A generator produces a flow of gaseous molecular oxygen in the singlet sigma and/or singlet delta excited electronic states. The generator is comprised of an optical source; coupling optics to transport and concentrate optical source light; a vacuum chamber, reflective optics; a wall cooling system; an inlet system for injecting oxygen; an inlet system for injecting other gases which deactivate singlet sigma oxygen to singlet delta oxygen; and a means for interfacing this device to a lasing device and for directly flowing the singlet sigma or singlet delta oxygen into a laser cavity.

The chemical oxygen iodine laser works by generating excited oxygen gas through a chemical process, transporting this excited gas to a laser cavity where it mixes with molecular iodine, dissociates the iodine into atoms and transfers its energy into the iodine atoms. Spontaneously emitted photons, in conjunction with an optical cavity, stimulate the emission of light from the iodine atoms in a coherent beam. De-excited atoms are re-excited through collisions with the excited oxygen. The cycle of exciting, stimulating and de-exciting the iodine atoms continues until energy in the oxygen reservoir is depleted down to some threshold value determined by the temperature of the medium In the chemical oxygen iodine laser the chemically generated, excited oxygen is the energy source for the laser and the iodine is the means for converting the stored energy to laser light.
Gas phase, diatomic, molecular oxygen is capable of existing in a number of different energy states. The lowest energy state is termed the ground state and denoted O2 (X3xcexa3). The first excited state, O2 (a1xcex94), exists approximately 1 electron-volt above the ground state and is the state of oxygen which stores energy for use in the chemical oxygen iodine laser. The second excited state, O2 (b1xcexa3), exists about 1.6 electron-volts above the ground state and has been created by the collision of two O2 (a1xcex94) molecules. Therefore, the formation of this species represents a loss mechanism affecting the efficiency of the laser.
To power a chemical oxygen iodine laser, O2 (a1xcex94) has to be created in large densities and large ratios relative to the O2 (X3xcexa3) ground state oxygen. The primary process used to create O2 (a1xcex94) in the percentage and density to power a laser has been the reaction of a halogen gas with a liquid mixture of an alkali hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide. This chemical process has been the basis for numerous chemical generator designs since 1977.
Optical sources and detectors have been used to study oxygen and its first two excited states since 1933. In some cases lasers have been used to optically excite ground state oxygen, O2 (X3xcexa3), to its second electronically excited state, O2 (b1xcexa3) for the purpose of studying its properties and deactivation mechanisms. Optical transitions induced by laser light or any light source are rather difficult to achieve because of the low cross-section for interaction between the light and the molecule. The transition to this state is therefore termed xe2x80x9cnot allowed.xe2x80x9d Reactions of various gas species like O2, CO, HBr, etc. with this state of oxygen have been found to deactivate the O2 (b1xcexa3) to O2 (a1xcex94) with 100% efficiency. Additionally collisions with walls made of glass and stainless steel have also shown this preferential deactivation channel to O2 (a1xcex94). In part this deactivation process explains why the formation of O2 (b1xcexa3) in the laser is not as serious a loss mechanism, since same of the energy is recovered through its deactivation.
The advances over the last ten years in semiconductor and solid state lasers have presented industry with a wide range of tools for use in optically triggered processes. In the present case, to excite significant fractions of oxygen at high density to the O2 (b1xcexa3) state requires the use of specially tailored, high intensity, narrow-band light sources. Three types of sources meet the minimum requirements for generating sufficient excited oxygen densities to support laser output from an oxygen iodine medium. These are solid state lasers (Ti:sapphire and Alexandrite); diode lasers (including InGaAsP and GaASP-AlGaAS tensile-strained quantum well lasers); and fiber lasers (doubled, Erbium doped fiber lasers).
The present invention overcomes the problem of the use of toxic and explosive chemicals in the generation of excited oxygen for the chemical oxygen iodine laser. Additionally it provides a clean source and high flow rate of excited oxygen for use in other potential laser systems. An electric-optical generation process, yielding high fractions of excited oxygen, replaces the chemical generation process for excited oxygen in the chemical oxygen laser.
Light is generated from electric laser sources and coupled into a cold oxygen gas flow, producing large fractions of the oxygen in the second excited electronic state. Since the light is rather wealdy absorbed on a per unit length basis optics are used to multi-pass the incident beam through the medium until greater than 90% of the light is absorbed. Combination of the wall collisions and gas phase collisions deactivate the oxygen from its second excited state to its first excited state the singlet delta state. Incident continuous light fluences of 50-100 kw/cm2, oxygen gas pressures of 30 torr-70 torr, oxygen gas temperatures of 100 K-150 K, absorption lengths of 10 meters-15 meters and flow velocities of 10 meters/s yield a greater than 40% fraction of the flow in the desired excited state of oxygen. Wall collisions or the addition of about 0.1 torr of HBr efficiently deactivates the singlet sigma to singlet delta in the required time frame.

Electric-optical singlet sigma and singlet delta oxygen generator


A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a first cabinet, a first drawer drawably disposed in the first cabinet, a first receiver disposed in the first drawer so as to contain laundry therein, a second cabinet disposed under the first cabinet so as to support the first cabinet, a second receiver disposed in the second cabinet so as to contain laundry, a cabinet connecting unit for connecting the first cabinet to the second cabinet, and a cabinet supporting unit for preventing the first cabinet from falling down from the second cabinet when the first drawer is taken out of the first cabinet.

Generally, a laundry treatment apparatus refers to an appliance including an apparatus adapted to perform washing of laundry (objects to be washed and objects to be dried), an apparatus adapted to perform drying of laundry and an apparatus adapted to perform both washing and drying of laundry.
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses have been classified into a front-loading-type apparatus, in which laundry is introduced into the apparatus through an introduction port formed in the front surface of the apparatus, and a top-loading-type apparatus, in which laundry is introduced into the apparatus through an introduction port formed in the upper surface of the apparatus.
Since conventional laundry treatment apparatus is designed to perform treatment (washing, drying and the like) of a predetermined amount or more of laundry, there is a limitation on the reduction in the volume of the laundry treatment apparatus.
Due to the difficulty in reducing the volume of the laundry treatment apparatus, a user has to buy two laundry treatment apparatuses and has to dispose the two apparatuses on the ground side by side, thereby decreasing the efficiency of use of space in which the laundry treatment apparatuses are mounted.


Solid or liquid N—H free, C-free, and Si-rich perhydropolysilazane compositions comprising units having the following formula [—N(SiH3)x(SiH2—)y], wherein x=0, 1, or 2 and y=0, 1, or 2 when x+y=2; and x=0, 1 or 2 and y=1, 2, or 3 when x+y=3 are disclosed. Also disclosed are synthesis methods and applications for the same.

Perhydropolysilazane s (PHPS) are molecules, oligomers or polymers containing only Si, H and N characterized by repeating —SiHx—NH— units (x=0 to 2) and the fact that the silicon atom is only bonded to a N or H atoms. Several methods have been used and described to make PHPS. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,460 to Gaul; U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,669 to Seyferth et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,130 to Nakahara et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,487 to Abel et al.; and Isoda et al., J. of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers (1992) Vol. 2, Issue 1, pp. 151-160.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,666 to Reinberg discloses a method of preparing silicon nitride films by glow discharge from the decomposition of liquid trisilylamine, which is a volatile monomer.
Scantlin et al. disclose pentaborane(9)-catalyzed condensation of silylamines. Chemical Communications, 1971, p. 1246.
Blum et al. disclose a catalytic method for synthesis of oligosilazanes.
Organometallics 1986, 5, 2081-2086. More particularly, HSiMe2NHMe2SiH is reacted with NH3 using Ru3(CO)12 as a catalyst.
US Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0017662 to Park et al. discloses a filler for filling a gap including a compound having the formula SiaNbOcHd, wherein 1.96<a<2.68, 1.78<b<3.21, 0≤c<0.19, and 4<d<10. Abstract. The filler is synthesized by reacting a hydrogenated polysilazane or hydrogenated polysiloxane with trisilylamine in pyridine. Id. at paras 0064-0065. The application targets a compound having a N:Si mole ratio between about 0.7 to about 0.95 to reduce film shrinkage. Id. at para 0051.
Typical synthesis of PHPS involves ammonolysis of silanes to form chains containing the H3Si—N(−)—SiH3 units. The ammonolysis method involves the reaction of NH3 with a halosilane, preferably a dihalosilane, as follows:nH2SiX2+2nNH3→(—SiH2—NH—)n+nNH4ClThe linear (—SiH2—NH—)n perhydridopolysilazane formed can be branched by addition of a tri-functional silane like trichlorosilane. See, e.g., US2014/341794 to Hoppe et al. The linear polysilazane can also undergo cross-linking and cyclization by Si—H/N—H elimination to create new Si—N bonds and partially reduce the H content of the perhydridopolysilazane. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,487 to Abel et al.
US Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/341794 to Hoppe et al. discloses a process for preparing trisilylamine (TSA) and polysilazanes in the liquid phase, in which ammonia dissolved in an inert solvent is initially introduced in a substoichiometric amount relative to monochlorosilane which is likewise present in an inert solvent.
KR Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0087903 to Song et al. discloses a method for manufacturing chlorine free polysilazane polymers by reacting a nucleophilic compound, such as a tertiary amine or ammonia, with an aminosilane having the formula NR3, wherein each R is independently H, SiR′3, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl or aryl oxycarbonyl, acyl, or acyloxy groups and each R′ is independently H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, or aryloxy groups. Exemplary aminosilanes include (H3Si)NH2, (H3Si)2NH, (H3Si)NMe2, (H3Si)2NMe, (H3Si)3N, (H2MeSi)NH2, (H2MeSi)(H3Si)NH, (H2MeSi)(H3Si)2N, (H2MeSi)2NH, (H2MeSi)3N, (H2PhSi)3N, (H2PhSi)NH2, (H2PhSi)2NH, (H2(MeO)Si)3N, (H2(MeO)Si)2NH, (H(MeO)2Si)2NH, (H(MeO)2Si)3N, (H2(MeO)Si)NH2, (H(MeO)2Si)NH2, (H3Si)2NMe, (H3Si)2NPh, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.
U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2015/004421 to Fujiwara et al. discloses an inorganic polysilazane resin having a Si:N ratio of 1.30:1 or more synthesized by (a) ammonolysis of dichlorosilane in an organic solvent to form an oligomer containing both chlorosilane and a NH group, (b) heating the system to polymerize the oligomer obtained in step (a), and (c) terminal treatment of Si—Cl remaining in the resin with ammonia, if necessary.
PHPS made from ammonolysis of (di)halosilanes contain NH and form solids (NH4Cl), which tends to contaminate the PHPS with residual traces of CI. See, e.g., Example 1 of US2015/004421 to Fujiwara et al. In addition, the Si:N ratio is typically below 1.4:1. Id. at para 0028. When these PHPS formulation are used for coatings, the film is usually converted to silicon oxide by exposure at elevated temperature (>400° C., and usually 550-700° C.) to an oxidizing atmosphere (O2, O3, H2O, H2O2). Upon such conversion, the film tends to shrink, which causes issues for usage in silicon oxide gap fill applications. See, e.g., the EMD Performance Materials website demonstrating a 16-18% shrinkage in the PHPS film at curing temperatures ranging from 400° C. to 1000° C. (http://www.emd-performance-materials.com/en/electronic materials/glossary/phps/phps.html). It has been shown that having a higher Si:N ratio in the PHPS reduces the tendency to such shrinkage. See, e.g., US2015/004421 at Tables 1 and 2.
The PHPS made from ammonolysis may also be converted to silicon nitride by heating them to an elevated temperature, typically >700° C., in an inert or nitriding atmosphere. The resulting silicon nitride becomes an oxidation resistant solid, film, fiber, or powdery material. However, thermal curing of PHPS to enable cross linking into a silicon nitride ceramic involves a significant mass loss associated with the elimination of silicon containing groups, such as N(SiH3)3. Gunthner et al., Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 32 (2012) 1883-1892. As a result, film shrinkage is observed when converting N—H containing PHPS into a solid material. The thermogravimetric data of FIG. 2 show that mass loss starts at a temperature below 200° C., and mass loss which is the cause of the material shrinkage. Id.
Thus a need remains for PHPS having a high Si:N ratio for formation of SiO2 coatings exhibiting minimal shrinkage upon oxidation. A need also remains for PHPS that may be converted to solid silicon nitride at a temperature ranging between room temperature (RT) and 600° C., and preferably between RT and 200° C.

N—H free and SI-rich per-hydridopolysilzane compositions, their synthesis, and applications

L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude


A vehicle primarily a mass transit vehicle is formed primarily of composite materials which define a roof section and a floor section of two fiber reinforced sheets connected by an integral core and two rigid side wall sections each formed from welded steel or optionally bolted aluminum defining a series of window openings in a row along the side wall section in a ladder shape. Releasable joints of adhesive are provided between the metal rails and the edges of the composite panels where a web of the panel and the web of the rail extend across the panel at an angle to the first and second surfaces different from 90 degrees so that the web of the panel meets the flange of the panel at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

There has been an intention in the industry of mass transit vehicles to provide a vehicle body which is formed primarily of a composite material. Such composite materials generally comprise fiberglass reinforced resin sheets and often these are formed with a foam or other core layer between the sheets. The primary intention is that the structure be formed substantially wholly from such composite materials. The intention is that such materials will reduce weight and provide a superior corrosion resistance. One technique is to provide molds in which the body is shaped and formed from separate pieces which can then be connected together. However one highly desirable feature is that the structure can provide multiple different vehicle lengths to satisfy customer demands.
A number of attempts have been made for example, by Northrup Grumman Corporation's Advanced Technology Transit Bus (ATTB) North American Bus Industries (NABI) and TPI Structural Composites who provided 40 and 45 feet length "Compobus (withdrawn from the market after limited release) a proposal by ABI, a proposal by TPI Structural Composites under the trade name "Airporter", a proposal by Stork Fokker AESP Aerospace Group, Duvedec International and den Oudsten Bussen bv (FX026), and a proposal by Duvedec International. However these proposals have been put forward in a manner that does not fully address one or more of the critical market entry or performance criteria resulting in a vehicle that has limited appeal or cannot meet the rigorous performance standards dictated by the transit agencies. In Europe, where road maintenance is superior relative to North America, durability is less of a concern, and the limited recycleability of molded fiberglass uni-bodies, there has been limited interest in lightweight composite vehicles. Stork Fokker and den Oudsten Bussen by in partnership with Duvedec International created the RETX-98 which was to enter revenue service in Rotterdam, but aside from stirring momentary interest at a few shows, the Advanced Lightweight Modular (AILMO) vehicle could not save the company from bankruptcy. The Stork Fokker AILMO body technology was licensed to APT Systems in Helmond NL which was incorporated into the Phileas, which has achieved limited success, mostly in Bus Rapid Transit systems. The license for the Stork Fokker AILMO body technology is held in North America by New Flyer Industries Ltd but this again has achieved no commercial success.
One of the defining criteria is vehicle length. The market requires vehicles under 29 feet in length, 30 to 35 feet and 40 feet and 45 feet commuters together with 60 and even 80 feet articulated vehicles. All previous attempts can be divided into two categories: one set of molds for each body length or various body lengths created by ganging modules. The multiple mold strategy of course provides a huge tooling expense. The AILMO multiple module technique is dependent on the side windows being bonded to the body, thus functioning as a structural component. This approach has inherent weaknesses, not the least of which is that North American regulations require at least 4 of the windows on a bus to open for emergency escape.
Up till now, therefore, no commercial vehicle of this type has been successfully exploited.
It will be appreciated that body structures of this type can be deployed either as a light rail vehicle or as a road vehicle and many common features can be used in both structures. There are of course significant differences which will be well known to one skilled in the art but the principle set forth in the present application can in most cases be used in both fields.
A number of prior patents have been published showing features of the above mentioned commercial attempts and showing various other arrangements by other parties interested in this field.
The following patents have been noted as having some relevance in the present field
U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,303 (Mauri) issued Nov. 22, 1977.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,395 (Wackerle) issued Aug. 27, 1991.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,913 (Takeichi) issued Aug. 25, 1992.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,151 (Ohara) issued Jul. 18, 1995.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,972 (Tunis) issued May 18, 1999.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,548 (Elsner) issued Jul. 6, 1999.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,075 (Dunder) issued Dec. 7, 1999.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,261 (Fehr) issued May 23, 2000.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,989 (Ammerlaan) issued May 29, 2001.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,254 (Emmons) issued Feb. 3, 2004.
PCT Publication No. WO/2004/000633 and 000634 assigned to NABI published 31 Dec. 2003.
EP Application 0 622 285 published Nov. 2, 1994 and assigned to GEC Alsthom Transport SA.
Mauri discloses a conventional vehicle using a fabricated frame clad by covering panels.
Wackerle discloses a rail vehicle formed from molded upper section defining the side walls and roof connected to a floor section. The connection is provided by a corner piece which is bonded into an edge piece at each edge of each molded composite panel. The composite panels are formed from exterior sheets with a honey comb core between.
Takeichi discloses a rail vehicle which is similarly constructed to the above except that it is formed in sections which are connected edge to edge along the length of the vehicle. The floor sections are formed from side beams and horizontal rails.
Ohara discloses a similar arrangement.
Tunis discloses a technique for forming large composite core structures by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding. This is not particularly directed to vehicles but provides a technique which can form the large molded sections.
Elsner discloses a rail vehicle formed by connected beams.
Dunder disclose a vehicle where panels are connected together by insertion of an edge of a panel into a channel of the structural rail.
Fehr disclose a joint between a metal sandwich panel and a metal rail which uses welding to provide a seal.
Ammerlaan discloses the arrangement of the Stork Fokker AILMO device described above which it defines as a structure formed by connected, molded side panels, roof and floor sections where the drive components for the vehicle are bolted under the aluminum honeycomb floor. It is interesting to note that in its application to the APTS Phileas, the structure required internal cross bracing not cited in the patent to achieve the required torsional stiffness.
Emmons discloses a vehicle which is primarily formed from a roof section and a floor section together with vertical beams where the roof and floor sections are formed as a sandwich panel defined by the fiber reinforced sheets and an interconnecting core.
The two PCT applications of NABI disclose a molded structure in which the body and floor are separately molded from fiber reinforced plastics material. This is substantially based on the ATTB by Northrup Grumman Corporation.
The EP application of GEC a rail car formed of composite material where there is a channel-shaped roof section and corresponding channel-shaped floor section which butt together along the side walls.

Assembled structure of a sandwich panel and a connecting member using adhesive attachment


A method is provided for the confirmation of the diameters of plural drills of different diameters in a PWB working machine in which the drills are interchangeably mounted to perform drilling. The method comprises storing, with respect to each of the drills, data on whether or not the drill has already been used, checking the data of one of the drills upon drill replacement, and measuring the diameter of the drill only where the drill has not previously been used.

a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for confirming whether the diameter of a selected or designated drill in a PWB (printed wiring board) working machine has a desired diameter or not.
b) Description of the Related Art With the increasing packaging density of electronic devices mounted on printed wiring boards in recent years, drills for boring such printed wiring boards are becoming smaller in diameter, leading to a substantial increase in the types of drills. On the other hand, PWB working machines are in many instances operated over a considerable duration. It is therefore now increasingly recognized that many drills of the same diameter should be stored in each PWB working machine.
In general, drills are manually placed in their corresponding storage positions specified in accordance with their diameters in a storage of a PWB working machine. During machining, the PWB working machine automatically replaces the drills and performs the machining. Namely, upon production of a drill replacement command, a drill which has been used until that time is automatically returned to the position where the drill was stored, in other words, to its home position and a drill conforming with the command is then automatically taken out from another storage position. This drill replacement is executed correctly without making any failure in the selection of these storage positions. However, due to the above-described increases in both the type and number of drills, there is increased risk that a drill may be manually placed in a wrong storage position, namely, a drill may be located in a storage position allocated to a drill of a different diameter. Such error has heretofore been found by inspecting each printed wiring circuit after completion of all bores drilled. This conventional method however involves the problems that the above inspection requires appreciable labor and time and a printed wiring board has to be thrown away where it has been drilled with a diameter other than that desired.
With a view toward overcoming such problems, drill diameter detectors have recently been developed to detect the diameter of each drill as it is brought into use on a PWB working machine. One example of such drill diameter detectors will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of a typical drill diameter detector, in which there are shown a light source 1, lenses 2,3 and a photodetector array 4. These elements make up the drill diameter detector which is identified generally at numeral 5. Designated at numeral 6 is a drill. The drill 6 has the cross-sectional shape shown in detail in FIG. 2. The diameter of the drill 6 is defined by a maximum dimension D.
To detect the diameter of the drill 6, the drill 6 which has been taken out automatically from a specific storage position in a storage and is a target of the detection is placed at the position, which is indicated in FIG. 1, in a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet while the light source 1 is lit. Light from the light source 1 is converted to parallel rays by the lens 2, focused through the lens 3, and then projected against the photodetector array 4. Here, because of the existence of the drill 6, a shadow is formed as indicated by hatching. To ensure that the shadow reflects the maximum dimension D, the drill 6 is rotated at a low speed and the maximum number of photodetectors shaded in the photodetector array 4 is then counted, whereby the maximum dimension D, namely, the diameter of the drill, can be detected.
Detection of the diameter of the drill 6 with the drill detector 5 before working makes it possible to drill a bore of precise diameter in a printed wiring board. The drill 6 is repeatedly interchanged and used many times until a maximum number of bores preset for the drill 6 is reached. The diameter of the drill 6 is checked prior to each replacement by the drill 6.
Incidentally, chips of copper foil, resin and the like tend to stick on the drill 6 in the boring operation of a printed wiring board. When the use of the drill 6 is finished and the drill 6 is replaced by another drill, the drill 6 is stored, with the chips of copper foil, resin and the like still adhering to it to its specified position in the storage. When the diameter of the drill 6 is checked by the drill diameter detector 5 upon next use of the drill 6, an inaccurate measurement results due to the chips of copper foil, resin and the like stuck on the drill 6. This results in the selection of the drill 6 being canceled despite it being of the desired diameter.

Method for the diameter confirmation of drills in a PWB machine


A component supply device is arranged adjacent to a mounter which mounts components on a board and supplies components to the mounter. This component supply device includes a replenishment section provided with a magazine which houses a component carrying member on which multiple components are arranged on a base material, and a conveyance section which conveys a component carrying member housed in the magazine and which is equipped with side surface number one to which the replenishment section is attached and side surface number two which is arranged adjacent to the mounter. The replenishment section is slidably attached with respect to side surface number one of the conveyance section.

Component supply devices are arranged adjacent to mounters and supply components to be mounted on a board to a mounter. Mounters mount components supplied from a component supply device on a board. A component supply device using conventional technology is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Number 2000-114204.


Patient specific surgical instruments, and in particular cutting guides, and methods of use and manufacture are described. The surgical instrument can be used in an orthopaedic arthroplasty procedure to be carried out on a joint of a patient and can allowing soft tissue balancing for the joint. The instrument comprises a body having an attachment area configured using data specific to a bone of the joint of the patient so as to attach to the bone in a unique position. The instrument includes at least a first cutting guide and an adjustment mechanism operable to change the position of the cutting guide relative to the bone.

Orthopaedic arthroplasty procedures often involve the use of an implant or implants which is used to replace an articulating surface or surfaces of the joint. Usually such implants are attached to a resected or otherwise prepared part of a patient's bone. A cutting guide can be attached to the patient's bone to allow surfaces of the bone to be resected to accept the implant. A variety of approaches are available to planning, guiding and placing the cutting guides, implants and other instruments used during the procedure, so as to try and ensure that the joint is correctly rebuilt. However, for some joints, such as the knee joint, it is also necessary to take into account the soft tissue structures of the joint, such as the ligaments, so as to try and ensure that the joint is correctly rebuilt.
Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) systems can be used to plan and navigate the position of cutting guides, implants, etc in order to try and take into account soft tissue structures. The planned position of a cutting guide can be updated intra-operatively based on measurements of the soft tissues in order to adjust the cuts to be made to the bone to change the eventual position of the implant. However, CAS systems are expensive and are not widely available. Further some surgeons prefer not to use CAS systems and prefer to use their own workflow and techniques.
A non-navigated approach to positioning a cutting guide can be achieved by producing a patient specific cutting guide using data from captured images of a patient's bone (sometimes referred to as "templating") so that the cutting guide can be attached in a predefined position to the patient's bone thereby fixing the position of the cuts in the planned position. However, this approach is not suitable for allowing soft tissues to be taken into account as the position of the cuts relative to the patient's bone is fixed pre-operatively. The actual cuts that may be required in order to take into account the soft tissue structures of the joint or for other reasons may only become apparent intra-operatively and so the cuts defined by the cutting guide are non-optimal.
The present invention provides a mechanism allowing intra-operatively available soft tissue information, or other information, to be used to make the correct cuts, without requiring a complex planning or navigation system.


An improved level shifter circuit that toggles a "flying Flip-Flop" comprising a cross-coupled inverter pair with control devices driven out of phase through a pair of cascode transistors. The cross-coupled inverter pair provides pull-up to the positive rail, clamping to a High Side-Common (HSC), and providing Hysteretic Switching. The cascode transistors restrict the pull-down of the control devices, thereby preventing continuous current conduction.

Level shifter circuits are frequently used to translate one voltage level to another. For example, to conserve power, the "core" voltage within an IC frequently operates at low voltage, but is scaled up at the output. A special class of level shifters is the "half bridge drivers" in which complementary signals are applied to an "upper" and "lower" device. In this application, typically the lower device does not require any special signal processing. The upper device requires level shifting in order to provide adequate Gate-Source enhancement, which is necessary because the source potential is not referenced to ground.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical half-bridge circuit with a level shifter. Level shifter circuit 10 comprises a first inverter (V1) 16, a pair of control devices 20 and 28 (N1 and N2, respectively), and a cross-coupled pair devices 18 and 24 (P1 and P2, respectively). Complementary signals are applied to N1 and N2 which in combination with P1 and P2 allow node 26 (Q') to swing between Vboost 11 and ground. A half-bridge circuit 108 comprising transistors 34 and 38 (N3 and N4, respectively) and a boost circuit is generated by diode 32(D1) in combination with "flying capacitor" 30 (C1). A major disadvantage of level shifter circuit 10 is that devices N1, N2, P1 and P2 are all vulnerable to the full voltage excursion from ground to Vboost. This requires special high voltage processing to minimize or avoid the potential of damages to these devices, which adds to manufacturing cost. Furthermore, since the gates of P1 and P2 are driven to twice the voltage as N1 and N2, toggling of these devices from one state to another are further aggravated and made more difficult. There is therefore a need for a level shifter circuit that provides the necessary voltage shifting while minimizing the vulnerability of the level shifter to voltage excursions that may damage the circuit devices, as well as improving performance and minimizing difficulties in toggling devices from one state to another.


There is provided a technique that enhances the detection accuracy of a liquid contained in a tank unit. A printer 10 is provided with a tank unit 40A. The tank unit 40A includes a plurality of ink tanks 43A and a plurality of ink cylinder portions 46A. Each of the plurality of ink cylinder portions 46A is connected with corresponding one of the ink tanks 43A by a tube 47, such as to cause ink contained in the corresponding ink tank 43A to flow into the ink cylinder portion 46A. Each of the ink cylinder portions 46A is provided with a pair of terminal pins 96a and 96b that are used for detection of ink. A horizontal sectional area of the ink cylinder portion 46A at a height position where the pair of terminal pins 96a and 96b are provided is smaller than a horizontal sectional area of the ink tank 43A at a corresponding height position.

An inkjet printer that forms an image by ejection of ink, hereinafter may be simply referred to as "printer", is known as one aspect of the liquid consuming apparatus. The printer is generally provided with a tank unit that is one aspect of the liquid supply apparatus and receives supply of ink from an ink tank included in the tank unit. A technique of providing a detector configured to detect the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank has been proposed with regard to the printer (for example, Patent Literature 1 given below).

Liquid supply apparatus and liquid consuming apparatus


Systems and methods for passively determining when a threshold force has been exceeded. An example apparatus includes a housing and a substrate that is attached at one end to an interior portion of the housing. The substrate includes at least one conductive trace, each having two ends. The substrate is configured to fail when the threshold force has been experienced. The metal trace ends are electrically accessible from an exterior side of the housing. Prior to delivery, the housing is connected to a package that includes one or more force sensitive devices. Upon arrival of the package, the at least one conductive trace is electrically tested to determined if the substrate has failed. If the substrate has failed the package has experienced a force greater than the threshold force.

Electronic (sensor) equipment can be damaged if the vibration on a particular axis exceeds a threshold amount. This damage can occur even if the electronic equipment is powered off (such as while being transported). Electronic monitoring of vibration for extended periods of time requires at a minimum a power source and a means to store the maximum vibration value detected, both of which can be impractical for many applications.


A fabrication method of a trenched power semiconductor structure with a schottky diode is provided. Firstly, a drain region is formed in a substrate. Next, at least two gate structures are formed above the drain region, and then, a body and at least a source region are formed between the two adjacent gate structures. Thereafter, a first dielectric structure is formed on the gate structure to shield the gate structure. Then, a contact window is formed in the body and has side surface thereof adjacent to the source region to expose the source region. Afterward, a second dielectric structure is formed in the contact window. Next, by using the second dielectric structure as an etching mask, the body is etched to form a narrow trench extending to the drain region below the body. Finally, a metal layer is filled into the contact window and the narrow trench.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a trenched power semiconductor structure and a fabrication method thereof, and more particularly relates to the trenched power semiconductor structure with Schottky Diode.
2. Description of Related Art
In present, the trend in development for trenched power semiconductor devices is towards the performance of switching speed, which is especially helpful for reducing switching loss in high-frequency applications. Among various solutions for improving switching speed, it is an effective method to add a schottky diode in the power semiconductor structure.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor T1 with a schottky diode SD1 to improve switching loss. As shown, the MOS transistor T1 has a body diode D1 connected to the schottky diode SD1 in parallel. Because the turn-on voltage of the schottky diode SD1 is smaller than that of the body diode D1, the current would be directed from the source electrode S through the schottky diode SD1 to the drain electrode D when the MOS transistor T1 becomes forwardly biased, and the body diode D1 would not be conducted.
Because of the minority carriers, the switching of the body diode D1 is quite slow, which may cause unwanted time delay and result in switching loss. The usage of schottky diode, which has no minority carriers, is able to improve the problems of time delay and switching loss due to the conduction of body diode D1.

Trenched power semiconductor structure with schottky diode and fabrication method thereof


A transportable, reusable rapidly assembled and disassembled, resizable modular, security enclosure utilizes a stepped panel construction. Each panel has an inner portion and an outer portion which form joints. A plurality of channels can be affixed to selected joints of the panels. Panels can be affixed to a base member and then affixed to one another by the use of elongated pins extending through the channel joints. Alternatively, the base member can be omitted and the panels themselves can be used as the floor of the enclosure. The pins will extend generally parallel to the joint in which they are located. These elongated pins are readily inserted into and removable from the channels in a predetermined sequence to allow assembly and disassembly of the enclosure. A door constructed from panels is used to close the opening to the enclosure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transportable, reusable, rapidly assembled and disassembled, re-sizable modular, security enclosure. This enclosure utilizes elongated pins connected to channels on individual panels.
2. Description of the Background Art
Various modular security enclosures are known. While existing modular vaults offer a certain level of security, they are very heavy. These prior art vaults are also complicated to assemble and disassemble. In fact, disassembly can destroy part of the vault making it difficult, if not impossible, to reuse.
Current modular vaults rely on many welded and bolted connections during assembly. As a result, a fork lift, an arch welder, a hammer, a drill and wrenches, for example, are needed in order to assemble the vault. This approach is both time consuming and requires additional equipment and specialized personnel for assembly. Disassembly of such a vault can also be very time consuming. The many welds must be ground or cut off and bolts must be removed.
In addition, the connection points in prior art modular vaults are not concealed within the vault wall. If an adversary were to penetrate the vault, further panels could easily be removed due to the exposed inner connections. Therefore, any wall could be a vulnerable point to further penetration.
Additionally, the door of existing modular vaults is normally a completely separate unit. Such a door with its lock mechanism and door frame tends to be large and heavy. These doors require special handling.
Accordingly, a need in the art exists for a simple modular, security enclosure which can be easily assembled and disassembled. The size of this enclosure should be variable and no special equipment should be needed to assemble or disassemble this enclosure. In fact, a need exists for a security enclosure which can be manually transported and assembled. Accordingly, such a security enclosure could be located in areas which do not now normally utilize a vault. Moreover, a need exists for a security enclosure which will not be readily disassembled if an adversary penetrates a portion of this enclosure. Such an enclosure should also avoid a heavy door and the entire enclosure should be relatively light.

Modular, security enclosure and method of assembly


An electric motor is described that includes a mid-shield, a chassis, and a motor control unit configured to be mounted to the chassis. The chassis includes a plurality of clinches formed proximate a first end of the chassis and configured to provide axial positioning of the mid-shield with respect to the chassis.

The field of the disclosure relates generally to electric motors, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for reducing the size of electric motors.
Electric motors, of which electronically commutated motors (ECMs) are but one example, are used in a wide variety of applications. ECMs are sometimes referred to in the industry, and herein, as brushless DC motors. ECMs, like other motors, generally incorporate a magnetic rotor core that is energized by the electric field emanating from a stator assembly.
In most applications, motors are mounted to a frame or other structure, typically using mounting bolts, the mounting bolts engaging or extending through the motor chassis. It is a continuing effort to reduce the weight and expense of such electric motors. As electric motors include a multitude of components, such motors may be referred to as a motor assembly. Some efforts have been made to reduce expense by reducing the number of components of electric motors. Generally, this is accomplished by varying the configuration of a first component so that it provides its original functionality plus the functionality of a second component, which is then no longer needed in the completed motor assembly.

Methods and apparatus for reducing the size of electric motors


A point-of-purchase product display box having an adjustable length for the receptacle. The display box comprises first and second telescopically-engaged segments each of generally rectangular parallelepipedon configuration with back panels, a pair of side flaps, and one end flap, all extending at right angles from the back panel. The side flaps of each of the first and second segments have spaced-apart rows of aligned bores formed therein along row axes generally parallel to the common juncture line between the side flaps and the back panel, including an upper row and a lower row with the axes of the separate rows being aligned, and with a number of bores being arranged to permit telescopically-engaged relationship between the segments in either closely coupled or elongated relationship so as to accommodate the available space at the point-of-purchase location.

The present invention relates generally to an improved point-of-purchase product display assembly, and more specifically to a package product display box having means to provide an adjustable length for the receptacle. Point-of-purchase displays are widely and extensively utilized in supermarkets and other retail outlets, and are commonly used to display articles in a space which frequently varies from establishment-to-establishment, and which may also vary from time-to-time in the same establishment. Typically, these receptacles are utilized for material which is offered in prepackaged or like-form, such as for example, dairy products, beverage products, frozen confectionery and baking products, and the like. These products are displayed at retail in a variety of environments, such as in a freezer, refrigerator, or room-temperature environment.
Point-of-purchase product display receptacles are typically fabricated from corrugated material, including conventional corrugated or plastic-surface corrugated material. The surface of the material of construction is normally required to be printable in order that indicia, trademarks, slogans, and the like may be imprinted thereon. Other advertising indicia may be placed on such receptacles as well in order to more appropriately inform the purchaser of the nature, quality, or quantity of product being displayed.
As indicated above, the size constraints available for point-of-purchase product display may vary from store-to-store, and may also vary within a given store from time-to-time. For example, in a typical supermarket facility, the manager assigns vendors and merchandise suppliers areas where the products may be displayed. Because of the changing needs of the facility, such as may be dictated by season, economy, and other general needs of the market, the assigned spaces may vary from time-to-time. Furthermore, the products to be displayed may have a different configuration and/or size, and thus the display receptacle must be capable of accommodating articles of various sizes, as well as various numbers of such articles.

Package product display box having adjustable length feature


A gradient coil comprises a curved conductor, which is tubular and has a general spiral shape. The curved conductor is formed by a process comprising depositing at least one non-conductive material layer by layer to form a substrate, and coating at least a portion of a surface of the substrate with a conductive material. The substrate has a shape matching with the general spiral shape of the curved conductor. Embodiments of the present disclosure further refer to a method for manufacturing the gradient coil.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to gradient coils and methods for manufacturing the gradient coils.
Gradient coils are important elements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Hollow gradient coils have many benefits, such as good heat dispersion. However, challenges exist in manufacturing the hollow gradient coils. In the conventional methods, the hollow gradient coil is manufactured by winding copper tubing in a plane, and then rolling the winded copper tubing to a curved surface. The rolling process would cause distortion and thus affecting a performance of the gradient coil. The rolling process would also introduce variations between the gradient coils.
In a conventional gradient coil assembly, an insulation layer is usually made of a single material; thus the insulation layer with the same property at any portion thereon, cannot meet different requirements in practice (e.g., requirements for different acoustic properties at different portions).
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a new gradient coil and a new method for manufacturing the gradient coil, in order to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.


Siloxane-based gel compositions are prepared from room temperature condensation curable mixtures that include 0.5-45% by weight silicone resin with at least two hydroxyl groups, 99.5-55% by weight of at least one silanol-terminated siloxane fluid, and a co-curable compound with an amino group. The siloxane-based gel compositions can be used as adhesives or sealants in medical articles.

A wide range of adhesive articles are used in medical applications. These adhesive articles include gels used to attach electrodes and other sensing devices to the skin of a patient, a wide range of tapes to attach medical devices to a patient, and adhesive dressings used to cover and protect wounds.
Many of the adhesive articles use pressure sensitive adhesives. Pressure sensitive adhesives are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art to possess certain properties at room temperature including the following: (1) aggressive and permanent tack, (2) adherence with no more than finger pressure, (3) sufficient ability to hold onto an adherend, and (4) sufficient cohesive strength to be removed cleanly from the adherend. Materials that have been found to function well as pressure sensitive adhesives are polymers designed and formulated to exhibit the requisite viscoelastic properties resulting in a desired balance of tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength. The most commonly used polymers for preparation of pressure sensitive adhesives are natural rubber, synthetic rubbers (e.g., styrene/butadiene copolymers (SBR) and styrene/isoprene/styrene (SIS) block copolymers), various (meth)acrylate (e.g., acrylate and methacrylate) copolymers, and silicones.
One problem with using adhesive articles for medical applications is that the removal of adhesive article can cause trauma to the skin. This is particularly troublesome in patients with sensitive skin, such as infants and the elderly, and can become severe with chronic patients where adhesive articles are repeatedly attached and removed over a long term period.
Various attempts have been made to mitigate this problem with adhesive articles. In particular, health care professionals utilized removal techniques to mitigate skin trauma. One way to mitigate trauma to the skin is to remove the adhesive article using a slow peel at a high angle to avoid stretching the skin. Another way to mitigate trauma, when the adhesive article is stretchable, is to pull straight out (as close to a 0° angle as possible) to induce stretch releasing of the adhesive layer from the skin. Also, manufactures of adhesive articles have developed articles that mitigate skin trauma. So called "gentle-to-skin adhesives" have been developed that provide sufficient adhesion to skin to adhere the adhesive article to the skin, but do not strip of skin cells significantly when removed.
A variety of gentle-to-skin adhesives and dressings that use gentle-to-skin adhesives have been described. A gentle-to-skin adhesive is described in US Patent Publication No. 2011/0212325 (Determan et al.) which describes an electron beam and gamma radiation crosslinked silicone gel adhesive that may use either nonfunctional or functional poly diorganosiloxanes. In the European Patent No. EP 2,001,424 (Cotton) adhesive laminate dressings are described that include a hydrophobic gel adhesive useful as the skin contact layer, and also containing a structural layer having the gel adhesive on one side and a pressure sensitive adhesive on the other side. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,076 (Fabo) describes a hypertrophic scar dressing that includes silicone-gel on that side of the dressing which lies against the user's skin and a flexible carrier sheet embodied within the silicone-gel such tht the gel forms continuous layers on both sides of the carrier, and US Patent Publication No. 2010/0331785 (Fabo et al.) describes a dressing that includes a liquid impermeable film layer coated with a skin friendly adhesive on the side intended to adhere to the skin.
A variety of silicone pressure sensitive adhesives and blends of silicone pressure sensitive adhesives have been described. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,070 (McInally et al.) a composition suitable for use as a medical adhesive is described with contains a curable mixture of (A) a copolymer containing triorganosiloxy units and (B) a polydiorganosiloxane fluid containing hydroxyl groups, an organosilicon compound with more than two silicon-bonded alkoxy groups per molecule, and a condensation catalyst. In the Canadian Patent Publication No. 711,756 (Pail), a pressure sensitive adhesive is prepared by heating a mixture at a temperature above 100° C. of (1) 45-75 weight % of a resin copolymer with SiO2 and R3SiO1/2 units; (2) 25-55 weight % of a hydroxyl endblocked polydiorganosiloxane fluid, and (3) 0.001-5 weight % of an aliphatic organic amine compound. In US Patent Publication No. 2012/0095109 (Garaud et al.) adhesive films include (a) a polyoransiloxane resin composed of M and Q units, (d) a hydrosilation catalyst and at least one of (b) a polyorganosiloxane compound having at least 2 Si—H groups, or (c) a telechelic polyorganosiloxane compound having terminal Si—H groups. In US Patent Publication No. 2011/0028647 (Sixt et al.) room temperature crosslinkable materials are described that are based on organosilicon compounds and a catalyst containing a metal of the main or subgroup I or II in conjunction with an inorganic acid. US Patent Publication 2007/0202245 (Gantner et al.) describes a method for adhering a medical substrate to a human or animal using a silicone gel containing a hydroxyl substituted siloxane resin. US Patent Publication 2005/0282977 (Stempel et al.) describes a pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising a blend of (1) a gel comprising a copolymer of an organosiloxane and siloxane having a plurality of reactive functionalities and a crosslinking agent, and (2) a pressure sensitive adhesive that is non-reactive with the gel. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,807 (Terada et al.) a curable silicone gel comprising (A) a polyorganosiloxane, (C) an addition-reaction platinum catalyst, (D) an organosilicon compound, and (E) an organic titanium compound.
Medical articles are described in US Patent Publication No. 2012/0029455 (Perez-Foullerat et al.), which describes wound dressings with gel adhesives, and US Patent Publication No. 2012/0135225 (Colas et al.) which describes a multi-layer transdermal patch comprising a non-curing pressure sensitive adhesive that has a therapeutic agent blended with it. Medical sealants are described in PCT Publication No. 2012/069794 (Phillips et al.) which describes a two part tissue sealant with part A comprising alkenyl-group containing prepolymers, and part B comprising prepolymers containing Si—H groups, and a catalyst.

Room temperature curable siloxane-based gels


A nonwoven fabric contains a plurality of fibers having average fiber diameter Dave in a range from 10 nm to 3 μm, inclusive. The nonwoven fabric has a plurality of fusion portions among the plurality of fibers. The nonwoven fabric has a first principal surface and a second principal surface on an opposite side to the first principal surface. Average number Nh of the fusion portions observed per 500 μm2 on the first principal surface is six or more.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a nonwoven fabric having a fusion portion in which fibers are fused with each other, and a dust collecting filter, a medium for microorganisms or biological tissue, and a cosmetic article, using the nonwoven fabric.
2. Description of the Related Art
A nonwoven fabric has consecutive voids formed among fibers, and thus has a large surface area, and allows excellent ventilation or high permeability. Thus, the nonwoven fabric is used for various applications such as a dust collecting filter, medical applications, and cosmetic applications. For example, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2012-210790 has proposed that a nonwoven fabric is used for cosmetic articles such as a face mask. Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2012-200152 has proposed that a nonwoven fabric is used for a medium for culturing species.
Generally, if a nonwoven fabric has a lot of voids therein, a surface area increases, and thus ventilation or permeability increases, but the strength (mechanical strength) decreases.
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2014-114521 has proposed that composite nonwoven fabric C formed of nonwoven fabric A as a base and nanofiber nonwoven fabric layer B is laminated on nonwoven fabric D to which an adhesive is applied, as a nonwoven fabric for an air filter, from the viewpoint of increasing the strength of a filter using nanofibers and thus reducing a pressure loss.

Nonwoven fabric, and dust collecting filter, medium of microorganism or biological tissue, and cosmetic article, each having the same

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A device for reducing the wave motion in a waterbed mattress which provides optimum firm and conforming feel to the user, while not promoting fungi or algae growth and being capable of allowing the mattress to be substantially completely drained. The wave motion reducing device comprises at least one compartment including a top wall, a bottom wall, and a marginal perimeter wall interconnecting the top wall and the bottom wall to form an enclosed chamber. The bottom wall and the marginal perimeter wall respectively define at least one opening therethrough, the opening being of a dimension to enable a minimum fluid flow into and out of the chamber and inhibit transient fluid flow into and out of the chamber. A buoyant insert is operatively connected to the top wall to urge the compartment toward the top of such bladder. The buoyant insert includes a member having a plurality of uniformly sized air entrapping cells. The cells serve to constantly urge the compartment toward the top surface of the mattress and do not interact with the water so that fungi and algae growth are prevented.

This invention relates in general to a device for reducing wave motion in waterbed mattresses, and more particularly to a wave reducing device of the hydraulic chamber type having a bouyant insert to locate the hydraulic chamber for optimum wave motion reduction.
Floatation sleep systems, commonly referred to as waterbeds, have become a popular alternative to conventional bedding due to their ability to give a more comfortable and relaxing sleep. This superior sleep is attributable, at least in part, to the substantially uniform pressure distribution exerted on the body when lying on the surface of the waterbed mattress. However, historically, objections to waterbeds have been based primarily on their propensity for extensive surface movement when a body supported on the mattress bladder changes position. The extensive movement is due to reflected wave action of the water within the bladder, initially induced by the changing of the location of displacement when the supported body moves on the surface of the bladder. Recent attempts to reduce wave motion have included utilizing a filler material, such as fiber and foam for example, within the bladder of the waterbed mattress. Such material has certain drawbacks which make their use less than desireable. Specifically, the fiber and foam react with the water to promote the growth of fungi and algae, and further they retain water so that complete draining of the bladder is not possible.
Another mechanism by which reduction of wave motion has been attempted is the inclusion of a device within the bladder which acts as a baffle to the flow of water within the bladder. One particularly effective baffle device is typically referred to as an hydraulic chamber. The hydraulic chamber comprises a compartment having a plurality of ports for allowing the water to move in and out of the compartment. The ports are of sufficient size to enable the water to move relatively freely into and out of the comparrtment when the mattress bladder is filled or drained, but restricts rapid transient flow of water induced by movement of a body supported on the surface of the mattress.
An example of a typical hydraulic chamber is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,404 (issued Aug. 26, 1986, in the name of Fraige). The hydraulic chamber of such patent includes a buoyant insert of interbonded, non-woven polyester fiber. The bouyant insert serves to float the top of the chamber just below the top surface of the mattress with the chamber hanging downwardly toward the bottom of the mattress. Such location of the chamber, enables the top surface of the mattress to exhibit a desireable feel to a body supported on the mattress. However, hydraulic chambers with buoyant inserts of this construction take time to stabalize against the top surface of the mattress when subjected to body movement on the surface, and further are subject to the above noted disadvantages of fiber in the water environment of the waterbed mattress.

Device for reducing wave motion in a waterbed mattress


A rod-guided crosshead assembly for use in a pump or similar machine. The assembly includes a crosshead having a rigid body with a pair of parallel passageways passing from the front to the rear of the body. The body also has a rearwardly opening cavity between the parallel passageways for receiving the ring-shaped link of a crank arm. Further, the body has a transverse aperture intersecting the cavity for receiving a pivot pin capable of passing through the ring-shaped link to pivotally connect the crank arm to the crosshead. The body additionally has a connecting rod extending from the front thereof for connecting to a reciprocating machine part. A conduit connects the parallel passageways and places them in fluid communication with one another. A pair of parallel guide rods extends through the parallel passageways. One of the guide rods is hollow so as to define an elongated aperture therein and has a peripheral groove around its exterior surface. A transverse passageway connects the peripheral groove and the elongated aperture. A pressurized oil source is in fluid communication with the elongated aperture so that oil supplied thereto travels to the parallel passageways to lubricate the crosshead as it moves on the guide rods.

Crossheads have long been used in motors, pumps, compressors and other machines to smoothly convert rotational motion into linear motion. As is well known, conventional crossheads slide linearly between a pair of cupped guides at their tops and bottoms. These guides have always been difficult to lubricate and have tended to wear unevenly, imparting a wobbling motion to a crosshead as it moves. Unfortunately, in cases where a crosshead is connected to a piston as in a pump, crosshead wobble has been found to break down the packing surrounding the piston and cause the pump to leak. Leaks of this sort often require costly and time-consuming repairs made worse by the lost value of the broken machine's output during the repair period.


An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for molding soft contact lenses, and particularly an apparatus and method for precuring a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture under pressure to form a soft contact lens.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,313 to Larsen, now assigned to the assignee of the present application, discloses the polymerization of a monomer to form a soft contact lens by means of ultraviolet light. In addition, this reference also teaches that an ultraviolet light catalyst can be added to the polymerization system to effect an essentially complete polymerization.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,459 to Kindt-Larsen et al. entitled "Method of Forming Shaped Hydrogel Articles Including Contact Lenses" teaches the polymerization of soft contact lenses wherein the monomer/diluent mixture in a transparent polystyrene mold is exposed on one side to 1.7 jewels/centimeter squared of ultraviolet radiation for ten minutes at 55.degree. C. (TL 09 lamps with peak radiation of 350 nm).
In addition to these two references, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,565,348; 4,680,336; 4,640,489 and 5.080,839 all disclose the polymerization of a monomer with ultraviolet light to form a soft contact lens. The entire disclosure of each of these references are hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application.

Mold clamping and precure of a polymerizable hydrogel


Methods of performing PCR are provided. Methods may include using an optical source to provide heating for thermocyling the PCR reaction. Methods may include using surface plasmon resonance and/or fluorescence resonance enhanced transfer to allow real-time monitoring of a PCR reaction. Methods may include immobilizing a template, primer, or polymerase on a surface such as a gold or other surface plasmon resonance active surface.

Analysis of an estimated 5000 genetic disorders linked to hereditary disease and identification of ˜1.4 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rely on gene amplification by PCR. Mutations in the β-globin gene, for example, result in sickle cell anemia and β-thalassaemia, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe anemia (Talmaci et al., 2004). Cancer, diabetes, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, musculoskeletal disorders and many other diseases can have a genetic basis. Increasing the speed and sensitivity of PCR could improve diagnosis of genetic diseases and enhance the development of therapeutic or prophylactic countermeasures.
SPR Detection of DNA: Label-free biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA) of DNA (Feriotto & Gambari, 2004; Goodrich et al., 2004) including PCR products (Kaie et al., 1999) has been evaluated in planar SPR sensors like commercially-available BIACore™ (BIACore) or Spreeta™ (Texas Instruments) analyzers. Single-base pair mismatches at or near the 3′ end of template/primer dsDNA could be distinguished by SPR based on relative binding efficiencies to DNA polymerase I (Tsoi et al., 2000). Sequencing of polynucleotides by interaction with immobilized DNA polymerase and SPR-based detection of ensuing effects has been suggested (Densham, 2002). These studies show DNA detection by SPR can reach 1-500 femtomolar levels (Goodrich et al., 2004; Park et al., 2002) with point mutation selectivity factors of ˜105:1 (Park et al., 2002), although simultaneous laser-induced amplification and real-time detection of template DNA have not been reported.
Extinction properties of plasmon resonant nanoparticles (NP) have been examined (Oldenburg et al., 1999; Westcott et al., 2001) and have been applied to detect bound DNA (Park et al., 2002; Schultz, 2003; Storhoffet al., 2002; Taton et al., 2000). These reports have not examined solid-phase amplification by polymerase or primers bound to planar- or nanoparticle-Au surfaces, but they show how ionic strength and chain length affect Au-oligonucleotide interactions including aggregation, binding, hybridization and denaturation.
Immobilizing Primers and Probes on Au Surfaces: Minisequencing on oligonucleotide microarrays is promising for large-scale DNA analysis and detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (Lindroos et al., 2001; Pastinen et al., 1997). Real-time SPR-induced minisequencing using primers or probes on Au surfaces has not been reported, although DNA has been immobilized on NP and hybridized NP-DNA conjugates have been detected by SPR. Storhoff et al. (2002) showed linking alkanethiol-capped poly-T, C or A to Au NPs prevented aggregation in ≦1M NaCl using 8- and 12-np oligos, and in 0.07-1.2M MgCl2 using larger oligos in the range 5- to 15-bp. Cleaving 5′ disulfide bonds of alkanethiol-capped oligonucleotides permitted Au-thiol covalent bond formation and gave surface coverages of ˜1013 strands/cm2 (Jin et al., 2003). This yielded ˜90, 160 and 250 single strands per 13, 31 and 50-nm NP, respectively. Alkanethiol-capped poly-T gave higher Au surface coverages than poly-C or -A, preventing non-specific Au-DNA interactions from amine or carbonyl functional groups and backbone phosphate groups and providing greater stability (Demers et al., 2002). Cyclic dithiane-epiandrosterone disulfide linkers and trithiol-capped oligonucleotides increased stability of DNA-oligo covalent bonds in the presence of dithiothreitol, which is present as a stabilizer in some PCR buffers (Shultz, 2003).
Probe Hybridization, Primer Annealing and Denaturation on Au Surfaces: Au-NP-immobilized alkanethiol-capped oligos that were hybridized to complementary oligos exhibited sharp melting profiles and higher melt temperatures (Tm) than analogous oligos with molecular fluorophore probes (Storhoff et al., 2002). This effect arose from multiple links between NP and local ionic strength effects. Melt-curve sharpness and Tm increased with immobilized probe density, with poly-A spacer length from 0 to 30 bp, and with NP size from 13 to 50 nm at constant concentrations of NP and target (Jin et al., 2003). Melting temperatures increased from 41 to 61.5° C. and hybridization rates increased as NaCl content increased from 0.05 to 1.0 M. Hybridization with immobilized oligos was not detected for NaCl<0.05 M at room temperature. Changing NaCl content ˜0.1M induced melting or denaturation at T<Tm.
Immobilizing Polymerase on Au Surfaces: Research on chromatin loops suggests template slides past DNA and RNA polymerases immobilized in vivo in large transcription factories (Iborra et al., 1996). DNA polymerase covalently linked to a surface via amide-bond formation retained 10% of its solution-phase activity when its active site was masked by substrate during immobilization (Hwang et al., 2002; Hwang et al., 2004). In contrast, Taq DNA polymerase fused to a human serum albumin (HSA) binding protein yielded little extension product after affinity-immobilization to a HSA-coated surface (Nilsson et al., 1997). Transcriptional fidelity, reliability and yield is increased by covalently linking the polymerase domain to a sequence non-specific DNA binding protein to impart a sliding grip on the minor groove (Pelletier, 2000; Wang et al., 2004). This enhanced polymerase processivity 2-fold relative to Taq and 12-fold relative to other high-fidelity polymerases, yielding a transcription rate of 3.8 kilobasepairs (kb) per minute. This rate correlates well with replication-fork movement of 0.5 to 5 kb per minute in eukaryotic chromosomes, but is well below prokaryotic rates of almost 100 kb per minute (Kornberg & Baker, 1992). Immobilizing polymerase to perform PCR amplification could be readily integrated into Lab-on-a-Chip devices (Hwang et al., 2003).
SPR-Induced Heating of Au Surfaces: Titanium:sapphire (Ti:sapphire) laser pumping is the method most frequently used to dissipate heat from Ag and Au nanoparticles (Boyer et al., 2002; Halte, et al., 1999; Hu & Hartland, 2002) and Au—Si nanoshells (Hu et al, 2003) and to inactivate Au-surface-associated proteins (Huettmann, et al., 2003; Radt et al, 2001). However, heating for thermal melting, binding, or desorption of DNA bases and nucleotides interacting with Au surfaces has been induced only by changing bulk solution temperature (Demers et al., 2002; Jin et al., 2003) or by inductive coupling (Hamad-Schifferil et al., 2002). Inductive coupling of radio-frequency magnetic field to 1.4-nm Au nocrystals with a power output of 1-4 watts increased apparent temperature 13° C., but this increase is insufficient for PCR thermal cycling.
Femtosecond laser pulses excite nonlocalized Au electrons to create a highly nonisothermal electron distribution that relaxes within 500 fs by electron-electron scattering to establish a new distribution corresponding to a higher temperature (Link & El-Sayed, 2003). Temperature (T) increased in NP with diameters from 5 to 50 nm in proportion to pump laser flux (intensity, Io/spot size, σ), a function of sample absorbance (A), and the inverse of sample heat capacity, Cp, Au concentration, and cell pathlength (l), respectively, according to Beers Law:
                              Δ                                                              T                =                                                                              I                  o                                                                  (                                      1                    -                    ζ                                    )                                            2                                                  (                              1                -                                  10                                      -                    A                                                              )                                                          σ                                            [                Au                ]                                                                C              p                                    l                                              (        1        )
In Eq 1, (1−ζ)2 with ζ˜0.04 accounts for pump laser scattering in the sample cell. Temperature increases (ΔT) of 40 K were produced in 15 nm Au NP using 0.2 μJ/pulse/6×10−4 cm2 pump power from a regeneratively amplified Ti:sapphire laser (λ=780 nm; 0.5 mJ/pulse/; 120 fs fwhm sech2 deconvolution; 1 kHz repetition rate) (Hu and Hartland, 2002). Much higher laser fluxes were required to inactivate Au-NP-bound proteins. Thirty-five ps pulses at 527 nm with 50 mJ/cm2, and 16 ns pulses at 450 mJ/cm2 inactivated 80% and 100% of alkaline phosphatase bound to 15-nm NP, respectively (Radt et al, 2001). These studies did not report rapid cycling of SPR-induced thermal dissipation to anneal, elongate or denature DNA strands but they are useful to design conditions for SPR-based PCR. Ti:sapphire laser pumping, continuous Argon-ion lasing, or alternate optical sources that stimulate surface plasmon resonance can achieve ΔT=17 K and ΔT=39 K required for elongation and denaturation, respectively, relative to an ambient temperature of 55° C. without inactivating Taq or Phusion™ polymerase.
Characteristic Time Scale for Temperature Dissipation: Gold electrons excited by femtosecond laser light exchange energy with the environment via pump-power dependent electron-phonon coupling (Link & El-Sayed, 2003). Particle temperatures in aqueous Au sols dissipate with time, T(t), relative to the surrounding (Ts) and initial (Ti) temperatures, according to a phenomenological stretched exponential function (Hu & Hartland, 2002):
                                                        T                                            (                t                )                                      -                          T              s                                                          T              i                        -                          T              s                                      =                  exp                                {                          -                                                (                                      t                    /                    τ                                    )                                β                                      }                                              (        2        )
where τ=0.64 picoseconds nm−2×R2 for R in nm, and β=0.6 and 0.7 for 2R=5 nm to 15 nm and 26 nm to 50 nm particles, respectively. Observed characteristic decay times increased from 10 ps for 2R=5-nm Au NP to 380 ps for 2R=50-nm Au NP. The energy-dissipation time-scale, τd, may be estimated in general (Wilson et al, 2002) by equating the heat capacity of radius R particles, 4/3πR3 Cp, to the heat capacity of adjoining thermal diffusion layer of thickness ld=(ατd)1/2, where α is thermal diffusivity. The heat capacity of the diffusion layer is 4πR2ldCf. The time scale is then:
                              τ          d                =                                            r              2                                                  C              p              2                                                  ρ              f                                            9                                      C              f                                                  k              f                                                          (        3        )
Eq. 3 shows τd increases proportional to particle surface area for 2R=5 nm or larger and inversely with thermal conductivity, kf, and heat capacity, Cf, of surrounding medium, which is consistent with an absence of interface effects. Immobilizing alkanethiol-capped DNA onto Au NP changes the interface thermal conductance, G, which has units of Wm−2K−1, and delays energy exchange between surface Au atoms and surrounding molecules. The characteristic decay may then be estimated as (Wilson et al, 2002):
                              τ          i                =                              rC            p                                3                        G                                              (        4        )
Although G>20 MW m−2K−1 was reported for dodecanethiol-terminated 2R=3-5 nm Au NP, a potential electron effect at the Au-alkanethiol interface increased the observed decay about 10-fold relative to the value obtained with Eq 4. Amplification of 110- and 536-bp fragments of human β-globin gene would take about 66 and 330 milliseconds, respectively at a rate of 1667 bp per sec (Kornberg & Baker, 1991).
Characteristic Length Scale for Temperature Dissipation: Using a A20 spacer (Jin et al., 2003) between the forward/reverse primer pairs and the Au surface gives total lengths (fragment plus spacer) of 44 and 189 nm for 110- and 536-bp fragments of human β-globin, respectively, since 106 nucleotides occupy a linear distance of 3.4×105 nm (Molecular Biology at NCBI, 2004).
Commercially-Available Thermal Cyclers vs. Real-Time PCR: PCR steps in conventional block thermal cyclers take 20 to 60 seconds each. Hours are required for 35-45 cycles to achieve end-point gene levels that are detectable by subsequent ethidium bromide or fluorescent staining of gels. Real-time PCR methods that quantify genes with fluorescent labels are more reproducible, have a wider dynamic range and eliminate risk of carryover contamination (Vet & Marras, 2005). Real-time fluorescent-label methods avoid second round amplification, false positives, or confirmational sequencing. Fluorescent SYBR green dye intercalates dsDNA during annealing and extension steps, but melt temperatures, Tm, must be analyzed to distinguish signal from SYBR interaction with desired amplicons from non-specific interaction with primer dimers. Using FRET from donor 3′-fluorescein to adjacent acceptor cyanine dye Cy5 or 5′-LC Red 640 labeled on amplicon-specific hybridization probes that are 23-35 bp long reduces non-specific background signal (Wittwer et al., 1997). LightCycling™, the fastest real-time PCR method, heats template samples in glass capillaries by forced air and continuously monitors DNA formation by fluorescence. LightCycling™ can detect ˜100 initial copies and finish in 10 to 15 minutes.
SPR decreases the intensity of light reflected at a specific angle from a conducting gold film adjacent to a dielectric medium (glass and sample). The setup for SPR with planar- or NP-Au surfaces is shown in FIG. 1. At the angle of minimum reflectance, incident light photons excite delocalized metal electrons, causing them to oscillate collectively and dissipate light energy. The minimum angle varies with the sample refractive index close to the glass surface. β-globin template that binds to immobilized forward/reverse primers increases the local refractive index (RI), shifting the angle of minimum reflectance in proportion to mass concentration, producing a SPR sensorgram. RI changes are detectable within ˜200 nm of flat Au surfaces and within 10 to 20 nm of 40-nm Au NP

Simultaneous amplification and detection of ribonucleic acid be an optical method using surface plasmon resonance

The University of Utah Research Foundation


A malleable, handed, wrist brace extending between the forearm and hand for immobilizing the wrist is disclosed. The brace includes a bendable and cut work hardened aluminum sheet cut with a central volar extension ending in a palmar support. The volar extension includes paired transversely extending forearm gripping arms and paired transversely extending wrist joint gripping arms. At the hand end of the brace, paired transversely extending palm gripping arms extend to opposite sides of the palm from just above the palmar support. The cut aluminum sheet has a molded exterior and liner interior bonded to opposite side with the gripper arms bent to confront the liner to the limb to be immobilized. The palmar support portion of the brace confronts a convex portion of the palmar support to the palm to provide preferred anatomical positioning of the hand with respect to the forearm (roughly 5.degree. of dorsi-flexion at the wrist). The brace is virtually self directing in its installation and requires minimum dexterity in such installation so that even a partially disabled user can install the disposable brace.

Wrist injury is common. Frequently, and due to modern hand and digit tasks--such a typing--the hand in the vicinity of the carpal tunnel becomes irritated. As a result of such irritation, there is a need both to brace the hand away from plantar flexion and even to slight dorsi-flexion.
Prior art wrist braces are well known. Typically such braces include a spoon like member for supporting the hand. In such braces, the wrist is surrounded in the vicinity of the forearm over the radius and the ulna usually by a wrapping having multiple layers. A spoon like metal support has the longitudinal or handle portion of the spoon buried in between the layers of wrapping over the forearm. The spoon like member cantilevers out over the condyles of the radius and ulna with the convex side of the spoon member addressed to the palm of the hand. The convex portion of the spoon fits over the carpal tunnel in the vicinity of the carpal ligament. Thereafter, the hand is braced downward onto the convex surface of the spoon for support. Sufficient support is provided to prevent plantar flexion of the hand. At the same time the brace terminates both in the vicinity of the thumb and digits so that maximum digital freedom is preserved at the braced limb.
Such braces are usually custom made and formed of many layers. Further, they are held in place by installed tensile members such as laces or releasable fastening tape.
In the modern work place, injury or irritation in the area of the carpal tunnel is common. This area of the hand contains primarily the median nerve, flexor tendons and blood vessels surrounded by fluids. This area can be an area of chronic irritation requiring immobilization of the wrist--both at work and during sleeping hours. Braces are a form of non-surgical treatment used to sooth irritation in this area of the body.


Displacement along a linear or rotary path causes relative displacement of a pair of elements (101,102) that confront each other across the path. One element (101) provides a series of coil portions (AB,BC), while the other (102) has a portion which increases the inductance of the fraction of the coil portions that it lies adjacent at any instant. The coil portions are homopolar. Typically each coil portion has an axis which intersects the path, and all are wound in the same sense about their axes. They are generally connected in series as a single winding on a core (101). The core has unwound portions (104) for providing a flux return path.

Inductive sensors having a plurality of wound poles arranged along a displacement path are described in WO 88/06716, but they are of heteropolar construction. The direction of flux at any given moment between stator and rotor alternates between successive wound poles. For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 (which correspond to FIGS. 6 and 7 of WO 88/06716) show a similar pair of devices each comprising an annular stator 21 having twelve salient poles (k to v) bearing windings of alternating polarity and extending radially inwardly towards a rotor 22. This rotor has two 180.degree. portions of different effective permeability, either because they are sections 23,24 of different materials (FIG. 2) or because one section has a screening layer of a nonmagnetic conductor (FIG. 1). In each case, the windings on the poles confronting one section 23 have higher reactances than the windings on the other poles. As the rotor turns, each pole winding experiences a change in reactance as it is passed by the interface between the rotor sections. Thus measured voltage drops change with rotation in a stepwise fashion, or smoothly if the stator slots are skewed relative to the rotor interfaces between sections 23,24 or vice versa. Monitoring analogue voltages across orthogonal pairs of taps (AC and BD) allows a plus or minus 180.degree. analogue signal representative of rotor angle to be derived.


A mobile communications device for providing proximity-based assistance includes a communications interface, a processor, and a memory that is configured to store instructions thereon that cause a processor to register, at a first time, a user of the mobile device as needing a type of assistance. The instructions also cause the processor to broadcast, at a second time, a request for assistance. The request includes the type of assistance needed. The request is broadcast to helper devices that are within a predetermined proximity of the user. Each of the helper devices is associated with a corresponding user that is registered to assist with the particular type of assistance needed. The instructions cause the processor to receive an indication from a helper device that the corresponding user has accepted the help request, determine that the corresponding user has assisted the user, and notify staff that the user has been assisted.

In public transit systems (utilizing subway, ferry, bus, etc.), disabled and/or elderly passengers frequently have to pre-plan their journey with station staff prior to beginning their travel. This can result in a journey experience is completely different to people without disabilities. Oftentimes these passengers may need assistance with finding a seat, sitting down, getting up, and/or other tasks necessary to utilize the transit vehicles in a safe, comfortable manner. To ease some of these burdens, transit systems often include staff that may assist users who are at transit stations/stops. However, oftentimes there may not be sufficient numbers of staff that can help with a particular disability. Oftentimes, given the lack of sufficient staff, such help must also be arranged for ahead of time, such as by the person with disabilities calling ahead, which may be difficult for impromptu transit rides. Additionally, the people with disabilities may require assistance mid-transit and not have access to any staff members who can assist them. Improvements in the area of assistance for elderly and disabled persons is desired.

Proximity assisted seamless service (PASS)


A computer program operating in accordance with the invention monitors WRITE requests issued by a data-writing program that accesses data sets, e.g., for updating the data sets, and READ requests issued by a data-reading program that accesses data sets, e.g., for copying the data. While a series of READ requests (e.g., a data set copying operation) is in progress, the computer program monitors all WRITE requests issued for the data set in question by the data-writing program. If the data-reading program has not yet read the data portion (e.g., a data page) that is to be updated, the computer program selectively creates a cached image of the data portion as it existed at the beginning of the series of READ requests and delivers the cached image to the data-reading program, thereby reducing the potential for internal inconsistencies in the copied data. The computer program advantageously permits such caching to be performed without the need for specialized caching hardware.

This invention relates to a method of creating an internally consistent copy of an actively updated data set using processor memory. The invention advantageously permits a user to utilize both a computer program that requires access to the data set (e.g., a database report generator, a copy utility, or other such program) and a different computer program that might update the data set (e.g., a database management system program) while maintaining internal consistency in the data set, without the need for specialized caching hardware.
The general context of the operations associated with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Quite commonly, a computer system administrator or other user will wish to create an image copy of a data set, e.g., a data set 102 comprising one or more data pages labeled as 1, 2, and 3, that are stored in a storage device 100 such as a direct access storage device (DASD). Typical copy programs accomplish this by creating an image copy of the data pages 1, 2, 3 in one or more buffers 105 and eventually writing out the image copy to another storage device 110 such as a magnetic tape, another DASD, and so forth.
During the copying sequence, the data set 102 represented by data pages 1, 2, 3 may be accessible to WRITE-type operations from another computer program such as the well-known IBM database program DB2 (not shown). The DB2 program may attempt, for example, to overwrite a data page 2 with data from a DB2 buffer pool 115 in parallel with the copying process. Under this sequence of events, if the updating takes place before the data page 2 is copied to the buffer 105, the version of the data page 2 that is actually copied is not the same as the version that existed when the copy process was initiated. As a result, the data page 2 as copied to the buffer 105 may be internally inconsistent with associated data page 1 and/or data page 3, possibly violating logical data consistency constraints (e.g., referential integrity constraints) within the data set.

Method of creating an internally consistent copy of an actively updated data set without specialized caching hardware


A membrane switch fixes click springs at fixed positions and largely reduces the damage caused by dust and moisture affecting contact points. The membrane switch includes fixed contact points on a circuit board made from a film of resin material such as polyester. A movable contact point member is made of semi-spherical metal click spring touching the contact points. An insulation sheet is adhered to the circuit board including the click spring, characterized by a continuous air path connected to a portion of the click spring, which is formed as a portion where no adhesive material is placed, between the insulating sheet adhered to the top face of the click spring. The continuous air path is connected to the openings formed between an edge of the insulation sheet and an edge of the circuit board.

The present invention generally relates to a membrane switch, and more particularly, to a membrane switch having a hemispherical metal click spring.
An example of conventional membrane switch of this kind is described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
As shown in the figures, a membrane switch 1 includes a circuit board 2, a center fixed contact point 3 and side fixed contact points 4 provided on the circuit board 2, a click spring 5, and an insulation sheet 7, adhered on the circuit board 2, with the top face of the click spring 5 included thereunder, with adhesive material 6.
The circuit board 2 is made of a film such as polyester. The center fixed contact point 3 is provided at the center of the circuit board 2, and the side fixed contact point 4 having an almost round shape is provided in the surrounding area around the center fixed contact point 4. The click spring 5 is made of hemispherical metal, and operates as a movable contact. This click spring 5 is provided so that its bottom peripheral portion is attached to the side fixed contact point 4, and its center portion touches the top face of the center fixed contact point 3.
Furthermore, the insulation sheet 7 is adhered on the circuit board 2 with adhesive material 6. Since the insulation sheet 7 is also adhered on the click spring 5 with adhesive material 6, the click spring is stationed not to slip.
Accordingly, by pressing a key top (not shown) positioned on top of nearly-center portion of the click spring 5, the insulation sheet 7 and the click spring 5 are pushed downward. The center portion of the click spring serving as a movable contact touches the center fixed contact point 3, and conducts electricity between the center fixed contact point 3 and the side fixed contact point 4.
The abovementioned click spring 5 is stationed not to slip by adhesion of the insulation sheet 7. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a nearly-round air bleeder hole 8 is provided to the insulation sheet 7 by opening an edge of the click spring 5 in order to release air when the click spring 5 is pressed.
The air bleeder hole 8 provided to the membrane switch 1 according to the conventional example described above is provided in a way a portion of the click spring 5 is exposed. It has been a problem that, because the air bleeding hole 8 is close to the fixed contact points 3 and 4, dust and moisture are easy to enter, and the function as a membrane switch is lowered.
The present invention is made to solve the technical problem described above. It is the object of the present invention to lower, under the configuration in which the click spring is stationed at a fixed position, the bad effect caused by the dust and the moisture entering through the air bleeding hole of the abovementioned conventional example.
The present invention is made to achieve the above object. A membrane switch relative to the present invention includes fixed contact points on a circuit board made of a film of resin material, movable contact point member made of semi-spherical metal click spring touching said contact points, and an insulating sheet adhered on said circuit board with said click spring inclusive, characterized by a continuous air path connected to a portion of said click spring, formed as a portion where no adhesive material is placed, between said insulating material adhered on a top face of said click spring and said click spring, and said continuous air path is connected to openings formed between an edge of said insulation sheet and an edge of said circuit board.
The membrane switch is characterized by said openings are located on both edge opposite to each other of said circuit board, and said continuous air path formed with a stripe pattern reaches to said openings on both edge opposite to each other. The membrane switch is further characterized by said continuous air path is formed by adhering said insulation sheet to said circuit board with a top face of said click spring inclusive with a spot pattern, and said continuous air path is connected to said openings. The membrane switch is yet further characterized by said continuous air path is formed by adhering said insulation sheet to said circuit board with a top face of said click spring inclusive with a matrix pattern, and said continuous air path is connected to said openings.


The fastening device comprises at least one spacer which fits in a U-shaped bend of the serpentine tube of the secondary heat exchanger. The shape of this spacer is symmetrical about an axis of revolution and is adapted to fit in the U-shaped bend. The spacer also defines a fastening axis parallel to and offset from the axis of revolution, and is fixed to an associated anchor point on the main heat exchanger by a fastening means extending along this fastening axis. With this arrangement the angular orientation of the spacer about its fastening axis can be adjusted in order to compensate for any alignment errors between the U-shaped bend and the associated anchor point.

It is known to secure on the cooling radiator of a motor vehicle a further heat exchanger which may for example be a condenser of an air conditioning installation, or a low temperature secondary radiator for supplying a radiator for cooling supercharging air for the engine.
The main heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger are arranged in generally parallel planes, such that the fresh air which is drawn from outside the cabin of the vehicle can cool both the fluid flowing in the main heat exchanger and that flowing in the serpentine tube of the secondary heat exchanger. The fluid flowing in the main heat exchanger is then the cooling fluid for the engine, while that flowing in the serpentine tube may be a refrigerant fluid where the secondary heat exchanger is a condenser, or alternatively, it may be the same cooling liquid as is flowing in the main heat exchanger in the case where the secondary heat exchanger is used in the cooling of supercharging air as mentioned above.
The secondary heat exchanger commonly has a serpentine tube which comprises parallel tube sections joined in pairs by U-shaped bends or crook portions. The parallel tube sections and the bends may typically be of circular or flattened cross section, being associated with cooling fins. The secondary heat exchanger is usually fastened to the main heat exchanger by means of resilient pegs, of which there may be four for example. These pegs are joined firstly to the bends of the serpentine tube, and secondly to anchor points which are provided on the main heat exchanger, and typically on the water boxes of the latter.
Since these heat exchangers are mass produced and subject to dimensional variations, it often happens that the anchor points of a given main heat exchanger do not exactly coincide with the corresponding elements of the serpentine tube of the secondary heat exchanger which are to be anchored at these anchor points. This gives rise to problems during assembly of the apparatus.

Fastening device for securing a secondary heat exchanger of the serpentine type to a main heat exchanger, and heat exchanger apparatus incorporating such a fastening device