A metal tube is cold formed into a stamped member by filling the tube with a liquid change-of-state material, freezing the change-of-state material, sealing the tube containing the solid change-of-state material, and stamping the tube in a die. The change-of-state material compresses during the stamping step to force the walls of the tube to conform to the die cavity, eliminating the need to pressurize the tube prior or subsequent to stamping. Additionally, the solid within the tube provides support to the wall of the tube during a piercing step to form a hole in the tube having less deformation surrounding the hole than a comparative tube pierced without having the solid fill. After the stamping or piercing steps, the change-of-state material is melted and drained from the tube. Further, a tube is pierced by forming an outwardly bulged area and piercing the tube in the outwardly bulged area while simultaneously depressing the tube to substantially flatten the outwardly bulged area.

The present invention relates to forming and piercing tubular materials, and more particularly to cold forming and piercing tubular materials to produce structural members.
Tube hydroforming is a known method of cold forming metal tubes to create structural members, for example, for the automotive industry. In a typical hydroforming process, a tube is partially deformed by stamping it in a die. Then, internal hydraulic pressure exceeding the yield strength of the tube wall is applied to force the tube to expand and to conform to the die cavity--much like blowing up a balloon. Several references discuss hydroforming methods. These references include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,339,667 issued Aug. 23, 1994 to Shah et al., entitled "Method for Pinch Free Tube Forming"; 5,070,717 issued Dec. 10, 1991 to Boyd et al., entitled "Method of Forming a Tubular Member with Flange"; and 4,744,237 issued May 17, 1988 to Cudini, entitled "Method of Forming Box-Like Frame Members"; and Sanjay Shah et al., Tube Hydroforming: Process Capability and Production Applications, Body Assembly & Manufacturing Proceedings, International Body Engineering Conference (September 1994).
Hydroforming processes offer several advantages over conventional die-stamping processes for cold forming metal tubes. These advantages include reduced variation in the finished pieces, reduced number of steps needed to produce the finished pieces, improved structural integrity of the finished pieces, and eliminated need to join separately pressed parts by welding. However, hydroforming has the disadvantage of requiring expensive and specialized die machinery to handle the extreme pressures to which the tube must be exposed. In particular, hydroforming requires additional machinery external to the die, such as pumps and intensifiers, to boost the internal hydraulic pressure of the tube. Further, the high pressures required for hydroforming can be dangerous to machine operators.
Several variations of the hydroforming process exist. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,803 issued May 16, 1989 to Cudini, entitled "Method of Forming Box-Like Frame Members" discloses a step of hydraulically pressurizing the internal space of a tube prior to closing the die, to allow better control of the deformation of the tube wall during die closure. The pressure to which the tube is initially pressurized, typically about 300 p.s.i.g., is selected to be less than the yield limit of the tube wall, but high enough so that during die closure (i.e., stamping), as the upper and lower die sections compress the tube, the tube walls are forced evenly toward the corners of the die cavity. More specifically, as the die closes, the hydraulic pressure within the tube causes the tube wall to overcome the frictional forces tending to resist the tube wall's transverse slippage over the surface of the upper and lower die sections. Thus, the internal pressure is selected so that the tube wall slides over the surface of the die sections and avoids being pinched between the upper and lower die sections as they mate.
To assure that the internal tube pressure during the '803 process does not rise to cause yielding of the tube wall during die stamping, a pressure relief valve is positioned in one end of the tube, set to release the liquid at a pressure below the yield limit of the tube. However, since the tube wall at the completion of this stamping process is bowed or dished inwardly, the '803 process requires a final hydroforming step of applying internal pressure to exceed the yield limit of the tube wall, and to expand the tube to conform to the die cavity. Thus, the '803 process does not escape the disadvantages of the hydroforming process. Rather, the '803 process adds an initial pressurization step to the hydroforming process, thereby slowing the tube forming process and increasing the cost of hydroforming.
Another variant of the tube hydroforming process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,618 issued Oct. 11, 1994 to Roper et al., entitled "Apparatus and Method for Forming a Tubular Frame Member," which discloses hydraulically pressurizing the interior of a tube to just below its burst pressure (yield strength) prior to bending and die stamping the tube, in order to ensure uniform, non-buckling deformation of the tube. A pressure relief valve and a hydraulic pressure source act in concert to maintain the internal pressure within the tube at just below the tube's burst pressure during the bending and stamping steps.
In utilizing the '618 process, if the cross-sectional perimeter of the preformed tube is, in some areas of the tube, less than the cross-sectional perimeter of the die cavity, then the tube must be expanded into the small radiused corners of the die cavity by subsequent hydroforming. However, if the cross-sectional perimeter of the die cavity is approximately equal to the cross-sectional perimeter of the preformed tube, then the tube will conform to the die cavity without subsequent hydroforming if the internal tube pressure prior to die stamping is near, yet less than, the internal burst pressure of the tube. (See Col. 18, Ins. 7-33.)
The '618 process has several disadvantages. The requirement that the tube be internally pressurized prior to die stamping adds a step that increases the complexity of the tube forming process, and increases the amount of equipment needed to complete the process. Further, subjecting the tube to high pressures prior to stamping requires a step that slows the forming process and therefore increases the cost of tube forming. Also, pressurizing a tube prior to stamping it decreases the safety of the stamping operation. A final disadvantage of the '618 process is the limitation that the internal pressure of the tube during the die stamping step remain below the yield strength (i.e., burst pressure) of the tube wall. This limitation ultimately requires an additional hydroforming step to expand the tube if the cross-sectional perimeter of the die cavity is greater than the preformed tube circumference.
It is known in the unrelated field of pipe bending that increasing the internal hydrostatic pressure of a pipe can help to prevent buckling or wrinkling of the pipe wall when bending the pipe. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,105,537 issued Oct. 1, 1963 to Foster, entitled "Bending Pipe"; 567,518 issued Sep. 8, 1896 to Simmons, entitled "Mechanism for Bending Pipe"; and 203,842 issued May 21, 1878 to Leland, entitled "Method of Bending Plumbers'Traps." The elevated hydrostatic pressures, although lower than hydroforming pressures, suffer the same disadvantages noted above. Further, the express purpose of pipe bending is to maintain the same cross-sectional roundness following bending.
It is also known in the unrelated field of bending pipes or tubes to fill the tube with liquid lead or lead-bismuth alloy and allow the metal to solidify prior to bending the tube in order to prevent the tube wall from buckling, collapsing, or wrinkling during the bending process. After bending, the metal-filled tube is heated to melt and drain the filling. See, for example, Bending Thin-Walled Tubing, Molings and Extruded Shapes published by Cerro Metal Products Company. Again, the express purpose of the tube-bending application is to prevent the distortion of the tube cross-section while bending the tube. Further, the use of a liquid metal fill when bending pipe or tubes presents the disadvantageous necessities: (1) cleaning and oiling the tube interior prior to filling the tube with the liquid metal, (2) cleaning the tube interior--frequently by chemical means--after draining the melted metal filling, (3) preventing the metal filling from oxidizing when melting it, and (4) preventing the metal filling from reacting with or sticking to the tube material. These additional steps are labor intensive and therefore expensive.
Holes are typically made in formed metal sheet by a punch process. To allow a clean pierce and prevent distortion of the metal area surrounding the hole, a "die button" is used to back up the metal sheet while the punch pierces the metal sheet. However, in formed, bent tubes, it is difficult to provide a back-up during the punch process. The geometry of the bent tube may prevent access to the tube interior in order to provide back up. For example, back-up of a punch operation is difficult if the formed tube has more than one bend along its axis or if the area to be punched is a substantial distance (e.g., more than about 12 inches) from the tube end. Further, bending a tube having holes can unacceptably distort the holes.
High-pressure liquid in the interior of a tube can provide support when piercing the tube. However, as with hydroforming, this method requires additional expense and equipment to boost the internal hydraulic pressure of the tube.
In the unrelated field of casting, it is known to prepare low-melting-point mandrels for use in the fabrication of high-melting-point structures. After casting, the cast unit is heated to melt and drain the mandrel. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,150 to Baird et al entitled "Reusable Mandrel for Structures Having Zero Draft or Re-Entrant Geometries" issued Feb. 4, 1975.


Heterogeneous vapor phase oxidation and other reactions are carried out at the surface of a solid catalyst, with both gaseous reactants and the solid catalyst being dispersed in a recirculating liquid solvent. Reaction and product absorption are combined into a single processing step, with enhanced catalyst performance, and product selectivity and product yields, enhanced mass and heat transfer characteristics and reduced risk of forming explosive mixtures in the course of a particular reaction.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to vapor-phase heterogeneous reactions. More particularly, it relates to the dispersing of gases and solids in a liquid phase, reacting the vapor-phase components in the presence of a solid catalyst, and recovering the desired reaction product from either the liquid or vapor streams exiting the reactor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heterogeneous vapor-phase reactions are used to produce many large volume organic and inorganic chemicals. Examples of vapor-phase processes include oxidation, ammoxidation, and oxychlorination of olefins, alkanes, and inorganic species to yield a variety of chemicals, e.g. acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, ethylene dichloride, ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide, maleic anhydride, methanol, phthalic anhydride, propylene oxide, vinyl acetate and formaldehyde. In commercial processes, these vapor-phase reactions are conducted in fixed-bed or fluidized-bed (two-phase) reactors.
Although no two processes are exactly alike, commercial versions of vapor-phase processes typically possess at least one characteristic, i.e., a dilute reaction stream. The actual volume fraction of the process stream entering the reactor that is converted to products is typically small. The remainder of the stream consists of inerts and unconverted reactants. Consequently, process equipment associated with reactor process stream, the recycle stream, and product recovery and purification streams must be sized to accommodate the combined flow of reacting and nonreacting species.
The excess diluent represents a process "inefficiency" that adds to fixed capital and operating costs associated with the processes. The requirement for excess diluent arises from several process constraints inherent in conventional fixed-bed and fluidized-bed vapor-phase reactor operations. These constraints include:
1. Limitations due to inadequate rates of heat transfer to remove heat of reaction from catalyst particles:
Vapor-phase oxidations are typically highly exothermic reactions. Reaction rates are limited by the rate at which heat can be removed from the solid catalyst. Rapid reaction rates or poor rates of heat transfer result in generation of catalyst hot spots, which reduce product yields and catalyst lifetimes.
2. Limitations due to conversion-selectivity trade-offs:
Frequently, in heterogeneous vapor-phase oxidations, as the extent of reaction, i.e., conversion, increases, the catalyst selectivity to the desired product decreases. Loss in selectivity is often due to side and secondary reactions forming undesirable by-products, e.g. carbon dioxide. In economic terms, these trade-offs balance effectiveness of raw materials utilization and, in some cases, the size of recycle streams.
3. Limitations in feed compositions due to flammability and explosion hazards:
Flammable compositions of mixtures containing oxygen and hydrocarbons or other combustibles are demarcated by upper and lower flammability limits. Fixed-bed vapor-phase oxidation processes are typically designed to ensure that the compositions of all process streams lie outside the flammable region to avoid explosion hazards.
These limitations are particularly important in fixed-bed processes. In fluidized-bed processes, heat removal from the catalyst is much improved over fixed-bed designs, and explosion risks are considerably reduced by separating the organic and air feed streams and operating without recycle. Fluidized- bed processes typically run at very high conversion of organic reactant and relatively low conversion of oxygen. However, like their fixed-bed counterparts, they suffer from excess inerts in the reactor process stream. Since oxygen efficiency is sacrificed to achieve high conversion of organic reactant, these processes can not tolerate the relatively high cost of the needed oxygen, and instead use feed air as the oxygen source.
A new reactor development that eliminates heat transfer limitations, reduces or eliminates the need for excess inerts, and ensures safe operation could provide significant savings in the capital equipment and operating costs associated with chemical manufacture.
There are two classes of prior art relating to vapor phase reactions, one related to conventional two-phase reactor systems, and the other related to three-phase reactor systems. The two-phase systems cannot fully address all three issues raised above.
In general, two-phase reactor designs solve the problems of flammability and heat removal by dilution of the reaction stream. By utilizing inert components or operating at low conversions with large recycle streams, the composition of the reaction stream can be maintained outside the flammable region. This dilution using inerts and unconverted reactants in the recycle stream also serves to mitigate catalyst heating effects by reducing the heat of reaction per unit volume of feed.
Heat transfer constraints can also be significantly reduced by utilizing fluidized-bed designs in preference to fixed-bed designs. Smaller catalyst particle size and higher solid-vapor heat transfer coefficients associated with fluidized-bed designs both contribute to the improved performance. However, trade-offs also pertain with respect to fluidized bed designs. Backmixing, which can lead to reduced catalyst selectivity, often results in lower reaction yields and higher rates of production of undesired reaction products.
Three-phase reactors offer significantly better heat transfer than is obtainable using two-phase reactors. Higher rates of heat removal are achieved by contacting the catalyst directly with a liquid solvent.
Three-phase reactors come in several forms: (a) fixed beds, either trickle-bed or bubble-bed reactors, depending on whether the vapor phase is continuous or not; (b) ebullated-bed reactors, the three-phase equivalent to a fluidized-bed reactor; and (c) slurry reactors in which the catalyst and vapor phases are dispersed in the liquid phase, either with or without forced convection. The predominant application of three-phase reactors has been to liquid-phase hydrogenations, although some liquid-phase oxidations have also been proposed.
In three-phase systems, the distinction between vapor-phase and liquid-phase heterogeneous catalysis is not entirely obvious since both phases coexist with the solid catalyst. It is possible, however, to distinguish between vapor-phase and liquid-phase catalytic processes in these three-phase systems, based on the mass transfer mechanisms and the resultant reaction rates. If the vapor-phase reactants must diffuse through the liquid to reach the active catalyst sites, the overall reaction rates will be much slower than if mass transfer proceeds through the vapor phase. Thus, liquid-phase processes are characterized by much lower space velocities and slower reaction rates than vapor-phase processes.
Several three-phase, liquid-phase oxidation processes using fixed-bed and slurry reactor configurations are disclosed in the prior art. These include, for example, carbonylation (Drent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,868), direct oxidation of hydrogen to hydrogen peroxide (Hiramatsu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,099) aqueous-based oxidations and reductions (Mori et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,112), and olefinic oxidation to epoxides (Shingu, U.S. Pat. No. 2,985,668 and Bobolev et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,690). These processes remove the heat transfer limitations, and in many cases, provide yields and selectivities superior to commercially practiced technology. They have failed to achieve commercial significance because, as liquid-phase processes, they do not generate commercially acceptable rates of reaction.
Reaction rates comparable to vapor-phase processes have been achieved recently in three-phase reactors by using non-wetted support material. On such supports, the solvent does not capillary condense in the pores of the support, and the reactants have direct access to the active catalyst sites by vapor-phase transport without the additional mass transfer resistances associated with absorption and diffusion in the liquid phase.
Non-wetted catalyst supports are well-known in the literature. Initially developed for catalytic exchange of deuterium between hydrogen gas and water by Stevens, Canadian Patent No. 907292, and Butler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,034, and for redox reactions in aqueous systems by Shkol'nikov et al., Kinetica i Kataliz 20, 768-772 (1979), support materials were treated with teflon to make them hydrophobic. Virtually any conventional catalyst support can be rendered hydrophobic by such treatment, e.g. silicas, aluminas, titanium dioxide, and others. Additionally, a variety of other hydrophobic supports including fluorinated carbons, porous polymeric resins, and high silica zeolites have been disclosed in the literature, e.g. Rolston et al. Catalysis on the Energy Scene, and Kaliaquine and Mahey, Eds., Elsevier, 1984.
Hydrophobic, i.e., non-wetted, supports have been tested in three-phase trickle-bed reactors and exhibit vapor-phase reaction characteristics. Some representative examples include teflon-treated activated carbon catalyst supports used in fixed-bed reactors to oxidize SO.sub.2 in aqueous solutions (Goto and Morita, Chem. Eng. Commun. 60, 253-259, 1987). A fluorinated carbon is employed in a trickle-bed reactor used to oxidize organic contaminants in industrial wastewaters (Chuang et al. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 31, 2466-2472, 1992). Several different supports, including a styrene divinylbenzene copolymer, a fluorinated carbon, and silicalite, are used as supports for direct partial oxidation of olefins to carboxylic acids (Chuang and Fu, U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,319).
For purposes hereof, the term "non-wetted" as applied to a catalyst support/solvent combination is determined by adsorption and capillary condensation behavior, and not the applicable contact angle. The only requirement of the support is that the active component must be accessible to the reactants via transport through the vapor phase alone, i.e., at reactor conditions, the solvent must not block the access of the reactants by condensing in the pores of the support.
The three-phase reactor processes described in the prior art provide better heat transfer than conventional vapor-phase processes due to the higher heat capacity of the liquid phase. They also provide for in situ product recovery in the liquid phase. However, there are two significant problems with current three-phase reactor approaches as applied to vapor phase heterogeneous catalysis.
The first problem in inherent in trickle-bed (fixed-bed) designs utilizing hydrophobic catalyst supports in vapor-phase oxidation processes. The catalyst support must be hydrophobic to ensure vapor-phase reaction rates. It must also be intimately contacted with liquid to remove the heat and recover reaction products. For example, in trickle-bed reactors, the support catalysts are bonded to ceramic packing. A solvent flows through the column with the gas and contacts the catalyst and removes the oxidation product and the heat of reaction. However, if the support is hydrophobic, liquid flow will tend to be characterized by liquid rivulets with large portions of the catalyst bed remaining dry. Consequently, heat and mass transfer rates will be low, resulting in catalyst overheating and inefficient product recovery.
The second serious limitation of this approach is that such trickle-bed processes are co-continuous in the liquid and vapor phases. Consequently, there is significant risk of explosion if operating within the flammability limits. To eliminate explosion hazards, such processes, as described in the prior art, use excess reactant or inert species to dilute the reactive species and minimize the risk of explosion.
There remains in the art, therefore, a need for further development in three-phase reactor processes and systems. Such development will desirably overcome the two significant problems referred to above with respect to vapor-phase heterogeneous catalysis.
It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide an improved reactor system and process for the carrying out of vapor phase heterogeneous reactions.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved reactor system and process for the carrying out of non-wetted solid catalyst, vapor-phase heterogeneous reactions.
With these and other objects in mind, the invention is hereinafter described in detail, the novel features thereof being particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

High efficiency heat and mass transfer for vapor phase heterogeneous reactions


The optical position detection device includes a light irradiation unit that irradiates a target object with light, and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the target object. The light receiving unit includes a segmented photodiode in which a light receiving surface is two-dimensionally segmented into a plurality of light receiving regions, the segmented photodiode outputting a current corresponding to the intensity of light received by each of the light receiving regions; a light receiving lens that condenses the reflected light from the target object and forms an image of the target object on the light receiving surface of the segmented photodiode; and an arithmetic unit that detects a position of the target object in a two-dimensional direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the light receiving lens, based on the output currents corresponding to the respective light receiving regions of the segmented photodiode.

In recent years, as a pointing input device of a computer, a gesture input system for inputting information corresponding to hand motions or the like has attracted attention. In order to realize the gesture input system, a technology of detecting a position of an object having a planner spread such as a hand, in a non-contact manner, is required.
An example of this type of technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The displacement measurement device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a light projecting unit which projects light having a larger spread than the surface dimension of a target object, a light receiving unit having a light receiving lens which condenses reflected light from the target object and a position detecting element located near the image formation position of the condensed reflected light; and an arithmetic processing means for calculating a displacement of the target object in a direction orthogonal to the projection axis of the light or a distance to the target object, based on an output from the light receiving unit.
Patent Document 1: JP 4-307308 A

Apparatus and method for optical gesture recognition


In one embodiment, a presentation instrument comprises a card body having machine readable information stored thereon. A protective device is coupled to the card body so as to be disposed over at least a portion of the machine readable information such that the machine readable information is incapable of being read by a machine when the protective device is in place and the machine readable information is readable by a machine when the protective device is removed.

This invention is generally related to presentation instruments, such as credit cards, debit cards, stored value cards and the like. More specifically, the invention is related to such presentation instruments that are provided with protective devices or other schemes to prevent the fraudulent use or activation of such presentation instruments.
The use of presentation instruments to access financial accounts is well known. Examples of such presentation instruments include credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, phone cards, so-called gift cards, and the like. Such cards typically contain an account number in some form or another that permits the card holder to gain access to their account, such as when making a purchase.
One common way to store the account information is through the use of a magnetic stripe that extends lengthwise along the card. To read the card, a point of sale device, such as the one described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/116,689, filed Apr. 3, 2002, incorporated herein by reference, may be used. The account identifier that is read from the card may then be electronically transmitted to a processing system in order to complete the transaction.
Another way to store the account information is by using a bar code that is read using a bar code reader. Other forms of storage devices include smart chips, RFID tags, MICR lines, and the like.
One problem experienced when using presentation instruments is that they are susceptible to fraud. Integral to fraudulent activity is the ability of the criminal to access account information from the storage device, such as from the magnetic stripe. For instance, those inclined to criminal activity may attempt to duplicate a lost or stolen card, or simply to produce fraudulent cards from blank stock or other cards having a magnetic strip.
Hence, there is a need to insure that a presentation instrument has not been tampered with or duplicated prior to performing a transaction, such as when activating an account.

Tamper resistant presentation instruments and methods


A nursing and infant support pillow having a cushion fastened to a pillow top. The cushion has a midsection, a first end section and a second end section, and the pillow top having a midsection, a first foldable end and a second foldable end. The first and second foldable end pivot about a first and second hinge, respectfully, such that in a folded position, the foldable end is disposed between the cushion and the pillow top to form at least one three layer portion.

Pillows have a wide variety of uses. For example, pillows are used almost universally when sleeping to support the head. However, pillows and/or other cushions may also be for a variety of other uses, such as to support an infant during breast feeding.
Unfortunately, conventional pillows and/or boosters have not been suitable for use with nursing infants.


Disclosed is a localized method for treatment of cancer including the steps of providing a drug delivery catheter; navigating the catheter to the bile duct; and delivering a therapeutic agent into the bile duct. According to one aspect of the method, the drug delivery catheter is a multi-occlusion balloon catheter. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may include at least two balloons. The multi-occlusion balloon catheter may optionally include a pressure transducer between the balloons to optimize delivery technique.

The embodiments described herein relate generally to methods for delivering a therapeutic material to treat pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is considered an almost chemoresistant tumor. The ineffective result of systemic chemotherapy is at least in part due to an insufficient drug concentration within the tumor because of dose-limited toxicity in bone marrow and epithelial tissue. Since systemic chemotherapy is limited its effectiveness, localized therapy can be desirable for advanced pancreatic cancer patients. For example, one such treatment can include local intra-arterial delivery of chemotherapy. Intra-arterial infusion allows higher drug concentration to reach the tumor, overcoming the problem of poor blood flow to tumor mass in comparison to healthy tissue. Furthermore, intra-arterial chemotherapy can also take advantage of the first pass effect of chemotherapeutics, generating higher-level drug concentrations at the tumor cell membrane and therefore, enhancing cellular drug uptake as compared to intravenous infusion. Lastly, local delivery can reduce systemic side effects.
Such a chemotherapy treatment is usually administered through catheters placed in the celiac/hepatic artery or portal vein, however, a best mode of catheter placement has yet to be established. The tumor response rates of pancreatic arterial infusion chemotherapy can range widely, for example, from 7% to 65%, at least in part due to efficacy of drug delivery where anticancer drugs were administered via the celiac artery without assessment of drug distribution. Thus, a need exists for improved methods for delivering a treatment such as a biologic agent and/or drug formation to target tissue of the pancreas, as well as hepatic tumors and cholangiocarinoma.

Methods for delivery of therapeutic materials to treat cancer


There is provided a ring tail for a ballistic projectile and an associated method that facilitate maneuverability of the ballistic projectile. The ring tail comprises a ring member having a generally cylindrical wall and at least one rod joined to an aft section of the ballistic projectile and the ring member. The rod defines an adjustable length, wherein an actuation device joined to the at least one rod adjusts the length to thereby maneuver the ballistic projectile during flight. The ring tail may include generally radially oriented panels and may also include a second ring member joined to the distal ends of the panels such that the ring members are coaxial. Once the projectile has been launched, the ring member extends aftward to provide aerodynamic stability, which may be measured by a guidance sensor in electronic communication with the actuation device that adjusts the length of the at least one rod.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to ballistic projectiles, and more particularly, to a device and method that facilitate maneuverability of ballistic projectiles.
2. Description of Related Art
Mortar shells are barrel-launched ballistic projectiles that are typically used for military applications. The efficacy of the mortar shell typically depends upon the maximum accuracy and range the mortar shell provides. The accuracy of the mortar shell is affected by the atmospheric conditions that the mortar shell experiences during the flight path of the mortar shell. Such atmospheric conditions may include turbulence or unsteady winds that may cause the mortar shell to diverge from its intended flight path. Mortar shells are typically used in situations where the atmospheric conditions are unpredictable; therefore, compensating for these conditions prior to launching of the mortar shell may be difficult. Furthermore, mortar shells are typically rigid projectiles that are not capable of adjusting their trajectory during flight to compensate for atmospheric conditions.
The range of the mortar shell is affected by the amount of charge used to launch the mortar shell and the angle at which the mortar shell is launched. Mortar shells are typically launched by a propelling charge, which is provided either with the mortar shell or is provided separately during the loading of the mortar shell. The range of a mortar shell launched with separately provided charge can be controlled by the amount of charge provided. However, once the mortar shell has been launched, no additional propellant is typically provided; therefore, the range of the mortar shell is dependent upon the amount of charge used and/or the angle at which the mortar shell was launched. It should be noted that every mortar shell and/or launch device defines a maximum amount of charge that it can withstand, thus limiting the maximum range of the mortar shell. Accordingly, the accuracy and range of a mortar shell are limited.
A need exists for a mortar shell that is maneuverable during the flight path of the mortar shell to increase the accuracy and range of the mortar shell. Such a device advantageously could be used with existing mortar shell designs and launch devices.

Mortar shell ring tail and associated method


A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a nonlinear optimization program of a continuous value optimization problem, the program relating to an optimization problem, is provided. The program causes an optimization apparatus to execute repeatedly and alternately procedure comprising: updating a variable of an evaluation function, causing an equality constraint to be gradually approached while searching for a condition at which the evaluation function approaches an extreme value; and updating the variable of the equality constraint, causing a condition at which the evaluation function to become close to the extreme value while keeping the equality constraint satisfied is gradually approached.

For example, a driving support device has been developed as a measure to prevent accidents, and in particular, a driving support device has been developed to reduce the driver's burden for driving. It is confirmed by the inventors that when this type of driving support device searches for a route, the position and speed on a route are each defined as a function according to time, and an evaluation function based on the functions corresponding to the position and speed is introduced, so that an optimum route can be searched for by acquiring the position and speed that satisfy an extreme value (for example, a minimum value) of the evaluation function.

Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing nonlinear optimization program of continuous value optimization problem, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing route search program, and route search apparatus


A fiber or filament which is formed from ingredients comprising (a) at least one fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer and (b) at least one polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer is provided. The polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer has a bromine content of at least about 50 wt %, and a GPC weight average molecular weight in the range of about 5000 to about 40,000, or a GPC weight average molecular weight of at least about 600,000. When the fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer is a polyester, the polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer is present in a flame resistant or flame retardant amount. When the fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer is a polyamide, the polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer is at least about 2 wt % of the fiber or filament. When the fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin, at least one synergist is present and the polybrominated anionic styrenic polymer is no more than about 15 wt % of the fiber or filament.

Although synthetic fiber materials possess a variety of excellent physical and chemical properties, a common drawback is their ready tendency to combustion, for which reason such synthetic fiber materials have traditionally been subjected to finishing treatment for flame retardancy. Examples of finishing treatment methods include dip coating and spray coating. An obvious disadvantage of coatings is that they can wear off over time.
Unfortunately, the use of flame retardant additives in synthetic fiber materials can result in undesirable color development or blooming. In other words, such additives can detrimentally affect the color of the synthetic fiber. In many applications, this color development problem is undesirable or unacceptable.
Furthermore, when blended with synthetic fiber materials, flame retardant additives tend to form nonuniform distributions in the mixture, and thus result in nonhomogeneous flame-retarded fibers, which have poor mechanical properties. The problems associated with nonhomogeneity are more pronounced for finer fibers. Specifically, if the flame retardant additive is not completely mixed with the synthetic fiber material prior to extrusion, the flame retardant additive tends to agglomerate onto itself, producing lumps in the extrusion melt, clogging the spinneret filters or orifices, or producing weak spots in the resulting continuous filament. Such agglomerated lumps also necessarily produce other areas in which there will be a lack of flame retardant additive, and thus reduced flame retardant effectiveness.
In particular, brominated polystyrenes have oftentimes been deficient in their color characteristics. Manufacturers of products containing flame retardants generally find it advantageous to have available a flame retardant which will not contribute excessive color to the products or otherwise interfere with color matching specifications applicable to a given product. Thus in general, the lower the color of the brominated styrenic polymer (i.e., the whiter the flame retardant), the better. However, high-melting flame retardants that are white often end up acting as a white pigment in the fiber, making coloring the fibers more difficult, as the white color of the flame retardant must be overcome.
Additionally, relatively few flame retardants work well with polyamides (nylons), at least in part because polyamides are high-melting. Upon oven aging for one week at 180° C., blends of polyamide with a flame retardant tend to develop color.
It would be of considerable advantage if a way of forming more uniform mixtures of flame retardants and fiber-forming thermoplastic polymers could be found, such that more homogeneous fibers may be formed. It would be additionally advantageous if the flame retardants used in such mixtures exhibited minimal color development, and at the same time did not act as a white pigment.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Flame retarded fibers and filaments and process of production therefor


An industrial robot is provided with a horizontal multistage telescopic device. In the device, a slider is mounted to s base so as to be movable in a first direction and in a second direction which are opposite to each other along the horizontal direction. An output arm has an end in the second direction, the end being provided with an output arm support, and is expanded in the first direction from the output arm support. The output arm support is mounted to a slider so as to be horizontally movable in the first and second directions. The output arm has an end in the first direction, to which an end effector is mounted. A motor is mounted to an end of the slider in the second direction. A rotation transmitting member transmits torque of the motor to a second rotor of a movement mechanism.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to an industrial robot provided with a horizontal multistage telescopic device.
Related Art
Industrial robots are equipped, as required, with a multistage telescopic device that needs only a small installation space relative to an aimed length of stroke (e.g., see JP-A-H09-028589 and JP-A-H11-245189). As such a multistage telescopic device, a horizontal multistage telescopic device has a basic configuration as roughly illustrated in FIG. 8. A part (a) of FIG. 8 illustrates a horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 that is in a state where a slider 102 and an output arm 104, which will be described later, are at their home positions (movement limitation positions relative to a direction indicated by an arrow X2). A part (b) of FIG. 8B illustrates the horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 that is in a state where the output arm 104 has been expanded to an aimed position of stroke.
As shown in the parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 8, the horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 has a base 101 which is arranged such that the slider 102 is movable in a direction of an arrow X1 (horizontally rightward in the parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 8) and in an opposite direction of the arrow X2. The slider 102 includes a movable block 103 which is made movable in the directions of the arrows X1 and X2 as well.
The output arm 104 has a left end portion which is mounted to the movable block 103. In other words, the output arm 104 is projected from the movable block 103 in the direction of the arrow X1. Although not shown in FIG. 8, the output arm 104 has a tip to which an end effector, such as a hand or a drill, is attached.
Further, the slider 102 includes a movement mechanism 105. The movement mechanism 105 is configured by pulleys 105a and 105b, as well as a belt 105c. The pulleys 105a and 105b are rotatably provided at both horizontal ends of the slider 102. The belt 105c is provided across the pulleys 105a and 105b and has two sides facing with each other. Of the two sides facing with each other in the belt 105c, one side has a portion 105h connected to the base 101, while the other side has a portion 105i, as a portion extremely opposite to the portion 105h, connected to the movable block 103.
The horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 includes a drive mechanism 110 which includes a motor 111, a rotation transmission mechanism 112 and a ball screw device 113. The motor 111 is mounted to the base 101 via a mounting end plate 101a. The ball screw device 113 includes a ball screw 113a and a nut case 113b. The nut case 113b has an interior in which a nut that threadably engages with the screw 113a is rotatably arranged. The ball screw 113a has an end which is fixed to the slider 102 via a mounting end plate 102a, while the nut case 113b is fixed to the base 101 via the mounting end plate 101a.
The rotation transmission mechanism 112 plays a role of transmitting rotation of the motor 111 to the nut, and includes a pulley 112a mounted to the rotary shaft of the motor 111, a pulley 112b mounted to the nut and a belt 112c provided across these pulleys.
When the motor 111 of the drive mechanism 110 is rotated in a given direction, the nut is rotated in a given direction via the rotation transmission mechanism 112. Since the nut case 113b having the nut does not move, the ball screw 113a is pushed toward the direction of the arrow X1 by the rotation of the nut, permitting the slider 102 to move in the direction of the arrow X1. Thus, as mentioned above, the output arm 104 is permitted to move by a distance corresponding to an aimed stroke St (see the part (b) of FIG. 8).
Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 9 illustrate an exemplification, or an actual configuration, of the horizontal multistage telescopic device illustrated in FIG. 8. The functional components identical with or similar to those shown in FIG. 8 are given the same reference numerals.
For example, as shown in a part (a) of FIG. 10, the horizontal multistate telescopic device 100 is assembled to a carrier device 200 and an elevator device 300 to configure an industrial robot. In this case, the base 101 is mounted to an elevator member 301 of the elevator device 300 which is incorporated into the carrier device 200. The carrier device 200 moves (carries) the elevator device 300 in a direction indicated by an arrow A1 (forward) and in an opposite direction indicated by an arrow A2. The elevator device 300 moves (lifts up and down) the horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 in a direction indicated by an arrow B1 (upward) and in an opposite direction indicated by an arrow B2. An end effector E, such as a hand or a drill, is mounted to a tip of the output arm 104 of the horizontal multistage telescopic device 100.
In a state shown in the part (a) of FIG. 10, the output arm 104 of the horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 is at a home position. From this state, the output arm 104 is moved in the direction of the arrow X1 so that the end effector E of the output arm 104 can reach a target coordinate M (see a part (c) of FIG. 10) residing in the direction of the arrow X1. A part (b) of FIG. 10 shows a state where the output arm 104 is in the midst of being moved. After that, the horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 is lifted down to a target position in the vertical direction by the elevator device 300. Then, the end effector carries out its work, such as gripping a work or releasing the grip, or drilling a work.
The horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 installed in industrial robots is used for assembling precision devices or performing precision machining. Therefore, the horizontal multistage telescopic device 100 is required to provide highly accurate performance, or have high movement speed as a robot from the viewpoint of productivity.
However, in the horizontal multistate telescopic device 100 based on conventional art, when the output arm 104 has been moved to the target coordinate M, the tip of the output arm 104 can finely vibrates up and down (i.e., residual vibration). For this reason, positioning at the target coordinate M is difficult, which leads to impairing assembling or working accuracy. A measure against this problem may be to wait until the convergence of the residual vibration. However, such a measure leads to lowering of the movement speed of the robot and lowering of productivity.

Industrial robot provided with horizontal multistage telescopic device


A sealing plug cap includes a plug cap body fastened to the mouth of a sealing container to seal the passage of the mouth by a deformatable peripheral flap thereof, an air buffer device fastened to the bottom end of the plug cap body inside the sealing container to buffer the speed of air passing through a center air hole on the plug cap body, a socket mounted inside the plug cap body, and a sealing and relief control unit mounted in the socket, the sealing and relief control unit being forced by atmospheric pressure to close the air hole on the plug cap body when a suction pump is used to draw air out of the sealing container, the sealing and relief control unit being forced to open the air hole on the plug cap body when depressed.

The present invention relates to a sealing plug cap for sealing the mouth of a sealing container, and more particularly to such a sealing plug cap which has air buffer means to buffer the flowing speed of air when the air passage through the mouth of the sealing container is opened.
A sealing container can be processed into a vacuum status so that contained matter can be kept fresh for long. A sealing container is generally sealed with a sealing plug cap to which a suction pump can be attached and operated to draw air out of the container. FIG. 1 shows a prior art sealing plug cap fastened to the mouth 104 of a sealing container 100 to seal the container 100. The sealing plug cap comprises plug cap body 101, and a plug rod 102 downwardly extended from the plug cap body 101. The plug rod 102 has serrated portions 103 raised around the periphery for positive positioning in the mouth 104 of the sealing container 100. When installed, a suction pump is used to draw air out of the container, enabling the container to be maintained in a vacuum status. This structure of sealing plug cap is still not satisfactory in function. When the sealing plug cap is depressed to open the air passage, a rush flow of air suddenly passes to the inside of the container, causing contained liquid to splash.

Sealing plug cap for a sealing container


An optical transceiver includes an electric terminal that can receive power from a host equipment and provide a power supply voltage to the optical transceiver, and a power failure monitor circuit that can detect an imminent loss of the power supply voltage. The power failure monitor circuit can produce a dying-gasp control signal when such imminent loss of power supply voltage is detected or when a disabling control signal is received from the host equipment. A driver can receive the dying-gasp control signal. An optical transmitter is powered by the power supply voltage and can emit a first optical signal under the control of the driver. The driver can modulate an envelope of the first optical signal in response to the dying-gasp control signal to produce a modulated envelope comprising a first dying gasp signal.

The present disclosure relates to the detection of remote equipment failures in an optical network system.
As the Internet, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and Internet Protocol television (IPTV) grow in popularity, more and more users desire to have access to these services from their premises. Likewise, businesses now require more and more bandwidth delivered to their premises with necessary quality of service. In order to meet the growing bandwidth demand, optical fibers are being laid to cover more areas, often directly linked to the customer premises. Different types of communication equipment such as xDSL, xPON, WDM, ROADM, etc. are being deployed cross optical networks. Service providers' networks are becoming more and more complex than ever before. Network manageability and serviceability are becoming key challenges for service providers to ensure service level agreement (SLA) and guarantee customer satisfaction.
One of the most common failures in optical networks is optical loss of signal (LOS). LOS can be caused by many reasons such as fiber cut, remote power and/or equipment failures. In order to determine the failure points and causes for the failures, service providers often dispatch service technicians with necessary diagnostic tools, equipment, and spare parts to the field or remote sites, which is known as "truck roll". Tuck-roll accounts for significant portion of operational expenses for service providers.
Conventional optical transceivers can assert LOS or de-assert SD (signal detect) indication signal when the received optical power is less than a predetermined level. However, it does not provide enough information for further determining the root causes of the LOS.
Capabilities of remote detection of power failure can help service providers to avoid unnecessary truck-rolls. "Dying gasp" refers to a function of reporting, through the optical network, a power supply problem experienced by an optical device at a remote site. "Dying gasp" can be conducted, for example, via Ethernet operation administration and management (OAM) in an optical network. Conventional "Dying gasp", such as the one defined in IEEE specification, requires interoperability between equipment at the failure location and the detecting point of the optical connection. In practice, interoperability often requires additional demarcation equipment to be deployed at the remote site, which results in additional equipment and labor costs.
There is therefore a need for a dying gasp function that is simple and cost effective.

Smart optical transceiver having integrated optical dying gasp function


A content server system provides content items to a plurality of users in a content stream. The content server system provides an interface to collect feedback from the plurality of users on the content items in the content stream. Based on the collected feedback the content server system generates a feedback model that predicts the likelihood of receiving feedback on a content item at any given time in a streaming session. The content server system then selects a content item in need of feedback and, using the model, determines a time at which the content item is more likely to receive feedback. The content server system then provides the content item to the user at the determined time.

1. Field of Art
The present invention generally relates to determining when to insert digital content into a stream to generate feedback about the content.
2. Background of the Invention
Providers of digital content streams may continuously provide content to a user that satisfies the user's preferences. For example, a provider of a music stream provides songs to a user that satisfies the user's musical preferences. The provider may rely on feedback from the user to determine the user's preferences. In addition, the provider may rely on feedback from other users to determine whether a given user is likely to enjoy a particular content item.
New content items, such as new songs, are continuously introduced to the providers and users. However, these content items lack feedback, or have only a small amount of associated feedback, by virtue of being new. It is therefore difficult for a content provider to predetermine whether a given user will likely enjoy a new content item. Accordingly, the quality of a user's content stream might suffer if the provider introduces a new content item into the stream that does not satisfy the user's preferences.

Increasing the likelihood of receiving feedback for content items


A three-dimensional measurement apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect, in an image captured by a capture unit, position information of a pattern on a capture pixel surface, which is projected to a plurality of pattern detection areas preset on the same plane in a measurement space, and a corresponding relationship calculation unit configured to calculate, using the position information, a corresponding relationship between the pattern on a projection pixel surface of a projection unit detected in advance before measurement and the pattern on the projection pixel surface of the projection unit at the time of measurement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional measurement apparatus capable of calibrating an apparatus error that occurs in the three-dimensional measurement apparatus for measuring the surface shape of an object, a three-dimensional measurement method, and a storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an apparatus for measuring the surface shape of an object in a noncontact manner, there is conventionally an apparatus that measures the surface shape based on the principle of the triangulation method using a projection unit and a capture unit. This measurement method will be described. First, the projection unit projects a pattern onto the object. Next, the capture unit captures the object with the projected pattern. The position of the pattern on the capture pixel surface of the capture unit is detected from the captured image data. Then, positions on the pattern on the projection pixel surface of the projection unit and positions on the pattern on the capture pixel surface are made to correspond with each other.
The positional relationship between the projection unit and the capture unit is obtained by calibration. For example, the base line length between the projection unit and the capture unit, the rotation/translation information of the capture unit and the projection unit, apparatus specific parameters of the projection unit and the capture unit, the focal length, the optical axis principal point position, the lens aberration values, and the like (to be generically referred to as calibration values) are obtained in advance.
Finally, the distance from the apparatus to the object is measured from the calibration values and the positional relationship between the pattern on the projection pixel surface and that on the capture pixel surface using the principle of the triangulation method. In the apparatus that measures the surface shape of an object using the projection unit and the capture unit, generally, the shapes and arrangement of the devices in use slightly change over time due to, for example, a thermal expansion/contraction effect associated with temperature changes. For this reason, if the temperature readily changes in the measurement environment or the measurement is performed for a long time, the pattern projection position slightly changes. This leads to an error in the result of the surface shape even when the same object is measured under the same conditions.
To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-054234 proposes a method of calibrating three parameters, that is, the base line length, the projection angle of a projection unit, and the capture angle of a capture unit by arranging a plurality of targets whose distances from a three-dimensional measurement apparatus are accurately known. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-248830 proposes a method of performing calibration by splitting a measurement beam projected from a projection unit into a three-dimensional measurement apparatus and obtaining the difference between a beam projection position stored in advance and the projection position of the split beam.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-054234, however, the distance between each target and the apparatus needs to be known accurately, and setup in the actual operation is cumbersome. In addition, since the distance between each target and the apparatus itself may change over time, the reliability of calibration values is low. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-248830, a new device is added into the apparatus. This poses problems in downsizing and cost of the apparatus.

Three-dimensional measurement apparatus, three-dimensional measurement method, and storage medium


A semiconductor package includes a substrate and an optical communication part. A first chip stack part and a second chip stack part are disposed over the substrate and are separate from each other, and the optical communication part is disposed in a cavity formed in the substrate to provide an optical signal path between the first and second chip stack parts.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a semiconductor package and, more particularly, to a semiconductor package with optical signal paths, a memory card including the same, and an electronic system including the same.
2. Related Art
Semiconductor packages capable of processing a large amount of data are increasingly in demand with the development of smaller electronic systems such as mobile systems. To meet such a demand, it is necessary to increase the degree of integration of semiconductor devices used in electronic systems. However, there are some limitations in increasing the degree of integration of semiconductor devices.
Recently, three dimensional semiconductor devices that use vertical gate transistors instead of planar gate transistors have been proposed to increase the degree of integration of semiconductor devices. However, there are a lot of technical difficulties in developing three dimensional semiconductor devices.
Accordingly, as an alternative, three dimensional semiconductor packages are considered as candidates for high performance semiconductor packages capable of processing a large amount of data. For example, a stack package, which includes a plurality of stacked semiconductor devices (also referred to as semiconductor chips), has been proposed to process a large amount of data.
A high capacity semiconductor package may be fabricated in a stack package form. That is, the high capacity semiconductor package is fabricated by stacking a plurality of semiconductor chips. In such a case, the number of signal paths for driving the semiconductor chips may increase in proportion to the number of the stacked semiconductor chips. Further, as semiconductor chips are scaled down, distances between electronic signal paths of the semiconductor chips are also reduced, which may cause data distortion due to skewed interconnections and interferences between signals loaded on the interconnections.
Semiconductor devices employed in an electronic system include various electronic circuit elements. The electronic circuit elements are integrated in and/or on a semiconductor substrate to constitute the semiconductor device (also referred to as a semiconductor chip or a semiconductor die). Each semiconductor chip may be mounted on a package substrate and encapsulated to form a semiconductor chip package. The package substrate may have interconnection lines including power lines for supplying electric power to semiconductor chips and signal lines for transmitting data signals. The interconnection lines may be disposed in and/or on a core layer including a dielectric layer. The package substrate may be a printed circuit board (PCB).

Semiconductor package with an optical signal path, memory card including the same, and electronic system including the same


A color-filterless liquid crystal display (LCD) having a large screen. The color-filterless LCD further including a light guide plate uniformly emitting light, which is incident from both lateral sides, through a top surface thereof; first and second light sources disposed on both the lateral sides of the light guide plate; a color separation sheet that is disposed on the top surface of the light guide plate and is adapted to separate incident light into red, green, and blue light beams and emit them at different exit angles; a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer that is divided into a plurality of pixels; and an optical element sheet that is disposed on a bottom surface of the liquid crystal panel and includes a plurality of optical elements focusing the red, green, and blue light beams separated by the color separation sheet on three different pixels that are continuously arranged, where the first and second light sources are turned on alternately.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color-filterless liquid crystal display (LCD), and more particularly, to a color-filterless LCD having a large screen.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) include a backlight unit which uniformly emits white light and an LCD unit. Since the LCD unit only transmits or blocks the white light generated by the backlight unit, the LCDs also require color filters that respectively transmit red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light beams to produce color images. However, since each of the color filters filter only one of the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light beams passing through the LCD unit, the LCDs achieve a transmission rate of only 30% or so. Considering light loss through other optical components, only 10% of the light emitted from the backlight unit is actually transmitted to viewers. The light loss of the LCDs mainly occurs in the color filters. Also, the color reproducibility of the LCDs greatly depends on the performance of the color filters.
To address these problems, a color-filterless LCD device which can produce color images without color filters has been developed. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional color-filterless LCD. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional color-filterless LCD includes a backlight unit 20 that emits light beams at different exit angles according to wavelengths and an LCD unit 10 that includes optical elements for focusing light beams having predetermined wavelengths on predetermined pixels.
The backlight unit 20 includes a light guide plate (LGP) 21, a plurality of light sources 22 arranged on a lateral side of the LGP 21, and a color separation sheet 23 disposed on a top surface of the transparent LGP 21 and transmitting light beams at different exit angles according to wavelengths. The color separation sheet 23 may be a diffraction grating sheet in which diffraction gratings are periodically arranged in a sinusoidal, prism-like, or quadrangular configuration. The LGP 21 may become thinner away from the light sources 22 to uniformly emit light.
The LCD display unit 10 includes cylindrical lenses 11, a transparent plate 12, a liquid crystal panel 13 having a liquid crystal layer divided into a plurality of pixels, a diffractive optical element (DOE) 14 for transmitting light in a vertical direction, and a transparent plate 15.
In the conventional color-filterless LCD, light incident from the lateral side of the LGP 21 is totally reflected inside the LGP 21, and then is obliquely incident on the top surface of the LGP 21. Part of the light obliquely incident on the top surface of the LGP 21 is totally reflected again, and another part of the light is separated into colored light beams by the color separation sheet 23 and the colored light beams are emitted at different exit angles according to wavelengths from the top surface of the LGP 21. For example, a green (G) light beam is emitted at an exit angle of 0°, a blue (B) light beam is emitted at an exit angle of approximately −10°, and a red (R) light beam is emitted at an exit angle of approximately +10°. Next, the respective light beams are incident on the cylindrical lenses 11. Referring to FIG. 1, each of the cylindrical lenses 11 corresponds to three pixels of the liquid crystal panel 13. The light beams incident on the cylindrical lens 11 converge on different positions according to their incident angles. Referring to FIG. 1, the green (G) light beam converges on the central pixel among the three pixels, the blue (B) light beam converges on the left pixel, and the red (R) light beam converges on the right pixel. Since the light beams are separately incident on the different pixels of the liquid crystal panel 13 according to wavelengths, color images can be produced without color filters.
Since the conventional color-filterless LCD does not need color filters, light loss due to the color filters is prevented. Accordingly, the conventional color-filterless LCD can achieve high brightness. However, the conventional color-filterless LCD has a drawback in that it should only use an edge type backlight unit.
This is because the angle of the light incident on the color separation sheet 23 must be large enough to achieve sufficient color separation by means of the color separation sheet 23. Referring to FIG. 2A, when the light is incident on the color separation sheet 23 at a small incident angle α, the colored light beams are emitted at large exit angles βB, βG, and βR, respectively, such that it is difficult to converge the respective colored light beams on the desired pixels in spite of color separation. To converge the respective colored light beams on the desired pixels, the green (G) light beam may be emitted at an exit angle of 0°, and the red (R) and blue (B) light beams may be emitted at symmetric exit angles. For example, if the incident angle is approximately 70°, the green (G) light beam can be emitted at an angle of approximately 0°, the blue (B) light beam can be emitted at an angle of approximately −10°, and the red (R) light beam can be emitted at an angle of approximately +10°. However, if the conventional color-filterless LCD employs a direct type backlight unit, the LCD fails to achieve sufficient color separation since light is incident on the color separation sheet 23 at a small angle.
The edge type backlight unit can be used only for small LCDs because as the LGP 21 becomes larger, a side opposite to the side where the light sources 22 are installed is darker, thereby degrading brightness uniformity. Also, as the LGP 21 becomes larger, overall brightness is degraded. Accordingly, the edge type backlight unit is applied only to 17-inch or smaller LCDs to ensure optimal brightness and brightness uniformity.


In accordance with the present invention, an ion-exchange composition has been formed which comprises synthetic resin support particles, dispersant capable of suspending the support particles in an aqueous medium to inhibit or prevent agglomeration, and fine synthetic resin layering particles. In a preferred embodiment, the complex can be formed by contacting a suitable dispersant with monomer in an aqueous solution in which the monomer is insoluble. Under suitable conditions for suspension polymerization, the monomer will polymerize to form resin support particles having dispersant irreversibly attached to those particles. The dispersant is irreversibly attached to the synthetic resin support particles, either by covalent bonding or permanent physical entanglement. The dispersant is also attached to the fine layering particles, either by covalent bonding or electrostatic forces. The result is formation of a support particle-dispersant-layering particle complex.

The present invention relates to a composition which is useful for performing ion-exchange chromatography. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved composition and method for preparing an ion-exchange composition in which resin support particles are irreversibly attached to fine resin layering particles via a dispersant material. The composition of the present invention can be used in conventional column chromatography but is most particularly suited for high performance liquid chromatography.
Generally, ion-exchange chromatography employs the use of columns. These columns are packed with a resin, often in the form of granules having sorptively active surfaces or surfaces which have been coated with a substance which is sorptively active.
It is well recognized in the art that excellent chromatographic supports consist of a plurality of discrete particles of regular shape, preferably spheres, having surfaces with a large number of superficial shallow pores. In order that columns will give reproducible chromatographic results, support granules ideally should be regular in their surfaces and their surface characteristics easily reproducible.
Materials for performing liquid chromatographic analyses are known where only the thin outer surfaces of the chromatographic support materials are available for actively exchanging ions with liquid media. For example, Small et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,460 (1978) describes the preparation and use of an ion-exchange composition comprising Component A, an insoluble synthetic resin substrate having ion-exchanging sites, at least on its available surface, and having Component B, a finely divided insoluble material, irreversibly attached thereto.
Small et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,644, describes the process for chromatographic separation of ions of like charge using the ion-exchange composition described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,460.
Iler, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,658 (1969), describes the preparation of chromatographic support materials where alternating layers of colloidal solid particles are laid down on a substrate by treating the substrate with dispersions of oppositely charged colloidal particles. These colloidal particles include alumina, silica, and ionic synthetic polymers.
Kirkland, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,785 (1970) discloses an improved process for performing chromatographic separation by contacting the materials to be separated with superficially porous refractory particles having impervious cores. These particles have a coating of a series of sequentially adsorbed like monolayers of like colloidal inorganic microparticles irreversibly attached thereto. The cores consist of glass spheres and the coating consists of monolayers of silica.
Horvath et al. describes ion-exchange chromatography using glass beads having a styrene-divinylbenzene resin skin, sulfonated or aminated to produce cation and anion exchange materials termed "pellicular resins," which refers to the skin-like layer of active sites on these beads. Analytical Chemistry 39:1422 (1967). These skin-like layers are physically held in place. In a pellicular resin, the support bead typically has a spherical annulus configuration with a stable resin layer deposited onto the surface of the beads. Since the support particles are usually smaller than 50 .mu.m, making a uniform resin layer on their surface without agglomeration of the particles is difficult.
Hanakoa et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,559 (1984) discloses an ion-exchanger having resin support particles, a binder resin of the same or similar composition as the support resin, and fine synthetic resin particles with anion-exchange groups. Hanakoa requires amination of the binder. However, linear aminated polymer, an unavoidable by-product of binder amination, tends to agglomerate to the resin support particles. This can interfere with attachment of the fine resin particles to the binder, producing an insufficient coating of support particles by the fine resin particles.
All of the methods described above, except Horvath, et al. and Hanakoa, et al., involve a coating process in which the coating is attached to the resin support particles by electrostatic forces.
In the prior art electrostatic methods, the resin support particles are typically formed by a suspension polymerization process. A dispersant material is frequently used in polymerization of the resin support particles to maintain separate particles in the reaction solution as they are produced, preventing the desired size particles from sticking to each other and forming a larger agglomerate particle. The resin support particles are then lightly sulfonated by exposing them at room temperature to concentrated sulfuric acid for a few minutes. This creates a very thin layer of sulfonate sites on the surface of the resin support particle and allows for electrostatic attachment of fine resin layering particles such as aminated latex beads.
Thus, in the prior art electrostatic methods it is necessary to functionalize the fine layering particles by creating a positive or negative charge, at least at the surfaces of those particles, for the electrostatic attachment. This has been done by aminating or sulfonating latex-derived particles. If the latex is aminated, the resin support particles are sulfonated. In the case where the latex is sulfonated, the resin support particles are aminated. The latex and support particles are then brought into contact with each other, resulting in a monobead coat of latex particles electrostatically attached to the surface of the resin support particles. This produces a pellicular anion-exchange or pellicular cation-exchange resin bead.
The above-described methods of electrostatically attaching the synthetic fine resin layering particles to the resin support particles have many disadvantages. First, it is difficult to control the resin sulfonation step so that the degree of sulfonation is sufficient to allow complete coverage of the resin support particle with the electrostatically-attached latex, without having any residual cation-exchange capacity on the support particles. The residual cation-exchange capacity can lower the efficiency of the column.
In addition, linear aminated polymer, which is an unavoidable by-product of aminated latex preparation, tends to agglomerate to the resin support particles due to much higher diffusion rates over the much larger latex particles. The agglomeration of linear polymer can interfere with attachment of the latex particles to the resin support particles, producing an insufficient coating of the support particles by the latex particles. The result is a much lower than expected and non-reproducible ion-exchange capacity. Moreover, if oligomers or linear polymer is left in the resin support particle mixture after polymerization, when the prior art method of sulfonation of support particles is performed, these by-products are also sulfonated and are then free to interfere with the newly attached anion-exchange latex after latex agglomeration. This results in a low ion-exchange capacity as well.
In addition, some compositions cannot be agglomerated prior to packing of a column because they cannot withstand packing pressures. Therefore, the resin layering particle solution must be pumped through the packed column bed. With the electrostatic attachment method of the prior art, the column yield is poor due to unbalanced charge interaction between resin layering particles and resin support particles, thereby disrupting the packed bed.
The prior art methods of electrostatically attaching fine resin layering particles, such as latex, to resin support particles have additional limitations. In the prior art methods, it is necessary to maintain a dispersed latex suspension to prevent attachment of latex agglomerates to the resin support particles through the latex functionalization step. This limits the possible chemistries of functionalization to those that can be carried out in an aqueous system and which will not disrupt the latex suspension, thereby generating large clumps of agglomerates. Many of the larger, more aliphatic amines are not very water soluble and amination is normally carried out in a mixed water/solvent or nonaqueous system. These compounds cannot be used with the prior art method of electrostatic latex attachment.
In addition, it is not possible to use chemistries on agglomerated latex electrostatically attached to a support substrate that will reverse the charge on the latex, since the latex will no longer remain attached.

Ion-exchange composition employing resin attachment to dispersant and method for forming the same


A liquid crystal panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a counter electrode, a pixel array structure, at least one alignment layer and at least one polymer layer is provided. The counter electrode is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the first substrate. The pixel array structure is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second substrate. The alignment layer is disposed between the counter electrode and the liquid crystal layer and between the pixel array structure and the liquid crystal layer. The polymer layer is disposed between the alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer, and a material of the polymer layer includes polymer monomers and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). A content of PMMA in the polymer layer is greater than 1 ppm and smaller than 15000 ppm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. More particularly, the present invention relates to an LCD panel having a polymer layer for assisting alignment.
2. Description of Related Art
Fabrication of an LCD includes fabricating an LCD panel and assembling a liquid crystal module (LCM). The fabrication of the LCD panel is mainly to package a liquid crystal layer between a color filter substrate and a pixel array substrate. To arrange liquid crystal molecules in a specific inclination angle to achieve a wide viewing angle display effect, an alignment structure is generally applied to the LCD panel.
The commonly used alignment structure includes alignment protrusions and alignment slits disposed on an electrode. The liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer can be arranged in multi-domain alignment by applying the alignment protrusions and the alignments slits, so as to achieve the wide viewing angle display effect. However, the liquid crystal molecules located around the alignment protrusions and the alignment slits generally represent in an ambiguous disclination, which may lead to dark stripes in the bright-state or light leakage in the dark-state so that a display contrast of the LCD panel is decreased. Therefore, a polymer stablilized alignment (PSA) technique is brought forward.
According to the PSA technique, monomers are first doped into the liquid crystal layer located between the color filter substrate and the pixel array substrate, and a specific voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer. Meanwhile, the liquid crystal layer is irradiated by ultra violet (UV) light under such specific voltage. Now, the monomers are polymerised and cured to form polymer layers at two sides of the liquid crystal layer. The molecules of the polymer layer have a specific configuration, which avails alignment of the liquid crystal molecules. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules can be more stable according to the PSA technique, and applying of the alignment protrusions is unnecessary, so that the LCD panel is not liable to have the problems of dark stripes in the bright-state or light leakage in the dark-state, and transmissivity of the LCD panel is improved.
However, when the monomers are irradiated by the UV light to form the polymer layer, the monomers have to absorb enough energy for polymerization. Therefore, during the PSA process, an exposure time has to be long enough for performing the polymerization. In other words, productivity is influenced due to the relatively long exposure time of the PSA process.
In detail, if the exposure time is inadequate, curing of the monomers is incomplete, so that alignment of the liquid crystal molecules cannot be effectively assisted. Therefore, a response time and performance of the LCD panel are restrained. If the exposure time is suitably prolonged, the response time and performance of the liquid crystal molecules can be meliorated. However, on the other hand, the productivity of the LCD panel is restrained and the contrast of the LCD panel is decreased. Therefore, the PSA technique requires to be further improved.

Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal mixture


An integrated circuit device can include at least one oscillator stage having a current mirror circuit comprising first and second mirror transistors of a first conductivity type, and configured to mirror current on two mirror paths, at least one reference transistor of a second conductivity type having a source-drain path coupled to a first of the mirror paths, and a switching circuit coupled to a second of the mirror paths and configured to generate a transition in a stage output signal in response to a stage input signal received from another oscillator stage, wherein the channel lengths of the first and second mirror transistors are larger than that of the at least one reference transistor.

As process technology has scaled, it has become increasingly difficult to control the variation of transistor parameters because of a variety of factors, including, for example, Random Dopant Fluctuation (RDF). Other reasons for this variation include dopant scattering effect, such as the well proximity effect, that makes the placement of dopants in MOSFET transistors increasingly difficult as transistor size is reduced. Misplaced dopants can reduce transistor performance, increase transistor variability, including variability of channel transconductance, capacitance effects, threshold voltage, and leakage. Such variability increases as transistors are reduced in size, with each misplaced dopant atom having a greater relative effect on transistor properties, as a result of the overall reduction in the number of dopant atoms.
Many integrated circuit (IC) devices use a variety of cells that perform specific functions. IC devices can include logic, memory, controller and other functional blocks. Semiconductor IC devices are fabricated in a semiconductor process, often using a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. Transistors are formed in a semiconductor substrate, and usually involve a sequence of fabrication steps that result in a gate with adjacent source and drain, the source and drain being formed in a channel. Typically, an IC device can include different transistor device types including p-channel MOS (PMOS) transistors, n-channel MOS (NMOS) transistors, MOS field effect transistors (MOSFETs) tailored for digital or analog applications, high-voltage MOSFETs, high/normal/low frequency MOSFETs, MOSFETs optimized to work at distinct voltages or voltage ranges, low/high power MOSFETs, and low, regular, or high threshold voltage (Vt) transistors (i.e., low Vt (LVT), standard Vt (SVT), or high Vt (HVT)), etc. Transistor device types are usually distinguished by electrical performance characteristics (e.g., threshold voltage, speed, mobility, transconductance, linearity, noise, power), which can in turn lend themselves to be suitable for a particular application (e.g., signal processing, or data storage). Therefore, a complex IC device such as, for instance, a system on a chip (SoC), can use different transistor types (or a combination of one or more different transistor types) to achieve the target performance for different circuit blocks in the IC device.
The electrical performance characteristics of the different transistor device types in a SoC can be subject to variation due to manufacturing process variations, also referred to as the "manufacturing corner" of a particular transistor device. Typically, the electrical performance variation of the different transistor device types of the SoC can be different because the performance of each transistor device type is impacted differently by the manufacturing process variations.

Integrated circuit process and bias monitors and related methods