A thermal spray coating according to the present invention contains mainly magnesium, aluminum, oxygen, and nitrogen and has, as a main phase, a crystal phase of a MgO—AlN solid solution in which aluminum nitride is dissolved with magnesium oxide. The thermal spray coating is obtained by thermal spray of powder of a ceramic material containing mainly magnesium, aluminum, oxygen, and nitrogen and having, as a main phase, a crystal phase of a MgO—AlN solid solution in which aluminum nitride is dissolved with magnesium oxide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermal spray coating, a member for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, a feedstock material for thermal spray, and a method for producing a thermal spray coating.
2. Description of the Related Art
In semiconductor manufacturing equipment used for dry processes, plasma coating, and the like in semiconductor manufacturing, a halogen-based plasma, such as F or Cl, having high reactivity and corrosiveness is used for etching and cleaning. Members assembled into such semiconductor manufacturing equipment are required to have high corrosion resistance. In materials for such members, long-term use causes corrosion to progress gradually, and occurrence of dust and the like results in contamination of semiconductors. Thus, high corrosion resistance is needed. Alumina, aluminum nitride, yttria, and the like are known as materials having high corrosion resistance, and have been used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. As a material having higher corrosion resistance than such materials, the present inventors have developed a ceramic material containing mainly magnesium, aluminum, oxygen, and nitrogen and having, as a main phase, a crystal phase of a MgO—AlN solid solution in which aluminum nitride is dissolved with magnesium oxide (PTL 1). This material has very high corrosion resistance and a smaller water-absorbing capacity than magnesium oxide, and exhibits high denseness and a good insulating property as a bulk. Therefore, it is believed that the ceramic material is very suitably used for members, such as heaters and electrostatic chucks, in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Thermal spray coating, member for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, feedstock material for thermal spray, and method for producing thermal spray coating


The cathode catalyst includes a zeolite-containing carrier, and a ruthenium (Ru)-M-tellurium (Te) alloy supported on the carrier, where M is selected from the group consisting of tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), and combinations thereof. The cathode catalyst has a high activity and selectivity for a reduction reaction of an oxidant, and is highly stable under an acidic atmosphere thereby being capable of improving performances of a membrane-electrode assembly and fuel cell system.

A fuel cell is a power generation system for producing electrical energy through an electrochemical redox reaction of an oxidant and fuel such as hydrogen, or a hydrocarbon-based material such as methanol, ethanol, natural gas, and the like.
The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is a clean energy source that is capable of replacing fossil fuels. It has advantages such as high power output density and energy conversion efficiency, operability at room temperature, and being small-sized and tightly sealed. Therefore, it can be applicable to a wide array of fields such as non-polluting automobiles, and electricity generation systems and portable power sources for mobile equipment, military equipment, and the like.
Representative exemplary fuel cells include a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and a direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC).
The direct oxidation fuel cell includes a direct methanol fuel cell that uses methanol as fuel.
The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell has an advantage of a high energy density and high power, but also has problems in the need to carefully handle hydrogen gas and the requirement of additional devices such as a fuel reforming processor for reforming methane or methanol, natural gas, and the like in order to produce hydrogen as the fuel gas.
On the contrary, a direct oxidation fuel cell has a lower energy density than that of the gas-type fuel cell but has the advantages of easy handling of the liquid-type fuel, a low operation temperature, and no need for additional fuel reforming processors. Therefore, it has been acknowledged as an appropriate system for a portable power source for small and common electrical equipment.
In the above-mentioned fuel cells, a stack that generates electricity includes several to scores of unit cells stacked adjacent to one another, and each unit cell is formed of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and a separator (also referred to as a bipolar plate).
The membrane-electrode assembly is composed of an anode (also referred to as a "fuel electrode" or an "oxidation electrode") and a cathode (also referred to as an "air electrode" or a "reduction electrode") that are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane.
Fuel is supplied to an anode and adsorbed on catalysts of the anode, and the fuel is oxidized to produce protons and electrons. The electrons are transferred into a cathode via an outer-circuit, and the protons are also transferred into the cathode through the polymer electrolyte membrane.
In addition, an oxidant is supplied to the cathode, and then the oxidant, the protons, and the electrons are reacted on catalysts of the cathode to produce electricity along with water.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Catalyst for a fuel cell, a method for preparing the same, and a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system including the same

Gongse-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do


In a method for operating an arc furnace (2) with at least one electrode (3a, 3b, 3c), a solid material fed to the arc furnace (1) is melted by an arc (1) formed by the at least one electrode (3a, 3b, 3c). A measurement (MM) for the mass of one part of the solid material arranged on a boundary (2) of the arc furnace (1) is determined, and using the determined measurement (MM), a process variable of the arc furnace (1) is controlled and/or regulated. A method which can reduce the risk of electrode damage caused by metal scraps falling into the treated area is provided.

An arc furnace serves for producing liquid metal, generally steel. The liquid metal is produced from solid melting charge, for instance scrap or reduced iron, together with further additions. For this purpose, at the beginning of the process the arc furnace is charged with scrap and/or reduced iron and possibly further additions or alloying constituents and then at least one arc is struck between at least one electrode and the solid melting charge. The energy introduced into the arc furnace by the at least one arc leads to the melting of the solid melting charge. During the melting process, additives, such as coal or lime, or alloying elements may generally also be fed to the arc furnace.
The melting process in the arc furnace is generally accompanied by acoustic phenomena, since the melting charge inside the arc furnace moves during the melting process. These phenomena may, for example, be caused to varying extents by the burning of the arc, by chemical reactions or else by scrap collapses.
Particularly scrap collapses during the melting process are problematic, since—if there is a correspondingly great moving mass—they can lead to damage or rupture of an electrode in the arc furnace.

Method for operating an arc furnace comprising at least one electrode, regulating and/or control device, machine-readable program code, data carrier and arc furnace for carrying out said method


An adaptive anti-collision method for vehicles has steps of creating multiple driving patterns with each driving pattern corresponding to a vehicle speed, a safe distance and a braking distance parameter, such as longer safe distance configured for faster vehicle speed, and higher vehicle speed or shorter safe distance for different road condition, acquiring dynamic information, such as vehicle speed or acceleration, of the vehicle using sensors on the vehicle, combining the dynamic information and drivers' driving behavior to determine a driving pattern through a statistical analysis and a neural network, adjusting control parameters of the vehicle according to the driving pattern for an electronic control unit of the vehicle to issue an alert or activate a braking action according to the driving pattern. Accordingly, the anti-collision method can be adapted to different vehicle speed, road condition and drivers' driving habits for adjusting the safe distance and the braking system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to an anti-collision method for vehicle, and more particularly to an adaptive anti-collision method providing timely alert information by predicting driver's condition and fine-tuning vehicle parameters.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional vehicles have been equipped with various driving safety assistance apparatuses, such as FCWS (Forward Collision Warning System) or AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking), to avoid drivers to be at the risk of collision upon driving. Those driving safety assistance apparatuses primarily utilize a radar detector mounted on a front end of a present vehicle to detect a distance between a vehicle or an obstacle in the front and the present vehicle with radar wave. If the distance between the present vehicle and the vehicle in the front is lower than a preset distance, those driving safety assistance apparatuses activate a braking system of the present vehicle to stop the present vehicle and issue an alert, thereby avoiding rear-end collision or other type of collision.
With reference to FIG. 12, an anti-collision algorithm performed by a conventional anti-collision system determines if a vehicle or an obstacle in the front is too close to a present vehicle (101), if positive, sends forth a sound or an alert light to remind the driver of the vehicle in the front being too close (102), further determines if the vehicle in the front is getting closer to the present vehicle (103), if positive, pre-charges a braking device of the present vehicle, determines if the driver has taken any action, such as pressing brake pedal, to avoid vehicle collision (105), and if negative, forcibly decelerate the present vehicle to keep a safe distance for prevention of vehicle collision (106). However, the drawback of the foregoing FCWS, AEB or anti-collision systems is the use of a pre-determined value for the safe distance between vehicles because the safe distance of the present vehicle varies with vehicle-driving speeds (for example, the safe distance should be increased upon driving at a high speed), drivers' ways of determining the safe distance between vehicles (longer distance for drivers with higher safety concern and shorter distance for drivers having vehicle-following and abruptly barking habits), road conditions, performance of braking systems, or ground adherence of tires. The foregoing anti-collision systems do not meet drivers' driving habits for failing to brake the vehicles at the right time or earlier because of the fixed and pre-determined safety distance.

Adaptive anti-collision method for vehicle


Embodiments are provided for applying pilot tone modulations to optical signals by introducing bias bits to data frames carried on the optical signals. Since the modulation is done by modifying data, the modulation depth is accurate, and there is no need for calibration or feedback control, which can improve power monitoring accuracy and simplify implementation. In an embodiment, a transmitter determines a period of a pilot tone modulation for tracking or identifying an optical channel. The transmitter inserts a sequence of bias bits, periodically according to the determined period, in a plurality of frames comprising original data bits. The amplitudes of the optical signals carrying the frames are modulated at a higher frequency than the pilot tone modulation. The optical signals are then transmitted including the bias bits within the frames.

In optical systems such as dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems, low frequency modulation in the form of pilot tone modulations can be applied to a channel to carry its wavelength and other identification information, which improves fiber link management and facilitates power monitoring. The low modulations are usually added internally via a data driver by modulating its driving amplitude, or externally via variable optical attenuators (VOAs). Modulations added through data drivers require additional hardware and hence cost. The driver also requires feedback control and calibration, increasing system complexity. Modulations added through external VOAs also increase cost and cause difficulty for achieving higher frequency modulation. There is a need for an efficient pilot tone modulation scheme that overcomes such issues.

System and method for pilot tone modulation by data bias


A composition comprising the following structure: (formula I) wherein Re represents a rhenium ion having a +1 charge; (formula II) represents an uncharged bidentate bicyclic ligand bonded to the rhenium (Re) by two ring nitrogen (N) atoms; and L is a neutral ligand independently selected from CO and neutral phosphine molecules, wherein at least one of the L groups is a CO molecule; and X− represents a non-coordinating monovalent anion; wherein (formula II) is unsubstituted or substituted on any of its two rings, and said neutral phosphine molecule may or may not contain a phosphorus atom as a ring phosphorus atom; provided that, if (formula II) is unsubstituted, then one or two of said L groups are selected from said neutral phosphine molecules, with the provision that at least one of the neutral phosphine molecules has a phosphorus atom as a ring phosphorus atom. Methods for treating cancer by administering the above complex are also disclosed.

Many cancers, such as ovarian cancer, are currently being treated with platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin or carboplatin. Although the platinum-based agents have significantly contributed to the treatment of cancer, they have several limitations, including susceptibility to relapse and platinum resistance. Moreover, the broad cytotoxicity of the platinum agents often results in substantial side effects.
The chemotherapeutic drug, cisplatin, is used in over 50% of all cases of cancer. This cytotoxic agent is used as the first-line treatment for several cancer types, including testicular and ovarian cancers. Despite its clinical success, it is limited by toxic side effects, and a decreased efficacy due to both inherent and acquired resistance of tumor cells to this drug. The design of improved agents, capable of circumventing cisplatin-resistance, is needed.
Of the cancers, there is a particular need for improved treatment of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer-related death in women (Siegel, R., et al. Cancer Statistics, 2012, CA. Cancer J. Clin., 2012, 62, 10-29). Treatment is manageable at early stages of the disease using the platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin and carboplatin (Raja, F. A., et al. Optimal First-Line Treatment in Ovarian Cancer, Ann. Oncol., 2012, 23, x118-x127). However, relapse is common and has a substantially poorer prognosis, with median survival times between 12-24 months (Armstrong, D. K., Relapsed Ovarian Cancer: Challenges and Management Strategies for a Chronic Disease, Oncologist, 2002, 7, 20-28).
Platinum-based drugs have several limitations for treating relapsed ovarian cancer. For example, the relapsed tumors are frequently platinum-resistant, rendering cisplatin and carboplatin treatments ineffective (Agarwal, R., et al. Ovarian Cancer: Strategies for Overcoming Resistance to Chemotherapy, Nat. Rev. Cancer, 2003, 3, 502-516) and the broad cytotoxicity of the platinum agent can give rise to significant side effects (Florea, A.-M., et al. Cisplatin as an Anti-Tumor Drug: Cellular Mechanisms of Activity, Drug Resistance and Induced Side Effects, Cancers, 2011, 3, 1351-1371). Furthermore, direct in vivo or in vitro imaging of the distribution of the platinum drugs is generally not possible using conventional methods. Drugs or drug candidates that bear such imaging modalities (i.e., theragnostic agents) enable the real-time evaluation of drug response and distribution, facilitating the evaluation of patient dosage and response. New chemotherapeutic agents that overcome the treatment limitations of the platinum drugs and simultaneously serve as theragnostic agents would greatly benefit the treatment of various cancers, particularly ovarian cancer.

Rhenium complexes and methods of use for treating cancer


A low noise differential charge amplifier circuit for measuring discrete (e.g., pico coulomb) charges in noisy, elevated temperature and corrosive environments. An input stage of a differential charge amplifier circuit includes a twisted and or untwisted two pair cable with a grounded shield. One twisted and or untwisted pair can be connected to a sensor and a first charge amplifier and a second twisted and or/untwisted pair can be connected to a sensor electrical equivalent impedance circuit and or kept open and a second charge amplifier. The output from the charge amplifiers can be directed to a differential amplifier in order to provide an amplified sensor signal without external noise signal mainly from power supply mains. The differential amplifier and the charge amplifiers can include an auto offset correction circuit to reduce errors due to offsets.

Signal conditioning circuits are often utilized as an interface in a signal conditioning unit to convert a differential input signal received from a data source into a more usable output signal. Signal conditioning circuits can be utilized in conjunction with sensors or transducers to receive a sensor or transducer output signal and convert this signal into an output voltage or current or frequency or pulse width or pulse position in analog or digital form utilized by a control system. For example, in order to maintain the quality of air, it is desirable to control internal combustion engine emissions. It is therefore necessary to provide long cable connections between the sensors and the signal conditioning circuits, which as a result, suffers from a poor signal to noise ratio due to the "pick up" of electrical interference and noise in the connecting cable. The degree of such interference is a function of the length of the connecting cable, sensitivity of the sensor and the general character of the electrical load.
Generally in the sensors the signal conditioning is a front end analog electronics which is very critical and difficult to design as it has to have high sensitivity, good selectivity, and immunity to noise, low cost, reproducible and mass producible. Such signal conditioning circuits include a voltage amplifier or a charge amplifier or a current amplifier (electrometer). For example, exhaust sensors utilized for sensing particulate matter the measured charge can be in the order of less than or equal to a pico coulombs. The signal to noise ratio will be very poor and the most of the noise will be due to common mode noise pick up from power line and other sources.
In a majority of prior art signal-conditioning circuits the signal from the sensor can be processed with noise and in the signal conditioning unit the noise can be eliminated selectively. But this results in a saturation condition at signal condition stage if the noise level is sufficiently large. Also if the signal and noise frequencies are the same then selectively eliminating the noise becomes a great challenge, difficult and expensive. Similarly, the noise at the input of the signal-conditioning amplifier can also be eliminated which has to be implemented in the analog amplifier design. The charge amplifiers utilized in sensing less than or equal to a pico coulomb charges in the exhaust gas and/or in the engine cylinder can be embedded in the common mode noise. Common mode noise is a disturbance that affects a plurality of lines similarly (e.g., causing a change of voltage of similar polarity and amplitude on each of the lines).
Common mode noise may be induced upon differential lines by another line that is parasitically coupled to the differential lines. The lines may be conductors, for example conductors formed in a metal layer of an integrated circuit or wires. The lines can carry signals. The signals carried by the line that is parasitically coupled to the differential lines may affect the signals carried by the differential lines through the effect of the parasitic coupling. The biggest source of common-mode noise is the difference in potential between two physically remote grounds. The second most significant common-mode noise source is ungrounded sources. Common-mode rejection techniques can be implemented to prevent common-mode noise from being converted to normal-mode voltage.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram representation 100 of a prior art co-axial cable 190 utilized for connecting sensor element 140 and differential amplifier (charge or voltage or current) 170. The signal from the sensor 140 can be connected to the differential amplifier 170 through the co-axial cable 190. The co-axial cable 190 includes an inner cable 120 and an outer shield 110. The differential amplifier 170 can receive an output signal 150 and 160 from the inner cable 120 and the outer shield 110. The differential amplifier 170 delivers an output signal 180, which is proportional to the difference between the voltages on its input 150 and 160. The signal induced due to external interference in the inner cable 120 is almost zero and the signal induced due to the external interference on the outer shield 110 is maximum because the outer shield 110 functions to shield the inner cable 120. As depicted in FIG. 1, a 50 Hz noise signal 130 can be picked up by the outer shield 110 and will be maximum, which results in an increase in noise level at the output 180 of the differential amplifier 170.
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram representation 200 of a prior art untwisted pair of cable 290 utilized for connecting the sensor element 140 and differential charge amplifier 170. Note that in FIGS. 1-3, identical or similar parts or elements are generally indicated by identical reference numerals. The differential auto zero offset charge amplifier 170 can receive an output signal 240 from a first wire 220 and another output signal 230 from a second wire 210 of the untwisted pair cable 290. The 50 Hz/mains power supply frequency or external noise signal 130 picked up by the untwisted/twisted pair cable 290 will be equal; hence an output 250 of the differential charge amplifier 170 to 50 Hz picked up noise signal 130 will be a minimum. A shielded, twisted pair can be utilized in a channel to connect a signal from a source to an input terminal. The shields minimize capacitive coupling and the twisted wires minimize inductive coupling.
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram representation 300 of a prior art untwisted/twisted pair of cable 390 with grounded shield 320 utilized for connecting sensor element 140 and differential amplifier 170. The shield 320 of the untwisted/twisted cable 390 can be grounded. The differential charge amplifier 170 can receive an output signal 340 and 350 from the untwisted/twisted pair of cable 390. The output 360 of the differential charge amplifier 170 is immune to 50 Hz/mains power supply frequency or external noise signal 130 will be minimum as charge induced in the cable 390 will be minimum and equal. The twisted or untwisted grounded shield cable 390 can be utilized to reduce the common mode noise signal.
Based on the foregoing it is believed that a need exists for an improved low noise differential charge amplifier utilizing twisted or untwisted two pair cable with grounded shield for measuring less than or equal to pico coulomb charge in noisy elevated temperature and corrosive environment.

Low noise differential charge amplifier for measuring discrete charges in noisy and corrosive environments


Frequency division methods and circuits are provided for producing an output clock signal with a frequency related to the frequency of an input clock signal by a predetermined factor. The method and circuit rely on the input clock signal and on feedback from the output signal to produce an intermediate signal. The frequency of the intermediate signal is divided to produce the output clock signal. The method and circuit may be implemented using few circuit components. In an exemplary embodiment, the method and circuit may be used to produce an output clock signal with a frequency that is two-and-a-half times lower than the frequency of the input clock signal.

This invention relates to methods and circuits for providing an output clock signal with a frequency related to the frequency of an input clock signal.
Circuits may require clock signals with different frequencies for their operation. While multiple clock generation circuits may be used to produce clocks of different frequencies, the clock signals produced by the different clock circuits are generally not synchronized. In addition, the clock generation circuits require added circuitry, and occupy additional on-chip area. In integrated circuit implementations, the multitude of independent clock signals may require numerous input/output circuits to transmit the clock signals to other circuits or devices external to the integrated circuit.
Clock division circuits may be used to generate clock signals of different frequencies from a single input clock signal. The clock division circuits may require less circuitry and on-chip area than multiple clock generation circuits. In integrated circuits, the use of clock division circuitry requires only a single clock to be generated and/or received by the circuit. The integrated circuit may therefore require less input/output circuitry, as only a single clock need be received or transmitted. In addition, as the clock signals produced by clock division circuits are all dependent on the same input clock, the frequencies of the output clock signals are precisely synchronized.
Clock division circuits that produce clock signals with frequencies related to each other by particular integer ratios are well known. Clock division circuits that produce clock signals in non-integer ratios may rely on phase-locked loops (PLL) for their operation. Such clock division circuits may require large amounts of circuitry for their operation.
Improved clock division methods and circuits operative to produce output clock signals related by non-integer frequency ratios and requiring small amounts of circuitry are needed.

Clock frequency division methods and circuits


In its broadest context, the present invention is a system which enables a minor receptacle to be positioned within a major receptacle. The system employs a pair of bag supports formed from a length of wire. Each of the bag supports has a pair of identical ends. Each end includes an anchor portion and a bag supporting portion. The bag supporting portion is defined by first and second angled extents which define first and second distances. The first distance is adapted to be positioned over the peripheral edge of the major receptacle while the second distance is adapted to receive the peripheral edge of the minor receptacle. In this fashion the minor receptacle is supported within the major receptacle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a receptacle supporting system and more particularly pertains to such a system which can be easily fitted onto an existing receptacle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of a receptacles is known in the prior art. More specifically, receptacles are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,361 to McCellan discloses a bag holder support system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,911 to Goulter discloses a trash container attachments for supporting plastic bags. U.S. Design Pat. No. 280,871 to Provan discloses a plastic bag holding rack. U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,056 to McColg discloses a apparatus facilitating the use of a plastic grocery bag as a trash container. U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,713 to Greathouse discloses a trash can conversion kit. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,835 to Watts discloses a trash container apparatus.
In this respect, the supporting system of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of easily supporting a minor receptacle within a major receptacle.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for receptacle supporting systems. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


An auxiliary device for marking marks on a surface of a field playing surface. The device includes a frame attachable to a field line marking machine that includes a paint supply. A guide system having a length dimension is carried by the frame member. The guide system is oriented horizontally. A field paint coating apparatus is carried within the guide system carried by the frame member for movement over a fixed distance along the guide system. The field paint coating apparatus is connected to the paint supply carried by the field line marking machine and serves to paint marks accurately, precisely and reproducibly on a field playing surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a device for spraying or projecting a coating for use in forming a layout for an athletic playing field or court surface, and to methods for using such a device. More particularly, the invention relates to such a marking device for accurately applying two or more hash marks to a football field.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Most types of athletic playing fields and courts must have marking lines applied thereto for laying out boundaries and areas or regions of the field or court. In addition, under league regulations, football fields are required to have both five yard line markers, but also to have markers called "hash marks" at one yard intervals between the five yard line markers over the entire length of each side of the field. Hash marks for U.S. professional and college football fields are currently required to be precisely twenty-four (24″) inches in length, and are to be located four (4″) inches from each sideline. Some high school football fields have similarly spaced twenty-four (24″) inch hash marks that actually begin at and extend from the two sidelines.
While conventional coating devices for forming the long sidelines boundaries and the long five yard line markers across a football field are known in the art, such conventional devices are quite bulky and cumbersome to use. Due to the short length of each hash mark, using such devices to form hash marks at specific locations and to precise specifications on a field is not practical. In the known prior and current art, hash marks have been and are usually produced using templates and stencils. Of necessitaty, templates and stencils require multiple persons to handle, place, and then manually coat the material to form each hash mark, or a series of two or more hash marks, on the field at the obligatory one yard intervals and with therequired dimensions. The current method of forming hash marks requires an inordinate amount of time and person power. In addition, manually forming the hash marks often leads to inaccuracies in their size and placement.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a device for accurately, precisely and reproducibly applying hash marks to a football field playing surface, which device requires only a single person to accurately place two or more hash marks in their required location. Additionally, a need exists for a device and method for coating hash marks on a football field surface which device and method are both easy to use and accurate.

Device for applying marks to a playing field


A resilient railway rail fastening clip (3) has successive first to seventh portions (31 to 37), where in a non-operative configuration, the first and seventh portions (31, 37) form leg portions lying in a first plane (P), the second and sixth portions extend substantially away from and above the first plane (P), at least parts of the third and fifth portions (33, 35) extend towards and above the first plane (P) with their longitudinal axes lying substantially in a second plane (R) that intersects the first plane (P) at a first acute angle α, and the fourth portion (34) extends substantially in or below the first plane (P) with its longitudinal axis lying substantially in a third plane (Q) that intersects the first plane (P) at a second acute angle β, where 0°<β<α.

A recessed railseat is a transverse recess (channel) in the top surface of a concrete railway sleeper for receiving the foot of a railway rail. Respective railway rail clip anchoring devices (shoulders) are provided on either side of the recess for retaining resilient railway rail fastening clips which bear on the rail foot. An example of such a rail fastening clip is known from GB1510224, which is a clip of the type which is driven onto the rail foot in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail.
Railway rail fastening clips are known, for example from EP0619852A as shown in FIG. 1A and EP1987201A as shown in FIG. 1B, which are designed to be driven onto a rail foot laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail. One advantage of such clips is that they can be driven more readily by automatic machinery. One type of automatic clip driving machinery has paddles which are set at a certain height such that as they sweep they come into contact with the rear arches (heel) of the clip but do not touch the sleeper surface or any part of the anchoring device.
It is desirable to provide a railway rail fastening clip of a type which can be driven laterally by the afore-mentioned type of automatic clip driving machinery onto a railway rail seated in a recessed railseat.

Railway rail fastening clip and pad for recessed railseats


An industrially excellent, novel process for producing cephem compounds which are useful as medicines, particularly, antibiotics and represented by the following formula (III): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 means either group represented by the following formula: ##STR2## R.sup.2 denotes a carboxyl group or a carboxyl anion, and R.sup.3 stands for a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group substituted by an aliphatic acyloxy group having 1-6 carbon atoms, or any one of the groups represented by the following formulae: ##STR3## which comprises reacting in water a 3-cephem-4-carboxylate represented by the following formula (I): ##STR4## or a salt thereof with an acid chloride represented by the formula (II), R.sup.1 COCl.

Cephem compounds have heretofore been produced by reacting a 7-amino-3-cephem-4-carboxylate derivative or 7-aminocephalosporanic acid derivative, or the like with a carboxylic acid chloride or carboxylic acid in an organic solvent, thereby conducting an amidation. ##STR5##
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.125,190/1977, 68,795/1978 and 68,796/1978, which correspond to GB 1576625 and GB 1576626, disclose reaction examples in which 2-methoxyimino-2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetic acid is condensed with 7-amino-cepharosporanic acid in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride to produce ceftizoxime.
However, many of 7-amino-3-cephem-4-carboxylate derivatives are hardly soluble in organic solvents and require a large amount of a solvent upon their reactions. Therefore, their use has been extremely disadvantageous from the viewpoint of production cost. Besides, since organic solvents generally have toxicity or flammability, full measures must also be taken for equipment and the like from the viewpoint of work environment. As described above, the conventional production processes making use of an organic solvent have involved problems of bulk material cost and manufacturing facilities.
In addition, since the cephem compounds are used as medicines, products having extremely high purity are required. For this reason, the products are finally purified by column chromatography. Since the cephem compounds themselves are high-polar substances, reverse phase chromatography is in use for purification from the viewpoint of purification efficiency.
When the reaction is carried out using an organic solvent, however, it has been necessary to remove a large amount of the reaction solvent by concentration to replace it by a solvent (polar solvent) for chromatography. There has also been a problem that when the amount of the residual solvent is large due to insufficient concentration, purification efficiency of chromatography is lowered.

Process for producing cephem compounds in an aqueous medium


A cooling unit having two single piece cold plate pipe components is disclosed. The cooling unit has a first pipe operable to transport coolant. A first cold plate has a top surface with a lateral groove to accept a section of the first pipe. The groove includes a first inlet coupled to a first hole in the section of the first pipe. The groove has a first outlet coupled to a second hole in the section of the first pipe. Coolant is circulated from the first inlet through the cold plate to the first outlet. The section of the first pipe is connected to the first cold plate. A second pipe is operable to transport coolant. A second cold plate is located next to the first cold plate. The second cold plate has a groove to accept a section of the second pipe. The groove includes an inlet coupled to a first hole in the section of the second pipe. The groove includes an outlet coupled to a second hole in the section of the second pipe. The coolant is circulated from the second inlet through the second cold plate to the second outlet. The section of the second pipe is connected to the second cold plate.

Electronic devices, such as servers, include numerous electronic components that are powered by a common power supply. Servers generate an enormous amount of heat due to the operation of internal electronic devices such as controllers, processors, and memory. Overheating from the inefficient removal of such heat has the potential to shut down or impede the operation of such devices. Thus, current servers are designed to rely on air flow through the interior of the device to carry away heat generated from electronic components. Servers often include various heat sinks that are attached to the electronic components such as processing units. Heat sinks absorb the heat from the electronic components, thus transferring the heat away from the components. The heat from heat sinks must be vented away from the server. Air flow to vent away such heat is often generated by a fan system.
Due to the improvement of high-performance systems, the amount of heat that needs to be removed becomes higher with each new generation. With the advent of even more powerful components, traditional air cooling in combination with fan systems are inadequate to sufficiently remove heat generated by new generation servers. The development of liquid cooling has been spurred by the need for increased cooling. Liquid cooling is the best solution for rapid heat removal due to the superior thermal performance from liquid cooling. At room temperature, the heat transfer coefficient of air is only 0.024 W/mK while a coolant, such as water, has a heat transfer coefficient of 0.58 W/mK, which is 24 times than that of air. It is more effective in transporting heat away from a heat source to a radiator, and allows heat removal from critical parts without noise pollution. Typically, a liquid cooling system will include a cold plate, which is a block that forms a network of internal channels for liquid coolant flow. The cold plate will include an inlet and an outlet that allows coolant from a pipe to fluidly access the internal channels. The inlet and outlet are attached to pipes that supply coolant to the inlet and funnel coolant from the outlet. The cold plate is installed in contact with the electronic component, and the liquid coolant circulating through the pipes transfers generated heat away from the component.
However, liquid cooling systems present unique challenges. For example, one of the most feared problems of liquid cooling solutions is coolant leakage. Leaks are often caused by the joints between the various pipes that are necessary to circulate the coolant to the components that require cooling. Leaking from liquid cooling systems may cause short circuits and impede the operation of servers and other systems.
Such liquid cooling system problems are compounded by the dense packaging of components on modern server systems. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a known circuit board 10 has electronic components, such as processor chips 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22, arranged in a row. In this example, such components may require large amounts of power (e.g., 120 W from each component) and therefore generate large amounts of heat. Such a large number of high power components 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 in a row have very small gaps between the components 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. The small gaps between the components do not provide enough space to place a pipe connector, such as that required by a traditional cold plates, between the components 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. It is not feasible to use a large cold plate instead of individual cold plates to cover all of the components 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22, because the poor contact caused by the gaps between components and a large plate created by component and plate tolerances.
Thus, there is a need for a liquid cooling design that uses floating cold plates to create contact sufficient for cooling of components. There is also a need for a liquid cooling design that allows adequate cooling of densely arrangement components. There is a further need for a one piece pipe and cold plate to prevent the leaking of coolant.

Cooling system with floating cold plate with single pipes


A hot runner apparatus for a mold assembly of an injection molding machine includes a hot runner plate assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion and a machine axis extending therebetween. At least one insert coupling having an axial bore is secured to the first end portion of the hot runner plate assembly, for separable sealed engagement with a gate insert affixed to a cold half of the mold assembly. The insert coupling includes a coupling interface for contacting a mating interface of the gate insert in sealed contact during an injection cycle of the injection molding machine. The coupling interface includes a primary side surface that is inclined relative to the machine axis.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,216 (Kmoch et al.) purports to disclose an injection molding machine including a nozzle assembly having a channel for conveying a fluid. At least one cavity insert is removably mounted within a cavity plate. The at least one cavity insert defines a mold cavity, and a first portion of a gate for communicating the fluid between the nozzle assembly and the mold cavity. A gate insert defines a receptacle for the nozzle assembly, and further defines a second portion of the gate. The gate insert is floatably retained between the nozzle assembly and the at least one cavity insert. Preferably, the gate insert is retained by a gate insert plate that is disposed between the cavity plate and the nozzle assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,305 (Fernandez et al.) purports to disclose a nozzle for injecting a moldable material that has a nozzle body which defines a nozzle channel leading to the nozzle outlet. The nozzle outlet is controlled by an axially slidable nozzle pin extending coaxially through the nozzle channel. A guide sleeve slidably supports the nozzle pin until it reaches the region adjacent the nozzle outlet. As a result, the length along which the nozzle pin is exposed to the moldable material is significantly reduced, thereby substantially eliminating the bending stresses applied to the nozzle pin by the pressure asymmetries in the incoming moldable material. The nozzle pin may also be retracted fully within the guide sleeve to provide an unobstructed path for the moldable material to flow through and consolidate as it approaches the nozzle outlet. With this arrangement, the incoming moldable material may be conveyed towards the nozzle channel asymmetrically with respect to the axis of the nozzle pin without any deleterious effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,542 (Romanski et al.) purports to disclose a valve gating apparatus for injection molding including at least one shutter disposed between the gate and the cavity melt channel into a mold cavity. The shutter is removably fastened to a rail member. When the rail member is moved laterally, the shutter moves between a closed position wherein flow of melt from the nozzle into the cavity is inhibited, and an open position wherein flow of melt into the cavity is unimpeded by the shutter.

Hot runner apparatus for an injection molding machine


A kit and process for retrofitting hydroponic lamp hoods with thermal insulation, and an apparatus for a thermally insulated hydroponic light hood.

This invention relates generally to the field of hydroponic lamp hoods and more specifically to an insulated lamp hood and a kit for retrofitting hydroponic lamp hoods with insulation.
Hydroponic gardening methods have been reported for thousands of years. The famed hanging gardens of Babylon have been speculated to have been hydroponic in nature. Recently hydroponic gardening has had a resurgence of popularity in part because of increasingly sophisticated systems and equipment being available to the public including high intensity lamps. These lamps produce large amounts of light in spectrums which plants use very efficiently to grow.
High intensity lamps being used in hydroponic systems have one recurrent unsolved problem which is how to dissipate or control the high amounts of heat generated by the high intensity lamps. Although hydroponic systems generally work well with some heat, very high temperatures are counterproductive. Eliminating the high heat from the high intensity lamps is a serious and significant problem in medium and large scale hydroponic systems.

Method and apparatus for insulating hydroponic lamps


A filter driving device including a filter; a coupling part to which the filter is coupled; a crank arm of which one side is connected to the coupling part and of which the other side is connected to a driving shaft, and which reciprocatingly rotates around the driving shaft; a first stopper provided at a part close to the driving shaft from the center portion of the crank arm, and restricting the rotational angle of the crank arm; and an accommodation part for accommodating the filter, the coupling part and the crank arm is provided.

The contents described in this section merely provide background information on the embodiments and do not constitute the prior art.
The camera module included in a photographing apparatus may be provided with a filter. Such a filter is used for the purpose of enhancing sharpness of the captured image, implementing necessary effects in the image, and the like.
Desired images may be obtained using various kinds of filters rather than using one filter. Therefore, the camera module is equipped with several filters or several types of filters, and it is necessary to attach different filters according to a subject to be photographed.
Accordingly, the camera module may be provided with a filter driving device capable of applying various kinds of filters. Such a filter driving device may be driven manually or automatically.
An automatically driven filter driving device may be automatically be driven by, for example, ambient luminance to replace a filter with another one.
However, since such a filter driving device requires mechanical driving, it may make a collision sound by contact or collision with other structures, mechanisms, devices, and the like provided in the camera module during operation.
Such a collision sound may make a user of the photographing apparatus or a person around the photographing apparatus feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the filter driving device to significantly attenuate this collision sound.

Filter driving device and camera module including same


A pixel circuit of an image sensor includes a floating diffusion node and a reset transistor. The reset transistor is coupled between the floating diffusion node and a reset control signal node of another pixel circuit of the image sensor. A voltage applied on the reset control signal node of the other pixel circuit is a reset voltage transmitted to the floating diffusion node via the reset transistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to image sensors, and more particularly, to a pixel circuit coupled to a reset control signal node of another pixel circuit for receiving a reset voltage and/or a power supply voltage, to reduce wiring in an image sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensors are commonly included in many electronic devices such as mobile phones and digital still cameras. A CMOS image sensor senses an image, converts the image into electrical signals that are in turn converted into digital image signals. The digital image signals output from the CMOS image sensor are typically for three-colors (red, green, and blue). After being processed, the digital image signals drive a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a conventional CMOS image sensor 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the image sensor 100 includes an APS (active pixel sensor) array 110, a row driver 120, and an ADC (analog-to-digital converter) 130.
The row driver 120 receives a control signal from a row decoder (not shown), and the ADC 130 receives a control signal from a column decoder (not shown). The image sensor 100 also includes a controller (not shown) that generates timing control signals as well as addressing signals used for detecting and outputting a respective image signal for each pixel.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example color filter pattern of the APS array 110 of FIG. 1. The CMOS image sensor 100 that is a color image sensor includes a respective color filter in an upper part of each pixel to receive and detect light of a certain color. The CMOS image sensor 100 includes at least three types of color filters to form a color signal. The most common color filter pattern is a Bayer pattern as illustrated in FIG. 2.
In FIG. 2, a pixel with a "G" designation has a color filter for the green color, a pixel with an "R" designation has a color filter for the red color, and a pixel with a "B" designation has a color filter for the blue color. In such a Bayer pattern, green, which is closely related to a luminance signal, is placed in all rows, and red and blue are placed in alternate rows to enhance luminance resolution. For enhanced resolution, a CMOS image sensor typically includes more than one million pixels for implementing common electronic devices such as a digital still camera.
The APS array 110 includes photodiodes which convert received light of such colors into electrical signals to generate image signals. The analog image signals output from the APS array 110 are three-color (red, green, and blue) analog image signals. The ADC 130 receives the analog image signals and converts the analog image signals into digital signals using a well-known correlated double sampling (CDS) method.
FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of a unit pixel circuit 300 included in the APS array 110 of FIG. 1 for a respective pixel. Referring to FIG. 3, the unit pixel circuit 300 includes a photodiode PD and four transistors. In analog to digital conversion using the CDS method, a reset signal VRES and an image signal VSIG are output from the pixel circuit 300 for each pixel.
To this end, referring to FIG. 3, a row for the pixel is selected by activation of a row select signal SEL. For output of the reset signal VRES, a reset control signal RX turns on a reset transistor to couple a power supply voltage VDD to a floating diffusion (FD) node. Such power supply voltage VDD coupled to the FD node forms the reset signal VRES output through a source follower transistor and a row select transistor.
For output of the image signal VSIG, the photodiode PD converts received light into an electrical signal that is transferred to the FD node via a transfer transistor upon activation of a transfer control signal TX. Such electrical signal at the FD node is output as the image signal VSIG through the source follower transistor and the row select transistor.
For correlated double sampling, the difference between the reset signal VRES and the image signal VSIG, which is an analog signal, is converted into a digital signal by the ADC 120. The row select signal SEL, the reset control signal RX, and the transfer control signal TX may be generated by the row driver 120 in FIG. 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the unit pixel circuit 300 in the CMOS image sensor 100 includes the photodiode PD and the transistors for outputting the reset signal VRES and the image signal VSIG with appropriate timing.
Recently, the number of pixels desired in an image sensor has increased such that smaller size pixels are in turn desired. Therefore, metal wiring for connecting the photodiode PD and the transistors in the unit pixel circuit 300 is desired to be reduced for securing sufficient space for the photodiode PD.
To this end, the number of transistors used in a unit pixel circuit may be reduced as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,803 to Kang for example. Alternatively, size of the transistors in the unit pixel circuit 300 may be reduced using advanced fabrication technology. However, there is a limit to reducing the number of transistors required in the unit pixel circuit 300, and advanced fabrication technology is expensive.
To ensure that external light reaches the photodiode PD, metal wiring in an upper layer of the photodiode PD, which may be a major obstruction for such light, may be minimized. However, there is a limit to reducing the widths of metal wires when complying with design rules in integrated circuit fabrication.


A power source for a hybrid vehicle is provided which can protect its electric motor driving circuit from being damaged by a back electromotive force generated in a motor. The back electromotive force generated in an electric motor is detected by a high voltage detector circuit and converted by a step-down circuit into a low voltage which is then stored in a low-voltage second battery. Accordingly, as the back electromotive force does not become excessively high, it will be prevented from damaging a switching circuit. Also, the back electromotive force generated in the motor is charged in the low-voltage battery and can thus be supplied to a control circuit or any other component, contributing to the reduction of the fuel consumption of the hybrid vehicle. The back electromotive force can alternatively be diverted for charging a medium-voltage third battery.

A hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor generator commonly employs a high potential of a few hundreds volts for contributing to the size reduction and the high efficiency of the motor generator as well as a low voltage of 14 V (or 12 V) for power supply to electric components which are used in an existing combustion engine vehicle. Consequently, a high voltage battery for providing a high voltage of a few hundreds volts is provided in addition to a common 14-V (12-V ) low-voltage battery. Also, a medium voltage of 42 V is sometimes utilized for motors consuming a large amount of power, such as an electric power steering motor and an air conditioning compressor motor. In general, a medium voltage of 42 V is generated as a result of stepping down a high potential by a DC/DC converter and no specific medium voltage battery, is provided.
Disclosed in Prior Art is an invention for responding to the back electromotive force of an electric motor in an electrical power steering device.
Prior Art: JP 2002-321631 A is incorporated herein by reference.


A self-drive blast apparatus in accordance with the present invention surrounds a area wherein two wall surfaces intersect at a specified angle, to form a substantially sealed space between the apparatus and the wall surfaces, and the body of the blast apparatus adheres by suction onto the wall surfaces by reducing the pressure in the space, so that the apparatus can move along the two wall surfaces and conduct blast cleaning by projecting blast material onto the wall surfaces. The apparatus is capable of moving along the wall surfaces in retaining suction-adhered condition by driving wheels held in positions generally perpendicular to the corresponding wall surface. And, while the apparatus is moving, a blast cleaning process is performed on the wall surfaces in the space. The projected blast material, the dirt removed by the blast material, and the like are blown up in the space and recovered through a depressurization path by the air which introduced into the space during the depressurization of the space.

As is widely known, a considerable difficulty is involved in conducting by manual works, such kind of works as the cleaning and the conditioning of the substrate surface prior to painting of the inner and outer wall surfaces, in a ship, high-rise building, huge tank, or the like. For this reason, automating those works without relying on manual works has been studied, and various apparatus for the automation have been proposed.
For example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. Sho 60-28715 discloses an apparatus which adheres onto a wall surface and moves along the wall surface, wherein the apparatus basically comprising a pressure-receiving body, wheels for driving an apparatus body, seal for defining a depressurized space in cooperation with the pressure-receiving body and with the outer wall surface, and a depressurization source for discharging fluid from the depressurized space. Also, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. Sho 60-26752 discloses an apparatus comprising, in addition to that basic arrangement, a mechanism for blast cleaning by projecting blast material onto a wall surface which the apparatus suction-adheres onto and moves along.
In these conventional apparatus, for the purpose of moving the apparatus along a wall surface, a space defined by a casing as the pressure-receiving body and the wall surface is depressurized, while to the casing is attached a seal member which is made of a substantially unbreathable and pliable material, and through the seal member the casing closely adheres to the wall surface. The apparatus adheres by suction onto the wall surface by reducing the pressure within the substantially sealed space between the apparatus and the wall surface lower than the pressure outside the apparatus. While maintaining the suction-adhered condition, the apparatus moves along the wall surface with driving wheels coupled to the apparatus. The apparatus is capable of conducting blast cleaning, for example, by projecting blast material onto the wall surface along which the apparatus moves.
By the way, in conducting such works as the cleaning and the conditioning of the substrate surface prior to painting of the inner and outer wall surfaces, in a ship, high-rise building, huge tank, or the like, it is known that a difficulty is involved in the works in a corner where two wall surfaces intersect at a specified angle. The conventional apparatus, however, have not been capable of dealing with a corner where two wall surfaces intersect each other at a specified angle, though the apparatus are capable of dealing with one wall surface (which is typically a flat one).
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a self-drive blast apparatus which is capable of moving along two wall surfaces which intersect at a specified angle while keeping suction-adhered onto the wall surfaces, and capable of conducting and blast cleaning by injecting blast material onto an portion wherein the two wall surfaces intersect and the vicinity thereof.


A system for dispensing thermoplastic bags or the like from a roll of bags. The present system is configured for point of use dispensing to a customer, such as in the produce section of a grocery store or market. The preferred, exemplary embodiment of the present system teaches a bag dispensing rack configured to hold a single roll of produce bags, but which is configured to provide an interlocking system for stacking multiple racks of bags one upon the other, each rack holding a single roll of bags, which may be of different configurations or sizes. Each bag pack is dispensed from a roll which includes first and second retaining side walls, a base, and a front opening terminating in a dispensing tongue, which is configured to engage an open slit situated medially relative to a perforated dispenser line juxtaposed each bag forming the bag roll. Further contemplated is a unique roll supporting surface configuration wherein the roll is saddled, providing easy installation of the system within the rack, while facilitating braking of the bag roll during dispensing so as to prevent over spooling during the dispensing process.

Produce bags are dispensed directly to customers at produce counters or the like, where the customer can bag the produce as it is chosen for purchase. A common problem with dispensing produce bags is providing the bag to the consumer in a convenient, simple, and reliable fashion. Further considerations relate to ease of replenishing the supply, uniformity of dispensing, ease of opening, and providing closure means such as bag ties or the like. Prior art patents have contemplated various dispensers for produce bags, including rolls of unfolded or folded bags, dispensing boxes, and stands, which may be wall mounted for free standing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,146 entitled "plastic bag dispenser" sets forth a system for dispensing bags from a roll having an axle, which is supported in a slot. A "finger" is provided on the upstream side of the tongue with a gap therebetween for receiving a portion of the next bag to be dispensed, temporarily anchoring same in a convenient location for access by the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,991 issued 1967 illustrates a gussetted bag having a lengthwise fold and sealed at the base to form a star seal, similar to the fold and bottom seal of the exemplary embodiment of the bags forming the roll in the present system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,134 issued 1992 teaches a dispenser for dispensing a roll of plastic bags, each of the bags having situated therebetween a perforated tear line having a medial slot for engaging a tongue (28) emanating from the dispenser, such that the tongue engages the slot as a bag is being removed, causing said perforated tear line to tear, disconnecting the bag being dispensed from the remainder of the roll.


The present invention is a new formulation and process for treating TiN semiconductor devices having a high aspect ratio structure formed thereon. The new composition is designed to be used in the chip making process between cleaning a wet etched memory device and its final rinse/drying process. It is intended to include the treatment in order to prevent collapse of the high aspect ratio TiN structure found on the semiconductor device.

The present invention relates to the art of preparing high performance semiconductor memory devices, and, in particular, those which may experience pattern collapse as a result of having high aspect ratio TiN structures formed thereon.
Since the invention of the integrated circuit in or about 1958, etching has been an important technology to the semiconductor industry. More recently, with advent of memory devices scaled down to below 50 nanometers, high aspect ratio (HAR) structures present a challenge to the manufacture process of semiconductor memory devices. In particular, a phenomenon known as pattern collapse occurs when forming several inorganic patterns on a substrate in parallel. Pattern collapse occurs when adjacent patterns deform so as to lean on one another, or, indeed, break down or become damaged when drying in the presence of a rinse liquid used after pattern formation. The force causing pattern collapse results from capillary forces which occur during the drying phase after rinsing by the rinse liquid. Thus, when the rinse liquid is removed in the drying step, stress resulting from capillary forces acting on the patterns causes collapse.
Various techniques and chemistries have been tried to prevent pattern collapse sufficiently to enable the manufacturers to fabricate the high aspect ratio structures by, e.g., conventional wet etching processes, and then rinsing and drying to prepare the devices for use. One body of technology relates to treating high aspect ratio containing substrate surfaces with a silylating agent.
For example, United States Published Patent Application US 2011/0195190 A1 ("190 Publication") discloses a surface treatment using a treatment liquid containing a silylating agent and a hydrocarbon non-polar solvent. The technique disclosed in the '190 Publication claims to be an improvement over a vapor treatment with a silylating agent as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. S60-25231 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2007-19465. It claims to be a further improvement of the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. H6-163391 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. H7-142349. See also non-patent reference "Proceedings of FPIE", Volume 5754, pp. 119-128 (2005).
Further in this regard U.S. Patent Published Application US 2011/0073011 A1 ("'011 Publication") discloses a surface treatment agent which includes a silyation agent containing at least one compound having a disilazane structure and a solvent containing a five- or six-membered ring lactone compound. The '011 Publication also refers to Japanese Unexamined Application, Publication No. H11-511900 for its disclosure of a silyation treatment using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). Problems concerning effective treatment using HMDS are claimed to have been overcome by using a silyation agent having a disilazane structure and a solvent containing a five- or six-membered ring lactone compound.
U.S. Published Application US 2011/0118494 A1 ("'494 Publication") claims to overcome problems associating with treatment of TiN or SiN using a cyclic silazane compound. The treatment disclosed in the '494 Publication includes an organic solvent capable of dissolving the cyclic silazane compound but which does not react with the compound and causes little or no damage to the substrate surface which is treated.
Further with respect to this technology, published U.S. Application No. US 2011/0054184 A1 ("'184 Publication") discloses conducting a silyation treatment on the surface of a semiconductor substrate using an agent which includes a silyation agent and a silylated heterocyclic compound. The silylated heterocyclic group included in such compound is preferably a silylated nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound which is characterized as having aromaticity. Solvents which can be used in the treatment disclosed in the '184 Publication are those solvents which are also set forth in the '494 Publication.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,977,039 B2 ("'039 Patent") discloses a rinse treatment for cleaning a substrate after an exposed pattern thereon has been subjected to developing treatment. The method of the '039 Patent include supplying pure water onto the substrate to clean the substrate, followed by supplying a first rinse solution composed of a surfactant with a predetermined concentration and thereafter supplying a second rinse treatment composed of a surfactant with a concentration lower than that of the first rinse solution.
Thus, while there have been several attempts at providing methods and compositions for preventing pattern collapse, the present invention provides an intermediate process step and composition for use between the cleaning and the final rinse/dry step to prevent pattern collapse of high aspect ratio TiN structures semiconductor devices.

Rinsing solution to prevent TiN pattern collapse


An optical device includes a light source, which is configured to emit a beam of light, and a sensor having a detection area. At least one scanning mirror is configured to scan the beam across a target scene. Light collection optics include a collection lens positioned to receive the light from the scene that is reflected from the at least one scanning mirror and to focus the collected light onto a focal plane, and a non-imaging optical element having a front surface positioned at the focal plane of the collection lens and a rear surface in proximity to the sensor and configured to spread the light focused by the collection lens over the detection area of the sensor.

Optical scanners are widely used for optically probing extended objects or target scenes. In a typical scanner a light source sends out a beam of light; the beam is scanned across the object by, for instance, a scanning mirror; then the light returned from the object is collected by collection optics and is directed to a sensor. The sensor emits a signal to a controller for further analysis.
High-performance optical scanners typically use both high-power light beams and high-speed scanners in order to sample and sense distant target scenes with high temporal and spatial resolution with a good signal-to-noise ratio.

Focal region optical elements for high-performance optical scanners


There is disclosed a method for preventing tissue injury caused by tissue hypoxia and reoxygenation, comprising administering a compound that inhibits signal transduction by inhibiting cellular accumulation of linoleoyl phosphatidic acid (PA) through an inhibition of the enzyme LPAAT (lysophosphatidic acyltransferase).

Acute lung injury, manifested clinically as the Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) occurs in more than 50% of patients following severe injury and blood loss. ARDS is characterized clinically by decreasing lung compliance and severe impairment of oxygen diffusion (Hammerschmidt et al., Lancet 1:947, 1980; Moore et al., J. Trauma 31:629, 1991; Pepe et al., Am. J. Surg. 144:124, 1982; and Baker et al., Am. J. Surg. 140:144, 1980). Histologic changes in the lungs which are present in this setting include neutrophil and mononuclear infiltrates, interstitial edema, intraaveolar hemorrhage, and fibrin formation. In injured patients, increased plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-8, as well as evidence of endothelial activation, as shown by elevated circulating titers of soluble intracellular adhesion molecules (sICAM), are found within one hour of blood loss and trauma Bronchoalveolar lavages obtained from patients with ARDS contain elevated titers of IL-1.beta. and TNF.alpha.. Also, release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 and TNF.alpha. is increased after blood loss (Abraham et al., Circ. Shock 25:33, 1988; Meldrum et al., J. Surg. Res. 51:158, 1991; and Ertel et al., Immunology 74:290, 1991). Studies examining the 4 hour period. immediately following hemorrhage demonstrated increased levels of mRNA for proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1.alpha., IL-1.beta., TNF.alpha., IL-6 and IFN-.gamma., among cells isolated from mucosal sites (e.g., lungs and intestines) but not among splenocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (Shenkar and Abraham, Lymphokine Cytokine Res. 12:237, 1993). It has been postulated that increased local production of proinflammatory cytokines may contribute to lung injury in this setting. Blood loss is a central factor in the pathophysiologic instability that follows trauma, and has been associated with alterations in macrophage, T cell and B cell function. Hemorrhage does not result in changes in absolute or relative numbers of T cell or B cell subsets in the spleen, lymph nodes, blood or lung (Abraham and Freitas, J. Immunol. 142:899, 1989; Robinson and Abraham, J. Immunol. 145:3734, 1990; Abraham et al. Cell. Immunol. 122:208, 1989; and Robinson et al., Clin. Exp. Immunol. 88:124, 1992).
It is possible that the local ischemia and/or hypoxia created by redistribution of blood flow in visceral (splanchnic) organs such as the gut (particularly the small intestine) and kidney are responsible for induction of the cytokine cascades, which in turn, result in distal organ injury. Evidence exists demonstrating that absolute and relative blood flow levels within these organs fall within minutes of volume shifts, hemorrhage, or induction of other causes of shock (textbook Hypertension). There is, therefore, a need in the art for compounds which (1) prevent initial production of proinflammatory cytokine mediators in response to decreased perfusion and (2) prevent redistribution of microcirculation induced by these proinflammatory cytokine mediators.
In severely injured patients, serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 are increased within one hour or injury, but do not appear to predict which patients will develop ARDS (Hoch et al., Crit. Care Med. 21:839, 1993). No detectable IL-1.alpha., IL-1.beta.. or endotoxin was found in patient samples obtained over 5 days post-injury in these patients (Hoch et al., infra.). Moreover, plasma levels of TNF are rarely increased following severe injury and there does not appear to be any correlation between the presence or amount of TNF.alpha. and the development of ARDS or organ system dysfunction.
Based upon experiments ongoing which examine the biochemical events following severe injury with blood loss and resulting tissue hypoxia, even if treated medicinally with fluids and/or blood products still results in inflammatory changes in the lungs and other organs.
Neutrophils are important for host-defense against bacterial and other infections. This is suggested as a consequence of observations that there is an increased infections seen in patients with insufficient numbers of neutrophils or with neutrophils with genetically determined abnormalities (e.g., chronic granulomatous disease). Antibiotics are available to treat infections (ie., be directly cytotoxic to the infectious agent), but there are no specific therapies available to treat septic shock or the compounding organ dysfunction that follows from septic shock or other causes of tissue hypoxia/ischemia. Therefore it may be necessary to risk decreasing neutrophil function (as direct cytotoxic agents against the pathogen) to prevent fatal lung injury and other organ dysfunction.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal hereditary disorder caused by mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The CFTR gene product is a 168 kD glycosylated membrane protein that functions as a chloride channel regulated by cytoplasmic protein kinases (Riordan et al., Science 245:1066, 1989). Although the link between mutations in the CFTR gene and the pathogenesis of CF are not understood, the lethal clinical manifestations of CF are related to a thick, infected mucus and chronic neutrophil-dominated inflammation of the epithelial surface of the airways. A large number of neutrophils place the airway epithelium in jeopardy consequent to exposure to potent neutrophil mediators, including neutrophil elastase (NE), and reactive oxygen species, and a variety of cytokines (Sibille and Reynolds, Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 141:471, 1990; and McElvaney et al., Lancet 337:392, 1991). Although critical to host defense, neutrophils cause progressive damage to airway epithelium by virtue of their potent mediators, most significantly NE. Not only can NE damage epithelial cells by direct proteolytic effects, but it can also hinder host defense by interfering with ciliary clearance, increasing mucus production, cleaving immunoglobulin and complement, and by impairing phagocytosis and killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by neutrophils. The fluid lining the respiratory epithelium in CF contains large numbers of activated neutrophils and active NE, and the NE in CF is capable of inducing bronchial epithelium cells to express the gene for IL-8 and release neutrophil chemotactic activity as properties of IL-8 (Nakamura et al., J. Clin. Invest. 89:1478, 1992). Neutrophils in the thick mucus are rendered hypoxic. Therefore there is a need in the art to find a therapeutic compound capable of inhibiting IL-8 signaling and thereby provide treatment for CF.
Hypoxic injury generates oxidative injury. For example, serum antioxidants may be predictors of ARDS in sepsis patients. At an initial diagnosis of sepsis (6-24 hr before development of ARDS), serum manganese superoxide dismutase concentration and catalase activity were higher is a study of patients (6) who subsequently developed ARDS as compared to patients (20) who did not develop ARDS (Leff et al., Lancet 341:777, 1993). Accelerated intravascular generation of oxygen radicals from stimulated neutrophils, circulating xanthine oxidase, and other sources have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis and ARDS (Repine, Lancet 339:466, 1992). Moreover, in vitro, exposure to decreasing oxygen tensions progressively increased xanthine dehydrogenase (XD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities over 48 hr in cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells without altering XD/XO ratios. Oxygen tension negatively modulates XO and its precursor XD, and was associated with an increase in release of O.sub.2.sup.- (Terada et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:3362, 1992). This connection to hypoxia and multiple organ failure or dysfunction is further strengthened by a clinical trial report that recombinant human superoxide dismutase administered in a placebo-controlled trial attenuated multiple organ failure, shortened intensive care therapy, and decreased the release of inflammatory mediators (Marzl et al., J. Trauma 35:110, 1993).

Method for preventing tissue injury from hypoxia


An apparatus generally having a first circuit and a second circuit is disclosed. The first circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of sum values by adding a plurality of pixel difference values between a current block and a reference block, one of the sum values corresponding to each of a plurality of smallest partitions of the current block. The second circuit configured to (i) generate a plurality of intermediate values from the sum values, one of the intermediate values corresponding to each of a plurality of possible partitions of the current block, (ii) store a plurality of lowest values among the intermediate values as the current block is moved through a search window and (iii) generate a motion signal conveying at least one motion vector based on the lowest values.

Motion estimation is employed to reduce temporal redundancy in digital video compression and is therefore a central part of the MPEG-x and the H.26x video coding standards. Conventional motion estimation computations command 60 to 80% of an encoding computational load. For large picture formats (i.e., standard definition and above) dedicated VLSI-architectures for motion estimation are employed. Numerous architectures exist for fixed block-size motion estimation (FBSME), which is based on a constant, translational motion model with fixed-size image blocks, usually 8 horizontal (H) by 8 vertical (V) or 16 H×16 V samples. A variable block size motion estimation (VBSME) processes, that allows a wider range of block sizes (i.e., 4 H×4 V, 4 H×8 V, 8 H×4 V, 8 H×8 V, 8 H×16 V, 16 H×8 V, and 16 H×16 V), provides better estimation of small and irregular motion fields resulting in a reduced number of bits used for coding prediction errors compared with FBSME. The VBSME process is a common component of motion models in recent video compression standards, such as H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 2, yet motion estimation processors that support VBSME are rare.
Two known VBSME approaches are currently available. A first VBSME approach uses a separate processing step for each block size. However, the first approach expends significant processing resources as a reference search area is traversed repeatedly, once for each block-size. A second VBSME approach operates on a smallest block-size and derives all larger block-size sum of absolute differences (SAD) by summing the corresponding small block-size SADs. Since the intermediate results from the small block-sizes are kept to generate the full block-size SADs, the second approach utilizes significant intermediate storage.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Multi-standard variable block size motion estimation processor


This disclosure relates to a method in a satellite telecommunications system, and a device for performing the method, the satellite telecommunications system including one or more satellites, wherein the one or more satellites are configured to transmit data via a first plurality of spotbeams, the method including analyzing data relating to the first plurality of spotbeams; identifying a set of spotbeams of the first plurality of spotbeams based on the analysis; assigning a group identifier to each spotbeam of the set of spotbeams; and sending an update message to the one or more satellites associated with each spotbeam of the set of spotbeams, the update message including the group identifier.

A satellite telecommunications system typically includes one or more satellites that each transmit data to user terminals. The satellite may transmit data via a transmission beam (typically known as a "spotbeam" when referring to satellite communications), and the coverage area of a spotbeam may cover a region the size of city, a country, or a continent depending on its application. The satellite (or satellites) may also transmit data via a plurality of spotbeams, which each partially overlap such that the overall coverage area of the satellite communication system is made up of the coverage areas of each spotbeam.
The satellite telecommunication system receives content from a terrestrial content provider for transmission via its one or more spotbeams. This may be live content such that it transmitted immediately or shortly after reception, or the content may be pre-populated for local storage and subsequent transmission. A content provider must send its content to each satellite having a spotbeam in which a user is consuming that content. The content provider must therefore maintain connections with all satellites (or at least their associated resource managers) to ensure that its content may be consumed by users in any spotbeam of the satellites. It is desirable to alleviate the above problems.

British Telecommunications public limited company


In a method of image filtering for carrying out picture element interpolation on a digital image signal obtained by sampling at a predetermined density an image signal representing an original image, the number of image signal components of the digital image signal is increased by interpolating, into the digital image signal, image signal components whose values are obtained on the basis of a predetermined operation using values of all the picture elements within the area covered with a filter and the coefficient of the filter corresponding to each of the picture elements. When an edge portion exists in the area covered with the filter, the predetermined operation is carried out after the image signal components for the picture elements representing the edge portion are corrected.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for filtering an image, and more particularly to those for carrying out an image filtering in which an interpolation processing is carried out to increase the number of image signal components of a digital image signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
There have been known image recording apparatus such as laser printers, thermal printers and the like for recording a digital image in an actual size or to an enlarged or reduced scale. In such an image recording apparatus, a digital image signal obtained by sampling an analog image signal is subjected to a predetermined image processing, as required, for instance, to an interpolation processing in the case where the image is to be enlarged and then reproduced on an image recording medium.
When the density of the picture elements of the image signal is changed as disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2(1990)-13910, EP 753828 A2, U.S. Ser. No. 08/823,312 and/or the response of the image is adjusted as disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 08/406,076 in order to reproduce an image more faithful to the original on the basis of an image signal obtained by sampling, a filtering processing is generally carried out on the image signal.
In such a filtering process the number of image signal components is increased by interpolation of values obtained by convolution integration using values of all the picture elements within the filter size (within the area covered with the filter) and the coefficient of the filter corresponding to each of the picture elements for the purpose of interpolation enlargement of the image or changing the density of picture elements.
Conventionally the convolution integration is carried out according to the following operation expression. ##EQU1##
The expression (1) is inclined to set the values of the interpolated picture elements so that continuity between the picture elements becomes smooth.
In the case where an analog image is read out by a scanner or the like, continuity of the image is high due to band limitation. To the contrast, when letters or patterns are inserted into a digital image, a discontinuous part or an edge appears in the image since band limitation is not effected. When such an edge is within the filter size, ringing artifact appears near the edge when the values of the interpolated picture elements are set by the convolution integration having the aforesaid inclination.
For example, when interpolation is carried out on an image signal made up of picture elements (sampling points on the original) whose values (values of image signal components representing the picture elements) are as shown by black dots (.circle-solid.) in FIG. 6A, it is ideal that the interpolated picture elements have values falling on the dotted line in FIG. 6A. However when the values of the interpolated picture elements are determined according to the aforesaid operation expression, the interpolated picture elements have values represented by white dots (.smallcircle.) in FIG. 6B and the output fluctuates to cause ringing.

Method of and apparatus for filtering image


Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards techniques and configurations for providing a 3D memory array apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a substantially hexagonal arrangement having seven pillars disposed in a die in a repeating pattern. The arrangement may include first and second pillars disposed at a pillar pitch from each other in a first row; third, fourth, and fifth pillars disposed at the pillar pitch from each other in a second row; and sixth and seventh pillar disposed at the pillar pitch from each other in a third row and shifted relative to the first and second pillars respectively by a quarter of the pillar pitch in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to bitlines disposed in the die. Each pillar in the arrangement may be electrically coupled with a different bitline. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Memory provides data storage for electronic systems. Flash memory is one of various memory types, which has numerous uses in modern computers and devices. A typical flash memory may comprise a memory array that includes a large number of non-volatile memory cells arranged in row and column fashion. The cells may usually be grouped into blocks. Each of the cells within a block may be electrically programmed by charging a floating gate. The charge may be removed from the floating gate by a block erase operation. Data may be stored in a cell as charge in the floating gate. NAND memory array may comprise a basic architecture of flash memory.
In recent years, vertical memory, such as three-dimensional (3D) memory has been developed. A 3D flash memory (e.g., 3D NAND memory array) device may include a plurality of strings of charge storage devices (memory cells) stacked over one another (e.g., in a first of three dimensions of 3D) with each charge storage device corresponding to one of multiple tiers of the device. The charge storage devices of a respective string may share a common channel region, such as one formed in a respective pillar of semiconductor material (e.g., polysilicon) about which the string of charge storage devices may be formed.
In a second dimension, each first group of the plurality of strings may comprise, for example, a group of strings sharing a plurality of access lines, known as wordlines (WLs). Each of the plurality of access lines may couple (e.g., electrically or otherwise operably connect) the charge storage devices (memory cells) corresponding to a respective tier of the plurality of tiers of each string. The charge storage devices coupled by the same access line (and thus corresponding to the same tier) may be logically grouped into memory pages, when each charge storage device comprises a multi-level cell capable of storing two bits of information.
In a third dimension, each group of the plurality of strings may comprise a group of strings coupled by corresponding data lines, known as bitlines (BLs). During operation of a computing device, data stored in the memory may be subjected to periodic (e.g., continuous) manipulations. These manipulations may be caused by internal control mechanisms, directed, for example, to optimize memory capacity, location areas, speed of access to memory, and the like. For example, the data may be moved from one area of memory to another area, copied from one area to another area, and the like. Accordingly, time to internally access data stored in a memory unit (e.g., memory block) may become an important factor in overall speed of manipulation of the data in the memory. For example, the lower the access time to a memory block, the lower is the time for an operation related to internal data manipulation.


Extension of a function of an Software defined networking (SDN) network device is provided. The network device includes a plurality of flow tables, a plurality of function modules configured to perform different processing on a packet, and an entry module configured to determine an operation to be performed first on the packet between a table search operation and a function module execution operation, in which as a result of the operation determined by the entry module, a table search operation or a function module execution operation to be performed next is designated, and the designation is repeated until an output instruction for the packet is given.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to software defined networking (SDN), and more particularly, to extension of functions of an SDN network device.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Existing software defined networking (SDN) structure aims for distinct separation of the control and data plane. The data plane performs a simple function according to the rules and their actions (for example, encapsulation, decapsulation, or the like) designated by the control plane on a packet and then forwards the packet to a designated route. However, in such a structure, all the intelligence is given to the control plane and applications operating thereon. Thus, since most tasks that need intelligence, other than simple processes for packets, should be processed in the control plane, the delay issue for processing a packet and the performance issue for frequently exchanging a packet/message between the data plane and the control plane are raised.

SDN-based network device with extended function and method of processing packet in the same device

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A vehicle restraint system with a housing for a seat belt retractor, the housing having a rotatable escutcheon with an exit slot for the seat belt webbing. The escutcheon is preferably mounted to a bearing attached to the housing.

The present invention relates to vehicle restraint systems generally, and more particularly to a seat belt retractor mounted to the interior of an automotive vehicle.
Vehicle seat belt systems are adapted to restrain an occupant of the vehicle in the sudden acceleration or deceleration resulting from an impact. The seat belt retractors, which store the coiled seat belt webbing on a spool, allow the belt webbing to be reeled out for deployment across the occupant of the seat and lock the belt webbing when sudden acceleration or deceleration is detected.
Retractors for shoulder type seat belts are typically mounted to the interior of the car frame or to the seat back. See, e g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,495,994, 5,452,941, 5,441,332, 5,423,598, and 5,411,319. The belt webbing is deployed across the shoulder and torso of the occupant with a tongue or latch plate latched to a buckle, typically below the occupant's waist on the inner side of the seat. The angle at which the belt webbing is optimally deployed across the body can vary depending on the size and shape of the occupant, especially for retractors mounted to the seat back.
Accordingly, a way to achieve a variable angle of deployment is to provide a rotatable escutcheon plate with an exit slot for the belt webbing. The exit slot helps prevent twisting of the webbing, and the rotatability of the escutcheon allows the angle of deployment to vary freely according to the direction of pull. The escutcheon can be mounted, for example, to the retractor mechanism or to the seat. However, the rotatable escutcheon can become misaligned from the retractor cover and can cause routing problems, thereby making withdrawal of the webbing more difficult.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a seat belt retractor system with a rotatable escutcheon plate having improved alignment and rotation. This is accomplished by mounting the rotatable escutcheon directly to the retractor cover, rather than to the retractor mechanism or to the vehicle seat.
Many other objects and purposes of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the drawings.

Seat belt retractor exit cover with integral escutcheon


A method and apparatus for high speed merging of sheet material onto a transport from the side is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pocket formed from a series of bottom guides, a series of top guides, a side restrain, a front and rear backstop, all mounted to a framework and being mounted slightly above a transport via a provision. A source feeds insert material into the pocket at which time the insert material is held therein until advancing transport picks engage the insert as the picks pass through slots in the pocket and propel the insert out of the pocket and on to the transport or an existing sheet already on the transport. Paper control devices are positioned within the pocket to dampen bounce and help keep the insert contained in the pocket.

High speed sheet transports, for example those used in a mail processing machine propel sheets at space intervals along a transport at very high speeds. It is necessary during this process to add sheet material or inserts onto those sheets being propelled along the transport. One known method for providing inserts onto a transport is to drop the insert onto the transport from above. Such a method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,668 issued to Spira on Oct. 24, 1989 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which is herein incorporated by reference. However, such top loading systems are disadvantageous for a number of reasons.
For example, such systems are extremely complicated and take up alot of space and prevent access to the transport. Additionally, such systems are at times difficult to control. It may be difficult to drop single sheet inserts onto the high speed transport between the picks of the transport which propel sheet material on the transport at spaced intervals. Further, the inserts being dropped on the transport may not be properly positioned or aligned and could result in bending of the edges or even may jam the transport thus causing costly delays.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide for an improved method and apparatus for merging inserts onto a transport. The present invention solves the problems of the known insert methods by allowing paper to be fed into the transport from the side of the transport between picks. The present invention thus allows sheet material from two streams to be merged and stacked evenly without damage to the edges.

Method and apparatus for high speed merging of sheet material onto a transport from the side