A two-vector centrifuge rotates on a central axis, while each centrifuge drum also rotates on the drum's own axis. The inside of each drum has flighting or threads to direct and force material to the bottom of the drum as the two-vector centrifuge rotates. Perforations in the top part of the drum allow liquids to be expelled from the drum, while dried, solid material is ejected though a gap in the bottom of the drum. A pair of troughs keep the ejected liquid fraction separate from the ejected solid fraction, and each fraction is removed from the centrifuge while the centrifuge is operating, allowing the centrifuge to run for extended periods without needing to be cleaned or have accumulated material removed.

It is well known that centrifuges can be used to separate mixtures consisting of liquids of different densities and mixtures consisting of liquids and solids. Although there are a number of different designs for different applications, generally a centrifuge has at least one well that rotates about a central point. The well is held at a fixed diameter from the center and centripetal force prevents it flying off tangentially from its circular path. More commonly, when describing what a centrifuge does, people refer to the apparent centrifugal force which seems to push the well and its contents out from the central point when viewed in a rotating frame of reference.
This radial acceleration results in the more dense fraction settling at the point of the well most distal from the central point, and less dense fraction being located proximal to the central point. The acceleration rate and the duration of acceleration can determine what materials settle to the distal point. For example, a certain radial acceleration and duration will separate platelets from plasma, while another will separate cream from milk, and multiple-step centrifugation can separate DNA from lysed cells.
Among other uses, animal processors may use a centrifuge to separate water from solid materials, separate fats, collect gelatin, or to clean waste water.
The amount of material that can be processed in a centrifuge per unit of time is determined, in part, by the materials being separated, the radial acceleration rate, and the volume of the centrifuge wells. For most industrial applications, the materials being separated will be consistent and the radial acceleration rate will have been optimized for it. The volume of the wells is then of great importance. In use, the mixed materials are placed in the well and spun at the appropriate rate and time to achieve the desired separation. The centrifuge then spins down to a stop, the top fraction on top is poured off (or collected if needed), and the material at the bottom is removed. In animal processing and other applications in which the centrifuge is used to separate liquids from solids, some centrifuge designs decrease the need to stop the machine for material removal by using a liquid-material removal means such as pores in the well, tipping methods, or an aspiration means. Such liquid-material removal means allow the the addition of new mixed material while the centrifuge is spinning; and since the liquid material is removed during rotation, the centrifuge doesn't need to be stopped until the well is sufficiently full of the more dense material. However, when the well is full, the centrifuge needs to be brought to a stop and each well needs to be emptied before it can be started again.


A polyp removal device includes an outer tubular body; an inner tubular body; a tubular cutter coupled to or formed as part of the distal end of the inner tubular body; a spring positioned to bias the inner tubular body in an extended direction with respect to the outer tubular body; a handle coupled to the proximal end of the outer tubular body; an actuation member movably coupled to the handle; and a disconnect mechanism for selectively coupling the actuation member to the inner tubular body and decoupling the actuation member from the inner tubular body, the disconnect mechanism is configured to automatically decouple the inner tubular body from the actuation member when the actuation member is moved in a first direction for a distance greater than a predetermined distance.

Field
The disclosure relates generally to the field of medicine, and more specifically to devices and methods for performing polypectomies.
Description
A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue from a mucous membrane. A polypectomy may be performed to remove a polyp. An endometrial or uterine polyp is an abnormal growth attached to an inner wall of the uterus. Uterine polyps are usually benign, but they can be cancerous or eventually turn into cancer.

Polypectomy systems, devices, and methods


The present invention relates to a detachably joined ultrasonic probe device, including modular ultrasonic probe and a case for detachably joining with the modular ultrasonic probes, which enables the user to select a suitable ultrasonic probe according to desired performance and diagnosis frequency region. The device according to the present invention includes: a plurality of ultrasonic probe modules horizontally arranged in the direction of generating an ultrasonic wave; a case consisting of an outer housing with one open side for receiving and enclosing the plurality of ultrasonic probe modules, and a separation housing provided between the plurality of ultrasonic probe modules for separating the ultrasonic modules from one another, so as to detachably join with the ultrasonic modules; and a control module installed in the case for controlling the plurality of ultrasonic probe modules.

An ultrasonic wave is an acoustic wave having a frequency above the range of human audibility, and a sound wave having a frequency which is between about 20 kHz and 100 kHz.
Ultrasonic waves are used for inspecting inner parts of a human body or animal or for measuring, in a non-destructive manner, the thicknesses or inside combinations of solid matters such as a metal or a plastic. In these cases, ultrasonic waves are implemented in the form of a probe (hereinafter, referred to as "an ultrasonic probe") for easy handling by users.
This ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric ceramic to interchangeably convert an electrical signal to an acoustic signal by vibration of a piezoelectric material, an acoustic matching layer configured to decrease an acoustic impedance difference between the piezoelectric ceramic and an object so that ultrasonic waves generated in the piezoelectric ceramic can be fully delivered to the object, and a lens layer to focus ultrasonic waves propagating in a forward direction of the piezoelectric ceramic at a certain position, and a rear-side block to exclude ultrasonic waves propagating in a rearward direction of a piezoelectric layer to prevent image distortion.
Ultrasonic probes formed as these configurations have been widely used in medical field. An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus using an ultrasonic probe applies ultrasonic waves to an organism, converts reflected ultrasonic waves to electrical signals, transmits the electrical signals to an image processing unit, and generates an image through the signals received by the image processing unit.
Through the above-described process, the ultrasonic probes have been advantageously used for detecting a foreign material in an organism, measuring the degree of injury, observing a tumor, and observing a fetus.
Since ultrasonic waves have various frequency areas, in ultrasonic diagnosis using ultrasonic probes, the range of diagnosis is limited based on the frequency areas.
Therefore, since an appropriate probe is used for a diagnosis desired by a user, there are inconveniences in that different probes should be used according to intended use.

Detachably joined ultrasonic probe device


The present invention relates to composite coatings including particles embedded in a matrix, as well as methods and uses thereof. In some examples, the particles are aligned to enhance mitigation of whisker formation from an underlying metal material. Such coatings can be applied to electrical components, thereby reducing the possibility of electrical short circuits from aberrant whisker growth.

Environmental directives restricting lead usage in electronics has resulted in components being plated with pure tin instead of tin-lead alloys. Tin can grow whiskers (i.e., conductive filaments) that can cause electrical shorting in critical systems. Current coatings used for tin whisker mitigation are typically based on unfilled polymers, and tin whiskers can penetrate such coatings. Other metals are also capable of growing whiskers, such as zinc, silver, gold, etc. New coatings are needed to mitigate growth of whiskers, thereby preventing short circuits in electrical components.

Multifunctional composite coatings for metal whisker mitigation

National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC


A thermally conductive sheet comprising a metal foil of which at least one side is coated with a graphite powder-containing silicone rubber layer to gain improved thermally conductive efficiency without attended by decrease in thermal conductivity with time and increase in production cost, and further to enable the enhancement of adhesiveness to other materials by easy incorporation of organopolysiloxanes of adhesion-conferring type into the silicone rubber layer, thus showing excellent aptitude for a thermally conductive sheet of full pack mold transistors.

Conventionally, when electronic components which emit heat such as transistors and diodes were installed, thermally conductive grease was applied between heat sinks and the metal chassis in order to confer insulating or thermally conducting properties. The application of this grease however required a complicated procedure, and as it is also tended to cause soiling, electrical insulating sheets with good thermally conductive properties subsequently came into use.
With the recent generalization of insulating type full pack mold transistors wherein the whole of the electronic device is sealed in by an epoxy resin, thermally conductive sheets have now come to replace electrical insulating sheets with thermally conductive properties. This is due to the fact that, as electronic components which emit heat are now full pack molded, insulating properties are no longer necessary and thermally conductive properties are an important factor to be considered.
Conventional thermally conductive sheets use rubber or plastic as binders with metal powders or inorganic powders with good thermally conductive properties as fillers.
Examples of inorganic powders with good thermally conductive properties are alumina (thermal conductivity: 0.074 cal/cm.sec. .degree.C.), boron nitride (thermal conductivity: 0.15 cal/cm.sec. .degree.C.), magnesium oxide (thermal conductivity: 0.12 cal/cm.sec. .degree.C.), and silicon carbide (thermal conductivity: 0.22 cal/cm.sec. .degree.C.), but these materials suffered from the disadvantage of having poorer thermal conductivity than that of metal powders.
Examples of metal powders are aluminum (thermal conductivity: 0.57 cal/cm.sec. .degree.C.), copper (thermal conductivity: 0.95 cal/cm.sec. .degree.C.) and silver (thermal conductivity: 1.02 cal/cm.sec. .degree.C.). Aluminum and copper are however easily oxidized, and although silver is not an easily oxidizable metal, it suffers from the disadvantage of very high cost.
In recent years, a high thermally conductive sheet using a powder or short strands of aluminum or copper metal (Japanese Patent Laid-Open (KOKAI) No. 58-163623) and a thermally conductive sheet consisting of a graphite sheet coated on either one or both sides with a silicone rubber (Japanese Patent Laid-Open (KOKAI) No. 62-25440) have been proposed. In the former case, however, thermal conductivity decreased with time due to oxidation of the metal powder and the strength of the sheet was unsatisfactory. In the latter case, thermal conductivity was high and did not decrease with time, however the graphite sheet was costly and the cost of manufacturing it was high.
Further, conventional thermally conductive sheets have no adhesive properties, so when transistors were fitted to heat sinks or other components, a positional maladjustment easily occurred between the thermally conductive sheet and the transistor. The correct setting of components was thus an extremely troublesome operation.
The inventors of the present invention carried out extensive studies to resolve the aforesaid disadvantages.
As a result, it has been found that by providing a silicone rubber layer containing graphite powder (thermal conductivity 0.31 cal/cm.sec. .degree.C.) on one or both sides of a metal foil, a low cost thermally conductive sheet can be obtained having far superior thermal conductivity compared to conventional thermally conductive sheets using inorganic powders, and that this thermally conductive sheet can prevent a decrease of thermal conductivity with time due to oxidation as occurred with thermally conductive sheets using metal powders. Also, it has been found that by adding an adhesion-conferring organopolysiloxane to the silicone rubber in order to improve the contact between the transistor and the heat sink, the stability of the assembly can be improved, and a thermally conductive sheet with improved thermal conductive properties can be obtained even when there are scratches or marks on the transistor.


There is provided a method for processing Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service MBMS session update in M3 and M2 interfaces in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising a Mobility Management Entity MME, a Multi-cell/Multicast Coordination Entity MCE and an eNB, the method comprising: sending, by the MME, a first MBMS session update request message to the MCE; processing, by the MCE, the first MBMS session update request message, and sending, a second MBMS session update request message to the eNB and sending a first feedback message to the MME; processing, by the eNB, the second MBMS session update request message, and sending a second feedback message to the MCE.

At present, according to the conclusion of Service and System Aspects 2 (SA2) Workgroup, an ongoing MBMS session may change some service characteristics, for example, Service Area. An Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network defines an MBMS Session Update procedure. However, in a radio access network (RAN), there is no corresponding procedure definition especially in M3 (an interface between a Mobility Management Entity MME and a Multi-cell/Multicast Coordination Entity MCE) and M2 (an interface between the MCE and an eNB) interfaces. Upon receiving an MBMS Session Update Request message from a Broadcast/Multicast Service Center (BMSC), an MBMS gateway sends different messages to the MME based on different results of comparison between an updated control node list included in itself and the updated control node list included in the MBMS Session Update Request message, wherein the different messages may be MBMS Session Start Request, MBMS Session Stop request, and MBMS Session Update Request. The MME needs to send these messages to its corresponding MCE. Therefore, in the M3 and M2 interfaces, processing of the MBMS Session Update procedure needs to be defined. The processing comprises a new M3 application protocol (M3AP) and M2 application protocol (M2AP) signaling flow definition for the MBMS Session Update procedure, and a relevant processing mechanism for MBMS Session Update signaling of the M3AP and M2AP in the MCE and eNB.

Method for processing multimedia broadcast/multicast service session update

Abstract: The present invention enables a RAN and an EPC to consistently process the MBMS session update procedure. Thus, the present invention may avoid misunderstanding caused by signaling processing from the EPC to EUTRAN in a radio access network.


In the first operation, the cantilever is oscillated at a frequency which is at opposite sides of a frequency band having a half value of an oscillation frequency f and amplitude A on a dependent curve (Q-curve). The cantilever oscillating frequency is far from an oscillation frequency (near a resonance point) where the cantilever is slow to damp, which enables the cantilever to quickly damp in accordance with a variation of a transient oscillation frequency after the probe comes into contact with the specimen, and allows the probe to follow the uneven surface state of the specimen.

The present invention relates to a scanning probe microscope comprising a cantilever having a minute probe at one end thereof, a laser radiating laser beams to a laser beam reflecting surface of the cantilever, an optical position sensor detecting positions of reflected laser beams, specimen moving means moving a specimen, and cantilever oscillating means periodically oscillating the cantilever with a predetermined amplitude. The scanning probe microscope performs a first operation in which if the optical position sensor detects a reduced amplitude when the probe of the cantilever comes into contact with the specimen, uneven surface state data of the specimen are obtained on the basis of a control amount of upward and downward movements of the specimen moving means which is moved upward or downward in order to maintain the reduced amplitude constant, and a second operation in which physical action force data of the specimen are obtained by keeping the probe spaced from the specimen by a predetermined amount on the basis of the uneven surface state data obtained by the first operation.
In the related arts a scanning probe microscope comprises a cantilever having a minute probe at one end thereof, a laser radiating laser beams to a laser beam reflecting surface of the cantilever, an optical position sensor detecting positions of reflected laser beams, specimen moving means moving a specimens and cantilever oscillating means periodically oscillating the cantilever with a predetermined amplitude. The scanning probe microscope performs a first operation in which if the optical position sensor detects a reduced amplitude when the probe of the cantilever comes into contact with the specimen, uneven surface state data of the specimen are obtained on the basis of a control amount of upward and downward movements of the specimen moving means which is moved upward or downward in order to maintain the reduced amplitude constant, and a second operation in which physical action force data of the specimen are obtained by keeping the probe spaced from the specimen by a predetermined amount on the basis of the uneven surface state data obtained by the first operation. In the first operation, the cantilever is oscillated by applying a frequency near a resonant point of the dependent curve (Q-curve) of the cantilever oscillating frequency and the amplitude. In the second operation, physical operation data of the specimen are obtained by keeping the probe spaced by a predetermined extent from the specimen on the basis of the uneven surface state data obtained by the first operation.
The scanning probe microscope further comprises a phase sensor, which detects a signal generated in response to a time delay (phase) in the oscillation of the cantilever caused by interactions of the specimen surface and the probe. The scanning probe microscope measures differences in physical properties of the specimen surface on the basis of a phase measured near a resonance point of the Q-curve.
With the scanning probe microscope of the related art, the cantilever oscillating frequency is set near the resonance point of the dependent curve (Q-curve) of the cantilever oscillating frequency and amplitude during the first operation, Therefore, the cantilever is quickly oscillated but is slow to damp. Specifically, even when it is subject to the interaction of the specimen, the probe takes time to damp, and does not make its amplitude variation constant immediately. This will lead to a delay in the control operation of the specimen moving means, and an operation amount of the specimen moving means is determined with a delay. Data concerning uneven states of the specimen cannot be accurately obtained on the basis of the control amount of the specimen moving means. It is also possible to accelerate the upward and downward movements of the specimen moving means. However, there is a problem of an oscillation phenomenon in which a direction of amplitude variations and control of the upward and downward movements are not in agreement. Specifically, since there is no air resistance in a a vacuum, the cantilever is difficult to damp, and it takes time to reach the target amplitude when there is interaction with a specimen. This means that the control operation is further delayed, and that uneven surface states of the specimen cannot be measured.
In the second operation, the probe is kept spaced from the specimen on the basis of the uneven surface state data obtained in the first operation, However, since the uneven surface state data are not accurately obtained, it is not possible to obtain physical property data with the probe spaced from the specimen.
The present invention is intended to facilitate, in a first operation, damping transient oscillation variations of the cantilever probe coming into contact with the specimen by setting opposite sides of a frequency band, which is a half value of a dependent curve (Q-curve) of a cantilever oscillating frequency and amplitude, as a cantilever oscillating frequency, and by keeping the cantilever oscillating frequency far from an oscillating frequency (near a resonance point) where the cantilever is slow to damp. Specifically, the invention aims at performing measurements in a vacuum where there is no air resistance. Further, in the second operation, the probe is maintained accurately spaced with a predetermined extent from the specimen surface on the basis of the uneven surface state data obtained in the first operation, so that physical properties of the specimen surface can be accurately measured.
In order to overcome the foregoing problems, the present invention is intended to facilitate, in a first operation, damping transient oscillation variations of the cantilever probe coming into contact with a specimen by setting opposite sides of a frequency band, which is a half value of a dependent curve (Q-curve) of a cantilever oscillating frequency and amplitude, as a cantilever oscillating frequency, and by keeping the cantilever oscillating frequency far from an oscillating frequency (near a resonance point) where the cantilever is slow to damp. Specifically, the invention aims at performing measurements in a vacuum where there is no air resistance. Further, in the second operation, the probe is maintained accurately spaced with a predetermined extent from the specimen surface on the basis of the uneven surface state data obtained in the first operation, so that physical properties of the specimen surface can be accurately measured.

Method of operating scanning probe microscope


Disclosed herein is a device that includes first and second buffer circuits connected to a data terminal and a first control circuit controlling the first and second buffer circuits. The first control circuit receives n pairs of first and second internal data signals complementary to each other from 2n input signal lines and outputs a pair of third and fourth internal data signals complementary to each other to first and second output signal lines, where n is a natural number more than one. The first and second buffer circuits are controlled based on the third and fourth internal data signals such that one of the first and second buffer circuits turns on and the other of the first and second buffer circuits turns off.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices and, in particular, relates to a semiconductor device including a serializer.
2. Description of Related Art
In semiconductor devices such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), an output buffer circuit is provided for outputting a data signal to the outside of the semiconductor device. Some of versatile semiconductor devices, in particular, are configured to be able to select impedance of the output buffer circuit (See Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-203405).
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2006-203405, the output buffer circuit has the structure in which a pull-up buffer circuit consisting of p-channel MOS transistors and a pull-down buffer circuit consisting of n-channel MOS transistors are connected in series. A data terminal is connected to a contact node between the pull-up buffer circuit and the pull-down buffer circuit. When a high-level data signal is outputted from the data terminal, it is controlled in such a manner that the pull-up buffer circuit is turned on and the pull-down buffer circuit is turned off. On the other hand, when a low-level data signal is outputted from the data terminal, it is controlled in such a manner that the pull-up buffer circuit is turned off and the pull-down buffer circuit is turned on.
In many cases, data composed of a plurality of bits are read out from memory cells of the DRAM in parallel, and parallel/serial conversion is performed by a serializer (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H5-23006). The output buffer circuit is controlled by the serialized data signals.
During a period when the data signal is not outputted from the data terminal, however, it is necessary to allow the output buffer circuit to be in a high impedance state or to function as a termination resistor having predetermined impedance. The function of the output buffer circuit as the termination resistor is referred to as ODT (On Die Termination).
In order to allow the output buffer circuit to be in the high impedance state, it is necessary to turn off both of the pull-up buffer circuit and the pull-down buffer circuit. With DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), both of the pull-up buffer circuit and the pull-down buffer circuit need to be turned on when the output buffer circuit performs ODT operation. Thus, it is necessary for the DDR3 SDRAM to deal with four cases in total, that is, the case where only the pull-up buffer circuit is turned on, the case where only the pull-down buffer circuit is turned on, the case where both of the buffer circuits are turned on, and the case where both of the buffer circuit are turned off. Therefore, operation of the pull-up buffer circuit and operation of the pull-down buffer circuit need to be controllable separately.
To realize the above-described four cases in the pull-up buffer circuit and the pull-down buffer circuit, it is necessary to supply two-bit signals (two types of signals) to the output buffer circuit. When outputting the two-bit data from the serializer, however, an output load of the serializer increases. Especially, when high-speed operation of the DRAM is performed, deterioration in signal quality, caused by the output load of the serializer, becomes unignorable.

Semiconductor device having serializer converting parallel data into serial data to output serial data from output buffer circuit


A rotorcraft, in particular helicopter, rotor includes a tubular pylon driven in rotation about its axis, which is the rotation axis of the rotor, from its foot. A hub is attached to the pylon by a flared base and includes two annular plates substantially radial to the rotor axis and spaced from each other along the rotor axis so that relative to the pylon one is an axially inside plate and the other is an axially outside plate. Each of at least two blades has its root connected to the hub by retaining and articulation arrangements retained between the plates of the hub and enabling relative angular movement of the blade at least in pitch about a longitudinal blade pitch change axis controlled by displacement by a pitch rod of a pitch lever attached to the blade root. The base has lateral openings through which pass arms of a pitch control plate which rotates with the hub and is mobile at least axially in the base, the end of each arm, outside the base, being articulated to one end of a pitch rod articulated at the other end to the pitch lever of a respective rotor blade.

The invention relates more particularly to a so-called "articulated" rotorcraft rotor as described in FR 2 456 034, FR 2 516 891 and FR 2 671 049.
The above patents disclose a rotorcraft rotor, such as a helicopter main rotor or tail rotor, which comprises:
a tubular pylon adapted to be driven in rotation about its axis, which is the rotation axis of the rotor, from its foot, PA1 a hub attached to the pylon by a flared base and comprising two annular plates substantially radial to the rotor axis and spaced from each other along the rotor axis so that relative to the pylon one is an axially inside plate and the other is an axially outside plate, PA1 at least two blades each of which has its root connected to the hub by retaining and articulation means retained between said plates of the hub and enabling relative angular movement of the blade at least in pitch about a longitudinal blade pitch change axis and controlled by displacement by a pitch rod of a pitch lever attached to the blade root.
Compared to articulated rotors with a single plate hub, as described in FR 2 427 251, or with an integrated tubular pylon-hub, as described in FR 2 584 996, dual plate hub articulated rotors of the type referred to above have the advantage of improved resistance to centrifugal forces and to shear forces and static and dynamic flapping and drag bending moments for substantially the same overall size, mass and aerodynamic drag.
Like the single plate hub or integrated tubular pylon-hub rotors described in FR 2 427 251 and FR 2 584 996, respectively, the dual plate hub articulated rotors described in FR 2 456 034, FR 2 516 891 and FR 2 671 049 can be equipped with pitch control devices entirely external to the pylon-hub assembly, generally in the case of main rotors, or entirely internal to the tubular pylon and to the hub connection base, generally in the case of tail rotors, or partly internal to the tubular pylon and external to the hub, with a collective pitch control plate usually called the spider plate axially external of the hub, in the particular case of tail rotors.
In pitch control devices entirely external to the pylon-hub assembly the pitch lever of each blade is articulated to one end of a pitch rod external to the base connecting the tubular pylon to the hub and the other end of which is articulated to a pitch control plate that surrounds the rotor pylon, with which this plate is constrained to rotate and around which this plate is mobile at least in the axial direction.
In the case of a main rotor this pitch control plate is generally the rotating plate of a set of cyclic plates in which the rotating plate is rotatably mounted on a non-rotating plate that can be moved in axial translation and inclined in any direction about the axis of the rotor by controls operated by the pilot.
The above pitch control devices are too complex, with too large an overall size around the rotor pylon and too high a mass to be economically transposed to controlling the collective pitch of the blades of a tail rotor, for which all that is required is to move the rotating pitch control plate axially.
For this reason pitch control devices for tail rotors internal to the pylon-hub assembly have been proposed that include a pitch control plate that rotates with the rotor and slides axially inside the base connecting the pylon to the hub, being articulated, for each blade, to a pitch rod that is also internal of the assembly and is itself articulated to a pitch lever on a radial inner armature of the means for retaining each blade on the hub and articulating it thereto, so that the pitch lever is also inside the pylon-hub assembly.
This complicates the structure of the radially inner armature and increases its overall size and its mass, and therefore its cost, as well as increasing the eccentricity of flapping of the rotor and its aerodynamic drag.
What is more, placing the pitch rods inside the pylon-hub assembly complicates maintenance and makes it more costly, in that checking the pitch rod ball joints for play is complicated, as is any work to be carried out on the ball joints in order to replace them.
What is more, the dimensions and therefore the mass and the drag of a tail rotor of the above kind with internal pitch control are further increased if the dimensions of the spherical laminated thrust bearing included in the means for retaining each blade on and articulating it to the hub of an articulated rotor of the above kind must be increased to increase the service life of those units, which accentuates the drawbacks associated with the use of internal pitch controls.
The problem to which the invention is directed is that of remedying the aforementioned disadvantages and proposing an articulated rotor of the type described hereinabove equipped with a pitch control device that is better suited to the various requirements of the art than the prior art devices, in particular for tail rotors.

Gyroplane rotor with double-plate hub and external pitch control


A method for applying a coating to a surface includes providing a sprayable liquid binding agent formed of first and second components, pumping the first and second components of the binding agent to a first dispensing device and combining the first and second components in the first dispensing device to form the binding agent. The method further includes spraying the binding agent from the first dispensing device on to a surface to be coated, providing a particulate medium, and spraying the particulate medium from a second dispensing device into the liquid spray of binding agent produced by the first dispensing device. The binding agent may coat the particulate medium and adhere it to the surface to form a coating thereon. An apparatus for performing the method is also described.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying a coating to a surface, particularly for applying a coating to a floor or wall. The present invention is described herein by way of a practical example as a method and apparatus for applying a coating to the surface of a children's play area. However, it is readily applicable to other uses, for example as a surface coating on paths, bridges, steps, gymnasiums, swimming pools, running tracks, decks 1 in public or industrial buildings or in animal enclosures. In general terms, the present invention is applicable to any surface on which a surface coating which is hard-wearing, weather resistant, shock-absorbing and non-slip would be beneficial.
2. Description of the Related Art
Non-slip, shock-absorbing surfaces are commonly used in children's play areas to cushion the impact of a fall and to reduce the severity of any resulting injury. In general, these surfaces are either bound or unbound.
Unbound surfaces, such as bark chips, rubber granules, or sand, offer a solution with a low initial cost and easy installation. However, such surfaces have inherent disadvantages such as they are easily displaced, can be swallowed, hide sharp objects or animal excrement, do not enable wheelchair access and require regular maintenance and replenishment in order to remain effective.
Bound surfaces are typically formed from a rubber filler held within a binding agent. Although more expensive to install than unbound surfaces, these offer a consistent shock-absorbing performance, are easy to clean, are wheelchair accessible and are not easily displaced. The thickness and surface area of shock-absorbing surface required is determined by the "critical fall height" (CFH), where the CFH is determined by the height of the piece of play equipment under which the shock-absorbing surface is to be installed. Two common examples of bound surfaces currently used in children's play areas are rubber tiles and wetpour systems.
A rubber tiled surface typically comprises a number of rubber tiles, measuring about one square meter, arranged on and affixed to a concrete or other solid base using adhesive. However, the tiles can only be used on level surfaces and after a few years use are subject to wear, degradation and shrinkage. The edges tend to disintegrate, allowing weeds to grow and disrupt the surface further and further damage may be caused by vandalism. The tiles are difficult and thus expensive to remove and replace.
Wetpour systems typically comprise a mixture of rubber crumb and a chemical binder. This is mixed and laid by hand. The resulting coating provides a continuous surface that is hard wearing and shock absorbing. However, since the wetpour composition is mixed by hand, it is difficult to maintain consistency between different batches. Further, the wetpour mixture requires approximately twenty four hours to harden, thus the site must be guarded to prevent vandalism while the mixture is setting. The material is also prone to creep at the edges away from a surrounding curb, allowing weeds to grow and presenting a free edge that is more likely to become damaged or vandalized or to become a trip hazard.

Method and apparatus for applying a coating to a surface


A method, system and apparatus for modulating an application associated with at least one of a first communication device and a second communication device is provided. Proximity between the first communication device and the second communication device is determined. The application associated with at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device is modulated based on the proximity.

Desktop devices, such as IP phones, thin clients, PCs/laptops often need onerous configuration in order to be associated with each other. For example, in order for an IP phone on a user's desk to be associated with a communication application running on a desktop PC/laptop on the same desk, the user or an administrator often needs to configure the application with the address or DN of the phone, the address of the phone's call controller, and other details. The user may likewise need to manually enter the IP address and other details of the PC into the phone. This is a complex process for the typical user, and is also both time consuming and error prone.
Alternatively, the same information may be configured into a centralized database, an application file or similar. This leads to a large ongoing administrative effort, especially in large systems, to keep data up to date as it changes over time.
Additionally, some configuration items such as IP addresses may change occasionally, causing the association to fail and the application to not work correctly. This leads to a further ongoing data maintenance issue, and/or to occasional application failures followed by re-doing the configuration.
US Patent Application US2007/0171098 discloses a system whereby associations may occur automatically via Ethernet links and IP addresses, however this solution suffers the same disadvantages as manual associations using IP addresses: IP addresses may change occasionally, causing the association to fail and applications to not work correctly. As well, the aforementioned application describes the association as being done by a high level protocol which is specific to the types of device described in it. The association created by such a protocol lacks the generality of the type of association described in this disclosure. The technology of this disclosure can be used by multiple types of devices to create arbitrary types of associations.
In cases where mobility is involved, the relationship between co-located devices is not long term (e.g. a user may bring a laptop to a conference room or telecommuting site, and wish to make temporary use of the desktop facilities such as the IP phone either alone or in relation to laptop-based application(s)). The configuration would need to be done again each time the user moves, and would need to be un-done at the end of a session so that resources can be reclaimed and future users cannot access the previous user's information. Again, this process is quite onerous for the end user, and error prone. Failing to log off could have security considerations.

Method, apparatus and system for modulating an application based on proximity


A free piston engine is configured with a pair of opposed engine cylinders located on opposite sides of a fluid pumping assembly. An inner piston assembly includes a pair of inner pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with a push rod connected between the inner pistons. The push rod extends through an inner pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. An outer piston assembly includes a pair of outer pistons, one each operatively located in a respective one of the engine cylinders, with at least one pull rod connected between the outer pistons. The pull rod extends through an outer pumping chamber in the fluid pumping assembly and forms a fluid plunger within this chamber. The movement of the inner and outer piston assemblies during engine operation will cause the fluid plungers to pump fluid from a low pressure container into a high pressure chamber as a means of storing the energy output from the engine. Alternatively, the piston assemblies may drive a linear alternator. Each fuel injector is located so that it injects directly into its cylinder near the intake ports, while also being covered during combustion events in order to avoid exposing the fuel injector to the harsh environment of combustion.

The present invention relates to free piston engines.
Conventionally, internal combustion engines have operated with the motion of the pistons mechanically fixed. For example, a conventional internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes a crankshaft and connecting rod assemblies that mechanically determine the motion of each piston within its respective cylinder. This type of engine is desirable because the position of each piston is know for any given point in the engine cycle, which simplifies timing and operation of the engine. While these conventional types of engines have seen great improvements in efficiency in recent years, due to the nature of the engines, that efficiency is still limited. In particular, the power density is limited because the mechanically fixed motion of the pistons fixes the compression ratio. Moreover, all of the moving parts that direct the movement of the pistons (and camshafts and engine valves as well) create a great deal of friction, which takes energy from the engine itself to overcome. The resulting lower power density means that the engine will be larger and heavier than is desired. Also, the flexibility in the engine design and packaging is limited because of all of the mechanical connections that must be made.
Some crankshaft engines employ direct injection of fuel into the cylinders. While this direct injection can be employed advantageously to further improve the engine operation, the fuel injectors and injector system operating them are generally very expensive. In particular, the injection generally must be accomplished with a very high fuel pressure, which can require an expensive system to generate and control the fuel under these high pressures. Moreover, each fuel injector nozzle is directly exposed to the extreme heat and pressures of the entire combustion event in its cylinder, thus requiring a relatively expensive fuel injector design to withstand these harsh environmental conditions.
Consequently, is desirable, for environmental and other reasons, to have an engine with a higher power density than these conventional engines. The advantages of lighter relative weight, smaller package size, and improved fuel efficiency can be a great advantage in both vehicle and stationary power production applications.
Another type of internal combustion engine is a free piston engine. This is an engine where the movement of the pistons in the cylinders is not mechanically fixed. The movement is controlled by the balance of forces acting on each piston at any given time. Since the motion is not fixed, the engines can have variable compression ratios, which allow for more flexibility in designing the engine's operating parameters. Also, since there are no conventional crankshafts and rods attached to the crankshaft, which reduces piston side force, there is generally less friction produced during engine operation. Moreover, an opposed piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) configuration of a free piston engine is desirable due to its generally inherently balanced operation, with a compact layout as well. A particularly advantageous way to operate such an engine is with a two stroke combustion cycle—and even more advantageous is to operate with a homogeneous charge, compression ignition (HCCI) type of combustion, which takes best advantage of the ability to operate the engine with a variable compression ratio, in order to further increase the power density of the engine.
However, one concern, in particular, arises, and that is how to inject fuel into such a configuration while maintaining the fuel efficiency and minimizing the cost and complexity of such an engine.


An apparatus and method for testing an integrated circuit (12) generally comprises an input pad (14) and output pad (15) having photo-sensitive sensors (20, 46) formed thereon for eliminating the need to come into direct contact with a probe card for testing the integrity of an integrated circuit.

In order to test the integrity of an integrated circuit, the typical integrated circuit chip is fabricated having a plurality of metal input and output pads along its periphery. From a practical standpoint, it is important to test the integrated circuit prior to use in order to insure the integrity of the chip. Generally, the dimensions of the pads are 4.times.4 mils and the pads will be wire bonded to connect the integrated circuit to the package.
In practice, a probe card is used for testing purposes. The probe card is generally a printed circuit board having a plurality of metal fingers extending therefrom which are designed to mate with the input and output pads on the integrated circuit to be tested. These metal fingers are brought into contact with the input and output pads in order for the probe card to send messages to and receive messages from the integrated circuit. Signals are sent through the integrated circuit to determine its integrity by controlling the input and output of the probe card signals. These signals are subsequently analyzed by a testing system to determine whether the chip is useful.
Unfortunately, when using the probe card, it is difficult to precisely align the probe card fingers with the integrated circuit pads. In the past, once the card has been used several times, it is necessary to realign the card and resharpen the points in order to have contact for proper testing of the integrated circuit. Generally, probe cards are sent to a third party vendor which specializes in realigning probe cards to insure their integrity, a process which can be costly and time-consuming.
The testing of the integrated circuit card can experience problems other than nonalignment, such as the formation of a thin oxide layer which is still present on the pad prior to testing. Unfortunately, false negative tests are experienced when there is no electrical contact between the fingers on the probe card and the integrated circuit.
Therefore, a need has arisen in the industry to provide a method and apparatus for testing integrated circuits and for eliminating the cumbersome task of aligning the probe card fingers to the input and output pads on integrated circuits.

Apparatus and method for testing integrated circuits


A power supply has a transformer for isolating circuitry to which power is furnished from the electrical supply lines. The transformer includes a core of ferro-magnetic material with primary and secondary windings wound side-by-side on the core. The primary winding has two layers of turns with a center tap formed at a connection of the turns of each layer that are closest to the secondary winding. Similarly, the secondary winding has two layers of turns with a center tap formed at a connection of the turns of each layer which are closest to the primary winding. A driver applies excitation voltage across the center tap, which also is coupled to earth ground, and a turn of the innermost primary winding layer. The center tap of the secondary winding is used as an isolated ground and a supply voltage is produced between two turns from different layers of the secondary winding. Because the ground connection of each winding is made a turns that are closest to the other winding, the parasitic capacitance is the greatest between those turns which minimizes any difference in potential between the earth ground and the isolated ground.

The present invention relates to transformers which provide isolation between two electrical circuits; and more particularly to transformers which isolate medical equipment connected to a patient from a source of relatively high voltage that powers the equipment.
Many types of medical equipment, such as temperature monitors, electrocardiograms, oximeters, or invasive blood pressure monitors, include sensors which are in contact with the patient. Although the sensors operate at relatively low voltage and current levels that do not present a shock hazard to the patient, that hazard can occur if high voltage from a supply line powering the equipment is applied to the sensor due to failure of the equipment's internal power supply. As a consequence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates medical equipment, has prescribed rules specifying the degree of electrical isolation required between components that contact the patient and the electrical supply lines.
The isolation requirement typically is satisfied by supplying power through an transformer. An exemplary medical apparatus 10, schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, has a non-isolated section 12 containing a power supply driver 14 which is connected via plug 16 to 120 or 240 volt alternating current supply lines in a building. The apparatus 10 also has circuitry in an isolated section 18 which includes a DC power supply 20 and components that sense and process biological function data. For example, a bio-amplifier 22 is connected by a cable 24 to sensors on medical patient 26. The processing components, such as bio-amplifier 22, may supply signals to other circuits and display devices in the non-isolated section 12 via optically isolated conductors (not shown).
The electricity for the isolated section 18 is supplied from driver 14 through an isolation transformer 28 to the DC power supply 20. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has specified that the transformer, as well as other components which form the isolation barrier between the two apparatus sections 12 and 18 must be able to withstand a four kilovolt AC breakdown voltage with leakage current of ten microamperes or less when the supply line voltage is applied across the isolation barrier.
In common medical apparatus, the driver applies a high frequency excitation signal of 100-500 kHz to the transformer primary winding and harmonics of the excitation signal may be in the radio frequency spectrum. Other regulations specify the amount of electromagnetic interference (EMI) which the medical apparatus may radiate in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. Those regulations also affect the design of the isolated power supply when the driver 14 applies a high frequency excitation signal to the primary winding of the transformer 28.
FIGS. 2 and 3 portray a typical isolation transformer utilized in previous medical equipment. The transformer comprises a solid ferrite core 30 with a central leg 32 passing through the aperture in an annular bobbin 34. The primary and secondary windings 36 and 38 are wound around the bobbin 34 and thus around the center leg 32 of the core 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the primary winding 36 comprises two layers of turns wound on the bobbin adjacent the center leg 32 of the transformer core with plastic tape 40 therebetween. Additional plastic tape 41 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the primary winding 36. The secondary winding 38 also is formed by two layers of turns with plastic tape 42 there between. The earth ground 17 (FIG. 1) is connected to the first turn 43 of the primary winding 36 and the isolated ground 23 in the isolated section 18 is connected to the first turn 44 of the secondary winding 38. For ease of illustration, the primary and secondary windings are being shown with each one having only two layers of turns. Normally this type of transformer has many more layers in each winding which further increases the problem described hereafter.
The instantaneous voltage per turn (Vturn) is the same for the primary and the secondary windings 36 and 38. In this arrangement, parasitic capacitances exist between adjacent turns of the second layer in primary winding 36 and the first layer within secondary winding 38. At any instant in time, the first turn 46 of the second layer in primary winding 36 has a potential n*(Vturn) with reference to the earth, or non-isolated, ground where n is the number of turns in one layer (e.g. nine). The second turn in the primary winding second layer has a potential given by [n*(Vturn)]+Vturn, the third turn potential is [n*(Vturn)]+[2*(Vturn)], and so on. The numbers within each circular representation of a conductor in FIG. 2 designate the voltage in each turn when Vturn equals one. The first turn 44 of the first layer in secondary winding 38 at the same instant in time has a potential of zero volts with reference to the isolated ground. The second turn in this layer of the secondary winding has a potential of Vturn, the third winding turn has a potential of 2*(Vturn), and so on. As is apparent, at any instant in time, there is a difference of potential of n*(Vturn) between adjacent turns in abutting layers of the primary and secondary windings.
As a result of this transformer configuration, a voltage Vgg is generated between the non-isolated and isolated grounds and is applied to the sensor cable 24. As a consequence a pulsatile current, due to high frequency excitation of the parasitic transformer capacitance, flows through the cable 24, patient 26 and then to earth ground through additional parasitic capacitance 27 between the patient and earth ground. The pulsatile current also is partially radiated as electromagnetic energy. This current then returns to the non-isolated section 12 through the earth ground connection 17.
Several problems are associated with this parasitic high frequency current. Such current flowing from the patient 26 to ground can mislead front end sensor signal processing components in the medical apparatus. In addition, common mode current flowing through sensitive electronics in the isolated section 18 can generate voltage drops on the ground conductor which also mislead amplifiers and other components. Further, the parasitic high frequency current may result in excessive electromagnetic interference because the apparatus acts as a RF transmitter with a resonant frequency defined by the length of the patient cable 24 and the sensor probes.
A possible solution to these problems involves bypassing the common mode voltage source presented by the transformer with a capacitor Cbp, designated 29 in FIG. 1. Ignoring impedance due to parasitic patient capacitance 27 and the radiated energy, the voltage Vgg between the two grounds is defined as: ##EQU1## where Zbp equals 1/(.omega.Cbp) and is the impedance of the bypass capacitor at excitation frequency .omega., Zcomm is the impedance of the transformer's parasitic capacitance at the excitation frequency, and Vcm=n*(Vturn). Hence: ##EQU2##
This relationship indicates that in order to reduce the inter-ground voltage Vgg, the bypass capacitance Cbp must be relatively large. However, as the bypass capacitance increases, the leakage current increases and often rises above acceptable limits. Therefore, another solution is dictated.

Isolation transformer for medical equipment


A method of making a semiconductor device is described. That method comprises forming a copper containing layer on a substrate, introducing a void nucleation site into the copper containing layer, and forming a via that is located a distance removed from where the void nucleation site was introduced into the copper containing layer.

The present invention relates to a method of making semiconductor devices, in particular, devices that include copper damascene interconnects.
When making advanced semiconductor devices, copper interconnects may offer a number of advantages over those made from aluminum. For that reason, copper has become the material of choice for making such devices"" interconnects. As device dimensions shrink so does conductor widthxe2x80x94leading to higher resistance and current density. Increasing current density can increase the rate at which copper atoms are displaced when current passes through a copper conductor. Such electromigration can cause vacancies, which may lead to voids, e.g., at the interface between the copper conductor and a barrier layer that may be formed on the conductor. If a void grows to a size that creates metal separation, e.g., near a via that contacts the conductor, it may cause an open-circuit failure.
One way to prevent electromigration from causing interconnect failure is to limit the amount of current that passes through the conductor. That solution to the electromigration problem is impractical, however, because devices will operate at progressively higher currents, even as they continue to shrink. As an alternative, reliability can be enhanced by doping the interconnectxe2x80x94as adding dopants to the conductor can reduce the rate at which copper diffuses. Doping the interconnect, however, can raise its resistance significantly. To reduce RC delay that is associated with high resistance, it may be necessary to limit dopant concentrationxe2x80x94or dispense with doping altogether, e.g., when forming high speed conductors. When low level doping is required to limit conductor resistance, the electromigration mitigating impact that such doping provides is reduced.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved process for making a semiconductor device that includes copper interconnects. There is a need for such a process that reduces electromigration without significantly raising conductor resistance. The method of the present invention provides such a process.

Method of making a semiconductor device that has copper damascene interconnects with enhanced electromigration reliability


Articles containing a matrix material and plurality of copper nanoparticles in the matrix material that have been at least partially fused together are described. The copper nanoparticles are less than about 20 nm in size. Copper nanoparticles of this size become fused together at temperatures and pressures that are much lower than that of bulk copper. In general, the fusion temperatures decrease with increasing applied pressure and lowering of the size of the copper nanoparticles. The size of the copper nanoparticles can be varied by adjusting reaction conditions including, for example, surfactant systems, addition rates, and temperatures. Copper nanoparticles that have been at least partially fused together can form a thermally conductive percolation pathway in the matrix material.

Nanoparticles can exhibit physical and chemical properties that sometimes differ significantly from those observed in the bulk material. This is particularly true for copper nanoparticles, which can exhibit a significantly reduced melting point relative to that of bulk copper. In particular, copper nanoparticles having a narrow size range and nanoparticle sizes of less than about 20 nm fuse together at much lower temperatures and pressures than do larger copper nanoparticles or bulk copper.
Although copper nanoparticles are of significant interest due, inter alia, to the widespread industrial use of bulk copper, the formation of monodisperse copper nanoparticles remains synthetically challenging. Copper nanoparticles having a narrow size range that are less than about 20 nm in size have been particularly difficult to synthesize. Solution-based chemical reduction methods have typically produced nanoparticles having irregular shape, wide size ranges, and/or nanoparticle sizes that are much larger than 20 nm. Furthermore, many methods for synthesizing copper nanoparticles are not readily amenable to scale up.
Only a limited number of scalable processes are available for producing monodisperse copper nanoparticles having small nanoparticle sizes. One readily scalable procedure for synthesizing copper nanoparticles having nanoparticle sizes below about 20 nm, more particularly below about 10 nm, involves heating a copper salt solution, a bidentate diamine (e.g., a N,N′-dialkylethylenediamine), and one or more C6-C18 alkylamines. Copper nanoparticles produced by this method have a fusion temperature of less than about 200° C., with the fusion temperature decreasing as a function of nanoparticle size. Copper nanoparticles in this size range have also been produced by the reduction of a copper salt in the presence of ascorbic acid. Although copper nanoparticles in this size range can be isolated, characterized and utilized, they do have a somewhat limited shelf life. Further, rapid oxidation of copper can take place if the copper nanoparticles are incompletely fused after heating.
In view of the foregoing, facile utilization of copper nanoparticles having nanoparticle sizes of less than about 20 nm would be of substantial benefit in the art. The present invention satisfies this need and provides related advantages as well.

Articles containing copper nanoparticles and methods for production and use thereof


An improved laryngoscope and its method of use are disclosed herein. The laryngoscope includes a handle and a blade wherein the blade includes a tip portion at its distal end which is positioned in a specific location relative to the rest of the blade when the blade and handle are positioned in their normal, operative downwardly directed position. In a method of using the laryngoscope as disclosed herein, the downwardly directed tip portion of the blade remains adjacent an endotracheal tube which follows a given path upon emerging at the distal end of the blade.

The present invention relates generally to a laryngoscope, and more particularly to a laryngoscope including a blade which is upwardly curved and includes a downwardly directed tip portion for use in intubating a patient with a flexible endotracheal tube.
The use of a laryngoscope for the intubation of a patient, as well as its use in other procedures, is well known in the art. FIG. 1 illustrates one typical prior art laryngoscope, generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Laryngoscope 10 is shown in its normal operative downwardly directed position and includes a handle 12 extending upward (to be held by the operator) and an upwardly curved tubular blade 14 which are disengagably connectable with one another. Blade 14 includes a proximate end 16 and a distal end 18. Distal end 18 includes a tip portion 20 which forms the leading end of the blade. The blade also includes a tube passage (not shown) which extends from the proximate end to the distal end of the blade. The tube passage has an entrance opening 24 at the uppermost end of the blade and an exit opening 26 at the distal end of the blade. A light source (not shown) located in the handle provides light to a proximate end 28 of a fiber optic lighting member 30 carried by blade 14. Light received by fiber optic member 30 is transmitted to its distal end 32 to illuminate tip portion 20 of the blade and the anatomy of a patient (not shown) adjacent the tip portion when the laryngoscope is in actual use. A fiber optic viewing member 34 including an end 36 cooperates with the lighting member to provide for remote viewing at the tip portion using an eyepiece 38.
Still referring to FIG. 1, an endotracheal tube 40 is shown inserted through entrance 24 and on through the tube passage provided by the blade such that a leading end 40a of the tube extends outwardly from exit opening 26. The upward curvature of the blade near distal end 18 is specifically provided to best cooperate with the pharyngeal passage of a typical patient. This curvature, as illustrated, is generally approximately circular and is carried through tip portion 20 of the blade.
While the prior art laryngoscope, as depicted in FIGS. 1, is generally satisfactory for its intended purpose, there is a particular aspect of the instrument, as shown and described above, which may be improved upon in accordance with the present invention, as will be discussed below.
Referring once again to FIG. 1, it should be noted that endotracheal tube 40 is flexible in order to pass through the curved laryngoscope blade and in its relaxed state the tube maintains a radius of curvature which is greater than that of the distal end curve of the blade. Therefore, leading end 40a of the tube tends to follow a path upon emerging from tube passage 26 at the distal end of the blade which follows its own larger radius of curvature rather than the smaller curvature of the distal end. As a result, as leading end 40a emerges from distal end 18, it separates from tip portion 20 rather than hugging up against it, thereby defining an acute angle A therebetween. This downward curvature is caused in part by gravity along with the natural tendency of the somewhat resilient tube to want to bend back to its larger radius of curvature. A space 46 is thereby formed between the tube and adjacent tip 20 of the blade as defined by acute angle A. This separation at space 46 can lead to problems in an intubation procedure, which will be described immediately below.
A first problem resulting from the divergence or spacing between the tube and the tip portion occurs with regard to lighting member 30 and viewing member 34. Distal end 32 of the lighting member is fixedly attached to the blade and aimed to illuminate an area along tip portion 20. Similarly, end 36 of the viewing member is also fixedly aimed along the tip portion. In most cases, since the field of view through a fiber optic member is limited, leading end 40a of the tube will move out of the field of view of the viewing member or out of the area which is illuminated by the lighting member as the tube diverges from the tip portion in a downward direction. The benefit of the viewing member is thus lost at the critical point of the intubation procedure when it is desired to place the tube into the trachea.
If the spacing between leading end 40a of the tube and tip portion 20 is sufficiently great, in order to compensate for the spacing, the health care practitioner may have to manipulate the end of the blade in certain ways in order to properly align the tube with the patient's trachea.
As will be seen hereinafter, the present invention provides a solution for the problems caused by the emerging leading end of the tube diverging from the tip portion of the blade.

Laryngoscope including an upwardly curved blade having a downwardly directed tip portion


This multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (1) is provided with an EGR device (30) containing an EGR cooler (27), a valve overlap period in which valve opening periods of intake valves (20) and exhaust valves (21) overlap one another is set, and the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (1) has four cylinders (2). The multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (1) comprises: four exhaust side branch conduits (15), one provided for each of the cylinders (2); a storage tank (31) configured to store condensed water (CW) generated by the EGR cooler (27); and four condensed water introduction conduits (33), one provided for each of the exhaust side branch conduits (15) and communicating the exhaust side branch conduit (15) with the storage tank (31).

An internal combustion engine is per se known in which condensed water generated by the EGR cooler is stored, and this stored condensed water is injected into the intake passage (refer to Patent Document #1). Apart from the above, it may be considered that Patent Document #2 in the Citation List below may have some relevance to the present invention.

Multi-cylinder internal combustion engine


A method for producing piezoelectric ceramics of a Pb(Sn.sub..alpha. Sb.sub.1-.alpha.)O.sub.3 -PbTiO.sub.3 -PbZrO.sub.3 system is disclosed which comprises providing a piezoelectric ceramic composition expressed by the general formula: EQU xPb(Sn.sub..alpha. Sb.sub.1-.alpha.)O.sub.3 -yPbTiO.sub.3 - zPbZrO.sub.3. wherein subscripts .alpha., x and y are mole fractions of the respective components and have the following values, x+y+z= 1.00, 1/4.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.3/4, said composition falling within a polygonal area defined by points A, B, C, D and E in FIG. 3, forming powder of the composition into forming bodies, and firing the forming bodies in an oxygen atmosphere containing not less than 80 vol % of oxygen. The firing in the oxygen atmosphere is effected at a temperature not less than 1000.degree. C. A part of lead in the composition may be replaced with not more than 20 atomic percent of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ba, Ca, Sr and Cd. The composition may contain a small amount of Mn, Mg and/or Cr. Fine dense ceramics with low porosity, small average size and fine grain size are produced which can be applied to various electronic parts.

The present invention relates to a method for producing piezoelectric ceramics and, more particularly, to a method for producing piezoelectric ceramics of a system Pb(Sn.sub..alpha. Sb.sub.1-.alpha.)O.sub.3 -PbTiO.sub.3 -PbZrO.sub.3 with .alpha. ranging from 1/4 to 3/4.
There are piezoelectric ceramics of a barium titanate system (BaTiO.sub.3), or lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr,Ti)O.sub.3) system, or lead titanate (PbTiO.sub.3) system which are now being manufactured and used in the electronic fields as electronic parts such as acoustic surface wave elements including acoustic surface wave filters, acoustic surface wave delay lines and acoustic surface wave discriminators; ceramic filters; ceramic resonators; ceramic vibrators; piezoelectric ignition elements; or piezoelectric ceramic transformers.
Such piezoelectric ceramics have generally been manufactured in the following processes: Weighing--Wet-Mixing--Drying--Calcination--Wet-Crushing (with binder)--Drying--Granulation--Forming--Firing. The most important process affecting the quality of the final products is firing which is effected in air. In order to prevent the evaporation of lead oxide from the composition during firing, it is the usual practice to fire forming bodies in a closed saggar made of a material which is unreactive to PbO and has no permeability of PbO, such as alumina or magnesia. In addition, PbO powder or mixed powder of PbO and ZrO.sub.2 is put in the sagger to form a lead oxide atmosphere surrounding the forming bodies.
However, the piezoelectric ceramics produced by the above normal air sintering method have relatively high porosity, large average pore size ranging from 5 to 15 microns. Because of their relatively high porosity and large average pore size, their regular use is impossible for some specific applications. For example, when a ceramic material is applied to acoustic surface wave filters having a general construction of FIG. 1 and comprising a piezoelectric ceramic substrate 1 and interdigital electrodes 2 and 3 formed thereon, the porosity and pore size must be small as much as possible since the width a of the electrodes decreases with the increase of operating frequencies of the filters. Assuming that the acoustic surface wave velocity is 2400 m/sec, a filter designed to be operated at a frequency of 58 MHz is required to have interdigital electrodes with a width a of about 10 microns since the wave length is about 41 microns. When split electrodes 4 shown in FIG. 1 are used to restrain the Triple transit Echo (Ref: PROPERTIES OF SPLIT-CONNECTED AND SPLIT-ISOLATED MULTISTRIP COUPLER, A. J. Devris et al. "1975 Ultrasonics Symposium Proceedings" IEEE cat. #75 CHO 994-4SU), they are required to have a width 4a of about 5 microns. Accordingly, if the piezoelectric ceramics used have high porosity, or if the pores connected to the surface of the ceramics are larger than 2 microns, the pores would cause the disconnection of the electrodes, in particular the split electrodes 4, thus making it difficult to produce acoustic surface wave filters for very high frequency applications.
When the piezoelectric ceramics with high porosity are applied to ceramic vibrators, ceramic filters, and the like, it is impossible to obtain the products with high quality because of the low strength of the ceramics. In the vibrators, it is the usual practice to apply a high voltage to obtain large amplitudes of the vibration. In this case, if the ceramics have a strain strength lower than the strain stress which occurs due to the vibration of the ceramics, it results in the breakdown of the ceramics.
In addition, in preparing miniaturized, ladder type filters which comprises a pair of resonators (a) and (b) as shown in FIG. 2, it is the usual practice to reduce the thickness of ceramic bodies for the 1st or 2nd resonator (a) or (b) to make the capacitance ratio between them large. Since, in the ladder type filters, there is a regular relation between the thickness and the mechanical strength of the ceramics, the ceramics with low strength make it difficult to keep the highest quality level of the product. In the resonators for high temperature applications, designed to be operated at temperatures ranging from 100.degree. to 200.degree. C., it is necessary to use ceramics with high thermal shock resistance in addition to the high strength. In this case, the pores present in the ceramics lead to serious problems. In the thickness expansion mode filters, its center frequency is inverse to the thickness of the ceramics so that the strength of ceramics has great influence on the quality of the product used in high frequencies. The most critical factors affecting on the strain strength and thermal shock resistance are the grain size and porosity, so that it is necessary to use ceramic materials with fine grain size and low porosity.
As a method for the fabrication of piezoelectric ceramics with low porosity, there have been proposed a hotpressing method and a hot-isostatic pressing method. However, both the methods have not been developed for mass-production, resulting in the considerable rise of manufacturing cost.
In addition to the above processes, there is a few specific processes using oxygen atmosphere sintering technique. For example, Gray S. Snow reported high-lead-oxide atmosphere sintering technique for producing transparent electrooptic lanthanum modified lead zirconate titanate ceramics, which is disclosed in "Fabrication of Transparent Electrooptic PLZT Ceramics by Atmosphere Sintering" (Journal of The American Ceramic Society, 56 (2) 91-96 (1973)). In this process, forming bodies of chemically prepared PLZT powder with excess PbO are sintered in an atmosphere containing oxygen and a very high partial pressure of lead oxide. The excess PbO is present as a liquid phase at the grain boundaries of the forming bodies at the sintering temperature, and this liquid phase enhances densification and pore removal by promoting mass transport along the grain boundaries to the pores. Although this process makes it possible to produce PLZT ceramics with low porosity, it has a serious disadvantage such that very large pores remain in the sintered ceramics because of the coalescence of small pores into large ones.
As described above, various attempts have been made to produce lead-containing piezoelectric ceramics with low porosity together with small grain size, but fully satisfactory results are not yet obtained.

Method for producing piezoelectric ceramics


A cartridge tape drive for use with a tape cartridge includes a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the tape cartridge and a control device responsive to the temperature sensor for automatically adjusting the speed of the tape when a temperature threshold value is realized. The cartridge tape drive includes a housing including an opening dimensioned to receive the cartridge and a device for supporting the cartridge within the housing, a magnetic head within the housing, a driver for moving the cartridge in operative engagement with the magnetic head, a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the cartridge when the cartridge is in operative engagement with the magnetic head, and a control device responsive to the temperature sensor for automatically adjusting the speed of the tape when a temperature threshold value is realized.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cartridge tape drives, and more particularly to adjusting the speed of tape to optimize operation of cartridge tape drives.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Magnetic tape storage devices are commonly used for the storage of large amounts of digital data because they provide an economical and reliable means for temporary and permanent storage. Because magnetic tape systems inherently rely on sequential recording, access times are substantially longer than other modern storage devices, but at the same time the danger of catastrophic failure is virtually absent. Thus it has become common practice to utilize tape systems as data backup for floppy disk and hard disk files, typically by reading out the entire contents of a random access memory system at the end of the day or other operating period, and retaining this data in storage until the next backup date or time. Where the volume of data is limited, one tape system and tape reel or cartridge may suffice, but where the data base is much larger, many reels or cartridges may be needed.
Tape drive systems have evolved over the past with technical improvements that have resulted in substantial increases in capacity accompanied by significant decreases in size. The cartridge (also called a cassette) used for these applications is very small, the standard cassette being 3.25" inches by 2.5" inches by 0.5" inches, with a nominal tape width of 0.25" inch. Both the data capacity and transfer rate for tape cartridges has increased over the years. For example, the Travan minicartridge, model TR-4, manufactured by Imation Corporation of St. Paul, Minn., has a data storage capacity of 4.0 gigabytes (GB)(uncompressed data) at a sustained transfer rate of 783 kilobytes-per-second (Kbps) when the tape is run at 120 inches per second (ips). Tape cartridges are expected to store 15 or more GB of uncompressed data in the near future.
Despite the technical improvements in tape drive systems including data cartridges, the data transfer rate is limited by the amount of heat which is generated by the cartridge when the tape is operated at its maximum speed of 120 ips. In particular, when the cartridge tape is operated at a relatively high speed for a period of time, such as at 120 ips for half an hour, a substantial amount of heat, due to friction between the components within the cartridge, is developed. After a period of time, such as when the cartridge is run at 120 ips for half an hour, the tape exceeds its safe operating temperature range. The heat must be dissipated to preclude malfunction of the cartridge tape and prevent degradation of the data being transferred.
In an attempt to overcome the above problem, the cartridge tape is commonly run at a slower speed than the specified maximum speed of 120 ips. In many cases, the tape is run at a speed of 90 ips or less. At this lower speed, overheating problems caused by the rubbing of individual components in the tape cartridge, such as the rollers, are minimized.
The obvious drawback to this approach, however, is that the data transfer rate of the tape is compromised. For example, to utilize a tape backup system efficiently, it is preferred to record the backup data at a high data transfer rate during what would normally be down time for the system, e.g. the time between the close of business one evening and the start of business the next morning.
What is needed therefore is an apparatus and method for minimizing the heat generated by the frictional components within the cartridge while optimizing the data transfer rate.

System and method for adjusting the speed of tape


A power amplifier module includes an output-stage amplifier, a driver-stage amplifier, an input switch, an output switch, an input matching circuit, an inter-stage matching circuit, an output matching circuit, and a control circuit. The input switch selectively connects one of a plurality of input signal paths to an input terminal of the driver-stage amplifier. The output switch selectively connects one of a plurality of output signal paths to an output terminal of the output-stage amplifier. The control circuit controls operations of the driver-stage amplifier and the output-stage amplifier. The input switch, the output switch, and the control circuit are integrated into an IC chip. The control circuit is disposed between the input switch and the output switch.

The present disclosure relates to a power amplifier module. In accordance with high-density mounting of components in mobile communication terminals, such as cellular phones, various components, such as an antenna switch, an input switch, an output switch, a duplexer, a power amplifier, a low-noise amplifier, and a matching circuit, are more likely to be surface-mounted on the same wiring substrate. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-207252 discloses a power amplifier module including a power amplifier, a control circuit, and an output switch mounted therein. The control circuit controls the operation of the power amplifier. The output switch selectively connects one of plural output signal paths to the output terminal of the power amplifier.


Automatic verification of changes in a UML model made based on a change plan using a learning mode and a verification mode. In the learning mode, UML model differences are obtained between the UML model prior to the change and after the change, difference mapping is defined and a mapping metamodel is automatically extracted from the difference mapping. In the verification mode, planned difference mapping is created based on applying the mapping metamodel in the learning mode to a design change plan. Actual difference mapping based on the design change work is created and the planned difference mapping is compared to the actual difference mapping to see if additional changes to the mapping metamodel are needed.

The present invention relates to unified modeling language models (UML), and more specifically to automatic verification of changes in unified modeling language models based on a change plan.
When any change has to be made to a unified modeling language (UML) model, it is necessary to change the UML model in a planned manner in accordance with a predefined schedule, taking into account multiple factors including data model changes and interface change requests.
A user or administrator skimming a list of a large number of changes cannot facilitate verification and determination regarding whether or not the change or changes at issue are the intended changes and have the expected change types, since various changes occur at many locations for compliance with the UML structure. Without verification of the changes, there is considerable risk of failures occurring in subsequent UML-based change development.

Verification of changes in UML model based on change plan

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for treating the surface of aluminum alloys hang a relatively high copper content is provided which includes the steps of removing substantially all of the copper from the surface, contacting the surface with a first solution containing cerium, electrically charging the surface while contacting the surface in an aqueous molybdate solution, and contacting the surface with a second solution containing cerium. The copper is substantially removed from the surface in the first step either by (i) contacting the surface with an acidic chromate solution or by (ii) contacting the surface with an acidic nitrate solution while subjecting the surface to an electric potential. The corrosion-resistant surface resulting from the invention is excellent, consistent and uniform throughout the surface. Surfaces treated by the invention may often be certified for use in salt-water services.

Aluminum-based materials and aluminum-containing composites are known to be relatively resistant to oxidation corrosion. However, such materials are susceptible to pitting corrosion when exposed to acids and halides. For example, aluminums deteriorate rapidly when exposed to sea water. Even aluminum alloys which are only exposed to the atmosphere will deteriorate with time because of pitting corrosion caused by acidic air pollutants and acid rain.
Traditionally, there have been two commonly used methods of increasing the pitting corrosion resistance of aluminum alloys: anodizing and passivation with chromate solutions. Neither of these methods, however, is wholly satisfactory. Anodizing involves a complex and expensive multi-step procedure. Chromate passivation involves a less complex procedure, but does not provide long-term corrosion protection. Chromate passivation, for example, does not provide sufficient pitting corrosion protection to allow aluminum-based materials to be used in marine environments.
Two of us (Mansfeld and Wang) have recently participated in the development of a third method of increasing the pitting corrosion-resistance of aluminums. This third method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,138 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In this third method, aluminum-based materials are first contacted with an aqueous cerium non-halide solution and thereafter contacted with a cerium halide solution. This new process is simpler and less expensive than anodizing methods. It also yields superior results to results obtained from chromate pacification methods.
Unfortunately, neither anodizing, chromate pacification, nor even the new cerium solution treatment works particularly well on aluminum-copper alloys wherein the copper content of the alloy is more than about one percent. These alloys, such as Aluminum Associate alloy types Al 7075 (1.2-2.0% copper) and Al 2024 (3.8-4.9% copper), have become increasingly popular because they possess certain mechanical properties which are superior to other aluminum alloys. Unfortunately, however, they cannot be made substantially resistant to localized corrosion by any known method.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method of increasing the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloys wherein the copper content is greater than about one percent.

Method for creating a corrosion-resistant surface on an aluminum-copper alloy


A plant watering device is disclosed which includes a planter tray having an upper surface for supporting potted plants. The planter tray has a plurality of legs depending downwardly from the upper surface with the upper surface located above a bottom wall of a water container. The water container has an open top, closed side walls and a closed bottom wall which define a reservoir to receive water or water mixed with plant food. The water container includes deep recessed pockets in the bottom wall of the water container positioned to receive and support the legs of the planter tray when the planter tray is in a lower watering position. The water container also includes shallow recessed pockets in the bottom wall of said water container positioned to receive and support the legs of the planter tray when the planter tray is in an upper drainage position. When the planter tray is manually moved to the lower watering position, potted plants supported on the planter tray are partially submersed to allow watering thereof. When the planter tray is manually moved to the upper drainage position, potted plants supported on the planter tray are located completely above the liquid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plant watering device. More specifically, it relates to a watering device having a planter tray manually movable between an upper drainage position and a lower watering position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A variety of watering devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,335 discloses a complex automatic self watering dish garden for plants which includes many separate interlocking pieces. The device relies upon a water absorbing member which extends from the growing medium through the bottom of the tray into the liquid holding reservoir to effectuate watering. U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,048 also utilizes a water transfer element to facilitate watering. U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,666 utilizes tubular metering nozzles for this purpose. U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,784 discloses an automatic plant watering device which has upper and lower containers. A flow regulator is provided for watering and the upper container preferably includes drain holes to allow drainage of excess liquid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,352 discloses a plant container for draining moisture from the soil which includes a main container and a rotatable reservoir. Fluid is allowed to pass from the main container to the reservoir when conduits of the reservoir are aligned with orifices in the main container. By rotating the reservoir tray, fluid can be either drained from the soil or stored in the reservoir tray.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,080 discloses a planter having a self-indexing removable drain dish which catches water which drains from a bottom drain hole of a potted plant. This patent does not provide a means of watering the potter plant from the bottom of the pot. U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,940 discloses a terraced planter which provides separate plant beds in individual compartments. The compartments have bottom holes to allow drainage and the planter preferably provides a drip pan to catch excess water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,800 discloses a growing tray which allows for air-pruning of plant roots. The plant tray has a surrounding edge to hold water above the top of the tray cell or microfeeding holes for self watering.
U.S. design Pat. Nos. D278,076; D278,075; and D259,777 disclose other plant watering and root irrigating systems.
There remains a need for a simple, inexpensive plant watering device which allows for the easy and convenient manual watering of potted plants.