Provided are a compound semiconductor crystal substrate capable of reducing planar defects such as twins and anti-phase boundaries occurring in epitaxially grown crystals without additional steps beyond epitaxial growth, and a method of manufacturing the same. A compound single crystal substrate, the basal plane of which is a nonpolar face, with said basal plane having a partial surface having polarity (a partial polar surface). Said partial polar surface is a polar portion of higher surface energy than said basal plane. A method of manufacturing the compound single crystal substrate, comprising the steps of: epitaxially growing a compound single crystal in the normal direction on a basal plane of a compound single crystal substrate wherein the basal plane is a nonpolar face and has a partial polar surface in a portion thereof, and either cutting the compound single crystal layer that has been grown in parallel to the basal plane, or removing at least said substrate to obtain a compound single crystal block, a basal plane of which is a nonpolar face only having a partial polar surface with the highest surface energy in a portion thereof.

Conventionally, the substrates employed in semiconductor devices are in the form of ingots manufactured from compound semiconductor crystals, for example. Examples of widely employed methods of manufacturing ingots are the horizontal Bridgman method, Czochralski method, sublimation method, and zone melting method. The ingot obtained is generally cut into plates, externally processed, surface ground, and employed as a semiconductor wafer. Further, when manufacturing high-performance semiconductor devices, a film with few crystal defects and of low impurity concentration is epitaxially grown on a compound semiconductor substrate that has been processed from an ingot.
Further, it is sometimes difficult to manufacture a compound semiconductor as an ingot, and it is sometimes difficult to obtain large-area ingots for technical and cost reasons. In such cases, the means of forming an epitaxial layer of a desired compound semiconductor crystal on a relatively readily available semiconductor wafer in the form of an Si substrate or the like (heteroepitaxy) is sometimes employed.
However, in heteroepitaxy, there is mismatching of the lattice constants of the substrate crystal and the crystal grown on the layer above it. Thus, crystal defects resulting from this mismatch develop at the interface of the substrate crystal and the crystal grown over it. In particular, in compound semiconductor crystals, a greater variety of crystal defects develop than in crystals comprised of a single element, such as Planar defects (Anti-Phase boundaries) developing at boundaries between regions where the stacking order of constituent elements is reversed and defects (twins) developing where the crystal is partially rotated. Such crystal defects must be reduced to the extent possible in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices because, for example, they decrease breakdown voltage and increase leakage current. However, because primarily low-surface-energy planar defects grow, particularly during compound single crystal growth, they have been difficult to eliminate thus far.
Even in the case of homoepitaxially growing in which homogeneous crystals are grown, propagative planar defects propagate in the homoepitaxially grown layers of the substrate that is grown (for example, when the surface energy of the polar face exposed at the surface is low), making it difficult to obtain a homoepitaxially grown layer suitable as an underlayer in power semiconductor devices and the like.
For example, when silicon carbide (SiC) grows heteroepitaxially on an Si substrate, planar defects (anti-phase boundaries and twins) develop in on SiC film. One method of reducing such planar defects, comprising the step of providing a growth region on a grown substrate and a step of growing a single crystal silicon carbide crystal on the growth region to a thickness identical to or exceeding the natural thickness of the substrate along the orientation of the growth surface, has been proposed (Japanese Examined Patent Publication (KOKOKU) Heisei No.6-41400). However, the two types of reverse phase regions in the SiC have a characteristic of expanding in a mutually perpendicular orientation as the thickness of the SiC film increases. Thus, it is impossible to effectively reduce the anti-phase boundary no matter how long heteroepitaxial growth is continued.
Another method of eliminating the mismatching of crystal lattices is to insert a new layer (buffer layer) having a lattice constant falling between those of the substrate and the layer grown over it. However, for example, when growing SiC on a Si substrate, no substance capable of serving as buffer layer is known. As a result, when SiC is grown directly on a Si substrate, there is 20 percent of mismatching between lattice constants. This is the main cause of planar defects in epitaxially grown SiC layers.
In the growth of gallium nitride (GaN), to eliminate high-density crystal defects generated between heterogeneous substrates, a layer temporarily blocking GaN growth is provided part way through the growth process. It has been proposed to reduce crystal defects growing in a vertical direction by utilizing lateral growth of GaN above an opening provided in part of the growth-blocking layer, wherein the GaN has selectively been grown through the opening (U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,849). However, this method requires the steps of forming a GaN growth-blocking layer and making a hole in it, which increases cost. Further, since crystal defects have the property of propagating unchanged into the GaN over the opening, crystal defects are not completely eliminated.
Accordingly, the objects of the present invention are to provide a compound semiconductor crystal substrate for epitaxial growth capable of reducing planar defects such as twins and anti-phase boundary occurring in epitaxially grown crystals without additional steps beyond epitaxial growth, and to provide a method of manufacturing the same.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a laminate employing the above-described compound semiconductor crystal substrate and a method of manufacturing the same.

Compound crystal and method of manufacturing same


It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-gelling solid silane coupling agent which enhances adhesion of a resin composition to metals and so forth when added to the resin composition, and which has excellent storage stability and molten fluidity.

In the electronic materials field, there has been a trend in recent years toward making components lighter, thinner, and smaller, as well as toward using solder that is free of halogens, antimony, and lead, while at the same time even higher performance is being required of sealing materials and so forth.
Conventional semiconductor sealing resins, for instance, have been epoxy resin compositions obtained by curing a novolac epoxy resin with a phenol novolac resin.
However, as the high integration of semiconductors has increased, there has been a move toward lead-free solder in an effort to reduce package size and thickness and because of environmental concerns, and furthermore the requirements on sealing resins have been increasingly strict each year due to the development of pre-plated lead frames and so forth, which has made it difficult to ensure good reliability with conventional epoxy resin compositions. Specific characteristics that are required include adhesion to chips and lead frames, and in particular that there be no cracking, interfacial separation, or the like if [the resin composition] is immersed in solder after absorbing moisture.
In the field of paints, solvent-based paints are commonly used, but pollution restrictions targeting organic solvents have become stiffer and their enforcement is rapidly becoming a reality. In light of this situation, powder paints that contain no organic solvent whatsoever have been attracting attention. However, it is more difficult to obtain a thin film with these powder paints than with a solvent-based paint, and smoothness is also inferior. Along with these and other problems, polyester-based powder paints are said to have particularly low secondary adhesion to metals and the like.
The typical means for improving the adhesion of a resin to a metal or inorganic material is to add a silane coupling agent to the resin or subject the resin to a surface treatment with this agent.
With the above-mentioned sealing materials, epoxy-, amino-, and mercapto-based silane coupling agents are the most effective and have been in use for years, but with the above-mentioned environmental concerns and the move toward lighter, thinner, and smaller components in recent years, it is now increasingly common for the required characteristics to remain elusive. Also, since powder paints and the majority of sealing materials are in the form of powders, liquid silane coupling agents pose problems in terms of uniform mixing and ease of handling. There has been a need for a solid silane coupling agent that would meet these requirements, but none is commercially available at this time, so liquid silane coupling agents still have to be used.
It has already been proposed that a silane coupling agent be mixed and reacted with a phenol resin, and the resulting reaction product be used as the epoxy resin composition component in sealing material applications (Patent Documents 1 to 6) . Since the silane coupling agent is in liquid form, this reaction product can be pulverized in solid form if the ratio of silane coupling agent/phenol resin is low, but as the proportion of silane coupling agent increases, the reaction product gradually becomes softer (its softening point decreases) and it can no longer be pulverized. Although it varies with the silane coupling agent, a silane coupling agent containing one or more functional groups from among a vinyl group, glycidyl group, styryl group, methacryl group, acryl group, ureido group, chloro alkyl group, mercapto group, and isocyanate group cannot be pulverized unless contained in an amount of just a few percent to no more than 10% (with the remainder being phenol resin).
A method in which an alcohol is removed after the mixing of silane coupling agents is discussed in Patent Documents 2 to 5. The softening point rises when an alcohol is removed, but a condensation reaction between the silane coupling agents produces siloxane bonds and gelling, so the anticipated increase in adhesive strength is not always achieved. Meanwhile, with a basic silane coupling agent containing one or more functional groups from among an amino group, dimethylamino group, and imidazole group, the amino, dimethylamino, or imidazole groups become a catalyst in the hydrolysis of the alkoxysilyl groups in the silane coupling agent, which tends to accelerate the reaction of the phenol with hydroxyl groups and the condensation reaction between the silane coupling agents, so the product tends to be a solid. Nevertheless, because these basic silane coupling agents have such strong catalytic activity, they do increase adhesive strength when added to a sealing material, but they also lower fluidity, which makes problems more apt to occur in transfer molding.
A method involving a reaction (mixing) between a phenol resin and a silane coupling agent is discussed in Patent Documents 2 to 5. All of these patents involve mixing a silane coupling agent with a phenol resin at high temperature, and removing the alcohol that is produced. Here, as mentioned above, solidification occurs with no problem if the silane coupling agent content is only a few percent (with the rest being phenol resin), but the action of the silane coupling agent as a phenol resin curing agent is too strong, so the resulting reaction product is more accurately called a phenol resin modified with a silane agent rather than a solid silane coupling agent, with substantially all of the alkoxysilane groups (SiOR groups) being consumed. As a result, an adequate coupling effect is not obtained, and the increase in adhesion is still inadequate. Also, since a phenol resin acts as a curing agent on epoxy resins, when one is added to an epoxy resin composition, it upsets the epoxy resin/curing agent ratio. When a phenol resin is the curing agent, the amount of phenol resin added should be controlled, but with other curing agents problems with characteristics are sometimes encountered. Accordingly, the silane coupling agent content in a solid coupling agent should be as high as possible.
On the other hand, if the silane coupling agent content is raised, condensation between the silanes is less likely to occur in the removal of the alcohol produced by the reaction between the silane coupling agent and the phenol resin, and the gelling that occurs prevents dissolution in the solvent. This gelled reaction product is difficult to mix with the resin when a resin composition is heated and melted and subjected to a curing reaction, the coupling effect of the silane coupling agent is inadequate, and the desired increase in adhesion is not realized.
Because of this, it is stated in paragraph 0032 of Patent Document 4 that the proportion of a silane coupling agent to a phenol resin is 0.1 to 50 wt %, and preferably 1 to 30 wt %, but because of the need for solidification, the amount is given as 10 wt % or less in the actual examples. In the examples given in Patent Documents 2, 3, and 5, the silane coupling agent content is also given as 10 wt % or less.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication 7-17739B    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 2,506,220    Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Publication 7-94534B    Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Publication 9-67427A    Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Publication 2002-128867A    Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Publication 59-181036A

Solid silane coupling agent composition, process for producing the same, and resin composition containing the same

Abstract: The present invention is a non-gelling, pulverizable, solid silane coupling agent composition composed of a reaction product of the following components.                (A) 1 to 40 wt % of a silane coupling agent containing one or more functional groups from among a vinyl group, glycidyl group, styryl group, methacryl group, acryl group, ureido group, chloro alkyl group, mercapto group, and isocyanate group        (B) 1 to 40 wt % of a silane coupling agent containing one or more functional groups from among an amino group, dimethylamino group, and imidazole group        (C) 50 to 90 wt % of a phenol compound


A machine (100) for the treatment of pharmaceutical products (P) comprises a pan (2) that revolves about an axis of rotation (X) and a dispensing unit (3) designed to disperse a coating material inside the pan (2) over a mass (M) of the products (P) located in the pan (2). The pan (2) has an opening (7) for feeding the products to be treated (P) into the pan (2), and an opening (8) for feeding the products (PT) already treated with the coating material out of the pan (2), the infeed opening (7) and the outfeed opening (8) being separate and independent of each other. A portion (K) of the inside surface of the pan (2) is equipped with at least one helical flow regulating fin (4, 5, 6) designed to facilitate inflow (F3) of the products to be treated (P) into the pan (2) during the feeding of the products (P) into the pan (2) through the infeed opening (7) when the pan (2) itself revolves in a first direction of rotation (FI), and to cause outflow (F4) of the treated products (PT) from the pan (2) during the outfeed of the treated products (PT) from the pan (2) through the outfeed opening (8) when the pan (2) itself revolves in a second direction of rotation (F2), opposite to the first direction of rotation (F1).

At present, a conventional machine for coating pharmaceutical products comprises a hollow pan that revolves about a horizontal axis and is known in the trade by the term "Pellegrini coating pan", which will herein be referred to simply as "coating pan".
At the front of it, the coating pan has a central, circular opening through which the pharmaceutical products are fed into the pan from a reservoir, and a plurality of nozzles, mounted on an arm extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the pan and designed to spray a coating liquid towards and over a mass of pharmaceutical products to be treated, lying centrally inside the pan and coming from the reservoir through the central opening.
At present, the inside walls of the coating pan are preferably equipped with a plurality of inclined baffles protruding radially from the walls themselves. These baffles facilitate uniform distribution of the mass of products not only while the coating pan rotates clockwise about its axis as the products to be treated are fed into it but also while the coating pan rotates in the opposite direction as the treated product is fed out of the coating pan into a container placed at the central opening beforehand.
A major drawback in a coating machine of this kind is that the pan has a single opening for infeed of the untreated product still to be treated, as well as for outfeed of the treated product. This creates a potential risk of contamination between incoming and outgoing products, especially when there is a change to a different type of coating material.
The present invention has for an object to provide a machine for treating pharmaceutical products that overcomes the above mentioned drawback.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a coating machine that makes the treatment of the pharmaceutical products as safe and rational as possible and that also permits rapid cleaning and sterilising of the coating pan.

Machine for the treatment of pharmaceutical products

I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.


This invention provides an apparatus for covering the lens tip of a tonometer. The protective lens cover of the subject invention comprises a unitarily molded structure having an open end and an opposing closed end. The protective lens cover slidably receives onto the lens tip of a tonometer therein providing a temporary sterile environment to contact the eyeball of a patient.

The tonometer is an ophthalmologic apparatus used for detecting glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease of the eye marked by increased pressure within the eyeball that can result in damage to the optic disk causing gradual loss of vision. Essentially, the tonometer is an instrument used to measure the tension of an eyeball. More particularly the tonometer accurately measures the intraocular pressure of the eyeball through the eye wall.
The tonometer functions such that the lens of a tonometer is positioned to contact an eyeball with a predetermined pressure. The eyeball is instantaneously deformed and the resistance of the eyeball to deformation is detected and measured as the intraocular pressure. There are two principal types of tonometers used in the ophthalmologic field at the present time, one being the pneumotonometer and the other being an applanation tonometer. The pneumotonometer detects eye pressure by means of a blast of air. Thus, the pneumotonometer does not require optics for viewing the deformed eyeball for the measurement of intraocular pressure. In contrast to the pneumotonometer, the applanation tonometer measures the intraocular pressure through measurement of the deformed surface area of the eyeball using optics. Although both of these tonometers use different methods to measure intraocular pressure, both still require its respective lens to come in contact with the eyeball of a patient.
Contact tonometers raise serious concerns regarding the spread of contagious disease. The possible spread of conjunctivitis, adenovirus, herpes simplex, and hepatitis between patients which come in contact with a common tonometer is of major concern. Additionally, the emergence of the epidemic AIDS only heightens this concern. Current methods for cleaning the tonometer lens tip include soaking the removable tip in cleansing chemical agents. Such chemical agents may include diluted bleach, hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol. Disadvantages with the use of these cleansing agents include incomplete tip disinfection, corneal contact with cleaning solutions, tonometer tip damage or loss, and the time and expense required for such cleansing.
One attempt to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages, is the Tonometer Probe Cap, manufactured by U.S. Optical Specialties, located in South Bend, Ind., and BioRad, Inc., located in Santa Ana, Calif. The Tonometer Probe Cap is designed to be used on the pneumotonometer. The tonometer probe cap is entirely constructed of latex. In use, the disposable Tonometer Probe Cap is placed over the tip of the pneumotonometer and provides a sterile environment devoid of contagious disease. Hence, every time the tip of the pneumotonometer is to contact a different patient, the attending physician places a new sterile latex probe cap over the tip of the pneumotonometer to ensure a sterile environment. However, the employment of the latex tonometer probe cap on the pneumotonometer may decrease the accuracy for the measurement of intraocular pressure of the eyeball. Additionally, the modern trend is to move away from the pneumotonometer for measuring intraocular pressure, as a blast of air on the eyeball is no longer looked favorable upon. Moreover, the latex tonometer probe cap is not applicable for usage on tonometers such as the applanation tonometer. The latter situation arises because tonometers such as the applanation tonometer measure the intraocular pressure through optics and, as mentioned above, the latex tonometer probe cap is designed to be employed on a nonoptical tonometer.
Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a disposable sterile protective lens cover for an applanation tonometer.
Another object of the invention is to provide a protective lens cover for an applanation tonometer which greatly reduces the risk of the spread of contagious disease.
Still a further object of the subject invention is to provide a protective lens cover for a tonometer which enhances the optical qualities of the tonometer.
An additional object of the subject invention is to provide a protective lens cover which is packaged in a sterilized environment.
Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide a protective lens cover which is disposable after each patients usage.
It is another object of the subject invention to provide a protective lens cover that may be readily manufactured by a conventional molding process in quantities at a unit cost of pennies.


In one embodiment, a semiconductor package structure includes a plurality of upright clips having ends with mounting surfaces for vertically mounting the package to a next level of assembly. A semiconductor chip is interposed between the upright clips together with one or more spacers.

The packaging of semiconductor components such as power semiconductor devices involves a number of design challenges. Such challenges include cost, heat dissipation, device protection, size, performance, and reliability among others. Examples of prior art power packages that have been developed and improved upon to address such issues include the TO-220, TO-218, CASE 77, TO-247, Dpak, D2pak, D3pak, quad flat pack no-lead (QFN), quad flat pack (QFP), small outline (SOP) packages among others.
In a typical power semiconductor package, a semiconductor chip or device is attached to a conductive lead frame having an attach paddle and conductive leads. Input/output pads on the semiconductor chip are then coupled to the leads using conductive wires. The semiconductor chip and portions of the metal lead frame are then encapsulated with an epoxy mold compound, which functions to protect the device. Portions of the conductive leads are left exposed or unencapsulated so that the packaged device may be attached to a next level of assembly such as a printed circuit board. In the prior art packages listed above, the major or main current carrying surfaces of the semiconductor device are parallel to the next level of assembly when attached thereto.
Although advances have been made in semiconductor packaging, the electronics industry still demands smaller, more cost effective, and more reliable packaged semiconductor devices. This includes packaged devices that have enhanced thermal performance, and that are adaptable to various electrical configurations.
Accordingly, a need exists for a package structure and method of manufacture that addresses these demands as well as others.

Semiconductor package structure for vertical mount and method

Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.


A dressing for treating tissue with negative pressure is provided herein comprising a composite of dressing layers, including a release film, a perforated coated polymer film, a manifold, and an adhesive cover. Additionally, a method of manufacturing the dressing may comprise applying a cross-linkable polymer to a polymer film, curing the cross-linkable polymer to a gel layer to form a coated polymer film, and perforating the coated polymer film to form fluid restrictions, such as slits and/or slots, though the coated polymer film.

Clinical studies and practice have shown that reducing pressure in proximity to a tissue site can augment and accelerate growth of new tissue at the tissue site. The applications of this phenomenon are numerous, but it has proven particularly advantageous for treating wounds. Regardless of the etiology of a wound, whether trauma, surgery, or another cause, proper care of the wound is important to the outcome. Treatment of wounds or other tissue with reduced pressure may be commonly referred to as "negative-pressure therapy," but is also known by other names, including "negative-pressure wound therapy," "reduced-pressure therapy," "vacuum therapy," "vacuum-assisted closure," and "topical negative-pressure," for example. Negative-pressure therapy may provide a number of benefits, including migration of epithelial and subcutaneous tissues, improved blood flow, and micro-deformation of tissue at a wound site. Together, these benefits can increase development of granulation tissue and reduce healing times.
There is also widespread acceptance that cleansing a tissue site can be highly beneficial for new tissue growth. For example, a wound or a cavity can be washed out with a stream of liquid solution for therapeutic purposes. These practices are commonly referred to as "irrigation" and "lavage" respectively. "Instillation" is another practice that generally refers to a process of slowly introducing fluid to a tissue site and leaving the fluid for a prescribed period of time before removing the fluid. For example, instillation of topical treatment solutions over a wound bed can be combined with negative-pressure therapy to further promote wound healing by loosening soluble contaminants in a wound bed and removing infectious material. As a result, soluble bacterial burden can be decreased, contaminants removed, and the wound cleansed.
While the clinical benefits of negative-pressure therapy and/or instillation therapy are widely known, improvements to therapy systems, components, and processes may benefit healthcare providers and patients.

Methods for manufacturing and assembling dual material tissue interface for negative-pressure therapy


Three blocks cascaded to one another in an LSI, namely, an input module, a macro module and an output module, are independently tested. A first test circuit is formed with a first multiplexer interposed between the macro module and the output module, and a second multiplexer and a first control register interposed between the input module and the macro module. A second test circuit is similarly formed with third and fourth multiplexers and a second control register. A test input signal of a plurality of bits is supplied to the first multiplexer, and a latched signal of the first control register is supplied to the third multiplexer, thereby allowing a latched signal of the second control register to be output as a test output signal for observation. Thus, testing techniques requiring a small additional circuit and a small number of additional wires for the test can be provided.

The present invention relates to testing techniques for semiconductor integrated circuits, in particular, for large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs).
Various techniques of a scan testing and a direct-access testing for LSIs are described in "Designer's Guide to Testable ASIC Devices" by W. M. Needham (Ch. 5, pp. 87-124, Van Nostrand Reinhold. N.Y. 1991). The testing techniques for LSIs are desired to meet various requirements as follows: All the blocks and signal paths included therein can be tested in a short period of time: an additional circuit for the test is small; the number of additional wires for the test is small: and the operation speed of the tested circuit is not largely decreased in the normal mode.
It is herein assumed that one block contained in an LSI includes a combinational logic circuit and a plurality of flip-flops. The plural flip-flops are embedded on signal paths in the combinational logic circuit, so as to latch corresponding signals in the combinational logic circuit during the normal mode operation of the LSI. In a scan mode of the scan testing technique, these flip-flops are cascaded to one another so as to form a scan chain (shift register). An input signal for the scan testing, which is supplied from the outside of the LSI bit by bit in a serial manner in the scan mode, is latched by the shift register, and the latched signal is then supplied to the combinational logic circuit. Each flip-flop can fetch the test result of the combinational logic circuit in the normal mode. The test result thus fetched by the flip-flops is output bit by bit in a serial manner from the shift register to be observed in the external of the LSI.
When one LSI includes a plurality of blocks, it is desirable that each block can be tested independently from one another for performing the test efficiently. According to the scan testing technique, a plurality of flip-flops are additionally provided in the periphery (on the sides of the input port and the output port) of each of the plural blocks, and all the flip-flops are wired to one another so as to form one scan chain. According to the direct-access testing technique, a plurality of multiplexers are additionally provided and wired to one another so that a test input can be directly set in each block from the outside and that the test result of each block can be directly observed on the outside.
According to the scan testing technique utilizing a plurality of flip-flops embedded on signal paths in a combinational logic circuit, in the case where the block to be tested includes two types of flip-flops, one of which is a positive edge triggered type that is operated synchronously with the rising edge of a clock signal and the other of which is a negative edge triggered type that is operated synchronously with the falling edge of a clock signal, there arises a problem that there is a possibility that a test signal cannot be correctly scanned in. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2-218974 discloses a technique for overcoming this problem, in which a scan chain is formed so that all the negative edge triggered flip-flops are followed by all the positive edge triggered flip-flops. This technique, however, leads to another problem that the constructing freedom of a scan chain is largely degraded.
The scan testing technique used for an LSI including a plurality of blocks in which a scan chain is additionally provided in the periphery of all the blocks is advantageous in the small number of additional wires for the test. However, since setting of a test input and the observation of a test result can be performed bit by bit, a long period of time is required for the test. Furthermore, this technique has other problems that an additional circuit for the test is large and that the operation speed in the normal mode is largely decreased.
The direct-access testing technique for an LSI including a plurality of blocks is advantageous in that the time required for the test can be shorten because setting of a test input and the observation of a test result can be performed with regard to a plurality of bits at a stroke. However, this technique has a problem that a large number of wires are additionally provided for the test.

Semiconductor integrated circuit with a testable block

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A belt installation device for installing a belt onto a paper machine, pulp machine or board machine, has a first area (4) with an attaching point (5) for attaching the belt installation device to a pulling member, a second area (6) with at least one aperture (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) for fastening the belt installation device (1) removably to a belt, and a central area (8) between the first area (4) and the second area (6), wherein a pull strength of the attaching point is at least 300 kgf and equal or less than 900 kgf. The belt installation device is bendable between a straight form and a curved form having a radius of curvature of 800 mm. This invention further relates to an installation arrangement and installing method for installing a belt onto a paper, pulp or board machine.

This invention relates to a belt installation device. This invention further relates to an installation arrangement for a belt. The invention further relates to an installation method for installing a belt onto a paper, board, or pulp machine.
Paper machines, as well as pulp and board machines, are typically equipped with a wire, a press section and a drying section to remove moisture from a fiber web. In paper, pulp and board making, it is an issue how to increase the dewatering amount from wet fiber web, in order to improve a production efficiency. Nowadays, these machines typically have belts and wires to remove water from the fiber web.
Each belt and wire used at a paper, board, and pulp machine must be changed time by time due to different kinds of reasons. Typically, an installation process of a new belt includes pulling the belt to be installed onto a predetermined location of a machine by using pull ropes. However, this installation process has some major disadvantages, such as possibility of damaging the belt to be installed. Moreover, safeness of individuals installing the belt cannot always be guaranteed if the belt is damaged during the installation process.


Presented is an advanced non-amphibious landing craft that is partially supported by one or more artificially pressurized air cushions. In the preferred embodiment, the air cushions are bordered on each side by sidehulls, at the bow by a flexible seal, and at the stem by a fixed angled to horizontal air cushion aft seal member. The forward flexible seal element is attached to the underside of a bow ramp so that, during beaching and unloading of cargo such as vehicles, the forward flexible seal element simply folds underneath the moveable bow ramp as the ramp is lowered. Other features of the instant invention include built in fore and aft angled ramps and a moveable stern ramp. The aft angled ramp nests downward into the fixed air cushion aft seal.

This invention relates to the field of marine vehicles that are at least partially supported by one or more artificially pressurized air cushions. The air cushion(s) provides a supporting layer of air between the vehicle""s hull and a water surface thereby reducing wetted area friction and hence improving efficiency. There are further benefits when this technology is applied to landing craft since, by regulating the pressurized air supply to the air cushion(s), the draft of the landing craft can be controlled when at a beachhead or when loading vehicles and/or cargo from a supply ship. There are unique advantages to the instant invention related to the method of utilizing loading and unloading ramps that differ from prior art landing craft concepts.
The need for shallow draft high-speed landing craft for military applications is becoming more apparent. The U.S. Navy has developed an amphibious hovercraft called the LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion). The LCAC has flexible skirts around its full periphery and is therefore a generic hovercraft in concept. The full 360-degree flexible seals are necessary for an amphibious air cushioned vehicle. The LCAC is capable of speeds of over 40 knots in moderate seas and can transport a 75-ton tank up onto a beach. Propulsion is provided by two 4,000 HP gas turbines driving air propellers. A third 4,000 HP gas turbine provides power to drive the blowers that supply pressurized air to the supporting air cushion(s). To date, approximately ninety LCACs have been built. Cost of each LCAC is over 20 million dollars.
There is also a need for a new class of lower cost non-amphibious high-speed shallow draft landing craft. Because this new class of landing craft is non-amphibious, it does not require the expensive and high maintenance flexible air sealing skirts that extend around the full 360-degree periphery of a hovercraft such as the LCAC. Further, the hovercraft requires air propellers that are noisy and somewhat inefficient at speeds in the 30-60 knot area. The non-amphibious landing craft as proposed herein can utilize more efficient and less noisy water propulsors such as waterjets since its hulls are always in water contact.
The instant invention, called the Air Assisted Landing Craft (AALC) herein, utilizes a blower pressurized air cushioned hull but with fixed hard structure sidehulls. In its preferred embodiment it has a flexible bow seal and a fixed structure stern seal. Some of the unique features of the instant invention include a bow ramp that incorporates means on its underside for attaching a flexible bow seal. When the bow ramp is lowered the flexible bow seal elements simply fold up against the ground. After vehicles and other cargo is discharged onto the beach the bow ramp is retracted to its upper position which places the flexible seals back into position. As the blower(s) is actuated, the air cushion fills with pressurized gas to thereby reduce water draft so that the AALC can back off of the beach.
The instant invention AALC can also incorporate a stern ramp for stern loading and unloading. Since the air cushion stern seal is a fixed part of the AALC structure, it is a further feature of the instant invention to incorporate the AALC""s stern ramp into its air cushion stern seal design This simple stern ramp concept is not possible with standard hovercraft landing craft since they have flexible seals at their stern.
The instant invention offers advancements over Applicant""s earlier inventions as well as over the prior art. These advancements are discussed in some detail in the following sections.
The primary object of the instant invention is to provide a superior landing craft for transporting vehicles and other cargo to beachheads and unloading them safely and easily on said beachheads.
A related object of the invention is that it be capable of operating at high speed where high speed is defined herein as being speeds of over 15 knots.
A further object of the invention is that it be at least partially supported by a pressurized gas cushion.
It is an object of the invention that it can utilize sidehulls to insure transverse or roll stability as well as help seal in the pressurized air cushion(s).
Yet a further object of the invention is that an air or gas cushion stem seal can be a simple part of the hull structure.
It is a directly related object of the invention that the stern seal, in a sum of its parts and as seen in a transverse vertical plane of the hull, be angled over at least a majority of its width.
It is yet another directly related object of the invention that the stem seal be of a generally inverted-V shape.
It is a further related object of the invention that a portion of the stem loading ramp can be recessed into the area of the gas cushion stem seal.
It is a feature of the instant invention that a moveable, in relation to the hull, gas cushion bow seal can be utilized.
It is a directly related object of the invention that the moveable bow seal can be fabricated, at least in part, of a flexible material.
It is a further related object of the invention that the flexible bow seal extend between the sidehulls.
It is a major feature of the invention that the moveable bow seal be, at least in part, attached to a moveable bow ramp so that the moveable bow seal is displaced out of the way when the moveable bow ramp is lowered.
The invention will be better understood upon reference to the drawings and the detailed description of the invention which follow in which:


An extrusion die (10) includes a die body (30) having an upstream face (32) and a downstream face (34) with an extrusion profile (22) passing through the body (30) from the upstream face (32) to the downstream face (34). The walls of the extrusion profile (22) being the bearing (46) of the die (10). A pocket (40) having tapered sidewalls (70) is formed in the upstream face (32) of the die (10) and surrounds the extrusion profile (22). The configuration of the pocket (40) improves the material flow through the die (10). The configuration of the pocket (40) depends on the configuration of the extrusion profile (22). The width of the pocket (40) is small at the fast areas of the extrusion profile (22) while being large at the slow areas of the extrusion profile (22). The pocket (40) alters the entry angle of material as it enters the die (10) thus reducing friction in the die (10) and allowing increased extrusion speeds. In conjunction with the pocket (40), the die (10) has a continuous bearing (46) having a length depending on the configuration of the extrusion profile (22).

Extrusion is the process of forcing material through a die having an extrusion profile to form a product having a cross section that matches the extrusion profile. The length of the extruded product is determined by the amount of material forced through the die. A typical aluminum window frame may be fabricated from extruded rails and stiles. A typical rail or stile has a relatively complicated cross section including a plurality of arms extending from a common spine. Additionally, each of the arms may have a plurality of members extending therefrom. In the past as the extrusion profile became more complex, the speed of the extrusion process had to be reduced to maintain a high quality product.
A depiction of a typical extrusion die known in the art may be seen in FIG. 1. The prior art extrusion die, indicated generally by the numeral 210, generally includes a die body 212 having an upstream face 214 and a downstream face 216 with a cavity 218 extending toward the upstream face 214 from the downstream face 216. An extrusion profile 220 is cut from the upstream face 214 through the die body 212 to the cavity 218. A wall 222 parallel to the upstream 214 and downstream 216 faces extends between the extrusion profile 220 and the cavity 218. This wall 222 can also be referred to as the undercut 222 of the die 210. The depth of the extrusion profile 220 is referred to in the art as the die land or the die bearing 224. The die land or bearing 224 is the portion of the die 210 that the material contacts as it is forced through the die 210. Such contact causes friction that creates heat and negatively affects material flow.
The length of the bearing 224 and the length of the undercut 222 affect the strength of the die 210. The strength of the die 210 is important because the die 210 is subjected to high pressures and high temperatures during the extrusion process. If the material surrounding the extrusion profile 220 is weak, the quality of the product is negatively affected. To increase the strength of the die 210, a longer bearing 224 and a small undercut 222 may be used. A long bearing 224, however, decreases the speed of the die 210 because of the friction created by the long bearing 224.
Thus, it is desirable to minimize the length of the bearing so that the maximum extrusion speed may be achieved while maintaining adequate strength for the die. Maximizing extrusion speed is extremely important to the extrusion industry because a die may be used to create miles of product over its lifetime. Thus, even a small increase in extrusion speed yields large benefits to the manufacturer.
Another feature of known dies 210 is a cavity 230 formed in the upstream face 214 of the die 210 to facilitate consecutive billets. Consecutive billets are required when the desired length of the product is longer than the capacity of the extrusion processor. To allow consecutive billets, a cavity 230 is carved out of the upstream face 214 of the die 210 around the extrusion profile 220. When the ram of the extrusion processor approaches the upstream face 214 of the die 210, the billet is cut and a portion of the extrusion material remains in the cavity 230. When the billet is cut, the act of cutting creates a force that tends to pull the material remaining in the cavity 230 back out of the die 210. To prevent the material from being pulled entirely out of the cavity 230, the cavity 230 is relatively deep. The depth is such that the angle indicated by the numeral 232 is typically less than 45 degrees. The depth of the cavity 230 prevents the cutting force from pulling the material all the way out of the die 210. Once the material is cut, the ram is then pulled back and another billet is inserted. The new billet welds itself to the material left over in the cavity and the extrusion process is continued.
The depth of the cavity 230 negatively effects the performance of the extrusion die 210. When the angle 232 formed by a line normal to the upstream face 214 at the corner of the cavity 230 and a line taken through that corner and the corner of the extrusion profile 220 and the bottom 234 of the cavity 230 is less than 45 degrees, the flow through the die 210 is restricted. As the material is forced against the die 210 in the extrusion processor, areas of material are forced into the corners and essentially stay in the corners during the extrusion process. This area is known as a dead area of flow and is indicated generally by the numeral 236 in FIG. 1. The dead area 236 creates friction between the rest of the flow and itself. A deep cavity 230 causes an additional dead area to form, as indicated by the numeral 238. The deep cavity 230 also acts as an additional length of bearing where the flow may flow against the cavity walls, as indicated by the numeral 240. The additional friction created by the dead area 238 and the extra bearing 240 is undesirable because it creates heat which degrades the surface finish of the final product. To reduce the affects of friction, the extrusion processor is run at slower speeds.
To design such a conventional die, a die designer typically relies on a trial and error method. The success of the die design often depends on the knowledge and experience of the die maker. A die is currently manufactured by first determining the desired profile of the final extruded product. The profile is then cut out of the die body. When the die designer first cuts the profile, the designer intentionally leaves the bearing longer than desired so that bearing length may be removed, if needed, after a test run. The die is then placed in an extrusion processor and run through a series of tests. If the die functions properly, the die is then used to create final products. A problem with this method is that the bearing of the die has been left intentionally long and the die must be run at slow speeds.
If the designer discovers problems with the die during the test runs or desires a faster die bearing, the designer takes the die out of the processor and makes adjustments. The magnitude of these adjustments often depends on the knowledge and experience of the designer. One typical adjustment that may be made is the removal, or shortening of the bearing. The known methods for removing bearing are to shorten the entire bearing or to shorten a portion of the bearing to create a stepped bearing. Once this has been done, the die is repositioned and additional tests are performed. One problem with creating a stepped bearing is that a die having a stepped bearing forms a product with surface lines at the location of the bearing step. Such lines are undesirable and must be removed by a further process.
The reconfigurations and tests are repeated until a satisfactory product and extrusion speed are attained. It should be noted that bearing length cannot be added back to the die after it has been removed. Thus, if too much bearing is removed, the die must be scrapped and the process repeated. For this reason, the die bearing is always left longer than necessary. The added length causes the extrusion processes to be run slower than possible. Even a knowledgeable die designer with significant experience typically requires approximately three tests to create a satisfactory die. The number of runs and the labor required to perfect the die undesirably increases the costs of forming the die.


Alloys which form metallic glass upon cooling below the glass transition temperature at a rate appreciably less than 10.sup.6 K/s comprise beryllium in the range of from 5 to 52 atomic percent and at least one early transition metal in the range of from 30 to 75% and at least one late transition metal in the range of from 2 to 52%. A preferred group of metallic glass alloys has the formula (Zr.sub.1-X Ti.sub.X).sub.a (Cu.sub.1-y Ni.sub.y).sub.b Be.sub.c. Generally, a is in the range from 30 to 75% and the lower limit increases with increasing x. When x is in the range of from 0 to 0.15, b is in the range of from 5 to 52%, and c is in the range of from 6 to 47%. When x is in the range of from 0.15 to 0.4, b is in the range of from 5 to 52%, and c is in the range of from 5 to 47%. When x is in the range of from 0.4 to 0.6, b is in the range of from 5 to 52%, and c is in the range of from 5 to 47%. When x is in the range of from 0.6 to 0.8, b is in the range of from 5 to 52%, and c is in the range of from 5 to 42%. When x is in the range of from 0.8 to 1, b is in the range of from 5 to 52%, and c is in the range of from 5 to 30%. Other elements may also be present in the alloys in varying proportions.

This invention relates to amorphous metallic alloys, commonly referred to metallic glasses, which are formed by solidification of alloy melts by cooling the alloy to a temperature below its glass transition temperature before appreciable homogeneous nucleation and crystallization has occurred.
There has been appreciable interest in recent years in the formation of metallic alloys that are amorphous or glassy at low temperatures. Ordinary metals and alloys crystallize when cooled from the liquid phase. It has been found, however, that some metals and alloys can be undercooled and remain as an extremely viscous liquid phase or glass at ambient temperatures when cooled sufficiently rapidly. Cooling rates in the order of 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.6 K/sec are typically required.
To achieve such rapid cooling rates, a very thin layer (e.g., less than 100 micrometers) or small droplets of molten metal are brought into contact with a conductive substrate maintained at near ambient temperature. The small dimension of the amorphous material is a consequence of the need to extract heat at a sufficient rate to suppress crystallization. Thus, previously developed amorphous alloys have only been available as thin ribbons or sheets or as powders. Such ribbons, sheets or powders may be made by melt-spinning onto a cooled substrate, thin layer casting on a cooled substrate moving past a narrow nozzle, or as "splat quenching" of droplets between cooled substrates.
Appreciable efforts have been directed to finding amorphous alloys with greater resistance to crystallization so that less restrictive cooling rates can be utilized. If crystallization can be suppressed at lower cooling rates, thicker bodies of amorphous alloys can be produced.
The formation of amorphous metallic alloys always faces the difficult tendency of the undercooled alloy melt to crystallize. Crystallization occurs by a process of nucleation and growth of crystals. Generally speaking, an undercooled liquid crystallizes rapidly. To form an amorphous solid alloy, one must melt the parent material and cool the liquid from the melting temperature T.sub.m to below the glass transition temperature T.sub.g, without the occurrence of crystallization.
FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a diagram of temperature plotted against time on a logarithmic scale. A melting temperature T.sub.m and a glass transition temperature T.sub.g, are indicated. An exemplary curve a indicates the onset of crystallization as a function of time and temperature. In order to create an amorphous solid material, the alloy must be cooled from above the melting temperature through the glass transition temperature without intersecting the nose of the crystallization curve. This crystallization curve a represents schematically the onset of crystallization on some of the earliest alloys from which metallic glasses were formed. Cooling rates in excess of 10.sup.5 and usually in the order of 10.sup.6 have typically been required.
A second curve b in FIG. 1 indicates a crystallization curve for subsequently developed metallic glasses. The required cooling rates for forming amorphous alloys have been decreased one or two, or even three, orders of magnitude, a rather significant decrease. A third crystallization curve c indicates schematically the order of magnitude of the additional improvements made in practice of this invention. The nose of the crystallization curve has been shifted two or more orders of magnitude toward longer times. Cooling rates of less than 10.sup.3 K/s and preferably less than 10.sup.2 K/s are achieved. Amorphous alloys have been obtained with cooling rates as low as two or three K/s.
The formation of an amorphous alloy is only part of the problem. It is desirable to form net shape components and three dimensional objects of appreciable dimensions from the amorphous materials. To process and form an amorphous alloy or to consolidate amorphous powder to a three dimensional object with good mechanical integrity requires that the alloy be deformable. Amorphous alloys undergo substantial homogeneous deformation under applied stress only when heated near or above the glass transition temperature. Again, crystallization is generally observed to occur rapidly in this temperature range.
Thus, referring again to FIG. 1, if an alloy once formed as an amorphous solid is reheated above the glass transition temperature, a very short interval may exist before the alloy encounters the crystallization curve. With the first amorphous alloys produced, the crystallization curve a would be encountered in milliseconds and mechanical forming above the glass transition temperature is essentially infeasible. Even with improved alloys, the time available for processing is still in the order of fractions of seconds or a few seconds.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of temperature and viscosity on a logarithmic scale for amorphous alloys as undercooled liquids between the melting temperature and glass transition temperature. The glass transition temperature is typically considered to be a temperature where the viscosity of the alloy is in the order of 10.sup.12 poise. A liquid alloy, on the other hand, may have a viscosity of less than one poise (ambient temperature water has a viscosity of about one centipoise).
As can be seen from the schematic illustration of FIG. 2, the viscosity of the amorphous alloy decreases gradually at low temperatures, then changes rapidly above the glass transition temperature. An increase of temperature as little as 5.degree. C. can reduce viscosity an order of magnitude. It is desirable to reduce the viscosity of an amorphous alloy as low as 10.sup.5 poise to make deformation feasible at low applied forces. This means appreciable heating above the glass transition temperature. The processing time for an amorphous alloy (i.e., the elapsed time from heating above the glass transition temperature to intersection with the crystallization curve of FIG. 1) is preferably in the order of several seconds or more, so that there is ample time to heat, manipulate, process and cool the alloy before appreciable crystallization occurs. Thus, for good formability, it is desirable that the crystallization curve be shifted to the right, i.e., toward longer times.
The resistance of a metallic glass to crystallization can be related to the cooling rate required to form the glass upon cooling from the melt. This is an indication of the stability of the amorphous phase upon heating above the glass transition temperature during processing. It is desirable that the cooling rate required to suppress crystallization be in the order of from 1 K/s to 10.sup.3 K/s or even less. As the critical cooling rate decreases, greater times are available for processing and larger cross sections of parts can be fabricated. Further, such alloys can be heated substantially above the glass transition temperature without crystallizing during time scales suitable for industrial processing.

Berylllium bearing amorphous metallic alloys formed by low cooling rates


A method for operating a steering system of a motor vehicle, with a steering handling device for specifying a steering wheel angle (δS) as a measure of a desired steering angle (δFm) for at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a steering gear with a pinion, which converts a pinion angle (δG), which depends on the steering wheel angle (δS), into the steering angle (δFm) of the at least one steerable wheel of the motor vehicle, a superimposing arrangement for generating an additional angle (δM) by means of a control drive, especially an electric motor and for producing the pinion angle (δG) by superimposing the additional angle (δM) on the steering wheel angle (δS) by a superimposing gear mechanism and a control device for carrying out the method for operating the steering system and for triggering the control drive and being carried out by a control device of the steering system. At least one function, on the basis of a model, monitors the dynamics of the control drive.

The invention relates to a method for operating a steering system of a motor vehicle.
The invention also relates to a computer program and a computer program product with program coding means, in order to carry out such a method for operating a steering system on a computer, especially on a microprocessor, of a control device of the steering system, and to such a control device.
The DE 197 51 125 A1 discloses such a method for operating a steering system, which has superimposing means, which generate an additional angle and superimpose this additional angle on the steering wheel angle specified by the steering handling device. Moreover, the steering wheel angle is superimposed on the movement (additional angle or motor angle) of a control drive, that is, an electric motor, by means of a superimposing gear mechanism (such as a planetary gear). With the help of the superimposing gear mechanism, it is possible to superimpose an additional angle on the steering wheel angle, specified by the steering handling device, in order to increase the driving stability and the comfort, so that variable transformation ratio between the steering wheel angle and the average steering angle of the steerable wheels of the motor vehicle, which depends on the driving dynamics and comfort, is achieved. By these means, it is, for example, possible, from a safety point of view, to restore a motor vehicle, which is threatening to swerve, to a stable driving situation by an appropriate correction of the steering angle. The superimposing means can support other driving dynamics systems (such as an electronic stability program (ESP) or an anti-locking system (ALS). From a comfort point of view, it is also possible, for example, to superimpose a speed-dependent additional angle on a steering wheel angle. By these means, the transformation ratio can be set to a relatively small value at low driving speeds, that is, a relatively small rotation of the steering handling device leads to a relatively large steering angle of the wheels. On the other hand, at high vehicle speeds, a relatively large transformation ratio can be set, so that the driving stability of the motor vehicle is increased.
It is a disadvantage that the steering system itself or the further driving dynamics systems, which are to be supported, are not informed of the actually available dynamics or the functionality of the superimposing means or of the control drive. Even other effects, such as temperature or reaction moments and forces, act on the steering system or control drive. By these means, nominal values for additional angles to be superimposed and additional angular velocities, which cannot be realized by the control drive—whether it be due to a functional disorder or simply because of an actual driving situation (such as the state of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle)—of the useful functions of the steering system itself (such as a variable steering ratio) as well as of the further driving dynamics systems could be avoided.

Method for operating a steering system of a motor vehicle


Provided herein, inter alia, are methods and compounds for modulating Interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase.

Interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) plays an important role in T-cell development, differentiation, signalling and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IL-17. The modulation of Interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) activity has been a target for the treatment of inflammation (e.g., inflammatory skin conditions), autoimmune, allergic disease conditions, and cancers (e.g., T-cell cancers such as T-cell lymphoma and lymphblastic T-cell leukemia). For example, ITK inhibition has been studied for the treatment of diseases such as allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Thus, there is a need in the art for ITK modulators. Provided herein are solutions to these and other problems in the art.

Compounds and methods for modulating interleukin-2-inducible t-cell kinase


The device for producing packages of stacked materials consisting of a plurality of individual signatures comprises a first conveying unit, which defines a signature path. The first conveying unit moves the signatures along the signature path into a vertical position. The device also comprises a stacking table with a support surface for supporting the signatures, which are arriving with a vertical orientation. The stacking table comprises a second conveying unit, which moves the stacked signatures in a conveying direction of the stack. A control unit switches a tilting device between an active state, in which the tilting device tilts or compresses an upper area of the stacked signatures, and an inactive state, in which the tilting device exerts no effect on the stacked signatures.

The present invention relates to a device and to a method for producing packages of stacked materials, especially in the form of blocks comprising a plurality of individual signatures.
A device for stacking signatures is described in, for example, DE 697 12 364 T4. The signatures are first moved by a conveying unit along a substantially arc-shaped signature path from a horizontal position to a vertical position and stacked on a stacking table. Above the stacking table, the signature path comprises a vertical end section, so that the signatures are stacked with a substantially vertical orientation on the stacking table. By arranging signatures next to each other in a row, so-called "blocks" are formed, which are strapped to compress them and then packaged.
A similar device which stacks signatures to form a block is disclosed in DE 600 04 631 T2.
These devices usually operate with a conveying device which transports the stream of signatures in fish-scale fashion, that is, with an edge area of one signature resting on an edge area of the adjacent signature, to the stacking table. The problem here is that, when freshly printed signatures are fish-scaled for transport, printing ink can be transferred from one signature to another.
For this reason, it would be preferable in these areas of application to feed the sheets separately, i.e., to transport the signatures singly, one by one. In the area where the signatures are stacked, however, problems can be expected when the incoming signatures impinge on the signatures already stacked, because each newly arriving signature no longer receives the guidance achieved by the fish-scaling, which is no longer operative.

Device and method for producing packages of stacked materials

MASCHINENBAU OPPENWEILER BINDER GMBH & CO. KG


A motor vehicle braking system and method operable in a brake-by-wire mode and independently of the driver, with a master brake cylinder (2) operated by a brake pedal (1) having a piston (15, 16) and a pressure chamber (17, 18), connected with a brake circuit (I, II) and wheel brakes (8,9, 10, 11). An electrically controllable pressure supplying device (5) operates the wheel brakes; and a simulation device (3) with at least one elastic element (33), provides an acceptable brake pedal feel in the brake-by-wire mode. The simulation device (3) has a simulator chamber (29) connected, or is hydraulically connected, through a first hydraulic connection (54) to the pressure chamber (17) and which has an electrically actuated isolation valve (28) with a pressure means reservoir (4) under atmospheric pressure. A media separator device (47) is arranged in the connection (46) between the simulator chamber (29) and the isolation valve (28).

Hydraulic vehicle braking systems which are designed as power-operated braking systems and, in addition to a muscle-powered brake master cylinder, to which wheel brakes are hydraulically connected and which supplies pressure and volume for the actuation of wheel brakes, may include a further, electrically controllable pressure and volume supplying device, which controls the wheel brakes in a "brake by wire" operating mode, are known. In such a system, if the electrically controllable pressure and volume supplying device fails, the wheel brakes are actuated exclusively by the muscle power of the vehicle driver (unassisted fallback operating mode).
WO 2011/029812 A1 discloses an electrohydraulic braking system having a brake-pedal-actuated brake master cylinder, a travel simulator and a pressure supplying device. In a "brake by wire" operating mode, the wheel brakes are supplied with pressure by the pressure supplying device. In the fallback operating mode, the wheel brakes are supplied by means of the brake-pedal-actuated brake master cylinder with the pressure applied by the driver.
DE 10 2011 083 237 A1 discloses a braking system of the type described above. The braking system includes a hydraulic actuating device which can be actuated by means of a brake pedal and to which wheel brakes are connected, and a hydraulic travel simulator having a hydraulic chamber. The actuating device is hydraulically connected to the travel simulator via a hydraulic connection, wherein the hydraulic connection is hydraulically connected to a pressure medium reservoir by means of a normally open isolation valve. To modify the force/displacement characteristic curve of the brake pedal actuation, i.e. to modify the brake pedal feel perceived by the vehicle driver, pressure medium is discharged into the pressure medium reservoir via the isolation valve at the beginning of the braking operation, when the brake pedal travel is less than a predetermined limiting value. As soon as the brake pedal travel is greater than the limiting value, the isolation valve is closed. In the braking system described above, the isolation valve should not remain open for too long since, otherwise, the brake pedal "sags", something that the vehicle driver will perceive as disturbing or irritating. However, activation for closure of the isolation valve is associated with the generation of noise, which can likewise be perceived as disturbing. In the case of a power failure, when the isolation valve cannot be closed, or when the isolation valve is leaky, the pressure medium volume displaced from the actuating device can escape into the pressure medium reservoir when the brake pedal is actuated in the previously known braking system, with the result that a pressure buildup in the wheel brakes is not possible or is possible only to a limited extent in the fallback operating mode, for example. This safety-critical situation should be avoided.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a braking system having a variable force/displacement characteristic curve of the brake pedal actuation and a method for the operation of a braking system of this kind which ensure higher operational safety than the prior art in as economical a manner as possible. It should also be possible to operate the braking system with as little noise as possible.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a braking system and method as described herein.

Braking system for motor vehicles and method for the operation of a braking system


A Method is described for synchronizing the output of terminals. The method according to the invention may be used in a system comprising a station, which transmits a packetized stream to at least a first and second terminal. Each terminal comprises a variable delay unit and each terminal is connected through a low-delay communication channel to at least one synchronization unit for calculating delay information. Further, each terminal is capable of determining media reference information of a received media unit from the stream. The method comprising the steps of providing one or more low delay communication channels between the terminals and a synchronization unit; the synchronization unit calculating delay information on the basis of synchronization information received from the terminals via the one or more low delay communication channels; and transmitting the delay information to at least one of the terminals allowing the at least one terminal to delay its output such that the output of the terminals are substantially synchronized.

New multi-media techniques such as Voice over IP (VoIP) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) open a whole range of new multi-media services. One type of these services enables a group of users to separately watch the same TV channel, while communicating with each other via text, audio and/or video using a separate real-time communication channel (e.g. VoIP) for the direct communication. Such services require that the output signal of the terminals is transmitted at the same time to all users in the group so that each user will experience a specific TV moment (e.g. a goal in a live football match) at the same time. In other words, the outputs of the display devices in the group, e.g. televisions, PDAs, PCs or a combination thereof, should be synchronized.
In an IPTV system the TV channel signal is typically transmitted as one or more packetized streams over a high-bandwidth IP network of an operator via edge routers and access nodes to the terminals of the subscribers to such services. During transmission of the streams, the packets are subjected to unknown delays in the network such as transmission delays, differences in network routes and differences in coding and decoding delays. As a consequence the temporal relationship between packets of audio and video streams received at one terminal and those received at another terminal will be disturbed.
To stream the IPTV content to the terminals usually the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) is used. RTP provides sequence numbering and time stamping. Using RTP the temporal relation in one stream (intra-stream synchronization) and between associated streams (inter-stream synchronization) can be restored.
In order to achieve group-synchronization or inter-destination synchronization (as required by the services as referred to above) further measures are necessary. Several techniques are known and all employ time-stamping and variable-delay buffers in the terminals. A variable-delay buffer is capable of delaying a stream for a certain amount of time.
In the article "An Application-Level QoS Comparison of Inter-Destination Synchronization Schemes for Continuous Media Multicasting" by Nunome et al. (IEICE trans. Commun. vol. 87, 2004, pp. 3057-3067) two types of inter-destination synchronization schemes are described. A first type uses a central synchronization master, which collects timing information from all terminals in the group and adjusts the output timing by distributing control packets to the terminals. A second type regards a distributed control scheme, wherein each terminal multicasts all timing information to all other terminals in the group. Implementation of such schemes in a typical IPTV system introduces however certain problems. One problem related to the schemes is the requirement of an absolute or central clock, that synchronizes all local clocks prior to the inter-destination synchronization of the streams. Such local clock synchronization may be difficult to achieve in practice. A further problem related to the prior art is the limited scalability. Synchronization control packets are distributed using dedicated multicast channels, which are a limited resource, and a central synchronization master may only be capable of handling a certain number of terminals.
One way of achieving group-synchronization in an IPTV system is the synchronization of the network nodes in the network of the operator so that all viewers connected with a terminal, e.g. a set-top box, to these synchronized network nodes are capable of viewing the broadcasted program at the same time. That way, the terminals will always be in sync, irrespective whether a particular service requires group-synchronization. This solution, which is described in more detail in a related European patent application no. 07020737.8, requires adaptation of the network nodes in the network.
It is desirable to provide group-synchronization for particular services without modification of the existing network infrastructure of the provider.

Method and system for synchronizing the output of terminals

Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO


An energy management loadpanel arrangement includes a load panel enclosure having a plurality of circuit breakers, each of which opens and closes in response to a control signal so as to interrupt an associated current path. A microcomputer generates the control signals to control the position of the circuit breakers and their associated current paths, and a volatile memory circuit, for example, RAM, stores time-event data which is used to indicate when the control signals should be generated. A charged electronic double-layered capacitor is coupled to the volatile memory so that, in the event of a power outage, operating power is provided to the volatile memory for extended periods of time. In this manner, the time-event data is retained during the power outage so that the circuit breakers are timely controlled, despite the power outage, in response to said control signals. A real time clock circuit is used to track the time, and the charged electronic double-layered capacitor is coupled to the real time clock circuit so that it also continues to operate during a power outage. The microcomputer is then used to periodically store an image of the current time, from the real time clock, in RAM during normal operation, so that after a power outage and when the microcomputer 120 recovers therefrom, the current value of the real time clock can be compared against this value stored in RAM and the microcomputer's duration timers can be corrected.

Circuit breaker energy management systems are designed to control circuit breakers in a circuit breaker panelboard by commanding the circuit breakers to turn "on" and "off," so as to "close" and "open" the current path for efficient energy use. It is advantageous for such systems to be user-programmable in order to control the circuit breakers automatically at predesignated times of the day. This attribute cannot be accurately or reliably provided, however, without a reprogramming circuit which corrects the time after a power interruption.
Previously known energy management arrangements have attempted to provide the above attribute by including a separate control system conveniently located, e.g., in a homeowner's kitchen, so that the time can be reprogrammed by the user after the power interruption. Unfortunately, a separate control system is not acceptable in many applications due to cost and maintenance, and a user-reprogramming requirement is unacceptable in many applications.
Accordingly, a microcomputer-based circuit breaker energy management system is needed which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.

Computer-controlled circuit breaker energy management arrangement having reliable memory and clock


The memory controller is provided with a refresh clock generation unit, a control signal generation unit, and a refresh request generation unit. The refresh clock generation unit generates a clock obtained by frequency dividing a system clock, as a refresh clock. The control signal generation unit issues a refresh command to a memory, based on the refresh clock. The refresh request generation unit curtails, based on a specified refresh count in a specified refresh period determined by the memory, a supply to the control signal generation unit of a redundant refresh clock generated exceeding the specified refresh count, the refresh clock being generated within the specified refresh period.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a memory controller, a memory control method, and a memory control system. The invention may be preferably used, for example, in volatile memory refresh control.
2. Description of Related Art
Volatile memory including DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) has a memory cell structure to hold data, and the memory has to be periodically refreshed. Refresh control of the volatile memory is performed by a memory controller connected to the memory. The volatile memory and the memory controller are embedded in a system requiring a volatile memory, and operate based on a clock generated within the system. In particular, the memory controller performs volatile memory control including refresh control based on a system clock generated within the system or a clock obtained by frequency dividing the system clock.
Meanwhile, a refresh control specification as stipulated for a volatile memory is prescribed as a "requirement to issue a refresh command at least a certain number of times within a certain period". That is, it is sufficient if the memory controller is in compliance with the specification concerning refresh control of the volatile memory, and timing at which a refresh command is issued is left to the memory controller.
In this regard, Patent Literature 1 discloses technology implemented by proceeding with refresh control for a volatile memory when the memory controller is in an idle state. By the memory controller disclosed in Patent Literature 1 being implemented to proceed with refresh control, it is not necessary to give priority to refresh control when the memory controller is in a busy state, and deteriorated performance of the overall system including the volatile memory is prevented.
In addition, Patent Literatures 2 to 7 disclose various types of technology concerning refresh control of volatile memory, and Patent Literatures 8 to 9 disclose technology where refresh control of volatile memory is realized.
[Patent Literature 1]
    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP2011-018435A[Patent Literature 2]    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP2000-235789A[Patent Literature 3]    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP2003-151270A[Patent Literature 4]    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP2009-059412A[Patent Literature 5]    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-H04-060988A[Patent Literature 6]    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-H06-236683A[Patent Literature 7]    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-H08-129883A[Patent Literature 8]    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP2007-287314A[Patent Literature 9]    JP Patent Kokai Publication No. JP2010-170608A

Memory controller, memory control method, and memory control system


A method that includes using a user input device to allow a user to log-in to an e-mail account or user account, using the user input device to allow the user to enter an electronic message or select an electronic message, generating a first checksum based on the electronic message, transmitting the first checksum to a server, encrypting the electronic message, using a communications module to receive a unique postal identifier from a server and associate the unique postal identifier with the encrypted electronic message, and using a communications module to transmit the encrypted electronic message to a recipient client via a computer network.

Most communications are transmitted electronically by email. However, many search engines and other applications engage in data mining, crawling and saving cookies derived from the emails. Therefore, a sender can never be absolutely sure that the email transmitted was never reviewed, by another. Further, the law has not yet imposed sanctions and limitations for such offenses to data privacy. Thus it would be helpful to be able to certify that an email was transmitted to the intended sender without any unauthorized viewing and have a certifying agency certify that the electronic mail, such that any unauthorized viewing, data mining, tampering, crawling or other unauthorized review can be criminally or civilly sanctioned.
Furthermore, existing electronic postmarking systems work operate in confusing and complicated ways, which lay users find difficult to understand.
Yet another issue that users face these days are issues with e-mail privacy. Federal laws prohibit accessing or otherwise tampering with electronic communications, however once those communications have been stored for over 180 days, the prohibition no longer applies, and thus, employees of e-mail service providers can access users' emails thereby violating their privacy. Furthermore, many people disregard the Federal laws altogether and access user e-mails without consent. Many users also do not want e-mail service providers data mining the contents of their e-mails, which service providers sometimes use to provide customized ads.
The system and methods described herein satisfies these long felt needs in a new and novel manner.

System and method for convenient and secure electronic postmarking using an electronic postmarking terminal


A ventilation system for a mobile structure, in particular a motor vehicle, includes: a variably adjustable filter device including at least one controllable, variable filter characteristic with regard to a pollutant class; means for collecting information about the air quality in the surroundings of the mobile structure and in particular information about the air quality in an interior of the mobile structure; and a control unit for varying filter characteristics of the filter device in a variable, in particular continuous, manner, on the basis of the information about the air quality.

Ventilation systems for mobile structures are used by default in motor vehicles in order to ensure a supply of fresh air into the interior, i.e. usually the passenger compartment.
These ventilation systems make it possible to control the airstream guided into the interior, in particular to control the flow speed and the heating and cooling of the air. In addition, a recirculated air fraction, which specifies a fraction of recirculated interior air, can be variably adjusted.
Ventilation systems in motor vehicles are increasingly provided with filter devices that filter the ambient air sucked in before conducting said air into the interior. In this case, the filter performance is usually determined by the airstream that is conducted through the filter device and the efficiency of the filter device. In this case, the filter device is usually passive, i.e. the efficiency of the filter device cannot be influenced, and changes merely on account of the pollutant load of said device. The absorption of pollutants from the surroundings occurs as a result of the contamination of the ambient air sucked in and of the flow speed through the filter elements of the filter device. Consistent air quality in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle therefore usually cannot be achieved when the ventilation system is in an adjusted operating state and the air quality of the ambient air varies, and the pollution burden of the interior air in the passenger compartment can therefore be above or below a desired level.
It is also known from DE 10 2008 014 401 A1 to provide a motor vehicle comprising a device for ventilating a vehicle interior, which device activates an additional air purification process, on the basis of the air quality in the vehicle interior.
Furthermore, EP 3 081 414 A2 discloses a device for maintaining and improving the air quality in an interior, having a sensor system for detecting the air quality in the interior and in an outer space, and a filter device for purifying air. The device further comprises a control device, by means of which control signals for the filter device can be generated on the basis of signals from the sensor system. The filter device contains purification programs which are stored in advance in a control device.
DE 10 2014 206 451 A1 also discloses a method for actuating an automated air conditioning device of a motor vehicle, in which method the risk of the driver of the motor vehicle inhaling pollutants is detected and, when the risk of inhaling pollutants is detected, an operating state of a ventilation means of the air conditioning device is changed.
While too high an ambient air filtering performance leads to the filter device being rapidly clogged with particles or the filter device being rapidly loaded with gaseous, volatile pollutants (e.g. VOC: volatile organic compounds) and as a result makes it necessary to frequently replace the filter device, too small a filter effect leads to excessive pollutant nuisance for the vehicle passengers in the passenger compartment.
It is therefore desirable to provide a ventilation system which ensures that air quality in an interior is as consistently good as possible and the filter effect of the filter device is adjusted, in order to avoid replacing or purifying the filter device too frequently. Furthermore, it is intended for the operation of the ventilation fan to be maintained with as little energy consumption as possible, as low a fan speed as possible and as low a level of noise as possible.

Ventilation system in a mobile structure and method for operating a ventilation system in a mobile structure


Codoped lutetium-based oxyorthosilicate scintillators (e.g., lutetium oxyorthosilicase (LSO) and lutetium-ytrrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) scintillators) codoped with transition metal ions (e.g., Cu2+) are described. The codoping can alter one or more optical and/or scintillation property of the scintillator material. For example, the codoping can increase scintillation light yield and/or decrease scintillation decay time. Radiation detectors comprising the scintillators, methods of detecting high energy radiation using the radiation detectors, and methods of altering one or more scintillation and/or optical properties of a lutetium-based oxyorthosilicate scintillator are also described.

Scintillator materials, which emit light pulses in response to impinging radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, and thermal neutron radiation, are used in detectors that have a wide range of applications in medical imaging, particle physics, geological exploration, security and other related areas. Considerations in selecting scintillator materials typically include, but are not limited to, luminosity, decay time, energy resolution, and emission wavelength.
Lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO, Lu2SiO5) activated with cerium (Ce3+) is a crystal scintillator material that has been used for medical imaging, such as gamma-ray detection in positron emission tomography (PET), as well as other applications. Due at least partly to its relatively high light yield and short decay time, LSO is considered to be a suitable material for molecular imaging applications, particularly for time-of-flight PET (TOF PET). LSO scintillators are typically made of single-crystal LSO grown from a melt using, for example, the Czochralski process.
While LSO scintillators in general have been developed, there is an ongoing need to develop LSO and other lutetium (Lu)-based oxyorthosilicate scintillators with improved properties for particular applications.

Lutetium based oxyorthosilicate scintillators codoped with transition metals

University of Tennessee Research Foundation


An apparatus, program product, and method update the cluster infrastructure version used by a group resident in a clustered computer system without requiring a shut down of the group during the update. The cluster infrastructure software in individual nodes in the clustered computer system is updated while the group is maintained in an active state. After the cluster infrastructure software is updated, the group is then notified of the update. In response to the notification, the cluster infrastructure version used by the group is dynamically updated to that of the updated cluster infrastructure software, thus making additional functions supported by the new version of the cluster infrastructure software available for use by all group members.

"Clustering" generally refers to a computer system organization where multiple computers, or nodes, are networked together to cooperatively perform computer tasks. An important aspect of a computer cluster is that all of the nodes in the cluster present a single system image—that is, from the perspective of a user, the nodes in a cluster appear collectively as a single computer, or entity.
Clustering is often used in relatively large multi-user computer systems where high performance and reliability are of concern. For example, clustering may be used to provide redundancy, or fault tolerance, so that, should any node in a cluster fail, the operations previously performed by that node will be handled by other nodes in the cluster. Clustering is also used to increase overall performance, since multiple nodes can often handle a larger number of tasks in parallel than a single computer otherwise could. Often, load balancing can also be used to ensure that tasks are distributed fairly among nodes to prevent individual nodes from becoming overloaded and therefore maximize overall system performance. One specific application of clustering, for example, is in providing multi-user access to a shared resource such as a database or a storage device, since multiple nodes can handle a comparatively large number of user access requests, and since the shared resource is typically still available to users even upon the failure of any given node in the cluster.
Clusters typically handle computer tasks through the performance of "jobs" or "processes" within individual nodes. In some instances, jobs being performed by different nodes cooperate with one another to handle a computer task. Such cooperative jobs are typically capable of communicating with one another, and are typically managed in a cluster using a logical entity known as a "group." A group is typically assigned some form of identifier, and each job in the group is tagged with that identifier to indicate its membership in the group.
Member jobs in a group typically communicate with one another using an ordered message-based scheme, where the specific ordering of messages sent between group members is maintained so that every member sees messages sent by other members in the same order as every other member, thus ensuring synchronization between nodes. Requests for operations to be performed by the members of a group are often referred to as "protocols," and it is typically through the use of one or more protocols that tasks are cooperatively performed by the members of a group. One type of protocol, for example, is a membership change protocol, which is used to update the membership of a particular group of member jobs, e.g., when a member job needs to be added to or removed from a group.
Conventional clustered computer systems also typically rely on some form of cluster infrastructure software that is resident on each node in the cluster, and that provides various support services that group members utilize in connection with performing tasks. Cluster infrastructure software is roughly analogous to an operating system on a non-clustered computer system. Whereas an operating system manages the execution of software applications and provides a programming interface through which applications can invoke various support functions (e.g., to interact with attached I/O devices, to display certain information to a user, etc.), cluster infrastructure software manages the execution of group members and provides a programming interface through which jobs can invoke various cluster-related support functions (e.g., to pass messages between group members, to change group membership, etc.).
Cluster infrastructure software, like all software, may be upgraded from time to time. Thus, as with much software, each release of cluster infrastructure software is typically associated with a "version" that distinguishes that release from prior releases of the software. Upgrades to cluster infrastructure software may be desirable, for example, to provide "bug fixes" that correct errors found in previous versions of the software. However, in some instances, upgrades to cluster infrastructure software may be desirable to add new support services to the software, e.g., to add new functions and capabilities.
Whenever an operating system is upgraded on a computer, and that operating system provides a new function, it is often possible for any software applications that are resident on that computer to recognize the new version of the operating system, and as a result, take advantage of the new function. In some instances, such applications may themselves need to be upgraded as well, although in other instances, such applications may have been initially developed to work with a later version of an operating system, yet made capable of working with earlier versions as well. For this reason, many software applications are capable of detecting the version of the operating system of a computer upon which they are installed, and adapt their functionality accordingly.
Likewise, in a clustered computer system, group members are typically capable of detecting the version of cluster infrastructure software on the nodes upon which such group members reside. However, it is important to note that, since cluster infrastructure software must be resident on each node of a cluster, the version of the cluster infrastructure software on each node may differ from node to node. To accommodate for any differences in functionality, many clustered computer systems require that when a group is formed in a clustered computer system, the members select as the current "cluster version" used by the group, the lowest version of the cluster infrastructure software that is installed in the system. Moreover, once the group is created, the cluster version used by the group is set, and cannot thereafter be changed without restarting the group. In addition, whenever any new member joins the group, the member will be informed of the current cluster version, and thus select the same cluster version as that used by the other members of the group.
Thus, for example, if a clustered computer system has three nodes where the cluster infrastructure software is version 2.0, and one node where the cluster infrastructure software is version 1.0, the cluster version used by a newly created group will be version 1.0. Likewise, a new member added to the group will be informed that the cluster version used by that group is version 1.0, regardless of the cluster version capable of being used by the new member.
The process of upgrading the operating system used in a computer is relatively straightforward and well known. Prior to upgrading an operating system, typically all applications running on a computer are shutdown. A new version of the operating system is then installed and the computer is restarted. Applications thereafter are restarted. When these applications are restarted, they may detect the new version of the operating system, and thereafter utilize any new functions made available by the new version.
Conventional clustered computer systems handle cluster infrastructure software upgrades in a similar manner, and require that all groups end and then restart under the new cluster infrastructure version. However, ending groups for the purpose of upgrading the cluster infrastructure software is inconsistent with a primary goal of a clustered computer system—that of maintaining constant availability. Despite the fact that individual nodes may leave or join a cluster at any given time, and that the group members residing thereon may leave or join their respective groups while a cluster remains active, until a group is shut down and restarted, the cluster version used by that group cannot be changed.
Given the overriding desire to maximize system availability in a clustered computer system, there is a significant need to eliminate as many instances as possible where groups need to be shut down. Therefore, a significant need exists in the art for a manner of upgrading the version of cluster infrastructure software used by a group in a clustered computer system without having to shut down the group.

International Business Machines Corporation