When water jet guided laser drilled through the first body, there is a confined embodiment between the first body and the second body. To prevent water jet guided laser to continue in this direction and create damage on the second body, a volume vibrator is connected to the embodiment and media that filled embodiment get pumped in and pumped out from the embodiment at adjustable frequency and cycle volume. Mechanical energy is then transferred into the embodiment to generate local media vibration. The laminar flowing state of the water jet is interrupted and the laser beam confined in the water jet is dispersed. Plugging method is also involved to insure when there are multiple holes on the embodiment, there will be enough mechanical energy get transferred to the laser breakthrough location.

Water jet guided laser has been used for drilling and cutting in many industrial applications, including turbine airfoil, carbon ceramic matrix (CMC), engine fuel nozzle, medical devices . . . where precise and high quality features are needed. Usually holes, slots, low kerf cut are achieved by water jet guided laser process.
The difference of water jet guided laser vs. other regular laser systems is that laser beam of water jet guided laser is not transferred in the free space. Instead, it is confined inside a stream of water jet based on total internal reflection theory.
For laser machining, a problem that harassing many applications is back-strike damage. When laser beam cut through the first body, it will continue to transfer in the space and cause damage to the second body on its way. It is desirable to cut through the first body for design, but undesirable to cut on the second body. The undesirable cut on the second body is called back-strike damage.
For regular laser system that laser beam transfer in the free space, back-strike protection usually involved with add a backing material between the first body and the second body. The backing materials act as a sacrificial layer to protect the second body.
If the room between the first body and the back surface is open enough, a backing material can be inserted to protect the back surface after the first body has been drilled/cut through. (Citation—caterpillar patent, Oxford flushing) However, when there is no direct access to insert or inject baking material to protect the second surface, back-strike protection for regular laser system becomes a problem.
There are circumstances that room between first body and second body is hidden in complicated geometry of the product and backing material is not easy to be inserted. Therefore, special methods have been used before to inject backing material into the desired location.
However, those methods used in regular laser system machining are either complicated in operation or low repeatability and reliability to insure high yield in production.
On the other hand, water jet guided laser system is based on total internal reflection to transfer laser power, in particular, the laser is composed by numerous scattered beams that confined within water jet by total internal reflection. Once total internal reflection condition is disrupted, numerous laser beams will disperse in all directions and lose it power density for machining purpose.
One requirement to have laser transferred by total internal reflection inside the water jet is to maintain a smooth interface between water and surrounding atmosphere.
The laminar flowing status of the water jet is critical to insure smooth interface between water and surrounding atmosphere. Once the laminar flowing status of the water jet is interrupted, the efficiency of total internal reflection is impacted and laser power transferring rate is reduced.
Therefore, an instinct method to achieve back-strike protection during a water jet guided laser machining process is to interrupt the laminar flowing status of water jet between the first body and the second body.
Laminar flowing status of water jet can be interrupted by flowing air or liquid between the first body and the second body. When flow speed of the air or liquid is high enough, the laminar flowing status of the water jet will be disrupted and the laser beam will be dispersed and in turn, the second body is protected from being damaged.
However, not all products have enough access or room to allow backing material to be inserted between the first body and the second body; not all products will allow to flow air or liquid between the first body and the second body at enough speed. There is a great need to invent a more general applicable method that can insure that when water jet guided laser process is used, the second body can be protected from back-strike damage.

Advanced back-strike protection process and related devices for water jet guided laser process


An image-recording medium and methods and apparatuses for providing the image-recording medium are provided. In accordance with the method, the image-recording medium is segmented and at least one identifying mark that identifies each segment of the image-recording medium is provided in an image recording area of the image-recording medium. A tracking encodement is provided that has tracking data that identifies each segment, with each tracking encodement being provided in an area of the image recording medium that does not record images. Information is stored in a database that associates the tracking data in the tracking encodement with the identifying mark.

Illegal copying of motion pictures is a cause of substantial revenue loss to the motion picture industry. Illegal copies made from a film print of a motion picture are typically made using a sophisticated telecine apparatus or filmed during projection using a video camera. Even the questionable quality of motion pictures pirated in this fashion does not prevent them from broad distribution in the "black market", especially in some global markets and on the Internet. As video cameras improve in imaging quality and become smaller and more capable, the threat of illegal copying activity becomes more menacing to motion picture providers. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate theft by copying, it can be advantageous to provide forensic techniques that help to determine where and how an illegal copy of a motion picture was made.
It is known to provide a distinct symbol or identifying mark to an original still image as a means of image or copy identification, such as in order to authenticate a copy. As examples, U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,249 entitled "Invisible Image Identifying mark For Image Verification filed by Mintzer et al. on Jan. 8, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,914 entitled Method and Apparatus Embedding Data, Including Identifying marks, In Human Perceptible Images, filed by Tewfik et al. on Aug. 27, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,972 entitled Method and Apparatus For Embedded Authentication Information Within Digital Data filed by Barton on Jun. 15, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,885 entitled Method For Protecting Content Using Identifying marking filed by Leighton on Aug. 29, 1997, disclose methods of applying a perceptually invisible identifying mark to image data as verification of authorship or ownership or as evidence that an image has not been altered. Advanced steganographic or "hidden content" techniques used for embedding identifying marks and other information content within images are also disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,156 entitled Method for Generating An Improved Carrier For Use In An Image Data Embedding Application, filed by Honsinger et al. on Apr. 28, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,480, entitled Steganographic System filed by Rhoads on May 8, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,672 entitled Steganographic Using Dynamic Codes filed by Rhoads on Mar. 8, 2000. Embedded identifying marks formed using such techniques, can provide various types of encoded message information, for example, a string of bits.
Identifying marking schemes, such as those disclosed in the patents listed above can be employed to add an identifying mark within the recorded image area of each copy of a motion picture. Proper deployment of such techniques can provide an identifying mark encoding that is imperceptible to the viewer's eye but can be detected when analyzing an illegal copy of a motion picture. Such identifying marks are typically made to be robust, that is, able to withstand various "attacks" that can remove or alter the identifying mark.
To provide accurate tracking of a motion picture print, it is necessary to uniquely identify the distribution path of the print. In fact, for even better precision, there can be advantages in providing multiple identifying marks in a single copy of a motion picture, so that each copy of a motion picture contains at least one individual length or segment of film having a unique, trackable identifying mark. In this way, even an individual segment of film of an illegally copied motion picture could be analyzed, its identifying mark detected, and its processing and distribution history tracked with precision. In order to provide this type of tracking capability, the processing and distribution history for each copy of a motion picture and/or a segment of film must be stored in some accessible fashion, such as in a database, and the identifying mark must be coupled, that is, associated in some way, to the specific information about a segment of film or motion picture that is stored in the database. This type of tracking can be used, for example, to provide forensic data and evidence that can be used to identify and prosecute those making an illegal copy of a motion picture.
In order to appreciate the difficulty involved in tracking the many copies of a motion picture, it is instructive to understand the conventional process by which a motion picture is manufactured, processed, and provided to a theater or other exhibitor. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an overview of the prior art process for producing and distributing a motion picture. A media manufacturer 20 initially manufactures film stock known as print film in the form of a large web of un-imaged print film. The web of un-imaged print film is then slit to produce multiple strips of un-imaged print film 22 each of which is then wrapped about a core 24 to produce multiple rolls 26 of un-imaged print film 22. Such un-imaged print film rolls 26 can have up to 6000 feet of un-imaged print film 22; however, they can also be any other convenient length. As un-imaged print film 22 is fabricated by media manufacturer 20, information may be exposed onto the un-imaged print film 22 such as product code, strip number, roll and part number, date or other information. This information is typically exposed on an edge of un-imaged print film 22, outside of an area of un-imaged print film 22 that is to receive scene content. Such information is not accessible until after the un-image film processor 50 processes print film 22.
When a studio 30 authorizes release a motion picture for distribution, a master copy 32 of the motion picture is provided to a printing apparatus 36 at a printing lab 34. Printing apparatus 36 can comprise such as a contact printer. Printing apparatus 36 is used to imprint an image of master copy 32 onto one or more rolls 26 of un-imaged print film 22. Printing apparatus 36 has an exposure head 38 that exposes images from master copy 32 onto un-imaged print film 22 to form an exposed print film 46 that is wound to form an imaged print film reel 48. Master copy 32 may be fed in a continuous loop or fed from a source reel 42 to a take-up reel 44.
Imaged print film reel 48 is taken from printing apparatus 36 and provided to film processor 50 for development using a conventional chemical process that routes exposed print film 46 through a sequence of baths 52 such as a developer bath 52a, a bleach bath 52b, and a fixer bath 52c. After this process, exposed print film 46 is dried to become a developed print film 54. Developed print film 54 is then packaged, for example, by mounting developed print film 54 on reel cores 56, becoming film reels 58 holding a length of developed print film 54 as long as 2000 feet. Typically a motion picture is made up of six to eight film reels 58 that vary in length. However, the number of film reels 58 and the length of developed print film 54 on each of film reels 58 used for a feature film can vary depending on the length of the motion picture.
Film reels 58 are then sent to a distributor 64, also known as a film exchange, who adds reel sides 60 that snap into reel cores 56 to provide protection and integrity to the developed print film 54. Reel sides 60 can alternatively be added at printing lab 34. Film exchange 64 assembles the appropriate film reels 58 to form a package comprising the entire motion picture for distribution to exhibitors 66. Exhibitors 66 typically provide the necessary splicing or handling required to combine the provided reels to display the motion picture.
It must be observed that the sequence shown in FIG. 1 is deliberately simplified for the sake of description and allows a number of variations in actual practice, but should be adequate for an overall understanding of key processes from film manufacture through distribution. Film packaging, for example, may be varied, depending on whether cores 24, reel cores 56, or other support structures are most appropriate. Processes illustrated at printing lab 34 such as printing and developing can all be performed at one location or performed at different locations. The roles of printing lab 34, developer 50 and film exchange 64 can overlap or be combined in many different ways than described or shown in FIG. 1.
With respect to FIG. 1, it can be seen that it is possible to use an identifying mark to uniquely identify each developed print film 54 in a way that the identifying mark can be extracted from an illegal copy of a motion picture recorded on the developed print film 54. However, to use such an identifying mark to identify the origin of illegal copies, the distribution path of the developed print film 54 bearing the identifying mark must be known. This requires that each developed print film 54 be tracked throughout its subsequent processing and distribution. However, as is shown in FIG. 1, the complexity of the film printing, developing and distribution process presents significant traceability challenges. What is needed is a method and system that are capable of building an association between a detected identifying mark and tracking of distribution information for that motion picture. What is also needed is a method and system that are capable of accurately maintaining and updating tracking information for each motion picture print at critical stages of film processing, distribution and exhibition. Such a method and system should be relatively inexpensive, require little labor, and be unobtrusive and difficult to circumvent.
Such a method and system should also be difficult to separate from the print so that the integrity of the tracking system is preserved. To achieve this, non-image information can be recorded on a print film. For example, it has been know to record non-image information optically in a marginal area on a motion picture film print. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of one known arrangement of this type. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, audio content is recoded optically in the marginal area in a cyan color channel of the print film. The audio content 65 is presented in a synchronized fashion with the image content recorded in image area 67. Other data such as film source identification information is written in human readable form on other color channels in the same marginal area can be recorded as an edge print 68. Similarly, in consumer negative films, it has been known to use a latent image bar code in a marginal area of a filmstrip that uniquely identifies the consumer negative film. This is done, for example, in consumer negative films that comply with the Advanced Photographic System standards. However, the use of such systems for anti-piracy is not known.
Steganographic methods that involve using a recorded identifying mark to track the movement of an object are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2000/0006212 entitled "Digital Identifying marking Apparatus and Methods Thereof" describes a method for managing inventory comprising the steps of: digitally identifying marking objects, each identifying mark including a unique identifier; recording the unique identifiers in a database; and updating the database to reflect activity of the marked objects. Similarly, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2002/0164049 entitled "Emulsion Products and Imagery Employing Steganography" filed by Rhoads on Mar. 19, 2002 describes the use of blank emulsion films and papers with an identifying mark that is then used for tracking purposes.
However, both of these systems require that the identifying mark itself be decoded at each stage in production and distribution wherein tracking is desired. This creates several issues when this technique is applied to motion picture film production and distribution. As an initial matter, this approach requires that each stage in the film production process be capable of reading the marked encodements. The sharing of identifying mark reading techniques and identifying mark reading equipment necessarily involves distribution of equipment and knowledge that can be used to help circumvent the identifying marking system. Further, the task of reading identifying marks during film production can be difficult to achieve at production speeds. Finally, the use of such techniques also prohibits humans and/or conventional optical scanning systems such as bar code reading equipment to be used to obtain tracking information.
Thus, what is needed are methods and systems for tracking the movement of marked film that can be conveniently used at critical stages of producing, distributing and exhibiting a motion picture and that can be reliably used to track movement of a film or film segment used in the production and distribution of a motion picture. What is also needed are methods and systems for tracking the movement of marked film that minimize the extent to which information about identifying mark encodement techniques must be shared throughout the distribution channel.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Tracking an image-recording medium using an identifying mark and film encodement


A basketball goal system may include a backboard, an elongated support that positions the backboard above a playing surface, a backboard support assembly that connects the backboard to the elongated support, and a goal support assembly with a rim and a support member. Preferably the support member is attached to the backboard support assembly behind a plane that is generally aligned with the front surface of the backboard. In addition, the basketball goal system may include a resistance mechanism to create a breakaway type basketball rim. The resistance mechanism is also preferably positioned behind a plane that is generally aligned with the front surface of the backboard. Advantageously, the basketball goal system may be part of a portable basketball system and/or a basketball system in which the height of the backboard and rim is adjustable relative to the playing surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally related to a basketball system and, in particular, to a basketball goal that may include features such as a breakaway rim, curved support arms, curved support pole and/or a backboard with a curved outer surface.
2. Description of Related Art
The game of basketball is played by many people throughout the United States and the world. Briefly, the game of basketball includes a flat and level playing surface with a basketball goal at each end of the court. The basketball goal typically includes a support pole with a backboard and rim or hoop attached to the top of the support pole. The rim or hoop is normally located ten feet above the playing surface and the backboard is constructed from materials such as tempered glass.
Conventional basketball goals include rigidly mounting the hoop to the basketball backboard so that the face of the backboard is positioned perpendicular to the playing surface and the hoop is positioned parallel to the playing surface. The mounting of the hoop to the backboard must be sufficiently rigid so that the hoop is capable of withstanding various forces and impacts during the game of basketball. For example, the hoop must remain in a generally stationary position so that the basketball rebounds and bounces off the rim in a consistent, dependable manner. In addition, the hoop must be able to withstand various impacts by the players during the game.
In recent years it has become increasingly popular to "dunk" the basketball in which the basketball is thrown through the hoop with great force and velocity. In particular, the basketball is thrown through the hoop from a position above the rim. While it is possible to dunk the basketball without the basketball or the player touching the rim, it is not uncommon for a player to strike the rim with the basketball and/or his or her hands and arms while dunking the basketball. A player may also grab and/or suspend themselves from the rim after dunking the basketball. In addition, a player may strike the rim while playing or practicing to play basketball. For example, a player may strike the rim while playing defense such as when one blocks or attempts to block another person's shot. These forces caused by dunking the basketball and players contacting, grabbing or suspending themselves from the rim impart substantial forces on the goal.
If the force applied to the basketball rim is of sufficient magnitude, many problems could result. For example, if the basketball backboard is constructed from tempered glass, the force may shatter the glass. This may result in injury to players surrounding the goal and spectators in the immediate area. In addition, the tempered glass backboard has to be replaced before the game can be continued. Unfortunately, replacing the glass backboard often requires a substantial amount of time and that may result in an unacceptable delay of the basketball game. Additionally, tempered glass backboards are very expensive and it may be prohibitively expensive to replace glass backboards each time they are damaged.
Known basketball backboards are also constructed from materials other than tempered glass. For example, known basketball backboards may also be manufactured using thermoformed plastic. Thermoformed plastic is a relatively strong material, but it is also brittle. The brittle nature of the thermoformed plastic makes it susceptible to cracking or shattering upon impact. Accordingly, basketball backboards constructed from thermoformed plastic are vulnerable to being cracked and broken. In addition, basketball backboards constructed from thermoformed plastic often require the use of strengthening ribs and other reinforcement structures in order to increase the stiffness and rigidity of the backboard. These ribs and reinforcement structures often detract from the aesthetics of the backboard and add to the complexity of the design and manufacturing process. The ribs and reinforcement structures may also increase the costs and time required to construct the backboard. Further, many thermoformed plastic basketballs are formed from two or more pieces that must be connected together, which generally requires additional time and parts to assemble. Therefore, thermoformed plastic backboards are relatively costly to manufacture and have many disadvantages.
Basketball backboards constructed from thermoformed plastic, however, are generally more resistant to shattering or breaking in comparison to basketball backboards constructed from tempered glass. The forces applied to the rim when a player dunks the basketball or otherwise contacts the rim may still damage the backboard even if it is constructed from thermoformed plastic. In addition to breaking or damaging the backboard, it is also possible to bend or otherwise deform the rim. For example, if sufficient force is applied to the rim, the rim may bend from its horizontal position into a deformed, angled configuration. This is very undesirable because the rim must remain horizontal and parallel to the playing surface to play basketball. After a rim has been bent into a deformed position, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to restore the rim to its original, horizontal position. Thus, the rim must usually be replaced, which is often time consuming and difficult to accomplish. Further, rims used in connection with home, playground and portable basketball systems are more likely to be bent and deformed because these types of rims are often not as strong and durable as rims used for professional basketball games. Therefore, rims used in connection with home, playground and portable basketball systems are more likely to be damaged and in need of replacement.
It is known use a basketball rim that will "breakaway" or deflect from its original horizontal position when a threshold force is applied to the rim in order to prevent damage to the rim or backboard. In particular, when a force greater than a predetermined amount of force is applied to the rim, the rim is allowed to pivot downwardly before the rim or backboard is damaged. These known breakaway rims allow the rim to maintain its horizontal position during regular play such as when a basketball bounces off the rim. The breakaway rims, however, deflect downwardly when a substantial amount of force is applied to the rim, such as someone dunking a basketball or grabbing onto the rim, in order to absorb much of the energy applied to the rim.
Known breakaway rims, however, are often very complex and include multiple parts. Most known breakaway rims position the various mechanisms and parts in the limited space between the rim and the backboard. This small area forces the parts to be very small and spaced very close together, which increases manufacturing time and costs. This also makes these known breakaway rims very difficult to adjust and repair. Additionally, known breakaway rims often include multiple moving parts that are subject to wear over time. Disadvantageously, if the parts being to wear, that may allow the rim to be held in a less than stable and rigid position, which is very undesirable when playing basketball because the rim may undesirably "give" or move during the game. In addition, a safety hazard may be created because hands or fingers may be caught or injured in the mechanisms and parts located in front of the backboard. Further, the forwardly extending components of the breakaway rim may also create an aesthetically unpleasing design and the components may be difficult to install or replace.
As with most mechanical systems, the complexity of many known breakaway basketball rims can result in several disadvantages. For example, conventional breakaway rims are often constructed with numerous parts and components located in a very confirmed area. The numerous parts and components are often relatively expensive and the breakaway rims are frequently difficult to manufacture, which may result in an increased price to the consumer. Additionally, the complex nature of these known breakaway rims often leads to a greater frequency of failure. Further, many previous breakaway rims are constructed of materials which are not designed for outdoor use. Thus, the breakaway rims can only be used indoors or, if the breakaway rims are used outdoors, then the parts may prematurely rust or deteriorate. Finally, the relatively small components located in a very compact area make conventional breakaway basketball rims very difficult to repair and replace.
In addition, conventional breakaway rims are typically mounted directly to the basketball backboard by fasteners such as bolts or screws. Thus, holes or opening must be created in the backboard, which may weaken or decrease the structural integrity of the backboard. In addition, because the rim is attached to the backboard, significant forces may be transferred from the rim to the backboard. For example, when a player dunks a basketball or otherwise contacts the rim, then the force on the rim may be directly transmitted to the backboard. This transfer of the force from the rim to the backboard can cause unnecessary wear and/or damage to the backboard.


A mold assembly for forming a multi-shot molded part includes a mold system defining a mold cavity, and a retracting member disposed in the mold system selectively movable between extended and retracted positions in the mold cavity. A first molding material is injected in the mold cavity when the mold system is in a configuration with the retracting member in the extended position, forming a first portion of a molded part including a thin wall portion. A second molding material is injected in the mold cavity when the mold system is in another configuration with the retracting member in the retracted position, forming a second portion of the molded part and providing open cavity portions adjacent both surfaces of the thin wall portion. The second material penetrates the thin wall portion, filling the open cavity portions and forming a connection between the first and second portions of the molded part.

The present invention relates generally to molding and injection molding equipment and processes and, in particular, to a multi-shot molding method and assembly.
Molding and injection molding equipment are well known and typically include a mold having a mold cavity for receiving molten liquid therein for forming a finished molded part, such as automobile door interiors or the like. Multi-shot molding is also well known and typically includes the steps of injecting a first pressurized molten mold material into a mold cavity, retracting a portion of the mold (such as a large core, a small core, a blade, or a lifter) into the core or the cavity, and injecting at least a second pressurized molten mold material into the mold cavity to form a finished part formed of the first and second mold materials. Injection molding equipment typically utilize retractable, often tapered, pins for providing a means for attaching the first and second mold materials. The pin extends through the first mold material and is retracted, along with the retracting portion, prior to the second mold material being injected to form a connection, such as a welded connection, between the mold materials. The pin fully penetrates through the first material and contacts a surface of the core portion adjacent the mold cavity. Eventually, a witness mark is disadvantageously formed on the surface of the core portion that, in turn, becomes a blemish on a surface of the finished molded part.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide an assembly and method for forming multi-shot molded parts that does not produce a witness mark on a surface of the finished molded product and that ensures proper attachment of the multiple shot components formed in the multi-shot molding process.


A method of manufacturing a display apparatus and a display apparatus manufactured by using (utilizing) the method.

1. Field
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a resin composition, a method of manufacturing display apparatus by using (utilizing) the same, and a display apparatus manufactured by using (utilizing) the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal display apparatus is one of the most widely used (utilized) flat panel display apparatuses. In general, a liquid crystal display apparatus uses (utilizes) an electric field to control light transmittance through liquid crystal having dielectric anisotropy to display images.
In general, liquid crystal display apparatuses are manufactured by disposing two substrates such that surfaces of the substrates on which electrodes are formed may face each other and by filling space between the electrodes with a liquid crystal material.
Various processes have been tried to simplify the process of manufacturing liquid crystal display apparatuses. For example, after disposing a thin film transistor array substrate on a color filter array substrate, a liquid crystal layer may be formed. Here, an inlet that allows for the injection of liquid crystal may be formed. A liquid crystal layer may be formed by immersing the inlet in a liquid crystal tank.

Resin composition, method of manufacturing display apparatus by using the same, and display apparatus manufactured by using the method


This invention is of particular use to patients with Diabetes Mellitus. It uses alkyl analogs of the methyl pyruvate (MP) family to provide energy and improve insulin and glucose homeostasis via accelerated intracellular delivery of protons and ATP from each MP. The energy upregulates cellular cross talk and networking resulting in a surge of ATP enabling NADH (via glycolysis) that enables pancreatic islet cells to obtain increased ATP allowing excess insulin manufacture. This process improves cellular respiration and expedites protein, lipid and hormone manufacture. The increased energy also enables telomeres and delays Hayflick limit. Instead of cellular repair, silence, or apoptosis, energy is allocated for cell/organ function. This invention curbs inflammation and ROS by idealizing cellular respiration and diminishing hyperglycemia. In turn a reduction of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), lessened target RNA and nucleic acid toxins, i.e., diminished HbA1c occurs. By decreased drain of cellular energy, genomic function improves.

Diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM), occur at the cellular level and are inflicted by insufficient energy required to continuously maintain the structure and function of cells, particularly in the pancreas. All cells with depleting energy supplies are less capable of their genetically programmed performances, and in this case defective insulin capabilities. Further compounding this cellular malfunction we know the receptor sites, i.e., glucose transporters (Glut4) are down regulated. Now, the increasing glucose enables toxic oxidation and inflammatory compounds to further impair cellular function at the cytosolic and nuclear levels; this creates a need for repair or replacement of these cells. Energy required via the CAC cycle is critically required at this point lest we have further reduction of the VAMP and diminishing mitochondrial numbers. In man, a cell functions alone or in composite utilizing all its energy for these genomic processes. If the cell requires repair, the primary function of the cell is diminished with repair requiring a portion of the cell's total energy. If the repair is significant, all cross talk and synchronization of cell networking is diminished and cell function may stop until repair is effected unless gene silencing or apoptosis intervenes.
From this point forward the use of methyl pyruvate (MP), ethyl pyruvate (EP) and their manifold alkyl analogues (bimethylated and ethylated composites and methyl-ethyl composites of pyruvate) solely or in any and all combinations will be represented by MP as their template for the energy and anti-inflammation needed to resolve the above scenario. Additionally, HbA1c is a protein of hemoglobin in the RBC that irreversibly attaches to plasma glucose for the three-month life span of the RBC. The percent of HbA1c correlates with blood glucose levels that measure: normals from four (4%) percent to six (6%) percent and diabetics at ≧six (6%) percent.
Methyl pyruvate performs as a lipophilic antisense-like bullet that penetrates cell membranes, mitochondrial membranes and nuclear membranes with its active and passive delivery of energy via protons, adenosine triphosphate manufacture (ATP) and methylation. This energy delivering metabolic bullet upregulates all cytosolic and nuclear capabilities. It can even negate messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Now, because of instant protons and pyruvate delivered, there is immediately empowered glycolysis and/or CAC production of ATP and the cell functions with more efficient performance. Through this newly available energy, gene silencing can be reversed, repairs completed, apoptosis performed, and the cell is upgraded and/or divides (cell partitioning) into a new and improved cell having shed its prior oxidative cellular/genetic debris. In DM this means improved Glut4 networking, improved insulin sensitivity, increased intra and intercellular networking and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) production. Further, due to MP, many nutrients and complicit molecules including peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor (Ppars) will now function more effectively and efficiently, i.e. as infused and increased cellular energy can now effect niacinamide (B3) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) at an intracellular level that enables and protects beta cell function. In addition, energy reduces the level of HbA1c, increases cell life span and prepares FOXO3a to stop proteolysis initiation, and/or initiate apoptosis when and where appropriate in the cell cycle. Methylation ability afforded by MP assists in cellular methylation but can also afford to enhance gene expression as it retracts the histone sheath of the chromatin allowing increased genetic expression. With all vitamins, all amino acids, all nutrients, hydronium ion and water transport, all cation and anion channel functions, lipid metabolism, protein metabolism, glucose metabolism, organ functioning, genomic protection replication and functioning, MP enables all of these individual physiologic roles and applications. (Ethyl and Methyl pyruvates have been tested in human volunteers and have been shown to be safe in clinically prescribed doses.)


An air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle has a first side opening portion and a second side opening portion for blowing air toward right and left sides of a passenger compartment. A cool air passage and a warm air passage are provided adjacently to extend in a vehicle width direction, and the first and second side opening portions are arranged to be perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. A three-way branch duct is attached to the air conditioning apparatus in such a manner that air introduced into the first side opening portion is blown toward a right side of the passenger compartment and air introduced into the second side opening portion is blown toward a left side of the passenger compartment. Thus, a temperature difference between air blown from the right side and air blown from the left side of the passenger compartment can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle in which a warm air passage and a cool air passage are adjacently provided to extend in a vehicle width direction, and first and second side opening portions are arranged to be perpendicular to the vehicle width direction.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional air conditioning apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 7 includes an air conditioning case 101 forming an air passage toward a passenger compartment. Within the air conditioning case 101, an evaporator 102 and a heater core 103 are disposed in parallel in a width direction of a vehicle so that air passes through the evaporator 102 and the heater core 103 in the width direction of the vehicle. Because the heater core 103 is disposed at a downstream air side of the evaporator 102 to cross a part of the air passage, the air passage within the air conditioning case 101 is divided into cool air passage 104 through which cool air bypasses the heater core 103 and a warm air passage 105 through which warm air having passed through the heater core 103 flows. The warm air passage 105 is bent at a downstream air side toward the cool air passage 104. Further, a ratio between an amount of cool air passing through the cool air passage 104 and an amount of warm air passing through the warm air passage 105 is adjusted by an air mixing door 110. In the air conditioning case 101 at a downstream air side of the air passage, there air provided with a face opening portion 107 through which conditioned air is blown toward the upper portion of a passenger in the passenger compartment, a foot opening portion 108 through which conditioned air is blown toward the lower portion of the passenger in the passenger compartment, and a defroster opening portion 109 through which conditioned air is blown toward an inner surface of a windshield.
Further, the face opening portion 107 has a center face opening portion 107a connected to a center face air outlet which is provided at a front center portion in the width direction of the vehicle, and side face opening portions 107b and 107c connected to side face air outlets which is provided at right and left two ends of the passenger compartment. However, in the conventional air conditioning apparatus, warm air flows through the warm air passage 105 as shown by an arrow X, and cool air flows through the cool air passage 104 as shown by arrow Y in FIG. 7. Therefore, cool air readily flows into the side face opening portion 107b, and warm air readily flows into the side face opening portion 107c. As a result, a temperature difference is generated between air blown from the side face opening portion 107b and air blown from the side face opening portion 107c.


An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display includes a substrate, an auxiliary electrode disposed on the substrate, a first signal line disposed on the substrate, a second signal line crossing the first signal line, a driving voltage line disposed on the substrate, a first thin film transistor connected to the first signal line and the second signal line, a second thin film transistor connected to the first thin film transistor and the driving voltage line, a first electrode connected to the second thin film transistor, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a light-emitting member disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The auxiliary electrode is connected to one of the driving voltage line and the second electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Discussion of the Background
The recent trend toward lightweight and thin personal computers and television sets requires lightweight and thin display devices. Hence, flat panel displays are replacing conventional cathode ray tubes (CRT). Flat panel displays include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a field emission display (FED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, and a plasma display panel (PDP). Among flat panel displays, the OLED display is the most promising because of its low power consumption, fast response time, wide viewing angle, and high contrast ratio. An OLED display is a self-emissive display device that includes an organic light-emitting layer interposed between two electrodes. One electrode injects holes and the other injects electrons into the light-emitting layer. The injected electrons and holes combine to form exitons, which emit light as they discharge energy. An OLED display may be a passive matrix display or an active matrix display according to its driving method. The passive matrix OLED display includes a plurality of anode lines, a plurality of cathode lines crossing the anode lines, and a plurality of pixels, each including a light emission layer. Selecting one anode line and one cathode line causes light emission of the pixel located at the intersection of the selected signal lines. The active matrix OLED display includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel may include a switching transistor, a driving transistor, and a storage capacitor, as well as an anode, a cathode, and a light emission layer. The driving transistor receives a data voltage from the switching transistor and drives a current having a magnitude corresponding to the data voltage. The current from the driving transistor enters the light emission layer to cause light to emit at an intensity that depends on the current.
Here, input terminals of the driving transistors are commonly connected to driving voltage lines, which supply a driving voltage to the respective driving transistors. Hence, the magnitude of the current flowing through each driving transistor may be defined by the driving voltage as well as the data voltage. In other words, the magnitude of the current may be defined by a difference between the driving voltage and the data voltage.
However, with a larger OLED display, the driving voltages applied to the respective driving transistors may not be uniform. Therefore, when data voltages of equal magnitude are applied to the driving transistors, the driving transistors may not output equal driving currents due to voltage drop, etc. Consequently, the same data voltage may result in different gray scales for displaying images.
Accordingly, a difference between driving voltages due to voltage drop may cause cross-talk, which deteriorates image quality.

Organic light-emitting diode display comprising auxiliary electrodes


A clutchless, direct drive, self-propelled vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle base having a suction inlet and a housing pivotally mounted on the nozzle base. A suction source is mounted to one of the nozzle base and the housing. A filter chamber is located in one of the nozzle base and the housing. A drive motor is mounted to one of the nozzle base and the housing, the drive motor having an output shaft. A transmission is directly coupled to the output shaft of the motor. A driven wheel is directly coupled to the transmission. Also disclosed is a height adjustment mechanism for the vacuum cleaner, the height adjustment mechanism employing the drive assembly of the vacuum cleaner.

The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners. More specifically, the invention relates to self-propelled vacuum cleaners.
Known self-propelled vacuum cleaners include an electric motor disposed in a nozzle base of the cleaner for driving a set of driven wheels. The drive motor, via a clutch, exerts a driving force on the driven wheels in the direction of movement desired by the operator. Some operators value self-propelled vacuum cleaners because they are easier to move from place to place while vacuuming a room.
In the prior art self-propelled vacuum cleaners, a clutch mechanism is provided to allow the motor, which normally rotates only in a single direction, to drive the vacuum cleaner in both a forward and a reversed direction. It is apparent that clutches add to the complexity of the vacuum cleaner power drive system. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a clutchless direct drive type vacuum cleaner.
As is well known, vacuum cleaners also include height adjustment mechanisms to enable the vacuum cleaner to be employed on carpeting of various heights or on bare floors. Conventionally, the nozzle base had to include both drive wheels for the power drive mechanism and separate rollers or wheels which were coupled to the nozzle height adjustment mechanism of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a drive mechanism which can also serve as part of a height adjustment mechanism for the vacuum cleaner in order to reduce the number of parts in the nozzle base, thereby reducing both the complexity and the cost of manufacture of the nozzle base.

Clutchless self-propelled vacuum cleaner and nozzle height adjustment mechanism therefor


The present invention provides a means for the recovery of residual specialty oils from cake using a compressed solvent, preferably carbon dioxide. The present invention also allows for the cake to be toasted before extraction. The compressed solvent can be recycled and the process is continuous.

Specialty oils are valuable commodities for a number of reasons, including but not limited to their nutritional, cosmetic, and therapeutic uses. The term "specialty oil" typically refers to oil that occurs in low volume, as compared to commodity oils, has unique functionality or improved health benefits. Many of these specialty oils have anti-bacterial properties and, therefore, can be used to treat infections. Skin care preparations have used oils in formulations for centuries. Additionally, specialty oils have significant health benefits. They can treat a number of serious medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, migraine headaches, and even certain types of cancer. Specialty oils are able to preserve cell membrane function due to their high content of essential fatty acids and are also rich in antioxidants.
There are a number of oils that fit into the category of specialty oils, many of which are quite expensive. Some oils representatively used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following: borage, evening primrose, flaxseed, hemp, black currant, walnut, jojoba, and rosehip seed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other oils may be used with this invention. These oils are a natural source of essential fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body (animal or human). Therefore, they must be obtained through proper diet. Deficiency of essential fatty acids has been identified in mental disorders, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, immune dysfunction, and inflammatory conditions. Each of these oils has specific applications and benefits. For example, borage oil, one of the most expensive oils, helps to repair sun damaged and aging skin, as well as maintain healthy skin. Hemp oil can be absorbed directly into the skin. Jojoba oil is often used in hair care products and applications.
Another specialty oil of great value is sesame oil. Sesame is cultivated in India, China, Sudan, Korea, and Mexico. The oil, which is rich in antioxidants and pain relieving compounds and high in polyunsaturated fat, has natural antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it has been used in the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, hepatitis, and migraine headaches. Studies have also shown that sesame oil has inhibited the growth of malignant melanoma and the replication of human colon cancer cells due to the fact that it is a cell growth regulator and, therefore, can slow down replication and cell growth. Other research has shown a variety of benefits from the use of sesame oil such as reduction of the bacteria that causes gingivitis, cure of chronic sinusitis, protection from UV rays, and maintenance of beautiful skin. Therefore, because of its human health benefits, as well as the fact that it is a low volume product, sesame oil is considered to be a specialty oil.
Sesame seeds are comprised of approximately 50% to 60% fatty oil containing compounds such as sesamin, sesamolin, and sesaminol. Sesaminol is present in the seeds mainly as glycoside, and it can be produced from sesamolin. More than 75% of sesame oil consists of unsaturated fatty acids, with almost equal portions of oleic and linoleic acid.
In most Asian countries, hot-pressed sesame oil is preferred. The sesame seeds are toasted before pressing. Toasting the seeds increases their flavor, which is a result of the compounds 2-furylmethanthiol, 2-methoxyphenol (guajacol), phenylethanthiol, and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)furanone (furaneol). Also adding to the flavor are vinylguacol, 2-pentylpyridine, and other N-containing heterocycles.
Specialty oils are obtained from seeds either by mechanical pressing or by extraction. Extraction tends to be a chemical treatment via an organic solvent, such as hexane or a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide.
In the case of specialty oils, mechanical pressing is the preferable route. This is because there is no residual organic solvent left in the cake. There is no evaporation required in either the oil or in the cake. Therefore, these products are very attractive to the organic market. However, mechanical pressing leaves residual oil in the cake. The amount of residual oil depends mainly of the type of expeller and the temperatures used. Additionally, the cake is wasted or used in applications such as feed for livestock for a very low price. The fact remains that each time this process is performed, a significant portion of the specialty oil is not recovered. Because specialty oils are such valuable commodities, the recovery of the oil in the cake would have great economic implications.
An expeller press uses friction and continuous pressure from a screw drive to move and compress the seed material. The oil seeds pass through small openings that do not allow seed fiber solids to pass through. Afterward, the pressed seeds are formed in the press into a hardened cake, which is generally regarded as waste. The residual oil content in the cake depends mainly of the type of the expeller and the temperatures used (cold or hot pressing). The residual oil content in the cake ranges anywhere from 5 to 10 weight percent (wt. %). However, in some cases, such as sesame seeds, the residual oil content can be as high as 20%. At present, the issue of recovering the residual oil from these cakes has not been readily addressed. Historically, the cake is usually discarded or given to livestock for feed.


An adaptive user authentication system is disclosed that executes user authentication by verifying user identity using different authentication steps based on a risk score. The risk score enables determining if the requesting user's identity is to be verified. If it is determined that the user identity is to be verified, a sequence of authentication steps is implemented wherein more and more data is collected regarding the user as the user fails to be authenticated at each of the authentication steps. A first authentication step includes a numerical-based authentication step followed by a second authentication step including a live image authentication. If the user fails to be authenticated at either the first or the second authentication steps then a third authentication step to verify the user's passport is implemented.

Cyberattacks and data fraud are becoming serious threats to individuals, organizations, and society at large. The number of attacks is also increasing at a rapid rate. Several conventional approaches have been used to combat data security problems. Disk encryption in hardware and software, such as on-the-fly encryption (OTFE) or transparent encryption, involves converting data to an unreadable or otherwise inaccessible format. Data masking or data obfuscation is used to "hide" data. Masking is achieved by inserting random characters in data fields to mislead and prevent sensitive data from being accessed by unauthorized personnel. Backups are used for the recovery of data to help restore data in the event of data corruption or erasure. These and other conventional techniques are used to help minimize the impact of cyberattacks and data breaches.
Organizational entities that rely on communication of data, especially in global digital transactions for goods or services, typically use some form of the online portal in which a user may be required to submit an application containing information about his or her identity. Such technologies involve situations where the user inquiries about or desires access to various commercial, financial, or government products or services. Although these organizational entities are spending large amounts of money and resources to create and deploy online applications for more secured transactions, there are still several technical problems that continue to persist in when fraud prevention is to be balanced with customer experience.


There is provided a hybrid vehicle that suppresses overdischarge of a power storage device. In the case where a braking force is applied to drive wheels accompanied with regenerative driving of a second motor in an accelerator-off state upon satisfaction of a filter regeneration condition, when a state of charge of a power storage device is equal to or higher than a reference value, an engine and a first motor are controlled such as to perform fuel cutting of the engine and motoring of the engine by the first motor. When the state of charge of the power storage device is lower than the reference value, on the other hand, the engine is controlled such as to perform self-sustained operation or rotation stop of the engine.

A proposed hybrid vehicle is configured such that an engine equipped with a filter placed in an exhaust system and configured to remove particulate matter, a first motor, and a second motor connected with drive wheels are respectively connected with a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear of a planetary gear and that a battery is connected with the first motor and the second motor via power lines (as described in, for example, JP 2018-75919A). In an accelerator-off state, when a required braking force is not coverable by regenerative driving of the second motor in a range of an allowable input power of the battery, this hybrid vehicle controls the engine, the first motor and the second motor such that the required braking force is covered by regenerative driving of the second motor, fuel cutting of the engine and motoring of the engine by the first motor. The allowable input power of the battery is set to provide a smaller value upon satisfaction of filter regeneration conditions, compared with a value upon no satisfaction of the filter regeneration conditions. This configuration facilitates fuel cutting of the engine in the accelerator-off state upon satisfaction of the filter regeneration conditions. Performing fuel cutting of the engine causes the air (oxygen) to be supplied to the filter and to burn the particulate matter accumulated on the filter and thereby achieves regeneration of the filter.


A vectorization and delivery system of therapeutic or diagnostic substances including (i) at least one polymer and (ii) at least one nontoxic positively charged polysaccharide, the nanoparticles having a substantially homogeneous distribution of size.

The development of new systems for the delivery or release of active principles has as a first object the controlled delivery of an active agent, especially a pharmacological agent, to its site of action at a therapeutically optimal rate and dosage (J. Kreuter, 1994). The improvement of the therapeutic index can be obtained by modulation of the distribution of the active principle in the organism. The association of the active principle with the delivery system makes possible its specific delivery to the site of action or of its controlled release after targeting the site of action. The reduction in the amount of active principle in the compartments in which its presence is not desirable makes it possible to increase the efficacy of the active principle, to reduce its toxic side effects and even to modify or restore its activity.
One of the major issues of delivery is its application to molecular biology and, most particularly, its application to active principles such as deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs), oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), peptides, proteins—all negatively charged. The molecular biology bases in genetic diseases makes it possible to modulate or replace a dysfunctional gene. The development of gene therapy as routine in clinical practice is dependent on the possibility of repeated administration via the systemic route, the capacity to reach a target and to effectively transfect cells in vivo (Felgner, 1990; Kabanov and Alakhov, 1993; Crook, 1995; Douglas and Curiel, 1995; Lasic and Templeton, 1996) as well as the possibility of fabricating vectors which will be capable of being adapted to an industrial scale. The techniques of in vitro transfection used to date, such as electroporation and co-precipitation of DNA with calcium phosphate, are approaches the application of which in vivo would appear to be difficult (Fynan et al., 1993).
The systems for in vivo transfection take into account the natural negative charge of DNAs and ODNs. These are either viral systems (Morgan and Anderson, 1993) or nonviral constructions such as cationic lipids (Ledley, 1994; Zelphati and Szoka, 1996). The viral vectors are very effective in terms of in vitro transfection, but they have limitations in vivo because of their immunogenicity (Wilson et al., 1990; Douglas and Curiel, 1995; Verma and Somia, 1997). Among the nonviral vectors, the cationic lipids such as Transfectam (Behr et al., 1989) have good transfection properties, but their application in vivo is limited by their toxicity, the activation of the complement and their notable tropism for the liver and the lungs.
Since the studies carried out with poly(1-lysine) at the end of the 1980s (Wu and Wu, 1987), many cationic polymers have been studied as nonviral transfection vectors. These vectors include polyethyleneimine (Boussif et al., 1995; Remy et al., 1998), polybrene (Mumper et al., 1996) and the dendrimers of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) (Tang et al., 1996).
Until now, the efficacy of transfection with polymers is relatively low and many of these cationic polymers have exhibited a relative toxicity with low potentials of repeated administration via the intravenous route. The polymers used directly with the active principles notably DNA are limited by their transfection efficacy and consume a large amount of active principle and thus require the use of a large amount of polymer, which is itself toxic. The colloidal systems used for the delivery notably of genes in vivo use smaller amounts of polymer and active principle.
The colloidal delivery systems of active principles comprise the liposomes, microemulsions, nanocapsules, nanospheres, microparticles and nanoparticles. Nanoparticles have advantages of targeting, modulation of distribution and flexibility of formulation and have a polymer structure which can be designed and implemented in a manner adapted to the goal. They have been found to be promising for obtaining a better therapeutic index in the sense defined above because of their aptitude to ensure a controlled release, a specific delivery to the site of action or targeted delivery, enabling both an augmentation of the efficacy and a reduction in the toxic side effects at the level of the other organs.
Among these, the poly(alkyl cyanoacrylates) described in EP-B-0 007 895 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,332 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,055) and EP-B-0 064 967 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,908) are particularly interesting because their bioerosion takes place rapidly in relation to other biodegradable polymers and unfolds over durations compatible with therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The nanoparticles are colloidal vectors the diameter of which ranges between 10 nm and 1000 nm. These particles are formed by macromolecules in which the biologically active substance is trapped, encapsulated or adsorbed at the surface. Nanoparticles or nanospheres are described by Birrenbach and Speiser (1976) in terms of nanopellets and nanocapsules and qualified by Kreuter and Speiser (1976) as adjuvants and delivery systems of active substances by Kreuter (1983).
With the goal of increasing the stability of the oligonucleotides, of increasing their penetration into the cells and avoiding nonspecific distribution, the use of particular vectors, like nanoparticles, is considered to be one of the most promising approaches. However, their use has been limited by the toxicity of the substance used to affix the active principle to the nanoparticle.
The polymer nanoparticles that have been subjected to the greatest amount of research are the polyisohexylcyanoacrylates (PIHCA). However, as nanoparticles having a negative surface charge, a cationic copolymer (diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) dextran) or a cationic hydrophobic detergent (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)) were combined with polyalkylcyanoacrylates (PACA) to facilitate association of ODNs by formation of ion pairs on the nanoparticles. Thus, the ODNs were effectively associated with the PACA nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic cation such as CTAB (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, Chavany et al., 1992). Since CTAB has toxicity problems, Zobel et al., 1987 replaced the CTAB with DEAE dextran which was introduced into the polymerization medium prior to formation of the nanospheres. DEAE dextran was also found to be toxic.
A desirable nanoparticle vector for delivery of active principles such as DNAs, ODNs, peptides and proteins should be:
capable of forming a complex with the molecule of interest taking into account its physicochemical characteristics and the substance selected for affixing the active principle must be adapted to the charge and the toxicity data,
capable of protecting the active principle from degradation during its transport in the circulating blood,
biocompatible (nontoxic, nonimmunogenic and preferably biodegradable),
capable of delivering the active principle to the level of the target tissue in sufficient quantity, and
capable of targeting specifically a cell type.

Vectorization system comprising nanoparticles of homogenous size of at least one polymer and at least one positively charged polysaccharide and method for the preparation thereof


An apparatus for keeping a down hole drilling tool vertically aligned has a tubular body having an axis, an inner bore, at least one perpendicular channel and at least one set of steering elements disposed on opposed sides of the tubular body and engaging the at least one perpendicular channel of the tubular body. The at least one perpendicular channel permits the steering elements to move perpendicularly to the axis of the tubular body and restricts movement parallel to the axis of the tubular body. The first and second steering elements are engaged such that movement of the first or second steering element toward an extended position relative to the tubular body moves the other steering element toward a retracted position relative to the tubular body. Actuators are carried by the tubular body that selectively actuate the steering elements toward the extended position to steer the down hole drilling tool.

When drilling vertical well bores or vertical sections of wellbores, it is important to ensure the wellbores are properly aligned. U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,197 (Wenzel) entitled "Apparatus for Keeping a Downhole Drilling Tool Vertically Aligned" describes a tool that may be used to perform this function. This tool uses a number of steering elements that pivot out from the tubular body to reorient the drill bit when it begins to deviate from a vertical alignment.

Apparatus for keeping a downhole drilling tool vertically aligned


An embodiment includes a network of at least one router. The network includes a data packet address translator. The data packet address translator manipulates address information of data packets routed by the network, so that a network device connected to the network perceives the network to be a bridge. One embodiment of the network includes wireless mesh network that is wirelessly connectable to a client.

Packet networking is a form of data communication in which data packets are routed from a source device to a destination device. Packets can be networked directly between a source node and a destination node, or the packets can be relayed through a number of intermediate nodes. The packets generally include a source address, a destination address and a payload.
FIG. 1 shows a network device 110 connected to a network 100. A client device 120 can also be connected to the network 100. For some networks, the network device 110 is a layer two (OSI model) device and the network 100 includes layer two routers. With the network 100 including only layer two devices, the network 100 appears to the network device 110 to be a transparent bridge. That is, if the network only includes layer two devices, then any client 120 connected to the network 100, appears to the network device 110, to be directly connected to the network device 110.
In some situations, it may be desirable to implement a network with layer three devices. Generally, a layer two device and layer two networks transparently bridge data packets without altering MAC or IP header fields of the data packets, whereas layer three devices generally alter MAC header fields of data packets passing through the layer three devices. The altering of MAC headers of data packets can present problems when interfacing a layer two device with a layer three network.
It is desirable to have a layer three network that allows a network device connected to the network to perceive the network as a transparent bridge. The network device should perceive a client connected to the network, to be connected directly to the network device.


An integrated circuit memory system includes a write-back buffer and a control circuit that support read-write-modify (RWM) operations within a high capacity memory device. A RWM operation may include reading from the integrated circuit memory device and the write-back buffer to identify whether the memory device or the write-back buffer has the data requested by a read instruction issued to the memory system. The data read from the write-back buffer is then written into the memory device and a modified version of the requested data is written to the write-back buffer in anticipation of subsequent transfer to the memory device.

State-of-the-art packet processors perform many operations on incoming packets at line rates (e.g., 10 Gb/s or higher). These operations include but are not limited to address lookup, packet classification, buffering, statistics maintenance, quality-of-service (QoS) scheduling and header editing. One category of packet processors includes packet switches, such as IP routers, ATM switches and Ethernet switches. Packet switches perform statistics maintenance for many reasons, including billing, firewalling, intrusion detection, network tracing and management, load balancing and traffic engineering.
In a typical scenario, a packet switch may receive and classify an incoming packet to assess what operations are to be performed on the packet. Such operations may include determining whether the packet should be accepted or dropped, or whether it should receive expedited processing. These determinations frequently result in updates to a large number of statistics, which may be represented as "counters". In particular, it is conceivable that ten thousand or more statistics may need to be maintained in switching applications using a routing table to maintain prefix use counts or in a router that counts packets belonging to each of a plurality of connections. Moreover, even when a relatively few number of statistics are updated for each received packet, the update rates can still be extremely high. For example, updating four statistics per packet received at a 10 Gb/s rate can correspond to an update rate of 100 M updates/s.
Unfortunately, because of layout area constraints, the updating of such a large number of statistics at line rates typically precludes the use of fast on-chip memory to maintain all statistics within a packet switch. To address this limitation, proposals have been made to include high capacity off-chip memory (e.g., DRAM) to maintain statistics, which are updated periodically using read-modify-write (RMW) operations that act under control of a counter management algorithm (CMA). One such proposal is disclosed in an article by D. Shah, S. Iyer, B. Prabhakar and N. McKeown entitled "Analysis of a Statistics Counter Architecture," which can be found on the internet at: http://tiny-tera.stanford.edu/˜nickm/papers/hoti2001.pdf. Other proposals for performing statistics updates in packet switches are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,010 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Statistical Compilation," and in an article by S. Ramabhadran and G. Varghese entitled "Efficient Implementation of a Statistics Counter Architecture," which can be found on the internet at: http://www.cse-ucsd.edu/˜varghese/papers/srirampaper.pdf.
FIG. 1 illustrates a timeline for a conventional read-modify-write (RMW) update cycle within a DDR2 SDRAM operating at 200 MHz, which may be coupled to a conventional packet switch. As demonstrated by this timeline, the RMW update cycle requires seventeen (17) clock cycles and twelve of these seventeen clock cycles are governed by internal DRAM characteristics, which are outside user control. These cycles include three clock cycles for bank access and transfer of read data from an addressed row to sense amplifiers (tRCD) and three clock cycles for accessing an addressed segment of columns within the row (tCL). The read data can be transferred over an interface bus, then modified (e.g., by adding the read data to a statistics update provided from on-chip memory within a packet switch) and then transferred back over the interface bus in five clock cycles, which are the only cycles that are a function of bus interface speed. Thereafter, three clock cycles may be required to write the modified data (e.g., updated statistic) into the sense amplifiers (tWR) and three clock cycles may be required to transfer the write data from the sense amplifiers back to the addressed row within the SDRAM bank (tRP).
However, this timing allows only one cycle for data modification, which is barely sufficient for data re-timing at the interface much less performing additional updating operations that may be necessary for particular applications. The performance of additional updating operations will typically require additional clock cycles and thereby reduce the maximum rate at which a memory bank can be updated under control of a packet switch. Finally, even if the bus interface speed characteristics are improved, the timing associated with the bus interface may have relatively little impact on the overall timing of an update cycle. This is because the update rates may still be limited by the timing associated with internal SDRAM characteristics that have generally remained constant with each new generation of device.
Additional networks, such as 10 Gb/s networks, may require state information to be updated at packet rates approaching 15 Mpps. Such state information may include connection state, metering, statistics for billing, performance monitoring and traffic engineering, scheduling and congestion management for traffic shaping and congestion control and aging for dynamic entry learning applications. Updating state information frequently implies that an old state is read from memory, an operation is performed on the old state read from memory and the updated state is returned to memory. Unfortunately, to support 10 Gb/s data rates, the options typically available to a designer include on-chip SRAM, which is relatively expensive and typically provides only limited capacity, on-chip DRAM, which is typically supported by only a few ASIC vendors and may be limited in size, and RLDRAM/NetDRAM, which is relatively expensive and not widely sourced. Moreover, conventional batch type updating operations may not be useful for stateful updating because a requested state value stored in memory must be retrieved for processing each current packet.

Integrated circuit memory systems having write-back buffers therein that support read-write-modify (RWM) operations within high capacity memory devices


A lifting magnet arrangement. The arrangement has a thrust direction in which a pressure spring which biases the armature into its basic position may be set. This is done by an actuating section designed to project from the magnet housing. By using this configuration it is not necessary to open the magnet housing for adjustment so that the adjusting process may be carried out with an oil-floated armature.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a lifting magnet arrangement for controlling a pressure regulating valve or directional control valve.
2. Discussion of the Background
Lifting magnet arrangements are utilised for controlling hydraulic components, such as, e.g., switching valves or proportional valves, directional control valves or pressure regulating valves and sliding valves or seat valves. Fundamentally it is possible to classify them into structures including DC magnets and those including AC magnets, wherein armature switching is carried out in air ("dry" magnet) or in oil ("wet" magnet), respectively. I.e., the armature cavity is in the latter case filled with oil and relieved toward the tank. In proportional valves, so-called proportional magnets are used which belong to the group of DC lifting magnets and generate an output (force or stroke) which is proportional with the electrical input signal. Depending on a specific application purpose, classification is made into stroke-controlled magnets or force-controlled magnets, with the magnetic force being controlled in the latter by modification of flow while the stroke change may be disregarded, whereas in the former the armature position (stroke) is controlled.
FIG. 1 shows a view of a conventional lifting magnet arrangement including a thrusting actuating element, wherein a DC magnet switching in oil is employed.
A like lifting magnet arrangement 1 basically consists of a magnet housing 2 into which a pole tube 4 including a wound coil 10 is press-fitted. The pole tube one the one hand serves to limit the coil space, and as an axial termination of the housing on the other hand. This function is served on the other front side by a cover plate 8 which, in a given case (e.g. for intervention within the magnet force system), may also be divided into ring 9 and lid 8.
The magnet coil 10 may be connected to a current/voltage supply via a terminal 12 located on the housing 2.
The pole tube 4 includes an axial bore wherein an armature 16 is guided such as to be axially displaceable.
On its left-hand front side in the representation of FIG. 1, the armature 16 carries a tappet 18 which projects from the pole tube 4 in the axial direction and, in the shown embodiment, may be covered by a protective cap 20 (indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 1) for transporting purposes. The axial bore 14 is radially stepped back in the area of the tappet 18 in such a way as to form, depending on the construction, a guiding portion or at least a receiving space for the tappet 18.
On the other end portion of the armature 16 which is removed from the tappet 18, a coaxially extending rod 22 is fastened which projects into the cavity of the cover cap 8.
The front-side end portion of the pole tube 4 is formed by a stop member 24 which is screwed into the pole tube 4 and forms an axial stop for the armature 16. The rod 22 extends through the stop member 24 in a central position and comprises at its end portion 22 a threaded portion onto which a spring plate 26 is screwed as an armature-side abutment. A pressure spring 28 acts on this latter one, with the other end portion of the pressure spring 28 being supported on the adjacent front surface of the stop member 24 forming a housing-side abutment. The spring plate 26 (armature-side abutment) thus is arranged at a greater axial distance from the armature space than the axial stop (housing-side abutment).
By axial adjustment of the spring plate 26 along the thread at the end portion of the rod 22, it is possible to adjust the bias of the pressure spring 28 and thus the force biasing the armature toward the stop member 24.
Upon excitation of the lifting magnet, a force acts on the armature 16 to displace it against the bias of the spring toward the left (thrust direction) in the representation of FIG. 1 (stroke-controlled magnet) or builds up a magnetic force counteracting the pressure spring force without resulting in a substantial stroke (force-controlled magnet).
The axial bore 14, i.e., the armature space formed by it, the space encompassed by the protective cap 20, and the space enclosed by the cover plate 8 in prolongation of the pole tube 4 in which the pressure spring 28 is arranged (spring space), are filled with oil, with this oil space being connected to a tank port (not shown) via a conduit that is also not shown here, so that inside the lifting magnet a constant oil pressure (tank pressure) permanently prevails.
For the purpose of balancing and adjusting the force of the lifting magnet, or more precisely of the tappet 18 acting on the slide of the valve to be controlled (switching/proportional valve), the spring bias must be set in accordance with the force/stroke characteristic line of the magnet. For this setting process the cover cap 8 must be removed in the known valve arrangement, so that the oil contained in this space flows out of the lifting magnet arrangement 1. I.e., the pressure prevailing in the lifting magnet is not the predetermined operating pressure (tank pressure) but the environmental pressure (atmospheric pressure), so that the adjustment performed at atmospheric pressure may eventually be faulty at operating pressure, i.e., when the lifting magnet arrangement is filled with oil, and thus result in inaccuracies of valve control.
In contrast thereto, the invention is based on the object of furnishing a lifting magnet arrangement wherein simple adjustment at minimum expense in terms of device technology is possible without having to interfere with the hydraulic system.
This object is attained by the features of claim 1.
Due to the measure of making the adjusting means, which serves for changing the pressure spring bias by displacing the housing-side abutment, project from the housing of the lifting magnet arrangement in an oil-tight manner, basic adjustment may also be performed for a thrusting magnet without the housing of the lifting magnet having to be opened. I.e., during basic adjustment those pressure conditions which will also prevail during use of the arrangement are present on inside the lifting magnet. The force adjustment may thus be carried out with small expense in terms of device technology at substantially higher precision. In addition, due to permanent accessibility of the adjusting means, or more precisely of the actuating section of the adjusting means, it is even possible to quickly perform subsequent fine adjustment without having to disassemble the lifting magnet arrangement, so that the adjusting process may be carried out more easily, with more precision, more quickly in contrast with previous solutions, and free of oil. The latter circumstance results in cleaner assembly and reduced strain on the environment.
A particularly simple solution is obtained if the pressure spring is supported on an axial stop, the axial position of which may be changed by means of the actuating section which is accessible from the outside.
A particularly simple structure is obtained with the development in accordance with claim 3, according to which the actuating section has the form of a cap screwed into an inner bore of a bush-type stop member which constitutes a front-side termination of the lifting magnet housing.
The structural length of the lifting magnet arrangement in the axial direction may be reduced if the pressure spring is encompassed by the cap in portions thereof.
In the case where the axial stop and the cap are formed separate from each other, the axial stop can be biased against the cap by means of a spring member, so that axial separation of axial stop and cap can be prevented thanks to the action of the pressure spring. A particularly high pressing force on minimum space is obtained if a spring plate assembly is employed for biasing the axial stop.
As an alternative, it is also possible to form the axial stop integrally with the cap.
In an alternative embodiment, the axial stop may be connected to the mounting cap, with this connection preferably being effected by pressing.
An easy option for mounting an emergency actuation consists of an emergency actuation pin which is accessible from the outside and guided in the actuating section or in the adjustment cap such as to be axially slidable, whereby axial displacement of the armature may be brought about manually in the cause of a power failure.
Easy basic adjustment is possible if the basic position of the spring plate is adjustable on the spring rod.
As was already mentioned above, the lifting magnet arrangement according to the invention may be used for both stroke-controlled and force-controlled lifting magnets and is fundamentally suited for controlling switching valves and proportional valves.
Further advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matters of the remaining appended claims.


High-power electric machines must be intensively cooled. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure a high level of immunity to impurities. For this purpose, the rotor and stator sheet packs (41, 42, 61, 62) are embodied in two parts, thereby making it possible to carry out a two-sided ventilation, said parts being maintained separately in the middle by a ring (5, 7). Said ring (5, 7) is provided with ribs (51, 52, 71, 72) in such a way that radial flow channels are formed between partial sheet stacks and ensure corresponding flow rate. In another embodiment, monoblock sheet stacks are provided with cooling channel extensions on either side of the sheet stack. Said cooling extensions alternate on the axial cooling channels in the peripheral direction and transport heated coolant outwards in respectively opposite directions.

The present invention relates to an electrical machine having two laminated rotor cores, which are arranged on a common shaft at a predetermined axial distance and each have axially extending cooling channels, and two laminated stator cores, which are associated with the laminated rotor cores. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electrical machine having a housing, a laminated stator core and a laminated rotor core, which are arranged in the housing and of which at least one has axially extending cooling channels, and end winding areas at the end sides of the two laminated cores. In addition, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for cooling an electrical machine by passing an axial flow of a coolant through at least one cooling channel of a laminated rotor core and/or laminated stator core.
Electric motors, in particular asynchronous motors, are generally cooled by separate ventilation or self-ventilation. In the case of standardized, low-power motors, it is generally sufficient for there to be surface cooling. Low-power and medium-power traction machines require a higher level of cooling in the stator and rotor. For this purpose, axially extending cooling channels in the stator and rotor are provided with a coolant on one side. In the case of medium-power and high-power industrial machines, axial cooling channels are likewise provided in the rotor. The cooling channels are supplied with cooling air on one or both sides, and the cooling air emerges through radial cooling channels between two or more laminated core elements. In order not to allow the length of the laminated core to not become too great, the air gaps between the laminated core elements are only a few millimeters wide.
One problem when cooling with ambient air consists in the fact that the air can become contaminated with particles. However, in the case of a high content of dirt in the cooling air, narrow cooling slots would form relatively quickly and impair the cooling effect. In order to prevent this, a heat exchanger is usually provided in industrial machines. This ensures that only clean air circulates in the interior of the machine. In the case of traction machines, on the other hand, there is no installation space available for a heat exchanger owing to the narrow spatial conditions. In addition, this heat exchanger increases the temperature of the internal cooling air, which in turn limits the performance.
If the heat exchanger cannot be used, the cooling air needs to be filtered for the narrow cooling slots by means of a fine-pored air filter. In the case of a large deposit of dirt, this means changing the filter mat very frequently, which is undesirable and is not practicable, for example, in the case of dumper trucks in mining.
A generic electrical machine is known, for example, from the document U.S. Pat. No. 2,610,992. The laminated stator and rotor cores described therein have axially extending air cooling channels.
The German laid-open specification DE 44 13 389 also describes an electrical machine, which has two laminated rotor cores arranged on a common shaft at an axial distance from one another, two laminated stator cores arranged at a corresponding distance from one another and a cooling device, which has an air conveying device and cooling channels extending in the axial direction. Said cooling channels are each divided into two sections, as a result of the axial distance between the laminated cores, and are connected to the air conveying device such that a flow is passed through the two sections of each cooling channel in opposite directions. In the annular space between the laminated cores, the cooling air is deflected out of an axial direction into a radial direction, or vice versa. The axial distance between the laminated cores is in this case selected such that the flow cross section available for the cooling air in the annular space between the laminated cores is approximately equal to the sum of the flow cross sections of all of the cooling channels opening out directly into this annular space.

Electrical machine having cooled laminated stator and rotor cores and windings


A system includes plural hardware components having settings that can be changed. In response to changing settings of the plural hardware components, a reset of the system is performed. Changing of the settings is performed during a portion of the boot process that is prior to system memory becoming available.

Whenever a computer is first started (or rebooted), the computer goes through what is referred to as a boot process. In the boot process, basic input/output system (BIOS) code is executed by a processor in the computer to perform various boot tasks, which include determining if a processor, memory controller, and video interface are set up properly. The BIOS routine determines if the processor and memory controller are operating at proper speeds, and whether the video interface should be set up to handle integrated video memory.
In conventional computers, when a setting of a hardware component, such as the processor, memory controller, or video interface, is changed during the boot process, then a reset of the system is performed in response to each setting change. For example, when the processor speed setting is changed during the boot process, one system reset is performed. If subsequently the memory controller setting is changed, then another reset is performed. Similarly, if the video interface setting is changed, then yet another reset is performed.
One issue associated with performing multiple resets in response to multiple changes in hardware settings is that the boot process takes longer to perform. Currently, one of the goals of the computer industry is to perform the boot process, also referred to as power on self-test (POST), in less than 10 seconds. Performing multiple resets in response to component setting changes may cause the computer not to be able to meet the 10-second goal in some cases.

Resetting a system in response to changes of component settings

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate; a gate line located over the substrate and including a gate pad portion; a data line located over the gate line and including a source electrode and a data pad portion; a drain electrode; a first passivation layer located over the data line and the drain electrode; an organic insulating layer located over the first passivation layer and having a contact hole; a first field generating electrode located over the organic insulating layer and having an opening; a second passivation layer located over the first field generating electrode; and a second field generating electrode located over the second passivation layer. The contact hole coincides with or is smaller than the opening, and the contact hole has a tapered structure.

(a) Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a thin film transistor array panel and a method for manufacturing the same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display is one of flat panel displays which are widely used at present, and includes two display panels and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. Each of the display panels has field generating electrodes such as a pixel electrode and a common electrode. The liquid crystal display applies a voltage to the field generating electrodes so as to generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer, thereby changing the orientation of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer through the electric field, and controls polarization of incident light to display an image.
In the liquid crystal display, both of the two field generating electrodes for generating an electric field in the liquid crystal layer may be formed over a thin film transistor array panel.
When the two field generating electrodes are formed over the thin film transistor array panel, a plurality of insulating layers may be disposed between a thin film transistor and a field generating electrode, and at least one of the insulating layers may be made of an organic insulator. Contact holes for electrically connecting the thin film transistor and the field generating electrode are formed through the plurality of insulating layers.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same


A piezoelectric element includes a lower electrode film disposed on a substrate, a piezoelectric layer 70 disposed on the lower electrode film, a upper electrode film 80 disposed on the piezoelectric layer 70, wherein the piezoelectric layer 70 is formed of a plurality of columnar grains 70a, and the upper electrode film 80 conforms to the surface shape of each of the grains 70a of the piezoelectric layer 70.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a piezoelectric element including a lower electrode film, a piezoelectric layer composed of a piezoelectric material, and an upper electrode film, an actuator device including the piezoelectric element that can be flexurally deformed, a liquid ejecting head including the actuator device, and a liquid ejecting apparatus.
2. Related Art
An example of piezoelectric elements used for actuator devices and the like is an element in which a piezoelectric layer composed of a piezoelectric material, such as a crystallized piezoelectric ceramic material, having the function of electromechanical transduction, is disposed between two electrodes: an lower electrode film and an upper electrode film. Examples of actuator devices including piezoelectric elements, i.e., actuator devices that vibrate in a flexural mode, include a liquid ejecting head that ejects droplets from nozzle openings utilizing the displacement of the piezoelectric elements. A typical example of a liquid ejecting head is an ink jet recording head that includes a diaphragm constituting part of a pressure-generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening for ejection of ink droplets and that ejects ink droplets from the nozzle opening by deforming the diaphragm with the piezoelectric element to pressurize ink in the pressure-generating chamber.
An example of piezoelectric elements used for ink jet recording heads is an element described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-151815, the element being produced by forming a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode film by a film-forming technique on the entire surface of a substrate provided with a lower electrode and cutting the piezoelectric layer and the upper electrode film by lithography into pieces each having a shape corresponding to a pressure-generating chamber.
In piezoelectric elements used for such ink jet recording heads and the like, repeated operations may cause problems, e.g., delamination. Specifically, problems such as the detachment of the upper electrode film from the piezoelectric element layer and the formation of a crack may be caused.
Such problems are present not only in piezoelectric elements used for actuator devices incorporated in liquid ejecting heads such as ink jet recording heads but also piezoelectric elements used for other apparatuses.

Piezoelectric element, actuator device, liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus