A method and apparatus for accelerating detection of speed code signals, and in particular S400 signals, for IEEE Standard 1394-1995 serial bus devices. The present invention validates S400 mode immediately after detecting an S400 speed signal, or immediately after detecting an S400 speed signal following a first S200 speed signal. The invention further provides S200 and S100 mode validation according to current implementations. Additionally, the invention does not require RX_DATA_PREFIX as a pre-requisite for signal detection.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to speed signal detection in serial bus device communication. More particularly, the invention is a method and apparatus for accelerating detection of speed code signals, and in particular S400 signals in IEEE Standard 1394-1995, to thereby reduce the bottleneck through physical layer services of a serial bus device.
2. The Prior Art
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) defines the IEEE Standard 1394-1995 serial bus architecture in the document "IEEE Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus" published Aug. 30, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference. In IEEE 1394, the serial bus architecture is defined in terms of nodes. In general, a node is an addressable entity (i.e., a logical entity with a unique address), which can be independently reset and identified.
The IEEE Standard 1394-1995 further describes a set of three stacked layers comprising a transaction layer, a link layer (LINK), and a physical layer (PHY). Interoperability between the serial bus nodes begins with the physical connection, typically through cables, connectors, and PHY silicon.
The PHY has three primary functions: transmission and receptions of data bits, arbitration, and provision for the electrical and mechanical interface. Transmission of data bits is carried out using the transmission format 1 depicted in FIG. 1. The transmission format 1 includes a data prefix 2 and a data packet 3.
For every data packet 3 that is transmitted, the data packet 3 is preceded by a data prefix 2. The data packet 3 may vary in size according to the data transmitted. For example, the data packet may be 8 kilobits (Kb) at S100 speeds (or 32 Kb at S400 speeds).
The data prefix 2 communicates, among other things, a speed code signal to indicate the data rate of transmission. The cable environment supports multiple data rates of 98.304 megabits per second (Mb/s) or S100, 196.608 Mb/s or S200, and 393.216 Mb/s or S400 . The lowest speed (S100) is known as the "base rate." If a higher rate is supported then all lower rates also required.
Speed signaling (also known as common mode signaling) is carried out by indicating an analog signal, and in particular, a common voltage drop (Vcm) across the Twisted Pair B (TPB) interface of the cable media as is known in the art. As noted above, this speed code signal is communicated during the data prefix 2 portion of the data transmission 1. In general, the speed code signal communicated during the data prefix 2 must be completed 40 nanoseconds (ns) before the data packet 3 portion.
FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b illustrate generally speed code signals communicated by the PHY devices as described above. FIG. 2a illustrates an S200 speed code signal 4 to indicate the S200 data rate. FIG. 2b illustrates an S400 speed code signal 5 to indicate the S400 data rate. The base rate (S100) is indicated by a lack or absence of a speed signal code signal during the data prefix 2.
The S200 speed code signal 4 and the S400 speed code signal 5 are generally 100 ns in length. However, the S200 speed code signal 4 indicates a Vcm drop of about 140 millivolts (mV). In contrast, the S400 speed code signal 5 indicates a Vcm drop of about 450 mV. The details of implementing speed signal reception was largely left to the designer of a PHY to provide the necessary filtering algorithm that ascertains the various speed code signals communicated by the other PHY devices on the serial bus.
Referring now to FIG. 3 there is generally shown a "driver blast" signal 6 which may sometimes be indicated during the data prefix portion 2 of the data transmission 1. This driver blast signal 6 may sometimes arise when the output of differential port drivers are not activated simultaneously, thereby creating a Vcm drop of about 140 mV generally lasting no more than 10 ns.
The problem created by the driver blast signal 6 is that the Vcm drop of the driver blast signal 6 appears like and has a similar slope and amplitude to the Vcm, drop of an S200 speed code signal 4. The difference between the two signals is the length of the signal, the S200 speed code signal 4 lasting about 100 ns while the driver blast signal 6 generally lasting no longer than 10 ns. To distinguish between the driver blast signal 6 and the speed code signals 4, 5, and to avoid misinterpreting the driver blast signal 6 for a speed code signal, a proposed speed filter algorithm has been provided in Table 8–21 of the P1394a Draft 4.0 (most recent), published by the IEEE in Sep. 15, 1999 and is incorporated herein by reference. Many current PHY devices implement this speed filter algorithm.
This proposed speed filter algorithm is represented in flow chart form in FIG. 4. In general, signals are sampled at 20 ns intervals. According to the algorithm, if two consecutive S200 signals (i.e., Vcm drop level to that of an S200 speed code signal) are observed then S200 mode is determined to be valid. Similarly, if two consecutive S400 signals are observed, then S400 mode is determined to be valid. Otherwise S 100 mode is the default mode. By requiring two consecutive signals, both of S200 or both of S400, the driver blast signal 6 can be filtered out because two consecutive samples requires the necessary Vcm signal for a 20 ns period minimum, whereas the Vcm produced by the driver blast signal 6 generally lasts no more than 10 ns.
As shown in FIG. 4, it is common to first detect the S200 signal 4 before detecting the S400 signal 5, primarily due to the slope of the S400 signal. This is because the leading edge of an S400 speed signal is a somewhat leisurely drop to S400 levels; it spends considerable time transitioning through S200 range. In general, the total propagation delay (bottleneck) of a signal through a PHY device is generally 130 to 140 ns, a portion of which is dedicated to sampling speed codes. For detection of S400 speed signals for example, the prior art algorithm described above may not determine the validity of an S400 speed signal until as late as 60 ns (20 ns for sampling the S200 signal, plus 40 ns for sampling two consecutive S400 signals). It is noted that for detection of S200 speed signals, the prior art algorithm described above consumes about 40 ns (two consecutive samples at 20 ns each) for sampling signal. Thus, the propagation delay for detecting S400 signals will generally be greater than the propagation delay for detecting S200 signal.
It is observed that the Vcm drop level produced by the driver blast 6 does not reach the Vcm drop level produced by an S400 speed code signal 5. Thus, for S400 speed code signaling, filtering for driver blast 6 is not generally required. The prior art algorithm which samples and filters for two consecutive S400 signals thus increases the propagation delay through a PHY device, increasing the overall propagation delay of an S400 transmission on the serial bus as noted above.
Additionally, according to the prior art algorithm, the port must already be receiving RX_DATA_PREFIX. Thus portRspeed cannot go valid (a speed mode cannot be validated) until one clock after portR—typically a 20 ns delay.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for accelerating detection of speed code signals to thereby reduce the bottleneck through a PHY device due to speed signal sampling. The present invention satisfies these needs, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in the background art.
An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for accelerating detection of speed code signals that overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for accelerating detection of speed code signals that reduce the propagation through a PHY device.
Another object of the invention is accelerating detection of S400 speed code signals.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the preferred embodiment of the invention without placing limitations thereon.

Method and apparatus for accelerating detection of serial bus device speed signals


A safety ensemble with inherent, highly visible radiance/luminosity and a releasable link to allow the animal to shed the ensemble if it becomes dangerously snagged. The ensemble takes the form of bridle, collar, halter or harness, for draping/encircling a portion of an animal's body, and includes at least one strap member, the opening or separation of which allows the animal to break free of the ensemble. The safety link is realized in disengaging-resetting elements, as well as frangible/breakable-replaceable types. Inherent high visibility is acquired through use of highly luminous, reflective or radiant materials in or placed on selective elements of any article of the invention.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to animal equipment including collars, halters, harnesses and the like. More specifically, it is drawn to an article of such that acquires an extraordinary degree of safety owing to a novel combination of the item's normal functionality with a high visibility character and an emergency/safety release feature. Release is effected upon an event that either breaks, or causes to be opened, a safety link that is part of any such equipment. The invention is also applicable to human articles of safety such as belts and back packs.
2. Discussion of Relevant Art
Several disclosures are considered as relevant to the instant invention. These show, in general, means for endowing articles, that consist of straps, belts or chains, with a rapid release capability, should the animal fitted with such an article (as the binding member of a collar, halter or harness) become captured in brush, fencing or some other projection in an undesired entanglement. Relative to this discussion, U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,265 ('265) issued to Banks discloses a breakaway device made for a cat's collar. The safety link of '265 includes a socket type keeper at one end of the collar that is receptive of a ball device fitted to the other end of the collar. The socket captures the ball, which has pins extending there from, into its cavity and presents it for a restrictive extraction when a tug of sufficient force is applied to the collar. This device is the paradigm for one class of non-breakable quick-release links. Although incorporating the concept of flea/tick prevention, the Banks collar bore no other incidents that would expand its safety function.
Another U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,297 ('297), was issued to Mudge for a dog collar that included a safety release in order to prevent the animal from strangling. The separation/release member is, like the Banks ('265), one which relies upon the resilient character of interlinked halves or complements. Though re-useable, the Mudge collar, in that it is an ordinary collar, enjoys no greater functionality than its emergency release ability.
Mudge et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,404 ('404) show something similar to '297, in the manner of breakaway safety releases. This is an article that is designed for large animals, as well as dogs. It can function in a belt, strap or halter (see FIGS. 9–12). The connection means is the breakaway device itself (such as in the instant invention) and operates when a force or tug is applied to the appliance sufficient to pull a lug through a restrictive set of jaws. The operative characteristic lies in the flexibility or resilience of the lug-capturing jaws.
A disclosure by Porrello, U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,384, shows what appears to be a belt apparatus that combines adjustment means with a frangible link in the form of a conventional buckle's tongue. As with frangible links/connectors, this one requires replacement of the breaking link, an operation not discussed within the disclosure, but perhaps self evident. As another type of release, being neither frangible but resilient, U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,384 ('384), issued to Pacini, employs a releasable link or binder constructed of opposable strips which feature resilient, engaging hook members on one (strip) and loops on the other. This particular binding device is marketed under the trade name VELCRO®, and is used worldwide. The hook and loop device is excellent for strapping or binding, however the instant inventor, although making use of it as an optional release in her invention, was dissatisfied in the realization that, depending on the care with which the VELCRO® member is engaged, no firm standard of force could be determined that would effect consistent release or breakaway events.
An excellent example of a resilient safety release is that shown in a U.S. patent issued to Kirby, U.S. Pat. No. 3,011,478 ('478). Comprising the safety release for a choke collar, the device consists of a steel ring, a ring, of predetermined diameter, affixed to one end of the collar, captive of a spring biased, V-shaped element affixed to the other end. When a tug of calculable force is applied to the collar, the element is forcibly drawn through the ring, releasing the ring and V element linkage. Compressing the spring allows for the element's insertion into the ring, thereby reestablishing the link and foregoing the necessity of equipment repair or change-out. The only limitation perceived in this release device is, because of an elemental extension beyond the ring periphery, a possibility exists during pasturage that a branch or other projection may wedge between the extension and the ring, or the biasing spring, thus altering the critical release characteristics of the device. Like the preceding disclosures, '478 shows little or no other functional attributes characteristic of the apparatus in which the safety release is used.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,028 ('028), recently issued to Longtin is a priority document for this application and teaches, inter alia, animal coverings and associated articles of highly illuminative character. While employing VELCRO® ties, such are not specifically taught as releasable safety links, although certainly capable and effective therefor.

High visibility article with safety release link


Static random access memory (SRAM) performance is enhanced through the use of appropriate latch strength control. For example, latch strength in an SRAM cell is increased during data store operations to reduce power dissipation and improve reliability. Latch strength can also be increased to improve read speed, while latch strength can be reduced to improve write speed. In an SRAM cell including at least a negative differential resistance (NDR) device as a pull-up element, this type of latch control can be achieved through appropriate biasing of the NDR device(s). For example, drain-to-source bias can be increased or decreased to increase or decrease, respectively, latch strength. Similarly, gate-to-source bias can be increased or decreased to increase or decrease, respectively, latch strength.

A new type of SRAM device using Negative Differential Resistance Field Effect Transistors (NDR FETs) is described in detail in a patent application Ser. No. 10/029,077 filed Dec. 21, 2001 by T.-J. King and assigned to the present assignee, and published on May 9, 2002 as Publication No. 2002/0054502. The NDR FET structure, operation and method of making the same are discussed in detail in patent application Ser. No. 09/603,101 filed Jun. 22, 2000 by King et al., which is also assigned to the present assignee. Such details are also disclosed in a corresponding PCT application PCT/US01/19825 which was published as publication no. WO 01/99153 on Dec. 27, 2001. Methods for reducing soft error rates in such NDR FET based SRAM cells are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,567,292, entitled "NEGATIVE DIFFERENTIAL RESISTANCE (NDR) ELEMENT AND MEMORY WITH REDUCED SOFT ERROR RATE" by King, and issued on May 20, 2003. The above materials are hereby incorporated by reference.
As is well-known in the art, some of the important benchmarks for memory devices that determine the suitability for a particular application include the quiescent power rating, read speed and write speed. Furthermore, the peak-to-valley ratio (PVR) of the operating and quiescent current for a cell is also a significant factor that limits the feasibility of certain embodiments. For many applications it is believed that a PVR must exceed 10,000 to be practical at commercially desirable densities (i.e., in the MB range and above). Thus, it is apparent that the aforementioned NDR based SRAMs (and other NDR based memories) would also benefit from an increase in operating performance of the NDR elements to meet the aforementioned benchmarks.

Variable voltage supply bias and methods for negative differential resistance (NDR) based memory device


An expendable target of sputter coating material is provided having secured thereto a storage medium having recorded thereon, in machine readable indicia, information relating to a characteristic of the target. The information preferably includes target identifying information and may also include information relating to the target composition, the history of the use of the target, and other information usable by the apparatus to automatically set machine parameters or to record process information. Information, particularly of the use of the target, may be updated and written to a medium on the target or target assembly, or to a machine readable medium which may be affixed to the target assembly when the target is removed. The apparatus preferably includes a read head in the sputtering chamber and may also include a write head for writing information to the target assembly. A memory and microprocessor cooperate with the machine control to utilize the information read from the target in the control of the sputtering apparatus.

Sputter coating is a process carried out in a vacuum chamber which is filled with a generally chemically inert gas in which a substrate is coated with a material from a target of sputtering material subjected to a negative electrical potential with respect to the chamber wall or other anode. The potential gradient adjacent the target surface causes electrons to be emitted from the target which, on their way to the chamber anode which is usually formed in part by the grounded chamber wall, strike and ionize some of the inert gas. The positive ions formed are then attracted to the negative target which they strike, transferring momentum to the target material, and ejecting particles of the material from the target surface. The substrate to be coated, which is positioned in the chamber usually with its surface facing the target, receives some of the ejected particles which adhere to and coat the substrate surface.
Magnetron sputtering is a sputter coating process in which a magnetic field is formed over the target surface, usually including magnetic field lines parallel to the target surface, and, in many applications, in the form of a closed magnetic tunnel. The magnetic field causes the electrons emitted to move in curved spiral paths which trap them in regions proximate the target surface enclosed by the field, thereby increasing the rate of electron collisions with gas atoms, which in turn increase the ionization of the gas and the efficiency of the sputtering process.
In magnetron sputter coating processes, the sputtering of materials from the sputtering target occurs most rapidly into regions of the target where the plasma trapped by the magnetic field is the most dense. This causes the proportionate consumption or erosion of the sputtering material from the target surface. The erosion of sputtering material from other portions of the sputtering target surface generally occurs at a rate which varies in proportion to the strength and/or duration of the plasma over that portion of the target surface. Such erosion of the target at different rates across the target surface is sometimes desirable to achieve, for example, uniform coating of the substrate, as for example is described in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,605, hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
The shape of a sputtering target as well as its composition determine the operating parameters of the sputtering machine, such as the sputtering power levels, the characteristics of the magnetic fields over the target, the gas composition and pressure within the sputtering chamber, the sputtering process time, and other factors, to which the machine must be set for operation. The shape of the sputtering target varies with the use of the target as the target erodes. The history of the use of the target and of the parameter settings over the course of the history of the target affect the characteristics of the target, including particularly its shape, at any point in the life of the target. Thus, parameter settings for optimal use of the target at any point in time will vary with the history of the use of the particular target. In addition, variations from target to target, such as variations in composition, texture or crystal structure, may require different adjustments in operating parameters of the machine for optimal performance of the sputter coating process. Such adjustments will be experienced as the target is used. Furthermore, the identity of the particular target and information regarding its composition and history of use will, in some cases, be important in evaluating the coated products produced with the sputtering target at any point in its life. This is particularly important targets are replaced and when targets which have been previously used are installed in a sputtering machine. The use of information regarding the parameters associated with the sputtering process, are discussed in the commonly assigned and copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/570,943, filed Aug. 22, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,028 entitled "Sputter Coating Process Control Method and Apparatus", hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
The use of information regarding the identity, characteristics and history of the sputtering target, and the correlation of that information with the products produced by the target has, in the prior art, been a manual process. Similarly, proper settings of the operating parameters of the machine have required manual decision making by the machine operator. Accordingly, the prior art has provide inadequate utilization of information regarding the target, and has provided inefficiency and a risk of error.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus for effectively maintaining and utilizing information regarding the sputtering target in a sputter coating process.

Method and apparatus for sputter coating employing machine readable indicia carried by target assembly


A dry-type transformer comprises a winding with a tapping zone, the tapping zone being the zone wherein at least two connections can be made, allowing to change the number of turns of the winding and thus change the turn ratio of the transformer, and with at least a first non-tapping zone, wherein the winding comprises a conductor having, in at least part of the tapping zone, a first width in the axial direction of the winding, and having, in at least part of the first non-tapping zone, a second width in the axial direction of the winding, the first width being smaller than the second width.

Dry-type transformers for high voltage classes have been widely used in recent years in a number of utility and industrial installations because of their high reliability. Some of these dry-type transformers require the use of high voltages, high rated powers and a high regulating range, which lead to heating and hot-spot problems related to eddy and DC (or ohmic) losses in the windings of the transformer,
These eddy currents are induced by the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the winding, and they depend mainly on the module and direction of the magnetic flux: generally, it can be said that the more radial the magnetic flux, the higher the losses.
Also, in dry-type transformers requiring a high tapping range, when working in the lowest position of the transformer's tap-changer, high losses appear in the parts of the winding near to the connection points of the tap-changer, leading to a high hot-spot temperature within the zones surrounding said connection points.
In oil-type transformers, a regulation winding is employed to decrease hot spots created by the eddy currents along the winding; however, such a regulation winding may not be a suitable or appropriate solution for a dry-type transformer, since, because of its air-cooling system, it would require adding a very large and expensive regulation coil to the dry-type transformer.
The present invention aims to provide a dry-type transformer which solves at least partly the above drawbacks, by reducing the losses due to eddy currents, at least in the more problematic operating positions of the tap changer.


An electronic assembly includes a substrate, a device attached to the substrate, and a thermally conductive heat spreader covering the device and at least a portion of the substrate. A metal substantially fills the space between the device and the thermally conductive heat spreader. A method includes attaching at least one die to a substrate, placing a thermally conductive heat spreader over the die, and injecting a molten metal material into the space between the thermally conductive heat spreader and the die.

Today's semiconductor devices, whether discrete power or logic ICs, are smaller, run faster, do more and generate more heat. Some desktop microprocessors dissipate power levels in the range of 50 to 100 watts. These power levels require thermal management techniques involving large capacity heat sinks, good air flow and careful management of thermal interface resistances. A well designed thermal management program will keep operating temperatures within acceptable limits in order to optimize device performance and reliability.
Semiconductor devices are kept within their operating temperature limits by transferring junction-generated waste heat to the ambient environment, such as the surrounding room air. This is best accomplished by attaching a heat sink to the semiconductor package surface, thus increasing the heat transfer between the hot case and the cooling air. A heat sink is selected to provide optimum thermal performance. Once the correct heat sink has been selected, it must be carefully joined to the semiconductor package to ensure efficient heat transfer through this newly formed thermal interface.
Thermal materials have been used to join a semiconductor package and a heat sink, and to dissipate the heat from semiconductor devices, such as microprocessors. Thermal interface material (TIM) typically includes a polymer matrix and a thermally conductive filler. The TIM technologies used for electronic packages encompass several classes of materials such as epoxies, greases, gels and phase change materials.
Metal filled epoxies commonly are highly conductive materials that thermally cure into highly crosslinked materials. However, they have significant integration issues with other components of the package. For example, many times metal filled epoxies exhibit localized phase separation within the material that can result in high contact resistance. Furthermore, the metal filled epoxies can also delaminate at the interfaces.
Thermal greases are in a class of materials that offers several advantages compared to other classes of materials, including good wetting and ability to conform to the interfaces, no post-dispense processing, and high bulk thermal conductivity. Greases provide excellent performance in a variety of packages; however, greases cannot be used universally with all packages due to degradation of thermal performance during temperature cycling. It is observed that in some packages greases migrate out from between the interfaces under cyclical stresses encountered during temperature cycling. This phenomenon is known as "pump out."
In some applications an integral heat spreader is used to spread the heat and protect the semiconductor device beneath the integral heat spreader. In some applications, air is trapped within the integral heat spreader. Air is a poor thermal conductor.
The description set out herein illustrates the various embodiments of the invention, and such description is not intended to be construed as limiting in any manner.

Electronic packaging apparatus and method


A database system may add a read-only query engine to perform read-only queries associated with points-in-time of a database. In various embodiments, the read-only query engine may be added in response to a manual request, an automatic refresh of a network endpoint, a query specifying a point-in-time, or a connection request. The read-only query engine may perform the point-in-time queries on a version the database at the point-in-time and return results for the queries. Upon completion of the queries or at a determined time, the database system may remove the read-only query engine. The specified point-in-time may refer to a current time, a prior time, or a future time with respect to the current time.

A database is a collection of data stored and accessed electronically from one or more storage devices. The database is generally administered by a database management system (DBMS), a software system that enables users to define, create, maintain and control access to the database. The sum total of the database, the DBMS and the associated applications can be referred to as a "database system". Through the DBMS, data of the database may be added (e.g., by a write or insert request), retrieved (e.g., by a read request, a read-only query, or a query), updated (e.g., by an update request), and/or deleted (e.g., by a delete request). Frequently, a user of a database may want to retrieve data at a specific point-in-time from the database. For example, the user may need financial data of a corporation in a certain quarter in order to prepare a business report. The user may need to restore multiple instances of a database, each representing a database environment at one point-in-time. If the database includes sharded data copies stored on storage resources spanning different zones and/or regions, there may be instances for the multiple shards across the zones/regions as well. However, an instance is generally a complete database environment including the DBMS software, table structure, stored procedures and other functionality. The instances may be prepared as a routine process regardless of whether or not there are actually read queries of the database directed to those anticipated points-in-time. Therefore, this can be an expensive, if not wasteful, usage of the database storage resources. In addition, to maintain the integrity of the database and consistency of the contained data, a DBMS may perform multiple requests that are received concurrently or near the same time in sequence. For instance, the DBMS may perform modifications (or transactions) to a database (e.g., write, update and/or delete) until after it completes the performance of reads of the database. The transactions such as writes to the database may be continuously received and recorded in a log (as a buffer) of the database. Until after the reads end, the transactions may be applied to the actual database. This way, the appropriate data, rather than later-updated data, may guarantee to be retrieved for the user. However, when there is a long queue of read-only queries, operations of the database can experience a significant delay. With an increase of the size and complexity of databases, such delays can begin to deteriorate and become a critical issue. Thus, it is desirable to have techniques to more efficiently implement read-only queries to provide a high-performance database.
While embodiments are described herein by way of example for several embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments are not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit embodiments to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). The words "include," "including," and "includes" indicate open-ended relationships and therefore mean including, but not limited to. Similarly, the words "have," "having," and "has" also indicate open-ended relationships, and thus mean having, but not limited to. The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth as used herein are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.) unless such an ordering is otherwise explicitly indicated.
"Based On." As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase "determine A based on B." While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.
The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulated during prosecution of this application (or an application claiming priority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appended claims.

Adding a read-only query engine to perform queries to a point-in-time of a write-accessible database


In a malfunction detection mode, a controller is configured to compare an output of a phase-detector obtained when controlling to input an oscillation signal to only the phase-detector, with an output of the phase-detector obtained when controlling to input the oscillation signal to both of a transmitter and the phase-detector. If a change (difference) of signal levels of the outputs is equal to or more than a prescribed threshold, the controller determines that there is no malfunction in the transmitter and a receiver. If the change of the signal levels is less than the prescribed threshold, the controller determines that there is a malfunction in the transmitter or the receiver.

Conventionally, there has been a moving body detector described in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2009-281890. The conventional moving body detector in the above-mentioned document, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a first oscillation circuit 1a, a second oscillation circuit 1b, a frequency selection circuit 2, a transmitter 3, a receiver 4, a phase detection circuit 5, a low pass filter 6, a comparator 7, an operational circuit 8a, a threshold circuit 8b, and a control circuit 9. The first oscillation circuit 1a is configured to oscillate a transmission signal having a frequency fa, and the second oscillation circuit 1b is configured to oscillate a reference signal having a frequency fb that is different from the frequency of the transmission signal. The transmitter 3 is configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to a space to be monitored, when receiving the transmission signal outputted from the first oscillation circuit 1a. The receiver 4 is configured to output a receiving signal, when receiving a reflected wave generated due to reflection of the ultrasonic waves by an object (a moving body) 50 that exists within the space to be monitored. The phase detection circuit 5 is configured to mix the receiving signal and any one of the transmission signal and the reference signal, to obtain a Doppler signal according to a frequency difference between the receiving signal and the any one. The frequency selection circuit 2 is configured to switch the transmission signal and the reference signal inputted to the phase detection circuit 5. The low pass filter 6 is configured to remove unnecessary high frequency components from the Doppler signal outputted from the phase detection circuit 5. The comparator 7 is configured to compare the Doppler signal outputted from the low pass filter 6, with a predetermined reference value, to convert into a binary signal. The operational circuit 8a is configured to perform an operational processing of the binary signal outputted from the comparator 7. The threshold circuit 8b is configured to detect the moving body 50 within the space to be monitored, based on an operation result by the operational circuit 8a, to output a detection signal. The control circuit 9 is configured to have a moving body detection mode of detecting the moving body 50 and a malfunction detection mode of detecting whether or not the detector is normally operating. In the moving body detection mode, the control circuit 9 is configured to control the frequency selection circuit 2 to input the transmission signal to the phase detection circuit 5. In the malfunction detection mode, the control circuit 9 is configured to control the frequency selection circuit 2 to input the reference signal to the phase detection circuit 5.
In the case where the control circuit 9 operates in the moving body detection mode, the transmitter 3 transmits, to the space to be monitored, the ultrasonic waves having the same frequency as the transmission signal, when receiving the transmission signal having the frequency fa from the first oscillation circuit 1a. Then, the receiver 4 receives the reflected wave having a frequency f′a generated due to reflection of the ultrasonic waves by the moving body 50 that exists within the space to be monitored and then outputs, to the phase detection circuit 5, the receiving signal having the same frequency as the reflected wave. The phase detection circuit 5 mixes the receiving signal, and the transmission signal that is outputted from the first oscillation circuit 1a via the frequency selection circuit 2, and then outputs the Doppler signal according to the frequency difference between those signals. Then, the low pass filter 6 removes unnecessary high frequency components from the Doppler signal outputted from the phase detection circuit 5, and then the comparator 7 converts the Doppler signal into the binary signal to output to the operational circuit 8a. The operational circuit 8a performs the operational processing of the binary signal to obtain a moving speed of the moving body 50. Then, when the obtained moving speed exceeds a prescribed value, the threshold circuit 8b determines that the moving body 50 exists within the space to be monitored, and then outputs the detection signal.
Here, when, in the moving body detection mode, the moving body 50 does not exist within the space to be monitored or remains stationary within the space to be monitored, the frequencies of the receiving signal and the transmission signal mixed by the phase detection circuit 5 are equal to each other, and accordingly, it is impossible to obtain the Doppler signal. So, in the conventional moving body detector, to detect whether or not the detector is normally operating, the control circuit 9 operates in the malfunction detection mode and controls the frequency selection circuit 2 to input, to the phase detection circuit 5, the reference signal having the frequency fb that is different from that of the transmission signal. Accordingly, the phase detection circuit 5 mixes the signals having the frequencies different from each other, thereby obtaining a pseudo Doppler signal. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the detector is normally operating, through comparing a result of an operational processing of the pseudo Doppler signal performed by the operational circuit 8a, with a predetermined threshold. That is, it is possible to determine that the detector is normally operating when the result of the operational processing of the pseudo Doppler signal agrees with the predetermined threshold, and that there is a malfunction such as disconnection in any of circuits constituting the detector when the result thereof disagree with the predetermined threshold.
In this conventional moving body detector, the first oscillation circuit 1a, second oscillation circuit 1b, frequency selection circuit 2, operational circuit 8a, threshold circuit 8b and control circuit 9 are configured by a microcomputer. The microcomputer executes a program, thereby achieving the functions of the above-mentioned circuits. Therefore, it is possible to realize the first oscillation circuit 1a, second oscillation circuit 1b and frequency selection circuit 2 through utilizing a timer function provided in the microcomputer, and realize the above-mentioned malfunction detection function with only changing software without seriously changing hardware.
However, it is required that the conventional moving body detector includes two oscillation circuits 1a, 1b, of which the oscillation frequencies are different from each other, in order to realize the malfunction detection function. In addition, if the oscillation circuits 1a, 1b and the like are configured by the microcomputer, two of plural timers in the microcomputer may be occupied to output two signals (the transmission signal and reference signal) of which the frequencies are different from each other.
As explained above, because the conventional moving body detector requires a plurality of pieces of hardware (the oscillation circuits 1a and 1b, or two or more timers of microcomputer) having the same functions, there is a possibility that the cost or the size of the detector is increased with addition of the malfunction detection function.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


An optical image of the subject is obtained by the finder unit. An image of the subject obtained by imaging is displayed on the display screen of an optical viewfinder. Looking through the finder unit, the user can see an image obtained by superimposing the image of the subject, which is displayed on the display screen of the electronic viewfinder, upon the optical image of the subject. The two images of the subject coincide when the subject is in focus and do not coincide when the subject is not in focus. The user can bring the subject into focus while looking through the finder unit to ascertain the degree of offset between the images of the subject. In cases such as excessive camera shake, the subject appears blurry. In response, the display of the image of the subject upon the display screen of the electronic viewfinder is halted.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a camera and to a method of controlling the operation thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a digital camera equipped with a device having both optical and electronic finders (Patent Document 1). The fine optical image of a subject can be seen by using the optical finder, and the image of a subject identical with the captured image of the subject can be seen by using the electronic finder.
Further, there is a camera in which a partial image clipped from a subordinate image obtained from the image sensor of a subordinate imaging unit is superimposed upon a main image obtained from the image sensor of a main imaging unit (Patent Document 2), as well as a camera in which the operation of a conventional image coincidence optical rangefinder is performed by superimposing images from two image sensing devices (Patent Document 3). Furthermore, as examples of cameras concerned with camera shake, there is a camera which, if the amount of camera shake is great, will not enlarge a face area but which, if the amount of camera shake is small, will superimpose an enlarged image of the face area upon the entire image (Patent Document 4), and a camera adapted so as to darken the image of a subject by a polarization filter or the like so that the user will not be aware of camera shake (Patent Document 5).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-65294
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-135490
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-163724
Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-177345
Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-258834
Cameras heretofore referred to as high-performance cameras are equipped with a double-image coincidence rangefinder which, when the user performs focusing while looking at the finder device, is such that the image of the subject becomes a pair of offset images if the image of the subject is out of focus, although such offset vanishes when the image of the subject is brought into focus. Hence there is a need to arrange it so that the double-image coincidence system can be applied also to a camera having both the optical and electronic finders mentioned above. However, none of Patent Documents 1 to 3 give any consideration whatsoever to the application of the double-image coincidence system to such an optical/electronic viewfinder. Furthermore, in a case where such double-image coincidence system is considered, not only does the user experience a sense of discomfort when a subject or the camera is in motion but also a problem arises in that there are instances where the user cannot confirm accurate focusing at such time.

Camera and method of controlling operation of same


An improved compression load ball joint assembly consisting of a metal housing having an open end and an internal cylindrical chamber which at least partially encloses a portion of a movable stud member, a lower metal bearing, an upper metal split bearing, and a Belleville washer. The upper metal split bearing is disposed opposite the lower metal bearing to engage the movable stud member and the housing simultaneously. The upper metal split bearing is configured to slide within the housing to provide for a constant wear surface against the movable stud member. The lower metal bearing, upper metal split bearing, Belleville washer, and movable stud member are contained within the housing by a cover plate concentrically disposed about the movable stud member and secured within the open end of the housing.

The present invention relates to ball joint bearings, and in particular, to an improved all metal compression load ball joint utilizing a split upper bearing configured to provide a bearing surface for the top and sides of a ball stud, and to allow full engagement of the bearing with the housing and the stud simultaneously.
Conventional ball joints, and other movable sockets are used, for example, in automotive steering and suspension applications, and can be divided into two categories. The first category is for use in follower and tension load applications in which the stud member of the ball joint experiences axial tension loads, while the second category is for use in compression load applications in which the stud member of the ball joint experiences axial compression loads. Due to the different axial loads on the stud member, different ball joint designs are required for each category, which are generally not interchangeable.
In general, ball and socket joints comprise a cylindrical housing having a cylindrical internal surface and an opening through which the shank portion of a stud member extends. A ball end portion of the stud member is contained in the housing, with one or more bearing members supporting the ball end portion within the housing. Traditionally, the bearing members are composed of a synthetic resin, such as a polymer or elastomer, or a sintered alloy. These components are installed into the housing through an opening, with the ball stud extending outward through an axially disposed opening which may either be the same opening through which the components were installed, or an axially opposite opening. Conventionally, tension load ball joints, such as the M2 Technology chassis parts available from the Moog Chassis Parts division of Federal Mogul Corporation, utilize two openings at opposite ends of the housing. After the components are installed therein, one opening is closed by means of a cover-plate, spun, swaged, or welded in place, and the stud member extends outward through the opposite opening. Once secured in place, the cover-plate presses on the bearing members either directly or indirectly through a resilient rubber intermediate component.
In contrast, compression load ball joint housings, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,271 to Jackson et al., have only a single opening through which all the components are installed during assembly, and through which the stud member protrudes. These components include a compression spring, a polymeric lower bearing, the stud member, and a metal upper bearing. Once the components are in place, and the stud member shank is protruding from the opening, the peripheral edges of the opening are swagged or rolled to retain the components in place and compressing the spring.
Once assembled, ball joints and movable sockets may be utilized as load carrying members in numerous mechanical systems, including automotive vehicle suspension and steering systems. Movable sockets or ball-joints employed in these applications are subjected to various operating conditions, and may be required to carry substantial loads. When wear develops, particularly in polymeric bearings, the performance of the movable socket or ball-joint rapidly degrades and, in the case of automotive applications, may result in erratic steering or excessive looseness and play in the vehicle suspension system.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a compression load ball and socket joint having an improved resistance to wear.

Metal split bearing compression load ball joint


An inkjet printer includes a printhead having first and second ports; an ink container for supplying ink to the printhead, the ink container having a supply port and a return port; a first ink conduit interconnecting the supply port and the first port; a second ink conduit interconnecting the return port and the second port; an ink valve positioned in the first ink conduit; a first pump positioned in the second conduit; and a second pump positioned in a valve bypass conduit. The first and second pumps are employed during pressurized priming of the printhead so as to optimize a pressure gradient along a length of the printhead.

Inkjet printers employing Memjet® technology are commercially available for a number of different printing formats, including small-office-home-office ("SOHO") printers, label printers and wideformat printers. Memjet® printers typically comprise one or more stationary inkjet printheads, which are user-replaceable. For example, a SOHO printer comprises a single user-replaceable multi-colored printhead, a high-speed label printer comprises a plurality of user-replaceable monochrome printheads aligned along a media feed direction, and a wideformat printer comprises a plurality of user-replaceable multi-colored printheads in a staggered overlapping arrangement so as to span across a wideformat pagewidth.
Providing users with the ability to replace printheads is a key advantage of the Memjet® technology. However, this places demands on the ink delivery system supplying ink to the printhead(s). For example, the ink delivery system should allow expired printheads to be de-primed before replacement so as not to cause inadvertent ink spillages and allow new printheads to be primed with ink after installation.
A number of approaches towards ink delivery systems for inkjet printheads have been described in US2011/0025762; US2011/0279566; and US2011/0279562 (all assigned to the present Applicant), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The ink delivery systems described previously in connection with Memjet® printers generally comprise a closed loop system having first and second ink conduits interconnecting an ink container with respective first and second ink ports of the printhead. A reversible pump is positioned in the second ink conduit for pumping ink around the closed loop. Typically, a pinch valve is positioned on the first ink conduit for controlling the flow of ink or air through the printhead. As described in US2011/0279566 and US2011/0279562, the pump and pinch valve are coordinated to provide a multitude of printhead priming, de-priming and other maintenance or recovery operations.
It would be desirable to modify the ink delivery systems described in US2011/0279566 and US2011/0279562 so as to improve so-called 'pulse priming' or 'pressure priming' operations in which ink is forced from all nozzles in the printhead under a positive pressure.

Printer configured for optimized printing


A switching device has an improved fastening arrangement to join an electrical insulating body with a conductive metal mounting piece or flange. The fastening arrangement involves a plurality of standard hardware fasteners. The quantity of fasteners required to join the insulating body and flange is dependent upon the desired strength of the joint and the size (or diameter if the insulating body is tubular shaped) of the insulating body.

The present invention relates generally to electrical switching devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to electrical switching devices that have a novel fastening arrangement for joining an electrical insulator, or a non-metallic tube, to a metal conductive flange within an electrical switching device using standard hardware.
A high voltage circuit breaker is a device used in the transmission and distribution of three phase electrical energy. When a sensor or protective relay detects a fault or other system disturbance on the protected circuit, the circuit breaker operates to physically separate current-carrying contacts in each of the three phases by opening the circuit to prevent the continued flow of current. In addition to its primary function of fault current interruption, a circuit breaker is capable of load current switching. A circuit switcher and load break switch are other types of switching device. As used herein, the expression xe2x80x9cswitching devicexe2x80x9d encompasses circuit breakers, circuit switches, dead tank breakers, live tank breakers, load break switches, reclosers, and any other type of electrical switch.
The major components of a circuit breaker or recloser include the interrupters, which function to open and close one or more sets of current carrying contacts housed therein; the operating mechanism, which provides the energy necessary to open or close the contacts; the arcing control mechanism and interrupting media, which interrupt current and create an open condition in the protected circuit; one or more tanks for housing the interrupters; and the bushings, which carry the high voltage electrical energy from the protected circuit into and out of the tank(s) (in a dead tank breaker). In addition, a mechanical linkage connects the interrupters and the operating mechanism.
Circuit breakers can differ in the overall configuration of these components. However, the operation of most circuit breakers is substantially the same. For example, a circuit breaker may include a single tank assembly which houses all of the interrupters. U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,329, Apr. 10, 1984, xe2x80x9cDead Tank Housing for High Voltage Circuit Breaker Employing Puffer Interrupters,xe2x80x9d discloses an example of the single tank configuration and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Alternatively, a separate tank for each interrupter may be provided in a multiple tank configuration. An example of a prior art, multiple tank circuit breaker is depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. Circuit breakers of this type can accommodate 72 kV, 145 kV, 242 kV, and 362 kV power sources.
The circuit breaker shown in FIG. 1 is commonly referred to as a xe2x80x9cdead tankxe2x80x9d because it is at ground potential. FIG. 1 provides a front view of a three phase or three-pole circuit breaker having three entrance bushing insulators, 10, 11, and 12, that correspond to each respective phase. The bushing insulators may be comprised of porcelain, composite, or a hardened synthetic rubber sufficient to withstand seismic stresses as well as stresses due to the opening and closing of the interrupter contacts within the device. In high voltage circuit breakers, the bushings for each phase are often mounted so that their ends have a greater spacing than their bases to avoid breakdown between the exposed conductive ends of the bushings.
The circuit breaker is comprised of three horizontal puffer interrupter assemblies enclosed in cylindrical tanks 15, 16, and 17. Current transformers assemblies 20 and 21 (referring to FIG. 3), which comprise one of more circuit transformer and their exterior housing, are located underneath the bushing insulators on the exterior of the breaker to facilitate their replacement in field. Current transformers 20 and 21 measure outgoing current.
FIG. 2 provides a side view of the three-pole circuit breaker of FIG. 1 that shows the corresponding exit bushing insulator, 13, of the interrupter assembly housed in tank 15. FIG. 2 illustrates how entrance bushing insulator 10 and exit bushing insulator 13 is associated with tank 15. The entrance and exit bushing insulators for the interrupters in tanks 16 and 17 (not shown in FIG. 2) are arranged in a similar fashion. The devices, illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, have 3 pairs of entrance and exit bushing insulators, or a total of 6 bushing insulators.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the three interrupter tank assemblies are mounted on a common support frame 19. The operating mechanism that provides the necessary operating forces for opening and closing the interrupter contacts is contained within an operating mechanism housing or cabinet 18. The operating mechanism is typically mechanically coupled to each of the interrupter assemblies through a common linkage such as a drive cam. The operating mechanisms can be, but are not limited to, compressible springs, solenoids, hydraulic, or pneumatic-based mechanisms.
FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the interrupter assembly housed within cylindrical tank 15 and shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. A typical circuit interrupter is comprised of stationary and movable contact assemblies 31 and 23, respectively. Entrance insulator bushing 10 houses a central conductor 22 which supports movable contact assembly 23 within conductive tank 24. Movable contact assembly 23 is affixed to an insulator tube 25 through which a linearly operating rod 26 extends. Rod 26 operates movable contact 27 between its open and closed position in a well-known fashion.
Exit insulator bushing 13 houses a central conductor 30 which is connected to the stationary contact assembly 31 and is also supported within conductive tank 24. An insulator tube 32 extends between the stationary contact assembly 31 and the movable contact assembly 23.
The interior volume of tank 24, as well as the entrance and exit insulating bushings 10 and 13, are preferably filled with an inert, electrically insulating gas such as SF6. The electrically insulating gas fulfills many purposes. The arcing contacts within both the stationary and movable contact assemblies are subject to arcing or corona discharge when they are opened or closed. Such arcing can cause the contacts to erode and disintegrate over time. Current interruption must occur at a zero current point of the current waveshape. This requires the interrupter medium to change from a good conducting medium to a good insulator or non-conducting medium to prevent current flow from continuing. Therefore, a known practice (used in a xe2x80x9cpufferxe2x80x9d interrupter) is to fill a cavity of the interrupter with an inert, electrically insulating gas that quenches the arc formed. During operation of the contacts in assemblies 23 and 31, a piston, which moves with the movable contact in assembly 23, compresses the gas and forces it between the separating contacts and toward the arc, thereby cooling and extinguishing it. The gas also acts as an insulator between conductive parts within housing 15 and the wall of tank 24.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the circuit interrupter assembly is comprised of a combination of insulating materials, such as insulator tube 25 and insulator tube 32, and conductive materials that are joined together. Because the insulating and conductive materials have varying strengths, it is difficult to secure these materials together without damaging the comparatively weaker insulator. The insulator tube within the electrical switching device is typically made of a weak, non-metallic material. This tube is then joined to a metal flange that is conductive and is relatively tough in comparison to the insulator tube. The joint formed between the weaker insulating tube and the rigid conductive flange experiences both compressive and tensile stresses due to inter alia, seismic events, high amperage, gas pressure within the circuit interrupter, shipping of the device prior to installation, thermal cycling, and the continuous operation of the device itself.
Prior methods for attaching the insulator tube to the conductive flange use chemical bonding or glue. Other joinder methods, such as welding or clamping, are ineffective due to the disparity of strength and material differences of the insulator tube and conductive flange. FIG. 4 provides a cross-sectional view of the chemical joinder of the insulating tube and conductive flange of an electrical switching device of the prior art. Referring to FIG. 4, insulator tube 33 is joined to a metal mounting piece or flange 34 (which is part of the stationary or movable contact assemblies) by glue joints 35. The glue joints are typically located at periodic intervals or annularly around the external surface of tube 33.
Chemical joinder methods present numerous manufacturing problems. These methods increase cycle time due to the additional steps needed to fully cure the glue or finish the joint. The time requiredxe2x80x94to preheat, clean, glue the insulating tube and conductive flange on one end, glue the insulating tube and conductive flange on the opposite end, and curexe2x80x94typically lasts one manufacturing workday and is a frequent source of production bottle-necks. Further, the method for gluing the assembly is prone to quality problems due to the difficulties in aligning the parts for the three different pole assemblies. The pole assemblies have to be correctly oriented for left, right, and center tank installations. Oftentimes, the operator errs in joining the insulator tube to the correct flange for the various installations. Thus, there is a fairly high rejection rate of assembly. Moreover, once the insulating tube and conductive, metallic flange are joined, the operator cannot disassemble and rework the joint or the assemblies contained therein without damaging the insulating tube. Lastly, there is also a safety and environmental concern because the workforce in the glue shop is exposed to potentially toxic chemicals as well as the high temperatures required for curing of the assembly.
The present invention provides electrical switching devices, more particularly an electrical switching device disposed between a pair of conductors, that have a novel fastening arrangement for directly and mechanically attaching an electrical insulating body, such as a non-metallic tube, to a conductive metal piece or flange within a conductive switching portion. The present invention uses standard hardware to provide a solid, reversible joint between a non-metallic, insulating body and a metal mating piece or flange that is subject to high voltage and high vibrational stress conditions. The fastening arrangement of the present invention reduces manufacturing cycle time, allows for manufacturing rework and reassembly, and minimizes the rejection rates associated with chemical bonding. Moreover, the joinder method of the present invention allows the insulating body and flange fit-up to have reasonable dimensional tolerances thereby reducing the cost and assembly difficulties of the final product due to the relative flexibility of the insulating tube material. The insulating body material deforms, or experiences localized crushing, at the areas where the fasteners are inserted. Because of this, a tight fit is achieved at the point of joinder.
According to the invention, the electrical switching device has a conductive switching portion, for carrying current between a pair of conductors, and a non-metallic, insulating body that comprises a hollow center in which a portion of the conductive switching portion contacts a portion of the insulating body. In preferred embodiments, a portion of the conductive switching assembly is inserted into the hollow center of the insulating body. The present invention may further comprise a conductive mounting piece, or flange, that is part of the switching device""s contact assemblies or a subset of the conductive switching assembly. In preferred embodiments, the insulating body is tubular shaped. The insulating body and conductive flange are held together at one or more ends of the insulating body by securing the insulating body to a conductive piece or flange via a plurality of fasteners. These fasteners collapse or deform a portion of the insulating body against the portion of the conductive switching portion that contacts the insulating body. The dimensional tolerances of the insulating body with respect to the conductive flange are chosen to pre-load the insulating body against the conductive flange.
The fasteners that engage the insulating body and conductive switching portion, such as a conductive mounting piece or flange, are within close proximity to one or more of the ends of the insulating body. Preferably, the distance between the fasteners and the end of the insulating body is no less than a multiplier of 2 times the diameter of one of the fasteners. In more preferred embodiments, this distance is a multiplier of 3 times the diameter of one of the fasteners.
In preferred embodiments, the fasteners are inserted into the exterior surface of the insulating body and protrude slightly. The fasteners are positioned equidistantly (or circumferentially if the insulating body is tubular) with respect to each other around the perimeter, or circumference, of the insulating body or tube to uniformly attach the insulating body to the conductive flange. Depending upon the desired strength of the joint, the distance between the fasteners can be, but is not limited to, between about 1-xc2xdxe2x80x3 to 2xe2x80x3, between about 2xe2x80x3 to about 3xe2x80x3, or between about 3xe2x80x3 to about 4xe2x80x3 for a high strength, medium strength, or low strength joint, respectively.
The number of fasteners is dependent upon the size of the insulating body or diameter of the insulating tube. For electrical switching devices of the present invention, the number of fasteners is preferably between 4 and 32, or more preferably between 8 and 16, to provide reliable performance and properly distribute the applied load.
The fasteners used to join the insulating body and conductive flange in the present invention can be standard hardware, such as, but not limited to, retention bolt and nut combinations, screws, screw and nut combinations, screw or bolt and washer combinations, or rivets. In preferred embodiments, the fasteners are flat-head, allen bolts, or conical shaped, flat-headed bolts, that are threaded to engage the insulating body. In other embodiments, the fasteners selected are bolts in combination with a special conical-shaped nut or washer with a threaded insert. The conical shape for the fasteners is preferred to radially compress the insulating tube at the cone shape of the bolt, to pre-load the insulating material, and to prevent material degradation at the interface of the fastener and insulating body when variable loads are applied to the insulating body.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views. It is to be understood that various elements of the drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale.
A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages of the invention such as its application to other electrical devices within a substation or system, will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the accompanying drawings.


An encoding system analyzes a data file to determine if portions of the data file include significant disparities in symbol probability. Huffman coding trees are produced for each of the portions of the data file and the portions are separately encoded according to specific Huffman coding trees. Encoded portions and the corresponding Huffman coding tree are packaged together and transmitted to a decoder. The encoder and decoder processes portions using different Huffman coding trees in parallel via multiple processors or processing cores.

Probability coding is a technique for lossless data compression in data files. Huffman codes are one of the most popular probability codes, in which a set of symbols is ranked by their probability of occurrence. More frequently occurring symbols are assigned shorter code words, and less frequently occurring symbols are assigned longer code words.
Symbol distribution often includes local clusters of symbols that controvert the global symbol distribution. Further, modern computers include multiple processors or processors with multiple cores. These features are generally not exploited in Huffman codes.
Consequently, it would be advantageous if an apparatus existed that is suitable for producing and processing probability encoded signals to exploit local symbol clustering and multiple parallel processors.

Data compression with Huffman code on multicore processors


Improved catalytic enzyme preparations are provided which effectively catalyze reactions carried out in organic solvents. The preparations comprise nanoscale solid support particles (e.g., fumed silica or alumina) having enzyme molecules electrostatically adhered to the surfaces of the particles. The preparations are prepared by mixing together solid support particles and enzyme molecules in an aqueous system under pH conditions establishing opposite charges on the support particles and enzyme molecules, respectively. The water is then removed from the system, preferably by pre-freezing followed by lyophilization to yield free-flowing, particulate catalyst particles which can be used in liquid organic reactions or in packed bed reactors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with improved enzyme preparations which are capable of catalyzing a variety of chemical reactions carried out in organic solvents. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such enzyme preparations, methods of preparing the preparations, and use thereof in catalyzed reactions, wherein the enzyme preparations comprise enzyme molecules electrostatically adhered to nanoscale solid particles such as fumed silica or fumed alumina.
2. Description of the Prior Art
So-called "nonaqueous enzymology" has become an important area of research and development. Enzymes exhibit a wide array of novel reactivities and selectivities in non-aqueous solvents. For example, many reactions that are impossible in water due to kinetic or thermodynamic reasons can be performed in organic solvents due to the suppression of water-induced side reactions. Improved and altered substrate specificities and selectivities can be observed. Examples of practical applications are enantioselective synthesis and combinatorial biocatalysis. The possibility of the solubilization of hydrophobic substrates or products in organic solvents opens opportunities for the enzymatic production of poorly water soluble fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The thermal and storage stability of enzymes can be significantly enhanced in nonaqueous media.
One challenge for the use of enzymes in organic media is the decreased catalytic activity which is in general orders of magnitude lower compared to aqueous solution. Several methods to overcome this disadvantage have been investigated. Reversed micelles, the immobilization on a variety of materials, or surface modification of the enzyme can be employed. Immobilization on ceramics was reported for the improvement of enzymatic catalysis at low temperatures. Addition of disodium hydrogenphosphate or L-alanine prior to lyophilization was reported to improve enantioselectivity but not the enzyme activity over native lipase for a reaction in isopropylether.
One of the most successful methods to increase the relatively low activity of enzymes in organic media is the addition of inorganic salts before lyophilization of the enzyme. The activity of subtilisin Carlsberg (SC) in different organic solvents was increased almost 4000 fold by addition of 98 wt % of KCl (relative to the final enzyme preparation mass) to the enzyme in aqueous buffer solution prior to lyophilization. At optimum water concentration in the solvent a 27000 fold enhanced activity of SC in hexane compared to the salt-free lyophilized enzyme was reported. (Ru et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 75 (2001) 187, hereafter "Ru et al.") See also U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,813.
The detailed mechanism of this enzyme activation by freeze-drying in presence of KCl is not entirely clear. It has been hypothesized that the enzyme-bound water (sometimes termed essential water) is the main factor of altered enzyme activity in organic media. This water is thought to provide the enzyme molecule with the internal mobility which is apparently necessary for enzymatic catalysis. By adding highly kosmotropic salts prior to freeze-drying aqueous enzyme solutions this essential water is thought to be supplied to the enzyme via the salt. According to this view, the presence and type of salt would have a significant influence on activation.
However, salt-activation of enzymes for use in organic solvents presents a number of practical difficulties. The preparative procedure is relatively cumbersome, requiring pre-freezing in liquid nitrogen to achieve high surface areas for enzyme immobilization. Moreover, no simple particle size control is possible, and it is very difficult to adapt the procedure to pound-scale production owing to the intricate salt crystallization process. Finally, some of the proposed salts and salt mixtures are relatively expensive (e.g., CsCl, on the order of $150.00/pound), and the natural hygroscopicity of salts present storage and fabrication problems.

Preparation containing nanoscale particles with electrostatically adhered enzyme

Kansas State University Research Foundation


An electroluminescent device includes an anode, a cathode and at least one organic layer sandwiched between the anode and the cathode, the organic layer including a light-emitting layer which includes compound C1.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device, and more particularly to an organic electroluminescent device having improved light-emission characteristic.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic electroluminescent device (hereinafter, referred to simply as "organic EL device") is a light-emitting device under the principle that fluorescent material performs light emission by re-combination energy generated when holes introduced through an anode and electrons introduced through a cathode are re-combined, which re-combination is caused by applying an electric field to the organic EL device.
After the organic EL device driven at a low voltage and comprised of a multi-layered structure has been reported by C. W. Tang and S. A. VanSlyke in Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 51, pp. 913, 1987, various studies have been made about an organic EL device composed of organic material. The organic EL device suggested by C. W. Tang et al. includes a light-emitting layer composed of tris-(8-hydroxyquinolinol aluminum), and a hole-transporting layer composed of triphenyl di-amine. The multi-layered structure provides advantages that holes can be injected into a light-emitting layer with a higher efficiency, that electrons injected through a cathode can be blocked to thereby enhance a generation efficiency of excitons generated by re-combination, and that excitons generated in a light-emitting layer can be shut in the light-emitting layer.
An organic EL device generally has either a two-layered structure including a hole transporting layer and an electron transporting light-emitting layer, or a three-layered structure including a hole transporting layer, a light-emitting layer, and an electron transporting layer. Various attempts have been made about a device structure and a method of fabrication in such a multi-layered structure device in order to enhance an efficiency of re-combination of injected holes and electrons.
As suggested in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications Nos. 8-20771, 8-40995, 8-40997, 8-259935, 8-543397, and 8-87122, triphenyl amine derivative and aromatic diamine derivative of star-burst molecules such as 4, 4′4″-tris(3-methylphenylphenylamino)triphenylamine, and N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine, are well known as materials of which a hole transporting layer is composed.
As materials of which an electron transporting layer is composed, oxadiazole derivative, triazole derivative and so on are well known.
As materials of which a light-emitting layer is composed, chelate complex such as (8-quiolinolate)aluminum complex, coumarin derivative, tetraphenylbutadiene derivative, bisstyrylarylene derivative, and oxadiazole derivative are well known. It has been also reported that those materials emit a light in a visible range including blue to red lights. For instance, those materials are used for color display device, as suggested in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications 8-239655, 7-138561, and 3-200289.
An organic EL device is free from a limitation that an alternative current and a high voltage have to be applied thereto, unlike an inorganic EL device. In addition, it is considered that an organic EL device could provide many colors due to variety in organic compounds, and hence, an organic EL device is expected to apply to a full-color display.
In application of an organic EL device to a full-color display, it is necessary to have light-emission of three major colors, that is, red, green and blue. Many examples have been reported about green light-emission. For instance, there has been suggested a device including aluminum complex of 8-quinolinol Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 51, pp. 913, 1987), and a device including diarylamine derivative (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-53397).
There have been reported many examples of blue light emitting devices. For instance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications Nos. 5-295359, 7-53955, and 6-132080 have suggested a device including stilbene family compound, a device including triarylamine derivative, and a device including styrylized biphenyl compound, respectively.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-245955 has suggested an organic EL device in which various light-emitting materials emitting various colored lights may be selected by using an electron transporting material having stability as a thin film, resulting in reduction in brightness.
However, there are quite few examples about an organic EL device providing red light emission. For instance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 3-152897 has suggested a method of converting a wavelength of a blue light in a fluorescent pigment layer. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications Nos. 7-272854, 7-288184, and 8-286033 have suggested red light emission accomplished by doping red fluorescent pigment into a green or blue light emitting layer. Examples of an organic EL device providing red light emission are few relative to examples of an organic EL device providing green or blue emission.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned organic EL devices providing red light emission cannot provide sufficient brightness, color purity, efficiency, and lifetime, and hence, need to be improved.
Apart from the Publications listed above, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-791 has suggested an electric field light-emitting device including a fluorescent light-emitting layer containing perylene compound.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-6795 has suggested an organic electroluminescent device including an electrode through which electrons are injected and which has at least two-layered structure.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-334894 has suggested an electric field light-emitting device including an organic thin film. The suggested electric field light-emitting device includes a layer composed of a hole transporting light-emitting material, and a layer composed of both a hole transporting light-emitting material and an electron transporting material.


The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated ACTR-1 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel acyltransferase family members. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing ACTR-1 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which an ACTR-1 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated ACTR-1 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-ACTR-1 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Acyltransferases comprise a large family of enzymes that regulate biological processes by catalyzing the transfer of acyl groups to a wide variety of biological and chemical substrates, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (E. C. Webb ed., Enzyme Nomenclature, pp. 178-201, ©1992 Academic Press, Inc. San Diego, Calif.).
The biosynthesis of complex lipids involves specific acylation reactions catalyzed by acyltransferases. Lipids are ubiquitous biomolecules that play a critical role in cell structure and metabolism. For example, triacylglycerols are the principal storage form of energy; cholesterol is a component of cell membranes and a precursor of steroid hormones and bile acids; glycolipids and phospholipids are major components of biological membranes; and arachidonate is a precursor of pleiotropic intercellular mediators including the prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.
The de novo biosynthesis of glycerophospholipids, which include phospholipids and triacylglycerol, involves the esterification of glycerol-3-phosphate with a fatty acyl-CoA in the sn-1 position by glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) to form 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid). Lysophosphatidic acid is then esterified in the sn-2 position with a fatty acyl-CoA by 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT) to form 1,2-diacylglycerol-3-phosphate (phosphatidic acid). Ultimately, phosphatidic acid can be converted to phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin via a CDP-diacylglycerol intermediate. Alternatively, phosphatidic acid can be dephosphorylated to form diacylglycerol, which is used for the synthesis of triacylglycerol, as well as phospholipids including phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidlyethanolamine.
Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) is the first committed, and presumably rate-limiting, step in glycerophospholipid biosynthesis (Wilkison, WO and Bell, R M (1997) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1348:3-9; Dircks, L and Sul H S (1999) Prog. Lipid Res. 38:461-479). Two isoforms of this enzyme have been detected in mammals, a mitochondrial and an endoplasmic reticulum isoform, which can be distinguished by differential sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Treatment of mitochondrial GPAT with arginine-modifying agents, phenylglyoxal and cyclohexanedione, incativated the enzyme (Dircks, L et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274:34728-34). The expression of mitochondrial GPAT is under nutritional and hormonal control in lipogenic tissues such as liver and adipose tissue, as is regulated during adipocyte differentiation (Yet, S-F et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32:9486-91; Yet, S-F et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34:7303-10).
Acyltransferases also play an important role in the fatty acid remodeling of phospholipids, as well as the metabolism of bioactive lipids (Yamashita, A et al. (1997) J. Biochem. 122:1-16). Fatty acid remodeling is central to physiological processes including the regulation of the physiochemical properties of membranes, e.g., membrane fluidity, and the regulation of the distribution and accumulation of biologically active fatty acids, e.g., arachidonic acid. The phospholipid bilayer of biological membranes serves as a permeability barrier to compartmentalize specialized functions in the cell, and mediates cellular functions such as ion and metabolite transport, electron transport, and signal transduction. Moreover, fatty acylation of cellular proteins may have important functional consequences such as the modulation of subcellular localization (e.g., membrane targeting) and signaling. Therefore, acyltransferases contribute to the ability of the cell to grow and differentiate, to proliferate, to adhere and move, and to interact and communicate with other cells.

ACTR-1, a novel human acyltransferase and uses thereof


A method for regrouping multiple groups and a device are provided. The method includes: receiving, by a first group management functional entity, a group regrouping creation message sent by first UE, where the group regrouping creation message includes identifiers of N MCPTT groups, and the group regrouping creation message is used to request the first group management functional entity to create, according to the identifiers of the N MCPTT groups, a temporary group which is initiated by a first MCPTT user and into which the N MCPTT groups are regrouped; and the first MCPTT user belongs to at least one MCPTT group of the N MCPTT groups; and configuring information about the temporary group, where the information about the temporary group includes an identifier of the temporary group into which the N MCPTT groups are regrouped, and the identifiers of the N MCPTT groups.

In actual application, there is a requirement, that is, an authorized mission critical push to talk (MCPTT for short) user may temporarily group several MCPTT groups into a temporary group. For example, in some emergencies, a fire department and a public security department work together, and an on-scene commander may need to temporarily group the two MCPTT groups of the fire department and the public security department into a new large group. This MCPTT group regrouping function cannot be supported in the prior art yet.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for regrouping multiple groups and device


Described is a method and a system for detecting the arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (also called blood oxygenation, SpO2 or SaO2 measuring), comprising a measuring device for performing a blood oxygenation measurement and a controller unit. The measuring device is controllable by the controller unit so that the blood oxygenation measurement can be performed non-continuously. In a first step the measuring device is powered on, in a second step the blood oxygenation measurement is performed, and in a third step the measuring device or parts thereof are powered down, whereby the three steps are repeatable periodically. This provides SpO2 measurement applicable in telemetric or handhold instruments. The system is preferably used in telemetric or handhold instruments.

The present invention generally relates to pulse oximeters, the use thereof, and/or a method for detecting blood oxygenation.
Pulse oximeters typically measure and display various blood flow characteristics including--but not limited thereto--blood oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood, the rate of blood pulsations corresponding to the heart rate of the patient, or a perfusion indicator.
Pulse oximeters generally determine the arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (also called SpO2 or SaO2 measurement) by way of a non-invasive technique using two different monochromatic light sources, which are typically formed by LEDs. Normally one of the LEDs emits light in the red wavelength range of about 645 nm and the other one in the infrared wavelength range of 940 nm. The light emitted by both LEDs is transmitted through a predetermined area of the patient's body.
Typically, pulse oximeter systems utilize an oxygen saturation sensing probe which is arranged to be detachably secured to the patient's finger. Usually, the probe has the form of a clip including both light emitting diodes and a light detector. The probe is arranged such that the light of both light emitting diodes having passed the predetermined area of the patient's body is received by a single light detector. An example for a pulse oximeter is the Hewlett Packard Component Monitoring System with the Pulse Oximeter Module, the `HP M1020A`.
As it is known in the art of pulse oximetry, the light of both light sources is attenuated by static and dynamic absorbers on its path through the patient's body to the light detector. The arterial blood whose quantity varies with the time synchronously with the patient's heartbeat represents the only dynamic absorber during the pulse period. All other absorbers, such as skin, tissue or bone, are not time-variant. Thus, pulse oximeters make use of the pulsatile component of arterial blood generated by the heartbeat at only two spectral lines.
The light detector, which may have the form of a photo diode, receives the modulated light intensities of each wavelength. Then, these signals are usually amplified, low pass filtered, converted from analog to digital and further processed, e.g., in a microprocessor system. A pulse finding algorithm analyses the received signals which are so-called spectrophotometric signals for identifying the pulses and for determining the pulse. After identifying the pulse period, the microprocessor system determines the diastolic and systolic values of the spectrophotometric signals and derives therefrom the so-called relative absorption ratios. Subsequently, the microprocessor system computes in a saturation calculation algorithm the arterial oxygen saturation from the relative absorption ratio using calibration data and so-called extinction coefficients from the absorption spectrum of hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin at the appropriate wavelengths. The mathematical background therefor, which makes use of Lambert-Beer's law, has been described in sufficient detail in a multiplicity of former publications. See, for example, EP-A-262 778 which contains a rather good breakdown of the theory.
Since the early 1980s, when pulse oximetry was introduced, this non-invasive method of monitoring the arterial oxygen saturation level in a patient's blood (SpO2) has become a standard method in the clinical environment because of its simple application and the high value of the information applicable to nurses and doctors. It has become as common in patient monitoring to measure the oxygen level in the blood as to monitor heart activity with the ECG. In some application areas, like anesthesia in a surgical procedure, it is mandatory for doctors to measure this vital parameter.
Background information about pulse oximetry is given by S. Kastle et al., "A New Family of Sensors for Pulse Oximetry", Hewlett-Packard Journal, February 1997, pages 39-53.
In recent time, patient monitoring has been expanded from pure stationary monitoring with stationary instruments, e.g., on intensive care units, to non-stationary monitoring comprising smaller and mobile instruments such as telemetry or handhold instruments. Telemetry systems, such as an Hewlett Packard `HP M1403A Digital Telemetry System`, consist of a telemetric transmitter (like an Hewlett Packard `HP M1400A pocket sized UHF Transmitter`) with embedded measurement devices, such as ECG or SpO2. The transmitter is battery driven and carried around by a stationary or ambulating patient. The measurement signal is transmitted via UHF to a central UHF receiver unit (like an Hewlett Packard `HP M1401A` mainframe), having one receiving channel for each transmitter. The received information is passed to a central display unit (like an Hewlett Packard `HP 78560A Central Monitor`), where the information is displayed.
SpO2 measurement systems require a relatively high amount of electrical power. Therefore, SpO2 measuring has found only limited access to telemetric or handhold instruments, because in such a measurement environment, power is generally restricted to the battery life time.
One approach to employ SpO2 measurement while telemeter or handhold instruments are used is to simply measure SpO2 by separate stationary units, however, only manually and on demand. This approach cannot satisfy the demands of safe patient monitoring required in several applications.
Another approach to implement SpO2 measurement in telemetric or handhold instruments has been by using larger batteries. However, those large capacity batteries tend to be relatively costly and also heavy in weight, thus having a negative impact on the usability of those telemetry or handhold instruments.

Intermittent measuring of arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin


A wire harness fixing structure includes; a silencer disposed between a floor mat and a body in a vehicle; a wire harness disposed along a main surface of the silencer; and fixing member fixing the wire harness to the silencer while being passed through a through hole formed to pass through the silencer in a thickness direction. An inner peripheral surface of the through hole in the silencer is closely attached to the fixing member.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of embedding and fixing a wire harness to a urethane member (also referred to as a silencer, for example) embedded between a body and a floor mat in a bottom part of an automobile for purpose of acoustic insulation and flattening a concavo-convex shape, for example.


A power generation apparatus, a power generation method, a decomposition-gas boiler, and a decomposition-gas turbine with which nitrous oxide may be used as an environmentally friendly energy source. A fuel gas including nitrous oxide (N2O) is supplied to a decomposition reactor (22) in which a catalyst (21) for decomposing nitrous oxide is disposed. Steam is generated by a decomposition-gas boiler by heat recovery from decomposition gas (N2, O2) generated by decomposing the nitrous oxide, the steam generated by the decomposition-gas boiler is used to drive the rotation of a steam turbine to obtain motive power, and the motive power is subsequently used to drive a generator to obtain electrical power. Alternatively, the decomposition gas (N2, O2) generated by decomposing the nitrous oxide is used to drive the rotation of a decomposition-gas turbine to obtain motive power.

Power generation has used energy generated by a variety of technologies. For example, thermal power generation uses energy generated by the combustion of fossil fuels such as oil and coal, and natural gas. Further, nuclear power generation uses energy generated by the fission reaction of the nuclear fuel. The demand for energy has continued to increase because of an increasingly sophisticated lifestyle and automated production technology.
However, since the level of awareness on the global environment issues, such as resource depletion and environmental destruction, has increased recently, the demand to convert from a society dependent on fossil fuels and the like to a society using renewable alternative energy and natural energy has increased.
On the other hand, regarding the use of nuclear energy, which has been advantageous in terms of energy security and environmental issues so far, there is a need to review the safety standards because of the problem of processing radioactive waste and the possibility of nuclear accidents.
Thus, in order to solve the problems related to energy and environmental issues, developing a new environmentally-friendly energy alternative to conventional nuclear power generation and thermal power generation is desired.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H05-4027
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-230795
[Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-181570
[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent No. 4232820

Power generation apparatus, power generation method, decomposition-gas turbine and decomposition-gas boiler