The present invention provides a laser unit using a seal member whose central and peripheral portions will not affect each other to produce strain during mounting and which can be handled as a single component.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser unit used for image formation in a copying machine or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a laser unit capable of preventing vibration of a polygon motor and also capable of preventing dust from entering the inside of a polygon cover.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional laser unit used for image formation in a copying machine or the like. The laser unit 300 has a polygon motor 20 assembled on a lower housing 10. The laser unit 300 further has a polygon mirror 30, a seal member 80, and a polygon cover 50. The body of the polygon motor 20 is provided with a motor mounting flange 21 for securing the polygon motor 20 to the lower housing 10. The polygon mirror 30 is attached to the rotating shaft of the polygon motor 20. The motor mounting flange 21 is secured to the lower housing 10 with screws 22 in such a manner that the seal member 80 (FIG. 6; thickness=H+ΔH) disposed on the lower housing 10 is sandwiched between the motor mounting flange 21 and the lower housing 10. In this case, each screw 22 is secured to a mounting shaft (not shown) projecting with a predetermined height H from the upper surface of the lower housing 10. The central portion of the seal member 80 is compressed by ΔH in the direction of thickness thereof. The central portion of the seal member 80 prevents the generation and propagation of vibration of the polygon motor 20. The polygon cover 50 is secured to mounting shafts 15 projecting with a predetermined height H from the upper surface of the lower housing 10. At this time, the lower peripheral portion of the polygon cover 50 sandwiches the peripheral portion of the seal member 80 between itself and the lower housing 10 to seal the inside of the polygon cover 50 from the outside, thereby preventing dust from entering the inside of the polygon cover 50.
In the above-described conventional laser unit, the seal member is formed in a single monolithic structure, as shown in FIG. 6, extending continuously from the polygon motor mounting portion to the polygon cover mounting portion. Therefore, if strain is produced in the polygon motor mounting portion by mounting of the polygon motor, the strain has an influence also on the peripheral portion of the seal member. If the polygon cover is mounted in this state, the hermeticity in the polygon cover may be degraded, and strain produced by mounting of the polygon cover may have an influence also on the central portion of the seal member. One approach to solve the above-described problem is to separate the central and peripheral portions of the seal member as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. With this technique, the amount of strain decreases. However, the handling and assembly of the seal member are troublesome because it comprises two separate parts. In another conventional example, vibration prevention for the polygon motor is made, but dust prevention for the polygon mirror is effected simply by bringing the polygon cover into close contact with the frame, without using a seal member, as in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication (KOKAI) No. Hei 11-245442.

Polygon mirror unit having a seal member with slits positioned between a central portion and a peripheral portion

Abstract: In the laser unit 100 according to the present invention, a central portion 41 and a peripheral portion 42 of a seal member 40 used are separated from each other by slits 43. Therefore, when the seal member 40 is mounted, the central and peripheral portions will not affect each other to increase strain. In addition, because the central and peripheral portions are connected to each other at several points by bridging portions 44, the seal member 40 can be handled as a single component, which is very convenient.


After forming a first film over the main surface of a semiconductor substrate, the first film is patterned, thereby forming a control gate electrode for a non-volatile memory, a dummy gate electrode, and a first film pattern. Subsequently, a memory gate electrode for the non-volatile memory adjacent to the control gate electrode is formed. Then, the first film pattern is patterned thereby forming a gate electrode and a dummy gate electrode.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which can be used suitably to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a non-volatile memory.
As electrically programmable and erasable non-volatile semiconductor memory devices, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) have been employed generally. Such memory devices typically represented by flash memories and used generally at present have a conductive floating gate electrode surrounded by an oxide film or a trapping insulation film below a gate electrode of a MISFET, use the state of charges accumulated in the floating gate or the charge trapping insulation film as memory information, and read out the same as a threshold value of the transistor. This charge trapping insulation film is an insulation film capable of accumulating charges therein and includes, for example, a silicon nitride film. By injection and release of charges into and from the charge region, the threshold value of the MISFET is shifted to operate the same as a memory device. The flash memory includes a split gate cell using a MONOS (Metal-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Semiconductor) film. Such a memory uses a silicon nitride film as a charge accumulation region and has various advantages, for example, that it is excellent in the reliability of data holding compared with a conductive floating gate film due to discrete charge accumulation. In addition, owing to the excellent reliability of data holding, the thickness of the oxide film over and below the silicon nitride film can be reduced, making it possible to decrease the voltage for write and erase operations.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-243619 describes a technique relating to a non-volatile semiconductor memory device. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-10716 describes a technique relating to a dummy pattern in a semiconductor device having a step of planarizing the surface by using a CMP method. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-69837 describes a technique relating to a semiconductor device having a CMP step.

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device


Methods for derivation, culture, and maturation of small hepatic progenitor cells are described.

In vitro model systems employing explanted primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) in culture provide an essential tool for study of liver diseases, hepatotoxicity, hepatotropic viruses, and drug and antiviral development. However, the lack of availability, significant donor-to-donor variability, and rapid de-differentiation of PHHs in culture severely hinders their use in research. PHHs lose their mature phenotype shortly after isolation or removal from their in vivo environment. Efforts to maintain mature PHHs in long-term culture, or to mature fetal hepatic cells in culture, have shown limited success. Sandwich and aggregate culture systems, designed to mimic the in vivo microenvironment of hepatocytes, and methods for co-culturing hepatocytes with non-parenchymal liver cells have not significantly enhanced the viability or maintained the maturity of cultured PHHs and have also failed to mature fetal hepatocytes.
A healthy human liver has an enormous capacity to regenerate. In rodent models, small hepatocyte progenitor cells (SHPCs) rapidly proliferate upon injury to restore liver mass. Rodent small hepatocytes proliferate in culture, but the art has not successfully isolated human small hepatocytes in culture.
Thus, there is a need in the art for methods for growing and expanding human SHPCs in culture.

Expansion and maintenance of adult primary human hepatocytes in culture


The present disclosure relates to a device and method for detecting an abnormality in a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator that is capable of detecting whether connection pipes disposed between a refrigerant passage valve and a freezer evaporator and between the refrigerant passage valve and a cold room evaporator are blocked and switched.

Generally, while a refrigerator is operating, if it is changed to a cooling mode, refrigerant, which produces cool air through heat exchange with the air around a cooling room using an evaporator in the cooling room, is sent to a compressor located in a machine room and then compressed.
Further, the refrigerant, which has a high temperature and high pressure state through the compressor, is passed through a condenser, and the heat of the refrigerant is discharged to the outside. After that, the refrigerant is liquefied and passed through a dryer, and thus, impurities and water from the refrigerant are removed. In this state, the refrigerant is passed through an expansion valve and an evaporator, thereby causing vaporization therefrom, and accordingly, the refrigerant is vaporized by removing the latent heat of vaporization from the air around the cooling room, thereby producing cool air therefrom.
The liquid refrigerant not vaporized yet is passed through an accumulator in a low temperature and low pressure state, thereby providing a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant circulation, during which the liquid stays and the gas is introduced again to the compressor, is repeatedly performed.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, two evaporators 110 and 120 independently control a freezer room and a cold room in a refrigerator having the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle, and a refrigerant passage valve 500 is needed to connect the two evaporators 110 and 120 to one compressor.
The refrigerant passage valve 500 is connected to a dryer 400 and serves to send the refrigerant to the two evaporators 110 and 120, respectively.
Accordingly, the refrigerant passage valve 500 includes one inlet pipe and two outlet pipes, and the two outlet pipes are connected to capillary tubes connected to the two evaporators 110 and 120.
When the outlet pipes of the refrigerant passage valve 500 and the capillary tubes of the evaporators 110 and 120 are normally connected to each other, the refrigerator operates normally, but if the connection pipes are switched, the refrigerator operates abnormally.
To prevent the connection pipes from being switched, the colors of the connection pipes correspond to each evaporator, but when the connection pipes are changed erroneously, until now, there is no method for checking the switched connection pipes.

Device for detecting abnormality in refrigeration cycle of refrigerator and method therefor


A process for fabricating monolithic membrane structures having air gaps is disclosed, comprising the steps of: providing a wafer; depositing and patterning a protective layer on the wafer; providing a trench in the wafer; depositing and patterning a metal in the trench; depositing and patterning a sacrificial layer on the metal; depositing and patterning a membrane pad on the sacrificial layer; providing a polymeric film on the protective layer and sacrificial layer, wherein part of the polymeric film has a tensile stress; and releasing part of the polymeric film from the protective layer and sacrificial layer, wherein the tensile stress of a portion of the polymeric film releases the portion of the polymeric film from the wafer and generates the air gap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for fabricating a monolithic structure comprising a polymeric membrane on a patterned substrate and to a monolithic membrane-substrate structure. The monolithic membrane-substrate structure has a well-controlled air gap in between.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior fabrication processes for making structures with well-controlled air gaps have used sacrificial layers to form the gap. However, the use of sacrificial layers to form release membranes or cantilever type structures suffers from certain limitations. The size of the air gap obtained from these processes is determined entirely by the height of the sacrificial layer. Since deposition of any sacrificial layer (SiO2, SiN, etc.) is time consuming and costly, the layer thickness is not much greater than about 1 μm. This severely limits the gap size, and also the lateral dimensions that the released structures can have.
Other related techniques that are useful for achieving large air gaps consist of bonding together two separate sections either directly or by means of an adhesive. One of the pieces is recessed or contains a cavity that gives the required gap. Such a process is not monolithic in nature, and hence involves a more tedious and costly assembly procedure. Also, the size of the air gap may not be as uniform due to the difficulties associated with the bonding process.
Numerous examples exist in the prior art that use the concept of sacrificial layers to release membranes and cantilevers, and realize air gaps. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,799 discloses using a sacrificial layer for an ink-jet printhead fabrication technique. Furthermore, N. S. Barker and G. M. Rebeiz also discuss use of sacrificial layers for phase shifters and wide-band switches in the publication "Distributed MEMS True-Time Delay Phase Shifters and Wide-Band Switches" (IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 46, no. 11, Nov. 1998).
However, none of the prior art documents relies on the tensile stress intrinsically present in certain membranes to form released structures with air gaps much larger than the thickness of the sacrificial layer. The present invention achieves this, and also provides a means of ensuring that the tensile stress in the released membranes is retained.

Process for fabricating monolithic membrane substrate structures with well-controlled air gaps


System and method for converting energy; the system comprising: an acoustic resonator; a phase-exchange device configured for forming across a section of said resonator a concentration gradient of a first substance in a gaseous medium contained by said resonator, to thereby generate a pressure wave within said resonator; and a conversion device for converting mechanical energy constituted by said pressure wave to non-mechanical energy.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to renewable energy, and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a system and method for energy conversion based on phase-exchange processes.
According to thermodynamic principles, acoustic power in a gas is as valuable as other forms of work such as electrical power, rotating shaft power, and hydraulic power. For example, acoustic power can be used to produce refrigeration, such as in orifice pulse tube refrigerators; it can be used to produce electricity, via linear alternators; and it can be used to generate rotating shaft power, e.g., with a Wells turbine. Furthermore, acoustic power can be created from heat in a variety of heat engines such as Stirling engines and thermoacoustic engines.
Stirling's hot-air engine of the early 19th century was the first heat engine to use oscillating pressure and oscillating volume flow rate in a gas in a sealed system, although the time-averaged product thereof was not called acoustic power. It was subsequently recognized that the Stirling cycle could be reversed to produce useful cooling, if mechanical energy was provided to the system
Heretofore, a variety of engines and refrigerators related to the Stirling cycle have been developed. These include Stirling refrigerators, Ericsson engines, orifice pulse-tube refrigerators, standing-wave thermoacoustic engines and refrigerators, free-piston Stirling engines and refrigerators, and thermoacoustic-Stirling hybrid engines and refrigerators. Combinations thereof, such as the Vuilleumier refrigerator and the thermoacoustically driven orifice pulse tube refrigerator, have provided heat-driven refrigeration.
With the production ban of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), the interest in thermoacoustics has accelerated rapidly. For example, thermoacoustic refrigerators can be constructed such that they use only inert gases, which are non-toxic and do not contribute to ozone depletion, nor to global warming. Exemplary thermoacoustic engines and refrigerators are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,398,398; 4,489,553, 4,722,201, 5,303,555, 5,647,216, 5,953,921, 6,032,464, and 6,314,740, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
In a traditional Stirling engine, for example, high-temperature heat is added to the engine at a hot heat exchanger, and ambient-temperature waste heat is removed from the engine at an ambient heat exchanger. A solid matrix (also known as a regenerator) containing small pores having gas therein smoothly spans the temperature difference between the hot heat exchanger and the ambient heat exchanger. The temperature gradient across the regenerator provides the conditions for generation of gas oscillations within the pores, thus converting the heat entered at the hot heat exchanger into acoustic power. The gas in the pores of the regenerator moves toward the hot heat exchanger while the pressure is high and toward the ambient heat exchanger while the pressure is low. The oscillating thermal expansion and contraction of the gas, attending its oscillating motion along the temperature gradient in the pores, is therefore temporally phased with respect to the oscillating pressure so that the thermal expansion occurs while the pressure is high and the thermal contraction occurs while the pressure is low.

System and method for energy conversion by pressure wave and/or phase-exchange

Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited


The present invention relates to a submerged hollow fiber membrane module that includes a partition membrane having a slanted slit-shaped opening, and thus capable of not only improving operating efficiency of a hollow fiber membrane module by accelerating the water flow, but also allowing easy discharge of highly concentrated raw water around the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the module during a reverse wash process.

A hollow fiber membrane module is a filtration device using, as separation membranes, hollow fibers which are thin fibers, the surface of which has a myriad of small pores, and the central space of which is empty. This module is configured such that, among a multi-component liquid mixture, a material larger than the pores is excluded, and only a specific material smaller than the pores is selectively passed therethrough and thus effectively recovered. Such a hollow fiber membrane module has been widely utilized in ultrafiltration or microfiltration for preparing sterile water, drinking water, etc., and is recently applied to secondary or tertiary treatment in sewage treatment plants, or to solid-liquid separation of purification tanks. The hollow fiber membrane module used for sewage treatment is classified into an external circulation mode and a module immersion mode, depending on the type in which hollow fiber membranes are applied to aeration tanks.
When a partition membrane is provided at the lower portion of a submerged membrane module, an upward water flow is formed, resulting in cross-flow. As such, when the distance between the lower header and the partition membrane of the module is increased, the upward water flow does not circulate in bundles of hollow fibers which are densely packed. Also, in the case where there is no space between the lower header and the partition membrane, the size of a raw water supply hole of the lower header is limited by the space which is occupied with the bundles of hollow fibers, and thus a sufficient upward water flow is not formed, and operating efficiency may decrease in a reverse washing process.


Methods and apparatus are provided for eyeglass lens made using a solution casting process. The method may include providing a first soluble polymer solution. The method may include providing a first dye solution including at least one dye. The method may include adding the first dye solution to the first soluble polymer solution to form a first dyed solution. The method may include casting the first dyed solution to form a first film. The method may include providing a second soluble polymer solution. The method may include providing a second dye solution comprising at least one dye. The method may include adding the second dye solution to the second soluble polymer solution to form a second dyed solution. The method may include casting the second dyed solution onto the first film to form a two-layer film. The method may include laminating or casting the two-layer film to the eyeglass lens.

It is well known that ultraviolet (UV) light may cause serious flash burns to the cornea from high intensity light sources. Thus, eyes may require protection from these harmful UV lights. Eyes may need protection from UV lights during welding, when exposed to sunlight at elevation above 5000 ft (1524 m), or when the sun glares off snow or water, tanning, etc.
Infrared (IR) may also be harmful. Wireless communication, appliances, computers, lights, and natural resources, such as sunlight, may emit different levels of harmful radiation. IR may make up over half of the thermal-spectrum radiation in sunlight. At zenith, sunlight may provide an irradiance of approximately 1 kilowatt per square meter at sea level, of which 527 watts is IR radiation. Once the sunlight reaches the surface of Earth, almost all thermal radiation may be IR.
The energy of sunlight on the ground may be categorized into approximately 3% UV rays, 44% visible rays, and 53% IR rays. Therefore, when exposed to intense sunlight for a lengthy period of time without protection, eyes may experience a burning or stinging sensation that is often accompanied by fatigue. Such discomfort may be especially noticeable for those wearing contact lenses as contact lenses may absorb IR and "warm up." Eye doctors may encourage a habit of wearing sunglasses when staying out in the sun for a period.
Traditionally, to block harmful rays from a light source, protection lenses may be coated with one or more layers of IR and/or visible dyes. Usually, soluble dyes and/or metallic oxide pigments may be used for coating to absorb or reflect light of certain frequencies, e.g., IR frequencies, UV frequencies, etc. Thus, coated lenses may reduce or mitigate eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma.
Because of the importance of sunglasses and protecting eyewear, many coating techniques have been invented. IR or visible coating may be applied by dipping or spraying a solvent IR or visible dyes on another optical layer of a lens. However, the curvature of most lenses may present a significant obstacle in the application of the IR or visible coating, as the application of the coating may be uneven and thus reduce the effectiveness of the protection layers.
Using traditional methods like extrusion or injection, IR or visible dyes may be added during the processes. Extrusion is a process that may be used to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile. A material may be pushed or pulled through a die of the desired cross-section. In a plastic extruding process, plastic may be first melted into a viscous, semi-liquid state. After it softens, the plastic may be pressed through a contoured opening. Using this technique, a curved lens may be created by pushing a softened optical film through a contoured opening.
Injection molding may be a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting material into a mold. Material for the part may be fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mold cavity, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity. For optical plastic films, whether it is an extrusion or injection method, heat may be used to soften the plastic films so they may be shaped curvaceously. Since dyes are sensitive to heat, some dye degradation may occur and the effectiveness of eye protection may be reduced.
Other issues regarding these IR or visible coated lenses are that they are easily scratched and that they are not resistant to chemicals or elements. Over time, the protection layers may lose their effectiveness and become harmful if not detected and replaced. To overcome this problem, lens manufacturers have begun spraying, dipping, or injecting another protection layer on top of the IR/visible layer. However, additional layers may make the lens thicker, which is a barrier for eyewear design and comfort.
Furthermore, traditional coating methods by injection or extrusion methods may be aesthetically less appealing because IR dye appears green in such a coating. In order to counteract or offset the undesirable green color, gray colors may be added to the PVA film. The addition of such gray colors, however, reduces the penetration of light, and therefore visibility, significantly. Finally, the addition of the gray colors to the PVA films on the lens may result in higher costs for the lenses and thus higher costs for the end products. Therefore, material and manufacturing processes for IR absorbing lenses that are inexpensive and quick may be desirable.
Recently, to overcome the drawbacks of extrusion and injection methods, a solution casting method has been invented and preferred. This manufacturing technology may be unique in that the process does not require conventional extrusion or injection molding technologies yet readily incorporates components and features traditionally produced by these processes. This method utilizes a mandrel, or inner diameter mold, that is immersed in a tank of polymer solution or liquid plastic that has been specifically engineered for the process. Due to a combination of thermal and frictional properties, the polymer solution then forms a thin film around the mold. The mold may then be extracted from the tank in a precise, controlled manner, followed by a curing or drying process.
Other casting devices used in a solution casting method are a belt or drum machines. Typically, supporting belts may be 1.0 to 2.0 m wide and 10 to 100 m long. Stainless steel belts may be between 1.0 and 2.0 mm thick. Drums are typically 4 to 8 m in diameter and 1.20 to 1.50 m wide. The belt channel may allow a stream of air to flow in machine or counter direction. The drum may be tightly sealed to prevent vapor emissions and to direct the air stream against the direction of drum movement. One of the two pulleys or drums may be connected to a drive that requires extremely accurate speed control to avoid even slight speed variations. One drum is connected to a servo system that may adjust belt tension in order to ensure constant flatness and the "absence" of belt movements (vibrations) in the critical area just behind the caster and to control the expansion and dilatation of the belt length caused by temperature changes. Belt machines may have a guide system to avoid belt shifting during operation. The belt may be guided by horizontal movements of the support drums. Many different support materials have been used for belts: copper, silver-plated copper, chromium-plated steel, stainless steel, metal coated with polyvinyl alcohol or gelatin, polyester film, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film and other polymer films.
At present, the most common support materials are stainless steel and chromium-plated surfaces. Important items for belt and drum machines are the material's heat conductivity, the technical processes used to create the required surface finish, and the options for repairing small surface defects. This cast technique may allow for the simple production of films with structured surfaces. The belt surface may be clearly and accurately replicated on one surface of the film. The techniques used to adapt the surface of the drums or belts to highly glossy, structured, or matt film finishes are proprietary methods.
Once the first layer of a thin film is appropriately solidified, secondary features may be added to the product, such as braided or coiled wire, laser-cut hypotubes or engineered metal reinforcements to prevent kinking, or imaging targets specific to the intended medical application. Multiple casting steps may then be repeated to encapsulate the reinforcements, build up wall thickness, add additional lumens, and optimize column strength. The part is then removed from the mold after it is cured or solidified. This method may work with liquid forms of solvent polymers without using excessive heat to cure the part. Since this method uses centrifugal force to shape the part, with the right liquidity ratio, a very thin layer of IR or visible dye solution may be added to an optical film without using excessive heat.
Another method to make the film is a static method, such as cavity mold, plate casting, or other similar methods.

Methods and systems for making an optical functional film


A connector structure of waterproof and explosion-proof button is provided. A waterproof element completely covers the connecting part of the connecting element. By pressing a first button bar of the waterproof element, a second button bar is driven to depress the button therein. A companion part inside the connecting element is connected and fixed with an explosion-proof element. The connector structure thus achieves the waterproof and explosion-proof effects and has the button function at the same time. The structure solves the problem of having too many elements and too complicated assembly process for achieving the waterproof effect in the prior art. According to the structure, the assembly of the connector structure is simple and both waterproof and explosion-proof effects are simultaneously achieved.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a connector structure and, in particular, to a connector structure of waterproof and explosion-proof button whose waterproof element covers its connecting element.
2. Related Art
Buttons are widely used in the control of electronic products. Usual buttons are not waterproof. If a liquid is carelessly poured over the buttons, it often leaks onto the circuit board and causes damages to the electronic elements. The entire electronic product thus cannot function correctly.
To solve the above-mentioned problem, some people propose a waterproof button structure, as shown in FIG. 1. It is a three-dimensional exploded view of the prior waterproof button structure.
The waterproof button structure includes a button ring 81, a button 82, a waterproof layer 83, a piezoelectric element 84, and a button base 85 disposed with a circuit board 851 therein. In particular, the button ring 81 includes an outer ring 811 and an inner ring 812 for squeezing the button 82, the waterproof layer 83 and the piezoelectric element 84 in between, making them tightly stacked together.
After the button 82, the waterproof layer 83 and the piezoelectric element 84 are stacked in sequence, they are inserted from the back of the outer ring 811 of the button ring 81. Afterwards, the inner ring 812 and the outer ring 811 of the button ring 81 are combined. The circuit board 851 in the button base 85 is further electrically coupled to the stack. The voltage released from it is transmitted as a signal to the circuit board 851. Finally, the button ring 81 holding the button 82, the waterproof layer 83 and the piezoelectric element 84 is assembled to the button base 85.
Besides, another waterproof button structure has been proposed. Such a waterproof button structure consists of a hard button cap, an elastic button base, a hard bottom board with several switches, and a hard housing covering the bottom board. The button post protruding downward from the button cap goes through a preformed through hole on the button base. Even though this waterproof button structure is claimed to have the waterproof function, the liquid can still gets in via the through hole when it is immersed in water. This does not only affect the functioning of switches, but also loses the waterproof effect.
There is yet another proposal of the waterproof sealed switch with a single contact. Two electronic contact elements are disposed in a hollow cavity inside the body of a plastic switch. They are surrounded by several protruding tongue chips. A thin insulating plate made of an elastic material covers the body. A hard insulating plate seals the cavity at the bottom of the body. Finally, a metal closing element covers the elastic insulating plate. Several buckle holes formed on the two downward-bending sidewalls of the metal closing element are then matched with the corresponding tongue chips. The elastic insulating plate is press to form liquid sealing. Finally, one presses the hemispherical part extended from the free end of the metal closing element to make the two electronic contact elements touch each other. Such an electrical connection sends out an electrical signal.
Although the waterproof sealed switch with a single contact can achieve the waterproof effect, its closing element and body are made of hard materials. Thus, the entire waterproof button is not flexible and thus not suitable for some special purposes. In addition, machine cleansing often causes collisions and corrosions on the waterproof sealed switch. As a result, the buckle holes and the tongue chips depart from each other, eventually losing the sealing and waterproof effects.
To achieve the waterproof effect, the above-mentioned buttons involve too many elements. This makes the button assembly too complicated and too expensive. In the long run, it is impractical to use too many elements to make such a waterproof button, as they are not cost-effective.
In summary, the prior art has the problem of using too many elements and employing complicated assembly processes to make waterproof buttons. It is highly desirable to provide a solution for this.

Connector structure of waterproof and explosion-proof button


A system for aiding water vessels needing towing. The system may comprise one or more storage machines holding instructions executable by one or more logic machines to actualize the operations of, determining an assistance requester's GPS location, determining an assistance provider's GPS location, and displaying the assistance provider's GPS location to the assistance requester. Displaying the assistance provider's GPS location to the assistance requester may include displaying a distance between the assistance requester and the assistance provider. Displaying the assistance provider's GPS location to the assistance requester may include displaying a service cost for the assistance provider's service. The assistance requester and assistance provider may be independent vessels.

Sometimes, a water vessel may be in trouble. For example, a boat may malfunction while out on the water. Currently, if a water vessel needs help, an operator can send out an SOS signal, or attempt to call for help using a radio communication system.
Another way for a water vessel operator to find help is to call private companies such as BoatUS or Sea Tow, since the Coast Guard does not typically tow water vessels. These private companies may not have tow boats close by, and/or may charge a high fee for towing. It is also commonly known in boating communities that these private companies are difficult to get in touch with, and it is common for a customer to leave multiple voicemails before receiving a response.
Therefore, there is a need for a system that will provide broken down vessels with a more convenient and cheaper towing solution.

System for aiding water vessels needing towing


A memory self-stress mode capable of use during wafer burn-in such as for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) integrated circuits. A burn-in power supply voltage and ground voltage delivered to a common node of a plurality of memory cell storage capacitors and to an equilibrate node coupled to bit lines. An all row high test cycles word lines between a binary low logic level and a binary high logic level, thereby stressing the dielectric of the memory cell storage capacitors by imposing stress voltages of differing polarity. A half row high test cycles alternate word lines of a word line sequence thereby stressing undesired short circuit connections between adjacent word lines.

Semiconductor wafers typically comprise a plurality of substantially isolated "die" or "chips" containing circuitry, separated from each other by scribe line areas. The individual die contained within the wafer are separated by sawing and packaged individually or in multi-chip modules. One common type of integrated circuit die is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) array.
Not all die on a particular semiconductor wafer are functional; some have manufacturing defects. Certain defects do not reveal themselves immediately after fabrication. For example, an insulating oxide layer between two conductors may be excessively thin in a particular region. Voltage and temperature stress will cause the particular region of excessively thin insulating oxide to break down, resulting in a short circuit between the two conductors which can be detected during electrical testing.
Hence, die must be tested individually to pass functional die and fail nonfunctional die. Testing a die early in the process flow reduces additional expense incurred by further processing, handling, packaging, and testing failing die. For this reason, it is particularly desirable to test integrated circuit die while they are still contained within the wafer, that is, before sawing.
Thus, stressing die prior to testing induces failures in failure-prone die prior to testing. Failing die are detected during testing and discarded. Stress-testing die early in the process flow reduces additional processing, handling, packaging, and testing costs. Burn-in stress testing is often used. By applying elevated power supply voltage levels and heating or cooling die in a chamber, failures are accelerated. Power is supplied to the die for a static burn-in. Power and additional input signals are supplied to exercise the die for a dynamic burn-in. A wafer-level DRAM burn-in technique is desired which induces failure in failure-prone die more fully or quickly.

System for stressing a memory integrated circuit die


To provide a forged crankshaft having an excellent wear resistance. The forged crankshaft according to the present embodiment includes a non-heat treated steel material. The non-heat treated steel material has a chemical composition which contains, by mass %, C: 0.45 to 0.70%, Si: 0.75 to 1.30%, Mn: 1.00 to 2.00%, S: 0.03 to 0.30%, Cr: 0.05 to 0.30%, Al: 0.005 to 0.050%, and N: 0.005 to 0.020%, the balance being Fe and impurities, and satisfies the following Formula (1):1.1C+Mn+0.2Cr>2.0  (1)where a symbol of each element in Formula (1) is substituted by the content (mass %) of the each element. A matrix of the non-heat treated steel material is a ferrite-pearlite microstructure in which an area ratio of pro-eutectoid ferrite is less than 10% or a pearlite microstructure.

Recently, forged crankshafts for which thermal refining treatment is omitted have been provided. Thermal refining treatment is a quenching and tempering treatment for improving mechanical properties of steel such as strength. Hereafter, a forged crankshaft for which thermal refining treatment is omitted is also referred to as a "non-heat treated forged crankshaft."
The steel material constituting a non-heat treated forged crankshaft generally contains vanadium (V). A non-heat treated forged crankshaft is produced by hot forging the non-heat treated steel and allowing it to cool in the atmosphere. The microstructure of the steel material constituting the non-heat treated forged crankshaft is a ferrite-pearlite structure. Vanadium (V) remains in steel in the form of fine carbides and increases the strength and hardness of steel. In short, even without thermal refining treatment, a non-heat treated forged crankshaft containing vanadium has excellent strength and hardness. However, since vanadium is expensive, the manufacturing cost of non-heat treated forged crankshaft becomes high. Therefore, there is a need for a non-heat treated forged crankshaft having excellent strength and hardness even without containing vanadium.
Further, wear resistance is required for the surface of the forged crankshaft. A crank pin of the forged crankshaft is inserted into a large-end portion of a connecting rod. As the crankshaft rotates, the crank pin rotates via the inner surface of the large-end portion of the connecting rod and a slide bearing. Therefore, the surface of the crank pin is required to have excellent wear resistance.
JP2000-328193A and JP2002-256384A disclose a non-heat treated steel which is intended for improving wear resistance without addition of vanadium.
The non-heat treated steel for hot forging disclosed in JP2000-328193A has a ferrite-pearlite microstructure. Further, in the non-heat treated steel for hot forging, Si and Mn dissolve in ferrite thereby strengthening the ferrite. This is intended for improving wear resistance.
The non-heat treated steel for crankshaft disclosed in JP2002-256384 has a microstructure dominantly made up of pearlite with a pro-eutectoid ferrite fraction of less than 3%, and contains sulfides inclusions having a thickness of not more than 20 μm. Further, Si content is not more than 0.60%, and Al content is less than 0.005%. This is intended for improving wear resistance and machinability.
Meanwhile, to improve the wear resistance of a forged crankshaft, in general, a forged crankshaft is subjected to a surface hardening heat treatment. The surface hardening heat treatment includes, for example, an induction hardening treatment and a nitriding treatment. By an induction hardening treatment, a quenched layer is formed on the surface of a forged crankshaft. Moreover, by a nitriding treatment, a nitrided layer is formed on the surface of a forged crankshaft. The quenched layer and the nitrided layer have high hardness. Therefore, the wear resistance of the surface of the forged crankshaft is improved.
However, performing surface hardening heat treatment will result in an increase of manufacturing cost. Therefore, there is a need for a non-heat treated forged crankshaft which has excellent wear resistance even if vanadium is not contained and the surface hardening heat treatment is omitted.
A forged crankshaft manufactured by using a non-heat treated steel disclosed in JP2000-328193 and JP2002-256384 may exhibit a decline in wear resistance when the surface hardening heat treatment is omitted.

NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION


A roof support for an underground mine which has a hydraulic cylinder positioned between a roof engaging support and a ground engaging base and has a flexible gas barrier or enclosure surrounding surfaces of said hydraulic cylinder which are subject to corrosion by gases present in the underground mine. Continuous flowing non-corrosive gas such as nitrogen is supplied to a space between the gas barrier and the hydraulic cylinder for preventing corrosion of cylinder surfaces by corrosive gases present in the mine which may include hydrogen sulfide.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a corrosion protection system and a method of protecting certain articles from corrosion by enclosing the articles in a suitable enclosure and flushing the interior space of the enclosure with a continuous flow of non-corrosive gas, thereby preventing ambient corrosive gasses (or other corrosive agents) from contacting the protected articles.
This invention relates to movable, semi-permanent or temporary roof supports and cylinders used in coal mining or other underground mining. Movable, semi-permanent or temporary roof support apparatuses generally employ a roof engaging support and a ground-engaging base with hydraulic roof support cylinders positioned between a roof engaging support and a ground-engaging base. Hydraulic roof support cylinders are used in coal mining operations where gases or other agents, which are corrosive to cylinder exterior surfaces, may be present.
2. Description of Related Art
Temporary roof supports including temporary roof support cylinders as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,950,673 and 5,026,218 are manufactured and sold by Joy MM Delaware Inc. The Joy roof support structure depends upon a hydraulic roof support cylinder which is plated with bronze and which is wiped infrequently by hydraulic fluids during use. As manufactured by Joy Mining Machinery, the roof support cylinders are coated with bronze for corrosion protection purposes. The cylinders may also be coated with other substitutions for bronze and brass. However, bronze was found in testing to be the best with Hydrogen sulfide. However, this material is corroded by at least hydrogen sulfide and, therefore, the cylinders require protection from prolonged contact with hydrogen sulfide gasses. During use, a roof support may be put in place with cylinders in an extended position, or only partially collapsed, thereby leaving at least some of its surfaces exposed for an extended period of time. This is especially true of semi-permanent roof supports as used in mining operations known as "longwall". When bronze or other copper containing surfaces are exposed to atmospheres which may include hydrogen sulfide with possible high humidity conditions, corrosion of the bronze or other plating becomes severe. When cylinders are severely corroded, the cylinder is no longer capable of operation because of leakage at hydraulic cylinder seals. Under certain mining conditions, as many as 35 percent of the cylinders used in a mine may require replacement within one year, resulting in possible replacement of 130 cylinders per year in one mining operation. The replacement or repair of each cylinder costs in the order of $40,000 for a cost of $5,000,000 per year.
In the art of mining where coal gob is present, nitrogen gas may also be supplied to the mine in order to decrease the danger of mine fires, or to provide rapid introduction of nitrogen in the case of emergency. "Gob" is collapsed roof strata, often containing coal that is left behind in a mine behind a longwall as it advances. Therefore, nitrogen, which is a known non-combustible and non-corrosive gas, is readily available in certain mining operations. Nitrogen is used to dilute methane and oxygen gases in a mine and is readily available as a gas which can be used to protect against corrosion. However, it is to be understood that any inert gas or gas which does not attack a hydraulic cylinder may be used such as clean air.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,552 to Lyublinski relates to corrosion protection and protecting an article from corrosion by placing an article in a gas impermeable enclosure. This prior art differs from Applicant's invention in that Applicant maintains open orifices and a small positive pressure within the gas enclosure which continually flushes the gas enclosure with the inserted non-corrosive gas (nitrogen). The '552 patent further fails to suggest or teach any possible utility for protection of bronze plated cylinders which are subject to corrosion by hydrogen sulfide gas in coal mines. '552 recognizes the corrosive nature of sulfides, and the susceptibility of copper, bronze and brass to certain corrosion under normal atmospheric conditions. As taught by '552 in column 3, the gas impermeable enclosure would have no tears, leaks or pinholes which would allow the higher internal pressure to equalize with the slightly lower external pressure. Applicant's invention, on the other hand, provides for continuous controlled flow and an orifice to the outside to control pressure on the inside.

Mining roof support cylinder corrosion protection apparatus and method


An enhanced vision system is provided for an aircraft performing a landing maneuver. Accordingly to non-limiting embodiments, a processor onboard the aircraft receives data from sensors or systems onboard the aircraft and determines a position of the aircraft relative to a runway using the data. Responsive to this determination, the processor adjusts the gain of a first vision system and a second vision system. Images from the first vision system and the second vision system are merged and displayed to the pilot until the completion of the landing maneuver.

A pilot attempting to land an aircraft during flight is presented with several challenges to perform a safe landing maneuver. During a landing maneuver, the aircraft must properly approach an airport runway along a glideslope, touchdown aligned with the runway and slow to a stop or an appropriate ground speed within the runway distance remaining after touchdown. A landing maneuver is even more challenging in low visibility conditions. Weather conditions or low light conditions may make it difficult or impossible for the pilot to clearly see the runway or runway conditions.
Accordingly, it is desirable to assist a pilot during the approach and landing phase of flight. Other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Advanced aircraft vision system utilizing multi-sensor gain scheduling


A load control structure for a work vehicle comprises: set rotation speed detection device for detecting a set rotation of an engine of the work vehicle; actual rotation speed detection device that senses an actual rotational speed of the engine; continuously variable speed change device that receives power from an engine of the work vehicle; speed change position detecting device for detecting a speed change operation position of the continuously variable speed change device; operating device for speed-shifting the continuously variable speed change device; control device for controlling the operation of the operating device; wherein the control device calculates a drop amount of the actual engine rotation speed from the set rotation speed based on the detected information from the set rotation speed detection device and the actual rotation speed detection device, and sets a limit operation position for the continuously variable speed change device based on the calculated drop amount and a correlation data that correlates the actual engine rotation speeds with operating positions of the continuously variable speed change device, and controls the operating device such that the operating position of the continuously variable speed change device moves to the limit operating position based on the set limit operating position and detected information from the speed change position detecting device, and wherein the control device has command device for commanding a change of the correlation data.

The present invention is directed to a load control structure and the control method for a work vehicle.
Such a work vehicle conventionally has, among other things, set rotation speed detection means for detecting a set rotation of an engine of the work vehicle; actual rotation speed detection means that senses an actual rotational speed of the engine; continuously variable speed change device that receives power from an engine of the work vehicle; speed change position detecting means for detecting a speed change operation position of the continuously variable speed change device; operating means for speed-shifting the continuously variable speed change device; control means for controlling the operation of the operating means.
In the load control mechanism mentioned above, the control means controls the control means for controlling the continuously variable speed change device based on the drop amount of the engine rotation speed from a set rotation speed so as to operate the continuously variable speed change device to a speed position in accordance with the drop amount. (See, for example, JP2002-22006.)
In the above structure, the continuously variable speed change device is merely operated to a speed position in accordance with the drop amount from a set engine rotation speed. Thus, it was difficult to have a satisfactory load control that is good for different engine loads that differ depending on operating conditions.

Speed control structure and method for work vehicle


A highly oxidation-resistant copper powder for conductive paste, which is a copper powder containing not more than 5 wt % of Si, is characterized in that substantially all of the Si is adhered to the surfaces of the copper particles as SiO2-system gel coating film.

Conductive pastes are frequently used as means for forming conductive circuitry and electrodes at the surface, interior or exterior of various substrates. In this specification, the term "conductive paste" indicates a fluid possessing fluidity that is generally obtained by dispersing a conductive powder as a filler (hereinafter called a "conductive filler") in a vehicle composed of a resinous binder and a solvent and that when heated to an appropriate temperature undergoes vaporization/decomposition of the vehicle and sintering of the remaining conductive filler into a body constituting a good conductor of electricity. In other words, a paste that forms a conductor when sintered at high temperature is called a conductive paste for short. In actual use, such a conductive paste is applied to the surface or charged into an interior opening of a substrate and is subjected to a suitable heat treatment together with the substrate. The heat treatment vaporizes, decomposes and burns the vehicle, and the particles of the metallic powder constituting the conductive filler are sintered together to form a circuit capable of passing electricity. Likewise in the case of a laminated ceramic capacitor, conductive paste for the internal electrodes is interposed among a large number of ceramic substrates, conductive paste for the external electrodes interconnecting-the internal electrodes is applied, and heat treatment is similarly conducted to vaporize, decompose and remove the vehicle and sinter the metallic powder to form internal electrodes and external electrodes. At this time, the internal electrodes and external electrode are usually separately sintered.
The conductive filler (metallic powder) used in such a conductive paste is ordinarily copper powder or silver powder. Conductive pastes using copper powder as the conductive filler (copper-system pastes) have recently come into wide general use for the reason that, in comparison with conductive pastes using silver powder as the conductive filler (silver-system pastes), they are less susceptible to migration, superior in soldering resistance and able to achieve low cost. A copper-system paste with these merits is obtained by dispersing copper powder of a particle diameter of around 0.1-10 μm in an appropriate vehicle (usually composed of resin binder and a solvent).
Even among copper-system pastes, in the case of those used for the external electrodes of laminated ceramic capacitors and those for forming various circuitry on substrates, the physical and chemical properties required of the conductive paste differ with difference in electrode or circuit form, method of forming the same, substrate material, and the like. Since the general practice has therefore been to prepare copper-system pastes with various capabilities separately for each use, differences in the optimum range of coating conditions and sintering conditions are present among the individual types of copper-system pastes.
Except in certain special cases, a copper-system paste is usually desired to be sinterable at low temperature. This is because when conductive circuitry can be sintered by low temperature heating at the substrate surface and interior, the temperature to which the substrate heated together with the conductive paste is raised can be kept down to mitigate heat-related effects on the substrate, advantages can be enjoyed from the aspects of heat energy and equipment, and occurrence of strain owing to difference in thermal expansion between the ceramic substrate and copper circuitry can be reduced.

Highly oxidation-resistant copper powder for conductive paste and process for producing the powder


A foreign substance inspecting apparatus and method for detecting a foreign substance on a surface, includes a light source for providing light; a plurality of condensing optical systems for collecting the light from the light source and for forming a plurality of light spots on the surface; a scanning system for scanning the surface using the light spots formed by the condensing optical systems; a detecting optical system for detecting light scattered from at least one of the light spots by the foreign substance on the surface; and a surface shape measuring system for measuring a shape of the surface, wherein a focus of each one of the condensing optical systems is individually adjusted according to the surface shape measured by the surface shape measuring system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting whether foreign substances are adhered to a surface, and more particularly, to an apparatus used in the process of manufacturing semiconductor devices, liquid crystal display devices or the like.
2. Related Background Art
In the process of manufacturing liquid crystal display devices, for example, a pattern formed on a photomask (hereafter referred to as a "mask") is projected and exposed on a plate used as a photosensitive substrate. When a foreign substance, such as small debris, adheres to the mask during projection exposure, the image of the foreign substance is transferred to the plate along with the pattern image, thereby creating defects in the pattern. Accordingly, inspection for the presence and position of foreign substances on the mask using a foreign substance inspecting apparatus is necessary prior to projection exposure.
In particular, since the size of liquid crystal substrates has significantly increased, it is necessary to inspect for foreign substance over an area of a large substrate. With the foreign substance inspecting apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 8-29353, a beam spot scans one direction on the inspected surface using one scanning lens having a wide scanning region. Furthermore, detection of foreign substances is accomplished using the scattered light from the foreign substances with respect to the beam spot while moving the inspected surface in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of the beam spot.
As described above, when the scanning region of the scanning lens becomes about 500 mm, for example, accompanying the increase in size of the substrate, the required diameter of the scanning lens becomes about 150 mm. As a result, production costs for the scanning lens increase greatly, and the apparatus as a whole becomes bulkier. In addition, when the substrate is not flat, focussing of the scanning lens over the entirety of a wide scanning region is difficult, so that the sensitivity in detecting foreign substances varies depending on the detection position.
In another process of manufacturing circuit patterns for liquid crystal display devices or semiconductor devices, a pattern formed on a mask is projected and exposed on a photosensitive substrate. When a foreign substance, such as small debris, adheres particularly to the pattern surface of the mask during projection exposure, the image of this foreign substance is transferred to the photosensitive substrate, thereby creating defects in the pattern. Consequently, a pellicle membrane is often provided on the pattern surface side of the mask to prevent foreign substances from adhering to the pattern surface of the mask. In this case, the effects of transferring foreign substances adhered to the pellicle membrane are a great deal smaller than the effects of transferring foreign substances adhered to the pattern surface of the mask. However, when the foreign substance adhered to the pellicle membrane has a certain size, the image of this foreign substance is transferred to the photosensitive substrate. In addition, when a foreign substance of a certain size is adhered to the back surface (the glass surface on the side opposite the pattern surface) of the mask, the image of this foreign substance is also transferred to the photosensitive substrate.
Hence, a foreign substance inspecting apparatus for inspecting foreign substances adhered to the mask and the pellicle membrane has been proposed. In the conventional foreign substance inspecting apparatus, the inspected surface is scanned by one beam spot formed by one scanning optical system using a beam with strong directivity, such as a laser beam. Furthermore, the scattered light, with respect to the beam spot, from the foreign substance on the inspected surface is detected by a light-receiving optical system.
However, when the size of the mask becomes large, the required scanning range also becomes wide. Consequently, there are many cases where the focal length of the scanning lens in the scanning optical system is lengthened. In this case, because the separation between the scanning lens and the inspected surface is also lengthened, the diameter of the scanning lens and the size of other optical components, such as bending mirrors between the scanning lens and the inspected surface, also become larger. As a result, production costs of components such as the scanning lens increase, and the apparatus becomes bulkier.
In addition, with regard to the light-receiving optical system, because it is necessary to have a wide scanning range with the same numerical aperture (NA), the diameter of the light-receiving lens and the size of other optical components increase. As a result, production costs for components such as the light-receiving lens increase, and the apparatus as a whole becomes bulkier.
Furthermore, with the conventional technology, a glass material is used as the light-absorbing member for absorbing the mirror reflected light of the beam spot. Accordingly, as the size of the mask increases and the scanning range widens, it is necessary to maintain the length for covering the scanning range as a whole by adhering a plurality of glass members together. However, when light is incident on the adhesion region between adjacent glass members, the light is not absorbed but scattered, thereby enabling scattered light to enter the light-receiving optical system as stray light.

Foreign substance inspecting apparatus and method thereof


A screw compressor type supercharger includes an improved supercharger bypass valve including a spring biasing the bypass valve towards an open position. The spring may be a compression spring integrated into a bypass valve diaphragm, an extension spring extending parallel to a diaphragm arm, or a torsion spring on a bypass valve butterfly shaft. The spring is selected and installed to hold the bypass valve open at all vacuum levels and at up to one PSI of boost, and then to allow the bypass to close between one PSI and six PSI boost, and to be closed at above six PSI boost. The resulting control of the bypass valve prevents damage to the supercharger.

The present invention relates to supercharger bypass valves and in particular to an external spring used to alter closing of the supercharger bypass valve.
Power production of an internal combustion engine is ultimately limited by the amount of air introduced into each engine cylinder. Fuel systems can at best provide an optimal amount of fuel to burn with the air contained in the cylinder, and adding more fuel than required for a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio does not result in more energy being produced. The power production of non-supercharged engines is thus limited by the engine's ability to draw air into each cylinder, referred to the Volumetric Efficiency (VE) of the engine, where 100 percent VE is equivalent to complete filling of the cylinder at bottom dead center at one atmosphere of pressure. While some engines achieve greater than 100 percent VE using tuned intake manifolds, the effects are generally limited to a small RPM range which the intake is tuned to.
Power production may also be realized by raising the RPM that an engine is operated at, thereby pumping more air through the engine. Unfortunately, high RPM operation requires cam lobe designs which are inefficient at low RPM, and is also stressful on engine parts.
An alternative method for increasing power production is to pump (or force) air into the engine. This approach is commonly called supercharging because more air is forced into each cylinder than 100 percent VE produces. For many years, supercharging was limited to special applications because of the power required to operate the supercharger (i.e., the parasitic draw of the supercharger) resulting in reduced fuel economy under all operating conditions.
One known supercharger is a screw compressor type supercharger employed to pump air into the engine at greater than atmospheric pressure to increasing horsepower. Screw compressor superchargers employ a pair of rotating screw elements within a confined cylindrical housing. The rotating screw elements draw air from a throttle body at an aft end of the housing and push the air progressing toward a forward end of the housing thereby compressing the air. The compressed air is then delivered into an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. Providing the compressed air (commonly referred to as boost) dramatically increases engine horsepower production and allows immediate and tremendous acceleration.
However, maximum performance is not always required or desired from an engine and is only infrequently required from the engine in a street driven vehicle. The pressure boost generated by constantly running a supercharger elevates intake air temperature that causes ill effects on the engine, performance, fuel economy, and emissions. Therefore, for normal driving, it is ideal to effectively disconnect the compressor, but unfortunately, known means for selectively engaging and disengaging a supercharger are not cost effective.
As a solution to the ill effects of a constantly running supercharger, both original equipment and aftermarket supercharger systems have been developed which selectively bypass the compressed heated air flow back to the supercharger inlet during non-performance driving. Such bypassing eliminates the negative effects of the supercharger at low speeds while still providing a highly efficient method for producing significant horse power gains. Such bypassing further maintains reasonable and often provides improved fuel economy. The control of such bypassed air flow is commonly performed by a bypass valve. Unfortunately, known bypass valves work well at low boost pressures common in production cars, for example, below 6 PSI boost (or MAP of 20.7 PSIA), but not always satisfactory for high boost pressures, for example, from 6 to 20 PSI (or MAP from 20.7 PSIA to 34.7 PSIA) of modern high performance superchargers.
Further, modern vehicle engines provide significant improvements in speed, economy, and emissions through the use of computer controlled Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems. The EFI systems measure engine parameters and determine how much fuel to provide to the engine for efficient operation. Known EFI systems fall into three categories Alpha N systems; Speed Density systems; and Mass Air Flow systems.
Alpha N systems tend to be simple and compute fuel requirements based on RPM and throttle position. The RPM and throttle position are provided to simple lookup tables and the fuel requirement results. Alpha N systems often work well in racing engines operated at wide open throttle, but are difficult to tune to a wide operating range.
Speed Density systems receive engine RPM, throttle position, intake manifold vacuum, and intake air temperature, and compute airflow requirements using a much larger lookup table than an Alpha N system. Some Speed Density systems also include an oxygen (O2) sensor in the exhaust system to provide closed loop operation. In closed loop operation the system uses the air/fuel ratio from the O2 sensor to adapt to current conditions and adjust for engine wear. Some General Motors and most Dodge fuel injection systems use Speed Density systems.
Mass Air Flow (MAF) systems include an MAF sensor mounted in front of the throttle body which directly measures the amount (mass) of air inducted into the engine. A known MAF sensor is a hot wire sensor. Air flows over a heated wire and draws away some of the heat. The amount of current required to maintain the temperature of the wire is measured and used to determine the mass of air flowing across the wire. The mass of air flow, plus additional sensor data, is input to a map, and fuel requirements determined. The MAF systems offer good performance by directly measuring the air flow, but the required air flow sensor creates a restriction in some systems and reduces performance.
Chrysler Speed Density systems include Drive-By-Wire throttle position control and are designed to operate in a Manifold Air Pressure (MAP) range of approximately zero to 15 Pounds per Square Inch Absolute (PSIA) (where one atmosphere equals approximately 14.7 PSIA.) As a result, the software running the Chrysler Speed Density system does not lend itself to supercharged applications where MAP can exceed 15 PSIA.
More specifically, the Chrysler throttle position is controlled by software via a MAP sensor output which is translated to an airflow estimate by the Speed Density system and the airflow value is translated into a torque estimate. Under normal driving conditions, throttle position is controlled based on demand from the driver in the form of pedal position, but is also limited by a lookup table based on instantaneous torque estimates. When the driver advances the pedal position, the software limits the actual throttle position based on the lookup table. The system assumes that if the MAP sensor output reaches 14 PSIA to 15 PSIA, the airflow into the engine is at a maximum independent of throttle position, and the software no longer limits the throttle position. Under normally aspirated conditions (no boost), there is no reaction to this, because once the intake manifold absolute pressure is near or equal to one atmosphere, greater throttle position has no affect on air flow into the engine. The software thus allows throttle position to match the pedal position once one atmosphere is attained (approx 14.7 PSIA).
Unfortunately, such throttle position control produces undesirable results for supercharged (or boosted, pressures above one atmosphere) applications. Because the Chrysler software immediately allows the throttle position to match pedal position once the MAP sensor outputs reach one atmosphere, the unexpected increase in throttle position compounds the effect of boost when boost is created. In other words, there is an rapid transition from limited throttle position to unlimited throttle position (throttle position is now commanded to pedal position) as soon as the MAP sensor output increases to above one atmosphere because the Chrysler software incorrectly assumes that no boost is present.
Additionally, the bypass valve present on known superchargers rapidly closes over the same MAP range as where the throttle position is allowed to open rapidly, causing boost to increase even more rapidly. An example comparing throttle voltage (proportional to throttle position) and MAP with a standard "pre-loaded" bypass valve (STD bypass) to an throttle voltage and MAP with an improved bypass valve according to the present invention and discussed below is shown in FIG. 10. The MAP (boost) increases rapidly as the STD bypass valve closes at just below one atmosphere MAP (i.e., just before the engine transitions from vacuum to boost) just as throttle position limits are removed. This compounded application of increased throttle position and increased boost produces an undesirable "ON/OFF" feel to the driver.
Unfortunately, the Chrysler software does not have a provision to allow for a smooth transition of throttle position control above 14.7 PSIA, so it is necessary to find another way to attenuate the instantaneous increase in power being experienced with supercharged engines. Many solutions have been tried over a period of five years, including switches on the pedal, and other, but no simple, robust, solution has been found, and Chrysler engineers have failed to provide a solution to this problem.
Further, both Ford and GM Mass Air Flow (MAF) systems using STD bypass valves in conjunction with race or high lift, high overlap cams, may cause overheating of the supercharger because the STD bypass valve closes prematurely. The STD bypass valve is almost fully closed at 10 inches Hg (i.e., Map of 9.8 PSIA). Most race or high lift, high overlap cams reduce vacuum to a maximum of 10 inches Hg or less (i.e., a MAP of 9.8 PSIA or more) during cruising even where throttle positions are very low. This vacuum level forces the STD bypass valve to remain closed during most operation, often overheating the supercharger and causing premature failure.

External spring supercharger bypass valve


Described are low viscosity, hypotonic formulations containing one or more proteins, e.g., antibodies, at high concentration, uses of the formulations, and articles of manufacture. In particular, the formulations are useful and beneficial for the subcutaneous administration or delivery of a high concentration of a protein drug, such as an antibody, to a subject who is afflicted with a disease or condition that is treatable by the protein drug.

The development of concentrated protein formulations comprising proteins at a concentration of greater than 100 mg/mL presents many challenges. At such high concentrations, these proteins are restricted by solubility, administration volume and manufacturing limitations, stability issues, and delivery obstacles exist. Developing formulations in which the component protein is at present in high concentration may also present aggregation problems. Concentrated protein formulations specific for injectable administration present a particular complication in that they tend to be highly viscous. Not only do these formulations present potential difficulties during subcutaneous administration to an individual, but also during preparation and manufacture.
There is a need for highly concentrated protein formulations having low viscosity, particularly for the ready administration of protein-based drugs and biologics to subjects via parenteral routes. The present invention provides a solution to this need.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Concentrated protein formulations and uses thereof


A method and composition for polymer-reinforced composite cementitious construction materials is described. In one embodiment, a crosslinking component is mixed with a high molecular weight strengthening component and an inorganic cementitious material. The addition of the mixture to water causes a crosslinked molecular network to form within the hydrated, composite cementitious construction material. Both enhanced flexural strength and improved nail-pull resistance are shown, allowing a reduction in weight of the composite cementitious construction material compared to cementitious construction materials made according to other known methods.

Cementitious building materials, such as concrete and gypsum products, are typically prepared by mixing dehydrated inorganic material with water and casting the resulting slurry into molds, forms, or sheets where it hydrates, hardens, and dries. For example, the production of gypsum-containing articles involves combining calcined gypsum powder (calcium sulfate hemihydrate and/or calcium sulfate anhydrite) with water (and often a small percentage of a variety of additives), and casting the mixture into a desired shaped mold or onto a surface. The resulting hydration reaction produces an interlocking matrix of gypsum crystals (calcium sulfate dihydrate). This is often followed by mild heating to drive off the remaining free (unreacted) water to yield a dry product.
Cementitious materials are used universally, primarily in the construction industry, for their desirable qualities of ease of casting, high compressive strength, and fire-resistance. Cementitious products include concrete, lightweight concrete, reinforced concrete, concrete board, gypsum boards, reinforced gypsum composite boards, plasters, machinable materials, joint treatment materials, acoustical tiles, plaster casts, and dental models. The most notable shortcoming is the weight of the products produced using cementitious materials, which results in relatively high production, installation, and building costs. Since the strength of a given composition is proportional to its density, current cementitious building materials must have relatively high densities in order to achieve desired performance requirements. The density of the material, and thus the overall weight of the products, can be reduced by introducing air voids or expanded filler into the inorganic material but only with a loss in strength that is more than merely proportional to the weight loss.
All of the cementitious products described above would benefit from increased strength-to-weight ratio, which would make them more resistant to the stresses encountered during use while reducing weight and building costs. Wallboard, the largest volume gypsum product would particularly benefit from such an improvement. Wallboard typically consists of a gypsum core sandwiched between sheets of cover paper. In an effort to decrease the weight of the product, producers have steadily increased the porosity of the gypsum core by incorporating air voids or lightweight filler. The core is thus weak and the majority of current wallboard strength is provided by fiber-oriented, multi-ply cover paper. Paper is by far the most expensive component of wallboard manufacture, contributing more than 40% to the manufacturing cost. In addition, the paper facing of wallboard is subject to mold, which consumes the cellulosic material, deteriorates the mechanical integrity of the board, and produces foul smelling, toxic chemicals.
There is continuing effort to make gypsum-containing products lighter in weight by substituting lower density materials (e.g., expanded perlite or air voids) for part of their set gypsum matrix. In such compositions, there is a need to increase the strength of the set gypsum above normal levels in order to maintain overall product strength because there is less set gypsum mass to provide strength in the lower density product.
A number of additives, such as cellulosic particles and fibers, have been included to further improve the mechanical properties of cementitious products. More expensive glass fibers are used in place of wood in applications where high fire resistance is required. However, conventional fibers, particularly glass, do not adhere well to the gypsum matrix and decrease the workability of the gypsum slurry, thus limiting improvement of the board. Glass fibers are also brittle and can be easily dislodged during board handling, installation, or demolition to cause irritation of the skin or lungs.
More recently, there has been increasing interest in improving the strength and wear resistance of construction materials by incorporating synthetic polymers. Cementitious composites containing water-dispersible polymers having modest improvement in strength-to-weight have been found by adding latex or other strengthening polymers to the cementitious materials. However, several unique challenges have thus far restricted the commercialization of polymer reinforced cementitious products to relatively expensive niche products.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,832 ("the '832 Patent") describes the use of additives in quick-drying joint compound. In one example, a water soluble functional polymer with either a nitrogen or a sulfonate group, such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) ("PVP") at a molecular weight of between 20,000 and 40,000 (all molecular weights reported herein are in Daltons), was combined with a powdered solid bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin, such as Shell EPON™ 1002F ("Epoxy"), achieving a crack resistance strength slightly higher than PVP alone and a slightly faster drying time than PVP alone.
However, the PVP and Epoxy additives of the '832 Patent, either alone or together, decreased the porosity caused by evaporation of water from the slurry (the '832 Patent, column 4, II. 46-54). According to the '832 Patent, the decrease in porosity of the joint compound was the primary mechanism in the increased crack resistance (the '832 Patent, column 1, II. 50-59), which was based on the load required for crack initiation in the joint between two pieces of wallboard.
In other examples, the '832 Patent taught that a range of molecular weight of between 40,000 and 80,000 for PVP produced significantly improved crack resistance compared to higher molecular weight PVP (the '832 Patent, column 6, II. 3-5). At this molecular weight, a concentration of between 3 wt % and 6 wt % of PVP with between 2 wt % and 4 wt % Epoxy was disclosed as an optimal, lowest range of concentration to achieve an optimally improved combination of both crack resistance and drying times (the '832 Patent, column 7, II. 7-21).
The cost of polymers is typically hundreds of times that of the inorganic material, particularly for gypsum products, and additions of strengthening polymers normally are restricted to a small percentage of the mixture (e.g., less than 1% of weight of stucco for wallboard applications) to be successful commercially. However, because high strength polymers typically have a low adhesion to inorganic materials and tend to coagulate in aqueous solution, large amounts of polymer (or compatibilizers, such as surfactants) are needed to improve the strength to weight ratio of the composites.
Alternatively, hydrophilic polymers adhere well to gypsum crystals but tend to either: (1) have low intrinsic film strengths; (2) bind so well to gypsum crystals that hydration and crystal growth, and thus composite strength, are severely retarded; or (3) show a greater affinity to water than the inorganic material and migrate to the edges of the sample with the evaporating moisture leaving the core without reinforcement and weak.
In U.S. application Ser. No. 10/094,572, filed Mar. 7, 2002, ("the '572 Application") the specification of which is incorporated herein in its entirety, polymers overcoat the inorganic, filler particles, providing adhesion between the particles and cohesion (thus mechanical/dimensional stability) of the overall core composite. In addition to bridging the particles, the polymeric binder offers viscoelastic damping (thus acoustic energy absorption), leading to superior noise reduction. The overall system is lightweight and possesses fire/flame retardancy similar to conventional gypsum boards. Furthermore, the high insulation efficiency afforded by the large void fraction protects the framing structure (2″×4″ studs) from becoming overheated in the event of an actual fire. The strengthening of the gypsum wallboard products made with the low-density cores of the '572 Application is primarily attributed to the strength of cover paper or other higher density layers formed at the surfaces of the wallboard, and the core itself is reduced in weight.
A longstanding need exists in the industry to substantially enhance the strength-to-weight ratio of cementitious materials, including cement and wallboard products, to produce lightweight products or stronger, wear resistant products. In addition, eliminating or reducing other additives, such as wallboard cover paper and glass fiber can reduce board and construction costs, environmental degradation and hazards to human health. Furthermore, a need exists to improve the thermal and sound insulation properties of high strength cementitious building materials.

Method and composition for polymer-reinforced composite cementitious construction material

Innovative Construction and Building Materials


A cartridge type developer supplier, detachably mounted in a developing device for an image formation apparatus such as an electrophotographic recording apparatus, includes a container for holding a developer and having an outlet port formed therein for discharging the developer therethrough, a paddle rotatably provided in the container for feeding a part of the developer from the container to the device through the port during rotation of the paddle, and a lid movably associated with the paddle so that the lid is enabled to take an initial position for closing the port when the paddle is positioned at a given angular position prior to a commencement of the rotation thereof. The lid is moved from its initial position after the commencement of the rotation of the paddle so that the port is opened to enable the container to feed developer to the device.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a developing device with a developer supplier used in an image formation apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser printer, a facsimile or the like, wherein an electrostatic latent image is electrostatically developed with a developer.
2) Description of the Related Art
Generally, in an image formation apparatus such as an electrophotographic recording apparatus, the following processes are typically carried out:
a) a uniform distribution of electrical charges is produced on a surface of an electrostatic latent image carrying body;
b) an electrostatic latent image is formed on a charged area of the body surface by an optical writing means such as a laser beam scanner, an LED (light emitting diode) array, a liquid crystal shutter array or the like;
c) the latent image is developed as a visible image with a developer or toner, which is electrically charged to be electrostatically adhered to the latent image zone;
d) the developed and charged toner image is electrostatically transferred from the body to a recording medium such as a cut sheet paper; and
e) the transferred toner image is fixed and recorded on the cut sheet paper by a toner image fixing means such as a heat roller.
Note, typically, the electrostatic latent image carrying body may be an electrophotographic photoreceptor, usually formed as a drum, called a photosensitive drum, having a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photoconductive insulating film bonded to a cylindrical surface thereof.
As one type of developer, a two-component developer is well known, which is composed of a toner component (colored fine synthetic resin particles) and a magnetic component (magnetic fine carriers). Usually, a developing device using this type of developer includes a vessel for holding the two-component developer, wherein the developer is agitated by an agitator provided therein. This agitation causes the toner particles and the magnetic carriers to be subjected to triboelectrification, whereby the toner particles are electrostatically adhered to each of the magnetic carriers. The developing device also includes a magnetic roller provided in the vessel as a developing roller in such a manner that a portion of the magnetic roller is exposed therefrom and faces the surface of the photosensitive drum. The magnetic carriers with the toner particles are magnetically adhered to the surface of the magnetic roller to form a magnetic brush therearound, and by rotating the magnetic roller carrying the magnetic brush, the toner particles are brought to the surface of the drum for the development of the electrostatic latent image formed thereon.
In this developing device, a ratio between the toner and magnetic components of the developer body held in the vessel must fall within a predetermined range before a stable development process can be continuously maintained. Accordingly, preferably, the developing device is provided with a developer supplier from which a toner component is supplied to the developer body held in the vessel, to supplement the toner component as it is consumed during the development process, whereby the component ratio of the developer body held by the vessel is kept within the predetermined range.
A one-component developer is also known, which is composed of only a toner component (colored fine synthetic resin particles), and there are two types of the one-component developer; a magnetic type and a non-magnetic type. Namely, each toner particle of the magnetic type one-component developer has a resin part and a magnetic fine powder part, whereas each particle of the non-magnetic type one-component developer has only a resin part. A developing device using the magnetic type one-component developer is also provided with a magnetic roller, which can be constructed in substantially the same manner as that for the two-component developer. Namely, the magnetic type one-component developer also can be brought to the surface of the photosensitive drum by the rotating magnetic roller as in the developing device using the two-component developer. In a developing device using the non-magnetic type one-component developer, a conductive elastic roller, which may be formed of a conductive foam rubber material, is used as a developing roller. When the conductive elastic roller is rotated within a body of the developer held by a vessel, the toner particles are frictionally entrained to be brought to the surface of the photosensitive drum. Also, the developing device using the one-component developer is preferably provided with a developer supplier from which a one-component developer is supplied to the body of developer held in the vessel, to supplement the developer as it is consumed during the development process.
As one type of developer supplier, a cartridge type is well known, which is detachably mounted in the developer vessel. This cartridge type developer supplier includes an outer cylindrical container, and an inner cylindrical container rotatably housed within the outer container and holding a given amount of the developer therein. Each of the outer and inner containers has an outlet port for discharging the developer from the developer supplier, but, before the developer supplier is mounted in the developer vessel, the outlet port of the outer container is not in register with that of the inner container so that the outlet ports are closed to prevent a leakage of the developer from the developer supplier. After the developer supplier is mounted in the developer vessel, the inner container is rotated in the outer container by manually operating a pair of lever elements provided at the end faces of the developer supplier, until the outlet ports are in register with each other, whereby it is possible to take out the developer from the developer supplier through the registered outlet ports, for supplementing the developer to the body of developer held in the vessel. Although a manner of mounting the developer supplier in the developer vessel is shown and explained in a printed matter such as a handbook, a user may frequently forget the manual operation of the lever element for taking out the developer from the developer supplier.
In one type of electrophotographic recording apparatus, in particular, a personal type of electrophotographic printer, a developing device is formed as an exchangeable unit. When the exchangeable developing device cannot be used, i.e., when a developer held therein is consumed, the developing device per se is exchanged for a new one. During shipping of the new developing devices not yet used in a printer, leakage of any developer must be prevented. Accordingly, a vessel of the exchangeable developing device is divided into two chambers by a tape-like seal element: one chamber houses a developing roller; and the other chamber holds a body of developer. Just before the new developing device is incorporated in the printer in exchange for the old developing device, the tape-like seal element is pulled and removed out of the new developing device, and thus a seal for the developer chamber is broken so that the two chambers are in communication with each other. Similar to the detachable developer supplier as mentioned above, a user may frequently forget the removal of the tape-like seal element out of the new developing device. Also, during the exchange of the old developing device for the new developing device, a leakage of developer from the new developing devices may occur because the chamber for the developing roller is in communication with the outside.

Cartridge type developer supplier and developing device formed as exchangeable unit


A mounting apparatus for releasably securing a device to an auxiliary structure includes a first plate and a second plate formed to engage the first plate. The first plate includes one or more features that allow attachment of the device to the first plate, and a first lateral edge extending at least partially between a front edge and a rear edge of the first plate. The second plate includes a second lateral edge extending at least partially between a front edge and a rear edge of the second plate and formed to engage the first lateral edge of the first plate, a first stopper disposed along the front edge of the second plate, and a second stopper disposed along the rear edge of the second plate. The first plate is configured to be engaged with the second plate in a frontal position and in a rearward position.

Cameras and other video equipment devices (e.g., video recorders and sound recorders) may be attached to various auxiliary structures (e.g., tripods, shoulder rigs, bridge plates, base plates, dollies, sliders, stabilizers, dovetails, and other accessory components) for photographing and filming. Securing a camera or another device to an auxiliary structure or removing the camera or other device from the auxiliary structure using conventional mounting systems may be relatively time consuming in fast pace photography and filming environments. Such an installation or removal of the camera or other device may also be cumbersome due to the extent of movement required for the installation or removal or due to the arrangement of other accessories within the vicinity of the camera or other device.

Releasable support mounts and related methods


Tools and techniques are described for analyzing interactions to identify dissimilar items that may contain synonyms. Methods described herein may retrieve activity records that represent interactions between a visitor and a server-based system, and may identify within the activity records inputs that the visitor provided during the interaction. The methods may identify items within the activity record that are associated with the inputs, and may access additional activity records that also contain the same inputs. The methods may then identify additional items within the additional activity records that are associated with this same input, and may establish similarity ratings for the two items, with the similarity ratings indicating a likelihood that documents respectively associated with the items contain synonyms.

As document content becomes increasingly available over wide area networks such as the Internet, indexing and categorizing this content for efficient search becomes more of a challenge for organizations that post content on, for example, web pages. This challenge is likely to become more of an issue as more organizations make information available via electronically searchable databases.
Another challenge with enabling users to electronically search for content is supporting searches for synonyms. Under some approaches, a search engine might receive a given input keyword search, and expand the keywords by identifying synonyms for the keywords at the time that the search is requested. Afterwards, the search engine may perform individual keyword searches for each identified synonym.
While the foregoing approaches may work suitably in some circumstances, there are nevertheless opportunities for improvement, as described further in this application.

Method and system for analyzing user interaction to identify documents associated with dissimilar items that may contain synonyms


A phone (12) identifies the nature of a desired communication by receiving data related to a purpose of the communication from parsers (26) and comparing the data to predetermined criteria specified by filters (24). A ring tone is selected from a set of ring tone responsive to the comparison. The ring tone could provide either audio or tactile stimulation, or both. Tactile stimulation could be provided, for example through different vibration patterns. Alternatively, a graphic may be shown responsive to the comparison.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to digital communications and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for announcing a communication request.
2. Description of the Related Art
Voice communication is the most common form of communication for both personal and private purposes. For many years the telephone has been the primary tool for voice communications. While efficient for communicating, the telephone can be distracting as well. Often, telephone calls are not answered because the receiving party is busy with another task, or is talking to another party.
Caller ID provides some information regarding the calling party. Some phones allow for different ring tones to be associated with different incoming numbers. While this may provide the receiving party with the identity of the caller, or the employer of the caller, it does not provide information regarding the nature of the call.
VOIP (voice over internet protocol) phones may provide additional information regarding the nature of the call in a "subject line" which is passed to the answering phone with the invite message. Also, additional "presence" information may be provided. However, this information is useful only if the receiving party can access the information. Accessing the information may not be practical in many situations, for example if the receiving party is in a meeting with someone else, or is driving a car. Further, if the receiving party is otherwise involved in work, he or she may not take the time to look at the information.
Therefore, a need has arisen for an improved method and apparatus for determining the nature of a communication request without interacting with the communication device at the moment of call notification.