A disc drive motor comprises a fixed a fixed shaft, a ball bearing fitted on the fixed shaft, a cylindrical hub rotatably supported by the ball bearing, a clamper for fixing a disc to the hub and a cap secured to the hub so as to cover one open end of an opening portion of the hub. The cap includes an engaging element formed as part of the cap for engaging with a rotation stopper jig in order to stop rotation of the hub when clamping the discs. The engaging element includes a protruding or recessed portion of the cap. The engaging may be in the form of a polygon or, in particular, a regular polygon.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disc drive motor having a structure wherein a disc is mounted on a hub and the disc is fixed by a clamper, whereupon the disc is rotated.
b) Description of the Related Art
A disc drive motor for rotating an information recording medium is used in an electronic device such as, for example, a hard disc drive device. Such an electronic device has the following structure. That is, a plurality of discs having information recorded therein are stacked onto a hub with a prescribed space provided between them. Such discs are fixed by means of a clamper, and the hub and the discs are rotated by the disc drive motor. Meanwhile, a magnetic head is disposed facing a recorded surface of the disc. This magnetic head is positioned over a designated track of the relevant disc by a carriage on which it is loaded to thereby write or read information into or from the disc.
The basic structure of the above-mentioned conventional disc drive motor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,476.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,476, FIG. 3, the outer ring 130 of the ball bearing 126, is fitted and fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the inside opening of the hub 134 and the cap 150 is fixed to the hub 134 in such a manner as to cover one open end of the inside opening of the hub 134. Namely, the cap 150 closes a space located on the upper side of the fixed shaft 112. Accordingly, the space becomes a completely closed space as a result of the use of the cap 150, whereby splashing of the oil mist is prevented. As a result, substances doing harm to the discs such as oil mist which are generated from inside the ball bearing are checked and thus are effectively prevented from splashing upward, whereby the disc drive motor can have high reliability.
In the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,476, FIG. 3, on the hub 134 of the above-mentioned disc drive motor, there are mounted discs 1401, 1402 such as magnetic discs together with spacers 141 interposed between them so that the discs 1401, 1402 are sequentially stacked upward from the flange portion of the hub 134. And in order to fix these discs 1401, 1402, the screws are screwed into the screw holes of the upper end surface of the hub 134, and then the discs 1401, 1402 are fixed while being urged with the clamper 142. As mentioned above, the discs 1401, 1402 are reliably fixed to the hub 134 and thus are rotated without disengaging from the rotation of the motor.
When the discs 1401, 1402 are placed on the flange portion of the hub 134 of the above-mentioned disc drive motor and are fixed with the clamper 142, the following problem arises. Namely, since the hub 134 is rotatably supported by the ball bearings 1261 and 1262, the hub 134 is inconveniently rotated when the clamper 142 is to be fastened by the screws. Thus, there is the problem that the fixing operation is very difficult to perform.
As a countermeasure against this, in order to prevent such inconvenient rotation of the hub 134, as illustrated in FIG. 5 herein, jig engagement holes 30 are formed in the upper end surface of the hub 134 separately from the screw holes 19, to thereby prevent the rotation of the hub 134 by engaging a fixing jig, not illustrated, with one of these jig engagement holes 30. Thus, the clamper 142 is fastened by screws in this state.
In this technique, however, it is necessary that the jig engagement holes 30 with which a jig is engaged be formed at least in the upper end surface 23 of the hub 134. Since these holes are formed by cutting, a significant length of work time was needed. This caused an increase in the parts cost of the hub 134.


A waveguide polarization recovery system both polarizes the input light energy for use with an LCD imager and converts the polarity of unusable light energy to add to the illumination of the LCD imager. The compact polarization recovery waveguide system generally includes: (1) an input waveguide that provides non-polarized light energy into the system; (2) an output waveguide that receives polarized light energy from the system; (3) a polarized beam splitter that received the light energy from the input waveguide and transmits lights energy of a first polarization type and reflects light energy of a second polarization type, and (4) a wave plate that modifies the polarization of either the transmitted or reflected light energy. The polarization recovery system also generally includes one or more mirrors that are positioned as need to direct the transmitted and the reflected light energy to the output waveguide. The input and output waveguides may be shaped as needed by the projection system. For example, either one or both of the input and output waveguides may be tapered as needed to produce a desired image. In the waveguide polarization recovery system, the input and output waveguides are configured to have either an either a substantially parallel or a substantially perpendicular orientation. In another embodiment, the waveguide polarization recovery system further includes has one or more “gaps” of optically clear material positioned between the optical components to encourage the occurrence of total internal reflection that minimizes the loss of the optical energy by the system.

A liquid crystal display (hereafter "LCD") is a known device used to control the transmission of polarized light energy. The LCD may be either clear or opaque, depending on the current applied to the LCD. Because of this functionality, projection systems commonly use an array containing numerous LCDs to form an image source. In particular, the projection system inputs high intensity, polarized light energy to the LCD array (also called an imager), which selectively transmits some of the inputted light energy to form a projection of a desired image. Because a single LCD is relatively small, numerous LCDs can be packed together into the array, thereby forming an imager that can produce a high resolution image.
As suggested above, a projection system must first polarize the light input to the LCD. However, light energy from a light source, such as a bulb, may have either p-polarization or s-polarization. Since this light input to the LCD imager must be in one orientation (i.e., either p-polarization or s-polarization), the LCD projector generally uses only half of the light energy from the light source. However, it is desirable in projection systems to maximize the brightness and intensity of the light output. In response, various methodologies have been developed to capture the light energy of unusable polarization, to convert the polarization of this captured light energy, and then to redirect the converted light energy toward the LCD imager. These known polarization recovery methodologies involve creating an expanded beam of light in which the unused portion of the light (of undesired polarity) is sent through a half-wave plate to change the polarization and then recombined with the original polarized beam. Unfortunately, the implementation of these known methodologies requires complex, bulky systems, which usually include 2-dimensional lense arrays and an array of polarization beam splitters. Furthermore, the known methodologies lose much of the light energy and, therefore, compromise the projector's goal of producing a high intensity output. As a result, there exists a current need for a simple, low cost, and compact polarization recovery system that operates with high efficiency.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Polarization recovery system for projection displays


A releasable deployment line for a parachute system is provided. The releasable deployment line may include a first segment of material including an aircraft end configured to be operably connected to an aircraft, and a release end configured to be operably connected to a first section of a multi-ring release system. The replaceable deployment line may further include a second segment of material including a container end configured to be operably connected to a parachute container, and a ring end configured to be operably connected to a second section of the multi-ring release system and a third segment of material. The third segment of material may include a parachute end configured to be operably connected to a parachute within the parachute container, and a pin end configured to be operably connected to a retaining pin associated with the first section of the multi-ring release system.

Air based cargo delivery systems (e.g., parachute based delivery) are frequently used to drop cargo or persons from an aircraft and control descent (e.g., speed) of the cargo such that the cargo may land safely and be recovered by a ground team. To accomplish this task, an item of cargo may be equipped with a parachute system, including a parachute container, a parachute, a restraint release device (e.g., a cut-knife), and a static line connected to the parachute container and canopy, among other things. This parachute system may initially be affixed to the cargo item via one or more lengths of restraint material (e.g., nylon cord) in preparation for transport to a desired location via an aircraft.
Prior to the cargo exiting the aircraft at altitude, one end of the static line may be connected to an anchor in the aircraft such that, upon exit of the cargo, tension may be applied to the static line causing the restraint release device to release (e.g., cut) the segments of material affixing the parachute system to the cargo. Once these segments are cut, the static line may cause the parachute container to be opened and the canopy to separate from the static line and parachute container. The dangling static line and parachute container may then be retrieved and brought into the aircraft by aircraft personnel.
In some circumstances (e.g., high altitude delivery) it has been desirable to utilize a "release away" or "breakaway" static line to eliminate the need for a crewman to retrieve the static line and parachute container from outside the aircraft. These release away static lines may include a "U" connector between two segments of static line, and a locking loop configured to hold the U connector in place, among other things. When tension is applied to such a static line, the force required to release the U connector from the locking loop and achieve the "release away" may increase exponentially with the amount of tension present in the static line. Twisting of the releasable static line also may further increase forces associated with release. Testing of some releasable static lines has demonstrated that where 100 pounds of tension is applied to a straight releasable static line, 200 pounds of force, or more, may be used to release the U connector.
Also adding to the forces associated with the releasable static line may be a force associated with a restraint release device for releasing the parachute container from its pre-drop location. Prior art "cut-knives" used for such purposes may dull quickly (e.g., as a result of excessive force), resulting in additional force to cause the cutting of the restraint material. In some instances, it has been determined that in excess of 400 pounds of force has been used to cut the restraint material.
Large forces exerted on the releasable static line, such as from the release-away and restraint release systems, may cause problems such as recoil of the static line and subsequent damage to the aircraft, parachute system, and/or aircraft crew. Therefore, it may be desirable to limit the force necessary to cause the release away of a releasable static line associated with a parachute.
Further, previous restraint release devices have suffered from other issues such as, their inability to be reused based on sharpening difficulties. Therefore, using and replacing such devices can may become cost ineffective.
The present disclosure is directed to addressing one or more of the desires and issues discussed above utilizing various examples of a releasable parachute deployment line and/or restraint release device.
Although the present invention may obviate one or more of the above-mentioned needs, it should be understood that some aspects and embodiments of the invention might not necessarily obviate one or more of those needs.


A collapsible footrest is provided, which consists of a base having an inflatable chamber. The base is made of flexible material with a top contoured surface to support the feet of a person and a flat bottom to sit upon the floor. A mechanism is for inflating and deflating the chamber of the base, whereby the base may be folded when deflated, so as to occupy considerably less storage space.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to hassocks and more specifically it relates to a collapsible footrest.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous hassocks have been provided in prior art that are thick cushions used as footstools for supporting and resting the feet of people. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


A Time Division Duplex (TDD) switch of a TDD wireless communication system is provided. By its unique arrangement, the TDD switch protects a receiver of the wireless system. The TDD switch includes an isolator connected to an output port of a transmitter, a first transmission line stub, connected between the isolator and a circulator, for transmitting a transmission signal received from the isolator when in a transmission mode, and for isolating a transmission path when in a reception mode, a first transmission line connected to the circulator, for isolating a reception path when in the transmission mode, and for supplying to a receiver a reception signal provided from an antenna connected to the circulator when in the reception mode, and a second transmission line stub connected between the first transmission line and an input port of the receiver in a stub form, for controlling the first transmission line to isolate the reception path when in the transmission mode, and for supplying the reception signal to the receiver when in the reception mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Time Division Duplex (TDD) switch of a TDD wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a receiver when a high-power transmission signal is incorrectly introduced into the receiver due to erroneous operations such as a malfunction of the TDD switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a Time Division Duplex (TDD) wireless communication system, a TDD switch is generally used for mode changes between a transmission mode and a reception mode. The TDD switch operates in response to a TDD control signal of the wireless communication system.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional location of a TDD switch in a TDD wireless communication system.
Referring to FIG. 1, a TDD switch 107 is connected to a Power Amplifier (PA) 103, an antenna 111, and a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 115.
When the wireless communication system operates in a transmission mode, a signal from transmitter 101 is amplified to a high-power signal through the PA 103 and is then radiated through the antenna 111 via a transmit port 105 and an antenna port 109. The TDD switch 107 operates in the transmission mode and thus isolates the transmitter 101 from a receiver 117. Therefore, the receiver 117 can be protected against the high-power signal of the transmitter 101.
When the wireless communication system operates in the reception mode, the power signal sent from the antenna 111 is received through the antenna port 109 and a receive port 113. The TDD switch 107 operates in the reception mode and thus enables the received power signal to be sent to the receive port 113. The received power signal has significantly low power due to attenuation and noise. Therefore, the power signal is amplified by the LNA 115 which amplifies a signal while minimizing noise. The amplified power signal is received by the receiver 117.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conventional TDD switch.
Referring to FIG. 2, the conventional TDD switch includes an isolator 203, a circulator 205, a λ/4 transmission line 209, a pin diode 211, and so on. The λ/4 transmission line 209 and the pin diode 211 are interconnected between a receive port 213 and the circulator 205.
In the conventional TDD switch shown in FIG. 2, the λ/4 transmission line 209 and the pin diode 211 are connected in a three connection configuration. The number of connection configurations of the λ/4 transmission line 209 and the pin diode 211 may be determined through simulation or theoretical calculation. In addition, the number of connection configurations may vary depending on the extent of isolation.
In the TDD wireless communication system, a transmitter including a PA may be connected to a transmit port 201. A receiver including an LNA may be connected to the receive port 213. Furthermore, an antenna may be connected to an antenna port 207 of the TDD switch.
The isolator 203 transmits a power signal only in one direction and is located between the transmit port 201 and the circulator 205. The isolator 203 is designed to pass only the power signal transmitted from the transmit port 201. Furthermore, the isolator 203 acts as a terminator for an external power signal that is reflected and returned. For example, when the power signal is not successfully radiated from the antenna and is thus reversely introduced, the circuit of the transmit port 201 may be damaged by the reflected power signal. Therefore, the isolator 203 protects the circuit of the transmit port 201.
The circulator 205 is a 3-port circuit element for branching the power signal. A resonance plate and a magnetic substance (e.g., ferrite) are placed inside the circulator 205 having a shape in which three ports are arranged by 120 degrees. The circulator 205 incurs an approximately 0.3 dB path loss when passing the power signal in a direction from the isolator 203 to the antenna port 207. Also, the circulator 205 isolates the power signal by a specific level (about 20 dB) in another direction from the circulator 205 to the receiver port 213. For example, when the TDD control signal operates in the transmission mode, the power signal amplified by the transmitter exhibits an approximately 0.3 dB path loss while passing through the circulator 205 and is then radiated through the antenna via the antenna port 207. In the direction from the circulator 205 to the receiver port 213, the power signal is attenuated by a certain level (about 20 dB). Although the power signal is attenuated by the specific level (about 20 dB), the receive port 213 may be damaged when the attenuated signal is transmitted to the receive port 213.
The TDD control signal is used to control the transmitter and the receiver of the TDD wireless communication system. In response to the TDD control signal, the transmitter amplifies a power signal to be transmitted and then radiates the amplified power signal to the antenna. In addition, the TDD control signal is used to control a bias circuit 221 which regulates a Direct Current (DC) bias supplied to the pin diode 211. The DC bias is supplied to the pin diode 211 through a transmission line, but this does not affect wireless communication characteristics. The pin diode 211 acts as a part of the TDD switch according to the DC bias. A capacitor (not shown) is provided to block the DC bias. Although not shown, it will be assumed that the capacitor for blocking the DC bias exists throughout FIGS. 2 to 6.
According to the transmission line theory, when an output port of a transmission line is open to ground, the impedance of the input port of the transmission line is expressed as Z=−jZo cot βl. When the output port of the transmission line is shorted to ground, the impedance of the input port of the transmission line is expressed as Z=−jZo tan βl. When the output port of the transmission line is connected to a 50 ohm transmission line, the impedance of the input port of the transmission line is expressed as Z=Zo=50 ohm. Here, β=2π/λ, and l is the length of the transmission line. As known, waves have the same amplitudes at λ/4, 3λ/4, 5λ/4, 7λ/4, and so on. Hence, the λ/4 transmission line 209 may be generalized as a (λ/4)*(2m+1) transmission line [m=0,1,2,3, . . . ]. The λ/4 transmission line 209 corresponds to a (λ/4)*(2m+1) transmission line [m=0,1,2,3, . . . ], where m is 0.
The pin diode 211 and the 50 ohm transmission line (receiver) are connected in parallel to the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209. The pin diode 211 acts as a part of the TDD switch according to the DC bias. When the impedance of the pin diode 211 becomes nearly 0 (short-circuited), the parallel impedance between the pin diode 211 and the 50 ohm transmission line becomes nearly 0 (short-circuited). On the other hand, when the impedance of the pin diode 211 becomes nearly infinite (open-circuited), the parallel impedance between the pin diode 211 and the 50 ohm transmission line becomes nearly 50 ohm. Therefore, impedance changes in the pin diode 211 according to the DC bias allow the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 to become substantially shorted to ground or substantially connected only to the 50 ohm transmission line.
When the pin diode 211 is substantially open to ground, the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 is nearly connected only to the 50 ohm transmission line. Thus, according to the above expression of Zo=50 ohm, the impedance Z of the input port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 becomes nearly 50 ohm.
When the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 is substantially shorted to ground, according to the above expression of Z=−jZo tan βl where β=2π/λ, and l=(λ/4)*(2m+1)[m=0,1,2,3, . . . ], the impedance Z of the input port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 becomes nearly infinite (open-circuited).
In the transmission mode, when the TDD control signal is transmitted to the bias circuit 221, the bias circuit 221 supplies a forward DC bias to the pin diode 211. The forward DC bias allows the impedance of the pin diode 211 to become nearly 0 (short-circuited). Since the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 is connected to the pin diode 211, the impedance of the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 also becomes nearly 0 (short-circuited). Thus, the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 becomes substantially shorted to ground. According to the characteristic of the λ/4 transmission line 209, the impedance of the input port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 (a port nearest to the circulator 205) changes to be opposite to the impedance of the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 and thus becomes nearly infinite (open-circuited). Hence, the receive port 213 can be protected against the power signal while the TDD control signal operates in the transmission mode.
In the reception mode, when the TDD control signal is transmitted to the bias circuit 221, the bias circuit 221 supplies a reverse DC bias to the pin diode 211. The reverse DC bias allows the impedance of the pin diode 211 to become nearly infinite (open-circuited). Since the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 is connected to the pin diode 211 and the 50 ohm transmission line (receiver), when the impedance of the pin diode 211 becomes nearly infinite (open-circuited), the impedance of the output port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 becomes 50 ohm, and the impedance of the input port of the λ/4 transmission line 209 also becomes 50 ohm. Therefore, a path that spans from the antenna port 207 to the receive port 213 via the circulator 205 is not affected. Accordingly, most of the power signal received through the antenna can be input to the receive port 213.
The TDD wireless communication system may operate correctly without any problem. However, when the TDD switch incorrectly operates, the TDD wireless communication system may operate in the transmission mode while the TDD switch operates in the reception mode. In this case, the power signal may not be completely isolated by the circulator 205 and thus may be introduced to the receiver, which may lead to damage in the circuit of the receiver.
Furthermore, a cable connected to the antenna port 207 may be open when the TDD switch is turned off, or a high-power signal may be reflected when a Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of the circuit of the transmitter increases due to impedance mismatching. In this case, most of the reflected high-power signal is introduced into the receiver, which may damage the circuit of the receiver. Impedance matching is used to reduce performance degradation caused by an impedance difference between two separate connection ports. The VSWR represents a reflection amount of the power signal transmitted to the antenna port 207.
The DC bias of the bias circuit 221 cannot be supplied to the pin diode 211 when the TDD switch is turned off. This is similar to the case where the reverse DC bias is supplied to the pin diode 211. Thus, the TDD switch operates in the reception mode.
The conventional TDD wireless communication system cannot operate correctly when the aforementioned problems occur mostly because the introduction of the power signal into the receiver may damage the circuit of the receiver. Accordingly, there is a need for a TDD switch that can protect the receiver even when the TDD wireless communication system operates incorrectly.

Apparatus for protecting receiver in TDD wireless communication system


An image recording method using a reversible thermosensitive recording material which is capable of assuming a transparent state when heated to a first temperature which is above room temperature, and a colored state when heated to a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature and then cooled, and a heating element, including the step of applying energy to the heating element for generating heat in such a manner as to form each picture element of an image to be formed in the recording material by a plurality of energy pulses applied thereto. An image recording apparatus for this image recording method is also described, which includes a pulse division device for dividing the energy to be applied to the heating element into the plurality of energy pulses, an ambient temperature measurement device for measuring the ambient temperature around the recording material, and a pulse-generation timing adjustment device for adjusting the timing for the generation of the plurality of energy pulses.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image recording method using a reversible thermosensitive recording material which is capable of assuming a transparent state when heated to a first temperature which is above room temperature, and of assuming a colored state when heated to a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature and then cooled, in which images are formed by applying a plurality of energy pulses to the recording material through a heating element in such a manner as to form each picture element of each image by the application of the plurality of energy pulses to the recording material. The present invention also relates to an image recording apparatus for carrying out this image recording method.

Image recording method using reversible thermosensitive recording material and image display apparatus using the same


A controlling device of a tunable filter includes a base, a tunable filter on the base along an optical path between first and second optical fibers, a holder rotatably installed on the base to support the tunable filter, a driving unit installed on the base for providing a rotational force, a speed reducing device, and a rotating unit for rotating the holder in accordance with the linear movement of the movable member. The speed reducing device has a worm gear extending from a rotating shaft of the driving unit, and a movable member provided with a threaded hole engaged with the worm gear to allow reciprocal movement along the worm gear according to the rotation direction of the worm gear.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a controlling device of a tunable filter which selectively transmits rays of a predetermined wavelength of an incident light, and more particularly, to a controlling device for controlling the angle that the incident rays make with the line normal to the surface of the tunable filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a tunable filter including a line filter is used to select a ray of a specific wavelength in an optical communication system employing a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM), an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) or the like.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional controlling device of a tunable filter comprises a holder 8 in which a tunable filter 5 is installed, a DC servo-motor 11 for driving the tunable filter 5, an encoder 13 fixed to a rotating shaft 11a of the DC servo-motor 11, and reduction gears 15 for changing the rotational speed of the servo-motor 11 to a suitable speed. The encoder 13 measures the angle of disposition of the tunable filter 5 with respect to the incident rays by detecting the rotation angle of the DC servo-motor 11.
The DC servo-motor 11 controls the angle of disposition of the tunable filter 5 with respect to the incident rays. The tunable filter 5 selectively transmits a ray of a specific wavelength among the rays emitted from a first optical fiber 1 and directs the selected rays to a second optical fiber 9.
The reduction gears 15 installed between the DC servo-motor 11 and the tunable filter 5 include a center gear 17 fixed to the rotating shaft 11a of the DC servo-motor 11, first, second and third gears 18a, 18b and 18c meshed with the center gear 17, a ring gear 19 having teeth 19a on the inner circumferential surface thereof to mesh with the first, second and third gears 18a, 18b and 18c. A rotating shaft 19c provided at the center of a cover 19b of the ring gear 19 is fitted to the holder 8. In order to drive the tunable filter 5 in fine movements, a plurality of the reduction gears 15 as described above are provided.
As the center gear 17 is rotated according to the rotation of the DC servo-motor 11, the first, second and third gears 18a, 18b and 18c meshed with the center gear 17 are simultaneously rotated. Since the first, second and third gears 18a, 18b and 18c are meshed with the ring gear 19, they revolve around the center gear 17. The ring gear 19 is rotated at a speed that is equivalent to the revolution speed of the first, second and third gears 18a, 18b and 18c.
Accordingly, the ring gear 19 is rotated at a speed slower than that of the DC servo-motor 11, and at the same time the holder 8 fitted to the rotating shaft 19c of the ring gear 19 is rotated at the same slower speed, and therefore the angle of disposition of the tunable filter 5 can be finely controlled. Consequently, since the angle at which the tunable filter 5 is disposed can be appropriately controlled according to the value measured in the encoder 13, a ray of specific wavelength can be selectively transmitted.
However, since the controlling device of the tunable filter is provided with a plurality of reduction gears, the structure of the control device is complicated and the size of the whole controlling device is large.


A multi-phase switching power converter is disclosed in which the duty cycle of active phases following a phase shedding transition is temporarily adjusted to increase the operating speed of the multi-phase switching power converter.

A typical computing power supply for laptops and related devices such as tablets uses a combination of Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries, usually arranged in groups of two cells in series that produces a maximum voltage of approximately 10V. Such a relatively high power supply voltage is unsuitable for modern integrated circuits so these devices conventionally include a buck converter to regulate the battery power supply voltage from the series-connected batteries to an internal power supply voltage such as 1V for powering the integrated circuits within the devices.
A single stage multi-phase buck converter would require high voltage components to step down from such a relatively high battery power supply voltage to the relatively low internal power supply voltage. The use of such high voltage components demands substantial die space to achieve suitable drain-to-source resistances and also leads to higher gate drive losses and voltage-current overlap switching losses for the power switches. Thus, single stage multi-phase buck converters are not very efficient in applications in which the output voltage is substantially stepped down from, for example, around 10V to 1V.
To improve the efficiency and increase density, two-stage multi-phase DC/DC power converters have been developed in which a first stage multi-phase buck converter drives a second stage multi-phase buck converter with an intermediate voltage. The second stage multi-phase buck converter regulates the output voltage using the intermediate voltage as an input power supply. The second stage may use high-speed core transistors since the intermediate voltage is reduced as compared to the relatively-high battery voltage. Although such two stage voltage regulators have desirable efficiency and density in theory, their conventional implementation suffers from a number of problems. For example, phase shedding results in transient changes in the currents across the active phases that cause the output voltage to deviate from its steady-state value. But fast response of a phase-shedding scheme requires these transitions in the inductor currents to settle quickly. As a result, the response speed of conventional multi-phase buck converters is limited.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for multi-phase buck converters with improved response speeds.

Two-stage multi-phase switching power supply with ramp generator DC offset for enhanced transient response


A system and method of repairing a wax candle having a diminished wick. A kit is provided having a coring device, a ramrod for displacing wax from the coring device and a length of replacement wick. The coring device is used to cut a core from the candle around the diminished wick. The coring device removes a core of wax from the candle, therein creating a bore in the candle. A length of replacement wick is then placed into the bore. The removed core of wax is then reinserted into the bore, thereby locking the replacement wick in place. The replacement wick extends above the wax and is trimmed to the proper height for use in lighting the candle.

1. Field of the Invention
In general, the present invention relates to tools and methods used to repair wax candles. More specifically, the present invention relates to tools and methods used to insert replacement wicks into candles.
2. Prior Art Description
Prior to the common use of electric lights, wax candles were the prominent source of light. Wax candles traditionally consist of some type of wax being molded around a cotton wick. The wick is lit with a match. As the wick burns, the wax near the wick melts and then vaporizes. The wax vapor is drawn into the flame of the wick, where it burns. The candle will therefore continue to burn for as long as the wax supply lasts.
In past years, wax candles were traditionally made long, thin and with a slight taper. Such a candle structure is highly efficient and produces a bright flame. Excess melted wax tends to run down the outside of the candle rather than pool around the wick. The wick is therefore free to burn uninhibited until it reaches the bottom of the candle and the wax supply is exhausted.
In modern society, candles are no longer widely used to as a primary source of light. Rather, candles are used as decorations, and are often lit merely to produce an aroma or accent lighting. Accordingly, many modern candles are manufactured to be short and wide. A short, wide candle is free standing and does not require a candle holder. Furthermore, short, wide candles provide large exterior surfaces that be decorated.
A problem associated with short, wide candles is that their structure prevents them from burning efficiently. This often leads to wick submersion. When a wick burns, the wick melts the wax nearest the wick. Thus, in a wide candle, a burning wick will only melt the wax near the wick, the wax at the periphery of the candle remains unaffected. A crater therefore forms around the wick as the wax is consumed, wherein the wick is centrally located at the bottom of the crater. Often, when the wick is lit, the burning wick will cause the walls of the crater to liquefy. The melted wax flows into the bottom of the crater and drowns the wick. As soon as a wick becomes submersed in wax, it is deprived of oxygen for combustion and the wick is extinguished.
Once the wick is submersed and is extinguished, the melted wax begins to harden. The wick therefore becomes entombed under the hardening wax. The candle cannot be relit because there is no exposed wick left to light. The buried wick must therefore be carved out of the wax before the candle can be reused.
When a wick is lost under the wax, it is common for a person to create another hole in the candle and insert a short secondary wick. This solution, however, is problematic. First, secondary wicks are typically short and do not descend to the bottom of the candle. The secondary wick will therefore only burn for a short time and will not burn with the entirety of the candle. Second, when a secondary wick is added to a candle and burned, the secondary wick consumes wax and the original wick again becomes exposed. The secondary wick ignites the original wick and two wicks now burn. The candle therefore becomes overly hot and burns at a greater speed than might be expected.
A need therefore exists for a simple system and method of repairing the wick of a candle once the wick becomes submersed in wax. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

System and method of repairing a wax candle having a diminished wick


A semi-automatic firearm includes a frame and a movable slide mounted on the frame. The slide defines an ejection port and lateral walls that extend longitudinally from a rear face of the slide to adjacent a front face through which an opening is formed to permit egress of a round of ammunition, the rear face and the front face being generally perpendicular to the lateral walls. The firearm further includes a firing mechanism and an access port formed in the lateral walls of the slide.

A semi-automatic pistol includes a slide assembly slidably mounted on a frame, a firing mechanism, and a magazine. The magazine is received within the handle portion of frame. The firing mechanism is mounted in the frame and includes a trigger, a trigger bar, and a spring activated striker-firing pin. The trigger bar is pivotally mounted on one end to the trigger and on the other end to a mechanism that actuates the striker firing-pin. In some pistols, a sear assembly is the mechanism that actuates the striker firing-pin. Movement of the trigger causes the pivotally connected trigger bar to move laterally within the frame and actuate the sear assembly out of engagement with the striker firing-pin, thereby allowing the striker firing-pin to engage an ammunition round loaded in the firing chamber unless otherwise prevented by another safety.
Most pistols today include a magazine safety to ensure the firearm cannot be fired when the magazine is removed. Many of those magazine safeties operate by impairing the ability of the firing mechanism to move an amount sufficient to fire the firearm. In those instances, it may not be possible to remove the slide from the frame of the firearm while the magazine is removed. It would be advantageous to be able to remove the slide from the frame while the magazine is removed from the firearm.
What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus and a method for removing the slide from a firearm that can be done while the magazine is removed from the firearm.

Apparatus and method for removing the slide of a semi-automatic pistol


A plenum-type ceiling for a clean room is formed of modules having lateral side portions which are adapted to be attached together into a grid-like network. Bottom portions of the lateral sides of each module are inwardly stepped to provide downwardly facing recessed channels for the installation of lighting, fire extinguishing equipment and other facilities so that the ceiling is substantially planar and without facilities or lighting protruding therefrom. Inwardly and outwardly facing channels are also provided at the lower edge of the inwardly stepped portions of the sides in order to form an annular trough as a seal structure for mounting of air filters and air flow control devices. A bracket is also provided for suspension of objects such as partitions from outwardly facing channels in a manner which substantially eliminates entrainment of air near the ceiling and the avoidance of interference with the facilities. The recessed location of the facilities provides improved distribution thereof while avoiding interference with the air flow pattern as well as mechanically protecting the facilities.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to ceiling structures and, more particularly, to planar ceiling structures including air filtration systems for clean rooms as well as other facilities such as lighting systems, fire extinguishing systems and electrical distribution systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many products such as high-precision machines and electronic components are highly sensitive to contamination from particulate materials often found in the ambient atmosphere. Once manufactured, these products can usually be sealed or protection from contamination otherwise provided. However, during the course of manufacture of these types of products, no such protection can be provided for the products themselves and reliance is placed upon the provision of an environment, commonly referred to as a "clean room" from which contaminants and sources of contaminant material are rigorously excluded.
Such clean rooms generally rely on continual filtering of the air for the removal of any contaminant material which may be present or introduced. In this regard, contaminants may actually be produced in clean rooms during manufacturing processes involving the working or removal of materials from workpieces or condensing or coalescing from vapors. Therefore it is imperative that all air within the clean room be continually circulated and filtered. It is similarly important that contaminants, when produced, be quickly transported to locations where they can be captured and thus restrained from circulating to other areas of the clean room. For this purpose, air is usually circulated through the clean room from the ceiling to the floor, often provided as a raised grid structure, and then returned through ducts to the ceiling. This provides circulation across the shortest dimension of the room and effectively confines contaminants to the area where they are produced. Also, since contaminants are typically more dense than the atmosphere, the rapid transportation of contaminants is enhanced by gravity. The air is filtered at its exit from the ceiling. Distribution of air should also be over as much of the ceiling area as possible to prevent the entraining of air or other anomalies in the ceiling to floor circulation pattern.
However, it is generally necessary to also provide other services such as light and electricity, compressed air, fire extinguishing systems and the like in the clean room in addition to highly filtered air, in order to provide for worker safety and to support the manufacturing process being carried out. These services are collectively referred to as "facilities". The provision of these facilities often can compromise the clean room environment since they usually require penetration of the walls, ceilings and/or floors of the clean room. Also, the materials involved, such as electrical insulation, as well as material of the structural room itself (e.g. the portion of the building structure in which the clean room is constructed) where facilities enter the clean room, can be sources of contaminant material. Further, in large spaces, provision of facilities is most conveniently done at the ceiling. Since any discontinuity, such as holes, in the filters is undesirable, areas of the ceiling must be effectively dedicated to the facilities and are therefore unavailable for maintaining the ceiling to floor air circulation pattern. The provision of lighting is particularly difficult in this regard since lighting must also be evenly distributed in most installations and generally must form part of the ceiling structure to achieve this distribution.
Similarly, it is not desirable to suspend any structure having a significant horizontal area below the ceiling of a clean room since such areas disrupt the desired air flow pattern and may also allow particulate materials to collect. Then, some slight mechanical disturbance may cause collected materials to be dispersed in a relatively large quantity which could contaminate significant areas of the clean room and products being manufactured before trapping can occur. Lighting also presents a further complication in this regard since suspended lighting, especially lighting containing fluorescent tubes, could be mechanically damaged and thus become a further source of contaminants. Additionally, any facilities which are suspended below the ceiling or present a significant area below the ceiling level will interfere with the distribution of light throughout the area.
Another complication is the provision of partitions for forming so-called mini-environments within the clean room. Mini-environments are often necessary either to more fully exclude or contain contaminants for particular areas of the clean room. Different air flow rate is often provided in these mini-environments than is provided for the remainder of the clean room. These mini-environments are provided by partitions which must generally be attached to the ceiling and suspended therefrom for structural reasons. To avoid presenting a significant horizontal area, relatively thin sheets of material are generally preferred. Suspension close to the ceiling is necessary to avoid entraining of contaminated air near the ceiling. However, since the location for such suspension may not be provided in the areas covered by filters, suspension must be made from the same areas dedicated to facilities. In particular, since lighting and lighting fixtures occupy a large portion of this area, partitions interfere with the distribution of light from the fixtures wherever the partitions are located. In short, all of the facilities interfere with each other and the function of the air circulation and filtration system.
It is also known that the highest air quality in clean rooms is provided by systems which employ plenums for the distribution of air. These plenums are preferably constructed from plenum modules which may be generally regarded as box-like structures have a cross-section in the form of an inverted "U" so that the bottoms are opened to receive filter materials and other air flow regulation devices, such as dampers. Plenum modules may be bolted together end-to-end to form one or more plenums or ducts which extend over the area of the clean room. The sides of the plenum modules may also have openings for receiving filters or communicating air between plenum modules.
The plenums or ducts thus formed of plenum modules form the basic structural members of the air distribution system for the clean room and support the filters elements (and any grille-work which may be included as well as the dampers and other air flow control devices). At the same time the plenums provide for containment of the recirculated air within a surface, such as a baked polyurethane coating on at least the interior of the plenum modules, which does not shed contaminants. Therefore, it is undesirable to modify the plenums or plenum modules in any way, such as by drilling, to route facilities therethrough. Dedicated areas used for access to facilities (where plenum modules are omitted) disrupts the desired air flow pattern, discussed above. Further, omission of plenum modules to produce such dedicated areas reduces the structural integrity of the plenum assembly. The alternative would require modification of plenum modules which compromises the air delivery and filtration performance of the plenum system and may also affect the structural integrity thereof.
Additionally, plenums and plenum modules known in the art do not generally provide structures suitable for forming mini-environments, without modification and do not provide for convenient changes of mini-environments. As indicated above, partitions may only be attached to the ceiling at locations not occupied by the air filtration system. Thus, concentration of facilities in dedicated areas limits the locations at which attachment of partitions to the ceiling may be made. At the same time, the concentration of facilities reduces the regularity of lighting distribution and the limitation of attachment locations for partitions virtually assures interference of the partitions with either the facilities, including lighting distribution, or the air circulation and filtration or both.
Further, since mini-environments are generally formed in order to segregate areas in which differentiated air flow will be used, entrainment of contaminated air often occurs near the ceiling due to the differential air flow rates when the partition locations do not accurately follow the boundaries of the differentiated air flow areas. Particularly since air flow distribution will be disrupted where facilities are concentrated, it is virtually guaranteed that entrainment of contaminated air will occur and will be aggravated by the suspension of partitions from those areas. Support of partitions only from the floor does not provide a solution since the upper edges will then be unstable in a lateral direction and their locations uncertain. Further, a regular clearance from the ceiling and the air inlets may also increase entrainment of contaminated air.

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention features a probe for radiance dosimetry. The probe includes a tip portion containing a fluorescent dye connected to a translucent spacer element.

This invention was made in the course of work supported by the United States Government, which has certain rights in the invention.
The field of the invention is probes for radiance dosimetry.
The spatial distribution of radiance in tissue is of fundamental importance in many applications of photobiology and laser medicine. For example, in photodynamic therapy of solid tumors, irradiation of the tissue with energy of appropriate wavelength following administration of a photosensitizing dye leads to tumor destruction. The efficacy and safety of this treatment depends, among other factors, on delivering an adequate radiant energy fluence (J/cm.sup.2) throughout the target tumor tissue, while sparing as far as possible the adjacent normal tissue.
There are two general approaches to determining radiant energy fluence distributions in tissue: (1) to measure the optical absorption and scattering properties of the tissue at the wavelength of interest and then to use these data to calculate the spatial distribution of fluence or absorbed energy using an approximate analytic or numerical model of light transport such as diffusion theory (Doiron et al., in Porphyrin Photosensitization; Kessel et al., eds. pp. 63-76, Plenun, N.Y., 1983; Ishimau et al., Appl. Opt. 28:2210, 1989; Flock et al., IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng., 1986) or Monte Carlo simulation (Flock et al., supra; Jaques et al., Appl. Opt. 28:2223, 1989); and (2) to measure directly the fluence rate at the point of interest within the tissue during irradiation. The first, indirect method has the advantage that it may be possible to determine the average tissue optical properties, and hence the fluence distribution, at all points non-invasively, for example by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The accuracy of this method is likely to be limited in the case of small tissue volumes of complex shape or if the tissue is optically heterogeneous on a scale comparable to the distances over which changes in radiance fluence are significant (Yoon et al. Applied Optics 28:2250, 1989).
The second, direct method is necessarily invasive and only a limited number of localized measurements can be made. In addition, a major challenge has been to make interstitial probes which have an isotropic response. For example, using a cut-end optical fiber connected to a photodetector, only radiance within a restricted solid angle determined by the numerical aperture is collected. The signal measured at a given orientation then depends on the radiance pattern at the specific location in the tissue. Hence, unless the radiance field is isotropic at this location, it is necessary to integrate the measurements from several directions. This has been done in vivo (Doiron et al., supra; Wilson et al., Photochem. Photobiol. 47:153, 1975) and has the advantage that very small diameter fibers may be used which can be placed in tissue easily and relatively non-traumatically, but this may not be a generally applicable technique. In order to measure the true fluence by a single measurement even in an anisotropic field, optical fiber probes have been developed with a spherical tip which is highly light scattering (Star et al., Photochem. Photobiol. 46:619, 1987; Marijnissen et al., Laser Med. Surg. 7:235, 1987; Star et al., Appl. Opt. 28:2281, 1989; Marijnissen et al., in Photodynamic Therapy of Tumors and of Diseases, Jori et al., eds., pp. 387-380, Libreria Progetto, Padua, 1985). Such probes have an approximately isotropic response, between the forward direction and about 150.degree., the backward direction having low response because of shielding where the fibers are attached to the tip. Within this angular range, isotropy of about .+-.10% has been achieved with 800 .mu.m diameter tips on a 400 .mu.m core fiber. The scattering tip of this type of probe must be large enough to make the response isotropic. Further, scattering ball tips are often quite fragile, and this characteristic makes it difficult to use them safely and easily in many solid tissues. They have been widely used for studies in liquids or gel tissue-simulating phantoms and for monitoring within body cavities such as the bladder (Star et al., Photochem. Photobiol. 46:619, 1987; Marijnissen et al., in Photodynamic Therapy of Tumors and of Diseases, Jori et al., eds., Libreria Progetto, Padua, 1985).


A sanitization system includes a plurality of light distribution hubs spaced along a longitudinal frame. Each hub includes a plurality of light emitting modules (e.g., LED chip-on-board) configured to deliver a predetermined type of light (e.g, UVC) to a target surface for a variable or predetermined amount of time at a variable or predetermined intensity to at least partially disinfect and/or sanitize the target surface. The target surface may be an interior surface of a medical imaging device, such as an inwardly facing bore surface and/or patient support surface of an MRI or CT scanner.

Medical imaging machines such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines are widely used as diagnostic tools in medical and healthcare facilities. For example, an MRI is used to non-invasively examine a patients' organs, tissues, and skeletal system by generating high-resolution images of the same. For its broad application and versatility, MRI machines are used to examine many different patients who might suffer from a similarly broad array of illness or ailments.
Like other medical imaging machines, each MRI machine features a large bore, inside of which a patient lies on a movable table. For the duration of the MRI examination (or "MRI scan"), a patient lies still inside the MRI bore. Often, the duration of an MRI examination is between fifteen and ninety minutes.
Because such machines are used to examine a wide variety of sick or healthy patients who suffer or might suffer from any number of illnesses, and because each examination can last a relatively long time, the inside of an imaging bore is prone to become dirty or unsanitary, including receiving and/or harboring bacteria. Another consequence of imaging machines' versatility is that such machines are often used by patients having closely scheduled appointments, leaving little time for medical professionals to sanitize the imaging.
Similarly, the slender imaging bore (i.e. a bore that features a relatively small bore diameter in combination with a relatively long bore length) is cumbersome and difficult for medical professionals or janitorial staff to effectively disinfect or sanitize the interior of the bore, the surface of the patient table, or the various surfaces underneath the table. The difficulty in effectively sanitizing the MRI machine has the potential to magnify the unsanitary conditions inside the imaging bore, which in turn may expose patients to an increased risk of infection. The increased risk of infection is particularly troublesome when the imaging machine is used to examine a patient in an immunocompromised state.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can assist in cleaning the inside of an imaging bore. Such a device may include a plurality of ultraviolet (preferably short wave or UV-C) light emitting devices that emit such light onto the surface of the imaging bore, table, and or table support surfaces to quickly and reliably kill surface-borne and airborne microbes, pathogens, and bacteria.

Systems and methods related to ultraviolet sanitization


A method can include providing a multi-piece locating pin, inserting a pin piece of the multi-piece locating pin into an opening in a wall of a bearing positioned in a bore of a housing of a turbocharger assembly, and securing a screw piece of the multi-piece locating pin in an opening of the housing to thereby secure the pin piece and axially locate the bearing in the bore of the housing of the turbocharger assembly. Other exemplary pins, arrangements and methods are also disclosed.

Some turbocharger assemblies include a so-called "Z bearing" to support a rotational shaft for a compressor wheel and turbine wheel. Such a bearing is typically located in a center housing of a turbocharger assembly by a unitary locating pin. During operation of a turbocharger, various forces can act on the bearing. To prevent unacceptable movement of the bearing, the locating pin must be sufficiently durable. Further, clearances associated with the locating pin should be chosen to prevent movements that could cause excessive wear over numerous operational cycles. Yet further, the material of construction of the locating pin must be chosen to handle the forces over a lifetime of the turbocharger assembly. As described herein, an exemplary multi-piece locating pin can address various issues associated with conventional unitary locating pins.

Multi-piece locating pin for turbocharger bearing


A dairy chemical dispensing system for supplying an amount of at least one chemical to a utilization point in a dairy wash system, comprising: (a) an operator input controller for receiving operator input comprising input of a given amount of chemical to be supplied to the utilization point, and providing a signal corresponding to the operator input; and (b) a chemical dispenser in operative contact with the operator input controller, comprising a chemical source conduit, a pump connected to the chemical source conduit and to a chemical output conduit for supplying the chemical at a predetermined flow rate to the utilization point, a flow sensor connected to the output conduit for measuring an actual flow rate of the chemical through the output conduit, and a data processor electrically coupled to the pump and the flow sensor, where the data processor. (1) receives the signal from the operator input controller, and based on that signal, determines a pump activation time necessary to supply the given amount of chemical, PA1 (2) periodically monitors the actual flow rate by comparing the actual flow rate to the predetermined flow rate in repeated flow measurement cycles, and PA1 (3) generates an alarm signal if the actual flow rate is less than the predetermined flow rate.

In a dairy harvesting facility, raw milk from cows is pumped through various milk conduits chillers, valves, and milk quality monitoring equipment to a bulk tank for storage. Because raw milk contains various microorganisms that have the potential to contaminate the milk conduits if those conduits are left untreated for a period of time, it is necessary to clean the milk conduits on a regular basis. It is also necessary to clean the bulk tank after a batch of stored raw milk is removed, at a time prior to that when a new batch of raw milk enters the bulk tank. Therefore, dairy harvesting facilities have washing systems for cleaning the milk conduits and bulk tanks between milkings.
A typical dairy washing system uses various liquid chemicals, such as detergents, acids, and sanitizers, along with water, to clean the milk conduits and bulk tanks. The liquid chemicals are usually dispensed in the sequence detergent/acid/sanitizer each mixed with a volume of water and circulated through the system. However, one or more chemicals can be dispensed simultaneously, so long as they are compatible, i.e., non-reactive, with each other.
The liquid chemicals are dispensed via a chemical dispenser connected to a separate source tank for each chemical to be used. Each chemical is pumped by a separate pump through an input conduit into the chemical dispenser, and exits the dispenser and travels via an output conduit to a utilization point, such as a wash vat, where the chemical can be mixed and/or diluted with water. Separate pumps and conduits are used for each chemical, to avoid unwanted reactions between chemicals during the dispensing process.
It is extremely important that the proper amount of each chemical be supplied to the utilization point for cleaning the milk conduits. If the conduits and/or bulk tank are improperly cleaned, milk passing through the conduits or into the bulk tank can become contaminated, either by microorganisms or excess chemicals in the conduits and/or bulk tank. This contaminated milk must be discarded, at considerable cost to the dairyman.
Systems have been developed to attempt to ensure that the proper amount of chemicals are used. One such system has a visual flow meter coupled to the output conduit for each chemical. Although this system allows an operator to visually verify that a liquid chemical is flowing to the utilization point, it does not allow the operator to determine whether the chemical is flowing at the proper rate. Moreover, chemical dispensers having visual flow meters are often not monitored by an operator, because the chemical dispenser, to avoid undue pressure drops, is typically located in close proximity to the chemical source tanks. These tanks, in turn, are typically located at some distance from the milking parlor, making it difficult for the operator to monitor the visual flow meter.
In an attempt to remedy these problems, an electronic flow sensor was coupled to the output conduit for each chemical. The electronic flow sensor, which was a rotometer that generated a signal corresponding to its rotation, is electrically connected to a programmable logic controller ("PLC"). The PLC is programmed to count a specific number of signals from the flow sensor, and when that number was reached, to turn off the pump. If the specific number of signals is not received in a predetermined period of time that is substantially longer than the amount of time normally necessary for the flow sensor to generate the specified number of signals, the PLC activates an alarm.
This system, while an improvement over a dairy chemical dispensing system having a visual flow sensor, still has several problems. First, since the PLC only looks for a specified number of signals, the operator cannot determine if there is a problem with the chemical dispenser, such as fouled conduits, that is slowing down the chemical flow. Second, since the alarm is only activated if the PLC does not receive the requisite number of signals in a period of time substantially longer than the normal dispensing of the chemical should take, problems that require urgent attention, such as a leak or a disconnected conduit, are not immediately detected. Finally, if the operator wants to change the number of signals counted by the PLC or the time period over which those signals are counted, he must program those changes directly into the PLC at the PLC location. This is inconvenient.
What is needed is a dairy chemical dispensing system that repeatedly monitors the actual chemical flow rate over the entire time the chemical is supposedly being dispensed, so small variations in flow rate that may indicate impending problems or the need for maintenance, as well as major problems such as leaks and disconnected conduit, can be quickly discovered and acted upon. What is also needed is a dairy chemical dispensing system than can be monitored at a location remote from the chemical dispenser itself, which also allows the operator to easily and quickly adjust the specific amount of chemical to be dispensed.
These needs are met by the dairy chemical dispenser of the present invention.


A digital pager has a built-in printer to enable the printing of a text message and/or a graphic image upon a page as the pager housing traverses the page. The pager can be maintained compact and lightweight as no paper storage or paper feed mechanism need be provided.

Known pagers have a display panel upon which messages are displayed. However, no means of conveniently producing a print-out of the message is heretofore known.
The mere incorporation into a pager housing of a known printer device would not result in a compact, easily portable pager. This is because prior art printers incorporate a supply of print media and employ a print media feed mechanism to transport the print media past the printheads to effect printing onto the print media. Such known printers, having a supply of print media, are large and heavier than would be desirable in a portable pager.


An article used to seal the interface between the developer roll, doctor blade and developer housing in a laser printer toner cartridge is described. The sealing member described in the present application performs static sealing between the components while the cartridge is idle and performs dynamic sealing while the toner cartridge is used for printing, keeping the sealing surfaces free from toner by actively pushing the toner back into the developer sump. The seal has a rotary seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the developer roll, and a blade seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the doctor blade. The rotary seal portion is biased toward the surface of the developer roll and incorporates, on its face adjacent to the developer roll, ridges which act to push the toner away from the edge of the developer roll in use. The blade seal portion is biased toward the doctor blade.

The present invention relates to seals used in the electrophotographic printing process, particularly in laser printer toner cartridges. The seals prevent the leakage of materials, such as toner, from the cartridges.
In the electrophotographic printing process, an image-forming apparatus, such as a printer, performs selective exposures onto a uniformly charged image carrier to form a latent image. The latent image is made visible by toner, and the toner image is transferred to a recording medium so that the image may be rendered permanent. In such an apparatus, additional toner must be supplied each time it is used up. Not only is this operation for supplying toner inconvenient, but the operator""s hands or clothing may become dirty if they come in contact with the toner. Also, the presence of the toner makes it necessary to periodically perform maintenance on each member of the apparatus. The result is leakage and spillage of toner that is best avoided in the electrophotographic printing apparatus.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional process cartridge in which supplying of toner and replacement of parts of an image carrier whose service life is finished are made possible when a user loads the cartridge into the main body of the printing apparatus. Maintenance is made easier since an image carrier (50), a charger (51), a developing unit (developer roll) (52), a cleaning unit (53), and the like, are formed integrally into the cartridge. Cartridges of this type are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,985,436; 4,500,195; 4,540,268; 4,627,701; 5,995,774; and 6,009,285; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In such a process cartridge, the developing unit is provided with a sealing member (55) so that the toner will not leak out from a gap formed between the developer roll (52) and a development frame member (54). The cleaning unit (53) has a sealing member (56) provided in the end portion of the image carrier (50) so that waste toner will not leak out from the gap formed between the end portion of the image carrier (50) and the waste toner well (53a).
Sealing between the developer roll (52), the doctor blade (57), and the developer housing (frame) (54) is difficult because the developer roll is a rotating cylinder immersed in toner for a portion of its revolution and exposed external to the developer unit for the other portion of the cycle. The doctor blade moves in a direction perpendicular to the tangential surface velocity of the developer roller making sealing difficult. A seal must also be made between the doctor blade seal and the lower developer roll seal that extends the length of the developer housing to the other end seal.
One type of the above-mentioned sealing member is formed from foam rubber, felt or the like so that it can be applied onto a container. Another type is formed from a material such as plastic, as a lip portion which slideably contacts process means such as the developer sleeve (52), the frame member (54) or the like so that the seal can be installed into the frame member. With the former sealing member, it is time-consuming to apply the sealing member and automation of attachment is difficult. The latter sealing member has the advantage that attachment is easy. However, the dimensions of the portion where the sealing member comes into close contact with the frame member varies, causing the problem, for example, of the toner leaking from the gap.
A commonly used seal on laser printer toner cartridges incorporates a dynamic seal design consisting of two lip seals in contact with the developer roll and doctor blade that are angled relative to the developer roll surface velocity direction in order to actively push (snowplow) toner back into the developer sump. This seal design requires an internal pocket in the developer housing for retention and support. This pocket can be created in cartridges by attachment of external pieces, such as end caps. These external pieces add additional costs to the toner cartridge and add additional part interfaces that can allow toner leakage if not sealed by an additional means. The additional means of sealing these end cap interfaces is frequently accomplished by the use of a putty substance and/or a wax substance. Application of these substances onto the cartridge is difficult, costly, and they are prone to contaminate other critical areas of the cartridge when mis-installed. This type of seal is described in IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 33, No. 38, pg. 29 (1990).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,021, Watanabe, et al., issued Dec. 9, 1997, describes a sealing means for a toner cartridge formed from a soft plastic material. The U-shaped seal mounts on the end of the cartridge (see FIG. 11 of the Watanabe, et al. patent) and may include an extended lip which scrapes toner off the doctor blade and back into the toner sump (see FIG. 6 of the Watanabe, et al. patent). These structures do not utilize ridges on the inside face of the seal to guide toner back into the cartridge. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,467, Watanabe, et al., issued Dec. 12, 1995.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,617, Odagawa, et al., issued Aug. 27, 1996, describes a process cartridge for an electrophotographic printer, the elements of which are made from a synthetic resin, making recycling of the cartridge components easy and effective. End-seals made from the synthetic resin are disclosed; they may be integral with the blade members or the blade supports. Again, there is no discussion of placing ridges on the inside face of the seal to guide toner back into the cartridge (see FIGS. 8-11 of the Odagawa, et al. patent).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,547, Shirai, issued Mar. 26, 1996, describes sealing members for use in a toner cartridge which comprise a resin face plate having a tongue and groove means on one face for attaching to the printer, and a foam portion on the other face to form the seal (see FIG. 8 of the Shirai patent). The key to this patent is that the seals can be recycled. Again, there is no discussion of using ridges on the interior face of the seal.
The present invention relates to a sealing member for an image-forming apparatus including a frame member, a rotary member and a blade member, said sealing member comprising:
a rotary seal portion for sealing a space formed between the frame member and the rotary member, said rotary seal portion incorporating ridges set at an angle across its face adjacent to the surface of said rotary member;
a blade seal portion for sealing a space formed between the frame member and the blade member; and
a means for biasing said sealing member toward the surface of said rotary member and the blade member.
The seal member is typically made from a flexible, low modulus material, such as urethane or artificial rubber. It is generally used to prevent the leakage of toner from an electrophotographic process cartridge; in that instance, the rotary member is generally a developer roll and the blade member is a doctor blade. The means for biasing the seal can be, for example, a cantilever beam, cantilever springs or a foam strip.
The present invention also encompasses a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image-forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:
a frame member;
a rotary member mounted on said frame member, said rotary member constituting process means;
a blade member elastically contacting said rotary member; and
a sealing member comprising
a rotary seal portion for sealing a space formed between the frame member and the rotary member, said rotary seal portion incorporating ridges set at an angle across its face adjacent to the surface of said rotary member;
a blade seal portion for sealing a space formed between the frame member and the blade member; and
a means for biasing said sealing member toward the surface of rotary member and the blade member.

Dynamic end-seal for toner development unit


A mop has a shaft, a housing at a distal end of the shaft, a sponge movably coupled to the housing, and a pair of rollers. The pair of rollers are movably mounted to the housing spaced apart from each other and straddle at least a portion of the sponge. The mop also comprises an actuator configure to move the sponge between the rollers from a retracted position to a deployed position. At least one scrubbing element is disposed on at least one of the rollers, the scrubbing element configured to automatically move into a deployed position as the sponge is moved into the retracted position, the scrubbing element also configured to automatically move into a retracted position as the sponge is moved into the deployed position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of sponge mops and more particularly to a sponge mop having an integrated scrubber.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional roller mops use a sponge that is wrung dry between a pair of rollers. Such roller mops use a lever that can be pulled or pushed, causing the rollers to roll or press the sponge, wringing the sponge out. Some conventional mops include a brush scrubber that a user can manually attach to the sponge, the mop head, or the mop handle. With such mops, the user must detach the scrubber from the mop when done scrubbing the surface. Additionally, such mops are quite cumbersome and require that the user rotate the entire mop upside down or on its side to use the brush scrubber to scrub a surface.


A device for conveying powders through pipelines including at least one pumping device which in turn includes a suction inlet and a delivery outlet and a tubular chamber with opposite ends connected respectively to the suction inlet through an input valve and to the delivery outlet through an output valve. A vacuum source and a pressure source are connected upon command to the chamber in axially distanced positions to create a vacuum respectively and alternatively in the chamber in relation to the environment upstream of the device and a pressure in relation to the environment downstream of the device.

The present invention herein refers to a device for conveying fine powders through pipelines.
At the present state of the art there are various types of apparatus for transferring products in powder of various kinds from one container to another through special pipelines. In particular these types of apparatus are useful in painting plants that use paint in powder. In fact in such plants it is necessary to have an apparatus for the suction of paints in powder from any container whatsoever and for reconveying it to the spray painting guns.
Among the existing systems of conveying powder the Venturi-effect injectors can be mentioned. These injectors suck back the powder thanks to a jet of compressed air that is made to pass through a special convergent/divergent tube, and launch it along a conveyor tube using the same compressed air, often with the addition of supplementary conveying air. However, these systems present some problems, for example the consumption or the obstruction of the Venturi tubes, the inconstancy of the flow during prolonged use and the need for considerable maintenance. In addition the Venturi injectors require a high quantity of conveying air that then has to be discharged at the destination of the product in powder; this results in not being very convenient in various applications.
In addition to the Venturi injectors vacuum systems can also be mentioned. Such systems suck back the product in powder forming a vacuum in the conveying conduits. They have the problem of having to discharge the vacuum at the destination of the product; this makes it necessary to insert special devices that make the costs and complexity of the overall plant increase. In addition, the cleaning of the circuits of a vacuum system is rather difficult and problematic.
Recently the "volumetric" type of systems for the suction and reconveying of products in powder into pipelines have also been studied; nevertheless these systems use pistons with alternative movements and therefore, they are quite expensive.
Another system of conveying powders comprises a tubular chamber connected to the suction conduit by means of a first sleeve valve and to the delivery conduit by means of a second sleeve valve. Said chamber is positioned at a lower level than the tank from which the powders start, so as to allow the fall by gravity of the powders inside it. The chamber is fitted with an inlet of blowing air that enables the powder in it to be pushed into the delivery conduit. Such systems do not allow a continuous flow in output and have the disadvantage of having to be necessarily positioned at a lower level than the starting tank. To resolve the problem of the below-level positioning, the known technique of applying both a pressure source and a vacuum source alternatively to the hole was considered; in this manner it is possible to suck the powder into the chamber without relying only on the fall by gravity. In this embodiment, to find a solution between the need of suction and that of thrust of the powders, the hole is located in the chamber halfway between the inlet and the outlet. This causes strong disuniformity between the cycles of the pump and the quantity of powder injected at every cycle is variable and not easily controllable. To stabilize the flow in output from the device, it therefore became necessary to connect the two chambers in parallel with unsynchronized operating cycles. As a further disadvantage, the inlet valves of the two chambers are fitted with such a mechanical drive that when one of the two valves is open the other is closed. The two outlet valves are also fitted with a mechanical drive of this type. Such a device does not however permit the overlapping of the injection phases of the two chambers and thus does not allow a satisfactorily continuous flow of powder in output from the pump to be obtained.

Device for conveying powders through pipelines


A method for driving a display panel is disclosed to form a desired waveform in driving a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode for adjusting a gray scale level. The method for driving a display panel includes the steps of turning off a plurality of signals respectively applied from a data line and/or a scan line based on a falling edge of one scan pulse, and transiting the signals to a turn-on state to have a predetermined pulse width, thereby adjusting a gray level of the signals using a pulse width modulation mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a method for driving a display panel to form a desired waveform in driving a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode for adjusting a gray scale level.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a gray scale level in a display device means an achromatic color system corresponding to colors from white to black.
To digitally drive such a gray scale, a PWM driving method is widely used. The PWM driving method is used for almost display devices regardless of passive driving or active driving.
FIG. 1 shows a circuit for adjusting a gray scale level of an organic electroluminescent (EL) panel according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, a PWM controller is added to a segment driving part of the organic EL panel.
The PWM controller added to the segment driving part is controlled in accordance with a segment signal, so that a pulse width of a signal applied to the display device is adjusted, thereby setting a gray scale level.
However, in such a PWM driving method, since a start time on all data lines of a data segment is fixed, a problem may occur in case of an organic EL panel.
Such a problem will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 shows a PWM driving waveform of a related art display panel.
Referring to FIG. 2, the PWM driving method according to the related art is performed in such a manner that all signals are simultaneously turned on for one scan pulse width Ts and when a desired pulse width is obtained, a data line signal is shorted to turn off pixels.
Such a PWM driving method results in distortion of the waveform due to fluctuation of a voltage in an anode line in case of an organic EL panel.
In other words, on data line of a data segment of FIG. 1, a signal type of a first data line corresponds to a data line signal turned on within one scan pulse width, a signal type of a second data line corresponds to a data line signal turned on for a time period T2 only, and a signal type of a third data line corresponds to a data line signal turned on for a time period T1 only.
A signal waveform of an anode line applied to the panel through a driver shown in FIG. 1 is the same as signal waveforms of first, second and third anode lines.
In other words, since there is no signal waveform shorter than a signal waveform of the third anode line, the signal waveform of the third anode line occurs normally. However, a wave distortion A occurs in a signal waveform of the second anode line due to the signal waveform of the third anode line. Two wave distortions B and C occur in a signal waveform of the first anode line due to the signal waveforms of the second and third anode lines.
The wave distortions give an adverse effect to longevity of the display device due to luminance and momentary high voltage.
To solve such a problem, a PWM driving waveform as shown in FIG. 3 has been supposed.
Referring to FIG. 3, if no signal is input from the data line of the data segment to the display device, the display device floats the anode line to naturally consume charges inside the organic EL panel.
Momentary change in the signal waveform of the anode line is relieved as the charges inside the organic EL panel are naturally consumed. As shown in FIG. 3, it is noted that distortion of the signal waveform on the anode line is reduced.
However, the PWM driving method of FIG. 3 has a problem in that it is difficult to exactly adjust a gray level due to waveform of the PWM. Also, charges trapped inside pixels give an adverse effect to longevity of the display panel.

Method and apparatus for driving display panel using pulse width modulation


A molded tape ball grid array package includes a molding compound and a tape substrate having a top surface for mounting a die thereon, a bottom surface for attaching solder balls, and vias for forming connections between the solder balls and the die wherein the molding compound surrounds the die and the tape substrate.

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit packaging methods for flip chip ball grid arrays. More specifically, but without limitation thereto, the present invention relates to encapsulating a ball grid array tape and a semiconductor device in a molding compound to protect the die during processing.
Tape flip chip ball grid array packages use a metallized tape as a substrate. The die or chip is mounted on the top surface of the metallized tape, and solder balls are attached to the bottom surface of the tape. The metallized tape substrate provides interconnections between the die and the solder balls. A molding compound such as epoxy surrounds the die on the top and sides to fasten the die to the tape and to protect the die from contaminants during processing. Disadvantageously, the bottom of the die is not covered by the mold compound and is therefore exposed to contaminants that may cause the chip to fail. Also, the tape may absorb moisture, causing the die to delaminate from the tape.
The present invention advantageously addresses the problems above as well as other problems by providing a molded tape ball grid array package that completely encapsulates the die and the tape substrate.
In one embodiment, the present invention may be characterized as a molded tape ball grid array package that includes a molding compound and a tape substrate having a top surface for mounting a die thereon, a bottom surface for attaching solder balls, and vias for forming connections between the solder balls and the die wherein the molding compound entirely encapsulates the die and the tape substrate.
In another embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a method of making a molded tape ball grid array package comprising the steps of mounting a die on a top surface of a tape substrate, encapsulating the die and the tape substrate with a molding compound, and attaching solder balls to a bottom surface of the tape substrate.


Various approaches for allocating resources to an application having multiple application components, with at least one executing one or more functions, in a serverless service architecture include identifying multiple routing paths, each routing path being associated with a same function service provided by one or more containers or serverless execution entities; determining traffic information on each routing path and/or a cost, a response time and/or a capacity associated with the container or serverless execution entity on each routing path; selecting one of the routing paths and its associated container or serverless execution entity; and causing a computational user of the application to access the container or serverless execution entity on the selected routing path and executing the function(s) thereon.

Traditional service-oriented computer system architectures may include one or more dedicated computer servers for each application being run, and are often designed to include an excessive allocation of resources—for example, physical components such as central processing units (CPUs) and storage—in order to ensure the ability to handle peak demands without excessive latency. Such resource overloading can be costly, inefficient and difficult to scale and manage.
So-called "cloud" providers offer various elements of computational infrastructure and processing capacity and services (e.g., applications, licenses, etc.) as a service via the internet. The term "cloud" connotes the arbitrary location of the physical or software resources corresponding to the offered services; these are determined by the cloud provider and may be altered to suit the provider's changing customer demands and service-level commitments, all in a manner invisible to those customers.
Cloud computing is a model that enables customers to conveniently access, on demand, a shared pool of configurable computing resources, such as networks, platforms, servers, storage, applications, and services. These resources can typically be rapidly provisioned and then released with little or no interaction with the service provider using, e.g., automated processes. The customer can be billed based on the actual resource consumption and be freed from the need to own and/or maintain the corresponding resource infrastructure. As such, cloud computing has significantly expanded the class of individuals and companies that can be competitive in their respective market segments.
Serverless computing, also known as function-as-a-service (FaaS), is a relatively new cloud-computing paradigm that allows the service provider to dynamically provision, manage and orchestrate resources for an event-driven function execution. The unit of computation in serverless computing is a function. Unlike virtual machines (VMs) and containers, functions in serverless computing are designed to be launched on demand, upon the arrival of a specific type of a request to the service provider hosting the functions; thus, functions are generally short running processes not requiring continuous server capacity. In addition, the customers typically need not specify and configure cloud instances, e.g., VMs and/or containers, to run such functions on. As a result, substantially all of the configuration and dynamic management of the resources becomes the responsibility of the cloud operator. Amazon Web Service (AWS) LAMBDA is an exemplary execution entity offering serverless computing.
Typically, serverless service providers deploy execution entities in various clusters/regions for launching and executing hosted customer functions. As a result, there may be multiple routing paths from the customer's region to the serverless execution entities for executing the functions. A need thus exists for a resource allocation and management system to select an optimal routing path (e.g., corresponding to a minimal cost) for executing the functions on behalf of customers.

Systems and methods for managing resources in a serverless workload


A method for converting HF alkylation unit to a sulfuric acid alkylation unit comprising the steps of retaining a reactor, an acid settler and a fractionation section from the HF alkylation unit and modifying at least a portion of the HF alkylation unit to produce a converted alkylation unit that is adapted to use sulfuric acid as a reaction catalyst.

The present invention relates to a method for converting a hydrogen fluoride alkylation unit to a sulfuric acid alkylation unit with a minimal amount of modification.
Sulfuric acid (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) have competed for many years for choice as the preferred alkylation catalyst for converting isobutane and light olefins to gasoline. Alkylation units adapted to use sulfuric acid as a reaction catalyst and alkylation units adapted to use HF as a reaction catalyst are currently in use. Both HF and sulfuric acid are hazardous materials. However, at ambient conditions, HF is a toxic, volatile gas while sulfuric acid is a toxic liquid, making sulfuric acid much easier to contain in the event of an accident. Refiners and citizens living near refineries are becoming more aware and concerned about the toxic and volatile nature of HF. Although extraordinary safety procedures are currently incorporated into HF alkylation units, recent incidents and testing show that HF aerosol releases past refinery boundaries are possible. Because of growing concerns over the hazardous nature of HF alkylation units, legislation has recently been approved which will effectively ban HF alkylation in certain parts of the United States.
In response to the growing concerns over HF alkylation, several refiners have added mitigation equipment to their HF alkylation units to minimize potential releases of HF outside the units. The primary mitigation equipment includes water sprays to "knock down" the HF aerosol before it leaves the refinery. Due to the large quantity of water needed to mitigate an HF release, such a mitigation system is costly. The installation of HF release mitigation systems may create a false sense of security. The accepted maximum effectiveness of HF release mitigation equipment is only 90%. The possibility of HF escaping the mitigation system is a real possibility. In addition, the HF release mitigation equipment installed in a refinery cannot protect against an HF release during unloading operations or from a rupture of trucks or railroad tank cars loaded with HF during transportation of HF to the refinery.
Due to the hazardous nature of HF, it would be desirable to be able to convert an alkylation unit adapted to use HF as the reaction catalyst to an alkylation unit adapted to use sulfuric acid as the reaction catalyst. However, due to differences in the properties of HF and sulfuric acid, as well as differences in HF and sulfuric acid alkylation reaction chemistry, sulfuric acid cannot simply be substituted for HF in an HF alkylation unit.

Method for converting a hydrogen fluoride alkylation unit to a sulfuric acid alkylation unit


An apparatus for recording a video in a vehicle includes: a camera to obtain a video of surroundings of the vehicle, a first sensor to sense a surrounding motion of the vehicle, a second sensor to sense an impact from the surroundings of the vehicle, and a controller to determine a video recording mode of the camera, depending on whether the surrounding motion of the vehicle is consecutively made for a specific time period or more. In particular, the controller controls operations of the camera and the first sensor, depending the determined video recording mode. The video recording mode is controlled to reduce power consumption, in the state that it rains or snows when the video is recorded using a radar in parking.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
When a video of surroundings of a vehicle is consecutively recorded even through the vehicle is parked, power consumption of the vehicle may be increased to cause electric discharge of the vehicle. Accordingly, there has been suggested a manner of sensing the motion of a surrounding object of the vehicle by using a radar. For example, the video recording is performed when a camera senses the motion of the surrounding object of the vehicle, such that the consumption of a current used in recording of the vehicle is reduced or minimized.
However, we have discovered that since a radar reacts with an object having a dielectric substance, the motion of the object is consecutively determined as being sensed while it rains or snows. Accordingly, since a video is recorded by operating a camera while it rains or snows, unnecessary power may be wasted.

Apparatus and method for recording video in vehicle