A xerographic component including an intermediate transfer, fusing and/or biasing component, wherein one or more of each component may have a substrate and thereover a polymer coating with a thiophene filler dispersed or contained therein, and also an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium having a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent image thereon; a biasable component capable of receiving an electrical bias for charging one of a xerographic component or copy substrate surface; a development component to apply toner to the charge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge retentive surface; a transfer component to transfer the developed image from the charge retentive surface to a copy substrate; and a fuser component for fusing the developed image to a surface of the copy substrate, wherein at least one of the biasable component, transfer component and the fuser component have a) a substrate; and thereon b) a coating having a thiophene filler dispersed therein and an image forming apparatus including such xerographic component including an intermediate transfer, fusing and/or biasing component, and including a charge retentive surface, a biasable component, a development component, a transfer component, and a fuser component.

The present invention relates to thiophene filled material coatings for xerographic components useful in xerographic applications including digital, image on image, and contact electrostatic applications. In particular, the present invention relates to thiophene filled material coatings for transfer/transfuse, intermediate transfer, bias charging, bias transfer, fusing, and like xerographic components. In embodiments, the thiophene filled material coatings can be useful as outermost coatings, intermediate coatings, or as adhesives between other polymer layers. Also, the thiophene filled material coatings can be useful in both dry and liquid toner applications and in color toner applications. The thiophene filled material coatings, in embodiments, allow for adjusting and controlling desired resistivity, and also allow for increased temperature, hydrolytic, and good light stability. The thiophene filled material coatings are easily fabricated and have increased stability.
The electrical property of many xerographic components such as transfer members, biasable members, fusing members, transfuse members and other like xerographic components, is a very important characteristic of the xerographic component. If desired electrical properties of a xerographic component are not obtained, a multitude of copy or print failures can occur. Examples of these adverse results include decrease in copy quality, copy quality defects, print failure, and decrease in the life of the xerographic component. Most of these adverse results are due to ineffective toner release caused by the xerographic component not possessing the desired resistivity. The adverse results often also occur when the xerographic component does not retain its desired resistivity over time.
One type of xerographic component is a transfer member including intermediate transfer and transfix components. Transfer/transfix members allow for positive attributes such as enabling high throughput at modest process speeds, improving registration of the final color toner image in color systems using synchronous development of one or more component colors using one or more transfer stations, and increasing the range of final substrates that can be used. However, a disadvantage of using a transfer/transfix member is that a plurality of transfer steps is required allowing for the possibility of charge exchange occurring between toner particles and the transfer member which ultimately can lead to less than complete toner transfer. The result is low resolution images on the image receiving substrate and image deterioration. When the image is in color, the image can additionally suffer from color shifting and color deterioration. In addition, the incorporation of charging agents in liquid developers, although providing acceptable quality images and acceptable resolution due to improved charging of the toner, can exacerbate the problem of charge exchange between the toner and the intermediate transfer member.
Preferably, the resistivity of the transfer/transfix member is within a preferred range to allow for sufficient transfer. It is also important that the intermediate transfer or transfix member have a controlled resistivity, wherein the resistivity is virtually unaffected by changes in humidity, temperature, bias field, and operating time. In addition, a controlled resistivity is important so that a bias field can be established for electrostatic transfer. It is important that the transfer/transfix member not be too conductive as air breakdown can possibly occur.
Other xerographic components include charging devices. Contact charging or bias charging members function by applying a voltage to the charge-receiving member (photoconductive member). Such bias charging members require a resistivity of the entire charging member within a desired range. Specifically, materials with too low resistivities will cause shorting and/or unacceptably high current flow to the photoconductor. Materials with too high resistivities will require unacceptably high voltages. Other problems which can result if the resistivity is not within the required range include low charging potential and non-uniform charging, which can result in poor image quality.
Therefore, it is desired in biasable members, that the resistivity be tailored to a desired range and that the resistivity remain within this desired range. Accordingly, it is desirable that the resistivity be unaffected or virtually unaffected to changes in temperature, relative humidity, running time, and leaching out of contamination to photoconductors.
Fusing the toner to a copy substrate is an important step in the xerographic process and fuser members are another type of xerographic component. It is important in the fusing process that minimal or no offset of the toner particles from the support to the fuser member take place during normal operations. Toner particles offset onto the fuser member may subsequently transfer to other parts of the machine or onto the support in subsequent copying cycles, thus increasing the background or interfering with the material being copied there. The referred to xe2x80x9chot offsetxe2x80x9d occurs when the temperature of the toner is increased to a point where the toner particles liquefy and a splitting of the molten toner takes place during the fusing operation with a portion remaining on the fuser member. The hot offset temperature or degradation of the hot offset temperature is a measure of the release property of the fuser, and accordingly it is desired to provide a fusing surface which has a low surface energy to provide the necessary release. To ensure and maintain good release properties of the fuser, it has become customary to apply release agents to the fuser roll during the fusing operation. Typically, these materials are applied as thin films of, for example, silicone oils to prevent toner offset.
It is desirable that upon fusing, virtually no toner is left on the fuser member, and if so, subsequent copies will be contaminated. Therefore, it is desired to increase release properties of the fuser member.
Efforts have been made to tailor resistivity of xerographic components, and to obtain controlled resistivity of these components once the desired resistivity is attained. These methods have included adding conductive fillers or carbon black to the outer layer. While addition of ionic additives to elastomers may partially control the resistivity of the elastomers to some extent, there are problems associated with the use of ionic additives. In particular, undissolved particles frequently appear in the elastomer which causes an imperfection in the elastomer. This leads to a nonuniform resistivity, which in turn, leads to poor transfer properties and poor mechanical strength. Furthermore, bubbles appear in the conductive elastomer. These bubbles provide the same kind of difficulty as the undissolved particles in the elastomer namely, poor or nonuniform electrical properties, poor mechanical properties such as durometer, tensile strength, elongation, a decrease in the modulus and a decrease in the toughness of the material. In addition, the ionic additives themselves are sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity, operating time and applied field. These sensitivities often limit the resistivity range. For example, the resistivity usually decreases by up to two orders of magnitude or more as the humidity increases from 20% to 80% relative humidity. This effect limits the operational or process latitude. Moreover, ion transfer can also occur in these systems. The transfer of ions will lead to contamination problems, which in turn, can reduce the life of the machine. Ion transfer also increases the resistivity of the member after repetitive use. This can limit the process and operational latitude and eventually, the ion-filled component will be unusable.
Conductive particulate fillers, such as carbons, have also been used in an attempt to control the resistivity. Generally, carbon additives control the resistivities and provide stable resistivities upon changes in temperature, relative humidity, running time, and leaching out of contamination to photoconductors. However, carbon particles disperse poorly in elastomers. Further, the required tolerance in the filler loading to achieve the required range of resistivity has been extremely narrow. This along with the large xe2x80x9cbatch to batchxe2x80x9d variation leads to the need for extremely tight resistivity control. In addition, carbon filled surfaces have typically had very poor dielectric strength and sometimes significant resistivity dependence on applied fields. This leads to a compromise in the choice of centerline resistivity due to the variability in the electrical properties, which in turn, ultimately leads to a compromise in performance. Adding carbon black has also resulted in many problems including the necessity to have thick films and the inability to obtain transparent coatings.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide xerographic components, wherein the resistivity of the coatings can be tailored and controlled. In addition, it is desired to provide xerographic components having an outer layer which has a relatively high stability, is easily fabricated, and has relatively high transparency.
Embodiments of the present invention include: a xerographic component comprising: a) a substrate; and thereon b) a coating comprising a polymer having a thiophene filler dispersed therein. In an optional embodiment, an intermediate layer is positioned between the substrate and outer thiophene filled layer. In yet another embodiment, an outer coating is positioned on the thiophene filled material.
Embodiments also include: a xerographic component comprising: a) a substrate comprising a polymer; and thereon b) a coating comprising a polymer having a thiophene filler dispersed therein.
Embodiments also include: an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising: a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent image thereon; a biasable component capable of receiving an electrical bias for charging one of a xerographic component or a copy substrate; a development component to apply toner to the charge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge retentive surface; a transfer component to transfer the developed image from the charge retentive surface to a copy substrate; and a fuser component for fusing the developed image to a surface of the copy substrate, wherein at least one of the biasable component, transfer component and the fuser component comprise: a) a substrate; and thereon b) a coating comprising a polymer having a thiophene filler dispersed therein.

Polythiophene filled xerographic component coatings


The present invention discloses a novel subfamily of amiloride sensitive sodium channel proteins isolated and purified from the human central nervous system. DNA sequences encoding such proteins are disclosed as are methods and procedures for development of pharmacologic agents for treatment of diseases associated with central nervous system dysfunction.

Ion channels in mammalian systems have been, and currently are, the subject of intensive scientific investigation because of the importance and variety of their biochemical functions. Ion channels are now understood to be polypeptide or protein structures with tertiary-quaternary structure forming interior pores embedded in cell membrane walls, that control the flow of ionic currents.
There are many types of ion channels which share both similarity of function and amino acid sequence, thus defining familial relationships between many of these channels. Current work shows there are ion channel families comprised of voltage gated sodium, potassium, and calcium channels, as well as the ligand gated acetylcholine receptors, glycine receptors, and gamma aminobutyric acid receptors.
A great deal is known about voltage gated sodium channels. These are transmembrane proteins responsible for the early sodium permeability increase underlying initial depolarization of the action potential in many excitable cells such as muscle, nerve, and cardiac cells. However knowledge of non-voltage gated sodium channels that are involved in either determining resting membrane potential in the brain or in responding to neurotransmitters is virtually nonexistent.
This is despite the fact that several brain diseases have been associated with channel abnormalities and central nervous system dysfunction. Psychiatric diseases including depression and schizophrenia, and dementias, such as Alzheimer's all have association with dysfunction of the central nervous system whose neurons are controlled and regulated by sodium channels.
Considerably more work has been accomplished with voltage dependent sodium channels. The molecular characteristics of these channels has proven quite complex with multiple isoforms, differential tissue expression and limited sequence conservation between the various families of proteins.
Recent studies have identified a new family of Na+ channels whose characteristic features include Na+ selectivity, inhibition by amiloride, and a conserved primary structure (Chalfie, M., (1990) Nature 345, 410-416; Driscol, M., (1991) Nature 349, 588-593; Huang, M., (1994) Nature 367, 467-470; Canessa, C. M., (1993) Nature 361, 467-470; Canessa, C. M., (1994) Nature 367, 463-467; McDonald, F. J., (1994) Am. J. Physiol. 266, L728-L734; McDonald, F. J., (1995) Am. J. Physiol. 268, C1157-C1163; Voilley, N., (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 247-251; Lingueglia, E. (1993) FEBS Lett. 318, 95-99; Waldmann, R. (1995) J. Biol Chem. 270, 27411-27414; Lingueglia, E. (1995) Nature 378, 730-733). Family members contain 500 to 800 residues. Sequence analysis and studies of topology suggest that the amino and carboxyl termini are intracellular, that there are two hydrophobic regions that traverse the membrane (M1 and M2), and that between M1 and M2 there lies a large cysteine-rich extracellular domain (Snyder, P. M. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 24379.congruent.24383; Renard, S. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 12981-12986; Canessa, C. M. (1994) Am. J. Physiol. 267, C1682-C1690).
The best characterized members of this family are the amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) that control Na+ and fluid absorption in the kidney, colon, and lung. ENaC channels are constructed from at least three homologous subunits (.alpha.-, .beta.-, and .gamma.ENaC) (Canessa, C. M., (1993) Nature 361, 467-470; Canessa, C. M., (1994) Nature 367, 463-467; McDonald, F. J., (1994) Am. J. Physiol. 266, L728-L734; McDonald, F. J., (1995) Am. J. Physiol. 268, C1157-C1163; Voilley, N., (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 247-251; Lingueglia, E. (1993) FEBS Lett. :318, 95-99). Mutations in this channel cause a hereditary form of hypertension called Liddle's syndrome (Shimkets, R. A., (1994) Cell 79, 407-414) and pseudohypoaldosteronism (Chang, S. S., (1996) Nature Genetics 12, 248-253). These channels may also be involved in detection of salty taste (Li, X. J. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 1814-1818). A closely related subunit, .delta.NaCh, is expressed in pancreas, testis, ovary, and brain. .delta. NaCh generates Na+channels when coexpressed with .beta.- and .gamma.ENaC (Waldmann, R. (1995) J. Biol Chem. 270, 27411-27414), suggesting that it may be part of the ENaC subfamily of channels. Several family members have also been discovered in C. elegans, including MEC-4, MEC-10, and DEG-1, which when mutated produce a touch-insensitive phenotype (Chalfie, M., (1990) Nature 345, 410-416; Driscol, M., (1991) Nature 349, 588-593; Huang, M., (1994) Nature 367, 467-470). Specific mutations in the C-elegans group cause neural degeneration (Chalfie, M., (1990) Nature 345, 410-416; Driscol, M., (1991) Nature 349, 588-593). Based on this ability to produce cell degeneration, family members in C. elegans are called "degenerins." The most recent addition to this family is a Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH.sub.2 (FMRF-amide)-stimulated Na+ channel (FaNaCh) cloned from Helix(Lingueglia, E. (1995) Nature 378, 730-733).
As can be seen from the foregoing a continuing need exits in the art for further identification and characterization of sodium channel proteins to genetically link diseases to mutations in this gene, to identify disease-causing mutations in the gene, for uses as a diagnostic tool to screen populations for a predisposition to brain diseases, to assay for new ligands and antagonists for the channel, to treat brain disease or the enhance brain function, to use for gene therapy protocols for treatment of brain disease, and to further identify and characterize still other novel and closely related members of this subfamily of sodium channels.

DNA sequences encoding a brain sodium channel protein


The engine cooling radiator and the evaporator of the air conditioning system for a vehicle are combined in a single triple heat exchanger, in which the refrigerant fluid and the engine coolant fluid flow respectively in two sets of flat pockets which are stacked alternately with gaps in which the air to be treated flows. A pocket of one set is directly juxtaposed to a pocket of the other set, to form a pair of pockets, between each gap and the next, to give direct heat transfer between the refrigerant and engine coolant fluids.

A heat exchanger of the above kind is described in EP-A-0 431 917. This known heat exchanger serves as a radiator for cooling the engine of a motor vehicle, and also as the condenser of an air conditioning system for the cabin of the vehicle. The first fluid in that case is atmospheric air, while the second fluid is engine coolant and the third fluid is the refrigerant of the air conditioning system. The two pockets disposed between two consecutive gaps are juxtaposed to each other, and each of these pockets extends over a fraction of the surface area of the stack. They are spaced away from each other by a certain amount, and each pocket lies adjacent to two consecutive gaps. The total size of that heat exchanger, in the direction in which the pockets are juxtaposed (i.e. the stacking direction), corresponds to the sum of the dimensions in that direction of an equivalent separate radiator and separate condenser, augmented by an additional amount corresponding to the sum of the distances between the pairs of juxtaposed pockets.
In air conditioning systems for vehicle cabins, it is current practice to arrange, in series in the flow path of air to be treated, an evaporator which is part of the refrigerant fluid circuit and which is arranged to receive this air, together with a radiator for heating the air. Since very little space is generally available for air conditioning systems, there is nowadays a tendency, in order to save space, to replace these two heat exchangers with a single combined heat exchanger which performs both functions. However, such a space saving cannot be achieved with the arrangement disclosed by the prior document cited above, for the reasons already explained.

Heat exchanger of reduced size for heat transfer between three fluids


The present invention relates to synthetic proteins and the uses thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to synthetic Circovirus type capsid proteins with improved properties. These proteins, or the coding nucleic acids, are useful e.g., to generate antibodies, immunogen compositions, or vaccines. The invention further relates to methods for treating and/or preventing PCV2-associated diseases in mammals using said proteins, nucleic acids or compositions. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for detecting PCV2 in a sample, using the above proteins, nucleic acids, or antibodies.

Porcine circovirus (PCV) was originally identified as a contaminant of porcine kidney cell cultures (PK15 ATCC CCL-33). The PCV virion has been characterized as being an icosahedral, non-enveloped virus with a single-stranded circular DNA of about 1.76 kb. PCV was classified in the genus Circovirus of the Circoviridae family, which consists of other animal circoviruses such as psittacine beak-feather disease virus, goose circovirus, canary circovirus, and pigeon circovirus. Two genotypes of PCV have been recognized. The PK15 cell-derived PCV has been considered to be nonpathogenic to pigs, and is designated PCV type 1 (PCV1). On the other hand, PCV type 2 (PCV2) has been accepted as the major infectious agent involved in several pig diseases. PCV2 associated diseases cause significant economic losses to swine producers worldwide. PCV2 associated diseases are described in WO2007/076520 and include, for example, Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS), Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome (PDNS), Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC), reproductive disorders, granulomatous enteris, exsudative epidermitis, necrotizing lymphadenitis, and congenital tremors. Occurrences of PCV2 subtype A (PCV2A) and PCV2 subtype B (PCV2B) have been reported particularly in 2000 in West Europe and in Central Europe in 2003. More recently similar changes have been reported in 2008 in wild boars.
Currently developed PCV2 vaccines, such as Circovac® (Merial), Ingelvac®, CircoFLEX (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica), or Suvaxyn®, are either inactivated PCV2 vaccines or Sub-Unit vaccines. Regarding inactivated PCV2 vaccines, current PCV2 strains subtype A or B present several weaknesses. Particularly, PCV2 viruses can only be produced at low titers, generally less than 10<5> TCID50 viral particles per ml. Also, these viruses cannot be maintained in tissue cultures and permanently infected cell lines. Regarding PCV2A Sub-Unit vaccines, they typically use a purified, recombinant PCV2A capsid protein produced by expression of the ORF2 gene of PCV2A in a baculovirus system. In this regard, the protein encoded by ORF2 of PCV2 isolates Imp1011 has been reported in EP1741785. A protein encoded by ORF2 of PCV2 isolate PCV2Rm has been reported in WO2010/061000. The protein encoded by ORF2 of PCV2 isolate 412 has been reported in EP1816200. Another protein encoded by an ORF2 of a further PCV2 isolate has been reported in EP1036180 or EP2225367.
Expression efficiency and immunogenicity of these natural capsid proteins are, however, not optimal and do not always provide the required level of immune protection in vaccinated animals.
Accordingly, there is a need for alternative vaccine compositions to improve the efficacy of treatment or prevention of PCV2 infections in mammals, particularly in pigs.

Synthetic capsid proteins and uses thereof


In a variable power divider including a first 90° phase combiner (30), a second 90° phase combiner (40), and a phase-amplitude adjustment block (50), the phase-amplitude adjustment block (50) includes, correspondingly to two-channel polarized signals, variable phase shifters (51, 52) for adjusting their phase amounts and variable attenuators (55, 56) for adjusting amplitudes (attenuation amounts), and the phase amounts and the amplitudes of the two-channel polarized signals can be adjusted by an antenna control unit (60). Further, there are included a phase shifter (53) and an attenuator (57) provided on two-channel signal lines between an orthomode transducer (20) and a first 90° phase combiner (30) and for equalizing the amplitudes and phases of the two-channel polarized signals. By this, an antenna apparatus can be inexpensively provided which uses a reflector antenna (10) to perform transmission/reception of a signal to/from a satellite at high accuracy, and is miniaturized to be suitable for mounting on an aircraft or the like.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a structure of a conventional antenna apparatus using a reflector antenna. In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a reflector antenna part, and the reflector antenna part 10 includes a spherical main reflector 1, a secondary reflector 2, and a horn antenna 3.
Reference numeral 100 denotes a substantially cylindrical 180° polarizer, and the 180° polarizer 100 is rotatably supported by a rotary joint 110. The 180° polarizer 100 is rotated to coincide with a polarization coming from a satellite (not shown) or a polarization transmitted to the satellite, the plane of polarization is rotated, and transmission-reception is performed.
Incidentally, reference numeral 20 denotes an orthomode transducer (OMT: ORTHO MODE TRANSDUCER), and the orthomode transducer 20 divides a linear polarization signal, which is received by the reflector antenna part 10 and is transmitted through the 180° polarizer 100, into orthogonally polarizations to extract a Vertical polarization signal and an Horizontal polarization signal, or combines a V polarized and an Horizontal polarization signals orthogonal to each other and inputted from a Vertical polarization port and an Horizontal polarization port to convert them into a linear polarization signal.
The conventional antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 8 uses the 180° polarizer 100 constructed of a waveguide, there is a problem that the size of the apparatus becomes large, and is not suitable for mounting on an aircraft or the like in which an installation space is limited.
Besides, for example, JP-A-2002-141849 discloses a moving body satellite communication apparatus including an active phased array antenna which transmits a radio frequency signal outputted from a modulator-demodulator to a satellite, and receives a radio frequency signal transmitted from the satellite to output to the modulator-demodulator, a power detector for detecting the power of a reverse polarization contained in the radio frequency signal received by the active phased array antenna, and control means for controlling the plane of polarization of the active phased array antenna on the basis of the power detected by the power detector.
With respect to the transmission side active phased array antenna (transmission APAA), there are indicated a first splitter for dividing a modulating signal, which is frequency-converted by a transmission frequency converter, by the number of element antennas, a second splitter for dividing a modulating signal, which is terminated by a termination, by the number of the element antennas, and transmission APAA modules the number of which is sufficient to satisfy the antenna performance, and which receive the two-channel modulating signals of the modulating signal divided by the first splitter and the modulating signal divided by the second splitter to perform a transmission processing.
Besides, it is disclosed that each of the transmission APAA modules includes a first 90° phase combiner (90° HYB, also simply called a hybrid) for phase combining the two-channel modulating signals divided by the first splitter and the second splitter, a first and a second variable phase shifters respectively for phase shifting the two-channel modulating signals outputted from the first 90° phase combiner, first and second power amplifiers respectively for amplifying the outputs of the first and the second variable phase shifters, and a second 90° phase combiner for phase combining the output signals of the first and the second power amplifiers.
An apparatus in which the variable phase shifters as stated above and the two 90° phase combiners (hybrids) are used, and the power amounts of two inputted polarized signals are distributed at an arbitrary ratio and are outputted by changing the phase amounts of the variable phase shifters, is generally called a variable power divider.
Incidentally, a reception side active phased array antenna (reception APAA) has a similar structure to the transmission side active phased array antenna (transmission APAA) although the flow of signals to be processed is opposite.
Besides, JP-A-2-274004 discloses an array antenna including plural element antennas arranged on a curved surface and for transmitting or receiving a linearly polarized electric wave, a variable phase shifter connected to each of the element antennas, a variable power divider for distributing power amounts of two inputted polarized signals at an arbitrary ratio by changing the phase amount of the variable phase shifter, and a polarization control circuit for performing a control so that the direction of the linearly polarization of each of the elements is changed at intervals of 360°/2n (n is a positive integer).
The foregoing antenna apparatus disclosed in JP-A-2002-141849 or JP-A-2-274004 can be miniaturized as compared with the foregoing antenna apparatus using the 180° polarizer constructed of the waveguide.
However, since it is necessary that according to the required antenna performance, the many element antennas (array antennas) are arranged and the variable power divider corresponding to each of the element antennas is provided, although a highly efficient antenna apparatus can be obtained, there is a problem that it becomes expensive.
The invention has been made to solve the problems as stated above, and has an object to provide an antenna apparatus which performs transmission/reception of a signal to/from a satellite by using a reflector antenna, is suitable for mounting on an aircraft or the like, is miniaturized and is inexpensive.


A photoelectric coupling module includes a holding module and a lens module. The holding module includes a base defining a receiving recess and a cover having a protruding portion. The protruding portion is received in the receiving recess, and the protruding portion and the receiving recess cooperatively define a receiving room for holding optical fibers. The lens module is coupled to the holding module, and includes a reflective surface, a plurality of first lenses, and a plurality of second lenses. Optical axes of the first lenses cross optical axes of the second lenses on the reflective surface. The optical fibers are coupled to the second lenses.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to photoelectric technologies and, particularly, to a photoelectric coupling module.
2. Description of Related Art
Photoelectric coupling modules generally include a holding module and a lens module coupling to the holding module. The holding module defines a number of through holes for holding optical fibers, and the lens module has a number of lenses for transmitting light rays emitted from the optical fibers. However, as the number of the optical fibers of the photoelectric coupling module increases, the holding module defines more through holes to hold the optical fibers. A spacing interval between adjacent through holes limits the number of the through holes.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a photoelectric coupling module that can overcome the limitations described.

Photoelectric coupling module having cover


In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having multiple transmission paths, including a first transmission path configured to receive and process baseband data in a first mode of operation to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal for output via a common output path, and a second transmission path configured to receive and process the baseband data in a second mode of operation to generate the RF signal for output via the common output path.

Transceivers are used in many communication systems including wireless devices, for example. A transceiver can be used for both transmit and receive operations in a device. Often, a transceiver is coupled between a baseband processor and an antenna and related circuitry of a system. In the receive direction, incoming radio frequency (RF) signals are received by the transceiver, which downconverts them to a lower frequency for processing by the baseband processor. In the transmit direction, incoming baseband data is provided to the transceiver, which processes the data and upconverts it to a higher frequency, e.g., a RF frequency. The upconverted RF signals are then passed to a power amplifier (PA) for amplification and transmission via an antenna.
Thus the transceiver acts as an interface between baseband and RF domains. Among the various tasks performed by a transceiver are downconversion and upconversion, modulation and demodulation, and other related tasks. Oftentimes, a transceiver is controlled by a baseband processor to which it is coupled. In turn, the transceiver is coupled to a power amplifier, which generates appropriately conditioned RF signals for transmission via an antenna. In the transmit direction, the transceiver provides RF signals to the power amplifier, which amplifies the signals based on gain and ramp information for a given modulation type. Different wireless communication protocols implement different modulation schemes. For example, a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) system can implement various modulation schemes, including a gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation scheme for voice/data. Furthermore, extensions to GSM, such as Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) use other modulation schemes, such as an 8 phase shift keying (8-PSK) modulation scheme, in addition to GMSK modulation.
Some PAs in certain wireless protocols operate in a linear mode. Other PAs can operate in a saturated mode. GMSK schemes typically transmit in a saturated mode in which transmitted data is output from the PA with a constant amplitude as measured by power versus time during the useful part of the burst. In contrast, 8-PSK modulation typically requires a linear mode in which a time-varying amplitude is output from the PA as measured by power versus time during the useful part of the burst. However, certain radio architectures including EDGE functionality attempt to use a saturated mode PA for 8-PSK modulation. A technique generally called polar modulation is typically used in these architectures. Polar modulation architectures include separate amplitude and phase/frequency pathways. A variant of polar modulation called polar loop exists in which the separate amplitude and phase/frequency pathways somehow exist as part of a feedback loop. Such polar loop architectures can have stability challenges. In both cases (polar modulation and polar loop), the amplitude pathway contains circuitry whose delay must be matched very closely to the delay through the phase pathway to avoid serious performance degradation. In a production environment, delays should be matched over all variations in process, supply voltage, frequency, output power, and temperature, creating a fundamentally difficult design and manufacturing challenges. As the transfer function of the PA changes over the range of output powers, the polar loop, by virtue of its feedback loop, may become unstable, causing damage to the PA or causing a handset to drop a call. External loop filters complicate calibration by allowing unwanted parasitic coupling to the printed circuit board (PCB) of the handset, PA, and other sources of interference and noise.
The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specification for compliant second and third generation (3G) mobile stations requires a maximum spectral power density of −54 dBc for 8-PSK at a frequency offset of 400 kHz. Handset manufacturers typically require that no more than −60 dBc be produced from the transceiver. With a delay mismatch of approximately 30 ns the spectrum becomes marginally failing to this specification. Accordingly, challenges exist in implementing 8-PSK features in polar architectures, and a need exists for more suitable radio architectures.

Edge transceiver architecture and related methods


The present invention discloses a rotary pulse type filter dust collector, which can maintain excellent de-dusting efficiency of a low pressure pulse type filter dust collector, reduce the number of required components in order to reduce manufacturing costs, maintenance fees, and lower defect factors to provide higher reliability. The dust collector includes: a dust collector body, a number of filter bags, a moving compressed air tank, nozzles, diaphragm valves, mechanical 3-way valves, protrusions, a reduction motor and a mechanical device for driving the compressed air tank, and an inverter controller.

In general, filter dust collectors are installed on equipments, such as a boiler and an incinerator, which generate dust, installed inside a flour mill, a feed manufacturing factory, a cement manufacturing factory, or the likes. The installed filter dust collectors collect particle type materials such as dust, unburned carbon, and the likes, and remove or recover the collected particles.
For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, a conventional dust collector includes a dust collector body 100 having a cover 105, an intermediate plate 112 formed in a longitudinal direction inside the dust collector body 100, and a number of filter bags 110 formed along the longitudinal direction of the dust collector body 100 from the lower portion of the intermediate plate 112. Furthermore, a number of venturi tubes 115 corresponding to the filter bags 110 are mounted on the upper portion of the intermediate plate 112.
Nozzle pipes 120 are arranged above the venturi tubes 115 in parallel with the intermediate plate 112. A number of solenoid valves 130 are mounted on ends of the nozzle pipes 120 exposed to the outside of the dust collector body 100, and a compressed air tank 140 is mounted on the outer surfaces of the nozzle pipes 120. Furthermore, a timer (or time kit) 150 is mounted on the outer surface of the dust collector 100.
The dust collector shown in FIG. 1 usually uses high-pressure compressed air of 5˜6 kgf/cm2 as pulse air, but cleaning effect is not sufficient due to weak pulse. Therefore, designing engineer should apply very low air-to-cloth ratio, and so, the dust collector gets bigger due to increase of the number of the filter bags 110. Moreover, the conventional dust collector has a disadvantage in that the filter bags 110 are quickly blocked since condensed water and oil are mixed with the high-pressure compressed air used for generating pulse.
Meanwhile, a dust collector using very low pressure air (0.5 kgf/cm2) to generate pulse is also disclosed. As shown in FIG. 2, the dust collector includes a number of filter bags 210 attached on an intermediate plate within a dust collector body 200 in a longitudinal direction, an air inlet 220 formed in an area of the outer surface of the dust collector body 200 to introduce the air, an air outlet 230 formed in the other area of the dust collector body 200 to discharge filtered air, and a compressed air tank 250 disposed inside a machine room 205 located above the filter bags 210, differently from the dust collector shown in FIG. 1.
The compressed air tank 250 has nozzles 260 of the same number as the filter bags 110 to pass the compressed air tank 250 vertically, and diaphragm valves 270 are mounted on the upper end of each nozzles 260. The compressed air tank 250 is connected with a compressed air source (a ring blower, a roots blower or air decompressed by a pressure reducing valve) and with a safety valve 240.
In this way, excellent cleaning effect can be obtained by generating very strong pulses with low pressure air (0.5 kgf/cm2) having less condensed water and oil. However, the conventional low pressure pulse type dust collector has several disadvantages in that it requires a lot of very expensive components and increases manufacturing costs and maintenance fees because it needs one nozzle and one diaphragm valve for each filter bag and the plurality of solenoid valves (not shown, and ⅓˜¼ of the number of the filter bags 210) are needed to generate a pulse by group of three or four diaphragm valves 270, the timer (or time kit, not shown) to send signal to the solenoid valves to control pulsing interval must be mounted.


A protective body has an opening for receiving a hanging clip of a tape measure, knife, or other portable object. The protective body and opening are preferably sized and shaped to receive substantially all of the hanging clip, or at least the region of the clip immediately adjacent to the object, to cover any unsmooth edges of the hanging clip so they do not cut into the wear's belt, pocket, etc.

Cabinet makers, furniture makers, and other craftsmen typically use a tape measure on a frequent basis. Conventional tape measures have a hanging clip that allows the user to hang his tape measure from his pants pocket or belt for convenience. But these clips are usually made of metal and have unsmooth edges that often cut into the user's pants. Over time, their pants get shredded to the point of becoming unsightly and even unwearable.
In addition, craftsmen, hunters, and others often carry a knife that they use frequently. Some knives have metal hanging clips that allow the user to hang his knife from his pants pocket or belt for convenience. But these clips suffer from the same problem of unsmooth edges shredding the user's clothing over time.
Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a way to protect a person's pants and/or other clothing from being damaged by the edges of a hanging clip of a tape measure, knife, or other portable object hung from the person's belt, pants pocket, etc. It is to the provision of a way to protect clothing from such damage that the present invention is primarily directed.

Protective cover for a hanging clip of a tape measure, knife, or other portable object


A device for handling and storage of drill string sections, and assembly or disassembly of a drill string on an installation especially intended for exploratory and/or production drilling for hydrocarbons, where: at least one set of individual, separate cooperating means of transport is arranged to move a drill string section or a single drill pipe length in synchronized motion; where a) a primary means of transport is provided with a first gripping device for releasably holding a lower end portion of the drill string section or drill pipe length; b) a secondary means of transport is provided with a first means of lateral support for releasably enclosing an upper end portion of the drill string section or drill pipe length; and c) each means of transport is displaceable along a substantially horizontal or vertical guideway.

The invention regards a device for a system for handling of pipes, especially drill pipes, at a drill floor on an installation for exploration and production drilling, substantially for hydrocarbons, more particularly a system for storage of drill string sections, preferably in a vertical position, and transport of these between the storage location and an upper and a lower pipe handler located in close proximity to the extension of the wellbore axis of a drill floor for joining to the drill string, or between the storage location and means of separating the drill pipe lengths of the drill string sections and placing these, preferably in a horizontal position, in intermediate storage or a transit rack, or retrieval of drill pipe lengths from the transit rack, moving these, preferably to a vertical position, and joining these to form an assembled drill string section.
In its most advanced form, prior art in this area comprises one or more manipulators positioned upright or moving at the drill floor, and which are provided with one or more devices arranged to grip a drill string section and move it between a storage area, in the form of e.g. a finger board, and the drill string protruding up through the drill floor, where the drill string is being assembled or disassembled. Known drill string manipulators or handlers take up a lot of space at the drill floor, an area where a large accessible storage space is required for various components, tools etc. Moreover, known drill string handlers are heavy, which is a disadvantage in terms of the dimensioning of constructional supports etc., and also when considering the loading capacity that is available for operating equipment such as mud, cement, liners, drill pipes etc. onboard floating installations. In the case of older installations, the space may be so limited as to make it physically impossible for a known drill string handler to operate due to e.g. surrounding and overlying derrick structures etc.
The object of the invention is to remedy or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of prior art.
The object is achieved by the characteristics given in the description below and in the following claims.
The invention regards a device for a system for handling and storage of drill string sections and assembly or disassembly of a drill string on an installation intended especially for exploration and/or production drilling for hydrocarbons, at least one set of individual, separate cooperating means of transport being arranged to move a drill string section or a single drill pipe length by synchronized movement, where    a) a primary means of transport is provided with a first gripping device for releasably holding a lower end portion of the drill string section or the drill pipe length;    b) a secondary means of transport is provided with a first means of lateral support for releasably enclosing an upper end portion of the drill string section or the drill pipe length; and where    c) each means of transport can be displaced along an essentially horizontal or vertical guideway.
Advantageously at least one primary means of transport is provided with means of joining and separating drill pipe lengths in the drill string section; and advantageously at least one primary means of transport is provided with means of vertical displacement of the first gripping device.
Preferably the device comprises an upper and a lower finger board for positioning of the upright drill string section in a storage area and holding the drill string section in a chosen storage position, where the upper and lower finger boards are each provided with at least one set of transport means for substantially horizontal displacement of the drill string section along the guideways; together with means positioned in close proximity to the upper and lower finger boards, respectively, for joining and separating the drill section to/from the drill string.
Preferably the device comprises:    a) means of moving a drill pipe length between a horizontal position and a vertical position;    b) means of joining and separating at least two upright drill pipe lengths associated with an upright drill string section by rotating a drill pipe length about its central axis for joining or separation at the thread areas of the drill pipe length;    c) a lower pipe handler and an upper pipe handler located in close proximity to the extension of the wellbore axis of a drill floor; and    d) means of transferring a drill pipe length or a drill string section between a) and b), between b) and the finger boards, between the finger boards and c), and also between b) and c).
Preferably the device comprises means of moving a drill pipe length between a horizontal position and a vertical position, where the means comprise a first gripping device mounted on a first primary means of transport arranged to move along a first guideway, and a first means of lateral support mounted on a first secondary means of transport arranged to move along a second guideway.
Preferably the first guideway is essentially horizontal.
Preferably the second guideway is essentially vertical.
Preferably a third guideway comprises at least two vertically displaceable means of transport, each provided with gripping devices and/or means of lateral support for rotational joining and separation of the thread areas of the drill string sections and vertical displacement of the assembled drill string section or the separate drill pipe length; means of moving the upright drill pipe length out of engagement with the first gripping device and the first means of lateral support and into engagement with the gripping device and/or means of lateral support of the third guideway; and also means of moving the upright drill string section into or out of engagement with the upper and lower pipe handlers.
Preferably the third guideway comprises an upper second secondary means of transport provided with a second means of lateral support for releasably enclosing an upper end portion of the drill string section or a first drill pipe length; furthermore an intermediate second primary means of transport provided with a second gripping device for releasably holding a middle section of the drill string section or a lower end portion of the first or a second drill pipe length; furthermore a lower tertiary means of transport provided with a clamping device for releasably holding a lower part of the drill string section or the lower end portion of a drill pipe length; the intermediate second primary means of transport and/or the lower tertiary means of transport being provided with means of rotating the drill string section or parts thereof about the central axis of the pipe.
Preferably the means of moving the drill string section into or out of engagement with the lower and upper pipe handlers comprise a fourth and a fifth guideway, respectively, a third primary means of transport provided with a third gripping device for releasably holding the lower end portion of the drill string section being movably coupled to the fourth guideway, and a third secondary means of transport provided with a third means of lateral support for releasably enclosing the upper end portion of the drill string section being movably coupled to the fifth guideway.
Preferably the device comprises means of transport for horizontal displacement of a drill string section along a sixth and a seventh guideway, respectively, in close proximity to the free finger ends of the upper and lower finger boards, respectively; and means of transport for horizontal displacement of a drill string section along the fingers of the upper and lower finger boards.
Preferably the means of transport for horizontal displacement of a drill string section along the sixth and seventh guideway, respectively, comprise a fourth secondary means of transport with a fourth means of lateral support for releasably enclosing en upper end portion of a drill string section, and a fourth means of transport with a fourth gripping device for releasably holding the lower end portion of the drill string section, respectively.
Preferably the means of transport for horizontal displacement of the drill string section along the fingers of the upper and lower fingerboards, respectively, comprise a fifth secondary means of transport with a fifth means of lateral support for releasably enclosing the upper end portion of the drill string section, and a fifth primary means of transport with a fifth gripping device for releasably holding the lower end portion of the drill string section, respectively.
Preferably the fifth primary means of transport and the fifth secondary means of transport, respectively, are each provided with separate coupling means for releasable coupling to a shuttle carriage.
Preferably the shuttle carriage is arranged, after controlled release of the fifth secondary means of transport and the fifth primary means of transport, respectively, from movable interconnection with an arbitrary finger on the upper and lower finger board, respectively, to bring a fifth secondary means of transport and the fifth primary means of transport, respectively, into engagement with another arbitrary finger in the upper and lower finger board, respectively.
Preferably the means of transport is provided with or connected to means of controlling the carriage travel.
Preferably the device comprises means of monitoring the position of any drill string section in the system.
Preferably one or more of the clamping means, the lower pipe handler and the gripping devices are provided with lifting means for vertical movement of the drill string section or the drill pipe length.
Preferably one or more of the clamping means, the lower and the upper pipe handlers, the gripping devices and the means of lateral support are provided with means of effecting horizontal movement of the drill string section or the drill pipe length.
Preferably at least one of the gripping devices is provided with means of providing fixed vertical support for the drill string section.
Preferably each finger of the upper finger board comprises means of holding a single drill string section or a group of drill string sections.
Preferably the lower pipe handler is provided with means of effecting horizontal and vertical displacement of an upper and a lower pipe gripping tong.
Preferably the lower pipe gripping tong is arranged to hold the drill string in a firm grasp and the upper pipe gripping tong is arranged to rotate the drill string section about the central axis of the pipe for joining the drill string section to or separating it from the drill string.
Preferably the means of transport are carriages that engage the driving means of the guideway or the shuttle carriage.
Alternatively the means of transport are fixed to a belt or chain-like device extending along a substantial portion of the longitudinal extent of the guideway.

Device for handling of pipes at a drill floor


A method for determining a phase for a captured image, the method comprising forming a demodulated image defining wrapped phase values and modulation values, each being associated with at least one region in the captured image; identifying a position of an edge in the captured image dependent upon the modulation values; determining a position of substantial change in the wrapped phase values in the captured image dependent upon the identified position of the edge, and determining at least one unwrapped phase value based on the position of the edge and the position of the substantial change in the wrapped phase values by shifting a position of the substantial change in the wrapped phase values to the identified position of the edge, so that said unwrapped phase value is adjusted by at least one cycle.

In the last century or so a large number of techniques have been developed to make (normally invisible) phase variations visible in imaging devices. These techniques include Zernike phase contrast, Nomarski differential interference contrast, generalized phase contrast, Foucault knife edge, shadowgraph and dark-field.
More recently there has been progress in extending some of these techniques to X-ray imaging. Phase-contrast X-ray imaging offers the ability to image soft tissues, where conventional absorption X-ray imaging does not produce a detectible contrast due to low absorption in soft tissues. A number of new phase-contrast techniques have been developed to address the particularly difficult nature of X-rays. These difficulties relate primarily to the difficulty of focusing and imaging X-ray beams, due to both their penetrating power and the small range of refractive indices available. Current techniques include TIE (Transport of Intensity Equation), phase contrast imaging and ptychography. Another current technique is known as "X-ray Talbot interferometry" (XTI), which yields intermediate images that encode one or more differential phase images. The XTI method when implemented using simple linear gratings gives one differential phase image. XTI implemented with two dimensional (crossed) gratings yields an x differential phase image and a y differential phase image. The differential phase in x and y directions will be referred to as 'phase' hereafter in this disclosure for simplicity.
A problem with phase imaging is that the recovered phase information is almost always 'wrapped' because it is embedded in a sinusoidal function. In other words, the phase value recovered from the phase imaging system in question is the underlying phase value modulo 2π radians. A typical phase unwrapping method looks for discontinuities in the phase and compensates for sudden jumps or drops by adding or subtracting integer multiples of 2π to restore the true phase values.
Phase unwrapping is in general a difficult problem because the problem is inherently ambiguous and there is no consistent way to distinguish between discontinuities caused by wrapping, and discontinuities which exist in the true, unwrapped, phase. A phase discontinuity is associated with a "residue", which is a single point of discontinuity in the phase that constitutes the start or end-point of an extended region of discontinuity.
To unwrap the phase, some methods operate in three steps, namely finding residues, joining residues together to minimize some measure of discontinuity, and then using a flood-fill algorithm to correct the phase values in regions.
However, because these algorithms are region-based, when they fail they can produce extremely visible artifacts, such as an offset of 2π which covers a substantial fraction of the area of an image.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of prior art incorrect phase unwrapping results. FIG. 3 is a hypothetical one-dimensional example of a genuine phase edge treated as a phase wrapping effect by a prior art phase unwrapping algorithm. FIG. 3 depicts a real discontinuity in a phase signal, depicted in (310), in which a signal 311 gradually drops to a minimum value 312 and then jumps to a much higher value 313 before it slowly decreases again as depicted at 314. One current phase unwrapping method will detect this discontinuity and shift the region 314 on the right of the discontinuity 312/313 downward by 2π based on the fact that slopes of the signal just before (see 316) and after (see 315) the discontinuity point 312/133 seem to match. However, the result depicted at 320 not only mistakenly removes a real phase edge, but it also offsets the phase value by 2π, an error that will propagates to the end of the signal.


A process for beveling the tip of a medical catheter is described. A catheter blank is mounted on a mandrel normally with the mandrel tip extending beyond the tip of the catheter to be beveled. The mandrel and catheter blank are inserted into a previously heated mold having a passage therethrough through which the mandrel passes. At a portion of the mold at which the terminus of the catheter is to be formed, a constriction is provided through which material (flash) may pass from the mold volume to the outside of the mold. The material is permitted to cool sufficiently such that when the mandrel and catheter are withdrawn from the mold, the flash tears and separates from the catheter at the point of the constriction formed between the mold and the mandrel.

It has long been known to taper the tip of a catheter, in particular, a peripherally inserted intravenous catheter in order to ease the insertion process. It has further been found that a dual bevel formed at the catheter tip eases such insertion and greatly improves the insertion process. The first bevel is a taper of approximately 3.degree. and the second bevel is a taper of approximately 27.degree..
These tips may be formed, for example, by laser cutting as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,903, or by molding as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,300 to Daugherty.
The Daugherty patent shows a molding process in which a single step operation is used to form and clip the catheter. That is, the catheter is placed on a mandrel with the catheter material extending beyond the mandrel and this assembly is then inserted into a heated mold to form the outer surface of the catheter. The mandrel is advanced to a point where it engages the mold surface to clip the flash from the catheter in a single step.
The single step process, however, has significant disadvantages as it provides for short tool life, as both the mold and the mandrel are used as cutting devices and therefore must engage and wear upon each other. This means that during usage, the outer surface formed on the catheter varies as the contact between the mandrel and the die wears upon the inner surface of the die. Furthermore, tooling must be replaced in order to maintain a sharp edge on the mandrel to provide appropriate cutting action.

One-step flashing bevel process for a catheter


Disclosed is a storage interface apparatus for a solid state drive (SSD) tester which allows a plurality of interfaces to share a single protocol in parts where the protocol is commonly used in a multiple interface for interfacing a storage. The storage interface apparatus for the solid state driver tester includes: a host terminal for receiving a test condition for testing a storage from a user; and a test control unit for generating a test pattern corresponding to the test condition to test the storage. The test control unit includes a storage interface unit for interfacing the storage, and the storage interface unit includes a plurality of interfaces that share a protocol in parts where the protocol is commonly used.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage interface apparatus for a solid state drive tester, and more particularly to a storage interface apparatus for a solid state drive tester which allows a plurality of interfaces to share a single protocol in parts where the protocol is commonly used to interface storages.
2. Description of the Related Art
Until now, hard disk drives (HDDs) have been most generally known and used as large capacity digital media storage devices. However, in recent years, as prices of NAND flash semiconductor devices, which have the largest capacity among semiconductor devices having a memory function and data stored therein are not erased even when electric power is not supplied, are being lowered, large capacity digital medial storage apparatus such as solid state drives (SSDs) using a semiconductor having a memory function are newly appearing.
Writing and reading speeds of such an SSD are 3 to 5 times as fast as those of existing hard disks, and its performance of reading/writing an random address required by a database management system is several hundreds of times as excellent as those of existing hard disks. In addition, an SSD is operated in a silent way, so a noise problem of an existing hard disk can be solved. Further, since the SSD is operated with power consumption significantly lower than that of a hard disk, the SSD is known as to most suitable for a digital device, such as a laptop computer, which requires low power consumption.
In addition, the SSD has a higher durability against an external impact than an existing hard disk, and as the SSD can be manufactured to be smaller and more various in shape as compared with a hard disk having a fixed form in terms of an external design, an external shape of an electronic product employing the SSD can be made smaller, showing many excellent advantages in its applications.
Due to its advantages, it is expected that distributions of SSDs can be expanded rapidly to searches, home shopping, storage media of video service servers, storage media for storing various R&D materials, and special equipment, as well as existing desktop computers or laptop computers.
A performance of the above-described SSD is tested through an SSD tester, and an SSD test device for testing the SSD according to the related art is illustrated in FIG. 1.
An SSD test device according to the related art includes a host terminal 110, a network 120, a test control unit 130, a memory 140, and an external vector memory 160. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 denotes a storage unit 200 including a plurality of storages 201 to 200+N which are test targets.
The host terminal 110 functions to receive a test condition for testing a storage from a user, and the network 120 is in charge of a data interface between the host terminal 110 and the test control unit 130.
A program for testing an SSD is stored in the memory 140, and the external vector memory 160 functions to store pattern data for generating a desired test pattern.
The test control unit 130 functions to generate a test pattern corresponding to the test condition input by the user, adaptively select an interface according to a type of an interface of the storage to be tested to test the storage using the test pattern, and store failure data generated during the test in an internal memory.
Preferably, a plurality of devices installed in the test control unit 130 to test the SSD are implemented as one chip by using a field programmable gate array (FPGA).
The test control unit 130 includes a communication interface unit 131 connected to the host terminal 110 through the network 120 to receive information of the user and to transmit the test result to the host terminal 110, a storage interface unit 132 for interfacing the storage unit 200, and an embedded processor 133 for generating a test pattern corresponding to the test condition input by the user, controlling selection of an interface by the storage interface unit 132 according to an interface type of a storage to be tested, controlling a test of the storage unit 200 through the storage interface unit 132 based on the test pattern, and receiving the result.
The test control unit 130 includes a vector memory 134 for storing expectation data corresponding to the test pattern generated by the embedded processor 133, a failure processor 135 for comparing the expectation data stored in the vector memory 134 with the test result data acquired from the embedded processor 133 to determine a failure, and processing failure information generated in the case of a failure, and a failure memory 136 for storing the failure information generated in the failure processor 135.
Meanwhile, the storage interface unit 132 includes a plurality of multi-interfaces 151 to 151+N.
Here, internal configurations and operations of the plurality of multi-interfaces 151 to 151+N are the same, and thus only one multi-interface 151 will be described below for convenience' sake.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the multi-interface 151 includes an advanced host controller interface (AHCI) 151a for interfacing instruction data generated in the embedded processor 133, a direct memory access (DMA) unit 151b for interfacing writing data generated in the embedded processor 133, a serial-ATA (SATA) interface 151c for supporting an SATA interface between the advanced host controller interface 151a and the storage 201 and between the direct memory access unit 151b and the storage 201, a serial attached SCSI (SAS) interface 151d for supporting an SAS interface between the advanced host controller interface 151a and the storage 201 and between the direct memory access unit 151b and the storage 201, a PCI express (PCIe) interface 151e for supporting a PCIe interface between the advanced host controller interface 151a and the storage 201 and between the direct memory access unit 151b and the storage 201, and a multiplexer (MUX) 151f for selecting one of the SATA interface 151c, the SAS interface 151d, and the PCIe interface 151e according to an interface selection signal generated in the embedded processor 133 to connect the storage 201 and the embedded processor 133.
Here, the SATA interface 151c, the SAS interface 151d, and the PCIe interface 151e are implemented therein with protocols for independent interfaces, that is, transport layers, transaction layers, link layers, and physical layers, respectively.
In the above-described solid state drive test device according to the related art, a plurality of test devices for testing storages are implemented as one chip by using an FPGA.
In more detail, after a user for testing an SSD connects a solid state drive tester to a storage to be tested, the user inputs a test condition through the host terminal 110. Here, the test condition may contain an interface selection signal for an interface with a storage to be tested.
The test condition of the user input through the host terminal 110 is transferred to the one-chipped test control unit 130 through the network 120.
The communication interface unit 131 of the test control unit 130 receives the test condition input by the user through the network 120, and transfers the received test condition to the embedded processor 133. If the test condition is input by the user and a test is requested, the embedded processor 133 extracts a test program for the storage test from a memory 140 and starts to test the storage. Here, as an initial operation of the test, test pattern data corresponding to the test condition input by the user are extracted from the external vector memory 160 to generate a test pattern.
The generated test pattern is input to the vector memory 134 as expectation data and is transferred to the multi-interface 151 at the same time, and then an interface selection signal is provided to the multi-interface 151 to select an interface corresponding to the storage 201.
For example, an interface selection signal is applied from the embedded processor 133 to the multiplexer 151f of the multi-interface 151, the multiplexer 151f selects one of the interfaces SATA, SAS, and PCIe according to the applied interface selection signal. That is, an interface corresponding to the interface of the storage 201 is selected.
Thereafter, instruction data output from the embedded processor 133 for the test are input to the SATA interface 151c, the SAS interface 151d, and the PCIe interface 151e through the advanced host controller interface 151a, respectively.
In addition, writing data output from the embedded processor 133 are input to the SATA interface 151c, the SAS interface 151d, and the PCIe interface 151e, respectively, through the DMA unit 151b.
In a state where the instruction data and the writing data output from the embedded processor 133 are input to the respective interfaces in this way, the multiplexer 151f selects only one interface according to an interface selection signal. The test of the storage 201 is started by transferring the instruction data and writing data input to the selected interface to the storage 201. For example, when the interface of the storage 201 uses the SATA interface, the SATA interface 151c is selected, and the instruction data and writing data input to the SATA interface 151c are converted into a format suitable for the SATA interface to be applied to the storage 201.
Here, standard interfaces are employed for the SATA interface, the SAS interface, and the PCIe interface, and protocols for interfaces, that is, protocols for transport layers, link layers, and physical layers are individually implemented in the interfaces, respectively.
Next, after result data for testing the storage 201 are read out according to a reading instruction, they are transferred to the embedded processor 133 through the multiplexer 151f, the SATA interface 151c, and the DMA unit 151b of the multi-interface 151.
If the data obtained by reading out the storage test are transferred to the embedded processor 133, the embedded processor 133 transmits the readout data to the failure processor 135.
The failure processor 135 compares expectation data read out from the vector memory 134 with the readout data (reading data) transferred from the embedded processor 133, and does not generate a failure signal if they are the same and generates a failure signal if they are different.
According to the failure signal generated in this way, the failure memory 136 stores the expectation data and the readout data input to the failure processor 135 as failure information while taking the transferred address as a logical block address (LBA).
In addition, the failure information stored in the failure memory 136 is transferred to the embedded processor 133 according to a request of the embedded processor 133, and is transmitted to the host terminal 110 through the communication interface unit 131 and the network 120.
Thus, the user can recognize the test result of the storage easily tested through the host terminal 110.
However, according to the related art, since interface units are independently manufactured for respective interfaces such as SATA, SAS, and PCIe to be output through the multiplexer, the number of gate counts increases, much heat and noise are generated due to the large sizes of the interfaces, and high implementation costs are required, causing problems in creating a plurality of channels.
For example, according to the related art, protocols are independently provided for respective interfaces, that is, protocols such as transport layers, link layers, and physical layers are provided for respective interfaces, making the size of the interface unit large.

Storage interface apparatus for solid state drive tester


A chain plate structure includes a link plate body and a sleeve. The link plate body has an acting surface being provided with a first approach edge, two combining portions, and a limiting block located adjacent to the first approach edge. The limiting block has an altitude higher than an altitude of the acting surface. The sleeve is mounted on the link plate body and has a through hole whose maximum diameter is greater than a maximum diameter of a raised ring peripherally formed on the corresponding one of the combining portions. Therefore, when two of the link plate bodies are combined together, a first space is formed between the acting surfaces of the two aligned link plate bodies. The limiting block serves to limit the first space, while the sleeve is allowed to move on one of the combining portions so as to provide a second space.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to bicycle chains, and more particularly to a chain plate structure featuring that when the chain plate structures are assembled as a chain having plural chain elements, two spaces are formed in each said chain element, thereby contributing to steady and fast shifting operation with reduced noise.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 15 depicts an example of a conventional chain for bicycle transmission. Therein, a chain (A) routes around a derailleur's guide pulley (B) and a transmission sprocket (C), for allowing transmission and shifting operation. While the chain (A) has its each two aligned chain plates (A1) spaced by a fixed interval, the chain-engaging teeth (B1) of the guide pulley (B) and the chain-engaging teeth (C1) of the transmission sprocket (C) are different in thickness. As a result, it is impossible for the chain-engaging teeth (B1) of the guide pulley (B) and the chain-engaging teeth (C1) of the transmission sprocket (C) to be both fittingly received in the interval between the two aligned chain plates (A1) of the chain (A). Instead, at least one of the two kinds of teeth (B1) (C1) only gets too loose or too tight engagement with the chain (A), and this can adversely affect the efficiency of transmission and shifting operation.
As an attempt to address this problem, Taiwan Patent No. M400969 published on Apr. 1, 2011 and titled "PLATE BODY FOR INNER PLATE AND INNER PLATE HAVING THE SAME" discloses a plate body, wherein the plate body is used for a bicycle chain, which has two of the plate bodies assembled face to face, and serves as an inner plate of the bicycle chain. The plate body comprises a pair of through holes and a raised portion that is defined between the two through holes and faces the other plate body. Therein, the raised portion is equidistant from the centers of the two through holes. Thereby, the chain can be maintained tilted during shifting operation, so as to improve the holding force of the chain exerting on the chain pulley.
However, in the prior patent, the interval between the raised portions of the two aligned chain plates is still fixed, so the problem that at least one of the two kinds of teeth only gets too loose or too tight engagement with the chain remains unsolved and the poor efficiency of transmission and shifting operation persists.


An electronic control device on a vehicle having a shift transmission operable by a driver includes: a battery; a motor generator; and a three-phase inverter executing an electricity conversion between the battery and the motor generator bi-directionally; a detector detecting a shift down operation; an obtaining device obtaining a negative torque corresponding to the shift down operation; a determination device determining whether the battery is chargeable; and a controller controlling the three-phase inverter to generate the negative torque at the motor generator. When the detector detects the shift down operation, and the determination device determines that the battery is not chargeable, the controller outputs a switching signal to all of three upper arms or all of three lower arms to turn on simultaneously, and outputs a shutdown signal to all of three upper arms or all of three lower arms with executing a PWM control of the shutdown signal.

JP-4449942 B2 teaches an electronic control device having a battery, a motor generator as a vehicle driving power source, a three phase inverter arranged between the battery and the motor generator and executing electricity conversion between the battery and the motor generator, and an electric continuously variable transmission. The electronic control device is mounted on the vehicle. The motor generator is defined as a MG, and the electric continuously variable transmission is defined as an electric CVT.
In the electronic control device, when an upper arm or a lower arm in one of phases in the three phase inverter short-circuits, and the rotation speed of the MG is higher than a predetermined rotation speed, all of the upper arms or all of the lower arms in three phases are controlled to turn on at the same time. Thus, when the three phase on-control is performed, the regeneration torque (i.e., brake torque) generated by the MG becomes smaller than a case where one phase short-circuits.
Recently, in order to drive the vehicle similar to the manual transmission, many vehicles use an electric CVT that is capable of shifting a transmission by an operation of a driver of the vehicle. The electric CVT is also defined as a CVT having a sequential shift function.
When the driver operates the shift lever to shift down the transmission, it is necessary for the vehicle to generate a negative torque corresponding to the shift down operation and to reduce a vehicle speed. For example, in the vehicle having the electric CVT, when it is necessary for the MG as the driving power source to generate the negative torque, the negative torque is to be generated at the MG in a manner without generating regeneration current if it is impossible to charge the battery.
On the other hand, it is considered that the negative torque may be generated at the MG using a technique for performing a three-phase on control. However, in this technique, since all of the upper arms or all of the lower arms in the three phases turn on at the same time, and the on-state of the three phases continues, it is difficult to generate the negative torque corresponding to the shift down operation. Specifically, it is difficult to adjust or control the negative torque generated at the MG to be a required negative torque.


A VCT system having a housing, a rotor, a locking pin, and a spool valve. The spool valve has a spool slidably located in a bore with a plurality of ports. The spool has a plurality of lands that block the ports. When the spool is in the advance position, the plurality of lands allow fluid through the ports from the retard chamber to the advance chamber. When the spool is in the retard position, the plurality of lands allow fluid through the ports from the advance chamber to the retard chamber. When the spool is in the null position, the plurality of lands allow fluid from a source to the advance and retard chambers. When the spool is in the locked position, the plurality of lands allow fluid supplied to one of the advance chamber or the retard chamber to move the locking pin to a locked position.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of variable cam timing systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to a remote control valve of a variable cam timing system with lock pin control.
2. Description of Related Art
Locking pins are commonly added to phasers to lock the position of the rotor relative to the housing. Some of examples of phasers with locking pins are U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,402, U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,258, U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,778, U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,777, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,721.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,999 discloses a passage in the sprocket that extends parallel to and spaced from a longitudinal axis of rotation of the camshaft. A pin is slidable within the passage and is resiliently urged by a spring. A vane of the phaser carries a plate with a pocket for receiving an end of the pin. If sufficient oil pressure is provided, the oil pressure keeps the end of the pin from engaging the pocket in the vane, if not, the pin engages the pocket prohibiting movement of the vane. The pocket is in fluid communication with the oil used in the variable cam timing system.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,402 discloses a variable cam timing system in which the rotor and the housing are locked relative to each other by a pin when the spool is in the null position. Pressurized fluid from a source provides fluid to a lock pin passage off of the fluid line to either the advance chamber or the retard chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,258 discloses a pin in the housing that locks the housing relative to the rotor. The oil pressure required to unlock the locking pin is higher than the pressure required to the hold the pin in the unlocked position.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,778 discloses a locking pin in hydraulic communication with a control circuit of a differential pressure control system (DPCS) of a variable cam timing system. When the control pressure is less than 50% duty cycle, a control signal commands the pin to engage and the VCT to move toward the mechanical stop. When the control pressure of the circuit is greater than 50% duty cycle, the locking pin disengages and the vane moves away from the mechanical stop.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,777 discloses a variable cam timing system in which a source oil passage provides oil to a spool valve and a locking pin. The locking pins is fed directly from the source. When the oil pump is on, the locking pin is unlocked. The spool position has no bearing on whether the locking pin is locked or unlocked.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,721 discloses a variable cam timing system having a rotor with two sets of vanes including vanes with a pair of shoulders. The shoulders position and block the passage way to a locking pin. In the advanced, retard, and null positions, the locking pin is unlocked. In the full advance position the locking pin is locked. The locking pin is pressurized when the spool is commanded to move away from its default position.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,038 discloses a variable cam timing system that utilizes the same spool that controls the VCT mechanism to actively control the locking pin. The positions of the spool's multiple lands directly influence whether source oil is supplied to both the locking pin and either the retard or advance chamber of the phaser.
FIGS. 5a–5c show a prior art cam torque actuated (CTA) phaser. In cam torque actuated phasers, torque reversals in the camshaft caused by the forces of opening and closing the valves move the vane 6. The control valve 4 in the CTA system allows the vanes 6 in the phaser to move by permitting fluid flow from the advance chamber 8 to the retard chamber 10 or vice versa, depending on the desired direction of movement. Positive cam torsionals are used to retard the phaser and negative cam torsionals are used to advance the phaser. During operation of the cam torque actuated phaser, the spool valve 4 pressurizes both the advance 8 and retard chambers 10 simultaneously and circulates oil to and from the spool valve 4 to the chambers 8, 10. Since, both chambers 8, 10 are pressurized simultaneously in the cam torque actuated phaser, a locking pin could never be added directly off of the chambers, since the pressure is never reduced to zero.
More specifically, in the null position, as shown in FIG. 5a, spool lands 9a, 9b block lines 12 and 13, and vane 6 is locked into position. Additional fluid is provided to the phaser to makeup for losses due to leakage. In this position, the locking pin in a bore 52 is in an unlocked position. Fluid is supplied to the locking pin from a source by line 50 and 54. The pressure of the fluid from source is greater than the force exerted by biasing spring 23 on locking pin 24. The locking pin 24 is prevented from venting by spool land 9b. Furthermore, in some engines the cam torque energy dissipates at high speeds, and the CTA VCT is not able to move without cam torque energy, because by the nature of the CTA hydraulic circuit, equal source pressure is applied to both sides of the vane, such that the VCT does not move.
To retard the phaser, as shown in FIG. 5b, hydraulic fluid from the supply enters line 18 and moves through check valve 19 to the spool valve 4. The spool valve 4 is internally mounted and comprises a sleeve 17 for receiving a spool 9 with lands 9a, 9b, and 9c and a biasing spring 5. A variable force solenoid or actuator 3, which is controlled by an ECU 2, moves the spool 9 within the sleeve 17. The spool is moved to the left by spring 5, and spool land 9b blocks line 13 and partially opens exhaust line 21, while spool land 9c blocks line 54 and source fluid to line 50 and locking pin 24. Without the pressure of source fluid, biasing spring 23 forces the locking pin 24 to a locked position. All or any fluid present in the bore 52 with the locking pin is vented to line 21. Lines 12 and 16 are open. From the spool 9, fluid enters line 16 through open check valve 15 into line 13 and to the retard chamber 10. At the same time fluid is exiting the advance chamber 8 through line 12 and fluid moves through the spool between lands 9a and 9b and back into line 16 where it feeds into line 13 supplying fluid to the retard chamber 10.
To advance the phaser, as shown in FIG. 5c, the spool is moved by the VFS 3 to the right, so that spool land 9a and 9b do not block line 13, line 16, or any exhaust lines and spool land 9a blocks the exit of fluid from line 12. Fluid from the retard chamber 10 exits the chamber through line 13, which routes the fluid through the spool 9 between lands 9a and 9b. The fluid then enters line 16 and travels through open check valve 14 into line 12 and the advance chamber 8. Additional fluid is supplied by the supply through line 18 and check valve 19 to the spool valve 4. In this position, the locking pin 24 is in an unlocked position. Source fluid and pressure is provided to the bore 52 of the locking pin 24 by lines 50 and 54. The pressure of the fluid from source is greater than the force exerted by biasing spring 23 on locking pin 24. The locking pin 24 is prevented from venting by spool land 9b.

Remote variable camshaft timing control valve with lock pin control


Disclosed is a preemie warmth stocking cap comprised preferably of several components including in a multilayered construction two layers of a woven or knitted stretchable but resilient fabric, such as cotton, which forms an outer and inner layer between which is disposed a thin and flexible insulating plastic layer to minimize heat loss that is readily deformable, but not readily breakable and which includes an adhesive to achieve positional stability between the plastic layer and an adjoining fabric layer. A third optional component is comprised of a clamping structure comprised of an inert material used to close the top of tubular fabric about the top of the infant's head if the fabric layers are made with a tubular stockinette.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of neonatal infant care. More specifically, it refers to an apparatus or device in the form of an insulated stocking cap applied to the head of prematurely delivered infants, sometimes referred to as "preemies." The invention is directed to the head of such infants in a manner to provide warmth. This actually occurs because the inventive device acts as an insulator to minimize heat loss caused by the higher body temperature of the infant compared to the lower ambient temperature.
2. Description of the Prior Art
During primarily the last half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the present one, enormous strides have been made in the ability of medical science to save the lives and nurture the successful development of prematurely delivered infants. Such achievements frequently result in part from the use of sophisticated high tech neonatal equipment, including that which monitors and controls the infants' environment.
For example, there is a plethora of prior art references that describe incubators and the like. Like the present invention, there are also prior art patents addressing infants' environment that are relatively low tech. A sampling include Simbruner, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,106 which discloses a thermal suit for a premature baby, Sims, U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,924 which discloses a blanket and method for swaddling an infant, and Lunt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,885 which discloses a one-piece infant bunting.


Described herein are methods of operating a gas turbine engine (12) for reduced ammonia slip. An exemplary method (100) includes operating (102) the engine over a range of power output levels; controlling (104) a mass flow of NOx produced in exhaust (19) of the engine to be within 10% over the range of power output levels; and treating (106) the exhaust of the engine in a selective catalytic reduction process (22). In this way, the production of NOx and a corresponding flow of reducing agent (33) utilized in the SCR process remain relatively constant in terms of mass (molar) flow throughout the range of power output levels and ammonia slip is controlled.

In order to reduce emissions of air pollutants, and especially nitrogen oxides (NOx), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued strict emissions standards for the power generation industry, including gas, oil, and coal-fired power plants. NOx is generated from the combustion of any fuel in the presence of air. In typical gas turbine systems, the majority of NOx is generated by the pilot flame, which burns at a high temperature and stabilizes the combustion of a leaner supply of premixed fuel and air. Because NOx is an undesirable gas in the environment and its emission must be limited, the conventional wisdom is to produce as little NOx as possible in the combustion process, such as by delivering as little fuel to the pilot flame as is necessary to achieve flame stability at various power levels.
Nevertheless, some NOx is always produced and the amount of NOx produced increases as the power level of the turbine increases. Post-combustion treatment methods such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) are known to reduce the amount of NOx in the exhaust gas stream to low levels prior to release to the environment. Various reducing agents can be used in SCR systems, including hydrogen, ammonia, urea, etc. Ammonia is one of the most efficient reducing agents for reducing NOx emissions to low levels. However, ammonia is also harmful to the environment, and ammonia slip can occur when ammonia passes through the SCR system into the environment without reacting with NOx. U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,262 describes a method for minimizing ammonia slip by closely regulating the flow of ammonia in response to detected ammonia and nitrogen oxide levels. However, even with the tight regulation of ammonia levels, the amount of ammonia can fluctuate substantially during load changes of the corresponding engine.

Method of operating a gas turbine for reduced ammonia slip


A flat cable includes at least two conductors offset from and in parallel with one another, and an insulating covering disposed over a periphery of the conductors. The insulating covering includes a vinyl chloride-based resin composition with a brittle temperature from −40° Celsius to −25° Celsius, a hardness D from 35 to 55, and heating deformation of 10% or below. The vinyl chloride-based resin composition substantially contains only vinyl chloride homopolymer as the resin component.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a flat cable, in particular a space-saving flat cable, suitable for use in a vehicle.
2. Background of the Invention
Recently, space-saving has been strongly required for a wiring member with weight-saving and downsizing of a vehicle. For the reason, even in the case of a flat cable which is effective in the light of space-saving, further decrease in the thickness of a conductor portion and an insulating layer has been required. However, as the thickness of the insulating layer decreases, wear resistance of the insulating layer may be deteriorated. When vinyl chloride-based resin is used as an insulating layer material, the content of plasticizer is decreased to harden the insulating layer. In this case, wear resistance of the insulating layer thus obtained is enhanced. See JP H10-241162 A. Unfortunately, lower temperature resistance may be degraded or deteriorated with the increase in wear resistance.


A casing for a meat product is prepared by impregnating and filling meshes of a breathable fibrous food casing sheet with a polysaccharide and then drying the sheet.

The present invention relates to a food product casing and a food product therewith, and also to methods of producing the same.
Food products such as ham, sausage, etc. wrapped in casing material are well known.
Fibrous casing and cellulose casings are generally used for wrapping the above mentioned meat products, such as a ham, a sausage, etc. Such casings provide good manufacturability of a product during smoking due to their breathability which is substantially different from the breathability of other synthetic film casings. The casing having the above specified characteristics are produced by coating or filming and impregnating with viscose. However, for impregnating with viscose some troublesome procedures are required such as regeneration, rinsing, neutralization by desulphurization, flexibility adding treatments, etc. In practice, the acid, alkali, rinsing and flexibility adding treatments during processing of meat remarkably decrease the productivity.
Furthermore, there is another problem in generation of hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, etc. Since regenerated cellulose adheres to the surface of the meat product, peeling treatment must be applied for easy separation of the casing from the meat. In addition, the casing sheet must be mechanically extended while it is dry so as to follow both temperature changes in its boiling and smoking. Otherwise, the casing surface of the meat product would wrinkle and spoil the product value.
On the other hand, various edible films impregnated with polysaccharide such as vegetable gelatine, alkynecarboxylic acid, carrageenan in conventional methods are widely known. However, it is not known to apply polysaccharide of this type to the casings for hams, sausages, and the like.

Meat product casing and method of producing the same