A method and apparatus for obtaining metadata from multiple information sources in real time are described. According to one aspect, the method includes receiving a user request pertaining to one or more of source metadata objects residing in multiple source metadata repositories. Each source metadata repository is maintained by a specific data management application. The method further includes responding to the user request in real time by identifying a data management application that corresponds to the source metadata objects associated with the user request and retrieving the source metadata objects using an application program interface (API) with the corresponding data management application.

The ability to collect, analyze, and manage massive amounts of information has become a necessity in business today. It is common for a large enterprise to employ multiple data management tools and/or multiple instances of a single tool in processing its transactional data. Such tools may include reporting tools (e.g., business intelligence (BI) tools offered by Business Objects Inc. of San Jose, Calif.), data integration tools (e.g., data extraction/transformation/loading tools offered by Informatica Corporation of Redwood City, Calif.), database management systems, modeling tools, customer relationship management (CRM) tools, etc. Each of these tools typically maintains a data management application to store data pertaining to various operations conducted by an enterprise and a metadata repository to store metadata describing the content and structure of the transactional data.
The use of multiple, different third party data products within an enterprise may result in unnecessary data redundancy and data quality problems unless an efficient management of metadata residing in various metadata repositories is provided.
Existing metadata management products typically collect metadata from metadata repositories within an enterprise by copying metadata maintained by each third party product into a central repository. However, this approach has several major flaws. First, copying data from external repositories is usually a time-consuming process involving the execution of batch-oriented programs. The design, implementation and configuration on the system is time consuming and must be maintained over time. Next, because metadata in source systems constantly changes, information in the central repository may often be out-dated even if a time-consuming data synchronization process is performed periodically. Further, current metadata management products typically fail to provide flexibility in customizing the metadata environment and are designed for use by technical staff such as a database administrator or a system administrator rather than non-technical personnel.
Therefore, what is needed is a metadata management tool that would overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for obtaining metadata from multiple information sources within an organization in real time


A two-way trans-reflective display pixel (100) having two viewable sides (102, 104) is disclosed. The two-way trans-reflective display pixel has a first transparent layer (106), a second transparent layer (108), and light modulating medium (110) sandwiched between them. Both the first and second transparent layers (106, 108) have light reflectors (132, 136) and light absorbers (130, 134), which allow light entering from either viewable sides (102, 104) to partially reflected, partially absorbed, and partially transmitted, allowing an image to be viewable from both viewable sides (102, 104). A two-way trans-reflective display (402) comprising a plurality of two-way trans-reflective display pixels (100) and a transparent light source (412) is also disclosed. The transparent light source (412) provides color light, and enables an image from the two-way trans-reflective display (402) to be viewable in color from both first and second viewable sizes (418, 602).

As portable electronic devices become smaller, there is an increasing demand for such devices to be equipped with displays that are also smaller yet to have a capability of providing high performance such as high resolution, color, and video rate pictures. One popular style of such portable electronic devices is a clam-shell style, which has a closed position and an opened position and commonly includes two displays having one display for the closed position and another for the opened position. The display for the closed position is externally viewable but typically has reduced display capabilities such as no color, less display area, and less resolution; and the display for the opened position is generally the main display typically having a larger display area than the externally viewable display and supports the full display functionality.
However, although useful and desirable, having two displays in a portable electronic device increases the size of the portable electronic device, most noticeably in thickness. Further, to make both displays readable in darkness, a light source such as a back-light for each display is needed, which further adds thickness to the portable electronic device.


An electrical receptacle connector includes an insulated housing, plate terminals, and a metallic shell. The insulated housing includes a base portion. The plate terminals are at the insulated housing. The plate terminals include soldering segments exposed out of the bottom of the base portion. The metallic shell encloses four sides of the insulated housing and includes a top cover plate, a rear cover plate, and pins. The top cover plate is located atop the base portion. The rear cover plate is extending downwardly to the rear side of the base portion from the rear side of the top cover plate. The rear cover plate includes a bottom surface and a bent sheet substantially perpendicular to an outer wall of the rear cover plate and extended outward from the outer wall of the rear cover plate, and the pins are extending downwardly from the bottom surface.

Currently, the increase in the functionality of various electronic devices is driving the demand for smaller and smaller devices that are easier and more convenient for users to carry and use. This causes many electrical/electronic components within the device to be located closer together. This increases the possibility that the various electronic components in the device will suffer from electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI) either from RF components such as the antenna, microphone components, RF power amplifiers, etc and subsystems in the device and/or from external sources. The high speed electrical transmission in these devices can produce electromagnetic emissions, which may leak from the connection between the plug connector and its mating connector. These emissions can cause problems in high speed signal transmissions in that they can negatively influence wireless communication between two devices.
Generally, Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial bus standard to the PC architecture with a focus on computer interface, consumer and productivity applications. The existing Universal Serial Bus (USB) interconnects have the attributes of plug-and-play and ease of use, from the end user's point of view. Now, as technology innovation marches forward, new kinds of devices, media formats and large inexpensive storage products are converging. They require significantly more bus bandwidth to maintain the interactive experience that users have come to expect. In addition, user applications demand a higher performance between the PC and sophisticated peripherals. The transmission rate of USB 2.0 is insufficient. Consequently, faster serial bus interfaces, such as USB 3.0, have been developed to address the need by adding a higher transmission rate to match usage patterns and devices.
Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conventional electrical receptacle connector, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of EMI analysis of the conventional electrical receptacle connector. As shown, in the conventional electrical receptacle connector, the base portion and the terminals are received in the metallic shell A1. Therefore, the metallic shell enables the grounding of the conventional electrical receptacle connector and prevents signal interference when transmission. However, the rear cover plate A11 of the metallic shell A1 is devoid of pins. That is, a bottom edge A12 of the rear cover plate A11 is not provided with pins for soldering a circuit board with the metallic shell A1. Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of EMI simulation analysis for the conventional electrical receptacle connector mated with a plug electrical connector. It can be clearly seen that, the length of the rear cover plate A11 of the metallic shell A1 is so short, that the gap of between the bottom edge A12 of the rear cover plate A11 and terminal pins or the circuit board is greater than 1.0 mm. From the test results on the distribution of electromagnetic emission leakage, it can be known that a significant magnitude of electromagnetic emissions would leak from the gap, resulting in EMI and RFI problems during signal transmission. Moreover, regarding the rear cover plate A11 be devoid of pins, the securing force between the electrical receptacle connector and the circuit board would be insufficient. Therefore, aforementioned problems of the conventional connector are to be solved.


A musical score display apparatus reads note data and lyric data, and displays the read note data and lyric data on a displayed musical score. In the case where the lyric data are displayed to match the displayed note data, a position where character strings of the lyric data overlap is detected, and the display range of the note data and the lyric data which contains the detected position is extended. Further, the character strings of the lyric data are scrolled within the display range of the lyric data which contains the detected position. Thus, even when the character stings of the lyric overlap on the displayed musical score, a user can read the lyric without any special operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a musical score display apparatus, and more particularly to a musical score display apparatus for displaying performance data with lyric data in the form of a musical score.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there has been known an apparatus capable of displaying a musical score of attractive appearance on the basis of performance data such as MIDI data (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 11-327427). In such apparatus, when musical score display data are generated from performance data, the display width of each measure (bar) and the allocation of time positions of successive notes (intervals of notes) in each measure are controlled such that notes corresponding to events of different timings are not displayed in an overlapping condition.
Further, some performance data of such a type include event data (lyric data) representing corresponding song lyrics. Such lyric data also include timing data as in the case of note data, and are also displayed to match the musical score displayed on the basis of the note data.
However, in the above-described conventional apparatus, although, for note display, the width of each measure and intervals of notes are adjusted so as to prevent notes of different timings from overlapping on a displayed musical score, the adjustment is performed only for the purpose of eliminating overlap of notes, and overlap of lyrics is not taken into consideration. Therefore, in a location where the intervals of notes on the display screen are narrow, character strings of lyric data are often displayed in an overlapping condition.
A conceivable measure for coping with the above problem is use of a function of expanding the display screen in the time axis direction (the playback direction), which function is generally incorporated in such an apparatus. However, when such a function is used, the entire musical score is displayed with a constant enlargement ratio. Therefore, in a location where the density of notes is low from the beginning, and corresponding lyrics are displayed without overlap, the character intervals of the lyrics are increased excessively, which makes reading of the lyrics difficult.


The present invention relates to a brush 10 suitable for coming into contact with conducting plates 12 provided on an electric motor commutator 11. According to the invention, the brush has a means 15 for adjusting its pole coverage between the start of life of the motor and its stabilized operation. This is therefore a brush with pole coverage that can be varied over its operating life. Such a brush is more particularly fitted into a motor for a ventilation (air conditioning) system for motor vehicle.

The electric motors generally used for the ventilation systems (air condition) of motor vehicles usually comprise a stator and a rotor. The commutator of the rotor is provided with contact plates resp. sections (generally made of machined copper) adapted to ensure an electric contact with brushes made of graphite (also called carbon brush). These brushes are attached to the stator.
To ensure a good electric contact between the commutator and the brushes it is well known that the brushes have to be pushed against the commutator by applying a sufficient pressure on them. If the contact is not adequate, the brushes can cause skips which in this way intermittently interrupt the electric contact. This results generally in sparks. By contrast if the contact is too strong the mechanical losses will increase as well as temperature and wear and tear. To this end the brushes are usually arranged in brush holders equipped with resilient means to maintain an electric contact between the brushes and the commutator.
In a well known manner the commutator has a rotation cylinder shape and supports a plurality of conductive plates resp. sections on its external periphery. The brushes are radially arranged around the commutator and comprise contact surfaces with the commutator sections. Brushes usually cover two or three commutator sections.
The brushes cover three commutator sections, if their rim width resp. polar or central angle is greater than 360°/P (with P=number of commutator sections). If the commutator comprises 12 sections, the brush covers three sections when the rim width angle has a value of more than 30°. This configuration has the disadvantage of generating noise, in particular during the initial working hours. This basically involves the incertainty of commutation (random contact point between the brush and the commutator section). After some working hours a patina constituted of a deposit generally containing metal (and its oxides), carbon and water will form on the commutator surface. Said patina tends to increase the motor function noise. However, this patina will form only after some motor working hours. Therefore this type of motor generates too much noise during its initial working hours, which is not compatible with its arrangement in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
The brushes cover two commutator sections if their rim width angle resp. polar angle is in the range of 360°/P (with P=number of commutator sections). Said brushes have the advantage of generating less noise during the initial working hours, but present the characteristic of increasing the temperature level. To dissipate the heat the friction area with the commutator has been extended, but this results in a modification of the required space of the brushes.

Commutator brush with improved contact and non-contact zones


A blast-resistant window assembly is provided. The assembly has a window, and first and second brackets. The window is fitted within an opening having at least one wall. The first bracket has a brace located adjacent the window, and a stop located adjacent the wall. The second bracket is located adjacent the wall and is configured to receive the stop. During an explosion, force created therefrom causes the window to engage the brace of the first bracket to cause the stop of the same to be received by the second bracket.

With security being an ever growing concern, particularly in the case of buildings, offices, residences, etc., useful devices have been developed to secure and protect such structures. One such security concern is damage caused by explosions, such as a bomb detonation, that may occur exterior to a building or dwelling. Though a building's inherent structural integrity can often mitigate the impact of some types of explosions, the impact can actually be aggravated by the presence of windows in the building. Glass shards from breaking windows may cause substantial damage and injury to persons and property inside a building even if the structural damage to the building was minimal. Because windows often dominate the facade of buildings, the security risks they pose require further attention.
In the case of an explosion detonated exterior of a building, often the resulting blast force is directed toward the interior of the building. If this occurs in the vicinity of a glass window, then, not only will the force of the blast shatter the window, but it will create the equivalent of shrapnel which will be projected into the building. The broken shards of glass projecting into the interior of the building obviously create very hazardous conditions for occupants therein. It, thus, would be beneficial to provide a window assembly that is blast-resistant to mitigate the deleterious impact of shattering windows typically created during an explosion or similar circumstance.
Accordingly, the following disclosure provides, in one illustrative embodiment, a blast-resistant window assembly comprising a window, and first and second brackets. The window is fitted within an opening having at least one wall. The first bracket comprises a brace located adjacent the window, and a stop located adjacent the opposing wall. The second bracket is located adjacent the wall, and is configured to receive the stop. During an explosion, force created therefrom causes the window to engage the brace of the first bracket to cause the stop of same to be received by the second bracket.
In the above described and other embodiments, the window assembly may comprise: a window arcuately deforming to distribute the force on the same; the window engaging a brace creating a space between the wall and the window to allow pressure created by the force of the explosion to pass therebetween; a slot existing between a first bracket and the window prior to an explosion; a window comprising a sash located at the periphery thereof; a portion of the sash engaging the brace portion of the first bracket; a prime window fitted within an opening and facing the window opposite the first and second brackets; a blind located within the opening and positioned between the prime window and the window; the window being a storm window; and the window being laminated with a film.
Another illustrative embodiment of the disclosure provides a blast-resistant window assembly comprising a window and a bracket. The window has a periphery and is fitted within an opening having at least a pair of spaced-apart opposing side walls. The bracket is attached to one of the side walls. The periphery of the window is removably attached to the bracket. During an explosion, an amount of force created therefrom detaches the periphery of the window from the bracket. Pressure caused by this force passes through a space which is formed by the detaching of the window periphery to reduce the force that is exerted on the window.
In the above described and other embodiments, the window assembly may comprise: an opening having a pair of spaced-apart transverse walls extending between the pair of spaced-apart opposing walls; each of the transverse walls comprising a channel bracket that receives and holds a window when the same is separated from the bracket; the window further comprising a sash located at the periphery thereof; the bracket being made from a metallic material and the sash comprising a magnet that removably attaches the sash to a bracket; the sash being made from a metallic material and the bracket comprising a magnet that removably attaches the sash to the bracket; the window deforming to distribute the force during an explosion; and a second bracket attached to one of the side walls wherein the second bracket engages the bracket.
Another illustrative embodiment of the disclosure provides a blast-resistant window assembly also comprising a window with first and second brackets. The window has a face and an end. The end of the window is fitted within an opening having at least one side wall. The first bracket comprises a length, a brace located adjacent the face of the window, a stop which extends from the brace and located generally perpendicular to and adjacent the side wall, and a protrusion extending from the brace and located adjacent the end of the window. The brace, stop, and protrusion extend at least a portion of the length of the first bracket. The second bracket also has a length, and has a channel with an opening that faces the stop of the first bracket to receive the stop during an explosion.
In the above described and other embodiments, the window assembly may comprise: a window engaging the brace of a first bracket to cause a stop of the same to engage the channel of a second bracket; a slot being located between the brace of the first bracket and the window; the brace of the first bracket abutting the window; a third bracket being removably attached to the window, wherein the window separates from the third bracket during an explosion; the length of the first bracket extending along an arcuate path; the length of the second bracket also extending along an arcuate path; the window deforming along the arcuate path of the first bracket during an explosion; the brace of the first bracket having a slot disposed therein which receives and moves the first bracket relative to a stationary member during an explosion.
Another illustrative embodiment of the disclosure provides a blast-resistant window assembly that comprises a window, a first channel, a second channel, and a bracket. The window comprises a periphery and is fitted within an opening having spaced-apart opposing side walls, and a top and bottom wall both extending between the pair of opposed side walls. The first channel is attached to the top wall, and is configured to receive at least a portion of the periphery of the window. The second channel is attached to the bottom wall, and is configured to receive at least a portion of the periphery of the window. The bracket is attached to at least one of the side walls. The periphery of the window is also removably attached to the bracket, and the window is detachable from the bracket at the periphery while held by the first and second channels during an explosion.
In the above described and other embodiments, the window assembly may comprise: a brace located adjacent the window to limit movement of the window between the first and second channels during an explosion; a catch located adjacent the brace to limit movement of same during an explosion; a prime window fitted within the opening and facing the window; and a blind located within the opening and positioned between the window and the prime window.
Another illustrative embodiment of the disclosure provides a blast-resistant window assembly that comprises a window and a bracket. The window has a length and is fitted within an opening having spaced-apart opposing walls. The bracket also has a length and is attached to one of the opposing walls. The window is detachable from the bracket to form an arcuate path along the lengths of both the window and the bracket.
In the above described and other embodiments, the window assembly may comprise: the window being detachable from the bracket during an explosion; and the window being resilient.
Another illustrative embodiment of the disclosure provides a blast-resistant window assembly comprising a window, a T-bracket, and a J-bracket. The window is fitted within an opening. The T-bracket is located adjacent the window, and has a means for maintaining the window during an explosion. The J-bracket is located adjacent the T-bracket, and is configured to receive the same for maintaining the window during the explosion.
Additional features and advantages of the blast-resistant window assembly will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the blast-resistant window and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the blast-resistant window assembly in any manner.


A method and system for generating location information for a network space is provided. Generating location information for a network space involves maintaining location profiles for spaces familiar to a client device, and performing location detection for the client device in a current space utilizing a signature of the current space and the location profiles. Location detection for the client device in a current space can also be performed utilizing information indicating the probable presence of familiar resources in the current space.

A space, as referred to herein, contains networked digital devices which host contents and services. The devices, contents and services are collectively called resources. Resources can move within the space and can move in and out of the space. A space can be physical or virtual. A physical space typically correlates with a physical location and may have a post address. A virtual space does not have to correspond to any particular physical location; it may, however, have an associated name and may contain one or more physical locations. Similarly a physical space may contain one or more virtual spaces.
In order to identify the location of a space, a first conventional approach involves using a beacon which periodically broadcasts the name of the space. The name can be used by receiving devices to identify the space. This approach can be used for identifying both physical and virtual spaces. However, using beacon broadcasts requires installing, configuring and maintaining beacons in all spaces of significance. Such infrastructural setup and maintenance is costly and time consuming.
A second conventional approach for space location identification involves using a dedicated location server. The server maintains the location information for at least one space and provides an interface for accessing the location information. A client device can use the interface to access the location information in the server to determine the location of the space. However, this approach also requires costly setup and maintenance.
A third conventional approach for space location identification involves use of a global positioning system (GPS) or the identifications (IDs) of cellular towers. This approach, however, relies on large databases. Further, GPS receivers cannot receive GPS signals when indoors, and many urban areas using the cell tower IDs provide low resolution for determining location. In addition this approach does not identify virtual spaces.
A fourth conventional approach for space location identification involves using signal strength for deducing a current location. This approach uses various signals, e.g., signals from power lines and signals from wireless networks such as WiFi, Bluetooth and cellular networks. However, this approach is also costly as it requires a database containing information that maps the signal strengths to locations.
There is, therefore, a need for a method and system that can identify the location of a space with higher resolution and at a lower cost.

Method and system for location identification


A micromanipulator comprising a tubular structure and a structural compliance mechanism that are formed from a tube made of an elastic and/or superelastic material. Fabricated with laser machining and has no mechanical joints, the micromanipulator can be manipulated in various motions and degree-of-freedoms without permanent deformation. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) in one embodiment are implemented as main actuators of the micromanipulator. The micromanipulator can be implemented with multiple SMAs to manipulate the mechanism with multiple degree-of-freedom. In another implementation, multiple segments of the mechanisms are formed and arranged in various configurations, including a “double-helix”-like configuration, for enabling intricate motions of the micromanipulator. The micromanipulator is useful for intravascular interventional applications and particularly ultrasonic imaging when coupled with an ultrasound transducer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to micromanipulators useful for ultrasonic imaging systems and tools, and, more particularly, to a micromanipulator having a tubular structure and at least one compliant mechanism formed from a single tube made of an elastic and/or superelastic material, the micromanipulator enabling treating diseases in a minimally invasive fashion and particularly useful for intravascular intervention applications and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, heart disease such as heart attack and stroke is the number one killer in the United States. One out of four men and women would experience this disease during his/her lifetime. In this category, the coronary artery disease is the most serious and often requires an emergency operation to save lives. The main cause of the coronary artery disease is the accumulation of plaques inside artery, which eventually occludes blood vessels. Several solutions are available, e.g., balloon angioplasty, rotational atherectomy, and intravascular stents (balloon-expandable wire mesh implants), to open up the clogged section, which is called stenosis. Traditionally, during the operation, surgeons rely on X-ray fluoroscopic images that are basically planar images showing the external shape of the silhouette of the lumen of blood vessels. Unfortunately, with X-ray fluoroscopic images, there is a great deal of uncertainty about the exact extent and orientation of the atherosclerotic lesions responsible for the occlusion to find the exact location of the stenosis. In addition, though it is known that restenosis can occur at the same place, it is difficult to check the condition inside the vessels after surgery.
In order to resolve these issues, an ultrasonic transducer has been implemented in the endovascular intervention to visualize the inside of the blood vessels. To date, however, the ultrasonic transducer is only able to see side images of the blood vessels by rotating the transducers in parallel to the blood vessels. Thus, known ultrasonic transducers have a fundamental limitation in their uses in endovascular/intravascular applications. What is needed is a micromanipulator capable of maneuvering the ultrasonic transducer and generating a scanning motion so that front images of the blood vessels in various angles can be captured.

Tubular compliant mechanisms for ultrasonic imaging systems and intravascular interventional devices

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


A front storage box for use on an all-terrain vehicle. The front storage box comprises two components: an accessory box and a cargo rack. The accessory box forms a storage compartment in which cargo may be stowed. The cargo rack is integral with a lid for the accessory box and functions to both seal the accessory box and act as a rack. Thus, items may be placed in the accessory box and on the rack for hauling.

The present invention relates to a storage box for an all terrain vehicle (ATV). More specifically, the invention relates to a storage compartment that functions both as a storage box and as a storage rack.
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are multipurpose vehicles that are popular for recreational use, such as camping and fishing, and utility use either on the job or around the house, for example, for gardening, landscaping, laying mulch, snowplowing, pulling or pushing light wheeled equipment. The adaptability and versatility of an ATV can support many off-road tasks within agriculture, forestry, horticulture and similar outdoor industries. ATVs easily traverse various off-highway trails, reach rugged locations that other vehicles cannot, and offer business operators the opportunity to accomplish work in the field at significant financial savings when compared to using a truck or tractor. Utility ATVs, especially suited for hauling and towing as well as trail riding, are as popular as ATVs for weekend recreational riding. ATVs are also used by older persons to rediscover areas of the outdoors that have become inaccessible to them. ATVs operate in all climates and are among the most versatile vehicles in operation today.
ATVs are off-road vehicles characterized by having four wheels (two front and two rear) with low pressure tires, handlebars connected to the front wheels for steering, a straddle-type seat designed for a single rider (although the seat may be designed to accommodate multiple passengers), laterally extending footrests on opposite sides of the vehicle, and an engine and transmission located generally beneath the straddle-type seat and substantially between the footrests. ATVs are generally not wider than about 50 inches; most commonly about 44 to 48 inches in overall width. The transmission typically is connected by a suitable drive train to the rear wheels. In many applications, it is desirable to have all four wheels driven by the engine. Four wheel drive ATVs usually have one drive train connecting the transmission to the rear wheels and a separate drive train connecting the transmission to the front wheels.
ATVs and other utility vehicles often incorporate carrying racks and similar components for holding and transporting cargo, equipment or the like. Often, these carrying racks are constructed from tubular frames, with wire mesh or panels forming the body of said racks. The carrying racks may be constructed of continuous panels, the panels forming the vertical walls and support base of the racks. Alternately, ATV carrying racks are sometimes integrally molded.
Currently, ATVs offer front and rear racks to carry cargo on the front or rear of the ATV, respectively. These are primarily useful for hauling large items that can be secured to the rack. Typically, smaller items are difficult to secure to standard front or rear racks and cannot be conveniently hauled using either rack. This problem can be alleviated by providing accessory boxes for mounting on the rack of the ATV. Usually, when a box or other storage container is mounted on a rack, bungee cords or the like are connected to opposite sides of the rack and extended over the box. Small items may be placed in the accessory box. However, by mounting the box on the rack, the rack can no longer be used to haul large items. Further, the bungee cords may interfere with the use of the box such as the placement of items within the box or the removal of items from the box.


A method for measuring a demagnification of a charged particle beam exposure apparatus includes measuring a first stage position of a mask stage in accordance with a mask stage coordinate system, irradiating a first charged particle beam to a first irradiation position on a specimen through the opening portion of the mask, measuring the first irradiation position in accordance with a specimen stage coordinate system, moving the mask stage to a second stage position, measuring the second stage position of the mask stage, irradiating a second charged particle beam to a second irradiation position on the specimen through the opening portion of the mask measuring the second irradiation position in accordance with the specimen stage coordinate system, and calculating a demagnification of the charged particle beam exposure apparatus from the first and second stage positions and the first and second irradiation positions.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to lithography using a charged particle beam. More specifically, the invention relates to a stage phase measurement method for a charged particle beam exposure apparatus for measuring the phase of a mask stage coordinate system for a specimen stage coordinate system of a charged particle beam exposure apparatus; a demagnification measurement method for a charged particle beam exposure apparatus for measuring the demagnification for image projection onto a mask specimen surface; a control method for a charged particle beam exposure apparatus for performing control corresponding the measured phase and demagnification; and a charged particle beam exposure apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
With increasingly fined semiconductor devices, studies and research are being made regarding charged particle beam exposure apparatuses for exposure patterns.
Demagnification lenses and objective lenses are used to demagnify and transferring a mask pattern onto a specimen. The mask pattern is demagnified by these lenses and the pattern is rotated by a magnetic field, so that the phase of the pattern to be transferred onto the surface of the specimen is varied concurrently with deflection in demagnification. The apparatus is designed by taking both the rotation and the demagnification into account, and the apparatus is designed so that the rotation is performed at a desired demagnification. Practically, however, design errors and manufacture errors disable obtaining the condition concurrently allowing the desired demagnification and the desired rotation to be exhibited. A process for measuring the demagnification and pattern rotation angle is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 7-22349.
A rotational error of the pattern is correctable by using a rotation stage that carries the mask. However, since no means is provided to correct the movement direction of a mask stage X and the movement direction of a mask stage Y, the system phase of the mask stage coordinate system remains mismatched with the specimen stage coordinate system.
Because of assembly errors, design errors, and lens system adjustment errors, the mask stage coordinate system has errors for the specimen stage coordinate system; and generally, it does not have means for adjusting the errors. While an XY mask stage should be mounted to one more θ stage to adjust the phase of an XY mask stage, since the construction is thereby completed and free space in an electrooptical housing is insufficient, it is difficult to mount the XY mask stage. When moving a desired mask pattern with the mask stage to the vicinity of the beam, if such errors as those described above are zero, the movement position can be determined in accordance with pattern design values. However, a problem arises in that an accurate movement position of the pattern cannot be known, so that accurate movement cannot be implemented.
Regarding a demagnification measurement method, using a design distance D between two opening portions provided in the mask and a distance d between individual beam specimen surface positions formed in the opening portions, the demagnification has been obtained by way of "demagnification M=d/D". However, errors such as those occurring in the manufacture of the opening portions and distortion undesirably influence the calculation result. In a case where the manufacture error is 50 nm and the distance between the opening portions is 500 μm, the case results in causing an error of 0.01% (50 nm/500 μm×100). When performing scan-exposure of a 300 μm mask pattern by using the demagnification, there arises the problem of causing an image-dimensional error of as large as 30 nm (i.e., 300 μm×0.01%=30 nm).
Further, a problem arises in that an accurate pattern cannot be imaged onto the specimen since no method is available to measure the phase of the mask stage coordinate system with respect to the problem of demagnification measurement errors and the specimen stage coordinate system.

Demagnification measurement method for charged particle beam exposure apparatus, stage phase measurement method for charged particle beam exposure apparatus, control method for charged particle beam exposure apparatus, and charged particle beam exposure apparatus


An imaging apparatus index detecting unit detects an index in a physical space from an image captured by an imaging apparatus including a first camera. A position and orientation estimating unit estimates the position and orientation of the imaging apparatus based on information relating to image coordinates of a detected index. A second camera index candidate detecting unit monitors an index on the imaging apparatus with a second camera positioned in the physical space, and detects an index candidate. A position constraint condition calculating unit calculates a position constraint condition based on information relating to image coordinates of a detected index candidate. A second camera index identifying unit identifies a second camera index based on the estimated position and orientation of the imaging apparatus and the position constraint condition of the second camera index candidate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing technique applicable to a system required to identify an index contained in an image captured by an imaging apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional Technique 1
The position and orientation measurement of a camera or another capture unit capturing a physical space (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a "camera") is, for example, required in a mixed reality system that combines a physical space and a virtual space to display a combined space image.
As discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-084307, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-041173, or A. State, G. Hirota, D. T. Chen, B. Garrett, and M. Livingston: "Superior augmented reality registration by integrating landmark tracking and magnetic tracking," Proc. SIGGRAPH '96, pp. 429-438, July 1996, there is a conventional method for correcting measurement errors obtained by a sensor that can measure the position and orientation of a camera by using a marker or a feature point (hereinafter, collectively referred to as an "index") disposed at a known position in the physical space.
Conventional Technique 2
As discussed in Kato, Billinghurst, Asano, and Tachibana: "Marker tracking based augmented reality system and related calibration," The Virtual Reality Society of Japan, monograph, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 607-616, December 1999, or X. Zhang, S. Fronz, and N. Navab: "Visual marker detection and decoding in AR systems": A comparative study, Proc. of International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR'02), 2002, there is a conventional method for estimating the position and orientation of a camera based on only an index captured by the camera without relying on the information obtained from a position and orientation sensor.
For example, the position and orientation of a camera can be estimated based on coordinates of four vertices of a square if such a square index is used. However, the square is rotationally symmetric (in each rotation of 90°) about a rotation axis passing through the center (i.e., a crossing point of diagonal lines) and perpendicular to the square surface. Thus, it is impossible to identify the up-and-down or right-and-left direction based on the coordinates of respective vertices. To solve this problem, a square index can involve an image feature defining the directions. Furthermore, when plural indices are employed, it is necessary to discriminate each index based on only an image captured by a camera. Thus, an index can involve graphic information, such as a unique pattern or symbol, differentiated for each index.
Conventional Technique 3
Furthermore, there is a conventional method for estimating the position and orientation of an object body by using plural capture units each having a known position and orientation in a physical space and capturing images of plural indices each having a known position on the object body. According to this conventional technique, a light-emitting diode (LED) is used as a unit for identifying each detected index, and the light emission timing of each LED is controlled.
In the method for estimating the position and orientation of a camera according to the conventional technique 1, each index can be a small circular sheet having a specific color. In this case, the information of each index is three-dimensional position information (i.e., coordinates) and the color.
The method for identifying an index can include the steps of projecting a three-dimensional position of the index onto an image surface of a camera by utilizing measured values of a position and orientation sensor, detecting the color of the index from the image, and calculating a centroid position from the image. Furthermore, the method can include the steps of comparing the position of the index projected on the image surface with the centroid position calculated from the image, and identifying a closest one as a true index.
However, according to the above-described color region detection method for detecting an index from an image, a region or object similar to the index may be erroneously detected from a physical space captured by the camera, for example, when the color of the erroneously detected region is similar to the color of the index.
To solve the above-described problem, there is a conventional method using a combined index composed of different color patterns concentrically disposed, including the steps of detecting color regions, checking a combination of detected colors, and identifying a region having a correct color combination as a true index. According to this method, compared to a method using a monochrome index, the possibility of erroneously detecting part of the background image as an index can be lowered.
However, to accurately and stably detect an index based on the color region detection method, the color of each index must be easily and surely recognized. Furthermore, when an index is composed of different color patterns concentrically disposed, the index must be sufficiently large in a captured image so that the concentric color patterns can be surely detected. In other words, an excessively large index, which may spoil the physical space image, must be disposed in the physical space. However, disposing such an excessively large index in a limited physical space may not be allowed, or may deteriorate the visibility of the physical space.
According to the method utilizing a square marker or another graphic index as described in the conventional technique 2, discrimination of each marker is completely dependent on the limited information obtainable from an image. Thus, each index must involve distinctive symbol information or template information.
FIG. 9 shows examples of a practical square marker used in the above-described conventional technique 2, which is discussed in Kato, Billinghurst, Asano, and Tachibana: "Marker tracking based augmented reality system and related calibration," The Virtual Reality Society of Japan, monograph, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 607-616, December 1999, or X. Zhang, S. Fronz, and N. Navab: "Visual marker detection and decoding in AR systems": A comparative study, Proc. of International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR'02), 2002.
However, such a complicated index cannot be stably detected from a captured image, unless the index image occupies a sufficiently large area in the entire captured image surface. In other words, a relatively wide region of the physical space must be provided for the index, or the camera must be sufficiently close to the index. Thus, such an index will encounter severe conditions in setting or arrangement.
Furthermore, there is a conventional method for using an LED or comparable light-emitting element or a retroreflector, as a distinctive index having a smaller size. However, according to this method, there will be an erroneous detection if a light-emitting element or reflector similar to the index is present.
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a light-emitting element 203 may be present in the background space of an index 205 mounted on a physical object 204. The index 205 is a luminescent ball capable of, for example, emitting infrared light. The light-emitting element 203 is an electric bulb capable of emitting infrared light.
FIG. 11 shows an image captured by an infrared camera 101 through a visible light cutting (i.e., infrared light transmitting) filter 202, which includes bright circular regions corresponding to the light-emitting element 203 and the index 205.
In this case, if the processing for detecting a brighter region corresponding to the index 205 is applied to the image, not only a circular region 301 corresponding to the index 205 but also a circular region 302 corresponding to the light-emitting element 203 will be detected as regions having the brightness of the index 205. In such a case, it is difficult to identify the index 205 between two candidate regions 301 and 302. Accordingly, if an index and a similar body which are not distinctive in brightness are present in a physical space captured by a camera, erroneous recognition of the index will occur.
Furthermore, there is a conventional method using a plurality of light-emitting elements (or reflectors) disposed, as indices, at predetermined positions in a mutually fixed relationship, and discriminating individual indices based on a detected positional relationship. However, if one or more light-emitting elements (or reflectors) are concealed, discrimination of the index is unfeasible. Furthermore, disposing a large number of indices in a limited physical space may deteriorate the visibility of the physical space.
On the other hand, the conventional technique 3 requires a light emission timing control mechanism or a high-speed camera, because the light emission timing must be controlled in a time division fashion to discriminate individual indices. Thus, the cost increases.

Information processing method and apparatus


A cooling device including a housing with at least one cooling channel for cooling a liquid, and with at least one thermoelectric cooling element including a layer of semiconductor material that is sandwiched between two plates, at least one of the plates having an electrically insulating contact surface that, in use, is in direct contact with the cooling liquid, the at least one cooling element being sealingly mounted in a carrier such that the contact surface remains free to contact the cooling liquid, the carrier and the contact surface defining a wall portion of the cooling channel, wherein the at least one cooling element is along its outer perimeter of the at least one cooling element being formed by the outer edges of the surface of at least one of the plates and at least a portion of the rim.

Cooling devices are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,469. In the cooling device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,469, the cooling element is clamped in the carrier with a gasket positioned on the top plate of the cooling element to provide a seal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,462 discloses a water cooler having a thermoelectric cooling element for maintaining a supply of water at a reduced temperature level. The cooling element is clamped between two flanges of the housing, such that the warm side of the module is in direct contact with cooling liquid flowing through the cooling channel, thus enabling an efficient cooling proces, while the cold side of the module abuts against the base of a chiller probe that is in conductive thermal contact with the supply of water to be cooled.
A problem associated with the known devices is that the clamp construction may cause leakage due to thermal expansion and contraction of the cooling element. In addition, the tolerance for size aid shape of the thermoelectric element must be kept small, and the clamping force must be relatively high. In view of the above, only one cooling element can be used in each clamp construction. Further, due to their brittle structure, low cost cooling elements of semiconductor material sandwiched between ceramic plates of low size and shape tolerance cannot be used in mechanically demanding applications.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide a cooling device in which the advantage of efficient cooling by direct contact of the cooling element with the cooling liquid is maintained, while the above problems are alleviated. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a cooling device in which an array of standardized cooling elements of semiconductor material sandwiched between plates of ceramic material, each having low size and shape tolerance can be provided in a simple and elegant manner.


Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing a solid state light emitter and driving circuitry integrated into a component module that will retrofit common incandescent light bulb applications.

Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/820,930, filed on Apr. 8, 2004, described an invention which can replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient light emitters such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The Background section of that patent application provided the justification for doing so, and it is incorporated herein by reference.
However, the description of the embodiment of that invention of that prior patent application and its claims prescribed circuitry which fit within the 3-d spatial envelope defined by the incandescent bulb, which is replaced by an instance of that prior invention. Furthermore, although instances of that invention would include flashlight bulbs, it did not focus in particular on the problem imposed by flashlights with tiny incandescent bulbs. The above-referenced, previous patent application described circuitry using current off-the-shelf components and a printed circuit board to employ them. Although it may be technologically possible, it is not economically attractive to implement that invention in a form that will fit entirely inside the spatial envelope of certain tiny standard incandescent light bulbs. For example, a so-called "grain-of-wheat" bulb is aptly named and would present an implementation challenge to fit all the circuitry of the above invention, as well as a light-emitting, solid state, semiconductor chip in such a small volume at a reasonable cost for a consumer product. This would currently apply to any light bulb which is, for instance, less than about 5 millimeters in diameter.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing limitation, the first objective of this invention is to provide a replacement light source for very small incandescent bulbs which employs the principles and circuitry of the aforementioned prior patent application, but where the invention is not limited in size by the envelope of the bulb it is replacing. Implicit in this first objective is the more efficient use of the batteries than with an incandescent bulb: providing longer battery life for the same light intensity or providing brighter light for the same battery life or a compromise in-between. Also implicit in the first objective is presumed advantage that solid state light emitters have over incandescent filaments regarding their relative expected operational lifetimes.
A second objective is to do this is a way which minimizes the cost and the effort for a consumer to retrofit the replacement. A third objective is to provide a replacement light source which fits entirely within the envelope of a commercially available, consumer flashlight, and which ideally still uses the type and same number of batteries for which the flashlight was designed. A fourth objective is to preserve the attractive features possessed by the flashlight before the incandescent bulb was replaced. These features may include, for example, user-adjusted beam focus and the on-off switch function (which itself may be integrated with the beam focus feature).
The principal advantage of such an illumination device is that the advantages of solid state illumination can be more quickly offered to consumers for a variety of existing flashlight models, without requiring them to buy a new, custom-designed flashlight. It also allows the consumer to revert back to the incandescent bulb if necessary.

Replacement illumination device for a miniature flashlight bulb


According to one embodiment, a photodiode includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, and a film. The second semiconductor layer is provided in the first semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor layer is provided in the first semiconductor layer so as to surround the second semiconductor layer. Each of one ends of the second and third semiconductor layers is located at an upper surface of the first semiconductor layer. The first to third semiconductor layers include first to third impurity concentrations respectively. The second and third impurity concentrations are higher than the first impurity concentration. The film is provided above the third semiconductor layer, and blocks light to enter into a neighborhood of the third semiconductor layer.

In the back ground art, lateral pin photodiodes are known. The lateral pin photodiode has a p-type semiconductor layer, an i-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer are disposed parallel to a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The i-type semiconductor layer is interposed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer.
The lateral pin photodiode detects light to enter into the i-type semiconductor layer.
When the i-type semiconductor layer is a p-type semiconductor layer with a sufficiently low impurity concentration, the n-type semiconductor layer and the i-type semiconductor layer form a pn-junction. A depletion layer of the pn-junction extends to the p-type semiconductor layer side rather than the n-type semiconductor layer side. When light enters into the i-type semiconductor layer, the light is absorbed inside the i-type semiconductor layer to generate carrier.
The carrier which is generated inside the depletion layer flows as drift current. The carrier which is generated outside the depletion layer flows as diffusion current. As a result, a sufficient response speed of the lateral pin photodiode is not obtained.


Method and apparatus for cleaning a substrate having a plurality of high-aspect ratio openings are disclosed. A substrate can be provided in a plasma processing chamber, where the substrate includes the plurality of high-aspect ratio openings, the plurality of high-aspect ratio openings are defined by vertical structures having alternating layers of oxide and nitride or alternating layers of oxide and polysilicon. The substrate can include a silicon oxide layer over a damaged or amorphous silicon layer in the high-aspect ratio openings. To remove the silicon oxide layer, a bias power can be applied in the plasma processing chamber at a low pressure, and a fluorine-based species can be used to etch the silicon oxide layer. To remove the underlying damaged or amorphous silicon layer, a source power and a bias power can be applied in the plasma processing chamber, and a hydrogen-based species can be used to etch the damaged or amorphous silicon layer.

Plasma-based etching can be an important processing step in the fabrication of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. However, the plasma-based etching can result in contaminants, including oxides and damaged or amorphous silicon. The presence of oxides and damaged silicon on the surfaces of materials, including semiconductor substrates containing silicon and metals, can adversely affect subsequent fabrication processes, thereby affecting the performance of the semiconductor device. In particular, when oxides and other contaminants are formed on silicon, the oxides or other contaminants can be electrically insulating and can be detrimental to electrical pathways of contacts in the semiconductor device or integrated circuit.
Memory devices, such as 3-dimensional vertical NAND (V-NAND) memory devices, may include vertical structures having alternating layers of oxide and nitride (ONON) on a silicon substrate. In some implementations, devices may have alternating layers of oxide and polysilicon (OPOP). High-aspect ratio openings may be formed between each of the vertical structures. The high-aspect ratio openings may subsequently serve as electrical contacts in the memory device. As used herein, high-aspect ratio openings may also be referred to as high-aspect ratio contacts. In some implementations, the high-aspect ratio openings can take the shape of a hole, slit, or a trench. The high-aspect ratio openings may be formed using a plasma-based etch. The plasma-based etch may use a significant concentration of oxygen and high ionization energies, which can result in the formation of oxides (e.g., silicon oxide), damaged silicon, and other contaminants (e.g., carbon) at the bottom of the high-aspect ratio openings. The openings may be filled or substantially filled with metal to create an electrical contact in the memory device. However, upon forming electrical contacts in the high-aspect ratio openings, the presence of the undesired oxides, damaged silicon, and other contaminants can be detrimental to the performance of the memory device.

Contact clean in high-aspect ratio structures


An electric power transmission apparatus of a sunroof for a vehicle may include a moving glass mounted with an electric generator, and configured to slide between an opened position and a closed position, an upper electric conduction device coupled at a lower side of the moving glass, and including a moving spring that is electrically connected with the electric generator and coupled to protrude downward, a front electric conduction device including a front support portion that is a nonconductor, and a close spring that comes into contact with the moving spring when the moving glass moves to the closed position, and a rear electric conduction device including a rear support portion that is a nonconductor, and an open spring that comes into contact with the moving spring when the moving glass moves to the opened position.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric power transmission apparatus of a sunroof for a vehicle, in which an electric generator such as a solar cell is mounted on a moving glass of the sunroof, and electricity generated by the solar cell (or other electric generators) may be transmitted to a battery in a vehicle body or other electric devices, and more particularly, to an electric power transmission apparatus of a sunroof for a vehicle, which is capable of transmitting generated electricity even when the moving glass is in an opened position as well as a closed position, and capable of inhibiting the occurrence of a spark when electricity is conducted after the moving glass slides.
Description of Related Art
A sunroof is sometimes selectively installed in a roof panel of a vehicle in order to discharge air in the vehicle to the outside or allow outside air to flow into the vehicle, and the sunroof is configured to open and close an opening formed in the roof panel by rotating upward and downward or sliding forward and rearward.
Various types of sunroofs for a vehicle are developed and sold, and among others, recently, a panoramic sunroof, in which most of the roof panel of the vehicle is manufactured using glass and a part of the roof panel is selectively opened and closed, is being widely released on the market for the purpose of providing clear openness and excellent aesthetic design.
The panoramic sunroof is manufactured to ventilate the interior of the vehicle and allow openness, and manufactured through a heat treatment process so as to withstand intense sunlight. The sunroof may be made of glass that effectively blocks ultraviolet rays and infrared rays, or may be made of a high strength material in order to prevent an occupant from being injured due to glass fragments at the time of a vehicle accident.
Meanwhile, recently, in order to solve problems of exhaustion of fossil fuel due to limited energy resources and to minimize air pollution, researches for using solar energy as an auxiliary power source for a vehicle are being actively conducted, and actually, in the case of some hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles (EV), or high-grade vehicles, a solar cell mounted in the form of a panel on the roof panel of a vehicle body is released on the market.
However, there is a problem in that an electric power transmission apparatus of the sunroof for a vehicle in the related art in which the solar cell is mounted on a moving glass extremely restricts movement of the moving glass.
That is, the moving glass opens and closes the opening by freely sliding in a forward and rearward direction of the roof panel of the vehicle, but the electric power transmission apparatus of the sunroof for a vehicle in the related art cannot perfectly accommodate the movement of the moving glass, and as a result, there is a problem in that the solar cell cannot be utilized 100%, or the movement of the moving glass needs to be restricted in order to fully utilize the solar cell.
In addition, most of the research regarding the sunroof for a vehicle in the related art, which uses the solar cell, is conducted on a solar cell panel itself, that is, materials, properties, and arrangement of the solar cells, but research about the electric power transmission apparatus of the sunroof is very inadequate.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Electric power transmission apparatus of sunroof for vehicle


Inert and hydrocarbon gases, such as propellant gases, maintain a pressure in a bottle to ensure that a formed composition can be dispensed to an intended destination. The carrier releases soluble hydrocarbon gases and the water drops dissolve inert gases, so the liquid is inflated and creates upstanding foam. This foam maintains the texture and water content up to 6-24 hours, depending on the ratio of the fire-resistant component. As heat reaches the foam, the heat-resistant silicate component becomes activated. Strong heat causes evaporation of the moisture of the carrier, and then the bound water of the silicates evaporates from the foam, with a honeycomb-structure left behind which is a good thermal insulator and is able to protect the object. Above approximately 350° C., a ceramic protective layer forms, while the water content of the foam inside the foam migrates outwards towards the dry crust.

The task of invention is an alkaline post-foaming composition for protection against fire and/or heat which contains inert gas as a propellant, 0.5-6% by weight, a fire-resistant ingredient up to 75% by weight, such as alkali and/or alkaline earth metal silicates, as well as solvent medium as water.
In order to preserve and protect the environment and human assets, as well as prevent or reduce damage, it is necessary to put out fires and protect against their heating effect. For fire extinguishing, many different materials and practices have already been known. For firefighting, in many cases, silicates, including sodium silicate substances, are used in fire extinguishant materials. For example, patent specification ZA200002234 presents a solution in which solid silicate belonging to the group of micas and vermiculites are used as flame-retardant powder. In use, the additive with the raw material forms carbonaceous precipitate, which is intumescent if exposed to heat and thus has heat insulating properties. In patent specification FR2078186, a composition became known, wherein an aqueous solution of sodium or potassium silicate is used to neutralize the fire. With these solutions, the use of silicates is favorable because they have heat-curing characteristics and thereby form a closed layer at the surface, increasing the flame-retardant effect. The disadvantage, however, is that the application of extinguish material on the target surface is difficult and even dangerous depending on the situation. The stability of conventional fire extinguishant foams is very low, and the consistency does not allow use on vertical surfaces.
A method is known in which the foam is formed of a mixture of liquid and gaseous components and is ejected in the same area or on the protected surface. After the dispensed material is mixed and foamed, the physical and/or chemical properties allows the ability to defend against the fire, and the combustible materials separates from the flames. For example, patent specification CA2115922 describes a foam obtained from concentrate by dilution with water, and a traditional foam formed by an air-foam nozzle. Such compositions, however, have some disadvantages. On the one part, the composition is expensive due to the raw materials, and on the second part, the well composed and applied foam is not sufficiently long-lasting. Moreover, on inclined surfaces, especially on the surfaces adjacent to vertical, the foam does not stick well, sliding down, and thus it does not able to protect the surface satisfactorily against fire. Accordingly, these foams are not suitable for thermal insulation in emergency.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,553 discloses a material mixture suitable for extinguishing fire that contains a silicate compound, a foam-generating component, and a gaseous substance. The gaseous substance facilitates the dispensing of the fire extinguishing material and its foaming at the extinguishing location. However, the significant disadvantage of this composition is that it contains the component dibromohexafluoropropane, which, when extinguishing fires, forms hazardous decomposition products—carbon oxides, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen bromide—at temperatures above 200° C., and releases chemicals that are highly toxic when breathed in, meaning this composition is disadvantageous for use when extinguishing fires.
Another disadvantage of this composition is that while it is being prepared, after the silicates have been mixed in, the silicates start to gel as a result of the insufficient alkalinity of the pH value, and then precipitate, forming a solid precipitate in a short amount of time, which settles at the base of the storage unit. The reason for this is sodium (Na) silicates start to gel at a pH value under 11.5, and this process accelerates as the pH decreases. In the case of the given solution, the pH value of the mixed solution is around 10.9, which leads to the precipitation of the silicates over the course of 24 hours. As a result, the foam solution has to be used within approximately 1 hour of being mixed, so it cannot be stored, and due to this it is unsuitable for use as a fire extinguishing material that is periodically stirred and continuously stored in a built-in extinguishing system.
Another disadvantage of the given composition is that it collapses a short time after being dispensed, losing its liquid content, and after drying it becomes combustible, which is particularly dangerous when extinguishing extensive fires. Yet another disadvantage of the given composition is that when diluted, it loses its ability to generate foam, and so becomes unusable for extinguishing fires; additionally, due to the gelling of the silicates, it cannot be produced in the form of a concentrate. Moreover, the given solution is unsuitable for extinguishing fires of substances that have a higher boiling point than water, such as cooking oil fires, as it causes extreme splashing and boil-over.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,074 discloses a fire extinguishing material composition that contains the substance Halon 2402 (C2F4Br2), also known as Dibromotetrafluoroethane. A disadvantage of this substance is that the Dibromotetrafluoroethane component damages the ozone layer. Moreover, the alkalinity of the components is insufficient to enable the use of a cheaply produced carbon steel storage tank without it having corrosion protection. In addition, as a result of the acidic pH, precipitate starts to form after the silicates have been mixed in, and so this version cannot be stored for a long time either. As a result of the substance's thixotropic feature, it hardens due to the effect of mixing, therefore it cannot be used as the fire extinguishing substance that is constantly stored and periodically mixed in a built-in extinguishing system. Also, the substance can only be slightly diluted and still remain effective. In the case of any greater dilution, up to 5 to 10 times, it completely loses its foam-forming ability. Therefore, it cannot be produced in the form of a concentrate and cannot be supplied in a thicker state.
Patent specification GB1349508 discloses a fire extinguishing material composition having a pH value of 5 to 9 and uses CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) gas as the propellant for dispensing the extinguishing material. CFC propellant gases damage the ozone layer, and so they may not be used legally. Moreover, at the recommended pH, the sodium silicate in the solution starts to gel after mixing has been performed. This fact, on the one part, prevents the solution from being supplied in the form of a concentrate for dilution. On the other part, the precipitation of the silicates in the solution forms sediment and causes blockages in the extinguishing pipework. Due to this fact, this composition is not suitable for use in a built-in instant foaming extinguishing system either. In addition, as a consequence of the contents of the composition, toxic decomposition products are produced due to the effect of heat, which cause increased danger for the persons participating in extinguishing fires. Moreover, as a consequence of the precipitation of the silicates, it cannot be produced as a concentrate and can only be slightly diluted. Therefore, it is difficult to transport.
The fire extinguishing composition disclosed in patent specification FR961899 contains the component methyl bromide and uses carbon dioxide as the propellant. The significant disadvantage of the given solution is that methyl bromide is an extremely dangerous toxin with neurological effects and is lethal if breathed in. In addition, it damages the ozone layer and further dangerous compounds are produced in the course of its thermal decomposition. The water-soluble carbon dioxide propellant gas also creates carbonic acid, which causes the silicates present in the foam solution to immediately precipitate. In addition, the saponin in the composition does not ensure the appropriate alkaline pH level in the solution so that the silicates remain in solution and prevent the creation of sediment; therefore, the precipitation of the silicates from the solution and the damaging effects originating from this cannot be avoided here either.
Patent specification EP1561777 relates to a reduced smoke-emitting polyurethane (PUR) foam, the fire-resistance of which is extremely low, it cannot be used as a fire extinguishing material for the production of fire-inhibiting coatings.
The aim of creating post-foaming composition according to the invention was to create a composition to overcome shortcomings of conventional materials made with known mechanism of action, with use of favorable-cost substances as ingredients, which can be readily prepared, and yet provide fire resistance, and durability on the surface, as well as a consistency appropriate to fight against fire or heat and provide a long-term thermal insulation and/or fire-retardant coating on the protected surface.
The invention of post-foaming composition is based on the recognition that, if a known good fire-resistant alkali metal or alkaline earth metal silicate solution is mixed into such foamable carrier material, which bonds it in its molecular structure, and is able to be added to water containing some dissolved inert gas, and if some further hydrocarbon gas can be captured and added to the solution, then such liquid and gas phase fire extinguishing and/or thermal insulation material can be created and stored in containers under pressure, which produces large volume firefighting foam upon dispensed, in the way of the inert gas dissolved in the water and the hydrocarbon gas in the carrier may expand on decrease of the ambient pressure—including the carrier and the fire-resistant components as the major volume of extinguishing foam—while the fire-resistant components in the carrier hardens by heat and forms a solid, porous, insulating, and heat-resistant material, to protect the surface from heat and fire.
Another part of the invention is that, according to the results of the investigation, certain appropriate molecular weight fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and their salts, amides, esters, and aldehydes as carriers on the one hand, are able to bond at molecular level to produce a gel-like stable structure. On the other hand, in special cases, they can be dissolved in water, and so, can form a solution with water, containing certain silicates and solved inert gas, to form a stable solution under pressure, the absorption of hydrocarbon gases in which carrier results in an increased expansion ratio, so at the site the easily, safely, and quickly dispensed solution will have excellent fire resistance due to the large amount of silicates in the carrier solution, a good expansion ratio due to the foaming properties of hydrocarbon gases, a stable, solid, and long-lasting structure due to the carrier material, with inflammability by the optimal amount of inert gas dissolved in the solution and mixed in the gas phase, which fire insulating foam is more efficient compared to traditional insulating foams.

Post-foaming composition for protection against fire and/or heat

SWISS FIRE PROTECTION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AG


The present invention discloses an arrangement scheme of a container wharf, in which the containers positioned in the yard is arranged in a direction being perpendicular to the direction of the containers positioned in the ship, comprising: a quayside container crane for loading/unloading containers in the first direction; a low elevated system including low elevated track, low elevated system lifting trolley and low elevated system plane carriers, the low elevated system plane carrier can be operated by the low elevated system lifting trolley and the low elevated system can be operated by the quayside container crane; a transportation carriers system including transportation carrier track along the second direction and transportation carriers being able to rotate 90 degrees together with container put thereon, the transportation system can be operated by the low elevated system; a yard crane having a yard crane track along the second direction for loading/unloading the containers with the yard. The arrangement scheme of the container wharf according to the present invention increases the efficiency and technical level of the container handling port significantly.

Bloom requirements for container transportation and throughput at container ports are continuously growing in the world, which have newer and higher requirements for devices for container handling technique as well as process for loading/unloading techniques. Therefore, it is a pressing demand for developing and designing devices for container handling with high efficiency so as to meet requirements of scale, high-speed and automation of container transportation of wharf.
Since the 1990s, with growth of global economy and trade, freight volume of containers steeply rises. With promotion of strong transportation requirements and good benefit of technique and economy, hi-tech technique for crane mechanism of containers, particularly automatic control technique, has fully developed. However, the handling systems of the container wharf used at present have the following deficiencies:
Generally speaking, a container wharf can be divided into two parts: front of wharf (quayside) and rear of wharf (container yard). The container crane at front of wharf is used to hoist containers from a container ship and the container yard at the rear of the wharf is used to stack the containers. There are two schemes for the arrangement of the containers stacked on the yard: One is that the containers on the yard are arranged in the same direction of containers on the ship, it should be noted that the direction of the containers used here and below refers to the long axis of the containers. The other scheme of the arrangement of the containers stacked on the yard is that the containers on the yard are arranged in a different direction of containers on the ship. In recent years, in order to increase usage of crane at the container yard and to enhance work efficiency at the container yard, the later scheme is more and more used, that is: the containers on the yard are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the containers on the ship.
At present, the transportation between front and rear of wharf is achieved by flat carriers driven by gas engine. That is, for the unloading process, the containers are lifted from the ship to the flat carrier by a quayside container crane, then transported to the container yard by the flat carriers, and hoisted from the flat carriers and put on the yard by a yard crane, and for the loading process, the containers are lifted to the from the yard to the flat carrier by a yard crane, then transported to the position under the quayside container crane by the flat carriers, and hoisted from the flat carriers and loaded on the ship by a quayside container crane. However, in the above process, the following problems will arise:
1) The flat carriers travels freely on road and are difficult to be in a precise direction as the carriers traveling on tracks, which will cause difficulties for cranes hoisting and will affect the handling speed;
2) The flat carriers need to be driven by persons, which is a disadvantage for complete automation;
3) The flat carriers are driven by gas engine that produces great pollution.
Thus, to address the above shortcomings, the object of the present invention is to provide an efficient arrangement scheme of a container wharf for transporting, loading, unloading and stacking containers efficiently.

Arrangement scheme of a container wharf and the container loading/unloading process

Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery Co., Ltd.

No. 3 Transportation Engineering Perambulation and Design Institue of Ministry of Traffic


An apparatus and method according to which a perforating gun includes a volume fill body. The volume fill body is positioned in the space between a charge tube and a carrier tube. The fill body occupies at least part, and sometimes all, of the free volume space between the charge tube and carrier tube thereby reducing the free volume space. In certain downhole applications, large free volume space can lead to significant reductions in wellbore pressure, causing dynamic underbalance, which is undesirable. The presence of the volume fill body prevents, or at least reduces, dynamic underbalance and its effects. Also, the volume fill body aligns the charge tube with the carrier tube, further assisting perforation.

Wellbores are typically drilled using a drill string with a drill bit secured to the lower free end and then, in the situation of cased-hole wells, completed by positioning a casing string within the wellbore and cementing the casing string in position. The casing increases the integrity of the wellbore and provides a flow path between the surface and selected subterranean formation for the injection of treating chemicals into the surrounding formation to stimulate production, for receiving the flow of hydrocarbons from the formation, and for permitting the introduction of fluids for reservoir management or disposal purposes.
Perforating has conventionally been performed by means of lowering a perforating gun on a carrier down inside the casing string. Once a desired depth is reached across the formation of interest and the gun is secured, the gun is fired. The gun may have one or many charges thereon which are detonated using a firing control, which may be activated from the surface via wireline or by hydraulic or mechanical means. Once activated, the charge is detonated to perforate (penetrate) the casing, the cement, and to a short distance, the formation. This establishes the desired fluid communication between the inside of the casing and the formation.
Typical hollow-carrier perforating guns used in service operations for perforating a formation generally include an elongated tubular outer housing in the form of a carrier tube within which is received an elongated tubular structure in the form of a charge tube. Explosive perforating charges are mounted in the charge tube and are ballistically connected together via explosive detonating cord. The charge tube is located relative to the carrier tube to align the shaped perforating charges with reduced-thickness sections of the carrier tube. In certain perforating gun system designs, the charge tube outer diameter (OD) is significantly smaller than the carrier tube inner diameter (ID). This can make it more difficult to axially align the charge tube within the carrier tube as compared to systems where the difference between the charge tube OD and the carrier tube ID is not as significant.
In such perforating gun system designs, where the charge tube has a comparatively small OD relative to the ID of the axially adjacent carrier tube, a significant annular volume (the space between the charge tube and carrier tube) is also exhibited within the gun. Specifically, a large proportion of the in-gun volume exists in the space between the charge tube OD and the carrier ID, contrasted with the relatively small proportion of in-gun volume within the charge tube ID between the charges themselves. In certain downhole applications, this large in-gun annular volume can lead to significant reductions in wellbore pressure (dynamic underbalance). This may cause any or all of the following effects: undesirable transient loads on the perforating and completion assemblies; perforation tunnel failure or collapse; or the production of excessive formation materials.

Annular volume filler for perforating gun


A washer-jet verification master is employed to determine the correct alignment of washer nozzles within a production machine. The verification master includes a plurality of targets, which are preset to a first position. The verification master is placed in the production machine the water jets are actuated and if properly aligned will move the targets to a second position, which indicates proper operation.

Many components, such as fluid couplings and engines, require a water cleansing operation in production. The water cleansing is quite often performed by a plurality of positioned jets, which direct the cleaning fluid into the desired compartments of the component to be cleaned. For example, with fluid couplings, the water jet is aimed to displace foreign material lodged between the adjacent vanes of the fluid coupling components.
If the cleaning fluid jets are not properly aligned, the likelihood of foreign matter remaining within the component increases. The addition of foreign matter to the component during production and not cleaned will result in a unit that does not pass final test and therefore must be disassembled and cleaned before the component can be installed within the overall assembled apparatus.


A direct-drive power train of a wind power plant is protected from over-torque by a torque limiting device. The power train includes a turbine rotor including a hub and blades supported on the hub, and a generator including a stator and a generator rotor rotatably disposed within the stator. The generator rotor includes a generator rotor body, a rotor shaft, and the torque limiting device connects the generator rotor body to the rotor shaft. The torque limiting device is configured to support the generator rotor body within the stator and allow coaxial rotation of the rotor body relative to the stator. The hub and the generator rotor are connected by the rotor shaft, and the rotor shaft rotates at the same frequency as the hub.

Power generation continues to be an important application of rotating electrical machines. Wind energy is one of the fastest growing sources of electricity in the United States and around the world, and wind turbines employing rotating electrical machines are used to convert wind energy to usable power. A conventional wind turbine includes a turbine rotor having turbine blades and output shaft which drive an electrical machine that can supply 3-5 Megawatts of power to the utility power network. Due to the relatively slow rotation of the turbine blades and shaft (up to 15 revolutions per minute), the generator component of a conventional wind turbine includes, along with the electrical generator and control electronics, a gearbox for converting the low speed incoming rotation to high speed rotation suitable for generating electricity. In addition, to protect the turbine blades, output shaft and bearings from instantaneous over-torque due, for example, to pulses from a terminal fault, the turbine output shaft and gearbox may include protection devices such as slip planes as an integral part of the gearbox or as a coupling between the generator rotor and the gearbox.
Increased power demand is leading to increased power requirements for each wind turbine. To obtain a wind turbine that can deliver 8-10 Megawatts, a mere scaling up of the size of the conventional power train becomes impractical, due at least in part to the size, weight and cost of a gearbox which can accommodate these requirements.

Torque limiting coupling for wind turbine