A magnetic detecting element, which can suppress change in output asymmetry even if the magnetization direction of a pinned magnetic layer is changed 180°, is provided. The magnetic-film-thickness of a second free magnetic layer is increased so as to be greater than that of a first free magnetic layer and offset the torque applied to the second free magnetic layer with that applied to the first free magnetic layer when the sensing current magnetic field occurs. Thus, change in the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer before and after a sensing current is applied in the magnetic detecting element can be suppressed. The orthogonal state between the free magnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer is maintained even when a sensing current in the same direction as that before the occurrence is applied in the magnetic detecting element wherein pin inversion occurred, and the output asymmetry is maintained suitably.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic detecting element having a free magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic material layer, and a pinned magnetic layer, and especially relates to a magnetic detecting element which facilitates uniform output symmetry.
2. Description of the Related Art
The current mainstream of magnetic heads mounted on a magnetic recording/reproducing device is a magnetic head which employs a spin-valve magnetic detecting element to which the Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) effect is applied.
A spin-valve magnetic detecting element is an element wherein a ferromagnetic film called a pinned magnetic layer and a ferromagnetic soft magnetic film called a free magnetic layer are layered with a nonmagnetic film, called a nonmagnetic material layer, situated therebetween.
The magnetization of a free magnetic layer is aligned in one direction due to the vertical bias magnetic field from a hard bias layer made up of a soft magnetic member or the like. The magnetization of a free magnetic layer fluctuates sensitively as to the external magnetic field from a recording medium. On the other hand, the magnetization of the above pinned magnetic layer is pinned in the direction crossing the magnetization direction of the above free magnetic layer.
Electrical resistance varies depending on the relation between fluctuation in the magnetization direction of a free magnetic layer and the pinned magnetization direction of a pinned magnetic layer, and the leakage magnetic field from a recording medium is detected by voltage variation or current variation based on variation of this electrical resistance value.
Heretofore, the magnetization of the above pinned magnetic layer is pinned by forming the above pinned magnetic layer so as to be overlaid on an antiferromagnetic layer made up of an antiferromagnetic material, and causing the exchange coupling magnetic field between the above pinned magnetic layer and the above antiferromagnetic layer.
In recent years, as shown in FIG. 12, the magnetic detecting element H10 wherein an antiferromagnetic layer is omitted, and the magnetization of a pinned magnetic layer is pinned by uniaxial anisotropy of the pinned magnetic layer itself, has been proposed.
With the magnetic detecting element H10 shown in FIG. 12, a pinned magnetic layer 3 having a layered-ferri configuration wherein an underlying layer 2, a first pinned magnetic layer 3a, and a second pinned magnetic layer 3c are layered in this bottom-up order with a nonmagnetic intermediate layer 3b situated therebetween which is made up of an insulating material such as alumina, a nonmagnetic material layer 4, a free magnetic layer 5, and on the both sides 7 of a multi-layer film T made up of a protective layer 6, bias underlying layers 8, hard bias layers 9, and electrode layers 10 are formed.
With the magnetic detecting element H10 shown in FIG. 12, an antiferromagnetic layer overlaid on the pinned magnetic layer 3 is not formed, the magnetization of the first pinned magnetic layer 3a is pinned in the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing) by uniaxial anisotropy of the pinned magnetic layer 3 itself, and the magnetization of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c is pinned in the direction opposite to the height direction (Y2 direction in the drawing). Also, the magnetization direction of the above free magnetic layer 5 is aligned in the track-width direction (X1-X2 direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing).
With the magnetic detecting element H10 shown in FIG. 12, an antiferromagnetic layer having a great film thickness is not formed, so a shunt loss can be reduced as compared to the conventional magnetic detecting element having an antiferromagnetic layer, and accordingly, magnetic field detection output of the magnetic detecting element H10 can be improved up to 20 through 30%. Also, the distance between shield layers provided on the top and bottom of the magnetic detecting element H10 becomes short, so further increase of recording density of a recording medium can be handled.
The magnetic detecting element H10 such as shown in FIG. 12 is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-113418 (Pages 7 and 8, FIGS. 4 through 7).
FIG. 13A is a partial cross-sectional view of the free magnetic layer 5, nonmagnetic material layer 4, and second pinned magnetic layer 3c of the magnetic detecting element shown in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram illustrating a state, as viewed from the upper side of FIG. 13A, of the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 (arrow direction shown as Free) and the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c (arrow direction shown as Pin2) before a sensing current is applied.
A sensing current flows centered on the nonmagnetic material layer having the lowest resistance value, so upon the sensing current flowing in the X1 direction shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the sensing current magnetic field Hb in the direction opposite to the height direction (Y2 direction in the drawing) is applied to the free magnetic layer 5 above the nonmagnetic material layer 4, and the sensing current magnetic field in the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing) is applied to the second pinned magnetic layer 3c below the nonmagnetic material layer 4.
The magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c is preferably orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 in a state wherein the external magnetic field is not applied, since this can reduce the output asymmetry of the magnetic detecting element to 0%. Here, the term "output asymmetry" means a degree of asymmetry regarding a reproduced output waveform. In the event of giving a reproduced waveform, the output asymmetry is reduced when the waveform on the plus side is symmetrical to that on the minus side. Accordingly, the closer to 0% the output asymmetry comes, the more excellent the reproduced waveform thereof is regarding symmetry.
To this end, according to the conventional way as shown in FIG. 13B, the free magnetic layer 5 is put into a single magnetic domain state by the bias magnetic field from the hard bias layer, following which the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer in a state prior to a sensing current being applied is rotated in the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing) so as to apply the magnetostatic field from the pinned magnetic layer to the free magnetic layer 5.
As described above, upon a sensing current flowing in the X1 direction in the drawing following the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 being set, adjustment can be made so as to rotate the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 in the Y2 direction in the drawing by the sensing current magnetic filed Hb to cause the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 to be orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c, thereby improving the output symmetry.
Now, a partial cross-sectional view of the free magnetic layer 5, nonmagnetic material layer 4, and second pinned magnetic layer 3c in a state wherein the direction of a sensing current to be applied to the magnetic detecting element shown in FIG. 12 is changed to the opposite direction thereof (X2 direction in the drawing), is shown in FIG. 14A. The state as viewed from the upper side of FIG. 14A, of the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 (arrow direction shown as Free) and the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c (arrow direction shown as Pin2) before a sensing current is applied, is the same as that in FIG. 13B, with the schematic diagram thereof shown in FIG. 14B.
Upon the magnetization directions of the free magnetic layer 5 and the second pinned magnetic layer 3c being set to the same direction, and a sensing current flowing in the X2 direction in the drawing, the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 is rotated in the Y1 direction in the drawing by the sensing current magnetic field Hb, the angle between the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c and the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 becomes greater, and comes farther away from an orthogonal state, resulting in deterioration of the output symmetry.
The test results are shown in FIG. 16 regarding change in the output asymmetry of the magnetic detecting element when the direction and magnitude of a sensing current to be applied to the magnetic detecting element shown in FIG. 12 are changed. The horizontal axis in FIG. 16 denotes the direction and magnitude of a sensing current. The X1 direction in the drawing is taken as the plus side, and the X2 direction in the drawing is taken as the minus side.
As shown in FIG. 13, upon a sensing current being applied in the X1 direction in the drawing (plus side), the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 is rotated in the Y2 direction in the drawing by the sensing current magnetic field Hb. As shown in FIG. 16A, the greater the value of the sensing current becomes, the closer to 90 degrees the angle between the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 and the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c (Pin2) comes, accompanied thereby, the output asymmetry of the magnetic detecting element comes closer to 0%. In the case of this magnetic detecting element, upon a sensing current of 3 mA being applied in the X1 direction (plus direction), the output asymmetry becomes around −3%.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, upon a sensing current being applied in the X2 direction in the drawing (minus side), the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 is rotated in the Y1 direction in the drawing by the sensing current magnetic field Hb. As shown in FIG. 16B, the greater the absolute value of the sensing current becomes, the farther away from an orthogonal state the angle between the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 and the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c (Pin2) comes, the greater the absolute value of the output asymmetry of the magnetic detecting element becomes. In the case of this magnetic detecting element, upon a sensing current of 3 mA being applied in the X2 direction (minus direction), the output asymmetry deteriorates to around −28%.
Here, with the magnetic detecting element H10 such as shown in FIG. 12, the following problems occur.
Generally, stress extending in the height direction shown in FIG. 12 (Y1 direction in the drawing) is applied to the magnetic detecting element. The first pinned magnetic layer 3a and the second pinned magnetic layer 3c in the pinned magnetic layer 3 are adjusted so as to exhibit positive magnetostriction, so according to a negative magnetostriction effect due to stress extending in the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing), the first pinned magnetic layer 3a and the second pinned magnetic layer 3c are nonparallel to each other, and the magnetization thereof faces the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing).
If we say that the magnetization in the pinned magnetic layer 3 is the sum of the magnetization moment of the first pinned magnetic layer 3a and the magnetization moment of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c, and the magnetization direction thereof is the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing), in the event that external force is applied from the facing surface F10 side as to the recording medium of the magnetic detecting element H10, the magnetic detecting element H10 shrinks in the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing), i.e., extends in the track-width direction (X1-X2 direction in the drawing) serving as the direction orthogonal to the height direction, and accordingly, the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer 3 is also rotated in the track-width direction (X1-X2 direction in the drawing).
Thus, following the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer 3 rotating from the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing) to the track-width direction (X1-X2 direction in the drawing), upon the external force applied from the facing surface F10 as to the recording medium being removed, the magnetic detecting element H10 extends in the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing) again, so the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer 3 rotates in the direction orthogonal to the track-width direction (X1-X2 direction in the drawing) again, but at this time both the case in which the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer 3 faces the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing) and the case in which the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer 3 faces the direction opposite to the height direction (Y2 direction in the drawing) occur with the same probability.
Accordingly, with the magnetic detecting element H10 shown in FIG. 12, following the external force being applied from the facing surface F10 as to the recording medium, upon this external force being removed, a problem called "pin inversion" readily occurs wherein the magnetization direction of the pinned magnetic layer 3 pinned in the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing) rotates 180 degrees, i.e., the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c faces the height direction, and the magnetization direction of the first pinned magnetic layer 3a faces the direction opposite to the height direction.
A partial cross-sectional view of the free magnetic layer 5, nonmagnetic material layer 4, and second pinned magnetic layer 3c when the magnetic detecting element H10 shown in FIG. 12 causes the pin inversion is shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15B is a schematic diagram illustrating a state, as viewed from the upper side of FIG. 15A, of the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 (arrow direction shown as Free) and the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c (arrow direction shown as Pin2) before a sensing current is applied.
Upon the pin inversion occurring, the magnetization directions of the first pinned magnetic layer 3a and the second pinned magnetic layer 3c are inverted 180 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 13, so the direction of the magnetostatic field applied to the free magnetic layer from the pinned magnetic layer 3 is also inverted. As a result of this, as shown in FIG. 15B, the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 in a state prior to the sensing current being applied is rotated to the direction opposite to the height direction (Y2 direction in the drawing).
In this state, upon a sensing current being applied in the X1 direction in the drawing (plus side), the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 is rotated in the Y2 direction in the drawing by the sensing current magnetic field Hb. As shown in C in FIG. 16, the greater the value of the sensing current becomes, the farther away from an orthogonal state the angle between the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 and the magnetization direction of the second pinned magnetic layer 3c comes, the greater the absolute value of the output asymmetry of the magnetic detecting element becomes. In the case of this magnetic detecting element, upon a sensing current of 3 mA being applied in the X1 direction in the drawing (plus direction), the output asymmetry deteriorates to around −28%.
To this end, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, adjustment is made wherein the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 in a state prior to the sensing current being applied is rotated in the height direction (Y1 direction in the drawing) by the magnetostatic field from the pinned magnetic layer 3, the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 is rotated in the Y2 direction in the drawing by the sensing current magnetic field caused by the sensing current applied in the X1 direction, and the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer 5 is directed so as to be orthogonal to the second pinned magnetic layer 3c. Upon the pin inversion occurring in this magnetic detecting element, the output asymmetry is changed from a point A1 to a point C1 in the graph shown in FIG. 16, and the output symmetry markedly deteriorates.
The test results are shown in FIG. 17 regarding change in the standardized output of the magnetic detecting element when the direction and magnitude of a sensing current to be applied to the magnetic detecting element are changed. The horizontal axis in FIG. 17 denotes the direction and magnitude of a sensing current. The X1 direction in the drawing is taken as the plus side, and the X2 direction in the drawing is taken as the minus side.
The greater the absolute value of a sensing current becomes, the greater the standardized output of a reproducing signal becomes. However, with the magnetic detecting element in the state shown in FIG. 13 prior to the pin inversion occurring, the closer to 3 mA the value of the sensing current comes, the closer to 0 the output asymmetry comes, and with the magnetic detecting element in the state shown in FIG. 15 following the pin inversion occurring, the closer to 3 mA the value of the sensing current comes, the more the output symmetry deteriorates. Due to the difference of such output symmetry, the standardized output of the magnetic detecting element following the pin inversion occurring (C in the drawing) becomes smaller than that prior to the pin inversion occurring (A in the drawing).

Magnetic detecting element provided with free layer having layered-ferri configuration


A method for detecting faces in an image having a plurality of picture elements, each having a plurality of color components in a predetermined color space, includes determining an extended range for color component values, in the color space, in which a skin tone area is likely to be detected, defining intervals for the color component values, in the color space, covering at least part of the extended range, and scanning each of the intervals to detect a skin tone area. If a skin tone area is detected, the method includes selecting the intervals in which a skin tone area is detected, defining candidate limited ranges for color component values, in the color space, from the selected intervals, performing face detection on a skin tone area in at least some of the candidate limited ranges, and selecting a chosen candidate limited range based on the number of faces detected.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Face detection has been a subject of research and development for the past twenty years. Many approaches have been developed in order to obtain real-time robust face detection.
Document JP2005 242582 describes a face detection method and device for face detection capable of automatically building a flesh colour model.
The document entitled "An adaptive Multiple Model Approach for Fast Content-Based Skin detection in On-Line Videos", by Khan, Stottinger and Kampel, proposes a method of skin detection in on-line video that uses a static skin colour model.
In the case of mobile phones, the solutions typically still require the use of either dedicated hardware or strong Central Processing Unit (CPU) capabilities, which may typically be found only on high-end feature phones or smart phones.
There is a need for face detection algorithms requiring a low CPU capability and without dedicated hardware, and, thus, being applicable on a low-cost mobile platform. Such algorithms may be based on skin tone detection, using the chromatic composition of images to perform a real-time face detection.
Embodiments of the invention, however, are also applicable in devices other than low-cost mobile devices, e.g. medium or high cost, cameras, non-mobile devices, etc.


A tile for waterproofing the juncture of a tiled surface and a non tiled surface such as a tub and tile juncture by use of a water proof tile. The waterproof tile consists of a glazed tile surface having a curvature which directs the water away from the juncture, a non glazed surface which is cemented to the tiled wall and a bottom side which holds sealant for sealing against the non tiled surface.

1. Field of Invention
A tiled surface when it is installed at a nontiled surface juncture such as a tiled wall abutting a bath tub, the space between the tile edge and the tub surface is filled with the tile grout material. In addition the tub tile joint is further water sealed by application of caulking material.
This means of waterproofing a tiled and a non-tiled surface juncture is not permanent and does give trouble after a few years. The caulking material develops separation where it joins the tile, as it ages and gets mouldy and dirty from the water falling on it. The grout between the tub and tile develops hairline cracks because when the tub is put weight into of water and people, the tub surface separates from the grout. As a result after some time water starts leaking to the side of the tub, and then inside the walls. This water leakage causes damage to the underlying wood frame structure and to the plaster covering the wood frame structure.
This invention concerns a waterproof tile installed as part of the tiled surface for tub tile corners for providing a permanent solution to tub and tile joint leakage problems.
2. Description of Related Art
Identified by the examiner in Ser. No. 07/798,530.

Water proof tile for tub and tile corners


The disclosure describes flicker detection and correction techniques to improve the quality of captured imagery, such as video or still images. In particular, this disclosure describes flicker correction techniques that compare different image frames to detect flicker. In some embodiments, the comparisons involves summing intensity values associated with rows within the frames and comparing the row sums to generate a difference signal. Detection and correction of flicker may be performed using a first derivative of the difference signal. The first derivative of the difference signal can be used in variety of ways to detect and correct flicker.

Image capture devices, such as digital video cameras or digital still photo cameras, are used in different applications and environments. An image capture device should be capable of producing high quality imagery under a variety of lighting conditions. For example, image capture devices should be capable of operating effectively in environments illuminated by natural light, such as outdoor environments, as well as in environments illuminated by incandescent or fluorescent lights, such as indoor environments.
In an indoor environment, however, fluctuations in the intensity of indoor lighting can degrade the quality of the captured image. The fluctuations are a function of the alternating current (AC) electrical power frequency of the indoor lighting source. A solid state image capture device, such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, includes an array of image sensors that do not instantaneously capture all of the image information used to record a frame. Consequently, fluctuations in light intensity during image capture cause portions of an image frame to exhibit different intensity levels, resulting in visible bands in the image. This banding phenomenon is commonly referred to as flicker.
Flicker may be eliminated by setting the integration time of the image capture device to an integer multiple of the period of the illumination source. The integration time refers to the time limit for the sensor array to capture light for each frame. Typically, flicker is more severe for shorter integration times. Variations in the AC power frequency of indoor lighting exist throughout the world. Some countries use 60 Hertz (Hz) power, for example, while other countries use 50 Hz power. A 60 Hz illumination source causes banding at 120 Hz, while a 50 Hz illumination source causes banding at 100 Hz. Some countries use both 50 and 60 Hz AC power, even within the same building in some instances.
Flicker may occur when the image capture device is used in an environment in which the illumination source is operating at a frequency other than an anticipated frequency. For instance, if the integration time of the image capture device is set as an integer multiple of the period of a 60 Hz illumination source, flicker can occur when capturing imagery in a 50 Hz illumination environment, and vice versa.

Automatic flicker correction in an image capture device


A data cartridge interlock release actuator system for disabling a data cartridge lock within a data cartridge caddy to enable an autochanger to remove a data cartridge from the data cartridge caddy. The interlock release actuator is a cam shaft within the autochanger storage rack. The cam shaft has lobes and a lever attached to it. When the autochanger needs to remove a data cartridge from the caddy, the picker of the autochanger or a motor or a solenoid rotates the lever, which rotates the cam shaft, which rotates the lobes. When the lobes rotate, they depress a button on top of a data cartridge caddy. When the button is depressed, a spring lock that locks the data cartridges within the caddy is disabled and the data cartridges may be removed from the caddy.

A computer information storage library (also known as an autochanger) typically includes at least one computer information drive mechanism, a media storage system for computer information media or data cartridges, a picker (also called a gripper or manipulator or engagement mechanism) for inserting media or cartridges into drives or storage locations and for extracting media or cartridges from drives or storage locations, and a transport mechanism for moving the picker and media or cartridges between drives and storage. Computer information storage drives with removable media include, for example, disk drives (magnetic and optical) and magnetic tape drives.
Media storage systems include, for example, carousels, cylindrical silos, and slotted magazines or racks. There is a wide spectrum of transport assemblies. For example, cartridges may be translated and rotated with four or more degrees of freedom by an anthropomorphic robot arm or cartridges may simply be translated in two dimensions. Alternatively, instead of a separate transport mechanism, the media storage system may be moveable. For example, a carousel may rotate to position a cartridge at a stationary drive.
Alternatively, a drive may be moved by a transport system to a stationary cartridge location. There is also a wide spectrum of pickers. For example, friction grippers with multiple fingers may be used, various media or cartridge features may be hooked or clamped, or cartridges may be simply pushed or pulled. In particular, the DLT tape cartridge, commercially available from Quantum Corporation, Milpitas, Calif., is of interest for computer information storage libraries.
A computer information storage library or autochanger generally has a storage rack for holding a plurality of media cartridges that are not currently being retrieved or otherwise utilized by the autochanger in a storage location. Generally, a robotic arm or picker will retrieve a media cartridge from its location in the storage rack and place it in a drive when the particular media cartridge is needed. The media cartridge will generally be returned to the same or a different location on the storage rack when it is no longer being used. Media cartridges are held in both fixed (i.e., nonremovable) and removable storage slots or caddies on the storage rack. Removable caddies may hold about five cartridges, although five is not a magical number and a caddy may accommodate a different number of data cartridges. The storage caddies can be removed from the storage rack and changed out for a different storage caddy of media cartridges.

Data cartridge interlock release actuator system


A pair of keys of an Oldham coupling are located on a chord spaced from a diameter and are of a parallelogram shape. The ends of the corresponding slots are located at the same radius whereby a reduced envelope results.

In scroll machines such as compressors there are two scroll members which must be held to relative orbiting motion. Commonly, one of the scroll members is called a fixed scroll and the other scroll member is called an orbiting scroll. An Oldham coupling can be employed to hold the fixed and orbiting scrolls to a relative orbiting motion. To achieve this, the Oldham coupling reciprocates with respect to the crankcase while the orbiting scroll reciprocates with respect to the Oldham coupling. The coactions are those of slots and keys and the Oldham coupling surrounds the hub of the orbiting scroll and possibly the axial compliance or support structure. Movement of the Oldham coupling usually takes place within diameters. When considering the need to keep the keys in their slots for their full strokes and the need to avoid interfering with the axial compliance or support structure, there can be a significant increase in the envelope required to contain the Oldham coupling and the housing in which it is located. Alternatively, there can be a significant reduction in the envelope available for the axial compliance or support structure.
European Patent Application 0 479 412 A1 discloses an Oldham coupling of an oval shape with one pair of keys located on a chord of a circular section of the oval but located on "outwardly projecting flange portions". These projecting flange portions extend beyond the diameter of the circular section. This achieves some reduction in the required envelope by positioning the keys in regions where more operating space may be available.


A flapper equalizer plunger embodies a unitary coiled spring that is compressed by the flow tube to shift the plunger to equalize pressure across the flapper before the flow tube tries to move the flapper. The hydraulic control system then need only to overcome the force of a flapper pivot spring to swing the flapper 90 degrees to an open position behind the flow tube. The integral spring is produced with a wire EDM technique and can be symmetrical or asymmetrical around its periphery as a way of offsetting off-center impact from the bottom of the flow tube. The plunger can be rotationally locked if it is asymmetrical. The pitch can be constant or variable and the output force greatly exceeds the force provided by an independent coiled spring.

Subsurface safety valves are placed in tubular strings to allow shutting in the well for well control. They are actuated to open for production or injection with hydraulic control lines that extend from a surface location. One or two line systems have been used for valve control. The hydraulic pressure operates a rod or annular piston in the housing of the valve. The piston is linked to a flow tube in the passage through the valve. The piston is driven with hydraulic pressure in a control line against the bias of a closure spring. Movement of the piston against the spring takes the flow tube against the flapper that is biased with a pivot spring to a closed position. On contact with the flapper, the pivot spring is overcome as the flapper rotates 90 degrees and the flapper goes behind the advancing flow tube. The open position is maintained as long as pressure is supplied in the hydraulic control line. One removal of such pressure deliberately or through a system malfunction such as a seal leak the closure spring takes over and raises the piston that takes the flow tube with it to allow the pivot spring to move the flapper to the closed position.
When the flapper is in the closed position there is a large pressure differential potential that can appear across it making it difficult for the hydraulic system to provide the required force to open the flapper with the flow tube without component damage. To address this problem in the past equalizer plungers have been placed in the flapper at a location where the descending flow tube would engage the plunger to open a bypass passage through the flapper before the flow tube was brought into contact with the flapper itself for rotation to the open position. In this manner the pressure across the flapper was equalized before the flow tube was in contact with it to rotate it. In this case only the force of the pivot spring needed to be overcome to open the flapper. The prior designs all employed springs to return the equalizer plunger back to a sealed position when the flow tube no longer contacted the plunger. This was done with leaf or coil springs as illustrated in these U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,478,286; 6,644,408; 7,204,313; 6,848,509; 4,415,036 and 8,056,618. Referring specifically to U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,313 the problem was that the spring 86 would not stay mounted to the plunger 86 by moving off its mount flange 70. Another issue was that the shape and length of the spring resulted in a very minimal closing force applied to the plunger in the order of about two pounds. One of the reasons that the spring could be moved off its flange mount is that the plunger is normally struck by the flow tube in an off center manner which could have put a slight turning moment on the plunger sufficient to dislodge the spring from its mounting flange. Without the spring in position to push the plunger to its closed position the safety valve became inoperative as there was a perpetual bypass flow through the flapper in the closed position. This was a safety issue that needed to be addressed.
The present invention addresses these concerns with a design where the spring is integrally fabricated in the plunger body using techniques known as wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) or more familiarly "turn and burn." As a result a spring is integrated into the plunger that can put out substantially higher closing force without taking up incremental space and this allows less of the flapper body to be removed. The integral design can be symmetrical or asymmetrical and the plunger in an asymmetrical design can be keyed to prevent rotation and the spring designed to generate more force on one side to better counter act the side loading force from off-center contact from the flow tube. These and other features of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the associated drawings while recognizing that the full scope of the invention is to be found in the appended claims.


An apparatus for weaving patterns comprising pattern threads and wrapping threads around an object having a central axis comprising an elongated slide tube and at least two side wheel assemblies, one of said side wheel assemblies mounted on said slide tube and the other of said side wheel assembly mounted on said object and spaced axially therefrom a distance greater than the axial extent of the pattern to be weaved; each of said side wheel assemblies having a thread wheel with a series of radially directed circumferentially spaced slots and a number ring having number indicia means which are axially aligned relative to one another and which correspond to pattern thread lines on a chart for a pattern; means for securing the pattern threads at one end to said object and engaging each of the threads in a numbered slot in one of the side wheel assemblies which may be selectively withdrawn from the slot in said one side wheel assembly and inserted into a corresponding number in said other side wheel assembly during the weaving process.

It is generally known to weave patterns on a flat pattern and then wrap the generally rectangular woven pattern around the butt end of a fishing rod and secure it in place with an adhesive. This, of course, creates a seam and it has been found that over a period of time and use, the sleeve loosens and is not as esthetically pleasing.
The method and apparatus of the present invention is characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement facilitating weaving around an object such as a cylindrical or tubular surface so that the woven pattern is continuous, seamless, and snugly embraces the periphery of the object such as a fishing rod. The apparatus and method facilitate a continuous seamless weaving and includes means for selective movement of pattern threads during the weaving process without entanglement of threads.
The configuration of the apparatus of the present invention permits making not only a seamless continuous weave around a fishing rod but also the ability to weave individual patterns on any axis of the fishing rod at the same time. For example, a desired pattern such as a fish pattern may be placed on one side of the rod and the rod owner's initials on the other side allowing sufficient peripheral or circumferential rod surface to accommodate both patterns.
Considering the basic components of the apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus comprises an elongated tubular slide tube which may be mounted on the butt end of a fishing rod, a series of side wheel assemblies each including a peripherally slotted thread wheel and number rings. Pattern threads are positioned in the numbered slots of the side wheel assemblies which are related to the thread lines of the pattern. Accordingly, in the weaving process, the pattern threads can be moved from a given numbered slot of one side wheel assembly to a similarly numbered slot in a second side wheel assembly so that the pattern threads can be selectively positioned to be in the path or out of the path of the wrapping or background thread as determined or dictated by the pattern. In the embodiment illustrated, the thread wheel has 180 slots, half of which are numbered thus allowing the user to establish a center for the opposing pattern if one is used without having to renumber the number rings.
The apparatus is user friendly and easily adapts to color weaving and will accommodate many colors. The design keeps threads from hanging and twisting into a tangled mess.

Apparatus to facilitate weaving around a cylindrical object


A tooth whitening formulation comprising urea peroxide (1:1) in a concentration of 22-32% based on the total weight of the formulation, in combination with a gelling agent, is provided in accordance with the present invention. The invention also provides a method for whitening the teeth using said formulation wherein the formulation is applied to the teeth using a splint which keeps the formulation in contact with the teeth for a period of time sufficient to cause whitening thereof.

There are several approaches available for bleaching and whitening teeth externally. Heat/catalyzed chemical procedures are well known. For example one technique involves vital bleaching of discolored or intrinsically stained teeth utilizing 37% phosphoric acid which etches the enamel, and then bleaching the teeth by applying 30% hydrogen peroxide to the tooth surface followed by heat application by a heating element. The time required will vary with tooth sensitivity. However, according to Bowles, et al., "Vital Bleaching: The Effects Of Heat And Hydrogen Peroxide On Pulpal Enzymes", Journal of Endodontics 12, 1084-112 (1986) both heat and hydrogen peroxide have been demonstrated to have deleterious effects on pulpal tissues.
Other techniques involve the superficial removal of enamel with abrasive instruments or pumice followed by treatment with additional caustic agents.
More recently, bleaching techniques suitable for home use have been developed. For example, Hayward, "Night Guard Vital Bleaching . . . ", Quintessence International 20, 173-177 (1989), describes a 10% carbamide (urea)/peroxide solution which is placed in a "Night Guard" and worn at night for several weeks to brighten teeth. According to Haywood, et al, no significant caustic chemical agents are used and only two short office visits are required to initiate treatment. This obviously provides a significant savings of cost and time for the patient.


To improve the burning efficiency of fuel supplied to a turbine engine by electronic fuel injectors under control of a fuel injection control system, a nebulizer of unique design is employed with the fuel injectors to further reduce the individual fuel cell size from that provided by the pulsing of fuel from the fuel injector. At least one nebulizer is used with at least one fuel injector, having means for injecting fuel in pulses into the nebulizer and thence into the combustion chamber of a turbine engine, and an electronic control unit to receive and interpret input sensor signals from selected operating functions of the engine and to generate and direct fuel injection signals to modify the pulse duration and/or frequency of fuel injection in response to a deviation from a selected operating function, such as the desired operating speed, caused by variable operating loads encountered by the turbine engine. This configuration provides significantly greater fuel efficiency, better operational control and response time, and a lighter weight than is currently available in turbine engines. The invention may be used in many applications such as commercial, private, experimental and military aviation, power plant turbines, and other industrial, military and mining applications.

Conventional turbine engines used in most applications, including aviation, power generation, and industrial applications, generally have a combustion chamber, in which fuel is combusted in the presence of air to produce exhaust gas which drives a series of gears/shafts and ultimately the driven load (such as a propeller, fan or blades of the turbine engine, a pump, a generator, or a speed conversion unit) depending upon the application, and a continuous-stream fuel delivery system (such as a valve or nozzle), which delivers fuel to the combustion chamber for combustion. These fuel delivery systems generally introduce fuel in a continuous stream into the combustion chamber, and are usually controlled by mechanical means that sense and respond continuous stream into the combustion chamber, and are usually controlled by mechanical means that sense and respond to changing pressure, vacuum, or other physical or mechanical inputs within the system.
Conventional fuel delivery systems for turbine engines also rely on any of several physical processes to break the continuous fuel stream into fuel droplets or a mist for combustion to take advantage of the well-known inverse relationship between the size of a fuel droplet and the efficiency of combustion. The smaller the fuel particle, the greater the rate and efficiency of combustion. Engineers and scientists have experimented with fuel nozzle design for many years to maximize the efficiency of combustion. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,211 ("Outer Shear Layer Swirl Mixer for a Combustor") and U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,937 ("Radial Inlet Swirler with Twisted Vanes for Fuel Injector"). Typical "break-up" processes include the use of physical barriers against which fuel is directed to spatter it into droplets; the use of "swirlers," "slingers" or other centrifugal force generators which sling fuel against the wall of a combustion chamber to break up a continuous fuel stream using mechanical means; and the use of high velocity air streams to fractionate a continuous fuel stream. Thus, the object of the modern design of turbine fuel delivery systems is to employ a process to break up a continuous stream of fuel droplets or to atomize the fuel. An object of this invention is to supplement the mechanical breakup of fuel by pulsing the fuel stream into the combustion chamber.
Turbine engines as described above suffer from several significant limitations that relate to continuous-stream, mechanical-control delivery systems. These limitations include at least the following: (1) fuel combustion is less efficient than it would be if fuel would be introduced into the combustion chamber in droplets rather than via a continuous stream; (2) there may be inefficient fuel distribution throughout the combustion chamber, which contributes to the inefficiency of combustion; (3) the exhaust gas often contains unburned fuel, which may contribute to air pollution; (4) the control systems often do not permit the operator control the fuel delivery process in relation to important operating variables (such as flow rate, air consumption rate, load changes, etc) as precisely as may be desired; (5) the systems can be difficult to operate and maintain; (6) the control system can be complex because of many moving parts; (7) the systems can add unwanted weight to the turbine, which is particularly problematic in aviation applications; and (8) the delivery and control systems can be expensive to manufacture and/or assemble because of their complexity and close mechanical tolerances; and (9) the response time is inherently slow because it is a mechanical system.
This invention is designed to overcome these limitations through two principal features. First, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in pulses, using a fuel injector, rather than in a continuous-stream delivery system. This feature offers the distinct advantage of atomizing the fuel and delivering it in pulses into the combustion chamber in a fine mist or even a vapor, and thereby eliminates the need to employ a physical process to break up a continuous fuel stream. The fuel is combusted more efficiently because the invention reduces the size of the individual fuel cells that are being burned. Fuel injectors are commonly used for this purpose in internal combustion engines (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,841 ("Fuel Injection Valve") and U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,547 ("Apparatus and Method for Improving the Performance of a Motor Vehicle Internal Combustion Method")) but have not been used to inject fuel pulses in turbine engines. Second, the invention uses an electronic control unit that detects sensor signals from chosen operating functions of the engine and then modifies the duration and/or frequency of fuel pulses that are injected into the combustion chamber. This control system thus provides precise operational control over a very broad range of operating conditions.
The combination of these features in the invention yields a fuel injection control system for a turbine engine that makes the engine more efficient, lighter, easier to operate and maintain, and more responsive than is currently available. In an aviation application, obviously any reduction in the weight of the turbine engine benefits the overall performance and fuel efficiency of the craft.

Fuel injection system for a turbine engine


A system and method for determining a measurement of anxiety in a vehicle that include receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed within a plurality of areas of the vehicle. The system and method also include processing the sensor data into metrics associated with a type of measurement. Processing of the sensor data is completed by a neural network. The system and method also include analyzing the processed metrics and determining an anxiety level associated with an occupant of the vehicle. The system and method further include training the neural network based on the anxiety level and at least one driving event that is correlated with the anxiety level.

Currently measuring biometric parameters of vehicle occupants may involve the use of various cameras that may be located within various areas of a vehicle. Such cameras may be utilized to record occupant activity within the vehicle. Accordingly, occupants may find the utilization of such cameras as overly intrusive. Additionally, sensors have been used that may be attached to the occupant through wearable devices that may sense biometrics. However, such sensors may also be perceived to be intrusive and may require the occupant to continually wear the wearable devices to determine biometrics. Moreover, the data provided by the wearable sensors may be susceptible to various levels of noise caused by road vibrations, individual movement, vehicle movement, inertial movement, etc. The combination of such noise and the various types of data that may be provided by the cameras and sensors of the wearable devices may result in skewed/altered measurements of occupant biometric characteristics.

System and method for completing a measurement of anxiety


A fault detection system for subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cables is provided. The fault detection system includes a first ammeter for measuring a first phase current, a second ammeter for measuring a second phase current, and a third ammeter for measuring a third phase current. The fault detection system also includes a first calculation unit for calculating a negative sequence current from the first phase current, the second phase current, and the third phase current, and a first detection unit for detecting a change in the negative sequence current.

Formation of hydrates is a well-known problem in subsea production systems for oil and gas. Several options are available to solve this problem. Traditionally, chemicals have been used. Recently, a more effective direct electric heating method is used for heating of the pipeline by forcing a high electric current through the pipeline. A subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cable is installed parallel to and connected to a distant end of the pipeline, as shown in WO 2004/111519 A1, for example.
A power system for providing a subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cable with power from a three-phase power grid has been described in WO 2010/031626 A1, for example.
The subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cable has a linearly decreasing voltage, from an input value at a power in-feed end to zero at the grounded, remote end. Consequently, the electric filed stress on the cable insulation also decreases linearly, from a normal operating stress at the power in-feed end to zero at the remote end.
A cable fault in the remote region may be initiated by a mechanical damage (e.g., a cut extending through the outer sheath and the insulation system), thus exposing the copper conductor to seawater. As the conductor is connected to ground at the remote end, the fault will shunt a remaining length from fault location to grounded end. The corresponding change in conductor current will be minute and extremely difficult to detect at the opposite end of a subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cable. A current measurement may be done even further upstream, making small changes even harder to detect. The conductor current in a subsea direct electrical heating system may be larger than 1000 A, and a fault current of 10 A through the physical fault will translate into a far smaller change at the in-feed end (e.g., due to phase shifting). Even with the best available current measuring equipment, cable faults near the remote end will therefore pass on undetected.
An electric current flowing out from the surface of a copper conductor and into seawater will cause rapid corrosion (e.g., alternative current corrosion) of the copper conductor, even at small current levels or voltage differences. If such a fault goes undetected, the final outcome will be a complete corrosion break of the copper conductor. A seawater filled gap is thus introduced between the two "conductor stubs," but the electric impedance of this gap may not be sufficiently large to cause a detectable change in current at the in-feed end of the DEH system. As the gap will not be capable of withstanding the source voltage, an electric arc is then formed between the two "conductor stubs". The temperature associated with such arcing is several thousand degrees Celsius, so a rapid meltdown of the copper conductor as well as any polymer in the vicinity will occur. The boiling temperature of seawater at most relevant water depths will be above the polymer melting points, so "water cooling" will not prevent the described melt-down from taking place.
The subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cable is commonly placed as close to the thermally insulated pipeline as possible. The thermal insulation will thus also be melted down by a fault, as described above. Once the steel pipeline is exposed to seawater, the steel pipeline will appear as an alternative, and probably low-impedance, return path for the fault current. As the copper conductor is continuously eroded away and widening the gap between the "stubs", the pipeline will at some point in time become the lowest impedance return path. At that time, a new arc will be established between the conductor stub (e.g., in-feed side) and the steel pipeline. A rapid melt through of the pipeline's steel wall may result, and the pipeline contents may escape implying severe environmental pollution.
In WO 2007/096775 A2, a fault detection system for subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cables is provided. The system proposed is based on fiber optic elements included in the subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cables. Accordingly, the known fault detection system is not suitable for existing installations.
WO 2006/130722 A2 discloses an apparatus and method for determining a faulted phase resulting from a fault in a three-phase ungrounded power system. The known method includes comparing a phase angle of an operating phasor to a phase angle of a fixed reference phasor. The operating phasor is derived from a digitized signal sample of a plurality of measured signals of the power system. The known method also includes comparing a phase angle difference between the operating phasor and the fixed reference phasor to at least one threshold to determine the faulted phase. The fixed reference phasor may be a phase-to-phase voltage or a positive sequence voltage of the plurality of measured signals of the power system. The operating phasor may be a zero sequence current, a zero sequence voltage or a combination of a zero sequence current and a zero sequence voltage of the plurality of measure signals of the power system.
EP 0 079 504 A1 describes a method and an apparatus for detecting a single-phase-to-ground fault on a three-phase electrical power system, and for identifying a faulted phase. A single-phase-to-ground fault is correctly distinguished from other faults (e.g., including phase-to-phase-to-ground faults, even with transmission lines that utilize series capacitors) by taking into consideration the phase-to-phase voltage, which is in quadrature with the voltage to ground of the monitored phase.
US 2004/0032265 A1 discloses a double-ended distance-to-fault location system using time-synchronized positive-or-negative-sequence quantities for a three-phase transmission line.

Fault detection system and method, and power system for subsea pipeline direct electrical heating cables


A blade sharpening device is provided for honing a cutting edge of a blade. The device includes a block with a top honing surface, and a jig assembly mounted on the block. The jig assembly holds a blade in a fixed position adjacent the honing surface, and directed towards the honing surface, so that a sharpening stone can be manually moved on the top honing surface and across the blade edge for sharpening. The stone can be moved longitudinally, laterally, and circularly. The jig assembly is pivotally mounted on the block for a desired sharpening angle, and vertically adjustable so that the blade edge is substantially flush with the top honing surface of the block.

Cutting tools require a sharp edge to function satisfactorily and efficiently. Typically, the tool blade has a beveled cutting edge defined by two intersecting angles. The more refined or smoother the angle intersection can be made, the sharper the tool will be. Also, the more consistently that the angle can be made from one sharpening operation to the next sharpening operation, then the faster the desired edge can be obtained. A sharpening jig aids in setting the angle of the beveled edge repeatedly and accurately each time the blade is sharpened.
Prior art sharpening jigs are typically slow to set up or cumbersome to use. Prior art jigs usually have no provision or accommodation for setting the angle, except by using a separate angle measuring device. Using the blade jig in combination with the separate angle registration device takes time, and is prone to error. It is also awkward and difficult to secure the tool blade on the jig at the desired angle in many prior art sharpening devices.
It is normally desirable to hone both the beveled edge of the blade and the back side of the blade. However, with prior art jigs, only a small portion of the back side of the blade normally projects from the jig. Therefore, only a small portion of the back side of the blade which protrudes from the jig can be polished with the sharpening stone. For short bladed tools, the typical jig does not work, because the tool handle prevents the blade from protruding sufficiently so as to hone the required angle.
Some jigs utilize a roller which rolls on the sharpening stone while the blade is being honed. The distance from this roller to the blade edge may be long, depending on the bevel angle, which thus requires the sharpening stone to be longer than would otherwise be necessary so that the roller remains on the stone during the sharpening process.
Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved blade sharpening device.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device which fixes the tool blade in a stationary position while the sharpening stone moves over the blade.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device having a scale for directly setting the honing angle.
Yet another objective of the present invention is a blade sharpening device having an unobstructed upper surface along which the sharpening stone moves over a blade edge in lateral, longitudinal, and/or circular motions.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device which minimizes the sharpening stone size.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device wherein the blade is referenced on its back side, with the beveled edge facing upwardly.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device having improved visibility during the sharpening process.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device which can hone both angled and straight blade edges.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device which can be used for very small blades.
Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device having an internal storage compartment for sharpening stones and other accessories.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved blade sharpening device which can sharpen blades repeatedly and accurately.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device which can be used to sharpen scraper blades at true 90° angles.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a blade sharpening device having a waterproof jig for water-stone sharpening.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved blade sharpening device which is economical to manufacture, and durable and efficient in use.
These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.


Screen data to be presented on the display section of an image processing apparatus is compressed and then stored in a memory. For presentation, the screen data to be presented is read, decompressed and stored in a VRAM. Screen data frequently used, such as the one for a standard screen, is stored in a cache area in a RAM after decompression, and such screen data is transferred from the cache to the VRAM.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display control device for an image processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image processing apparatuses today are provided with more and more functionality. Along with an increase in functionality, many of the image processing apparatuses employ an operation section comprising a combination of a touch panel and a large-scale liquid-crystal display. Since such an operation section of touch panel eliminates an inconvenient cross-checking step between a key board and an operation screen and bears extensively graphic indication thereon, the ease of use is greatly enhanced. Data presented on a liquid-crystal display panel is however increased accordingly. As means for resolving such a problem, image data is compressed and stored in memory means. The compressed image data is read in response to the operation of the operation section (touch panel), decompressed and then presented on screen.
When the compressed image data is read from the memory means and is decompressed each time the operation section is operated for image presentation, the entire image presentation process is slowed because each decompression process of image data takes some time. This consequently degrades the ease of use.

Display control device for image processing apparatus


A closed tube extension or deadleg is included below the vertical tube of a hydrocarbon pyrolysis furnace. The deadleg passively collects spall coke particles to avoid plugging of the tube or its hydrocarbon inlet. Inspection or cleaning devices can be inserted through the deadleg into the tube and blocked tubes can be cleared. Pressurized steam and/or air can be injected through the deadleg to accelerate decoking of individual tubes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to tubular furnaces for indirectly heating hydrocarbons. More particularly, the invention concerns improvements in both the furnace apparatus and in methods of furnace operation which can minimize problems caused by coking in the tubes and can facilitate decoking procedures.
2. Discussion of the Art
Pyrolysis of hydrocarbons, such as cracking of naphtha, gas oils, or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkanes to produce ethylene and propylene, is commonly accomplished in vertical tube furnaces. An example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,869 to Petterson et al., which concerns a pyrolysis process capable of using a range of hydrocarbon feedstocks.
The vertical tube furnace described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,975 to Parizot et al. and its divisional U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,649 is similar to those being commercially used to crack hydrocarbon feedstocks to ethylene. However, this design has the disadvantage that the furnace tubes cannot be inspected or cleaned without complete shutdown and isolation of the furnace to allow vessel entry.
Cracking of light hydrocarbon feeds such as ethane, propane, butane, or mixtures thereof requires hotter furnace temperatures, for example at over 1150.degree. C. [over 2000.degree. F.] in the upper furnace region as described in Petterson '869, compared to temperatures for naphtha feedstock. Coke laydown in the furnace tubes becomes a more serious problem at severe conditions, impeding the process flow. Coke particles can also fall within the tube, obstructing the tube itself or the feed inlet. If the tube or inlet becomes completely blocked, normal decoking operations are ineffective and the furnace must be shut down.

Minimizing coking problems in tubular process furnaces


There is disclosed a power source system capable of lengthening life and realizing a highly efficient operation while meeting user's needs. The power source system includes a fuel cell which generates power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizing agent, and a secondary battery which is charged and discharged, wherein the secondary battery is charged by the fuel cell, and the power is taken from the secondary battery. The power source system further comprises a charge control unit which charges the secondary battery with the power generated by the fuel cell, and this charge control unit has a function of switching a mode to charge the secondary battery by the fuel cell in accordance with a frequency with which the power is taken from the secondary battery.

A fuel cell is a device which generates electric energy from hydrogen (a fuel) and oxygen (an oxidizing agent), and it can obtain a high power generation efficiency. A main characteristic of the fuel cell is that it carries out direct power generation without any process of thermal energy or kinetic energy as in a conventional power generation system, and hence the high power generation efficiency can be expected even with a small scale. Another characteristic of the fuel cell is that it discharges less amounts of nitrogen compounds and the like, and generates less noise or less vibration, which means excellent environmental properties. As understood from the above, the fuel cell can effectively use chemical energy of the fuel and has eco-friendly properties. Therefore, the fuel cell is expected as an energy supply system for the 21st century, and much attention is attracted as a new power generation system which is promising in the future and which is usable in various applications for cosmos, vehicles and portable devices in a range from large-scaled power generation to small-scaled power generation. Accordingly, the technical development of the fuel cell has been promoted for practical use.
Above all, a solid polymer fuel cell has characteristics such as a low operating temperature and a high output density as compared with another type of fuel cell. Especially, in recent years, as one configuration of the solid polymer fuel cell, a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has received attentions. The DMFC directly supplies an aqueous methanol solution as the fuel to an anode without changing properties of the solution, and obtains the power by an electrochemical reaction between the aqueous methanol solution and oxygen. Owing to this electrochemical reaction, carbon dioxide is discharged as a reaction product from the anode, and generated water is discharged as a reaction product from a cathode.
Since the aqueous methanol solution has high energy per unit volume as compared with hydrogen, is suitable for storage and has little danger of explosion or the like, the solution is expected to be used in a power source for a car, portable devices (a cellular phone, a laptop PC, a PDA, an MP3 player, a digital camera, a game unit and electronic dictionary (book)) and the like (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2006-040787 and 2006-054075).
Here, in the power generation system constituted using such a fuel cell, a system is adopted in which a chargeable/dischargeable secondary battery is once charged with the power generated by the fuel cell to store the power, and the power is taken from the secondary battery and supplied to a device, so that the power can steadily be supplied to the connected device.
In this case, it is preferable for a user of the device that the secondary battery is quickly charged or constantly fully charged. On the other hand, if the secondary battery is repeatedly charged or discharged in the vicinity of a remaining amount corresponding to 100% (a charge ratio), the cell might be deteriorated. Moreover, it is generally said that, as the cell is nearly fully charged, a storage state deteriorates (see "Cell Application Handbook" edited by Transistor Technology Edition Department, CQ Publishing Co., Ltd. (ISBN4-7898-3446-8). Avoidance of this problem is preferably taken into consideration. When the fuel cell is operated at a small current, the efficiency of the power generation improves. However, much time is required for charging the secondary battery at the small current.
The present invention has been developed to solve such conventional technical problem, and an object thereof is to provide a power source system in which life is lengthened and a highly efficient operation can be realized while meeting user's needs.

Power source system utilizing time detection means to provide optimum charge to secondary battery from fuel cell


An interactive data analysis system is disclosed. The interactive data analysis system has a computer-generated user interface which includes a plurality of histogram elements having data band controls. The data band controls allow modification of subjective parameters related to the data analysis and produce realtime updates to data forms which present the analyzed data to the user.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to interactive data analysis. More particularly, this disclosure relates to systems and methods of providing interactive visual representations of data based on variances in subjective parameters.
2. Description of the Related Technology
The scientific method of investigation relies on testing hypotheses through experimental or observational study. Hypotheses are typically formed as mathematical models and a systematic study is conducted in order to validate or disprove the model.
Experimental and observational studies typically include multiple phases. One phase may be a data collection phase, during which quantifiable measures of a predefined set of parameters are obtained by the party conducting the study. In many cases, hypotheses are predefined, that is, they are defined prior to the data collection phase in order to avoid conscious or unconscious bias to the hypothesis from data collected. Certain protocols may be employed in order prevent bias from creeping into the data collection. These protocols typically include utilizing a blind setup in which subjects are not aware of the hypothesis or the conditions being tested, or possibly a double-blind setup in which neither the subjects nor experimenters/data collectors are aware of the hypothesis or the conditions being tested.
After data collection, a data analysis phase then utilizes the collected data in order to prove or disprove the proposed hypothesis. The data analysis phase typically relies on the use of accepted mathematical and statistical calculations which compare the data collected to models representing the hypotheses being evaluated or tested. The data analysis process typically relies on algorithmic computation of collected data and on visualization of dependencies between the experimental and/or observed variables.
During a typical data analysis phase, a number of objective criteria can influence the results of the calculations. An objective parameter is typically a fundamental or methodological attribute of the data collection or analysis, whose value would not be normally called into question by other researchers. Examples of objective criteria that may be considered include assumption of normality and the principle of least effort. In addition to the objective parameters, a number of subjective criteria or parameters are also chosen for evaluation. A subjective parameter is typically an attribute of the data analysis which is chosen ad-hoc by the researcher, where another researcher may choose a different value. One example of a subjective parameter that is commonly used to test hypotheses is the P-value, which is the probability of obtaining a result at least as extreme as a given data point, under the null hypothesis. Another example of a subjective parameter is the choice of algorithm applied to data (e.g., choosing to use maximum parsimony or maximum likelihood in deriving a phylogeny). Other examples of subjective parameters may include a choice of age group boundaries in an age study (e.g., ages 18-25, 26-40 versus ages 18-30, 31-40), or the size of an interval (e.g., one year interval, five year interval, etc.).
Ideally, subjective parameters are formulated as part of the hypothesis (or as part of the mathematical model associated with the hypothesis) prior to commencement of the data collection phase. For example, a P-value should be chosen before data collection and analysis so that the collection and analysis leads to a clear answer as to whether the hypothesis holds.
In reality, subjective parameters are commonly identified during the data collection and analysis processes. Moreover, subjective parameter values are often modified and manipulated several times during the data analysis process, leading to an iterative data analysis process through which conclusions are drawn. Existing data analysis systems and methods do not adequately account for the iterative nature of testing hypotheses in data analysis.

System and method of providing interactive data analysis with varying subjective parameters


A rotary seal comprises a seal element comprising a disc-shaped body having a first axial side and an opposed second axial side. The seal element further comprises a radially inner central circular opening for receiving a rotary shaft, the opening having an inner periphery for sealing engagement with the shaft. A radially outer rim portion of the seal element comprises an axially facing annular sealing surface provided on the first axial side for sealing engagement in use with an opposed axially facing sealing surface of an adjacent first static housing and an axially facing pocket provided on the second axial side and having an axially facing surface for receiving, in use, an annular elastomeric biasing element. At least one drainage passage is formed through the outer rim portion from an inlet on the second axial side to an outlet on a radially outer portion of the rim portion.

Rotary actuators are used in a wide range of applications. One such application is in the actuation of butterfly valves in aircraft air conditioning systems. Typically, a butterfly valve element is arranged within an air flow duct, with the rotary actuator being mounted externally of the duct and driving a shaft which extends through a wall of the duct to rotate the valve element thereby controlling and regulating the airflow within the duct.
Although a seal is provided between the duct and the shaft, under certain operating conditions during a flight envelope, moisture may move from the duct, through the seal and along the shaft towards the actuator drive unit. Although the actuator drive unit is protected by a secondary seal, during freeze/thaw cycles, water may be able to move past this seal and enter the actuator drive unit. This is undesirable since it may contaminate electronic components of the drive unit, leading to corrosion on exposed electrical interfaces and possibly electrical breakdown leading to system error messages, requiring the drive unit to be removed from the aircraft for attention.


A traction control device of a six-wheel drive construction machine, the drive construction machine including: right and left front wheels connected to each other via an axle, right and left center wheels connected to each other via an axle, and right and left rear wheels connected to each other via an axle, the right and left front, center and rear wheels being driven as driving wheels; a braking mechanism provided to each of the wheels; and a differential adjusting mechanism for adjusting a differential between the front and rear driving wheels, the traction control device controls the braking mechanisms only for the driving wheels related to any two of axles while controlling the differential adjusting mechanism.

Construction machines are frequently used by its nature in a place whose road surface is in a bad condition as compared with general vehicles. Some types of construction machines employ four-wheel drive or six-wheel drive. However, on a soft ground such as a mine or a construction site, since positional differences between the wheels lead to different friction coefficients between the wheels and the road surface, even the above types of construction machines suffer from the slip of part of the driving wheels, so that a driving torque cannot be transmitted to the other driving wheels. In such a case, most of engine output is used to drive the slipping driving wheel or wheels, so that a sufficient amount of the driving force cannot be transmitted to the road surface, thereby reducing acceleration.
As devices for controlling the driving force to the wheels of the above types of construction machines, there has been known a traction control (hereinafter referred to as TCS) device capable of adjusting a brake torque to each wheel and a differential-lock control device capable of locking a differential in a differential mechanism between right and left driving wheels or between front and rear wheels (see, for instance, Patent Literature 1).
Patent Literature 1 teaches a construction machine including an inter-axle differential as a differential device capable of distributing engine output to the front, center and rear wheels, in which a sign of slip of the front wheels are detected based on the rotation speed of a transmission output shaft, the rotation speed of a front output shaft of the inter-axle differential, and the rotation speed of a rear output shaft of the inter-axle differential. When the sign is detected, a differential-lock amount of the inter-axle differential is controlled.


Systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present disclosure generally relate to fluid placement tools. A fluid placement tool includes a connecting section at a proximal end of the fluid placement tool for coupling the fluid placement tool to a conveyance. The fluid placement tool also includes an actuating section coupled to the connecting section, wherein the actuating section comprises a first check valve and a piston, wherein the first check valve is positioned to allow fluid flow through the actuating section and into engagement with the piston. The fluid placement tool also includes a fluid containment section, wherein the fluid containment section comprises a fluid reservoir and a second check valve, wherein the fluid reservoir is disposed between the first check valve and the second check valve, wherein the second check valve is position to only allow flow out of the fluid containment section. The actuating section is operable to drive the piston through the fluid reservoir for displacement of a fluid from the fluid reservoir and into a wellbore.

Exploration diamond drilling may be used in the mining industry to probe the contents of known ore deposits and potential sites. Operators may extract a core of rock to be analyzed (structurally and chemically) by geologists. Core drilling may typically be conducted with a core bit connected to a rotary drill. As the core bit advances, a core sample of rock may be produced. The functionality of the core bit may dependent on the rock type. Depending on the rock type and size of hole the core may rotate between 800 to 4,000 rotations per minutes, for example. As such, fluid lubrication may be required to maintain bit life, stabilize formation and remove cutting from the hole. The type of the drilling fluid used for fluid lubrication may be dependent on the geology being drilled. In highly porous or fractured rock, the drilling fluid may be lost to the formation. Fluid loss may result in reduced lubrication, cuttings transport and rate of penetration (ROP). To address this and other issues, stabilizing agents, such as cement slurries and or Lost Circulation Materials (LCM), may be placed into the formation to seal the zones of the formation to stabilize and/or prevent loss of the drilling fluid from the borehole.


A method and system are provided for performing a regeneration cycle for regenerating a diesel particulate filter (56) for removing particulate matter from a flow of engine exhaust gas from a diesel engine associated with a refrigeration system (10) having a refrigeration unit (20) powered by the diesel engine (32) having a first higher RPM speed and a second lower RPM speed.

This disclosure relates generally to transport refrigeration systems having an on-board diesel engine. More particularly, this disclosure relates to regeneration of a diesel particle filter during operation of the transport refrigeration system.
Fruits, vegetables and other perishable items, including meat, poultry and fish, fresh or frozen, are commonly transported in the cargo box of a truck, a trailer, or in an intermodal container. Accordingly, it is customarily to provide a transport refrigeration system in operative association with the cargo box for cooling the atmosphere within the cargo box. The transport refrigeration system includes a refrigerant vapor compression system, also referred to as a transport refrigeration unit, and an on-board power unit. The refrigerant vapor compression system typically includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator serially connected by refrigerant lines in a closed refrigerant circuit in accord with known refrigerant vapor compression cycles. The power unit includes a fuel-fired engine, typically a diesel fueled engine.
In many truck/trailer transport refrigeration systems, the compressor of the transport refrigeration unit is driven by the engine shaft either through a belt/chain drive or by mechanical shaft-to-shaft coupling. Additionally, other components of the transport refrigeration unit, such as condenser fans, evaporator fans and an alternator, may be driven by the engine shaft through a belt/chain drive. More recently, all electric transport refrigeration systems have been developed for truck/trailer applications wherein the engine drives an on-board generator for generating sufficient electrical power to drive an electric motor operatively associated with the compressor of the transport refrigeration unit. With respect to intermodal containers, clip-on power units, commonly referred to as generator sets or gensets, are available for mounting to the intermodal container, typically when the container is being transported by road or rail, to provide electrical power for operating the compressor drive motor of the transport refrigeration unit associated with the container. The genset includes a diesel engine and a generator driven by the diesel engine.
Although diesel engines function well in powering transport refrigerant systems, diesel engines produce exhaust gases that contain noxious emissions including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, unburned hydrocarbons and particulate matter. Diesel exhaust treatment units have been developed to reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and particulate matter emitted to the atmosphere. One type of diesel exhaust treatment unit is an in-line exhaust treatment unit that is installed in the exhaust pipe downstream of the engine exhaust manifold and includes a diesel oxidation catalyst and a diesel particulate filter disposed in series.
For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0283681 A1 discloses an in-line diesel exhaust treatment device including a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) disposed in series. The DOC is operative to oxidize carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, to oxidize unburned hydrocarbons to water and carbon dioxide, and to oxide nitrogen oxide (NO) to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The DPF is operative to collect particulate matter in the exhaust gases passing therethrough. International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2008/082492 A2 discloses a method and apparatus for heating exhaust gases of a diesel engine to support regeneration of an exhaust aftertreatment device while simultaneously cooling exhaust gases before passing to the atmosphere.
Although diesel particulate filters are effective in reducing particulate emissions emitted from diesel engines into the atmosphere, diesel particulate filters must be periodically subjected to a regeneration process to burn off the collected particulate matter in order to maintain the particulate removal effectiveness.

Diesel particulate filter regeneration in transport refrigeration system


A system and method of controlling pressure in a wheel brake cylinder of a brake. The hydraulic cylinder is connected to an electrically driven pump and a flow control valve is connected between the pump and the wheel cylinder. The system and method operate to control the speed of a motor driven pump to generate a desired pressure in a cylinder of the brake; generate a differential pressure, in the flow control valve, proportional to pump flow and communication same to a spring biased valving element; cause the valving element to move, in response to pressure forces acting on the valving element, generated by the pressure differential, and the force of the bias spring, so as to selectively open and close an associated exhaust port, connected to a drain or sump, such that in the steady state an equilibrium condition is achieved where the pressure forces balance the spring force and the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder is constant.

The present invention generally relates to an electro-hydraulic braking system in which the braking force acting upon a service brake is generated by an electrically controlled pump.
A simplified version of this system is shown in FIG. 1. This system 10 comprises a pump 12 powered by a motor 14 in response to control signals by an electric control unit (ECU) 16. The pump 12 directly pressurizes a brake system generally shown as 18. The speed of the motor 14/pump 12 is controlled to modulate brake system pressure in accordance with a commanded brake pressure signal. In the system shown in FIG. 1, brake system pressure varies with motor speed. In order for the brake system pressure to decay or decrease quickly, fluid within the brake system must flow to a drain or sump 22. The speed of the pressure decay can of course be increased dramatically if the pump direction is reversed, however, this adds to the complexity of the system. As can be appreciated, when the pump speed is slowed or when the pump is brought to a halt, brake system pressure will decay through the internal leak passages 24 of the pump, however, the time required for such decay is relatively long. One solution is to add an orifice (an additional leak path) in parallel with the pump 12 to speed the brake pressure decay. This approach requires that the pump capacity or displacement be increased since the pump now must be sized to supply the leakage flow as well as to supply fluid to adequately pressurize the brake system 18. If a fixed orifice 26 is used, it is impossible to size this orifice to provide a sufficient decay at low brake system pressure without increasing the flow at high pressure to a point that the pump 12 cannot maintain this pressure. One approach to solving the problem at hand is to add a flow regulator in a passage such as the passage in which the orifice 26 is located. One problem with this approach is that during the brake apply portion of the braking cycle the pump 12 is required to provide flow to the brake as well as to supply bypass flow.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved direct acting electro-hydraulic braking system. In this improved system a flow regulator is added to the braking system shown in FIG. 1 to modulate the leak rate. The time required to decay brake pressure at low pressure levels is reduced and at the same time, leakage at high brake system pressures is minimized. The present invention provides a simple and compact way to regulate a leak or bypass rate at all operational pressures. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a flow regulator is added to the system to modulate the leak rate, the decay at low pressure is improved and at the same time leakage at high pressures is minimized. Therefore, when the pump output flow is very high (during the fill mode) the bypass flow is completely shut off. After brake pressure reaches the desired value and the pump slows, the regulator starts to increase the bypass rate. If the pump is stopped completely (when a lower brake pressure is desired) the bypass is open fully, causing a rapid reduction in brake pressure. Alternate embodiment of the invention shows an inline flow regulator.
As will be shown from the description below, brake pressure decay can be achieved without the use of auxiliary control valves and by modulating motor speed is all that is required to obtain a full range of apply, hold and decay rates in brake pressure.
Accordingly, the invention comprises: a system and method of controlling pressure in a wheel or brake cylinder of a brake. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a hydraulic wheel cylinder is connected to an electrically driven pump and a flow control valve is connected between the pump and the wheel cylinder. In one embodiment of the invention the flow control valve comprises a flow control regulator with a bypass passage. In another embodiment of the invention an inline flow control regulator is used. The system and method operate to control the speed of a motor driven pump to generate a desired pressure in a cylinder of the brake. The controlled pump flow generates a differential pressure in a flow control valve as a function of pump flow. This pressure differential is communicated to a spring biased valving element, which is part of the flow control valve, that causes the valving element to move, in response to pressure forces acting on same, generated by the pressure differential, and the force of the bias spring. The valve element, in response to these forces selectively opens and closes an associated exhaust port, connected to a drain or sump, such that in the steady state an equilibrium condition is achieved where the pressure forces balance the spring force and the pressure in the cylinder is constant.
Many other objects and purposes of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the drawings.

Direct acting electro-hydraulic braking system with regulated leak rate


A system that includes an equipment package for separating nitrogen from air to produce enhanced oxygen air for use by divers. The package is combined with a pressure storage tank for air that is coupled to the package. A pressure storage tank is provided for enhanced oxygen air. A fill station including a high pressure gauge and a high pressure oxygen sensor is provided to fill divers' tanks. A compressor receives the enhanced oxygen air from the package and delivers high or low pressure enhanced oxygen air to the pressure storage tank via a pressure filter. Valving is provided for selectively controlling the flow in the system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for life support systems for supplying a pressurized diver's breathing gas for underwater divers and, more particularly, to a subassembly equipment package useable by dive shops, remote sites, diver boats, live aboards and the like for incorporation into the novel apparatus of the present invention whereby an advantageous life support system for supplying diver's breathing gas can be readily produced.
2. Description of Related Art
Techniques for producing a mixture of oxygen enriched air, known in the art as EAN.sub.x (enriched air nitrox), have been known for many years, as well as the advantages of using such enriched air as a diver's breathing gas. However, the life support systems for producing same have utilized the concept of enriching air by adding pure oxygen to it. Such a system is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,803 to Wells, which shows oxygen injected into a stream of ambient air in order to produce an oxygen enriched air mixture. The mixture is compressed and delivered to storage or scuba cylinders for use in diving or other applications. A source of oxygen appropriate for injection into the ambient air stream is needed in this known system and, consequently, not only is a great deal of caution required during generation of the oxygen enriched air mixture to avoid explosions and other problems typically associated with the use of oxygen, but, even more important, such systems require oxygen cleaning which is a drawback.

Method and apparatus for supplying a pressurized diver's breathing gas for underwater divers


A raster output scanner interface apparatus for receiving subpixel address data and pixel video data that are synchronized with a raster output scanner on a pixel basis, and for sending video output to the raster output scanner that is synchronized with the raster output scanner on a pixel basis. The apparatus provides a programmable switch that receives as inputs both the pixel video data and the pixel video data delayed a programmable amount by a programmable delay buffer. The output of the switch is the video output that is sent to the raster output scanner. The amount of delay of the programmable buffer is programmed by a controller in response to the subpixel address data. The controller also controls the switch in response to the subpixel address data and the pixel video data.

This invention relates to a raster output scanner interface, and more particularly to an interface providing subpixel spot size and addressability.
In a typical raster output scanner (ROS), a light source, such as a laser diode or a helium-neon laser, emits a light beam that is modulated according to a video signal. The light beam is directed through conditioning optics onto the reflective facets of a rotating polygon. The polygon, typically rotating at a rate in the 3 to 23 thousand revolutions per minute range, then scans the beam through more conditioning optics and images the laser spot across the full process width of a photosensitive image plane, in the fast scan direction. Meanwhile, the image plane moves in the slow scan direction, approximately parallel to the fast scan direction, in synchronization with the ROS so that successive passes of the laser spot across the width of the image plane produce successive scan lines.
On the image plane there are imaged various primitives, including dots, lines and arcs, that constitute text characters and graphics. An important portion of the primitives are edges. Irregularities in edges between successive scan lines are readily perceived.
One technique to smooth edges is to simply image the primitives at a finer resolution. To achieve finer resolution (e.g., 600 spi), the ROS would need to be redesigned to increase the input data rate to accept the data needed to define the higher resolution. To image the increased data rate would require either increasing the speed of rotation of the polygon or the number of polygon facets, or some combination of these two approaches.
In general, the above approaches have proven adequate. These approaches, however, suffer the drawback of increased complexity and cost. Moreover, for high speed imaging (e.g., 120 ppm), the system clock rate needed to input and process the necessary image data becomes prohibitively fast, requiring expensive components to respond to the system clock, as well as careful layout to avoid noise problems and electromagnetic interference.

Raster output scanner with subpixel addressability