site. Such a web site typically requires that the consumer login with the web server that is actually hosting the site. The "login" process usually means that the consumer provide registration information, such as a name, address, telephone number, and electronic mail (email) address, before the consumer is able to access the services offered by the web site. The consumer's registration information is stored in a database maintained by the host server, and in response to receiving the information the host server typically provides the consumer with a unique personal identifier, such as a personal identification number (PIN), that is associated with the stored information. When the consumer subsequently revisits the web site, the PIN can serve to authenticate the user instead of requiring the user to fully re-register.
It is not uncommon for an eCommerce web site to include one or more computer input marks, such as an icon or a textual phrase, that allows a consumer visiting the web site to connect to a second, perhaps unrelated web site hosted by a second web server. Typically, when the second web site is another eCommerce web site, the consumer is again required to login at the second web site, again providing registration information and receiving, in return, a second personal identifier. When, at a future time, the consumer again returns to the second web site via the first web site, the consumer is again required to login to the second web site, providing at least the second personal identifier if not additional registration information. Requiring the consumer to repeatedly provide extensive information every time a consumer links to an eCommerce web site via another eCommerce web site is cumbersome and inconvenient to the consumer.
In order to avoid such repetitive logins, some web servers store on a client data terminal (the consumer's PC) small data files, (also referred to as "objects") known as "cookies." When a user of a client data terminal first links to a web site, the host server obtains registration information from the consumer and stores the registration information and/or an assigned personal identifier in a cookie that is stored on the client data terminal. When the user of the client data terminal subsequently links to the web site, the host server locates the cookie on the client data terminal and retrieves the registration information and/or personal identifier from the cookie, eliminating the need for the user to again provide the information or identifier. The use of cookies by host servers has become so widespread that issues of consumer privacy and the storage of cookies on consumers' computers are topics of heated public debate. Some consumers even attempt to block the storage of cookies on their computers or disable cookies already stored there. Furthermore, cookies do not address the needs of the mobile user who often has access to computers spread over distances.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus whereby a consumer can link to a second web site through a first web site and access the services of the second web site without being required to provide registration information or a personal identifier and without the use of a "cookie."

Method and apparatus for providing an automated login process

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A novel apparatus which promotes 24-hour independence of a patient is claimed. The apparatus is a combination of wheelchair and sleeper that easily converts from a wheelchair configuration into a bed or other horizontal surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved combination 24-hour wheelchair-sleeper apparatus that is designed to convert from a wheelchair configuration into a generally horizontal sleeping configuration.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, convertible beds or wheelchair devices, as well as other invalid transferring arrangements, are known. However, none of the devices of the prior art suggest all of the features of the present invention. In particular, the prior art does not suggest a wheelchair that may convert into a sleeper with additional features that promote total 24-hour independence. The following devices of the prior art are known to Applicant.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,169 to Shaffler discloses a wheeled structure that is convertible between a full-sized bed and a wheelchair. However, the Shaffler device does not include a mechanism to facilitate transferring the patient from the bed arrangement onto another like bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,104 to Grantham discloses a convertible hospital bed that includes a mechanism to assist a patient sitting upright in the bed in moving on and off the bed. Grantham fails to disclose a wheelchair unit that is convertible into a sleeper apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,352 to DiMatteo et al. discloses an arrangement combining a wheelchair with a bed, wherein the bed has a mechanism that assists an invalid from the bed into a wheelchair, with the wheelchair having a mechanism to receive the invalid from the bed. The wheelchair unit of DiMatteo et al. permits transfer of an invalid between a bed and a convertible wheelchair in close proximity to a bedding unit. However, the invention of DiMatteo et al. does not provide accommodation for 24-hour occupation by a patient.

Combination wheelchair sleeper 24-hour use apparatus


The present invention generally relates to methods used for fabricating integrated circuits (“ICs”), using Ruthenium (“Ru”) and its oxides and/or Iridium (“Ir”) and its oxides as the diffusion barrier to contain and control copper (“Cu”) interconnects. The invention also covers ICs incorporating such materials in the diffusion barrier to contain and control the Cu interconnects. The present invention advantageously provides better integration and fabrication of advanced IC chips with sub-micron features.

In the sub-100 nm generation of integrated circuits ("ICs"), it is anticipated that copper ("Cu") will replace aluminum as the new interconnect material due to its favorable electrical conductivity (1.67 μΩ.cm vs. 2.66 μΩ.cm of aluminum) and its superior resistance to electromigration. Additionally, improved electromigration resistance allows integrated circuits to operate at higher current densities and possibly at higher temperatures. IC chips fabricated with more conductive Cu interconnects and low-k dielectrics operate with less power and at significantly higher speed due to decreases in the interconnect RC coupling delay. The new dual-damascene patterning process coupling with chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) significantly simplifies Cu interconnect routing and lowers manufacturing costs.
However, copper diffuses easily into active silicon devices and interlayer dielectrics ("ILD"), especially under electrical and thermal stresses resulting in deep level traps in the Si band gap. To prevent catastrophic contamination caused by Cu diffusion, diffusion barriers like tantalum ("Ta") and tantalum nitride ("TaN") are currently deposited in the damascene trench/via features by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to contain Cu interconnects. Since thin barrier layers of Ta (13.2 μΩ.cm) and TaN (>200 μΩ.cm) are too resistive to plate Cu directly, a continuous Cu-seeding layer (>7.5 nm) must be deposited over the Ta/TaN barrier to assure a good Cu electrofill.
The most challenging aspect of implementing Cu interconnects for advanced complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor ("CMOS") applications beyond the 100 nm mode is the increasing difficulty with the overall process integration. Shrinking dimensions demand an increasingly high-aspect-ratio of trench/via features that make PVD barrier/seed deposition and Cu electrofill more difficult. The space situation is most severe at the bottom metallization layer where the first connections to sub-100 nm transistor array are made. For the future 45–65 nm CMOS devices, the thickness of a functional diffusion barrier is limited to merely 5 nm at this crucial metal layer. The current Cu/Ta/TaN stack approach can not be scaled down to meet the future industry roadmap requirements. In addition, any discontinuities in the Cu seed layer, large overhang, or poor coverage on the lower sidewall can affect the Cu electroplating through an early pinch-off of the structure, resulting in a void defect being formed. Structural integrity concerns and adhesion issues of the barrier metal to the new ultra low-k dielectric are often mentioned as accompanying problems.
The present invention greatly reduces the overall integration difficulties by replacing the current Cu Seed/Ta/TaN trilayer barrier configuration with a directly Cu-plate-able barrier layer consisting of a combination of Ruthenium ("Ru") and Iridium ("Ir") and their conductive oxides Ruthenium Oxide ("RuO2") and Iridium Oxide ("IrO2"). The exact lateral chemical composition of this novel (Ru, RuO2) and/or (Ir, IrO2) diffusion barrier can be fine tuned to achieve strong adhesion between Cu/(Ru, RuO2)/interlayer dielectrics. With the new directly Cu-plate-able diffusion barrier, the costly Cu-seed layer can be eliminated which will greatly decrease copper interconnect processing costs and further simplifying circuit design and promoting overall integration success.

Method of making integrated circuits using ruthenium and its oxides as a Cu diffusion barrier


The invention concerns a brake valve arrangement of a vehicle having a trailer coupling and at least one controllable hydraulic consumer, with a brake valve (27). It is endeavored to provide a similar embodiment of a vehicle with such a brake valve arrangement. For this purpose, the brake valve (27) is combined with at least one control valve (11, 12) controlling the hydraulic consumer into forming a valve block (10) having several valve modules.

Such a brake valve is, for example, known from DE 195 14 733 B4. The purpose of the brake valve is to brake a trailer coupled with an agricultural utility vehicle, for example a tractor, via the tractor. In this connection, the brake valve is supplied via a pump. Between the brake valve and the pump is located a control device, through which hydraulic fluid can be supplied to either the brake valve or another consumer. The exact design of such a brake valve appears from the company brochure "Hydraulisches Anhänger-Bremsventil (Hydraulic trailer brake valve)", code number 1 987 760 506/11.99 of the company Bosch Rexroth AG, 71701 Schwieberdingen, Germany.
It is true that such a brake valve is particularly appropriate with trailers having a high weight. However, the cost of such an additional brake valve is not insignificant. Also, additional pipes, connections and sealings must be provided.


A row crop header for a harvester having a subframe removably coupleable to a feeder housing of the harvester. A pivot assembly is supported by the subframe permitting first and second header sections to pivotably move between raised and lowered positions together or independently of the other. A cross-auger center suspension assembly rotateably supports one end of the first cross-auger section and one end of the second cross-auger section as the first and second header sections pivotally move between the raised and lowered positions.

Combine harvesters or combines are equipped with removable heads or "headers" that are designed for harvesting particular types of crops. A "platform header" is typically used for cereal grains such as soybeans and various cereal crops such as wheat, oats and barley. A platform header is equipped with a reciprocating knife cutter bar and has a revolving reel which forces the cut crop into the header as the combine advances. A cross auger forces the cut grain into the feeder house of the combine where the grain is threshed and separated from the cut stalk and other crop chaff "Draper headers" are similar to platform headers in that they utilize a reciprocating cutter bar and a revolving reel. However, instead of a cross auger, the draper header uses a fabric or rubber apron to feed the cut grain into the feeder house. Headers for row crops, particularly corn headers, are equipped with forwardly extending conical snouts which extend between the corn rows. Where adjacent snouts of the corn header converge, instead of cutting the stalk like a platform or draper header, adjacent stalk rollers pinch and pull the stalk downwardly stripping the corn ear from the stalk, so that the stalks pass under the header leaving primarily only the ear and husk enter the feeder house.
When combining or harvesting different crops using any of the foregoing types of headers, the header is typically operated at a height sufficiently low to the ground to ensure that the lowermost grain across the width of the header is not missed. As the crop varies in height or as the terrain varies across the field, the combine operator must adjust the height of the header up or down to ensure that the lowermost grain is not missed while also ensuring that no portion of the header runs aground.
Platform and draper headers can extend up to forty or more feet in width. Accordingly, to account for variations in terrain across the width of the header, especially for harvesting soybeans and other crops that have pods close to the ground, flexible platform and draper headers have been developed which utilize a cutter bar that flexes to better follow the contours of the terrain. However, heretofore, no such "flexible" header has yet been developed for row crops, particularly corn headers. With advances in combine technology, twelve and sixteen row corn headers have become common place and even twenty four row headers are now available. As a result, with corn headers now approaching the widths of platform and draper headers, there is now a need for corn headers to flex, bend or articulate so as to more closely follow the contours of the terrain to avoid missing corn.
For example, referring to FIG. 5, when combining over the crest of a hill with a large header of twelve rows or more, it may not be possible to lower the header sufficiently to avoid missing ears at the far ends of the header without running the header aground at the middle of the header. Likewise, referring to FIG. 6, when combining in a trough or valley between hills, it may not be possible to lower the header sufficiently to avoid missing ears in the middle of the header without running the header aground on the upwardly sloping hills at the far ends of the header.
While lateral tilt headers serve their intended purposes for operating on relatively uniform or consistent grades, the ability of the header to tilt laterally from side-to-side is not much more beneficial than a conventional fixed or non-titling header for harvesting on rolling terrain. For example, referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, it should be appreciated that having the ability to laterally tilt the header to one side or the other will provide little or no benefit when harvesting over the crest of a hill as in FIG. 5 or in a valley as in FIG. 6. Similarly, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, when combining along the base of a hill, even when the header is tilted laterally and in the lower most position without running the header aground at the far ends, the ears in the corn rows in the middle of the header may still be missed.
Accordingly, for harvesting row crops on rolling terrain, there is a need for a row crop header, particularly a corn header, that articulates or flexes so that sections of the header can be raised and lowered to more closely follow the terrain to avoid missing rows as the combine traverses the field.

Flexible row crop header for an agricultural harvester


A REMA objective 123 images an object plane 1 onto the reticle plane 33 and has a lens group 300 disposed in the half of the objective close to the reticle. The object plane 1 lies at a finite spacing. In the lens group 300, the principal ray elevations are greater in magnitude than the elevations of the peripheral rays. A scattering surface 28 is arranged in the lens group 300 having a largest magnitude of sine of the angle of incidence of the principal ray in air with respect to the surface normal (.vertline.sin (i.sub.princ).vertline.) greater than 0.35 and preferably greater than 0.5.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,715 discloses an illuminating arrangement for a microlithographic projection system wherein the following elements are arranged in sequence: light source, shutter, in-coupling objective (zoom axicon), glass rod as an integrator, reticle masking system, REMA objective for imaging the intermediate field plane on the reticle. The intermediate field plane lies in the reticle masking system. The REMA objective includes a first lens group, a pupillary intermediate plane, a second lens group, a deflecting mirror, a third lens group and the reticle plane with the reticle. Thereafter, a projection objective follows which normally operates in reduction and (for example, for non-telecentric input) includes an inner-lying pupillary plane. The wafer follows in the image plane.
European patent publication 0,526,242 discloses a projection exposure apparatus including an integrator in the form of a condenser having a honeycomb structure. A projection objective follows the integrator and is located ahead of the reticle masking system. The reticle edge masking assembly is optically conjugated (that is, imaged to the plane of the reticle) via two lens groups and a mirror. At the same time, the diaphragm at the outlet of the integrator (the secondary light source) is imaged onto the pupil of the projection objective via the two lens groups and portions of the projection objective. No mention is made of imaging errors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,436 discloses a very wide aperture catadioptric reducing objective lens for microlithography. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 of this application and the structural data given in Table 2 thereof are precisely adapted to the embodiment of a REMA objective disclosed in the present application. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,742,436 and 5,646,715 are both incorporated herein by reference. Table 2 of this application corresponds to Table 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,436.

REMA objective for microlithographic projection exposure systems