This invention discloses a novel design to fabricate a ring-like capacitor in a semiconductor memory device for increasing the area of the capacitor electrodes. The ring-like conductive structure of the electrode of the capacitor includes a mushroom-shaped member having a flat-headed cap and a stem coupled to the source region of the semiconductor memory device, a solid cylindrical member disposed on the cap of the mushroom-shaped member, and a side-wall spacer being a hollow cylindrical member disposed on the cap of said mushroom-shaped member to increase the area of the capacitor electrodes thereby increasing the capacitance of the capacitor to provide a sufficient capacitance while maintaining high integration in semiconductor memory cells.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a capacitor in a semiconductor memory device and its fabrication method, and more particularly to a capacitor in a semiconductor memory device having a ring-like structure.
2. Background of the Invention
Because electronic and computer products are widely used today, semiconductor memory devices are in great demand. FIG. 1A shows a simplified block diagram of a prior art memory device 14 and its related system. The memory cells of memory 14 are arranged with an array structure consisting of rows and columns. All of the horizontal lines connected with memory 14 are called word lines 11, and all of the vertical lines connected with memory 14 are called bit lines 13. All data accessing is done through bit lines 13.
Row lines 10 and column lines 12 are used to select one of the plurality of addresses in memory 14. The signals in row lines 10 and column lines 12 are registered in row buffers 15 and column buffers 17 respectively. Subsequently, those signals in buffers 15 and 17 are transmitted to row decoder 16 and column decoder 18 to produce the signals into word lines 11 and bit lines 13 for selecting one of the memory cells. Row decoder 16 and column decoder 18 are used to reduce the number of address lines which access memory 14. An array structure such as the memory system mentioned above has advantages for VLSI design and fabrication. FIG. 1B shows a circuit of a DRAM cell which is composed of a transistor 20 and a storage capacitor 22, wherein the gate terminal 20a of transistor 20 is controlled by the signal in word line 11. Capacitor 22 for data storage is connected with source terminal 20c of transistor 20. Data in capacitor 22 are accessible by drain terminal 20b of transistor and bit line 13.
Because of the low cost per bit, the feasibility of high density, and the convenience for read/write, DRAMs have become the semiconductor memory device of choice. However, with increasing DRAM cell density, the area occupied by the capacitor in a DRAM cell and its capacitance necessarily decreases. FIG. 2A shows the cross section of a conventional capacitor in a DRAM cell which comprises a storage electrode 24, a dielectric layer 26, and a plate electrode 28. When the integration size of the DRAM cells becomes smaller due to the advanced fabrication techniques and the higher cell density, the area occupied by the capacitor in a DRAM cell and the capacitance of the capacitor decrease. Many memory accessing errors are caused by exterior radiation. In order to reduce these errors, a sufficient capacitance is required. Therefore, while the miniaturization of the integration size of the DRAM cells continues, it is also necessary to maximize the capacitance of the capacitors to reduce accessing errors.
For the purpose of increasing the capacitance of the capacitors in the DRAM cells, some methods for forming a fingerlike, cylindrical, rectangular multilayer structure, or spacer in polysilicon layers have been proposed to increase the area of the capacitor electrode. FIG. 2B shows the cross section of another conventional capacitor in a DRAM cell which comprises a storage electrode 25, a dielectric layer 27, and a plate electrode 29. Though the area of the capacitor in FIG. 2B is larger than that in FIG. 2A, the fabrication process will be difficult when the size of DRAM cells decrease. Furthermore, the increment in the capacitance gained by increasing the area of the capacitor electrode is insufficient to compensate for the decrement in the capacitance due to the decreasing size of the DRAM cells.

Method for a ring-like capacitor in a semiconductor memory device


A fuel cell system (1) of the present invention includes a fuel cell stack (10) including plural single fuel cells (11) stacked on each other, each single fuel cell being supplied with hydrogen gas and air to an anode electrode (14) and a cathode electrode (13), respectively, to generate electricity. The system (1) further includes a voltage applying device (C9) that applies voltage to the fuel cell stack (10) after oxygen present in the cathode electrode (13) is reduced. The system (1) further includes a cross-leakage diagnosis device (C12) that diagnoses, based on voltage of the single fuel cells (11) when the voltage applying device (C9) applies the voltage to the fuel cell stack (10), whether hydrogen gas in the anode electrode (13) is cross-leaked to the cathode electrode (14) in each single fuel cell (11).

One of the conventional configurations of fuel cell systems capable of detecting cross-leakage of electrolyte membrane is described in Patent Literature 1. In the fuel cell system described in Patent Literature 1, the pressure of anode gas during operation is set higher than the pressure of cathode gas to detect cross-leakage based on a drop in voltage in an activated overvoltage region. Such detection of cross-leakage is excellent to diagnose a fuel cell which is operating.


A fuel station and a method of refueling a vehicle. The fuel station has at least two adjacent base structures, each base structure being provided with a first fuel dispensing device arranged on the base structure and defining a first refueling position on a first side of the base structure, and a second refueling position on a second side of the base structure, the second side being opposite to the first side. A second fuel dispensing device defines a third refueling position. The fuel station also includes at least one queuing position in front of one of the base structures. The queuing position is linked to the refueling positions.

The present invention relates to a fuel station and to a method for refueling vehicles, such as cars, bikes, vans and trucks.
In a typical fuel station, such as for instance shown in FIG. 1A, post- or column-like fuel dispensers or pump housings 10 are mounted on elongated islands 12. Each island is provided on the ground surface of the station to guard the dispensers or pumps from a possible accident due to a contact or collision of a vehicle 14 therewith and to guide vehicles entering in the station to refueling positions 16, 18. In general, each island is constructed with concrete in the shape of an elongated platform, so that the dispensing device can be mounted upright thereon and an operator may ride thereon so as not to prevent any passageway for the vehicles. Each dispensing device 10 typically defines two refueling positions 16, 18, one on each side of the corresponding island. A rectangular canopy 20 may be provided to cover the refueling positions and protect drivers, for instance against rain or sun.
The elongated islands force the vehicles to approach the fuel dispensers in a predetermined way. In general, vehicles have to queue in line in front of one of the refueling positions. Within each fuelling cycle, two vehicles, each on opposite longitudinal sides of the island, can be refueled.
FIG. 1B shows a schematic plan view of an actual fuel station 300 along a motorway. The station is designed for a relatively high throughput of fuel and vehicles. Therefore, the station includes a relatively large number of parallel islands 12, each having right side and left side refueling positions 16, 18 respectively. As an example, the station is provided with a total of 28 refueling positions P1 to P28, mainly positioned next to each other. Refueling positions P1 to P24 are designed for cars (positions P2 to P24 are shown), whereas positions P25 to P28 (not shown) are designed for trucks. Also indicated is shop building 206 and pavement 222.
The table in FIG. 1C shows the results of an analysis of the fuel station 300 of FIG. 1B. The x-axis indicates the time t during a day indicated in hours, and the y-axis indicates refueling positions P1 to P28. The numbers 302 indicate the average number of customers at a certain refueling position at a particular hour. Row 304 indicates the average number of customers at a particular hour for the entire fuel station, whereas column 306 indicates the average number of customers at a particular refueling position during one day. In the example of FIG. 1C, the number of total customers during one day 308 is for instance 1846.
The data of the analysis as expressed in FIG. 1C show that customers preferably use the refueling positions in front of, or at least closest to the shop building 206. The fuel dispensers of positions P11 to P21 provide more fuel than their respective design capacities, i.e. the amount of fuel these dispensers were intended to provide on average. The amount of fuel dispensed at one of these positions may exceed the design capacity of the respective fuel dispenser for instance more than 50% to 80%, even up to 100%. In addition, customers tend to prefer right hand fill positions, i.e. the refueling positions 18 on the left side of the corresponding dispenser. The latter may be related to the position of the filler cap, i.e. the cap of the fuel tank of a vehicle, which may typically be positioned on the right side of a vehicle. In addition, refueling positions more remote from the shop building 206, such as positions P1 to P10 and P22-P24 located nearer towards the left and right ends of the fuel station, were used less often and provided an amount of fuel (far) below their respective design capacity.
Although the fuel station 300 described above performs fine, the analysis indicates that increasing the number of refueling positions side-by-side does only increase the efficiency of the station up to a certain threshold. For instance, by adding one more additional fuel dispenser, the increase of the total capacity of the fuel station 300 will be less than the design capacity of the additional dispenser. This limited additional capacity will have to justify the costs of an additional dispenser and corresponding equipment.
Another configuration of fuel station is shown in FIG. 2A. Herein, additional elongated islands 24 having fuel dispensers 22 are aligned with the islands 12 having fuel dispensers 10. The fuel dispensers are typically arranged in a linear fashion and on separate islands 12, 24, providing linearly aligned right side refueling positions 16, 26 and left side refueling positions 18, 28.
Again, the capacity increase due to additional fuel dispensers 22 is limited. For instance, refueling positions which are arranged one after the other in a linear fashion will limit throughput of vehicles, as queuing vehicles will have to wait until both linearly aligned refueling positions are available before two new vehicles can be refueled. Arrows 30, 32 and 34 in FIG. 2A indicate this with respect to refueling positions 16 and 26. The islands 12, 22 force vehicles to approach each refueling position in a linear fashion, so that it can be annoying or difficult to enter the fuel station, approach the desired fuel dispenser and leave the station. On the other hand, for instance in densely populated urban areas adding islands may be impossible due to lack of space.
FIG. 2B shows a schematic plan view of another typical fuel station 320 along a motorway, having the layout as shown in FIG. 2A. The station 320 comprises for instance about 28 refueling positions P1 to P28.
An analysis similar to the analysis expressed in FIG. 1C indicated that using the layout of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the site 320 had on average provided more than 25% less fuel per refueling position in comparison to the layout shown in FIG. 1A. As a result, fuel station 320 having the layout of linearly aligned refueling positions proved to operate below the design capacity of the station.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,769 discloses a fuel-dispensing device, comprising a triangular column-like fuel dispenser arranged on a round island. The triangular fuel dispenser is provided with two fueling nozzles, each mounted at one of the three corners of the triangular column. The triangular column is provided with three indicators, each of which is accommodated in a concerned indicating surface of the triangular column. Thus each column provides three refueling positions. Two round islands, each being provided with one triangular fuel dispenser, may be arranged at a certain distance from each other to allow vehicles to move between islands.
The triangular fuel dispensers of U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,769 however have a number of disadvantages. First of all they are unsafe. Also, additional space for vehicle maneuvering is required making these triangular dispensers less efficient. The triangular dispensers are unsuitable for high-throughput fuel stations, such as stations 300, 320 shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B. Vehicle movements related to the refueling positions of one triangular dispenser column may interfere with the vehicle movements related to the refueling positions of another triangular dispenser column. For instance, it will be unclear to vehicle drivers how to approach the dispensers and subsequently how to depart in an organized manner. These logistical problems may result in vehicles blocking each other, thus restricting the efficiency and capacity of the fuel station. The triangular fuel dispenser columns on separate round islands disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,769 are therefore unsuitable for relatively busy fuel stations in view of possible logistical problems.
In view of the above, there is a need to improve the efficiency of a fuel station.


A well system having a galvanic time release plug. A well system includes a flow passage and a flow blocking device which selectively obstructs flow through the passage, the device including an electrode in a galvanic cell. A flow blocking device for use in conjunction with a subterranean well includes a portion which delays an electrochemical reaction in a galvanic cell. A method of controlling fluid flow in a well system includes the steps of: obstructing flow through a passage using a flow blocking device which includes an electrode of a galvanic cell; and increasing flow through the passage by operation of the galvanic cell.

The present invention relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with subterranean wells and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a well system having a galvanic time release plug.
It is well known to temporarily prevent flow through a passage in a well by use of a dissolvable plug. Typically, the plug is dissolved by circulating acid to the plug. However, this method of temporarily preventing flow through a passage presents problems in certain situations.
For example, if acidic fluids are to be used in the well prior to the time at which it is desired to dissolve the plug, premature dissolving of the plug could result. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that acid is commonly used in completion cleanup operations, and so if it is desired to delay permitting flow through a passage until after completion cleanup operations are concluded, then a plug readily dissolvable in acid should not typically be used.
Therefore, it may be seen that improvements in the art of temporarily obstructing passages in wells are needed.

Well system having galvanic time release plug


A pressure relieving device having a pressure frame including a first portion and a second portion with a rupture disc clamped therebetween. Each frame portion contains a recess on its inner side which terminates at the sealing surface at the end face and serves to receive cutters, spacer discs, and/or terminating blocks.

Pressure relieving devices comprising rupture discs and holders are known. They are usually fitted as prefabricated units in pipelines, vessels, reaction apparatus, and similar technical hollow bodies for protection against unacceptable pressure changes. The prefabrication of the pressure-relieving devices facilitates and speeds up their exchange in lines and apparatus and, in addition, ensures that the sensitive rupture discs do not suffer any damage due to improper handling, for example when being inserted into the holder.
It is also known to assist the tearing open of the rupture disc by the use of a tearing spike or a group of cutters. To ensure reliable bursting of the disc, the tearing device is located in the region of the disc center. A precise reaction to the given response pressure is achieved by changing the distance between the tearing spike or cutter edges and the plane of the disc. In a practical embodiment, the tearing device is set on a threaded rod. By variation of the distance between the spike or cutter edge and plane of the rupture disc, it is also possible to modify the pressure relieving device so it responds to other pressures without the necessity of changing the rupture disc. Finally, for special applications, the group of cutters can be arranged, not only on one side of the rupture disc, but on both sides, so that the pressure-relieving device is effective in both directions.
A disadvantage of the known pressure-relieving devices described above is that the hollow body surface area closed by the rupture disc is not cleared instantaneously around its entire circumference, even if a tearing device is used. If, for example, four cutter edges arranged in the form of a cross are used, the rupture disc is cut open segmentally. In particular in applications in which relief must take place at relatively low pressures, the complete tearing open of the rupture disc may be delayed in time and the unhindered flow of the medium leaving or entering may be impaired. In addition, the prior art mounting of the tearing device on a threaded rod is not always satisfactory, because the device is difficult to handle.


According to the present invention, the gas adsorption capability of a getter can be maintained while the characteristics of an infrared ray sensor element are prevented from being deteriorated. An infrared ray sensor package has an infrared ray sensor element, a base substrate, a housing, an infrared ray transmission window, and a getter. The infrared ray sensor element is vacuum-sealed in a space surrounded by the base substrate, the housing, and the infrared ray transmission window. A spacer is disposed between the infrared ray sensor element and the base substrate to form a gap between the infrared ray sensor element and the base substrate. The getter is arranged in the gap formed between the infrared ray sensor element and the base substrate. A heat shielding member is disposed between the infrared ray sensor element and the getter. The heat shielding member is a heater for heating the infrared ray sensor element or an element formed of alloy containing Ni or heat-resistant glass.

The present invention relates to an infrared ray sensor package, an infrared ray sensor module, and an electronic device.
In recent years, size reduction, functional enhancement, and cost reduction have been demanded in an infrared ray sensor package having a vacuum-sealed infrared ray sensor element or in an electronic device having such an infrared ray sensor package.
Generally, infrared ray sensor elements (infrared detection elements) include thermal infrared detectors and photonic infrared detectors. Thermal infrared detectors are inferior to photonic infrared detectors in tracking capability. However, thermal infrared detectors detect the quantity of heat in a relative manner and may thus need no cooling mechanism. Therefore, the structure of an infrared ray sensor element can be simplified, so that the cost of manufacturing an infrared ray sensor element can be reduced.
As a conventional thermal infrared ray sensor package having no cooling mechanism, there has been known an infrared ray sensor package 141 as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,470,904).
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the conventional infrared ray sensor package 141 includes an infrared ray sensor element 121, a lower housing 111, an upper housing 112, metal patterns 154, 155, and 157 formed on the lower housing 111, an infrared ray transmission window 113 joined to the upper housing 112, a seal ring 156 connecting the lower housing 111 and the upper housing 112 to each other, contact pins 142 serving as external output terminals of the infrared ray sensor package, a getter 151, and Kovar blocks 153 provided on the lower housing 111. The lower housing 111 and the upper housing 112 form a container 120. The getter 151 is mounted on the Kovar blocks 153.
In an infrared ray sensor package having a vacuum-sealed infrared ray sensor element, a trace amount of gas such as moisture, oxygen, and hydrogen is emitted from an inner surface of the package with time. Such emitted gas deteriorates the degree of vacuum after the vacuum sealing. In order to prevent this phenomenon, what is called a getter is provided within an infrared ray sensor package. The getter has a function of adsorbing the emitted gas (oxygen, carbon monoxide, moisture, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, and the like) to prevent deterioration of the degree of vacuum.
Generally, in order to maintain the gas adsorption capability of a getter, it is necessary to heat the getter at certain temperatures (about 400° C. to 500° C. at maximum). However, the infrared ray sensor element 121 is located adjacent to the getter 151 in the conventional infrared ray sensor package 141. Therefore, heat radiated from the getter 151 is transferred to the infrared ray sensor element 121 when the getter 151 is heated. Thus, the characteristics of the infrared ray sensor element 121 are problematically deteriorated.

Infrared ray sensor package, infrared ray sensor module, and electronic device


This invention provides a low noise pneumatic tire allowed to achieve an efficient noise reduction effect by making full use of characteristics of a sound absorbing material. A pneumatic tire according to the present invention is a low noise pneumatic tire where a band-shaped sound absorbing material formed of a porous material whose apparent density defined in JIS K6400 is in a range of 10 to 70 kg/m3, is attached on the inner surface of a tread by use of an elastic fixing band.

One of the causes of tire noise is cavity resonance sound caused by vibration of air filled in the inside of a tire. When the tire is rotated under a load, a ground-contacting portion in a tread portion of the tire vibrates because of irregularities on a ground surface and this vibration causes vibration of the air inside the tire and generates the cavity resonance sound. This cavity resonance sound is generated by vibration of air inside the tire caused by vibration of a ground-contacting portion in a tread portion of the tire which is generated by irregularities on a ground surface when the tire is rotated under a load. In this cavity resonance sound, it has been known that frequencies perceived as noise are approximately 200 to 250 Hz although they differ by tire size. Therefore, for the purpose of reducing tire noise, it is important to reduce noise level in a range of the above frequencies.
As a method of reducing noise caused by the cavity resonance phenomenon as above, there has been a proposed approach where a sound-absorbing material is added to the inside of a tire to absorb resonance (refer to Patent Document 1, for example). However, a full consideration has not been given to characteristics of the sound-absorbing material in this approach, and it is not necessarily considered that the approach has achieved an excellent result in noise reduction. [Patent Document 1] Japanese patent application Kokai publication No. Sho62-216803


A pilot signal detection method, a pilot signal detection apparatus and a subscriber in which the timing of a pilot signal of a neighbor base station is detected correctly and efficiently for improving the quality of communication of a mobile station. Partial correlation is taken of a pilot signal of an arbitrary base station within a first range of correlation. The pilot signal for which the result of the partial correlation has exceeded a first threshold becomes a pilot candidate signal for detection. Partial correlation is then taken of the pilot signal of the pilot candidate signal within a range of correlation broader than the first range of correlation. The pilot signal for which the result of the partial correlation has exceeded a second threshold becomes a pilot detection signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting a pilot signal in a mobile communication system of the code division multiple access system, in which spread-spectrum signals transmitted from respective base stations are received and pilot signals are detected from the received spread-spectrum signals. The invention also relates to a subscriber for modulating the received spread-spectrum signals based on the pilot signal detected by the pilot signal detection method and apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among the communication systems used when a mobile station is used in common by plural base stations for communication, there is a code division multiple access (CDMA) system. This CDMA system is a system in which a signal modulated by a carrier frequency is spectrum-spread in accordance with a pre-set PN code and transmitted to, for example, a mobile station, and in which a receiver demodulates the signal with code synchronization using the same PN code for communication. In the mobile communication system employing the CDMA system, a subscriber (receiver of a mobile station) allocates the timing of the pilot signal transmitted by the base station to a demodulator which then demodulates the spectrum spread signal transmitted from the base station based on the timing of the allocated pilot signal.
The mobile communication system employing the CDMA system has already been standardized in the United States. The system standard in the subscriber prescribes the overall performance of the mobile station, including demodulation properties, such as message error rate (MER) as a result of demodulation at the subscriber in case the signal intensity of the pilot signal from plural base stations is varied in accordance with a specified pattern, or reliability of the message on the communication protocol to be transmitted by the mobile station as a result of recognition of a neighbor base station. However, there is no provision as to the method for detecting the timing of the pilot signal from the neighbor base station.
The subscriber performance can possibly be improved if, when detecting the timing of the pilot signals of the neighbor base stations, correlation of the pilot signal transmitted by the neighbor base station is taken perpetually and, on detection of a pilot signal from the neighbor base station not lower than a pre-set level, a message prescribed on the communication protocol is transmitted, at the same time as the timing of the detected pilot signal is immediately allocated to the demodulator.
However, if, at the time of detection of the timing of the pilot signal by the subscriber, the range of partial correlation is set to a larger value, the time required for partial correlation becomes larger in proportion to the size of the range of the partial correlation, although the detection accuracy of the timing of the pilot signal is improved. Moreover, the subscriber has to execute processing for correlation of the currently received pilot signal of the base station, allocation of the pilot signal to the timing demodulator, processing of the communication protocol and speech encoding/decoding, in addition to the above-described timing detection of the plot signal. Therefore, if it is attempted to improve accuracy in timing detection of the pilot signal, the processing time therefor is increased, a result of which the overall performance of the subscribed cannot be improved.
Thus it has been desired to develop an accurate and efficient method for detecting the timing of the pilot signal of the neighbor base station at the mobile station.

Method and apparatus for detecting pilot signals and subscriber


A furniture unit comprises a closed-front credenza that folds out to form an L-shaped desk. The unit comprises a stationary desk having a partially open front, with a kneehole opening forming at least a portion of the open front. A moveable return pivotally mounted at on one side of the desk comprises a vertical face panel and a work surface mounted at a rear side of the face panel. The return is pivotal between a closed position, wherein the face panel covers the open portion of the front of the desk and the return work surface is concealed behind the face panel, and an open position, wherein the face panel is pivoted outwardly from the front of the desk, exposing the kneehole opening in the desk. The return work surface extends forwardly from the desk alongside the kneehole opening when the return is opened. The face panel is configured so as to create the impression that the furniture unit is a credenza with no kneehole opening when the return is closed. A column of functional drawers is mounted in the desk at the side opposite from the moveable return, with the face panel extending across the front of the desk to the drawers when the return is closed. The unit has a legless support mechanism for an inner corner of the return work surface that eliminates the need of a movement obstructing support leg at the corner. The unit also has lockable and vertically adjustable casters. A keyboard tray and inner storage unit are spaced below the desk top so that the return work surface fits under the desk top when the return is closed. The base molding is formed to conceal the fact that the return opens.

The invention relates to a furniture unit wherein the front panel of a credenza pivots outwardly to form an L-shaped desk.
There are many applications where it is desirable to have a fully functioning desk located for convenient use but where a desk would be obtrusive or inconsistent with other decor when the desk is not in use. With the advent of the computer age, the desirability of a desk for a computer in the home has increased. Desks for computer applications frequently include pull out keyboard trays, shelves for printers, and other functional conveniences. Most conventional computer desks have a very functional, office-like appearance that is not completely compatible with home furnishings of the type found in a living room or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a combination furniture unit that has the appearance and much of the function of a conventional credenza but which is convertible into a fully functioning L-shaped desk.


A circuit protection apparatus employs a PTC element for overload and/or short circuit protection and an arcing fault interruption arrangement. The circuit protection apparatus may be employed in a ground fault receptacle for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a line in response to any of a plurality of different types of fault conditions on the line. The circuit protection apparatus may include a set of contacts connected in series with the line, and having an open position and a closed position, a trip device coupled to the contacts, adapted to be actuated by a trip signal, to move the contacts from the closed position to the open position and an element having a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) connected in series with the contacts. The PTC element is connected to the trip device to provide the trip signal to the device in response to overload or short circuit conditions in the line. A switching element is operatively coupled with the trip device for providing the trip signal to said device in response to an actuating signal. An arcing fault circuit is adapted for detecting an arcing fault in the line and producing the actuating signal when the arcing fault is detected.

Circuit interrupters such as circuit breakers are widely used in residential and industrial applications for the interruption of electrical current in power lines upon the occurrence of various fault conditions such as severe overcurrent caused by short circuits or by ground faults. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is one which interrupts a circuit if it detects a leakage current to ground, usually called a ground fault. GFCIs are often provided in household type electrical receptacles which are often mounted in the home in places like bathrooms and kitchens to protect against such short circuits or leakage to ground due to water or moisture or the like entering the protective circuit or an appliance or device connected to the protective circuit. However, the GFCI circuit generally requires that it be coupled in a circuit protected by a circuit breaker in order to protect the circuit from overload and short circuit conditions. That is, an ordinary circuit breaker generally provides these overload and short circuit functions in connection with a GFCI receptacle.
Another type of electrical fault, namely arcing faults, also may occur in circuits which are protected by both GFCI receptacles and circuit breakers. These arcing faults are unintended arcs either from line to line or from line to ground. While conventional circuit breakers may detect relatively high level currents or voltages and interrupt the circuit, they generally cannot detect relatively low-level arcs. However, many low-level arcs should also be protected against. Generally speaking, there is existing technology for protecting against arcing faults, namely arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) products, such as those available from Square D Company, the assignee of this application.
Another problem associated with the process of interruption of the current during severe overcurrent conditions is arcing. Arcing occurs between the contacts of circuit breakers and/or ground fault interrupters used to interrupt the current, and is undesirable for several reasons. Arcing can cause deterioration of the contacts of the breaker and, can cause gas pressure to build up. It also necessitates circuit breakers and/or GFCIs with larger separation between the contacts in the open position to ensure that the arc does not persist with the contacts in the fully open position.
Prior art devices have used a number of approaches to limit the occurrence of arcing. In heavy duty switchgear, the circuit breaker contacts may be enclosed in a vacuum or in an atmosphere of SF.sub.6. Both of these approaches are expensive. Besides, SF.sub.6 has been identified as a greenhouse gas.
Another approach that has been used in circuit breakers to limit the amount of arcing is the use of a resistor connected in parallel with the main contacts of the circuit breaker. Upon opening of the main contacts, current can still flow through the shunt resistor, effectively reducing the amount of arcing in the main contacts. The current flowing through the resistor is less than the short circuit current that would flow through the main contacts in the absence of the resistor, and the opening of a second pair of contacts connected in series with the resistor can be accomplished with less arcing that would occur in the absence of the shunt resistor.
Khalid (U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,641) teaches a current limiting circuit breaker in which the current limiting contacts are in series with the main contacts of a breaker. Opening of the limiting contacts shunts high fault current through the resistor. The resistor is an iron wire resistor with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistance. The flow of the short circuit current through the resistor heats the resistor thereby increasing its resistance and limiting the buildup of the short circuit current.
Perkins et al. ("IEEE Transactions on Components, Hybrids, and Manufacturing Technology," CHMT-5, A New PTC Resistor For Power Applications, pgs. 225-230, June 1982) describes a PTC resistor that utilizes the metal-insulator solid state transition in (V, Cr).sub.2 O.sub.3. At a transition temperature of 80.degree. C., the resistivity of a ceramic body including (V, Cr).sub.2 O.sub.3 increases to a value 100 times the value at 20.degree. C. They disclose the use of a PTC element for overcurrent protection as a substitute for a bimetallic strip for overcurrent protection. The switch is connected to a PTC element that is shunted by the actuating coil for the switch. During normal operating conditions, the current flows through the PTC resistor. During short circuit conditions, the rapid heating of the PTC resistor leads to an increased resistance and voltage across the PTC resistor, diverting current through the actuating coil which then trips the switch.
Hansson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,938) discloses a PTC element that is capable of withstanding short circuit currents without damage, thereby enabling it to be reused, as an overcurrent protection device for a motor. The PTC element is connected in series with a switch and in parallel with an excitation coil that operates the switch. An overcurrent in the circuit heats the PTC element and at a certain temperature, its resistance rises sharply. The voltage across the PTC element is then sufficient to cause the excitation coil to trip the switch. Hansson et al. (WO 91/12643) discloses a more complicated invention for motor and short circuit protection using a PTC element. A switch is connected in series with a tripping circuit consisting of two parallel connected current branches. One of these branches has the excitation coil for the switch while the other branch has two PTC resistors. Overcurrent conditions cause a buildup of voltage across the PTC resistors that then activates the excitation coil for the switch.
Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,658) discloses a number of devices in which PTC elements are used in conjunction with two or more switches to limit the current under short circuit conditions and thereby reduce the associated arcing. Chen uses a PTC element in a circuit breaker for absorbing the so-called "interruption" energy which could otherwise produce arcing during breaker operation.
Legatti (U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,894) is directed to a ground fault interrupter (GFCI) circuit which utilizes a GFCI differential transformer. A secondary winding is provided on the core of the GFCI transformer for producing a detectable signal in response to an arcing current between a power line and the grounded metal sheath or cover of a power cable, by connecting the secondary winding in series between the metal sheath and the neutral line. Among other things, this circuit requires the provision of a separate ground line and a separate wire for connection to the cable sheath.
Yet another approach used to reduce arcing in circuit breakers involves the use of mechanical means to break the arc. Belbel et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,323) discloses a switch in which an electrically insulating screen is inserted between the contacts during the opening of the contacts. The control of the movement of the screen is obtained by propulsion means separate from those causing the separation of the contacts. Belbel et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,266) discloses another switch that has an insulating screen that adapts the breaking speed as the current increases. Brakowski et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,772) discloses a current limiting circuit interrupter in which an insulating wedge is inserted between the contact arms as they open.
Most of the prior art methods discussed above are addressed towards industrial applications. For residential use, even though the voltage and the loads are smaller, commercially available circuit breakers and GFCIs may still have a significant amount of arcing accompanying their operation. The present invention achieves interruption of electrical current with a reduction in arcing, noise and gas venting. The present invention combines an AFCI and GFCI with PTC elements and related circuits for short circuit and overload protection in a convenient form suitable for residential use in a household electrical receptacle or the like. The present invention also reduces the cost and enclosure requirements for residential circuit protection.

Circuit interrupter with arcing fault protection and PTC (positive temperature coefficient resistivity) elements for short circuit and overload protection


A fluid compression system includes a compressor, an electric motor including a stator and a rotor positioned adjacent to the stator, and a shaft coupled to the rotor to support the rotor for rotation and having a drive end and a non-drive end. A plurality of flow-inducing elements are integrally-formed as part of the shaft and is adapted to induce a flow of fluid from the non-drive end toward the drive end in response to rotation of the shaft.

The present invention relates to a blower for a motor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a blower that is integrally-formed as part of a motor that drives a compressor.
Motors are often used to drive compressors to produce a flow of compressed fluid. When used to drive a centrifugal compressor, the motor must rotate at a relatively high speed (e.g., greater than 30,000 RPM) to efficiently drive the compressor. In addition, it is desirable to employ a variable speed motor to allow for more accurate and efficient control of the quantity of compressed fluid produced. High power-density permanent magnet motors are well suited to driving centrifugal compressors. However, accurate and reliable temperature control within the housing of the high-speed, high power-density permanent magnet electric motor is needed to inhibit loss of magnetic properties of the core, damage to the electric insulation of the stator, and the malfunction of the rotor-bearing system.
Prior air cooled motors often employed a separate blower that directed air through the motor. The separate blower, driven by a separate motor, was generally required as the speed of the permanent magnet motor is too high to employ a directly-driven fan. However, the use of the second motor to drive the blower can be problematic if the motor or the blower fail during operation of the permanent magnet motor. Such a failure could reduce or eliminate the flow of cooling air which might result in motor overheating.

Air blower for a motor-driven compressor


Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for recommending a sticker set. An apparatus for recommending a sticker set includes interface circuitry and processing circuitry. When the interface circuitry receives a sticker recommendation request from a terminal, the processing circuitry determines a historical sticker set that includes a sticker previously sent by a user of the terminal device, and at least one recommendable sticker set not including the historical sticker set. Then the processing circuitry determines a recommendation index for each of the at least one recommendable sticker set according to an emotion feature of the historical sticker set and an emotion feature of the respective recommendable sticker set. According to the recommendation index for each of the at least one recommendable sticker set, the interface circuitry sends a sticker set recommendation for one or more of the at least one recommendable sticker set to the terminal device.

In Internet communication, stickers for interaction are used for helping users to more accurately express information (for example, a mood or a status). For example, in an instant messaging process, a sender of instant messaging may send a sticker to a receiver as a session message.
With development of network technologies, there are more sticker sets including stickers in an Internet platform. To enable a user to find an available sticker set in time, the Internet platform recommends a sticker set to the user. Currently, the Internet platform generally preferentially recommends, to a user according to a usage popularity of sticker sets, a sticker set that is relatively popular. However, different sticker sets include different stickers, and different users like different stickers. Therefore, a sticker set recommended to a user according to the usage popularity may not be suitable for the user and consequently is not of interested to the user, and a sticker set suitable for the user cannot be found by the user in time, causing a waste of a sticker set resource in the Internet platform.

Sticker recommendation method and apparatus

Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited


Compensating for the complex changing shape and location of a turbocompressor""s surge limit line can be difficult and imprecise when using antisurge controllers that do not incorporate sufficient capability. Based upon various operating conditions, surge limit line changes can be attributed to a number of process variables. These effects are particularly relevant to multistage centrifgal and axial turbocompressors operating with variable rotational speed and equipped with adjustable inlet or diffuser guide vanes, or both. This invention relates to an innovative method of antisurge control in which the function of those process variables (comprising the turbocompressor operating condition parameters) is used to calculate distances to the surge reference line. The function is formed as a superposition of the functions of lesser numbers of variables. For instance, these functions are formed as polynomials where the power of each polynomial function is determined by real characteristics of correlation between the shape and location of the surge limit line and the variables to which this polynomial function is being formed.

This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for antisurge control of turbocompressors having complex and changing surge limit lines. More specifically, it relates to a method for using a function of multiple variables to describe (with high accuracy) a surge limit line under the influence of varying process conditions.
Antisurge controllers are designed to incorporate an approximation to compressors"" surge limit lines. This approximation is referred to as the antisurge controller""s surge reference line. A turbocompressor""s surge limit line, in many cases, has a complex and changing shape which directly corresponds to a number of process variables with changing values; for example, guide vane position, rotational speed, isentropic exponent, and the molecular weight of the gas. This relates particularly to multistage centrifugal and axial turbocompressors equipped with adjustable inlet or diffuser guide vanes, or both.
Compensating for these complex and changing shapes consists of employing an antisurge controller to alter the surge reference line in accordance with the above mentioned process variables. However, existing antisurge controllers do not incorporate sufficient capability to fully compensate for the surge limit line""s ongoing changes. This drawback results in narrowing the area of the zone (on the compressor map) in which the turbocompressor can operate with the antisurge valve closed, thereby significantly decreasing the efficiency of the turbocompressor""s operation.
A purpose of this invention is to improve upon the prior art by providing efficient antisurge control of a turbocompressor with a surge limit line whose complex shape and location are functions of one or more process variables of a turbocompressor operation condition. This proposed control method includes describing the surge limit line with an analytic function of multiple (m) variables, ƒn(x1, x2, . . . , xmxe2x88x921, xm), that provides the following relation at the surge limit line:                               S          s                =                                                            f                n                                                          (                                                      x                    1                                    ,                                      x                    2                                    ,                  …                                                        xe2x80x83                                    ,                                      x                                          m                      -                      1                                                        ,                                      x                    m                                                  )                                                    Δ                                            xe2x80x83                                                                            p                  o                                /                p                                              =          1                                    (        1        )
where Ss is a proximity-to-surge parameter; variables x1, x2, . . . , xmxe2x88x921, xm-1, xm (where 1 less than m)are parameters which affect the surge limit line""s shape and location; xcex94p0 is the differential pressure across a flow measuring device; andp is an absolute pressure. Organized in this way, the analytic function describes, with high accuracy, the complex shape and location of the surge limit line under the influence of changing conditions. This method is unlike that mentioned in the prior art, which employs the standard present-day approach for constructing the surge parameter, Ss, using independent functions, such as ƒ1(x1) and ƒ2(x2):                                           S            s                    =                                                                      f                  1                                                                  (                                      x                    1                                    )                                                            Δ                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                                p                    o                                    /                                      p                    s                                                                                f                2                                                          (                                  x                  2                                )                                                    ,        …                          xe2x80x83                ,                              f                          m              -              1                                                      (                          x                              m                -                1                                      )                          ,                                            f              m                                                  (                              x                m                            )                                =          1                                    (        2        )
The emphasis of the new technique is especially directed to multistage centrifugal and axial turbocompressors operating with variable rotational speed or variable gas parameters (or both), and equipped with adjustable inlet or diffuser guide vanes (or both); although the method is not limited to this type of turbocompressor. Compensating for the complex and changing shape of a turbocompressor""s surge limit line can be difficult and imprecise when using existing antisurge control methods. A typical present-day antisurge controller defines the surge parameter, Ss, as a measure of the relative location of a turbocompressor""s operating point and its surge limit line, or as proximity-to-surge:                                           S            s                    =                                                    f                1                                                          (                                  R                  c                                )                                                    Δ                                            xe2x80x83                                                                            p                  o                                /                p
                                  where
                                                                                f                    1                                                                          (                                          R                      c                                        )                                                  =                                                      Δ                                                              xe2x80x83                                                                                p                        o                                            /                      p                                                                                xe2x80x83                                                            when                                                              xe2x80x83                                                                                S                      s                                                        =                                      1                                                              xe2x80x83                                                                                on the surge limit line                                                                                R                    c                                    =                                      pressure ratio                                                  ,                                  xe2x80x83                                                                                p                    d                                    /                                      p                    s                                                                                p                  d                                =                                  absolute pressure at discharge                                                                                p                  s                                =                                  absolute pressure in suction                                                                                p                =                                  absolute pressure                                                                                Δ                                                        xe2x80x83                                                                          p                    o                                                  =                                  differential pressure from a flow measurement device                                                                                (        3        )
When it is necessary to compensate for influences on the surge limit line because of changes in other process variables, the influence coefficients that correlate with these variables are introduced into Eq. (3). For example, if the shape and the location of the surge limit line depend on inlet and diffuser guide-vane positions, then the appropriate coefficients of influence on the position of the inlet guide vanes (xcex1) and the position of the diffuser guide vanes (xcex2) are incorporated into Eq. (3) as follows:                               S          s                =                                                            f                1                                                          (                                  R                  c                                )                                                    Δ                                            xe2x80x83                                                                            p                  o                                /                p                                                                                f              2                                                  (              β              )                                                                    f              3                                                  (              α              )                                                          (        4        )
where ƒ2(xcex2) and ƒ3(xcex1) are the coefficients of influence of the positions of the guide vanes. When ƒ2(xcex2)=ƒ3(xcex1)=1 (or some arbitrary, constant value), Eq. (4) precisely describes the limit line; but when ƒ2(xcex2)xe2x89xa01 and ƒ3(xcex1)xe2x89xa01, the precision level significantly declines. The cause of a discrepancy between the xe2x80x9crealxe2x80x9d new shape and location of the surge reference line and the expression of Eq. (4), is that the coefficients ƒ2(xcex2) and ƒ3(xcex1) can only scale the function ƒ1(Rc) which may not be congruent with the compressor""s actual surge limit line. Consequently, it becomes necessary to limit the turbocompressor""s operating zone where the antisurge valve can be kept closed which substantially decreases the economic efficiency of the turbocompressor""s operation.
More effectual control can be achieved by the proposed method, which describes the surge reference line with an analytic function, Eq. (1). This function can be built as a superposition of functions of less than m variables. Particularly, this function can be built as a superposition of polynomial functions in which the coefficients and power of each is determined by the shape and location of the surge limit line. Formed in this way, the analytic function matches, with high accuracy, a surge limit line under the influence of changing process conditions, unlike the standard present-day approach used to construct a surge parameter.
A significant example of the proposed method involves a petrochemical process supported by a large compressor equipped with inlet and diffuser guide vanes. In order to continue the process without surge when one of two guide vanes fails, the last position of the failed guide vane must be identified, thereby allowing the antisurge controller to utilize the correct surge reference line.

Method and apparatus for antisurge control of turbocompressors having complex and changing surge limit lines


A chip-in-slot interconnect for three-dimensional semiconductor chip stacks, and particularly having the ability of forming edge connections on semiconductor chips, wherein the semiconductor chips are mounted in one or more chip carriers which are capable of being equipped with embedded circuitry. Moreover, provision is made for unique methods for producing the edge connections on the semiconductor chips, for creating a semiconductor chip carrier, and for producing a novel semiconductor and combined chip carrier structure.

1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to the provision of a chip-in-slot interconnect for three-dimensional semiconductor chip stacks, and particularly the ability of forming edge connections on semiconductor chips, wherein the semiconductor chips are mounted in one or more chip carriers which are capable of being equipped with embedded circuitry. Moreover, the invention is directed to the provision of unique methods for producing the edge connections on the semiconductor chips, for creating a semiconductor chip carrier, and for producing a novel semiconductor and combined chip carrier structure.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In the present state-of-the-art, methods are employed which facilitate the formation of a three-dimensional interconnect of multiple semiconductor die in order to be able to provide an enhanced performance, and to be able to reduce costs and excessive spending in leading-edge technology trends. At this time, various techniques are applied in order to be able to produce the closest proximity of circuitry on dissimilar or differently sized semiconductor chips, in order to thereby facilitate high performance interconnections, such as for processors and memories. In this connection, it is an aspect of the technology that three-dimensional semiconductor chips are fabricated through the use of packaging technology, such as wire bond die stacks, flip-chip stacks or combinations thereof; through the provision of through-silicon vias, wafer to wafer interconnects by means of wafer bonding; die-to-die interconnects by bump bonding or combinations thereof; and multiple die which are laminated into cubes with patterned interconnects located primarily along one or a single cube face.
However all of the foregoing methods currently employed are subject to drawbacks and limitations in the provision of methods and products, which facilitate the fabrication of edge connections for multi-level or three-dimensional semiconductor chips.
Pierson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,156,165 disclose edge connections on integrated circuits or semiconductor chips, which extend along the length of the semiconductor chip edge. However, this disclosure is limited to primarily a method and fails to provide structure analogous to that claimed in the present invention. In this patent, chips with special edge connections are mounted on top of backplanes and may consist of a terminal wire or bond pad-like structure extending along the edge of a chip and a metalization or film which covers a terminal and bond pad by wrapping thereover along the entire edge of the chip and the surface below to some extent. This is a method of providing edge connections, which may be deemed unreliable in their utilization due to potential resistance, and electromigration issues potentially encountered at the corners of the wrapped around metalization and metal structure.
Angiulli, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,747, disclose a vertical chip mount memory package and method of producing therein semiconductor integrated circuit chips that are mounted directly on edge onto backplanes. Hereby, the edge connections depend on a dice cut through a solder ball which may be unreliable due to irregular solder ball cuts and also because of potential mechanical fatigue and high resistance and relying for the presence of solder, per se, in order to provide for the connections. Pursuant to the present invention, there is utilized an entirely different and repeatedly producible structure to provide for a connection which extends through the semiconductor or integrated circuit chip.
Malhi, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,072 and the continuation thereof, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,072, describe primarily chip-in-slot in a backplane, an electrical connection being made to the semiconductor chips; however, which are not edge connections. The apparatus pursuant to the art utilizes topside connections and solder bridges to topside connections on a backplane, and has nothing in common with the present invention.

Chip-in-slot interconnect for 3D chip stacks

International Business Machines Corporation


An insertion passage 104Y for inserting a suction nozzle 73Y fixed to an image forming apparatus is provided on a holder 102Y, and a connecting passage 114Y that connects the insertion passage 104Y and a toner storage section 106Y of the holder 102Y is provided. After the toner sent from bottle 101Y to the holder 102Y falls towards the connecting passage 104Y, the toner flows into the suction nozzle 73Y through the connecting passage 114Y and is then discharged out of the holder 102Y. An airtightness between the insertion passage 114Y and the suction nozzle 73Y inserted into the insertion passage 114 Y is superior than an airtightness between the bottle 101Y and the holder 102Y engaged with the bottle 101Y.

Image forming apparatuses generally employ an electrophotography method or a direct recording method to form toner images on a recording medium. Copiers, facsimile machines, printers are the examples of an image forming apparatus.
In the electrophotography method, a toner image is formed first on a latent image carrier, such as a photosensitive drum, and then the toner image is transferred to a recording medium. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2002-307737 describes the direct recording method. In the direct recording medium, a toner image is directly formed on a recording medium.
Because toner is consumed as images are formed, it is necessary to periodically replenish the toner. In general, when replenishing the toner, the old and empty toner cartridge is replaced with a new and full toner cartridge. To reduce the frequency of replacement of the toner cartridge, it is better that the toner cartridges have a larger capacity to accommodate the toner. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2004-18138 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2004-139031 disclose various toner cartridges.
FIG. 16 is a schematic of a toner replenishing unit of an image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2004-18138. In this conventional art, the toner cartridge is set vertically in the image forming apparatus. However, this structure limits the freedom of layout.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2004-139031. This toner cartridge is set horizontally in an image forming apparatus. However, this toner cartridge can be attached or detached only from the upper side of the image forming apparatus.

Toner cartridge, image forming apparatus, method of recycling toner cartridge


A system for warning of an approaching emergency vehicle comprising of a transmitter, a receiver, an audio and visual indicator. The transmitter transmitting a broad ban of AM and FM frequencies that are broadcasted of a short range to audible warn vehicles and pedestrian through existing radios of an approaching emergency vehicle. The transmitter also sending a signal to the receiver having circuitry to activate and deactivate audible and visual warning indicators of an approaching emergency vehicle. The audible and visual indicators are normally affixed to typical traffic signal located at street intersections.

1. Field of the Invention
Generally, this invention is directed towards warning common vehicles, pedestrians near traffic signals, and people near radios of approaching emergency vehicles. More specifically, this invention uses a radio signal transmitter that activates a special radio receiver affixed near traffic signals to audibly and visually warn vehicles in close proximity to the traffic signals of an approaching emergency vehicle. Additionally, a radio signal transmitter is also adapted to the emergency vehicle to broadcast an emergency siren signal over radio receivers in close proximity to the emergency vehicle.
Time is usually a critical factor during emergency situations involving accident victims, people needing medical treatment after being involved in some sort of accident. Accident victims needing emergency treatment are forced to wait for an ambulance to arrive at the seen of an accident and transport the patient to a hospital for proper treatment. There are many case every day where patients die on the way to hospitals due delays in the time it takes an emergency vehicle to arrive at the accident scene and transport a patient to the hospital. If the time it takes for an emergency vehicle to arrive at an accident scene and transport accident victims to a hospital for treatment can be reduced, many more lives each year could be saved.
Many times the emergency vehicles are slowed down at street intersections because of other vehicles are not being aware of approaching emergency vehicles and not staying clear of the intersection. This causes the emergency vehicles to slow down and delay the emergency reaction times of the emergency vehicles.
Another problem noticed for emergency vehicles are the passengers of vehicle not being aware of approaching emergency vehicles due to the radio volume being turned up too high on their radio head phones or in the interior space of their vehicle. This scenario has been accused of causing many accidents to occur involving emergency vehicles with non-emergency vehicles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Several approaches have been provided for the warning of approaching emergency vehicles, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,329, "A combination to detect the proximity of an emergency vehicle including a transmitter in the emergency vehicle and a receiver in another vehicle, the receiver actuating an alarm such as a blinking light upon the reception of a transmission from an emergency vehicle."
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,373, "An optical signal emitter assembly emits light pulses which are received by an optical traffic preemption system detector. The optical signal emitter assembly employs a honeycomb element positioned in front of a light source which collimates light emitted by the optical signal emitter assembly. The optical signal emitter assembly is convertible from a stand-alone unit containing power supply circuity, timing circuitry, and a light source in a single housing, to a unit wherein the light source can be mounted independently from a housing containing the power supply circuitry and the timing circuitry."
In the art taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,153, a "System to control and temporally adapt semaphoric regulating, consisting of one first receiving radioelectric equipment (F), equipped with nondirectional aerial, and provided, on roads, buildings, etc., in number suitable for requirement of monitored crossings, to receive and decode signals on a given frequency; one transmitting radioelectric equipment (I), equipped with directional aerial (L), in the same number as that of said receiving radioelectric equipments, suitable for retransmitting said properly reencoded signals, said receiving and transmitting equipment forming decentralized monitoring sites (4) for controls and transit; one second receiving radioelectric equipment (5), 3 with nondirectional aerial (M), provided near the usual switching exchange (7) of semaphoric signals (3), able to decode the signal received on a given frequency; and of one main transmitter (2), connected to aerial means (D), and provided on rescue vehicle (1); between said second receiving radioelectric equipment and usual switching exchange being provided an intelligent interface (6)."
While some of the prior art may contain some similarities relating to the present invention, none of them teach, suggest or include all of the advantages and unique features of a system of warning of an approaching emergency vehicle as the invention disclosed herein.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a system that will warn pedestrians and vehicles particularly at intersections of approaching emergency vehicles such that many more lives can be saved, and the number of accidents between emergency vehicles, and non-emergency vehicles will be reduced.


Improved fuel cell stacks constructed from a plurality of cells, each comprising a series of interrelated mono and bipolar collector plates (BSPs), which in turn are built up by lamination of a core of related non-conductiveplastic orceramic platelets sandwiched between conductive microscreen platelets of metal or conductive ceramic or plastic, with an electrode membrane (EMA) between adjacent BSPs. The platelets, both metal and plastic of the composite BSPs, are produced from sheet material with through and depth features formed by etching, pressing, stamping, casting, embossing and the like. Adjacent plates, each with correspondingly relieved features form serpentine channels within the resultant monolithic platelet/cell stack for integrated fluid and thermal management. The plastic platelets are particularly useful for PEM fuel cells employing H.sub.2 and Air/O.sub.2 as fuel. The platelets are easily made by printing (embossing) processes, and dies made by photolithographic etching for rapid redesign. Each BSP can be individually tailored to each type of membrane, fuel, and intra-cell location within the stack. As materials are cheap and easy to manufacture and assemble, lightweight fuel cells of very high power density are realizable. Industrial applicability includes both stationary and vehicular power supplies, in both micro and macro sizes.

Fuel cells for direct conversion of hydrogen or carbonaceous fuels to electricity have shown great theoretical promise, but have not become widely used in commerce because of technical problems and economic reasons. In the field of hydrogen-air/O.sub.2 fuel cells, power density, that is kilowatts of power generation per kilogram, has been marginal, and the lifetime has been unsatisfactorily short. Prior art cells have experienced drop-off in power with age due in part to poisoning of catalysts or electrolyte membranes, and the poor distribution of fuel gases internally has led to thermal hot spots leading to cell failure and the like.
A particularly important class of fuel cells with promise for stationary and mobile electricity generation is the low temperature H.sub.2 /O.sub.2 fuel cell employing solid polymeric proton exchange membrane having a noble metal catalyst coated on at both sides thereof, which membrane is located between the fuel cell electrodes. These fuel cells employ H.sub.2 as fuel, whether directly supplied as such or generated in association with the cell bychemical reaction, such as electrolysis, from metal hydrides or from reformed hydrocarbons. The oxidant is O.sub.2 or air where suitable. Water is required both for cooling and for humidification of the membrane, to keep it from drying out and becoming inefficient or structurally weakened through stretching and cracking. Typically, the anode side dries out first for a variety of reasons, including: electro-osmotic pumping from anode to cathode; supply of gases in excess of the electrochemical reaction rate; and the air or oxygen flow on the cathode side purges both the product water and the water vapor passing through the membrane from the hydrogen anode side. Accordingly, the fuel gases need to be humidified in the fuel cell stack to reduce the dehydration effect. The cooling water removes excess heat generated in the slow combustion of the catalyst-mediated electrochemical reaction in the cells, and is conducted external of the stack for heat exchange. In some designs the cooling water is used to humidify the reactant gases.
There are several suitable electrode membrane assemblies (EMAs) available for such low temperature fuel cells. One is from H-Power Corp of Belleview, New Jersey which employs a Pt catalyst coated on a polymer film, such as DuPont NAFION.RTM. brand perflourosulfonated hydrocarbon as the membrane. Alternatively, Dow Chemical provides a perflourosulfonated polymer which has been reported in U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,869 as permitting current densities on the order of 4000 amps/s.f. with cell voltages in excess of 0.5 V/cell, for a cell stack power density in excess of 2 kW/s.f.
A typical design of a currently available fuel cell stack is the Ballard Fuel Cell Stack of 35 active electrochemical cells, 19 thermal management cells, and 14 reactant humidification cells employing a Pt on NAFION-117 EMA in stacks of 1/4" thick graphite plates. The stack is reported to have an overall volume of 0.5 cu. ft. with a weight of 94 lbs and a 3 kW output from H.sub.2 and O.sub.2.
However, the graphite plates must be relatively thick to provide structural integrity and to prevent reactant crossover. That is, since the graphite is porous to H.sub.2 and O.sub.2, it must be at least 0.060" thick to reduce the permeation crossover to an acceptable level. Further, graphite plates are brittle. Thus, they are prone to crack as the cell stacks must be placed under compression to effect intra and inter-cell sealing to prevent reactant gas leakage. Graphite plates have low thermal and electrical conductivity which gives rise to hot spots and dead spots. They are also difficult to manufacture, especially the gas distribution channels. The stack output is relatively low, on the order of 0.03 kW/lb. In the example cited above, the number of inactive cooling and humidification cells almost equals the number of active electrochemical cells. This effectively doubles the number of gasketed seals required in a stack thereby decreasing stack reliability and performance.
The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,869 does not offer a solution to graphite plate cell stack design as it is concerned with microprocessor control of a closed loop system external to the stack.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved fuel cell design, and methods of producing the fuel cells and operation thereof which overcome limiting problems of the prior art.

Plastic platelet fuel cells employing integrated fluid management


Two cap modifications are disclosed for use on water bottles to be installed in water dispensers. A central conical well in the top of the cap is formed with a scoreline. When the bottle is lowered into a dispenser, a probe of the dispenser enters the well and causes it to split along the scoreline. When the bottle is raised, the well substantially returns to initial condition, inhibiting spillage of any liquid remaining in the bottle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a new and improved cap for a fluid container which is formed with a conical well which splits when pierced by a dispenser probe and substantially recloses when disengaged from the probe. More particularly, the invention relates to a snap-on cap for a bottle neck having a crown finish either with or without a superimposed threaded finish which is tamper-evident and includes spill reduction features.
2. Description of the Related Art
Plastic push-on bottle caps for use with container necks having a crown finish with a superimposed threaded finish are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,392,860 and 3,979,002 as well as elsewhere in the art. The present invention provides a cap which engages both the crown finish of the neck and the threaded finish. Further, means is provided whereby the cap cannot be removed from the neck without tearing off a portion of the cap and hence the cap is tamper-evident.
Push-on caps have been in public use by the assignee of this Application. However, the use of barriers to prevent unscrewing the cap has not previously been known in the art.
Caps having wells pierced by dispenser probes are like-wise known.
The use of foam disks on the undersides of the tops of plastic caps to seal against the lip of a neck are also known in the art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A microvalve device comprises: a first substrate having a first surface, where at least one fluidic channel is formed into the first surface of the first substrate; and at least one valve seat is formed in the fluidic channel; a second substrate having a second surface, the second substrate comprising at least one air channel and at least one air chamber formed on the second surface of the second substrate, where the air chamber is connected to the air channel; and an elastic film interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, where an upper portion of the valve seat is lower than the first surface of the first substrate.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to microvalve devices and methods of manufacturing the microvalve devices, and more particularly, to microvalve devices having a normally open type microvalve, in which an elastic film and a valve seat of the microvalve do not normally contact each other, and methods of manufacturing the microvalve devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
A clinical or environment-related sample may be analyzed by performing a series of biochemical, chemical, and mechanical processes. Currently, development of technologies for diagnosing or monitoring a biological sample is attracting increased attention. Due to its excellent accuracy and sensitivity, a developed molecular diagnosis method based on a nucleic acid is increasingly and broadly being used to diagnose infectious diseases and cancers, to study pharmacogenomics, and to develop new medicines. Microfluidic devices are commonly used to analyze a sample simply and precisely for the various purposes described above. In a microfluidic device, a plurality of sample inlets, sample outlets, microfluidic channels, reaction chambers, for example, are formed in a thin substrate and thus various tests may be simply performed on one sample.
From among the above-described microfluidic devices, microvalve devices having microvalves that control a sample and a reagent to flow to a desired location are currently developed and commercialized. For example, a microvalve device may include a thin elastic film interposed between two substrates, and a valve seat formed in a microfluidic channel of the substrates. In such a microvalve device, a microvalve is closed while the elastic film contacts the valve seat to prevent a sample from flowing through the microfluidic channel, and is open while the elastic film does not contact the valve seat to allow the sample to flow through the microfluidic channel.
In general, a microvalve device is manufactured as a normally closed type in which an elastic film and a valve seat normally contact each other. However, with the normally closed type, if a microvalve has not been used for a long time, an elastic film may naturally stick to a surface of a valve seat due to a chemical or physical reaction therebetween, and an initialization operation for separating the elastic film from the valve seat may be required. In addition, the elastic film may be permanently bonded to the valve seat in a process of permanently bonding the elastic film between the two substrates, and the microvalve may not operate normally. Accordingly, an additional process for preventing the elastic film from being bonded to the valve seat while the elastic film is permanently bonded between the two substrates may be required. Thus, the microvalve device may have a complicated manufacturing process and a high manufacturing cost.

Microvalve device and method of manufacturing the same


A latch device for a portable computer secures a main body to a foldable display. The main body may be folded onto or unfolded with respect to the display about a hinge. The latch device may include a latch installation portion that is formed on a rear case of the display; a latch that is seated in the latch installation portion and may include a hook which passes through a front case of the display and protrudes forward from a front end of the display to be selectively hooked into a catching groove on the main body; and an elastic member that provides an elastic force in a direction in which the hook of the latch is hooked into the catching groove of the main body. A release mechanism that is exposed to the exterior of an end of the display to receive a driving force inputted for moving the latch. Accordingly, the locking engagement between the display and the main body of the portable computer is more secure, and the latch is easily assembled and disassembled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable computer, and more particularly, to a latch device for a portable computer permitting a main body and a display to be engaged with each other when the display is folded onto the main body.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer according to the background art. FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of latch device shown in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 1, the portable computer includes a main body 1 of a substantially flat rectangular shape and a display 3 that pivots about a hinge 5 at a rear end of the main body 1. The display 3, which is formed in a plate shape corresponding to the main body 1, is folded and seated onto an upper face of the main body 1 when safekeeping or carrying the portable computer. As also seen in FIG. 1, the display 3 is unfolded with respect to the main body 1 at a predetermined angle for use.
An interior of the main body 1 is provided with a mainboard and the like of the portable computer, and the upper face of the main body 1 is provided with a keyboard 7. The keyboard 7 is a portion through which desired information is inputted as a user presses keys. The display 3 is provided with a liquid crystal panel 9 that displays information.
When the display 3 and the main body 1 are folded on each other to be secured in a safe storage position, e.g., to permit being transported or carried, latch devices 10 engage the display 3 and the main body 1 to each other. The latch devices 10 are provided at corresponding portions at front ends of a rear case 11 and a front case 12 which defines an external appearance of the display 3. The number of the latch devices 10 may be properly determined according to a width of the display 3.
The rear case 11 defines a rear face of the display 3, while the front case 12 forms a frame of a front edge of the display 3. The front case 12, which is formed in a rectangular frame shape, functions to seal and support an edge of the liquid crystal panel 9 of the display 3.
A space formed between the rear case 11 and the front case 12 is provided with latches and the like forming the latch devices 10. That is, the latches (not shown) are provided in the space between the rear case 11 and the front case 12 so that hooks 14 protrude forward from a front end of the front case 12. The hooks 14 are selectively hooked into catching grooves 1′ formed at a front end of the upper face of the main body 1. A release mechanism 13 for operating the hook 14 is exposed to a portion corresponding to a side face of the front end of the display 3.
However, the present inventor has determined that the above-described example of the background art suffers from the following disadvantages. The latch devices 10 engage the display 3 to the main body 1 so that the display 3 and main body 1 are not inadvertently unfolded with respect to each other when storing the computer for safekeeping or when transporting the portable computer. However, if the portable computer has large dimensions and the display 3 a relatively wide screen, forces applied to the hooks 14 when the hooks 14 are hooked into the main body 1 are increased as a width of the portable computer is relatively increased. If the forces applied to the hooks are increased, since large forces are also applied to the hooks 14 or the catching grooves 1′, the hooks can be broken or damaged.
Specifically, if the front case 12 is formed to bear most of the forces applied to the hooks 14, a smile gap, that is, a gap between the front case 12 and the rear case 11, may occur, easily causing breakage or deformation of the front case 12. Since the front case 12 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, the front case 12 is relatively weak in this respect.
In addition, major components of the latch device 10 are positioned in a space between the rear case 11 and the front case 12. Therefore, the latch device 10 is assembled in a main assembling line just before the rear case 11 and the front case 12 are assembled. However, since the liquid crystal panel 9, the latch device 10 and the like are assembled in such a main assembling line, the number of assembling steps is undesirably increased and ease of assembly and workability is reduced.


An apparatus and method of efficiently and dynamically generating the addresses associated with a set of instructions in a microprocessor pipeline is disclosed. Program counter age bits associated with the offsets of an address of a predetermined instruction within a set of instructions are used to indicate the chronological age of each instruction within the set of instructions. The age bits are generated by a logic circuit which also dispatches instructions to various execution units. The age bits are used to maintain and track the addresses of an instruction stream within a processing system so that there is no need to store the addresses of each and every instruction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method of maintaining the addresses of instructions in a processor pipeline. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method of maintaining the address offsets of each instruction with respect to the address of a predetermined instruction within a set of instructions in a processor pipeline.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Every instruction executed by a microprocessor has an associated address that describes its location in memory. In a superscalar microprocessor such as the UltraSPARC microprocessor, up to four instructions may be executed simultaneously. With the possibility of up to four instructions being executed in every given clock cycle, four unique addresses associated with the four different instructions will have to be tracked when handling or executing unexpected procedural calls known as traps. When traps occur, the normal flow of execution of the instructions is interrupted and software codes for handling such traps are executed to handle the traps. After attending to the traps, the processor has to return to the point of interruption in the instruction stream, so that normal processing may continue.
In conventional microprocessors, traps typically result in a vectored transfer of control to supervisor software through a trap table. A trap may be caused by the presence of an exception, a trap instruction or an interrupt. When an exception occurs, the processor cannot continue executing the current instruction stream without software intervention. The exceptions are detected near the last pipeline stage right before the results of the instructions are written back to the processor register file. Thus, an exception can occur for any of the instructions within a set of instructions in the pipeline. For example, in an N-way superscalar microprocessor, instructions are dispatched in groups of one to N. If the youngest or most recent instruction in a group takes the exception, an address is needed for the instruction that is interrupted. In such a microprocessor, a large number of addresses in the instruction stream must be recorded so as to maintain the correct address for processing the trap, and so that program execution may be resumed following completion of trap processing. Thus, an N-way superscalar processor with P pipeline stages and 64-bit instruction addresses will have to store P.times.N 64-bit addresses. This involves the use of significant chip area and also impacts processor performance.
Accordingly, there is a need in the technology for an efficient means of tracking a series of addresses during processing and for maintaining the address associated with the specific instruction that was interrupted.
In addition, some microprocessors such as the UltraSPARC microprocessor are designed to store the address of the instruction that was interrupted and the address of the following instruction to be executed. In a microprocessor which utilizes pipeline processing, a number of sequential steps are involved from the beginning of the execution of an instruction until completion. Since a series of steps has to be executed between the beginning of execution of the instruction and the time that results are written back to the processor register file, there is a time lag between the occurrence of these two events. As a result, the addresses associated with the instruction have to be precisely tracked and maintained for each step.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus and method of efficiently and dynamically generating the addresses of each instruction in a microprocessor pipeline without having to store the address of each and every instruction in the pipeline, thus decreasing the required space on the chip and reducing processing time. In addition, there is a need in the technology for an efficient means for tracking and storing the addresses associated with the instructions in each process step in a processor pipeline.