A method for constructing object-local sampling histories for efficient path tracing. The present invention provides a technique for efficiently producing computer generated two-dimensional synthetic images of three-dimensional scenes. Objects within in the scene (10) are assigned packs (30,36) containing one or more elements (32,38). For light reflective objects (19,O1), each element (32) of the object's pack (30) represents a region of the object's reflection hemisphere (30) through which incident light is equally likely to be reflected. For light transmissive objects (19,O1), the elements (32) represent analogous regions of equal transmission. For light emitting objects (L1), each element (38) of the object's pack (36) represents a region of equal light emission probability. In a recursive ray or path tracing algorithm, the pack (30,26) of each object (O1,L1) is interrogated to provide unused elements (32a,38a) corresponding to directional regions for sending transmitted (T1) or reflected (R1) backward-going rays, or for emitting illumination rays (I1 ). As each unused element (32a,38a) of an object's pack (30,36) is used, that element is marked as unavailable (32b,38b) until are elements are marked, when all elements are then unmarked (32a,38a) and the element selection process continues. The methods of the present invention insure that rays are directed through the scene in an image synthesis algorithm in directions most important for scene reconstruction, but ensuring that full coverage of all directions is maintained.

The present invention is a method for efficiently producing computer generated two-dimensional synthetic images of three-dimensional scenes. Computer graphics research has explored a variety of techniques for the creation of realistic, yet simulated images. In this context, a realistic image would be an image indistinguishable from a photograph of a real, three-dimensional scene. As research has progressed, the continual inclusion of more and more features of real scenes within image generation algorithms (features such as opacity, surface textures, soft shadows) has led to increasingly realistic images.
One of the first successful image synthesis approaches started with the basic physics of lens design. To design and investigate lens properties, one often plots the path taken by rays of light starting at a light source, which then pass through the lens to a focal point. The process of following the light rays is called ray tracing. However, when first developed, the method of ray tracing were computationally intensive and impractical for existing computer resources. Instead, other methods were explored to handle the various different components of image synthesis, such as reflections, shadows, motion blur of fast-moving objects, etc. However, most of these other techniques worked only for special cases and were not easily combined together. Hence, synthetic images might have shadows, but no transparent objects, or reflections but no motion blur.
As increasingly powerful and inexpensive computers evolved, ray tracing algorithms received greater attention. Simulating the actual physics of image generation, through substantial numbers of calculations, became practical and attractive for image synthesis. The methods of ray-tracing algorithms have been augmented with powerful techniques for handling many different kinds of optical phenomena. Current ray-tracing techniques are relatively simple, elegant and easily implemented.
Ray tracing starts with a few basic elements: a three-dimensional scene lit by one or more light sources, a viewing screen comprising an array of pixel elements (a window onto the scene), and a hypothetical viewing eye which looks out on the scene through the viewing screen. The goal of any image synthesis technique is to correctly color each pixel of the viewing screen such that looking at the screen from the vantage of the hypothetical eye would recreate the original three-dimensional scene as closely as possible.
If one uses the actual physics of image generation to trace rays (termed "forward ray tracing"), light emerging from the light sources strikes various objects and boundaries within the scene, often a number of times. Some of the light is absorbed, some is reflected away from the viewing screen, and some light actual strikes the screen through a pixel and enters the eye. This method of forward ray tracing, while it may seen the intuitively correct way to regenerate the scene, is prohibitively difficult and expensive to implement. The problem is that too many of the light rays generated by the light sources are useless: they never manage to reflect off of or pass through surfaces in exactly the way needed to pass through a pixel into the eye. Most of the computational time would be spent examining these useless light rays.
As generally implemented, ray tracing is really backward ray tracing, whereby a backward-going ray from the hypothetical viewing eye passes through a pixel on the viewing screen and strikes an object within the scene to be rendered. By working backwards, one asks the question: "if a ray of light went through this pixel into the eye, from where did it come and what color is it?" Having found the first surface which the backward ray struck, one wants the description of all light striking that point on that surface and then how the incident light is affected by the particular surface characteristics of the struck object. The combined light illumination of the object then can be passed back along the original ray through the particular pixel into the viewer's eye, allowing the pixel to be appropriately shaded. Of course, the different intensities, directions, colors and origins of the light striking the point on the object's surface is infinite; path tracing seeks to sample the light coming from different sources efficiently so that a few samples can replace exhaustively looking at all light rays, while still recovering enough useful information to construct a close estimate of the scene's photometry.
Ray tracing methods are recursive: to find the illumination at a particular object's surface struck by the first backward ray, other backward rays are sent from the object. These rays might strike light sources, providing direct illumination of the surface, or might strike other objects, providing indirect reflected and transmitted light. There are two important problems faced by ray tracing methods. First, because backward-going rays can be continued indefinitely one needs a way of determining when the estimated light incident on a surface is reliable within a certain confidence range. The requirement can be extended to determining when enough rays have been sent through each pixel onto the scene to accurately color each pixel. Both statistical methods and screen-based, pixel assignment algorithms have been implemented to determine when to end each set of ray traces.
As in any form of signal processing, image-synthesis algorithms are also bothered by aliasing effects. Thus, the second principal problem facing ray tracing methods occurs when high-frequency elements in the scene masquerade (or alias) as lower frequency artifacts. A familiar example of aliasing is the moire patterns which occur when numerous thin stripes are viewed on the regular pixel arrays of a television screen, and create broader, lower-frequency stripes. If samples (or backward rays) are taken periodically across the screen at some regular spatial frequency, objects having higher spatial frequencies either can be missed entirely or create aliasing artifacts at lower spatial frequencies.
One technique for reducing aliasing effects in synthetic images (called distributed ray tracing) sends the backward rays from the screen in a Poisson distributed pattern. The random allocation of rays to spatial points on the screen helps to convert regular aliasing artifacts to noise, which is much more acceptable to the human visual system. Dithering and jittering method have been used with some success to randomly sample the image space. The same techniques are also employed in the other dimensions of image synthesis, such as the dimensions of time and light frequency. These methods are principally screen-based, that is, they approach the problem by adequately sampling the screen with backward-going rays distributed randomly in space, time and color.
As discussed above, the backward rays strike objects in the scene to find how to accurately shade that point. To do so, the methods must estimate the total incident light at that point. But incident light combines in a non-uniform way depending upon reflection and transmission functions; the methods attempt to nonuniformly sample the incident light, while at the same time cover the entire reflection and transmission hemispheres, to ensure that there are no large gaps in the sampled regions.
As an example of distributed ray tracing methods, a pixel may be shaded by sending n backward-going rays (or eye rays) through the pixel; each eye ray in the pixel receives a number from 1 to n. When ray number k intersects an object, it needs to generate one or more reflection rays (to sample light that reflected from another object and into the eye). The direction of each of these rays is generally taken from the k.sup.th entry of prototype list or template of n direction ranges. Then the exact direction is randomly selected from within that range. A similar process is followed for the transmitted rays. The idea is that when all n rays have been shot, all n regions of the reflection (and transmission) hemisphere will have been sampled. Of course, not all n eye rays will necessarily strike the same object location, so that only some of each location's particular hemisphere will be sampled.
Path tracing presents an alternative to distributed ray tracing, in which in addition to a ray sent to each of the light sources, only one further backward-going ray is sent from an object struck by the first ray. Based on some choice algorithm, the next ray may either be a reflection ray or a transmission ray. The method attempts to save on computational resources by focusing most effort on the early rays (i.e., the initial eye rays and shadow rays) and less on the second, third, etc. rays which bounce from object to object and contribute much less to the final image. Path tracing attempts to sample the reflection and transmission hemispheres as a natural result of many paths arriving at the object. The direction of each sample is chosen from a single reflection function maintained over the lifetime of all eye rays sent from a given pixel.
Both distributed ray tracing and path tracing, as practiced in the prior art, include a shared simplification: the reflectance and transmittance functions are assumed to be the same for all objects in the scene, and thus for all materials as well. The prior art, by picking directions in which to send transmission and reflection rays by reference to a common template list, risks inadequate sampling at the level of individual objects. Further, the directional sampling loses any of the reflection and transmission characteristics peculiar to each surface, since it refers only to a scene-wide template. Distributed ray tracing records the history of shot rays almost entirely at the screen; all previous sampling is forgotten when a new pixel is started. Path tracing uses a global history mechanism, whereby all rays are steered throughout the scene in accordance with a predetermined distribution. In both methods, object-specific reflectance and transmission distributions are ignored.
An improved method of sampling scene information of image synthesis should provide techniques for thoroughly sampling image characteristics in a practical amount of computational time. The method should account for object-specific distributions of reflectance and transmission and for light-source variations. In addition, the method should ensure that a full distribution of image information appropriate for each object can be sampled, without undue waste. The practical and efficient creation of accurate synthetic images from a wider, more realistic range of object and lighting characteristics provided by such a method would satisfy a long felt need within the computer image synthesis community.

Object-local sampling histories for efficient path tracing


A processor includes a process identifier unit to assign process identifiers to one or more processes executed by the processor. The processor also includes an error detector to detect errors in the processor and an error posting unit to post process identifiers and error information associated with the detected errors.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to handling errors in a processor.
Single bit upsets or errors from transient faults have emerged as a key challenge in microprocessor design. These faults arise from energetic particles—such as neutrons from cosmic rays and alpha particles from packaging material—generating electron-hole pairs as they pass through a semiconductor device. Transistor source and diffusion nodes can collect these charges. A sufficient amount of accumulated charge may change the state of a logic device—such as a static random access memory (SRAM) cell, a latch, or a gate—thereby introducing a logical error into the operation of an electronic circuit. Because this type of error does not reflect a permanent failure of the device, it is termed a soft or transient error.
Soft errors become an increasing burden for microprocessor designers as the number of on-chip transistors continues to grow. The raw error rate per latch or SRAM bit may be projected to remain roughly constant or decrease slightly for the next several technology generations. Thus, unless error protection mechanisms are added or more robust technology (such as fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator) is used, a microprocessor's soft error rate may grow in proportion to the number of devices added to semiconductor devices in each succeeding generation.
Bit errors may be classified based on their impact and the ability to detect and correct them. Some bit errors may be classified as "benign errors" because they are not read, do not matter, or they can be corrected before they are used. The most insidious form of error is silent data corruption, where an error is not detected and induces the system to generate erroneous outputs. To avoid silent data corruption, designers often employ error detection mechanisms, such as parity. Error correction techniques may also be employed to fix detected errors, although such techniques cannot be applied in all situations. The ability to detect an error but not correct it may avoid generating incorrect outputs (by shutting down the affected processes before incorrect outputs are generated), but it may not provide a mechanism to recover and continue executing the affected processes when such an error occurs. Errors in this category may be called detected unrecoverable errors (DUE, or DUE errors, or DUE events).
DUE errors may be further subdivided according to whether the DUE error results in the operating system and/or another mechanism killing one or more user processes that were impacted by the error or whether the DUE error results in crashing the entire machine, including all of its processes, to prevent data corruption. The first type may be called a "process-kill DUE" error. The second type may be called a "system-kill DUE" error. A process-kill DUE is preferable over a system-kill DUE because a process-kill DUE allows the system to continue running and servicing the processes not affected by the error.
To address soft errors introduced by transient faults, microprocessor designers may include a variety of error protection features. Examples of protection features that may be used are parity, error correcting code (ECC), cyclic redundancy checking (CRC), lockstepping, radiation-hardened cells, and silicon-on insulator manufacturing technology.
Error protection features may also be included in software. Some software programs may involve extremely complex computations that may run for weeks or months on even the fastest available computers. To reduce the impact of hardware errors (that may crash programs or entire systems), some programs may implement error recovery techniques, such as application-level checkpointing, to avoid losing all their intermediate computations if the program or system crashes before the final computations are completed. Checkpointing may be added to an application program or process so that the program periodically saves its own state. Then if an error, such as a process-kill DUE, results in the application program or process being killed, halted, or shut down, recovery may be made by restarting execution of the application program or process from the checkpoint.
Upon encountering a process-kill DUE error, conventional computer systems inform the operating system, which may have no option but to kill the program(s) affected by the error. Unfortunately, conventional computer systems do not provide a way for a hardware error, such as a process-kill DUE, to be vectored back to an application-level process to allow the application program to trigger or handle its own recovery. Thus, when an application program crashes, valuable computing time may be lost waiting for a user to intervene and restart the program.
A need thus exists to vector process-kill errors to an application program.

Vectoring process-kill errors to an application program


An apparatus and method enables a synthetic fiber tow of indeterminate length passed through a break drawframe to be converted to relatively short spinnable staple length fibers in the form of sliver. During passing through the drawframe, a concentrated beam of energy, illustrated as being a laser beam is swept across the tow by a rotating mirror and in the course of doing so, effectively cuts the tow fibers where struck by the laser beam. In one embodiment the laser beam stays on while sweeping across the width of the tow and then repeats that cycle in a succeeding section of tow. In another embodiment, the laser beam is energized and deenergized as it transverses across one section of tow and in the next succeeding section of tow the laser beam is actuated in a different time cycle.

Various kinds of textile manufacture require the availability of fiber of uniform and relatively short staple length. Certain natural fibers such as cotton may inherently meet this requirement. Synthetic fibers, such as acrylic, polypropylene, nylon, polyester and the like, in the form of a tow of indeterminate length, typically require some type of processing in order to convert the tow to fibers of uniform staple length. The tow may have several hundred thousand individual fibers. In many cases, the tow is chopped into staple length fibers so that yarn can be spun. However, after being chopped, the uniform nature of the tow is destroyed and it is necessary to use a carding process to restore uniformity to the material.
As an alternative to chopping the tow, break drawing has been used to convert certain synthetic textile fibers in the form of continuous tow to a sliver of staple length fibers suitable for spinning into yarn. Break drawing is the practice of rapidly feeding the tow through two relatively closely spaced sequential pairs of rollers the second of which operates at a higher speed than the first so as to assert sufficient tension to break the fibers. For example, the output rollers may operate at a speed one and one-half to four times the speed of the input rollers, and the tow may be travelling at a speed of several yards per second. The rollers are conventionally spaced apart by a distance, e.g. three inches, just over the desired staple length, e.g. two and one-half inches. Rollers spacing as described herein refers to the distance between the nip points of the rollers. However, break drawing can be only used with synthetic fiber material which breaks under tension rather than simply stretching. Break drawing is also of limited use with synthetic fibers which require considerable force before breaking since such fibers may slip on either one or both of the input or output draw rolls, resulting in uneven staple length or undesired short-term variations in weight per unit length of the sliver so produced. As a result, only a few synthetic fibers such as acrylic can be processed using break drawing, while the majority of the synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, and nylon are either too elastic or are too strong for the break draw process. Even acrylic fiber tends to break unevenly and a further process of break drawing, sometimes called rebreak drawing, is frequently required to get the fibers to optimum staple length.
As a further alternative way of converting a synthetic fiber tow of indeterminate length into staple fibers of uniform length, it has been known to cut the fibers by passing the tow between a cutting roller and an anvil, the length of the staple fiber being determined by the pitch of the roller. One such system is sold as the TT12 Converter by N. Schlumberger and Cie of France. The cutting roller system inherently requires that the cutting roller be replaced when worn or when the staple length is to be changed.
Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for an apparatus and method which enable a wide range of types of continuous filament synthetic textile tow of indeterminate length to be converted into a sliver comprised of spinnable fibers of relatively short and uniform staple length and which eliminate the need for carding the short staple length fibers produced by such apparatus and method. More specifically, the invention recognizes a need for an easily controlled apparatus and method which incorporates both tensioning and localized heating of the fibers during break drawing so as to be able to produce from a tow of synthetic fibers of indeterminate length staple fibers of relatively short and staple length but without requiring the level of mechanical stress required to break the fibers at ambient temperature.
Since the illustrated and later described embodiments of the invention utilize a laser beam which is swept across the tow material in a transverse direction as the tow is drawn in a machine direction such that the interaction of the beam wavelength with the tow material causes localized heating of small fiber groups, mention is made of the prior art practice of using a laser for cutting cloth. Recognition is also given to the laser providing a unique source of coherent radiation capable of focusing all of the laser's output energy into an extremely small spot and thus achieving a high level of power density. The practice of sweeping a laser beam over a workpiece by use of a mirror for the purpose of using the interaction between the laser beam and the workpiece material to create localized heat and thereby modify the workpiece is also recognized. In such a system known as a Primary Pattern Generator (PPG) and described at pages 286-287 in the book "Lasers in Industry"(1972) edited by S. S. Charschaw, the workpiece is positioned under control of a computer which also controls the on-off status of the laser. However, so far as applicant is aware, it has not heretofore been known to use a mirror reflected laser beam to heat selected portions of a synthetic fiber tow of indeterminate length during its passage through a break drawframe and in a manner which results in the creation of staple fibers of substantially uniform and relatively short length.
With the foregoing in mind, the primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method based on using known break drawing apparatus and the break drawing technique in conjunction with a concentrated source of heat, preferably produced by a laser beam, to convert continuous synthetic fiber tow to staple fibers of relatively short and uniform length.
Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

Apparatus and method for converting continuous tow fibers into a staple length


A vacuum cleaner train comprises a blowing device mounted transversely and two suction devices disposed downstream and upstream of the blowing device with respect to the direction of the train. It is provided with deflectors for transversely deviating the blowing and suction flows to effect to a non-homogeneous distribution of said flows. The blowing and suction devices comprise nozzles equipped with obturation systems and apparatus for controlling the obturation system in synchronization. Moreover, the end piece of the nozzles may be orientable laterally for cleaning overhanging platforms.

A vacuum cleaner train of this type is known, particularly by document FR A 2 074 564. According to the teaching of this document, the suction devices are equipped with supple deflectors, sectioned in the form of a convergent-divergent duct; this particular embodiment aims at improving the pick-up of the dust and debris by the suction devices, avoiding a sudden dispersion of this dust and debris under the action of the blowing pipe, out of the zone of suction and blowing action.
However, the improvement contributed in this document FR A 2 074 564 does not totally optimalize the cleaning of the tracks, in particular when there are pits located longitudinally between the rails, when there are projecting platforms, i.e. when the end of the platform is an extension in overhang arriving near the track, and, finally, when the vacuum cleaner train is intended to clean small and medium networks and is therefore a train of reduced dimensions.
It is an object of the present invention to propose an improved vacuum cleaner train which overcomes the drawbacks set forth hereinabove in that it allows an optimal cleaning of all the configurations of the tracks and it may suit small and medium networks.

Vacuum cleaner train for cleaning tracks, particularly for underground railway networks


A contactless power system for an automated data storage library having a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage cartridges, at least one picker for accessing the data storage cartridges with respect to the storage shelves, and a transport system for guiding the picker(s) along at least one path with respect to the storage shelves. The contactless power system comprises a plurality of segmented coils arranged in parallel to the path(s), and in proximity to at least one induction receiver of the picker(s); and at least one power source supplying power to the segmented coils, for inductive transmission of power by the segmented coils to the induction receiver(s) of the picker(s). The power source(s) may switch the supplied power to selected segmented coils based on an indication of the position of the induction receiver(s) of the picker along the path.

A typical automated data storage library comprises storage shelves for storing data storage cartridges, data storage drives for reading and/or writing with respect to the data storage cartridges, and one or more pickers for accessing the data storage cartridges with respect to the storage shelves and data storage drives. The picker is typically moved in a predetermined path along a set of tracks or at the end of a swing arm. If a swing arm, the library is in the form of a cylinder and the maximum size of the library is typically fixed, and additional libraries or pass-through ports must be added if additional capacity is required. If a set of tracks are employed to guide the picker, the picker typically comprises a carriage that rides on the tracks. Additional capacity may be added by extending the tracks, for example, by adding a frame having tracks and storage shelves.
The carriage typically trails a cable which is coupled at the trailing end to the library, over which power and communications are provided to the picker. Thus, when the library is extended, in addition to extending the tracks, the trailing cable is replaced with a longer cable, to allow the picker carriage to go the additional distance along the tracks, incurring additional cost and waste. Further, the path of the tracks and the carriage must be straight or nearly so, so that the trailing cable will stay in the path. Still further, it is difficult to have multiple paths, to insure that the trailing cable will not cross a track. These limitations result in the requirement that an expandable library is a long rectangle.
Other methods than a trailing cable have been suggested. One example comprises U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,512, which proposes an inductive power transmitter and a parallel data communication antenna for a track guided transport system. In one embodiment, the power and data transmission are the same system. The system is designed for movement of assembly parts for an automotive plant or of pallets for high shelf storage facilities, both of which are fixed in size. The inductive power transmitter is a continuous, seamless, linear "primary circuit".
Such a system is not easily adaptable to an automated data storage library that may be expanded, since the power transmitter would have to be redesigned and rebuilt to accommodate the additional size of the library, for example, due to the different attenuation characteristics of the different length. Additionally, the continuous, seamless "primary circuit" would prevent the possibility of multiple paths.

Contactless power and/or data transmission in an automated data storage library employing segmented coils

International Business Machines Corporation


A combination electric motor-pump unit which is installed on a body of a vehicle. The pump unit includes motor fastening screws with which the electric motor is fastened to the pump housing and which connect the pump unit to the vehicle body. This significantly reduces the number of required parts. The pump unit is provided for a brake system of a vehicle.

The invention is based on a pump unit for a brake system of a vehicle.
In a known pump unit, an electric motor is fastened to a pump housing. The disclosure of European patent application EP 0 699 571 A1 indicates a pump unit in which an electric motor is flange mounted to the pump housing and screwed tight via two motor fastening screws. So that the pump unit can be suspended inside a vehicle, blind hole-like recesses are disposed on two different sides of the pump housing and bush-like rubber-elastic elements are slid into these recesses. The rubber-elastic elements hold suspension bolts. Finally, a third blind hole-like bore Is also provided on a third side of the pump housing and a rubber elastic element is likewise slid into this bore. In this way, the pump unit is suspended in an elastically resilient manner at three suspension points in the body of the vehicle and is positionally secured to a sufficient degree.
In the known embodiment, it is disadvantageous that a large number of additional component pieces is required for the suspension of the pump unit in the vehicle body. It is also disadvantageous that a part of these component pieces is only slid in and can thus fall out before the installation of the pump unit into the vehicle body. It is additionally disadvantageous that a part of these component pieces protrudes a long way laterally and has a contour that is not easy to manufacture. It is furthermore disadvantageous that when installing the pump unit in the vehicle body, the suspension bolts must be secured against rotation through the use of a special tool and a fastening means with an internal thread must be screwed onto the suspension bolts through the use of another tool. As a result, installing the pump unit in the vehicle body is costly and is almost impossible to execute without special devices.
The pump unit according to the invention, has the advantage over the prior art that the number of component pieces required is significantly reduced.
The components that contribute to the connection between the pump unit and the vehicle body can advantageously be produced in a simple manner.
Also, it is advantageously assured without additional securing measures that no parts can inadvertently fall out even before the installation of the pump unit in the vehicle body.
The pump unit can be plugged together with the vehicle body in a simple manner. Another simple fastening screw can be advantageously used to improve the connection between the pump unit and the vehicle body.
Advantageous improvements and updates of the pump unit disclosed in the main claim are possible by means of the measures taken herein.
If the mated connecting piece is provided in a resilient or elastic material, then an easy-to-produce vibrational uncoupling of the pump unit from the body of the vehicle is thus advantageously produced.
By providing a recess associated with the vehicle body, the shaped part can advantageously be connected to the vehicle body in a very simple manner.
An advantageous, particularly easy-to-produce connection is produced when the screw head has a cylindrical outer surface which engages in a cylindrical inner surface provided on the mated connecting piece.
The motor fastening screw has a rotational driving feature so that during the mounting of the electric motor on the pump housing, a tool or a torque wrench can tighten the motor fastening screw. If this rotational driving feature is provided internally and so that it can be accessed on the end face, then the connection between the pump unit and the vehicle body is advantageously not impaired by the rotational driving feature and despite the rotational driving feature, the mated connecting piece can be embodied as simple in shape.
The radially protruding shoulder provided on the screw head offers the advantage that the pump unit can be fixed in the axial direction in relation to the vehicle body in a simple manner.
If two motor fastening screws are provided, which can be embodied identically and can both contribute to the connection between the pump unit and the vehicle body, then this offers the advantage that the mechanical strain is distributed.
If a fastening screw is additionally provided, with which the pump unit can be fixed on the vehicle body, then with a simple measure, it is advantageously assured that the screw head of the motor fastening screw cannot unintentionally slip out of the mated connecting piece provided on the vehicle body.
A particularly advantageous and suitable embodiment is one in which the electric motor is fastened to the pump housing via two motor fastening screws and both motor fastening screws are provided for the connection between the vehicle body and the pump unit, and the pump unit on the other hand is additionally secured with a fastening screw that is screwed into the pump housing. As a result, with a minimum of expenditure, a particularly secure connection is produced between the pump unit and the vehicle body.
If the thread provided on the pump housing is an internal thread, then a simple fastening screw can be used which is for the most part commercially available.
If two threads or if need be, more than two threads are provided on the pump unit for the attachment of a fastening screw, then this offers the advantage that by choice, one of the threads can be used in order to mount the pump unit to the vehicle body.
The shaped part comprised of resilient material which is disposed between the vehicle body and the fastening screw attains the advantage of a vibrational uncoupling between the pump unit and the vehicle body.


A pneumatic brake system for a motor vehicle includes a compressed air system including a plurality of compressed air reservoirs containing compressed air. A service brake system in fluid communication with the compressed air system is operably engaged by application of the compressed air from the compressed air system. A parking brake system in fluid communication with the compressed air system is operably engaged upon the engagement of a spring brake component. A compressed air release system is coupled to the compressed air system and the parking brake system. The compressed air release system is configured to receive a command and in response to the command drain compressed air from the compressed air system if the parking brake system is engaged.

Pneumatic brake systems which use pressurized air to operate the service brakes and also to release the parking or safety brakes, are well known in the art. The pressurized air (so-called "supply pressure") is stored in a reservoir that is charged by a compressor through a series of check valves and/or a pressure protection valve. In these pneumatic brake systems, the driver's brake pedal or other controls directs the flow of so-called "control air." The brake pedal, when applied, opens the reservoir air supply and sends control air, which generates control air pressure, to a relay valve. The relay valve, in response to the control air pressure, connects the reservoir air supply to the brake actuators, which applies mechanical force to the brakes.
In these braking systems, the pressure generated by the driver's foot on the pedal is not applied directly to the brakes; rather, it is used to deliver air pressure from the reservoir to the brake actuators, which then apply mechanical force to the brakes. While the vehicle is in use, the supply air pressure remains at a high level. It may fluctuate somewhat, but it generally remains above 90 psig (pounds per square inch, gauge). When the mechanical parking brakes of the vehicle are needed and the pneumatic brakes are no longer needed, the brake system is normally de-pressurized and the supply line air pressure drops to zero psig (or atmospheric pressure), thus resulting in automatic application of the vehicle parking brakes and, as a result, the application of the spring brake component.
This depressurization step is typically accomplished on school buses and commercial vehicles by "pumping down" the brakes to relieve the pressure below a certain preset value. This procedure is done both when starting up the vehicle as a test to determine if the brake system's compressed air system is functioning properly (i.e., no leaks) and also to ascertain whether the parking brake is functioning properly (as it engages below a certain psig as a result of the application of the spring brake component). Additionally, many states, for safety reasons, require that any time a driver leaves a commercial vehicle, most particularly school buses, the parking brake must be engaged by pumping down the brakes rather than simply mechanically engaging the parking brake; this safety requirement is required by states due to the fact that a mechanically engaged parking brake can be disengaged given that air pressure is still present in the overall braking system, whereas one which has been engaged by a reduction in compressed air below a certain level cannot, as it follows that there is no air pressure left in the system to release the spring brake component.
One potential harmful effect of this "pumping down" of air brakes procedure is that unwanted oil and moisture can be distributed throughout the entire air system, causing premature failure of the air valves. Additionally, the strong mechanical force associated with the pumping of brakes down to release or reduce the compressed air can also contribute to premature brake component failure.
Referring now to FIG. 1, disclosed therein is a schematic diagram of a standard prior art air brake system 100. The system 100 includes a compressed air system source 111 and a compressed air system 110 in communication with the compressed air system source 111. The compressed air system 110 is comprised of a supply (or wet) reservoir 112 in fluid communication with a front (secondary) service reservoir 114 and a rear (or primary) service reservoir 116. The front service reservoir 114 is in fluid communication with a brake valve 118a for engaging the front brake 120 upon the application of compressed air, while the rear service reservoir 116 is in fluid communication with brake valve 118b for engaging the rear brake 122 upon the application of compressed air. Additionally, the front service reservoir 114 is in fluid communication with the park control lever 124 and spring (or parking) brake control valve 126 for engaging the spring brake component 128 of the parking brake; this parking brake is applied when the driver actuates the park control lever 124/spring brake control valve 126 or when the compressed air pressure falls below a preset psi (e.g. 60 psi). As previously described, "pumping down" the brakes to engage this parking brake by reducing the air pressure below this predetermined pressure level results in a number of problems such as unnecessary wear and tear on the brake system and potentially premature brake system failure as well as an unsafe condition whereby the spring brake component/parking break is capable of being released due to residual compressed air in the system.
As such, what is desired is an air drain system which is capable of safely draining the air tanks, as well as draining or removing harmful moisture and oil from the air lines, and which is capable of safely engaging the parking brake system which results in safely securing school buses and other commercial vehicles exhibiting air brakes. Furthermore, an air drain system is desired which allows securing of commercial vehicles without damaging the entire braking system and which is designed to prevent wear and tear on air valves and mechanical parts which is typically exhibited by those brake systems requiring "pumping down" of the brakes.

Pneumatic brake system with safe drainage circuit and method of operating the same


An inductive power transfer system includes an inductive power transmitter in the shape of a container that is capable of holding one or more electrical devices. The system is operable to transfer power inductively to devices stowed within the container via inductive power receivers. The inductive power transmitter includes at least one primary inductor configured to couple inductively with at least one secondary inductor and at least one driver configured to provide a variable electric potential at a driving frequency across said primary inductor. The inductive power receiver may comprise at least one secondary inductor connectable to a receiving circuit and an electric load, said secondary inductor configured to couple inductively with said at least one primary inductor such that power is transferred to said electric load.

Inductive power coupling, as known in the art, allows energy to be transferred from a power supply to an electric load without connecting wires. A power supply is wired to a primary coil and an oscillating electric potential is applied across the primary coil, thereby inducing an oscillating magnetic field. The oscillating magnetic field may induce an oscillating electrical current in a secondary coil placed close to the primary coil. In this way, electrical energy may be transmitted from the primary coil to the secondary coil by electromagnetic induction without the two coils being conductively connected.
When electrical energy is transferred from a primary coil to a secondary coil the coil pair are said to be inductively coupled. An electric load wired in series with such a secondary coil may draw energy from the power source wired to the primary coil when the secondary coil is inductively coupled thereto.
Induction type power outlets may be preferred to the more common conductive power sockets because they provide seamless power transmission and minimize the need for trailing wires.
The range of the inductive transmission as well as the strength of the induced voltage in the secondary inductor both vary according to the oscillating frequency of the electrical potential provided to the primary inductor. The induced voltage is strongest when the oscillating frequency equals the resonant frequency of the system. The resonant frequency fR depends upon the inductance L and the capacitance C of the system according to the equation
      f    R    =            1              2                π                          LC                      .
Efficiency of energy transfer depends upon a number of parameters including the resonant frequency of the system, the transmission frequency of operation as well as the distance and alignment between the primary and secondary inductive coils. Very close proximity and alignment of orientation between the primary and secondary inductors are factors in optimal inductive coupling, but this arrangement is not always practical. There is a need for an inductive power transmission system that is capable of power transmission to transmit power to one or more secondary inductors placed at a wide range of distances and orientations in relation to the primary inductors. The embodiments described herein address this need.

System for transferring power inductively to items within a container


A drinking mug including a body having a lipid-receiving interior volume with a handle connected to the body and extending outwardly therefrom. The body has a first eye relief channel extending longitudinally along the body and a second eye relief channel extending generally parallel to the first eye relief channel and extending longitudinally along the body. The first and second eye relief channels are indentations in the exterior surface of the annular configuration of the body. Each of the first and second eye relief channels extends from a top of the body to a bottom of the body. A nose bridge receptacle is formed in the body between the first and second eye relief channels.

In order to drink a beverage or the like from a conventional cup, mug, tumbler or the like (hereinafter generally called "mug" for the sake of brevity), it is necessary to hold up the bottom of the cup, from which the user has been drinking the beverage while maintaining the cup in a forward-and-downward directed position such that the rear side of the cup is turned counterclockwise beyond the horizontal level into a forward-and-upward directed position. When the bottom of the mug is raised while keeping the user's mouth in contact with a rear portion of the upper edge of the mug, a front portion of the upper edge is eventually brought into contact with the nose ridge of the users hen the mug is brought into contact with the nose ridge of the user, the periphery of the mug will generally block the view of the user. The blocking of the view of the user's eyes can become disconcerting during conversation. The blocking of the user's eyes can potentially be hazardous during the driving of a motor vehicle. There are various other circumstances in which the person drinking from the mug will not want to have his or her eyes blocked by the periphery of the mug.
In the past various patents have issued relating to various drinking apparatus which accommodate the nose of the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,113, issued on Sep. 2, 1986 to N. Seki discloses a cup that permits the easy drinking of the liquid contents. The cylindrical side wall of the cup is composed of a thin-walled material having suitable degrees of flexibility and elasticity. There are a number of bellows-like corrugations that are provided in the cylindrical side wall in such a way that the corrugations extend substantially parallel with the bottom wall of the cup The corrugations are allowed to undergo collapse when the upper edge of the cup is brought into contact with the nose ridge of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,928, issued on Jun. 28, 1994 to B. A. Stevens describes a dysphagia cup. This cup serves to assist swallowing by having a hollow container portion with a base and an upwardly extending, elliptically-shaped side wall. The eliptical aperture is sized to accommodate a person's nasal bridge during drinking such that substantial backwards angulation of the head is not required.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,348, issued on Nov. 25, 1980 to L. E. Watson describes a drinking vessel for use while in a reclined position. This drinking vessel includes a spout that has a contoured lip with specially curved liquid-spill resistant side walls so as to facilitate improved spill resistance when the cup is brought to the user a lips.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,141, issued on Jul. 11, 1980 to R. G. Brockamn teaches a hiccough treatment appliance which includes a drinking vessel with a tongue-depressor portion adjacent the drinking portion for projecting into the mouth of the person drinking liquid from the appliance so as to depress the person's tongue while the liquid is being swallowed U.S. Pat. No. 2,069,089, issued on Jan. 26, 1937 and U.S. Design Pat. No. 168,784, issued on Feb. 10, 1953 teach feeding cups with outwardly extending lips for accommodating the mouth and nose bridge of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,326, issued on Mar. 9, 1954 to T. E. Pickering describes a drinking vessel with a mouth at its upper end offset laterally with respect to the bottom of the vessel. The drinking vessel facilitates the drinking from the vessel when it is difficult for a child to bend his or her head backwards.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking mug which allows the user to see outwardly while drinking from the mug.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a drinking mug which allows the mug to be rotated fully against the nose bridge of the user during drinking activity.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a drinking mug which is adaptable to left-handed or right-handed usage.
It another object of the present invention to provide a drinking mug which facilitates safety during the drinking activities.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a drinking mug which is easy to manufacture, easy to use and relatively inexpensive.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.


A new cooking range control panel protection attachment for protecting the control panel of a cooking range from the accumulation thereon of dirt and grease. The inventive device includes a generally rectangular elongate panel member having a pair of faces, a pair of opposite ends and a pair of sides extending between the ends of the panel member. One of the faces of the panel member is designed for positioning adjacent a control panel of a cooking range such that the panel member covers the control panel of the cooking range. The panel member has a number of spaced apart holes therethrough extending between the faces of the panel member. Each of the holes is designed for extending a rotating shaft of a control knob of a control panel of a cooking range therethrough.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for protecting the control panel of a cooking range from the accumulation thereon of dirt and grease and more particularly pertains to a new cooking range control panel protection attachment for protecting the control panel of a cooking range from the accumulation thereon of dirt and grease.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of devices for protecting the control panel of a cooking range from the accumulation thereon of dirt and grease is known in the prior art. More specifically, devices for protecting the control panel of a cooking range from the accumulation thereon of dirt and grease heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art devices for protecting the control panel of a cooking range from the accumulation thereon of dirt and grease include U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,974; U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,393; PCT Patent No. WO 90/02911 (inventor: Flueckiger); U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,888; U.S. Pat. No. 928,770; PCT Patent No. WO 95/08082 (inventor: Kozdas); and U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,620.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new cooking range control panel protection attachment. The inventive device includes a generally rectangular elongate panel member having a pair of faces, a pair of opposite ends and a pair of sides extending between the ends of the panel member. One of the faces of the panel member is designed for positioning adjacent a control panel of a cooking range such that the panel member covers the control panel of the cooking range. The panel member has a number of spaced apart holes therethrough extending between the faces of the panel member. Each of the holes is designed for extending a rotating shaft of a control knob of a control panel of a cooking range therethrough.
In these respects, the cooking range control panel protection attachment according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of protecting the control panel of a cooking range from the accumulation thereon of dirt and grease.

Cooking range control panel protection attachment


A shrinkage-free sealing structure of a heat pipe. The sealing structure is in the form of a double-layered structure formed by transversely pressing a first side of an open end of the heat pipe towards a second side of the open end and transversely pressing the second side towards the first side. Preferably, the double-layered structure has a semi-circular cross section after the first side is pressed towards the second side of the open end, and the sealing structure has an arrowhead structure after the second side is pressed towards the first side.

The present invention relates to a shrinkage-free sealing structure of a heat pipe, and more particular, to a method which seals one open end of a heat pipe without performing shrinkage process thereof.
For the majority of electronic products, the performance depends on the operation processing speed, while the heat dissipation is a consequence of the operation processing speed. In the example of a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer motherboard, transmission of various command signals and calculation program parameters are performed with very high speed to generate significant heat. The heat adversely affects the performance and reduces the operation speed of the central processing unit. The operation may even be halted when the central processing unit is over heated. Therefore, heat dissipation devices are required to keep the electronic products working under a tolerable temperature range to avoid interruption or termination of operation.
To enhance heat dissipation efficiency, highly thermal conductive heat pipes operative to absorb and dissipate heat efficiency have been used in the heat dissipation devices. A heat pipe is in the form of a tube with one closed end and one open end. A wick structure is installed in the heat pipe and a working fluid is introduced into the heat pipe, followed by the process of sealing the open end. When the heat pipe is in contact with the electronic products, the heat absorbing end absorbs the heat from the electronic products, such that a phase transition from the liquid state to the gas state occurs to the working fluid. After flowing to the cooling end of the heat pipe, the gaseous working fluid is then condensed back to the liquid state and re-flows back to the heat absorbing end by the capillary effect provided by the wick structure. Therefore, the circulation and phase transition of the working fluid irritated in the heat pipe provides enhanced heat dissipation performance, such that the electronic product can always operate under a uniform and working temperature
To ensure the quality and functionality of the heat pipe, the sealed end of the heat pipe is further subject to a soldering process. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional sealing structure of a heat pipe is performed by shrinking the open end portion of the heat pipe 10a into a shrunk end portion 100a, and a sealing module is used to clamp the terminus of the shrunk end portion 100a, such that a flattened region 101a is formed. The edge of the flattened region 101a is then soldered to ensure a air-tight sealing effect.
However, the objective for shrinking the end portion 10a into the shrunk end portion 100a is to decrease the volume and area of the sealing structure, such that it is advantageous for the subsequent soldering process. However, as the shape of the wick structure proximal to the shrunk end portion 10a is unstable, the working fluid has to be filled manually. Therefore, the fabrication process is laborious and costly. The wick structure installed and the working fluid filled after the shrunk end portion 100a is formed will become very difficult.
To resolve the problems caused by the conventional heat pipe structure as described above, the Applicant, with many years of experience in this field, has developed a shrinkage-free sealing structure of heat pipe as described as follows

Shrinkage-free sealing structure of heat pipe


The present invention is predicated on applicants' discovery that inhomogeneity in films deposited on heated heterogeneous substrates can be substantially reduced by patterning the large area metal structures. Specifically, metal structures having areas in excess of about 2 mm.sup.2 are patterned so that the metal is within 1 mm of a metal edge. Thus, for example, a normally solid chromium bonding pad on a glass substrate is conveniently made as a patterned, open grid of 1 mm chromium lines. With such patterning, a subsequently deposited layer of silicon nitride has enhanced homogeneity over a large area, including enhanced uniformity of etching rate.

The application of thin films of material is useful in a variety of commercial processes. The application of thin layers of silicon nitride, for example, is used in the manufacture of integrated circuits to provide a thin, conformable layer of high quality dielectric. In these applications the nitride is typically applied onto heterogeneous substrates such as patterned metal on silicon. The largest metal components in these applications typically have areas no larger than a few tens of square microns.
More recently in the fabrication of flat panel displays, silicon nitride layers have been applied to larger area heterogeneous substrates such as patterned chromium on glass. In this application patterned metal components having areas of square millimeters or more are desired, but the silicon nitride films deposited on these heterogeneous surfaces are non-homogeneous in significant respects. For example the etch rate of the deposited silicon nitride varies widely from location to location, making the design and fabrication of displays difficult and expensive. Similar inhomogeneities are observed in the application of other thin films such as silicon oxide (SiO.sub.x) and amorphous silicon (a--Si) when they are deposited on heated heterogeneous substrates in a reduced pressure ambient.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method of applying homogeneous layers onto heterogeneous substrates.

Method for coating heterogeneous substrates with homogeneous layers


In order to regulate dewatering of the fiber suspension and the formation of the paper web between the upper and lower wires of the papermaking machines, upper ledges are provided along with the upper wire. These upper ledges are particularly constructed so as to have uniform design. Between these upper ledges, there is left free the same distance or spacing. This distance is not smaller than the width of each upper ledge. The individual distances between the upper ledges can be closed by insertable inserts so that the dewatering can be forcibly accomplished at mutually separated zones. Along the lower wire, there are provided lower ledges at a table, and between these lower ledges, it can be adjusted varying distances or spacing therebetween. The mutual distance or spacing between the lower ledges, according to a favorable construction, is always greater than the width of the individual upper ledges plus the distance or spacing of an upper ledge from the next neighboring upper ledge. The lower ledges can be mounted at the table so as to be lengthwise displaceably and individually adjustable in the direction of the lower wire. The table can be selectably positioned vertically as well as horizontally relative to the lower wire. All of these measures also can be accomplished during operation of the papermaking machine. The individual lower ledges are elastically supported against the table and this table is elastically supported against its foundation. It is possible to undertake the web forming operation, during operation of the papermaking machines, in accordance with technological requirements and the time wise as well as localized situations, while protecting the paper web which is to be formed and equally the equipment which is to be operated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention broadly relates to the papermaking art and, more specifically, concerns a new and improved forming section or former for a papermaking machine as well as an advantageous method of use thereof.
2. Discussion of the Background and Material Information
Generally speaking, the forming section of the present development for a papermaking machine serves to form a paper web or sheet between a top or upper wire and a lower wire during dewatering of a fiber suspension or fiber stock between the wires. There is employed at both sides of these wires, at the top as well as at the bottom, ledge members or ledges which are arranged along the line of the web forming path and which extend in the cross-machine direction. These ledges are adjustable relative to the wires and contact such wires during operation of the papermaking machine. The ledges are arranged at the upper wire and the lower wire in spaced relationship to one another so that spaces or distances are formed between the neighboring ledges and there are left free gaps for the discharge of the liquid which is to be removed during the dewatering operation.
Forming sections or former of the aforementioned construction can be operated in the direct neighborhood of a headbox. The fiber suspension or stock is sprayed in the form of a flat jet into the intermediate space which is formed by virtue of the convergence of the wires and thereafter such injected fiber suspension is dewatered between the wires. These forming sections can be, however, also provided with a pre-dewatering section or path in which there is ensured that the fiber suspension or stock which effluxes from the headbox is guided upon one of the wires throughout a certain path, and already prior to entry of the fiber suspension into the forming section there is removed a part of the contained water out of the fiber suspension or stock, especially in a downward direction. The pre-dewatering path then follows the forming section of the here described type, and, as a general rule, the pre-dewatered fiber stock or suspension remains reposing upon the wire and through the utilization of a further wire the forming section or former is constructed as a so-called twin wire forming section.
With heretofore known forming sections or formers of the aforementioned type, for instance as known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,111, German Patent No. 3,138,133, German Patent No. 3,153,305, German Patent No. 3,546,629 and European Patent No. 0,251,778, a multiplicity of ledges are arranged uniformly distributed over the entire length of the web forming section or path. Through the use of these ledges there is intended to be achieved an improvement in the web formation. It can happen that such distribution of the ledges can lead to damage of the formed paperweb or sheet, particularly at those locations of the web formation section or path which are located behind or upstream of the so-called waterline.
In other constructions of the forming section there is employed from the opposite side a ledge or ledge member which, in each instance, is directed towards the oppositely situated dewatering gap or slot. Such an arrangement is provided at each dewatering gap or slot and there is employed an appreciable pressure, so that the liquid can be expressed out of the paper web or sheet. Under certain circumstances, this pressure can be so great that the paper web which is to be formed is crushed between the wires. In the event of an absence of the pressure, or else if the pressure is too low, then the paper web can be retromoistened from above by the application of the previously expelled liquid, and consequently, this paper web is disadvantageously altered. With the high pressures which are to be applied also the wires are adversely affected and are prematurely worn. Because of the small spacing between the ledges there is a tendency for the intermediate gap between the ledges to become contaminated by, for instance, too much fiber and ash which has been removed from the paper web or sheet.
The forming section or former which is known from German Patent No. 3,546,629 has the lower ledges or ledge members mounted upon a flexible plate. However, with this prior art construction the water which is removed in a downward direction must be laterally discharged between the ledges. As a result, the quantity of removed water is limited and there exists the danger of contamination or soiling of the forming section. Moreover, there cannot be adjusted any individual contact or pressing force of the ledges and the reproducibility of the adjustment is unsatisfactory.
If, as taught for instance in the European Patent No. 0,251,778, a multiplicity of ledges or ledge members located at the lower wire are mounted upon a rigid frame, then there is particularly great the danger of excessively compressing the paper web, damaging the wires and so forth. With this prior art construction of forming section there is also limited the removal of the water and there is simultaneously present an appreciable danger of contaminating the forming section.
With the heretofore known arrangements the provision of the ledges at the lower wire increases the wear of the wire. There is also increased the wire throughput, that is to say, too great a quantity of fines and ashes are washed out of the paper web or sheet. With the heretofore known constructions of forming sections, the web forming pulses, which act upon the ledges, are automatically too high and frequently, as a result thereof, they cause an impairment in the web or sheet formation when working with shear-force sensitive materials.

Method of using a forming section of a papermaking machine


A vehicle includes a B-pillar garnish mounted at a side pillar assembly of the vehicle. The B-pillar garnish includes an airbag jump bracket engaging feature including a hook-shaped engaging portion extending upwardly beyond an end of an outwardly turned flange portion of the airbag jump bracket. The hook-shaped engaging portion includes a stem portion and an enlarged head portion that overhangs the end of the outwardly turned flange portion of the airbag jump bracket that engages the outwardly turned flange portion during an airbag deployment event. The stem portion is located adjacent the end of the outwardly turned flange portion of the airbag jump bracket. The stem portion is arranged to engage the end of the outwardly turned flange portion of the airbag jump bracket to limit movement of an upper end portion of the B-pillar garnish into the occupant compartment of the vehicle.

Side airbag apparatuses have been proposed in which an airbag is accommodated in a folded state at a roof side rail portion at a B pillar portion, behind a roof head lining. During deployment, the airbag can release into the vehicle compartment between the roof head lining and a B pillar garnish. While it can be important to provide such an airbag release location between the roof head lining and B pillar garnish, it can be undesirable for the B pillar garnish to sag apart from the roof head lining. Such sagging can result in a visual gap between the head lining and B pillar garnish. What is desired is a retention structure that can hold the B pillar garnish in place, even during an airbag deployment.

Side pillar assemblies with retention structures for side airbags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


An electro optic device includes an optical element in which a refractive index distribution, changes according to the intensity of an electric field generated therein such that an incident laser beam is scanned. First and second electrodes are provided on two opposite surfaces of the optical element. A distance between electrodes of the first and second electrodes of the optical element decreases continuously or in a stepwise manner from an emission end surface toward an incident end surface.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electro optic device, a method of manufacturing an electro optic device, and a scanning type optical apparatus.
2. Related Art
In recent years, a scanning type image display apparatus that displays an image by raster scanning beam-shaped light, such as a laser beam, on a projected surface has been suggested. In such apparatus, completely black display may be realized by stopping supply of a laser beam. Accordingly, it becomes possible to realize a display having a higher contrast than, for example, a projector using a liquid crystal light valve. Moreover, the image display apparatus using a laser beam is characterized in that, for example, the color purity is high because the laser beam has a single wavelength and the laser beam is easily shaped (easily focused) because the laser beam has a high coherence. Accordingly, the image display apparatus using a laser beam is expected as a high-quality display that realizes high resolution and high color reproducibility. Moreover, the scanning type image display apparatus does not have fixed pixels unlike a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, and the like. Accordingly, since there is no concept of the number of pixels, the scanning type image display apparatus is also advantageous in that the resolution is easily converted.
In order to generate an image in the scanning type image display apparatus, it is necessary to scan light in a two-dimensional manner using scanners, such as a polygon mirror and a galvano mirror. There is a method of scanning light in a two-dimensional manner by causing one scanner to swing in two directions of horizontal and vertical directions. In this case, however, there is a problem that the configuration and control of a scanning system become complicated. For this reason, there has been proposed a scanning type image display apparatus in which a pair of scanners, each of which scans light in a one-dimensional manner, are provided such that the scanners perform horizontal scanning and vertical scanning, respectively. In the related art, it is common to use a polygon mirror and a galvano mirror as both scanners. A projection apparatus that uses rotary polygon mirrors as both scanners is disclosed in JP-A-01-245780.
However, even though the apparatus using the polygon mirror is disclosed in JP-A-01-245780, there is a limit to the polygon mirror or the galvano mirror since the scanning frequency rises as an image format requests a high resolution. For this reason, a system in which an MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technique is applied to a high-speed scanner has been recently announced. The scanner (hereinafter, referred to as an MEMS scanner) that uses the MEMS technique is manufactured using microfabrication technology for semiconductor materials, such as silicon. In this case, a mirror supported by a torsion spring or the like is driven by an electrostatic force or the like. The scanner can scan light by causing the mirror to reciprocate using interaction between an electrostatic force and a restoring force of a spring. By using the MEMS scanner, it is possible to realize a scanner having characteristics of a high frequency and a large deflection angle compared with the known scanner. Accordingly, it becomes possible to display a high-resolution image.
Here, in order to realize a high-speed MEMS scanner, the mirror should reciprocate about a resonance point. Accordingly, taking light use efficiency or the like into consideration, a system in which a scanning line is scanned from left to right as viewed from a viewer and then a next scanning line is scanned from right to left (both-side scan) needs to be adopted.
On the other hand, a standard of an image signal was decided on the basis of a CRT (cathode ray tube). Accordingly, the image signal is scanned from left to right and then returns to the left within a short time so as to perform the scanning again in the right direction (one-side scanning). Thus, in the case of the MEMS scanner, some data should be displayed by reversing the order of input signals. As a result, it becomes complicated to control a signal.
Further, an electro optic (EO) scanner is considered as a scanning unit other than the MEMS scanner. The EO scanner is a device that changes the propagation direction of light transmitted through EO crystal by applying a voltage to the EO crystal. Thus, in the case of the EO scanner, a scanning angle can be controlled using a voltage. Accordingly, display based on one-side scanning becomes possible, in the same manner as the CRT.
Moreover, in the EO scanner, EO crystal is interposed between a pair of electrodes, and electrons are injected and the electron distribution is biased by applying a voltage to the electrodes. As a result, the distribution of a refractive index also changes due to the Kerr effect and incident light is deflected toward a side corresponding to a high refractive index, such that scanning of light becomes possible. In addition, since a slope of the refractive index distribution inside EO crystal is determined on the basis of the amount of electrons injected, that is, an applied voltage, the scanning angle of light emitted from the EO crystal may be controlled by changing the applied voltage.
In the case of such EO scanner, however, the following problems are still left.
In the EO crystal, a deflection angle of emitted light and the intensity of an electric field generated within the EO crystal are associated with each other, but an electric field intensity required to obtain an effective deflection angle is very high. Therefore, in order to efficiently obtain the large electric field intensity, it is necessary to make a distance between electrodes narrow. However, in terms of the structure of the EO scanner, the distance between electrodes affects an optical path of scanned light. Accordingly, if the distance is set to be too narrow, a laser beam propagating through the EO scanner touches the electrode, which causes a problem that light is not emitted from an emission end surface of EO crystal. Moreover, even if the light is emitted from the emission end surface of EO crystal, it is not possible to obtain a large deflection angle in the EO crystal in which the distance between electrodes is narrow, that is, in the EO crystal having a small thickness. That is, due to the structural problem described above, it is difficult to realize the improvement in efficiency of electric field intensity and an increase in deflection angle at the same time.

Electro optic device, method of manufacturing electro optic device, and scanning type optical apparatus


The present invention relates to an illumination device for vehicles with at least light-emitting diode (3) and a light control unit (1), wherein the light control unit (1) is connected to the at least one light-emitting diode (3) and a pulse-width modulated clock signal (PWM) can be generated and transmitted to the at least one light-emitting diode (3) with the light control unit (1). The illumination device for vehicles according to the invention comprises a circuit (2) arranged between the light control unit (1) and the at least one light-emitting diode (3), with which, depending on the control signal (S), the pulse-width modulated clock signal (PWM) can be fed via different resistors (R1, R2, R3) to the at least one light-emitting diode (3). The present invention further relates to a method for controlling an illumination device for vehicles with at least one light-emitting diode (3) and a light control unit (1). In the method according to the invention the light control unit (1) generates a pulse-width modulated clock signal (PWM), which the light control unit (1) transmits to a circuit (2). The circuit receives a control signal (S) and, depending on the control signal (S), feeds the pulse-width modulated clock signal to the at least one light-emitting diode (3) via different resistors (R1, R2, R3).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an illumination device for vehicles with at least one light-emitting diode and one light control unit, wherein the light control unit is connected to the at least one light-emitting diode and a pulse-width modulated clock signal can be generated and transmitted to the at least one light-emitting diode with the light control unit. Further, the invention relates to a method for controlling an illumination device for vehicles with at least one light-emitting diode and one light control unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Light-emitting diodes are being used increasingly as light sources in vehicle lights. In particular, the light-emitting diode is becoming increasingly significant in the area of the exterior illumination of motor vehicles. These light sources have the advantage over conventional incandescent bulbs that they exhibit a longer lifetime and increased productive efficiency.
The light-emitting diodes are, for example, arranged in an array or several arrays. This way they can perform different illumination functions. There are illumination functions that differ with respect to brightness, i.e. the illumination functions differ with respect to the light flux emitted in the respective illumination functions. This way the same light-emitting diode or same light-emitting diode array can perform two or more illumination functions by emitting a different light flux in the different illumination functions.
Light-emitting diodes are conventionally controlled by way of a pulse-width modulated clock signal. The light flux, i.e. the brightness of the light-emitting diode is modified by way of the duty cycle of the clock signal, i.e. the ratio of the active to the passive phase is modified.
An illumination device for motor vehicles that exhibits as its light source light-emitting diodes, the brightness of which is adjustable, is known from DE 100 27 478 A1. The adjustment of the brightness is effected by modifying the duty cycle (pulse/pause ratio). A method for controlling illumination means in vehicles as well as a device for conducting a method in which the brightness of the light-emitting diodes is controlled by the pulse/pause ratio are also known from DE 199 45 546 A1.
A disadvantage of conventional controls of light-emitting diodes by means of the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulated clock signal is that the resolution of the modification in brightness, in particular at low levels of brightness, is too low. The duty cycle of the clock signal can usually be modified by 1% to 100% with a step size of at least 1%. Should the light-emitting diode not only perform two different illumination functions at different levels of brightness, but modify the brightness of one or several of the respective illumination functions with a very fine resolution, then the step sizes of known control devices are inadequate for light-emitting diodes.

Illumination device for vehicles and method for controlling an illumination device for vehicles


Electric current supplied to light source rows of a vehicular lamp is controlled appropriately. The vehicular lamp includes: a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices connected in parallel; a wire breakage detecting unit detecting wire breakage of each of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices; and an electric current supplying unit supplying a predetermined electric current to the plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices. The electric current supplying unit decreases the electric current to be supplied to the plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices when the wire breakage detecting unit detects wire breakage of at least one of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp. More particularly, the present invention relates to a headlamp, a stop lamp, a tail lamp, a turn lamp, and the like used for a vehicle including automobiles, motorcycles and trains.
2. Related Art
A vehicular lamp employing a semiconductor light emitting device is known (e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-231014 bulletin (page 3–6, FIG. 1–13)). In general, the vehicular lamp has to be on stably for safety reasons.
However, if the excessive electric current flows in the semiconductor light emitting device, the life of the semiconductor light emitting device may become shorter due to heat generation. Therefore, for the vehicular lamp using a semiconductor light emitting device, it is desirable to control the current to the semiconductor element accurately.


A retaining clip is for securing an electrical connector to be inserted through an opening formed in a panel. The retaining clip comprises a base having an aperture therethrough for receiving the free end of the electrical connector and having one or more engagement means for engaging with and holding the electrical connector. The base is shaped to contact at least a portion of the surface of the panel that it overlies. A plurality of fingers extending away from the base are displaceable to allow insertion of a mating connector and to contact the surface of the mating connector. Thus, the clip shields the surface of the mating connector with respect to the panel.

The present invention relates to retaining clips and in particular to retaining clips used to secure devices such as electrical connectors mounted through an aperture in the casing of a computer including servers or other electronic device.
In order to hold electrical connectors, such as data connectors, in position in an aperture in the casing of a computer it is well known to use pairs of c-shaped clips that abut the surface of the casing and engage either end of that portion of the electrical connector that projects beyond the aperture. U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,206 describes an alternative retaining clip which is illustrated in combination with a conventional electrical connector in FIG. 1. The retaining clip comprises a single planar element 1 having an aperture 2 for receiving the free end of an electrical connector 3 and locking tabs 4, 5. The locking tabs 4, 5 are arranged to engage with detent surfaces provided on the electrical connector by means of a sliding movement in the direction of arrow A.

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited


The present technology is directed to a dilator centering device and assemblies and methods using same. In particular, a dilator centering device in accordance with the disclosed technology can be used with a sheath hub assembly. In one embodiment, a dilator centering device includes a lumen capable of receiving a dilator shaft and centering a dilator shaft with respect to the sheath hub as the dilator shaft enters the sheath hub. In one embodiment, the dilator centering device can be attached to the sheath hub during manufacturing or it can be attached at the use site. In one embodiment, the dilator centering device can be integrated with and non-removable from the sheath hub. The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and do not limit the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology.

The present technology is related to the field of medical and industrial instruments used for access to a cavity or lumen and more specifically, in one embodiment, to vascular access within the body of a patient.
In today's medical field, many medical procedures require entry into a patient's blood or other vessel for purposes of accessing a desired treatment site, i.e. surgical, treatment, diagnostic. In order to gain access to the desired site, a sheath is usually advanced through the vessel. Once in place within the patient's vessel, various types of medical instrumentation can be fed through the sheath and positioned at the desired site so that the procedure may be performed.
To initially gain access to a particular site within a patient, a needle is used to puncture the patient's skin and gain entry to a desired blood vessel (blood vessel is used throughout for convenience and only as an example of different vessels that may be accessed). A guide wire is then inserted into a lumen in the needle and is fed into the blood vessel. The needle is then removed, with the guide wire being left in place.
A dilator/sheath assembly is then placed over the guide wire and advanced to a position inside the blood vessel. Once the guide wire and the dilator/sheath assembly are advanced within the blood vessel to the desired site, the dilator is removed. The guide wire and sheath are now used to introduce and guide medical instrumentation to the desired site.
As the above procedure is performed within a patient's body, instrument integrity is of concern. Malfunctioning or damaged instruments may, for example, cause tissue trauma, introduce unintended contaminants into a patient's body, or result in leakage of fluids. Accordingly, research and development for improving the integrity of medical instruments is an area of ongoing concern in the medical field.


A method of managing the saturation level of a vapor collection canister for an on-board fuel vapor emission control system. The method includes flowing the fuel vapor through a canister flow path between a first port and a second port of the vapor collection canister, and signaling with a sensor the temperature of an adsorbent disposed in the canister flow path, the sensor being exposed to the adsorbent.

A known on-board evaporative emission control system includes a vapor collection canister that collects fuel vapor emitted from a tank containing a volatile liquid fuel for the engine. During engine operation, vacuum from the engine intake manifold induces atmospheric air flow through the canister to desorb the collected fuel vapor, and draws the fuel vapor into the engine intake manifold for comsumption in the combustion process. A canister purge solenoid valve is under the control of a purge control signal generated by a microprocessor-based engine management system, and periodically purges the collected vapor to the engine intake manifold.
As the vapor collection canister collects fuel vapor, the canister gradually becomes saturated with the fuel vapor. It is believed that there is a need for a method and apparatus for determining the degree of saturation of the canister.

Method for determining vapor canister loading using temperature


In one embodiment the invention comprises a particle velocity sensor that includes a housing with a geophone mounted in the housing. A fluid that substantially surrounds the geophone is included within the housing. The particle velocity sensor has an acoustic impedance within the range of about 750,000 Newton seconds per cubic meter (Ns/m3) to about 3,000,000 Newton seconds per cubic meter (Ns/m3). In another embodiment the invention comprises method of geophysical exploration in which a seismic signal is generated in a body of water and detected with a plurality of co-located particle velocity sensors and pressure gradient sensors positioned within a seismic cable. The output signal of either or both of the particle velocity sensors or the pressure gradient sensors is modified to substantially equalize the output signals from the particle velocity sensors and the pressure gradient sensors. The output signals from particle velocity sensors and pressure gradient sensors are then combined.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to marine geophysical exploration. More specifically, the invention is related to sensors for detecting seismic signals and to marine seismic data gathering.
2. Description of Relevant Art
In seismic exploration, geophysical data are obtained by applying acoustic energy to the earth at the surface and detecting seismic energy reflected from interfaces between different layers in subsurface formations. The seismic wave is reflected when there is a difference in impedance between the layer above the interface and the layer below the interface.
In marine seismic exploration, a seismic shock generator, such as an airgun, for example, is commonly used to generate an acoustic pulse. The resulting seismic wave is reflected back from subsurface interfaces and detected by sensors deployed in the water or on the water bottom.
In a typical marine seismic operation, a streamer cable is towed behind an exploration vessel at a water depth between about six to about nine meters. Hydrophones are included in the streamer cable for detecting seismic signals. A hydrophone is a submersible pressure gradient sensor that converts pressure waves into electrical signals that are typically recorded for signal processing, and evaluated to estimate characteristics of the earth's subsurface.
After the reflected wave reaches the streamer cable, the wave continues to propagate to the water/air interface at the water surface, from which the wave is reflected downwardly, and is again detected by the hydrophones in the streamer cable. The reflection coefficient at the surface is nearly unity in magnitude and negative in sign. The seismic wave will be phase-shifted 180 degrees. The downwardly traveling wave is commonly referred to as the "ghost" signal, and the presence of this ghost reflection creates a spectral notch in the detected signal. Because of the spectral notch, some frequencies in the detected signal are amplified and some frequencies are attenuated.
Because of the ghost reflection, the water surface acts like a filter, making it difficult to record data outside a selected bandwidth without excessive attenuation or notches in the recorded data.
Maximum attenuation will occur at frequencies for which the distance between the detecting hydrophone and the water surface is equal to one-half wavelength. Maximum amplification will occur at frequencies for which the distance between the detecting hydrophone and the water surface is one-quarter wavelength. The wavelength of the acoustic wave is equal to the velocity divided by the frequency, and the velocity of an acoustic wave in water is about 1500 meters per second. Accordingly the location in the frequency spectrum of the resulting spectral notch is readily determinable. For example, for a streamer water depth of 7 meters, as illustrated by curve 54 in FIG. 1, maximum attenuation will occur at a frequency of about 107 Hz. and maximum amplification will occur at a frequency of about 54 Hz.
It has not been practical to tow cables deeper than about 9 meters because the location of the spectral notch in the frequency spectrum of the signal detected by a hydrophone substantially diminishes the utility of the recorded data. It has also not been practical to tow cables at a depth shallower than about 6 meters, because the ghost signal reflected from the water surface substantially attenuates the signal detected by a hydrophone within the frequency band of interest.
It is also common to perform marine seismic operations in which sensors are deployed on the water bottom. Such operations are typically referred to as "ocean bottom seismic" operations. In ocean bottom seismic operations, both hydrophones and geophones are employed for recording the seismic data, with the geophone normally being placed in direct contact with the ocean bottom. To improve the contact between the geophone and the ocean floor, the geophone assembly is typically made to be quite heavy, with a typical density of between 3 and 7 grams per cubic centimeter.
A geophone detects a particle velocity signal, whereas the hydrophone detects a pressure gradient signal. The geophone has directional sensitivity, whereas the hydrophone does not. Accordingly, the upgoing wavefield signals detected by the geophone and the hydrophone will be in phase, but the downgoing wavefield signals detected by the geophone and the hydrophone will be 180 degrees out of phase. Various techniques have been proposed for using this phase difference to reduce the spectral notch caused by the ghost reflection.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,865 to Ruehle, for example, teaches a system said to suppress ghost reflections by combining the outputs of pressure and velocity detectors. The detectors are paired, one pressure detector and one velocity detector in each pair. A filter is said to change the frequency content of at least one of the detectors so that the ghost reflections cancel when the outputs are combined.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,700 to Moldovenu also teaches using at least one sensor pair comprising a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor in an ocean bottom cable in a method for attenuating ghosts and water layer reverberations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,903 to Sanders et al. teaches a marine seismic reflection prospecting system that detects seismic waves traveling in water by pressure sensor-particle velocity sensor pairs (e.g., hydrophone-geophone pairs) or alternatively vertically-spaced pressure sensors. Instead of filtering to eliminate ghost reflection data, the system calls for enhancing primary reflection data for use in pre-stack processing by adding the ghost data.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,150 provides a method for marine seismic prospecting said to attenuate coherent noise resulting from water column reverberation by applying a scale factor to the output of a pressure transducer and a particle velocity transducer positioned substantially adjacent one another in the water. In this method, the transducers may be positioned either on the ocean bottom or at a location in the water above the bottom, although the ocean bottom is said to be preferred.
Four component system have also been utilized on the sea floor. A four component system utilizes a hydrophone for detecting a pressure signal, together with a three-component geophone for detecting particle velocity signals in three orthogonal directions: vertical, in-line and cross line. The vertical geophone output signal is used in conjunction with the hydrophone signal to compensate for the surface reflection. The three orthogonally positioned geophones are used for detecting shear waves, including the propagation direction of the shear waves.
The utility of simultaneously recording pressure and vertical particle motion in marine seismic operations has long been recognized. However, a geophone (or accelerometer) for measuring vertical particle motion must be maintained in a proper orientation in order to accurately detect the signal. Maintaining such orientation is non-trivial in a marine streamer and significantly more problematic than maintaining such orientation on the ocean bottom. Exploration streamers towed behind marine vessels are typically over one mile in length. Modern marine seismic streamers may use more than 10,000 transducers. To maintain a particle velocity sensor (a geophone or accelerometer) in proper orientation to detect vertical motion, the prior art has proposed various solutions. The use of gimbals has been proposed repeatedly. One example is a "gimbal lock system for seismic sensors" described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,302 to Brink et al. Another example is a "dual gimbal geophone" described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,652 to McNeel et al. Still another example is a "self-orienting directionally sensitive geophone" described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,949 to Lister. Nevertheless, no streamers containing both hydrophone and geophones are in commercial use.
In addition to the problem of maintaining orientation, severe noise from streamer cables has been considered prohibitive to use of particle velocity sensors in streamers. Because the voltage output signal from particle velocity sensors is normally not as strong as the output signal from hydrophones, the noise level in streamer cables has been a detriment to the use of particle velocity sensors.
In ocean bottom cables, the sensors are located on the sea floor and therefore are less exposed to noise generated by vibrations in the cable. Geophones are typically gimbaled to ensure a correct direction and are made of heavy brass or similar material to ensure good contact with the sea floor. The geophone housing is typically filled with fluid to improve the coupling between the sensor and the seafloor. However, because of the variation in properties of the seafloor from location to location, impedance mismatch between the seafloor and the sensor and sensor housing can cause problems. Such mismatch in impedance can cause various types of distortion in both the hydrophone signal and the geophone signal. Also, the boundary effects for the hydrophone and the geophone due to their closeness to the sea floor can change the response for the hydrophone and the geophone, giving rise to a need to correct the amplitude values in processing to be able to use the signal for elimination of the surface "ghost" reflection.
Accordingly a need continues to exist for an improved system for gathering marine seismic data.

Apparatus and methods for multicomponent marine geophysical data gathering