An ultracapacitor energy storage system and in particular a system for packaging and connecting ultracapacitors (15) for energy storage purposes is described which is applicable in automotive and stationary applications. The ultracapacitors (15) in the system can be in series or parallel or a combination of both. A controller, relays, voltage monitoring and isolation fault detection are used to regulate the system. The mechanical construction of frame and different pluggable modules (2 and 7) lead to an easy in- and de-installation of the different parts. The different constructions are designed with a safe handling by the operator in mind.

Batteries are commonly used in a wide variety of applications, for example as an energy buffer in hybrid vehicles and standalone applications. The disadvantage of batteries is their short life expectancy and the low power density. One cause of such problems is the chemical reaction which lies at the heart of their mode of operation. These characteristics reduce performance and payback time in industrial and automotive applications. Ultracapacitors are low voltage capacitors with a high capacity. Their energy density is the major difference with a normal capacitor. Compared to batteries the power density and life expectancy of ultracapacitors is greatly improved. Typical numbers for these characteristics are one million cycles and a power density of 5900 W/kg for a capacity of 3000 Farad. The higher power density creates an ideal situation for absorbing peak power. The peaks that occur when braking or accelerating a hybrid vehicle will result in a lower life time for a battery, but will be an ideal application for ultracapacitors. For the vehicle this will result in a lower fuel consumption. Combination with a long life expectancy gives a better solution compared to batteries in some applications.
Whether the ultracapacitors are used on an automotive application or in an industrial environment, they always need an appropriate enclosure.
U.S. 2007/0002518 A1 (Wilk et al.) is directed to an ultracapacitor high-energy storage pack suitable for high-voltage, high-power applications of electric and hybrid-electric vehicle propulsion systems, fixed site high-power load averaging, and high-power impulse requirements. The pack is housed in an aluminum box enclosure with a detachable access lid. The inside of the box has a thick anti corrosion, electrically insulating coating. The box has holes cut out for the mounting of cooling fans, air intakes, and electrical connections. Mounted to the interior of the box are aluminum guide support strips for three plastic crate support plates. The first two plastic crate plates structurally support and separate the ultracapacitors to provide space for cooling airflow along the direction of the plates. The third crate plate supports and positions the cans by the threaded end terminals that are bolted to the plate. Bus bars are fastened to the inside of the third crate plate to provide connections between adjacent rows of ultracapacitors. The cans, which are arranged in rows of three, are electrically and structurally connected together with threaded studs and bus bars.
FR 84 685 E (Applic Logiques de l'Electroni) is directed to matrix systems containing semiconductor diodes or rectifier matrixes comprising a variable number of rigid plates which are in parallel spaced relation on both sides, and removable devices permitting obtaining connections between selected points on said networks.
U.S. 2010/0134940 A1 (Nguyen et al.) is directed to an energy storage cell pack cradle assembly for holding multiple rows of energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration. The cell pack cradle assembly includes a first cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; a second cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; and one or more fasteners connecting the first cradle member and the second cradle member together. The energy storage cell body supporting structures are configured to structurally support the energy storage cells, with the energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration, by energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells with respective electrically conductive terminals extending through the respective holes without structural support of the electrically conductive terminals by the cradle members.
FR 2 492 577 A1 (Alsthom Atlantique) is directed to a resin coated dry 3-phase condenser.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,824,264 A (Anastopoulos) is directed to an improved electrolytic capacitor plug-in rack and support assemblies, wherein plural circuit couplings and compact physical mountings may be effectuated rapidly and effectively.

Method for packaging and connecting ultracapacitors for energy storage purposes


A two part structural acrylic adhesive contains as a first part a mixture of acrylate or methacrylate monomers or oligomers, maleic acid, a hydroperoxide, and a source of ferric ions, and as a second activator part a substituted dihydropyridine. The adhesive is fast-curing and stable.

Structural acrylic adhesive systems typically are two-part systems composed of an activator and an adhesive, each applied to a separate substrate. On assembly, the activator and adhesive mix to generate radicals that in turn cure the acrylates or methacrylates present in the system. These acrylate or methacrylate monomers may contain a urethane backbone to impart increased flexibility and adhesion.
Typically, the activator will contain an amine reductant, such as a butyraldehyde/aniline adduct or a dihydropyridine. The adhesive will usually contain a peroxide as the oxidant. Such systems will give an adhesive fixing time of about one minute.
There has always been a need to increase the cure speed of these acrylic adhesives to achieve faster fixing times. One such adhesive is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,829, issued 21 Feb. 1984 to Bachmann. This reference discloses an adhesive composition comprising, preferably, an activator part and an acrylic adhesive and a catalyst system part. The catalyst system comprises an aromatic perester free-radical precursor, maleic acid, and a transition metal cure accelerator to provide metal ions in an oxidized valence state. The activator is an amine/aldehyde adduct.
As is recognized in this reference, a difficulty commonly encountered in attempts to produce fast-acting adhesives is the tendency of the composition to cure prematurely. This is believed to be the reason the compositions in this reference utilize a perester free-radical precursor, and specifically avoid the use of hydroperoxides. The perester is more stable in the presence of transition transition metal ions, and consequently any premature gelling or curing is allegedly minimized. A further consequence of using the perester and not the hydroperoxide, however, is the loss of some rapidity of cure.
Thus, there is still a demand for adhesive formulations capable of rapidly developing high levels of adhesion, and particularly for those that do not cure prematurely.

Rapid curing structural acrylic adhesive

National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation


A hydraulic friction clutch has a drive shaft, a drive disk fastened non-rotatably thereto, and an output, which is define by an housing. The housing is rotatably journaled relative to the drive shaft via bearings. The drive disk has a profiling to increase the transmittable torque and rotates in a working chamber formed in a space formed inside the housing. The housing has a supply chamber communicating with the working chamber via a bidirectional duct(s). Working fluid is introduced and drained to and from the working chamber solely through the bidirectional duct(s). Working fluid is introduced and drained from the working chamber substantially from the outer radial region of the working chamber.

The amount or degree of coupling in a hydraulic friction clutch is typically adjusted by adjusting the amount of working fluid supplied from a supply chamber to a working chamber, which contains a drive disk and the driven component. A hydraulic friction clutch of this type is described in a German patent publication, DE 34 24 385 C2.
The advantage of such a hydraulic friction clutch is that moved valve parts for opening or closing the fluid connection between the working chamber and the supply chamber become superfluous, so that the life of such clutches is longer than in other types of clutches. In the known type, viscose working fluid is circulated to protect the clutch against possible overheating. To circulate, the feed duct for the working fluid is designed so that the fluid connection orifice or port located on the supply chamber side is arranged at a greater radial distance from the clutch's rotation axis than the level of the fluid ring formed in the supply chamber during the rotation of the driven component. By virtue of this design, when the supply chamber is pressurized with a pneumatic medium, it is possible for fluid to overflow from the supply chamber into the working chamber. The return flow to the supply chamber requires a pump, which pumps fluid in a known way through a return duct commencing in the radial outer region of the-working chamber. The chosen design ensures that, when the supply chamber is pressureless, working fluid cannot overflow from the working chamber to the supply chamber through the connecting duct. Working fluid from the working chamber is designed to return solely through the return duct.
Even though such a hydraulic friction clutch has advantages, its inflow and outflow arrangement has disadvantages. For instance, the exact quantity of fluid remaining in the working space is difficult to regulate. The pumping system arranged in the working space conveys a specific quantity per unit time back into the supply chamber as a function of relative rotational speed (the difference between the driving speed and the fan speed being equal to the slip) between the primary disk and the housing, of the viscosity of the working fluid, of the fan speed, and of the fluid quantity present in the working chamber. Thus, a specific state can occur only when the fluid quantity flowing in and out is at an equilibrium. Changes in the boundary conditions, such as changes in the driving speed, fan torque changes or the like, disturb this equilibrium and can delay the established fan speed change. Another disadvantage is that it is difficult to uniformly distribute fluid in the working chamber, upstream and downstream of the drive disk, because fluid first distributes radially outwardly from the inflow.
In this respect, a European patent publication, EP-A 0 005 927, proposes forcing fluid via pressure-loaded pistons into the working gaps of a hydraulic friction clutch having a T-shaped drive disk. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the displacement pistons loaded with compressed air are located outside the diameter or periphery of the drive disk; this considerably increases the radial dimensions of the clutch, increasing the moment of inertia. Furthermore, controlling the clutch via fluid, whether gaseous or liquid, in this manner has other disadvantages.
There is a need for a hydraulic clutch that can rapidly and simply regulate the degree or amount of flow to and from the working chamber. The present invention meets this need.


The present invention relates to a modular electrode system, and its use, for facilitating the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The modular electrode system comprises a plurality of needle electrodes; a hypodermic needle; an electrical connector that provides a conductive link from a programmable constant-current pulse controller to the plurality of needle electrodes; and a power source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an operator can grasp the plurality of needle electrodes that are mounted on a support structure and firmly insert the them into the selected tissue in a body or plant. The macromolecules are then delivered via the hypodermic needle into the selected tissue. The programmable constant-current pulse controller is activated and constant-current electrical pulse is applied to the plurality of needle electrodes. The applied constant-current electrical pulse facilitates the introduction of the macromolecule into the cell between the plurality of electrodes. Cell death due to overheating of cells is minimized by limiting the power dissipation in the tissue by virtue of constant-current pulses.

The present invention relates to a modular electrode system, and its use, for facilitating the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The modular electrode system comprises a plurality of needle electrodes; a hypodermic needle; an electrical connector that provides a conductive link from a programmable constant-current pulse controller to the plurality of needle electrodes; an impedance meter; and a power source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an operator can grasp the plurality of needle electrodes that are mounted on a support structure and firmly insert the them into the selected tissue in a body or plant. The macromolecules are then delivered via the hypodermic needle into the selected tissue. The programmable constant-current pulse controller is activated and constant-current electrical pulse is applied to the plurality of needle electrodes. The applied constant-current electrical pulse facilitates the introduction of the macromolecule into the cell between the plurality of electrodes. Cell death due to overheating of cells is prevented by limiting the current to levels that do not cause excessive heating.
Broadly, electroporation is the use of a transmembrane electric field pulse to induce microscopic pathways (pores) in a bio-membrane. These pores are commonly called "electropores." Their presence allows macromolecules, ions, and water to pass from one side of the membrane to the other. Thus, electroporation has been used to introduce drugs, DNA or other molecules into multi-cellular tissues, and may prove to be an effective for the treatment of certain diseases. However, the use of electroporation in living organisms has several problems, including cell death that results from generated heat and the inability of electropores to reseal. The beneficial effects of the drug or macromolecule are extremely limited with prior art electroporation methods where excessive cell heating and cell death occurs.
To better understand the process of electroporation, it is important to look at some simple equations. When a potential difference (voltage) is applied across the electrodes implanted in a tissue, it generates an electric field ("E"), which is the applied voltage ("V") divided by the distance ("d") between the electrodes.E=V/d
The electric field intensity E has been a very important value in prior art when formulating electroporation protocols for the delivery of a drug or macromolecule into the cell of the subject. The field intensity is inversely proportional to the distance between the electrode in that given a voltage, the field strength increases as the distance between the electrodes is decreased. However, a caveat is that an electric field can be generated in a tissue with insulated electrodes (i.e. flow of ions is not necessary to create an electric field). Although not wanting to be bound by theory, it is the flow of ions that opens the electropores and allows movement of molecules into the cells of a subject during electroporation. The flow of electric charge in a conductor or medium between two points having a difference in potential is called the current. The current between electrodes is achieved by the ions or charged particles in the tissues, which can vary among tissues and patients. Furthermore, the flow of conducting ions in the tissue can change between electrodes from the beginning of the electric pulse to the end of the electric pulse.
When tissues have a small proportion conducting ions, resistance is increased, heat is generated and cells are killed. Ohm's law expresses the relationship between current ("I"), voltage ("V"), and resistance ("R"):R=V/I
The resistance in the tissue between two electrodes varies depending on the charged particles present therein, thus, the resistance in the tissue changes from the beginning of the electric pulse to the end of the electric pulse.
Heating is the product of the inter-electrode impedance (i.e. combination of resistance and reactance and is measured in ohms), and is proportional to the product of the current, voltage and pulse duration. Heating can also be expressed as the square of the current, and pulse duration ("t", time). For example, during electroporation the heating or power ("W", watts) generated in the supporting tissue can be represented by the following equation:W=I2Rt
Broadly, prior art teaches that metallic electrodes are placed in contact with tissues and short pulses of predetermined voltages are imposed on the electrodes initiating the cells to transiently open membrane pores. The protocols currently described for electroporation are defined in terms of the resulting field intensities E, which are dependent on short pulses of voltage proportional to the distance between the electrodes, and regardless of current. Accordingly, the resistance or heating cannot be determined for the electroporated tissue, which leads to varied success with different pulsed voltage electroporation protocols. Certainly, the difference in upper limit amplitudes of a voltage pulse between electroporation protocols that facilitate effective electroporation and electroporation protocols that cause the cells to die are very small. Additionally, a definite correlation has been observed between death of cells and the heating of cells caused by the upper limit amplitudes of the short voltage pulses. Thus, the over heating of cells between across electrodes serves as a principal cause for the ineffectiveness of any given electroporation voltage pulsing protocol. Furthermore, the current between electrodes serves as a primary determinant of the effectiveness of any given pulsing protocol, not the voltage across the electrodes.
When electricity is delivered to the cells of a subject, the dose of electricity can be accurately described in terms of charge ("Q"), which is the current ("I") and the time ("t"), according to the formula:Q=It
If the current is not constant, as is the case in prior art electroporators, Q represents the time integral of I. In this respect, charged particles, be they ions or molecules, behave in a similar fashion. For example, when silver ions are deposited on an electrode to define the standard unit of electrical charge (the coulomb), only the charge, as defined above, is of importance. A certain minimum voltage must be present to generate a current, but the quantity of ions deposited can not be determined from a predetermined voltage. Correspondingly, the quantity of charged particles delivered to cells in an electroporator can not be derived from the voltage imposed on the electrodes.
Although electroporation is widely used for laboratory gene transfection and gaining increased importance for non-viral gene therapy, it is generally employed using trial-and-error optimization schemes for lack of methods to predict electroporation's effects on cells (Canatella P J, Gene Ther 2001 October;8(19):1464–9). For example, it has been shown that the efficiency of plasmid gene transfer to skeletal muscle can be significantly improved by the application of an electrical field to the muscle following injection of plasmid DNA. However, this electrotransfer is associated with significant muscle damage that may result in substantial loss of transfected muscle fibers (McMahon J M, Signori E, Wells K E, Fazio V M, Wells D J Gene Ther 2001 August; 8(16):1264–70). The reduction of the voltage used in the technique can result in a decrease in muscle damage, with a concomitant reduction in expression, but without a significant decrease in the number of transfected fibers.
The effectiveness of electroporation is limited by the fact that there is a threshold value for the pulse intensity below which electroporation does not occur, and an upper limit above which the cells are destroyed.
Experimental evidence shows that the difference between the upper and lower limits is so small that it is very difficult to design effective pulsing protocols without undue experimentation. This makes use of the technique difficult.
References in the art directed toward an electroporation apparatus illustrate the usefulness of both an electrode apparatus and an in vivo method of electroporation. Correspondingly there are many U.S. Patents that claim either specific electrodes, or methods for electroporation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,874 is a method and apparatus for electrically assisted topical delivery of agents for cosmetic applications; U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,646; is a flow through electroporation apparatus for implanting molecules into living blood cells of a patient; U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,701 & 6,233,482 describes a method and apparatus for electroporation mediated delivery of drugs and genes. More specifically they describe a method and apparatus for electroporation therapy ("EPT") for treating tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo; U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,034; describes a method of programming an array of needle electrodes for electroporation therapy of tissue; U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,893; describes an electroporation apparatus with a connective electrode template; U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,270; Describes an electrode assembly for an apparatus and a method of trans-surface molecular delivery; U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,964, describes a minimally invasive apparatus and method to electroporate drugs and genes into tissue. Using electroporation therapy ("EPT") as described in the invention, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo; U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,148, describes an electroporation apparatus for control of temperature during the process, by generating and applying an electric field according to a user-specified pulsing and temperature profile scheme; U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,493, describes a method for the introduction of therapeutic agents utilizing an electric field electroporation apparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,020, describes an electroporation method and apparatus generating and applying an electric field according to a user-specified pulsing scheme; U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,650, describes a method of selectively applying needle array configurations for in vivo electroporation therapy; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,359, describes an electrode apparatus for the application of electroporation to a portion of the body of a patient with a sensing element for sensing a distance between the electrodes and generating a distance signal proportionate to the distance between said electrodes, and means responsive to said distance signal for applying pulses of high amplitude electric signal to the electrodes proportionate to the distance between said electrodes. All of these cited patents are hereby incorporated by reference
The aforementioned patent disclosures along with many others describe electroporators and methods for use by utilizing a predetermined voltage between the electrodes. Because the impedance between electrodes that are embedded in a tissue can vary from case-to-case, or tissue-to-tissue, a predetermined voltage does not produce a predetermined current. Thus, prior art does not provide a means to delineate the exact dosage of current to which the cells are exposed and limits the usefulness of the electroporation technique. For this very reason, conventional electroporators generate tremendous amounts of heat is tissues that can easily kill cells. For example, a typical electronic 50 ms pulse with an average current of 5 Amperes across a typical load impedance of 25 ohms can theoretically raise the temperature in tissue 7.5° C., which enough to kill cells. In contrast, the power dissipation decreases in a constant-current system and prevents heating of a tissue, which reduces tissue damage and contributes to the overall success of the procedure.
The difficulties present in prior-art electrodes stem from the fact that the pulse energy is concentrated in the center of the array, the point where the material to be transfected is deposited.
As a result, the spatial distribution of energy delivery assumes a very non-uniform character. Therefore, only a fraction of the cells in the volume encompassed by the electrode assembly is electroporated.
Thus, there is a need to overcome the problems of prior art by providing a means to effectively control the dosage of electricity delivered to the cells in the inter-electrode space by precisely controlling the ionic flux that impinges on the conduits in the cell membranes.

Electrode assembly for constant-current electroporation and use


Embodiments of the invention increase the convenience of a magnetic disk drive for portable use by shortening a period of time required to record a large amount of data, and by increasing the reproduction time, in the magnetic disk drive. In one embodiment, an area between servo data parts is interpolated by servo data parts, each of which stores a burst signal, so that the allocation density of a burst signal is made k times. At the time of write operation in which data is written, only the servo data parts are made use of to perform the servo control while a disk is driven at high rotational speed so as to reduce the recording time. At the time of read operation in which data is reproduced, the servo data parts are made use of to ensure the required precision of the servo control at low rotational speed that is 1/k of the rotational speed at the time of write operation. The reproduction at low rotational speed enables the reduction in power consumption.

The present invention relates to magnetic disk drives and magnetic disk media, and more particularly to magnetic disk drives, and the like, that are suitable for portable devices.
In recent years, with the development of small-size hard disk drives (HDDs), a personal digital assistant, or a cellular phone, has a built-in HDD in which video data and audio data (AV data) are accumulated. The video data and the audio data are reproduced and utilized on the road. The above is the tendency of products that are being developed. As for this portable device, the AV data is stored in the HDD that is a mass storage device; and at the time of reproduction, data is transferred, whenever necessary, from a magnetic disk medium to a buffer memory that is formed of a semiconductor memory. Thus, continuous reproduction is achieved by this buffer memory.
As far as portable devices for such uses are concerned, it is desirable that a period of time required to write AV data to a built-in HDD be as short as possible, and that the continuous reproduction time is as long as possible.
In recent years, HDDs can achieve a high medium transfer rate as a result of the speedup of the rotational speed. Here, an example taken as one of the conventional devices is a built-in HDD, a medium transfer rate of which is 4 MB/sec., and the start time from a stopped state to a steady state at high-speed rotation of which is 5 seconds. Accumulation/reproduction operation of music data and of image data using this example will be discussed as below.
First of all, for example, music data having a length of about 20 minutes, which is equivalent to three or four pieces of music, becomes MP3 data having a size of about 20 MB. The read time itself taken to read this amount of data is five seconds. The specified starting time described above is added to this. As a result, the driving time of the HDD is 10 seconds. To be more specific, the HDD consumes the electric power for acceleration for five seconds before the HDD enters a state of high-speed rotation, and then consumes the electric power to maintain the state of high-speed rotation for five seconds.
In addition, if MPEG-2 encoding is performed for content such as, for example, a movie having a length of two hours in consideration of the reproduction using a monitor having the normal size, the size of image data becomes about 4 GB. Moreover, an average reproduction rate of about 4 M bits per second is required. For example, on the assumption that the amount of data to be successively transferred from the HDD to the buffer is 20 MB, the driving time of the HDD is 10 seconds, which is the same as the above example of the music data. At the average reproduction rate described above, the length of time required to complete the reproduction of the data having a size of 20 MB is 40 seconds. To be more specific, during every 40 seconds, the electric power is consumed to start operation for five seconds and also to maintain the rotation for five seconds.

Magnetic disk drive and magnetic disk medium

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


A data transmission/reception system provides the recipient of image data with flexible options for handling the image data. The system transmits notification mail to a cellular phone owned by the recipient when transmitting facsimile data from a transmitting facsimile machine to a receiving facsimile machine. The recipient transmits a command from the cellular phone indicating how the facsimile data received by the receiving facsimile machine should be handled. In response to the command received from the cellular phone, the receiving facsimile machine either forms an image based on the facsimile data on paper or forwards the facsimile data to another facsimile machine near the recipient. Accordingly, the recipient can transmit a forwarding command instructing the receiving facsimile machine to transmit the facsimile data to a facsimile machine nearby when the recipient is in a remote location, thereby enabling the recipient to view an image based on the facsimile data at any time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data transmission/reception system for transmitting notification mail to a communication terminal of an intended receiver of the image data notifying the receiver that image data has been transmitted. The present invention also relates to a data transmitter and an image-forming device employed by this system.
2. Description of the Related Art
When transmitting image data by a facsimile transmission, conventional data transmission/reception systems have employed a function to transmit notification mail to a communication terminal (cellular phone, personal computer, or the like) of an intended receiver of image data (that is, the image formed based on the image data) indicating that the image data has been transmitted. These systems are convenient in that a user can learn that image data has been received by the user's facsimile without periodically going to the facsimile to check whether image data has been received or not.
The disadvantage of this data transmission/reception system, however, is that the user cannot immediately view the image, even after receiving the notification mail, when the notification mail is sent to a mobile terminal such as a cellular phone, or when the user is not near the facsimile at the time. If the image is confidential material in this case, the user may not be able to prevent a third party from viewing the confidential image, even though the user receives notification mail.

Data transmission/reception system that informs a user that image data has been transmitted


An electrode assembly is provided having an active power element and a current return element extending through a flexible multilumen tube to be electrically insulated from each other. The active power element extends through the multilumen tube and terminates in a “J-hook” and is connected to a conductive power contact through a constructed form fit. The return element extends through the multilumen tube and directly connects to a power return contact, thus eliminating any joints in the electrical path.

This invention is directed to resectoscopes and, more particularly, to an improved electrode assembly for use with resectoscopes. Such electrodes may be monopolar or bipolar. Monopolar probes include a single active electrode introduced into a body cavity to be engageable with and insertable into a tissue portion of the body cavity. A passive electrode is attached to the outer body surface of the patient and a conducting plate is typically adhesively attached to the patient's leg. The patient's body serves to complete the electrical circuit. Tissue ablation and coagulation is achieved by introducing sufficient power into the active electrode. Bipolar electrode probes include both active and passive electrodes that are similarly introduced together into the body cavity and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Each electrode is engageable with and insertable into the tissue portion. The electrical circuit is completed by the body tissue disposed between the active and the passive electrodes. However, the construction of such prior art devices do not provide reliability and safety. Many devices include plural joints in the electrical path. Each joint adds resistance to the electrical path. Therefore, the power source is then required to have an initial output voltage to overcome the resistance. This may lead to misfiring or delayed firing.
For example, one known prior art device includes an electrode having a power element and a return element that form a cutting loop. The return element extends from the cutting loop and is spot-welded to a stainless steel sleeve forming an intermediate joint. Proximally to that joint the sleeve is slip fitted to a stainless steel return contact. Both the active and return elements reside in the single lumen formed by the stainless steel sleeve. Because of the sleeve's stainless steel construction the sleeve does not afford flexibility. This device also terminates proximally in a contact in communication with a power source. The contact comprises a straight section of tungsten wire epoxied into a brass fitting. The construction of this device does not provide optimal operation. More specifically, the intermediate joint in the current path formed by the stainless steel sleeve connection with the return element, the lack of separate lumens, and the epoxied wire in proximal contact for the power element cause this device to be more prone to shorting and failure.
Another device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,764, in which a bipolar loop electrode device for use with a resectoscope is disclosed. In one embodiment, a return electrode is incorporated in the loop electrode assembly as an electrically conducting shaft covered with an insulating layer. The distal end of the shaft is exposed for completing the return path with active electrode assembly. The proximal end is also exposed to connect the electrode to a power supply. The loop portion of the assembly has a proximally extending electrical connection. The connection may be wires, metal tubes, or the like. The electrical connection extends through the shaft to a connector leg at the proximal end of the assembly. The electrical connections are connected to the electrode using crimping, soldering, or welding. This device uses tubing to conduct power making the device stiff causing higher actuation forces in the working element. Additionally, using the tubing to conduct power makes electrical conduction more difficult increasing the chances for misfire or delayed firing.
Another prior art device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,129, in which a bipolar electrode assembly includes an active electrode loop and a return electrode loop. Each electrode is contained in a separate guide sheath to extend from the distal end of the device to the proximal end to connect to a power supply. The connections for the return and active electrodes are located in a common, two-prong plug. This device uses a roller to coagulate blood after cutting. The device must be energized through an external source. Additionally, this device includes complicated electrical connections that may lead to misfiring and delayed firing.
Another prior art device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,732, in which a bipolar sphincterotomy device includes a pair of conductive wires. The wires extend from the distal end of the device to provide bipolar electrode surfaces. To prevent shorting, each wire may be disposed in a separate lumen of a flexible elongate tubular member and run as uninterrupted wires from the distal to proximal end of the device. However, this device does not disclose a wire loop and is not suitable for use with a resectoscope. Additionally, the number of electrical connections may increase the risk of misfiring.
Another prior art device is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,027, in which a bipolar electrosurgical device for tumor resection is disclosed. The device has wires that may be disposed in separate lumens of a flexible elongate tubular member and run as uninterrupted wires from the distal to proximal end of the device. The device has an active electrode in the form of a circular loop at the distal end of the device. The return electrode has a spiral wound configuration proximal to the distal electrode. This device poses a shock hazard to the patient because there is nothing to complete the electrical circuit. Furthermore, the device includes electrical connections that increase the risk for misfiring.
Another prior art device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,280, which shows and describes parallel loop-like bipolar electrodes at the distal end of an electrosurgical device. The device is intended for use in transuretheral resectioning of the prostate. Wires for each electrode pass through a ceramic head member at the distal end of the device and are joined to the electrodes at two points. Proximal to the connection points the wires are disposed in a common lumen. This device is not constructed to perform electrosurgical cutting without secondary movement and is not user friendly.
Another prior art device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,701, which shows and describes a bipolar electrode assembly for use with a resectoscope. The electrode assembly includes a cutting loop. A convex insulator is mounted between the arms of the loop. The assembly includes a neutral (return) electrode that has an exposed conductive surface. Conductors connect the active and return electrodes to the terminals of the power source. The conductors are contained in the tube forming a single lumen. This device includes multiple contacts increasing the number of joints in the electrical path.
None of the prior art devices disclose a bipolar electrode for use with a resectoscope that provides flexibility yet is constructed to prevent shorting and failure.


A gas water heater with a warning function, the gas water heater being disposed in a facility and comprising: a gas water heater main body including a controller having a warning cell; and a gas detecting unit separate from the main body and disposed at an indoor monitoring point of the facility, the gas detecting unit having a gas sensor and being in communication with the controller.

Through patent searching, Joint Action Warning of Gas Water Heater in Chinese utility model patent 00237346.7 publishes a kind of circuit that can integrally process joint actions and auto-control on gas water heaters, ventilation equipment and gas-leaking and excessive exhaust gas warning. The circuit has realized the function that the leaking sensor works intermittently under the control of timing circular circuits. The water heater will be turned off after excessive exhaust gas is warned and the ventilation equipment will be run after gas-leaking is warned. Besides, Gas-leaking Protector of Gas Water Heater with an External A/D Convertor in Chinese design patent application 200510049317.5 provides a kind of gas-leaking protector of gas water heater with an external A/D convertor, through the external A/D convertor; gas sensor output is connected with the I/O input port of single-chip computer in water heater controller. Then the water heater controller is connected with the valve and warning circuits, achieving that the single-chip computer will cut off the gas source and warn when the gas is exceeded.
Searching oversea related patents show that although The Controlling System of Gas Water Heater disclosed by American Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,358 has provided a controlling system that gas sensor, CO sensor and water heater processor are electrically connected, the above described problems still exist in the technology.

Gas water heater with harmful gas monitoring and warning functions and the method of monitoring and warning


A syringe (10) includes a tube (12) defining a chamber (16) with a dispensing opening (18). A plunger (20) is slidably mounted in the tube and is initially positioned at the end (24) of the chamber opposite the dispensing opening. A dasher (26) having an opening (34) is positioned within the chamber at an intermediate point. A cylindrical barrier (40) is detachably secured to the dasher (26). Thus, with the barrier secured to the dasher, the barrier and dasher sealingly engages the tube dividing it into two subchambers (44, 46). An elongated rod (52) extends through openings (54, 56) in the plunger and the barrier and is secured to the dasher. Rotation of the rod detaches the barrier from the dasher establishing communication between the subchambers. A locking sleeve (62) frictionally secures the rod and the plunger together when the rod is moved to a retracted position (FIG. 4). Furthermore, optionally the rod is hollow (FIG. 9) and defines a third subchamber (80) containing a third liquid.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiple-part dispensing syringe.
II. Description of the Prior Art
There are many previously known dispensing syringes for dispensing epoxy, polyurethane and other multi-part solutions.
These previously known syringes typically comprise an elongated tube which defines an elongated cylindrical chamber. A dispensing opening is formed at one end of the chamber while an axially slidably mounted plunger is initially positioned at the opposite end of the tube chamber.
A dasher is conventionally positioned within the tube chamber at a point intermediate the plunger and the dispensing opening. An elongated rod then extends through the dispensing opening and is detachably secured to the dasher. The dasher itself contains a plurality of axial openings formed through it and the rod is used to axially displace the dasher within the interior tube chamber in order to intermix the contents of the tube chamber.
These previously known multi-part dispensers are used to dispense adhesives, sealants, and the like, consisting of a base and catalyst which, once intermixed together, chemically react and harden. Epoxies and polyurethanes are examples of such mixtures.
Since the multiple parts of the solutions chemically react when mixed, it is necessary to maintain the two parts fluidly separated from each other until use of the dispenser material is desired. In order to accomplish this, these previously known dispensers typically utilize a foil barrier between the catalyst and the base which is punctured when use of the material is desired. This previous design, however, is disadvantageous since it may leave portions of the foil barrier floating within the mixed material.
Some other previously known two-part dispensers provide a combination dasher/barrier positioned at a mid point within the tube chamber. In order to retain the barrier in position, tape is provided around the exterior of the tube to retain the barrier in place.
The disadvantage of this type of previously know dispenser is at the removal the tape is not only complicated, but also contributes waste. Furthermore, the previously known dispensers of this type require a tight seal between the dasher and the interior of the tube which in turn requires a high mixing force to be applied to the dasher rod to axially displace the dasher and intermix the catalyst and base.
A still further disadvantage of these previously known dispensers is that, after the materials have been intermixed by reciprocating the dasher via the rod within the interior of the tube chamber, the rod is detached from the dasher and discarded. This operation is not only messy but also contributes undesirable waste. Current dispensers require a device, mechanical or pneumatically, to expel mixed material out. Current syringe has a very small opening (0.090 diameter) which contributes to the difficulty of tip filling and the problem of air entrapment. In addition, the current syringe only comes with a luer-lock feature which limits the number of dispensing nozzles could be used.
The present invention provides a multi-part dispenser which overcomes all of these previously known disadvantages of the previously known devices.
In brief, the dispensing syringe of the present invention comprises an elongated cylindrical tube defining a cylindrical interior chamber having a dispensing opening at one end. A plunger is axially slidably mounted within the tube and is initially positioned at the end of the chamber opposite from the dispensing end. A cylindrical dasher is positioned within the chamber at an intermediate point between the plunger and the dispensing opening. The dasher includes at least one axial opening formed through it.
A cylindrical barrier is threadably detachable secured to the dasher on its axial ends facing the plunger. Consequently, with the dasher and barrier positioned together, the dasher and barrier sealingly engages the inner periphery of the tube chamber and divides the tube chamber into two subchambers, one to receive the catalyst and the other to receive the base.
An elongated-rod extends through registering openings in the barrier and plunger and has one end secured to the dasher. The opposite end of the rod extends outwardly from the plunger end of the tube.
When use of the dispenser is required, the rod, which attached to the dasher, is rotated clockwise to separate the dasher from the barrier. In doing so, fluid communication is established between the two tube subchambers through the openings formed both through the dasher and the barrier as well as the space between the barrier and dasher following their separation.
The rod is then used to push the dasher and barrier towards the plunger where the barrier will nest on the plunger due to the mating of two surfaces. The barrier will maintain the contact with the plunger complementary to the friction between the barrier OD and syringe ID. Thereafter, the dasher is used to intermix materials formerly contained within the two subchambers in the conventional fashion.
After the materials within the tube subchambers are completely intermixed, the rod with its attached dasher is retracted outwardly from the tube and until the dasher abuts against the barrier which is already positioned against the plunger. Once the rod is fully retracted in the tube, complementary wedging surfaces on both the plunger as well as the cylindrical locking sleeve coaxially positioned around the plunger frictionally locks the rod and plunger together. Thereafter, the now interlocked rod, plunger, barrier and locking sleeve are used to dispense the material within the tube out of the dispensing end of the tube.


A backlight system has a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a transparent plate having a light incidence surface and an opposite light emitting surface, and a light transmittance enhancement layer. The light transmittance enhancement layer is provided on either or both of the light emitting surface and the light incidence surface, and is made of silicon dioxide or magnesium fluoride. The thickness of the light transmittance enhancement layer is in the range from 58˜69 nanometers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to light guide plates (LGPs) of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and backlight systems using such LGPs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A typical LCD device comprises an LCD panel, and a backlight system mounted under the LCD panel for supplying light beams thereto. The backlight system mainly comprises a light source and an LGP. The LGP is normally a transparent polymer plate, and is used for guiding light beams emitted by the light source to uniformly illuminate the LCD panel.
FIG. 3 represents a backlight system 1 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,583. The backlight system 1 includes a light source 110, a light source cover 120, and an LGP 200. The LGP 200 comprises a light incident surface 201, a light emitting surface 203 adjoining the light incident surface 201, and a bottom surface 202 opposite to the light emitting surface 203. The backlight system 1 further comprises a reflective sheet 210 underlying the bottom surface 202, a diffusion sheet 220 adjacent the light emitting surface 203, a prism sheet 230 disposed on the diffusion sheet 220, and a protecting film 240 disposed on the prism sheet 230. The prism sheet 230 serves to redirect diffused light emitting from the diffusion sheet 220 so that it is more concentrated.
In operation, the light source 110 emits light beams and the light beams are transmitted into the LGP 200. The reflective sheet 210 reflects the light beams and directs the light beams to exit from the light emitting surface 203. The light beams then sequentially pass through the diffusion sheet 220, the prism sheet 230 and the protecting film 240 to illuminate a liquid crystal panel (not shown).
The LGP 200 is conventionally made of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin. In general, the transmittance of light of PMMA is in the range from 91%˜92%. This relatively low transmittance of light reduces the light utilization efficiency of the backlight system 1.
It is desired to provide a backlight system and an LGP used therein which overcome the above-mentioned problem.

Light guide plate with transmittance enhancement layer and backlight system using same


As a negative actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition capable of forming a pattern excellent in sensitivity, resolution and pattern profile and reduced in line edge roughness (LER), scum and development defect, a negative actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising (A) a polymer compound containing (a) a repeating unit capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation and (b) a repeating unit having a phenolic hydroxyl group, and (B) a crosslinking agent, is provided.

In the process of producing a semiconductor device such as IC and LSI, microfabrication by lithography using a photoresist composition has been conventionally performed. The recent increase in the integration degree of an integrated circuit has created a demand for formation of an ultrafine pattern in the sub-micron or quarter-micron region and in turn, the exposure wavelength also tends to become shorter, for example, from g line to i line or further to KrF excimer laser light. At the present time, development of lithography using electron beam or X-ray is also being pursued.
Among others, the lithography using an electron beam or an extreme-ultraviolet ray is positioned as a next-generation or next-next-generation pattern formation technology and because of its high resolution, is widely used to form a photomask for use in semiconductor exposure. For example, in the step of forming the photomask by electron beam lithography, a resist film is formed on a shielding substrate obtained by providing a shielding layer containing chromium or the like as a main component on a transparent substrate, and the resist film is selectively exposed to an electron beam and then alkali-developed to form a resist pattern. The shielding layer is etched by using the resist pattern above as a mask to form a pattern in the shielding layer, whereby a photomask provided with a shielding layer having a predetermined pattern on a transparent substrate can be obtained.
However, unlike an ultraviolet ray, one-shot exposure is not available by an electron beam and therefore, a resist having high sensitivity is required so as to shorten the processing time. As the resist suitable for electron beam lithography, a so-called positive resist composition prepared by combining an acid-decomposable polymer compound and a photoacid generator, or a so-called negative resist composition prepared by combining a crosslinking polymer compound and a crosslinking agent, is effectively used, but an attempt to further increase the sensitivity of such a resist composition is likely to result in reduction of resolution, deterioration of pattern profile or generation of scum. Furthermore, worsening of the line edge roughness (a phenomenon where the edge of the interface between a resist pattern and a substrate varies irregularly in the direction perpendicular to a line to make the edge uneven and due to transcription of the unevenness in an etching step, the dimensional accuracy is lowered) also readily occurs. The improvement of line edge roughness is an important issue particularly in the ultrafine region of a line width of 0.25 μm or less.
As one approach to solve these problems, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a resin having, in the same molecule, a photoacid generating group and a group capable of increasing the solubility in an alkali developer as a result of acid decomposition.

Negative actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, resist film using the same, resist-coated mask blanks, resist pattern forming method, and photomask


An electrostatic chuck comprises a main body with a mounting surface and an opposed surface facing away from the mounting surface. At least one chucking electrode extends along the mounting surface of the main body and a first heater layer extends along the opposed surface of the main body. The electrostatic chuck can be used to heat and electrostatic ally attract a work piece, such as a wafer, to a work piece support surface during various processing techniques.

An electrostatic chuck including a heater mechanism is commonly employed to support a work piece (e.g., a silicon wafer) in a stationary position during various procedures. For example, electrostatic chucks including heater mechanisms may be used in filming processes such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), dry etching, or other processing techniques. Conventional work pieces can have a variety of shapes and sizes. Larger sized work pieces require precise and accurate positioning to perform a successful patterning operation.
A typical example of the conventional electrostatic chuck including a conventional heater mechanism is disclosed in Japanese patent publication No. 7-307377. The publication discloses an insulating substrate with an upper electrostatic chucking layer and a lower heater layer, which is surrounded by an electronically insulating layer of pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) or other insulating materials.
The prior art electrostatic chuck may be incorporated as part of a conventional work piece supporting device, an example of which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. The conventional work piece supporting device includes an electrostatic chuck 10 wherein a source of voltage can be applied to electrostatic ally attract or clamp a work piece 12 to the chucking surface of the electrostatic chuck 10. A control circuit is also used to supply electricity to the lower heater layer of the chuck 10 to heat the mounting surface 11 of the electrostatic chuck 10. Heat transfer then occurs between the mounting surface 11 and the work piece 12 clamped thereto such that the work piece reaches an optimal temperature range suitable for processing the work piece. In order to prevent warping of the chuck 10, the chuck is secured to a metal base 14 by a plurality of bolts 16 or other fastening means.
In order to process a wafer by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) or ion doping, the wafer may be subjected to an elevated temperature in the order of 800° C. or higher. Therefore, the work piece 12 must be heated within a relatively high temperature range while being electrostatic ally mounted to the metal base 14. However, in the configuration of the conventional mounting arrangement, a considerable part of the heat to the heater layer would be transferred to the metal base 14, causing the metal base 14 to act as an undesirable heat sink that interferes with proper heating of the wafer 12 to a high temperature range, say 800° C. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 4, the conventional chuck 10 includes a substantially flat plate with a substantially flat lower surface 18 in direct abutting contact with a substantially flat upper surface 20 of the metal base 14. Conduction of heat from conventional chuck 10 to the metal base 14 is enhanced since the substantially flat lower surface 18 is in direct abutting contact with the substantially flat upper surface 20 along substantially the entire width "W" of the chuck 10.
Due to the enhanced heat conductivity between the abutting substantially planar surfaces (18,20), a considerable portion of the heat generated by the heater layer would be transferred to the metal base 14 rather than the work piece 12. Losing heat to the metal base 14 can inhibit heat transfer to the work piece 12 and therefore render it difficult to heat the work piece within a sufficiently high temperature range, for example, above 800° C. Moreover, even if the work piece 12 can be successively heated to such a high temperature range, the clamping force must be decreased due to difference of thermal expansion between the bolts 16 and the chuck 10, resulting in potential failure of the capability of the metal base 14 from inhibiting, such as preventing, warp of the chuck 10. In addition, when the chuck 10 of a flat plate type is heated to an extremely high temperature such as 800° C. or higher, this is transferred to metallic terminals through which electricity is supplied to chucking electrodes of the chuck 10 so that the terminals may also be heated to substantially the same temperature. This may cause inferior electrical contact between the terminals and the chuck body due to difference of thermal expansion there between.
Further, when the electrostatic chuck 10 comprises a substantially flat plate that is mechanically secured to the warp correction metal base 14, as shown in FIG. 4, the effective work piece clamping area of the chucking surface can be decreased by the bolts 16 and or countersunk apertures to accommodate the bolts 16. Moreover, temperature distribution in the surface of the work piece 12 in contact with the chucking surface of the chuck 10 can be uneven due to thermal transfer from the periphery of the chuck 10 to the surrounding environment.
So-called facedown systems wherein the electrostatic chuck is placed with its chucking surface down have recently attracted considerable attention, because these systems tend to prevent or minimize adherence of particles generated during processing of the work piece. Facedown systems would also be advantageous in view of efficiency of reaction gas introduced during work piece processing. However, the device of FIG. 4 including a flat plate that is mechanically secured to a warp-connection base 14 is not applicable to the facedown system in a high temperature condition of 600° C. or higher.

Electrostatic chuck including a heater mechanism


Methods (200) and apparatus (700) for providing an access to a first communication network (102) through a second communication network (106) by a communication device (108) are disclosed. The communication device (108) having a first identification and supporting a cellular core network signaling protocol of the first communication network (102), upon entering the second communication network, is assigned a second identification by the second communication network (106). The communication device (108) communicates with the first communication network (102) through an alternative network controller (104) utilizing the second communication network (106). Method (500) for providing an access to a preferred communication network out of a plurality of communication networks based upon a predetermined condition is also provided.

When a cellular wireless mobile communication device is first switched on, its receiver scans an allocated radio frequency ("RF") spectrum for appropriate signals from base stations in a network that may provide service. Once the cellular wireless mobile communication device has identified and synchronized to a group of base stations, it ranks RF characteristics associated with each of the identified base stations in order of filtered signal strength. The cellular wireless mobile communication device then selects the base station having the strongest filtered signal strength on which to "camp." Camping on a base station refers to the reading of broadcast information for monitoring paging messages that alert the cellular wireless mobile communication device of an incoming call. Once the cellular wireless mobile communication device camps on a base station, a signaling sequence, referred to as a routing area ("RA") update, is exchanged between the network and cellular wireless mobile communication device. The RA update informs the network of a subgroup of base stations available in a RA which include the base station on which the cellular wireless mobile communication device is camping. The RA update assists the network in determining how to reach the cellular wireless mobile communication device. For example, when a subscriber number is called, the network must determine how a mobile switching centre ("MSC") routes a paging message to the cellular wireless mobile communication device.
In a typical cellular system, the cellular wireless mobile communication device does not provide the network with its location information, such as a cell identifier, every time it selects a new cell. Because the radio wave propagation is highly sensitive to changes in the physical environment even in an environment where the RF coverage is very good, cell reselection occurs frequently. Therefore, if the cellular wireless mobile communication device were to inform the network for every cell reselection, signaling between the cellular wireless mobile communication device and network would likely congest the control channels. Further, because signaling messages deliver no revenue to the operator of the network, signaling messages are maintained at a level that is as infrequent as practical. When the MSC receives a call from an outside party who desires to reach the cellular wireless mobile communication device, or its user, the MSC looks up the logical location of the cellular wireless mobile communication device indicated by the RA, and sends a paging message only to a base station controller ("BSC") in the RA. The BSC then sends paging messages on control channels only to the base station identified in the RA. The cellular wireless mobile communication device then receives the paging message and alerts the user of the incoming call.
Generally, the cellular wireless mobile communication device acts autonomously and simply listens to the broadcast control channels ("BCCH"), which include paging messages, of each cell. However, to provide the location information of the cellular wireless mobile communication device as it travels through the network, the cellular wireless mobile communication device sends an RA update message to the network whenever the cellular wireless mobile communication device crosses an RA boundary. This RA update procedure includes an authentication procedure to verify the cellular wireless mobile communication device as a valid subscriber. If the cellular wireless mobile communication device fails to send a RA update as it leaves one RA and enters into another, the network would send pages to the previous RA, and the cellular wireless mobile communication device would miss incoming calls. If the network fails to receive an RA update from the cellular wireless mobile communication device for some time, such as several hours to several days, the network will detach the cellular wireless mobile communication device from the network. The network may send to voice-mail any received calls for the cellular wireless mobile communication device after detaching. Most cellular systems have a periodic timer that causes the cellular wireless mobile communication device to perform the RA update at a predetermined time interval such as every two hours. An RA update procedure is additionally used when a cellular wireless mobile communication device changes its operating systems, or radio access technology, such as a change between a Global System for Mobile Telecommunication ("GSM") system and a Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service ("UMTS") system. The RA update is also performed when the cellular wireless mobile communication device returns to its idle mode from certain communication services such as Dual Transfer Mode ("DTM").

Alternative network selection for a communication device


Dynamically sharing information among a plurality of adapters in a multipath input/output (MPIO) system, selecting one of the adapters to receive an input/output request based on the shared information, and sending the input/output request to that adapter.

Multipath input/output (MPIO) is a data storage technique involving multiple physical and/or virtual paths between a computing system and its associated mass storage devices. With such an arrangement, one or more multipath software layers can leverage the redundant paths to provide performance-enhancing features such as fault tolerance, load balancing, traffic shaping, automatic path management, and dynamic reconfiguration. For instance, should some device or sub-system along a given path fail, the multipath software layer(s) can route I/O through the remaining devices or sub-systems transparently, with no changes visible to applications other than perhaps incremental latency.
A logical partition, or LPAR, is a subset of a computer's hardware resources, virtualized as a separate computer, or virtual machine (VM). In effect, a physical machine can be partitioned into multiple logical partitions, each hosting a separate operating system. A hypervisor or virtual machine monitor (VMM) is a piece of computer software, firmware, or hardware that creates and runs virtual machines. A computer on which a hypervisor is running one or more virtual machines is a host machine. Each virtual machine is a guest machine. The hypervisor presents the guest operating systems with a virtual operating platform and manages the execution of the guest operating systems. Multiple instances of a variety of operating systems may then share the virtualized hardware resources.
Virtual input/output (VIO), or input/output (I/O) virtualization, abstracts upper-layer protocols from the physical devices of a system and thereby provides the potential to simplify management, lower costs, and improve the performance of those systems. Among the potential benefits of I/O virtualization are: (i) management agility due to the ability to dynamically expand and contract virtual I/O channels via software configuration changes rather than changes to hardware; (ii) reduced costs and/or increased density due to reduced hardware needs; and (iii) increased performance due to the ability to dynamically allocate I/O bandwidth in real time across multiple virtual connections to storage and/or network resources. In at least some implementations, one or more virtual I/O servers (VIOSes) mediate access to the physical resources, while one or more virtual client adapters (VCAs) interface with the VIOSes to provide I/O access to client software. (A controller, or adapter, is a virtual or physical device connecting a virtual or physical computer system to other network and/or storage devices.) I/O virtualization is commonly used with server systems (both real and virtual) operating in enterprise- or cloud-based environments.

Inter-adapter cooperation for multipath input/output systems

International Business Machines Corporation


Edible water-in-oil emulsion comprising a source of mineral and 15 to 95 wt % fat, wherein the mineral is present in the aqueous phase and wherein the mineral is in-homogenously distributed over the aqueous phase and a process for making such an emulsion.

Dietary or essential minerals are chemical elements required by living organisms, other than the four elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen which are ubiquitous in organic molecules. They can be either bulk minerals (required in relatively large amounts) or trace minerals (required only in very small amounts).
These can be naturally occurring in food or added in elemental or mineral form, such as calcium carbonate or sodium chloride. Some of these additives come from natural sources such as ground oyster shells. Sometimes minerals are added to the diet separately from food, as vitamin and mineral supplements. Appropriate intake levels of each dietary mineral must be sustained to maintain physical health.
In Human nutrition, the dietary bulk mineral elements (RDA >200 mg/day) are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulphur.
The most important trace mineral elements (RDA <200 mg/day) are chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.
Many other minerals have been suggested as required in human nutrition, in varying quantities, such as bismuth, boron, nickel, rubidium, silicon, strontium, tellurium, titanium, tungsten, and vanadium.
A large body of research suggests that humans often can benefit from mineral supplementation. Metals, like iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium and calcium are essential minerals.
Edible emulsions are used in a variety of ways, e.g. spreadable products, frying products, baking ingredients, drinks, diary type products. They are therefore suitable vehicles for incorporation of minerals.
Unfortunately many of these minerals have a bitter taste or metallic taste and the amount of the minerals needed in food products to fortify in order to obtain a beneficial effect from it gives the food product an off-taste which is not liked by consumers. Sometimes the mineral interacts with another ingredient in a food product which results in an unpleasant taste. Fat oxidation is a well-known example giving an unpleasant off-taste.
One option is to encapsulate the minerals, like in multi-vitamin and -mineral pills to prevent the contact of the mineral with the mouth or other ingredients. A drawback of the encapsulation is that a suitable encapsulate should be found that works well in the food product. In addition, the encapsulate needs to release the mineral at a certain time after consumption such that the mineral is available to the human body. Another drawback is that encapsulates are often more expensive than the bare ingredient it self.
Another way of masking the bad taste of mineral is to add another taste that overtakes the bitter taste. However often a lot of the masking taste should be added to mask the undesired taste and not much flexibility in taste is left, and another strong taste is left, which leaves out neutral tasting food products.
German patent DD 238 720 describes stable food emulsion, both fat- and water-continuous, such as mayonnaise and margarine, with a stabilised interphase. The stabilisation of the interphase of the water and fat phase is obtained by the addition of multivalent cations. The multivalent cations may added while an emulsion is made or thereafter. The examples show addition of the cation in either the water-phase (example 1), so before an emulsion is made, and postdosing the cation in a water-continuous emulsion (example 2-4). No disclosure is made of adding cations in a fat-continuous emulsion.
European patent application EP 1 810 658 discloses cosmetic compositions comprising dispersed aqueous colloidal particles from charged minerals. The composition may be amongst others a gel, aqueous, oily or an emulsion, either water-continuous or fat-continuous. The examples disclose postdosing the colloidal mineral containing particles into a water-continuous emulsion. No disclosure is made of postdosing the colloidal mineral containing particles in a fat-continuous emulsion.
WO03/034832 discloses edible water-in-oil emulsions with calcium. The calcium is dosed in the water phase.
EP 0 914 779 discloses protein containing acidic foods and drinks. The foods and drinks are water-continuous emulsions with a fat content of 0.1-10 wt %. Electrolytes may be added to the emulsion after the emulsion is made.
WO2005/102065 discloses a process for manufacturing a thermo-resistant, thermo-irreversible gel. The final texture of the gel is fixed by adding salt into it.
It is therefore an object of the current invention to provide a food product which comprises a mineral wherein the undesired taste of the mineral is not noticed by consumers. Another object of the invention is to provide a food product which is stable under storage at ambient and higher temperatures. Further food products with good organoleptic properties are envisioned with the current invention. Another object is to provide a food product that provides at least a part of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of minerals per serving. Another object of the present invention is to provide a food product that provides at least a part of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of minerals per serving for improved mental health. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a food product that provides at least a part of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of minerals per serving for blood pressure lowering.


A technique for activating a transmit mode of a communication device (100) is provided encompassing the steps of generating a light signal on an outer surface of the communication device; inhibiting the light signal; and activating the transmit mode of the communication device in response to the light signal being inhibited. A communication device (100) operating in accordance with this technique includes a light transmitting device (108); and a sensor (110) for sensing light generated by the light transmitting device, the sensor disabling a transmit mode when light is detected and enabling a transmit mode when light is inhibited.

A dispatch communication system provides simplex communication in which one member of a group may talk to all the other members of the group in a broadcast fashion. Examples of dispatch communication systems include but are not limited to: taxi systems, police communication systems and the "iDEN" communication system sold by "MOTOROLA" which combines both cellular and dispatch capability. Dispatch systems may encompass portable, mobile and/or stationary communication units, each unit having a push-to-talk (PTT) button. To talk to the rest of the group, a user depresses the PTT button on his or her communication unit and continues depressing the PTT button while speaking. When finished or to allow another user of the group to speak, the user releases the PTT button. Another user may then speak by depressing his or her PTT button.
Depression of the PTT signals a host processor to key up the communication device. Typical PTT assemblies are formed of a switch, such as a popple switch, which is provided to the interior of the communication device housing and can be actuated by depressing a PTT lever mounted on the outside of the housing. Standard PTT switch assemblies are plagued with alignment problems. Alignment problems are created by large tolerance stack-ups between the actuation lever and the interior popple switch. In some cases, improper alignment of the lever will prevent the switch from being activated. Another problem encountered with the alignment variation is that the force needed to actuate the switch will vary between devices. This varying force may leave the user questioning if the switch was actuated when the lever is depressed. A constant pressure on the PTT lever is required at all times during the transmission. Trying to maintain this constant pressure can lead to finger fatigue in the user. Elderly, physically impaired or inexperienced users who are not familiar with PTT features sometimes lose communication, because they are unable to maintain constant pressure on the PTT switch.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved user interface for transmitting on a simplex communication device.

Method and apparatus for transmitting in a communication device


A surface mount carrier device which permits an electrical component having wire leads to be converted for surface mounting on a printed circuit board is disclosed. The carrier device comprises a body member fabricated from an electrical insulating material which includes a pair of upwardly extending, U-shaped lead supports. The lead supports define a pair of vertically opposed, symmetrical notches wherein the wire leads of the component are attached to the carrier device. In one embodiment the carrier device includes a pair of electrically conductive tabs which are secured within the notches and bent around the end faces of the carrier device and extend to a bottom surface thereof so as to provide an electrical pathway from the component to the printed circuit board whereon it will be fused. The wire leads are soldered to the conductive tabs and cut off at the end faces of the carrier device. In an alternative embodiment the conductive tabs are omitted from the carrier device in lieu of a groove formed along the longitudinal center line of the notches and extending around the end faces of the carrier to a bottom surface thereof. In this arrangement the wire leads are bent at right angles around the end faces of the carrier so as to be disposed within the groove extending to the bottom surface of the carrier to place the leads in contact with the printed circuit board. The carrier devices are provided in a range of sizes to accommodate electrical components of various configurations.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to electronic components and, more particularly, to a carrier device which permits an electrical component having wire leads to be converted for surface mounting on a printed circuit board.
Electrical components having wire leads for mechanical or solderable connection to terminals within an electrical circuit are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the resistor is a familiar electrical component wherein a metallic material having a specific resistance is molded within a generally cylindrical body formed of insulating material including a pair of conductive wire leads extending from either end thereof.
The wire leads are adapted for mechanical attachment to terminals within a particular circuit which are electrically connected by conductive wiring to other components in the circuit.
Such electrical terminals often include an aperture or hole wherein a terminal end of the wire lead may be inserted and mechanically attached in a so-called through-hole connection in preparation for soldering.
Modernly, printed circuit boards are utilized in a wide variety of electronic appliances. In such printed circuit boards, the electrical pathways between components are formed within the board and filled with a metallic alloy forming an electrically conductive network upon the surface of the circuit board. Thereafter, the required surface mounted components are soldered to the surface of the printed circuit board to complete the electrical circuits.
In order to utilize a conventional electrical component such a resistor having wire leads on a printed circuit board, it is necessary to attach mechanical terminals to the board and, thereafter, solder the leaded component thereto. This process is tedious, labor intensive, and results in increased manufacturing costs.
Thus, the present invention has been developed to conveniently adapt conventional electrical components having wire leads for mounting on the surface of a printed circuit board.

Surface mount carrier for electronic components


An adaptor for a bolt tensioner, including a sleeve having a threaded external surface for engaging a threaded surface on the bolt tensioner, and internal threads on an internal surface of the sleeve for engaging a threaded bolt. The external threads and the internal threads of the sleeve are of different size, such that the bolt tensioner can be adapted to tension bolts of different sizes.

Every bolting application presents a unique set of operating conditions. However, all bolting applications require uniform compression and accurate residual bolt load. This requirement stems from the fact that a major cause of failure in bolted joints is an incorrect preload. While in service, bolts that are improperly preloaded for a specific set of operating conditions may experience cyclic stresses that induce fatigue failures. Correctly preloading a bolt results in improved bolt fatigue life, increased joint rigidity, and the elimination of bolt relaxation, joint separation, and joint slippage. Therefore, proper preloading can eliminate catastrophic failures and increase service life.
To achieve the required preload, an accurate means of determining the tensile force applied to the bolt must be employed. Of the variety of preloading techniques currently in use, torquing, thermal tensioning, and hydraulic tensioning are the most common. Torquing is conventionally used for bolt preloading because of its perceived simplicity and reduced cost. However, the difficulty of quantifying the frictional forces that must be overcome during torquing results in significant deviations (e.g., up to .+-.30%) from the desired preload. Moreover, torsional stresses introduced during torquing may cause distortion, thread galling, stress cracking, and bolt fatigue. Thermal tensioning (i.e., heating and cooling the bolt to be tensioned) is a complicated procedure that requires special tools and components to achieve a desired preload. Moreover, the method is laborious, time consuming, expensive, and may present a significant safety hazard.
Hydraulic bolt tensioning applies a direct axial load to the bolt to be tensioned. In operation, the hydraulic bolt tensioner is threadably engaged to the bolt, a hydraulic pressure is applied and the bolt is preloaded, the nut is tightened, and the pressure is released. Because hydraulic tensioning eliminates the frictional and torsional forces encountered with torquing, it results in more accurate and consistent bolt preloading. In addition, hydraulic bolt tensioners are generally smaller, lighter, and easier to use than torquing tools. Therefore, their compact design and lightweight enables them to be used in many applications where limited space would prohibit the use of bulky torque wrenches or impact tools. Moreover, hydraulic bolt tensioning does not require heat, hammering, or loud noises.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a conventional fixed-size hydraulic bolt tensioner 10 includes a bridge 15 which rests upon a surface (not shown) through which a bolt 20 to be tensioned passes. A body 25, mounted on top of the bridge 15, receives a piston 30. The piston 30 includes threads 35 which are of the same size as the threads 40 on the bolt 20. The piston 30 and the bolt 20 are threadably engaged in preparation for applying a preload to the bolt 20. The preload is created by a hydraulic pressure source (not shown), which may be connected to the hydraulic bolt tensioner 10 via a threaded pressure coupling 45. The threaded pressure coupling allows a pressure to be applied at the interface 50 between the piston 30 and the body 25. The pressure at the interface 50 is substantially maintained by a pair of seals 55 interposed between the piston 30 and the body 25. The delivery of a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the interface 50 results in relative movement of the piston 30 with respect to the body 25 and the application of an axial load along the center line of the bolt 20. Once a desired preload is achieved, a nut 60 may be tightened (e.g., either by hand or with tools), the pressure released, and the hydraulic bolt tensioner 10 disengaged from the bolt 20.
Where tensioning of different sized bolts is required, a plurality of fixed-size hydraulic bolt tensioners, one for each size bolt to be tensioned, has usually been employed. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 1B, a variable-size hydraulic bolt tensioner 65 has been used. The primary difference between a variable-size and a fixed-size hydraulic bolt tensioner resides in the use of an adaptor 70 with the piston 30 to vary the size of bolt which the hydraulic bolt tensioner may engage. The adaptor 70 includes a threaded internal surface 75 for engaging the threads 40 of a bolt 20 to be tensioned. Because the external surface 80 of the adaptor 70 is smooth, the internal surface 85 of the piston 30 likewise does not include threads (compare FIG. 1A).
Variable-size hydraulic bolt tensioners operate in much the same manner as described above for fixed-size hydraulic bolt tensioners. However, the insertion of the adaptor 70 into the piston 30 requires that the adaptor shoulder 90 bear the reaction force normally borne by the threads of the piston (compare FIG. 1A). The force bearing capability of the adaptor is proportional to the bulk of the adaptor shoulder 90 and the piston wall 95. Because the preloads applied during hydraulic bolt tensioning can be as high as 1,000,000 lbs., the bulk of the adaptor may consume a significant portion of the volume of the central cavity 100 of the piston 30. Therefore, the range of sizes to which a given variable-sized hydraulic bolt tensioner may be adapted is limited. Moreover, the required bulk of the adaptor increases material costs, and therefore the equipment expenses associated with variable-size hydraulic bolt tensioning. In addition, the smooth surface interface of the external surface 80 of the adaptor 70 and the internal surface 85 of the piston 30 may result in the adaptor 70 becoming a high velocity projectile should the bolt 20 or threads 40, 75 fail during tensioning. Such a projectile creates a significant safety hazard to operators of hydraulic bolt tensioners. Moreover, the adapters are only compatible with variable-size hydraulic bolt tensioners and cannot be used to adapt fixed-size hydraulic bolt tensioners to different sized bolts. Therefore, in order to tension bolts of varying size, an operator currently owning fixed-size hydraulic bolt tensioners must choose between purchasing a wide variety of fixed-size hydraulic bolt tensioners or a variable-size hydraulic bolt tensioner with a wide variety of adapters.


Provided is a multilayer printed wiring board in which power supply patterns are shortened to decrease an impedance and electromagnetic radiation noise. The multilayer printed wiring board includes: a power supply layer (1) having at least two power supply patterns (5) with different voltages formed thereon; and a conductor layer (2) overlaid on the power supply layer (1) via an insulator, and at least one of the power supply patterns (5) has a first pattern portion (10) and a second pattern portion (11) formed in a non-contact manner with each other, and the first pattern portion (10) and the second pattern portion (11) are electrically connected to each other via a relay portion (14) including a relay pattern (12) formed on the conductor layer (2) and through holes (13) for connecting the power supply layer (1) and the conductor layer (2) at both ends of the relay pattern (12).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multilayer printed wiring board provided with a power supply layer having a plurality of power supply patterns with different power supply voltages.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional multilayer printed wiring board generally has a structure including at least one signal layer, at least one power supply layer, and at least one ground layer. Since power supply voltage used in a power supply layer in electronic equipment having a conventional digital circuit is mainly 5 V, a single 5 V power supply pattern is formed in the power supply layer in many cases.
In a conventional printed circuit board, a connector to which power is supplied is arranged in proximity to an LSI (large scale integration) the power consumption of which is highest on the board. Further, a power supply pattern formed from the power supply connector to an area where the LSI with the highest power consumption is mounted is made the thickest, and power supply patterns to ICs (integrated circuits) including other LSIs are made thinner according to the amount of electric current. This makes the power supply voltage supplied to the LSI with the highest power consumption and the power supply voltage supplied to an LSI which transmits and receives a signal to and from the LSI with the highest power consumption substantially equal on the circuit board (see, for example, JP 2002-374048 A).
However, since voltages supplied to and power consumptions of ICs are required to be reduced in recent years, 5 V power supply voltage and 3.3 V power supply voltage or lower are supplied to ICs in many cases.
As a result, the power supply layer is not formed of a single 5 V power supply pattern. For example, two power supply patterns of 5 V and 3.3 V or more than two power supply patterns insulated from each other are formed on the power supply layer.
In the conventional multilayer printed wiring board, since a plurality of power supply patterns with different power supply voltages exist on one power supply layer, when, for example, a 3.3 V power supply pattern for supplying power to a 3.3 V power supply pin of an IC is formed after a 5 V power supply pattern for supplying power to a 5 V power supply pin of the IC is formed, it is necessary to detour the already formed 5 V power supply pattern. Therefore, there is a problem in that the 3.3 V power supply pattern is lengthened, the impedance is increased, and thus, electromagnetic radiation noise radiated from the power supply pattern is increased.


A programmable logic is provided that uses only NMOS pass transistors to pass a true output signal to an internal true node and to pass a complement output signal to an internal complement node. The internal true and complement nodes are cross-coupled through PMOS transistors so that the discharge of one of the internal true and complement nodes switches on a corresponding one of the cross-coupled PMOS transistors to charge a remaining one of the internal true and complement nodes.

Programmable logic devices such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) implement their logic through look-up tables. Each look-up table (LUT) includes a plurality of memory cells such as SRAM cells that store the corresponding truth table. For example, a 16-bit LUT would include 16 memory cells storing a 16-bit truth table. Based upon the input signal to the LUT, one of the values in the truth table is provided as the resulting look-up table logic output signal. To perform the selection of the appropriate value from the truth table responsive to the input signals, a look-up table will typically include a number of pass gates. Each pass gate may be constructed using an NMOS transistor. The resulting LUT may then be designated as an NMOS-based LUT. Alternatively, the pass gates may be implemented using transmission gates. As used herein, LUTs that use transmission gates as the pass gates are denoted as "CMOS-based" LUTs since a transmission gate includes both an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor. It is the case, however, that NMOS-based LUTs also include PMOS devices and so they may also be constructed using CMOS process technology. But since the pass gates are not complementary (including both an NMOS as well as a PMOS device) in a NMOS-based LUT, only LUTs having their pass gates implemented as transmission gates are denoted herein as CMOS-based LUTs.
An example 16-bit NMOS-based LUT 100 is shown in FIG. 1A. Signals A, B, C, and D are the input signals to LUT 100. Input signals A and B are decoded by a decoder 105 to produce a four decoded signals S(3:0). The sixteen bits for LUT 100 are split into four 4-bit LUTs, ranging from a LUT0, a LUT1, a LUT2, to a LUT3. The decoded signals S(3:0) are received by the 4-bit LUTs. An example 4-bit LUT 135 is shown in FIG. 1B. The 4 bits are stored in memory cells ranging from a bit 0 cell, a bit 1 cell, a bit 2 cell, to a bit 3 cell. The complement bit value QN for each memory cell is inverted through a corresponding inverter before passing through a corresponding pass transistor. From the decoded signals S(3:0), S(0) drives the gate of an NMOS pass transistor M4 for bit cell 0. Similarly, S(1) drives the gate of an NMOS pass transistor M5 for bit cell 1, S(2) drives the gate of an NMOS pass transistor M6 for bit cell 2, and S(3) drives the gate of an NMOS pass transistor M7 for bit cell 3. Referring again to decoder 105 of FIG. 1A, the two signals A and B may be decoded such that only one of the decoded signals S(3:0) is asserted such that only the corresponding pass transistor M4 through M7 (FIG. 1B) will allow the corresponding bit to pass.
The remaining input signals C and D and their inverted versions CN and DN control which 4-bit LUT output signal can produce the output signal for LUT 100. Inverted control signal CN drives the gate of an NMOS pass transistor M0 to control whether the output of LUT 0 passes to an inverter 110 whereas control signal C drives the gate of an NMOS pass transistor M1 to control whether the output of LUT 1 passes to inverter 110. The same control for whether LUT 2 passes its output signal to an inverter 115 and for whether LUT 3 passes its output signal to inverter 115 exists with regard to NMOS pass transistors M2 and M3. Consider the case as the supply voltage VCC is lowered for more advanced process nodes. Should pass transistors M0 through M3 have to pass a binary one output signal (which should be at the power supply voltage VCC), the resulting passed output signal will be lowered in voltage by the threshold voltage Vt for these pass transistors. For example, if the power supply voltage VCC is 0.9 volts and Vt is 0.45 volts, the resulting passed binary high signal to either inverter 110 and 115 would be only 0.45 volts. For such a relatively low voltage to be detected as a logic high signal, the threshold voltage of the NMOS transistor (not illustrated) in inverters 110 and 115 must be relatively low whereas the PMOS transistor (not illustrated) in these same inverters must have a relatively high threshold voltage. To ensure that the PMOS transistor in each inverter 110 and 115 is fully off with such a weak binary one signal coming from pass transistors M0 through M3, the output of the inverters feeds back through to their inputs through PMOS transistors P0 and P1, respectively. But the low Vt for the NMOS transistors in inverters 110 and 115 then results in these NMOS transistors not fully turning off when the inverters receive logic low (ground) input signals. The result is relatively high static power consumption for an NMOS-based LUT such as LUT 100.
To complete the operation of LUT 100, the output of inverter 110 is gated by a transmission gate 120 having a PMOS side controlled by input signal D and an NMOS side controlled by inverted input signal D. Similarly, the output of inverter 115 is gated by a transmission gate 125 having its PMOS side controlled by inverted input signal DN and its NMOS side controlled by input signal D. Transmission gates 120 and 125 drive an inverter 130 that produces the LUT output signal accordingly. The result is that the four input signals A, B, C, and D select for one of the sixteen truth table bits as would be expected for a sixteen-bit LUT operation.
To lower the static power consumption, pass transistors M0 through M3 in LUT 100 may be replaced with transmission gates as is conventional for a CMOS-based LUT. Inverters 110 and 115 may then use high-VT NMOS transistors, which reduces the static power consumption. But the PMOS transistors in the resulting transmission gates introduce additional capacitance, which lowers operating speeds. In addition, the need for the additional PMOS transistors to construct the resulting transmission gates reduces density as compared to NMOS-based LUTs.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an NMOS-based LUT with decreased static power consumption.
Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.