This invention relates to a cyclone for dense medium separation that includes an inverted conical shaped cyclone body which provides an interior space having an inner wall surface a vortex finder including a lower end that extends longitudinally into an upper region of the interior space of the cyclone body an overflow outlet associated with an upper end of the vortex finder a feed inlet that is in fluid communication with the upper region of the interior space of the cyclone body an outlet associated with a lower region of the interior space and the inner wall surface of the interior space curves inwardly and downwardly from the upper region curves inwardly and downwardly from the upper region of the interior space to the lower region of the interior space.

The flow behaviour of slurries within cyclones is quite complex. This has led designers to rely on empirical equations for predicting performance of cyclones. These empirical relationships are derived from an analysis of experimental data and include the effect of operational and geometric variables. Different sets of experimental data lead to different equations for the same basic parameters. However, these empirical models suffer from the inherent deficiency of any empirical model. That is, the model can only be used within the limits of the experimental data from which the model parameters were determined. In view of this shortcoming, mathematical models based on fluid mechanics are highly desirable.
The numerical technique "Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)" herein means the numerical treatment of the Navier-Stokes equations over a structured/unstructured 3D grid within a cyclone body. Turbulence modeling is achieved by both RSM (Reynolds Stress Model) and LES (Large Eddy Simulations) in order to capture the high swirling flow patterns seen in dense medium cyclones. CFD provides a means of predicting velocity profiles under a wide range of development and operating condition. The numerical treatment of the Navier-Stokes equations, the basic of any CFD technique, crept into the analysis of cyclone behaviour in the early 1980s. This resulted from the rapid Improvement in computers at that time and a better understanding of the numerical treatment of turbulence.
The expression "fine coal dense medium separation process" herein means separation of a fine coal material into dense and less high gravity fraction at a predetermined cut point. In the process the particulate material is carried in a dense liquid medium which typically comprises a mixture of water and particles of dense material such as ultra fine magnetite.
At present, the dense medium cyclone (DMC) is one of the best pieces of processing equipment for washing coal of −20+0.5 mm size. Difficult washing characteristics associated with, for example, many Indian coals are generally due to the present of a high proportion of near-gravity material (NGM). This makes the DFC an obvious choice for most Indian washers. In order to produce low ash clean coal from run-of-mine (ROM) coal, it is necessary to crush the ROM to fine sizes to liberate ash & coal. One of the more efficient methods of beneficiating the generated intermediate size fraction (−2+0.25 mm) fines is dense medium operation is small diameter cyclones.
A known prior art dense medium cyclone is illustrated in FIG. 1. This conventional dense medium cyclone 10 includes a cylindrical inlet chamber 11 into which a mixture of medium and raw coal enters tangentially through an inlet 12, thus forming a strong vertical flow. The refuse or high ash particles move along the wall 13 of the cyclone due to the centrifugal force, where the velocity is the least and is discharged through the underflow orifice 14 or spigot. The lighter washer coal moves towards the longitudinal axis 15 of the cyclone due to the drag force where a high velocity zone exists and passes through an overflow orifice or vortex finder 16, also sometimes termed an overflow chamber. With cyclone of this type, entrainment of fine or slower settling particles occurs in the void spaces between the coarser, or faster settling, particles discharged as the underflow. Turbulence fluctuation inside the cyclone are also expected to be significant due to the collision of the inlet stream with the rotating stream. Due to inadequate standard inlet and body section design, these cyclones are associated with large short-circuit flow and short residence time of the internal upward flow. The through put and performance is limited by the flow through the axial outlet. For many applications therefore, cyclones of this type are operated at a reduced feed rate, in order to obtain the required cut between the low gravity fraction and high gravity fraction.
There us need to develop a new design for a DMC for the recovery of clean coal ash (<8%) from high NGM coals, such as those seen in India. It would be particularly advantageous if a dense medium cyclone having increased efficiency could be devised that is able to produce a product with reduced ash content. It would also be advantageous if a dense medium cyclone could be devised having an increased ability to separate out fine particles efficiently.
A new improved development of DMC for efficient coal separation emphasizing a fines fraction of −2+0.25 mm has been development using a comprehensive CFD model. In particular, a CFD model of the DMC which is capable of predicting the performance of the cyclone has been developed, using Fluent, by coupling component models for the air-core, the magnetite medium Lagrangian particle tracking for particles ranging in size from 0.25 to 2 mm. This has resulted in the invention described below.


A pulse rocket motor has a hollow cylinder-like first grain situated in a rear section of a pressure vessel; a first igniter for igniting the first grain; a hollow cylinder-like second grain situated in a front section of the pressure vessel; a second igniter for igniting the second grain; and a dividing sheet member that covers the second grain within the pressure vessel. The dividing sheet member includes a dividing sheet expanding at least along the inner circumferential surface of the second grain and holders formed integrally with the dividing sheet at both ends of the dividing sheet by cure adhesion and attached to the pressure vessel. The dividing sheet includes a brittle portion that expands along the inner circumferential surface of the second grain through a rear end face of the second grain and is more brittle than other portions.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pulse rocket motor with a plurality of solid fuels.
2. Description of the Related Art
A pulse rocket motor has a configuration in which two or more grains are placed in a single pressure vessel so as to be separated from each other by a dividing sheet or wall. This provides the advantage that combustion timing can be differentiated in a solid fuel rocket in which fuel combustion is not easy to stop and restart.
More specifically, a dual pulse rocket motor has been developed, in which a Pulse 1 grain (first grain) is situated in the rear section of a pressure vessel made of a carbon fiber and epoxy resin composition according to the Filament Winding method; a Pulse 2 grain (second grain) in the front section of the pressure vessel; and a barrier insulator (dividing sheet) is disposed between these grains (International Publication No. WO95/30084).
In the dual pulse rocket motor disclosed in International Publication No. WO95/30084, a fore insulator is situated between the pressure vessel and the Pulse 2 grain, and an aft insulator between the pressure vessel and the Pulse 1 grain. The fore, aft and barrier insulators are synthetic rubber made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). These insulators are partially overlapped and adhered to each other.
According to the method of producing the dual pulse rocket motor described in International Publication No. WO95/30084, components are placed in order from before backwards. First of all, the fore insulator is placed in the inner surface of the pressure vessel, and the Pulse 2 grain is casted and hardened under vacuum. Secondly, the barrier insulator is attached to the Pulse 2 grain and the fore insulator, and the fore insulator is cut off. The aft insulator is attached to the barrier insulator, and the Pulse 1 grain (first grain) is injected and hardened. The insulators have inner surfaces covered with adhesive liners, which are adhered to their respective grains.
To produce the pressure vessel disclosed in International Publication No. WO95/30084, the carbon fiber and epoxy resin composition is molded directly around the grains according to the Filament Winding method. Pressure vessels thus made from resin have lower rigidity than those made from metal. Furthermore, the production method that molds a pressure vessel directly around grains requires the process of covering the fore, aft and barrier insulators with adhesive liners and thus bonding the insulators to the grains, which complicates the production process.
During the combustion of the Pulse 1 grain, the barrier insulator separating the Pulse 1 grain from the Pulse 2 grain is required to prevent flame from being transferred to the Pulse 2 grain. Due to aging degradation, however, there is the possibility that the barrier insulator and the fore insulator are detached from each other in their adhered region, and thus that the barrier insulator fails to prevent the flame transfer.
During the combustion of the Pulse 2 grain, it is also required that the barrier insulator should be broken at a certain position but never fall in order to prevent the barrier insulator from falling and blocking a nozzle. In this respect, International Publication No. WO95/30084 suggests breaking the barrier insulator in the adhered region between the fore insulator and the barrier insulator. It is not easy, however, to break the barrier insulator with proper timing because the setting of breaking strength by adhesion is difficult. Since the insulators are adhered to the grains, the barrier insulator is constrained from being detached from the grain at the time of the combustion of the Pulse 2 grain, which is a problem from the viewpoint of unfailing working.
The invention has been made to solve the foregoing problem. It is an object of the invention to provide a pulse rocket motor that surely prevents flame from being transferred to a second grain at the time of first pulse and reliably carries out second pulse with a simple configuration.

Pulse rocket motor including a dividing sheet for separating the first grain propellant from the second grain propellant


A control unit (1) for switching and controlling functions (6) of household appliances has a continuous control surface (2) with operational areas (3) and a printed film (5). Several piezosensors (4) are arranged on a back of a plate forming the control surface (2), connected firmly and rigidly to the plate. The piezosensors (4) can be located in a film packet (9), for example, through which the piezosensors (4) are electrically connected to a processor (12). Through an offset arrangement of the piezosensors (4) in a matrix pattern direct illumination or back lighting of the printed film (5) can be achieved, thereby improving an operator's visual recognition while permitting accurate recognition of a function by the processor (12). An input filter (15) prevents operator error due to unintentional actuation of the control unit.

This invention relates to a control unit for switching on and off and controlling household appliances, specifically large household appliances such as kitchen ranges (stoves), dishwashers, washing machines, and similar devices. More particularly the invention relates to such a control unit having a control surface without perforations formed by a plate that is stable in form, and a pressure-sensitive signal generator to which a processor is attached for processing electrical signals generated. The invention also relates to a process for switching and controlling household appliances that involves a pressure-sensitive signal generator generating electrical signals that are sent to a processor for analyzing pressure exerted on a control surface for selecting a function.
German patent document (DE 39 20 257 A1) discloses a control unit (control panel) having control elements, with corresponding display elements. Since control buttons are used, an operational area of a control surface is perforated and difficult to clean.
German patent document (DE 42 29 731 A1) discloses a control panel which is included in a built-in housing with a cover plate. In this design, the display and/or control elements of the control panel are arranged on the inside of the cover plate. A household appliance can also be switched and controlled via remote infrared control. Also here buttons are used as control elements.
German patent document (DE 44 07 741 A1) discloses a sensor switching device. In addition to control buttons for switching an appliance on or off a microprocessor is included for switching on or off a power control device, such as a heating element on a cook top of a range, for example. For safety reasons, two control buttons must be pressed in a time sequence for switching the power control device on.
U.S. patent document (U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,785) discloses a pressure-sensitive signal generator. A piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between an electrically conductive substrate, or support material, and electrodes. The piezoelectric layer is present across an entire lower surface of the substrate. Action, or push, points in the form of pads are located on the substrate at specified positions, with an electrode located under the piezoelectric layer corresponding to each action point. When pressure is applied to a pad, an output voltage between the substrate and the respective electrode is modified. When this is done, an output voltage is defined for each pad such that a location where pressure is applied is determined in a signal processor by means of a nominal/actual comparison. An application of pressure beside the pads creates conditions that are indefinable for the signal processor, and operator errors may occur.
It is an object of this invention to provide a control unit for switching and controlling a household appliance in which an operational area of a control surface is not perforated, and, regarding its manipulation positions can be readily adapted to suit requirements of various appliances, and which reduces operator error.

Control unit for switching and controlling household appliances


A method of compressing a collection of images using a variable compression function. In one aspect, the method comprises compressing the set using an initial function. The size of the resulting compressed image set is compared with a predetermined storage capacity. The function is altered based on the difference between the size of the resulting compressed image set and the predetermined storage capacity. The collection of images are compressed using the altered function.

Recently services are being offered where a customer requests a photofinisher to process (that is, chemically develop a roll of film carrying a latent image to yield a fixed image) a roll of film and also provide digitized versions of the photographic images on a storage medium, such as a floppy disk. Because photographic images require large amounts of digital data, and the floppy disk has very limited storage capacity, the digital photographic image files are typically compressed using standard compression methods.
For image compression systems, a fundamental distinction can be made between lossy and lossless compression systems. A lossless compression system will compress and decompress image data in such a way that decompressed image data is exactly the same as the originally input image data. In comparison, the decompressed image data resulting from a lossy compression system will be different from the originally input image data. The human visual system has a minimum detectable threshold that allows us to perceive as the same an original and its decompressed image that have some small amount of real difference between them. By taking advantage of this human visual system threshold, a lossy compression system can provide a higher compression rate without visible degradation in an image.
Another fundamental distinction between image compression systems can be made between variable-rate systems and fixed-rate systems. Rate refers to the number of bits required after compression to represent a given spatial unit (for example, bits/pixel, bits/image, bits/image collection, and the like). A variable-rate compression system is one that produces a variable output data rate, depending on the properties of the input image data. Conversely, a fixed-rate compression system is one that produces a constant output data rate, regardless of the input image data.
The fundamental trade-off in lossy compression systems is between compressed data rate and image quality. For a constant level of image quality, a higher rate is generally needed for an image or image region containing significant detail (that is, signal energy), as compared to a relatively low detail image or image region. A variable-rate system is well-suited to providing a constant level of image quality, since bits are expended as needed to match the image or image region characteristics. In comparison, a fixed-rate system must compromise on image quality for those images or image regions where the available number of bits is insufficient.
When photographic images are compressed using a variable rate lossy compression method, such as JPEG, it is difficult to predict what the final compressed file storage space will be because the actual image content of an individual image will impact the final file storage space of that image. It is easy to predict the size of a compressed file when a fixed compression method is employed.
In designing a compression system, an example of a variable-rate lossy compression method is the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) international standard, as described by W. B. Pennebaker and J. L. Mitchell, "JPEG: Still Image Data Compression Standard," Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York 1993. This reference and all other references cited herein are incorporated by reference. The JPEG system parameter that exerts the largest effect on the compressed data rate is the quantization table specification. There are many possible methods to adjust the JPEG quantization table in order to achieve a predictable file storage space for the image collection. The most straightforward method is to start with an initial quantization table, compress an image or collection of images, and then adjust the initial table by a multiplicative scaling factor if the desired rate is not achieved. A scaling factor greater than one results in more quantization and hence a lower rate than achieved with the initial quantization table. Likewise, a scaling factor less than one results in less quantization and hence a higher rate than that achieved with the initial quantization table. If the desired rate is not achieved after the first adjustment, this adjustment process can be iterated (that is, repeated) until the rate constraint is met. To make such an approach useful in practice, it is necessary to achieve the desired rate in only a few iterations.
When the same JPEG parameters are used to compress two different images, each image results in a different final compressed file storage space due to the contents of the different images. This makes it impossible to predict how much file storage space is required to store a collection of images until the images have actually been compressed.
When trying to guarantee that a collection of compressed images will fit on a limited storage medium such as a floppy disk, a fixed set of JPEG compression parameters could be chosen to insure that all images can be compressed to fit on the disk even if all of the images were highly detailed. Such a set of fixed compression parameters, because they are selected to accommodate the worst case scenario of all images containing high amounts of detail, will over-compress most images. Unfortunately, the more a photographic image is compressed, the more image quality that is lost. Over-compression of photographic images using a lossy compression method results in lost image quality.
In addition, when a consumer has a photographic film processed and the images thereon scanned, with some images the degree of compression required even to barely fit the images on a limited storage medium, such as a diskette, will produce compressed images with unacceptable loss in image quality.
It is therefore desirable to have a compression method that determines the minimum compression necessary for a collection of images so that the actual compressed collection will fit within a limited storage space, such as that provided by a floppy disk, without being over-compressed, so that almost all the available storage space is used. It would also be desirable if for a given collection of images, that the compression method recognizes that the compression required to fit the collection on such a fixed capacity medium produces unacceptable losses and compensates for this situation.

Photographic image compression method and system


A method, system, and program for managing on-demand email storage are provided. An email service provider allocates a predetermined amount of storage space to an intended recipient. When an email is received for the intended recipient at the email service provider, the email service provider determines whether the predetermined storage space has sufficient capacity for storage of the email. If the predetermined storage space is insufficient for storage of the email, then the email service provider allocates on-demand storage space to the intended recipient. The email service provider then stores the email in the on-demand storage space, such that the email is stored, rather than discarded, when the predetermined storage space reaches full capacity. Before allocating on-demand storage space, the email service provider may compare the email characteristics with predefined criteria set by the intended recipient for emails to be stored in on-demand storage space.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to improved messaging systems and in particular to improved filing of electronic messages within messaging systems. Still more particularly, the present invention relates providing and managing on-demand email storage space, such that important emails can be stored, rather than discarded, when the pre-determined email storage space is full.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of electronic mail (email) and other electronic messaging and communications, such as instant messaging, has expanded rapidly over the last few years. Typically, an email application, such as Lotus™ Notes, provides a user interface between the user and an email server that sends and receives email via a network, such as the Internet.
An email server is typically hosted by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other entity that hosts email services. Each ISP typically pre-defines the amount of disk space each user is allowed for holding email and attachments. Some ISPs will provide free email service, with minimal disk space, but accessibility from any computer system. Other ISPs may charge a monthly fee for email access. Further still, some ISPs may provide sufficient disk space, but are accessible only from a system logged into an Intranet.
Regardless of the disk space allowed, when a user's disk space is full, ISPs begin to toss emails, rather than store emails for the intended recipient. To free disk space, users must monitor emails and either transfer emails to a local storage system or delete emails.
Discarding all emails once disk capacity is full is not preferable for many users. In particular, while a user may receive many "junk" emails during the day, the user may also receive many important emails that the user does not want just discarded.
In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a method, system, and program, for enabling a mail user to request on-demand storage capacity, when the predetermined email storage space is full, such that incoming emails that are of importance to the user are stored, rather than discarded. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a method, system, and program for managing on-demand storage, such that a user is only billed for the additional storage capacity temporarily received.

International Business Machines Corporation


An elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion is provided. The elliptical exercise machine, which is adjustable to yield different elliptical paths selectable by a user, comprises a frame, a drive assembly situated on the frame, first and second link arms, the first end of each link arm being rotatably connected to the drive assembly, first and second reciprocating foot supports, the first end of each foot support being pivotally interconnected to the frame, and first and second brackets, wherein the first bracket adjustably connects the first link arm to the first foot support, and wherein the second bracket adjustably connects the second link arm to the second foot support.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to exercise equipment and, more specifically, to elliptical exercise machines.
2. The Relevant Technology
Exercise machines having alternating reciprocating foot supports configured to traverse or travel about a closed path to simulate a striding, running, walking, and/or a climbing motion for the individual using the machine are well known in the art, and are commonly referred to as elliptical exercise machines or elliptical cross-trainers. In general, an elliptical or elliptical-type exercise machine comprises a pair of reciprocating foot supports designed to receive and support the feet of a user. Each reciprocating foot support has at least one end supported for rotational motion about a pivot point, with the other end supported in a manner configured to cause the reciprocating foot support to travel or traverse a closed path, such as a reciprocating elliptical or oblong path or other similar geometric outline. Therefore, upon operation of the exercise machine, each reciprocating foot support is caused to travel or traverse the closed path, thereby simulating a striding motion of the user for exercise purposes. The reciprocating foot supports are configured to be out of phase with one another by 180 degrees in order to simulate a proper and natural alternating stride motion.
An individual may utilize an elliptical exercise machine by placing his or her feet onto the reciprocating foot supports. The individual may then actuate the exercise machine for any desired length of time to cause the reciprocating foot supports to repeatedly travel their respective closed paths, which action effectively results in a series of strides achieved by the individual to obtain exercise, with a low-impact advantage. An elliptical exercise machine may further comprise mechanisms or systems for increasing the resistance of the motion. In addition, the reciprocating motion of the feet to achieve a series of strides may be complemented by a reciprocating movement of the arms, whether assisted by the exercise machine via a suitably configured mechanism or system, or unassisted.
Although elliptical exercise machines may comprise mechanisms or systems for increasing the resistance of motion, there is no practical way to readily adjust the level of exercise on a given machine. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism to readily vary the level of exercise on an elliptical exercise machine.

Elliptical exercise machine with adjustable foot motion


A lateral sheet registering device for registering sheets transported along a path including a lateral registration edge positioned along the path. An apparatus is provided for driving sheets laterally and along the path so that a lateral edge of a sheet is registered along the lateral registration edge and so that sheets are transported along the path. The invention further includes a gate positioned in the path opposite said lateral registration edge for engaging an edge of a sheet to oppose rotation of such sheet in the path. The gate also is positioned to permit unimpeded transport of the lead edge of a sheet so that larger sheets are transportable within the path.

Sheet handling devices of the type used in printing devices, such as electrophotographic printing machines, image input scanning devices, and the like, are well known. They are generally referred to in two categories being document handlers, which are used to transport sheets of material bearing images including, for example, Mylar, vellum, paper and the like, and copy sheet handlers, which transport sheets of similar material which, at least initially, generally are not image bearing. Both types of handlers are frequently employed with electrophotographic printing machines. That is, printers, duplicators and copiers commonly employ sheet handling devices to transport sheets to and from image imprinting stations (e.g., a transfer station in an electrographic printing machine) and image reproduction or imaging input station (e.g., an image input scanning station in an electrophotographic.printing machine). Image input devices which include scanners and the like, also employ sheet handling devices of the type to which this invention relates image bearing sheet to and from an imaging station.
In such devices employing such sheet handlers, inhibiting skew of the sheet transported is an important function to provide acceptable performance. For example, in electrophotographic printing machines employing copy sheet handlers, inhibiting skewing of transported sheets, and thus improving registration of sheets transported through the transfer station, is necessary to provide an output copy sheet having the image imparted thereto appear as desired (e.g., centered and aligned). Failure to provide registration in such cases, generally, results in unacceptable results (e.g., skewed images, images extending off a sheet and the like). Likewise, failure to control skewing and to register sheets bearing images, also known as documents, in document handlers results in the image produced therefrom to be similarly affected. Thus, in single automatic sheet feeding devices, such as document feeders known as semi-automatic document feeders, as well as automatic document feeders, and in sheet feeders known as by-pass sheet feeders, as well as automatic sheet feeders, skew control of the fed sheet is important in many applications, including particularly, those requiring registration of a fed sheet.
Many devices have been developed and techniques are used to register sheets. These devices include side or lateral registration edges in the loading areas of the sheets to be fed. In these cases, the user is required to load sheets for feeding proximate the edge. Active registering devices, such scuffer rollers, cross-rolls and the like have been used to achieve satisfactory results, in most cases. Users thereof who have properly inserted the sheet, achieve such results, provided that the lateral force is not to great to buckle the sheet and great enough to move the sheet. Therefore, many forms of apparatus and devices have been employed in registering and providing registration for sheets and/or documents transported in such sheet handling devices. Nevertheless, in certain cases lateral registration fails, particularly when heavy or special sheets are used. In some instances, this failure can result in the rotation or skewing of the sheet 90.degree. from the desired registration. Besides resulting in misimaging of the sheet (i.e., an image is improperly formed from or on the sheet), these failures can also cause jams and other similar problems.
Applicants have noticed, for example, that in devices using cross-roll and scuffer-roll registering devices which are intended to laterally register a sheet and then have the sheet once registered slide along a lateral registration edge, heavier weight sheets such as label bearing sheets (e.g., AccoBrand labels), as well as vellum and the like, the sheets as fed, often laterally register on the so-called short edge despite the fact that they were to be laterally registered along the so-called long edge when inserted. In fact, the phenomenon appears to occur more frequently the closer the fed sheets are positioned to the lateral side registration edge when initially inserted (e.g., the suggested or preferred method for inserting sheets).
Applicants believe that this error results, generally, from the increased drive force generated on the heavier sheets by the registration devices. That is, for example, in cases of non-adjustable cross rollers, the normal force in the nip on sheets increases as the sheets become thicker. Further, the drag or frictional force engendered by the heavier weight sheets along the lateral registration edge also tend to be greater so that such sheets, instead of slipping in the nip in the lateral direction, tend to rotate or skew. Thus, there exists a need to overcome this type of problem.
The following patents and pending applications may be relevant to this invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,778 PA1 Patentee: Alexander et al. PA1 Issued: Jan. 15, 1991 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,843 PA1 Patentee: Naramore et al. PA1 Issued: May 17, 1988 PA1 U.S. Ser. No. 07/812,086 PA1 Applicant: Acquaviva et al. PA1 Filed: Dec. 23, 1991
These patents and pending applications may be briefly summarized as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,778, incorporated herein by reference discloses a electrophotographic printing machine having a by-pass feeding device with an idler roller to inhibit skewing of a sheet feed along a flat surface of the by-pass feeding device. The idler roller is mounted in the sheet path for rotational contact with a sheet being fed on the centerline of the sheet feeder surface. The idler roll has a high frictional contact surface which is mounted to provide a low drag force in the feeding direction and a high lateral drag force to inhibit skewing.
U.S. Pat. No. Re.33,843 discloses a set of cross-rollers which urge the lateral registration sheets along a registration edge as well as urge the transport of sheets in the process direction. The nip disclosed in this reference is formed by a drive roller and two opposed and separated idler rollers so that a corrugating nip is formed.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/812,086 discloses a variable nip force cross-roll registration device. Specifically, a cross-roll device for laterally registering sheets and driving sheets in the process direction is constructed so that the normal or nip force on sheets in the nip is adjustable to compensate for various weights and characteristics of sheets to be registered by the cross-rolls.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lateral sheet registering apparatus for registering sheets transported along a path comprising a lateral registration edge positioned along the path. This aspect of the invention also includes means for driving sheets laterally and along the path so that a lateral edge of a sheet is registered along the lateral registration edge and so that sheets are transported along the path. The invention further includes a gate device positioned in the path opposite the lateral registration edge for engaging an edge of a sheet to oppose rotation of such sheet in the path. The invention can further include mounting the gate device to oppose rotation when engaged by the lateral edge opposite the lateral registration edge but to permit passage of the leading edge of a sheet which engages the gate.
Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, a sheet handling device comprises a sheet path for receiving sheets and means for transporting sheets along the path in a process direction. The invention according to this aspect also comprises a sheet gate device for exerting an opposed lateral force on sheets transported by the transport means skewing from the process direction and a low force on sheets moving substantially linearly along said path so that sheets are transported substantially freely along the path. The invention can further comprise a second passive sheet gate device position on a side of said path opposed to said first device so that skewing of transported sheets in both rotational (clockwise and counterclockwise) directions is inhibited. This aspect can include positioning the sheet transport means between the opposed first and second gate devices.
Pursuant to still another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for registering sheets comprising the steps of driving sheets along a path, directing sheets in a lateral direction of a registration edge, providing a registration guide opposed to the registration edge to skewing of the sheet in the path.
In accordance with yet a further aspect of this invention an apparatus for feeding sheets over a surface is provided, which comprises a means for feeding sheets over the surface in a process direction, and a gate device positioned to inhibit skewing of a sheet being feed along the surface. The apparatus of this aspect of the invention can further include a registration edge extending along the surface in the process direction, and means for laterally registering sheets fed by the feeding means along the registration edge.
While the present invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all embodiments, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For a general understanding of the features of the present invention, references should be made to the drawings. In the drawings, like numerals have been used to identify identical elements.

Sheet handling apparatus and method for registering a sheet using a gate device


A semiconductor optical element and an optical module in which extinction ratio variation among integrated optical modulation elements is reduced. An optical module has a wavelength multiplexer that multiplexes light respectively emerging from electric-field-absorption modulator (EAM) portions of integrated optical modulation elements, and that outputs the multiplexed light. The integrated optical modulation element has a signal input terminal, a laser element portion, and an EAM portion. Each of the integrated optical modulation elements has a difference between an oscillation wavelength and a barrier layer bandgap wavelength, represented as an LDBG wavelength difference. Variation of the LDBG wavelength differences is limited within a range of ±1 nm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor optical element, an optical module and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor optical element.
2. Background Art
In the conventional optical communication, a communication system called a wavelength division multiplexing communication system is used. In wavelength division multiplexing communication systems, one optical fiber cable simultaneously accommodates optical signals with a plurality of different wavelengths.
In recent years, in wavelength division multiplexing communication systems, the difference between the oscillation wavelength of the shortest-wavelength laser element and the oscillation wavelength of the longest-wavelength laser element has become larger. More specifically, for example, this oscillation wavelength difference is as large as 15 nm in some communication standard.
As an optical module used for wavelength division multiplexing communication, an optical module having a plurality of integrated optical modulation elements combined in one package is known. A typical one of integrated optical modulation elements is an element formed by growing a laser element portion and an electric field absorption type of optical modulator portion provided side by side on a semiconductor substrate.
An optical module formed by arranging a plurality of integrated optical modulation elements on one semiconductor substrate, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-117040 in conjunction with FIG. 4 or the like is conventionally known. A wavelength division multiplexing communication system needs a plurality of different light sources and, therefore, has a plurality of laser element portions with different oscillation wavelengths integrated therein. Optical modulation can be performed on laser lights of different wavelengths from the laser element portions by using electric-field-absorption-type optical modulators.
According to paragraph 0019 in the publication, the electric-field-absorption-type optical modulation portions of the integrated optical modulation elements respectively have light absorption end wavelengths different from each other in the device according to the publication. Further, according to paragraph 0020 in the publication, the differences between the oscillation wavelengths and the light absorption end wavelengths are set within a certain range in the device according to the publication.
Other prior art includes Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-117040, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-144367, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-326414.
As characteristic values of the electric-field-absorption-type optical modulator, the bandgap wavelength λBG of barrier layers and the photoluminescence wavelength λPL of light absorption layers in a case where a multi-quantum-well core layer is used as a light absorption layer exist. There are differences between the oscillation wavelengths that the plurality of laser element portions respectively have and the two characteristic values λBG and λPL that the plurality of electric-field-absorption-type optical modulators respectively have.
The inventors of the present invention earnestly studied and found that the differences between the oscillation wavelengths and the two characteristic values λBG and λPL influence characteristics, such as extinction ratio variation among the plurality of optical modulators.
As described above, the difference between the oscillation wavelength of the shortest-wavelength laser element and the oscillation wavelength of the longest-wavelength laser element has become larger in recent years. It is, therefore, necessary to attach importance to the differences between the oscillation wavelengths and the two characteristic values λBG and λPL that have not been taken into consideration. The inventors of the present invention has found that in an optical module having a plurality of integrated optical modulation elements, extinction ratio variation can be reduced by using new design parameters that have not been used.

Semiconductor optical element, optical module and method of manufacturing semiconductor optical element


Techniques disclosed herein relate to devices that each include one or more photonic integrated circuits and/or one or more electronic integrated circuits. In one embodiment, a device includes a silicon substrate, a die stack bonded (e.g., fusion-bonded) on the silicon substrate, and a printed circuit board (PCB) bonded on the silicon substrate, where the PCB is electrically coupled to the die stack. The die stack includes a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that includes a photonic integrated circuit, and an electronic integrated circuit (EIC) die that includes an electronic integrated circuit, where the EIC die and the PIC die are bonded face-to-face (e.g., by fusion bonding or hybrid bonding) such that the photonic integrated circuit and the electronic integrated circuit face each other. In some embodiments, the device also includes a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the photonic integrated circuit.

Photonic integrated circuits, such as silicon photonic integrated circuits, can be used in many systems, such as communication systems and optical quantum computing systems, which may also include may electronic integrated circuits. The electronic integrated circuits may be used to control the operations of the photonic integrated circuits, or to provide inputs to and/or process outputs from the photonic integrated circuits. In many high performance systems, the interconnects between the photonic integrated circuits and/or the electronic integrated circuits may significantly affect the performance of the systems. In addition, the assembly of the photonic integrated circuits and the electronic integrated circuits may be time consuming and costly. Furthermore, in some applications, such as in some optical quantum computers, the photonic integrated circuits and/or the electronic integrated circuits may work in extreme conditions, such as cryogenic temperature, which may make it even more difficult to integrate the photonic integrated circuits and the electronic integrated circuits.

Quantum computing die assembly with thru-silicon vias


A voice message system for motor vehicles includes an audio reproduction and recording system, and a control that interfaces the audio system with the vehicle function controls. Preferably, an ignition switch sensor signal received at the control initiates a command for playback of current time or periodic time designated messages. The control may also interface with a sensor signal responsive to an air bag diagnostic switch for actuating the recording of vocalized instructions or comments. In addition, a single actuator for immediate recording capability, as well as a microphone for receiving vocalized messages are conveniently packaged in the steering control mechanism.

Many motor vehicles are provided with audio systems. The playback features of most known systems are generally limited to sound reproduction of prerecorded material on media such as compact discs, tape or cassette tape players, and AM/FM radio receivers. One problem with previously known audio systems is that multiplication of the features available to the user often requires a corresponding multiplication of actuators in order to utilize the added features. Accordingly, the user may be confronted with numerous controls or switches to be operated to take advantage of features which are available for playback in the previously known motor vehicle audio systems. As a result, numerous audio systems are difficult to control during operation of the motor vehicle.
In addition, the previously known motor vehicle audio systems do not typically include recording capability in the system.
Further, the process of operating one media unit as a source and another media unit simultaneously as a receiver can be quite complicated with even the most sophisticated equipment, and the complexity of the procedure does not render such a system useful in the context of operating a motor vehicle. For example, a cassette tape media unit's recording function often requires simultaneous actuation of two buttons, both a play button and a record button, after a third actuator power button for the media unit has been actuated. Moreover, the power button of a second media unit and the play button for the media unit used as a source in a recording process must also be actuated. Furthermore, a pause function actuator is also typically used in order to cue the selection at an appropriate time on either or both of the media operating units used as a source or a receiver. Accordingly, previously known systems are not well adapted for the vehicle driver recording messages during vehicle operation as they require a substantial amount of attention.
One previously known attempt to incorporate an improved communication system with an audio system is interfacing between the telephone system and the audio entertainment system of a motor vehicle. In such a system, a prioritizing interface enables the audio system volume to be reduced when a telephone call is being answered by the vehicle user. However, such interfacing involves two complete and independent telephone and audio entertainment systems and is subject to the limitations of the systems. Typically, voice mail features associated with mobile telephones require numerous keyboard inputs in order to activate and retrieve voice mail messages through the system, and such recording and receiving features are unrelated to the audio system. Likewise, the controls for operating the entertainment system do not interact with the controls for the mobile telephone system. Accordingly, a multitude of actuators must be employed by the operator in order to use the limited features of each of the systems. Newer cab forward designs particularly reduce the area for packaging vehicle components.
One previously known apparatus for recording and playback of audio messages in a communication system for use in a motor vehicle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,229. The patent discloses a sun visor incorporating a cellular telephone, a recording medium apparatus and playback of prerecorded tapes. However, such a system merely joins the multiple actuators and features of the independent telephone, record and playback actuators as well as independent recording and reproduction equipment, as well as microphones and speakers, in a single unit. The patented visor does not incorporate the features of existing audio reproduction equipment that may also be carried in the vehicle. The actuator or keyboard panel is a complicated combination of previously known independent apparatus features arranged in a conglomeration on a single key pad which further diverts the user's attention from the road. Moreover, the user's hand must be positioned in front of the user's face in order to reach the controls and operate them in the manner of the previously known independent systems. In addition, the features of this system do not interact with vehicle operating systems so as to be responsive to particular conditions experienced during operation of the motor vehicle in an automatic reactionary response. Furthermore, incorporation of all systems within the sun visor substantially increase the weight and complexity of the sun visor structure, and thus requires reinforcement of the mounting and swivel joint structures of the sun visor.
Another previously known combination of independent communication systems in a motor vehicle is disclosed in European Publication No. 029747382. The apparatus includes a radio system for traffic broadcast reception with a digital memory for recording a traffic announcement. The apparatus includes a control system that stores broadcasts and replaces the last stored announcement when subsequent reports are broadcast. However, such a system requires that a separate NF low frequency signal be transmitted from the radio wave source during the traffic announcement to distinguish it from other information being broadcast on the same carrier frequency to the radio wave receiver in the motor vehicle. Although such a system substantially reduces the complexity of operating the on-board equipment as it requires only actuation of a calling key, the equipment external to the vehicle is also required to operate the system. This system does not permit personalized messages or other communications to be generated or received by the vehicle user as may be desired. Furthermore, each of the record and playback functions is limited to interfacing with a system by actuators in much the same manner as previously known recording and playback apparatus.


Speed limiter system to detect over speed and generate a signal to cut the power and if necessary operate brakes. It consist of the limiter itself, with a tension pulley. The limiter consists of weights connected by a mechanism that moves asymmetrically and by centrifugal force when an over speed occurs to operate the lever of an electrical contact, with the possibility of remote resetting using the necessary means. On the other hand, the tension pulley provides sufficient tension to both sections of the cable via an adjustable compression spring or by means of weights suspended on an articulated arm, both transmitting sufficient tension to the tension pulley axle.

Until now, the speed limiting devices in the market have complications arising from their unequal operation in both the ascending and descending directions, as well as a lack of regulation means that are sufficiently calibrated to select the speed at which the limiting system is to operate.
Another difficulty in some of the speed limiting systems is that, after they operate, it is necessary to reset them manually, which implies access to the limiting system.
In those cases in which speed limiting systems have means for resetting, these operate in one direction and they must be fitted with a means of resetting for each direction of operation.
Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to develop a speed limiting system that overcomes the above inconveniences, achieving a system that operates independently in both the ascending and descending directions and that allows adjustment in both the ascending and descending directions and in which it is not necessary to access the means on which the speed limiter operates to reset it, this being carried out remotely.

Speed limiting system for lifting devices


The solar thermal collection and radiant heating system for a spa comprising upper and lower absorber members having fluid passageways and in thermal communication, a skin member encasing said upper and lower absorber members and an insulative member located therebetween the upper and lower members and a solar collection device located on the skin member.

A spa (or hot tub) is a small pool kept at an elevated temperature intended for recreational or therapeutic purposes. A typical spa is located outdoors and is heated to about 100 degrees F. throughout the year, which uses a significant amount of energy. The majority of spas are heated with electric resistance heaters, which is typically the most expensive form of energy for heating; consequently, the cost of heating a spa is significant and methods to reduce that heat requirement using free solar energy are of interest. Furthermore, in areas that have electric utility rates that vary by time of day and which charge more for electricity during the summer and during daytime and early evening periods, it is of further interest to shift any electrical heating load to nighttime periods, especially in the summer.
The several techniques that are available for solar heating of outdoor pools could work in principle but are not suitable for adaptation to spas for several reasons. First, since hot tubs are at a higher temperature than pools, a far greater amount of insulating value is required for a hot tub cover than a pool cover, and since the required energy per unit area is greater, the collection efficiency must also be higher. Further, solar pool heater covers are typically designed to inhibit radiant heat exchange between the pool water and cover. As is described below, radiant exchange between the cover and the water can be a very useful and important means of getting heat into the spa water.
In a typical spa, a thermostatically controlled pump draws water out of the basin, through a heating element which raises the temperature of the water, which is then delivered back to the basin. These heating systems are custom designed for the particular spa and they may or may not be able to tolerate any additional components such as a heat exchanger in the fluid circuit. Therefore, retrofitting any kind of solar heater onto a spa that augments the existing heating method in the same fluid circuit requires engineering design and can possibly reduce reliability. A spa heater that does not need to integrate with the existing spa's fluid system would be an advantage from this standpoint. Furthermore, a piping system which parallels the spa's own heating fluid loop that would draw water out of the tub or would be inserted in the tub to transfer heat to the water has the potential to contaminate the water in the spa, or the water in the spa could foul the piping or heat exchange components, or the water in the pipe could freeze in winter.
Typical spa covers are made of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) board wrapped in plastic sheeting and further encased in a vinyl or fabric skin. EPS used as the structural and insulating function provides an initially lightweight and low-cost cover but the material has several disadvantages which waste energy and shorten the life of the cover. The bottom of the cover is continuously exposed to hot moist air from the spa water for many years, and the finite permeability of the plastic wrap allows moisture to reach the bottom surface of the EPS and become absorbed therein. The moisture when absorbed has three main deleterious effects. First, the moisture adds significant weight to the cover, making it difficult to remove and handle.
Second, the water reduces the insulating value of the EPS material, causing more heat loss from the spa. Third, since the moisture is absorbed primarily on the bottom side of the EPS instead of the top, and the water causes expansion of the EPS material, the bottom surface of the EPS expands relative to the top, and the cover curls upwards at the edges, causing water to pool on the surface of the cover and exposing gaps in the seal of the cover around the perimeter of the spa. These gaps allow ambient air to infiltrate into the spa volume, especially in windy conditions, causing more heat loss. Other shortcomings of EPS spa covers are the susceptibility to pock marks due to hail damage and the odor of mildew and mold growth on the waterlogged cores.
Further, while the primary purpose of the spa cover is to thermally insulate the spa water from the environment, there are many times when it is advantageous for the cover to exchange thermal energy with the environment. First, the top of the spa cover receives a great deal of incident solar energy which could be profitably transferred to the spa water in the majority of situations. Second, in hot climates many spas can become overheated; that is, the ambient air combined with incident solar energy bring the equilibrium water temperature above the desired setpoint temperature for the user. The only practical means available to the spa owner to cool the spa is to prop open the cover or open it entirely.
However, this uncontrolled means of cooling often runs the electric heater unnecessarily when the water cools back down. A controlled means of automatically evacuating heat from the spa through the cover to the environment would allow the temperature to be regulated more evenly with minimal heating required when the ambient temperature dropped again. Third, snow accumulation on the top of the cover becomes a nuisance in many cold climates, with the chore of cleaning the snow off the top of the cover being beyond the physical ability of many elderly, infirm or young spa users. Further, the buildup of deep snow can become a severe structural load on the cover, often causing structural failure and collapse. An ability to use the heat of the spa to melt the snow before it accumulates is therefore a very desired feature. Therefore a need exists for a spa cover that presents none of the water absorption issues of EPS while providing a durable surface impervious to hail damage and providing a means for air circulation that enables thermal exchange with the environment.
Spas are often located prominently on patio or decks and are designed to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Solar water heating solutions that require a solar heating panel and piping that are external to the spa or cover would only detract from the particular look that the manufacturer designed for the unit, and so a spa heater that completely conforms to the existing form factor of the spa and cover, and which changed the outside appearance as little as possible, would be desirable. Hot tubs are typically equipped with a rigid or flexible removable cover that physically isolates the water from the environment and serves to thermally insulate the water from the outside air. This cover also receives the majority of the solar radiation that is incident on the spa, so the cover is an advantageous place to locate the solar heater. However, aspects of the cover make it difficult to adapt standard solar thermal and photovoltaic technology to a heater located in the cover. First, typical solar thermal collectors made of glass and copper are far heavier per square foot than the cover itself, and the added weight would make the cover very difficult to remove for use of the spa, not to mention the incompatibility of glass in a swimming environment. Furthermore, even if lightweight materials are used, the use of water or other comparably dense liquid as the working fluid adds a significant amount of weight. Second, solar photovoltaic panels have energy conversion efficiencies typically less than 20 percent, and with the fixed amount of surface area available on the cover, they would not be able to collect enough energy to be cost effective. Therefore, an effective cover needs to be both thermally efficient and lightweight.
Spa owners generally prefer to control the spa to a fairly tight range of temperatures, typically within just a few degrees of the setpoint. Any spa heater that is capable of elevating the temperature of the water must be capable of being turned on and off, so that the preferred upper temperature is not exceeded. Furthermore, very high-water temperature levels are a potential scalding hazard, so the temperature controls need to be fail safe. That is, the failure of any one component must serve to stop or slow the heating of the water, as opposed to resulting in runaway heating that could cause injury. Finally, with many types of thermal appliances such as water heater or ovens, it is difficult for the owner of the device to have an estimate of how much electricity it consumes. Actual usage depends on the time the device's heater is on, and so energy use must be integrated over time which requires some computing facility. More simply, it is difficult to see if the device is actually working since it the typical person is not able to measure the temperature of surfaces or liquids with any degree of accuracy. This is especially true of a spa heater with the heating element out of sight, so it would be advantageous to inform the user of its proper functioning, and especially if it could provide an estimate of the amount of heating energy that has been provided over a period of time. This would increase enable diagnostics and improve customer satisfaction.


A liquid crystal display panel and a method of fabricating the same are capable of simplifying a fabricating process and forming a spacer at a desired location. A liquid crystal display panel according to the present invention includes: a black matrix formed on an upper substrate; a color pattern having at least one hole on the black matrix; and a spacer protruding from the at least one hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display panel and a method of fabricating the same that are capable of simplifying a fabricating process and forming a spacer at a desired location.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device controls the light transmittance of liquid crystal cells using an electric field, to thereby display a picture. To this end, the LCD device includes a liquid crystal display panel having liquid crystal cells arranged in an active matrix, and driving circuits for driving the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal display panel is provided with pixel electrodes and a reference electrode, i.e., a common electrode, to supply the electric field to each one of the liquid crystal cells. Usually, each pixel electrode is formed for each liquid crystal cell on a lower substrate, while the common electrode is formed as an integrated whole on the entire surface of an upper substrate. Each pixel electrode connects to a thin film transistor (TFT) that is used as a switching element. The pixel electrode together with the common electrode drives the liquid crystal cell in response to data signals supplied via the TFT.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a liquid crystal display panel in accordance with a related art, which includes upper and lower array substrates 10 and 20 combined together, and a liquid crystal material 8 between the upper and the lower array substrates 10 and 20.
The liquid crystal material 8 rotates, in response to an electric field supplied thereto, to thereby regulate the transmittance of incident light via the lower array substrate 20.
The upper array substrate 10 includes a color filter 4 and a common electrode 6 formed on a rear surface of the upper substrate 1. The color filter 4 includes color filters of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) and makes it possible to display colors by selectively passing light having a specific band of wavelength. A black matrix 2 is placed between the color filters 4 adjacent each other and prevents the degradation of the contrast ratio by absorbing the light incident from the adjacent cells.
The lower array substrate 20 includes: a data line 18 and a gate line 12, which cross each other and are insulated by a gate insulating layer, formed on the entire surface of the lower substrate 21; and a TFT 16 at the crossing of the data and the gate lines. The TFT 16 includes: a gate electrode connected to the gate line 12; a source electrode connected to the data line 18; and a drain electrode facing to the source electrode with a channel portion including an active layer and an ohmic contact layer therebetween. The TFT 16 is connected to the pixel electrode 14 via a contact hole passing through a passivation film. In response to gate signals from the gate line 12, the TFT 16 selectively supplies data signals from the data line 18 to the pixel electrode 14.
The pixel electrode 14 is made from a transparent conductive material having a high light transmittance and is in a cell region defined by the data line 18 and gate line 12. The pixel electrode 14 generates a potential difference along with a common electrode 6 by data signals supplied via the drain electrode. Under the influence of the potential difference, the liquid crystal material 8 between the upper and lower substrates 1 and 21 rotates due to the dielectric anisotropy thereof. Hence, the light supplied via the pixel electrode 14 from the light source passes toward the upper substrate 1.
The cell gap between the upper and the lower array substrates 10 and 20 is maintained by spacers and a liquid crystal material is injected in the space maintained by the spacers.
Meanwhile, the spacers for maintaining the cell gap are formed by a fabricating method shown FIGS. 2A to 2D.
First of all, as shown in FIG. 2A, mixed material of solvent, binder, monomer, and photo-initiator is printed and dried so as to evaporate the solvent, and then spacer material 26a, which is a mixture of binder, monomer and photo-initiator, is formed. Here, either the lower substrate having the TFT and the pixel electrode or the upper substrate having the color filter may be used as the substrate 11.
After a photo-resist 32 is applied on the substrate 11 having the spacer material 26a formed thereon, a photo mask MS is aligned as shown in FIG. 2B. The photo mask MS includes a mask substrate 34 having an exposure area S2 which is an exposed area, and a shielding layer 36 formed on the mask substrate 34 to have a shielding area S1.
By carrying out the exposure process to selectively irradiate ultraviolet rays to the photo-resist 32 using the photo mask MS and the development process to develop the exposed photo-resist, a photo-resist pattern 38 is formed as shown in FIG. 2C. The spacer material 26a is patterned through an etching process using the photo-resist pattern as a mask, and consequently, a pattern spacer having designated height is formed as shown in FIG. 2D.
The pattern spacer 26 of the related art LCD occupies only about 2% of the area of the substrate 11. More than 95% of the spacer material 26a that has been printed on the entire surface of the substrate 11 to form the pattern spacer 26 is removed during the processes of exposure, development, and etching. So, the spacer material is inadvertently wasted, and the costs of dedicated material and fabrication become high. Further, the additional mask process for forming the pattern spacer 26 including the processes such as printing, exposure, development, and etching leads to the problem that makes the fabricating process even more complex.
In order to solve these problems, a fabricating method for the spacer using an ink-jet device has been suggested as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C.
First, as shown in FIG. 3A, an ink-jet device 40 is aligned so as to overlap with the location where the spacer is to be formed on the substrate 11. Here, either the lower substrate 21 having the TFT 16 and the pixel electrode 14 or the upper substrate having the color filter 4 may be used as the substrate 11.
Then, the spacer material 26a is dispensed onto the substrate 11 from the ink-jet device 40 as shown in FIG. 3B. In other words, when an external voltage is supplied to a piezoelectric element of an ink-jet head, physical pressure is generated. This physical pressure causes a conduit connecting a tank 42 containing the spacer material 26a with a nozzle to contract and relax repeatedly, and thereby the spacer material 26a is dispensed onto the substrate 11 through a nozzle 46.
The pattern spacer 26 formed by being dispensed the spacer material 26a through the nozzle 46 of the ink-jet device thereafter undergoes an exposure to the ultraviolet ray radiated from a light source 48 or a firing process as shown in FIG. 3C, and then comes to have designated width W and height H.
During the formation of the spacer using the related art ink-jet device, the spacer material 26a of low viscosity experiences gravity while being dispensed onto the substrate 11. Due to gravity, the spacer material 26a spreads out widely with undesirably small ratio of height H to width W when dispensed onto the substrate. This leads to the problem that the pattern spacer 26 that overlaps with the black matrix 2 encroaches on an area outside the black matrix 2, i.e., a display area and appears as a stain on the display area.

Liquid crystal display panel and fabricating method thereof


Finger-controlled members for contacting the strings on a guitar includes three string-contacting finger members, one for the index finger, one for the middle or second finger, and one for the third or ring finger. Each of the string-contacting finger members is securely fastenable upon the respective finger such that it is on the palm-side of the finger and on the second segment of the finger so that the user can manipulate the string-contacting finger members with one's finger tips. Each string-contacting finger member has a body with a single string contact stem extending from the bottom thereof and being capable of holding only one string against the fingerboard of the guitar. In addition, there are four multiple string contact attachments which can be detachably attached to the string-contacting finger members and which have bottoms that are capable of holding two or three consecutive strings or two nonconsecutive strings against the fingerboard of the guitar to achieve selected musical chords. These finger-controlled members saves the user's fingers and also allows certain users having large fingers to more accurately play the guitar.

This invention relates to finger-controlled means for contacting strings on a guitar instead of the user using one's own fingers to do so. These finger-controlled mechanism simply slip on the index finger, the second or middle finger, and the third or ring finger of the hand for playing the various chords on the fingerboard of the guitar which may be an acoustic or electric guitar.
The prior art discloses that plectrums are commonly used by users to pluck the strings on a guitar and that the users use their fingers on the hand which is on the stock of the guitar to press down the strings to receive the chords they want. However, because some of the users have developed blisters on their fingers and some have problems pressing down the correct selected strings because their fingers are too large, there has been a need to develop devices which will fit upon the fingers of the users and which will be used to press down the selected strings on the guitar.
One known prior art is a HAND HELD CHORD FINGERING DEVICE FOR GUITAR, U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,945, issued on Dec. 2, 1975 and invented by Robert Pettijohn, comprising a unitary hand held, chord fingering device having a generally palm sized body, a plurality of fingering pads placed on the operative side of the body, and a finger strap to mount about the index finger of the user.
Another known prior art is a FINGER MOUNTABLE GUITAR STRING CONTACT DEVICE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,368, issued on Dec. 17, 1974 and invented by Leonard Pogan, comprising a generally cylindrical string contact member having a longitudinal axis and being mountable upon the middle segment of the fourth finger of the user.
None of the prior art discloses a finger controlled means which are secured to more than one finger for contacting the strings on a guitar.

Finger-controlled means for contacting strings on a guitar


A repairing method for an endoscope includes inserting into a cylindrical heating element a repair part of at least one endoscope having a resin material applied on an outer peripheral surface of the endoscope, causing the heating element to generate heat by supplying power to the heating element in order to radiate infrared rays from the heating element toward the center of the cylinder, and drying/hardening the resin material in the repair part by using the infrared rays radiated from the heating element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a repairing method for an endoscope and an endoscope infrared heating system which perform adhesion repair or coat repair of an integument or a channel tube of an endoscope which is used in, e.g., a medical field.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a medical endoscope has an insertion section in which an inflectional portion which is bent as a result of manipulation by an operator is provided at an end portion of a flexible tube. A hard end portion having an objective optical system is arranged at an end portion of the inflectional portion of the insertion section. This objective optical system is optically connected with an image guide extending to a base end portion side of the insertion section through the inside of the inflectional portion. Therefore, when the inflectional portion is bent in a state that the insertion section is being inserted to a desired position in a body cavity, an image of a desired part in the body can be obtained by using the objective optical system.
The obtained image data is taken into an ocular portion by using the image guide. Treatment of a diseased part is performed by inserting an appropriate treatment instrument into a channel of the insertion section while confirming the diseased part based on this image data.
After inspection or treatment using such an endoscope, cleansing, sterilization and disinfection of the endoscope or its attachments must be performed in order to avoid infectious diseases. After such processing, the endoscope is reused.

Repairing method for endoscope and endoscope infrared heating system


A method of forming a patterned hark mask layer includes the following steps. A semiconductor substrate is provided. An amorphous silicon layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. An implantation process is performed on the amorphous silicon layer. An annealing treatment is performed on the amorphous silicon layer after the implantation process. A patterned hard mask layer is formed on the amorphous silicon layer after the annealing treatment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of forming a patterned hard mask layer, and more particularly, to a method of forming a patterned hard mask layer on an amorphous silicon layer with improved alignment accuracy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The development of semiconductor integrated circuit technology progresses continuously and circuit designs in products of the new generation become smaller and more complicated than those of the former generation. The amount and the density of the functional devices in each chip region are increased constantly according to the requirements of innovated products, and the size of each device has to become smaller accordingly. Photolithography technology is used to form patterned structures in general semiconductor manufacturing processes. The size and the spacing between the patterned structures are limited by the exposure resolution minimum of the traditional photolithography technology and hard to be further shrunk. Therefore, many approaches such as the sidewall image transfer (SIT) technology and the multiple patterning have been provided by the related industries for forming patterned structures in the advanced manufacturing process. However, there are more layers stacked before the lithography process applying the SIT technology, and it becomes more difficult to measure alignment marks under the stacked layers. The alignment accuracy may be seriously influenced accordingly.

Method of forming patterned hard mask layer


Disclosed is an air purifier having a small size so as to be easily mounted to various home appliances, and preventing ozone which is harmful to a human body from being generated, the air purifier including an insulating dielectric including a solid; a discharge electrode provided in the insulating dielectric; a ground electrode provided in the insulating dielectric and spaced for a predetermined distance from the discharge electrode; and a power supply coupled with the discharge electrode and the ground electrode for supplying a high voltage thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air purifier, and more particularly, to an air purifier having a small size and easily mounted on various kinds of home appliances, and preventing a large amount of harmful ozone from being generated.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, an air purifier is often used in a living room of a general home, a car, a restaurant having many people gathered, a hospital, and an office, so as to remove dust and odor for keeping indoor atmosphere pleasant.
Although the air purifier is often used separately, it is an increasing trend that the air purifier is used as a supplementary device being mounted on a home appliance such as an air conditioner. In other words, in recent years, many home appliances are on development, having not only a cooling/heating function and a ventilating function but also an air purifying function.
FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram schematically showing a related art air purifier, and FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the related art air purifier is provided with a case 10 having opened top and bottom surfaces, and a ground electrode 20 and a discharge electrode 30 provided in the case 10.
A plurality of ground electrodes 20 are provided in the case 10 at predetermined intervals, and the discharge electrode 30 is provided respectively between the ground electrodes 20. In this case, the ground electrode 20 includes a square plate, and the discharge electrode 30 includes a round wire.
An interval of more than a common number cm is maintained between the ground electrode 20 and the discharge electrode 30 each of which is connected respectively to a power supply (not shown) supplying a high voltage. A net 40 is mounted on the top and bottom surfaces of the case 10 for preventing large-sized contaminants from being entered into the case 10.
An operation of the related art air purifier structured as aforementioned is briefly described as follows. First, when a voltage is supplied to the ground electrode 20 and the discharge electrode 30 by the power supply, corona discharge that ionizes neighboring air is generated between the ground electrode 20 and the discharge electrode 30.
Owing to the corona discharge, anions and ozone are generated around an electrode, for separating contaminants contained in air and sterilizing bacteria. Therefore, the air flowed into the air purifier is purified by the anions and ozone.
In the mean time, the corona discharge is generated when the high voltage of more than 5 KV is applied to the ground electrode 20 and the discharge electrode 30. In this case, the voltage for generating the corona discharge is called an onset voltage, and the onset voltage is different according to an interval between the ground electrode 20 and the discharge electrode 30.
The related art air purifier purifies air by using the anions and ozone generated by the corona discharge. The related art air purifier, however, has problems as follows.
First, since the related art air purifier includes a plurality of ground electrodes and the discharge electrodes spaced at intervals of a number cm, there is a limitation in miniaturizing the related art air purifier. Particularly, there is a problem that a total size of a home appliance needs to be increased for securing a space for mounting the air purifier therein when the air purifier is mounted in the home appliance.
Second, the related art air purifier generates a large amount of ozone during the corona discharge. If a higher voltage is supplied to the electrode, a larger amount of ozone is generated. Although the ozone performs a role of separating organic substances in air as a substance having a very strong oxidizing power, it is harmless to a human body.
Therefore, the related art air purifier has a problem that a post-clearing process is required for removing a large amount of ozone after the corona discharge is certainly necessary.


A scattered radiation grid of a CT detector is disclosed and includes a plurality of detector elements arranged in multiple cells in the phi direction and in the z direction of a CT system, having a plurality of free passage channels arranged to correspond to the detector elements, and walls fully enclosing the free passage channels at the longitudinal sides thereof. According to an embodiment of the invention, the walls of the scattered radiation grid are produced using a 3D screen-printing method.

Scattered radiation grids, also referred to as collimators, for detectors in CT systems are generally known. Until now stacks of thin tungsten plates bonded in a support mechanism were used in CT detectors. These allow the suppression of scattered radiation in the phi direction, in other words in the gantry rotation direction. Until now there was no collimation in the z direction or system axis direction. However it is also known that scattered beam correction is much more effective with a collimator acting in the phi direction and the z direction than with a simple phi collimator, particularly in dual source CT systems. This can be demonstrated by a significant dose reduction for a given contrast/noise ratio or improved artifact reduction.
Also when greater detector z coverage is required, it becomes increasingly difficult to manufacture the support mechanism with enough accuracy to hold the plates in position. If such a phi/z collimator is built in the conventional manner, in other words with individual plates, there is a further problem in that the plates have to be aligned with the focus of the x-ray tube in both directions.
As it is difficult to produce single-piece collimators that extend over the entire detector surface, a modular structure is often used here. One problem with scattered radiation grids of modular structure with a number of adjacent grid modules is that artifacts are produced in the projections recorded therewith in the region of the joining points of two grid modules, having a negative effect on the image quality of a tomographic image data record reconstructed from such projections or producing visible artifacts in the tomographic representation. It is therefore necessary with such collimator modules for different wall thicknesses to be implemented at different positions on the component, for example on the beam exit side or at the edges adjoining adjacent modules.
A collimator structure, in which plates embodied in the manner of combs are intermeshed, is also known from the publication DE 10 2005 044 650 B4. This method is complex and is also made problematic in that the plates should be aligned with the focus.
It is also known from the publication US 2008/0023636 A1 that polymers filled with metal particles can be made to harden in a grid-type form. The disadvantage of this method is the limited fill level of the compound at around 50%, which significantly reduces the collimation effect due to the reduced absorption capacity.
It is further proposed in publication DE 10 2010 011 581 A1 that the walls in both directions should be produced by selective laser melting SLM. SLM is a method in which metallic components can be produced in almost any complex geometries directly from 3D CAD data. It involves many layers of powdered metal being melted selectively one above the other using a laser beam based on the calculated surfaces, until the desired structure is produced. The method is such that the structures produced in this manner have very rough surfaces, which have to be further processed by way of a series of subsequent processes. Also it is not always possible to achieve all the desired wall thicknesses.

Scattered radiation grid of a CT detector


An electrodynamically tilting contact system for power circuit breakers includes an actuating shaft segment, a rotary contact bridge pivotally mounted therein and contact force springs that form components of a tilting snap-action mechanism, which holds the rotary contact bridge in a repulsed position after an electrodynamically effected repulsion of fixed contacts. Two rockers, while serving as an additional component of the tilting snap-action mechanism, are mounted on the rotary contact bridge in a manner that enables them to tilt. The contact force springs are supported between the actuating shaft segment and the rockers, whereby the spring longitudinal axes, the tilting axes of the rockers, and the rotational symmetry axis of the rotary contact bridge are located in the tilting point plane of the tilting snap-action mechanism. The rotary contact bridge is mounted in the actuating shaft segment via a bearing pin and an elongated hole bearing whose longitudinal axis, together with the tilting point plane, forms an, at most, acute angle perpendicular to the bearing pin.

German patent application DE 100 56 820 A1 discloses a contact system for each pole of a power circuit breaker having a rotary contact bridge that electrically connects or disconnects two fixed contacts that are positioned across from each other. The rotary contact bridge is float-mounted in a breaker shaft segment by means of two contact force springs configured as pressure springs. The contact force springs are mounted across from each other on both sides of the rotary contact bridge in bores made in the breaker shaft and, through their free spring ends fitted with sliding elements, are constantly interacting with control cams of the rotary contact bridge. When the control cams are appropriately configured, the rotary contact bridge, the contact force springs and the breaker shaft segment form a tilting snap-action mechanism. When the rotary contact bridge is electrodynamically repulsed from the fixed contacts due to a short-circuit current flowing through the contact system, the free spring ends slide along the control cams with increasing compression of the contact force springs until, after passing the tilting point of the tilting snap-action mechanism, they move into latching depressions of the control cams. As a result, the rotary contact bridge remains in the repulsed position until it is deliberately moved away from this position by means of an actuating mechanism. A drawback of this is the unsatisfactory reproducibility of the dynamic tilting behavior of the contact system due to the frictional work that occurs between the pins and the control cams, due to the compressive forces on the free spring ends that are not directed towards the tilting axis and due to the tangential forces that act upon the sliding elements.
German patent specification DE 42 22 965 C1 discloses a contact system for each pole of a power circuit breaker having a single-arm contact lever that connects or disconnects a fixed contact and a connecting lead that is electrically connected to the contact lever in a tilting axis. The contact lever that is mounted along the tilting axis on a breaker shaft is impinged on both sides by a pair of contact force tension springs. These tension springs are suspended between the contact lever and the breaker shaft beyond the tilting axis in such a way that, together with the contact lever and the breaker shaft, they form a tilting snap-action mechanism. When the contact lever is electrodynamically repulsed from the fixed contact, the two connection straight lines run through the tilting axis of the tilting snap-action mechanism in the tilting point—also referred to as the dead center—and, at this moment, said straight lines forming the tilting point plane, which can also be called the dead center plane. Transferring such a tilting snap-action mechanism to a contact system with a rotary contact bridge would detrimentally result in an enlargement of the contact system because of the working volume needed for the tension springs.

Electrodynamically tilting contact system for power circuit breakers


A non-contact measuring device for measuring dimensions of an object using processed light beams from a laser includes a laser source, an attenuator, a lens group, a stage, a charge-coupled device (CCD), and a processor. The stage supports and rotates a measurable object and the light beams passing through or reflected by the object are collected by pixels of the CCD, enabling calculations of the dimensions of the object by the processor.

Non-contact measurement of external dimensions of an object is a combination of optoelectronic and mechanical technologies, mainly used for industrial detection. However, in order to measure accurately, it may be necessary to manually adjust an object to change its position many times during the measuring process, making the measuring process complicated.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.


A device and method are provided for regulating two types of flow from a nozzle. The first flow is a deluge stream and the second flow is a fog spray. The deluge stream is controlled by the nozzle operator using a first flow control valve, such as a ball valve. The fog spray is controlled by the nozzle operator using a second flow control valve. The nozzle permits the nozzle operator to manually control the flow of the nozzle, thereby permitting quick regulation and adjustment of flow types and amounts to accommodate then existing fluid pressure and supply conditions to address fluid application needs.

Fire hose nozzles are used by fire fighters for supplying water or other liquids to extinguish fires. A common method of extinguishing fires is to direct a flow of liquid, usually water, onto the fire and often the surrounding area. The flow rate may have to be reduced, or increased, depending on the changing character of the fire. The flow is typically delivered in a deluge, also known as a smooth bore flow, or in a fog spray. Typically two separate nozzles are required to achieve these distinct flow types. The deluge provides a straight and solid stream, with maximum reach and penetration. A deluge can be delivered in a relatively precise area thus providing a maximum amount of water into a specific location. The fog spray provides a pattern which can be a straight, aspirated spray, or a wide, aspirated spray with less reach and penetration than a deluge at equivalent supply pressure.
Fire fighters may use the fog to cover a wider area and without the force of a deluge which might scatter burning materials before they are extinguished, thus spreading a fire. They may also use the spray in a very wide pattern to create a shield from the intense heat of a fire. The wide fog pattern also creates a back draft which brings cooler, cleaner air from behind the fire fighter. A wide fog will more quickly lower the heat of a fire by flashing into steam.
Fire fighters may ideally need both flow types for the same fire and may prefer to move from deluge to fog and back. To accomplish this, it has traditionally been necessary to stop the flow and change nozzles.
Certain nozzles in the prior art, hereinafter referred to as combination nozzles, include both a deluge and a spray. Combination nozzles of the prior art were intended to overcome the limitations of having to change single nozzles or use two different hoses simultaneously when two patterns were needed. However, combination nozzles of the prior art have several drawbacks. Most combination nozzles of the prior art have a fixed fog pattern around a fixed deluge. They cannot produce a straight fog spray, nor can the fog and deluge operate independently of each other. The most critical drawback affects all combinations of the prior art. They are simply two nozzles stuck together. Due to the limitations of this design, when the second nozzle is enabled after the first nozzle is flowing, the pressure to the nozzle instantly decreases to a level which significantly and negatively impacts the reach and stream quality of the nozzle. This dangerous condition for the nozzle operator can only be addressed by the pump operator. However, communication between the pump operator and the nozzle operator is not reliable during an emergency, and therefore, this dangerous situation can exist for long periods. Coordination between the pump operator and nozzle operator is further complicated by the presence of multiple nozzle operators connected to a common pump each capable of changing the hydraulic conditions the pump operator must overcome. Additionally, when one nozzle is shut down after both nozzles have successfully been adjusted for simultaneous operation, the result is a sudden and unwelcome rise in pressure that increases the nozzle reaction. This is a force the nozzle operator must combat to hold on to the nozzle. This too is a dangerous situation that must be addressed by the pump operator with the aforementioned communication and coordination difficulties.
Thus there exists a need for an apparatus and method which permits quick, efficient and convenient operation of a fire hose nozzle in deluge mode, fog mode, or both. Furthermore, it would be desirable for the fire fighter to be able to adjust the flow rates such that the flow rates can be reduced or increased to balance flow between the deluge and fog modes, thereby avoiding the previously described "dangerous conditions." The invention described herein provides such a nozzle.