A method may be utilized to produce a steering spindle part configured as a hollow shaft and having a connecting portion at its end. At least a part of the connecting portion includes increased wall thickness relative to a portion of the steering spindle part adjoining the connecting portion. The method may involve providing a circular, hollow cylindrical tube with an inner surface that is smooth in a circumferential direction, providing a circular, hollow cylindrical sleeve with an outer surface that is smooth in a circumferential direction, inserting the sleeve into an end portion of the tube, and jointly deforming the end portion of the tube and the sleeve such that a flow of material occurs. This flow may form positively locking elements on the tube and the sleeve that engage into one another in the circumferential direction and generate positive locking in the circumferential direction.

A steering spindle for a motor vehicle commonly comprises multiple steering spindle parts, which each form a portion of the steering spindle. The steering wheel is fixed to the rearmost steering spindle portion in relation to the direction of travel, at the rear end of said steering spindle portion. A pinion of a steering gear is commonly fixed to the foremost steering spindle portion in relation to the direction of travel, at the front end of said steering spindle portion. Aside from steering spindle parts which can be connected to one another by means of universal joints, steering spindle parts which are displaceable relative to one another and telescopable relative to one another in an axial direction are provided, which serve for the adjustment of the length of the steering column and/or for absorbing longitudinal displacements in the event of a crash.
In a known embodiment, the steering wheel is attached to the rearmost steering spindle part by means of a screw connection. For this purpose, the steering spindle part in the form of a hollow shaft comprises, at an end side, a connecting portion which, proceeding from the end of the steering spindle part, comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical portion and, adjoining the latter, a conical portion, which widens toward the middle of the steering spindle part. The hollow cylindrical portion is equipped with an internal thread and an external toothing. The external toothing engages into an internal toothing of the hub of the steering wheel and, by means of the internal thread, the screw connection of the steering wheel to the steering spindle part is realized. Here, the steering spindle part must comprise an adequately large wall thickness in the connecting portion, in particular in the hollow cylindrical end portion. This is greater than the wall thickness, required for transmitting the torque, over the rest of the length of the tubular steering spindle part. Therefore, to form the steering spindle part, use is conventionally made of tubes which initially comprise a greater wall thickness than that which is required-aside from in the connecting portion. The tube is then machined over its entire length extent, in particular by hammering or similar deformation methods, for example swaging or rotary swaging. Here, in the connecting portion, the diameter of the tube is reduced. Over the rest of the length of the tube, the wall thickness of the tube is reduced. Here, it is however also possible for structures to be formed in over portions of the tube, which structures serve for example for the connection to a further steering spindle part in a manner which permits telescopic movement but not relative rotation and fixedly in terms of torque. The formation of such contours, in particular in the form of spiral toothings or cloverleaf profiles is known. For example, DE 197 50 005 C1 presents steering spindle parts with such contours.
To generate the relatively large wall thickness in the region of the connecting portion, it is known for a sleeve in the form of a tube portion to be inserted into the end of the tube and for the sleeve to be non-detachably connected to the tube. EP 1 989 011 B1 describes, for the generation of the connection of the sleeve to the tube, the initial insertion of the sleeve into the tube and the subsequent joint deformation of the tube and the sleeve. The deformation provides for the tube to be plastically deformed by means of a pressure deformation method performed at cold temperatures, such as hammering or swaging, wherein said tube is pressed with its inner surface from the outside, that is to say radially with respect to the longitudinal axis, against the outer surface of the sleeve, such that said tube is plastically molded on and a non-positively locking connection is produced between the surfaces pressed against one another.
In the known prior art, as starting material, use is made of a hollow cylindrical tube with an inner surface which is smooth in a circumferential direction and which comprises a circular cross section, and which in other words forms a cylindrical inner shell surface with a cross section in the shape of a circular line. This smooth tube is connected by means of its inner surface to the outer surface of the sleeve by pressure deformation, which sleeve, in a known embodiment, comprises a cylindrical outer shell surface likewise with a cross section in the shape of a circular line. During the pressure deformation, the two shall surfaces are placed in permanent contact, whereby a non-positively locking connection is formed for the transmission of the steering moment from the steering wheel into the steering spindle.
In order for this connection fixed in terms of torque to be made more highly loadable, it is proposed in EP 1 989 011 B1 that the sleeve, before being inserted into the tube, be equipped with a knurling or circumferential toothing on its outer surface. The structures protruding radially from the circular cross section of the sleeve here, such as knurling serrations or teeth, dig into the inner surface of the tube during the deformation, and thus form positive-locking elements, by means of which a positively locking connection acting in the circumferential direction is realized.
A positively locking connection acting in the circumferential direction counteracts a relative rotation of the tube in the sleeve and thus permits the reliable transmission of relatively high torques, such as may arise during the preloading (tightening) of the screw connection for the fixing of the steering wheel to the steering spindle. The known production method however necessitates that the positive-locking elements be formed on the sleeve prior to the insertion. For this purpose, a separate machining step is necessary, whereby the manufacturing outlay is increased.
Thus a need exists for methods that permit the production of a highly loadable connection portion with lower manufacturing outlay.

Method for producing a steering shaft part and steering shaft for a motor vehicle


A fast transient switching voltage regulator includes a reference signal generator to provide a reference in a feedback path to control switching. The reference signal generator is operative to incorporate a voltage offset into the reference signal timed with the control pulses used to control the switching. The voltage offset moves the reference signal out of the way of pulses introduced in the feedback path due to capacitance ESL in the output capacitor of the switching voltage regulator.

Unless otherwise indicated, the foregoing is not admitted to be prior art to the claims recited herein and should not be construed as such.
Modern microprocessors and related digital electronics continue to require power supplies that are capable of supporting fast transient loading. Power supplies based on converters that operation in pulse width modulation (PWM) mode are a common design choice.
Fast transient buck regulators, for example, can be designed to respond to millivolts of change within nanoseconds. If the modulator component in a buck regulator is designed to respond quickly, the active modulating block (e.g., comparator, very fast error amplifier, etc.) can respond to disturbances resulting from the parasitic series inductance of the output capacitor, sometimes referred to as equivalent series inductance (ESL). Although a capacitor ESL exists in the output capacitor of any buck regulator design, lower frequency designs are generally not susceptible to this artifact of capacitor ESL. The effect becomes significant in buck regulators designed for high speed operation.
The disturbances arising from capacitor ESL manifest themselves as multiple pulses superimposed over a normal modulated switching waveform that drives the switching of the power transistors of the buck regulator. Resulting system level degradations include poor power efficiency due to increased switching losses, and poor noise performance.
Referring to FIG. 6, the output section of a buck converter is illustrated, showing the capacitor ESL. Capacitors are typically modeled with an equivalent series resistance (ESR) as well. For the purposes of this discussion, the ESR can be omitted to simplify the discussion without sacrificing technical accuracy. An inductor divider is formed between the primary buck inductor L and the capacitor ESL. Each time the switching node connecting the power transistors transitions between minimum and maximum voltage (e.g., ground potential and VDD), the voltage swing VSW seen at the switching nodes (typically several volts) will be divided down by the ratio of the inductances of the primary inductor L and the capacitor ESL. Each transition (step) at the switching node creates a corresponding transition of several millivolts in magnitude at the output voltage node. The inductor current changes slope based on the law of
  v  =      L    ×                            ⅆ          i                          ⅆ          t                    .      Since the capacitor ESL conducts the same AC current as the primary inductor L,
      ⅆ    i        ⅆ    t  of the capacitor ESL is the same as the primary inductor. Accordingly, the magnitude of the ESL-generated transition at the output node can be represented by:
            V      ESL        =                  V        SW            ×              ESL        L              ,    where ESL and L are respective inductance values of the capacitor ESL and the primary inductor.
The ESL transition at the output node, which feeds back as negative feedback into the switching controller, can cross over the reference signal that is used to generate the switching voltage. Waveforms 1 and 2 in FIG. 6 represent the waveforms of a slow response regulator, where the response time is greater than the ESL transitions.
By comparison, in a fast response regulator that is fast enough to respond to VESL, the ESL-generated negative feedback can result in oscillations in the switching voltage as the circuit tries to compensate for the transition. The oscillations continue until the reference signal level rises above the level of the ESL-generated artifact in the output node. This effect may be represented by waveforms 3 and 4 in FIG. 6.

Circuit and method to compensate for equivalent series inductance (ESL) effects in a buck regulator


The disclosure is related to a method of treating a disorder, such as Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS), obesity or hyperphagia, in a subject using a melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist. Also described is method of treating a subject having a deficiency in the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-MC4R pathway, such as a POMC-null or a PCSK-null subject, using a MC4R agonist.

Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is a heterotrimeric G-protein-coupled receptor, which transduces signals by activating adenylate cyclase. Expressed in hypothalamic nuclei and other neuronal and non-neuronal tissues, controlling feeding behavior and energy homeostasis, MC4R integrates an agonist (anorexigenic) signal provided by the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and an antagonist (orexigenic) signal provided by the agouti-related peptide (AGPR).
MC4R is a part of the leptin-melanocortin pathway, or POMC-MC4R pathway, which includes a number of proteins such as leptin, leptin receptors, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), prohormone convertases including PCSK1, and α-MSH, among others. AGPR binding to MC4R suppresses MC4R activity, while α-MSH binding stimulates the MC4R. Suppressed receptor activity generates an orexigenic signal, whereas stimulated receptor activity generates an anorexigenic signal. Signals from MC4R modulate feeding behavior through secondary effector neurons.
In humans, the hypothalamic POMC-MC4R pathway is part of the regulatory network of appetite and body weight. Monogenic defects in the pathway have been described to lead to severe early onset obesity. For example, patients with POMC loss of function mutations suffer from severe early onset obesity, hyperphagia, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. They also have low-pigmented skin and body hair. Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) is thought to be caused by a loss of function of several genes on chromosome 15 in humans, in particular, at 15q11-q13, including one or more genes in the POMC-MC4R pathway. Patients with PWS suffer from severe hyperphagia that leads to severe obesity and other complications. There are currently no approved treatments for the obesity and hyperphagia associated with POMC-MC4R pathway genetic defect disorders such as PWS and POMC-null obesity. Deficiency of MSH, a cleavage product of POMC and the ligand of MC4R, is responsible for the early onset obesity and hyperphagia in these disorders associated with defects in the POMC-MC4R pathway. There is a need for a therapy, such as a MSH replacement therapy, that effectively treats the obesity and hyperphagia associated with POMC-MC4R pathway genetic defect disorders with fewer safety issues.

Method of treating melanocortin-4 receptor pathway-associated disorders


A network platform for supporting a network-enabled application, comprising a plurality of communication channels to respective plurality of wireless network carries, each of the wireless network carriers having a plurality of users, the network platform comprises at least one processor, at least one interface having access to the internet, a mobile desktop applications, at least one email application, an address book widget, a private view widget, a fake public view profile, and a real public profile.

I. Field
The embodiments described herein relate to a network community platform, and, more particularly, relate to allowing users of the platform to send and receive e-mail communications from other users of the platform and users outside of the platform.
II. Background
The ubiquity of the Internet, e-mail access, and cellular telephones have created an environment in which users can be in communications with friends and family at nearly all times. Accordingly, a number of services and service providers now provide users with virtual communities in which people are allocated virtual spaces which they can personalize and customize. Within such communities of personal spaces, users having similar interests or some other connection or bond can congregate and socialize or share information and other news.
Because users rely on such virtual communities to socialize and communicate with other people, the usefulness and desirability of such communities is enhanced when as many of a user's friends and family as possible are part of or connected with the virtual community. Thus, there is a need for a user of a virtual community and other, similar services to be able to send e-mail to and receive e-mail from their friends and families within the virtual community and outside of it.

Systems and methods for sending and receiving e-mail on a network community platform


Method for prophylaxis and treatment of a viral infection characterized by the administration of a composition comprising a substantial molar excess of the D-stereoisomer of 2'CdG over the L-stereoisomer.

This invention relates to the use of the carbocyclic analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine (2'CdG) in the prophylaxis and treatment of infections by viruses including herpes simplex virus types I and II, cytomegalovirus, and hepatitis B virus.
Among the many kinds of viruses that infect man, two types are especially important with regard to their ubiquity, clinical significance and economic impact: the herpes viruses and the hepatitis viruses.
The six human herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpes virus 6 (HHV 6), are widely disseminated in the population and are responsible for a broad spectrum of human diseases, ranging from minor annoyances such as cold sores to highly destructive infections of the central nervous system (encephalitis), and potentially fatal neonatal infections. Once infected, an individual may suffer lesions and recover, but the virus usually persists for the life of the individual in a state of latency in nerve or other cells and may periodically become reactivated to cause recurrent clinical lesions or other disease states. In addition, it has been long recognized that herpesvirus infections are considerably more severe in certain immunosuppressed patients, particularly those with depressed cell-mediated immunity such as cancer patients and organ transplant recipients, individuals with hereditary immune deficiencies, as well as individuals with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
HSV-1 and HSV-2 manifest themselves in a number of clinical diseases, including infections of the central nervous system (encephalitis), skin, lips, and the genitalia. Oral herpes is caused generally by HSV-1 and genital herpes by HSV-2, but both viruses can cause either infection (and each can cause encephalitis). The estimated annual number of episodes of recurrent herpes labialis is over 100 million in the United States alone. It also has been estimated that over 1,000,000 new clinically reported cases of genital herpes occur each year in the United States, and that currently as many as 60 million cases per year of recurrent genital herpes may exist. In addition, a large number of individuals will excrete virus in the absence of clinical symptoms and thus constitute a silent but persistent reservoir for transmission of virus through sexual contacts.
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are among the most common cause of congenital (human intrauterine and perinatal) infection in the world today, and represent a frequent and serious complication in immunosupressed inividuals. Congential CMV infections are associated with retinitis, hearing loss, birth defects, mental retardation, and death. In immunosuppressed adults, CMV is associated with serious infections of the eye such as chorioretinitis, as well as infections of other organs, including hepatitis, esophagitis, gastritis, pneumonitis and encephalitis.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most prevalent of the highly contagious hepatitis viruses, infecting an estimated 200 million people worldwide. HBV is a major cause of acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Of the estimated 200,000-250,000 people in the United States who are infected annually, more than 100,000 require hospitalization and approximately 250 die of active disease each year. Between 6% and 10% of infected individuals become carriers of the virus. Approximately 25% of these carriers will develop cirrhosis and approximately 1% will develop hepatocellular carcinoma.
Other than exclusion of virus-host contact, there are two types of defenses against viral infection: vaccination and chemotherapy. Vaccination has had some success in preventing or limiting certain viral infections. However, there are certain limitations associated with the use of vaccines. First, vaccination, with rare exception, is a prophylactic measure which is useful only prior to the onset of the disease. Second, factors such as the age of the individual, the presence of preexisting antibody, either passively acquired maternal antibody or antibody secondary to natural infection, and the site of injection may influence the effectiveness of some vaccines. In addition, vaccination involves the introduction into the body of material which can, in some instances, pose risks which result in adverse reactions in the individual.
A number of nucleoside analogs have been proposed for chemotherapeutic treatment of viruses such as HSV, HBV and CMV. U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,623 (Shealy et al.) refers to the use of certain carbocyclic analogs or uracil nucleosides for the treatment of various human and animal diseases caused by DNA viruses, such as Herpes simplex virus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,348 (Shealy et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,154 (Shealy et al.) refer to carbocyclic analogues of cytosine nucleosides and their activity against DNA viruses, such as herpes simplex virus Type 1. U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,255 (Shealy et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,736 (Shealy et al.) refer to carbocyclic analogues of purine 2'-deoxyribofuranosides and ribofuranosides, respectively, and their activity against DNA viruses, exemplified by herpes simplex virus Type 1 and Type 2.
Of the nucleoside analogs available, acyclovir (acyloguanosine) is the agent currently indicated for the topical, oral or intravenous therapy of a number of clinical manifestations of HSV-1 and HSV-2 as it is a potent inhibitor of HSV replication. However, a number of toxic effects have been reported. Topical application of acyclovir can cause transient stinging, keratitis, follicular conjunctivitis and allergies when used to treat herpetic keratitis. Infusion may produce nephrotoxicity in patients receiving large doses due to deposition of drug crystals in renal tubules. Other toxic effects have been attributed to the high pH (alkalinity) required to keep acyclovir in solution. Furthermore, while the antiviral activity of acyclovir has been ascribed to its ability to be incorporated into the viral DNA, acyclovir induced-DNA chain incorporation and termination of cellular genes may lead to additional forms of toxicity, including chromosomal damage.
Acyclovir has also been used against HBV although its use is disadvantaged by the same potential side effects described above. In addition, while it is effective during short term administration in reducing markers associated with HBV replication, such as plasma levels of HBV DNA polymerase, cessation of drug administration may result in the return to pretreatment level of virus replication.
Other drugs currently used to treat HBV include adenosine arabinoside (ara-A) and adenine arabinoside monophosphate (ara-AMP, a form of the drug which allows it to be administered intramuscularly). These drugs are effective alone or in combination in decreasing levels of circulating HBV DNA polymerase activity in patients infected with HBV. However, complete inhibition of HBV may not result from these treatments, as DNA polymerase activity has been demonstrated to increase following cessation of drug therapy. Furthermore, both ara-A and ara-AMP are also associated with substantial toxicity. Untoward effects of these drugs commonly experienced by patients include nausea, anorexia, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, and reversible bone marrow suppression with thrombocytopenia. In addition, a peculiar neuromuscular pain syndrome that produces pain and cramping, most pronounced at the site of injection, and which may last for months following cessation of drug administration has been described. Payne, John A. "Chronic Hepatitis: Pathogenesis and Treatment," Disease a Month, March, pp. 117-59 (1988).
Acyclovir has also been used for prophylaxis of CMV, but has been reported to be ineffective against established systemic CMV infections as well as against CMV retinitis. Broad spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids, and antifungal agents have also been reported to be without therapeutic benefit against this disease. An antiviral agent, ganciclovir (dihydroxy propoxymethyl guanine) (DHPG) an acyclic nucleoside, has been reported to be effective against CMV retinitis but is of limited potency and is associated with dose-limiting toxicity. Its activity is described in Declercq et al., Antiviral Research Vol. 3, 17-24 (1983) and Vol. 4, 119-133 (1984).
The carbocyclic analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine(.+-.)-2-amino-1,9-dihydro-[(1.alpha.,3.beta.,4.alpha.)-3 -hydroxy-4(hydroxymethyl)cyclopentyl]-6H-purin-6-one] (2'-CdG) has been reported to have in vitro antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 (Shealy et al., J. Med. Chem. 27:1416, 1987), human cytomegalovirus (Shannon et al., in Advances in Chemotherapy of AIDS, Diasio et al., eds., Pergamon Press, Inc., New York pp.75-95, 1990, as well as CMV (WO91/13549, 1991)), and human hepatitis-B virus (Price et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:8541, 1989). In addition, it has also shown in vivo antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 (Shannon et al., in Proceedings of the American Society of Virology, Annual Meeting, 1985).

Methods of treatment of viral infections using carbocyclic deoxyguanosine analogs


A control component for a current-driven optical media is provided. The control component includes thin film transistors (TFT) for driving pixels of an active matrix optoelectronic device. An additional electrode is provided in a separate conducting layer within the control component in order to add a separate capacitance (C2) that is coupled to the gate electrode of the control component to supplement the capacitance (C1) already coupled between the gate and source electrodes.

High resolution AMOLED displays are normally processed using glass as a substrate, on which are deposited a plurality of transistor structures for driving pixel electrodes. Common transistor structures are schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (not in scale): FIG. 1 shows a top-gate configuration; FIG. 2 shows a bottom gate configuration. Each of FIGS. 1 and 2 show the transistors in a 2T1C (two transistors, 1 capacitor) structure for driving a pixel electrode (although other structures are also possible). The rightmost via that connects to the pixel electrode can also be achieved by etching the underlying dielectric layers before metallization, so that ML3 would merge with ML1.
In FIG. 1, the first transistor (5) comprises a source electrode (2) and a drain electrode (3) in a first conducting layer (ML1). A gate electrode (4) resides in the second conducting layer (ML2). ML1 and ML2 are separated by one or more dielectric or semiconducting layers. Conducting layers are normally patterned in such a way that conductive islands are formed, optionally connected by vias or other means at different levels, thus creating electronic devices and circuits with the desired functionality.
A second transistor (9) comprises a source (6) and drain (7) electrode in the first conducting layer (ML1), and a gate (8) electrode in the second conducting layer (ML2). The drain electrode (3) of the first transistor (5) is connected to the gate electrode (8) of the second transistor (5) using a via between the conducting layers ML1 and ML2. The drain electrode (7) of the second transistor (9) is connected to a pixel electrode (10) in a third conducting layer (ML3) using a via between the conducting layers ML1 and ML3.
A storage capacitance results from the overlap of the second gate electrode (8) and the source electrode (6), which are separated by one or more dielectric layers. This is often desired, as a storage capacitance between the gate and source electrodes enables the voltage of the gate electrode to remain at the desired value.
FIG. 2 shows an alternative configuration for the control component, which is a bottom-gate configuration.
In FIG. 2, the first transistor (5) comprises a source electrode (2) and a drain electrode (3) in a second conducting layer (ML2). A gate electrode (4) resides in the first conducting layer (ML1). ML1 and ML2 are separated by one or more dielectric or semiconducting layers.
A second transistor (9) comprises a source (6) and drain (7) electrode in the second conducting layer (ML2), and a gate (8) electrode in the first conducting layer (ML1). The drain electrode (3) of the first transistor (5) is connected to the gate electrode (8) of the second transistor (5) using a via between the conducting layers ML1 and ML2. The drain electrode (7) of the second transistor (9) is connected to a pixel electrode (10) in a fourth conducting layer (ML4) using a via between the conducting layers ML1 and ML4. FIG. 2 also shows an optional shield electrode (11), which resides in the third conducting layer (ML3) over the gap between the source (6) and drain (7) electrodes. This is optional, but is there to prevent light penetrating from the display surface into the second transistor (9).
A storage capacitance results from the overlap of the second gate electrode (8) and the source electrode (6), which are separated by one or more dielectric layers. This is often desired, as a storage capacitance between the gate and source electrodes enables the voltage of the gate electrode to remain at the desired value.
High storage capacitances with small area occupation are possible on non-flexible substrates such as glass thanks to the high capacitance per unit area achievable with non-flexible inorganic dielectrics. That is, structures can be made finer, and layers thinner, because of the stability of the non-flexible structures during the manufacturing process. Thinner dielectric layers result in higher capacitances per unit area. Higher pixel densities can therefore be more easily achieved.
However, high capacitances per area are not as easily manufacturable when flexible substrates and flexible dielectrics for flexible AMOLED displays are used. Flexible dielectrics do not always have high dielectric constants and are not always processable to form thin layers. As such, the pixel density of flexible displays can be affected to allow for storage capacitors with larger area in order to compensate for the reduced achievable capacitance per unit area.
We have therefore appreciated the need for a multiple layer electronic structures for use in flexible displays that have an increased storage capacitance.

Control component for a current-driven optical media


Current source embodiments are provided which generate an output current pulse whose initial and terminal slew rates are enhanced with initial and terminal generators that respectively provide an initial current pulse at initiation of the command signal and a terminal current pulse at termination of the command signal. Current source embodiments also include a correction generator that inserts correction currents to substantially correct Lambda current errors in the current sources.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to transistor current sources.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional current sources generally fail to provide high-speed pulses with short rise and fall times and well-controlled pulse levels. This failure is especially noted when driving inductive or capacitive loads.


A building product includes a pultruded part that constitutes exterior siding of a building. In one example, the building product includes a pultruded part that constitutes siding and the structural sheathing of a building. In one example, the building product includes a pultruded part that constitutes siding and the structural sheathing of a building and is configured to be weather-tight.

Siding on residential and light-commercial buildings is typically made of wood, vinyl or metal. Wood is not considered "low maintenance" as it is susceptible to warp, rot, and requires frequent repainting. Both vinyl and metal siding need to be slotted when attached to the sheathing of a home because of their high coefficient of thermal expansion. They have to be carefully nailed in the slots in a manner that allows horizontal movement of the siding as the temperature changes. Warping due to this large CTE is one of the chief drawbacks to these types of siding. Vinyl siding is also susceptible to additional warping because of vinyl's low heat deflection temperature. Solar heat gain on vinyl siding must be minimized to prevent softening of the vinyl, and subsequent warping. The softening of vinyl also occurs simultaneously with a high rate of thermal expansion as the temperature of the vinyl rises, which can make warp and deflection permanent. To reduce solar gain, vinyl siding is typically only sold in light reflecting colors like white and pastels. Dark colors on vinyl siding experience too much solar gain for the vinyl to retain stiffness.
Denting of metal siding results from impacts during installation and regular use. Such denting results from the metal siding being formed from thin-skinned metals that dent easy. Siding products that are more dent resistant result in a better quality siding product. Metal siding, being a good thermal conductor, also reduces the insulating value of the wall and acts as a condensation point for moisture.
Weather barriers are often wrapped around the exterior sheathing of buildings to combat the infiltration of water and air. Installing a weather barrier is a separate step in home construction after the sheathing and before siding installation.
The sheathing on a building, typically OSB (oriented strand board), plywood, polystyrene, or fiberboard, acts as a rigid backing for the internal insulation and the external weather barrier. In the case of OSB or plywood, it also acts as a structural reinforcement to increase the shear strength of a building. Less structural sheathing materials require braces or other additional structural members to give the building the necessary shear strength. Sheathing a building is a separate step from wrapping the weather barrier, and installing the siding.
What is needed is a building product to improve on the disadvantages and weaknesses of traditional siding materials, traditional weather barrier, and traditional sheathing.


A digital low-light viewing device comprises a housing having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end defining an optical input aperture and the second end defining an optical output aperture; an infra-red camera assembly responsive to low intensity light and infra red energy received via the input aperture for generating an output image; a signal processor coupled to the camera assembly for processing the output image; a display assembly coupled to the camera assembly for displaying the processed image; a zoom lens assembly coupled to the camera assembly for electronically variably focusing the output image; and control electronics responsive to a control mechanism disposed on a surface of the housing for controlling operating functions of the low-light viewing device, the control mechanism navigable via a user's digit for controlling the operating functions.

Low-light viewing systems are widely used in the military to provide soldiers, aviators and sailors with the ability to view objects at night or during other low-light conditions. As a result, many low-light viewing devices are currently being manufactured according to exacting military specifications and designs. Similarly, many such low-light devices are being manufactured for specific military applications, such as part of the sights of various weapons or as part of goggle assemblies that attach to an aviator's or soldier's helmet. However, many of the present low-light viewing devices currently being manufactured are neither affordable nor easily adapted to non-military uses.
Low-light viewing devices fall into several broad categories, including: (1) image intensified products, (2) thermal imaging products, and (3) charge-coupled device (CCD) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) low-light cameras. The image intensified and thermal imaging devices are often found in the military, law enforcement, fire fighting, and consumer markets. In recent years a number of low-light viewing devices have been introduced into the consumer market, but are often of poor quality and/or offer the user limited capabilities.
Image intensified low-light viewing devices tend to be very expensive and require sophisticated, heavy lenses to produce long range images. Image intensified devices are also quite prone to damage if used in high-light situations. This characteristic renders such products virtually useless in most urban areas. Moreover, due to excessive cost, thermal imaging devices have not been widely accepted.
Low-light CCD cameras are commonly employed in security applications. In recent years, cell phone technology, as well as a tremendous surge in the application of cameras in the security business, has provided for very inexpensive cameras. Low-light CCD cameras are designed to be sensitive at a wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum that is invisible to human beings, making these cameras very effective in low-light conditions, particularly if active infrared (IR) illumination is employed.
Devices that utilize active IR illumination often utilize integral LEDs to illuminate dark scenes. Most digital low-light viewing devices currently on the market utilize fixed-focus lenses which must be manually adjusted and are active devices, i.e., providing IR illumination to assist in detection, which causes the devices to consume power quickly.
The aforementioned devices are deficient in several respects, precluding practical use in both commercial arenas and by the military and law enforcement agencies. Such devices tend to be both heavy and fragile, are unable to withstand the shock of impact and wear and tear caused by regular military or law enforcement use, and are easily permeated by water or moisture that can render them inaccurate or even unusable.
Additionally, such devices generally have fixed magnification that allow the user to detect objects, but lack variable magnification capabilities that allow the user to recognize and identify objects once detected. These devices also tend to have relatively short ranges, are bulky, are not economic in design, and lack simplified user controls. Moreover, such devices can be quite costly, often requiring proprietary components and elaborate assembly techniques, making them impractical for widespread military or law enforcement use.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a ruggedized, handheld digital low-light viewing device well suited for military, law enforcement, security and first responder use, with variable magnification (zoom) capabilities, which can be operated with one hand, is lightweight and waterproof, and which contains additional features not presently available in prior devices and operable in conjunction with current low-light sensor technology.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low-light viewing device having camera assembly with image signal containing visible light and infrared energy components and method for controlling same


In a cryopump a frost concentrating device is affixed to a condensing cryopanel and provides surfaces for condensing gases which are cryopumped through an opening in the vacuum vessel. The surfaces of the frost concentrator extend towards the opening in the vacuum vessel and thus limit the amount of gases which condense on the surfaces of the condensing cryopanel facing the opening. The result is that the gap between the radiation shield and the condensing cryopanel does not become significantly narrowed by condensing gases, particularly in the area closest to the opening through which gases are cryopumped. This allows other gases to pass easily through the gap and condense on surfaces of the condensing cryopanel further away from the opening of the cryopump or to be adsorbed by an adsorbent material shielded by the condensing cryopanel.

Cryopumps currently available, whether cooled by open or closed cryogenic cycles, generally follow the same design concept. A low temperature second stage array, usually operating in the range of 4 to 25 K, is the primary pumping surface. This surface is surrounded by a high temperature cylinder, usually operated in the temperature range of 70 to 130 K, which provides radiation shielding to the lower temperature array. The radiation shield generally comprises a housing which is closed except at a frontal array positioned between the primary pumping surface and the chamber to be evacuated. This higher temperature, first stage, frontal array serves as a pumping site for higher boiling point gases such as water vapor.
In operation, high boiling point gases such as water vapor are condensed on the frontal array. Lower boiling point gases pass through that array and into the volume within the radiation shield and condense on the second stage array. A surface coated with an adsorbent such as charcoal or a molecular sieve operating at or below the temperature of the second stage array may also be provided in this volume to remove the very low boiling point gases. To prevent overloading of the adsorbent, the adsorbent is generally provided on surfaces which are protected by the second stage condensing array. With the gases thus condensed or adsorbed onto the pumping surfaces, only a vacuum remains in the work chamber.

Cryopump and cryopanel having frost concentrating device


A housing for receiving a fluid conduit has an internal annular shoulder. A cylindrical first cartridge is positioned in the housing and has an internal annular groove and an outer annular groove. An O-ring in the internal annular groove provides a seal with a fluid conduit. A second O-ring is positioned within the outer annular groove to provide a seal between the first cartridge and the housing. A gripping ring is positioned adjacent and in contact with the first cartridge and has inwardly projecting annularly spaced tines for gripping and holding a fluid conduit inserted into the housing. A second cylindrical cartridge is positioned adjacent the gripping ring on a side opposite the first cartridge. The housing includes a lip at one end to engage the second cartridge for holding the first and second cartridges and the gripping ring against the annular shoulder in the housing.

The present invention relates to a plumbing fitting which requires no crimping or soldering.
There have been numerous proposals for push-to-connect plumbing fittings which eliminate the need for additional labor steps in providing a connection of a fluid conduit to the fitting. With push-to-connect fittings, typically no soldering is necessary nor is crimping required. One proposal is disclosed in U.S. Publication 2010/0171302 published on Jul. 8, 2010. Push-to-connect fittings may require a separate tool for the removal of a fluid conduit from the fitting once assembled and, in some cases, integrally includes a release ring for such purpose. Nearly all of the push-to-connect fittings employ a gripping ring made of a metal, such as stainless steel, with tines that extend inwardly and engage and hold a fluid conduit inserted into the fitting. Also, the fittings typically include at least one O-ring providing a fluid-tight seal for the connection.
Unfortunately, most of the push-to-connect fittings are relatively complicated to manufacture and require expensive tooled parts and/or forming processes to complete. As a result, they can become fairly expensive in an environment where competition is, relatively vigorous.


The present invention provides a method for handling a handover procedure for a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system. The method includes steps of indicating occurrence of a handover procedure to a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer of the UE when receiving an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message for triggering the handover procedure, applying a new security configuration to the PDCP layer if the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message includes an information element (IE) for providing the security configuration, and requesting a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer of the UE to initiate a random access procedure for the handover procedure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling a handover procedure, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for handling a handover procedure for a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Long Term Evolution wireless communication system (LTE system), an advanced high-speed wireless communication system established upon the 3G mobile telecommunication system, supports only packet-switched transmission, and tends to implement both Medium Access Control (MAC) layer and Radio Link Control (RLC) layer in one single communication site, such as in Node B (NB) alone rather than in NB and RNC (Radio Network Controller) respectively, so that the system structure becomes simple.
Communications protocols utilized in the LTE system include Access Stratum (AS) and Non-Access Stratum (NAS). AS comprises various sub-layers for different functions, including Radio Resource Control (RRC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and so on. The sub-layers mentioned, and their operating principles, are well known in the art, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The RRC layer, a Layer 3 protocol, is the core of communications protocols related to AS and is located in a network end and a user equipment (UE). The RRC layer uses RRC messages to perform RRC procedures. RRC messages are formed from many information elements (IEs) used for embedding necessary information for setting, changing, or releasing protocol entities of Layer 2 and Layer 1, thereby establishing, adjusting, or canceling information exchange channels to perform data packet transportation.
In LTE system, the network end indicates the UE to modify an RRC connection state, e.g. to establish/modify/release Radio Bearers (RBs), to perform a handover procedure, or to configure/modify radio measurements, through a RRC Connection Reconfiguration message. According to related specification, when the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message includes an Information Element (IE) "mobilityControlInformation", the UE shall perform the handover procedure as soon as possible following reception of the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message. In such a situation, the UE shall first synchronize to downlink of a target cell, and request the MAC layer to perform a random access procedure for accessing the target cell.
Upon successful completion of the handover procedure, i.e. when the MAC layer indicates the random access procedure is successfully completed, the UE shall perform the following steps:                (1) Apply a new security configuration (including security keys and security algorithms) to lower layers such as the PDCP layer if an IE "securityConfiguration" is included in the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message. That means the new security configuration shall be applied to all subsequent messages received and sent by the UE, including the message used to indicate the successful completion of the handover procedure.        (2) Update radio resource configurations based on an IE "radioResourceConfiguration" included in the received RRC Connection Reconfiguration message.        (3) Re-establish the RLC layer and reset the MAC layer.        (4) Indicate occurrence of the handover procedure to the PDCP layer.
Besides, when the RLC layer is re-established, the UE shall reassemble RLC Service Data Units (SDUs) and deliver the reassembled RLC SDUs to the PDCP layer no matter whether the SDUs are delivered in order of sequence numbers. That is to say, upon occurrence of the handover procedure, the RLC layer is allowed to deliver out-of-sequence Protocol Data Units (PDUs) received from a source cell to the PDCP layer. Detailed operation of re-establishing the RLC layer is not further described, and can be referred to in the related specifications.
On the other hand, according to the PDCP specification, when upper layers indicate that a handover procedure has occurred, for radio bearers that are mapped on Acknowledged Mode RLC entities, the UE shall perform maintenance of PDCP sequence numbers, header decompression and deciphering for PDCP PDUs received from lower layers and store the out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs, if any, in the reordering buffer until it is indicated to submit them to upper layers. Note that these out-of-sequence SDUs are received because of the lower layer re-establishment or reset.
However, based on the above operation, the UE has applied the new security configuration (including security keys and security algorithms) to the PDCP layer before the PDCP layer is indicated occurrence of the handover procedure, such that the PDCP layer of the UE cannot perform decompression and deciphering for the received PDCP PDUs correctly since the out-of-sequence SDUs, which are delivered due to the RLC layer re-establishment, are encrypted by original security configurations. Consequently, situations like data error or data lost may occur.
Besides, the random access procedure includes two types: contention based and non-contention based. If the random access procedure initiated by the handover procedure is contention based, the UE shall send a RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message during the random access procedure. This message is sent to the target cell and therefore new radio resource configuration and new security configuration are required. However, based on the above operation, the new radio resource configuration and the new security configuration are applied to the UE upon successful completion of the handover procedure, such that the target cell cannot correctly receive and interpret the RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message, resulting in failure of the handover procedure.

Method and apparatus for handling handover procedure


An integrated circuit device comprises a plurality of integrated circuit layers formed on a semiconductor substrate, a wiring layer having a ladder-like lattice and formed of a material exhibiting superconductivity in a longitudinal direction, the wiring layer connecting arbitrary integrated circuit layers of the plurality of integrated circuit layers, and an isolation layer having a ladder-like lattice and formed of the same material as the wiring layer such that a resistance in a widthwise direction is higher than that in a longitudinal direction, the isolation layer isolating an arbitrary integrated circuit layer of the plurality of integrated circuit layers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a super-conductive wiring used for electrical connection between circuit elements and an isolation element used for electrical isolation between the circuit elements of the semiconductor device, which contribute to ultra-high integration of a semiconductor device and further relates to a semiconductor device using the super-conductive wiring and the isolation element.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, various materials such as Al, poly-Si, W, Ti, and so on have been used for a wiring for electrically connecting circuit elements in a semiconductor device. However, all these materials are difficult to be made to single crystals and hence leave high resistances. Further, these materials are not suitable for micropatterning of the wiring of the semiconductor device.
In the semiconductor industry, large-scale integration has been achieved by decreasing the size of each circuit element. The term "circuit element" means a functional device (e.g., MOS transister, bipolar transister, capacitor, diode, pin-junction, Quantum Blackade device, Josephson junction resistor, conductor and so on), wiring and isolator. The industry has developed to date with improvements in techniques (e.g., a manufacturing process and the design of a functional device and a circuit) to decrease the size of the circuit elements. However, this monotonous improvement is approaching its intrinsic limit caused by a quantum effect which has become an essential factor with advances in micropatterning of the circuit elements. For example, if the distance between two wirings becomes as short as the spread of the wave-like motion of electrons, then the charge of one electron shares two wirings; thereby the leackage of charge appearing.
Recently, in order to achieve ultra-high integration, an ultra-fine circuit element exhibiting much higher performance than a conventional one has been researched and developed in accordance with the operation principle based on a quantum effect. If, however, the sizes of wirings and isolations remain same as the conventional sizes, the ultra-high integration cannot be achieved even though an ultra-fine circuit element is realized. It is accordingly desired that an ultra-fine wiring and isolation as well as an ultra-fine circuit element are realized.

Super-conductive wiring and semiconductor device using the same


An exemplary cover assembly includes a bezel, and a spring-loaded cover. The bezel includes an opening, a pair of slots, and a pair of pins. The opening is defined in the bezel for accessing a device installed thereto. The slots are defined adjacent opposite ends of the opening respectively. The pins are formed adjacent the slots respectively. The spring-loaded cover covers the opening of the bezel, includes a pair of fixing plates formed thereon slidably received in the slots of the bezel. Each of the fixing plates defines an arcuate groove that slidably receives the corresponding pin of the bezel, where the cover is capable of being pivoted open and shut.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cover assemblies for access openings.
2. Description of Related Art
Data storage devices, such as optical disk drives, are installed in a computer enclosure for communication and processing data. An optical disk drive includes a case and a tray received in the case. The tray can accommodate an optical disk therein. A front bezel is positioned in front of the computer enclosure. An access opening is defined in the front bezel. The tray can be moved into or out of the enclosure through the access opening.
For example, a typical personal computer includes an enclosure for protection of internal devices, such as hard disk drives, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives, a motherboard, and the like. To access the CD-ROM drive, an opening is defined in the enclosure. However, contamination often harms the personal computer via the opening.
To address aforementioned problem, an enclosure having a protective cover for the opening is invented.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A method is provided for the visual display of states of network elements of a network to be monitored in a monitoring device, the incoming notifications of a network element being evaluated and, therefrom, the network element being allocated a current state from a population of possible states, the number of uncleared notifications or uncleared notifications having certain criteria of a network element being determined at respective certain time intervals and a current state trend being determined therefrom, all the network elements or selected network elements being displayed as pictorial objects on a display screen and each pictorial object displaying at least the actual state and the state trend of the relevant network element, and also a monitoring device and a program module therefor.

The invention is based on a priority application EP 01 440 243.2 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The invention relates to a method for the visual display of states of network elements of a network to be monitored in a monitoring device and a monitoring device and program module therefor.
To monitor and control a communications network with a multiplicity of network elements, central monitoring methods are used that have standardized notifications. An essential part of said monitoring method relates to the alarm management. Alarm management includes the collection of alarm notifications from objects of the monitored network or subnetwork, the determination of alarm states and the visual display of notifications and alarm states. The alarm notifications are standardized by the International Telecommunications Unit (ITU) as recommendation X.733 entitled "Information Technology—Open System Interconnection—System Management: Alarm Reporting Function", referred to below as ITU Directive X.733 for short. In this connection, in particular, alarm types, alarm causes, alarm severity levels or urgency ratings and various alarm displays, for example, a trend indication and threshold information are defined. For the trend indication, whether the urgency of a currently determined alarm is greater than, equal to or less than the urgency of all alarms hitherto determined (and still current) is determined.
Depending on the size of said network, a communications network is monitored from one or more central monitoring points. Efficient monitoring with the least possible need for personnel requires the concentration of the monitoring device at as few monitoring points as possible. This means that a monitoring point is responsible for monitoring a multiplicity of network devices, for example, for more than 50 switching points. The performance of a monitoring point depends to a large extent on the user interface, i.e. the visual display of alarm notifications and alarm states and the trend indication of alarm states.
A substantial problem in the visual display of monitoring devices in current communications networks, for example the so-called "switch management centers" for network operators, is that the information relating to alarm notifications and alarm states is not processed optimally. Even in the normal case, i.e. without the pressure of exceptional events or states, an operator has frequently to change between various display screen windows in order to obtain the necessary information relating to the monitoring of the network or of a subnetwork. Thus, for the purpose of overview, for example, a window is offered having a network map in which the individual network elements of the communications network to be monitored are displayed with their mutual relationships. The network elements are displayed as pictorial objects that contain, for example, a name, a symbol, for example a symbol for a switching center, a numerical display of alarms received and still pending and may assume a defined color depending on current urgency. The relationships of the network elements among one another are displayed by means of connecting lines. Because of the complex interweaving of relationships, only a very limited number of network elements can be displayed in a display screen window. In order to be able to display each of said network elements when necessary, the network is divided up into a plurality of subnetworks or submaps, said subnetworks each being indicated as a pictorial object in an upper display level and a corresponding submap with the network elements contained therein being displayed only on selecting or clicking on such a pictorial element.
A further window shows, for example, in a scrollable list all the alarm notifications received in their temporal sequence. The alarm notifications received can, at the same time, also be filtered in accordance with certain criteria. Thus, for example, it is possible to arrange for alarm notifications to be indicated only from a certain severity level upwards.
To track the alarm states of the network elements, the operator frequently has to switch between the above-described views. To assess the dynamic development of alarm states, i.e. to forecast trends, it is necessary, in addition, to compare current alarm figures with the alarm figures shown earlier.

Method for the visual display of states of network elements of a network to be monitored, and also a monitoring device and program module therefor


An insulating target material for obtaining a conductive complex oxide film represented by a general formula ABO3, the insulating target material including an oxide of an element A, an oxide of an element B, and at least one of an Si compound and a Ge compound.

The present invention relates to an insulating target material suitably used for radio frequency (RF) sputtering, a method of manufacturing the insulating target material, a conductive complex oxide film, and a device.
A target for obtaining a complex oxide film by sputtering is generally obtained as follows. For example, a target for obtaining a perovskite oxide film of the general formula ABO3 is obtained by pulverizing oxide raw materials of the element A and the element B, mixing the oxide raw materials taking the stoichiometric composition into consideration, and sintering the mixture. A material disclosed in JP-A-10-176264 has been known as such a target, for example. This document discloses a sputtering target for a perovskite oxide of the chemical formula ABO3 which has a specific relative density and size.
On the other hand, the inventor of the invention found that a target sufficient for obtaining a conductive complex oxide film of the general formula ABO3 cannot be obtained by merely pulverizing oxide raw materials of the element A and the element B and mixing and sintering the oxide raw materials at a specific composition. For example, the inventor formed a target for forming an LaNiO3 conductive complex oxide film by RF sputtering using a known sintering method to obtain the following findings. Specifically, a target obtained by mixing an La oxide powder and an Ni oxide powder at a composition ratio of 1:1 and sintering the mixture did not exhibit uniform insulating properties over the entire target, in which a portion exhibiting low insulating properties (i.e. portion exhibiting conductivity higher than that of the surrounding portion) was formed. When RF sputtering is performed using such a target, plasma is concentrated on the portion exhibiting low insulating properties, whereby the portion on which the plasma is concentrated may be dissolved or cracks may occur in the target due to plasma concentration. This makes it difficult to use such a target for RF sputtering.

Insulating target material, method of manufacturing insulating target material, conductive complex oxide film, and device


Disclosed are electret materials with outstanding thermal and charge stability. The electret materials comprise a melt blend of a thermoplastic polymer and one or more hindered hydroxylamine ester compounds that comprise at least one moiety of the formula I

U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,710 teaches electret materials comprising hindered amines, nitrogen containing hindered phenols or metal-containing hindered phenols.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,618 discloses antibacterial electet materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,752 teaches high efficiency filter medium containing a performance enhancing additive.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,464 teaches a method of making electrets through vapor condensation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,484 discloses a method of making electret.
U.S. published app. No. 2003/0216494 teaches hindered hydroxylamine ester compounds.

Abstract: where Ra′ is a monoacyl or diacyl radical; R1-R4 are each C1-C6alkyl; and    R5 and R6 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl or C6-C10aryl; or    R5 and R6 are together oxygen. The melt blends are subjected to an electet treatment, for example a corona treatment. The electret materials are for example nonwoven polyolefin webs and are employed as filter materials, wipes, absorbent materials, filter masks, acoustic materials, printing substrates, measuring devices or contactless switches. The present electret materials may also comprise a further additive selected from the group consisting of the hindered amine light stabilizers, the hydroxyphenylalkylphosphonic esters or monoesters and the aromatic trisamide nucleating agents.


The hot stretch forming of sheet metal alloys, such as highly deformable aluminum alloy materials, is improved by using a lubricant comprising bismuth between the forming tool and the engaged surface of the sheet metal. A precursor of bismuth, such as bismuth subsalicylate, may be dispersed in a liquid and applied to the sheet metal before the sheet is heated to its forming temperature. Other lubricants such as boron nitride may be combined with the bismuth precursor. The precursor compound is decomposed to bismuth (or bismuth and carbon in the case of bismuth subsalicylate) which lubricates contact between the surface(s) of the sheet and the forming tool during forming and removal of the formed part from the tool.

Sheet metal workpieces of an alloy of suitable formability may be stretched and/or drawn against or over a forming tool surface at an elevated temperature to form a shape of complex deformation. For example, automotive body panels are being formed using sheet metal blanks of fine-grained aluminum alloy 5083.
In a high temperature sheet metal forming process, a formable metal material capable of high ductility under proper conditions is deformed against a surface of a forming tool. Fine-grain aluminum alloys have been known to achieve elongations of up to 1200% when heated to a temperature in the range of 400° C. to 550° C. and subjected to suitable strain rates. Similarly, fine grain titanium alloys have been known to achieve elongations of up to 1100% when heated to a temperature in the range of 815° C. to 1000° C.
Examples of a high temperature sheet metal forming processes include superplastic forming (SPF), quick plastic forming (QPF), and warm forming. SPF and QPF processes are examples of hot blow forming (also called hot stretch forming) processes used extensively with aluminum alloys in the manufacture of automobile components such as inner and outer lift gate panels, inner and outer door panels, deck lid panels, and the like. The sheet metal workpiece is positioned with one side lying close to the hot forming surface of a heated forming tool. The metal sheet is often preheated to its forming temperature so that both the workpiece and forming surface are at forming temperatures. A pressurized fluid, such as air is applied to the other side of the sheet forcing and stretching it into conformance with the tool surface, A common feature of these sheet metal parts is that they often require extensive localized deformation of the sheet metal to form a desired panel shape. In the case of automobile body panels, the parts may be formed in a single hot stretch forming stage or multiple forming steps may be used.
There is aggressive contact between the contacting side of the hot sheet metal and hot forming tool surface as the metal is deformed, and lubrication between the contacting surfaces is normally required. Sliding contact between the deforming metal workpiece and the forming tool often leads to problems associated with friction and adhesion. Adhesion may lead to galling patterns appearing on the finished workpiece surfaces, and forcible separation of the workpiece from the forming tool can distort the deformed metal workpiece beyond its allowable dimensions. Moreover, friction that occurs while the metal sheet is contacting the forming surface of the forming tool can lead to scratches, marks, and excessive roughness on the surface of the deformed metal workpiece, which may prevent the workpiece from meeting surface appearance requirements. Furthermore, this friction may affect the forming tool's forming surface, which may adversely affect all subsequently deformed metal workpieces by continuously reproducing undesirable abrasions.
Several lubricant coating materials have been developed to minimize friction and adhesion between the metal sheet and the forming tool. Boron nitride and graphite have been utilized for such purposes. Magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] and mixtures of Mg(OH)2 and boron nitride (BN) are also used. These materials have been used in the hot stretch forming of sheet metal blanks of AA5083 into body panels. Milk of magnesia may supply the requisite Mg(OH)2. MgO is also used as a precursor to Mg(OH)2.
Forming tool coatings have also been used. For example, a suitable coating may consist essentially of either a tungsten carbide cermet or a chromium carbide cermet having a particle size not more than 0.1 micrometers.
Still, there is a need for other lubricants for elevated temperature sheet metal forming, especially where light weight metal alloys such as aluminum alloys are formed.

Lubricant for elevated temperature forming


Apparatus for dispersion compensating a signal (18) that propagates along a signal path (19), which apparatus comprises a grating (1) and a tuning means (2). The grating (1) is characterized by a wavelength operating range (3) and a group delay (4) that varies with wavelength (5), wherein the group delay (4) is equal at a plurality of pairs of wavelengths (6), (7) that are separated within the wavelength operating range (3), and wherein the grating (1) reflects each wavelength pair (6) from the same region (8) of the grating (1), and different wavelength pairs (7) from different regions (9) of the grating (1).

Chromatic dispersion (i.e. wavelength dependence of group velocity) results in temporal spreading of optical pulses as they propagate along a signal path such as an optical fibre. This sets a limit on the maximum propagation distance, before adjacent pulses start overlapping severely and become indistinguishable. At this point, optical pulses should be recompressed to their initial duration, the recompression being done electrically or optically. Chromatic-dispersion propagation limits depend on the propagation medium (fibre type), as well as, the initial pulse duration (signal bit rate).
Chromatic dispersion can be characterised by first-, second-, third- and higher-order components of dispersion [1]. First order dispersion corresponds to the average time delay of the pulse. As the pulse propagates along, it will typically disperse, that is, pulse spreading occurs and the pulse typically increases in length. Second order dispersion corresponds to the average increase in pulse width per wavelength per unit length. Third order dispersion corresponds to the variation in pulse spreading per wavelength per unit length. At 1550 nm, the first order dispersion in a standard single mode telecommunication grade optical fibre is approximately 5×106 ps/km, the second order dispersion is 17 ps/nm/km, and the third order dispersion is 0.06 ps2/nm/km.
Tuneable dispersion compensation is important in high-speed, high performance long-haul and metro telecommunication systems. Although in the metro systems the transmission distances are much shorter than the ones in long-haul systems, it is quite likely that they will vary substantially as the system is dynamically reconfigured and certain channels are switched at the various nodes. Tuneable dispersion compensation modules (DCMs) will be used either in a static tune-and-set or in a fully dynamic tuning mode, depending on the system architecture, bit rates and transmission distances.
A number of different tunable DCMs have been proposed based on fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs). They can be divided into two broad categories. The first involves standard linearly-chirped apodized gratings, which are tuned by applying a perturbation whose strength varies linearly along the grating length. The second involves nonlinearly-chirped gratings, which are tuned by applying a perturbation whose strength is typically constant along the grating length (although it can be non-linear).
The most common techniques for applying an additional linear chirp on a FBG involve a temperature [2,3] or strain gradient [4,5] along the grating length. The main problem with this technique originates from the characteristics of the grating. Linearly chirped, apodized gratings are known to suffer from an underlying non-linearity of the group delay variation with wavelength, due to the presence of residual relatively strong, overlapping band-gaps within the reflection spectrum [6]. This group-delay non-linearity can be improved by applying a tighter apodisation profile, although this is accomplished at the expense of the reflection spectrum squareness [6]. For all apodisation profiles, the group-delay nonlinearity gets worse when the total (initial+induced) chirp and, consequently the average linear dispersion, reduce. This compromises the performance and limits the tuning range of the DCM considerably. The grating is also relatively long and difficult to manufacture.
In the second category, a DCM is accomplished by using a more complex grating and a uniform perturbation (such as uniform stretching/compressing or uniform heating/cooling). The grating is non-linearly chirped so that it exhibits both second- and third-order chromatic dispersion. Such a device exhibits a linearly varying dispersion across the reflection band. Chromatic dispersion tuning is achieved by shifting the reflection spectrum relative to optical carrier wavelength. In the simplest configuration, such a DCM can be implemented using only one non-linearly chirped grating [7]. This approach, however, inevitably introduces an amount of third-order chromatic dispersion, which can potentially limit the usefulness of the device at high bit rates (e.g. ≧40 Gb/s). In addition, any relative transmitter/DCM wavelength drift results in chromatic dispersion variation. These problems can be overcome by connecting two identical (twin) non-linearly chirped gratings (in an inverse manner) into a four-port circulator [8,9]. This configuration cancels out the third-order chromatic dispersion of the individual gratings and provides pure second-order chromatic dispersion compensation (a much desirable feature). However, the penalty to be paid, compared to the other single-grating approaches, is the increased number (twice as many) gratings and the use of one four-port or two three-port circulators per DCM unit. In addition, the gratings are relatively long and difficult to manufacture.
There are a variety of other DCM technologies including dispersion compensating fibres and various filter and device types such as concatenated Mach Zehnder interferometers, ring interferometers, and arrayed waveguide gratings. Several of these technologies provide lower cost solutions, but at the expense of reduced performance, particularly in tuneable configurations.
An aim of the present invention is to produce an apparatus for dispersion compensating a signal that propagates along a signal path that reduces the above aforementioned problems.

Apparatus for dispersion compensating a signal that propagates along a signal path


In order to improve a sensor assembly for detecting the position of a magnet which is movable in relation to the sensor assembly, with a sensor housing, in which a sensor element sensitive to magnetic fields is arranged, it being possible to generate a digital output signal, the switching state of which is dependent on the relative position between the sensor element and the magnet, in such a way that it has an extended range of uses, the sensor element is provided with at least one field directing device of a magnetizable material which is arranged with respect to the sensor element, and varies in its geometrical dimensions transversely in relation to a direction of relative movement between the magnet and the sensor element, in such a way that an amplified analog sensor signal which characterizes the relative position between the sensor element and the magnet can be generated, at least in a specific relative positional range.

The invention relates to a sensor assembly for detecting the position of a magnet which is movable in relation to the sensor assembly, with a sensor housing, in which a sensor element sensitive to magnetic fields is arranged, it being possible to generate a digital output signal, the switching state of which is dependent on the relative position between the sensor element and the magnet.
Sensor assemblies of this type are used, for example, to detect the position of a piston ring of a pneumatic cylinder through the nonmagnetic cylinder wall. When the piston approaches the sensor element, the output jumps into another switching state, that is to say the digital switching state indicates whether or not the piston has approached the sensor element.

Sensor assembly and functional unit for detecting the position of a moveable magnet


A light includes a frusto-conical base that has a planar bottom surface including an access door conjoined thereto. A transparent body is conjoined to the base top surface that has annular upper and lower portions defining a cavity therebetween. The upper portion includes a transparent lens disposed about an axis thereof. A mechanism is included for illuminating the body and refracting light arrays away therefrom. The illuminating mechanism includes a conical mirror disposed within the cavity. The mirror is formed from transparent material and has a maximum diameter equal to approximately one-half a diameter of the body. The mirror extends medially upward from the body and terminates at a top surface of the body. A power source is electrically coupled to the illuminating mechanism.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to emergency lights and, more particularly, to a portable emergency light for providing illumination during emergency situations and electrical outages.
2. Prior Art
It has been found that incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps are generally used for camping. However, such lamps require a lot of electric power for operation, thereby making it necessary for the user to carry a large amount of batteries and therefore causing much inconvenience in use. Hence, a lamp with light emitting diodes (LED's) has been proposed to mitigate this drawback.
In the field of hand-held light sources which utilize LED's, there are many devices with various applications including flashlights, signal sticks and lighted wands. Some devices provide omni-directional lighting for illuminating a region around the device in a fashion similar to a lamp. Unfortunately, the quality of light and extent of illumination provided by these devices is not adequate for functional employment thereof. This is especially true for emergency and camping applications of such devices, where quality and extent of illumination almost becomes vital to survival.
Accordingly, a need remains for a portable emergency light in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a portable emergency light that is easy to use, versatile in its methods of use, is attractive and cost-effective in design, light weight, provides superior lighting, and is portable. Such a portable emergency light provides efficient lighting for one or two rooms in a house. The decorative design thereof allows the light to be displayed on a table, or to be suspended from the roof in the same fashion as a chandelier. Such a battery operated emergency light is ideal for emergency situations, like power outages, where it provides a quick, convenient, and readily available light source. The portable emergency light can be produced in a variety of different styles, shapes, colors and designs in order to enhance any decor. Such a portable light is also ideal for providing light during outdoor activities like camping, fishing, hiking etc., due to its light weight, yet durable design.


An evaporator includes a cylindrical barrier wall and a cap that fits at an end of the cylindrical barrier wall. The cylindrical barrier wall defines a central axial opening and an outer cylindrical surface. The cap includes an outer surface that is external to the central axial opening and an inner surface that abuts the central axial opening. A portion of the outer cylindrical surface is configured to define a liquid port extending through the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical barrier wall.

Heat transfer systems are used to transport heat from one location (the heat source) to another location (the heat sink). Heat transfer systems can be used in electronic equipment, which often requires cooling during operation.
Loop Heat Pipes (LHPs) and Capillary Pumped Loops (CPLs) are examples of two-phase loop heat transfer systems. Each of these systems includes an evaporator thermally coupled to the heat source, a condenser thermally coupled to the heat sink, fluid that flows between the evaporator and the condenser, and a fluid reservoir for expansion of the fluid. The fluid within the heat transfer system can be referred to as the working fluid. The evaporator includes a wick and a core that includes a fluid flow passage. Heat acquired by the evaporator is transported to and discharged by the condenser.
These systems utilize capillary pressure developed in a fine-pored wick within the evaporator to promote circulation of working fluid from the evaporator to the condenser and back to the evaporator. These systems may further include a mechanical pump that helps recirculate the fluid back to the evaporator from the condenser.

Evaporator for use in a heat transfer system


A fixed blade utility knife has a housing provided by a lower handle portion, an upper lever portion, and a nosepiece at one end thereof which seats one end of the handle and lever. The lever is pivotably supported on the nosepiece, and a blade holder in the nosepiece is pivotably supported on the handle. The blade is seated in the holder and extends outwardly of the nosepiece, and a blade guard of generally U-shaped cross section extends about the cutting edge and is slidable in the nosepiece to extend outwardly to sheathe the cutting edge and to be withdrawn into the nosepiece to expose the cutting edge. A manipulatable element slidably seated in the nosepiece is engaged with the blade guard to effect its sliding movement. Pivoting of the lever into an open position releases the blade from engagement in the holder so that it may be easily replaced.

The present invention relates to utility knives and, more particularly, to utility knives having a fixed blade and a guard for the blade edge.
Utility knives are widely employed by homeowners and craftsmen alike for many applications in which it is necessary to cut or score workpieces, as well as for other simple cutting and shaping applications.
Most utility knives have a blade which is moved from a position within the housing or handle to a position extending outwardly therefrom, and that position may be adjustable. Exemplary of such utility knives are those shown in Rollband et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,795 granted Jan. 6, 1981 and Weimann U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,256 granted May 6, 1986. Utility knives with fixed blades and movable covers or guards are also known as, for example, those shown in Peyrot U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,612, and one is Warnes U.S. Pat. No. 2,867,901 granted Jan. 14, 1958.
A problem frequently encountered with respect to such utility knives is the safe and facile changing of the blades which rapidly dull or break. Frequently, the mechanism employed to hold the blade securely requires substantial manipulation in order to remove the blade from the carrier or holder and this can present a potential hazard to those utilizing the knife.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel utility knife with a fixed blade and a retractable guard for the blade edge.
It is also an object to provide such a utility knife in which the blade may be easily released from the blade holding mechanism by simple manipulation and a new blade readily inserted.
Another object is to provide such a utility knife which is simple to fabricate and assemble and which will provide reasonably long life.
A further object is to provide such a utility knife which is attractive in appearance, easy to use and comfortable to grip.

Utility knife with retractable blade guard


The techniques of this disclosure relate to a system for transmitting radio frequency signals. The system includes a controller in communication with a first device fixed within a first housing attached to an exterior of a vehicle. The system also includes a second device fixed within a second housing attached to the exterior of the vehicle. The controller determines whether the first housing and the second housing are in a first position or in a second position. When the first housing and the second housing are in the first position, the controller transmits first radio frequency signals via the first device and via the second device. When the first housing and the second housing are in the second position, the controller transmits second radio frequency signals via the first device and via the second device. The system improves an antenna coverage area of the first device and second device.

Antennas used for remote keyless-entry (RKE) and passive-entry passive-start (PEPS) vehicle systems are positioned on the vehicle for detecting an approaching vehicle operator in possession of a paired key fob. These antennas benefit from vehicle locations that are not blocked by metals or other vehicle components that may obstruct radio frequency (RF) transmissions. Placing these antennas at corners of the vehicle behind plastic trim components, for example, behind a bumper facia, results in relatively low installation heights that may inhibit accurate range detection. Additionally, these corner mounting locations often do not directly face the approaching vehicle operator and typically locate other sensors that compete for available packaging space. Some RKE and PEPS systems are transitioning from wireless RF protocols to newer Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technologies for improved distance-measuring capabilities. Systems using BLE and UWB present packaging challenges for antenna and/or communication node placements because the antennas cannot be concealed behind metal structures due to the relatively high RF transmission frequencies.

System for transmitting radio frequency signals from a vehicle


The thermal conductive sheet of the present invention includes a base sheet and, on one surface of the base sheet, a metal foil (C) that has a thickness of from 1 to 30% of a thickness of the base sheet. The base sheet includes a binder component (A) that exhibits elasticity at room temperature and a graphite powder (B) that has anisotropy, and the graphite powder (B) is oriented in a thickness direction.

In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in the amount of information to be processed by electronic devices such as personal computers. As a result, a multilayer wiring board or a semiconductor, which plays an important role in the devices, has increased its density. Further, the size of an electronic member has increased. Under such circumstances, the amount of heat generated inside the device has become larger than that of conventional devices, thereby causing problems such as miscalculation or loss of control of a computer during operation.
In order to solve the problems as set forth above, electronic device manufactures have been taking actions, with the aim of achieving rapid cooling the interior of an electronic device, such as: (1) positioning a cooling fan having higher performances than ever; (2) increasing heat releasing properties of a heat source by positioning, between the heat source and the heat releasing material, a thermal conductive material that is highly heat-conductive and flexible. However, employing a high-performance cooling fan causes an increase in size of an electronic device, and also an increase in noise and cost.
In view of the above, a heat transfer material, which is provided between a heat source and a heat releasing material, has been attracting attention. A heat transfer material is required that it has a thickness of as small as possible, exhibits excellent heat conductivity, and that it can follow deformation of the heat source or the heat releasing material.
Representative examples of the heat transfer material include grease-type materials. However, the method affects workability during assembling of a heat releasing device due to its poor handleability that is attributed to low viscosity. Further, since a grease generally greatly changes its viscosity due to changes in temperature, there is a problem in terms of changes in heat transfer characteristics.
Therefore, a thermal conductive sheet, which has elasticity and is stable in surface tackiness, has been attracting attention as a material that has improved workability compared with grease-type heat transfer materials.
However, since thermal conductive sheets that are currently available in the market are inferior in the balance of heat releasing performances (effect of cooling a heat source), handleability and sheet properties (elasticity and surface tackiness), improvement in these properties has been desired. Further, although a sheet made of indium has been available as a heat releasing metallic material, the use thereof is limited due to its high cost.
Under such circumstances, various kinds of composite materials and processed materials thereof, which are low in cost and exhibit excellent heat releasing properties and workability, have been proposed.
For example, a molded product of a heat releasing resin in which a graphite powder is mixed with a thermoplastic resin (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 62-131033) and a polyester resin composition including graphite, carbon black or the like (see, for example, JP-A No. 4-246456) have been disclosed. Further, a rubber composition in which artificial graphite having a particle size of from 1 to 20 μm is mixed (see, for example, JP-A No. 5-247268) and a composition in which a powder of spheroidal graphite having a crystal surface interval of from 0.330 to 0.340 nm is mixed with a silicone rubber (see JP-A No. 10-298433) have been disclosed.
In addition, a highly heat-releasable composite material in which specific graphite particles are aligned in parallel to the surface of a composition by compressing by applying a pressure in a solid, and a method of producing the material (see, for example, JP-A No. 11-001621) have been disclosed. Further, a heat-releasable molded material in which the c-axis of the crystal structure of a graphite powder in the molded material is oriented in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which heat is released, and a method of producing the molded material has been disclosed (see, for example, JP-A No. 2003-321554).
A thermal conductive sheet that can be readily handled has a feature that assembling of a heat releasing device is easily carried out. In a method of using a thermal conductive sheet in which this feature is further utilized, there has been demand for the thermal conductive sheet to acquire functions such as a shape processability in accord with the shape of a heat releasing material, an ability of following a specific shape such as a rough or warpage of a heat source or a heat releasing material, and a stress relaxation. For example, in a case of releasing heat from a large area, such as a display panel, exhibition of such functions has been an important issue. Accordingly, development of a sheet that can be readily handled and shape-processed, and is highly heat conductive, has been strongly demanded.

Thermal conductive sheet, method of producing thermal conductive sheet and heat releasing device