An electrical connector has two parts each with a rectangular shell surrounding contact elements. The outside of one shell and the inside of the other are enlarged in the corners and so that the two shells can only be mated when presented square-on, thereby reducing the risk that the contact elements on one part will be inadvertently contacted by the shell on the other part. The two parts have mating coding members and clamping members located outside the shells, one part having two tower formations in which the coding and clamping members are located. The width of the towers is greater than the width of the shell on the other part.

This invention relates to electrical connectors.
One part of one type of electrical connector comprises a metal shell containing an insulative insert supporting an array of electrical pin elements. The other part of the connector comprises a metal shell projecting above and around an array of socket elements within which corresponding ones of the pin elements are inserted, the shell protecting the sockets from damage. When the two parts of the connector are mated, the shell of the second part extends around the shell of the first part and the pins of the first part extend within and make electrical contact with the sockets of the second part.
One problem with such connectors, especially if they are of rectangular shape, is that, if the connectors are not mated square, an edge of the shell of the first part can be inserted into the other shell in such a way as to contact the sockets. This may result in mechanical damage to the sockets and, by bridging or grounding the sockets, may also cause electrical damage in associated equipment if the parts of the connector are brought together while the sockets are live. There can also be a problem with rectangular electrical connectors if the two parts of the connector should be incorrectly oriented, that is, with one part rotated through 180.degree. relative to the other. This could result in damage to the sockets or in the mating of incorrect pins in sockets. This is a particular problem where one part of the connector is freely mounted at the end of a cable and is to be inserted in the other part of the connector at an inaccessible location, so that it is difficult to ensure that the two parts of the connector are presented square on to each other.

Smiths Industries Public Limited Company


An optical pickup apparatus for reproduction of an information record medium in which information record layers are multiply formed is provided with: a light source for emitting a light beam; a light detector for detecting a reflection light beam and outputting a light detection signal corresponding to the detected reflection light beam; an optical system for condensing the emitted light beam onto one of the information record layers and condensing the light beam reflected from one of the information record layers as the reflection light beam onto the light detector; and an actuator for at least partially actuating the optical system in a focus servo direction to focus-servo-control the emitted light beam with respect to one of the information record layers on the basis of a focus error signal generated from the light detection signal outputted by the light detector. The optical system is designed so as to satisfy the expression of S<0.63 d/n wherein S represents a distance between two focal points of the actuated optical system which respectively give maximum and minimum values of the focus error signal, d represents an interval between the information record layers, and n represents a refractive index of a spacer medium between the information record layers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical pickup apparatus for reproduction of an information record medium in which information record layers are multiply formed.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical disk such as a DVD (Digital Video or Versatile Disk) may have such a construction that information record layers are multiply formed so as to improve the record density. At a time of reproducing this type of optical disk, the light beam from the optical pickup is condensed or focused on one of the information record layers of the optical disk, and its reflection light is condensed on a photo detector
However, if the light beam is condensed on one information record layer in the above described manner, the reflection light from another information record layer in a defocus condition is superimposed to the record signal at a time of reproducing one information record layer. This results in a cross talk condition of the record signals. Since there is no correlation between the record signals of these information record layers to each other, there is raised a problem that the signal from another information record layer gives a harmful effect as a random noise onto the quality of the record signal of one information record layer to be reproduced.

Optical pickup with an optical system controlled by an actuator with respect to one of the information recording layers


The inventive method comprises compressing roughly half a bun of polyimide foam at a rate of no more than 12 feet per minute from its initial height of approximately 15xe2x80x3, until it reaches a compressed height of no more than 2xe2x80x3. The compression is maintained on the bun for no more than one minute, and then released. The half-bun is then permitted to expand, and it will rebound to approximately 90-95% of its initial height. This conditioned foam may then be cut or otherwise formed into acoustical panels of varying heights and/or configurations, without worry about the ultimate shrinkage after treatment. In addition the treated half-bun may be cut into irregular shapes of more varying dimensions, up to the maximum dimension of the treated half-bun.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of manufacturing sound-absorbent materials, and, more particularly, to a method for treating polyimide foam by compression.
2. Description of the Related Art
In co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/296,632, filed Apr. 22, 1999, a panel for absorbing acoustic energy is described. The disclosure of that application in hereby incorporated by reference.
In the referenced application, a sound absorbing panel of foamed polyimide is described, together with the utility and industrial applicability thereof. The method described therein of manufacturing the sound absorbent panels, describes the known method of manufacturing single panels. This is a time consuming and laborious operation, resulting in panels of higher cost than would be preferred, since the panels are manufactured individually.
In the previously disclosed method, a bun of polyimide foam is prepared in traditional fashion. This bun has standard dimensions of approximately 50xe2x80x3 widexc3x97100xe2x80x3 long and approximately 30xe2x80x3 high. According to the known method of manufacture, this bun is permitted to cure in a container having an open top, so that the cured bun has a rounded top, much like a loaf of bread. According to the known method of manufacturing panels, this bun is then cut into panels having the desired cross section. Each such panel is then conditioned individually. This conditioning consists of compressing a 3xe2x80x3 sheet of material from about 50% to about 75% of its uncompressed height, and thereby produce a densified foam that has an increased density of approximately 7-20%. A panel so conditioned provides increased acoustic absorption.
This method of manufacture has some drawbacks. First, it is time consuming to condition each sheet individually, and it would be advantageous to condition larger quantities of foam.
In addition, since the conditioning process occurs after the foam is cut into its desired shape, it may not have the precise dimensions desired for its ultimate goal, since it will be slightly compressed from its original shape. While it is possible under this prior method to approximate the resultant compressed dimensions, it would be preferable to have more precisely configured sheets utilized in the ultimate application.
Finally, it would be preferred if larger quantities of foam could be conditioned so that larger and differently shaped panels could be produced, which is not possible when foam is processed in smaller quantities.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method for processing and conditioning larger quantities of polyimide foam for use in acoustic absorption.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a new method of treating foam in a bun.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises compressing roughly half a bun of polyimide foam at a rate of no more than 12 feet per minute from its initial height of approximately 15xe2x80x3, until it reaches a compressed height of no more than 2xe2x80x3. The compression is maintained on the half-bun for no more than one minute, and then released. The bun is then permitted to expand, and it will rebound to approximately 90-95% of its initial height. This conditioned foam may then be cut or otherwise formed into acoustical panels of varying heights and/or configurations, without worry about the ultimate shrinkage after treatment. In addition the treated half-bun may be cut into irregular shapes of more varying dimensions, up to the maximum dimension of the treated half-bun.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compression of the treated half-bun will take place at a speed of approximately 5 feet per minute.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

Method of conditioning foam materials by compression


A device for improving vehicle driving safety and comfort is disclosed. The main road sign information encountered during a journey is transmitted to the vehicle, the position of the vehicle on the driving surface is continuously monitored, and the road surface is checked for the presence of foreign matter such as mud, snow, ice, etc. A set of transmitting-receiving sensors (C1, C2) suitably arranged on the vehicle and facing the driving surface continuously observes changes in the reflective properties of the observed areas within the sensitivity range thereof. Markings defining lanes and shoulders lined with grassy, gravelly or sandy areas are sensed by the sensors (C1, C2) as soon as the vehicle approaches or drives over them. The signals from the sensors (C1, C2) are processed by an electronic unit (1) controlling an on-board signalling system (2) linked to an alarm system (3) for warning the driver of road hazards and possible unsafe driving (straying off-course, speeding, etc.). By reacting instantly, the driver thus informed can avoid a potential accident.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns monitoring devices aimed at improving driver safety and comfort without requiring numerous changes to the existing roadway network.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are often dangerous traffic jams on our roads and serious accidents may be caused by a mere lack of attention involving milliseconds.
One of the invention's aims is to provide monitoring devices that will help to draw the driver's attention to dangerous situations. Some solutions recently proposed in order to improve road safety generally demand great changes to the existing roadway network infrastructure, needing external energy sources such as Hertzien transmitters, cameras, etc . . .
Accidents due to the driver's drowsiness or inattention are still frequent because no effective monitoring system exists. Processes being developed and using cameras to observe the driver's posture are not able to detect a momentary distraction and prompt reaction is not always guaranteed.
A previous patent with reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,652 proposes an onboard device to check a motor vehicle straying off course, when moving between the center line and lateral markings of a lane.
The device such as described takes into account only centrally and laterally marked lines of a specific width (between 4 and 5 inches) in a tangential approach of the vehicle which would require a significant change in the lines painted on the roadway network.
This major change to the roadway network would actually only partially monitor the path of the vehicle, thus limiting any development of the system.


An apparatus and method of reducing and fixating bone fragments during osteosynthesis is disclosed. An internal fixation plate has first and second arms forming an acute angle. Attachment locations adapted to secure the plate to bone are located at distal portions of the respective arms. A third attachment location is located intermediate the first and second attachment locations. The arms have both a rigid retainer portion to assist in aligning opposing bone fragments and a flexible portion that desirably conforms to the surface of the bone to which it is to be fastened without requiring a surgeon to attempt to bend the plate prior to fastening it to the bone. A method is described for using the plate in combination with a tension-wire method that uses monocortical screws with stainless-steel wire to reduce and fixate a fracture.

Mandible fractures are common facial injuries, which can occur following severe impacts such as those experienced in motor vehicle accidents and sports. Repair of mandibular fractures first requires bringing the fragments into their correct anatomical position (reduction) and appropriate alignment of the fracture segments so that they can be immobilized (fixated) during fracture healing. When these two goals can be accomplished efficiently and with minimal tissue disruption, the risk of malunion and infection are reduced.
The mandible has an outer surface that is called the outer cortex. Even though this cortical surface is fractured, the bone fragments may not move relative to each other. In general, if the fragments do not move, they are considered stable (or favorable) and are usually managed with conservative techniques, including wiring the upper jaw and the mandible together (intermaxillary fixation or "IMF") to maintain their pre-existing or normal dental occlusion (the way upper and lower teeth meet). When one of the fragments moves towards the cheek or lips (buccal-labial movement), or towards the tongue (lingual movement), it is unstable (or unfavorable) and surgical methods of open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF) must be considered. Treatment of mandibular fractures using an ORIF technique generally proceeds by first performing IMF and then reducing the fractured bone, and then securing (fixating) the bone in place.
Depending upon the anatomic location and the specific characteristics of the fracture site 100, best seen in FIG. 1, fixation is accomplished through a variety of techniques including drilling holes through the bone and wiring them together (interosseous wiring) (not shown) or by using plates. An internal fixation plate 98 is generally a flat, elongated section of rigid metal containing screw holes at various points along its length for receiving screws to fasten the plate to the bone. One or more plates are placed across a fracture line 100 to fix the bone mass on both sides of the fracture to each other. The plates are secured to the bone with fasteners, usually screws. Interosseous wiring is simple, inexpensive, and needs less exposure of the tissue than that required for plate fixation techniques. It can also reduce and fixate the fracture, but this repair is non-rigid and tends to loosen because of the pressure the thin wire threaded through the bone exerts on the comparatively soft cortical bone. Because the forces the patient exerts when chewing (mastication) exceed the elastic limits of the interosseous wires, this technique not only requires the contemporaneous use of IMF during surgery (as is also done with plating) but also for as long as 6 weeks after surgery. Plate systems, however, can often be used without IMF after surgery.
To facilitate bone fracture healing (osteosynthesis), these fixation systems typically employ metallic hardware, including plate and screws, formed of biocompatible, corrosion resistant metals such as titanium and stainless steel. Systems utilizing resorbable materials have also recently been introduced.
While the main advantage of metallic plates is that they are strong and provide rigid stabilization of the fragments during osteosynthesis, they possess a number of inherent shortcomings. First, in order to accomplish reduction of the fragments, the surgeon must bring the bone fragments into proper alignment. This procedure usually requires the use of a surgical assistant who brings the fragments into alignment and then holds them in position either manually, or with a special tool. Second, because the surface of the mandible is not completely flat, the surgeon typically uses instruments to twist, bend and attempt to conform the conventional flat metal plate to the portion of the mandible onto which it is to be affixed. Shaping and re-shaping the rigid metal plates to conform adequately to bone surfaces is largely accomplished through trial and error. This method, usually conducted while the patient is under anesthesia, increases the requirements for anesthesia and operating room time. If the plate is not shaped correctly to conform to the bone surface, the rigid plate creates an additional problem because during osteosynthesis, bony fragments conform to the plate forcing the bone to heal in an anatomically incorrect position, which may result in dental malocclusion (errors in the way the upper and lower teeth meet to chew food).
Some conventional internal fixation plates have a compression feature that uses the force exerted by tightening the screw in the eccentrically shaped hole through the plate to force the fragments together. When this plate is used, a drill bit is used to drill a hole at the outer edge of the (eccentric compression) hole. A screw is then inserted into the hole and tightened enough to hold the plate in approximate position over the fracture site. The surgeon then turns his attention to the opposite fragment and repeats the procedure by drilling another hole to the outside of the opposite (eccentric compression) hole. The two screws are tightened to obtain compression of the fragments. Two additional screws are then placed through the holes in the outer portion of the plate and the system is stabilized. This technique is not very forgiving. Over or under compression of the fragments can cause displacement. If the mandible is inaccurately positioned, malunion or malocclusion may result. To prevent this undesirable, result, the plate may have to be reapplied in a new position.
Conventional rigid internal fixation plating techniques can also increase the opportunity for complications. For example, the exposure necessary for insertion of large plates can devascularize cortical (outer layer of) bony fragments. Plating on both sides of the mandible (bicortical), also risks injury to the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. While rigid plates may effectively restrain the opposing bone fragments against relative movement, as is required to achieve osteosynthesis, when they are not properly positioned, that same rigidity may contribute to bony deformation and malunion.
Rigid fixation of unstable, distracted mandibular fractures is often associated with a "catch-22" problem that requires accurate reduction to fixate while simultaneously needing some method of temporarily fixating the fragments in reduction in order to apply the chosen rigid fixation.
A tension-wire method that uses monocortical screws with stainless-steel wire for fracture reduction and fixation in conjunction with intermaxillary fixation has been described in Wang et al., Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 124 (April 1998)448-452. In Wang, two screw holes for 2.0-mm-diameters self-tapping titanium or stainless-steel screws, 4 or 6 mm in length, are placed perpendicular to and on each side of the fracture line. Monocortical screws are placed approximately 4 to 6 mm from the fracture line. The screws are then tightened down and then reversed 2 turns to allow a 24-gauge stainless-steel wire loop to be passed around them and fit underneath the head of the first screw. The wire loop, which is tightened around the two screws, both reduces and fixates the opposing sides of the fractured bone. Because the head of the screws are conical, tightening the screws results in further reduction of the fragments.
While the above described tension-wire method (TWM) was originally devised as a method of temporary reduction for rigid fixation, it has been found to be a stable and effective method of fixation. When compared to methods utilizing miniplates, or dynamic compression plates, the TWM also requires less dissection and exposure of the tissues than that required for plating or lag screw techniques, and it is applicable to most simple fractures of the parasymphysis, body, angle, and ramus without the need for external incisions. TWM reduces and fixates the fracture simultaneously and can also be used to reduce an unstable fracture. The TWM is quite strong when two or more planes of fixation can be achieved. Other screw and wire loops can be added to adjust reduction. Despite its advantages, one disadvantage of the TWM alone, which is not encountered with plate and lag screw rigid fixation devices, is the concurrent need for use of IMF, which precludes immediate oral rehabilitation. Because IMF generally supplements the TWM, it should not be used where IMF is contraindicated, such as elderly, debilitated patients and those with increased nutritional demands for whom early oral rehabilitation is important.
Finite element analysis of TWM demonstrates that because the wire is usually plastically deformed while being tightened, it suffers from lack of strength to support biting forces (mastication) during the period of fracture healing. Since IMF must generally supplement TWM, the patient's jaw is required to remain wired for several weeks after the ORIF. While plating devices could be used in conjunction with TWM to dispense with IMF postoperatively, that technique would not solve the problems associated with the use of rigid metal plates.
The TWM is comparatively quick and easy to use because it simultaneously combines reduction and fixation, does not increase the complication rate, and has a low cost. This makes TWM an attractive alternative to current methods of mandibular internal reduction and fixation for simple and/or unstable fractures. In order to meet all the goals of mandibular fracture repair however, and reduce the problems encountered with existing internal fixation techniques using metal plates, utilize the benefits of TWM, and eliminate the need for IMF after surgery, a new device is desirable.

Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno


The lubricity of a drilling fluid or a completion fluid may be increased by incorporating into the fluid a water-soluble or water-dispersible salt of a sulfonated (sulfated) vegetable oil or a derivative thereof, such as a sulfonated (sulfated) castor oil. Suitable derivatives include the sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium or ammonium salt. A non-ionic or anionic surfactant which is capable of enhancing the solubility of the salt may further be incorporated into the drilling fluid or completion fluid.

Drilling fluids or muds are commonly circulated in the well during drilling operations in order to cool and lubricate the drilling apparatus, lift cuttings out of the wellbore and counterbalance the subterranean formation pressure encountered during drilling. An important function of a drilling fluid is to reduce the considerable torque on the rotating drill stem caused by the friction between the outside of the drill pipe comprising the drill stem and the wall of the well and/or casing strings. Drilling through offsets, deep wells and highly deviated or horizontal wells results in increased frictional forces, increasing the demand on the lubricating properties of the drilling fluids.
After drilling a well to the total depth, it is a normal practice to replace the drilling mud with a completion fluid. A completion fluid is typically a solids-free (or acid soluble), non-damaging formulation, which is intended to minimize reductions in permeability of the producing zone. The density of the completion fluid is generally selected and controlled to ensure that the hydrostatic head or pressure of the fluid in the wellbore will match the hydrostatic pressure of the column of drilling fluid being displaced.
The oil and gas industry has used brines for well drilling and well completions for more than thirty years. High density brines have been found to have particular applicability in deep wells, such as those that descend 15,000 to 30,000 feet (4,500 to 10,000 meters). Exemplary of high density brines are sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium bromide, calcium bromide, zinc bromide, potassium formate, cesium formate and sodium formate brines.
While high density brines have been found to be functional in providing the lubricity and viscosity of a well treatment fluid under extreme shear, pressure and temperature variances, they are often ineffective because they are unable to exhibit the constant lubricity which is required during high shear conditions.
During the operation of deep wells, as well as in extended reach and/or high angle wells, it is necessary for the brine-containing well treatment fluid to exhibit increased lubricity. The need for increased lubricity is most marked in those instances during wellbore cleanup, wireline operations, coil tubing operations and during the running of production tubulars.
The literature reports various additives for use as lubricating agents in drilling fluids as well as completion fluids. Many of the reported additives are not, however, compatible with clear brines or drilling fluids or completion fluids which have brine as a major component. In addition, many additives used as lubricating agents in drilling fluids and/or completion fluids today have presented environmental concerns and tend to be costly.
A need exists therefore for lubricating agents which may be used in brine-based drilling fluids and/or completion fluids. Such lubricating agents need to lower torque and drag by reducing metal to metal friction. Furthermore, they need to be useful in the prevention of differential sticking of downhole tubulars. Such lubricating agents further must be environmentally friendly.

Method of increasing lubricity of brine-based drilling fluids and completion brines


There is provided a cyanide-free immersion type electroless gold plating liquid that is low in toxicity, can be used near a neutral ph, and has a good solder adhesion and plating film adhesion. The electroless gold plating liquid contains a cyanide-free water-soluble gold compound and a pyrosulfurous acid compound. The plating liquid may further contain a sulfurous acid compound and an aminocarboxylic acid compound. Pyrosulfurous acid or an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or another such salt thereof can be used as the pyrosulfurous acid compound.

Immersion type electroless gold plating liquids have been used to form an intermediate layer in an effort to improve the solder adhesion of circuits, terminals, and so forth in printed wiring boards, and to improve the adhesion of reductive gold plating and the like. Most of the gold plating liquids used for this purpose contain a toxic cyanide compound as a gold compound, but concerns for environment and workplace require cyanide-free gold plating liquids that do not contain toxic substances.
Patent applications that have been filed for cyanide-free substitutional gold plating liquids include those that make use of gold sulfite compounds (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3,030,113 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-13249), those that make use of a salt of gold sulfites or chloroaurates (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. H8-291389), and those that make use of gold sulfite, gold chloride, gold thiosulfate, or gold mercaptocarboxylates (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. H10-317157). The electroless gold plating liquids discussed in these are cyanide-free and therefore low in toxicity, and can be used close to neutral. But, a problem is their inferior solder adhesion and plating film adhesion. "Plating film adhesion" refers to the adhesion between an immersion type electroless gold plating film and the substrate and, when an immersion type electroless gold plating film is used as an intermediate layer, refers to the adhesion between the layers above and below the film.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A modular signpost including a first section, a second section that mounts onto the first section, and a third section that mounts onto the second section. The first section includes a ground mounting structure, a base tube and a guide tube. The second section includes a bracket for holding a flyer box. The second section includes a body tube that is able to slide over the guide tube on the first section. The third section is slide fit into the second section.

In real estate and a number of other fields it is very useful to have a sign post for indicating information (e.g., that a property is for sale) to the public in a conspicuous manner. Commonly the signs currently in use are usually manufactured of 4×4 lumber sections joined to form a vertical post and horizontal top arm. The signs hang from the bottom of the horizontal arm and additional banners may be placed on top of the horizontal arm. For example, the name of the real estate company and agent may be positioned on S-hooks below the horizontal arm (mounted on a ring or hook secured into the horizontal arm) while "sale pending" or other sale information may be placed at the top of the horizontal arm. A flyer box is commonly nailed or otherwise secured to one side of the vertical post facing the street or the area accessed by viewers. This flyer box allows those viewing the sign post to approach the sign post and take away a flyer. The flyer provides printed information about the property being sold or other useful information.
The 4×4 lumber sign posts are rather heavy and bulky to transport and challenging to install and remove. Professional installers are commonly used to install and remove signs. This creates additional cost and causes a delay in placing the sign.
More recently arm post signs have been manufactured from lighter gauge metal square tubing and plastic (e.g., PVC) square tubing. These sign posts have been installed by digging holes and setting the vertical section into place in the hole or driving iron stakes through a holding bracket or tubing which is in turn attached to the vertical post. To mount any of these devices into the ground generally requires a number of different tools for the installation of the sign. These may include a shovel or other digging tool to create a hole into which the vertical pole is placed or any hammer or other striking tool for the installation of the post into the ground. Some signs have been designed requiring a specialty tool.
An alternative to a large, heavy monolithic device is the use of an arm post sign which may be disassembled. Such devices generally require some assembly hardware such as bolts or screws, to secure the various parts or sections of the signs together. Commonly end caps are installed to cap the ends of the sign posts to create a more natural and attractive appearance.
An object of the Applicant is to provide a less bulky arm sign which can be transported and installed by an individual user, such as a real estate agent. As a further object that this device sections may be used for installing the sign such that additional tools are not necessary for either installing the sign or removing the sign.


A method and apparatus for completing a wellbore junction, wherein, in one embodiment, a first leg of a screen is fastened within a first tubular with a preformed window. The first tubular houses a whipstock with a cut-out portion containing a folded second leg of the screen. The first tubular is lowered into a junction of a central and a lateral wellbore. A second tubular is lowered within the first tubular and catches an end of the folded second leg of the screen thereby unfolding and expanding the screen as the second tubular is guided into the lateral wellbore.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for completing wells, such as hydrocarbon and water wells. Particularly, the present invention relates to junctions in multilateral wellbores. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and methods for forming and completing junctions, especially junctions designed for solids exclusion.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hydrocarbon wells are typically formed with a central wellbore that is supported by steel casing. The steel casing lines the borehole formed in the earth during the drilling process. This creates an annular area between the casing and the borehole, which is filled with cement to further support and form the wellbore.
Some wells are produced by perforating the casing of the wellbore at selected depths where hydrocarbons are found. Hydrocarbons migrate from the formation, through the perforations, and into the cased wellbore. In some instances, a lower portion of a wellbore is left open, that is, it is not lined with casing. This is known as an open hole completion. In that instance, hydrocarbons in an adjacent earth formation migrate directly into the wellbore where they are subsequently raised to the surface, typically through an artificial lift system.
Junctions between wellbores are commonplace and are useful to reduce costs associated with drilling, to more completely access a formation and to permit multiple formations to be accessed from a single central wellbore. Typically, a lateral wellbore is formed from a central wellbore at some predetermined location with the use of a whipstock or some other type of diverter. The lateral wellbore may be formed along with the central wellbore or it may be formed at a later time when the need arises to access some other formation or some other portion of a formation already being produced. When lateral wellbores are drilled from an existing, cased wellbore, a window is formed in a wall of the casing by milling and then the lateral wellbore is drilled through the window.
However the lateral wellbore is formed, the junction between it and the central wellbore becomes a critical part of the well. In some instances, the lateral wellbore is left unlined and a tubular string is inserted therein to transport wellbore fluids. In other cases, a screen type tubular is inserted into the wellbore to collect fluids that migrate from a surrounding formation. In still other cases, the lateral wellbore is lined with a tubular that is centered in place and perforated at some point to permit the introduction of hydrocarbons. In some cases, it is important to hydraulically isolate a lateral wellbore from the central wellbore. Towards this end, hardware has been developed that is insertable into the area of the junction with tubular members that provide connection means for tubulars running up and down the central wellbore and running out into the lateral wellbore. Through the use of packers and seals, the wellbores can be "plumbed" (or "plugged") in a variety of ways that prevent the co-mingling of fluids between wellbores or portions of the wellbores. A variety of completion options are employed, including the use of a shared production string for delivering production from producing zones in both the primary and lateral wellbores to the surface. Alternatively, separate production tubulars may be used. In any event, it is oftentimes desirable to place sand screens at the actual zones of production in the primary and lateral wellbores.
Because of their complexity, these junction-lining devices are very expensive to manufacture and their insertion into a wellbore is complex. More importantly, it is not always necessary or even desirable to utilize a device in a wellbore junction that prevents commingling of fluids. Sometimes, the only need is provide some type of structure that will enhance the strength of the junction while not reducing the internal diameter of the wellbores. For example, junctions that are left completely unlined are more likely to suffer cave in or be adversely affected by pressure spikes from one of the wellbores or from a surrounding formation. Additionally, unlined wellbores have no means to prevent solids from entering the junction and interfering with the production of liquid hydrocarbons. In that respect, an open hole leaves aggregate material, including sand, free to invade the wellbore.
Sand production can result in premature failure of artificial lift and other downhole and surface equipment. Sand can build up in the borehole and tubing to obstruct fluid flow. Particles can compact and erode surrounding formations to cause liner and casing failures. In addition, produced sand becomes difficult to handle and dispose of at the surface. Ultimately, open holes carry the risk of complete collapse of the formation into the wellbore.
Heretofore, gravel packs have been utilized in wells to preserve the integrity of the formed borehole, and to prevent the production of formation sand. In gravel packing operations, a pack of gravel, e.g., graded sand, is placed in the annulus between a perforated or slotted liner or screen and the walls of the wellbore in the producing interval. The resulting structure provides a barrier to migrating sand from the producing formation while allowing the flow of produced fluids.
While gravel packs inhibit the production of sand with formation fluids, they often fail and require replacement due, for example, to the deterioration of the perforated or slotted liner or screen as a result of corrosion or the like. In addition, the initial installation of a gravel pack adds considerable expense to the cost of completing a well. The removal and replacement of a failed gravel pack is even more costly.
To better control particle flow from unconsolidated formations, an improved form of well screen has been recently developed. The well screen is known as an expandable sand screen, or "ESS tool." The ESS is run into the wellbore at the lower end of a liner string and is expanded into engagement with the surrounding formation, thereby obviating the need for a separate gravel pack. In general, the ESS is constructed from three composite layers, including a perforated base pipe, a protective, slotted outer shroud, and an intermediate filter media. The filter media allows hydrocarbons to invade the wellbore, but filters sand and other unwanted particles from entering. Both the base pipe and the outer shroud are expandable, with the woven filter being arranged over the base pipe in sheets that partially cover one another and slide across one another as the sand screen is expanded.
The issues related to unlined junctions are most critical during the time a lateral wellbore is being drilled; long before a conventional junction support could be installed. An operator may want to produce fluids from a formation adjacent the wellbore junction and it is therefore desirable to permit fluids to pass into the wellbore at the junction. However, known hardware used to form the junction is comprised of solid metal materials. Thus, production from the formation at the point of the junction itself has heretofore been impossible. Additionally, it is not unusual to produce from a single formation that is intersected by both the central and lateral wellbores. In these cases, there is no reason to prevent co-mingling of the fluids between the wellbores. Finally, there are instances when cemented junctions become brittle or are damaged by pressure differentials. In these instances, some type of support placed in the junction prior to cementing could serve as a reinforcement of the cement and provide a longer lasting more robust junction.
A further benefit may be gained from using perforated junction hardware even if production from the junction is not desired. Fluid permeable junction hardware will not have to sustain high external formation pressure or contain high internal pressure which could damage solid junction hardware.
Accordingly, a need exists for a method and apparatus for completing a wellbore wherein support is provided for the junction in a multilateral wellbore. Further, a need exists for junction hardware that is not fluid sealed. Still further, a need exists for a junction fabricated from an expandable sand screen so as to prevent sand from entering the production string or otherwise traveling to the surface and being produced.

Apparatus and methods to complete wellbore junctions


A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) that stores the logic and data for providing advanced voice services (AVS) including Push-to-Talk (P2T), Push-to-Conference (P2C), Upgrade to Conference (upgrade from P2T to P2C), Push-to-Message (P2M) and group SMS (Short Message Service), on wireless handsets and networks. When inserted into a handset, the AVS functionality is available for use on the handset, wherein the functionality includes menu displays for the handset, as well as user interaction with the menu displays. The SIM also stores logic and data for providing presence and availability functions on the handset. In addition, the SIM stores the logic and data for providing contact and group management on the handset.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to wireless communications systems, and more specifically, to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) enabling Advanced Voice Services (AVS) including Push-to-Talk (P2T), Push-to-Conference (P2C) and Push-to-Message (P2M) on wireless handsets and networks.
2. Description of Related Art
Group-based voice services, such as two-way half-duplex voice calls within a group or between individuals, also known as "Push-to-Talk," "Press-to-Talk," PTT or P2T, have enormous revenue earnings potential for wireless networks, such as cellular networks and personal communications systems (PCS) networks.
Moreover, the Assignee has introduced Advanced Voice Services (AVS) including improved implementations for P2T, as well as novel group-based voice services such as Push-to-Conference (P2C), Upgrade to Conference (upgrade from P2T to P2C), Push-to-Message (P2M) and group SMS (Short Message Service), for wireless handsets and networks. More information on these advanced voice services can be found in the cross-referenced applications identified above.
To support these advanced voice services, improved handsets are required. Of special interest are handsets that use SIMs (Subscriber Identity Modules). SIMs are embedded with circuitry and when inserted into a handset provides wireless phone service on a particular network. In this context, SIM is generically used to represent SIM (GSM), R-UIM (CDMA) and ISIM.USIM (3G networks).
SIMs store most of the logic required of a handset for providing cellular service, as well as many other functions, including call logs, voice mail, SMS (Short Message Service) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) for Internet access. In addition, SIMs store contact information and other user information, making such information portable among handsets.
Consequently, there is a need in the art for handsets that support advanced voice services for wireless communications systems, and more specifically, to SIMs that support advanced voice services, such as Push-to-Talk (P2T), Push-to-Conference (P2C), Upgrade to Conference (upgrade from P2T to P2C), Push-to-Message (P2M) and group SMS (Short Message Service). The present invention aims to satisfy this need.

Subscriber identity module (SIM) enabling advanced voice services (AVS) including push-to-talk, push-to-conference and push-to-message on wireless handsets and networks


A method of testing for impurities includes directing an x-ray source toward a surface at an angle α relative to the plane of the surface, the surface defined by a ceramic coating over a crystalline substrate; detecting x-ray fluorescent radiation emitted from the ceramic coating at an angle θ different from the angle α and its supplementary angle; and comparing characteristics of the detected x-ray fluorescent radiation to characteristics associated with impurities.

In industries, such as the semiconductor, microfluidics, micro-electromechanical (MEMs), and optical industries, the quality of substrates and layers upon which or within which devices are constructed influences the performance of such devices. In particular, impurities within substrates or ceramic layers can influence the performance of the substrate or can leach into other device layers, influencing the functionality of other layers or influencing the performance of the device. As such, testing substrates and ceramic layers for impurities can improve process control and enhance device performance.
Conventional techniques for testing quality and composition of ceramic layers on substrates rely upon destructive testing. A sample from a batch of coated substrates is selected and subjected to destructive testing. From the results of the destructive testing, the quality and composition of the substrates and coatings of the remaining substrates is inferred. However, such testing reduces yields by destroying expensive substrate stock and may have limited use when dealing with ceramic coatings that are resistant to conventional destructive testing methods.
As such, an improved testing method would be desirable.
The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

System and method for testing ceramic coatings


Apparatus for sensing information regarding a surface including a first plurality of optical elements arranged to acquire two dimensional information about a surface, a second plurality of optical elements arranged to acquire topographical information about the surface, wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of optical elements are arranged to simultaneously provide the two dimensional information and the topographical information to at least partially non-overlapping portions of a single sensor array.

It is well know to employ automated optical inspect systems to inspect electrical circuits such as printed circuit boards (PCB) for defects at various stages of fabrication. An important stage in fabricating electrical circuits is the deposition of solder paste onto a PCB, prior to mounting of electronic devices such as microchips and other semiconductor devices. In fact, a substantial percentage of defects in electronic devices can be attributed to defects associated with problems related to the deposition of solder paste. Early identification of these problems can result in a considerable cost savings to a manufacturer of electronic devices.
Various factors are commonly recognized as determining the quality of solder paste deposits, including: position accuracy of each solder paste deposit over a solder pad; average thickness of a solder paste deposit; and differences in the volume of each solder paste deposit.
Consequently, an effective system for automatically optically inspecting solder paste deposits should to be able to precisely determine both 2 dimensional as well as topographical information (height information for various locations) relating to the surface of a printed circuit board onto which solder paste has been deposited. This information needs to be sensed and processed at a high speed in order to avoid forming a bottle neck during the assembly of electronic components onto an assembled electronic circuit device.

Method and apparatus for simultaneous 2-D and topographical inspection


A ribbon feeding device for a printer, which is simple in structure and easy to assemble and in which engagement between a pinion supported on a carriage and a rack is maintained when the carriage for carrying a printing head moves toward and away from the rack without providing the rack with any engaging member. An arm is swingably supported on the carriage at one end thereof, and the pinion engaged with the rack and operatively connected with a transmission mechanism is rotatably supported on the other end of the arm. One end of a torsion coil spring for urging the pinion towards the rack is engaged with the arm and at the other end thereof is engaged with the carriage. In accordance with the movement of the carriage toward and away from the rack, the arm swings to keep the engagement between the pinion and the rack appropriately.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a ribbon feeding device for feeding a ribbon of an ink ribbon cassette, which is detachably mounted on at carriage, in one way.
2. Description of Related Art:
There is known a ribbon feeding device having a rack extending in the moving direction of a carriage, a V-shaped arm having a proximal end pivotally mounted on a pivot on the carriage, a pinion rotatably mounted on one distal end of the arm and meshing with the rack, and a ribbon winding mechanism operatively connected to the pinion, so as to rotate a winding shaft of the ribbon winding mechanism by the rotational force of the pinion in mesh with the rack by the movement of the carriage, from Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 5-562.
In this ribbon feeding device, the other distal end of the arm is connected to a printing-head-mounting plate on which a printing head is mounted, and an approaching/retracting mechanism is provided for moving the printing-head-attaching plate toward and away from a platen with respect to the carriage. When the printing head is moved toward the platen by the approaching/retracting mechanism, the one distal end of the arm is moved toward the rack so that the pinion is brought into engagement with the rack, to operate the ribbon winding mechanism to wind the ribbon. When the printing head is retracted away from the platen by the approaching/retracting mechanism, the one distal end of the arm is moved away from the rack so that the pinion is brought out of engagement with the rack, so as to make the ribbon winding mechanism inoperative not to wind the ribbon.
A printer is known from Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-340159, in which a carriage for carrying a printing head is slidably fitted on a guide shaft to be moved longitudinally of the platen and the carriage is also moved toward and away from the platen in accordance with the thickness of the individual paper sheet by an eccentric angular movement of the guide shaft so as to print on various kinds of paper sheets of differing thicknesses. A pinion is provided on the carriage to be engaged with a rack extending in the moving direction of the carriage in front of the guide shaft and is rotated by the longitudinal movement of the carriage, so that an ink ribbon of the ink ribbon cassette on the carriage is fed by the rotating force of the pinion. A cassette-attaching base mounted on the carriage is slidably engaged with the rack, and the rack is arranged slightly movable in the direction toward and away from the platen and is urged away from the carriage by a spring to keep the pinion in mesh with a rack while the carriage is moved toward and away from the platen.
The rack has first and second guide grooves along its length for engaging the rack with the carriage in this printer, and the cassette-attaching base mounted on the carriage has first and second rack-engaging ridges to be fitted in the first and second guide grooves, respectively, so that the front wall of the rack is sandwiched between the first and second rack-engaging ridges.
Further, a slider for rotatably supporting the pinion is slidably fitted to the first and second guide grooves, respectively, and the pinion has a large-diameter-gear section meshing with the rack and a small-diameter-gear section operatively connected to a ribbon feed mechanism.
According to the above arrangement, in order to prevent the pinion from coming out of engagement with the rack, it is necessary to provide the rack with the first and second guide grooves and to provide the cassette-attaching base with the first and second rack-engaging ridges as well as the sliders. Therefore, the apparatus is complex in structure and hence expensive to manufacture. Further, since the cassette-attaching base has to be engaged with the rack and the slider has to be slidably fitted to the first and second guide grooves, assembling of the device would be laborious and time-consuming.


An optical communication system is disclosed. The optical communication system comprises an optical transmitter and a substantially circular multi-mode optical fiber. The optical transmitter comprises a generator of at least two free space circular vortices and comprises an optical element configured to receive the at least two free space circular vortices and to couple them to an input facet of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is configured to receive at the input facet the at least two free space circular vortices and is configured to generate therefrom at least two corresponding guided circular vortices having respective propagation constants, wherein the values of the propagation constants at a defined frequency are different each other.

Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to the field of the communication over an optical fiber. More in particular, the present invention concerns a communication system over a multi-mode optical fiber by means of the selection of a suitable sub-set of modes.
Description of the Related Art
An optical fiber is capable to provide a high bandwidth and thus it allows the transmission of digital information at high bit rates.
The wavelength division multiplexing technology (known as WDM) has allowed to increase the transmission capacity over a mono-mode optical fiber, but this could be not enough to satisfy the considerable increase of the required bandwidth.
An optical fiber with circular symmetry is capable of supporting a plurality of propagation modes and thus is referred as multi-mode optical fiber. The propagation modes are obtained by means of the solution of the Maxwell equations in the optical fiber, taking into account the boundary conditions between the core and the cladding of the optical fiber; a single propagation constant β is associated to each propagation mode, so that the electro-magnetic field variation along the axis z of the optical fiber is described only by one phase term of the type exp(i*β*z), wherein i is the imaginary unit. The vector modes are commonly indicated by TE (transverse electric), TM (transverse magnetic), EH (hybrid with electric dominance), HE (hybrid with magnetic dominance) and are classified based on two indexes v≧0, m≧1 having integer values, wherein index v indicates the angular trend of the electric field and index m indicates the radial trend of the electric field. Moreover, it is known that the trend of the transverse component of the electric (and magnetic) field of HE type (and of EH type) can have an even-type symmetry or an odd-type symmetry (see for example FIG. 2(b) of A. W. Snyder, W. R. Young, Modes of optical waveguides, Optical Society of America, 1978).
Techniques for transmitting information over a multi-mode optical fiber are known, such as for example the MIMO technique (Multiple Input Multiple Output): see H. R. Stuart, "Dispersive multiplexing in multimode optical fiber", Science, 289, 281 (2000). This technique has the disadvantage to require at the reception side a complex electronic processing of the digital signal, thus requiring high performance processors, which consume high power values. Moreover, the use of a complex electronic processing has the disadvantage of increasing the latency, which could be unacceptable in some applications, such as for example in metropolitan telecommunications networks.
Therefore it would be a technical benefit to be able to find techniques which allow the management of the different modes as independent communication channels. It would be beneficial to avoid or reduce the mixing of the different modes with each other during the propagation and then be able to more easily discriminate such modes in the reception side, namely to prevent the problem known as "mode coupling".

Mode multiplexing optical communication system


Methods, systems, and devices are described herein for delivering protected data to a trusted execution environment (TrEE) associated with a potentially untrusted requestor. In one aspect, a targeting protocol head may receive a request for protected data from a potentially untrusted requestor associated with a TrEE, and an attestation statement of the TrEE. The targeting protocol head may retrieve the protected data, and obtain a targeting key of the TrEE from, for example, the request in the case of clean room provisioning, or the attestation statement. The targeting protocol head may generate targeted protected data by encrypting the protected data with the targeting key, and provide the targeted protected data to the potentially untrusted requestor, where a private targeting key of the TrEE is required to decrypt the targeted protected data.

A key management system (KMS) is a store of secrets. A secret typically has a public ID, a guarded value and a policy controlling who can obtain the value. In some cases, the secret may also have an expiration date and other metadata, and so on. In a typical use case, a requestor authenticates to a KMS, establishes a secure channel, requests the secret value by providing the secret ID, and expects the KMS to return to it the plaintext secret value. The value is protected from unauthorized eavesdropping and tampering by the secure channel between the requestor and the KMS.
A Trusted Execution Environment (TrEE), as used herein, can include any one of: a virtual secure mode (VSM) trustlet, an SGX application, an ARM TrustZone application or some other similar vehicle. There are some unique properties that TrEEs generally have in common. A TrEE will generally have a full crypto stack (in other words, one can assume a wide variety of cryptographic primitives across the entire spectrum, from secure random number generation to a full menu of hashing, encryption and signing libraries using secret keys). A TrEE will also generally have or be associated with few or limited I/O facilities, typically limited to a request driven architecture where requests are initiated by the untrusted "outside world". For example, a VSM trustlet may use unauthenticated Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs). TrEEs may also have access to key material or data that is unavailable outside of TrEE. This allows a TrEE, among other things, to store data using untrusted I/O and then read it back, assuring tamper-resistance and confidentiality of state. A TrEE will also generally have or be associated with attestable code, configuration and key material. In particular, attestable key material allows the TrEE to receive messages encrypted to it from 3rd parties and sign messages to 3rd parties as coming from the TrEE.
As with other applications, the use of a KMS with a TrEE may present security limitations. Accordingly, improvements can be made to improve security utilizing keys sourced from a KMS with or in TrEEs.

Addressing a trusted execution environment


A data acquisition system having setup duplication capability so that the setup or portions of the setup of one appliance can be duplicated onto other appliances by electronic means without affecting the identity of each appliance. More particularly, a method and apparatus are provided for effecting a setup record change throughout a plurality of appliances. A first appliance communicates with an external probe that has a memory including at least a first and a second buffer. The setup record of the first appliance is stored in the first buffer. A second appliance is then communicated with through use of the probe and its setup parameter of the setup record buffer, then at lest one setup parameter of the setup record stored in the second buffer is replaced by a setup parameter of the setup record stored in the first buffer to create a new setup record and the contents of the second buffer are transmitted to the second appliance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to the field of data acquisition systems, and in particular, to a data acquisition system having setup duplication capability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the commercial laundry field it is desirable to provide laundry appliances, such as washers and dryers, with owner selectable features. For example, a laundromat owner or route operator may wish to configure one or more appliances to provide for each appliance a selected cycle length for a selected price. Owners may wish to configure or reconfigure similar appliances to provide similar operation.
For these reasons, manufacturers of such appliances often provide ways in which the appliance can be configured or reconfigured as desired. For example, the coin receiving mechanisms typically utilized in conjunction with vending machines, including commercial laundry appliances, permit the owner to select a desired vend price from a range of available prices. Many techniques are known for providing such selectable pricing, including techniques for mechanically adjusting an electro-mechanical coin mechanism or counter. Examples of such mechanical adjustment means are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,097 (Kresta et al.) and 4,844,229 (Friedman et al.) which employ three-way adjustable price setters and linkage quickly to change the coin control mechanism among any one of three preset prices. A vender which can easily preset the vend price by suitably opening and closing a plurality of switches is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,775 (Hayashi). Furthermore, electronic means are commonly used to adjust an electro-mechanical coin mechanism or counter. For example, electronic adjustment means utilizing selection switches which are also used for sale purposes to store data in a microcomputer vending machine are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,316,532 (Levasseur) and 4,706,794 (Awane et al.).
An appliance programmer integrated circuit having a basic program of operation which may be modified two ways is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,599 (Karklys). The basic program may be automatically altered by a program change command circuit which is incorporated in the programmer circuit and which scans certain terminals of the circuit to determine the particular program application. In addition, the operator is provided with switches for selectively altering the basic program.
Similar adjustments have been provided for certain mechanical operations of an appliance. For example, electronic and electro-mechanical timers have been used in conjunction with washers and dryers in a commercial laundry environment wherein user-selectable timing intervals are provided. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,014 (Harris) describes a mechanically adjustable interval cycle timer. Rotation of a setting shaft changes the angular position of a stop lug which in turn controls the starting position of a lug on a reset gear. U.S. Pat. No. 3,112,378 (Holzer) describes a mechanical device for changing the program of washing machines by using switching means controlled by a keyplate.
State-of-the-art commercial laundry appliances today further incorporate data accumulation and communication capabilities. For example, switches or electro-optical detectors may be provided to monitor certain aspects of machine operation, such as monies deposited, cycles vended, certain door openings, power failures and other useful information. These data may be retained in electronic memory within the appliance and subsequently communicated to a portable collection unit, such as a hand held probe or computer. Systems of this type are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,369,442 (Werth et al.); 4,216,461 (Werth et al.) and 4,306,219 (Main et al.). In such a system, the laundry appliance is provided with an appropriate means for establishing communication with an external device, such as an infrared optical communication link.
It is known to utilize electronic means for configuring the operating parameters of a vending machine. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,539 (Heeger) describes a sequence controller utilizing a microprocessor to control timing and other sequence information in connection with a vending machine. The specific timing parameters are alterable electronically by means of a service module which may be coupled to the vending machine to alter certain memory code corresponding to sequence timing and other aspects of the machine operation, as desired. Thus, the vending machine is flexibly reconfigurable for various modes of operation, utilizing a detachable electronic module.
The prior approaches for permitting a user to selectably configure an appliance as described above have many limitations. For example, when parameters for individual machines are altered by a single service module having setup information stored in its memory a substantial waste of time and expense is incurred. This waste is evident if a second machine is to be setup identically to the first machine, the same setup information must be entered into the memory of the service module for the second machine because parameters for each machine contain information which is unique to that machine, such as identification number and position. If the same setup used for the first machine was used on the second machine, the first and second machines would become indistinguishable. Thus if many appliances are to be setup with similar or identical parameters, it becomes time consuming to enter the same or similar setup information for each machine in the memory of the service module before transmitting it to the appropriate machine.
It is also desirable to provide commercial laundry appliances having data acquisition systems which allow setup records or portions of setup records to be copied from one appliance to another without altering information concerning the identity of each appliance. Unfortunately, none of the prior art devices or methods provide for such a duplication capability.

Data acquisition system having setup duplication capability


A pneumatic tool of the front exhaust type is composed of a main body, a rotary end member, a connection member, three leakproof rings, a noise reducing plate, and a flow adjusting set. The main body has a tubular extension portion. The rotary end member has a body provided with a first hole and a second hole. The first hole has a hole diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tubular extension portion, and a length equal to the length of the tubular extension portion. The second hole is in communication with the first hole and is greater in hole diameter than the first hole. The connection member is received in the tubular extension portion via the second hole. The connection member has a threaded portion provided with at least one leakproof ring so as to enable the connection member to be fastened pivotally with the rotary end member when the connection member is fastened with the tubular extension portion.

The conventional pneumatic tool is generally composed of a housing in which an air chamber and an air duct are located. The air duct is in communication with the air chamber in which a fan blade is located such that the fan blade is linked with a working portion. The compressed air is guided into the air chamber to drive the fan blade so as to work the working portion.
Such conventional pneumatic tool as described above is defective in design in that it makes use of a tubular body to connect the air duct and the source of the compressed air, and that a rotary joint is used to connect the tubular body and the housing. The rotary joint is often the source of trouble in view of the fact that the rotary joint can not meet the specification requirements of the pneumatic tool, and that the rotary joint is vulnerable to leak after the prolonged use of the pneumatic tool. In addition, the conventional pneumatic tool is provided with an extended air exhaust tube for reducing the noise level of the pneumatic tool. However, such extended air exhaust tube hardly works to reduce the noise level. Moreover, the air duct of the conventional pneumatic tool is provided with a flow adjusting cross rod for regulating the flow of the compressed air. In operation, the flow adjusting cross rod must be pulled along the axial direction and then rotated radially. In other words, the flow adjusting cross rod complicates the operation of the conventional pneumatic tool.


A pyrene compound represented by general formula (1):                wherein X represents one of a naphthalene ring and phenanthrene ring: when X represents the naphthalene ring, a 1-pyrenyl group indicated in general formula (1) is bonded to a 2-position of the naphthalene ring; when X represents the phenanthrene ring, the 1-pyrenyl group is bonded to one of a 2-position and a 3-position of the phenanthrene ring; and R1 and R2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group.

An organic EL device is a device that includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic compound layer interposed between the anode and the cathode. Holes and electrons supplied from the anode and the cathode excite the zorganic compound contained in the organic compound layer and light is emitted when the organic compound returns to its ground state.
In PTL 1, a compound A1 represented as below is used as a host material of an emission layer of a blue light-emitting device.

Pyrene compound and organic electroluminescent device including the same


A rotatable tool for chip removing machining, including a basic body having front and rear ends between which there extends a first geometrical center axis, and a loose top having front and rear ends between which a second geometrical center axis extends. The front end of the basic body includes a jaw, which is delimited by two drivers and an intermediate bottom and in which a part of the loose top is received. A centering pin protrudes axially rearward from the loose top and is inserted in an axial center hole, which mouths in the bottom of the jaw and in which a threaded hole mouths for a screw co-operating with the center pin. The center hole includes a cylindrical support surface, which is concentric with the center axis of the basic body and against which the centering pin of the loose top is pressed by the screw.

More recently, drilling tools as well as milling tools have been developed, which, contrary to integral solid tools, are composed of two parts, viz. a basic body and a head detachably connected with the same and thereby being replaceable, in which head the requisite cutting edges are included. In such a way, the major part of the tool can be manufactured from a comparatively inexpensive material having a moderate modulus of elasticity, such as steel, while a smaller part, viz. the head, can be manufactured from a harder and more expensive material, such as cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics and the like, which gives the cutting edges a good chip-removing capacity, good machining precision and long service life. In other words, the head forms a wear part, which can be discarded after wear-out, while the basic body can be re-used several times. A now recognized denomination of such, cutting edge-carrying heads is "loose tops", which henceforth will be used herein together with the concept "loose top tools".
On rotatable tools of the loose top type, several requirements are made, one of which is that the loose top should be held centered in an exact and reliable way in relation to the basic body. Accordingly, each unintentional eccentricity between the center axis of the loose top and the center axis of the basic body should not be more than 0.01 mm. Another requirement or desire from the users' side is that the loose top should be mountable and dismountable in a rapid and convenient way without risk of incorrect mounting. Most preferably, mounting and dismounting should be possible to be carried out without the basic body necessarily having to be removed from the driving machine.
Drilling tools as well as milling tools (shank-end mills) of the loose top type are widely described in the patent literature and may be divided into a number of different categories depending on the ideas on which the designs are based. Thus, certain tools use loose tops having rear pins that entirely or partly (together with other coupling details) fulfill the task of centering the loose top in relation to the basic body. To this category belongs among others the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,881, which discloses a loose top drill in which a rear coupling part of the loose top is axially inserted in a jaw between two non-compliant drivers, the insides of which include axially extending, torque-transferring ridges that engage the corresponding chutes in the coupling part included in the loose top, besides which a centric pin protruding rearward from the coupling part is inserted in a center hole mouthing in the bottom of the jaw. With the pin, a screw mounted in a radial, threaded hole in the basic body co-operates, which has the purpose of locking the loose top in relation to the basic body. In that connection, the center pin is cylindrical and insertable at a close (form fitting) fit in a likewise cylindrical center hole, in order to, together with concave and convex contact surfaces of the drivers and the coupling part, respectively, fulfill the purpose of centering the loose top. However, the concurrent requirements of fit not only between the center pin and the hole, but also between the drivers and the coupling part, impose extreme, not to say unattainable, requirements of manufacturing precision. In addition, a conflicting problem will arise if good precision peradventure would be achieved, viz. that the mounting and dismounting of the loose top become difficult to carry out as a consequence of the centering pin requiring great force to be pushed into and pulled out of, respectively, the hole.
With the purpose of obviating the above-mentioned disadvantages of the tool according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,881, it has by EP 2266736 and EP 2266734 been proposed to form the centering pin of the loose top with, on one hand, an essentially semi-cylindrical contact surface concentric with the center axis of the loose top, and on the other hand a diametrically opposite clearance surface, the first-mentioned one of which can—by means of the screw of the tool—be pressed against the inside of a cylindrical centering hole in the basic body. In such a way, the centering pin can be given a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the hole, the mounting and dismounting of the loose top being facilitated without the exact centering of the loose top being jeopardized. However, in this case, a 50% risk arises of incorrect mounting of the loose top in connection with the centering pin being inserted into the hole, in that the contact surface of the pin can be turned toward any half of the internal, cylindrical hole wall.
The present invention aims at obviating not only the serious disadvantages inherent in the loose top tool according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,881, but also the practical mounting inconveniences that have turned out to be associated with the tools and loose tops that are objects of EP 2266736 and EP 2266734.
An object of the invention to provide a loose top tool the loose top of which can, on one hand, be centered in an accurate way in relation to the basic body of the tool, and on the other hand be mounted in a simple way without risk of incorrect mounting. In other words, the operator should without mental effort be able to, in a foolproof way, mount the loose top in only one predetermined position.
Another object of the invention is to provide a loose top tool, the two main components of which, i.e., the basic body and the loose top, respectively, should be manufacturable in an effective and economical way while achieving the desired simplicity of the mounting.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a loose top the centering pin of which is strong and robust.

Rotatable tool for chip removing machining as well as a loose top and a basic body therefor


A method of evaluating the phase shift associated with a wave emitted by a space radar propagating through the ionosphere. The method comprises the steps of forming first and second interferograms from pairs of radar images obtained by using two respective space radars operating at respective wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 satisfying the relationship m.lambda..sub.1 =n.lambda..sub.2 where m and n are integers, the radars being placed on the same satellite; and performing the linear combination n.phi..sub.1 -m.phi..sub.2 of respective phases .phi..sub.1 -.phi..sub.2 of the first and second interferograms, with the fractional portion of the linear combination being representative of the non-Euclidean effects affecting the images of the space radars used in making the interferograms.

Space radar imaging is different from optical imaging, which is well known, and which relies on physical principles close to those of human vision. The image acquired by a space radar differs firstly in that its contents differs from that obtained by means of a conventional optical system since the scene is observed by the space radar at a decimeter wavelength (3 cm to 25 cm) which is much greater than the micrometer wavelength used in traditional optics. The image also differs in the way in which it is acquired, since a space radar is an active instrument which includes its own source for illuminating the scene, thereby making observation possible by night as well as by day, and by an appropriate choice of wavelength, making observation insensitive to cloud. It therefore provides "all-weather" imaging which gives numerous operational advantages. However, since it is difficult to deploy antennas that are more than 10 meters long in space, the natural angular resolution of space radars is very poor, being of the order of half a degree (whereas the human eye is about ten times better). Radar imaging therefore does not rely on the natural resolution of the instrument. Resolution in the direction perpendicular to the flight direction is obtained by analysis on board the satellite of echo return times (the principle on which all radars are based), and in the direction parallel to the flight direction, by a digital process known as "aperture synthesis", which process is performed on the ground and requires large amounts of computation. Each of the lines of a radar "image" corresponds to a pulse emitted by the radar and transformed into a run of samples ordered by their return times giving column indices for the image. The samples are complex numbers representative of the amplitude and of the phase of the reflected wave. The above-mentioned digital process of aperture synthesis conserves the complex nature of the signals processed, such that, in addition to its main operational quality, i.e., that of being insensitive to cloud and being capable of operating at night, a space radar installed on a satellite makes it possible to measure small displacements by means of the technique of interferometry.
The phase of the reflected wave contains information concerning the position, the distribution, and the radioelectric nature of elements constituting the scene illuminated by the radar, also known as "targets" (such as pebbles, branches, etc.). By comparing radar images taken at different dates and under almost identical conditions, position information can be isolated from other information by constructing an interferogram. Radar interferometry was proposed and tested more than 20 years ago, and reference may usefully be made to the article published by L. C. Graham in IEEE Proceedings, Vol. 62, No. 6, Jun. 1974, entitled "Synthetic interferometer radar for topographic mapping".
Phase information is influenced by three factors, of which the first two are unknown:
the phase shift caused by reflection of the radar wave on targets, and associated with the electromagnetic properties of the targets; PA1 the phase shift associated with the relative positions of the targets within a common image element or "pixel". The resultant phase of a pixel is the result of a complex combination of the contributions from the various targets present within the pixel, and weighted by their respective amplitudes; and PA1 the phase shift that may possibly be due to targets moving or to a change of observation conditions. PA1 the trajectories of the satellite becoming orbitally closer or more distant between acquiring images. As mentioned above, the orbits must be close but they are never identical, nor even parallel in practice; PA1 a stereoscopic effect produced by the topography when observed from two viewpoints that are slightly different; PA1 overall movement of the target as a whole that has taken place between acquiring the images; and PA1 variations in atmospheric propagation length and variations in phase due to the ionosphere. These are also known as "non-Euclidean" effects since the phase variations to which various wavelengths are subjected cannot be explained by a common increase or decrease in optical path length. PA1 an effect due to the ground moving must appear on all interferograms covering a given time interval, whatever the orbital differences between pictures being taken. For example, if the ground appears to have moved in an interferogram constructed from images acquired in April and in May, then it must also be present in an interferogram constructed from images acquired in March and in June; and PA1 an effect due to atmospheric propagation must be found in all of the interferograms containing contributions from any particular image that has been effected by this propagation effect. PA1 forming first and second interferograms from pairs of radar images obtained by using two respective space radars operating at respective wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 satisfying the relationship m.lambda..sub.1 =n.lambda..sub.2 where m and n are integers, these radars being placed on the same satellite; and PA1 performing the linear combination n.phi..sub.1 -m.phi..sub.2 of respective phases .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 of the first and second interferograms, with the fractional portion of these linear combination being representative of the non-Euclidean effects affecting the images of these space radars used in making the interferograms. Most preferably, m=2 or m=3, and n=1.
When implementing radar interferometry techniques, it is assumed that the first two factors, although unknown, are stable over time. For the first factor, this assumption implies that the targets are physically stable, and for the second factor, it implies geometrical stability restraining possible variation in the angle of incidence of the radar between two passes of the satellite. Thus, the surface state of the ground must not change excessively between acquiring two images (which rules out the surface of the sea, for example), and the satellite must follows its earlier trajectory very closely (to within a few hundreds of meters at most).
If the above assumption is true, then changes of phase due to the third factor between two radar images can be obtained by constructing an interferogram which represents differences in phase between the two images. These differences can be considered as being the result of four contributions:
In practice, it is difficult to evaluate separately the contribution of each of the factors that has an influence on phase.
Nevertheless, the following considerations can be of some help:
Non-Euclidean effects can be evaluated by deduction after quantifying the other factors that affect phase. This quantification is nevertheless made difficult by the fact that distance measurement is ambiguous, since it is only given modulo the wavelength .lambda. of the radar. In other words, if the wavelength is 5 cm, a 2 cm displacement looks the same as a 7 cm displacement. Complete measurement can be built up by "unwrapping" phase over the image from one point to another so as to show up integer numbers of wavelengths missing from the measurement. Reference may usefully be made to the article entitled "Satellite radar interferometry: two-dimensional phase unwrapping" by Goldstein et al., published in Radio Science, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 713 to 720, July-August 1988. Nevertheless, the phase unwrapping operation is difficult to automate and, to the knowledge of the Applicant, there exists no method that makes it possible to evaluate non-Euclidean effects easily and accurately.

Method of evaluating non-euclidean effects affecting an image acquired by a space radar and a satellite for implementing the method


An optical pickup has a light-emitting device having a first light emitter and a second light emitter which emit a first laser beam and a second laser beam, respectively, a beam splitter plate, a collimator lens which converts the first laser beam and the second laser beam into a parallel beam, and a light-detecting device. The first laser beam has an optical axis aligned with an optical axis of an objective lens, and the second laser beam has an optical axis displaced off the optical axis of the objective lens. The second light emitter is placed in a position where the angle α of incidence of the second laser beam on the beam splitter plate is greater than the angle θ of incidence of the first laser beam on the beam splitter plate, thereby reducing the amount of generated aberrations for increased performance.

There are disk drive apparatus for recording information signals on and reproducing information signals from disk-shaped recording media. Such a disk drive apparatus has an optical pickup movable radially across a disk-shaped recording medium mounted on a disk table for applying a laser beam through an objective lens to the disk-shaped recording medium.
Some disk drive apparatus are capable of recording information signals on and reproducing information signals from disk-shaped recording media of different types, e.g., CD (compact disks) and DVD (digital versatile disks).
Such disk drive apparatus are required to emit two laser beams having different wavelength ranges from a light-emitting device because of different recording densities on CD and DVD. For the purpose of reducing the size of the optical pickup, a disk drive apparatus has an objective lens shared by two types of disk-shaped recording media and a light-emitting device comprising two light emitters disposed in one package for emitting respective two laser beams having different wavelength ranges. In such a disk drive apparatus, for example, the first light emitter emits a first laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm to a DVD, and the second light emitter emits a second laser beam having a wavelength of 780 nm to a CD.
However, since the objective lens of the above disk drive apparatus is shared, the first light emitter and the second light emitter are disposed parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens. Therefore, though the optical axis of the laser beam emitted from one of the light emitters can be aligned with the optical axis of the objective lens, the optical axis of the laser beam emitted from the other light emitter has to be off the optical axis of the objective lens.
Since the optical axis of the laser beam emitted from either one of the light emitters needs to be off the optical axis of the objective lens, when the laser beam is emitted from the light emitter whose optical axis is off the optical axis of the objective lens, an amount of aberrations that are generated tends to be large, resulting in a reduction in the performance of the optical pickup thereby to cause a recording error and a reproduction error due to a signal level reduction or the like.
An optical pickup and a disk drive apparatus according to the present invention are aimed at overcoming the above problems and reducing an amount of aberrations generated for increased performance.