System and method for providing low noise signal having a broad tuning range (1 GHz to 10 GHz, or larger), with associated jitter no more than about 10 percent of the selected period of a target output signal. In a first stage, a ring-based VCO phase locked loop system provides a broad tuning range with some associated noise, and a second stage in a first state is relatively transparent, with no substantial differential attenuation based on frequency. After phase lock is achieved, the second stage is switched to a second state with low associated noise and high differential attenuation based on input signal frequency.

This invention relates to tuning of, and noise suppression in, phase locked loop systems used in signal transmitters and receivers.
Provision of a low jitter phase locked loop (PLL) system is critical in many transmitter and receiver system, in order to provide accurate timing information for many communication systems. A PLL system of a first design, using a ring-based voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) can provide a wide frequency tuning range but behaves as a high pass filter for noise that appears in a VCO. Ideally, the associated signal jitter should be no more than 1-10 percent of the period T of the target frequency or frequencies at which such a system is to operate. This jitter figure of merit cannot be achieved, or even approached, using a ring-based VCO, as the operating frequency increases.
What is needed is a PLL system that provides a broad tuning range, preferably from about 1 GHz to about 10 Ghz for an optical transmission system, and provides signals with relatively low jitter, xcex94T(jitter)xe2x89xa60.01 T-0.1 T. Preferably, the system should allow selection of one or more target frequencies within this tuning range and should have an associated signal processing time delay that is approximately constant over the tuning range. Preferably, the system should have an associated time delay that does not vary strongly with the target frequency.
These needs are met by the invention, which combines two types of VCO mechanisms, one being switchable, to provide a versatile, low jitter PLL system with wide tuning range. A first stage of the system includes a ring-based VCO mechanism having a tuning range that can extend to, or beyond, 1 GHz-10 Ghz. The first stage is preferably used for initial signal acquisition and lock onto one or more frequencies in a selected sub-range. A second stage of the system includes one or more LC tank circuits that are switchable into and out of the system. With the LC tank circuit(s) switched out of the system (first state), this circuit becomes transparent, and the initial acquisition and frequency lock are implemented with no differential attenuation based on frequency. With the LC tank circuit(s) switched into the system (second state), the initially acquired signal frequency or frequencies are subjected to narrow bandwidth tuning that suppresses sideband frequency components in the acquired signal and passes frequencies within a narrow band that includes a selected target or resonant frequency.

Low jitter integrated phase locked loop with broad tuning range


A sample droplet generator transforms a segmented array of sample material into a continuous stream of droplets containing analytes. The droplets may serve as a sample source for a wide range of detectors and analytical instruments. As one example, the droplets may be introduced into an ion source of a spectrometer that measures ions produced from the droplets or photons emitted from the droplets.

In the course of various assays and analyses, sample material may be segmented into discrete plugs (or droplets) of fluid spatially separated from each other by a different type of fluid that is immiscible with the sample-containing plugs. For example, the sample plugs may be aqueous while the other fluid utilized to isolate the sample plugs may be organic. Known phase segmenting devices are capable of receiving flows of sample material and isolating material and forming a linear (one-dimensional) array of sample plugs alternately separated by non-sample plugs (or isolator plugs). If the bore of a conduit is small enough (e.g., a capillary tube or microfluidic channel), a linear, segmented sample array can be transported through the conduit to a desired destination, such as a detector or an analytical instrument, while preserving the alternating sequence of sample plugs and non-sample plugs.
In various applications, segmented sample arrays can provide a number of advantages. Each sample plug may serve as an individual medium for transporting the sample material contained therein, with limited or no loss of sample material to the surrounding immiscible phase. Moreover, each sample plug may serve as a self-contained reactor that is isolated from other sample plugs, thus reducing the risk of cross-contamination and enabling different reactions to be carried out in different sample plugs. Moreover, the use of sample plugs can minimize the total volume of sample, reagents, and other material required for a given experiment. Further, the large surface area to volume ratio of sample plugs enables rapid heat transfer (heating or cooling of the sample material).
Segmented sample arrays may potentially be utilized in a wide range of sample processing applications. Applications include, for example, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) (see, e.g., Silvestre et al., Liquid-liquid extraction in flow analysis: A critical review, Analytica Chimica Acta, 652, 54-65 (2009)), post-chromatography column reaction chemistry (see, e.g., Nie et al., Capillary liquid chromatography fraction collection and postcolumn reaction using segmented flow microfluidics, J. Sep. Sci., 36, 3471-3477 (2013)), and a wide range of droplet-based microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip applications (see, e.g., Schneider et al., The Potential Impact of Droplet Microfluidics in Biology, Anal. Chem., 85, 3476-3482 (2013)).
Segmented flow systems may be interfaced to detectors and analytical instruments. Of recent interest is the injection of segmented sample arrays into electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) systems, as segmented sample arrays can potentially meet the sensitivity and time-scale requirements of ESI-MS and MS is a label-free analytical technique. Some prior interfaces have relied on the use of phase separators that split the segmented flow into two separate, homogeneous streams of liquid, and then inject the sample-containing stream into the ESI source. See, e.g., Zhu et al., Integrated Droplet Analysis System with Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Using a Hydrophilic Tongue-Based Droplet Extraction Interface, Anal. Chem., 82, 8361-8366(2010). However, the phase separation approach may result in dilution and dispersion of the sample, which inhibit the detection capabilities of the ESI-MS system, as well as an excessive flow rate which may reduce ionization efficiency. Another approach has been to pump a segmented sample array directly into the high-voltage tip of an electrospray needle, whereby the electrospray is produced directly from the sample plugs. See, e.g., Pei et al., Rapid Analysis of Samples Stored as Individual Plugs in a Capillary by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Anal. Chem., 81, 6558-6561(2009); U.S. Pat. No. 8,431,888. In this latter approach, the segmented sample array consist of aqueous sample plugs coated with a small amount of oil and separated from each other by air. To be effective, this approach may be limited to the use of air as the isolating medium between sample plugs in order to avoid spraying oil into the ionization chamber. If liquids are used as the isolation medium, maintaining a stable spray when switching from the aqueous segment to the isolation liquid is likely to cause the spray to stop and the liquid exiting from the tip to remain on the tip and inhibit further spray. Moreover, this approach is limited solely to the use of ESI-MS as the detection technique.
There is a need for generating a stream of sample droplets from a segmented fluid flow that does not require or rely directly on the mechanism of electrospray. The sample droplet stream could thereafter be converted into an electrospray if desired, or could serve as the sample source for various other ionization techniques. More generally, the sample droplet stream could be utilized in a wide range of analytical techniques, including those not requiring ionization of the sample material.

Sample droplet generation from segmented fluid flow and related devices and methods


The invention relates to a sleeve, in particular an outer sleeve assembly for an elastomer bearing (3), with a first, outer sleeve part (1) forming a slit (S1) being arranged coaxially with a second, inner sleeve part (2), which likewise comprises a slit (S2). The outer sleeve part (1) is, on its inner peripheral surface (I1), and the inner sleeve part (2) is, on its outer peripheral surface (O2), provided with a bonding-agent layer (HS1, HS2). The slits (S1, S2) of the sleeve parts (1, 2) are staggered in relation to one another.

Elastomer bearings are mechanical elements in which an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve are interconnected adherently by a vulcanized elastomer or rubber layer. These components typically have a cylindrical shape. For adjusting certain mechanical properties, in particular the compliance between the sleeves, the elastomer layer can additionally be provided with intermediate metal sheets or intermediate sleeves.
Cylindrical elastomer bearings serve for damping radial and axial movements, taking up in particular movements which have a twisting effect and cardioid deflections. For this purpose, they are fastened to an associated receiver, for example a bushing, with a force fit or press fit. In this connection, the fit of the elastomer bearing in the receiver is an important quality criterion, this feature being inspected by the pressing-out forces from the receiver being regularly checked under defined conditions and compared with establishing parameters.
For the production of elastomer bearing outer sleeves, use was generally made of tube sections cut off from commercially available precision tube stock. Such tube sections provide the sleeves with great strength and for this reason continue to be used in many cases.
For bearing production, the elastomer is introduced in hot, liquid form into an annular space enclosed by the inner and outer sleeves and vulcanized there. In this connection, owing to material characteristics, the elastomer layer contracts during cooling after vulcanization and removal from the mold. In order to reduce these contraction stresses, the components are calibrated as finished parts. That is to say the outside diameter of the outer sleeve may be reduced, in some cases by several millimeters. This additional operation constitutes a considerable disadvantage, in particular in the case of the tube sections described.
A known development of the sleeves formed from tube sections consists of what are known as "clinched sleeves", in the case of which it is possible to make the cylindrical sleeve part as a stamping from a plane metal panel, such as a metal sheet. The stamping is bent in a ring shape, so that a ring with a lateral surface which is divided by a slit is produced. The slit is then closed by a positive connection, described as a clinch connection, of the free ends of the stamping. For this purpose, the free ends of the stamping do not have straight edges but complementarily contoured edges, the complementary edge contours engaging in one another to form the connection.
Clinched sleeves are more cost-effective to produce than sleeves consisting of tube sections but have the disadvantage that the strength is markedly lower due to the clinch connection. A further disadvantage is that the connection can be made only partially tight. This is caused in particular by the rubber as a rule being injected in a highly liquid state under high pressure. This in turn results in the rubber as a liquid being able to penetrate through the gaps of the clinch connection, escaping to the outside and solidifying on the outer wall of the sleeve. Consequently, additional cleaning work disadvantageously arises.
Another known development in relation to the sleeves formed from tube sections consists of what are known as slit sleeves. In the case of these sleeves as well, it is possible to produce the cylindrical sleeve part as a stamping from a plane metal panel and then to bend it into a ring. In this case, the slit present in the lateral surface is not closed, the slit sleeves have a defined opening dimension between the free ends of the punching. For assembly, the sleeves are pressed together into a block and inserted into the receiver. As the contraction stresses of the elastomer are then reduced, the elastomer bearing has a firm fit in the support.
Both clinched and slit sleeves belong to the production range of the applicant and are produced from bonding-agent-coated strip.
The object of the present invention is to provide a sleeve, in particular an outer sleeve assembly for an elastomer bearing of the kind referred to in the introduction, which, with high functionality, is characterized by reduced production cost. A further object of the invention consists in providing a corresponding elastomer bearing.
The objects of the invention are achieved for a sleeve of the kind referred to above by virtue of the fact that the sleeve part forms a first, outer sleeve part and is arranged coaxially with a second, inner sleeve part, which both form a slit. The outer sleeve part being, on its inner peripheral surface, and the inner sleeve part being, on its inner peripheral surface and on its outer peripheral surface, provided with a bonding-agent layer, and the slits of the sleeve parts being staggered in relation to one another.
In the outer sleeve assembly according to the invention, neither the inner nor the outer sleeve part is clinched, that is positively connected, but the connection only takes place, specifically by material connection, during the vulcanization of the elastomer, the bonding-agent layers provided according to the invention ensuring the formation of this connection. In this way, an elastomer bearing according to the invention is produced.
It is then also advantageously possible for the connection to be made in a process by the user, and it is realized by the liquid elastomer mixture, in particular rubber mixture, being able to flow between the inner peripheral surface of the outer sleeve part and the outer peripheral surface of the inner sleeve part and in each case to become connected to the bonding agent. Edges which delimit the slits in the outer sleeve part and/or in the inner sleeve part can therefore advantageously be of rectilinear design (i.e. straight cut parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bearing) as they are not intended for forming a connection.
In the production of the material connection between the sleeve parts, provision can advantageously be made, to favor passage of the free-flowing elastomer mixture, that the inner sleeve part comprises openings, in particular at least one slot, preferably two or more slots, extending to the periphery.
The elastomer bearing according to the invention achieves the properties of a tube section with regard to tightness and stability. In this connection, the simpler and therefore more cost-effective production and the novel constructional characteristics described, which also afford opportunities for further structural or assembly-related design possibilities, are advantageous. Calibration of the component elastic stiffness can preferably be dispensed with before the assembly or before the installation of an elastomer bearing according to the invention. In this connection, the sleeve parts are interconnected stably and provide high pressing-out forces.
Defined widths of the slits, which can be provided for the sleeve parts, result in an elastomer bearing according to the invention which, as in the case of use of a slit bushing, has a flexibility which becomes effective advantageously, contraction stresses in the elastomer layer being minimized.
An additional increase in the pressing-out forces can also be achieved, and not only in the case of a sleeve designed according to the invention or an elastomer bearing designed according to the invention, by virtue of the fact that the outer sleeve part is additionally provided on its outer peripheral surface with a bonding-agent layer and an elastomer layer lying over this bonding-agent layer. This results in a dull outer surface which brings about a high coefficient of friction with the associated receiver, which has an advantageous effect on the pressing-out behavior.

Sleeve assembly for an elastomer bearing


A method which is directed to the fabricating or forming of tubular members of the torque tube type which may be utilized as torque joints for the drive shafts or steering connections of motor vehicles or in connection with articulating linkages for high-lift aircraft systems, marine systems or for other various military or non-military commercial physical application where it is intended to react to torsional and axial loads which are ordinarily encountered in torque joints, steering linkages, drive shafts and the like. More particularly, pursuant to a further aspect, provision is made for a device which is in the form of a novel die arrangement for electromagnetically forming spirally oriented grooves in tubular members and therewith interposed end fittings, particularly of the type which are adapted to react to intense torsional and axial loads encountered by torque joints and the like, and which are designed to appreciably reduce or even essentially eliminate stress concentrations so as to improve upon the fatigue life and, resultingly, extend the service life or durability of the torque tube assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method which is directed to the fabricating or forming of tubular members of the torque tube type which may be utilized as torque joints for the drive shafts or steering connections of motor vehicles or in connection with articulating linkages for high-lift aircraft systems, marine systems or for other various military or non-military commercial physical application where it is intended to react to torsional and axial loads which are ordinarily encountered in torque joints, steering linkages, drive shafts and the like. More particularly, pursuant to a further aspect of the invention, provision is made for a device which is in the form of a novel die arrangement for electromagnetically forming spirally oriented grooves in tubular members and therewith interposed end fittings, particularly of the type which are adapted to react to intense torsional and axial loads encountered by torque joints and the like, and which are designed to appreciably reduce or even essentially eliminate stress concentrations so as to improve upon the fatigue life and, resultingly, extend the service life or durability of the torque tube assembly.
In essence, it is a well-known and common procedure in industrial applications to form grooves in tubes and conjoint end fittings which are to be utilized in the fabrication of torque joints or torque tube assemblies employed for drive shafts and the like in order to be able to react to torsional and axial loads which are encountered in the drive shafts. Heretofore, such grooves were generally produced by machining the tubular members in a labor-intensive and time-consuming manner, thereby rendering the entire process of their manufacture expensive and not particularly economically viable.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Pursuant to the more recent state of the technology which is employed in the manufacture of so-called conformal torque tube joints incorporating grooves in both longitudinal and circumferential orientations in order to produce a torque joint of interlockingly conformed tubular members, the end fitting and the tube section located thereon or therein were normally joined together by concurrently forming torque-reacting grooves over an internal shaped die member or mandrel so as to eliminate the necessity for machining the grooves in the end fitting.
For example, a method of fabricating a torque joint incorporating longitudinal or axial grooves and also providing for circumferentially extending or radial grooves may be ascertained in Arena U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,488 which enable the transmission of forces or loads in both longitudinal or circumferential directions through the intermediary of thin-walled and resultingly lightweight tubular torque tubes. In that instance, an inner tube and an outer tube are overlapped, a mandrel possessing longitudinal and circumferential grooves or ridges inserted therein, and an externally applied and radially inwardly directed deformation force compresses the tubular members into the grooves or between the ridges in the mandrel, subsequent to which the mandrel or at least the inserted portion of the mandrel is extracted to then provide the formed torque tube joint.
In Arena, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,872, there is disclosed a torque tube employing end members interconnected by means of a tubular member, wherein the end members are provided with a male extension having radially spaced, axially extending grooves, with the number of grooves, outer diameter of each end member, groove width and groove length being in prescribed proportions and ratios. The ends of the tubular member are positioned over the male end member extension and the tube walls conformed to the end member and grooves through the external application of electromagnetic energy so as to cause the tube walls to be recessed or radially inwardly compressed into the grooves.
Various methods and apparatus describing the formation of grooves in tubular members in either mechanical or electromagnetic modes, particularly such as for the formation of torque joints and the like which are suitable for diverse physical and mechanical applications are disclosed in Suh, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,171; Ohki U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,451; Queyroix U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,372; Grob U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,000; Clements U.S. Pat. No. 2,233,471; Savon U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,479; and Bright, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 1,291,388.
Each and every one of the foregoing patents, although disclosing the formation of grooves in tubular members, for example, such as for the formation of torque joints for drive shafts, aircraft control linkages, and the like, disclose either mechanical devices for compressing the tubular material, and/or electromagnetic force-generating devices which are normally externally applied so as to form longitudinal and circumferential grooves, or devices generating internal electromagnetic forces in cooperation with external dies so as to provide longitudinally extending grooves in tubular members.
More recently, torque tube joints of the type described hereinabove, and which possess both longitudinal and circumferential grooves, have been formed through the application of electromagnetic forces produced by internal coils and with external die structure having either radially inwardly depending raised ridges or groove-like recesses formed in the tube-encompassing bores thereof so as to facilitate expansion of the superimposed tubular members within the bores to produce conformal longitudinal and circumferential grooves therein. Although the outwardly expansive deformation rather than radially inwardly directed compressive forces applied to the tube member material enables the formation of conformal torque tube joints which facilitates reaction to the applications of greater forces onto the torque tube joints, the formation of axially and radially oriented grooves in the torque joints is subject to physical limitations. Thus, in current designs when a drive shaft or torque tube joint is highly (operatively) loaded, the material thereof normally tends to react the applied torque in a generally spiral direction. Consequently, as can be demonstrated through structural testing, when a tubular member is loaded statically in torsion, the material reaches a point at which the tubular member may fail by torsional buckling or by the shearing of the metal, or through a tensile stress failure of the tube material. Such tubes generally exhibit a deformation which assumes a spiral appearance, and in a similar manner when a torque tube of conventional design; in effect, possessing axially and radially extending grooves, is tested for fatigue by a repetitive application of torque loads in alternating opposite directions, the tube will generally fail at the beginning or the end of the axially oriented grooves. The reason for this failure may be found in that the groove which is aligned axially and the material of the tube have a tendency to align themselves in a spiral pattern in order to react the torsional loads applied thereto, and the transition between the end of the axial groove and the tube material itself creating a stress concentration which generates a weak link in the torque tube assembly, thereby reducing its fatigue life and, consequently, its useful service life.
In order to ameliorate or even obviate the above-mentioned problem by forming the grooves in the tubular members in a spiral orientation, the grooves are essentially positioned in an optimized pattern so as to efficiently react any forces imposed on the torque tube and, resultingly, eliminate or reduce any adverse stress concentrations to impart superior properties and improvements in comparison with current state-of-the-art torque tube assemblies.

Method and forming die for fabricating spiral groove torque tube assemblies


A laminated nonwoven fabric comprising a first web having a network structure having laterally extending ribbons and nodes interconnecting longitudinally adjacent ribbons, and a second web laminated to the first web. The first web is fabricated such that one node is laterally shifted from another longitudinally adjacent node so that the nodes are uniformly distributed in the first web. Preferably, the nodes are arranged in a regular pattern and on a line extending oblique to the longitudinal direction of the first web.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric fabricated from laminated slit sheet, a method of fabricating such a slit sheet, and a rotary slit forming cutter for fabrication of a slit sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
A nonwoven fabric can be manufactured by laminating two layers of webs together. A known nonwoven fabric uses a first web comprising a slit sheet having a network structure having generally laterally extending ribbons as if a weft of a woven fabric. The second web may comprise a slit sheet having a network structure having generally longitudinally extending ribbons as if a warp of a woven fabric. Alternately, the second web can be any desired web used as a base layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,630 discloses a fabrication of such slit sheet. The fabrication of such slit sheet is also disclosed in, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 35-10885 and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 64-46193.
The slit sheet is fabricated from a continuous nonporous plastic sheet material by slitting the latter using a rotary slit forming cutter, which has a plurality of cutter edges on the periphery thereof. For fabricating a weft-type slit sheet, the rotary slit forming cutter includes longitudinally spaced rows of cutter edges, each row including a plurality of axially extending cutter edges. For fabricating a warp-type slit sheet, the cutter edges extend circumferentially from the rotary slit forming cutter. The slit sheet can be stretched, before or after the slitting operation, in the direction of the respective slits to strengthen the sheet material and this stretching causes the slits to open and thereby bring the slit sheet into an apertured or fibrillated web having a network structure.
FIG. 9 of the attached drawings shows a laminating process of a weft-type slit sheet or web 1 and a warp-type slit sheet or web 2 for fabricating a nonwoven fabric. The weft-type slit sheet 1 is continuously fed to a laminator 3 according to its longitudinal direction, indicated by the arrow A. It can be seen that the weft-type slit sheet 1 has a network structure having generally laterally extending and longitudinally spaced ribbons 4 and nodes 5 interconnecting longitudinally adjacent ribbons 4. Similarly, the warp-type slit sheet 2 is continuously fed to the laminator 3 according to its longitudinal direction, indicated by the arrow B. The warp-type slit sheet 2 also has a network structure having generally longitudinally extending and laterally spaced ribbons 6 and nodes 7 interconnecting ribbons 6.
The nonwoven fabric, comprising the lamination of the weft-type and warp-type slit sheet 1 and 2, is a continuous web and wound in the form of a roll. FIG. 8 of the attached drawings shows a roll of the nonwoven fabric 8. As shown in FIG. 8, a problem arises in the nonwoven fabric 8 that the peripheral surface of the nonwoven fabric 8 is corrugated and includes bulges 9. The corrugated peripheral surface of the nonwoven fabric 8 involves a problem that partial slack areas arise in the web of the nonwoven fabric 8 when it is unwound, for example, for further laminating the nonwoven fabric 8 with a further web, or processing it to manufacture products. When the unwound nonwoven fabric 8 is wound again, wrinkles arise in the nonwoven fabric 8. To avoid these problems, the nonwoven fabric 8 must be wound in a small roll.

Nonwoven fabric made of laminated slit sheet


A digital to analog converter (DAC) maps a digital word to an analog output. The DAC bits may have amplitude and timing errors. These errors (or sometimes referred herein as “non-idealities”) result in distortion and degradation of the dynamic range in DACs. To reduce these negative effects, delta-sigma patterns can be provided to two bit cells, a reference bit cell and a bit cell under calibration, to perform, e.g., amplitude calibration and timing skew calibration. Delta-sigma patterns are particularly advantageous over square wave signals, which cannot be scaled to perform amplitude calibration between bit cells having different bit weights and are limited in frequency to integer fractions of the sampling clock.

Integrated circuits processes electrical signals for rich electronic applications. Data converters are an important part of electronics, responsible for converting signals between the digital domain and the analog domain. However, circuits inside data converters or circuits driving the data converters are not perfect, and as a result, the conversion output may not be perfect. The imperfections or non-idealities can cause unwanted noise or spurs to appear at the output and degrade the performance of the data converter. If not removed or calibrated out, the noise or spurs can even affect other parts of the signal chain.

Delta sigma patterns for calibrating a digital-to-analog converter


An apparatus for enhancing a 3-D image illuminated by a light source and having associated depth and texture information includes generating from the depth information a surface mesh having surface mesh sections. Texture sections corresponding to the surface mesh sections are determined from the texture information. The texture sections are ranked based upon their color intensity, and the characteristics of one or more light sources are adjusted to alter the color intensity of the ranked texture sections to thereby produce an enhanced image.

The proliferation of three-dimensional (3-D) stereo cameras and related depth sensing methods, along with 3D printers and 3-D display devices has created a new set of challenges in regard to the processing and enhancement of 3-D images. More particularly, the quality of captured 3-D images may suffer from the effects of sub-optimal lighting conditions existing at the time of capture, such as glare or dimly lit regions. Although standard computer graphics methods may be used to enhance the 3D images and change lighting effects, provided that the 3D depth information from surfaces of objects in the images is provided, there are currently no suitable standardized methods by which such captured images can be enhanced to change 3-D lighting, or to reduce or remove the effects of sub-optimal lighting conditions.
There are various techniques that may be used during image capture that also capture depth information associated with image texture information. The depth information is processed to produce a point cloud or a depth map with a three dimensional (3D) polygonal mesh that defines the shape of 3D objects within the image. After processing, the depth information may be represented in several formats, including, but not limited to, an X, Y, and Z point cloud in a 3D space or a 3D surface mesh of triangles or quadrilaterals. Other formats for representing depth information can include an XML encoded format, a textual format, or a graphical format such as OpenGL.
The same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and the figures to reference like components and features. Numbers in the 100 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 1; numbers in the 200 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 2; and so on.

Apparatus for enhancement of 3-D images using depth mapping and light source synthesis


According to one embodiment, an optical element is provided with a paraelectric crystal, first and second pressers between which the paraelectric crystal is sandwiched, and fasteners. The paraelectric crystal has a periodic structure in which polarities are periodically inverted along a polarity period direction. The fasteners fix the first and second pressers to each other so that a predetermined pressure is applied in a direction intersecting with the polarity period direction, to the paraelectric crystal through the first and second pressers.

1. Field
One embodiment relates to an optical element, an optical element production method, and a light source device provided with the optical element.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a known method making use of the second-order nonlinear optical effect of a nonlinear optical crystal to generate a second harmonic which is light of a wavelength equal to half that of incoming light into a solid-state laser (Second harmonic generation; SHG) and to use it as a short-wavelength laser beam. The nonlinear optical effect is an effect by nonlinearity of polarization response of substance, which is a phenomenon in which when strong light such as a laser beam is injected into a substance, the polarization response becomes non-proportional to an electric field of incoming light whereby part of the incoming light is subjected to wavelength conversion.
The second harmonic generated in fact has the wavelength slightly shorter than half of the wavelength of the incoming light because of the dispersion property of crystal. For this reason, phases of second harmonics become gradually deviating from each other, so as to result in cancellation of second harmonics with each other. In this case, it becomes difficult to generate the second harmonic in sufficient quantity.
For obtaining the second harmonic in sufficient quantity, there is a Quasi-Phase Matching element (QPM element) proposed. Quasi-phase matching is a method to avoid the cancellation of electric fields of second harmonics, in which a polarity inversion structure is formed in a crystal to change polarities into such directions as to avoid the cancellation of electric fields, thereby achieving quasi-phase matching to enable second harmonic generation. Concerning the quasi-phase matching element, recent investigation has been directed, particularly, toward a quasi-phase matching element in which a periodic polarity inversion structure is formed by applying an external force to quartz crystal as a paraelectric material (e.g., cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-107187 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-279612).
To realize the quasi-phase matching, it is necessary to obtain a structure in which polarities of crystal are periodically inverted. For short-wavelength generation such as ultraviolet light, an ordinary method employed is to form polarity-inverted domains inside a single crystal. When the polarity inversion structure is formed in a ferroelectric material, a method employed is to invert spontaneous polarization by applying an external electric field. However, for example, in the case of ferroelectric materials such as lithium niobate and tantalum niobate, the absorption edge wavelength to determine the generated wavelength of the second harmonic is long, about 300 nm. For this reason, it becomes impossible to implement the second harmonic generation in the range of not more than 200 nm called the vacuum ultraviolet region. On the other hand, for example, quartz crystal as a paraelectric material is a nonlinear optical crystal with the absorption edge wavelength of not more than 150 nm.

Optical element, light source device, and optical element production method

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE


The invention concerns a rotor blade of a wind power installation and a wind power installation. One advantage of the present invention is to provide a rotor blade having a rotor blade profile, and a wind power installation, which has better efficiency than hitherto. A rotor blade of a wind power installation, wherein the rotor blade has a thickness reserve approximately in the range of between 15% and 40%, preferably in the range of between about 23% and 28%, and wherein the greatest profile thickness is between about 20% and 45%, preferably between about 32% and 36%.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a rotor blade of a wind power installation, and a wind power installation. As state of the art in this respect attention should be directed generally to the book 'Windkraftanlagen', Erich Hau, 1996. That book contains some examples of wind power installations, rotor blades of such wind power installations as well as cross-sections of such rotor blades from the state of the art. Page 102, FIG. 5.34, illustrates the geometrical profile parameters of aerodynamic profiles in accordance with NACA. It is to be seen in that respect that the rotor blade is described by a profile depth which corresponds to the length of the chord, a greatest camber (or camber ratio) as the maximum rise of a median line over the chord, a camber reserve, that is to say the location with respect to the profile depth where the greatest camber is provided within the cross-section of the rotor blade, a greatest profile thickness as the largest diameter of an inscribed circle with the center point on the median line and the thickness reserve, that is to say the location with respect to the profile depth where the cross-section of the rotor blade assumes its greatest profile thickness. In addition the leading-edge radius and the profile co-ordinates of the underside and the top side are brought into consideration to describe the cross-section of the rotor blade. The nomenclature known from the Erich Hau book is to be retained inter alia for the further description of the cross-section of a rotor for the present application.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rotor blades are to be optimized in regard to a large number of aspects. On the one hand they should be quiet while on the other hand they should also afford a maximum dynamic power so that, even with a quite slight wind, the wind power installation begins to run and the nominal wind speed, that is to say the speed at which the nominal power of the wind power installation is also reached for the first time, is already reached at wind strengths which are as low as possible.
If then the wind speed rises further, nowadays when considering pitch-regulated wind power installations the rotor blade is increasingly set into the wind so that the nominal power is still maintained, but the operative surface area of the rotor blade in relation to the wind decreases in order thereby to protect the entire wind power installation or parts thereof from mechanical damage. It is crucial however that great significance is attributed to the aerodynamic properties of the rotor blade profiles of the rotor blade of a wind power installation.


A chord information output apparatus according to the present invention includes a keyboard, a key depression information detector, a chord detector for detecting a chord according to key information detected by the key depression information detector, and an internal information output section for sending detected chord information to an external device. The chord information output apparatus detects a chord upon keyboard key depression, and outputs the chord as chord information to an external device. An automatic accompaniment apparatus includes a memory for storing play data, an external information input section for receiving information from an external source, a chord information converter for converting, into chord information, information received from the external information input section, a play data converter for converting play data, read from the memory, corresponding to the chord information converted by the chord information converter, and a tone generator for producing a musical tone based on the play data converted by the play data converter. The automatic accompaniment apparatus receives information from an external device, converts the information into chord information, generates tone information by converting play data read from a memory in accordance with the chord information, and produces a musical tone based on the tone information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a chord information output apparatus that detects chords and outputs them as chord information to an external device, and to an automatic accompaniment apparatus that performs automatic accompaniment in accordance with chord information, etc. received from external sources.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many compact automatic accompaniment apparatuses that do not have keyboards have been developed and are in use today. These automatic accompaniment apparatuses provide automatic accompaniment based on chord information that is input by means other than keyboards.
Inputting chord information to such automatic accompaniment apparatuses is conventionally performed using keypads or other small terminal assemblies.
Players who are accustomed to using keyboards, however, feel uncomfortable using keypads, and cannot enter chord information with them smoothly.
Further, to reduce the sizes of keyboardless automatic apparatuses, very small terminals are used for chord information entry. These small terminals make use of the apparatuses inconvenient, and chord information input clumsy.
Recently, electronic musical instruments that have keyboards and that incorporate automatic accompaniment apparatuses have been developed. Such electronic musical instruments are so designed that one part of a keyboard (e.g., the lower half, the LOWER keyboard) can be used to enter chord information, and the other part (e.g., the upper half, the UPPER keyboard) can be used to enter, or play, a melody. These electronic musical instruments produce musical tones using chord information entered via their LOWER keyboards and accompany melodies entered, or played, on their UPPER keyboards.
Since a player can use the keyboard of such an electronic musical instrument to input chord information, ease of operation is increased. At the same time, however, the use of part of the keyboard for chord information input reduces proportionately the key range available for entering, or playing, a melody.

Chord information output apparatus and automatic accompaniment apparatus


A method and mechanism for error recovery in a processor. A multithreaded processor is configured to utilize software for hardware detected machine errors. Rather than correcting and clearing the detected errors, hardware is configured to report the errors precisely. Both program-related exceptions and hardware errors are detected and, without being corrected by the hardware, flow down the pipeline to a trap unit where they are prioritized and handled via software. The processor assigns each instruction a thread ID and error information as it follows the pipeline. The trap unit records the error by using the thread ID of the instruction and the pipelined error information in order to determine which ESR receives the information and what to store in the ESR. A trap handling routine is then initiated to facilitate error recovery.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to computing systems and, more particularly, to error handling in a multithreaded processing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the ever expanding use of computing devices has come an increasing dependence of users on the availability and reliability of those devices. For example, if a computer network goes down, or is otherwise unavailable, costs to an enterprise may be significant. In addition, if corrupted data or other errors go undetected, significant costs may be incurred as a result of those errors. Consequently, a number of techniques have arisen which are designed to ensure that computing devices are sufficiently robust that they may detect and respond to problems without significantly impacting users. Computing devices which have in place mechanisms to prevent hardware or software problems from impacting its users may be referred to as being Highly Available. Some of the characteristics which may be considered when defining High Availability include protection of data (Reliability), continuous access to data (Availability), and techniques for correcting problems which minimally impact users (Serviceability). Collectively these characteristics are frequently referred to as RAS.
In addition to Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability, a high level of system performance is also generally desired. To that end, the performance of the processors within a given system may be very important. For example, the processors within servers and other network devices may have a significant impact on overall system performance. Consequently, efforts have been made to improve the performance of the processors themselves. In many cases, increasing the performance of a processor entails increasing the complexity of the processor as well. This complexity frequently results from the addition of logic designed to perform additional functions, or perform functions with higher performance levels.
In addition to adding new or improved logic and circuitry, another technique which may be used to increase performance involves shrinking feature sizes. However, as technology feature sizes shrink, circuits become more susceptible to hardware errors. And incorrect operation may result if those errors occur and go undetected. Frequently, these types of errors affect memory circuits, such as those found in caches, translation look-aside buffers (TLBs), register files, store buffers, and other memory arrays used for temporary storage. Consequently, using these and other techniques to increase processor performance may result in a reduction of the Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability of a system.
In order to deal with errors, processors and other devices may be configured to detect these errors using a variety of mechanisms. When an error is detected, the processor or device typically attempts to recover using a variety of recovery schemes. At one end of the spectrum, the hardware itself may be configured to correct the effects of the error. For example, the hardware may be configured to correct an erroneous data item fetched from a cache. In addition to correcting the effects of an error, hardware may be configured to clear an error by eliminating or correcting the source of the error. For example, if a cache line is detected to be in error, the cache line may be refetched. Subsequently, the instruction which caused the error may be retried. Alternatively, hardware may only be configured to report the fact that an error has occurred. Based upon this report, diagnostic software or a service processor may then be responsible for correcting and/or clearing the error.
In addition to the performance enhancing techniques described above, highly threaded processors may be developed and utilized in order to improve performance. However, the use of highly threaded processors may exacerbate the complexity of handling hardware errors. In modern pipelined multithreaded processors, instructions from different threads may be executing in different portions of the machine simultaneously. Consequently, errors can occur simultaneously in a wide variety of hardware structures. For example, errors from the instruction translation lookaside buffer (TLB), instruction cache, integer register file, floating-point register file, arithmetic circuits, data TLB, data cache, store buffer, and other components such as level 2 (L2) caches and main memory arrays can all occur simultaneously. In addition, these errors can occur both for instructions within and across threads. Moreover, in a multicore processor, errors can occur across multiple cores or in structures which are shared by multiple cores, such as shared L2 caches.
Consequently, error recovery in a multi-threaded, multicore processor can quickly become very complex. Further, validating hardware error handling flows also becomes very complex. Complex error flows reduce the reliability of the design, since they increase the likelihood of a design flaw (bug) preventing proper error recovery when an error occurs. Still further, designing the correction and/or clearing of errors into the hardware generally reduces flexibility in how such errors are to be handled. Thus, as the number of threads increases, a design where hardware both corrects and clears errors may be infeasible given cost, time, power, and other constraints.
Accordingly, an effective method and mechanism for providing a high level of error detection and recovery capability while simplifying hardware error handling is desired.

Precise error handling in a fine grain multithreaded multicore processor


In a stabilizer control apparatus for controlling a torsional rigidity of a stabilizer of a vehicle, an actual lateral acceleration and a calculated lateral acceleration are obtained. Then, influence amount caused by the calculated lateral acceleration is set to be greater than influence amount caused by the actual lateral acceleration, when the vehicle is moving straight, whereas the influence amount caused by the actual lateral acceleration is set to be increased, with the turning operation of the vehicle being increased, to actively control the rolling motion of the vehicle body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stabilizer control apparatus for a vehicle, and more particularly to an apparatus for controlling a torsional rigidity of a stabilizer disposed between a right wheel and a left wheel.
2. Description of the Related Arts
In general, a stabilizer control apparatus for a vehicle is provided for applying an appropriate roll moment to a vehicle by means of a stabilizer, while the vehicle is performing a turning operation, to reduce or restrict a rolling motion of the vehicle body. In order to achieve this function, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2000-71739, for example, discloses an apparatus for controlling efficiency of a stabilizer to vary an apparent torsional rigidity of the stabilizer by driving and controlling an actuator in response to output of means for detecting a turning level of a vehicle, e.g., a lateral acceleration sensor. According to that apparatus, the actuator is actuated to control a varying position of the vehicle, so as to provide a property attaching importance to ride comfort in a range of relatively small turning operation, and it is actuated to control the varying position of the vehicle, so as to provide a property attaching importance to stability, with an inherent rigidity of the stabilizer produced by limiting the movement of the actuator with a small movable range, when the turning operation is increased.
In Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 9-20223, there is disclosed a method for determining a rough road, by calculating a wheel acceleration on the basis of a wheel speed, and obtaining its high-frequency component through a high-pass filter, to calculate a dispersion of the wheel acceleration, on the basis of which the rough road is determined. Also, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2001-63544 discloses a method for determining a rough road according to a result of F-study through a dispersion of differentiated value of output from an acceleration sensor obtained when a vehicle is running on a reference flat road surface at a small steering angle, and a dispersion of differentiated value of output from the acceleration sensor obtained when the vehicle is running on the present road surface at the small steering angle. Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 9-193776, as to factors for use in a vehicle stability control, there are disclosed spinning value indicative of spinning state variable and drift-out value indicative of drift-out state variable.
According to the apparatus for controlling efficiency of the stabilizer as described in the Japanese Publication No. 2000-71739, however, the lateral acceleration indicative of the turning level is not caused only by the turning operation of the vehicle, but it may be caused by a rough surface of a road, on which the vehicle is running. For example, the lateral acceleration may be caused by the rough surface of the road, even if the vehicle is moving straight, as shown in FIG. 5, in the case where the vehicle is running on such a road surface called as a roll-sweep that the road has a property of opposite phases at its right side and left side of a moving direction of the vehicle, with frequency and amplitude of the property being varied as time passes.
Basically, the stabilizer control apparatus is provided for controlling to restrain a roll angle of vehicle body caused at the time of turning operation of the vehicle. This can be achieved by controlling and actuating a stabilizer actuator to increase a torsional rigidity of a stabilizer in response to a lateral acceleration indicative of the turning operation. On the other hand, in order to improve the ride comfort, it is required to lower the torsional rigidity of the stabilizer, so as to prevent irregularity of the road surface from being transmitted to the vehicle body. Therefore, if the lateral acceleration is caused by the rough road surface, as described above, the stabilizer is controlled to increase its torsional rigidity in response to variation of the lateral acceleration. As a result, the stabilizer control will be made so as to act against change in rolling motion caused only by the rough road surface, while the vehicle is not in its turning operation, which control might result in deteriorating the ride comfort.


A provisional prosthetic system and the surgical methods for utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the provisional prosthetic system includes a keel and a plate configured to be secured to the keel. The keel may further include a body and at least one fin extending outwardly therefrom. The fin functions to prevent rotation of the keel once it is implanted within a bone. In one embodiment, the plate includes a captured screw having a flanged head and external threads. The captured screw is retained by the plate and configured to secure the plate to the keel. In this embodiment, the captured screw extends through an aperture in the plate. Further, the captured screw may be retained by the plate due to the interaction of the flange head and external threads of the captured screw with the top and bottom surfaces of the plate, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a provisional prosthetic system and the surgical methods for utilizing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prostheses are commonly utilized to repair and/or replace damaged bone and tissue in the human body. For example, a knee prosthesis may be implanted to replace damaged or destroyed bone in the tibia and/or femur and to recreate the natural, anatomical articulation of the knee joint. To implant a prosthesis, orthopedic surgery is performed which requires the creation of an incision in the skin of the patient and may necessitate the retraction of surrounding tissue to provide the surgeon with access to the surgical site.
To facilitate the implantation of a prosthesis, modular prostheses may be utilized. Modular prostheses have several individual, distinct components which are connected together to form the final, implanted prosthesis. Additionally, one component, i.e., a tibial plate in a modular tibial prosthesis system, may be selected from several different tibial plate components having various configurations, all of which are included in the modular prosthesis system. By selecting the tibial plate that best accommodates the individual patient's anatomy, the surgeon may assemble a prosthesis that more closely approximates the patient's anatomy.
In addition to the final, implanted components of a modular prosthesis system, a modular prosthesis system may also include trial or provisional components which replicate the size and shape of the final, implanted components of the modular prosthesis system. The use of provisional components provides the surgeon with the ability to test the ultimate configuration of the prosthesis prior to the implantation of the final components. By trialing, i.e., testing, the surgeon is able to determine whether that the fit, alignment, and range of motion provided by the final prosthesis will approximate the patient's natural anatomy.


Methods and systems are provided that utilize the functionality of an end user device in binding a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) media client on an end user device with a VDI host client on a VDI server. In particular, the native operating system (OS) on the end user device may take a screen-shot of a quick response (QR) code displayed to a graphical user interface of the end user device. The end user device may provide information associated with the screen-shot of the QR code to a collaboration server where the collaboration server binds the VDI media client together with the VDI host client upon verifying the information associated with the screen-shot of the QR code.

Recently, contact centers have begun employing the use of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions to reduce the costs associated with desktop phones, systems, and equipment. In addition to the equipment cost, traditional phone systems require a multitude of physical and organizational structures and facilities to maintain operations. These structures and facilities can require constant maintenance and support. In general, VDI solutions provide virtualized desktop operating systems and applications to reduce costs, simplify deployment, and enhance support and manageability for end users and administrators. VDI can provide the virtual desktop to a low-cost virtual desktop device while providing the processing power of the desktop in the network. Additionally, VDI also provides other benefits including security of information and backup services.
In today's environment, the virtual desktop may include a variety of media services, such as voice communications, video communications, text communications, and more. Communications for these media services can be provided via the VDI desktop. As can be appreciated, contact center servers may have difficulty in supporting real-time communications through VDI. In general, VDI environments are not architected to easily support bi-directional real time streaming communications. Moreover, if connectivity to a contact center is lost while providing media communications through contact center supported VDI, those communications would be lost along with the connection.
Enabling unified communications through specialized software for VDI desktops can eliminate the desktop phone and provide users with advanced communications capabilities. One example of this specialized software is Avaya's VDI Communicator. The specialized software may be deployed on a thin client device. A thin client device is the end user's equipment that is used to provide plug-in ports for a monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset, and connectivity to a network. The specialized software allows the separation of media traffic from signaling traffic such that media traffic no longer flows through the contact center servers. As such, if connectivity to the contact center server is lost, the media traffic is not. This feature of the specialized software allows end users to continue to make and receive calls even during server connectivity failures.
In the specialized software case provided above, two soft clients are involved in implementing the VDI solution. For instance, one soft client may be run within the VDI host environment (e.g., contact center server, remote server, etc.) to perform the signaling functionality. This soft client is called the VDI Host client, and provides the GUI interface for the softphone. The other soft client is run natively on the end user's device (e.g., computer, etc.) to perform the media functionality, and is called the VDI Media client, since it handles capturing and rendering the media streams to and from I/O devices, but does not generally display the GUI components associated with a full softphone client. To provide unified communications via the specialized software the two soft clients need to be bound together. In some cases, where the operating system and the VDI environment belong to the same developer, binding the two soft clients can be achieved via use of a developer proprietary communications protocol and information exchange. However, where the operating system and the VDI environment are owned by different developers a user must login to each soft client individually to essentially bind the two soft clients.

System and method for binding a virtual desktop infrastructure host and media soft client together


A system is disclosed for serving a message to a target system. A database message is converted to a common data model to conform to at least two systems and an architecture of the target system. The common data model is transformed into a specified data type of the architecture of the target system. Calls are managed using specified functions available through an application programming interface offered by the architecture of the target system. Functions of the application programming interface are invoked to implement a target message in the architecture of the target system. The message is written to the target system.

Telecommunication providers may maintain information in catalogues regarding the products and services offered by or through the provider. The catalogues may be used to compile information that describes varying aspects of the products and the services. Configuration of the catalogues is often performed manually through a user interface for each application that may require the information.

Messaging interface system for customer care


A terahertz wave detection device includes a low-dimensional electron system material formed on a substrate; and a first electrode and a second electrode opposingly arranged on a two-dimensional plane of the low-dimensional electron system material. The first electrode and the second electrode are made of metals having different thermal conductivity. An 8-element array sensor includes eight terahertz wave detection devices aligned in an array. The terahertz wave detection device includes carbon nanotube film; a first electrode disposed on one side of the carbon nanotube film; and a second electrode disposed on the other side of the carbon nanotube film. The first electrode and the second electrode have different thermal conductivity.

Terahertz (THz) waves mean electromagnetic waves within a region of frequency of 0.1 to 30 THz (1 THz=1012 Hz), the region including submillimeter waves and far-infrared rays having a wavelength of 0.01 mm to 3 mm.
The terahertz waves have been unexplored because they are the higher frequency limit electronically controllable in electronics and also are the lower energy limit optically controllable in optics or photonics. For the terahertz waves, basic elements such as a light source and a detection unit are thus unexplored yet as compared to other frequency bands. Since the terahertz wave has a wavelength that is longer than that of visible light by two or three digits, the terahertz wave has a characteristic in which its spatial resolution for imaging is low.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a terahertz light detection device including a semiconductor chip in which a two-dimensional electron gas is formed within a certain range from the surface, and a carbon nanotube, a conductive source electrode, a conductive drain electrode, and a conductive gate electrode that are provided in close contact with the surface. The carbon nanotube extends along the surface of the semiconductor chip while its two ends are respectively connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode, and the gate electrode is located at a certain distance from a side surface of the carbon nanotube. The terahertz light detection device further includes an SD current detection circuit that detects an SD current between the source electrode and the drain electrode by applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes, a gate voltage application circuit that applies a variable gate voltage between the source electrode and the gate electrode, and a magnetic field generation device that applies a variable magnetic field to the semiconductor chip.
For example, Non-patent Literatures 1 to 4 disclose detection units that can detect frequency of the terahertz wave. Non-patent Literatures 3 and 4 disclose detection units that can select frequency. Since the conventional THz detection unit excites one conduction electron by absorbing one photon, the detection sensitivity has been inevitably limited.
In contrast, Non-patent Literature 4 discloses a new THz wave detection, spectrometry, and imaging technique, which uses functions of a low-dimensional electron system including a carbon nanotube (CNT) array, a graphene, and a semiconductor hetero interface two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Non-patent Literature 4 discloses a new mechanism created with a hybrid structure in which carbon nanotube (CNT) quantum dots and the two-dimensional electron gas in the semiconductor are joined together and configured to read carriers excited in the two-dimensional electrons with a sensitive charge sensor made of the CNT.

Terahertz wave detection device and array sensor


A folding knife includes a handle element, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle element, and a locking mechanism operatively coupled between the blade and the handle element. The locking mechanism includes first and second pairs of toggles positioned, respectively, on first and second sides of the blade, each pair of toggles being configured to move into a locked position when the blade is rotated to an open position. A handle of the knife may include the handle element and the first and second pairs of toggles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to a folding knife, and particularly to a folding knife with a locking mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Folding knives enjoy wide popularity, particularly among sportsmen, campers, hikers, and many others engaged in outdoor activities. Common elements to folding knives include a handle and a blade pivotally connected to an end of the handle so that the blade pivots with respect to the handle between an open position in which the blade is extended away from the handle, and a closed position in which the blade is at least partially received within the handle. Many folding knives also include a locking mechanism to maintain the blade in the open position and/or the closed position.
Examples of folding knives, including folding knives with locking mechanisms, may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,454,665; 1,743,022; 4,040,081; 4,173,068; 4,404,748; 4,451,982; 4,502,221; 4,612,706; 4,719,700; 4,776,094; 4,805,303; 4,811,486; 4,837,932; 4,893,409; 4,974,323; 4,979,301; 5,044,079; 5,060,379; 5,095,624; 5,111,581; 5,293,690; 5,325,588; 5,331,741; 5,425,175; 5,426,855; 5,502,895; 5,515,610; 5,537,750; 5,546,662; 5,596,808; 5,615,484; 5,685,079; 5,689,885; 5,692,304; 5,737,841; 5,755,035; 5,802,722; 5,815,927; 5,822,866; 5,826,340; 5,887,347; 5,964,036; 6,079,106; 6,154,965; 6,338,431; 6,378,214; 6,427,335; 6,438,848; 6,490,797; 6,594,906; D348,599, and D373,296; and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2002/0157260; 2003/0070299; and 2004/0031155, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Folding knife having a locking mechanism


A stent for use in animals including humans is disclosed which includes unprotected and protected regions, each protected regions including a bioactive or biopenetrating agent containing therein where the protected regions are protected by the unprotected regions when the stent is in its undeployed state which has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the stent in its deployed state. And when the stent is in its deployed state the bioactive or biopenetrating agent(s) are brought into direct and intimate contact with a tissue or interior of a blood vessel of an animal including a human.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a stent including indentations having either bioactive agents and/or penetrating structures and/or agents therein or thereon where the indentations protect the agents or structures during stent positioning and where the agents or structures are brought into close proximity to or in contact with a vessel's interior or tissue during stent deployment.
More particularly, this invention relates to a corrugated stent having recessed regions containing bioactive or penetration agents or structures and non-recessed regions, where the agents are protected in the recessed regions. Preferably, the stent undergo a volumeric expansion after deployment, that brings the bioactive or penetration agents or structures into close proximity to or direct contact with a a vessel's interior or tissue during deployment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Stents are a valuable medical device designed to maintain pathway of a vessel or maintain or create a tissue cavity in an animal's body in an opened condition. Numerous stents have been described such as those in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,197,977, 5,282,847, 5,380,299, 5,383,927, 5,464,450, 5,500,013, 5,607,464, 5,624,411, 5,653,745, 5,769,8835, and 5,776,184, incorporated herein by reference. However, these stents lack bioactive or penetrating agents to assist in vessel or tissue healing or deposit digestion, and/or mechanisms for the protection of bioactive or penetrating agents during stent deployment and positioning.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved stent having bioactive or penetrating agents deposited thereon in such a way as to protect the agents during deployment and placement and capable of bringing the agents into close proximity or direct contact with a vessel's and/or tissue interior after deployment and expansion.

Method and apparatus for stent deployment with enhanced delivery of bioactive agents

The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System


Disclosed is a wireless positioning system and method that can perform a high-precision position tracking. The wireless positioning system includes a target device that is an object of wireless positioning, beacon devices and a processing unit. The beacon devices transmits wireless signals and sense reception time points of the wireless signals transmitted from the other beacon devices and the target device and received at time points after the transmission of the wireless signal. The target device receives the wireless signal transmitted from at least one of the beacon devices, and then transmits the wireless signal to the beacon devices. The processing unit obtains the position of the target device by calculating distances between the beacon devices and the target device using information about the reception time points of the wireless signals sensed by the respective beacon devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wireless positioning techniques, and more particularly to a system and method for determining the position of a target device by ordered transmission of wireless signals even without distance information and pre-synchronization among beacon devices. The beacon device is a device which is the basis of determining the position of the target device and the position of which is previously known before the process of determining the poison of the target device is performed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, as the advantages of UWB (Ultra Wideband) wireless technologies are being watched, researches for short-distance high-precision wireless positioning systems have actively been in progress as one of applications of UWB pulses having extremely short durations.
Because the UWB pulses have the extremely short durations below nanosecond, they have been applied to the positioning systems so as to achieve a high-precision wireless positioning at centimeter levels, which could not be obtained through the existing communication systems. Additionally, the UWB pulses have extremely low power levels through the ultra wideband, and thus they can remove interference with other electronic appliances.
The existing wireless positioning techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,589,838 and 5,216,429 require pre-synchronization among beacon devices. Because in the prior art, the precision of positioning determined by the time resolution is generally at levels of about several tens of meters, it is possible that the systems operate in a range over which errors occurring in a process of synchronization among the beacon devices do not greatly damage the precision of positioning.
However, in the currently required systems of a high precision, e.g., having time resolutions below nanosecond, PLL (Phase Lock Loop) adjustment errors for obtaining the time synchronization, wired signal transfer errors, etc., become greater than the pulse durations if the systems are constructed so that they require the time synchronization among the beacon devices as in the prior art. This causes severe problems due to the synchronization errors when links among the beacon devices for the synchronization are made through not only wireless paths but also wire paths.
As a consequence, if the existing systems are applied as they are, it becomes impossible to achieve a high-precision positioning that makes the best use of the advantages of the UWB pulses having the extremely short durations.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,950 describes methods for determining the position of a target device using previously known coordinates of beacon devices without the necessity of data transmission/reception through wire connections among the beacon devices or pre-synchronization. One of the proposed methods is a method for synchronizing the respective beacon devices using GPS. However, because this method requires a GPS receiver, etc., (provided in the respective beacon device) the system is complicated and thus it is difficult to put the method to practical use. Additionally, because the system using the GPS has limited precision of time synchronization, it is impossible to achieve the wireless positioning of high precision below several meters through this method.
According to another of the proposed methods, the second beacon device and the target device receive the first pulse generated from the first beacon device, and the second beacon device successively transmits the first pulse to the third beacon device and the target device. This process is repeated up to the N-th beacon device, and the position of the target device is calculated using the distances among the beacon devices calculated using the differences among arrival times of the respective pulses received by the target device and the previously known coordinates of the beacon devices.
However, this method has the problems in that because the target device should serve as a signal receiver and processor, the structure of the target device becomes very complicated, and thus the application of this method is limited. Additionally, in order to perform the precise positioning of the target device by applying this method, the assumption that the distances among the beacon devices calculated using the previously known coordinates of the beacon devices are the same as the lengths of the actual wave propagation paths among the beacon devices should be satisfied. However, this assumption may not be satisfied because the actual wave propagation paths may be complicated according to diverse environmental variables such as the curved surface of the earth and so on, and thus the synchronization among the beacon devices is ultimately required in order to heighten the precision of positioning even though this method is used.
In addition, the target device (or tag) that is an object of the position tracking is generally a portable simplified individual device to which the power supply is not easy. For example, in order that the target device can widely be applied to various application fields from the personal portable communications adopting the short-distance wireless positioning system to the tags for logistics managements in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems, it should generally be designed to have low power consumption. Although the UWB pulses have extremely low power levels, it is strongly necessary to develop a position tracking system that enables low-power operation using a target device of a simplified structure so that the number of operations and the number of signal transmissions performed in the target device can be minimized.

System and method for asynchronous wireless positioning by ordered transmission

Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute


The present invention relates to a magnetic suspension bearing supported by magnetic force, which comprises one or more magnets fixed on a shaft directly or indirectly which can rotate with said shaft, and matching magnets provided in a certain space, wherein the magnetic polarity and magnitude of magnetic force of the matching magnets match with the magnetic polarity and magnitude of magnetic force of said one or more magnets to achieve the full suspension rotation of said shaft, and said magnets and/or matching magnets are permanent magnets. The present invention is of simple design and large power, with many other advantages such as great rigidity and great load-bearing capability and widely use in various fields.

There are two kinds of magnetic suspension bearings in the prior art: one is a permanent magnetic suspension bearing and the other is an electromagnetic suspension bearing. In the electromagnetic suspension bearing, the shaft is rotated in suspension corresponding to the bearing with no frictional resistance and higher operation precision by a magnetic force induced by an electromagnetic field. However, the structure of the bearing is very complicated, and it needs an electronic measurement and control system, auxiliary supporting means and other auxiliary means, and accordingly, the manufacture cost is very high, especially for a bearing with a great load-bearing capability. The conventional permanent magnetic suspension bearing is simple in structure and low in manufacture cost, but limited in load-bearing capability and thereby mainly used in instruments such as electromagnetism meters with monopole or two-pole magnetic suspension and thereby a limited rigidity, namely a small dF/dz (the change rate of the load-bearing force when a gap changes), and therefore is not fit for various applications.


A hydrogen production catalyst used for generating hydrogen by splitting water, the catalyst comprising a composite metal oxide of cerium oxide and praseodymium oxide.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hydrogen production catalyst, a method for producing hydrogen and a hydrogen production apparatus using the hydrogen production catalyst.
Related Background Art
Conventionally, a method (a method utilizing a two-step thermochemical water splitting reaction involving oxidation and reduction reactions of cerium oxide) has been studied in which hydrogen is generated by using a composite metal oxide containing cerium oxide as a hydrogen production catalyst, and performing a step of reducing the composite metal oxide to thereby release oxygen, and a step of splitting water by bringing water into contact with the reduced composite metal oxide to thereby oxidize the composite metal oxide and generate hydrogen.
The following are examples of hydrogen production catalysts used in this method. Specifically, a paper of Kaneko et al. (Non-Patent Literature 1: Kaneko et al., "Reactive ceramics of CeO2-MOx (M=Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu) for H2 generation by two-step water splitting using concentrated solar thermal energy", Energy, 2007, vol. 32, P. 656 to P. 663) discloses the use of a composite metal oxide of CeO2 with a metal oxide represented by the formula: MOx (M=Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu). Moreover, a paper of Qing-Long Meng et al. (Non-Patent Literature 2: Qing-Long Meng et al., "Reactivity of CeO2-based ceramics for solar hydrogen production via a two-step water-splitting cycle with concentrated solar energy", International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2011, vol. 36, P. 13435 to P. 13441) discloses the use of a composite metal oxide represented by the formula Ce0.9M0.1O2-δ (M=Mg, Ca, Sr, Sc, Y, Dy, Zr, Hf) as a hydrogen production catalyst. Furthermore, a paper of M. S. Hegde (Non-Patent Literature 3: M. S. Hegde, "Ce0.67Cr0.33O2.11: A New Low-Temperature O2 Evolution Material and H2 Generation Catalyst by Thermochemical Splitting of Water", Chem. Mater, 2010, vol. 22, P. 762 to P. 768) discloses the use of a composite metal oxide represented by the formula: Ce0.67Cr0.33O2.11 as a hydrogen production catalyst.

Hydrogen production catalyst, method for producing hydrogen and hydrogen production apparatus using the same


A mixing apparatus including a kinetic energy source, a mixing tank, a pivot guide, and transfer shaft is used to drive a mixing paddle through a circular path within a tank without substantial shaft rotation. Sleeved and sleeveless mixing paddles are provided in combination with sealable mixing tanks. A volumetric compensation system responsive to tank wall deflection is used to maintain the internal volume of a mixing tank within predetermined limits. One mixing apparatus includes multiple mixing shafts and paddles coupled to at least one kinetic energy source. Methods for fabricating sleeved paddle-containing mixing apparatuses are further provided.

The mixing of components, such as different types of solids, liquids and/or gases, has a number of applications in different industries. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, different types of drugs are mixed together. In the medical field, body fluids (such as blood) and/or drugs are typical components that are mixed. In the semiconductor field, wet solutions are combined with abrasives to make slurries. The food industry also incorporates mixing operations into a number of applications. For example, water is mixed with dehydrated food for the rehydration of such food.
However, in these and other industries, the components that are mixed may be hazardous, dangerous, infectious and/or require high levels of purity. For example, in the pharmaceutical and/or medical industries, the components that are to be mixed may be toxic. Additionally, in a number of situations, the handling of powders may be dangerous because of the possibilities of inhalation of such powders. In the medical field, individuals that handle body fluids, such as fluids that are HIV-infected, do so while attempting to avoid direct contact with these fluids. Furthermore, in the semiconductor industry, handling of chemicals is avoided to reduce the potential for forming particulate and introducing impurities.
Conventional mixing devices generally involve a glass tank for components that are of small volumes and a stainless steel tank for components of larger volumes. These tanks often include a screw to agitate and maintain powders within suspension. Such screws are also used to homogenize multiphase solutions. Prior to use, these mixing tanks must be washed and sterilized. Typically, an autoclave is used for washing and sterilizing small volume tanks, while a water steam-based operation is employed for washing and sterilizing larger volume tanks. When preparing batches of post-etch residue removers for semiconductor applications, introduction of contaminants must be excluded at all levels of processing to decrease particulate formation, which leads to device failure. These wash, sterilize, and process operations, which are essential to the specified technologies, are typically time-consuming and expensive, and require highly qualified individuals for their performance. Further, periodic maintenance of mixing devices associated with the various technologies must be performed to ensure proper operation. In certain cases, washing/sterilizing operations as well as the maintenance of these mixing devices may represent more than a third of the total cost of operating and maintaining such mixing devices, which may be prohibitively expensive for given applications. Additionally, mixing of components may cause the pressure to increase within these conventional mixing devices. If this increased pressure is not accounted for, then the mixing of such components may become dangerous, such as the possibility that the tanks could break apart/explode due to this internal pressure. Moreover, with the use of many mixing devices currently employed to mix pharmaceuticals, the displacement of some pharmaceutical outside the mixing device cannot be eliminated, and therefore the amount of pharmaceutical remaining inside the mixing device, after mixing, may not be sufficiently accurate or precisely known. This is problematic when the FDA requires the administration of such a pharmaceutical in precise, accurate and known quantities.
Due to their multiple advantages, disposable containers are becoming increasingly useful in many industrial applications, particularly as storage containers.
In biological processing, there is an ever-increasing need for disposable products, such as storage bags, which can range in size from 10 to more than 3,000 liters. Current uses include, among others, storage of products or components awaiting disposition to further processing steps such as, for example, purification. Often, however, the stored products or components are mixtures, which, over time, may separate out into phases or components. Emulsions and suspensions, for example, are particularly predisposed to such phase separations.
Current industry standards require remixing, regeneration and/or revalidation of a suspension or emulsion before further processing can resume. In order for remixing to occur without removing the contents from a storage bag, a magnetic stir bar is used. Often, the duration of the regeneration/revalidation step is up to several hours, and the quality of mixing is not uniformly high. Additionally, such a process is prone to particle generation inside the bag that contaminates the formulation therein.
Alternatively, a recirculation loop may be employed to regenerate mixtures, such as emulsions or suspensions, whereby liquid separated from the bulk mixture is repeatedly drained from the foot or base of the storage bag and refilled through the top of the bag. In addition to being time-consuming, such an alternative process requires the container to be opened and resealed.
As noted above, mixing of materials continues to face challenges in many industrial applications. Therefore, systems utilizing disposable elements and providing storage and mixing capabilities are needed. Desirable systems should provide benefits including any of the following: reduced labor requirements, lower production costs, and improved product quality in mixing applications.
Certain solid-liquid and liquid-liquid mixing applications are conventionally performed in open vessels lined with disposable liner materials, with the mixing energy provided by a motor driven (shear) impeller that is reused and typically cleaned between uses. To provide adequate mixing performance, high rotational velocities (e.g., high RPMs) are often used. The utility of such systems is limited because some products cannot handle high shear forces, yet still require high levels of induced turbulence for full dissolution. Additionally, high shear mixing may also cause foaming, which is undesirable in certain applications. There exists a need for improved mixing systems adapted to avoid these shortcomings.
In systems requiring sterile mixing, it may be desirable to provide a closed mixing vessel. As various contents are supplied to and extracted from the mixing vessel, or as various reactions occur within the vessel, the pressure within the vessel may change substantially. Particularly if flexible or collapsible materials are used for the vessel walls, the vessel may expand or contract with these changes in pressure. Taken to an extreme, such volumetric changes may impede movement of the mixing element and thus hinder mixing, or may cause the vessel to rupture. While venting the vessel to atmosphere would eliminate such problems, such ventilation would contaminate the previously sterile environment of the closed container. Alternatively, conventional pressure control systems might appear to present a satisfactory solution, but their implementation may be hindered with disposable mixing vessels such as those constructed with film-based liner materials due to the impracticability of interfacing pressure sensors with such materials.

Systems and devices for mixing substances and methods of making same


A mobile communication device assists in a handover procedure between a first base station and a second base station using reliable and efficient techniques. The mobile device has a wireless transceiver and one or more processors coupled to the wireless transceiver. In one illustrative example, the one or more processors of the mobile device are operative to maintain a voice or data call over a traffic channel with use of the wireless transceiver; cause handover information of the handover procedure to be transmitted over a first control channel (e.g. SACCH) with use of the wireless transceiver during the voice or data call; and cause the same handover information of the handover procedure to be transmitted over a second control channel (e.g. FACCH) during the voice or data call. Further, the one or more processors may be operative to cause a message for the handover procedure to be transmitted in a layer-2 (L2) frame with use of the wireless transceiver during the voice or data call; and cause updated system information (e.g. an updated BA list) to be transmitted in the L2 frame with use of the wireless transceiver during the voice or data call.

1. Field of the Technology
The present invention relates generally to mobile communication devices operating in wireless communication networks, and more particularly to improve handover methods and apparatus for mobile stations.
2. Description of the Related Art
A mobile communication device, such as a mobile station operating in a wireless communication network, may provide for both voice telephony and packet data communications. A mobile station may, for example, be compatible with 3rd Generation (3G) communication standards and utilize Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) wireless network technologies.
All of these communication standards utilize radio frequency (RF) signal detection techniques. In a mobile RF transceiver or mobile station (MS), a handoff or handover procedure exists in order to accomplish continuous communications as the MS is en route between various cell sites of one or more wireless communication networks. The handover procedure utilizes receiver signal strength indicator (RSSI) for serving cell and neighbor cell measurements, and received signal quality (RXQUAL) for serving cell measurements taken within the MS. The MS periodically monitors the RSSI on its active channel and that of its neighboring channels, and sends the selected RSSI information and RXQUAL to a base station (BS) that is part of the wireless communication network, such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. A BS receives RSSI information reported from the MS and decodes and delivers those messages to a base station controller (BSC). The BSC compiles the RSSI and RXQUAL information received from the MS and decides when and if a handover procedure should be initiated for the MS. If the RSSI level and/or RXQUAL on the active channel drops below a predefined threshold level, indicating poor signal-to-noise ratio in the MS receiver, then the BSC will initiate a handover procedure to begin between the active BS and the MS.
In GSM networks, handover procedures are coordinated by the BSC and through communications between the BS and MS by the sending of handover command messages over a fast associated control channel (FACCH). After the BS sends an initial handover command to the MS to begin the handover procedure, a series of handover command messages are exchanged between the MS and the BS (also referred to as a handshaking process). The handover procedure eventually concludes with the MS being assigned to a neighboring channel and/or base station. Each handover command message requires eight continuous FACCH bursts on a full rate traffic channel (TCH) or six continuous FACCH bursts on a half rate TCH. Unfortunately, FACCH bursts are susceptible to instantaneous interference products such as radio interference or radio propagation fading and blocking, and may be missed or corrupted during their short transmission time (approximately 40 ms). When handover commands are lost or damaged, the handover procedure may be prolonged and delayed due to repeat handover attempts, which causes degraded signal quality during the call. In more extreme situations, the communication link may be lost altogether, which results in a dropped call.
Further, much information exchange is required after each and every handover procedure in order to instruct the MS of a new neighboring channel list. In GSM networks, this list is referred to as a broadcast control channel (BCCH) allocation (BA) list. Traditional procedures provide for the transfer of the new BA list following the final handover command message. This further delays the completion of the procedure and delays use of the MS for voice and data communications, and delays valid radio measurements. In GSM networks, the BA list transfer is performed on the slow associated control channel (SACCH) and can take an additional 1.44 s. The additional time required to update the MS with the new BA list can be long enough to cause a drop in the communications link during weak RF signal conditions or in congested RF traffic areas.
Accordingly, what are needed are methods and apparatus for performing a successful handoff between cells so as to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art.

Handover methods and apparatus for mobile communication devices


A Relational Schema Definition (RSD) language that uses metadata of the relational database to generate an implementation-neutral or implementation-specific format that represents the precise database structure and data. The RSD language is a declarative description language such that an RSD file can then be used offline in a disconnected environment to reconstruct and use the database.

Relational schemas are always implicitly stored in the database itself and can be retrieved by querying the database metadata. In addition, relational schemas can be represented by the DDL (Data Definition Language) statements that were used to create the schemas in the first place. However, neither of these formats can be used as a declarative, implementation-neutral format that can be easily stored in a file and used by applications to discover the relational schema.
What is needed is an improved architecture that represents relational schema in a declarative implementation-neutral and/or implementation-specific format.