In a resonance converter for driving variable loads at first an input signal provided by a switch controlled by control means is converted to an output signal by a transformer. The transformer is dimensioned and connected such that a downward transformation ratio between input signal and output signal is between 5:1 and 100:1 when providing nominal power to the variable load. The switching frequency of the switch is controlled on the basis of a phase shift between a switch current and a load current at variable load and/or variable input voltage, a quantity dependent on the input voltage, as well as a quantity dependent on the output voltage. The inventive resonance converter further enables driving variable loads efficiently with the aid of a transformer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switching power supply with regulation of the output voltage for driving variable ohmic-capacitive or ohmic-inductive loads, comprising a resonance circuit, an electromechanical energy converter, a switch, and control means.
2. Description of the Related Art
Switching power supplies with or without a resonance circuit mostly cannot do without inductive electromagnetic devices. For obtaining a low-loss switching operation, such circuits may only be operated up to a certain maximum frequency and only with resonant inductive elements or broadband transformers or inductances. Such components are volume-intensive and cause a significant cost proportion in the overall device.
For example, a self- or separate-excited half-bridge circuit is to be mentioned, which works with bipolar transistors, reverse diodes, a series resonance circuit, and inductive base feedback. An exemplary embodiment of such a half-bridge circuit is disclosed in the following document (1): S. Lowbridge, M. Maytum, K. Rutgers, "Electronic Ballasts for Fluorescent Lamps Using BUL 770/791 Transistors" (Texas Instruments, 1992). Here, the load circuit is predominantly embodied inductively, whereby low-loss switching in various load cases becomes possible. This circuit may also be classified as a class D amplifier. Even using minority-charge-free MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) transistors, it would have the disadvantage of capacitive sweep-out losses, because the switches have to be switched on under voltage unless an output-side resonance choke lets the voltage rise to about zero across the respective switch when switching on. Thus, zero voltage switching (ZVS), which distinguishes itself by a voltage across a power semiconductor being made zero before and during a switching operation when switching, is achieved by a sufficiently large (resonance) inductance at the load circuit.
Moreover, there are class E RF (radio frequency) amplifiers with only one switch and high efficiency. An embodiment of such a circuit is published in the following document (2): "N. O. Sokal, A. D. Sokal, "Class E—A New Class of High Efficiency Tuned Single-Ended Switching Power Amplifiers", (IEEE, Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. SC-10, No. 3, June 1975). Such amplifiers are largely used as transmission amplifiers and are operated with an externally-generated clock at an optimum turn-on time. The turn-on time mostly is about half a period duration (D=0.5 corresponds to optimum). Here, D designates the relative (i.e. related to a period duration) turn-on time. This circuit also needs a resonance inductance in the load circuit, but achieves the zero voltage switching (ZVS) in parallel to a sufficiently large capacity. Whereas, in a half-bridge circuit, the parallel capacity to the switch is chosen as small as possible in order to achieve the zero voltage switching (ZVS) easily by resonance inductance, this parallel capacity is made as large as possible in the class E circuit mentioned, in order to keep the maximum voltage across the switch as small as possible during switch-off. If the capacity is, however, chosen too large, the voltage can no longer return to zero, and inadmissible turn-on losses occur.
When employing high-frequency piezoelectric transformers (piezo-transformers) or other energy converters with an electromechanical energy conversion, arbitrary transformation ratios may be realized, but these devices mostly do not offer predominantly inductive input behavior. Such electromechanical converters are mostly also very narrow-band and can only transfer sinusoidal vibrations with reference to their frequency behavior. A hard-switching converter topology is therefore less suited for operation thereof. Thus, the resonance operation has to be chosen, favorably also in a resonance converter topology. Since capacitive input and output behavior is substantially given by a piezoceramic material, such a converter may only replace the conventional inductances or transformers when, in the case of a desired inductive load circuit behavior, it is seen to that there is additional inductive shaping of the load circuit. In a half-bridge circuit, such inductive load circuit behavior is demanded in order to keep the switching losses small. As the simplest measure, an additional, yet small conventional conductance may be inserted into the load circuit. If the turn-on losses are small enough due to correspondingly low input voltage levels (e.g. small voltages up to 24 V), capacitive behavior of the electromagnetic converter in the half-bridge may also be acceptable.
Finally, also switching in a resonance case using a piezoelectric transformer may be configured so that the switching losses are minimized when a re-charge rime of the relatively large input capacities of the piezoelectric transformer is bridged by exactly meeting required control times by temporarily switching off both switches (dead times). For this, however, an accurately adjustable high-side and low-side driver circuit, which further mostly comprises an integrated circuit, is required. An embodiment of such a circuit is published in the following document (3): R. L. Lin, F. C. Lee, E. M. Baker, D. Y. Chen, "Inductor-less Piezoelectric Transformer Electronic Ballast for Linear Fluorescent Lamps", APEC2001, Anaheim, Calif., USA, Proceedings, Vol. 2, pp. 664–669.
In a class E resonance circuit according to document (2), the predominantly capacitive input behavior of a piezo-transformer is useful by the amount of the input capacity being able to be adapted to an electrically required value and thus not being spurious, as is the case in a half-bridge or another load circuit aimed at acting inductively. Such class E circuits with a piezoelectric transformer are already known from document (4), EP 0 665 600 B1.
Such circuits are, however, not employed for the case of a large input voltage and a small output voltage technically given in line voltage applications in document (4), but used for upward transformation of a smaller voltage to a larger one. This limitation to small input voltages has previously mainly been determined by the lacking availability of dynamically quick, high-blocking power switches, which can now be produced inexpensively, e.g. fieldstop IGBT (integrated gate bipolar transistor) up to 1700 V, or cool MOS transistors up to 800 V.
In small voltage applications, a class E circuit according to document (4) and according to document (2) is mostly employed in optimum operation with the relative turn-on time of D=0.5. In most cases, such a circuit requires an additional input-side parallel capacity in the case of the upward transformation, in case the input capacity of the piezoelectric transformer is not large enough. This is not given in a downward transformation case, where the input capacity of some embodiments of piezoelectric transformers may be too large.
Furthermore, there are single-transistor circuits with a piezo-transformer, which require a resonance inductance that does not, or not exclusively, act in a smoothing manner and thus has to be suited for a high frequency of about 50 to 200 kHz by a suitable choice of magnetic material and braided wire. An embodiment of such an arrangement is disclosed in document (5) U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,300. Furthermore, an input-side smoothing choke, as opposed to a smoothing or resonance inductance not acting on the input side, prevents a direct effect of high-frequency current vibrations on an input or on a smoothing capacitor, so that an input-side smoothing choke (referred to as choke inductance in the following) is to be preferred with respect to other arrangements of an inductance.
With reference to the control of circuits with a piezoelectric converter, the phase-locked loop (PLL) is a typical way of frequency tuning. In document (6), U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,968, a possibility is described to adjust the phase shift between output voltage and the driver signal of a circuit according to (4) so that a PLL circuit with a simple oscillator/driver IC can be realized. This regulating circuit for class E is particularly well suited for piezo-transformers with upward transformation properties, because the voltage maximum at the output of the transformer represents a prominent point for the nominal power at the same time. Owing to the low current stress in upward transformation, the frequency characteristic of the output voltage will almost correspond to an open case, so that the transformation ratio between open and nominal load changes little. In (6), substantially a phase-locked loop is given via the voltage courses between input and output, so that a maximum output voltage always arises when the right phase location (in this case about 90° or slightly less) is adjusted. This also applies for other topologies with strong upward transformation of the voltage, for example for the half-bridge circuit. For the case of the downward transformation, flattening of the transmission characteristic of the output voltage can be observed, since the secondary-side current stress clearly affects the voltage transmission ratio. In this case, in an inaccurate fixing of the nominal point, very different output powers arise in applications, such as power supplies, when an adjustment to the phase between the voltages would take place. When using the phase shift between the maximum of the output current and an input quantity as a basis for a regulation, the desired nominal power (nominal voltage) will hardly be adjustable by the exemplar scatterings of load (nominal current at nominal voltage) and piezo-transformer, independently of the topology. Thus, the regulation has to take place to a certain nominal value of the output current that is not necessarily the maximally transferred current. A basic solution for the adjustment of a PLL regulation according to this principle with exactly this disadvantage has become known according to (3). For the adjustment of the load current in (3), thus a very accurate regulating circuit has to be employed, which either requires a particular nominal value adjustment for each device in order to achieve the nominal point. Or the value of the output current is sampled accurately enough with great processing overhead. Phase regulation by sampling the zero crossings of output voltage and output current in a half-bridge circuit is again inaccurate owing to the scattering of re-charge times at the input of the piezo-transformer, so that evaluation of the amplitude of the output current is required there to adjust the nominal power.
When the output voltage of a current supply with changing load is to be regulated, solutions are known, which only enable little margin in the frequency position when using a conventional class E converter according to (2), as it is known from the following document (7): R. Redl, B. Molnar: Design of 1.5 MHz Regulated DC/DC Power Converter, in PCI/MOTOR-CON September 1983, Proceedings, pp. 74–87. A strong load increase particularly can no longer be reacted to by frequency change and the output voltage rises. With this, a consumer would be under too much strain. A pulsed operation of the class E amplifier may be a remedy. But with this there are disadvantages regarding voltage smoothing at the output when a supply as ripple-free as possible is demanded. Moreover, additional interferences as opposed to the line input arise, which develop by the constant upswing and turn-off of the amplifier and may require additional filtering effort. For those reasons, line current supplies with the conventional class E topology have not yet been able to gain acceptance, since they are inferior to half-bridge circuits or the most widely used flyback converter topology both in terms of regulation and with reference to the transmission behavior. In addition, they mostly require galvanic decoupling of the load circuit, which would require a further output transformer along with two chokes.
But if a piezo-transformer is inserted into the circuit according to document (6) as load circuit, the possibility arises to keep the output voltage constant over a small change in frequency. But in (6) no galvanic decoupling is achieved, although an auxiliary load circuit is employed for the generation of required phase control signals for guaranteeing a basic load. Thus, the configuration according to (6) is only suited with some reservations for current supplies with a regulated, galvanically decoupled input voltage. Since, in addition, in the case of an output rectification not shown in (6) only the AC voltage of the transformer output would be returned, additional control of the DC voltage is required. On the one hand, the flow voltage of the output rectifier may not be regarded as constant and is particularly dependent on the temperature. Furthermore, also a change of the flow voltage is to be expected at a change of load. Accordingly, a galvanic separation is required, for example via opto-coupling. If the signal is returned to the rectified output voltage in a galvanically separated manner, the additional necessity and possibility of frequency regulation via this signal results. This may, however, only take place with some reservations with the circuit shown in (6), because the phase-locked loop can only react with the average delay of half a period duration via a peak value rectification of the output voltage. With quick periodic changes in load, this also bears the risk of instability and a propensity to oscillation of the regulation. Thus, circuits according to (6) are not suited for precisely regulated DC voltage supplies with galvanic separation in spite of their simplicity. In particular, there is the danger that the output voltage breaks down, because the phase coupling is left.
According to document (10) ("A Very Simple DC/DC Converter Using Piezoelectric Transformer", M. J. Prieto et al., IEEE, 2001, pp. 1755 to 1760), current supplies with piezo-transformers are implemented in a half-bridge topology. Despite the small constructional size of the additional resonance inductance, which is switched to the input of the piezo-transformer, this inductance causes additional effort when it has to be designed for very high frequencies. This embodiment shows all the disadvantages of the half-bridge solution with piezo-transformers for line current controls. A high-volt driver IC as well as two fast switches (transistors) are required. Substantially, the regulation may only take place via the detection of the output voltage. The input voltage section is limited by the compliance with the ZVS condition in all load cases. For this reason a great value of the input-side charge capacitor has to be chosen to obtain small devices for resonance choke and piezo-transformer, wherein the input voltage variation is kept as small as possible. For a wide-range input with e.g. 85 V to 260 V, this solution is therefore not very suitable, because a large energy magnitude has to be stored in the input-side resonance choke, so that the aim of miniaturization is hardly achieved any longer.

Resonance converter with voltage regulation and method of driving variable loads

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderungder Angewandten Forschung E.V.


An outboard motor includes an engine which is tiltable from a first position to a second position, and a drive mechanism connected to the engine for driving a propeller. When the engine is in the second position, the drive means is tilted upward. An auxiliary fuel tank is connected to the engine for storing fuel returning from a fuel injection valve side of the engine. A high-pressure fuel pump is connected to the engine and the auxiliary fuel tank for pumping fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the fuel injection valve side of the engine. A water jacket is connected to the auxiliary fuel tank, for cooling the fuel which is stored in the auxiliary fuel tank. A water pump is driven by the engine to supply water from an external water source to an inlet of the water jacket. A first discharge passage is connected to an outlet of the water jacket. An engine cover is provided, which covers the engine, the fuel pump, and the auxiliary fuel tank. The inlet of the water jacket is configured at a lowest portion of the water jacket when the engine is in the second position. The outboard motor also includes a second discharge passage attached to the water jacket, with the second discharge passage being connected to the inlet and being configured to be below the inlet when the engine is in the second position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus for an auxiliary fuel tank in an outboard motor. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improvement in an apparatus in which an auxiliary fuel tank capable of storing extra fuel returning from a fuel injection valve side of an engine, and a high-pressure fuel pump for pumping fuel stored in the auxiliary fuel tank to the fuel injection valves of the engine, are housed in an engine cover. The engine cover is configured to cover the engine, a water jacket which cools the stored fuel is formed on the auxiliary fuel tank, a water pump which is driven by the engine to supply external water is connected to the inlet of the water jacket, and a discharge passage which is connected to the outlet of the water jacket.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A cooling apparatus for an auxiliary fuel tank in an outboard motor is already known as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-144617.
In a cooling apparatus for an auxiliary fuel tank in an outboard motor, to maintain the durability of a water jacket, it is necessary that no cooling water remain in the water jacket when the engine is stopped. However, no consideration has been given to such a problem of conventional types of cooling apparatus. In the cooling apparatus disclosed in the prior art, since the inlet and the outlet of the water jacket are provided in the rear wall thereof, if the outboard motor is tilted up, the inlet and the outlet are disposed at an upper portion of the water jacket. Therefore cooling water remains in the water jacket, decreasing the durability thereof.
The present invention has been developed in view of the above-described problem; an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling apparatus for an auxiliary fuel tank in an outboard motor, which is capable of reliably discharging cooling water from the water jacket of the auxiliary fuel tank when an engine is stopped, and even when the outboard motor is tilted up.

Cooling apparatus for auxiliary fuel tank in outboard motor


Membrane oxygenators useful in a variety of medical situations, including various short-term procedures and relatively longer-term life support, and components of membrane-based oxygenators, such as conditioning modules for exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide during extracorporeal conditioning of blood, are described. A conditioning module includes a plurality of mats of hollow fibers and a potting material disposed throughout the peripheral edges of the mats to create a circumferential seal that defines a passageway through the plurality of fiber mats having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The circumferential seal defines an effective fiber length for each of the hollow fibers. A resisting member is disposed across the proximal ends of at least some of the hollow fibers and is adapted to resist fluid flow into each of the hollow fibers based on the effective fiber length of the particular hollow fiber.

Conventional membrane oxygenators for extracorporeal conditioning of blood typically include one or more conditioning modules that include one or more sets of mats that each comprise a plurality of hollow fibers. The mats are typically arranged in a stack within a housing or frame. A potting material is used to secure the mats to each other and to define an internal chamber that extends through the inner portion of the stack. The ends of the hollow fibers are positioned along the outer perimeter of the stack and remain open, providing fluid access to the internal lumen of each fiber in the stack. A gas, such as oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, can be passed through the lumens of the hollow fibers while blood is directed through the internal chamber defined by the potting material. The blood is conditioned as it moves through the internal chamber and across the external surfaces of the individual fibers while the gas flows through the internal lumens of the fibers. Blood cells absorb oxygen as the blood interfaces with the gas, ultimately resulting in a lung-like exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
While devices that conform to this conventional design have proven useful and effective, many known devices suffer from several drawbacks, including structural arrangements that fail to provide efficient gas exchange. A need exists, therefore, for improved conditioning modules for use in membrane oxygenators, membrane oxygenators, methods of manufacturing membrane oxygenators, and methods of manufacturing conditioning modules for membrane oxygenators.

Membrane oxygenator with gas exchange fiber lumen access based on fiber effective length

Michigan Critical Care Consultants, Inc.


When a bowl 20d discharges waste with flush water after temporarily receiving the waste, before the waste is transported from at least the discharge trap conduit 40 by the flush water supplied from a flush water supply hole 30d as flush water supply means, the flush toilet device CSd drives a siphon pump 505d and then drives a return pump 506d before the supply of the flush water has been completed.

As a flush toilet device which temporarily receives waste and discharges the waste with flush water, a flush toilet device described in the following Patent Document 1 has been proposed. As shown in FIG. 1 in the following patent document, the flush toilet device described in the following Patent Document 1 includes a bowl which has a waste receiving surface for temporarily receiving waste, flush water supply means, such as a water reservoir tank, for supplying flush water to the bowl, an inlet portion which is connected to a lower side of the bowl, a rising conduit which is formed so as to extend upward from the inlet port, a lowering conduit which is formed so as to extend downward from the end of the rising conduit, and a discharge water trap conduit which reserves water from the inlet portion to at least a part of the rising conduit as retained water when the flush toilet device is not in use and forms sealing water with at least a part of the retained water.


In an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine having a main exhaust conduit with a catalytic converter arranged remote from the engine and a bypass exhaust conduit which includes a start-up catalytic converter arranged close to the engine and joins the main exhaust gas conduit ahead of said remote catalytic converter, an ejector structure is arranged in the main exhaust gas conduit within a housing defining a suction chamber in communication with the bypass exhaust conduit for drawing gas through the bypass exhaust conduit into said main exhaust gas conduit whenever exhaust gas flows from the engine through the main exhaust gas conduit and a main exhaust conduit valve is arranged between the ejector structure and the junction of the main and the bypass exhaust conduits which is closed during start-up operation of the engine to thereby force the exhaust gas to flow through the suction chamber and the bypass exhaust gas conduit via the start-up catalytic converter.

The invention relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine.
EP 0 417 412 A2 discloses an exhaust system in which, in addition to a main catalytic converter, there is in each exhaust conduit a start-up catalytic converter arranged near the engine in an annular duct surrounding the exhaust conduit. At low exhaust temperatures, the exhaust pipe is closed in the region of the annular duct by a butterfly valve, whereby the exhaust gases are discharged via the start-up catalytic converter which is activated very quickly.
The disadvantages of this arrangement are that, on the one hand, the downstream main catalytic converter requires a relatively long preheating phase before it reaches the operating temperature and, on the other hand, the start-up catalytic converter and the butterfly valve are subject to very high thermal loads.
It is the object of the invention, in an exhaust system of this type with at least one start-up catalytic converter arranged near the engine and a main catalytic converter arranged remote from the engine, to relieve the start-up catalytic converter of thermal loads at high exhaust gas temperatures but to feed the exhaust gases to the main catalytic converter at as high a temperature level as possible.

Internal combustion engine exhaust system


A helical spring includes cylindrical portions and a widened portion disposed between the cylindrical portions. The cylindrical portions are disposed at both ends of the helical spring in the axis direction and have a constant outside diameter. In the widened portion, from the both ends of the helical spring toward a center of the helical spring in the axis direction, a diameter of the helical spring increases as a pitch of the helical spring increases. The helical spring can be used as part of a connector, an electrode or an electrometer.

In order to measure a potential on a body surface of a patient by using an electrocardiograph, a number of terminals stretching from the substrate of a measurement apparatus generally need to contact the body surface of the patient. The body surface of the patient is unlevel in different manners between patients. When the terminal and the substrate are connected to each other through a usual lead, since a distance therebetween may not be changed according to a shape of the body surface of the patient, it has been difficult to connect a number of terminals to the body surface of the patient. Also, there has been a risk that a connecting part between the terminal and the lead or between the lead and the substrate is disconnected while in use.
As such, Patent Document 1, for example, suggests a technique to connect the terminal and the substrate by using a compression spring. According to this technique, by compressing the compression spring when the terminal is pressed against the body surface of the patient, the distance between the terminal and the substrate is changed, thereby facilitating contact of a number of terminals to the body surface of the patient.

Helical spring, connector, electrode and electrometer


A communications system including an automated dependant surveillance-broadcast system and a global positioning system integrated into a single unit. A radio frequency receiver receives analog automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information at a selected transmission frequency and converts that information into digital form. A global positioning system receiver receives global positioning information including timing information. A processing subsystem decodes the digitized automated dependent surveillance-broadcast information in response to the timing information received by the global positioning system receiver.

The ADS-B (Automatic Dependant Surveillance-Broadcast) system is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sponsored program which uses ground based transmitters that allows users to wirelessly receive air traffic information, weather information including weather graphics, and other data critical for to aviation safety. Currently, ADS-B messages are communicated mainly through two designated frequencies, 978 MHz and 1090 MHz, and a defined receiving system. With access to a multi-function screen, a typical user can get up to date weather and graphics (FIS-B) information, air traffic (TIS-B) information, and other aviation data over a range of 100 nautical miles or greater from a ground based station, as well as air traffic information directly from airborne ADS-B equipped aircraft in the vicinity.
Traditionally the 1090 MHz frequency has been used to transmit secondary surveillance RADAR (SSR) data, including data in the Mode A, C, and S formats, although 1090 MHz SSR communications are slowly being phased out in favor of ADS-B. Until the transition is complete, existing technology-based systems must include both a receiver capable of receiving ADS-B information and a transmitter for transmitting SSR data, which consequently makes the high system expensive, large, and heavy.
In order to meet space and weight restrictions imposed by the aircraft in which an ADS-B module is to be installed, as well as to reduce costs to the user, new systems and methods for implementing ADS-B communications are required. In addition, such systems and methods should provide for ADS-B modules that are not only small in size and portable, but which have the ability to interface with portable low cost display solutions reducing the overall cost to comparable avionics systems.

Automatic dependant surveillance systems and methods


A dual pump fluid proportioner having an adjustable motor position comprises a mounting plate, first and second positive displacement pumps, first and second tie rods, a pump yoke and a motor. The first and second tie rods fixedly connect the first and second pumps to the mounting plate. The first and second pumps each have a pump shaft. The pump yoke slidably couples to the first and second tie rods and the pump shafts. The motor adjustably couples to the mounting plate and includes a drive shaft. The drive shaft extends from the motor, through the mounting plate to adjustably couple to the yoke.

The present invention relates generally to plural-component spray systems. In particular, the present invention relates to reciprocating fluid proportioners having at least two pumps.
Fluid proportioners comprise dispensing systems that receive separate inert fluid components, mix the components in a predetermined ratio and then dispense the components as an activated compound. For example, fluid proportioners are used to dispense epoxies and polyurethanes that solidify after mixing of a resin component and an activating material, which are individually inert. However, after mixing an immediate chemical reaction begins taking place that results in the cross-linking, curing, and solidification of the mixture. Therefore, the two components are routed separately into the proportioner so that they can remain segregated as long as possible. A manifold receives each component after it is pumped separately and mixes the components so the mixture can be dispensed from a sprayer coupled to the manifold.
A typical fluid proportioner comprises a pair of positive displacement pumps that individually draw in fluid from separate fluid hoppers and pump pressurized fluids to the mix manifold. The pumps are driven in synchronicity by a common motor, typically an air motor or hydraulic motor, having a reciprocating drive shaft. Such configurations are simple and easy to design when the fluid components are dispensed in a 1:1 ratio and the pumps are of equal volumetric displacement. Force balancing in these configurations can be adequately accommodated by placing the motor halfway between the pumps. As such, forces generated between the pumps and the motor are equal.
Most two component epoxies and polyurethanes are not, however, comprised of a 1:1 ratio of the components. Typically a first major component is needed in a higher concentration than a second minor component. In such a case, displacement of one pump is required to be larger than the other. However, such systems can not be designed by simply placing the motor halfway between the pumps. Forces needed to drive each pump are different such that center mounting of the motor results in side loading that produces undesirable binding, wear and leakage.
Conventional fluid proportioners have used three pumps to deliver two components. For example, two pumps of equal displacement are used. Each will dispense half of the required volume of the major component. The motor is positioned halfway between these pumps. A third pump is used to dispense the minor component at the requisite volume. The third pump is placed in-line with the air motor. Thus, forces from the three pumps are balanced on all sides of the air motor.
Needless to say, conventional dual component fluid proportioners require the use of additional components, thereby increasing the weight, size and cost of the system. An additional pump, pressure gauge, manifold and hoses are needed to integrate the third pump with the two component system. For example, a splitter manifold is needed to separate fluid from the fluid source to the inlets of the two pumps providing the same fluid. Additionally, a mix manifold is needed to integrate fluid from the outlets of the two pumps providing the same fluid. The additional components increase the complexity of the system, reducing ease of operation. Furthermore, due to the increasing viscosities of compounds being developed, it has been necessary to increase the size of the motor used to pump the fluid components. This makes the driving of additional pumps even less desirable. There is therefore a need for improved multi-component proportioner systems.

Dual pump fluid proportioner with adjustable motor position


The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for the separation and removal of plate-shaped workpieces (7) out of the proximity of a separating device, which arrangement and method are intended for the automatic removal of such workpieces. For this purpose a bearing surface (2, 3) of a two-piece supporting table (4) is replaced by a second supporting table (6), which, together with the remaining bearing surface (3, 2), is moved and therein accepts the workpiece (7) completely. The second supporting table (6) subsequently carries the workpiece (7) completely out of the proximity of the first supporting table (4). The arrangement and the method permit separating the workpieces without damage to the support and the rapid and precise removal of the worked workpieces as well as of the trimmings.

Such an arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,348. In this document a gap is moved beneath a cutting device in the above described manner, the bearing surface being formed of a flexible material, such as for example a multiplicity of material layers, on a belt forming the table top. The belt is guided about upper and lower deflection devices and is produced, for example, of leather, fabric, wire mesh, thin stainless steel or other flexible materials. Beneath the belt is located a multiplicity of support rods connected with one another with flexible cables and for the transport engage into corresponding recesses in the rollers of the deflection devices. The support rods are guided and held on both sides in the machine frame via an axial latching pin, guide runners entrained beneath the support rods ensuring the axial movement of the latching pins.
WO 03/016 004 A1 describes a similar device, wherein here, in addition to the movement of the gap during the separating process, the gap can also be enlarged in order to empty, for example, the cut-out parts into a container located beneath and therewith to make possible automatic operation.
For fast flow of the cutting process and also of the removal of the cut material, independently of whether or not the cut-out is removed downwardly as described in WO 03/016 004 A1, it is required to transport the material rapidly and simply out of the cutting region in order for new material to be emplaced for the cutting process.

Device and method for storing and removing work pieces to be used by a separating device


Pressure regulators together with associated methods and systems are provided. An embodiment of a pressure regulator includes a chamber having an inlet port for receiving a fluid and an outlet port for delivering the fluid at a regulated pressure. The pressure regulator includes a diaphragm defining at least part of the chamber, and the diaphragm defining a first orifice therethrough. The pressure regulator includes a spring configured to interact with the diaphragm. The pressure regulator includes an interface operatively disposed between the spring and the diaphragm. The interface includes a contact surface for contacting the diaphragm, and the contact surface is convex toward the diaphragm. The interface defines a second orifice therethrough that is in fluid communication with the first orifice in the diaphragm. The first and second orifices define a relief port for venting the chamber to an ambient environment external to the chamber.

Bleed air is compressed air taken from a compressor section of an aircraft engine (e.g., gas turbine engine) upstream of the combustor of the aircraft engine. The bleed air can be utilized for various functions associated with an aircraft including internal cooling of the engine, cross-starting another engine, anti-icing, cabin pressurization, air conditioning and/or other pneumatic loads of the aircraft. A bleed air system of an aircraft engine can include a valve that is used to control the amount of bleed air taken from the compressor section. In some operating conditions, the operation of the valve can be a source of acoustic noise of the aircraft engine. Improvement is desirable.

Pressure regulator and bleed air system for aircraft engine


There is disclosed a selective one-way screwdriver and, more particularly, a selective one-way screwdriver that includes a long handle and can easily be operated. It includes an elongated handle formed with at least one head formed at an end. The head defines a space for receiving an annular gear formed with a toothed wheel portion on the external side. The annular gear includes a recess in an end in order to receive a bit. The head further defines a cavity near the handle and a channel between the cavity and the space. A switch is put in the cavity. In the channel are put two pawls one of which can selectively be engaged with the toothed wheel portion of the annular gear under the control of the switch. Thus, the handle can drive the annular gear in selective one of two directions. The length of the handle is perpendicular to the axis of the bit so that a user can easily use a small force in order to a large torque through the selective one-way screwdriver.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a selective one-way screwdriver and, more particularly, to a selective one-way screwdriver with a torque arm perpendicular to the axis of a screwdriver bit so that a user can use a small force to generate a large torque.
2. Related Prior Art
A ratchet mechanism is used because it provides selective one-way driving so that a user will not drive while returning a tool to its original position, thus saving troubles in reengaging. Hence, ratchet mechanisms are used in various hand tools such as screwdrivers. Examples of such screwdrivers can be found in Taiwanese Patent Publication Nos. 500021, 507641, 527993 and 578653.
The ratchet mechanisms are used in the screwdrivers in order to provide selective one-way driving. However, as the bit and the handle extend in one axis, the torque arm is the radius of the handle. Hence, its operation is inconvenient and requires a large force. Limited by space, the replaceable bit can only be inserted in an extension rod of the handle. Without any device for retaining the bit, the bit often falls in operation, and this is inconvenient.
As discussed above, conventional ratchet screwdrivers do not provide adequate torque arms. Hence, their operation is inconvenient and requires a large force. In other words, there has not been any ratchet screwdriver that provides an adequate torque arm.
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.


There is provided a monitoring apparatus which is capable of efficiently notifying an external host of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus for image forming apparatuses, and completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses. The monitoring apparatus is connected to a management apparatus for communication therewith. The monitoring apparatus acquires maintenance information from the image forming apparatuses, and sends the acquired maintenance information to the management apparatus. The monitoring apparatus carries out one of management of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus and central management of completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus, a processing method, and a program for implementing the processing method, as well as to a management apparatus, a management method, and a program for implementing the management method. In particular, the present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus which monitors at least one device (in particular, an office printer such as a multi-function copying machine), collects information on the device, and sends the collected information to a management server (host), a processing method executed by the monitoring apparatus, and a program for implementing the control method, as well as to a management apparatus which manages at least one monitoring apparatus and collects information on the monitoring apparatus, a management method executed by the management apparatus, and a program for implementing the management method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there has been a remote monitoring system which is constructed such that a device such as a copying machine and an apparatus (host) having an information processing function are connected to each other via communication medium so that they can communicate with each other, and which remotely monitors the status of the device via the host. In this type of remote monitoring system, the device directly sends an installation completion report indicating that the device has been completely installed, an operation start report indicating that a service person has started operation such as maintenance, an operation completion report indicating that a service person has completed operation, and so forth to the host (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2000-013518, for example).
The above described conventional remote monitoring system, however, is encountered with problems as below. In sending the above described installation completion report, operation start report, or operation completion report, the device itself should be able to properly communicate with the host. Thus, in the case where settings as to a communicating system of the device are changed, e.g. an IP (Internet Protocol) is changed, the change in settings as to the communicating system for communication with the host is reported after the settings are changed, and hence it is impossible to properly send a report on the change in the settings.
Further, a LAN environment is usually provided as a user environment where image forming apparatuses are installed. In such an environment, connecting a service person's notebook PC to the LAN to communicate with an image forming apparatus is not easy in terms of security because this requires complicated operations such as registration of the notebook PC's MAC address in a communication server.
On the other hand, it may be envisaged that the service person connects a wireless terminal to the LAN in the user environment, but this raises problems such as cost increase and impossibility of communication when reception is poor.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Management apparatus, management method, and computer-readable medium storing a computer program for acquiring maintenance information from plurality of image forming apparatuses


A system LSI which is capable of precisely acquiring the status of a module which is referred to as a resource for debugging when a high-performance processor debugs a processing program executed by a small-scale processor. A function unit has a bus interface connected to a bus and a data processing unit. The function unit is controlled in accordance with a processing program. The processing program is debugged in accordance with a debug program. Functioning of the data processing unit is halted. The function unit control processor suspends execution of the processing program to assert a debug signal when the processing program satisfies a predetermined condition. The halting unit halts functioning of the data processing unit without halting the bus interface in the function unit when the debug signal becomes asserted. The debugging processor acquires a status of the data processing unit when the debugging processor detecting that the debug signal is asserted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system LSI which debugs a program.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many system LSIs for high-end systems are equipped with high-performance, advanced processors. More and more system LSIs are being equipped with dual processors for further enhanced speed.
There is also available a system LSI which implements complicated functions by including a large number of small-scale processors instead of a high-performance processor and causing the processors to work in concert with each other (see, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-230065). This system LSI causes each processor to control a function module or causes the processors to execute a program for them to operate a function module in concert with each other. As described above, a small-scale processor executes a program alone or executes part of a program while working in concert with selected processors, thereby implementing a scenario based on a broader concept.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional system LSI including a high-performance processor and small-scale processors. A system LSI 600 in FIG. 6 is mainly composed of a first processor 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, second processors 405 to 409, image processing modules 410 to 413, and an I/F module 414.
The first processor 401 is a high-performance processor which controls the entire system LSI 600 in accordance with a program. The ROM 402 stores a program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the processors 401 and 405 to 409 or used to pass data between component modules. A bus 404 sends and receives data between the components of the system LSI 600.
The second processors 405 to 409 are each a small-scale processor which executes an arbitrary program in accordance with an instruction from the first processor 401. The image processing modules 410 to 413 are function modules. The interface (I/F) module 414 is a function module which passes an instruction or data to/from the outside.
In the system LSI 600 with this configuration, the second processor 405 mainly controls the image processing module 410. Similarly, the second processors 406 to 408 mainly control the image processing modules 411 to 413 corresponding thereto, respectively. The second processor 409 mainly controls the interface module 414.
The first processor 401 debugs programs which are respectively executed by the second processors 405 to 409. In the processing, the first processor 401 first sends a command to single-step or notification of a breakpoint to each of the second processors 405 to 409 and suspends the programs serving as objects for debugging, which are being executed by the second processors 405 to 409, when respective predetermined steps end. The first processor 401 then acquires the statuses of the modules 410 to 414, which are mainly controlled by the second processors 405 to 409, and finds and fixes bugs in the programs executed by the second processors 405 to 409 by using the statuses as a resource to be referred to in the debugging.
However, the system LSI 600 has the following problem when debugging, by the above-described method, the programs executed by the second processors 405 to 409. More specifically, even if execution of the programs by the second processors 405 to 409 is suspended, it is impossible to acquire the correct statuses of the modules 410 to 414 originally desired to be monitored when the operation of the modules 410 to 414 is not suspended and still continues.


A memory array including a first region in which a first memory sub-array is located and a second region separated from the first region in which a second memory sub-array is located. The first and second memory sub-arrays have flash memory cells coupled to a plurality of word lines. A driver region separates the first and second regions and includes word line driver circuits coupled to the word lines of the first and second memory sub-arrays. A row decoder region adjacent the first region and separate from the driver region includes at least some sub-circuits of row decoder circuits located therein. The row decoder circuits are coupled to the word line driver circuits located in the driver region and are configured to activate driver circuits to drive word lines of the first and second memory sub-arrays in response to decoding address signals selecting the particular row decoder circuit.

Flash memory devices have developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices typically use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Common uses for flash memory include portable computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and cellular telephones. Program code, system data such as a basic input/output system (BIOS), and other firmware for a computer system can typically be stored in flash memory devices as well.
Two common types of flash memory array architectures are the "NAND" and "NOR" architectures. In the NOR array architecture, the floating gate memory cells of the memory array are arranged in a matrix. The gates of each floating gate memory cell of the array matrix are coupled by rows to word lines and their drains are coupled to column bit lines. The source of each floating gate memory cell is typically coupled to a common source line. The NOR architecture floating gate memory array is accessed by a row decoder activating a row of floating gate memory cells by selecting the word line coupled to their gates. The row of selected memory cells couple stored data values on respective column bit lines by providing differing current characteristics between the coupled source line to the coupled column bit lines corresponding to a programmed state or unprogrammed state.
A NAND array architecture also arranges its array of floating gate memory cells in a matrix having the gates of each floating gate memory cell of the array coupled by rows to word lines. However, each memory cell is not directly coupled to a source line and a column bit line. Instead, the memory cells of the array are arranged together in "strings," typically of 16 to 32 memory cells each, where the memory cells in the string are coupled together in series between a common source line and a column bit line. The NAND architecture floating gate memory array is then accessed by a row decoder activating a row of floating gate memory cells by selecting the word select line coupled to their gates. In addition, the word lines coupled to the gates of the unselected memory cells of each string are also driven. However, the unselected memory cells of each string are typically driven by a higher gate voltage in order to operate them as pass transistors to allow them to pass current in a manner that is unrestricted by their respective stored data values. Under this condition, current flows from the source line to the column bit line through each floating gate memory cell of the series coupled string, restricted only by the memory cells of each string that are selected to be accessed. As a result, the current encoded stored data values of the row of selected memory cells are coupled to the column bit lines.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional flash memory device 100. The flash memory device 100 has a NAND flash memory architecture. The memory device 100 includes an address interface 104, a control interface 106, and a data interface 108 through which address and control signals are received by the memory device 100 and through which data is received and provided. The flash memory device 100 further includes a control state machine 110 that directs the internal operation, such as managing the flash memory array 112 and updating RAM control registers and non-volatile erase block management registers 114. The RAM control registers 114 are utilized by the control state machine 110 during operation of the flash memory 100. The flash memory array 112 contains a sequence of memory banks or segments 116. Each memory bank 116 is organized logically into a series of erase blocks (not shown). Memory addresses are received on the address interface 104 of the flash memory 100 and divided into a row and column address portions. In response to a read access, the row address is latched and decoded by row decoder circuits 120, which select and activate a row page (not shown) of memory cells across a selected memory bank. As previously described, a row of memory corresponding to the row address is selected and the bit values encoded in the output of the selected row of memory cells are coupled from a local bit line (not shown). Sense amplifiers 122 associated with a respective memory bank 116 are coupled to the global bit line to detect the encoded bit values of the selected row of memory cells. The column address portion of the memory address is latched and decoded by column decoder circuit 124. The column decoder circuit 124 selects the desired column data from the internal data bus 125 that is coupled to the outputs of the individual read sense amplifiers 122. The column data are coupled to the data buffer 126 for transfer from the memory device through the data interface 108. On a write access the row decoder circuits 120 select the row page and the column decoder circuit 124 selects sense amplifiers 122. Data values to be written are coupled from the data buffer 126 via the internal data bus 125 to the sense amplifiers 122 selected by the column decoder circuit 124, and are written to the selected floating gate memory cells (not shown) of the memory array 112. The written cells are then reselected by the row and column decode circuits 120, 124 and sense amplifiers 122 in order to verify that the correct values have been programmed into the selected memory cells.
NAND flash memory devices are becoming popular due to the high memory densities possible at a relatively low cost. Additionally, NAND flash memory devices generally have faster program and erase times compared to NOR flash memory devices. However, a disadvantage of NAND flash memory devices compared with NOR flash memory devices is that the access time for a random access, or initial access, to the memory array is considerably longer than for a NOR flash memory device. Currently, the initial access time for a NAND flash memory device can be as much as several hundred times longer than for a NOR flash memory device. Although access times for serial accesses subsequent to the initial access are on par with NOR flash memory devices, it is still desirable to reduce the initial access time of a NAND flash memory because of the considerable time required for the initial access.
One factor that contributes to the long random access time of NAND flash memory devices is signal line impedance of word lines. As previously discussed, in accessing a row of memory cells in a NAND flash memory device, the word lines of a block of memory are driven to a relatively high voltage, except for the word line corresponding to the row being accessed. In contrast, accessing a row of memory in a NOR flash memory architecture is accomplished by driving only the word line corresponding to the row of memory being accessed. Due to the line impedance of the word lines, driving a plurality of word lines to a sufficiently high voltage in a NAND flash memory device can take considerable time. FIG. 2A illustrates a conventional layout 200 for a memory array 202 of NAND memory cells, row decoder circuits 204, and driver circuits 206. The row decoder circuits 204 decode address signals to select a row to be accessed, and the driver circuits 206 couple the word lines of the block of memory having the row to be accessed to respective global word lines 210 that carry a voltage level sufficient to drive the word lines of the block of memory. As shown in FIG. 2A, the array of NAND memory cells is arranged as 2,048 blocks of 32 word lines. The word lines extend across 32,768 (32K) bit lines, each bit line representing a column of memory cells. During an access operation, each word line in a block of memory, except for the word line corresponding to the row being accessed, must be driven along its entire length to a relatively high voltage level to perform the access operation.
Reducing the impedance of the word lines is one approach to improving the time required to drive the word lines of a block of memory. One approach is to change the physical properties of the word lines to have a lower impedance for the same length of word line. However, constraints in fabricating the NAND flash memory array often limit these design options. Another approach is to physically change the layout of the array of NAND memory cells, the row decoder circuits, and the driver circuits. FIG. 2B illustrates an alternative layout 250 that reduces the line impedance the each driver circuits 256A, 256B by changing the length of word line each driver circuit must drive. Although the layout illustrated in FIG. 2B has the same memory array capacity as shown in FIG. 2A, namely, 2,048 blocks of 32 word lines, and 32K bit lines, the array of NAND memory cells are divided into two memory sub-arrays 252A, 252B. Each memory sub-array 252A, 252B has half of the bit lines in comparison to the memory array 202 of FIG. 2A, with the word lines of each memory sub-array 252A, 252B being half as long (extending over 16K bit lines) as the word lines of the layout in FIG. 2A.
As with the layout 200 in FIG. 2A, the layout 250 includes only one set of row decoder circuits 254 for selecting the row to be accessed. However, in order to access the same number of columns of NAND memory cells as in the layout 200 of FIG. 2A, two sets of drive circuits 256A, 256B and global word lines 260A, 260B are included to drive a block of word lines in the first memory sub-array 252A and in the second memory sub-array 252B concurrently. Each drive circuit 256A, 256B drives the word lines of the respective memory sub-arrays 252A, 252B. Two sets of drive circuits 256A, 256B are used to avoid the need to form signal lines connecting the word lines of the left and right memory arrays 252A, 252B to a single set of drive circuits. Due to the density of circuits for the row decoder circuits 254, including signal lines that span the region of the row decoder circuits 254 to connect word lines of the two memory sub-arrays 252A, 252B significantly increases circuit layout complexity. In some semiconductor architectures, for example, those using polysilicon word lines, and first and second levels of metal signal lines, it is infeasible to connect two sets of word lines to one set of driver circuits using polysilicon or metal lines. Thus, in order to implement a dual-array layout, and at the very least, reduce circuit layout complexity, two sets of drive circuits 256A, 256B are used, as shown in FIG. 2B.
By reducing the length of the word lines in the layout 250 of FIG. 2B, and providing two sets of driver circuits 256A, 256B, the line impedance driven by each of the driver circuits 256A, 256B is approximately half as much as compared to the layout 200 of FIG. 2A. However, although the layout 250 of FIG. 2B provides the benefit of reducing line impedance for the driver circuits 256A, 256B, the inclusion of another set of drive circuits and global word lines will result in greater die size and increased fabrication complexity to accommodate the extra circuitry. Both results are undesirable and may be unacceptable in applications where reducing chip size and reducing fabrication complexity are priorities.
Therefore, there is a need for an alternative approach to reducing word line impedance in a flash memory device having a NAND flash memory architecture.

Layout for NAND flash memory array having reduced word line impedance


An identity management tool provides identity management across multiple domains, providing a single access point not only for information for runtime, network, and service layer information, but also for systems such as business support systems (BSS), operational support systems (OSS), and third party systems. The identity management tool creates a unified user profile that maps customer identities across the various domains, and presents the information in a virtual directory wherein the information appears to come from a single source, creating a central data hub for the various systems. This aggregation provides for the same experience and service across various access networks and using various channels. Such an architecture allows billing and service information to be shared with subscription and customer information, even though the data is substantially unrelated data from disparate data sources, without the need to combine schemas or aggregate the data into a single data store.

The present invention relates generally to the management of data across a domain, an in particular to providing a common view and access point for customer information across multiple disparate data sources.
As an ever increasing number of services is being offered by various network providers, there is a corresponding increase in the number of systems, devices, applications, and components that utilize and store data for customers. While some of these data sources contain related data that can be easily aggregated or combined into a common schema, there are many sources that contain data that is considered to be substantially unrelated, or not easily aggregated, such that the data is not typically able to be accessed in a common fashion or point of entry. Further, companies may not wish to spend the time and money to generate common schemas or data repositories that are used across an entire domain.
For example, a telecommunications service provider typically maintains a large set of different repositories that each contain certain information about customers of that provider. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an architecture 100 for such a provider. It can be seen that a number of systems and components reside behind the network and gateway layer 102, such as may include Business Support Systems (BSS) 104, a Service Delivery Platform (SDP) 106, Operational Support Systems (OSS) 108, and various other third party content and services 110. Each of these systems typically includes at least one repository containing a specific type of information, which generally is not substantially related or available to information in the repositories of the other systems.
For example, a BSS repository can store customer information from a service provider point of view, such as customer address information, customer billing information, products purchased by the customer, and campaigns to which a customer has responded. A BSS repository also can include subscription information for a customer, such as information for any voice, wireless, or roaming plan, as well as number of minutes purchased per month, etc. Such information is treated as product information from a BSS point of view, and the BSS repository also will include information as to whether a particular customer is subscribing to that product. If, for example, a customer subscribing to a new subscription is entitled to a new phone, that information typically will be maintained in the BSS repository. A BSS repository also typically is used to maintain trouble tickets, such as information regarding problems with service or failure to receive a form, as well as maintaining security credentials.
An OSS repository, on the other hand, is used for monitoring and administration of the system or other OSS operations such as charging/rating and activation provisioning. An OSS repository can also contain subscriber information such as information for the current and active bill for a customer, an inventory of assets associated with a customer, types of products or services provided to a customer, etc. A repository at the network level might include current network information for a customer, such as whether the customer is logged onto the network, a location of the customer on the network, whether a customer device is active, etc.
A service resource such as an SDP repository stores subscription information for a customer that is useful in running software services that are exposed to the customer, such as whether a particular customer has requested to receive news updates, and if so, also stores preference information such as which types of news the customer wishes to receive, e.g., international news or news related to a specific topic, as well as a channel in which to receive the news (e.g., SMS or MMS) and format information for the news (e.g., background color and font size). The SDP repository also can include information such as an identity for each customer, credentials, customer availability, etc.
There is other information that a telecommunications service provider may wish to combine with the SDP information. For example, a provider typically has to manage runtime information, such as presence and location information for a user on the network or other details related to the network activities, connectivity, etc. In addition to the context of a well factored-out service layer, the provider also manages dynamic information coming from the network, such as IMS Home Subscriber Service (IMS HSS) and Home Location Register (HLR) information. It can be desirable for all this information to be available to various services and applications.
Certain information overlaps or is related to other information stored for different services or in different repositories. Unfortunately, it is not practical for most entities to rewrite the schemas or redesign all the systems and services to use a common data model, single repository, single point of access, etc. As such, there typically is no way to treat the various repositories as a single data source that is readily available to applications, users, etc.
Certain approaches utilize a common database for all information related to principals such as subscribers. An exemplary architecture 200 for such an approach is shown in FIG. 2. In this example, data hubs 202 are used that are based on a common model, such as a customer data model or TMF (Telemanagement Forum) Shared Information/Data (SID) model. A problem with such an approach is that the common data model does not allow a system such as a BSS system to share data with the execution environment, which can include Home Subscriber Server (HSS) information, service specific data, presence information, etc., as the data is still maintained in silos at that level.
Further, a model such as that shown in FIG. 2 does not provide for identity management across the various systems (i.e., the possibility to associate credential, single sign-on, map/associate multiple identities to a same principal, anonymize some identities or federate the identities and repositories across multiple service providers/actors), and does not provide the tools needed to manage the identity of customers across the network, such as when a customer accesses a new service on the network or accesses the network using a new device. Further, functionality such as single sign-on and identity federation is not provided at the level of the customer data hub(s).

Shared view of customers across business support systems (BSS) and a service delivery platform (SDP)


A temperature sensor is monolithically integrated in a semiconductor body together with a vertical power semiconductor structure. The power semiconductor structure is formed of a plurality of power cells. The temperature sensor is formed of two sensor cells that can be manufactured simultaneously with the power cells. The advantage of the invention is that a highly sensitive temperature sensor can be manufactured in process-compatible fashion together with a vertical power semiconductor structure without additional steps and in a cost-beneficial way.

The invention is directed to a monolithically integrated temperature sensor for power semiconductor components wherein a temperature sensor is monolithically integrated on a semiconductor member together with a vertical power semiconductor structure.
A temperature sensor of this type is known, for example, from a contribution to the publication "TEMPFET: Schritt zum idealen Leistungshalbleiterschalter" in the company publication Siemens Components 27 (1989), No. 6, pages 228-232. What is involved there is a temperature sensor that is integrated with a power MOS-FET in multi-chip or hybrid technology. Beyond this, one also finds there the teaching that there is also the possibility of a monolithically integrated temperature sensor.

Monolithically integrated temperature sensor for power semiconductor components


Assays and kits for the detection of phenotypic resistance of a retrovirus to reverse transcriptase inhibitor-drugs in a biological sample. The assays are based on the direct analysis of the susceptibility of retroviral reverse transcriptase to inhibition by a reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug. The enzymatic activity of the reverse transcriptase is determined by measuring the DNA product produced when an RNA template and a first complementary DNA primer from a suitable region of the encephalomyocarditis virus genome are incubated with a biological sample containing reverse transcriptase in the presence of the drug to which resistance is being determined. The DNA product is amplified and detection of the amplified DNA indicates resistance to the drug employed in the assay. Detection of relatively greater amounts of amplified DNA when certain drugs are used indicates the presence of multiple nucleoside analog resistant strains or mutations.

One of the most ravaging diseases of the late twentieth century has been AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), brought on by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Currently, there are no cures for this disease and minimally effective treatments. One of the problems that exist in the development of therapies for HIV infection is that the HIV virus rapidly develops resistance to a wide variety of chemotherapeutic agents. HIV, particularly human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), mutates over time to become resistant to many of the antiviral drugs administered for treatment. AIDS physicians need to know when the antiviral therapy being used to treat a individual patient is no longer effective so that the antiviral drug or drug combination can be modified, thereby minimizing viral replication and the onset of immunodeficiency symptoms.
Reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors such as zidovudine (ZDV, also referred to as azidothymidine (AZT)), didanosine (ddI or dideoxyinosine), zalcitabine (ddC or dideoxycytosine), lamivudine (3TC), stavudine (d4T), and nevirapine (NVP) are nucleoside or non-nucleoside analogs currently approved for the treatment of HIV-1 infections. 3TC is known to have potent anti-HIV-1 activity and minimal toxicity, and is one of the most commonly used drugs in combination therapy as first-line treatment for HIV-1-infected patients. 3TC administered in combination with AZT provides greater and more sustained increases in CD4+ cell counts, and higher reductions in HIV-1 RNA viral load than continued AZT or 3TC monotherapy. 3TC in combination with AZT and protease inhibitors slows the progression of HIV-1 disease and reduces levels of HIV-1 RNA to less than 500 copies per milliliter for as long as one year in 90% of patients (Gulick et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 337: 734-739 (1997)).
However, the use of reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as 3TC, in both monotherapy or combination therapy has resulted in the emergence of drug-resistant variants of HIV-1 (Gulick et al., N. Engl. J Med. 337: 734-739 (1997)). For a drug such as 3TC, the resistance is conferred by mutations in codon 184 of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase gene, which replaces the wild type methionine residue (M; ATG) with a valine (V; GTG) via a transient substitution with an isoleucine (I; ATA). The presence of this M184V mutation has been associated with a greater than 500-fold resistance to 3TC and the partial loss of the anti-retroviral and clinical benefits of the drug. It is therefore important to monitor for drug resistance in individuals treated with reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
Phenotypic assays provide direct and definitive evidence of resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitor drugs. However, presently available assays for the analysis of phenotypic resistance are based on virus culture and are therefore labor intensive and time consuming (two to five weeks), costly, and unsuitable for rapid clinical monitoring or surveillance of drug resistance (Kavlick et al., Antiviral Research 28: 133-146 (1995); Wainberg et al., AIDS 9: 351-357(1995)). In addition, these assays are fraught with biologic variabilities, including those related to viral isolation and tropism. Since tissue culture is highly selective for viral strains with in vitro growth advantages, these culture-based assay methods may not be representative of the total virus population present in vivo (Li et al., J. Virol. 65: 3973-3985 (1991)).
In the absence of rapid phenotypic assays, genotypic tests are currently being used to provide indirect evidence of resistance. Genotypic testing monitors for the presence of mutations that are associated with resistance, such as the M184V mutation. Among these genotypic tests, primer-specific PCR, point mutation, and reverse hybridization assays are the most commonly used (Wainberg et al., AIDS 9: 351-357(1995); Frenkel et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 33: 342-347 (1995); Stuyver et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 41: 284-291 (1997)). Unfortunately, clinical monitoring of reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug resistance by genotypic testing may not detect unrecognized mutations or potential synergistic or antagonistic effects of complex mutation patterns arising from combination therapy with different reverse transcriptase inhibitors. For example, the suppression of phenotypic resistance to AZT conferred by the M184V mutation clearly illustrates the effect that a combination of mutations may have in a given phenotype (Larder et al., Science 269: 696-699 (1995)). Also, genotypic testing only detects resistance associated with known mutations (i.e., codon 184 for 3TC resistance).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,128 to Kozal describes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for monitoring antiviral therapies in the treatment of AIDS. These genotypic assays use PCR to measure HIV-1 RNA copy number in plasma or to measure specific known HIV-1 RNA mutations, namely the mutation at codon 215 or codon 74 of the pol gene. The HIV-1 RNA copy number is an indication of the circulating HIV viral load. A decrease in HIV-1 RNA copy number correlates with successful antiretroviral therapy, whereas an increase in HIV-1 RNA copy number indicates disease progression, most likely caused by resistance to therapy. Therefore, the genotypic assays described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,128 detect only previously identified viral RNA mutations and are incapable of detecting phenotypic resistance caused by known or novel mutations, or the assays detect a rise in HIV-1 RNA copy number, which could be due to conditions other than resistance. An incorrect diagnosis of drug resistance followed by cessation of the antiviral therapy being administered could result in exacerbation of a disease that had been responding to therapy.
Therefore, there is a need for sensitive, rapid methods for the detection of HIV resistance to drug therapies in patients so that, if the virus becomes resistant to a particular drug or combination of drugs, the therapy can be modified, thereby keeping viral replication to a minimum and preventing or postponing the onset of AIDS.

Method and kit for detecting resistance to antiviral drugs

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


An electrodeless low pressure discharge lamp, preferably filled with deuterium gas, is provided with a cylindrical envelope made from quartz glass and surrounded by a cylindrical excitation coil driven at between 10 and 800 MHz. Within the lamp envelope, there is provided a cylindrical aperture member made from boron nitride which in a radial direction extends to the inner surface of the envelope and which is provided with an uninterrupted coaxial channel for confining to a small diameter the plasma discharge arc generated during operation of the lamp, the aperture member having an optical axis extending through coaxially with its channel, the radiation emitting in a directed pattern along the optical axis.

European Patent 0 074 690, POSTMA, discloses an electrodeless gas discharge lamp having a vacuum impervious sealed glass envelope filled with metal vapor and a rare gas, the lamp envelope enclosing a rod shaped core of magnetic material in which a high frequency magnetic field may be induced by a source of electric current whereby an electric field may be generated within the envelope of the lamp.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,592, ANDERSON & ROBERTS, and its corresponding German Offenlegungsschrift DE-OS 39 18 839 describe a high intensity electrodeless discharge lamp with an envelope located within the cavity of an excitation coil and with a discharge plasma driven by the excitation coil, high voltage pulses being coupled between a pair of starting electrodes positioned outside of the envelope for inducing the material within the lamp envelope to create a spark channel in which the plasma may be formed in response to the field provided by the excitation coil.
In electrodeless high pressure gas discharge lamps the stability or continuity of the discharge, and the spectrum consisting solely of lines or continuum of superimposed lines may pose problems even though their radiant density and radiant flux may attain relatively high values. On the other hand, electrodeless low pressure gas discharge lamps are of sufficient stability, yet their radiant density and radiant flux are of relatively low value.
Moreover, German Offenlegungsschrift DE-OS 39 08 553, THOMAS et al., discloses a gas discharge lamp filled with deuterium or hydrogen and having a housing positioned within the lamp envelope, which in the discharge path between cathode and anode is provided with an aperture member made of a material of a high melting point, the arc discharge generated between the electrodes being constricted by means of the aperture opening.

Electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp with plasma channel


A method and system for displaying a series of images captured by a digital camera, which includes a user interface that includes a view finder. The method and system first stores each of the captured images in memory, and then displays a plurality of image cells in the view finder, wherein each of the image cells corresponds to one of the captured images. The method and system further provides at least one of the image cells with an image area for displaying the corresponding captured image, and further provides the at least one image cell with an icon area for displaying additional information regarding the corresponding captured image.

Modern digital cameras typically include an imaging device which is controlled by a computer system. The computer system accesses raw image data captured by the imaging device and then processes and compresses the data before storing the compressed data into an internal memory. Efficient operation of the computer is therefore an important consideration for camera designers and manufacturers. The memory architecture of a particular computer system determines data storage techniques and can thus significantly effect the operational efficiency of the entire digital camera system.
Due to architectural limitations of conventional digital cameras, there are several drawbacks in the user interface that restrict how captured images are displayed and manipulated by a user. The user interface in conventional digital cameras typically includes a view finder for displaying a series of image cells. Each image cell, in turn, displays a small version of a corresponding captured image. Displaying several cells in this manner allows a user to review several images at once. When the user selects one of the cells in the view finder, the full-sized version of the image is then displayed in the view finder.
One problem with conventional digital cameras is that the file format for storing captured images does not directly support the display of image cells. For example, most traditional digital cameras store compressed images in a particular file format in memory. The file typically includes both a header that optionally stores the date and time that the image was taken, and the captured image data itself. The captured image is usually stored in the file as a Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) data.
When a conventional digital camera is to display a series of image cells in the view finder, the digital camera must first retrieve the JPEG data from the appropriate files, decompress the data, and then process the uncompressed images by resizing the images to the size of the image cells. One drawback to this approach is that the decompressing and resizing operations reduce the speed at which the camera can display the full-sized images in the view finder.
Another drawback is that the file format for storing captured images does not support the storage of additional information regarding each image that may be of use to the user. Thus, a conventional digital camera that has stored many pictures can only offer the date and time that each image was captured to distinguish the images for the user.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method for displaying captured images in a digital camera. The present invention addresses such a need.

Method and system for displaying images and associated multimedia types in the interface of a digital camera


A method is provided for forming a hole in a jaw bone at a drill site. The method can comprise forming an initial hole in soft tissue of the jaw bone, advancing a first portion of the drill through the soft tissue and into a bone portion of the jaw bone to form a guidance hole in the bone portion of the jaw bone, advancing the drill until a second portion of the drill contacts the soft tissue to form an enlarged hole in the soft tissue, and further advancing the drill until the second portion of the drill contacts the bone portion of the jaw bone to form a countersink hole in the bone portion. The countersink hole can be formed to have a flat bottom that is immediately adjacent to an inclined surface thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention also relates to a drill for use in dentistry and having said structure, and more particularly, to a drill which can be used on a jaw bone with overlying soft tissue and underlying, more solid bone.
2. Description of the Related Art
The drill is intended to be used in conjunction with the arrangement sold by Nobel Biocare AB Sweden under the name ARK (Absolute Rehabilitation Kit). Reference is made in purely general terms to the PCT applications WO 02/053055, A1, WO 02/053056, A1, and 02/053057, A1, filed by the same Applicant as for the present patent application. Reference is also made to what is generally already known in the technical field of drills.
Holes are formed in the jaw bones of patients in various circumstances and implantation situations. In cases where it is necessary to form a hole in the jaw bone, it is already known to mark out the drilling site initially and thereafter to expose the underlying jaw bone surgically and drill the hole using one or more first drills. Thereafter, a special countersinking drill is used to form a countersink intended for the head or outer part of an implant. Said drilling function has hitherto been performed using at least three different drills.
There is a need to be able to simplify and improve the hole formation function so that cutting-open of the soft tissue can be avoided and fewer drilling stages are needed, and so that the result of the hole formation is still satisfactory or can plainly be improved. It is a considerable advantage if the process of exposing the bone can be eliminated and the number of instruments and drills can be reduced without compromising the precision of the hole formation. It is also expedient if the same or similar instruments as used previously can also be used in the new context.

Methods of forming at least one hole in a jaw bone


The invention relates to the simultaneous determination of the distance and the speed of a target in a radar system that operates according to the HPRF (High Pulse Repetition Frequency) method. A target spectrum group is determined in the Doppler domain and the distance of the target is then determined from the group delay.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for the simultaneous determination of the distance and the speed of a target in a radar system.
2. Background Information
In radar systems operating according to the (High Pulse Repetition Frequency) method, the speed can be determined unequivocally up to a maximum speed of approximately Mach nine. The higher the unambiguity range for the determination of the speed, however, the smaller is the unambiguity range in the distance direction for a determination of the distance of a target. Typically, this unambiguity range is presently limited to a maximum distance of approximately one kilometer.

Method for the simultaneous determination of the distance and the speed of a target in a radar system


The drying rate of glazes containing water used to coat ceramic articles is increased by addition of aminoethylethanolamine, one or more polyalkylene polyamines with or without a small amount of a styrene-butadiene latex.

This invention relates to the glazing of ceramic articles.
Glazing is a well known technique wherein ceramic articles are coated with a glaze containing water, thereby providing a smooth, glassy, and oftentimes colorful finish after drying and firing. Glazes typically contain water, a metal oxide pigment, a glass frit material, one or more fillers and suspending agents, and one or more additives that effect viscosity. Glazes are most often applied to whiteware ceramic articles such as toilet fixtures, bathroom tiles, plates, cups, bowls, and the like. A problem exists in the making of such glazes articles, however, in that an undesirably long amount of time is required for the glaze to dry after being applied to a ceramic article, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost of such products.

Process to increase the drying rate of a glaze for ceramics


A faucet including a spout body formed of metal and having an inlet end, an outlet end and a chamber extending between inlet and outlet ends. A tube formed of a non-metallic material is enclosed within the chamber and has receiving and dispensing ends. Tube defines a passage extending between receiving and dispensing ends. Receiving end is in fluid communication with water source to communicate water through passage. An inlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an inlet opening extending therethrough is molded about receiving end such that receiving end is sealingly received within inlet opening. An outlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an outlet opening extending therethrough is molded about dispensing end such that dispensing end is sealingly received within outlet opening. Inlet and outlet couplings are sealingly coupled to inlet and outlet ends of spout body, respectively.

The present invention relates to faucets for delivering water from a water source and, more particularly, to faucets for delivering potable water having reduced amounts of metal contaminants.
Current faucet systems for delivering potable water include a spout that dispenses the water from the water source. The spout is commonly formed of a metal, such as brass, chrome, or steel. Truly potable water should have only a minimal amount of chemical and metal contaminants. Accordingly, the type of metals used to form the spout and the size of the spout are typically limited in order to prevent or minimize the release of undesirable chemical and metal contaminants. For this reason less expensive, more corrosive metals, such as zinc, typically cannot be used in forming a spout for dispensing potable water, thus thwarting efforts to make less expensive faucets. Furthermore, the amount of metal contaminants released in the water is related to the size of the metal spout through which the water flows and is dispensed. For this reason, spout design and size is also typically limited.
Accordingly, a need remains for a faucet having a spout that minimizes the water's contact with metal, while enabling the use of less expensive metals, retaining the aesthetic qualities and durability of the rigid metal spout, and/or providing flexibility in spout style and size.
The present invention provides a faucet having water isolator couplings. In one illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, the faucet is used for delivering water from a water source and includes a spout body formed substantially of a metal. The spout body includes an inlet end, an outlet end and a chamber extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. A tube formed of a non-metallic material is enclosed within the chamber and extends between the inlet end and the outlet end. The tube has a receiving end disposed proximal the inlet end and a dispensing end disposed proximal the outlet end. The tube defines a passage extending between the receiving end and the dispensing end. The receiving end is in fluid communication with the water source to communicate the water through the passage. The faucet also includes an inlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having a central inlet opening extending therethrough. The inlet coupling is molded about the receiving end of the tube such that the receiving end of the tube is sealingly received within the central inlet opening. The faucet also includes an outlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having a central outlet opening extending therethrough. The outlet coupling is molded about the dispensing end of the tube such that the dispensing end of the tube is sealingly received within the central outlet opening. The inlet coupling is sealingly coupled to the inlet end of the spout body to secure the receiving end of the tube to the inlet end of the spout body, and the outlet coupling is sealingly coupled to the outlet end of the spout body to secure the dispensing end of the tube to the outlet end of the spout body, such that the water received in the passage is prevented from entering an area of the chamber between the tube and the spout body.
In one illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, the inlet coupling has an elongate body defining a central inlet opening extending therethrough. The central inlet opening is in communication with the passage and defines a first end and a second end. The first end sealingly receives the receiving end of the tube. The inlet coupling has a plurality of snap-fingers defined in the second end. Each of the plurality of snap-fingers has an outwardly extending tab, which engages an edge of the inlet end of the spout body.
In another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, the inlet coupling has an elongate body defining a central inlet opening extending therethrough. The elongate body has a first end and an opposite second end. The receiving end of the tube is sealingly received in the central inlet opening at the first end. The elongate body has a groove extending about an outer surface of the elongate body adjacent the second end. The inlet coupling further includes a retaining clip. The groove receives a portion of the retaining clip, such that the retaining clip protrudes radially from the groove to engage the inlet end of the spout body.
In still another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, the outlet coupling includes an outlet coupling body formed of a non-metallic material and having a central outlet opening extending therethrough. The dispensing end of the tube is sealingly received within the central outlet opening. The outlet coupling body further includes a radially extending lip and a groove adjacent the lip. The outlet coupling includes a clip having a slot. The outlet coupling body is received in the slot such that the clip is at least partially disposed in the groove. The clip extends radially outward from the coupling and abuts the shoulder. The outlet coupling sealingly engages the outlet end of the spout body to secure the dispensing end of the tube to the outlet end of the spout body.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

Faucet spout with water isolating couplings


This invention relates to a new class of novel inorganic-organic hybrid polymers that are formed from linear inorganic-organic hybrid polymers of varying molecular weight. These new high temperature oxidatively stable thermosetting polymers are formed from linear polymeric materials having repeat units that contain at least one alkynyl group for cross-linking purposes and at least one bis(silyl or siloxanyl)carboranyl group. These novel organoboron thermoset polymers contain an unsaturated cross-linked hydrocarbon moiety.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a new class of novel inorganic-organic hybrid polymers that are formed from linear inorganic-organic hybrid polymers of varying molecular weight. These new high temperature oxidatively stable thermosetting polymers are formed from linear polymeric materials having repeat units that contain at least one alkynyl group for cross-linking purposes and at least one bis(silyl or siloxanyl)carboranyl group. These novel thermosetting polymers ca be further converted into ceramics at elevated temperatures.
2. Description of the Related Art
The cross linking of acetylenic polymers has been demonstrated by Neenan et al. in Hypercross-Linked Organic Solids: Preparation from Poly(aromatic diacetylenes) and Preliminary Measurements of Their Young's Modulus, Hardness, and Thermal Stability published in 21 MACROMOLECULES 3525-28 (1998), incorporated herein by reference. The reaction for cross linking acetylenic polymers illustrated by Neenan et al. is as follows: ##STR1## where n is a positive integer. Other similar cross linking reactions are demonstrated by Callstrom et al. in Poly[ethynlyene(3-n-butyl-2,5-thiophenediyl)-ethynylene]: A Soluble Polymer Containing Diacetylene Units and Its Conversion to a Highly Cross-Linked Organic Solid published in 21 MACROMOLOCULES 3528-30 (1988), incorporated herein by reference. For example, see the reactions shown below taken from Callstrom et al.: ##STR2##
There is a need for oxidatively stable materials that have thermosetting properties for making rigid components therefrom, such as engine parts, turbine blades and matrices. These components must withstand high temperatures and be oxidatively stable and have sufficient strength to withstand the stress put on such components. Thus, there is a need for carborane-silane or carborane-siloxane cross-linked thermosetting polymeric materials that show high temperature stability where weight percentage loss is limited to 20% or less when heated in excess of 600.degree. C. in an oxidative environment. In addition, there is a need for carborane-silane or carborane-siloxane cross-linked thermosetting polymeric materials that behave more as rigid materials and less as elastomeric materials.

Carborane-(silane or siloxane)-unsaturated hydrocarbon based thermosetting polymers

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy