The invention provides, in one aspect, a lubrication system for internal combustion engines of the kind comprising a crankshaft (1) and an associated oil sump (3), a camshaft in a cylinder head above the oil sump, and a timing belt (5) connecting the crankshaft and camshaft via respective, pulleys (2, 4). In accordance with the invention, the timing belt is adapted to entrain a sufficient quantity of oil from the oil sump to lift it to the cylinder head for lubricating purposes, thereby eliminating the need for a separate oil pump. Preferably, an oil pulley (7) is provided below the crankshaft pulley (2) positioned to be immersed in oil within the oil sump for entraining oil therefrom. In one form, in which the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys (2, 4) have similarly formed tooth sets of different diameters to effect the timing required, the timing belt (5) is of an impermeable material over its width and is formed with a set of teeth (6) around its inner face meshing with said toothed pulleys, the oil pulley also has a tooth set (8), and the timing belt has an additional set of teeth (9) extending around its outer face for meshing with the teeth of the oil pulley, said outer teeth providing the means for entraining oil to the cylinder head. In another aspect of the invention, an engine lubrication system is provided wherein a toothed pulley (2 or 4), is provided, the teeth (32, 36) of which run over a part of their rotation in a restricted passage provided by a casing (10) and a belt (5) having mating teeth also runs for part of its movement in a restricted passage provided by said casing, these runs being guided to a meeting point (33, 35) at which oil under pressure is available as a result of meshing action of the two sets of teeth.

This invention relates to lubrication systems for internal combustion engines. Such engines have been established for over 100 years, and there has been no fundamental change to their lubrication system over the years. Thus, it is traditional to provide an oil lubrication system in which a separate oil pump is provided for circulating the oil to the various moving parts thereof.
An object of the invention is to provide a lubrication system in which oil is circulated without the need for a separate oil pump.
According to the invention, in an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft and an associated oil sump, a camshaft in a cylinder head above the oil sump, and a timing belt connecting these shafts via respective pulleys, the timing belt is adapted to entrain a sufficient quantity of oil from the oil sump to lift it to the cylinder head for lubricating purposes.
Conveniently, oil is returned to the sump via an oil cooler, to enable the entrained oil to be used additionally for cooling purposes.
As known per se, the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys have similarly formed tooth sets, but are of different diameters to effect the timing required, and the timing belt is of an impermeable material over its width and formed with a set of teeth around its inner face for meshing with said toothed pulleys.
In accordance with a feature of the invention, an additional oil pulley is provided immersed in oil within the oil sump, and below the level of the crankshaft pulley, the oil pulley also being toothed and the timing belt having an additional set of teeth extending around its outer face for meshing with the teeth of the oil pulley, said outer teeth providing the means for entraining oil to the cylinder head.
In one form, the additional set of teeth may be formed with scoops for entraining the oil.
Preferably, the additional teeth are designed to run closely within a closed passage, whereby they act with the wall of the passage to entrap and entrain the oil.
According to another aspect of this invention an engine lubrication system includes a toothed pulley, the teeth of which run over a part of the rotation within a restricted passage and a belt having matching teeth which also runs for part of its movement within a restricted passage, these runs being guided to a meshing point at which oil under pressure as a result of the meshing action is available.

Tickner (a part interest); Stephen Ronald


A processing apparatus and method combines thin channel and nozzle technology, as well as cascading processing solution flow. The processing apparatus includes a base member that defines at least one opening which has a longitudinal axis that extends at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis, and at least one rack member which is removably insertable in the at least one opening. When inserted in the at least one opening, a processing path is defined between an inner surface of the opening and an outer surface of the rack member. The openings are configured so as to provided for a compact arrangement and the rack members are removable in a manner which facilitates maintenance and repair.

The processing of photosensitive material such as photographic film or paper involves a series of steps such as developing, bleaching, fixing, washing and drying. In the processing of photosensitive material, a continuous web of film or cut sheet of film or photographic paper is sequentially conveyed through a series of stations or tanks, with each one containing a different processing solution appropriate to the process step at that station. In conventional arrangements, the tanks of the processor are usually set forth in a side by side relationship. This arrangement increases the foot print of the processor and thus requires a large amount of floor space.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,261 discloses a low volume photographic processing apparatus that utilizes a plurality of processing modules. In this document, a narrow horizontal processing channel is disclosed and nozzles are arranged along the processing channel for introducing recirculated fluid into the processing path. However, with the specific module structure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,261, there is no provision for a cascading flow of fresh processing solution into the processing channel.

Compact processing apparatus and method for processing photosensitive material


Methods and apparatus for arranging event opportunities are disclosed. For example, the method detects the event opportunity that matches user profiles of at least two users who are unassociated with one another, verifies a safety parameter for one of the at least two users, wherein the safety parameter is defined by the one of the at least two users, and if the safety parameter is satisfied, sending an invitation to the event opportunity to each of the at least two users.

The proliferation of online social networks has enabled users to interconnect with others of similar interest over a network, e.g., the internet. Some online social networks allow users to immediately connect with others having similar interests. For example, gaming websites allow users to immediately enter multi-player games based upon skill level and other criteria.

Method and apparatus for providing a social event opportunity notification


A method for sending a plurality of alternate contact information associated with an online communication system. The method may include receiving an electronic message associated with the online communication system, wherein the electronic message is addressed to a recipient from a sender. The method may also include identifying a recipient inbox using a plurality of directory information associated with the received electronic message. The method may further include determining the identified recipient inbox satisfies at least one of a plurality of alternate contact criteria. The method may also include transmitting a plurality of alternate recipient contact information within a simple message transfer protocol (SMTP) response to the sender based on the plurality of determined alternate contact criteria being satisfied.

Online communication systems may allow users to communicate through messaging across different devices. Types of online communication systems may include electronic mail, instant messaging systems, blog posting systems, electronic message forums and virtual conferencing systems.
Electronic mail, or email, includes the transmission of message of a communication network. An electronic mail system, or email system, may be a system capable of sending, receiving, and storing email messages in user email mailboxes, or inboxes. Additionally, email systems may be accessible from devices, such as desktops and laptops, and mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Typical email messages may be produced by entering text via a keyboard and may include electronic files stored as attachments. Furthermore, email systems may use protocols, such as simple message transfer protocol (SMTP), Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3), and Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), to transfer email messages between computers processing various types of software and across different servers. SMTP may be a protocol used to send email messages. POP3 and IMAP may be protocols to receive email messages.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Handling various scenarios where an email recipient is not available

International Business Machines Corporation


A system for managing communication or power cables in proximity to a computer system. The system provides enclosures for routing or housing cables horizontally or vertically. Each enclosure is adapted for attachment to a computer cabinet, is easily installed and provides direct access for cable installation. The enclosures provide enhanced safety for personnel working in the area as well as presenting an outward appearance which is aesthetically pleasing and complementary with that of the computer system to which they are attached.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of devices for housing and routing communication or power cables and, more specifically, to a cable management system for use with a computer system.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Computers classified as "minicomputers" or "mainframes" are usually housed in one or more cabinets which stand upright on a floor. Typically, a number of cables are routed to or from such cabinets to provide communication paths between the processing, memory or input/output circuitry housed within the cabinets and "peripheral" devices such as disk or tape drives, printers, or user terminals. Other cables are also required to supply power to the computer system.
In the aggregate, such communication and power cables may be quite bulky and difficult to accommodate. This problem is aggravated where the computer system is not installed on a raised floor which is designed to provide an enclosed space or raceway beneath the floor for routing the cables. Also, because the cables are usually not cut to length, they are generally longer than actually required, which results in coils of excess cable disposed in proximity to the computer cabinets. Obviously, coils of cable lying on the floor near pedestrian traffic are not only subject to damage but also represent a serious safety hazard.
In addition, many computer installations include an overhead power bus or raceway from which cables descend vertically to connect with the computer system. Such vertical cable drops also pose a safety hazard since, in the absence of a conduit or enclosure, the cables hang freely from the raceway and may easily become tangled or disturbed by casual contact.
Finally, the sight of bulky cables lying on the floor of a computer room or hanging from an overhead raceway is not aesthetically pleasing. A computer room in which many thousands of dollars' worth of sophisticated electronic equipment is installed should appear neat and orderly, in addition to being safe for persons working therein.


An AD converter includes: a reference voltage generator circuit having a plurality of resistors connected in series with predetermined reference voltage applied to both ends thereof, the reference voltage being divided at connecting points between the individual resistors to generate a plurality of reference voltages; a voltage comparator circuit configured to compare the plurality of reference voltages and analog input signals for conversion into predetermined comparison output signals; and a variable voltage circuit connected to the connecting points of the reference voltage generator circuit and provided with a control signal input terminal inputted with control signals, configured to set an output voltage to be outputted to the connecting points at a predetermined value based on the control signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an AD converter for converting analog signals into digital signals of a predetermined number of bits and for outputting the digital signals, and relates to a display unit.
2. Description of Related Art
In a display unit, such as a television, analog signals picked up by an image pickup device, such as a charge coupled device (hereinafter referred to as CCD), are converted to digitized image signals by an AD converter, and an image is displayed based on the digitized image signals. As an AD converter for digitizing analog image signals in a display unit, a parallel AD converter is generally used, which is configured to collectively compare reference voltages of different voltage values with analog input voltages.
In case of displaying an image whose contrast is low, such as an overall dark image, digital image signals after AD conversion are subjected to image correction, such as contrast adjustment. Further, image analysis, such as histogram analysis, is carried out for the digital image signals after the AD conversion, and based on the results of the analysis, image correction is controlled. In performing the contrast adjustment, a quantization width (voltage corresponding to 1 bit) for digital image signals falling in contrast-enhancing ranges is expanded, and a quantization width for digital image signals falling in other ranges is narrowed according to the contents of control that has been determined based on the image analysis. Thus, in case an AD converter imparting all ranges with an equal quantization width, or having linear characteristics, is used in digitizing image signals, a quantization width for the image signals provided with the contrast adjustment and falling within the contrast-enhancing ranges is expanded. As a result, qualities of an image displayed on the display unit are deteriorated. In order to avoid this, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-048327, an AD converter having nonlinear characteristics is used, which performs digitization of image signals in such a way as to make narrower a quantization width for the image signals within the contrast-enhancing regions than that of other ranges.
The AD converter described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-048327 includes: a series of resistors in which a plurality of resistors are connected in series with a predetermined reference voltage applied to both ends thereof, the reference voltage being divided at connecting points between the individual resistors to produce a plurality of reference signals; a plurality of comparators for comparing voltages of the plurality of reference signals with voltages of analog image signals for conversion into comparison output signals of either a logic "0" or a logic "1"; and an encoder for outputting digital image signals (digital codes) of a predetermined number of bits based on the comparison output signals which are outputted from the comparators. In the AD converter mentioned above, a resistance of each resistor in the series of resistors is differentiated from the others to differentiate at each resistor an amount of voltage, or a quantization width, for convertible analog image signals, so that nonlinear characteristics are realized.
In the AD converter described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-048327, conversion characteristics are fixedly set in advance because the resistance of each resistor in the series of resistors is fixed. On the other hand, an expansion rate for the digital signals in the contrast-enhancing ranges in performing contrast adjustment is changed according to characteristics or the like of analog image signals as inputted. Under such circumstances, a problem has been raised that a mismatch occurs between a quantization width required for the contrast-enhancing ranges at the time of performing contrast adjustment, and a quantization width at the time of performing actual digital conversion.


The present invention is directed to a system and method for system problem determination in an information handling system. The present invention is a seamless collection of parts that provides users with the information needed to determine the source of a problem. After entering the problem determination system of the present invention, the user is presented with a variety of choices. The user chooses a particular problem determination tool. In response to the user's choice, a particular tool is then located, wherever it may exist in the system, and executed. All sources of problem determination information are made available to the user. The location of the information is irrelevant. Furthermore, because all problem determination tools are presented to the user in one, cohesive problem determination system, the problem determination system can reuse error and support information already available, thus eliminating costly maintenance and translation costs.

One of the most exasperating problems facing information handling systems users is determining the source of a system problem, and then determining how to fix the problem. Often a user notices a system problem, but does not know where to begin to solve the problem. The user may not even know if the problem is hardware- or software-related.
Prior art problem determination methods usually involve many separate mechanisms, such as online books and files, hardcopy books, problem databases, assorted error messages, and telephone support. However, there are several problems associated with these prior art problem determination techniques. Users may not know what problem determination information is available, or may not know how to access or use the information. Much redundant information is kept. There is often information overlap between the product, the online books and databases, and the hardcopy books. This results in additional expense to maintain all the different sources of problem determination data, and to keep them all current and in sync with each other. Furthermore, a user often has to read through much more information than she needs or wants in order to determine the source of a system problem.
In order to use the prior art problem determination techniques, a user has to know they are available. An online book is of no use to a user if the user does not know the online book exists. Even if the user knows the online book exists somewhere in the system, the user may not know how to access the online book. In addition, one online book may not completely solve the user's problem. The user may have to determine how to access and execute several different problem determination programs to solve a single problem. Prior art problem determination programs may not be interactive. The user simply reads through information until she finds data that is useful.
There are further problems associated with hardcopy error manuals. Often, hardcopy books are out of date and the information they provide is not the most current problem solving information available. Even online error message manuals are often out of date. New error codes and error messages are added to programs that run on the system, but often the corresponding online error message manual is not updated concurrently. Furthermore, even if someone remembers to update the online error information, it is expensive to translate the online error information into the many languages required. All error information is translated twice, once in the actual code and again for the online error manual. This is both redundant and expensive.
Telephone support is also expensive. Many systems users complain about the high cost and the wait time involved in using a telephone system support line. Often, many users call system support with the same question or problem. The information on how to solve the particular problem is thus known, but the user either can not access the information or does not even know that it is available.
Consequently, it would be desirable to have a system and method for problem determination that puts all available troubleshooting information into the user's hands in one seamless problem determination application. It would also be desirable to eliminate redundant sources of information, and also to eliminate the need for costly telephone support calls. Further, it would be desirable to allow the user access to a variety of different types of problem determination programs and data, including interactive problem-solving programs, databases of previously solved problems, and programs which determine the cause of specific error symptoms and error identifiers, and give the user actions to take which will solve particular errors.

System and method for efficient problem determination in an information handling system

International Business Machines Corporation

Schneider Huddleston Virta; Lynn Christine


A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data. A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups. The processing automatically performed by the system relates to (but is not limited to) patent mapping, document mapping, patent citation (both forward and backward), patent aging, patent bracketing/clustering (both forward and backward), inventor patent count, inventor employment information, patent claim tree analysis, and finance. Other functions and capabilities are also covered, including the ability to utilize hyperbolic trees to visualize data generated by the system, method, and computer program product.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to tools for data processing, and more particularly related to tools for patent-centric and group-oriented data processing. These tools comprise diverse capabilities for data presentation and processing, including data presentation and processing using hyperbolic trees.
2. Related Art
Patents are becoming more and more important to a business""s success, especially in today""s global economy. Patents can be viewed as a new type of currency in this global economy because they grant the holder with a right to exclude others from making, using, or selling the patented technology. In some industries, product turnover is fairly rapid. However, core technology, product features, and markets change at a much slower rate. Accordingly, even in fast-moving industries, patents which cover core technology are very valuable at protecting a company""s research and development investment for an extended period of time.
Patents are also valuable as revenue generators. In 1993, for example, the revenue generated from patents by U.S. companies was over $60 billion. Fred Warshofsky, The Patent Wars, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1994. These patent revenue dollars are rising each year.
Patents are further valuable because they collectively represent a vast technological database. Much of this database is only available as issued patents (i.e., it is not released in any other form). According to Larry Kahaner""s book, Competitive Intelligence, Simon and Schuster, 1996, xe2x80x9cMore than 75 percent of the information contained in U.S. patents is never released anywhere else.xe2x80x9d
If corporations searched this database before developing and releasing new products they might be able to avoid costly patent infringement litigation. Often, however, corporations do not conduct such patent searches. One significant reason for this is the difficulty in identifying relevant patents, and the difficulty in analyzing patents. Computerized search tools are becoming available to the public, such as web sites on the Internet, that can be used to conduct patent searches. Many companies and practitioners are reluctant to use such tools, however, due to the concern that their highly sensitive patent searches will not be maintained in confidence when using such tools.
More and more corporations are recognizing the value of patents. The number of patents applied for and issued to U.S. companies is increasing every year, especially in fast moving industries such as computer software and biotechnology. Many international companies have also recognized the value of patents. In fact, foreign companies regularly rank among the leaders in issued U.S. patents.
Of course, not all patents are as valuable to the patent owner or patent licensees as others. Some owned or licensed patents provide little or no value to the corporate entity. These patents become a drain on corporate resources, both in obtaining the patents, paying maintenance fees, and paying license fees. It is difficult for corporations to assess the value of their patents because automated tools for patent analysis do not exist.
Yet, for all the heightened awareness being paid to patents in some quarters, patents remain one of the most underutilized assets in a company""s portfolio. This is due, at least in significant part, to the fact that patent analysis, whether for purposes of licensing, infringement, enforcement, freedom to operate, technical research, product development, etc., is a very difficult, tedious, time consuming, and expensive task, particularly when performed with paper copies of patents.
Software providers have been slow in developing software tools for aiding in the patent analysis process. As a result, there are few automated tools for patent analysis currently available. There are software tools available for managing corporate patent prosecution and payment of maintenance fees, such. as products from Master Data Corporation. The patent analysis capabilities of these tools are limited. These tools, for example, cannot be used to facilitate the analysis and development of business strategies to increase corporate shareholder value through the strategic and tactical use of patents.
A number of patent searching tools are available, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Automated Patent System (APS), and the on-line search services offered by Lexis and Westlaw. Other providers of patent information and patent search tools include Derwent, MicroPatent, Questel, Corporate Intelligence, STN, IFI/Plenum, The Shadow Patent Office (EDS), IBM, and CAS. These tools are not analysis tools. Instead, they are search tools. These tools enable a user to identify patents that satisfy a specified key word search criteria. In essence, these tools provide the user with the ability to possibly find xe2x80x9cthe needle-in-the-haystack.xe2x80x9d However, these tools have limited, if any, automated functions to aid a user in analyzing the patents, whether the company""s own patents or those of competitors, for the purpose of making tactical and strategic business decisions based on the patents.
SmartPatents Inc. (SPI) of Mountain View, Calif., provides electronic tools for analyzing patents. These tools, collectively called the SmartPatent Workbench, are very useful for analyzing patents. With the SmartPatent Workbench, a user can view the text and image of a patent, conduct text searches in the patent, copy and paste portions of the patent to other documents, build a case of patents, annotate the case and the patents in the case, import and export patents and cases, etc. The SmartPatent Workbench is commercially available from SPI, and is described in a number of publicly available documents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,679 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,681, incorporated by reference herein.
The SmartPatent Workbench is a patent analysis tool. The SmartPatent Workbench is primarily designed to assist a user in working with a single patent or a small collection of patents at a time. However, there are many instances when it would be very beneficial to be able to automatically and simultaneously analyze, correlate, or otherwise process multiple patents.
For example, in some instances it would be beneficial to automatically analyze the inventorship of a collection of patents. More particularly, it would be beneficial to identify the persons who are named most frequently on a collection of patents. It would be very useful if this task could be performed automatically. However, no existing software tools can perform this task automatically.
For the most part, existing patent-related tools can process only the information contained in patents. (It is noted, however, that the SmartPatent Workbench has functions to annotate patents with any information, whether or not patent related, and has additional functions to search within annotations.) These tools do not have functions for correlating, analyzing, and otherwise processing patent-related information with non-patent related information, including but not limited to corporate operational data, financial information, production information, human resources information, and other types of corporate information. Such non-patent information is critically important when evaluating the full strategic and tactical value and applicability of any given patent, or developing a corporate patent business strategy for gaining competitive advantage and increasing shareholder value based on patents.
Consider, for example, FIG. 1. A typical corporation 102 includes a research and development (RandD) department 104, a finance department 112, a manufacturing department 108, and a legal department 116 (that includes a licensing department 122 and a patent department 124). In the course of performing their respective duties, these departments generate, collect, and maintain information, such as RandD information 106, financial information 114, manufacturing information 110 (such as bill of material information), licensing information 118, and patent information 120 (that includes the patents obtained by the company, and perhaps patents obtained by competitors).
A business analyst 126 may be assigned the job of evaluating the value of the corporation""s patent portfolio (represented as part of the patent information 120). In order to fully and accurately analyze the value and applicability of the corporation""s patent portfolio, the analyst 126 should ideally take into account non-patent information, such as RandD information 106, financial information 114, manufacturing information 110, and licensing information 118.
For example, a patent""s value may be linked to whether it covers technology that the corporation is currently using, or that the corporation may use in the future. Thus, an analysis of the patent should include an analysis of and correlation with manufacturing information 110 and RandD information 106. Also, a patent""s value may be linked to whether it has generated licensing revenue. Thus, an analysis of the patent should include an analysis of and correlation with licensing information 118. Further, a patent""s value may be linked to the degree of success of the corporation""s commercial products that correspond to the patent (i.e., the commercial embodiments of the patented technology). Thus, an analysis of the patent should include an analysis of and correlation with financial information 114.
The processing described above, however, is usually not done (or it is done in an ad hoc, unorganized, incomplete, inefficient, and/or ineffective manner) because it is difficult or, in many cases, impossible to manually collect, organize, correlate, and process all of the information pertinent to the patents under study. Often times, it is a difficult or even impossible task to simply identify the relevant patents. Accordingly, it would be very beneficial to have automated tools that automatically process patent-related information and non-patent related information for making corporate business decisions. Existing patent-related tools do not have this capability.
Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a system, method, and computer program product for processing data. The present invention maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity.
The present invention also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of patents from the first databases. The present invention, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one or more of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the present invention performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data.
A group can also include any number of non-patent documents.
The groups may be defined by the business practices of the corporation and could include groupings that are product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups also fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the invention supports temporary groups that are automatically generated in the course of the automatic processing performed by the invention.
The processing automatically performed by the invention relates to (but is not limited to) patent mapping, document mapping, document/patent citation (both forward and backward), document/patent aging, patent bracketing/clustering (both forward and backward), inventor patent count, inventor employment information, and finance. Other functions also fall within the scope of the invention.
The present invention includes the ability to display data in a wide range of formats, including the ability to display and process data using hyperbolic trees.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

Using hyperbolic trees to visualize data generated by patent-centric and group-oriented data processing


This invention relates to a method for producing a water-absorbing polymer, including the following steps: (i) mixing (α1) 0.1 to 99.999 wt % polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated, acid-group-containing monomers; (α2) 0 to 70 wt % polymerized ethylenically unsaturated, monomers copolymerizable with (α1); (α3) 0.00 1 to 10 wt %, cross-linking agent(s); (α4) 0 to 30 wt % water-soluble polymers; and (α5) 0 to 20 wt % additive(s), wherein the total quantity by weight of (α1) to (α5) amounts to 100 wt %, (ii) radical polymerization while cross-linking, in order to form a hydrogel polymer, (iii) drying the hydrogel polymer, (iv) grinding and sifting the water-absorbing polymer, (v) surface post-cross-linking the hydrogel polymer, and (vi) drying and processing the polymer, wherein, before the admixture of the initiator and the start of radical polymerization, 0.01 to 5 wt % of a surfactant, relative to acrylic acid, 0.01 to 5 wt % foaming agent, are added.

In addition to the permeability of the superabsorbents (SAPs) (reported in the form of what is called the "Saline Flow Conductivity—SFC") and the absorption capacity under compressive stress, the absorption rate of the superabsorbent particles in particular (reported in amount of liquid absorbed per gram of superabsorbent per second) is also a crucial criterion which enables statements about whether an absorbent core which comprises this superabsorbent in a large concentration and has only a low fluff content is capable, on its first contact with liquids, of absorbing them rapidly (called "acquisition"). In the case of absorbent cores with a high superabsorbent content, this "acquisition" depends, among other factors, on the absorption rate of the superabsorbent material.
From the prior art, there are various known property rights which are supposed to enable an increase in the absorption rate of superabsorbent particles. WO96/17884A1 discloses a water-absorbing resin for which a solid blowing agent with a particle diameter of 1 to 100 μm is used in the monomer solution. In principle, preference is given to organic azo compounds and here specifically to the acrylic salts of azo compounds containing an amino group. Pure carbonates, ammonium nitride or mixtures thereof can optionally be used.
Disadvantages here are the rapid conversion of the azo compounds and the basic dispersion of the small solid particles in the monomer solution. Larger particles cannot be dispersed well without separation of particles and monomer solution in the dispersion before it reaches the gel point.
A disadvantage here in the case of use of superabsorbents known from the prior art is that leakage problems occur, since the SAP either absorbs the liquid too slowly and/or has unsuitable liquid transportation.
The current trend particularly in diaper construction is to produce even thinner absorbent cores with reduced cellulose fiber content and increased superabsorbent content. The advantage of thinner constructions is exhibited not just in improved wear comfort but also in reduced costs in packaging and storage. The newest generation of absorbent cores, which is described, for example, in WO-A-2008/155722, WO-A-2008/155711, WO-A-2008/155710, WO-A-2008/155702, WO-A-2008/155701, WO-A-2008/155699, EP-A-1 225 857, WO-A-01/15647, WO-A-2011/120504, DE-A-10 2009 049 450, WO-A-2008/117109, WO-A-97/11659, EP-A-0 826 349, WO-A-98/37846, WO-A-95/11653, WO-A-95/11651, WO-A-95/11652, WO-A-95/11654, WO-A-2004/071363 or WO-A-01/89439, is essentially cellulose-free (which is why corresponding diapers are also referred to as "fluffless diapers"). The immobilization of the superabsorbent particles, which in cellulose-containing absorbent cores is effected by the cellulose fibers, can be achieved in this newest generation of absorbent cores by, for example, immobilizing the superabsorbent particles on a substrate surface by means of thermoplastic fibers.
With the trend toward ever thinner diaper constructions and the omission of the temporary liquid storage and conduction function of the cellulose fibers, the profile of requirements on the superabsorbents has changed significantly. A factor of crucial importance is now the ability of the hydrogel to prevent the leakage of urine directly on micturition. This is achieved by the property of the superabsorbent/hydrogel of effectively absorbing the liquid during swelling and distributing it in the gel layer, with simultaneous minimization of the amount of unbound urine in the diaper. Due to good transport properties, advantageous superabsorbents also lead to optimal exploitation of the overall hygiene article.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,713 discloses water-absorbing polymers which are prepared by means of a carbonate blowing agent in the monomer solution. The carbonate particles are introduced here into the monomer solution well before the actual polymerization, and the initiator is added from 5 to 15 minutes after the dispersion of the carbonate blowing agent, as a result of which homogeneous distribution of these carbonate particles is not ensured and a not inconsiderable portion of the carbonate may be discharged again.
EP0644207 discloses superabsorbent polymers which are likewise admixed with an organic carbonate blowing agent in the monomer solution. Disadvantages here are the use of amine compounds, and also the elimination products of the organic carbonates remaining in the superabsorbent.
WO 2010/095427 discloses water-absorbing polymers in which a gas is dispersed into the monomer solution. This gas is nitrogen, argon, helium, carbon dioxide or the like, which is intended to ensure a more porous structure. The intention is to maintain these microbubbles in the monomer solution by means of polyoxyethylene-(20) sorbitan monostearate until the polymerization sets in. A disadvantage here is that the surfactants can be washed out of the end product again and adversely affect performance.
A factor of crucial importance is now the ability of the hydrogel to prevent the leakage of urine directly on micturition. This is achieved by the property of the superabsorbent/hydrogel of effectively absorbing the liquid during swelling and distributing it in the gel layer, with simultaneous minimization of the amount of unbound urine in the diaper. Due to good transport properties, advantageous superabsorbents also lead to optimal exploitation of the overall hygiene article.
The term "rewet" is generally understood to mean the property of a superabsorbent or of a composite comprising a superabsorbent to release liquid to an absorptive ply under compressive stress. The term "absorptive ply" is understood to mean, for example, paper, filter paper, collagen, sponges, foams or the like.
EP1858998B1 discloses superabsorbent foams where the monomer solution gives rise to foam only under an elevated pressure of 12 bar by addition of carbon dioxide and surfactants. However, the superabsorbents known to date from the prior art are only of inadequate suitability for use in the above-described new generation of cellulose-free diaper constructions.
In general, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages arising from the prior art.
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process for producing a water-absorbing polymer which has an improved swell rate and faster absorption of liquids, while simultaneously maintaining the overall quality, and more particularly a high permeability.
It is also a further object to perform the process in an economically simple manner, the intention being to minimize the use of organic additives, and also a mode of operation at ambient pressure.
It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a process by which water-absorbing polymers can be produced, and a particularly high swell rate can be ensured.
It is a further object of the present invention, in addition, to provide a process by which it is possible to produce water-absorbing polymers which ensure rapid and active liquid transportation, for example in thin diapers, such that rapid absorption and good distribution, i.e. corresponding capillarity, are ensured.
It is a further object of the invention, in particular, to specify a water-absorbing polymer, composites comprising such water-absorbing polymers, and chemical products comprising such water-absorbing polymers or composites, the water-absorbing polymers having an increased absorption capacity for aqueous solutions.

Superabsorbing polymers with rapid absorption properties and method for producing the same


The invention relates to a method for the control of a monitored zone, in particular at transport devices for objects, wherein the monitored zone is scanned by means of at least one spatially resolving sensor, in particular a laser scanner and/or a camera system, the positions of object points in the monitored zone are determined and a contour search is carried out in at least a sub-set of the determined positions in that these positions are mathematically examined as to whether the respective object points lie on at least one model line pre-determined with respect to shape and/or length within a pre-determinable tolerance, said model line corresponding to at least a part of a contour of a permitted object in the monitored zone, with the contour search being carried out independently of the location of the positions relative to the sensor.

The invention relates to a method for the control of a monitored zone, in particular at transport devices for objects, wherein the monitored zone is scanned by means of at least one spatially resolving sensor, in particular a laser scanner and/or a camera system, and the positions of object points in the monitored zone are determined.
The invention moreover relates to a process device, in particular a transport device for objects, comprising at least one spatially resolving sensor for the control of a monitored zone associated with the process device.
The invention furthermore relates to a sensor for the control of a monitored region, in particular at transport devices for objects.
It is frequently necessary on the conveying of objects by means of transport systems which are made, for example, as roller conveyors or a conveyor belt, when the transported objects are transferred from one zone into another zone, to prevent persons from intruding or entering into the transfer zone also called a transport lock or even passing through this transfer zone. To ensure this safety of persons, the transport locks are currently secured by combinations of light barriers, light grids and laser scanners providing variable protected fields.
The transport locks are moreover usually provided with additional sensors for automation and control tasks in order, for example, to carry out overhang controls, checks of pallet heights, checks of the degree of filling of pallets or length measurements on the transported good. Separate sensor systems have therefore previously been used for the automation and/or control functions, i.e. for the normal process control, on the one hand, and for the required safety functions, on the other hand, which means a relatively high installation and connection effort and is not least associated with high space requirements. In addition, a substantial effort is required to link the normal process control with the security control.
A method and an apparatus for the control of a pre-determined monitored zone are known from DE 44 11 448 A1. A laser scanner, in particular arranged close to the edge of a monitored zone to be controlled, determines spacing contour functions and compares these with stored reference contour functions each representing an expected object contour. A check is made within the framework of pre-determined tolerance limits whether a determined spacing contour function coincides with a reference contour function or not. Although this known device is capable of reliably distinguishing persons intruding into the monitored zone from permitted objects, it is a disadvantage here that objects which are actually permitted can also trigger the emission of a warning signal if they do not pass through the monitored zone in the manner pre-determined by the previously obtained reference contour function determined, for example, by a teaching procedure. An object expected, for example, in the center of a conveyor belt, but actually lying in the edge region on the transport belt when passing through the monitored zone results in the emitting of a warning signal with the known control methods due to the deviation of the measured spacing contour function from the stored reference contour function even though the object is an object permitted per se. The lack of flexibility of the solution known from DE 44 11 448 A1 is consequently in particular a problem.


A jersey display device permits a jersey to be displayed on an upright supporting surface, for example a wall, in two different orientations in which the two opposing sides of the jersey are displayed respectively. The device comprises: a panel having a contour which is suitably shaped so as to be arranged for supporting the jersey thereon, a first coupling member supported on the panel to be concealed by the jersey, and a second coupling member arranged to be supported on the wall mount. The first and second coupling members are magnetically attracted to one another so as to be arranged to support the panel with the jersey supported thereon on the wall.

Sports jerseys from many sports are a common collectible. Often these jerseys are valuable and accordingly it is desired to display them, hanging on a wall for example.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,967,038 belonging to Lennemann, U.S. Pat. No. 2,641,793 belonging to Wilm, U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,150 belonging to Newman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,134 belonging to Morita, U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,047 belonging to Pitzo and U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,749 belonging to Horovitz disclose various examples of devices using magnetic forces for supporting an object on an upright supporting surface. None are well suited for interchangeably supporting a jersey in a form fitting panel and mount thereon however so as not to harm the jersey or mounting surface while also permitting the jersey to be reversible to display either side thereof.


A mixer/eductor assembly for use with a fuel cell stack, the mixer/eductor assembly mixing and at least partially combusting anode exhaust gas output from an anode-side of the stack and an oxidant supply gas, the mixer/eductor assembly comprising: a first area mixing a first portion of the anode exhaust gas and a first portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a first mixture, the first area being configured to initiate a combustion reaction in the first mixture, a second area coupled with the first area for mixing a second portion of the anode exhaust gas and a second portion of the oxidant supply gas to form a second mixture, wherein the first mixture has a first oxidant to fuel ratio smaller than a second oxidant to fuel ratio of the second mixture, and the first area provides an ignition source to promote continuous combustion of the second mixture.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improving the performance of a high temperature fuel cell power plant, and, in particular, to enhancing the stability of a combustion reaction in a mixer/eductor/oxidizer system when mixing anode-outlet or exhaust gas with inlet air or oxidant gas for supply to the stack cathode side.
2. Description of the Related Art
A fuel cell is a device that directly converts chemical energy stored in any hydrogen or hydrocarbon containing fuel such as hydrogen, methane, or natural gas into electrical energy by means of an electrochemical reaction. This differs from traditional electric power generating methods which must first combust the fuel to produce heat and then convert the heat into mechanical energy and finally into electricity. The more direct conversion process employed by a fuel cell has significant advantages over traditional processes in both increased efficiency and reduced pollutant emissions.
In general, a fuel cell, similar to a battery, includes a negative or anode electrode and a positive or cathode electrode separated by an electrolyte that serves to conduct electrically charged ions between them. In contrast to a battery, however, a fuel cell will continue to produce electric power as long as fuel and oxidant are supplied to the anode and cathode, respectively. To achieve this, gas flow fields are provided adjacent to the anode and cathode through which fuel and oxidant gas are supplied. In order to produce a useful power level, a number of individual fuel cells are stacked in series with an electrically conductive separator plate between each cell and its neighbor.
In high temperature fuel cell stacks, fresh air usually serves as oxidant and is provided at the entry of the cathode-side of the stack. This fresh air is typically at ambient temperature and must be heated to the operating temperature of the stack. Conventionally, unused fuel in the exhaust gas exiting from the anode-side of the stack and incoming fresh air are burned to heat the air. In order to ensure complete reaction of fuel and to minimize temperature gradients, the anode-exhaust must be completely mixed with air.
It is also desirable to minimize the pressure differential of the gases passing through the anode and cathode sides of the stacks in order to provide and maintain seals to keep the fuel and oxidant gases isolated from each other. To create the required seals, surfaces, which in some cases sandwich a gasket, are mechanically forced together to realize an "acceptable" leak rate. This leak rate is a function of the pressure differential. Therefore, minimizing the pressure differential is important to prevent excessive leaks.
During operation of the fuel cell stack, at a junction of the two process gas streams, gas pressure at the exit of the anode-side of the stack is coupled to gas pressure at the inlet of the cathode-side of the stack. Typically, the pressure at the exit of the anode-side is necessarily higher than the pressure at the inlet of the cathode-side by an amount required to overcome pressure losses associated with any connection piping and with the oxidizer used to burn the anode exhaust and incoming oxidant gases.
A mixer/eductor/oxidizer (MEO) system has been introduced into molten carbonate fuel cells to address both the gas mixing and the pressure differential problems. The MEO system oxidizes unconverted anode fuel, preheats inlet air, recycles carbon dioxide (CO2) to the cathode, and reduces the pressure difference between the anode and cathode gas streams. However, the unconverted anode fuel BTU levels vary at different operating power levels of the fuel cell stack. Maintaining required outlet temperatures to accommodate cathode side operational requirements and oxidizer bed catalyst temperatures requires adjusting the amount of additional air to be provided to the fuel cell. Swings in ambient temperatures and blower capacity limitations impact the delicate balance of many parameters required for desired fuel cell stack operation.
Applicants found that igniting and burning anode exhaust and incoming air, while mixing, prior to the mixture passing through the catalyzed oxidizer bed, would improve the fuel cell system performance. However, maintaining this "pre-ignition" state in a conventional mixer/eductor/oxidizer for all operating conditions of the fuel cell stack has been difficult. Specifically, once a fuel system has been designed and built, operational changes in the system are the primary means to establish and maintain pre-ignition in the eductor. To enhance the stability of pre-ignition, the following operational adjustments may be made: (i) reducing fuel utilization to increase the BTU content of the unspent fuel, (ii) reducing the airflow to make combustion less lean and to reduce air inlet velocity, and/or (iii) raising the overall temperatures to improve reactivity. However, all these operational solutions have deleterious consequences to the overall operation of the fuel cell stack.
In particular, reduction in the fuel utilization negatively affects the overall system efficiency (power produced/fuel consumed), and further affects the amount of cooling air required and the overall fuel cell stack temperatures. Reduction in the airflow usually increases power consumption by the blower. This is because the fuel cell stack continues to require the same amount of air to maintain the overall temperature and diverting some of the airflow away from the eductor results in higher pressure drop paths for injecting the air to other parts of the fuel cell system. The increase in the power consumption by the blower reduces the total power produced by the fuel cell stack. Raising fuel cell operating temperature impacts the fuel cell stack performance and its operating life, and increases heat losses from the fuel cell module.
Addressing the "pre-ignition" state problem using conventional equipment designs has also been impractical. This is because MEOs in typical fuel cell systems run very fuel lean. The typical operating range of MEOs has an air/oxidant to fuel ratio between 500% and 700% of a stoichiometric ratio, which results in very low temperatures and unstable flames. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,840, assigned to the same assignee hereof, discloses a basic mixer/eductor system for the high temperature fuel cells, which is adapted to provide both the desired mixing of oxidant gas or air and the anode exhaust gas and a reduced pressure difference between the gas at the cathode-side inlet and the gas at the anode-side outlet of the fuel cell stack. International application PCT/US2004/037889, also assigned to the same assignee hereof, discloses an improved mixer/eductor, the performance of which is improved by refined eductor nozzle configurations. Although the '840 patent highlighted the benefits of achieving a pre-ignition state in the mixer/eductor, a stable and continuous pre-ignition state using the mixer/eductor configurations of the '840 patent and of the '889 application has been difficult to achieve.

Flame stabilized mixer-eductor-oxidizer for high temperature fuel cells


A method of measuring people flow through a doorway using a low-resolution, low-cost infrared array is disclosed. The method includes reading a sequence of sensor data frames from the infrared array; determining a background temperature frame; determining whether sensor data frames include at least one person using noise filtering techniques; identifying at least one group of adjacent pixels corresponding to the at least one person; determining at least one location corresponding to the at least one person; and determining whether the at least one person is a same person as a person in a previous sensor data frame. Based on the matching of a same person through multiple sensor data frames, direction of movement and entry/exit events can be determined. The entry/exit events can advantageously be used to operate and HVAC system, security system, or other such system more efficiently and effectively.

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings has been an active area of research for many years and there is a global effort to reduce energy waste. Energy consumed in buildings is a large fraction of the total energy consumed by commercial and residential sectors. HVAC systems are usually the most energy consuming components in buildings. Recent advancement in Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has started a new era in modern building management. Various types of sensing platforms are being deployed to understand the in-depth behavior of the occupants for efficient building energy and occupant comfort management. Technology that can accurately estimate the number of occupants in a room could become a key enabler for many applications in this space. For example, the estimated number of occupants in the building can be used to control HVAC systems and save a significant amount of energy. Occupancy estimation is also valuable in other areas such as safety and marketing.
Conventional solutions for people counting proposed by the research community and industry sectors have failed to provide accuracy, privacy, scalability, and installation flexibility at a low-cost. Particularly, break-beam sensor based solutions, which use breaks in active IR signals to detect objects passing through a door, are the cheapest people counting solution available commercially. However, these solutions have very tight restrictions regarding the placement of break-beam sensors at a doorway. Particularly, the sensors must be placed at a specific height and pointing directly at one another, rendering the solution difficult or even impossible to deploy in some scenarios. Furthermore, break-beam sensors cannot count accurately when multiple people move simultaneously through a doorway, rendering the solution only useful for narrow doorways.
Other higher-cost solutions also present various issues. Particularly, solutions using ceiling mounted high-resolution thermal imagers can accurately count a number of people in a scene but are prohibitively expensive for large scale deployments and require training depending on the position and orientation of the sensor. RGB camera based solutions are accurate but raise significant privacy concerns that prevent deployment in many residential and commercial settings. Ultrasonic sensor based solutions require a significant amount of training to achieve reasonable occupancy estimation accuracy and are not pet-friendly.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a people counting solution provides accuracy, privacy, scalability, and installation flexibility at a low-cost.

Measuring people-flow through doorways using easy-to-install IR array sensors


A mattress covering in the form of a fitted mattress pad or fitted sheet has an inelastic, generally rectangular top portion and a skirt of inelastic material extending transversely, preferably perpendicularly from the outer periphery of the top portion in a closed loop entirely around the outer periphery of the top portion. A first elastic cord is secured to the skirt at its outer periphery remote from the top portion. A second, separate elastic cord is secured to the skirt at some place between and spaced apart from the top panel portion and the first elastic cord, preferably closer to the top portion outer periphery than to the first elastic cord. The skirt can be made of two layers of a textile material, each layer being a single panel, or it can be made of multiple panels or lengths of other materials for each layer. The two skirt layers are attached to each other and either or both elastic members can be attached to either or both of the inelastic fabric layers by surface bonding, particularly by ultrasonic spot welding. The top portion is dimensioned to fit a standard size mattress and the skirt is dimensioned to fit a range of mattress heights.

The present invention relates generally to mattress coverings, such as mattress pads and sheets, and, more particularly, to relatively inexpensive, fitted mattress coverings capable of practical and effective use with mattresses of a standard top surface sizes and a range of heights.
Fitted mattress pads and sheets are commonly available in various forms. The simplest form is one having the top portion and a side skirt formed of the same piece of material and having an elastic strap or cord located around the lowermost periphery of the side skirt to draw the lowermost end of the covering under the mattress and to attempt to retain the covering in a fitted condition on the mattress. Such coverings have the advantages of ease of manufacture and a consistent appearance with the sides being of the same material as the top. They have the disadvantage, however, of having only a single elastic band along their lowermost periphery to retain an otherwise inelastic covering on mattresses which are being sold more frequently in varying heights, including relatively significant heights of one foot or more. They have a further disadvantage of being expensive to manufacture if the top panel material, which is typically a higher quality textile material such as a quilted material or a higher thread count cotton or cotton blend material, extends down along the sides of the covering sufficiently to cover the sides of mattresses of the greatest heights (thicknesses) currently being sold, so that the coverings can be used with mattresses of a given predetermined top size (e.g. standard, queen, king, etc.) regardless of the mattress height (thickness).
The variation and overall increase in heights of mattresses has led to the introduction of another form of fitted mattress covering, a mattress pad that has a quilted top and a side skirt made of another material. The side skirt is a foot or more in height to cover the sides of all or at least substantially all mattresses being sold and is elasticized over its entire height. In addition, a heavier elastic band or strap or cord (hereinafter collectively xe2x80x9ccordxe2x80x9d) is also attached to the lowermost periphery of the skirt as with the original coverings. Such pads have been made with skirts formed by joining with a conventional, inelastic textile material layer, a layer of a special, non-woven, elastic sheet material. Such pads have also been made with side skirts formed from a single layer of inelastic material, which is elasticized by being stitched with multiple (e.g. six or more) uniformly spaced parallel rows of elastic threads sewn into the otherwise inelastic, single skirt material layer. Such pads have also been made using side skirt material which is itself knitted or woven from elastic thread.
All three forms of skirt construction offer elasticity over the full height of the skirt. It has been found that providing elasticity over the full height of the skirt provides a neat, gathered appearance and improves mattress cover retention due to the ability of the elasticized material to grip the side walls of the mattress in addition to any gripping provided by the elastic cord around the lowermost periphery of the skirt.
It has further been found that an acceptable degree of fit and retention of mattress pads can be achieved if some of the length of the side skirt of the mattress pad extending from the top is provided by a band of inelastic material closely fitted to the sides of the mattress. This band can be provided by supplying a one-piece, rectangular top portion with four rectangular panels extending from the edges of the top portion. The panels are turned transversely to the top portion and seamed together forming an upper portion of the side skirt. A second band of elasticized inelastic material is attached to the lower periphery of the upper skirt portion to complete the skirt. The lower band is elasticized as noted above by bonding to a band of inelastic fabric, a layer of a non-woven, elastomeric material coextensive with the band, or by stitching several rows of elastic thread into the band or by providing a band knitted or woven from elastic threads. Again, a heavier elastic cord is attached to the lower most periphery of the second band as with the other mattress coverings. It has been found that an upper skirt portion seamed at four corners so as to provide a closed loop of inelastic material extending generally perpendicularly to the top portion of the pad and closely fitting around a mattress on which the pad is mounted, combined with the relatively lighter elastic grip of the lower band of elasticized material and traditionally heavier elastic cord around the bottom of the skirt, also provided a sufficient grip along the height of the skirt for such covers to remain in place when used with mattress of varying heights.
While there are other differences among these mattress coverings, at least one factor which is significant in distinguishing these constructions from one another is their cost of manufacture. This factor is becoming ever more important as a significant portion of the commercial market for these coverings is controlled primarily if not exclusively by price. Thus, the least expensive construction of such covers which still provides an appearance and gripping performance acceptable to distributors and consumers, is very valuable.
In one aspect, the invention is a mattress covering adapted for fitted disposition over the top, sides, ends and corners of mattresses of standard top surface sizes comprising an inelastic, generally rectangular top portion having an outer periphery dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined standard top surface size; a side skirt formed, apart from any seams, from two layers of inelastic textile material joined with the outer periphery of the generally rectangular top portion and extending transversely from the outer periphery of the top portion around the entire outer periphery of the top portion in a closed loop, the two layers of inelastic textile material being ultrasonically welded to each other; a first elastic cord secured with the side skirt and extending at least partially around a periphery of the side skirt remote from the top portion; and a second elastic cord secured between the two layers of the side skirt so as to impart elasticity to the two layers, the second elastic cord further being located between and spaced apart from the first elastic cord and the outer periphery of the top portion.
In another aspect, the invention is a mattress covering adapted for fitted disposition over the top, sides, ends and corners of mattresses of standard top surface sizes comprising an inelastic, generally rectangular top portion having an outer periphery dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined standard top surface size; a side skirt formed by two pieces of inelastic textile material joined with the outer periphery of the top portion and extending transversely from the outer periphery of the generally rectangular top portion around the entire outer periphery of the top portion in a closed loop, the two pieces of inelastic textile material being ultrasonically welded to each other; a first elastic cord secured with the side skirt and extending at least partially around a periphery of the side skirt remote from the top portion; and a second elastic cord secured between the two pieces of inelastic material so as to impart elasticity to the inelastic side skirt material, the second elastic cord further being located between and spaced apart from the first elastic cord and the outer periphery of the top portion.
In yet another aspect, the invention is a mattress covering adapted for fitted disposition over the top, sides, ends and corners of mattresses of standard top surface sizes comprising an inelastic, generally rectangular top portion having an outer periphery dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined standard top surface size; a side skirt formed, apart from any seams, from at least one layer of inelastic textile material joined with the outer periphery of the generally rectangular top portion and extending transversely from the outer periphery of the top portion around the entire outer periphery of the top portion in a closed loop; and at least a first elastic cord surface bonded with at least the one layer of the inelastic material of the side skirt and extending at least partially around the side skirt spaced apart from the top portion.
In yet another aspect, the invention is a mattress covering adapted for fitted disposition over the top, sides, ends and corners of mattresses of standard top surface size comprising an inelastic, generally rectangular top portion having an outer periphery dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined standard top surface size; a side skirt formed by at least one piece of inelastic textile material joined with the outer periphery of the generally rectangular top portion and extending transversely from the outer periphery of the generally rectangular top portion around the entire outer periphery of the top portion in a closed loop; and at least a first elastic cord surface bonded with at least the one piece of the inelastic textile material of the side skirt and extending at least partially around the side skirt spaced away from the top portion.
In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of manufacturing a mattress covering comprising the steps of drawing a first layer of an inelastic textile material and a second layer of an inelastic textile material in a first direction of travel while stretching a plurality of spaced apart elastic cords between the first layer and the second layer; connecting the first layer with the second layer and the cords with at least one of the two layers; severing the connected layers into a plurality of strips generally parallel to the elastic cords, a first elastic cord being located along a first edge of each strip, and a second elastic cord being located between and spaced apart from the first elastic cord and a second edge of each strip opposing the first edge; cutting each strip to a desired length; and attaching the second edge of each strip to an outer periphery of an inelastic, generally rectangular top portion having an outer periphery dimensioned to at least substantially cover the top surface of mattresses of at least one predetermined standard top surface size, the strip extending transversely from the outer periphery of the top portion around the entire outer periphery of the top portion in a closed loop.

Mattress coverings and methods of making


A maintenance device for doing maintenance of an inkjet type recording apparatus having a recording head is provided. The maintenance device includes a selecting portion. The selecting portion has a plurality of movable bodies each corresponding to one of nozzle groups of the recording head. Each movable body is driven by the drive source so as to be movable between a selection position and a non-selection position. When arranged at the selection position, each movable body allows the suction portion to apply suction to the movable body and allows the wiper corresponding to the movable body to perform wiping. When arranged at the non-selection position, each movable body inhibits the suction portion from applying suction to the movable body and inhibits the wiper corresponding to the movable body from performing wiping.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a maintenance device that performs maintenance for a liquid ejection head provided in a liquid ejection apparatus such as a printer, and to a liquid ejection apparatus including the maintenance device.
2. Related Art
A typical inkjet type printer (hereinafter, referred to as a "printer"), which is a type of a liquid ejection apparatus, includes a recording head. The recording head is a liquid ejection head having nozzles for ejecting ink, or liquid. The recording head eject ink from the nozzles toward a target, thereby performing printing. In such a printer, If ejection of ink through the nozzles of the recording head is suspended for an extended period of time, ink may become viscous or fixed in the nozzle and thus clog the nozzles. Conventional printers are therefore provided with a maintenance device that performs maintenance of the recording head.
Japanese Patent No. 3155871 discloses a maintenance device that performs suction cleaning on a recording head including a plurality of nozzle groups through which different types of ink is ejected. The device selectively performs the suction cleaning on each of the nozzle groups. The device includes a cap and a suction portion. The cap is movable between a contact position, where the cap contacts the nozzle forming surface of the recording head to encompass one of the nozzle groups, and a non-contact position, where the cap is separated from the contact position. The suction portion is capable of applying suction to the interior of the cap. The cap has a plurality of cap portions. When the cap is at the contact position, each cap portion encompass one of the nozzle groups, so that the nozzle row is separated from the other nozzle groups. The suction portion is capable of separately applying suction to the interior of each cap portion. A switching valve device is provided between each cap portion and the suction portion. When a suction actuator that corresponds to the cap portion to be subjected to suction is driven, the corresponding switching valve device performs draws ink from the corresponding one of the nozzle rows.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-30507 discloses a maintenance device having wiper members. Each wiper member corresponds to one of nozzle rows, each of which includes a plurality of nozzle groups. A plurality of wiper carriers, each corresponding to one of the wiper members, and lead screws, each corresponding to one of the wiper carriers. When the corresponding lead screw is rotated, each wiper carrier moves along a wiping direction. That is, a wiper selecting actuator is formed by the wiper carriers and lead screws. Therefore, when wiping selected one of the nozzle rows, the wiper member that corresponds to the selected nozzle row is moved as the corresponding lead screw is driven.
In each of the maintenance devices disclosed in Japanese Patent 3155871 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-30507, the actuator for selective suction and the actuator for selective wiping are provided separately, and these actuators perform selections independently. This complicates the maintenance mechanism and extends time required for maintenance.

Maintenance device for liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus


An arc augmented laser welding apparatus has a welding head (10) which comprises a housing (14) a focusing system in the housing for focusing a laser beam through a laser opening in the housing onto a workpiece and a plasma torch nozzle (28) through which a plasma arc is established between an electrode (22) and the workpiece. A first power source (44) applies a high voltage across the electrode and nozzle to strike a pilot arc which is then sustained by power from a second source (42). A third power source (40) applies a high amperage signal to strike the main plasma arc between the electrode and the workpiece. The nozzle has a tip (33) which is adapted to constrict the plasma arc and restrict its impingement on the workpiece. The nozzle and the focusing system are arranged to cause the focused laser beam and the constricted plasma arc to impinge on the workpiece at predetermined relative positions which may coincide or may be slightly spaced apart. The power sources and the laser beam are controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with a predetermined programme in dependence on the type and thickness of material to be welded.

It is known to use both a focussed laser beam and a plasma arc to impinge at the same point on a metal workplace to be welded, but previously some arrangements have been limited to use of free-burning arcs such as the Tungsten-Inert-Gas (TIG) or Metal-Inert-Gas (MIG) type. For example, in UK Patents nos 1547172 and 1600796, Steen discloses the treatment of surfaces by use of a focussed laser beam and a free burning arc, but such an arrangement is difficult to control at start-up (when the arc may root on the nearest electrical ground point) and shut-down, so the results are insufficiently controllable for a commercially applicable process. Further, the use of a free-burning arc results in a relatively large area of workpiece heating compared to the area heated by the laser beam, so the benefits of a narrow heat affected zone are significantly reduced.
In a paper by Walduck and Biffen published in "Welding and Metal Fabrication", April 1994, the advantages of the use of a constricted plasma arc to augment laser welding are described.
CN-A-1065420 discloses an electron beam welding device in which the plasma arc is generated by a plasma gun installed at the lower end of a final-stage vacuum chamber.
SU-A-1 815 085 describes a laser arc processing apparatus for large thickness metal objects. The apparatus has a body, nozzle, an electrode and a lens positioned coaxially with the electrode. To obtain a plasma arc the electrode is hollow and water-cooled and is mounted with a gas vortex unit onto the water-cooled nozzle which is provided with an exit channel of the plasma arc. The lens is located within the electrode cavity and its focal point is positioned at the centre of the nozzle channel to focus the laser at a point in the arc plasma inside the nozzle of the plasma torch. The laser is not used for welding or cutting but to enhance the plasma arc performance without impinging on the workpiece surface. In addition, the body of the plasma torch acts as the electrode for arc formation.
In plasma arc augmented laser welding apparatus it is known to initiate the plasma arc by means of a pilot arc generated by applying a high voltage electrical signal between the electrode and the plasma nozzle but this method has the problem that it causes erosion of the electrode which can affect the plasma arc. Also the initiation of the plasma arc may not be reliable and consistent resulting in an unsatisfactory weld.


The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic die having a substrate with an inlet path that is configured to move fluid into the die. The die includes a plurality of heaters formed above the substrate, each heater having a first area, a plurality of chambers formed above the plurality of heaters, and a plurality of nozzles formed above the chambers. Each nozzle having an entrance adjacent to the chamber and an exit adjacent to en external environment, the entrance having a second area, and the second having a third area, the first area being greater than the second area, and the second area being greater than the third area. A ratio of the first area to the third area being greater than 5 to 1.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure is directed to a microfluidic delivery system including a die having a plurality of heaters and a plurality of nozzles associated with the heaters, where an area of each heater is significantly larger than an area of each nozzle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Microfluidic die are utilized in printers for ejection of drops of ink onto paper. The die is positioned on an extended end of a cartridge that is separated from a main body that holds a reservoir of the ink. The extended end puts the die in close proximity to the paper to accurately expel the drop of ink to form a word or image on the paper.
FIG. 1 is an enhanced view of a fluidic path from an inlet 7 into a chamber 17 and through a nozzle 11 of a microfluidic die 13 of a known type. The nozzle 11 is formed through a nozzle plate 15 that is positioned over the chamber 17. In this view, the nozzle plate 15 has been cut along a center line of the nozzle to show a cross-section of the nozzle 11. In particular, the nozzle 11 has a lower opening 19 with a first diameter 29 that is significantly larger than a second diameter 31 of an upper opening 21. Walls of the nozzle are sloped between the lower opening 19 and the upper opening 21.
FIG. 2A is a top down view showing relative sizes of elements of the microfluidic die of FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is a cross-section view along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A. The die 13 includes a heater 23 that is positioned below the chamber 17. The heater 23 has a smaller area than the chamber 17. For example, the heater 23 may be square with sides that each have a first dimension 25 of 30 microns, giving the heater 23 an area of 900 square microns. The chamber 17 is also square, with sides each having a second dimension 27 of 35 microns, giving the chamber 17 an area of 1225 square microns. The nozzle 11 includes the lower opening 19, which is larger than area of the chamber 17. For example, the first diameter 29 may be 50 to 60 microns, giving the lower opening 19 an area of 1962.5 to 2826 square microns. The nozzle 11 includes the much smaller upper opening 21, which has the second diameter 31. This second diameter is 30 microns, giving the upper opening 21 an area of 706.5 square microns.
The lower opening 19 covers a larger area than both the chamber 17 and the heater 23. The relationship between the heater's area and the upper nozzle area are such that drops of ink are consistently formed and dropped downward onto a printing material, such as paper.

Microfluidic die with a high ratio of heater area to nozzle exit area


The present disclosure provides natural gas and petrochemical processing systems including oxidative coupling of methane reactor systems that integrate process inputs and outputs to cooperatively utilize different inputs and outputs of the various systems in the production of higher hydrocarbons from natural gas and other hydrocarbon feedstocks.

There exists an infrastructure for petrochemical processing throughout the world. This infrastructure is deployed on virtually every continent, addresses wide ranging industries, and employs a wide variety of different implementations of similar or widely differing technologies.
As a major constituent to this infrastructure, the gas industry itself involves multiple components from exploration, recovery, processing and conversion technologies in transforming natural gas into useful end products. In the United States alone, the gas industry involves hundreds to thousands of processing and fractionation facilities. These facilities typically include all the requisite process equipment for processing and separating natural gas into its constituent and valued components, as well as the requisite gas delivery infrastructure and storage and distribution infrastructure for a wide range of different products, including liquid products.
Further processing, conversion and/or commercialization of these products may involve still additional infrastructure. For example, conversion of ethane from gas to higher value chemicals, e.g., olefins, involves substantial infrastructure in the form of steam crackers, and their associated infrastructure. Similarly, in other geographies, olefin production relies upon the conversion of petroleum refining by-products, or naphtha, through alternative cracking operations to produce ethylene and other olefins.
As will be appreciated, the capital costs associated with each of the facility types described above can run from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars each. Additionally, there are inputs and outputs, of these facilities, in terms of both energy and materials, which have additional costs associated with them, both financial and otherwise that could be further optimized in terms of cost and efficiency. Further, because different facilities tend to be optimized for the particularities (e.g., products, processing conditions) of the market in which they exist, they tend to be operated in an inflexible manner, in some cases without the flexibility or option to optimize for their given market, e.g., a particular oil or gas environment.


A secondary battery capable of improving cycle characteristics, conservation characteristics, and load characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. A separator provided between the cathode and the anode is impregnated with an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution includes one or more of a dicarbonic ester compound, a dicarboxylic compound, a disulfonic compound, a monofluoro lithium phosphate, and difluoro lithium phosphate and one or more of fluorinated lithium phosphate, fluorinated lithium borate, and imide lithium.

The present invention relates to an electrolytic solution containing a nonaqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt, a secondary battery using the same, a battery pack using the same, an electronic device using the same, and an electrical vehicle using the same.
In recent years, electronic devices represented by a portable terminal or the like have been widely used, and it is strongly demanded to reduce their size and weight and to achieve their long life. Accordingly, as a power source, a battery, in particular, a small and light-weight secondary battery capable of providing a high energy density has been developed. In these days, it has been considered to apply such a secondary battery not only to the electronic devices but also to a power source such as a battery pack, an electrical vehicle such as an electrical automobile, or the like.
For the secondary battery, it has been considered to use various elements as a carrier (matter entering and leaving a cathode and an anode at the time of charge and discharge). Specially, a lithium secondary battery using lithium as a carrier (using lithium reaction as charge and discharge reaction) is largely prospective, since such a lithium secondary battery provides a higher energy density than a lead battery and a nickel cadmium battery. The lithium secondary battery includes a lithium ion secondary battery using insertion and extraction of lithium ions and a lithium metal secondary battery using precipitation and dissolution of lithium metal.
The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains a nonaqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt. The electrolytic solution functioning as a medium for charge and discharge reaction largely affects performance of the secondary battery. Thus, various studies have been made on the composition thereof.
Specifically, to improve high temperature characteristics, a dicarbonic ester compound, a dicarboxylic compound, or a disulfonic compound is used (for example, see Patent document 1). To improve durable years and performance by improving ion conductivity, tetrakisfluoroalkyl borate or fluoroalkylphosphate is used (for example, see Patent documents 2 and 3). To improve performance, a lithium salt such as Li[N(SO2F)2] is used (for example, see Patent document 4). To improve high temperature conservation characteristics and cycle characteristics, lithium phosphate difluoride is used (for example, see Patent document 5).
Further, to improve swollenness characteristics in the high temperature environment, initial charge and discharge characteristics, and the like, a spirodilactone compound such as 1,6-dioxaspiro[4,4]nonane-2,7-dione is used (for example, see Patent documents 6 to 9).
Specifically, to improve cycle characteristics, a spiro dry compound or a dioxane compound is used as an electrode stabilizing addition agent (for example, see Patent document 10). To improve high temperature conservation characteristics and cycle characteristics, a dicarbonic ester compound is used (for example, see Patent document 11). In this case, as other auxiliary agent, tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane or the like is used.    Patent document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-288144    Patent document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-308884    Patent document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-034692    Patent document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2001-519589    Patent document 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-140767    Patent document 6: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-172947    Patent document 7: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-219725    Patent document 8: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-052752    Patent document 9: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-353546    Patent document 10: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2008-533650    Patent document 11: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-005242

Secondary battery, electrolytic solution, battery pack, electronic device, and electrical vehicle