A single modular assembly (10) has two terminals (16) in housing cavities (22) each with a pair of slots (46,48) for termination by rotary actuation to respective conductors (30,32) of two cables, for crossconnecting or splicing the tip and ring lines of a customer's service line with those of a cable extending to the main distribution line. Each terminal (18) is in electrical engagement with one of the two active electrode leads (52,54) of a common protector unit (20) contained in a housing section (18) of the module. The protector unit (20) includes a ground electrode lead (50) grounded to a ground strap (70) which includes a contact section (72) extending from the module to be assuredly engaged with a ground circuit. Crossconnection of the tip and ring wires of service cables in the module simultaneously provides voltage and current surge protection for the circuits.

In the telecommunications industry, telephone cable is introduced to individual telephone sites such as residences, mainly through use of a splice of the signal wires of the cable to respective house wires at a junction located outside or inside the house. The junction is housed within a protective enclosure which is mounted usually to an outside wall of the house. One example of an assembly of a splice terminal block and self-sealing enclosure therefor is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/708,405 filed May 31, 1991 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,388. Therein, a terminal block has a single-piece barrel-shaped terminal with connecting sections for both wires to be spliced, and the terminal is of the insulation piercing or displacement type which eliminates the need for stripping the insulation from the signal wire conductors. A dielectric housing includes an integrally molded center post within a tubular terminal receiving housing section, both coextending from a common base section and defining an annular cavity, the housing section providing wire-receiving openings through side walls and into the cavity aligned with an aperture through the center post, enabling insertion of wire ends during splicing.
A barrel-shaped terminal and an associated lug-capped tubular actuator is then assembled to the housing, with the barrel terminal surrounding the center post within the cavity and having apertured insulation displacement contact sections which are initially aligned with the wire-receiving openings of the housing and center post, and the actuator also having profiled apertures therethrough extending partially around the circumference and also aligned with the wire-receiving openings of the housing, center post and terminal. The lug extends above the housing upon assembly to be accessible to tooling for rotation thereof to rotate the actuator and the terminal.
During splicing the wire ends of both wires are inserted into respective openings and through the apertured contact sections until abutting stop surfaces of the housing which then holds the wire ends at two spaced locations, both outside and within the terminal wall; the actuator is then rotated through an angular distance of about a quarter turn in turn rotating the terminal, and the constricted edges of a precisely profiled slot extending from each of the terminal's apertures penetrate the wire insulation of both wires simultaneously and engage the conductors therewithin, completing the splice.
The terminal blocks of Ser. No. 07/708,405 are modular in nature, comprising a pair defined in the same housing member for mounting within an enclosure adapted for a plurality of such modules. The two-terminal block housing is mountable in a selected orientation such that the wire-receiving openings of each of the terminal blocks are oriented facing a cable exit of the enclosure, or other common point from where the pairs of conductors originate as discrete wires from two cables.
It is desired to provide the telephone line to a particular customer with overvoltage and overcurrent protection on the circuits which protect the circuits of the customer's equipment from energy surges, which may be induced by lightning for example. Several examples of protector units are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,158,869; 4,161,762; and 4,133,019. Modules containing such protectors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,742,541; 4,159,500; 4,613,732 and 4,675,778. A protective plug for a distributor strip utilized in telecommunications systems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,639 to have a protector unit contained therein. The telecommunications industry has established standards for performance and certain dimensional and design requirements for such protectors; one example is Bellcore Technical Reference No. TR-TSY-000073, Issue 1, Jan., 1987, entitled "Customer Station Three-Element Gas Tube Protectors".
In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/880,449 filed May 8, 1992 is disclosed a single module having two barrel-shaped terminals each with a pair of insulation displacement slots for termination by rotary actuation to respective conductors of two cables, for crossconnecting or splicing the tip and ring lines of a service line extending to a customer with a cable extending to the main distribution line. Each barrel terminal is in electrical engagement with a circuit element such as a wire length extending to a respective separate portion of the module for electrical connection to an active electrode of a respective protector unit within a respective housing section. The two protector units each include a ground electrode grounded to a common ground strap which includes a contact section exposed along the bottom of the module to be assuredly engaged with a ground strap along the floor of the enclosure upon mounting of the module therein, for grounding to a ground stud for external system grounding. The wire-receiving apertures of the two housing sections containing the terminals are preferably oriented to face a cable exit of the enclosure to facilitate receipt of the conductors for wire termination upon rotation actuation of the terminals by respective lug-capped actuators. An enclosure for protected terminal blocks or modules includes a ground strap extending from a ground stud to each terminal block mounting region, enabling the contact section of the module ground strap to engage its top surface upon mounting of the terminal block in position.
It is desired to provide a module for electrically connecting a pair of signal wires of a customer line with provision for integral means for protecting the circuits against voltage and current surges when the module is assembled within an appropriate enclosure, upon termination of a service wire to a terminal.
It is desired that such module permit in-line circuit protection simultaneously with splicing of the pair of wires of the service line.
It is additionally desired to protect both circuits interconnecting tip and ring lines of a service wire, with a single protector unit.

Module for telephone line conductor pair having single protector unit


The present application provides a microchannel coil assembly. The microchannel coil assembly may include a frame, a number of microchannel coils positioned within the frame, and a microchannel coil spray system positioned about the frame and the number of microchannel coils.

Modern air conditioning and refrigeration systems provide cooling, ventilation, and humidity control for all or part of an enclosure such as a building, a cooler, and the like. Generally described, the refrigeration cycle includes four basic stages to provide cooling. First, a vapor refrigerant is compressed within a compressor at high pressure and heated to a high temperature. Second, the compressed vapor is cooled within a condenser by heat exchange with ambient air drawn or blown across a condenser coil by a fan and the like. Third, the liquid refrigerant is passed through an expansion device that reduces both the pressure and the temperature of the liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is then pumped within the enclosure to an evaporator. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the surroundings in an evaporator coil as the liquid refrigerant evaporates to a vapor. Finally, the vapor is returned to the compressor and the cycle repeats. Various alternatives on this basic refrigeration cycle are known and also may be used herein.
Traditionally, the heat exchangers used within the condenser and the evaporator have been common copper tube and fin designs. These heat exchanger designs often were simply increased in size as cooling demands increased. Changes in the nature of the refrigerants permitted to be used, however, have resulted in refrigerants with distinct and sometimes insufficient heat transfer characteristics. As a result, further increases in the size and weight of traditional heat exchangers also have been limited within reasonable cost ranges.
As opposed to copper tube and fin designs, recent heat exchanger designs have focused on the use of aluminum microchannel coils. Microchannel coils generally include multiple flat tubes with small channels therein for the flow of refrigerant. Heat transfer is then maximized by the insertion of angled and/or louvered fins in between the flat tubes. The flat tubes are then joined with a number of manifolds. Compared to known copper tube and fin designs, the air passing over the microchannel coil designs has a longer dwell time so as to increase the efficiency and the rate of heat transfer. The increase in heat exchanger effectiveness also allows the microchannel heat exchangers to be smaller while having the same or improved performance and the same volume as a conventional heat exchanger. Microchannel coils thus provide improved heat transfer properties with a smaller size and weight, provide improved durability and serviceability, improved corrosion protection, and also may reduce the required refrigerant charge by up to about fifty percent (50%).
Known copper fin and tube designs generally have issues with the possibility of galvanic corrosion. Such corrosion may be accelerated in the presence of water. Proper cleaning of the fin and tube designs thus was often difficult and time consuming. Reduced cleaning, however, could lead to reduced overall system efficiency because of debris trapped therein.
There is thus a desire for an improved microchannel heat exchanger design. Preferably such a microchannel heat exchanger could be routinely and quickly cleaned without the potential for galvanic corrosion or other types of damage or a lessened efficiency.


A rotational magnetic electrical generating device produces an alternating electrical current generated by a central rotational magnetic cylinder with an inner cavity having an central fixed coil operated by a DC current providing a driving rotational force upon a plurality of embedded neodymium magnets within the inner cavity of the central rotational magnetic cylinder, the central rotational magnetic cylinder having an upper outer margin with an upper magnetic ring and a lower outer margin having a lower magnetic ring, the two magnetic rings suspending the central rotational magnetic cylinder between two fixed magnetic fields supported by a frame member, the central rotational magnetic cylinder further having an outer perimeter surface embedded with a plurality of neodymium alloy magnets equally sized and spaced apart, a lower surface embedded with a plurality of neodymium alloy magnets equally sized and spaced apart, and an upper surface embedded with a plurality of neodymium alloy magnets equally sized and spaced apart. A plurality of alternate wound electrical stators are suspended above the upper surface, below the lower surface and around the outer perimeter surface of the central rotational magnetic cylinder, supported by the frame member while insulated from the frame member, each electrical stator connected to external leads to transmit alternating current generated by the spinning central rotational magnetic cylinder, the entire device enclosed within a vacuum.

1. Field of Invention
A rotational magnetic electrical generating device produces an alternating electrical current generated by a central rotational magnetic cylinder with an inner cavity having an central fixed coil operated by a DC current providing a driving rotational force upon a plurality of embedded neodymium magnets within the inner cavity of the central rotational magnetic cylinder, the central rotational magnetic cylinder having an upper outer margin with an upper magnetic ring and a lower outer margin having a lower magnetic ring, the two magnetic rings suspending the central rotational magnetic cylinder between two fixed magnetic fields supported by a frame member, the central rotational magnetic cylinder further having an outer perimeter surface embedded with a plurality of neodymium alloy magnets equally sized and spaced apart, a lower surface embedded with a plurality of neodymium alloy magnets equally sized and spaced apart, and an upper surface embedded with a plurality of neodymium alloy magnets equally sized and spaced apart. A plurality of alternate wound electrical stators are suspended above the upper surface, below the lower surface and around the outer perimeter surface of the central rotational magnetic cylinder, supported by the frame member while insulated from the frame member, each electrical stator connected to external leads to transmit alternating current generated by the spinning central rotational magnetic cylinder, the entire device enclosed within a vacuum.
2. Description of Prior Art
The following United States patents were discovered and are disclosed within this application for utility patent. All relate to electrical generating devices or devices including electrical coil devices.
A power generating system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,771,000 to Kim which comprises a compressor for compressing intake air and supplied fuel, a combustor for burning the medium gas, a turbine rotated by the burned medium gases, an electrical rotary machine having a stator with a primary winding and stator magnetic pole, a rotor having a field magnet facing the stator magnetic pole and a shaft, and a displacement mechanism on the rotor, a power converter electrically connected to the rotary machine, a controller for controlling the power converter, with the field magnet further including a first field magnet of sequentially alternating polarities, a second field magnet rotatable with the first field magnet with the two filed magnets rotating in opposing direction.
A variable output rotary generator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,561 to Bartel, which is an apparatus for generation of electrical power downhole within a earth borehole caused by varying the alignment of permanent magnets rotating within an armature having electrical conductive windings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,183 to Borchert is an improved permanent magnet generator rotor made of a laminate plate material which retains embedded rectangular magnets on all six sides, also disclosing a method of fabricating the improved rotor.
A superconducting electrical power generating system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,861 to Cummins. This system provides a plurality of superconducting individual solenoid sources alternately arranged in a radial array, each adjacent to a region. Disposed between the regions and the sources is a hollow cylinder made of a magnetically porous material. A rotary drive mechanism is coupled to the cylinder and produces a rotation. Retained at diametrically opposed positions on the outer surface of the cylinder are a plurality of arcuate sheets of superconductor material. Disposed within the cylinder is an array of alternating electrical conductor bundles, each positioned in one of the regions and radially aligned with one of the sources. This device requires a coolant for maintaining the temperature of the solenoid sources and superconductor sheets. The sheets rotate between the sources and the bundles.
An electrical generator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,430 to Howard comprising at least one stationary permanent magnet and at least one stationary core of a non-permanent magnetic material provided with induction field coil windings and disposed in alignment with the magnet and poles facing one another, a magnetic flux field suppressor moveably mounted between the magnet and core, the suppressor being a flat disk with alternating sections of magnetic and non-magnetic material, and a means of rotating the disk so that the disk causes an alternating induction of electrical current and voltage caused by the sequentially interrupted flux filed.
Neodymium alloy permanent magnets have been known in the art and disclosed in several patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,239 to Lee, which is a permanent magnet made of an alloy consisting of iron, neodymium and/or praseodymium and boron. Two U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,233 to Birch and U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,233 to Strohm have discussed use of the neodymium alloy magnets for use in construction of dynamo-electric machines or electrical generators.

Rotational magnetic electrical generating device


A contact image sensor module for scanning a document includes a light source, a photosensing array and a lens assembly. The light source emits a light beam to the document, thereby generating an optical signal. The photosensing array is used for converting the optical signal into an electronic signal. The lens assembly is used for focusing the optical signal reflected from the document and imaging the optical signal onto the photosensing array. The photosensing array includes a first photosensing element with a first width and a second photosensing element with a second width. The first width is greater than the second width.

In an electronic apparatus with a scanning function, a contact image sensor module is widely used to scan graphs or texts. The scanned graphs or texts are converted into electronic signals for further processing operations such as transmission, display or storage. Referring to FIG. 1, a contact image sensor module 1 comprises a light source 11, a lens assembly 12 and a photosensing array 14 mounted on a substrate 13. During operation, the light beam emitted from the light source 11 is projected onto a document 15 to be scanned. The light beam reflected from the scanned document 15 is focused by the lens assembly 12. The focused light beam is then imaged onto the photosensing array 14. By means of the photosensing array 14, the optical signals indicative of colorful or grey scale changes for each scan line are successively converted into electronic signals, which are then processed into an image frame.
Please refer to FIG. 1 again. Since the photosensing array 14 comprises a linear array of discontinuous photosensing elements 14B of the same size, a gap P is present between two adjacent photosensing elements 14B. After the light beam reflected from the scanned document 15 and focused by the lens assembly 12, the photosensing array 14 fails to receive the optical signals completely and continuously. Therefore, an alternately dark and bright image, a discontinuous image or even a blank image occurs.


A desalination system includes a transfer conduit between a pool of salt water and a pool of desalinated water. The conduit is initially filled with water and is then elevated so that a portion of the conduit is above the syphon height of water at atmospheric pressure with the open ends of the conduit submerged below the respective pools. Using solar heat to create a temperature differential in the conduit, desalinated water vapor is transferred across a partial vacuum volume formed in the conduit.

Populations living in arid environments, such as deserts and drought-stricken areas, must of rely on importation for their fresh water supply. This importation can be costly and, in some instances, economically impossible to obtain. In areas where a salt water source is nearby, desalination equipment is sometimes employed to provide potable water to the inhabitants. However, some societies are too poor to purchase and maintain the equipment and bear the associated fuel requirements.

Desalination system having rechargeable syphon conduit


A high refractive index layer of a cured first coating composition comprising (A) metal oxide fine particles selected from among titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, cerium oxide, iron oxide, tin oxide, and compound oxides thereof and (B) a compound having an acrylic, methacrylic, vinyl or styryl group, and a low refractive index layer of a cured second coating composition comprising (D) voided silica-base inorganic oxide fine particles and (C) a compound having at least two epoxy and/or oxetane groups are successively stacked on a substrate to form an antireflection film.

As display terminals for information visualization such as CRT and LC monitors become widespread, there is an increasing possibility that the reflection of extraneous light in the use environment impair operators' eyesight, at worst causing asthenopia and sight weakening. There is a demand for visual display terminals having minimized reflection of extraneous light. This problem is often solved by applying antireflection films directly to visual display terminals. Typical antireflection films are laminates of high and low refractive index layers with controlled thickness that reduce the reflectance by utilizing the interference of incident light.
In the prior art, physical means of depositing inorganic oxides or fluorinated inorganic compounds in multilayer fashion by vacuum evaporation or sputtering are commonly used as disclosed in JP-A 6-11601, JP-A 7-60856 and JP-A 2000-284235. Since an expensive vacuum evaporation apparatus or sputtering apparatus must be employed in the manufacture of antireflection film-bearing articles and too much processing time and cost are needed, this approach is difficult to apply antireflection films to visual display terminals at low cost.
On the other hand, chemical means of applying coating compositions comprising organic silane compounds, inorganic fines and the like in multilayer fashion as described in JP-A 2001-293813 have advantages including elimination of expensive apparatus. In the practice of this chemical approach, titanium oxide and other oxides for imparting a high refractive index are generally employed in the high refractive index coating composition as described in Japanese Patent No. 3,031,571 and JP-A 2000-204301. Most often, photo-curable coating compositions comprising a titanium-containing alkoxide, inorganic fine particles and a polyfunctional acrylate or epoxy compound are used. See JP-A 2000-6402, JP-A 2000-47004, JP-A 2000-143924, JP-A 2000-266908, JP-A 2000-329903 and JP-A 2001-164117.
As the low refractive index coating composition, compositions containing fluorinated compounds are customary as described in Japanese Patent No. 2,800,258 and JP-A 10-147740. However, most of these compositions need heat treatment by which the substrate is limited, and suffer from problems including a long curing time and a low hardness.
To solve these problems, photo-curable materials containing fluorinated compounds are utilized as described in JP-A 8-313704, JP-A 2001-264508, JP-A 2002-22905, JP-A 2002-53804, JP-A 2002-53805, and JP-A 2002-69426. Also, photo-curable materials containing metal oxide fine particles are utilized for the purpose of increasing hardness as described in JP-A 2001-316604. However, there is a problem that no coatings can be formed on coatings of fluorinated materials, which is inadequate for antireflection films of the transfer type which require to form a high refractive index layer on a low refractive index layer.
There is a desire to have low refractive index coating compositions other than fluorinated materials. JP-A 2001-31891 discloses a coating composition comprising an inorganic oxide sol and a silane coupling agent; JP-A 2000-79600 and JP-A 2001-163906 disclose a method of forming a nano-porous structure using a silica sol having a particle size of 50 to 100 nm and a polyfunctional acrylate; and JP-A 2000-17099 discloses a method of forming a film with micro-voids or spaces. These methods are not so successful in lowering the refractive index.
JP-A 2001-233611 and JP-A 2002-79616 disclose the use of hollow silica sol, which is successful in lowering the refractive index, but suffers from problems like a need for heat treatment, limited substrates, and a long curing time.
From the past, a method of imparting the desired function to a primary substrate by laying a functional film on another substrate film and transferring it to the primary substrate is known in the applications to impart surface protection and photo-catalysis functions as described in JP-A 9-227169, Japanese Patent No. 3,225,859 and JP-A 2001-315285. No proposal has been made in the application to impart an antireflection function.


A board game includes a portable housing formed from water-impermeable material and having walls sized and shaped for defining a generally rectangular shape. Selected ones of the walls define a lower section having a cavity formed therebetween. A top one of the walls is pivotally connected to the lower section for shielding the cavity. A game board is included that is formed from water-impermeable material and has surface indicia for defining a game path and a plurality of spaces on which each player may land. The board game further includes a plurality of game pieces, a dry-erase board, and a dry-erase marker removably positionable within the cavity. The dry-erase board has a substantially smooth drawing surface connected to the top wall and facing away therefrom.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a board game and, more particularly, to a board game for providing entertainment to a group of players.
2. Prior Art
The use of board games as a means of entertainment is well known in the prior art. In general the game includes a board defining a track of adjacent spaces to be occupied by playing pieces, a plurality of playing pieces to be moved from space to space by players, and a random number generator to indicate the number of spaces the playing pieces can be moved.
Usually such board games are played upon a table with competing players seated around the table. This method of play unfortunately does not allow for any physical movement of the players, and may become mundane, especially for younger players. Sports activities, on the other hand, tend to have practices that are repetitive and so physically taxing that the participants get no enjoyment therefrom. This is especially true of swimming, where practices consist mostly of doing laps back and forth in a pool. It would thus be advantageous to have a means to play a game that can be incorporated into such swimming practices.
Board games known in the prior art tend to have cardboard based construction, thus limiting their use to dry/indoor areas. This unfortunately limits the conditions under which such a game can be played.
Accordingly, a need remains for a board game in order to overcome the above noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a board game that is easy to play, competitive in nature, fun and entertaining, and makes workouts more enjoyable. Such a board game provides a fun and competitive activity that not only encourages athletes to work in teams, but also gives participants something to look forward to at practice. This advantageously keeps the swimmers interested in the sport and focused during practices, thus resulting in improved performances during actual competitions. The waterproof components of the board game advantageously allows for game play in the wet environment where swim practices tend to take place. Such a board game is fun, competitive, skill-enhancing, team-building, convenient and durable for years of effective use.


A connector includes a plug and a receptacle. The plug includes a first main body which includes a groove and two slot walls with a number of first terminals. The receptacle includes a support, a second main body and an insert. The second main body includes a rail matching with the groove of the plug. The rail includes two flanks and each flank includes a number of second terminals corresponding to the first terminals. When the first main body slides into the second main body via the rail and holds the support, each first terminal on the slot wall of the first main body connects to one second terminal on each flank of the rail to make the plug electrically connect to the receptacle.

The connecting mode between a plug and a receptacle can be a vertical insert mode. However, when the plug connects with the receptacle by the vertical insert mode, such as an insert pull connector, terminals of the plug of the insert pull connector may not match terminals of the receptacle of the insert pull connector, causing the terminals of the plug and the receptacle to be damaged.

Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


A stackable, multi-use shipping and storage containment system includes a plurality of containers with a bottom wall, vertical enclosing sidewall, and top surface forming a water-tight enclosure, including one or more raised lid upsets equivalent indentations on its bottom surface corresponding in planar arrangement, the raised lid upsets fitting tightly within the bottom indents when containers are stacked vertically, and where the raised lid upsets and corresponding bottom indentations are arranged in planar proportional geometric patterns so that a container with a plurality of lid upsets is equal to an array of single-lid containers arranged side-by-side in corresponding planar pattern, and at least one lid upset of each container is open with a means to accept a lid forming a water-tight seal which does not interfere with the vertical stacking, and where a plurality of containers with differing numbers of lid upsets can be stacked in interlocking patterns for stability.

Containers useful for holding liquid or dry goods are old. Containers that are designed to stack vertically for convenient storage are also known. However, when these prior art containers are stacked higher than three to four courses the stacks become unstable and are likely to fall over unless braced or contained by some external means. Likewise, if several vertical stacks are set side-by-side, the entire load becomes unstable and unwieldy to transport without some external bracing, extensive strapping, or containment. These disadvantages become especially troublesome when dealing with large quantities of liquid or dry goods that must be transported in bulk, but must be distributed at the destination in smaller individual quantities. Such situations are common in disaster relief scenarios, where large amounts of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies must be distributed to and within areas lacking functioning transportation systems. Bulk quantities of aid may be trucked or airlifted into a central distribution point, but further distribution within the stricken area may require transfer to man-portable loads in order to reach individuals.
One option then is to utilize large tanks for transporting liquids, or large holds for transporting dry goods, to a distribution point for further transfer. This option is not always desirable because separate smaller containers will be required to offload individual quantities—requiring separate transportation for the smaller containers and specialized equipment to pump or otherwise dispense the bulk goods into the individual containers for redistribution. This method also requires excessive time to transfer loads during time-critical situations.
A second option would be to transport the goods in a large number of conventional small containers. This option is not desirable because large loads of conventional containers filled with product are unstable and so require special packing techniques or special transport vehicles. Another disadvantage to this method is that used containers create a large amount of waste because they have no other function than transportation or storage. The used containers either become trash in the distribution area, or the containers must be transported back to their point of origin thereby consuming valuable transportation space, excess fuel and excess time and labor in reloading.
There may also be situations where it is desirable to utilize the advantages of large capacity liquid tanks at a distribution point, but it is impossible to transport such large tanks to the distribution point. The ability to transport liquids such as fuel or drinking water in smaller portable containers (either man-portable, or easily carried by small vehicles or carts that can travel where large tanker trucks cannot) and then reassemble these small containers into the equivalent of a large tank, with a single dispensing system, would be a great advantage.
Thus, there is a need for a container system capable of storing liquid or dry goods; which can be arranged in stable stacks that are easily palletized for transportation and easily broken down for individual transfer or distribution; and which can also be reassembled to function as a large liquid storage tank.
Sandbags and similar apparatus are also known in the art. Using sandbags for constructing temporary shelters, bunkers, or retaining walls is well known. Sandbags are often used to create temporary dikes to divert flood waters or mud; to construct temporary field fortifications above and below ground; or to construct temporary weather shelters in areas without readily accessible building materials. The main advantages of sandbags are that empty bags are easily transportable; construction methods require only some dirt and labor; and hastily built or partially completed shelters can provide significant protection from weather and/or attack.
Sandbags and similar apparatus have many disadvantages, however. Sandbags become unstable when stacked vertically, so that walls higher than a few feet tall require an extremely thick base or some external structural support such as timbers and planks. Typical materials used to construct sandbags (such as burlap and nylon fabrics) are water-permeable, rapidly becoming waterlogged and unstable, and are easily torn so that frequent repair is necessary. Such materials also tend to breakdown with prolonged exposure to sun and rain, again requiring frequent repair. A further disadvantage is that, due to their water-permeability, typical sandbags can only be filled with sand, dirt, or gravel—not water. Sandbags are thus not optimal in flooding scenarios, requiring rapid construction of stable retaining walls capable of diverting water, because filling the bags with mud will not create a stable wall, and the bags cannot be filled with water—which is distressingly abundant. Another disadvantage of sandbags is that they are not useful for other purposes, and cannot easily be reused.
More durable types of sandbags have been developed, constructed from weather-resistant and watertight synthetic materials. These new types of bags still suffer from the disadvantage that they cannot be used to create stable walls higher than a few feet tall without separate structural support. These new bags also cannot be easily emptied, cleaned, and dried for long term storage and future reuse. Nor can these new bags be used for any other purpose, such as transportation of food, drinking water, medicine, or other goods. Thus, though there are improved sandbags in the prior art these improved sandbags still exhibit many of the disadvantages of older products.
Still other means have been developed for easily constructing walls or shelters, but these also have significant disadvantages. For instance, it is known in the art to utilize reusable pre-fabricated construction blocks of various materials for small retaining walls and erosion control barriers. The disadvantages of these systems are that in order to remain stable they require either a bonding agent or staking with a long rod through the stack. A further disadvantage is that prior art pre-fabricated construction blocks are heavy—weighing thirty pounds or more each—making them difficult to transport in bulk or as man-portable loads. Another disadvantage is that prior art construction blocks do not provide ready-made attachment points for useful add-ons, such as: cosmetic facings for structures, roofing tie-downs, mounting lights or signs, armor plating, handles, and straps for easier transportation, etc. Finally, known prefabricated construction blocks are not useful for any other purpose. Because they are solid rather than hollow such blocks cannot be used for transporting or storing liquid or dry goods.
Thus, there is a need for a device that can combine the advantageous features of stackable liquid tight, reusable storage containers with the advantages of sandbags and prefabricated construction blocks, but which eliminates the major disadvantages of each. The present invention seeks to address these needs.
The following represents a list of known related patents:
Reference:Issued to:Date of Issue:U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,444GlickmanJul. 11, 2000U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,642Kelley, Jr. et al.Jul. 29, 1997U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,135Stevens et al.Jun. 6, 1995U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,834MyllerOct. 23, 1990U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,828Slusarczyk et al.Sep. 8, 1987U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,268Melzi et al.Dec. 30, 1986U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,705Dubois et al.May 11, 1976U.S. Pat. No. 3,587,904Harris et al.Jun. 28, 1971U.S. Pat. No. 3,476,286SteffensNov. 4, 1969U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,640DodsonOct. 18, 1966U.S. Pat. No. 2,826,906RiceMar. 18, 1958U.S. Pat. No. 2,631,747StolteMar. 17, 1953U.S. Des. Patent 479,000Van OortAug. 26, 2003U.S. Des. Patent 371,402KnudsenJul. 2, 1996U.S. Des. Patent 354,319WilsonJan. 10, 1995U.S. Des. Patent 226,936ParillaMay 15, 1973
The teachings of each of the above-listed citations (which does not itself incorporate essential material by reference) are herein incorporated by reference. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

Stackable multi-use shipping and storage capsule and system


An electromagnetically operated unit for controlling a radial connection. The unit has a first device which is optionally coupleable with a second device. The second device includes a magnet and/or electromagnet. The unit also has radially movable switching elements that are supported about the circumference of one of the devices, which additionally has contoured and/or frictional surfaces, which mate with respective contoured and/or frictional surfaces of the other one of the devices, thus effectuate engagement of the first and second devices. When the unit is designed with a closed current system the switching elements are biased to disengage when current is applied to the magnet and with an open current system the switching elements are biased to engage, against the force of a spring, when current is applied to the magnet.

Multiple designs and embodiments of electromagnetic clutches and/or brakes are well-known in automotive engineering.
In this connection, also known are frictional locking systems, for example single-surface brakes, or disk brakes and disk clutches respectively, as well as positive locking systems, like tooth clutches, that usually execute axial switching movements.
From 196 13 763 C1, a switchable braking or coupling device (friction brake and/or friction clutch) is known, comprising a first part of the device having an axially movable pressure ring, which is movable against a second part of the device by actuating and resetting the devices between two axially offset working positions. A friction element is further arranged between the pressure ring and the second part of the device, which operates in an active position of the pressure ring, while the pressure ring releases the friction element in the other position, an array of spring tabs with their tab ends being fastened clearance-free in the region of the first part of the device. A corresponding array of redirecting links is further provided, which are flexibly supported on one end by the pressure ring and on the other end by the clear tab ends, for redirecting the axial movement of the pressure ring to a radial movement of the clear tab ends, both ends of the redirection elements being offset axially and radially from each other. According to DE 196 13 763 C1, a cylindrical drum is provided at the second part of the device, which overlaps the free tab ends radially, the friction element being arranged in the radial space between the cylinder surface of the drum and the free tab ends.
The objective of the present invention is to disclose an electromagnetic clutch, brake and/or lock, which enables a switchable connection of a powered and an unpowered or static part of a functional unit. In this connection, a torque-transmitting connection should be established in a first operating state, and in a second operating state, both parts are separated, thus preventing torque transmission. In addition, the clutch, brake and/or lock according to the present invention should require little installation space.

Electromagnetically operated unit, in particular a clutch, brake and/or lock


Systems and methods for retrieving, in a first application using one or more processors, a user profile in which the user profile includes a user ID, and the first application includes a first application interface. The systems and methods further include detecting user selection, in the first application interface, of a sync command to a second application, in which the second application includes an executable script associated with the user ID, retrieving the executable script in response to the detecting the user selection of the sync command, integrating the executable script into an HTML interface associated with the user profile, and generating a two-dimensional graphical component in response to the integration of the executable script.

Companies who deal in goods and services seek to continue to gain a competitive edge over other competitors in the same industry. The need to attract new customers has never been more important in light of the influx of options consumers have in purchasing goods and services. In order to do so, companies turn to advertising of their goods and services on various outlets, such as through television and radio.
However, a new trend in online advertising has recently become very popular—online social media networking marking and advertising. Some of the benefits to social media marketing include immediate activity on the company's website after a user has viewed the online advertisement broadcasted from the social media network application.

Advertisement tracking integration system


In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a critical time when a current presence state associated with a first client is scheduled to change to a timed presence state. The method also includes generating a first presence document before the critical time, and providing the first presence document to at least a second client. The first presence document has an indication of the current presence state and the timed presence state, and is provided to the second client before the critical time.

The present invention relates generally to presence systems.
Within a presence system, when there is a state change associated with a source of a presence state, watchers of the source are notified of the state change. By way of example, if a source accepts a telephone call, the presence state of the source may switch from indicating that the source is available to indicating that the source is on a call, and watchers of source may be notified that the source is on a call. Alternatively, if a source begins to participate in a scheduled meeting, watchers of the source may be notified that a meeting state indicates that the source is involved in a meeting. That is, a presence state change notification may be sent to watchers to indicate that a presence state of a watched user has changed.
Calendaring changes, e.g., changes in meeting states, for sources or users tend to occur at substantially the same time. Often, calendaring changes occur at the top of an hour. As such, a relatively high number of presence state change notifications may generally need to be sent at approximately the top of an hour. Sending a relatively high number of presence state change notifications at approximately the same time often creates a performance spike in the presence server that lasts until a queue of notifications is emptied. The performance spike may slow the sending of notifications, thereby causing watchers to receive the notifications a significant amount of time after state changes take place.

Top of hour presence and calendar state interaction


A tool changer for machine tools having at least two tong-shaped grippers, the legs of which are formed for engaging with the ring groove at a broader end of a tool taper. The grippers are symmetrically mounted about the central axis of a carrier and are rotatable around the central axis with their legs pointing outward. The carrier is mounted on a support structure that has a drive for moving the carrier. In order to enable an earlier release of the tool taper from the collet chuck in the work spindle, and thus faster tool changes, at least one leg of the grippers is extended to form a protruding holding finger.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to machine tools, and more specifically to tool changers for machine tools.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Typically, tool changing systems are used in modem program-controlled machine tools. They serve to transfer tools between a tool magazine and the vertical or horizontal work spindle of the machine tool. Certain components of the tool changers, including their tong-shaped grippers, move on predefined tracks to receive the selected tools in predetermined changing positions. Using their tongs, the grippers can laterally grip a ring groove on the tool taper when the tool is located at the changing position of the magazine. The tool is taken out of the magazine by a pull-off movement. The tool is brought into a position where a rotary or swiveling motion of the tool changer may effect the exchange of the tool into the work spindle. The changing process of a "used" tool from the work spindle to an open space in the tool magazine is carried out in reverse functional sequence.
German patent publication DE 35 31 160 A1 describes a tool changer for a machine tool. The gripper approaches the flange of a tool taper laterally with two legs that are movable in opposite directions. The legs can be locked by means of a device after surrounding the tool taper. This protects the tool taper in the gripper from being pulled out. A connecting link provided on the machine tool pushes the locking element axially out of the flange's range on the tool taper when the gripper is moved in front of the tool holding fixture.
German patent publication DE 42 15 697 A1 describes another tool changer for machine tools. The gripper of this device is arranged on a changer arm movably formed between the tool magazine and the tool receiving position of the work spindle. The changer arm carries two grippers arranged side by side, which in their initial position are disposed parallel to the axis of a spindle for holding tools. The two grippers are connected to the changer arm by a swivel device and can be shifted synchronously in parallel and relative to the spindle axis in the direction of a connecting line between both grippers.
Furthermore, German patent publication DE 37 17 201 A1 describes a gripper for tools of a machine tool, where two movable jaws provide for positive engagement with the groove of a tool taper. In order for the gripper legs to positively engage the groove on the thickened end of the tool taper, the gripper is provided with a movable operating element. This element moves the legs to an expanded position for introducing the tool taper, and to a closed position for positively gripping the tool taper. This operating element is operated by a stationary stop of the machine tool. Furthermore, the gripper has two fixed jaws arranged co-axially with the two gripper legs. The jaws project beyond the ends of the gripper legs. Both jaws gradually merge into a common semi-circular holding fixture where a centering groove is formed. However, the use of movable gripper legs and additional fastened jaws for each gripper is technically expensive and offers risk of malfunction.
In modern milling and boring centers for the industrial scale manufacture of tools, the essential operating times with a single tool are often within a range of seconds. Tool changing after each machining process takes a few seconds. This results in a relatively unfavorable ratio between the total operating time and the time required for the corresponding tool changing. The production yield of the machine is thereby affected. This ratio of chip-to-chip and operating time becomes even more unfavorable if heavy-duty spindles, for example high speed spindles, are used where the objective is achieving high chip production.


A laptop computer case and stand (10) comprising a base (12) having a compartment (14) for holding a laptop computer (16) therein. A lid (18) is hinged at (20) to the base (12). A facility (22) along a rear edge of the lid (18) is for engaging an upper surface of a pair of legs (24) of a person (26) sitting in a chair (28), when the lid (18) is opened. A component (30) on the lid (18) is for transporting the base (12) and the lid (18) by the person (26), when the lid (18) is closed, so as to be conveyed to various locations.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to portable lap desks and covers and more specifically it relates to a laptop computer case and stand. The laptop computer case and stand will function as a lap stand or platform to keep the laptop computer steady, so that it will not fall off a person's lap. The laptop computer case and stand includes leg contours, so that when unfolded it will fit upon the legs of a sitting person. The laptop computer case and stand also contains a cutout carry handle or optionally a strap handle or shoulder strap. When folded up it will function as a carrying case for the laptop computer, so as to be conveniently transported.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous portable lap desks and covers have been provided in prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,054,736 to Champoux; 5,263,423 to Anderson; 5,348,263 to Hubbard and 5,682,993 to Song all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


An optical pickup according to the present invention includes a plurality of light sources for emitting a plurality of light beams including first and second light beams of respectively different wavelengths, an objective lens for converging the plurality of light beams, and a grating structure shaped axisymmetrically with respect to the optical axis of the objective lens. Pth-order diffracted light (where p is a non-zero integer) which is formed from the first light beam (e.g. blue) by the grating structure is converged on an information layer of an optical disk (e.g. a BD) corresponding to the first light beam, owing to the converging actions of the objective lens and grating structure. Moreover, qth-order diffracted light (where q is a non-zero integer such that q≠p) which is formed from the second light beam (e.g. red or infrared) by the grating structure is converged on an information layer of an optical disk (e.g. a DVD or CD) corresponding to the second light beam, owing to the converging actions of the objective lens and the grating structure. Thus, by appropriately using diffracted light of different orders, it becomes possible to perform convergence on optical disks of different wavelengths and base thicknesses, with reduced spherical aberration.

Data which is recorded on an optical disk is reproduced by irradiating the rotating optical disk with a light beam having a relatively weak constant light amount, and detecting reflected light which has been modulated by the optical disk.
On a read-only optical disk, information in the form of pits is recorded in a spiral manner, previously during manufacture of the optical disk. On the other hand, in the case of a rewritable optical disk, a method such as vapor deposition is used to deposit a film of recording material which allows for optical data recording/reproduction, on the surface of a base on which a track having spiral land or groove is formed. In the case where data is to be recorded on a rewritable optical disk, the optical disk is irradiated with a light beam whose light amount is modulated in accordance with the data to be recorded, thus causing local changes in the characteristics of the recording material film, whereby a data write is effected.
Note that the depth of the pits, the depth of the track, and the thickness of the recording material film are small relative to the thickness of the base of the optical disk. Therefore, any portion of the optical disk where data is recorded constitutes a two-dimensional surface, and may be referred to as a "signal surface" or an "information surface". In the present specification, since such a signal surface (information surface) has a physical size along the depth direction, the term "information layer" will be employed, instead of "signal surface (information surface)". An optical disk includes at least one such information layer. Note that one information layer may actually include a plurality of layers, e.g., a phase-change material layer and a reflective layer.
When reproducing data which is recorded on an optical disk, or recording data onto a recordable optical disk, it is necessary for a light beam to always retain a predetermined convergence state on a target track on the information layer. This requires "focus control" and "tracking control". "Focus control" refers to controlling the position of an objective lens along a normal direction of the information surface (hereinafter may be referred to as the "depth direction of the substrate") so that a focal point of the light beam (convergence point) is always positioned on the information layer. On the other hand, tracking control refers to controlling the position of an objective lens along a radial direction of the optical disk (hereinafter referred to as the "disk radial direction") so that a spot of the light beam is positioned on a predetermined track.
As conventional high-density/large-capacity optical disks, optical disks such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROMs, DVD-RAMs, DVD-RWs, DVD-Rs, DVD+RWs, and DVD+Rs have been put to practical use. In addition, CDs (Compact Discs) are still in use. Currently, next-generation optical disks which have a higher density and a larger capacity than those of the above optical disks are being developed and put to practical applications, e.g., Blu-ray Discs (BDs).
Such optical disks have various structures depending on their types. For example, they may differ in terms of the physical structure of tracks, track pitch, depth of the information layer (distance from the light-incident surface to the information layer of the optical disk), etc. In order to properly read data from or write data to a plurality of types of optical disks with such different physical structures, it is necessary to employ optical systems having numerical apertures (NA) which are in accordance with the types of optical disks, so as to irradiate the information layer of each optical disk with laser light of an appropriate wavelength.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the optical disk 200. For reference's sake, FIG. 1 shows an objective lens (converging lens) 220 and laser light 222 which has been converged by the objective lens 220. The laser light 222 is radiated onto the information layer via the light-incident face of the optical disk 200, thus forming a light beam spot on the information layer.
FIGS. 2(a), (b), and (c) schematically show general cross sections of a CD, a DVD, and a BD, respectively. Each optical disk shown in FIG. 2 has a surface (light-incident surface) 200a and a rear face (label face) 200b, and at least one information layer 214 therebetween. On the rear face 200b of the optical disk, a label layer 218 which contains a title and a printout of graphics is provided. Each optical disk has an overall thickness of 1.2 mm, with a diameter of 12 cm. For simplicity, protrusion/depression structures such as pits or grooves are not illustrated in the figures, and reflective layers and the like are also omitted from illustration.
As shown in FIG. 2(a), the information layer 214 of a CD is positioned at a depth of about 1.2 mm from the surface 200a. In order to read data from the information layer 214 of a CD, it is necessary to converge near-infrared laser (wavelength: 785 nm), which is controlled so as to have a focal point positioned on the information layer 214. The numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens which is used for converging the laser light is about 0.5.
As shown in FIG. 2(b), the information layer 214 of a DVD is positioned at a depth of about 0.6 mm from the surface 200a. In an actual DVD, two substrates having a thickness of about 0.6 mm are attached together via an adhesion layer. In the case of an optical disk having two information layers 214, the distances from the surface 200a to the information layers 214 are about 0.57 mm and about 0.63 mm, i.e., they are close. Therefore, regardless of the number of information layers 214, only one information layer 214 is described illustrated in the figure. In order to read data from or write data to the information layer 214 of a DVD, it is necessary to converge red laser (wavelength: 660 nm), which is controlled so as to have a focal point positioned on the information layer 214. The numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens which is used for converging the laser light is about 0.6.
As shown in FIG. 2(c), a BD includes a thin cover layer (transparent layer) having a thickness 100 μm which is provided on the side of the surface 200a, and the information layer 214 is positioned at a depth of about 0.1 mm from the surface 200a. In order to data from the information layer 214 of a BD, it is necessary to converge blue-violet laser (wavelength: 405 nm), which is controlled so as to have a focal point positioned on the information layer 214. The numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens which is used for converging the laser light is 0.85.
FIG. 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing spherical aberration being caused by the objective lens 220 when entered by parallel light. FIG. 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing how the spherical aberration is corrected by allowing divergent light to enter the same objective lens 220.
The magnitude of such a spherical aberration also changes depending on the thickness of a portion existing from the surface of the optical disk to the information layer (which may also be referred to as "base thickness"), that is, "depth of the information layer". FIG. 4 shows a light beam which has entered the optical disk 200 being converged on the information layer 214. Since the rays which compose the light beam are refracted at the surface of the optical disk 200, the convergence state of the light beam will vary in accordance with the refractive index and thickness of the portion existing from the surface of the optical disk 200 to the information layer 214. Therefore, even in the case where no spherical aberration occurs for a specific optical disk, spherical aberration may occur for an optical disk having a different base thickness.
As mentioned above, optical disks with various structures are available on the market, and there is desired an ability to support such a plurality of types of optical disks with a single apparatus. Such an optical disk apparatus will need to have a construction in which a light beam is selected as appropriate from among a plurality of light beams of different wavelengths, and irradiates an optical disk with a reduced spherical aberration.
Next, with reference to FIG. 20, a conventional example of an optical disk apparatus supporting a plurality of types of optical disks is described. For simplicity, FIG. 20 only illustrates the construction on the forward path side (i.e., starting from a light source and heading toward the disk surface), and the construction on the return path side (i.e., starting from the disk surface and heading toward a photodetector) is not illustrated.
The optical disk apparatus of FIG. 20 includes three light sources 1B, 1R, and 1I. Blue light (e.g., wavelength: 0.405 μm) which is emitted from the light source 1B, such as a blue-light emitting semiconductor laser, is reflected by a dichroic mirror prism 2 (which reflects blue light and transmits wavelengths longer than blue), and travels through a collimating lens 3 so as to be converted into plane waves 4B (a so-called infinite system). The plane waves 4B receive aperture restriction by a color-selective aperture filter 5 so as to have a numerical aperture corresponding to NA 0.85, and thereafter is transmitted through an objective lens 6 (e.g., NA 0.85 or more) to enter an optical disk. The light having entered an optical disk base 7B, having a thickness of 0.1 mm, is converged on an information layer 8B which is formed on the rear face of the base 7B. For simplicity, FIG. 20 simultaneously illustrates different optical disk bases 7B, 7R, and 7I and information layers 8B, 8R, and 8I, corresponding to the three light sources 1B, 1R, and 1I. In actuality, however, one optical disk that corresponds to one of the light sources is to be mounted in the optical disk apparatus.
On the other hand, red light (e.g., wavelength: 0.660 μm) which is emitted from the light source 1R, such as a red-light emitting semiconductor laser, is transmitted through a dichroic mirror prism 9 (which reflects infrared light and transmits wavelengths shorter than infrared light) and the dichroic mirror prism 2, and travels through the collimating lens 3 so as to be converted into divergent spherical waves 4R (a so-called finite system). The spherical waves 4R receive aperture restriction by the color-selective aperture filter 5 so as to have a numerical aperture corresponding to NA 0.6, and thereafter is transmitted through the objective lens 6 to enter an optical disk. The light having entered the optical disk base 7R, having a thickness of 0.6 mm, is converged on the information layer 8R which is formed on the rear face of the base 7R.
Furthermore, infrared light (e.g., wavelength: 0.790 μm) which is emitted from the light source 1I, such as an infrared-light emitting semiconductor laser, is reflected by the dichroic mirror prism 9 and transmitted through the dichroic mirror prism 2, and thereafter travels through the collimating lens 3 so as to be converted into divergent spherical waves 4I (a so-called finite system). The spherical waves 4I receive aperture restriction by the color-selective aperture filter 5 so as to have a numerical aperture corresponding to NA 0.5, and thereafter travels through the objective lens 6 to enter an optical disk. The light having entered the optical disk base 7I, having a thickness of 1.2 mm, is converged on the information layer 8I which is formed on the rear face of the base 7I.
The objective lens 6 is designed so that, with respect to the optical disk base 7B having a thickness of 0.1 mm, the light entering an infinite system at the wavelength of 0.405 μm will be converged with no aberration. Therefore, if light enters the infinite system at the wavelength of 0.660 μm or the wavelength of 0.790 μm with respect to the optical disk base 7R having a thickness of 0.6 mm or the optical disk base 7I having a thickness of 1.2 mm, respectively, a large spherical aberration will occur. The occurrence of spherical aberration is ascribable not only to differences in base thicknesses, but also refractive index dispersion in the objective lens, and spherical aberration in the disk base.
In the conventional example of FIG. 20, by bringing the positions of the light sources 1R and 1I closer to the collimating lens 3 along an optical axis L, the light having been transmitted through the collimating lens 3 is allowed to turn into divergent spherical waves 4R and 4I. By thus allowing the light sources 1R and 1I to function as light sources of a finite system, the aforementioned spherical aberration is cancelled.
[Non-Patent Document 1] Nikkei Electronics (Sep. 27, 2004 issue) P101-121

Optical pickup and optical disk device having this pickup


A layer of nanoparticles having a dimension on the order of 10 nm is employed to form a current constricting layer or as a hardmask for forming a current constricting layer from an underlying insulator layer. The nanoparticles are preferably self-aligning and/or self-planarizing on the underlying surface. The current constricting layer may be formed within a bottom conductive plate, within a phase change material layer, within a top conductive plate, or within a tapered liner between a tapered via sidewall and a via plug contains either a phase change material or a top conductive material. The current density of the local structure around the current constricting layer is higher than the surrounding area, thus allowing local temperature to rise higher than surrounding material. The total current required to program the phase change memory device, and consequently the size of a programming transistor, is reduced due to the current constricting layer.

A phase change memory (PCM) device is a non-volatile memory device employing a change in resistivity of a phase change material. The PCM device is also called phase-change random access memory (PRAM). Typically, a chalcogenide material capable of switching between an amorphous state and a crystalline state is employed in PCM devices.
Depending on the cooling rate from a liquid state, the chalcogenide material may form an amorphous chalcogenide glass or a chalcogenide crystal. The difference between the two states is physically characterized by the presence or absence of a long range order. Further, the crystalline and amorphous states of chalcogenide material have drastically different resistivity values. By manipulating the phase of the chalcogenide material, a binary data bit may be written into a PCM device. By detecting the phase of the chalcogenide material, typically in the form of a resistivity measurement, the binary data bit stored in the PCM device may be read. Many types of PCM devices employing these methods are known in the art.
A typical chalcogenide material used in PCM devices is a germanium, antimony and tellurium compound commonly called GST (Ge2Se2Te5). Along with oxygen, sulfur, selenium, and polonium, tellurium belongs to the chalcogen group, hence the name chalcogenide material. In a typical PCM device, a chalcogenide glass having a high resistivity value may be formed upon melting and rapid cooling of a chalcogenide material. Alternatively, a chalcogenide crystal having a low resistivity value may be formed by raising the temperature to a crystallization temperature, which is below the melting temperature, followed by a slow cooling of the chalcogenide material. The chalcogenide becomes liquid at a relatively high temperature, e.g., above 600° C.
Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art phase change memory (PCM) element structure comprises a stack of a bottom conductive plate 10, a phase change material layer 20, and a top conductive plate 30. By passing current through the PCM element structure, the phase change material in the phase change material layer 20 is heated to a temperature that can induce a phase change, i.e., either above the melting temperature or the crystallization temperature.
One of the challenges of present day PCM element structures is to generate sufficient heat to reach the melting temperature of the phase change material. While not every portion of the phase change material needs to melt to encode data in the PCM element, at least a portion of the phase change material capable of significantly affecting the overall resistance of the PCM element structure needs to reach the phase transition temperatures, i.e., the melting temperature and/or the crystallization temperature, in order for the phase change material to change its state between a crystalline structure and an amorphous structure. To induce such melting or recrystallization, a relatively large amount of current is typically required. However, application of such a large current requires a large transistor, and consequently a large semiconductor area, making it difficult to increase the density of PCM devices.
A method of reducing current demand on a PCM element structure by mixing a phase change material with an inactive dielectric material has been disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,046 to Czubatyj et al. FIG. 2 schematically represents the prior art structure by Czubatyj et al., in which a mixed phase change material layer 20′ comprises a phase change material 21 intermixed with the inactive dielectric material 26. The mixing of the phase change material 21 with the inactive dielectric material 26 decreases the cross-sectional area for the electrical current path between the bottom conductive plate 10 and the top conductive plate 30, thus increasing the current density within the mixed phase change material layer 20′. For a given level of current between the bottom conductive plate 10 and the top conductive plate 30, the mixed phase change material layer 20′ in FIG. 2 provides higher local temperature than the phase change material layer 20 in FIG. 1.
While Czubatyj et al. provides a structure that enhances the local temperature of a mixed phase change material layer, the mixing process is stochastic, i.e., statistical variations in the mixing process produces non-uniform mixing, resulting in significant variations in the resistance of the mixed phase change material layer.
Therefore, there exists a need for a phase change memory element structure capable of achieving phase transition temperatures in a phase change material layer consistently with less programming current and methods of manufacturing the same.
Further, there exists a need for a phase change memory element structure with a higher resistance in the phase change material layer, in which the resistance values have a tight distribution, and methods of manufacturing the same.

Current constricting phase change memory element structure

International Business Machines Corporation


A collapsible chimney cap which is stored in separate components and assembled at the point of installation. The connections between the separate pieces when assembled form smooth corners without external metal protrusions which could injure an installer or other person near the chimney cap. The chimney cap's connection mechanism also strengthens the assembled chimney cap by providing multiple points of connection. Each side piece has a insertion portion with internal protrusions which fits inside a receiving portion of an adjacent side piece. A roof is then attached the side pieces to complete the chimney cap.

This invention relates to a chimney cap which is designed to be placed on top of and enclose the upper end of a chimney flue and prevent rain, hail, leaves, small animals and other possible obstructions from entering the chimney flue. Chimney caps also prevent birds and squirrels from nesting in an infrequently used chimney. Conventional chimney caps can be formed from a pliable metal material such as steel. The four walls are created by bending corners in single sheet of metal. The roof of the cap is typically welded on to form a single finished unit. In some chimney caps, flanges are welded to the bottom of each side to form a shelf by which the cap rests on top of the chimney. The cap can be further secured by screws on each side of the chimney cap in order to hold the cap in place next to the flue.
Most chimney caps are preassembled by the manufacturer to create a single unit consisting of four side pieces and a cap attached to the tops of the four side pieces. The manufactured caps when assembled are very bulky for purposes of both storage and shipment. A boxed assembled cap will take up large portions of shelf space in warehouses or retail stores or truck space when shipping. In addition, the assembled caps can be unwieldy for the installer of the cap who must bring the cap up a ladder to the rooftop of a dwelling with a chimney for installation. A chimney cap which is manufactured and shipped in smaller sections which can be easily assembled at the point of installation would be advantageous to both the seller and user of the cap.
One example of a collapsible cap which can be assembled at the point of installation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,613 (the '613 patent). The '613 collapsible cap is made of four side panels with a roof attached to the top of the side panels. The sides illustrated are connected together by two interconnecting locking mechanisms for each side panel. Each side panel has two clips on one edge which are inserted into openings located on an adjacent side panel. A major drawback from the chimney cap described in the '613 patent is the existence of exposed clips which extend through the adjacent panels when locked together and which could injure the installer of the cap or a chimney cleaner while removing the cap. Additionally, the locking mechanism described in the patent limits the number of connection points between each of the side pieces to the number of clips manufactured into each side piece.
It would be advantageous to design a collapsible chimney cap which would eliminate sharp edges or clips after assembly and which would form a strong connection between the side portions by using the entire edge of the side portions in the connection instead of only isolated clips.


A redundant microwave system operable to process a microwave signal propagating in a microwave cavity includes a microwave cavity and two microwave processing devices. Each microwave processing device has a transmissive impedance when it is on and a reflective impedance when it is off. There is a separate coupling probe extending from each of the microwave processing devices to locations within the microwave cavity. When a primary one of the microwave processing devices is switched on and the redundant microwave processing device is switched off, its coupling probe reflects energy so that almost all of the energy flows through the primary microwave processing device. If the primary microwave processing device fails and is switched off, its coupling probe reflects energy so that almost all energy flows through the redundant device. No separate active switching device or circuit is used.

This invention relates to a microwave system which has redundant processing devices and, more particularly, to an approach for accomplishing switching between the processing devices when the primary device fails and the redundant device is activated.
Microwave systems are sometimes used in situations where their operation is critical and cannot be interrupted, or where they are difficult to repair in the event of a failure. For example, microwave amplifier circuits used in communications satellites receive microwave communications signals transmitted from a ground station to the satellite, amplify those signals, and retransmit them back to another ground station. These circuits cannot be permitted to fail, both because their failure would render the entire communications channel useless and because it is difficult to repair the amplifier circuits. Similar considerations apply to microwave communications circuits in deep space and interplanetary missions.
To ensure continuous operation, most microwave systems used in such critical applications are furnished with redundant active components. For example, there may be a primary active amplifier and a backup active amplifier in each communications circuit. The primary active amplifier is used in normal operation, with the backup active amplifier switched off. If the primary active amplifier fails, the backup active amplifier is switched on.
The microwave signal propagating in a waveguide is switched from the primary active amplifier to the backup active amplifier. Available microwave waveguide switches are heavy, costly, complex to integrate into the microwave waveguide system, and consume power. In the case of electro-mechanical or ferrite waveguide switches, the bulkiness of the switch limits the degree of miniaturization that may be achieved. These considerations are particularly troublesome where there are multiple microwave waveguide switches required to interconnect various redundant active devices. Nevertheless, the risk in loss of the communications circuit has been judged to mandate the use of the redundant active components and the associated microwave switches.
There is a need for an improved approach to providing redundancy in microwave circuits that require such redundancy due to their critical nature or inaccessibility for repair. The present invention fulfills this need, and further provides related advantages.
The present invention provides a redundant microwave system wherein switching between a primary microwave processing device and a redundant backup microwave processing device is accomplished without the use of an active switch. The weight, cost, bulk, and possible signal loss of an active switch are saved, but advantages of redundancy are retained. The present approach may be implemented in a wide range of applications.
A redundant microwave system operable to process a microwave signal propagating in a microwave cavity comprises a microwave cavity and a first microwave processing device located exterior to the microwave cavity. The first microwave processing device has a transmissive impedance when the first microwave processing device is operable and a reflective impedance when the first microwave processing device is not operable. A first coupling probe extends from the first microwave processing device to a first probe termination location within an interior of the microwave cavity. A second, redundant, microwave processing device is located exterior to the microwave cavity. The second microwave processing device is substantially identical to the first microwave processing device and has the transmissive impedance when the second microwave processing device is operable and the reflective impedance when the second microwave processing device is not operable. A second coupling probe extends from the second microwave processing device to a second probe termination location within the interior of the microwave cavity. Either of the microwave processing devices may include an impedance-matching network.
The two microwave processing devices may be of any operable type, but are typically amplifiers or receivers. The coupling probes may be of any operable type, but are typically coaxial probes or stripline probes.
There are three particularly preferred embodiments of this approach, In one, the first probe termination location and the second probe termination location are each positioned at about a respective one of the two electric field spatial maxima of a TE(2,0) microwave signal propagating in the waveguide. In a practical implementation, the microwave cavity is a rectangular waveguide having a direction of elongation, a long transverse dimension perpendicular to the direction of elongation, a first sidewall parallel to the direction of elongation and perpendicular to the long transverse dimension, and a second sidewall parallel to the direction of elongation and perpendicular to the long transverse dimension. The first sidewall is spaced apart from the second sidewall by the long transverse dimension, The first probe termination location is about xc2xc of the distance from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and the second probe termination location is about xc2xe of the distance from the first sidewall to the second sidewall.
In a second embodiment, the first probe termination location and the second probe termination location are each positioned at about the single electric field spatial maximum of a TE(1,0) microwave signal propagating in the waveguide, In a practical implementation, the microwave cavity is a rectangular waveguide having a direction of elongation, a long transverse dimension perpendicular to the direction of elongation, a first sidewall parallel to the direction of elongation and perpendicular to the long transverse dimension, and a second sidewall parallel to the direction of elongation and perpendicular to the long transverse dimension. The first sidewall is spaced apart from the second sidewall by the long transverse dimension. The first probe termination location and the second probe termination location are each about midway between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, positioned closely together and immediately adjacent to each other, but still distinctly two separate probes.
In a third embodiment, the microwave cavity comprises a first volume, a microwave feed in communication with the first volume, and a second volume communicating with the first volume. The second volume is separated into a first region and a second region by a wall. The first probe termination location is within the first region and the second probe termination is within the second region.
In the general approach and all of these specific embodiments, each of the microwave processing devices has two impedance states. When the microwave processing device is active (the xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d state), its transmissive impedance is such that the microwave signals pass between the microwave cavity and the active microwave processing device, through the coupling probe. That is, the transmissive impedance establishes boundary conditions within the cavity such that there is a mode conversion and propagation of the microwave signal into the coupling probe. When the microwave processing device becomes inactive (the xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d state), its reflective impedance is such that the microwave signals do not pass between the microwave cavity and the active microwave processing device, through the coupling probe. That is, the reflective impedance establishes boundary conditions within the cavity such that there is not a mode conversion and propagation of the microwave signal into the coupling probe. Operable values of transmissive and reflective impedances may be readily determined using conventional microwave techniques.
In service, the first microwave processing device is operated as the active primary processing device, and the other, second microwave processing device is inactive as the redundant microwave processing device. If the first microwave processing device fails or is otherwise removed from service, it is switched off so that its impedance results in rejection of the microwave energy. The redundant microwave processing device is switched on, so that it no longer rejects the microwave energy in the microwave cavity and allows it to flow to the second microwave processing device.
The present approach may be contrasted with the usual approach for accomplishing switching in redundant microwave circuits. In the conventional approach, in addition to the two microwave processing devices there is a separate device, an active waveguide switch, that directs microwave energy flowing in the waveguide either to the primary device or to the redundant device. In the present approach, there is a mode conversion between the microwave cavity and the two probes. The load impedances of the microwave processing devices themselves are used to alter the boundary conditions of the waveguide cavity and thence the input impedances of the mode conversions accomplished at the microwave cavity/probe interface, so that no separate active switch is required.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is not, however, limited to this preferred embodiment.

Microwave system with redundant processing devices and passive switching


Core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferases and nucleic acids encoding the core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferases are described. The enzymes and the nucleic acids encoding said enzymes have been identified in human, rat, mouse D. melanogaster and C. elegans. The polypeptides exhibit a wide range of homologies. The polynucleotides can be used to transform or transfect host cells for producing substantially pure forms of the enzyme, or for use in an expression system for post-translational core 1 O-linked glycosylation of proteins or peptides produced within the expression system. The enzymes can be used to galactosylate, via a xcex23-linkage, an N-acetylgalactosamine linked to a serine, threonine or other O-linking amino acid on peptides or proteins requiring O-linked glycosylation.

The present invention is related to core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferases, polynucleotides which encode said core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferases and methods of use thereof.
The core 1 O-linked glycan structure, consisting of galactose linked xcex23 to N-acetylgalactosamine linked to a threonine or serine on a protein, peptide or polypeptide, is a critical intermediate in the biosynthesis of most extended O-linked glycans (Glycoproteins and Human Disease (Brockhausen, I., and Kuhns, W., eds), (1997), pp. 13-31, R.G. Landes Company, Austin). The core 1 structure is found on a number of mucins and adhesion molecules. Core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferase is the only enzyme which is capable of synthesizing the core 1 O-linked glycan structure Gal xcex23-GalNAc-Ser/Thr. Previous attempts to measure activity of core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferase in vitro and to purify the enzyme have been made. However, previous attempts to sufficiently purify the protein to identify its amino acid sequence or generate antibodies to the enzyme, as well as attempts to identify cDNAs encoding the enzyme, have been unsuccessful. As a result, there has remained a need in the field for complete identification of core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferase and of cDNAs encoding core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferase.

Core 1 xcex23-galactosyl transferases and methods of use thereof

The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma


A control system (300) allows recognized standard premise electrical outlets, for example NEMA, CEE and BS, among others to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical devices. The system (300) includes a number of smart receptacles (302) that communicate with a local controller (304), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller (304), in turn, communicates with a remote controller (308) via the internet.

Power distribution and electrical distribution are monitored and controlled for a variety of purposes. In this regard, power distribution generally refers to transmission between a power plant and substations whereas electrical distribution refers to delivery from a substation to consumers. Electricity is further distributed within consumer premises typically via a number of local circuits.
Power distribution may be monitored and controlled in relation to addressing actual or potential over capacity conditions. Such conditions have become increasingly common in the United States and elsewhere due to increasing industrial and residential power needs coupled with aging power infrastructure and practical limitations on new power generation. Over capacity conditions are often addressed by reducing or interrupting power provided to standard residential and commercial consumers, e.g., blackouts or brownouts. For example, during periods of peak usage, a rolling blackout may be implemented where power to grid subdivisions is sequentially interrupted to reduce the overall load on the grid.
The effects of such power interruptions can be ameliorated to some extent. Certain critical or high value customers may be exempted from rolling blackouts if the structure of the grid allows. Other critical facilities or equipment may be supported by generators or redundant, fail-safe power supplies. However, for many standard customers, power interruptions, and the consequences thereof to data systems and other vulnerable products, is simply endured. For these consumers, the interruptions are indiscriminate and, in many cases, total.
Electrical distribution is also monitored and controlled including at the internal premises level. For example, fuses, circuit breakers, ground fault indicators, surge protectors and the like are generally employed to interrupt or damp electricity on a circuit in the event that the current drawn by the circuit exceeds a prescribed level. These elements are typically required by code and may be customized to some extent, for example, with respect to circuits for supplying high (e.g. dryers, air conditioners) or low (e.g., lighting) power devices. However, these elements are generally unintelligent and limited to hazard avoidance. They typically do not recognize devices or device types when connected to a circuit, do not allow for addressing larger grid needs and are not sufficiently responsive for addressing certain safety issues such as potential electrocutions.

Smart electrical outlets and associated networks


An image forming apparatus discharges ink onto a recording medium to form an image on a surface of the recording medium. The image forming apparatus includes a preprocessing unit that applies preprocess liquid on the surface of the recording medium before the image is formed; and a postprocessing unit that applies postprocess liquid, which is different from the preprocess liquid, onto the recording medium after the image is formed. An application quantity of the preprocess liquid is determined based at least on a kind of the ink, and an application quantity of the postprocess liquid is determined based at least on the kind of the ink.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosures herein generally relate to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method and a printing method of printed matter.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image forming apparatuses include an ink-jet type image forming apparatus, having advantages in miniaturization and low-noise. In the ink-jet type image forming method, droplets of ink are discharged on a recording medium, to form an image on a surface of the recording medium.
Japanese Published Patent Application No. H10-226055 discloses an ink-jet recording apparatus (image forming apparatus), which distinguishes, when applying process liquid including an ingredient which insolubilizes or agglutinates an ingredient in ink, between a preprocess of discharging the process liquid onto the recording medium previously and discharging the ink, and a postprocess of discharging the ink onto the recording medium and then discharging the process liquid, and reduces difference between quality levels of the preprocessed part and the postprocessed part on the recording medium.
In the method disclosed in Japanese Published Patent Application No. H10-226055, on the surface of the recording medium the process liquid including an ingredient for insolubilizing or agglutinating is applied. However, there is a problem that when the surface of the recording medium, on which an image is formed, is grazed by another object (for example, another recording medium), the image on the recording medium may be peeled.

Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming method and printing method of printed matter


An apparatus and method for soft-starting a three-phase motor for connection to a three-phase power source for driving a three-phase motor. Soft-start provides a way to reduce the amount of starting torque and current during starting conditions. First, second, and third conductors are connected between a three-phase power source and a three-phase motor. A power contactor interrupts and provides current along the three conductors. A phase-shifting element for shifting the phase of the power signal normally outputted from the first conductor to match the phase of the power signal normally outputted from the third conductor is connected between the first and third conductors. A switching apparatus having first and second switch elements is connected between the phase-shifting element and the third conductor. When the first switch element is closed, current flows from the first conductor to the motor via the phase-shifting element. When the second switch element is open, no current flows from the third conductor to the motor directly. In this mode, the motor is running on single-phase power. When the states of the first and second switch elements are flip-flopped, the motor runs on three-phase power. The first and second switch elements' states are controlled by a control element which energizes the switching apparatus upon the occurrence of a triggering event.

This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for starting a motor and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for initially soft-starting a three-phase motor using reduced-phase power, and then switching to three-phase power upon the occurrence of a triggering event.
Many commercial heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems circulate air by driving a load such as a fan, pump, or compressor with an electric motor. The motor is connected to a source of electric power. The load may be connected directly to the motor or may be connected by way of load-coupling components, such as a drive belt. Usually, such air circulation systems must be turned on and off on a regular basis to maintain the environment at a desired temperature. Because such systems are typically employed in office or residential settings, high efficiency and low noise are important.
Most of the components of circulation systems, particularly the load, load-coupling components, and motor deteriorate after continued use over a period of time. As these components deteriorate, they must be replaced at a relatively substantial cost. Therefore, other important considerations are the life expectancy and replacement cost of these fan drive components.
In some circulation systems, it is more desirable to employ a polyphase motor instead of a single-phase motor. (As used herein, "polyphase" means three phase or a higher number of phases.) Three-phase motors have many advantages over traditional PSC (permanent split capacitor) motors. For example, the frequency of the voltage delivered to a three-phase motor can be varied while maintaining a constant volts/frequency ratio. This capability allows more efficient motor operation while delivering the motor's rated torque. Other advantages of three-phase motors are: lower locked rotor currents; higher starting torque; lower full load currents; and improved reliability due to the elimination of the starting capacitor required in a PSC motor circuit. A disadvantage of a three-phase motor is its high starting torque. A high starting torque can damage the coupling components or load. For example, the high starting torque of a three-phase motor can cause belt squeal, belt slippage, coupling failure, load deterioration, vibration, motor wear, or other undesirable wear conditions. These problems particularly occur when the motor is heavily loaded at start-up. Furthermore, the efficiency of the motor is compromised by the coupling slippage that may occur as a result of the rapid acceleration of the motor. Thus, notwithstanding the many advantages of three-phase motors, in some situations, motor efficiency can decrease, noise output due to belt squeal, slippage, vibration, or coupling strain can increase, life expectancy due to wear and tear on coupling components and loads can decrease, and replacement costs of coupling components and loads can increase.
Therefore a need remains in the industry for an apparatus and method for soft-starting a three-phase motor which overcomes the potential disadvantages of three-phase motors while exploiting the advantages discussed above. The present invention as described below addresses this need.

Apparatus and method for soft-starting a three-phase motor