A treatment apparatus and system for treating small batches of waste material from a septic tank or holding tank of a portable restroom service truck. The apparatus includes at least one processing tank capable of holding a small batch of waste material. The processing tank is designed to function as a processing tank in which oxidation of the waste material occurs and as a separation tank in which the oxidized waste material is separated into sludge and waste water. The processing tank has an upper section and a lower hopper section with a discharge pipe attached to the hopper section. Viewing ports are manufactured on the front surface of the processing tank which enables the operator to determine the amount of waste material placed inside the processing tank and to view the oxidation and separation processes occurring therein during treatment. A mixer is also provided which is used to mix the waste material. The system includes the apparatus along with a safe, inexpensive, easy-to-use oxidizing agent, such as sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, and calcium hypochlorite, and a flocculating agent.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention disclosed herein relates to apparatus and systems used to purify and separate liquids and, more particularly, to apparatus and systems used to purify and separate human waste material taken from septic tanks or portable restrooms.
2. Description of the Related Art
Small-scale apparatus and systems used to treat human waste material from household septic tanks or portable restrooms are very desirable. Such apparatus and systems would enable septic tank service companies and portable restroom rental companies to efficiently process relatively small quantities of human waste material.
Septic tank service companies and portable restroom rental companies collect several hundred gallons of human waste material daily from septic tanks and portable restroom units, respectively. Typically, the waste material is temporarily collected and stored in holding tanks and then delivered to a local municipal sewer treatment facility.
Unfortunately, many municipal sewer treatment facilities in operation today will not accept such relatively large volumes of effluent waste material. Because the effluent waste material has relative high "BOD" (biochemical oxygen demand) value, the sudden introduction of large volumes of this material can disrupt the facility's sewer treatment process. Septic tank service companies and portable restroom rental companies, therefore, must find and then transport their waste material considerable distances to facilities which will accept it.
One solution to this problem is for such companies to partially treat the waste material to reduce its "BOD" value making it more accepted to the local municipal sewer treatment facility.
Another solution would be for the septic tank service companies and portable restroom rental companies to recycle a portion of the waste material so that the volume of waste material delivered to the municipal sewer treatment facility is reduced. If such companies could pretreat and then separate the waste material into waste water and sludge, the waste water could then be deposited back into the septic tank or into a nearby sewer line. For portable restroom rental companies, a portion of the waste water could also be used in clean up or reused in the portable restroom unit. For each company, the sludge could be processed "on-site" into top soil or transported to a compost treatment facility.
Today, chemical oxidation is a known method for treating waste material. In chemical oxidation, an oxidizing agent, such as chlorine gas, is dissolved in the waste material which disinfects and chemically oxidizes it. Saylor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,154, discloses a waste material treatment method designed for small communities or factories which uses chemical oxidization. In Saylor, a batch (approximately 85-86,000 gallons) of waste material is pumped into a receiving tank. The pH of the batch of waste material is then adjusted to approximately 7.0 using sodium hydroxide which reportedly reduces noxious odors and increases oxidation of the waste water material. After the pH has been adjusted, the batch of waste material is then transferred to a reactor chamber where pressurized chlorine gas is dissolved therein to oxidize the organic solid material. After the waste material is sufficiently oxidized, it is then transferred to a separation receptacle where the solids are allowed to float to the surface to form sludge. A polymer flocculating agent may be added to the waste material to facilitate the flocculation. The waste water, which is located below the sludge, is then rapidly drained from the separation receptacle leaving the sludge behind.
In spite of the improvements made by the treatment method disclosed in Saylor, it has several drawbacks which prevent it from being used on a smaller scale by septic tank service companies or portable restrooms rental companies. First, as noted above, the treatment method uses sodium hydroxide to raise the pH of the batch of waste material. Not only is sodium hydroxide dangerous to use, but also has been shown to be unnecessary for smaller volumes of waste material, (less than 2,000 gallons). Another drawback with using sodium hydroxide is that it may raise the pH of the waste water to unacceptable levels which make it undesirable for deposit at a municipal sewer treatment facility.
A second drawback with the treatment method disclosed in Saylor is that it uses pressurized chlorine gas to oxidize the organic particles in the waste material. Because chlorine gas is dangerous and requires special equipment and handling procedures, it is not well suited for use by septic tank service or portable restroom rental company personnel. In addition, many jurisdictions have regulations which strictly regulate the shipment, storage, and use of chlorine gas.
A third drawback with the treatment method disclosed in Saylor, is that it requires several large components such as a holding tank, a reactor tank, a separation receptacle, and various pumps, valves, and pipes. Not only are these components expensive to manufacture and operate, but also decrease the portability of tile system. Although Saylor discloses a portable embodiment of the invention, actual transporting these components on a trailer or truck bed is not practical.
A small batch waste material treatment apparatus and system which may be used by septic tank service companies or portable restroom rental companies, which do not have the above mentioned drawbacks would be very desirable.

Small batch waste material treatment apparatus and system


In a bi-frequency infrared spectrometer having a filter wheel rotating in the path of rays, which filter wheel carries two semicircular filters transparent in different spectral ranges, the influence of the radiation from the filters themselves is eliminated in that the filter wheel has an opaque backplate on the side facing the light source, said backplate having one aperture in the area of each filter, which aperture passes through the path of rays. In this way the detector "sees", at first, only the filter with the radiation emanating from the filter itself, and is subsequently exposed to the measuring beam emanating from the light source and passing through the sample cell, when the aperture is being moved through the path of rays. A clamp circuit keeps the output signal zero until shortly before the aperture passes through the measuring beam. The detector signal is integrated by an integrator during a measuring time interval and a reference time interval. In order to eliminate the infuences of inertia and memory effects of the integrator, the detector signal is integrated with reversed sign during a certain time interval before each reference time interval and each measuring time interval. The logarithms of the output signals of the integrator are formed and are transferred to a memory after each reference time interval and each measuring time interval. The integrator is then reset to zero. The difference of the stored signals should then be a measure of the concentration of an element sought, the absorption band of which coincides with the transmission range of one of the filters. In order to get a linear relation between the output signal obtained and the concentration, even if there are deviations from Beer's Law or the measurement is affected by the radiation from instrument parts themselves or the different transmissivities of the filters, adjustable corrective voltages are applied to the integrator, and the signal is applied to the integrator through different resistances during the measuring time interval and during the reference time interval. A filter having a transfer function inverse to the transfer function of the detector is connected to receive the output of the detector.

One problem which presents itself with measurements in the medium to long wavelength infrared is the radiation emanating from the various components of the instrument themselves. An essential contribution to such radiation is due to radiation from the filters themselves. This radiation is also modulated with the filter alternation frequency. It is not restricted to the narrow transmission range of the filters, and as the detector generally responds non-specifically to the total radiation, this spurious signal caused by the radiation of the filters themselves can result in considerable falsification of the measuring signal.
It is an object of the invention to provide a bi-frequency infrared spectrometer wherein the influence of the radiation of the filters themselves is eliminated.
A further object of the invention is to provide a signal evaluation circuit which permits clear separation of alternating measured quantities, the waveforms of which overlap partially.
A further object of the invention is to provide a signal evaluation circuit for a measuring instrument operating in accordance with the bi-frequency method to determine the concentration of a substance in a sample from extinction such that, on one hand, the influence of the radiation and of the different transmissivities of the filters can be compensated for, and, on the other hand, an output signal, which is a linear function of the concentration of the sought substance in the sample is obtained even with deviation from Beer's Law.
In one embodiment of the invention the filters are attached to a carrier so as to face the detector. The carrier has an aperture in the area of each filter. The dimensions of these apertures are smaller than those of the filters. The carrier is arranged to pass with its apertures through the path of the beam of radiation. The beam of radiation alternatingly falls through one and the other aperture and filter onto the detector and is covered, prior to the passage of the beam through an aperture, by the carrier arranged on the side facing the radiation source, while portions of the filter beside the aperture are in said path. A clamp circuit is provided, which is connected to clamp the detector signal to a baseline during the reference window and during the measuring window until shortly before the reference time interval and the measuring time interval, respectively, begin.
With such an arrangement, the detector "sees", at first, the filter surface, which is shielded by the carrier from the radiation source. Therefore the detector signal represents the radiation from the filter itself. This detector signal is clamped to a baseline by the clamp circuit. During the subsequent reference or measuring time intervals, only the variation of the detector signal relative to the detector signal caused by the radiation of the filter will be integrated. Thus a measured value independent of this filter radiation will be obtained.
According to another aspect of the invention, the output signal from the clamp circuit is applied to the integrator directly through a first switch controlled by the programmer, and inverted through a second switch also controlled by the programmer. One switch is closed by the programmer during each reference and measuring time interval, and the other switch is closed during compensation time intervals defined before each reference and measuring time interval. The clamp circuit is arranged to be actuated by the programmer to clamp the detector signal to a baseline before each reference, measuring and compensation time interval. The programmer is arranged to apply the output signal of the integrator or a function, such as the logarithm, of this signal to one memory circuit each, after each reference time interval and after each measuring time interval. The integrator is arranged to be reset to zero by the programmer after each application of the output signal to one of the memory circuits.
The programmer defines a time interval during which one measuring quantity is predominate, and a second time interval, in which the other measuring quantity is predominate. Herein these two time intervals will be called "reference window" and "measuring window". Each measuring quantity is measured by integrating the signal during a reference time interval, which is located within the reference window, and during a measuring time interval, which is located within the measuring window. In the reference window, however, there will be signal components which result from the measuring quantity measured within the measuring window and vice versa. For this reason, prior to the measurement of one of the measuring quantities by integration during the reference time interval, the signal is integrated during a compensation time interval. There is also an integration during a compensation time interval before the measuring time interval. Before each integration interval the detector signal is "clamped" to a baseline by a clamp circuit. The shape of the signal waveform at the detector with a predetermined, for example triangular, waveform of the measuring quantities has always the same character independent of the amplitudes of the measuring quantities. Therefore the integral of the detector signal formed during the compensation time interval has a fixed ratio to the integral, formed during the measuring or reference time interval, of the signal component resulting from the respective other measuring quantity. When, therefore, the gain of application of the detector signal during the compensation time interval and the length of the compensation time interval are selected properly, the influence of one measuring quantity on the measurement of the respective other one and vice versa is eliminated by the integrations carried out with opposite signs.
The signal waveforms at the detector with, for example, triangular waveform of the measuring quantity acting on the detector are rather irregular with conventional detectors, and are different from detector to detector with the same character. Therefore the application of the signals to the integrator during the various time intervals has to be adjusted individually for each detector.
According to a further modification of the invention, provision is made that a filter is connected to receive the output signal of the detector, the transfer function of said filter being inverse to the transfer function of the detector.
Also with such a filter alone separation of the signals might be achieved. If such a filter were used alone, accurate matching of the filter to the characteristics of the respective detector would also be required.
It has, however, been found that with the combination of the circuit described in the beginning with a series connected filter the transfer function of which is inverse to the transfer function of the detector, practicially no adjustment for matching to the specific parameters of the detector is required.
According to a further aspect of the invention an adjustable corrective voltage is superposed on the detector signal at the input of the integrator during the reference time interval and during the measuring time interval. The detector signal is applied to the input of the integrator through two different resistances controlled by a controlled switch. At least one of the above mentioned resistances is adjustable. The controlled switch is controlled by the programmer such that one resistance is effective during the reference time interval, and the other resistance is effective during the measuring time interval. The corrective voltages and the adjustable resistance are adjusted such that a substantially linear relation exists between output signal and concentration taking into account the radiation of components of the instrument itself and the different transmissivities of the filter as well as deviations of the extinction from Beer's Law.
By superposing the adjustable corrective voltages to the reference and measuring signals at the input of the integrator, curvature of the extinction-concentration characteristic can be compensated for, which curvature occurs deviating from Beer's Law. An offset of the zero point is compensated for by varying the ratio of the signals applied from the detector to the input of the integrator. Such variation of the ratio by a constant factor results in a term of a sum after formation of the logarithm, and this term can be selected to ensure that the output signal as function of concentration passes through the coordinate origin, thus the output signal becomes zero, when the concentration is zero.
The same corrective voltages may serve to compensate for the influence of the radiation of components of the instrument itself. The linearization described hereinbefore is achieved by "miss-compensation" of these instrument radiation influences.
In similar manner the adjustment of the adjustable resistance through which one of the signals is applied to the integrator may be used to take the "filter factor" into account. Also here a "miss-compensation" can ensure that the linearized concentration-output signal characteristic passes through the coordinate origin.
An embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.


Disclosed are systems for, and methods of controlling radial energy density profiles in, and/or cross-section dimensioning of electromagnetic beams in polarimeters, ellipsometers, reflectometers and spectrophotometers.

The present invention relates to polarimetry, ellipsometry, reflectometry, spectrophotometry and the like, and more particulalry to systems for, and methods of controlling radial energy density profiles in, and/or cross-sectional dimensioning of electromagnetic beams.
It is well known that polarimeter, ellipsometer and spectrophotometer, (often reflectometers as well), and the like systems generally involve causing an electromagnetic beam to non-destructively impinge upon the surface of a sample system along a locus removed from a normal to said sample system surface. Such oblique angles of incidence, it is noted, cause a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is initially essentially circular in cross-section, to form an essentially elliptically shaped xe2x80x9cspotxe2x80x9d on a sample system surface whereat impingement occurs. Further, it is known that electromagnetic beams provided by typically available sources thereof, generally do not present with radially uniform energy density, but instead have a peak energy density centrally located, which decreases radially. In addition, it has been determined that often said energy density does not decrease in a simple manner such as, for instance, linearly or as a square of increasing radius all the way to zero, but rather upon so decreasing to approximately ten percent (10%) of maximum, xe2x80x9coscilationsxe2x80x9d as a function of increasing radius occur, much like those seen in the Fourier Transform of a Square Wave. It is noted that the presence of said xe2x80x9coscillationsxe2x80x9d cause trouble in analysis of ellipsometric data obtained via use of electromagnetic beams which contain them.
While it is also known to apply optical elements, (eg. lenses), which have spherical and aspherical surfaces, (but characterized by radial symmetry), in reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter, ellipsometer and the like systems, said optical elements generally do not serve specifically to change a spot shape, where an electromagnetic beam impinges on a sample system surface, to substantially circular. It is also known to apply optical elements with other than radial symetry in ellipsometer systems, however, typical application thereof is to enter compensation for various aberational effect. An example of this is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,526 to Piwonka-Corle et al.
Additional known Patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,424 to Norton et al. which discloses use of an apodizing filter used to reeuce spot size in optical measurements. U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,842 to Piwonka-Corle et al. is disclosed as it describes application of an elliptically shaped mirror in an ellipsometer system, which elliptically shaped mirror is applied to reduce off-axis aberations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,594 to Norton describes application of spherical mirrors in spectroscopic measurement systems. U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,984 to Lee et al. describes application of an off-axis paraboloid mirror in a system for measuring properties of a sample.
A Patent to Burghardt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,559 is also disclosed as it describes a device for homogenizing a light beam. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,521 to Kahlert et al. is disclosed as it describes optical apparatus for homogenizing electromagentic beams which comprises cylindrical lenses.
Utility would be inherrant in a system, and method of its application which would tailor electromagnetic beams so that they present with substantially radially uniform energy density, and/or which would cause a spot at the surface of a sample system whereupon impingement thereof occurs, to be essentially circular.
A need is identified for systems and methods which provide electromagnetic beams in polarimeter, ellipsometer, reflectometer, spectrophotometer and the like systems that present with essentially radially uniform energy density content and/or other than essentially circular cross-sectional shape before they impinge on a sample system surface.
The present invention can be considered to, in the context of application in reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter and ellipsometer and the like systems, variously apply or combine and apply selections from the group:
means for effecting cross-sectional, substantially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams; and
means for effecting desired electromagnetic beam spot shape whereat impingement upon a surface of a sample system occurs.
The means for effecting cross-sectional, substantially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams comprises a sequential combination of a beam expander, a first beam collimator, at least one multi-faceted optical element, a beam condenser and a second beam collimator. Multi-faceted elements can be considered to be comprised of a plurality of small lenses or, for instance, can be constructed from a plurality of half circular, (in cross-section), longitudinal elements aligned parallel to one another; directly adjacent to a second plurality of half circular, (in cross-section), longitudinal elements aligned parallel to one another, wherein the longitudinal orientations of the first and second plurality of half circular, (in cross-section), longitudinal elements are oriented other than parallel, (eg. at an angle of 90 degrees), to one another.
In use an electromagnetic beam with an arbitrary cross-sectional energy density profile is caused to enter said beam expander which serves to expand the beam diameter, then said expanded diameter beam is collimated and caused pass through said at least one multi-faceted optical element which can be thought of as serving to form a multiplicity of spatially separated images of portions of said expanded beam. The beam condensor next serves to focus said spatially separated images atop one another, with the second beam collimator then serving to provide an electromagnetic beam of more uniform radial energy density than was demonstrated by the input beam. A plurality of such multi-faceted optical elements can be sequentially present adjacent to one another to provide further improved uniform radial energy density. And, it is to be understood, where a plurality of multi-faceted optical elements are present, to reduce dispersion effects, they can be constructed of different materials, which different materials which have different wavelength transmission characteristics, and/or specularly dependent indicies of refraction.
The means for effecting desired electromagnetic beam spot shape, whereat impingement on a surface of a sample system occurs, can comprise selection from the group:
lenses which present with non-radial symmetry, (eg. astigmatic/toroidal lenses);
focusing mirrors with non-radial symetry, (eg. parabolic mirrors); and
apertrues with non-radial symetry:
where the terminology xe2x80x9cnon-radial symetryxe2x80x9d is to be interpreted to mean, for instance, that a xe2x80x9cwidth-wisexe2x80x9d dimension is different from an orthogonally oriented xe2x80x9clength-wisexe2x80x9d dimension. That is there is an aspect ratio offset from 1.0. Application of non-radial symetry optical elements can result in a circular cross-section electromagnetic beam becomming shaped into an elliptical beam of electromagnetic radiation. The purpose of this is to, in combination with a xe2x80x9clength-wisexe2x80x9d elongating effect on the beam, which results from its non-normal oblique angle of incidence on the surface of a sample system, result in an essentially circular beam spot shape at the location where it impinges on the surface of said sample system.
Of course, it is within the scope of the present invention to combine the effects of non-radial symetry aperture and/or non-radial symetry lenses and/or non-radial symetry focusing mirrors to effect essentially circular beam spot shape at the location whereat impingement on the surface of a sample system occurs. Further, any of the identified beam shaping optical elements can be combined with the means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams, and such combinations provide a preferred embodiment.
More precisely the present invention is then a reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter or ellipsometer system for application in non-destructive investigation of sample systems, comprising:
source of electromagnetic radiation,
means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams, said means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams comprising a sequential combination of:
beam expander;
first beam collimator;
at least one multi-faceted optical element;
beam condenser; and
second beam collimator;
stage for supporting a sample system, and
detector;
such that in use electromagnetic radiation of arbitrary cross-sectional radial energy density is provided by said source of electromagnetic radiation and is caused to pass through said means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams such that a beam of substantially radially uniform energy density is output therefrom, is caused to interact with a sample system placed on said stage for supporting a sample system, and then enter said detector. The present invention reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter or ellipsometer system can also comprise at least one selection from the group consisting of:
lens which presents with non-radial symmetry;
focusing mirror with non-radial symetry; and
apertrues with non-radial symetry:
positioned between said means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams, and said stage for supporting a sample system; such that said beam of electromagnetic radiation which impinges on said sample system, first interacts therewith to the end that an essentially circular shaped spot is effected upon the surface of aid sample system.
Additionally, the present invention system can comprise, a reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter or ellipsometer system for application in non-destructive investigation of sample systems which sequentially comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation, an optical element which demonstrates non-radial symetry, a stage for supporting a sample system, and a detector, such that a beam of electromagnetic radiation provided by said source of electromagnetic radiation is caused to interact with said optical element which demonstrates non-radial symetry and then impinge on a surface of a sample system placed on said stage for supporting a sample system, thereat forming an essentially circular spot, said beam of electromagnetic radiation then being caused to enter said detector. Said optical element can be a lens which presents with non-radial symmetry; a focusing mirror with non-radial symetry; and apertrues with non-radial symetry.
The reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter or ellipsometer system can further comprise a polarizer between said means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams, and said stage for supporting a sample system, the purpose thereof being to cause a state of polarization on a beam of electromagnetic radiation caused to pass therethrough. Further, where a polarizer is included, an analyzer is typically included between the stage for supporting a sample system and the detector.
A present invention method of non-destructively analyzing a sample system in a reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter or ellipsometer system comprises:
a. providing a reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter or ellipsometer system as described;
b. placing a sample system on said stage for supporting a sample system;
c. causing said source of electromagnetic radiation to perform at least one selection from the group:
a. provide a beam of electromagnetic radiation of arbitrary cross-sectional radial energy density and causing it to pass through said means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams such that a beam of substantially radially uniform energy density is output therefrom, is caused to impinge at an oblique angle upon, and interact with a sample system placed on said stage for supporting a sample system, and then enter said detector; or
b. provide a beam of electromagnetic radiation provided by said source of electromagnetic radiation is caused to interact with optical element(s) which demonstrates non-radial symetry and then impinge on a surface of a sample system placed on said stage for supporting a sample system, thereat forming an essentially circular spot, said beam of electromagnetic radiation then being caused to enter said detector, said optical element(s) being a lens which presents with non-radial symmetry and/or a focusing mirror with non-radial symetry and/or apertrues with non-radial symetry.
The present invention will be better understood by reference to the Detailed Description of the Invention Section of this Specification, in conjunction with the Drawings.
It is therefore a primary objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach, in the context of reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter, ellipsometer and the like systems, application of means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams.
It is another objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach, in the context of reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter, ellipsometer and the like systems, application of optical element(s) which demonstrate non-radial symetry, for the purpose of causing a beam of electromagnetic radiation to form an essentially circular shaped spot upon the surface of a sample system, whereupon it impinges.
It is yet another objective and/or purpose of the present invention to teach, in the context of reflectometer, spectrophotometer, polarimeter, ellipsometer and the like systems, application of means for effecting cross-sectional, essentially radially uniform energy density in electromagnetic beams, in functional combination with application of optical element(s) which demonstrates non-radial symmetry, for the purpose of causing a beam of electromagnetic radiation to form an essentially circular shaped spot upon the surface of a sample system, whereupon it impinges.
Other objectives and/or purposes of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the Specification and Claims.

System and method of improving electromagnetic radiation beam characteristics in ellipsometer and the like systems


A spinning ornamental incandescent bulb cover has a shade portion and a spinning turbine vane portion formed from a single flat sheet of flexible material. Convective air currents, generated by the heat of the bulb, are passed over the turbine vanes to rotate the entire shade. No internal or external support frame structure is required for the shade or the turbine vanes. The turbine vanes meet at a common central point at which there is located a downwardly directed needle which rides in a bearing to allow rotation. The bearing is provided by a small cup held by a spring which engages the bulb. The needle point support also provides for automatic vertical alignment of the shade regardless of the orientation of the needle. The overall shape of the shade is frustoconical so as to converge the convective air currents and increase their velocity relative to the turbine vanes. The turbine vanes have a varying angle of attack in the radial direction for increased efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a moving ornament. More specifically, it relates to a rotating ornament suitable for mounting on an electric light bulb. The ornament is rotated by the heat energy normally wasted by the associated light bulb. This heat energy warms the air surrounding the bulb and creates convective air currents in a well known manner. My invention utilizes these air currents to spin a decorative lamp shade. The broad fields of architecture and advertising are seen as having potential applications for this improved ornament invention, as well as the more obvious field of consumer holiday decoration.
Thus it can be seen that the potential fields of use for this invention are myriad and the particular preferred embodiment described herein is in no way meant to limit the use of the invention to the particular field chosen for exposition of the details of the invention.
A comprehensive listing of all the possible fields to which this invention may be applied is limited only by the imagination and is therefore not provided herein. Some of the more obvious applications are mentioned herein in the interest of providing a full and complete disclosure of the unique properties of this previously unknown general purpose article of manufacture. It is to be understood from the outset that the scope of this invention is not limited to these fields or to the specific examples of potential uses presented hereinafter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices for providing decorative lighting and lamp shades are old and well known in the art. The integration of movement into such lighting is also common. Phased multiple light advertising signs are examples of creating the appearance of movement in a lighted device without actually moving anything. Some startling and dramatic displays have been built using phased multiple neon tubing. Many examples of lamp shades may be found in which a static decorative ornamental appearance may be imbued upon a bare light bulb. However, the examples of providing dynamic lighting features by the provision of a moving lamp shade are rare although some moving lamp shades have been developed. In accordance with conventional terminology, the term lamp shade used herein may be taken to mean any transparent, translucent, or opaque material arranged between the eyes of a viewer and a light source so as to provide a change in the perceived light. The following known prior art has been directed to providing some sort of moving display which is associated with a light source. As will be seen, improvements and effectiveness of my invention are not rivaled in the prior art.
U.K. Pat. No. 527,240, dated Oct. 4, 1940, the applicants being Platers & Stampers, Ltd., describes a shade suitable for mounting on a lamp bulb and being convection driven while mounted thereon. The shade is balanced upon a stationary pin projecting upwardly from the bulb. By contrast, in my invention, the pin is part of the shade, and projects downwardly to be seated in a bearing. The novel arrangement both changes dynamic performance characteristics of the shade and also has safety implications related to the retracted location of the sharp pin.
The subject device of the U.K. patent also engages the light bulb in a manner which tends to insulate the engaged portion of the bulb. Ensuing concentration of heat may affect the life of the support, which is paper or an equivalent material. By contrast, the present invention is designed to engage the bulb more effectively with no more contact area. Whereas the support of the U.K. device surrounds the entire upper part of the bulb, the novel device partially surrounds a light bulb by coiling a wire around the bulb.
A significant degree of support is derived from coils spaced apart from adjacent coils. There is less insulating effect possible with the novel device, and consequently potentially less heat build up to reduce the life of the device. The coiled wire also enables a bearing to be readily installed and removed. This enables both ready insertion of the bearing during initial assembly and replacement, if the latter should be desired. A comparable bearing in the U.K. device is much harder to replace.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,435,201, issued to Kemenczky on Mar. 25, 1969, shows a heat-rotated illuminated ornament. The ornament requires a special incandescent bulb shield with a bearing dimple formed therein for its operation, or alternatively, requires that a comparable dimple be formed in an external support mounted to the bulb. In addition, the Kemenczky device requires this external support frame to maintain verticality. By contrast, the device of the instant invention is immediately attachable to a variety of commonly existing bulbs and requires no external support frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,353, issued to John P. Quinn on Aug. 2 1966, describes a rotatable lamp shade propelled by convective currents. Quinn's rotatable member is supported on an upwardly directed pin formed integrally with a wire having a coiled section for engaging the bulb of a lamp. By contrast, the present invention anchors a member corresponding to the pin in the rotated member, and downwardly oriented, so that it is partially obscured within the rotated member.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,511,394, issued to Wynnyk on Jun. 13, 1950, shows a decorative attachment for a lamp shade. The attachment is made to rotate by convective heat currents created by a light bulb similar to my device. However, my device forms the actual lamp shade and not a superficial attachment in addition to a lamp shade as is taught by Wynnyk. This seemingly insignificant difference leads to major structural and esthetic advantages for my arrangement which will be more fully developed later. In addition, the Wynnyk device requires an external support frame around the outside of the rotating structure. By contrast, my device requires no external support frame.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a first electrode electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type provided on the first semiconductor layer; a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type selectively provided on the second semiconductor layer; a second electrode electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer; a third electrode and a floating electrode provided from an upper surface side of the third semiconductor layer through the third semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer to the first semiconductor layer via a first insulating film; a second insulating film provided between the second electrode and the third electrode, the second electrode and the floating electrode.

MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) are used for switching power supplies operating at high current and high breakdown voltage. Furthermore, the demand for the MOSFETs has been rapidly increasing in the market for energy-saving switching power supplies used in, for example, mobile communication devices such as notebook personal computers. The MOSFETs are used in a power management circuit and a safety circuit for a lithium-ion battery. The MOSFETs are designed so as to have at lower driving voltage, lower on-resistance and higher breakdown voltage so that it can be directly driven by battery voltage.
These devices are desired to switch using inductive load in consideration of motor control devices. Avalanche breakdown may occur in the MOSFETs, when a surge voltage generated by an induced electromotive force exceeds the breakdown voltage of the MOSFETs during switch-off. For example, it is known to solve this problem that an active clamp circuit which has a diode connected between a gate and a drain with higher breakdown voltage than that of the MOSFETs. If drain voltage of the MOSFETs increases over breakdown voltage of the diode, the diode is broken down before the avalanche breakdown in the MOSFETs occurs during switch-off. This breakdown increases a gate voltage of the MOSFETs and forms a channel.


A desktop security locking station for a laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral including a box-shaped platform having open forward and rearward compartments; a clamping mechanism coupled to a forward extent of the platform for securing the platform to a recipient object and being securable and releasable by access through the forward compartment only; a base plate disposed over the rearward compartment and coupled to the platform for holding a laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral thereupon; a ratcheting grip assembly mechanism disposed within the platform for holding a laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral in a fixed position and being securable and releasable by access through the forward compartment only; and a lockable door coupled to the platform and closable over the forward compartment to preclude access to the clamping and the ratcheting grip assembly mechanisms, thereby precluding the laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral from being released.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a desktop security locking station for a laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral and more particularly pertains to preventing a laptop computer or a computer peripheral from being moved by an unauthorized person and thereby deterring its theft with a desktop security locking station.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of computer and computer peripheral locking devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, computer and computer peripheral locking devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of preventing theft of computer equipment are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,456 to Moore et al. discloses a security locking bracket apparatus for a portable computer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,319 to Holley et al. discloses a desktop computer locking assembly. U.S. Pat. 5,264,986 to Ohgami et al. discloses an electronic apparatus equipped with detachable unit having retaining members, interlock, and locking cover plate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,263 to Singer et al. discloses a rack and pinion retaining and release device for removable computer components. U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,752 to Myers et al. discloses a computer equipment lock.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a desktop security locking station for a laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral that allows a laptop computer or other similarly sized computer peripheral to be held in a fixed position on a desk or work station, thereby precluding its theft.
In this respect, the desktop security locking station for a laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of preventing a laptop computer or a computer peripheral from being moved by an unauthorized person and thereby deterring its theft.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved desktop security locking station for a laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral which can be used for preventing a laptop computer or a computer peripheral from being moved by an unauthorized person and thereby deterring its theft. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

Desktop security locking station for a laptop computer or similarly sized computer peripheral


A stable reticulocyte reference control which may be used with both manual and flow cytometric reticulocyte counting devices is provided. The reference control contains erythrocytes loaded with nucleic acids or polyanions capable of binding with a cationic dye. The loaded erythrocytes are suspended in an aqueous preserving medium. Methods of making and using the reticulocyte reference control are also provided.

Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (or RBCs) containing residual cytoplasmic ribosomes which are formed when developing red blood cells extrude their nuclei into the bone marrow under normal hemopoietic conditions. These cells spend two to three days in bone marrow prior to being released into the peripheral blood circulation and one to two days in circulation before losing their ribonucleic acid (RNA) content and reaching maturity. The reticulocyte population in the peripheral blood is approximately 1% of the total erythrocyte population in normal subjects, and the majority of the reticulocytes are of mature form. The hormone erythropoietin, which stimulates and regulates erythrocyte production, is responsible for the release of the reticulocytes from the bone marrow. Young reticulocytes contain larger quantities of RNA, and this characteristic can be employed to distinguish mature and immature reticulocytes.
Reticulocyte counting is a valuable blood test, and it is very widely done. The number of reticulocytes in peripheral blood circulation is used to study and evaluate erythropoietic activity of bone marrow. Subjects with suppressed bone marrow activity, e.g., those patients undergoing chemotherapy, exhibit a lower reticulocyte percentage and a higher mature reticulocyte population. Conversely, those patients with stimulated bone marrow function, such as individuals with hemolytic anemia, show higher reticulocyte percentage and a lower mature reticulocyte population than those observed in normal and healthy subjects.
Reticulocyte identification and enumeration is based on the finding of residual ribosomes and nucleic acid in early nonnucleated red blood cells. This diagnostic test has long been done manually by staining and precipitating residual ribonucleic acid with dyes such as new methylene blue and brilliant cresyl blue. The precipitated RNA will appear either as cytoplasmic dots or filaments under microscope. Unfortunately, the manual reticulocyte test has long been known for its poor accuracy and precision. Irregular staining and random distribution of reticulocytes on the blood film, variations in the preparation of the stained film and the stain used, presence of artifacts resulting from precipitation of free and unbound dye, poor microscope focus, and differences in definition of the reticulocytes are some of the factors that can introduce error or contribute to the inaccuracy of manual reticulocyte counting. However, another problem with manual techniques is that suitable, long-lasting, highly accurate reference controls are often lacking.
In recent years, automated reticulocyte counting has been possible due to advances in flow cytometry. Flow cytometric analysis of reticulocytes depends on the binding of suitable fluorescent dyes to residual ribosomes and nucleic acid. Excitation of the stained cells with a laser beam and detection of forward scatter and side fluorescence provides information on size and nucleic acid content of red blood cells. Acridine orange, auramine O, pyronine Y, thioflavin T, and propidium iodide have been used in flow cytometric reticulocyte counting methods. These dyes provide sufficient resolution between reticulocytes and background erythrocytes for on-line instrumental reticulocyte analyses.
Because of these newer flow cytometric techniques, higher degrees of precision have been obtained for instrumental reticulocyte analysis. One reason for the better precision of the automated analysis is that many more cells can be counted per analysis than only the roughly 1000 cells that are counted in the manual analysis. Also, the instrumental method of flow cytometry involves setting the threshold to exclude mature red blood cells which is an objective method as compared to the manual method in which the identification of reticulocytes is a subjective decision.
However, the flow cytometry procedures currently used also rely on reference controls that suffer from various inaccuracies and which cannot be used with manual analyses. In particular, the reticulocyte reference controls used in these procedures commonly involve the binding of various fluorochromes to RBCs or polymer particles which produces certain inaccurracies and which results in a Gaussian reticulocyte distribution on the flow cytometers.
At present, there is thus an absence of a highly accurate reticulocyte reference control which can be used in assessment of bone marrow activity and in maximizing quality control with regard to cytometric procedures involving blood cells. Further, there is a lack of adequate reference control materials which are highly reliable, long-lasting and which can be used in both manual and flow cytometric techniques used to monitor a variety of diseases and therapeutic treatments involving blood cells. It is thus highly desirable to obtain a suitable reference control by which reticulocyte count can be accurately determined, and it is also desirable that such a reference control be suitable for use with both manual and flow cytometers.
It is presently known to employ a reversible osmotic lysis procedure in order to encapsulate various compounds into erythrocytes. In such a procedure, red blood cells are hypotonically dialyzed in the presence of the desired compound, such as enzyme, so that the erythrocytes swell up and form pores of sufficient size so that the desired compound enters the cells. The treatment with hypotonic solution is followed by hypertonic dialysis to reseal the pores formed on the cell membrane so as to encapsulate or entrap the desired compound inside the cells. This process is disclosed in a variety of patents and other references, including, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,931,276 and 4,652,449, Am. J. Vet. Res. 44:1159 (1983), Am. J. Vet. Res. 42:667 (1981), Toxicol. App. Pharm. 83:101 (1986) and Biochim. Biophys. Acta 496:136 (1977), all incorporated herein by reference.
Although these loaded erythrocytes have been used in specific biotherapeutic applications such as enzyme therapy and other methods wherein specific compounds are introduced into the blood stream (see, e.g., J. Lab. Clin. Med. 96:307 (1980), incorporated herein by reference), the use of such loaded erythrocytes as reference controls for cytometric procedures has not previously been disclosed or suggested. It has recently been discovered by the inventors that such loaded erythrocytes can be successfully used to prepare a reliable, stable and accurate reference control that can be used in both manual and flow cytometric techniques such as the counting of reticulocytes.

Reference control for use with manual and flow cytometric reticulocyte counting devices


A power transmitting device is disclosed comprising: one or more coils; at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory. The at least one processor may be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to: cause to send to a first device a first load measurement request at a first instance and a second load measurement request at a second instance. The computer-executable instructions may cause the processor to receive a first load measurement associated with the first load measurement request and a second load measurement associated with the second load measurement request. The computer-executable instructions may cause the processor to determine a first average measurement of the first load measurement and the second load measurement. The computer-executable instructions may cause the processor to send to a second device a third load measurement request at a third instance and a fourth load measurement request at a fourth instance. The computer-executable instructions may cause the processor to receive a third load measurement associated with the third load measurement request and a fourth load measurement associated with the fourth load measurement request. The computer-executable instructions may cause the processor to determine a second average measurement of the third load measurement and the fourth load measurement. The computer-executable instructions may cause the processor to perform a load measurement of the one or more coils of the power transmitting device. The computer-executable instructions may cause the processor to determine a presence of one or more rogue devices based at least in part on a comparison of the load measurement and an aggregate of the first average measurement and the second average measurement.

Mobile devices have become an integral part of the computing landscape. As mobile devices become more capable, they have shifted to perform tasks that have been traditionally performed by non-mobile computers. In one example, mobile devices may have the ability to stream media, display videos, or otherwise process large amounts of data over the course of a day. The increasing use of mobile devices by consumers, along with the high dynamic range of power consumption across mobile devices, may cause certain components of a mobile device to wear down, such as the battery or power source. In some instances, certain applications of mobile devices may consume large portions of the battery powering the mobile device, resulting in a frequent need to charge the mobile device. Consumers may also have multiple mobile devices that may need to be charged, but may only have a limited amount of time to do so. Furthermore, depending on the number of devices a user needs to charge, the user may need as many electrical outlets as there are devices. Given the location of the electrical outlets, the user may have to charge the devices in locations that are not collocated, resulting in the user constantly having to get up to check the charge status of his or her devices.

Detecting an object on a wireless charging device


Describes adding an anolyte soluble amphoteric material, e.g., an aluminum compound, to the anolyte of a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell having a synthetic diaphragm during the start-up period of the cell to reduce the permeability of the diaphragm. Complementary inorganic porosity modifying materials, e.g., magnesium materials such as magnesium chloride, and clays are also added to the anolyte during the start-up period of the cell.

The electrolysis of alkali metal halide brines, such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride brines, in electrolytic diaphragm cells is a well known commercial process. The electrolysis of such brines produces halogen, hydrogen and aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solutions. In the case of sodium chloride brines, the halogen produced is chlorine and the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide. The electrolytic cell typically comprises an anolyte compartment with an anode therein, a catholyte compartment with a cathode therein, and a liquid permeable diaphragm which divides the electrolytic cell into the anolyte and catholyte compartments. In the foregoing electrolytic process, a solution of the alkali metal halide salt, e.g., sodium chloride brine, is fed to the anolyte compartment of the cell, percolates through the liquid permeable diaphragm into the catholyte compartment and then exits from the cell. With the application of direct current to the cell, halogen, e.g., chlorine, is evolved at the anode, hydrogen is evolved at the cathode and alkali metal hydroxide (from the combination of sodium ions with hydroxyl ions) is formed in the catholyte compartment.
The diaphragm, which separates the anolyte compartment from the catholyte compartment, must be sufficiently porous to permit the hydrodynamic flow of brine through it, but must also inhibit back migration of hydroxyl ions from the catholyte compartment into the anolyte compartment. In addition, the diaphragm should inhibit the mixing of evolved hydrogen and chlorine gases, which could pose an explosive hazard, and possess low electrical resistance, i.e., have a low IR drop. Historically, asbestos has been the most common diaphragm material used in these so-called chlor-alkali electrolytic cells. Subsequently, asbestos in combination with various polymeric resins, particularly fluorocarbon resins (the so-called polymer-modified asbestos diaphragms),have been used as diaphragm materials. Polymer-modified asbestos diaphragms, their preparation and use, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,065,534, 4,070,257, 4,142,951 and 4,410,411, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
More recently, due primarily to possible health hazards posed by air-borne asbestos fibers in other applications, attempts have been made to produce asbestos-free diaphragms for use in chlor-alkali electrolytic cells. Such diaphragms, which are often referred to as synthetic diaphragms, are typically made of non-asbestos fibrous polymeric materials that are resistant to the corrosive environment of the operating chlor-alkali cell. Such materials are typically prepared from perfluorinated polymeric materials, e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Such diaphragms may also contain various other modifiers and additives, such as inorganic fillers, pore formers, wetting agents, ion-exchange resins and the like. Examples of U.S. patents describing synthetic diaphragms include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,036,729, 4,126,536, 4,170,537, 4,170,538, 4,170,539, 4,210,515, 4,606,805, 4,680,101, 4,853,101 and 4,720,334. The coating of synthetic diaphragms with various inorganic materials is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,712 and 5,192,401.
Chlor-alkali cell diaphragms made principally of asbestos or polymer-modified asbestos generally do not suffer from excessive permeability during start-up of such a cell. However, synthetic diaphragms, as prepared, are generally significantly more permeable at start-up than comparable asbestos diaphragms. This condition leads to low liquid levels in the anolyte compartment using normal brine feed rates. Such "low level" cells, as they are sometimes called, require excessive brine feed and extra operator attention and monitoring.

Method for starting a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell


The present invention describes a sulfur-coated urea slow release granular fertilizer having a uniform, durable polymeric coating over the sulfur-coating. The polymer coating is formed by the direct in situ co-polymerization of diethylene glycol-triethanolamine polyol and a diisocyanate on the surface of the sulfur-coated urea granule. The polymeric coating provides improved impact resistance of the composite coated granule.

Sulfur-coated urea (SCU) slow release fertilizers are known. In the customary process for the production of sulfur-coated urea, granular urea of nominal size range, 1.7-2.9 mm, which has been preheated in a fluid bed heater to 160.degree. F. to 180.degree. F., is introduced into the front end of a rotating horizontal cylindrical drum, nominally 12 feet in length and 5 1/2 feet in diameter. Lifting flights, or longitudinal ledges, which are fastened to the inside wall of the drum and evenly spaced around its circumference, lift and cascade the urea granules as the drum rotates. As the cascading granules pass through the drum, molten (290.degree. F.) sulfur is sprayed onto the urea granules from a series of nozzles uniformly positioned within the length of the drum. When a droplet of molten sulfur contacts a granule, it quickly solidifies; and a continuous coating of sulfur is formed on a urea granule when a sufficient number of molten sulfur droplets have made contact with it. In this randomized coating process the granules are coated to an average target thickness of 40 microns (.mu.) or about 13%-14% by weight sulfur-coating on the urea. However, various random proportions of the granules, which are discharging from the drum, have thin (<30.mu.), medium (30.mu.-50.mu.) and thick (>50.mu.) sulfur-coating thickness.
Because of the inherent brittleness of the crystalline solid sulfur-coating which forms on the granule, and the thin, or even noncontinuous coating on many of the granules, it is customary that some type of secondary outer coating or sealant be spray applied onto the sulfur-coating surface. Usually this is done in a second horizontal rotating drum in series with the sulfur-coating drum. Historically, this sealant has been either a polymeric hydrocarbon, petroleum-based wax, or a combination of high viscosity polymeric paraffinic oil plus polyethylene, which is spray applied as a hot melt liquid onto the hot, but solid sulfur-coating surface. Since the sealant melt will not solidify at the 160.degree.-180.degree. F temperature of the sulfur-coated urea granules onto which it is applied, the liquid sealant distributes relatively uniformly onto all sulfur-coated granules by flowing, or transferring, from one granule to the next as they cascade through the rotating secondary sealant coating drum. These sealant coated sulfur-coated urea granules pass through a fluid bed cooler, after they are discharged from the sealant drum, wherein the sealant solidifies to a firm, but somewhat tacky polymeric coating.
The characteristic tackiness, which is common to these types of sealants, is offset by the application of a powder material, often referred to as a conditioner, such as talc, clay, silica, or diatomaceous earth. This conditioner application usually is applied to the cooled, polymeric coated sulfur-coated urea (PCSCU) in a third rotary drum in series with the sulfur-coating and sealant coating drums. Products of the above type are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,295,950; 3,342,577; 3,877,415; 3,903,333; 3,991,225 and 5,219,465.
Although these sulfur-coated urea products generally have good slow release characteristics as manufactured, the impact and abrasion resistance of the coating is low. Mechanical degradation of the coating occurs as a consequence of the handling, transportation, blending and application operations, which results in significant deterioration of slow release properties. Therefore, improved products still are desired.

Process for producing improved sulfur-coated urea slow release fertilizers


A blind fastener having a rivet sleeve, a core bolt, an expansible sleeve integral with the rivet sleeve, and a locking ring. The core bolt extends through the rivet sleeve and includes a sleeve expanding portion abutting against the sleeve with an enlarged stop ring at the end of the expanding portion. The ring encircles the core bolt and is disposed in a throughbore in the head of the rivet sleeve. The ring is split and has an internal chamfer for facilitating assembly regardless of irregularities on the core bolt. The core bolt has a stop thereon for preventing movement of the ring away from the head of the rivet sleeve toward a threaded portion of the core bolt.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to blind fasteners; and, more particularly, to a blind fastener having improved locking means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Blind fasteners are known of a type having three pieces, a rivet sleeve, a headed core bolt and an expansible sleeve. The core bolt has a threaded shank with a breakneck portion separating the shank from a breakoff portion. The rivet sleeve has a head at one end to provide axial restraint on the driving side of two or more sheets and a tapered nose at its other end which extends beyond the blind side of the sheets. The sleeve is interposed between the nut's nose and the core bolt head. The fastener is set by rotating the core bolt with a driving tool engaged with the breakoff portion while holding the rivet sleeve in the sheets. The core bolt head is drawn inwardly towards the blind side of the sheets to expand the sleeve over the conical nose of the rivet sleeve to force the sleeve into compressive contact with the sheets. Upon reaching a predetermined torsional stress, the breakoff or driving portion of the core bolt severs from the shank at the breakneck groove. Axial restraint is provided in the set fastener by the expanded sleeve and the head of the rivet sleeve. This type of fastener is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,765,699 to J. LaTorre.
Other fasteners known in the art, as the fasteners discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,544 to Massa and U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,270 to Hood, have a stop on the core bolt which abuts against the expansible sleeve and deform the sleeve in installing the fastener in a desired aperture. Certain prior art fasteners also have a locking sleeve or ring on the core bolt which enters the head of the rivet sleeve and serves to firmly lock the fastener in its installation hole, as for example, the ring 13 described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,148,578. However, all of these fasteners have been found to be unsatisfactory in certain installations for one reason or another. These prior art fasteners require a close interaction between all the components so that the combination of friction, geometry and break-off diameter of the stem of the core bolt, during installation, is ideal. If tolerances are too excessive or metallurgical properties differ, or lubricants that are used are not consistent, these variable contribute to an inconsistent installation when the installation holes or grip thickness varies.
Most fasteners, as those in the aforementioned prior art, must break off at the same location regardless of grip condition. The fastener should expand within the installation hole so as to provide proper prestress of the drilled hole for resistance to fatigue or vibratory failures. This is accomplished by pulling the stem of the core bolt through the expansion sleeve where the stem diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve. As this stem pulls through, expansion of the sleeve is sufficient to provide the necessary installation hole-fill and the stem "necks down" or "wire draws" until the stem breaks off leaving the fastener in the fully installed condition (FIG. 4 of Hood, for example).
There is a need for a fastener which assures that it will install properly even under the worst conditions and that the stem never breaks prematurely. Much time is lost in the necessity of removing improperly installed rivets or fasteners. The fastener should be locked in its installation hole without the possibility of it becoming loose during use.


An improved equalizer for gripping two or more cords of a shade is described. The equalizer of the invention comprises a molded body member having a tapered inner channel into which a molded insert member fits. The cords are placed within the channel through a gap formed in one wall of the body member, and are clamped against a rear wall thereof by the insert member. As the insert member is inserted more fully into the body member, the cords are compressed between the insert and the rear surface of the body member, and the insert is permanently wedged into the body member.

Cord equalizers are conventionally used in window shades and blinds of all kinds. A cord equalizer for a shade has several functions which provide constraints on its design. The cord equalizer is used to grip two or more shade control cords, to allow their convenient operation as one, to keep the shade level when it is pulled to the headrail from which it is normally suspended and to keep the cord from tangling. The cord equalizer is also used to provide a stop for the cord as the shade is lowered to the bottom of its travel; that is, the cord equalizer abuts the cord locking mechanism provided in the headrail to prevent further lowering of the shade.
Various known types of cord equalizers suffer from various combinations of defects. Some known cord equalizers have been extremely complicated and difficult to install. For example, equalizers with closed housings require threading of the cords through the housing. Others grip the cords in such a way as to damage it, leading to premature failure. Other types of cord equalizers are difficult to adjust in order to provide equal pull on the cords, e.g., those to which the cords are fixed by separately tied knots. Other cord equalizers tend to fail prematurely due to wear. Improvement in cord equalizers is therefore needed.


An electric welding pipe joint made of a thermoplastic resin and containing a heating resistance wire therein may be produced by forming an inner cylindrical thermoplastic resin member by injection molding, winding a heating resistance wire around the inner cylindrical thermoplastic resin member, and forming two or more layers of an outer cylindrical thermoplastic resin member around the resistance wire-wound inner cylindrical member by injection molding successively.

The present invention relates to an electric welding pipe joint made of a thermoplastic resin for connecting thermoplastic resin pipes by electric welding, and a method for efficiently producing a thick electric welding pipe joint of a large bore diameter without internal defects.
Conventionally known as a pipe joint for connecting pipes of thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene by electric welding is an electric welding plastic pipe joint disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-69010. As shown in FIG. 9, this electric welding plastic pipe joint comprises an inner cylindrical member 31 made of a thermoplastic resin and having grooves 34 extending from one end to the other of the pipe joint, a heating resistance wire 33 wound around the inner cylindrical member 31 in the grooves 34, and an outer cylindrical member 32 made of the same thermoplastic resin as that of the inner cylindrical member 31 integrally molded around the outer surface of the inner cylindrical member 31. By energizing the heating resistance wire 33 embedded in the outer cylindrical member 32 at a boundary with the inner cylindrical member 31, the electric welding pipe joint is integrally fused with the resin pipes inserted into the pipe joint.
The above plastic pipe joint is produced by integrally forming an outer cylindrical thermoplastic resin member 32 around the inner cylindrical member 31 provided with the heating resistance wire 33 by injection molding. Since the heating resistance wire 33 serves to heat the inner surface of the inner cylindrical member 31 and plastic pipes inserted into the pipe joint for heat fusion therebetween, the heating resistance wire 33 should be mounted as close to the inner surface of the inner cylindrical member 31 as possible. For this reason, the inner cylindrical member 31 should have a thickness T.sub.in of 1 mm or less in a flat portion located at the bottom of the grooves 34, even though the pipe joint has a large nominal bore diameter. However, as the nominal bore diameter increases, the thickness of the pipe joint itself increases, leading to an increase in the thickness T.sub.out of the outer cylindrical member 32. In a typical example, a pipe joint for connecting gas pipes made of polyethylene has thicknesses of an inner cylindrical member and an outer cylindrical member at each nominal bore diameter as shown below.
______________________________________ Nominal Bore T.sub.in T.sub.out Diameter (mm) (mm) (mm) ______________________________________ 50 0.5 9 75 0.6 12 100 0.6 14 150 0.6 22 200 0.8 28 ______________________________________
When a thick outer cylindrical member 32 is injection-molded around an outer surface of a thin inner cylindrical member 31 as in the above conventional pipe joint, the inner cylindrical member 31 is melted by large injection pressure and heat provided by the injected outer cylindrical member 32, whereby the heating resistance wire 33 wound around the inner cylindrical member 31 in the groove 34 moves irregularly. As a result, short circuiting takes place between the adjacent heating resistance wires 33 at the time of connecting plastic pipes, failing to achieve desired heat fusion.
The thermoplastic resin generally has an extremely low heat conductivity and suffers from a considerable shrinkage in the course of solidification from a molten state. The shrinkage rate of the thermoplastic resin is as large as 4% to 10%, though it may change depending on the types of thermoplastic resins. Accordingly, some injection molding dies suffer from the following problems: If a resin remains partially unsolidified in a cavity after the solidification of a resin in a gate and a runner, a molten resin cannot be supplied to the partially unsolidified region of the resin in the cavity even though injection pressure is increased, resulting in the formation of voids in a resin layer by shrinkage in the course of solidification.
The voids may be prevented by applying large injection pressure for a long period of time by making the gate and the runner thicker. In this case, however, the thin inner cylindrical member 31 is melted causing the heating resistance wire 33 to move, and it takes long time until a resin is completely solidified in a thick portion T.sub.out, leading to poor production efficiency because of elongated molding cycle.
For the reasons described above, it is difficult to form a thick plastic outer cylindrical member around a thin inner cylindrical member with stable quality by injection molding. This problem is serious particularly in a pipe joint with a nominal bore diameter of 75 mm (3 inches) or more, which comprises an outer cylindrical member having a thickness of 10 mm or more.

Electric welding pipe joint having a two layer outer member


A hydraulic control method is applied to a continuously variable speed change gear mechanism including a pulley having a fixed pulley member fixed to a rotary shaft and a movable pulley member movable by oil pressure toward and away from the fixed pulley member so that a groove width between the fixed and movable pulley members is decreased or increased to thereby reduce or increase the effective rotational radius of a belt extending between the pulley members and thus change a change gear ratio and control the gear change. In this method, first to third three-way electromagnetic pressure control valves control the oil pressure and an electronic control unit (ECU) controls the electromagnetic valves, and driving frequencies of the valves are switched by the ECU in accord with the oil temperature and/or vehicle speed so that the hydraulic clutch is smoothly and effectively operated, the lifetime of the electromagnetic valves is extended, and vibration of the vehicle body due to pressure fluctuation in the hydraulic circuit is prevented.

In vehicles, a change gear mechanism exists between an internal combustion engine and the driving wheels. The change gear mechanism functions to change driving forces applied to the driving wheels and to change a vehicle speed in accord with running conditions of the vehicle, which running conditions change within a wide range, thereby optimizing the performance of the internal combustion engine. As one form of change gear mechanism, for example, there is a continuously variable speed change gear mechanism in which a pulley includes a fixed pulley member fixed to a rotary shaft and a movable pulley member supported on the rotary shaft so as to be movable axially toward and away from the fixed pulley member under oil pressure control so that a width between the fixed and movable pulley members of this pulley is decreased or increased, thereby reducing or increasing the effective rotational radius for a belt extending around the pulley, so that a motive power is propagated, and so that a change gear ratio (or belt ratio) is changed. This type of continuously variable speed change gear mechanism has been disclosed in, for instance, Japanese Publication Nos. 57-186656, 59-43249, 59-77159, and 61-233256.
In effecting control of the continuously variable speed change gear mechanism so that the change gear ratio is changed using oil pressure as mentioned above, the line pressure of the hydraulic circuit, the primary pressure which acts on the movable pulley member in order to actually change the change gear ratio, and the clutch pressure which acts on the hydraulic clutch are classified into five kinds of control modes, including a neutral mode, a hold mode, a normal start mode, a special start mode, and a driving mode, as shown in Table 1. These pressures are variously controlled by open loop control, closed loop control, and/or a duty ratio in which an output value is constant.
TABLE l ______________________________________ Control mode and duty output Control Mode Normal Special Neutral Hold Start Start Drive ______________________________________ Line 0% 25% Open Open Closed Loop Loop Loop 25-95% 25-95% 5-95% Ratio 0% Or 0% Or 0% Closed Closed Closed Closed Loop Loop Loop Loop 5-95% 5-95% Clutch 100% Closed Closed Closed 0% Loop Loop Loop 5-95% 5-95% 5-95% ______________________________________ OPEN LOOP: Pressure, rotational speed, etc. are not fed back. CLOSED LOOP: Pressure, rotational speed, and ratio are fed back
A pressure control valve arrangement which includes an electromagnetic valve and the like for controlling a frequency of the duty output value, and thus an oil pressure of the hydraulic circuit, is driven at a relatively high frequency of 100 Hz in order to smooth the control characteristic of the hydraulic clutch, in particular in order to suppress and lower the vibration which is generated when the hydraulic clutch is slid and coupled.
However, the viscosity of oil in the hydraulic circuit is high at low temperatures (for example, -10.degree. C. or less). Therefore, when a driving frequency of the pressure control valve arrangement is set to 100 Hz, it is impossible at low temperatures to obtain an output pressure of the electromagnetic valve sufficient to drive a change gear control valve of the pressure control valve arrangement. Therefore, even if a driver tries to start movement of the vehicle, the clutch pressure and the like are not set to proper values, so that there occurs an inconvenience in that the connection of the hydraulic clutch becomes defective and the vehicle movement cannot be smoothly started.
However, when the pressure control valve arrangement is driven at the driving frequency of 100 Hz, there occurs an inconvenience in that the durability of the pressure control valve arrangement deteriorates.
On the other hand, if the driving frequency is switched to the frequency of 50 Hz in a low speed running mode at ordinary or high temperatures, a pressure in the hydraulic circuit fluctuates so that there occurs an inconvenience in that this pressure fluctuation results in vibration of the vehicle body and imparts an unpleasant feeling to the driver and passengers.
On the other hand, there is known a continuous variable speed change gear having a hydraulic clutch for intermittently connecting and disconnecting a motive power by an oil pressure. This hydraulic clutch is controlled in various kinds of control modes on the basis of the signals indicative of the engine speed, opening degree of a throttle valve of a carburetor, and the like.
In the conventional line pressure control method, when a vehicle is first actuated (or in other words moved) after the engine starting operation was performed at low or super low temperatures, there is an inconvenience such that the line pressure does not rise as shown in FIG. 10.
Therefore, the clutch pressure does not reach a necessary value and the clutch control cannot be performed, so that the engine speed increases too high and the engine torque is not transferred to the wheels. The clutch is not come into engagement. Finally, there is an inconvenience such that the operating mode cannot be shifted from the normal starting mode.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, in the conventional line pressure control in the normal starting mode, an object line pressure (P.sub.LINSP or P.sub.LIN) is determined in accordance with the opening degree of a throttle valve. A line pressure solenoid drive duty (D.sub.LIN) which is necessary to obtain the object line pressure is read out of a map (OLSCHD). therebY performing the open loop control to drive a solenoid on the basis of the drive duty ratio. At this time, the feedback control of the line pressure is not executed.
Therefore, by controlling the line pressure by the open loop control, the insufficient increase in line pressure at low temperatures cannot be corrected and the clutch control cannot be performed. Thus, there are inconveniences such that the drive feeling at low temperatures deteriorates, a chain slip occurs in the driving mode, and the safety deteriorates.

Hydraulic control method for continuously variable speed change gear mechanism for a vehicle and a drive control method for a pressure valve thereof


A technique that can stably realize highly accurate image adjustment processing even when unexpected toner density unevenness occurs on an identical sheet because of fluctuation in an image formation characteristic and the like is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image adjustment processing in an image forming apparatus, and, more particularly to improvement of accuracy of image adjustment processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, color MFPs are becoming increasingly popular year by year. In particular, since office documents are prepared in color, an increasing number of color copies and prints are used. In the case of the color MFPs, it is more important to always keep colors and densities constant. However, in general, a density characteristic of a printer engine tends to change as time elapses. Thus, some the color MFPs have a function for gamma automatic adjustment (calibration) to keep colors and gradations as constant as possible.
Specifically, the gamma automatic adjustment is a function of outputting, in general, a pattern of a regular gradation, inputting the pattern with a scanner, calculating an inverse function or the like from a read value, and setting a gamma correction curve for adjusting an output image quality.
A gray section other than characters of a copy and a print image is often formed by four colors of Y/M/C/K. However, in this gray section, since a balance of the respective colors is lost because of aged deterioration and a difference among machines, the gray changes to colored gray, which looks extremely unattractive. When the gray balance is lost in this way, conventionally, it is possible to adjust the gray balance using a function of color balance adjustment or the like. However, this takes time because the adjustment is manual adjustment. Further, even if the gray balance is adjusted with effort, a printer gamma characteristic (an image formation characteristic) fluctuates due to aged deterioration. Thus, the gray balance has to be adjusted every time the printer gamma characteristic fluctuates, which is extremely complicated.
Moreover, even if the gray balance is successfully corrected in this way, when unexpected density unevenness of a toner image occurs on an identical sheet, it is extremely difficult to perform image adjustment. There is a problem in that it is impossible to accurately correct the gray balance even if automatic adjustment is performed in this state.

Image forming apparatus, image adjusting method

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms, on a sheet, a test pattern formed by a color obtained by mixing colors of toners of plural colors, reads a test pattern image formed on the sheet with a color sensor, and performs predetermined image adjustment processing on the basis of information read includes a halftone-image forming unit configured to form, on the sheet, at least one of a first halftone image extending over a predetermined range in a main scanning direction and a second halftone image extending over a predetermined range in a sub-scanning direction, an image reading unit configured to read the halftone image formed on the sheet by the halftone-image forming unit, a density-unevenness determining unit configured to determine, on the basis of information read by the image reading unit, toner density unevenness in an image formed by the image forming apparatus, an image-adjustment processing unit configured to perform the predetermined image adjustment processing on the basis of the density unevenness determined, and a color sensor that is arranged on a downstream side of a fixing device in a sheet conveyance direction and reads the test pattern formed on the sheet.


An inflatable/deflatable device for use in a body-implantable heart-assist pump. The device includes an inflatable/deflatable central portion, and a noninflatable, generally planar marginal portion joined thereto. In a preferred construction, the device is formed by the marginal joinder of a pair of flexible fluid-impervious sheets, wherein the central portion has opposite sides, and the marginal portion includes stretches distributed along these sides. The two flexible sheets may have different flexibilities, permitting the device to be inflated preferentially in a desired direction, and different curvatures, permitting the device to conform to adjoining surfaces in the heart-assist pump.

The present invention relates to inflatable/deflatable devices, and in particular to such a device for use in a body-implantable heart-assist pump.
A body-implantable heart-assit pump here denotes a pumping apparatus adapted to be connected across major aortae in the body to augment the pumping capacity of the heart. Such apparatus generally includes flexible inner and outer sleeves, the inner sleeve being connectable at its opposite ends to appropriate aortae. Positioned between the inner and outer sleeves is an inflatable/deflatable balloon which is connected by a fluid-exchange tube to a fluid-driving unit generally carried outside the body. As the balloon is alternately inflated and deflated under the influence of a recurrent, cyclic supply and exhaust of fluid from the driving unit, the inner sleeve is alternately closed and opened, and blood is, accordingly, pumped through the inner sleeve.
Heretofore, inflatable/deflatable balloons designed for the above-described use have had a generally stocking-type construction, providing an elongate, cylindrical structure closed at one end and communicating at the other end with a fluid-exchange tube. Such prior art balloons, when inflated, have a generally circular cross section, and as a result, may migrate undesirably during operation. Such migration, in the extreme, can seriously impair the efficiency of a pumping operation.
It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide for use in a heart-assist pump, an inflatable/deflatable device having a construction which substantially prevents the above-discussed migrating tendency.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a device which can be distended preferentially in a desired direction.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which, when deflated, has a generally curved cross-sectional shape conforming to adjoining wall portions of the sleeves forming a pump of the type mentioned.
A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a balloon device having an inflatable/deflatable central portion, and a noninflatable, generally planar marginal portion joined thereto. The central and marginal portions are formed through the marginal joinder of a pair of flexible fluid-impervious sheets, with the marginal portion including stretches distributed along opposite sides of the central portion. The two sheets have different flexibilities, such that inflation occurs preferentially in the direction of the sheet having the greater flexibility. Further, the two sheets are joined and dimensioned in such a way to produce a generally curved transverse cross section for the device when the same is in a relaxed state.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments of the invention, and the accompanying drawings.

Inflatable/deflatable device for a heart-assist pump