In order to meet the demands of simplicity and reliability in active control systems for flexible structures, an inexpensive active truss element and control law has been developed. A decentralized switching control law is used along with a compressible fluid in the truss element in order to dissipate energy during the motion of the structure. However, the energy is not absorbed in the same manner as a conventional viscous damper. The truss element retains its maximum stiffness, but has a resettable nominal unstressed length. Energy is absorbed in the working fluid of the truss element through heat transfer to the environment when the nominal length is reset at the proper switching times. The control law is insensitive to changes in structural parameters such as mass, stiffness, and damping.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Although many active control laws have been developed for vibration suppression in structural systems, few of these meet the practical requirements of large force capability, robustness, reliability, and simplicity. Recent advances in control have resulted in a great many high performance control design methods. Most, however, require actuators capable of producing large forces, with high degrees of reliability and fidelity to their modeled behavior. While a great deal of research is underway to address such issues systematically, most efforts seem to be aimed at developing more complex hardware and control law designs.
Recently, switching type control laws have been implemented in experimental structures and in operational buildings. See, J. N. Yang, Z. Li, and J. C. Wu, "Control of Seismic Excited Buildings Using Active Vatiable Stiffness System," Proceedings of the 1994 American Control Conferences, Baltimore, Md., pp 1083-1088; G. Leitmann and E. Reithmeirer, "Semiactive Control of a Vibrating System by Means if Electrorzeological Fluids"; Dynamics and Control, vol 3, no 1, January 1993, pp 7-34; N. H. McClamroch, H. P. Gavin, D. S. Ortiz, and R. D. Hanson, "Electrorheological Dampers and Semi-Active Structural Control", Proceedings of 1994 CDC, pp 93-103; and W. N. Patten and R. L. Sack, "Semiactive Control of Civil Engineeting Structures", Proceedings of 1994 ACC, Baltimore, Md., pp 1078-1082. These prior art teachings are among the examples of alternative approaches that have been receiving increasing attention. Sliding mode techniques have been used to design control schemes for a building equipped with bracing that can be locked or unlocked, hence changing the effective stiffness of the building. See Yang, supra. These active variable stiffness (AVS) systems have been installed on full scale buildings and shown to be effective for control of structures under strong seismic excitations. See, T. T. Soong, Active Structural Control: Theory and Application, Longman Scientific, New York, 1990; and T. Kobori, S. Kamagata, "Dynamic Intelligent Buildings: Active Seismic Response Control," in Intelligent Structures: Monitoring and Control, Elsevier Applied Science, N.Y. at 279-82 (1991).
In addition to these techniques, general Lyapunov stability methods have been applied to a class of parametric control problems (i.e., systems in which important parameters of the system are altered to obtain desirable behavior). See, Leitmann, supra. In particular, systems where the effective damping and stiffness can be changed continuously, within a limited range, through the use of electro-rheological fluids.
Another application of the use of novel materials and the associated modeling and design for structural control has recently been developed as described by McClamroch, supra. These methods are often called semi-active due to the simple fact the amount of power and force needed are quite minimal (e.g., enough to control the orifice in a valve or the current through the fluid).
Another example of such devices has been developed by Patten, supra, wherein hydraulics are used to reduce the strain energy of structures.
Seismic hydraulic cylinders used in systems to change and damp the resonant frequencies of buildings are described in Kobori et.al., "High Damping Device for Seismic Response Controlled Structure," U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,771 (1994); Kobori, et. al., "Variable Damping and Stiffness Structure," U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,633 (1991); Ishii et. al, "Compound Seismic Response and Wind Control System," U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,599 (1991); Kobori et. al., "Active Seismic Response Control System for Use in Structure," U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,552 (1991); Kobori et. al., "Variable Damping Device for Seismic Response Controlled Structure," U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,709 (1994); Dickinson Jr. et. al, "Fluid Flow Control Device", U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,574 (1971); Kobori et. al., "Apparatus for Accelerating Response Time of Active Mass Damper Earthquake Attenuator," U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,201 (1991); Kobori et. al., "Cylinder Lock Device for Use in Structure," U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,018 (1992); Isshi et. al., "Safety Monitoring Method for Use in Active Seismic Response and Wind Control System," U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,323 (1993); Isshi et. al., "Safety Monitoring Device for Use in Active Seismic Response and Wind Control System," U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,290 (1991); Sjoestroem, "Suspension System with Improved Response Damping and a Method for Regulating the Suspension System," U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,864 (1994); and Nemir, "Method and Apparatus for Damping Vibrations," U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,673 (1992). Although these devices use hydraulic cylinders with controlled valves, their method of control is generally directed to controlling or damping frequencies of vibration and little direct attention is paid to optimizing or tracking the absorption of energy in the system.
What is needed is an apparatus and method for its control that requires minimal power, e.g. only enough to open and close a valve, and which will act only to reduce the total amount of energy of the system. The system should ideally be decentralized in the sense that the behavior of each actuator is dependent only on the degrees of freedom it is directly attached to. It should be reliable, in that it does not require full state sensing (or an observer), and the associated control law must be simple with minimal hardware complexity. Furthermore, the control law should not require an exact model of the system it damps and, hence, must be robust with respect to parameter uncertainty.

Method for controlling an active truss element for vibration suppression


A manufacturing method for a keypad is provided. First, a patterned thin plastic sheet, which includes a first surface and a second surface, is provided. A plurality of touch buttons which can be operated independently are included. The touch buttons have a plurality of hollow patterned structures on them. Later, a metal layer is formed on the first surface of the patterned thin plastic sheet and on the sidewalls of the hollow patterned structures. Thereafter, an adhesion enhancing layer is added onto to the second surface of the patterned thin plastic sheet. Later, a colored layer is formed on the adhesion enhancing layer. Finally, a protruding point layer is formed on the adhesion enhancing layer, and is covering the colored layer. The protruding point layer has a plurality of protruding points with positions corresponding to the touch buttons respectively.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a keypad and a manufacturing method thereof. In particular, it relates to a keypad having a high degree of metallic three-dimensionality and a solid touch, and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
In today's explosive growth of information technology, electronic devices are having significant impact upon people's lives, especially in portable electronic devices, for example, cellular phone, personal digital assistant, and others. For gaining consumer acceptance, the exterior design for portable electronic device is continuously developing. Although the consumers often consider prices and functionalities during the purchase of portable devices, nevertheless, more and more are focused on the exterior design, thus allowing the exterior design of portable electronic devices to evolve from the original boring rectangular shape slowly into the curved or other different new shapes. For the application in the designs of portable electronic devices, various different designs of keypads have entered the market. However, apart from design considerations, the perception of quality of the keypad is another main criterion for consideration. Typically speaking, although the exterior appearance can be embellished after the plastic keypad undergoes color spray painting, laser engraving, and other processing operations, nevertheless, the effect of metallic luster cannot be achieved.
There is a manufacturing method for a conventional keypad for manufacturing keypad having the effect of metallic luster. FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D illustrate the cross-sectional views of the manufacturing process flow of a conventional keypad. Referring to FIG. 1A, a plastic sheet 110 is first provided in the manufacturing method for a conventional keypad. The plastic sheet 110 has a first surface 112 and a second surface 114, in which a plurality of touchpads 116 which are independently operated are formed on the plastic sheet 110.
Referring to FIG. 1B, a decorative layer 120 is formed on the first surface 112 of the plastic sheet 110. The method for forming the decorative layer 120 is, for example, the deposition of a metal layer using electroplating, spraying of a layer of silver paint, or printing of a material layer having metallic luster using a printing method.
Referring to FIG. 1C, the patterns on the decorative layer 120 are formed by conducting laser engraving or etching fabrication process to the decorative layer 120. By means of using patterns on the decorative layer 120, patterns, numerals, or words are formed on the touchpad 116.
Referring to FIG. 1D, a protruding point layer 130 is formed afterwards on the second surface 114 of the plastic sheet 110. The protruding point layer 130 includes a plurality of protrusions 130a, and the position of every protrusion 130a corresponds to each of the touchpads 116 respectively. Therefore, a keypad 100 having metallic luster is manufactured.
However, the thickness is thinner for the aforementioned method of forming the decorative layer 120. For example, the thickness of the metal layer formed using electroplating is at most 6 microns (μm), and the thickness of the silver paint layer formed using spraying method is at most 30 microns. If the metallic 3D effects of patterns, numerals, or words are to be formed on the keypad 100, the thickness of the decorative layer 120 has to be at least 400 microns. Therefore, although the conventional keypad 100 may possess metallic luster, it is not able to produce the metallic three-dimensionality and a solid feel.


An integrated process for the production of ethanol from woody plant material is provided, the process comprising: contacting a continuous flow of the plant material with a counter-current continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure to provide plant material depleted of lignin; removing ethanol from the lignin-depleted plant material; contacting a continuous flow of the lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure to solubilize xylose within the plant material; and hydrolyzing cellulose present in the plant material to form glucose, which in turn is fermented to produce ethanol.

Woody biomass can be employed as a sustainable source of energy and is a valuable alternative to fossil fuels. More specifically, the biorefining of lignocellulosic material into fuel ethanol and lignin materials has the potential to displace a portion of petrol and oil based materials. It is likely that, with the depletion of global oil reserves and increasing awareness of the environmental and national security issues associated with dependence on fossil fuel, biomass will become a key resource for the production of transport fuel in much of the world.
The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuel ethanol may offer the ideal solution given the rapid growth of short rotation crops such as shrub willow (Salix spp.). Two of the main components of wood, cellulose and hemicellulose, are polymers of simple sugars that can be converted into ethanol and/or other chemicals by fermentation. This ethanol can be used as a transportation fuel either on its own or as an ethanol-gasoline blend. Ethanol-gasoline blends of up to 10% ethanol can be used without any engine modification or loss in engine performance (Hunt, V. D. (1981) The Gasohol Handbook, New York, Industrial Press). Lignin, the third main component of wood, is a potential raw material for the production of plastics, adhesives and resins (Lora and Glasser (2002) J. Polymers Environ. 10:39-47). The use of lignin in high value products, rather than as boiler fuel, will off-set the high costs traditionally associated with the processing of wood and production of ethanol.
Willow biomass plantations can be easily and efficiently established from dormant stem cuttings using mechanical systems. Shrub willows respond to coppicing after the first growing season by prolific production of new stem growth in the second growing season. Above ground woody biomass is harvested during the dormant season. During the spring following each harvest, the remaining portion of the willow plant, known as the stool, responds by producing numerous new stems, initiating a new cycle of growth that can be harvested in another two to four years. This cycle can be repeated for six to eight harvests before the stools need to be replaced.
Lignocellulose is a complex substrate composed of a mixture of carbohydrate polymers (namely cellulose and hemicellulose) and lignin. The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol relies mainly on the efficient separation of these cell wall components to allow the hydrolysis of the carbohydrates polymer into fermentable sugars. Most of the processes using high temperature or pressure with acid, caustic or organic solvent are able to provide a cellulose substrate that can be chemically or enzymatically converted into fermentable glucose (Wyman et al. (2005) Bioresource Technology 96:2026-2032; Mosier et al. (2005) Bioresource Technology 96:673-86). In general, the yield and hydrolysis rate of cellulose increases when biomass is fractionated under conditions of high temperature and extremes of pH. Under these severe conditions, however, the overall carbohydrate recovery is often compromised due to extensive degradation of the hemicellulose sugars (mainly xylose in hardwood), which comprise a significant fraction of the lignocellulosic feedstock (hardwood: Rughani and McGinnis (1989) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 33:681-686; Bakker et al. "Biofuel production from acid-impregnated willow and switchgrass"; 2nd World Conference on Biomass for Energy, Industry and Climate Protection, May 10-14, 2004, Rome, Italy; Li et al. (2005) Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 125:175-88; Sassner et al. (2005) Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 121-124:1101-17; Pan et al. (2005) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 90:473-81; softwood: Boussaid et al. (1999) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 64:284-9; Yang and Wyman (2004) Bioresource Technol. 86:88-95; Knauf and Moniruzzaman (2004) Intl. Sugar J. 106:147-50; Mosier et al. (2005) Ibid). Also, the degradation products generated by extensive hydrolysis (phenol, furans and carboxylic acid) can potentially inhibit further fermentation steps (Palmquist et al. (1999) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 63(1):46-55; Klinke et al. (2004) Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 66:10-26). Furthermore, severe pre-treatment conditions, including the use of acid catalysts, can chemically alter the nature of the recovered lignin. A consequence of this is a decrease in the suitability of the lignin for some high value applications (Lignin Institute Dialogue Newsletter (2001) 9(1); Lora and Glasser (2002) Ibid; Matsushita and Yasuda (2003) J. Wood Sci. 49:166-171).
When water is used as the sole fractionation agent, the majority of the hemicellulose sugars can be recovered through autohydrolysis (Garrote and Parajo (2002) Wood Science Technol. 36:111-123). However, due to inefficient delignification, this maximization of the hemicellulose sugar yield is usually done at the expense of the cellulose/glucose enzymatic conversion (Negro et al. (2003) Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 105:87-100; Chung et al. (2005) Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 121:947-961; Kim and Lee (2006) Bioresource Biotechnol. 97:224-232). Use of a second stage oxidative treatment was shown to improve the cellulose/sucrose conversion following the hot water treatment but not always as a result of efficient lignin removal (Brownell and Saddler (1987) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 29:228-35; Wyman et al. (2005) Bioresource Technol. 96:1959-1966; Kim and Holtzapple (2006) Bioresource Technol. 97:583-591).
The efficient removal of lignin under mild conditions can be achieved using the OrganoSolv™ process. This type of pre-treatment involves the use of an aqueous organic solvent, usually ethanol, to achieve the simultaneous removal of the hemicellulose sugar and lignin in separated streams. The cost associated with the use of an ethanol solvent is reduced by producing the ethanol on site and efficiently recycling it, as taught, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,812. The conversion rate of the cellulose solid fraction provided by aqueous ethanol pre-treatment is mainly affected by the inefficient removal of the hemicellulose sugar when lower water/solvent ratios are used to maximize the lignin recovery (Holtzapple and Humphrey (1984) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 26:670-676; Chum et al., (1988) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 31:643-649). Increasing the water/ethanol ratio, or the addition of a chemical catalyst to the solvent, increases the hemicellulose sugar removal but is associated with a reduction of lignin removal and increased hemicellulose sugar degradation (Holtzapple and Humphrey (1984) Ibid; Rughani and McGinnis (1989) Ibid; Pan et al. (2005) Ibid).
Successful advancements in enzyme production technology have resulted in a lower cost of the hydrolytic enzyme required to obtain a high conversion rate of cellulose to glucose. However, because the enzymatic hydrolysis activity is strongly inhibited by the hydrolysis products (sucrose and short cellulose chains), simultaneous fermentation of the released sugar (SSF for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation) can greatly improve the overall cellulose/ethanol conversion using lower enzyme loading. Several technologies are now available that allow a broader use of the biomass at lower cost under a variety of less constraining conditions (reviewed in Lin and Tanaka (2006) Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 69:627-642).
Whereas the fermentation of glucose can be carried out efficiently by a variety of organisms, the bioconversion of the pentose fraction (xylose and arabinose) presents a challenge. A lot of attention has therefore been focused on genetically engineering strains that can efficiently utilize pentose and convert them to useful compounds, such as ethanol (reviewed in: Aristidou and Penttila (2000) Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 11:187-198). Alternatively, the pentose fraction which is predominantly xylose in hardwood species such as Salix, can be recovered from the water stream and converted to xylitol for use as a valuable food product additive. By-product streams from this process (furfural, acetic acid, para-hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillin) may also be fractionated subject to market price. Furfural, the easiest by-product to market, can be obtained by distillation from the same fraction. The acetic acid may also be recovered to produce peroxyacetic acid for pulp.
Ethanol-soluble lignin is considered to be of higher value because of its ease of recovery and its suitability for a wide range of industrial applications compared with water-soluble lignin, such as that recovered from the Kraft process often employed by the pulp and paper industry. Extraction of Kraft lignin requires high volumes of solvent and has a narrower range of applications (Funaoka et al. (1995) Biotechnol. Bioeng. 46:545-552; Lora and Glasser (2002) J. Polymers Environ. 10:39-47; Kubo and Kadla (2004) Macromol. 37:6904-6911; Lawoko et al. (2005) Biomacromol. 6:3467-3473).
Lignin extracted using the OrganoSolv™ process differs significantly from that extracted via the Kraft process. OrganoSolv™ lignin has a molecular weight of 700 to 1550 g/mol, low polydispersity, a glass transition temperature of 70 to 170° C., a high relative amount of phenolic hydroxyl groups, and a low degree of chemical modification (Lora and Glasser (2002) Ibid; Kubo and Kadla (2004) Ibid; Lawoko et al. (2005) Ibid). This lignin can be used in the manufacture of molding compounds, urethane epoxy and formaldehyde resins, antioxidants and controlled-release agents. Ethanol-soluble lignin from hardwoods is recovered by diluting the aqueous ethanol pre-treatment effluent with water and acid to form a solution with a pH of 1.5 to 2.7 and an alcohol content of 30% (v/v) (or a ratio of aqueous-ethanol effluent to the acid water of 0.35 to 0.70). After drying, the precipitated lignin is obtained in the form of a powder (U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,812).
Acid catalyzed OrganoSolv™ pulping was originally developed by Theodor Kleinert as an environmentally preferred alternative to Kraft pulping (U.S. Pat. No. 3,585,104). It was later found that a variation of the operating conditions could very efficiently convert the lignocellulosic material to sugars and lignin. In the 1980s, a 16 liter continuous flow reactor pilot plant that processed bagasse to sugars was built (Dedini, Brazil). A concentrated solution of acetone with a small amount of acid was used to solubilize the lignocellulosic component of the bagasse (U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,032).
An OrganoSolv™ process using aqueous ethanol to produce a clean biofuel for turbine generators was developed by the University of Pennsylvania and the General Electric Company in the 1970s. Subsequent modification by the Canadian pulp and paper industry resulted in the Alcell™ pulping process (U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,016). The long-term economic viability of the Alcell™ process was significantly improved using technology for the recovery of lignin and furfural by-products from the organic pulping liquor (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,764,596, 5,681,427 and 5,788,812). A commercial Alcell™ pulping plant processing 30 metric tons of hardwood per day was established in 1989 in New Brunswick Canada. The plant was operated for several years but was eventually shut down due to external economic factors. More recently, a patent application was published relating to an integrated operation for processing sugarcane that combines the OrganoSolv™ Alcell™ process, pulping and fermentation to reduce the capital and operating cost by providing a high degree of internal process recycling (US Patent Publication No. US 2002/0069987).
There remains a need in the art for a process for producing ethanol from woody biomass which can be established at a relatively low cost and be profitable by maximizing the yield and recovery of valuable by products such as natural lignin and xylose.


An Alstroemeria cultivar particularly distinguished by its bright red flower color, its white flower stems, and its variegated foliage that fades from yellow to white.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'AlsDun01.' 'AlsDun01' was discovered in approximately 1997 in New Zealand and arose as a sport that arose in tissue culturing of the variety "Red Baron." Red Baron (unpatented) is believed by the inventor not to be protected anywhere in the world at present. The initial trials began in approximately 2001, and the final selection occurred in 2004. Red Baron is an old cut-flower variety that is slightly taller than the present cultivar and has pure dark green foliage and green stems.
'AlsDun01' was selected for its long lasting and striking red flowers, year round growth habit and flowering, white flowering stems, and colorful yellow variegated foliage that fades to white. 'AlsDun01' has been asexually propagated repeatedly by division since 2004 and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.


An improved drilling drill collar particularly for use in drilling horizontal wells employing a fluid driven drill, the drill collar being in the form of an elongated intermediate portion of at least substantially triangular cross-sectional configuration and having a central passageway therethrough and having externally threaded ends, the intermediate portion being formed of a lightweight metal, such as aluminum, magnesium or alloys therefore, a first tubular tool joint member threadably secured to the intermediate portion first end and a second tubular tool joint member threadably secured to the intermediate portion second end, one of the tool joint members having female threads and the other external threads so that thereby joints may be threadably secured end-to-end, the tool joint members being of a stronger metal, such as steel, the triangular configuration of the drill collar permitting free flow of well drilling circulation fluid as the drill collar lies in a horizontal borehole.

1. Field Of The Invention
Oil and gas wells are typically drilled in a generally vertical orientation, that is, a borehole extends from the earth's surface generally vertically to penetrate oil and gas bearing subterranean formations. In recent years renewed interest has developed in the enhancement of oil or gas producing capabilities of a borehole by drilling the lower portion thereof generally horizontally. In some formations production can be dramatically improved by extending the well horizontally in the formation, exposing the borehole to the proximity of a greater portion of the formation than is possible with vertical drilling.
In vertical drilling the weight of the drill string, which is made up of a sequence of drill collars threadably secured to each other, augments the drilling efforts. Drilling is usually accomplished by rotating a drill string to, in turn, rotate a drill bit at the bottom of the drill string. The weight of the drill collars, particularly those immediately above the bit, is used to apply drilling pressure of the bit against the formation being drilled. Accordingly, in the usual practive of vertically drilling oil and gas wells the weight of the drill string is not normally a limiting factor and, in fact, the weight of the drill string is used advantageously. However, when a hole extends horizontally the weight of the drill collars in the horizontal portion is of no advantage. The typical horizontally bored oil or gas well extends generally vertically for a major portion of the borehole length. As the borehole approaches the producing formation, the borehole is slanted and is converted into a bend or turn in the borehole that can be as much as 90 degrees, the portion of the borehole after the turn being substantially horizontal. A problem with drilling horizontal boreholes is the fact that the drill string must be pushed horizontally as the borehole advances. Thus, increased weight of the drill collars is a disadvantage.
Another problem encountered in drilling horizontal boreholes is that rotary drill strings cannot be effectively employed. For this reason, the typical means of drilling horizontally in a borehole is to use what is known as "turbine drill"--that is, a drilling system employing a motor producing rotational torque in response to fluid flow therethrough, the rotational torque being applied to a drill bit. Turbine drilling requires a fairly high flow rate of drilling fluid. The drilling fluid serves three main purposes. First, the flow of the drilling fluid through the interior of the drill string and out through the turbine provides the rotational torque for rotating the drill bit. Second, the circulating drilling fluid serves to carry away cuttings produced by the drill bit that must be carried back to the earth's surface to leave the drilled hole open. Third, the circulating drilling fluid serves to cool the bit as it works against the formation being drilled.
A serious problem encountered with the use of the typical cylindrical drill strings made up of a sequence of lengths of cylindrical drill collars is that of preventing the drill collar from becoming stuck in the horizontal portion of the borehole. As a cylindrical drill collar lies horizontally in a borehole in a non-rotating position the cuttings produced by the turbine rotating drill bit tend to settle and collect around the cylindrical drill collar in the area between the drill collar and the interior of the horizontal borehole. If sufficient cuttings settle and compact in this manner the drill string can be stuck so that it cannot be pulled out of or retrieved from the borehole.
In object of this invention is to provide an improved drill collar for use in drilling a horizontal borehole and to eliminate the cronic problem of rotating the drilling string from surface to bit.
2. Related Background Art
Others have given consideration to the desirability of improved drill collars. U.S. Pat. No. 3,525,237 to Lari entitled "Drill-Stem", issued Aug. 25, 1970, shows an integral drill collar with a generally rectangular configuration. The drill collar is of a unitary construction, that is, the threaded end portions and the intermediate portion are of the same material and the exterior configuration is somewhat triangular but more in the shape of a curved equilateral triangle, with equal axial moments of inertia as to every axis that passes through the center of the base circle of the cross-section of the triangle. Lari provides a drill collar that is non-circular in cross-section but wherein the cross-section does not have the advantages of a distinct triangular shape so as to allow, as the drill collar lies in the horizontal borehole, free fluid flow passages between the exterior of the drill collar and the cylindrical borehole. Further, Lari provides a drill collar of a unified construction so that all portions thereof must be of a material having sufficient strength to accept threads so that drill collars can be joined together.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,237,427 to Scarborough entitled "Drill Collar", issued Mar. 1, 1966, shows a drill collar in which the cross-section thereof is rectangular. The rectangular configuration is an improvement over a cylindrical drill collar if used for horizontal drilling but still does not supply adequate areas of fluid circulation in the annular space between the exterior of the drill collar and the interior cylindrical borehole. Further, Scarborough, like Lair, is of a unified construction and thus not susceptible of being formed of lightweight material.
Other patents that show drill collars of various constructions are the following:
______________________________________ 2,263,579 Hokanson Sectional Drill Rod Nov 25, 1941 2,330,564 Dyer Mud Ejection Control Sep 28, 1943 3,067,593 McCool Integral Tool Joint Drill Dec 11, 1962 Pipe 3,175,374 Toelke Tubular Member For Mar 30, 1965 Use In Well Drilling Operations 3,237,427 Scarborough Drill Collar Mar 01, 1963 3,338,069 Ortloff Rotary Drill Collar Aug 29, 1967 3,525,237 Lari Drill-Stem Aug 25, 1970 4,378,057 O'Connell Coupling Structure For Mar 29, 1983 A Compound Drill Stem ______________________________________
These patents are representative of the state of the art of drill collars as used in drilling oil or gas wells.

Drill collar for use in horizontal drilling


A pinmat (12) for perforating a composite laminate sheet (20). The pinmat (12) includes a mat portion (22) and a series of pins (24) extending from the mat portion (22). Each pin (24) has a shank portion (30) extending from the mat portion (22) and a tip portion (32) extending from the shank portion (30). The tip portion (32)includes a base portion (34) extending from the shank portion (30), an accelerating portion (36) extending from the base portion (34), and a piercing portion (38) extending from the accelerating portion (36). The piercing portion (38) is utilized for penetrating the composite laminate sheet (20) within a substantially low range of applied pressure for forming a hole within the composite laminate sheet (20). Moreover, the accelerating portion (36) is utilized for penetrating the composite laminate sheet (20) at a substantially high speed for forcing the base portion (34) into the composite laminate sheet (20) within the substantially low range of applied pressure. The base portion (34) enlarges the hole formed by the piercing portion (38).

Aircraft manufacturers are well known for producing aircraft nacelles, which are perforated acoustic panels typically utilized for surrounding the cargo, the crew, and/or the engines. These perforated acoustic panels typically are comprised of composite laminate sheets ("laminate sheets") having a series of holes molded therein. These laminate sheets typically are comprised of multiple plies of resin-impregnated carbon-fiber woven fabric. The holes typically are formed in the laminate sheet by forcing the laminate sheet onto a pinmat, which has a mat portion and a series of pins extending from the mat portion. In addition, the laminate sheets are consolidated against the mat portion of the pinmat for decreasing porosity within the laminate sheet and strengthening the laminate sheet.
It would be desirable to provide an enhanced pinmat having a substantially robust construction for strengthening the nacelles and decreasing manufacturing costs associated therewith.

Enhanced pinmat for manufacturing high-strength perforated laminate sheets


A Chromium VI-free coating composition comprises a binder and a corrosion inhibitor in a solvent, wherein the binder comprises a silicate and an organic titanate, and the corrosion inhibitor comprises aluminium particles and zinc particles preferably flakes. The composition may also comprise an anti-corrosion additive which comprises a metal phosphate, a lubricant which comprises a polyolefin wax, and/or a thickener. The coating composition is useful for coating substrates such as nuts, bolts and other fasteners, door, bonnet and boot lock parts, hinges, door stoppers, window guides, seat belt components, brake rotors and drums, and other transportation industry related parts.

It is well known to treat metal surfaces such as iron and steel with some form of corrosion inhibiting treatment or coating. Corrosion inhibiting coatings are well known in the art and generally contain metal particles in particular zinc and/or aluminium particles as active ingredients together with some form of binder.
GB 1380748 describes a coating composition particularly, but not exclusively, for a zinc filled coating composition which when applied to a metal surface will provide galvanic protection to the metal. The composition comprises trialkoxysilanes which have been cohydrolysed and cocondensed with a hydrolysable titanium ester. The Silane is selected from RSi(OR′)3 and RSi(OR″OR′″)3 where R and R′ are monovalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having up to 10 carbon atoms, R″ is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and R′″ are monovalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having up to 10 carbon atoms or hydrogen.
GB 1499556 relates to a process for hydrolyzing ethyl silicate to form a gellable liquid hydrolysate which is used for mixing with powders such as powdered zinc for use in an anti-corrosion paint. The ethyl silicate is acid hydrolysed and the solvent for the hydrolysis is acetone or an alcohol
EP0808883 discloses a water-reducible coating composition for corrosion protection comprising particulate metal such as aluminium or zinc and a water reducible organofunctional silane. Epoxy silanes, particularly beta-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane and/or gamma glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane were preferred. Other constituents included a high boiling point organic liquid, a water soluble cellulose based thickener and a wetting agent.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,393,611 and 5,324,545 both relate to a dip-coating method for protecting chromatised or passivated zinc coatings on steel or the like using a composition of a titanic acid ester and a "so-called" organofunctional polysiloxane, preferably having between 2 and 10 siloxane repeating units and epoxy end groups. There is no clear definition of the meaning of the term organofunctional polysiloxane in either of these documents but it would seem to mean a polymer with a siloxane backbone having at least one Si—R bond where R is an unsaturated or functionally substituted hydrocarbon radical. Confusingly however the examples in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,393,611 and 5,324,545 both teach that rather than an organofunctional polysiloxane being used the preferred silicon containing compound is an epoxy silane, namely gamma glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane.
The present inventors have found an increasing demand from industry for coatings for metal surfaces which can provide a high level of corrosion protection, cathodic protection, and "for-life" dry lubrication (i.e. the metal surface needs coating only once during its working life) with defined and constant coefficient of friction, whilst being Chromium VI-free and providing an attractive appearance to articles coated with the coating. Commercially available coatings are unable to satisfy all of these demands.


The present invention relates to a method for mathematically re-calibrating and adjusting an initial concentration analysis model that suffers from electrochemical measurement errors caused by surface state changes in the working/counter/reference electrode after extended usage. Specifically, such recalibration method reimburses long-term drift in the electrochemical measurements based on a single point testing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for determining the concentrations of one or more components in an electrolytic solution, especially in a copper electrochemical deposition solution.
2. Description of the Related Art
In electrochemical deposition (ECD) process, the rigorous control of the relative proportions of respective inorganic and organic ingredients in the ECD bath is critical to the achievement of satisfactory results in the rate of metal film formation and the quality of the film so formed. During the use of the plating bath solution, the plating process may be affected by depletion of inorganic components and organic additives as well as by organic byproduct formation. The ECD bath chemistry therefore must be maintained by periodic replacement of a part or the entire ECD bath. It is therefore important to continuously or periodically monitor the concentrations of inorganic and/or organic components in the ECD bath, and responsively add respective components to the bath to maintain the composition of the bath in an effective state for the electrochemical deposition operation.
In electrochemical-based analysis of organic additive concentration in the ECD bath, the surface state of the working/counter/reference electrode changes with long term operation, due to contamination, corrosion, or re-crystallization of the electrode surface material, which causes drift in the measurement results. Corresponding recalibration or adjustment of the concentration analysis results therefore is required, which is time-consuming and complicated for onsite operation.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new method for one-point recalibration or adjustment of the concentration analysis results, to reimburse the drift in the measurement results based on one point testing and to provide a modified concentration analysis model with build-in drift reimbursement features.
Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from the ensuring disclosure and appended claims.

One-point recalibration method for reducing error in concentration measurements for an electrolytic solution


An apparatus for recovering hydrogen and separating its isotopes. The apparatus includes a housing bearing at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A baffle is disposed within the housing, attached thereto by a bracket. A hollow conduit is coiled about the baffle, in spaced relation to the baffle and the housing. The coiled conduit is at least partially filled with a hydride. The hydride can be heated to a high temperature and cooled to a low temperature quickly by circulating a heat transfer fluid in the housing. The spacing between the baffle and the housing maximizes the heat exchange rate between the fluid in the housing and the hydride in the conduit. The apparatus can be used to recover hydrogen isotopes (protium, deuterium and tritium) from gaseous mixtures, or to separate hydrogen isotopes from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the recovery of hydrogen and the separation of hydrogen isotopes. In particular, the present invention relates to a hydride absorption/desorption apparatus for the recovery of hydrogen and the separation of the isotopes of hydrogen.
2. Discussion of Background
Processes for the separation of hydrogen isotopes often rely on hydrogen-absorbing materials (hydrides) for the recovery, storage and supply of the isotopes. Hydrides are capable of absorbing large amounts of hydrogen which can then be desorbed under the appropriate temperature and pressure conditions. They are selective in that they only absorb hydrogen, and also differentially absorb the three isotopes of hydrogen (protium, deuterium, and tritium).
When hydrogen contacts a hydride, the temperature of the hydride rises as it absorbs hydrogen in an exothermic reaction. Since the hydrogen equilibrium pressure increases exponentially with increasing temperature, hydrogen absorption decreases with increasing temperature. Absorption ceases when the partial pressure of hydrogen is equal to the equilibrium pressure. Therefore, the hydride must be cooled to maintain the absorption process. To release hydrogen, the reaction is reversed by heating the hydride. The faster the hydride is cooled and heated, the faster the hydrogen is absorbed and released, respectively.
Known hydrides include pure metals (Mg, Ti, V, Nb, Pt, Pd, and so forth), alloys (the La-, Ti-, and Co- alloys, rare earth-Ni alloys), and various hydride-containing compositions. The capacity of a particular material to absorb or release hydrogen depends on the temperature, the external hydrogen gas pressure, and the surface area of the material. To maximize surface area and absorption/desorption efficiency, the hydride is often supplied in the form of small-grained particles or pellets.
Typical hydrogen separation apparatus includes a column at least partially filled with a hydride. A hydrogen-containing gas mixture is flowed through the column to separate hydrogen from the mixture; the column is heated to recover the hydrogen. A plurality of columns, arranged in "series" or "parallel," may be provided to increase the efficiency of the process. For example, channels might be machined into an aluminum or stainless steel block, filled with a hydride, and covered by a plate welded thereto. Hydride-containing columns may be arranged in parallel within a sealed housing, as in the apparatus described by Konishi, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,427). Heat is supplied by applying an electric current to heating coils disposed within the housing. Hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing mixture enters the housing through an inlet and portions thereof are diverted to flow through the individual columns.
Known designs of this type generally use straight columns. Since the efficiency of the absorption/desorption process depends in part on how rapidly the column is heated and cooled; the faster the cooling and heating, the higher the efficiency. The cooling and heating rate increases with the column surface area and the heat transfer efficiency between the column surface and the heat transfer medium. The heat transfer efficiency in turn depends on the flow pattern of the heat transfer medium over the external surface of the column. The column surface area is sometimes increased by the use of multiple columns. Designs using multiple columns typically contain a large number of fittings, seams, welds, or couplings. In many cases, it is difficult to examine these to assure the structural strength and integrity of the apparatus. There is a need for an efficient hydrogen isotope separation apparatus having a large column surface area with a minimum of welds or other couplings and a high heat transfer efficiency.

Apparatus for separating and recovering hydrogen isotopes

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


A chimeric adenoviral vector is provided that comprises nucleotide sequence of a first adenovirus, wherein at least one gene of said first adenovirus encoding a protein that facilitates binding of said vector to a target mammalian cell, or internalization thereof within said cell, is replaced by the corresponding gene from a second adenovirus belonging to subgroup D, said vector further comprising a transgene operably linked to a eucaryotic promoter to allow for expression therefrom in a mammalian cell. Additionally, a method of delivering transgenes to target mammalian cells, particularly airway epithelial cells, is provided.

The present invention relates to chimeric adenoviral vectors, that is, vectors comprising DNA from more than one serotype of adenovirus, that have enhanced capabilities to enter target mammalian cells in order to deliver therapeutically useful nucleotide sequences therein. Such a nucleotide sequence (which may be referred to as transgene) may comprise a gene not otherwise present in the target cell that codes for a therapeutically useful protein, or may represent, for example, an active copy of a gene that is already present in the target cell, but in a defective form.
One of the fundamental challenges now facing medical practicioners is that although the defective genes that are associated with numerous inherited diseases (or that represent disease risk factors including for various cancers) have been isolated and characterized, methods to correct the disease states themselves by providing patients with normal copies of such genes (the technique of gene therapy) are substantially lacking. Accordingly, the development of improved methods of intracellular delivery therefor is of great medical importance. Examples of diseases that it is hoped can be treated by gene therapy include inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis, Gaucher's disease, Fabry's disease, and muscular dystrophy. Representative of acquired disorders that can be treated are: (1) for cancers--multiple myeloma, leukemias, melanomas, ovarian carcinoma and small cell lung cancer; (2) for cardiovascular conditions--progressive heart failure, restenosis, and hemophilias; and (3) for neurological conditions--traumatic brain injury.
Gene therapy requires successful transfection of target cells in a patient. Transfection may generally be defined as the process of introducing an expressible polynucleotide (for example a gene, a cDNA, or an mRNA patterned thereon) into a cell. Successful expression of the encoding polynucleotide leads to production in the cells of a normal protein and leads to correction of the disease state associated with the abnormal gene. Therapies based on providing such proteins directly to target cells (protein replacement therapy) have generally proved ineffective since, for example, the cell membrane presents a selectively permeable barrier to entry. Thus there is great interest in alternative methods to cause delivery of therapeutic proteins.
Cystic fibrosis, a common lethal genetic disorder, is a particular example of a disease that is a target for gene therapy. The disease is caused by the presence of one or more mutations in the gene that encodes a protein known as cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ("CFTR"), and which regulates the movement of ions (and therefore fluid) across the cell membrane of epithelial cells, including lung epithelial cells. Abnormnal ion transport in airway cells leads to abnormal mucous secretion, inflammmation and infection, tisssue damage, and eventually death.
It is widely hoped that gene therapy will provide a long lasting and predictable form of therapy for certain disease states, and it is likely the only form of therapy suitable for many inhereted diseases. There remains however a critical need to develop vectors that faciliate entry of functional genes into cells, and whose activity in this regard provides in vivo delivery of genes that is sufficient for therapeutic effect.


Hindered amines based on various 2,2,6,6-tetraalkylated nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moieties wherein the hindered nitrogen atom on the ring is substituted with O-acyl, O-carbamoyl or O-carbonate substituents and the 4-position of the ring is substituted with a variety of groups, are effective as light stabilizers in diverse substrate systems.

The invention relates to novel hindered amine derivatives containing 0-acyl, 0-carbamoyl or 0-carbonate groups on the hindered nitrogen atom of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring and a diversity of substituents on the 4-position of the ring.
Various N-acyloxy and N-carbamoyloxy hindered amine derivatives have been disclosed. N-Acetoxy and N-benzoyloxy derivatives prepared from the N-hydroxy starting material are described in Kurumada et al, J. Polym. Sci, Polym. Chem. Ed. 22, 277-81 (1984). Felder et al., Helv. Chim. Acta. 63, 132 (1980) teach the preparation of an N-phenylacetoxy derivative. N-(Phenylcarbamoyl)oxy derivatives of N-hydroxy hindered amines have been reported in Rozantsev et al, Isv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Khim. 5, 891-6 (1966). The bis(N-acetoxypiperidyl) sebacate has been disclosed in Carlsson et al, Polym. Science Technol. 26, 35-47 (1984). Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,547 discloses various N-piperidyl lactam compounds such as an N-benzoyloxy hindered amine containing a 4-(2-oxohexamethyleneimine) substituent as light stabilizers for polyolefins and other organic polymers.
The instant invention relates to hydroxylamine derivatives having one of formulae A to P ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl,
R.sub.1 is ##STR2## wherein D is C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkoxy, phenyl, phenyl substituted by hydroxy, alkyl or alkoxy, or amino or amino mono- or disubstituted by alkyl or phenyl; PA1 m is 1-4, PA1 when m is 1, PA1 R.sub.2 is ##STR3## wherein x is 0 or 1, or ##STR4## wherein y is 2-4; when m is 2 and D is alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl, PA1 R.sub.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkylene, C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 alkenylene, xylylene, a divalent acyl radical of a cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid or of a dicarbamic acid, preferably an acyl radical of a cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8-14 C atoms, or of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarbamic acid having 8-14 atoms; ##STR5## wherein D.sub.1 is an aryl or aralkyl radical including 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl radical, D.sub.2 is D.sub.1 or hydrogen, D3 is an alkenyl radical containing up to 18 carbon atoms, and d is 0-20; PA1 when m is 2 and D is amino, substituted amino or alkoxy, PA1 R.sub.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkylene, C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 alkenylene, xylylene, a divalent acyl radical of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid, or of a dicarbamic acid; preferably an acyl radical of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 2-18 C atoms, of a cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8-14 C. atoms, or of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarbamic acid having 8-14 C atoms; ##STR6## wherein D.sub.4 and D.sub.5 are independently hydrogen, an alkyl radical containing up to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl or aralkyl radical including 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl radical, D.sub.6 is hydrogen, or an alkyl or alkenyl radical containing up to 18 carbon atoms, and d is 0-20; PA1 p is 1, 2 or 3, PA1 R.sub.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.9 aralkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkanoyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenoyl or benzoyl; PA1 when p is 1, PA1 R.sub.4 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkenyl unsubstituted or substituted by a cyano, carbonyl or carbamide group, aryl, aralkyl, or it is glycidyl, a group of the formula --CH.sub.2 --CH(OH)--Z or of the formula --CO--Z-- or --CONH--Z wherein Z is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl; or a group of the formulae ##STR7## when p is 2, R.sub.4 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkylene, C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 arylene, xylylene, a --CH.sub.2 CH(OH)--CH.sub.2 group, or a group --CH.sub.2 --CH(OH)--CH.sub.2 --O--X--O--CH.sub.2 --CH(OH)--CH.sub.2 -- wherein X is C.sub.2 --C.sub.10 alkylene, C.sub.6 --C.sub.15 arylene or C.sub.6 --C.sub.12 cycloalkylene; or, provided that R.sub.3 is not alkanoyl, alkenoyl or benzoyl, R.sub.4 can also be a divalent acyl radical of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid or dicarbamic acid, or can be the group --CO--; or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together when p is 1 can be alkylene of 4 to 6 carbon atoms or 2-oxo polyalkylene or the cyclic acyl radical of an aliphatic or aromatic 1,2- or 1,3-dicarboxylic acid, or ##STR8## where T.sub.8 and T.sub.9 are independently hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or T.sub.8 and T.sub.9 together are alkylene of 4 to 6 carbon atoms or 3-oxapentamethylene, preferably T.sub.8 and T.sub.9 together are 3-oxapentamethylene; PA1 when p is 3, PA1 R.sub.4 is 2,4,6-triazinyl, PA1 when n is 1, PA1 R.sub.5 and R'.sub.5 are independently C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkenyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 aralkyl, or R.sub.5 is also hydrogen, or R.sub.5 and R'.sub.5 together are C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene or hydroxyalkylene or C.sub.4 -C.sub.22 acyloxyalkylene; PA1 when n is 2, PA1 R.sub.5 and R'.sub.5 together are (--CH.sub.2).sub.2 C(CH.sub.2 --).sub.2 ; PA1 R.sub.6 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, allyl, benzyl, qlycidyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxyalkyl; PA1 when n is 1, PA1 R.sub.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.9 aralkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, glycidyl, a group of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --COO--Q or of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --O--CO--Q wherein m is 1 or 2, and Q is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or phenyl; or PA1 when n is 2, PA1 R.sub.7 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkylene, C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 arylene, a group --CH.sub.2 CH(OH)--CH.sub.2 --O--X--O--CH.sub.2 --CH(OH)--CH.sub.2 -- wherein X is C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkylene, C.sub.6 -C.sub.15 arylene or C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 cycloalkylene, or a group --CH.sub.2 CH(OZ')CH.sub.2 --(OCH.sub.2 --CH(OZ')CH.sub.2).sub.2 -- wherein Z' is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, allyl, benzyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkanoyl or benzoyl; PA1 Q.sub.2 is --N(R.sub.8)-- or --O--; E is C.sub.1 --C.sub.3 alkylene, the group --CH.sub.2 --CH(R.sub.9)--O-- wherein R.sub.9 is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl, the group --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --NH-- or a direct bond; PA1 T.sub.4 has the same meaning as R.sub.4 when p is 1 or 2, PA1 T.sub.5 is methyl, PA1 T.sub.6 is methyl or ethyl, or T.sub.5 and T.sub.6 together are tetramethylene or pentamethylene or mixture of said hydroxylamine derivatives, preferably T.sub.5 and T.sub.6 are each methyl, PA1 M and Y are independently methylene or carbonyl preferably M is methylene and Y is carbonyl, and T.sub.4 is ethylene where n is 2; PA1 T.sub.7 is the same as R.sub.7, and T.sub.7 is preferably octamethylene when n is 2, PA1 T.sub.10 and T.sub.11 are independently alkylene of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, or T.sub.11 is ##STR11## T.sub.12 is ##STR12## where R.sub.11 is the same as R.sub.3 or is also ##STR13## a, b and c are independently 2 or 3, and f is 0 or 1, preferably a and c are each 3, b is 2 and f is 1; and PA1 e is 3 or 4, preferably 4; PA1 T.sub.13 is the same as R4 with the proviso that T.sub.13 cannot be hydrogen when p is 1; PA1 E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 m being different, each are --CO-- or --N(E.sub.5)-- where E.sub.5 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or C.sub.4 -C.sub.22 alkoxycarbonylalkyl, preferably E.sub.1 is --CO-- and E.sub.2 is --N(E.sub.5)--, PA1 E.sub.3 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, phenyl, naphthyl, said phenyl or said naphthyl substituted by chlorine or by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or phenylalkyl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, or said phenylalkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, PA1 E.sub.4 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, phenyl, naphthyl or phenylalkyl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, or PA1 E.sub.3 and E.sub.4 together are polymethylene of 4 to 17 carbon atoms, or said polymethylene substituted by up to four alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, and
when m is 3, R.sub.2 is a trivalent acyl radical of an aliphatic, unsaturated aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic tricarboxylic acid;
when m is 4, R.sub.2 is a tetravalent acyl radical of a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or aromatic tetracarboxylic acid including 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid, 1,2,3,4-but-2-enetetracarboxylic acid, and 1,2,3,5- and 1,2,4,5-pentanetetracarboxylic acid;
R.sub.10 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, R.sub.8 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 aralkyl, cyanoethyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, the group --CH.sub.2 --CH(R.sub.9)--OH wherein R.sub.9 has the meaning defined above; a group of the formula ##STR9## or a group of the formula ##STR10## wherein G can be C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylene or C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 arylene; or R.sub.8 is a group --E--CO--NH--CH.sub.2 --OR.sub.10 ;
Formula F denotes a recurring structural unit of a polymer where T.sub.3 is ethylene or 1,2-propylene, or is the repeating structural unit derived from an alpha-olefin copolymer with an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate; preferably a copolymer of ethylene and ethyl acrylate, and where k is 2 to 100;
R.sub.2 of formula (N) is as previously defined when m is 1, and G.sub.2 is a direct bond, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkylene, phenylene or --NH--G'--NH wherein G' is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkylene.
In the structures A to N, if any substituents are C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, they are for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl or n-octadecyl. Typical cycloalkyl groups include cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl, while typical aralkyl groups include benzyl, alpha-methyl-benzyl, alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzyl or phenethyl.
If R.sub.2 is a divalent acyl radical of a dicarboxylic acid, it is for example an acyl radical of adipic acid, succinic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid, dibutylmalonic acid, dibenzylmalonic acid or (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-malonic acid, or bicycloheptenedicarboxylic acid.
If R.sub.2 is a divalent acyl radical of a dicarbamic acid, it is for example an acyl radical of hexamethylenedicarbamic acid or of 2,4-toluylenedicarbamic acid.
The following compounds are examples of polyalkylpiperidine starting materials useful in making the hydroxylamine derivatives of formula A. (Depending on the selected preparative procedure).
di-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)phthalate alpha,alpha'-(di-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-oxy)-p-xylene PA0 1,4-dihydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-acetoxy-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine di-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperdin-4-yl) phthalate PA0 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one (1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramehylpiperdin-4-yl) stearate (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-[4-(2-oxoazepin-1-yl)-2,2,6,6-tetramet hylpiperidin-4-yl]acetate PA0 N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-hexamethylene-1,6-diamine, PA0 N,N'-bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-hexamethylene-1,6-diacetamide, PA0 4-benzylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, PA0 N-n-butyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert.butyl benzamide, PA0 N,N'-bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N,N'-di-butyl-adipamide, PA0 N,N'-bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N,N'-dicyclohexyl-(2-hydroxypr opylene-diamine), PA0 N,N'-bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-p-xylylenediamine, PA0 4-(3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-benzoyl acetamido)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, PA0 alpha-cyano-.beta.-methyl-.beta.-[N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl]-ami no-acrylic acid methyl ester, PA0 1-acetoxy-4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine PA0 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one. PA0 9-aza-8,8,10,10-tetramethyl-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, PA0 9-aza-8,8,10,10-tetramethyl-3-ethyl-1,5-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, PA0 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-spiro-2'-(1',3'-dioxane)5'-spiro-5"-(1",3"- dioxane)-2"-spiro-4"'-(2"',2"'-6"',6"'-tetramethylpiperidine). PA0 3-benzyl-1,3,8-triaza-7,7,9,9-tetramethylspiro[4.5]-decane-2,4-dione, PA0 3-n-octyl-1,3,8-triaza-7,7,9,9-tetramethylspiro[4.5]-decane-2,4-dione, PA0 3-allyl-1,3,8-triaza-1,7,7,9,9-pentamethylspiro[4.5]-decane-2,4-dione, or the compounds of the following formulae: ##STR14## As C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, R.sub.8 is in particular cyclohexyl. PA0 N-hydroxymethyl-N'-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl-urea, PA0 N-methoxymethyl-N'-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl urea, PA0 N-methoxymethyl-N'-n-dodecyl-N'-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl-urea, and PA0 O-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-methoxymethylurethane. PA0 poly-{[6-[(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-imino]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl][2-(1-o xyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-imino]-hexamethylene-4[4-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidyl]-imino}, PA0 2,3,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 2,6-dichloronaphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 2,7-dichloronaphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 2,3,6,7-tetrachloronaphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 phenanthrene-1,8,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride 2,3,3',4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride pyromellitic dianhydride PA0 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 2,2',3,3'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 2,2',3,3'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 4,4'-isopropylidenediphthalic anhydride PA0 3,3'-isopropylidenediphthalic anhydride PA0 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride PA0 4,4'-sulfonyldiphthalic anhydride PA0 3,3'-oxydiphthalic anhydride PA0 4,4'-methylenediphthalic anhydride PA0 4,4'-thiodiphthalic anhydride PA0 4,4'-ethylidenediphthalic anhydride PA0 2,3,6,7-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 1,2,4,5-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride PA0 1,2,5,6-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride benzene-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride.
As C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkanoyl, R.sub.3 is for example propionyl, butyryl, octanoyl, dodecanoyl, hexadecanoyl, octadecanoyl, but preferably acetyl; and as C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenoyl, R.sub.3 is in particular acryloyl.
If R.sub.4 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkenyl unsubstituted or substituted by a cyano, carbonyl or carbamide group, it is for example 1-propenyl, allyl, methallyl, 2-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 2-octenyl, 2,2-dicyanovinyl, 1-methyl-2-cyano-2-methoxycarbonyl-vinyl or 2,2-diacetylaminovinyl.
If any substituents are C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkylene, they are for example ethylene, propylene, 2,2-dimethylpropylene, tetramethylene, hexamethylene, octamethylene, decamethylene or dodecamethylene.
If any substituents are C.sub.6 -C.sub.15 arylene, they are for example o-, m- or p-phenylene, 1,4-naphthylene or 4,4'-diphenylene.
As C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 cycloalkylene, X is especially cyclohexylene.
The following compounds are examples of polyalkylpiperidine starting materials useful in making the hydroxylamine derivatives of formula B.
If R5 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 alkylene or hydroxyalkylene, it is for example ethylene, 1-methyl-ethylene, propylene, 2-ethylpropylene or 2-ethyl-2-hydroxymethylpropylene.
As C.sub.4 -C.sub.22 acyloxyalkylene, R.sub.5 is for example 2-ethyl-2-acetoxymethyl-propylene.
The following compounds are examples of polyalkylpiperidine starting materials useful in making the hydroxylamine derivatives of formula C.
If any substituents are C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxyalkyl, they are for example methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, propoxymethyl, tert-butoxyethyl, ethoxyethyl, ethoxypropyl, n-butoxyethyl, tert-butoxyethyl, isopropoxyethyl or propoxypropyl.
If R.sub.7 is C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyl, it is for example 1-propenyl, allyl, methallyl, 2-butenyl or 2-pentenyl.
As C.sub.7 -C.sub.9 aralkyl, R.sub.7 is in particular phenethyl or above all benzyl; and as C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, R.sub.7 is especially cyclohexyl.
If R.sub.7 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl, it is for example 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxybutyl or 4-hydroxybutyl.
As C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, the substituents are in particular phenyl, or alpha- or .beta.-naphthyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl.
If R.sub.7 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkylene, it is for example ethylene, propylene, 2,2-dimethylpropylene, tetramethylene, hexamethylene, octamethylene, decamethylene or dodecamethylene.
If R.sub.7 is C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 arylene, it is for example o-, m- or p-phenylene, 1,4-naphthylene or 4,4'-diphenylene.
If Z' is C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkanoyl, it is for example propionyl, butyryl, octanoyl, dodecanoyl or preferably acetyl.
The following compounds are examples of polyalkylpiperidine starting materials useful in making hydroxylamine derivatives of formula D.
As C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, R.sub.8 is particularly phenyl, or alpha- or .beta.-naphthyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl.
As C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylene, E is for example methylene, ethylene or propylene.
As C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylene, G is for example ethylene, propylene, 2,2-dimethylpropylene, tetramethylene or hexamethylene; and as C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 arylene, G is o-, m- or p-phenylene, 1,4-naphthylene or 4,4'-diphenylene.
The following compounds are examples of polyalkylpiperidine starting materials useful in making the hydroxylamine derivatives of formula E.
When the instant hydroxylamine derivative is of formula F, the following polymeric compounds are examples of starting materials useful in preparing said derivatives. ##STR15##
Additional starting hindered amine derivatives include for formula J:
For compounds of formula O, R.sub.3 is preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl and C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl and more preferably methyl, octyl, dodecyl and cyclohexyl.
For compounds of formula P, the following species are typical of tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides suitable for the preparation thereof:
The hydroxylamine derivatives of the instant invention are generally prepared by oxidizing the corresponding hindered amine with an appropriate peroxy compound such as hydrogen peroxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of a metal carbonyl or metal oxide catalyst followed by reduction of the oxyl intermediate formed to the desired N-hydroxy derivative, preferably by catalytic hydrogenation.
Thereafter, the N-acyloxy, N-carbamoyloxy and N-(alkoxyacyl)oxy derivatives are prepared by reacting the N-hydroxy hindered amine with the appropriate acid chloride, anhydride, cyanate, isocyanate or substituted chloroformate (for carbonates). The catalytic hydrogenation can also be conducted in acetic anhydride to prepare the N-acetoxy derivative.
The oxalates of formula N can be prepared by reacting (1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)stearate, benzoate, and the like, with oxalyl chloride, or for R.sub.2 being --NH--G'--NH by reacting the appropriate 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine with the appropriate diisocyanate.
These reactions are generally conducted at temperatures ranging from 0 to 60.degree. C. and in a variety of solvents including toluene and dichloromethane. The reactions are also preferably conducted in the presence of an acid acceptor such as triethylamine. The various hindered amine precursors are largely commercially available or can be prepared by methods known in the art.
The derivatives are particularly effective in stabilizing organic materials against the degradative effects of actinic stimuli. Such organic materials include polyolefins, vinyl chloride polymers, elastomers, polyesters and polyurethanes. They are particularly active as light stabilizers in ambient cured and acid catalyzed thermoset coatings or enamels. Since these materials are considerably less basic than conventional hindered amines, they do not inhibit or interfere with cure as is encountered with the conventional hindered amines nor are they interacting. They likewise do not exhibit the color problems encountered with nitroxyl radicals and, unlike N-hydroxy hindered amines, tend to resist air oxidation during handling. Finally, the N-acyloxy hindered amines exhibit greater solubility in the solvents typically utilized in coatings. These areas are further described in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 07/099,411 and 07/099,420 both abandoned.
The following examples will further illustrate the embodiments of this invention.

O-carbonyl N-hydroxy hindered amine stabilizers


A backlight module includes a light guiding plate, a pattern structure, a number of LEDs, a reflecting plate, a diffusing layer, and a prism film. The pattern structure is adhered on a bottom of the light guiding plate. The LEDs are mounted on the bottom of the light guiding plate and the reflecting plate is adhered on a bottom of the pattern structure. The diffusing layer is adhered on a top of the light guiding plate. The prism film is adhered on a top of the diffusing layer.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to backlight modules, and more particularly to a direct-type backlight module using LEDs (light emitting diodes) as a light source.
2. Description of Related Art
LEDs have been widely promoted as light sources of backlight modules owing to many advantages, such as high luminosity, low operational voltage and low power consumption. A traditional direct type backlight module used for illuminating a planar display device such a liquid crystal display (LCD), includes a plurality of elements, such as a light guiding plate, a plurality of LEDs mounted on a printed circuit board, a reflecting plate, a diffusing layer, a prism film etc. However, the elements of the backlight module takes up a lot of space, which cannot meet consumers' requirements of lighter weight and smaller size.
Therefore, a backlight module which is capable of overcoming the above described shortcomings is desired.

Backlight module and method for manufacturing the same


An integrated circuit memory device includes a static random access memory (SRAM) cell, and a charge storing circuit electrically coupled to the SRAM cell. A switching controller is provided, which is electrically coupled to the charge storing circuit. The switching controller and the charge storing circuit are collectively configured to save power by recycling charge associated with a bit line electrically coupled to the SRAM cell by: (i) transferring charge from the bit line to a charge storage node electrically coupled to source terminals of a pair of NMOS pull-down transistors within the SRAM cell upon commencement of a SRAM cell write operation, and then (ii) returning at least a portion of the charge to the bit line upon completion of the SRAM cell write operation.

The inventive concept relates to integrated circuit memory devices and, more particularly, to SRAM devices and methods of operating SRAM devices.
Due to the demand of high integration and development of semiconductor processes, the widths, intervals, and/or heights of wiring lines included in an integrated circuit (IC) may be reduced and parasitic elements of the wiring lines may increase. In addition, a power supply voltage of the IC may be reduced to lower power consumption, and an operating speed may increase, so that influences of parasitic elements of the wiring lines on the IC may increase. In spite of the parasitic elements, a memory device manufactured by various semiconductor processes may be required to stably provide high performance in accordance with requirements of various applications. It may also be important to reduce energy consumption, and one of the most efficient methods of reducing energy consumption is reducing a voltage supplied to a system-on-chip (SoC) architecture.

Static random access memory (SRAM) devices and methods of operating the same


A heating element (10) having a first bus wire (12) and a second bus wire (14) and a plurality of flexible heating wires (16) which are connected between the first and second bus wires (12, 14), the flexible heating wires (16) which are connected between the within parallel zones (30), to make up modules (31), which may be attached together or cut to length so that the overall length of the heating element (10) may be varied thereby. The heating element may be self-regulating. Also a self- regulating regulating heating element (60) having a plurality of PTC heating elements (62) and at least one conductive pathway (68) which is interposed between two of the PTC heating elements, and forming a series circuit between said first and second bus wires (12, 14). Also a self-regulating heating device (100) having first and second layers (104, 106) of material, at least one of which is PTC material interposed between a first electrode (102) and a second electrode (108). Also a resettable fuse (120), which provides voltage spike protection for an element to be protected, having an element of Voltage Sensitive Material (124) which is in parallel with the element to be protected.

The present invention relates generally to heating devices and resettable fuses, and more particularly to heaters which are flexible and fuse devices which use positive temperature coefficient (PTC), negative temperature coefficient (NTC) material, and/or Voltage Sensitive Material (VSM) to provide current and voltage protection for a circuit or device.
There have been prior attempts to make flexible self-regulating heating elements. U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,857 to Smuckler, U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,322 to Kisimoto, U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,794 to Jansens, U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,212 to Ishi, U.S. Pat. No.4,661,690 to Yamamoto and U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,973 to Farkas disclose various types of heaters in the form of cables. Some, such as the embodiment pictured in FIG. 1 of Smuckler have a side-by-side construction which will not be equally flexible in all directions. Additionally, the heaters which use PTC materials as a self-regulating device, generally must be designed differently to work with 120 volt line voltages than with 240 volt line voltages. There is a need for a heater cable which can be used with both such power supplies.
Self regulating heaters have also been formed into sheets in such patents as U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,351 to Batliwalla, U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,054 to Triplett, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,462 to Kishimoto. In these patents, the heating elements are configured as sheets, or as fabrics, which have interdigitized or interleaved electrodes between which elements of PTC are positioned. This allows the use generally of a limited range of voltages, generally 120 Volts, and thus a limited amount of heat production. There are some heaters which may operate at as much as 480 Volts, these are generally three input, three phase systems, but to the inventor""s knowledge, there is no heater system which can be operated at 480 Volts with a two input bus system.
There are many applications in which it is desirable to wrap irregular objects, such as pipeline valves with heating devices. Many of these applications also require much flexibility in the amount and shape of the heater material used. For this reason, it is highly desirable that self-regulating heaters be modular in design, so that specific lengths of heater material may be joined together to make greater lengths, and also desirable that the lengths be capable of being trimmed to shorter lengths, without of course losing power or heating capacity. Of course, the most preferred example of this flexibility in length choice would be if the material is capable of being trimmed to any length within a modular section, that is, it is continuously variable. Next best is a material which contains certain defined zones for the heating elements, and the material may be trimmed in between any of these heating zones. This allows the length to be varied in multiples of these zone lengths, and these can be referred to as incrementally variable in length.
There have been several attempts at creating modular heaters which are self-regulating. U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,150 to Whitney, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,848 to Johnson show heaters which have self-regulating elements and which may be considered modular. These heating modules are generally rigid, and if they are trimmable at all, they would certainly be only incrementally variable. As the elements are generally not flexible, their application is thus expected to be limited.
PTC elements have also been used as resettable fuses in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,796,569, and 5,818,676 to Gronowicsz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,130 to Styma, U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,914 to Thrash, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,383 to Yoshioka. These fuses will protect the circuit from current which is too high, but will provide little protection for voltage spikes, for which the response time of PTC may be too slow. Thus there is a need for a resettable fuse which can protect a circuit from voltage spikes.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide modular or long length heaters which operate at high temperatures, and which are flexible to conform to shapes of irregular objects and can be made to wrap around pipes.
Another object of the invention is to provide modular heaters which can connectable to any length or interconnected.
And, another object of the invention is to provide modular heaters which can be trimmed at any heater zone boundary to length.
A further object of the invention is to provide self-regulating modular heaters which are flexible and can wrap around valves, pipes and small vessels.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide heater fabricated with a layer of PTC material on etched foil, which can be made in a modular or non-modular configuration.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide heaters which are either self-limiting, or which provide built-in safety protection.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide resettable fuse elements fabricated from a single layer of PTC or combination of PTC and NTC or ZTC and/or VSM material for use in protection of electrical circuits.
Briefly, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a very flexible high temperature modular heater, which can be cut to desired length.
A second preferred embodiment of the present invention is a highly flexible self-regulating modular heater, which can be trimmed to desired length.
A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is a heater device in which PTC, ZTC, NTC or a combination thereof material has been laminated onto an etched foil layer. This can be made in modules, or in a continuous strip.
A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a coaxial heater cable, which preferably uses two layers of PTC material concentrically positioned between two electrodes.
A fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a resettable fuse which utilizes a single layer of PTC material deposited on a substrate. It may also use VSM to provide voltage spike protection for the circuit to be protected.
An advantage of the present high temperature modular heater is that it can be used at very high temperatures to keep materials such as sulfur and asphalt flowing in supply pipes.
Another advantage of the high temperature modular heater is that the it is very flexible, can fit around irregular fittings and valves, can be attached together in modular lengths and can be cut to almost any desired length.
And, another advantage of self regulating modular heaters is that they also are very flexible, can wrap around small diameter pipes, and can also be used with low voltage power supplies, so that they can be powered, for instance, by batteries.
A further advantage of etched foil heaters is that they can be used at high voltages by dividing the voltage among a string of heater elements connected in series between two supply buses, and the string of elements can be repeated in parallel with each other to provide heater zones.
Yet another advantage of the coaxial cable heater is that it can be used for dual voltage supply purposes, such as 120 volt and 240 volt supplies, thus eliminating the need for two separate product lines for each separate power supply range.
A yet further advantage of the resettable fuse is that it can be fabricated with a single layer of PTC material, and can be used with VSM elements in circuit board fabrication.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and the industrial applicability of the preferred embodiment as described herein and as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings.

Electrical heating devices and resettable fuses


A premounting device for a cutting ring fitting, the device including a frame part (1), support elements (2), a movable actuator (3), elements for moving the movable actuator (3) and a socket member (10) that is detachably attached to the movable actuator (3), the movable actuator (3) being arranged to move outwardly from the frame part (1). The support elements (2) and the socket member (10) are arranged to cooperate for sandwiching a nut (5) and a cutting ring (6) set on the outer surface of a tubular element (4) between the support elements (2) and the socket member (10) so as to premount a cutting ring fitting. In the premounting device for the cutting ring fitting, the support elements (2) are arranged to be radially adjustable and in operational connection with the socket member (10) to provide the adjustment.

The invention relates to premounting devices for a cutting ring fitting.
A known premounting device for a cutting ring fitting comprises a device frame, which includes a socket means and means for moving the socket means as well as support means arranged to be attached to the device frame. The support means comprise a substantially U-shaped recess, in which a pipe can be placed. The socket means comprise a socket, whose inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe and whose inner surface is arranged to give the cutting ring a desired shape.
When the cutting ring fitting is premounted with the above-described device, the cutting ring and a corresponding nut are placed on the outer surface of the pipe close to a pipe end. The pipe end is set in the premounting device of the cutting ring such that the cuffing ring and the corresponding nut are substantially between the support means and the device frame, the nut on the side of the support means. Thereafter the socket means is displaced hydraulically, for instance, outwardly from the device frame such that the cutting ring is sandwiched between the socket means and the nut, whereby the cutting ring is shaped in a desired manner.
The above arrangement has a drawback that it requires several different support means with the U-shaped recess to correspond to different outer diameters of the pipes and the nuts arranged thereto. So, if the pipe on which the cutting ring fitting is to be premounted has a diameter that differs from that of the previous pipe, on which a cutting ring fitting was premounted, the support means must be changed. It is difficult and time-consuming to use this kind of a premounting device for a cutting ring fitting. Moreover, loose support means may be lost.

Premounting device for cutting ring fitting


A method includes manipulating at least one electric signal received from one or more electronic components to provide a slope substantially proportional to a discrete integer data value of n discrete integer data values, n being a positive integer greater than or equal to 3, said discrete integer data value represented by using one of n distinct slopes, said one of n distinct slopes to be transmitted utilizing a particular reference voltage of n predetermined reference voltages. The method further includes transmitting data as the particular reference voltage of the n predetermined reference voltages to at least one electronic component utilizing slope manipulation.

As data transfer rates steadily increase, more exotic and expensive methodologies are introduced into modules and printed circuit boards. One such technique includes adding pre-emphasis stages to the drivers of modules to improve channel performance. Another technique includes utilizing differential signals for improving signal integrity. However, pre-emphasis circuits add complexity and power requirements to the modules, and differential signals may require twice the routing space required by single-ended signals. Thus, both techniques may increase system performance, but they may also increase the cost of the system as well. It would be desirable to boost system performance while lowering overall cost.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Reduced wiring requirements with signal slope manipulation

International Business Machines Corporation


A thermographic material is provided in the front side of a pacifier flange in an area thereof adapted to overlie the infant's chin while the infant sucks on the pacifier nipple. The flange material between the infant's chin and the thermographic material is body heat conductive. If the infant has a fever, the thermographic material is adapted to change appearance upon detection of a predetermined temperature representative of a fever condition.

The importance of the earliest detection of a rise in the body-temperature of a human being is well known. It is particularly important to detect a rise in temperature of an infant. Typically, when an infant is in the hospital, the infant's body temperature is regularly monitored, commonly utilizing a mercurial or electronic thermometer rectally. Even at home, a parent or caregiver is often asked to verify the body temperature of the infant, again usually rectally. This method of detecting body temperature is unpleasant for both the infant and the caregiver, causing discomfort for the infant and distress for the caregiver.
It is thus desirable to provide a convenient, hygienic and objective means for continuously monitoring the body temperature of an infant.


A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) includes a light guide panel (“LGP”) guiding light, first and second light sources that are disposed at either side of the LGP and emit the light, a lower receiving container having a bottom surface which is disposed below the LGP and the first and second light sources, an enclosing portion that extends from a first end of the bottom surface and that is folded to enclose the first light source, and an opening portion that extends from a second end of the bottom surface and that is opened toward an upper direction, and a first reflection sheet covering the opening portion of the lower receiving container above the second light source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display ("LCD") and method of fabricating the same, and more particularly, to an LCD and method of fabricating the same that can provide lower fabrication costs, a reduced assembly time, and improved display quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display ("LCD") includes a liquid crystal panel and a backlight assembly.
The liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate having a field-generating electrode such as a pixel electrode or a common electrode, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrate and having liquid crystal molecules. Voltages are applied to the field-generating electrodes to generate an electric field in the liquid crystal layer having liquid crystal molecules, which determines the orientations of the liquid crystal molecules to control polarization of incident light, thereby displaying an image. The liquid crystal panel of an LCD does not emit light by itself, so that the LCD requires the use of a separate backlight assembly as a light source to supply light to the liquid crystal panel.
The backlight assembly supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, since the liquid crystal panel includes elements incapable of emitting light. In general, the backlight assembly includes a light source supplying light to the liquid crystal panel, a light source cover that covers the light source to protect the light source, a light guide plate guiding the light emitted from the light source to the liquid crystal panel, one or more optical sheets provided for improving optical properties of the light guided to the liquid crystal panel, and a reflective sheet disposed below the light guide plate.

Liquid crystal display and method of fabricating the same


The disclosure relates to Sensor security and Business Intelligence and more particularly to detecting and capturing Sensor information of data in a network environment and extracting information from this un-structured data. Sensors can correspond to video cameras, microphones, access control readers, and various other kinds of sensors in physical security or surveillance systems. In embodiments, data packets having only security sensor data are obtained and reconstructed into their original sensor data stream or data formats. Frames may then be analyzed for points of interest and to derive statistical data. In embodiments, blind spot detection in a video stream using boundary detection and overlay is also disclosed.

Embodiments relate generally to sensor signal processing, and in particular, to detecting and intercepting sensor signals and/or related data transmitted within a network environment, and/or analyzing the sensor signals to provide, for example, business intelligence.
A network sniffer can be configured to process multimedia data streams within, for example, a public network. They can also be configured to identify packets of incoming data at a station for the reception of digital television signals. However, many network sniffers are incompatible with different software and data protocols currently in the market. This is difficult to maintain since the technology constantly changes and the addition of new, updated proprietary protocols and software are developed. Accordingly, methods and apparatuses are needed to address the shortfalls of present technology and to provide other new and innovative features.

Methods and apparatus related to sensor signal sniffing and/or analysis