Methods and apparatuses for automatically identifying therapeutically equivalent alternative medications for reducing patient costs. These methods and apparatuses may interface with a patient's electronic health records and Payer databases and identify alternative medications that offer cost savings to the patient and Payer. The methods and apparatuses described herein may also incentivize patients to select cost-saving medication alternatives.

Health costs continue to grow in the U.S. and are well documented as a formidable national challenge, with prescription drug costs among the leading sources of cost escalation. Currently, Prescribers are typically notified to renew existing prescriptions for their patients by phone call, fax or electronic systems when an existing prescription has expired, but cost information is generally not provided to the Prescriber, even if the cost of the medication has gone up dramatically and/or lower cost therapeutically equivalent medications are available. Alternative drug or fulfillment cost information is not routinely or automatically delivered to Prescribers or patients related to prescribing new medications or for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of existing medications. Prescribers cannot consider cost-efficiency when prescribing or renewing prescription, or at the point of care. Drug costs and cost savings opportunities are not currently considered for new or existing prescriptions, and as a result drug costs continue to escalate.
For most drug categories there are numerous drug alternatives that a Prescriber might consider in treating a patient. Many Prescribers are not completely familiar with all drugs in every category in which they prescribe. And since Prescribers are given neither a list of alternatives to consider, nor the cost of alternative drugs, both clinical and economic efficiency are lacking.
Drug costs can vary by many factors including: drug chosen, form of drug (long acting, etc.), patient's insurance, patient's deductible, including high deductible plans and Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans, pharmacy and patient financial assistance programs. Drug costs are dynamic and change regularly, even between new scripts and renewal scripts. Drug costs may also vary depending on the fulfillment means used: e.g., $4 generics (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.), pharmacy discount card or mail order, etc. The pricing of a medication can be complicated.
The optimal alternative drug for a given patient may vary substantially based upon Payer (e.g., insurer, health organizations, etc.) formularies, Payer preferences and provider preferences, or because new drugs are approved or new uses of existing medications are found or approved.
A prescription drug and the pharmacy used to fill the prescription may be selected via an e-Prescribing or electronic health record ("EHR") application. For example, a Prescriber may select the drug to be prescribed. The preferred pharmacy (e.g., a 'pharmacy of last fill') may be a default field in electronic prescribing workflow. The patient's preferred pharmacy is typically entered into the provider's EHR or ePrescribing application when the patient initially registers with the provider for medical care. The prescription may be sent electronically to the patient's chosen pharmacy.
While Prescribers have shown an interest in knowing drug costs, alternative drugs and their costs, and related clinical messages about the prescriptions to be created or renewed, Prescribers typically do not want to spend time considering all possible therapeutic alternatives and then price-shopping for each drug for each patient. Prescribers often have more than one drug in a specific clinical category that they use to treat a specific illness; such as using any of a number of different Statins to treat high cholesterol. Prescribers in these instances could select drugs that are more cost effective for the patient when a prescription is created or renewed if alternative medications and costs were provided.
There is a pressing need for identification and selection of therapeutic drug alternatives for existing medications, ideally at the time and point of care. In addition to addressing other issues in health care, the methods and apparatuses described herein may address this need.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and apparatuses for providing alternatives for preexisting prescribed medications


Business forms having labels integral with the sheets there of (rather than riding piggyback thereon) are produced by applying a strip of transfer tape to only a portion of the second face of a sheet, with the adhesive of the transfer tape contacting the sheet, so that sheet material surrounds the transfer tape strip completely. Then a label is die cut from the first face of the sheet, preferably after the transfer tape is applied, within the area of the sheet overlying the transfer tape strip, without cutting the transfer tape backing. Indicia is at some point printed on the first face of the sheet. The label may be readily removed, with the adhesive from the transfer tape sticking to the label while the backing of the transfer tape remains in place. The strip of transfer tape is cut from a web, and then is transported with the adhesive face outward by a vacuum cylinder, until it moves into contact with a moving web. The web is ultimately formed into individual or continuous business forms, which may be multi-ply.

In the manufacture of business forms, there are many circumstances in which it is desirable to form an integral, but ultimately separable, self-adhesive label as a part of one or more sheets of the business form. According to the invention, this desirable goal is accomplished in a simple and straightforward manner with a minimum of equipment and a minimum of processing steps. The apparatus used to practice the invention is basically conventional apparatus which is modified only in small ways in order to perform the desired function, in producing business forms according to the invention.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of producing a business form having an integral label (or a plurality of labels) associated therewith is practiced utilizing a sheet having a first face capable of receiving printing thereon, and a second face having a greater affinity for transfer tape adhesive than does transfer tape backing. Transfer tape is a relatively-inexpensive and commonly-available product that is simple to handle, and readily utilized to form the labels according to the invention.
According to the method of the invention, in acting on a sheet (e.g., in web form) of paper having first and second faces the following steps are practiced: (a) Applying a strip of transfer tape to only a portion of the second face of the sheet with the transfer tape adhesive contacting the sheet, so that sheet material completely surrounds the transfer tape strip. (b) Before or after step (a), die cutting a label on a portion of the first face of the sheet within the area of the sheet overlying the transfer tape strip on the second face of the sheet, without cutting the transfer tape backing. (If step (b) does come before step (a), then the die cut should include small ties to hold the label in place.) And, (c) printing indicia on the first face of the sheet. Step (c) typically practiced before steps (a) and (b), or between steps (a) and (b), and initially the sheet is typically in continuous format, that is, in the form of a web of paper, during the practice of steps (a) through (c), and there is the further step (d) of separating the web into individual sheets, each individual sheet containing at least one label. Step (a) is typically practiced by: (i) cutting a strip of transfer tape from a web of transfer tape; and (ii) transporting the strip to the sheet with adhesive facing outwardly, and applying the strip to the second face of the sheet, using a vacuum cylinder. Step (b) is typically practiced by die cutting a label from completely within the area of the sheet overlying the transfer tape.
To utilize the integral label formed according to the invention, it is merely necessary to remove it from the form by peeling it away from the transfer tape backing, the adhesive of the transfer tape remaining with the label, i.e., separating from the transfer tape backing.
The invention also comprises apparatus for producing a business form having an integral removal label. The apparatus includes means for transporting a sheet of material (typically paper) having first and second faces in a first direction, and utilizes a web of transfer tape having a backing and adhesive on one face of the backing. To apply the transfer tape to the web, a conventional labeling machine--such as a Tamarak machine, only modified to have some to the rollers thereof coated with a release material (silicone-coated) in order to properly deliver the transfer tape to the web--is utilized. The Tamarak machine includes means for cutting a strip of transfer tape from the web of transfer tape, and a vacuum cylinder for transporting cut strips of transfer tape away from the cutting means so that the adhesive of the transfer tape faces away from the vacuum cylinder. There are also means for positioning the vacuum cylinder with respect to the means for transporting the sheet so that the cut strip of transfer tape is applied to the second face of the sheet. Also, there typically is means--preferably downstream from the vacuum cylinder in the direction of movement of the web--for die cutting the label from the sheet on a first face thereof, overlying the transfer tape strip on the second face of the sheet (without cutting the transfer tape backing); and printing means are provided for printing indicia on the front face of the sheet. The cutting means may comprise a cut-off cylinder positioned with respect to the vacuum cylinder so that the vacuum cylinder comprises an anvil for the cut-off cylinder. When the sheet is in continuous format, means are provided, downstream of the rest of the apparatus, for severing the paper web into individual sheets. Perfing means may be provided upstream of the vacuum cylinder, and the transfer tape may be fed to the vacuum cylinder over roller means comprising at least one roller having a release surface (silicone-coated) of material which will not adhere to the transfer tape adhesive.
The invention also relates to a single part, or multipart, business form with at least one sheet (ply) with at least one integral label formed from the sheet, the business form produced from the method steps described above.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple, yet effective, method and apparatus for producing a business form having an integral label associated therewith. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention and form the appended claims.

Process for manufacture of sheets with separable self-adhesive labels


An image forming apparatus that prepares a toner patch including a predetermined gradation area percentage on an image support to detect a developing concentration. An optical sensor detects reflected light from the background of the image support and reflected light from the toner patch prepared on the image support. The reflected light detected by the optical sensor is then controlled in response to the gradation area percentage of the prepared toner patch.

This invention relates to an image forming apparatus for detecting toner concentration and stably controlling the toner concentration, such as a copier or a laser printer, and a control method of the image forming apparatus.
An image forming apparatus, for example, a color copier has a configuration as shown in FIG. 30 and comprises a photoelectric sensor 30 for detecting a toner image consisting of percentage of image coverage prepared on a photoreceptor 10 to stably control a toner concentration transferred to recording paper.
The photoelectric sensor 30 used is a photoelectric sensor for detecting specular reflection light on the surface of the photoreceptor 10 as shown in FIG. 31, a sectional view, or a photoelectric sensor for detecting diffuse reflection light (not shown).
FIG. 32 shows the relationship between the concentration of a toner patch image (test toner image) and sensor output voltage when the photoelectric sensor for detecting specular reflection light is used. As shown here, to use the photoelectric sensor for detecting specular reflection light, when the toner patch concentration is high regardless of black toner or color toner, the sensor output voltage lowers. However, for the color toner, if the toner patch concentration becomes high exceeding a saturation point, the sensor output voltage rises, because diffuse reflection light increases and enters the photoelectric sensor.
Normally, honing treatment is applied to the surface of a photoreceptor to avoid interference fringes of laser light. As shown in FIG. 33, when the photoelectric sensor gets reflected light on the photoreceptor surface, the sensor output voltage is a state in which fine reflection unevenness is largely undulated. That is, the sensor output voltage becomes a state in which fine reflection unevenness caused by the surface state of the honing treatment is undulated by large reflection unevenness caused by vibration at the rotation time of the photoreceptor or the photoreceptor surface working effect.
With a color copier, sensor output voltage fluctuation of the photoelectric sensor caused by the large undulated reflection unevenness of the two types of reflection unevenness causes a problem in stably controlling the toner concentration transferred to recording paper.
The Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 4-146459 discloses an art of measuring the sensor output voltages of photoreceptor background, a test toner image at saturation level, and a halftone test toner image by a photoelectric sensor for detecting diffuse reflection light, calculating a developing bias voltage from the measurement values, and feeding back the calculated developing bias voltage to a developing bias power supply unit.
In this art, the measurement timings of the reflected light quantity on the photoreceptor background, the reflected light quantity on the test toner image at the saturation level, and the reflected light quantity on the halftone test toner image by the photoelectric sensor are matched with the rotation cycle of the photoreceptor to avoid the sensor output fluctuation effect of the photoelectric sensor caused by reflection unevenness on the photoreceptor caused by a roundness error, an eccentricity error, or the like on manufacturing the photoreceptor.
The difference between the photoelectric sensor for detecting specular reflection light and the photoelectric sensor for detecting diffuse reflection light is that the sensor output voltage of the latter photoelectric sensor rises when the toner concentration of black toner or color toner is high as the phase of the sensor output voltage responding to the toner concentration is inverted.
However, the reflected light quantity from a toner image is affected by reflection unevenness on the background of a photoreceptor depending on the concentration of the toner image. Considering how the light quantity is affected by reflection unevenness, as shown in FIG. 34, the sensor output voltage is truly affected by reflection unevenness on the background of a photoreceptor at 20% toner patch concentration and has undulation similar to that caused by reflection unevenness on the background, but is little affected by reflection unevenness on the background of the photoreceptor at 60% toner patch concentration and thus little changes.
In the art disclosed in the Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 4-146459, the sensor output fluctuation effect of the photoelectric sensor caused by reflection unevenness on the photoreceptor caused by a roundness error, an eccentricity error, or the like on manufacturing the photoreceptor is avoided, but the reflected light quantity is affected by reflection unevenness on the background of the photoreceptor depending on the toner patch concentration. Therefore, an error occurs between the measurement value of the photoelectric sensor when the toner patch concentration is low and the effect of reflection unevenness on the background is received and that when the toner patch concentration is high and the effect of reflection unevenness on the background is not received.

Image forming apparatus that control the reflected light detected by an optical scanner in response to a gradation area percentage of a toner patch


A tapping screw provides sufficient tightening force even if used with a thin screwed member and tightening target member. The tapping screw (100) includes a first ridge (11) and a second ridge (12) configured to have incomplete threads that are 180° out of phase. The tapping screw (100) includes a first tightening force improvement ridge (13) and a second tightening force improvement ridge (14) that are set so as to be smaller than the outside diameters of complete thread sections of parallel threaded portions of the first ridge (11) and the second ridge (12) but larger than the inside diameter of the prepared hole are provided in each of areas which are 90° out of phase with the first ridge (11) and the second ridge (12), respectively, such that the tightening force improvement ridges bite into the prepared hole when the screw is fully screwed in.

For common tapping screws, appropriate tightening may fail to be performed on steel sheets with a sheet thickness of less than 1 mm. The reason for the failure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. FIG. 11 is a front view of a tapping screw according to a conventional example. FIG. 12 is a CC cross-sectional view in FIG. 11. FIGS. 13 to 15 are diagrams depicting how the tapping screw according to the conventional example is tightened.
A tapping screw 500 includes a threaded shank 510 and a head 520. In general, single-start thread is formed on the shank 510 of the tapping screw 500. As depicted in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 12, the cross-sectional shape of the tapping screw 500 is a noncircular cross section resulting from composition of a circle of the ridge and a circle of a root. In FIG. 12, a solid line V corresponds to a root diameter, and a solid line S corresponds to an external shape of the external thread. When the thus configured tapping screw 500 is used to, for example, fix two sheet-like members (fix a tightening target member to a screwed member), a prepared hole is preformed in the screwed member, and an insertion hole is preformed in the tightening target member. Then, the tapping screw is driven into the prepared hole in the screwed member via the insertion hole formed in the tightening target member side to allow the two members to be fixed. In this case, when the thickness of the screwed member is sufficient, even if the cross section of the shank 510 is a noncircular cross section, an area of the ridge which is equal to or larger than one circumference advances in a continuous spiral manner while in contact with the prepared hole to form an internal thread. Thus, the shank 510 is driven while remaining perpendicular to the two members.
In this regard, a case will be described where the tapping screw 500 configured as described above is assumed to be used when a second steel sheet 300 is fixed to a first steel sheet 200 with a small sheet thickness as depicted in FIGS. 13 to 15. A prepared hole 210 is preformed in the first steel sheet 200. An insertion hole 310 through which the shank 510 of the tapping screw 500 is inserted is preformed in the second steel sheet 300. Since the first steel sheet 200 is thin (for example, approximately 0.4 mm), the area in which the ridge formed on the shank 510 of the tapping screw 500 contacts the prepared hole 210 is smaller than one circumference. Consequently, the length of the spiral internal thread formed is, for example, approximately half a circumference. Thus, as described above, since the cross section of the shank 510 is a noncircular cross section, the shank 510 is obliquely tilted while being driven into the first steel sheet 200 and the second steel sheet 300. Furthermore, when a bearing surface 521 of the head 520 comes into abutting contact with the second steel sheet 300, the ridge also contacts the prepared hole 210 along approximately half a circumference. Not only is the tapping screw 500 tilted but also a sufficient tightening force is not obtained.
Furthermore, in general, a threaded portion near and below a neck of an external threaded fastener is referred to as an incomplete thread, which has an incomplete thread shape. When two steel sheets each with a small sheet thickness are tightened together as described above, the incomplete thread may be fitted into an internal threaded portion formed. In this case, the strength of a portion of fitting between the fitting portion between the external threaded portion and the internal threaded portion with respect to an axial load decreases significantly. In connection with this, workability at the time of tightening may be degraded, and the internal threaded portion may be destroyed even with a relatively weak external force. Additionally, the tapping screw may be loosened.
As described above, conventionally, when the screwed member and the tightening target member are thin like steel sheets, directly using the tapping screw 500 is impossible. Thus, for example, fixation is performed using a bolt and a nut, or steel sheets are burred to increase the number of threads formed by the external thread before the tapping screw is used.
A tightening method using a bolt and a nut increases the number of components, and a method of burring steel sheets increases the number of processing operations and needs a complicated mold. Thus, costs increase in both cases. Furthermore, conventionally, burring of steel sheets disadvantageously involves a failure to achieve a sufficient height of burring. Consequently, there has been a desire for a tapping screw that can be used for a thin screwed member and a thin tightening target member without the need, for example, to burr the members.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-150534    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H10-131932    Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 4260624    Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent No. 4480395


The composite hybrid semiconductor structure contains a support plate substrate (11) with a number of at least two support connector spots (13) and a semiconductor chip or semiconductor wafer substrate (10) with a number of at least two chip connector spots (16). The structures is distinguished by a respectively thermally and electrically conducting adhesive layer (13') on the surface of the support plate substrate (11) within the areas of the support connector spots (13), where the said substrates (10, 11) with the said connector spots (13, 16) placed opposite each other and in electrically conducting and mechanically firm connection have been brought into connection with each other by the said electrically conductive adhesive layers (13').

Methods for producing hybrid semiconductor structures having a support plate structure on which a semiconductor chip is located are already known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,240 and from U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,393. The connection of a semiconductor substrate on a support plate substrate is formed by spherical metal contacts, which are soldered with the use of lead-tin soft solder to the chip connector spots of the semiconductor chip substrate on the one side and to the associated support connector spots of the support plate substrate on the other.
In accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,279, a further embodiment of this known method of the co-called flip-chip technology consists in that the metal spheres are omitted and that a soft solder layer is applied to the chip connector spots and/or the support connector spots and the semiconductor structure is soldered with the aid of this soft solder layer alone in accordance with the reflow soldering method.
It is furthermore known from DE-AS 16 14 374 to apply a passivation layer to a least a portion of the surface of a semiconductor chip substrate provided with metallic connector spots.
A disadvantage of the known method of the flip-chip technology lies in that it is difficult to apply the soft solder to the chip connector spots and/or the support connector spots in a suitable amount, as well to retain it there during melting, with which a reliable mechanical and electrically conductive connection between the respective connector spots is achieved on the one hand and, on the other, short-circuiting of adjacent connector spots is prevented. A further disadvantage consists in that with semiconductor chip or semiconductor wafer substrates with large surfaces the hybrid semiconductor structure is subjected to shear loads on account of the different thermal expansion of the two substrates.

Hybrid circuit with an electrically conductive adhesive


A bicycle frame includes an axle, a hub and freewheel assembly, two fork end members, two axle pegs, and two locking nuts. Thus, the first ramp of each of the axle pegs is rested on the second ramp of the respective fork end member to prevent each of the axle pegs from being rotatable relative to the respective fork end member, so that the first end of each of the axle pegs is clamped exactly between the respective fork end member and the respective locking nut to prevent each of the axle pegs from being rotatable freely on the axle to ensure the safety of a user who treads the axle pegs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bicycle frame and, more particularly, to a front or rear bicycle frame.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional bicycle frame in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 9-11 comprises an axle 21 having two opposite threaded ends 210, a hub and freewheel assembly 20 rotatably mounted on the axle 21, two fork end members 11 each mounted on a respective threaded end 210 of the axle 21 and each rested on the hub and freewheel assembly 20, two locking nuts 30 each screwed onto a respective threaded end 210 of the axle 21 and each rested on a respective fork end member 11, and two axle pegs 40 each having an end portion which is formed with a screw bore 42 screwed onto a respective threaded end 210 of the axle 21 and is provided with a protruding plane 41 rested on a respective locking nut 30. Each of the fork end members 11 is connected to a front fork or a rear stay 10 of the bicycle. Thus, each of the axle pegs 40 is rotatable relative to the axle 21 so that the screw bore 42 of each of the axle pegs 40 is screwed onto the respective threaded end 210 of the axle 21 to attach each of the axle pegs 40 onto the axle 21 or unscrewed from the respective threaded end 210 of the axle 21 to remove each of the axle pegs 40 from the axle 21.
However, each of the axle pegs 40 is easily rotatable relative to the axle 21 when a rotation force is applied on each of the axle pegs 40, thereby causing danger to a user who treads the axle pegs 40. In addition, when the screw bore 42 of each of the axle pegs 40 is screwed onto the respective threaded end 210 of the axle 21 to an excessive extent, each of the axle pegs 40 cannot be removed from the axle 21 easily, thereby causing inconvenience to the user in disassembly of each of the axle pegs 40. Further, when the screw bore 42 of each of the axle pegs 40 is screwed onto the respective threaded end 210 of the axle 21 to an excessive extent, each of the fork end members 11 is easily distorted or deformed.

Bicycle frame whose axle peg has a non-rotatable function


A method and a device for removal of a slug separated from a hollow profile by means of a fluidic internal pressure from a hydroforming tool. The slug is separated from the hollow profile from the inside to the outside by the retraction of a plunger integrated into the hydroforming tool and clearing a slug channel when retracted, and is forced out of the die cavity of the hydroforming tool into the slug channel. Then, with the hollow profile in a zero-pressure state, the slug, which after it is pressed in abuts the end of the plunger, is removed by a removal tool from the hydroforming tool. In order to remove slugs from the hydroforming tool in any desired position of the slug channel that leads into the die of the hydroforming tool, in which the slug is initially received after perforation, in simple fashion, the slug is held at the end of the plunger during its stay in the slug channel by an adhesion means connected with the plunger. Then, after the hydroforming tool is opened and the finished hollow profile is removed, the slug, while continuing to adhere to the end of the plunger, is guided by means of the plunger and of the removal tool designed with adhesion means into the open die cavity. The slug and the area of the removal tool on which the adhesion means acts assume a relative position opposite one another, after which the slug is separated from the plunger and then adheres to the removal tool, by means of which the adhering slug is then removed from the hydroforming tool.

This application claims the priority of German patent 198 09 519.8, filed Mar. 5, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a method and a device for removing a slug from a hydroforming tool.
A method and a device for removing a slug from a hydroforming tool are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,533. The device in that patent incorporates a hydroforming tool that is divided along the length of the hollow profile inserted into the die. A recess is provided in the flat bottom surface of the die, which is trapezoidal in cross section. A die button is inserted into the recess for punching the hollow profile under internal high pressure. The die button is flush with the flat surface of the die and has an axial bore in which a plunger is guided. The bore has an annular cutting edge at its opening into the die. The plunger seals off the opening of the bore during the shaping of the hollow profile. Once the shaping process is complete, the plunger is retracted relatively abruptly. Then, under the influence of the internal high pressure that still prevails and because of the lack of support of the hollow profile by the plunger, the hollow profile is pressed against the cutting edge of the bore. Then a slug is separated from the hollow profile and pressed into the slug channel formed by the bore. The fluid pressure is then released and the plunger is lowered again until the slug resting on the end face of the plunger is level with a transverse channel leading to the slug channel that extends into the vicinity of the hydroforming tool. Then the removal tool, designed as a pusher, kicks the slug out of the slug channel through the transverse channel. The plunger is also mechanically driven with a reciprocating movement by the motion of a ramp transversely to the plunger. The plunger is slightly movably mounted on this ramp. The disadvantage of the design of the slug removal that is described, i.e. the removal of the slug from the hydroforming tool, is that it can be used only for punching nearly vertically downward. Otherwise, the slug cannot follow the backward movement of the plunger in the slug channel of the die button and thus cannot be kicked out of the hydroforming tool by the pusher. This is especially true when a plurality of holes are to be made in the same hollow profile in different circumferential areas. If the pressure is not released until the level of the transverse channel is reached, the slug, which until then is pressed against the end of the plunger by internal high pressure, falls off the plunger back down onto the underside of the cutting edge of the die button.
The goal of the invention is to provide an improved method and device that allows removal of the slug from the hydroforming tool in simple fashion from any position of the slug channel that leads into the die of the hydroforming tool in which the slug is initially received after punching.
This goal is achieved according to the invention by providing a method for removing a slug separated from a hollow profile in an internal high pressure hydroforming tool, said hydroforming tool defining a die cavity and a slug channel communicating with said die cavity, and a plunger movably disposed in said slug channel to be retractable into said slug channel and to be extendable into said die cavity, wherein said slug is separated from the hollow profile by retracting the plunger into the slug channel such that the slug abuts an end of the plunger, said method comprising the acts of: adhering said slug to said end of the plunger; opening said hydroforming tool and removing said hollow profile; extending said end of the plunger with the slug adhered thereto into said die cavity and inserting a removal tool into said die cavity; attracting said slug from said plunger to said removal tool; and removing said removal tool with said slug adhered thereto from said die cavity.
This goal is achieved according to the invention by providing a device for removing a slug separated from a hollow profile by internal high pressure hydroforming, comprising: a hydroforming tool defining a die cavity and a slug channel communicating with said die cavity; a plunger movably disposed in said slug channel to be retractable into said slug channel and to be extendable into said die cavity, said slug being separated from the hollow profile by retracting the plunger into the slug channel such that the slug abuts an end of the plunger, means for adhering said slug to said end of the plunger; a removal tool insertable into said die cavity; and means for attracting said slug from said plunger to said removal tool.
Because of the adhesion means on the plunger, the slug can be held on the plunger at all times without being lost, i.e., both under the influence of internal high pressure and also when the pressure fluid is not under pressure, with the path and the position of the slug channel relative to the die of the hydroforming tool having no significance whatsoever as far as the retention of the slug on the plunger is concerned. When the slug is removed, it is advisable to remove it from the side of the die cavity, open after shaping, of the hydroforming tool with the perforated hollow profile removed. When there are several perforations and thus a plurality of slugs being formed, only a single removal tool is required to receive all the slugs, in contrast to the known method, where several pusher-type removal tools are required. This considerably simplifies the hydroforming tool since no recesses need be provided for the pushers and their drives that would reduce the strength of the hydroforming tool. Because of the adhesive property of the removal tool of the invention, the slug, pushed by the plunger into the die cavity and continuing to adhere to the end of the plunger without falling off, during axial insertion of the removal tool into the die cavity, regardless of which circumferential position the slug is in, comes loose from the plunger and is transferred to the removal tool without being lost, and the tool is then brought out of the hydroforming tool together with the slug. The area of the removal tool with adhesive action can be located on all sides in the circumferential direction, so that the slug can be transferred from the plunger to the removal tool in a simple axial movement. For adaptation to the axial position of the plunger and hence of the slug, a plurality of axially spaced areas can be provided which likewise have adhesive action all the way around in the circumferential direction. The area with the adhesive action can also be concentrated locally on the other side, so that, possibly following axial insertion, the removal tool must be rotated around its own axis in order to be opposite the slug with its adhesion area. In general, the invention makes it simple to automate slug disposal.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method and device for removing a slug from a hydroforming tool


The invention relates to a cleaning device wherein polluted effluents are passed into a cage (2) where a partitioned ring (1) of vertical axis, containing a charge (M) of a solid material exhibiting a large heat exchange surface and, against the inner wall thereof, a catalyst bed (9), rotates. An autothermal working point is reached by including in the catalyst bed heating means (resistors for example) that are temporarily connected to the power supply system, after which the cleaning operations with rotation of the ring and effluent circulation are launched. Heat control is thereafter provided by controlled injection into the effluents of either a fuel or sprayed water for example by means of injectors (15, 16). The device can be applied in the field of incineration of VOC for example in industrial effluents.

Patent FR-A-2,720,488 describes a device intended for heat exchange and cleaning of polluted gases such as VOC by thermal and/or catalytic effect. It comprises a housing or cage, a pipe for feeding polluted effluents into the cage, another pipe for discharging the processed effluents from the cage, a ring containing an inert charge of solid particulate materials exhibiting a large heat exchange surface (silica, granite or lighter materials such as metal honeycomb structures or others, or cryogenic nodules for negative temperatures, etc.) which is arranged within the cage. The ring can be divided into several parts by means of an inner partitioning or, in some cases, serve as a support for a certain number of baskets. Motive means are used to drive the ring and the cage into a rotating motion with respect to each other around a vertical axis (either the ring rotates, the cage being stationary, or the ring is stationary and the cage rotates around it). A first heat transfer occurs between the effluents and the inert charge in a first angular sector of the ring. A second heat transfer occurs between effluents and the charge in the ring in a second sector of the ring. A thermal reactor possibly provided with a catalyst bed is arranged in this central part in order to burn the polluting substances in the effluents channelled by the first angular area.
Patent FR-A-2,728,483 describes a device intended for catalytic cleaning of effluents polluted by VOC comprising, within a stationary cage, a rotating ring of vertical axis comprising an annular catalyst bed covering the inner wall thereof and an annular charge, outside the catalyst bed, of a material exhibiting a large heat exchange surface. The effluents flow twice through the catalyst bed on either side of the central zone. A burner is placed above the central reaction zone and it is connected to a fuel injection pipe by means of a rotary joint. It is used to heat the incoming effluents so as to reach an autothermal working point, or possibly to provide makeup heat in cases where the polluting VOC compound content is insufficient to reach it.

Rotary device for catalytic cleaning of gaseous effluents


A motor control apparatus for a motor combined with an engine for a vehicle includes clutch switches operated in response to pressing movement of a clutch pedal. A first clutch switch is OFF when the clutch is in a fully engaged state wherein the clutch pedal is not pressed down, and switches to ON when the clutch is in a partially engaged state as the clutch pedal is pressed down. A second clutch switch is OFF when the clutch is in a fully released state wherein the clutch pedal is fully pressed down, and switches to ON when the clutch is in a partially engaged state after partial return of the clutch pedal from the fully pressed down position. A motor controller responds to the clutch switches to stop driving and power generation of the motor when the first clutch switch switches to ON from OFF. The motor controller also assists in starting the engine, as an assist condition of a motor in a starting drive mode from a stopping mode of the vehicle, when an idle switch is OFF, when vehicle speed is zero or nearly zero, and when the second clutch switch becomes OFF from ON, the motor controller sets a flag. At the state that the flag is set, when the second clutch switch becomes ON from OFF, motor driving to assist engine start-up occurs.

This invention relates to a motor control apparatus combined with a vehicle engine, and particularly to a motor control apparatus having a clutch connected between a transmission and an engine-motor arrangement.
In a vehicle, there is a known motor control apparatus combined with an engine-motor arrangement which connects to a transmission through a clutch. The control apparatus for the motor, which has both driving and power-generating functions to the engine, controls driving and power-generating states of the motor during stop and traveling set on the basis of a driving state of the vehicle and a running state of the engine. Such a control system attains a high level of required performance (such as fuel efficiency, lower values of detrimental components in exhaust gases, and power performance).
One example of such control apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed in published Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-74602. The control apparatus indicated in this disclosure uses the pressure of fluid to determine a half combined or semi-connected state of a clutch (i.e. a half clutch), and when the clutch is in a half combined state, the control apparatus stops driving of the motor in order to protect the clutch.
In case of the control apparatus for a vehicle as disclosed in the above publication, as the motor stops driving after the clutch becomes in a half combined state because of determining a half combined state of the clutch by the pressure of fluid, the purpose of the clutch press or moving operation as caused by a person driving the vehicle is not reflected. On this account there is a drawback in that the control apparatus may control to drive the motor as if an engine will blow at an assist state, and will stall at a power-generating state. In addition, as the control apparatus needs circuitry fluid, there is a drawback in that the structure becomes complicated.
Furthermore, in a starting drive state from a stopping state of a vehicle, when the clutch is operated incompletely, there is drawback in that the vehicle can not smoothly start if the motor assists in starting the engine.
In order to obviate or minimize the above inconveniences, the present invention provides a motor control apparatus combined with an engine which is disposed in a vehicle, and which is connected to a transmission through a clutch, and which connects a motor having both driving and power-generating functions to a motor control means for controlling both driving and power-generating states of the motor when in a stopping control mode and a traveling control mode as a selected control mode that is based on an operating state of the vehicle. The control apparatus includes (releasing) clutch switches which are switched on or off by operating a clutch pedal for letting in or out (engaging) the clutch. A first clutch switch is off when the clutch is in a fully combined (i.e. engaged) state when the clutch pedal is not pressed down, and switches to on when the clutch is in a half combined state if the clutch pedal is pressed down. A second clutch switch is off when the clutch is in a fully released (i.e. disengaged) state wherein the clutch pedal is fully pressed down, and switches to on when the clutch is in a half combined state after partial return or release of the clutch pedal from the fully pressed down position. A motor control means stops driving and power generation of the motor when the first clutch switch switches to on from off.
The present invention also provides a motor control apparatus combined with an engine which is disposed in a vehicle and which is connected to a transmission through a clutch, and which connects a motor having both driving and power-generating functions to a motor control means for controlling both driving and power-generating states of the motor when in a stopping control mode and a traveling control mode as a selected control mode that is based on an operating state of the vehicle. The control apparatus includes (releasing) clutch switches which are switched off by operating a clutch pedal for letting in or out (engaging) the clutch. A first clutch switch is off when the clutch is a fully combined (i.e. engaged) state when the clutch pedal is not pressed down, and switches to on when the clutch is in a half combined state if the clutch pedal is pressed down. A second clutch switch is off when the clutch is in a fully released (i.e. disengaged) state wherein the clutch pedal is fully pressed down, and switches to on when the clutch is in a half combined state after partial return or release of the clutch pedal from the fully pressed down position. The control apparatus includes a motor control means to assist in starting the engine, as an assist condition of a motor in a starting drive mode of a vehicle, when an idle switch is off, when vehicle speed is zero or nearly zero, and when the second clutch switch becomes off from on, then the motor control means sets a flag, and at the state that the flag is set, when the second clutch switch becomes on from off.
According to this invention, firstly, when a clutch pedal is pressed down in order to release the clutch, during drive of the motor, and when the first clutch switch switches to on from off, then driving and power generation of the motor are stopped immediately at a half combined state of the clutch. Thus, the purpose of a person driving the vehicle for operating the clutch can be taken into account and the driving and the power generation of the motor are stopped before the clutch becomes in a half combined state, and consequently it can avoid the inconvenience of driving the motor in error to prevent an engine from blowing or stalling.
Secondly, as an assist condition of the motor in a starting drive state from a stopping state of the vehicle, when an idle switch is off, when vehicle speed is zero or nearly zero, and when the second clutch switch becomes off from on, then the motor control means sets a flag, and at the state that the flag is set, when the second clutch switch becomes on from off, then the motor control means to assist in starting the engine provides control over the motor so as not to drive the motor and then assist in starting the engine even if a clutch is operated incompletely, and consequently a smooth vehicle start can be achieved.

Motor control apparatus combined to engine


A color filter includes a plurality of color pixels, and a first hologram diffracting an incident light beam into a first diffraction-resultant light beam. The color filter also includes a second hologram diffracting the first diffraction-resultant light beam into a second diffraction-resultant light beam having a plurality of light beams with different wavelengths respectively. The second hologram directs the different wavelength light beams toward the color pixels respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a color filter which can be used for various apparatuses such as an image input unit of a camera and an image output unit of a display. This invention also relates to a color display apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A known color filter includes a hologram and a plate having an array of primary color pixels. The hologram and the color pixel array plate are spaced from and parallel to each other. In the known color filter, a light source applies a white light beam to the hologram. The white light beam is diffracted and is separated into a red light beam, a green light beam, and a blue light beam when passing through the hologram. The red light beam, the green light beam, and the blue light beam are focused on a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel in the color pixel array plate respectively, undergoing modulation and passing through the color pixel array plate. The red light beam, the green light beam, and the blue light beam which have passed through the color pixel array plate form an indicated color image.
In the known color filter, the red light beam, the green light beam, and the blue light beam are incident to the red pixel, the green pixel, and the blue pixel in the color pixel array plate at different angles respectively. These angles of incidence do not correspond to a right angle. Specifically, the paths of the red light beam, the green light beam, and the blue light beam tend to be considerably slant with respect to the color pixel array plate. Accordingly, the known color filter tends to be low in efficiency of use of light.

Color filter and color display apparatus


Various techniques are provided to detect the direction and location of one or more radiation sources. In one example, a system includes a plurality of radiation detectors configured to receive radiation from a radiation source. A first one of the radiation detectors is positioned to at least partially occlude a second one of the radiation detectors to attenuate the radiation received by the second radiation detector. The system also includes a processor configured to receive detection information provided by the first and second radiation detectors in response to the radiation, and determine a direction of the radiation source using the detection information. A modular system including gamma radiation detectors and neutron radiation detectors and related methods are also provided. In some cases, radiation source type may be determined in addition to or separate from radiation source direction.

Radiation detection systems are important tools used to discover and interdict nuclear threats. As such, they are frequently used in support of homeland security, nuclear nonproliferation, and nuclear treaty verification.
Certain existing radiation detection systems are non-directional. In this regard, such systems may detect the presence of a radiation source, but may not be able to discern the actual direction and position of the radiation source. Indeed, such systems may rely on human trial and error until the human user can ascertain a detection pattern and determine the direction and location of the radiation source. Accordingly, such systems can be relatively inefficient and imprecise.
In addition, certain radiation sources may emit multiple types of radiation, for example, both gamma radiation and neutron radiation. However, detecting both types of radiation is often more difficult. For example, many existing radiation detection systems are dedicated to detecting only one type of radiation. As a result, multiple detection devices may be required which can be cumbersome for users.
Although certain lithium-doped scintillators may be used to detect both gamma radiation and neutron radiation using a single detector, such dual-mode detectors have significant limitations. For example, in order to discriminate between gamma radiation and neutron radiation, such detectors may attempt to identify different detected pulse heights and pulse shapes. However, in strong radiation fields, pulse pileup can degrade the detector's ability to accurately discriminate between gamma radiation and neutron radiation. In addition, such dual-mode detectors typically exhibit low yields during manufacture which increases costs and reduces manufacturing efficiencies.

Occlusion-based directionality and localization of radiation sources with modular detection systems and methods


A handle assembly is provided for use in navigating a deformable shaft within a body. The assembly includes a first guide member defining first and second linear channels and a second guide member configured for rotation relative to the first guide member. First and second connectors are disposed within, and movable within, the first and second linear channels along first and second parallel axes, respectively, and are configured for coupling to first and second steering wires, respectively. The assembly includes means, such as a flexible coupling connected to the second guide member and the connectors, for translating rotation of the second guide member into linear movement of the first connector in a first axial direction and linear movement of the second connector in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction such that the first and second steering wires move in opposite directions.

a. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to introducer sheaths, catheters and other devices configured to be maneuvered through a body. In particular, the invention relates to an improved handle assembly for use in navigating a deformable shaft of such a device within a body.
b. Background Art
A wide variety of medical devices are inserted into the body to diagnose and treat various medical conditions. Catheters, for example, are used to perform a variety of tasks within human bodies and other bodies including the delivery of medicine and fluids, the removal of bodily fluids and the transport of surgical tools and instruments. In the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation, for example, catheters may be used to deliver electrodes to the heart for electrophysiological mapping of the surface of the heart and to deliver ablative energy to the surface among other tasks. Catheters are typically routed to a region of interest through the body's vascular system. In a conventional approach, an introducer is used to puncture the skin surface and a sheath having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the catheter is threaded through the vasculature to a region of interest. The catheter is then moved longitudinally through the sheath to the region of interest either manually by a clinician or through the use of electromechanical drive systems.
Maneuvering a catheter or sheath through the body requires precise control for effective diagnosis and treatment and patient safety. Conventional catheters and sheaths include a deformable shaft or body and one more steering wires that extend from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft and includes means for pulling and/or pushing the steering wires to place them under compression or tension in order to control translation and deflection of the distal tip of the shaft. In one conventional handle, a pair of steering wires are coupled to diametrically opposite points on a rotatable body controlled by the physician. Rotation of the body causes movement of the steering wires. To allow fir a sufficient range of movement of the steering wires, the wires must be coupled to the rotating body at a relatively large distance from the center of the rotating body. As a result, the wires must be bent at relatively sharp angles proximal and distal to the rotating body as they assume a substantially more linear orientation relative to the body of the catheter or sheath. Bending of the wires leads to an increase in friction between the wires and surfaces engaged by the wires within the catheter or sheath and increases the chance that a steering wire will break.
The inventor herein has recognized a need for a handle assembly for use in navigating a deformable shaft of a medical device within a body that will minimize and/or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies.

St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.


A pressure-receiving member that can be moved along an urging axial center, and a compression coil spring for urging the pressure-receiving member in the direction of an engaging body, are provided between the engaging body in an inside end position of an operating rod and a bottom wall part of a casing. A plurality of protruding pieces for restricting tilting by making contact with the pressure-receiving member is provided to the internal surface of a cylindrical part of a rotor that engages and integrally rotates with engaging pieces of the external periphery of the engaging body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multidirectional switch provided with a tilt detector for electrically detecting a tilting operation of an operating rod supported in a casing, a pressing detector for electrically detecting a pressing operation of the operating rod in a direction along an axial center, and a rotation detector for electrically detecting a rotational operation of the operating rod.
2. Description of the Related Art
A multidirectional switch configured in the manner described above is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, an acting body is fitted onto an intermediate position of the operating rod. When subjected to pressure, any one of four units formed on the acting body produces a pressing action and causes a spring plate member to elastically deform in a corresponding position in a case in which the operating rod is tiltably operated. A tilt detector is configured so that the tilting operation is electrically detected by the contact of the spring plate member with a corresponding electrode.
Also, in patent document 1, a contact part is protrudingly formed in a lower end position of the operating rod, and the contact part presses and causes the spring plate member to elastically deform when the operating rod is operated to create pressure in the direction of the axial center of the rod. The spring plate member makes contact with a corresponding electrode, whereby the pressing detector is configured to electrically detect the pressing operation. In particular, a ring-shaped spring seat member is provided in a position that encompasses the contact part, and a compressed coil-type return spring is provided between the spring seat member and the bottom wall of the case.
Further provided in Patent Document 1 are a cylindrical part for engaging a plurality of engagement pieces formed in the shape of a gear on the lower part of the operating rod, and a rotor having a flange-shaped part integrally formed at the lower end part of the cylindrical part. The rotor integrally rotates with the operating rod, and a rotation detector is configured so that the rotation is electrically detected by a contact between a sliding contact part of the lower surface of the flange-shape part and a plurality of electrodes formed on the bottom surface of the case when the operating rod rotatably operates.    [Patent Document 1] JP (Kokai) 2007-227006 (paragraphs [0020] to [0054], and FIGS. 3 to 11)


In a method for controlling an actuating device of a valve element of an intake system and/or an exhaust gas system of the internal combustion using an actuating variable, a periodic compensation signal is applied, at least intermittently, to the actuating device. The compensation signal generates a periodic counterforce at the valve element which is directed in the opposite direction from the periodic force exerted by the undesired disturbing vibrations of the valve element.

In modern internal combustion engines, the air flow in the intake system and/or the exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas system are controlled or regulated by electronically controlled valve devices. The appropriate valve devices are, for example, a throttle valve, and exhaust gas recirculation valve, a bypass valve of a supercharger, etc. Such valve devices normally include a channel through which the air stream and the exhaust gas stream flow, a rotatable or displaceable valve element which controls the flow quantity as a function of its setting, an electrical actuating device, for instance a DC motor, a mechanical connection between the valve element and the actuating device, a sensor that records the current setting of the valve element, and a control and regulation device that ascertains the actuating signal that is applied to the actuating device in order to obtain a desired position of the valve element.
The known control and regulation devices typically include a digitized, closed control loop by which the actuating signal is determined that is applied to the actuating device. The basis for this is the actual value of the setting of the valve element recorded by the sensor and a setpoint value.
An object of the present invention is to provide a control method so that the internal combustion engine operates at as high an efficiency as possible, so that the fuel usage is optimized and the emission of pollutants is reduced.

Method for operating an internal combustion engine


A new and distinct cultivar of Bidens plant named ‘Fisbimex’, characterized by its semi-upright, outwardly spreading to somewhat trailing plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; early and freely flowering habit; large inflorescences with typically about eight dark yellow-colored ray florets; and moderately strong peduncles that hold the inflorescences above and beyond the foliar plane.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Bidens plant, botanically known as Bidens ferulifolia, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Fisbimex'.
The new Bidens originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in Hillscheid, Germany during the summer of 2003, of the Bidens ferulifolia cultivar Marietta Gold, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with the Bidens ferulifolia cultivar Golden Star, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,589, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Bidens was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled environment in Hillscheid, Germany during the spring of 2004.
Asexual reproduction of the new Bidens by vegetative cuttings in a controlled environment in Hillscheid, Germany since the summer of 2004, has shown that the unique features of this new Bidens are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


An all electric riding bunker rake primarily suited for maintaining sand traps, or bunkers on a golf course. It is embodied as a tricycle-style vehicle having a frame supported on three wheels, an electrically actuated rake lifting mechanism at the rear of the vehicle supported by the frame, and a removable rake attachment connected to the rake lifting mechanism. The rake is dragged on the sand behind the vehicle to smooth the sand in a bunker. An electric motor drives the rear wheels through a gear box, and a regenerative type braking system works in conjunction with the electric motor to slow the vehicle whenever it exceeds eleven miles per hour when driven, or two miles an hour when unattended. The frame supports an onboard electrical battery power source and a hood to which a seat is attached on which the operator sits to control the operation of the vehicle and the rake lifting and lowering function. The rear wheels have drum brakes actuated by a foot pedal which has a parking brake linkage integral with it. An electrically raised and lowered cultivator is also attached to the vehicle between the front and rear wheels to aid in breaking lumps of sand before the rake smoothes the sand.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to golf course maintenance equipment, more particularly to equipment used to maintain sand traps, or bunkers on a golf course.
2. Background Information
A golf course has specific course features of greens, fairways, and sand traps or bunkers along with many natural features including hills, creeks, lakes, and trees. Each of these course features must be maintained in a meticulous, consistent manner. Greens must be of a particular type of grass that is mowed short and rolled smooth. Fairway grass should be uniform height and thickness, rough should be just that--rough. Bunkers must be of the proper density and texture. All these facilities should be kept clear of leaves and other debris.
As a result of these exacting maintenance requirements and the large scale of the jobs, a number of specialized machines have been developed to perform specific tasks. There are numerous turf mowers and rollers, leaf sweepers and bunker rakes, all intended to help meet the requirements of a particular maintenance task.
One particular machine is the bunker rake. The sand in a bunker or sand trap should have a certain firmness, and the surface should have a particular uniform texture. This is accomplished by a using a vehicle generally resembling a garden tractor which has the bunker rake attached to the rear of it. To rake a bunker, the bunker rake is lowered and pulled along the sand behind the vehicle. When the vehicle travels from one bunker to another the rake is raised to clear the ground.
Vehicles currently used to rake bunkers typically have internal combustion engines as a source of power and hydrostatic systems or mechanical drive systems to power the ground engaging wheels. Such machines have significant disadvantages.
For example internal combustion engines are inherently noisy. Golfers or golf course neighbors can be disturbed by machines with internal combustion engines. Golf courses are typically busy from early morning until dusk, so opportunities to use machines with internal combustion engines on a golf course without disturbing golfers are typically very early morning or very late evening. Using such equipment at those hours, however, may disturb golf course neighbors. Consequently, someone may always be disturbed by equipment powered by an internal combustion engine. Internal combustion engines also inherently produce emissions from burning hydrocarbon fuels. Such emissions pollute the air and are obnoxious to people in the vicinity of an operating machine. Internal combustion engines also need periodic maintenance to change lubricating oil and tune the engine.
Another problem with these machines, particularly those using hydrostatic drives, is that they have the potential to leak or spill fuel, lubricating oil, or hydraulic fluid which can damage a golf course green or fairway, or contaminate a bunker. A spill of such fluids into a bunker would soak a significant amount of sand which would have to be removed and disposed of as hazardous waste. Machines with hydrostatic drive require periodic leak checks of the hydraulic hoses and connections, as well as frequent checking and topping off levels of hydraulic fluid. Machines without hydrostatic drive also require significant maintenance of the drive mechanism, such as adjusting or replacing belts, chains, pulleys, or sprockets.
The above problems apply to all machines used for golf course maintenance. Another problem pertains specifically to bunker rakes. To achieve the proper surface finish on the sand in the bunker, the rake must be dragged on the sand at a certain speed which is relatively slow. But because there are many sand traps on a golf course, and they are often far apart, the tractor vehicle with an internal combustion engine typically has at least one faster speed to save time in traveling between bunkers. The problem arises when the operator uses the fast speed when raking the bunker. Dragging the bunker rake too fast makes the surface too irregular. This is a common occurrence, especially when the operators of these vehicles tend to be young and or seasonal employees who may not appreciate the need for the slow speed in the bunker. While golf course maintenance supervisors can properly train a young employee and tell them the importance of driving slow when raking bunkers, it has proven difficult to curb the tendency of employees to drive fast in the bunkers.
One solution to this problem for vehicles using a hydrostatic drive is described in applicants' assignee's U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/726,903 titled Speed Limiting Device for Utility Vehicles, filed on Oct. 7, 1986. The above application is hereby incorporated by reference. Another solution to that problem, and to the problems stated above, is provided by the applicants' invention which uses an electric drive in a vehicle for raking bunkers.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a riding bunker rake which uses an electric motor as a prime mover.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a riding bunker rake which uses electric power to raise and lower an attached rake assembly.
It is another object of this invention to provide a riding bunker rake with a limited maximum speed that is not fast enough to improperly groom bunkers.
It is another object of this invention to provide a riding bunker rake which has electronic regenerative braking.


A protective film (1) includes a substrate (10), an upper hardened layer (20), a lower hardened layer (22), a mirror-effect layer (30), and a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) film (40). The substrate is made of transparent plastic material, and has an upper surface (100) and a lower surface (102). The upper hardened layer is formed on the upper surface of the substrate, and the lower hardened layer is formed on the lower surface of the substrate. The mirror-effect layer is formed on a surface of the lower hardened layer. The DLC film is formed on a surface of the upper hardened layer. A method for making the protective film is also provided.

Currently, portable electronic devices, such as digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones, are generally equipped with one or more liquid crystal display (LCD) screens. Most LCD screens of portable electronic devices are made of plastic material. If the LCD screen is not covered or protected, it is susceptible to damage including scratching. Some PDAs and mobile phones have a handwriting input function operated by using a stylus on the LCD screen. These LCD screens are particularly prone to be scratched or damaged. Therefore, a protective film is generally attached onto an LCD screen of a portable electronic device to protect the LCD screen from being scratched or damaged. The material of a conventional protective film is polyethene. However, the polyethene film wears over time, and eventually must be replaced. This adds to the cost of using the portable electronic device.
In addition, the protective film made of polyethene is unduly soft. Therefore, air bubbles tend to form between the LCD screen and the protective film after the protective film is attached onto the LCD screen. The air bubbles degrade the aesthetic appearance of the portable electronic device.
What is needed is a durable protective film for an LCD screen of a portable electronic device.

Protective film for LCD and method for making the same

Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.


Methods for treating coronavirus infection, such as an infection caused by SARS-Cov-2 or MERS-Cov, in a subject in need thereof include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising cnicin. Compositions comprising cnicin include an extract of C. benedictus or purified cnicin.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created an unprecedented global health crisisl. It is a zoonotic virus with highly contagious properties as compared to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus (MERS-CoV)2. SARS-CoV-2 is from the Coronaviridae family and causes an acute respiratory disease which could be lethal, with about a 10.2% mortality rate. The disease can cause death due to severe alveolar destruction and hemorrhage as well as progressive respiratory failure3. Coronaviruses are further divided into two subfamilies; coronavirinae and torovirinae. The coronavirinae subfamily is further categorized into four genera: α-, β-, γ-, and δ-coronaviruses according to the classification of the Worldwide Committee for Logical Classification of Infections4. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA β-coronavirus that infects mammals and is assumed to come from bats5. Additionally, it has one of the biggest genomes among other RNA viruses6,3. This genome is wrapped with a nucleocapsid protein (N) inside an envelope consisting of three other structural proteins, i.e. the membrane protein (M), the envelope protein (E), and the spike protein (S). The S protein gives coronaviruses an outer crown appearance; therefore, the virus is named "corona" in Latin which means "the crown"3. It is also the key protein that mediates the virus entry into the host cell via binding to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors7,8.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a pressing challenge to discover practical approaches and pathways for managing and treating the virus9. Moreover, scientists are searching for possible drug targets to develop effective therapeutics to control this pandemic. Recent findings have given the scientific community a lot of information about SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins and those involved in the viral nucleic acid replication and other host-specific proteins that have a vital role in the pathogenesis of the virus9,10.
Natural products are considered a precious trove of drug leads11. Various natural products (e.g. baicalin, ivermectin, artemisinin) were recently reported as promising SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. They target multiple viral and host-specific proteins involved in the viral processing (viral protease), viral entry into host cells, viral replication, and its release from the infected cells12. Moreover, enormous in silico studies have also been conducted at the beginning of the crisis, suggesting a wide range of natural products from several chemical classes to be promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents12, 13. However, new antiviral agents targeting coronaviruses are still needed.

Compositions and methods for the treatment of coronavirus infection


An apparatus (10) for sensing weight of an occupant on a vehicle seat (36) in an occupant restraint system (10) includes variable inductance sensor (50) mounted in the seat (36) so that inductance of the sensor (50) is functionally related to the occupant's weight on the seat (36). A capacitor (98) is connected in parallel across the variable inductance sensor (50). The capacitor (98) and the variable inductance sensor (50) form a tank circuit (100). An oscillator (40) is operatively coupled to the tank circuit (100) for driving the tank circuit (100) into oscillation. A phase detector (94) monitors a phase shift between an output of said oscillator and oscillation of tank circuit. Weight on the seat is functionally related to the monitored phase shift.

Systems for restraining vehicle occupants during front impacts are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,243 to Blackburn et al., assigned to TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., discloses such a system. The '243 patent further discloses control of the actuatable occupant restraint system in response to sensed occupant position and weight.

Apparatus for sensing occupant weight in an actuatable restraint system


An apparatus for forming Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide films and a method thereof using an atomic layer deposition tool are provided. In the Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide films deposited by using plasma and the atomic layer deposition, its leakage-current is very low, and its dielectric constant has a range of 30 to 100 depending on the there heating conditions. Therefore, the method provides structures for i) an insulating film of an NDRO-type ferroelectric memory device that has a structure of Metal-film/Ferroelectric-film/Insulating-film/Silicon, ii) a gate oxide film substituting for silicon oxide film, and iii) an insulating film of Electro Luminescent Display (ELD) device.

The invention relates generally to a method for forming dielectric/insulating oxide film, and more particularly to a method for fabricating a Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide thin film.
A structure of dielectric/insulating oxide film is used in various fields. For example, it is used in i) an insulating film of an NDRO-type ferroelectric memory device which has a structure of Metal-film/Ferroelectric-film/Insulating-film/Silicon, ii) a gate oxide film substituting for silicon oxide film, and iii) an insulating film of Electro Luminescent Display (ELD) device, and the like.
A development of ferroelectric semiconductor devices for the high-capacity memory has been actively made to overcome the refresh problem related to the conventional Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), by using capacitors made of ferroelectric materials. The ferroelectric memory device is a kind of non-volatile memory device. Since it has merits of keeping the stored data under power-off state and being equivalent to the conventional DRAM in the operating speed, it is viewed as the memory device for next-generation. The ferroelectric material in a normal temperature has several hundreds to several thousand of dielectric constants, and it has states of two stable remnant polarizations. Therefore, since polarization directions of input signals are controlled toward toe directions of the applied electric field, when the applied electric field is removed, digital signals 0 and 1 are stored on the basis of directions of the remaining remanent polarization.
Until now, dielectric-films in ferroelectric capacitors generally use PZT (Pb(ZrxTi1xe2x88x92x)O3), SBT (SrxBiyTa2O9), and the like. The important features of each material are as follows: the PZT has merits that its ferroelectric characteristics are excellent, and it allows a low-temperature process essentially needed for fabricating high-density devices. Meanwhile, due to the fatigue phenomenon, it has demerits that the specific oxide electrode should be used, and the leakage-current is large. Contrary to the PZT, since the SBT shows no fatigue phenomenon, and has distinguished characteristics on metal electrode, developments of the SBT have been actively made.
Also, intermediate insulting-films used in the ferroelectric memory device must have the important features as follows: high dielectric constant, low leakage-current, and no reaction with the ferroelectric insulating-films and silicon surfaces. In addition, gate oxide films substituting for silicon oxide films, and insulating-films of Electro Luminescent Display (ELD) device require the high dielectric constant and the low leakage-current as well.
The present invention overcomes the above conventional problems and provides a method for forming, at low temperature, Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide film with a comparative high dielectric-constant and a comparative low leakage-current.
In order to accomplish the above, according to the present invention, a method is provided for forming Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide thin film on a patterned substrate comprising the steps of:
a) arranging said substrate in a reaction chamber;
b) introducing a source material into the reaction chamber using a carrier gas, said source material being vaporized in said carrier gas and containing Strontium Tantalum Ethoxide;
c) blowing said source material out of said reaction chamber using purge gas;
d) introducing oxygen gas into the reaction chamber and generating oxygen plasma; and
e) blowing the oxygen plasma out of the reaction chamber using purge gas.
Further, according to the present invention, an apparatus for forming Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide thin film on a patterned substrate comprising:
a) a reaction chamber for accommodating said substrate;
b) a source supplying unit for supplying a source material to the reaction chamber using a carrier gas, said source material being vaporized in said carrier gas and containing Strontium Tantalum Ethoxide;
c) an oxygen supplying unit for introducing oxygen gas into the reaction chamber;
d) a plasma generating unit for generating oxygen plasma in the reaction chamber; and
e) a purge gas injecting unit for injecting purge gas into the reaction chamber.
The present invention provide a method for forming Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide (Srxe2x80x94Taxe2x80x94O) thin films, and it provides a structure of device using the formed thin films. The present invention forms the Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide films using an atomic layer deposition, and embodies structures for i) an insulating film of an NDRO-type ferroelectric memory device that has a structure of Metal-film/Ferroelectric-film/Insulating-film/Silicon, ii) a gate oxide film substituting for a silicon oxide film, and iii) an insulating film of Electro Luminescent Display (ELD) device. In the Strontium-Tantalum-Oxide films, a composition ratio of Sr/Ta is within a range of 0.45 to 0.60.

Apparatus for forming strontium-tantalum-oxide thin film

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A method and system for controlling uplink power for signal transmission in a satellite communication system employing on-board demodulation and remodulation and having a plurality of user terminals that are linked by and that communicate with each other by way of a satellite relay system. A downlink error rate of the data in a downlink data stream is determined based on known data bits. An end-to-end error rate of the uplink data stream and the downlink data stream is determined. An error rate of the signal transmission is then determined based on the downlink error rate and the end-to-end error rate. The signal transmission is then controlled based on the error rate of the signal transmission.

The past several decades have seen the development of communications systems that provide for the real-time distribution of information on a global scale. The development of such global communication systems has evolved along several paths that use either ground-based or satellite-based communication. Satellite-based systems have been employed for many years to distribute voice, data and video signals for global broadcasting of news and sporting events, for example. With the advent of newer high power satellite systems and technology, direct broadcast television systems are available that provide for broadcasting of television signals from up to 100 stations using a single satellite. Individuals install an antenna and a satellite receiver that receives the broadcasts directly by way of the satellite and display them on a television monitor.
In order to provide for more personal communication or teleconferencing between individuals, companies such as AT&T, for example, have developed a video telephone system that employs a small (3-4 inch) television monitor in combination with a conventional telephone. The video telephone system typically uses fiber optic links to provide a sufficient bandwidth to carry the video along with the voice signals. However, this type of system does not have enough bandwidth to provide for full motion video.
In order to provide a more cost-effective solution than terestial communication alternatives for low duty cycle, wide bandwidth applications, such as personal video, the assignee of the present invention has developed a high data rate satellite communication system that provides for the communication and distribution of full motion video, voice, and data signals, to provide for a wide array of data communications including personal teleconferencing between individuals. This system is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/142,524, filed Oct. 21, 1993, entitled "High Data Rate Satellite Communication System", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This high data rate satellite communication system comprises a plurality of very small user terminals (VSAT's) that are linked by and that communicate with each other by way of a satellite relay system. A network control center provides control signals that control the satellite relay system and coordinate linking of terminals to each other. The system employs frequency division multiplexing on uplinks from the terminals and the network control center to the satellite relay system. The system employs time division multiplexing on downlinks from the satellite relay system to the terminals and the network control center.
To provide for efficient bandwidth utilization in this high data rate satellite communication system and to increase the number of users that may be supported by the system, the assignee of the present invention has developed a new frequency reuse technique and data coding structure. This system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,601, issued Dec. 5, 1995, entitled "Frequency Reuse Technique For A High Data Rate Satellite Communication System", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
However, communication systems utilizing Kaband frequencies and multi-beam payloads with on-board demodulation and routing to achieve acceptable throughputs to low cost, very small user terminals must tolerate sizable variations in atmospheric attenuation due to rain and other climatic effects. For example, if there is rain fade on the downlink only, the receiving ground station would detect poor performance. In the current art, as applied to transponded (i.e., non-demodulation/remodulation) systems, the receiving ground station would then transmit feedback to the transmitting ground station identifying a need for increased power. The ground stations receiving the adjacent channels detect poor performance and request an increase in power of their corresponding transmit ground stations. For a transponded system, this increase in uplink power translates to an increase in downlink signal-to-noise ratio. However, in a system which utilizes on-board demodulation and remodulation and a plurality of simultaneously uplinking user terminals, an increase in uplink power causes interference with adjacent uplink channels causing adjacent channel degradation. Application of the current art to such a system would cause all uplinks to migrate toward maximum power and, thus, system runaway occurs. Thus, a modification in the current art of uplink power control is needed to handle systems with on-board demodulation and remodulation and a plurality of simultaneously uplinking users.
An alternative to the current art which might be used on non-demodulation and remodulation systems is to simply oversize the uplink powers. However, for a multi-user system this would cause increased uplink interference. In addition to increased uplink interference, oversizing the uplink power to accommodate rain fades increases signal power imbalances seen at the satellite demodulator. Signal level imbalance affects the necessary complexity of the on-board processor in terms of filter selectivity, A/D converter size, and computational precision. This increased complexity also increases the power required by the on-board processor.
Thus, there exists a need to control the uplink power so as to minimize the interference with other communication links within the system. There also exists a need to control the uplink power without adding complexity to the satellite.

Method and system for controlling uplink power in a high data rate satellite communication system employing on-board demodulation and remodulation


An adjustable neckline garment has a stretchable neckline and a plurality of adjustment devices spaced along the neckline to permit configuring the neckline to a plurality of different shapes.

When it is desirable to wear a dress or blouse with a particular neck line, a garment with the desired neck line must be worn. When another neck line is desired, then another different garment with the desired neckline must be worn. This is so with each and every different neck line that is to be worn. Basically, each garment has only one neckline design such as the necklines known as V-neckline, square-neckline, sweetheart-neckline and round neckline. Such neck lines are available only on separate garments.


In a supercharger (10) with an electric motor in accordance with the present invention, the electric motor (20) is arranged at a position adjacent to a compressor impeller (6), a center housing (14) has a cooling fluid flow path (34) formed in such a manner as to surround the electric motor (20) and be adjacent to a diffuser portion (25). A first cooling structure portion (38) is formed at a position in the electric motor (20) side in the cooling fluid flow path (34), a second cooling structure portion (39) is formed at a position in the diffuser portion (25) side in the cooling fluid flow path (34). The electric motor (20) is cooled by the first cooling structure portion (38). The diffuser portion (25) is cooled by the second cooling structure portion (39).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a supercharger with an electric motor, which has an electric motor assisting a rotational drive of a compressor in a supercharger driven by an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and compressing an intake air so as to supercharge.
2. Description of Related Art
In order to improve a performance of an internal combustion engine, there has been widely used a supercharger (also called as "turbocharger") driven by an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and compressing an intake air so as to supercharge. Further, there has been employed a supercharger with an electric motor in which an acceleration response or the like is improved by installing the electric motor on the same axis as a shaft of the supercharger and assisting a rotational drive of a compressor in an accelerated manner.
The following patent document 1 discloses a prior art relating to the supercharger with the electric motor. FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a structure of a supercharger 50 with an electric motor disclosed in the patent document 1. A turbine impeller 52 and a turbine housing 51A surrounding it are arranged in an exhaust passage side of the supercharger 50. The turbine housing 51A has a scroll chamber 63 formed around the turbine impeller 52, and the scroll chamber 63 is communicated with the turbine impeller 52 via an annular gas flow path 64. Further, an exhaust port 65 coaxial with the turbine impeller 52 is formed in a center of the turbine housing 51A.
A compressor impeller 53 and a compressor housing 51B surrounding it are arranged in an intake passage side of the supercharger 50 with the electric motor. The compressor housing 51B has a scroll chamber 66 formed around the compressor impeller 53, and the scroll chamber 66 is communicated with the compressor impeller 53 via an annularly formed diffuser portion 67. Further, an intake port 68 coaxial with the compressor impeller 53 is formed in a center of the compressor housing 51C.
The turbine impeller 52 and the compressor impeller 53 are coupled by a shaft 54. The shaft 54 is rotatably supported by a bearing 55 installed in a center housing 51C. Further, in the center housing 51C, there is installed an electric motor 58 having a rotor 56 coaxially coupled to the shaft 54, and a stator 57 arranged around the rotor 56.
In the supercharger 50 with the electric motor structured as mentioned above, if an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine is introduced to the scroll chamber 63, the exhaust gas flows to the exhaust port 65 via the annular gas flow path 64 so as to rotate the turbine impeller 52 in the process of passing through the turbine impeller 52. Accordingly, at the same time when the compressor impeller 53 coupled to the turbine impeller 52 via the shaft 54 is rotationally driven, the rotational drive is assisted by the electric motor 58, and the sucked air from the intake port is accelerated by the compressor impeller 53. The accelerated air is decelerated and pressurized in the process of passing through the diffuser portion 67 so as to be introduced to the scroll chamber 66, and is discharged from a discharge portion (not shown) so as to be supplied to the internal combustion engine.
In the supercharger 50 with the electric motor mentioned above, the electric motor 58 is rotated at a high speed during the operation of the supercharger, and is self-heated due to a windage loss and an eddy current loss. Further, since a high-temperature exhaust gas flows through the turbine, the electric motor 58 comes to a high temperature on the basis of a heat conduction from the turbine impeller 52 to the shaft 54, and from the shaft 54 to the rotor 56 of the electric motor 58. When the electric motor 58 comes to the high temperature, there are generated problems that an internal permanent magnet is demagnetized and an efficiency of the electric motor 58 is lowered. Accordingly, the supercharger in the patent document 1 is structured, as shown in FIG. 1, such that a cooling fluid flow path 60 is formed in an inner portion of a housing 51 so as to surround the electric motor 58, thereby flowing a cooling fluid 61 through the cooling fluid flow path 60 so as to cool the electric motor 58.
Regardless of whether or not the electric motor 58 mentioned above is mounted, in a motor vehicle provided with the supercharger, there is a case that the exhaust gas is flowed back to a combustion air for removing a nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas. Further, a blow-by gas (a gas leaking to a crank chamber from a combustion chamber through a portion between a piston and a cylinder and containing an mixture) is discharged from the engine, however, there is a case that the blow-by gas is flowed back to the combustion air so as to be burnt again for reducing the air-fuel mixture discharged to the ambient air to the minimum. Accordingly, the exhaust gas, the blow-by gas or the like is contained in a part of the combustion air sucked by the supercharger. Since an oil mist of an engine oil is mixed into the exhaust gas, in the case of taking the supercharger 50 with the electric motor mentioned above as an example, the oil mist is attached to both side wall portions constituting a flow path in the process of passing through the diffuser portion 67. At this time, since the combustion air through the diffuser portion 67 is compressed and its temperature is raised, the oil mist attached to the wall portion is carbonized by a heat of the compressed air, and is stacked to be solidified. Accordingly, the solidified and stacked carbonized layer narrows the flow path of the diffuser portion 67 so as to increase a flow path resistance. Accordingly, there is a problem that it lowers a compression efficiency of the supercharger, and it causes a reduction of a reliability by extension. Further, there is a problem that the carbonized layer is peeled off due to a thermal expansion difference between the compressor housing and the carbonized layer, a vibration of the engine or the like, and there is a risk that it is sucked into the engine.
In order to solve the problem mentioned above, the following patent document 2 is disclosed as a prior art document relating to the supercharger on which the electric motor is not mounted. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing a structure of a supercharger 70 disclosed in the patent document 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the supercharger 70 is structured such that the diffuser portion 67 is constituted by a diffuser flow path 67a, a seal plate 67b adjacent portion and a housing adjacent portion 67c. The seal plate 67b adjacent portion and a housing adjacent portion 67c face to each other such that the diffuser flow path 67a is arranged between them. A cooling path 72 circulating a cooling water is provided in the seal plate adjacent portion 71b. In accordance with this structure, since the cooling water is circulated in the cooling path 72, whereby the seal plate adjacent portion 67b is cooled, the oil mist is not carbonized and stacked even if the oil mist is attached to the seal plate adjacent portion 67b. In this case, in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are attached to the corresponding portions to the constituting elements of the supercharger 50 with the electric motor shown in FIG. 1.
Patent Document 1:
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-293785
Patent Document 2:
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-44451
As mentioned above, in the supercharger on which the electric motor is not mounted, there has been proposed the technique of preventing the solidification and stack of the oil mist in the diffuser portion, however, the similar technique has not been proposed in the supercharger with the electric motor. Accordingly, in the supercharger with the electric motor, the oil mist is solidified to be stacked in the diffuser portion, and the solidified and stacked carbonized layer narrows the flow path of the diffuser portion 67 so as to increase a flow path resistance, so that there remains the problem that the compression efficiency of the supercharger is lowered.
Further, in the supercharger with the electric motor, there can be considered a matter that the solidification and stack of the oil mist in the diffuser portion 67 is prevented by arranging the similar cooling structure (the cooling path 72) to the patent document 2 mentioned above, however, in the case that the similar cooling path 72 to the patent document 2 is provided in the supercharger 50 with the electric motor in the patent document 1, it is necessary to independently arrange the cooling fluid flow path 60 and eth cooling path. Accordingly, as well as there are caused a complication of the structure, an increase of weight, an enlargement in size of the device and an increase of cost, there is a problem that an increase of weight of the vehicle is caused as a result of affecting a mounting property to the vehicle.