Methods and related apparatus for generating dispersion curves and conducting shear slowness logging are set forth. The methods include backpropagating detected dispersive waveforms in the Fourier domain while accounting for dispersion in an anisotropic and inhomogeneous formation, and stacking the processed waveforms. The stacking may occur in the frequency or time domains. The semblance of the stacked and windowed waveforms is compared against the detected waveforms. In accounting for dispersion during backpropagation, a plurality of parameters which describe dispersion curves are varied over ranges in order to optimize semblance. At each depth of interest, it is then possible to obtain a dispersion curve of greatest semblance. Where both an x-dipole and y-dipole are used to generate the waves, a dispersion curve of greatest semblance for each may be generated. In addition, from the dispersion curves, formation shear slowness(es) may be plotted as a function of formation depth and orientation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to sonic well logging. More particularly, this invention relates to sonic well logging techniques useful in quantifying subsurface parameters which are helpful in searching for and exploiting hydrocarbons and other valuable resources. The invention has particular application to determining dipole flexural dispersion curves as well as shear slowness of a formation via utilization and processing of dispersive wave information such as flexural waves.
2. State of the Art
Sonic well logs are typically derived from tools suspended in a mud-filled borehole by a cable. The tools typically include a sonic source (transmitter) and a plurality of receivers which are spaced apart by several inches or feet. Typically, a sonic signal is transmitted from one longitudinal end of the tool and received at the other, and measurements are made every few inches as the tool is slowly drawn up the borehole. The sonic signal from the transmitter or source enters the formation adjacent the borehole, and the arrival times and perhaps other characteristics of the receiver responses are used to find formation parameters. In most formations, the sonic speeds in the tool and in the drilling mud are less than in the formation. In this situation, the compressional (P-wave), shear (S-wave) and Stoneley arrivals and waves are detected by the receivers and are processed. Sometimes, the sonic speed in the formation is slower than the drilling mud; i.e., the formation is a "slow" formation. In this situation, there is no refraction path available for the shear waves, and the shear waves are typically not measurable at the receivers. However, the shear slowness of the formation is still a desirable formation parameter to obtain.
One sonic log of the art which has proved to be useful is the slowness-time coherence (STC) log. Details of the techniques utilized in producing an STC log are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,691 to Kimball et al., as well as in Kimball, et al., "Semblance Processing of Borehole Acoustic Array Data"; Geophysics, Vol. 49, No. 3, (March 1984) pp. 274–281 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. Briefly, the slowness-time coherence log utilizes the compressional, shear, and Stoneley waves detected by the receivers. A set of time windows is applied to the received waveforms with the window positions determined by two parameters: the assumed arrival time at the first receiver, and an assumed slowness. For a range of values of arrival time and slowness, a scalar semblance is computed for the windowed waveform segments by backpropagating and stacking the waveforms and comparing the stacked energies to the unstacked energies. The semblance may be plotted as a contour plot with slowness and arrival times as axes, with maximum semblance values indicating the determined formation slowness value. In addition, local maxima of the semblance function are identified by a peak-finding algorithm, and the corresponding slowness values may be plotted as gray-scale marks on a graph whose axes are slowness and borehole depth. The intensity of the gray-scale marks is proportional to the height of the semblance peak.
As indicated in the aforementioned article and U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,691 to Kimball et al., the same backpropagation and stacking techniques are used regardless of whether the wave being analyzed is a P-wave, S-wave or a Stoneley wave; i.e., regardless of whether the wave is non-dispersive (P- or S-wave) or dispersive (e.g., Stoneley). However, while such backpropagation and stacking techniques may be optimal for non-dispersive waves, they are not optimal for dispersive waves. In response to this problem, several different approaches have been utilized. A first approach, such as disclosed in Esmersoy et al., "P and SV Inversion from Multicomponent Offset VSPs", Geophysics, Vol. 55; (1990) utilizes parametric inversion of the total waveform. However, this approach is not preferred because it is unreliable and computationally time consuming.
A second approach which was used commercially is disclosed in A. R. Harrison, et al., "Acquisition and Analysis of Sonic Waveforms From a Borehole Monopole and Dipole Source . . . ", SPE 20557, pp. 267–282, (Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc. 1990), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In the Harrison disclosure, the flexural waveform is processed as in the STC technique, but the non-dispersive processing results is corrected by a factor relating to the measured slowness; i.e., the STC results are post-processed. In particular, correction values are obtained by processing model waveforms with the STC techniques and comparing the measured slowness with the formation shear slowness of the model. The model waveforms assume a particular source and are bandlimited to a prescribed band (typically 1 to 3 KHz) before STC processing. Tables of corrections are designated by a particular source and processing bandwidth, and contain corrections as percentage-of-measured-value factors functions of measured value and hole diameter. The percentage correction required decreases with hole diameter and increasing formation slowness, and ranges from less than one percent to as much as fifteen percent. This approach, as did the parametric inversion approach, has its own drawbacks. In particular, the waveform spectra often disagree with those of the model. Further, the analysis band may exclude the majority of the flexural mode energy as well as reducing sensitivity to environmental parameters.
Other approaches such as first motion detection of flexural mode onset, and non-dispersive processing over a low frequency band, have also been utilized. Each of these approaches, however, has its own drawbacks. The flexural mode onset approach is driven by the realization that the fastest parts of the flexural mode dispersion curve approaches the formation shear slowness, and that the calculated moveout can be taken as the estimate of formation shear slowness. Problems with this technique include, among others, that: the flexural mode onset can be preceded by the compressional arrival; the early onset of the flexural wave may not propagate at the formation shear slowness because the flexural wave does not have energy at low frequencies; early time portions of arrivals have low energy content; measured flexural mode onsets practically never line up exactly in arrays with several receivers. The non-dispersive processing over a low frequency band approach is driven by the realization that the low frequency limit of the flexural mode dispersion curve is the formation shear slowness. Among the problems with the low frequency processing are that: with fixed array lengths, the resolution of the slowness measurement diminishes with frequency; generating significant flexural mode energy at low frequencies is extremely difficult; and road noise increases as the frequency decreases.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,805 to Kimball, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, many of the issues with the previous techniques were resolved. The technique proposed by Kimball in the '805 patent is called dispersive STC or DSTC and has become commercially successful. According to the DSTC technique, a sonic tool is used to detect dispersive waves such as flexural or Stoneley waves. The signals obtained by the sonic tool are then Fourier transformed and backpropagated according to equations using different dispersion curves. The backpropagated signals are then stacked, and semblances are found in order to choose a dispersion curve of maximum semblance, thereby identifying the shear slowness of the formation. Formation shear slowness can then be plotted as a function of borehole depth.
In the Kimball patent, different embodiments are set forth. In one embodiment called quick DSTC or QDSTC, prior to Fourier transforming, the signals are stacked according to a previous estimation of slowness, and are windowed for maximum energy. The reduced set of data in the window are then extracted for Fourier transformation, and prior to backpropagation, multiplied by the estimation of slowness to reset them for backpropagation and stacking. In the standard DSTC embodiment, after the signals are backpropagated, the backpropagated signals are inverse Fourier transformed and windowed. In DSTC, semblance values may be plotted as a function of slowness and time. Regardless of embodiment, Kimball accounts for non-dispersive waves by using dispersion curves of constant value during backpropagation.
While DSTC represented a major improvement in the art, it has since been found by the present inventor that DSTC is not fully accurate. In particular, DSTC employs an assumption that the formation is homogeneous and isotropic, and thus the dispersion curves utilized by the backpropagation technique do not necessarily approximate the dispersion curve of the formation. Thus, when formations deviate from the isotropic, homogeneous formation assumption, the results generated by DSTC are not as accurate as desired.

Sonic well logging methods and apparatus utilizing parametric inversion dispersive wave processing


An endoluminal graft includes a unitary tube of graft material forming two adjacent legs that are integral and monolithic to each other. The graft can be part of a prosthesis assembly for treatment of branched vascular systems and can function as an integral bifurcated leg extension prosthesis in combination with a main bifurcated prosthesis. In treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, the graft can be deployed within both iliac arteries.

The functional vessels of human and animal bodies, such as blood vessels and ducts, occasionally weaken or even rupture. For example, in the aortic artery, the vascular wall can weaken or tear, resulting in dangerous conditions such as aneurysm and dissection. Treatment of such conditions can be performed by implanting a prosthesis within the vascular system using minimally invasive surgical procedures. An endoluminal prosthesis typically includes one or more stents affixed to graft material and is delivered to the treatment site by endovascular insertion. Once the endoluminal prosthesis is radially enlarged, it should remain in place indefinitely by self-attachment to the vessel wall, acting as a substitute vessel for the flow of blood or other fluids.
Treatment of vascular conditions near a branch point with an endoluminal prosthesis can present a number of difficulties. A single, straight section of a tubular prosthesis may not be able to span the length of the aneurysm or dissection and still maintain sufficient contact with healthy vascular tissue to secure the prosthesis and to prevent endoleaks. For example, most abdominal aortic aneurysms occur at or near the iliac bifurcation, and treatment with an endoluminal prosthesis requires the presence of prosthesis material in the main aorta and in the iliac branch arteries (Dietrich, E. B. J. Invasive Cardiol. 13(5):383-390, 2001). Typically, an endoluminal prosthesis for use near a bifurcation will have a main lumen body, for placement within the aorta, and two branch lumens extending from the main lumen body into the branch arteries.
A simple approach to bifurcated prostheses from a materials perspective is to use a unitary prosthesis. Such unitary structures have a main tubular body and pre-formed leg extensions. The seamless structure provided by this configuration can minimize the probability of leakage within the prosthesis. However, the constrained geometry of branched vasculature makes it extremely-difficult to deliver such a large structure to the treatment site. For example, in treating aortic aneurysms, the deployment of a leg extension down the contralateral iliac artery is especially problematic.
A more common alternative to the single piece approach is the use of a modular system. In these systems, one or both of the leg extensions can be attached to limb portions of a main bifurcated tubular body to provide the final prosthesis. Examples of modular systems are described in PCT Patent Application Publication WO98/53761 and in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0198587 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference. Although the delivery of modular systems is less difficult due to the smaller sizes of the individual components, it can still be a complex and time-consuming process to make the precise connections between the body and one or both legs. The difficulty and risk of the treatment procedure can also increase when there are more individual parts to insert, align, and deploy. Possible complications with modular systems include the occurrence of endoleaks, due to imperfect seals between the body and a leg component, and the separation of the legs from the main prosthesis body over time.


A spiral spline groove machine apparatus for manufacturing a sealed spiral spline pipe connection by machining spiral grooves into the bell and spigot end of a length of pipe. A rotating cutter is adapted to cut a spiral groove in the inside of the bell of the pipe or machine the recessed external groove on the male end of the pipe. The cutter is adapted to float on the surface contour of the pipe to allow for variations in the wall thickness of the pipe and provide a consistent depth for the cut in the wall of the pipe without regard to the symmetry of the circular cross section of the pipe. An exit port machining device is also disclose to cut an exit port connected to the inside spiral groove on the bell end of the pipe. Another unique aspect of the invention is the use of a rotational to linear converter using a lead screw to move an entire rotating assembly having the motor output fixed directly to the cutter without an expansion joint.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of machines for forming pipe joints in general. In particular, the present invention relates specifically to an apparatus and method for forming a spiral spline groove and exit port for a locking threaded pipe joint. The invention comprises a custom machine tool for manufacturing a sealed spiral connection by machining the bell and spigot end of a length of pipe. The rotating cutter is adapted to cut a recessed spiral groove and exit port in the inside of the bell of the pipe or machine the external groove on the male end of the pipe. The cutter is adapted to float on the surface contour of a pipe to allow for variations in the shape and wall thickness of the pipe. This provides for a consistent depth for the cut in the wall of the pipe without regard to the symmetry or consistency of the circular cross section of the pipe. Another unique aspect of the invention is the use of a lead screw to move an assembly having the motor fixed directly to the cutter without an expansion joint.
2. Description of the Known Art
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a circular spline may be used to join sections of pipe. Details of a typical flat circular groove are known in the prior art, but the use of a spiral spline and exit port and the machines for forming them are not known for pipe joints.
Consideration should be given to Class 82, Turnings which includes subject matter relating to includes severing or cutting (off and/or out) of work of predetermined section (and/or size) by cutting movement(s) of tool and work including (1) relative rotation of either or both about an axis passing through the work and (2) relative translation of either or both substantially normal or parallel to said axis during cutting. Subclasses to be considered in Class 82 include: Subclass 1.2 which is directed to apparatus or process including a rotating assemblage which is adapted to sever portions from the inside of a hole in material by a cutting means which is moving radially relative to the axis of rotation of the assemblage while simultaneously turning about that axis; Subclass 1.3 which is directed to apparatus or process for forming or finishing a noncircular (e.g., elliptical, square) hole; Subclass 110 which is directed to lathes specially adapted for removing material from an externally threaded fastener; and Subclass 113 which is directed to a lathe which is readily transportable or movable and which is specially designed for rotating and cutting hollow cylindrical work generally used for conveying fluids.
Examples of these technologies are provided in the following patents and published applications as a basis in these technologies to understand the present invention: U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,926, issued to Burgsmuller on Sep. 2, 1958; U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,018, issued to Peterson on Dec. 8, 1970; U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,828, issued to Piatek et al. on Oct. 24, 1972; U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,380, issued to Beck et al. on Jan. 3, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,631, issued to Grider on Feb. 5, 1980; U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,775, issued to Jerue et al. on Feb. 17, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,057, issued to Hall et al. on Feb. 17, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,121, issued to Kwech on Jul. 19, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,074, issued to Kwech on Sep. 13, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,297, issued to Lotfi on Jul. 11, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,244, issued to Fisher et al. on Aug. 21, 2001; and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US 2001/0001935 filed by Wilk, Jr. et al. with a Pub. Date of May 31, 2001.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,926 issued to Burgsmuller on Sep. 2, 1958 discloses a thread cutting device. This patent describes the use of a lathe for spinning a work piece 23 and operating a drive screw (not numbered) for moving a carriage 3 holding a cutting tool 8 driven by a motor 13. The unique aspect of this patent is the oscillation of the cutting tool to provide for increased cooling time by reducing the amount of cuts taken by the cutting tool on each rotation. The eccentric placement of the cutting tool in relation to the work piece allows for the cutting of a perfectly cylindrical thread across the interior of the work piece.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,018 issued to Peterson on Dec. 8, 1970 discloses a method and apparatus for cutting multiple threads in large work pieces. This patent shows the utilization of a cutter head 18 which includes a thread cutting tool 54 operated by hydraulic motor 50. The movement of the cutter head into the central bore of the work piece is controlled by a lead screw driven by a worm nut connected to a stationary motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,828 issued to Piatek et al. on Oct. 24, 1972 discloses a pipe groover. This patent describes the use of guide rollers 23 which are spring loaded to cooperate with support rollers 22 to accommodate any unevenness in the wall of a pipe being machined. The rollers 22 are locked into position by locking nuts 97 which fixably position the pipe in relation to the cutting head.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,121 issued to Kwech on Jul. 19, 1988 describes a boring machine. This patent describes the use of an internal self-centering chuck 10 for positioning a tool head 14 off the central axis of a pipe. Rotational movement of the tool head is performed through hydraulic motors mounted within the self-centering chuck 10. Axial movement of the tool cutting head is provided by a servomotor mounted within the rotatable drive shaft 12.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,297 issued to Lotfi on Jul. 11, 2000 describes an apparatus for forming grooves in bell-shaped pipes. This patent describes the use of cutters 97 for forming grooves of a uniform depth on the interior wall of a bell-shaped portion of a pipe. The device also uses a groove depth limiting means which is attached to a strain gauge or other force sensing means for controlling the cutting depth of the cutters in accordance with the face of the interior wall of the pipe.
Each of these patents and the published application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
These prior art patents fail to recognize the problems with their designs for cutting a circular cross planar groove substantially or completely around the wall of a pipe. This cross planar groove greatly weakens the pipe in the groove area and results in failure points when the pipe is hung by the joint in applications such as well casings. Additional problems are encountered because several of the prior art pipes may rotate in relation to each other even when the joint is completed. Thus, it may be seen that these prior art patents are very limited in their teaching and utilization. A spiral spline groove and exit port machining apparatus is needed to overcome these limitations to build the parts for constructing a spiral spline pipe joint with improved cross sectional strength of the pipe and reduced twisting of the assembled joint.

Spiral groove pipe joint machining assembly


A magnetic storage apparatus includes a magnetic head having sliding front and rear pads on its sliding surface. The front pads are tapered toward their front ends and the height of the front pads are higher than the height of the rear pad. The tapered front pads are coated with a thin film. The magnetic pad is provided with a total of three pads, two pads on its front side and one pad on its rear side. The sum area of the pads is within a range of 0.0003 to 0.02 mm.sup.2. A recording and reproducing operation is performed with the front pads and the rear pad concurrently kept in contact sliding with the surface of a recording medium. A reliable contact sliding is thus performed with the pads kept in contact with the recording medium. The magnetic head reliably operates with its recording and reproducing component kept in close vicinity with the recording medium. Therefore, a reliable magnetic head and a magnetic storage apparatus employing it are provided.

Information processing apparatuses employ, as their storage apparatus, chiefly semiconductor memory and magnetic memory. The semiconductor memory is used as an internal storage apparatus because of its short access time, and the magnetic memory is used as an external storage apparatus because of its large storage capacity and non-volatility. Two major types of magnetic storage, a magnetic disk and a magnetic tape, are today in widespread use, in which a magnetic thin film formed on an aluminum disk or resin tape is used as a recording medium. To record magnetic information onto the recording medium, a functional component performing electromagnetic conversion operation is used. To reproduced the magnetic information once recorded, another functional component performing magnetoresistive or giant mnagnetoresistive phenomenon or electro-magnetic induction phenomenon is used. These functional components are arranged in an input/output unit called a magnetic head.
The magnetic head moves relative to the recording medium, to record magnetic information at any particular location on the recording medium and to reproduce, as required, the magnetic information recorded. A magnetic disk unit is now discussed for illustration purpose. As shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic head is made up of a recording component 21 for recording magnetic information and a reproducing component 22 for reproducing magnetic information. The recording component 21 is made up of a coil 26 and magnetic poles 27, 28 which wrap the coil 26 at its top and bottom and which are magnetically coupled. The reproducing component 22 is made up of a magnetoresistive effect pickup 23 and a conductor 29 for conducting a constant current to the pickup 23 and for detecting a resistance change. Disposed underneath the reproducing component 22 is a magnetic shield layer 25 which prevents intrusion of unwanted magnetic flux. The pole 28 has the same magnetic shielding effect. The narrower the so-called read gap, namely the clearance between the magnetic pole 28 and the shield layer 25, the less unwanted magnetic flux intrudes into the magnetoresistance effect pickup 23, the better discrimination results and therefore the more high-density magnetic information is handled. These functional components 21, 22 are formed on a primary layer 24 on top of a magnetic head body 30.
The performance of a magnetic storage apparatus is determined by the speed of input/output operation and its storage capacity, and to enhance the performance of the magnetic storage apparatus, a short access time and a large storage capacity should be achieved. There is today a growing demand for a compact magnetic storage apparatus from the standpoint of space saving and ease of use. To meet such a demand, a magnetic storage apparatus capable of recording and reproducing a great deal of magnetic information to and from a sheet of recording medium should be developed. A known example is disclosed in The Journal of The Magnetics Society of Japan, Issue 18, No. 51, page 345. FIG. 18 shows its structure. A magnetoresistive effect pickup 23, interposed between shield films 42, 25, has an electrical contact point with the shield film 42. Thus, the shield film 42 is also used as a conductor. The above disclosure is the prior art in that the direction of current to the magnetoresistive effect pickup 23 is perpendicular to the sliding surface. A conductor 47 is used to control the direction of magnetization of the magnetoresistive effect pickup 23 when a current flows. In the present invention, the conductor 47 is also required, and is disposed between the write magnetic poles. In FIG. 18, however, contact between the magnetoresistive effect pickup 23 and the shield film 42 is performed by an area contact, where magnetoresistive effect is degraded by magnetostriction that takes place in the magnetic thin film because of machining deformation residing after formation of the magnetic poles. It was also learned that Cu as a material for electrodes diffusing through an NiFe layer degraded its magnetic characteristic. In the contact point that is subject to such a problem, intended magnetoresistive effect fails to work satisfactorily and high-sensitivity pickup required for high-density recording cannot be achieved.
To attain a high-density recording, the size of magnetic domains should be miniaturized. Generally speaking, this objective may be attained by narrowing the width w of the recording pole 27 shown in FIG. 2 and by heightening the frequency of the recording current flowing into the coil 26 (frequency against the rotation of the recording medium). Since the signal strength during reproduction depends on the size of the magnetic domains, a miniaturized magnetic domain lowers the resulting signal strength, presenting difficulty in the reproduction of information. Thus, a provision should be made to enhance pickup sensitivity of the reproducing component. However, improvements attainable in this approach are subject to a limitation of physical restriction of magnetoresistance effect presented by a magnetic thin film used in pickup. The limitation of the recording density now widely accepted is a few Gb/in.sup.2.
To overcome this limitation, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,932 has proposed an integrated magnetic read-write head/flexure/conductor structure where a magnetic head and a recording medium are put into contact. In the conventional magnetic disk device, its magnetic head is airborne on the recording medium, and a layer of air is interposed between the magnetic head and the recording medium. In contrast, the disclosure of the above U.S. Patent employs a magnetic head functional component 43, as shown in FIG. 3, that is embedded into a light-weight, miniature flexure 45, and the magnetic head functional component 43 is slid while being kept in contact with the recording medium 11. Since in the above disclosure, non-magnetic layer is interposed between the surface of the recording medium and the magnetic head functional component (magnetic poles) 43, magnetic information in the recording medium is efficiently transmitted to the magnetic head functional component, and a strong reproduction signal thus results. A magnetic domain, even when miniaturized, offers a high signal to noise (S/N) ratio, and an excellent reproduction signal results.
Since in the above arrangement, however, the magnetic head functional component is supported by a flexible flexure, the deformation of the flexure causes a phase delay or unexpected vibrations when a rotary actuator performs the positioning of the magnetic head.
This problem may be alleviated by a magnetic head 2 that lifts a front pad, as shown in FIG. 4 (Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 6-60329). In this arrangement, the front pad flies or floats high by means of air pressure, and only a rear pad having a device functional component 46 remains in contact with a recording medium 1. With the front pad floated, the load acting on one rear pad is reduced to the load of the magnetic head minus flying force. Reducing the load acting on the rear pad permits the load acting on the entire magnetic head to increase accordingly. If a larger load is permitted on the entire magnetic head, rigidity of suspension members and the like for supporting the magnetic head will be increased. Thus, a reliable input/output operation is assured compared to the mechanism of the magnetic head supported by the flexure.
However, the magnetic head must be kept light. For example, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 5-114116 requires the entire magnetic head to be 1.5 mg or lighter.
As described above, the usual technique allows magnetic information to be recorded and then reproduced in a high density with the magnetic head keeping contact sliding with the recording medium. However, it is learned that a further attempt to increase the recording density presents the following problem.
Since the front pad is afloat, the front side of the magnetic head floats greatly as the recording medium rotates at its high circumferential speed region, and as shown in FIG. 4, the clearance a between the poles constituting the device 46 and the surface of the recording medium 1 is made larger. This broadens a recording magnetic field distribution, a resulting spacing loss degrades electromagnetic conversion efficiency in reproduction, and intended high-density information cannot be input nor output.
To keep the magnetic head in the position shown in FIG. 4, the front pad size should be large. When the recording medium comes to a halt, the front pad of the magnetic head that was afloat is put down into contact with the surface of the recording medium. If the front pad size is large, the front pad is subject to stick because of a lubricant existing between the pads and the recording medium. Stick results from cohesive force, adhesive force, and surface tension of the lubricant filled between the pads and the recording medium, and is so strong that simply rotating of the recording medium may not separate again the pads from the recording medium. Any attempt to forcibly rotate the recording medium with the pads stuck thereon may cause damage such as a damaged suspension system of the magnetic head or a peeled magnetic thin film that forms the recording medium.
To prevent stick, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 6-44718 discloses a magnetic head that has, on its sliding surface, a strut having a small contact area. Disadvantages with this disclosed arrangement are that the manufacturing steps of the strut is more complex than those of ordinary components, and that the strut contacts the medium during low floating (contact sliding) operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,888 discloses another arrangement, in which stick is prevented by tapering the front pad and the rear pad of a magnetic head. Since the purpose of this arrangement is to help float of the magnetic head while preventing stick, the tapered pad is never put into contact with the recording medium during recording and reproduction. To test the adaptability of this magnetic head to a high-density recording medium, a recording and reproduction test was performed with the pad kept in contact with the recording medium. Test result was to provide a poor reproduction signal. This is because the pad area in contact with the recording medium is large enough to give a large tangential force (frictional force) and to force the magnetic head to vibrate.
Further, to keep the magnetic head in the position shown in FIG. 4, the flying force of the front pad should be balanced with rigidity of the gimbal member of the suspension system for supporting the magnetic head. Beside keeping the magnetic head in its position, the gimbal member absorbs machining tolerances and assembly tolerances of the magnetic head, the suspension system and arm members taking place when they are machined and assembled, so that the surface of the pad on which the device is mounted is put into contact with the surface of the recording medium.
In a magnetic storage apparatus that allows its magnetic head to be in contact with its recording medium, the magnetic head should be lightly weighted to lessen abrasion of the magnetic head and recording medium and to prolong the life of the apparatus. To mate the pad surface with the surface of the recording medium under such a light load condition, the suspension system should have an extremely low-rigidity gimbal. Suspension systems now available at an inexpensive price are made typically of stainless steel. We the inventors have learned that an intended rigidity is difficult to achieve, considering that wiring for a device should be installed on the gimbal section of the suspension system and that the gimbal needs manufacturing through metal stamping process that is suitable for quantity production.
Further, the shape of a magnetic head sliding surface is described in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 6-60329 and 6-150283, for example. These heads disclosed assured a stable and continuous contact sliding within a limited range of yawing angle. The following problem, however, arose when a contact sliding test was performed within the yawing angle specified in our invention. FIG. 14 shows the test result of each prior art head in connection with the relationship between the yawing angle and the output of the magnetic head. FIG. 14a shows the test result obtained from the magnetic head made up of the pads 51-a, 52-a, and 53-a according to Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 6-60329 and 6-150283, and FIG. 14b shows the test result obtained from the magnetic head made up of the pads 51-b, 52-b, and 53b according to Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 6-150283. A high output level (namely, a good output) was obtained only within a yawing angle of .+-.10.degree. in FIG. 14a or within a yawing angle of .+-.15.degree. in FIG. 14b. These disclosed examples thus failed to satisfy the performance requirement our invention meets in achieving a reliable input/output operation over a wide range of yawing angle. After studying the examples, we learned that the magnetic head when the yawing angle was set to .+-.15.degree. or more. The above disclosures did not address this problem, and this embodiment is the first one that focuses on this problem. To attain a large storage capacity in a magnetic storage apparatus, the surface of the recording medium should be effectively utilized. This objective cannot be achieved by these disclosed prior techniques only.
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 6-60329 discloses a three-pad type magnetic head with its front pads floated. In this case, however, the front pads float high by air pressure (as high as 50 nm), and if the circumferential speed varies greatly, the flying force varies as well, making unstable the contact sliding operation (thus, input/output operation). The problem encountered herein agrees with the problem presented in FIGS. 14a and 14b. In the shape of the pads in our invention, excess lubricant is reliably rejected without floating or flying the front pads 51, 52. Therefore, a reliable input/output operation was achieved within a wide range of yawing angle. PA1 Other examples that employ a sharpened pad on a sliding surface are disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 4-281209, 1-298585, 6-52645, and 2-101688. Since these are of a flying head, the pad should generate flying force. For this purpose, the pad area should be large, and the same pad obviously fails to serve the purpose of the present invention where the head remains in contact with the medium. According to the test, the pad area should be less than 2.5.times.10.sup.-8 m.sup.2 to prevent the pad from flying. To embody the present invention, therefore, the pad size should be restricted. PA1 In the pad disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,888 having its taper on its entire surface, the pad surface comes close to the surface of the recording medium as shown in FIG. 24a. Since a pad surface 83 formed on the pad 53 is a flat plane, a sharp edge comes close to surface of the recording medium. The magnetic head was put into contact sliding in such a position relative to the recording medium, the sharp edge portion was rapidly abraded. When abrasion advanced, a new surface was formed generating a flying force larger than originally calculated in design stage. This made it impossible to keep the contact engagement between the magnetic head and the recording medium at the value originally intended at design stage. Furthermore, abrasion induced a great deal of powder, leading to a serious crash problem.
For the above reasons, the pad area for floating the magnetic head cannot be made small, the problem of stick cannot be solved, and thus the magnetic storage apparatus having a floating front pad is subject to a limitation in an effort of high-density recording design.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel magnetic head that constantly allows itself to be in contact with a recording medium and to provide a magnetic storage apparatus of low-price, large storage capacity and high recording density employing the magnetic head.

Magnetic head and slider configuration for contact recording having a plurality of tapered surfaces


A process for isomerizing epoxides to aldehydes is disclosed. The process uses a metal-exchanged zeolite catalyst wherein the zeolite contains an alkali metal and one or more second exchangeable metals from Group IIA, IB, IIB, or IIIB. The catalysts are easily made by combining alkali metal-exchanged zeolites with aqueous solutions that contain halides or nitrates of the second metal. The process is useful for vapor-phase isomerization of propylene oxide to propanal.

Lower linear aldehydes are useful direct precursors for lower primary alcohols, which are valuable solvents. Higher primary alcohols and aromatic alcohols have value as solvents, plasticizers, detergents, and fragrances. Higher primary alcohols, such as 2-ethylhexanol, are often made by aldol condensation of lower linear aldehydes, followed by hydrogenation. The aldehydes are usually made by hydroformylation of olefins. Unfortunately, hydroformylation usually gives mixtures of terminal and non-terminal aldehyde products, which limits yields of the desired linear, primary alcohols.
One way to get linear aldehydes is to isomerize epoxides. The challenge becomes finding a way to isomerize the epoxide selectively and economically. Various types of solid catalysts have been used to isomerize epoxides to aldehydes, such as magnesium silicate (U.S. Pat. No. 2,628,255), fluidized silica gel or fuller's earth (U.S. Pat. No. 2,660,609), and acidic zeolites (U.S. Pat. No. 2,694,090).
When zeolites are used, acidic zeolites are generally taught as preferred (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,511). Imanaka et al. (Bull. Chem. Soc. Jap. 45 (1972) 3251) teach to isomerize propylene oxide to propanal using zeolite catalysts. With H-Y-zeolite, conversion to propanal was about 13%, while use of the more neutral sodium-exchanged Y-zeolite gave about 0% conversion. Platinum and palladium-exchanged Y-zeolites gave about 10% conversion. Unfortunately, these processes are not commercially attractive because of their low conversions and low aldehyde selectivities.
A desirable process would be highly selective to the aldehyde and would give good epoxide conversions. Preferably, the process would be easy to perform in the vapor phase with a continuous unit. Ideally, the process would use an easily made solid catalyst based on an inexpensive source such as alkali metal-exchanged zeolites.

Process for isomerizing epoxides to aldehydes


A display device includes an image display unit that displays a first alert image in response to an alert at a first level, an image projection unit that displays a second alert image in response to an alert at a second level. The second image display unit overlaps the first image display unit. The first alert image appears at a position different from a surface of the second image display unit.

A driving assist device described in Patent Literature 1, which is installed on an interior material in a vehicle cabin, includes a transparent display panel having light guide grooves for guiding light, and a light source for emitting light toward the light guide grooves from outside the display panel when an obstacle outside the vehicle cabin is detected. The driving assist device described in Patent Literature 1 may alert the driver using light that blinks faster as the vehicle approaches the obstacle.
A warning system described in Patent Literature 2 alerts a driver by transmitting information about an object detected in a vehicle blind spot and information about the vehicle blind spot. The warning system described in Patent Literature 2 includes a detection area divided into multiple sections. The system changes the blinking frequency of a light emitting indicator based on the section in which the detected object is located.
A display device for displaying a warning also uses a technique for changing the image area for displaying a warning in accordance with the warning level.


To avoid searching for a new location for very high hectometric wave antennas, an antenna according to the invention comprises an existing vertical structure having a height of at least approximately ten meters and including at least one electrically conductive element connected to the ground, and an excitation conductor wire (4a) that is essentially electrically conductive, disposed at least in part in the vicinity of and outside the structure and connected to a emitter (E) so that the structure radiates substantially hectometric waves. The existing structure may be a broadcasting tower, a water tower, a chimney, a lighthouse or a lamp standard, wherein the excitation wire merges visually. The wire can be replaced by a conductive loop a few meters long, magnetically coupled to the structure.

At present, to emit signals in the hectometric waveband, isolated radiating masts of very great height, of the order of 20 to 200 meters, are generally installed far away from towns and broadcast relatively high powers. If it is required to install a mast of this kind near a built-up area or in a town, a large area must be available, for safety reasons in particular, for erecting the radiating mast and installing the ground network associated with the mast and comprising a plurality of wires placed on the ground or buried at a shallow depth in the ground. Consequently, to install a mast type antenna, it is necessary to obtain land for it, the necessary government permits, and the approval of immediate neighbors.
Moreover, a mast type antenna is not able to multiplex a plurality of emission signals with different frequencies at high power; for example, it is not possible to multiplex emission signals with high power differences, for example one at 300 kW and another at 1 kW.


A data processing apparatus outputting picture data to a reproduction apparatus reproducing a plurality of picture data in an order in accordance with a designated reproduction direction, the unit having a processing circuit outputting to the reproduction apparatus the picture data in an order in accordance with a reproduction direction designated in the reproduction apparatus and writing it into an input memory in the reproduction apparatus and, when reversing the reproduction direction designated at the reproduction apparatus, outputting the picture data to the reproduction apparatus conditional on the picture data to be used next in reproduction by the reproduction direction after reversal not being stored in the input memory.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus for reproducing data for reproduction, a reproduction apparatus, a data processing system, a reproduction method, a program, and a storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, there is a system which outputs data for reproduction encoded by the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) scheme from a computer (data processing apparatus) to a reproduction apparatus for reproduction. In such a system, the computer successively outputs to the reproduction apparatus the picture data required for reproduction from among the plurality of picture data forming the reproduced data in accordance with the progress in reproduction by the reproduction apparatus. In this system, if a transient command reversing the reproduction direction arises, the computer unconditionally outputs the picture data reproduced after the transient without judging if the picture data is stored in the reproduction apparatus. See Japanese Patent Publication (A) No. 2004-215185.
However, in the above related system, when a transient command occurs, processing for transferring the picture data used for reproduction after the transient from the computer to the reproduction apparatus inevitably arises, so there is the disadvantage of a long time ending up being taken from when the transient command arises to when the reproduced output after the transient is obtained in the reproduction apparatus. That is, there is the disadvantage of a poor response of the transient reproduction. Further, in the processing for reproduction of picture data, there are demands for lightening the processing load on the reproduction apparatus.

Data processing apparatus, reproduction apparatus, data processing system, reproduction method, program, and storage medium


A magnetic recording medium includes at least a substrate, a recording layer formed of a non-magnetic underlying layer and a ferromagnetic thin film, deposited on the substrate, a sputtered carbon protective layer and a lubricant layer overlying the recording layer. The sputtered carbon protective layer is laminate layer formed by sputtering alternating first and second carbon layers, wherein a Young""s modulus in a head pressing direction is twice or more larger than a Young""s modulus in a head running direction.

The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium and a magnetic storage apparatus, and more particularly to a magnetic recording medium which exhibits a high sliding durability, is suitable for high density recording, and stably provides reproducing outputs, and a highly reliable magnetic storage apparatus which is equipped with this magnetic recording medium.
Magnetic disk apparatus are now indispensable as main storage devices for information related apparatus such as computers and so on, and a higher capacity and faster recording/reproducing are increasingly required therefor as the need for faster processing of a huge amount of data arises for images and audio. For this purpose, faster read/write operations as well as a higher recording density are required. It is essential, as to the recording density, to reduce as much as possible the substantial distance from an element of a recording/reproducing head to a recording film of a magnetic disk serving as a recording medium, and to reduce a track width, and as to the faster operations, to increase the speed of data processing, rotational speed, and seek speed. With these improvements, a magnetic head, which has conventionally operated with a sufficient spacing from a magnetic disk, is forced to operate in a so-called intermittent contact state in which the magnetic head operates nearly in contact with the magnetic disk at a high speed. In addition, for reducing the substantial distance between a magnetic head element and a recording film of a magnetic disk as mentioned above, it is necessary to make a protective layer and a lubricant layer, intervening therebetween, as thin as possible. Specifically, the protective layer should be 10 nm or less; the lubricant layer should be 2 nm or less; and an average spacing between the disk surface and the head should be 30 nm or less, where a contact could occur as the case may be. To realize a magnetic disk which is fit for practical use in such extremely tight conditions, it goes without saying that a key point lies in how to design materials and shapes for the protective layer, the lubricant layer, and a contact portion of the head.
The protective layer and the lubricant layer of the magnetic disk have been conventionally improved from a viewpoint of an increase in abrasion resistance, sliding resistance, corrosion resistance, and so on. The protective layer has been practically made of an amorphous carbon film formed by sputtering graphite in an Ar atmosphere, amorphous hydrogenated carbon film formed likewise by sputtering graphite in an Ar+H2 or Ar+CH4 atmosphere, and so on. In addition to those, a variety of protective films have been under consideration such as those made of diamond-like carbon formed by plasma CVD with a hydrocarbon gas, a carbon film containing a variety of additive elements such as Si, Ti, W, Fe and so on, BN, SiO2, and so forth. Further, JP-A-62-287415 discloses an example which employs a laminate of two types of carbon layers having different hardness, and a soft underlying layer as a buffer layer, particularly with the object of improving a mechanical strength. JP-A-9-91687 also discloses an example which has a protective film having a hardness varying in a film thickness direction. However, either of them is not fit for practical use due to insufficient strength or corrosion resistance when an extremely thin film of 10 nm or less in thickness is concerned.
In respect to the lubricant layer, on the other hand, perfluoropolyether based lubricating oils having absorptive functional groups at terminals are typically used, and a number of lubricants having terminal groups exhibiting an improved integrity with a protective layer have been disclosed.
In conventional use environments, however, considerations on the protective layer and the lubricant layer only have to be made for sliding with a head upon starting and stopping a disk apparatus, i.e., a so-called contact start stop. In actual read and write operations, no problem associated with sliding arises, since the head is spaced from the disk, except for introduction of foreign substances therebetween.
In contrast, a high recording density magnetic disk apparatus for high speed processing, addressed by the present invention, is highly damageable to a contact of a head with a disk rotating at a high speed, or interactions of the two through an air flow or the like, if not contacting, causing damages on a protective layer and resulting damages on the disk itself, so that a need exists for a protective layer which possesses in combination different performance from conventional ones. Thus, any of the above cited techniques is not fit for practical use in an disk apparatus which requires low flotation and extremely thin films, as intended by the present inventors.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic recording medium which exhibits less damages and a high durability in high speed low flotation sliding, and a highly reliable magnetic storage apparatus by realizing a magnetic recording medium having an extremely thin protective layer having a substantial thickness of 10 nm or less, which can even be used in such severe conditions.
To solve the problems mentioned above, the present invention provides a protective layer made of particular materials. In the following, detailed description thereon will be made.
An exemplary cross-sectional structure of a magnetic recording medium according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. A substrate 1 is a discoidal disk having a hole formed through a central portion thereof, which is typically made of an aluminum-magnesium alloy plated with NiP, or a glass substrate processed to enhance the mechanical strength. In the present invention, though not particularly specified for its materials, the surface of the substrate should be as smooth as possible with a center-line average roughness being equal to or less than several nm, and preferably 1 nm or less. An underlying layer 2 is used to improve the crystallinity of a magnetic layer 3, and may be made of, for example, Cr or an alloy thereof. Of course, the underlying layer 2 may be in a multilayer structure. The magnetic layer 3 is used to record signals, and is made of, for example, Co-based alloy materials or the like. While ternary alloys such as CoCrTa, CoCrPt, CoCrV, CoNiCr, CoNiV and so on are typically used, a fourth element and/or an oxide may be added to them.
A protective layer 4 is a layer having a particular mechanical strength characteristic which characterizes the present invention. The particular mechanical strength characteristic is specifically expressed by the ratio of a Young""s modulus of the protective layer 4 measured in a direction in which a head is pressed against the protective layer 4 to that measured in a direction in which the head runs, at an indentation depth equal to or less than one half of the thickness of the protective layer 4. Assuming that the Young""s modulus in the pressing direction is Ed, and the Young""s modulus in the running direction is Ec, the particular mechanical strength characteristic refers to the one having Ec/Ed equal to or less than 0.5. For this measurement,.a conical indentator with a distal end having a curvature R of 0.1 microns or less, or a pyramidal indentator, by way of example, is indented to the above-mentioned depth with a microload, and is applied with microvibrations at that position in the head pressing direction or in the head running direction. Then, the Young""s modulus may be found from the relationship between the amount of deformation within a range, in which no plastic deformation arises, and a bearing stress.
For largely varying the mechanical characteristic of the protective layer in a direction perpendicular to a substrate surface and in a direction parallel to the same, the protective layer may be formed in a laminate structure having laminated layers of different properties. Particularly, for forming a film having a larger Young""s modulus/hardness ratio in the vertical direction and a smaller Young""s modulus/hardness ratio in the horizontal direction, as required by the present invention, layers having progressively decreasing a Young""s modulus and layers having progressively increasing a Young""s modulus may be laminated in alternation. Specifically, layers may be laminated as A-layers 5 and B-layers 6 in FIG. 1. For implementing layers having larger hardness.Young""s modulus by the A-layers 5, and layers having smaller hardness.Young""s modulus by the B-layers 6, the respective layers are referably formed in smallest possible thicknesses, and the largest possible number of layers are laminated in order for these layers to integrally act. It should be noted that since the present invention is intended for a layer having the total film thickness of 10 nm or less, the respective layers should have a film thickness of 3 nm or less, and preferably 1 nm or less. Here, as a method suitable for this, there is a method of adding a carbon-based additive element which increases both the hardness and the Young""s modulus and an additive element which decreases both the hardness and the Young""s modulus to alternating layers, and laminating resultant layers. The former additive element causing an increase in both the hardness and the Young""s modulus may be nitrogen, hydrogen below 20%, silicon, boron or the like, or a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen below 20%, or the like, and the latter additive element causing a decrease in both the hardness and the Young""s modulus may be hydrogen exceeding 20%, oxygen, fluorine, or the like.
As an exemplary structure representing the characteristic of the present invention, the aforementioned nano-indentation evaluation (evaluation through microindentation) was conducted on a layer having the total film thickness of 10 nm formed of five carbon nitride films containing 10% of nitrogen having a thickness of 2 nm and five hydrogenated carbon films containing 40% of hydrogen having a thickness of 2 nm, laminated alternately on a silicon substrate, and the results are shown in FIG. 2. As a comparison, FIG. 2 also shows the results of evaluation on a single layer made of each of the films having a thickness of 10 nm. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the Young""s modulus in the direction perpendicular to the laminate (xe2x8axa5) exhibits a slightly larger value than the average of the Young""s modulus of the respective single-layer films, while the Young""s modulus in the direction parallel (∥) to the laminate exhibits a smaller value than the average of the Young""s modulus of the respective single layer films, so that the laminate can demonstrate the effect of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a lubricant layer 7 may be provided on the protective layer 4 of the present invention. As lubricant layer 7, perfluoropolyether with modified terminal groups is typically used at present. For example, a fluorinated oil with a molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 having a main chain of perfluoropolyether and a polar group such as a hydroxyl group, an amide group, an amino group, an amine group, an ester group, a piperonyl group, or the like at a terminal may be used. In the present invention, likewise, the use of these effectively reduces a friction coefficient when in contact with a head, and prolongs the lifetime during a CSS operation or in stable continuous sliding. However, the lubricant layer is not effective to intermittent and impulsive contacts such as those intended by the present invention.
Next, a method of fabricating a magnetic disk according to the present invention will be described.
Used as a substrate is a disk having a predetermined outer diameter such as 2.5 inches, 3.5 inches or the like and a hole formed through a central portion thereof for mounting a spindle motor. The thickness, the shape of the end surface, and so on may be determined in accordance with particular applications, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Not to mention typically used aluminum-magnesium alloys plated with non-magnetic NiP, glass substrates having reinforced surfaces, and soon, other non-magnetic substrate materials may be used in a similar manner. However, the flatness of the surface is critical, so that the most flat possible substrate may be used.
The substrate is washed as it is or after surface processing called a xe2x80x9ctexturizationxe2x80x9d for reducing defects. A step of scrubbing wastes and contaminants attached on the surface with a brush, a pad or the like while supplying a detergent, a step of removing micro foreign substances in combination of a pure water spray and ultrasonic waves, and a drying step such as spin drying or warm air drying may be performed in combination. Also, a step of eluting an extreme surface layer with acid, alkali or the like, and a step of modifying the surface with plasma processing may also be combined. The present invention can be implemented irrespective of these steps.
A head start/stop region or a so-called CSS zone may be formed with ruggedness, if necessary, for preventing adhesion. For example, a laser spot may be irradiated to melt a substrate material on the irradiated region, and a ruggedness pattern formed during solidification may be arranged at proper intervals.
Next, the substrate is heated in vacuum for controlling the crystallinity of a magnetic layer, and a proper underlying metal layer is deposited by sputtering before a layer of ferromagnetic material is formed. A heating temperature, though depending on desired magnetic characteristics, generally ranges from 150xc2x0 C. to 300xc2x0 C. A frequently used underlying layer is made of Cr or a Cr alloy which exhibits a good lattice matching with the magnetic layer. The underlying layer and the magnetic layer may be formed of a plurality of layers instead of a single layer.
Next, a protective layer, the key of the present invention, is formed. While the protective layer may be formed in a different step from the magnetic layer, they should be formed in succession within the same vacuum chamber in order to prevent deterioration due to oxidization on the surface of the magnetic layer, and a reduction in adhesion therebetween. For this purpose, a multi-layer film successive forming system, later described, is used.
The protective layer of the present invention may be formed by film depositing techniques in vacuum such as sputtering, plasma CVD, ion beam deposition, and so on.
For forming the lubricant layer 7 on the protective layer 4, a bath is prepared in which a lubricating oil is dissolved in a solvent in a fixed concentration, and the disk substrate is immersed in the bath and slowly pulled up. Alternatively, a spin coating technique may be used by dipping a predetermined amount of solution on the surface of the disk, and rotating the disk substrate to coat the solution thereover. The thickness of the lubricating oil layer should be thin because an excessively thick layer would remain on the surface which contacts the head, and stick to the head. However, an excessively thin layer would produce a small effect, so that the thickness is preferably in a range of 5 to 20 angstrom.
The protective layer as described above is suitable for the object of the present invention by the following reasons.
An improved durability of the magnetic disk according to the present invention is accomplished by the following reason. Specifically, in current magnetic disks, a head is floated over the surface of a disk by air pressure produced by the rotation of the disk with an extremely short distance maintained therebetween. The spacing is in a range of 10 to 40 nm in average, so that it is often the case that minute vibrations and fluctuations of the head cause a portion thereof to come into contact with the disk, and fine dusts introduced into the spacing abrades the surface of the disk. Thus, it has become necessary to create a system which withstands not only sliding during start-up and stop period, i.e., the so-called contact start stop operation, but also instantaneous contacts during high speed rotation. On the other hand, since the recording width has been reduced to less than one micron, and the track width has become very narrow, a recording/reproduction output cannot be ensured unless the spacing between a magnetic recording medium and a head element is reduced as much as possible. In other words, the protective layer must be made as thin as possible. To satisfy mutually contradictory requirements as mentioned, a novel protective layer which can withstand high-speed, heavy-load contacts even in a reduced thickness is required.
The present invention provides a protective layer which has the properties most suitable for the high-speed, heavy-load contacts as mentioned above. Specifically, since the Young""s modulus in the direction parallel to the surface of the protective layer is lower, a low counterforce is produced at the time of contact, and the protective layer itself elastically deforms to avoid the influence by the contact. The Young""s modulus in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the protective layer is large so that the protective layer is more damageable to scratches caused by gripped foreign substances due to a contact and by edges of the head. As a result, a contact mode with less damages is provided. When the Young""s modulus is reduced simply across an entire film, a soft contact occurs in the horizontal direction, whereas large penetration occurs in the depth direction. As a result, the film would suffer from a resultant deformed region extending widely to cause an increase in contact force, which would eventually exceed an elastic limit to end up in breakage through plastic deformation. On the contrary, when the Young""s modulus is increased across the entire film, the penetration will be reduced, whereas a large counterforce will be produced if the head impacts the protective layer in the horizontal direction, resulting in a crack extending over the protective layer or the magnetic layer to end up in breakage.
To examine the mechanical strength of the protective layer in the plane direction, a tester as follows was prepared. Specifically, a diamond needle having a distal end polished into a spherical surface was mounted to a holder having precise parallel flat springs and fixed such that-the diamond needle can be vibrated in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. Two induction coils were attached to the holder in the horizontal and vertical directions, such that the diamond needle could be finely vibrated by applying the respective coils with alternating currents. Further, changes in static capacitance were measured between horizontal and vertical metal foils attached to the holder and a fixed metal foil, such that horizontal and vertical loads on the distal end of the needle and positions corresponding thereto could be measured when the diamond needle was vibrated in each of the horizontal and vertical directions.
The magnetic disk fabricated in the aforementioned manner is fixed on a sample fixture of the apparatus, and the sample fixture is slowly elevated to press the diamond needle into the magnetic disk within an elastically deformable range. Next, the amplitude of the vibrations is gradually increased while the diamond needle is vibrated in the vertical direction at cycles of 1 Hz, and the relationship between a load and the amplitude is recorded. The load falling to zero before the needle is elevated to the upper limit indicates the occurrence of a plastic deformation, so that the vibrations are stopped, and the needle is removed. Next, the magnetic disk is slightly shifted, and the needle is pressed into a next point in a similar manner. This time, the needle is vibrated as the amplitude is gradually increased in the horizontal direction. A load in the horizontal direction falling to zero before the needle returns to the origin indicates the occurrence of a plastic deformation, so that the vibrations are stopped, and the needle is removed.
In this way, the loads immediately before the occurrence of plastic deformations in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the loads produced when the needle was vibrated with a constant amount of amplitude within the elastically deformable range were found to derive the modulus of elasticity and elastic limit stresses in the horizontal and vertical directions.
Further, a magnetic storage apparatus according to the present invention comprises a magnetic recording medium; a driving unit for driving the magnetic recording medium; a magnetic head for recording and reproducing information on and from the magnetic recording medium; unit for moving the magnetic head relative to the magnetic recording medium; and signal recording/reproducing processing unit for inputting a signal to the magnetic head and reproducing signal outputted from the head, wherein the aforementioned magnetic recording medium is employed as the magnetic recording medium.

Magnetic recording medium and magnetic storage apparatus

Abstract: In this way, the durability of the magnetic disk can be significantly improved, and consequently, the protective layer can be made extremely thin, so that it can also contribute to an increased recording density.


A method of cleaning a blade of a log saw of a converting line comprises applying a cleaning agent to a saw blade. The saw blade is adapted to cut a log of web material into rolls as the log of web material advances on a conveyor. In an another step of the method the log is advanced on the conveyor for cutting with the saw blade. In another step of the method, the saw blade is cleaned by cutting the log with the saw blade with the cleaning agent applied to the saw blade.

This disclosure is directed to a saw for cutting logs of web material into rolls, whether the logs are wound convolutely on a core or coreless. In a general sense and as further modified as described below, the saw system may be of the type, for instance, as shown by way of example and not in any limiting sense, in U.S. RE30,598, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,557,997, and 6,123,002, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. The saw system may be integrated with a conveyor system, for instance, as shown by way of example and not in any limiting sense, in U.S. Pat. No. 10,272,585 and 10,478,988, the disclosures of which is incorporated by reference herein. The saw system may also be integrated with a saw blade storage array system, for instance, as shown by way of example and not in any limiting sense, in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/109,028, filed Aug. 22, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The saw system may be integrated with a trim elimination system, for instance, as shown by way of example and not in any limiting sense, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,332,527, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Saw blades for cutting logs typically require cleaning of accumulated fiber, glue and other chemicals used in paper manufacturing and converting, along with grind stone grit and metal from the sharpening of the saw blade. Saw blades are typically cleaned by spraying the blade surface with a cleaner and then manually wiping the surface with a paper towel. Because the blade edge is extremely sharp, the process of cleaning can be hazardous to an operator manually cleaning the blade.
The disclosure is directed to a method of cleaning the saw blade without operator intervention to reduce and potentially eliminate the need to expose an operator to the hazard of the manual blade cleaning operation.


A stent graft introducer for intraluminal deployment of a stent graft (26), the introducer comprising a stent graft release mechanism (6) to allow partial release of the stent graft (26) when carried on the introducer, whereby control of the stent graft can be maintained while allowing access into the lumen of the stent graft from at least one end of the stent graft. The partial release can comprise partial release of one end of the stent graft.

This invention will be generally discussed in relation to deployment of stent grafts into the aorta but it is not so limited and can be applied to other vasculature or other body lumens.
The introduction of endovascular techniques for the placement of stent grafts into the vascular of human or animal patient has revolutionized the treatment of vascular diseases. As treatment techniques have improved there is a requirement for deployment devices which can provide a physician with more flexibility and control in placement of stent grafts.
The object of this invention is to provide an introducer for a stent graft which will give a physician more control or at least provide the physician with a useful alternative.
Throughout this specification the term "distal" with respect to a portion of the aorta, a deployment device or a prosthesis is the end of the aorta, deployment device or prosthesis further away in the direction of blood flow away from the heart, and the term "proximal" means the portion of the aorta, deployment device or end of the prosthesis nearer to the heart. When applied to other vessels similar terms such as caudal and cranial should be understood.
Throughout this discussion the term "stent graft" is intended to mean a device which has a tubular body of biocompatible graft material and at least one stent fastened to the tubular body to define a lumen through the stent graft. The stent graft may be bifurcated and have fenestrations, side arms or the like. Other arrangements of stent grafts are also within the scope of the invention.

Thoracic deployment device and stent graft


Access to a bus in a computer system having a CPU and bus devices capable of running cycles on a bus is controlled by an arbiter. The arbiter grants access to the bus according to an arbitration scheme that depends on whether a request for the bus is pending from the CPU, in which a first arbitration scheme arbitrates between the bus devices, and wherein a second arbitration scheme arbitrates between the CPU and at least one other bus device if the CPU request is present.

The invention relates to bus arbitration.
Different arbitration schemes exist for granting sequential access in response to multiple requests for a common computer system resource, such as a bus. Common arbitration schemes include the round-robin scheme and the fixed priority scheme, with variations to fit the specific needs of a computer system and to maximize fairness to devices requesting the common resource.
For example, the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Specification, Revision 2.1 (June 1995), suggests a 2-level arbitration scheme to implement a "fairness" algorithm for access to a PCI bus. According to the PCI Specification, some bus agents are assigned to the first level and the remaining bus agents are assigned to the second level, with the first level bus agents having higher priority than the second level bus agents. The second level bus agents have equal access to the bus with respect to other second level agents. The PCI specification suggests devices such as a video controller or an FDDI fiber optics network controller would be assigned to level 1, while devices such as a SCSI controller, local area network (LAN) interface cards, or standard expansion bus masters would be assigned to the second level.
Referring to FIG. 56, an example of the fairness arbitration algorithm using two levels of arbitration is shown. The first level consists of agent A, agent B, and the agent selected by the level 2 arbitration scheme. The second level includes agent X, agent Y, and agent Z. If all agents in levels 1 and 2 have their request lines maintained asserted, and if agent A is the next to receive the bus for level 1 and agent X is the next for level 2, then the order of the agents accessing the bus would be A, B, X, A, B, Y, A, B, Z, and so forth. This 2-level scheme achieves a degree of fairness by balancing the needs of high performance agents such as the video controller or the FDDI controller with lower performance bus devices such as the LAN and SCSI controllers.


Apparatus for mixing beverage components, in particular sirup and water, having two separate reception chambers which receive the components and are each provided with an inlet and an outlet. To improve the mixing results in such an apparatus in a constructionally simple way, the inflow of a first component, in particular water, to a first reception chamber is first passed through a second reception chamber filled with a second component, in particular sirup, and then through a transition portion arranged between the first and second reception chambers, the transition portion having a reduced cross-sectional area in comparison with the cross-sectional area of the first reception chamber, before it flows into the first chamber. The component within the second reception chamber is the entrained in the component flowing into the first reception chamber. Thereafter the mixture of the components is discharged from the first and second reception chambers by flowing it out of the second reception chamber.

This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mixing beverage components, particularly sirup and water.
Such a method and apparatus are known from DE-PS 31 32 706. This apparatus is used for mixing a smaller amount of sirup with a greater amount of water. A reception container is provided for each component, and each of the reception chambers is equipped with its own supply line. The reception container for water is provided with a level controller, by which the water volume can be adjusted. The reception container for sirup corresponds in its volume to the volume of the sirup to be mixed and is fully filled during each mixing operation. The sirup container is arranged below the water container and connected to the water container via a conduit through which the outflow from the water container is passed. When the components are to be mixed, water and sirup are first introduced directly into their respective reception containers until a predetermined level is reached. Thereupon, inflow is blocked, and water is passed from its reception container via the conduit into the sirup container and from there into a collection container arranged downstream thereof. Sirup is thus flushed by the water out of its reception container each time. It has, however, been found that the mixing results obtained with said apparatus could still be improved.
DE-PS 15 57 161 discloses an apparatus for mixing beverages, wherein the components are directly introduced into a common mixing container from below. The mixing container comprises a float-controlled level indicator which controls the opening and closing of the inlet valves for both components. First, the component with the smaller quantity, typically sirup, is introduced into the mixing container until its predetermined level is reached. Thereupon, inflow of this component is stopped and the inlet of the larger component, typically water, is opened, with the water being passed from below into the component that has first been introduced. In this case, too, the mixing result in this container could still be improved. Moreover, the apparatus is specifically designed for mixing a relatively free-flowing, water-like beverage concentrate (such as fruit juice concentrate) with water. Sirups of a higher viscosity would yield even worse mixing results. Finally, a float control for sirups can only be employed to a limited degree because the float gets very easily clogged with crystallized sugar.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a constructionally simple apparatus for mixing beverage components and which method and apparatus are reliable from an operational point of view and yield improved mixing results.

Method and apparatus for mixing beverage components

Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik


An inkjet printer includes a cleaning unit to be brought into contact with a head lower surface of an ejection head, and a unit movement mechanism for moving the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes a base part, a cleaning liquid ejecting part protruding above the base part, and a pair of positioning parts. The positioning parts are brought into contact with a block lower surface of a head fixation block on opposite sides of the cleaning liquid ejecting part to keep an under-head gap for holding the cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid ejecting part and the head lower surface. Since the positioning parts are spaced from the cleaning liquid ejecting part, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid that has spread from the under-head gap to the surrounding area from adhering to the block lower surface via the positioning parts.

Conventionally, inkjet printers have been used to print an image onto printing paper by ejecting fine droplets of ink from a plurality of outlets of an ejection head toward the printing paper while moving the printing paper relative to the ejection head. In such inkjet printers, an ejection surface is cleaned by wiping off ink adhering to a head lower surface of the ejection head having the outlets with a wiper formed of rubber or a synthetic resin.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-71582 (Document 1) discloses a technique in which a slight gap (e.g., an approximately 0.1-mm gap) is provided between a cleaning member and a nozzle surface of an inkjet head when the cleaning member is moved along the nozzle surface, and ink is selectively discharged from nozzles facing the cleaning member and is held in the gap. In the inkjet recording apparatus of Document 1, the meniscus of the ink held in the gap serves to remove ink mist or dirt on the nozzle surface. The cleaning member is configured such that, in a portion of the cleaning member that faces the nozzle surface, portions on opposite sides of a nozzle array form two raised portions that extend along the nozzle array and that are in direct contact with the nozzle surface, and the aforementioned ink to be held between the cleaning member and the nozzle surface is filled into the space between the two raised portions.
Incidentally, bringing part of the cleaning member into direct contact with the nozzle surface as described above makes it possible to easily position the cleaning member relative to the nozzle surface. In this case, it is also possible to easily maintain the position of the cleaning member relative to the nozzle surface when the cleaning member is moving.
On the other hand, as in Document 1, if ink is held in the space between the two raised portions serving as positioning parts for the cleaning member, the ink may enter between the nozzle surface and the raised portions and adhere to portions of the nozzle surface that face the raised portions.


Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage mediums described herein are directed to emulating a semi-transparent effect with respect to a display element rendered via a GUI. The semi-transparent effect may be generated based on a sampling of pixel values of another display element that is non-overlapping with the display element. For instance, pixel values of a portion of the other display element that is adjacent to an edge of the display element may be determined. Using the determined pixel values, a visualization scheme is generated that emulates a visual effect (e.g., a blur effect). The determined visualization scheme is then applied to the display element. This causes the display element to appear semi-transparent such that the colors of the other display element appear to be behind the display element, thereby creating an effect that the display element is overlaid on top of the other display element.

Transparency is the effect created when a display element, such as a color block, text or image, is desaturated so that the color is diluted, thereby causing content behind the display element to show through. Transparency is a common desire in user interface design. It may be used to create visual interest, to contrast elements, to create depth, etc. While supported in a desktop environment, transparency is difficult to achieve in a web context, especially for display elements that are non-overlapping with other display elements.

Emulating a transparency effect for a display element


A method of manufacturing a stretched display panel includes: cutting the TFT substrate to a desired size; cutting the color filter substrate; forming an open-circuit line for open-circuiting a portion defined between a horizontal pixel line that is located at an end of the TFT substrate and another horizontal pixel line adjacent thereto in order to prevent electrical noise due to the horizontal pixel lines being introduced into the end of the TFT substrate exposed from the pixel exposure portion; and forming a reinforcement seal for covering the pixel exposure portion using a reinforcement material in order to prevent occurrence of short circuit due to introduction of foreign matter into a gap defined between the horizontal pixel line and the other horizontal pixel line and at the same time to increase rigidity of the pixel exposure portion.

In general, a display panel, which is a device for displaying an image, includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, a color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween.
In the display panel configured as described above, the polymer liquid crystal layer blocks or transmits light emitted from the TFT substrate, and the light is colored through the color filter substrate, whereby an image is displayed.
Meanwhile, display panels are manufactured in standardized sizes. In the case in which a non-standardized display panel is to be used, therefore, a standardized display panel is cut.
A conventional method of cutting a display panel is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0671215 (published on Jan. 18, 2007) entitled FLAT DISPLAY PANEL AND METHOD OF CUTTING THE SAME.
In the conventional flat display panel and the conventional method of cutting the flat display panel, the flat display panel includes two fragile material substrates bonded to each other using a seal excluding openings, the two fragile material substrates and the seal defining a closed space, one of the two fragile material substrates has a scribed surface, which constitutes the outer surface of the closed space, the scribed surface of one of the fragile material substrates is opposite a non-scribed surface of the other fragile material substrate, a terminal unit is located at the scribed surface of one of the fragile material substrates, and the scribed surface of one of the fragile material substrates is cut first.
In the conventional flat display panel described above, the lower fragile material substrate is cut with a margin in the direction in which the lower fragile material substrate is bent, whereby the upper and lower fragile material substrates can be cut so as to have the same length.
When the conventional flat display panel is cut, however, conductive foreign matter separated from circuits printed on the fragile material substrates may be attached to a circuit substrate, whereby noise may be generated due to short circuit, and therefore the defect rate of the flat display panel may be high.
In addition, it is difficult to restore display panels in which a noise defect occurs, and all such display panels must therefore be discarded.
In addition, the cut portion of the display panel is hermetically sealed using a seal; however, when the seal is applied, a spray nozzle applies the seal in the vertical direction or in the horizontal direction, whereby foreign matter may flow into a gap between the fragile material substrates or may be fixed to the fragile material substrates, and therefore a noise defect may occur.

Stretched display panel and method for manufacturing same


A document sharing system includes producing an updatable collection of multimedia documents. A collection overview sheet provides a facile medium for handling and distributing large collections of documents. The system includes techniques for subsequent access to the collection, including printing all or portions of the collection.

The present invention relates generally to document management and more specifically to access and dissemination of collections of multimedia documents.
Despite the ideal of a paperless environment that the popularization of computers had promised, paper continues to dominate the office landscape. Ironically, the computer itself has been a major contributing source of paper proliferation. The computer simplifies the task of document composition, and thus has enabled even greater numbers of publishers. The computer promotes individual expression through the use of graphics tools, image capture devices, image enhancement tools, and so on, in addition to traditional text editing. Oftentimes, documents must be shared among colleagues, thus generating even more paper.
Despite advances in technology, suitable personal output devices as a practical substitute for paper remain to be developed. Personal data assistants (PDAs such as Palm Pilot® by 3Comm, Inc., and similar hand held devices) typically do not have the storage capacity, the processing capacity, the display capacity, or the connectivity to effectively present documents to the user in a convenient and useful manner. Unlike paper, devices such as PDAs are not universal. While many document formats exist for representing information, not all devices have all the software needed to read all documents. Worse yet, PDA documents typically use formats that are not readily available on a desktop or laptop PC. Usually, documents have to be converted between formats. Paper remains the simplest way in many situations for storing information (e.g., record keeping), distributing information, and controlling access to information.
Paper has been an integral component of civilization for thousands of years. Its replacement is not likely to occur soon, if ever, despite the ubiquity of computer-based technology. Electronic information almost invariably is reduced, at least in part, to paper. Perhaps then, the role of the computer is not to achieve a paperless society. Instead, the role of the computer may be as a tool to move effortlessly between paper and electronic representations and maintain connections between the paper and the electronic media with which it was created. Generally, there is a need to use computers to more effectively share information and to provide access to that information. In addition, the information should not be limited to any particular mode of expression, allowing for all forms of communication media.

Method and apparatus for composing multimedia documents


The liquid ejection head has an ejection unit which includes: a nozzle ejecting a droplet of liquid; a pressure chamber connected to the nozzle; a displacement generating device which changes a volume of the pressure chamber; and a supply flow channel which is connected to the pressure chamber and supplies the liquid to the pressure chamber, wherein a resonance frequency f (kHz) of the ejection unit and an ejection speed v (m/s) of the droplet ejected by the nozzle satisfy a following relationship: f>31×v+80.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a composition of a liquid ejection head which is suitable for an inkjet recording head, or the like, which changes a volume of a pressure chamber by driving a piezoelectric element in order to eject a liquid droplet, and to an image forming apparatus using same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an inkjet recording head using piezoelectric elements, it is necessary to control the driving of the piezoelectric elements in consideration of the Helmholtz resonance frequency of the pressure chambers. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-290571 discloses that ink droplets having a virtually spherical shape are generated by using an inkjet recording head in which the inertance Mn of a nozzle aperture and the inertance Ms of the ink supply aperture satisfies "Mn/(Mn+Ms)>0.5". Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-290571 proposes that high-speed driving is achieved by setting the contraction time of a piezoelectric oscillator for suctioning ink into a pressure generating chamber (pressure chamber), and the expansion time of the piezoelectric element for ejecting an ink droplet from the nozzle aperture, to 1/f (where f is the Helmholtz resonance frequency). The residual vibration of the meniscus is thus reduced as far as possible.
However, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-290571 refers only to the inertance ratio (Mn/(Mn+Ms)) and the Helmholtz resonance frequency, and it does not refer to the ejection speed for ejecting liquid droplets. In general, when ejection force is enlarged, not only does the ejection speed of the ejected liquid droplet (main droplet) increase accordingly, but also a large number of satellite droplets are generated.
Since these satellite droplets cause image deterioration, then the occurrence of a large number of satellite droplets is not desirable from the viewpoint of image quality. In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-290571, the occurrence of satellite droplets is not considered, and there is a possibility that image quality may deteriorate due to the occurrence of a large number of satellite droplets.

Liquid ejection head and image forming apparatus