The present invention is directed to systems and methods which use a tray to hold and transfer objects, such as produce. The tray has at least one opening to permit the user to manipulate the tray during transfer without touching the contents held within the tray. The tray has an open end with a curved edge to reduce damage to the contents when transferring contents from the tray to a container. The tray is preferably constructed from a plastic-like material.

Produce is often sold to consumers in prepackaged containers. Each container has an approximate amount of produce. Sometimes produce is sold in a bag, such as a paper sack. The consumer gains access to the bag by opening the bag, placing a desired amount of produce in the bag, and then closing the bag.
Over time, the produce packaging industry has transitioned to a bag that looks or behaves as a stocking, often called an elastic net bag in the industry. When a consumer uses a net bag to store produce, the consumer stretches the bag in order to place a desired amount of produce in the bag. However, this memory bag has several problems associated with it, especially with respect to the loose structure of a memory bag which allows the produce to fall off the vine as the bag is stretched in use.
Accordingly, as the industry has begun to use elastic memory bags to package produce instead of paper bags, concern has developed with respect to transferring produce while maintaining the quality of the packaged produce, particularly produce containing stems or other vined produce.


In order to improve a generator for generating a product gas by means of a chemical reaction between an educt gas and a liquid, comprising a closed reaction chamber with a liquid supply, a liquid discharge, an educt gas supply, a product gas discharge, a liquid bath arranged within the reaction chamber and a substrate member arranged for rotation in the reaction chamber, the axis of rotation of this substrate member being arranged such that during a rotation of the substrate member at least part of the surface of the substrate member alternatingly dips into the liquid bath and emerges from the liquid bath wetted by the liquid, such that a motor arranged outside the reaction chamber for rotating the substrate member can be dispensed with and the requirement of a pressure-tight passage for a drive shaft of the substrate member through a wall of the reaction chamber is not applicable it is suggested that the generator comprise a flow generator for generating a continuous flow of the liquid in the reaction chamber and that the substrate member comprise at least one momentum receiver for receiving part of the momentum of the flow of the liquid and for generating a rotary motion of the substrate member about its axis of rotation.

The present invention relates to a generator for generating a product gas by means of a chemical reaction between an educt gas and a liquid, comprising a closed reaction chamber with a liquid supply, a liquid discharge, an educt gas supply, a product gas discharge, a liquid bath arranged within the reaction chamber and a substrate member arranged for rotation in the reaction chamber, the axis of rotation of this substrate member being arranged such that during a rotation of the substrate member at least part of the surface of the substrate member alternatingly dips into the liquid bath and emerges from the liquid bath wetted by the liquid.
Generators of this type are known from the literature.
The article of P. V. Avizonis, G. Hasen and K. A. Truesdell, "The Chemically Pumped Oxygen-Iodine Laser", SPIE, Vol. 1225 High-Power Gas Lasers (1990), pages 448 to 476, in particular, discloses a generator of this type for generating electronically excited oxygen gas by means of a chemical reaction between chlorine gas and basic hydrogen peroxide (in short BHP in accordance with the English designation "basic hydrogen peroxide"), whereby the electronically excited oxygen gas is used for operating a chemically pumped oxygen-iodine laser (in short COIL in accordance with the English designation "chemically pumped oxygen-iodine laser").
In this generator, the substrate member comprises a plurality of thin metal disks which are placed in a row on a shaft parallel to one another and approximately half of each disk dips into the BHP. The shaft and, with it, the metal disks are caused to rotate by means of a motor arranged outside the reaction chamber, whereby during a rotation of the metal disks the surface of the metal disks alternatingly dips into the BHP and emerges from this BHP provided with a liquid film consisting of the BHP.
Chlorine gas is blown onto the regions of the metal disks which have emerged parallel to their surface. In this respect, chlorine molecules diffuse several 100 nanometers into the BHP where the chlorine reacts with hydrogen peroxide and the lye to form electronically excited oxygen, water and a chloride.
The resulting, electronically excited oxygen diffuses out of the BHP into a gas volume of the reaction chamber and flows off into a flow channel of the chemically pumped oxygen-iodine laser where iodine vapor is injected into the electronically excited oxygen gas. As a result of collisions of electronically excited oxygen molecules with iodine molecules the latter are dissociated. The excitation energy of additional, electronically excited oxygen molecules is transferred to the resulting iodine atoms by way of collisions almost free of losses.
The excited iodine atoms and the oxygen are expanded by means of a supersonic nozzle into a resonator of the chemically pumped oxygen-iodine laser where the excited iodine atoms release their excitation energy by way of a stimulated emission of photons so that a laser beam results in a known manner.
A disadvantage of the known generator is to be seen in the fact that the substrate member is caused to rotate by a motor arranged outside the reaction chamber so that a complicated construction is required for the passage of the shaft through the wall of the closed reaction chamber. Since the interior of the reaction chamber is generally subjected to a low pressure of, for example, 50 millibars, this passage must be air-tight. In addition, no lubricating grease or oil from the seal may enter the reaction chamber where these substances could react with the BHP.
The object underlying the invention was therefore to improve a generator of the type described at the outset in such a manner that a motor arranged outside the reaction chamber for rotating the substrate member can be dispensed with and the requirement of a pressure-tight passage for a drive shaft of the substrate member through a wall of the reaction chamber is not applicable.

Generator and process for generating a product gas

Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fuer Luft -ung Raumfahrt e.V.


A transmitter-receiver whose overall size can be reduced by decreasing areas occupied by a bend portion and a coupler portion of a nonradiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide. The size is not restricted by the radius of curvature and the bending angle of the bend portion. In this transmitter-receiver, the NRD waveguide is adapted so that waves are transmitted in a single mode, namely, LSM01 mode. Further, an oscillator, an isolator, a mixer and a coupler are placed in the rear of a dielectric lens. Thus, the transmitter-receiver fits within the size of the antenna.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a transmitter-receiver for use in mobile units, for example, a vehicle or a ship, and, more particularly, to a transmitter-receiver for use when measuring the distance and the relative velocity between such mobile units.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been developed what is called an automobile millimeter-wave radar which aims at measuring the distance between a vehicle and another vehicle running in front or rear thereof while the vehicles are running on a road. Generally, such a radar comprises a transmitter-receiver is produced in a module composed of a millimeter-wave oscillator, a circulator, a coupler, a mixer and an antenna, and is mounted on a front or rear portion of a vehicle.
For instance, as shown in FIG. 16, a truck measures the distance therefrom to a passenger car running in front thereof and the relative velocity therebetween by transmitting and receiving millimeter waves in accordance with a frequency modulated-continuous wave (FM-CW) method. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the entire millimeter-wave radar. A transmitter-receiver and an antenna of this figure are mounted on a front portion of the vehicle or truck in the case of the example illustrated in FIG. 16. In contrast, a signal processing unit is usually provided at an arbitrary location in the vehicle. A signal processing portion provided in the signal processing unit is operative to extract as numerical information the distance therefrom to the vehicle, which runs in front thereof, and the relative velocity therebetween, as numerical information by using the transmitter-receiver. Further, a control-alarm portion is operative to issue an alarm according to the relation between the running speed of the vehicle or truck and the relative velocity thereof, for example, when predetermined conditions are met, or when the relative velocity thereof with respect to the vehicle running in front thereof exceeds a threshold value.
FIG. 18 is a schematic plan diagram illustrating the configuration of a prior art transmitter-receiver. In this figure, reference numeral 2 designates a circulator, on the two sides of which an oscillator 1 and a terminating device 3 are placed, respectively. Reference numeral 11 denotes a dielectric resonator that acts as a primary radiator for transmitting waves. Further, a dielectric strip 4 is placed between the circulator 2 and this dielectric resonator 11. Reference numeral 12 designates a dielectric resonator acting as a primary radiator for receiving waves; and 15 a mixer. Moreover, a dielectric strip 14 is placed therebetween. Moreover, a linear dielectric strip 6, curved dielectric strips 5 and 7, and terminating devices 8 and 9 are placed as illustrated in this figure.
Furthermore, a coupler 10 is provided by a proximity portion, where the dielectric strips 4 and 5, are close to each other. Additionally, another proximity portion, where the dielectric strips 14 and 7 are close to each other, provide a coupler 13. Further, dielectric lenses 16 and 17 are mounted on the upper portions of the dielectric resonators 11 and 12, respectively.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an equivalent circuit of the transmitter-receiver shown in FIG. 18. The oscillator 1 is provided with a varactor diode and a Gunn diode. Further, an oscillation signal outputted therefrom is transmitted or propagated to the dielectric resonator 11 through the circulator 2 and is then radiated through the dielectric lens 16. The circulator 2 and the terminating device 3 compose an isolator. An RF signal received through the dielectric lens 17 and the dielectric resonator 12 propagates the dielectric strip 14. A local oscillator (LO) signal is mixed into the dielectric strip 14 by the couplers 10 and 13 and is further inputted to a mixer 15. This mixer 15 is constituted by a Schottky barrier diode and generates IF (intermediate frequency) signals.
FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of the transmitter-receiver in the case where a transmit/receive antenna is used in common for both transmitting and receiving. In this figure, reference numeral 2 designates a circulator. Further, an oscillator 1, a mixer 15 and a dielectric resonator 11 serving as a primary radiator are placed at ports of the circulator 2 through dielectric strips 4, 14 and 18, respectively. Furthermore, a coupler is configured by bringing a curved dielectric strip 19, whose both ends are terminated, close to dielectric strips 4 and 14.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an equivalent circuit of the transmitter-receiver shown in FIG. 20. A signal outputted from the oscillator 1 is radiated by the antenna, which is comprised of the dielectric resonator 11 and the dielectric lens 16, through the dielectric strip 4, the circulator 2 and the dielectric strip 18. Further, waves reflected from an object are inputted to the mixer 15 through the dielectric strip 18, the circulator 2 and the dielectric strip 14. The inputted waves are mixed by a coupler, which consists of the dielectric strips 4, 14 and 19, resulting in a mixed signal (RF signal+LO signal), and the mixed signal is inputted to the mixer 15 that is constituted by a Schottky barrier diode and is operative to generate IF signals.
Another type of transmitter-receiver for use in a millimeter-wave radar using a conventional nonradiative dielectric (NRD) waveguide is designed to use a NRD waveguide of the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 22A and 22B. In FIG. 22A, reference numerals 101 and 102 designate conductive plates, respectively. Further, dielectric strips 100a and 100b and a substrate 103 are placed between these two conductive plates. Further, by appropriately setting the distance between the aforementioned conductive plates, the size of the dielectric strips and their relative dielectric constant (or permittivity), the dielectric strip portions are established as propagating regions and the other regions become non-propagating regions (namely, blocking regions). For example, when the size or dimension of each portion and the relative dielectric constant are determined as shown in FIG. 23B, the transmission of signals in the propagating region is realized only in a certain range of frequencies, which are not less than a predetermined value, as is seen from phase constant characteristics illustrated in FIG. 23A.
However, LSM01 mode and LSE01 mode, which are basic transmission modes of an NRD waveguide, are orthogonal to each other, so that low-loss characteristics are exhibited in the case of a straight-line path. Nevertheless, in the case of a curved path (namely, in the curved strips described above), the orthogonality is lost and a coupling is caused between these modes. Thus, low-loss characteristics are obtained only in a range restricted by a radius of curvature and a bending angle. In the case of the waveguide having the dimensions shown in FIG. 23B, if the bending angle is, for instance, 60 degrees, characteristics, by which the loss is minimized, are obtained in the case where the radius of curvature is 36.3 mm. Further, if the bending angle is 90 degrees, characteristics, by which the loss is minimized, are obtained in the case where the radius of curvature is 22.5 mm. Therefore, the loss increases if the value of the radius of curvature is other than 36.3 mm when the bending angle is, for instance, 60 degrees. Thus, in the case of the conventional transmitter-receiver, the degree of freedom in designing the bend portion and in constituting the coupler by the bend portion is low. Consequently, the size of the transmitter-receiver is not reduced so much even when designing the transmitter-receiver in such a manner as to minimize the size of the bend portion and the transmission loss of the coupler.
On the other hand, the aperture diameter of an antenna is determined according to the specifications of a transmitter-receiver. Namely, in a condition in which the breadth of the major lobe of a radiation (or field) pattern of a transmitted beam (or wave) at a distance of 100 m in front of the antenna is not more than 3.5 m, the beam width is 2 degrees. For instance, it is necessary to set the aperture diameter of the radiator of the antenna at 170 mm. Further, in a condition in which the breadth of the major lobe of a radiation pattern of a transmitted beam at a distance of 50 m in front of the antenna is not more than 3.5 m, the beam width is 4 degrees. For instance, it is necessary to set the aperture diameter of the radiator of the antenna at 80 mm. Thus, the aperture diameter of the antenna is necessarily determined according to the specifications of the transmitter-receiver. As illustrated in FIG. 18, in the case of the prior art transmitter-receiver, the size of the region in which the elements such as the oscillator, the circulator and mixer are formed, is larger than the antenna size, so that the size of the entire transmitter-receiver cannot help becoming large.


The method of the present disclosure for signaling a standard frequency of a density meter comprises: exciting bending vibrations of a measurement tube at an excitation mode working frequency, the working frequency depending on the density of a medium conducted in the measurement tube and on a disturbance variable; determining a characteristic value of the working frequency; determining a value representing the disturbance variable; calculating a corrected density value of the medium as a function of the characteristic value of the working frequency and of the value representing the disturbance variable; calculating a characteristic value of the standard frequency as a function of the corrected density value, the standard frequency being the frequency which produces the corrected density value in a calculation of the density using a frequency-dependent standard function which is not dependent on the disturbance variable; and providing a signal representing the standard frequency.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,523 A1 discloses a gas density meter. DE 10 2015 122 661 A1 discloses a method for determining the density of a liquid laden with gas. DE 10 2014 019 396 A1 discloses a method for measuring the density of a fluid with a compensation for influences of the position of the flow meter. The application DE 10 2016 112 600.4 describes a method for density measurement taking into account temperature effects. The application DE 10 2004 056 235 A1 describes a method for density measurement taking into account an increase in the volume of the measurement tube due to the media pressure.
On the other hand, there is an installed base of density computers, frequently called flow computers, which have a frequency signal input via which its excitation mode natural frequency of the measurement tube is received by a density meter in order to then calculate a density measurement value using coefficients which are stored during start-up and which correspond to the vibration behavior of the density meter under standard conditions. However, only with great effort, such density computers are often able to handle calculating a more accurate density measurement value taking into account further influencing factors according to algorithms which have since become available, in part because they lack the required signal inputs, in part because the possibilities for corresponding programming are not readily available. The installations using such a density computer thus lag behind the possibilities of modern measuring technology, and this is the case even if more modern density meters have been installed in the installation in the meantime. The object of the present invention is, therefore, to find a remedy.

Method for signaling a standard frequency of a density meter which has at least one vibratable measurement tube for conducting a medium


A position sensor includes a magnet and a sensor element that are movable relative to one another. The sensor element is capable of providing an output in response to a position of the magnet relative to the sensor element. Relative position sensing between the sensor element, such as a Hall Effect sensor, and the magnet may be determined by way of circuitry for detection of an approximate inflection point in the output of the sensor.

Magnetic field sensors, such as Hall Effect sensors, are commonly used for sensing the relative position of one object to another. Such sensors generally provide an output dependent upon the level of magnetic flux imparted thereto. For example, sensing the relative position of one object to another may be achieved by affixing a Hall Effect sensor to one object and a magnet to the other object. As the sensor and/or the magnet are moved relative to each other, the magnetic flux imparted to the sensor varies causing associated changes in the sensor output. The sensor output may therefore be indicative of the position of the magnet.
In one configuration, the sensor may provide a binary "on" or "off" output when the magnetic flux imparted to the sensor increases or decreases beyond certain thresholds. In another configuration, the sensor may provide a linear output whereby each value of magnetic flux within a range of flux values causes a different associated sensor output, e.g. between upper and lower limits. The output of such a linear Hall Effect sensor may be indicative of the absolute position of the magnet relative to the sensor.
Magnetic field sensor position sensing configurations are effective, but involve sources of position sensing error, such as manufacturing and environmental conditions, that complicate design and limit performance. For example, the air gap, i.e. the distance between the magnet and the sensor when the magnet and sensor are in the closest relative positions, affects the flux imparted to the sensor and, thus, the sensor output. Manufacturing tolerances in the air gap may, therefore, impact position sensing. Generally, in a given configuration as the air gap is increased, the magnetic flux imparted to the sensor may significantly decrease. The maximum magnetic flux imparted to the sensor can, therefore, be significantly affected by the air gap.
Temperature variation may have a similar effect on magnetic flux imparted to a magnetic field sensor, such as a Hall Effect sensor. For example, the maximum magnetic flux imparted by a magnet may vary significantly over an anticipated application temperature range. Variation in magnetic flux can affect the performance of the position sensing system.
Additionally, as is known, Hall Effect sensors typically exhibit a range of magnetic flux values for which the sensor may, or may not, turn "on" to provide an output. For values above the range, the sensor may definitely be on, and for values below the range the sensor may definitely be off. The range of magnetic flux values for which the sensor may or may not turn "on", i.e., above the definitely off value and below the definitely on value, is known as the "pink" zone of the Hall Effect sensor. Travel positions of a magnet which impart a magnetic flux within the "pink" zone of the Hall Effect sensor are known as the switching "gray" or "unknown" zones. When the magnet is in the "gray" zones the Hall Effect sensor may or may not turn on the Hall Effect sensor to provide an output. Variations in the magnetic flux imparted on the Hall Effect sensor by the magnet, e.g., due to air gap variation, temperature conditions, etc., may produce wide unknown zone in a position sensing system. The wide switching unknown zones may be narrowed using various mechanical techniques. These mechanical techniques, however, can also provide a source of error in position sensing.
There is therefore a need for a position sensing system and method wherein variations in magnetic flux imparted to a sensor due to manufacturing and environmental conditions is reduced or eliminated.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the subject matter be viewed broadly.

System and method for position sensing using inflection point position sensing of a sensor output


The present invention relates to a method for determining error in a manufacturing system by providing a substrate having first pattern disposed thereon. An energy source such as electromagnetic radiation or particle beams is projected through a shaping member having a second pattern incongruent with the first pattern to form a shaped energy source. The shaped energy source impinges on the first pattern such that a portion of said shaped energy source is reflected, scattered, or transmitted by the first pattern. The portion of the shaped energy source that is reflected, scattered or transmitted by the first pattern is detected to determine the presence or absence of an error in the manufacturing system.. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for constructing an error detection system. A waveform representative of at least one manufacturing system parameter is selected. Associated with the waveform is a mathematical function. The function is expanded in a set of orthogonal functions to yield coefficients which are used to construct an error detection pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for determining errors in manufacturing systems, especially errors of relative alignment between various elements in a manufacturing system. The invention further relates to a method for constructing an error detection system. The method of the present invention finds application in lithography systems where errors involving mask alignment, focus, magnification, etc. may be determined. Another aspect of the invention relates to a feedback control loop for sensing an error in a lithography system, determining the cause(s) of the error, and correcting the cause(s) of the error.
2. Description of the Related Art
a. SCALPEL lithography
FIG. 1 schematically depicts a SCALPEL (SCattering with Angular Limitation in Projection Electron Lithography) process. In general, the SCALPEL approach employs the principle of electron scattering to delineate circuit patterns on substrates. A mask 20 is used to shape an electron beam source. Mask 20 includes electron transmissive regions 22 and 24 having different electron scattering properties. Region 22 is a pattern of high electron scattering material examples of which include high atomic number metals such as gold and tungsten. Region 24 is a low electron scattering material, for example, a low atomic number element or compound such as silicon or silicon nitride formed into a membrane.
As electron beam 10 traverses the mask, electrons are scattered, the amount and angle of scattering being a function of the atomic number of the constituent atoms in the material. As a result of the differential scattering properties of the mask, an angular distribution of electrons is formed at the exit surface of the mask. Those electrons 12 having passed through patterned region 22 of high atomic weight material are generally scattered to a higher angle than those electrons 14 which passed only through the low atomic number membrane region 24.
The scattered electrons 12 and 14 pass into projection lens system 30 which demagnifies the image formed by the scattered electrons. In the back focal plane of the projecting lens system, the electrons are distributed by their angle of scatter. A filter 40 having an aperture 42 is placed in the back focal plane to angularly select electrons which will form the ultimate image. If aperture 42 is sufficiently small and on the focal axis, only those electrons scattered through small angles will contribute to the final image 52 on substrate 50. The electrons scattered through small angles 12, i.e., electrons which passed through the low atomic number membrane regions 24, are the electrons which interact with a substrate material, such as a resist, to create a latent image. For a given mask and optical system, the contrast in the image is determined by the size of the angularly limiting aperture.
SCALPEL lithography is further described in Berger et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol., B9, November/December 1991, pp. 2996-2999 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,112 and 5,130,213, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.
b. System Errors
In SCALPEL lithography, as in numerous other manufacturing operations, the relationship of the various system components to one another is important to the success of the resultant process. During the printing process, the image of features on the mask must be precisely aligned with wafer features that are present from previous levels of processing. The allowable error for level-to-level overlay is by convention less than 1/3 of the minimum feature size and combines alignment error with errors from other machine and process effects. Among these other errors are optical errors, e.g., focus, magnification, astigmatism, that need to be monitored and minimized during wafer exposure. For submicron features, alignment of the mask image and substrate features must be extremely precise, in the range of nanometers.
One approach to the problem of system alignment for SCALPEL lithography involves scanning the demagnified image of a mask feature over an identically-shaped mark that is fabricated on a wafer and measuring the intensity of electrons which are backscattered by the substrate mark. The substrate marks are fabricated from a material having a higher backscatter coefficient than the surrounding substrate material. An example is to use mask features and wafer marks consisting of identical lines and spaces as described in Farrow et al., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B, 10(6) November/December 1992, pp. 2780-2783, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. An extremum of backscattered electron intensity occurs at the point where a beam of electrons formed by the mask feature is exactly aligned with lines on the substrate. In this position, the mask image is correctly aligned with the substrate.
While the above-described method provides a useful alignment technique, during mark detection it is desirable to generate a signal that is particularly suited for the derivation of specific information whether it be alignment or other system conditions such as focus and magnification. In the above-described mark detection method the signal is a function of the overlap between the mask image and the wafer mark. Therefore, the mark pattern geometry determines the intensity profile of the signal and likewise the suitability for specific information requirements. Intensity profile refers to the measured signal intensity, e.g., backscattered electron or other signal, as a function of the adjustable parameter, e.g., relative alignment.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a precise error detection system to determine various sources of system error resulting, e.g., from misalignment or misadjustment of various manufacturing system components. There is a further need in the art for an error detection system which generates a signal explicitly constructed to yield specific information concerning various system parameters.


A relatively high spectral bandwidth objective employed for use in imaging a specimen and method for imaging a specimen is provided. The objective includes a lens group having at least one focusing lens configured to receive light energy and form focused light energy. The focused light energy forms an intermediate image. The objective further includes at least one field lens located in proximity to an intermediate image, and a catadioptric arrangement positioned to receive the intermediate light energy from the at and form controlled light energy. The catadioptric arrangement may include at least one Mangin element and can include a meniscus lens element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of optical imaging, and more specifically to catadioptric optical systems used for microscopic imaging, inspection, and lithography applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many optical systems have the ability to inspect or image features on the surface of a specimen, such as inspecting defects on a semiconductor wafer or photomask, or alternately examining a biological specimen on a slide. Microscopes have been used in various imaging situations, including biology, metrology, semiconductor inspection, and other complex inspection applications where high resolution images of small areas and/or features are desired.
Many such imaging systems are currently available, including those disclosed by applicants in various other issued patents and patent applications, including but not limited to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/434,374 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,517. The objective disclosed in the '374 application is a relatively small catadioptric objective exhibiting beneficial optical qualities. The small size catadioptric optical design of the '374 application exhibits generally good overall performance, particularly at high numerical apertures (NAs) over a relatively broad spectral range in the deep ultra-violet (DUV) region. However, chromatic correction can become increasingly difficult for light energy provided in the DUV region.
The objectives disclosed in the '517 patent are relatively large catadioptric objectives providing certain desirable optical qualities. The relatively large catadioptric optical designs in the '517 patent are generally corrected over a narrow spectral bandwidth and thus can be capable of performing ultra-high NA imaging over relatively large field sizes.
The small ultra-high NA designs presented in the '517 patent and the small broad band designs presented in the '374 application have certain similar advantageous qualities, including but not limited to their ability to be made from a single glass material. However, the lenses employed have different arrangements and are used in different ways to generally achieve different goals.
In using an inspection design for the applications discussed, it can be beneficial to improve the overall NA and field size of the system. Generally, the NA represents the range of angles for which light can be delivered to and collected from a specimen using the design. The field size is the diameter at the specimen location over which all the optical performance requirements are satisfied. For example, certain systems may successfully and efficiently employ ultra-high NA imaging over large field sizes. In this specific context, ultra-high NA illumination and imaging angles may include, but are not limited to, angles up to 76 degrees. Generally, previous designs have limitations of lower NAs, smaller field sizes, larger optical element diameters, or very tight manufacturing tolerances (i.e., lenses must be precisely crafted) in the high end applications discussed. All of these limitations can adversely affect overall performance and cost of the system.
Based on the optical characteristics desirable in such a design, an ultra-high NA and large field can offer improved capabilities when inspecting specimens using light energy in the DUV range. For example, but not by way of limitation, operation at wavelengths of 193, 213, 244, 257, 266, 325, 355 or greater up through visible wavelengths may result in beneficial performance in certain circumstances. In addition, relatively small size and relatively loose manufacturing tolerances can provide advantages over previous designs.
It would therefore be beneficial to provide a system and objective for use in conjunction with standard microscopes and microscopy applications that overcome the foregoing drawbacks present in previously known imaging systems. Further, it would be beneficial to provide an optical inspection system design having improved functionality over devices exhibiting the negative aspects described herein.

Small ultra-high NA catadioptric objective


A wellhead securement arrangement releasably clamps casing strings such that they cannot move in an upwards or downwards longitudinal direction. Prior to being clamped, the securement arrangement secures the casing strings in a first position whereby cement returns are able to flow around the hangers towards the surface. Once cemented, the casing strings are released and moved upwardly, where the securement arrangement clamps the hangers into position, thus creating an axial load on the casing strings while also preventing movement in the upward and downward longitudinal directions.

Deep water wells are increasingly being used to extract hydrocarbons. Such deep water wells were previously not considered economical. However, the lack of readily available and easily accessible fields has encouraged significant developments in the extraction of hydrocarbons using deep water wells. However, such deep water wells still have many problems and disadvantages compared to shallow water wells.
In conventional oil and gas wells, it is conventional to have a number of concentric tubes or casings. The outermost casing is secured and fixed in the ground and, in particular, it is fixed within the sea bed. The concentric inner casings are then each secured within the outer casing by being secured to the next adjacent outer casing. Typically, a casing includes a hanger at an upper end thereof. The hanger includes an external shoulder collar which sits on and engages with an internally projecting shoulder the outer casing. Accordingly, the inner casing is effectively supported on and "hung" from the outer casing. Once positioned on the shoulder, cement may be supplied to the annular space defined between the outer surface of the inner casing and the inner surface of the outer casing. This thereby bonds the inner casing to the outer casing. The outer casing may have a return valve operable by a Remote Operated Vehicle located at or adjacent to the mudline. As the cement is pumped down into the annular spacing the excess cement can pass out through valve.
A typical well will include several concentric casings. For example, the outer casing may be cemented to a first inner casing which may support a second inner casing which may support a third inner casing etc. It will be appreciated that it is relatively easy for the excess cement between the outer casing and the first inner casing to be easily extracted out of the well through a valve located at the mudline in the outer casing. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to simply extract the excess cement from between successive inner casings whilst maintaining the integrity of the subsea wellhead.
In addition, it is preferable to have the inner concentric casings locked down such that the casing is not lifted upwards by any excess pressure or force produced in the annular space surrounding it. Such lockdown connectors may require the hanger to have a locking arrangement which can be relatively difficult to operate and manipulate since the lockdown connectors are located a long distance from the surface. Furthermore, such lockdown arrangements may be complex and may not provide any axial loading on the casing string.
Prior art systems may include multiple components including annular sealing components for creating the required seal, locking components for locking a well casing string against downwards movement and also locking components for locking the well casing string against upwards movement. Each of these components requires activation or actuation which may only occur whilst they are located at a deep sea level. Accordingly, these multiple components and the activations can be difficult and problematic.
It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Securement arrangement for securing casing inside a subsea wellhead


A cartridge carrying/housing device is provided which is capable of reducing an access distance to a targeted position or an access time required to reach the targeted position. The cartridge carrying/housing device has a cell in which two or more slots each housing a magnetic tape cartridge are arranged in one specified direction and a picker to move according to control based on the number of driving pulses of a stepping motor and to count the number of driving pulses produced before a notch of a targeted slot is detected by a hand-pass sensor and is so configured that part of a cartridge being housed in the cell protrudes through a slot and that the notch is formed in a flat-plate shaped protrusion formed in the slot and, in a state where a cartridge has been housed, a cartridge and a portion including the flat-shaped protrusion are closely positioned or partially overlap each other so that the hand-pass sensor can detect only the notch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device, a method and a computer program for carrying and housing two or more cartridges each having a magnetic storing medium, and a storage medium storing a same computer program, and more particularly to an improvement in positioning of a carrying mechanism for carrying the two or more cartridges.
The present application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-118761 filed on Apr. 23, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an example of the cartridge carrying/housing device, a magnetic tape library device is showed. Conventionally, various methods and units for positioning of a carrying mechanism employed in a magnetic tape library device are proposed. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 04-319564, a method is provided in which an end portion of a housing shelf that houses a medium or a reading and writing mechanism is detected by a reflection sensor attached to a carrying mechanism used to transport the medium and also a reference pattern on a flag mounted in parallel to a spline used to guide the carrying mechanism is detected by a flag sensor attached to the carrying mechanism and an interval between a pulse output from the reflection sensor and a pulse output from the flag sensor is measured by using an output pulse of an encoder indicating an amount of revolutions of a motor to drive the carrying mechanism and results from the measurements are stored in memory. When ordinary positioning operations are performed, a stop position of a motor is controlled according to positional data of a targeted shelf read from the memory.
In a magnetic tape library device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 04-319564, in the case of a magnetic tape library device in which its housing shelves to house media are arranged in up-and-down directions and in right and left directions, even if positions for storing media are deviated in every housing shelf, a stop position of a motor obtained, in advance, from measurements for every housing shelf by using a reflection sensor is stored and, when ordinary positioning operations are performed, a motor stop position is controlled by using data stored in memory and, therefore, transport of a medium by using both a single carrying mechanism and a flag is made possible.
Moreover, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42723, a method is provided in which, by providing a targeted flag in every acceptance port of a housing shelf that houses two or more media and by correcting position data in memory according to a signal which detects the targeted flag by using a photoelectric sensor attached in a cartridge carrying mechanism, positioning control in every pitch to a position of a subsequent adjacent targeted flag is exerted.
In a magnetic tape library device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42723, even in the case of the housing shelf that houses two or more media, since positioning control is exerted by mounting a targeted flag for every magnetic tape cartridge acceptance port of the housing shelf, by providing a reflection sensor or a like that detects an acceptance port of the housing shelf, unlike in the case of the technology stated in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 04-319564, storing of data obtained by, in advance, detecting a stop position of a motor in memory is not required and, therefore, the number of required sensors can be reduced more when compared with the case of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 04-319564.
Moreover, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42724, a method is provided in which, by mounting a targeted flag only on each acceptance port of any one of rows and any one of columns of a housing shelf that houses two or more media and by correcting position data in memory based on a signal that detects the targeted flag by using a photoelectric sensor attached in a cartridge carrying mechanism section to obtain position data, positioning control is exerted.
In a magnetic tape library device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42724, the number of required sensors can be reduced more when compared with the case of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 04-319564 and positioning control can be exerted at the smaller number of targeted flags when compared with the case of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42723.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 10-92069, a method is provided in which, by mounting an accessor that takes out a medium from a specified cell, holds it and moves it to a record reproducing section or that takes out a medium from the record reproducing section, holds it and moves it to the specified cell on a cartridge housing section where two or more cells having the medium are arranged regularly in up-and-down directions and in right and left directions and by providing a positioning flag having a notch at an intermediate position between cells being adjacent to each other in order to stop the accessor at a position corresponding to a specified cell in the cartridge housing section and by detecting the notch using a positioning sensor, positioning of a cartridge carrying mechanism is performed.
In the magnetic tape library device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 10-92069, the number of required sensors can be reduced more when compared with the case of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 04-319564 and positioning control can be exerted at the smaller number of targeted flags when compared with the case of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42723.
However, the magnetic tape library device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 04-319564 has a problem. That is, though one set of flags used to perform positioning of the carrying mechanism which transports a medium is sufficient and mounting of the flag for every magnetic tape cartridge acceptance port in the housing shelf is not required, a reflection sensor used to detect each acceptance port and memory used to store a position of each acceptance port, in addition to the flag sensor, are necessary, which, as a result, causes the device to be complicated. Moreover, in order to detect whether or not the magnetic tape cartridge is housed in each housing slot of the housing shelf, another sensor being different from those described above is required additionally.
Also, the magnetic tape library device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42723 has a problem. That is, since the targeted flag for each magnetic tape cartridge acceptance port of the housing shelf in order to perform the positioning of the carrying mechanism used to transport the medium is mounted, unlike in the case of the magnetic tape cartridge device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 04-319564, the sensor to detect each acceptance port and the memory to store position data are not required, which enables the device to be simplified. However, in order to detect whether or not the magnetic tape cartridge is housed in each housing slot of the housing shelf, another sensor being different from the sensor used to detect a targeted flag is required additionally.
Also, the magnetic tape library device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42724 has a problem. That is, since the targeted flag is attached only to part of each magnetic tape cartridge acceptance port of the housing shelf, the number of targeted flags can be reduced more when compared with the magnetic tape cartridge device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42723, which enables the device to be simplified. However, in order to detect whether or not the magnetic tape cartridge is housed in each housing slot of the housing shelf, another sensor being different from the sensor used to detect a targeted flag is required additionally.
Furthermore, the magnetic tape library device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-92069 has a problem. That is, since a positioning flag having a notch at an intermediate position between adjacent cells is mounted in order to perform positioning of a carrying mechanism used to transport a medium and positioning is performed by detecting the notch using the positioning sensor. However, the number of targeted flags can be reduced more when compared with the magnetic tape cartridge device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 05-42723, which enables the device to be simplified. However, in order to detect whether or not the magnetic tape cartridge is housed in each housing slot of the housing shelf, another sensor being different from the sensor used to a targeted flag is required additionally.

Device, method and computer program for carrying and housing cartridge, and storage medium storing same computer program


A laser beam attenuator and a method of attenuating a laser beam are disclosed. The laser beam attenuator includes first and second prisms, a beam dump, and a light absorbing body. An input laser beam partially refracts and partially reflects at a first surface of the first prism to form first refracted and reflected laser beams. The first reflected laser beam partially refracts and partially reflects at a second surface of the second prism to form second refracted and reflected laser beams. The beam dump and the light absorbing body absorb the first and second refracted laser beams. Thus, the second reflected laser beam forms an attenuated laser beam.

The present invention relates to the field of lasers. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of attenuating laser beams.
There are a variety of reasons for characterizing a laser. One means for characterizing a laser beam is to use CCD""s (Charge Coupled Devices). Many laser beams of interest are too powerful for direct observation by the CCD""s. A laser beam attenuator reduces the power of such laser beams so that the beams can be characterized by the CCD""s. Laser beam attenuators of the prior art include absorptive and reflective neutral density filters, multilayered dielectric filters, high energy variable attenuators, diffractive beam splitters, and polarizing variable attenuators.
The absorptive neutral density filters include an optically absorptive material which is formed within an optically transparent material. The optically absorptive material absorbs part of the incident laser beam so that a transmitted laser beam is attenuated. Due to the absorptive nature of the absorptive neutral density filters, absorptive neutral density filters are capable of attenuating low power laser beams only. Also, absorptive neutral density filters induce wavefront distortion and polarization effects.
The reflective neutral density filters include a metallized partial reflector on an optical substrate. The laser beam is incident upon the metallized partial reflector, which partially reflects and partially transmits the remaining portion of the laser beam. The partially transmitted laser beam forms the attenuated laser beam. Though reflective neutral density filters, they also induce the wavefront distortion and polarization effects. The reflective neutral density filters attenuate higher power laser beams than the absorptive neutral density filters but are not feasible for attenuating high power laser beams having high power densities.
The multilayered dielectric filters include alternating layers of a high index of refraction material and a low index of refraction material. These alternating layers are deposited on an optical substrate. The multilayered dielectric filters reflect part of the laser beam and transmit the remaining part of the laser beam. The transmitted laser beam forms the attenuated laser beam. Some multilayered dielectric filters are highly wavelength dependent. So such filters must be used with specific wavelength laser beams. Also, the multilayered dielectric filters induce the wavefront distortion. Further, the multilayered dielectric filters are expensive, lack precision, and are not feasible for attenuating high power laser beams having high power densities.
The polarizing variable attenuators include first and second polarizers. The first polarization angle of the first polarizer is at an angle of less than 90xc2x0 to the second polarization angle of the second polarizer. The laser beam is attenuated by absorption in the first and second polarizers. By allowing the first polarization angle to be varied with respect to the second polarizer, the polarizing variable attenuators are made variable. Due to the absorptive nature of the polarizer pairs, the polarizer pairs are limited to attenuating low power laser beams. Further, the polarizing variable attenuators are highly polarization dependent.
The high energy variable attenuators include first and second sets of parallel optical plates. The parallel optical plates attenuate the laser beam by Fresnel reflections from each successive optical plate. Thus, the transmitted laser beam forms the attenuated laser beam. By varying an incidence angle, the high energy variable attenuators are made variable. The second set of parallel plates is oriented such that a beam deviation introduced by the first set of parallel plates is cancelled by the second set of parallel plates. The high energy variable attenuators are highly polarization dependent. The high energy variable attenuators are typically limited to an attenuation of about 40 dB. Also, the high energy variable attenuators induce the wavefront distortion since some reflected light recombines with the transmitted laser beam due to additional reflections.
What is needed is a laser beam attenuator having low wavefront distortion, good power handling, a large fixed attenuation value, a low polarization effect, and low wavelength dependence.
The present invention is a laser beam attenuator and a method of attenuating a laser beam. The laser beam attenuator includes first and second prisms, a beam dump, and a light absorbing body. An input laser beam partially refracts and partially reflects at a first surface of the first prism to form first refracted and reflected laser beams. The first reflected laser beam partially refracts and partially reflects at a second surface of the second prism to form second refracted and reflected laser beams. The beam dump and the light absorbing body absorb the first and second refracted laser beams. Thus, the second reflected laser beam forms an attenuated laser beam. An alternative laser beam attenuator uses the first prism. In the alternative laser beam attenuator, the first reflected laser beam forms an alternative attenuated laser beam.

Laser beam attenuator and method of attenuating a laser beam


A method is disclosed to install a component in an information storage and retrieval system. The method provides an information storage and retrieval system comprising a system processor and system data, and a component comprising persistent component data. The method attaches the component to the information storage and retrieval system while the information storage and retrieval system remains in normal operation, and determines, while the information storage and retrieval system remains in normal operation, if the component is compatible with the information storage and retrieval system. If the component is compatible with the information storage and retrieval system, the method then places the component into service while the information storage and retrieval system remains in normal operation.

Data storage and retrieval systems are used to store information provided by one or more host computer systems. Such data storage and retrieval systems receive requests to write information to one or more secondary storage devices, and requests to retrieve information from those one or more secondary storage devices. Upon receipt of a write request, the system stores information received from a host computer in a data cache. In certain implementations, a copy of that information is also stored in a nonvolatile storage device. Upon receipt of a read request, the system recalls information from the one or more secondary storage devices and moves that information to the data cache. Thus, the system is continuously moving information to and from storage devices, and to and from the data cache.
It is desirable for many data processing applications to remain in continuous, or near continuous, operation. Data processing systems, however, require both scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance to, among other things, repair equipment, replace equipment, and/or upgrade equipment. What is needed is an apparatus and method to install a new component in an information storage and retrieval system, verify the compatibility of that new component, and then place that new component in service, all the while keeping the information storage and retrieval system in normal operation.

Apparatus and method to install a component in an information storage and retrieval system

International Business Machines Corporation


Illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, an apparatus and a computer program product for meeting invitation processing in a calendaring system. In one embodiment, the computer implemented method comprises receiving a meeting invitation request from a user, wherein the meeting invitation includes a set of attributes and analyzing the set of attributes of the meeting invitation request. The computer implemented method further comprises selecting a process from a set of predefined processes comprising a pending meeting indicator process, a multiple meeting display process, an availability probability process, and a prioritized list process to create a selected process, and selectively modifying the selected process to create a modified process. The computer implemented method then invoking the modified process to process the meeting invitation request, and notifying the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system and in particular a computer implemented method, an apparatus and a computer program product for meeting invitation processing in a calendaring system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently in calendaring systems, such as Lotus Notes®, from IBM®, the function of managing calendar and meeting invitations is typically managed by the individual user. In some circumstances, a user may receive multiple invitations for different meetings scheduled to occur at the same time. In these situations, the user is typically responsible to check the invitations and determine which one has a higher priority by accepting one invitation and declining the other invitations.
Sometimes, the user may not be aware there are two or three invitations in the user's inbox for the same time and may accept the first invitation seen, only to realize later there is a desire to accept one of the other invitations. To eliminate this problem, users require a better way to manage calendar invitations and other calendar related events.

Meeting invitation processing in a calendaring system


A memory system includes a flash memory including a block having first sub-blocks and second sub-blocks different from each other, the second sub-blocks including free pages only; and a controller configured to erase the flash memory in units of the sub-blocks, and in a garbage collection operation, the controller is configured to copy data of a valid page of the first sub-blocks to at least one of the second sub-blocks.

1. Technical Field
The present inventive concept relates to a memory system.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Memory devices may be classified as volatile memory devices and nonvolatile memory devices. The volatile memory devices lose stored data in the absence of power. The volatile memory devices include static random access memories (SRAMs), dynamic RAMs (DRAMs) and a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), for example. The nonvolatile memory devices retain stored data in the absence of power. The nonvolatile memory devices include a flash memory, a read only memory (ROM), programmable ROMs (PROMs), electrically erasable and programmable ROMs (EEPROMs), resistive memories (e.g., phase-change RAM (PRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), etc., for example.
If the size of a flash memory block increases (for example, if 2 Kbytes are stored in a page), an execution time of a full block merge is increased. In particular, in a memory system having a time-out, the frequency of performing a merge operation may increase. In addition, at the same density, as a block size increases, the number of blocks is reduced, and thus, the number of free blocks that can be controlled by a controller is reduced. As a consequence, write performance of the flash memory may be lowered, and block operation may be adversely impacted.


An adjustable fingerprint capturing device is configured to stabilize a finger of a subject. The adjustable fingerprint capturing device comprises an imaging device(s) configured to capture an image(s) of the finger. The adjustable fingerprint capturing device comprises an image actuator. The adjustable fingerprint capturing device comprises a controller configured to activate the imaging device(s) based on input from the image actuator. The adjustable fingerprint capturing device comprises a housing disposed to: the imaging device(s), the image actuator, and the controller. The adjustable fingerprint capturing device comprises a plurality of moveable finger stabilizers configured to move about a portion of the housing. The plurality of moveable finger stabilizers are configured to apply pressure to the finger. The adjustable fingerprint capturing device comprises a stabilizer actuator connected to: the housing and the plurality of moveable finger stabilizers. The stabilizer actuator is configured to cause the plurality of moveable finger stabilizers to move.

Many existing fingerprint capturing devices may not be configured to consistently capture fingerprints on some subjects, especially infants and toddlers. Inconsistent fingerprint captures may lead to false identification of a subject. Employment of many existing fingerprint capturing devices may cause excessive torque (i.e. a rotational force) on the finger of the subject. Excessive torque on the finger during fingerprint capture may cause movement during fingerprint capture. Movement during fingerprint capture may reduce the ability to identify fingerprint features.
Many existing non-contact fingerprint capturing devices may not be configured to effectively keep the finger of a subject in a location necessary for an effective fingerprint capture.
What is needed is an improved fingerprint capturing device.

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA


A sewing machine type decorative box includes a sewing machine body and a box engaged with the sewing machine body. A music device is provided within the box, and this music device includes a rolling wheel and an end gear connected at a first end of the wheel. A rotary disk also is installed within the box, wherein a periphery of the rotary disk engages the end gear of the music device. Additionally, a rod is provided that rotates along with the rotary disk. The sewing machine body includes first and second transverse axes. A first gear is provided at a first end of the first transverse axis, and an eccentric cam is provided at a second end of the first transverse axis. The second transverse axis includes a gear at one end that engages with the first gear of the first transverse axis. A longitudinal driving axis extends between the sewing machine body and the box. A first end of this driving axis includes an element that engages with the rod of the rotary disk, and the second transverse axis is driven by this driving axis. Finally, a longitudinal axis is installed at the cam of the first transverse axis. A cambered guiding piece, which is integrally formed with the longitudinal axis, engages a periphery of the cam to move the longitudinal axis up and down, simulating the motion of a sewing machine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a decorative box, and especially to a decorative box which can simulate the action of a conventional sewing machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
According to the structure of a conventional sewing machine, a transverse rotary axis is installed within the sewing machine body. A rotary disk that may be driven by a pulley is installed on one end of the rotary axis, while a longitudinal axis is installed on another side of the rotary axis within the sewing machine body. The longitudinal axis may be driven to longitudinally move forward and backward by the movement of the rotary axis. A needle is fixed below the lower end of the longitudinal axis, through which the sewing machine may perform predetermined work.


A dielectric film is provided. The dielectric film includes a dielectric polymer substrate having two surfaces opposite to each other and a coating layer formed on at least one of the two surfaces of the dielectric polymer substrate by chemical vapor deposition polymerization and/or irradiation polymerization. A power capacitor includes the dielectric film. A process for preparing the dielectric film is provided.

Polymeric dielectric materials are widely used in power products. The polymeric dielectric materials in the form of films are inexpensive, possess high dielectric breakdown strength, high energy density and low dielectric loss as compared to ceramic dielectrics and electrolytes. Commonly used polymeric dielectric films include PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephtalate), PC (polycarbonate) and the like. Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) is attractive for energy storage applications such as capacitors due to its high dielectric breakdown strength and low dielectric loss.
For a dielectric material, the dielectric breakdown strength is one of the major concerns that shall be addressed to meet different requirements in the power industries. The electrical property, especially the dielectric strength of the dielectric material determines the reliability of electrical devices.
In practice, to increase the operation electric stress of dielectric films, thin coating layers are generally applied on the film surfaces. However, the coating materials and interface treatment often adversely impact the dielectric performance of the dielectric films.
Many investigations have been conducted to improve the dielectric performance of the dielectric film per se so as to resist the adverse impact due to the application of the coating layers. For example, it has been investigated that the dielectric breakdown properties of polypropylene are influenced by the morphology and crystal structure of the polymer. Schultz et. al. (J. App. Poly. Sci. 29 (1984), pages 4183-4197) and Yoshino et. al. (J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 33 (2000), pages 464-472) demonstrated that the dielectric breakdown strength of polypropylene decreased with the increase of the average spherulite (spherical crystallite) size. On the other hand, WO 2012/016964 disclosed a polypropylene composition comprising alpha-nucleating agents, which demonstrated an improved alterative current (AC) breakdown strength.
Thus, there is a continued desire to develop a coated dielectric film with improved dielectric performance. It would be even more desired to provide a coated dielectric film with improved dielectric performance in an easier or more efficient way as compared with the prior art.

Dielectric film and power capacitor comprising dielectric film


The present invention relates to a method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass or organic waste. The present invention provides: a method for effectively producing diverse hydrocarbons by using a raw material comprising mixed organic acids that can be obtained by anaerobic fermentation which is a fermentation process in biogasification technology; and a method for producing diverse products such as fuel, lube base oil and aromatics by using a raw material comprising mixed organic acids.

Although chemical industries based on petroleum have been remarkably developed from the mid-20th century onwards, prices of petroleum, gas and coal, which are typical examples of fossil fuel, are continuously increasing due to limitations of the resources thereof, and competition among countries has intensified in order to efficiently secure them. Also, chemical products produced from fossil fuel generate large amounts of byproducts in the manufacturing process, such as waste and gases that contribute to global warming, undesirably contributing to a serious environmental crisis that may affect all mankind, and rapidly shrinking conventional chemical industries. Thus, it is required to develop novel eco-friendly biochemical processes using biomass, which may be applied instead of chemical processes based on fossil fuel.
Biomass commonly refers to a vegetable source such as corn, bean, flaxseed, rapeseed, sugarcane, and palm oil, but typically may include living organics, or metabolic byproducts of materials constituting any one part of a carbon cycle.
However, existing biomass conversion techniques are limited in terms of competition with conventional chemical/petroleum products based on crude oil, due to restrictions of feeds/location conditions, low yields, high production costs, limits of the product spectrum, etc.
Also, anaerobic fermentation is easily carried out, exhibits high yield, and enables treatment of a wide range of biomass and organic waste, including land-sea biomass such as wood, seaweeds, etc., agricultural waste such as food waste, sewage sludge, corn stalks, millet stalks, animal excretions, etc., and palm waste, but there are no high-value raising methods other than biogases.
Furthermore, research into production of alcohols or fuel hydrocarbons from an organic acid mixture obtained via anaerobic fermentation is ongoing recently, but such processes are complicated and various products cannot be selectively produced.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass or organic waste


Moving scheduling of processor time for virtual processors (VPs) out of a virtualization hypervisor. A host operating system schedules VP (virtual processor) processor time. The host operating system creates VP backing threads, one for each VP of each virtual machine. There is a one-to-one mapping between each VP thread in the host operating system and each VP in the hypervisor. When a VP thread is dispatched for a slice of processor time, the host operating system calls into the hypervisor to have the hypervisor start executing the VP, and the hypervisor may perform a processor context switch for the VP. Of note is the security separation between VP scheduling and VP context switching. The hypervisor manages VP context switching in kernel mode while VP scheduling is performed in user mode. There is a security/interface boundary between the unit that schedules VP processor time and the hypervisor.

Among the many forms of computer virtualization, machine or system virtualization has become common due to many known advantages. System virtualization involves abstracting the hardware resources of a computer and presenting the computer as virtual machines. A layer of software referred to as a hypervisor or virtual machine monitor (VMM) runs directly on the hardware of a computer. The hypervisor manages access to the hardware of the computer by virtual machines (VMs), which are also known as partitions, domains, or guests. Each VM is a software environment or construct capable of hosting its own guest operating system. The hypervisor manages sharing of the computer's hardware, in particular processing hardware, by the VMs. The presence of a layer of software—the hypervisor—between the guest operating system and the computer hardware is mostly transparent to the guest operating system.
One type of hypervisor is the type I hypervisor, also referred to as a stand-alone, native, bare metal, or embedded hypervisor. Examples of type I hypervisors are Microsoft Hyper-V™ from Microsoft Corp., KVM™ (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) from Red Hat Corp., VMware ESXi™ from VMware Inc., and Xen™, which is available from various sources. Traditionally, in virtualization architectures that use a type I hypervisor ("hypervisor", hereafter), the hypervisor is responsible for managing the virtualization of processors. Specifically, the hypervisor applies resource policies to virtual processors and schedules execution of virtual processors on physical processors. A hypervisor is usually accompanied by a privileged VM that hosts a special guest operating system that handles other virtualization-related tasks that need not reside in the hypervisor. This special operating system will be referred to as the host operating system or the host kernel. The hypervisor and host operating system together will be referred to as a virtualization layer. The virtualization tasks handled by the host operating system varies among hypervisor implementations. Some may handle aspects of device emulation/virtualization, I/O virtualization, inter-VM communication, etc. Some may provide a user interface to enable a user to configure the virtualization layer, VMs, etc. The host operating system may also have administrative tools or other software that is not necessary for virtualization.
Although which virtualization responsibilities are handled by the hypervisor and which are handled by the host operating system can vary, all type I hypervisors (including kernel-based hypervisors such as the KVM hypervisor) handle processor virtualization, including scheduling of processor time for virtual processors, managing the kernel objects (e.g. threads or processes) that back the virtual processors, etc. This approach has shortcomings.
One shortcoming of having the hypervisor handle processor scheduling is scheduler redundancy. Operating systems that are employed as VM guests or as host operating systems are usually designed to be capable of running directly on hardware. They have their own kernel scheduler designed for scheduling their own threads on processors (or on virtual processors, as the case may be). These operating systems' schedulers are usually heavily engineered for resource control and for supporting advanced power management policies. To date, hypervisors have also had their own scheduler implementation that is independent of the scheduler in the host/operating systems. Because a hypervisor has its own scheduler, some of the sophisticated scheduler logic often found in host/guest operating systems must either be omitted or else duplicated in the hypervisor scheduler. For example, supposing a host/guest kernel's scheduler is enhanced with a new feature to make its scheduling more power efficient, if the benefit is to be had on a computer where the host kernel executes in a VM on top of a hypervisor (which actually controls scheduling), this new feature must be duplicated in the hypervisor's scheduler for the host computer to obtain the same benefit.
The stacked layers of scheduling also make it difficult to realize certain performance and management improvements. Regarding performance, it has been observed that the nature of VM workloads often vary. For instance, some VMs might be I/O bound, others might be processor bound. A hypervisor scheduler cannot self-adjust to suit VM workload conditions because those conditions may not be visible to the hypervisor. For example, if some I/O virtualization occurs at the host operating system, actionable information about I/O conditions may not be available in the hypervisor. Regarding management, when the hypervisor handles processor scheduling, CPU resource reporting for virtual machines is not naturally accounted for in the host operating system. Because the host operating system does not have direct visibility to how a VM's virtual processors are being scheduled, the host operating system cannot determine how physical CPU resources are actually being consumed. CPU resource reporting tools in the host operating system may report an incorrect view of CPU resource consumption, since such tools are in fact reporting CPU resource consumption of the host operating system (and not the virtual machines). Accordingly, system tools must be retooled if system-wide CPU usage is to be monitored accurately in a virtualized environment. Moreover, hypervisor-based scheduling can make execution tracing and analysis difficult because of the need to correlate between events from two schedulers.
Implementing scheduling in the hypervisor also carries security risks. Because each VM's execution is controlled in the same security domain (the hypervisor), there is a risk that a hypervisor breach of one VM could lead to compromise of the hypervisor and thus compromise of the other VMs.
Some of the problems discussed above may be solved by scheduling virtual processors outside of the hypervisor, as described below.

Hypervisor virtual processor execution with extra-hypervisor scheduling


Multiple gate transistors are provided with a dual stress layer for increased channel mobility and enhanced effective and saturated drive currents. Embodiments include transistors comprising a first stress layer under the bottom gate and a second stress layer overlying the top gate. Embodiments further include transistors with the bottom gate within or through the first stress layer. Methodology includes sequentially depositing stressed silicon nitride, nitride, oxide, amorphous silicon, and oxide layers on a substrate having a bottom oxide layer thereon, patterning to define a channel length, depositing a top nitride layer, patterning stopping on the stressed silicon nitride layer, removing the amorphous silicon layer, epitaxially growing silicon through a window in the substrate to form source, drain, and channel regions, doping, removing the deposited nitride and oxide layers, growing gate oxides, depositing polysilicon to form gates, growing isolation oxides, and depositing the top stress layer.

The relentless shrinking of transistor dimensions and market competition require increased charge carrier mobility in the channel region thereby increasing the switching speed of a transistor, as well as enhanced effective and saturated drive currents. However, as transistor dimensions are scaled down, it becomes increasingly difficult to control short-channel effects by conventional means. The short-channel effects decrease the threshold voltage in sub-0.1 micron devices due to two-dimensional electrostatic charge sharing between the gate and source/drain regions.
In response to the demand for smaller and faster devices, multiple-gate field effect transistors have evolved, such as double gate transistors, e.g., planar and vertical double gate transistors. In typical planar double gate transistors, the channel region is confined between top and bottom gate electrode layers. The multiple-gate structure, such as the double gate structure, with a symmetrical gate structure, has several advantages over the conventional single gate field effect transistor, such as higher transconductance, lower parasitic capacitance, and improved short-channel effects. Further, improved short-channel characteristics are obtained without doping of the channel region, thereby circumventing tunneling breakdown, dopant quantization, and dopant depletion problems associated with channel doping normally present with single gate transistors.
One such double gate transistor is a planar double gate transistor, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, comprising a bottom or buried oxide layer 11 on substrate 10, bottom or back gate electrode 12, bottom gate oxide 13, channel region 14, top gate oxide 15, top gate electrode 16, source region 17, drain region 18, and a nitride stress layer 19. Difficulties encountered in fabricating double gate transistors, such as the planar double gate transistor illustrated in FIG. 1, include accurate alignment between the bottom and top gate electrodes. Further, as device dimensions continue to shrink, such as for 32 nm, 22 nm, and even smaller designs, further improved performance is required.
Accordingly, there exists a need for semiconductor devices comprising transistors with ultra-fine dimensions, such as 32 nm, 22 nm designs, and under, for improved performance. There also exists a need for efficient methodology enabling the fabrication of such highly miniaturized transistors with high reliability.

Double layer stress for multiple gate transistors


A vehicle seat suspension includes a bottom frame adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and a top frame located above the bottom frame and adapted to support a seat thereon. A substantially fully collapsible scissors linkage is interconnected between the bottom frame and the top frame enabling the bottom frame and the top frame to move relative to each other substantially in parallelism. A biasing arrangement is disposed between the top frame and the bottom frame and has a preload force urging the top frame away from the bottom frame. A first adjustment mechanism is located in the top frame and selectively enables fore and aft adjustment of the top frame relative to the bottom frame. A second adjustment mechanism is located between the bottom frame and the top frame and selectively enables an adjustment on the biasing arrangement in accordance with the weight of an occupant in the seat by translating a horizontal force applied along the bottom frame into a vertical force affecting the preload force of the biasing arrangement.

As is well known, vehicles, and in particular large trucks, are provided with scissors-type suspensions capable of cushioning extremely heavy loads unlike those normally encountered in the smoother ride of a passenger car. In order to isolate the driver from fatigue and discomfort induced by the vehicle vibrations, it is normal practice to provide seat suspension systems incorporating various spring arrangements which protect the driver from vibrations at the expense of consuming a considerable amount of physical space beneath the seat. This is especially applicable to spring suspension systems which can be adjusted according to the weight of the seat occupant. Some of these seats include slide provisions which enable a fore and aft or longitudinal adjustment of the seat relative to the floor of the vehicle. When a seat is provided with both of the aforementioned adjustments, it must locate its seat frame a considerable distance above the vehicle floor to accommodate them. In addition, the partial collapsibility of the scissors linkage used in these suspensions also contributes to the distance at which the seat is mounted. Often, this distance becomes prohibitively high to be utilized in certain vehicles having relatively small space limitations between the floor and the ceiling. Accordingly, it remains desirable to provide a seat suspension incorporating both a seat occupant weight compensation adjustment and a fore and aft seat adjustment which together with a substantially fully collapsible scissors linkage will ensure a relatively low profile for the seat.
It is a principal object of the invention to provide a suspension mechanism that is simply constructed and relatively inexpensive while still meeting manufacturers' ever increasing demands for compactness and comfort.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a suitable suspension unit which will reduce the shocks and vibration transmitted from the vehicle to a driver via the driver's seat.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a seat suspension having an adjustable preload to suit the weight of the seat occupant.
It is another object of the invention to provide a seat suspension utilizing a scissors linkage having slide channels which serve as guides for the longitudinal adjustment of the seat.
It is another object of the invention to provide a seat suspension having a substantially full collapsible scissors linkage.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a seat suspension employing different types of springs.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a more comfortable ride throughout the operational range of the seat suspension.
The present invention advantageously provides a vehicle seat suspension employing a force storage compression spring assembly whose initial force is adjustable by selectively shifting the height of a camming mechanism. The seat suspension also relies on a fore and aft adjustment strategically confined in the existing frame supporting the seat.
In one aspect of the invention, a low profile vehicle seat suspension comprises a bottom frame adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and a top frame located above the bottom frame and adapted to support a seat thereon. A scissors linkage is interconnected between the bottom frame and the top frame and enables the bottom frame and the top frame to move relative to each other substantially in parallelism. A biasing arrangement is disposed between the top frame and the bottom frame and has a preload force urging the top frame away from the bottom frame. A first adjustment mechanism is located in the top frame and selectively enables fore and aft adjustment of the top frame relative to the bottom frame. A second adjustment mechanism is located between the bottom frame and the top frame and selectively enables an adjustment on the biasing arrangement in accordance with the weight of an occupant in the seat by translating a horizontal force applied along the bottom frame into a vertical force affecting the preload force of the biasing arrangement.
In another aspect of the invention, an adjustable vehicle seat comprises a bottom frame adapted to be mounted on the vehicle, and a top frame located above the bottom frame and adapted to support a seat thereon. A scissors linkage having a spring support interconnects the bottom frame and the top frame and constrains the top frame to vertical movement relative to the bottom frame. A spindle extends upwardly from the bottom frame and an adjustment plate is slidably disposed on the bottom frame, the adjustment plate having a opening formed by a continuous wall through which the spindle projects in spaced relationship to the wall. A cam is fixed to the adjustment plate and encircles the spindle in spaced relationship therewith. A cam follower having an outwardly extending lip is movably mounted upon the cam and encircles the spindle. A spring has one end seated against the spring support and another end seated against the lip. The spring has a preload force applied thereto urging the top frame away from the bottom frame. Sliding the adjustment plate and the cam towards the spindle causes the cam follower to move upwardly to further compress and add to the preload force on the spring.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a vehicle seat suspension comprises a bottom frame adapted to be mounted on the vehicle, the bottom frame having a pair of spaced front channels secured thereto and a pair of spaced bottom rear channels secured thereto and located rearwardly of the bottom front channels. A top frame is located above the bottom frame and is adapted to supported a seat thereon. Top frame has a pair of spaced top front channels depending therefrom and a pair of spaced adjustment channel assemblies depending therefrom and located rearwardly of the top front channels. Each of the adjustment channel assemblies comprise an adjusting channel formed with a plurality of slots therethrough, a front ear secured to a forward end of the adjusting channel, a rear ear joined to a rear end of the adjusting channel, each of the ears being formed with an opening therethrough, a comb having a multiplicity of teeth, a front tab secured to a forward end of the comb and a rear tab secured to a rear end of the comb, each of the tabs being formed with an aperture therethrough. Each adjusting channel is juxtaposed relative to the comb such that the teeth of the comb are receivable in the slots of the adjusting channel and the openings in the ears are aligned with the apertures in the tabs. Each of the adjustment channel assemblies also comprise a rotatable release rod extending through the aligned openings and the apertures and fixed to the comb, and a torsion spring interposed between the front ear of the adjusting channel and the front tab of the comb and encircling a portion of the release rod so as to normally urge the teeth into engagement with the slots. A connecting wire joins each of the adjustment channel assemblies and transmits rotation of one of the release rods to the other of the release rods. A substantially fully collapsible scissors linkage is interconnected between the top frame and the bottom frame. A biasing arrangement is disposed between the top frame and the bottom frame for urging the top frame away from the bottom frame. The scissors linkage includes a pair of outer links and a pair of inner links, a mid portion of each of the outer links being pivotally connected to a mid portion of the inner links. Each of the outer links and each of the inner links has front ends and rear ends, the front ends of the inner links being connected by a transverse shaft, each end of which carries a first slide block slidably receivable in one of the top front channels on the top frame. The rear ends of the rear links are joined together by a cross shaft, each of which carries a stationary block receivable in one of the bottom rear channels on the bottom frame. The front ends of the outer links each carry a second slide block slidably receivable in one of the bottom front channels on the bottom frame. The rear ends of the outer links are connected by a cross member, each end of which carries an adjusting block slidably receivable in one of the adjustment channel assemblies on the top frame. Each of the adjusting blocks has a bottom surface formed with grooves matable with the teeth on the comb. Selective rotation of the release rod against the bias of the torsion spring moves the teeth on the combs out of engagement with the slots on the adjusting channels and out of engagement with the grooves on the adjusting blocks allowing the latter to slide in the adjusting channels to provide a fore and aft adjustment of the seat on the top frame relative to the bottom frame. The release of the release rod returns the teeth to the slots and the grooves of the adjusting blocks thereby locking the seat in position.
Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.