A liquid crystal device is sequentially illuminated with three primary color lights in three primary color illumination steps including an off period (1) before, (2) before and after and (3) after the primary color light period, respectively. As a result, each primary color light illumination step includes a black picture display period corresponding to the off period, whereby motion picture blurring and color splitting can be suppressed without requiring a complicated circuit for generating new data for the black picture display.

The present invention relates to a method of displaying a color picture by using a liquid crystal device, particularly a picture display method using a liquid crystal device for effecting color picture display by illuminating a liquid crystal device sequentially with R (red), G (green) and B (blue) lights in synchronism with optical switching by the liquid crystal device so as to sequentially display picture of R, G and B respective colors.
Hitherto, color picture display has been practiced by using liquid crystal device according to methods including the following methods (1) and (2).
(1) A method of continuously illuminating a liquid crystal device equipped with a color filter with white light. Each pixel of the liquid crystal device corresponds to one color filter segment (one of R, G and B). The respective pixels are disposed in division in sizes not discriminable with eyes (spatial division), and respective color rights of R, G and B from these pixels are mixed through the simultaneously additive process to be observed as a color picture.
(2) A method of color picture display using a display apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 4 which is a schematic diagram representing a known liquid crystal display apparatus. Referring to FIG. 4, the display apparatus includes a light source 1 for emitting respective color lights of R, G and B, a liquid crystal device 3 to be illuminated with the color lights and a picture-switching means 2 for controlling the liquid crystal device 3. In picture display, the liquid crystal device 3 is illuminated sequentially (in time division) with respective color lights of R, G and B from the light source 1 while effecting light switching by the liquid crystal device 3 in synchronism with the respective color light illumination under control by the picture switching means 2. The respective color lights of R, G and B from the liquid crystal device 3 are mixed through the sequential additive process to be recognized as a color picture. This type of color display method is, e.g., disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (JP-B) 63-41078.
Of the above-mentioned methods (1) and (2), the method (2) is advantageous in that one pixel of the liquid crystal device allows a color given by a mixture of R, G and B, thus allowing a higher resolution display.
The above-mentioned method (2) is however accompanied with the following problems (a) and (b).
(a) Motion picture blurring. This problem is explained with reference to FIG. 5A. It is assumed that a picture G moves rightward from time n to time n+1 as illustrated in FIG. 5A. If the moving picture G is followed by observation with eyes, both edge portions (hatched portions) of the moved picture are blurred due to an after image effect occurring in the eyes. A blurring of a motion picture is caused due to a restriction in eye detection speed. This problem also occurs in the method (1).
The problem has been reported in a paper entitled xe2x80x9cMotion Blurring Obstruction in Hold-Type Picture Display (in Japanese) (Collection of Papers at Electronic Communication Society, Japan, ""85/12 vol. J68-B No. 12). The paper contains a description to the effect that xe2x80x9cDetection eye speed on blurring obstruction accompanying picture motion is governed by a light emission time at a pixel.xe2x80x9d
In recent years, the blurring has been quantitatively evaluated. For example, a paper entitled xe2x80x9cStudy on Motion Picture Quality in Hold Emission-Type Display by Eight-times Accelerated CRT (in Japanese)xe2x80x9d (xe2x80x9cShin-Gaku Gihoxe2x80x9d EID 96-4 (1996-06)) contains a description to the effect that xe2x80x9cIn the hold-type, the evaluation subsides below an allowable limit at a speed of 13.6 deg/sec.xe2x80x9d
(b) Color splitting. This problem is explained with reference to FIG. 5B. It is again assumed that a color picture G moves rightward from time n to time n+1 as illustrated in FIG. 5B. If the moving color picture G is followed by observation with eyes, both edge portions (hatched portions at the display position) cause blurring of colors due to mixing of colors recognized by after image effect by eyes of a previous display before the motion with colors of a current display after the motion. This problem of color splitting is peculiar in the method (2).
The color splitting is also a problem attributable to a restriction in eye detection speed of a motion picture. This problem is discussed in, e.g., JP-B 7-41023, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A)8-248381, JP-A 8-317380, JP-A 8-101672 and JP-A 9-90196. (In some of these documents, a term xe2x80x9ccolor deviationxe2x80x9d is used instead of xe2x80x9ccolor splittingxe2x80x9d for an identical phenomenon.)
Several proposals have been made for solving the above-mentioned problems, but they are also accompanied with other problems as described below:
(i) For solving the problem of color splitting, JP-B 7-41023 has proposed a detection device using an electric circuit, but the proposal requires a complicated circuit and yet is unsuitable for processing a high-speed motion picture.
(ii) JP-A 8-248381 has proposed to use a succession of fields having different time orders of color signals, particularly so that the color of a final color signal in a preceding period is made identical to the color of a first color signal in a subsequent period. This however results in a lower frame frequency for the other color data, thus being liable to cause flicker.
(iii) JP-A 8-317380 has proposed a 3:1-interlaced scanning for causing different colors at an identical position on a scanning line. The use of such a special scanning scheme requires a complicated circuit system.
(iv) JP-A 8-101672 has proposed to utilize a non-chromatic color signal derived from R, G and B signals, but the preparation of such new picture data requires a complicated circuit.
(v) JP-A 9-90916 has proposed to form a sub-field of white or intermediate color of a period identical to the fields of R, G and B in addition to the R, G and B fields. The preparation of new picture data requires a complicated circuit, and the newly prepared sub-field of white or intermediate color is liable to deteriorate the picture quality.
Among the above-mentioned proposals (i) to (v), the proposals (iv) and (v) using non-chromatic picture data or white picture data are advantageous in that they are applicable to processing of high-speed motion picture without causing flicker and without utilizing a special scanning scheme. However, the preparation of new picture data to be inserted still involves a problem that the complication of circuit is inevitable.
In view of the above-mentioned circumstances of prior art, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a picture display method using a liquid crystal device capable of reducing the motion picture blurring and color splitting without requiring a complicated circuit.
According to the present invention, there is provided a color picture display method using a liquid crystal display apparatus of the type including a light source capable of emitting three primary color lights including first color light, second color light and third color light separately at arbitrary time, and a liquid crystal device for receiving and selectively switching the three primary color lights from the light source; said method comprising:
(A) illumination steps by using the light source including:
a first step of turning off the light source, and then emitting only the first color light,
a second step of turning off the light source, then emitting only the second color light, and then turning off the light source, and
a third step of emitting only the third color light and then turning off the light source, and
(B) a liquid crystal device drive step of driving the liquid crystal device for optical switching in synchronism with the illumination steps to display a picture of the first color in the first step, a picture of the second color in the second step and a picture of the third color in the third step.
In a preferred embodiment, the first to third steps have equal lengths of period, include an equal length of period for emitting the color light and include an equal length of period for turning off the light source.
As a result, a black picture is displayed at the time of turning off the light source to effectively suppress the motion picture blurring and color splitting.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Picture display method using liquid crystal device


The present invention provides, in various embodiments, hybrid single-pass tangential flow filtration assemblies, disposable single-pass tangential flow filtration assemblies, scalable single-pass tangential flow filtration assemblies and adaptable modular single-pass tangential flow filtration assemblies. In other embodiments, the invention relates to processes for recovering proteins from the surface of a filtration membrane in a single-pass tangential flow filtration assembly and for cleaning a tangential flow filtration assembly. In additional embodiments, the invention provides methods of increasing the processing capacity of a single-pass tangential flow filtration assembly.

Single-pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) processes provide several advantages over recirculating, or traditional batch TFF processes, including simplicity, ease of use, and a smaller footprint, while avoiding some of the undesirable effects associated with recirculation, such as lower conversion.
SPTFF processes are typically performed at lower feed flow rates compared to traditional batch processes to facilitate conversion by increasing residence time within the module. The cassettes used in SPTFF processes are often processed in series, rather than in parallel, to improve conversion by increasing mass transfer through operation at higher feed flow rates. Although processing the cassettes in series can improve SPTFF performance and product recovery, parallel processing is often preferred for flushing SPTFF assemblies with liquids to remove preservative or storage solution, measure permeability, equilibrate the membranes, clean the membranes, or prepare the membranes for storage, particularly because serial processing requires additional time and material (e.g., water, buffer, cleaning solutions, storage solutions), which increases the overall cost of operation compared to parallel processing.
Since serial staging is desirable for product (e.g., protein) processing and parallel staging is desirable for flushing and cleaning SPTFF assemblies, there is a present need for SPTFF systems that can readily transition from processing cassettes in series to processing cassettes in parallel, and vice versa, while maintaining a sanitary processing environment.
In addition, current SPTFF systems suffer from a number of drawbacks, including lack of disposability for single-use operation, insufficient scalability (e.g., for linear scale-up or scale-down) and inadequate cleaning and product recovery methods.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved SPTFF assemblies that are scalable and/or disposable, as well as a need for more effective methods for cleaning and recovering target products (e.g., proteins) from the filtration membranes in TFF cassettes.

Single-pass filtration systems and processes


Systems and methods are disclosed for focusing a microscope using images acquired under multiple illumination conditions. In one implementation, an autofocus microscope may include an image capture device, a focus actuator, an illumination assembly, and a controller. The controller may cause the illumination assembly to illuminate a sample at a first illumination condition and at a second illumination condition. The controller may acquire a first image of the sample illuminated from the first illumination angle and a second image of the sample illuminated from the second illumination angle. The controller may further determine an amount of shift between image features present in the first image of the sample and a corresponding image features present in the second image of the sample, If the amount of determined shift is non-zero, the focus actuator may change the distance between the sample and the focal plane.

I. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to microscopy and, more specifically, to systems and methods for autofocusing a microscope and computational microscopy systems and methods.
II. Background Information
Today's commercial microscopes rely on expensive and delicate optical lenses and typically need additional hardware to share and process acquired images. Moreover, for scanning optical microscopy, additional expensive equipment such as accurate mechanics and scientific cameras are required. A new generation of microscope technology, known as computational microscopy, has begun to emerge, and makes use of advanced image-processing algorithms (usually with hardware modifications) to overcome limitations of conventional microscopes. A computational microscope can, in some cases, produce high-resolution digital images of samples without using expensive optical lenses. In addition, a computational microscope may open the door for additional capabilities based on computer vision, sharing of data, etc.

Autofocus system for a computational microscope


An on demand data delivery system is provided for the manufacture of original content recordings at a remote location. A data capture facility for retrieving data from an item of material is connected to a data resampling means for compressing data which is accessible to a storage facility connected to a central host server. The central host server is connected to a communications network for communication to a remote server which controls a manufacturing control device connected thereto. The manufacturing control device duplicates original content recordings on blank media upon receipt of a data representation of the original content recording from the remote server which retrieves said data representation for a selected original content recording from the central host server over the communications network.

Current methods of inventory management in retail stores for titles (such as music recordings and video game software) held for resale fail to optimally satisfy consumer demand and increase product cost. These deficiencies result principally from the cost of financing large inventories of titles held for resale and the failure to accurately anticipate consumer demand for individual titles and implement proper inventory management practices to satisfy such demand. These problems can have a significant adverse impact both on retailers and on the producers and distributors of items sold at retail.
As currently structured, retailers typically must maintain a large in-store inventory of titles for resale in order to be assured they have sufficient supply to satisfy consumer demand for such items. In addition, retailers often must maintain a large in-store inventory of titles to provide a means of displaying and merchandising titles within the retail environment. For example, consumers of products such as audio compact discs or cassette tapes typically browse through a large number of displayed titles to find a preferred selection and to determine if there are other titles which they are not aware of that they may desire to purchase. Moreover, while such "browsing rack" displays are presently the most widely practiced form of in-store merchandising of consumer music and video game titles, they offer limited merchandising and cross promotional opportunities other than grouping by general subject categories and alphabetizing the artist or game titles thereunder.
Often, however, large amounts of inventory are not sold and must be discounted to a price which generates consumer interest. In addition, insufficient inventories of popular titles result in lost sales which may be subsequently made by a competitor or lost altogether due to a loss of consumer interest in the title originally sought to be purchased. Moreover, particularly with respect to music titles, a large number of unrealized sales may result from a lack of inventory of older titles for which there is limited individual demand, but which in their aggregate could result in significant sales volume. There also tend to be unrealized sales when older titles no longer carried in inventory (or stocked only in limited quantities) become popular as a result of unexpected publicity or popularity of a title or artist resulting from receipt of an award by the artist for a recent work or past achievement or the use of a song in a newly released medium.
These "inventory management" issues have a significant impact on the producers and distributors of music, video game and other entertainment titles. In industries such as music and video game software, which are characterized by "hit" titles for which there may be very high consumer demand for a relatively brief time cycle, accurate inventory management is particularly important. A misjudgment in the number of expected sales of a particular music or video game software title (and related decisions regarding number of units of such title produced and distributed) could result in missing a significant market opportunity (for a short-cycle "hit" title for which limited supply is available) or a loss situation (resulting from the investment of a significant amount of money in producing and distributing a title for which there is no consumer demand and, as a result, an unwanted overstock of product). Overstock in particular can be a significant problem to producers and distributors of music and video game software titles that maintain policies of "buying back" or accepting returns without penalty of all or a portion of overstocked inventory or providing credits towards future product purchases by retailers.
Recognizing some of these shortfalls, systems have previously been proposed for the reproduction of titles at a point of sale location as they are purchased. Although these proposals have recognized some of the advantages in implementing such a system, they have been impractical for commercial implementation due to their inability to deliver necessary data for the reproduction of titles in an economically viable manner and within practical time constraints. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,643 to Charles C. Freeny, Jr. (the "Freeny device") describes a system having a remote information control machine for updating data stored in an information manufacturing machine located at a point of sale location. The information manufacturing machine includes means for reproducing prerecorded music titles on eight track tapes with data stored in its internal memory. The Freeny device further provides that the information manufacturing machine receive authorization from the remote information control machine prior to the reproduction of a music title at the point of sale locations. The information control machine in the Freeny device serves to receive captured data, convert the data to a digital format and update the data storage facility located within the information manufacture machine. Data stored in a memory file unit within each information manufacturing machine is provided with an encoding scheme which serves as a security system for the unauthorized reception of the data necessary for the manufacture of the material object.
The Freeny device has several drawbacks which make the system impractical for commercial implementation: (1) the data file for each title requires a large memory storage capacity, (2) each remote location must have on site data storage for every title to be manufactured, (3) data delivery to point of sale locations for anything beyond a short authorization code and other sale tracking data is impractical in cost and time requirements, and (4) manufacturing time for titles not stored on site in the data storage facility for a particular remote location is slow (and commercially impractical for the consumer retailing environment).
The implementation of a commercially practical on demand data delivery system for the preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at remote locations of titles on selected media within the time constraints of a retail shopping experience would eliminate or substantially reduce the deficiencies in current retail practices described above. It would afford a great commercial advantage both to retailers and producers using the system. In addition, the system would optimally satisfy consumer demand by providing virtually limitless inventory of popular titles which can be previewed and selected for purchase through an easy to use terminal that provides a unique shopping experience. Moreover, it would eliminate the need to produce and transport to remote locations previously recorded or programmed titles for which there is little or no consumer demand, resulting in a much more efficient use of energy and resources than is possible with existing practices.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a commercially practical on demand data delivery system for the preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at remote locations of above described titles and additional materials. It is a further object of this invention to provide a system which permits for improved marketing, selection and previewing capabilities without the need for maintaining large inventories of materials at a point of sale location.

Apparatus and method for an on demand data delivery system for the preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at a remote location of previously recorded or programmed materials


A bag for storing small objects such as stretch cords, tie downs, bungee cords and the like, that are used in personal, occupational, recreational and marine pursuits. The bag may be made in an appropriate size and color so that it is capable of being used as a warning flag for attachment to objects to call attention to them, such as on a long load or the like. A rigid header bar is attached to the storage bag along an upper edge thereof to maintain the shape of the bag, especially when it is used as a flag. A handle is attached to the rigid header bar to carry the combined flag and bag, and hook-receiving openings are formed in the header bar for attachment of a handle or tie-down straps to secure the combined flag and bag to an object.

For the storage of small items, such as tie-down straps, especially on vehicles such as trucks, boats, recreational vehicles, and the like, there is very little available that is convenient to use and which is durable and economical.
Persons desiring to store small items, particularly in a vehicle, generally place the items in an out-of-the-way space, such as behind the seat, or in a small compartment, or in a make-shift bag. This method is not convenient, and the items frequently become lost or tangled with other small items. One item that is frequently carried, especially on a boat, or by tradesmen, or in a recreational vehicle, is one or more tie down straps for securing objects. A variety of tie downs are known in the art, including tie down straps, and stretch cords or bungee cords.
For marine use, in particular, there is no suitable bag that is economical, easy to use, and resistant to the effects of water and ultraviolet radiation.
Further, in the transportation of some materials, such as construction materials and the like, for example, it is sometimes necessary to carry loads that are longer than the vehicle used for carrying them. These long loads accordingly protrude beyond the end of the transporting vehicle. In this event, it is generally required to tie or otherwise suitably secure a warning flag on the end of the protruding material. A warning flag may also be required in other instances to call attention to a dangerous condition, or simply to call attention to some object or feature.
In the prior art, warning flags of various sizes and shapes are typically used for this purpose. These flags usually comprise a rectangular piece of brightly colored material, having one or more tie straps at one side for securing the flag to an object. In many instances, the warning flag is simply stapled or nailed to the object.
As currently practiced in the art, tradesmen, for example, frequently carry a supply of warning flags and tie down straps or bungee cords for use in handling materials, as discussed above. This requires storage of both the flags and the tie downs. A plurality of bungee cords, in particular, may be carried for use in a variety of ways, including use as tie downs to secure objects. These cords generally become tangled, and are easily misplaced or lost, resulting in not having the necessary tie down when needed. In addition, the flags may also become misplaced or lost, or may be used for some purpose other than intended, whereby none are available when the need arises.
Accordingly, there is need for a simple and effective bag for storing small objects, particularly in a vehicle, and that is easy to keep track of and that can insure that a warning flag and/or tie down is readily available when needed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Combination warning flag and storage bag


This invention is based on the discovery that chemokines induce fibroblasts to differentiate to myofibroblasts, which play a critical role in wound healing and are implicated in a number of fibrotic diseases. This activity has been localized to a peptide in the N-terminus of several chemokines. Accordingly, the invention provides polypeptides that induce the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in vitro and in vivo, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and related vectors, host cells, and composition containing these components. The invention also encompasses methods for inducing or inhibiting differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, in vivo as well as in vitro, and screening methods for identifying other agents that modulate myofibroblast differentiation.

Chemokines are primarily known for their roles in inflammatory and immune responses. However, these small cytokines have also been shown to be upregulated during development of the granulation tissue of wounds and to act on endothelial cells and keratinocytes, cells that perform important functions in the development of the healing tissue (Martins-Green and Bissell, 1990; Nanney et al., 1995; Martins-Green and Feugate, 1998; Luster et al., 1998). In addition to these cell types, fibroblasts are also critical players during formation of the granulation tissue. These cells are activated by cytokines and growth factors that are released from platelets and produced by macrophages. The activated fibroblasts proliferate and migrate across the provisional matrix formed by the fibrin-plasma fibronectin clot. As the clot is digested by plasmin, fibroblasts replace it with cellular fibronectin, tenascin and collagen III (Mackie et al., 1988; Clark, 1993), molecules that are critical for migration of endothelial cells and keratinocytes into the wound and for proper scar formation. Some of the fibroblasts infiltrating the wound differentiate to become myofibroblasts (Gabbiani, 1996; Powell et al., 1999), cells that have bundles of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and can contract, contributing to closure of the wound (Germain et al., 1994; Lanning et al., 2000).
Chemokines are small, positively charged, secreted proteins that consist of an N-terminal region of variable conformation, followed by a loop, three antiparallel beta strands and a C-terminal alpha helix (Clark-Lewis et al., 1995). They can be divided into four families based on the position of the first two cysteines. The two major families are the CXC family in which the two cysteines are separated by any single amino acid [e.g. cCAF, IL-8, gro-α/MGSA, SDF-1, PF4, IP-10] and the CC family in which the two cysteines are adjacent [MCPs, RANTES, Eotaxin, MIPs] (Prieschl et al., 1995; Bazan et al., 1997; Zlotnik et al., 1999). These proteins have no modifications other than two disulfide bonds and are multifunctional. Chemokines function in a very tightly regulated dose- and time-dependent manner, strongly suggesting that their actions are affected by the microenvironmental conditions (Dunleavy and Couchman, 1995; Gharaee-Kermani et al., 1996; Rennekampf et al., 1997; Youngs et al., 1997).
The first evidence that chemokines are associated with healing was reported in 1990 when it was shown that the chemokine cCAF (chicken Chemotactic and Angiogenic Factor) is overexpressed during wound healing (Martins-Green and Bissell, 1990). This chemokine is highly expressed in the first 24-48 hours after injury and remains elevated for at least 16 days after wounding (Martins-Green and Bissell, 1990; Martins-Green at el., 1992; Martins-Green and Hanafusa, 1997). It is primarily expressed by the fibroblasts of the granulation tissue, especially where interstitial collagen is abundant and by the endothelial cells of microvessels of the granulation tissue (Martins-Green and Bissell 1990; Martins-Green at al., 1992).
In the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, at low doses, cCAF is chemotactic for monocyte/macrophages and lymphocytes and after several days of exposure to this chemokine, the ectoderm of the CAM becomes thickened and a granulation-like tissue develops beneath the cCAF-containing pellet. In this granulation-like tissue, there is an increase in the amount of interstitial collagen, and the fibroblasts in the mesoderm are consistently aligned with the collagen fibers and appear to cause tissue contraction (Martins-Green and Feugate, 1998). At high concentrations, however, cCAF stimulates blood vessel sprouting from the preexisting vessels of the CAM (angiogenesis) in the absence of leukocyte chemotaxis (Martins-Green and Feugate, 1998).
Other CXC chemokines have also been associated with wound healing events. For example, in bum wounds, gro-α/MGSA is expressed by keratinocytes as they differentiate after re-epithelialization of the wound. Furthermore, CXCR2, the receptor for MGSA, is present in migrating and proliferating keratinocytes (Nanney et al., 1995; Rennekampff et al., 1997). In the granulation tissue, MGSA expression is associated with fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells/myofibroblasts and a subpopulation of macrophages (Nanney et al., 1995). This pattern of expression strongly suggests a role of this chemokine in healing of burn wounds. It also has been shown that in transgenic mice expressing IP-10, a CXC chemokine that inhibits angiogenesis, wounds heal poorly and exhibit defects in development of the granulation tissue (Luster et al., 1998).
It is becoming increasingly more evident that chemokines are expressed at the sites of injury and that they affect processes involving proper development of the granulation tissue. Fibroblasts are critical participants in the development of this healing tissue and they also express high levels of chemokines upon stimulation by stress-inducing agents such as those released upon wounding. Despite this correlative evidence, little is known about how these small cytokines affect wound fibroblast function.

Chemokines and methods for inducing the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts

The Regents of the University of California


A process for producing pourable foam regulator granules containing a defoamer combination of a paraffin wax and a bisamide derived from diamines and carboxylic acids and an inorganic, water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier salt by pelletizing in a granulation mixer with intensive mixing 50 to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic carrier salt optionally with up to 5 parts by weight of an anionic or nonionic cellulose ether, adding 1 to 10 parts by weight of an aqueous alkali metal silicate or polymeric polycarboxylate solution and then adding 10 parts by weight of the defoamer combination heated to a temperature of 70.degree. C. to 180.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for producing pourable foam regulator granules containing inorganic, water-soluble and/or water-dispersible carrier salt and paraffin wax for use in laundry and dishwashing detergents by pelletizing and to the use of the granules thus produced as foam-regulating constituents of laundry and dishwashing detergents.
2. Discussion of Related Art
The use of bisamides as foam regulators for detergents is known from DE-A 20 43 087. However, the formulations mentioned in that document do not have a uniform foam regulator effect over a wide temperature range and show weaknesses, particularly at low washing temperatures. European patent EP 087 233 describes a process for the production of a low-foaming detergent in which mixtures of an oily or wax-like substance and bisamides are applied to a carrier powder, more particularly a spray-dried surfactant-containing detergent. The oily or wax-like substance may consist, for example, of vaseline with a melting point of 20.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. In the Examples, mineral oil is used for this purpose. This component obviously serves primarily as a carrier or dispersant for the bisamide. Although the use of 2% by weight of foam-regulating mixture, based on the detergent, gives satisfactory results in the Ross-Miles Test, these quantities appear far too high for practical purposes. In addition, with this method of formulation, i.e. spraying the foam-regulating mixture onto the spray-dried surfactant-containing detergent, the storage stability of the foam regulating component present exclusively on the surface of the foam regulator is in danger of being impaired by the production process, with the result that its activity decreases with increasing storage time. In order to increase its effect and, at the same time, to reduce the necessary in-use concentration, other known foam inhibitors, particularly polysiloxanes or polysiloxane/silica mixtures, are often added to these foam regulators. However, polysiloxanes, although well-known for their favorable foam-regulating effect, are relatively complicated to produce, which generally makes them more expensive as raw materials than comparable active substances, and in addition have the disadvantage that their biological degradability in the wastewater is often not entirely satisfactory. Other bisamide-containing formulations are known from European patents EP 075 437 and EP 094 250. However, the formulations described in these documents contain silicones. DE-A 28 57 155 describes detergents with a foam regulator which contains hydrophobic silicon dioxide and a mixture of solid and liquid hydrocarbons, optionally in admixture with fatty acid esters. European patent application EP 309 931 describes foam regulators based on a relatively expensive mixture of paraffin wax and microcrystalline paraffin wax. International patent application WO 93/17772 describes paraffin-based foam regulators containing carboxylic acid bisamide of which the paraffin wax component has as small a liquid content as possible and, preferably, contains no liquid at all. According to the document in question, preferred paraffin wax mixtures have a liquid content at 30.degree. C. of less than 10% by weight and a liquid content at 40.degree. C. of less than 30% by weight. In some cases, however, foam regulators of the type in question perform unsatisfactorily in low-temperature machine washing which, recently, has acquired increasing significance.
European patent application EP 0 008 829 describes solid detergents which contain a foam control system of wax, hydrophobicized silica gel, certain nonionic dispersants and, optionally, silicones which is present in the form of an intimate mixture with the other ingredients of the detergent. According to the document in question, the preliquefied foam control system may be sprayed onto preformed, more particularly spray-dried, carrier granules which contain all or part of the other detergent ingredients. The several stages involved in this production process make it relatively complicated.
DE-A 34 36 194 describes a process for the production of pourable foam regulator granules by spray drying of an aqueous dispersion containing water-insoluble foam inhibitor, inorganic carrier salt and certain cellulose ether mixtures. Because of the high temperatures prevailing under the spray-drying conditions, a process such as this can lead to products which do not always show optimal foam-regulating performance, particularly where low-melting paraffin waxes are used.
However, the use of such low-melting paraffins is of particular interest by virtue of their considerable effectiveness in the low-temperature wash programs being increasingly used by the consumer.
Additionally, there was a need to develop a process for the production of stable foam regulator formulations which, in the production of particulate laundry and dishwashing detergents, would withstand mixing with the other ingredients with their granular structure intact and without any dust emission and which, nevertheless, would dissolve quickly and completely and release the foam-inhibiting agent under in-use conditions.

Process for producing paraffin-containing foam regulators


A process for the production of a wood composite, such as fiberboard, having improved surface characteristics includes the application of an alkali metal salt, e.g. an alkali metal carbonate. The process also reduces the amount and integrity of carbon film that generally forms in the die during consolidation, making the die significantly easier to clean.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the production of a wood composite having superior surface quality. The invention also relates to a process for the production of a wood composite which overcomes the disadvantages of known solution treatments. More particularly, the invention relates to the minimization of the amount and integrity of undesirable materials which tend to build up on die surfaces utilized during consolidation of the wood composite.
2. Brief Description of Related Technology
Wood composites, e.g. hardboard or fiberboard, may be formed in desired shapes and sizes depending on the intended use, for example as a doorfacing or doorskin which is applied to a door body. The principal processes for the manufacture of wood composites include (a) wet felted/wet pressed or "wet" processes, (b) dry felted/dry pressed or "dry" processes, and (c) wet felted/dry pressed or "wet-dry" processes.
Generally in a wet process, cellulosic fillers or fibers (e.g. woody material which is subjected to fiberization to form wood fibers) are blended in a vessel with large amounts of water to form a slurry. The slurry is deposited along with a synthetic resin binder, such as a phenol-formaldehyde resin, onto a water-pervious support member, such as a fine screen or a Fourdrinier wire, where much of the water is removed to leave a wet mat of cellulosic material having, for example, a moisture content of about fifty weight percent. Where two separate water removal steps are utilized, these steps may be referred to as the primary water removal step and the secondary water removal step. The wet mat is transferred from the pervious support member to a press and consolidated under heat and pressure to form the molded wood composite.
In a dry process, the cellulosic fibers are generally conveyed in a gaseous stream (or by mechanical means) rather than a liquid stream. For example, the cellulosic fibers may be first coated with a thermosetting resin binder, such as a phenol-formaldehyde resin, and are then randomly distributed into a mat by air blowing the resin-coated fibers onto a support member. The mat, typically having a moisture content of less than 30 wt. % and preferably less than 10 wt. %, is then pressed under heat and pressure to cure the thermosetting resin and to compress the mat into an integral consolidated structure.
A wet-dry forming process may also be used to produce wood composites. Generally, in a wet-dry process, a slurry is formed of water, a cellulosic filler, and a resin binder. Sufficient water is then drained from the slurry to form a wet mat. Further water is then removed from the wet mat by evaporation, which is preferably facilitated by the application of heat, in order to form a dried mat. The dried mat is then pressed under heat to form the wood composite.
Preferably, a wet-dry process begins by blending cellulosic or wood fiber raw material in a vessel with large amounts of water having a pH of less than 7 to form a slurry. This slurry is then blended with the resin binder. The blend is then deposited onto a water-pervious support member, where a large percentage (e.g. 50%) of the water is removed, thereby leaving a wet mat of cellulosic material. Further water may be removed in a second step, in which case these two steps may be referred to respectively as the primary water removal step and the secondary water removal step. This wet mat is then transferred to an evaporation zone where much of the remaining water is removed by evaporation, for example by heating the wet mat. The mat may be further dried in a second evaporation step, in which case these two evaporation steps may be referred to respectively as the primary evaporation step and the secondary evaporation step. (These steps are commonly referred to as "drying" steps.) The dried mat preferably has a moisture content of less than about 10 wt. %. The dried mat is then transferred to a press and consolidated under heat and pressure to form the wood composite which may be, for example, a flat board or in any desired shape depending on its intended use.
Wood composites produced according to the processes described above may, however, have poor surface quality. Poor surface quality is indicated by a wood composite having a porous or open surface, inadequate consolidation along the edges or corners of the wood composite and/or poor definition of wood grain which is often embossed on the surface of the wood composite. Poor surface quality is also indicated where the wood composite exhibits poor internal bonding and strength, especially at the edges of the wood composite. For example, poor surface quality is shown where there appears to be layers within the composite which are "flaky" and can be easily peeled away; this phenomenon may be referred to as a lack of surface tightness. Where there is poor surface quality, the wood composite may easily break apart and the product is therefore unsatisfactory.
In order to help prevent the problems associated with poor surface quality, a urea solution has been used as a surface treatment. The urea converts to ammonia under heat, which then plasticizes the fibers during consolidation. However, the use of urea has several disadvantages, including the relatively high application rate which is required (up to two grams of urea solids per square foot), contribution to the build up of undesirable material (e.g., a film which includes carbon and other materials, commonly referred to as a "carbon film") on the die surfaces, promotion of corrosion on unplated die surfaces, and the addition of ammonia to the press exhaust stream. The carbon film may damage the final product and/or the die surfaces and is difficult to remove from the die surfaces. The presence of ammonia in the exhaust gases is of particular concern if thermal oxidation is used as a pollution control measure, because the ammonia can convert to oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x), which are hazardous. It is therefore desirable to reduce or eliminate the need for a urea treatment during pressing of the wood product.
The surface of the wood composite may also be improved by postpress tempering with drying oils. Many different types of tempering oils may be used, including linseed oil, soybean oil, tung oil, oiticica oil, and unsaturated fatty acid esters. However, the use of these oils increases both cost and production time. In addition, use of such oils may be environmentally undesirable. It is therefore desirable to reduce or eliminate the need for such postpress treatment of the molded wood product.

Alkali metal salts as surface treatments for fiberboard


The present invention relates to a built-in flash mechanism that will pop up when the illumination is insufficient or it is manually switched on. The present invention comprises a flash unit having a buckle, a driving motor, a driving gear set formed on said driving motor, a axle wheel portion having a clip, a driven gear set formed on said axle wheel portion, a light-sensitive sensor, and a pusher for obstructing light into said light-sensitive sensor. When the light is obstructs by the pusher, the sensor will activate the driving motor to release the flash device or lock the flash unit at a receiving chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a built-in flash mechanism that can be implemented in a digital camera, a conventional camera or other video devices. By a step motor to drive a clip to release a buckle, the present is able to flick the flash up when the illumination is insufficient or it is manually switched on. With this method, a power-save, easy-to-use, and simple flash pop-up mechanism can be achieved.
2. Background Description
There are at least four types of flashlights utilized in cameras. They are hand-held, top-attachable, built-in and standalone flashlight devices. Among all types of flash units, built-in flashes are popular in both digital and conventional cameras. For built-in flashes, there are two types available: fixed and pop-up flashes. The present invention is a built-in pop-up flash, which will popup manually, or pop-up when insufficient illumination is detected.
In addition, the existing built-in pop-up flash unit utilizes a two-way electromagnetic valve, which has drawbacks, such as complicated structure and large force needed to hold the flash inside the camera housing or to pop up the flash, requiring larger activation force. Besides, the necessary current of the two-way electromagnetic valve is larger, thus consuming the precious battery power.
To surmount the drawbacks aforementioned, the present invention utilizes a motor to lock the flashlight unit and further utilizes elasticity of a spring to release the flashlight unit when the motor unlocks it. Thus, a less power consumption and easy-to-use with simple structure of the flash device is achieved.

Apparatus for releasing flash device automatically


An electronic comparator for selecting and outputting the larger of first and second electrical, binary-coded input values presented bit-serially, most-significant-bit first, has first and second input terminals; a logical exclusive-OR gate; a first resettable flip-flop; a second flip-flop; and a device for selecting one of the input values as an output of the comparator. In a second embodiment, the electronic comparator has first and second input terminals; a logical exclusive-OR gate; a first flip-flop synchronized with a train of bitclock pulses; a second resettable flip-flop; a third flip-flop; and a device for selecting one of the input values as an output of the comparator. Devices for generating traceback signals indicating which input values were selected and a signal indicating that the maximum value has been identified are also disclosed.

The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for digital signal processing or computational operations.
It is sometimes desired to find the greatest of a set of values that may be electrically stored as a set of digital words in memory elements such as registers, random access memory ("RAM") or read-only memory ("ROM"). Also, it is often desired to identify the largest such value, e.g., by finding its associated index number, which may be the number of the memory element in which the largest value is stored.
A common method for finding the largest of a set of values involves sequentially scanning the set. A register for storing the largest value is loaded with the first value (and its index), and the contents of the register is compared to the second value. If the second value is larger, the second value and its index replace the first value and its index in the register. The third value is then compared to the register contents, and if it is larger, the third value and its index replace the value and index stored in the register. The process continues until all subsequent values in the set have been compared to the register contents.
Unfortunately, the amount of time needed for such a sequential search is proportional to the number of values in the set; thus, a sequential search may be too slow when the set is large. As described in more detail below, the present invention provides a fully parallel search method and circuit implementation using bit-serially presented digital values that determine the maximum value and its index in a time period that is independent of the number of values in the set searched.
The present invention is particularly useful for code division multiple access ("CDMA") communications techniques in cellular radio telephone communication systems, such as the enhanced CDMA demodulation scheme based on successive signal subtractions, in signal strength order, of multiple CDMA signals that is described in co-pending U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 07/628,359, filed Dec. 17, 1990;
In that co-pending patent application, it is explained that superior methods of spectrally spreading an information signal, such as occurs in a CDMA system, use error correction coding. When a single information bit is expanded into a pseudo-random sequence of R bits, the information bandwidth is spread without error-correction-coding gain; this technique may be termed "simple spreading". On the other hand, spreading a block of M information bits, where M>1, into a pseudo-random sequence of M.times.R bits provides an error correction coding gain of the spreading ratio R. This technique, called "intelligent spreading", can involve either orthogonal or bi-orthogonal block coding of the information signal to be transmitted.
In orthogonal block coding, M bits to be transmitted are converted to one of 2.sup.M available 2.sup.M -bit orthogonal codewords. Decoding involves correlating a received signal with all members of the set of orthogonal codewords, and the index of the codeword giving the highest correlation yields the desired information. For example, if a signal's correlation with sixteen 16-bit codewords index-numbered 0 to 15 produces the highest correlation on the tenth codeword, the desired signal information is the 4-bit binary word 1010 (decimal 10).
A comparison processor may determine which correlation has the largest magnitude and may set that signal to zero by opening a corresponding switch. In this manner, the demodulated signal is subtracted effectively from the composite signal. The remaining spectrum with one component removed is processed and re-scrambled to reconstruct the original signal samples less the just-decoded signal. The magnitude of the correlated signal is representative of signal strength and may be stored in a sorting processor along with the signal's corresponding scrambling code. The processor orders the scrambling codes from greatest to weakest correlated signal magnitudes, and the code corresponding to the greatest magnitude may then be transmitted to the descrambler for the next signal demodulation.
Thus, after the comparison processor detects real and imaginary correlations and determines complex correlation magnitudes by calculating the square root of the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary components, the processor may then determine which complex correlation has the greatest magnitude. The real and imaginary components of the selected correlation may also be analyzed in the complex plane to determine if the phase has changed.

Ericsson-GE Mobile Communications Holding Inc.


A program instruction rearrangement method calculates the dependency depth of each instruction of a program based on dependency between instructions, based on register access order, and rearranging instructions based on the dependency depth. Additionally, the dependency between instructions can be utilized to locate and remove redundant instructions.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to computer techniques, and more particularly to program instruction rearrangement methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
A processor typically utilizes pipelining techniques to simultaneously execute multiple instructions. When an executed instruction in a pipeline uses an operand register which is the output of a former instruction, execution of the instruction is suspended until the former instruction yields the result. An example is given with reference to the following instructions:                #101 . add a x y        #102 . inc a        #103 . dec b        //a=(x+y)+1; b=b−1
With reference to FIG. 1, execution stages of instruction #101 may be classified as:                Fetch instruction #101;        Read x and y;        Add; and        Write to a.
Instruction #102 is fetched in the second stage, followed by the third stage for reading register a, but instruction #101 writes the result thereof to register a at the fourth stage, thus instruction #102 is not able to read register a until the fifth stage. In other words, the input of instruction #102 at the fifth stage depends on the output of instruction #101 at the fourth stage. Additionally, at the fifth stage of instruction #102 , instruction #103 is also executed. A total of 8 clocks are required to execute instructions #101˜103. If the register read by instruction #102 in the fifth stage is not the register a, because no dependency exists between instruction #102 and the fourth stage of instruction #101 , instruction #102 can read register a at the third stage, and instruction #103 can step two stages forward, thus, just a total of 6 clocks are required to execute instructions #101˜103.
As can be appreciated through the described example, if not properly arranged, two instructions with dependencies in a pipeline of a processor may reduce execution efficiency.

Program instruction rearrangement methods in computer


An adjustable fence assembly includes a planar fence secured with a handle having an arcuate body portion which is rotatably coupled through an arcuate trolley member with an arcuate body portion of a fence traveler. The fence is directly pivotally coupled along its lower edge to the traveler along an axis of rotation which lies generally along the lower surface of the traveler. The lower traveler surface is supported on an upper surface of a fence track, which can be adjustably mounted to the rear cover of a conventional jointer-planer. Each arcuate body portion is about 45.degree. or less in arcuate extent with respect to the pivot axis to permit the portions to collapse and the fence to be rotated from an upright position to at least a 45.degree. position away from the jointer-planer. The angular position of the fence is selectably adjustable through the use of a single threaded fastener. Lateral position of the fence with respect to the jointer-planer is selectably adjustable through a second adjustable fastener. An angular guide attached to the fence provides a direct readout of the angular position of the fence. The collapsible linkage further permits the fence traveler carrying the fence to be extended over the tables.

Jointer-planer machines are power tools used by both hobbyists and professionals to apply smooth flat surfaces to lengths of wood. Such machines generally comprise a base supporting an infeed table, an outfeed table and a rotary knife positioned extending across the base and generally between and at least partially above the tables. Generally the relative height of the rotary knife with respect to the tables can be adjusted so that a desired portion of the upper side of the rotary knife extends slightly above the adjoining ends of the tables. Typically a fence is provided along one side of the tables to provide a surface that can be used for guiding wood in a straight line across the tables and over the rotary knife. Usually such fences are generally at least perpendicular to the table surfaces so a uniform right angle can be applied to the wood. Typically, said fences are also pivotally adjustable with respect to the tables so that, if desired, chamfers or beveled edges may be provided to such wood surfaces.
Prior to the present invention, pivotal support of the fence has generally been provided by at least a pair of adjustable brackets located either at the outer longitudinal ends of the fence or at least as close to the outer ends of the fence as they are to one another. This creates some problem in that, in some fence assemblies, the fence must be held with one hand while one adjustable fastener is locked. Then a second adjustable fastener must be separately aligned and locked. In some fence assemblies it may be possible to adjustably support the fence holding onto both adjustable fasteners but again, the user has to typically adjust the position of the fence at each bracket before the adjustable fastener is secured. Not only does this take additional time, but in an inexpensively manufactured assembly it may be difficult to get both brackets aligned at the same angles with respect to the jointer-planer itself.
A so-called one-handed adjustable fence has been designed for jointer-planers but, in practice, requires multiple hands and careful manipulation for adjustment. This design uses a pivotal linkage to support the fence and is relatively complex. The resulting cost of the linkage eliminates it as a viable candidate for smaller, less expensive machines. The linkage further requires movement of the fence about three spaced-apart pivot points for adjustment. Because the net pivotal movement of the fence is a sum of individual pivotal movements of portions of the linkage, it is neither convenient nor simple to measure the angular movement of the fence directly from the linkage.

Adjustable fence assembly used with jointer-planer machines

American Machine & Tool Company, Inc. of Pennsylvania


A method of forming a diffusion bonded joint during superplastic forming of a hollow metal structure (43) from sheet material (15, 16, 17, 18) using a two-piece die (1) having opposed clenching faces (9, 10) disposed along a split line (2) thereof, the structure 43 being formed with a joint at the split line, the method including placing the sheets (15, 16, 17, 18) between the faces (9, 10) clenching the sheets with a pressure sufficient to locate same during superplastic forming while being insufficient to deform the metal and prevent superplastic flow in the sheets between the clenching faces (9, 10), heating the sheets to a superplastic forming temperature and applying a gas pressure between the sheets to commence superplastic forming, when superplastic metal flow between the clenching faces substantially ceases upset forging metal from between the faces towards the interior of the die to increase wall thickness at the joint upon trimming off a flange formed by that part of the sheets trapped between the clenching faces. A die to carry out the above method, a die and sheet assembly and a structure manufactured according to the method are also provided.

This invention relates to forming of diffusion bonded joints in superplastically formed hollow metal structures and in particular to the joint integrity of peripheral diffusion bonded joints between adjacent sheets of material following removal of an external flange from the region of the joint.
The term `superplastic forming` used in this specification refers to characteristics exhibited by a known class of metallic alloys which have a composition and microstructure such that when heated to within an appropriate temperature range and deformed within an appropriate range of strain rate, the metal takes on the flow characteristics of a plastic material, that is to say it has the flow characteristics of a viscous fluid. With such metallic alloys, large deformations are possible without fracture. The term `diffusion bonding` used in this specification refers to a process which forms a metallurgical bond by the application of heat and pressure to metal pieces held in close contact for a given length of time.

Forming of diffusion bonded joints in superplastically formed metal structures

British Aerospace Public Limited Company


A method of making a component of a radial or axial flux electrical machine is provided. An additive manufacturing process is used to manufacture a plurality of laminas, including applying beams of energy to a successive plurality of ferromagnetic material particles and fusing them together to form a ferromagnetic helix or spiral, disposing an insulating material on said ferromagnetic helix or spiral, compressing the ferromagnetic helix or spiral to form a compressed ferromagnetic helix or spiral, and fixing the compressed ferromagnetic helix or spiral. A method of making a component of a transverse flux electrical machine is provided, including using an additive manufacturing process.

In electrical machines, ferromagnetic parts channel magnetic flux. These parts may be structured as insulated laminas compacted together to form a core of the ferromagnetic part. Lamination and insulation may minimize losses such as eddy current losses which may otherwise represent a significant part of energy loss in an electrical machine. Limitations on the sizes of steel sheets from which laminas are constructed may pose complicating difficulties in assembling multiple laminated parts together to form a single part. More complex topologies may decrease losses, increase magnetic flux density, or both, but are difficult to manufacture with conventional methodologies. Thus, there is a need for an improved method for manufacturing laminated parts for electric machines.

Method of fabricating electric machine laminations using additive manufacturing


The present invention is directed to a network chassis having a system backplane board, a subassembly backplane board, and at least one connector disposed on each of the system backplane board and subassembly backplane board for electrically connecting the system backplane board to the subassembly backplane board. The chassis includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably coupling the system backplane board to the chassis and defining a path of rotation therefor, and an ejection mechanism mounted to the system backplane board to unseat the connector of the system backplane board from the connector of the subassembly backplane board. The ejection mechanism selectively exerts a force against the chassis that is directed linearly outwardly from and perpendicularly to the system backplane board. The ejection mechanism further comprises a fastener for releasably engaging the system backplane board to the chassis. The system backplane board includes a span extending between the mounting mechanism and the ejection mechanism. The span is selected such that the path of rotation for the system backplane board for a distance sufficient to unseat the system backplane board connector from the subassembly backplane board connector is substantially linear.

This invention relates to electronic equipment such as computers, and more particularly to a backplane assembly for an electronic system chassis wherein the backplane assembly incorporates an ejection mechanisms for detaching a connector of the system backplane assembly from a connector of a subassembly backplane board within the electronic system.
The backplane board is typically a face-plate of one-piece, integral construction with a specific arrangement of connectors for releasable interconnection with mating connectors of a circuit card. Typically, before inserting the circuit cards into the backplane, the cards are physically mounted on a suitably high front panel. Afterwards, the card/panel assembly forms an integral unit, with the connectors for coupling the cards to the backplane usually mounted on the rear edges of the cards. The card/panel assembly maintains the connectors in registration with the mating connectors of the backplane.
Further, computer systems may have more than one data communications busses that are connected to the backplane board. For example, computers may have a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus for communications with peripheral interface cards, one or more processor busses interfacing to each processor, and busses of other types. Complex systems utilize a system management bus to provide an interface between the busses and system functions. This system management bus is electrically connected to the backplane board through a connector.
It may become necessary to reconfigure the computer by replacing, removing, or adding components. Presently, in order to replace or add a component of the computer, appreciable time and effort is involved disassembling the card/panel assembly, removing the backplane board by unseating the mounting hardware, and disassembling a number of components or subchassis parts mounted to the backplane board, including the connection between the system backplane board and the system management backplane.
Removal of the mounting hardware typically requires loosening or removal of several fasteners or screws and the manipulation of the affected component to separate it from the backboard and chassis. The disconnection of connectors, such as the connection between the backplane board and the system management or PCI backplane presents particular problems in that such connectors are often difficult to disconnect because of the tight tolerances between the connectors to prevent their inadvertent disconnection. Further, the disconnection of connectors from the backplane board is likewise frequently complicated because of the awkward positioning of the connectors within the chassis.
The new or repaired computer component must be manipulated into place within the chassis and aligned properly in order to be installed correctly. Misalignment of the component typically results in an inability to properly re-install the backboard plane and, if forced to reconnect, mechanical and electrical damage to the computer is likely. The reconnection of the electrical connectors and components to the backboard plane is commonly complicated by the limited space available for the manipulation thereof. After reconfiguring the computer, the components and electrical connectors must be reattached to the backplane board and the mounting hardware must be reinstalled.
It is crucial that the disconnection, alignment, and reconnection processes be performed correctly to avoid damage to the connector as well as to nearby computer components. Additionally, it is crucial that connections be made among the proper connectors. It is often possible to make connection between the wrong connectors, thus possibly resulting in damage to the computer.
As can be appreciated, some degree of mechanical ability is therefore required for the removal of the backplane board and the replacement of particular computer components within the chassis. Thus, there exists in the art a substantial need for a means for conveniently removing the backplane board and facilitating the reconnection of the components to the backplane board. Therefore, it would be desirable to reduce the time and effort required to repair or reconfigure a computer by providing quick and simple access to internal components thereof.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system backboard assembly that is easily removable from the chassis. It is a further object of the present invention to have a system backplane assembly that includes an ejection mechanism for disengaging connectors of the system backplane board from connectors of subassembly backplane boards, such as PCI backplane boards. It is yet another object of the present invention to have a system backplane assembly that is releasably mounted to the chassis.
These and other objects are afforded by the present invention providing a chassis having a system backplane board, a subassembly backplane board, and at least one connector disposed on each of the system backplane board and subassembly backplane board for electrically connecting the system backplane board to the subassembly backplane board. The chassis comprises a mounting mechanism for rotatably coupling the system backplane board to the chassis and defining a path of rotation for the system backplane board, and an ejection mechanism mounted to the system backplane board to unseat the connector of the system backplane board from the connector of the subassembly backplane board. The ejection mechanism selectively exerts a force against the chassis that is directed linearly outwardly from and perpendicularly to the system backplane board. The ejection mechanism further comprises a fastener for releasably engaging the system backplane board to the chassis.
The system backplane assembly includes a span extending between the mounting mechanism and the ejection mechanism. The span is selected such that the path of rotation for the system backplane board for a distance sufficient to unseat the system backplane board connector from the subassembly backplane board connector is substantially linear.
The method of the present invention likewise meets these objects by selectively electrically connecting a system backplane board to a subassembly backplane board of a chassis and disengaging the system backplane board from the subassembly backplane board. The method comprises the steps of: coupling the base region of a system backplane board to a chassis frame such that the system backplane board is rotatably mounted to the frame and is movable from a closed position to an open position; aligning a connector of the system backplane board in a horizontal plane with a connector of the subassembly backplane board; rotating the system backplane board upward to align the connector of the system backplane board with the connector of the subassembly backplane board; and manipulating a fastener mechanism mounted to the system backplane board to seat the connector of the system backplane board with the connector of the chassis board.
It can thus be seen that the invention allows reconfiguration of the electrical equipment in an efficient and economical manner. The invention also facilitates electrical connection between edge-mounted connectors on the subassembly backplane boards and the corresponding connectors of a system backplane board.

Backplane assembly with ejection mechanism

Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P.


A clamped receiver array using tubing conveyed packer elements is disclosed and described. The receiver array is adapted to be received within a borehole and is therefore particularly useful for borehole seismology. The receiver array has a plurality of receivers connected together by a signal cable. The receivers include sensors which can be 3-component geophones. The apparatus is further provided with a fluid conduit running essentially parallel to the signal cable, the fluid conduit having expansible sections located adjacent to the receivers. The expansible sections expand in response to an increase of fluid pressure within the fluid conduit, contacting the associated receiver and thereby pushing the receiver into a coupled or clamped contact with the casing in the wellbore. The expansible sections have a resilient outer sleeve which fits over a fluid conduit element adjacent to the receiver. The apparatus is further provided with a fused valve deployed at the downhole end of the fluid conduit allowing fluid to be circulated through the conduit and a rapid response of the expansible sections in response to an increase of fluid pressure within the fluid conduit.

An emerging area in the field of seismology is the area of borehole seismology. In traditional seismology, both a source and sensors have been either located at the surface, or the receiver have been located downhole while the source has been located on the surface. In borehole seismology, the source is placed in a borehole while the receivers may be either on the surface, or preferably in a borehole as well. This later mode is known as "cross-well seismology." Borehole seismology is particularly useful in determining the condition of an existing reservoir, following the history of a producing reservoir, and exploring potential new reservoirs. Borehole seismology also makes it possible to routinely record shear waves which allows for mapping lithology of oil and gas reservoirs.
A limiting factor in borehole seismology has been the lack of receiver arrays for boreholes which provide the dense spatial sampling required to make use of the high seismic frequencies made possible by the consolidated geologic formation. Shear (S) waves, for example, have only half the wave length of compressional (P) waves, further increasing the need for dense spatial sampling. The recording of compressional waves as well as polarized shear waves makes it possible to map the mechanical properties of oil and gas reservoirs, as well as map and distinguish between different fluids and the effect of lithology. This information may also be used to map differential field stresses, which is the primary source for differential permeability in a reservoir. Further, high signal to noise ratios, as well as a dense spatial sampling, will allow for direct use of attenuation of compressional and shear waves for characterization of oil and gas reservoirs. This combination of seismic measurements will allow much more information to be extracted about the true nature of oil and gas reservoirs.
In order to record and collect this required volume of measurements from borehole seismology, what is needed is a seismic receiver array which may be deployed within a borehole and which has the capability of detecting both compressional and shear waves, as well as transmitting this information from the borehole to the surface where it may be further collected and/or processed. However, the borehole environment makes it difficult to record useful seismic data for borehole seismology. Merely lowering an array of hydrophones into a borehole is typically insufficient to record the data necessary for useful borehole seismology. Hydrophones are susceptible to recording energy from tube wave noise, which may obscure useful seismic signals. Further, in a gas filled well hydrophones are useless, as the gaseous fluid in the borehole do not conduct the energy from the borehole to the hydrophone.
Therefore, what is needed is a receiver which can be used for borehole seismology. More particularly, what is needed is a receiver array which can be deployed within a borehole and which will record shear and compressional waves useful in characterizing the reservoir, as well as transmit the received data to a surface location where it may be utilized.

Clamped receiver array using tubing conveyed packer elements


A soleplate for a steam iron includes a plurality of beads. Each bead incorporates therein at least two steam outlet openings. The steam outlet openings located on the side close to the outer edge of the soleplate are larger than the steam outlet openings located on the side remote from the outer edge of the soleplate. The larger steam outlet openings are arranged in the front portion of the soleplate, with the smaller steam outlet openings arranged in the rear portion. The number of steam outlet openings per bead increases towards the pointed end of the soleplate.

In steam irons, the aim is to introduce the steam exiting from the steam outlet openings in the soleplate into the article being ironed over a maximum possible surface area and as evenly as possible.
It is known in the art to incorporate into the soleplate of the steam iron a multiplicity of steam outlet openings which are each surrounded by a bead for the purpose of accomplishing an improved distribution of the steam.
To this effect, the soleplate includes vent holes to which steam is delivered through a steam supply channel. This steam supply channel is located in the shoe of the pressing iron. The steam enters this steam supply channel in the rear portion of the pressing iron. Continuing its travel, the steam then flows through the steam supply channel, exiting through the holes in the soleplate to enter the article being ironed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam iron ensuring a discharge of steam over a maximum possible surface area and as evenly as possible.
In state-of-the-art devices known thus far, the steam outlet surface area within a bead has been limited by the size of the steam outlet hole. In cases where the steam outlet hole was too large, it could easily happen that water exited through this steam outlet hole, dripping on the article being ironed. This could lead to water spotting on the article being ironed. Accordingly, in view of the limited size of this hole within its bead, the steam outlet surface area in the individual bead was equally limited in size.

Steam discharge and steam distribution means


A measuring machine includes a table, a base and a metrology frame that supports carriages for moving a probe around the working volume of the machine. The metrology frame is fabricated into a lightweight but torsionally rigid structure. The base that supports the metrology frame on the table is rigidly connected to the metrology frame but is kinematically located on the table by supports. The table and the base can also be made as relatively lightweight structures but distortions of the table due to heavy workpieces are not transmitted to the metrology frame. The construction of the machine also enables it to be easily dismantled and packed for transportation.

The present invention relates to a workpiece measuring machine and has particular reference to a machine adapted for scanning the surface of a workpiece to determine the shape thereof.
A variety of forms of measuring machine are currently in use each of which is more or less suited to carry out measurements on workpieces as diverse as small engineering piece parts, and large scale parts such as car bodies or aircraft wings. These have conveniently been classified into ten categories in a report commencing on page 11 of the ASME standard reference ASME B89.1.12M-1990, the categories including the well-known bridge machines, gantry machines, or cantilever machines. The machines may have either fixed or moving tables on which the workpiece is carried.
The philosophy behind the design of the machines has always been that the table used for supporting the workpiece has to be relatively massive, (traditionally a large granite slab) in order to avoid distortions occurring when heavy workpieces are mounted on the table. This has been particularly so in the moving bridge machines in which the tracks on which the bridge moves are formed on the table. Thus the table also has to be rigid enough to avoid distortions due to the movements of the bridge, which itself is a relatively massive structure in order to support the other moving parts of the machine.
In the fixed bridge and gantry types of machines, movements of the largest masses are avoided, but the fixed supports still are of relatively massive construction to avoid distortions. This leads to a lack of flexibility in the design, in that, in order for the designer to provide a range of machine sizes, a range of bridge and gantry structures have to be designed.
A similar problem is present for the designer of the cantilever machines, in which, a vertical support structure, or base, is required to provide a support at one side of the machine and on which the movable carriages are mounted. The height of the support determines the height of the working volume of the machine, so that to provide a range of working volumes, a range of machines is needed each with a different size of vertical support structure. Since the vertical support structure has to provide a rigid support for the moving carriages, once again the design philosophy has been to make it as a relatively massive rigid block.
Thus prior art machines have traditionally been heavy and. expensive, because of the relatively massive structures provided to give the required rigidity of construction.


An outlet box protector for protecting electrical outlet boxes of the type having a rectangular access and vertically spaced attachment ears, the protector constructed of a single sheet of resilient material, such as spring steel, to define two vertically spaced and opposing pairs of spring tabs engagable with the interior top and bottom surfaces of the outlet box enclosure; a protective plate located between the vertically spaced tabs; and a spring ear cover between each pair of laterally spaced tabs for abutting the outlet box ears to protect the ears from spackle or plaster. The plate presents a concave outer surface to prevent drills from biting into the material to protect electrical wiring within the outlet box as well as protecting the interior of the box from plaster or spackle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, in general, to electrical outlet box protectors and, more particularly, to protectors for electrical wiring.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In building construction it is common procedure for electrical wiring to be strung and electrical outlet boxes to be in place before plastering or before laying of sheet rock. Often, during this process, the wiring is "hot" in that electricity is required at varying locations throughout the construction. During the laying of sheet rock, the location of the outlet box, in lying behind the sheet rock, is found by drilling a hole through the sheet rock at the estimated placement of the box. Should the drill engage the wiring, serious injury can result from the electrical shock.
Many outlet box protectors have been devised, including a temporary cover constructed of cardboard or resin plastic, U.S Pat No. 3,059,803, issued to W. V. Holsinger; a protector frictionally engaging the walls of the outlet box and extending outwardly of the box, as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 1,956,196, issued to H. E. Korab; and a protector constructed of cardboard material in which the electrical fixture is sold, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,083, issued to H. Hubbell, Jr. Other relevant outlet box protectors are disclosed by F. S. Campbell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,408; H. Comroe, U.S. Pat. No. 2,895,634; F. M. Tomlin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,656; E. N. Allen et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,204,006; and H. C. Troutman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,791,345. Protective covers extending out of the box prevent the drywall from being pushed flat against the box in order for a router to be used for cutting the drywall about the periphery of the box and also prevent conventional taping of any seams in the drywall adjacent the box. Protective covers of cardboard or the like are readily permeated by a drill. None of the references address the problem of electrical shock by drilling through sheet rock or plaster for finding the outlet box.


A valve assembly comprises a housing, a chamber having a first product opening, a second product opening, a first closable secondary opening that can be connected to a steam line, and a second closable secondary opening. The assembly also includes a first closing element by which the first product opening can be closed, a second closing element by which the second product opening can be closed, and an outlet associated with the second secondary opening. A switching valve is arranged between the second secondary opening and the outlet such that a fluid connection between the outlet and the second secondary opening can be switched to a fluid connection between the outlet and an inlet provided on the switching valve. The inlet can be connected to a steam line, while simultaneously closing the second secondary opening. A system comprising the valve assembly and a method for operating the system are described.

Aseptic valve assemblies are used in sterile process technology, for example in food technology, in order to be able to guide a product from a first product line into a second product line.
A generic valve assembly, installed in a system, is shown in FIG. 1. The valve assembly 1s is arranged between a first product line 2 and a second product line 3 and has a product valve 4. In the open state of the product valve, a fluid connection between the first product line 2 and the second product line 3 is connected through chamber 5 and inlet chamber 6 so that a product flow is possible between the product lines. Due to the two chambers 5 and 6, the product valve is also called a double chamber valve.
The system has a steam line 7, from which a first branch line 8 and a second branch line 9 branch off and lead to the valve assembly 1s. The first branch line 8 is connected with a steam valve 10, which is connected to the chamber 5. With the help of this steam valve 10, the chamber 5 is pressurizable intermittently with steam. The second branch line 9 is connected to a sequence valve 12, which is itself connected with the leak valve 11 and a disposal line 13.
In the case of finicky products, it is common, for additional security, to supply the leak valve 11, also called a side valve, on the product valve 4 with steam in order to eliminate the contamination risk from the atmosphere. Up until now, this has been realized via the additional sequence valve 12 designed as a shutoff valve at the leak outlet.
The disposal line 13 guides the fluid flow to a branch valve 14. The fluid flow can be switched to a condensate drain 15 by means of this branch valve 14, through which condensed steam can be supplied to a disposal device 16. Alternatively, the branch valve 14 can direct the fluid flow to a disposal valve 17 instead of the condensate drain 15. If the disposal valve 17 is opened in this circuit, the fluid flow is directed to the disposal device 16 by circumvention of the condensate drain 15.
A similar valve assembly is known from DE 203 17 882 U1. Steam valve 10 and leak valve 11 are shown in it. In order to simplify the representation, the sequence valve 12 and the details of the disposal branch are omitted.
A slightly different type of steam barrier is shown in EP 0 332 806 A2. Steam valve 10 and leak valve 11 are present, but the sequence valve 12 is replaced by a shutoff valve in the branch line 9, which is labeled with the reference number 15 in EP 0332 806 A2.

Aseptic valve assembly, system for conducting a product, and method for operating a system


Ionic liquids were rapidly and efficiently prepared by microwave-assisted chemical transformations. A method for performing microwave-assisted reactions, including alkylation reactions, using ionic liquids as solvent resulted in high yields with dramatically reduced reaction times. Ionic liquids, when used as an additive or co-solvent, allowed for heating, by microwave-assistance, of chemical reactions performed in traditional organic solvents, most notably non-polar solvents.

This invention relates to the preparation and use of ionic liquids as a superb microwave energy absorbable solvent in microwave-assisted chemical transformations, in particular organic synthesis. The advantages of using low temperature ionic liquids as solvents in microwave-assisted organic synthesis are described.
In the pharmaceutical industry, the need for an increased number of compounds for high-throughput screening puts pressure on the chemist to decrease the time for compound preparation. Microwave-assisted organic synthesis may offer an interesting solution. Microwave-assisted synthesis in organic solvents may, however, involve the risk of an explosion caused by rapid increase in the pressure of the solvent due to difficulties in controlling the application of energy to a reaction mixture.
It has then been suggested to utilise solvent-free microwave-assisted organic synthesis, in that the use of solvent-free reactions is claimed to be an environmentally friendly way of synthesis. Solvent-free synthesis is also considered a safe way of performing organic syntheses at least with respect to increased pressure from the solvent.
However, the environmentally important aspect of solvent-free synthesis is not completely fulfilled since the reagent often has to be dissolved in an organic solvent, e.g. mixed with a solid support material, before evaporation of the solvent before treatment in the microwave cavity. Consequently, organic solvents are, in reality, still used during the synthesis.
Thus, there is a need for improved techniques within in the field of microwave-assisted synthesis.
Ionic liquids are known in organic synthesis (Chem. Commun. (1998) 1765, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 98 (1976) 5277, and references 1-16 listed infra) but their use has been limited predominantly due to their limited solubility or to room temperature reactions. Thus, there is a need to expand the utility of ionic liquids in organic synthesis.
The preparation of ionic liquids is described in WO 95/21871, WO 96/18459 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,755. However, these methods require reactions times of up to a week, are problematic due to solubility issues, or require several hours in electrochemical cells. Thus, there is a need for improved methods within in the field of the preparation of ionic liquids.
The invention relates to a method for performing a microwave-assisted chemical transformation, wherein a ionic liquid is used as solvent. More specifically, the method entails an ionic liquid of the general formula I
The invention relates to a method for performing a microwave-assisted chemical transformation, wherein an ionic liquid is used as solvent. More specifically, the method entails an ionic liquid of the general formula I
A+Bxe2x88x92xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
wherein A+ is an organic cation and Bxe2x88x92 is anion, such as an inorganic anion, which in neat form at a pressure of 1 atmosphere (101.325 kPa) has a melting point of at the most 100xc2x0 C.
A+Bxe2x88x92xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
wherein A+ is an organic cation and Bxe2x88x92 is anion, such as an inorganic anion, which in neat form at a pressure of 1 atmosphere (101.325 kPa) has a melting point of at the most 100xc2x0 C.
An object of the invention is to provide a method for performing a microwave-assisted chemical transformation, wherein an ionic liquid is used as solvent and said ionic liquid is prepared by a microwave-assisted transformation.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of preparing ionic liquid by a microwave-assisted transformation.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of performing a microwave-assisted preparation of an ionic liquid followed by performing a microwave-assisted chemical transformation in one pot wherein said ionic liquid is used as solvent, such as sole solvent, predominant solvent, co-solvent, or additive to an organic solvent in said microwave-assisted chemical transformation.

Preparation and use of ionic liquids in microwave-assisted chemical transformations