A transmission gear assembly, including: at least two gearwheels fitted with teeth on their periphery and connected together. One of the at least two gearwheels is a main gearwheel. Another of the at least two gearwheels is an auxiliary gearwheel. The teeth of the auxiliary gearwheel are formed resilient in a radial direction.

In some modern vehicle transmissions, transmission gears can produce a clattering noise due to the play of intermeshing gearwheels during operating conditions with low load. Clattering can be caused by vibration of the gearwheel. Clattering can occur, above all, in loose wheel pairs without torque loading. Due to excitation, the driving gear flank accelerates the driven flank. A "tooth rattle vibration" builds up that is continuously resupplied with energy.
Therefore, it is desirable to have improved vehicle transmission gearing assemblies with reduced tooth rattle vibrations and noise.


A method for producing a polymerized toner comprising a step of polymerizing a polymerizable monomer composition in an aqueous dispersion medium in the presence of a polymerization initiator to obtain a dispersion liquid of colored polymer particles and a stripping step of injecting a gas comprised of air or an inert gas into the dispersion liquid of the colored polymer particles while stirring the dispersion liquid in an evaporator and the flow rate of the gas injected per weight of the colored polymer particles being 0.05 to 4 L/(hr·kg), the pressure of the vapor phase of the evaporator being 5 to 80 kPa.

In a copier, facsimile, printer, or other image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic process, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body is converted to a visible image by a developer (hereinafter referred to as a "toner"). A toner is mainly comprised of a binder resin in which colored particles comprised of a colorant and, in accordance with need, a charge control agent, parting agent, etc. are dispersed.
Toners are roughly classified by process of production into pulverized toners comprised of colored particles obtained by the pulverizing method and polymerized toners giving colored particles by the polymerization method (in the present invention, colored particles obtained by the polymerization method are referred to as "colored polymer particles"). With the pulverizing method, a binder resin comprised of a thermoplastic resin is melt kneaded with a colorant, charge control agent, parting agent, and other additive ingredients, pulverized, and classified to obtain colored particles and produce the pulverized toner. As opposed to this, with the polymerization method, a polymerizable monomer composition containing a polymerizable monomer, colorant, and other additives is used to form droplets in an aqueous dispersion medium which are then polymerized to produce colored polymer particles forming the polymerized toner.
Recently, color copiers, printers, and other image forming apparatuses using the electrophotographic process are rapidly spreading. In color image formation, photographs and other high definition images are also being formed, so image formation with a particularly high resolution and good color reproducibility is being sought. High quality color toners able to meet with this demand are considered necessary. From this viewpoint, spherical toners are suitable in that they are good in transferability and dot reproducibility. The suspension polymerization method, dispersion polymerization method, emulsion polymerization method, and other polymerization methods enable spherical toners to be produced with a good efficiency, so toners made by the polymerization method (polymerized toners) are becoming the mainstream.
On the other hand, recently, environmental regulations are being toughened. In such image forming apparatuses as well, therefore, the low molecular weight ingredients which volatilize when fixing a toner by heat such as the polymerizable monomer remaining in the toner (in the present invention, hereinafter referred to as the "residual monomer") and other volatile organic compounds (in the present invention, hereinafter referred to as the "residual VOC") are becoming an issue. Further, if the toner contains a large amount of residual monomer or residual VOC, offset easily occurs, a film of the toner easily forms on the surface of parts of the image forming apparatus such as the photosensitive body and development blade, and other problems arise.
Therefore, to produce toners with little residual monomer and residual VOC, in the past methods have been proposed for removing the residual monomer and residual VOC from the colored polymer particles after polymerization. Removal of the residual monomer and residual VOC is more difficult with toners made by the polymerization method than with toners made by the pulverizing method. That is, with the pulverizing method, it is possible to remove the residual monomer and residual VOC using means such as heat treatment of only the binder resin before the colored particles are formed. As opposed to this, with the polymerization method, the colored polymer particles (colored particles) are formed simultaneously with the polymerization, therefore this removal step must be performed after the formation of the colored particles. For this reason, the residual monomer etc. are easily absorbed in the ingredients other than the binder resin (colorant, charge control agent, parting agent, etc.) and therefore are difficult to remove compared with the case of only a binder resin. Further, if overly heating by a long time or high temperature, the colored polymer particles aggregate, the other ingredients besides the binder resin in the colored polymer particles become degraded, and for other reasons, the obtained toner easily declines in quality.
In recent years, there have been increasing demands for lowering the lowest fixing temperature so as to increase the speed of printing, save power, etc. Further, with full color printing, four colors are superposed, so a high print durability of the different colors of toners even in different environments is being sought. In such toners, it has been extremely difficult to remove the residual monomer and residual VOC without aggregation of the colored polymer particles, degradation of the ingredients in the colored polymer particles, etc. causing a drop in the toner quality.
As the stripping method for removing residual monomer and residual VOC from the aqueous dispersion medium containing colored polymer particles obtained by the polymerization method, various methods have been proposed in the past.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-100485 discloses the method of steam stripping comprising blowing saturated steam into the aqueous dispersion medium containing colored polymer particles obtained by the polymerization method. However, with this method, there was the problem that the shear force when the saturated steam came into contact with the colored polymer particles easily led to agglomeration of the colored polymer particles.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-92180 discloses a process of production of a toner comprising running a relatively large amount of nitrogen gas through the vapor phase of a distillation system containing the aqueous dispersion medium containing colored polymer particles obtained by the polymerization method and reducing the pressure for the purpose of stripping. However, even if using this method, the efficiency of removal of the residual monomer etc. is insufficient. Further, there was the problem that the obtained polymerized toner ends up deteriorating in print durability. Further, a large amount of nitrogen or other gas is used, so the energy consumption ends up increasing.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-271816 proposes a process of production of a toner comprising injecting nitrogen gas at an normal pressure of by 101 kPa into an aqueous dispersion medium containing colored polymer particles obtained by the polymerization method for the purpose of stripping. According to this method, it was possible to efficiently remove the residual monomer, but there was the problem that the efficiency of removal of the residual VOC was insufficient and if increasing the flow rate of the nitrogen for improving the efficiency, a large amount of bubbles would form in the aqueous dispersion medium making operation impossible.


There is provided a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which has a high initial adhesive strength to an adherend containing a plasticizer and can maintain the adhesive strength even after long-term use. A plasticizer-resistant pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising a copolymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising (a) an aromatic-containing (meth)acrylate monomer, (b) a nitrogen-containing vinyl monomer, and (c) an alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer, an alkyl group of which has 4 to 14 carbon atoms.

In case of applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive to a base material (adherend) formed from a resin containing a plasticizer (e.g. vinyl chloride resin), cross-migration of the plasticizer from the base material to the adhesive has occasionally caused plasticization of the adhesive itself, resulting in drastic reduction of an adhesive strength. Therefore, a conventional pressure-sensitive adhesive occasionally causes peeling due to reduction of a strength at the bonding portion with a lapse of time, thus making it impossible to perform satisfactory bonding.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,461 discloses a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising (a) a copolymer of monomers consisting essentially of about 60 to 85 parts by weight of an acrylate of a non-tertiary alcohol, an alkyl of which has about 4 to 14 carbon atoms, and about 15 to 40 parts by weight of a polar nitrogen-containing vinyl monomer, and (b) an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber in an amount of 1 to 10 parts based on the weight of the copolymer. It is described that this adhesive is capable of maintaining an adhesive strength to a plasticized vinyl base material for a long term and use of the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber in combination with the specific acrylic polymer has an effect of enhancing a shear resistance to the plasticized base material.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-18486 discloses, as a pressure-sensitive adhesive capable of maintaining an adhesion property to the plasticized polyvinyl chloride for a long term, a pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a copolymer of monomers consisting essentially of 60 to 88 parts of an acrylate of an alcohol having 4 to 14 carbon atoms, 2 to 30 parts of a nitrogen-containing vinyl monomer and 0 to 12 parts of a vinylcarboxylic acid, and a plasticizer in an amount of 2 to 35% based on the copolymer. However, the adhesive has the following problem. Namely, since the adhesive contains the plasticizer, the adhesion property of the adhesive per se can not be exhibited even if stable adhesion property can be maintained and, therefore, it can not help sacrificing the adhesive strength.

Plasticizer-resistant pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and adhesive article


Methods for producing ferroelectric device are described. A method includes positioning an organic polymeric ferroelectric layer between two conductive materials to form a stack. The stack can be subjected to a 2-step heat treating process. The first heat treating step transforms the organic polymeric ferroelectric precursor to a ferroelectric material having ferroelectric hysteresis properties, and the second heat treating step densities the ferroelectric material to obtain the ferroelectric device. The thin film ferroelectric device can include a thin film ferroelectric capacitor, a thin film ferroelectric transistor, or a thin film ferroelectric diode.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method of producing ferroelectric films (e.g., poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based films) and memory devices through a controlled two-step thermal annealing process.
B. Description of Related Art
Memory systems are used for storage of data, program code, and/or other information in many electronic products, such as personal computer systems, embedded processor-based systems, video image processing circuits, portable phones, and the like. Important characteristics for a memory cell in electronic device are low cost, nonvolatility, high density, writability, low power, and high speed. Conventional memory solutions include Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read only Memory (PROM), Electrically Programmable Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and Static Random Access Memory (SRAM).
More recently, ferromagnetic RAM (FRAM) has been attempted. FRAM utilizes a ferromagnetic region or film of a ferroelectric capacitor, thin film transistor, or diode to generate a nonvolatile memory cell. Such electronic devices are fabricated using two parallel conductive plates separated by a ferroelectric polymer layer. The ferroelectric polymer layer is a layer of insulating film which contains a permanent electrical polarization that can be reversed repeatedly, by an opposing electric field. As a result, the ferroelectric capacitor, thin film transistor, or diode has two possible non-volatile states, which they can retain without electrical power, corresponding to the two binary logic levels in a digital memory. Additionally, ferroelectric capacitors, transistors, and diodes also provide energy-storing functionality. When a voltage is applied across the plates, the electric field in the ferroelectric material displaces electric charges, and thus stores energy. The amount of energy stored depends on the dielectric constant of the insulating material and the dimensions (total area and thickness) of the film.
Typically, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) type polymers or copolymers (e.g., a copolymer of PVDF with trifluoroethylene (TrFe) (PVDF-TrFe)) are used as the ferroelectric material due to their large polarization values and electrical and material properties. PVDF type polymers are attractive for electronic devices as they can be produced in the form of films and in a variety of shapes, have high chemical resistance, and high efficiency in converting mechanical energy to electrical energy. PVDF has five different polymorphs (also referred to as phases), alpha (α), beta (β), gamma (γ), delta (δ) and epsilon (∈), with the most common of the polymorphs being the alpha (α) polymorph. The alpha polymorph demonstrates little to no ferroelectric properties, while the remaining phases demonstrate stronger ferroelectric properties, with the beta-polymorph being most preferred.
Many attempts have been made to transform the alpha-polymorph to the more desirable polymorphs using various techniques. Two problems, however, continue to arise with the currently available processes. For one, after deposition and annealing of PVDF using solution processes (e.g., spin-coating), the resulting PVDF film oftentimes demonstrates a para-electric (α) phase rather than the desired (β)-phase. Second, and also after annealing, nano-size cracks routinely develop on the PVDF film, which are detrimental to the film's stable operation under applied voltage.
For instance, Kang in Applied Physics Letters, 2008, Vol. 92, pp. 012921-3 describes a 1-step rapid annealing process at 150° C. The resulting films, however, exhibited a micropattern of (α) and (β) PVDF crystals, confirming a less than desired transition process.
Chinese Application Publication No. CN 103113602 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,835 each attempt to address the para-electric (α)-phase/(β)-phase transition by applying pressure or stress to PVDF material during the annealing process, thereby complicating film formation process.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,120,082, by comparison, attempts to solve the phase transition problem through a heating and cooling step. In particular, the PVDF material is heated to a first temperature, which is followed by continuous cooling to an established temperature to effect (β)-phase of the ferroelectric film, which is then followed by rapid cooling (60° C. to 70° C.) so that the film is fixed in the (β)-phase. No attempt, however, is made to solve the problems associated with nano-size crack formation in the resulting films.

Methods for producing a thin film ferroelectric device using a two-step temperature process on an organic polymeric ferroelectric precursor material stacked between two conductive materials


An anti-skid arrangement for a vehicle is disclosed. The anti-skid arrangement includes a friction wheel including a hub and a ring arranged around the hub, and a chain plate attached to the hub, wherein the chain plate includes several chains intended to be thrown under the tire in order to increase friction between the tire and the ground. The hub includes two parts clamping the ring. Further, an inner side of the ring is provided with grooves extending in a tangential direction along the ring and facing each hub part, and the two parts are provided with protrusions engaging the grooves.

Trucks, buses and emergency vehicles are examples of vehicles that for safety and other reasons may be equipped with various types of anti-skid arrangements that enhance traction and braking in slippery road conditions caused by for example snow and ice. A common type of anti-skid arrangement utilizes chains that can be engaged under the tread of a tire to improve road grip. The chains are mounted on a wheel with a ring vulcanized around a rotatable hub. The wheel is movable into and out of a position in which the ring abuts against the side of the tire, the rotation of which causes the wheel to rotate and the chains to be thrown in under the tread of the tire.
A number of technical challenges must be addressed when designing anti-skid arrangements of this type, and further efforts aimed at finding innovative solutions to these technical challenges are warranted. For example, there is a need for products with improved durability. There is also a need for designs that are easier to produce and/or that facilitate the disposal of products that have reached the end of their service life in an environmentally friendly manner.
Some examples of anti-skid devices for motor vehicles are disclosed in DE 9211965 U1, DE 8526271 U1, DE 9010749 U1, and EP 211 798. A power unit adapted to move a rotor carrying traction chains into and out of contact with a tire of an automobile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,543,876.

Abstract: The engagement between the tangential grooves and the protrusions in the hub will secure the ring firmly, even when the tread of the ring is worn down.


Aspects are described for redirecting wireless terminals between wireless networks. In a first embodiment, a coverage quality of user equipment within a first wireless network is monitored. Multiple candidate frequencies are then ascertained in response to the coverage quality to facilitate a communication between the user equipment and a second wireless network. The candidate frequencies are then communicated to the user equipment. In another embodiment, an indication of a plurality of candidate frequencies is received, and a failure in performing a handover from a first wireless network to a second wireless network is detected. For this embodiment, the handover is attempted via a primary frequency. An alternative frequency is then selected from the plurality of candidate frequencies in response to the failure, and a communication with the second wireless network is established via the alternative frequency.

I. Field
The following description relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to redirecting user equipment from long term evolution networks.
II. Background
Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, data, and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., bandwidth and transmit power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.
Generally, a wireless multiple-access communication system can simultaneously support communication for multiple wireless terminals. Each terminal communicates with one or more base stations via transmissions on forward and reverse links. The forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from the base stations to the terminals, and the reverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from the terminals to the base stations. This communication link may be established via a single-in-single-out, multiple-in-signal-out or a multiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO) system.
A MIMO system employs multiple (NT) transmit antennas and multiple (NR) receive antennas for data transmission. A MIMO channel formed by the NT transmit and NR receive antennas may be decomposed into NS independent channels, which are also referred to as spatial channels, where NS≦min{NT, NR}. Each of the NS independent channels corresponds to a dimension. The MIMO system can provide improved performance (e.g., higher throughput and/or greater reliability) if the additional dimensionalities created by the multiple transmit and receive antennas are utilized.
With respect to LTE networks, it is noted that initial LTE deployments by 3GPP operators will be in pockets. As a result, the user equipment (UE) might run out of LTE coverage while active on the LTE network and will have to move to a High Rate Packet Data (HRPD)/1X network to continue service. In addition, initial LTE deployments will not support a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP). One solution being proposed is for the UE to fallback to the 1X network for making and receiving voice calls (referred to as 1XCSFB).
Initial LTE networks will use a redirection based approach to move the UE to HRPD/1X upon recognizing that the UE is moving out of LTE coverage. This command currently specifies a single band/channel in which the target radio access technology (RAT) will be found. A similar redirection command is used in 1XCSFB. The current structure of the current redirection message, however, only allows the LTE network to specify a single frequency. Having a single frequency in the redirection message can lead to several reliability issues. For example, since the single specified carrier could experience a fade while another carrier has good coverage in the UE's current location, it has been shown to decrease handover reliability. Using just one frequency thus fails to exploit the operator's universal data-optimized (DO)/1X coverage. Also, since LTE is deployed in a lower frequency, a single LTE cell might span multiple DO/1X cells. In this case the best sectors/frequency will vary considerably depending on the UE's location in the LTE cell. Specifying a single frequency will be even more suboptimal in terms of reliability in this case.
Specifying a single frequency also undesirably adds to delay. For example, many UEs may have to hash-to another frequency after acquiring the DO/1X system on the single redirected frequency. Also, after moving to the frequency, the UE may have to update its overhead message, which prevents optimizations like cached overhead messages.
The above-described deficiencies of current wireless communication systems are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional systems, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with conventional systems and corresponding benefits of the various non-limiting embodiments described herein may become further apparent upon review of the following description.

Method and apparatus that facilitates redirecting wireless terminals between wireless networks


The present invention relates to a transparent, hot-embossable, biaxially oriented polyester film having a base layer (B), an amorphous outer layer (A) with a coating on this outer layer (A), and a crystalline outer layer (c). The invention further relates to the use of such film and to a process for its production.

Holograms are used for decorative packaging, security features, and various other applications. The hologram is produced on structured surfaces which have been embossed into a substrate via heating and pressure. These structures are mostly then metallized. Production of these holograms often uses polyester films with a thick acrylate layer (from 0.5 to 2 μm), where the acrylate layer is applied in an off-line process, i.e. after film production.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,858 describes the requirements for hologram production using off-line coating of embossing films. The disadvantage is that a second processing step is needed, and incurs additional costs.
EP-A-1 291 154 and EP-A-1 291 155 describe a coated embossable polyester film in which the coating is applied in-line prior to the transverse stretching process. The coating is comprised of a styrene-acrylate copolymer or of a sulfopolyester. The thickness of the coating is from 0.1 to 0.4 μm. Nothing is said about the recyclability of the film or return into the film-production process.
EP-A-115 033 describes a multilayer polyester film with thermoplastically embossable internal layer. The external layers of the film are comprised of polyethylene terephthalate, and the middle layer is comprised of a copolyester comprised of ethylene terephthalate units and ethylene isophthalate units. The middle layer makes up most of the thickness, and the mechanical strength of this film is therefore markedly lower than that of film comprised of straight polyethylene terephthalate. A further disadvantage of this film is that the thickness of the outer layer is relatively high and is in the region of the embossment depth of holograms. This makes it impossible to achieve good spatial resolution of the embossment.
EP-A-1 138 480 describes a biaxially oriented, sealable polyester film with a base layer and with an amorphous sealable outer layer. The sealable outer layer has a minimum sealing temperature of at most 110° C. and a seal seam strength of at least 1.3 N/15 mm of film width. This type of film cannot be used as hot-embossing film, since the sealable layer adheres to the embossing roles at the process temperatures used, which are above 120° C.
It would be desirable to provide a film which is directly embossable without any off-line step. This would lead to saving of a processing step and therefore a cost saving. However, the layer thicknesses needed for the embossing process then become a problem, and cannot be achieved using the standard coating methods used in polyester film production. Furthermore, these coatings would lead to problems in return of the regrind into the film-production process.


One aspect of the invention relates to a symmetrical transformer with a stacked coil structure comprising two coils each having at least two turns. The coils are located in two conductive planes. The structure includes four identical basic elements, each basic element providing a conductive path for part of the coils. The terminals of the transformer are located at opposite sites of the structure so that the structure can be easily connected in a chain. The invention also relates to a semiconductor device comprising such a structure.

Transformers are known in the art and they are used in different types of circuits. Miniaturization has allowed these transformers to be integrated on-chip. Such an integrated transformer is typically used at the input of an RF circuit, where it is typically used as a balun (balanced-unbalanced) to convert a single-ended signal coming from an antenna into a differential signal before entering a differential amplifier. When differential signaling is used, the corresponding coil typically has a center tap which is connected to ground, so that one terminal of the coil provides a positive signal, while the other provides a negative signal. Ideally the signals on these terminals are exactly opposite to each other over the frequency range of interest, meaning their amplitude is identical, and their phase difference is 180° over the entire frequency range. In practice of course, this is not exactly the case, but usually a structure with more geometrical symmetry also provides better electrical symmetry. An integrated transformer is typically also used at the output of an RF circuit, where it is typically used as a balun to convert a differential signal coming out of power amplifiers into a single-ended signal to be applied to the antenna. Transformers can also be used to convert a first single-ended signal into a second single-ended signal, of the same or a different voltage depending on the number of turns of the coils. Transformers can also be used in fully differential mode to connect a differential output of a first circuit to a differential input of a next circuit with galvanic separation.
At millimeter-wave frequencies, such an integrated transformer is typically implemented using two layers of one turn transformers. Unfortunately this structure has to be relatively large to obtain a certain inductance. To increase the inductance the area can be increased or the number of turns, or a combination of both. Increasing the number of turns usually means increasing the number of layers. For on-chip transformers however, especially for RF applications, the practical limit of the number of layers is usually limited to two.
Several transformer structures are proposed in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,870,457 describes a symmetrical stacked inductor comprising a plurality of conductive layers separated by isolating non-conductive layers, the conductors on the separate layers being interconnected using vias through the isolating layers. A disadvantage of the structures described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,870,457 is that at least three metal layers are required to create a two turn transformer.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,482,904 describes an on-chip transformer balun including a primary winding as an input terminal of the on-chip transformer balun, and a secondary winding as an output terminal of the on-chip transformer balun. A disadvantage of this structure is that the proposed structure having two times two turns cannot be implemented in two conducting layers, as each of the winding structures requires an overpass or underpass.
U.S. Patent Application Publication no. 2003/0137381 describes a transformer balun that is symmetrical in structure and can have any number of turns. A disadvantage of this structure is that a transformer having two times two coils cannot be implemented in two conducting layers, as each coil requires two layers because of the required metal bridge.
European Patent Application Publication no. 0 902 443 describes a planar coupled coil arrangement of two magnetically coupled coils, each coil having two windings, the arrangement being implemented in two conducting planes. A disadvantage of this coil structure however is that the terminals of the two coils are located at the same side of the structure, making it difficult to connect it in a chain.


A knob securing mechanism secures a knob to a shaft. A uniquely shaped retaining clip attaches in a channel of the knob. The channel intersects a bore in the knob which receives the shaft. The shaft has a groove corresponding to the retaining clip such that the retaining clip and the groove couple when the knob is fully seated in the bore of the shaft. The retaining clip operates as a spring to resist axial motion between the knob and shaft. Ramps are formed on the shaft to facilitates both installing and removing the knob from the shaft by application of axial force. Locking lugs on the shaft engage corresponding locking lugs in the knob to secure the knob rotationally to the shaft. The invention is particularly useful for attaching translucent knobs to shafts of an avionics control panel.

The present invention relates generally to control knobs and more specifically to snap-on type attachment mechanisms for securing a control knob to a shaft.
Control knobs are ubiquitous in our society. They are used in a wide range of products ranging from consumer products for the home to laboratory instruments and, in particular, aircraft control panels.
Control knobs typically attached to a control shaft thereby allowing an operator to easily manipulate(e.g. rotate) the control shaft. Knobs are attached to the shafts in numerous ways including screws, glue, clips, welds, bolts, cotter pins, and numerous other types of fasteners.
One particular application of control knobs are in the aviation industry Due to the demanding environment of an aircraft cockpit, avionics control knobs must meet or exceed strict regulation standards and pilot expectations One important aspect of theses regulations and expectations is illumination of control knobs Proper illumination is critical in an aircraft control panel for assisting a pilot to quickly locate and assess the status of a knob or associated control panel Precise illumination is even more critical at night when a pilot must locate and assess control knobs in reduced ambient light conditions.
To satisfy these illumination requirements the prior art uses carefully constructed control panels and control knobs The knobs are at least partially constructed of a translucent plastic material so that light from a light source is conducted through the knob to cause the desired illumination. For example, such a knob may be designed to illuminate a ring around the base of a knob or to illuminate a symbol(e.g. a pointer or letter) on the end of the knob.
To achieve this controlled illumination the knobs are painted to eliminate all light leaks except where light illumination is desired. Once the knobs are painted they must be carefully handled since a scratch in the paint often causes an unacceptable light leak requiring the scratched area to be repainted.
A second aspect of the regulations and expectations is positive connection of the knob to the shaft. It is undesirable to have any looseness or free play between the knob and shaft. To achieve the required positive connection the prior art uses two set screws to secure the knob to the shaft.
The problem of light leaks is exacerbated by the use of the set screws because scratches are easily caused by the tool used to tighten the set screws. When a scratch occurs the knob must be returned to the paint shop for touch up. Often the entire circuit card to which the knob and shaft are attached must be sent to the paint shop. The repair, therefore, not only results in wasted time and cost associated with touching up the knob, but also exposes the circuit card to the risk of damage. Second, if a knob is scratched for any reason after the control panel has been assembled then the control panel must be disassembled in order to remove the knob. In either case there is wasted time and excessive cost.
Manufacture and repair of aircraft control panels and the like would be improved by a control knob which is not scratched by installation tools, may be removed without disassembling the control panel, and provides a positive attachment between the knob and control
Clearly there exists the need for a control knob attachment assembly which provides the benefits described above.


To improve crystallinity of an oxide semiconductor. To provide a crystalline oxide semiconductor film in which a crystallized region extends to the interface with a base or the vicinity of the interface, and to provide a method for forming the oxide semiconductor film. An oxide semiconductor film containing indium, gallium, and zinc is formed, and the oxide semiconductor film is irradiated with an energy beam, thereby being heated. Note that the oxide semiconductor film includes a c-axis aligned crystal region or microcrystal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oxide semiconductor film and a method for forming an oxide semiconductor film.
2. Description of the Related Art
An oxide semiconductor has attracted attention as a material for transistors. The oxide semiconductor is said to have a feature similar to that of amorphous silicon capable of being formed at a low temperature, and a feature similar to that of polycrystalline silicon having high field-effect mobility. For example, the following is disclosed: a field-effect transistor using an amorphous oxide, whose electron carrier concentration is controlled, and an image display device using the transistor (Patent Document 1).
The transistor using an amorphous oxide semiconductor formed at room temperature, however, has a problem in characteristics: not enough high field-effect mobility, low reliability, and large hysteresis. In order to solve such a problem, a technique of crystallizing an oxide semiconductor by laser irradiation is disclosed (see Patent Documents 2 and 3). These documents indicate that an amorphous oxide semiconductor can be crystallized by being irradiated with a laser.

Oxide semiconductor film and method for forming oxide semiconductor film

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A combined vehicle and associated rear-lighting system includes a vehicle provided with a steering system having a first sensor coupled thereto, and a propulsion system having a second sensor coupled thereto. Such first and second sensors detect a plurality of vehicle operating parameters associated with the steering and propulsion systems during driving conditions respectively. A rear-lighting system coupled to a rear bumper of the vehicle and emits a plurality of light rays along the rear pathway extending rearwardly away from the rear bumper of the vehicle. Notably, the rear-lighting system may be communicatively coupled to the steering and propulsion systems respectively. In this manner, the rear-lighting system is responsive to the vehicle operating parameters such that the light rays are synchronously and uniformly oscillated in a direction corresponding to a travel route and a travel speed of the vehicle respectively.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to vehicle illuminating systems and, more particularly, to a vehicle illuminating system for providing users with an effective mechanism to illuminate the area behind their vehicle when they are backing up.
2. Prior Art
When driving a motor vehicle rearward with little or without any ambient illumination, the only vehicle lighting rearward of the motor vehicle is generally provided by the reverse signaling lamps. Unfortunately, conventional reverse signaling lamps are not designed to illuminate the ground, and indeed often do not provide satisfactory lighting for safe rearward driving. In recognizing the problem, certain vehicle manufacturers have taken measures to provide additional ground illumination rearward of the vehicle. In particular, one prior art example incorporates separate reverse signaling lamps and ground illumination lamps for vehicles. However, separate reverse signaling and ground illumination lamps are cost prohibitive, and raise engineering and styling issues, as additional lamps must now be incorporated onto the vehicle.
Also, generally directly to the rear of any motor vehicle there exists a blind spot. In other words, such a blind spot is an area where the operator is precluded from having sight. Any light to the rear of the vehicle applied to this area is of little or no benefit to the operator. Conventional reverse signaling lamps typically project light into this area. Depending on the vehicle, the size of the blind spot can substantially change. For example, for a small car with a very short vehicle length rearward of the operator the length of the blind spot may be 1-2 meters. However, for other vehicles such as a large pick-up truck for example, the blind spot may be up to 10 meters.
Accordingly, a need remains for a system for illuminating an area rearward of automobiles and the like in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a system that is convenient and easy to use, is durable in design, is versatile in its applications, and is instrumental in reducing reversing accidents.

System for illuminating an area rearward of a vehicle and associated method


A molten metal mold and bottom block system, including apparatus and method embodiments, which may include a mold cavity framework with a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, each side including an inner surface and the inner surfaces defining a mold cavity, and wherein one or more of the sides are movably mounted relative to the second side, and are controllably moved during the casting. This system may also include embodiments wherein the castpart produced has a tapered form at one or both of the castpart ends. Aspects of this invention may be considered to be a castpart shrinkage management system or a castpart form or profile control system due to the advantage of increased controls of castpart form during the casting process.

Metal ingots, billets and other castparts may be formed by a casting process which utilizes a vertically oriented mold situated above a large casting pit beneath the floor level of the metal casting facility, although this invention may also be utilized in horizontal molds. The lower component of the vertical casting mold is a starting block. When the casting process begins, the starting blocks are in their upward-most position and in the molds. As molten metal is poured into the mold bore or cavity and cooled (typically by water), the starting block is slowly lowered at a pre-determined rate by a hydraulic cylinder or other device. As the starting block is lowered, solidified metal or aluminum emerges from the bottom of the mold and ingots, rounds or billets of various geometries are formed, which may also be referred to herein as castparts.
While the invention applies to the casting of metals in general, including without limitation, aluminum, brass, lead, zinc, magnesium, copper, steel, etc., the examples given and preferred embodiment disclosed may be directed to aluminum, and therefore the term aluminum or molten metal may be used throughout for consistency even though the invention applies more generally to metals.
While there are numerous ways to achieve and configure a vertical casting arrangement, FIG. 1 illustrates one example. In FIG. 1, the vertical casting of aluminum generally occurs beneath the elevation level of the factory floor in a casting pit. Directly beneath the casting pit floor 101a is a caisson 103, in which the hydraulic cylinder barrel 102 for the hydraulic cylinder is placed.
As shown in FIG. 1, the components of the lower portion of a typical vertical aluminum casting apparatus, shown within a casting pit 101 and a caisson 103, are a hydraulic cylinder barrel 102, a ram 106, a mounting base housing 105, a platen 107 and a bottom block 108 (also referred to as a starting head or starting block base), all shown at elevations below the casting facility floor 104.
The mounting base housing 105 is mounted to the floor 101a of the casting pit 101, below which is the caisson 103. The caisson 103 is defined by its side walls 103b and its floor 103a.
A typical mold table assembly 110 is also shown in FIG. 1, which can be tilted as shown by hydraulic cylinder 111 pushing mold table tilt arm 110a such that it pivots about point 112 and thereby raises and rotates the main casting frame assembly, as shown in FIG. 1. There are also mold table carriages which allow the mold table assemblies to be moved to and from the casting position above the casting pit.
FIG. 1 further shows the platen 107 and starting block base 108 partially descended into the casting pit 101 with castpart 113 (which may be an ingot or a billet being partially formed. Castpart 113 is on the starting block base 108, which may include a starting head, or bottom block, which usually (but not always) sits on the starting block base 108, all of which is known in the art and need not therefore be shown or described in greater detail. While the term starting block is used for item 108, it should be noted that the terms bottom block and starting head are also used in the industry to refer to item 108, bottom block is typically used when an ingot is being cast and starting head when a billet is being cast.
While the starting block base 108 in FIG. 1 only shows one starting block 108 and pedestal, there are typically several of each mounted on each starting block base, which simultaneously cast billets, special tapers or configurations, or ingots as the starting block is lowered during the casting process.
When hydraulic fluid is introduced into the hydraulic cylinder at sufficient pressure, the ram 106, and consequently the starting block 108, are raised to the desired elevation start level for the casting process, which is when the starting blocks are within the mold table assembly 110.
The lowering of the starting block 108 is accomplished by metering the hydraulic fluid from the cylinder at a pre-determined rate, thereby lowering the ram 106 and consequently the starting block at a pre-determined and controlled rate. The mold is controllably cooled during the process to assist in the solidification of the emerging ingots or billets, typically using water cooling means.
There are numerous mold and casting technologies that fit into mold tables, and no one in particular is required to practice the various embodiments of this invention, since they are known by those of ordinary skill in the art.
The upper side of the typical mold table operatively connects to, or interacts with, the metal distribution system. The typical mold table also operatively connects to the molds which it houses.
When metal is cast using a continuous cast vertical mold, the molten metal is cooled in the mold and continuously emerges from the lower end of the mold as the starting block base is lowered. The emerging billet, ingot or other configuration is intended to be sufficiently solidified such that it maintains its desired profile, taper or other desired configuration. There is an air gap between the emerging solidified metal and the permeable ring wall. Below that, there is also a mold air cavity between the emerging solidified metal and the lower portion of the mold and related equipment.
Once casting is complete, the castpart, an ingot in this example, is removed from the bottom block. FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary bottom block configuration with a castpart 113 being removed from the bottom block 108 after casting. FIG. 1A illustrates a bottom block 108 with a particular shape or configuration in the internal cavity which receives the initial flow of molten metal during the casting process, and the outer perimeter of the castpart 113 once solidified takes that shape.
FIG. 1A illustrates sloped portions 115 & 116, and indented portion 119 on castpart 113. Sloped portions 115 & 116 generally correspond to bottom block indentations 117 & 114 in shape and configuration, and with some variance generally related to shrinkage or other casting factors. Bottom block protrusion 118 corresponds in shape and configuration to Castparts indentation 119, all as can be seen in FIG. 1A. The sloped portions 115 & 116 in prior art ingots have been different angles, such as thirty degrees, forty-five degrees, and sixty degrees.
FIG. 1B is an elevation cross sectional view of a prior art mold wall 142 with casting surface 142a, castpart 141, mold framework 143, coolant chamber 149, coolant impact zone 146 where the coolant (typically water) hits and cools the castpart 141. Embodiments of this invention may be applied to prior art of all types, including the mold configuration illustrated in FIG. 1B.
In conventional casting and direct chill casting processes for rolling ingot, an ingot goes through a substantial transformation process during rolling. Ingot may be rolled into plate, can stock, aluminum foil and other products of differing dimensions and thicknesses by a process which sends the ingot through a series of rollers repetitively, with the rollers being sequentially moved closer together. This rolling equipment may be referred to as a rolling stand.
One of the problems associated with this process is that a portion of the rolling ingot is wasted due to a phenomenon sometimes referred to as alligatoring. Alligatoring occurs during the rolling process when metal from the main body of the ingot gets rolled and pushed over the end of the ingot on the head and the butt sides. When the ingot is observed in this condition from the side view the head and the butt resemble the mouth of an alligator, which is where the term alligatoring originated. Alligatoring is illustrated in FIG. 9. During the rolling process, the ends of the ingots which exhibit alligatoring are cut off, thereby resulting in a substantial amount of waste of aluminum which must be reheated and re-cast, in addition to the expense of doing so.
In some prior art, it has been shown that by producing an angle with a tapered head and butt, alligatoring may be reduced or eliminated.
It is an object of some embodiments of this invention to provide an automated variable dimensioned mold casting and bottom block system which provides tapered and other configurations of castparts.
It is an object of some embodiments of this invention to provide an automated variable dimensioned mold casting system which reduces end crop losses.
Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will appear from the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. In carrying out the objects of this invention, it is to be understood that its essential features are susceptible to change in design and structural arrangement, with only one practical, and preferred embodiment being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as required.

Automated variable dimension mold and bottom block system


A connection assembly having a first connector and a second connector which can be connected to or disconnected from one another by being adjusted along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first connector comprises a first housing which is provided with an elastically deformable locking arm comprising an end connected to the first housing and a free end, as well as a first stop; the second connector comprises a second housing which is provided with a second stop; the first stop and the second stop are designed in such a way that when the two connectors are being connected to one another, they cooperate in such a way that the elastic locking arm 6 temporarily experiences an elastic deformation and, that, after the connected position has been achieved, it experiences an elastic return movement; the second housing comprises a first tunnel portion with a tunnel axis, into which first tunnel portion the locking portion 6, in the connected condition of the two connectors, projects at least partially, which first tunnel portion, at least at one end, is open along the tunnel axis and in which there is arranged the second stop; and which first tunnel portion is associated with a freely oscillating tongue which comprises an end connected to the second housing and a oscillatory end, wherein the elastic return movement of the locking arm which is pre-tensioned when the first connector is being connected to the second connector, causes the tongue to oscillate, thus generating an airborne sound emerging from the first tunnel portion.

The invention relates to a connection assembly with a first connector and a second connector which, by being adjusted along a longitudinal axis, can be connected to one another or disconnected from one another in the opposite direction. The first connector comprises a first housing which is provided with an elastically deformable locking arm comprising a first stop. The second connector of said connection comprises a second housing which is provided with a second stop. The first stop and the second stop are designed in such a way that, when the two connectors are being connected to one another, the first stop and the second stop cooperate in such a way that the elastic locking arm temporarily experiences an elastic deformation and, when the final connected position has been achieved, it experiences an elastic return movement.
Such a connection is described in US 2003/0096527 A1 wherein there is additionally provided a slide which is used in order to determine whether the two connectors have been properly connected to one another. When said slide is moved, it is possible, through contact with the locking arm, to generate a signal which can be heard or sensed to indicate the correct connecting position.


Nanopatterned devices are easily fabricated, over large surface areas when desired, by forming a multilayer article of deformable substrate, brittle layer, and coating layer, and deforming the multilayer film such that a plurality of cracks are formed therein. The cracks have different physicochemical properties than the non-cracked coating layer, and advantageously serve as attachment points for culturing microorganisms.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention pertains to for devices having patterned nanofeatures suitable for controlled cell culture and for microanalysis of protein patterns deposited thereon.
2. Background Art
Controlled cell culture and analysis of proteins on a nano scale has been achieved in the past by patterning of substrates with adherent domains suitable for receiving adherent proteins and other molecules such as DNA, RNA, etc. Prior methods have involved patterning processes typical for the production of integrated circuits and like products. However, the patterning process is relatively expensive, limited to relatively flat surfaces, and the patterns created are limited with respect to their size and spacing, and further limited in size by availability and cost of large size substrates.
For example, S. Boateng et al., "Peptides Bound to Silicone Membranes and 3D Microfabrication for Cardiac Cell Culture," ADV. MATER., 2002, 14, No. 6, pp. 461–463 discloses the use of patterned silicone elastomer substrates in in vitro cardiac mechano-biological studies. The patterned substrates are created by photolithography and consist of parallel grooves of 10 μm width and 10 μm spacing. E. Ostuni et al., "Patterning Mammalian Cells Using Elastomeric Membranes," LANGMUIR 2000, 16 pp. 7811–7819 discloses freestanding lift-off membranes having a pattern of holes, which are applied to a substrate, the substrate is treated chemically and/or biologically through the holes, and the membrane is then peeled from the substrate. The holes are on the order of 50–80 μm in size.
S. Zankovych et al., "Nanoimprint Lithography: Challenges and Prospects," NANOTECHNOLOGY 12 (2001), pp. 91–95 discloses pressure imprinting utilizing a metal-plated die master which is then pressed into a polymer above its glass transition temperature. The polymer is first cast onto silicon. Die lifetime is a problem, and the size and spacing of nanofeatures becomes increasingly problematic as size and spacing decrease below about 100 nm.
S. Sun et al., "Nanoscale Molecular Patterns Fabricated by Using Scanning Near-Field Optical Lithography," J. AM. CHEM. SOC., Vol. 124, 11, pp. 2414–2415 discloses patterning of gold surfaces treated to be covered with self-assembled monolayers by adsorption of alkanethiols, followed by programmed irradiation employing a U.V. laser source and a scanning near-field optical microscope. Line widths of 40 nm were routinely achieved. While small device features are achievable, the method is time-consuming and limited with respect to substrate.
K. Lee, et al., "Protein Nanoarrays Generated by Dip-Pen Nanolithography," SCIENCE, V. 295, pp. 1702–1705, discloses patterning of gold plated substrates by depositing dots or grids of 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid onto the substrate, followed by passivation of surrounding areas with 11-mercaptoundecyl-tri(ethylene glycol). Proteins could be absorbed on the active areas by immersion into an aqueous solution of protein. This process is limited in scope due to the necessity of employing gold plated substrates, and requires complex control of the deposition apparatus.
It would be desirable to provide a method for nanopatterning which can be applied to substrates of large surface area, on planar, non-planar, or even three-dimensional surfaces, which does not rely on typical patterning methods for its production, and which can be effected at reasonable cost.

Method of nanopatterning by forming cracks in a coated polymer substrate

The Regents of the University of Michigan


A fuel cell system includes a first shut valve capable of shutting off a gas flow in a gas path where a fuel cell gas flows; and a second shut valve arranged more towards the downstream side of the gas flow than the first shut valve, and capable of shutting off the gas flow. In each of the first shut valve and the second shut valve, sealing is performed by intimate contact between a movable member and a seal member and a gas pressure supplied from the upstream applies a force to the movable member to bring it into intimate contact with the seal member. A deformation degree by an external force of the same intensity is set greater in the seal member of the second shut valve than in the seal member of the first shut valve.

A related art of this type of fuel cell system is disclosed in JP 2005-201822 A. In JP 2005-201822 A, two openable/closable shut valves are provided in a fuel gas supply path for connecting a fuel tank and the anode side of a fuel cell, and a regulating valve is provided between the two shut valves. When generating electricity from the fuel cell, the two shut valves are opened to let the fuel gas flow from the fuel tank to the fuel cell. The pressure of the fuel gas is regulated by the regulating valve before being supplied to the fuel cell. On the other hand, when stopping the generation of electricity from the fuel cell, the two shut valves are closed to stop supply of the fuel gas to the fuel cell. Accordingly, sealability of fuel gas when stopping generation of electricity from the fuel cell is improved.
A fuel cell system is also disclosed in JP 2005-11703 A, JP 2004-170321 A, and JP 8-329965 A.
In JP 2005-201822 A, two shut valves are provided in the fuel gas supply path for connecting the fuel tank with the anode side of the fuel cell so as to improve sealability. In this case, performance required of each shut valve depends on where each shut valve is disposed. For example, a shut valve disposed on an upstream side (fuel tank side) of the fuel gas flow is required to ensure sealability against high pressure of fuel gas. On the other hand, a shut valve disposed on the downstream side (fuel cell side) of the fuel gas flow is required to ensure sealability against low pressure of fuel gas. Conventionally, common shut valves having the sealability required in all locations of disposal are arranged in series. However, as a result of higher pressure of supplied fuel gas (higher pressure of fuel gas storage means), the pressure range and temperature range, etc. required of shut valves became broader. Consequently, it became necessary to use rare materials as materials for the shut valve seal member, and the size of components became larger due to the provision of redundancy, which resulted in a complicated shut valve configuration.
The present invention provides a fuel cell system, a fuel cell valve system, and fuel gas supply device, using a simpler shut valve without deteriorating the sealability of the entire system.

Fuel cell system, fuel cell valve system, and fuel cell gas supply device


A new method to form DRAM cells in an integrated circuit device is achieved. The method comprises providing a substrate. A plurality of STI regions is formed in the substrate. The STI regions comprise trenches in the substrate. The trenches are filled with a first dielectric layer. All of the first dielectric layer is etched away from a first group of the STI regions to form open trenches while leaving the first dielectric layer in a second group of the STI regions. A second dielectric layer is formed overlying the substrate and lining the open trenches. A conductive layer is deposited overlying the second dielectric layer and completely filling the open trenches. The conductive layer is patterned to define DRAM transistor gates and to define DRAM capacitor top plates. Thereafter, ions are implanted into the substrate to form source and drain regions for the transistors.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an integrated circuit memory device, and, more particularly, to a method to form dual-port DRAM cells in an integrated circuit device.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Modern multimedia applications and personal computers require large RAM memory systems with high throughput rates. In particular, three-dimensional graphics rendering and networking applications demand a combination of fast random access cycle times, low latency, and large memory sizes.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a plot is shown of typical RAM capacities (bits) versus random access cycle frequency (Hz). It is found that the largest capacities can be formed in dynamic RAM (DRAM) technologies 10. However, these DRAM technologies are limited in their random access operating speed to the 10 MHz to 100 MHz range. It is also found that the fastest random cycle speeds are achieved using static RAM (SRAM) technology 18. However, the relatively large cell size of SRAM limits the capacity to about 1 Mbit. Further, it is found that a large number of applications 14, such as multimedia and networking, would be optimally served by a technology having an operating speed greater than DRAM 10 and a size greater than SRAM 18. The teachings of the present invention are directed to filling this niche, especially for system on chip (SOC) architectures.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a typical DRAM cell construction is shown. A typical DRAM cell comprises a storage capacitor 26 and an access transistor 22. Most prior art DRAM cells use a MOS transistor 22 as the access device. Many variations on storage capacitors 26 have been described in the art. The source of the access transistor 22 is coupled to the storage capacitor 26. The drain of the access transistor 22 is coupled to a bit line (BL) 34. The gate of the access transistor 22 is coupled to a word line (WL) 30. The voltage, or charge, state of the storage capacitor 26 determines the memory state of the cell. The access transistor 22 is turned ON or OFF by the WL 30 voltage. To write data to the cell, the WL signal 30 is asserted to turn ON the access transistor 22. The voltage on the BL signal is then coupled to the capacitor 26. To read the cell, the access transistor 22 is again turned ON by the WL signal 30. Charge on the capacitor 26 is then coupled onto the BL 34. A sense amplifier on the BL 34 is used to determine the capacitor voltage and, thereby, the memory value (0 or 1). In addition, the capacitor 26 must be refreshed periodically to compensate for current leakage. A refresh cycle performs a READ of the cell and then a WRITE of the cell to refresh the charge state of the capacitor.
The timing performance of this typical DRAM cell is shown. The BL signal 34 performs in one of two states, ACTIVE and PRECHARGE. During the ACTIVE state, the BL signal 34 is either forcing the WRITE voltage (high or low) to the cell or is conducting the READ charge from the cell. During the PRECHARGE state, the BL signal 34 is forced to a mid-level (between low and high) voltage that is most conducive to low leakage current and to rapid WRITE/READ access. The BL signal 34 transitions from the PRECHARGE state to the ACTIVE state in response to commands (CMD) such as READ or WRITE or REFRESH that are issued by the DRAM control logic. The access cycle time is shown as the time between consecutive accesses to the DRAM cell.
Referring now to FIG. 3, another prior art DRAM cell is shown. In this cell, two access transistors 40 and 44 are used to control access to a single storage capacitor 48. This configuration is called dual-port DRAM. The dual-port DRAM uses a first WL signal, WLa 60, to control coupling of a first BL signal, BLa 52, to the capacitor 48 via a first transistor 40. A second WL signal, WLb 64, is used to control coupling of a second BL signal, BLb 56, to the capacitor 48 via a second transistor 44. The key advantage of the dual-port DRAM cell is increased speed.
The timing diagram shows that the two access BL signals, BLa 52 and BLb 56, work somewhat independently. When BLa is in the ACTIVE state in response to a CMD, BLb can be in PRECHARGE and visa versa. As a result, it is possible to access the storage capacitor 48 at twice the rate of the single-port DRAM cell of FIG. 2. While the access rate of the dual-port DRAM is doubled, the cell area is not doubled. The largest element in a DRAM cell is the storage capacitor. While the dual-port DRAM doubles the number of access transistors 40 and 44, it only requires a single storage capacitor 48. Because of the improved performance, the dual-port DRAM can offer significant advantages in the multimedia and networking regime of operation 14 described in FIG. 3. In addition, it is found that significant cost advantages can be achieved by integrating dual-port DRAM memory onto multimedia or networking chips in SOC architectures. To facilitate this multiple technology up-integration, the ability to form high performance logic, I/O, and dual-port DRAM onto a single integrated circuit device is necessary. The integration of these technologies is the focus of the present invention.
Several prior art inventions relate to DRAM cells and to shallow trench isolation structures. U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,165 to Toda describes a multiple port memory device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,347 to Gardner et al teaches a method to form shallow trench isolation (STI). Nitrogen is incorporated into the trench liner oxide to thereby improve performance and reduce active area loss. U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,106 B1 to Huang et al describes a method to form STI regions. A liner oxide is formed in the trenches. A tilted angle, ion implantation of nitrogen is performed to form an oxynitride layer in the liner oxide of the trench sidewalls. U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,375 to Harari discloses a DRAM cell with a sidewall storage capacitor. Multiple port DRAM cells and trench capacitors are disclosed. Agata et al, in "An 8-ns Random Cycle Embedded RAM Macro With Dual-Port Interleaved DRAM Architecture (D2RAM), IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 35, No. 11, November 2000, pp. 1668–1672, discloses a dual-port DRAM device with cells comprising one capacitor and two access transistors. Folded bitline architecture is described.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A lidar system capable of remotely identifying calibrated absolute aerosol backscatter coefficients of atmospheric aerosol particles by transmitting a beam of light and spectrally separating the intensity of Rayleigh and Mie backscattering is disclosed. The transmitter features high pulse energy to generate sufficient Rayleigh backscattering, enabling atmospheric scanning in a timely manner. The transmitter employs a seeded Nd:YAG laser and a seeded stimulated Raman scattering wavelength shifter to achieve narrow bandwidth, eye-safe laser pulses. The receiver employs a telescope, collimating lens, beam splitter, molecular absorption filter, focusing lenses, and avalanche photodiodes. Mie backscattering is blocked by the molecular absorption filter to provide a Rayleigh signal, which is used with knowledge of atmospheric density to calibrate the Mie signal. The system is intended for atmospheric research and aerosol monitoring applications where calibrated Mie scattering intensity is necessary to measure the optical depths of aerosol structures such as plumes, clouds, and layers.

It is often desirable to know absolute values for optical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles. For example, it may be beneficial to know the absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient of aerosol particles in a section of interest in the atmosphere. The value of an absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient represents the ability of atmospheric aerosol particles in a particular section of atmosphere to scatter optical energy propagating through that particular section of atmosphere. Since an absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient is obtained by calibrating the lidar system with respect to molecular scattering and applying that calibration factor to the aerosol backscatter detected, the resulting value for the absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient is calibrated. Therefore, absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient measurements, as opposed to measurements of uncalibrated, relative aerosol backscatter intensity, allow for direct comparison of measured absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient values from differing locations and dates. The absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient data can also be expressed with units, such as per meter per steradian.
The remote identification of absolute aerosol backscatter coefficients for significant sections of the atmosphere is critical in many applications. One such area is the remote measurement of biological, chemical or radiological agents in the atmosphere. The potential of intentional releases of biological, chemical or radiological contaminants into the atmosphere is a real and serious threat to civilian populations in the United States and abroad and also to military personnel throughout the world. It would be beneficial to be able to determine and monitor the absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient of a plume of suspected or known harmful aerosol particles. This information could be used to help identify particle concentration and diffusion characteristics. This would be valuable information in standoff detection and homeland security situations where the information could be used to predict the lethality of a pathogenic aerosol cloud.
Absolute aerosol backscatter coefficients can be used to determine the optical thickness of aerosol particles in a section of atmosphere. Also, particle concentration can be obtained when measuring a plume consisting of particles of an identified type if the size distribution and scattering efficiency of that type of aerosol particle is known. This data can be valuable to atmospheric researchers and modelers attempting to determine the climatic effects of atmospheric particles. For example, scientists attempting to determine the effects of pollution on global warming would find real-world absolute aerosol backscatter coefficient data valuable in modeling current and future effects of pollution. The data could also be coupled to corresponding climate conditions present when the measurements were taken. Scientists would also find valuable the ability to monitor the effects and particle distribution of large-scale natural events such as dust storms, forest fires and volcanic eruptions by determining absolute aerosol particle backscattering coefficients in various locations after such events.
High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) is a known technique in the lidar community for determining absolute aerosol backscatter coefficients. However, a number of factors limit the performance of known HSRL systems. One such limitation is that known HSRL systems operate at relatively short wavelengths. These short wavelengths correspond to wavelengths where the human eye is particularly vulnerable to injury. Therefore, extreme care must be taken when operating an HSRL system at such a wavelength.
Generally, there are two ways in which current HSRL systems operate. First, some current systems transmit relatively weak pulses to operate in an eye-safe manner. The relatively weak pulses in turn require these systems to time average backscatter readings over a relatively long period of time resulting in low temporal resolution and the lack of ability to scan significant sections of the atmosphere rapidly. This lack of ability to scan rapidly limits the ability of these types of HSRL systems to track large atmospheric structures, such as plumes of aerosol particles.
Second, some current systems transmit higher pulse energies at the aforementioned relatively short wavelengths and do not operate in an eye-safe manner. Operation in this manner requires extraordinary safety precautions, such as verifying that the intended path of the transmitted beam is clear of any humans, such as pilots in passing planes, who could be harmed by the beam. This severely limits the use of these systems and prevents these systems from operating in a continuous, unattended fashion.

Lidar system for remote determination of calibrated, absolute aerosol backscatter coefficients

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research


In a gradation voltage generation circuit used in a video signal line driving circuit for driving video signal lines of a liquid crystal display device by time division based on switching control signals, a first variable resistor circuit is connected between one terminal of a voltage divider circuit for generating a gradation voltage group and a power source line for supplying a high-level voltage, and a second variable resistor circuit is connected between the other terminal of the voltage divider circuit and a power source line for supplying a low-level voltage. The resistances of the variable resistor circuits are switched based on the switching control signal. Thus, in the periods in which the video signal lines respectively connected to R, G and B pixel formation portions are driven, gradation voltages that are adapted to the gradation reproducibility for R, G and B are outputted respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to display devices for displaying color images, and more specifically to display devices that generate a gradation voltage group made of voltages representing the gradations of an image, and that displays color images using a voltage that is selected from this gradation voltage group in accordance with an input signal, as well as driving circuits of such display devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal display devices, for example, are provided with a gradation voltage generation circuit generating voltages representing the gradations in order to perform a gradation display. One of the plurality of voltages generated by this gradation voltage generation circuit is selected in accordance with an input signal, and an image of intermediate gradations is displayed by applying the selected voltage as the driving signal to the liquid crystal panel.
As described for example in JP 2002-82645A (the content of the corresponding U.S. 2001/0052897A1 is hereby incorporated by reference), a gradation voltage generation circuit for such gradation display is typically incorporated in a video signal line driving circuit (referred to as "column electrode driving circuit") for driving the liquid crystal panel, and is realized as a voltage divider circuit that is a resistor series made of a plurality of resistors connected in series. The gradation voltages depend on the voltage division ratios of this voltage divider circuit, and it is important to set the voltage division ratios with consideration to the display quality.
A color filter that is used for the color image display with a liquid crystal display device is typically made of filters of the three colors R (red), G (green) and B (blue) constituting three primary colors, but as shown in FIG. 9, the gradation level—brightness curve is slightly different for each of these three colors. This means, that the gradation reproducibility of the pixel formation portions constituting the liquid crystal panel is different for each of the three colors. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis marks the gradation levels of the colors R, G and B represented by the input signal, and the vertical axis marks the brightness of the colors R, G and B on the liquid crystal panel. It should be noted that the brightness on the vertical axis is normalized by its maximum value.
Thus, the gradation level—brightness curves are slightly different for each of the colors R, G and B, but in conventional liquid crystal display devices, the gradation voltage generation circuit is provided with only one resistor series, or two resistor series for positive polarity and negative polarity (in the following, it is assumed for convenience's sake that there is only one resistor series, even if a resistor series for positive polarity and a resistor series for negative polarity are provided). Therefore, it was not possible to set the gradation voltages (or voltage division ratios) individually in accordance with the gradation level—brightness curve for each of the colors R, G and B. As a result, it was not possible to maintain a superior color balance across the entire brightness region, and a high degree of color reproducibility could not be attained. Moreover, in ordinary liquid crystal display devices, if three resistor series corresponding to the gradation level—brightness curves of the colors R, G and B are provided, then three times the number of voltage bus lines for transmitting the gradation voltages are necessary (gradation number×3), and the chip area of the IC (integrated circuit) for realizing the video signal line driving circuit increases considerably.

Driving circuit for color image display and display device provided with the same


Disclosed is an electrostatic protection circuit, an array substrate and a display device. The electrostatic protection circuit includes a first electrostatic discharge end, a second electrostatic discharge end and a signal line connecting end; a first discharge sub-circuit coupled between the first electrostatic discharge end and the signal line connecting end; and a second discharge sub-circuit coupled between the second electrostatic discharge end and the signal line connecting end. Each of the first discharge sub-circuit and the second discharge sub-circuit comprises at least one MOSFET, and gates of all MOSFETs comprised in the first discharge sub-circuit and the second discharge sub-circuit are not coupled with any one of the first electrostatic discharge end, the second electrostatic discharge end and the signal line connecting end.

Flat panel display technique is widely applied to television, mobile phone and common information display. However, the flat panel display is possibly damaged by static electricity in a manufacturing process or a using process.
Electrostatic accumulation and discharge are one of the main factors causing damage to a device in the semiconductor field. In the manufacturing process of related displays, it is liable for function lines such as gate lines and data lines in a wiring-intensive region to generate electrostatic accumulation, causing a transistor to breakdown and thus fail to work. Therefore, how to effectively discharge static electricity accumulated on the function lines fast is a technical problem for those skilled in the art to solve urgently.

Electrostatic protection circuit, array substrate and display device


To provide a semiconductor device which can be miniaturized or highly integrated. To obtain a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, which has favorable electrical characteristics. To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, by suppression of a change in its electrical characteristics. The semiconductor device includes an island-like oxide semiconductor layer over an insulating surface; an insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the oxide semiconductor layer; a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer in contact with top surfaces of the oxide semiconductor layer and the insulating layer; a gate electrode layer overlapping with the oxide semiconductor layer; and a gate insulating layer between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate electrode layer. The source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are provided above the top surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. The top surface of the insulating layer is planarized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an object, a method, a manufacturing method, a process, a machine, a manufacture, or a composition of matter. In particular, the present invention relates to a semiconductor device, a display device, a light-emitting device, a method for driving them, or a method for fabricating them, for example.
In this specification, a "semiconductor device" generally refers to a device which can function by utilizing semiconductor characteristics; an electrooptic device, a light-emitting display device, a semiconductor circuit, and an electronic device are all included in semiconductor devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
A technique by which transistors are formed using semiconductor thin films formed over a substrate having an insulating surface has been attracting attention. Such a transistor is applied to a wide range of electronic devices such as an integrated circuit (IC) and an image display device (also simply referred to as a display device). A silicon-based semiconductor material is widely known as a material for a semiconductor thin film applicable to a transistor. As another material, an oxide semiconductor has been attracting attention.
For example, a technique for forming a transistor using zinc oxide or an In—Ga—Zn-based oxide semiconductor as an oxide semiconductor is disclosed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
In recent years, demand for an integrated circuit in which transistors and the like are integrated with high density has risen with reductions in the size and weight of an electronic device.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., LTD.


A dual walled transfer tube connecting two sub-flow systems and conveying the system fluid from one subsystem to another when there are large radial and axial movements or offsets between the connecting ends of the subsystem. The dual walled transfer tube has a fitting at either end and a single ball joint proximate each fitting to allow the transfer tube to accommodate changes in radial position of the fittings. The dual walled transfer tube utilizes a main inner fluid passage and an outer secondary fluid passage, each fluid passage having a slip joint to allow the transfer tube to accommodate changes in axial length between the fittings.

In the modern commercial and military airplane auxiliary fuel tank system, the fuel tank storage volume or the number of the fuel tanks will be adjusted according to the distance of the destination for the purpose of the saving fuel and increasing fuel usage efficiency. Transfer tubes are used to connect the auxiliary fuel tanks of commercial and military airplanes, and to transfer the fuel from one tank to another during flight. The use of traditional connection methods such as tubing, hose, and bellows is constrained due to the limited connection space between the tanks, the large diameter of the flow passage, and the large radial and axial movements caused by the manufacturing tolerances of the fuel tank equipment and the dynamic environment during the flight.
Traditional connection methods are simply not capable of meeting the function, safety, and reliability requirements with a large pressure surge and a constant large cyclic radial and axial motion within a small space. It would therefore be a significant advantage over the prior art to overcome the limitations of the prior art and to endure the harsh environment of modern commercial and military airplane auxiliary fuel tank systems.


A repeater is disclosed that transmits an optical signal using wave division multiplexing. The repeater includes a demultiplexing unit that separates plural channels contained in the optical signal, an adjusting unit that adjusts at least optical power of each of the channels according to a control signal, a multiplexing unit that outputs a multiple wavelength signal in which the channels are multiplexed, and a monitoring unit that determines a modulation scheme and a bit rate of the optical signal for each of the channels so as to generate the control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to optical communication technology, and particularly relates to a repeater and a repeating method for a WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) optical communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the technical field of optical communications, there have been growing demands for a wider variety of services and higher speed data transmission. In these years, multiple wavelength optical transmission systems of a transmission speed higher than 40 Gbps per wave are coming closer to realization. Unlike recently popular optical signal transmission of about 10 Gbps, a standard scheme for high-speed optical signal transmission such as 40 Gbps has not yet been determined. In high-speed optical signal transmission of 10 Gbps-or higher, not only is signal quality lowered due to optical noise in optical amplifiers, but optical signal properties are also lowered due to wavelength dispersion, nonlinear effects, polarization mode dispersion, spectrum narrowing by optical filters, etc., in transmission lines. In view of these problems, modulation schemes for narrow spectral width that improve dispersion tolerance, nonlinear tolerance, etc., are being researched and developed. Especially, for multiple wavelength optical transmission systems of 40 Gbps, not only systems using NRZ but also systems using modulation schemes such as CSRZ, DPSK, and DQPSK are being proposed. Thus, systems using various transmission schemes are expected to be introduced in the future. The recently popular WDM transmission systems of 10 Gbps are presented in, for example, Non-patent Document 1.
<Non-Patent Document 1> K. Nakamura et al., "1.28 Tbit/s Transmission over 1680 km Standard SMF with 120 km Optical Repeater Spacing Employing Distributed Raman Amplification", OECC2000, PD1-7
If optical signal transmission schemes differ, properties of optical signals such as noise tolerance, dispersion tolerance, and nonlinear tolerance also differ. This indicates that different transmission schemes require different compensation systems. A direct method for transmitting optical signals of different transmission schemes is to prepare a transmission line (optical fiber) for each transmission scheme so as to build an optical transmission system for each transmission scheme. For example, a transmission system dedicated for optical signals of 10 Gbps and a transmission system dedicated for optical signals of 40 Gbps are separately prepared and separately managed. However, devices for performing optical amplification, optical dispersion compensation and the like for the optical signals of 40 Gbps are expensive. Moreover, a demand for high-speed transmission services of 40 Gbps as high as a demand for the popular optical transmission services of 10 Gbps might not be expected. If the demand for services of the dedicated system is low, unit costs may be further increased.
Problems of facility investment and high costs may be solved by allocating some of the channels of the WDM transmission system of 10 Gbps (e.g. five channels out of forty channels in total) as channels for 40 Gbps. However, there is no established technique for making appropriate adjustments, in repeater devices provided on a transmission line, on channels of different transmission schemes propagating in physically the same transmission line.


An embodiment of this application provides a communications method. The method includes: generating, by an first base station, a radio resource control release message on which encryption and integrity protection are performed by using a new key; and sending, by the first base station, the radio resource control release message to a second base station, thereby improving security of communication between the serving device and the terminal and reducing signaling overheads for performing key negotiation over an air interface.

In the mobile communication field, statuses of a terminal may include a connected state and an idle state. The connected state may be represented by RRC_CONNECTED, and the idle state may be represented by RRC_IDLE. To improve mobility management of the terminal, a third status of the terminal is proposed and is referred to as a third state. The third state may also be referred to as an inactive state. The third state or the inactive state may be represented by RRC_INACTIVE or INACTIVE.
When the terminal is switched from a connected state to a third state, an air interface connection between the terminal and a base station is released, a context of the terminal is still reserved on the base station, and a connection between the base station and a core network that is established for the terminal is still maintained. The base station may be referred to as an anchor base station of the terminal. In terms of mobility, the terminal in the third state may perform cell reselection. When the terminal in the third state needs to send data, the terminal may send a request to a base station. After receiving the request, the base station may provide an air interface resource for the terminal. The base station that provides the air interface resource for the terminal may be referred to as a serving base station. The serving base station and the anchor base station may be different base stations. For related description of the third state, refer to, for example, related content in section 7.2 of third generation partnership project (3GPP) technical specification (TS) 38.300 v0.1.3.
In an initial stage of communication between the terminal in the third state and the serving base station, how to ensure of security of an air interface and reduce air interface signaling overheads is a problem that needs to be resolved.

Communications method and apparatus for secure communication when a terminal is in a radio resource control inactive state


The present invention relates to a method of removing an RNA fraction with ≥200 nucleotides in length from a whole blood sample. The present invention also relates to a method of purifying an RNA fraction with <200 nucleotides in length from a whole blood sample. The present invention further relates to a method of determining the level of RNA molecules with <200 nucleotides in length. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a disease in an individual. Moreover, the present invention relates to a kit which is useful for carrying out the methods of the present invention.

Whole blood samples are used for molecular biological analyses, e.g. in order to determine whether a patient suffers from a specific disease or not. These samples are often collected by sampling whole blood freezing and then processing the frozen blood later. Frozen blood requires a sample size of at least 200 μl. High costs are involved with the freezing transportation and processing of whole blood.
Therefore, the collection of whole blood samples using a bloodspot technique is preferred. It requires smaller sample volumes, typically 45-60 μl for humans, although evolving analytical techniques are using samples using 10-15 μl of human blood and smaller. Once sampling is complete, the blood spots are dried in air before transferring or mailing to labs for processing. Because the blood is dried, it is not considered hazardous. Thus no special precautions need be taken in handling or shipping. Once at the analysis site, the desired components, e.g. proteins or metabolites, are extracted from the dried blood spots into a supernatant which is then further analyzed, e.g. by liquid chromatography and/or mass spectrometry.
Today, biomarkers which are comprised in whole blood play a key role in early diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic management of diseases. In particular, microRNAs (miRNAs) are biomarkers which are found in whole blood. They represent a group of regulatory elements that enable cells to fine-tune complex gene expression cascades in a wide range of biological processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, stress-response, and oncogenesis. They exist in blood as free circulating nucleic acids and in blood cells. This is due to the fact that miRNAs are expressed in blood cells or in diverse tissues which release the miRNAs into circulating blood.
At present, blood is collected using PaxGene blood RNA tubes in order to determine the level of RNA biomarkers such as miRNAs comprised therein. Great instrument-based and analytical effort is necessary to purify and isolate RNA biomarkers such as miRNAs comprised therein. In addition, this techniques are very time consuming and expensive.
There is, thus, a need for an improved method of blood preparation that reduces or eliminates one or more of the above errors and difficulties.
The inventors of the present invention assessed for the first time that the bloodspot technique is useful in order to reduce the complexity of a RNA fraction derived from a whole blood sample. In particular, the inventors of the present invention found that the bloodspot technique is valuable in order to remove RNA fractions with ≥200 nucleotides in length from a whole blood sample or to purify RNA fractions with <200 nucleotides in length (including miRNA) from a whole blood sample. The purified and/or isolated RNA fractions comprise RNA molecules. The inventors of the present invention further found that expression profiles of such purified and/or isolated RNA molecules, e.g. miRNA molecules, can be determined and that said expression profiles are of great quality. In addition, the inventors of the present invention found that the blood spot technique provides sample stability under different environmental conditions (e.g. temperature and/or humidity), provides technical stability and allows the diagnosis or differential diagnosis of an individual suffering from a disease.

Purification of RNA fractions using a hydrophilic polymeric material


A process to determine an optimal richness of a fuel-air mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine. The engine has a speed regulator capable of varying an opening angle of a valve for admitting the fuel-air mixture into the engine to maintain the engine at a constant rotational speed. The process begins by supplying an initial fuel-air mixture to the engine. A rotational speed of the engine is regulated by acting on a position of a valve controlling the admittance of the initial fuel-air mixture and, therefore, the fuel-air mixture affects the rotational speed. A plurality of jumps in the richness of the fuel-air mixture which is supplied to the engine act on the position of the valve. Variations in the position of the valve corresponding to each of the jumps in richness in the initial fuel-air mixture are then measured. It is then deduced that when the variations in the valve position are lower than a threshold that the initial fuel-air mixture is at an optimal richness, and that when the variations in the valve position are higher than the threshold that the richness of the initial air-fuel mixture must be modified. A correction of the richness of the initial fuel-air mixture supplied to the engine is performed if the threshold is exceeded. In addition, the correction step takes into account an amplitude of the measured variations in the valve position.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for determining the optimal richness of a fuel-air mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine and a corresponding device. More particularly, this device is intended for use with engines of the type used in pumps, generator sets, lawn mowers, etc.
Engines of the above-mentioned type generally run at a constant speed, regardless of the load on the engine. Their carburetion system must therefore supply them with appropriate amounts of air and fuel, no matter what the load is on the engine.
Due to environmental concerns, it has become necessary to impose pollution emission standards for these small internal combustion engines, as is already the case for automobile engines.
In order to reduce the pollution from an engine, it is imperative to burn the fuel as completely as possible during the combustion phase of the fuel mixture. It is therefore advantageous to determine the optimal fuel and air mixture (that is, the optimal richness of the mixture), thus allowing complete combustion. When the engine is thus supplied with a mixture having the optimal richness, it is noted that the torque delivered by the engine is also optimal, as is the rotational speed of the engine. To verify that an engine is operating at the optimal richness, one need only determine the fuel-air mixture that provides the maximal rotational speed of the engine.
Unfortunately in the case of lawn mowers, generator sets, etc., the engine is equipped with a speed regulator in order to have a constant rotational speed. For engines of this type which have a speed regulator, the monitoring of the engine speed is not indicative of the torque and the optimal richness. Therefore, the monitoring of another engine parameter is necessary. However, this monitoring must use the lowest possible number of sensors in order not to increase the cost of the engine.

Process for determining the optimal richness of a fuel-air mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine and corresponding device