An apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture provides an ignition system for generating a high-voltage ignition voltage, a circuit device comprising a circuit for superimposing a high-frequency signal on to the high-voltage ignition voltage, a spark plug in an engine block, and a transmission element having a high-voltage conductor which is guided in an insulation element. The high-voltage conductor is used for transmitting the ignition voltage, onto which the high-frequency signal has been superimposed, to the spark plug. Further provided is an electrically conducting shielding element which surrounds the high-voltage conductor in an electromagnetically shielding manner at least along one portion of the longitudinal axis of the high-voltage conductor. The shielding element is connected in an electrically conducting manner to a ground potential of the circuit device and establishes a connection between the ground potential of the circuit device and a ground electrode of the spark plug.

The invention relates to an apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture, in particular a fuel-air mixture, with an ignition system for generating a high ignition voltage and with a spark plug arranged in an engine block and a transmission element having a high-voltage conductor which is guided in an insulation element for transmission of the ignition voltage to the spark plug.
The invention also relates to a transmission element for transmitting a high ignition voltage from an ignition system to a spark plug, having a high-voltage conductor which is guided in an insulation element.
The invention also relates to an ignition device for generating a high ignition voltage. The invention also relates to a circuit device.
Apparatuses for igniting a fuel mixture, in particular a fuel-air mixture, are known in various designs from the prior art. The aim is to further improve the combustion process in the combustion chamber of the engine, in particular in an internal combustion engine with spark ignition by spark plugs, also known as a gasoline engine.
The fuel-air mixture introduced into the combustion chamber, or a cylinder, is usually compressed by a piston moving in the combustion chamber. Shortly before top dead center is reached, a spark from a spark plug ignites the fuel-air mixture.
It is known from the prior art that an ignition system or an ignition coil transforms a battery voltage of a vehicle to the desired ignition voltage in order to provide a high ignition voltage. The ignition voltage is then applied to the spark plug via an ignition cable or a high-voltage conductor.
Spark plugs of different designs are known from the general prior art. The ignition voltage is usually applied via a connecting bolt, which is insulated from the outside, for example via a plug insulator, in order to provide the ignition voltage at a so-called center electrode. The ignition spark then jumps over from the center electrode to a ground electrode and thereby overcomes the spark gap or the distance between the two electrodes. The ground electrode is usually electrically conductive, mostly connected to the engine block or the cylinder head via a screw thread.
The high-voltage conductor, which transmits the high ignition voltage from the ignition system to the spark plug, is usually guided in an insulation element which encompasses or surrounds the high-voltage conductor on the outside.
It is also known from the prior art to ignite a fuel-air mixture with a high-frequency plasma ignition apparatus as an alternative to generating a high ignition voltage.
For this purpose, reference is made to DE 20 2012 004 602 U1, for example, which describes a high-frequency plasma ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine, in particular for igniting a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine using a series resonant circuit.
The automotive industry and its suppliers and research institutes are working intensively on further improving the combustion process, especially in gasoline engines.
The present invention is based on the object of further improving a device for igniting a fuel mixture with an ignition system for generating a high ignition voltage and a spark plug arranged in an engine block in order to further optimize the combustion process, in particular in a gasoline engine.
The present invention is also based on the object of providing an improved transmission element for transmitting a high ignition voltage from an ignition system to a spark plug.
The present invention is also based on the object of providing an ignition device for generating a high ignition voltage in order to further improve the ignition of a fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine in order to further optimize the combustion process, in particular in a gasoline engine.
Furthermore, the present invention is based on the object of providing a circuit device which makes it possible to further improve the ignition of a fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine in order to further optimize the combustion process, in particular in a gasoline engine.
According to the invention, the apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture, in particular a fuel-air mixture, has an ignition system for generating a high ignition voltage and a circuit device comprising a circuit for superimposing a high-frequency signal on the high ignition voltage. The apparatus further comprises a spark plug arranged in an engine block and a transmission element having a high-voltage conductor, which is guided in an insulation element, for transmitting the high ignition voltage on which the high-frequency signal is superimposed to the spark plug.
The spark plug is preferably located in a shaft within the metal engine block.
The apparatus can optionally also have a plurality of spark plugs and correspondingly a plurality of transmission elements.
An electrically conductive shielding element is also provided, which encompasses the high-voltage conductor in an electromagnetically shielding manner at least along a section of its longitudinal axis, the shielding element being electrically conductively connected to a ground potential of the circuit device and the shielding element establishing a connection between the ground potential of the circuit device and a ground electrode of the spark plug.
In the apparatus according to the invention, a high-frequency signal is superimposed on the high ignition voltage (HV pulse) generated by the ignition system.
The high frequency signal can be generated by a high frequency generator. High-frequency generators for generating a high-frequency signal are known from the prior art.
Within the scope of the invention, the high-frequency signal can be generated by the circuit device, but also externally, and transmitted to the circuit device, in particular to the circuit of the circuit device.
The fact that a high-frequency signal is superimposed on the high ignition voltage results in advantageous combustion in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine by means of an ignition spark and a subsequent plasma process.
The high ignition voltage or the high-voltage pulse (hereinafter also referred to as HV pulse) and the superimposed high-frequency signal (hereinafter also referred to as HF signal) can be generated in a common circuit device. In principle, however, it is also possible to generate the high ignition voltage and/or the high-frequency signal separately and to supply them/it to the circuit device or to superimpose the high-frequency signal on the high ignition voltage in the circuit device.
The coupling or superimposing of the high ignition voltage can be carried out using methods that are known in principle.
The high ignition voltage can preferably be generated using an ignition coil.
The ignition coil and the means for coupling a high-frequency signal into the high ignition voltage can be embodied as parts of the circuit device. The high ignition voltage can, however, also be generated outside of the circuit device and transmitted to the circuit device, for example, by a cable or a (high-voltage) supply line.
According to the invention, the circuit device thus has a circuit for superimposing a high-frequency signal on the high ignition voltage. In order to be able to carry out the combustion process by igniting the fuel mixture by means of the high ignition voltage and the high-frequency signal superimposed on it, the apparatus has the transmission element already mentioned. The transmission element has a high-voltage conductor which is guided in an insulation element. The electrically conductive shielding element then encompasses the high-voltage conductor in an electromagnetically shielding manner at least along a section of its longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the shielding element is connected, in an electrically conductive manner, to a ground potential of the circuit device and the shielding element establishes a connection between the ground potential of the circuit device and a ground electrode of the spark plug.
The inventors have recognized that, for it to be possible to inject the combustion process in a gasoline engine by means of a high ignition voltage on which a high-frequency signal is superimposed, it can be essential firstly to shield the high-voltage conductor and secondly to establish a connection between the ground potential of the circuit device and the ground electrode of the spark plug. The shielding element also shields the ignition pulse consisting of the high ignition voltage and the superimposed high-frequency signal from external interference. Furthermore, it can be advantageous to shield the ignition pulse in such a way that it does not influence adjacent electronics, in particular so as not to interfere with the sensitive electronics, for example in a motor vehicle, or to impair them as little as possible.
Furthermore, the inventors have found that the combustion process is optimized by virtue of the fact that the ground potential of the circuit device and the ground electrode of the spark plug are electrically connected to one another.
In the following, the ground potential is also referred to as "ground" for the sake of simplicity.
It is advantageous if the shielding element produces a potential equalization between the ground electrode of the spark plug and the circuit device.
The shielding element according to the invention prevents or reduces both electromagnetic radiation from the high-voltage conductor and electromagnetic radiation into the high-voltage conductor.
The shielding element according to the invention enables good electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), which means that optimized combustion is reliably possible by means of a high ignition voltage with a superimposed high-frequency signal.
The shielding element preferably completely surrounds the high-voltage conductor along a section of its longitudinal axis. However, it is also possible, in particular to ensure good mobility of the high-voltage conductor or of the transmission element, that the shielding element has expansion joints, recesses, gaps, incisions or notches in order to permit movement of the high-voltage conductor or of the transmission element in a radial and/or axial manner, in particular for tolerance compensation.
The term shielding element is in particular not to be understood in such a way that the shielding has to take place in a completely closed fashion along the axial section. Nevertheless, it is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment that the shielding element encloses the high-voltage conductor completely or in a closed fashion along at least a section of its axial length or along at least a section of its longitudinal axis.
According to the invention it can be provided that the shielding element encompasses the insulation element, on the outside, at least along a section of its longitudinal axis.
This solution has proven to be particularly suitable. The shielding element is preferably embodied in such a way that it encompasses the high-voltage conductor in that the shielding element surrounds or encases the insulation element, which receives the high-voltage conductor, on the outside.
The shielding element can be embodied as described above in order to ensure radial mobility. Preferably, however, the shielding element encompasses or surrounds the insulation element completely or in a circumferentially closed fashion along the axial section.
It can be advantageous if the circuit device comprises a circuit housing which electromagnetically shields the circuit.
Because the circuit device comprises a circuit housing which accommodates the circuit and shields it electromagnetically, i.e. electrically and/or magnetically, the high ignition voltage on which the high-frequency signal is superimposed is shielded within the circuit device in a particularly suitable manner.
According to the invention, it can be provided that the shielding element is connected to a ground potential of the circuit housing and/or a ground potential of the circuit. It is particularly preferable if the ground potential of the circuit is connected to the ground potential of the circuit housing. Furthermore, it is preferable, in particular for this embodiment, that the shielding element is connected to the ground potential of the circuit housing. The circuit housing can preferably have a through-hole into which the shielding element is inserted.
The shielding element is preferably embodied as part of the transmission element.
It can be advantageous if the insulation element is made of rubber or a rubber-like material.
This configuration initially has the advantage that the insulation element can also perform the function of a seal or can perform a sealing function. The insulation element can seal a grilled hole or a connection with the circuit device, in particular the circuit housing, and a connection with the engine block, in particular a shaft in the engine block or a connection point with a cylinder head.
The configuration of the insulation element from rubber or a rubber-like material also has the advantage that the insulation element can compensate for at least slight radial movements.
The insulation element is preferably embodied as a jacket that surrounds the high-voltage conductor in a close-fitting manner or at a distance, for example in such a way that a tubular passage is formed in the jacket. Such a configuration is suitable both when the insulation element is made of rubber or a rubber-like material or also of another insulating material.
According to the invention it can be provided that the shielding element only surrounds or encases a section of the longitudinal axis of the insulation element on the outside.
It can be advantageous if the shielding element extends as far as the engine block in order to establish an electrical connection between the ground potential of the circuit device, in particular the circuit housing and the circuit, and the ground electrode of the spark plug via the engine block.
Such a configuration can be achieved particularly advantageously in that the shielding element comprises only a section of the longitudinal axis of the shielding element. The axial section preferably begins at a first end of the insulation element, which is preferably connected to the circuit housing, and extends in the direction of the second end of the insulation element, preferably in such a way that an electrical connection is established between the ground potential of the circuit housing and the engine block.
In a further development of the invention, it can also be provided that starting from a first end of the insulation element, the shielding element only encompasses a section of the longitudinal axis of the insulation element on the outside, with a ground conductor extending to a second end of the insulation element facing the spark plug.
This solution has the advantage that on the one hand good shielding, in particular shielding to improve the EMC, is provided in the area between the circuit device, in particular a circuit housing, and the engine block, but the connection between the ground potential of the circuit device and the ground electrode does not necessarily depend on the engine block. The ground line, which is continued up to a second end of the insulation element facing the spark plug, can in this case provide the electrical connection. This has the advantage that the engine block itself does not necessarily have to be connected to the spark plug. This increases the design freedom when configuring the shaft provided for the spark plug in the engine block.
In a further embodiment of the solution according to the invention it can be provided that the shielding element encompasses the insulation element on the outside from a first end to the second end. If necessary, it can be provided that the shielding element at the first and/or the second end is set back a little relative to the insulation element, preferably in such a way that at least 90%, preferably 95%, of the middle part of the insulation element is surrounded by the shielding element. In this embodiment, however, the insulation element is preferably surrounded by the shielding element over its entire (axial) length. An offset of the shielding element with respect to the insulation element can primarily be advantageous in order to enable suitable attachment of the transmission element or to avoid adversely affecting the sealing function of the insulation element.
According to the invention, it can be provided in particular that the shielding element or a ground conductor connected to the shielding element extends to the spark plug in order to establish an electrically conductive connection between the circuit device, in particular the circuit housing and the circuit, and the ground electrode of the spark plug directly via the spark plug.
The connection of the ground electrode to the circuit device, in particular a circuit housing, is thus possible independently of the engine block.
According to the invention it can be provided that the high-voltage conductor is embodied at least in sections or at least partially as an electrically conductive spring.
A configuration of the high-voltage conductor at least in sections, or partially as a spring, has the advantage that the high ignition voltage can be transmitted particularly advantageously and reliably with the superimposed high-frequency signal. The elasticity of the electrically conductive spring can compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the longitudinal direction of the spring. Furthermore, the electrically conductive spring can also compensate for different angles of an angled shaft in the engine block into which the transmission element is inserted. However, the use of an electrically conductive spring is also suitable when the shaft in which the transmission element is received within the engine block does not run at an angle. An angled course of the shaft in the engine block is basically optional, but can be particularly suitable.
The electrically conductive spring is preferably guided in a grilled hole in the insulation element, preferably in a configuration with a sealing function, in particular in an insulation element made of rubber. The electrically conductive spring can, however, also be guided within the insulation element in a different manner.
Making the insulation element from rubber, or a rubber-like material, and embodying the high-voltage conductor as a spring permits in a particularly advantageous manner that manufacturing tolerances and angular deviations can be compensated. Furthermore, the transmission element thus formed is particularly elastic or has an elasticity that is advantageous for the intended use.
In addition to the sealing function, in particular in the junction with the circuit housing and in the junction with the engine block, the insulation element advantageously also performs the function of providing electrical insulation between the electrically conductive spring and the engine block or the circuit housing.
The configuration according to the invention makes it possible to transmit the high ignition voltage on which the high-frequency signal is superimposed via the electrically conductive spring to the spark plug, in particular a center electrode of the spark plug, while the ground electrode of the spark plug to which the spark jumps from the center electrode is particularly advantageously connected to the ground potential of the circuit device, in particular the circuit housing and the circuit. This configuration enables the advantageous use of a high ignition voltage with a superimposed high-frequency signal in order to optimize the combustion process in a combustion chamber.
The electrically conductive spring can preferably be embodied and arranged in such a way that it presses against a suitable coupling unit of the spark plug.
The solution according to the invention enables an advantageous ground connection of the circuit device, which can have an ignition coil, to the cylinder head of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine.
According to the invention it can be provided that the shielding element is at least partially formed by metallization or a coating of the insulation element.
It can be advantageous if the coating, or metallization, of the insulation element takes place at least between the circuit device, in particular the circuit housing, and the engine block. Metallization, or a coating, has the advantage that it can be implemented easily and reliably. A risk that the metallization or the coating of the insulation element could become brittle due to excessive expansion or bending, or due to aging, can possibly be reduced by the metallization or the coating having gaps.
According to the invention it can be provided that the insulation element has at least one recess or depression that is not provided with metallization or a coating and/or that the metallization has gaps so that non-metallized areas are formed on the surface of the insulation element.
Embodying the insulation element with recesses or depressions, preferably groove-shaped recesses, has the advantage that metallization or a coating can be applied to the outside of the insulation element in a simple manner such that no coating is formed in the recesses. This significantly reduces the brittleness of the metallization or the coating.
The coating is preferably a metallic coating. This is particularly suitable for producing an electrically conductive connection and also shielding.
In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the metallization or the coating extends over the entire (axial) length of the insulation element, for which reference is made to the above explanations, designs and options. If necessary, one or more gaps or recesses can be provided, in particular such that the electrical connection between the circuit housing and the spark plug or the ground electrode of the spark plug is not interrupted.
Because the insulation element has at least one recess or depression, preferably a plurality of recesses or depressions, which extend in the radial or axial direction, possibly also with a curved course, preferably in the axial direction, the elasticity of the shielding element and thus also of the transmission element can be influenced in a targeted fashion.
In one configuration of the solution according to the invention it can also be provided that the shielding element is embodied as a spring band which is wound into the shape of a sleeve. A spring band wound into the shape of a sleeve is also known as an evolute spring. A double evolute spring can also be used. Embodying the shielding element as an evolute spring constitutes a particularly suitable solution with which good shielding of the high-frequency signal can be achieved.
The shielding element embodied as an evolute spring preferably extends only over part of the length of the insulation element, preferably in such a way that a distance between the circuit device, in particular the circuit housing, and the engine block is shielded.
Evolute springs are also known as buffer springs, spiral springs or truncated cone springs. The embodiments known in this regard are also suitable for embodying the shielding element. With regard to further configurations and variants, reference is made to the above statements.
The shielding element can also be embodied as a contact spring.
In a further embodiment of the invention it can also be provided that the shielding element is at least partially embodied as a torsion spring.
Embodying the shielding element as a torsion spring can also have advantages. With regard to the shielding of the high-frequency signal, however, disadvantages can result from the fact that slits may arise between the individual turns of the torsion spring when the tension is high.
The shielding element embodied as a torsion spring preferably extends between the circuit device, in particular the circuit housing, and the engine block.
The designs and variants already described can also be used with the torsion spring.
According to the invention it can further be provided that the shielding element is at least partially embodied as a spring cage and/or as a spring sleeve.
The configuration as a "lampion-shaped" spring cage, i.e. with a bulge in the central axial area, is particularly suitable. The shielding element formed by the spring cage preferably extends between the circuit device, in particular a circuit housing, and the engine block.
The electrically conductive spring can also be embodied as a contact spring in any design.
In a further embodiment of the invention it can also be provided that the shielding element is at least partially embodied as a closed metal sleeve and/or that the shielding element is at least partially designed as a metal sleeve and/or spring sleeve with recesses.
Embodiment as a metal sleeve with a recess, in particular with punchings, has been found to be particularly suitable for specifically influencing the elasticity of the shielding element.
The shielding element designed as a metal sleeve is preferably positioned between the circuit housing and the engine block.
In principle, it is possible for the shielding element to be formed from a combination of two or more of the variants presented herein. For example, the shielding element can be partially embodied as an evolute spring, in particular between the circuit housing and the engine block, while the shielding element is embodied as a metallic coating in the direction of the second end of the insulation element facing the spark plug. Any combinations that make sense for the particular use are possible and are contemplated within the scope of the invention.
The shielding element according to the invention can be designed in such a way that the high ignition voltage can be transmitted with the superimposed high-frequency signal without having to use interference suppression resistors.
The invention also relates to a transmission element for transmitting a high ignition voltage from an ignition system to a spark plug, having a high-voltage conductor which is guided in an insulation element. The high-voltage conductor is at least partially embodied as a spring. The transmission element has an electrically conductive shielding element which electromagnetically shields the spring at least along a section of its longitudinal axis, wherein the shielding element is arranged and embodied in such a way that the shielding element comprises at least a section of the longitudinal axis of the insulation element on the outside.
In the context of the transmission element according to the invention it is preferably provided that the high-voltage conductor is embodied entirely as a spring. The shielding element preferably includes the electrically conductive spring, as has already been stated above with regard to the high-voltage conductor or the electrically conductive spring in the context of the apparatus according to the invention.
The shielding element preferably comprises the spring outside the circuit housing, preferably up to an engine block and possibly also up to contact with the spark plug. The shielding element preferably also shields the junction areas with the circuit housing and the engine block. Shielding by the shielding element within the circuit housing is generally not additionally necessary.
The high ignition voltage to be transmitted is preferably a high ignition voltage on which a high-frequency signal is superimposed, preferably such as has already been explained with regard to the apparatus according to the invention.
The invention also relates to an ignition device comprising: an ignition system for generating a high ignition voltage; a circuit device comprising a circuit for superimposing the high ignition voltage with a high-frequency signal; and a transmission element in the configuration and with the variants that have already been described above, in order to transmit the high ignition voltage on which the high-frequency signal is superimposed to a spark plug.
The invention also relates to a circuit device for superimposing a high-frequency signal on a high ignition voltage, and with a transmission element with the variants and configurations that have already been described above in order to transmit the high ignition voltage on which the high-frequency signal is superimposed to the spark plug.
Features that have already been described in connection with the apparatus according to the invention for igniting a fuel mixture can of course also be applied accordingly to the transmission element, the ignition device and the circuit device—and vice versa. Furthermore, advantages that have already been mentioned in connection with the operator according to the invention for igniting a fuel mixture can also be understood to relate to the transmission element, the ignition device and the circuit device—and vice versa.
It is noted that expressions such as "comprising", "having" or "with" do not exclude any other features or steps. Furthermore, expressions such as "a", "an" or "the" which refer to a single number of steps or features do not exclude a plurality of features or steps, and vice versa.

Apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture, transmission element for transmitting a high-voltage ignition voltage, ignition device, and circuit device

Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG


A microprocessor is configured to fetch a compressed instruction set which comprises a subset of a corresponding non-compressed instruction set. The compressed instruction set is a variable length instruction set including 16-bit and 32-bit instructions. The 32-bit instructions are coded using an extend opcode, which indicates that the instruction being fetched is an extended (e.g. 32 bit) instruction. The compressed instruction set further includes multiple sets of register mappings from the compressed register fields to the decompressed register fields. Certain select instructions are assigned two opcode encodings, one for each of two mappings of the corresponding register fields. The compressed register field is directly copied into a portion of the decompressed register field while the remaining portion of the decompressed register field is created using a small number of logic gates. The subroutine call instruction within the compressed instruction set includes a compression mode which indicates whether or not the target routine is coded in compressed instructions. The compression mode is stored in the program counter register. The decompression of the immediate field used for load/store instructions having the global pointer register as a base register is optimized for mixed compressed/non-compressed instruction execution. The immediate field is decompressed into a decompressed immediate field for which the most significant bit is set.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of microprocessors and, more particularly, to optimization of the instruction set of a microprocessor.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Microprocessor architectures may generally be classified as either complex instruction set computing (CISC) architectures or reduced instruction set computing (RISC) architectures. CISC architectures specify an instruction set comprising high level, relatively complex instructions. Often, microprocessors implementing CISC architectures decompose the complex instructions into multiple simpler operations which may be more readily implemented in hardware. Microcoded routines stored in an on-chip read-only memory (ROM) have been successfully employed for providing the decomposed operations corresponding to an instruction. More recently, hardware decoders which separate the complex instructions into simpler operations have been adopted by certain CISC microprocessor designers. The x86 microprocessor architecture is an example of a CISC architecture.
Conversely, RISC architectures specify an instruction set comprising low level, relatively simple instructions. Typically, each instruction within the instruction set is directly implemented in hardware. Complexities associated with the CISC approach are removed, allowing for more advanced implementations to be designed. Additionally, high frequency designs may be achieved more easily since the hardware employed to execute the instructions is simpler. An exemplary RISC architecture is the MIPS RISC architecture.
Although not necessarily a defining feature, variable-length instruction sets have often been associated with CISC architectures while fixed-length instruction sets have been associated with RISC architectures. Variable-length instruction sets use dissimilar numbers of bits to encode the various instructions within the set as well as to specify addressing modes for the instructions, etc. Generally speaking, variable-length instruction sets attempt to pack instruction information as efficiently as possible into the byte or bytes representing each instruction. Conversely, fixed-length instruction sets employ the same number of bits for each instruction (the number of bits is typically a multiple of eight such that each instruction fully occupies a fixed number of bytes). Typically, a small number of instruction formats comprising fixed fields of information are defined. Decoding each instruction is thereby simplified to routing bits corresponding to each fixed field to logic designed to decode that field.
Because each instruction in a fixed-length instruction set comprises a fixed number of bytes, locating instructions is simplified as well. The location of numerous instructions subsequent to a particular instruction is implied by the location of the particular instruction (i.e. as fixed offsets from the location of the particular instruction). Conversely, locating a second variable-length instruction requires locating the end of the first variable-length instruction; locating a third variable-length instruction requires locating the end of the second variable-length instruction, etc. Still further, variable-length instructions lack the fixed field structure of fixed-length instructions. Decoding is further complicated by the lack of fixed fields.
Unfortunately, RISC architectures employing fixed-length instruction sets suffer from problems not generally applicable to CISC architectures employing variable-length instruction sets. Because each instruction is fixed length, certain of the simplest instructions may effectively waste memory by occupying bytes which do not convey information concerning the instruction. For example, fields which are specified as "don't care" fields for a particular instruction or instructions in many fixed-length instruction sets waste memory. In contrast, variable-length instruction sets pack the instruction information into a minimal number of bytes.
Still further, since RISC architectures do not include the more complex instructions employed by CISC architectures, the number of instructions employed in a program coded with RISC instructions may be larger than the number of instructions employed in the same program coded in with CISC instructions. Each of the more complex instructions coded in the CISC version of the program is replaced by multiple instructions in the RISC version of the program. Therefore, the CISC version of a program often occupies significantly less memory than the RISC version of the program. Correspondingly, more bandwidth between devices storing the program, memory, and the microprocessor is needed for the RISC version of the program than for the CISC version of the program.

Microprocessor adapted for executing both a non-compressed fixed length instruction set and a compressed variable length instruction set


The method includes forming an isolation film on a silicon substrate to define an active region; forming an antireflective film on an entire surface of the substrate containing the isolation film; forming a photosensitive film pattern on the antireflective film while exposing a portion of the isolation film or the active region adjacent to the isolation film; etching the antireflective film, the isolation film, and the substrate by using the photosensitive film pattern as an etching mask to recess the active region; performing a light etch treatment on a substrate resultant without removing the remaining photosensitive film pattern, so as to remove a damaged layer and a carbon pollutant formed on a surface of the recessed active region; and removing the remaining photosensitive film pattern and the antireflective film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which can prevent a characteristic of a gate oxide from degrading and can prevent deformation of the profile of a recess top portion and active loss of a region around a peripheral circuit during light etch treatment in the course of forming a step-gated asymmetry recess (STAR) cell.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In accordance with rapid advance of high integration of a memory semiconductor device such as a DRAM, there are problems in that a threshold voltage margin and a refresh time of a cell region are reduced in a construction of a conventional flat transistor. Several studies have been actively performed in order to secure the refresh characteristic together with a threshold voltage satisfying the requirement for the high integration of the device.
As one example of such studies, a structure of a STAR (step-gated asymmetry recess) cell has been proposed. The STAR cell has a structure in which a portion of an active region is recessed to form a stepped portion at the active region and a gate is formed at the stepped portion of the active region, thereby extending an effective channel length in a MOSFET device. According to the structure of the STAR cell, the short channel effect is reduced, so that a desired level of the threshold voltage can be obtained by a low threshold voltage dose. Also, the electric field across the MOSFET device can be lowered. Therefore, the refresh time to update data can be improved to be three times higher than the structure of the conventional flat cell.
In particular, such a STAR cell can be achieved by adding a simple step into an existing process or simply altering the existing process. Since the STAR cell is very easily applied, it has emerged as a very effective method to solve the reduction of the threshold voltage and refresh time due to the high integration of the memory semiconductor device.
A method of manufacturing the semiconductor device to form a conventional STAR cell will now be described in brief.
First, a trench type isolation film is formed in a field region of a semiconductor device to define an active region. After an antireflective film is deposited on the entire surface of the substrate, a photosensitive film pattern is formed on the antireflective film while exposing a portion of the isolation film or the active region adjacent to the isolation film.
Then, the antireflective film, the isolation film, and the active region are etched using the photosensitive film pattern as an etching mask, so that a portion of the isolation film and the active region adjacent to the isolation film are recessed through the etching. The photosensitive film pattern is removed using the etching mask, and the remaining antireflective film is then removed.
Thereafter, the resultant substrate is subjected to a light etch treatment (LET) under conditions of low voltage and in the atmosphere containing a large quantity of O2 gas, thereby removing a damaged layer and a carbon pollutant formed on a surface of the substrate when the substrate is recessed.
Thereafter, a gate is formed on a stepped portion of the active region and the etched isolation film, and the substrate is subjected to source/drain ion implantation to form the STAR cell.
However, the conventional method of manufacturing the semiconductor device to form the STAR cell has the following problems.
As described above, immediately after forming the recess through etching, the substrate is subjected to a light etch treatment in order to remove the damaged layer and the carbon pollutant formed on a surface of the substrate. Since the treatment entails etching of the substrate, profile deformation is caused at a top portion of the recessed substrate, thereby varying the characteristic of the device.
If the substrate is not subjected to the light etch treatment so as to prevent the profile deformation, the characteristic of the gate oxide film to be formed during a subsequent process may be deteriorated.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are photomicrographs illustrating profiles of an active region before and after being subjected to the conventional light etch treatment.
As shown in FIGS. 1A, an edge of the active region has a round profile before performing a dry etching. It is noted that a stable device characteristic is obtained in the manufactured device.
Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 1B, the edge of the active region has a vertical profile, after performing the dry etching. It is noted that a device characteristic, such as an electric field concentrated onto the edge of the active region in the manufactured device, is deteriorated.
In addition, the light etch treatment causes the profile deformation of the recessed top portion in the cell region, and loss of the active region in the peripheral circuit. Therefore, since a process condition is additionally adjusted, it is difficult to secure a process margin.

Method of manufacturing semiconductor device


A connecting fastener is provided. The fastener includes a cylindrical base that includes a first end and a second end and a wall. A central bore is defined in the base and an aperture is defined in the wall. At least one projection extends from an inner surface of the wall into the central bore proximate the first end of the base. A cylindrical collar has a first end disposed proximate the second end of the base, defines a central bore and includes a wall that defines a gap in the wall and a central bore. A shoulder is connected to and extends between the second end of the base and the first end of the collar along at least a portion of the respective circumferences of the base and the collar. A method of connecting tubing is also provided.

The invention relates to the field of fastening devices for tubing. In particular, the invention relates to plumbing fastening devices which can be slipped over and around a pre-formed shoulder of a sealing surface on a tube and engage a mating receptacle, to effect a substantially leak-proof connection of the tube.
In the plumbing art, it is often necessary to connect two plumbing tubes together in end-to-end fashion or to connect a plumbing tube to a receptacle. The connections have typically been made by employing an internally threaded nut on one tube and a mating externally threaded receiving device on the other tube (or on the receptacle). However, a plumbing tube often has a connecting end that includes a sealing surface. The sealing surface is usually an enlarged area that provides greater surface contact to reduce or eliminate any leaks that may occur at the plumbing connection. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a connector of the prior art 10 includes a tube 12 with an enlarged sealing surface 14.
In effecting sealing engagement, an internally threaded nut 16 connects to a mating externally threaded receptacle (not shown). This type of connection suffers from the fact that nut 16 must be inserted onto tube 12 prior to the formation of enlarged sealing surface 14 during the production process or prior to any processing on an opposed end such as the formation of a belled end 18. Insertion of nut 16 onto tube 12 during the production process detrimentally incurs additional manufacturing time and expense. Also, the placement of nut 16 on tube 12 during manufacturing severely limits the ability of nut 16 to be replaced or installed in the field, again leading to additional time and expense to make repairs to a plumbing connection.
Moreover, threaded fasteners of the prior art require circumferential rotational movement, i.e. turning, to effect engagement, and often, the number of turns exceeds two to three times about the original starting point. Because many plumbing connections are made in areas having restricted space, it is difficult and time-consuming to turn the prior art fasteners the required number of times to effect a complete, sealed connection, if possible at all.
Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a fastener that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by having the ability to be inserted onto a respective tube after fabrication of the tube and requires less than a full turn to effect sealing engagement.


A solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of pixels, each pixel containing a photoelectric conversion section; an accumulation section; a transfer section; an amplification section; and a reset section for resetting the accumulation section; the pixel section having output signal lines provided column by column onto which the pixel signal is outputted, connected to the other end of a constant current supply having one end grounded; and a control section where, of a first one of the pixels and a second one of the pixels connected to the same one output signal line, taking the first pixel as one of the pixels subject to reading of pixel signal conforming to the incident light and the second pixel as non-subject one of the pixels set in accordance with a location of the first pixel, an output from the second pixel onto the output signal line is used at the time of outputting of the pixel signal from the first pixel onto the output signal line to effect control so that an electric potential difference between the one end and the other end of the constant current supply is kept in a range where the constant current supply is operable.

The present invention relates to solid-state imaging apparatus for use for example in a video camera, digital still camera, etc., and more particularly relates to the solid-state imaging apparatus using an amplified solid-state imaging device having an amplification function within its imaging region.
In recent years, MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type imaging devices (image sensor) are drawing attention and are practically used as solid-state imaging device. The MOS imaging devices are capable of being driven by a single power supply as compared to CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type imaging devices. Further, while CCD imaging devices require an exclusive process, the MOS image sensors have an identical manufacturing process as other LSI's and thus are superior in providing many functions as they are readily made into an SOC (system on chip). Furthermore, since the MOS image sensors have an amplification circuit (amplifier) in each individual pixel to amplify signal electric charges within the pixel, they are less likely to be affected by noise due to the transmission path of signals. Moreover, the signal electric charges in each pixel of the MOS image sensor can be extracted by means of a selection system so that in theory, the accumulation time and/or read sequence of signals can be arbitrarily controlled pixel by pixel.
With the MOS image sensors, when a high-luminance light is incident on a partial region, a change in electric potential occurs along a left and right direction of the rows on which the high-luminance light is incident so that an image as if a white band-like light is incident is obtained. Such a phenomenon in the present specification will be referred to hereinafter as "transverse stripe phenomenon" at the time of incidence of high-luminance light. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an image in the case with an occurrence of the transverse stripe phenomenon at the time of incidence of high-luminance light. Shown in FIG. 1 is an output image when the high-luminance light is incident in the vicinity of a center of the image sensor, where a band-like transverse stripe due to change in electric potential is seen along the row direction on the left and right thereof. This transverse stripe phenomenon at the time of incidence of high-luminance light will be described below together with a typical operation of MOS image sensor.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a typical MOS image sensor. Pixels for converting light into electrical signal are two-dimensionally arranged into a matrix, where P(i, j) represents a unit pixel of i′ th row and j′ th column (i, j: an integral number). The pixel P(i, j) is to output a received light as voltage onto a vertical signal line SL-V(j) by means of a reset pulse φ RS(i), a transfer pulse φ TX(i), and a select pulse φ SE(i) outputted from a vertical scanning circuit 101. The pixel P(i, j) is connected to a constant current supply CCS(j) and to a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit CDS(j) through the vertical signal line SL-V(j). The CDS circuit CDS(j) is connected to a horizontal signal line SL-H through the vertical signal line SL-V(j). The CDS circuit CDS(j) eliminates variance of signal that is different from one pixel to another by differentiating between a reset signal and an image signal from the pixel (i, j) by means of a clamp pulse φ CL and a sample-and-hold pulse φ SH. An output from the CDS circuit CDS(j) is outputted onto the horizontal signal line SL-H by means of a column select pulse φ HP outputted from the horizontal scanning circuit 102 so as to obtain a signal Vout amplified at an amplification circuit Amp. By repeating the above operation for a predetermined number of pixels, two-dimensional image signals can be obtained. These operations are controlled by signals outputted from the vertical scanning circuit 101 and the horizontal scanning circuit 102 under instructions from a control signal generation circuit 103.
FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the pixel P(i, j) and the constant current supply CCS(j) in FIG. 2. A unit pixel P(i, j) includes: PD(i, j), a photodiode; Mtr(i, j), a transfer transistor; Msf(i, j), an amplification transistor; Mrs(i, j), a reset transistor; Mse(i, j), a select transistor; FD(i, j), a floating diffusion section; SL-V(j), a vertical signal line; Vgs(i, j), a gate-source voltage of the amplification transistor Msf(i, j); CCS(j), a constant current supply; Vccsgs(j), a gate-source voltage of the transistor of the constant current supply CCS(j); Vsl-v(j), a voltage of vertical signal line; SL-V(j), a vertical signal line; Vdd, a power supply voltage line; Vccsg, a gate voltage line of the transistor within the constant current supply CCS(j).
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the CDS circuit CDS(j) in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 includes: Mcl(j), a clamp transistor; Msh(j), a sample-and-hold transistor; Ccl(j), a clamp capacitor; Csh(j), a sample-and-hold capacitor; Vcdso(i, j), an output voltage from the CDS circuit CDS(j); Vcl, a clamp voltage; φ CL, a clamp pulse; and φ SH, a sample-and-hold pulse. At the CDS circuit CDS(j), a reset signal (voltage at the time of attaining φ CL=Low) and a signal of light (voltage at the time of attaining φ SH=Low) of pixel in the column j are differentiated so as to output Vcdso(i, j).
An operation in the case where a high-luminance light is incident in the MOS image sensor having such construction will now be described by way of FIG. 5.    (1): when a light having a large light amount has entered the pixel (i, j), the electrical potential of the vertical signal line SL-V(j) at the time of outputting an image signal of the pixel (i, j) is extremely lowered so that a voltage outside of an operation range of the current supply CCS(j) (voltage in a non-saturation region of the drain-source voltage Vccsds of the transistor of the current supply CCS(j)) is applied on the current supply CCS(j).    (2): as a result that the condition of (1) has been attained, the current supply CCS(j) is caused to operate in its non-saturation region so that the electric current becomes smaller than normal.    (3): as a result that the condition of (2) has been attained, a total sum of the currents following through a ground line GL-H connected to each current supply is also reduced. A voltage drop due to wiring resistance Rgl-h(j+k) on the ground line connected to the current supply CCS(j) is thereby reduced so that the gate-source voltage Vccsgs of the transistor within the current supply CCS(j+k) becomes larger.    (4): as a result that the condition of (3) has been attained, i.e. due to the fact that the gate-source voltage Vccsgs of the transistor within the current supply CCS(j+k) is increased, a current greater than normal is caused to flow through the vertical signal line SL-V(j+k) connected to the pixel P(i, j+k) on which the high-luminance light is not incident.    (5): as a result that the condition of (4) has been attained, when the current is increased, the gate-source voltage Vgs of the amplification transistor within the pixel P(i, j+k) also becomes greater than that at the time of incidence of normal light, and as a result, the value of signal becomes greater than normal (lighter as an image).
Accordingly, a dark region reflected as black on the image when condition is normal or a region on the left and right of the region on which the high-luminance light is incident is reflected on the image inevitably in a lighter-than-black condition when the high-luminance light is incident. As a result, a lighter band-like transverse stripe is observed along a row direction on the left and right of where the high-luminance light is incident.
As a measure to avoid this transverse stripe phenomenon occurring at the time of incidence of high-luminance light, one constructed as in the following has been proposed for example in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open 2001-230974. Specifically in the proposed construction, a clip circuit for example to clip voltage of the vertical signal line is separately provided to clip the vertical signal line by a predetermined voltage in the period of reading signal of light so that the voltage of the vertical signal line is controlled so as not to depart from an operation range of the current supply.


Certain embodiments relate to a waveguide/coplanar waveguide (CPW) transition assembly adapted to transition RF signals from a waveguide to a coplanar waveguide (CPW), the waveguide/CPW transition assembly having at least some peripheral walls and including a central waveguide transition septum having the CPW disposed therein. The waveguide/coplanar waveguide (CPW) transition assembly includes an electronic component coupled to the CPW, and control circuitry operationally coupled with the electronic component. Portions of the control circuitry at least partially extend from outside of the at least some peripheral walls to within the at least some peripheral walls.

Waveguides convey electromagnetic transmission between locations. Waveguides can rely on total internal reflection to provide high transmission characteristics. Reducing impurities in the waveguide transmission material can increase the transmission percentage. Maintaining the cross-sectional configuration of the waveguide is critical to limit transmission losses, so discontinuities in peripheral walls of waveguides are limited.
Transitioning between waveguides with different configurations and/or materials provides a potential source for energy loss and signal degradation. A variety of waveguide couplers limit losses of the energy of the waves traversing between waveguides.

Waveguide to co-planar-waveguide (CPW) transition

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


Disclosed herein is a program listing display control apparatus including: a program listing picture storage block configured to store a program listing picture in which are disposed program time slots to which a plurality of broadcast programs are allocated; a display control block configured to control a display apparatus to display the program listing picture; a control information input block configured to input control information for controlling the acquisition of additional information to be added to the program listing picture; and an information acquisition block configured to acquire program identification information for identifying the programs to which the additional information is added and the additional information regarding the programs identified by the program identification information, on the basis of the control information input through the control information input block.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a program listing display control apparatus for causing a display apparatus to display a program listing of the programs of which the broadcast schedule is being managed; to a program listing display apparatus incorporating the display control apparatus; and to a program listing display control method.
2. Description of The Related Art
In TV broadcasting, the programs to be broadcast are generally scheduled in advance. Particularly in digital TV broadcasting, the broadcast schedule is broadcast in the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) as part of the broadcast signal.
The EPG is displayed ordinarily as an electronic program listing in a two-dimensional table format. The table is made up of two axes: a coordinate axis defined by broadcast times, and a channel axis defined by the channels determined by the frequencies at which broadcast waves are transmitted.
Where such a display method is in use, the above two-dimensional table needs to be scrolled if a user wants to search the broadcast schedule for a desired program to be broadcast several days hence. This can pose a problem preventing the user from searching for desired programs efficiently.
Given the above type of problem, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2003-32568 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) proposes a display apparatus that provides channel group tabs and time group tabs by which to change a plurality of two-dimensional maps to be displayed. The proposed display apparatus is supposed to eliminate the need for scrolling the screen and doing other related tasks so that the user may get the EPG of the desired program displayed with a limited number of operations in a short time period.

Program listing display control apparatus, program listing display apparatus, and program listing display control method


A tomosynthesis apparatus for mammography has an x-ray source for emission of x-ray beams from different directions directed toward a detector, and a compression plate and a support plate arranged in the beam path between the x-ray source and the detector. A breast to be examined is positioned and compressed between the compression plate and the support plate. The compression plate exhibits a concave recess open in the direction of the support plate on the side of the compression plate facing toward the support plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a tomosynthesis apparatus of the type having a compression plate and a support plate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A tomosynthesis is an examination of the breast (in particular the female breast) that is conducted with the goal of detecting tumors in as early a stage as possible. Through continuous improvement of the imaging methods it is sought to generate images with high significance in order to be able to differentiate benign variations from malignant variations with high certainty. One goal in the improvement of the imaging methods is to reduce the number of erroneous findings, i.e. the number of suspected findings that are not caused by malignant variations and the number of undetected tumors.
During the tomosynthesis the breast is positioned between a support plate and a compression plate in a tomosynthesis apparatus, and is compressed. The breast is subsequently irradiated from different directions with x-rays emitted by an x-ray source, so the individual projections forming a tomosynthesis image data set are acquired. A tomosynthetic 3D x-ray image is calculated in a known manner from these projections using a reconstruction algorithm.
In tomosynthesis examinations it has been observed on different occasions that the breast was not completely imaged. In other words, in some cases it was not possible to generate a complete tomosynthesis 3D x-ray image of the entire breast in the reconstruction.

Mammography tomosynthesis apparatus with a compression plate having a recess therein

Research Foundation of State University of New York


This rotating electrical machine has a rotor, stator core, field windings for multiple poles, and armature windings for the multiple poles. The rotor is rotatably supported about a shaft. Convex-shaped multiple salient pole sections are formed on the outer circumference of the rotor while arranged in the circumferential direction. The stator core is provided along the outer circumference of the rotor with an air gap from the rotor. Convex-shaped multiple teeth are formed on the inner circumference of the stator core while arranged in the circumferential direction. The field windings for the multiple poles are wound around each of the multiple teeth while insulated from the field windings.

In general, a generator's output power increases as the number of revolutions (rotating speed) of the rotor increases. For example, a large capacity wind power generation system inputs thereto a rotational energy of a propeller. Usually, a rotating speed of the propeller is significantly low. When such a propeller is directly connected to a generator for power generation, the size of the generator needs to be huge. There is known an approach in which, in order to reduce the size of the generator, the rotating speed of the propeller is increased by a mechanical speed-up device having a gear.
In recent years, the capacity of the wind power generation has increased and, therefore, the above-mentioned mechanical speed-up device may fail to meet a required power generation capacity.
There is known, as an approach for solving this problem, a technology disclosed in, e.g., Patent Document 1 that uses a magnetic gear to obtain speed-up effect. The magnetic gear is a technology comparatively similar to the generator, allowing integration of the magnetic gear and the generator. A rotating electrical machine having the magnetic gear speeds up a rotating magnetic field using the magnetic gear and generates power in a three-phase armature winding based on the rotating magnetic field.

Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation


The present disclosure relates to a configurable seat assembly for a vehicle, a vehicle having a configurable seat assembly, and a method of reconfiguring a configurable seat assembly. The configurable seat assembly can be configured between two work configurations and includes a detachable seat panel that can be moved out of the way of an operator when the operator is reconfiguring the configurable seat assembly and moving between the two work configurations.

There are work vehicles having multiple work operation stations that require a reversible seat to allow an operator switch between the work operation stations or areas. Backhoe loaders are a type of work vehicle for performing two work operations and that have two work operation stations. The backhoe loader is provided with a front mounted loader and a rear mounted backhoe. The operator station or cab is provided with a reversible seat which faces to the front for transport and loading operations and to the back for backhoe operations.

Configurable seat assembly for work vehicles


A field effect transistor having a buried gate, and one or more gates disposed along the channel between the source and drain, which cooperate to cause the electric field within the channel along its length to be more uniform, and have a lower field maximum. The geometry and/or doping of the channel can be varied to selectively vary the channel resistivity along its length, which also makes the field more uniform. Because of the more uniform field, electrons are exposed to a higher field strength nearer the source, and are accelerated to higher velocities more quickly, reducing the response time and increasing the frequency range of the transistor. Because the peak field is reduced, the transistor can carry more power without reaching breakdown potential within the channel.

This invention relates to the field of semiconductor devices, and particularly to Junction Field Effect Transistor structures for use in materials with low electron mobility and high saturation velocities.
There has been a long felt need to provide semiconductor devices capable of operating in severe environments. .beta. silicon carbide has a wide bandgap of 2.2 eV, a high theoretical saturated electron drift velocity of 2.times.10; cm/s, a high breakdown field of 5.times.10.sup.6 V/cm, and a high thermal conductivity of 3.5 W/cm.multidot..degree.C. Silicon carbide is also relatively chemically inert and thermally stable. These properties combine to make .beta. silicon carbide an attractive material for high-temperature and high-power device applications.
Unfortunately, Silicon Carbide semiconductors have heretofore had a limited frequency range due to the low electron mobility of Silicon Carbide. Low mobility can normally be corrected in field effect transistors by reducing the gate length. However, because of the rudimentary fabrication technology available for silicon carbide, it is difficult to fabricate the necessary sub-micron gate lengths in silicon carbide. While these dimensions can be achieved by use of electron beam lithography, they are beyond the capability of conventional mass production processes using optical photo-lithography.

Junction field effect transistor with lateral gate voltage swing (GVS-JFET)

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Disclosed is an actinic ray curable ink-jet ink comprising a cationically polymerizable compound including a cationically polymerizable epoxy compound and a cationically polymerizable oxetane ring-containing compound, wherein the actinic ray curable ink-jet ink contains the cationically polymerizable epoxy compound in an amount of from 35 to 95% by weight based on the total amount of cationically polymerizable compound, the cationically polymerizable epoxy compound having a solubility parameter (sp value) of from 10 to 20, and the cationically polymerizable oxetane ring-containing compound having a solubility parameter (sp value) of from 5 to 8.0, and wherein the actinic ray curable ink-jet ink has a viscosity at 25° C. of 5 to 50 mPa·s.

Up to now, as an ink-jet ink exhibiting good water resistance, there has been an ink which contains a water soluble dye dispersed or dissolved in a high boiling point solvent, and which contains a water soluble dye dissolved in a volatile solvent. However, a dye is inferior to a pigment in resistance characteristics such as light stability, and therefore ink using a pigment as a coloring agent has been required. But, it is difficult to disperse a pigment stably in an organic solvent, and it is also difficult to ensure stable dispersibility and ejectibility. On the other hand, in cases when ink using a high boiling solvent is applied onto a non-absorptive recording medium, a solvent in the ink is not volatized, results in difficulty of drying via evaporation of the solvent. Accordingly, ink using high boiling solvent cannot be printed on a non-absorptive recording medium.
Generally, ink using a volatile organic solvent can be properly printed onto a non-absorptive recording medium, due to adhesiveness of resin used and volatilization of the solvent. However, such ink, in which the volatile solvent is a major component, is easily dried at the nozzles of a recording head due to volatilization of the solvent, requiring frequent maintenance. Resistance of ink to some solvents may not be sufficient because the ink essentially requires good solubility in a solvent used.
Further, in an on-demand printer using a piezo element, usage of a large amount of a volatile solvent in ink increases frequency of maintenance, and also tends to cause problems of dissolution and swelling of members contacting the ink in the printer. In addition, a volatile solvent has numerous restrictions as a dangerous material under the Fire Defense Law. Consequently, in an on-demand printer using a piezo element, it is necessary to employ ink containing a volatile solvent in a small amount. However, components used in an actinic ray curable ink usually are ones having a relatively high viscosity. Therefore, it has been difficult to design ink having a viscosity capable of being ejected in conventional printers and further having good curability and high stability.
In order to overcome the problems described above, an actinic ray curable composition is disclosed (see for example, Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2001-220526) which contains a cationic photopolymerization initiator, an epoxy compound, a compound having an oxetane ring with a hydroxyl group, and a vinyl ether. In the above document, the epoxy compound and the compound having an oxetane ring with a hydroxyl group both are cationically polymerizable compounds having a solubility parameter (sp value) exceeding 10, and the epoxy compound content of the composition is 47 to 63% by weight based on the total weight of cationically polymerizable compound. An extensive study of the above actinic ray curable composition has been studied, and, as a result, it has been proven that ink of this composition has problems in its curability, strength of a cured layer therefrom, ejection stability from nozzles, its adhesion to a substrate, solvent resistance, and water resistance.
Further, an actinic ray curable composition is disclosed (see for example, Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2002-188035), which contains 10 to 50% by weight of a compound having an oxirane ring, 50 to 90% by weight of a compound having an oxetane ring and 0 to 40% by weight of a vinyl ether. In the patent above document, the compound having an oxirane ring (epoxy compound) is a cationically polymerizable compound having a solubility parameter (sp value) exceeding 10, the epoxy compound content of the composition is not more than 50% by weight based on the total weight of cationically polymerizable compound, and some of the compound having an oxetane ring have an sp value exceeding 8.0, and others have an sp value of not more than 8.0. An extensive study of the above actinic ray curable composition has been studied, and, as a result, it has been proven that ink of this composition containing particularly a compound having an oxetane ring and having an sp value exceeding 8.0 has problems in its curability, strength of a cured layer therefrom, ejection stability from nozzles, its adhesion to a substrate, solvent resistance, and water resistance.

Actinic ray curable ink-jet ink and printed matter


A trace-level gas analysis apparatus having a diffusion scrubber 11 that captures atmospheric gas components and a sampling tube 10 that guides air into the diffusion scrubber 11 is provided with the cleaning means 2 for cleaning the diffusion scrubber 11 and the sampling tube 10, using a cleaning fluid 22.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for analysis of trace-level gases, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for trace-level gas analysis, which eliminates the memory effect and enables detection of trace-level gas contaminants with a high accuracy.
2. Related Art
In semiconductor manufacturing processes, cases in which trace-level gas contaminants cause manufacturing defects are on the increase. In order to stabilize the manufacturing process, dust/chemical filters are used to remove offending matter. However, because of accidents involving contamination of materials used within the manufacturing process and filter damage, there is a need to achieve automated, continuous measurement and monitoring of the trace-level gas contaminants within the air.
In measuring trace-level components in the past, methods such as the impinger method were used to concentrate a component of interest over a long period of time up to the lower detection limit of the analysis apparatus, with analysis and quantification then being performed using an analysis apparatus of the ion chromatograph type, for example. This approach, however, was accompanied by the problem of a long measurement interval and the inability to identify the overall quantity of contaminant occurring, and the problem of not being able to accommodate suddenly occurring trace-level gas contaminants of a high concentration.
An additional problem arose because of the memory effect (influence of a previous measurement) when the component of interest remains in the sampling system or concentration system after high-concentration measurement using automatic ammonia analysis with the diffusion scrubber method, thereby preventing high-accuracy measurement.
In the multipoint gas analysis apparatus provided with a cleaning function as shown in FIG. 9 of the accompanying drawings, a cleaning fluid 43 is used so as to clean the switcher 41 and a diffusion scrubber 45. In this method, each time the measurement point of the sampling tube 40 is switched, because the switcher 41 and the diffusion scrubber 45 are cleaned before the measurement, the method is effective in eliminating influence of the point A on the measurement at point B. If point A only is observed, however, in a case in which the concentration at this point A changes suddenly (for example, when a sudden change from a high concentration to a low concentration occurs), even though the switch 41 and the diffusion scrubber 45 having been cleaned immediately previously are in a clean condition, because of a gas component that remains attached to the inner wall of the sampling tube 40, it is not possible to achieve a high measurement accuracy.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention, in order to improve on the above-noted drawbacks of the prior art, to provide a trace-level gas analysis apparatus and method which eliminate the memory effect and enable detection of a trace-level gas contaminants with a high accuracy.
To achieve the above-noted objects, the present invention adopts the following basic technical constitution.
Specifically, a first aspect of the present invention is a trace-level gas analysis apparatus comprising: a diffusion scrubber for capturing an atmospheric gas component; a sampling tube for guiding the captured atmospheric gas component to the diffusion scrubber; and cleaning means for cleaning the diffusion scrubber and the sampling tube using a cleaning fluid.
In the second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprising: a pump for introducing the cleaning fluid into the diffusion scrubber and sampling tube and discharging the cleaning fluid from the diffusion scrubber and the sampling tube; and a valve for guiding the cleaning fluid to the diffusion scrubber and the sampling-tube and draining out spent cleaning fluid therefrom.
In the third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprising: a plurality of sampling tubes for capturing atmospheric gas components at a plurality of locations; and a switching valve disposed between the plurality of sampling tubes and the diffusion scrubber so as to select any one of the sampling tubes.
In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning fluid is ultra-pure water.
The first aspect of the method for analyzing trace-level gas components of the air, in which the air is guided to a diffusion scrubber via a sampling tube, an absorption fluid is introduced into the diffusion scrubber, the absorption fluid being concentrated by a concentration column of an ion chromatograph, thereby separating and analyzing the atmospheric trace-level gas components, the method comprising steps of: a first step of cleaning the diffusion scrubber and the sampling tube; a second step of reclaiming the cleaning fluid used in the first step; a third step of causing an absorption fluid to circulate within the diffusion scrubber so as to stabilize capturing in the diffusion scrubber; a fourth step of causing an absorption fluid to circulate between the diffusion scrubber and the concentration column, so as to concentrate the trace-level gas components in the concentration column; and a fifth step of analyzing components concentrated in the concentration column using an ion chromatograph.
The second aspect of the method of the present invention is that in the fifth step, the first step and second step are performed simultaneously.
In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a sampling tube 10 installed at a remote measurement point is connected to a diffusion scrubber 11, and the atmosphere sucked in thereat is supplied to the diffusion scrubber 11. During capturing operation, a trace-level gas component in the atmosphere is captured by setting a passage switching valve 24 to the side of an air pump 14, so that air is sucked into the diffusion scrubber 11, the absorption fluid 16 being caused to absorb the gas component. The capture of the trace-level gas by the diffusion scrubber 11, which is known by such disclosures as the Japanese laid-open patent publication (KOKAI) No.8-54380, is done by passing an ammonia component and a mono-ethanol amine component also with other trace-level gas components through a porous fluoride-based film within the diffusion scrubber 11, so that they are absorbed by the absorption fluid 16 passing through the porous fluoride-based film. The gas components absorbed by the absorption fluid 16 are subjected to concentration conversion by individual gas component, using concentration column 32, a separation column 33, a suppressor 34, and an electrical conductivity meter 35 of an ion chromatograph 3. During the process of concentration, that is, after the completion of sampling, the passage switching valve 24 is set to the cleaning fluid 22 side, and ultra-pure water 22 used as the cleaning fluid is sent by a cleaning pump 21 to the inside of the diffusion scrubber 11 and the inside of the sampling tube 10. Then, the passage switching valve 23 is set to the drain side, so as to cause the cleaning pump 21 to rotate in reverse, thereby reclaiming the cleaning fluid that had filled the inside of the diffusion scrubber 11 and the inside of the sampling tube 10, this completing the cleaning.
The operation of the present invention comprises a repetition of a cycle made up of a cleaning operation, in which cleaning fluid is supplied to the diffusion scrubber 11 and the sampling tube 10, a preparatory operation, in which the air and an absorption fluid 16 are caused to flow in the diffusion scrubber 11 and a porous fluoride-based film is placed in a state of equilibrium, a sampling operation, in which a gas component absorbed in the diffusion scrubber 11 is supplied to the concentration column 32 and the trace-level gas component is concentrated in the concentration column 32 of the ion chromatograph, and a separation and analysis operation, in which components concentrated in the concentration column 32 in the sampling operation are separated into individual components by the ion chromatograph.
In the present invention, by providing the cleaning section 2, which uses ultra-pure water to clean the sampling tube 10 and the diffusion scrubber 11 of the capturing section 1, it is possible to reduce the memory effect from the previous measurement, thereby enabling highly accurate monitoring of concentration. Immediately after sampling of a high-concentration gas in particular, there was the problem in the past of a high-concentration gas component becoming attached to the sampling tube 10 and diffusion scrubber 11 of the capturing section 1, thereby resulting in values higher than the actual concentration value being detected. With the present invention, however, because of the ability to eliminate the memory effect existing in the past, it is possible to perform measurements with high accuracy.

Trace-level gas analysis apparatus and method


An “Oriented Disk Interpolator” provides various techniques for interpolating between points in a point cloud using RGB images (or images in other color spaces) to produce a smooth implicit surface representation that can then be digitally sampled for ray-tracing or meshing to create a high fidelity geometric proxy from the point cloud. More specifically, the Oriented Disk Interpolator uses image color-based consistency to build an implicit surface from oriented points and images of the scene by interpolating disks in 3D space relative to a point cloud of a scene or objects within the scene. The resulting implicit surface is then available for a number of uses, including, but not limited to, constructing a high fidelity geometric proxy.

3D reconstruction is generally a difficult problem that involves capturing large amounts of data using large sensor arrays to obtain and process both depth and RGB data (or data in some other color space). Consequently, accurate generation of high fidelity geometric proxies for use in 3D reconstruction of objects and/or scenes is a complex process. Examples of 3D geometric proxies include, but are not limited to, depth maps, point based renderings, higher order geometric forms such as planes, objects, billboards, models, etc., and high fidelity proxies such as mesh based representations.
A "point cloud" is a set of vertices in a three-dimensional coordinate system that is typically used to represent the external surface of an object. Point clouds are often created by 3D scanners or other sensor arrays including various multi-camera array configurations for capturing 3D surface data. Point clouds are generally used for a variety of purposes, including the creation of geometric proxies by converting the point cloud to polygon or triangle geometric mesh models, NURBS surface models, or other types of geometric proxies using various 3D reconstruction techniques.
Unfortunately, when a point cloud representation of the scene or other object is reconstructed from captured data, there are often artifacts such as noisy or error prone stereo matches that erroneously extend particular boundaries or points within the scene, or of particular objects within the scene. Such artifacts generally lead to incorrect textures appearing on any 3D mesh surface or other geometric proxy derived from the point cloud. Further, where the data available for generating the point cloud is reduced or limited for any reason, the resulting sparsity of the point cloud typically further reduces the fidelity of the resulting geometric proxy.

Interpolating oriented disks in 3D space for constructing high fidelity geometric proxies from point clouds


A support and radiation therapy system is provided. The support includes an elongated support arm that is longitudinally adjustable. A first arm is rotatable in the support arm about a first axis that is perpendicular to the support arm. A flat detector is rotatable in the first arm about a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. The detector is essentially parallel to the support arm. A motor is operative to drive the rotation of the first arm. A first gear is operative to rotate the first arm and is connected to the motor. A second gear is operative to rotate the detector and is connected to the motor. The second gear is operative to rotate contrary to the first gear.

1. Field
The present embodiments relate to a support for a radiation therapy system.
2. Related Art
Radiation systems are used in medical therapy for irradiating diseased tissue, for example, tumor tissue. Suitable radiation types of therapy include, for example, high-energy X-radiation in the megavolt range; lightweight particle radiation (i.e. electrons or positrons or protons); and heavy particle radiation (i.e. oxygen or carbon ions). Because of the radiation, the bonds of the living tissue are destroyed or atoms are ionized. These alterations can cause destruction or death of the tissue. Although this effect is intended with regard to the tumor tissue or diseased tissue, this effect must be avoided in healthy tissue. In a desired radiation system, the radiation dose administered to diseased tissue should be increased and the radiation dose administered to the healthy tissue should be reduced.
Generally, the placement of the radiation dose with regard to the penetration depth into the irradiated tissue is achieved by a suitable choice of both the type and the energy of the radiation. The two-dimensional, lateral localization of the radiation in terms of the radiation direction is achieved by the circumference of the beam and by its contour. Sharp focusing allows coarse localization by diaphragms, and contoured localization by collimators, for example, multi-leaf collimators, which allow many different contours. When irradiating an organ, for example, it is possible to shape the beam of rays so that the beam corresponds substantially to the contour of the organ. Accordingly, only a minimum amount of tissue located around the organ is irradiated.
The contour of the beam is monitored both continuously and in each individual case. The monitoring increases the operating safety and avoids risk of the patient being exposed to unnecessarily high radiation exposure caused by radiation not accurately aimed at the desired organ. To help control the monitoring, visible light can, for example, pass through the beam shaping device, or in other words the focusing, diaphragms and collimators. The visible light makes optical control possible. The radiation type must have the same optical properties as visible light. Detector elements, for example, X-ray image detectors, are used at the position where a patient is to be irradiated. For example, in the case of X-radiation, a control image of the beam is obtained from the detector element.
To properly prepare for the irradiation, both an exact establishment of the contour of the beam and an equally exact positioning of the patient to be irradiated are necessary. The three-dimensional position of the patient's tissue to be irradiated is determined with the greatest possible accuracy. This three-dimensional position is placed as precisely as possible in the active center or isocenter of the radiation system. Only the exact positioning at the isocenter assures that the contour of the beam is precisely congruent with the contour of the tissue to be irradiated. The position of the tissue to be treated is determined by a diagnostic system, which need not be identical with the therapy system. The positioning of the tissue, which takes place after determining the three-dimensional position, involves major possibilities of error, which can be a hindrance to exact positioning.
To avoid the possibility of error, a diagnostic and therapy system are combined. In this combined system, a patient is first diagnosed and then treated in the same position. Inaccuracies from an intervening repositioning of the patient and from an intervening positioning of the therapy system are avoided. The three-dimensional orientation of the therapy component of the system to the diagnostic component is fixed and increases the positioning accuracy of the equipment.
When disposing the therapy component relative to the diagnostic component, a distinction is made between two possible configurations. First, the beam path of the diagnostic system can differ three-dimensionally from the beam of the therapy system. For example, the diagnostic radiation extends perpendicular to the therapeutic radiation. For example, if the patient is treated with a vertical beam path, then the diagnostic beam path is horizontal. The different three-dimensional course does involve inaccuracies, because only different three-dimensional coordinates are able to be determined. In this example, the horizontal diagnostic radiation is suitable for determining the vertical three-dimensional coordinate of the tissue. The horizontal three-dimensional coordinates are determined by the contouring of the therapeutic beam of rays. Alternatively, the various equipment components are spaced apart from one another three-dimensionally without interfering with one another.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,888,919 discloses a radiotherapy system, which has therapy components disposed in a first gantry. The diagnostic components are disposed in a second gantry. The gantries are movable independently of one another and allow various beam path configurations to be established. Each gantry requires its own free space for motion and includes mechanical components that are located around the patient in the immediate vicinity of the therapy area.
Second, a constellation is selected in which the axis of the diagnostic beam path coincides three-dimensionally with that of the therapeutic beam path. The diagnosis and therapy have the same optical geometry, which increases the accuracy. The various equipment components are disposed in the same beam path and may interfere with one another. The space available for installation is reduced and the components are integrated into the diagnostic and/or therapy system. The components are adapted to one another in a space-saving way.
In an example, an X-radiation therapy system, a high-energy X-radiation source, a less high-energy further X-radiation source, and at least one X-ray image detector in the less high-energy region are disposed in the same beam path. In addition, an X-radiation detector in the high-energy area is used. Both the patient and the therapist should have as much space available as possible, so as not to excessively limit the treatment options and patient comfort.
Austrian Patent Disclosure AT 156705 B discloses a device for X-ray production of images of slices or layers of the body, or of both slices and layers of the body. The X-ray tube and the holder for the image-collecting layer (cassette holder) are pivotable about an axis located in the plane of the body section to be imaged. The X-ray tube and holder are pivotable by the disposition of a double lever on both arms. The X-ray that passes through any point of the body section to be imaged always strikes the same point of the image layer, which is kept parallel to the section plane in the pivoting motion.


A metallic bellows pumps for pumping corrosive, caustic, acidic or toxic fluids which includes a casing with an annular bellows portion within said casing with one end affixed to the casing and the other secured to a piston closure plate with the plate and bellows being moveable toward and away from the fixed end to receive and discharge a fluid with reciprocating movement of the bellows within the casing, and power means to activate and control the movement of the bellows within the bellows pump.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a metallic bellows pump that among other things is adapted to pump metered fluids.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the pumping of some fluids particularly those that are corrosive, caustic, acidic or toxic previous piston or diaphragm pumps used to meter the fluid have employed O rings and seals of composition material that are attacked by the fluids and will be eaten away causing leaks and in some cases malfunctions.
Further, with the deteriation of prior art pumps seals, etc. unwanted leakage of the corrosive, caustic, acidic or toxic fluid occurs and can not only cause further injury to the pumps but can cause damage to the areas surrounding the pumps.
Also some of the prior art pumps cannot withstand high pressures that may be necessary when pumping fluids.
In addition, some prior art pumps that are utilized for metering, be it slow or rapid metering, have failed to maintain the proper tolerances necessary.
Finally, with the deterioration of prior art pumps or seals therein unnecessary maintenance is required.