An electrically-driven fan 1 comprises a base portion 2; a bearing portion 11; a stator 13 including iron core portions 15 and coils 16; a rotor 4 including a rotary shaft 20 and a cylindrical magnet 22; blowing blades 5; and a rotor position detector 23 which is disposed on a side of the cylindrical magnet 22 near to the base portion 2, with a gap of predetermined width relative to the cylindrical magnet 22; wherein the cylindrical magnet 22 includes a thin-walled portion 24 in which an effective thickness of one end part thereof near to the rotor position detector 23 is made smaller than an effective thickness of the other end part thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrically-driven fan for forcibly cooling the CPU of a personal computer, or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the higher performance of a personal computer (hereinbelow, termed "PC") has been attained. In consequence, the clock frequency of a CPU heightens to increase dissipation power and to increase the quantity of heat generation. The CPU whose temperature has risen due to the heat generation becomes unstable in the operations of transistors, and undergoes the drawbacks of failing to operate normally, etc. It is therefore necessary to forcibly cool the CPU and to release generated heat. A heat sink, a heat pipe or the like is usually used for the forcible cooling of the CPU, and further, an electrically-driven fan is extensively used with or without the heat sink, the heat pipe or the like. Some of such electrically-driven fans employ commutatorless DC motors in each of which a cylindrical magnet is employed for a rotor, and they are extensively used for such reasons as being capable of small size and thin structure and being easy of control. A "thin-structured electrically-driven fan" has been disclosed as the electrically-driven fan employing the commutatorless DC motor. Incidentally, the "thin-structured electrically-driven fan" employs a ball bearing as the bearing of a rotary shaft, but it sometimes employs a fluid bearing instead of the ball bearing. The fluid bearing is a bearing of noncontact type wherein V-shaped recesses are formed along the inner peripheral wall of a bearing hole, and oil is accumulated in the recesses, whereby the rotary shaft is floated and supported by the oil. The fluid bearing is capable of high-speed rotation owing to a very low friction, and it exhibits low rotation noise, so that it has been extensively used in recent years (refer to, for example, JP-A-11-150908 and JP-A-2002-112497).
On the other hand, the PC has been reduced in size in recent years, and especially in a notebook type PC or the like, various electronic components including the CPU are installed at a high density within a housing. Accordingly, an electrically-driven fan for cooling the CPU of such a PC has various limitations placed on its mounting position in order to realize a space-saving arrangement, and it is sometimes mounted looking down in such a way, for example, that it is fixed to a ceiling inside the housing. A vertical direction is a direction indicated in FIG. 8.
The prior-art techniques, however, have had problems as stated below.
(1) Usually, in order to attain enhancement in a coolability with a small space, the radiating blades of the rotor have been enlarged, or the number of the blades has been increased, with the result that the weight of the rotor has increased. The thin-structured electrically-driven fan has been problematic in the case where the electrically-driven fan is mounted looking down, as follows: When the weight of the rotor is large, the rotor moves vertically downwards due to its weight, and the position of the rotary shaft shifts downwards relative to the inner peripheral wall of the bearing hole, so that the abnormal touch between the rotary shaft and the inner peripheral wall of the bearing hole occurs to shorten the lifetime of the electrically-driven fan.
(2) Especially the thin-structured electrically-driven fan employing the fluid bearing has been problematic, as follows: The increase of the weight of the rotor results in a state where the position of the rotary shaft shifts downwards relative to the inner peripheral wall of the bearing hole, namely, a so-called state where the rotor rises, and the rotation of the rotor is not stabilized to incur the drawbacks that vertical vibrations occur during the rotation, and that the abnormal touch between the rotary shaft and the inner peripheral wall of the bearing hole occurs to generate noise.
(3) Besides, there has been the problem that, when the weight of the rotor is large, the position of the rotary shaft shifts downwards relative to the inner peripheral wall of the bearing hole, so the abnormal touch between the rotary shaft and the inner peripheral wall of the bearing hole occurs to shorten the lifetime of the electrically-driven fan. A sole measure for coping with this problem has heretofore been that the radiating blades are made small to lighten the rotor, or that the mounting position of the cylindrical magnet on the rotor is altered to mount the cylindrical magnet on a position distant from a rotor position detector such as Hall element. The measure has been problematic in that the enhancement of the coolability cannot be expected, or that the detection precision of the rotor position detector lowers.

Motor and electrically-driven fan employing the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A portable multimedia and communications device can include a transducive element for receiving sound. The device also can include a base unit having a plurality of multimedia units and a processor executing a speech recognition engine for recognizing user speech. Each of the plurality of multimedia units can be selectively enabled and operated responsive to user voice commands received via the transducive element and communicated to the base unit via a communication link.

As consumers continue to demand mobile access to many computing and communications services, technology continues to evolve to accommodate consumer demand. Ideally, consumers prefer to have access to most, if not all, of the same computing functions presently available at home or the office despite being away from such resources. In response to consumer demand, a wide variety of portable electronic devices have become commercially available. For example, individuals can track and store a variety of personal information using conventional personal digital assistants, communicate with friends, family, and business contacts using cellular telephones, and listen to music through portable radios, compact disc (CD) players, and/or Motion Picture Experts Group-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players. A variety of other portable devices such as portable short distance radios and global positioning system (GPS) receivers are available to consumers as well.
The majority of commercially available portable devices are sold as single function units. That is, the consumer typically must purchase a music player separately from a cellular telephone, or a citizen band radio separately from a GPS receiver. Typically, consumers must carry a plethora of electronic devices should the consumer wish to travel with calendaring, music, communications, and the like. Even in cases where one or more of these devices are available in various combinations within a single unit, frequently, no single combination device is able to meet the consumer's full range of needs.
Although each device may not be burdensome to operate alone, when used in combination with one or more other devices, the consumer can be overwhelmed with connections, wires, cables, and attachments. To better organize the various electronic devices a consumer may carry, several varieties of carry-alls or electronic device organizers are available. Still, as the benefit of using a portable electronic device is the immediacy and ease with which the different functions of the device can be accessed, storing the device in a carry-all may not prove to be convenient. For example, by the time a consumer is able to locate a ringing cellular telephone within a carry-all, the call may be missed. By the time one finds a personal digital assistant within a carry-all, the opportunity to use the sought after information may have passed.
Assuming that a consumer is able to carry each of the various portable electronic devices that the consumer needs or desires, the consumer still must have one or more hands free in order to operate any given device. With respect to travelers, however, this is not often the case. More than likely, travelers use one or both hands to carry luggage, a carry-on bag, or possibly a personal digital assistant. To operate any of the traveler's portable electronic devices, the traveler may have to stop, put down one or more bags, search for the device, and only then proceed to use the desired device.
Other users, for example individuals who enjoy walking, jogging, hiking, bicycling, motorcycling, boating, or other activities, also rely upon portable electronic devices such as GPS units, music players, cellular telephones, voice memo pads, and the like when engaged in sports or other outdoor activities. Such individuals, however, not only must have one or more free hands to operate a given device, but also must be able to divert their attention away from an ongoing activity to operate the device. For example, the user typically must watch a dial or display as a radio is tuned, as a volume is adjusted, and the like. The use of ones eyes and hands, however, can cause a break in rhythm and concentration and may even cause an accident.

Voice controlled multimedia and communications system


An inflator for an airbag system has a target mounted in the pressurized gas contained in the inflator. An ultrasonic transducer is mounted on an external surface of the inflator in alignment with the target. The transducer generates and receives reflected ultrasonic signals from the target. The time-of-flight of the signals which are dependent on the gas pressure are used to determine the gas pressure in the inflator. Temperature compensation is provided by fabricating the target of bimetallic material which changes the spacing of the target from the transducer with temperature or providing a temperature sensitive element, e.g. a thermocouple to electrically provide temperature compensation.

Vehicular airbag systems employ a stored deflated airbag which is adapted to be inflated on an undesirable predetermined impact of the vehicle with another object. An inflator, such as a hybrid, fluid filled, cold gas or similar type inflator, charged with an inflating fluid under pressure, such as an inert gas like argon, helium and the like or a mixture thereof, is caused to be discharged into the stored deflated airbag for inflating the same on the aforesaid undesirable predetermined impact. Accordingly, for the system to operate properly, the inflator pressure must not increase nor decrease beyond predetermined amounts, regardless of the temperature. Since the operating temperature of a vehicle varies, for example, from a vehicle parked outside in sub-freezing temperatures to one parked in the desert at elevated temperatures (greenhouse effect), the inflator pressure must be carefully monitored to maintain the integrity of the airbag systems.
One method of monitoring the pressure in an inflator is to use an ultrasonic transducer, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,942,381 or 5,016,474, in which ultrasonic signals are supplied to an inflator container from the transducer and the time intervals between the application of such signals and the receipt of the return or echo signals from an opposing wall of the inflator are measured such as by time of flight (TOF) of the signals in order to determine various physical properties of the inflator container. One of the problems associated with such systems resides in the fact that inflator wall thickness has variable, not very tightly controlled, tolerances which adversely affect the TOF of the signals. Also, if one desires to operate the measuring system from an automotive electrical system restrictions on the available power from automotive electrical systems for driving the ultrasonic transducer would limit the distance which can be traversed by the ultrasonic waves to provide meaningful reflected signals needed to measure the gas pressure in the inflator. In addition, due to the strong influence of temperature on inflator pressure, some simple form of temperature compensation is required because any pressure measurement without such compensation would be meaningless due to the wide range of operating temperatures to which the measurement system can be subjected.

Ultrasonic gas pressure measurement for inflators of vehicular airbag systems


Provided is a communication apparatus in a PON bridge sublayer, which supports point-to-point communications between optical network units (ONU) in an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON). To support point-to-point communications between ONUs in the EPON, the communication apparatus in the PON bridge sublayer includes a second processing portion, a second input queue, a second lookup and learning portion, a second output queue, a first input queue, a first lookup and learning portion, a filtering database table a VLAN ID table, a table control portion, a first output queue, and a first processing portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication apparatus in an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON), and more particularly, to an EPON bridge sublayer for supporting point-to-point communications between optical network units (ONUs) in the EPON.
2. Description of the Related Art
An EPON is a passive optical subscriber network technology that is designed to apply Ethernet used in the existing local area network (LAN) to a general subscriber network. The EPON is a point-to-multipoint network that is formed of a PON that a number of ONUs located at the subscriber side are passively connected to an optical line termination (OLT) at the network side through a passive splitter.
The EPON is a shared media topology with a tree-like structure. Unlike media sharing in the existing Ethernet, due to characteristics of an optical path and the passive splitter, a downstream frame from the OLT to an ONU is transmitted to all ONUs. An upstream frame transmitted from an ONU has a transmission direction, such that it cannot be received by any other ONU, but can be only received by the OLT. Also, an Ethernet frame is used to perform communications between the OLT and the plurality of ONUs.
As a subscriber network solution, IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) Task Force has been working toward standardization for the EPON.
Ethernet employing carrier sense multiple access/collision detect (CSMA/CD) allows a terminal connected to shared media and point-to-point links to directly communicate with another terminal. In "native mode" PON, broadcasting is performed in a downstream direction and point-to-point transmissions between an OLT and ONUs are performed based on time division multiple access (TDMA) in an upstream direction. However, when an IEEE 802.1D spanning tree is used in the PON, a loop is inadvertently generated.
In the PON, in order for an ONU to transmit a frame to another, an OLT has to look at a destination address of the frame and relay the frame to a destination ONU. However, according to the existing Ethernet standards, the OLT cannot return a received frame to an ONU and an ONU occurs the problem that a media access control (MAC) frame is input to an ONU again through a port which the ONU outputs the MAC frame.

Communication apparatus in Ethernet passive optical network

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


An optical component (10), formed with a plurality of optical fibers arranged parallel with each other, has an incident surface (10a) obliquely cut with respect to the fiber axis, and an output surface (10b) perpendicularly cut with respect to the fiber axis. The core (12) of each optical fiber with a square cross-sectional shape is divided equally into two areas (12a) and (12b) via a flat plate-like clad part (14) lying on the central axis of the core (12). Moreover, the optical fibers are arranged such that the dividing directions (t direction in FIG. 1B) of the divided cores (12) are irregular per each optical fiber. Furthermore, the periphery of each core (12) is covered with a clad (16).

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an optical component comprising a plurality of optical fibers arranged, and a production method thereof.
2. Related Background Art
As an optical component for transmitting an optical image, an optical component formed by arranging a plurality of optical fibers is widely known. The optical component comprises an incident surface and an output surface with the core and the clad of each optical fiber exposed so as to allow transmission of the optical image incident on the incident surface to the output surface.
Moreover, since the optical component has various advantages, such as a high transmission efficiency, and capability of achieving a small size of an optical system compared with a lens, it is utilized in various fields represented by a fingerprint detecting device.
Production of the optical component is executed, in general, by arranging and tying up a plurality of optical fibers having a round or square cross-section in a bundle for integral shaping. Therefore, according to the pressure in the integral shaping, the cross-section of the core of the optical fibers comprising the optical component becomes a polygon having subtenses parallel with each other, such as a square, and a hexagon so that the below-mentioned problem is generated.
That is, a light incident on the incident surface with a specific incident angle repeats reflection on the opposite surfaces parallel with each other so as to be outputted from the output surface with a specific output angle. As a result, a pattern having an intensity only in the specific output angle is formed in the output image outputted from the output surface so that the pattern becomes a noise so as to deteriorate the resolution of the optical component.
Accordingly, in order to solve the problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical component having a high resolution by preventing generation of the pattern noise and production method of the optical component.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an optical component according to the present invention comprises a plurality of arranged optical fibers including a core and a clad formed around the core, characterized in that the core of each optical fiber having a substantially square cross-sectional shape, is divided into a plurality of areas via a partition part made from a material with a refractive index smaller than that of the core, and at least one of the optical fibers arranged adjacent with each other has the dividing direction of the divided core different from that of the other optical fibers.
Since the core of each optical fiber is divided into a plurality of areas via a partition part made from a material having a refractive index smaller than that of the core, a light incident on the core of each optical fiber with a specific incident angle proceeds in the core while repeating reflection not only by the surrounding clad but also by the partition part. Moreover, since at least one of the optical fibers arranged adjacent with each other has the dividing direction of the divided core different from that of the other optical fibers, even though the cross-sectional shape of the core is a substantial square having subtenses parallel with each other, formation of a pattern having an intensity only at a specific incident angle by repeating reflection of a light proceeding in the cores in all the optical fibers comprising the optical component only in a specific direction can be prevented. As a result, a pattern noise can be prevented so that an output image with a high resolution can be obtained.
Furthermore, a production method of an optical component according to the present invention comprises an arrangement step of arranging a plurality of optical fibers including a core and a clad formed around the core, and a shaping step of integrally shaping the plurality of the optical fibers arranged in the arrangement step by a heating and pressuring treatment, characterized in that the core of each optical fiber is divided into a plurality of areas via a partition part made from a material with a refractive index smaller than that of the core, at least one of the optical fibers arranged adjacent with each other is arranged with the dividing direction of the divided core different from that of the other optical fibers in the arrangement step, and the viscosity of the core under the temperature of the heating and pressuring treatment is smaller than the viscosity of the clad in the shaping step. By the use of the production method, the optical component can be produced easily.
The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Optical component having fibers with partitioned cores and production method thereof


A preferable aspect of the present invention provides a high-strength high-toughness hot-rolled steel sheet and a manufacturing method therefor, wherein the hot-rolled steel sheet contains, by weight, 0.07-0.13% C, 0.20-0.50% Si, 0.5-0.9% Mn, 0.03% or less P, 0.02% or less S, 0.005-0.03% Nb, 0.3-0.6% Cr, 0.005-0.03% Ti, 0.1-0.35% Cu, 0.05-0.3% Ni, 0.01-0.15% Mo, 0.007% or less N, 0.001-0.006% Ca, 0.01-0.05% Al, and the balance Fe and other unavoidable impurities, the alloy elements satisfying the following relational formulas [Relational formula 1] 1.6≤(Mo/96)/(P/31)≤6, [Relational formula 2] 1.6≤(Ca/S)≤3, and [Relational formula 3] 3.5≤(3*C/12+Mn/55)*100≤5; wherein a microstructure comprises, by area fraction, 85% or more of polygonal ferrite and 15% or less of pearlite, the crystal grain size of the polygonal ferrite being 10 μm or less; and wherein a variation in yield strength in a width direction is 35 MPa or lower.

When oil and gas are mined, a steel pipe for an oil well is applied to a maximum of 5 km from an upper portion to a lower portion of the oil field. As a mining depth of an oil well has been increased, steel pipes used for oil wells are required to have high strength, high internal and external pressure resistance crush strength, high toughness, and excellent delayed fracture resistance.
In addition, as a mining environment becomes harsh, the mining costs have been rapidly increased. Therefore, various efforts have been made to reduce costs.
In particular, since steel pipes for oil wells, used for maintenance of the oil wells, are subjected to repeated bending during use thereof, materials of the steel pipes are required to have uniformity. When strength of a steel pipe is not uniform in a circumferential direction or in a length direction, buckling or fracturing may occur first in a low-strength portion during repeated bending.
Such a steel material, used to produce steel pipes for maintenance of oil wells, has a thickness of about 2 mm to about 5 mm. During hot rolling, a thickness deviation occurs in both edges portions due to excessive bending of rolling rolls. During water cooling, both edge portions are excessively cooled, as compared with a center portion, to easily cause a deviation of material properties in a width direction. When mining is performed in polar regions, such a steel material is additionally required to have excellent low-temperature toughness at temperature of −40° C. or lower.
Accordingly, there is a need for a hot-rolled steel sheet having excellent low-temperature toughness while having a small deviation in strength in a width direction of a hot-rolled coil and a method for manufacturing the same.    (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 2016-0077385

High-strength high-toughness hot-rolled steel sheet and manufacturing method therefor


An animal harness for an animal includes a loop of webbing, which encircles the back, neck and shoulder of the animal. A pouch is affixed to the loop. A pulsating device is disposed within the pouch and transmits same to the animal through the chest and about its heart to calm the animal during transport.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns animal harnesses. More particularly, the present invention concerns animal harnesses which includes, a seat belt incorporated thereinto. Even more particularly, the present invention concerns harnesses of the type herein described which further includes means for calming the animal during travel and while resting within a vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is replete with various harnesses for transport of animals and, in particular canines or dogs. More particularly, harnesses have been devised for restraining dogs while in a moving vehicle and/or left behind unattended in a vehicle for any particular time. Many of these prior art harnesses also convert into leashes or include webbing or belting associated therewith which define leashes such that there is multiple use for such harnesses.
However, as is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains canines and other animals usually become hyperactive during travel or being left unattended in a vehicle. To date no device has been provided which can "calm" an animal when traveling or being left unattended in a vehicle.
There is known in the prior art certain stuffed animal toys, particularly adapted for cats and dogs, which include a pulsating device, which simulates a heartbeat. When the animal engages the stuffed toy i.e. lies down next to or on the toy and senses the pulsation, the pulsing calms the animal.
However, heretofore, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, there has not been devised a harness which incorporates a soothing pulsing device for calming an animal, be it a dog, or other animals, or a full-grown dog, while restrained within a vehicle. It is to this to which the present invention is directed.


A phosphite stabilizer for organic material is represented by the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or phenyl; R is hydrogen or alkyl; X is a direct bond, sulfur atom or a --CHR.sup.6 group in which R.sup.6 represents hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl; A is an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or *--COR.sup.7 -- in which R.sup.7 is a direct bond or alkyl group, and * represents the bond to the oxygen atom of the phenoxy radical; and one of Y and Z represents a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group or an aralkoxy group and the other one represents atom or an alkyl group.

It has been known that organic materials such as thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, natural or synthetic rubber, mineral oil, lubricating oil, adhesive or paint are deteriorated by an action of heat, oxygen, etc. on their production, processing and use to cause lowering of the strength of the organic materials, change in flow properties, coloring, deterioration of surface physical properties due to a phenomenon such as molecular cleavage or molecular closslinking. These deterioration result in decrease of their commercial value. It has hitherto been known that the organic material is stabilized by various phenol and phosphorous antioxidants, and these antioxidants have been used for solving problems of heat deterioration and oxidation deterioration.
As the phosphorous antioxidant, for example, distearyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite, bis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite and bis(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite are used.
However, the stabilizing effect to heat deterioration and oxidation deterioration of these known phosphorous antioxidants is insufficient. For example, bis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite and the like had a problem that, since it is liable to be hydrolyzed, the hydrolysis occurs on storage to cause scattering in processing stability and an organic material having stable quality can not be obtained, and a problem that a metal in a processing machine is corroded by phosphites produced as a result of the hydrolysis.
On the other hand, for solving the problem of the known phosphorous antioxidants, the present inventors have already suggested a cyclic phosphite having a carbonyloxyalkylene group, such as 2,10-dimethyl-4,8-di-t-butyl-6-{2-3-(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) propionyloxy!ethoxy}-12H-dibenzod,g!1,3,2!dioxaphosphosine. (JP-A-5-86084).
However, although the stabilizing effect of this cyclic phosphite to heat deterioration and oxidization deterioration was improved, this improvement was still not satisfactory. The coloring resistance of this cyclic phosphite to a NOx gas is not sufficient either. Therefore, more improvement has been desired.
The present inventors have produces various cyclic phosphites and studied intensively so as to develop the phosphorous compound which hardly cause the hydrolysis and the stabilizing effect to heat and oxidization deterioration and NOx gas has been improved. As a result, it has been found that specific cyclic phosphites having a carbonyl group or an alkylene group in place of the carbonyloxyalkylene group shows excellent stabilizing effect. Thus, the present invention has been accomplished.

Phosphites, process for producing the same and their use


Action links for a web document may be dynamically generated by a third party. In one implementation, a method may include receiving a request from a client device relating to a document being processed by the client device, the request including a request for content in which the content defines action links that are to be inserted into the document. Action links may be determined for the document based on preferences of a user and content may be generated that describes the determined action links.

Many techniques are available to users today to find information on the world wide web ("web"). For example, users often use web browsers and/or search engines to find information of interest.
Web content providers, such as news sites, blog hosts, or event listing sites, in addition to providing content items, may include "action links" with the content items. An action link may be thought of as an invitation to act on, such as by sharing, the content item. Typically, the action link for a content item is shown visually near the content item. The action link could be an invitation to, for example, submit the content item to a news aggregator, e-mail the content item to an e-mail destination, add an entry to the user's online calendar, or write a review about the content item.
Action links are typically used to drive content to a host site (i.e., the site providing the content items) by making it easy for readers to disseminate links to the hosted content items. A blog hosting site may, for example, provide action links next to blog posts. When a user selects the action link, the user may be taken to a service referenced by the action link, which may allow the user to submit the content item to the service. Unfortunately, the action links provided by a particular hosting site may refer to services in which the user is not interested.

Providing action links to share web content


A blockerless thrust reverser for an aircraft having a podded nacelle housing a turbofan engine which produces core flow and a fan exit stream. Reverse thrust is obtained by diverting the fan exit stream into an annular slot formed in an outer wall of the nacelle where it is turned and discharged forwardly. The fan exit stream is directed into the annular slot by injecting high pressure streams of core flow into the fan exit stream at positions which are upstream of and adjacent to the annular slot. Reverse thrust is selectively obtained by a control means which selectively opens and closes the annular slot and the core jet injectors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a thrust reverser, and more particularly, pertains to a blockerless thrust reverser for an aircraft having a podded nacelle housing a turbo-fan engine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Existing thrust reversers require a mechanical blocker device to divert the normally aft-flowing fan stream and turn it outward prior to being discharged from the aircraft in a forward direction. The blocker sustains very large loads, is heavy, and the associated mechanisms incur stowage, maintenance, internal performance and reliability penalties. Thrust reversing is typically accomplished by deploying large clamshell-like or segmented annular doors to block the fan flow turning it outward and forward, possibly assisted by guide vanes. These load-bearing surfaces are heavy, incur a high parts count due to variable positioning and stowage, and cause performance penalties during stowed operation due to total pressure and leakage losses. Although the thrust reverser system is used for only a fraction of the airplane operating time, its impact on nacelle design, weight, airplane cruise performance, engine maintenance and aircraft operating expense is significant.
An engine company study indicates that a thrust reverser system accounts for more than 30 percent of total nacelle weight (not including the engine) for an engine with a fan diameter greater than 100 in. This can be as much as 1,500 lb for a GE90 class engine. Estimated thrust reverser weight is on the order of 55 percent of total nacelle weight for a Folker F100 or Gulfstream GV type installation. This accounts for approximately 600 to 800 lbs. of the nacelle weight. In addition, due to leakage and pressure drops attributed to thrust reverser mechanisms, thrust reverser systems have been estimated to increase specific fuel consumption (SFC) by 0.5 to 1.0 percent. This significantly increases the cost of doing business for commercial operators.
High by-pass ratio engines installed on aircraft such as the 737, 747, 767, 777, DC10, MD11 and A300 use fan stream cascade vane thrust reversers which reverse the fan stream to provide reverse thrust. Generally, core flow is not reversed, due to the complexities and unreliability associated with reversing the core flow. The reversed fan stream provides sufficient reverse thrust in most cases.
The fan stream thrust reverser consists of a series of cascade vanes located around the periphery of the fan cowling aft of the fan exit guide vanes. A series of blocker doors isolates the cascade vanes from the fan stream in forward thrust, while a translating cowl covers the external surface of the cascade vanes, providing a smooth exterior surface for low drag. On actuation, a mechanical drive system translates the outer cowling aft, exposing the cascade vanes external surfaces, while at the same time pivoting the internal blocker door aft on links attached to the core cowling, blocking the fan flow and reversing it through the cascade vanes. With the thrust reverser stowed, engine performance penalties result from leakage round the stowed blocker doors, as well as scrubbing drag associated with blocker door actuating links.
A fixed pivot thrust reverser is used with engines that incorporate a compound nozzle exhaust system, that is, a single nozzle for combined core and fan flow. This type of reverser is used on executive and small commercial aircraft, such as the Falcon 10/20/30, Saberliner, Gulfstream GIV Executive and Folker F100/F70 Regionaliner. The fixed pivot thrust reverser consists of two target doors that are integral with the nacelle aft cowl assembly. The stowed reverser forms the external boattail of the nacelle and also the internal shape of the exhaust nozzle. Internal joints of the stowed reverser nozzle employ seals to minimize leakage in a forward thrust mode. For operation in a reverse mode, the reverser doors pivot aft to form a target that blocks and turns the combined core and fan flow to produce the desired reverser reaction force. The target is located far enough behind the jet-pipe exit to minimize suppression (back pressure) of the engine turbine exhaust and fan flows. The doors generally include end plates to assist in turning the reversed flow. Pivoting of the doors between the stowed and deployed positions is by means of a pushrod to each door driven by a single bellcrank idler that keeps the door motions synchronized. The bellcrank is powered by a hydraulic actuator.
Mechanical blockers employed by known thrust reversers cause in-flight engine performance penalties because they are heavy in weight, require stowage which increases nacelle drag, and cause pressure losses to the fan flow due to inefficient seals between the blockers and the main body. In addition, mechanical blockers sustain very large loads and have a high parts count which decreases reliability and increases the need for maintenance. Thus, thrust reversers employing mechanical blockers cause significant increases to operating and maintenance costs of an aircraft.
French Patent 1,030,483, 1953, is directed to a general application of a blowing jet to turn a large stream radially outwardly, into a cascade of vanes. This patent mentions directionality of the jet (slightly forward, normal to stream, slightly aft). The Figure and text describes a device that cannot be integrated into a modern turbofan engine. The jet configuration described requires more compressor bleed flow than is possible. This patent does not mention any other design characteristics, and does not mention anything about vane cascade design.
Canadian Patent 669,492, 1963, applies the blowing jet concept of the French Patent, but adds an aft-translated cowl (transcowl) to restrict downstream nozzle flow. This assists the jet in turning the large stream into a vane cascade, and is a restriction to the generality. This patent does not mention anything about vane cascade design.


The system includes a distance protective relay for power lines which includes a logic capability which is responsive to settings entered into the relay by an end user to implement the value of those settings into stored thermal model equations which emulate the temperature of the power line conductor. The logic within the relay is organized and has the capability of receiving the setting values entered by the user and to use those in the logic equations to determine the temperature of the conductor.

Thermal protection for power lines is accomplished by monitoring the temperature of the wire conductor and generating a trip signal which opens a circuit breaker when the conductor temperature becomes greater than the maximum allowed temperature for the conductor. The temperature of the conductor is not measured directly, but is obtained by using a first order thermal model for the conductor. This involves using a heat balance equation (heat input minus heat losses) of a 1000 foot section of conductor.
The 1000 foot section of the line is assumed to have the highest temperature and to be exposed to the maximum solar radiation. The heat input portion in the equation is mainly due to heat dissipated in the conductor resistance and the solar heat gain. The heat loss portion is due primarily to convection and radiation. In general, the equations for establishing such a thermal model are well known, and the procedures for obtaining the temperatures of overhead conductors using a thermal model are set forth in IEEE Standard 738-1193, titled "IEEE Standard for Calculating the Current-Temperature Relationship of Bare Overhead Conductors".
A power line thermal model has been used previously in protective relays, although the thermal model equations are preestablished and the parameters thereof are determined by the manufacturer. The user has no control over the thermal model or its operation. It is an automatic process. This can lead to inaccurate results in some cases. Accordingly, it is desirable that the end user of a protective relay have some capability to itself establish the thermal model parameters for a more accurate and fast determination of power line temperature.

Distance protective relay using a programmable thermal model for thermal protection

Schweitzet Engineering Laboratories, Inc.


The invention concerns a bending-loss single mode optical fibre having a Mode Field Diameter at 1310 nm greater than or equal to 9 microns and having a core and a cladding, the core refractive index profile having a trapezoid-like shape. According to an aspect of the invention, the cladding comprises a shallow trench with a refractive index difference Ant between −2×10−3; and −0.9×10−3, and: the trapezoid ratio r0/r1 of the core is between 0.1 and 0.6, preferably, between 0.2 and 0.5, more preferably between 0.25 and 0.45; the core surface integral Formula (I) is between 20.10 3 μm and 24.10−3 μm and the cladding surface integral Formula (II) is between −25×10−3 μm and −9×10−3 μm, where Δn(r) is the refractive-index difference with respect to said outer cladding as a function of the radius r, and said single mode optical fibre fulfils the following criterion: 25.7×10−3≤V01−0.2326V02≤26.8×10−3.

Telecommunication systems require optical fibre, which is capable of transmitting signals for a long distance without degradation. Such optical-fibre transmission systems often use single-mode optical fibres (SMFs), such as, for example, so-called "standard" single-mode fibres (SSMFs), which are used in terrestrial transmission systems.
To facilitate compatibility between optical systems from different manufacturers, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has defined several standards with which a standard optical transmission fibre should comply. Among these standards, the ITU-T G. 652 recommendation (Last revision of November 2016) describes the characteristics of single-mode fibre and cable-based networks, which can answer the growing demand for broadband services. The ITU-T G. 652 recommendation has several attributes (i.e. A, B, C and D) defining the fibre attributes of a single mode optical fibre.
As the specific use in an optical access network puts different demands on the fibre and cable, which impacts its optimal performance characteristics, the ITU-T G. 657 recommendation focuses more precisely on bending-loss insensitive single mode optical fibres, which show strongly improved bending performance compared with the existing ITU-T G.652 single-mode fibre and cables. Actually, such improved bending performance is necessary, due to the high density network of distribution and drop cables in the access network, as well as to the limited space and the many manipulations needed, which ask for operator-friendly fibre performance and low bending sensitivity.
Both ITU-T G. 652 and ITU-T G. 657 standards are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The ITU-T G. 657 recommendation describes two categories (A and B) of single-mode optical fibre cable which are suitable for use in access networks, including inside buildings at the end of these networks. Both categories A and B contain two subcategories which differ in macrobending loss.
Category A fibres are optimized for reduced macrobending loss and tighter dimensional specifications compared to ITU-T G.652.D fibres and can be deployed throughout the access network. These fibres are suitable to be used in the 0, E, S, C and L-band (i.e., throughout the 1260 to 1625 nm range). Fibres and requirements in this category are a subset of ITU-T G.652.D and therefore compliant with ITU-T G.652.D fibres and have the same transmission and interconnection properties.
Subcategory ITU-T G.657.A1 fibres are appropriate for a minimum design radius of 10 mm. Subcategory ITU-T G.657.A2 fibres are appropriate for a minimum design radius of 7.5 mm.
Table 1 in the ITU-T G.657 Recommendation (ITU-T G.657 category A attributes; November 2016 Issue) provides the ranges or limits on values of the single-mode fibre characteristics in order for them to comply with the ITU-T G.657.A recommendation.
Macrobending loss observed in uncabled fibres varies with wavelength, bend radius and the number of turns about a mandrel with a specified radius. In order for a SMF to comply with the ITU-T G.657.A recommendation, macrobending loss shall not exceed the maximum value given in the below table for the specified wavelength(s), bend radii and number of turns.
Although the ITU-T G.657.A recommendation does not provide any specific requirement as regards the refractive index profile of the optical fibre, which does not need to be known according to the standard, it must be noted that single mode optical fibres with trench assisted refractive index profiles have been introduced in the market. Thanks to this design, improved macro-bending losses can be reached, compared to legacy step index designs. Nowadays, it is this profile design type which is used to manufacture fibres compliant with the ITU-T G. 657. A2 recommendation.
TABLE 1ITU-T G.657.A attributesFibre attributesAttributeDetailValueUnitMode fieldWavelength1 310nmdiameterRange of nominal8.6-9.2μmvaluesTolerance±0.4μmCladdingNominal125.0μmdiameterTolerance±0.7μmCore concen-Maximum0.5μmtricity errorCladdingMaximum1.0%non-circularityCable cut-offMaximum1 260nmwavelengthITU-T G.657.A1ITU-T G.657.A2Uncabled fibreRadius151015107.5mmmacrobending Number of turns1011011lossMax. at 1 550 nm0.250.750.030.10.5dB(Notes 1, 2)Max. at 1 625 nm1.01.50.10.21.0dBITU-T G.657 category AProof stressMinimum0.69GPaChromaticλ0min1 300nmparameterλ0max1 324nm3-term Sellmeier S0min0.073ps/(nm2 × km)fitting(1 260 nm to S0max0.092ps/(nm2 × km)1 460 nm)Linear fittingMin. at 1550 nm13.3ps/(nm × km)(1 460 nm to Max. at 1550 nm18.6ps/(nm × km)1 625 nm)Min. at 1625 nm17.2ps/(nm × km)Max. at 1625 nm23.7ps/(nm × km)Cable attributesAttenuationMaximum from 1 310 nm to 0.40dB/kmcoefficient1 625 nm (Note 4)(Note 3)Maximum at 1 383 nm ±3 nm after0.40dB/kmhydrogen ageing (Note 5)Maximum at 1 530-1 565 nm0.30dB/kmPMDM20cablescoefficientQ0.01%Maximum PMDQ0.20ps/km1/2
More precisely, up to day, in order to comply with the tightest ITU-T G. 657. A2 specification, bend insensitive single mode fibres require a deep trench in the cladding. Actually, for the time being, single mode fibres without such a deep trench in the cladding can comply with the worst G.657.A category, i.e. G.657.A1, but not with the G.657.A2 category, because of their high macro-bending losses level for 7.5 mm and 10 mm bend radii.
Moreover, as appears in the above table, the ITU-T G. 657. A2 specification accepts nominal Mode Field Diameter (MFD) at a wavelength of 1310 nm comprised between 8.6 μm and 9.2 μm. The ITU-T G. 652.D standard also accepts nominal Mode Field Diameter (MFD) at a wavelength of 1310 nm comprised between 8.6 μm and 9.2 μm. However, while commercialized G. 652.D fibres are generally targeting a nominal MFD at 1310 nm at the high end of the specification, that is, between 9.0 μm and 9.2 μm, the currently commercialized G. 657.A fibres are generally designed to have a Mode Field Diameter at the low end of the specification, i.e. between 8.6 μm and 8.8 μm. Actually, most G. 657.A fibres manufacturers had to play on the Mode Field Diameter, and lower it, in order to achieve the demanding requirements of the G. 657.A standard as regards macrobending losses.
To improve backward compatibility (in particular regarding splices and reduce misinterpretation with OTDR ("Optical Time Domain Reflectometer")) with standard step-index G.652.D fibres, it is preferable to have a G.657.A2 fibre without trench and that is targeting a nominal MFD at 1310 nm between 9.0 and 9.2 μm.
Patent document WO2015/092464, in the name of the Applicant, describes a single mode optical fibre having a core and a cladding, the core refractive index profile having a trapezoid-like shape. The transition part of the trapezoid-like core refractive index profile is obtained by gradually changing a concentration of at least two dopants from a concentration in the centre part of the core to a concentration in a cladding part adjacent to the core.
Actually, trapezoid core shape is a well-known solution to control extra losses or to design non-zero dispersion shifted fibres, and is also easier to manufacture than well-known alpha core shapes, used for multimode fibres. However, the profile designs disclosed in this patent document are not compliant with the ITU-T G.657.A2 recommendation, and have Mode Field Diameters at 1310 nm below 9.0 μm.
Patent document U.S. Pat. No. 7,187,833 discloses an optical waveguide fibre having a multi-segmented core surrounded by a cladding, the core having a central segment and an annular segment surrounding the central segment. The central segment has a positive relative refractive index profile, and the annular segment has a negative relative refractive index profile. The optical fibre exhibits an effective area of greater than about 75 μm2 at a wavelength of about 1550 nm, a dispersion slope of less than 0.07 ps/nm2/km at a wavelength of about 1550 nm, a zero-dispersion wavelength of between about 1290 and 1330 nm, and an attenuation of less than 0.20 dB/km, and preferably less than 0.19 dB/km, at a wavelength of about 1550 nm.
Contrarily to patent document WO2015/092464, this document does not disclose a trapezoid core. Moreover, the respective core and trench volumes disclosed in this document do not allow achieving a single mode fibre profile fulfilling the above-listed requirements.
Patent document U.S. Pat. No. 8,849,082 discloses an optical fibre comprising: (I) a germania doped central core region having outer radius r1 and (II) a maximum relative refractive index Δ1max and a cladding region including (i) a first inner cladding region having an outer radius r2>5 microns and refractive index Δ2; (ii) a second inner cladding region having an outer radius r3>9 microns and comprising refractive index Δ3; and (iii) an outer cladding region surrounding the inner cladding region and comprising refractive index Δ4, wherein Δ1max>Δ4, Δ2>Δ3, and wherein 0.01%≤Δ4−Δ3≤0.09%, said fibre exhibits a 22 m cable cutoff less than or equal to 1260 nm, and 0.25≤r1/r2≤0.85.
Contrarily to patent document WO2015/092464, this document does not disclose a trapezoid core. Moreover, although the single mode fibres disclosed in this document are compliant with the ITU-T G.652 standard, it is not clear whether they also comply with the requirements of the ITU-T G.657.A2 standard as regards macrobending losses.
In summary, none of these prior art designs corresponds to a single mode fibre which would be compliant with the ITU-T G.657.A2 recommendation, which cladding would not comprise a deep trench, and which would target a nominal MFD at 1310 nm ranging from 9.0 μm to 9.2 μm.
There is therefore a need for an improved Single Mode Fibre profile, which would be compliant with the ITU-T G.657.A2 recommendation, while being easily spliced with a standard Single Mode Fibre without trench, compliant with the ITU-T G. 652.D standard.

Bending-loss insensitive single mode fibre, with a shallow trench, and corresponding optical system


A method and system provides interfaces, data structures and events for representing a “sink” of multimedia data to interact with objects in a multimedia system to control multimedia objects. The interfaces and data structures enable efficient management for media objects that must interface directly with each other. One embodiment is directed to providing a common interface and a single API to a plurality of media objects. In an embodiment, the API is a control layer that isolates the media objects from each other and provides a single point of control, allowing media objects to be added or removed without affecting any other media objects. The control layer allows users to become familiar with only one API instead of many thereby facilitating the tasks of programming and documentation.

As the abilities of computers expand into entertainment genres that once required separate electronic components, increased efficiency and user-friendliness is desirable. One solution is Microsoft's® DirectShow®, which provides playback of multimedia streams from local files or Internet servers, capture of multimedia streams from devices, and format conversion of multimedia streams. DirectShow enables playback of video and audio content of file types such as MPEG, Apple® QuickTime®, Audio-Video Interleaved (AVI), and WAV.
DirectShow includes a system of pluggable filter components. Filters are objects that support DirectShow interfaces and can operate on streams of data by reading, copying, modifying and writing data to a file. The basic types of filters include a source filter, which takes the data from some source, such as a file on disk, a satellite feed, an Internet server, or a VCR, and introduces it into the filter graph which is a connection of filters. The filter graph provides a transform filter, which converts the format of the data, a sink and source filter which receives data and transmits the data; and a rendering filter, which renders the data, such as rendering the data to a display device. The data could also be rendered to any location that accepts media. Other types of filters included in DirectShow include effect filters, which add effects without changing the data type, and parser filters, which understand the format of the source data and know how to read the correct bytes, create times stamps, and perform seeks.
Therefore, all data passes from filter to filter along with a good deal of control information. When filters are connected using the pins, a filter graph is created. To control the data flow and connections in a filter graph, DirectShow includes a filter graph manager. The filter graph manager assists in assuring that filters are connected in the proper order, but the data and much of the control do not pass through the filter graph manager. Filters must be linked appropriately. For example, the filter graph manager must search for a rendering configuration, determine the types of filters available, link the filters appropriate for a given data type and provide an appropriate rendering filter.
Although filters allow a great deal of reuse of programs, the use of filters also creates unanticipated problems. One of the problems created by filters is the large number of application programming interfaces (APIs) required by the filters. Each filter essentially has a separate API. Therefore, a given filter must be capable of interfacing to an API for every filter to which the filter might attach. Also, the use of filters makes the problem of shutting down a given filter problematic. When a given filter in a graph is shut down, any filter interfacing with the given filter must shut down any associated interfaces. In general, programming a filter to gracefully handle the loss of an interface is difficult as the state of the filter can be unknown when the interface is lost. The loss of interfaces therefore tends to lead to unpredicted behavior in the filters and ultimately to ill-behaved programs. What is needed is a system and method and associated data structures and interfaces that avoid unpredicted behavior.


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: forming a lower electrode above a substrate; forming, above the lower electrode, a first variable resistance layer comprising a first metal oxide; forming a step region in the first variable resistance layer by collision of ions excited by plasma; removing residue of the first variable resistance layer created in the forming of the step region; forming a second variable resistance layer which covers the step region of the first variable resistance layer, comprises a second metal oxide having a degree of oxygen deficiency lower than a degree of oxygen deficiency of the first metal oxide, and has a bend on a step formed along an edge of the step region; and forming an upper electrode above the second variable resistance layer.

Recent years have seen increasing high performance in electronic devices such as mobile information devices and information appliances following the development of digital technology. With the increased high performance in these electronic devices, miniaturization and increase in speed of semiconductor memory devices used are rapidly advancing. Among these, application of semiconductor memory devices to large-capacity nonvolatile memories represented by a flash memory is rapidly expanding.
In addition, as a semiconductor memory device to be applied to a next-generation nonvolatile memory to replace the flash memory, research and development on a variable resistance nonvolatile memory device (what is called a variable resistance element) is advancing. Here, variable resistance element refers to an element which has a property in which a resistance value reversibly changes according to electrical signals, and is capable of storing information corresponding to the resistance value in a nonvolatile manner.
For example, Patent Literature (PTL) 1 proposes a variable resistance nonvolatile memory device configured of a variable resistance layer which is interposed between a pair of electrodes and includes, in a stacked structure, a first variable layer comprising a first metal oxide and a second variable layer comprising a second metal oxide having a lower degree of oxygen deficiency than the first metal oxide. Definition of the degree of oxygen deficiency shall be described later.
In PTL 1, it is possible to realize stable resistance changing operation because, according to the variable resistance nonvolatile memory device configured in the above manner, oxidation/reduction reaction of the variable resistance layer selectively occurs in an interface where the second variable resistance layer and an electrode are in contact.
Although capable of realizing stable resistance changing operation, the above-described variable resistance nonvolatile memory device requires processing (hereafter referred to as initial break processing) for forming a filament in the second variable resistance layer, in order to be brought, from the initial state immediately after manufacturing, to a state in which the resistance changing operation is possible.
The initial break processing is performed, for example, by applying, to the variable resistance layer, a voltage pulse having a voltage (hereafter referred to as initial break voltage) that is higher than the voltage required for normal variable resistance changing operation.
Consequently, a variable resistance nonvolatile memory device in which the initial break processing can be achieved with a lower initial break voltage is being studied.
For example, PTL 2 proposes a variable resistance nonvolatile memory device configured of a variable resistance layer which is interposed between a pair of electrodes and includes, in a stacked structure, a first variable layer comprising a first metal oxide and a second variable layer comprising a second metal oxide having a lower degree of oxygen deficiency than the first metal oxide, wherein the surface of the first variable resistance layer has a step, and the second variable resistance layer has a bend above the step.
In PTL 2, initial break processing is possible through the application of a low initial break voltage because, according to the variable resistance nonvolatile memory device configured in the above manner, a bend reflecting the shape of the step of the first variable resistance layer is formed in the second variable resistance layer above the step, and it becomes easy to form a filament centered on such bend.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor memory device

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A GaN device suppressing the instantaneous current reduction after the shut-off of a high frequency signal is disclosed. The GaN device provides, on a SiC substrate, an AlN layer, a GaN layer, and an AlGaN layer, The SiC substrate has an energy difference greater than 0.67 eV but less than 1.43 eV; the AlN layer has a thickness less than 50 nm; and the GaN layer has a thickness less than 1.5 μm.

1. Field of the Invention
The presents application relates to a semiconductor device, in particular, the present application relates to a nitride semiconductor device formed on a semi-insulating silicon carbide (SiC) substrate.
2. Background Arts
A nitride semiconductor device, for instance, a field effect transistor (FET) such as high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) has been installed in a base station of the mobile communication system as an elementary device 15 showing high power at higher frequencies. A Japanese Patent laid open No. 2006-286741A has disclosed a HEMT device stacking, on a semi-insulating SiC substrate, semiconductor layers of an aluminum nitride (AlN) buffer layer, a gallium nitride (GaN) channel layer, and aluminum-gallium nitride 20 (AlGaN) carrier supplying layer in this order.
The gradual decrease of the drain current under a constant bias condition, which is often called as the current collapsing, may be suppressed by adequately setting a thickness of AlN buffer layer. However, the current reduction in a short time after the shut-off of the input high frequency signal, which is often called as the instantaneous current reduction, has been left as a subject to be solved.

Nitride semiconductor device with limited instantaneous current reduction


Circuits, architectures, a system and methods for memories with multiple power supplies and/or multiple low power modes. The circuit generally includes peripheral circuitry operating at a first voltage, a memory array operating at a second voltage, and translation circuitry configured to receive an input from the peripheral circuitry at the first voltage and provide an output to the memory array at the second voltage, the translation circuitry further configured to prevent leakage during a standard operating mode of the memory. The method generally includes operating peripheral circuitry at a first voltage from a first power rail, operating a memory array at the first voltage or a second voltage, the memory array being coupled to a second power rail, coupling the first and second power rails during standard operating mode when the memory array operates at the first voltage, otherwise not coupling the first and second power rails, and reducing leakage in the memory array during a leakage reduction mode by reducing a voltage differential between a ground plane in the memory array and the second power rail.

Conventional memory chips generally comprise peripheral control logic and at least one memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells. In some chips, the memory control logic is coupled to the memory array via a translation circuit (e.g., a voltage converter). A translation circuit converts one fixed supply voltage from an external power supply to a different operating voltage suitable for the memory array. Typically, the memory cells operate at a minimum reliable operating voltage for storing and erasing information. In certain embodiments, the power supplies are each provided by an external power supply.
As illustrated in system 10 of FIG. 1A, a first fixed voltage VCC1 is provided to memory chip 12 from a power supply 50 on power supply line 55. The voltage VCC1 is provided on power rail 25 to logic circuitry in a peripheral region 20 of the chip 12, and to a voltage translation circuit (not shown) in translation region 30. The voltage translation circuit (e.g., a two-stage level-shifting circuit) is generally configured to increase or decrease the first voltage VCC1 to a second fixed voltage VCC2 from power rail 45 in memory array 40, where the voltage VCC2 on the power rail 45 is different from the voltage VCC1 in peripheral region 20. In certain conventional systems, the voltage VCC2 provided to memory array 40 is greater than that of the voltage VCC1 provided to peripheral circuit 20. The voltage VCC2 provided to the voltage translation circuit in the translation region 30 via voltage supply line 35 is generally the minimum reliable operating voltage at which the memory cells (not shown) in the memory array 40 can store and erase information. However, the typical two-stage translation circuitry in the translation region 30 introduces latency (e.g., the time to convert signals at the voltage VCC1 supplied to the peripheral region 20 to signals at the voltage VCC2 for the memory array).
FIG. 1B illustrates an alternative system 57 that includes a memory controller 70, a system power supply 50, a level shifter (L/S) 32, and memory chip 16. The system power supply 50 provides power to the memory controller 70. In such systems, the memory chip 16 may require a greater supply voltage than that provided by the system power supply 50. Level shifter 32 is located outside of the memory chip 16, between system control signal 72 (such as a read enable or write enable signal) from the memory controller 70 and input 18 to the memory chip 16. In some cases, more than one level shifter 32 is required. The level shifter(s) 32 consume significant board or system-on-chip (SOC) area and add significant delay, and are burdensome to the system designer as a result.
FIG. 1C illustrates a second conventional memory system 60 that utilizes a power supply 50 to provide power to a memory chip 14. Specifically, power supply 50 provides a fixed voltage VCC to both peripheral circuitry 22 and to memory array 42 through power supply line 65. Memory chip 14 is generally configured to operate at a voltage (e.g., VCC) greater than that of the minimum voltage required for the logic in the peripheral region 22 and/or for the cells (not shown) in the memory array 42 to retain data. As a result, the circuitry in the peripheral region 22 or the memory array 42 may operate at a voltage greater than its minimum required operating voltage. Operating circuitry at a voltage greater than the minimum required voltage increases power consumption and reduces the efficiency of the circuitry.
This "Background" section is provided for background information only. The statements in this "Background" are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this "Background" section constitutes prior art to the present disclosure, and no part of this "Background" section may be used as an admission that any part of this application, including this "Background" section, constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.

Circuits, architectures, apparatuses, systems, algorithms, and methods for memory with multiple power supplies and/or multiple low power modes


An application programming interface (API) module provides access to data, independent of filesystem implementation in a non-privileged user mode. A discovery volume having a filesystem recognizable by an operating system has cover files which prevent damage to data stored in an unrecognizable primary volume. The discovery volume also includes a data access API available for execution in a non-privileged user mode to render the primary volume accessible by operating systems which would otherwise find the primary volume unrecognizable.

Access to data across multiple filesystems is a significant concern for computer users. Users may encounter difficulties when trying to access filesystems supported in a source system but not supported in an accessing system. For example, an older version of an operating system may be unable to access a volume created in a newer version of the operating system because of new features present in the filesystem of the newer version, which render the newer version inaccessible to the older version.
Attempts to access volumes containing a filesystem incompatible with the accessing device may have unintended consequences for users. The accessing system may not recognize the filesystem of the source system and present the volume as "raw," or apparently unrecognized. At the least, the accessing system may not be able to determine that data is present on that volume. At worst, an accessing system which fails to recognize the volume may prompt the user to reformat the entire volume, causing loss of the data in the volume.
Furthermore, loading of special drivers or software to allow access to a volume ordinarily unrecognizable by an operating system has traditionally required execution in kernel mode, thus running afoul of security policies which limit execution to user mode.

Non-privileged access to data independent of filesystem implementation


A multi-layered therapy pad is provided having a comfortable and supportive structure that houses heat therapy and electrotherapy means for treating back injuries and sores while an individual lies thereon. The pad comprises a first and second outermost layer of low-resilience polyurethane foam sandwiching an internal layer of higher density foam, which also supports electrical connections between the therapy controller, the power source, and the two therapy means within the pad. The electrotherapy means comprises static or tethered electrodes that apply pulsing electric current directly onto the user's back for stimulation and easing of back pain, while the heat therapy is applied using a resistance heating element within the pad, which heats a majority of the pad for applying heat to the user's back. The operation of the therapy means is controlled by an external controller, while power in received through an external source or an internal battery pack.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat therapy and electrotherapy back pad that stimulates the nerves and muscles of the user's back to reduce pain and stiffness, while offering a comfortable and supportive structure upon which to lie upon. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a multi-layered back pad serving as a back support and heat therapy and electrotherapy device for a user, thereby treating back injuries, pain, and soreness
It is common for individuals to experience back pain some time during their lives. Back pain can come about in a number of different ways and be a result of a number of different causes, including physical exertion, poor posture, the result of a physical injury, or as a result of individual medical issues that may make one more prone to back injury or soreness than others. The manifestation of back pain ranges from dull soreness to acute pain that can be nearly debilitating for the individual. In situations of acute pain, an individual may be bedridden for periods of time and prevented from engaging in normal activities. This makes rehabilitation activities difficult to initiate and less likely to succeed. Common remedies include the application of pain relieving medication, bed rest, and the use of physical supports for improved mobility. Each of these has their own specific drawbacks and hardships on the individual.
While physical therapy and updating one's behavior are the best ways to prevent and sometimes alleviate back pain in the long term, this does not address the real need for immediate relief of the affected area. The use of pain relieving medication serves as a temporary solution, but only masks the problem and gives rise to other concerns such as dependence and further injury to the back. A medicated individual may not realize they are exerting themselves in the moment, exacerbating an injury or causing more strain on the user's back. Swelling that may result, pinched nerves, or further straining of muscles can ensue that adversely affects the individual's recovery. The medicated user does not realize the pain and continues normal routines. This can be counterproductive to recovery, while the extended use of medication can lead to dependence on the medication, leading to other individual and public health concerns.
Therapeutic treatments for back injuries and back pain include heat therapy, electrotherapy, physical therapy, and the use of appliances that promote posture or remove stress on certain parts of the body. Heat therapy involves the application of a heat by a heat source to the affected area to relieve muscle tension and pain associated therewith. Generally a resistive heating element provides a consistent elevated temperature to the individual's back to loosen the muscles and relive tension. Electrotherapy can take on several forms, and generally concerns the application of electric current directly to the individual's muscles and nerves for stimulation and pain relief. Electrodes are connected to the user that connects to an electrical current source, which pulses the electric current for a period of time.
One such application is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, which is nerve excitation by pulsing application of electric current directly through the individual's skin at a given frequency. The stimulation has therapeutic effects and its application is non-invasive, providing a solution that offers pain management, increased blood flow, and relaxation of muscle soreness and spasms. The final form of therapy that is most helpful is physical therapy, which involves the controlled exercise of the muscles groups of the back and other body regions for strengthening the individual and reducing stiffness. The present invention pertains to the application of both heat therapy and electrotherapy in a supportive and comfortable back pad device.
Physical appliances are supportive structures that position an individual in the proper posture or support the user properly while in different positions, either to prevent back injury or to provide therapeutic relief thereto. Proper positioning and support of one's back is essential to reducing back pain, preventing injuries, and further for treating injuries after the fact. The present invention provides a back pack having a supportive and comfortable structure that supports a user in a supine position, while at the same time applying heat therapy and electrotherapy to the user's back in a way to relieve muscle stress, treat pain, stimulate nerves, and promote proper posture while lying down.
The present invention relates to a back pad appliance upon which a user rests in a supine position, wherein the pad provides a comfortable and supportive surface having both a defined structure and imbedded therapeutic devices. Within the pad are several layers for comfort and support, along with therapy means that are directly apply treatment to individuals suffering from back pain. These therapy means include a resistive heating element that applies heat therapy to the back region of the user, while electrodes of the electrotherapy means are applied to the user's back for the application of electrical current or pulses thereof. The overall goal is to provide a back pad that can be used in the home and in bed for back pain relief, accelerating recovery of back injuries or treating back pain without the use of pain killing medication.
Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to pain relieving and therapeutic devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and generally relate to pads, pillows, and other structures having various user stimulation and therapy means. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,470 to Harris discloses a seat-less massaging bed cushion having a backrest and armrest portion for supporting a user in a seated position. Within the backrest is at least one massage unit that may include pulsing transducers or heating units controlled by a control panel and provided electrical power via a power supply. The pulsing transducers and heating units provide a massaging backrest that relieves pain and massages the user while in a seated position. While disclosing a heating and massaging therapeutic device, the Harris device fails to disclose the functional and design aspects of the present invention, notably a heat therapy and electrotherapy device for a prone user recovering from a back injury or treating a sore back during periods of rest.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0213646 to Han discloses a pillar-shaped pillow having a massaging capability. The pillow includes a vibration motor and a negative ion generating portion, both elements providing therapeutic benefits for the neck and scalp region of a user lying on the pillow. Similar to the Harris device, the Han device provides a massaging and therapeutic device for relaxation and muscle treatment, but fails to disclose the novel aspects of the heating and electrotherapy pad of the present invention.
The present invention describes a back treatment pad having a supportive structure, a heat therapy means, and an electrotherapy means, whereby the assembly is used to support a supine user. It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing back therapy support devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

Multi-layered heat therapy and electrotherapy back pad device


A positron emission computed tomography apparatus according to an embodiment includes a detector, a coincidence counting information generating unit, and a body movement detecting unit. The detector detects annihilation radiation released from a subject. The coincidence counting information generating unit searches for sets of counting information, which counted a pair of annihilation radiations at substantially the same time, from a counting information list that is generated from output signals of the detector; generates a set of coincidence counting information for each retrieved set of counting information; and generates a time series list of coincidence counting information. Based on the time series list of coincidence counting information, the body movement detecting unit detects temporal changes in the body movement of the subject.

Typically, as a nuclear medicinal imaging apparatus, a positron emission computed tomography (PET) apparatus is known. During the imaging performed by a PET apparatus, a radiopharmaceutical agent that is labeled with positron-emitting radionuclides is administered to the subject. As a result, the positron-emitting radionuclides that are selectively incorporated into the body tissues of the subject release positrons, which then get coupled with electrons and are annihilated. At that time, the positrons release pairs of annihilation radiations (hereinafter, referred to as "annihilation gamma-rays) in the direction almost opposite. The PET apparatus detects such annihilation gamma-rays with the use of detectors that are arranged in a ring-like manner around the subject. Then, by referring to the detection result, the PET apparatus generates a time series list (also called "coincidence list") of coincidence counting information. Subsequently, with the use of the time series list of coincidence counting information, the PET apparatus performs reconstruction and generates a PET image.
Meanwhile, the methods of imaging performed by a PET apparatus include imaging in synchronization with the respiration of the subject. During the respiration-synchronized imaging, an external device other than the main body of the PET apparatus is used to obtain body movement information of the subject. The external device is, for example, a respiratory displacement monitor. Herein, for example, during the imaging, the respiratory displacement monitor emits infrared light to an infrared light reflection marker that is placed on the chest region of the subject; takes photographs using a reflection camera; and traces the marker shadow to obtain information on respiratory displacement. However, in the case of using such an external device, it becomes necessary to separately setup and adjust the external device. Moreover, since the infrared light reflection marker may move out of alignment or may fall down during the imaging, using it can be a complicated task.

Positron emission computed tomography apparatus and image processing apparatus


A yellow dye-forming coupler represented by formula (I):

In a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material (hereinafter, also referred to simply as "a light-sensitive material") for subtractive color photography, a color image is formed by dyes of three primary colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan. In the color photography that uses current p-phenylenediamine-series color-developing agents, acylacetoanilide-series compounds are used as yellow couplers. However, the hue of the yellow dyes obtained from these yellow couplers is reddish, due to an inferior sharpness of a peak of the absorption curve at the longer wavelength side (that is, on the absorption curve, the peak in interest has subsidiary absorption at its foot portion at the longer wavelength side), which renders it difficult to obtain a yellow hue with high purity. Further, because the molecular extinction coefficient of the yellow dyes is low, it is necessary, to attain a desired color density, to use larger amounts of both the coupler and the silver halide. The use of such larger amounts of these components has a problem that the resulting increase in thickness of a light-sensitive material sometimes lowers the sharpness of the obtained color image. Further, the above-mentioned dyes are apt to decompose under conditions of high temperature and high humidity, or of irradiation by radiation, and have a weakness of image storability after development processing. Accordingly, it has been desired to improve these weak points.
In order to solve these problems, improvement of acyl groups and anilido groups were proposed on the couplers. Recently, as improved couplers of the conventional acylacetoanilide-series couplers, there were proposed, for example, 1-alkylcyclopropanecarbonyl acetoanilide-series compounds, (for example, JP-A-4-218042 ("JP-A" means unexamined published Japanese patent application)); cyclomalonic acid diamide-type couplers (for example, JP-A-5-11416); pyrrole-2- or 3-yl- or indole-2- or 3-yl-carbonylacetoanilide-series couplers (for example, European Patent Publication Nos. 953870A1,

wherein Q represents a group of nonmetallic atoms that form a 5- to 7-membered ring in combination with the —N═C—N(R1)—; R1 and R2 each independently represents a substituent; R4 represents an alkyl group; m represents an integer of 0 to 4; when m is 2 or more, the multiple R2s may be the same or different, and the R2s may bond each other to form a ring; and X represents a hydrogen atom, or a group capable of being split-off upon a coupling reaction with an oxidized product of a developing agent; and when R4 represents a primary alkyl group, R1 represents —(CH2)3O—R101 in which R101 is an alkyl group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
Further, the present invention is a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material having at least one yellow dye-forming coupler represented by formula (I) in at least one layer provided on a support.
Other and further features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description.

Dye-forming coupler and silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material

Abstract: wherein Q represents a group of nonmetallic atoms that form a 5- to 7-membered ring in combination with the —N═C—N(R1)—; R1 and R2 each represent a substituent; R4 represents an alkyl group; m represents an integer of 0 to 4; and X represents a hydrogen atom, or a group capable of being split-off upon a coupling reaction with an oxidized product of a developing agent; and when R4 represents a primary alkyl group, R1 represents —(CH2)3O—R101 in which R101 is an alkyl group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms. A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material having at least one yellow dye-forming coupler represented by formula (I) in at least one layer provided on a support.


Optical communication apparatus comprises: a first IC assembly disposed at a first PCB and comprising: a first IC package electrically coupled to circuits of the first PCB and having an opening in a bottom layer thereof; a first array of optical elements disposed in and electrically coupled to the first IC package and aligned with the bottom layer opening; and a tube of optical fibers disposed in the bottom layer opening with one end aligned under the first array and another end protruding out from the bottom layer of the first package and extending through a hole in the first PCB; a second IC assembly disposed at a second PCB, arranged in parallel with the first PCB, and comprising: a second IC package electrically coupled to circuits of the second PCB and having an opening in a top layer thereof; and a second array of optical elements disposed at the second IC package and electrically coupled thereto through the top layer opening; and wherein the second array being optically aligned with the optical fiber tube of the first IC package to accommodate optical communication between the arrays through the optical fibers of the tube. Various other embodiments of the apparatus are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to optical communications, in general, and more particularly to apparatus for providing optical communication between integrated circuits of different printed circuit (PC) boards and an integrated circuit assembly for use therein.
Modem PC boards are comprised of a plurality of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Each of the ASICs of a PC board may include a digital data processor which performs its processing operations in parallel with the other ASICs of the board. In a data processing system, the ASICs of one PC board communicate with the ASICs of another PC board. Generally, the data communication between PC boards is through backplane or mother board electrical connections which present a bottleneck to the board-to-board communication. This communication bottleneck between boards is especially compounded by the parallel processing operations of the plurality of ASICs of each board.
Greater demands for increased bandwidth are being made on data communication between the ASICs of the different PC boards. Communication rates of tens of gigabits per second are exemplary of such demands. These demands can not be met by the traditional metal electrical connections found on mother boards and back plane connections, for example. One solution to meet these demands is to create optical communication channels for board-to-board communication using light coupling between an array of light emitters of one PC board and an array of light detectors of another PC board.
A drawback to this solution is that a light coupling interconnection between ASICs of different PC boards is no simple task. Thus, a simple and automatic interconnection of the light coupling between ASICs of different PC boards is desirable to render optical communication between ASICs a commercially viable reality. The present invention intends to satisfy this desire through suitable apparatus and integrated circuit assembly.

Apparatus for providing optical communication between integrated circuits of different PC boards and an integrated circuit assembly for use therein

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A cable hoist having an emergency braking arrangement comprising a dual toothed wheel assembly driven via a cable drum of the hoist. One of two toothed wheels of the toothed wheel assembly is sensed by a sensing lever of an anchor and an opposite end of the anchor interacts with a ratchet wheel of the toothed wheel assembly. As soon as an over speed occurs, the anchor engages in the ratchet wheel and causes a rotary movement of a carrier on which the anchor is mounted. This rotary motion is used to trigger a mechanical braking arrangement coupled to the cable drum.

Cable or rope hoists comprise a cable drum to which one end of a traction cable is fastened. A gear motor is used to selectively rotate the cable drum in one or the other direction. The gear motor comprises a gearing mechanism as well as art asynchronous or a synchronous motor. Permanently excited direct current motors may also be used.
For safety reasons, a brake is also assigned to the cable drum, whereby the brake is to become enabled whenever a malfunction occurs in the drive train between the motor and the gearing mechanism. Such a malfunction may be, for example, the occurrence of a brake failure in the drive or a power failure in the motor. Synchronous and asynchronous motors do not have their own detent torque.

Rope hoist with an emergency braking arrangement


A catalyst for selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons is presented. The catalyst selectively hydrogenates acetylenes and diolefins to increase the monoolefins in a product stream. The catalyst includes a layered structure with an inert inner core and an outer layer bonded to the inner core, where the outer layer is a metal oxide and has at least two metals deposited on the outer layer.

Hydrocarbon stream feeds like pyrolysis gas feeds can have diene values ranging from 1-120 and diolefin weight percentages in such streams can range from 0.5 weight percent to 50 weight percent or above. Under an oxygen atmosphere diolefins are unstable. Diolefins present a challenge for processes involving catalysts because the diolefins are very reactive and polymerize even under hydrogen atmospheres at high temperatures forming gum. Because of the reactivity of diolefins catalysts that have poor activity are restricted in cycle length and have a propensity for polymerization because of the requirement for high temperatures. It is generally accepted at temperatures about 170° C. (338° F.) excess polymerization causes pressure drops across a catalytic reactor. These problems are generally worse if the catalyst comprises a porous active base such as gamma or theta alumina where polymerization of diolefins can cause swelling of the porous catalyst and can damage the structure of the catalyst.
In situations where the catalyst is an active catalyst there is a tendency for the active catalysts to convert diolefins and acetylenes as well as the monoolefins rapidly and often more selectively to their corresponding paraffins and naphthenes causing excess heat generation. Again, these conditions tend to favor gum formation and this is particularly so in a commercial application where a fixed bed adiabatic reactor is subjected to high temperature rises. The reactor's practical operating window is limited because of the pressure drop problems.
The current industrial practice for selectively hydrogenating diolefins or unsaturated hydrocarbon fractions is based on the use of sulfided nickel catalysts operating at moderately high temperatures of approximately 185° C. (365° F.). Sulfur loss from the catalyst to the product occurs and sulfur must be replenished to keep the catalyst active and operating optimally. Furthermore, once the sulfur is lost into the product, in some instances the sulfur must also be removed from the product and this adds another level of processing.
Other types of selective hydrogenation processes are also known, such as that described in JP54157507A. JP 54157507A describes the use of a palladium catalyst on an alumina support to selectively hydrogenate acetylene and methyl acetylene(alkynes) that are present in olefin fractions obtained in petrochemical processes. The catalyst described in JP54157507A comprises a thin alumina coating over an alpha alumina carrier of spherical or cylindrical shape and being around 1-20 mm in size, length and diameter. The alumina precursor, which can be aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, aluminum hydroxide and the like, is coated onto the alpha alumina carrier and then the coated alpha alumina carrier and alumina precursor is heat treated at between 400° C. (752° F.) to 700° C. (1292° F.) to create a thin alumina coating over the alpha alumina carrier. A palladium compound such as palladium chloride, palladium nitrate, and the like is dissolved in a suitable solvent, and then applied to the alumina coating to give effectively an enriched surface coating containing palladium. JP54157507A describes the use of the resulting catalyst in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene in a composition comprising ethylene.
US 2003/0036476 A1 describes a coated catalyst having a core and a shell surrounding the core, the core is made up of an inert support material. The shell is made up of a porous support substance, and the shell is physically attached to the core. A catalytically active metal selected from the group consisting of the metals of the 10th and 11th groups of the Periodic Table of the Elements is present in finely divided form in the shell. The coated catalyst is described as being suitable for the selective reduction of unsaturated hydrocarbons, specifically lower C2-C4 unsaturated hydrocarbons.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,381 B1, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes a layered catalyst composition showing improved durability and selectivity for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, a process for preparing the catalyst and processes for using the composition. The catalyst composition comprises an inner core such as alpha-alumina, and an outer layer bonded to the inner core composed of an outer non-refractory inorganic oxide such as gamma-alumina. The outer layer has uniformly dispersed thereon a platinum group metal such as platinum and a promoter metal such as tin. The composition also contains a modifier metal such as lithium. The catalyst composition is prepared by using an organic binding agent such as polyvinyl alcohol which increases the bond between the outer layer and the inner core. The catalyst composition is described as also being suitable for use in dehydrogenation and hydrogenation processes. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,608 B1 also describes a layered catalyst suitable for use in dehydrogenation and hydrogenation processes, while U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,370 B1 is directed to a layered catalyst suitable for use in dehydrogenation processes.
US 2006/0266673 A1 and US 2006/0270865 A1 describe a similar layered catalyst, but with an additional fibrous component in the outer layer. The fiber-containing layered catalyst is described as being suitable for use in dehydrogenation and hydrogenation processes including selective hydrogenation of dienes and trienes.
Improvements in selective hydrogenation is very important for reducing waste and recycle, thereby saving energy and material in the process. Improvements have a significant economic impact on the production of olefins.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Layered sphere catalyst formulations for selective hydrogenation performance