A cage with storage space for a lubricant, particularly for roller bearings operating in a depressurized environment, including at least one storage space containing a lubricant between two chambers of rotating elements. The storage space includes at least one roughly radial or tangential outlet for the lubricant. The storage space advantageously includes an opening that opens towards an axis of the cage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cage with a lubricant storage space.
2. Discussion of the Background
Sealed roller bearings are generally lubricated with a lubricant that partially fills a free space between rotating elements. The quantity of lubricant available in the free space has a direct influence on the life of the roller bearing, however, overfilling the free space can result in heating of the roller bearing and in leaks.
Certain operating conditions provide an environment where the life of the roller bearing is limited by insufficient lubrication and not by the physical stresses that the rotating elements must tolerate. Under such conditions, the number of rotating elements in the roller bearing may be reduced in order to increase the quantity of lubricant in the roller bearing without increasing the percentage of fill. In certain operating conditions of the roller bearing, for example in a depressurized environment that tends to vaporize the usual lubricants, the quantity of lubricant nevertheless remains a limiting factor for the life of the roller bearing.
One way in which to extend the life of roller bearings is to use special, high-performance, slowly consumed lubricants and ceramic balls with a very low friction coefficient. However, special lubricants are very expensive.
In order to reduce the use of these types of lubricants, document JP 61 140616proposes the even distribution in the roller bearing of a more traditional lubricant stored beforehand in a roller bearing cage. JP 61 140616 describes a cage that forms a bridge including a chamber that contains the lubricant between two successive elements. The chamber communicates with a space in which the rotating elements move via a single narrow opening oriented from the accommodating space toward the bearing race borne by the outer ring of the roller bearing.
In the invention described in JP 61 140616, when the rotating elements rotate, the lubricant is expulsed progressively, under the effect of centrifugal force, from the chamber toward the bearing race borne by the outer ring. When the rotating elements roll along the bearing race, the rotating elements disperse the lubricant between the two roller bearing rings.
As the reserve lubricant of the invention described in JP 61 140616 does not increase the fill level, it does not lead to heating of the roller bearing. Its even distribution nevertheless makes it possible to increase the use life of the roller bearing. However, this type of cage is complicated to produce. A traditional molding process does not allow the creation of a virtually closed chamber. The cage must therefore be produced using two assembled parts. Likewise, a molding operation cannot allow the production of an orifice in the chamber. Additionally, the distribution of the lubricant generates negative pressure inside the chamber, which negatively impacts the even distribution of the lubricant.


With a hot-rolled steel sheet for electrical steel sheet production having a scale layer on the surface, where the surface of the steel sheet has a lightness L* as defined in JIS Z 8781-4: 2013 satisfying 30≤L*≤50, and chromaticities a* and b* as defined in JIS Z 8781-4: 2013 satisfying −1≤a*≤2 and −5≤b*≤3 respectively, and with one end portion in the longitudinal direction of a coil as a reference, a color difference ΔEab* as defined in JIS Z 8781-4: 2013 at the central portion and at the opposite end portion satisfies ΔEab*≤8, it is possible to obtain a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet where the variation of properties in a product coil is small.

A grain-oriented electrical steel sheet is a soft magnetic material used as an iron core material of a transformer or generator, and has crystal texture in which <001> orientation which is the easy magnetization axis of iron is highly accumulated into the rolling direction of the steel sheet. Such texture is formed through secondary recrystallization of preferentially causing the growth of giant crystal grains in {110}<001> orientation which is called Goss orientation, when secondary recrystallization annealing is performed in the processes of producing the grain-oriented electrical steel sheet.
It has been a common practice for such a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet to use a technique where fine precipitates called inhibitors are used to cause secondary recrystallization of crystal grains having Goss orientation during final annealing.
For example, a method using AlN and MnS described in JP S40-015644 B (PTL 1) and a method using MnS and MnSe described in JP S51-013469 B (PTL 2) have been industrially put to use. Although these methods using inhibitors require slab heating at high temperature of 1300° C. or higher, they are very useful in stably developing secondary recrystallized grains. To strengthen the function of such inhibitors, JP S38-008214 B (PTL 3) discloses a method using Pb, Sb, Nb, and Te, and JP S52-024116 A (PTL 4) discloses a method using Zr, Ti, B, Nb, Ta, V, Cr, and Mo.
Furthermore, JP 2782086 B (PTL 5) proposes a method of suppressing the N content while containing 0.010% to 0.060% of acid-soluble Al in the slab composition, controlling slab heating to low temperature and performing nitriding in an appropriate nitriding atmosphere during decarburization annealing so that (Al, Si)N is precipitated and used as an inhibitor in secondary recrystallization. Many methods similar to the above one where nitriding treatment is performed in an intermediate process and (Al,Si)N or AlN is used as an inhibitor have been proposed and, recently, production methods such as those with slab heating temperature exceeding 1300° C. have also been disclosed.
On the other hand, JP 2000-129356 A (PTL 6) and other documents disclose a technique of preferentially causing secondary recrystallization of Goss orientation crystal grains using a raw material without inhibitor component. This method does not require fine particle distribution of inhibitors into steel, and therefore has great advantages in terms of costs and maintenance, such as not requiring slab heating at high temperature which was previously inevitable. However, it is extremely important for a chemical composition without inhibitor component to control the annealing temperature during hot band annealing. The reason is that, because of the absence of inhibitor component, the texture of the steel sheet is very dependent on temperature as compared with the case of a chemical composition with an inhibitor.
However, a slab for electrical steel sheet production contains a large amount of Si, and therefore scales called Si scales are often locally formed on the surface of the steel sheet during hot rolling. As a result, the amount of heat obtained, for example, from radiant heat varies because of the Si scales on the steel sheet surface during hot band annealing, which may cause changes in the surface properties of the hot-rolled sheet. When the surface properties of the hot-rolled sheet change, there are problems that the hot band annealing temperature varies within a coil and that feedback control promotes excessive heating or insufficient heating.
JP 2689810 B (PTL 7) proposes a method of producing a high-strengthened hot-rolled steel sheet, which is a technique of producing a hot-rolled steel sheet with 0.40 mass % to 2.0 mass % of Si and excellent surface properties. However, during the production of a hot-rolled sheet of an electrical steel sheet with 2.0 mass % or more of Si, it is still difficult to uniformize the surface properties. The problem has not been solved yet.

Hot-rolled steel sheet for electrical steel sheet production and method of producing same


The disclosure generally relates to a system for detecting a change in an attribute of a substance. The system may include a photon source for producing a first of a plurality of photons which interact with the substance while an attribute of the substance changes to produce a second plurality of photons. The system may also include a filter for receiving the collected photons and providing filtered photons; a photon detector for receiving the filtered photons and obtaining therefrom a spectrum of the substance; and a processor for detecting an aspect of the filtered photons wherein the aspect of the filtered photons is the function of the attribute of the substance.

Spectroscopic imaging combines digital imaging and molecular spectroscopy techniques, which can include Raman scattering, fluorescence, photoluminescence, ultraviolet, visible and infrared absorption spectroscopies. When applied to the chemical analysis of materials, spectroscopic imaging is commonly referred to as chemical imaging. Instruments for performing spectroscopic (i.e. chemical) imaging typically comprise image gathering optics, focal plane array imaging detectors and imaging spectrometers.
In general, the sample size determines the choice of image gathering optic. For example, a microscope is typically employed for the analysis of sub micron to millimeter spatial dimension samples. For larger objects, in the range of millimeter to meter dimensions, macro lens optics are appropriate. For samples located within relatively inaccessible environments, flexible fiberscopes or rigid borescopes can be employed. For very large scale objects, such as planetary objects, telescopes are appropriate image gathering optics.
Conventional imaging system include a slide for receiving the sample, a light source for illuminating the sample with a plurality of photons, a lens for receiving the photons scattered (or emitted) by the sample, a tunable filter and an image sensor for forming a three dimensional image of the sample. During operation, the sample is placed on a microscopic slide or a Petri dish and placed at a designated location where photons emitted or scattered from the sample can be collected by an objective lens. The conventional imaging spectrometers are configured to obtain an image of a sample in a homeostasis. That is, the conventional imaging systems are directed to detecting an image from a samples in a state of physical and/or chemical equilibrium with a tendency to remain in such state. There is a need for a method and apparatus for chemical imaging of a dynamic system.

Method and apparatus for chemical imaging in a microfluidic circuit


Stacked three-dimensional devices can be prepared by stacking wafers as an alternative to stacking individual devices. Chip regions are formed on several wafers with each chip region being surrounded by a separation region, such as an insulator filled trench. The wafers are then stacked with the chip regions in alignment. Aligning the wafers can be facilitated using notched regions in the periphery of the wafers. The wafers are then joined together by lamination. After laminating the stacks of wafers, stacks of chips are separated by etching, dicing or other processes, which separate out stacked chip devices from the stacked wafer at the chip separation regions. The process allows several stacked chip devices to be manufactured simultaneously.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to semiconductor chip manufacture, and more particularly to methods of making stacks of chips by lamination of wafers.
2. Background Description
Since the development of integrated circuit technology, computers and computer storage devices have been made from wafers of semiconductor material comprising a plurality of integrated circuits. After a wafer is made, the circuits are typically separated from each other by dicing the wafer into small chips, each containing one or more circuits. Thereafter, the individual chips are bonded to carriers of various types, and interconnected by wires to form modules. Such "two-dimensional" modules of chips fail to optimize the number of circuits that may be packaged in a given space and introduce undesirable signal delays, capacitance, and inductance as signals travel between chips.
Recently, three-dimensional arrays of chips have emerged as an important packaging approach. A typical multichip electronic module comprises multiple integrated circuit (IC) chips adhesively secured together as a monolithic structure. A metallization pattern is often provided directly on one (or more) side surface(s) of the module for IC chip interconnections and for electrical connection of IC chips to circuitry external to the module. The metallization pattern can include both individual contacts and bussed contacts. Multichip modules comprising stacks of IC chips are referred to herein as "stacks".
The current stack fabrication process suffers from problems that negatively effect overall stack manufacturing yield and efficiency. As a result, stack manufacturing costs remain high and profit margins remain low. Several of these problems involve: (1) IC chips becoming unusable in the stacks due to edge chipping during wafer dicing; (2) difficult side-surface channel via fabrication; (3) side-surface polyimide edge bead thickness; and (4) variable T-connect quality.
In addition, the current stack fabrication process requires much tighter dicing tolerance than is currently required for IC chip dicing associated with single IC chip, plastic encapsulation type packaging. The dicing tolerance for plastic packaging is approximately, for example, .+-.20 .mu.m, while the stack process requires a dicing tolerance of approximately, for example, .+-.5 .mu.m.
When IC chips of inadequate tolerance are stacked and laminated, the varying IC chip sizes result in IC chips shifting within the stack. Such shifting causes misalignment of, for example, the transfer metal leads of the IC chip in the stack. Accordingly, the side-surface of the stack requires polishing to expose all of the transfer metal leads, thereby reducing the total number of times that the stack side-surface can be reworked. Furthermore, the misalignment of the IC chips results in wider side-surface wiring being required to "capture" all the side-surface connections. Side-surface wiring density is therefore reduced.
As yet another problem, the varying IC chip sizes force the stack/lamination fixture used for assembly of the stack to be large enough to accommodate IC chips of varying sizes up to the maximum specification limit. This increases the likelihood of IC chip shifting. Moreover, the forces on the stack during lamination are concentrated on the largest chips in the stack because they are in direct contact with the sides of the lamination fixture. Therefore, these large chips tend to become damaged during lamination. This further compromises stack yield and requires increased side-surface polishing.

Method for stacked three dimensional device manufacture

International Business Machines Corporation


A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, a first brake assembly, and a first biasing assembly. A first drive wheel and a second drive wheel of the riding lawn care vehicle are operably coupled to the frame. The steering assembly includes a first steering lever and a second steering lever. The first and second steering levers are operably coupled to corresponding ones of the first and second drive wheels via a first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic motor, respectively, to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of the first and second steering levers to control the first and second hydraulic motors. The first brake assembly is operably coupled to the first hydraulic motor to enable a braking force to be selectively applied to a motor shaft of the first hydraulic motor responsive to movement of the first steering lever from an inboard position to an outboard position. The first biasing assembly is configured to positively assist movement of the first steering lever between the inboard and outboard positions in both directions.

Lawn care tasks are commonly performed using various tools and/or machines that are configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. Certain tasks, like grass cutting, are typically performed by lawn mowers. Lawn mowers themselves may have many different configurations to support the needs and budgets of consumers. Walk-behind lawn mowers are typically compact, have comparatively small engines, and are relatively inexpensive. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, riding lawn mowers, such as lawn tractors, can be quite large. Riding lawn mowers can sometimes also be configured with various functional accessories (e.g., trailers, tillers, and/or the like) in addition to grass cutting components. Riding lawn mowers provide the convenience of a riding vehicle as well as a typically larger cutting deck as compared to a walk-behind model.
By their very nature, riding lawn mowers include steering assemblies that are used to direct the movement of the riding lawn mowers. The steering assemblies often take the familiar form of a steering wheel. However, handlebar assemblies have also been used in some cases. More recently, some mowers have been provided with very short (e.g., near zero) turning radiuses. Such mowers have employed separate steering levers that interface with the drive wheels on each respective side of the mower.
The steering levers are typically disposed substantially in front of the operator to enable the operator to grasp and operate the steering levers (e.g., from a seated position). The steering levers are then movable in forward and rearward directions to turn the respective wheels in corresponding directions to control movement of the riding lawn mower. However, when the riding lawn mower is not being operated, such as when the operator intends to park the mower, it may be desirable to provide a convenient and effective mechanism by which to employ a parking brake.

Integrated park brake system for a riding lawn care vehicle


A sample processing system is disclosed which includes at least one processor and at least one memory that stores programs executable collectively by the at least one processor. According to the stored programs, the at least one processor transports sample containers through a conveying path along which there are arranged at least one first module for testing of samples and at least one second module for processing of samples which have been tested by the at least one first module. The at least one second module is switchable between an active state and an inactive state. The at least one processor further obtains a determination result as to whether a sample which has been tested by the at least one first module is necessary to be processed by the at least one second module.

Sample processing apparatuses for processing a clinical sample such as blood or urine are used in medical institutions such as hospitals. Some of such sample processing apparatuses are composed of a plurality of analysis modules and a transport apparatus for transporting a sample to the plurality of analysis modules, so as to improve the sample processing capacity. In addition, some of such sample processing apparatuses are configured such that, when it is determined that the same sample is required to be re-examined as a result of the analysis (first examination) in one analysis module, the re-examination is automatically carried out in another module in the same apparatus (for example, see U.S. patent application publication No. 2008/0310999).
In addition, some of this type of sample processing apparatuses has a function of changing a state of the apparatus into an inactive state in order to suppress power consumption (for example, see Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2003-121449).
In the sample processing apparatus which is configured so as to carry out the re-examination as in the above-mentioned U.S. patent application publication No. 2008/0310999, the usage frequency of an analysis module for use in the re-examination is smaller than that of another analysis module for carrying out first examination in many cases. Particularly, in a time period in which the number of samples is small, the time in which the analysis module for use in the re-examination is not used increases. However, even in this situation, the analysis module for use in the re-examination is made active so as to be able to promptly start the re-examination in the conventional sample processing apparatus. Accordingly, a problem occurs in that the power consumption increases.
In Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2003-121449, it is disclosed a technique for suppressing the power consumption of an entire sample analysis system. However, it is not disclosed suppressing the power consumption of the analysis module for use in the re-examination.

Sample processing system, method for saving electricity consumed by sample processing system, and non-transitory storage medium


A projection display apparatus includes a light shielding member provided with an opening through which light from a light source passes, and a light modulation element unit configured to face the light shielding member to be illuminated by the light passing through the opening of the light shielding member, the light shielding member has a first region and a second region that is located between the first region and the opening, the light modulation element unit has a third region facing the first region, and a fourth region facing the second region, and a first average temperature gradient between the first region and the third region is greater than a second average temperature gradient between the second region and the fourth region.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projection display apparatus which reduces adherence of fine foreign substances to a light modulation element.
Description of the Related Art
A projection display apparatus is provided with a plurality of heating elements in its inside. In order to cool these heating elements, for example, using a fan disposed inside the projection display apparatus, the air outside the projection display apparatus is taken in its inside and the air is introduced to the heating elements to be cooled. In this case, a lot of foreign substances such as dusts may float according to the environment of setting up the projection display apparatus. Therefore, a quality of a projection image may be deteriorated by the foreign substances intruded and adhering to an optical element provided inside the projection display apparatus when the cooling air is taken in its inside. Particularly, when the foreign substances adhere to an light modulation element, there is a problem that the foreign substances are easily visible in the projection image. On the other hand, the light modulation element needs to perform a position adjustment with respect to optical components housed inside the projection display apparatus and its performance is affected by stress due to an external force, and therefore it is difficult to adopt a solid sealed structure
Previously, a configuration in which a dust collection filter is disposed at an intake (air inlet), or a flexible dust-proof member such as a formed material having a small reaction force and a rubber is disposed around the optical element has been known. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. H11-305674 discloses a configuration in which a first dust-proof member is disposed between a light shielding plate and a base to which the light modulation element is attached and a second dust-proof member is disposed between a wave plate and the light shielding plate to ensure a high dust-proof property. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2004-020603 discloses a configuration in which a dust-proof cover is disposed between a light shielding member and a polarization beam splitter.
However, even in the configurations disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos. H11-305674 and 2004-020603, there is a possibility that fine foreign substances are intruded through a gap in the dust-proof component. Particularly, it is difficult to ensure a sufficient dust-proof property (sealing property) for fine particles not greater than 1 μm for example, and dirt gradually adheres to the optical components due to the use for a long time and color unevenness may be displayed in the projection image.
When a filter which is provided with a small opening is used to capture the fine particles, a ventilation resistance of the filter increases and accordingly a noise of the fan increases and a size of an apparatus is enlarged. When the adherence or contact pressure is increased to improve the sealing property of each component, a dismantling property is deteriorated and the stress to the optical component is increased, and accordingly the optical performance is deteriorated and the position of the optical component is displaced.

Projection display apparatus and image display system


A hand-held power working machine which is capable of reducing the weight of the clipper blades, capable of being suitably heat-treated in the manufacture thereof, and capable of minimizing the stress concentration at the slot portions during the operation thereof. The clipper blades comprise a large number of cutting edges, and a large number of slots formed along a full length of each of the clipper blades; wherein the pitch of array of the cutting edges is substantially the same as the pitch of array of the slots.

This invention relates to clipper blades (toothed blades) of a power working machine, and in particular to the clipper blades of a hand-held power working machine such as a hedge trimmer.
A hand-held power working machine such as a hedge trimmer is generally constituted by a prime mover case having a prime mover such as an internal combustion engine, a mount base portion surrounding a transmission case having a power transmission device such as gears to be actuated by the prime mover, a working portion comprising the clipper blades to be actuated via the aforementioned power transmission device by the prime mover, and a handling portion attached to the prime mover case or the mount base portion. This handling portion is constituted, for the convenience of manipulation thereof, by a front handle portion and a rear handle portion.
As shown in FIG. 3, the blade portion of the conventional working portion is constituted by a pair of upper and lower clipper blades 40 and 50, each of which having not only a plurality of triangular cutting edges 41 and 51 respectively, but also a plurality of guiding slots 42 and 52 respectively which are formed along the whole length of the clipper blades 40 and 50 at predetermined intervals.
An upper blade-supporting plate 60 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper clipper blade 40, and a lower blade-supporting plate 70 is disposed at the bottom surface of the proximal end portion of the lower clipper blade 50. The upper blade-supporting plate 60 is provided with a plurality of threaded holes 62.
The pair of the upper and lower clipper blades 40 and 50 are supported or cantilevered by means of the upper blade-supporting plate 60. Specifically, a plurality of guiding male screws 61 are introduced from the bottom side of the lower clipper blades 50 into the guiding slots 52 and 42, and further screwed into the threaded holes 62. The upper portions 61a of the guiding male screws 61 that have been protruded from the threaded holes 62 are screwed and clamped with locknuts 71. As a result, the pair of the upper and lower clipper blades 40 and 50 are respectively guided by the combination of the guiding male screws 61 with the guiding slots 42 and 52 so as to permit them to slide reciprocatingly in the longitudinal direction thereof.
The upper and lower clipper blades 40 and 50 are actuated, via an eccentric cam, etc. disposed in the transmission case, by the internal combustion engine so as to be reciprocatingly moved in opposite direction to each other with a phase shift of 180 degree, thus making it possible to carry out the cutting work of vegetation.
Because of the specific structure that the pair of the upper and lower clipper blades 40 and 50 are extended from and cantilevered by the main body of a hand-held power working machine such as a hedge trimmer, as well as because of the weight of the upper and lower clipper blades 40 and 50 which are made from a steel plate having a thickness of 2.5 mm (even though they are somewhat lightened by the formations of guiding slots 42 and 52), the cutting work with this hand-held power working machine by carrying the machine with both hands is very hard for an operator due to this cantilever type clipper blades 40 and 50.
Further, since the guiding slots 42 and 52 are formed only at the portions of the upper and lower clipper blades 40 and 50 where the several guiding male screws 61 are to be introduced for guiding these slots 42 and 52, the quenching rate at the occasion of heat treatment in the manufacture of the clipper blades 40 and 50 becomes non-uniform depending on the portion of the clipper blades 40 and 50, thus giving rise to the generation of strain or crack in the clipper blades 40 and 50. Furthermore, a stress concentration tends to occur at these slot portions during the operation of the clipper blades 40 and 50, thus giving rise to the generation of crack at these slot portions.


The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human depression predisposing gene, specifically the apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (APAF1) gene, some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to depression. More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the APAF1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to depression. The invention also relates to the prophylaxis and/or therapy of depression associated with a mutation in the APAF1 gene. The invention further relates to the screening of drugs for depression therapy. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of the APAF1 gene for mutations/alterations, which are useful for diagnosing the predisposition to depression.

Depression is thought to affect around twenty million Americans every year. The economic impact of depression is difficult to estimate, but reports indicate that approximately 30 billion dollars was lost directly and indirectly in 1990 as a result of the disease. Depression manifests itself in many different ways including persistent sad mood, loss of interest or pleasure in once enjoyable activities, significant change in appetite or body weight, sleep disorders, physical slowing or agitation, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, difficulty thinking, difficulty concentrating, malaise, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. The families and friends of depressed individuals are often profoundly affected by the disease.
The present invention relates generally to depression. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human depression predisposing gene, specifically the apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (APAF1) gene, some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to depression. More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the APAF1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to depression. The invention also relates to the prophylaxis and/or therapy of depression associated with a mutation in the APAF1 gene. The invention further relates to the screening of associated with a mutation in the APAF1 gene. The invention further relates to the screening of drugs for depression therapy. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of the APAF1 gene for mutations/alterations, which are useful for diagnosing the predisposition to depression.
Depression is typically diagnosed as major depressive disorder (unipolar major depression, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), and dysthymic disorder (dysthymia). There are a number of subtypes of these major categories of depression. Diagnosis of these mental disorders is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV). American Psychiatric Association; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), Washington, D.C., American Psychiatric Press, 1994.
Major depression is associated with low mood, low energy and motivation, insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Bipolar disorder is a severe psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1% of the world's population (Goodwin, F. K. and Jameson, K. R. (1990) Manic-Depressive Illness, Oxford Univ. Press, New York). It is characterized by extreme swings in mood between mania and depression. Mania is accompanied by euphoria, grandiosity, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, rapid speech, and risk taking. Psychosis can occur in either state, and there is a 17% lifetime risk for suicide. Dysthymic disorder is considered a milder form of depression with symptom similar to that of major depression.
The etiology of depression is currently unknown, but epidemiological studies argue for a strong genetic component. Family studies indicate an approximately 7-fold increase in risk to first-degree family members (Tsuang, M. T. and Faraone, S. V. (1990) The Genetics of Mood Disorders, Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore). Twin studies find an average 4-fold increase in risk to monozygotic vs. dizygotic twins. The mode of genetic transmission is unclear. Although some studies have supported the presence of autosomal dominant major loci (Spence, M. A. et al. (1995) Am. J. Med. Genet. 60:370-376; Rice, J. et al (1987) Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 44:441-447), it has also been argued that bipolar disorder is oligogenic with multiple loci of modest effect.
Although initial attempts at linkage studies met with inconsistent replication (Egeland, J. A. et al. (1987) Nature 325:783-787; Kelsoe, J. R. et al. (1989) Nature 342:238-243; Baron, M. et al. (1987) Nature 326:289-292; Baron, M. (1991) Soc. Biol. 38:179-188), more recently, the accumulation of multiple studies of larger family sets has led to the reproducible identification of several genetic loci associated with depression. These include 4p, 12q, 13q, 18, 21q, and Xq among others (Blackwood, D. H. et al. (1996) Nat. Genet. 12:427-430; Dawson, E. et al. (1995) Am. J. Med. Genet. 60:94-102; Detera-Wadleigh, S. D. et al. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:5604-5609; Berrettini, W. H. et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:5918-5921; Freimer, N. B. et al. (1996) Nat. Genet. 12:436-441; Straub, R. E. et al. (1994) Nat. Genet. 8:291-296; Pekkarinen, P. et al. (1995) Genome Res. 5:105-115; Craddock, N. & Jones, I. (1999) J. Med. Genet. 36:585-594; Craddock, N. & Jones, I. (2001) Br. J. Psychiatry 41:s128-s133). Linkage between bipolar disorder and chromosome 12q23-12q24 has been reported (Green, E. K. et al. (2000) Am. J. Med. Genet. 96:545; Morissette, J. et al. (1999) Am. J. Med. Genet. 88: 567-587; Ewald, H. et al. (1998) Psychiatr. Genet. 8:131-140 (1998); Degan, B. et al. (2001) Mol. Psychiatry 6:450-455; Detera-Wadleigh, S. D. et al. (1999) Am. J. Med. Genet. 88:255-259; Jacobsen, N. et al. (1996) Psych. Genet. 6:195-199; Rice, J. P. et al. (1997) Am. J. Med. Genet. 74:247-253).
In view of the importance of early diagnosis of depression, there is a need to identify genes associated with depression for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.


There is provided a polygon mirror scanner motor including: a rotor configured to rotate around a rotation axis; a fitting member configured to be fitted to an outer circumferential surface of the rotor; and a polygon mirror configured to be fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotor and bonded with the fitting member, wherein a diameter of the rotor at a part, to which the fitting member is fitted, is configured to be smaller than a diameter of the rotor at a part, to which the polygon mirror is fitted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polygon mirror scanner motor, and in particular a polygon mirror scanner motor having a polygon mirror fitted to a rotor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A polygon mirror scanner motor is a motor which is mounted on a laser beam printer or the like so as to rotate a polygon mirror at a high speed. A laser diode emits a laser beam onto a polygon mirror rotationally driven by a polygon mirror scanner motor. A laser beam for scanning a surface of a photoreceptor is generated by reflecting the laser beam on the polygon mirror.
The polygon mirror typically has a fitting, hole formed in its center portion. The inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of a rotor. Typically there is a clearance between the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor in order to make it easy to attach/remove the polygon mirror to/from the rotor. In a typical polygon mirror scanner motor, the polygon mirror is attached to the rotor by use of a holding spring, a screw, a bonding agent, etc.
For example, JP-A-11-183831 discloses a polygon mirror driving device including a rotary polygon mirror which includes a fitting hole, a rotor which includes a cylindrical portion fitted into the fitting hole of the rotary polygon mirror, and a mirror holding member which is screwed down to an upper portion of the cylindrical portion of the rotor. The mirror holding member includes a cap which is screwed down to the rotor, and a holding spring which is compressed between the cap and the rotary polygon mirror by a thrust-direction force applied from the cap. The rotary polygon mirror is attached to the rotor by a force applied from the holding spring and a bonding agent. The rotary polygon mirror and the mirror holding member are fitted to, the cylindrical portion of the rotor, parts having the same diameter, respectively.
JP-A-2000-347120 discloses a polygon mirror type light deflector including a rotor, a ring-like polygon mirror which has a center hole, a part of the rotor which it is inserted into and which is mounted on the rotor, and a cap which presses the polygon mirror to a mirror mounting portion and attaches the polygon mirror thereto. A mirror attaching portion of the cap is attached to the polygon mirror by a bonding agent. The polygon mirror and the cap are fitted to the portion of the rotor having same diameter.
Generally when a rotatable body is rotating, a centrifugal force proportional to the size of a radius from the center of the rotation axis of the rotating body acts on the rotating body so that the rotating body expands. As soon as the rotation stops, the centrifugal force disappears and the rotating body is restored to its original size. Thus, a rotating body that has a larger outer diameter, has a larger centrifugal force that acts on the rotating body so that the volume of expansion increases.
The polygon mirror scanner motor rotationally drives the polygon mirror at a high speed of about 40,000 rpm. The outer diameter of the polygon mirror is larger than the outer diameter of the rotor. Therefore, the centrifugal force acting on the polygon mirror is larger than the centrifugal force acting on the rotor. Thus, the clearance between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor and the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole, which is small when the rotation stops, increases due to a difference between the centrifugal force acting on the polygon mirror and the centrifugal force acting on the rotor during the rotation. As a result, when the polygon mirror is rotated (started up) and stopped repeatedly, the posit on of the polygon mirror relative to the rotor gradually shifts, and this causes a submicron shift in the center of gravity of the polygon mirror, this problem causes deterioration of stability.


Described are apparatus and methods for providing a contextual keyboard service located on a remote server for implementation on any website or device capable of supporting an on-screen keyboard.

The typical implementation of a keyboard to enter information on a content delivery and interaction application, such as a website, is either through a physical keyboard or a virtual keyboard that is installed on a device such as a smartphone, tablet, etc.
Historically, users have worked with physical keyboards connected to computers to input information into a content delivery and interaction application. With the advent of touch-based devices such as smartphones and tablets, the physical keyboard has been replaced by a virtual keyboard, with several options available to the user to install and use on their device. Both these foregoing methods are limited in the sense that the contextual element of what is being input on the content delivery and interaction application is limited to non-existent. Furthermore, in the case of certain virtual devices, such as those based on Apple Inc.'s current iOS system, only certain types of interactions with virtual keyboards are allowed, which limit the user experience. For example, tracing a sequence of letters to form a word is not allowed in any current virtual keyboard implementations; users can only enter one character/number/letter at a time.

Contextual keyboard located on a remote server for implementation on any content delivery and interaction application


An axial piston hydraulic device. The device has a housing that uses a servo piston in order to control the displacement of a swashplate within the device. By using a servo member disposed within a cavity of an end cap on the housing the axial piston hydraulic device is able to provide three operating positions depending on the angle of the swashplate.

This invention relates to swashplate axial piston hydraulic devices. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus and method that provides three operating displacements in a swashplate type axial piston unit.
Present swashplate type axial piston devices comprise a housing having a cylinder block with a plurality of reciprocating pistons therein that are acted upon by a swashplate. The swashplate is connected to a servo piston that is acted upon by a servo spring. Typically, the hydraulic device is a two positioned device in which the swashplate angle is controlled by the servo piston. The maximum angle (displacement) is defined by the point at which the servo piston contacts an end cap of the housing. While the minimum angle is defined by the point at which the servo piston contacts the housing. Thus, the control input is hydraulic pressure and the total movement of the servo piston from minimum to maximum displacement is a predetermined distance. In this embodiment there is no method to control the displacement of the device between maximum or minimum.
With hydraulic technology advancing higher speeds of hydraulic units is being achieved. With greater speeds greater torque loses are experienced as a result of the increase in speed range. Additionally, displacement accuracy of the swashplate has also been diminished as higher speeds have been accomplished causing mistracking problems associated with machines such as crawlers and skidsteer loaders.
Thus, a principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved swashplate type axial piston unit that provides for improved control of the displacement of the device.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for multiple functionality of a swashplate type axial piston device.
These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

Swashplate type axial piston device having apparatus for providing three operating displacements


The portable cooler is a portable refrigeration system for selectively and adjustably cooling a removable container, such as a beer keg, for example. The portable cooler includes a housing that defines an open interior region for removably receiving the keg. A door is pivotally mounted to the housing, providing the user with selective access to the open interior region. A refrigeration device is mounted within the housing, adjacent the container, and may be powered by an external power supply or by rechargeable batteries, also received within the housing. Wheels are pivotally mounted to a lower end of the housing, and a handle is mounted to an upper end of the housing, allowing the user to selectively transport the housing and keg.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable cooler, which is a portable refrigeration system for selectively and adjustably cooling and transporting a removable container, such as a beer keg, for example.
2. Background
Large beverage containers, such as beer kegs and the like, require either large-scale or specially adapted refrigeration units. Such units are typically mounted within bars or restaurants, such that the container may be placed in the refrigeration unit and tapped to dispense the cooled beverage to the patrons. Such refrigeration units, however, are typically permanently mounted within the bar or counter of the bar or restaurant, thus allowing for efficient cooling of the beverage to take place only in the bar or restaurant.
Users may desire to cool a beverage container, such as the exemplary beer keg, in a remote location, and not a bar, restaurant or other food and drink service establishment. Though a beer keg or the like may be mounted on a dolly or other transportation device to transport the keg to the remote location, the specialized refrigeration unit cannot be transported along with the container because it is heavy and difficult to maneuver.


A vehicle sensor assembly includes a retainer which locks the sensor assembly onto a sensor receipt member of a vehicle gas directing component. The retainer is preferably a cup-shaped member having a base and a wall extending substantially perpendicular from the perimeter thereof. Resilient engagement members extend radially inward from the wall toward the base. To install the sensor assembly, the sensor is pressed onto the sensor receipt member such that the engagement members engage the outer surface of the sensor receipt member. Since the retainer is preferably manufactured of a spring steel or a hard resilient plastic such as nylon, the engagement members attempt to return to their free position thereby locking the sensor assembly onto the sensor receipt member. A method for producing the sensor assembly preferably includes locating the sensor body within an initially cup-shaped retainer having a base and an extended wall. The next series of steps include progressively bending the wall toward a central first axis to substantially surround the sensor body with the retainer.

The present invention relates to a vehicle sensor, and more particularly to a sensor attachment arrangement for vehicle air induction components.
Various types of air induction components such as air induction manifolds, air filter assemblies and throttle bodies are used in the field of internal combustion engines. Many known air induction components are presently manufactured of a non-metallic material such as nylon to simplify fabrication and reduce weight.
The prevalence of substantially non-metallic air induction components can create difficulties for the installation of sensors such as temperature sensors, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors, mass air flow sensors, potentiometers and the like. Such sensors are commonly threaded directly into apertures in the air induction components. Other sensors include extended tabs which receive threaded fastener that enter the air induction components. However, these common attachment arrangements can create residue stress between the threaded sensor or fastener. During use, the air induction component heats up and the threaded sensor or fastener may tend to relieve the residual stress by moving away from its installed position. The sensor may then shift away from its original position and cause a degradation of performance.
Another known sensor attachment arrangement includes a barb which snaps onto a ledge. However, the known barb and ledge is relatively easy to disengage. A measure of a snap fit is the locking ratio which can be defined as the force to put the snap-fit in, divided by the force to take the snap fit object out. The locking ratio for the known barb arrangement is approximately 1:2. That is, it requires approximately twice as much force to remove the barb as to insert it. A low locking retention ratio is particularly disadvantageous when located adjacent a high-vibration vehicle component.
Known sensor attachment arrangements are also typically unique for each particular sensor. The unique attachment arrangements complicate manufacture of the air induction component and increases the difficulties of substituting sensors for different vehicle and engine types.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a sensor assembly which can be easily, securely and inexpensively attached to a non-metallic air induction component without the introduction of residual stress. It is further desirable to provide a generic attachment arrangement to simplify manufacture of the air induction component and allow the interchangeability of sensors.
The present invention provides a vehicle sensor assembly for a vehicle gas directing component such as an air intake manifold. The sensor assembly includes a retainer which digs into and locks the sensor assembly into a sensor receipt member.
The sensor receipt member is preferably formed into a vehicle gas directing component such as an air intake manifold. The sensor receipt member extends from an external wall of the gas directing component and provides an aperture into the interior of the gas directing component. The sensor receipt member preferably includes a frusto-conical outer surface which receives engagement members of the retainer.
In one disclosed embodiment the retainer is a cup-shaped member having a base and a wall extending substantially perpendicular from the perimeter thereof. A plurality of engagement members extend radially inward from the wall toward the base. The engagement members are therefore located substantially within the interior formed by the geometry of the retainer. Preferably, the sensor body portion can xe2x80x9cfloatxe2x80x9d within the retainer. By allowing the sensor body portion to float within the retainer, tolerance variations between the assembled parts are accommodated. To assure that the retainer places a substantially even load on the sensor body portion, a dimple is preferably formed in the center of the retainer base. The dimple faces the interior formed by the geometry of the retainer.
To install the sensor assembly, the sensor body is initially inserted within the aperture. The sensor assembly is then pressed into the sensor receipt member such that the engagement members engage the outer surface of the sensor receipt member. The engagement members provide a resistance toward the center of the sensor receipt member. Thus, since the retainer is preferably manufactured of a spring steel or a hard resilient plastic such as nylon, the engagement members attempt to return to their original position thereby locking the sensor assembly onto the sensor receipt member. Further, particularly when an extraction force is exerted upon the sensor assembly, each engagement member digs into the outer surface of the sensor receipt member.
In one disclosed embodiment, disassembly features are incorporated into the retainer. The engagement members are formed at a helical angle to engage thread-like features formed in the outer surface of the sensor receipt member. The sensor assembly can thereby be pushed on the sensor receipt member yet be easily removed by rotation thereby completing the thread forming. To further assist in removal, the wall of the retainer is preferably fabricated as a polygon to receive a tool or provide improved grip during manual removal.
A method for producing the sensor assembly preferably includes locating the sensor body within an initially cup-shaped retainer having a base and an extended wall. The next series of steps include progressively bending the wall toward a central first axis defined by the sensor body. Although a roller is illustrated in the disclosed embodiment it will be realized that other metal bending operations can be applied according to the present invention to form the retainer.
In yet another alternate embodiment, the sensor assembly includes an integral retainer. The sensor body preferably includes a longitudinal stepped wall that is thermally formed to fashion the engagement members.


A management apparatus manages a plurality of devices. The management apparatus includes a management part that manages, for each one of the devices, one of communication systems used for carrying out communication between the management apparatus and the one of the devices and a communication data amount between the management apparatus and the one of the devices; a setting part that sets a permissible communication amount for each one of the communication systems; and a determination part that determines whether to be able to provide a service to one of the devices based on a communication data amount required for providing the service to the one of the devices, the permissible communication amount of one of the communication systems used by the one of the devices and a total of the communication data amounts of respective ones of the devices each using the one of the communication systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a management apparatus and a management system for managing a plurality of devices with each of which communication can be carried out through a communication medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a management system for carrying out mutual communication between each device and a management apparatus for implementing services such as acquiring state information, receiving failure notifications, automatic ordering of consumables and/or the like. In such a management system, a management apparatus may use a radio communication system such as a Personal Handy-phone System (PHS) or a 3rd generation system for carrying out communication with each device as a management target. In such a case, a company that operates the management apparatus and manages the devices may make a contract with a radio communication service provider to use the radio communication service.
A specific contract style in this case may be, generally speaking, a "packet sharing" type where the cost is determined depending on a communication amount such as several MB per device per month. According to this contract type, the management apparatus can carry out communication for "the contract number of devices×the contract communication amount per device" a month in total between the management apparatus and the devices that are the communication targets.
As a technology concerning such a management system, one disclosed by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2006-59154 (Patent Reference No. 1) is known, for example. According to Patent Reference No. 1, a management server is connected with a plurality of devices via a communication channel(s), determines, according to support contract information associated with each device, whether the device is permitted to update firmware and transmits firmware to the device only when the device is permitted to update firmware.

Management system for determining whether to provide service to device based on permissible communication data amount


A device for facilitating the grinding of the working rolls of a planetary rolling mill in which working rolls are mounted together with intermediate rolls in cages which rotate about a support body, a rolling mill having an upper planet roll and a lower planet roll. In order to provide a low cost and economically operating roll grinding device, allowing simple, fast and precise grinding of the working rolls with reduced mill down time, a planet roll (1) is associated with a manipulating device (2) which is moveable in at least three planes or axes of movement and with which the working rolls (3) can be removed individually from the planet roll (1) and fed to a grinding device (5) as well as returned into the planet roll (1).

German Patent Application DE 39 07 730 A1, incorporated herein by reference, describes a method and an apparatus for carrying out a method for grinding the working rolls of a planetary rolling mill, in which the entire set of rolls of the planetary mill is ground in with special grinding machine, without dismounting the working rolls.
There are generally a set of 24 working rolls associated with each of the planetary rolls, which must be reground after approximately every eight hours of use, because their surfaces become worn. Therefore, it may be appreciated that DE 36 07 730 A1 provides a considerable advantage and improvement over an earlier method for grinding the working rolls, consisting of removing the working rolls from the set of planetary rolls individually by hand, in the workshop or mill, and installing new ones. Particularly in the case of large machines of, for instance, strip width of about 1300 mm, this method is cumbersome, time-consuming and very expensive. However, the solution proposed in DE 39 07 730 A1, even though it constitutes a substantial simplification and improvement, as well as saving time in the regrinding process as compared with the traditional methods, has various problems, which result from the fact that the alignment of the planet rolls in a turning device, intended for the machining of the working rolls while in the installed condition, is very difficult. The precision of the grinding of the working rolls depends directly on the alignment of the planet rolls, therefore any imprecision in alignment or any misalignment will result in imprecise grinding, and thus the planetary mill using these rolls will not operate with greatest effectiveness.
Another disadvantage of the known apparatus for the grinding of working rolls consists of the high investment expenses for the equipment necessary for changing the various rolls. In particular, in the prior art method, at least three sets of rolls are required, each set of rolls consisting of two planet rolls having the support bodies, intermediate rolls and working rolls. The three sets of rolls required are a first set for rolling in the mill, a second set which is in the shop for regrinding of the working rolls, and a spare third set.

Device for grinding the working rolls of a planetary mill


A body has a threaded inner surface removably engageable with an open end portion of a beverage bottle. A lid is directly conjoined to the body and is offset below a top surface of the body for minimizing accidental contact therewith during non-use conditions. A mechanism for detaching the lid from the body is included in such a manner that a first perimeter portion of the lid becomes disengaged from an inner perimeter of the aperture while a second perimeter portion of the lid remains directly affixed to the inner perimeter of the aperture and thereby defines a linear fulcrum axis about which the lid can be repeatedly articulated during operating conditions. The lid is selectively articulated thereafter by placing a user's lips against the detaching mechanism so that the user may quickly and readily pivot the detaching mechanism without using the user's hands.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to container closure assemblies and, more particularly, to a resiliently operable bottle cap for beverage and foodstuff containers.
2. Prior Art
It is highly desirable to provide a container with a closure capable of being easily opened and closed without the use of a tool particularly when it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the contents of the container and protect such contents from contaminants. Thus, the closure should be sufficiently closable to avoid contamination of the contents after the opening of the container.
Heretofore, it has been difficult to accomplish the foregoing, especially with both plastic and metal closures, suitable for plastic containers and metal cans, respectively. It is clearly advantageous to utilize a closure as aforesaid, usually made of the same material as the container, but also with other combinations, e.g., a plastic closure for a metal can. For greater convenience in recycling, the closure and container materials should be the same.
It is also desirable to provide a container closure assembly as aforesaid which is easy to prepare commercially and which is convenient and easy to use. Such containers are particularly useful for fluid products which are dispensed by pouring. Users of such containers have found it convenient to have a pour spout associated with the container to prevent dripping or unintentional spilling of the contents during pouring.
Consumers familiar with containers having pour spouts for fluid products, especially foods such as ketchup, salad dressing or the like products which congeal upon exposure to open air, will appreciate that the pour spout must be totally enclosed in an air-free environment when not in use. Squeeze bottles or the like having a snorkel-like pouring nozzle have been provided with end caps which fit over the free end of the nozzle and which are secured to the base of the nozzle with plastic banding integrally formed therewith. However, considerable care must be exercised in aligning the end cap with the nozzle. Also, the interconnecting band or strap is fragile and susceptible to tearing, with a potential loss of the end cap closure.
Other nozzles, such as those used with mustard containers, have closure arrangements located internal to the nozzle at points remote from the pouring tip thereof. However, after a dispensing operation is completed, the tip of the nozzle remains filled with the product, being trapped in the nozzle, above the closure elements. Over time, upon exposure to the outside air, the product trapped in the tip of the nozzle will spoil, congeal or otherwise present an unsatisfactory condition to the consumer. Accordingly, it is desirable to eliminate such trapping of product in the spout and to provide a total enclosure of the spout, preventing its contact with the outside air.
Accordingly, a need remains for a closeable container that overcomes the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a resiliently operable bottle cap for beverage and foodstuff containers. Such a bottle cap is durable, lightweight, and easily installed and removed. The present invention offers individuals an effective way to prevent beverage spills that frequently stain clothing, furniture, carpet, rugs, the interior of automobiles, etc., and generally make a mess that must be cleaned. Such an invention preserves beverages and food products while maintaining their freshness, reducing waste, and saving a user time and money.

Bottle cap for beverage and foodstuff containers


A simple, fast, and effective method is provided for background removal for document images with dark text over relatively uniform or slow-varying non-white background. Candidate regions for background removal are first identified by binarizing the input gray-scale image using a global threshold very close to white. Large contours in the binarized image are identified as candidate regions. A histogram analysis is applied to preliminarily identify regions containing graphics, which are excluded from further processing. The remaining candidate regions are individually binarized. The binarized regions are analyzed to determine whether they contain graphics or text/table, by examining their geometric characteristics and statistics of connected components within them. For candidate regions determined to contain text or tables, background pixels in the input image are set to white using a mask which is the inverse of the individually binarized images of the regions. Regions that contain graphics are left unchanged.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to document image processing, and in particular, it relates to background removal for document images.
2. Description of Related Art
It is not uncommon that some document images have background for texts. For example, sometimes presentation slides are made with background graphics. Such images can be challenging for many binarization methods, whether they are global or local/adaptive methods. Global binarization methods may produce all white or all black for the regions with background, while local/adaptive binarization methods may introduce artifacts in the transition zones between regions with and without background and in zones where the background image has significant variations. Various sophisticated background removal techniques have been proposed, but they tend to be complex and slow. In addition, some background removal techniques, for example contrast mapping such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,731,821, use a global approach that has impact on foreground texts and graphical (non-text) regions while removing background.


A computer system operable to provide nodes of a cluster with a quorum resource includes a network interface controller, a mass storage device, a processor, and memory. The network interface controller is operable to send messages to the nodes via a network and receive messages from the nodes via the network. The mass storage device includes storage that is used to implement the quorum resource and that is accessible by the nodes via the network interface controller. The processor is operably coupled to the network interface controller and the mass storage device. The memory is operably coupled to the processor and includes instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to process a first message requesting ownership of the quorum resource that is received from a first node of the cluster via the network interface controller. Furthermore, the instructions cause the processor to determine whether the first node already owns the quorum resource in response to receiving the first message. Moreover, the instructions cause the processor to determine whether a second message requesting ownership of the quorum resource is received from a second node of the cluster within a predetermined time period of receiving the first message it the first node does not already own the quorum resource. The instructions cause the processor to grant ownership of the quorum resource to the first node if the second message is not received within the predetermined time period.

Some clustering products such as Microsoft""s Cluster Server (MSCS) utilize a quorum resource in order to maintain data integrity and cluster unity among the nodes of a cluster. In such products, the quorum resource provides physical storage that is accessible by every node of a cluster and persistent arbitration between the nodes of the clusters. In other words, the quorum resource provides a mechanism which grants ownership of the quorum resource to a single node of the cluster and defends the granted ownership from requests to gain ownership of the quorum resource from other nodes of the cluster.
The MSCS Clustering Service alludes to the fact that third party vendors may develop different types of quorum resources. However, the only quorum resource defined by MSCS Clustering Service and used by current MSCS Clustering Services is the shared SCSI storage device. In particular, current MSCS environments include a shared SCSI storage device which provides physical storage that is accessible by every node of the cluster and which utilizes the Reserve and Release commands of the SCSI protocol in order to maintain persistent arbitration. While shared SCSI storage devices satisfy the requirements of a quorum resource, shared SCSI storage device have some drawbacks. One drawback of shared SCSI storage devices is that shared SCSI storage devices require the nodes of the cluster to be in relative close proximity of the shared SCSI storage device due to the cabling requirements of the SCSI protocol. Another drawback of shared SCSI storage devices is that shared SCSI storage devices are rather expensive in today""s marketplace (e.g. $10,000). This relatively high expense associated shared SCSI storage devices precludes clustering as a realistic solution in environments that would otherwise gain great benefit from clustering.
Accordingly, a need exists for a method and apparatus which provide a cluster of nodes with a more cost effective implementation of a quorum resource than current shared SCSI storage device implementations.
The present invention addresses the need for a method and apparatus which provide a cluster of nodes with a more cost effective implementation of a quorum resource current shared SCSI storage device implementations. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is a provided computer system operable to provide nodes of a cluster with a quorum resource. The computer system includes a network interface controller, a mass storage device, a processor, and memory. The network interface controller is operable to send messages to the nodes via a network and receive messages from the nodes via the network. The mass storage device includes storage that is used to implement the quorum resource and that is accessible by the nodes via the network interface controller. The processor is operably coupled to the network interface controller and the mass storage device. The memory is operably coupled to the processor and includes instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to process a first message requesting ownership of the quorum resource that is received from a first node of the cluster via the network interface controller. Furthermore, the instructions cause the processor to determine whether the first node already owns the quorum resource in response to receiving the first message. Moreover, the instructions cause the processor to determine whether a second message requesting ownership of the quorum resource is received from a second node of the cluster within a predetermined time period of receiving the first message if the first node does not already own the quorum resource. The instructions cause the processor to grant ownership of the quorum resource to the first node if the second message is not received within the predetermined time period.
Pursuant to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a high availability system. The high availability system includes a cluster having a plurality of nodes coupled to a network, and a quorum arbitrator having a quorum resource. The quorum arbitrator is operably coupled to said plurality of nodes via said network. Moreover, said quorum arbitrator is operable to receive a first message requesting ownership of said quorum resource from a first node of said plurality of nodes, and determine whether said first node already owns said quorum resource in response to receiving said first message. The quorum arbitrator is further operable to determine whether a second message requesting ownership of said quorum resource is received from a second node of said plurality of nodes within a predetermined time period of receiving said first message if said first node does not already own said quorum resource. Furthermore, quorum arbitrator is operable to grant ownership of said quorum resource to said first node of said plurality of nodes if said second message is not received within said predetermined time period.
Pursuant to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium for configuring a computer system having a network interface controller, at least one processor, and a mass storage device to implement a quorum arbitrator having a quorum resource. The computer readable medium includes instructions, which when executed by said computer system, cause said computer system to receive a first message requesting ownership of said quorum resource from a first node of a plurality of nodes via said network interface controller. Moreover, the instructions cause the computer system to determine whether said first node already owns said quorum resource in response to receiving said first message. The instructions also cause the computer system to determine whether a second message requesting ownership of said quorum resource is received from a second node of said plurality of nodes within a predetermined time period of receiving said first message if said first node does not already own said quorum resource. Moreover, the instructions cause the computer system to grant ownership of said quorum resource to said first node of said plurality of nodes if said second message is not received within said predetermined time period.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new high availability system.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved high availability system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive quorum resource for a high availability system.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a quorum arbitrator and quorum resource which may be implemented with a properly programmed conventional computer system.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

Quorum arbitrator for a high availability system


A composition comprises poly(arylene ether), a rubber modified poly(alkenyle aromatic) resin, and an unsaturated impact modifier. The composition may further comprise an encapsulated fluoropolymer. The melt strength of the composition, measured as the hang time of an extruded tube, is especially suited for blow molding methods. The composition exhibits good melt strength, surface quality and/or sandability and is particularly useful in blow molding applications.

This disclosure relates to a poly(arylene ether) composition and in particular to a poly(arylene ether) composition suitable for blow molding applications.
Poly(arylene ether) resins are widely used in blow molding operations due to their balance of mechanical and chemical properties. Commercially, poly(arylene ether) resins are often blended with polystyrenes, particularly high impact polystyrenes, to give blends with good heat resistance and flow. The successful use of poly(arylene ether) and poly(arylene ether) blends in blow molding operations, however, depends on the characteristics of the molten resin, particularly the melt strength. Melt strength can be described as the tenacity of a molten strand and indicates the ability of the molten resin to support a stress. Melt strength is of particular importance for the blow molding of large parts.
In blow molding of large parts, a tube of molten polymeric resin is extruded vertically into a mold. The extrudate is pressed into the mold surfaces with a pressurized gas flow, thus shaping the softened polymeric resin. Blow molded parts can have surface imperfections. In addition, blow molded parts often have a parting line resulting from the mold. Both the surface imperfections and the parting line are removed in post-molding processes to generate an acceptable surface for painting operations. The most common method of removing parting lines and surface imperfections is sanding. To facilitate sanding, compositions for blow molding applications should have good sandability (i.e., the ability to be sanded).

Poly(arylene ether) composition useful in blow molding


A time-dependent hyperlink is associated with a video of a content server. The time dependent link is cross-referenced with coordinates and time that it appears in the video. A user may select the time-dependent hyperlink by selecting the hyperlink when is displayed by the video. The coordinates of the selection, including time, are used to determine the hyperlink that was selected. The browser being used can then be switched to a new session indicated by the hyperlink.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hyperlink having a time dependency and related to a video.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hypertext systems, such as the World Wide Web (WWW), contain objects, i.e. electronic documents, which are creatively linked to each other. During a session, a user device is connected via a browser to a content server including an object and content is exchanged between the user device and the content server. The exchange of content occurs over the internet using, for example, a hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) for hypertext documents. The HTTP protocol messages are carried in Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) messages. It is also possible to transmit voice or video content over the internet. For the establishment of voice and/or video multimedia session protocols like Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and H.323 are used. Multimedia sessions can be established via SIP by selecting links from HTTP hypertext documents, if the browser is equipped with multimedia capabilities. SIP is a client-server protocol in which requests are generated by one entity (the user or client) and sent to a receiving entity (the server). Contacting the server of the new object may be accomplished by looking up the domain name of the new server in a Domain Name Service (DNS) and determining the correct IP address. The DNS is actually its own network. If one DNS server does not know how to translate a domain name, it asks another, and so one, until the correct IP address is found. The request from the browser is sent to the IP address and may be redirected to where the actual object is connected. The object returns a response through the chain.
Each object which the user device may access may include one or more hyperlinks that link to another place in the same document or to an entirely different object. The hyperlinks occur within a certain area in the object and may include a picture or phrase, a word, an icon, or any other visual representations. The hyperlinks in these objects may be selected by clicking when the cursor is within the area of the hyperlink. When the hyperlink is selected, the browser of the user device switches over to a new object that is associated with the hyperlink.
Prior art video content include hyperlinks and other WWW type content associated with video programs. However, the hyperlinks and WWW type content that are associated with prior art video content are transmitted in parallel to the video program without being associated directly to spatial objects within the video stream. Therefore, these hyperlinks are not bound to objects in the video. It is desireable to navigate in video/multimedia content using hyperlinks bound to the video content. Similarly, the prior art does not define mechanisms for implementing a seamless switchover between video contents. In the prior art, there is always an observable delay when establishing a new session after a hyperlink has been selected from, e.g., a web page displayed by the side of a television picture.
Furthermore, in the prior art, there are no mechanisms having parallel multimedia streams active for potential switchover periods while retaining only one multimedia stream toward the user device.

Timedependent hyperlink system in videocontent


A shovel having a rotatable foot pedal at the top edge of the scoop on each side of the point where the handle joins the scoop. When rotated forward, when the pedal is pressed down, the point of the scoop is directed straight down. When the pedal is rotated back, when the pedal is pressed down, the point of the scoop is forced forward. In addition, detachable handles of various types may be interchanged and the scoop of the shovel may have different edge configurations, including various sized teeth in the edge of the scoop to assist in cutting roots and other material that the shovel might encounter.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a shovel and more particularly to a shovel which has a pedal, which can be positioned both forward and backward, mounted on the upper edge of the shovel on each side of the handle to direct the movement of the point of the scoop either forward when the pedal is positioned to the back of the scoop or straight down when the pedal is positioned forward. Alternate embodiments may include different scoops with edges having teeth of various shapes and having a detachable handle to permit the use of handles of different types.
2. Description of the Prior Art and Objects of the Invention
Shovels have been used for years. Various designs are known to exist, such as the pointed digging shovels and square ended shovels used for coal and picking up debris pushed with a broom onto the shovel. Shovels, as generally known, whether for digging or for other work, have a top edge. The handle joins the scoop or blade by being inserted into a handle tube affixed to the top edge of the blade or scoop. The handle tube is secured to the upper edge of the scoop generally midway between the two side edges of the scoop. The upper edge of the scoop serves as the point of placement of the foot of the person using the shovel to force the scoop of the shovel into the ground. The upper edges are normally not wide and often cause discomfort to the foot when the foot is pressed against the upper edge. The Gregory Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,429, provides wings with bent over portions which provide footrests. These footrests are, however, fixed and are not capable of being moved from one position to another. The configuration of the shovel taught by Gregory is for one type of digging where the shovel is directed generally horizontally. Other types of digging, such as digging as straight down as possible, would not be possible with the shovel taught by Gregory.
The Hawk Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,011 teaches a handle which is rotatable on an offset member. The scoop of the shovel taught by Hawk has tab portions which serve as a footrest but which, like those taught in Gregory, are fixed in place. According to Hawk, varying the position of the handle in relation to the blade, the blade can be directed straight down or forward, as desired.
The use of teeth on a shovel to aid in cutting into the ground is shown in the Rokos Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,077. The use of smaller cutting teeth on the side edges but toward the upper edge of the scoop are shown in the Green Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,340.
A shovel with a handle secured at a fixed angle to prevent rotation of the handle during operation, the scoop of which can be directed either generally straight down or which can directed more toward the horizontal and still provide strength and durability, as well as greater comfort for the foot pressing the shovel in its intended direction, would be a benefit. The use of various styles of edges on the side and point of the scoop would provide cutting qualities for different situations. The use of interchangeable handles permits the use of different handles with scoops of different styles.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shovel which can be directed to penetrate nearly straight down and can also be directed to penetrate toward the horizontal.
Accordingly, it is a further object of present invention to provide a shovel which has a superior ability to cut material located in the ground.
Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a shovel which can be used with various handles.
Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a shovel which is durable.
Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a shovel which is economical.
Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a shovel which is versatile.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art as the description thereof proceeds.


A centrifuge (10) suitable for separating soot from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine; the centrifuge being disposed between, and arranged coaxially in relation to, a raw gas inlet pipe (11) and a clean gas outlet pipe (12); the centrifuge including a rotating body (20) which is open on both axial end faces, drive vanes (26) arranged adjacent the inlet for driving the centrifuge, and at least one device (29) provided inside said rotating body for reversing or deflecting the exhaust gas flow direction.

The invention relates to a centrifuge, especially for the separation of soot from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,437 (=DE 38 30 761) discloses a centrifugal separator for soot particles in which the soot particles are deposited against an outer circumferential surface of a housing. Heating elements are arranged adjacent the wall for combusting the soot particles. The turbine rotor of an exhaust gas turbine is utilized as a drive, i.e., as a centrifugal force drive.
Furthermore, German patent application no. DE 10 39 997 discloses a centrifuge with propellers in which carrier guide ribs are arranged in the interior of the centrifuge and slots are provided through which contaminants, i.e., the separated particles, can be forceably discharged.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,434,562 describes a centrifugal separator for the intake air of an internal combustion engine having a plate separator which diverts the gas flow and thereby separates particles from the gas stream. The plate separator is driven by an air rotor constructed as an individual drive, which is arranged at the separator outlet.
A soot filter is likewise known having a ceramic body which takes up the soot particles. For regeneration an additive is utilized which decreases the soot ignition temperature and facilitates burning off the soot from the ceramic body.
Another system is known in which the exhaust gas is diverted and the particles are retained in a metal mat. This filter system cannot plug up, and the system can be regenerated at high temperatures because of the resistance or durability of the medium. However, there is a danger that a portion of the particles can pass unhindered through this system and flow out into the environment.
The known and described devices for separation of particles are expensive to construct and in part require additional devices, such as, for example, heating devices, for burning off the separated particles.

Centrifuge for separating soot from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine


A device for storing electrical energy in a vehicle includes at least one vehicle battery, which can be connected to an electrical power network by a vehicle charging interface of the vehicle. The vehicle battery has a storage capacity for storing electrical energy. The storage capacity of the vehicle battery is partitioned for different users.

The invention relates to a device and a method for storing electrical energy in vehicle batteries in vehicles.
Vehicles are increasingly being driven by electric motors. To achieve this, an electrical charge or electrical energy is charged in a vehicle battery, which supplies consumer units with current, in particular an electric motor of the vehicle, when the vehicle is in travel operation mode. Increasingly, also, energy or current is being fed into the public mains network which derives from wind power systems. The power available in the mains network is therefore subject to fluctuations which are dependent on the amount of the wind current being fed in. In order to reduce such fluctuations it is necessary for these current fluctuations to be buffered in separate current storage units, which are connected to the network, and for superfluous current to be stored intermediately.
It was therefore proposed to use vehicles as mobile current storage units, as reported in Pictures of the Future, Autumn 2009, pages 44-46, "Electric automobile in the Smart Grid" (http://wl.siemens.com/innovation/de/publikationen/pofherbst200/energie/ecar.htm), wherein consideration is given to vehicles being electrically refueled in a public mains network in order to take up windpower current. If in this situation the demand for current is high, current will be fed back from the vehicles into the network. The vehicles accordingly serve to compensate for fluctuations which are caused, for example, by windpower current. The vehicle batteries in the vehicles make their storage capacity available to the mains network, in order to buffer current or power fluctuations respectively.
A disadvantage with these conventional storage devices is, however, that the vehicle keeper does not have complete control of the load charge state of the vehicle battery contained in his vehicle. If, for example, the vehicle battery of the keeper's electric vehicle connected to the mains network is discharged due to a high demand for current in the mains, then the electrical charge remaining in the electric vehicle's battery may no longer be sufficient, under certain circumstances, for the purposes of the vehicle keeper. For example, if the vehicle keeper or driver wishes to drive away from the electricity tapping column, by which the electric vehicle is connected to the mains network, in order to reach a destination, it may occur that, due to the discharge of the vehicle battery, incurred by the high demand for current in the mains network, the remaining electrical energy or charge stored in the electric battery will no longer be sufficient to reach the destination. In this case the driver would be compelled to charge up the vehicle battery before starting the journey, which would require a certain and not inconsiderable charging time. In this case the driver would therefore be compelled to wait until the vehicle battery had reached the required charge state before being able to depart for the destination.

Device and method for storing electrical energy


The present invention provides tools and techniques for facilitating (314) management of storage (122), software (118), and other resources of a computer (102) at a distinct management computer (110) using a disassociated ample image (104) of the managed computer's storage. Ample images may be searched (310) to identify (414) infected files or illegal files, to extract (410) disk usage information, or for other reasons. Ample images may be modified (312) and then deployed (316) back to the original imaged computer and/or to other computers outside the management node. Modifications may change (502, 504, 506) application software, change (508, 510, 512) hardware drivers to match hardware changes on the target computer(s), manipulate (520) partitions, and/or perform other steps to optimize storage, software, or other resources.

A wide variety of tools and techniques are known for making backup copies of data stored on a computer's disk(s), and for restoring that data to those disk(s) or to their replacement(s) on the computer. For instance, data may be copied from a permanently installed local hard disk onto a removable medium, such as a floppy, an Iomega ZIP brand drive, or a USB portable disk drive that is temporarily attached to the computer. Data may also be copied over a network or other communications link, e.g., to archive client data on a server, or to mirror data from one server to another server. Data may be copied a few files at a time, or it may be copied in larger amounts in a file-by-file image or a sector-by-sector image. Data may be copied in a single snapshot or other archive that matches the computer's storage contents at a given point in time, in which case the snapshot may be subsequently supplemented by incremental images, to update the snapshot so that it matches the state of the computer's storage at later times. Data in a remote copy may also be continuously updated by a mirroring process, so a secondary computer's storage is updated each time a sector of data is written to a corresponding primary computer's storage.
Often data is backed up simply as a precaution, so it can be restored if a hard drive fails or a virus corrupts it, for instance. If no disaster strikes, the backup copy is often not used. On occasion, data that has been backed up is also made available as a read-only copy. This can be done, for instance, using the V2i Protector product from PowerQuest Corporation, which provides a driver that lets users mount a sector-by-sector image file as a drive on a computer running a file system under a Microsoft Windows brand operating system. (V2I and V2I PROTECTOR are marks of PowerQuest Corporation). But in general, the data produced on one computer and then stored elsewhere as a backup is often simply stored and then left alone. The backup is rarely read, except to be restored to the computer on which it was originally produced. It is rarely written, except to be updated to match a more current active state of the computer that first produced it.
By contrast, the data that is produced on a computer and then stored on that same computer is often used there in a wide variety of ways. Data is produced on a computer, and also manipulated there, through many familiar applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and web browsers, and by the underlying operating system, file system, and networking software.
In particular, many tools and techniques have been developed for use on a computer to manage the storage and other resources of that managed computer. Examples include tools for installing, patching, upgrading, and/or uninstalling software on the managed computer; tools for optimizing storage by defragmenting files, changing partition cluster size, or performing other operations; tools for manipulating partitions or volume segments by resizing, moving, copying, or merging them; tools for recovering data despite loss or corruption of file system information; and tools for converting one file system type to another, such as converting between a FAT file system and a Microsoft NT brand file system.
PowerQuest Corporation provides many such resource management tools, as discussed at www.powerquest.com. The following United States Patents assigned to PowerQuest Corporation contain additional discussion of these and other tools and techniques for managing computer resources: 5675769, 5706472, 5930831, 5933647, 6088778, 6108697, 6108759, 6117188, 6173291, 6178487, 6178503, 6185575, 6185666, 6253300, 6330653, 6377958, 6453383, 6530077. Some of these patents discuss both modifying data to manage storage on a computer and sending data over a network to the computer, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,300 on "Computer partition manipulation during imaging" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,647 on "System and method for software distribution and desktop management in a computer network environment". U.S. Pat. No. 6,330,653 discusses manipulation of virtual and live computer storage device partitions, including remote partition manipulation over a network. Other remote control software is also available, to control execution of software on one computer through a command interface on another computer. PowerQuest also owns U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/532,223 filed Mar. 22, 2000, which is on "Storing a computer disk image within an imaged partition".
Other examples of tools and techniques used on a computer to manage the storage and other resources of that managed computer include antivirus software; and software for monitoring storage usage, blocking storage of files that exceed maximum allocated space quotas or belong to an illegal file type, determining billing for storage usage, and enforcing standardized storage locations for particular types of data. Such software is sometimes referred to as "storage resource management" or "SRM" software. Agents placed on a client computer gather information about the client computer's storage usage, hardware configuration, operating system configuration, software versions, and application software usage, for example, and send that information over a network to an administrative server. Commands are then issued from the administrative server back to the client agents, in response to administrator commands and/or policies, to be executed by the agents on the client computers.
Software for asset management or inventory control is also known. Such software gathers information about computing assets or resources, such as server and workstation hardware, system configuration, and software, including which applications are installed. Such asset management software may be considered an example of SRM software. It may have capabilities such as the conditional deployment of software upgrades or patches based on comparison of the actual configuration of a target computer and a desired configuration for that target; application usage tracking; and remote control of operations performed on a computer to manage the computer's resources.
In short, and with the benefit of hindsight gained from knowledge of the present invention, although many tools are used to manipulate data while that data is stored on the same computer that produced it, and many tools are used to make copies of data and send them to another computer, relatively little has been done to make use at a network management computer of information provided there in a backup copy of another computer's stored data. As discussed below, the present invention provides ways for disassociated backup information to be organized and put to many uses, instead of merely keeping such backups as a precaution against disaster or as a read-only copy shared by several individuals.

Using disassociated images for computer and storage resource management