The malleable ragglestick 100 as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plastic tube 110 of FIG. 2 having a circular axial cross-section as shown in FIG. 3 and having two (2) opposing sets of a multiplicity of cylindrically shaped depressions 130 as shown in FIG. 4, generally spaced apart.

In those known cases in the prior art, a plurality of elongated pipes have been accumulated in a bundle and then tightly secured together with a steel wire or band or the like. This binding method has been widely adopted in the fields of transportation due to its relatively simple process. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages in that the elongated pipes are subjected to possible damages destroying protective coatings by direct contacting with the steel wire. Moreover, since the bundle formed of a plurality of elongated pipes is encircled and tightened by the steel wire which contacts only with some localized or restricted surface portions of each of the outermost disposed elongated pipes, those pipes within the bundle may shift and the bundle is liable to crush or deform during transportation or storage in a stacked condition. Thus the bundle is unstable and therefore unsafe and difficult to handle. Furthermore, in this conventional method, no countermeasures are provided for protecting each of the elongated pipes against bends or dents.
If cans are the articles being packaged, the beads of the cans have a tendency to cause the cans to shift within the package and make an irregular shaped and loose package. Numerous attempts have been made to apply means for maintaining proper alignment through locking devices or separators, and and the like. Such means have proved either very difficult to apply or costly in application. To overcome shifting and deformation of the package, a resilient preformed spacer can be placed between the units in the package.
The means comprises an elongated bar having a plurality of spaced indentations along at least one of the elongated surfaces. The indentations are suitable for receiving the rolls of material. The thickness of the bar adjacent the bottom of the indentations provides sufficient space to protect the rolls. The width of the bar, with respect to its height, provides a self-stabilizing property which prevent tipping. The bar is formed of a material of sufficient flexibility to permit limited relative movement among the rolls of the stack while at the same time being of sufficient strength to prevent crushing of the stack. Expanded polystyrene foam is suitable for use in the supporting and spacing members of the present invention.
The elongated bars, rods, or generally tubular members are placed between the rolls and materials handling apparatus such as a pallet, between the various layers of the stack, and on top of the stack.
According to this prior art the binding device for a plurality of elongated pipes comprises a pair of pipe reception blocks, first and second sleepers interposing the blocks therebetween, and a bundling strap encircling a pair of the pipe reception blocks, and the first and second sleepers. A plurality of elongated pipes are disposed side by side or in transverse arrangement with respect to the longitudinal axes of the pipes each within a space defined by the concavities formed on one surface of the blocks. This assembly is completed and integrated by a tightly encircled bundling strap means along the traverse surface of the assembly. This assembly may be stacked in overlying arrangement with one or more of other similar assemblies.
The pipe reception block may be made of two regions of different material, one being the region where the concavities are formed and the other being the region where the surface contacting with the sleeper is formed. The former region is preferably made of a veneer plywood. The different materials are fixed together with an appropriate adhesive agent. The pipe reception block thus constructed has sufficient mechanical strength to bear against deformation so that it protects the elongated pipes form deformation and also enables to decrease the height of the sleepers which might have otherwise been of a considerable volume so as to withstand the external forces imparted during handling or transportation.
Another prior art device discloses a roll spacing and supporting structure including an elongated bar of expanded foam material, such as polystyrene, for use in palletizing rolls of material and protecting such rolls against damage in handling and shipment. Such elongated bar provides a plurality of spaced semi-cylindrical indentations along at least one of the surfaces for receiving rolls of material. Further, such an elongated bar of expanded foam material includes a plurality of recesses located within or adjacent to the side portions of the semi-cylindrical indentation to provide flexural cushioning. These bars restrict movement among the rolls of the stack while, at the same time, are of sufficient strength to prevent crushing and collapse of the stack. Also disclosed is one embodiment which provides an integral lip along the outside edge of a semi-cylindrical indentation of a supporting bar to protect an otherwise exposed end of a material roll from damage.
In use, the elongated bars may be placed between the bottom layer of rolls and the supporting pallet, between each layer of rolls in the stack, and on top of the stack. In one form of stacking arrangement, each layer contains a number of rolls of material arranged in parallel and axial orientation. The supporting bars may be arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart with the end portions of each roll supported in a semicircular indentation provided by adjacent spaced bars.
The bars located in the interior of a stack as disclosed, receive and support the ends of axially adjacent rolls. In other words, a semi-cylindrical indentation provided by an interiorly located bar may be required to support the end portions of two rolls of material. Movement of the rolls within the stack has been minimized by securing a palletized stack with strapping and stretch wrap film.
The elimination of strapping from a pallet containing a multi-layer stack under certain loading configurations has been found to cause alignment problems within the stack because of vibrations of the type experienced during shipping and handling. Slight movements between the components of the stack may be caused by tilting, jarring, or similar forces encountered in shipping, which might result in either a roll or a supporting bar shifting within the stack. If such movement becomes large enough, the relative axial displacement of a roll may cause it to drop off a supporting bar. Alternatively, such movement may cause the rolls to be pushed together which might cause damage to the roll ends. The invention set forth herein provides a solution to these problems.


A method of controlling the operation of the bowl mills in a coal-fired steam generating power plant is disclosed; and in particular a method of controlling the operation of such bowl mills such that the furnace of a steam generating power plant can more rapidly respond to abrupt changes in the demands placed upon the output of the furnace due to abrupt changes in the power requirements of an electric power grid.

This invention relates to a method of controlling the operation of the bowl mills in a coal-fired steam generating power plant and in particular to a method of controlling the operation of such bowl mills such that the furnace of a steam generating power plant can more rapidly respond to abrupt changes in the demands placed upon the output of the furnace due to the abrupt changes in the power requirements of an electric power grid.
It has long been known in the prior art to provide apparatus for purposes of effecting the grinding or pulverizing of certain materials. More specifically, the prior art is replete with examples of various types of apparatus that have been used to effect such grinding of a multiplicity of materials. Coal is one such material wherein there is a need that it be ground to a particular fineness in order to render it suitable for the use in, for example, a fossil fuel(i.e., coal)-fired steam generating power plant.
For purposes of the discussion that follows, the coal-fired steam generating power plant referred to above is considered to consist of essentially the following major operating components: a coal feeder, apparatus for pulverizing the coal, a distribution system for distributing the pulverized coal, a furnace to which the pulverized coal is to be distributed and in which in it is to be burned and the requisite controls to effect the proper operation of the coal-fired steam generating power plant. Of particular interest herein is that portion of the steam generating power plant known as the coal pulverizer. Coal pulverizers are not new. They have been known to exist in the prior art for more than half a century. Furthermore, many improvements in the construction and/or mode of operation of coal pulverizing have been made during this period.
One particular type of coal pulverizing apparatus which is to be found in the prior art is that which is most commonly known in the industry as a bowl mill. The bowl mill gets its name from the fact that the pulverization, i.e., the grinding of the coal to a particular fineness, is accomplished on a grinding surface that bears resemblance to a bowl. Reference may be had, by way of exemplification and as a means of teaching the nature of the construction and the mode of operation of a prior art bowl mill suitable for use in a coal-fired steam generating power plant, to U.S. Pat. No. 3,465,971 which has been assigned to the same assignee as the present application. As taught by the aforementioned patent, a bowl mill consists of essentially the following major operating components: a separator body in which the bowl shaped grinding surface, i.e., a grinding table is mounted for rotation, a plurality of grinding rollers that cooperate interactively with the grinding table to effect the grinding of coal interposed therebetween, a coal supply means for supplying to the interior of the bowl mill the raw, untrammeled coal that is to be pulverized and an air supply means for supplying, also to the interior of the bowl mill, the air required for entrainment of pulverized coal of a certain fineness.
In accordance with the mode of operation of such a bowl mill, the coal, which is to be ground to a particular fineness, is introduced into the central portion of the bowl mill from above. A first pulverizing of the coal is accomplished by virtue of the cooperative interaction of the grinding table and a plurality of grinding rollers. The grinding table is made to rotate about a vertical axis, central to the separator body, while the grinding rollers are each freely rotatable about its own axis. The grinding rollers are suspended within the separator body so as to exert pressure, either by mechanical means or due to their own massive weight, against the grinding table and the coal trapped therebetween, thus effecting the pulverization of the coal. The grinding rollers are made to rotate by the mutual contact of the coal being pulverized with the grinding rollers and the rotating grinding table. The periphery of the grinding table is spaced from the interior of the walls of the separator body so as to provide an annular passage therebetween. Pressurized air, commonly known as primary air, is admitted to the lower portion of the separator body from beneath the grinding table so as to create an upwardly mobile stream of air flowing through and about the annular passage by way of a multiplicity of annular spaces formed between the periphery of the grinding table and the inner wall of the separator body. The annular spaces cause the primary air stream to flow over the grinding table. After the first pulverizing action, the coal particles are thrown outwardly from the grinding table by the effect of noninertial (i.e., centrifugal) forces. This initially ground coal contains a range of very coarse to very fine coal particles and is entrained by the primary air stream after the primary air stream passes through the annular spaces. In addition, the primary air stream must maintain a minimum velocity in order to adequately entrain coal particles of a certain fineness. Thus, there is a first stage separation of the coarsest (and therefore heaviest) coal particles from the primary air stream. These coal particles are immediately returned to the grinding table to undergo a second pulverizing action. The primary air stream, containing still relatively coarse and relatively fine coal particles, continues to flow upwardly within the separator body, thence through a convoluted path that acts to further separate still relatively coarse (and therefore still heavier) coal particles from the primary air stream in a second stage. These particles are also returned to the grinding table to suffer a second pulverizing action. However, coal particles of a particular fineness remain entrained within the primary air stream and are carried through the remainder of the bowl mill. These particles finally exit the bowl mill and are delivered to the furnace of the steam generating power plant for combustion therein. The action of a first grinding of the coal, followed by initial entrainment of some coal particles within the primary air stream, followed by the first and second stage separation of the coarser coal particles from the primary air stream, followed by the return of those coarser coal particles for a second grinding is a cycle that may be repeated several times before a particle of coal is reduced to sufficient fineness so as to be carried through the bowl mill and delivered to the furnace. As a consequence of this cyclic action there is a buildup of coal particles within the bowl mill during its steady state operation. Such buildup of coal particles is herein referred to as a slug and will be addressed in more detail below.
Of more particular interest is the means by which the aforesaid second stage separation of the more coarsely ground coal particles from the primary air stream is effected. The means by which this separation is generally accomplished is by way of a static classifier or a rotary classifier. In a static classifier the flow of primary air combined with those coal particles still entrained therein is directed through a series of stationary turning vanes which make up the aforesaid convoluted path. Said turning vanes are canted at an angle to the direction of the flow of the stream of primary air and coal particles so as to cause the coarsest (and therefore heaviest particles) to fall out of the primary air stream and return to the grinding table to suffer a second pulverizing action. In a rotary classifier the flow of primary air combined with those coal particles still entrained therein is directed through a series of vanes disposed as an inverted, truncated cone and revolving about the central vertical axis of the housing at a predetermined rotational velocity in a squirrel cage fashion. The vanes are canted at an angle to the direction of the flow of the stream of primary air and coal particles entrained therein so as to present to the stream a window through which the stream of primary air and coal particles may pass unimpeded. However, the rotational velocity of the vanes coupled with the velocity of the primary air stream and the coal particles entrained therein acts to separate the coal particles into two groups. A first group of particles are those that are relatively coarse or heavy and therefore unable to pass unimpeded through the aforesaid window and are thus returned to the grinding table to suffer a second pulverizing action. A second group of particles are those that are relatively fine or light and therefore able to pass unimpeded through the window and thus be directed through the remainder of the bowl mill and delivered to the furnace of the steam generator. For a fixed velocity of the primary air stream, by the judicious manipulation and control of the aforesaid rotational velocity of the vanes, the relative fineness of the two groups of coal particles may be adjusted, i.e., by increasing the rotational velocity of the vanes, the fineness of the coal particles that pass through the aforesaid window increases. In other words only increasingly finer particles will pass unimpeded as rotational velocity increases whereas increasingly coarser coal particles will pass unimpeded as rotational velocity is reduced. Conversely, for a fixed rotational velocity of the vanes, by the judicious manipulation and control of the aforesaid velocity of the primary air stream, the relative fineness of the two groups of coal particles may be adjusted, i.e., by increasing the velocity of the primary air stream, the fineness of the coal particles that pass through the aforesaid window increases. In other words finer and finer particles will pass unimpeded as primary air velocity increases and coarser and coarser coal particles will pass unimpeded as primary air velocity is reduced.
Bowl mills can be characterized by two important variables-fineness and throughput. Fineness is the cumulative percentage of the mass of a sample of particles distributed over a series of successively more restrictive standard mesh screens. According to one fineness classification method, mesh sizes range from #4 which indicates 4 openings per inch or 16 openings per square inch to #400 which indicates 400 openings per inch or 160,000 openings per square inch. A #200 mesh screen, for example, will allow particles of no greater than 74 microns to pass. Throughput is simply the mass flow rate of raw coal fed to the bowl mill. Furthermore, the operation of classifiers can be characterized by several important relationships. Firstly, the carbon loss suffered by a coal-fired steam generating power plant decays approximately exponentially with an increase in the fineness of the pulverized coal burned in the steam generator. Secondly, fineness declines approximately linearly with increasing throughput; with the performance of a rotary classifier an improvement upon that of a static classifier. Thirdly, in the pulverization of coal, for example, the log percentage of the throughput increases approximately linearly with a reduction in fineness; with the performance of a rotary classifier an improvement upon that of a static classifier. In addition, by increasing the mass flow rate of primary air to the bowl mill, fineness decreases due to the fact that heavier and therefore larger coal particles can be adequately entrained by the primary air stream. Conversely, by decreasing the mass flow rate of primary air to the mill, fineness increases. Also, by increasing the rotational velocity of a rotary classifier, fineness increases. One possible reason for the decrease in the fineness could be that there is now a smaller time interval available between the successive passage of the classifier vanes through which a particle of coal may pass. Conversely, by decreasing the rotational velocity of the rotary classifier, the fineness is decreased.
In a conventional coal-fired steam generating power plant, a multiplicity of bowl mills, of the type described above, would commonly be employed for the purpose of supplying the pulverized coal requirements thereto. As stated above, the pulverizer is an integral component of a steam generating power plant. However, the steam generating power plant is in turn an integral part of a larger electric power system which further includes a turbine/generator set and an electric power grid. In particular, pulverized coal is delivered from the pulverizers to the furnace of the steam generator wherein it is burned in air and, coupled with the working fluid of a thermodynamic steam cycle, superheated and/or reheated steam is produced thereby. The superheated and/or reheated steam is then used as the motive power to rotate a steam turbine. An electric generator, which in known fashion is cooperatively associated with the steam turbine, converts the kinetic energy of the steam turbine into electric power. This electric power is delivered to the electric power grid for consumption therein.
However, the power needs of the electric power grid are variable and may display abrupt changes. This in turn places abrupt changes in the demands placed upon the output of the furnace of a steam generating power plant, which is in turn reflected in the abrupt changes in the demands placed upon the fuel output of the pulverizers of the power plant. As an example, there may be times when the power requirements of the electric power grid increase rapidly. These power requirements are relayed to the operators of the furnace of the steam generating power plant who thereupon demand a correspondingly rapid increase in the fuel output of the pulverizers. Typical of the current methods of increasing the fuel output of the pulverizers to meet such a demand is to increase the rate at which raw, untrammeled coal is fed to the pulverizers coupled with an increase in the mass flow rate of primary air fed to the pulverizers, while allowing the rotational velocity of the rotary classifier to adjust in order to maintain a prescribed fineness profile. However, this is a relatively slow and time consuming method in which the lag time between the demand for more power received from the electric power grid and the concomitant response in an increase in fuel output by the pulverizers may be unacceptably long. Conversely, there may be times when the power requirements of the electric power grid decrease rapidly. These requirements are also relayed to the operators of the furnace of the steam generating power plant who thereupon demand a correspondingly rapid decrease in the fuel output of the pulverizers. Typical of the current methods of decreasing the fuel output of the pulverizers to meet such a demand is to decrease the rate at which raw, untrammeled coal is fed to the pulverizers coupled with a decrease in the mass flow rate of primary air fed to the pulverizers, while allowing the rotational velocity of the rotary classifier to adjust in order to maintain a prescribed fineness profile. However, this is also a relatively slow and time consuming method in which the lag time between demand for less power received from the electric power grid and the concomitant response in a decrease in the fuel output of the pulverizers may also be unacceptably long.
The present invention addresses these problems by providing a method of operating a bowl mill pulverizer such that the furnace of a steam generating power plant can more rapidly respond to abrupt changes in the demands placed upon the output of the furnace due to the abrupt changes in the power requirements of an electric power grid. In particular, the present invention accomplishes this by providing a method of delivering a slug of pulverized coal to the furnace of a steam generating power plant from either a single pulverizer or from a plurality of pulverizers operated simultaneously and in an en banc fashion or from a plurality of pulverizers operated in a sequential fashion beginning with a first bowl mill followed by a second bowl mill and so forth until each bowl mill, or as many bowl mills of the plurality as desired, has been so operated. Furthermore, the present invention accomplishes this by providing a method of withholding a slug of pulverized coal to the furnace of a steam generating power plant from either a single pulverizer or from a plurality of pulverizers operated simultaneously and in an en banc fashion or from a plurality of pulverizers operated in a sequential fashion beginning with a first bowl mill followed by a second bowl mill and so until each bowl mill, or as many bowl mills of the plurality as desired, has been so operated.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,268 discloses an improved method and control system for operating a coal pulverizer associated with a rotary classifier, in which current of the motor of the pulverizer can be prevented from exceeding a rated value and thus tripping of the motor can be prevented, while a high efficiency of the operation of a boiler receiving coal from the classifier is maintained. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,945 discloses a roller mill control method capable of automatically controlling a roller mill which is difficult to control, and a controller for carrying out the roller mill control method. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,306 discloses a technique wherein the technique for the control of a pulverizer in a coal-fired steam generator plant is achieved by the use of a "coordination curve" which relates the primary air flow to the pulverizer with the required mass flow of coal through the pulverizer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,069 discloses a classifier and its controller, the classifier being operable in a vertical mill, for example, to guide a powdery material by means of a gas flow, and to selectively draw off a portion of the powdery material according to the particle size of the powdery material. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,464 discloses a control system operative to control the rate of feed of material to a roller mill in accordance with the output that is being demanded from the roller mill, while yet at the same time ensuring that during changes in the output being demanded from the roller mill both a constant fineness of pulverized material and a constant air-to-solids ratio from the roller mill are being maintained. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,123 discloses a control system for a pulverizer which is capable of expanding the control range for the coal pulverizing rate, to the greatest extent possible. There is also disclosed, by way of U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,640, a roller mill with a control system wherein the control system is connected in circuit relation with prime mover means, which in turn are connected to the grinding rolls and the classifier means, respectively, of the roller mill. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 3,092,337 a system employing an exhauster and which includes an indicator and control system that provides an instantaneous indication of the pulverized material output and control responsive thereto. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 2,831,637 discloses an improved control system for regulating the amount and temperature of air conveying the pulverized fuel from the mill to the burners into the furnace under widely varying operating and load conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 2,564,595 discloses an invention which relates to improvement in means for selectively separating finer from coarser particles of dust like material and particularly to a new and useful improvement in separating devices known as whizzer separators.
Thus, there has been evidenced in the prior art a need for a new and improved method whereby the furnace of a steam generating power plant can be made to more rapidly respond to abrupt changes in the demands placed upon the output of the furnace due to the abrupt changes in the power requirements of an electric power grid.
There has also been evidenced by the prior art a need for a new and improved method of controlling the operation of a bowl mill such that the furnace of a steam generating power plant can more rapidly respond to abrupt changes in the demands placed upon the output of the furnace due to the abrupt changes in the power requirements of an electric power grid.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of controlling the operation of a bowl mill such that the furnace of a steam generating power plant can more rapidly respond to abrupt changes in the demands placed upon the output of the furnace due to the abrupt changes in the power requirements of an electric power grid.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved method of controlling the operation of a bowl mill such that the method is capable of simultaneous use in conjunction with each bowl mill of a plurality of bowl mills operating in an en banc fashion.
It is yet further an object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved method of controlling the operation of a bowl mill such that the method is capable of use in conjunction with each bowl mill of a plurality of bowl mills beginning with a first bowl mill and proceeding sequentially therefrom to a second bowl mill and so on until each bowl mill, or as many bowl mills as desired, of the plurality of bowl mills has been so operated.
It is still further an object of the present invention to provide such a new and improved method of controlling the operation of a bowl mill such that the method is capable of use in conjunction with numerous different types of pulverizers.

Technique for improving the response time of pulverized coal boilers


Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for initializing a plurality of processors of a multi-processor system by executing, at each respective processor of the plurality of processors, at least a portion of local initialization code stored on the respective processor. Receiving, at a designated processor of the plurality of processors, external initialization code stored in external memory, wherein the remainder of the plurality of processors do not have access to the external initialization code stored in external memory. Determining, the designated processor, send at least a portion of the external initialization code to a processor of the remainder of the plurality of processors.

Computer systems are designed to process a variety of applications, each comprised of software instructions. With the increasing complexity of applications, software instructions have become longer, thus requiring an increased amount of time for the software instructions to be executed.
Software instructions are executed by a microprocessor which is the key working unit of a computer system. The methods that have been used to increase speed in the personal computer have generally centered on maximizing the efficiency with which a single microprocessor can process instructions. Limits are being reached on single microprocessor processing speed. To address this constraint, multiple microprocessors have been combined to operate in parallel within computer systems. Such multiple microprocessor systems, such as symmetrical multiprocessor (i.e., SMP) systems, allocate processing tasks among the multiple parallel microprocessors.
Upon powering on of an SMP system, each microprocessor is initialized, and a primary microprocessor is selected from among the microprocessors to take charge of bringing up the SMP system. The selection of the primary microprocessor can be done by a software algorithm, or by a hardware locking mechanism. Depending on the number of microprocessors in an SMP system, the time required for initialization increases with the number of microprocessors in the SMP system. The selection of the primary microprocessor can vary upon every time the SMP system is powered on.

Selection of a primary microprocessor for initialization of a multiprocessor system

International Business Machines Corporation


A processing system of the type including a plurality of processors for executing instructions including critical sections is arranged to permit only one processor at a time to execute a critical section. The system includes a common bus coupling the processors together, a memory for storing instructions and data operands and a lock buffer associated with each processor. The memory includes a data space defining storage locations for storing data operands of instructions in non-critical sections and a lock space defining storage locations for storing data operands of instructions in a critical section. Each lock buffer includes first and second storage locations for storing first and second control bits, is responsive to the first and second control bits having a first set of predetermined values for locking the lock space and precluding its associated processor from executing instructions which access the lock space and is responsive to the first and second control bits having a second set of predetermined values for unlocking the lock space and permitting its associated processor to execute instructions which access the lock space.

The present invention generally relates to a processing system of the type including a plurality of processors coupled together on a shared bus, wherein the processors are arranged for executing program instructions from non-critical sections and at least one critical section and wherein exclusive execution of a critical section by one processor at a time is required. The present invention more particularly relates to such a processing system which is competitive coordinated and which is arranged to permit exclusive execution of a critical section by a processor without locking out the other processors from the shared bus for executing program instructions whose operands are not used by the instructions in the critical section.
Multiprocessor systems generally utilize one of two different types of coordination for permitting one processor at a time to execute a critical section. These types of coordination are referred to in the art as cooperative and competitive coordination.
In cooperative coordination, the processors are required to follow a set of protocols. The protocols typically require each processor to notify the other processors before and after the execution of a critical section. This is accomplished by busy-waiting, wherein each processor wishing to enter a critical section repeatedly tests the value of a variable associated with the critical section in a loop for an available value indicating that no other processor is currently executing the critical section. When the variable has the available value, the processor which is first to execute a read-modify-write instruction for atomically reading the available value and immediately writing the busy value of the variable enters the critical section, thereby preventing the other processors from reading the available value to preclude the other processors from entering the critical section. After completing the critical section, the processor then exits the critical section by writing the available value to permit another processor to acquire the variable in the same manner as described above.
Cooperative coordination works only if all processors involved strictly follow the protocol. A malicious or inadvertent violation of the protocol will result in improper functioning of the processing system. Hence, the usefulness of cooperative coordination is limited to trusting environments, such as within a processing system executing a single parallel program which has been written with extreme care.
In competitive coordination, there is no prearranged protocol among the processors. Competitive coordination is thus required in situations where it is difficult or impractical to define the protocols necessary for cooperative coordination. It is all generally easier to implement.
To support competitive coordination, shared bus architectures utilize bus locking. Before a processor enters a critical section, requiring the use of a shared resource, it locks the bus to be free to use the bus while the other processors are denied the use of the bus. The processor locking the bus maintains the locking of the bus until it completes the critical section or until there is a time out, in those systems which provide such a time out mechanism.
To provide bus locking, each processor of a competitive coordinated processing system includes a status register for storing a bit which controls the bus locking. Once this bit is set by a bus locking processor and the bus is acquired, the bus is not released until the bit in the register is cleared.
The bus locking approach has a detrimental side effect in that it effectively halts all but one processor from executing while the bus is locked. Hence, bus locking is useful only in situations where performance is of secondary concern or where the bus locking period is short.
As well known in the art, programs execute in one of the two modes: supervisor or user. Programs in the supervisor mode are permitted to execute any and all instructions the processors are capable of executing. In contrast, programs in the user mode are permitted to execute only a limited set of instructions. This distinction is based o the assumption that the programs run in the supervisor mode are written by the developer of the computer system, whereas the programs run in the user mode are written by users of the processing system. The restrictiveness in the user mode is for the purpose that a programming mistake made by one user does not affect other users.
Most processing system designs do not provide bus locking for the user mode programs. For those processing systems which do provide bus locking for the user mode programs, bus locking is made possible only with severe restrictions.
The present invention provides an improved competitive coordinated processing system which overcomes the deficiencies of such prior art competitive coordinating processing systems. The processing system of the present invention provides exclusive access to a critical section by a processor without locking out the other processors from the shared bus for executing instructions accessing data operands other than data operands used by the critical section. In addition, exclusive access to a critical section is provided to a processor by the present invention without the restrictions imposed by prior art systems such as the previously described bus locking system.

Processing system with lock spaces for providing critical section access


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a resin layer with a resin containing an aromatic compound on a surface, where an electrode is formed, of a semiconductor substrate, by avoiding at least part of the electrode; removing an oxide film from a surface of the electrode using Ar gas and carbonizing the surface of the resin layer to form a carbonized layer; forming wiring from the electrode to over the carbonized layer; and etching, after forming the wiring, the carbonized layer by O2 plasma using the wiring as a mask so as to remove the carbonized layer partially.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to an manufacturing process of a semiconductor device.
2. Related Art
Semiconductor devices to which a chip scale/size package (CSP) is applied have been developed and made available. Especially, a wafer level CSP has been drawing attention of late. In the wafer level CSP, a re-wiring layer is formed on a resin layer, packing is carried out on the wafer level, and, thereafter, a wafer is sliced for each package. At that time, Ar reverse sputtering is normally used to remove an oxide film and the like from a pad surface of a chip.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-144223 is an example of related art.
However, the surface layer of a resin layer composed of a resin including an aromatic compound is carbonized by this Ar reverse sputtering, while for manufacturing a semiconductor device of high reliability, it is desirable to remove a carbonized layer between one wiring and another on the resin layer. Further, if a process of removing the carbonized layer can be carried out in a short period of time, a semiconductor device of high reliability can be efficiently manufactured.

Manufacturing process of semiconductor device


Negative-working imageable elements are prepared with radiation-sensitive imageable layers that contain surface-modified silica particles such as fumed silica particles and sol-gel silica particles, that are present in an amount of from about 1 to about 40 weight %, have an average particle size of from about 1 to about 500 nm, have surface hydroxy groups, and have a carbon content of from about 0.5 to about 15 weight % that is derived from surface hydrophobic groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms. The presence of the surface-modified silica particles provides improved abrasion resistance, reduced tackiness, and various other desired properties.

In conventional or "wet" lithographic printing, ink receptive regions, known as image areas, are generated on a hydrophilic surface. When the surface is moistened with water and ink is applied, the hydrophilic regions retain the water and repel the ink, and the ink receptive regions accept the ink and repel the water. Ink is then transferred to the surface of a material upon which the image is to be reproduced. In some instances, ink is first transferred to an intermediate blanket that in turn is used to transfer the ink to the surface of the material upon which the image is to be reproduced.
Imageable elements useful to prepare lithographic printing plates typically comprise an imageable layer applied over the hydrophilic surface of a substrate. The imageable layer includes one or more radiation-sensitive components that can be dispersed in a suitable binder. Alternatively, the radiation-sensitive component can also be the binder material. Following imaging, either the imaged regions or the non-imaged regions of the imageable layer are removed by a suitable developer, revealing the underlying hydrophilic surface of the substrate. If the imaged regions are removed, the element is considered as positive-working. Conversely, if the non-imaged regions are removed, the element is considered as negative-working. In each instance, the regions of the imageable layer (that is, the image areas) that remain are ink-receptive, and the regions of the hydrophilic surface revealed by the developing process accept water and aqueous solutions, typically a fountain solution, and repel ink.
Direct digital imaging has become increasingly important in the printing industry. Imageable elements for the preparation of lithographic printing plates have been developed for use with infrared lasers. Thermally imageable, negative-working imageable elements are described for example in WO 2004/074930 (Baumann et al.) and WO 2007/090550 (Strehmel et al.).
Particulate materials have been incorporated into lithographic printing plate precursors for various reasons. For example, organic polymer particles have been incorporated into such elements for improved press developability as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,811 (Patel et al.). Nanopastes of metallic particles are described for imageable elements in U.S. Pat. No. 7,217,502 (Ray et al.). Core-shell particles have been included in imaging layers so they coalesce upon imaging as described for example in EP 1,057,622 (Fukino et al.).
It is also known to use silica particles in various imageable elements to modify surface properties or to thicken the coated layers. For example, EP 1,096,313A1 (Hanabata) describes the use of silica particles modified with surface phenolic groups in UV-sensitive photoresists, which modified particles tend to agglomerate and provide thickening in the coating formulations. Such phenolic groups, however, tend to inhibit free radical photopolymerization.

Negative-working imageable elements with improved abrasion resistance


A pistol has a disconnector for disconnecting a trigger bar from a sear to allow the sear to reset and engage and hold a hammer in a cocked position. Motion of a slide causes rotation of the disconnector through interaction between a cam surface on the slide and a cam follower on the disconnector. A contact surface on the disconnector engages the trigger bar upon rotation of the disconnector and moves the trigger bar out of engagement with the sear. A biasing spring resets the sear into engagement with the hammer which is rotated into the cocked position by motion of the slide.

Trigger mechanisms in modern semiautomatic pistols may use a trigger bar to transmit the motion of the trigger to the sear. Motion of the sear releases the hammer to discharge the pistol. To complete the firing sequence so that the next round may be fired in single action it is necessary to disengage the trigger bar from the sear so that the sear can be reset and capture the hammer in the cocked position.
Disconnectors according to the prior art often result in an unwanted increase in the size of the pistol because the disconnector must operate in an area of the pistol outside of the operating space allocated to the sear and hammer. The increased need for space to house the disconnector makes the pistol bulky and renders it less suitable for certain uses, such as concealed carry. There is clearly an advantage to a disconnector that does not significantly increase the bulkiness or size of a pistol.


A MEMS backplate enables MEMS microphones with reduced parasitic capacitance. The MEMS backplate includes a central area and a perforation in the central area. A suspension area surrounds the central area at least partially. An aperture is disposed in the suspension area.

MEMS microphones usually comprise a conductive backplate and a conductive, flexible membrane being arranged at a distance from the backplate. The backplate and the membrane realize electrodes of a capacitor. When a bias voltage is applied to the electrodes, oscillations of the membrane caused by received acoustic signals are converted into electrical signals. For further signal processing MEMS-microphones can comprise an ASIC (Application-specific Integrated Circuit) chip.
Such microphones have a central, acoustically active area and a suspension area. The central area is surrounded by the suspension area that is acoustically inactive. Within the suspension area, suspension means for mechanically and/or electrically connecting the backplate and/or the membrane are arranged on a substrate material. For constructing MEMS microphones, manufacturing processes of semiconductor devices such as layer deposition, deposition of photo resist films, structuring photoresist films, and partly removing structured layers can be utilized. As a consequence of the necessity for suspension means the capacitor—apart from the central area—has an acoustically inactive area deteriorating the signal quality of the microphone. This deterioration is due to parasitic capacitance. The corresponding signal attenuation Hc is:Hc=Cm/(Cm+Ci+Cp),  (1)where Ci is the input capacitance of an according ASIC chip processing the electrical signal. Cp is the parasitic capacitance, i.e., the capacitance of the capacitor's acoustically inactive area. Cm is the total capacitance comprising the capacitance of the central area and the capacitance of the suspension area. Reducing the parasitic capacitance reduces the signal's deterioration and, thus, improves the microphone's signal quality.
Cp mainly depends on the acoustically inactive suspension area of the backplate overlapping a suspension area of the membrane.

MEMS backplate, MEMS microphone comprising a MEMS backplate and method for manufacturing a MEMS microphone


A fruit ripening system wherein a continuous inflow of fresh air and ethylene gas is provided into a fruit ripening chamber in correct proportions to form a fruit ripening gas mixture that will predictably ripen fruit in a very short period of time, regardless of the previous state of ripening of the fruit. At the same time, the ripening chamber is continuously purged of carbon dioxide that is a byproduct of the ripening process so that during the ripening process a concentration of carbon dioxide sufficient to materially impede the ripening process is never allowed to build up. Critical parameters are defined for ripening temperature, the minimum ethylene gas concentration, time of exposure to the ethylene gas, and purging of carbon dioxide.

The invention relates generally to produce storage and ripening and relates particularly to ways of storing and ripening produce upon demand.
In a simpler world, produce such as fruit and vegetables, especially perishable fruit and vegetables, were not transported very far to the place of consumption. Because the transportation distance was not great, the time in transit was not great. Would-be consumers who lived a distance from the farm or orchard would not be able to obtain a wide selection of fruits and vegetables. The only fruit and vegetables available at all would be those that are "in season" at farms or orchards that were not too far away.
It has become commonplace, in recent years, to transport nearly all kinds of fruit and vegetables great distances to consumers. From the consumer's point of view, this has led to an extremely wide selection of fruits and vegetables, and the breadth of the selection is maintained throughout the year.
Part of what makes this selection possible is that many fruits and vegetables are picked when they are not yet ripe. This permits shipping the produce with the intention that the produce will ripen at a later time. In many cases it is assumed that some of the ripening can happen in transit, and that some of the ripening may happen while the produce is in the store awaiting purchase. Finally some of the ripening may happen in the home of the consumer.
It is well known to supply ethylene gas to produce during transit to help the produce ripen. It is also known to purge the ambient air about the produce to flush away carbon dioxide which is emitted by produce during ripening and which interferes with ripening.
US Patents directed generally to controlled ripening of produce include "Method for storing fruit," U.S. Pat. No. 3,333,967 issued in October 1967; "Fruit ripening ethylene gas storage and dispensing system and container therefore," U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,178, issued in May 1994; "Method for controlling the ripening of fresh produce," U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,443, issued in July 1991; "Apparatus for controlling the ripening of fresh produce," U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,524, issued in October 1988; and "Method for accelerating fruit respiration," U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,389, issued in August 1988. The latter shows, et alia, a ripening enclosure intended for use in the home of the consumer.
Ripening in the home is not easy to get right. Many consumers are not aware of how to ripen produce correctly. Those consumers who are aware how to ripen produce correctly may nonetheless not have needed equipment and facilities to ripen the produce correctly. Finally, some prior-art apparatus that is meant to assist a consumer in ripening produce does not work well for its purpose.
One way to ripen produce is simply to store it until it has ripened. This has drawbacks. For example the produce may ripen on a day that is earlier or later than the day the consumer wished to make use of the produce. The consumer who wishes to guard against this problem will be forced to purchase produce on several different days, gambling that one or another days' worth of produce may happen to ripen on the desired day. This requires storage space for the batches of produce, and risks wasting some of the produce.


The invention relates to a membrane which can be used for cultivating adherent or suspension cells, in particular adherent cells, wherein said membrane allows for the adhesion and proliferation of the cells due to the irradiation of the wet or dry membrane with gamma- or beta-rays or an electron beam in a dose of from 12.5 to 175 kGy in the presence of oxygen. The resulting membrane may be used without any pre-treatment with surface-modifying substances. The invention further relates to a method for preparing said irradiated membrane which can be used for the cultivation of cells, in particular adherent cells, and to methods of using such a membrane for the cultivation of cells, in particular adherent cells.

The aim of the current invention was the identification of membranes which exhibit growth characteristics substantially similar to tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) plates which represent today's gold standard for cell expansion using culture flasks or cell stacks. Principal characteristics to be measured were cell expansion rate, re-attachment efficiency of cells onto membranes, and characteristics of cell post-expansion including morphology control, phenotype, and differentiation potential. Such a membrane should be a suitable for being manufactured in various geometries, such as flat sheet or hollow fiber membranes.
The invention particularly relates to membranes which can, for example, be used for culturing, growing, storing and/or expanding adherent cells of various types. In the context of the present invention, the expression "cell culture" or "culturing (of) cells" shall comprise all such uses, i.e. the adherence, maintenance, growth, expansion, differentiation, molecular biological modification (e.g. transfection), and/or storage of cells of different types.
Like most cells in vivo, many cells are adherent cells, or anchorage-dependent cells; that is, they can metabolize and divide only if they are attached to a surface or substrate. Only cells of the circulatory system (e.g., lymphocytes and red blood cells) and other cell types such as hematopoietic stem cells, hepatocytes, CHO cells, etc. grow unattached and suspended in solution in vitro. While many anchorage-dependent cells may grow on glass or synthetic surfaces, these cells often lose their ability to differentiate and respond to hormones. The loss of cellular morphology not only entails a loss of function, but also prevents regenerative power in a longer-term culture system. Longer-term cultivation would however be of great significance, for example, with the use of human cells for tissue culture, and many cells are not available in any quantity. For this reason, such tissue culture dishes are often coated with extracellular matrix components such as collagen or fibronectin. However, the use of xenogenic factors is a clear disadvantage, especially if the cells as such or on a matrix as used for medical treatment of human beings, as it will bring along risks of contamination and may result in adverse reactions in the patient treated.
The failure of cells to grow on such surfaces or keep their abilities is, for example, a major limitation of current tissue culture techniques. Tissue cultures are a potential source of tissues and organs which could be used for transplantation into humans. For example, tissue cultured skin cells could potentially be used in skin grafts. The aim is to develop biological substitutes that can restore and maintain normal function, for example, by the use of acellular matrices, which will depend on the body's ability to regenerate for proper orientation and direction of new tissue growth, or by the use of matrices or membranes with cells adhered thereto (Atala (2006): Recent developments in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Curr. Opin. Pediatr. 16, 167-171). Cells can also be used for therapy via injection, either with carriers or alone. In such cases, the cells need to be expanded in culture, attached to a support matrix, and then reimplanted into the host after expansion. Veterinary therapeutic applications are available today and may represent an additional application of membranes for cell cultivation.
The ability to culture cells, especially adherent cells, is important also because they represent biological "factories" capable of producing large quantities of bio products such as growth factors, antibodies and viruses. These products can then be isolated from the cell cultures and used, for example, to treat human diseases.
Additionally, cell cultures are emerging tools for biocompatibility and toxicology studies in the field of pharmaceutical and life science industry.
Finally, tissue cultures usually comprise cells from only one or a few tissues or organs. Consequently, cell cultures provide scientists a system for studying the properties of individual cell types without the complications of working with the entire organism.
A known method for culturing adherent cells involves a hollow fiber membrane bioreactor. In this system, the cells are generally attached to the lumen of a cylindrical hollow fiber membrane. Culture media and oxygen flows through the center of the cylindrical hollow fiber membrane. The molecular weight cut-off of the membrane permits nutrients and oxygen to reach the cells without allowing the cells to escape.
A variety of polymers has been suggested for producing semi-permeable membranes for cell and tissue culture (US 2007/269489). They include polyalginate, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyurethane isocyanate, cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose nitrate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polymethylmethacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene oxide and combinations of such polymers. The polymeric support may also consist of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate. Further materials which were suggested, for example, as scaffolds for transplantable tissue material, are cellulose or macroporous collagen carriers, or biodegradable matrices.
WO 93/00439 A1 describes maintaining a cell culture within a biocompatible, semipermeable membrane in which the cells are stimulated and secrete active factor. The semipermeable membrane used permits the diffusion of the active factor therethrough while excluding detrimental agents present in the external environment from gaining access to the culture. The membrane described has a tubular shape and is said to enable the diffusion of molecules having a molecular weight of up to 150 kDa. Suggested materials for said membrane are acrylic copolymers, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyamide, polymethacrylate, polysulfone, polyacrylate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyurethaneisocyanate, polyalginate, cellulose acetate, polysulfone, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene oxide, and derivatives and mixtures thereof. The use of any irradiation for preparing such membrane is not described. The membrane does not, as such, have to serve as a matrix for cell adhesion in this disclosure.
WO 90/11820 A2 discloses flat membranes with surfaces usable for cell growth in vitro or as an artificial implant in vivo. The membrane is described as being porous with a pore size in the range of 0.1 to 100 microns and as having a finger-like configuration in an intermediate layer. The membrane comprises a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer. Examples given for the hydrophobic polymer comprise polysulfone, polyamides, polyethersulfone, polyesters, polycarbonates, preferably polyether urethane, and copolymers thereof. The reference does not report whether or not the membrane can be used for adhering and culturing cells. The use of any irradiation technique is not described.
Apart from the problem of identifying membrane compositions which could be used as a matrix for the cultivation of adherent cells, membranes currently known in the art suffer from their inability to sufficiently promote and sustain adherence, expansion, differentiation and extended lifespan without the pre-treatment of said membranes or matrices, or the addition of exogenous factors, such as, for example, fibronectin, laminin or collagen.
For example, Fissell (2006) in Expert Rev. Med. Devices 3(2), 155, reviews efforts with regard to developing an artificial kidney based on adhering renal tubule cells to a synthetic polysulfone-based hollow-fiber membrane. In this case the membrane has to be coated with ProNectin-L™ in order to promote attachment of the cells.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,150,164 and 6,942,879 both present elaborate ways towards a bioartificial kidney based on renal cells such as, for example, endothelial cells or so-called renal stem cells, which are seeded into hollow fibers. Hollow fiber membranes which are mentioned as being useful are based on cellulose, polyacrylonitrile, polysulfone and other components or copolymers thereof. The internal and external surface of the hollow fiber is pre-coated with suitable extracellular matrix components (EMC) including Type I collagen, Type IV collagen, laminin, Matrigel, proteoglycan, fibronectin and combinations thereof. Only after such treatment the cells can be seeded.
It is a known procedure to submit synthetic membranes, such as polysulfone-based membranes, to gamma-irradiation in order to cross-link certain components of the membrane, such as, for example, PVP, or in order to sterilize the membranes. The radiation dose will generally be in the range of 10 to 50 kGy, preferably in the range of 20 to 35 kGy (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,297 B2 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,117). Higher doses are usually avoided in order to minimize degradation of the membrane. In addition, said known processes are generally designed in a way to omit the presence of oxygen for the same reasons, i.e. the formation of and membrane degradation by aggressive oxygen derivatives, such as oxygen radicals or H2O2. The sterilization by gamma-irradiation is generally performed under aqueous conditions, i.e. with wet membranes, wherein the solution is degassed to remove oxygen. In case dry conditions are used, oxygen is also removed from the system, by using an inert gas atmosphere, oxygen scavengers etc.
Further, it is the clear objective of said membranes and processes of the prior art to avoid or minimize the adhesion of cells to the membrane which will generally be used in dialysis treatments. This is contrary to the objective of the present invention which is focused on providing a surface which is favorable for the adhesion and growth of cells. Accordingly, the methods described in the prior art are designed to provide membranes which will not be useful for the purpose of the present invention, i.e. the cultivation of cells.
EP 1 795 254 A1 describes the formation of a polysulfone-based membrane, wherein the membrane is exposed to a radioactive ray, such as gamma-ray, under conditions where the oxygen concentration in the ambient atmosphere around the membrane is from 0.001 to 0.1% or lower and the moisture content of the membrane is from 0.2 to 7 wt.-%, related to the weight thereof. It is stated in this reference that higher oxygen concentrations, especially the use of atmospheric air, will result in excited oxygen radicals which will break the main chains of the polymers and decompose them and that therefore it is desirable to have an atmosphere of inert gas, preferably also in the presence of an oxygen scavenger. As it is difficult to absolutely exclude any oxygen, the above-mentioned limit is suggested as highest oxygen level. EP 1 795 254 A1 further notes that the radiation dose should be 1 to 50 kGy, or better 10 to 30 kGy, in case of using gamma-rays. Lower doses will result in insufficient sterilization while higher doses will disintegrate the components of the membrane. The reference does not contemplate the use of the membranes for cell culture.
JP 2003/245526 also describes a method for irradiating a hollow fiber membrane without using wet (water filled) fibers. In this method, the moisture content is adjusted to at least 4% with respect to the weight of the hollow fiber membranes. The concentration of oxygen in the hollow fiber membrane module is set to 0.1 to 3.6%.
US 2006/191844 describes the treatment of a membrane module by charging it with a degassed aqueous RO solution followed by sealing, wherein the module is then exposed to 10 to 60 kGy of gamma-rays. When the dosage of gamma-rays is too high, the hydrophobic polymer, the hydrophilic polymer and/or the housing may be disintegrated and deteriorated. Thus, the dosage of gamma-rays is disclosed to be preferably 50 kGy or less, particularly 30 kGy or less. When non-degassed water is used, the oxygen dissolved in the water oxidizes and deteriorates the components of the membrane.
WO 2006/135966 A1 discloses a method for cross-linking hydrophilic components of a membrane, for example PVP, using gamma-radiation, optionally combined with a chemical solution treatment process. The dosage used is from 1 to 100 kGy, preferably 10 to 50 kGy. The irradiation is said to be applicable to dry and wet membranes. However, the examples given use wet membranes and a dosage not exceeding 35 kGy. The use of membranes prepared according to his reference for culturing cells is not mentioned.
EP 1 439 212 A1 also describes the irradiation of a polysulfone and PVP based membrane with gamma-rays. Again, the membrane is irradiated in the wet state, wherein the membrane should contain at least 1 wt.-% or more water or be immersed in water, and doses are not to exceed 50 kGy in order to avoid any degradation of the membrane. It is taught that the irradiation will reduce the adhesion of platelets to the membrane surface, which contrasts to the goal of the present invention, i.e. the adhesion of cells to the membrane surface.
JP 2004/305840 describes a hollow fiber membrane composed of a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer which is sterilized by irradiation with gamma-rays after spinning. Irradiation is performed in a dried and low temperature deoxygenated hermetically closed state. It is important to note that again the exclusion of oxygen is crucial.


A lever plate pivotally mounted on a bottom case of a main body of a computer including an extension, rotatable against a pack assembly to discharge same from a computer housing, and a deflectable detent lug selectively engageable with the pack assembly.

Peripheral equipment, such as floppy disk drives and CD-ROM drives, are widely used with portable computers. In the past, such peripheral equipment was structurally incorporated into the main body of the computer as permanent integral components that were thus not readily removable. In recent years however, peripheral equipment has been designed to be incorporated into pack-type assemblies so as to permit removable connection to a portable computer. Pack assemblies typically are fixed in or released from the main body by a mounting mechanism that includes a safe-locking device preventing damage caused by inadvertent release of the assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,618 for Personal Computer Security Apparatus with Lockable Slides Engaging Removable Cover issued to Tetsuya et al. includes a plate with arms that retain protuberances on a cover. The cover retains a hard drive coupling. U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,928 for Memory Cartridge for Electronic Equipment, and Electronic Equipment Provided with Such Cartridges issued to Jullien includes a flap having a bearing with a camming surface. To eject the memory unit from a computer, the user rotates the flap, thereby urging the camming surface against a shoe-forming element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,402 for Hard Disk Drive Mounting Assembly for a Computer issued to Jeong includes a case with pins pivotally mounting the case in a computer housing. The device also includes spring catches that engage the edges of an opening in the computer housing to secure the case in a closed position. Additionally, the device has apertures that receive rail hooks formed on the sliding members of the hard disk drive.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,180 for Disk Drive Ejector Mechanism with Latch and Ejector and Standby Switch issued to Mitchell et al. includes hooks received in apertures of a hard drive housing. The device also includes a member with an end that may be pivoted against the case of the hard drive in order to eject the case. U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,509 for Modular Notebook Computer Having a Planar Array of Module Bays and a Pivotally Attached Flat-panel Display issued to Kikinis, referring to FIG. 3, includes locking tabs that lock against protrusions extending from a module. The button retracts the protrusions to release the module.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,572 for Portable Computer System for Docking to an Expansion Base Unit issued to Belmont includes hooks that engage and retain a portable computer in a docking station.

Mechanism for mounting and dismounting a pack assembly on a computer system


A method for determining the effects of the wind on a blind (1) or the like that is provided with a sensor means (231) for measuring the effects of the wind in a first measurement direction (X1) and in a second measurement direction (Y1), the two directions being different, the method comprising the following steps:                collecting, from the sensor means, a first signal representative of the effects of the wind on the blind or the like, in the first measurement direction;        collecting, from the sensor means, a second signal representative of the effects of the wind on the blind or the like, in the second measurement direction;which comprises the step of:        processing these signals so as to provide a secondary signal representative of the effects of the wind and independent of the orientation of the sensor means in a plane defined by the two directions, in order to obtain uniform sensor detection sensitivity irrespective of the orientation of the sensor.

Manufacturers seek to protect blinds against the effects of the wind. Indeed, when the wind blows in gusts, the fabric of the blind offers great resistance to the wind and places extreme stresses on the structure of the blind. The blind may thus be damaged. It should be noted that damage to the blind is greater when a force is applied substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the deployed fabric. Furthermore, from a safety standpoint, it is essential for the blind to remain securely fastened to the structure of the building to which it is fitted. Standard EN13561 specifies, further, the constraints to be complied with.
In response to this requirement, a known solution consists in measuring the vibration of the movable components, i.e. the arms or, more commonly, the load bar. As soon as the measured vibration exceeds a certain threshold, which is set by the installer, a command for retraction is transmitted to the actuator controlling the blind. The actuator then causes the fabric to be rolled up around the roll tube and for the arms to be retracted.

Method for determining the effects of the wind on a blind


During laser beam welding a so-called end crater forms at the end of the weld seam. The end crater is formed by the volume shrinkage of the solidifying melt after the laser beam reaches the seam end and is switched off or repositioned. The end crater acts as a geometric notch and decreases the mechanical characteristics, in particular the operational stability, of the weld seam so that holes or tears in the area of the end crater can occur. The task of the present invention is thus comprised of providing a process for reducing end crater formation. The task is solved in that towards the seam end the focus of the laser beam is distanced from the surface to be welded and/or a transverse movement of the beam occurs.

1. Field of Invention
The invention concerns a process for laser beam welding with reduced formation of end craters, according to the precharacterizing portion of Patent Claims 1 and 3. Processes of this general type are already known from DE 196 30 521 A1.
During laser beam welding a so-called end crater forms at the end of the weld seam. The end crater is formed by the volume shrinkage of the solidifying melt after the laser beam reaches the seam end and is switched off or repositioned. The end crater acts as a geometric notch or groove and decreases the mechanical properties, and in particular the operational stability of the weld seam, so that holes or tears in the area of the end crater can occur.
2. Related Art of the Invention
For reducing the formation of end craters, it is taught in DE 196 30 521 A1 to reduce the laser output at the seam end (so-called "power ramp") or to increase the weld speed (so-called "speed ramp").
This procedure reduces the problem slightly, but is however frequently insufficient.

Process for laser beam welding with reduced formation of end craters


An electrically erasable writing surface is provided. The writing surface includes a bistable display layer that responds to electrical and mechanical inputs. A touch pad is located above or below the display layer. The writing surface facilitates writing complex characters and increases accuracy by displaying a user input created by a passive stylus.

Pressure sensitive touch pads are commonly used with personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other portable electronic devices. Pressure sensitive touch pads convert mechanical pressure, typically applied by a stylus, into an electrical output. The stylus is typically used to enter characters or make menu selections. Many conventional touch pads do not include a display that traces (i.e., shows) the path of the stylus. As a result, it can be difficult for users to accurately use a stylus to input character data. This is particularly a problem with complex characters, such as characters that are a part of oriental languages. As the accuracy of the input data decreases, so does the accuracy of the output electrical data.
One approach to displaying the path traced by a stylus includes the use of an active stylus. An active stylus generates an electric or magnetic field and changes the state of a display placed over a touch pad. One of the disadvantages of using an active stylus is that an active stylus cannot be interchanged with other styluses. Another disadvantage is that active styluses that include electrical components are expensive, when compared with passive styluses.
Electrically addressable displays have also been placed over touch pads to display the path traced by a stylus. Information detected by the touch pad is transmitted to a display driver circuit. The display driver circuit energizes patterned display electrodes and causes the display to display the path traced by the stylus. Display driver circuits increase the size and expense of the device. Another drawback to devices that include electrically addressable displays placed over touch pads is that such devices require frequent and inconvenient calibration steps in order to keep the trace generated by the display aligned with the actual position of the stylus.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a pressure sensitive input device that displays the trace of a stylus without the use of an active stylus or complex driver circuits.


An automatic baud rate detector circuit includes a serial input, a counter, a register, a comparator and a state machine circuit. The serial input receives a serial data stream having a bit defined by a first transition from a first logic state to a second logic state and next subsequent second transition from the second logic state to the first logic state. A counter increments a sample count in response to a clock signal when a count enable signal supplied to the counter is active. A register coupled to the counter stores the sample count as a minimum count when a load control signal supplied to the counter is active. The comparator is coupled to the counter and the register and generates a compare signal which indicates whether the sample count is less than the minimum count. The state machine circuit is coupled to the serial input for receiving the serial data stream and supplies the count enable signal to the counter and the load enable signal to the register. The state machine circuit activates the count enable signal from the first transition to the second transition in the serial data stream and activates the load enable signal when the first compare signal indicates the sample count is less than the minimum count. After one or more cycles of the state machine circuit, the minimum count stored in the register can be used to calculate the baud rate of the serial data stream.

The present invention relates to an automatic baud rate detector for use with a synchronous or asynchronous serial communications controller.
A serial communications controller controls the transmission and receipt of serial data streams to and from a remote device over a serial communications line. There are two types of serial communications controllers, synchronous and asynchronous. An asynchronous controller is known as a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART). An automatic baud rate detector allows a receiving device to accept data from a variety of transmitting devices operating at different speeds without establishing data rates in advance. The baud rate detector determines the speed and logic level of the incoming data stream by examining the first character, which is usually a predefined sign-on character.
For example, the sign-on character may include the eight-bit character 0x0D, which is transmitted with a leading start bit and a trailing, optional parity bit and one or two stop bits. The label "0x" indicates that "0D" is a hexadecimal value. The sequence of bit transmission begins with the start bit, which is followed by the sign-on character from the least significant bit (lsb) to the most significant bit (msb), the optional parity bit and then the one or two stop bits. Since most communications lines are tied to a logic high level when data is not being transmitted over the line, the start bit is typically a logic "0".
Automatic baud rate detection is typically performed by a software routine executed by a host processor that is associated with the receiving device. If the software routine has not previously detected the baud rate, the software routine waits for the user to press Enter (e.g. Carriage Return) and then transmits it as the sign-on character onto the serial output line through the serial communications controller. The software routine waits for the echoed sign-on character to return on the serial input line and then counts how long it takes for the bits of the sign-on character, including the start bit and the stop bits, to arrive on the serial input line. The software routine then calculates the baud rate that is required for transmitting the data to the remote device, stores the baud rate and initializes various transmit function registers in the serial communications controller to transmit at the required baud rate.
In one example, the software routine counts how long it takes for the sign-on character to arrive by reading the input data stream and waiting for it to transition to a logic low level, which is assumed to be the start bit. A timer is started when the serial data stream transitions to a logic high level again with the lsb of the sign-on character. The software routine waits for the remaining bit transitions in the sign-on character and stops the timer at the beginning of the first stop bit. The timer value indicates how many clock cycles passed while the software routine waited for the eight data bits plus the optional parity bit.
A disadvantage of this method of automatic baud rate detection is that the software routine requires a large overhead and thus consumes valuable processing time while the host processor monitors the activity on the serial input line. The host processor is typically dedicated to this function, and must continually wait for the stop bit to arrive and then take immediate action to stop the timer and calculate the baud rate.
Another disadvantage of this method of baud rate detection is that it introduces error into the baud rate calculation, which limits the maximum baud rate it can accurately detect. Most communication systems can tolerate a baud rate error of about three percent without incurring communication problems. With the method discussed above, the host processor must execute three or more instructions once the stop bit has arrived in order to turn off the timer. This introduces an error of several clock cycles into the timer value. The optional parity bit at the end of the sign-on character is an additional source of errors. Since the host processor does not know whether the remote device is transferring a parity bit, the baud rate calculations may be inaccurate if the software routine does not divide the timer value by the correct number of bits. These sources of errors limit the baud rate detection to only about 19,200 baud without incurring a baud rate error above three percent.


A method of manufacturing a light-emitting device which includes a light-emitting source is provided by applying, onto the light-emitting source, a fluorescent resin which includes fluorescent particles and is stored in and discharged from an applicator. The method includes measuring a first concentration which is a concentration of the fluorescent particles included in the fluorescent resin discharged from the applicator; and applying, onto the light-emitting source, the fluorescent resin in an application amount determined based on the first concentration which has been measured and reference data which indicates a relationship between a concentration of the fluorescent particles and an application amount of the fluorescent resin that enables the light-emitting device to have constant chromaticity.

1. [Technical Field]
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a light-emitting device which includes a light-emitting source such as a light emitting diode (LED) chip and to an apparatus for manufacturing such a light-emitting device.
2. [Background Art]
Conventionally, research and development has been conducted in various places on a light-emitting device which includes a LED chip that is a light-emitting source, and fluorescent particles as wavelength conversion materials (e.g., fluorescent pigment, and fluorescent dye) that are excited by light emitted from the LED chip and emit light different in color from the LED chip (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-35951).
As such a light-emitting device, for example, a white light-emitting device (generally referred to as a white LED) which emits white light by combining a LED chip, which emits blue light or ultraviolet light, and fluorescent particles, which emit yellow light by converting a wavelength of blue light or a similar type of light, is commercially available.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-35951 describes, as shown in FIG. 9, an example of such a light-emitting device which includes: a LED chip 100, a mounting board 101 on which the LED chip 100 is mounted; a translucent sealing portion 102 which is in a semispherical shape and seals, on a mounting surface of the mounting board 101, the LED chip 100; a dome-shaped sealing member 103 which is formed to cover the translucent sealing portion 102 and fixed to the mounting board 101; and an air layer 104 formed between the translucent sealing portion 102 and the dome-shaped sealing member 103. The translucent sealing portion 102 includes fluorescent particles. The light-emitting device provides white light by using, as the LED chip 100, a GaN-based ultra-violet LED chip which emits ultraviolet light, and, as the fluorescent particles, red fluorescent particles, green fluorescent particles, and blue fluorescent particles.
Applying the light-emitting device shown in FIG. 9, a light-emitting device which provides white light by using, as the LED chip 100, a blue LED chip which emits blue light, and, as the fluorescent particles, yellow fluorescent particles is also conceivable.
The above-described light-emitting device is manufactured by applying, onto the LED chip 100, resin including fluorescent particles so that the fluorescent resin forms the translucent sealing portion 102.
When manufacturing the light-emitting device, there is a case where chromaticity of light emitted by the light-emitting device (hereinafter simply referred to as "chromaticity of light-emitting device") is not constant, which causes variation in the chromaticity of the manufactured light-emitting device. In view of this, as a light-emitting manufacturing apparatus which prevents occurrence of variation to chromaticity of the manufactured light-emitting device, a conventional manufacturing apparatus 105 shown in FIG. 10 is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-516925.
The conventional manufacturing apparatus 105 includes: a syringe 106 which is for storing resin (fluorescent resin) including fluorescent particles; an air dispenser 107 which is for applying, onto the LED chip 100, fluorescent resin discharged from the syringe 106; a weight measurement unit 108 which measures a weight of the fluorescent resin discharged from the air dispenser 107; and a control unit 109 which causes the air dispenser 107 to discharge the fluorescent resin at a constant weight based on the value measured by the weight measuring unit 108.
The conventional manufacturing apparatus 105 employs, in order to manufacture a light-emitting device of constant chromaticity, a technique which allows the air dispenser 107 to discharge the fluorescent resin at a constant weight. It should be noted that chromaticity indicates chromaticity coordinates of the chromaticity diagram established by CIE (Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage).

Method and apparatus for manufacturing a light-emitting device including correction of an application amount of a fluorescent resin based on a fluorescent particle concentration

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A method and apparatus for generating a T1 or T2 map for a three-dimensional (3D) image volume of a subject. The method includes acquiring first, second, and third 3D images of the image volume of the subject. Signal evolutions of voxels through the first to third 3D images by comparing voxel intensity levels of corresponding voxel locations in the first, second, and third 3D images. A simulation dictionary representing the signal evolutions for a number of different tissue parameter combinations is obtained. The T1 or T2 map is generated by comparing the determined signal evolutions to entries in the dictionary and by finding, for each of the determined signal evolutions, the entry in the dictionary that best matches the determined signal evolution.

Tissue characterization plays an important role in the identification and quantification of diseased myocardial tissue and oedema. T1 and T2 maps are generated in existing approaches to aid in the assessment of tissue properties.
T1 relaxation time constant, also known as the spin-lattice or longitudinal relaxation time, is a measure of how fast the nuclear spin magnetization returns to its equilibrium state after an excitation pulse. T1 is a key source of soft tissue contrast in MRI. Estimating T1 times and using the T1 times to generate a T1 map of an examination area provides a useful tool for a medical professional to identify diseases, lesions and abnormalities in soft tissue that affect T1. T1 mapping is useful to characterize diffuse or infiltrative myocardial diseases, including cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, and amyloidosis.
T1 mapping, and in particular cardiac T1 mapping or myocardial T1 mapping, may be performed using specific MR pulse sequences.
One such MR pulse sequence is commonly known as the MOdified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) which may be used for myocardial T1 mapping. In an example MOLLI sequence, an inversion pulse is generated and followed by the acquisition of five images. The five images are acquired during the diastolic period of the cardiac cycle within five successive heartbeats. The diastolic period is the phase of the heartbeat when the myocardium relaxes to allow the chambers of the heart to fill with blood. After the acquisition of the five images, there is a rest period of three heartbeats, before the sequence is repeated for three heartbeats. The inversion pulse and the image acquisitions are electrocardiogram, ECG, triggered meaning that a cardiac event as measured by an ECG apparatus triggers the generation of the inversion pulse and the image acquisitions.
Here, an "inversion pulse" means a 180 degrees excitation pulse that acts to flip the initial longitudinal magnetization of a subject's tissue to point opposite to the direction of the main (e.g., static) magnetic field.
The resultant images may then be sorted in ascending order with respect to the time after the generation of the inversion pulse, the inversion time (TI), and the signal intensity in each pixel of the image may be fit onto an apparent T1 recovery curve during a T1 fitting process. The apparent T1 recovery curve may follow a three-parameter model S(t)=A−B exp (−t/T1*) where S(t) is the signal intensity at time t after application of the inversion pulse. A, B and T1* are the parameters to be estimated by the curve fitting. T1* is the apparent recovery time rather than the actual recovery time T1. T1 can be calculated by applying the correction T1=T1 *x ((B/A)−1). In some examples, the correction T1=T1*x ((B/A)−1)/C may be applied where C is an inversion factor of the inversion pulse. After computing the T1 time for each pixel, a T1 map for the region of interest may be generated. This example existing T1 mapping approach is disclosed in: D. R. Messroghli, A. Radjenovic, S. Kozerke, D. M. Higgins, M. U. Sivananthan, and J. P. Ridgway, "Modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) for high-resolutionT1 mapping of the heart," Magn. Reson. Med., vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 141-146, July 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The T2 time constant is also known as the spin-spin relaxation time constant. T2 values may also be estimated using known magnetic resonance imaging based techniques. An example, T2 mapping sequence comprises obtaining three 2D MR images using T2 preparation pulses with different time durations and with a long relaxation time after each acquisition sequence to allow for transverse relaxation to be completed. The three MR images are then used as the basis to construct a transverse relaxation curve and then to calculate the T2 value for each voxel. This example existing T2 mapping approach is disclosed in: P. Montant, M. Sigovan, D. Revel, and P. Douek, "MR imaging assessment of myocardial edema with T2 mapping," Diagn. Interv. Imaging, vol. 96, no. 9, 2015, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
In conventional T1 mapping and T2 mapping techniques, such as the approaches outlined above, only a single low-resolution 2D slice is acquired for each breath hold of the subject. An additional problem is that partial volume effects may occur at the water-fat interface in the imaged subject tissue, and these partial volume effects may affect the T1 and T2 quantification.
It is an object of the present disclosure to improve or at least provide alternatives to existing approaches for generating T1 and/or T2 maps.

Method and apparatus for generating a T1/T2 map


The present invention relates to a trailer hitch receiver including a cross member, a first mounting flange carried on the cross member between the midpoint and a first end thereof and a second mounting flange carried on the cross member between the midpoint and a second end thereof. The trailer hitch receiver also includes a pair of opposed mounting brackets. Each of the opposed mounting brackets includes a first mounting arrangement or series of apertures that secures the mounting brackets to the cross member in a first position and a second mounting arrangement or second set of mounting apertures for securing the mounting brackets to the main frame member in a second position.

It has long been known to construct trailer hitches that are mounted to vehicles in order to allow the towing of trailers or the like. In recent years, such trailer hitches have been designed to include a central frame member or crossbar carrying mounting brackets at each end thereof for mounting the trailer hitch to the frame of the towing vehicle. The trailer hitches also include a receiver box having a rearwardly directed opening or cavity for the receipt of a hitch or draw bar that carries a hitch ball or other means allowing connection to a trailer. Examples of such a structure include the 35, 36 and 37 series Custom Receivers and Titan 45 series hitch receivers manufactured by Reese Products, Inc., the assignee of the present invention.
In recent years, vehicle manufacturers have offered not only an increasing number of vehicle options but also an increasing number of vehicle models. In order to avoid the manufacturing expense of custom designing and fitting a trailer hitch receiver to each such vehicle model or each model with each available group of equipment options, it is necessary to provide a single hitch receiver with unparalleled mounting versatility to allow mounting to multiple vehicle models and vehicle models equipped with various option packages.
One effort made in the prior art to meet this need is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,122 to Helber. This adjustable hitch assembly allows one to alter the span of the frame mounting points and/or the height of the main frame or cross member. The apparatus is, however, relatively complicated and includes a number of parts to allow adjustability while providing for the mounting of the main frame member. Further, a telescoping tubular construction is used and this introduces substantial play into the arrangement resulting in a detrimental loss in rigidity.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Multi-fit hitch assembly with selectively positionable mounting flanges