A transmission having an electromechanical gear actuation system includes an input shaft, a counter shaft, and a plurality of gear sets that are adapted to be operatively engaged to and disengaged from their shafts. A plurality of synchronizers operatively engage and disengage the gear sets to and from the shafts. A shifter rail includes a plurality of shift forks that are each in operative engagement with at least one of the synchronizers. A motor assembly provides a first motive force to cause the shifter rail to selectively engage one shift fork and further adapted to provide a second motive force to operatively drive the shifter rail to cause the associated shift fork and synchronizer to engage and disengage the associated gear set to and from the associated shaft. A solenoid assembly controls when the motor assembly provides the first motive force and the second motive force.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to a transmission for a motor vehicle that includes a gear actuation system, and more specifically to a transmission having a gear actuation system that electro-mechanically performs both gear selection and gear engagement.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, land vehicles require a powertrain consisting of three basic components. These components include a power plant (such as an internal combustion engine), a power transmission, and wheels. The power transmission component is typically referred to simply as the "transmission." Engine torque and speed are converted in the transmission in accordance with the tractive-power demand of the vehicle. Presently, there are two typical transmissions widely available for use in conventional motor vehicles. The first and oldest type is the manually operated transmission. These transmissions include a foot-operated start-up or launch clutch that engages and disengages the driveline with the power plant and a gearshift lever to selectively change the gear ratios within the transmission. When driving a vehicle having a manual transmission, the driver must coordinate the operation of the clutch pedal, the gearshift lever, and the accelerator pedal to achieve a smooth and efficient shift from one gear to the next. The structure of a manual transmission is simple and robust and provides good fuel economy by having a direct power connection from the engine to the final drive wheels of the vehicle. Additionally, since the operator is given complete control over the timing of the shifts, the operator is able to dynamically adjust the shifting process so that the vehicle can be driven most efficiently. One disadvantage of the manual transmission is that there is an interruption in the drive connection during gear shifting. This results in losses in efficiency. In addition, there is a great deal of physical interaction required on the part of the operator to shift gears in a vehicle that employs a manual transmission.
The second and newer choice for the transmission of power in a conventional motor vehicle is an automatic transmission. Automatic transmissions offer ease of operation. The driver of a vehicle having an automatic transmission is not required to use both hands, one for the steering wheel and one for the gearshift, and both feet, one for the clutch and one for the accelerator and brake pedal in order to safely operate the vehicle. In addition, an automatic transmission provides greater convenience in stop and go situations, because the driver is not concerned about continuously shifting gears to adjust to the ever-changing speed of traffic. Although conventional automatic transmissions avoid an interruption in the drive connection during gear shifting, they suffer from the disadvantage of reduced efficiency because of the need for hydrokinetic devices, such as torque converters, interposed between the output of the engine and the input of the transmission for transferring kinetic energy therebetween. In addition, automatic transmissions are typically more mechanically complex and therefore more expensive than manual transmissions.
For example, torque converters typically include impeller assemblies that are operatively connected for rotation with the torque input from an internal combustion engine, a turbine assembly that is fluidly connected in driven relationship with the impeller assembly and a stator or reactor assembly. These assemblies together form a substantially toroidal flow passage for kinetic fluid in the torque converter. Each assembly includes a plurality of blades or vanes that act to convert mechanical energy to hydrokinetic energy and back to mechanical energy. The stator assembly of a conventional torque converter is locked against rotation in one direction but is free to spin about an axis in the direction of rotation of the impeller assembly and turbine assembly. When the stator assembly is locked against rotation, the torque is multiplied by the torque converter. During torque multiplication, the output torque is greater than the input torque for the torque converter. However, when there is no torque multiplication, the torque converter becomes a fluid coupling. Fluid couplings have inherent slip. Torque converter slip exists when the speed ratio is less than 1.0 (RPM input>than RPM output of the torque converter). The inherent slip reduces the efficiency of the torque converter.
While torque converters provide a smooth coupling between the engine and the transmission, the slippage of the torque converter results in a parasitic loss, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the entire powertrain. Further, the torque converter itself requires pressurized hydraulic fluid in addition to any pressurized fluid requirements for the actuation of the gear shifting operations. This means that an automatic transmission must have a large capacity pump to provide the necessary hydraulic pressure for both converter engagement and shift changes. The power required to drive the pump and pressurize the fluid introduces additional parasitic losses of efficiency in the automatic transmission.
In an ongoing attempt to provide a vehicle transmission that has the advantages of both types of transmissions with fewer of the drawbacks, combinations of the traditional "manual" and "automatic" transmissions have evolved. Most recently, "automated" variants of conventional manual transmissions have been developed which shift automatically without any input from the vehicle operator. Such automated, or automatic, manual transmissions (AMTs) typically include a plurality of power-operated actuators that are controlled by a transmission controller or some type of electronic control unit (ECU) to automatically shift synchronized clutches that control the engagement of meshed gear wheels traditionally found in manual transmissions. The design variants have included either electrically or hydraulically powered actuators to affect the gear changes. The development of AMTs has provided a viable and improved means of power transmission for motor vehicles over the conventional automatic transmissions having a torque converter. However, even with the inherent improvements of these newer automated transmissions, they still have an operative power interruption in the drive connection between the input shaft and the output shaft during sequential gear shifting. Power interrupted shifting results in a distinct shift feel that is generally associated with manual transmissions and may considered undesirable in certain operating environments.
To eliminate the power interruption in AMTs, other automated manual type transmissions have been developed that can be power-shifted to permit gearshifts to be made under load. Examples of such power-shifted automated manual transmissions are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,409 issued on Jan. 27, 1998 to Murata for a Twin-Clutch Type Transmission, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,989 issued on Apr. 4, 2000 to Reed, Jr. et al for an Electro-mechanical Automatic Transmission having Dual Input Shafts. These particular types of automated manual transmissions have two clutches and are generally referred to simply as dual, or twin, clutch transmissions (DCTs). The dual clutch structure is most often coaxially and cooperatively configured to derive power input from a single engine flywheel arrangement. However, some designs have a dual clutch assembly that is coaxial, but with the clutches located on opposite sides of the transmissions body and having different input sources. Regardless, the layout is the equivalent of having two transmissions in one housing, namely one power transmission assembly on each of two input shafts concomitantly driving one output shaft. Each transmission can be shifted and clutched independently. In this manner, uninterrupted power upshifting and downshifting between gears, along with the high mechanical efficiency of a manual transmission is available in an automatic transmission form. Thus, significant increases in fuel economy and vehicle performance may be achieved through the effective use of certain automated manual transmissions.
The dual clutch transmission structure may include two dry disc clutches each with their own clutch actuator to control the engagement and disengagement of the two-clutch discs independently. While the clutch actuators may be of the electromechanical type, since a lubrication system within the transmission requires a pump, some dual clutch transmissions utilize hydraulic shifting and clutch control. These pumps are most often gerotor types, and are much smaller than those used in conventional automatic transmissions because they typically do not have to supply a torque converter. Thus, any parasitic losses are kept small. Shifts are accomplished by engaging the desired gear prior to a shift event and subsequently engaging the corresponding clutch. With two clutches and two inputs shafts, at certain times, the dual clutch transmission may be in two different gear ratios at once, but only one clutch will be engaged and transmitting power at any given moment. To shift to the next higher gear, first the desired gears on the input shaft of the non-driven clutch assembly are engaged, then the driven clutch is released and the non-driven clutch is engaged.
This requires that the dual clutch transmission be configured to have the forward gear ratios alternatingly arranged on their respective input shafts. In other words, to perform up-shifts from first to second gear, the first and second gears must be on different input shafts. Therefore, the odd gears will be associated with one input shaft and the even gears will be associated with the other input shaft. In view of this convention, the input shafts are generally referred to as the odd and even shafts. Typically, the input shafts transfer the applied torque to a single counter shaft, which includes mating gears to the input shaft gears. The mating gears of the counter shaft are in constant mesh with the gears on the input shafts. The counter shaft also includes an output gear that is meshingly engaged to a gear on the output shaft. Thus, the input torque from the engine is transferred from one of the clutches to an input shaft, through a gear set to the counter shaft and from the counter shaft to the output shaft.
Gear selection and gear engagement in either an AMT or a DCT is similar to that in a conventional manual transmission. One of the gears in each of the gear sets is disposed on its respective shaft in such a manner so that it can freewheel about the shaft. A synchronizer is also disposed on the shaft next to the freewheeling gear so that the synchronizer can selectively engage the gear to the shaft. To automate these transmissions, the mechanical selection of each of the gear sets is typically performed by some type of actuator that moves a shift fork that operatively moves the synchronizers. More specifically, the gear selection and engagement is accomplished by actuating one of a number of shift actuators, with each shift actuator being responsible for engaging a particular synchronizer, and thereby a gear set to its particular shaft. The majority of the newer AMT and DCT designs employ 6 forward gears and a reverse gear, which provides greater efficiency and fuel economy by having closer ratio gear sets than previous designs. However, this also requires between four to seven shift actuators to provide the selective gear engagement. Seven shift actuators are necessary if each gear set employs its own separate shift actuator, and four are necessary if the transmission is designed to employ double-sided, or dual-activating shift actuators that work with paired synchronizers.
Regardless of the exact number, the use of a several separate and generally complex components to provide control over the selective gear actuation in an AMT or DCT is a costly and inefficient approach in automating the relatively simple structure of a manual transmission. With a manual transmission, once the clutch is disengaged, the operator moves a single gear selector into one of a number of positions that mechanically selects the desired gear. The gear selector is operatively connected to one or two shifter rails that each include a number of shift forks that are operatively connected to the synchronizers of the transmission. A set of linkages is sometimes required to couple the gear selector to the shift forks, but the overall design of traditional manual transmissions is relatively simple and efficient. However, the conventional approaches to automating the simple manual transmission structure to provide the current AMT and DCT designs is in sharp contrast to the simplicity of the manual transmission and needlessly complicates the overall structure.
This added-on structural complexity increases manufacturing and assembly costs of the AMT and DCT transmissions. First, each of the separate components must be individually assembled and then separately installed throughout different portions of the transmission. Second, since the shift actuators of this type are most often hydraulic, having a number of these components necessitates the use of the separate hydraulic lines and connections to provide the proper fluid communication between the components and their control devices. When using hydraulic actuators and control devices, inefficiencies also arise from operative performance losses through the hydraulic piping. This also introduces actuation delays and hysteresis to the AMT and DCT operation since the components are not in immediate proximity to each other.
Furthermore, hydraulic components are ultimately electrically controlled by solenoids, such that employing separate hydraulic actuation components requires a number of separate wiring harnesses to electrically connect each electro-hydraulic part, further increasing transmission cost and complexity. The use of separate hydraulic and electrical connections for each separate actuation and control component also increases the likelihood of a failure at these connection points either during manufacture or during the service life of the transmission. The use of some type of non-hydraulic combined or integrated gear selection and engagement system rather than the multi-component conventional gear actuation means for AMTs and DCTs would require many fewer parts, take up less space, be much more cost efficient, and energy efficient.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the related art for a transmission gear actuation system that electro-mechanically performs both gear selection and gear engagement for either an automated manual transmission or a dual clutch transmission application and which replaces many of the previously separate components that are used to control the selective gear engagement.

Transmission having an electro-mechanical gear actuation system


A method and apparatus to preserve bandwidth in a communication system are described wherein a receiver receives a first frame of transport blocks from a mobile device and an error detection module connected to the receiver detects whether each transport block contains an error. The error detection module generates an error indicator value to indicate whether each transport block contains an error or does not contain an error. A frame generator connected to the error detection module generates a second frame with the transport blocks that do not contain an error and the error indicator values. A first network interface is configured to send the second frame to a radio network controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A communication system typically communicates information between two or more end points. One design consideration for a communication system is the amount of bandwidth available to communicate the information. Typically, bandwidth is a particularly expensive factor in designing a communication system. Consequently, techniques to reduce bandwidth consumption or increase bandwidth efficiency may lead to improved system performance and lower costs for the system.

Techniques to preserve bandwidth in a communication system


An imager and method of operating an imager employing multi-column shared readout circuitry. Columns of a pixel array are organized into groups, each group having a respective multi-column shared readout circuit. The columns of each group are readout serially but in parallel with the columns of other groups. Each multi-column shared readout circuit may comprise a black level correction clamp, a multi-column analog gain amplifier, a analog-to-digital converter, a digital offset correction block, and a digital gain calibration block. A single-column analog gain amplifier may amplify an analog pixel signal value of each column prior to processing by a respective multi-column shared readout circuit.

A CMOS imager circuit includes a focal plane array of pixel cells, each one of the cells including a photosensor, for example, a photogate, photoconductor, or a photodiode overlying a substrate for accumulating photo-generated charge in the underlying portion of the substrate. Each pixel cell has a charge storage region, formed on or in the substrate, which is connected to a gate of an output transistor that is part of a readout circuit. The charge storage region may be constructed as a floating diffusion region. In some imager circuits, each pixel cell may include at least one electronic device such as a transistor for transferring charge from the photosensor to the storage region and one device, also typically a transistor, for resetting the storage region to a predetermined charge level prior to charge transference.
In a CMOS imager, the active elements of a pixel cell perform the necessary functions of: (1) photon to charge conversion; (2) accumulation of image charge; (3) resetting the storage region to a known state before the transfer of charge to it; (4) transfer of charge to the storage region accompanied by charge amplification; (5) selection of a pixel for readout; and (6) output and amplification of a signals representing pixel charge and pixel reset states. Photo charge may be amplified when it moves from the initial charge accumulation region to the storage region. The charge at the storage region is typically converted to a pixel output voltage by a source follower output transistor.
CMOS imagers of the type discussed above are generally known, as discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,630, U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,868, U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,366, U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,652, U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,524, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,205, all assigned to Micron Technology, Inc.
FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional imager implementing a serial readout for the pixel signals in the columns of array 101. Programmable gain amplifier 105 and a serial analog-to-digital converter 106 receive the column pixel signals in sequence. In a CMOS imager, each sample-and-hold circuit 102 typically samples and holds a reset Vrst and a photo Vsig signal for a respective pixel of an array 101 row being read. The programmable gain amplifier 105 typically includes a differential amplifier for subtracting the Vrst and Vsig signals and supplying the result to a downstream processing circuit. Thus, pixel signals from all columns of the pixel array 101 are output in series to a single gain amplifier 105 and analog-to-digital converter 106. The illustrated imager includes one sample-and-hold circuit 102 for each column. Optionally, a column amplifier may be provided between each sample-and-hold circuit 102 and a respective column of pixel array 101. The sample-and-hold circuits 102 are selectively coupled, one at a time, to the programmable gain amplifier 105 via a multiplexer 103 controlled by a column scanner 104. The serial readout scheme depicted in FIG. 1A has several advantages. For example, the scheme is easy to design and optimize and well-suited for small imagers.
Serial readout schemes are not, however, well-suited for use in large-format or high-speed imaging applications where a pixel array 101 may contain thousands of columns. One drawback is readout speed, which is limited by the throughput of the gain amplifier 105 and the analog-to-digital converter 106. In addition, the high data throughput rate in large-format, high-speed image sensors makes current consumption unacceptably high and chips unacceptably large due, in part, to the switched-capacitor circuits used in the readout circuitry of most high-precision imagers. Switched-capacitor circuits are typically used in the pixel readout analog path, including column sample-and-hold circuit 102, programmable gain amplifier 105, which typically includes a differential amplifier for subtracting the Vrst and Vsig signals, and additional amplifier stages of analog-to-digital converter 106.
FIG. 2 is a general graph representing the settling time of a switched-capacitor circuit, which may be used, for example, in the readout circuitry of the imager illustrated in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 illustrates an exponential gain-bandwidth (GBW) limited settling time and a slew rate limited settling time. In high-speed circuits, the operational amplifier current required by the GBW of a switched-capacitor circuit is often higher than that required by the slew rate. In other words, GBW limited settling is dominant, and current consumption has a quadratic dependence to sampling rate. In slow- and medium-speed circuits, slew rate limited settling is dominant, and current consumption is linearly dependent on the clock frequency. Thus, the settling time in high-speed circuits can be undesirably long and reduce throughput, creating a bottleneck in a serial readout scheme, such as the scheme illustrated in FIG. 1A.
Serial readout schemes also suffer from increased noise and power consumption due to large parasitic capacitance, mainly coming from the column select switches of multiplexer 103 and long video lines connecting the column select switches to the input of the programmable gain amplifier 105. This large parasitic capacitance dramatically reduces the feedback factor of the gain amplifier 105 and increases the power required to operate it, while simultaneously increasing amplifier noise and offset as well as digital crosstalk or interference in the video line. Variations in column sampling capacitance, mainly due to inhomogeneous thickness of the capacitor dielectric film, also contribute to fixed pattern noise or shading.
In contrast to the serial readout scheme described above with reference to FIG. 1A, a "simple column parallel" readout architecture comprises dedicated readout circuitry for each column of a pixel array 111, as shown in FIG. 1B. The per-column readout circuitry typically comprises a sample-and-hold circuit 112, a gain amplifier 113, and an analog-to-digital converter 114. Generally, the gain amplifier 113 includes a function for subtracting the Vrst and Vsig signals. Optionally, the column sample-and-hold circuit 112 and gain amplifier 113 may be combined. The outputs from the readout circuits may be stored in a digital line memory 115 and subsequently output to an image processor (not shown).
Although column parallel readout architectures overcome some of the readout bottlenecks and parasitic capacitance issues associated with serial readout architectures, implementing an analog-to-digital converter 114 for every column is problematic because the size of each analog-to-digital converter 114 is constrained to the width of a single column of the pixel array 111. Single-slope analog-to-digital converters (also called "ramp analog-to-digital converters") are often used in per-column implementations because the many analog-to-digital converters can share a common ramp signal. Thus, only a comparator and a latch have to be implemented in every column. However, the large number of analog-to-digital converters requires more power to operate than a serial readout scheme employing only one analog-to-digital converter. Moreover, since the conversion cycles of single-slope analog-to-digital converters increase exponentially with resolution, parallel readout architectures, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1B, are not suitable for high-accuracy applications because of the difficulty associated with designing sufficiently low-offset, low-delay, and low-power comparators that fit within a single column width.
Other kinds of analog-to-digital converters having a simpler architecture with fewer conversion cycles, and therefore lower resolution, may also be used. For example, successive approximation register (SAR) and algorithm (or "cyclic") analog-to-digital converters can also be configured to fit within a single column width, as required by column parallel readout architectures. However, to obtain high accuracy, SAR and cyclic analog-to-digital converters must be relatively large, since their accuracy is determined by capacitor mismatching. Therefore, it is difficult to realize high conversion accuracy in a column parallel readout scheme because large-value capacitors and high-performance comparators cannot be readily implemented within a single column width. Moreover, column parallel readout schemes are undesirable because they require a customized design that must be redesigned whenever pixel size, and consequently column width, is scaled down. Fixed pattern noise from gain/offset mismatching between columns is also a concern.
Recently, a multi-channel serial readout architecture, which comprises several analog-to-digital converters and gain amplifiers, as shown in FIG. 1C, has been used in large-format imagers to improve throughput. Similar to the readout architectures described above, a sample-and-hold circuit 122 is coupled to each column of a pixel array 121. A multiplexer 123 controlled by a column scanner 124 selectively couples the sample-and-hold circuits 122 to one of several readout channels. Each readout channel comprises a programmable gain amplifier 125 and an analog-to-digital converter 126. Because readout channels can be flexibly arranged anywhere on the chip close to the column sample-and-hold circuit 122 and multiplexer 123, many limitations of the column parallel readout architecture discussed above are alleviated. However, the long video lines 123a of multiplexer 123, create substantial parasitic capacitance and, therefore, the multi-channel serial readout scheme suffers from the same noise limitations as the simple serial readout scheme described above with reference to FIG. 1A. Furthermore, parasitic capacitance between adjacent channels will lead to crosstalk and generate artifacts in the resulting image. Column fixed pattern noise resulting from channel mismatching is also a concern.
There is a need in the art for an efficient readout architecture that can easily be scaled to accommodate imagers with reduced pixel pitch and provides the higher throughput associated with existing parallel readout architectures while simultaneously providing the improved image quality and reduced power consumption associated with serial readout architectures.

Method, apparatus, and system providing multi-column shared readout for imagers


A flow control device having a control member for forming a seal with another part of the flow control device. The control member having a base material and a portion or surface that is a softer or more deformable than the base material or the portion of the control device that the control member forms a seal with. The differences in hardness and/or the ability of the control member portion to deform, aids in forming the seal.

Diaphragm valves are a type of flow control device. Existing diaphragm valves include a valve body and a dome shaped diaphragm. A seal is provided between the diaphragm and the valve body at or near the outer peripheral area of the diaphragm. A bonnet may be used to clamp the diaphragm to the valve body to provide the seal between the valve body and the diaphragm. In order to achieve a satisfactory seal, high compressive forces may be needed, especially where imperfections in the valve body and diaphragm surfaces exist and where the diaphragm is made of harder materials.
The valve body typically includes a passageway between the inlet and the outlet of the valve. An actuator is typically employed to flex the diaphragm into engagement with a valve seat to seal off the passageway when desired. Forming a satisfactory seal between the diaphragm and valve seat is important to the performance of the valve.


A textile fabric including a plurality of electrically conductive fibers characterized as providing sufficient current to induce either a wired or wireless coupling between the textile fabric and a portable electronic device. The textile fabric is intended for fabrication into a functional article of clothing or other item made of the woven textile fabric, so as to increase functionality of the article of clothing or item made thereof. The plurality of electrically conductive fibers are characterized as creating an interconnect to a portable electronic device, including integrated components, electronics, or the like, or serving as an antenna for signals received and transmitted by the portable electronic device.

Clothes have always been to some extent a form of art and design, combining both color and functionality. Color is typically given to fabric, and to the resulting clothes, by dying the textile fibers. The color that the clothes appears to the eye, depends on which wavelengths the fabric absorbs and which wavelengths it reflects. Functionality of clothes is often limited to the design and the inclusion of various materials, and elements, such as pockets and loops, or the like. For the most part, today's clothing typically includes pockets, beltloops, buttons and buttonholes, snaps, etc., and other design elements that increase its functionality.
Generally speaking, the average person will wear a plurality of clothing articles on a daily basis to which will be attached or placed in a pocket of the clothing, a portable electronic device, such as a cellular telephone, a pager, a PDA, a micro-recorder, a small electronic address or data file, a clock/alarm, or some other similar portable electronic device. The problem is that it is often difficult and unwieldy to carry various communication transceivers, such as cellular phones, pagers and other devices.
By using the principles of functionality and color in the fabrication of textile fabrics, and more particularly clothing, increased potential can be found in everyday garments. More particularly, by including functional fibers into textile fabrics, such as through the inclusion of metallic threads, and holographic optical fibers, clothes can be fabricated which are both user friendly in allowing the wearer to better communicate with others, sense surroundings and control their personal environment while minimizing the size of any additional portable electronic equipment that the user typically carries.
In many instances these portable devices are operated utilizing a wireless transmission link. This wireless link, or coupling, is dependent upon the user positioning of the portable electronic device and often times is unreliable as to the ability to receive and/or transmit due to a weak link. In addition, another hardship incurred by the user of these types of devices is the carrying of numerous communication devices while participating in recreational activities, such as biking, running, fishing, or the like.
Thus, it would be highly desirable to provide for a textile fabric that when fabricated into a wearable garment or other functional design, provides for increased functionality of the woven material and thus the garment made thereof.
Accordingly, a textile fabric and clothing fabricated thereof, that incorporates electrically conductive fibers, thus emanating an electromagnetic field for inductive coupling and alternatively providing for a wired coupling would be highly advantageous.
It is a purpose of the present invention to provide for a new and improved textile fabric, including a plurality of electrically conductive fibers, that provides for increased functionality when fabricated into an article of clothing.
It is a further purpose of the present invention to provide for a textile fabric that allows for a wired, a wireless, or an inductive interconnect to small portable electronic devices, e.g., a pager, a cellular telephone, a datebook, a clock/alarm, an informational wire service receiver, a micro-recording device, a SMART CARD reader, or the like.
It is still another purpose of the present invention to provide a new and improved textile fabric and article of clothing fabricated thereof that provides for the reduction in size of integrated portable communication devices by integrating a portion of the electronics or component parts into the textile fabric.
It is another purpose of the present invention to provide for a new and improved textile fabric and article of clothing made thereof wherein the clothing creates a local area network (LAN), thus serving as an antenna for improved reception and transmission capabilities of a portable electronic device coupled thereto.
It is yet another purpose of the present invention to provide for a new and improved textile fabric and article of clothing including a plurality of electrically conductive fibers, and additionally including a plurality of holographic optical fibers that provide for the receipt, transmission and ultimate display of communicative information.

Textile fabric with integrated electrically conductive fibers and clothing fabricated thereof


A compact auto focus lens module includes a piezoelectric actuator, an elastic element, at least two guiding fixtures, and a lens barrel with an optical lens set therein. By elastic force of the elastic element, a friction is generated between the lens barrel and the piezoelectric actuator. While being applied with a voltage, the lens barrel driven by the movement of the piezoelectric actuator moves along the optical axis under the guidance of the guiding fixtures. Due to fewer elements, compact volume, and light weight, the design is applied to a miniature auto focus lens modules so as to achieve effects of fast movement, stable focusing and reduced tilting.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compact auto focus lens module with a piezoelectric actuator, especially to an auto focus lens module in which movement of an optical lens set is controlled by displacement and friction produced by deformation of the piezoelectric actuator for focusing.
2. Brief Discussion of the Related Art
Digital cameras or mobile phone cameras include a lens module that drives optical lens set moving along an optical axis so as to achieve autofocusing and/or zoom in/zoom out. One of the movement ways of the optical lens set is by Voice coil motor (VCM). After a current is applied to a coil, a driving force is generated in an electromagnetic field created by a permanent magnet so as to drive the optical lens set moving along the optical axis. Such design can reduce volume of lens modules so that it has been applied to mini-sized cameras, camera-equipped cellular phone or web-cameras broadly, as shown in US2008/0013196, U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,450, U.S. Pat. No. 7,145,738, TW M317027, JP3124292, JP3132575 and so on.
Ultrasonic motor (USM) is a type of electric motor formed from the ultrasonic vibration of piezoelectric material that is deformed while being applied with voltage. Then, by design of a friction drive, the ultrasonic motor moves in a rotational or straight way, as prior arts disclosed in US2009/0153987, US2008/0297923, US2008/0174889 etc. Reference is made to FIG. 1 in which, as revealed in US2008/0246353 etc., the ultrasonic motor is applied to auto focus lens module. A piezoelectric actuator 902 is disposed on the fixed element 9091 and is connected with a lens moving element 9092 by a connector 9021 for generating a piezoelectric driving force. Moreover, a coil element 907, together with a magnet element 908, generates an electric-magnetic force. By a balance between the piezoelectric driving force and the electric-magnetic force, the lens moving element 9092 and the lens set 901 are driven to move along shafts 904 for focusing.
Referring to FIG. 2 in which, as revealed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,109, US2008/0085110, etc., a piezoelectric drive optical lens module includes a guiding rod 904 having a frictional surface 9022, and a piezoelectric actuator 902, mounted in an elastic element 903 so as to drive the lens set 9012 as well as the lens barrel 9011 to move along a guide pin 9043 by a guide slot 9042 for focusing.
Referring to FIG. 3, another USM-type auto focus lens module revealed in US2008/0231970 includes a plate spring 903. By an elastic force from the plate spring 903 against two piezoelectric actuators 902, a friction force is generated between a guide rail 904 and a lens barrel 901. However, because the plate spring has complicated structure, high volume requirement and large space, it is not suitable for mini-sized lens modules.
In order to make the lens module move stably without tilting, devices disclosed in US2008/0144201, JP2004020935, etc., include a guide rod arranged between the lens barrel and a housing of the lens module so as to stabilize the lens barrel. In US2007/0153404, a rail is used. Referring to TW 1265357, two sets of piezoelectric actuators are arranged on edges of the lens barrel so as to make the movement thereof become stable. However, conventional ultrasonic motors for movement of the lens barrel have shortcomings of complicated structure, high cost or large volume in designs of the guiding rod or friction generation so that they are difficult to be applied to compact auto focus lens modules. Thus, there is a need to develop a driving member with highly reliable and highly stable structure that replaces conventional ways of generating friction. Moreover, requirements of simple structure, high precision, fast focus and reduced tilting need to be satisfied.

Compact auto focus lens module with piezoelectric actuator


An observation unit of an authentication apparatus and an observation unit of an authentication target apparatus observe a radio wave from a common radio star at a common observation time. A sending unit sends information message including information on the observed radio wave, and an information reception unit receives it. An estimation unit estimates a position of the authentication target apparatus based on “the information on the radio wave observed by the observation unit” and “information on the radio wave observed by the observation unit”. A retaining unit pre-retains positions of one or more authentication target apparatus(s). A determination unit checks whether a position of the authentication target apparatus pre-retained in the retaining unit and the estimated position correspond within a predetermined error range, and settles authentication for the information message as a success in a case where the positions correspond.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an authentication system, an authentication apparatus, an authentication target apparatus, an authentication method, a method of being authenticated, a program for realizing those on a computer, and a computer-readable information recording medium for recording the program.
Particularly, the present invention relates to an authentication system, an authentication apparatus, an authentication target apparatus, an authentication method, and a method of being authenticated which are suitable for authenticating an authentication target apparatus by comparing a position of the authentication target apparatus estimated by observing a radio wave from a common radio star at a common observation time, with the real position of the authentication target apparatus, and a program for realizing those, and a computer-readable information recording medium for storing this program.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in the field of information communication technologies, authentication techniques for confirming who is the message creator or message sender have been researched. Nowadays, signature authentication systems and encryption communication systems using public key encryption are becoming widespread.
In the meantime, attempts have been made to receive radio waves radiated from radio stars such as quasars, and maser radio sources (including water maser radio source, ammonia maser radio source, and methanol maser radio source) using a VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) and utilize the received radio waves in various technical fields. There are advantages that signals received by a VLBI have ideal complete randomness, and that radio waves from radio stars can be received at every point on the earth (note that radio waves from some kinds of radio stars can be received at every point as long as the point exists on a surface facing toward the radio stars).
Therefore, techniques using a VLBI for measuring a relative positional relation between a point and another point on the earth are gradually put into practical use.
However, in the field of information communication technologies, a more secure authentication technique that can prevent "pretending" is required. Especially, in today's situation where information are exchanged over the boarders so often, more security is required for secret information sent to the Japanese government and Japanese companies from overseas.

Authentication system, authentication apparatus, authentication target apparatus, authentication method, method of being authenticated, program and information recording medium

National Institute of Information and Communications Technology Incorporated Administrative Agency


The disclosure of the present application includes topically administrable compositions and methods for treating wounds and inflammatory conditions of the skin in mammals. In an exemplary embodiment, the composition includes a therapeutic amount of antihistamine selected from the group consisting of a non-sedating antihistamine, a physiologically acceptable acid of a non-sedating antihistamine, a salt of a non-sedating antihistamine, an amide of a non-sedating antihistamine, and a combination of two or more of these; a therapeutic amount of creatine; a therapeutic amount of creatinine; and emu oil product selected from the group consisting of emu oil, a biologically active fraction of emu oil, and a combination of these. The combination of non-sedating antihistamine, creatine, and creatinine with emu oil has been found to produce a synergistic effect that is more effective in the treatment of skin wounds than the compounds used separately.

The emu (Dromiceius novae-hollandiae) is the second largest member of the group of flightless birds and is indigenous to Australia. Emus can be raised like ordinary farm animals and used for their valuable products, which include very low fat meat, supple leather hides, decorative and nutritional eggs, and rich oil. Emu oil may be extracted or rendered from the body fat of the emu and is known to contain triglyceride esters of long-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid.
Atopic dermatitis and other forms of eczema are inflammatory, pruritic (i.e., itchy) skin diseases that affect between 10 and 20 percent of the United States (U.S.) population, causing considerable morbidity, poor quality of life, and high medical costs for both the patient and society. Topically administered glucocorticoids are a main form of therapy; however, prolonged use of topical glucocorticoids is associated with skin thinning, permanent stretch marks, dermal atrophy, rebound effects, tachyphylaxis, and potential systemic absorption, which can cause numerous systemic side effects. Topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., Elidel® and Protopic® creams and ointments) are effective but are infrequently used as a result of FDA-required "black box" warnings concerning a potential increase in systemic malignancies in patients using these topical preparations.
Psoriasis is also a chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2% of the U.S. population. Inflammation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ("TNF-alpha") are of crucial importance in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and its treatment. Based on the severity of the disease presentation, topical glucocorticoids, and vitamin D analogs, either by themselves or in combination with phototherapy or systemic agents (such as methotrexate, cyclosporine A, Humira®, Stelara®, Soriatane®, etc.), have been used for therapy. However, these agents can be extremely expensive, costing more than $20,000 per year per patient.
Histamine is a compound involved in local immune responses of humans and other animals. As part of an immune response to foreign pathogens, histamine is produced by basophils and mast cells found in nearby connective tissues. Upon release from these cells, histamines produce increased vascular permeability, causing fluid to escape from capillaries into tissues, which can lead to inflammation and itchiness among other responses. Histamine triggers an immune system response by combining with specific cellular histamine receptors. The four histamine receptors that have been discovered in humans and animals are designated H1 through H4. Compounds, known as antihistamines, have been developed that do not prevent the release of histamine but instead inhibit the action of histamine by blocking it from attaching to the histamine receptors. Most commonly used antihistamines inhibit action specifically at the H1 receptor and are referred to as H1 antihistamines. While some H1 antihistamines have sedative side effects, so-called "second generation" or "non-sedating" antihistamines do not cross the blood-brain barrier and, thus, do not cause drowsiness. Further, not all H1 antihistamines inhibit the inflammatory response that results from the release of histamine in humans.
Zemtsov is credited with discovering and confirming the presence of the phosphocreatine molecule ("Pcr") in human skin. Pcr has been found in both skin and internal organs, like skeletal muscle, and is an important energy storage molecule. Pcr assists in regenerating adenosine triphosphate ("ATP") molecules during periods of high metabolic demand, or ischemia. In turn, ATP molecules produce the energy required for all cellular functions. Topical application of Pcr can "recharge" skin cells. However, Pcr is a very unstable molecule. Nonetheless, Pcr can be regenerated by skin cells by topically applying a mixture of creatine and creatinine, denoted as "Cr/Crt." Topical mixtures of Cr/Crt have been used for the treatment and prevention of wrinkles and similar cosmetic applications. However, Cr/Crt has not previously been used in medical applications.
Extensive investments of time and capital are required to obtain Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval to sell and market a new drug. The cost of approval is one reason that only three topical dermatological drugs were approved by the FDA in the last five years. Instead, pharmaceutical companies are primarily directing their efforts to develop and patent new delivery systems and formulations to more efficiently carry active ingredients (i.e., drugs) through the stratum corneum skin barrier. These new formulations include solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes and niosomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, cyclodextrins, and sol-gel microcapsules.
Accordingly, there is a need for an anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and moisturizing topical formulation for treating and promoting the healing of wounds and inflammatory conditions of the skin.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Formulations and methods for treatment of wounds and inflammatory skin conditions


An implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) may be configured to be deployed subcutaneous, submuscular, or substernal at a position that enables the ICM to detect cardiac activity. In some cases, the ICM includes a housing that includes a body portion and a tail portion. A first electrode may be disposed adjacent a first end of the body portion, a second electrode may be disposed adjacent a second end of the body portion and a third electrode may be disposed adjacent a tail end of the tail portion. A controller may be disposed within the housing and may be operably coupled to the first electrode, the second electrode and the third electrode. The controller may be configured to select a pair of the first electrode, the second electrode and the third electrode to use for sensing cardiac electrical activity and to communicate information about the sensed activity to a second medical device.

Implantable medical devices are commonly used today to monitor and/or delivery therapy to a patient, including cardiac simulation therapy. Many patients suffer from heart conditions that can result in a reduced ability of the heart to deliver sufficient amounts of blood to the patient's body. Such heart conditions may lead to slow, rapid, irregular, and/or inefficient heart contractions. To help alleviate some of these conditions, various medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, defibrillators, etc.) are often implanted in a patient's body. Such devices may monitor and in some cases provide electrical stimulation (e.g. pacing, defibrillation, etc.) to the heart to help the heart operate in a more normal, efficient and/or safe manner. Some devices, such as implantable cardiac monitors, can be used separately or in combination with implantable stimulation devices to provide additional sensing and monitoring capability.


A locking clamp is provided that is used for securing at least one tube. The locking clamp has a first and second end axially opposed end pieces and a plurality of locking members extending between the first and second end pieces. Living hinges connect the first and second end pieces to the locking members and allow selective movement of the locking members between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the locking members can extend in overlying partially coextensive relation to each other, and the one set of locking members can be defined in a substantially axially opposed, coplanar parallel relationship to the second set of locking members. The clamp may be used during high pressure applications to secure one tube in relationship to another tube.

Holding a tube stationary inside another tube, such as in a catheter tube, to prevent it from sliding without totally collapsing the fluid path has always been somewhat problematic. One device commonly used in the medical industry to solve this problem has been the use of a Touhy Borst adapter, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,795,307 and 5,320,613. A conventional Touhy Borst adapter is an active valve that is used for attaching catheters to various other devices and has particular utility where a user needs to provide a seal under changing conditions. Touhy Borst valves typically include an O-ring-type element or grommet, usually silicone or rubber, that is seated in a socket forming part of a main passage between an outer wall and a hollow screw mechanism. In operation, a cap threaded on the end of the passage contains a spigot that actively compresses the O-ring or grommet when the cap is selectively rotated to drive the spigot axially inward. The resulting compression closes down the opening in the O-ring around the catheter to prevent "flow-by." When a catheter is absent, the O-ring can be closed down enough to completely close off the opening in the main passage. The compression of the O-ring or grommet in a fixed space does not allow outward expansion and effectively reduces the internal diameter of the O-ring or grommet, which restricts movement of tubing positioned inside the O-ring or grommet.
While conventional Touhy Borst adapters are effective to reduce movement of tubing, the screw mechanism in the Touhy Borst adapter is usually required to be manually turned several times, which is generally a two-handed operation. Touhy-Borst adapters also undesirably require manipulation in order to match the desired diameter of the O-ring or grommet opening to the outside diameter of the catheter. This can be problematic because if a Touhy Borst adapter it is not tightened sufficiently, the valve will leak and blood may flow by the valve. However, if the Touhy Borst adaptor is turned too tight, it may be more difficult to insert the catheter due to friction between the catheter and the grommet or the catheter could be crushed. In addition, the screw mechanism can be over-tightened, which may collapse the tubing being held by the adapter. Further, although Touhy Borst adapters can be used for securing or sealing two tubes relative to each other under low pressures, at higher pressures the adapter needs to be tighter, and more force has to be applied to the tubing with the attendant risk of damage to the tubing being held. Thus, conventional Touhy Borst adapters can be problematic when procedures such as CT injections and sclerotherapy injections are conducted at high pressures, for example, from 200 to 800 PSI.
Other types of valves, such as hemostasis valves, that seal the space between two tubes are well known in the art, but such valves are typically limited to low pressure seals, usually less than 100 PSI. Also, hemostasis valves do not clamp two tubes together, thereby allowing one tube to slide freely within another tube, unless a mechanical device such as a luer lock physically locks them in place. Hemostasis valves do not allow for variable positions, which is required in procedures such as sclerotherapy. In the sclerotherapy procedure, blood vessels are treated by injecting medicine into the vessels, which makes them shrink. This procedure is often used to treat varicose veins. Thus, a device is needed that is capable of functioning under high pressures that can selectively lock a catheter in place and prevent inadvertent disconnections, while allowing variability in position between two tubes, such that they can slide freely in relation to each other.
A device has not yet been proposed that solves all of the above-mentioned problems. A locking clamp that can be used to keep catheter tubing stationary and prevent it from sliding around under high pressures, such as occurs during CT injections or sclerotherapy, is provided herein.
Various other purposes and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as more detailed description is set forth below. Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description.


A patient treatment device includes a patient supporting table supported above a platform and having an auxiliary table segment pivotally coupled to a primary table segment, and a back support segment pivotally coupled to the primary table segment, an anchor assembly adjustably anchors the auxiliary table segment to the primary table segment at selected angular positions, and an anchoring mechanism adjustably anchors the back support segment to the auxiliary table segment at required angular positions. A frame is pivotally coupled to the primary table segment, and a latch mechanism adjustably anchors the frame to the primary table segment at the required angular positions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a patient treatment apparatus, and more particularly to a patient treatment apparatus including a stable support for stably elevating the patient supporting table and for allowing the patient supporting table to be tilted or inclined relative to the supporting base to suitably support the head or upper portion and the leg or lower portion of the patient tiltedly or inclinedly relative to the patient supporting table.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical patient treatment apparatuses comprise a patient supporting table for supporting the patient thereon and a control mechanism for applying controlled flexion and traction to a patient's body.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,880 to Daniels discloses one of the typical orthopedic tables comprising a patient supporting table including harnessed opposite ends, and a pelvic straps on the lower platform secure the patient's pelvic region to the lower platform.
However, the patient supporting table may not be elevated relative to the supporting base, and a complicated tilting mechanism is provided to tilt or incline the patient supporting table relative to the supporting base.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,424 to Pepin discloses another typical slant board with automatic foot release and comprising a patient supporting table rotatable upon a horizontal axis from a horizontal position to a near vertical position.
However, similarly, the patient supporting table also may not be elevated relative to the supporting base such that the patient may not be suitably lowered or elevated relative to the supporting base to the required height.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,101 to Cuccia discloses a further typical rotatable treatment table including a weighted platform adapted to rest upon a floor, and rigid support elements pivotally attached or supported on the weighted platform and rotatable relative to the weighted platform with an extensible elevation member.
However, similarly, the rigid support elements also may not be elevated relative to the weighted platform such that the patient may not be suitably lowered or elevated relative to the weighted platform to the required height.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,286 to Scott et al. discloses a still further typical patient treatment apparatus including an elongated table pivotally attached or supported on a bottom or base with a pivotal table support column and rotatable relative to the base with a pusher block assembly.
However, the pusher block assembly include a weak structure that may not stably support the elongated table on the pivotal table support column and the elongated table and the patient supported on the elongated table may have a good chance to be tilted or inclined relative to the supporting base, and a complicated tilting mechanism is provided to tilt or incline the elongated table relative to the supporting base.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,055 to Nanan discloses a still further yoga inversion bed with leg attachment and pivotable from a horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement to controllably support and invert a human body from a supine position to an inverted position.
However, the patient supporting table also may not be elevated relative to the supporting base such that the patient may not be suitably lowered or elevated relative to the supporting base to the required height.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional patient treatment apparatuses.


A method for controlling a remote navigation system includes operating the remote navigation system to bring a sensor carried on a medical device successively into a plurality of locations in a predetermined pattern, and using the sensor to sense a physiological property in each location. At least once thereafter, the remote navigation system is operated to bring a sensor carried on a medical device successively into a series of locations in a predetermined pattern relative to at least one location selected from the predetermined pattern in the immediately preceding step based upon the sensed physiological property value, and uses the sensor to sense the physiological property in each location. A local extreme value of the sensed physiological property is thereby located. The physiological properties that can be sensed include electrical signals, conductivity, temperature, fluid flow rate or fluid velocity, and range of motion of a surface.

Cardiac arrhythmias are a form of cardiac disease where the electrical activity of the heart is disrupted, often due to the takeover of signal generation by abnormal excitation nodes.
Cardiac arrhythmia may be treated through minimally invasive interventions such as catheter ablation, where catheters navigate a set of electrodes (often 3-8 electrodes) intravascularly into the relevant chambers of the heart, and monitor electrical signal activation times and propagation to thereby identify location points of focal arrhythmias, for example Supraventricular Tachycardia (e.g, SVT). An electro-physiological study is performed to record the activation sequence at target locations of the heart, to determine the arrhythmia mechanism. Such mapping may then be used to identify location points within the heart that are part of the tachycardia or arrhythmia mechanism, but not part of the normal cardiac conduction system. Such location points are then rendered electrically inactive by ablating the point, typically by Radio Frequency ablation. The electrophysiological study may also record blood flow velocity, to determine areas of disrupted blood flow caused by poorly coordinated pumping of the heart chambers. Where the heart valve chambers are fluttering, vortices will occur at certain regions while other regions will have streamline blood flow. The electrophysiological catheter is useful in assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of such conditions. Recent advancements have also resulted in automated remote navigation systems that can drive catheter placement with a great deal of precision, more specifically magnetic navigation systems.

Navigation using sensed physiological data as feedback


A system and method for tracking and locating wireless tags by a wireless location system in limited and well defined areas that provides for differentiation between the well defined areas comprises transmitting identifying area information by short range transmitters, at least one short range transmitter positioned in the proximity of an entry and exit point of each well defined area. The wireless tags receive the identifying area information when in coverage range of one of the short range transmitters. The wireless tags will transmit the identifying information in the tag message. The transmission will include the last identifying information received and accepted by the wireless tag. A plurality of location receivers and/or access points are installed in or in the proximity of the well defined areas for locating the wireless tags.

In wireless location systems where it is essential to absolutely locate a unit being tracked or located (e.g. wireless tag) in a limited and well defined area, area or room differentiation is traditionally done in one of several different manners. For example, area or room differentiation may be accomplished by measuring the strength of the received signal, by RFID methods, or by detecting infrared or ultrasonic signals.
The "signal strength" (Received Signal Strength Indication—RSSI) method's differentiation is poor in terms of accuracy and reliability, as the path loss is highly dependent on environmental conditions and affected by fading due to multi path propagation. In indoor office environments, where room differentiation is required, the reliability of this method is highly dependent on the wall materials and the level of RF signal attenuation between two adjacent areas (e.g. two sides of a wall). In outdoor and/or open areas (e.g. manufacturing areas, warehouses, etc.), this method is completely unreliable and does not permit to absolutely differentiate between two adjacent areas (e.g. separated by a fence, canal or low wall).
RFID methods use short range transmitters or readers to detect tags in their proximity. Those methods are reliable both in closed or open areas but require a heavy infrastructure to fully cover the located areas.
Other methods using infrared and/or ultrasonic signals are also very unreliable in outdoor and/or open areas. In indoor closed areas they perform much better but require constant coverage of the applicable sensors. Infrared systems require line-of-sight while ultrasonic systems are limited in range and exposed to several interference problems.
Some systems use tracking algorithms to improve area differentiation, but those methods normally require frequent location update. If the update rate of the location is several minutes or even hours a reliable tracking becomes very difficult.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a method that overcomes the problems associated with prior art methods. The method will allow for absolute area differentiation without the need of expensive infrastructure deployment. The method will allow dynamic programming of a transmitter (tracked unit) to allow the location system to absolutely differentiate between areas.

Enhanced area separation in wireless location systems and method


A novel form of the insertion compound having the formula Li.sub.x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 and a tetragonal crystal structure has been synthesized wherein x is a number in the range from about 1.7 to about 2.1. The insertion compound has a voltage relative to Li/Li.sup.+ in the range from about 3.2 to about 3.8 V and is thus air stable. The insertion compound is useful as an electrode material for lithium ion batteries. In particular, the insertion compound can be used as a cathode additive to result in a cathode limited construction. In certain applications, this can result in improved tolerance to overdischarge.

Insertion compounds can be defined as those compounds wherein an amount of an element, molecule, or other species can be inserted into the host structure of the compound and then removed again without having irreversibly altered the host structure. Thus, while the host structure may be altered by insertion of a species, the original structure is retained upon subsequent removal of the species. Generally, only minor alterations of the host structure can occur before insertion is no longer reversible. The insertion or extraction of the species beyond the reversible range often results in the compound undergoing a phase transition to become another insertion compound with a different host structure. Often the phase transition itself is reversible.
Insertion compounds have proven useful for a variety of applications such as use as ion exchangers, but they are particularly suitable for use in non-aqueous rechargeable batteries. The excellent reversibility of some of these compounds upon insertion with lithium makes such compounds very attractive for use as electrodes in lithium rechargeable batteries. Several manufacturers, including Sony Energy Tec. and AT Battery, have made non-aqueous lithium-ion type batteries commercially available wherein both the cathode and anode electrodes are lithium insertion compounds. In each case, the cathode is a lithium cobalt oxide compound and the anode is a carbonaceous material.
These commercial lithium-ion type batteries are constructed using components that may be somewhat sensitive to water vapour but are otherwise stable in air. Thus, the batteries can be assembled economically under dry air conditions at the worst. It is therefore important to choose electrode materials that are air stable. Lithiated carbonaceous material anodes are not stable in air, so batteries are usually made in a completely discharged state wherein all the lithium in the battery resides in the cathode. Preferable cathode materials therefore have the maximum possible amount of lithium inserted while still being air stable. Additionally, cathode materials preferably are chosen that allow the maximum possible amount of lithium to be reversibly removed and re-inserted, hence providing the maximum battery capacity.
Many lithium transition metal oxide compounds may be used as cathodes in lithium-ion battery products. Along with LiCoO.sub.2 (used in the Sony Energy Tec. product and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,518 of Goodenough), other possible compounds include LiNiO.sub.2, (also described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent), LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 (described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,371), and other lithium manganese oxide compounds. Since cobalt is relatively rare, LiCoO.sub.2 is relatively expensive compared to the latter two compounds. Both Co and Ni containing compounds are considered to be potential cancer causing agents and are therefore subject to strict handling requirements, particularly with respect to airborne particulate levels. Lithium manganese oxides are less of a toxicity concern and are relatively inexpensive. For these reasons, such oxides would be preferred in commercial lithium-ion type batteries if other performance requirements can be maintained.
To enhance the operating capacity of lithium-ion type batteries, it has been considered desirable, where possible, to insert additional lithium into the cathode material using chemical means prior to battery construction. For example, LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4 with the spinel structure can be further lithiated reversibly up to a stoichiometry of Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 using a reaction involving LiI as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,279. However, iodine compounds can be quite corrosive and this creates potential problems when contemplating such a process for large scale manufacturing. Additionally, while this Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 compound is relatively stable under ambient conditions (ie. no significant degradation noticed over several days), it is not completely stable in air.
In general, lithium transition metal oxides are not stable in air. Only if the lithium atoms are sufficiently tightly bound to the host will they not react with water vapour, oxygen, or CO.sub.2 in the air. A direct measure of the binding energy of the lithium atoms in a lithium transition metal oxide is the voltage of said oxide with respect to lithium metal in a non-aqueous battery. Empirically, it has been determined in J. R. Dahn et al, J. Electrochem Soc., 138, 2207 (1991) that lithium insertion compounds are effectively air stable if the voltages of said compounds versus lithium are greater than 3.3 .+-.0.2 V. As shown in J. M. Tarascon et al., J. Electrochem. Soc., Vol. 138, No. 10 (1991), the aforementioned Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 compound has a voltage versus lithium of 2.97 V and thus reacts eventually with the moisture in the air to form LiOH and LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4. Thus, while it is possible to construct a lithium-ion battery in air using this compound, special handling and storage procedures are still required to minimize the accumulated reaction with air to an acceptable level in practice. Generally, it would be expected that direct exposure to an aqueous environment would result in a more serious degradation of this compound. Thus, for example, the use of Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 in an aqueous battery application seems impractical.
Insertion compounds are used as the major active ingredient in both electrodes of typical lithium ion batteries. However, insertion compounds can also be used as an additive in such batteries. U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,000 and Japanese laid-open patent application number 04-022066 both describe the use of insertion compounds as cathode additives in lithium ion batteries. The former describes the use of a conventional form of Li.sub.2 Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 to prevent overdischarge, while the latter describes the use of Li.sub.2 CuO.sub.2 to improve performance on overdischarge.

Lithium manganese oxide insertion compounds and use in rechargeable batteries


One exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be a hydrocarbon conversion process. The process may include passing a hydrocarbon stream through at least one heater including at least one burner, a radiant section, and a convection section. Generally, the stream passes through the radiant section and then through the convection section before exiting the heater. Desirably, the hydrocarbon stream includes, in percent or parts by weight based on the total weight of hydrocarbons in the stream:                C4 or less: less than about 0.5%,        sulfur or sulfur containing compounds: less than about 1 ppm, and        nitrogen or nitrogen containing compounds: less than about 1 ppm.Preferably, the sulfur or sulfur containing compounds and the nitrogen or nitrogen containing compounds are measured as, respectively, elemental sulfur or nitrogen.

Hydrocarbon conversion processes often employ multiple reaction zones through which hydrocarbons pass in a series flow. Each reaction zone in the series often has a unique set of design requirements. A minimum design requirement of each reaction zone in the series is the hydraulic capacity to pass the desired throughput of hydrocarbons that pass through the series. An additional design requirement of each reaction zone is sufficient heating to perform a specified degree of hydrocarbon conversion.
One well-known hydrocarbon conversion process can be catalytic reforming. Generally, catalytic reforming is a well-established hydrocarbon conversion process employed in the petroleum refining industry for improving the octane quality of hydrocarbon feedstocks, the primary product of reforming being a motor gasoline blending component or a source of aromatics for petrochemicals. Reforming may be defined as the total effect produced by dehydrogenation of cyclohexanes and dehydroisomerization of alkylcyclopentanes to yield aromatics, dehydrogenation of paraffins to yield olefins, dehydrocyclization of paraffins and olefins to yield aromatics, isomerization of n-paraffins, isomerization of alkylcycloparaffins to yield cyclohexanes, isomerization of substituted aromatics, and hydrocracking of paraffins. A reforming feedstock can be a hydrocracker, straight run, FCC, or coker naphtha, and can contain many other components such as a condensate or a thermal cracked naphtha. Typically, such a hydrocarbon feedstock contains high levels of impurities unsuited for a conversion product, such as reformate. These impurities can include sulfur and nitrogen, and such a feed can have levels of sulfur ranging from about 10-about 17,500 wt.-ppm and nitrogen ranging from about 0.2-about 450 wt.-ppm.
Heaters or furnaces are often used in hydrocarbon conversion processes, such as reforming, to heat the process fluid before it is reacted. Generally, fired heaters or furnaces include an all radiant fired heating zone to heat the fluid with a convection section being used for another service, such as producing steam. Other fired heaters can have an initial convection section followed in a series by a radiant section. Having the convection section first allows for the process fluid to recover more heat from the flue gas because, generally, the convection section is at a lower temperature as compared to the radiant section of the heater. Additionally, both of these heater designs are applicable to charge heaters and interheaters. Each section includes tubes to contain the process fluid flowing through the heater.
However, these conventional designs suffer disadvantages. Sometimes a conversion unit is limited by the heater if increasing the firing of the heater raises the temperature of the radiant and/or convection tubes to their maximum tube wall limit. If the throughput of a heater is limited by a maximum tube wall temperature, then the production rate of the entire conversion unit can be constrained.
Moreover, generally there are three problems associated with operating a heater at or near the maximum temperature of the tube walls. First, high tube wall temperatures increase the tendency of flue gas to oxidize on the sides of the tubes, leading to the formation of scale that decreases the radiant efficiency of the heater. Second, high tube wall temperatures, particularly with respect to the first two reactors in a conversion process such as reforming, can cause cracking of the feed reducing yield. Third, an additional complication is that reforming heaters are also susceptible to having metal-catalyzed coking in the fired heater tubes at higher temperatures. Metal catalyzed coking can cause the shutdown of reforming units for maintenance work to remove the coke deposits in the reactors resulting from the onset of metal catalyzed coke formation in the fired heater tubes. As a result, lower tube wall temperatures are very desirable.
There are several solutions to coking problems associated with high tube wall temperatures, but each has its drawbacks:
a) sulfur can be injected that inhibits coke formation, but this solution generally decreases reformer yields and may be unnecessary for some feeds that do not tend to coke;
b) the radiant tubes can be replaced with tubes of different alloys that can raise the maximum allowable heater tube wall temperature, but these alloys tend to be more expensive;
c) the heater can be enlarged with more tubes and/or burners to increase surface area, but enlarging a heater is usually expensive; and
d) a heater can be added to the series of heaters to provide some of the required duty, so the size of the existing heater can be decreased. However, adding a heater is also usually expensive.
Additionally, sometimes conversion units are refurbished during shutdowns to increase the capacity of the units. High fired heater tube wall temperatures can limit the potential feed rate increase or reformate octane increase for conversion units, such as reforming units. Such tube wall temperature limitations can result in the installation of large expensive fired heater cells. Such fired heater cells can be about 20% to 25% of the estimated cost of a conversion unit, such as a reforming unit.
Therefore, there is a desire to increase the feed through a conversion unit and not exceed the maximum tube wall temperature without incurring at least some of the disadvantages discussed above.

Process for heating a stream for a hydrocarbon conversion process


A fan control method includes the steps of: acquiring a control factor; determining whether the control factor is located in a first range or a second range; executing a first dust removing mode if the control factor is located in the first range; executing a second dust removing mode if the control factor is located in the second range; and executing a normal mode if the control factor is not located in the first range and the second range.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a fan control method.
2. Related Art
The major conventional method for heat dissipation in various kinds of electronic devices is to configure a fan for enforcedly increasing the air convection to suppress the rise of temperature in the electronic device. However, after operated for a long period of time, dusts or some objects may be accumulated on the blades or fan frame of the fan, which results in the reduction of the heat dissipation efficiency of the fan.
The current method of removing dusts from a fan is simply to rotate the blades reversely. However, when the sizes of the dusts or objects are too large or too small, it is inefficient to remove dusts or objects merely by rotating the blades reversely.
Therefore, it is an important subject to provide a fan control method which can perform different dust removing modes corresponding to dusts or objects of different sizes.


A refrigerated water pumping system provides high-pressure refrigerated water to misting nozzles situated in a livestock enclosure for housing livestock and adapted for converting the high-pressure refrigerated water into a fine mist or fog of water droplets at a target water temperature for evaporation in the enclosure to provide cooling of the enclosure to a target enclosure temperature. The system comprises a pump and a post-pumping heat exchanger, with the water being pumped by pump into high-pressure water. The high-pressure water is subsequently refrigerated into high-pressure refrigerated water having the target temperature by absorption of a target heat from the water by a refrigerant in the post-pumping heat exchanger, including any heat absorbed by water during pumping in pump.

The importance of temperature control is well established for interior enclosures in which livestock, including poultry such as chickens, are housed, i.e. livestock enclosures or environments. Excessive or insufficient enclosure temperature can result in animals with physiological stress, which can cause illness. For example, chickens may often become ill if the enclosure temperature of the enclosure in which they are housed declines below 79 degrees Fahrenheit (79° F.) or may begin to suffocate if the enclosure temperature rises above 89° F. Further, such conditions may also detrimentally affect animal growth and, for chickens, production of eggs. Obviously, slower rates of growth and such lowered production increase the costs to the producer thus lowering profit.
To address this concern, modern livestock enclosures generally include some sort of air cooling mechanism to regulate enclosure temperature of the livestock enclosures, during periods of the year when cooling is required, to a target enclosure temperature range within which the enclosure temperature of the enclosure may safely vary for safely housing livestock. For example, for chickens, the target enclosure temperature range is generally, as suggested above, between 79° F. and 89° F. However, cooling livestock enclosures poses particular challenges in that such enclosures must typically be well-ventilated with high levels of air circulation from the outside to ensure that noxious gases arising from the presence of livestock excrement and litter can be dissipated. These ventilation requirements typically make use of blown-air air conditioners impractical, since the large volume of air that must be constantly circulated, and cooled, would require excessive amounts of cooling, and, accordingly make use of such systems highly expensive.
One solution used to address these cooling problems for livestock enclosures is the use of evaporative cooling systems and methods. This is particularly the case in the poultry/chicken industry. In evaporative cooling systems, water is pumped by a water pumping system into the livestock enclosures where the water is converted by a misting nozzle into a fine mist, i.e. a fog, of water droplets and distributed thereby or with the aid of ventilation fans into the livestock enclosures. The air in the livestock enclosures absorbs the mist and gives up energy to the water molecules of the water droplets in the mist. This absorption process converts the water droplets into vapor and reduces the temperature of the air in the livestock enclosure, and thereby of the livestock enclosures itself. Such evaporative systems do not require constant blowing of air-conditioned air into the livestock enclosures and thus are often more economical than blown-air cooling systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,471, issued to Grant et al. on Sep. 27, 1988, teaches such an evaporative cooling system. The system includes a water pumping system having a pump for pumping water to a misting arrangement, namely misting nozzles, for converting the water to the mist and a fan for blowing the mist into the building. However, while the evaporation of the water droplets does cool the livestock enclosures, the amount of cooling possible is limited by water temperature of the water received at the misting nozzles. Specifically, if water provided by the pump to the misting nozzles is not sufficiently cool, there may insufficient cooling of the livestock enclosures by evaporation of water droplets to cool the livestock enclosure to a target enclosure temperature within the target enclosure temperature range, such as, for chickens, a target enclosure temperature between 79° F. and 89° F. Accordingly, the temperature of the water received by the misting nozzles from the pump is of primary importance. In general, evaporative cooling systems having pumping systems which provide pumped high-pressure water to misting nozzles at a room temperature of 65° F. can only cool a livestock enclosure to a temperature of 89° F. Obviously, as 89° F. is at the extreme high end of the target enclosure temperature range for chickens, water pumped to misting nozzles must be received thereby at a water temperature below 65° F. if an evaporative system is to be useful for certain types of livestock, such as chickens. Specifically, to ensure sufficient cooling during hot days, water temperature of the water received at the misting nozzle water must generally be at a target water temperature below 40° F. to sufficiently lower the enclosure temperature to a target enclosure temperature within an enclosure temperature range of 79° F. to 89° F. Accordingly, an evaporative cooling system such as that taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,471 may be insufficient for cooling a livestock enclosure during hot days of the year or in very warm climates.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,278, issued to Strussion et al. on Apr. 9, 2002, discloses an evaporative cooling system having a refrigerated water pumping system which includes a pump for pumping the water to high pressure and a water cooler, such as a heat exchanger, which refrigerates the water prior to pumping to the nozzles. Thus, the water may be refrigerated to an appropriate target water temperature prior to pumping to increase the amount of heat absorbed by water droplets from the livestock enclosure during evaporation and thus increasing cooling of the enclosure. However, while a water cooler in an evaporative cooling system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,278 could be adapted to reduce the water temperature of water prior to pumping to below 40° F., generally required for chickens and some other types of livestock, this would not prevent the water from absorbing heat during pumping by pump to mist nozzle. Accordingly, pumped water may still arrive, despite cooling before pumping, at mist nozzle having a water temperature in excess of the target water temperature, generally below 40° F. when livestock is chicken, required for cooling the livestock enclosures. It may be possible to cool water to an even lower water temperature than the target water temperature for water at misting nozzles to compensate for heat absorption by water during pumping. However, for certain livestock, such as chickens, where the target water temperature, i.e. below 40° F. for chickens, is close to the freezing point of water of 32° F., additional cooling of water below the target temperature prior to pumping incurs a risk that water may freeze, possibly damaging the pump or other components of the refrigerated water pumping system and the evaporative cooling system.
In addition, the amount of heat absorbed by water during pumping may vary based on environmental conditions in the enclosure such as air pressure and outside temperature, as well as the amount of water pressure required by misting nozzles to convert water into mist and the amount of mist required to cool the livestock enclosure.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved refrigerated water pumping system capable of furnishing pumped high-pressure refrigerated water at a target water temperature to misting nozzles situated in a livestock enclosure for distributing the high-pressure refrigerated water as a mist for evaporation in the livestock enclosure to provide cooling thereof.


The present invention relates to a thin film transistor array substrate and a method of manufacturing the same. The thin film transistor array substrate may comprise a substrate which has a plurality of gate lines extending in a column direction along a boundary of pixels, a plurality of data lines extending in a row direction along the boundary of the pixels, and at least one thin film transistor formed in the pixel region; a first insulating film which covers the thin film transistor; a color organic film which is disposed on the first insulating film and has a valley area formed with a valley by partial superimposition of organic films of different colors based on the data lines; a second insulating film which covers the color organic film and the valley area; and a pixel electrode which is disposed on the second insulating film and connected to the thin film transistor via a contact hole, wherein the thin film transistor array substrate is provided with a separating organic film which extends from the color organic film and is disposed between the valley area and the contact hole.

Field of the Invention
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relates to a thin film transistor array substrate and a method of manufacturing the same.
Description of the Related Art
A liquid display device (LCD) is configured to include a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate and a counter substrate opposed thereto, and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The thin film transistor array substrate is provided with a plurality of thin film transistors and pixel electrodes. Moreover, a counter substrate of a general liquid crystal display device is provided with a common electrode, a black matrix and a color filter. However, there has been a need to provide at least one of the common electrode, the black matrix and the color filter within the thin film transistor array substrate, depending on conditions such as planarization characteristics, process efficiency, optical characteristics, alignment issues and viewing angle of each substrate.
Among them, since a structure of COA (Color On Array) in which the color filters are provided in the thin film transistor array substrate is able to improve the planarization characteristics, the optical characteristics, and the alignment issues of the substrate of the liquid crystal display device, a lot of research is being done for commercialization.
In particular, attempts have been made to improve a design of a color organic film and achieve improved manufacturing process and yield, by forming the color organic film within the thin film transistor array substrate.
The conventional thin film transistor is disposed adjacent to the data wiring, and the color organic films are disposed so as to be superimposed with each other for arrangement of the color organic films in a region in which the wiring such as data line is disposed. Moreover, a structure is generally used in which one of the different color organic films is disposed in each pixel region, and a pixel electrode is disposed on the color organic film.
However, residues occur during photolithography process of forming the pixel electrode on the color organic film and short-circuit failure between the pixel electrodes occurs, which may become a cause of lowering the yield of the thin film transistor array substrate.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept, and, therefore, it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Samsung-ro, Giheung-Gu, Yongin-si, Gyeongg-Do


A hydraulic brake system for a vehicle includes a master brake cylinder, a hydraulic unit, and multiple wheel brakes. The hydraulic unit Ha at least one brake circuit for modulating the braking pressure in the wheel brakes. At least one wheel brake is paired with a bistable solenoid valve, which is looped into the corresponding fluid channel directly upstream of the paired wheel brake and which enables the braking pressure in the paired wheel brake to be modulated in a de-energized open position and locks the current braking pressure in the paired wheel brake in a de-energized closed position, wherein a volume equalization device which comprises a connectable accumulator opens into the corresponding fluid channel between the bistable solenoid valve and the paired wheel brake.

The prior art discloses hydraulic brake systems for vehicles, having a master brake cylinder, a hydraulic unit and a plurality of wheel brakes, which comprise various safety systems such as, for example, an antilock brake system (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP) etc., and which can execute various safety functions such as, for example, an antilock brake function, anti-slip regulation (ASR) etc. Control and/or regulating procedures in the antilock brake system (ABS) or in the anti-slip regulation system (ASR system) or in the electronic stability program system (ESP system) can be carried out via the hydraulic unit for a pressure build-up and pressure decrease in the corresponding wheel brakes. To carry out the control and/or regulating procedures, the hydraulic unit comprises solenoid valves which are usually held in distinct positions as a result of the oppositely acting forces "magnetic force", "spring force" and "hydraulic force". Accordingly, there are "normally open" and "normally closed" valve types. Moreover, bistable solenoid valves are known, which change their state with each energization and remain in this state, even without a holding current, until the next energization.

Hydraulic brake system for a vehicle, and corresponding operating method


Trailing edge devices configured to carry out multiple functions, and associated methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An external fluid flow body (e.g., an airfoil) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first portion and a second portion, at least a part of the second portion being positioned aft of the first portion, with the second portion being movable relative to the first portion between a neutral position, a plurality of upward positions, and a plurality of downward positions. A guide structure can be coupled between the first and second portions, and an actuator can be operatively coupled between the first and second portions to move the second portion relative to the first portion. In one embodiment, a flexible surface can track the motion of the second portion and can expose a gap at some positions. In another embodiment, a controller can be coupled to the actuator and can be configured to direct the actuator to move the second portion to a high lift setting, a high drag setting, a roll setting, and a trim setting. In yet another embodiment, trailing edge devices on an airfoil can have scaled, mechanically similar guide structures.

Modern high speed, subsonic commercial aircraft typically have wings with a variety of leading edge and trailing edge devices to change the shape of the wings as the flight conditions change. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an existing wing 10 includes a leading edge portion 20 having a plurality of trailing edge devices 5. The trailing edge devices 5 can include an aileron 6 for roll control at low speed, two flaps 8 for increased lift at low speed, a "flaperon" 7, which can act as a flap at low speed and an aileron at high speed, and two spoiler assemblies 9 for increasing drag and/or inhibiting lift during flight and/or after landing.
One potential drawback with the foregoing arrangement is that each different type of trailing edge device is generally configured in a different, function-specific manner. Accordingly, each wing generally includes a multitude of trailing edge devices having different mechanical arrangements, different actuator arrangements, different functions and different flight capabilities. These differences can lead to increased costs for manufacturing and maintaining the wing 10, and can increase the overall weight of the aircraft.

Multi-function trailing edge devices and associated methods