A compound represented by formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (hereinafter referred to as "SIP") is a physiologically active lipid which is generated when sphingolipids (typified by sphingomyelin) are metabolized in cells. S1P is known to have a wide variety of actions such as cell differentiation induction, cell growth stimulation, cell motility control and apoptosis inhibition, and is also known to show physiological actions such as angiogenesis, bradycardia induction, inflammatory cell activation and platelet activation (Non-patent Document 1).
As SIP receptors, the following 5 subtypes have been reported: Edg-1(S1P1), Edg-3(S1P3), Edg-5(S1P2), Edg-6(S1P4) and Edg-8(S1P5) (Non-patent Document 2).
Among these subtypes, Edg-1(S1P1) is highly expressed in immunocytes (e.g., T cells, dendritic cells) and vascular endothelial cells, suggesting that Edg-1(S1P1) contributes deeply to S1P-stimulated T cell migration (Non-patent Document 3), mast cell migration (Non-patent Document 4), T and B cell egress from lymphoid organs (Non-patent Document 5) and angiogenesis (Non-patent Document 6), and is involved in autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, rejection after organ transplantation, cancer, retinopathy, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, age-related macular degeneration, etc.
Thus, ligands for Edg-1(S1P1) would be effective for treatment or prevention of these diseases.
Edg-1(S1P1) ligands previously known include certain types of thiophene derivatives (Non-patent Document 7), phosphoric acid derivatives (Patent Documents 1 and 2, Non-patent Documents 8 and 9) and thiazolidine derivatives (Patent Document 3), carboxylic acid derivatives (Patent Documents 4, 5, 6 and 8, Non-patent Documents 10 and 11), amino group-containing derivatives (Patent Document 7), pyrrole derivatives (Patent Document 9), and triazole derivatives (Patent Documents 10 and 11).
Patent Document 1: WO2002/18395
Patent Document 2: JP 2003-137894 A
Patent Document 3: JP 2002-332278 A
Patent Document 4: WO2002/092068
Patent Document 5: WO2003/105771
Patent Document 6: WO2004/058149
Patent Document 7: WO2004/103279
Patent Document 8: WO2005/058848
Patent Document 9: WO2005/123677
Patent Document 10: WO2006/013948
Patent Document 11: WO2007/083089
Non-patent Document 1: J Biol. Chem. 2004, 279: 20555, FASEB J 2002, 16: 625, Proceedings of the Japanese Society for Immunology 2003, 33: 2-J-W30-20-P
Non-patent Document 2: Pharmacol Res 2003, 47: 401
Non-patent Document 3: FASEB J 2002, 16:1874
Non-patent Document 4: J Exp Med 2004, 199: 959
Non-patent Document 5: Nature 2004, 427: 355
Non-patent Document 6: J Clin Invest 2000, 106: 951, Biocchim Biophys Acta 2002, 1582: 222
Non-patent Document 7: J Biol Chem 2004, 279: 13839
Non-patent Document 8: Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2003, 13: 3401
Non-patent Document 9: J Biol. Chem. 2005; 280: 9833
Non-patent Document 10: J Med. Chem. 2004, 47: 6662
Non-patent Document 11: J Med. Chem. 2005, 48: 6169

Abstract: (wherein Y1 represents a nitrogen atom or a group represented by CRA, Y2 represents a nitrogen atom or a group represented by CRB, Y3 represents a nitrogen atom or a group represented by CRC, RA, RB and RC, which may be the same or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, etc. (excluding the case where Y1 is CRA, Y2 is CRB and Y3 is CRC), X represents an oxygen atom, etc., R1 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group, etc., R2 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group, etc., R3 represents an optionally substituted phenyl group, etc., R4 represents a hydrogen atom, etc., and R5 represents an optionally substituted phenyl group, etc.) has an inhibitory effect on the binding between S1P and its receptor Edg-1(S1P1), and is useful as a therapeutic agent for autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, rejection after organ transplantation, cancer, retinopathy, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, or age-related macular degeneration, etc.


An electric motor includes an annular stator core having a pair of ends opposed to each other in an axial direction, and a coil wound around the stator core. The stator core includes a pair of powder magnetic cores each arranged at the pair of ends and a laminated steel plate arranged between the paired powder magnetic cores. Each of the paired powder magnetic cores includes a section arranged outside the coil in the axial direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric motor.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional electric motors have annular stators. The stator has an annular stator core around which a coil is wound. The stator core is composed of a laminated steel plate. The laminated steel plate is an assembly obtained by laminating a number of silicon steel plates in an axial direction of the stator. In some cases, the stator core may be composed of a powder molding including a powder magnetic material and obtained by compression molding. Further, in some cases, the stator core may be composed of an assembly of a laminated steel plate and the powder molding described above (e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-369418).
When the stator core is composed of the laminated steel plate, however, the outer shape of the stator core is a round pillar shape. The coil projects from both ends of the stator core in the axial direction. As a result, an empty space occurs around the coil. On the other hand, in the stator core composed of the laminated steel plate, flexibility of the shape of the stator core is low in a lamination direction corresponding to the axial direction of the stator core. Therefore, the empty space that occurs around the coil cannot be solved. Consequently, a magnetic flux is not effectively utilized, so that the output torque of the electric motor is reduced. Conversely, an attempt to increase the output torque increases the electric motor in size.
When the stator core is composed of the above-mentioned powder molding, the flexibility of the shape is high, while the manufacturing cost is high.
In the foregoing document, powder moldings are each arranged at both ends of the laminated steel plate in an axial direction of the stator core. Since a coil is wound in a state where the coil projects in the axial direction of the stator core from the powder molding, an empty space described above occurs around the coil. As a result, the output torque is reduced.
An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost electric motor that can be inhibited from increasing in size and can increase output torque.


Firmware can be built to be capable of generating and outputting trace data, during execution, to assist in debugging firmware problems without substantially slowing operation of the firmware and without potentially disclosing secret information associated with the firmware. The firmware (e.g., BIOS) can output hash digests of various modules within the firmware, which can be compared with a pre-established mapping table to identify modules that successfully completed or did not successfully complete during execution of the firmware, such as during a startup procedure. The hash digest can be a one-way hash, which can be rapidly executable during operation of the firmware and can keep the code of the modules hidden from unauthorized reverse engineering.

Modern computing systems, such as those found in server farms or datacenters, make use of a basic input/output system (BIOS) to support normal operations. A BIOS is a firmware that can help initialize and test operation of a computing system's components, as well as perform other duties while the computing system is running an Operating System (OS). The internal workings of a BIOS can be an important and valuable trade secret for a computing company, however there is also a need to ensure problems that occur during bootup can be adequately ascertained. There is a need for a BIOS capable of providing suitable debugging information without also increasing the risk of inadvertent disclosure. Additionally, since the BIOS is run each time the computing system is powered on, there is a need to keep BIOS bootup times short to minimize any unusable downtime of the computing system.


A multi-chip package, a controlling method of the multi-chip package and a security chip are provided. The multi-chip package includes a memory chip and a security chip. The security chip is coupled between the memory chip and a host. The security chip includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is for enabling a security path to input an input-output signal into the processing circuit for executing a security procedure and accessing the memory chip, if a command is received by the processing circuit and the command includes a security requirement.

Along with the development of memory, various memories are invented. For example, Flash, ReRAM, EPROM, PCM can be used for different applications.
Those memories can be used to store digital data. Those digital data is easily to read or transmit. Some security information may be stolen by other people. Therefore, how to ensure the information security is an important issue nowadays.

Multi-chip package, controlling method of multi-chip package and security chip


A combination shipping and display carton for shipping goods in a conventional manner, but adapted to remove the top to convert the shipping carton to an inventory carton suitable for stacking vertically in a point of sale display. The shipping carton is further adapted to remove a portion of the front panel of the carton to expose goods inside the carton and convert the carton to a display carton.

The rapid growth in warehouse merchandizing home centers has considerably increased the demand for employees to stock goods in large volume inventory as part of the point of sale display. The mass merchandizing concepts emphasize minimal handling of goods to expedite inventory turn over but provide accessibility to the consumer for purchasing retail goods. Mass merchandizing requires creative packaging design to minimize retail handling of supplied goods and particularly to assist the retailer with consumer friendly display cartons structurally sound for shipping and stacking, but adaptable to provide an attractive display of goods in the shipping carton at the point of sale. This concept is particularly useful for shipping and displaying upright containers of consumer products which can be exposed for convenient selection by consumers. In essence, the procedure for stacking of cartons in retail space as inventory and then rehandling of the same carton when it emerges as the display carton needs to be simplified.
It now has been found that a structurally sound shipping carton can be received by the retailer and stacked in multiple layers for inventory purposes but then readily converted to a display carton without moving the carton. The shipping display cartons of this invention can be converted to a display carton by a two step procedure where sections of the shipping carton are removed as the carton progresses from a stacked inventory carton to a top display carton in the stack. The multi-step procedure consists of first totally removing the top lid of the shipping carton to produce an opened inventory carton for stacking purposes on the retail floor space. The second step subsequently removes a portion of the front panel of the carton as the beneath carton becomes the top exposed consumer display carton. Removal of part of the front panel provides for consumer viewing of upright orientated brand labeled consumer goods inside the carton.
Each shipping carton contains separation means in the vertical walls of the carton to provide expedient separation and removal of the top lid to convert the shipping carton to an inventory carton while still maintaining the structural integrity of the carton. The separation means can consist of lateral perforations or a lateral tear tape circumventing the shipping carton near the top lid to enable efficient removal of the carton top lid. A set format of perforations located in the front panel of the carton provides a perforated section in the front panel easily removed to expose brand name consumer products inside the carton. The predesignated removal sections eliminate the need for utility knives or other external opening implements.
In accordance with this invention, a retail merchandiser can receive a shipment of cartons from the supplier and progressively remove sections of each carton as needed. The shipping cartons become inventory cartons and can be stacked or displayed in multiple vertical tiers without compromising the structural integrity of each carton regardless of vertical location in the stacking. The stacked inventory cartons maintain the consumer products within the inventory carton protected from dislodging and spills due to inadvertent bumps and knocks from people passing by. As inventory cartons move to primary retailing sell positions within the display, the perforated front panel section can be removed free of the carton to convert the inventory carton into a consumer display carton and provide essentially full view and free access to the goods by the consumer. The zip and pop structural features of the carton enables retailers, especially mass retailers, to receive shipments of cartons structurally sound for stacking but easily adapted for display of the consumer goods within the same carton. Unsafe utility knives are not required and stacked cartons need not be moved again to a point of display. The shipping display carton reduces stock damage and minimizes loss of time due to clean up. These and other advantages will become more apparent by referring to the drawings and detailed description of the invention.

Combination shipping and point of sale display cartons for consumer goods


A telemetered characteristic monitor system includes a remotely located data receiving device, a sensor for producing signal indicative of a characteristic of a user, and a transmitter device. The transmitter device includes a housing, a sensor connector, a processor, and a transmitter. The transmitter receives the signals from the sensor and Tirelessly transmits the processed signals to the remotely located data receiving device. The processor coupled to the sensor processes the signals from the sensor for transmission to the remotely located data receiving device. The data receiving device may be a characteristic monitor, a data receiver that provides data to another device, an RF programmer for a medical device, a medication delivery device (such as an infusion pump), or the like.

Over the years, a variety of implantable electrochemical sensors have been developed for detecting and/or quantifying specific agents or compositions in a patient's blood. For instance, glucose sensors have been developed for use in obtaining an indication of blood glucose levels in a diabetic patient. Such readings are useful in monitoring and/or adjusting a treatment regimen which typically includes the regular administration of insulin to the patient. Thus, blood glucose readings improve medical therapies with semi-automated medication infusion pumps of the external type, as generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,562,751; 4,678,408; and 4,685,903; or automated implantable medication infusion pumps, as generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,994, which are herein incorporated by reference.
Generally, small and flexible electrochemical sensors can be used to obtain periodic readings over an extended period of time. In one form, flexible subcutaneous sensors are constructed in accordance with thin film mask techniques in which an elongated sensor includes thin film conductive elements encased between flexible insulative layers of polyimide sheets or similar material. Such thin film sensors typically include a plurality of exposed electrodes at one end for subcutaneous placement with a user's interstitial fluid, blood, or the like, and a corresponding exposed plurality of conductive contacts at another end for convenient external electrical connection with a suitable monitoring device through a wire or cable. Typical thin film sensors are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,390,671; 5,391,250; 5,482,473; and 5,586,553 which are incorporated by reference herein. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,571.
Drawbacks to the use of implantable sensors arise from the use of a wired connection between the implantable sensor set and the monitor. The use of the wire or cable is an additional inconvenience to users that already utilize an external infusion pump that includes an infusion insertion set and tube to infuse the medication. Also, the preferred site for some sensing device may be inconvenient for connection by wire to a characteristic monitor. For implantable pumps, the wire or cable negates the very benefit of having an internal device without external wires or cables. For Type 2 diabetics, who do not necessarily need or use an infusion pump, the use of a cable is seen as an inconvenience that may inhibit use of the device. In addition, the use of a wire or cable limits a user's ability to position the monitor, since it can be placed no further away than the ultimate length of the wire or cable. Thus, the user must normally wear the monitor, which can be problematic. For example, removal of the monitor for sleeping can be difficult, since a user would tend to become "tangled" in the wire or cable, between the sensor and the monitor, during the normal tossing and turning that occurs during sleep. Furthermore, the more connections the user must deal with (e.g., infusion pump and catheter and/or monitor with wire to sensor), the more complicated it is to use the devices, and the less likely the user will maintain compliance with the medical regimen due to perceived and actual difficulties with all of the wires and cables.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Telemetered characteristic monitor system and method of using the same


A method is provided. Plural semiconductor fins are formed on a substrate, and plural trenches each of which is formed between two adjacent semiconductor fins. A silicon liner layer is deposited to be conformal to the semiconductor fins and the trenches. The silicon liner layer is deposited by using a silane compound. Then, an oxide layer is deposited on the silicon liner layer to fill the trenches and cover the semiconductor fins, in which depositing the oxide layer forms water in the oxide layer. Next, a surface of the silicon liner layer is reacted with the water, so as to remove the water from the oxide layer.

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapid growth. Technological advances in semiconductor materials and IC designs have produced smaller and more complex circuits. These advanced material and designs have been realized as the processing or manufacturing-related technologies have also advanced. In the course of semiconductor evolution, functional density (defined as the number of interconnected devices per unit of area) has increased as the feature size has decreased. A scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs. One of the developments is the replacement or supplementation of a conventional planar metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor by a vertical field-effect transistor. However, existing vertical field-effect transistors have not been satisfactory in all aspects, and similar developments of tools and methods for measuring wafers during IC manufacturing are needed.

Semiconductor device and method of forming the same

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


A multi-layer structure for packaging formed by at least an inner layer, an outer layer and an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer having an islands-in-a-sea structure comprising a resin A constituting sea portions and a functional resin B constituting island portions, the sea portions occupying not more than 80% of the area of the intermediate layer in cross section, and the inner layer and the outer layer being resins having adhesiveness to said resin A. The adhesion among the layers is improved without providing any particular adhesive layers among the intermediate layer having a function such as gas barrier property and the inner and outer layers, and, besides, transparency is improved.

Polyester resins as represented by a polyethylene terephthalate have excellent properties such as moldability, transparency, mechanical strength and resistance against chemicals, as well as excellent gas barrier property such as against oxygen and can, hence, be used as packaging materials such as films, sheets and bottles in a variety of fields.
In order to enhance the gas barrier property of the above packaging material, further, there has been proposed a packaging material having a functional resin layer comprising a gas barrier material such as a saponified product of an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer or a polyamide as an intermediate layer between the inner layer and the outer layer. The above packaging material, however, is accompanied by a problem of interlayer peeling due to low adhesion strength between a functional resin constituting an intermediate layer and a resin (e.g., a polyester resin) constituting the inner and outer layers.
In the multi-layer structure for packaging having the functional resin layer as the intermediate layer between the inner layer and the outer layer, therefore, it is a generally accepted practice to provide adhesive layers among the functional resin layer and the inner and outer layers to increase the adhering strength and to suppress the interlayer peeling.
There has been known, for example, a laminate having graft-modified ethylene/α-olefin random copolymer layers (adhesive layers) provided among the polyester resin layers (inner and outer layers) and a layer of a saponified product of an olefin/vinyl acetate copolymer (functional resin layer)(Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 62-158043).
There has further been proposed a multi-layer container having a mixed resin layer obtained by mixing a gas barrier resin into a polyester resin, the amounts of the polyester resin particles and of the gas barrier resin particles of not larger than 10 μm being not larger than 10%. According to the above multi-layer container, the adhesion among the layers can be improved without decreasing the transparency (Japanese Examined Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 8-25220).


A method of designing a shower plate for a plasma CVD apparatus includes (a) providing a shower plate having a convex surface configured by a convex equation; (b) forming a film on a wafer using the shower plate in the plasma CVD apparatus; (c) determining a distribution of thickness of the film formed on the wafer by dividing a diametrical cross section of the film into multiple regions; (d) determining at least one secondary equation; and (e) designing a surface configuration of the shower plate by overlaying the secondary equation on the convex equation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for determining the shape of a shower plate for a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traditionally, uniformity has been improved by means of changing the process conditions and hardware. However, changing the process conditions significantly limits usable conditions under which the target film thickness can be satisfied, while introducing new hardware causes the quality of formed film to change, thus resulting in the required film thickness not being satisfied.
Attempts have also been made to improve uniformity by changing the shape of a shower plate or other electrode in a manner similar to what is proposed by the present invention. In these cases, however, the shape is determined empirically and many prototypes must be created so that a shape showing favorable results is selected and used, which adds to the development cost.

Method for designing shower plate for plasma CVD apparatus


The technique for electronically resetting a magnetically sealed solenoid to an unattracted, unactuated position is described for use with solenoids which have either a residual magnetic or a permanent magnet holding force necessary to retain the armature of the solenoid in its actuated position until such time as the armature is either physically displaced by a mechanical force or an electronic signal is applied to the solenoid. This displacement creates a reverse polarity magnetic field, effectively overcoming the magnetic field acting to hold the armature in its actuated position, permitting a small mechanical force to reset the armature. In order to prevent a lock or similar device from being conditioned for opening and possibly left in that condition for a significant period of time while unattended, jeopardizing the security of the container and its contents, the actuation of the armature in the reset or release phase may occur a relatively short time following its actuation.

Solenoids used in electronic locks typically act to displace some member of the mechanical controls of the lock such that the remainder of the mechanical controls in the lock may function to withdraw the bolt and thereby open the lock. Some solenoids that have been used in previous electronic locks required either prolonged current flow through the solenoid to maintain the solenoid in its activated or actuated position, or a mechanical latching mechanism to hold the activated mechanism in its activated position until the lock is physically opened. A latch typically requires a reset input to return the lock to its locked secured condition.
Solenoids of the push type typically have an armature which, upon the actuation of the solenoid by an electrical voltage applied thereto, extends from the body of the solenoid. The solenoids attract or pull an armature toward the solenoid housing and body; and, if the armature is such that it is pulled into contact with the body of the solenoid and no restore force is applied to the solenoid armature, then the armature seals and remains sealed to the solenoid body even after the electrical potential and current are removed from the solenoid. This sealing of the armature plate to the solenoid body commonly found on most push-type solenoids is referred to as a magnetic seal.
Solenoids of the push-type typically are supplied from the manufacturer with a relatively thin, non-magnetic spacer or shim interposed between the armature plate and the solenoid body to prevent the armature plate from making contact with the solenoid body. This spacer keeps the armature plate sufficiently away from the body so that whenever the activating voltage is removed, any residual magnetic field in the housing and core of the solenoid will be displaced from the solenoid armature plate sufficiently that the residual magnetic field cannot hold the solenoid armature in a sealed position. On the other hand, without the spacer present, the armature plate seals against the solenoid body, and there may be insufficient mechanical restoration force available to reset the solenoid to its unactuated position. Accordingly, the armature will remain in its actuated or picked position and will maintain the set condition whereby the lock is conditioned for opening and, therefore, is unlocked and insecure.
In locks using the sealing characteristic of the solenoid without the spacer, mechanical resets are necessary to break or overcome both the residual magnetic attraction force and the sealing of the armature and armature plate to the solenoid body. In order to accomplish the resetting function, mechanical resets require some action such as a manual operator input or the withdrawal of the bolt. If the armature plate is sealed to the solenoid body and there is either insufficient or no mechanical force applied to the armature to cause it to reset to its unactuated position, then the residual magnetism found in a solenoid which does not have a non-magnetic spacer may hold the armature in the actuated position.
If the solenoid is first activated and then restores under a sufficiently strong mechanical reset force immediately upon the deactivation of the solenoid's voltage source, the lock components and particularly the solenoid armature will reset and any displaced mechanical elements which are not latched in place, similarly will reset. This results in a lock which is only subject to being opened while the voltage potential is applied to the solenoid and the armature is in its actuated position.
The maintaining of a continuous voltage potential and current flow on and through the solenoid is a substantial power constraint on the design of the self-powered locks wherein all the power necessary to operate all aspects of the lock is derived from a manually operated electrical generator. Locks which are self-powered and have a manually operated generator contained within the lock typically are incapable of maintaining any substantial voltage and current flow for any significant length of time and, therefore, it is impractical to maintain an actuating current for a time sufficient for the operator to withdraw the bolt and, for battery powered locks, the battery life is substantially reduced.

Electronic reset for solenoid activated control in an electronic lock


The invention belongs to the field of medicine, involving new uses of Paliurus ramosissimus (Lour.) Poir. and its extract, in particular the use of Paliurus ramosissimus (Lour.) Poir. and its extract in preparation of drugs with anti-fibrotic, anti-fungal, and anti-tumor activities, for the treatment of oral and digestive tract inflammation or (and) ulcer-related diseases, or with bi-directional immunomodulatory effects.

Paliurus ramosissimus (Lour.) Poir., a deciduous shrub, is a common medicinal plant. It has been reported that its branches, leaves, roots and fruits can be used as medicine. It is bitter, flat, and non-toxic. It can remove cold and promote blood circulation, reduce swelling, act as antipyretic, treat bruises and injuries, and relieve heart and abdomen pains. It is included in the "Chinese Traditional Medicine Dictionary" and some local drug records.
During study, the inventors of the present invention have identified that Paliurus ramosissimus (Lour.) Poir. and its extract have good anti-fibrotic, anti-fungal, and anti-tumor activities, treat oral and digestive tract inflammation or (and) ulcer-related diseases, and have bi-directional immunomodulatory effects.

SICHUAN ACADEMY OF CHINESE MEDICINE SCIENCES


A developing device includes a toner carrying member and an electric-field forming unit. The electric-field forming unit forms electric fields having different characteristics at a first area of the surface of the toner carrying member located within a developing area and a second area of the surface of the toner carrying member located out of the developing area such that a hopping height of toner at the first area is higher than that at the second area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a developing device that develops a latent image formed on a latent-image carrying member by applying toner hopping on a surface of a toner carrying member to the latent image, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A developing device that develops a latent image formed on a latent-image carrying member by applying toner hopping on a surface of a cylindrical toner carrying member to the latent image is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-133389. A plurality of long electrodes each extending in the axial direction is arranged on the toner carrying member in the circumferential direction at a predetermined pitch. An alternating electric field is formed between the adjacent electrodes on the surface of the toner carrying member. The toner moves back and forth between the adjacent electrodes by hopping in accordance with change in a direction of the alternating electric field. The toner repeatedly hops between the adjacent electrodes while the toner is conveyed to a developing area where the toner carrying member is opposed to a latent-image carrying member in accordance with the rotation of the toner carrying member. When the toner hops from the surface of the toner carrying member at the developing area and floats near the surface of the latent-image carrying member, the toner is attracted by an electric field formed by the latent image whereby the toner adheres to the latent image. In this manner, a toner image is formed on the surface of the latent-image carrying member.
In a conventional developing device, toner is conveyed to a developing area such that the toner is moved in a certain direction by hopping on a surface of a toner carrying member, instead of conveying the toner to the developing area in accordance with the surface movement of the toner carrying member while the toner is hopping between the electrodes. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-198675 discloses a developing device that employs a toner carrying member on which three electrode, a A-phase electrode, a B-phase electrode, and a C-phase electrode are repeatedly arranged in this order. The toner is caused to hop on the surface of the toner carrying member sequentially from the A-phase electrode to the B-phase electrode, from the B-phase electrode to the C-phase electrode, and from the C-phase electrode to the A-phase electrode, so that the toner is conveyed to a developing area.
Such a developing device employing a system in which the hopping toner is used for development (hereinafter, "the hopping system") makes it possible to develop an image with a low electric potential, which cannot be achieved in a conventional one-component developing system or a conventional two-component developing system. In the hopping system, for example, the toner can selectively adhere to an electrostatic latent image having a potential difference of only several tens of volts (V) from a non-image area formed around the electrostatic latent image.
However, an insufficient hopping height of the toner on the surface of the toner carrying member causes development failure of an isolated dot. Specifically, if the hopping height of the toner is lower at the developing area, a distance between the toner hopping on the surface of the toner carrying member and the surface of the latent-image carrying member is larger. As a result, it is difficult for the toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the latent-image carrying member. A relatively high electric field is formed at an area where a plurality of image dots is arranged in series on the surface of the latent-image carrying member due to a plurality of latent images corresponding to the image dots. Therefore, even if the distance between the toner hopping on the surface of the toner carrying member and the surface of the latent-image carrying member is relatively large because of the relatively low hopping height of the toner at the developing area, the toner can be attracted by the electric field whereby the toner can adhere to the latent images. However, the intensity of the electric field is not so high at an area where only one image dot is present in an isolated manner on the surface of the latent-image carrying member. Therefore, if the hopping height of the toner is relatively low at the developing area, the toner is not properly attracted by the electric field, resulting in development failure of the isolated dot.
If the intensity of the electric field formed on the surface of the toner carrying member is high enough to obtain a sufficient hopping height of the toner, the isolated dot can be developed in an improved manner. However, the toner hopping high on the surface of the toner carrying member is easily splattered by falling out of the electric field due to an air current, inertia, a surrounding environment, or the like. Especially, the toner is easily splattered because the toner falls out of the electric field formed between the electrodes at ends on the surface of the toner carrying member in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the electrodes are arranged even if the hopping direction of the toner slightly shifts from the direction in which the electrodes are arranged.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-351218 discloses a developing device in which the toner is prevented from splattering from the surface of the toner carrying member. Specifically, the developing device includes, as a toner carrying member, a flat board on which a plurality of rectangular electrodes each extending in a width direction of the flat board is arranged at a predetermined pitch in a longitudinal direction of the flat board. The developing device causes the toner to sequentially move from one end to the other end of the flat board in the longitudinal direction by hopping, so that the toner is conveyed to a developing area. An electrode substrate is opposed to an area other than the developing area on the surface of the toner carrying member with a predetermined gap. The electrode substrate limits a hopping height of the toner, so that it is possible to prevent the splattering of the toner due to a high hopping height of the toner. Because ends of the electrode substrate in its width direction are curved toward the toner carrying member, a distance between the electrode substrate and the toner carrying member is smaller at the ends than at a middle area in the width direction. With this configuration, an electric field formed at the ends of the surface of the toner carrying member in the width direction is oriented in a direction from the ends toward the middle area. Thus, when the toner is about to move from above the toner carrying member outward by hopping, the toner is attracted by the electric field at the ends of the toner carrying member in the width direction and moved back to an area above the toner carrying member whereby the splattering of the toner in the width direction is prevented. With the developing device having the above configuration, even if the intensity of the electric field is relatively high enough to develop the isolated dot in a proper manner, it is possible to prevent the splattering of the toner.
However, the arrangement of the electrode substrate makes the configuration of the developing device complicated. Especially, if the cylindrical toner carrying member is employed as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-133389, the outer surface of the cylindrical toner carrying member is covered with the electrode substrate, resulting in poor maintenance performance.

Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus


The pruning shears have a link pivotally connecting the force-lever arm of the cutter with the tang and a strap bridging the cutter and tang. In this way, the tilting movement, to which the joints are otherwise exposed, is counteracted by the strap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pruning shears having a cutter with a cutting lever articulated thereon. On a force lever arm, which includes the cutter, there is provided a gripping handle and the load lever arm includes a tang pivoted via another joint. On the tang there is provided another gripping handle. The force lever arm of the knife is connected to the tang by a link which is pivoted via joints.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In pruning shears which are frequently subjected to high forces, there is the danger that, as a result of the clearance necessary for technical reasons between the pivot hole and the pivot pin, the joint, together with the part pivoted to it, will tilt apart to a greater or lesser extent depending on the tolerance. This angular deviation between the axis of the hole and the axis of the joint results in the separation of the cutter and tang, which are placed obliquely with respect to the cutting lever. This can lead to a jamming of the shears since the pivot heads rub in a precise manner against their resting surfaces. Furthermore, this angular displacement leads to an elongation of the pivot pins, which are thereby subjected to an unnecessarily strong load.


An apparatus and method for efficiently transmitting/receiving a control channel in a mobile communication system simultaneously supporting a synchronous High-Rate Packet Data (HRPD) system and an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system. Power of a control channel to be transmitted is measured. The measured power is compared with marginal maximum power set by a higher layer. According to the comparison result, information indicating whether a previous reverse packet has been successfully received and power control information for controlling power of a reverse link is inserted and transmitted in at least one of a Medium Access Control (MAC) channel and an OFDM symbol.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving data in a multicarrier High-Rate Packet Data (Nx HRPD) system, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for efficiently transmitting/receiving a control channel in a mobile communication system simultaneously supporting a synchronous HRPD system and an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the rapid development of communication technologies, mobile communication systems can provide not only the conventional voice service but also a high-rate data service in which large-volume digital data such as E-mails, still images, moving images, and the like can be transmitted to mobile terminals.
Representative examples of current mobile communication systems for providing high-rate data services are EVolution Data Only (EV-DO) and OFDM systems, and the like. To provide a forward transmission rate of about 2.4 Mbps, the EV-DO system has evolved from the conventional Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 1× corresponding to one of the high-rate data service standards proposed by Qualcomm, a company in the United States. The EV-DO system is called a High-Rate Packet Data (HRPD) system.
A representative wireless mobile communication system using a multicarrier transmission scheme is an OFDM transmission scheme. The OFDM transmission scheme parallel converts a serially input symbol stream, modulates parallel symbols in multiple subcarriers orthogonal to each other, and transmits the modulated symbols. With the development of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technologies after the early 1990's, OFDM transmission systems have began to come into the spotlight.
Since an OFDM transmission scheme modulates data using multiple subcarriers and maintains orthogonality between the multiple subcarriers, the OFDM transmission scheme is more robust to a frequency selective multipath fading channel as compared with an existing single carrier modulation scheme. The OFDM transmission scheme is suitable for high-rate packet data services such as a broadcast service and the like.
Next, a slot structure and a transmitter structure in a Forward Link (FL) of a conventional HRPD system will be briefly described.
FIG. 1 shows slot structure of the FL in the conventional HRPD system. A half slot is repeated within one slot in which data is transmitted in the FL of the HRPD system. Npilot-chip pilot signals 101 are inserted into the centers of the half slots and are used for channel estimation of the FL in a receiver of a mobile terminal. NMAC-chip Medium Access Control (MAC) signals 102 and 103 including reverse power control information and resource allocation information are transmitted on both sides of the pilot signals 101. NData-chip data 104 and 105 are transmitted on both sides of the MAC signals 102 and 103. The FL slot in the HRPD system is multiplexed in a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) scheme in which pilot signals, MAC information, data, and the like are transmitted at different times.
On the other hand, the MAC information is multiplexed in a CDMA scheme using Walsh codes. In the FL of the HRPD system, a unit size of each pilot signal block is set to Nplot=96 chips, a unit size of each MAC signal block is set to NMAC=64 chips and a unit size of each data block shown in FIG. 1 is set to NData=400 chips.
FIG. 2 shows a transmitter structure of the FL in the conventional HRPD system. The transmitter is constructed with a channel encoder 201 for channel encoding received packet data, a channel interleaver 202 for interleaving the encoded packet data, and a modulator 203 for modulating the interleaved packet data. Data of a MAC channel passes through a channel encoder 205. A TDM multiplexer (MUX) 206 multiplexes pilot signals, MAC signals and data into a physical link of the slot structure as shown in FIG. 1. Data output from the TDM MUX 206 is transmitted to a mobile terminal through a carrier modulator 207 and an antenna (not shown). In FIG. 2, reference numeral 208 denotes an HRPD compatible processor compatible with a multicarrier HRPD (Nx HRPD) system. The HRPD compatible processor 208 includes the MAC channel encoder 205, the TDM MUX 206 and the carrier modulator 207.
FIG. 3 shows a packet transmission relation between an FL and a Reverse Link (RL) in the conventional HRPD system. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows structures of forward and reverse slots according to reverse packet transmission in legacy Rev. A and B systems. An RL subpacket 300 is included and transmitted in four slots in the legacy system supporting a high-rate packet service.
In terms of the forward slots mapped to the reverse slots, ACKnowledged/Non-ACKnowledged (ACK/NACK) information indicating whether the RL subpacket 300 has been successfully received is allocated to three slots. Also, Power Control Bit (PCB) information for ensuring a channel state of the RL subpacket 300 is allocated and transmitted in one slot.
In other words, in the legacy HRPD Rev. A and B systems, a terminal transmits the RL subpacket 300 to a base station in the four slots. The base station allocates the NACK information indicating when the reception of the RL subpacket 300 has failed or the ACK information indicating when the reception of the RL subpacket 300 has succeeded, to an ACK/NACK field in three slots of the FL. The base station allocates and transmits the PCB information in one slot. The ACK/NACK and PCB information is transmitted in an existing MAC channel.
However, the legacy HRPD Rev. A and B systems may not sufficiently support efficient use of frequency resources and broadband data transmission used by a next-generation system. A scheme for efficiently transmitting control information according to broadband data transmission should be embodied in the next-generation system.

Apparatus and method for efficiently transmitting/receiving a control channel in a mobile communication system simultaneously supporting a synchronous HRPD system and an OFDM system


A motor vehicle hood latch mechanism for engaging a striker of a hood having a closed locked position and a released position is disclosed. The mechanism includes a latch assembly attached to a chassis member. The latch assembly includes a latch having a locking cam and a pawl movable between a locked position engaging the locking cam and an unlocked position away from the locking cam. A sensor detects the presence of a pedestrian proximate the front of the motor vehicle and generates a signal in response thereto. A deployment spring having an energized position and a released position is retained in an energized position by a release mechanism responsive to the signal generated by the sensor, such that actuation of the release mechanism releases the resilient member and rotates the pawl to the unlocked position to release the latch.

Latch assemblies for motor vehicles are generally well-known in the art. In most motor vehicles, a hood is used to enclose the engine or luggage compartment of the motor vehicle. Such hoods are typically situated so as to be opened from the front of the vehicle and hinged along a rearward edge, such that the hood opens from the front of the vehicle. The hood is typically equipped with a striker attached to the lower surface near the forward edge of the hood. The striker is situated to interact and to be restrained by the latch assembly attached to the motor vehicle chassis, likewise located proximate the forward edge of the hood. As is common in the industry, a latch release handle is typically situated in the occupant compartment, typically near the driver's side kick panel or under the instrument panel. The handle is typically connected via a bowden cable to a latch release lever operatively connected to a primary latch of the latch assembly. Upon actuation of the hood release handle in the occupant compartment, the bowden cable pulls on the latch release lever, thereby releasing the striker from the primary latch of the latch assembly.
A secondary hood latch is also common in such latch assemblies. Such secondary hood latches must be manually operated while in front of the vehicle, such that in the event of an inadvertent release of the primary latch handle or failure of the primary latch while the vehicle is in motion, the hood will not abruptly raise due to wind pressure. Rather, the secondary latch requires a person standing in front of the vehicle to manually operate the secondary latch to free the hood striker from the secondary latch of the latch assembly, thereby allowing the hood to be fully raised, providing access to the engine in the engine compartment and/or luggage within the luggage compartment.
In the context of such latch assemblies having primary and secondary hood latches, the deployment module disclosed herein addresses and solves the problem of pedestrian head injuries occurring in the event of a frontal impact by a motor vehicle. These head injuries are primarily caused by the pedestrian's head impacting the vehicle hood subsequent to the initial collision event. That is, pedestrians are generally hit at the legs first, with the body then rotating about an axis parallel to the vehicle lateral axis, followed by the head impacting the hood. However, given the trend to package engine components more efficiently within the engine compartment, very little clearance is provided between the lower surface of the motor vehicle hood and the upper rigid portions of the engine components, particularly such components as the intake manifold and air cleaning assemblies. Thus, in the event of an impact by the pedestrian's head against the hood, there is very little displacement that the hood can provide before encountering a substantially rigid structure that would prevent further deflection of the hood. Similarly, when a pedestrian's head impacts the edges of the hood, there is very little underhood clearance. Thus, the impact force and resulting trauma are magnified in the event of pedestrian injuries.
Heretofore, hood latch assemblies responsive to the presence of a pedestrian have been devised, although they experience certain drawbacks. For example, many prior art hood latch assemblies have rather complicated constructions, which are expensive to manufacture and difficult to repair. Such systems require a redesigned new latch to accommodate the desired function. Other systems have relatively large footprint that tend to obstruct air flow and cooling. Also, such prior art system suffer from higher part count, package complexity, weight, and cost. Hence, a hood latch assembly which overcomes these drawbacks would be advantageous.
The hood latch deployment module disclosed herein particularly accomplishes the foregoing by adapting the present typical motor vehicle latch assembly described above through an add-on module that can be applied to existing designs. The present invention takes advantage of existing structural configurations and uses a sensing device available in many vehicles today, such as radar or other sensing devices that might be used to detect the presence of a pedestrian in the front of the vehicle. At the onset of detecting a pedestrian in front of the vehicle while the vehicle is in forward motion, the sensing device generates a signal that is sent to an actuator, such as a solenoid, situated in and attached to the deployment module to release a resilient member, such as a torsion spring, that in turn releases the primary latch and raise the hood.
Thus, the solution presented by the present disclosure is a relatively low-cost, add-on latch deployment module that abruptly raises the hood by releasing the primary latch and raising the hood to the secondary latch position upon detection of the presence of a pedestrian in front of the vehicle while the vehicle is in forward motion, before the pedestrian head impacts the hood. In some vehicles, for example, the hood is raised approximately 25 mm at the front edge of the hood. When the pedestrian's head impacts the hood, the raised hood allows additional displacement and deflection, thereby absorbing and dissipating greater energy over a longer displacement, thus reducing the amount of force to and energy absorbed by the pedestrian's head and concurrently reducing the trauma to the pedestrian's head. Since the hood is allowed to deflect to a greater total displacement, a head impacting the hood will decelerate over a longer period of time, with lower deceleration levels resulting in less severe head injuries.

Deployable hood latch for pedestrian head protection


Described herein are a method and apparatus including calculating an aggregate peak total traffic demand for all overlapping access points in an interference range, comparing the aggregate peak total traffic demand to a threshold, rejecting a requested new quality of service traffic stream responsive to results of the comparison, calculating a peak total traffic demand for each overlapping access point in the interference range if the requested new quality of service traffic stream is admissible responsive to results of the comparison, comparing the peak total traffic demand for each overlapping access point in the interference range, if the requested new quality of service traffic stream is admissible, to the threshold and one of accepting the requested new quality of service traffic stream and rejecting the requested new quality of service traffic stream responsive to results of the second comparison.

In multicast and broadcast applications, data are transmitted from a server to multiple receivers over wired and/or wireless networks. A multicast system as used herein is a system in which a server transmits the same data to multiple receivers simultaneously, where the receivers form a subset of all the receivers up to and including all of the receivers. A broadcast system is a system in which a server transmits the same data to all of the receivers simultaneously. That is, a multicast system by definition can include a broadcast system.
A station can be any wireless device including but not limited to a computer, a laptop, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a dual mode smart phone, user device, a client device, a mobile terminal and a mobile device. A station can be transmitter, a receiver or a transceiver. Data communicated between devices can be text, audio, video or multimedia or any other kind of data. Data is usually formatted into packets and or frames. That is, frames and packets are formats into which the data is packaged for transmission convenience.
In the past several years, there has been a rapid growth of wireless network deployment in school campuses, shopping malls, hotels, airports, apartment buildings, and in homes. Emerging technology such as IEEE 802.11n radios make delivering multimedia contents over wireless networks possible. This increased deployment drives the technology deeper into our daily lives. Since the number of available wireless channels is limited, these channels have to be used or shared by multiple access points (APs) or base stations (BSs). In a dense deployment environment, for example in a multi-dwelling unit deployment with many APs in an apartment building or hotel, APs tend to interfere with each other. This impacts the throughput of wireless networks including the quality of service for multimedia streaming applications.
In the prior art, it has been proposed that each WLAN access point (AP) advertise the WLAN traffic load and the total traffic load that it estimates in the directly overlapping APs/WLANs in order to help other APs select operating channels and sharing of the operating channels. The total shared traffic load information advertised (provided) by an AP is the sum of the allocated traffic of this AP/WLAN, plus the value of the allocated traffic load of the overlapping APs/WLANs. The overlapping APs/WLANs are the APs/WLANs that can "hear" and interfere each other. For example, in FIG. 1, AP1 will advertise the traffic load of WLAN1 in its beacon or other management (control) signal (frames, packets). If AP1 shares the same channel and can hear the beacons from AP2, AP3, and AP4, AP1 will also advertise the sum of the traffic load of AP1/WLAN1, AP2/WLAN2, AP3/WLAN3, and AP4/WLAN4 in the total shared traffic load field. If AP1 can only hear the beacons from AP2/WLAN2 and AP3/WLAN3, not AP4/WLAN4, the total traffic load field advertised by AP1 is the sum of the traffic load of AP1/WLAN1, AP2/WLAN2, and AP3/WLAN3. However the total traffic load information advertised by an AP in its beacon or other management (control) signals (frames, packets) causes ambiguity. For example in FIG. 1, when AP2 receives the total traffic load information from AP1, AP2 does not know whether the total traffic load value from AP1 includes the traffic load of AP4/WLAN4 or not because AP2 does not know whether AP1 can hear AP4/WLAN4 and considered and included the AP4's/WLAN4's traffic load information in AP1's estimation of the total traffic load. Therefore, AP2 cannot make an optimal channel selection decision or a decision to share the channel with AP1.

Method for adding a new quality of service traffic stream in a multiple wireless network environment


A programmable low dropout regulator includes an operational amplifier which is used both to provide a bandgap voltage and to drive an output load. In one embodiment implemented in an integrated circuit, external resistors are provided by the user to achieve a user-selected regulated voltage. In that embodiment, an input pin allows the user to select also internal resistors which provide a predetermined regulated voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to voltage regulators, and in particular relates to temperature independent voltage regulators.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The base-to-emitter voltage (V.sub.be) of a conducting transistor bipolar is known to be highly stable, having a temperature coefficient of -2 mV per .degree.C. The stability of this voltage results from a physical property of the silicon PN junction--the energy gap ("bandgap") in silicon between the top of the valence band and the bottom of the conduction band. Thus, if the bandgap voltage is matched with a voltage which temperature coefficient is approximately 2 mV per .degree.C., a substantially temperature independent voltage regulator can be achieved. Such a voltage regulator is known in the art as a "bandgap" regulator.

Low cost programmable low dropout regulator


An anhydride and resorcinol latent catalyst system for a phenolic resole resin provides a resin having long pot life and long shelf life, yet cures quickly thereafter.

Phenolic resins are the reaction product of a phenol and an aldehyde. Phenolic resins are available in two types: novolac resins and resole resins. Novolac resins have a molar excess of the phenolic compound. Novolac resins are not thermosetting resins. Rather, they require a catalyst to cure. Resole resins have a molar excess of the aldehyde compound, and are thermosetting. However, catalysts can be used with resole resins.
Phenolic resins are known in the art, inter alia, as versatile binders for composite materials suitable for many uses. In particular, phenolic resins are used to form materials that can be molded, with or without pressure, to form a desired shape. For example, phenolic resole resins are used as binders to produce structural panels and other products.
Because phenolic resole resins are cured by heat or chemically (by addition of acid, for example), they are particularly suited for molding processes. Molded products can be formed of resin alone, or can include substrates. For example, phenolic resins are used to form parts that are resin alone, and to bind together wood pieces to form composite boards, such as plywood or oriented strand board. Other material, such as fiber and wire, can serve as reinforcement for the resin. Other types of substrates also are known. For example, metal parts may be placed in a mold, which then is filled with resin. The molded piece thus incorporates the metal pieces in the resin.
Resin used for molding is required to satisfy many processing requirements. Phenolic resole resin is used in various processes, such as molding, pultrusion, forming of shaped reinforced objects, and forming of shaped objects with pressure. Whereas some of these processes require only mixing of resin with substrate, then curing, other processes require impregnation of the substrate, which might be in the form of a woven or non-woven mat or fiber. Each of these processes makes different demands on the resin.
Phenolic resole resins often are cured, or advanced, through three stages, specifically, A-stage, B-stage, and C-stage. An A-stage resin is a liquid wherein the reactants are mixed and may have begun to cure, but is not fully cured. A B-stage resin is an A-stage resin that is partially cured or dried. A C-stage resin is a fully cured resin. The time for which a resin can remain in each phase thus may be important to processability of the resin and the product containing it.
Resole resins used in processes that require impregnation of a mat or fiber, such as a process of making a reinforced composite product, require control of the pot life, or gel time of the resin. Pot life denotes the period during which the resin, in whatever stage, is suitable for use in the impregnation and manipulation steps of a process that may include impregnation, manipulation, hardening, and curing steps. Examples of such processes include processes that require saturation of a substrate with resin. Saturation of paper, such as kraft paper for formation of laminates and other papers, such as to form treated filters, is a particular example of such processes. Saturation of a woven or unwoven mat of fibers, such as glass fibers, for manufacture of reinforced structural members and pieces, is another example of such processes. After the impregnation and manipulation steps, the resin may be hardened, or cured.
Some applications require adequate 'shelf life' of the resin-impregnated substrate. Such an application requires that, during advancement, the B-staged, impregnated substrate be shelf-stable, i.e., afford the opportunity to keep the resin impregnated into the substrate at the B-stage. Thus, resins that proceed rapidly from A-stage to C-stage are unsuitable for such an application. The 'shelf life' is the period during which the resin remains in the B-stage. Thus, it is desired that the resin advance to B-stage quickly and have adequate shelf life at B-stage. Then, when the resin is again advanced, it should harden and cure quickly.
An uncatalyzed phenolic resole resin may provide a pot life sufficient to afford a reasonable opportunity to impregnate a substrate and manipulate the impregnated substrate. However, such a resin requires a long oven time (a long heating time) to advance through B-stage to cure. Such typical heat-reactive resins take too long to cure. Such resins require a long oven time to advance to B-stage, and then to complete cure.
One way to induce hardening is to add a chemical that catalyzes the reaction to induce hardening at the appropriate time. For example, addition of an acid is a known method for inducing curing. Such resins often are called acid-catalyzed resins.
Acid catalysis causes a phenolic resin to cure quickly. Acids used for such resins include the mineral acids, such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid; organic acids, such as oxalic acid and maleic acid; and organic anhydrides, such as maleic anhydride. Resins at low pH in the presence of acid have a very fast cure, and a relatively short pot life. Typically, the pot life of such acid-cured resins is too short for processes that require impregnation and manipulation steps.
Latent catalyst systems were developed in an attempt to ameliorate the rapid cure rate of acid-catalyzed resins. Latent catalyst systems include phosphite hardeners. Latent catalyst systems typically provide a longer pot life than do acid catalyst systems. Indeed, the pot life may be sufficient for impregnation of substrates. However, latent catalyst systems typically cure too quickly upon heating, curing quickly from A-stage to C-stage. Therefore, these resins are unsatisfactory for systems requiring impregnation and storage life for substrate impregnated with resin and advanced to the B-stage.
It is possible to improve the cure speed of a resole resin by increasing the pH. However, to do so may create other problems. Adjusting the pH of a typical phenolic resole resin to 7-8 provides a resin with an appropriate pot life required for impregnation of substrate. However, such a resin cures slowly and typically has a poor shelf life. Hydroxides and organic amines typically are used to increase pH and accelerate hardening in these resins, but at the expense of pot life.
These catalyst systems illustrate the difficulty in producing a phenolic resole resin system that meets the requirements of processes that require reasonable pot time for impregnation and manipulation to a B-stage, yet cure quickly when advancement to the C-stage is desired. Thus, there exists a need for a phenolic resole resin that has a pot life suitable for impregnation of substrate, a long shelf life when partially cured, and a rapid cure rate thereafter.

Anhydride and resorcinol latent catalyst system for improving cure characteristics of phenolic resins


An improved brake structure for casters including a caster frame having a through pivot hole, two rollers mounted pivotally at the ends of the through pivot hole of the caster frame and having inner teeth, a rotary shaft pivotally mounted at a rear end of the caster frame to support an object such as a leg of a table or chair, a trigger element pivotally mounted at a front end of the caster frame, a first stop element for stopping the relative movement of the inner teeth of the rollers, a first spring element for urging the first stop element. The brake structure is characterized in that a second stop element is pivotally disposed below the trigger element and capable of horizontal displacement. The second stop element includes a front urging portion and a rear bent baffle wall. The trigger element further includes a trigger tab extending downwardly therefrom. When the trigger element deflects, the trigger tab will push the baffle wall. A second spring element is provided to urge against the second stop element. A stop ring is further provided at a rear end of the rotary shaft relative to the front end of the second stop element. The stop ring is provided with at least two notches at its outer periphery. The front urging end of the second stop element may engage the notches to achieve synchronous braking of the rollers and the rotary shaft.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a caster, and more particularly to an improved brake for casters.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Casters enable tables, chairs, etc., to move along surfaces with convenience. They are also equipped with brakes to stop their movement when desired to keep them fixed in position. With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional caster is comprised of a caster frame 1, having a through hole 1A. A roller 2 is pivotally provided at both sides of the through hole 1A. The inner circumference of the roller 2 is provided with a plurality of teeth 2A. The rear side of the caster frame 1 is provided with a rotary shaft 3 capable of free rotation. The bottom end of the rotary shaft 3 is fixedly provided with a gear 4. The front side of the caster frame 1 is pivotally provided with a trigger element 5 that can be pulled upwardly or downwardly. A stop element 6 is pivotally disposed below. The stop element 6 is punched into a V-shape having a pivot 6A in the middle, both sides or arms thereof being capable of swinging movement about the pivot 6A. The left end of the stop element 6 is bent upwardly to form a forked projecting insert portion 7 which may engaging the teeth at both sides of the gear 4. The right end of the stop element 6 is bent to form a support portion 8, an elastic plate 9 being disposed at the back side of the support portion 8 an integrally punched therewith. A spring 9A is also disposed at one side of the support portion 8 to provide the support portion 8 with a lateral resilient force. When the trigger element 5 is pulled upwardly, the support portion 8 compresses the elastic plate 9. When the trigger element 5 is pulled downwardly, releasing its force on the support portion 8, the resilience of the elastic plate 9 will push it upward to engage with the teeth 2A of the roller 2 for positioning purposes. However, in actual operation, since the stop element 6 is supported at the pivot to urge upwardly, it may deform in shape due to metal fatigue so that the insert portion 7 cannot easily align with the gear 4. Furthermore, the compression pitch of the elastic plate 9 may be too small so that the reset tension is unstable and inadequate, thus the stopping effects on the roller 2 and the gear 4 of the rotary shaft 3 are not good. The stop element 6 may easily break due to metal fatigue through prolonged use.


An acoustoelectric transformation chip for a ribbon microphone includes a diaphragm that has a vibrating region and two fixing regions disposed on two opposite sides of the vibrating region, and a voice coil film formed on the diaphragm. The voice coil film includes two rectangular voice coils, each of which has a plurality of first and second connection segments parallel to a direction of a magnetic field. A plurality of first and second transverse segments are perpendicular to the first and second connection segments and are connected between the first and second connection segments. The second transverse segments of each voice coil are disposed on one of the fixing regions. The first transverse segments of the two voice coils are disposed in the vibrating region.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a chip, more particularly to a transformation chip for a ribbon microphone.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional acoustoelectric microphones (MICs) are classified into three categories, namely, condenser MICs, piezoelectric MICs, and ribbon MICs.
A condenser MIC is characterized in that a deformable diaphragm vibrated by an external sound wave is a condenser. The change in capacitance of the condenser during vibration is transformed into small voltages corresponding to the sound wave. The small voltages are amplified and outputted as electric signals for subsequent operation of the condenser MIC. A piezoelectric MIC is characterized in that a diaphragm activated by an external sound wave is made of a piezoelectric material such as quartz. The diaphragm deformed by the sound wave can generate voltages by virtue of inherent piezoelectric properties, thus transforming the sound wave into voltage signals for subsequent operations in the piezoelectric MIC.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional ribbon MIC 1 comprises a housing 11, a set of magnetism devices 12 disposed in the housing 11 to generate a magnetic field along a direction 100, and a diaphragm 13 that can respond to an external sound wave and deform accordingly. A conductive voice coil 14 is disposed on the diaphragm 13 to interact with the magnetic field. When the diaphragm 13 vibrates in response to a sound wave, the voice coils 14 segment magnetic lines of force and thereby generate induced currents as electric signals for subsequent operation. In practice, the larger the number of magnetic lines of force segmented by the voice coils 14, the higher will be the induced current that is generated, and the better will be the sensitivity of the MIC 1. Consequently, the diaphragm 13 and the voice coil 14 are usually designed to have a corrugated configuration.
Acoustoelectric transformation in a ribbon MIC 1 relies on the vibration of the diaphragm 13 in response to the soundwave that pushes the voice coil 14. Generally, a lighter weight of the diaphragm 13 and a finer size of the voice coil 14 facilitate sensing of weak sound waves and ceasing and repeating movements of the diaphragm 13 and the voice coil 14 within a short time, that is to say, the better the sensitivity of the MIC 1, the better will be the frequency response characteristics.
However, the weights and sizes of the diaphragm 13 and the voice coil 14 are limited by the conventional fabrication process of the conventional ribbon MIC 1, particularly, by mechanical processing steps that produce the diaphragm 13 and the voice coil 14. Therefore, the diaphragm 13 and the voice coil 14 of the conventional ribbon MIC 1 cannot be reduced in weight and size, and the signals generated therefore tend to attenuate at high and low frequencies.
In Taiwanese Publication No. 200845799 and No. 200845800, methods using techniques of semiconductor fabrication and microelectromechanical system (MEMS) to manufacture an acoustoelectric chip package for a ribbon MIC including micro-sized diaphragm and voice coil are proposed. However, since the total length of a voice coil to be displaced in a magnetic field is also an important parameter, there is still a need for increasing the total length of a voice coil for an acoustoelectric chip package of a ribbon MIC.

Acoustoeletric transformation chip for ribbon microphone


Methods are provided for mechanically chopping nanotubes and other nanoscale fibrous materials. The method includes forming a macroscale article which include the nanoscale fibers, and then mechanically cutting the macroscale article into a finely divided form. In one embodiment, these steps are repeated. The nanoscale fibers may be carbon nanotubes, which optionally are aligned in the macroscale article. The macroscale article may be in the form of or include one or more buckypapers. In one embodiment, the macroscale article further includes a solid matrix material in which the nanoscale fibers are contained or dispersed. The forming step can include making a suspension of nanoscale fibers dispersed in a liquid medium and then solidifying the liquid medium to form the macroscale article. After the mechanical cutting step, the medium can be dissolved or melted to enable separation of the chopped nanoscale fibers from the medium.

This invention relates generally to carbon nanotubes and nanofibers, and more particularly to methods for manipulating the length and functionality of carbon nanotube and nanofiber materials, preferably without sidewall damage.
Take single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as an example. SWNTs are reported to have a high elastic modulus in the range of 500-600 GPa, with a tensile elastic strength of about 200 GPa. SWNTs are considered among the most promising reinforcement materials for the next generation of high-performance structural and multifunctional composites, as well as nanotube-based device applications. However, developing these SWNT-based materials and devices poses major challenges. Their large surface area, high van der Waals attraction, and large aspect ratios cause SWNTs to bond together and form long bundles and ropes. This specific phenomenon is called nanoscale self-assembly, which creates problems in nanotube dispersion and tube-to-tube sliding under tension. The interfacial bonding between the SWNTs and the matrix is usually poor due to the nanotubes' structure perfection and high chemical stability. This also causes load transfer problems, such that SWNTs will pull out from the matrix in nanocomposites instead of fracturing.
In addition, the SWNT hollow structure cannot be effectively used since conventional nanotubes are very long (relative to their diameter) and capped with fullerene structures. Nanotubes should prove to be good molecule containers for various novel applications, such as storage of hydrogen and drugs, as well as enhancing interfacial bonding with other materials at open ends, if they can be properly uncapped and functionalized at open ends.
Opened nanotubes are highly desired for the development of high performance materials and devices, for both scientific research and industrial applications. Accordingly, a number of techniques have been developed to cut nanotubes. Chopping nanotubes to create open ends in the tubes is an effective technical solution to enhance tube dispersion and interfacial bonding in nanocomposites. However, directly cutting or chopping nanotube materials is extremely difficult, due in part to the small size of nanotubes (typically several nanometers in diameter and less than one micron in length).
Current methods for shortening or cutting nanotubes can be classified into two basic categories: chemical methods and physical methods. Most chemical methods use highly concentrated acid to treat the nanotubes, potentially seriously damaging or destroying the nanotubes' unique molecular structure, which consequently would lead to significant degradation or loss of mechanical and functional nanotube properties. On the other hand, conventional physical cutting methods are time-consuming and difficult to control, requiring expensive equipment, while offering severely limited processing capacity. For example, with grinding and milling (e.g., with ceramic balls) techniques, it is difficult to control the length of the nanotubes and the process is time-consuming. Sonication cutting methods may damage the nanotubes' sidewalls. As still a further example, cutting with the aid of expensive high-resolution microscopes, such a scanning electronic microscope (SEM), an atomic force microscope (AFM), or with a lithography technique, would allow better control of the nanotube length, but only a few tubes or tube ropes could be processed at a time.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide improved methods for cutting or chopping carbon nanotubes, so as to effectively and efficiently control the length and functionality of the carbon nanotubes and nanofiber materials while minimizing sidewall damage. It would also be desirable to fill chopped nanotubes and enhance nanotube dispersion and interfacial bonding for producing high performance nanocomposites and device applications.

Method for mechanically chopping carbon nanotube and nanoscale fibrous materials

Florida State University Research Foundation


Embodiments of the invention provide a method, device, and turbopump configured to suppress higher order cavitations at an inducer tip in a turbopump. An inducer having a tip is rotated, and a first flow is induced axially through the inducer at a first velocity. A second fluid flow is introduced toward a tip of the inducer substantially parallel to the first fluid flow at a second velocity that is greater than the first velocity, such that back flow through the tip of the inducer is reduced.

Inducers are typically utilized as the first pumping element of centrifugal and axial flow pumps to lower the inlet pressure at which cavitation results in pump head (discharge pressure) loss. Inducers include blades that are designed to operate in a passage with a small positive incidence angle between the fluid angle relative to a blade pressure side angle as the fluid enters an area between the operating blades know as a blade row. A tip clearance between the blade tip and a wall of the passage is necessary to allow the blade tip to operate within the passage.
Camber is then added to blade geometry after the fluid is captured in the blade row to add work to the fluid raising its tangential velocity and static pressure. The small positive incidence angle near the blade tip is selected based on the gross uniform axial velocity. Because of boundary layer losses and a back flow at the blade tip that flows through the tip clearance, the actual incidence angle relative to fluid in the tip clearance is larger due to the momentum exchange and mixing resulting in lower axial velocity of the fluid. The larger incidence angle results in a larger differential pressure across the blade tip near the leading edge, which, in turn, results in larger back flow through the tip clearance. This dynamic feedback mechanism develops a queasy steady state condition at most inlet pressure and flow rate vs. operating speed conditions.
At operating speed, the velocity of the back flow through tip clearance is sufficient to lower the local static pressure below the fluid vapor pressure resulting in vapor bubbles forming in the high velocity region, which collapse as the velocity is dissipated, and the local static pressure increases. Dynamic instability including higher order rotating cavitation (HORC) and higher order surge cavitation (HOSC) appear as pressure oscillations at inlet pressures. HOSC and HORC, occur when the tip vortex (tip clearance) cavitation cavity is approximately equal to 65% of the blade spacing at the blade tip. The frequency of the higher order oscillations are typically on the order of 5 to 8 times shaft speed, depending on the number of inducer blades and other features that make-up the inducer geometry. The dynamic instability only occurs within a limited flow rate verses speed range, which suggests that it is incidence angle sensitive. At low flow rates, the incidence angle is large resulting in a large cavitation cavity at all inlet conditions. At high flow rates, the incidence angle is small resulting in a small cavitation cavity at all inlet conditions.
Head break down results from blockage due to the cavitation sheet that originates on the suction side of the blade leading edge when the local static pressure falls below the propellant vapor pressure. Leading edge cavitation sheets typically progress from alternate blade cavitation to rotating blade cavitation to gross head loss as the inlet pressure is decreased. Problems associated with these characteristics are avoided by maintaining the margin on break down conditions. The HOSC and HORC are not a result of the cavitation sheet that springs from the blade leading edge, but are instead a function of the tip clearance back flow and the tip vortex cavitation cavity length.
As a result, there is an unmet need in the art to minimize the tip vortex cavitation cavity by suppressing the back flow through the tip clearance.