A packaging for golf balls that acts as a moisture barrier inhibiting moisture absorption by a golf ball during storage. In one embodiment, the packaging includes a sealing member that defines an internal closed volume that is configured to receive a golf ball. The sealing member preferably has a laminate structure that includes a moisture barrier layer, a sealing layer and a structural layer. Another aspect is a method of packaging golf balls to minimize moisture absorption during storage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved packaging for golf balls, and more particularly, relates to a golf ball packaging that preserves the mechanical and physical characteristics of the ball during storage and transport.
2. Description of the Related Art
Golf balls generally come in two different varieties, solid golf balls and multi-piece golf balls. A solid golf ball consists of a polymeric sphere having a plurality of molded dimples which aid the flight characteristics of the golf ball. Solid golf balls are usually used for practicing, where high performance is not a priority, such as in driving ranges. Multi-piece golf balls exhibit better playing characteristics than solid golf balls and are consequently usually used on golf courses during play. A multipiece golf ball consists of either a wound or solid rubber core that is covered with a separate and distinct cover. The cover often comprises a single thermoplastic layer. Recently, new types of multi-piece golf balls have been introduced having a multilayered compound including a plastic mantle surrounding a solid polybutadiene rubber core and an external thermoplastic envelope. The solid core or the center of a wound core is generally made of an elastomer, such as a CIS content polybutadiene rubber which is combined with a zinc or other metal salt of unsaturated fatty acid. Often, small amounts of zinc oxide are also added to the core in order to achieve a higher performance in restitution, as described below.
The cover of a multi-piece golf ball is typically made from a material that contributes to the durability of the ball and also provides the particular "feel" characteristics of the ball when struck with a club. By way of example, a two-piece golf ball construction of a rubber core and an ionomer cover generally provides a very durable ball and also provides maximum travelling distance to the ball when struck with a club.
Golf ball manufacturers have recently introduced a new type of two-piece golf ball for use by the Tour players. The new golf balls provide a softer feeling to the ball when struck with a club. Manufacturers have achieved this characteristic by lowering the core compression and softening the cover of the golf ball. Golf ball manufacturers have also recently developed a three-layer golf ball having an intermediate mantle between the core and the cover. The three-layer golf ball provides a softer feel to the golf ball while also providing maximum distance and durability. In such a golf ball, it is advantageous to use a thermoplastic material for the mantle, such as a pure or blended ether block copolymer (e.g., PEBAX.RTM.), as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,871.
Unfortunately, there are certain drawbacks that are associated with prolonged storage of multi-piece golf balls. Multi-piece golf balls typically absorb moisture when they are subjected to prolonged storage under ambient conditions of temperature and humidity. A short period of moisture absorption can cause significant changes in the performance characteristics of the ball. Such moisture absorption may affect the weight of the ball, as well as the physical and mechanical characteristics of the various materials that make up the different pieces of the golf ball structure, including the cover, the core and the mantle.
One other characteristic that is affected by moisture absorption is the initial velocity of the golf ball. United States Golf Association (USGA) rules govern the allowable ranges of initial velocity values for golf balls. According to the USGA rules, the initial velocity must not exceed a value of 250 feet per second, with a maximum tolerance of 2%. Consequently, golf ball manufacturers have striven to manufacture golf balls that have an initial velocity as close as possible to the 255 feet per second limit without exceeding this value.
Moisture has been shown to significantly affect the initial velocity value of a ball over a very short period of time. FIG. 1 is a graph that plots the initial velocity value as a function of time for a stored golf ball at various ambient conditions. As shown in FIG. 1, the initial velocity loss is approximately 2.5 ft/sec. over twelve months for golf balls having a soft cover, between 50 to 60 shore D, in an environment of 72.degree. F. and 50% of relative humidity (RH). Such a initial velocity loss of 2.5 ft/sec corresponds to a loss of distance of approximately 6 to 10 yards when the ball is struck with a driver. For a golf ball having a hard cover, between 68-72 shore D in the same conditions, the initial velocity loss over 12 months is approximately 0.5 ft/sec.
The problem of moisture absorption is particularly critical for soft cover balls because the soft cover is more permeable to moisture than a hard cover, so the moisture reaches the core more easily. Because it is made of a highly hygroscopic material, the core absorbs this moisture, which degrades the core's desired properties. The degradation in performance characteristics is generally accelerated when the ambient storage temperature becomes higher. For a soft cover ball at a temperature around 110.degree. F. and 50% RH, a velocity loss of 2.5 ft/sec occurs in only few weeks, as opposed to twelve months for a soft cover ball in an environment of 72.degree. F. and 50% RH. During transportation of the golf balls from the manufacturing facility to a retail store, actual storage conditions are closer to these conditions. Consequently, soft cover balls may experience a large reduction in performance characteristics when being transported from the manufacturing facilities to the retail store.
Three-layered golf balls also encounter a similar problem with moisture absorption. A three-piece golf ball including a polyamide-base mantle, such as PEBAX.RTM., is sensitive to water absorption. The characteristics of such a golf ball can change significantly during a short period of time if the ball absorbs moisture. In particular, the characteristics of hardness, weight, volume, tensile strength, elongation, resiliency, and modulus can vary significantly after a prolonged stay in ambient conditions and be worse in humid and warm conditions.
Golf ball manufacturers have proposed various golf ball structural configurations in an effort to inhibit moisture absorption. United Kingdom Patent Application 2,280,379 proposes to include in the golf ball structure a moisture barrier layer that has a lower water vapor transmission rate than the golf ball cover. The golf ball includes a cover that has a thickness of at least 30 mils and a continuous moisture barrier layer that surrounds the inner core. While this golf ball is designed to increase the shelf life of a ball by inhibiting moisture absorption, it also presents many drawbacks. First, the moisture barrier layer is generally made of a material that does not readily adhere to the adjacent materials in the golf ball structure. Consequently, the various layers of the golf ball structure may move relative to one another, such as through rotation. As a result of this lack of adhesion between the layers, the spin rate of the ball is reduced since the momentum transferred to the ball is significantly less than if the inner layers initially moved at the same rate as the outer layers. Second, the acceptable thickness of the moisture barrier layer is limited, as the characteristics of the ball would be adversely affected if the barrier layer constituted a major portion of the ball structure. Consequently, the moisture barrier layer must be made relatively thin. However, if it is made too thin, the moisture barrier layer will not sufficiently inhibit moisture absorption, so that the moisture barrier layer must generally be used in conjunction with a cover that is relatively thick, which may be undesirable.
United Kingdom Patent Application 2,280,379 also discloses a golf ball having a moisture barrier layer positioned outside the golf ball clear coat. The clear coat is a solution that is applied to the outer surface of a golf ball to protect the ball and to add an aesthetically pleasing appearance by providing the ball with a high gloss and mirror-like finish. Unfortunately, positioning the moisture barrier layer outside the clear coat is undesirable since it may subject the moisture barrier layer to damage during use. Another drawback associated with placing a water barrier around the clear coat is that the barrier layer significantly reduces the clear coat's transparency and glossy appearance. This may adversely affect the appearance of identifying indicia, such as trademarks, logos, model names, etc., that are often placed on the golf ball. Finally, the golf ball of U.K. Application 2,280,379 is complicated to manufacture and involves steps for which special precautionary measures are required. For example, the core is dipped in a solvent solution, such as toluene, which is a known toxic and cancer-causing chemical.
Japanese Patent Application No. 7-187268 discloses a packaging for golf balls. The packaging is made of a heat-shrinkable film that is shrunk over golf balls for storage. The film enables the golf balls to be arranged in a tight configuration of lines or rows. Perforations are made in the film to facilitate the evacuation of air during the process of heat-shrinking the film. While this type of packaging eliminates bulk by enabling a collection of golf balls to be tightly packed, it does not address the problem of moisture absorption by the golf balls after they are packed and during storage. The packaging disclosed in JPA 7-187268 does not act as a moisture barrier, as the perforations in the packaging make it permeable to moisture.
Currently, manufacturers pack golf balls that are available on the market in rigid paper or cardboard boxes. Such packaging is highly susceptible to moisture penetration and, therefore, moisture absorption by the golf balls. As discussed above, such moisture absorption greatly reduces the performance characteristics of the ball.
There is therefore a need for a packaging that may be used to store golf balls prior to first use and prevent the damage associated with difficult storage and shipping conditions, such as temperature and moisture. Such a packaging should sufficiently protect the golf ball to ensure the freshness of the golf ball and preserve the optimum properties of the golf ball prior to first use, while also preserving and protecting the structure of the ball. The packaging should be both capable of protecting single or multiple golf balls and retaining the physical and mechanical properties of the ball, such as the initial velocity value, until the packaging is opened.


A method of testing a semiconductor package including a plurality of semiconductor chips includes sensing electrical signals respectively output from a plurality of semiconductor chip groups each representing a combination of at least two semiconductor chips among the plurality of semiconductor chips, obtaining amplitudes of electrical signals respectively output from the plurality of semiconductor chips based on the plurality of sensed electrical signals, and outputting a test result for the semiconductor package by using the plurality of obtained electrical signals.

The inventive concept relates to a semiconductor package test method, a semiconductor package test device, and a semiconductor package, and more particularly, to a semiconductor package including a plurality of semiconductor chips and semiconductor package test device and method for testing the same.
As the plurality of semiconductor chips are mounted in an electronic device, a configuration of hardware becomes complicated. In addition, as the electronic device is required to be small and light, in order to reduce the number of mounted parts, a semiconductor package, such as a multichip package in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are mounted in one package, is provided.
In addition, as the electronic device is highly functional, a test for the semiconductor package included in the electronic device also becomes complicated. For this purpose, equipment for testing the semiconductor package is enlarged and a technology for correctly testing the semiconductor package including the plurality of semiconductor chips is required.

Semiconductor package test method, semiconductor package test device and semiconductor package


The disclosure relates to optical arrangements in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, an optical arrangement has at least one mirror segment arrangement including a plurality of separate mirror segments. The mirror segments are connected to a carrying structure of the projection exposure apparatus via mounting elements. At least one of the mounting elements, which is assigned to a first one of the mirror segments, extends, on the opposite side to the optically active surface of the mirror segment arrangement, at least partly into the region of a second mirror segment of the mirror segment arrangement. The second mirror segment is adjacent to the first mirror segment.

Microlithography is used for producing microstructured components such as, for example, integrated circuits or LCDs. The microlithography process is carried out in a so-called projection exposure apparatus having an illumination device and a projection lens. The image of a mask (=reticle) illuminated by the illumination device is in this case projected by the projection lens onto a substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer) coated with a light-sensitive layer (photoresist), and arranged in the image plane of the projection lens, in order to transfer the mask structure to the light-sensitive coating of the substrate.
In projection lenses designed for the EUV range, i.e. at wavelengths of e.g. approximately 13 nm or approximately 7 nm, mirrors are often used as optical components for the imaging process due to the general unavailability of suitable light-transmissive refractive materials.
Typical projection lenses designed for EUV, as known e.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 7,538,856 B2, can have, for example, an image-side numerical aperture (NA) in the range of NA=0.2 to 0.3 and image an (e.g. ring-shaped) object field into the image plane or wafer plane.
As the image-side numerical aperture (NA) continues to increase, an accompanying enlargement of the mirror surfaces can entail an increasing technological production outlay and cost expenditure. In general, with increasing dimensions of the mirrors, larger processing machines are used for production, and more stringent desired properties are usually involved for the processing tools used (such as e.g. grinding, lapping, and polishing machines, interferometers, cleaning and coating apparatuses). Furthermore, the production of larger mirrors typically involves the use of heavier mirror base bodies which, above a certain limit, can scarcely be mounted any more or flex beyond an acceptable amount owing to gravitation.
Further, both in the case of passive mounting and in the case of active mounting (i.e. in a manner that makes actuation possible) of a mirror, it is generally inherently undesirable to install mounting elements in regions outside the mirror base body or the active surface thereof, because such installation can contribute to an enlargement of the structural space, which is limited anyway. On the other hand, however, it is also generally disadvantageous to install the relevant mounting elements directly on the rear side of the mirror, i.e. on that side thereof which faces away from the optically active surface, in view of the deformation inputs which can be significantly increased in the case of such a geometry. Such deformation inputs typically proceed from joints which are at the transition from the mirror material to the (e.g. metallic) materials used for mounting or actuation and, via the local stresses associated with the corresponding joining process (e.g. soldering or adhesive bonding), cause the introduction of mechanical stresses or deformations into the material of the mirror or mirror segment. Because these joints are not completely stable over time on account of relaxation effects that occur, the deformation influence of the joint additionally varies over the lifetime of the mirror, such that it also cannot readily be eliminated by single post-processing of the mirror for instance directly after production.

Optical arrangement in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus


The system for holding a number of in-line two wheeled vehicles has a vertical support column. A lifting bracket has an end that engages a vertical channel of the vertical support. A counter balance system in the vertical support column is connected to the lifting bracket. A horizontal track runs perpendicular to a face of the vertical support column with the vertical channel. A horizontal bracket engages the horizontal track. A bike or other two wheel vehicle is held by the lifting bracket. Because the lifting bracket has a counter balance system a person can easily lift the bike up in the air. The horizontal bracket can also hold a bike. A bike on the horizontal bracket can be slid so that it is under the lifting bracket, which may be holding a second bike.

The storage of bicycles, mopeds, scooters and other in-line two wheeled vehicles can be awkward. A number of bike racks have been proposed, but most only allow for storage at one level. These can be very inefficient. There are some designs for hanging bikes from a ceiling, but these only work inside a building and require a person lift the bike high in the air. Many people do not have the strength and balance necessary to accomplish this. Other systems have been proposed for multiple levels of storage of in-line two wheeled vehicles, but all require some strength and dexterity.
Thus there exists a need for a system for holding in-line two wheeled vehicles that is efficient and easy to use.

System for holding in-line two wheeled vehicles


A graphics processor is disclosed having two processing units and two dual-port RAMs for passing data between the processing units. The hardware is configured to detect whether input data is primitive information or pass-through information. If it is the former, the information is processed as a primitive. If it is the latter, the hardware determines whether one of the dual-port RAMs is available. If so, the available RAM is converted into a pass-through FIFO, and the pass-through information is stored therein. An output process operates continually to send primitive results and pass-through information from the pass-through FIFO out of the graphics processor output as the information becomes available, and ensures that the correct ordering of the information is maintained. If necessary, and if both RAMs are available, both of the dual-port RAMs in the graphics processor may be used as pass-through FIFOs at the same time.

In a typical computer graphics system, an object to be represented on a display screen is broken down into graphics primitives. Graphics primitives are basic geometric elements such as points, lines, vectors, triangles and quadrilaterals. Computer graphics systems use graphics primitives in combination to represent more complex shapes. A typical system for generating and displaying graphics primitives might include a host processor, application and system/driver software running on the host processor, and a specialized subsystem of graphics processing hardware that is controlled by the software running on the host processor.
Many mathematical operations are necessary to process and display graphics primitives. In lower-end computer systems, most of those operations are performed by the host processor. In such lower-end systems, only a simple set of operations need be performed by the graphics subsystem in order to display the graphics information produced by the host processor. In higher-end computer systems, however, better performance is achieved by providing a graphics subsystem that has the capacity to perform many of the mathematical operations that, in lower-end systems, must be performed by the host processor. In such higher-end systems, the host processor may generate graphics information at a fairly abstract level. The host processor then relies on "graphics accelerator" hardware in the graphics subsystem to reduce the abstract information to simpler forms more suitable for downstream operations such as rasterization and storage in a frame buffer memory. In this manner, tasks are off loaded from the host processor, thereby saving host processor bandwidth for higher-level operations.
Graphics primitives vary as to the number and type of computations necessary to process them. For example, primitives may be generated by the host processor for display in a non-positional lighting mode, so that the graphics accelerator need only do cursory lighting operations along with the usual clipping, plane equation and transformation operations necessary for each primitive. On the other hand, primitives may be generated by the host processor for display in a positional lighting mode, so that the graphics accelerator must perform numerous additional and more complex lighting calculations along with the usual clipping, plane equation and transformation operations necessary for each primitive. Consequently, it would be a desirable feature in a graphics processor to have more than one processing unit to increase throughput. It would also be desirable if the processing units were reconfigurable so that their processing power could be utilized effectively for a variety of different types of primitives. Moreover, it has been found to be advantageous to arrange graphics processors in a graphics pipeline, so that the various operations necessary to process graphics primitives may be performed in a more-or-less assembly line fashion by different pieces of specialized hardware.
One of the difficulties in the design of such a graphics subsystem is that not all of the information traveling through the graphics pipeline is destined for, or must be processed by, every piece of hardware in the pipeline. Thus, some mechanism must be provided to allow such "pass-through" information to reach its proper destination in the graphics pipeline efficiently, albeit in the proper order vis-a-vis other information in the pipeline.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for handling pass-through information effectively in a high-perfornance computer graphics processor.

Graphic accelerator architecture using two graphics processing units for processing aspects of pre-rasterized graphics primitives and a control circuitry for relaying pass-through information


A method for creating machining conditions and/or machining condition series capable of meeting a plurality of the required machining specifications, in which the method designates at least one of ranges of the machining specifications, ranges of satisfaction degrees the required specifications and functions indicating satisfaction degrees to the required specifications. The method determines a compromise between the required machining specifications The required machining specifications includes surface roughness, consumption rate of the electrode and machining time.

This invention relates to a method of creating at least one set of machining parameters referred to herein as a "machining condition series" for use in a machine tools such as a discharge machining systems
Conventionally, the machining conditions for operating the machine tool are determined on the basis of required workplece specifications and the machine operator's experience and knowledge. For example, in discharge machining, the machine operator determines the machining condition series on the basis of finished surface roughness, shape characteristics and the like of the workpiece, and inputs the data to the machine tool. In discharge machining and other types of machining generally, phased processes from roughing to finishing are used to obtain the required roughness and improve the machining speed. Planning for changing the machining conditions is carried out on the basis of the operator's knowledge.
When the machine tool is operated, the experience and knowledge of a skilled operator is indispensable in determining the machining conditions and the machining condition series. However, through rapid progress in data processing technology, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-130130 and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 62-130131, there has been achieved an apparatus for creating a machining condition series which automatically calculates the machining conditions on the basis of data on the machining electrode and the workpiece.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram outlining a conventional method of creating a machining condition series. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 designates an input section for operator input of parameters such as the machining base area, machining depth, a finished surface roughness, electrode wear amount, etc., on the basis of the machining specifications of the workpiece. Further, reference numeral 2 designates a unit for generating a machining condition series which produces :he machining conditions and the machining condition series on the basis of machining characteristic data 4 and the inputted data from the input section 1. The machining characteristic data 4 includes data on the workpiece.
The operation of the above conventional method is as follows:
When the operator inputs machining base area, machining depth, finished surface roughness, electrode wear amount, etc., on the basis of the machining specifications of the workpiece, the unit 2 produces the machining conditions and the machining condition series on the basis of the inputted data from the input section 1 and the machining characteristic data 4 prepared in advance. Moreover, the machining condition series is displayed in the same state as the form being inputted to the machining tool, or eg., is printed out. Additionally, a plurality of the machining condition series are indicated together with the respective estimated times for machining, and the indicated data may be selected by the operator.
In general, when high finishing precision is required, a machining speed rapidly slows down. For example, FIG. 6 is a graph indicating the relation between surface roughness--and machining speed, classified by wear rate of the electrode in discharge machining. In FIG. 6, when the finished surface roughness is decreased from 25 .mu.mR.sub.max to 12.5 .mu.mR.sub.max, the machining increases five to seven-fold. That is, increasing finished surface precision causes the machining time to be rapidly extended. Therefore, in order to reduce production cost and machining time, finished surface roughness as far as possible on the "rough" side while still obtaining satisfactory product.
The conventional method of creating a machining condition series comprising the above steps is disadvantageous in the following way. The machining specifications are indicated by absolute numerical values. Frequently, the production cost and machining time could both be lowered by a little moderation of the machining specifications, however, the operator can not recognize how to achieve this end.
Furthermore, workpiece precision has an inverse relation with and large influence on machining speed. However, in designing a workpiece detailed decisions on machining precision data, e.g., the finished surface roughness, are unusual, and the machining precision data are divided into classes having relationally wide ranges. Accordingly, in machining, the operator flexibly interprets the machining precision parameters into consideration the importance of the workpiece, the operating conditions, the delivery deadline and the like and makes a compromise between machining speed and machining precision. That is, when each machining specification is set at a singular value, it takes much time to find a suitable compromise between machining speed and machining precision.

Method for creating a machining condition series


Disclosed are of the protected photoinitiators of the formula: wherein Aryl1 is an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring; Aryl2 is an aromatic ring; each R1 is an alkyl, an aryl, an electron donating group or an electron withdrawing group, and subscript a is 0 to 3; each R2 is an alkyl, an aryl, an electron donating group or an electron withdrawing group, and subscript b is 0 to 3; Prot is a protected carbonyl group.

Photoinitiators absorb actinic radiations and form an initiating species in polymerization reactions. The photoinitiators are of essentially two types: α-cleavage (Norrish type I) and hydrogen abstraction (Norrish type II). α-cleavage types undergo cleavage to produce free radicals. Hydrogen abstraction types generate free radicals by proton transfer with a second molecule.
Norrish types I and II are known for UV initiated polymerizations, but there are few examples of Norrish type I photoinitiators for visible light. The depth of cure is a function of the wavelength of the light source; the longer wavelength of visible light are able to penetrate greater thicknesses of polymerizable resins than UV.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,875 (Oxman et al.) describes a process for hardening dental resins using a first hardenable composition containing a first photoinitiator with a λmax from 380 to 450 nm, followed by a second hardenable composition containing a photoinitiator having a λ max of 450 to 520 nm. Bisacylphosphine oxides are used as first photoinitiator component and α-diketones as second photoinitiator component.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,714,034 (Moszner et al.) describe polymerizable dental material which contains at least one radically-polymerizable monomer and certain bisacylphosphine oxide compounds, which absorb in the UV region and also show an absorption greater than 400 nm, so that their photolysis and radical formation can be induced by irradiation with halogen lamps customary in the dental field or also with LED lamps.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,829,067 (Moszner et al.) describes polymerizable compositions an acylgermanium compound with several germanium atoms as polymerization initiator. The initiators can be activated with UV/vis light, particularly preferably of a wavelength of 400 to 500 nm.
EP 0 334 338 describes α-cleavage types such as titanocenes, acylphosphonates, acylphosphine oxides or bisacrylphosphine oxides, are also used in light-curing dental materials. Titanocenes are however not particularly reactive and are preferably used in combination with amines and/or peroxides. EP 0 336 417 describes acylphosphonates such as e.g. benzoyl-di(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phosphonate are also, on account of their low depth of curing, preferably used in combination with a second initiator system, such as e.g. the camphorquinone/amine system.

Photoinitiators with protected carbonyl group


A process for producing at least an oxygen product gas stream, and power from a gas turbine, by compressing a feed gas stream containing elemental oxygen and heating the feed gas stream on the retentate side of an ion transport reactor membrane section to produce a heated feed gas stream. Oxygen permeating the ion transport reactor membrane section is reacted with a first fuel gas stream to produce a first combustion products gas stream. The heated feed gas stream is separated using an ion transport separator membrane section having a retentate side and a permeate side into an oxygen-depleted gas stream on the retentate side and an oxygen-containing gas stream on the permeate side. At least a portion of the first combustion products gas stream can be recovered, and energy is extracted from at least one gas stream to be expanded in a gas turbine to produce energy.

Non-cryogenic bulk oxygen separation systems, for example, organic polymer membrane systems, have been used to separate selected gases from air and other gas mixtures. Air is a mixture of gases which may contain varing amounts of water vapor and, at sea level, has the following approximate composition by volume: oxygen (20.9%), nitrogen (78%), argon (0.94%), with the balance consisting of other trace gases. An entirely different type of membrane, however, can be made from certain inorganic oxides. These solid electrolyte membranes are made from inorganic oxides, typified by calcium- or yttrium-stabilized zirconium and analogous oxides having a fluorite or perovskite structure.
Although the potential for these oxide ceramic materials as gas separation membranes is great, there are certain problems in their use. The most obvious difficulty is that all of the known oxide ceramic materials exhibit appreciable oxygen ion conductivity only at elevated temperatures. They usually must be operated well above 500.degree. C., generally in the 600.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. range. This limitation remains despite much research to find materials that work well at lower temperatures. Solid electrolyte ionic conductor technology is described in more detail in Prasad et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,494, entitled Staged Electrolyte Membrane, which is hereby incorporated by reference to more fully describe the state of the art. The elevated temperatures of operation, however, make ion transport processes intrinsically well suited for intergration with high temperature processes such as vapor-based, gas-based, or combined power cycles.
Recent developments have produced solid oxides which have the ability to conduct oxygen ions at elevated temperatures if a chemical driving potential is applied. These pressure-driven ionic conductor materials may be used as membranes for the extraction of oxygen from oxygen-containing gas streams if a sufficient partial oxygen pressure ratio is applied to provide the chemical driving potential. Since the selectivity of these materials for oxygen is infinite and oxygen fluxes several orders of magnitude higher than for polymeric membranes can be obtained, attractive opportunities are created for the production of oxygen as well as for oxygen-requiring oxidation processes, especially with applications that involve elevated temperatures. A prominent example is gas turbine cycles which typically process a significant amount of excess air to keep the turbine inlet temperature within the capabilities of available materials and therefore make available excess oxygen for recovery as a coproduct.
Some of the key problems that have to be addressed in the design of ion transport membrane systems and their integration into a high temperature cycle such as a gas turbine involve maximizing driving forces for ion transport, minimizing gaseous diffusion resistance, avoiding excessive stresses from thermal and compositional expansion and contraction and sealing the ion transport elements within the ion transport apparatus. The latter problem is aggravated by the fact that the ion transport membrane operating temperature is in the range from 500.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C.
Advances in the state of the art of air separation using solid electrolyte ionic conductors have been presented in the technical literature. For example, Mazanec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,411, entitled Solid Multi-Component Membranes, Electrochemical Reactor Components, Electrochemical Reactors and Use of Membranes, Reactor Components, and Reactor for Oxidation Reactions, relates to electrochemical reactors for reacting an oxygen-containing gas with an oxygen-consuming gas and describes a shell and tube reactor with the oxygen-containing gas flowing on one side of the solid electrolytic membrane and the oxygen-consuming gas on the other. Mazanec et al., however, does not address issues related to integrating such systems with oxygen production from gas turbine cycles, heat management to maintain membrane surfaces at the desired uniform temperatures, flow dynamics to achieve effective mass transfer, or the need for balancing reaction kinetics with oxygen ion conductivity to maintain the appropriate oxygen partial pressure for materials stability.
Kang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,017, entitled High Temperature Oxygen Production with Steam and Power Generation, relates to a system integrating an ion transport membrane with a gas turbine to recover energy from the retentate gas stream after it is heated and steam is added. The injection of steam or water into the ion transport nonpermeate stream compensates for the loss of the oxygen mass from the turbine feed gas stream.
Kang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,754, entitled Production of Oxygen By Ion Transport Membranes with Steam Utilization, discloses a system integrating an ion transport membrane with a gas turbine to recover energy from the retentate gas stream after it is heated. Steam is added as a sweep gas on the permeate side to enhance oxygen recovery. A stream containing a mixture of oxygen and steam is produced on the permeate side which can be withdrawn as a product.
Kang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,359, entitled Integrated High Temperature Method for Oxygen Production, describes heating a compressed air feed gas stream to the appropriate ion transport operating temperature by a first combustor which, in one embodiment, is inserted between the compressor discharge and the ion transport separator. Subsequently, the retentate gas stream from the ion transport separator is heated to turbine inlet temperature by a second combustor. The inlet temperatures to the turbine and the ion transport separator are independently controlled by adjusting the fuel rates to the two combustors. In an alternate configuration, a heat exchanger is placed between the two combustors, which are both located downstream from the ion transport separator, and the air feed gas stream to the ion transport separator is heated to the correct temperature by this heat exchanger.
The method disclosed in the Kang et al. '359 patent has the disadvantage that the feed gas stream to the ion transport separator contains products of combustion which dilute the ion transport separator feed gas stream, reduce the oxygen driving force, and could act as an adverse contaminant to some mixed conductor materials. Because some of the oxygen contained in the feed air is consumed in the first combustor, the oxygen driving force is further reduced. The alternative configuration has the disadvantage of requiring an additional, potentially expensive, heat exchanger. Either method could also have a problem maintaining stable combustion in the first combustor since the fuel-to-air equivalence ratio will be low, especially where the heat contained in the turbine exhaust is regeneratively recovered by the feed air gas stream and the heat duty of the first combustor is small.
Hegarty, U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,787, entitled Process for Producing By-Product Oxygen from Turbine Power Generation, relates to a process for generating net power using a combustion turbine, accompanied by the recovery of by-product oxygen-enriched gas. Air is compressed and heated, at least a portion of the air is combusted and a portion of the oxygen is removed from the air or combustion effluent using an air separator. The oxygen lean combustion effluent is expanded through a turbine to produce power. In an alternative embodiment, the effluent from the turbine is used to produce steam to generate additional power. In this process, the type of fuel is generally limited to "clean" fuels such as natural gas, oils, or synthesis gas.
Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,727, entitled Oxygen Extraction from Externally Fired Gas Turbines, relates to a process for recovering high purity oxygen from an externally fired power generating gas turbine cycle. While this process is similar to the Hegarty '787 patent, Chen differs in the use of an externally fired gas turbine so that other types of fuels such as coal or biomass may be used.
Chen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,866, entitled Oxygen Recovery from Turbine Exhaust Using Solid Electrolyte Membrane, and Chen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,395, entitled Oxygen Recovery from Turbine Exhaust Using Solid Electrolyte Membrane, both relate to processes for extracting high purity oxygen from gas turbine exhaust streams by passing the gas turbine exhaust over an oxygen ion conducting membrane. In these processes, the oxygen separator employing an oxygen ion conducting membrane is placed downstream of some or all stages of the gas turbine, instead of upstream as in earlier patents. An electrically-driven ion transport unit is proposed when the turbine exhaust pressure is low. The exhaust stream from the oxygen separator is optionally expanded through a gas turbine stage.

Solid electrolyte ionic conductor systems for oxygen, nitrogen, and/or carbon dioxide production with gas turbine


Processes and systems for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) with a single mixed refrigerant, closed-loop refrigeration cycle are provided. Liquefied natural gas facilities configured according to embodiments of the present invention include refrigeration cycles optimized to provide increased efficiency and enhanced operability, with minimal additional equipment or expense.

1. Technical Field
One or more embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and processes for cooling a feed gas stream with a single closed-loop mixed refrigerant cycle.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, natural gas has become a widely used source of fuel. In addition to its clean burning qualities and convenience, advances in exploration and production technology have permitted previously unreachable gas reserves to become accessible. Because many of these previously unreachable sources of natural gas are remote and are not connected to commercial markets or infrastructure by pipeline, cryogenic liquefaction of natural gas for transportation and storage has become increasingly important. In addition, liquefaction permits long term storage of natural gas, which can help balance out periodic fluctuations in supply and demand.
Several methods for liquefying natural gas are currently in practice. Although the specific configuration and/or operation of each facility may vary depending on, for example, the type of refrigeration system used, the rate and composition of feed gas, and other factors, most commercial facilities generally include similar basic components. For example, most facilities typically include a pretreatment area for removing one or more impurities from the incoming gas stream, a liquefaction zone for liquefying the gas stream, a refrigeration system for providing refrigeration to the liquefaction zone, and a storage and/or loading area for receiving, storing, and transporting the final liquefied product. Overall, the cost to construct and operate these facilities can vary widely, but in general, the cost of the refrigeration portion of the plant can account for up to 30 percent or more of the overall cost of the facility.
Thus, a need exists for an optimized refrigeration system capable of efficiently producing a liquefied gas product at a desired capacity, but with minimum amount of equipment. Ideally, the refrigeration system would be both robust and operationally flexible in order to handle variations in feed gas composition and flow rate, while still requiring minimal capital outlay and operating at the lowest possible cost.

Liquefied natural gas facility employing an optimized mixed refrigerant system


A system and method for using a remote control to control an electrosurgical instrument, where the remote control includes at least one momentum sensor. As the surgeon rotates their hand mimicking movements of a handheld electrosurgical instrument, the movements are translated and sent to the remote controlled (RC) electrosurgical instrument. The surgeon uses an augmented reality (AR) vision system to assist the surgeon in viewing the surgical site. Additionally, the surgeon can teach other doctors how to perform the surgery by sending haptic feedback to slave controllers. Also, the surgeon can transfer control back and forth between the master and slave controller to allow a learning surgeon to perform the surgery, but still allow the surgeon to gain control of the surgery whenever needed. Also, the surgeon could be located at a remote location and perform the surgery with the assistance of the AR vision system.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for remotely controlling an electrosurgical instrument and, more particularly, to a remote control that uses momentum sensors to allow the surgeon to rotate and/or move the remote in a similar manner to handheld electrosurgical instrument.
2. Background of Related Art
Minimally invasive surgical procedures typically employ small incisions in body cavities for access of various surgical instruments, including forceps, laparoscopes, scalpels, scissors, and the like. It is often the case that several surgical hands, such as several laparoscopic instrument and camera holders, are necessary to hold these instruments for the operating surgeon during the particular surgical procedure. With the introduction of robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in recent years, hospitals worldwide have made significant inves Intents in acquiring this latest technology for their respective facilities.
Thus, it is known to use robotic-assisted MIS when carrying out surgical operations. When surgery of this kind is performed, access to a subcutaneous surgical site is provided via a number (typically 3 to 5) of small (typically 5-12 mm) incisions, through which a surgical arm is manually passed. The surgical arms are then coupled to the surgical robotic instrument, which is capable of manipulating the surgical arms for performing the surgical operations, such as suturing or thermally cutting through tissue and cauterizing blood vessels that have been severed. The surgical arms thus extend through the incisions during the surgery, one of which incisions is used for supplying a gas, in particular carbon dioxide, for inflating the subcutaneous area and thus create free space at that location for manipulating the surgical instruments.
Therefore, open surgeries often require a surgeon to make sizable incisions to a patient's body in order to have adequate visual and physical access to the site requiring treatment. The application of laparoscopy for performing procedures is commonplace. Laparoscopic surgeries are performed using small incisions in the abdominal wall and inserting a small endoscope into the abdominal cavity and transmitting the images captured by the endoscope onto a visual display. The surgeon may thus see the abdominal cavity without making a sizable incision in the patient's body, reducing invasiveness and providing patients with the benefits of reduced trauma, shortened recovery times, and improved cosmetic results. In addition to the endoscope, laparoscopic surgeries are performed using long, rigid tools inserted through incisions in the abdominal wall.
However, conventional techniques and tools for performing laparoscopic procedures may limit the dexterity and vision of the surgeon. Given the size of the incisions, the maneuverability of the tools is limited and additional incisions may be required if an auxiliary view of the surgical site is needed. Thus, robotic instruments may be used to perform laparoscopic procedures.
One example of a robotic assisted MIS system is the da Vinci® System that includes an ergonomically designed surgeon's console, a patient cart with four interactive robotic arms, a high performance vision system, and instruments. The da Vinci it console allows the surgeon to sit while viewing a highly magnified 3D image of the patient's interior sent from the high performance vision system. The surgeon uses master controls on the console that work like forceps to perform the surgery. The da Vinci® system corresponds to the surgeon's hand, wrist, and finger movements into precise movements of the instruments within the patient's interior.
However, the da Vinci® system only allows a single user to use the console and controllers at one time. Additionally, the 3D image shown in the da Vinci® system can only be viewed by the surgeon sitting at the console which prevents other surgeon's from assisting the surgeon in determining the best procedure to perform the surgery or from showing students how to perform the surgery. Additionally, the da Vinci® system is large and cumbersome and oversized relative to the electrosurgical instruments used in the procedure.

Apparatus and method for using a remote control system in surgical procedures


A web service development tool and method that allows a functional web service developer to associate a developed functional web service with a Web service Description Language (WSDL) document that contains a reference to a separate monitoring web service. The separate monitoring web service is specified as a Universal Resource Identifier (URI) in the Web Service Description Language (WSDL) document for a functional web service being. The web service developer includes instrumentation functions in the functional web service to collect data related to the performance of the web service. This collected data is then made available to the monitoring web service to support analysis of performance data for the executing functional web service.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of computer software, and more particularly relates to design and development of software to that operates across communications network interfaces.
2. Description of Related Art
Web services are a method of providing distributed processing to allow physically or organizationally disparate entities to present an integrated computational application. As an example of such a web service where a retailer is able to provide an interface, through a web service, to external organizations that allows those external organizations to retrieve inventory, pricing, and other data about the retailer's products. Such web services further allow the external organization to place or obtain the status of orders from that retailer. This web service can, for example, be used by a World Wide Web application operated by the external organization to provide a convenient interface to the retailer's products.
Web services are described, for example, through one or more Web Services Description Language (WSDL) documents. WSDL documents are XML documents that conform to a standard format and that describe one or more network services. WSDL documents describe these network services as a set of endpoints that operate on messages containing either document-oriented or procedure-oriented information. WSDL files generally contain end point definitions for the functional network services that are the true focus of that particular web service.
Operators of web services, such as the retailer described above, desire to monitor the operational performance of their web services to ensure proper and adequate service to their clients. Conventional methods for monitoring web services are intrusive. Exemplary systems periodically invocate the web service operations to detect and signal any performance degradation. Such an approach is used by companies such as Keynote Systems to monitor web server/site performance. These conventional approaches are generally less accurate since they capture the performance, e.g., processing delays, for only a small subset of invocations for that web service. These approaches similarly increase the processing load of the web service by introducing the additional monitoring-related invocations. This increased loading has increased impact during high-load intervals, the time when monitoring web services performance is very important. These approaches are further limited to monitoring stateless web services.
Monitoring of web services can entail further limitations. Some transactions that are provided by a web service, such as a query for a retailer's inventory, can be processed by a single server. Other transactions entail some processing steps that are performed by a second server, which is possibly at a different business, such as a partner, supplier, and so forth.
Intrusive monitoring of stateful web services requires the creation of several test client accounts. Dummy accounts on each of the transaction servers are also created for each of these client accounts. The test client accounts in such systems are configured to periodically initiate a transaction that simulates a real transaction. In the case of having the second server perform some of the processing for a transaction, the dummy accounts may not be available on the second server (because it is under the control of a different entity). In such a situation, the original server has to estimate or guess the performance of the second server in order to support an intrusive web services monitor.
Existing non-intrusive schemes for monitoring a web service include modifying the service's WSDL file to include additional endpoints that define monitoring functions for that web service. Including these monitoring endpoints in such WSDL structures have a disadvantage that the monitoring endpoint and its operations are tied to the particular web service defined by that WSDL document. This restricts the flexibility in the design of the monitoring service. For example, the external interfaces and functions of the monitoring service for this web service are defined within the functional web service WSDL document. Modification of the available monitoring functions for this web service thereby requires modification, regression testing and redeployment of the entire web service.
More elaborate web service architectures, such as such as the architecture defined by the Open Grid Services Infrastructure (OGSI), include a fairly complex monitoring component. However, such web service architectures have not gained significant market acceptance.
Therefore a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above, and particularly for a way to more efficiently monitor web services.

Definition system and method for web services that monitor other web services

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed herein is a spectrophotometer at least including: an optical waveguide; a light entrance slit provided at an end face on the inner side of the optical waveguide, for bringing an incident light into the optical waveguide; an optical element provided at an end face on the inner side of the optical waveguide or at an interior of the optical waveguide, for separating the incident light brought in the optical waveguide into a spectrum; and a photoelectric conversion device provided at an end face on the inner side of the optical waveguide, for detecting the incident light separated into the spectrum at the optical element; wherein the optical waveguide, the light entrance slit, and the optical element being integrally formed on an optical waveguide board, and a photoelectric conversion device substrate having the photoelectric conversion device formed thereon being mounted on the optical waveguide board.

The present invention relates to spectrophotometers, and more particularly relates to a small-size integrated spectrophotometer.
Spectrophotometers are used in many analyzing apparatus such as an analyzing apparatus for biochemistry. Those spectrophotometers combining optical component parts have the problems of how to rectify shift in the positioning alignment between the optical component parts to improve wavelength accuracy and how to reduce size thereof. As a solution to these problems, a technique concerning one-chip spectrophotometer has been proposed in Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2001-340309 by the present applicant.
Shown in FIG. 1 is a disassembled perspective view of the small-size spectrophotometer as proposed in the above Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2001-340309. FIG. 1 includes: 101, Si substrate; 102, an optical waveguide formed by etching of Si substrate 101; 103, a light entrance slit formed on an indented end surface on Si substrate 101 of the optical waveguide 102; 104, a diffraction grating serving as optical element formed on an end surface of the optical waveguide 102 facing the light entrance slit 103; and 105, a photodiode array serving as photoelectric conversion device formed on the end surface of the optical waveguide 102 toward which the light entrance slit 103 is formed such that a portion of Si substrate 101 be the light receiving portion thereof. Here, the light entrance slit 103, the center of the diffraction grating 104, and the light receiving surface of each individual photodiode of the photodiode array 105 is disposed along the Rowland circle.
Further, a reflecting film of metal such as Al or Au is coated on a bottom surface 106 of the optical waveguide 102 to form a reflecting surface. Also, a reflecting film of metal such as Al or Au is thinly coated on the surface of the diffraction grating 104. What is denoted by numeral 107 is a board for sealing the optical waveguide 102, coated with a reflecting film 108 of metal such as Al or Au on the surface thereof facing the optical waveguide. The board 107 is then closely abutted against the Si substrate 101 to seal the optical waveguide 102 so as to form a spectrophotometer.
In thus constructed spectrophotometer, light entered through the light entrance slit 103 is reflected on and separated into a spectrum at the diffraction grating 104 as indicated by arrows 109 and is incident on the photodiode array 105. The signals obtained from the photodiodes are subjected to signal processing by an externally provided amplifier, signal processing circuit, etc. It should be noted that the light is introduced into the light entrance slit 103 by an optical fiber 110.
With the spectrophotometer constructed as the above, the following advantages are obtained. First, the accuracy of measurement is improved, since the light entrance slit, diffraction grating serving as optical element, and each photodiode of the photoelectric conversion device are disposed along the Rowland circle. Further, it can be readily manufactured by using semiconductor technologies, and an integrated forming of the optical waveguide, light entrance slit, diffraction grating and photodiodes is possible. In short, it can be formed on a single chip so as to be reduced in size. Furthermore, the efficiency in using light is improved, since the portion from the light entrance slit through the photoelectric conversion device is formed within the optical waveguide. Measurement without a loss of output from the photoelectric conversion device is then possible even when it is reduced in size. Moreover, the positioning adjustments for example between the optical components parts become unnecessary so that a reliable spectrophotometer can be achieved.


A control system for a hydraulic steering cylinder utilizes a supply valve and a drain valve. The supply valve is configured to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump to either of two cavities defined by the position of a piston within the hydraulic cylinder. A drain valve is configured to control the flow of hydraulic fluid away from the cavities within the hydraulic cylinder. The supply valve and the drain valve are both proportional valves in a preferred embodiment of the present invention in order to allow accurate and controlled movement of a steering device in response to movement of a steering wheel of a marine vessel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to a hydraulic steering cylinder control system and, more particularly, to a control system which uses two 3-way valves to control the rate of flow of hydraulic fluid to and from two sides of a piston and also selects the appropriate side of the piston that is supplied with pressurized oil and the side of the piston from which oil is drained in order to facilitate accurate and smooth movement of the piston within its hydraulic cylinder casing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of hydraulic cylinder control systems are known to those skilled in the art. In addition, hydraulic cylinders used to actuate steering movements of vehicles are known to those skilled in the art. Some steering cylinders are used to control the movement of a marine vessel in response to changes in the position of a steering wheel which is manually movable. Many different types of hydraulic valves are known to those skilled in the art. Proportional valves have been used in various applications. Marine propulsion devices can be outboard motors, sterndrive systems, pod-type propulsion devices that extend downwardly through the bottom surface of a water craft hull, or inboard marine propulsion systems that are steered through the use of a rudder.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,889, which issued to Bergstedt on Apr. 11, 1972, describes a hydraulic system for a boat drive. The system for steering and tilting an outboard drive unit for a boat includes a pump, a steering subsystem including a double acting cylinder and piston connected to provide steering movement to a steerable part of the unit and provided with hydraulic liquid from the pump and a trimming and tilting subsystem including a cylinder and piston assembly provided with liquid from the steering subsystem.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,583, which issued to Clair on Aug. 1, 1972, describes an automatic sequential operated valve. An automatic four-way valve hydraulically operated for extending and retracting a refuse compaction cylinder is described. It senses a pressure build-up as the trash is compacted and releases a pressure responsive detent allowing a spring to drive the valve spool of the primary valve to a return position. It allows the cylinder to retract until it reaches the end of its stroke whereupon a pressure build-up causes a pilot cylinder to move the valve spool to the neutral open center position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,664, which issued to Brown on Feb. 8, 1977, describes a steering system including tandem hydraulic cylinders with self-synchronization. It is suitable when front and wheel rears are hydraulically steered, each set by its own hydraulic cylinder. The two cylinders are connected in hydraulic tandem so that the same angularity of steering will be imparted to both sets of wheels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,949, which issued to Plate et al. on Apr. 12, 1977, describes a hydrostatic load sensitive regenerative steering system. A control valve operated by the steering wheel to selectively connect a variable displacement pump for operating a hydraulic cylinder in each of two directions to steer the wheel is described. The hydrostatic system is regenerative in steering of the hydraulic cylinder in one direction since both sides of the hydraulic cylinder are connected to the high pressure input line in steering in one direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,645, which issued to Wohlrab on Dec. 28, 1982, describes a three-way flow regulating valve. It comprises a two-position two-ported throttle valve inserted between an inflow conduit and an outflow conduit and a pressure relief valve connected to the inflow conduit at an upstream point thereof and at a downstream point proximate to an intake port of the throttle valve. A servo valve is connected in parallel to the throttle valve via small diameter pressure transmission channels extending to the intake port and to the output port of the throttle valve. Upon a jump in the pressurization of the inflow conduit, for example due to the activation of an auxiliary pump, the pressure relief valve opens. It closes again only upon an equalization of the pressure throughout the inflow conduit.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,470, which issued to Rump on May 22, 1984, describes a hydraulic control package for a marine steering system. It has a steering helm pump with port and starboard fluid outlets and a return inlet for hydraulically actuating a piston in a hydraulic cylinder having port and starboard inlets for moving the piston back and forth in the cylinder in response to fluid delivered from the helm pump. A fluid reservoir is closed and pressurized with air and is defined by an open ended tube having a cap sealing the top end of the tube and a valve body sealing the bottom end of the tube. The valve body houses the control valve means for controlling the fluid flow in the system between the helm pump and the actuating cylinder.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,775, which issued to Lestradet on Jul. 10, 1984, describes an apparatus for guiding a vehicle. It comprises a detector sensing deviation of the heading of the vehicle relative to a predetermined direction and it produces an electrical deviation signal. It also comprises a hydraulic piston and cylinder device for steering the vehicle wheels and control means responsive to the deviation signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,315, which issued to Bland et al. on Apr. 21, 1987, describes a hydraulic system for marine propulsion devices. It comprises a gimbal housing adapted to be fixedly attached to the transom of a boat and including an end plate adapted to be generally aligned with the boat transom and having an opening, opposite sides, and a rear surface. The gimbal housing also includes a first generally vertical side member extending rearwardly from one side of the end plate and a second generally vertical side member extending rearwardly from the other side of the end plate. A gimbal ring is pivotally connected to the gimbal housing for pivotal movement relative to the gimbal housing about a generally vertical steering axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,141, which issued to Ferguson on Dec. 1, 1987, describes a marine propulsion device power steering system. It includes a propulsion unit mounted for tilting movement about a generally horizontal tilt axis and for pivotal steering movement about a vertical steering axis. It also comprises a power steering system adapted to operably connect an actuator to the propulsion for increasing the steering force applied to the propulsion unit by the actuator.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,036, which issued to Haas on Dec. 6, 1988, describes a hydraulic steering device. It is intended for changing the speed and direction of a hydraulically operated track vehicle. The hydraulic control system is equipped with a feed pump for the control fluid and with hydraulic undercarriage pumps. The undercarriage pumps comprise regulating cylinders and are subjected to the control fluid and intended for adjusting the pump pivoting angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,064, which issued to Ehluss et al. on Apr. 24, 1990, describes a hydraulic system for shift rudder roll stabilization and steering. It comprises a constant delivery pump, a pressure accumulator, and a valve gear unit. While the valve is opened the hydraulic fluid is delivered by the pump in the accumulator and when the valve is closed the pump fills up the accumulator to maximum working pressure. The valve gear unit comprises a proportional control valve for controlling period, direction and flow rate of the hydraulic fluid to the steering engine and a load compensation device for controlling the returning flow returning via the proportional control valve for compensating for irregular loads from the waves or the sea against the rudder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,801, which issued to McBeth on Mar. 3, 1992, describes a hydraulic steering assembly for outboard marine engines. The assembly is connected to the tiller arm of an outboard marine engine and includes a piston rod supporting for arcuate movement about the tilt axis while remaining parallel thereto. A hydraulic cylinder travels along the piston rod. An arm extends from the cylinder to a first pivotal member establishing a first pivotal connection about an axis parallel to the tilt axis. A rigid link extends between the first pivotal member and a second pivotal member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,245, which issued to Maranzano on May 4, 1993, describes a solenoid valve and a valve calibrating method. The valve has a paramagnetic valve body and a ferromagnetic adjustable end stop connected by a ferromagnetic tubular sleeve and forming a housing defining a valve chamber containing an axially elongate generally cylindrical ferromagnetic solenoid plunger supported for axial reciprocal movement between a pair of axially opposed valve seats.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,405, which issued to Merten on Jul. 20, 1993, describes a power steering system. It has a propulsion unit, including a steering arm, to effect steering movement thereof about a steering axis and an operator actuable steering helm. A first actuable steering member, such as a mechanical push-pull cable is operably connected to the steering helm and actuated in response to steering actuation at the helm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,861, which issued to Gore et al. Aug. 10, 1993, describes an apparatus and method for in situ calibration of a metering device. A calibrated gas source and inlet are provided. Connected to the calibrated gas source is a first three-way valve. The first three-way valve is connected to an inlet of the metering device with an outlet connected to a second three-way valve. The second three-way valve is connected to both a reaction chamber or an exhaust. A calibration gas is allowed to flow through the calibration inlet, through the first three-way valve, through the metering device, and through the second three-way valve so as to calibrate the metering device to the calibrated gas source.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,060, which issued to Onoue on Nov. 30, 1993, describes a steering device for a marine propulsion device. It provides an improved apparatus for controlling the steering of a watercraft. Specifically, the steering device includes a push-pull cable steering arrangement which has a portion located along the rear of the watercraft. Such rearward portion is disposed for reciprocal movement within a cylindrical cable guide. The steering device also includes a hydraulic power assist arrangement which includes a hydraulic cylinder having a movable piston and associated piston rod contained therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,841, which issued to Maranzano on Mar. 1, 1994, describes a solenoid valve and valve calibrating method. A plunger is biased toward seating engagement with an associated one of the seats and is movable out of seating engagement with the one seat and into seating engagement with the other seat in response to energization of a surrounding solenoid coil. An annular ferromagnetic flux ring disposed adjacent one end of the coil cooperates with a diametrically enlarged portion of the plunger to define a portion of a flux path. The position of the end stop relative to the sleeve is adjusted during manufacture to set the clearance between the valve plunger and the one valve seat thereby enabling accurate valve calibration.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,793, which issued to Kato et al. on Apr. 19, 1994, describes a steering apparatus of rack-and-pinion type that comprises an input shaft steered by a driver, an output shaft operatively connected to a rack bar through a rack and pinion gear mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the rack bar, and a rotary valve operatively connected to the input shaft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,142, which issued to Takayanagi et al. on Feb. 7, 1995, describes a power steering device for an outboard engine. It has a hydraulic cylinder unit for angularly moving a steering arm of the outboard engine, the hydraulic cylinder unit having a piston rod connected to the steering arm, and a directional control spool valve for supplying a hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder unit to move the piston rod.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,045, which issued to Fetchko on Jun. 27, 1995, describes a steering cylinder with integral servo and valve. The steering apparatus for a marine craft includes an actuator assembly including a hydraulic steering actuator. The steering actuator is operatively connected to the tiller of the craft. A hydraulic servo actuator is mounted on the steering actuator. The servo actuator is permitted limited axial displacement relative to the steering actuator. The servo actuator is operatively connected to the steering actuator. The servo valve is mounted on the actuator assembly and has ports for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,186, which issued to Gerl et al. on Sep. 12, 1995, describes a rear wheel steering system. An actuating system includes a differential hydraulic cylinder containing a piston and a piston rod connected to one side of the piston. A first or head chamber is defined in the cylinder and is bounded by the one side of the piston to which the piston rod is not connected. A second or rod chamber is also defined in the cylinder and is bounded by the other side of the piston to which the piston rod is connected. An actuatable assembly is provided that is adapted to be connected to either the hydraulic cylinder or the piston rod. Finally, a proportional control valve is provided which is adapted to actuate the hydraulic cylinder by controlling the amount of fluid supply to the first chamber wherein the supply pressure is connected to the second chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,291, which issued to Ulm et al. on Oct. 3, 1995, describes an electrohydraulic regulating device having pulse width modulated valves with an adjusting signal. An electrically actuating control valve controls the hydraulic fluid flow to the adjusting cylinder. At least one electrically actuated switching valve blocks or admits a hydraulic fluid flow. A control unit generates control signals for the control valve and the switching valve. The regulating circuit supplies a pulse width modulated regulating signal for regulating a mean current of the control valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,098, which issued to Bohlin on Apr. 2, 1996, describes an air purging device for hydraulic boat steering arrangements. It contains a hydraulic pump actuated by a boat steering wheel and has first and second fluid inlet/outlet ports, a hydraulic piston cylinder device with first and second chambers on either side of the piston and first and second hydraulic circuits between the inlet/outlet ports of the pump and corresponding inlet/outlet ports to the respective chambers. A valve unit can be coupled into the respective connection between the inlet/outlet port of the respective chamber and the inlet/outlet port of the pump, via which valve unit air in the fluid can be released.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,275, which issued to Phillips on Apr. 9, 1996, describes a power steering system for a motor vehicle having a power cylinder with the piston mounted in the power cylinder which divides the power cylinder into first and second chambers. The steering system includes a valve assembly having a rotary input member and a valve sleeve and first and second pairs of open center input valves, each having an inlet and an outlet. The inlets of the input valves are fluidly connected to the pump output. The valve assembly further includes a pair of closed center input valves and a normally closed bypass valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,286, which issued to Wang et al. on Aug. 6, 1996, describes a method and apparatus for correcting flow and pressure sensor drift in a gas chromatograph. At a convenient time when the chromatograph is not being used for analysis, the input valves controlling the input into the chromatograph are shut, reducing internal flow to zero. The indicated rate of flow is then measured using the flow sensor. If the value measured by the flow sensor during the test is different than the originally calibrated offset by some predetermined amount, then the newly measured value replaces the stored offset value.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,109, which issued to Merten et al. on Feb. 25, 1997, describes a power steering system. It includes a hydraulic fluid cylinder-piston assembly and is actuated in response to steering actuation at the steering helm. It has controls for maintaining anti-feed back upon a failure in the fluid source including a valve to establish fluid communication between a fluid source for the cylinder-piston assembly and the chamber in the assembly to either side of the piston thereby maintaining the chamber substantially full of hydraulic fluid during steering to effect movement of the piston upon steering actuation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,848, which issued to McClendon et al. on Sep. 8, 1998, describes a hydraulic system for a motor vehicle. It includes a power steering pump, a reservoir, a steering assist fluid motor, and a second fluid motor for a radiator cooling fan. A flow control valve remote from the power steering pump divides the total fluid flow from the power steering pump into a high flow branch and a low flow branch.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,943, which issued to Christensen on Apr. 27, 1999, describes a hydraulic control system for work vehicles. The system includes a control unit to control the steering wheels of a vehicle via a cylinder and a priority valve which by a first load-sensing system controls the pressure fluid flow to the control unit and to a subsequent proportional valve group. By a second load sensing system the proportional valve group controls the pressure fluid flow to secondary hydraulic motors or work cylinders to control the work tools of the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,782, which issued to Diekhans on May 30, 2000, describes an electrohydraulic steering system. The system includes manual steering and automatic steering modes which can be activated by a switch. The system has a hydraulic steering cylinder for displacement of the steering wheels, at least one sensor for determining the wheel angle actual values, at least one electrically operated hydraulic control valve which regulates admission of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder and at least one automatic steering signal transmitter for generating electrical steering signal nominal values of the wheel angles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,596, which issued to Gonring et al. on Oct. 31, 2000, discloses a damped steering mechanism for a watercraft. A hydraulic damper is provided for a steering system such as that of a boat or watercraft. A manually movable steering mechanism, such as the steering wheel, is connected to a piston and cylinder combination in such a way that rotation of the steering wheel causes relative movement between the piston and cylinder. Hydraulic fluid is disposed within the cylinder in such a way that movement between the cylinder and piston requires the hydraulic fluid to move from one portion of the cylinder to another portion of the cylinder. This fluid movement is conducted through a conduit which can be external to the cylinder or internal to the cylinder and extending through the piston.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,903, which issued to Bohner et al. on Apr. 7, 2001, describes a steering system for a vehicle. High functional reliability for a vehicle steering system that can be switched between a normal mode with a steer-by-wire level and an emergency mode with a fall back level is achieved by providing that the fall back level has a hydraulic system which contains a manual-side double-acting piston-cylinder unit which is actuated with a steering handle. The unit is positively coupled hydraulically to a wheel-side double-acting piston-cylinder unit which actuates steered vehicle wheels.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,302, which issued to Nozawa et al. on Apr. 30, 2002, describes a hydraulic circuit system. A hydraulic line slit formed in a valve body of a flow distribution valve, a control chamber, and a hydraulic line are connected to a signal transmitting hydraulic line. A lap portion is formed in the hydraulic line slit, the lap portion having a check valve function with a lap amount when the valve body is in a cut off position. A two-position, three-way valve is disposed in the hydraulic line. The valve connects the control chamber of the flow distribution valve to only the signal transmitting hydraulic line when an external signal is not applied and to both the signal transmitting hydraulic line and a lower-pressure detecting hydraulic line which is connected an outlet passage of a flow distribution valve on the side of a hydraulic actuator when the external signal is applied.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,335, which issued to Assa et al. on Sep. 2, 2003, describes a three-way control valve. It comprises a body formed with an inlet port for connecting to a pressurized supply line, a first outlet port for connecting to an outlet line and being in flow communication with the inlet port, a gate intermediate the inlet port and the first outlet port, dividing the body into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, the body further comprising a second outlet extending from the outlet chamber, and a control chamber fitted with a deformable diaphragm sealingly engagement with the gate so as to prevent flow between the inlet port and the first outlet port.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,168, which issued to Fisher et al. on Nov. 23, 2004, discloses a power steering system for a marine vessel. An outboard motor is provided with an internally contained cylinder and movable piston. The piston is caused to move by changes in differential pressure between first and second cavities within the cylinder. By adding a hydraulic pump and a steering valve, the hydraulic steering system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,577 is converted to a power hydraulic steering system by adding a hydraulic pump and a steering valve to a manual hydraulic steering system.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,092, which issued to Stall on May 24, 2005, describes a hydraulic steering device. It has a steering angle transmitter in communication with a steering valve which, as a function of the actuation of the steering angle transmitter, controls the communication between the steering drive with a hydraulic pressure source and a reservoir and a correction device. The correction device provides a synchronization of the position of the steering angle transmitter with the position of the steering angle drive when the steering drive or steering angle transmitter is in a reference range and the position of the steering angle transmitter and/or of the steering drive varies from the reference range.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,114, which issued to Stockner et al. on Oct. 18, 2005, describes a three-way valve and electrohydraulic actuator using the same. It relates to high speed control valves which are especially applicable for use in fuel injection systems. Reducing a valve with a quick response time within acceptable packaging constraints and with a structure that allows the valve to be mass produced with consistent performance between valves is problematic. By moving flow restrictions within the valve away from the valve seats, flow forces on the valve member can be reduced while possibly also permitting a reduction in the necessary travel distance of the valve member to improve response time and other performance characteristics.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,152, which issued to Sasayama et al. on May 2, 2006, describes a steering apparatus for an outboard marine engine. A tilt tube extends along a horizontal tilt axis. A steering hydraulic cylinder slides along a piston rod which extends in parallel with the tilt axis. An eccentric link shaft is positioned between the tilt tube and the piston rod and extends in parallel with the tilt axis. A pair of linking means supports the tilt tube, link shaft and piston rod. The distance between the tilt tube and the piston rod is shorter than the sum of the distance between the tilt tube and the link shaft and the distance between the link shaft and the piston rod.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,708, which issued to Dudra on Jan. 2, 2007, describes a marine steering assembly with an integrated pivot pin. An assembly for applying a force to a tiller of a marine outboard propulsion unit is described. The steering assembly comprises a hydraulic steering actuator including a cylinder and an elongated piston rod. A pivot member is pivotally mounted on the tiller of the propulsion unit for pivoting about a first link axis which is parallel to the steering axis. There is a pair of actuator arms, each actuator arm being connected to the cylinder and having a portion extending radially outward with respect to the piston rod axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,163, which issued to Gai on Jan. 9, 2007, describes a steering device for use with marine outboard engines. The steering device has an end for fastening to transoms of watercrafts. The motor/propeller assembly is mounted to the end to rotate about a substantially vertical steering axis. A closed hydraulic circuit has at least one pump driven by the steering unit and at least one double-acting cylinder which is slidably on at least one coaxial rod. The rod sealingly projects out of the cylinder head and carries a separating piston which divides the cylinder into two variable volume chambers. At least one of the inlet/outlets of at least one of the two chambers is formed by the rod. The rod has an axial hole extending from its outer end to one or more ports for communication with corresponding chambers of the cylinder. The ports are arranged to be adjacent to the piston side turned toward the cylinder head from where the rod projects.
The patents described above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in the description of the present invention.
As described above, many types of steering systems are known to those skilled in the art. Some of these steering systems are used on watercraft in order to move a propulsion device or rudder about a generally vertical steering axis. When a hydraulic cylinder and piston are used to actuate a steering device, there is an inherent problem that exists because of the presence of a single steering rod attached to one side of the piston. Because of this attachment, the surface area on the rod-bearing side of the piston is less than the surface area on the opposite side of the piston. If the flow of hydraulic fluid is generally constant, the resulting effect is that the piston will move in a retracting direction at a faster rate than in the actuating direction. If the hydraulic cylinder device has a piston rod extending from both sides of the piston, this problem does not exist. However, in hydraulic cylinder devices that have one piston rod attached to one side of the piston, the actuation of the piston in one direction will naturally be at a slower rate than the retraction of the piston in the other direction. This situation exacerbates the problem of maintaining very accurate positioning of a steering cylinder piston. It would therefore be significantly beneficial if a steering system could be provided in which the control of fluid flow to both sides of the piston is maintained in an accurate manner.

Control system for a marine vessel hydraulic steering cylinder


An array substrate and the method for making the same, and a display device are provided. The method includes step 1, forming a pattern comprising a gate electrode and a gate line on a substrate, and providing photoresist at a position reserved for a first via hole above the gate line in a non-display area; step 2, forming a pattern of functional layers of a thin film transistor (TFT) and a data line on the substrate after the above step; step 3, forming a pattern comprising a first pixel electrode on the substrate after the above steps, and then forming a passivation layer; step 4, removing the photoresist provided above the position reserved for the first via hole and film layer thereabove from the substrate after the above steps, so as to form the first via hole.

With the continuous development of science and technology, user has an ever increasing demand for the display device. TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display) becomes the principal display used in the products, such as the cellphone, the tablet and so on. Furthermore, as the display device is becoming popular, user also has a more and more common requirement for high hue quality, high contrast, high viewing angle, high response speed and low power dissipation, OLED (Organic Light -Emitting Diode) thus gradually enters into vision of the user.
In prior art, however, the array substrate used in the TFT-LCD or OLED display commonly requires five to eight times of photoetching processes during the manufacturing process thereof. Due to the times of photoetching technology has a direct influence on the manufacture cost and yield rate of the display device, therefore, a manufacture procedure comprising reduced times of photoetching technology is increasingly catching attention from the companies in operation, while becoming the objective pursued by this industry.

Array substrate and the method for making the same, and display device


User action data characterizing action by a player in a game environment executing at a user client is received at a server. The game environment is created by the user client separate from the server. Data characterizing a selected viewing position is received. The selected viewing position is different than a player viewing position. The selected viewing position characterizes a viewing location within the game environment. A recreated game environment is generated from the user action data at the server. A video stream of the recreated game environment is generated. The video stream includes video from a perspective of the selected viewing position. The video stream is transmitted to a viewing client. Related apparatus, systems, articles, and techniques are also described.

Video game streamers typically engage with their audience by showing live footage of their own gameplay. Sometimes their own commentary is provided during the gameplay. While this is an effective means of displaying what the streamer is seeing on his or her game screen, there is no effective means for a streamer to display and represent what is happening to other players in separate parts of a game or eSports competition.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An elongate structure for supporting heavy loads includes an elongate hollow cylinder having a longitudinal axis of symmetry. Stress-distributing strengthening members are circumferentially positioned about and secured to the hollow cylinder in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of symmetry. A first flat plate is disposed in overlying relation to the hollow cylinder and to the first, upper pair of strengthening members and a second flat plate is disposed in underlying relation to the hollow cylinder and to the second, lower pair of strengthening members. The second flat plate is disposed in a horizontal plane in parallel and diametrically opposed relation to the first flat plate. A key extends from a first end of the hollow cylinder and a mating socket is formed in a second end of the hollow cylinder to facilitate end-to-end interconnection of a plurality of the hollow cylinders.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, generally, to temporary structures for supporting heavy loads over bodies of water or wetlands. More particularly, it relates to a modular heavy load-supporting structure having cylindrical sections that can be laid end to end quickly to save time and materials.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It was a common practice before wetlands conservation was a concern to dredge out large sections of wetlands as needed when building roadways or bridges over such wetlands. Such dredging enabled barges to carry heavy equipment to the jobsite as the job site progressed across the landscape.
Over time, it became apparent that dredged wetlands were not recovering as expected, and laws were passed to ban such dredging.
Stone causeways were also built in wetlands areas to avoid such dredging, but they too were determined to be environmentally intrusive.
The industry thus adopted the practice of building a temporary bridge into the wetlands for the purpose of enabling heavy equipment to reach the job site. Although such bridges require pile driving, it was found that the small footprint of a pile caused no permanent damage to the wetlands, i.e., the wetlands were observed to recover quickly when the temporary piles were removed.
The primary drawback to the temporary bridge solution to the wetlands conservation problem is that such temporary bridges, since they must carry very heavy loads, can be quite expensive and time-consuming to build even though they are temporary structures that are removed when the main roadway or bridge is completed.
Thus there is a need for a temporary bridge structure that can be assembled quickly from low cost materials but which can support extremely heavy loads.
There is also a need for a temporary bridge structure that can be quickly disassembled as well when no longer needed.
However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art how the needed structure could be provided.

Elongate pipe-based structure for supporting heavy loads


To provide a power supply apparatus having high control resolution of an output power. A PWM signal generating circuit includes: a non-inverting element 31, and an inverting element 32; and further includes a counter 11 for performing count operation in response to rising of a clock signal, a counter 12 for performing count operation in response to falling of the clock signal, comparison circuits 21, 22, and a multiplexer 20. These circuit elements are controlled by PWM control means 10. As another circuit element, the PWM signal generating circuit includes a logical sum element 33. The PWM signal generating circuit serves to arbitrarily change both period and logic “H” time of a PWM signal to be outputted at a time interval which is one half of the clock period. Thus, there is provided a power supply apparatus in which resolution of a PWM signal has been improved within a broad duty range, and fine control of an output power has been performed within a broad output power range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal generating circuit, and a power supply apparatus comprising such a PWM signal generating circuit.
2. Background Art
In control of power supply apparatus, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal has been conventionally used for adjustment of output power. In recent years, from the requirements of miniaturization, realization of high performance and realization of highly enhanced function of the apparatus, realization of digital control of power supply apparatuses is being developed in place of analog control systems which have been used from the old time.
In the digital control power supply apparatuses, there is conventionally used a method of generating a PWM signal by using a counter and a comparison circuit. Specifically, e.g., a clock signal is inputted to a counter to allow the counter to perform count-up operation to input this count value and a threshold value to a comparison circuit to compare them to thereby generate a PWM signal. When count value of the counter reaches a reset value which is set to a value greater than the threshold value, the counter is reset. By changing the threshold value, duty (logic "H" time ratio) of PWM signal is changed. By changing the reset value, the period of the PWM signal is changed.
However, with this method, even if the threshold value is changed by 1 (one) for the purpose of finely changing the duty, the logic "H" time of PWM signal is only changed by one clock period. Accordingly, since change of duty becomes large, it is impossible to finely control an output power of a power supply apparatus. As a result, it is impossible to prepare a high performance power supply apparatus. On the other hand, if a clock signal having a high frequency is utilized, it is possible to finely change duty. However, utilization of a clock signal having high frequency constitutes causes to increase the cost and to increase the power consumption of the power supply apparatus.
To solve such a problem, e.g., JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2005-354854 A provides a duty control method for PWM signal in which change of duty is reduced without increasing clock frequency. Since the duty is changed by changing period of the PWM signal, it can be said that this control method is a control method of realizing a change of duty to finer degree as compared to the prior art (of improving resolution of PWM signal).
Moreover, JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2004-32732 A discloses a PWM control circuit in which there is used a delay circuit for performing delay by time period which is only one half of clock period by utilizing a falling signal of clock to thereby realize change of logic "H" time of PWM signal by ½ clock period to improve resolution of PWM signal.

PWM signal generating circuit and power supply apparatus comprising such PWM signal generating circuit