Systems and methods for the optical control of qubits and other quantum particles with spatial light modulators (SLM) for quantum computing and quantum simulation are disclosed herein. The system may include a particle system configured to provide an ordered array comprising a multiplicity of quantum particles or a multiplicity of qubits, an optical source, a SLM configured to project a structured illumination pattern capable of individually addressing one or more quantum particles or qubits of the ordered array, and a SLM controller.

There has been a rapid increase of interest regarding arrays of trapped qubits. Such arrays are ideally suited for creating a large number of qubits and are a promising platform for quantum computing. A precise and efficient means of controlling optical fields is required for many steps in addressing an array of particles for quantum computing. Several device technologies that can be used for controlling optical fields to address particles include acousto-optic modulators, electro-optic modulators, galvanometer mirrors, and grating light valves. These different approaches may be compared by their optical efficiency, scan/update time, and number of resolvable image spots. In general, there is a trade off in terms of a time-bandwidth product. The number of resolvable spots times the scan/update rate (inverse of the scan/update time) is limited.
Optical control has previously been accomplished using acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) to scan the control beam between optical trap sites. While such techniques might be extended for much larger arrays, they are ultimately limited by the speed at which an AOM can scan the control beam from site to site, which is limited by the size of the beam in the AOM. The beam diameter needs to be small within the AOM crystal to achieve fast switching between sites (limited by the acoustic wave propagation speed). This must be balanced against the fact that a large beam waist within the AOM is required to provide sufficient angular resolution in order to individually address each site in the array of traps. These properties together limit the total number of array sites, each of which may contain a qubit that an AOM scanner can effectively address.
In addition, AOM scanning can only address a single array site at a time. While an AOM can be driven with a multi-frequency electronic signal to address multiple sites simultaneously, the light that is scanned to each site will have a different frequency, with the frequency difference proportional to the lateral scan distance. This restriction limits the possibilities of performing multi-qubit gates and parallel single-qubit gate operations. As a result, there is need for systems and methods for individually and simultaneously addressing multiple quantum particles or qubits in these arrays.

Optical control of qubits with spatial light modulators for quantum computing and quantum simulation


An image forming apparatus has a latent image writing device that writes an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing member, a developing device that develops a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image, a transferring device that transfers the toner image onto a recording material, a position correcting unit that corrects a position of the electrostatic latent image written by the latent image writing device, a recording material determining unit that determines whether or not the recording material has a long width, and a corrected amount changing unit that, when the recording material determining unit determines that the recording material has a long width, changes an amount of correcting the position of the electrostatic latent image to a value different from a set value for a recording material having a standard width.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, printer and the like, and more particularly to an improvement in an image forming apparatus in which image forming on a recording material having a long width is possible.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Explaining this type of the conventional image forming apparatus by taking, for example, an electrophotographic system as an example, there has been the one provided with a latent image writing device for writing an electrostatic latent image to a photoreceptor drum as an image-bearing member, a developing device for making this electrostatic latent image visible and a transferring device for transferring this developed image onto a sheet as a recording material.
In this type of image forming apparatus, an adopted latent image writing device is provided with a charger for charging the photoreceptor drum and an exposure device for writing the electrostatic latent image onto the charged photoreceptor drum.
This type of the image forming apparatus is in many cases provided with plural accommodating trays in which various types of sheet are accommodated for enabling the image formation to a sheet of various size or to sheets of large capacity. In this case, non-uniformness exists in each accommodating tray due to a mechanical tolerance, so that the position for accommodating the sheet varies for every tray in the widthwise direction (corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the advancing direction of the sheet).
If the latent image writing position by the exposure device is adjusted in accordance with the position of the sheet accommodated in every accommodating tray, the positional displacement of the sheet involved with the mechanical tolerance of the accommodating tray can be absorbed, thereby enabling to set such that the central position of the image matches to the central position of the sheet supplied from each accommodating tray.
The adjusting technique of the image writing position described above has been widely known including a technique for adjusting a position of a recording head described in, for example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. Hei 5-281814.
In this type of the image forming apparatus, the adjusted range of the latent image writing position by the exposure device requires to be capable of absorbing the mechanical tolerance of the accommodating tray. In this case, it is inevitable that the effective developing width is determined to also consider the adjusted range of the latent image writing position in addition to the range where the image formation is possible.
On the other hand, in the latest image forming apparatus, it has already been proposed that an image of A3-size and a register mark around the image for the sheet cutting position can be written to a sheet having a long width of, for example, 12.6 inches (320 mm).
In order to enable the image formation to this type of long-sized sheet, it is necessary to secure an image area having a width of 305 mm as a whole, since the register mark should be given in addition to the image of A3-size on the sheet.
In order to correct the latent image writing position such that the central position of the image matches to the central position of the sheet, the adjusted range of the latent image writing position should be set for absorbing the mechanical tolerance of the accommodating tray. Assuming that the adjusted range of the latent image writing position is set to ±2 mm in this case, the required effective developing width of the developing device is a minimum of 309 mm. Therefore, the width of the developing device should be more enlarged than necessary, thereby entailing a technical problem of not meeting the demand for miniaturization of the developing device.
The present inventors have given attention to the image formation to the sheet having a long width, and has found that the mark such as the register mark given to the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the sheet is used only for the mark for later cutting the sheet, not remaining semipermanently in most cases. Considering this factor, we have found that there is less need to position the entire image area including even the mark such as the register mark with the central position of the sheet defined as a reference in the sheet having the long width.


There is described an integrated reconfigurable man-portable communication system, adapted particularly for use in military or law enforcement tactical situations, including a modular compact computer with mission oriented hardware and software which provides the focal point for integration of various peripheral systems. The reconfigurable man-portable system provides a ballistic helmet with an integrated audio headset assembly. The helmet also includes a modular heads-up display assembly for providing remote viewing via a helmet mounted laser detection system, weapon mounted thermal weapons site, remote video system, and laser range finder/digital compass assembly. The heads-up display assembly and the audio headset assembly provides the user with tactical information such as; 360 degree laser detection from helmet mounted detectors, target location for direct and indirect target engagement from the weapon mounted laser range finder/digital compass assembly, and navigational positioning from a global positioning system and individual radio module integrated within a modular load carrying device. The integration and modularity of the man-portable system provides a flexible, mission oriented system capable of providing the user with enhanced awareness and communications ability.

This invention relates generally to an integrated, reconfigurable man-portable modular system.
Modern technology, especially computers and electronics, have advanced rapidly in the recent past. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to apply these technological advances to the art of war. More particularly, it would be advantageous to apply the technological advances to weapons and other equipment designed to help the modern soldier function better in battlefield situations and increase their chances for survival.
Historically, foot soldiers also referred to as "Land Warriors" (LW), have sustained a relatively large percentage of all combat casualties. Traditionally, the soldier's survivability has been based on the soldier's individual ability to carry independent components such as clothing, ammunition navigational equipment, communication equipment, and fire-arms during battlefield maneuvers. The challenge facing the modern military involves finding the best way to improve the lethality, survivability, mobility, and communications capabilities of these LWs while keeping them immediately responsive and flexible enough to operate in an uncertain and frequently chaotic environment.
One approach used to meet these challenges is to view the soldier as an integral part of a complex system capable of providing the soldier with the ability of real-time situational awareness and advanced communications capability. To assist in the aforementioned problem, this invention provides an enhanced vision, communications, weapons and control interface system, hereinafter referred to as the LW system. The LW system is a modular, soldier-centered individual fighting system which increases the soldier's operational effectiveness while providing protection against multiple hazards on the battlefield. The LW system integrates state-of-the-art technological components into a cohesive, Light weight, cost-effective system that provides the soldier with advanced capabilities in the battlefield.
At the core of the LW system is a modular compact computer which incorporates component capabilities and controls the LW electrical systems through mission oriented hardware and software. The LW system incorporates a ballistic helmet with a modular heads-up display which provides remote viewing via a thermal weapons site, weapon mounted video camera, and a helmet mounted night-vision image intensifier and laser detection system. The LW system includes individual radios for soldier to soldier communication within the squad and leader(s) and/or for communication to Command Center(s). The computer, radios and other electrical components are mounted within a contoured low profile backpack, a.k.a. load carrying equipment (LCE), and a remote earphone and microphone for hands free operation are built into the helmet assembly.
The LCE provides the backbone for the integration of the LW system components and support for the soldier's pack load. The LCE is fully adjustable providing a one-size fits all frame and can carry a plurality of modular load packs. The load packs can be attached to the frame in various combinations for unique mission requirements and can be quickly removed from the LCE frame via an integrated quick release mechanisms.
Several high tech components mounted on the soldier's weapon enhances tactical capabilities. For example, the laser rangefinder/digital compass assembly provides precise target location for direct and indirect target engagement. A thermal sight and video camera are used to view targets on the heads-up display thereby allowing the soldier to acquire or engage targets with minimum exposure to a battlefield threat. The LW system soldiers can determine their position and navigate by using an integrated global positioning system and the computer/radio system. The laser range finder/digital compass assembly can also be used for determining position and for navigation in the absence of the global positioning system information (in the event of no satellite coverage or global positioning system failure).
An important design feature of the LW system is the modularity of the components which provides the flexibility to enhance soldier comfort and mobility, and also makes maintenance tasks easier to perform. An additional feature of the system is an integrated wiring harness and connector system embedded within the LCE which provides protection from inadvertent disconnection and snagging; minimizing weight, and adding to the system's ruggedness, and ultimately mobility and comfort of the soldier.

Integrated, reconfigurable man-portable modular system


An interconnect assembly for providing electrical interconnection between elements of a probe card assembly is provided. The interconnect assembly includes a frame defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of conductive contacts coupled to the frame. Each of the conductive contacts includes (a) a first resilient arm extending away from a first surface of the frame and (b) a second resilient arm extending away from a second surface of the frame. At least one of the first resilient arm or the second resilient arm extends through one of the plurality of openings.

Probe cards are commonly used in the testing of integrated circuit devices, including memory chips. One example of a probe card is available from Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. and has, on one side, an array of metal probes that are arranged to make contact with external electrical contacts, usually in the form of pads or bumps, on a device under test (DUT) (e.g., a die on a wafer). Exemplary probes may be, for example, coupled to a substrate at one end (e.g., a space transformer) or mounted within a probe head. Typical probe cards also include a printed circuit board (PCB) with traces that can be connected to an electronic test system. A space transformer is typically included in applications where the spacing of the traces on the PCB is wider than the spacing of the pads on the integrated circuit device to be tested.
In certain test assemblies, the probe card is electrically connected to the test head of the electronic test system using an interface system. For example, the interface system may include double headed electrically conductive spring pins, also referred to as "pogo" pins, that are mounted in a carrier. One end of each pogo pin contacts a conductive pad of the probe card. The other end of the pogo pin contacts the test apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,869, assigned to the assignee of the instant application, describes one example of such an interface system.
Often, probe cards include an interposer disposed between the PCB and the space transformer. Unfortunately, many interposers of conventional probe cards (e.g., pogo pin configurations) are mechanically complicated and costly, and the structures often have difficulty providing the close pitch desired in probe card assemblies. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an interconnect structure for a probe card overcoming one or more of the deficiencies of conventional interposers.

Antares Advanced Test Technologies, Inc.


A hydrocracking process is provided for treating a first heavy hydrocarbon feedstream and a second heavy hydrocarbon feedstream, in which the first heavy hydrocarbon feedstream contains undesired nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds and poly-nuclear aromatic compounds. The first heavy hydrocarbon feedstream is contacted with adsorbent material to produce a treated heavy hydrocarbon stream. The second heavy hydrocarbon feedstream is combined with the treated heavy hydrocarbon stream, and this combined stream is charged to a hydrocracking reaction unit. The hydrocracked effluent is fractioned to recover hydrocracked products and a bottoms stream containing heavy poly-nuclear aromatic compounds. Fractionator bottoms are also contacted with adsorbent material to produce an adsorbent-treated fractionator bottoms stream having a reduced content of heavy poly-nuclear aromatic compounds, and are recycled to the hydrocracking reaction unit.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hydrocracking processes, and in particular to hydrocracking processes adapted to receive multiple feedstreams.
Description of Related Art
Hydrocracking processes are used commercially in a large number of petroleum refineries. They are used to process a variety of feeds boiling in the range of 370° C. to 520° C. in conventional hydrocracking units and boiling at 520° C. and above in the residue hydrocracking units. In general, hydrocracking processes split the molecules of the feed into smaller, i.e., lighter, molecules having higher average volatility and economic value. Additionally, hydrocracking processes typically improve the quality of the hydrocarbon feedstock by increasing the hydrogen to carbon ratio and by removing organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds. The significant economic benefit derived from hydrocracking processes has resulted in substantial development of process improvements and more active catalysts.
In addition to sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing compounds, a typical hydrocracking feedstream, such as vacuum gas oil (VGO), contains small amount of poly nuclear aromatic (PNA) compounds, i.e., those containing less than seven fused benzene rings. As the feedstream is subjected to hydroprocessing at elevated temperature and pressure, heavy poly nuclear aromatic (HPNA) compounds, i.e., those containing seven or more fused benzene rings, tend to form and are present in high concentration in the unconverted hydrocracker bottoms.
Heavy feedstreams such as de-metalized oil (DMO) or de-asphalted oil (DAO) have much higher concentration of nitrogen, sulfur and PNA compounds than VGO feedstreams. These impurities can lower the overall efficiency of hydrocracking unit by requiring higher operating temperature, higher hydrogen partial pressure or additional reactor/catalyst volume. In addition, high concentrations of impurities can accelerate catalyst deactivation.
Three major hydrocracking process schemes include single-stage once through hydrocracking, series-flow hydrocracking with or without recycle, and two-stage recycle hydrocracking. Single-stage once through hydrocracking is the simplest of the hydrocracker configuration and typically occurs at operating conditions that are more severe than hydrotreating processes, and less severe than conventional full pressure hydrocracking processes. It uses one or more reactors for both treating steps and cracking reaction, so the catalyst must be capable of both hydrotreating and hydrocracking. This configuration is cost effective, but typically results in relatively low product yields (e.g., a maximum conversion rate of about 60%). Single stage hydrocracking is often designed to maximize mid-distillate yield over a single or dual catalyst systems. Dual catalyst systems are used in a stacked-bed configuration or in two different reactors. The effluents are passed to a fractionator column to separate the H2S, NH3, light gases (C1-C4), naphtha and diesel products boiling in the temperature range of 36-370° C. The hydrocarbons boiling above 370° C. are unconverted bottoms that, in single stage systems, are passed to other refinery operations.
Series-flow hydrocracking with or without recycle is one of the most commonly used configuration. It uses one reactor (containing both treating and cracking catalysts) or two or more reactors for both treating and cracking reaction steps. Unconverted bottoms from the fractionator column are recycled back into the first reactor for further cracking. This configuration converts heavy crude oil fractions, i.e., vacuum gas oil, into light products and has the potential to maximize the yield of naphtha, jet fuel, or diesel, depending on the recycle cut point used in the distillation section.
Two-stage recycle hydrocracking uses two reactors and unconverted bottoms from the fractionation column are recycled back into the second reactor for further cracking. Since the first reactor accomplishes both hydrotreating and hydrocracking, the feed to second reactor is virtually free of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. This permits the use of high performance zeolite catalysts which are susceptible to poisoning by sulfur or nitrogen compounds.
A typical hydrocracking feedstock is vacuum gas oils boiling in the nominal range of 370° C. to 520° C. DMO or DAO can be blended with vacuum gas oil or used as is and processed in a hydrocracking unit. For instance, a typical hydrocracking unit processes vacuum gas oils that contain from 10V % to 25V % of DMO or DAO for optimum operation. 100% DMO or DAO can also be processed for difficult operations. However, the DMO or DAO stream contains significantly more nitrogen compounds (2,000 ppmw vs. 1,000 ppmw) and a higher micro carbon residue (MCR) content than the VGO stream (10 W % vs.<1 W %).
The DMO or DAO in the blended feedstock to the hydrocracking unit can have the effect of lowering the overall efficiency of the unit, i.e., by causing higher operating temperature or reactor/catalyst volume requirements for existing units or higher hydrogen partial pressure requirements or additional reactor/catalyst volume for the grass-roots units. These impurities can also reduce the quality of the desired intermediate hydrocarbon products in the hydrocracking effluent. When DMO or DAO are processed in a hydrocracker, further processing of hydrocracking reactor effluents may be required to meet the refinery fuel specifications, depending upon the refinery configuration. When the hydrocracking unit is operating in its desired mode, that is to say, producing products in good quality, its effluent can be utilized in blending and to produce gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel to meet established fuel specifications.
In addition, formation of HPNA compounds is an undesirable side reaction that occurs in recycle hydrocrackers. The HPNA molecules form by dehydrogenation of larger hydro-aromatic molecules or cyclization of side chains onto existing HPNAs followed by dehydrogenation, which is favored as the reaction temperature increases. HPNA formation depends on many known factors including the type of feedstock, catalyst selection, process configuration, and operating conditions. Since HPNAs accumulate in the recycle system and then cause equipment fouling, HPNA formation must be controlled in the hydrocracking process.
Lamb, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,315 discloses a single-stage recycle hydrocracking process in which unconverted bottoms are contacted with an adsorbent to remove PNA compounds. Unconverted bottoms having a reduced concentration of PNA compounds are recycled to the hydrocracking reactor.
Gruia U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,242 describes a single-stage recycle hydrocracking process in which an HPNA containing heavy fraction from a vapor-liquid separator downstream of a hydrocracking reactor is contacted with an adsorbent in an adsorption zone. The reduced HPNA heavy fraction is then either recycled to the hydrotreating zone or introduced directly into the fractionation zone.
Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,763,163 discloses adsorption of a DMO or DAO feedstream to a hydrocracker unit to remove nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds and PNA compounds. This process is effective for removal of impurities including nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds and PNA compounds from the DMO or DAO feedstock to the hydrocracker unit. A separate VGO feedstock is also shown as a feed to the hydrocracker reactor along with the cleaned DMO or DAO feed. However, a relatively high concentration of HPNA compounds remains in unconverted hydrocracker bottoms.
While the above-mentioned references are suitable for their intended purposes, a need remains for improved process and apparatus for efficient and efficacious hydrocracking of heavy oil fraction feedstocks.

Hydrocracking process with feed/bottoms treatment


Fluid pump pressure regulation systems and methods have a valve body with a bore and a valve spool. The valve spool connects a first and second port to a third port in different valve spool positions. The first port is in fluid communication with an output of a fluid pump to receive a first fluid pressure from the fluid pump. The second port is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. The third port is in fluid communication with a fluid pump input to provide a second fluid pressure to the fluid pump to control the first fluid pressure from the fluid pump. A linear actuator is adjacent the valve body, with a first spring and a second spring biasing the valve spool in a first or second direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fluid pump outlet pressure regulation; and in particular to fluid pump outlet pressure regulation as a function of engine speed.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known in the art relating to fluid pumps, such as engine oil pumps, to vary the pump output (displacement) as a function of pump outlet pressure in order to maintain a desired pump outlet pressure as the speed of the engine driving the pump is varied. Regulating the fluid pump outlet pressure can increase engine efficiency by reducing the volume of oil pumped at higher engine speeds with a resultant saving of energy.
Pressure-lubrication has been used with automotive internal combustion engines for many years. Typically, a single pressure relief valve is used to limit the maximum pressure developed by an oil pump. The relief pressure is usually set at a fairly high value, in order to assure that the engine receives adequate lubrication in all operating conditions from idle to maximum speed-load operation. Unfortunately, this causes the lubrication pump's energy consumption to be higher than would otherwise be ideal, because in many operating regimes, only a reduced volume and pressure of oil is required by the engine.
Other engine lubrication systems use an electrically operated pressure control valve. A solenoid opens and closes a ball valve to control the pressure within a pilot chamber for a pressure valve
It would be desirable to provide an engine lubrication system in which an engine is reliably protected with a pressure control valve, combined with the capability of maintaining an oil pressure within a predetermined pressure range so as to promote fuel economy improvement during all operating regimes.

Systems and methods for fluid pump outlet pressure regulation


A magnetorheological fluid composition comprising magnetizable particles in a liquid metal carrier fluid, wherein the liquid metal carrier fluid comprises a metal, a metal alloy, or a solder composition having a melting point from about −40° C. to about 300° C., a boiling point greater than 300° C., and a viscosity greater than about 0.1 centipoise (cp) at the melting point of the liquid based metal carrier fluid. The magnetizable particles can comprise low aspect ratio magnetizable particles, high aspect magnetizable particles, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed herein are high temperature magnetorheological devices operating at temperatures greater than 100° C., and comprising the magnetorheological fluid composition.

This disclosure relates to magnetorheological fluid compositions, and more particularly to high yield stress magnetorheological (MR) fluid compositions.
Fluid compositions that undergo a change in apparent viscosity in the presence of a magnetic field are referred to as Bingham magnetic fluids or magnetorheological fluids. Magnetorheological fluids generally include low aspect ratio magnetizable particles dispersed or suspended in a carrier fluid. The low aspect ratio magnetizable particles have an aspect ratio less than 1.5, and more typically have an aspect ratio of about 1. In the presence of a magnetic field, the low aspect magnetizable particles become polarized and are thereby organized into chains of particles within the carrier fluid. The chains of particles act to increase the apparent viscosity or flow resistance of the fluid composition resulting in the development of a solid mass having a yield stress that must be exceeded to induce onset of flow of the magnetorheological fluid. When the flow of the fluid composition is restricted as a result of orientation of the particles into chains, the fluid composition is said to be in its "on state". The force required to exceed the yield stress is referred to as the "yield strength". In the absence of a magnetic field, the particles return to a disorganized or free state and the apparent viscosity or flow resistance of the fluid composition is then correspondingly reduced. The state occupied by the composition in the absence of a magnetic field is referred to as the "off-state".
The carrier fluids employed in the MR fluid composition form the continuous phase in which the magnetic particles are dispersed or suspended. Prior art carrier fluids are generally organic. Specific examples of prior art carrier fluids are natural fatty oils, mineral oils, poly α-olefins, polyphenylethers, polyesters (such as perfluorinated polyesters, dibasic acid esters and neopentylpolyol esters), phosphate esters, synthetic cycloparaffin oils and synthetic paraffin oils, unsaturated hydrocarbon oils, monobasic acid esters, glycol esters and ethers (such as polyalkylene glycol), synthetic hydrocarbon oils, perfluorinated polyethers, halogenated hydrocarbons, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing carrier fluids. Because of the relatively low specific gravity of these carrier fluids, the MR fluid compositions typically include a suspending agent such as fumed silica, clay, nanoparticles or the like. Optionally, particle settling in these types of carrier fluids can be managed through the use of other additives or treatments, which allow for re-suspension of the particles.
The prior art carrier fluids are generally unsuitable for high temperature and high yield stress applications, wherein the operating temperatures of the device using the MR fluid composition exceed 100° C. or more. At these temperatures, current MR fluid compositions can deteriorate causing changes in performance during operation of the device. For example, a change in yield stress in the on-state or an increase in viscosity in the off-state, among others, typically occurs. The amount of deterioration generally depends on shear rate, temperature, and duration. In addition, because these fluids generally are of low specific gravity, the compositions can exhibit unacceptable particle settling. As such, current MR fluid compositions are generally unsuitable for such high temperature applications as a clutch application for a vehicle alternator, which can result in the MR fluid composition being exposed to temperatures of about 200 to about 250° C. (with transients at about 450° C. or more); a transmission clutch that generally operates at a temperature of 100° C. or more; a variable valve actuator disposed in the exhaust stems near the cylinder head, wherein the MR fluid composition can be exposed to operating temperatures of about 400-500° C.; and the like.
Desirable MR fluid properties for the aforementioned high temperature applications include, among others, a low viscosity, a high temperature capability, and a low tendency for particle settling. It is difficult to achieve most, if not all, of these properties with the prior art carrier fluids. For example, silicone fluids offer better heat resistance relative to other types of prior art carrier fluids but have never been found to work satisfactorily in high temperature applications requiring rapid (on the order of milliseconds) and reversible changes in yield stress such as the clutch applications described above. Moreover, silicone fluids, operating at high temperature conditions, are prone to crosslinking, which directly affects the off-state properties and operating lifetimes.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved high temperature MR fluid compositions that can meet the needs of devices used for high temperature applications.

High temperature magnetorheological fluid compositions and devices


The present invention is a wire saw in which a wire for slicing is wound around a plurality of rollers to form a wire row; the wire for slicing is driven axially in a reciprocating direction; a workpiece is sliced simultaneously at a plurality of points arranged in an axial direction by feeding the workpiece against the wire row with the workpiece cut into while a slurry is supplied to the wire for slicing; the wire saw controlling in such a manner that the workpiece is extracted while the wire is caused to travel at a speed of 2 m/min or less at the time of extracting the workpiece from the wire row after slicing the workpiece. As a result, there is provided a wire saw in which the workpiece sliced with the wire row of the wire saw can be extracted from the wire row with a simple structure without a negative influence on its slicing surface.

In recent years, an increase in size of a wafer is demanded, and a wire saw is mainly used to slice a workpiece with this increase in size.
The wire saw is an apparatus that causes a wire (a high-tensile steel wire) to travel at a high speed, presses a workpiece against the wire to cut the workpiece while applying a slurry to the wire and thereby slices the workpiece into many wafers at the same time (see Japanese Patent Laid-open (Kokai) No. H09-262826).
Here, an outline of an example of a conventionally general wire saw is shown in FIG. 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, a wire saw 101 mainly includes a wire 102 for slicing a workpiece, grooved rollers 103 around which the wire 102 is wound, a mechanism 104 for giving the wire 102 a tensile force, a mechanism 105 for feeding the workpiece to be sliced downward, and a mechanism 106 for supplying a slurry at the time of slicing.
The wire 102 is unreeled from one wire reel 107 and reaches the grooved rollers 103 via the tensile-force-giving mechanism 104 composed of a powder clutch (a constant torque motor 109), a dancer roller (a dead weight) (not shown) and the like through a traverser 108. The wire 102 is wound around this grooved rollers 103 for approximately 300 to 400 turns to form a wire row, and then taken up by a wire reel 107′ via the other tensile-force-giving mechanism 104′.
Moreover, each of the grooved rollers 103 is a roller that has a steel cylinder of which a polyurethane resin is pressed in the periphery and that has grooves formed at a fixed pitch on a surface thereof. The wound wire 102 can be driven in a reciprocating direction for a predetermined traveling distance by a driving motor 110.
It is to be noted that the workpiece-feeding mechanism 105 feeds the workpiece, toward the wire 102 wound around the grooved rollers 103 by holding and pushing down the workpiece at the time of slicing the workpiece.
Moreover, nozzles 115 are provided near the grooved rollers 103 and the wound wire 102, and a slurry can be supplied to the wire 102 from a slurry tank 116 at the time of slicing. Additionally, a slurry chiller 117 is connected with the slurry tank 116 so that a temperature of the slurry to be supplied can be adjusted.
With the wire saw 101, an appropriate tensile force is applied to the wire 102 with a wire-tensile-force-giving mechanism 104, and the workpiece is sliced while the wire 102 is caused to travel in a reciprocating direction by the driving motor 110.
The slicing of the workpiece is finished by cutting the workpiece until the wire reaches a pad plate, which holds the workpiece. Then the sliced workpiece is extracted from the wire row by reversing a direction of feeding the workpiece.
As the wire saw for preventing the wire from lifting by being caught on the sliced portion at the time of extracting the workpiece from the wire row, there is disclosed the wire saw having a means for restricting the lift of the wire by pushing against the wire in the vicinity of a wire entrance point of the workpiece with a pair of restricting members, which compose the means for restricting in Japanese Patent Laid-open (Kokai) No. H08-11047.
However, when the present inventors sliced the workpiece into wafers by using the general wire saw as described above and examined a shape of the sliced wafer, a large Warp was generated.
The Warp is one of important qualities for slicing of a semiconductor wafer. Hence, the more quality demand of a product increases, the more demand of reduction of the Warp increases.
As an example of a negative influence on a workpiece quality, there is a problem that a workpiece slicing surface is damaged by the slurry remaining on the workpiece slicing surface at the time of extracting the sliced workpiece from the wire row after slicing the workpiece. There is disclosed the wire saw that enhances a tensile force applied to the wire at the time of extracting the sliced workpiece from the wire row in order to suppress a negative influence on the workpiece slicing surface in Japanese Patent Laid-open (Kokai) No. 2003-275950.

Method for slicing workpiece by using wire saw and wire saw


The invention relates to a device and a method for testing the material of a test object (4) which contains at least electrically conductive and ferromagnetic material fractions and has at least one engineered surface (5), by means of at least one electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer assembly (EMUS). Said assembly comprises a permanent or electromagnetic assembly (1) comprising at least two magnetic poles (N, S) of different magnetic polarity that face the engineered surface (5), in addition to an eddy current coil (2) that is placed in close proximity to the engineered surface (5) between the two magnetic poles (N, S) in indirect or direct relation to the engineered surface (5). The invention is characterized in that the eddy current coil (2) is configured and arranged in such a way that when said coil (2) is supplied with an alternating current, free ultrasonic waves that run essentially perpendicular to the engineered surface (5) are generated and propagate inside the test object (4).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to a device and a method for the material testing of a test object that contains at least fractions of electrically conductive and ferromagnetic material and features at least one engineered surface with at least one electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer assembly (EMUS) that comprises a permanent or electromagnetic assembly with at least two magnetic poles of different magnetic polarity that face the engineered surface, as well as at least one eddy current coil that is arranged in a projection on the engineered surface between the two magnetic poles in indirect or direct relation to the engineered surface.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is common practice to utilize electromagnetic ultrasonic transducers for nondestructive material testing and for measuring test objects that consist of electrically conductive materials and preferably also have ferromagnetic properties.
One can distinguish between two types of electromagnetic ultrasonic transducers, namely those that make it possible to generate so-called horizontally polarized shear waves that predominantly propagate within the test object parallel to the coupling surface and US-transducers for generating so-called freely propagating ultrasonic waves that predominantly propagate within the test object perpendicular to the coupling surface. In both instances, the stimulation of ultrasonic waves within the test object can be attributed to magnetostrictions and Lorentz forces produced by the presence of a magnetic field that is largely constant over time in superposition with an electromagnetic alternating field caused by an electric alternating current.
A typical setup for stimulating ultrasonic waves in accordance with the so-called EMUS-principle is shown in FIGS. 5 a and b. Conventional EMUS-transducers 3 feature a permanent magnet 1 as well as an eddy current coil 2 that are realized in the form of one unit and therefore can be jointly operated. The eddy current coil 2 is typically realized in the form of a rectangular or flat spiral coil and arranged on the side of one magnetic pole of the permanent magnet 1 such that the coil 2 is perpendicularly permeated by a permanent magnetic field. If the aforementioned EMUS-transducer 3 is placed on an electrically conductive, ferromagnetic test object 4, the permanent magnetic field and a circuital vector field caused by the eddy current coil are superimposed within the test object such that magnetostrictive effects are induced therein due to the superposition of the magnetic field components of the circuital vector field and the permanent magnetic field that permeates the surface of the test object perpendicularly, wherein Lorentz forces are also generated by the eddy currents induced in the test object such that pressure waves which normally occur perpendicular to the test object surface are ultimately generated in the form of radially polarized shear waves that are able to propagate within the test object in the form of ultrasonic waves. According to the state of the art, both wave types, that is, the ultrasonic waves propagating perpendicular to the test object surface and the ultrasonic waves that propagate parallel to the test object surface due to the radially polarized shear waves, are suitable for use in checking for defects such as, for example, the detection of cracks within the test object, as well as in measuring the wall thickness of the test object.
Since the eddy current coils currently in use are highly sensitive to external mechanical influences, it should be attempted to generally protect such coils from mechanical wear. When examining ferromagnetic test objects, this is further complicated, in particular, in that the eddy current coil situated between the permanent magnet and the test object is literally pressed onto the surface of the test object due to the attractive effect of the magnetic forces and thusly subjected to significant frictional wear.
In this context, German Patent 35 11 076 A1 discloses a pig for electromagnetically testing pipeline walls of steel that makes it possible to examine and detect weak spots caused by corrosion on pipeline walls during the course of a nondestructive test. One pig that is described in greater detail in this publication features electromagnets that are uniformly distributed over the circumference and respectively feature two measuring heads that are axially aligned with one another, a yoke that connects the measuring heads and a magnetizing coil on these measuring heads. In this case, the field of each electromagnet extends parallel to the central pipe axis. The ultrasonic measurements are realized by directly arranging an eddy current coil that is acted upon with strong current pulses having very steep edges on at least one of the poles or magnet heads. Round seams are provided at the junctions of two adjacent pipeline sections and subject the electromagnetic transducer to impact stress when the aforementioned pig travels over the seams as part of a continuous inspection, wherein this impact stress is substantially amplified by the magnetic forces acting between the electromagnets and the pipeline wall. The above-described frictional wear as well as the additional impact stress on the electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer, particularly on the eddy current coil, results in short service lives of EMUS-transducers that should be extended.
Although it is possible to reduce the frictional wear by diminishing the magnetic forces of attraction acting between the EMUS-transducer and the test object to be examined, for example, by lowering the magnetic field induction, this measure would simultaneously result in a substantially lower efficiency of the EMUS-transducer, that is, the force density induced within the test object in order to generate the ultrasonic waves is reduced correspondingly such that the detection sensitivity during the reception of scattered or reflected ultrasonic waves is diminished accordingly.
Another electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer disclosed in European Patent 0 781 994 A2 utilizes two separate eddy current coils for the transmission and the reception to and from an electrically conductive, ferromagnetic test object, wherein said eddy current coils are preferably arranged congruently and provided with an intermediate insulating layer. FIG. 17 of the cited publication shows an EMUS-transducer in which a permanent magnetic field is generated by means of a U-shaped permanent magnet, both magnetic poles of which face a test object to be examined. The eddy current coils that respectively serve for generating as well as for receiving ultrasonic waves and are realized in the form of meander-type coils lie between the surface regions of the test object that is spanned by the U-shaped permanent magnet in a bridge-like fashion. Due to the meander-shaped configuration of the strip conductors, the current directions of two strip conductor sections that extend directly adjacent to one another are oriented opposite to one another. This results in eddy current regions that lie directly adjacent to one another within the test object and generate Lorentz forces with diametrically different directions in superposition with a permanent magnetic field near the surface that is directed parallel to the test object, wherein these Lorenz forces may, in turn, produce pressure waves in the form of horizontally polarized shear waves that propagate along the surface of the test object in the form of ultrasonic waves. Such ultrasonic waves that propagate parallel to the test object surface are well suited for the material testing near the surface, but cannot be used for depth or thickness measurements on the test objects.

Device and method for the material testing and/or thickness measurements of a test object that contains at least fractions of electrically conductive and ferromagnetic material

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung Der Angewandten Forschung e.V.


A panel-mounted vehicle antenna module includes exterior and interior components that are joined in a single operation to simultaneously achieve both mechanical fastening of the module and through-the-panel electrical connections of the antenna. The exterior and interior components are equipped with electrical connector terminals that are coupled when the exterior and interior components are joined, and alignment features that ensure accurate alignment of the connector terminals. The exterior component is temporarily retained against the panel, the interior component is temporarily attached to the exterior component, and a bolt is driven from the interior component into the exterior component to complete the mechanical attachment and electrical connections. Electrical cables hard-wired to the interior component are connected to the vehicle wiring harness to complete the installation.

Factory installation of a panel-mounted vehicle antenna module is often an awkward and time-consuming process. In a typical installation, electrical jumper wires from the antenna module are fed through an opening in the vehicle roof, whereafter the module is fastened to the roof with screws or a threaded nut, and the jumper wires individually connected to a wiring harness in the cabin of the vehicle. See, for example, the U.S. Pat. No. 6,930,643, issued on Aug. 16, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference. What is desired is an antenna module that can be easily and quickly installed without compromising the reliability of the mechanical and electrical connections.

Fastening and connection apparatus for a panel-mounted vehicle antenna module


Each object is associated with one root metadata record and one or more version-specific metadata records, each corresponding to a version of object data. A conditional command may be conditioned upon whether an object is stored in a storage system. Whether the condition is satisfied is determined based on whether a root metadata record of the object exists. If the condition is satisfied, then metadata is updated to reflect execution of the conditional command. A conditional command may be conditioned upon whether a data version identifier or a metadata version identifier equals a particular value. A conditional command execution engine retrieves the relevant version identifier from a version-specific metadata record, and performs a check on whether the condition is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, the engine ensures that the version-specific record has not been modified during the check, and updates metadata to reflect execution of the conditional command.

Storage systems store objects according to various corresponding storage architectures. Examples of storage architectures include an object storage, a file system, a block storage, and/or a database.
Each object is associated with data and metadata. Data (also referred to herein as "object data") includes, for example, information that is used by an end user and/or a business application. As an example, data for a Sales Application may include information about customers, products, and sales. As another example, data for a Human Resources Application may include information about employees, departments, and salaries. Metadata describes how the data is set up and/or stored. Additionally or alternatively, metadata describes characteristics about the data itself. Metadata may be used to manipulate and/or manage the objects in a storage system.
Concurrent access of a storage system refers to accessing the storage system using multiple threads at the same time. Each thread may perform operations, for example, in response to a request by a different client (such as a user and/or an application). A collision may occur if two or more threads attempt to access the same entry of the storage system at the same time.
Concurrency control ensures that a storage system returns a desired and/or expected result for concurrent access operations. Concurrency control may be implemented through the use of an atomic transaction. An atomic transaction, performed by a particular thread, is a transaction that cannot be partially completed. An atomic transaction is successful if fully completed and fails if not completed. No other thread can interfere with the atomic transaction performed by a particular thread while the atomic transaction is in progress. Hence, an atomic transaction on a particular entry of a storage system must complete before another atomic transaction may operate on the particular entry. Some storage systems, such as NoSQL databases, support atomic transactions over only a single row, or a single shard.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Executing a conditional command on an object stored in a storage system


An adaptive contrast enhancement (ACE) method and apparatus provide a natural enhancement in accordance with the time-varying characteristics of a video sequence. Characteristics of a time varying video sequence are specified and a nonlinear transform over the input video sequence is performed to enhance mainly the contrast of the input. A probability density function (PDF) of a time varying input video sequence is computed and then some predetermined video parameters relating to contrast is extracted from the PDF. Based upon the extracted video parameters, a nonlinear transform function is then constructed and updated as a look up table (LUT), which is synchronized with the associated video picture or field SYNC signal. The transform LUT is then applied to the input video to provide an enhanced video output signal.

The development of modern digital video technology has brought significant enhancement in the video quality for consumers, such as in DVD players and in digital TVs (DTV) compared to the analog TV systems. However, such digital video systems only enhance the video quality in terms of signal to noise ratio (SNR) and resolution, without regard to other important issues relating to video enhancement. Such issues include contrast enhancement, brightness enhancement, and detail enhancement. Generally, video enhancement processes comprise a collection of techniques that seek to improve the visual appearance of video when displayed. This primarily includes gray level and contrast manipulation, noise reduction, edge crispening and sharpening. Compared to image restoration, video or image enhancement methods neither increase the inherent information content in the data nor require mathematical modeling. The basic principle of video enhancement is to manipulate a given sequence of images so that their appearance on display media can be improved. Because quantifying the criteria for enhancement is difficult, conventional video enhancement techniques are empirical and require interactive procedures to obtain satisfactory results.
Among the techniques for video enhancement, contrast enhancement is important because it plays a fundamental role in the overall appearance of an image to human being. A human being's perception is sensitive to contrast rather than the absolute values themselves. Hence, it is natural to enhance the contrast of an image in order to provide a good looking image to human beings.
Contrast enhancement involves considering the overall appearance of a given image rather than local appearances such as edge crispening or peaking. There are conventional models of contrast enhancement, and some examples include the root law and the logarithmic law. Image enhancement by contrast manipulation has been performed in various fields of medical image processing, astronomical image processing, satellite image processing, infrared image processing, etc. For example, histogram equalization is a useful method in X-ray image processing because it enhances the details of an X-ray image significantly to e.g. detect tumors easily.
Although several conventional methods for contrast enhancement exist, their primary application is limited to still images. Direct applications of such methods to moving images results in visual artifacts such as unnatural appearance or over-enhancement. Hence, such methods are not suitable for consumer products such as TV whose primary content is a sequence of images. Therefore, there is a need for a contrast enhancement method that is applicable to a video sequence which inherently has time-varying characteristics.

Adaptive contrast enhancement method for video signals based on time-varying nonlinear transforms


The invention provides methods and compositions for preventing or ameliorating pulmonary infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genital tracts serve as the main portal of entry for most pathogens. The lack of success in the development of vaccines against some mucosal pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus, herpes viruses, and various respiratory bacterial infections, may be partly due to the inability of current vaccine strategies to adequately stimulate multiple arms of the innate and adaptive immune systems and to target essential immune responses to infected mucosal tissues. The paucity of vaccines against pulmonary bacterial pathogens and the emerging multidrug resistance among many of these bacteria highlights the need for rational vaccine design and alternative delivery strategies for eliciting both local and mucosal immunity against this collective group of pathogens.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium that is ubiquitous in the environment. It is a significant human pathogen, capable of causing infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, eyes, and ears, with infections occurring primarily in those patients with physical, phagocytic, or immunologic defects in host defense mechanisms. In particular, it is an etiologic agent of healthcare-associated and ventilator-associated pneumonia, chronic pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and burn and soft tissue infections. As a nosocomial pathogen, P. aeruginosa poses an enormous burden on the health care system and is responsible for 17% of ventilator associated pneumonias and 9% of other healthcare associated pneumonias. Importantly, infection with P. aeruginosa is emerging as a healthcare crisis, with 6,700 multidrug resistant infections occurring in the United States annually. Multidrug resistance severely limits the choice and efficacy of antibiotic treatment regimens against P. aeruginosa. The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant P. aeruginosa infections has prompted the World Health Organization to list P. aeruginosa as one of the top priorities for the development of new medical countermeasures.
The genome of P. aeruginosa contains a highly conserved core genome and a highly variable accessory genome, which encodes for a broad range of transporters, transcriptional regulators, and two-component regulatory systems. The genetic diversity of P. aeruginosa provides metabolic versatility for the organism, allowing it to survive in a multitude of environments, ranging from soil and water to biofilms formed within catheters or ventilator equipment. Importantly, this genetic pliability also contributes to P. aeruginosa's multidrug resistance.
Despite the clear morbidity and mortality associated with P. aeruginosa, no vaccine has ever been licensed for the prevention of infection. This is not for lack of effort. In 1970, Alexander and Fisher published a letter citing that a P. aeruginosa LPS-based vaccine prevented mortality in burn patients. Alexander and Fisher, Am J Surg, 1970, 120:512. Since that publication, numerous attempts have been made to develop and advance a P. aeruginosa vaccine towards licensure. Historically, vaccine development for P. aeruginosa has focused on identification of protective antigens and utilization of various vaccine platforms, including live-attenuated or whole-cell inactivated strains, subunit, conjugate, and DNA vaccines. Some of these candidate vaccines produced promising results in animal models, primarily based on protective antibodies, and were advanced to clinical trials. The literature contains a number of detailed reviews of P. aeruginosa vaccine antigens and previous clinical trials, including Priebe and Goldberg, Expert Rev Vaccines, 2014, 13:507-19; Sharma et al., Human Vaccines, 2011, 7:999-1011; Worgall et al., Future Microbiol., 2012, 7:1333-5; Grimwood et al., Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2015, 11(1):14-20; and Merakou et al., Surgical Infections, 2018, 19:757-68. Despite these attempts, no vaccine is currently on the market.
It would be useful to have additional means to reduce the infection of patients by P. aeruginosa, to reduce the severity of infection in those already infected with P. aeruginosa by increasing their immune response to the bacterium, or both. Surprisingly, the present invention fills these and other needs.

Methods and compositions for inducing an immune response to

The Administrators of the Tulance Educational Fund


The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly beacon or light for illuminating a pole-mounted flag, banner, pennant or the like that has a luminous source located in a laterally extending cover, is mounted on top of the pole, and is capable of continuously directing an umbrella shaped illumination toward the flag, banner, pennant or the like as the wind blows the same to rotate about the flagpole. The flagpole light of the present invention is designed to be installed as a retrofit in existing flagpoles having a shaft supported knob or sphere located a short distance above a rotatable cap.

Pole-mounted flags deserving of presentation are typically those representing a nation, company, university, or other prestigious organization and intended to, by the elevation, care and clear visualization of such flags, instill a sense of respect and awe for the organization whose memory is recalled. There is no better time for effective visualization of such a flag than at night. All prior art for presentation of flags at night is directed at the same basic requisite function—to illuminate the flag while minimizing lighting equipment and utility costs. The advantage and disadvantage of a ground mounted, high-powered spotlight has been obvious since the 1800's. Regardless of its ground level distance from the flag pole, a single beam of light directed at a flag from ground level generally loses the dramatic of such lighting through about three fourths of a flag's potential radial extension from the pole as wind direction causes the flag to be blown in several different directions. It is well known to place a ground level directional light in the direction of the prevailing wind so that a flag will be illuminated much of the time. An obvious solution is to increase the number of ground level directional lights to ring the flagpole, with subsequent increase in equipment and utility costs. Ground level equipment is a barrier to traffic about the flag pole but it convenient for maintenance.
Not so for sources of illumination raised to the top of a flagpole. Maintenance must essentially be eliminated for a source of light raised to a top of a flagpole to illuminate a flag flying just below and adjacent to that source of light. That requirement alone eliminates from consideration of practical use many proposed devices in the prior art which are intended to illuminate a direction-changing, wind blown flag. A structure at the top of a flagpole experiences the most severe of local weather conditions in terms of extremes of temperature and precipitation, as well as receiving the occasional well-fed avian visitor and its excremental deposits. The requirements of a flag-top illumination device must be minimal to avoid taking the entire pole down or to bring to the flag pole a personnel lift of extreme lifting height to conduct repairs or replacement of equipment. At the minimum, any illumination source for a pole-top light must have an exceptionally long life and operate substantially to accomplish its illumination job in at least partial failure mode so maintenance can be delayed until regularly planned events.
A further challenge in providing illumination of a wind blown flag is to provide directionally efficient lighting. A simple pole-top light wired to a ground level source of electricity and having a transparent or translucent globe draws attention more to the light than to the illuminated flag. Its axial location provides a point source illumination more to the sky than to the desired flag lighting. However, such a simple device provides illumination for the radial extension of the flag in its potentially 360 degree travel path.
A rather simple-minded but ineffective improvement to the light bulb on top of the flag pole is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,495. The '495 patent discloses what is essentially a replacement of the light bulb which illuminates spherically with a flashlight aimed at an angle of about 45 degrees downward and outward (but mounted within) from a decorative sphere at the top of the flagpole. It is rotatable via its integration with the pulley wheels for flag-elevating and supporting rope or cable so that a rotation of the flag about the pole pulls at the supporting rope, which in turn pulls at the pulley, which in turn pulls at the flashlight to kind of direct it toward the new direction of the flag. The requisite broad downward angle of the light cause it to, like the simple pole top light, illuminate unnecessary space and often not the space in which the flag is to be found. A ground level viewer will be somewhat blinded by the light in favor of viewing the flag.
The '425 patent identifies a problem which its intended device does not solve. While such a device allows for the use of less light than a floodlight, it still does not solve the problem of illuminating more of the surrounding sky than the flag itself.
Therefore, a need exists for an improved pole top light which minimizes requirement for any maintenance, operates in substantial failure mode to effect illuminating a flag, and is exceptionally responsive directionally for nighttime illumination of the flag in whatever direction it is moved by the wind.

Lateral and directional poletop illuminator


A human-powered watercraft comprises a fin, a displacement body, and an outrigger, wherein the outrigger floats separately from the watercraft within a vertically oriented tube, which tube allows the outrigger to rise up and down relative to the watercraft while maintaining the relative orientation of the watercraft.

Watercraft are traditionally propelled by paddles, paddle wheels, propellers, impellers, and sails. Paddles are a wonderful technology for driving a thrust fluid and propelling a watercraft. While simple and versatile, paddles are relatively inefficient when compared to propellers. Among the non-sail propulsion types, propellers generally exhibit the greatest efficiency (in terms of converting input work into output thrust) at approximately 60%, though generally only if significant effort is taken to match the propeller to the boat's displacement, average speed, placement of the engine, angle of the drive-shaft, and other parameters. For most propeller driven watercraft, overall efficiency at the propeller is significantly less, on the order of 40%. In addition, the efficiency curve of a propeller generally follows the form of an inverted parabola, with peak efficiency achieved at a narrow range of speeds at the top of the efficiency curve.
In addition, design of propeller driven watercraft involves a number of well known compromises involving propeller size, placement of the engine relative to the propeller location, and hull shape, to name but a few of the issues. In addition, the thrust fluid propelled by a single propeller rotates. Rotation of the thrust fluid does not produce thrust, though is required in order to move the thrust fluid backward (which does produce thrust). Thrust fluid rotation can be eliminated or at least balanced through the use of two counter-rotating propellers, though this results in twice the propeller skin area, usually additional propeller frontal area, and (typically) twice as much drive train complexity, which reduces efficiency and decreases reliability.
Fish and marine mammals propel themselves with fins. Fins on aquatic creates exhibit greater efficiency, on the order of 80%. In addition, the efficiency curve is flatter, with very high efficiency achieved across a range of speeds, from slow to fast.
Attempts have been made to propel human-transporting watercraft with fins, though connecting the motor (be it a human or another motor) to the fins and matching the hull to the propulsion system has proven to be challenging. Connecting a motor to a fin is a complex problem, particularly in a marine environment and particularly in the context of a human power source.

Human powered watercraft with fin propulsion


An optical scanning system includes a variable-focus element, an imaging lens and a deflector, wherein the reciprocal of the focal length f of the variable-focus element is changed from 1/fMIN to 1/fMAX, and for the case that the equation1/f={(1/fMAX)+(1/fMIN)}/2holds, a beam which has passed through the variable-focus element is a divergent beam, and

In the measuring mechanism or the drawing mechanism of a laser printer, an optical scanning system is employed. The optical scanning system makes a beam emitted by a light source such as a laser diode pass through a condenser lens, deflects the beam by a deflector such as a polygon mirror or a swing mirror, and makes the beam form an image on the image plane of the scanning beam. In the optical scanning system for a laser printer, for example, it is important to keep the beam spot diameter constant for the whole scanned area (along the whole length of the scanning line).
Conventionally, in order to realize a constant beam spot diameter along the whole length of the scanning line, a long-length imaging lens is commonly arranged between the deflector and the image plane. However, the long-length imaging lens is not only expensive, but also requires a larger space for arrangement, and therefore an apparatus containing the scanning optical system is upsized.
Under the above-described situation, an optical scanning system which does not use a long-length imaging lens and uses a variable-focus element, which is capable of changing the focal point position in synchronization with scanning has been proposed. Refer to JPH02-293809A, for example. As variable-focus elements, a variable-focus element which is configured to change the refractive index of an electro-optic crystal by applying voltage across it, a variable-focus mirror which is made by making a surface of a piezoelectric bimorph a mirror surface, a variable-focus lens which is configured to electrically control a shape of an interface between two kinds of liquids which have different refractive indexes, a mechanism for directly moving a lens by the use of a linear motor, a piezoelectric element or the like, and so on are known. Refer to JPS61-185716A, for example.
The spot diameter ω′ at the intersection point between the image plane of the scanning beam and the principal ray on the plane perpendicular to the principal ray has the following relationship with wavelength λ of the light source and the numerical aperture NA.
                              ω          ′                ∝                  λ          NA                            A      When the beam is made to form an image on the image plane of the scanning beam by a variable-focus element, the distance along the beam path from the deflector to the image point at the center of the scanning line is smaller than the distance along the beam path from the deflector to the image point at each end of the scanning line. Accordingly, the numerical aperture NA (center) at the center of the scanning line is greater than the numerical aperture NA (end) at each end of the scanning line. As a result, the spot diameter ω′ at the image point at each end of the scanning line is greater than the spot diameter ω at the image point at the center of the scanning line, and therefore quality of drawing will deteriorate.
In order to prevent the spot diameter from becoming greater at each end of the scanning line as described above, an optical system in which a variable-focus lens system and a fixed-focus lens system are arranged a distance away from each other, the distance corresponding to the focal length of the fixed-focus lens system, has been proposed. Refer to JPH07-225349A, for example.
In this conventional optical system, however, a variable-focus optical system in which a number of fixed-focus lenses and a number of variable-focus lens are combined besides the imaging lens is employed, and therefore the optical system requires a relatively complicated structure and high costs. In the optical system, there is an idea that the fixed-focus lenses described above are also used as the imaging lens for the image plane of the scanning beam for a simpler structure. However, in this case, the focal length of the fixed-focus lenses becomes greater, and the distance between the variable-focus lens system and the fixed-focus lens system has to be increased. As a result, the apparatus is upsized.
In the above-described optical system, the spot diameter a is kept constant independently of the angle of deflection. However, considering that the beam is obliquely incident onto the image plane of the scanning beam at the incident angle of φ, the spot diameter ω on the image plane of the beam scanning, which exerts a direct influence upon the quality of drawing can be expressed by the following expression.
                    ω        =                                            ω              ′                                      cos                                                                                ϕ                                ∝                      λ                          NA                                                                                cos                                                                                ϕ                                                  B      Accordingly, in order to keep the spot diameter ω on the image plane of the beam scanning constant along the whole length of the scanning line, the numerical aperture NA (end) at each end of the scanning line has to be made greater than the numerical aperture NA (center) at the center of the scanning line.
Conventionally, a compact optical scanning system in which the spot diameter ω on the image plane of the beam scanning can be kept constant along the whole length of the scanning line has not been developed.

Abstract: x            2                    +                                    x              2              2                                      x              1                                      >                  x          3                                    (        1        )            is satisfied, where x1 represents a distance from a virtual image point of the divergent beam to the principal point on the entry side of the variable-focus element, x2 represents a distance from the principal point on the exit side of the variable-focus element to the principal point on the entry side of the imaging lens, and x3 represents a distance from the principal point on the exit side of the imaging lens to an image point.


A drug delivery device including a needle assembly facilitates making intradermal injections using a variety of drug container types such as a syringe. A hub supports the needle while a limiter surrounds the needle. The limiter includes a skin engaging surface that is adapted to be received against the skin of an animal to be intradermally injected. A forward end of the needle extends beyond the skin engaging surface a selected distance to limit a depth that the needle penetrates into the animal""s skin.

The present invention generally relates to delivery devices for delivering substances such as drugs, vaccines and the like, and more specifically relates to a drug delivery device for injecting such substances intradermally, i.e., into the skin. In addition, the present invention relates to a needle assembly that is adaptable for use with a variety of drug containers such as syringes for making intradermal injections.
A wide variety of hypodermic injection devices are commercially available. Most hypodermic injections are intended to be intramuscular so that the hypodermic needle penetrates through an individual""s skin layer and subcutaneous tissue and into the muscle tissue. Under some circumstances, however, limited needle penetration is desired. Under some circumstances, for example, an intradermal injection is desired where the needle does not penetrate beyond the dermis layer.
One technique for administering intradermal injections is known as the Mantoux procedure. A Mantoux procedure is relatively complicated and requires technical skill from the medical professional or individual administering the injection. Additionally, the Mantoux procedure can prove painful for the individual receiving the injection, especially when somebody without experience is administering the injection.
Devices have been proposed for providing intradermal injections, which include shortened needles compared to conventional needle sizes. The smaller needles are not intended to penetrate beyond the dermis layer of the individual. Such devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,288, which issued on Jun. 18, 1996; 4,886,499, which issued on Dec. 12, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,483, which issued on Jul. 12, 1994. The proposed devices, however are not without shortcomings and drawbacks.
For example, the devices shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,527,288 and 4,886,499 are highly specialized injectors. The designs for these injectors include relatively complex arrangements of components that cannot be economically manufactured on a mass production scale. Therefore, such devices have limited applicability and use.
Similarly, the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,483 requires a specially designed injector and, therefore, it is not readily adapted to be used with a variety of syringe types. Additionally, the assembly of that patent is not conducive to economical mass production.
There is need for an intradermal injection device that is suitable for use with a variety of syringe bodies. Additionally, there is a need for an intradermal injection device that can be economically manufactured on a mass production scale. This invention addresses those needs and avoids the shortcomings and drawbacks discussed above.
In contrast to the prior devices discussed above, it has been found that a drug delivery device particularly suited for use in intradermally injecting substances such as drugs, vaccines and the like can be constructed in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a drug delivery device including a needle assembly for use in making intradermal injections. The needle assembly has an adapter that is attachable to prefillable containers such as syringes and the like. The needle assembly is supported by the adapter and has a hollow body with a forward end extending away from the adapter. A limiter surrounds the needle and extends away from the adapter toward the forward end of the needle. The limiter has a skin engaging surface that is adapted to be received against the skin of an animal such as a human. The needle forward end extends away from the skin engaging surface a selected distance such that the limiter limits the amount or depth that the needle is able to penetrate through the skin of an animal.
In addition, the present invention is directed to a method of intradermally injecting at least one substance into the skin including the steps of pressing the needle perpendicularly to the skin of the person to receive an injection, injecting the substance into skin of the person with the depth of penetration of the needle being mechanically limited to the intradermal space by the limiter that surrounds the needle. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the step of pressing the needle perpendicularly to the skin of the person includes orienting the needle perpendicularly to the skin, and the step of injecting the substance either includes moving a plunger that is received within the reservoir or deflecting two sheets of thermoplastic material forming the reservoir toward each other to expel the substance from the reservoir during an injection.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Intradermal delivery device including a needle assembly


A passenger boat configured for interactively shielding passengers from incoming water. The boat includes a hull with seats for receiving passengers and a rider interactive assembly with an input element for receiving input from the passengers. The boat also includes a water shield supported on the hull and an actuation system operating in response to the input from the passengers to move the water shield from a first position to a second position relative to the seats. In some cases, the water shield is mounted on the hull to travel within a channel extending about a perimeter of the hull located on an outboard side of the seats. Then, the water shield may include a wall that extends substantially vertically from the channel.

1. Field of the Description
The present description relates, in general, to passenger boats such as round rafts and their use in water-based rides (e.g. "raft rides") in amusement parks, theme parks, and water parks, and, more particularly, to a passenger boat with a passenger-controllable or positionable shield or bather to selectively block water from entering the boat or spraying its passengers.
2. Relevant Background
In amusement parks, water parks, resorts, and many other settings, entertainment is provided that involves passengers riding on boats in still and moving water. For example, resorts may provide passenger boats in the form of rafts, kayaks, and paddleboats to their guests to allow them to play in the water. In amusement parks, many rides have been designed and implemented that provide a river rafting experience that may simulate whitewater rafting. Passengers typically enter a boat such as a round raft in a station, and water flowing in a channel moves the passenger boats down the channel and may even cause the boat to flow over rapids and down steep chutes.
Excitement and thrill is added to this water entertainment including water rides by introducing the risk that passengers may get soaked with water or at least be sprayed. For example, the raft filled with passengers may float down a winding river and a waterfall may drop water into a portion of the boat. Passengers may also get splashed or wet during the normal operation of the boat floating through turbulent water or at the bottom of ramps. In other cases, devices may be positioned on differing sides of the channel (e.g., a "lazy river") that randomly or intermittently spray jets of water out into the channel where a boat may be traveling. In still another example, spectators along a body of water may be provided large squirt guns or water cannons that they can operate to shoot water out into the body of water at people in nearby boats to try to soak their "friends."
In such water-based entertainment (generally, called "water rides" herein), the passengers typically have little or no control over whether or not they get wet. In the waterfall example, the movement of the boat or raft is typically random, and the passenger has to rely on luck or chance to see whether their seat or part of the boat or raft is the one that passes under the waterfall. There are presently only very limited opportunities for passenger interactivity in water rides, and such opportunities typically have been limited to providing the passengers (or spectators) with squirt guns that they can operate to squirt passengers in other boats.

Interactive water shield for rafts or boats in water rides


A boot has an upper portion and a sole. The sole has upper and lower surfaces, and provides an electrical path from the upper surface to the lower surface. An insert has an H-shaped portion in electrical communication with the upper surface of the sole and a tail. The tail can be connected to the leg of coveralls. Electric charges can flow between the tail and the boot sole.

Semiconductor devices and disk drive heads have developed to the point where they are sensitive to the slightest charge, even charges as low as 5 volts. This sensitivity is problematic because it is very difficult to create an environment that is isolated from all static electricity and other charges. To complicate matters, most static charges will radiate a field having a radius as large as two feet. As a result, a charge on a person's arm or torso can damage a device on which they are working. The problem is so severe that up to 35% of the devices are irreparably damaged in some manufacturing facilities.
In an effort to eliminate this problem, these types of devices are manufactured in clean rooms that are specially designed to minimize static electricity. The workers typically wear grounding straps to provide an electrically conductive path to dissipate static charges. The workers also wear special coveralls that are also grounded.
Some clean rooms where semiconductor devices and disk drive heads are manufactured have a grounded floor that will dissipate electrical charges. Many workers rely on this floor to provide a ground for both their body and their coveralls. In this type of environment, the workers wear a boot that has a conductive bottom. Any charge in the boot will be conducted to the grounded floor and dissipated. The problem is that many workers also wear shoes having rubber soles in their boots. As a result, the worker's body is insulated from the floor and is not grounded. Another problem is that the coverall legs are stuffed in the boot's cuff and there is only incidental contact between the coverall and the boot. This incidental contact does not provide a reliable electrical path having a low resistance. The coveralls thus are not adequately grounded and may retain a harmful static charge.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved boot configured to have a reliable electrical contact with the worker's body. There is also a need for a boot configured to have a reliable electrical contact with the worker's coveralls.

Anti-static boot having a conductive upper


A method and apparatus of the present invention are designed to equalize cell-to-cell imbalances in a multi-cell lithium battery system. A time-to-balance parameter is calculated for each cell at the beginning of charge, and balancing occurs for each cell having a positive time-to-balance at the beginning of charge. Alternatively, the time-to-balance parameter is calculated during operation of the battery system and equalization of the cells occur in-sit based on the time-to-balance values.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to multi-cell lithium chemistry battery systems, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for balancing such cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rechargeable, multi-cell battery systems have been known for decades, and have been based on various chemistries including lead acid (PbA), nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (LiIon) and lithium polymer (LiPo). A key performance aspect of each battery technology relates to how charging (and overcharging) is accomplished, and how inevitable cell imbalances are addressed.
Conventionally, cell-to-cell imbalances in lead-acid batteries, for example, have been solved by controlled overcharging. Lead-acid batteries can be brought into overcharge conditions without permanent cell damage, inasmuch as the excess energy is released by gassing. This gassing mechanism is the natural method for balancing a series string of lead acid battery cells. Other chemistries, such as NiMH, exhibit similar natural cell-to-cell balancing mechanisms.
Lithium ion and lithium polymer battery chemistries, however, cannot be overcharged without damaging the active materials. The electrolyte breakdown voltage is precariously close to the fully charged terminal voltage. Therefore, careful monitoring and controls must be implemented to avoid any single cell from experiencing an over voltage due to excessive charging. Because a lithium battery cannot be overcharged, there is no natural mechanism for cell equalization.
Even greater challenges exist depending on whether the battery system is a single cell or multiple cells. Single lithium-based cells require monitoring so that cell voltage does not exceed predefined limits of the chemistry. Series-connected lithium cells, however, pose a more complex problem; each cell in the string must be monitored and controlled. Even though the system voltage may appear to be within acceptable limits, one cell of the series string may be experiencing damaging voltage due to cell-to-cell imbalances. Based on the foregoing, without more, the maximum usable capacity of the battery system may not be obtained because during charging, an out-of-balance cell may prematurely approach the end of charge voltage and trigger the charger to turn off (i.e., to save that cell from damage due to overcharge as explained above).
One approach taken in the art to address the foregoing problem involves the concept of cell balancing. Cell balancing is useful to control the higher voltage cells until the rest of the cells can catch up. In this way, the charger is not turned off until the cells reach the end-of-charge (EOC) condition more or less together. More specifically, the cells are first charged, and then, during and at the end-of-charging, the cells are balanced.
One example of a cell balancing approach involves energy dissipation. A shunt resistor, for example, may be selectively engaged in parallel with each cell. This approach shunts the excess energy as each cell reaches an end-of-charge condition, resulting in the system becoming more active as the cells reach full charge. During the moments preceding full charge in a system with n total cells, (n−1) cells are dissipating equalization energy as the last cell approaches end-of-charge. This condition results in a buildup of waste energy in the form of heat, which can trigger thermal controls (i.e., discontinuing the charging temporarily until the temperature comes down). These controls extend the overall charge time for the battery system.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for operating a battery system that minimizes or eliminates one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Method and apparatus for balancing multi-cell lithium battery systems