A manager node (105) controls access to a shared network communication medium by a number of nodes. A first node (101) transmits a request to the manager node (105). The request includes information indicating that the first node (101) requires a QoS link to a second node. The manager node (105) determines whether the QoS link from the first node (101) to the second node can be supported and sends an accept message to the first node (101) when the QoS link can be supported. Prioritized media access control may also be used in a distributed network without using a manager node to control access to a shared communication medium. A node with high priority data may reduce the duration of its contention window so that it will have a better chance of gaining control of the shared communication medium than a node with low priority data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to networks and, more particularly, to quality of service, contention-based media access control for mobile ad hoc networks.
2. Description of Related Art
The use of ad hoc wireless networks has increased in recent years. An ad hoc wireless network typically includes several wireless, usually mobile, nodes. In such a network, each of the nodes may be equipped with a radio that allows the node to communicate with other nodes to form a network. The nodes typically include a media access controller (MAC) that determines when data can be sent via radio waves to another node. The MAC algorithm that determines the appropriate times to send data is often very complex.
MAC algorithms generally fall into two broad categories: centralized and decentralized. In a mobile ad hoc environment, the infrastructure associated with the network is not guaranteed. Therefore, decentralized algorithms are typically used. Within the decentralized category, there are two general types of MAC algorithms: schedule-based and contention-based.
Schedule-based algorithms are time-oriented techniques in which each node knows when it is time to transmit. This requires time synchronization and decentralized coordination throughout the network to ensure that time slot information is consistent across the network. This is cumbersome and requires considerable overhead at the MAC layer in order to operate properly. Such a technique is also sub-optimal for bursty data.
Contention-based algorithms are channel-oriented techniques in which each node senses the state of the channel. In this technique, a node waits for the channel to be sensed as clear and then transmits its data. This technique may be optimal for bursty data, but is sub-optimal for quality of service (QoS) based data.
Another problem in conventional ad hoc networks is that nodes typically have equal access to the shared communication medium. This causes problems when a node wishes to transmit high priority data and is unable to seize the shared communication medium.
Therefore, a need exists for systems and methods that enable nodes to perform QoS, contention-based media access control in a wireless network that efficiently supports both bursty and non-bursty traffic. A need also exists for systems and methods that enable nodes to gain access to a shared communication medium based on data priority.

Quality of service based media access control for mobile ad hoc networks


A motor used to drive optical elements includes a stator, a rotor revolved relative to the stator, and a feedback apparatus used to sense the position of the rotor. The feedback apparatus is an encoder. Such described structure eliminates the system's instability caused by the drift of a conventional capacitive type transducer or an inductance type transducer. Moreover, the response of the motor used to drive optical elements has been improved greatly by utilizing a multipole motor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor and, in particular, to a motor used to drive optical elements such as mirrors for the purpose of guiding light beams in laser markers, scanners or other systems which are similar to these.
2. The Related Art
A motor used to drive optical elements usually has a different structure and configuration. Traditionally, the position feedback apparatus of the motor used to drive optical elements utilizes a capacitive type transducer or an inductance type transducer. However, the accuracy, the repeatability and the stability of the motor are restricted greatly for the drift of the transducer. Moreover, the motor includes two magnetic poles, and the motor is supported by ball bearings. The motor's response/(the response of the motor) is restricted because of the small ratio of torque and inertia. Also, the running accuracy is influenced by the low axial stiffness.

Shenzhen Han's Precision Mechatronics Co., Ltd.


An apparatus which couples light to a fiber from a light source at an input plane while reducing back reflections includes returning light reflected back through such that the returning light does not substantially overlap with an output of the light source in the input plane. This apparatus may include a mode matching element and/or an angular distribution altering element. The apparatus may be reciprocal. The reciprocal apparatus may prevent light traversing the apparatus again having a change in phase of light from substantially overlapping an original object in an input plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a coupler for coupling light to a fiber while minimizing feedback to the light source due to reflection along the transmission system.
2. Description of Related Art
As the use of non-physical contact connections between light sources and fibers increases, the need for effective isolation to prevent light reflected at the fiber interface from being returned to the light source increases. Feedback to the light source may result in spectral broadening, light source instability, and relative intensity noise, which affect the monochromaticity of the light source. As data rates go up, the systems become more sensitive to relative intensity noise and require low bit error rates. Conventional optical isolators using polarization effects to attenuate reflection are very expensive, making the non-physical contact impractical. The importance of avoiding feedback is further increased when trying to use cheaper light sources, such as vertical cavity surfaces emitting laser diodes and light emitting diodes.
One solution that avoids the use of an optical isolator is a mode scrambler that divides power from the light source into many modes. A configuration employing a mode scrambler includes a single mode pigtail that provides light from the light source to the mode scrambler that then delivers the light to a transmission cable via an air-gap connector. Since any reflected power will still be divided across the many modes, any reflected power in the mode that can efficiently be coupled into the pigtail is only a small fraction of the total reflected power, thereby reducing return losses. However, this solution involves aligning another fiber, physically contacting the fiber with the mode scrambler, and placing the light source against the fiber. This pigtailing is expensive. Thus, there still exists a need for true non-physical contact connection between a light source and a transmission system that does not require an isolator.

Fiber coupler, system and associated methods for reducing back reflections


A method for reducing a risk of carcinogenesis in a subject comprising administering a dose of calcium to the subject that is effective to reduce carcinogenesis. Particularly provided is a method for reducing the risk of recurrence of colorectal adenomas, comprising administering a dose of calcium carbonate effective to reduce the risk of colorectal adenomas. In an example, 1200 mg of elemental calcium (supplied in 3000 mg of calcium carbonate) administered twice daily resulted in decreased risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas in patients with a history of colorectal adenomas.

The present invention relates to reducing the risk, and optimally preventing, carcinogenesis through modification of diet. In particular, ingestion of calcium results in reduced risk of recurrence of colorectal adenomas.
Dietary patterns have repeatedly been associated with the risk of colorectal neoplasia: a diet rich in vegetables and fruits is associated with a lower risk, while intake of animal fat and red meat seems to increase risk (Sandler, Gastroenterology Clinics NA, 25:717-735, 1996). The underlying mechanisms are not clear, but may in part be due to alterations in bile acids, which are carcinogenic in animal models (Nagengast et al., Eur. J. Cancer, 1995, 31A:1067-70).
Newmark and colleagues (Newmark et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 1984, 72:1323-1325) proposed that calcium binds bile acids in the bowel lumen, inhibiting their proliferative and carcinogenic effects. In support of this hypothesis, animal studies have indicated a protective effect of dietary calcium on bile-induced mucosal damage and experimental bowel carcinogenesis (Pence, Mut. Res., 1993, 290:87-95; Pence, Carcinogenesis, 1988, 9:187-190). However, human epidemiological research has been inconsistent; in some studies a decreased risk of colorectal cancer has been associated with calcium intake, while in others, no association was found (Blergsma-Kadijk et al., Epidemiology, 1996, 7:590-597; Martinez and Willett, Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., 1998, 7:163-168). Similarly mixed results have been reported regarding large bowel adenomas, likely precursors for most colorectal cancers (Morson et al., Cancer Surv., 1983, 2:451-477).
The present invention advantageously provides a method for reducing a risk of carcinogenesis in a subject comprising administering a dose of calcium to the subject that is effective to reduce carcinogenesis. Particularly provided is a method for reducing the risk of recurrence of colorectal adenomas, comprising administering a dose of calcium carbonate effective to reduce the risk of colorectal adenomas.
In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a method for reducing a risk of carcinogenesis in a subject comprising administering a dose of calcium to the subject that is effective to reduce carcinogenesis. Preferably, the carcinogenesis is development of a colorectal adenoma, e.g., a recurrence of an adenoma. Thus, in a specific embodiment, the method provides for reducing the risk of recurrence of colorectal adenomas, comprising administering a dose of calcium carbonate effective to reduce the risk of colorectal adenomas.
More particularly, the present invention is able to reduce the risk ratio of adenoma recurrence, resulting in a risk ratio of 0.74 to 0.98, e.g., about 0.85, with a 95% confidence interval. Indeed, as demonstrated in the Example, infra, the risk ratio of at least one adenoma was by 0.67 to 0.99, e.g., about 0.81, with a 95% confidence interval.
The effective dose of elemental calcium can be readily established. In particular, a dose ranging from about 1 mg/kg/day to about 100 mg/kg/day, preferably from about 1 mg/kg/day to about 50 mg/kg/day, and more preferably about 20 mg/kg twice a day, can be used. In a specific embodiment, the dose of elemental calcium is about 1200 mg twice a day.
Elemental calcium can be derived from many sources. Usually, it is found in a salt. Examples of calcium sources include, but are by no means limited to, calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, calcium hydroxide, calcium phosphate (including tricalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate), calcium chlorophosphate, or combinations thereof. In a specific embodiment, the calcium is provided as calcium carbonate.
When calcium carbonate is administered to the subject, a preferred dose is from about 20 to about 80 mg/kg twice a day, and more preferably about 40 mg/kg twice a day. In a specific embodiment, the dose is about 3000 mg twice a day.
The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that 1200 mg of elemental calcium (supplied in 3000 mg of calcium carbonate) administered twice daily resulted in decreased risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas in patients with a history of colorectal adenomas. In particular, 930 patients with a recent history of colorectal adenomas were randomized to calcium carbonate (3 gm daily; 1,200 mg elemental calcium) or placebo, with follow-up colonoscopies one and four years after the qualifying examination. The main analysis focused on new adenomas found after the first follow-up endoscopy, up to (and including) the second follow-up examination. Risk ratios of at least one recurrent adenoma and ratios of the average numbers of adenomas and 95% confidence intervals were calculated as measures of effect.
As a result of this treatment protocol, there was a lower risk of recurrent adenomas in subjects randomized to calcium. Among the 913 subjects who had at least one study examination, the adjusted risk ratio of any adenoma recurrence was 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.74 to 0.98; P=0.03). 832 patients completed both follow-up examinations and so were included in the main analysis; the adjusted risk ratio of at least one adenoma was 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.67 to 0.99; P=0.04); the adjusted ratio of the average numbers of adenomas was 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.96; P=0.02). The effect of calcium was independent of initial dietary fat and calcium intake. No toxicity was associated with supplementation. These findings indicate that calcium supplementation can prevent a proportion of colorectal adenomas, precursors of most colorectal cancers.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9ccarcinogenesisxe2x80x9d refers to the development of a carcinoma, particularly an adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum. In a specific embodiment, carcinogenesis refers to development of an adenoma. In more specific embodiment, carcinogenesis refers to recurrent adenomas.
In a specific embodiment, the term xe2x80x9caboutxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9capproximatelyxe2x80x9d means within 20%, preferably within 10% and more preferably within 5% of a given value or range.
The various elements of the invention are further elaborated in the following sections concerning carcinomas, calcium sources, formulations, and administration. These sections are provided for the sake of convenience, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
A carcinoma is malignant new growth that arises from epithelium, found in skin or, more commonly, the lining of body organs, for example: breast, prostate, lung, stomach or bowel. Carcinomas tend to infiltrate into adjacent tissue and spread (metastasize) to distant organs, for example: to bone, liver, lung or the brain. An adenocarcinoma is a form of cancer that involves cells from the lining of the walls of many different organs of the body. Colorectal cancer is a type of adenocarcinoma. While the present invention focuses on carcinogenesis of the lower intestinal tract, it is believed to impact carcinogenesis broadly. Thus, though the application focuses on carcinogenesis in colorectal cancer (or carcinoma or adenocarcinoma), it should be generally considered as relating to carcinogenesis in general.
Colorectal cancer is a malignancy that arises from the lining of either the colon or the rectum. Cancers of the large intestine are the second most common form of cancer found in males and females. Symptoms include rectal bleeding, occult blood in stools, bowel obstruction and weight loss. Treatment is based largely on the extent of cancer penetration into the intestinal wall. Surgical cures are possible if the malignancy is confined to the intestine. The risk can be reduced when following a diet which is low in fat and high in fiber.
As used herein, a polyp is a growth, usually benign, protruding from a mucous membrane. Colorectal polyps can be precursors to carcinomas.
Surgery is the primary method of treatment for polyp removal and the treatment of colorectal cancer. The extent of surgery and the need for follow-up treatment afterwards (with chemotherapy or radiation) depends on the stage of the disease as well as its locationxe2x80x94whether it is in the colon or rectum. Information regarding staging and treatment provided separately for each disease below.
There are three slightly different systems for staging colon cancer: Dukes, Astler-Coller and AJC/TNM. The list below describes each stage using the AJC/TNM system with the corresponding stage for Dukes and Astler-Coller noted afterward, as well as the recommendation for treatment in addition to surgery.
Stage O: Carcinoma in situ. Cancer is confined to the inner layer of the colon. There is no corresponding stage for Dukes or Astler-Coller. No treatment after surgery or polypectomy. The survival rate approaches 100 percent.
Stage I: Cancer has grown through the inner lining of the colon and underlying layers, but has not penetrated beyond the colon wall into adjoining tissue. This stage corresponds to Dukes Stage A and Astler-Coller Stages A and B1. No treatment after surgery. The survival rate is about 90 percent.
Stage II: Cancer has grown entirely through the colon wall but hasn""t spread to nearby lymph nodes. The stage corresponds to Dukes Stage B and to Astler-Coller Stages B2 and B3. Treatment is usually surgery alone. In some cases, chemotherapy may be offered. The survival rate is about 70 percent.
Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body. The stage corresponds to Dukes Stage C and to Astler-Coller Stages C1, C2 and C3. After surgery, treatment with chemotherapy is recommended. The survival rate is 35 percent to 65 percent.
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs. Most common sites for metastasis are the liver, lungs and brain. There is no corresponding Dukes stage; the Astler-Coller Stage is D. Treatment after surgery consists of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both to relieve symptoms of advanced cancer. Occasionally, surgery can be performed on the metastasis. The survival rate is 8 percent.
As with colon cancer treatment for rectal cancer depends on the stage of the disease.
Stage O: Cancer has not grown beyond the rectal lining. There is no treatment after surgery, and the survival rate is greater than 90 percent.
Stage I: Cancer has penetrated the inner rectal lines, but not beyond. Chemotherapy and radiation is not usually recommended after surgery. The survival rate is about 88 percent.
Stage II: Cancer has penetrated through the rectal wall but hasn""t spread to the lymph nodes. Treatment often includes surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiation. The survival rate is 65 percent to 75 percent.
Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body. Surgery is usually combined with chemotherapy and radiation which can be given either before or after the operation. The survival rate is between 35 and 55 percent.
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs. Most common sites for metastasis is the liver. The goal of surgery is not to cure cancer but to relieve symptoms and prevent blockage of the rectum. Chemotherapy, radiation or both may be recommended to relieve symptoms. The survival rate is 5 percent. In some cases, isolated metastasis, particularly to the liver, can be surgically removed, resulting in improved survival.
Treatment of rectal cancer often combines surgery with chemotherapy and radiation, depending on the stage of the disease (see colon cancer treatment for discussion of these treatments). Sometimes surgery is performed first, and on other occasions, chemoradiation is given prior to surgery. A number different surgical procedures are available to treat rectal cancer, the choice depending on the location and stage of the cancer. These include polypectomy (removal of Stage O tumors), local excision, low anterior resection, abdominoperineal resection; and pelvic exenteration; which is only rarely performed.
Either after or before surgery, radiation therapy may be recommended for rectal cancer. When given before surgery, the tumor can be shrunk, often making removal easier. Radiation therapy is rarely recommended for cancer of the colon. Treatment usually is done on an outpatient basis and involves five sessions per week for approximately six weeks. Radiation treatment can cause a number of side effects, including upset stomach, diarrhea, fatigue and skin irritation, which subside once treatment ends.
Treatment with anti-cancer drugs is recommended when the cancer is in the lymph nodes. For rectal cancer, chemotherapy is combined with radiation and often given to stage II cancers also. When used with preoperative radiation, part of the chemotherapy is given before surgery and the rest given after surgery. The most common drugs used are a combination of Fluorouracil (5-FU) and levamisole or leucovorin.
It is known that not all calcium sources are equal in terms of bioavailability and absorption. The preferred form is calcium carbonate, which contains the highest amount of absorbable calcium, 40% elemental calcium. Calcium carbonate is cheap, readily available and easily compacted to make a tablet with greater calcium content. Because of the higher elemental calcium content of calcium carbonate, a tablet can be made smaller and can contain a higher concentration of available calcium. Since the tablet can be smaller, it is easier to swallow, especially for older people.
Other sources of calcium for pharmaceutical or supplemental use are calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, dibasic calcium phosphate and calcium citrate and the like. Elemental calcium, is preferably supplied in the range of about 400 and 10,000 mg. The calcium salt content is preferably within the range of 1,000 mg to 25,000 mg, advantageously 1,500 to 3,000 mg.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,471 provides a process for the precipitation of discrete prismatic calcium carbonate particles by carbonation of aqueous calcium hydroxide containing a saccharide or polysaccharide, which is useful, inter alia, in pharmaceutical applications.
In addition to a calcium salt, a composition for administration in accordance with the invention may contain trace or substantial amounts of other active ingredients. For example, Vitamin D, critical in the role of calcium absorption, can be added in the range between 50 I.U., and 800 I.U. The preferred range is between 200 to 400 I.U.
Preferably one or more of boron, copper, magnesium, manganese and zinc is supplied. The mineral preferably comprises a boron compound or a combination of a boron compound with other minerals. The anions for the minerals can be oxide, phosphate, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, or the like.
The preferred amounts of the mineral supplements are:
boron compound from 50 to 3,000 micrograms;
copper compound from 0.10 to 5.0 mg;
magnesium compound from 10 to 150 mg;
manganese compound from 3 to 10 mg; and,
zinc compound from 3 to 25 mg.
As a general statement, the total weight of the dosage form is preferably less than about 5.0 g. In the preferred embodiment (calcium carbonate), the dosage form is equal to or less than about 3.0 g.
The present formulation may also include preservatives such as benzoic acid and salts thereof, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, sulfur dioxide and the like; food grade emulsifiers such as lecithin, mono- and diglycerides of long chain fatty acids, and propylene glycol esters; and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients, which are known to those skilled in the art.
The phrase xe2x80x9cpharmaceutically acceptablexe2x80x9d refers to molecular entities and compositions that are physiologically tolerable and do not typically produce an allergic or similar untoward reaction, such as gastric upset, dizziness and the like, when administered to a human. Preferably, as used herein, the term xe2x80x9cpharmaceutically acceptablexe2x80x9d means approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more particularly in humans. The term xe2x80x9ccarrierxe2x80x9d refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the compound is administered. Such pharmaceutical carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. Water or aqueous solution saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions are preferably employed as carriers, particularly for injectable solutions. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in xe2x80x9cRemington""s Pharmaceutical Sciencesxe2x80x9d by E. W. Martin.
The phrase xe2x80x9ctherapeutically effective amountxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cdose . . . that is effectivexe2x80x9d is used herein to mean a dose or an amount sufficient to reduce the risk of carcinogenesis, such as but not limited to polyp formation, recurrent adenoma, and development of a carcinoma. Preferably, the risk is reduced by a statistically significant amount, e.g., with an acceptable value for xe2x80x9cpxe2x80x9d. For example, the risk of carcinogenesis may be reduced by at least about 10 percent, preferably by at least 25 percent, more preferably by at least 50 percent, and most preferably completely. Alternatively, a therapeutically effective amount is sufficient to cause an improvement in a clinically significant condition in the host, such as recurrent adenoma.
The present formulation may be in oral solid dosage form for example a tablet, capsule, lozenger, chewable tablet or bulk powder. The tablet, capsule or lozenger may contain suitable binders, lubricants, diluents, disintegrating agents, coloring agents, flavoring agents, flow-inducing agents and melting agents which are known to those skilled in the art.
The present formulation may also be in a liquid dosage form which includes an emulsion and suspension. The liquid dosage form may contain, for example, suitable solvents, preservatives, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, diluents, sweeteners, melting agents, and coloring and flavoring agents, which are known to one skilled in the art.
It is preferred to administer the composition of the present invention in the form of tablets; however, any form of oral administration can be used.
The solid dosage form may have a film coating to protect the ingredients from moisture, oxygen or light and to mask any undesirable taste or appearance. Suitable coating agents include cellulose, hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose, cellulose phthalate, methacryulic copolymer and shellac. An enteric coating may be employed, as well as coloring agents for identification and, if desired, the solid form may be polished with a waxy composition such as carnuba wax.
For example, calcium supplement compressed tablets are well known to the art and commonly contain tricalcium phosphate or a mixture thereof with dicalcium phosphate, a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, a disintegrant such as sodium starch glycolate or croscarmellose sodium, and a lubricant such as magnesium stearate (see, for example, Kanig et al, International Application Published Under The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), International Publication No. WO 81/02521, published Sep. 17, 1981, and Gerard European Patent Application Publication No. 54333, published Jun. 23, 1982). The calcium phosphate can be of commercial compacted grade. A suitable compacted grade of tricalcium phosphate is marketed by Stauffer Chemical Company of Westport, Conn. U.S.A. as TRI-TAB.RTM. containing about 37.5% elemental calcium by weight.
Various calcium formulations have been described in patents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,351 describes liquid beverages for supplementation of dietary calcium. The beverages of this invention use calcium glycerophosphate as the source of calcium, acidulants, vitamin C and optionally, vitamin D. U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,081 discloses a fortified foodstuff comprising a fortifying amount of a complex of calcium and a hydrolyzed polysaccharide. U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,330 discloses a method for forming a dry powder of insoluble calcium salts and protein from an aqueous composition, e.g., for use in food supplements. U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,222 provides a calcium supplement in solid form contains calcium glycerophosphate, vitamin D and vitamin C. U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,506 provides a concentrated bioavailable calcium source containing a) soluble calcium; b) an edible acid component; and c) sugar. U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,221 provides a liquid calcium supplementation from readily soluble mixtures of citric acid and one or more calcium compounds selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate and calcium oxide, which may be used, for example, as a powder for making an xe2x80x9cinstantxe2x80x9d beverage. U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,925 discloses a calcium supplement compressed tablet containing tricalcium phosphate with croscarmellose sodium as a disintegrant and sodium lauryl sulfate.
Any dosage regiment that provides an therapeutically effective amount of elemental calcium can be used in the practice of the invention. As noted above, preferably the calcium is administered orally, but any acceptable route of administration can be employed. Similarly, in a specific embodiment, infra, the calcium compound is administered twice daily, preferably with a meal. However, the daily dosage can be provided once a day, twice daily, three times daily, with every meal, etc. Alternatively, a sustained release dosage form can be used, which may provide for administration of a composition comprising the calcium compound less frequently than daily.
The following example is for illustrative purposes and is not to be construed as limiting the invention.

Composition and method for reducing the risk of carcinogenesis


To avoid various problems caused by remnant magnetization and produce an anisotropic bonded magnet at a reduced cost, a method for producing an anisotropic bonded magnet by feeding a magnetic powder (such as an HDDR powder) into the cavity of a press machine and compacting it is provided. A weak magnetic field is created as a static magnetic field in a space including the cavity by using a magnetic member that is steadily magnetized. The magnetic powder being transported into the cavity is aligned parallel to the direction of the weak magnetic field. Next, the magnetic powder is compressed in the cavity, thereby obtaining a compact.

An R—Fe—B based rare-earth magnet (where R is one of the rare-earth elements including Y, Fe is iron, and B is boron) is a typical high-performance permanent magnet, has a structure including, as a main phase, an R2Fe14B phase, which is a tertiary tetragonal compound, and exhibits excellent magnet performance.
Such R—Fe—B based rare-earth magnets are roughly classifiable into sintered magnets and bonded magnets. A sintered magnet is produced by compacting a fine powder of an R—Fe—B based magnet alloy (with a mean particle size of several μm) with a press machine and then sintering the resultant compact. On the other hand, a bonded magnet is produced by compacting a mixture (i.e., a compound) of a powder of an R—Fe—B based magnet alloy (with particle sizes of about 100 μm) and a binder resin within a press machine.
The sintered magnet is made of a powder with relatively small particle sizes, and therefore, the respective powder particles thereof exhibit magnetic anisotropy. For that reason, an aligning magnetic field is applied to the powder being compacted by the press machine, thereby obtaining a compact in which the powder particles are aligned with the direction of the magnetic field.
In the bonded magnet on the other hand, the powder particles used have particle sizes exceeding the single domain critical size, and normally exhibit no magnetic anisotropy and cannot be aligned under a magnetic field applied. Accordingly, to produce an anisotropic bonded magnet in which the powder particles are aligned with particular directions, a technique of making a magnetic powder, of which the respective powder particles exhibit the magnetic anisotropy, needs to be established.
To make a rare-earth alloy powder for an anisotropic bonded magnet, an HDDR (hydrogenation-disproportionation-desorption-recombination) process is currently carried out. The "HDDR" process means a process in which the hydrogenation, disproportionation, desorption and recombination are carried out in this order. In this HDDR process, an ingot or a powder of an R—Fe—B based alloy is maintained at a temperature of 500° C. to 1,000° C. within an H2 gas atmosphere or a mixture of an H2 gas and an inert gas so as to occlude hydrogen. Thereafter, the hydrogenated ingot or powder is subjected to a desorption process at a temperature of 500° C. to 1,000° C. until a vacuum atmosphere with an H2 partial pressure of 13 Pa or less or an inert atmosphere with an H2 partial pressure of 13 Pa or less is created. Then, the desorbed ingot or powder is cooled, thereby obtaining an alloy magnet powder.
An R—Fe—B based alloy powder, produced by such an HDDR process, exhibits huge coercivity and has magnetic anisotropy. The alloy powder has such properties because the metal structure thereof substantially becomes an aggregation of crystals with very small sizes of 0.1 μm to 1 μm. More specifically, the high coercivity is achieved because the grain sizes of the very small crystals, obtained by the HDDR process, are close to the single domain critical size of a tetragonal R2Fe14B based compound. The aggregation of those very small crystals of the tetragonal R2Fe14B based compound will be referred to herein as a "recrystallized texture". Methods of making an R-Fe-B based alloy powder having the recrystallized texture by the HDDR process are disclosed in Japanese Patent Gazettes for Opposition Nos. 6-82575 and 7-68561, for example.
However, if an anisotropic bonded magnet is produced with a magnetic powder prepared by the HDDR process (which will be referred to herein as an "HDDR powder"), then the following problems will arise.
A compact, obtained by pressing a mixture (i.e., a compound) of the HDDR powder and a binder resin under an aligning magnetic field, has been strongly magnetized by the aligning magnetic field. If the compact remains magnetized, however, a magnet powder may be attracted toward the surface of the compact or the compacts may attract and contact with each other to be chipped, for example. In that case, it will be very troublesome to handle such compacts in subsequent manufacturing process steps. For that reason, before unloaded from the press machine, the compact needs to be demagnetized sufficiently. Accordingly, before the magnetized compact is unloaded from the press machine, a "degaussing process" of applying a degaussing field such as a demagnetizing field, of which the direction is opposite to that of the aligning magnetic field, or an alternating attenuating field to the compact needs to be carried out. However, such a degaussing process normally takes as long a time as several tens of seconds. Accordingly, in that case, the cycle time of the pressing process will be twice or more as long as a situation where no degaussing process is carried out (i.e., the cycle time of an isotropic bonded magnet). When the cycle time is extended in this manner, the mass productivity will decrease and the manufacturing cost of the magnet will increase unintentionally.
As for a sintered magnet on the other hand, even if the compact thereof is not degaussed sufficiently, the compact remains magnetized just slightly, because its material magnet powder has low coercivity from the beginning. Also, in the sintering process step, the magnet powder is exposed to an elevated temperature that is higher than the Curie temperature thereof. Thus, the magnet powder will be completely degaussed before subjected to a magnetizing process step. In contrast, as for an anisotropic bonded magnet, if the compact thereof remains magnetized when unloaded from the press machine, then the magnetization will remain there until the magnetizing process step. And if the bonded magnet remains magnetized in the magnetizing process step, the magnet is very hard to magnetize due to the hysteresis characteristic of the magnet.
In order to overcome the problems described above, a main object of the present invention is to provide a method and a press machine for producing an easily magnetizable permanent magnet (e.g., an anisotropic bonded magnet among other things) at a reduced cost by avoiding the problems caused by the unwanted remanent magnetization of the compact.

Production method for permanent magnet and press device


A separator device for removing particles from suspension in a fluid comprising: a housing, having a central axis extending between first and second opposing ends; an inlet and an outlet provided in an end of the housing; a separation chamber for separating solid particles from the fluid, including obstruction means to slow the flow of fluid within the chamber.

In a typical heating system, water is circulated by a pump through several radiators, possibly a heat exchanger in a hot water cylinder, and a boiler. During circulation, solid particles (for example, iron oxide) which have come loose from the interior of the radiators and pipework can become suspended in the water. Solid particles can also be present as contaminants in the water originally supplied to the system, and the water can become contaminated by dirt where an open expansion tank forms part of the system. These solid particles can cause malfunction if they build up in the boiler or pump, and reduce the effectiveness of the heating system by restricting the flow of water and clogging radiators. The water in a heating system should therefore be continually cleaned to remove solid particles as far as possible.
Various devices are known for removing particles from suspension in a flow of water. Typically these devices comprise of a substantially cylindrical housing with an inlet and an outlet provided on the curved surface of the cylinder. Known devices must therefore be mounted with the curved surface of the cylinder parallel to a wall, and separation means within the housing are designed to operate effectively in this orientation. The height of the cylindrical housing (i.e. the distance between the two planar surfaces of the cylinder) is typically much greater than the diameter of the cylinder.
When a heating system is serviced, the separator device must be cleaned to remove the particles which have been separated from the fluid. A removable screw-top is typically provided at the upper end of the cylindrical housing which, when removed, allows access to the inside of cylindrical housing. A removable insert is typically provided within the housing, which must be removed for cleaning.
The removable insert is typically of similar longitudinal extent to the cylindrical housing. Therefore to allow the insert to be removed from the housing, the separator device must be installed where there is a vertical space between horizontal surfaces of at least twice the height of the housing. This requirement imposes an unwelcome constraint on the installer in terms of where the device may be installed, particularly where the separator device is being retrofitted to an existing installation. For example, there is often insufficient space between the bottom of a boiler and a counter top. In some cases it may simply not be possible to fit a device of suitable capacity which requires such a large vertical space.
It is an object of this invention to provide a separator device which reduces or substantially obviates the above mentioned problems.


The invention disclosed in this application relates to an improved process for the preparation of Entacapone. In one embodiment the process involves: (i) reacting a 3-alkoxy-4-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzadehyde with N,N-diethylaminocyanoacetamide in the presence of a mild acid catalyst and a solvent, to provide a 3-O-alkylated Entacapone, and treating the 3-O-alkylated Entacapone with an acid catalyst in the presence of an organic base to provide Entacapone.

The preparation of Entacapone, formula (1), has been reported in GB 2,200,109 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,590 from two critical intermediates viz; 3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrobenzadehyde (formula (5)) and N,N-diethylamino-cyanoacetamide (formula (3)). The compound of formula 5 was condensed with compound 3 in the presence of piperidine acetate and dry ethanol as a solvent to provide Entacapone. The 3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde was prepared from 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (6) using acetic acid and hydrobromic acid, as illustrated in Scheme 1.

The above patent described the preparation of Entacapone (1) without describing the stereochemistry or the polymorphism.
Subsequently it was described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,950 described preparing the E-isomer and polymorphism-A from the mixture obtained from the reaction reported in the GB Patent No. 2,200,109.
The main disadvantage of this method, according to our findings, is that the reaction times are very long, ranging about 84-100 hours, and the reaction never goes to completion.
Furthermore, the preparation of compound 5 from 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitrobenzadehyde 6 as described in Scheme 1 has to be purified repeatedly and the yield compound 5 is only about 55%. Consequently, the yield of the final product is also very low.
The critical raw material 3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde (5), a catechol derivative, changes color from light yellow to a dark color upon storage at room temperature in a short period of time. The yield and quality (purity) of the Entacapone product varies between batches and there is no consistency in yield and quality. Hence storing of this compound required special conditions, such as below 15° C. in the absence of light.
In addition, it was known in the literature that catechol derivatives are known to undergo aerial oxidation and give quinone derivatives. Such oxidations contribute to the color changes during storage.
Accordingly, it is of paramount important to find a stable penultimate stage intermediate that is stable at room temperature for longer durations and can be stored and used required. The overall yield of the Entacapone final product by the present route (described above) is about 58%.

Methods for the preparation of Entacapone


The present invention provides a process for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acids having a weight-average molecular weight of 50,000 or above which are excellent as biodegradable plastics by subjecting Lactides to ring-opening polymerization in the presence of an inorganic solid acid catalyst carrying silica and/or a light metal.

Some methods are known as the methods for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acids of a high molecular weight by the use of Lactides; for example, a method which comprises polymerizing, in the presence of polyvalent heavy metal oxide such as lead oxide, a lactide which is obtained by heating lactic acid (U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,316), a method for producing copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid having an average molecular weight of 72,000 by copolymerizing, in the presence of stannous octanoate, a mixture of lactide and glycolide respectively obtained by dehydration condensation of lactic acids and glycolic acid (Japanese Published Examined Patent Application No. 14688/81), and a method for producing polylactic acids having a molecular weight of 100,000 by polymerizing DL-lactide in the presence of stannous octanoate (Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 69553/90). However, these methods, in which Lactides of high purity are necessary, require purification steps of crude lactides such as recrystallization and distillation, and thus have various problems for industrial utilization due to a number of complicated.

Process for producing polyhydroxycarboxlic acid


The present disclosure relates to eyewear, such as eyeglasses, configured for receiving a hose, such as a medical gas therapy hose. The eyewear comprises flexible elements and a groove defined in and extending through the flexible elements and other parts of the eyewear. The present disclosure further relates to a flexible element, such as a hinge, which may be used in eyewear to enable bending of parts of the eyewear. An exemplary embodiment of the flexible element is a hinge having a plurality of repeating units.

For many conditions and disorders, particularly those which affect the lungs, immediate relief of a patient's symptoms is a priority. Medical gas offers a quick and efficient way to supply therapies or medicaments to patients in need. Medical gas can be administered through face masks, nasal prongs or nasal cannula, breathing tubes, laryngeal mask airway tubes, tracheal tubes, ventilators, and more. Examples of medical gas therapy include controlled oxygen therapy, helium therapy, carbon dioxide therapy, nitrogen therapy, and hyperbaric oxygenation. Similarly, inhalational anesthetics are another example of medical gas administration.
For chronic conditions, medical gas therapy may be administered continuously. Patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder (COPD), bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, asthma, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea, cluster headaches, and other lung disorders may be unable to get adequate oxygen from the air. These patients require supplemental oxygen, sometimes for as many hours as possible, typically administered through a system of hoses and nasal cannula. In this system, oxygen is delivered from oxygen sources (such as devices like gas tanks, liquid oxygen tanks which are either reservoirs or portable canisters, oxygen concentrators that are either stationary or portable, or home fill systems) equipped with long hoses and nasal prongs. A commonly-used system features nasal cannula which are connected to the oxygen source via two hoses which run along the patient's face, behind patient's ears, and under the patient's chin where the two hoses are joined into a thicker hose leading to the oxygen source. Unfortunately, this system can be uncomfortable, as the hoses can press against the patient's cheeks and cause irritation or apply pressure behind the ears of the patient and even cut into the skin behind the ears. In addition, the system is impractical for eyeglasses wearers, as there is little space behind the patient's ears to accommodate both eyeglasses and tubing. Finally, the configuration of hoses is visible on the patient's face, which can cause awkwardness in social situations. Many patients are reluctant to interact with others or to spend time in public when they are wearing the oxygen hoses. This reluctance can have consequences for their health, as some patients will forgo therapy for limited periods of time and risk oxygen deprivation, while others will avoid social situations and risk isolation, or be unable to realize benefits of light exercise and activity outside of the home.
There have been attempts in the past decades to make oxygen therapy systems more comfortable and discreet. In one approach, eyeglasses are modified with hollow channels which replace the oxygen hoses on the patient's face. However, these eyeglasses frames have several disadvantages. First, the eyeglasses frames are prone to leakage through hinges, joints, or openings in the hollow channel. Although rubber gaskets or seals can be used to minimize leakage, these rubber seals are expensive and wear out quickly. Second, some eyeglasses make use of hollow nose pieces having fixed diameters, which extend from the hollow channel in the frames and channel oxygen to the patient's nostrils. Unfortunately, as the nose pieces are often designed to be discreet, the diameter of the nose pieces may be very small and the oxygen flow is restricted. As a consequence, the air flow from the oxygen source may have to be set at a higher intensity, which can quickly drain the oxygen source and/or batteries powering the device. Third, the hollow channels are difficult or inconvenient to clean. And finally, the hollow channels cannot be readily exchanged for different sized channels without replacing the whole eyeglasses frame.
In an alternative approach, eyeglasses are modified with grooves or clips to affix oxygen hoses to the inner surface of the eyeglasses frame. While this approach offers more flexibility, none of these existing eyeglasses frames have been designed to accommodate the natural movement and bending of the oxygen hose. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an eyeglasses frame that bends in a flexible but controlled manner, and which may be configured to accommodate a standard hose for gas therapy. The eyeglasses frame may be part of a medical gas system that is comfortable, discreet, and convenient for the patient.


A creeper is disclosed for protecting a user in a supine position when manoeuvring under a raised object. The creeper comprises a user support surface and a safety structure. The safety structure comprises at least one upwardly projecting rigid element defining a protective space above at least a portion of the support surface. A foldable creeper which folds into a work bench and comprises a similar safety structure is also disclosed.

Creepers for use in working or manoeuvring beneath automobiles, trucks and other such motor vehicles are well known and have been used by the novice and professional automobile mechanic for years. Such known creepers, as exemplarily illustrated by the creeper 2 in FIG. 1, are generally comprised of a framework 4 to which is mounted a substantially flat body support surface 6 upon which a user may rest his head and/or back, and a set of wheels or casters 8 allowing the creeper to be displaced below a vehicle (not shown).
However, it has been found that the common creeper design does not provide for a safe work environment. For instance, when using a creeper to work under a vehicle, which is generally raised on jacks or jack stands, a mechanic generally lays flat on the creeper to roll himself under the vehicle. Since common creepers do not provide any type of body or head protection for the mechanic working underneath the raised vehicle, the mechanic is generally vulnerable to severe injury in the event the vehicle should fall from its raised position.


A technique for document edge detection in an optical scanning system. The document is placed against an over-sized neutral background. A linear optical sensor array is used to provide successive lines of pixel data representing the luminance of detected pixel areas. Commencing from one end of the line of pixel data, for successive current pixels being tested, a group of n adjacent pixel values is correlated with a successive group of n adjacent pixel values to provide a correlation value for the current pixel. One of the groups is assumed to contain only background pixels, and their luminance is approximated to be equal to the average luminance over the entire background. If the correlation value exceeds a threshold constant, the current pixel is chosen to be an edge in this line of pixels. Data from several lines is processed to find corresponding edges for each line, and the line edges are subjected to a least squares fit to calculate the location of the document edge. The left and right edge of the document can be found using this technique. A histogram of luminance values for each line of pixel data is analyzed to determine whether an edge value is valid.

Optical scanners operate by imaging an object, typically from a sheet of paper, document or other form of medium, with a light source, and sensing a resultant light signal with an optical sensor array, with each optical sensor/pixel element in the array generating a data signal representative of the intensity of light impinging thereon for a corresponding portion of the imaged object. The data signals from the array are then processed, typically digitized, and utilized by a utilization apparatus or stored on a suitable medium such as a hard disk of a computer for subsequent display and/or manipulation.
Various types of photo sensor devices may be used in optical scanners. For example, a commonly used photo sensor device is the charge coupled device (CCD), which builds up an electrical charge in response to exposure to light. The size of the electrical charge built up is dependent on the intensity and duration of the light exposure. In optical scanners, CCD cells are typically arranged in linear arrays. Each cell or "pixel" has a portion of a scan line image impinged thereon as the scan line sweeps across the scanned object. The charge built up in each of the pixels is measured and discharged at regular "sampling intervals."
The image of a scan line portion of a document is projected onto the scanner's linear sensor array by scanner optics. In CCD scanners, the scanner optics typically comprise an imaging lens which typically reduces the size of the projected image from the original size of the document considerably. Pixels in a scanner linear photo sensor array are aligned in a "cross" direction, a direction perpendicular to the "scan" direction, i.e. the paper or scanner movement direction for scanning of the image.
At any instant when an object is being scanned, each pixel in the sensor array has a corresponding area on the object which is being imaged thereon. This corresponding area on the scanned object is referred to as an "object pixel." An area on a scanned object corresponding in area to the entire area of the linear sensor array is referred to as an "object scan line" or "scan line." For descriptive purposes, a scanned object is considered to have a series of fixed adjacently position scan lines. Scanners are typically operated at a scan line sweep rate such that one scan line width is traversed during each sampling interval.
Some optical scanner machines include an automatic document feeder for feeding a document past the optical array. Other optical scanner machines are known as "flatbed" scanners, wherein a document is placed on a fixed platen for scanning, which occurs by moving the sensor array relative to the fixed document.
It is advantageous in various applications to sense the location of a document edge. In a printer, for example, the print area differs depending on whether the printing on envelopes, name card paper, letter sized paper, and so on. The prediction of the print area assists in driving the print head. The print area can be identified by sensing the media edges. By identifying the document area, proper clipping can be made on both sides when printing. In a scanner, detection of the document edges can assist by placing the image area properly on the page, and by reducing the scan memory size by clipping the empty regions. Also, by detecting the edge position in the direction of document movement, the document skew can be estimated and used to redirect the scanned image in print. This will produce a more pleasing output from the scanning process.
Multi-function office products are in wide use today, which combine in a single machine the functions of printing and optical scanning with automatic document/sheet feeders.
This invention provides a technique for automatically detecting the left and right edges of a scanned target document as it is being fed through an automatic document feeder, and has particular utility in multi-function machines which include optical scanning with automatic document feeding capabilities.

Document edge detection by linear image sensor


A surface containing a plurality of individually-addressable encoded images comprises an array of curved specular reflectors. Reflectance modifying treatment is applied to a first region of at least one of the curved specular reflectors, such that beamable energy that is directed towards the array is viewable from a first subset of the curved specular reflectors only under a first set of viewing conditions. Reflectance modifying treatment is applied to a second region of at least one of the curved specular reflectors, such that beamable energy that is directed towards the array is viewable from a second subset of the curved specular reflectors only under a second set of viewing conditions.

This invention is a surface that can simultaneously contain hundreds of individually-addressable encoded images. This surface has advantages for advertising signage, retail packaging, road-way signage and markers, novelty surfaces for notebooks and toys, theatrical effects, navigation, interior and exterior wall coverings, and other applications.
This invention makes use of a reflective surface that is strongly specular and which is curved in a manner that yields spatial gain relative to a diffuse reflector. This invention takes advantage of the localized nature of glint off of such a curved specular reflector. The characteristic of a diffuse reflector is that it scatters a beam of light over a great portion of the hemisphere in front of the illuminated surface and does not demonstrate localized glint. A piece of paper and a movie screen are examples of diffuse reflectors. In comparison, a specular surface reflects a beam of light into a more limited portion of the same hemisphere. A specular reflection is typically included in a small angular region surrounding the line that is at an equal angle, but when referenced to the reflector surface's normal is oppositely signed, to the angle of impinging light. A household mirror and a polished chrome automobile bumper are examples of specular reflectors.
Limitation in direction of reflection, that is, containing the reflected light to within a smaller spatial expanse than characteristic of diffuse surfaces, can provide a "spatial-gain" which suggests a reflectance that exceeds the reflectance possibility of any diffuse surface. This is true as long as the solid angles that encompass the possible positions of observation and illumination are limited to solid angles less than a complete hemisphere.
Understanding of this invention is assisted by comparing a white-painted flat surface with the specialized case of a flat mirror. (This special case is for concept elucidation only and is not otherwise necessarily related to the claims of this invention.) If a flat, diffuse, white-painted object is held in the sunlight, an observer sees light reflected from its surface over a large extent of viewing angles, nominally the entire hemisphere in front of the object. Therefore, when such an object is rotated, light from it can be seen over a wide range of angular movement.
However, if a flat specular mirror is considered under the same conditions, then nothing is seen except within a small angular region where the mirror directs a great flash to the eye of the observer. The flash comes from reflection simultaneously off of a large region of the flat mirror, if not off the entirety of the mirror. The flash within this narrow angular condition can easily be thousands of times brighter than when the same incident sunlight is reflected from the white paint.
If the flat specular mirror's surface is altered by giving it purposeful curvature, then the angular extent on the curved mirror within which the flash is observable increases, though the intensity decreases. But even the decreased brightness is still many times greater than the whitest flat paint or other diffuse reflector. The ratio of brightness is the "gain" of the reflectance surface. Also unlike the flat mirror, the specular reflection of a light source, artificial or sunlight, comes only from a small region of the curved mirror, termed the glint spot. This feature further differentiates this invention's surface from the flat mirror, and it sets up a condition for multi-image encoding. This invention utilizes an array of compound surface with the aforementioned effects of curved specular mirrors not only for brightness, but also for presentation of multiple encoded images. Each element cell of the array ensemble is a small mirror in itself, termed herein a "mirrorlette." The reflection of glint can be modified for each location on each of the mirrorlettes in such a manner as to produce an image and/or optical effect that is the summation of contributions from all or part of the array of mirrorlettes.

Merlin Technology Limited Liability Company


A magnetic memory device may include a perpendicular magnetic structure, an in-plane magnetic structure, a free magnetic pattern between the perpendicular magnetic structure and the in-plane magnetic structure, and a tunnel barrier pattern between the perpendicular magnetic structure and the free magnetic pattern. The perpendicular magnetic structure may include at least one pinned pattern which has a perpendicular magnetization direction that is pinned to a specific direction, and the free magnetic pattern may have a switchable perpendicular magnetization direction. The in-plane magnetic structure may include a first magnetic pattern and a second magnetic pattern, and each of the first and second magnetic patterns may have a different respective in-plane magnetization direction.

As electronic devices with high speed and/or low power consumption properties are becoming increasingly desired for various applications, there is a corresponding increasing demand for semiconductor memory devices with faster operating speeds and/or lower operating voltages. Magnetic memory devices have been proposed to satisfy such a demand. For example, magnetic memory devices can provide technical advantages, such as high speed and/or non-volatility, and thus, magnetic memory devices are emerging as a potential next-generation memory device.
In general, a magnetic memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes two magnetic layers and an insulating layer interposed therebetween. A resistance of the MTJ varies depending on magnetization directions of the magnetic layers. For example, the resistance of the MTJ is higher when magnetization directions of the magnetic layers are anti-parallel to each other than when they are parallel to each other. Such a difference in resistance can be used for data storing operations of the magnetic memory device.
However, more research is still needed to realize magnetic memory devices with improved thermal stability and reduced writing current, including where magnetic memory devices are being reduced in size or scaled down.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Magnetic memory devices including magnetic tunnel junctions


A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a first-conductive-type semiconductor substrate; a first-conductive-type first semiconductor layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, and having an impurity concentration lower than that of the semiconductor substrate; a second-conductive-type second semiconductor layer epitaxially formed on the first semiconductor layer; and a second-conductive-type third semiconductor layer epitaxially formed on the second semiconductor layer, and having an impurity concentration higher than that of the second semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device also includes a recess formed in the third semiconductor layer, and at least a corner portion of a side face and a bottom surface is located in the second semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device also includes a first electrode in contact with the third semiconductor layer; a second electrode connected to the first electrode while being in contact with the second semiconductor layer at the bottom surface of the recess; and a third electrode in contact with a lower surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Ina semiconductor rectifying device that rectifies an input current to output the rectified current, there are a PiN diode having a pn junction and a Schottky barrier diode (SBD) having a carrier potential barrier of a difference in work function between a semiconductor layer and metal. In the Schottky barrier diode, there is a JBS (Junction Barrier Schottky barrier diode) in which an impurity region (for example, p type) having a conductive type different from that of the semiconductor layer (for example, n type) is disposed in a surface of the semiconductor layer in order to relax an electric field applied to an interface between the semiconductor layer and the metal. There is also an MPS (Merged PiN-diode Schottky-diode), in which the contact between the impurity region (for example, p type) and the metal of the JBS is set to or brought close to ohmic connection, and a minority carrier is injected to decrease a resistance by conductivity modulation when a voltage exceeding a built-in potential (Vbi) between the impurity region and the semiconductor layer is applied.
On the other hand, a wide bandgap semiconductor such as silicon carbide (hereinafter also referred to as SiC) is expected as a next-generation power semiconductor device. The wide bandgap semiconductor has a wide bandgap, high breakdown field strength, and high thermal conductivity compared with Si. A low-loss power semiconductor device that can be operated at high temperature can be implemented using the characteristics of the wide bandgap semiconductor.
In the MPS, generally the impurity region is formed by ion implantation of an impurity. However, ion implantation damage exists in the high-concentration impurity region formed by the ion implantation. Therefore, unfortunately an on-voltage of the semiconductor rectifying device is increased, and hole injection is delayed to increase a switching loss when an off-state is switched to an on-state.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof


A pH increasing gas is placed under an operating pressure and in contact with the surface of a meat product to be treated. Keeping the pressurized pH increasing gas in contact with the meat product for an operating period increases the pH of the meat product at its surface. The increased pH reduces bacterial activity and helps maintain the quality of the meat product during storage. The method may also include placing a pH lowering gas at a neutralizing pressure in contact with the surface of the meat product and holding the pH lowering gas in contact with the meat product at the neutralizing pressure for a neutralizing period sufficient to bring the pH of the meat product back to a normal level. The method may further include the step of removing the treatment gas and any reaction materials either after releasing the pH increasing gas or after treating with the pH lowering gas if that step is employed.

This invention relates to food processing. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for improving the quality of meat products by manipulating the pH of the meat product.
Almost all foods are processed in some way before reaching the consumer. Meat products, for example, are separated from unusable or undesirable elements or components, ground or chopped, mixed or blended, and often times frozen for distribution. Even lightly processed meats are cut, trimmed, and then packaged for sale or distribution.
Microbes are part of the natural decay process of organic material and invariably appear or grow in foodstuffs as they are processed or handled. Although some microbes may be relatively benign, others contribute to spoilage and some can cause serious illness if consumed. Lactic acid producing bacteria are examples of benign microbes while some strains of E. Coli, Salmonella, Staph, and Listeria bacteria are examples of pathogens and can cause serious illness.
It is, therefore, desirable to control the growth of pathogen microbes or reduce pathogen microbe count in foodstuffs. Historically, microbe growth has been reduced by chemical preservatives that remain in the product and are ultimately ingested by the consumer. Chemical preservatives, however, may have undesirable side effects to consumers and, in any event, a growing population has expressed a desire for food products that are free of traditional chemical preservatives. Alternatively to traditional chemical preservatives, heat has been used to kill microbes in foodstuffs. However, heat processing or sterilization often has an undesirable effect on the quality or characteristics of the foodstuff and may make the product undesirable to the consumer. Also, heat sterilization in meats can kill all microbes, leaving the meat susceptible to the rapid growth of dangerous microbes or pathogens after sterilization, should the previously sterilized meat be exposed to pathogens.
U.S. patent document, Ser. No. 08/210,571, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,142, was directed to an apparatus and method for improving the quality of a foodstuff by treating the product with a pressurized gas in contact with the product. The method of treatment according to that invention included placing the gas under an operating pressure in contact with the foodstuff and holding the pressure for an operating period. After the operating period, the method continued with releasing the gas pressure, preferably instantaneously. The exposure to the pressurized operating gas and then rapid decompression killed microbes on or near the surface of the foodstuff. Although the exact mechanism by which this pressurized gas treatment operated to kill microbes is not fully understood, it is believed that the physical action of gas decompression damaged the microbe cells to kill the microbes. In any event, the invention set out in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,142 did not modify the treated foodstuff chemically and relied upon the pressure/decompression step to physically damage microbes.

Method for modifying pH to improve quality of meat products


An X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a first arm mounted with a first X-ray tube and a first X-ray detector, a second arm mounted with a second X-ray tube and a second X-ray detector, a bed having a table top capable of rising and falling on which a patient is placed, a first rotating mechanism that rotates the first arm, a first moving mechanism that subjects the first arm to parallel translation, and a control unit that controls the first rotating mechanism and the first moving mechanism on the basis of a position of the second arm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biplane X-ray diagnostic apparatus that makes it possible to perform simultaneous imaging in two directions.
2. Description of the Related Art
A biplane X-ray diagnostic apparatus, which has been developed mainly for inspection of the circulatory system, includes two X-ray imaging systems, namely, a frontal X-ray imaging system for imaging a patient from the front thereof and a lateral X-ray imaging system for imaging the patient from the side thereof, in order to make it possible to image the patient from two directions simultaneously. The frontal X-ray imaging system has an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector that are attached to both ends of a C arm supported by, for example, a stand placed on a floor. Similarly, the lateral X-ray imaging system has an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector that are attached to both ends of an Ω arm suspended from a ceiling.
Since the C arm of the frontal X-ray imaging system has the stand fixed to the floor, the C arm is capable of turning (pivoting) around the stand but, basically, cannot move on the floor. On the other hand the Ω arm of the lateral X-ray imaging system is suspended from sliders engaged with rails provided on the ceiling to be movable longitudinal and lateral along the rails. In radioscopy and imaging, the C arm and the Ω arm are initially aligned such that a region of interest of a patient is located in image centers in both the frontal X-ray imaging system and the lateral X-ray imaging system. In other words, the C arm and the Ω arm are aligned such that the region of interest of the patient is located on an imaging center axis of the frontal X-ray imaging system and located on an imaging center axis of the lateral X-ray imaging system.
Even if the region of interest is positioned on the respective imaging center axis, the region of interest does not always coincide with a rotation center point of the C arm and a rotation center point of the Ω arm. In this case, when the C arm or the Ω arm is rotated, the region of interest deviates from the respective imaging center axes. Consequently, since the region of interest deviates from the image centers, it is necessary to perform positioning of the region of interest again.


In a hand tool for facilitating the introduction of a laryngeal mask into a patient. A hand tool insertable into a patient, the hand tool for engaging a laryngeal mask and having a pivot region. The hand tool engages the laryngeal mask, and when the hand tool is pivoted, the hand tool raises the mask from the back of the throat to permit proper insertion of the mask into the patient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hand held medical tools, and with more particularity, to a hand held medical tool to facilitate the introduction of a laryngeal mask airway into a patient.
2. Prior Art
Laryngeal mask airways, also called laryngeal masks, are presently used to establish an airway in a patient during general anesthesia. The laryngeal mask is inserted blindly into the pharynx, until it reaches and engages the upper esophageal sphincter, at which point a balloon portion of the mask is inflated, which forms a low pressure seal over the laryngeal inlet. Laryngeal masks are more efficient than standard face masks which may not form tight seals with the patient's face, permitting anaesthesia to escape therebetween. Laryngeal masks are thus becoming increasingly more popular. However, laryngeal masks are difficult to insert and properly position in the pharynx, because the masks are large, and the tip of the mask tends to bend upon itself when forced around the back of the throat inhibiting the proper placement of the mask.
Presently, physicians insert a laryngeal mask into a patient by using their fingers. In this manual insertion method, the laryngeal mask is forced into a patient's mouth behind the tongue, and then forced into the pharynx with the aid of the physician's index finger, which is pushed deeply into the patient's throat. This procedure has been known to result in damage to the soft tissues of the patient's throat. This procedure also poses a significant risk to the physician of contracting a contagious disease, such as HIV, since allergic reactions to latex prevent the physician from using latex gloves in all instances, and even if latex gloves are used, they can be easily punctured by teeth and braces. Further, the manual method becomes extremely difficult to perform when the patient is an infant, as the infant's mouth is simply too small to accommodate adult fingers.
Another device used to aid in the insertion of laryngeal masks is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,178 to Dingley. The patent shows a thin flexible plastic channel slide placed within the patient's throat, and the laryngeal mask is supposed to slide over the slide around the back of the throat. The drawback with this device is that it still makes insertion of the laryngeal mask very difficult, as the tip of the laryngeal mask still turns upon itself when it is inserted and has to bend around the back of the throat. The device is so thin it actually bends as the laryngeal mask slides over it, which is conducive to the tip of the laryngeal mask turning upon itself, thus preventing the mask from being advanced.
Another drawback of the slide device found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,178 is that it is a passive device, providing the physician with no effective way to actively control and guide the laryngeal mask.
Hence, there is a great need for a device and methodology for using same to enable a physician to safely and quickly introduce a laryngeal mask.
The present invention provides a novel solution to the problem of inserting laryngeal mask airways, having none of the drawbacks and disadvantages of the procedures and devices presently in use.

Hand tool for introducing a laryngeal mask


A process provides access data to a transportable subscriber station, for establishing access to a service provider station. A first access mode which can be provided using first access data includes a first network that is accessible by means of a selectable network account, a first switching station, and a second network. A second access mode can be provided by means of second access data by way of the first network and a fixedly defined second switching station. If first access data for the selected network account are not available a request for the second access mode is made to the service provider station, using the stored second access data, and a request is made for first access data for the selected network account in the second access mode. This requested access data for the selected network account are transmitted to the subscriber station in the second access mode and stored for the selected network account in the subscriber station.

This application claims the priority of German patent document 101 42 193.1, filed 29 Aug. 2001 (29.08.2001), the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a process of sending access data to a subscriber station, for a special access mode to a service provider station. Although it can be used for subscriber stations in many different environments, the invention and the problems which it addresses will be explained with respect to a subscriber station situated in a motor vehicle.
In systems of this type, the access data are used for implementing an indirect access mode to a service provider station, via a wireless network, by means of a network account that can be selected by the subscriber station via a first switching station, over the INTERNET. In addition, an alternative direct access mode is to be provided using stored access data, via the wireless network and a fixedly defined second switching station of the motor vehicle manufacturer. Conventionally, however, the indirect access mode is to be the default case, while the direct access mode is to be used only in exceptional cases.
In such systems, the problem arises the access data are required for the indirect access mode must be changeable, specifically as a function of the wireless network account or network provider used by the motor vehicle. One possibility for providing the respective required access data would be to have the user input these access data into the subscriber device. However, this possibility is inconvenient and susceptible to errors.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a process of sending access data to a subscriber station, particularly situated in a motor vehicle, for a special access mode to a service provider station, which process can adapt itself to changeable special access data.

Process of sending access data to a vehicle mounted subscriber station for a special access mode to a service provider station

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


In one embodiment, a method for providing power management via virtualization includes monitoring the utilization of a host platform device by one or more virtual machines and managing power consumption of the host platform device based on the results of monitoring.

A conventional virtual machine monitor (VMM) runs on a computer, hereafter called the "host platform", and presents to other software the abstraction of one or more virtual machines (VMs). Each VM functions as a self-contained computer, running its own "guest operating system" (guest OS), which can be a standard OS for the computer being virtualized (e.g., Microsoft® Windows® for a Personal Computer). Currently, each guest OS is responsible for solving power management problems. However, some OSes are unable to manage the power consumed by the host platform because they are not equipped to handle power-management signals sent by host platform hardware. In addition, the guest OS expects to run on a dedicated computer rather than in a VM and is unaware of other VMs that may be running on the same host platform. As a result the guest OS may, in its attempts to provide power management of the VM that it is running in, conflict with the power management actions or expectations of other guest OSes running in other VMs. Accordingly, guest OSes running in multiple VMs cannot be allowed to directly provide power management of host platform hardware resources.
Therefore, there is a need for an alternative power management mechanism that will provide more efficient use of computing resources in a virtual machine environment.

Mechanism for providing power management through virtualization


A progressive gaming method includes producing a set of game records with each game record being associated with a result in a game. Progressive prize bearing records are included in the set of game records according to a progressive win frequency rule. Each progressive prize bearing record is associated with a progressive win indicator and a progressive prize. After producing the game record set, the method includes assigning game records from the game record set to a number of players. Each game record is assigned to a respective player in response to a game play request associated with the respective player. The method also includes awarding a progressive prize to the respective player to whom a progressive prize bearing record is assigned in response to a game play request.

Gaming systems in which players place bets or wagers for a chance at prizes commonly include what are referred to as progressive games. In a progressive game, a portion of each wager made in a game is added to an account or progressive pool to fund one or more special prizes called progressive prizes. Depending upon how many players participate in the game prior to the time a progressive prize is awarded, the value of the progressive prize may be substantial. Progressive prizes can grow to a level significantly higher than the normal results in the underlying game. This is particularly true where the progressive pool is funded by a large number of players. For example, a progressive pool may be funded by player activity at many different sites. Pooling activity from different gaming sites generally increases the number of players adding to the progressive pool and thus increases the value of the progressive prizes available in the system.
Each progressive game is based on certain rules that define how the progressive prize is funded and how a progressive prize is won. Commonly, a progressive pool may be started with some initial or seed value. This seed value ensures a minimum progressive prize, even if the entire progressive pool is awarded on the very first game play before the pool increases proportionally to the wagers made in the game. The progressive game rules may define a progressive prize winner in a number of ways. For example, a particular result in the game may be defined as a progressive prize winner so that a progressive prize is awarded every time a player achieves or obtains that particular result in the game. Alternatively, progressive prizes may be assigned arbitrarily by time, or by some set of predefined conditions.
Progressive games increase player interest and excitement by giving the players the possibility to win large prizes. However, progressive games require accounting systems that can continually keep an accurate record of the amounts contributed to the progressive pool. Progressive game accounting becomes even more difficult when player activity from different locations contributes to the progressive pool.

Progressive gaming method, apparatus, and program product for lottery-type gaming systems


A surface layer of a photosensitive layer contains a resin comprising a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1), and at least one compound of a triarylamine compound represented by the following general formula (2) and a styryl compound represented by the following general formula (3): ##STR1## wherein, X is --CR.sub.13 R.sub.14 --, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylidene, substituted or unsubstituted .alpha.,.omega.-alkylene, single bond, --O--, --S--, --SO-- or --SO.sub.2 --, wherein R.sub.13 and R.sub.14 are each hydrogen, trifluoromethyl, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl, and R.sub.1 to R.sub.12 are each hydrogen, halogen, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl; ##STR2## wherein Y is hydrogen, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy, or ##STR3## wherein R.sub.15 ' to R.sub.24 ' are each hydrogen, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy, R.sub.15 to R.sub.27 are each hydrogen, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy, and R.sub.28 and R.sub.29 are each hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl; ##STR4## wherein Z is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- or --CH.dbd.CH--, R.sub.30 and R.sub.31 are each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aralkyl, aryl or heterocyclic, R.sub.32 to R.sub.39 are each hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy, and Ar is substituted or unsubstituted arylene or heterocyclic.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrophotographic photosensitive members, process cartridges and electrophotographic apparatuses. In particular, the present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus provided with a photosensitive layer containing a specified resin and charge transfer material.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, various electrophotographic photosensitive members containing organic photoconductive materials have been intensively developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,851 discloses a photosensitive member having a charge transfer layer containing triallylpyrazoline, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,880 discloses a photosensitive member comprising a charge generating layer containing a perylene pigment derivative and a charge transfer layer containing a condensation product of 3-propylene and formaldehyde.
Organic photoconductive materials are sensitive to their characteristic wavelength ranges. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 61-272754 and 56-167759 disclose compounds highly sensitive to visible light, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 57-195767 and 61-228453 disclose compounds highly sensitive to an infrared region. Among them, compounds highly sensitive to an infrared region have been increasingly used in laser beam printers (hereinafter referred to as LBP) and LED printers.
Meanwhile, electrophotographic photosensitive members must be provided with sensitivity, electrical characteristics, mechanical properties and optical characteristics suitable for the electrophotographic processes employed. In particular, electrophotographic photosensitive members must be durable against repeated electrical and mechanical forces, such as charging, exposure, development, transfer and cleaning, directly applied to their surfaces. In particular, they must have high electric and mechanical resistance to deterioration due to ozone and nitrogen oxides forming during charging, and surface abrasion occurring during discharging and cleaning.
Another problem to be solved is a phenomenon called "photomemory" in which a residual carrier on the light irradiated section forms a potential difference with the nonlight irradiated section.
Contact charging processes, in which a charging member comes in contact with an electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member is charged by applying a voltage to the charging member, have been increasingly employed, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 57-178267 and 58-40566, and cause new problems. Contact charging processes have some technical and economical advantages as compared to scorotrons; for example, extremely low ozone formation, and low electricity consumption (in scorotrons, approximately 80% of current applied to a wire of the charger flows to a shield of the charger).
However, contact of the charging member with an electrophotographic photosensitive member requires a higher mechanical strength for the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Further, use of an input voltage, in which an AC voltage is superposed on a DC voltage, is proposed in order to improve charging stability of the contact charging processes due to electric discharge (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-149668).
Superposition of an AC voltage drastically increases the current flow in the electrophotographic photosensitive member concurrently with improvement in charging stability, and thus causes increased damage or abrasion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Therefore, electrical durability, as well as mechanical strength, are required for electrophotographic photosensitive members.
Also, high resistance to solvent cracks formed by adhesion of mechanical oil and finger grease are essential for electrophotographic photosensitive members.

Electrophotographic photosensitive member and apparatus and process cartridge provided with the same


The disclosure describes a wearable, low-cost and low-power Electrical Impedance Tomography system for gesture recognition. The system measures cross-sectional bio-impedance using electrodes on wearers' skin. Using all-pairs measurements, the interior impedance distribution is recovered, which is then fed to a hand gesture classifier. This system also solves the problem of poor accuracy of gesture recognition often observed with other gesture recognition approaches.

This invention relates generally to gesture recognition. More specifically, the invention relates to wearable devices capable of gesture recognition through the use of electrical impedance tomography.
Tomography analyzes the inner structure and composition of objects through the use of external, penetrating signals, such as electricity and radiation. Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) uses surface electrodes and high frequency AC signals to measure internal electrical impedance. When several electrodes are used, an internal impedance distribution be determined. Because dissimilar materials within an object will respond to signals differently, the object's cross-sectional interior structure can be reconstructed based on the variations within the impedance distribution.
Compared with other tomographic methods such as CT scans (x-rays), PET scans (gamma rays), EIT is non-invasive and relatively inexpensive. EIT is safe for long-term continuous operation (e.g., low voltage, no ionizing radiation) and is non-invasive to the wearer (rests on skin without the need for e.g., conductive gel). It has been widely applied in the medical field for the assessment of cardiac function, pulmonary hypertension, and regional lung function.
Since its introduction in the early 1980s, EIT instrumentation has continued to evolve in step with advances in electronics. However, even today, medical EIT systems continue to be relatively large and expensive, precluding integration into consumer electronics. Due to these drawbacks, the technique has not been utilized in the human-computer interaction domain, which extends interaction of computers beyond clicking and typing.
As a result, other sensing techniques have been developed for gesture recognition. One approach is to use computer vision, where 3D models of the hand are reconstructed using a wrist worn camera. Another uses a time-of-flight camera to sense small free-hand gestures. Other work has leveraged sensors on the wrist to detect dynamic hand motions such as finger rubbing and hand waving. Others have also studied arm contour changes that occur when performing different hand gestures, where the deformations are captured by sensing capacitance. While these various systems provide some level of gesture recognition, many have steep computational requirements and are fairly bulky. Computer vision systems, for example, need a line of sight to the fingers to operate, requiring the camera to be slightly elevated.
Similar to EIT systems are systems that use bio-sensing. For example, electromyography (EMG) senses the electrical signals produced by muscle activation. Another approach is bioacoustics, which measures micro-vibrations that propagate through the body upon performing hand gestures through the use of contact microphones. Drawbacks of these systems are that they do not detect a robust set of hand gestures and accuracy can be limited. In addition, some of these techniques are expensive, require calibration each time the system is worn, or require a semi-invasive gel to improve conductivity with the body.
It would therefore be advantageous to develop a low-cost, wearable system that is capable of accurately recognizing several hand gestures of a user.

System for wearable, low-cost electrical impedance tomography for non-invasive gesture recognition


A fuel injection valve in which a pistonlike outer valve needle is disposed longitudinally displaceably in a bore and cooperates with a valve seat to control at least one injection opening. A control chamber regulatable by a valve is provided and pressure in the control chamber exerts a closing force at least indirectly on the outer valve needle in the direction of the valve seat. A pressure face embodied on the outer valve needle is acted upon by the pressure in a pressure chamber, which is embodied between the outer valve needle and the wall of the bore and extends as far as the valve seat, so that an opening force on the outer valve needle results that is oriented counter to the closing force. An inner valve needle is guided in the outer valve needle and controls at least one additional injection opening and is acted upon by the pressure in the control chamber at least indirectly in the direction of the valve seat.

1. Field of the Invention
To reduce emissions and increase the efficiency of internal combustion engines with direct fuel injection, one goal is to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine in as finely-atomized a form as possible. To that end, first the injection pressure at which the fuel is injected through the fuel injection valve is increased. Second, the number of injection ports of the fuel injection valve is increased, so that the diameter of the individual injection ports can be reduced. The goal of this provision is to increase the energy of injection streams while at the same time reducing the droplet diameter. If very small quantities are to be fed, then when the pressures at the fuel injection valve are high the injection times are quite short. The course of combustion is consequently powerful and correspondingly noisy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
From European Patent Application EP 0 470 348 A1, for instance, a fuel injection valve of variable injection cross section is known, in which two rows of injection openings are embodied. These injection openings are controlled by an inner valve needle and a tube surrounding the valve needle; both the tube and the inner needle are acted on by closing springs, which press them into contact with a valve seat, as a result of which the injection openings are closed. If fuel at high pressure is introduced into corresponding pressure chambers, then the tube and the inner needle are acted upon by the fuel pressure in these pressure chambers. Depending on the pressure of the fuel introduced, either only the inner needle lifts from the valve seat and uncovers the first row of injection openings, or the inner needle and tube lift up from the valve seat successively, so that both rows of injection openings are opened in succession. The opening of the inner needle and the tube is accordingly pressure-controlled, so that the successive opening of the inner needle and the outer tube is achieved by means of a skillful design of the pressure faces and of the force of the closing springs.
Stroke-controlled fuel injection systems are also known from the prior art, in which a valve needle has a pressure face that is constantly urged in the opening direction by fuel at high pressure. The contrary force is generated not by a closing spring but rather hydraulically by a valve piston, which acts on the valve needle and in turn, because of the fuel pressure in a control chamber, exerts a closing force on the valve needle. As an example here, German Patent Disclosure DE 198 27 267 A1 can be named. By varying the fuel pressure in the control chamber, the closing force on the valve needle is changed, so that this needle is moved against the pressure face by the hydraulic force. Such stroke-controlled fuel injection systems are used in many modern internal combustion engines, especially for self-igniting engines in passenger cars.
A combination of the two systems, that is, of the variable injection cross section and the stroke-controlled injection system, would be especially advantageous to further optimize the combustion process. Until now, however, it was not possible without major effort to adopt the variable injection cross section to the stroke-controlled systems without making further modifications. Doing so requires complicated sealing edges or additional control valves, which are complicated to manufacture and expensive.

Fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines


A vertical high-voltage light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. Polarities of two adjacent light emitting diodes (LEDs) are reversed by means of area laser stripping and die bonding, and the two diodes whose polarities are reversed are disposed on an insulating substrate comprising a bonding metal layer (320). A conductive wire (140) is distributed on a surface of the light emitting device, so that a single LED unit (330) has a vertical structure, and multiple LEDs are connected in series to form a high-voltage LED, thereby solving the problems of low light emitting efficiency and large thermal resistance of a horizontal structure.

The LED of solid luminous elements, owing to electrical and optical advantages such as low energy consumption, long service life, good stability, small size, fast response and stable luminous wave length, is widely applied in fields like illumination, household appliance, display and indicator. Moreover, this kind of luminous elements enjoys considerable progress in luminous effect and service life and therefore, is promising to become the mainstream for a new generation of lighting and luminous elements.
Mains electricity is AC (alternating current). Traditional DC LED elements need to use power converters such as switch power to convert the commercial power supply into low-voltage power, which causes loss during this process.
FIG. 1 is the sectional structural view of a lateral HV LED, which reduces power loss at the power conversion end; however, the single LED unit 110 has a lateral structure that cannot be driven by high current density owing to low luminous efficiency, current blockage, high thermal resistance, etc., of lateral LED chips.

Vertical light emitting device and manufacturing method thereof

Xiamen Sanan Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.