A computer implemented system and method for automating design and manufacturing processes that use software application programs having graphical user interfaces. An automation software program, programmed with a design and manufacturing process command flow initiates and monitors the execution of a plurality of design and manufacturing software application programs through the graphical user interface of each software application. The software applications may execute in a preprogrammed sequence on a plurality of computer processors. The graphical user interface provides a visual representation to the user of the design and manufacturing process and its status. In an alternative embodiment, the system and method is used to automate the design and manufacture of electronic circuits.

The invention relates generally to software automation tools for controlling design and manufacturing processes. More particularly, the invention is a software method and system that automates the design and manufacturing process by driving multiple software application products though each application's graphical user interface. The system automates the design decision process and controls multiple software application products, running either sequentially or simultaneously and executing locally or remotely. The method and system can be used to automate any software application represented in a graphical user interface. In its present embodiment, the system and method automates design and manufacturing processes that use software application programs having a graphical user interface. In an alternative embodiment, the system and method automates the design and manufacture of electronic circuits.
Designing and manufacturing electronic circuits is a complex process. Because it is complex, the process is time consuming and costly. Rapid advances in materials and manufacturing technology require constant changes in design and manufacturing techniques. It is desirable to speed up the process to bring advanced technology products to market faster, while minimizing cost. Part of speeding up the process involves automation. While there currently exist a number of software application programs that automate individual parts of the design process, the overall design process is not automated and still requires constant manual intervention by the circuit designer. In addition, there is no automated way of building a model that represents the design process and also provides a means of executing the model to build the actual design. Being able to build a model that captures the overall resulting design can help speed up the process because it can be reused by other designers and used to educate others in the design process.
Automating design and manufacturing processes, in particular, automating the design electronic circuits is also an iterative process. First, the requirements are developed and input to one or more software design tools to create a functional description of the electronic circuit to be created. Next, the output of this step is input to tools that "implement" the circuit, that is, produce the circuit configuration of the functional description of the circuit. The functional description of the design is first synthesized to its logical elements and then to its physical implementation. The output from each phase for each part of the design can be used to run simulations to test the adequacy of the logical and physical aspects of the design with regard to function, speed, timing, size, or other criteria that are important to the operation of the circuit. Information from each phase of this process can also necessitate changes or corrections to previous steps in the process that may impact one or more subsections of the design. This process involves many individual designers and individual design tools to complete one pass of the product.
Design flow development and automation is an important way to speed up and improve the design process. Many types of software programs currently exist to automate aspects of the design process as much as possible. Most of these programs operate independently, on different computer platforms and have different operator interfaces. The data output from one tool often needs to be input to another tool and the input data needs to be precisely formulated and formatted before the parameters are passed from one tool to another. This process of capturing the data output from one tool and formatting it for use by another tool can be done by the designer either manually or by writing batch scripts that capture the data output from one software tool, convert the data to the correct format and input the converted data to another software tool. This process has to be repeated for each software tool used in the design and manufacture process. Even using batch scripts, these tools still remain stand-alone applications that execute independently and are not part of a formalized, centralized design process. Because of this, even though the existing tools may be individually automated, the overall design process model, along with the individual designer's knowledge and experience, is not automated. The process is further complicated because often many designers work together on one design, all of whom may gain their own knowledge and experience, but have to relearn other parts of the process.
Using conventional scripting to automate the actions of a software tool requires the user to learn the macro or scripting language, which are often custom or proprietary languages, associated with the tool. Because the composed scripts are textual rather than graphical, it is more difficult to understand their functionality and to make modifications. Therefore, the designer must understand and be knowledgeable not only in the design and manufacturing process, but also in the programming of multiple scripting languages. In the case of designing electronic circuits, for example, the parameters of the electronic circuit must first be defined, the software tools chosen to design the circuit, the batch script written, the input data parameters selected to be input to the tool by the batch script, and finally initialization of the script and software tool. This same process must then be repeated for each software tool used in the design process. In addition, if multiple tools are to be automated in sequence, another overall command script that invokes each software tool and its own batch script must then be constructed.
Automation of the individual software tools and the sequential activation of multiple software tools to create a "design process" is also limited because not all tools have a scripting language. Of those that do, generally only a subset of the functions of the tool may be controlled by the scripting or programmatic method of control. Often, conditional constructs to allow for different responses based on variations in input data are not available. Scripts normally initiate a process, and then operate in the background. As the user has no further control after initiation, scripts are usually run with the graphical mode of the application turned off, and no exchange of knowledge or interaction with the user occurs. Depending upon the compatibility of the software tools used, it may be impossible to use scripts to sequentially run the design process.

Method and system for a unified process automation software system


An electromagnetic clutch for transmitting driving torque from one rotatable element to another having particular utility for driving a vane-type compressor used in an automotive air conditioning system in a manner to reduce the cost of such clutches as well as the axial length and weight. The clutch includes a rotatably driven pulley assembly connected to a hub affixed to the input drive shaft of the compressor through an armature disk and friction face on the pulley assembly by selectively energizing and deenergizing a magnetic coil with the armature disk being connected to the hub through a plurality of curved leaf springs and a plurality of drive keys received in recesses or notches with the curved springs replacing the normal flat springs which are used to support the armature disk with the curved springs including a linear flexibility and axial flexibility. The flexibility permits the compressor shaft to yield thereby avoiding binding of the compressor rotor and also provides a significantly shorter clutch assembly by eliminating a rubber "sandwich" hub assembly which is especially important in smaller automobiles and reduces the weight of the clutch by a significant amount. With the drive keys and recesses or notches, there is no restriction to radial or axial deflection, but the drive keys and recesses limits the linear deflection of the springs so that they will not deflect beyond a predetermined point which would cause them to take a permanent set during initial clutch engagement when the clutch torque is extremely high.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electromagnetic clutch and more particularly a clutch using curved flat leaf springs to transmit torque and permit axial flexibility of the axially movable component of the clutch, together with a key and notch drive connection to enable limited relative rotational movement between the inner and outer ends of the springs thereby assuring that the springs will not be deflected beyond their elastic limit during high torque startup of the compressor of an air conditioning unit in an automobile.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the development of electromagnetic clutches for driving air conditioning compressors in an automobile, my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,223 issued Feb. 23, 1971, discloses one structure which has been known for a number of years in which flat leaf springs are used to transmit torque and a resilient insert is incorporated into the hub to provide flexibility or resiliency in the drive connection to the input shaft of the compressor. Prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,205,989, issued Sept. 14, 1965, discloses another type of electromagnetic clutch using similar straight flat leaf springs and a resilient coupling in the drive train. While such devices have operated satisfactorily, it is noted that the resilient insert arrangements utilizing rubber or some other resilient plastic material materially increases the over-all length and other dimensional characteristics of the clutch and, of course, increases the weight of the clutch as well as the cost thereof, all of which are desired to be maintained at a minimum. In both of the prior art patents mentioned above and in other similar devices on the market, a pulley is driven from a belt connecting with the crank shaft or other rotatable component of an internal combustion engine and drives the input shaft of a compressor through a magnetic clutch and a resilient coupling. Basically, the magnetic clutch includes an axially movable armature disk connected to the hub of the clutch through flat leaf springs which enables axial movement of the armature disk and transmits torque to the hub which is connected to the input shaft. The armature disk is attracted to a friction face on the rotatable pulley through an energizable magnetic coil. Also, a resilient insert is interposed in the drive coupling between the pulley and input shaft of the compressor to prevent binding of the compressor shaft or rotor. The previously patented and existing electromagnetic clutches are somewhat bulky, include many components, are relatively heavy and have a substantial over-all length.

Drive hub with curved springs and drive keys for electro-magnetic clutch


In a complex computer system in which a resource is shared by several computers, the resource is provided therein with a memory for recording the status of the resource. Each computer writes status information of the resource into the memory and also reads the status information in the memory to know the status of the resource. The memory has a record of the latest status of the resource, allowing each computer to know the latest resource status including status information revised by other computers.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a common resource management method for a complex computer system in which resources are used commonly among a plurality of computers.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In a complex computer system including a plurality of computers, common resources are used commonly among these computers. The status of a common resource (e.g., setting of recording mediums, occupancy of data sets, etc.) has been managed by each computer individually. Each computer has tables for storing status information of the resources in its main storage or virtual memory so that access control to each resource is implemented using the status information.
This conventional resource management method has the following problems. When, a computer has set the status of a resource, it must indicate that status to other computers which share the resource. However, each computer has independent tables containing resource status information, and therefore the process is required for notifying other computers of the status information set by one computer. This notification is implemented by a unit called a channel-to-channel adapter (CTCA). Information transmitted to other computers indicates whether the resource is being used in the shared mode or exclusive mode, the volume serial number of the recording medium, the attribute of the volume and the like. Because of different means for sending each type of information, there is a need to provide a plurality of control means for respective types of information. A further problem is that frequent communication for the resource status information by the CTCA will adversely affect other data transfers which use the CTCA.

Method and apparatus for common resource status management in a computer system including a plurality of computers coupled to a common resource


A baitcasting reel includes a spool, right and left frames rotatably supporting the spool therebetween, and a clutch mechanism for selectively allowing, when disengaged, free rotation of the spool and transmitting, when engaged, a dive force from a handle to the spool. The clutch mechanism is disengaged and engaged respectively by a disengaging portion and an engaging portion disposed distantly from each other. The engaging portion and the disengaging portion are disposed between the right and left frames and opposed to the spool.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a baitcasting reel, and more particularly to a baitcasting reel including a spool rotatably supported between right and left frames and a clutch mechanism for selectively allowing, when disengaged, free rotation of the spool or transmitting, when engaged, a drive force from a handle to the spool.
2. Description of the Related Art
A construction for controlling a clutch mechanism of a baitcasting reel is known from e.g. Japanese published utility model gazette Sho. 59-32284. This conventional construction includes a clutch lever for disengaging the clutch mechanism and a clutch return lever for engaging the clutch mechanism. The construction further includes a control system for engaging the clutch mechanism when the handle is operated in a line retrieving direction when the clutch mechanism is disengaged.
Incidentally, in the above-described conventional construction, the clutch lever and the clutch return lever are provided to the side frame mounting the handle, so that the clutch mechanism may be engaged with a left-hand operation of the return lever while gripping a fishing rod with the right hand.
According to the above prior art, for instance, for a lure casting operation, the clutch mechanism is disengaged. Then, immediately after casting the rod with one hand, the clutch mechanism may be engaged with an operation by the other hand, without operating the handle, thereby to restrict excessive feeding of the fishing line and also to effect a `hooking` in response to a bite of a fish.
In the lure casting, generally, the hand which grips the rod is brought into a rod cast posture and then during the period between the lure casting to the landing of the lure, a thumbing operation is effected with the thumb of the hand gripping the rod in the above posture.
After the landing of the lure, the clutch mechanism is engaged for starting a reeling operation. Then, if the angler feels a bite of a fish immediately after the landing of the lure and wishes to effect a hooking, he/she has to immediately engage the clutch mechanism. However, according to the above-described conventional reel, since the hand gripping the rod is maintained at the rod cast posture, such speedy clutch operation is difficult since the other hand has to be moved by a significant distance to the reel located at the rod cast position.
Further, with this type of reel, a lure casting operation and a reeling operation are repeatedly carried out. Then, improvement has been desired for facilitating the engaging and disengaging operations of the clutch mechanism.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a baitcasting Peel which allows easy engaging and disengaging operations of the clutch mechanism and which allows the clutch engaging operation without the necessity of detaching the angler's thumb engaged in a thumbing operation.

Baitcasting reel having a clutch mechanism for transmitting a drive from a handle to a spool


A method of packaging by wrapping and a wrapping machine (20), in which method a top film (64) is cut into a top film sheet (65) and pulled on top of a top film carrier (54) turned upside down, to a position above the object being packaged (31). After this the carrier and the top film held in place by means of suction nozzles (55) are turned around and pressed with the help of the pressing device (53) onto the object being packaged. During the first stage of wrapping, the edges of the top film sheet are held up by means of the suction nozzles of the carrier and plastic film web is wrapped around the article being packaged from bottom to top. After this, the edges of the top film sheet are pressed down by means of blow nozzles, and plastic film web is also wrapped on top of the edges of the plastic film sheet.

The invention relates to a method of packaging by wrapping, according to which method a top film is placed on top of an object being packaged and plastic film web used as packaging material is wrapped around the object being packaged, and which method involves the following stages:
a top film sheet of the desired size is cut from the top film web, which sheet is brought to the wrapping station to a position above the object being packaged,
during the first wrapping stage, plastic film web is wrapped around the object being packaged, preferably from bottom to top,
the edges of the top film sheet are turned downwards on top of the already wrapped plastic film layer,
and during the second wrapping stage, plastic film web is wrapped on top of the edges of the top film sheet.
The invention also relates to a wrapping machine for packaging the object being packaged with the top film and the plastic film web used for wrapping, the wrapping machine comprising:
a cutting device for cutting a top film sheet of the desired size from the top film web,
a device for bringing the top film sheet to the wrapping station, to a position above the object being packaged,
a wrapping device for wrapping the plastic film web around the object being packaged,
and a device for turning the edges of the top film sheet downwards onto the sides of the object being packaged.
According to a known method of wrapping waterproof packages, a top film is brought on top of the object being packaged from a roll of plastic film in two stages, so that the edge of the plastic film is first pulled to the centre of the object being packaged, from where the end of the plastic film is fetched and pulled across the wrapping station and cut to a fixed size while wrapping is interrupted, during the changeover of the products being packaged. The edges of the top film are then gripped and it is kept spread open above the object being packaged. When the first film layer has been wrapped, wrapping is interrupted for a short period during which the grip on the top film sheet is released and the edges of the top film are turned against the side surfaces of the object being packaged by means of air jets.
In a known wrapping machine, there is a top film feeding device and a drawing device, which move simultaneously in opposite directions. When wrapping is interrupted during the changeover of the products being packaged, the drawing device first pulls the edge of the top film to the centre of the object being packaged, from where the end of the top film is fetched and drawn across the wrapping station. The cutter cuts the top film to a fixed size. The wrapping machine comprises mechanical holders, which grip the edges of the top film and keep it spread open above the object being packaged. When the first plastic film layer has been wrapped, wrapping is interrupted for a short period and air jets turn the edges of the top film against the side surfaces of the object being packaged.
The wrapping machine described above, which relates to a known method of packaging by wrapping, is faster than earlier wrapping machines, but wrapping still has to be interrupted after the first film layer has been wrapped, when the top film sheet is released and its edges are turned against the side surfaces of the object being packaged.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a waterproof package according to a new method, which is more efficient than known methods. According to the method of packaging by wrapping, the wrapping of the object being packaged in the wrapping machine does not have to be interrupted in between. The wrapping at most slows down somewhat. Thus, a package provided with a top film can be made within almost the same time as an article without a top film is packaged. The capacity of the wrapping machine relating to the invention is in fact almost the same, regardless of whether a top film is used in the package or not.
By means of the invention, the top film is brought to the wrapping machine at a moment when wrapping is in any case interrupted, that is, when the packaged article is being removed from the wrapping station and the next object to be packaged is being brought to the wrapping station. It is also an essential feature that the forward movement of the objects being packaged and the already packaged articles on the conveyor track does not need to be interrupted or substantially slowed down.
The method of packaging by wrapping relating to the invention is characterised in
that the top film sheet brought to the wrapping station, to a position above the object being packaged, is turned upside down and placed on top of the object being packaged,
that during the first wrapping stage, the edges of the top film sheet are kept lifted up, after which the edges of the top film sheet are turned downwards and the second wrapping stage is carried out.
According to a preferred embodiment of the method relating to the invention
the top film is brought to the wrapping station, to a position above the object to be packaged, even before the object being packaged is changed over at the wrapping station,
and that during the changeover of the objects being packaged, the top film sheet is cut and fetched by turning it upside down and placing it on top of the object being packaged.
According to a second preferred embodiment of the method relating to the invention, the top film sheet is pressed onto the object being packaged by means of a pressing device while at the same time lifting the edges of the top film sheet upwards by means of the suction nozzles of the top film sheet carrier.
According to a third preferred embodiment of the method relating to the invention, the top film sheet is gripped by means of suction nozzles and the edges of the top film sheet are pressed downwards by means of blow nozzles.
According to a fourth preferred embodiment of the method relating to the invention, the same nozzle is used as a suction nozzle and a blow nozzle, the function of which nozzle is selected by connecting the nozzle duct either to the suction side of the fan or the pressure side of the fan.
The wrapping machine relating to the invention is characterised in
that the wrapping machine comprises a top film carrier for receiving the top film sheet on top of it,
that the top film carrier comprises a means for keeping the top film sheet attached to the top film carrier,
and that the top film carrier comprises a means for turning it upside down and for carrying the top film sheet under the top film sheet carrier and further on top of the article being packaged.
According to a preferred embodiment of the wrapping machine relating to the invention, the gripping means of the top film sheet carrier are suction nozzles and the pushing means are blow nozzles.
According to a second preferred embodiment of the wrapping machine relating to the invention
the nozzles of the top film sheet carrier are double acting, so that the same nozzles serve as both suction nozzles and blow nozzles,
the nozzles are connected to the fan by means of a change-over valve in such a way that the nozzles are suction nozzles when the change-over valve connects the nozzles to the suction side of the fan,
and the nozzles are blow nozzles when the change-over valve connects the nozzles to the pressure side of the fan.
According to a third preferred embodiment of the packaging machine relating to the invention, a pressing device is attached to the top film carrier of the wrapping machine for pressing the top film sheet onto the article being packaged.
According to a fourth preferred embodiment of the packaging machine relating to the invention, the top film carrier and pressing device of the wrapping machine are located above the rotation ring in such a way that the combined top film carrier and pressing device can be lifted by means of the rotation ring.


The present invention is related to an information extraction method. The information extraction method may comprise providing r semantic relationships, acquiring entity pairs corresponding to the semantic relationships, acquiring first instances based on the entity pairs, and eliminating instances that do not have the semantic relationships from the first instances to obtain second instances. r is a positive integer. Each of the entity pairs contains a pair of named entities. The first instances are sentences containing the entity pairs.

In most technical fields, most of the knowledge comes from unstructured text. With rapid development of various fields, research literature expands exponentially and enriches relevant knowledge in various fields.
However, the exploding growth of research literature goes far beyond a speed of people analyzing the literature. It is very difficult for researchers to find needed information quickly from a literature library. Therefore, helping researchers to extract useful information quickly from massive literature has attracted wide attention from academia and industry.

Information extraction method and apparatus


A fine solid titanium trichloride is used as a catalyst for a polymerization of an .alpha.-olefin. The solid titanium trichloride is produced by precipitating it at lower than 150.degree. C. from a liquid titanium trichloride complex in the presence of an ester having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 respectively represent a hydrocarbon moiety and total carbon atoms of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are 10 or more.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing a solid titanium trichloride. More particularly, it relates to a process for producing a solid titanium trichloride which is useful as a catalytic component for a polymerization of an .alpha.-olefin.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
It has been known that a fine solid titanium trichloride obtained by heat-treating, at lower than 150.degree. C. a liquid titanium trichloride complex obtained by solubilizing it in the presence of an ether, is used as a catalyst for a polymerization of an .alpha.-olefin.
It has been also known that in the production of the catalyst, the precipitation of the fine solid titanium trichloride from the liquid titanium trichloride complex is carried out in the presence of an electron donor such as esters and phosphites to obtain a catalyst which can produce a polymer having high isotactic characteristic.
The inventors have further studied to improve the production of the catalyst.

Process for producing solid titanium trichloride


An improved explosive composition is disclosed and comprises a major portion of an explosive having a detonation velocity between about 1500 and 10,000 meters per second and a minor amount of a donor additive comprising a non-explosive compound or mixture of non-explosive compounds which when subjected to an energy fluence of 1000 calories/cm.sup.2 or less is capable of releasing free radicals each having a molecular weight between 1 and 120. Exemplary donor additives are dibasic acids, polyamines and metal hydrides.

This invention relates to modifying the explosion performance characteristics of an explosive by doping the explosive with a free radical or ion donor. Typical explosion performance characteristics which may be enhanced include initiation sensitivity, detonation velocity, brisance, etc. It is believed that under ideal conditions, a typical explosion follows the path shown below. ##STR1##
In the first step (I), a shock wave is applied to the explosive either by a mechanical, vibrational, thermal, or electrical shock. The non-explosive additive of the present invention can reduce the amount of shock necessary to initiate the explosion. This is important in formulating explosives since in one embodiment it allows the detonation of an explosive without a primer (detonator) or at least with a smaller or less sensitive primer.
In the second step (II), the explosive undergoes compression, heat and a shear caused from the shock wave. The use of the additive of this invention may be used to release free radicals under milder conditions than would be necessary in order to initiate the explosion.
The third step (III) is the generation of free radicals and/or ions. The doping of the explosive with free radical and/or ion donors, such as by use of the additive of the present invention, allows a control over the number of initiation sites. The number of initiation sites (step IV) affects the rate of detonation. Thus, by using the additives of this invention the detonation velocity and brisance may be modified.
The fifth step (V) is the decomposition of the explosive. This decomposition is a function of time and initiation sites, since the number of initiation sites can be varied by the presence of the additive of this invention, and since the number of initiation sites has an effect upon the number of molecular decompositions, the decomposition time can also be modified by using the additives of the invention.
The sixth step (VI) is the explosive reaction yielding the high energy release. This explosive reaction is a function of the critical initiation energy of the explosive (See UCRL-75722, Apr. 21, 1975, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory report by F. E. Walker and R. J. Wasley). The explosive reaction can also be modified by proper selection of the additive of this invention.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved explosive composition.
It is another object of this invention to provide an additive which when added to an explosive can enhance the explosion characteristics.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method for enhancing or modifying the explosion characteristics of an explosive.
Other additional objects will become apparent from the following description of the invention and accompanying claims.

Zirconium hydride containing explosive composition


In a space diversity receiver, matched filters and a like number of channel estimators are respectively coupled to diversity antennas to receive sequentially coded symbol sequences. A branch metric calculator receives the outputs of the matched filters and the estimates from the channel estimators to calculate a branch metric of the received sequences for coupling to a maximum likelihood (ML) estimator. The branch metric is obtained by summing branch metric coefficients derived from channel estimates respectively with the output of the matched filters or by summing branch metric coefficients derived from a vector sum of channel estimates with the matched filter outputs. In another embodiment, adaptive channel estimators are provided for deriving channel estimates from received sequences and the output of an ML estimator. First branch metrics are derived from the received sequences and supplied to a branch metric quality estimator in which quality estimates of the channels are derived from the first branch metrics. An evaluation circuit evaluates the first branch metrics according to the quality estimates and produces a second branch metric for coupling to the ML estimator.

The present invention relates to diversity reception of signals propagating over distinct fading channels.
It is known to combine a diversity system with an equalization system for purposes of improving the performance of a receiver. One such technique is the decision feedback equalization in which matched filters or forward equalizers are provided respectively at diversity antennas and their outputs are combined and fed into a decision-feedback equalizer (as described in K. Watanabe, "Adaptive Matched Filter And Its Significance To Anti-Multipath Fading", IEEE publication (CH2314-3/86/0000-1455) 1986, pages 1455 to 1459, and P. Monsen, "Adaptive Equalization of The Slow Fading Channel", IEEE, Transactions of Communications, Vol. COM-22, No. 8, August 1974).
Another technique is the maximum likelihood estimation in which the quality (spread of intersymbol interference and signal to noise ratio) of a received signal at each diversity antenna is estimated and a signal having the largest value is selected on the basis of the quality estimates (as described in Okanoue, Furuya, "A New Post-Detection Selection Diversity With MLSE Equalization", B-502, Institutes of Electronics Information and Communications, Autumn National Meeting, 1989). To implement the maximum likelihood sequence estimation, the Viterbi algorithm is well known. By summing constants uniquely determined by matched filters and communication channels (as defined by the second and third right terms of Equation 8b, page 18, J. F. Hayes, "The Viterbi Algorithm Applied to Digital Data Transmission", IEEE Communication Society, 1975, No. 13, pages 15-20), a branch metric of received symbol sequences is determined and fed into a soft-decision Viterbi decoder.
However, prior art systems are still not satisfactory if the branch metric is severely affected by channel noise and intersymbol interference. In addition, if variabilities exist in signal to noise ratio between signals received by different diversity antennas during a deep fade, all such signals will be treated alike and an error is likely to result in maximum likelihood sequence estimation.


A process and a computer implemented system for controlling an axial compressor through measurement of pressure fluctuations of the turbulent fluid layer in the region of the compressor housing in at least one stage of the compressor by means of at least one pressure sensing device sensitive to differential pressure fluctuations affecting the blades at the characteristic frequency of the stage. The process and computer implemented system use a characteristic peak which emerges under load in a smoothed frequency signal derived from a transform of the pressure measurement to achieve optimal efficiency while, at the same time, avoiding destructive surge and stall conditions in the compressor.

Compressors consist of a series of rotating and stationary blade rows in which the combination of a rotor (circular rotating blade row) and a stator (circular stationary blade row) forms one stage. Inside the rotor, kinetic energy is transferred to the gas flow (usually air) by the individual airfoil blades. In the following stator, this energy is manifested as a pressure rise in the gaseous air as a consequence of deceleration of the gaseous air flow. This deceleration of the gaseous air flow is induced as a result of the design of the stator section. The pressure ratio (exit pressure/inlet pressure) of a single stage is limited because of intrinsic aerodynamic factors, so several stages are connected together in many turbo compressors to achieve higher pressure ratios than could be achieved by a single stage.
The maximum achievable pressure ratio of a turbo compressor is established by the so-called stability limit of the compressor given by the characteristic of the compressor and the gaseous air flowing through the compressor at any time. As the pressure in the compressor increases, the aerodynamic loading on the compressor blades must also increase. At full speed operation of a multi stage compressor, the rear stages carry the majority of the aerodynamic load (and attendant stress), and the stability limit is established by the limits inherent in the design of these stages. When operating at lower speeds, the stability limit of the compressor is established by limitations deriving from characteristics related to the front stages of the compressor.
In the normal stable working range of a compressor stage, axial flow of gaseous air through all of the vane channels between the compressor blades takes place equally and continuously as the air volume is transported through the channels. However, a compressor stage can also operate in a state known as an unstable working range. In this unstable working range, a stall condition can be present in the interaction between the air flow and the airfoil blades which can contribute to substantial variations in the internal pressure profile of the compressor. These pressure variations can, in turn, cause substantial stress to the blades of the compressor. Ultimately, this stress can damage the blades if the compressor continues to operate in the unstable working range for any length of time. Operation in the unstable working range is inefficient at best and potentially destructive; this mode of operation should be avoided as much as possible.
The development of a stall in a stage of the compressor proceeds from the interaction of individual airfoil blades with the gaseous air flowing through the vanes associated with those individual blades. Ideally, the gaseous air fluid flow should be axially continuous through the compressor; however, high blade loads can induce localized disruptions to that continuous flow.
The air fluid flow around each blade has an associated flow boundary layer which covers each blade and coheres to the blade. The flow boundary layer associated with a rotor blade will rotate as an associated entity of the blade as the blade itself rotates. At the downstream edge of each blade, this flow boundary layer melds into an associated flow boundary entity known as, alternatively, the Dellenregion, wake region, or delve region which is characterized by a localized reduction in both pressure and flow velocity. With increasing load, this wake region correspondingly will extend until a critical mass or size is achieved; when the wake region on the downstream edge of the blade achieves this critical size, it fractures or fragments into (1) a (new) smaller wake region which is still coherent with the blade and (2) a "flow boundary layer part" which physically separates from the wake region. Studies have indicated that these "flow boundary layer parts", separated from the rotor blades, move radially outwards from the axis of rotation due to centrifugal forces and collect at the inner circumferential surface of the compressor housing. This collection of separated flow boundary layer parts "swirls" and effectively establishes a turbulent fluid layer (or collection of swirled separated regions) at the inner surface of the housing; this turbulent fluid layer has associated stochastic pressure fluctuations which are useful in the present invention. For the purpose of this disclosure, this initial state associated with an increasing compressor loading will be termed as a "separated flow pre-stall".
With further increasing load, disrupted flow zones downstream of the blades expand in size and/or increase in number. Disruption of the continuous air flow through either groups of non-contiguous single-blade channels or whole sections of contiguous blade channels may occur. This blockage may be characterized as a sort of "bubble-like" entity which, in general, moves circumferentially throughout the stage with a rotational speed up to 0.5 times the rotor frequency. This phenomenon is known as "rotating stall". In stages with large blade heights, only the radially outer part of the blade channels is blocked and this situation is known as a "full span stall". With increasing load, the entire set of blade channels in a stage can be effectively blocked, resulting in an event and condition known as a "full span stall". In case of compressor stages having small overall diameters, "full span stall" can occur directly without transition through "part span stall" status.
Another phenomenon, which may derive from rotating stall or also may occur suddenly with increased blade loading, is the "compressor surge". In this state, the whole circumference of one stage (usually the last one) has stalled (full span stall in the full blading). Then, the compressor cannot work any longer against the back-pressure of this one stage and the flow in the compressor breaks down. The high pressure gas flows back from the outlet to the compressor intake until the pressure at the compressor outlet is reduced enough so that a moderate blade load allows normal working again. When the back pressure is not reduced, this changing operation will be continued. These fluctuations will take place with very low frequencies (typically a few Hertz) and will destroy the compressor within a short time of operation because the rotor is respectively shifted axially fore and aft. Furthermore, the compressor surge will be accompanied by fluctuations in the continuous overall air flow to the firing chamber in case of a gas turbine; these fluctuations can disrupt the environment in the firing chamber of the turbine in such a manner as to extinguish the "flame" in the firing chamber or (in some rare instances) establish the prerequisite environment for a backfire of the turbine through the compressor. A compressor should not be operated under such conditions; at best, operation will be inefficient for those stages wherein stall effects occur.
On the other hand, it is desirable to operate a compressor in an optimally efficient manner (that is as close as possible to the appropriate maximum obtainable mass flow rate given by the overall status of the compressor). Contemporary turbo engines are usually equipped with fuel or energy control systems which measure and output a variety of operating parameters for the overall engine. Included in such control systems are highly accurate pressure sensing devices or systems. For example, a pressure measuring system is described in PCT Publication (with International Publication Number WO 94/03785 filed Jun. 16, 1994 and published Feb. 17, 1994) titled ADAPTOR FOR MOUNTING A PRESSURE SENSOR TO A GAS TURBINE HOUSING. This publication shows a preferred pressure measuring system for use in the invention. Material from this publication is also presented with respect to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9. Other examples of pressure measuring systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,977 entitled "Pressure Measuring System", filed May 27, 1980 in the names of Robert. C. Shell, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,664 issued Mar. 6, 1984, entitled "Pressure Ratio Measurement System", in the names of Frank J. Antonazzi, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,335 issued Dec. 27, 1983, entitled "Pressure Transducer" to Ohnesorge, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,409, issued May 22, 1984, entitled "Pressure Measurement System With A Constant Settlement Time", in the name of Frank J. Antonazzi; U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,179, issued Jul. 3, 1984, entitled "Differential Pressure Measuring System", in the names of Frank J. Antonazzi, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,125 issued Dec. 20, 1983, entitled "Pressure Transducer With An Invariable Reference Capacitor", in the names of Frank J. Antonazzi, et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,672 to Henry et al, discloses an apparatus for detecting and indicating the occurrence of a gas turbine engine stall which operated by sensing sudden changes in a selected engine pressure. A visual indication is also provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,994 to Roslyng et al discloses a method and a device of detecting the stall condition of an axial flow fan or compressor. The method and device measure the pressure difference between the total air pressure acting in a direction opposite to the direction of the revolution of the fan wheel and a reference pressure corresponding to the static pressure at the wall of a duct in substantially the same radial plane.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,856 to Frank J. Antonazzi discloses a detector for measuring pressure and detecting a pressure surge in the compressor of a turbine engine. The detector is incorporated in an analog to a digital pressure measuring system which includes a capacitive sensing capacitor and a substantially invariable reference capacitor.
While a wide variety of pressure measuring devices can be used in conjunction with the present invention, the disclosures of the above-identified patents and the articles mentioned next are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein for a full and complete understanding of the operation of the invention.
The article "Rotating Waves as a Stall Inception Indication in Axial Compressors" of V. H. Garnier, A. H. Epstein, E. M. Greitzer as presented at the "Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exposition" from Jun. 11 to 14, 1990, Brussels, Belgium, ASME Paper No. 90-GT-156, discloses the observation of rotating stall. In case of a low speed compressor, the axial velocity of air flow is measured by several hot wire anemometers distributed around the circumference of the compressor. From the respective sensor signals, complex Fourier coefficients are calculated, which coefficients contain detailed information on the wave position and amplitude as a function of time of a wave traveling along the circumference of the compressor. These traveling waves are to be identified with rotating stall waves. In case of a high speed compressor, several wall mounted, high-response, static pressure transducers are employed, from which sensor signals first and second Fourier coefficients are being derived. However, this direct spectral approach does not directly yield information on compressor stability, since the height of the rotating stall wave peak is a function of both the damping of the system and the amplitude of the excitation. To estimate the wave damping, a damping model is fitted to the data for an early time estimate of the damping factor. By this technique, a rather short warning time may be available (in the region of tens to hundreds of rotor revolutions) to take corrective action (changing the fuel flow, nozzle area, vane settings etc.) to avoid compressor surge.
In the article "Fast Response Wall Pressure Measurement as a Means of Gas Turbine Blade Fault Identification" of K. Nathioudakis, A. Papathanasious, E. Loukis and L. Papailiou, as presented at the "Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exposition" at Brussels, Belgium, from Jun. 11-14, 1990, ASME Paper No. 90-GT-341, it is mentioned that rotating stall is accompanied by the appearance of distinct waveforms in the measured pressure, corresponding to a rotational speed which is a fraction of the shaft rotational speed.
The systems known in the art cannot detect an unstable operating condition based on the preliminary indications of instability. They can only detect well established unstable conditions in an advanced state and, therefore, must avoid operation in the region where damage could result to the compressor from the more subtle kinds of instability. In order to avoid operation in the region where damage could result to the compressor, prior art compressor control systems operate with a high safety margin; this margin is well below the maximum possible mass flow rate of the compressor. In effect, the prior art compressor must therefore operate in a less efficient and a less economical mode than be realized with the subject of this invention.
Furthermore, the prior art control systems can detect an existing tendency of the compressor towards a stall condition or a surge condition only at a very short time before the actual occurrence of stall or surge. In many cases there is not enough time left after the above detection to take corrective actions for avoiding stall or surge.
The reduction of the risk of compressor stall and compressor surge is a further reason for the prior art compressor control systems to operate with the high safety margin.

Process and device for monitoring and for controlling of a compressor


The invention provides a surface-treated copper foil which can sufficiently ensure adhesive strength with a low-dielectric substrate used in forming a printed wiring board for high-frequency applications and can minimize transmission losses. There is provided a surface-treated copper foil for a low-dielectric substrate which is used in bonded relationship to a low-dielectric substrate, which is characterized in that a nodular-treated layer constituted by bump-like copper particles is formed on a surface of the copper foil and that ultrafine copper particles are caused to precipitate on the whole surface of the nodular-treated layer and adhere thereto and the roughness value Rz of the surface is 1.0 to 6.5 μm. The surface color of the surface-treated copper foil has L* of not more than 50, a* of not more than 20 and b* of not more than 15. A passivated layer containing at least one kind selected from the group consisting of zinc and nickel is provided on surfaces of the ultrafine copper particles which are caused to precipitate on the whole of the surfaces of the bump-like copper particles of the nodular-treated layer and adhere thereto.

In recent years, owing to-dramatic progress in information and communication technology, the Internet has changed from a simple medium for retrieving information from media for supplying and receiving various types of information and services. In association with this change, requests for a more comfortable environment, i.e., requirements for "larger quantities of information at higher speeds, in a more real manner" have become strong. In order to realize this comfortable environment (of the Internet), it is necessary to send and receive a large amount of information in a short time and high-speed design of signals, i.e., high-frequency design of signals becomes indispensable.
A printed wiring board used in a substrate which handles the high-frequency signals requires techniques for minimizing transmission losses in order to keep and ensure the quality of the signals. The transmission losses can be divided into the three factors of conductor losses, dielectric losses and radiation losses. When the factors of the transmission losses are viewed from the standpoint of copper foil which constitutes conductor circuits of a printed wiring board, the following can be considered.
First, conductor losses will be described. In the case of high-frequency design of signals, the skin resistance of a conductor circuit increases and conductor losses increase. In a high-frequency signal, the skin effect phenomenon occurs, that is, when an alternating current is caused to flow in a conductor circuit, back electromotive force is generated in the central part of the conductor circuit due to a magnetic flux change and the current becomes less apt to flow, with the result that the phenomenon that the current flows in the surface portion of the conductor occurs. For this reason, the effective sectional area where the current flows in the conductor circuit decreases and resistance increases. This is called skin resistance. The skin portion where the current flows in the conductor circuit is called the skin depth and it is considered that this skin depth decreases inversely proportional to the square root of a frequency.
When an investigation was made into the skin depth and skin resistance of a conductor circuit at each frequency from the relationship between this skin resistance, skin depth and frequency, it became apparent that the skin depth becomes not more than 2 μm when a signal frequency becomes that of the GHz zone and that a high-frequency signal flows only in the surface layer and skin portion of the conductor circuit. Furthermore, when transmission losses were investigated by forming conductor circuits from copper foil having different surface shapes of a conductor circuit, i.e., different shapes (roughness) of a surface bonded to the substrate, transmission losses showed a tendency to increase when a conductor circuit is formed from copper foil having large roughness of the bonded surface. This is due to the skin effect of the conductor circuit and it might be thought that this is because the propagation distance of a signal becomes long in copper foil having high bonded surface roughness. From this, it might be thought that copper foil having low bonded surface roughness, i.e., low-profile copper foil is effective as the copper foil used in forming a printed wiring board for high-frequency applications.
Next, dielectric losses will be described. Dielectric losses are determined by the dielectric constant and dielectric dissipation factor of a substrate resin. When a pulse signal is caused to flow in a conductor circuit, a change occurs in an electric field around the conductor circuit. A delay in the electric field change occurs when the cycle of the change (frequency) of an electric field approaches the relaxation time of the polarization of the substrate resin (the travel time of a charged body which polarizes). And when such a state is produced, molecular friction occurs within the resin and heat is generated, resulting in losses. For this reason, in a resin used for high-frequency signals, substituents of large polarity are minimized or brought into the state of null in order to cause the above-described polarization by an electric field change to occur less easily. Incidentally, in this specification a substrate having low-dielectric constant properties in which such substituents of large polarity are minimized or brought into the state of null or a substrate having low dielectric dissipation factor properties is called a low-dielectric substrate.
Incidentally, such substituents of large polarity contribute greatly to the chemical adhesion between a substrate resin and copper foil. Therefore, in a low-dielectric substrate formed from a resin in which substituents of large polarity are minimized (or brought into the state of null) in order to lower the dielectric constant and the dielectric dissipation factor, the adhesion to the copper foil is not good and hence the peel strength of a conductor circuit tends to become very low. A comparison of peel strength between the conventionally used FR-4 substrate and a low-dielectric substrate reveals that in the FR-4 substrate, an cohesive failure (the state in which the bond is fractured at the interface within the substrate resin) occurs during peeling and high peel strength is obtained, whereas in a low-dielectric substrate, an interfacial failure (the state in which the bond is fractured between the copper foil and the substrate resin) occurs and only low peel strength is obtained. When the peel strength is low, there is a possibility that circuit peeling during the manufacturing process of a printed wiring board and the falling-off of mounted parts in the outermost layer may occur and this is undesirable.
In order to reduce the dielectric losses, it is possible to cope with a decrease in the peel strength, which occurs when a low-dielectric substrate is used, by devising copper foil. That is, it is possible to improve the peel strength by increasing the bonded surface roughness of the copper foil. However, when the bonded surface roughness of the copper foil is increased, the effect on conductor losses increases as described above although the problem of the peel strength in a low-dielectric substrate can be solved.

Surface-treated copper foil low-dielectric substrate and copper-clad laminate and printed wiring board using the same


An improved ironer chest for an ironing device, wherein said ironer chest is of a double-walled design and has an inner wall (1) and an outer wall (2), between which a chamber (3) extends through which a medium can flow, in which one or more elements (4) which increase heat transfer are arranged adjacent to the inner wall (1), and wherein the ironer chest comprises a partition wall (6) which is provided with passage openings (7) and which divides the chamber (3) into a first chamber (9) which contains the one or more elements (4) which increase heat transfer and a second chamber (5), adjacent to the outer wall (2), which is free from said elements (4) which increase heat transfer. In addition, the present invention relates to an ironing device comprising such an ironer chest.

An ironer chest to which the present invention relates is described, for example, in BE 1 018 731 A5.
An ironing device to which the present invention relates is typically an industrial ironing device. Such an ironing device typically comprises one or more ironing rollers and one or more corresponding ironer chests. In this case, the inner wall of a ironer chest is in each case adjacent to the sleeve of a corresponding ironing roller. Laundry to be ironed is arranged between the ironing roller and the ironer chest in order to be ironed. By rotating the ironing roller, laundry to be ironed is carried along the inner wall of the ironer chest. The type of ironer chest to which the present invention relates is in this case heated by means of a medium. While the laundry to be ironed passes in between the ironing roller and the ironer chest, moisture is extracted from the laundry while being ironed. This moisture is typically carried away via the ironing roller.
In a gas-fired ironer chest, oil is heated as a medium by means of a gas burner and a heat exchanger. This oil is pumped through the chamber of the double-walled chest through which a medium can flow. However, the longer this oil is heated, the thicker it becomes, thus gradually clogging up the small holes in the chamber through which a medium can flow. These blocked holes form zones on the inner wall which have a lower temperature, as a result of which laundry to be ironed is no longer ironed evenly. Such gas-fired ironer chests therefore require regular maintenance in order to unblock blocked holes.


An antenna apparatus includes: a substrate; an RF ground conductor which is branched to extend in at least two directions and at least a part of which is formed on a surface of the substrate, the RF ground conductor functioning as an antenna ground plane; and an antenna portion, one end of which is connected to the RF ground conductor.

In radio communication equipment such as mobile phones or note type personal computers with a built-in radio communication function, a packaging density of parts is increased as the radio communication equipment is reduced in size. To address this, an antenna apparatus as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3758495 is proposed. In this antenna apparatus, a spiral conductor layer is formed on the surface of a base material made of a dielectric material or a magnetic material. A so-called chip antenna is installed on a substrate, and the chip antenna is grounded to a ground plane formed on the substrate. In this case, as shown in for example FIG. 5, an RF ground conductor 3 to which a chip antenna 2 on a substrate 1 is grounded ideally requires the most area on the substrate 1 in order to gain sufficient antenna characteristics.
Furthermore, in recent years, with the digitalization of radio communication equipment, a circuit ground conductor 4 to be used as a digital circuit ground has been formed on a substrate 1 together with an RF ground conductor 3 to which a chip antenna 2 is grounded, to thereby allow the coexistence of the RF ground conductor 3 and the circuit ground conductor 4 on the same substrate 1, as shown in FIG. 6.
However, the prior art described above has problems as follows.
That is, in a quarter wave antenna in which an electrical length of the antenna element is ¼ of a wavelength (λ), the size (especially, the length) of the ground plane to which the antenna is grounded is important. However, with a higher packaging density of parts, it has become difficult to secure a sufficient ground area necessary to obtain antenna characteristics in an ideal condition as shown in FIG. 5.
Furthermore, in the case where the RF ground conductor 3 and the circuit ground conductor 4 coexist on the same substrate 1 as shown in FIG. 6, there is a disadvantage that the ground plane on the substrate 1 is divided, making it impossible to secure the necessary area for the RF ground conductor 3.


The locking guitar strap is a guitar strap, which can be securely attached to the button of a guitar or other stringed instrument by means of a locking mechanism mounted internally into the end tab of the guitar strap, thus preventing damage to the instrument by accidental disengagement of the strap from the instrument.

This invention relates generally to a guitar strap capable of securely connecting to a stringed instrument.
Typical guitar straps have end tabs that are comprised of leather or some other similar material, and each of these end tabs has a slit with a small circular opening at one end of the slit, capable of receiving and, therefore, connecting to a guitar button. These straps are not capable of securely connecting the guitar strap to the guitar button and pose the risk of accidental disengagement that could cause damage to a guitar. Additionally, after significant use, the circular opening in the end tab is subject to wear and tear, which further decreases its ability to securely maintain the guitar button.
Other strap locking devices consist of an externally mounted apparatus placed onto the guitar button. These externally mounted apparatuses are often bulky and are not easily transferred from one guitar to another. They also pose the risk of scratching the surface of the guitar body.
The locking guitar strap of the present invention provides a means to safely and securely attach a guitar strap to a guitar button by means of a locking mechanism internally mounted within the end tabs of the guitar strap. The end tabs each have a keyhole opening with a wider first end and a narrower second end. The locking mechanism is comprised of an opening with a short narrow first section, a wider second section and a narrow third section. The wider second section and the narrow third section are aligned with the keyhole openings in the end tabs. A flexible tongue extends transversely from the short narrow first section through the entire wider second section and a portion of the narrow third section of the locking mechanism. The tongue is capable of being deflected so as to allow a guitar button to be inserted into the wider second section of the opening of the locking mechanism and the wider first end of the keyhole opening of the end tabs. The narrower second end of the keyhole opening in the end tabs and narrow third section of the locking mechanism allow only for the neck of the guitar button to be fitted within the opening. Once the guitar button is fitted into the narrow second end of the keyhole opening and the narrow third section of the locking mechanism, the tongue returns to its original position and serves to xe2x80x9clockxe2x80x9d the guitar button to the locking guitar strap. In the locked position, the guitar button is prevented from returning to the wider first opening of the keyhole opening and the wider second section of the locking mechanism and thus disengaging from the locking guitar strap. The guitar button is released by deflecting the tongue to enable the head of the guitar button to slide underneath the tongue and into the wider first end of the keyhole opening and wider second section of the locking mechanism, thus releasing the locking guitar strap.
The locking mechanism does not experience the wear and tear experienced by the leather end tabs of typical guitar straps and, thus, consistently maintains the secure attachment of the guitar strap to the guitar button, preventing the possibility of accidental disengagement. The internal mounting of the locking mechanism within the leather end of the guitar strap virtually eliminates the possibility of scratching the surface of the body of the guitar. Finally, the locking guitar strap will accommodate most standard guitar buttons without a need for modification of the guitar button. This versatile feature allows the owner of the locking guitar strap to utilize one locking guitar strap with any number of guitars.


Encapsulation of semiconductor light emitting diodes, in particular laser diodes, characterized in that a gap is formed in an encapsulant, which is positioned in front of the light emitting facet of the diode, the gap preventing the encapsulant from adhering to the light emitting facet.

Semiconductor light emitting diodes are know to be highly sensitive to moisture. This sensitivity extends to exposure to chemicals, such as detergents and to mechanical stress. As a result, devices of this nature require encapsulation and protection by appropriate housing which, at the very least, provide appropriate electrical and optical interconnections.
Encapsulation and packaging of light emitting diodes should be simple and inexpensive on one hand, and reliable and durable, on the other. A variety of encapsulations for conventional semiconductor devices have been known to the art. Most of them are not well suited for light emitting diodes in view of their high mechanical complexity. Attempts have been made to reduce the complexity of the housing by using epoxy-like materials for hermetically sealing the diode.
An example of such an encapsulation package is described in the European Patent application, EP-A 0 466 975, "Semiconductor Light-Emitting Device". The principle governing the encapsulation of the light emitting device is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. Shown is an edge emitting laser diode 10 mounted on a base 11 cube 12 with a 45.degree. mirror facet 13 positioned at a fixed distance from diode 10, thereby providing an optical output port. The laser diode 10 and the cube 12 are sealed and held in a transparent resin 14. The resin 14 adheres to the laser facets and fills the space between the laser 10 and the cube 12. The upper surface of cube 12 is not covered by resin 14. As shown by arrow 15, a light beam emitted from the laser 10 propagates through the resin 14, prior to its being reflected out of the resin.
The light emitting facet, referred to as mirror facet, is a critical element of a light emitting diode when addressing laser diodes. Because of the small emitting area (depending on the design of a light emitting diode), the optical flux density can be quite high (>1 MW/cm.sup.2). Consequently, corrosion or contamination can easily lead to degradation of the output or melting of the light emitting facet through thermal runaway. Organic encapsulants, such as transparent resin (shown in FIG. 1), have all low thermal conductivity so that only a small degree of absorption can result in the presence of a local temperature rise. For this reason, most of the laser diodes are hermetically sealed in a metal enclosure which ensures that only an inert gas is in contact with the sensitive facets. A disadvantage of hermetically sealing light emitting diodes using an encapsulant is illustrated in FIG. 1. In it, the encapsulant adheres to the light emitting facet. Thus, it directly interacts with it and causes thermal problems if light beams with high optical flux density are to be generated. Furthermore, chemical changes in the encapsulant caused by high optical flux, can accelerate degradation (corrosion) of the facet.

International Business Machines Corporation


A flat panel display device including a substrate including first and second regions; an active layer on the first region of the substrate including a semiconductor material; a lower electrode on the second region of the substrate including the semiconductor material; a first insulating layer on the substrate including the active layer and the lower electrode thereon; a gate electrode on the first insulating layer overlying the active layer and including a first conductive layer pattern and a second conductive layer pattern; an upper electrode on the first insulating layer overlying the lower electrode and including the first conductive layer pattern and the second conductive layer pattern; a second insulating layer on the gate electrode and the upper electrode exposing portions of the active layer and portions of the upper electrode; and a source electrode and a drain electrode connected to the exposed portions of the active layer.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments relate to a flat panel display device and method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flat panel display devices, e.g., liquid crystal display devices (LCDs), which use electrical-optical properties of a liquid crystal, and organic light emitting display devices (OLEDs), which use self-emission features of an organic light emitting diodes, may include a passive matrix type and an active matrix type. The active matrix type may be desirable because it has excellent resolution and is suitable for displaying videos, as compared with the passive matrix type.
Active matrix flat panel display devices may include a thin film transistor and a capacitor. Accordingly, multiple masks and processes for manufacturing the thin film transistor and the capacitor may be required. For example, a mask for forming an active layer of the thin film transistor and a lower electrode of the capacitor, a mask for forming a gate electrode of the thin film transistor and an upper electrode of the capacitor, a mask for exposing source and drain regions, and a mask for forming a source electrode and a drain electrode may be required.


A carrier is connected to the plunger for reciprocating therewith; the carrier is of inverted U-shape defining a recess open at its bottom. A holder is pivotally mounted to the carrier for swinging movement back and forth between a first position wherein the holder is substantially nested within the recess in the carrier and a second position wherein a substantial portion of the holder extends out of and away from the carrier recess. The holder is also of inverted U-shape defining a cavity for receiving a portion of a contour sanding member. Detent elements on the carrier compress the holder when the latter is in its first position thereby to impart a clamping force to a contour sanding member received within the cavity of the holder. A manually operated ejection member mounted on the tool housing engages the holder for moving the same from its first position to its second position.

Many varieties of orbital and belt sanders are well known to those skilled in the sanding art. These sanders have moving planar surfaces and perform very efficiently when sanding flat surfaces. However, these sanders are of limited utility when it is desired to sand curved surfaces or other surfaces that are inaccessible to a flat abrasive member. Concave and convex surfaces, grooves, score lines, beads and shutter slats are examples of objects which cannot be properly sanded using orbital or belt sanders.
It is known in the prior art to provide so-called profile sanders for sanding surfaces which are inaccessible to orbital and belt sanders. These prior art devices are both powered and manually operated.
An example of a powered profile sander is the Model 444 sander manufactured by Porter-Cable Corporation. The Model 444 profile sander includes a mounting plate which is detachably secured to the reciprocating member of the sander. A plurality of profile members, each having a portion configured to correspond to the contour of the surface to be sanded, are detachably secured one-at-a-time to the mounting plate. This tool is disadvantageous in that a separate mounting plate is necessary to attach a profile member to the tool.
An example of a manually operated profile sanding device is represented by the TADPOLE II sanding grips manufactured by Perfect Panel Products of Auburn, Wash. These sanding grips are not adapted for powered operation.
The Clamping mechanism of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with a sanding apparatus disclosed in application, Attorney Docket No. 960503, Ser. No. 08/675,244, filed Jul. 8, 1996, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. That application discloses a sanding apparatus having a flexible tubular member with an outer abrasive surface and a plurality of contour members. Each contour member has a cross-section defined by a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of each contour member has the same cross-sectional shape as the first portions of the other contour members; the second portion of each contour member has a cross-sectional shape which is different from the cross-sectional shape of the second portions of the other contour members. Each second portion includes a contour section configured to conform substantially to the shape of the work-piece to be sanded. Each contour member is adapted to be received one-at-a-time within the tubular member and is dimensioned such that the tubular member will be in a taut condition when the tubular member has one of the contour members received therein and (1) is clamped to the first portion of the contour member and (2) has the abrasive area thereof adjacent the contour section of the contour member brought into engagement with the work-piece to be sanded.


A drift voltage generator applies voltages to a plurality of annular electrodes, respectively, so that a potential distribution φ on an ion beam axis of an accelerating electric field created within a drift region satisfies ∂2φ/∂Z2>0. Trailing ions undergo a higher rate of acceleration than preceding ions, so that a compressing force acts on an ion packet in the direction of the ion beam axis. Consequently, the ion packet is constantly confined to a smaller space in the direction of the ion beam axis, and ions having the same ion mobility form a narrower peak in a spectrum with the horizontal axis representing the drift time, so that the resolving power improves. A control unit switches the applied voltages so that a uniform accelerating electric field is created.

When a molecular ion generated from a sample molecule is made to move in a gas medium (or liquid medium) under the effect of an electric field, the ion moves at a speed proportional to the mobility which is determined by the strength of the electric field, size of the molecule and other factors. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a measurement technique which utilizes this mobility for an analysis of sample molecules. FIG. 8A is a schematic configuration diagram of a commonly known ion mobility analyzer (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
This ion mobility analyzer includes an ion source 1 for ionizing component molecules in a sample, a drift region 4 for measuring the ion mobility provided within a housing (not shown) which, for example, has a cylindrical shape, and a detector 5 for detecting ions which have traveled through the drift region 4. A shutter gate 3 is provided at the entrance end of the drift region 4, in order to send the ions produced by the ion source 1 into the drift region 4 in a pulsed form confined to an extremely narrow width of time. The inside of the housing is maintained at an atmospheric pressure or a low-vacuum state of approximately 100 Pa. Within the drift region 4, a uniform electric field having a downward potential gradient in the moving direction of the ions (to accelerate the ions) is created by the DC voltages respectively applied to a large number of annular electrodes included in the drift electrode group 2 arrayed within the drift region 4. FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing the potential distribution on the ion beam axis C within the drift region 4. A stream of neutral diffusion gas is formed against the direction of the acceleration by this electric field.
The ions generated in the ion source 1 are temporarily stopped at the shutter gate 3 provided at the entrance end of the drift region 4. When the shutter gate 3 is opened in a pulse-like manner, the ions in the form of a packet are introduced into the drift region 4. The introduced ions travel along the downward potential gradient, colliding with the diffusion gas within the drift region 4. During this process, the ions are temporally separated according to the ion mobility which depends on the size, three-dimensional structure, charge and other properties of the ions. Consequently, ions having different ion mobilities reach the detector 5 with certain intervals of time. If the electric field within the drift region 4 is uniform, the collision cross-section between each ion and the diffusion gas can be estimated from the drift time required for that ion to pass through the drift region 4.
In Patent Literature 2, a method is proposed in which, instead of creating the uniform electric field within the drift region, the potential distribution on the ion beam axis is regulated so that the ions are focused in the radial direction of the ion path. In this case, although it is considerably difficult to estimate the collision cross-section between the ion and the diffusion gas, the loss of the ions due to the diffusion is reduced, so that a greater amount of ions can reach the detector. Consequently, a higher level of sensitivity can be achieved.
In general, the resolving power of an ion mobility analyzer is defined as [drift time]/[peak width] on a spectrum with the horizontal axis representing the drift time and the vertical axis representing the signal intensity, as shown in FIG. 8C. Accordingly, in order to improve the resolving power, it is necessary to devise a technique for increasing the drift time or decreasing the peak width. To increase the drift time, it is necessary to elongate the drift region. This approach is considerably restricted in terms of the size and cost of the device. Furthermore, due to the diffusion caused by the collision with the diffusion gas, the packet of ions becomes more dispersed as they fly a longer distance, so that the peak becomes broader as the drift time becomes longer. Therefore, even if the drift region is elongated in order to increase the drift time, there will be only a minor improvement in the performance because the peak width also simultaneously increases. In summary, elongating the drift region to improve the resolving power is not so beneficial because this method has the significant demerits of increasing the cost and size of the device while providing only a minor improvement in the performance.

Ion mobility analyzer and mass spectrometer


In order to produce multilayer structures of composite materials by draping recut elementary layers on a shaping mold, an installation is proposed which comprises, apart from the mold, a gripping tool which can e.g. be fitted on the articulated arm of a robot. The shaping mold comprises a flexible membrane equipped with suction cups ensuring the gripping of the elementary precut layers. A vacuum circuit makes it possible to engage the membrane on a countermold placed behind the latter in order to shape the grasped elementary layer. When the tool is brought onto the mold, a pressure source acts on the membrane in order to compact the elementary later on the mold. A suction system keeps the layer on the mold following the release of the suction by the cups.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an installation which makes it possible to produce in an automated manner multilayer structures of composite materials by draping precut elementary layers on a shaping mold.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Composite material structures are being used ever more frequently, particularly in the aeronautical and space industries. This evolution is explained both by the weight saving resulting from the use of such structures and by their remarkable mechanical properties. Thus, the textile fibers forming the weft of the composite materials can be oriented at random during the manufacture of the structures, so as to give the latter an increased mechanical strength in directions which are subject to the greatest mechanical stresses.
Usually composite material structures are produced from elementary layers, generally known as "plies, formed from resin-preimpregnated textile fibers, e.g. of the thermosetting type. As a function of the particular case, the fibers of each of the elementary layers can be juxtaposed, parallel fibers oriented in a given direction, or can form a fabric in which the fibers are oriented in two different directions.
The elementary layers are superimposed or stacked during the draping operation after which the structure obtained is compacted and then rigidified, e.g. by raising the temperature up to the resin polymerization temperature, when the latter is thermosetting.
During the production of such multilayer structures of composite materials, the draping operation is the most difficult, because it requires the putting into place in a very accurate manner of each of the elementary layers, both with regards to the orientation thereof and with regards to its positioning on the preceding layers.
In view of this difficulty, the draping stage is usually performed manually (in more than 90%), on the basis of elementary layers precut by a cutting machine. As a result the quality and reproducibility of the parts obtained are of a random nature and the parts are expensive (draping generally represents approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of the price of the part obtained ).
For the production of large parts such as aircraft wings, use is sometimes made of draping machines, like that described in FR-A-2 620 081. These particularly complex and costly machines both cut and put into place the elementary layers from wound strips. The rolls containing these strips, the cutting members and the placing members are carried by an orientable head, which moves and is oriented above the shaping mold in accordance with a predetermined program. However, such machines are extremely expensive and their use is difficult, which has hitherto limited their use to the production of large parts for which manual draping is especially difficult.
In addition, FR-A-2 511 656 discloses a draping installation in which each of the previously cut, elementary layers is maintained by suction on a transfer belt, which brings the layer above the shaping mold. A vacuum produced between the transfer belt and the mold then makes it possible to apply the elementary layer to the mold, so as to ensure both its shaping and its putting into place. However, this installation requires the intervention of an operator in order to bring each of the elementary layers onto the transfer belt and accurately position the same on the belt with the aid of a template placed below the belt in the area used for the putting into place of the precut elementary layers. Although this installation makes it possible to partly automate the draping operation, it does not eliminate the disadvantages of manual draping in connection with the difficulties encountered in obtaining high quality, reproducible manufacture.
EP-A-271 263 also discloses an installation incorporating a tool making it possible to grip an elementary layer or a stack of resin-preimpregnated layers on a cutting table, the preshaping of the layer or stack on a countermold belonging to the tool, followed by its transfer and draping on a shaping mold. The tool comprises a flexible membrane which, in the inoperative state, adopts the shape of the countermold. The introduction of compressed air into the space formed between the membrane and the countermold ensures gripping due to the adhesion of the preimpregnated layers. Preshaping is then obtained by forming a vacuum in the aforementioned space. The space is then again connected to a compressed air source, so as to deposit the layers on the shaping mold and the tool is progressively removed from the latter.
This installation makes it possible to completely automate the draping operation. However, it is only usable when the elementary layers are preimpregnated with resin and adhere to the membrane and to the shaping mold.

Installation for the production by draping of multilayer structures formed from composite materials

Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation SNECMA


A video frame decoding method and apparatus in order to implement efficient and fast video decoding. The method includes acquiring a target time point of a video, obtaining a frame number of a corresponding random access frame according to the target time point, obtaining a frame number of a frame that can be independently decoded, where the dependency set includes at least one dependency, and the dependency represents a correspondence between a frame number of a random access frame and a frame number of a frame that can be independently decoded, and obtaining, according to the frame number of the frame that can be independently decoded, video data of the frame that can be independently decoded, and decoding the random access frame.

A video sequence is generally stored according to a specific frame structure. H.264 is used as an example, and a video frame structure of H.264 may be, for example, IPP . . . PP IPP . . . PPIPP . . . PP . . . , where an I frame (random access frame) is a frame that can be independently decoded, and a P frame (common frame) is a frame that cannot be independently decoded and decoding of the P frame needs to depend on an I frame before the P frame. When a video with such a frame structure is dragged to play or edited, an I frame corresponding to a target time point for dragging or editing needs to be found first.
Generally, in scenarios such as video surveillance and static observation and photography, a video background remains unchanged in a quite long time. Based on this characteristic, video encoding efficiency can be significantly improved using an optimized encoding technology. After the optimized encoding technology is used, a frame structure of a video sequence changes accordingly, including a background frame, a random access frame, and a common frame, where only the background frame can be independently decoded, and decoding of both the random access frame and a common frame needs to depend on the corresponding background frame. When a video with such a frame structure is dragged to play or edited, a random access frame corresponding to a target time point for dragging or editing may be found first. However, with only the random access frame, decoding cannot be performed, and all frames located before the random access frame need to be searched for in a traversal manner according to frame header data of the random access frame in order to determine a background frame on which decoding of the random access frame depends.
However, a traversal method is a searching method with extremely low efficiency, thereby severely reducing efficiency of decoding a video frame.

Video frame decoding method and apparatus


A method of forming a stacked dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having metal patterns. A first dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. Next, a second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer to generate a composite dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer has a dielectric constant (k) higher than that of the first dielectric layer, a hardness higher than that of the first dielectric layer, and a thickness less than that of the first dielectric layer. The steps of forming the first dielectric layer and second dielectric layer can be repeated at least 2 to 3 times to form a stacked dielectric layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of semiconductor devices, more particularly to a method of forming a stacked dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having metal patterns.
2. Description of the Related Art
Low dielectric constant (low k) materials have been widely used in Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) and Ultra Large Scale Integrated (ULSI) chips where interconnected wiring capacitance must be minimized.
FIGS. 1 is a cross-section showing the steps of a low k dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate according to the prior art.
As shown in FIG. 1, a silicon semiconductor substrate 10 is provided. Metal patterns 14, for example of copper, are then formed in an inter-metal-dielectric (IMD) layer 12 followed by the deposition of a sealing layer 16. The dielectric layer 18, having a thickness from 6000 angstroms to about 8000 angstroms is formed on the sealing layer 16 by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or spin coating. An anti-reflection layer 20 is then deposited on the dielectric layer 18 followed by conventional photolithography. The low k dielectric materials include inorganic materials formed by CVD and organic materials such
However, inorganic materials have generally high hardness and relatively high dielectric constant, making them unable to meet requirements when interconnected wiring capacitance must be minimized.
On the other hand, organic materials have generally low hardness, and relatively low dielectric constant, resulting in outgassing during the subsequent annealing process. Moreover, the dielectric constant (k) of the dielectric layer is varied and unstable. Furthermore, one dielectric layer with insufficient hardness may result in cracking during the package assembly process.
In view of the above disadvantages, an object of the invention is to provide a method of forming a stacked dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having metal patterns, thereby eliminating outgassing and cracking.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of forming a stacked dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having metal patterns. This method can meet requirements when interconnected wiring capacitance must be minimized.
Accordingly, the above objects are attained by providing a method of forming a stacked dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having metal patterns. A first dielectric layer, having a thickness of 1000 to 1500 angstroms, is formed on the semiconductor substrate. Next, a second dielectric layer, having a thickness of 300 to 500 angstroms, is formed on the first dielectric layer to generate a composite dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer has a dielectric constant (k) higher than that of the first dielectric layer, a hardness higher than that of the first dielectric layer, and a thickness less than that of the first dielectric layer. The steps of forming the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer can be repeated at least 2 to 3 times to form a stacked dielectric layer. As well, an anti-reflection layer consisting of silicon oxy-nitride is preferably formed to cover the stacked dielectric layer.
In one embodiment of the invention, the first dielectric layer can be an organic material layer having dielectric constant of 1.5 to 2.7, a hardness from 0.6 Gpa to 1.5 Gpa. Alternately, an inorganic material layer formed by chemical vapor deposition can be used to replace the organic material layer. Moreover, the second dielectric layer can be silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxy-nitride, silicon carbide, or carbon doped silicon oxide and has a dielectric constant of 3 to 5. Also, the second dielectric layer has a hardness of 3 Gpa to 7 Gpa. Furthermore, the first dielectric layer and second dielectric layer can be formed in the same chemical vapor deposition tool.
The method of may further comprise a step of etching the composite dielectric layer to form a dual damascene structure by conventional via-first technology.
The method may also comprise the adhesion between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer being 70 Mpa to 90 Mpa.

Method of forming a stacked dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having metal patterns