A controlled-flow microwave instrument for chemical synthesis using heterogeneous or highly viscous starting materials includes a microwave source for generating electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequencies, a microwave cavity in wave communication with the source for exposing compositions placed therein to microwave radiation, a microwave-transparent pressure resistant reaction vessel in the cavity, a source reservoir for starting materials and related compositions, a pump in communication with the source reservoir for pumping heterogeneous or highly viscous materials from the source reservoir to the reaction vessel, and a pressure-resistant valve between the pump and the reaction vessel for isolating the reaction vessel from the pump and the source reservoir during application of microwave energy to compositions in the vessel and from any resulting high pressures generated therein.

The present invention relates to microwave-assisted chemical processes and in particular relates to microwave-assisted chemical synthesis, carried out in automated, controlled-flow fashion, using heterogeneous and high-viscosity compositions and while providing for high pressure reactions.
The use of microwaves to provide energy to initiate, drive or control chemical reactions is well-established. Although conceptually, microwaves can be used to affect a wide variety of chemical reactions, the commercial use of microwave assisted chemistry initially grew most rapidly in techniques such as loss-on-drying (gravimetric) moisture analysis and digestion reactions that provided the foundation for content analysis. Indeed, such reactions still represent a major part of the instrument market for microwave assisted chemistry. In particular, gravimetric analysis and digestion can often be carried out in rather robust fashion, for which the longer wavelengths and broad control parameters of microwaves are well-suited.
More recently, interest has greatly increased in using microwaves to drive more sensitive reactions, particularly organic synthesis, and to do so on the smaller scale—and thus more highly controlled basis—that is preferred (or necessary) in many research oriented applications. Both the speed and nature of microwaves offer certain advantages. Because microwaves react immediately with polar and semi-polar materials, they help avoid the lag time inherent in other forms of energy transfer such as conduction or convection heating. Thus, they offer a time advantage for many research schemes including those broadly referred to as "combinatorial chemistry." Just as importantly, however, electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequencies can affect individual molecules (and thus compositions) somewhat differently—and thus potentially more favorably—than convention or conduction heating. Some of these advantages are explained in more detail in Hayes, Microwave Synthesis-Chemistry at the Speed of Light, 2002 CEM Publishing (ISBN 0-9722229-0-1).
As an additional factor, single mode cavity microwave instruments have become commercially available that are well-suited for controlled application of microwave radiation to small samples. These include the VOYAGER®, DISCOVER® and EXPLORER® instruments available from CEM Corporation, Matthews, N.C., for which more formal descriptions are set forth (but not limited to) U.S. Published Patent Applications Nos. 20030089706 and 20020117498, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,867,400; 6,744,024; 6,607,920; and 6,521,876, and pending unpublished application Ser. No. 10/249,011 filed Mar. 10, 2003 and Ser. No. 10/126,838 filed Apr. 19, 2002. The contents of all of these are incorporated entirely herein by reference.
Several of these devices are batch-type devices; i.e. microwaves are applied to a fixed sample in a closed reaction vessel (or a set of fixed samples in several respective separate vessels. When an additional reaction is to be carried out, a new set of starting materials are placed in a new reaction cell which is placed in turn in the microwave cavity. Although the use of individual vessels can be automated, for the most part the reactions must be carried out in batch fashion.
For some commercial applications, however, a constant or continuous reaction scheme—i.e. exposing a continuous stream of reactants to the microwaves and producing a continuous stream of product, without intermittent manipulation of a series of vessels—is attractive or necessary option. The present generation of instrument suitable for this type of reaction is exemplified by CEM's VOYAGER® instrument (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,867,400). This type of instrument is broadly exemplified by an appropriate source of liquid starting materials, suitable fluid pumps (with those for high pressure liquid chromatography, "HPLC" being exemplary), and a flow path that carries the reactants through a microwave field for a time sufficient for a desired reaction to take place. The time spent in the microwave field is, however, dictated by the diameter and length of the flow path taken together with the flow rate of the reactants. Because practical considerations tend to limit the length of the flow path that can be conveniently placed in a commercial instrument, the time spent in the microwave field is also limited.
Although the latest generation of both the batch and continuous systems offer significant advantages for chemical synthesis, each includes characteristics that preclude it from handling certain types of reactions. The batch systems can handle high pressure and heterogeneous starting materials, but cannot offer continuous operation from a reactant source. The flow-through systems can use reactants and generate products on a continuous basis, but generally cannot handle (because of pumping or flow considerations) heterogeneous starting materials or high viscosity fluids, or do so at high pressures. For example, conventional HPLC pumps cannot handle higher viscosity liquids or any solids whatsoever. Even if pumps that can handle solids are incorporated, however, the available flow rates raise specific problems in microwave assisted chemistry. Higher flow rates help move solids through the instrument but reduce the available time spent in the microwave field. Lower flow rates will (mathematically at least) increase residence time in the microwave field, but tend to encourage heterogeneous mixtures (typically liquid reactants and solvents in combination with solid-phase catalysts or solid-supported reagents) to separate into their respective phases before reacting properly or, in severe cases, blocking the flow path and rendering the instrument temporarily or permanently unusable.
Flow-through devices also lack a stirring capability, which can be particularly important for heterogeneous mixtures. Furthermore, precise temperature control (as opposed to consistent application of microwave radiation) is different or impossible in flow-through systems. Additionally, many prior flow-through systems require multimode cavities or otherwise operate in multimode fashion. Finally, conventional flow-through systems can often handle homogeneous liquids at high pressure or heterogeneous mixtures at low pressures, but cannot provide a continuous flow reaction system for carrying out high pressure reactions on heterogeneous materials. Because higher pressures (e.g. up to 250 psi or more) are advantageous to or necessary for certain reaction schemes, the ability to carry them out on an automated or flow through basis presents a function disadvantage.
Prior descriptions of proposed (or actual) flow-though or continuous devices tend to reflect—even if by silence—these limitations.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,397 to Strauss discloses a flow-through microwave instrument that can nominally provide "a continuous and pressurized feed of liquid or slurry to and through a microwave heating zone" (column 2, lines 46–47). Of the approximately 27 actual examples included in the '397 patent, however, only two refer explicitly to the use of a heterogeneous mixture. In particular, the preparation of 4-(1-cyclohex-1-enyl) morpholine at column 11, line 62 uses a finely ground starting material in a solvent, and the preparation of phenyl vinyl ketone at column 12 line 16 describes a suspension of 5 grams of starting material in 400 milliliters of water. Other examples may create heterogeneous mixtures, but if so, Strauss does not appear to focus upon them.
Stated differently, the heterogeneous mixtures described by Strauss are in the neighborhood of about one percent by weight of the otherwise liquid volume being pumped. Furthermore, although Strauss refers to pressure control, it is in the nature of a continuous flow system and does not provide for extended residence times.
Katschnig U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,564 describes a microwave system for thermal decontamination of "pumpable or pourable" material, but essentially operates at between about one and two atmospheres.
Knapp U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,316 describes a flow-through system in which higher pressure is equilibrated by placing a flow path within a pressure-containing vessel while leaving one end of the flow path open to the interior of the vessel and a reservoir of liquid in the vessel to thereby cause the pressure on the inside and the outside of the flow path to be identical.
Haswell U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,715, which is commonly assigned with the present invention, describes a flow-through system in which samples to be digested are moved through a microwave cavity as discreet slugs at pressures of between about 30 and 120 pounds per square inch (PSI). The Haswell instrument is primarily for digestion rather than chemical synthesis as indicated by the nature of the flow-through system and the manner in which the slug and solvent are pumped through it.
Renoe U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,039, which is also commonly assigned with the present invention, describes a flow-through system in which water is pumped through at high pressure, but an ordinary sample is carried by the water rather than being pressurized. In particular, pressure is controlled in the 039 patent for the purpose of keeping gasses dissolved in a liquid sample so that the liquid sample can be consistently evaluated using a capacitance detection system.
Accordingly, in spite of the advantages and designs for microwave-assisted instruments, there remains a need for an instrument that can operate in automated, semi-continuous fashion, that can handle highly viscous liquids and heterogeneous mixtures, can do so at high pressure, and with microwave assistance.

Controlled flow instrument for microwave assisted chemistry with high viscosity liquids and heterogeneous mixtures


Deboning device for partially deboning meat surrounding a bone, which deboning device is provided with means for holding partially to be deboned meat, a diaphragm and a pin with a cam, in which the diaphragm and the pin with the cam are placed on either side of the means for holding partially to be deboned meat, and means for moving the pin in a direction towards the diaphragm, so that a bone of meat placed in the means for holding partially to be deboned meat can be pushed by the pin through the diaphragm, in which the deboning device is further provided with a stop for the pin, which stop is placed at a side of the diaphragm which is directed to the means for holding partially to be deboned meat and which stop limits the moving of the pin in the direction of the diaphragm so that a bone of meat placed in the means for holding partially to be deboned meat can only be partially pushed through the diaphragm by the pin and in which the deboning device is further provided with a push-back pin placed on a side of the diaphragm opposite the pin and further with push-back means for moving the push-back pin in a push-back direction towards the diaphragm, so that a bone which extends through the diaphragm can be pushed back entirely by the push-back pin through the diaphragm.

There are deboning devices and apparatus known for fully deboning meat surrounding a bone, such as the so-called "round thigh debonera" models D-30, D-40 and D-50 of the company Systemate Holland B.V. Such a deboning device is provided with means for holding completely to be deboned meat, a diaphragm and a pin with a cam, in which the diaphragm and the pin with the cam are placed on either side of the means for holding the completely to be deboned meat, and means for moving the pin with the cam in a direction towards the diaphragm, so that a bone of meat surrounding a bone placed in the means for holding completely to be deboned meat can be pushed entirely through the diaphragm by the pin with the cam. The meat is detained by the diaphragm so that meat is stripped from the bone.

Deboning device and deboning apparatus for partially deboning meat


Device for synchronizing the tilt of the back and the seat of a chair, of the type comprising a back frame, a seat frame and a support constrained to, or coincident with, the base of the chair, as well as at least one first crank hinged to the support and a front portion of the seat frame, and at least one second crank hinged to the support and a rear portion of the seat frame, so that the afore said at least one first and one second crank constitute a four-bar linkage with the seat frame. Advantageously, the device provides that the back frame is integral with the afore said at least one first crank.

It is known in the art to realize such synchronizing devices wherein a couple of first cranks, reciprocally parallel, and a couple of second cranks, reciprocally parallel too, connect the seat frame, respectively in its front and rear portion, with the chair base, thereby forming, with the same seat frame, a couple of four-bar linkages, each of them being disposed on a side of the chair. Such a synchronizing devices provide as well that the seat frame is cinematically constrained to such four-bar linkages, preferably by a leverage having a fulcrum on the base of the chair itself.
It has to be noticed that herein below reference will be made to such a synchronizing devices having one four-bar linkage only, composed of two cranks hinged in the chair base and, respectively, in the front and rear portion of the seat frame, both because it is theoretically possible the use of one four-bar linkage of such a type only, and because in such a way the description will be simplified.
For example, the French Patent FR 2045120, in the name of DUPART, teaches to realize such a synchronizing device for tilting the seat frame and the chair back frame by a four-bar linkage provided with only two cranks hinged between the base and the frame of the seat, and a lever with two arms, having a fulcrum on the same base, and wherein an arm is integral with the chair back frame and on the contrary the other arm is acting onto the rear portion of the seat frame, raising or pulling it down as a function of the angle and the tilting direction of the chair back.
Such a solution, although mechanically easy, however revealed not much comfortable for the user, because this latter is caused to exercise a considerable force onto the chair back for opposing to his/her own weight acting on the seat, due to the necessary reduction of the dimension of the afore said lever with two arms.
In addition, the DUPART Patent, because of the geometry of the described synchronizing device, does not provide, while varying the chair back tilt angle, the contemporaneous raising, or pulling down, of the front portion and the rear portion of the seat in such a way that this raising or pulling down of the front portion of the seat would be greater than the raising or pulling down of the rear portion of the seat.
The German Application DE 37 35 256, in the name of NIKOV, describes a synchronizing device of the tilt of the back and seat of a chair wherein the four-bar linkage comprises two cranks, one in the front and the other in the rear, that are hinged between the seat frame and the base of the chair, and wherein the seat frame is integral with the rear crank of such a four-bar linkage.
The front and rear cranks are tilted in different directions relatively to the vertical, that is if the front crank is tilted with an acute angle in the anticlockwise direction relatively to the vertical, then the rear crank is tilted with an acute angle in the clockwise direction relatively to the vertical, and/or vice versa.
Such a solution, not so much appreciated by all users, provided that when the tilt of the chair back changes, the front portion of the seat will raise and contemporaneously the rear portion of the seat will pull down, or vice versa.
In addition, the problem of the difficulties in tilting the chair back, because of the weight acting onto the seat and the lever arm not excessively long, would not seem to be solved by the NIKOV's device.
The International Patent Application WO 2008/067947, in the name of SATO OFFICE, refers to a device for synchronizing the tilt of the seat frame and the back frame of a chair comprising a four-bar linkage, wherein the two cranks are hinged to the chair base and, respectively, to the front and rear portions of the seat frame, and a lever with two arms having a fulcrum on the end extension of the rear crank. One of the two arms of such a lever is constrained, by means of a runner, to the front portion of the seat frame, whereas the other arm is integral with the back frame.
Also this SATO OFFICE's solution provides that the rotation of the chair back would cause the contemporaneous raising of the front portion of the seat and the pulling down of the rear portion of the same seat, with an effect not always appreciated by the user.
In addition, the use of a runner, made of a pin sliding into an extended eyelet, as a constrain between the afore said lever and the seat frame, will impose a high working and assembling precision of the SATO OFFICE's device.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to realize a device for synchronizing the tilt of the back and seat of a chair, or any other seating means, not presenting the drawbacks of the known prior art, and then resulting mechanically simple and comfortable for the user.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a synchronizing device allowing the user, relatively to his/her own weight, to simply and effectively adjust the tilt of the chair back, and then of the seat, in such a way to obtain seat configurations allowing the user to obtain perfect postures.

Device for synchronizing the seat and backrest of a chair


A robust intuitive latching mechanism for securing an access panel to a chassis of an electronic device comprises a hook engagement member for engaging a hook coupled to the chassis to secure the access panel to the chassis. A spring member couples the hook engagement member to the access panel. The spring member is capable of flexing between a first position wherein the hook engagement member is engaged with the hook and a second position wherein the hook engagement member is disengaged from the hook. A handle assembly is mounted to at least one of the hook engagement member and the spring member for flexing the spring member. The handle assembly is actuated for flexing the spring member from the first position to the second position for disengaging the hook engagement member from the hook to allow the access panel to be removed from the chassis.

In the past, removal of the access panel or cover to the chassis of an electronic device such as a computer, or the like, was cumbersome or time consuming. In most applications, the access panel is mounted to the chassis using fasteners such as thumb screws, or the like, which must be unscrewed each time the access panel is removed from the chassis. The access panel may then be lifted or slid from the chassis to provide access to components located therein. More recently, quick release latching systems have been provided for securing the access panel to the chassis of the computer. Typically, such latching systems also push the access panel open when the latching mechanism is defeated, making the access panel easier to remove by users.
In modern computer manufacturing facilities, vacuum lifting is often used for lifting the computer to place the computer in packaging prior to delivery. However, when vacuum lifting is employed with a computer chassis that utilizes a quick release latching system that pushes the access panel of the computer open, the access panel can be inadvertently pulled from the chassis of the computer, causing the computer to be dropped and possibly damaged. Generally, this problem occurs because the devices that defeat the latching mechanism are actuated by forces that are applied normal to the access panel during vacuum lifting. The latching mechanism then works in concert with the forces applied during the vacuum lifting process to separate the access panel from the chassis.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a quick release latching mechanism that allows the access panel of a computer or similar electronic device to be easily removed from its chassis, but which is not susceptible to inadvertent actuation during processes, such as vacuum lifting, that apply forces to the access panel.


A method for repairing a damaged automobile exterior roof panel the includes removing the damaged roof panel section so as to leave an overlap portion of the original roof panel extending peripherally around the edge of the opening, fashioning a replacement roof panel that includes a peripheral bonding section that extends beyond the outermost dimension of the opening, and then adhesively bonding the overlap portion of the original roof panel to the peripheral bonding section of the replacement roof panel.

Automobile roof panels often become damaged due to crashes, airborne objects such as falling tree branches or hail or other causes. Such damaged roof panels previously were repaired by one of two methods. According to one method the entire roof panel, the windshield, rear glass and the headliner are all removed. The windshield and rear glass must be removed because they are permanently bonded to the roof panel. Depending upon the vehicle construction the side glass also might require removal. Removal and replacement of the entire roof panel is expensive in terms of both parts cost and labor cost. In addition, there is a substantial risk of breaking the windshield, rear glass or side glass. According to a second method the damaged roof panel is cut out. A new roof panel section then is fit into the area of the removed section and attached to the remaining roof panel via welding. The problem with this method is that welding causes heat distortions in the roof material, creates potentially dangerous sparks, requires the services of a skilled technician and may result in seams in the roof panel if done improperly.
The resulting safety and cost of repairing an automobile roof panel could be substantially improved by the development of a repair method that does require removal of the entire roof panel or any welding.


Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling a voltage output of an alternator having a regulated voltage control (RVC). The apparatus includes a processor configured to transmit one of at least two control signals and a switch coupled to the processor and configured to select one of the control signals. One of the control signals is an RVC enable signal, and another control signal is a voltage boost signal. The method includes determining whether RVC requires override, selecting an output voltage mode of the alternator, activating a boosted voltage mode of the alternator by disabling RVC when RVC requires override, and activating an RVC mode by enabling RVC when the RVC does not require override or upon an occurrence of a lapse of a pre-determined amount of time.

Vehicle batteries provide power for a vehicle's starting, lighting, and ignition functions. In general, an automotive battery outputs a few hundred amperes of current for a few seconds of the starting period. The battery is then recharged by the charging system of the vehicle which generally consists of an alternator, rectifier, regulator, and voltage and current controllers. Alternators are used in conventional motor vehicles to convert mechanical energy produced by an internal combustion engine to electrical energy. The alternator is typically coupled to the engine by a rotating shaft to generate alternating current (AC). This current is then converted to direct current (DC), which in turn is used to power electrical circuits in the vehicle during normal driving conditions and to charge a vehicle battery.
During operation of the electrical circuits in the vehicle and charging of the battery, the charge or current provided by the alternator is usually regulated. This regulation may affect the charging efficiency of the vehicle battery as well as other vehicle maintenance requirements. Conventional regulating devices have been developed to maintain the DC alternator output voltage, commonly referred to as a voltage setpoint, within a nominal operating range. Some of these voltage regulating devices tend to be inefficient in fuel consumption when operated in conjunction with batteries of a vehicle.
Regulation strategies implemented in some conventional regulating devices have generally not been tunable or adaptable to changing load demands of the vehicle. During operation of these regulating devices, an appreciable amount of mechanical energy is typically converted to excess electrical energy, and some energy is lost that may have been used to drive or power other vehicle systems or components. The expended mechanical energy usually takes the form of engine torque, which may result in a greater expenditure of fuel to supply higher electrical loads on the vehicle. In addition, mechanical energy may be lost in the form of heat from charging the vehicle battery at relatively higher voltage levels. Increased heat losses tend to decrease efficiency and increase fuel consumption. Damage to the battery may also occur under such conditions due to battery gassing.
One approach to improving the charging efficiency of the vehicle battery has been to use regulated voltage control (RVC). RVC monitors voltage and current draw from the vehicle battery and controls the voltage output of the alternator based on such voltage and current draws. The alternator output may be regulated so as to minimize vehicle fuel consumption. For example, by taking into account a battery state of charge and the electrical energy drawn by the vehicle at a given time, an alternator setpoint voltage may be optimized so as to more closely track the electrical load requirements of the vehicle and minimize the amount of excess electrical energy generated. By optimizing the setpoint, based at least in part on the amount of stored electrical energy and estimated vehicle load, mechanical energy otherwise used to produce excess electrical energy is typically conserved and used for other purposes to generally provide a fuel economy gain when operating the vehicle. General advantages derived from RVC include improved fuel economy, increased battery life, and increased lamp and switch life.
Vehicle batteries may be used as a power source for externally coupled accessories. For example, a vehicle may tow a trailer, a boat, or other common vehicle accessory for recreation that has a separate auxiliary battery requiring charging. In another example, a road-side assistance truck may assist a stranded vehicle with a drained battery by coupling the truck battery with the drained battery of the vehicle for a "jump start". Using RVC generally lowers regulated voltage to improve fuel economy but reduces the amount of charging current usually available for charging. Because RVC generally lowers available voltage shortly after starting and idling of a vehicle engine, the drained battery or auxiliary battery may not fully charge in vehicles using RVC.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an override for regulated voltage control systems of vehicle battery and alternator operation. In addition, it is desirable to provide an operator-activated override of regulated voltage control systems having a variety of selectable modes of operation. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.


Pulfrich Filter Spectacles to view a 2-dimensional motion picture with 3-dimensional visual effects are disclosed. A method for synchronizing the Puifrich filter spectacles and a method of displaying 2-dimensional motion pictures as 3-dimensional pictures using the spectacles are also disclosed. The Puifrich spectacles and its synchronizing method and displaying method will allow almost any motion picture to be viewed effortlessly by the viewer with the visual effect of 3-dimensions.

Visual effects have the potential to expand the viewing enjoyment of moviegoers. For example the movement effect 'Bullet Time' utilized in the movie 'The Matrix' was critical to the appeal of the movie.
Visual effects for 3-dimensional motion pictures have been used commercially since the early 1950s, and include such motion pictures as 'Charge at Feather River', starring Guy Madison. The 'Vincent Price movie 'House of Wax' was originally released as a 3-D thriller. The 3-D movie fad of the early to mid-1950s however soon faded due to complexity of the technologies and potential for improper synchronization, and alignment of left and right eye images as delivered to the viewer.
"Visual effects for 3-dimensional motion pictures have been used commercially since the early 1920s, and include such motion pictures as 'Charge at Feather River', starring Guy Madison. The 'Vincent Price movie 'House of Wax'was originally released as a 3-D thriller. The 3-D movie fad of the early to mid-1950s however soon faded due to complexity of the technologies and potential for improper synchronization, and alignment of left and right eye images as delivered to the viewer."
With the exception of Sony I-max 3-D presentations, which require special theater/screening facilities unique to the requirements of I-Max technology, 3-dimensional motion pictures remain a novelty. Despite the wide appeal to viewers, the difficulties and burden on motion picture producers, distributors, motion picture theaters, and on the viewers has been a barrier to their wide scale acceptance.
1. Vision
The Human Eye And Depth Perception
The human eye can sense and interpret electromagnetic radiation in the wavelengths of about 400 to 700 nanometers—visual light to the human eye. Many electronic instruments, such as camcorders, cell phone cameras, etc., are also able to sense and record electromagnetic radiation in the band of wavelengths 400-700 nanometer.
To facilitate vision, the human eye does considerable 'image processing' before the brain gets the image. As examples:
When light ceases to stimulate the eyes photoreceptors, the photoreceptors continue to send signals, or 'fire' for a fraction of a second afterwards. This is called 'persistence of vision', and is key to the invention of motion pictures that allows humans to perceive rapidly changing and flickering individual images as a continuous moving image.
The photoreceptors of the human eye do not 'fire' instantaneously. Low light conditions can take a few thousands of a second longer to transmit signals than under higher light conditions. Causing less light to be received in one eye than another eye, thus causing the photoreceptors of the right and left eyes to transmit their 'pictures' at slightly different times, explains in part the Pulfrich 3-D illusion, which is utilized in the invention of a Pulfrich Filter Spectacles.
Once signals are sent to the eye, the brain process the dual stereo images together (images received from the left and right eye) presenting the world to the human eye in 3-dimensions or with 'Depth Perception'. This is accomplished by several means that have been long understood.
Stereopsis is the primary means of depth perception and normally requires sight from both eyes. The brain processes the dual images, and triangulates the two images received from the left and right eye, sensing how far inward the eyes are pointing to focus the object.
Perspective uses information that if two objects are the same size, but one object is closer to the viewer than the other object, then the closer object will appear larger. The brain processes this information to provide clues that are interpreted as perceived depth.
Motion parallax is the effect that the further objects are away from us, the slower they move across our field of vision. The brain processes motion parallax information to provide clues that are interpreted as perceived depth.
Shadows provide another clue to the human brain, which can be perceived as depth. Shading objects, to create the illusions of shadows and thus depth, is widely used as in the shading of text to produce a 3-dimensional impression without actually penetrating (perceptually) the 2-D screen surface.
2. 3-D Motion Pictures
Methods of Producing 3-D Illusion in Moving Pictures
Motion pictures are images in 2-dimensions. However, several methods have been developed for providing the illusion of depth in motion pictures. These include the Pulfrich, and Analglyph 3-dimensional illusions.
Analglyph 3-Dimensional Illusion
"Analglyph" refers to the red/blue or red/green glasses that are used in comic books and in cereal packets etc. The glasses consist of nothing more than one piece of transparent blue plastic and one piece of transparent red plastic. These glasses are easy to manufacture and have been around since the 1950s.
An analglyph stereo picture starts as a normal stereo pair of images, two images of the same scene, shot from slightly different positions. One image is then made all green/blue and the other is made all red, the two are then added to each other.
When the image is viewed through the glasses the red parts are seen by one eye and the other sees the green/blue parts. This effect is fairly simple to do with photography, and extremely easy to do on a PC, and it can even be hand-drawn. The main limitation of this technique is that because the color is used in this way, the true color content of the image is usually lost and the resulting images are in black and white. A few images can retain their original color content, but the photographer has to be very selective with color and picture content.
Pulfrich 3-Dimensional Illusion
Pulfrich was a physicist that recognized that images that travel through a dark lens take longer to register with the brain than it does for an image that passes through a clear lens. The delay is not great—just milliseconds—just enough for a frame of video to arrive one frame later on the eye that is covered by a darker lens than a clear lens. Pulfrich spectacles then have one clear lens (or is absent a lens) that does not cause a delay, and one darkened lens that slightly delays the image that arrives to the eye. In a motion picture viewed through Pulfrich lenses, for an object moving laterally across the screen, one eye sees the current frame and the other eye a previous frame.
The disparity between the two images is perceived as depth information. The brain assumes both frames belong to the same object and the viewer's eyes focus on the object as if it were closer than it is. The faster the object moves, the more separation there is between the time-delayed images, and the closer the object appears. The fact that faster objects appear closer than slower objects also coincides with the principles of motion parallax. Generally, however, the greater displacements frame to frame (and now eye to eye) result from degrees of closeness to the recording camera (proximity magnifies), so that Pulfrich viewing can deliver an approximately correct and familiar depth likeness. While the depth likeness is unquestionably 3-D, it may differ from the fixed constant of an individual's inter-ocular distance when observing the world directly. Few observers will notice this anymore than they are bothered by the spatial changes resulting from use of telephoto or wide-angle lens in filming scenes.
Motion pictures made for the Pulfrich method can be viewed without any special glasses—appearing as regular motion pictures minus the 3-D effect. Also, motion pictures made without regard for the Pulfrich effect, will still show the 3-D visual effect if lenses are worn and appropriately configured.
The limitation of the Pulfrich technique is that the 3-dimensional illusion only works for objects moving laterally or horizontally across the screen. Motion pictures made to take advantage of these glasses contain lots of horizontal tracking shots or rotational panning shots to create the effect. Pulfrich, who first described this illusion, was blind in one eye, and was never able to view the illusion, though he completely predicted and described it.
A basic example of the Pulfrich illusion can be seen by viewing either of two TV stations. The news headlines on the CNN Television network or the stock market quotations on CNBC scroll in from the right of the TV screen and across and off the screen to the left. The news or quotations appear in a small band across the bottom of the screen while the network show appears above the scrolling information. When either of these network stations is viewed through Pulfrich glasses, with the darkened lens covering the left eye and the clear lens covering the right eye, the scrolling information appears in vivid 3-dimensions appearing to be in front of the TV screen. If the lenses are reversed with the clear lens covering the left eye and the darkened lens covering the right eye, the scrolling information appears to the viewer as receded, and behind the TV screen.
Another example of the Pulfrich illusion can be seen in the movie 'The Terminator', starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Any off-the-shelf copy of the movie—VCR tape, or DVD, can be viewed on a TV or PC playback display monitor as originally intended by the filmmaker. But, viewing scenes that include lateral motion from 'The Terminator', such as the scene when Sarah Connors enters a bar to call police (about 29 minutes into the movie) when viewed through Pulfrich glasses (left eye clear lens and right eye dark lens) shows the scene vividly in 3-dimensions, even though this visual effect was totally unintended by the director and cinematographer.
Another stunning example is the famous railroad yard scene from "Gone with the Wind", in which Scarlett O'Hara played by Vivien Leigh walks across the screen from the right as the camera slowly pulls back to show the uncountable wounded and dying confederate soldiers. When viewed through Pulfrich glasses with (left eye clear lens and right eye dark lens), the scene appears to the user in 3-dimensions, even thought it was totally unintended by the director and cinematographer. Interesting here is that the main movement of this scene was created by the camera lifting and receding and so expanding the view. Effective lateral motion resulting from such camera movement would in fact be to only one side of the screen, which the viewers will utilize to interpret the entire scene as in depth.
The Pulfrich Filter Spectacles will allow any movie, such as "Gone with the Wind" which was shot in 1939, to be viewed in 3-dimensions. In the preferred embodiment, all that is necessary is post-production be performed on the motion picture, to identify synchronization events, and add (mix) to the soundtrack of the motion picture the sounds above human hearing that signal control of the Pulfrich Filter Spectacles, and that allow the film to be viewed with a 3-dimensional effect. Absent the Pulfrich Filter Spectacles, the viewer sees and hears the motion picture 'Gone with the Wind' as originally filmed.
Note that the Pulfrich 3-D effect will operate when the left or right filtering does not correspond with the direction of an image's movement on the screen. The depth-impression created is unnatural, a confusion of solid and open space, of forward and rear elements. When confronted by such anomalous depth scenes, most minds will 'turn off', and not acknowledge the confusion. For normal appearing 3-D, mismatched image darkening as related to the direction of the image's movement on the screen must be avoided.
We have described the need to match horizontal direction of foreground screen-movement to Left or Right light-absorbing lens. This, however, is a rule that often has to be judiciously extended and even bent, because all screen-action appropriate to Pulfrich 3-D is not strictly horizontal; horizontal movements that angle up or down, that have a large or even dominant element of the vertical, may still be seen in depth. Even a single moving element in an otherwise static scene can be lifted into relief by way of an adroit application of a corresponding Pulfrich filter. There would even be times when a practiced operator would choose to schedule instances of lens-darkening contrary to the matching-with-foreground-direction rule; the explanation for this lies in the fact that the choice of left or right filter-darkening will pull forward any object or plane of action moving in a matching direction, and there are times when the most interesting action in a picture for seeing in 3D could be at some distance from the foreground, even requiring a Left/Right filter-match at odds with the filter-side that foreground-movement calls for. For instance, if one wished to see marchers in a parade marching Left, to lift them forward of their background would require darkening of the Left lens, but foreground movement could be calling for a Right lens darkening; this would be a situation when a choice might be made to over-ride the foreground-matching rule. In most instances the rule is to be followed, but not mechanically; screen movement is often compound and complex, and an observant individual could arrange a Pulfrich timing for a movie with an alertness to such subtleties that did not limit decisions to recognition of foreground direction alone. As mentioned earlier, there would even be times, when the recording camera had moved either forward or backwards through space, when both Left and Right lenses would half-darken to either side of their centers, outer halves darkening moving forward (with picture elements moving out to both sides from picture-center) or both inner halves darkening when retreating backwards (with picture elements moving in towards center from each side).
One might think that alternating between the screenflatness of a dialogue scene and the deep space of an action scene would disrupt the following of a story. In fact, just as accompanying movie-music can be intermittent while entirely supporting a story development, dialogue is best attended to with the screen flat and action-spectacle is most effective given the dimension and enbanced clarity of depth. Usually a function of lighting specialists, it is at ays necessary to make objects and spaces on a flat screen appear distinct from each other; besides making a scene move convincing, 3-D separation of forms and of spatial volumes one from the other speeds up the "reading" of what are essentially spatial events. This is to say: flat can best enable concentration on dialogue; depth-dimension can most effectively deliver action scenes. Alternating between 2-D and 3-D awareness is something we even do, to a degree, in our experience of actuality, as a function of our changing concentration of attention; just as we hear things differently when we concentrate on listening Then, too, making sense of movies is a thing we learn to do, as different from life-experience as a movie is with its sudden close-ups and change of angle and of scene, its flashbacks, et cetera. Movie viewing is a learned language, a form of thinking; the alternating of flat-screen information with depth-information will be as readily adapted to as many other real-world-impossibility accepted without question as natural to the screen.
In the preferred embodiment of the Pulfrich Filter Spectacles invention—we focus on a better means to present the Pulfrich 3-D illusion in motion pictures by precisely signaling the synchronization of the Pulfrich Filter Spectacles lenses to the motion picture. In other embodiments of the invention, similar principles can be utilized to present other illusions or special effects in motion pictures.
Problems with 3-D Motion Pictures
With the exception of Sony I-Max 3-d, a special cine-technology requiring theaters exclusively designed for its screening requirements, 3-dimensional motion pictures have never caught on except as a short-term fad, because a myriad of problems continue to make 3-dimensional motion pictures unacceptable to producers and viewers of motion pictures. Despite concerted efforts, 3-dimensional motion pictures continue to be nothing more than a novelty. There are many problems and constraints involving the production, projection, and viewing of 3-dimensional motion pictures.
Production: The commonly used analglyph 3-dimensional movie systems require special cameras that have dual lenses, and capture 2-images on each frame. To have a version of the motion picture that can be viewed without special glasses requires that a separate version of the motion picture be shot with a regular camera so there is only one image per video frame or special re-photography and re-printing of the 3-D motion picture is required.
Projection: Some 3-dimensional systems require the synchronization and projection by at least 2 cameras in order to achieve the effect. "Hitachi, Ltd has developed a 3D display called Transpost 3D which can be viewed from any direction without wearing special glasses, and utilize twelve cameras and rotating display that allow Transpost 3D motion pictures that can be seen to appear as floating in the display. The principle of the device is that 2D images of an object taken from 24 different directions are projected to a special rotating screen. On a large scale this is commercially unfeasible, as special effects in a motion picture must be able to be projected with standard projection equipment in a movie theater, TV or other broadcast equipment.
Viewing: As a commercial requirement, any special effect in a motion picture must allow viewing on a movie screen, and other viewing venues such as TV, DVD, VCR, PC computer screen, plasma and LCD displays. From the viewers vantage, 3-dimensional glasses, whether analglyph or Pulfrich glasses, which are used in the majority of 3-dimensional efforts, if poorly made or worn incorrectly are uncomfortable and may cause undue eye strain or headaches. Experiencing such headache motivates people to shy away from 3-D motion pictures.
Polaroid projection requires a metallic-surface screen. Should the two film-strands used in a double-projection screening lose synchronization or precise screen alignment, the effect is sure to cause great discomfort, as well as loss of the 3D illusion.
Because of these and other problems, 3-dimensional motion pictures have never been more than a novelty. The inconvenience and cost factors for producers, special equipment projection requirements, and viewer discomfort raise a sufficiently high barrier to 3-dimensional motion pictures that they are rarely produced. A main object of this invention is to overcome these problems and constraints.
Attempts to Overcome the Problems of 3-D Motion Pictures
Different formulations of shutter glasses have been implemented over the last few decades, but without much large-scale commercial success. A shutter glasses solution generally require two images for each image of video, with shutter covering or uncovering each eye of the viewer. This allows one eye to see, than the other, with the shutters timed and synchronized with the video so that each eye only sees the image intended for it. Recent advances have eliminated mechanical shutter, and now use lens that turn opaque when an electric current is passed through it.
Some shutter glass systems are wired to a control device while some shutter glass systems use wireless infrared signaling to control the state of the lenses.
CrystalEyes is the name of a stereoscopic viewing product produced by the StereoGraphics Corporation of San Rafael, Calif. They are lightweight, wireless liquid crystal shuttering eyewear that are used to allow the user to view alternating field sequential stereo images. The source of the images alternately displays a left-eye view followed by a right-eye view. CrystalEyes' shutters can block either of the user's eyes so that only images appropriate for each eye are allowed to pass. A wireless infrared communications link synchronizes the shuttering of the eyewear to the images displayed on the monitor or other viewing screen. CrystalEyes shutter glasses, weight only 3.3 ounces, use two 3V lithium/manganese dioxide batteries, and have a battery life of 250 hours. This demonstrates the robustness and potential of a viewer glass solution.
Because shutter glasses only expose each eye to every other frame, the refresh rate of the video is effectively cut in half. On a TV with refresh rates of 30 frames per second (for an NTSC TV) or 25 frames per second (for a PAL TV), this is hard on the eyes because of the continual flicker. This problem is eliminated with higher refresh rates, such as on PC monitors.
However, shutter systems have not been overwhelmingly commercially successful. Motion pictures that use such stereo shutter systems require two frames for each frame of regular film. Motion pictures would then have to be produced in at least 2 versions. Also, except on high refresh rate systems, such as expensive PC monitors, the viewer sees too much 'flicker' causing distraction and annoyance. An additional requirement and burden is the wired or wireless signaling to control the state of the lens. LCD screens that are used on laptops generally do not have high enough refresh rates for stereoscopic shutter 3D systems. Shutter systems generally do not work well with LCD or movie projectors.
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, in a manner similar to that used with some versions of shutter glasses, we utilize lens materials that are clear when no current is passed through it, but partially occluded or darkened when a current above a threshold voltage is passed through it.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for Pulfrich Filter Spectacles


A component for the inkjet print head and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed where photosensitive polymer is used as the substrate. Orifices and ink chambers are made on the substrate by photolithography. Conductive traces for interconnection to a print head chip are integrated to the substrate by combining photolithography and electroforming procedures.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a print head component and the manufacturing method thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a component for the inkjet print head that requires a low production costs and the manufacturing method thereof.
2. Related Art
The print head is a key component of inkjet printers. The assembly of current print heads is usually done by first making the orifice plate and the print head chip. Afterwards, a photosensitive adhesive is coated on the chip. Ink chambers and ink supply channels are then formed on the adhesive by photolithography. The orifice plate and the chip are aligned and attached together with the photosensitive adhesive. Finally, tape automated bonding (TAB) leads are aligned and attached onto the electrical signal pads of the chip using high temperature and pressure.
The signal pads of the print head chip are combined with the wire pads of a substrate using aligned embossing of the inner leads. This requires the use of inner lead bonding (ILB) equipment in semiconductor technology. During packaging, the signal pads of the print head chip and the wire pads on the substrate have to be aligned accurately. The wire pads are then connected to the signal pads by embossing. The welded region is filled with glue to increase its reliability. As this procedure requires high precision and has certain difficulty, conditions in the manufacturing process greatly affect the quality of the packaged elements. On the other hand, the orifice plate used in the existing technology is made by electroforming. First, an electroplating solution has to be precisely prepared. A good electroforming quality can be obtained only after long time experiment and calibration. Therefore, it is very hard to control the size, roundness, and thickness of the orifices in such batch produced orifice plates using this method. Moreover, the bonding strength of the metal orifice plate and the inkjet chip may be lowered with time because of the erosion of the ink inside the ink chamber. This will eventually result in local delamination.
One may also form orifices on the TAB by laser ablation. With reference to the U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,015, the manufacturing process starts by forming transmission holes on a TAB substrate. Signal wires are then defined by electroforming or copper foil attaching. Afterwards, a laser beam is shined and focused on the substrate to make an orifice. After a cleaning process, it is combined with the chip by embossing, thus completing the print head chip packaging. However, a laser is used to make orifices individually in this method. There are three hundred nozzles on a high resolution inkjet print head at least. Therefore, it takes a long time and the equipment is expensive. Moreover, the high temperature produced in the process often deforms the borders of the orifices. If one wants to make orifices of different sizes, different lenses have to be used to focus the laser beam. It is also very hard to remove the debris' around the orifices produced in the lasing process.

Component for inkjet print head and manufacturing method thereof

Industrial Technology Research Institute


Techniques are provided for establishing privileged paths for data packets over a network. A data packet is received with a header; the header includes a route selector. The route selector assists in resolving a privileged path for the data packet. The data packet is injected into the network over the resolved privileged path.

Networks are rapidly becoming overloaded and taxed with traffic from governments, organizations, and private individuals. In particular, the Internet is increasingly being used to conduct business, acquire information, and for leisure. Moreover, there have been recent governmental efforts made to ensure all participants within the United States have affordable access to high speed connectivity to the Internet. However, if every participant were to have a high speed connection to the Internet, then websites will become even more overtaxed and not be capable of supporting the increased speed with which transactions are received and processed.
As a result, organizations and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have began selling high-end services, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to customers. A VPN ensures a dedicated port for traffic over a network for participants of the VPN, where traffic over that port is custom encrypted based on the participants to that VPN. The encryption provides an added enticement to customers, because it adds security aspects to transactions over the VPN. However, because ports are finite resources only so many VPNs can be realistically available. Moreover, the VPN encryption requires applications which must be supported on the client devices of the participants.
With the introduction of VPN and similar services, the Internet is rapidly becoming segmented into fast and secure networks for those that can afford it and legacy (slower) and insecure networks for those that cannot afford it. Furthermore, if VPNs are excessively deployed the Internet may begin to logically resemble a finite collection of dedicated networks, where fees are required to traverse across each separate dedicated network. This may actually hinder the true purpose of the Internet, which was to provide pervasive connectivity to services and information in an uninhibited manner. If tolls are required to proceed at various points of the Internet, then usage of the Internet will be severely inhibited.
Another problem, which has only strengthened the movement towards VPN solutions, is the increased threat of malicious inference with Internet traffic. That is, a network transaction may include sensitive information which can be maliciously grabbed or may be tainted with a virus that may damage resources that process the transaction. In fact, this problem has become so pervasive that governments, organizations, and individuals have invested heavily in devices and software to detect and prevent such behavior.
Even without VPNs, the Internet is rapidly becoming congested and there is a need for new private and privileged networks existing as sub-networks within the Internet. Such privileged networks would provide enhanced network service to organizations for effectively continuing to do business over the Internet by offering privileged routes over the Internet, which are reserved for selective subscribers. Therefore, there is a need for improved network transactions which offer alternatives to traditional VPN and related technologies and which provide privilege networks.


An exercise machine is intended for use in developing the muscles of arms, legs and waist, and is composed of a base, a movable plate, a damping mechanism, driving mechanism, a seat, and a grip. The damping mechanism comprises a plurality of elastic members for providing adjustably the exercise machine with various damping effects. The driving mechanism comprises a traction cable which is fastened at one end thereof with the grip and at another end thereof with the slide member so as to enable the user of the exercise machine to do various exercises.

As shown in FIG. 1, a rowing exercise machine 1 of the prior art is composed of a base 2, two pedals 3 fastened pivotally with one end of the base 2, two oil-pressure rods 4 fastened pivotally at one end thereof with the base 2, two slide rods 5 fastened pivotally with the oil-pressure rods 4 such that the slide rods 5 are slidable on the base 2, and a seat 6 fastened with another end of the base 2 such that the seat 6 is opposite to the pedals 3. The rowing exercise is brought about by a person who is seated on the seat 6, with his or her hands holding the slide rods 4 and with his or her feet pressing against the pedals 3. In other words, the rowing exercise machine 1 of the prior art is intended for use by a person to develop the muscles of arms and legs of the person.
Such a prior art rowing exercise machine as described above is defective in design in that the damping effect of the oil-pressure rods 4 can not be adjusted to suit the physical conditions of an exerciser. As a result, the prior art rowing exercise machine is rather limited in use.

8F-14, No. 16, Lane 609, Sec. 5, Chung Hsin Rd., Sanchung


A flow injection analytical apparatus which is capable of continuously performing flow analysis of a sample, produces precipitates during the flow through a capillary. The precipitation separation type continuous flow analytical apparatus has a sample injection portion, a reagent addition portion and an analytical portion which are integrally communicated by a measurement pipeline to form a measurement system. A precipitant addition portion and a filtration portion are provided between the sample injection portion and the reagent addition portion in order to continuously perform production and filtration of precipitates during flow of the sample solution to the reagent addition portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates a continuous flow analytical apparatus for performing precipitation of a target component or impurities, separation of precipitates and analysis of a sample solution in flow injection analysis (referred to as "FI analysis" or "continuous flow analysis" hereinafter) for continuously analyzing the sample solution while flowing it through the capillary. The present invention also relates to a method of determining the amount of thiourea, while precipitating and separating impurities, in a copper electrolyte, on the basis of flow injection analysis (referred to as "FI analysis" or "continuous flow analysis" hereinafter) for continuously analyzing a sample solution while flowing it through a capillary.
2. Discussion of the Background
FI analysis is known in which a sample solution flowing through a capillary is introduced into an analytical portion after a reagent is added to the sample solution, to analyze a target component. An example is a method of measuring impurity concentrations in an electrolyte on the basis of FI analysis in which a buffer is added to a zinc electrolyte as a sample solution flowing through a capillary, reagents which are colored by Co ions and Cu ions in the solution are added to the solution, the sample solution is then introduced into a spectroscopic analyzer for measuring the absorbance of the solution, and the Co ion concentration and Cu ion concentration are determined from the absorbance (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-32764).
FI analysis has the advantages that a relatively small amount of sample can be precisely analyzed, and that addition of reagents and analysis can be carried out continuously, while flowing a sample solution through a capillary. Therefore, FI analysis is used in various fields. On the other hand, FI analysis requires preparation of a sample solution which produces no precipitate and uses reagents which produce no precipitate, as precipitates cause blocking of the capillary, in order to analyze the sample solution while flowing it through a capillary. Therefore, FI analysis is unsuitable for analysis of a sample solution which easily produces precipitates. Furthermore, when analysis must be performed after a target component or impurities are precipitated and separated, preliminary precipitation out of the system is required. In such a case, the advantages of continuous measurement are lost.
A copper electrolyte generally contains thiourea and glue or gelation added for stabilizing the properties of an electrodeposited metal. The state of electrodeposition is significantly affected by the concentration of these additive. Therefore, determination of these additives is important for controlling operation.
Several conventional methods are known for determining thiourea. An example is a method comprising measuring absorbance by using an iodine-starch solution as a color reagent, and determining the amount of thiourea on the basis of the amount of iodine consumed by the thiourea (Bulletin of the Mining Society of Japan/88 1007 ('72-1) pp.40-44). This method has the advantage of high measurement precision, but is labor intensive due to complicated control of the pH, reaction temperature and time. Since the concentration of an additive, such as thiourea, added to a copper electrolyte changes with time according to the pH, solution temperature and reaction time in the pretreatment process, quantitative analysis must be rapidly and precisely carried out under constant conditions. For example, thiourea in a solution immediately decomposes in the presence of copper and sulfuric acid to produce formidine disulfate, making it impossible to precisely and quantitatively measure the concentration.
A quantitative method is known in which this problem is solved by using FI analysis. In this method, a buffer, an iodine solution and a starch solution are added to a sample solution containing a copper electrolyte while flowing the sample solution through a capillary. The solution colored by the iodine-starch reaction is sent to an absorbance meter to determine the amount of thiourea (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-258879). This method has the advantage that addition of the reagents, coloring reaction and measurement of absorbance are performed continuously during the flow of the sample solution through the capillary, and thus the amount of thiourea can be determined within a short period of time. However, this method has the problem that the metal ions in the copper electrolyte must be removed in advance. Since the copper electrolyte contains trace amounts of reducing metal ions, such as iron, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, selenium, tin, tellurium, lead, etc., these ions react with the iodine, and therefore these metal ions must removed ahead of time in order to carry out the measurement by FI analysis. However, since FI analysis is performed by analyzing a sample solution while flowing it through a capillary, if precipitates are carelessly produced in removal of these metal ions, measurement might be impossible due to blocking of the capillary.
In the above conventional measurement method, ferric or/and lanthanum ions are initially added to the sample solution out of the system, to produce precipitates of metal impurities, and the precipitates are filtered off before the sample solution is used. As a result, the advantage of FI analysis, that continuous analysis can be made within a short period of time, significantly deteriorates.
The present invention solves the above problems of conventional FI analysis.

Precipitation separation type continuous flow analytical apparatus and quantitative analysis of thiourea in copper electrolyte


An assembling member disposed on a heatsink fan in pairs for detachably disposing the heatsink fan on a fixed frame is provided. The assembling member includes a jointing part and an operating part. The jointing part matches with the fixed frame, and extends a plurality of fastening pins capable of being hooked at the assembly holes of the heatsink fan. The operating part is extended from one end of the jointing part, and passed and grasped by human fingers, so as to hook the jointing part on the heatsink fan. Thus, the heatsink fan is mounted on the fixed frame only by hooking the operating part through human fingers.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an assembling member, and more particularly to an assembling member jointed to a heatsink fan frame and used for assembling a heatsink fan on a fixed frame.
2. Related Art
With the rapid development of high-tech industries such as computer information and the wide expansion of the application range, the requirements for data processing speed of electronic elements within the computer, such as Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Hard Disk Drive (HDD) are correspondingly increased. The volume of the electronic element tends to be miniaturized, and the intensity per unit area is increasingly higher. As the calculation speed of the computer increases, the heat generated by the relevant electronic elements also increases. If the heat is not dissipated in time, the temperature becomes excessively high, thus electron ionization, heat stress and the like occur for the electronic elements, thereby severely influencing the stability and efficiency of computer operation, and reducing the life time of the electronic element. Therefore, a heatsink fan must be mounted within the computer, in order to dissipate heats for electronic elements in the computer and reduce the temperature.
A conventional heatsink fan has a fixing hole on each of the four corners respectively, and the heatsink fan is locked on the computer case by passing screws through the fixing holes. When the heatsink fan is maintained or assembled, the screws must be detached one by one, which is rather complicated and time-consuming. Especially, as for the computer equipments used in industry, such as server/work station, there is large number of electronic elements, and the heat generated therein is far higher than that of a common personal computer (PC), such that a plurality of heatsink fans must be assembled for heat dissipation. If the heatsink fans are fixed with screws, the assembling process is more time-consuming as the number of screws significantly increases. When the heatsink fans need to be maintained and replaced, the operation of the server must be stopped and the whole server must be detached, thereby influencing the operation efficiency of the server.
In order to solve the above problem, a fixing device for fixing a fan within a base of an electronic device is disclosed in Publication No. M285896 of Taiwan Patent Gazette filed on Jan. 11, 2005 and entitled Mounting Apparatus for Fans, wherein a fixing part is mounted on the fan to fix the fan on a mounting frame of the base. The fixing part is provided with an operating part and a stopper respectively, wherein the stopper is clipped to a clipping hole corresponding to the mounting frame to be fixed on the mounting frame. If the fan is intended to be detached, it only needs to press the two operating parts internally to generate a flexible deformation, such that the stopper of the fixing part is disengaged from the clipping hole of the mounting frame, and then the operating parts are pulled upwards, thus, the fan is detached from the mounting frame and it can be taken out without any other tools.
As for the fan fixing device disclosed in Taiwan Patent No. M285896, although the complicated process for assembling the heatsink fan is simplified, and the assembling and detaching time for mounting or replacing the heatsink fans is reduced, there are still some inconveniences in mounting the heatsink fan. The restriction lies in that, the specification of the fixing part for the heatsink fan must be matched with that of the heatsink fan, otherwise, the heatsink fan cannot be fixed on the fixing part smoothly. The tolerance error generated during the manufacturing process also becomes a factor for negatively influencing the mounting of the heatsink fan, and if the specification of the heatsink fan and the mounting part are not matched with each other, the two cannot be jointed and fixed with each other.
Another problem of the fan fixing device disclosed in the prior art lies in that, the appearance of the fixing part is a symmetric rectangular structure, and the appearance of the heatsink fan is similar to that of the fixing part, thus, when a user fixes the heatsink fan on the fixing part, he/she must focus on the mounting direction of the heatsink fan, that is, if the end surface of the heatsink fan having blades is disposed towards a wrong direction, the heat dissipation effect cannot be achieved at all.
The fan fixing device in the prior art has a mounting part directly protruding from the fixing part to be fitted with the fixing hole of the heatsink fan. However, since the fixing part has no space for flexible adjustment, the mounting part is not easily detached from the fixing hole, and the fixing part is tightly jointed with the operating part, such that the flexibility margin of the fixing part is poor. As a result, when the heatsink fan is displaced or maintained, a lot of time is wasted on detaching the fan fixing device fixed on the heatsink fan, and if a force is applied improperly, the fixing part of the fan fixing device is likely to be broken and damaged, which is quite inconvenient.


A rupture resistant system is provided and comprises a tank comprising a top member, a combined body member, the combined body member forming a side and bottom of the tank, the combined body member comprising at least one curved non-linear surface to define a partially curved interior in at least a portion of the tank; and a component situated within the tank and susceptible to creating increasing pressure within the tank when under a fault condition. At least one of the top, sidewall, and bottom members is connected to another of the top, sidewall, and bottom members in a manner so as to cause an increase in inner volume of the tank under increased pressure conditions.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to transformers, and, more particularly, to a rupture resistant system for transformers that is capable of creating additional volume under increased pressure conditions to mitigate hazards.
The subject matter disclosed herein also relates generally to transformers, and, more particularly, to a containment system for transformers that provides safer pressure relief under excessive pressure conditions.
Transformer failures result in sudden generation of gases, which increase the pressure inside the transformer tank. Catastrophic rupture of a transformer can occur when the pressure generated by the gases exceeds the transformer's rupture pressure. Such ruptures may result in releasing gases and liquids, which can pose a hazard to the surroundings and pollute the environment.


An electronic device includes a housing with electrical circuitry that is sealed against penetration by dust, moisture, water, and the like, and permits convenient mounting and reconfiguration during operation. The electronic device can be reconfigured to add or delete a connecting plug and cable without compromising the seal. Mounting brackets are provided for mounting to both horizontal and vertical support structures, depending on orientation of the brackets.

Electronic devices can provide convenient network access to connected platforms, such as computers. The electronic devices can include, for example, network connection devices such as routers, access points, switches, bridges, and the like. Such network connection devices typically include at least one input port, for hardwired connection with a connecting cable (e.g. "Ethernet" cable) between the device and a network source. The network connection devices can have the ability to communicate with user devices (clients) via wireless communication. User devices can then connect to the electronic device by wireless communication in accordance with network standards, such as the 802.11x family of wireless protocols promulgated by the IEEE, commonly referred to as "WiFi". Thus, wireless network connection devices permit a network to be implemented without great expenditure on infrastructure at the point of deployment, and client devices can easily be added and deleted from the network. Wireless network connection devices are becoming increasingly popular because of the greater convenience in network connection management and deployment.
Wireless network connection devices are increasingly desired for outdoor deployment. This is especially the case for providing public access to networks. Mobile users, such as those with laptop computers, smart cell phones with Web access, and the like, can come into an area with public access and connect to the Internet wirelessly. Unfortunately, wireless connection devices that are intended for outdoor deployment are generally much more expensive than corresponding devices intended only for indoor deployment. The outdoor devices are generally sealed against penetration by dust, water, and moisture, and are characterized as weather-proof or weather-tight. Outdoor devices generally include fittings comprising special plugs and caps that cover the ends of connecting cables and protect the hardwired connections from the outside environment. This makes them generally more complicated to install and service. Because of the special configuration of weather-tight devices, they can be relatively difficult to reconfigure during operation and can be difficult to mount for proper communication. For example, some measure of disassembly may be required to make a hardwired connection or otherwise reconfigure the devices, and clamps and other mounting mechanisms may need to be dismantled for reconfiguration. A variety of other electronic devices could also benefit from easier outdoor deployment, mounting, and reconfiguration, including devices associated with telephony, video data, satellite communications, and the like.
The discussion above shows there is a need for electronic devices adapted for outdoor deployment while still providing flexibility in operation, mounting, and reconfiguration. The present invention satisfies this need.

Electronic device with weather-tight housing


A high strength disposable debris bundling device including a sheet-like main body having a plurality of drawstrings running generally parallel and in spaced relation through separate channels associated with the wrap. The drawstrings preferably comprise elongate flexible thin rope or cord-like structures that run through hem channels formed in the wrap and function to compact and secure the debris in bundle with the wrap disposed in surrounding relation therewith. Providing at least two drawstrings allows the wrap to be pulled tightly around the debris and secured in contoured surrounding relation therewith. The wrap preferably has a width of between approximately 3.0 feet and 5.0 feet. Handles are provided to assist in handling the wrapped debris bundle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices for lawn debris and trash collection and disposal, and more particularly to a disposable plastic debris wrap having a plurality of drawstrings for securing lawn debris and trash in an easy to handle bundled configuration.
2. Description of Related Art
Yard debris, such as leaves and tree trimmings, is typically collected and placed in plastic trash bags for removal and disposal. Trash bags are typically fabricated from lightweight plastic and may include an opening adapted with a drawstring that provides a means for closing the bag. There are, however, a number of disadvantages present with the use of conventional trash bags. One primary disadvantage with the use of conventional trash bags relates to size. More particularly, yard debris often includes long branches or limbs that simply will not fit within the confines of a conventional trash bag. As a result the user must spend additional time and energy cutting the limbs and branches down to a suitable size. Another disadvantage relates to placing the debris into conventional trash bags. The use of conventional trash bags for disposal of yard debris requires that the debris be gathered, lifted, and placed in the bag. Conventional trash bags are typically held with one hand and filled with the other, or may be temporarily placed in a garbage barrel and filled.
As a result of such difficulties, people often forego the use of conventional trash bags and simply bundle branches and limbs using twine or cord. Furthermore, a growing number of cities, municipalities, and waste collection companies encourage bundling of yard debris, and many such entities have adopted waste collection rules that require tree trimmings and branches to be bundled prior to collection and disposal. Waste collection rules commonly limit the size of debris bundles to approximately 4.0 feet in length, and about 40.0 pounds in weight.
The background art reveals a number of devices structured to assist in the collection and disposal of tree trimmings, branches, and other lawn and garden debris. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0183690 A1 issued to Schoenig et al., discloses a planar bag material containment system having a flexible layer for collecting lawn debris and the like. The device includes flaps secured about the perimeter of the material, and a zipper for enclosing the contents. The device further includes handles and pull straps placed externally on the material for securing the load. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0184239 A1 issued to Mallory describes an yard waste storage and disposal system which includes a biodegradable web material having a net attached thereto, along with plurality of longitudinal and lateral net lengths which are twisted, knotted, or woven together. The net is made from jute twine, cord, rope or other biodegradable material. The net includes freely extending ties around the outside of the web, and the net apparatus is glued to the web.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,183 issued to Parody illustrates trash collecting device having a flexible fabric or plastic sheet material with ties or strings placed about the perimeter, along with side flaps and ties. Opposite sides of the sheet are made rigid by inserting removable sticks or rods through channel members formed along the edges. The channels can be formed doubling over the edges and sealing, through heat application or adhesive. U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,980 issued to Tierney discloses a flexible composting mat for aerating organic material and yard debris, the mat having netting and handles. A pull handle is incorporated around the outside perimeter to tighten the mat and load into a bag-like configuration. The drawstring can be attached through a channel formed in the periphery. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0120692 A1 issued to Kim discloses a leaf collection woven mesh net of biodegradable fiber material. The device includes stake means, along with a continuous pulling strand extending about the outer perimeter of the net.
While the devices disclosed in the background art are generally acceptable for certain applications, there remains a need for further advancements in the art of debris collection and disposal.

Disposable yard debris bundling device with drawstrings


A method of making a heterogenously supported catalyst useful in dimerization, oligomerization or polymerization is provided in which a catalyst precursor containing a metal and an aromatic group are alkylated onto an oligomeric support having at least one terminal unsaturated group by Friedel Crafts alkylation.

Dimerization of olefins is well known and industrially useful. In particular, dimerization of 2-methylpropene to produce 2,4,4-trimethylpentene, commonly called isooctane, is a well known and useful reaction because the product can be used for gasoline reformulation. Branched saturated hydrocarbons, such as isooctane, have a high octane number, low volatility and do not contain sulfur or aromatics, and are, therefore, particularly useful for improving gasoline and making it more environmentally friendly. Dimerization of linear olefins also represents an attractive route for the production of high octane number blending components. The branched species, however, may also contribute to engine deposits. Thus, in some instances the lower octane number of products of dimerization of linear olefins may be offset by lower engine deposits.
Branched saturated hydrocarbons can be produced in different ways, e.g. by alkylation of olefins with isoparaffins and by dimerization of light olefins, in some instances followed by hydrogenation. Alkylation of 2-methylpropene (isobutene) with isobutane directly produces isooctane, and the dimerization reaction of 2-methylpropene produces 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene and 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentene, amongst other products.
Use of ionic liquids for dimerization and/or oligomerization of olefins is well known, including for example, the processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,304,615; 5,731,101; 6,706,936; 6,518,473 and 7,351,780, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Ionic liquids make an ideal solvent because they have very low volatility, and do not evaporate or burn very easily, resulting in safer processes. Also, the low melting point and negligible vapor pressure lead to a wide liquid range often exceeding 100 degrees C. (unlike the hundred degree Celsius range limit found for liquid water). Another advantage is that chemical and physical properties of ionic liquids can be "tuned" by selecting different anion and cation combinations, and different ionic liquids can be mixed together to make binary or ternary ionic liquids. It is even possible to have ionic liquid solvents that also function as catalysts or co-catalysts in reactions.
Perhaps the most important benefit of using ionic liquids in various reactions is simplified separation of the products. Most ionic liquids are polar, and hence non-polar products—like isooctane and octane—are immiscible therein. The biphasic process allows separation of the products by decantation and reuse of the catalysts. Further, the fact that the product is not miscible in the solvent, also tends to drive the reaction.
It is known that catalysts may be either heterogeneous or homogenous catalysts. Homogeneous catalysts act by reacting within a single phase, and the catalyst is not supported. While a reaction involving a homogenous catalyst may result in a narrow weight distribution of products, it may be unfavorable because it can be difficult to separate the product from the reactants.
Heterogenous catalysts act by reacting at the boundary of two phases (such as a solid-liquid phase). While heterogeneous catalysts may be less selective than homogenous catalysts, they are advantageous in that the products are easier to separate and can offer a continuous manufacturing process. It would be advantageous therefore, to have a catalyst that provides the separability of a heterogenous catalyst with the ease of synthesis that can be achieved with ionic liquids.
It would be desirable, therefore, to utilize ionic liquids to attach oligomerization catalysts onto a solid support, thus providing an oligomerization catalyst system and reaction process useful in fixed bed reactors and which is readily used in a refinery environment.

Heterogeneous supports for homogeneous catalysts


A resonator 20 as an example of a laminated ceramic electronic component includes a first dielectric layer 22a. Two long and narrow holes (grooves) 24a and 24b are formed in the first dielectric layer 22a. A quadrangular cylindrical inner conductor 26 as a pattern electrode is formed in the vicinity of the holes 24a and 24b of the first dielectric layer 22a and inside the holes 24a and 24b. A second dielectric layer 22b and a first earth electrode 32a are formed on the first dielectric layer 22a. A third dielectric layer 22c, a second earth electrode 32b and a fourth dielectric layer 22d are formed under the first dielectric layer 22a.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laminated ceramic electronic component and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a laminated ceramic electronic component such as a resonator, a filter, an inductor, a delay line, a coupler or the like having a pattern electrode such as an inner conductor and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 19 is an exploded front view showing an example of a conventional resonator which is in the background of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is a sectional illustrative view showing an essential portion thereof. The resonator 1 shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 includes a first dielectric layer 2a. A band-shaped inner conductor 3 as a pattern electrode is formed on one main surface of the first dielectric layer 2a. Furthermore, a second dielectric layer 2b is formed on one main surface of the first dielectric layer 2a so as to cover the inner conductor 3. A first earth electrode 4a is formed on the second dielectric layer 2b so as to oppose the inner conductor 3. Also, a second earth electrode 4b is formed on the other main surface of the first dielectric layer 2a so as to oppose the inner conductor 3. Furthermore, a third dielectric layer 2c is formed on the other main surface of the first dielectric layer 2a so as to cover the second earth electrode 4b. Thus, a strip line is formed of the first and the second dielectric layers 2a and 2b, the inner conductor 3, and the first and the second earth electrodes 4a and 4b.
Conductive paste to form the inner conductor is printed on one main surface of a first ceramic green sheet so as to form a thick film thereon Conductive paste to form each of the earth electrodes is printed on each one main surface of second and third ceramic green sheets so as to form a thick film thereon. Then, the second and the third ceramic green sheets are laminated on both main surfaces of the first ceramic green sheet, these ceramic green sheets and so on are bonded by pressing, sintered and so on, thereby the resonator 1 shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 is formed.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional filter which is in the background of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view thereof. The filter 10 includes a first dielectric layer 11a. Two band-shaped inner conductors 12a and 12b as pattern electrodes are formed in parallel with each other at an interval on one main surface of the first dielectric layer 11a. The inner conductors 12a and 12b are electromagnetically coupled with each other. Furthermore, a second dielectric layer 11b is formed on one main surface of the first dielectric layer 11a so as to cover the inner conductors 12a and 12b. Two capacitor electrodes 13a and 13b are formed on the second dielectric layer 11b. Furthermore, a third dielectric layer 11c is formed on the second dielectric layer 11b so as to cover the capacitor electrodes 13a and 13b. Two capacitor electrodes 13c and 13d are formed on the third dielectric layer 11c so as to oppose the two capacitor electrodes 13a and 13b. Furthermore, a fourth dielectric layer 11d is formed on the third dielectric layer 11c so as to cover the capacitor electrodes 13c and 13d. A first earth electrode 14a is formed on the fourth dielectric layer 11d. Also, two capacitor electrodes 13e and 13f are formed on the other main surface of the first dielectric layer 11a. Furthermore, a fifth dielectric layer 11e is formed on the other main surface of the first dielectric layer 11a so as to cover the capacitor electrodes 13e and 13f. A second earth electrode 14b is formed under the fifth dielectric layer 11e so as to oppose the two capacitor electrodes 13e and 13f. Furthermore, a sixth dielectric layer 11f is formed under the fifth dielectric layer 11e so as to cover the second earth electrode 14b.
Six outer electrodes 15a through 15f are formed on side surfaces of the first through the sixth dielectric layers 11a through 11f. The outer electrodes 15a and 15d are connected with the capacitor electrodes 13c and 13d, respectively. The outer electrodes 15a and 15d are used as input/output terminals. The outer electrode 15b is connected with one end of the inner conductor 12a and the capacitor electrodes 13a and 13e. The outer electrode 15c is connected with one end of the inner conductor 12b and the capacitor electrodes 13b and 13f. The outer electrodes 15e and 15f are connected with the first and the second earth electrodes 14a and 14b. The outer electrodes 15e and 15f are used as earth terminals.
Thus, in the filter 10 shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, a resonator consisting of a strip line is formed of the first through the fifth dielectric layers 11a through 11e, the inner conductor 12a, and the first and the second earth electrodes 14a and 14b, and another resonator consisting of another strip line is formed of the first through fifth dielectric layers 11a through 11e, the inner conductor 12b, and the first and the second earth electrodes 14a and 14b. In this case, since the inner conductors 12a and 12b are electromagnetically coupled with each other, the two resonators are also electromagnetically coupled with each other. Furthermore, in the filter 10, each capacitor is formed between the capacitor electrodes 13a and 13c, between the capacitor electrodes 13b and 13d, between the capacitor electrode 13e and the second earth electrode 14b, and between the capacitor electrode 13f and the second earth electrode 14b. Accordingly, the filter 10 has an equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 23.
Conductive paste to form the inner conductors is printed on one main surface of a ceramic green sheet so as to form a thick film thereon. Conductive paste to form the capacitor electrodes is printed on each one main surface of the other ceramic green sheets so as to form a thick film thereon. Furthermore, conductive paste to form the earth electrodes is printed on each one main surface of the other ceramic green sheets so as to form a thick film thereon. Then, these ceramic green sheets and so on are laminated, bonded by pressing, sintered and so on, thereby the filter 10 shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 is formed.
However, in the resonator 1 shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, since the inner conductor 3 is formed by printing conductive paste so as to form a thick film, the thickness t (shown in FIG. 20) of the inner conductor 3 is as small as about 10 .mu.m. Therefore, in the resonator 1, the resistance component and the ohmic loss of the inner conductor 3 as a pattern electrode are large, and Q is small.
Similarly, in the filter 10 shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, since the inner conductors 12a and 12b are formed by printing conductive paste so as to form a thick film, each thickness of the inner conductors 12a and 12b is as small as about 10 .mu.m. Therefore, in the filter 10, each resistance component and each ohmic loss of the inner conductors as pattern electrodes are large, each Q of the resonators is small, and the insertion loss is large.

Laminated ceramic electronic component with a quadrangular inner conductor and a method for manufacturing the same