An analog device under test circuit and a built-in test circuit for testing an AC transfer characteristic of the analog device under test are fabricated on an integrated circuit. The built-in test circuit includes an amplitude detector that detects the amplitude of the output signal of the analog device under test. The test time is reduced by sampling in real-time the DC value corresponding to the amplitude of the analog device under test. An additional reduction in the test time is achieved by using comparators with upper and lower limit reference signals and a pass-fail logic test.

The present invention relates to electronic circuits, and more particularly, to techniques for testing the AC transfer characteristic of a high-speed analog circuit using a built-in test circuit.
The transfer function of an amplifier is typically tested using external test equipment that is outside the integrated circuit the amplifier is fabricated in. The external test equipment sweeps the frequency of an attenuated sinusoidal test input waveform to the amplifier to generate an output sinusoidal waveform. The output sinusoidal waveform of the amplifier is then digitized using a digitizer.
Test equipment with a high-frequency digitizer is used to achieve an adequate sampling rate of the output sinusoidal waveform. Even with a high-frequency digitizer, the sampling rate is often slower than the data rate of the amplifier. Therefore, the undersampled data are post-processed to reconstruct the waveform. However, digitizing the output waveform in a high-frequency domain and post-processing the data can significantly increase the test time.
Testing a device that has a large gain can be challenging. For example, equalizers used for high-speed non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signals are typically composed of an analog equalizer block with a 20˜30 decibel (dB) gain and a limiting amplifier block with 30˜40 dB gain that amplifies the output signal of the equalizer. In order to measure the linear gain of the analog equalizer block with the extra gain of the limiting amplifier block, the test input signal is extremely attenuated so that the output signal of the limiting amplifier is still linear and not limited.
However, attenuating the test input signal can increase the test time, because the attenuated test input signal may have a poor signal-to-noise ratio with respect to the noise floor of the test equipment. The measured data can be averaged to maintain accuracy, but the averaging process increases the test time even more.

Built-in test circuit for testing AC transfer characteristic of high-speed analog circuit


In one aspect, topical pharmaceutical compositions for treating a skin condition or disorder are provided. In some embodiments, the topical pharmaceutical composition is formulated as a lotion and comprises a therapeutically effective amount of an active agent; a viscosity increasing agent; a polymeric emulsifier; and an oil component. In some embodiments, the topical pharmaceutical composition comprises tretinoin.

Skin disorders such as acne, dermatitis, and rosacea are common conditions for juveniles and adults. A number of different agents, including retinoids, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory agents, are prescribed for the treatment of skin disorders. For example, retinoids such as tretinoin are commonly prescribed for the treatment of acne and for reducing or improving fine wrinkling, dark spots, and rough facial skin. However, a known side effect of retinoids is irritation at the site of local application, such as burning, dry skin, erythema and exfoliation. Likewise, the antibiotic clindamycin, which is prescribed for the treatment of acne, is associated with side effects such as burning or itching skin, dry skin, skin redness, and skin peeling. There remains a need for topical compositions that have reduced adverse effects for the treatment of acne and other skin conditions.

Topical pharmaceutical compositions for treating skin conditions


A portable electronic light providing a light resembling a candle that can be turned off by blowing on the light or by generating other predetermined sounds. The electronic light comprises a sound sensor, one or more light emitting diodes, or LEDs, a light cover, a housing, and a circuit board. The circuit board includes an amplifier/demodulator circuit, a counter/oscillator circuit, a driver circuit, and a switching circuit. The sensor detects a low frequency created by blowing on the candle type light or other signal, in order to control the power circuit and turn off the light. The counter/oscillator circuit and the switching circuit cause the LEDs to turn on and off, simulating the flickering of a candle.

The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic candle type lights, and particularly to electronic candle type lights that can be turned off by sound, pressure or the like, created for example by simulated blowing of the candle out.
Electricity has become the typical power source for lighting. Electricity is used for lights such as large search lights, office and home lights, small light emitting diodes, and other types of lights. But, there are circumstances where people prefer the warm, romantic, nostalgic atmosphere provided by the light of a wax candle. Wax candles offer a soft light that flickers in a light wind. Many people who use wax candles enjoy the ritual of blowing out the candle at the end of an evening. Unfortunately, wax candles use a flame for light, and the flame requires precaution and attention to prevent harm caused by fire.
Many electric powered candles are now available as an alternative to wax candles. These candles turn on and off using switches, or activate when connected to a power source. When these candles are turned off, they switch off abruptly, like other electric appliances. The electric candles in the prior art lack the realism and appeal of real wax candles and do not provide the experience of blowing out a candle.
There remains a need in the art for an improved electronic candle that overcomes these and other disadvantages of the prior art.


A hierarchial hardware flowchart methodology for design of integrated circuits utilizes repetitious symbols in a first level flowchart with a single macro flowchart symbol per instance that conveys the same information, resulting in a two-dimensional flowchart. This allows the same information to be conveyed in a smaller, more readable format.

The above-referenced Yamanouchi et al. U.S. application Ser. No. 546,376 discloses a structured integrated circuit design methodology with particular applicability to two-phase logic design. The methodology is based on describing a logic function using a high level behavioral description flowchart, properly sizing devices to be used in the circuit for speed, and reducing trial and error in circuit layout implementation using novel chip planning techniques.
The Yamanouchi et al. methodology begins with the definition of signal types based on both the circuit function that creates a particular signal and the type of input signal that feeds the circuit function. A set of rules is then established for use of the signal types. Next, the inputs and outputs of the logic function are defined and utilized to create a behavioral flowchart using defined symbols. An associated database is then created that defines the parameters of the various elements of the flowchart. The flowchart is then converted to a logic diagram, either by coded state assignment or by direct implementation. The resulting logic diagram is then analyzed for speed utilizing a Figures of Merit (FOM) technique for establishing device sizes. The resulting circuit design may then be carried through to layout utilizing conventional computer aided design (CAD) tools.
While the Yamanouchi et al. methodology provides a unique design technique that improves vastly on the prior art, it can result in a flowchart that includes repetitive information. This is particularly true for complex sequential processing circuits. This repetitive information consumes a large area on the flowchart and makes it difficult to read.

Hierarchical hardware flowchart using symbolic macros


The resin of the invention comprises both a phosphorus-containing residue having a bicycloalkyl structure and a specific divalent phenol residue. The invention provides a resin having excellent optical properties, which is colorless and transparent, has a high refractive index and is optically low dispersive, as well as its molded product.

As colorless and transparent materials, various materials have been used in an optical lens, a functional optical film and a disk substrate, depending on various applications, and with rapid development in health care and electronics, functions and performance required of the materials themselves become increasingly accurate and excellent.
In application to health care, an eyeglass lens can be mentioned, and from the viewpoint of thinning, light weight and fashion, active development of materials is made, and for advantages such as impact resistance, light weight etc., resin lenses come to account for 90% of the commercial eyeglass lenses at present.
The resin for conventional eyeglass lenses is divided roughly into 3 kinds of resin, that is, CR39, acrylic resin and urethane resin, and many resins have been developed and practically used to achieve low dispersibility and high refraction. Because all of these resins are thermosetting, cast molding is used in molding thereof into optical lenses, but this method suffers from problems such as long polymerization time and high production costs in a subsequent annealing process etc. Application of thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate to lenses is advantageous in a significant reduction in production costs with good moldability, as compared with the thermosetting resin, but the thermoplastic resin applied to eyeglasses for eyesight correction is poor in performance because of a low Abbe number (that is, high chromatic aberration due to high dispersibility) and relatively high optical strain. A large number of thermoplastic resins having a higher refractive index than that of polycarbonate are known, but have problems such as high dispersibility, easy coloration etc. and are thus problematic for use in optical lenses.
Various resins containing a phosphorus-based functional group are known, and resins containing a phosphonate group in a main chain thereof are called polyphosphonates and vigorously studied for improvement in functions such as flame retardance. With respect to many of such known polyphosphonate-based resins, there is no detailed knowledge of physical properties such as optical properties and physical properties, and thus the present inventors synthesized such resins and evaluated physical properties thereof. As a result, these known polyphosphonate-based resins are poor in physical properties or poor in refractive index and light dispersibility.
In the Patent Document 1, the optical properties etc. of a phosphonate/carbonate copolymer are described in detail, and the optical properties thereof are improved as compared with those of conventional resin. However, the light dispersibility (Abbe number) of the resin described in the patent application supra cannot be said to be satisfactory for use in optical lenses, so there is need a resin having a high refractive index and a further high Abbe number.
Patent Document 1: European Patent Application No. 1270646A1


The invention relates generally to apparatus for electrostatic image development and, in particular, apparatus that implement a magnetic brush with a drum photoconductor. According to an aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for developing an electrostatic image are provided implementing a drum photoconductor and a magnetic brush contacting the drum photoconductor. The magnetic brush includes a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers.

The invention relates generally to apparatus for electrostatic image development and, in particular, apparatus that implement a magnetic brush with a drum photoconductor.
Development apparatus and processes that implement a magnetic brush to deposit toner on a photoconductor have been known for many years. Development apparatus and processes that implement a magnetic brush having hard magnetic carriers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,473,029 and 4,546,060. The apparatus described in those patents implements a rotating shell coated with a mixture of hard magnetic carrier particles and toner, a rotating magnetic core having a multitude of magnetic poles disposed within the rotating shell, and a film (sheet-like) photoconductor. The rotating magnetic core causes the hard magnetic carrier particles to tumble on the surface of the shell, which provides increased agitation and toner contact with the film photoconductor.
The two-component dry developer composition of U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,060 comprises charged toner particles and oppositely charged, magnetic carrier particles, which (a) comprise a magnetic material exhibiting xe2x80x9chardxe2x80x9d magnetic properties, as characterized by a coercivity of at least 300 gauss and (b) exhibit an induced magnetic moment of at least 20 EMU/gm when in an applied field of 1000 gauss, is disclosed. As described in the ""060 patent, the developer is employed in combination with a magnetic applicator comprising a rotatable magnetic core and an outer, nonmagnetizable shell to develop electrostatic images. When hard magnetic carrier particles are employed, exposure to a succession of magnetic fields emanating from the rotating core applicator causes the particles to flip or turn to move into magnetic alignment in each new field. Each flip, moreover, as a consequence of both the magnetic moment of the particles and the coercivity of the magnetic material, is accompanied by a rapid circumferential step by each particle in a direction opposite the movement of the rotating core. The observed result is that the developers of the ""060 flow smoothly and at a rapid rate around the shell while the core rotates in the opposite direction, thus rapidly delivering fresh toner to the film photoconductor and facilitating high-volume copy and printer applications.
Prior applications of hard magnetic carriers have implemented a flexible photoconductor in the form of a film. Flexible or film based photoconductors have several significant advantage for high speed photocopying. In a typical apparatus, the film photoconductor is positioned under moderate tension with a series of rollers. There is an inherent resilience in the film photoconductor that allows it to respond to variations in the thickness of the magnetic brush.
Drum photoconductors are also known in the art, but have not been used with magnetic brushes having hard magnetic carriers. At least part of the reason drum photoconductors have not been used is because they tend to be far more rigid than a film photoconductor, and increasing thickness of the magnetic brush can damage the surface of the drum photoconductor. Conversely, decreasing thickness of the magnetic brush can cause insufficient contact with the drum photoconductor and poor image development.
According to an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for developing an electrostatic image is provided, comprising a drum photoconductor and a magnetic brush contacting the drum photoconductor, a magnetic brush contacting said drum photoconductor, said magnetic brush comprising a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for developing an electrostatic image is provided comprising applying a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers to a drum photoconductor with a magnetic brush.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for developing an electrostatic image is provided comprising applying a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers to a drum photoconductor with a magnetic brush comprising a magnetic core within a shell having a center of rotation, and the magnetic core is offset relative to the center of rotation toward the drum photoconductor.
According to a further aspect of the invention an apparatus for developing an electrostatic image is provided, comprising a drum photoconductor, a magnetic. brush contacting the drum photoconductor, the magnetic brush comprising a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers, the magnetic brush comprising a rotatable magnetic core within a shell.
According to a further aspect of the invention an apparatus for developing an electrostatic image is provided, comprising a drum photoconductor, a magnetic brush contacting the drum photoconductor, the magnetic brush comprising a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers, the magnetic brush comprising a rotatable magnetic core within a rotatable shell.
According to a further aspect of the invention an apparatus for developing an electrostatic image is provided, comprising a drum photoconductor, a magnetic brush contacting the drum photoconductor, the magnetic brush comprising a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers, the magnetic brush comprising a magnetic core within a rotatable shell, the magnetic core being rotatable in a direction of rotation and the shell being rotatable in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the magnetic core.
According to a still further aspect of the invention a method for developing an electrostatic image is provided, applying a magnetic brush to a drum photoconductor, said magnetic brush comprising a mixture of toner and hard magnetic carriers with a mass flow rate, and limiting said mass flow rate of the mixture to be less than a limiting mass flow rate for which roll-back occurs.

Electrostatic image developing method and apparatus using a drum photoconductor and hard magnetic carriers


An improved induction system for a V type engine that improves both charging and combustion efficiency. The engine includes an induction system for each cylinder barrel that includes a pair of intake valves and respective intake passages that have a common inlet. One of the intake passages is curved and an auxiliary intake passage extends through the cylinder head and terminates at an auxiliary intake port that is disposed at one side of the main intake port in proximity to the cylinder barrel for generating a swirl to the intake charge. A plenum chamber is positioned in the V of the engine and defines two separate chambers each of which communicates with a respective one of the auxiliary intake passages.

This invention relates to an engine intake system and more particularly to an improved high efficiency intake system for engines that improves running throughout the engine speed and load ranges.
It has been found that engine induction efficiency and combustion, particularly at low and medium speeds may be improved by providing an auxiliary intake that communicates with the combustion chamber and which has a relatively small effective area. Such auxiliary intakes have been found to give rise to a high velocity and turbulence in the combustion chamber at the time of ignition that improves flame propagation and engine running. Such devices also improve charging efficiency by minimizing pulsations in the intake system.
Such auxiliary systems are particularly advantageous if disposed in such an arrangement so as to impart a swirl to the charge delivered by the auxiliary system. It is also advantageous to have the auxiliary intake system communicate with the combustion chamber through the main intake passage. Such an arrangement eliminates the necessity for separate intake valves and lessens the complexity of the cylinder head configuration. However, with conventional intake systems, it has been difficult to provide an auxiliary intake that has the desired location and which will be easy to manufacture and not interfere with the configuration of the main intake passage. This is particularly true in multi-cylinder engines in which aligned intake cylinders are employed since the intake passages from one cylinder may interfere with the intake passages and auxiliary intake passages of the next adjacent cylinders.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an improved induction system for an internal combustion engine.
It is another object of the invention to provide an engine induction system wherein both main and auxiliary intake passages may be formed and the auxiliary intake passage located so that a high degree of swirl may be generated.
The amount of swirl generated by the auxiliary intake passage can be increased if the main intake passage is located at an offset relationship to the axis of the associated cylinder. If this is done, the auxiliary intake passage may be positioned at one side of the main intake passage and in close proximity to the periphery of the bore of the associated cylinder. With such an arrangement, however, it is difficult with prior art type of constructions so as to locate both the main and auxiliary intake passages so they do not interfere with each other and so that they do not interfere with the intake passages of the next adjacent cylinder of an in-line engine. Furthermore, the prior art constructions of this type have given rise to considerable problems in connection with the location and formation of the auxiliary intake port and passage by means of a simple machining operation.
It is, therefore, a still further object of this invention to provide an improved intake system for an internal combustion engine wherein at least one of the main intake passages is offset from the cylinder bore axis and the auxiliary intake passage which communicates with the combustion chamber through the main intake passage is offset relative to the main intake passage and in close proximity to the wall of the associated cylinder so as to promote swirling.
In conjunction with the use of auxiliary intake passages as aforedescribed, it has been found advantageous to provide a plenum chamber or volume that supplies the auxiliary intake passage. By employing such a plenum chamber or volume, it has been found that the flow of the intake charge in the intake passage may be stabilized even at low speed and pulsations eliminated or substantially reduced. Where a V type engine is employed, however, it is difficult at times to provide an appropriate location for such a plenum chamber. This is particular true in conjunction with motorcycles where size is of a premium and in conjunction with multiple cylinder engines which employ separate plenum chambers for each chamber.
It is, therefore, a still further object of this invention to provide an improved, compact high efficiency induction system for a V type engine.
In conjunction with V type engines, the cylinders of the cylinder banks are normally staggered slightly from each other. As a result, with prior art type of induction systems, the intake passages are also staggered with respect to each other. Such staggered intake passages give rise to complex induction systems and also can limit the type of carburetion which is employed. That is, if the intake ports of the engine are not aligned with each other, it may be necessary to use a separate carburetor for each intake port.
It is, therefore, a still further object of this invention to provide an improved induction system for a V type engine wherein the intake ports of the respective cylinders are aligned with each other.


A chair includes a movable base, a first pneumatic cylinder, a support frame, a pivot frame, an elongated spring plate unit, and a second pneumatic cylinder. The first pneumatic cylinder is mounted uprightly on the movable base. The support frame has an upright sleeve which is sleeved rotatably on a top end of the first pneumatic cylinder, an arm plate which extends forwardly from a top end of the sleeve, and parallel front and rear shafts which are mounted transversely on the arm plate. The pivot frame has a front end that is mounted pivotally on the rear shaft and further has a seat and a backrest fixed thereon. The spring plate unit has a rear end portion which is mounted on the front end of the pivot frame and a front end portion which extends underneath and abuts with the front shaft. The second pneumatic cylinder is connected to a bottom end of the support frame and to a rear end of the pivot frame, and is operable so as to vary a length thereof in order to cause pivoting movement of the pivot frame and permit retaining of the seat and the backrest at desired inclined positions.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a chair construction, more particularly to a chair with a seat and backrest that can be retained adjustably at desired inclined positions.
2. Background of the Invention
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional chair is shown to comprise an upright pneumatic cylinder (C) mounted on a mobile base (B), a platform (D) mounted on a top end of the pneumatic cylinder (C), a seat support (E) mounted pivotally on the platform (D), a base plate (F) secured to the seat support (E), a seat (G) fixed to the base plate (F), and a backrest (H) mounted pivotally on a rear end of the base plate (F).
The top end of the pneumatic cylinder (C) is provided with a control knob (C1). A control lever (I) is mounted pivotally on the platform (D) and is operable so as to actuate the control knob (C1) in order to vary the length of the pneumatic cylinder (C) and adjust the height of the chair. A spring (J), a bolt (J1) and a control knob (J2) are disposed between the front ends of the platform (D) and the seat support (E) and permit limited pivoting movement of the seat support (E) and the seat (G) relative to the platform (D). A connecting seat (K1), a connecting plate (K2), a pair of springs (K3) and a mounting plate (K4) are provided between the base plate (F) and the backrest (H) and connect resiliently the same so as to permit inclination of the backrest (H) relative to the base plate (F) and the seat (G). A positioning tube (H1) is welded to a lower end of the backrest (H). A slide seat (L1) is provided on the base plate (F) and permits the passage of a slidable positioning rod (L) therethrough. When the positioning rod (L) extends into the positioning tube (Hi), the backrest (H) is prevented from inclining rearwardly relative to the base plate (F). Inclining movement of the backrest (H) is permitted only when the positioning rod (L) ceases to extend into the positioning tube (H1).
The drawbacks of the above described conventional chair are as follows:
1. The backrest (H) can be retained in an upright position only. Retaining of the backrest (H) at a desired inclined position is not permitted. PA1 2. Since the conventional chair includes a large number of small components, the manufacture and assembly of the conventional chair is relatively complicated and entails a high manufacturing cost. PA1 3. The restoration force for restoring the backrest (H) to the upright position cannot be adjusted to suit the user's requirements. For example, if the spring force of the springs (K3) is relatively strong, a small child would have difficulty in forcing the backrest (H) to the desired inclined position. PA1 4. Although limited pivoting movement of the seat (G) is permitted, retaining of the seat (G) in an inclined position is also not permitted.


An automatic accompaniment apparatus is provided with a pattern memory for storing a plurality of accompaniment patterns and a reference memory for storing a plurality of references corresponding to respective accompaniment patterns, each reference being representative of a characteristic feature of each corresponding accompaniment pattern. A panel board is provided for inputting a search condition representative of a desired characteristic feature. A CPU operates for searching the references of the reference memory according to the inputted search condition so as to select from the pattern memory a particular accompaniment pattern having the desired characteristic feature specified by the search condition. A tone generator is operated for automatically performing an accompaniment according to the selected accompaniment pattern.

The present invention relates to an automatic accompaniment apparatus for automatically generating a set of chord backing tone, bass tone and percussive rhythm tone according to a given pattern based on designated chord, rhythm type and so on.
There has been known a conventional automatic accompaniment apparatus of the type having a memory for storing a plurality of accompaniment patterns which are a repetitive musical note pattern having one or two measure lengthl. A player designates a code number of a desired pattern to select the same for use in the automatic accompaniment. However, the mere code number is not descriptive and is therefore not indicative of feature of patterns. Thus, it is difficult to quickly and readily select a desired accompaniment pattern.

Automatic accompaniment apparatus with indexed pattern searching


In an example method, an electronic device receives data regarding a graphical user interface to be presented on a display of the electronic device. The electronic device identifies one or more key regions of the graphical user interface based on the received data and one or more rules. The one or more rules pertain to at least one of a geometric shape, a geometric size, a location, or a hierarchical property. The graphical user interface is presented on the display of the electronic device, and the at least one of the key regions of the graphical user interface is indicated using the electronic device.

A graphical user interface (GUI) is a type of interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through visual representations of information. Visual representations of information can include, for example, one or more graphical elements, such as text, images, shapes, colors, patterns, or combinations thereof.
In an example implementation, an electronic device can present a GUI to a user (e.g., through a display screen or other output device), and allow the user to interact with the GUI to input commands (e.g., through a mouse, a touch-sensitive panel, a stylus, or other input device). The electronic device can perform various functions in response to the user's interactions.

Locating and presenting key regions of a graphical user interface


The sliding sash is supported at a guide rail by a sash portion projecting from the floor in a vertical plane and a sash portion ascending in an inclined plane relative to the inside adjoins an additional tipper sash portion which projects up in the vertical plane and is set back. Every sash portion is formed by a section bar arm receiving a glass pane. The upper sash portion is guided at a ceiling rail with two running paths which are arranged at a distance from one another and parallel to one another. In order to secure this guide relative to loading by wind and/or snow, each running path is formed of two inclined guide paths of a web head of the ceiling rail, this web head having a triangular cross section, and support rollers which are supported at an inclination run on the guide paths of every web head at a roller holder which is fastened to the terminating section bar of the upper sash portion.

1. Filed of the Invention
The invention is directed to a sliding sash for optional closing, in particular, for an open side of balconies, sun porches or the like, wherein every sash is supported at a floor guide rail by a sash portion projecting from the floor in a vertical plane and a sash portion ascending in an inclined plane relative to the inside adjoins an additional upper sash portion which projects up in the vertical plane and is set back, wherein every sash portion is formed by a section bar frame receiving a filling plate of glass, plastic or the like, and the upper sash portion is guided at a ceiling rail with two running paths which are arranged at a distance from one another and parallel to one another.
2. Description of the Related Art
Sliding sashes of this kind are used to close the open sides of balconies, sun porches or the like, especially those in which the ceiling is set back from the floor of the balcony or sun porch so that the sliding sashes cannot run along from the ceiling to the floor in a plane, but rather are set back toward the top to ensure a ceiling connection. Such sliding sashes can be supported and guided on a rail on the floor by means of rollers, while the upper portion of such a sliding sash is guided in a rail at the ceiling at lateral running paths by means of rollers which rotate around vertical axes. Dirt or objects lying on the floor rail can sometimes cause the floor-side rollers of the sliding sash to slip out of their guide, which in the worst cases can cause the sliding sashes to slip out of their floor guide rail so that the upper lateral guide rollers also leave the guide rail on the ceiling and the entire sliding sash ultimately tips over.

Sliding sash for optional closing, in particular for an open side of balconies, sun porches and the like


A chromium-molybdenum-vanadium (Cr—Mo—V) cast steel including 0.04 to 0.08% by weight of niobium is disclosed. The cast steel may include 0.08 to 0.12% by weight carbon. The cast steel may also have a sulphur content of 0.015% by weight or less, and a phosphorus content of 0.02% by weight or less. The silicon content may be 0.30 to 0.60% by weight, the manganese content may be 0.50 to 0.80% by weight, the chromium content may be 1.20 to 1.50% by weight, the molybdenum content may be 0.90 to 1.10% by weight, and the vanadium content may be 0.20 to 0.30% by weight.

This invention relates to steel casting containing Niobium.
This invention further relates to chromium-molybdenum-vanadium (Cr—Mo—V) steel castings containing niobium, for use in steam turbine casing or valve casing applications.
To improve the mechanical properties and weldability of steels, various alloying elements such as Ti, Nb, Mo, W, B etc. have been added to low and high alloy steels. Ti and Nb are added as carbide formers and strengthen the alloy steels by forming fine matrix carbides which interact with dislocations and precipitate at subgrain boundaries thus reducing the secondary creep rate.
Presently, Cr—Mo—V based steel castings are being used for turbine casing and valve casing applications up to around 540° C. Due to increase in power demand and limitation on CO2 emission, there is increasing demand for higher efficiency and output of the steam turbines. It is possible, by increasing the temperature and pressure of the turbine without much increase in cost.

Niobium addition in Cr-Mo-¼V steel castings for steam turbine casing applications


To reduce silver coating weight in photographic silver halide elements (e.g., medical X-ray films) the density of the silver image is increased by forming a black-toned, direct positive image in a photopolymer layer on the reverse side from the silver image.

It is generally known to combine silver halide emulsion layers with photopolymerizable layers to produce relief printing plates using a combination comprising a support, a photopolymerizable stratum, and a silver halide emulsion layer. To produce such plates the silver halide emulsion layer, which is many times more sensitive to radiation than the photopolymer layer, is exposed to a suitable transparency, for example, developed in a suitable developing solution, fixed, and dried. The photopolymerizable layer is then imaged using the resulting silver image as a mask; and after developing in aqueous alkali (which washes away both the silver halide emulsion layer remaining and the unexposed portions of the photopolymer layer), a suitable relief image remains, which is useful directly for printing. The art has not connected this technology to photography, probably because the removal of the silver halide emulsion layer from printing plates teaches away from silver halide photography.

Combined silver halide tonable photopolymer element to increase density


A panic exit door lock includes a cover (20) mounted to an outer side (10b) of a door (10). A sliding member (34) is slideably received in the cover (20) and operably connected to a latch (12). A handle (24) is pivotably mounted to the cover (20) and operably connected to the sliding member (34) such that rotation of the handle (24) causes sliding of the sliding member (34) to move the latch between an extended position and a retracted position. A limiting member (32) is pivotably received in the cover (20) between a blocking position not allowing movement of the sliding member (34) and a release position allowing movement of the sliding member (34). An inner lock core (54) and an outer lock core (270) are respectively mounted to an inner side (10a) and the outer side (10b) of the door (10). Either of the inner and outer lock cores (54, 270) can be rotated by a key to move the limiting member (32) between the blocking position and the release position.

The present invention relates to a panic exit door lock and, more particularly, to a panic exit door lock that allows locking on both inner and outer sides of a panic exit door for deadlocking purposes.
Panic exit door locks generally include an outer operational device that provides a deadlocking effect through a setting operation from an outer side of a panic exit door. An example of the lockable panic exit door locks is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/264,310 filed Nov. 14, 2008. However, the deadlocking function of the conventional locks can not be set or removed from an inner side of the panic exit door.
Thus, a need exists for a panic exit door lock that allows locking on both inner and outer sides of a panic exit door for deadlocking purposes.

Panic exit door lock allowing locking on both sides


Aspects of the disclosure include sizing catheters and methods for determining the size and other physical parameters of an internal orifice or lumen. Embodiments include a sizing catheter assembly having a handle assembly and a catheter assembly including at least one catheter extending from the handle assembly. The catheter assembly also includes at least two sizers, which can be adjustably spaced from each other. Each of the sizers are configured to conform to respective portions of a lumen of a patient's anatomy. The sizing catheter is configured such that the sizers are configured to specify or determine first and second dimensions of the lumen and also distance between the sizers. The sizers can include valve leaflets or the sizing catheter can include a temporary valve. Additional aspects include software/methods of assessing and determining an appropriate implantable device that can include assessing the biomechanical interaction between the device and the anatomy.

The present disclosure relates to sizing catheters for determining the size and other physical parameters of an internal orifice or lumen, such as an artery, vein, pulmonary trunk or aorta, to provide a physician with information relating to size and/or other parameters of the internal lumen for use in selecting an appropriate prosthetic device, such as a prosthetic heart valve.
It is important to select an appropriately configured prosthetic heart valve because if the prosthetic heart valve does not fit properly, the prosthetic heart valve may migrate, leak or cause other problems. In order to select an appropriately sized prosthetic heart valve, the size, shape, topography, compliance and other physical parameters of a vessel lumen are often assessed. In some circumstances, an exhaustive image collection and image measurements are required to be analyzed for selecting a stented prosthetic heart valve configured to fit a patient's particular anatomy. Obtaining such images via a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) or computed tomography (CT scan) or the like requires a substantial amount of time and expense.
Various devices are also available for internally determining the size and other physical parameters of an internal orifice or lumen. Such devices can include an expandable member, such as a balloon, capable of expanding to contact tissue and collect information relating to physical parameters of the tissue proximate the expandable member.
The present disclosure addresses problems and limitations associated with the related art.

Sizing catheters, methods of sizing complex anatomies and methods of selecting a prosthesis for implantation


Disclosed is a system in an inkjet printer for determining the amount of a fixer to be applied to a medium. The system comprises a fixer generation circuit where the fixer generation circuit determines an amount of a fixer to be applied to a dot location on a medium based on an amount of ink to be applied to the dot location. A bloom encoder circuit is also disclosed for identifying amounts of fixer to be deposited adjacent to dot locations containing ink.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to inkjet printers and more specifically to a technique for controlling the application of fixer to a medium.
2. Background of the Invention
An inkjet printer forms a printed image by printing a pattern of individual dots on a printing medium. Inkjet printers print dots by ejecting very small drops of ink onto the print medium and typically include a movable carriage that supports one or more printheads each having ink ejecting nozzles. The carriage traverses over the surface of the print medium, and the nozzles eject drops of ink at appropriate times pursuant to commands of a microcomputer or other controller.
Color thermal inkjet printers commonly employ a plurality of printheads, such as four, mounted in the carriage to produce different colors. Each printhead prints ink of a different primary color, with the commonly used colors being cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Secondary or shaded colors are formed by depositing multiple drops of different primary color inks onto the same dot location (or nearby locations), with the overprinting of two or more primary colors producing secondary colors according to well established optical principles.
The printhead has an array of precisely formed nozzles attached to a printhead substrate that incorporates an array of firing chambers which receive liquid ink from the ink reservoir. In one type of printhead, each chamber has a thin-film resistor located opposite the nozzle so ink can collect between it and the nozzle. When electric printing pulses heat the resistor, a small portion of the ink vaporizes, causing a drop of ink to be ejected from the chamber. Proper sequencing of the firing resistors causes characters or images to be printed on the paper as the printhead moves across the paper.
Print quality is one of the most important considerations in the color inkjet printer field. Since the image output of an inkjet printer is formed of thousands of individual ink drops, the quality of the image is ultimately dependent upon the quality of each ink drop and the arrangement of the ink drops on the print medium.
One common problem that degrades the quality of the printed image is a lack of edge sharpness. In an ideal environment, ink drops would form a perfect circle of uniform size when applied to a medium. However, it is common for ink drops to bleed or feather into surrounding areas when applied to a medium. If the surrounding area is a non-ink area, then the resulting image will not have a well defined edge. If the surrounding area is another ink drop, then the colors of the two ink drops will combine, producing a different undesirable color. In either case, the quality of the image is seriously degraded.
Several methods have been employed to address this problem. The first method is to use special inks that will either react with each other or with the medium to improve edge sharpness. This method, however, severely restricts the types of inks that can be used in inkjet printing systems. The second method is to use special media. This method is also very restrictive since special media (e.g., specially purchased paper) must be used when printing.
A second common problem that degrades the quality of the printed image arises from slow drying of the ink. For example, after printing of a page is complete, the printer needs to hold onto the page for a predetermined time in order to let the ink dry before depositing the page in an output tray. This places an undesirable limit on how fast consecutive pages can be printed.
A third common problem that degrades the quality of the printed image is poor water fastness. After the ink has dried on its respective medium, it is desirable to maintain the integrity of the image even if a small amount of moisture, such as perspiration from one""s hand, is applied to the image. If the image has poor water fastness, the moisture will cause the ink to bleed or run, thereby seriously degrading the image.
These drawbacks have been addressed, in part, by using fixers. Fixers may be a clear solution or may even be dye-based ink printed beneath a pigment-based ink. Fixers allow inks to bond to a medium thereby improving edge sharpness. Fixers also help increase the drying speed of inks and improve water fastness.
Applying fixers to a medium can, however, cause undesirable effects. Applying too much fixer to each dot location can cause the medium to warp or cockle. Using too much fixer also increases the cost of printing a page since excess fixer is being used. On the other hand, using too little fixer can also cause undesirable effects. Too little fixer may not achieve the desired chroma, water fastness, strike through avoidance, and edge sharpness.
What is needed is an improved inkjet printer that applies an optimal amount of fixer in every dot location.
A system in an inkjet printer for determining the amount of a fixer to be applied to a medium is disclosed. The system receives image data, and a fixer plane generation circuit determines an amount of fixer to be applied to a dot location on a medium.

Fixer usage generation technique for inkjet printers


A sensor for sensing and counting objects on a moving conveyor. Objects are moved on the conveyor past a sensor having first and second legs pivotally mounted about a fixed axis above the conveyor. The second leg is offset from the first leg in the direction of conveyor movement. As an object encounters the first leg, it causes the first leg to rotate toward the second leg. A proximity detector includes a target mounted on the first leg and a sensing element mounted on the second leg. The proximity detector detects movement of the first leg relative to the second leg and generates a pulse, thereby counting the object, when the first leg assumes a predetermined position relative to the second leg.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to methods and apparatus for sensing objects on a conveyor, and in particular, to methods and apparatus for sensing successive signatures of printed matter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In various contexts it is necessary to sense, and maintain a count of, objects being conveyed past a given point. For example, in the printing industry, it is often necessary to sense and maintain a count of signatures passing various points in a printing or binding operation. Mechanisms for sensing signatures, often referred to as signature counters (which generate corresponding electrical pulses to a counter) are, in general, known. For example, prior art signature counters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,702,925 issued to Anderson et al. on Nov. 14, 1972 and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,339 issued to Sjogren et al. on Dec. 31, 1985.
Such prior art counters tend to be disadvantageous in that they do not readily accommodate objects of varying height or stacks of overlapping objects, such as, e.g., overlapping signatures. For example, certain prior art signature counters include a mechanical trip switch supported by respective rollers, with the arm of the trip switch extending radially beyond the perimeter of the rollers. Typically, the roller/switch assembly is mounted over the conveyor on a pivotal lever arm, or on guide posts, to permit the vertical disposition of the counter relative to the conveyor surface to vary, the rollers being offset from the conveyor surface and the trip arm extending downwardly and forwardly (opposite the direction of conveyance) to a predetermined level above the conveyor (proximate to the conveyor surface where relatively thin signatures are to be sensed). In operation, the leading edge of a signature trips the switch arm, and thereafter the rollers ride over the edge of the signature, lifting the unit to a higher vertical level. Such prior art counters tended to be relatively massive and the response time to variations in height (or numbers of overlapping objects) tended to be slow, placing limitations on the speed of the conveyor. In addition, where prior art signature counters were used with a high speed conveyor, contact between the counter and the signatures tended to cause bounce, often resulting in miscounts. Further, where the prior art counters were designed for high sensitivity, they tended to be particularly susceptible to spurious counts caused by in continuities in the surface of the object, such as bunching in the signature.
Accordingly, there is a need for a sensor, and particularly a signature counter, that can be mounted in a fixed position without necessitating adjustment for sensing objects such as signatures of various sizes or lapping of varying numbers of signatures, and which is of relatively high sensitivity yet tolerant of surface irregularities in the object, e.g., rippling (bunching) in a signature, and which reacts quickly to changes in the height of the objects being counted.

Apparatus for sensing objects on a moving conveyor


A plurality of subscriber units are connected to at least two transceiver stations for exchanging information in a time division multiple access mode, in which traffic time intervals are allocated in rotation to a variable number C of channels, where C is dependent on the number and type of units to be connected. T intervals plus one control time interval form a frame, where T is mutually prime with respect to the numbers 2 through C.sub.MAX. M frames form a superframe, where M is the lowest common multiple of the numbers 1 through C.sub.MAX.

A prior-art system is described in European Patent Application 0 261 127. Although this system provides advantages with respect to its possibilities to adapt to different speech coders/decoders available on the market by allocating a convenient number of time intervals to each channel, it is estimated, however, that this prior-art system does not properly manage the use of these channels.
Thus, because this system has the structure in which one transceiver station is considered the base station and the other transceiver stations the auxiliary stations usually portable or radio stations on board mobile vehicles, it requires the intervention of the base station for the exchange of traffic information between two of the auxiliary stations. This is considered a disadvantage because the traffic is increased by the information exchanges between auxiliary station/base station and base station/auxiliary station.
This is all the more disadvantageous because these systems are private radio transmission systems (as opposed to public systems) where the radio resources (reduced bandwidth frequency channels) are sparsely distributed.

Multiplexed transmission system for subscriber units of different types


A high voltage seismic bushing charged with an insulating material has a procelain tube having an adapter rigidly connected to one end of the tube. The adapter is flexibly connected to a mounting flange such that the porcelain tube is free to move relative to the mounting flange in the event of an earthquake. The means for flexibly connecting the adapter to the mounting flange utilizes a spring mechanism to absorb the energy through friction to attenuate the movement of the porcelain tube. A resilient buffer member is interposed between the adapter and the mounting flange to provide a predetermined spacing therebetween and absorb the impact due to the movement of the adapter relative to the mounting flange. A sealing member seals the interface between the adapter and the mounting flange for containing the insulating material charged therein.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electrical bushing used with the lead-wire portion of tank shaped electrical apparatus, wherein the tank has accommodations for a super-high voltage transfer and switching device of the 500 kv and higher classification and wherein the tank is charged with an insulating material such as an insulating gas, oil or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
High voltage electrical apparatus may be used in an environment where damage due to airborne pollutants, such as salt, is high. These apparatus utilize bushings with long porcelain tubes, thus making the surface leakage distance long, for connection to associated overhead lines. The bushings must be capable of withstanding such harsh environments. In the case where electrical apparatus are employed in a district having a high frequency of occurrence of earthquakes, such as in Japan, they are always exposed to dangers due to earthquakes and therefore are designed with emphasis on seismic strength. When the electrical apparatus experiences an earthquake, the amplification of the earthquake experienced by the bushings is dependent upon the installation position, the foundation of the equipment, the tank portions, the seat for mounting the bushings, etc. Also, the number of proper vibration, or resonant frequency, is determined by the relationship between the weight distribution and the rigidity of the bushing. If the frequency of an earthquake approximates or corresponds to the resonant frequency of the apparatus, then a resonant phenomenon is developed such that vibrations are amplified on the foundation of the bushing, and on portions of the tank and the seat for mounting the bushing. This resonant phenomenon results in very high vibrations which are applied thereto until the breaking strength of the bushing is exceeded resulting in the breaking of the porcelain tube.
The frequency of earthquakes ranges generally from one to ten hertz. Bushings disposed on electrical apparatus of the 200 kv and higher classification may have a resonant frequency equal to or less than ten hertz which corresponds to the frequency of earthquakes. For its dimensions up to the order of five meters, the porcelain tubes for bushings of these classifications of apparatus have a sufficient seismic strength such that their breaking strength is not exceeded by the greatest earthquakes experienced in the past. However, for the 500 kv and higher classification the use of long porcelain tubes that are of the environmentally resistive type results in a resonant frequency not higher than a few hertz which corresponds to the frequency of earthquakes with a high probability. Thus it is possible for the porcelain tube to break upon the occurrence of great earthquakes. It is difficult to increase the seismic strength of the porcelain tubes. When the 1000 kv class is put to practical use, there is considered as a plan of increasing the seismic strength a method of reinforcing the bushing in three or four directions from its extremity by means of stay insulators or the like. In this case, the vibration of the stay insulators becomes a chordal vibration and a phenomenon is developed which includes an overlapped vibration different from that of the bushing portion. This makes an analysis of the seismic strength difficult and leaves questions about the reliability. Also, it is necessary to consider the flashover voltage with the parallel connection of stay insulators as portions of the bushing apparatus. The adhesion of soils is different between the bushing portion and the stay portion, the stay portion having a smaller diameter is generally apt to be soiled. In any case, it is required to determine the magnitude of the flashover voltage in the parallel state. With these aspects in view, the reliability is also reduced.


A rapid pressure swing adsorption (RPSA) process includes the use of an adsorbent fabric. The fabric can be self-supporting, have an average pore diameter greater than 5 xc3x85 and/or have a carbon dioxide mass transfer coefficient of at least 0.5 secxe2x88x921. Activated carbon cloths can be suitable for use as the adsorbent fabric. The process can be used to prepare high purity hydrogen and other products. Systems including the adsorbent fabric outperform systems lacking such fabrics in RPSA applications.

This invention relates to pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes, and more particularly to hydrogen production via pressure swing adsorption processes.
The increasing demand for hydrogen, particularly in petroleum refining and processing has provided a strong economic motivation to develop processes to recover hydrogen from refinery fuel gas, coke oven gas and other similar sources as well as from more traditional sources such as reformer off-gas. For most applications, a high purity hydrogen product is required.
The process of production and recovery of hydrogen by steam and/or air reforming of hydrocarbon rich gas streams, such as natural gas, naphtha, or other mixtures of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, is well known in the art. Typical commercial sources for the production of hydrogen include reforming of natural gas or partial oxidation of various hydrocarbons. The reforming is carried out by reacting the hydrocarbon with steam and/or with oxygen-containing gas (e.g., air or oxygen-enriched air), producing a hydrogen gas stream containing accompanying amounts of oxides of carbon, water, residual methane and nitrogen. Unless recovery of carbon monoxide is desired, the carbon monoxide is customarily converted to carbon dioxide by water gas shift reaction to maximize the hydrogen content in the stream. Typically, this gas stream is then sent to a PSA unit. Other hydrogen-rich gas sources that can be upgraded by PSA technology to a high purity product include refinery off-gases with C1-C6 hydrocarbon contaminants. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,444 to Kiyonaga.
In PSA processes, a multi-component gas is passed to at least one of a plurality of adsorption beds at an elevated pressure to adsorb at least one strongly adsorbed component while at least one relatively weakly adsorbed component passes through. In the case of hydrogen production via pressure swing adsorption (H2 PSA), H2 is the weakly adsorbed component, which passes through the bed. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,418 to Wagner, U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,816 to Batta and U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,849 to Fuderer et al. At a defined time, the feed step is discontinued and the adsorption bed is depressurized in one or more steps, which permit essentially pure H2 product to exit the bed. Then a countercurrent desorption step is carried out, followed by countercurrent purge and repressurization. H2 PSA vessels generally contain a mixture of activated carbon, for bulk CO2 and CH4 removal, followed by a molecular sieve for CO and N2 removal. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,418 to Wagner.
Hydrogen production via pressure swing adsorption is a multi-million dollar industry supplying high purity hydrogen for chemical producing industries, metal refining industries and other related industries. The cost of hydrogen from integrated reformer/PSA systems is impacted by both the capital and operating costs of the system. Clearly, economic production of hydrogen requires as low as possible operating and capital costs. Capital cost is largely dictated by the size of the reformer and the size of the PSA beds. PSA bed size decreases as the hydrogen productivity (lb-moles of hydrogen produced/bed volume) of the PSA increases. Hydrogen productivity can be increased by either improved process cycles or improved adsorbents. The size of the reformer is impacted mostly by the hydrogen recovery of the PSA. Improvements in hydrogen recovery in the PSA result in smaller reformer size (as there is a diminished need to produce hydrogen out of the reformer because of better recovery in the PSA). Improvements in hydrogen recovery also result in a reduced demand for reformer feed gas, i.e., natural gas, which generally constitutes the largest operating cost of the reformer. Hydrogen recovery in the PSA can also be improved by either improved process cycles or improved adsorbents.
There are a number of patents describing the use of structured adsorbents for gas separation by pressure swing adsorption. However, these patents do not address the use of self-supported adsorbents for separation of gases other than air but rather of an adsorbent mass containing the active adsorbent as well as a support and/or spacing system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,326 to Bailey et al. relates to the use of activated carbon cloth in adsorptive filters for air purification. The patent states that the advantage of using a flexible charcoal cloth is that it offers a much lower resistance to gas flow compared to a granular adsorbent and a comparable adsorptive capacity. The patent describes a filter comprising layers of charcoal fabric arranged in various ways to accommodate different flow configurations, but preferentially positioned parallel to the direction of the gas flow. The patent also discloses the need to separate the adsorbent fabric layers by air-permeable layers of glass fiber, wool fiber or open cell foam, with a thickness between 0.1 and 1 mm. However, the patent does not address the use of such an adsorbent cloth in a cyclic adsorptive process and does not teach the benefits of fast mass transfer in a fast cycle adsorption process. Further, this adsorptive filter is not regenerated, but disposed of after it becomes spent.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,176,897; 6,056,804; 6,051,050; 5,256,172; 5,096,469; 5,082,473; 4,968,329; 4,801,308 and 4,702,903 to Keefer et al. disclose rapid pressure swing adsorption devices for gas separation, which require the use of adsorbent sheets. However, the adsorbent sheets depicted in the Keefer et al. patents always consist of an adsorbent material with a reinforcement material and with spacers between the sheets to establish flow channels in a flow direction tangential to the sheets and between adjacent pairs of sheets. The adsorbent sheets described can be made in various configurations (rectangular, annular stack, spiral-wound, etc.) but always include a support for the adsorbent in the form of an aluminum foil, a metallic mesh, or a matrix which can be woven, non-woven, ceramic or wool. The Keefer et al. patents do not teach the use of a self-supported adsorbent in separation of hydrogen.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,450 to Maurer describes the apparatus used in a thermal swing adsorption (TSA) system for gas purification. The apparatus consists of a cylinder containing a spirally wound adsorbent bed. The fluid streams to be treated and recovered after treatment in the bed circulate radially through the adsorbent layers. The adsorbent layers are comprised of adsorbent particles separated by inlet and outlet screens. An impermeable wall is also wrapped between the inlet and outlet screens defining an inlet and an outlet channel between said wall and, respectively, the inlet and the outlet screen for, respectively, distributing and collecting the fluid streams. The patent teaches that since the gas is circulated radially, through the thickness of the adsorbent layers, screens are necessary to retain and form the layers, and an impermeable wall is required to create the channels for fluid circulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,350 to Freeman et al. describes the manufacture of fibrous activated carbon material from polyarylamides carbonization, the final adsorbent product being in various possible forms including woven or knitted cloth or non-woven fabric. The patent teaches the use of those adsorbing materials for CO2 adsorption and particularly CO2 removal from air. However, rather than emphasizing the use of those adsorbents in a self-supported fashion and describing the physical properties of the materials, which would benefit a PSA gas separation process and their integration the disclosed system, the patent provides a detailed description of the various steps of their manufacturing process.
The earlier patent literature contains a large number of patents describing conventional pressure swing adsorption cycle processes for gas separation where the cycle time is on the order of several minutes. U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,418 to Wagner teaches the use of a four-bed PSA process for hydrogen purification with a total cycle time of 32 or 48 minutes, wherein the on-line time or feed time is a quarter of the total cycle time. U.S. Pat. No. 3,564,816 to Batta teaches the use of a four-bed PSA process for air separation at a cycle time of 12 or 24 minutes and for hydrogen/nitrogen separation at a cycle time of 28 minutes. In a more recent U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,088 by Yamaguchi et al., a four-bed PSA system is operated at a cycle time of 15 or 30 minutes for hydrogen purification. Clearly, the cycle time of PSA systems using conventional adsorbents beads or granules is usually at least several minutes.
In the more recent patents relating the art of rapid pressure swing adsorption, the cycle time is much shorter, on the order of seconds or even fractions of a second. U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,644 to Jain et al. describes an improved air separation process utilizing a monolithic adsorbent material where the cycle time is 35 seconds. U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,897 B1 to Keefer et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,804 to Keefer et al. claim the operation of ultra rapid PSA system using adsorbent laminate modules at cyclic frequency of 100 cycles per minute which corresponds to a cycle time of 0.6 second and even possibly as high as 600 cycles per minute (0.1 second cycle time). Those patents illustrate the new generation of rapid pressure adsorption systems, operating at very short cycle times and necessitating novel adsorbent configurations, process cycle and mechanical device innovations.
Accordingly, it is desired to provide an improved system for rapid PSA. It is further desired to provide such systems comprising the use of improved adsorbents.
All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Accordingly, the invention provides a pressure swing adsorption process for recovering a product gas from a feed gas, said process comprising:
supplying a pressure swing adsorption apparatus comprising an adsorbent fabric, wherein said adsorbent fabric is self-supported, has an average pore diameter greater than 5 xc3x85 and has a carbon dioxide mass transfer coefficient of at least 0.5 secxe2x88x921;
feeding a feed gas into said pressure swing adsorption apparatus during a feed period not exceeding 100 seconds; and
recovering said product gas from said pressure swing adsorption apparatus.
Also provided is a pressure swing adsorption process for recovering a product gas from a feed gas, said process comprising:
supplying a pressure swing adsorption apparatus comprising an adsorbent fabric, wherein said adsorbent fabric is self-supported and has a carbon dioxide mass transfer coefficient of at least 0.5 secxe2x88x921;
feeding a feed gas into said pressure swing adsorption apparatus during a feed period not exceeding 100 seconds; and
recovering said product gas from said pressure swing adsorption apparatus, wherein said product gas consists essentially of hydrogen.

Self-supported structured adsorbent for gas separation


The present invention reveals an auto rack sidewall panel bumper guard for auto rack railroad cars which eliminates contact between the vehicle door and the sidewall panel even in extreme heat. The bumper guard includes a pair of opposed mounting bases, a pair of extension arms connected to the mounting bases and a contact member connected to the arms opposite the mounting bases. The contact member has a lesser thickness than the arms to absorb the forces of the vehicle door.

This invention relates in general to an improved auto rack railroad car panel bumper guard, and more particularly to an improved auto rack panel bumper guard which is adapted to be mounted on a sidewall panel of an auto rack railroad car to prevent vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panel and thus prevent damage to the vehicles doors.
The railroad industry employs a variety of railroad cars for transporting products including vehicles such as automobiles and trucks. Auto rack railroad cars transport newly manufactured vehicles, including automobiles, vans and trucks. Auto rack railroad cars, known in the railroad industry as auto rack cars, often travel thousands of miles through varying terrain. The typical auto rack car is compartmented, having two or three floors or decks, two sidewalls, a pair of doors at each end, and a roof. The sidewalls are constructed of numerous sidewall panels made of galvanized steel which are attached between vertical posts that are spaced evenly throughout the length of the auto rack car. On many cars, these sidewall panels are installed with: gaps between the vertically adjacent sidewall panels, gaps between the vertical posts and the sidewall panels, gaps between the roof and the sidewall panels, and gaps between the floor and the sidewall panels.
One problem with auto rack cars is the damage to newly manufactured vehicle doors which often occurs in the auto rack cars. Newly manufactured vehicles are loaded into the auto rack car by a person who drives the vehicle into the auto rack car. After correctly positioning the vehicle, the person must open the vehicle door to exit the vehicle. When the vehicle door is opened, the door can contact with the sidewall panels and/or the roof because there is only a limited amount of space between the vehicle and the sidewalls on any level or the vehicle and roof on the upper level of the auto rack car. This metal-to-metal contact can and often does scratch, dent and otherwise damage the finish of the door of the newly manufactured vehicle.
One method which has been used to solve the door damage problem is the application of mastic-backed tape over the sidewall panel as a guard for the vehicle doors. This method has been unsuccessful for several reasons. First, the surfaces of the sidewall panel which contact the adhesive side of the tape must be specially cleaned before the tape is applied. Otherwise, the tape will not properly adhere to the panels. Second, the extreme changes in temperature and the constant abuse from the sun and other elements of nature cause the tape to deteriorate and peel away. Third, the tape can be used only one time. Fourth, and finally, because the sidewall panels are taken off the auto rack car approximately every eight years to be regalvanized, the tape and any adhesive left on the panels must be completely removed. The tape and adhesive must be scraped off and/or removed by a special solvent. This removal process is difficult, costly and time-consuming. Therefore, the application of tape to protect the vehicle doors does not solve the problem. Certain such tapes may also be hazardous wastes.
Another method which has been used to prevent the vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panels is to horizontally stretch a nylon belt across the sidewall panels and attach the ends of the belts to each end of the auto rack cars, approximately eighty feet apart. However, this method has been unsuccessful even with the addition of guides which are glued or welded to the vertical posts. The stretching of nylon belts between the two ends of the auto rack cars causes the belt to lose tension. This loss in tension causes the nylon belt to sag. When the nylon belt sags, it does not prevent the vehicle door from contacting the sidewall panels. To solve this problem, the nylon belt has to be constantly retensioned by ratchet tightening at one end of the auto rack car. Eventually, the nylon belts become completely stretched out and must be replaced. Accordingly, this method does not solve the problem.
A further method which has been used to prevent the vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panels is to horizontally strap a rubber hose across the length of the auto rack car. However, this method has been unsuccessful because the rubber hose sags, because the straps holding the rubber hose often break, and because the hose does not sufficiently cover the sidewall panels. Thus, this method also fails to solve the problem.
Other methods such as attaching large rubber mats to the sidewall panels and coating the sidewall panels with a thin layer of spray-on foam have similarly failed to provide adequate protection for the newly manufactured vehicle doors.
Other apparatus which has been successful in preventing the vehicle door from contacting the sidewall panels is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,933. U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,933 disclosed a bumper guard which is a single piece of plastic, such as vinyl or polyethylene, or other suitable material which is extruded into a preformed shape. The bumper guard includes a mounting base which has slots for the insertion of a fastener for attachment to the sidewall panel, and a bumper extending from the mounting base which prevents the vehicle door from contacting the sidewall panels. Numerous types of fasteners can be inserted in the slots of the mounting base and through the sidewall panel holes, thereby securing the bumper guard to the sidewall panel. Other similar types of devices have also been developed. One problem with the bumper guard disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,933 is that in high or extreme heat (i.e., such as above 90 degrees Fahrenheit), when the vehicle door contacts the bumper, the bumper tends to bend toward the mounting base or sidewall panel due to the fact that the plastic material tends to soften at high temperatures, and in some instances allows the vehicle door to contact the sidewall panel. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved auto rack sidewall panel bumper guard.
The present invention solves the above problem by providing an improved auto rack sidewall panel bumper guard for auto rack railroad cars which eliminates contact between the vehicle door and the sidewall panel even in extreme heat. The improved bumper guard of the present invention generally includes a pair of opposed mounting bases, a pair of extension arms connected to the mounting bases and a contact member connected to the arms opposite the mounting bases. The contact member has a lesser thickness than the arms to absorb the forces of the vehicle doors which engage the contact member.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved auto rack railroad car sidewall panel bumper guard.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Auto rack railroad car panel bumper guard


A setup and alignment device is provided according to the present invention to enable golfer's to establish a proper setup, body alignment and body position for achieving a proper golf club swing with each of the various golf clubs being used. The device employs an adjustable, pantograph-like ruler positioner having ruler support and guide positioners that maintain a parallel relation with one another at all relative spacing thereof. To these ruler positioning bars are releasably affixed respective ball position and stance rulers which are maintained in parallel relation by the positioning bars and which are provided with indicia to identify measured stance and ball position. The ball position and stance rulers each define respective straight edges which, when the apparatus is being used, will establish a target line that can be directed precisely at the intended target. A reflective panel having a reference line thereon is movably positioned on the stance ruler to enable the golfer to visualize the entire upper body and ensure parallel positioning of the hips and shoulders of the golfer with respect to the target line.

In view of the fact that the game of golf is played in such manner that a golf ball must be consistently hit widely varying distance to a wide variety of intended targets, a variety of golf clubs are used, including woods for long distances, long irons for significant distance and control, medium range irons for intermediate distances, short range irons for short distances and a putter for controlled ball movement on golf course greens. It is necessary for golfers to consistently hit each of these golf club so that the ball flight and intended distance are achieved with a high degree of consistency. To accomplish this, it is necessary for the golfer to establish a proper target line to an intended target. It is then appropriate for the golfer to place the golfer's body parallel to the target line. This is typically accomplished by placement of the toes of the golfer's shoes along an imaginary target line that extends from the golfer to the target. This activity is generally known as "alignment" and "set up". Teaching professionals generally position a golf club on the ground with the shaft of the club in alignment with the target. The golfer will then position the feet so that the toes of the golfer's shoes will touch or nearly touch the shaft of the club so that the golfer will get the feel of positioning the feet relative to a line to the target. Since the target line is always imaginary it frequently becomes very difficult for a golfer to determine proper alignment of the feet with an intended target. When body misalignment occurs the golfer's stance or position of the feet will be "open" or "closed" relative to the target line and the resultant flight of the ball will naturally be left or right of the target which is in most cases undesirable. When this occurs, golfer's tend to compensate for body alignment error by adjustment of the golf swing. The golfer's muscles then become "tuned" to an improper golf swing and it becomes very difficult for the golfer to correct body alignment problems without the services of a teaching professional. It is desirable to provide golfer's with the capability of simply and efficiently mechanically establishing body setup and alignment relative to an intended target during practice activities so that a proper golf swing can be more easily verified and the muscles of the golfer can be tuned during practice to consistently achieve a normal golf swing.
It is also necessary in order to achieve a normal golf swing for the golfer to achieve a proper stance relative to the golf club that is being swung so that the spacing of the golfer's shoes, i.e. width of the stance can be properly established. Obviously, the width of the golfer's stance, i.e. spacing of the feet will vary with the golf club that is being swung, i.e. woods, long irons, short irons, etc. and the ball position relative to the target line and the golfer's feet will also vary according to the particular club that is being used. It is also necessary that the hips and shoulders of the golfer be positioned parallel to the target line when setup and alignment is being established. Thus, for a consistent golf swing the golfer must have the capability of consistently positioning the shoulders and hips parallel to the target line at the beginning of the golf swing. Since it is very difficult and impractical to mentally consider all of these variables at the time setup and alignment is being established and the golf swing is being initiated, it is necessary for the golfer to achieve automatic muscle control through repetitive practice swings so that in actual play virtually all of these variables are accommodated by automatic muscle control without requiring the golfer to specifically think about them.
Although much of the golf practice activities that are done occur at driving ranges so that golfers can visualize the flight of the ball and make adjustments and corrections to hopefully achieve more consistency in setup, alignment and swing, the necessity to physically travel to a training facility of this nature often deters the amount of practice that is necessary for the golfer to develop automatic muscle control and achieve proper setup, alignment and swing. Thus, it is also appropriate to provide golfers with the capability of achieving golf swing practice at home, such as in the backyard, recreational room, etc. and to practice regularly throughout the year, even during inclement weather conditions so that when the golfer will be more likely when actually playing golf to easily achieve proper setup, alignment and swing. It has been proven that when this occurs the golfer will achieve better, more accurate and more enjoyable play. Heretofore apparatus has not been available to enable the golfer to achieve consistent practice and, without the aid of a teaching professional to ensure proper setup, alignment and swing. It is to these needs and desires that the present invention is addressed.

Alignment and setup device for golf training activities


A semiconductor memory device is provided with an MPU, a secondary cache and a TAG memory mounted on a chip. Registers are provided for a plurality of test data buses connected parallel to a plurality of data buses from the MPU to the secondary cache or the TAG memory. The registers and the plurality of data buses of the MPU are changed with switches so as to be connected with a bonding pad which is a part of an external terminal for the MPU. With this arrangement, the semiconductor memory device can connect with a tester for a DRAM part test via the bonding pad.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device and more particularly to a semiconductor memory device having an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) as a secondary cache mounted on a chip wherein it is possible to prevent a data transmission delay during normal operation from increasing caused by a test writing for a DRAM part.
2. Description of the Related Art
As to a chip on which an MPU and DRAM as a secondary cache are mounted, when an evaluation test is tried for only the DRAM part, it is generally difficult to carry out the test for the DRAM part via the MPU, namely, using the function of the MPU.
Therefore, it is necessary to execute the test using a memory tester or the like after taking all data in the data buses between the MPU and the DRAM out to the outside via a test pad.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram explaining a conventional test procedure for a DRAM part in a chip on which an MPU and a DRAM as a secondary cache are mounted.
An MPU 101 and a DRAM part 102 are connected by data buses 104 via an output/input buffer (OUT/IN) 103. In this case, for example, when 138 buses are used for the secondary cache and 33 buses are used for a TAG memory storing with tags showing data stored in the secondary cache, the total of the data buses 104 is 171.
In order to make the test for the DRAM part possible, it is necessary to previously construct the chip in a manner that all of the data buses connected to the DRAM part are connected in parallel to a test bonding pad 106 via a test wiring 105 and are connected to a memory tester (not shown), and thereby a test is carried out.
However, in the chip on which the MPU and the secondary cache are mounted, as shown in FIG. 7, when all of the data buses between the MPU and the DRAM part are connected to the pad, large parasitic capacitance is added to the data buses between the MPU and the DRAM part caused by the test wiring or the like, there is a problem in that a delay of data transmission between the MPU and the DRAM increases.
Further, there is another problem in that areas shared for pads on the chip increase as the number of pads increases compared with a chip having only an MPU.
In view of the above difficulties, it is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor memory device having an MPU and a DRAM as a secondary cache on one chip wherein it is possible to prevent a data transmission delay in normal operation caused by a test wiring of the DRAM part from increasing and it is possible to reduce the number of test pads.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory device in which a processing unit and a memory as a secondary cache are mounted on a chip, the semiconductor memory device comprising:
a plurality of data buses connecting the processing unit and the memory as the secondary cache;
a plurality of test data buses, each of the test data buses connected in parallel to each of the plurality of data buses;
registers for holding data temporarily; and
an external test terminal connected to the plurality of test data buses through the registers.
In the foregoing, a preferable mode is one wherein the external test terminal is a part of an external terminal for the processing unit.
Also, a preferable mode is one further comprising a switch for connecting the external test terminal with the registers or the plurality of data buses for the processing unit alternately.
Also, a preferable mode is one wherein a data transmission direction in the registers is changed depending on whether a test apparatus reads data from or writes data to the memory as the secondary cache.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory device in which a processing unit and a memory as a secondary cache are mounted on a chip; the semiconductor memory device comprising:
a plurality of data bus groups of data buses for connecting the processing unit and the memory as the secondary cache;
a plurality of test data bus groups of test data buses, each of the test data bus groups connected in parallel to each of the data bus groups;
selectors for selecting one test data bus group among the plurality of test data bus groups and respectively provided for the test data bus groups;
a multiplexer provided between a plurality of data buses in the selected test data bus group and an external test terminal and holding data of the plurality of data buses temporarily.
In the foregoing, a preferable mode is one wherein the external test terminal is a part of an external terminal of the processing unit.
Also, a preferable mode is one further comprising:
a switch for connecting the external test terminal with the multiplexer or the plurality of data buses for the processing unit alternately.
Also, a preferable mode is one wherein the selectors include a plurality of steps, and puts the plurality of test data bus groups together step by step so as to select one test data bus group.
Also, a preferable mode is one wherein a data transmission direction in the selectors is changed depending on whether a test apparatus reads data from or writes data to the memory as the secondary cache.
Also, a preferable mode is one wherein a data transmission direction in the multiplexer is changed depending on whether a test apparatus reads data from or writes data to the memory as the secondary cache.
According to the present invention, in the semiconductor memory device in which a processing unit and a memory as a secondary cache are mounted on a chip and are connected with a plurality of data buses, a plurality of test data buses connected in parallel to the plurality of data buses are connected to an external test terminal via registers for holding data temporarily, therefore, the capacitance added to the data buses between the processing unit and the secondary memory becomes small. As a result, it is possible to prevent the data transmission delay between the processing unit and the secondary memory in the normal operation from increasing. Also, it is possible to carry out the evaluation test for the memory as the secondary cache at a clock frequency equal to that of the actual operation.
Further, in this case, the external test terminal is a part of the external terminal for the processing unit, and is connected to the registers or the plurality of data buses alternately with the switches, therefore, it is impossible to prevent the number of terminals required for the unit test of the memory as the secondary cache from increasing.
Also, according to the present invention, in the semiconductor memory device in which a processing unit and a memory as a secondary cache are mounted on a chip and are connected with a plurality of data buses, the plurality of data buses between the processing unit and the secondary memory are divided into a plurality of groups, the selector selects one group among a plurality of groups of test data buses connected in parallel to the plurality of data bus groups, and the test external terminal is connected to the selected test data bus group via the multiplexer, therefore, the capacitance added to the data bus between the processing unit and the memory as the secondary cache becomes small. As a result, it is possible to prevent the data transmission delay between the processing unit and the secondary memory in the normal operation from increasing. Also, it is possible to carry out the evaluation test for only the memory as the secondary cache at a clock frequency equal to that of the normal operation. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the number of terminals required for the unit test of the secondary memory from increasing.
Further, in this case, the external test terminal is a part of the external terminal for the processing unit, and is connected to the multiplexer or the plurality of data buses alternately with the switches, therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of terminals required for the unit test of the memory as the secondary cache from increasing.


A system for populating a telecommunications switch with data for call processing is provided. The system includes a map of a transaction and a component operable to process the map. The map of the transaction has commands to be sent to provision at least one telecommunications switch. The transaction commands include at least some parent and child commands. The child commands have processing that is dependent on one or more related parent commands. The map identifies dependencies between the child commands and related parent commands. The component is operable to process the map such that the parent commands that have dependent child commands are communicated to the appropriate telecommunications switches before the dependent child commands.

Communication or telecommunication networks, as used herein, may include wireless or mobile networks, public switched telephone networks, and/or public data networks. These communication networks are comprised of various components for managing network traffic. These components may include network switches which may be employed for managing call traffic such as by connecting calls and tracking call information.
Modern switches are more akin to computers than their older mechanical namesakes and are programmable with regard to call connectivity and transaction logging functionality. As services change and new services become available, the switches are provisioned or enabled for managing the new services and related information tracking by programming or reprogramming the switch. This programming may be accomplished, for example, by a populating the switches with data for call processing. Telecommunications management and administration systems located at the telephone company, for example, communicate switch commands to the switch to provision the switch for call processing.

System and method for managing network switch transaction dependencies


Increasing the surface acidity of active carbons can lead to an increase in capacity for hydrogen adsorption. Increasing the surface basicity can facilitate methane adsorption. The treatment of carbons is most effective when the carbon source material is selected to have a low ash content i.e., below about 3%, and where the ash consists predominantly of alkali metals alkali earth, with only minimal amounts of transition metals and silicon. The carbon is washed in water or acid and then oxidized, e.g. in a stream of oxygen and an inert gas at an elevated temperature.

This invention relates to the preparation of activated carbons and is more particularly directed to a process for enhancing the capacity of carbon for storage of hydrogen or other gases.
Activated carbons are high-surface-area materials that possess surface functional groups that can be manipulated by chemical treatment. As a class of sorbents, activated carbons are an attractive medium for storage of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and methane. The combined effects of high surface area and surface functional groups can lead to an enhanced storage capacity.
Hydrogen storage in carbon has been described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,736. However, not all carbons possess the capability of having their storage capacity enhanced significantly, and in the past this capability has not been understood or predictable.
A previous publication, Agarwal et al., "Effect of Surface Acidity of Activated Carbon on Hydrogen Storage", Carbon, Vol. 25, No. 2, 219-226 (1987) describes hydrogen adsorption studies at 78 K. and pressures up to 40 atm using a variety of commercially available active carbons. Surface modification consisted of increasing the surface acidity by an oxidation treatment. It was noted that the amount of hydrogen adsorbed increased with increased surface acidity of the active carbons. However, this early treatment failed to recognize that the nature and quantity of impurities in the starting carbon material were of any significance, and thus offered no suggestions either as to selection of the carbon source material, or as to the treatment of the material prior to oxidation.

Selection and preparation of activated carbon for fuel gas storage


The invention relates to a wiper and washing system including a tube with two separate channels, a nozzle head with at least two washing nozzles, one of which is connected to the one channel and the other of which is connected to the other channel of the tube, and a connecting piece from which the tube starts off. In order to avoid wrong assemblies, coding the connections between the tube and the nozzle head as well as between the tube and the connecting piece are provided on the tube on the one hand, and on the nozzle head or on the connecting piece on the other hand.

The invention relates to a wiper and washing system especially used for window panes of motor vehicles.
Wiper and washing systems are already known in which a nozzle head with several washing nozzles is seated at the end of a wiper arm, on which the wiper blade is swivelably mounted. The nozzle head has two pipe unions, whereby at least one washing nozzle is connected to the one pipe union and at least one other washing nozzle is connected to the other pipe union. Thus the different washing nozzles can be supplied with washing liquid independently of each other and especially when the wiper arm moves forth and back, washing liquid can be sprayed before the wiper blade. The nozzle head can be supplied with washing liquid via a tube which comprises two separate channels, is put along the wiper arm and starts off from a connecting piece located in the drive end of the wiper arm. In order to be able to provide the washing nozzles with washing liquid in the desired manner, it is necessary to connect the tube both to the connecting piece and to the nozzle head properly. Mixing up the channels might lead to the fact that washing liquid is not sprayed before, but behind the wiper blade.

Wiper and washing system, especially for window panes of motor vehicles