A self-powered vibration mechanism is provided that can be mounted on an existing pedal shaft yet operates independent from the existing pedal. Mechanical isolation or mechanical decoupling permits transferring the vibrating energy to the foot rather than to the pedal shaft and the bicycle. In another embodiment, a full removable pedal with self-powered vibration mechanism can replace an existing pedal.

A widespread vibration system for muscular training and conditioning is the so-called Whole Body Vibration (WBV). In WBV, as the name implies, the entire body is exposed to vibration. This as opposed to local muscle vibration where an isolated muscle group is stimulated. WBV is carried out by using a vibrating platform of sorts on which exercises can be performed. Through the vibration of the platform there is a transfer of energy to the body of the person performing the exercises. The extent (amplitude), direction (shape) and frequency of the vibration determine the effect on the human body. Different vibrating devices have varying vibration characteristics and therefore range greatly in effectiveness.
WBV systems are aimed at inducing stretch reflex in a muscle, resulting in maximum training effect; to this end, the upward direction of the vibration is the most important. The most commonly used devices operate in three directions; sideways (x), forwards and backwards (y) and up and down (z). The z-direction has the greatest range of motion and is the determining factor for generating muscle contractions.
The mechanically induced stimulation forces the body into an acceleration. As a result, the muscle is stretched and this is detected by a small organ in the muscle, the so-called muscle spindle (muscle receptor). The muscle spindle generates a stretch-related signal that is used to adjust the motor neuron drive and resulting muscle tension in a feedback loop fashion through the spinal cord. Besides the muscle spindles, additional receptors located in the muscle tendon (Golgi tendon organs) have a similar function. All together, they contribute to the so-called stretch reflex, an involuntary mechanism aimed at adjusting the muscle tension to load variations. Indeed, despite some involvement (modulation) of the central neural system, these mechanisms are essentially involuntary. In the case of vibrations, neuromuscular reflex also aims at stiffening the joint in order to stabilize it against vibration. This specific mechanism, referred to as "tonic vibration reflex", seems to contribute to a large extent to the benefits ascribed to WBV. Electromyography (EMG) has extensively been used in order to characterize these complex reflex mechanisms by measuring the resulting electrical activity in the muscle.
It has been shown that vibration training causes increased myoelectric activity and fatigue by overstimulation of neuromuscular reflex mechanisms, thus creating an opening for the development of specific training programs.
Immediate and Short-Term Effects of WBV
Because more muscle fibers (clustered in so-called motor units) are recruited under the influence of vibration compared to normal voluntary muscle contractions, the muscles are more efficiently stimulated.
The direct consequence of WBV is that muscles can be used more quickly and actively. As a result, they can produce more power and explosive force. It is noted that this process only works if the stimulation is for brief periods of time and too intense. Over stimulation will cause muscle fatigue and reduce the effect of vibration.
Another direct effect of WBV is enhanced blood circulation (muscle perfusion). The fast contraction and relaxation of muscles (up to 30-50 times per second) works as a natural pump for the blood vessels and the lymph vessels. This increases the rate at which the blood flows through the body. This is often experienced as a tingling, prickling, warm sensation on the skin. Vasodilatation (widening of vessels) can result from vibration, which has been confirmed by studies involving infrared spectroscopy.
Together with an increase in muscle perfusion, an increased glucose uptake in the muscle has been shown, particularly suitable to decrease blood sugar levels in some type of diabetes patients.
Increased co-activation of antagonist muscles has also been measured during vibration exercise. Indeed, improved muscle coordination and balance has also been demonstrated as a result of increased neural excitability, resulting in improved stabilogram after WBV exposure.
Long-Term Effects of WBV
For the long-term effects to take place on the body, there must be muscle fatigue or a mild form of stress induced in the muscular system. These effects are known as super compensation. Just as with other forms of training, the body enters a state of supercompensation after repeated, increasing strain. The principle of supercompensation is based on the adaptive nature of the human body. If conditions become increasingly difficult, the body slowly adapts to the new situation and performance is increased.
These effects for WBV training have been shown for all ages. During a placebo-controlled study a significant improvement in isometric, dynamic and explosive strength was measured in the WBV group, while the placebo group showed no improvement. This proves the added value of vibration on the performance of static exercises.
Studies of the structural effects of vibration training have shown that the strength increase through a WBV training program is at least comparable to the increase in strength that can be achieved through conventional forms of training. Indications are that results are even better in explosive strength (power) when comparing WBV to conventional training.
Another important difference between conventional training methods and WBV is in that the stress on the human body can be kept low as the neuromuscular reflex loops stimulated by WBV induce higher levels of muscle activation, overcoming the need additional loads and weights. These are required in conventional training methods to achieve effective muscle conditioning at submaximal intensity.
This feature makes WBV perfect for people who are otherwise restricted in conventional training methods due to age, illness, obesity or weak muscles. On the other hand, it is also very suitable for (professional) athletes who can enhance their performance by optimal stimulation of neuromuscular reflex at specific vibration amplitudes and frequencies.
In addition to the effects on muscle development, WBV has a positive effect on bone density. The vibration causes shear and compressional stress of bone material which stimulates the activation of osteoblasts (bone forming cells) whilst reducing the activity of osteoclasts (bone decay). Repeated stimulation of the bone system, in combination with a higher tensile strength of the muscles on the bone, will over time result in increased bone density. It is also very likely that the improved blood flow and the related "bone perfusion" ensure a better supply of nutrients that are also better able to penetrate into the bone tissue.
Vibration training also plays a role in the prevention of accidents and the associated bone fractures. The increase in bone density, increase in muscle strength, postural control and balance results in fewer bone fractures. For elderly all of these factors can be improved with vibration training.
The present invention advances the art by providing a self-powered vibration device.

Self-powered, mechanically-isolated/decoupled vibration mechanism for bicycle pedals


A switch state detection circuit according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of switch connection portions to each of which a switch is connected, a connection line to which any one of the switch connection portions is connected in a switchable manner, a detection portion that detects a state of the switch connected to the connection line based on a state of the connection line, and a connection control portion that switches successively each of the switch connection portions and connects it to the connection line, wherein the state of each switch is detected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switch state detection circuit that detects a state of a switch and to a switch system that has the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, as disclosed in a patent document 1 (JP-A-2011-70309) and the like, a switch state detection circuit for detecting a state of each switch is proposed. The switch state detection circuit is used together with, for example, a control apparatus (microcomputer or the like), and inform the control apparatus of a detection result of each switch. In this way, the control apparatus can perform control in accordance with the state of each switch.
The switch state detection circuit disclosed in the patent document 1 is provided with detection portions the number of which is equal to or larger than the switches, and each detection portion detects the state of a switch corresponding to the detection portion itself. However, according to such a structure, there is a risk that the number of detection portions increases and a circuit scale of the switch state detection circuit becomes excessively large. This problem becomes more remarkable as a circuit scale of the detection portion becomes especially larger.
Besides, in a case where a plurality of detection portions are included, unevenness occurs in performance among the detection portions, and there is a risk that a suitable detection operation is hampered. Besides, in a case where the state of a switch is detected by using a constant current or the like, if the detection is simultaneously applied to many switches, there is a risk that a total consumed current becomes excessive.

Switch state detection circuit and switch system


Presented herein are methods for treating diarrhea by administering to a patient in need thereof, an inhibitor of chloride-ion transport in an amount sufficient to treat diarrhea. Treatment of diarrhea includes the treatment of the diarrhea as well as the pain, abdominal discomfort and other symptoms associated with diarrhea. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of chloride-ion transport is crofelemer.

Diarrhea remains an important problem for HIV-infected subjects in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, impacting negatively on quality of life, despite the extensive use of anti-diarrheals. Causes are many and include HIV enteropathy, overgrowth of unusual microbial agents, common enteric pathogens malignancy, and adverse effects of HAART therapy itself (Kartalija 1999).
While definitions and methods of reporting vary, it is estimated that around half of all HIV-AIDS subjects will have diarrhea at some point during their illness. Although the incidence of diarrhea did not change during the introduction of HAART, the etiologies of diarrhea changed significantly with an increase of noninfectious causes and a decrease in opportunistic infectious causes.
Managing diarrhea will assist in improving overall efficacy of anti-viral drug therapies, as well as quality of life, and controlling weight loss in HIV-positive subjects. Diarrhea may result in reduced antiretroviral compliance and/or necessitate switching ARV regimens. Diarrhea has also been associated with reduced antiretroviral drug levels, suggesting that adequate treatment will improve the absorption of ARV medication. On a population-wide basis, adherence to drug treatment regimens and maintenance of adequate ARV levels are important for minimizing the development of drug resistant strains of the virus. Therefore, drug-related diarrhea in HIV-positive subjects represents an important and unmet clinical need requiring more effective management. Currently prescribed therapies are only partially effective or are plagued by unacceptable side effects such as constipation and the potential for addiction. The development of a drug for the treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea with a low potential for drug-drug interactions, effects on drug metabolism, or abuse potential would provide an important benefit for HIV-infected subjects.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and compositions for treating HIV-associated diarrhea


Applicants have found that the asymmetrical energy distribution of ions from an ion source allow chromatic aberration to be reduced by filtering ions in the low energy beam tail without significantly reducing processing time. A preferred embodiment includes within an ion beam column a filter that removes the low energy ions from the beam.

In focused ion beam (FIB) systems, ions are extracted from a source, formed into a beam, focused, and scanned across a substrate to form an image of a feature, to mill a feature or to deposit material from a gas ambient. As features become increasingly small, the FIB system must be optimized to provide a higher quality beam, that is, a smaller, more focused beam spot in which the distribution of current should be as compact as possible.
Several factors reduce the quality of the current distribution of the FIB. For ion columns using a liquid metal ion source (LMIS), a primary cause of reduced beam quality at low to moderate beam current is chromatic aberration. Gallium ions emitted from a liquid metal ion source have an energy distribution which is a combination of the intrinsic and particle interactions; the latter component is commonly referred to the as the Boersch affect. The former is very complicated as there are several different mechanisms to form the ions. Chromatic aberration is the result of particles of different energies being focused at different locations by the lenses in the ion column. The chromatic aberration causes the beam current distribution to vary with the energy spread (ΔE) of the ions. If the energies of the ions in an ion beam were plotted on a histogram showing the frequency of occurrence of ions at each energy value, the graph would have a peak at a "nominal" energy value, decrease rapidly for energies above and below the peak, and then taper off more slowly. The regions where the graph tapers off are known as the beam "tail." The energy spread, ΔE, is typically measured as the "full width, half maximum," that is, the energy between points at half the maximum peak value on either side of the peak. In a typical gallium liquid metal ion source, the energy spread in the beam having a current of 1 pA to several hundred nA is typically about 5 eV at an emission current of 1.5 to 2.5 μA from the source.
FIGS. 1A-1C are photomicrographs that show the effects of the beam energy tail on ion beam milling of photoresist. The features shown in FIGS. 1A-1C were milled using a gold-silicon ion source, with a beam current of 0.2 nA. In FIG. 1A, the beam was applied for two seconds to provide a dose of 4×104 ions per cm2. The beam was moved in a square pattern to mill a central square 100. The ions in the energy tail, having energies away from the peak were deflected differently in the ion column and fell outside the square, milling the photoresist lightly out to circle 102.
In FIG. 1B, the beam was applied for 10 seconds for a total ion dose of 2×1015 ions per cm2. The relative number of ions having a particular energy value decreases as the particular energy value is farther from the nominal beam value. That is, the number of ions gets smaller as the energy value gets farther from the nominal value. As the total number of ions is increased, however, ions having energies farther from the nominal value will also increase in number. The longer the milling operation, the more the effects of ions further in the energy tail will be seen. The circle 102 is wider in FIG. 1B than in FIG. 1A because ions further in the tail from the nominal value are having an increased effect because of their increased number. In FIG. 1C, the beam was applied for 100 seconds for a total ion dose of 2×1016 ions per cm2, and the circle 102 is even wider as the number of ions further away from the nominal energy value increases and the effects are more visible.
Monochromators are sometimes used to reduce the energy spread of electron beams. Monochromators are designed to truncate a symmetrical Gaussian-shaped energy distribution of the electrons in the beam by removing electrons having energies that diverge from the average energy by more than a specified amount. Monochromators are complex and typically greatly reduced beam current. Monochromators are therefore not employed in FIB systems used for charged particle beam milling and deposition in commercial applications.


To provide an imaging system, an imaging device, and an imaging method capable of accurately and easily synchronizing a plurality of imaging devices while suppressing a manufacturing cost and the like of the imaging device. Provided is an imaging system including three sound devices configured to output reference sounds different from one another, and a plurality of imaging devices configured to perform imaging in synchronization with one another on the basis of the reference sounds, in which each of the sound devices includes a first capture unit configured to capture the reference sound output from another of the sound devices, and an output unit configured to output the corresponding reference sound on the basis of the capture of the reference sound from the another of the sound devices, and each of the imaging devices includes a second capture unit configured to capture each of the reference sounds, a storage unit configured to store information regarding mutual relative positions of the three sound devices, and a synchronization signal generation unit configured to correct any one of the reference sounds on the basis of an interval of capturing each of the reference sounds and the relative positions to generate a synchronization signal for imaging.

In recent years, multi-camera systems (imaging systems) capable of simultaneously imaging the same object or the same environment from different angles from a plurality of imaging devices have been widespread in sports, live music, or events. For example, a captured image of a sport scene captured by such a multi-camera system can be used for checking a form or the like. Furthermore, by capturing an event venue by such a multi-camera system, an image with a realistic feeling can be provided to the user.
In the multi-camera system, synchronization among the plurality of imaging devices is required to match the timing of imaging and the like. For example, an example of a method of performing synchronization among the plurality of imaging devices includes a method using a reference sound such as an ultrasonic wave. In this method, synchronization is performed on the basis of the reference sound. The synchronization is performed after a delay time of capture of each imaging device from the point of time of output of the reference sound is corrected, the delay time being due to propagation of the reference sound from an output device that outputs the reference sound to the imaging device that captures the reference sound. Therefore, to acquire information of such a delay time, knowing distances between the output device that outputs the reference sound and each of the imaging devices that capture the reference sound is required. An example of a technology for measuring such distances among devices includes a technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

Imaging system, imaging device, and imaging method


The present invention relates to emulsion science, especially within the area of alcohol-in-oil type emulsion, where the level of ions comprised in the alcohol-in-oil type emulsion is relatively high. In particular, the invention relates to a stable alcohol-in-oil type emulsion comprising a multivalent metal salt that may act as an antiperspirant.

Perspiration or sweat production is a completely natural physiological process made by the animal body and many people sweat more than they realise. It may come as a surprise to most people that the average person produces ½ to 1 liter sweat every day.
Human sweat itself is largely odorless. The principal cause of body odor are bacteria thriving in hot, humid environments such as the human underarm, which has a high density of sweat glands and is relatively occluded, which may be caused by an excessive production of sweat. The armpits are among the consistently warmest areas on the surface of the human body, and sweat glands provide moisture. Armpit hair adds to the odor because of the increased surface area.
The odor is seen as negative in most cultures, hence many people have a desire to eliminate or suppress it. One obvious way to reduce odor is to remove some, or all, of the underarm hair. Another way, or an additional way, to reduce the odor and the concentrated sweat production is to temporary plug the sweat duct causing the flow of sweat to the skin's surface to stop or to be reduced. This temporary plug may be provided by the use of an antiperspirant.
Antiperspirants are formulations having an aluminum-based compound as their main "active" ingredient, which can be any number of compounds within an established concentration and dosage form. The active ingredient gives antiperspirants their sweat-blocking ability by forming a temporary plug within the sweat duct that stops the flow of sweat to the skin's surface.
Thus, antiperspirant formulations may prevent odor and reduce sweat produced by the body.
EP 0 386 018 describes an efficient antiperspirant composition, wherein a metal salt is combined with a buffer salt suspended in alcohol. However, this composition has the drawback of developing sedimentation of the suspended particles during storage. This sedimentation causes an inhomogeneous dosing of the antiperspirant and leakage of the composition from the roller-ball of the device.
During production of products, it may be necessary to mix two or more types of liquid which as such are not mixable. To overcome this, liquids may be mixed in an emulsion where a temporary or permanent dispersion of an oil or another hydrophobic material in an aqueous solution, or vice versa, forming an oil-in-water emulsion or a water-in-oil emulsion. Generally, such oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions are capable of providing a stable solution.
Thus, it is suggested to provide a different system, such as an alcohol-in-oil type emulsion. This alcohol-in-oil type emulsion is not an emulsion as such because of the lack of water. However, it is a mixture of two types of liquid which as such are not mixable, namely a lower alcohol and an oil. However, it is established knowledge in the art that such kind of alcohol-in-oil type emulsions containing high levels of particles, e.g. multivalent metal ions, are considered as being unstable.
To improve the chemical stability of suspended particles that will release hydrochloric acid in presence of water, there is a need for a water-free composition, such as a alcohol-in-oil type emulsion. At the same time the water-free emulsion must be stable even in presence of a high level of electrolytes to provides a homogeneous distribution of the suspended particles.

Alcohol-in-oil type emulsion comprising a multivalent metal salt


Provided is a power actuator system for actuating a closure member (1) such as a trunk lid which is compact in size and has a minimized protrusion. A first link (8) is connected to an output shaft of a powered actuator (7), and a free end of the first link is connected to an end of a second link (9). The other end of the second link is pivotally connected to a hinge arm (4) which is fixedly attached to a closure member and pivotally supports the closure member to a fixed part such as a vehicle body. The first link is adapted to extend substantially from the output shaft towards the closure member as the first link swing around the output shaft, and the second link extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the center line.

It is known to actuate a closure member such as a trunk lid by using a power actuator. See Japanese patent laid open publication No. 2002-180738. Such a power actuator system typically comprises an electric motor, a reduction gear unit and a link mechanism. The base end of a first link is fixedly attached to the output shaft of the reduction gear unit, and the free end of the link is connected to the base end of a second link. The free end of the second link is connected to a hinge arm which is in turn fixedly attached to a hinge end of the trunk lid. A damper that resiliently urges the trunk lid in the opening direction is connected between the hinge arm and a part of the vehicle body. By turning the output shaft in each direction, the trunk lid can be opened and closed at will.
In such an arrangement, the load acting upon the power actuator is primarily dictated by the weight of the trunk lid and the thrust of the damper, and varies significantly depending on the angular position of the trunk lid. When the trunk lid is fully closed and is substantially horizontal, although the damper produces a maximum force, the weight of the trunk lid is so dominant that a relatively large torque is required for the actuator to raise the trunk lid from the fully closed position. As the opening angle of the trunk lid increases, the effect of the weight diminishes while the thrust of the damper in the direction to open the trunk lid becomes more pronounced so that a relatively small torque is required for the actuator to further open the trunk lid.
Conversely, when closing the trunk lid from the fully open state, the thrust of the damper is at a minimum value and the load of the weight of the trunk lid acting in the closing direction is also at a minimum because the trunk lid is at a substantially upright position so that the actuator is only required to overcome the small thrust of the damper. As the trunk lid 1 moves away from the fully closed position, the load acting in the closing direction progressively increases, and a relatively small torque is required to close the trunk lid. When the trunk lid is about to be fully closed, the thrust of the damper acting in the open direction is at a maximum and the reaction force of the weather strip is required to be overcome. Therefore, a substantial torque is required for the actuator to fully close the trunk lid and engages the latch against the resistance of the weather strip.
In such a conventional actuator for a trunk lid, the thrust of the damper is selected in such a manner that the power actuator is required only when moving the trunk lid from the fully closed state to a slightly open state, and the damper provides a force required to move the trunk lid from the slightly open state to the fully open state. Thereby, the torque requirement of the power actuator is minimized, and the power actuator may be designed as a highly compact unit. However, in such an arrangement, it is necessary to adjust the torque output of the power actuator depending on the opening angle of the trunk lid, and this requires a highly complex control arrangement. In particular, it is necessary to provide an angle sensor for detecting the opening angle of the power actuator, and this increases the cost.
When the trunk lid is to be actuated by a power actuator from the fully closed state to the fully open state, no complex control is required, but the power actuator is required to have a relatively large output and this undesirably increases the size of the power actuator. Because the power actuator of this type is required be installed in the limited space of the trunk, the power actuator is required to be as small as possible and any protrusion into the trunk room is desired to be minimized.

Power actuator system for actuating a closure member


An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: detecting an air-fuel ratio; calculating a learn value of a feedback correction amount for total fuel injection amount calculated based on the air-fuel ratio, for a plurality of learning regions obtained as a result of division corresponding to an intake air amount; interpolating the learn value at an intake air amount different from the intake air amount detected at the time of calculation of the learn value, based on the calculated learn value; and correcting an amount of fuel injection based on the obtained learn value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device for an internal combustion engine that includes a first fuel injection mechanism (in-cylinder injector) injecting fuel into a cylinder and a second fuel injection mechanism (intake manifold injector) injecting fuel into an intake manifold or an intake port, and more particularly to a technique to correct an amount of fuel injection from the first fuel injection mechanism and the second fuel injection mechanism.
2. Description of the Background Art
An internal combustion engine provided with an intake manifold injector for injecting fuel into an intake manifold and an in-cylinder injector for constantly injecting fuel into a combustion chamber, in which fuel injection from the intake manifold injector is stopped when load of the engine is lower than preset load and fuel injection from the intake manifold injector is allowed when load of the engine is higher than the preset load, is known.
Even in such an internal combustion engine, a desired amount of fuel injection may not be attained due to deposits accumulated in the injector or difference between individual engines caused during manufacturing. Namely, an air-fuel ratio may deviate from a desired air-fuel ratio (for example, stoichiometric air-fuel ratio). In order to correct such deviation in the amount of fuel injection, the amount of fuel injection is corrected by feedback control of the air-fuel ratio, as in an internal combustion engine including one injector for each cylinder.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 03-185242 discloses a fuel injection amount control device for an internal combustion engine that accurately corrects an amount of fuel injection in the internal combustion engine including a plurality of fuel injection valves for each cylinder. The fuel injection amount control device includes a control unit controlling fuel injection from the plurality of fuel injection valves in accordance with an operation state, a learning unit learning a value based on an output signal from an oxygen sensor provided in an exhaust system of the engine so as to correct the amount of fuel injection, a setting unit setting a plurality of learning regions corresponding to states of use of the plurality of fuel injection valves, and a correction unit using each learn value learned in the learning region to correct the amount of fuel injection in the operation state corresponding to each learning region.
According to the fuel injection amount control device described in this publication, as the fuel injection valve used in the learning region is the same as that used in correcting the amount of fuel injection with the learn value, accuracy in correcting the amount of fuel injection is improved. Therefore, follow-up characteristic of the air-fuel ratio is enhanced and exhaust emission is improved. In addition, as deviation from a target air-fuel ratio becomes small, possibility of misfire is suppressed and fuel efficiency can be improved even if a leaner air-fuel ratio is set.
Even if a learn value is learned in each learning region corresponding to each state of use of a plurality of fuel injection valves as in the fuel injection amount control device according to Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 03-185242, however, the learn value in all operation states cannot be learned. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 03-185242 includes no disclosure of how to obtain a learn value in an operation state in which an occasion to learn a learn value could not be obtained. Therefore, correction of the amount of fuel injection based on the learn value may be inappropriate.

Control device for internal combustion engine


Disclosed are self-assembling block copolymers including diblock copolymers of the formula (I):

Polymers, in particular block copolymers, which self-assemble into nanostructures have been proposed for use in a number of applications including filtration membranes, pervaporation membranes, lithography, solid state polymer electrolytes, ion exchange membranes, and biomaterials. For example, diblock copolymers when dissolved in selective solvents self-assemble into spherical or cylindrical micelles, vesicles and other structures. However, challenges remain in obtaining well defined nanostructures. The foregoing indicates that there is an unmet need for block copolymers that self-assemble under appropriate processing conditions to provide well defined nanostructures.

Abstract: wherein R1 is —(CHR—CH2—O)p—R′, p=2-6, R is H or methyl, and R′ is H, C1-C6 alkyl, or C3-C11 cycloalkyl, R2 is C1-C22 alkyl or C3-C11 cycloalkyl, one of R3 and R4 is C6-C14 aryl and the other is C1-C22 alkoxy, n and m are independently 2 to about 2000, and 0<x≦n and 0<y≦m, which find use in preparing self-assembled structure and porous membranes. Embodiments of the self-assembled structure contain the block copolymer in a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such copolymers.


In a method for functional testing of an ultrasonic sensor on a motor vehicle, the ultrasonic sensor is controlled in such a way that it emits an ultrasonic signal having a frequency of a secondary mode of the ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic signal is reflected by a surface in the region around the vehicle, and at least one transmission path or one transmitting unit of the ultrasonic sensor is classified as functional if the reflected signal is received by the ultrasonic sensor itself or by another ultrasonic sensor on the motor vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention describes a method for functional testing of an ultrasonic sensor on a motor vehicle, a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor on a motor vehicle, and a distance measuring device having at least one ultrasonic sensor for use in a motor vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
Distance measuring devices for motor vehicles which determine the distance from obstructions in the vehicle surroundings with the aid of ultrasonic signals have been known for quite some time. A sensor emits an ultrasonic signal which is reflected by an obstruction. The reflected signal is received by the sensor which has emitted the signal, or optionally by another sensor. The distance of the obstruction from the vehicle is determined based on the propagation time of the signal. Such ultrasonic distance measuring devices are used in particular to assist the driver in parking the vehicle. The uses of the driver assistance system range from outputting a simple warning message regarding a recognized obstruction to automatically controlling the speed as a function of the obstruction situation (park-stop function). Increasingly higher demands are being placed on the availability of the distance measuring device, and thus, of the ultrasonic sensors. It is therefore known to carry out functional testing, frequently also referred to as "blindness testing," for the particular surroundings sensor system, in the form of self-tests. In particular for ultrasonic sensors, a gradual drop in performance may also result due to soiling.
A method is known from the published German patent application document DE 10 2005 057 973 A1 for functional testing of an ultrasonic sensor on a motor vehicle, in which the ultrasonic sensor emits an ultrasonic signal, and the ultrasonic signal is reflected by a ground surface in front of the vehicle and received by the ultrasonic sensor or another ultrasonic sensor. The duration and/or the amplitude of the emitted ultrasonic signal is/are selected to be large enough that reception of the signal that is reflected by the ground surface is made possible under customary conditions, and that functioning of the ultrasonic sensor is confirmed upon receipt of the reflected signal.
In comparison to the intended use of the ultrasonic sensor for distance measurement, also referred to below as "useful mode," the duration and/or the amplitude of the emitted ultrasonic signal is/are accordingly explicitly altered for carrying out the functional testing. As a consequence, however, the functional testing must be carried out in a particular operating mode, referred to below as "test mode," since otherwise, significant interferences and therefore errors would result during the distance measurement. As a result, however, all driver assistance functions which use the ultrasonic sensor are not available during the test mode. For functional testing which is meaningfully carried out before the start of the function, this results in a significant delay in the availability of the driver assistance functions. Since limited functionality or lack of functionality of the ultrasonic sensor may also occur during operation, for example as the result of icing or heavy soiling, functional testing during ongoing operation is also meaningful. However, in the known methods this is possible only during time periods in which the affected driver assistance function does not have to be available. For a classical parking function, this is the case, for example, for vehicle speeds above a speed threshold of 30 km/h. Due to the further functional development of ultrasonic sensors, for example the use for park-stop functions, it is increasingly difficult to find operating conditions, and therefore operating times, in which the driver assistance function, which uses the ultrasonic sensor to be tested, does not have to be available.

Method for functional testing of an ultrasonic sensor on a motor vehicle, method for operating an ultrasonic sensor on a motor vehicle, and distance measuring device having at least one ultrasonic sensor for use in a motor vehicle


An equalizer bar itself serving as a suspension device of a track-type vehicle has spring effects imparted through torsional deformation relative to vertical oscillatory movements of track frames. Arm portions are fixed in directions opposite to each other in two ends of an equalizer bar main body. Free end portions of the arm portions are individually supported in the track frames to be rotatable in directions opposite to each other. The track frames are therefore regulated in the magnitudes of oscillatory movements according to the spring effects of the equalizer bar main body, whereby travel-time oscillations, oscillatory movements, and/or the like of the vehicle body are sufficiently restrained.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to equalizer bar assemblies for use with various track-type vehicles for various works including, but not limited to, construction, civil engineering, and agricultural works. More specifically, the invention relates to an equalizer bar for implementing improvements of a track-type vehicle in ride quality, work efficiency, traveling stability, and the like.
2. Related Art
Work vehicles for carrying out various works such as construction and civil engineering works are driven to travel over soft and hard ground including mud, crashed stone debris, and the like. In addition, the vehicle is driven to travel over soft and hard ground such as unleveled ground including sharp slopes and continually irregular surfaces. As such, the work vehicles have track-type roller assemblies supported to be oscillatorily movable in right and left portions of the vehicle body via pivot shafts and an equalizer bar. Since the individual track-type roller assemblies are thus supported to the vehicle body via the pivot shafts and the equalizer bar, the vehicle body weight and the vertical loads imposed during travel of the vehicle over rough ground such as continually-irregular unleveled ground are commonly supported by the pivot shafts and the equalizer bar.
In general, the pivot shafts are provided in rearward portions of the vehicle body and are disposed there to protrude to two opposing sides in the vehicle-body width direction. The individual track frames of the track-type roller assemblies are each connected to be oscillatorily movable in the vertical direction about an axial portion of the pivot shaft in the rotational center. A central portion of the equalizer bar is supported to be oscillatorily movable in a forward side of the vehicle body through pins protrusively provided in a forward portion of the vehicle body in a direction perpendicular to the track frames. Both the right and left portions of the equalizer bar are rotationally connected to the individual track frames (such construction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,064).
During the travel of the track-type vehicle over a continually-irregular unleveled ground, the track frames oscillatorily move in the vertical direction about the pivot shaft in the rotational center along the geometrical shape.
In line with the vertical oscillatory movement of the track frames, the equalizer bar oscillatorily moves in right and left directions perpendicular to the individual track frames about the axial portions of the pins in the rotational centers. When the equalizer bar oscillatorily moves greater than necessary, since end portions thereof strongly collide with the vehicle body, there arise problems in that oscillatory movements, oscillations, and the like of the vehicle body are also greater than necessary.
To solve the problems described above, the conventional track-type vehicle has an elastomeric bumper pad between the vehicle body and the equalizer bar. Thereby, even when the track-type vehicle oscillates greatly, the equalizer bar and the vehicle body mutually absorb the oscillatory shocks via the elastomeric pad not to directly collide with each other. In this manner, the vehicle regulates the oscillatory movements of the equalizer bar.
Nevertheless, however, similar to the equalizer bar disclosed in the specification of the U.S. Patent referenced above, conventional equalizer bars are formed of a lengthy cast block body having very high stiffness. As such, the conventional equalizer bars almost do not have a buffering function that serves during travel of the track-type vehicle. Because of the structural characteristics, when travel-time external forces such as oscillations and shocks transmitted from ground-engagement portions cannot be sufficiently absorbed, the characteristics such as ride quality and traveling stability are significantly degraded. This consequently causes fatigue of an operator to be increased, potentially leading to creation of the cause of disturbing safety operation.
The equalizer bar is formed of the block body longer than the width of the vehicle body. This entails increased outer dimensions of the equalizer bar, thereby increasing the weight of the vehicle. In addition, although the equalizer bar is formed of a material such as Si—Mn cast steel having high stiffness, the material is expensive.
A central portion of the equalizer bar is pin-connected to the vehicle body, and is thereby supported to be oscillatorily movable in the direction perpendicular to the individual track frames. However, in such a supporting structure of the equalizer bar, the rotational movement about the pins frequently exerts excessive forces on the pin-connected portions. This can make deformation, wear, damage, and/or the like to easily occur in the pin-connected portions, consequently arising additional a problem in durability.


An active-energy ray curable ink-jet recording apparatus includes: an active-energy ray irradiation source; a plurality of full-line ink-jet heads which eject a liquid functional material that is curable by an active-energy ray, onto a recording medium which is scanned and transported; and a head controller for controlling the heads to form an image on the recording medium, wherein the plurality of full-line ink-jet heads include at least a black head and a yellow head on an extreme downstream side in a direction of transporting the recording medium.

An ink-jet recording apparatus in which a liquid functional material that is curable by an active-energy ray such as an electron beam or a UV ray is ejected onto a recording medium with using an ink-jet head and the liquid functional material is cured by energy irradiation to form an image has features such as that it is environmentally friendly, and that it can obtain a high-resolution image which can be recorded at a high speed on various recording media, and which hardly bleeds. Particularly, development of an apparatus which uses a UV curable ink as a liquid functional material is advancing from the viewpoints of easy handling of a light source, compactness, and the like. Under these circumstances, by taking the advantage of the high-speed fixing property, a so-called single-pass ink-jet recording apparatus has been proposed in which a web-like recording medium that can be transported at a high speed is used, a head having a width that allows recording to be performed over the whole width of the recording medium is placed so as to be opposed to the recording medium in a state where the head is fixed, and recording is completed simply by causing the recording medium to pass under the head one time.
In the case where color printing is performed by such a single-pass ink-jet recording apparatus, fixations of inks are performed while stationary heads the number of which is equal to that of colors required for color reproduction are arranged in the direction of transporting a recording medium, and active-energy ray irradiating means are placed immediately downstream of the heads. In formation of an image, a complex color is reproduced by overlapping color inks with one another. Light hardly impinges on a color ink which is in a lower portion of the overlap, and therefore the curing property is sometimes insufficiently attained. By contrast, an ink-jet recording apparatus in which a first or second ink color of the lowest layer of an ink overlap on a recording medium is black (K) or cyan (C) is disclosed (for example, see JP-A-2003-25707).

Active-energy ray curable ink-jet recording apparatus


An electro-active spectacle lens is disclosed. The spectacle lens comprises a first substrate having a first outer region and first inner region, a first electrode layer disposed adjacent to the first inner region, the first electrode layer including an outer electrode region having a first conductivity and an inner electrode region having a second conductivity, the first conductivity being greater than the second conductivity, a second substrate having a second outer region and second inner region, a second electrode layer disposed adjacent to the second inner region, the second electrode layer having a third conductivity, and an electro-active cell disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the electro-active cell containing an electro-active material. The first outer region and second outer region are configurable for fitting the spectacle lens within a lens frame without altering the electro-active cell.

Modal liquid crystal lenses are switchable lenses with a continuous phase variation across the lens. Modal liquid crystal lenses have been described, for example, by A. F. Naumov in a publication entitled Control Optimization Of Spherical Modal Liquid Crystal Lenses, published in Optics Express (26 Apr. 1999/vol. 4, No 9). The basic design of a modal liquid crystal lens, according to Naumov, is illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b. FIG. 1a is a planar view of an illustrative electrode layer used in a modal liquid crystal lens, and FIG. 1b is a side sectional view of an illustrative modal liquid crystal lens. As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, modal liquid crystal lens 100 includes a control electrode 130, which consists of a low conductivity, or highly resistive layer of conductive material, such as indium-tin-oxide ("ITO"), for example. Control electrode 130 is surrounded by a highly conductive annular contact electrode 120, which is made from a conductive metal, such as silver, aluminum, copper, for example.
FIG. 1b illustrates the construction of modal liquid crystal lens 100. As described by Naumov, control electrode 130 generally has a relatively high resistance with a surface resistance of around a few MΩ/square. Ground electrode 160 is generally a highly conductive ITO layer with a surface resistance of about 50 to 200 Ω/square. The cell 150 containing the liquid crystal material is formed by the spacers 140 placed between the front substrate 110 and rear substrate 170. The modal liquid crystal lens 100 is operated by applying a voltage to the annular contact electrode 120. The voltage across the modal liquid crystal lens 100 decreases radially towards the center of the modal liquid crystal lens 100 because of the potential divider that is formed by the high resistance control electrode 130 and the capacitance of the liquid crystal layer 150. In response to the radially varying potential, the retardance of liquid crystal layer 150 changes. Thus, the optical path length through the liquid crystal layer 150 increases from the edge of the modal liquid crystal lens 100 towards the center thus producing a retarding profile across the modal liquid crystal lens 100. By controlling the voltage and frequency of the waveform applied to the annular contact electrode 120 the optical power of the modal liquid crystal lens 100 can be continuously adjusted over a range of a few Diopters, depending on the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 150.
While such modal liquid crystal lenses offer several advantages in terms of continuous optical power tuning and simplicity of design, they have several limitations that hinder their practical use as spectacle lenses, in particular, a lens for the treatment of presbyopia. For example, such lenses are not completely transparent, and use visible metallic electrodes. In addition, such lenses are not constructed in a manner that allows for them to be cut and shaped so that they may be placed within a frame. Moreover, such lenses do not have a relatively quick response time (for example, less than 30 milliseconds) so that the optical power changes faster than the wearer's eye can detect, and do not account for a step change in optical power with an adjacent base lens used to provide a distance correction. This leads to discomfort for the wearer, and also detracts from the cosmetic appearance of the lens.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an electro-active lens and electro-active spectacles useful in the treatment of presbyopia that employ modal liquid crystal lenses, and that overcome the disadvantages of known devices while offering features not present in known devices. Although certain deficiencies in the related art are described in this background discussion and elsewhere, it will be understood that these deficiencies were not necessarily heretofore recognized or known as deficiencies. Furthermore, it will be understood that, to the extent that one or more of the deficiencies described herein may be found in an embodiment of the claimed invention, the presence of such deficiencies does not detract from the novelty or non-obviousness of the invention or remove the embodiment from the scope of the claimed invention.

Electro-active spectacle employing modal liquid crystal lenses


The invention is directed to a method of detecting disturbances of the crankshaft rpm for an internal combustion engine which are caused by an empty tank. Uneven-running values (LU) of the engine are detected which are distributed in bands of values and the spacing between the bands of uneven-running values (LU) is computed. A quantity of the engine is detected which is relevant to the exhaust gas of the engine. A check is then made to determine whether the computed band spacing is less than a pregiven threshold spacing and whether the exhaust-gas relevant quantity lies within a pregiven threshold value interval and, if so, this data is utilized as an indication that the disturbances of the crankshaft rpm are caused by an empty tank.

In motor vehicles, which are equipped with catalytic converters, driving the vehicle until the tank is completely empty can lead to malfunctions of the catalytic converter and to other disturbances of the engine. When the content of the fuel tank goes to empty, the fuel pump sporadically pumps vapor instead of liquid. The required fuel metering to one or several cylinders of the engine can drop to such an extent that combustion misfires occur. The uncombusted fuel is then afterburned together with oxygen in the catalytic converter whereby the temperature of the catalytic converter increases. The temperature increase can be so great that permanent damage can occur to the catalytic converter.
The regulations of the California environmental authority (CARB) as well as United States federal regulations require that an automobile manufacturer must replace a defective catalytic converter within the first 100,000 miles. In addition, if, during the warranty period, a specific percentage of catalytic converters becomes defective, the California environmental authority even requires a recall. Such measures are most disadvantageous to automobile manufacturers since they are associated with considerable difficulty and expense. Furthermore, the reputation of the manufacturer can suffer damage in the marketplace.
In view of the above, there is a very substantial interest on the part of the automobile manufacturers to distinguish catalytic converter malfunctions, which are caused by the conduct of the driver (such as unpermittingly driving until the fuel tank is empty), from malfunctions caused by equipment failure.
A further requirement of the California environmental authority since mid 1994 requires that a diagnosis be made with on-board means to check the operability of the vehicle systems. These requirements include, inter alia, that a check of the operation of the catalytic converter be made with on-board means. As soon as a defect of a technical nature occurs, this defect must be signalized to the driver of the vehicle and stored in a memory in order to later, via a read-out of the memory, be able to make a statement as to whether the defect is of a technical nature or whether the defect was caused by improper conduct on the part of the driver operating the vehicle.
As mentioned above, for an almost empty tank, combustion misfires occur which cause crankshaft rpm fluctuations, that is, disturbances of the crankshaft rpm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,521 discloses a method for detecting combustion misfires which permits combustion misfires and disturbances of the crankshaft rpm to be distinguished from each other. The disturbances of the crankshaft rpm are based on reactions of the vehicle drive train, for example, because of extreme roadway unevenness, because of jolting vehicle operation or because of a change of tire slip and tire adherence to the roadway.
This method permits precise differentiation of the above-mentioned disturbances of the crankshaft rpm from disturbances which are caused by combustion misfires. However, it is not possible to make a statement as to whether the combustion misfires or the disturbances of the crankshaft rpm are caused by an improper operation of the vehicle (for example, an empty tank) which can be attributed to the operator of the vehicle.

Method of detecting disturbances in an internal combustion engine caused by an empty fuel tank


A hybrid computer system is provided. The hybrid computer includes a display portion attached to a base portion via hinge. The display portion can be folded flat against the base portion such that the display screen faces outwards, for use in a tablet computer configuration. The display portion can alternatively be tilted upwards relative to the base portion, with the display portion being hinged at a front edge of the display and in a middle section of the base portion. When the display is articulated upwards, a support structure can be deployed between the backside of the display and the base portion, in order to provide physical support to the display and resistance against hinge movement in response to a user pressing on the display to engage touchscreen functionality.

The present invention relates in general to the computer field, and in particular, to a new category of portable computer that combines the advantages of a laptop computer and a tablet.
Tablet computers have grown in popularity because of their portability and ease of touchscreen input. However, some shortcomings and obstacles remain which limit the practical application of a tablet to only some applications such as checking email or playing simple games. More elaborate applications still require a real computer, such as a laptop computer. There are several reasons for that limitation, such as a) the lack of a keyboard for faster, more reliable and more convenient input than a touchscreen, b) generally tablets are underpowered for real computer work which usually requires more storage capacity, more memory, more peripheral devices, faster processors, more battery capacity and generally more computer resources than current tablets normally provide.
As shown in FIG. 1, a typical prior art tablet computer 10 includes a computer housing 11 and a touchscreen 12 which is used for visual output as well as for user input. Inside the housing 11 and underneath the touchscreen panel 12 there are the internal components of the tablet computer (not shown in FIG. 1), such as the motherboard, the data storage device, the battery and others.
FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the tablet computer.
FIG. 2A shows a typical state of the art laptop computer with a base 212 and a display 213. This type of computers typically provides enough power for real computer work, but until now they generally lack the user-friendliness of a laptop computer. Some attempts have been made to equip this type of laptops with a touchscreen to provide tablet-like user-friendliness, but some obstacles have been encountered which have prevented the adoption by the users. One of those obstacles has been the fact that when a laptop as the one in FIG. 2A is equipped with a touchscreen as part of its display unit 213, said display unit tends to move and oscillate when the user touches the touchscreen to enter some input, which is uncomfortable because the image is moving and vibrating in front of the user. Even with a stronger and tighter hinge it is difficult to avoid this problem because of the distance between the hinge and the points of touch. A moving, slightly oscillating display can make a user dizzy or frustrated, making touchscreen usage impractical for such type of computer.


A method for determining an electrical model of a string of photovoltaic modules from a characteristic I(V) of the string includes detecting a first linear zone and a second linear zone of the characteristic I(V); initialising the parameters of a non-by-pass electrical model corresponding to a first operating condition, called a non-by-pass condition; optimising the parameters of the non-by-pass electrical model from a reference characteristic I(Vref) equal to I(V), determining the parameters of the electrical model corresponding to a second operating condition, called a by-pass condition, in order to obtain a by-pass electrical model from the characteristic determining, from the characteristic I(V) the best model among the non-by-pass model and the by-pass model.

It is known to diagnose a proper operation of a photovoltaic module by considering its curve I(V) (current measurement as a function of the voltage applied). This diagnostics is most often performed from "flash-test" measurements, that is the measurement I(V) under standard conditions. However, when it is attempted to diagnose modules on site, the analysis does not necessarily relate any longer to unit modules but most often strings of several modules. In addition, there can be much more varied types of faults such as the presence of shading for example. More particularly, it happens that the curve I(V) of a module or a string of modules has an inflection. This inflection occurs when a part of the string operates in a less favourable mode. In this case, by-pass diodes introduced in the modules therefor, makes the part of the "failing" string independent from the rest of the system to avoid that it is fully impacted. Such an event occurs for example in the event of a partial shading of the string, in the event of a non-homogeneous soiling on the string, in the event of a localised fault (like a hotspot), etc. In the present description, all these events are commonly referred to under the term "by-pass".
The effect of a by-pass on the curve I(V) of a string of modules and on the electrical model equivalent to a diode (noted "equivalent model" in the following) which models it is well known and described in Batzelis, E. I., Georgilakis, P. S., & Papathanassiou, S. A. (2014); Energy models for photovoltaic systems under partial shading conditions: a comprehensive review. IET Renewable Power Generation, 9(4), 340-349. However, no method enables the parameters of a model of the curve I(V) integrating a possible by-pass from a set of measurements to be estimated and a diagnostics to be performed from this estimation.
In Batzelis, E., & Papathanassiou, S. A. (2016). An Algorithm to Detect Partial Shading Conditions in a PV System; In Materials Science Forum (Vol. 856, pp. 303-308), a method is provided enabling the presence of a by-pass to be detected but the latter does not enable a diagnostics of the string of modules measured to be performed. In Jordehi, A. R. (2016). Parameter estimation of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells: a review; Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 61, 354-371, a method relying on equivalent models for diagnosing strings (supposed to be non-by-passed) is provided. However, there is no solution enabling both tasks to be performed: namely the determination of an equivalent model including in the presence of a by-pass. It should be noted that the sequential use of both previously discussed methods is not satisfactory because it does not enable information about the parameters of the equivalent model (and thus diagnostics other than "presence of a by-pass") to be provided in case of partial shading for example.
In El Basri, Y., Bressan, M., Seguier, L., Alawadhi, H., & Alonso, C. (2015). A proposed graphical electrical signatures supervision method to study PV module failures; Solar Energy, 116, there is provided a method in which the first derivative and the second derivative of the curve I(V) are considered. The analysis of both curves is used to suggest a diagnostics distinguishing in particular proper operation events from events where there is a by-pass (shading event in particular) and events of significant increase in the series resistance. However, it is useful to note that no estimation of parameters of the equivalent model is suggested (especially in the presence of a by-pass) and that the method suggested in this document is very sensitive to measurement noise (in particular because of the use of the first and second derivatives of the signal).
There is thus a need for a diagnostics method which is robust to measurement noise and quickly implementable, thus allowing an on-site use. There is also a need for a diagnostics method which makes no hypothesis on the environmental conditions and takes the possible presence of a by-pass into account.

Method for determining an electrical model of a string of photovoltaic modules, diagnostic method and device associated therewith

COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES


According to one embodiment, a weather prediction apparatus includes a storage configured to store weather data of a rain cloud observed by a weather radar; and a processor configured to predict a torrential rain. The processor is configured to detect a core of the rain cloud, based on the weather data; to acquire position information of the core, based on a detection result of the core; to determine a movement direction of the core, based on the position information; and to calculate information for predicting, as an area of occurrence of the torrential rain, an area on a ground, the area on the ground corresponding to the movement direction of the core.

In recent years, there has been developed a phased array weather radar (PAWR) which can three-dimensionally scan in a short time a rain cloud such as a cumulonimbus, which causes an abnormal weather phenomenon such as an unexpected localized torrential rain.
Data relating to a rain cloud observed by the PAWR (hereinafter referred to as "weather data") is utilized in a system which supports a user in making various judgments by viewing the state of the rain cloud in real time. The user is, for instance, a user who is mainly engaged in disaster prevention, such as a manager of a pump facility of a river or the like, or a supervisor of a fire station.
However, since such users are not experts relating to weather phenomena, there is a problem that they cannot easily interpret weather data. Thus, there is a demand for enabling even a user, who is not an expert, to easily interpret weather data that is obtained by using the PAWR, and to easily utilize the weather data in order to predict, for example, an unexpected localized torrential rain.

Weather prediction apparatus and method using weather radar


A material for filtering NO2 and nitric acid vapors from air over a wide range of humidities and temperatures including a porous hydrophobic substrate and an amine is provided.

Both nitric acid vapors and NO2 are highly toxic. The US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set stringent guidelines aimed at protecting workers performing operations in an environment potentially contaminated with both fuming nitric acid/nitric acid vapors and NO2. The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for NO2 has been established at 10 mg/m3 (approximately 5 ppm). The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for fuming nitric acid/nitric acid vapors has been established at 5.2 mg/m3 (approximately 2 ppm).
Impregnated, activated carbon is known to strongly adsorb a wide variety of toxic vapors from ambient air streams. Impregnated, activated carbon does not, however, effectively filter nitric acid vapors and NO2 from ambient air streams. In the case of NO2, there is no mechanism associated with impregnated activated carbon capable of removing NO2. NO2 will, however, react with the surface of carbon to yield NO, which rapidly elutes from the carbon bed. NO, like NO2 is toxic. The PEL for NO has been established at 30 mg/m3 (approximately 25 ppm). Being acidic, one would expect nitric acid vapors to be removed by impregnated activated carbon, such as those employed in military gas mask filters. Nitric acid vapors; however, are not removed by these filters because nitric acid vapors react with the surface of activated carbon to yield NO, which is toxic (PEL for NO has been established at 30 mg/m3, approximately 25 ppm).
Filtration media capable of removing NO2 from streams of air is limited. Gooray et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,040) describe the use of alkali metal silicates, specifically sodium silicate, lithium silicate and potassium silicate, to adsorb NO2. The reaction is believed to involve the cation of the alkali metal silicate combining with NO2 to form an alkali metal nitrate. Although data demonstrates this material to be effective in filtering low NO2 concentrations (up to about 10 mg/m3), the material does not appear to be able to filter high concentrations of NO2 (1,000 mg/m3).
Onitsuka et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,582) describe the use of copper salts (CuCl, CuCl2, CuCl2.[NH4Cl]2) impregnated into zeolites to filter NOx, (mixtures of NO and NO2). The copper impregnated zeolites are used to remove low levels of NOx, (about 10 mg/m3) present in highway tunnels (from automotive exhaust). Up to 140 minutes of service life is reported for 10 mg/m3 challenge and 1 mg/m3 breakthrough. The patent notes that humidity in the air greatly reduces the performance of the material, and the process described within the patent consists of an air drier up-stream of the NOx adsorber.
Ichiki et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,649) describe the use of a Mn doped TiO2 impregnated with either Ru or Cu oxide, plus Ag, Cu or additional Mn. The material is reported to be useful in treating low levels (about 10 mg/m3) of NOx from moist air streams.
Amines are known to interact with NO2. A possible reaction between amines and NO2 has been reported by Diaf et al. (J. Appd. Polymer Sci. 53 (1994) 857) and Diaf et al. (AIChE Symposium Series No. 309 (1995) 49-60). This reaction is presented below:RNH2+NO2→RN—NO+H2O
However, under conditions of high relative humidity, the amine-NO2 reaction is minimized because pores of many adsorbents, such as carbon, become saturated with water. For toxic vapors such as NO2 that are not highly soluble in water, the presence of water in the pores of the adsorbent greatly decreases the performance of the filtration media.
Therefore, none of these previous solutions provide an effective, low cost means of removing both nitric acid vapors and NO2 from ambient stream of air under varying temperatures and humidities.

Material and process for the filtration of nitric acid and NO


A slide assembly includes an outer slide member, an intermediate slide member, and an inner slide member. The outer slide member includes an opening for mounting a locking member. A lug is mounted on an end of the locking member and abuts against a side of a periphery delimiting the opening. A resilient plate includes a first end fixed on the outer slide member and a second end pressing against the lug of the locking member, thereby biasing the other end of the locking member away from an inner face of the outer slide member. An unlatching member includes an end fixed on the intermediate slide member. The unlatching member further includes a substantially U-shaped actuating section extendable through a slot in the intermediate slide member. Two downwardly extending stops are formed on two lateral sides delimiting the slot by pressing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slide assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a slide assembly comprising an outer slide member, an intermediate slide member, and an inner slide member.
2. Description of Related Art
A wide variety of three part slide assemblies have been proposed. A typical three-part slide assembly comprises an outer slide member, an intermediate slide member, and an inner slide member. Positioning devices are provided between the inner slide member and the intermediate slide member and between the intermediate slide member and the outer slide member, preventing undesired retraction of the inner slide member and the intermediate slide member. Examples of the three-part slide assemblies are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,560,212; 5,551,775; 5,757,109; 6,350,001; 6,585,335; 6,655,763; 6,705,689; 6,749,276; and 6,805,418; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2003/0107309 and 2003/0111942.
The present invention is intended to provide a different design in this regard.


A hydraulic line connection for a hydraulic brake of vehicles with handlebar steering comprises a line-fastening device, which has a fastening portion for fastening the line-fastening device in a support of a hydraulic component of the hydraulic brake and a connecting portion for connection with a hydraulic line, wherein the line-fastening device has an extension, which is attached to the fastening portion on the side opposite to the connecting portion.

Hydraulic brakes of vehicles with handlebar steering usually have a master cylinder which is mounted on a handlebar and to which a hydraulic line is coupled, said line leading to a slave cylinder which is, e.g., a brake cylinder (pair) of a hydraulic (bicycle) caliper brake or a brake caliper of a hydraulic (bicycle or motorbike) disk brake.
It is common practice to deliver such hydraulic brakes to the original equipment manufacturer or final customer in a prefilled state so that the manufacturer can safely and reliably carry out the complex filling and bleeding of the hydraulic brake with his experience. The hydraulic line is installed on the outside or inside to mount it on the vehicle with handlebar steering.
If the hydraulic line is not to be installed on the outside of the vehicle but on the inside, i.e., at least in part within the frame and/or the handlebar, it is necessary to separate the master device and/or the slave device of the hydraulic brake from the hydraulic line and/or to separate the hydraulic line. As a result, the hydraulic line can be installed at the desired locations on the inside.
So that the hydraulic brake can still be delivered to the customer (e.g., original equipment manufacturer or shop or final customer) in a prefilled fashion, it is known from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE 10 2011 085 000 A1 to deliver the hydraulic brake in two parts and to seal the points of separation, i.e., the hydraulic connection of the hydraulic component, from which the hydraulic line was removed after filling the hydraulic brake, and to seal the open side of the hydraulic line. In order to remove the seal, the mounted and connected brake has to be actuated so as to tear apart the sealing element which remains in the line.
The known hydraulic connection devices provide a possibility of delivering prefilled hydraulic components separately from the hydraulic line, such that the line can be installed on the inside and the system can be reassembled. However, the drawback is that the seal is not fully removed and, therefore, defects in the operation might result, e.g., when remainders of the detached sealing measures tear off and interfere with the actuation.
Thus, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art systems, designs, and processes as discussed above.

Hydraulic line connection for a hydraulic brake for handlebar steering and handlebar with hydraulic brake


A three-dimensional thermoelectric energy harvester and a fabrication method thereof. Low-resistivity silicon is etched to form a plurality of grooves and silicon columns between the grooves, and an insulating layer is formed on a surface of the groove, and thermoelectric columns are fabricated by using a thin-film deposition technique, so that the thermoelectric column and a neighboring silicon column form a thermocouple pair; and then, a metal wiring is fabricated by processes such as etching and deposition, followed by thinning of the substrate and bonding of the supporting substrates, thereby completing fabrication of the three-dimensional thermoelectric energy harvester. Fabrication of the thermocouple pair structure by one thin-film deposition process simplifies the fabrication process. The thermocouple pair using silicon ensures a high Seebeck coefficient. The use of vertical thermocouple pairs having a column structure improves the mechanical stability of the thermoelectric energy harvester.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the semiconductor field, and specifically to a three-dimensional thermoelectric energy harvester and a fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
With the development of the Internet of Things, its applications in the industrial, commercial, medical, consumption and military fields are gradually expanded. Power source is always critical to prolonging the service life and reducing the cost of the Internet of Things. In environmental extremes or other occasions unreachable to human beings, or when a network node moves or changes, it is difficult or even impossible to replace a battery, making it crucial to effectively provide energy to a node of the Internet of Things. An effective solution is to harvest ambient energy through energy harvesting, store the energy and provide the energy to the node of the Internet of Things. Temperature difference is widely present in the external environment. Therefore, energy harvesting using the temperature difference in the environment has been extensively studied.
A vertical-type miniature thermoelectric energy harvester as shown in FIG. 1 is currently commonly used, because the direction of heat flow is perpendicular to the substrate, and the thermoelectric energy harvesting efficiency is high. Upper and lower substrates exchange heat with the external environment, and transfer an external temperature difference to a thermopile, and the thermopile converts the temperature difference in the external environment to a voltage signal by using the Seebeck effect and outputs the voltage signal, thereby harvesting external energy. Since thermocouples are arranged perpendicular to the substrate, a planar semiconductor process cannot be adopted, and instead, the thermocouples are generally fabricated by an electroplating or thin-film sputtering deposition process. Current vertical-type thermoelectric energy harvesting chips generally adopt a BiTe-based material or a metal material such as Cu or Ni as the thermoelectric material. Since the metal material such as Cu or Ni is a conductor structure having a small Seebeck coefficient, thermoelectric energy harvesting chips fabricated by using the metal material such as Cu or Ni as the thermoelectric material generally have low efficiency. Since the BiTe-based material is a semiconductor structure having a high Seebeck coefficient, thermoelectric energy harvesting chips fabricated by using the BiTe-based material generally have high efficiency. However, the BiTe-based material requires a high cost, and contains toxic substances, which limits the use of BiTe thermoelectric energy harvesting chips. In addition, since the composition of a thermocouple requires two thermoelectric materials, the vertical-type thermoelectric energy harvester generally needs to be subjected to two electroplating or thin-film sputtering deposition processes in order to fabricate a thermocouple material, which further increases the cost of the thermoelectric energy harvesting chip. Moreover, the fabrication efficiency of the vertical-type thermoelectric energy harvester is low, because the thermoelectric energy harvester is thermally and mechanically connected to the upper and lower substrates through chip-level bonding.
In view of the above reasons, it is necessary to provide a low-cost, high-efficiency thermoelectric energy harvester.

Three-dimensional thermoelectric energy harvester and fabrication method thereof

SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF MICROSYSTEM AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CHINESE ACADEMY of SCIENCE


The present disclosure provides a high-frequency magnetoimpedance testing apparatus and method. A testing platform in the apparatus is arranged within a Helmholtz coil and connected to a modulating electric current source and a high-frequency impedance analyzer, respectively; the Helmholtz coil is connected to a DC power source; a processor is connected to the high-frequency impedance analyzer and the DC power source separately; the testing platform includes a first double-sided copper-clad plate, and mode transition switches and connection terminals that are arranged on the first double-sided copper-clad plate; one end of the first double-sided copper-clad plate is connected to the high-frequency impedance analyzer, while the other end of the same is connected to a load; the mode transition switches are connected to the modulating electric current source. The present disclosure can realize in-situ current modulation of metallic fibers and high-frequency magnetoimpedance testing, and improve the testing accuracy.

Giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect refers to a phenomenon in which the impedance of a magneto-sensitive material changes significantly with the variation of an external magnetic field under alternating current (AC) excitation. Amorphous metallic fibers have a long-range disordered and short-range ordered amorphous structure and a special magnetic domain structure and exhibit excellent properties in mechanics, magnetics, and in particular GMI effect. Currently, the amorphous metallic fibers have received widespread attention from researchers. The amorphous metallic fibers are usually prepared by a deep undercooling rapid solidification technique, where a high cooling rate may result in large residual stress in metallic fibers, stress anisotropy, causing stress anisotropy to become predominant and the GMI effect to be less obvious. This restricts the engineering application of the amorphous metallic fibers as magneto-sensitive materials.
Methods that can effectively reduce the residual stress in the amorphous metallic fibers generally include modulation in vacuum, modulation with a magnetic field, stress modulation, modulation with electrical current, etc. Among those methods, the modulation with electrical current permits generation of Joule heat to reduce the residual stress on the one hand, and control of the surface magnetic domain structure of the amorphous metallic fibers by a toroidal magnetic field generated by the electrical current, thereby providing enhanced GMI effect.
At present, numerous studies have been carried out on the GMI effect of the amorphous metallic fibers, and GMI sensors based on the effect (e.g., stress sensors, magneto-sensitive sensors, and biosensors) have been developed and put into use. However, GMI tests on the amorphous metallic fibers in high frequency band are still not complete enough, and the relevant theoretical research is also not deep enough. Hence, more systematic research will be required. During high-frequency magnetoimpedance testing, it is usually required to frequently solder the metallic fibers for modulation with electrical current, which may affect the testing precision. Therefore, it is desirable to optimize the high-frequency magnetoimpedance testing apparatus and method.

High-frequency magnetoimpedance testing apparatus and method


An apparatus for cutting a wellbore includes a motor with a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes an output shaft connected to a cutting structure to drive the cutting structure in use. The stator and rotor are spaced radially outwardly of the axis of the rotor such that at least one of the stator and the rotor has an access bore that extends through the motor to a position adjacent the cutting structure and through which a further object can pass without obstruction from the stator and rotor. The further object includes a further cutting structure. The motor workings are radially outward of the output shaft and the further cutting structure so as not to obstruct passage of the further cutting structure toward the cutting structure, such that the motor workings do not require drilling or removal to allow the further cutting structure access to the cutting structure.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting a wellbore particularly but not exclusively for accessing sub-surface hydrocarbon bearing earth formations.
In the oil and gas production industry wellbores are drilled from the earth's surface to access sub-surface hydrocarbon bearing formations. The wellbores are typically lined with a string of metal tubulars known as casing. The exterior of the casing is typically held in place in the wellbore using a bonding material such as cement.
It is usually the case that a drill and drill string is used to drill the initial wellbore. A 'trip out' process is then required where the drill and drill string are removed from the wellbore and the casing is subsequently run into the wellbore. A reamer shoe may be positioned at the lowermost end of the casing so as to ream the drilled wellbore as the casing is run in. The reamer shoe may be driven by rotating the casing itself, if this is possible, or may be driven by a motor at the bottom of the casing. In the latter case, the reamer shoe and motor need to subsequently be removed prior to further sections of casing being inserted. Further sections of casing are usually required for deeper wellbore sections, and these are run in through the initial section of casing after a further drilling process has occurred, the further drilling process requiring a drill and drill string to be run in through the initial section of casing.
Likewise when drilling an initial wellbore it can be desirable to be able to use multiple drilling operations in as quick succession as possible.
The repeated cycles of drilling and/or reaming steps are time consuming particularly in terms of the trip out and run in processes associated with removing and reinserting the drill and drill string and/or reamer shoes and associated motors.
Our earlier international patent application PCT/GB2007/002874 discloses a solution to these problems wherein the reamer shoe and a motor are positioned at the lower end of the casing and have sacrificial components that are arranged to be readily drilled out using a drill and drill string subsequently inserted into the casing. This removes the necessity for a trip out process associated with the reamer shoe and motor prior to subsequent drilling.
Whilst the apparatus and method described in our above mentioned earlier international application provide significant time and therefore cost savings over previous proposals, there is a need to further reduce the time taken, as the process wherein the motor and reamer shoe are drilled through may still take longer than desired.

Apparatus and method for cutting a wellbore


Generation of a secondary sound source is inhibited, and a sound quality is improved. Included are a support fixed to a mount base, a speaker unit including a portion to be fixed, and a base casing holding the speaker unit, and the speaker unit is fixed to the support and the base casing with the portion to be fixed being sandwiched between the support and the base casing. With this configuration, the speaker unit will be held stably, a great oscillation from a diaphragm of the speaker unit is less transmitted to the parts other than the diaphragm of the speaker unit, to the member holding the speaker unit, or the like. Generation of a secondary sound source is inhibited, and a sound quality can be improved.

There are speaker apparatuses that output a sound (voice) having a predetermined frequency band. For example, one of the speaker apparatuses includes a support arranged on and fixed to a mount base such as a floor, and a base casing that holds a speaker unit (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
In the speaker apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, three legs are provided as the supports that are positioned separately in the circumferential direction, the base casing is supported by the legs, and the speaker unit is attached to and held by the base casing inside the legs.
In the speaker apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, the speaker unit functions as a woofer, and a sound is output from the speaker unit in a downward direction. The three legs form a space under the speaker unit, a low pitch sound output from the speaker unit is emitted from the downward space and spreads peripherally, whereby the sound quality is improved.


According to an aspect of the present invention, an electronic apparatus includes: a main body that has an input unit placed on a top surface of the main body; a display panel that has a display surface and a rear surface on an opposite side to the display surface; a hinge mechanism that joins the display panel to the main body, the hinge mechanism having a pivot shaft, a rotation shaft, and a pivot support member; an engagement part that is provided on the pivot support member; and a reception part that receives the engagement part. The reception part is provided on the main body, wherein the pivot shaft pivotably supports the display panel. The rotation shaft rotatably supports the display panel to be openable about an axis provided along one side of the display panel, and the pivot support member supports the pivot shaft and the rotation shaft.

1. Field
One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic apparatus including a hinge mechanism for enabling the user to turn a display panel between a state in which a display surface is turned down relative to a main body and a state in which the display surface is put on the main body as it is turned up.
2. Description of the Related Art
A portable electronic apparatus including a hinge mechanism for joining a display panel rotatably to a main body with two axes crossing vertically at the center exists. In such an electronic apparatus, a cable wired between the main body and the display panel is allowed to pass through the inside of the hinge mechanism or the surrounding thereof. Therefore, the rotation angle of the display panel relative to the main body needs to be limited.
An electronic apparatus described in JP-A-2004-197862 includes a raising shaft for moving and rotating a display panel put on a main body in a direction raising the display panel and a reversal shaft for reversing the display panel raised by the raising shaft. A hinge device for limiting the rotation angle is applied to the reversal shaft and includes an over-rotation blocking mechanism. The over-rotation blocking mechanism includes a rotation member, a first abutment holding mechanism, and a second abutment holding mechanism. If the display panel is rotated in any direction, the rotation member is sandwiched between the first abutment holding mechanism and the second abutment holding mechanism. This structure enables the display to be rotated 180 degrees in any direction.
However, the over-rotation blocking mechanism is built in the hinge device described in JP-A-2004-197862. Therefore, to reverse the display panel, whether or not the display panel can be more rotated cannot be determined from the appearance. To reverse the display panel, the user takes hold of the outer peripheral portion of the display panel and operates it.
Therefore, if the electronic apparatus has a small display panel like a mobile telephone, when the display panel is over-rotated, the rotation torque applied to a hinge device is small and thus the hinge device is not broken. However, if the electronic apparatus has a large display panel like a notebook computer, when the display panel is over-rotated, the rotation torque applied to a hinge device is large in proportion to the size of the display panel and thus the hinge device may be broken.


A patch antenna having a dielectric substrate; a plurality of radiating patches on the substrate, each radiating patch including a plurality of spaced slots to suppress the radiation of energy that is polarized in a direction transverse to the direction of the desired polarization; a ground plane supported by the substrate in generally parallel and spaced relationship to the patches; a distribution network for transmitting and receiving signals within the antenna; and a plurality of probes within the substrate for coupling the radiating patches and the distribution network, one end of each probe being connected to the distribution network, and the other end of the probe being coupled to one of the radiating patches. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of chokes are connected to the ground plane and associated with the patches to further suppress the radiation of energy having undesired polarization.

Cellular telephone systems today transmit and receive both analog and digital signals. One example of an accepted analog system is the American Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), which operates in the 824 to 894 MHz frequency band, and one example of an accepted digital system is the Groupe Speciale Mobile System (GSM), which operates in the 890 to 960 MHz frequency band. To be usable in both frequency bands, a base-station antenna must have wide operational bandwidth with a low VSWR across the entire bandwidth. For example, the AMPS and GSM frequency bands require a VSWR of less than 1.5 over a bandwidth of approximately 16%.
The base stations in a cellular telephone system typically use antennas mounted on 30-meter towers to communicate with mobile units over a range of up to 3 kilometers. Both sector-coverage and omni-directional-coverage antennas are employed, depending upon the cell geography and the traffic density. Sector-coverage antennas have traditionally been of the co-linear, corner-reflector type, can be physically large and are often considered objectionable from an environmental standpoint. As many as twelve corner-reflector antennas may be used on a single tower platform. These antennas often end up physically downtilted to minimize cell overshoot, and the resultant untidy appearance compounds the environmental problems.
Because of the need to communicate with mobile units having antennas installed vertically on vehicles, cellular systems typically use signals which are vertically polarized. It is, therefore, desirable to minimize the amount of energy transmitted with unwanted horizontal polarization ("cross-pol") because the transmission of such signals merely reduces the efficiency of the system.

Patch-type microwave antenna having wide bandwidth and low cross-pol


The invention provides methods and materials for identifying and characterizing genes related to phenotypes such as cancer and cell survivability. Also provided in the invention are cells and transgenic, non-human mammals that can be used in these methods.

The impact of cancer on our society cannot be understated. In addition, to compound matters, the incidence of some cancers is increasing. For example, the incidence of melanoma as a cancer type is rising at a rate second only to lung cancer in women (see Rigel et al., J. Am. Acad. Derm. 35:1012, 1996). This crisis is compounded by the facts that, in contrast to most solid tumor types, melanoma affects a much younger population, metastasizes early in the course of disease, and fails to respond to current therapeutic regimens (see Herlyn, Molecular and Cellular Biology for Melanoma, Austin, R. G. Landes, 1993).
Despite the long history of clinical and research efforts directed towards understanding cancer, surprisingly little is known about the genetic lesions responsible for its genesis, progression, and clinical behavior. For example, in the case of melanoma, although many genes have been implicated in the genesis of this disease, only the INK4a and RAS genes have been shown to be true etiologic lesions in a formal genetic sense (Chin et al., Genes Devel. 11:2822, 1997). Moreover, advanced malignancy, which is among the most daunting conditions a clinician can face, represents the phenotypic endpoint of many successive genetic lesions that affect many oncogene and tumor suppressor gene pathways. Lesions that lead to such a condition, therefore, may differ from those required to maintain it. These mutations will represent rational therapeutic targets in the treatment of cancer.