An apparatus for testing asphalt or other paving samples includes a cabinet for housing the mechanical elements of the invention, and a computerized control console for monitoring and controlling the mechanism. The cabinet includes a pair of weighted rollers or wheels, which are driven reciprocatingly over a corresponding pair of pavement samples placed in trays beneath the wheels. The trays in turn rest in a water bath contained in an open water tank within the cabinet. The water may be heated to a predetermined temperature as desired, for providing the effects of high heat and moisture during testing. Each roller arm is in contact with a linear value displacement transducer, which measures the wear of each sample several times during each roller stroke. Lifting devices are also provided to lift the subject roller arm if one of the samples breaks down prematurely, in order to avoid premature abandonment of the testing of the second sample. All of the electromechanical components and their functions are controlled and/or monitored by a computer, which controls the speed of the wheel or roller drive motor, the temperature and circulation of the water bath, monitors the wear of each pavement sample according to the corresponding displacement transducer, and controls the lifting of either roller arm in the event of the breakdown of one of the samples. The computer and monitor are installed with a cabinet which houses various electrical components which in turn monitor and control the various elements of the sample test cabinet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for testing the durability of various materials, and more specifically to a machine and method for testing paving. The machine applies a rolling pressure to one or more pavement samples (e. g., asphalt) held in a tray within the machine. A hot water bath is also applied to the sample(s) in order to accelerate the effects of moisture and humidity thereon.
2. Description of the Related Art
The paving of roads, highways, parking areas, etc., has become an important part of our transportation system throughout the nation. Asphalt is by far the most commonly used paving medium used, with other materials (concrete, etc.) also being used. Initially, asphalt was made by mixing virtually any grade of tar or similar weight and viscosity petroleum product with sand, gravel, etc. This is still the basic method of forming asphalt paving material, but much has been learned about the quality of different ingredients therein and the proportions of materials which are used in the formation of asphalt paving.
Asphalt paving made from inferior ingredients, or in improper proportions, will not hold up as well as more carefully formed asphalt mixes. Also, different conditions require different mixes for optimum durability. Accordingly, various means have been developed in the past for testing asphalt and other paving materials. Most of these testing means utilize some form of test equipment installed on a road vehicle of some sort, with the vehicle then being driven over the subject paving area for testing. This has at least a few disadvantages in comparison to testing samples in a controlled environment in the laboratory. First, a relatively large expanse of pavement must be applied in order to provide a sufficient area over which a motor vehicle may be driven. Second, the environment of the test cannot be controlled when the paving is applied in an outdoor environment, as the environment is subject to heat, cold, rain, snow, etc. Third, in all likelihood such paving is subject to other traffic in addition to the test vehicle, with the other traffic comprising numerous vehicles of widely varying weights and speeds. Controlled testing in such conditions, and achieving consistent results, is all but impossible.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a paving test machine and method capable of testing various samples of asphalt or other paving under tightly controlled conditions of temperature and humidity in an indoor laboratory environment. The machine accepts one or more paving samples and applies a repeated rolling pressure to the samples for a predetermined period of time or number of cycles, or until breakdown occurs. The machine provides precise measurements of the wear of the paving during testing, and automatically shuts off any one sample test if excessive wear occurs before all testing is complete. The machine is operated by computer control, and results are provided by the computer for later evaluation. A hot water bath may also be applied to the sample(s) in order to accelerate the effects of temperature and humidity on the sample(s).
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,431,776 issued on Mar. 11, 1969 to George W. Hughes, titled "Road Surface Testing Device," describes a fifth wheel device applied to a motor vehicle and riding against the underlying surface. The fifth wheel is equipped with a brake, with the brake being applied when the vehicle is decelerating. The amount of braking pressure required before lockup of the wheel occurs, provides a measure of the surface friction of the underlying paving or other material. The Hughes device may be useful in testing the friction coefficient on airport runways and the like, but provides no information whatsoever relating to the durability or wear resistance of the paving, nor can the device provide a consistent test of a relatively small sample, as can the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,459,038 issued on Aug. 5, 1969 to Gilbert Swift, titled "Apparatus For Testing Road Surfaces And Method," describes a means for testing the roughness of a road surface. The means includes a fifth wheel secured to a motor vehicle, and a system for measuring the vertical motion of the wheel per unit of horizontal travel over a surface. The Swift apparatus and method do not provide for repetitive motion over a surface to measure the wear of that surface, nor does the Swift apparatus and method provide for the testing of a small sample in a controlled environment, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,328 issued on Dec. 17, 1974 to Robert J. Schmidt, titled "Resiliency Testing Device," describes a fixture in which a sample may be placed for testing. The device applies a periodic compression to the subject material, with the material being rotated 90 degrees after a predetermined number of cycles for further testing. While the test sample may be placed in water, as in the present invention, the Schmidt device only applies a direct compressive load, with no rolling lateral load being applied to increase the pressure relatively gradually across the sample to simulate wear more accurately due to vehicle tires. Moreover, the Schmidt device is only capable of testing a single sample at a time, and Schmidt does not provide any means for automatically terminating the test when a predetermined wear or compression limit of the sample is reached, as provided in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,118 issued on Jun. 10, 1975 to Jerry R. Nims, titled "Method And Apparatus For Determining Road Roughness," describes a device installed in a motor vehicle for testing the roughness of a surface over which the vehicle is driven. The device comprises a transducer and recorder installed in some spring suspended portion of the vehicle, and a cable connected. to an unsprung portion of the vehicle. As the vehicle is driven over a surface, any irregularities will result in the unsprung and spring suspended portions of the vehicle moving relative to one another, with the cable actuating the transducer to produce a recording of the degree of roughness. No means of measuring pavement wear is disclosed by Nims, nor is any means of measuring the wear of a sample in closely controlled conditions disclosed, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,859 issued on Dec. 6, 1988 to Anwar S. Khattak, titled "Method And Apparatus For Determining Deflection In Pavement," describes an optical device placed in a vehicle and driven across the paved area subject to measurement. Obviously, no wear can be applied to the paved area by an optical testing means, which merely measures existing roughness or unevenness, rather than applying a weight to produce wear to a sample, as in the present invention. Also, the Khattak device and method cannot be applied to a relatively small sample in a machine in a controlled laboratory environment, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,055 issued on Jul. 3, 1990 to Isami Tsuda, titled "Apparatus For Testing Abrasion," describes a device having a rotary turntable upon which paving samples are placed, with a grinding wheel, e. g., studded tire, rotating about a fixed axis. The rotation of the wheel causes the turntable to rotate, thereby periodically rotating the sample(s) beneath the wheel. Tsuda also provides a series of temperature control chambers opposite the wheel, through which the sample(s) is/are passed periodically. The present invention is constructed essentially opposite the Tsuda device, with the paving sample(s) being fixed in one or more trays, and the wheel(s) reciprocating linearly back and forth across the sample(s). Also, it is noted that Tsuda cannot provide continuous environmental conditions (heat, cold, etc.) for his samples, as they only periodically pass through the stationary environmental areas, and are clear of those areas when in contact with the abrasive wheel. The present invention provides continuous application of water at a predetermined temperature in order to apply such environmental influences continually during the test.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,793 issued on Nov. 22, 1994 to Ronald L. Terrel et al., titled "Equipment And Method For Environmental Testing Of Bituminous Specimens," describes a test cell in which a single sample core is placed, with a load cell providing periodic pneumatic compressive force to the sample. The test cell may be provided with water to alter the test environment. The Terrel et al. device does not apply a linear, reciprocating rolling force to the sample, as in the present invention.
Swiss Patent Publication No. 568,559 published on Oct. 31, 1975 to Jean-Claude Gressin illustrates a framework which may be secured beneath a vehicle (e. g., a truck) for measuring the roughness or unevenness of the underlying pavement or surface. The device is not applicable for use in a laboratory environment under controlled conditions, nor does the device produce and measure wear in a sample by providing a continuous reciprocating and rolling force to the sample, as in the case of the present invention.
British Patent Publication No. 2,067,769 published on Jul. 30, 1981 to Bergougnan-Benelux, titled "Measuring Static And Dynamic Material Characteristics," describes a device for imparting compressive force to a resilient material, e. g., rubber or the like. A relatively small spherical impression body is oscillated against the test sample over a relatively short distance. No means of rolling a movable test roller horizontally over the surface of a test article is disclosed in the British Patent Publication, nor is any means provided for adjusting moisture or humidity in the environment of the sample, as provided by the present invention.
Finally, Soviet Patent Publication No. 1,377,321 published on Feb. 29, 1988 illustrates a mechanical strain gauge linkage. The linkage is not suitable for imparting a force to a test sample, but only for measuring a deflection. No means for imparting a rolling force, nor for altering the moisture content of the sample environment, is evident in the Soviet Patent Publication.
None of the above inventions and patents, either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


An improved thermal barrier coating is disclosed. The coating is formed on a metal part to be exposed to high temperature gases. The metal part is first coated with an adherent sublayer of MCrAlY alloy. In this case, the M of the MCrAlY is nickel, cobalt, iron, or some combination of these metals. A diffused layer of MCrAlY combined with a low concentration of mullite is formed over the MCrAlY subcoating and the mullite is increased in concentration as the thickness of the layer increases. The outer surface of the layer is all mullite. Improved life expectancy and decreased thermal conductivity is achieved.

The present invention relates generally to the formation of coatings on surfaces which are subjected to high temperature. More particularly, it relates to the formation of protective coatings on metal surfaces in which the coatings inhibit the flow of heat from ambient gases to the metal beneath the coating. These are known in the art as thermal barrier coatings.
It has been known for some time that it was possible to deposit coatings having relatively low thermal conductivity on the exterior of metal parts in jet engines. The object of depositing such coatings is to reduce or limit the flow of heat through the coatings to the engine parts and in this way to permit the temperature of the gas in contact with the coatings of low thermal conductivity to operate at higher temperatures. For example, it is known that plasma spray coatings of partially stabilized zirconia have been under development for many years for jet engine applications. Such coatings may have a composition of 8 weight percent yttrium oxide in a zirconium oxide base. Such coatings are known in the art as YSZ coatings or yttria stabilized zirconia coatings.
A major limitation of the use of this type of coating in jet engine applications is the tendency of such coatings to fail by spallation. One reason for the spallation is that generally coating materials, which might be considered suitable because of their low thermal conductivity, are found to be unsuitable because of their very low thermal expansion relative to the thermal expansion coefficient of the metal substrate on which they are deposited.
Some prior art has been developed which relates to the formation of protective coatings on the parts of gas turbine engines which operate at higher temperatures.
A U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,989 is directed toward the formation of an aluminide on the surface of a metal element and to the overcoating of the aluminide with MCrAlY where M is cobalt, nickel, or iron.
A U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,323 employs NiCrAlY in coating a metal element and then hot isostatically presses the coated element.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,149 which is assigned to the same assignee as the subject application deals with nickel base alloys for use in the hot section of gas turbine engines and to use of these alloys in deposited coatings or bonded claddings.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,779 deals with the coating of a metallic base with a ductile alloy layer that is oxidation resistant. An aluminide coating is then applied over the metallic alloy layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,570 discloses a substrate metal with an overlay coating based on iron, nickel or cobalt or mixtures thereof combined optionally with aluminum, yttrium and hafnium. A silicon-rich surface zone is produced at the surface of the overlay coating.
An article entitled "Production of Composite Structures by Low Pressure Plasma Deposition", by Siemers et al., was published in Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Vol. 6, No. 7-8 (July 1985). It describes the deposition of a variety of coatings on high temperature surfaces. Coatings containing both metal and oxide are described and illustrated.
A paper entitled "Survivability of Thermal Barrier Coatings", by H. Herman, appeared in Material Science and Engineering, Vol. 88 (1987) pages 69-74. This paper dealt with the use of ceramic oxide coatings in conjunction with MCrAlY-type intermediate bond coatings applied over superalloy substrates.
A paper entitled "Current Status of Thermal Barrier Coatings--An Overview", by Robert A. Miller, appeared in Surface and Coatings Technology, Vol. 30 (1987) pages 1-11.
A paper entitled "Thermal Barrier Coatings For Jet Engines Improvement", by G. John Kohner et al., appeared in Thin Solid Films, Vol. 119 (1984) pages 301-315.
These papers describe in detail some efforts which have been made in developing the technology of thermal barrier coatings and a variety of materials which have been employed in the study of such coatings.
The present invention relates to improvements which have been made in the coatings.

Thermally protective composite ceramic-metal coatings for high temperature use


The invention provides a method and apparatus for recycling toner cartridges. A shredder breaks up the toner cartridges into pieces, thereby releasing any toner from within the otherwise substantially sealed cartridges. The toner pieces along with any free toner powder are then fed through a separation stage including a mechanical separator and a trommel separator. Each separator employs a sifting screen, which allows smaller particles to fall through the screen while holding back the larger pieces. Both separators agitate the pieces to mobilize the smaller particles. A vacuum extraction system is used to withdraw air from around the cartridge pieces and an air ionizer is included for feeding ionized air into the apparatus to reduce any static electronic charge buildup. The toner is then removed from the extracted air by a dust collector.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in extracting toner powder from toner cartridges, and will be described predominantly with reference to this application. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use, being also applicable to other applications where separating a powder material from larger pieces is required.
Toner printing technology has been almost universally adopted in photocopiers and computer printers. These devices commonly have an internal reservoir for storing toner powder which is used in the printing process. Initially, these reservoirs were fixed to the machine and required manual refilling by pouring toner from a refill packet. Nowadays, in an attempt to limit direct contact with the messy toner powder, replaceable toner cartridges have largely superseded refillable reservoirs. Cartridges are filled in a factory where the distribution of toner powder can be strictly controlled to minimise and isolate spillage.
The popularity of disposable cartridges has meant the number of cartridges discarded has increased exponentially in recent years. Used cartridges may, in some cases, be recycled and recharged a number of times by a specialist reconditioner. Eventually however, all cartridges are either stripped down for their materials or more often, thrown out altogether. Either of these alternatives presents their own particular problems.
The cartridges are generally a combination of thermoplastic resins and ferrous and non-ferrous metals. These materials are slow to break down naturally and thus present a significant environmental pollutant. In addition, it is rare that toner cartridges are entirely empty when they are replaced. Often 5% to 10% of the toner capacity of the cartridge remains when discarded. This figure can be as high as 100% if the cartridge is faulty, has been superseded or past its use by date. The residual toner also presents a significant environmental hazard when the cartridges are thrown out. However, whilst toner along with the materials which make up the cartridges are recyclable, the nature of toner powder makes stripping the cartridges difficult.
Toner is a very fine powder and will readily become airborne and circulate with airflow. As such it can be easily inhaled and may be a significant health issue with workers. Moreover, as with many fine powders, when airborne, in the right concentration and conditions it can ignite and explode.
Currently the stripping and materials separation of cartridges is carried out manually. This not only places those doing the stripping in a high risk environment, it is also labour intensive and expensive. In modernised countries, which are the greatest users of these printer cartridges, labour cost are high meaning the manual dismantling of cartridges is not cost effective.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate one or more of these disadvantages of prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

Method and apparatus for extracting toner from toner cartridges


An improved gas insulation type load break system, which is capable of more easily discharging remaining current of a cable to which the power supply is disconnected, and enabling an easier cable connection test after the cable connection work is finished, which includes a switch main body, the switch main body being made of a single container; an operation handles mounted on a front panel of the switch main body for controlling opening/closing state and earthing state of a current applied thereto; a main circuit bushing mounted on a front panel of the switch main body for forming an opening/closing path of a current; an earthing bushing mounted at one side of the main circuit bushing for forming an earthing path; a current supply fixed contact point connected to the main circuit bushing, through which a current is applied to the interior of the switch main body; an earthing fixed contact point connected to the earthing bushing for discharging a current applied to the interior of the switch main body; a main shaft rotatable in cooperation with the operation handles; a movable arm engaged to the main shaft and movably communicating with the rotation of the main shaft; and a current transfer member operably mounted at the movable arm and selectively connected between the current supply fixed contact point and the earthing fixed contact point in cooperation with the rotation of the movable arm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas insulation type load break system, and particularly to an improved gas insulation type load break system, which is capable of more easily discharging remaining current of a cable to which the power supply is disconnected, and enabling an easier cable connection test after the cable connection work is finished.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, when power supply is disconnected at a predetermined section of a power cable connection, a load break system is used to repair the power supply failure. When repairing the power supply failure, an earthing operation should be manually performed before the repair of the disconnection so as to discharge a remaining current at the disconnected section.
In addition, after completing cable connection work, it is difficult to test whether or not there is any cable connection problem in the cable connection work. That is, when checking the cable connection work, earthing operation should be performed manually. The above-mentioned two manual operation may cause safety accident, so that in the industry the need for more easily discharging the remaining current and for more easily testing the cable connection work is required.
In more detail, in the industry, the gas insulation load break system has been used, which is directed to only two-position method. That is, the above-mentioned two-position method is limited to its range of usage: open and close states. Since this conventional method is directed to generating arc in the air when discharging the remaining current, it may cause safety accident.
The above-mentioned problems will now be explained in more detail with reference to the construction and operation of the conventional gas insulation type load break system.
To begin with, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A through 2F, when the switches S1 and S2 are opened, respectively, so as to test cable connection work or so as to maintain the cable connection, it is disadvantageously necessary to test the cable connection in an interlocked state. In addition, the arc discharging with respect to the earthing and charged current should be performed. A process for insulating using a bushing, as shown in FIG. 2F, is necessary by dividing the cable as shown in FIG. 2D and by earthing the divided cable as shown in FIG. 2E.
As described above, before the earthing work is finished, it is considered that the cable is electrically alive. That is, the cable connection is considered in a charged state. So, a very careful maintenance work is necessary. In other words, a safety accident may occur.
The construction and operation of the conventional gas insulation type load break system will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 3A through FIG. 7B.
As shown therein, in the conventional gas insulation type load break system, when the switch becomes operational in accordance with an operation of an operation handle 4 disposed at a front panel of a switch main body 1, a movable contact point 7 comes into contact with a fixed contact point 6 connected to a main circuit bushing 5 or is escaped therefrom. In addition, current is applied to the switch main body 1 through the main circuit bushing 5, or the current supply is disconnected therefrom.
FIG. 5A shows a conventional puffer in which a cable is disconnected so as to show the operation of the same, and FIG. 5B shows a conventional puffer in which a cable is connected so as to show the operation of the same. In addition, FIG. 6A shows an engaged state of a connector kit of a conventional load break system, and FIG. 6B shows a disassembled state of a connector kit of a conventional load break system, and FIG. 7A shows a connector kit of a conventional load break system in which an insulation cap is removed so as to show a discharging operation of the same, and FIG. 7B shows a connector kit of a conventional load break system in which an earthing elbow is inserted so as to show a discharging operation of the same.
As shown therein, when the switch is disconnected for the maintenance or another cable connection work, the insulation cap 12 is removed using an insulation stick 13 for preventing safety accident of the operator, and then an earthing elbow 14 is instantly inserted and removed, so that the charged current of the cable is discharged, generating arc in the air.
In FIGS. 6A through 7B, reference numeral 8 denotes an elbow connector, 9 denotes a connection terminal, 10 denotes a cable adapter, and 11 denotes a connection plug.
As described above, since the conventional gas insulation type load break system is directed to a two-position operation switch, there may occur safety accident when discharging the cable after a cable connection work or testing the cable connection after a cable connection work by using a connection member 2 at the end portion of the cable 3 when earthing the cable 3.
In addition, so as to prevent the above-mentioned accident, an additional work of using an insulation stick is necessary when discharging the remaining current of the cable.


A system and method are disclosed employing a dielectric mirror layer, highly reflective at wavelengths below a cut off but highly transparent at wavelengths above the cut off, is placed within a display assembly. This dielectric mirror layer creates a very efficient reflecting cavity for a portion of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) pumping spectrum. Accurate dielectric filter tuning allows an increased portion of the pumping spectrum to be converted to desired wavelength spectrum and also raise the luminance ratio of the display to a useful value for display applications. Variable and active tuning of the cut off wavelength value functions to optimize system performance.

Nano crystals or Quantum dot emissions may be uniquely tuned in wavelength outputs and possess very high conversion efficiencies. These properties may be potentially useful for display applications. Traditional implementation of nano crystals may use a blue Light Emitting Diode (LED) as a pump source. The blue LED pump source allows a portion of the blue wavelength to be converted to green and red wavelengths but also to be used as the emission source for the blue light projected from the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). One drawback of the technology is that some of the blue LED pump emission spectrum will pass through the conversion layer in an unconverted state and the luminance ratio of the display being biased towards the pumping spectrum.
Polarization recycling filters offer some level of light recycling to increase efficiency. The concept being to recycle a portion of the energy that was not converted in a single pass through the nano crystal.
Another attempt at increasing the conversion of the pump wavelength has been incorporation of the nano crystals in a diffusing medium thus increasing the effective path length of the light. This diffusing medium does increase overall conversion but also suffers from losses into the backlight cavity.
Consequently, a need exists for an effective system and method for increasing spectrum conversion of an blue LED pump.

Quantum dot nano crystal LCD backlight system and related method


A drilling system includes a drill string, a plurality of sensors, and a computing system. The drill string includes a downhole motor. The sensors are coupled to the drill string. The computing system is coupled to the sensors. The computing system is configured to compute, based on measurements provided by the sensors, a motor stall index, and to determine, by comparing the motor stall index to a motor stall threshold, whether the downhole motor has stalled. The computing system is also configured to, responsive to a determination that the downhole motor has stalled, adjust operation of the drill string to restart the downhole motor.

The present disclosure relates generally to subterranean drilling operations for the ultimate recovery of oil, gas, or minerals. More particularly, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for predicting and detecting downhole motor stall, preemptively addressing a potential motor stall, and correcting an actual motor stall in real time or near real time.
In drilling a borehole into an earthen formation, such as for the recovery of hydrocarbons or minerals from a subsurface formation, it is conventional practice to connect a drill bit onto the lower end of a drillstring formed from a plurality of pipe joints connected together end-to-end, and then rotate the drill string so that the drill bit progresses downward into the earth to create a borehole along a predetermined trajectory. In addition to pipe joints, the drillstring typically includes heavier tubular members known as drill collars positioned between the pipe joints and the drill bit. The drill collars increase the vertical load applied to the drill bit to enhance its operational effectiveness. Other accessories commonly incorporated into drill strings include stabilizers to assist in maintaining the desired direction of the drilled borehole, and reamers to ensure that the drilled borehole is maintained at a desired gauge (i.e., diameter). In vertical drilling operations, the drillstring and drill bit are typically rotated from the surface with a top dive or rotary table.
During the drilling operations, drilling fluid or mud is pumped under pressure down the drill string, out the face of the drill bit into the borehole, and then up the annulus between the drill string and the borehole sidewall to the surface. The drilling fluid, which may be water-based or oil-based, is typically viscous to enhance its ability to carry borehole cuttings to the surface. The drilling fluid can perform various other valuable functions, including enhancement of drill bit performance (e.g., by ejection of fluid under pressure through ports in the drill bit, creating mud jets that blast into and weaken the underlying formation in advance of the drill bit), drill bit cooling, and formation of a protective cake on the borehole wall (to stabilize and seal the borehole wall).
Recently, it has become increasingly common and desirable in the oil and gas industry to drill horizontal and other non-vertical or deviated boreholes (i.e., "directional drilling"), to facilitate greater exposure to and production from larger regions of subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formations than would be possible using only vertical boreholes. In directional drilling, specialized drill string components and bottom hole assemblies (BHAs) are often used to induce, monitor, and control deviations in the path of the drill bit, so as to produce a borehole of the desired deviated configuration.
Directional drilling is typically carried out using a downhole or mud motor provided in the BHA at the lower end of the drillstring immediately above the drill bit. Downhole motors typically include a stator with a helical internal bore in which a helical rotor is positioned and can eccentrically rotate. The outer surface of the rotor and the inner surface of the stator are both helical and together create hollow chambers between their contact points. These chambers advance from one end of the stator towards the other end during the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. Each of these chambers is isolated and sealed from the other chambers. An elastomeric material is commonly used as a coating on the stator inner walls that contact the rotor. The elastomeric material of the stator can be damaged when the stress and strain limits of the elastomer are exceeded, as well as when the temperature of the elastomeric material exceeds its rated temperature for a prolonged period of time. Damage to the elastomeric material can reduce the operational effectiveness of the mud motor and/or result in failure of the mud motor.


A provider system is connected to one or more readers corresponding to one or more access points. A secure local connection is established between the user device and the provider system via one reader. The provider system receives from the user device a request for user access via one access point corresponding to the one reader, the provider system sends to the user device a request for identification information of the user, and the user device sends user information associated with a first mobile identification credential (MIC) which the user device received from an authorizing party system (APS), the user having consented to release the user information to the provider system, and the user information having been verified. The provider system uses the verified user information associated with the first MIC to verify or not verify the identity of the user before granting or denying the request to the user.

An individual's identity can be used as verification before allowing access to secure locations, such as unattended storage areas, secure work areas, unattended residential locations, and the like. This process begins with some form of verifying an individual's identity. As an example in the residential access context, before an individual is allowed to access the locked residence, the user's identity is confirmed. This is important as it ensures that only approved individuals/users are able to access the residence and that there is a record of such users. In specific examples, the verification enables restricted access by approved real estate agents, potential buyers, and contractors to properties listed for sale without requiring the presence of the homeowner or homeowner's representative.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and network for access control to real property using mobile identification credential

The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Homeland Security


A device for indicating the sequence for division of a blood sample comprises an adjustable tilting rack plate for supporting a rack with a number of test tube holes, an array of indicating lamps which correspond to the, test tube holes, and which are selectively illuminated to indicate when the division of each sample is to be performed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a system for directing the separation of test samples, such as blood, for use in diagnostic assays.
2. Description of Related Art
In blood testing, it has been conventional practice to separate collected blood (the parent sample) with a centrifuge into a blood clot and serum, and then to subject the serum (the child sample) to various tests for the diagnosis of disease, which aid in determining the appropriate clinical treatment.
When carrying out such tests, testing personnel are required to place the test tube containing a sample in a test-tube rack. While comparing a written request for each test to be performed with the sample number, the personnel take a number of aliquots from each test tube, depending on the number of tests to be performed. Because the division and the correlation between the proper test and sample number must be performed manually, the conventional method has the problem that an aliquot of the child sample may be taken out erroneously. This problem is particularly apparent when the tests to be performed on the various samples differ.
There is a need for a device capable of eliminating the errors which occur when division and correlation of the requested test with the sample number are carried out by the conventional method.

Division directing device for blood testing


A transfer member having a polyimide substrate with polyaniline and two different carbon black electrically conductive fillers dispersed therein for use in electrostatographic apparatuses.

The present invention relates to transfer components, and more specifically, to intermediate transfer components useful in transferring a developed image in an electrostatographic, including xerographic and digital, machine, from a photoreceptor or another transfer member to a copy substrate or another transfer member. In embodiments of the present invention, there are selected transfer components comprising a layer comprising electrically conductive fillers of polyanaline and carbon black. Also, in embodiments, the transfer member comprises a polyimide substrate. The present invention, in embodiments, allows for the preparation and manufacture of transfer components with resistivity within the desired range for transfer, resulting in excellent electrical properties against a wide variations in transfer fields and enabling the transfer members to be useful at a wide variety of process speeds. The present invention, in embodiments, also allows for a decrease or elimination in pre-transfer air breakdown of the transfer member.
In a typical electrostatographic reproducing apparatus, a light image of an original to be copied is recorded in the form of an electrostatic latent image upon a photosensitive member and the latent image is subsequently rendered visible by the application of electroscopic thermoplastic resin particles which are commonly referred to as toner. Generally, the electrostatic latent image is developed by bringing a developer mixture into contact therewith. A dry developer mixture usually comprises carrier granules having toner particles adhering triboelectrically thereto. Toner particles are attracted from the carrier granules to the latent image forming a toner powder image thereon. Alternatively, a liquid developer material may be employed. The liquid developer material includes a liquid carrier having toner particles dispersed therein. The liquid developer material is advanced into contact with the electrostatic latent image and the toner particles are deposited thereon in image configuration. After the toner particles have been deposited on the photoconductive surface, in image configuration, they are transferred to a copy sheet. However, when a liquid developer material is employed, the copy sheet is wet with both the toner particles and the liquid carrier. Thus, it is necessary to remove the liquid carrier from the copy sheet. This may be accomplished by drying the copy sheet prior to fusing of the toner image, or relying upon the fusing process to permanently fuse the toner particles to the copy sheet as well as vaporizing the liquid carrier adhering thereto. However, it is desirable to refrain from transferring any liquid carrier to the copy sheet. Therefore, it is advantageous to transfer the developed image to an intermediate transfer component, and subsequently transfer with very high transfer efficiency, the developed image from the intermediate transfer component to a permanent substrate. The toner image is usually fixed or fused upon a support which may be the photosensitive member itself or other support sheet such as plain paper.
In an alternative reproducing apparatus, marking material may be deposited image-wise onto a first image-bearing member. This marking material is then transferred onto a second image-bearing apparatus such as an intermediate transfer member in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. Subsequently, the marking material may be transferred onto a third image-bearing member, typically the final copy sheet, such as paper, transparency, or the like. The marking material of this alternative reproducing apparatus may include a waxy material that is melted and projected onto the first image bearing member, dry toner particles that are electrostatically or acoustically projected onto the first image bearing member, or liquid toner that is partially dried as it is projected from an orifice to the first image bearing member. The marking material may be charged before, during, or after its deposition onto the first image bearing apparatus. The transfers to the second and third image bearing members may use electric fields, differential adhesion and/or the like. This invention provides controlled resistivity for the second image-bearing member and this controlled resistivity is especially beneficial in electric field induced transfer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,956 to Mammino et al. discloses a seamless intermediate transfer member. Polyimide is listed as a possible layer for the intermediate transfer member. A polymer filler such as polyanaline is also disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,636 to Schlueter, Jr. et al. discloses haloelastomer and doped metal oxide compositions. The compositions are disclosed as being useful as layers in xerographic components. Polyanaline and carbon black fillers are given as examples of conductive fillers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,796 to Schlueter, Jr. et al. discloses haloelastomer and doped metal oxide film components useful in xerographic processes. Polyanaline and carbon black fillers are given as examples of conductive fillers.
In scalable tandem color marking, charged toner particles are transferred first to an intermediate transfer belt and then to a final substrate. Some transfers use electric fields to transfer the toner particles. In other machines, the first transfer is electrostatic and the second transfer can combine transfer and fixing. For a given applied voltage, for example on a bias transfer member, the electrical resistivity of an intermediate transfer member determines the voltage drop across the intermediate transfer member and the field acting on the toner particles. A small range of resistivity is desired to give the high transfer fields without pre-transfer air breakdown. It is difficult to manufacture a material transfer layer having this narrow resistivity.
Attempts at achieving this narrow resistivity have led to loading an elastomer transfer substrate with conducting particles. However, this loading typically leads to a large decrease in resistivity when the loading reaches a value called a percolation threshold. The rapid change of resistivity near the percolation threshold makes it difficult to reproducibly manufacture material with the desired resistivity. Small changes in particle concentration, in particle morphology, in particle surface chemistry, or in particle aggregation into larger aggregates, cause large changes in resistivity.
A very conductive intermediate transfer member is not desirable because the high transfer fields cause arcing at the charge deficient spots on the photoconductor. In addition, a very conductive intermediate transfer member results in high pre-transfer fields that cause air breakdown and toner discharge prior to transfer. Conversely, a very insulating intermediate transfer member is not desirable because the result is a large voltage drop across the intermediate transfer member and only a weak field to transfer toner.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide an intermediate transfer member that has a volume resistivity within a desired range necessary for sufficient transfer of toner within a wide variety of process speeds. It is further desirable to provide an intermediate transfer member that possesses a wide latitude against variations in the transfer field.
Attempts at making such a semi-insulating intermediate transfer member having the above desired characteristics have been difficult. Attempts focused on using an insulating plastic or elastomer loaded with conducting particles or with ionic conductors. Control of volume resistivity by loading with ionic conductors is difficult because changes in relative humidity generally lead to changes in resistivity. Sometimes this occurs as soon as the relative humidity changes and sometimes it occurs only after prolonged printing at an extreme corner of the print engine""s environmental window (i.e., the range of temperatures and humidities at which the print engine operates).
Therefore, there is still a need for a semi-insulating intermediate transfer member which can be used for transferring a toner image across a wide variety of process speeds, and that possesses a wide latitude against variations in the transfer field.
Embodiments of the present invention include: a transfer member having a substrate comprising a polyimide having polyanaline and carbon black electrically conductive fillers dispersed therein.
In addition, embodiments include: an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising: a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent image thereon; a development component to apply toner to the charge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge retentive surface; a transfer component to transfer the developed image from the charge retentive surface to a copy substrate, the transfer member having a substrate comprising a polyimide having polyanaline and carbon black electrically conductive fillers dispersed in the substrate.
Moreover, embodiments include: a transfer member comprising a substrate comprising a polyimide having from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of total solids polyanaline, and from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of total solids carbon black electrically conductive fillers dispersed therein, wherein the transfer member has an electrical volume resistivity of from about 107 to about 1013 ohm-cm.

Polyanaline and carbon black filled polyimide intermediate transfer components


A method of measuring physical properties using a cantilever comprises bringing a tip attached at one end of a cantilever into contact with a sample and causing a vibrational force of a frequency between 10 and 1000 times the fundamental resonance frequency of the cantilever to act on the cantilever.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method using a cantilever to measure physical properties
2. Description of the Prior Art
The atomic force microscope (G. Binnig, C. F. Quate and Ch. Gerber, Phys. Rev. Lett. 12, 930, 1986) is an example of an apparatus that uses a cantilever to measure minute irregularities on the surface of a sample. The atomic force microscope is a new type of microscope which images irregularities within a minute region by utilizing the deflection induced in a cantilever supporting a tip owing to the force acting between the sample surface and a probe. Methods have been proposed for using the atomic force microscope to measure the defect distribution, elasticity and other physical properties of a sample by detecting the vibration induced in the cantilever when the sample is vibrated at a much higher frequency than its fundamental resonance frequency [K. Yamanaka, H. Ogiso and O. Kolosov: Appl. Phys. Lett. 64, 178 (1994) and U. Rabe and W. Arnold: Ann. Physik 3,589 (1994)]. These methods can measure the elasticity of hard materials, which is not possible with the force modulation method in which the sample is vibrated at a frequency about the same as or lower than the fundamental resonance frequency of the cantilever [(M. Radmacher, R. W. Tillmann, and H. E. Gaub: Biophys. J. 64, 735 (1993)].
Since these prior-art methods vibrate the sample at high frequency, however, the sample has to be bonded to an ultrasonic vibrator. This bonding involves various problems:
(1) The optimum bonding agent has to be selected for each type of sample. Thickness variations and bubbles occurring in the bonding agent cause uneven vibration and degrade measurement reproducibility. PA0 (2) Bonding agents are a cause of sample contamination and cannot be used with LSI wafers and other such samples requiring a high degree of cleanness. PA0 (3) A large or irregularly shaped sample is hard to vibrate uniformly by contact with a vibrator. The method of bonding the sample to the vibrator can therefore not be used for inspecting such industrially important components as large LSI wafers, magnetic heads and bearings.
This invention was accomplished in response to the foregoing circumstances and has as one object to provide a method which uses a cantilever to measure physical properties with high reproducibility, specifically to such a method which, without requiring the sample under examination to be bonded to a vibrator, achieves the same effect as when the sample is vibrated.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method which uses a cantilever to measure physical properties, specifically to such a method which can be readily applied to measure the physical properties of a sample requiring a high degree of cleanness or a sample of large size or irregular shape.
In this specification, "measurement of physical properties" and similar expressions are defined to include the measurement of the distribution of defects at and in the vicinity of the sample surface and the measurement of sample elasticity.

Method using cantilever to measure physical properties

Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Ministry of International Trade & Industry


A PWM controller for controlling a switching voltage regulator comprises a first comparator, a second comparator and a third comparator. The first comparator is configured to detect voltages of a first node and a second node so as to determine whether to stop the PWM controller. The PWM controller is stopped if a first potential is lower than a threshold, and the first potential derives from the voltage of the first node by a level shift of a first voltage difference. The second comparator is configured to detect the voltage of the first node and then to compare the voltage with a power reference voltage so as to determine whether the PWM controller receives necessary power. The third comparator is configured to compare the voltage of the second node with an enable reference voltage so as to determine whether to disable the PWN controller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit design, and more particularly, to a circuit design of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller and the application thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A PWM controller is widely used in a switching voltage regulator. FIG. 1 shows a hint diagram of a prior PWM controller that controls a switch voltage regulator 10. The PWM controller 18 provides a plurality of switch control signals to control the on/off states of a high side switch 12 and a low side switch 14. By the control of the on/off states, an input voltage Vin can be transformed into a stable output voltage Vout.
FIG. 1 shows a prior switch voltage regulator 10, which includes a high side transistor 12 and a low side transistor 14 connected in series between an input voltage Vin and a ground potential GND. The switch control signal includes a UGATE signal for controlling the on/off state of the high side transistor 12, an LGATE signal for controlling the on/off state of the low side transistor 14. The common node 110 of the high and low side transistors is coupled to an output stage 112, which includes a low-pass filter composed of a capacitor C and inductor L and a load circuit RL, where the load circuit RL is driven by the output voltage Vout of the switch voltage regulator 10.
Generally, the PWM controller 18 features multiple functions if implemented in a single chip, such as over-current protection, under voltage lockout (UVLO), and enable/disable control. The over-current protection is used to detect the current flowing through the high side transistor 12 or low side transistor 14. If the current is larger than an over-current threshold, the PWM controller is stopped so as to protect the components of the switch voltage regulator from being damaged by a large current. The UVLO function is to temporarily lock the PWM controller 18 if the input voltage Vin is lower than a threshold. The consideration of the UVLO function is to reduce static power consumption and increase the reliability of the output voltage Vout. The function of the enable/disable signal is to activate and deactivate the operation of the PWM controller. In addition, a power-sensing function can be used to detect the input voltage Vin of the switching voltage regulator. If the input voltage Vin is greater than a threshold, the PWM controller is prepared for activation so as to shorten the time to boot the switching voltage regulator.
However, it is a general requirement to implement a powerful chip but at the same time limit the number of pins in a package. Therefore, to implement the above functions without increasing the number of pins is a major objective of PWM controller chip design.

Switching voltage regulator pulse width modulation controller and method


The hydraulic control system includes a pressure regulating valve regulating hydraulic pressure generated by a hydraulic pump, and a pressure control valve controlling the regulated hydraulic pressure. A hydraulic pressure distributing valve set distributes the controlled regulated hydraulic pressure to a plurality of friction elements, and a shift control valve controls operation of the hydraulic pressure distributing valve set by controlling distribution of an application hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic pressure distributing valve set. A creep control unit selectively prevents the vehicle from creeping without depressing a brake pedal by supplying the application hydraulic pressure from the shift control valve to at least one of the friction elements. To this end, the creep control unit includes a creep control valve and a solenoid valve.

Generally, a conventional automatic transmission for a vehicle includes a torque converter, a multi-stage gear shift mechanism connected to the torque converter, and a plurality of friction elements actuated by hydraulic pressure for selecting a gear stage of the gear shift mechanism.
In such hydraulic control systems, hydraulic pressure generated by a hydraulic pump is selectively supplied to each friction element by a plurality of control valves such that automatic shifting is realized in accordance with a driving state of the vehicle and engine throttle opening.
The above hydraulic control system generally comprises a pressure regulating controller for controlling hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pump, manual and automatic shift controllers for selecting a shift mode, a hydraulic pressure controller for controlling shift response and shift quality, a damper clutch controller for actuating a damper clutch of the torque converter, and a hydraulic pressure distributor for supplying an appropriate amount of hydraulic pressure to each of the friction elements.
The hydraulic pressure distributor distributes a variable amount of pressure in accordance with an ON/OFF or duty operation of solenoid valves by a transmission control unit such that shift control is realized.
In such a hydraulic control system, because at least one input element is being operated in a first speed of a drive D range, a shifting operation is performed in a powertrain and torque is transmitted to wheels of the vehicle.
As a result of this transmission of torque, a creep state results in which the vehicle moves even when an accelerator pedal is not depressed by the driver. Therefore, a brake pedal must be kept depressed in order to maintain the vehicle in a standstill state. This can be very inconvenient when needing to stop for long periods while keeping the engine running up as when stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic.

Hydraulic control system used in automatic transmission for vehicle


The present invention provides an optical recording medium, in which levels of wobble signals extracted from a recording area formed snakily, a reproduction exclusive area and an impossible area are maintained constant. On DVD-RW, groove tracks are snakily formed on a groove section on which recording information is recorded, and pit strings where a plurality of phase pits wave are arranged on the impossible area and the reproduction exclusive area which prevent illegal copying. On the respective areas, pit depths (groove depths), duty of the pit strings and wobbling amplitudes are set according to predetermined conditions so that the output levels of the wobble signals extracted based on the wobbling amplitudes can be maintained constant on the respective areas. As a result, synchronous control can be made accurately at the time of recording and reproduction on/from the DVD-RW.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical recording medium such as DVD, and particularly relates to an optical recording medium in which recording tracks are formed meanderingly.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, DVD is used as an optical information recording medium with large capacity generally and widely. In addition to Read-only DVD (DVD-ROM), the standard of DVD-RW (DVD-Re-recordable) being capable of recording and reproducing recording information is being laid down. Groove tracks are formed as recording tracks in a predetermined pattern on an optical disc according to the DVD-RW standard. The groove tracks are formed meanderingly so as to be wobbled, and a wobble signal with constant frequency is extracted at the time of recording so as to be capable of being used as a reference signal which synchronizes with rotation of the DVD-RW.
Meanwhile, since recording is possible on DVD-RW, for example, various contents data recorded on DVD-ROM can be illegally copied onto DVD-RW. Contents such as images and music are normally subject to protection of their copyright, and it is requested that illegal copying onto DVD-RW is prevented by a certain method and the copyright is protected effectively.
Therefore, in the standard of DVD-RW (Ver.1.0), measures for preventing illegal copying is defined, namely, predetermined data are previously embedded as emboss pit string (phase pit string) into an area of DVD-RW corresponding to a recording area of DVD-ROM where reproduction control data or the like were recorded. As a result, even if other reproduction control data are overwritten on this area, a reproduction signal of the overwritten data interferes with the reproduction signal of the emboss pit string so as not to be read, and thus other reproduction control data cannot be substantially overwritten.
However, since the area into which the emboss pit string was embedded is equal to that grooves are formed intermittently, an output level of a wobble signal extracted from this area is lower than an output level of a wobble signal extracted from an area of a continuous groove where recording data are recorded, and thus synchronous detection of DVD-RW cannot be executed stably.

Optical recording medium, optical recording medium producing apparatus and optical recording medium producing method


An ungelled reaction product is prepared from a carboxylic acid group containing polymeric material and an azetidinol containing material having one azetidinol moiety per molecule. The ungelled reaction product is particularly useful as a grind vehicle for pigment grind compositions.

The present invention relates to azetidinol containing materials having one azetidinol moiety per molecule and reaction products prepared therefrom.
Acrylic polymers have been well known as vehicles for coating compositions as well as for pigment grind pastes used in formulating such coating compositions. They can provide tough, resilient and durable coatings with excellent aesthetic properties.
Small nitrogen ring containing materials such as aziridines have been used as modifiers for coating compositions such as those described above for sometime. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,417 to Christenson et al discloses that the overall properties of coatings based on interpolymers of hydroxyalkyl esters are greatly improved by the inclusion of a small proportion of acidic units in the polymeric vehicle and reacting these acidic groups with an alkyleneimine or a substituted alkyleneimine. A further example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,416 which discloses coating compositions containing polymerized alkyl methacrylates which have been modified to improve their properties by the inclusion of imine-reacted acidic groups.
Aziridines, however, despite their potential for improving the overall properties of coatings formulated with the polymers they modify, are highly reactive materials which have a number of attendant disadvantages. Their highly reactive nature makes them unstable and in addition they are highly toxic requiring special conditions for handling. The most commonly available forms, ethylene imine and proplene imine are low molecular weight materials which are so unstable, safe transportation is virtually impossible. Moreover they are highly toxic materials which may have carcinogenic side effects.
In addition, materials derived by reacting ethylene imine or proplene imine with carboxylic acids tend to undergo rearrangement to the corresponding amide under certain severe conditions like prolonged heating thereby reducing the yield of desired aminoester product. Further, their high reactivity often results in a small amount of homopolymer by-product formation. The homopolymer causes the final film to be hazy thus impairing the appearance properties of coatings prepared from these materials.
There is a need for a way to prepare modified acrylic polymers which have all of the beneficial properties of the aziridine modified materials but without the attendant disadvantages.


A knot tying tool for tying knots in cords or lines of material including those for attaching the line to an eyelet of an object, includes a base member having first and second ends, a first post extending from the first end of the base member, a second post extending from the second end of the base member, a loop retainer operatively associated with the second post for retaining a portion of one loop of a line forming part of a knot being tied, wherein the line includes a working end and a standing end, a support member operatively associated with the first post, wherein the support member includes a catch positioned spaced apart from the loop retainer for holding a portion of the retained loop of the line, and a rotatably-actuated clamp assembly for receiving and releasably retaining the standing end of the line.

For centuries, knots provide useful means for fastening or securing linear material such as strings, webbings, twines, straps, threads, lines, or ropes through specific combinations of tying or interweaving. The knot may include one or more segments that are interwoven to bind to itself or to some other object (or the load). Knots are used in various domestic, recreational, occupational and industrial settings. One particular area where the knot has been an essential implement is fishing. Fishing lines and fish hooks have been used for centuries by fishermen to catch fresh and saltwater fish. Fish hooks are typically attached to a line or lure device through some form of a knot, which ultimately connects the fish caught to the fisherman.
Modern fishing lines intended for spinning, spin cast, or bait casting reels are almost entirely made from artificial substances, including nylon, polyethylene, Dacron and the like. The most common type is monofilament, which is in the form of a single-stranded line. Other alternatives to standard nylon monofilament lines are those made of copolymers or fluorocarbon, or a combination of the two materials.
Such fishing lines typically exhibit a small diameter, minimal stretch, and good strength with relatively smooth exteriors, which may cause the lines to be difficult to handle and to require complex knots to ensure the maximum strength of the line at the knot and to prevent the knot from slipping or coming loose during use. In attaching lines to objects such as hooks, swivels, lures, sinkers and the like, it has been a common practice for fishermen to use their hands to hold the object to which the line is to be tied while manipulating the line to form these complex knots. Frequently fishermen face considerable difficulties in correctly tying these complex knots and in some instances, the fishermen has been injured by the sharp hooks during the knot tying process.
Therefore, there is a need to develop a knot tying tool suitable for tying of a knot to attach a line to an object having an eyelet in a manner that requires minimal handling of the object, and is suitable for those with limited dexterity. There is a further need to develop a knot tying tool designed as a compact, hand-holdable device capable of tying a knot that is breakproof, and minimizes weaking of the line at the knot. There is a further need to develop a knot tying tool that provides a safe, simple, easy to use device for assisting a user especially in tying knots in a fish line and/or tying a fish line to hooks.


Described herein is a process for producing nutraceutical compositions that includes fermenting a species of Monascus in the presence of one or more co-products produced during corn ethanol fermentation, milo ethanol fermentation, or a combination thereof. During fermentation, the Monascus species produces valuable nutraceuticals that have numerous health benefits. In one aspect, the nutraceutical composition containing the microbial cells and nutraceuticals is then processed directly into animal feed in order to improve animal health. The processes and compositions described herein represent significant savings of time and materials and optionally make use of co-products of biofuel production. In other aspects, one or more nutraceuticals can be extracted from the nutraceutical composition and used to improve human health in pharmaceutical applications.

Red yeast rice, also known as red mold rice, is a fermented product of the fungus Monascus purpureus (also known as red yeast or red mold), using rice as a feedstock. Red yeast rice has been used in ethnomedicine for thousands of years in China and elsewhere in Asia. Secondary metabolites of Monascus fermentation include monacolin K (also known as lovastatin), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the antioxidant dimerumic acid and a variety of pigments.
Monacolin K is produced by at least 17 of the 124 known Monascus strains; among these are M. ruber, M. purpureus, M. pilosus, M. vitreus, M. pubigerus, and M. anka. This compound inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis and is also known to regulate inflammatory and immunological responses, coagulatory processes, bone turnover, neovascularization, vascular tone, and arterial pressure.
GABA, which acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in mammals, is antihypertensive, diuretic, and tranquilizing. It further regulates blood pressure, heart rate, sensations of pain and anxiety, and lipid levels in serum and can prevent diabetes and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. GABA supplementation has been demonstrated to calm and de-stress animals such as race horses when they are subjected to, for example, crowding situations.
Pigments produced by Monascus include rubropunctamine, monoscorubramine, monascin, ankaflavin, rubropunctain, and monascorubin; new Monascus pigments are still being discovered. These pigments impart color and have been reported to possess immunosuppressive, antioxidant, antibiotic, antimalarial, antitubercular, and antitumor properties.
The health benefits of many of the above-listed secondary metabolites are well-studied. Treatment with red yeast rice has been shown to suppress atherosclerosis in both mammalian and avian models. Poultry that are given feed supplemented with red yeast rice produce meat with lower cholesterol and higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids, and produce eggs with lower cholesterol levels.
While the mycotoxin citrinin produced by Monascus is reported to be nephrotoxic, the practice of feeding Monascus-fermented products to animals is generally recognized as safe. Additionally, fermentation can be optimized to reduce or eliminate the production of citrinin and/or other toxins.
Solid state fermentation has been employed to produce monacolin K from Monascus cultures; yields vary based on type of substrate, type of fermentation, and growth conditions. Mixed fermentation with other microbial species has been demonstrated to lead to increased pigment production.
Dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) is produced from whole stillage, a co-product of corn ethanol fermentation. Production of DDGS is expected to rise with increasing demand for biofuels. DDGS has found use primarily as animal feed, particularly for cattle, swine, poultry, and in aquaculture. In the US, DDGS production was 39.27 million short tons for 2012-2013; this number is projected to rise to 41.23 to 43.78 million short tons for 2013-2014.
While red yeast rice powder or microbial cultures have been used to supplement animal feeds in the past, these products have the disadvantage of being difficult and expensive to produce. First, a Monascus species must be cultivated in order to produce desired secondary metabolites. Then, the yeast culture must be processed in order to extract and purify the metabolites. Extraction and purification must be completed for each metabolite to be added to the feed. Finally, the metabolites must be added to an existing animal feed product. These extra processing steps add time and expense and, ultimately, add cost to the final feed products that are produced. Moreover, rice is a staple human food in many countries and its use for Monoascus fermentation will negatively impact human food supply. Thus, it would be desirable to eliminate some of the steps currently used to produce nutraceutically-enhanced animal feeds in order to save costs. Ideally, these feeds could be used with a variety of livestock and non-livestock animals for the purpose of enhancing the health of the animals and/or increasing the nutritional and health qualities of products produced by the animals (i.e., meat, eggs, dairy, and/or poultry). Further, it would also be desirable to provide a new source of and method for extracting nutraceuticals to be used as food supplements, additives, and/or medicines for humans and animals. Finally, if a new market could be developed for existing biofuel co-products and wastes, the long-term sustainability of biofuels could be ensured. The present invention addresses these needs.

Nutraceutical compositions produced from co-products of corn or milo ethanol fermentation and methods of making and using thereof


An euthanasia solution based upon gamma-hydroxybutramide, a cardiotoxic amount of a compound selected from a chloroquine and quinacrine compound and lidocaine as a base or as a water soluble salt is described. The composition provides effective euthanasia without unwanted side effects, particularly in dogs, cats and horses. In addition, it does not contain substances controlled by the Federal Drug Control Administration.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to euthanasia compositions which are used for producing humane death in lower mammals. In particular the present invention relates to euthanasia solutions which contain the anesthetic gamma-hydroxybutramide (embutramide), a chloroquine or quinacrine compound and lidocaine or a salt thereof.
(2) Prior Art
Euthanasia compositions for lower mammals are necessary in order to provide humane death. Generally the solutions are injected intravenously or intraperitoneally. Users or user facilities of such solutions are animal control facilities, humane societies, veterinarians, veterinary hospitals, zoos and researchers. The owners of such animals are all concerned with providing humane death.
Euthanasia compositions containing barbiturates are on the market. These solutions are controlled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) because of the barbiturates which are Class II or Class III controlled substances. There is a need for compositions which are not controlled because of the record keeping involved in handling the barbiturate compositions.
The need to formulate a new euthanasia composition was prompted by problems with a euthanasia composition which was marketed under the name "T-61" and is no longer produced. It is comprised of an anesthetic, gamma-hydroxybutramide; a local anesthetic, tetracaine; a muscle relaxant, mebezonium; and a solvent, dimethylformamide. The composition of this solution contains as solids, 78% gamma-hydroxybutramide; 2% tetracaine (a local anesthetic); and 20% mebezonium, and as liquids a mixture of 60% dimethylformamide and 40% water. The solution contained 25.5% total solids and the solution has a non-viscous consistency and is injectable with a 22 gauge needle or larger.
A component of T-61 was causing adverse side effects when the product was rapidly injected intravenously. The physiological and pharmacological effects of each component of the euthanasia solution, T-61 were investigated. The anesthetic, gamma-hydroxybutramide, appeared to be an effective lethal drug at the recommended dose for T-61 (62 mg/kg). Its onset of action occurred within 15 to 25 seconds and has a smooth, calm induction with 47% ethanol used as an investigational vehicle. Mebezonium, the neuromuscular blocking agent included in T-61 was found to be effective at the concentration contained in T-61. The equi-effective dose of mebezonium is about 3 mg/kg and at the volume recommended for euthanasia with T-61, the dose of the muscle relaxant is 15 mg/kg IV. The onset of effect at the equi-effective dose is approximately 75 seconds.
Tetracaine hydrochloride (5 mg/ml; 1.5 mg/kg) appeared to be responsible for bizarre behavioral effects when T-61 was given rapidly. This dose is higher than those used for therapeutic purposes. This response, e.g., stiffening of the forelimbs, opisthotonos, and an apparent uneasy appearance was reproduced when tetracaine was given alone at the dose contained in T-61. This undesirable effect is most likely due to the direct stimulatory effects of tetracaine on the central nervous system. T-61 was recommended to be given slowly for this reason. In practice it was given rapidly and produced the undesired behavioral response. The euthanasia solutions approved by the FDA now for marketing do not allow a slow rate of injection since this is impractical in use.
Dimethylformamide (DMF) is the solvent used in T-61 to keep embutramide in solution. DMF is used at a 60% by volume in water concentration in T-61 and appears to have a local irritating effect at the site of injection. It also appears to have a central stimulating effect which is observed within the first 15 seconds following injection. This is then followed by a period of sedation lasting 15 to 30 minutes in some animals when given alone. It does not appear to alter the onset of anesthesia induced by embutramide nor contribute to the lethal effects of the anesthetic. DMF is most likely responsible for the discomfort induced when T-61 is given rapidly.
An additional problem with the T-61 composition is the appearance of a noticeable heart beat which persists during the euthanasia procedure. Although this activity of the heart is ineffective in perfusing body tissues, the heartbeat is nevertheless visible in thin chested dogs or small animals and usually persists for many minutes. This is not esthetically pleasing to the owner nor to people performing euthanasia.
Thus there is a need for an improved euthanasia solution. Gamma-hydroxybutramide is not included on the list of drugs controlled by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency. In addition, it has a rapid onset of action causing almost immediate anesthesia and cessation of breathing. The problem then was to provide an effective formulation which overcomes the problems of the prior art with T-61.
The cardiac depressant and potential lethal effects of chloroquine and quinacrine are recognized. These drugs are used to treat malaria in human beings, but so far as is known, there has been no attempt to provide useful euthanasia formulations with these drugs.
In injectable formulations, the effects of high plasma concentrations of potassium on the heart is known. This can be seen in Mudge, G. H. and Weiner, I. M., Water, Salts and Ions. In Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Gilman, Rall, Nies and Taylor, Ed., New York, p 700, Pergamon Press, Inc. (1990).
In parent application Ser. No. 631,090, filed Dec. 19, 1990 gamma-hydroxybutramide and chloroquine or quinacrine compositions are described which are very effective in dogs. In cats the results were poor. Thus, there is a need for improved euthanasia compositions which are effective in cats, as well as other animals.

Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University


Methods and systems are provided for improving efficiency of purging a fuel vapor storage canister included in an evaporative emissions control system of a vehicle. In one example, a method includes controlling a duty cycle of a canister purge valve to purge fuel vapors stored in a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine of the vehicle, and adjusting a flow rate at which the fuel vapors are purged to the engine independently of the duty cycle by controlling a magnitude of a voltage supplied to the canister purge valve during the purging.

Vehicle evaporative emission control systems may be configured to store fuel vapors from fuel tank refueling and diurnal engine operations in a fuel vapor canister, and then purge the stored vapors during a subsequent engine operation. The stored vapors may be routed to engine intake for combustion, further improving fuel economy.
In a typical fuel vapor canister purge operation, a canister purge valve (CPV) coupled between the engine intake and the fuel canister is duty cycled, allowing for intake manifold vacuum to be applied to the fuel canister. Simultaneously, a canister vent valve (CVV) coupled between the fuel canister and atmosphere is opened, allowing for fresh air to enter the canister. This configuration facilitates desorption of stored fuel vapors from the adsorbent material in the fuel vapor canister, regenerating the adsorbent material for further fuel vapor adsorption.
However, changes to engine technology have introduced challenges to purging the canister. As an example, for fuel economy improvements engines may be mapped to have less intake manifold vacuum due to intake manifold vacuum being a pumping loss. As another example, cylinder deactivation technology can reduce intake manifold vacuum due to the deactivated cylinder(s) being sealed (e.g. intake and exhaust valves closed). In the above-mentioned examples, the reduction in intake manifold vacuum may result in inefficient canister purging.
Other issues related to canister purging efficiency include the fact that hybrid electric vehicles may spend a significant amount of operational time with the engine off, where canister purging cannot be conducted. In other words, limited engine-run time may reduce opportunities for canister purging operations to be conducted. Thus, it is imperative that canister purging operations be carried out in a manner as efficient as possible when conditions are met for purging, so that the canister is effectively cleaned so as to reduce opportunity for bleed emissions.
In this regard, certain operating conditions may impact the ability to effectively purge the canister in response to conditions being met for doing so. As one example, there may be drive cycles where a rate at which fuel is vaporizing and loading a canister is faster than a rate at which the canister is being purged, thereby leading to inefficient purging. As another example, electrical resistance in a wire that supplies a canister purge valve with voltage for duty cycling the canister purge valve may increase over time, thus resulting in a greater voltage drop across the wire, thereby degrading purge flow rate.
The inventors have herein recognized the above-mentioned issues, and have developed systems and methods to at least partially address them. In one example, a method comprises controlling a duty cycle of a canister purge valve to purge fuel vapors stored in a fuel vapor storage canister to an engine of a vehicle, and adjusting a flow rate at which the fuel vapors are purged to the engine independently of the duty cycle by controlling a magnitude of a voltage supplied to the canister purge valve during the purging. In this way, the flow rate at which fuel vapors are purged to the engine may be controlled in a manner that improves purging efficiency as a function of operational conditions of the vehicle.
As one example, adjusting the flow rate may include increasing the flow rate by increasing the magnitude of the voltage supplied to the canister purge valve, and decreasing the flow rate by decreasing the magnitude of the voltage supplied to the canister purge valve. Adjusting the flow rate may include adjusting an output voltage of a smart alternator, for example.
As one example, the method may include adjusting the flow rate in response to an indication that there is a degraded voltage supply to the canister purge valve. An indication that the voltage supply to the canister purge valve is degraded may be based on a determination of a voltage drop across an electrical connection between an onboard energy storage device and the canister purge valve, as compared to a baseline voltage drop across the same electrical connection.
As yet another example, the method may include adjusting the flow rate in response to an indication of a fuel tank pressure greater than a threshold fuel tank pressure during the purging. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include adjusting the flow rate in response to an indication that fuel vapors are escaping from the canister to atmosphere immediately prior to or during the purging. Such an indication may be provided via output from a hydrocarbon sensor positioned in a vent line stemming from the canister and/or based on a temperature increase of the canister at a position near the vent line, as monitored via a canister temperature sensor.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Systems and methods for controlling purge flow from a vehicle fuel vapor storage canister


A clock supplying apparatus capable of suppressing a current fluctuation as much as possible when supply of a clock signal to a circuit block is started or stopped. At start or termination of the clock signal supply to the circuit block, the clock signal frequency is temporarily changed to a low frequency lower than a standard frequency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clock supplying apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a clock supplying apparatus and a control method that are suitable to supply a clock signal to a semiconductor integrated circuit or other circuit blocks.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, semiconductor integrated circuits such as ASICs (Application Specified ICs) have become large in scale, and with their increasing scale, they are generally designed as clock synchronous circuits. Besides, there is an increasing demand for low power LSI chips that are low in power consumption. To meet the demand, gated clock circuits capable of stopping, as required, clock signal supply to circuit blocks are realized to reduce the power consumption (refer to Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H10-308450).
More specifically, the conventional ASIC includes flip-flops for individually controlling the drive of circuit blocks in the ASIC, and a free-run clock signal is always supplied to all the flip-flops. As a result, even if one or more circuit blocks are not driven due to for example that they are in a waiting mode, all the flip-flops for the circuit blocks are always ON/OFF operated (toggle operated), resulting in wasted power consumption.
In addition, recent ASICs are designed to be driven at high speed to conform to the increase in circuit scale and clock signal frequency, and thus their power consumption is large. Therefore, a reduction in power consumption has been demanded.
It has also been known to use the ASIC for image processing in information processing apparatuses, which include digital copying machines, multifunction peripherals with scanner, printer and FAX functions, and cellular phones. These machines and apparatuses are generally held for a long period of time in a waiting mode that is comprised of various waiting states. In a multifunction peripheral for example, there are various waiting modes such as a waiting state where the FAX function is ON and the printer and scanner functions are OFF, and another waiting state where the FAX and printer functions are ON and the scanner function is OFF.
The gated clock circuit is very useful to reduce power consumption in these waiting states. Specifically, the gated clock circuit can stop the clock signal supply to flip-flops in a circuit block that is functionally OFF, thereby stopping the toggle operation of the flip-flops for reduction of power consumption. Thus, especially in the information processing apparatuses which can have a long waiting time period, a considerable reduction in power consumption can be realized by using the ASIC installed with the gated clock circuit.
However, in an ASIC with plural function blocks, when a certain function block is stopped operating by means of the gated clock system, the toggle operation (ON/OFF operation) of flip-flops of the stopped function block is abruptly stopped. As a result, the consumption current in the stopped function block abruptly decreases, but the power consumption of the entire ASIC does not decrease abruptly, resulting in increase in bias voltages supplied to the other function blocks. When any of the increasing bias voltages exceeds the rated voltage of the ASIC, there will be an erroneous operation or hung-up (locked state) of the ASIC.
When the operation of a certain function block is started by means of the gated clock system, flip-flops of the started function block abruptly starts the toggle operation (ON/OFF operation). This causes an abrupt increase in the consumption current in the started function block, but the power consumption in the entire ASIC does not increase, which results in decrease in bias voltages applied to the other function blocks. When any of the decreasing bias voltages is less than the rated ASIC voltage, there will be an erroneous operation or hung-up (locked state) of the ASIC.
To obviate this, a technique is used of inserting a capacitor between the power supply line and the ground line for the ASIC, to thereby suppress an abrupt change in power source line voltage.
With the speeding up of clock signal and increase in circuit scale in recent ASICs, however, a large current fluctuation can be caused even in the case where the gated clock technique is applied, making it difficult to suppress the current fluctuation by the capacitor insertion technique.
In addition, there is a demand for further improving the response of the power supply circuit for the ASIC to the current fluctuation, which results in increased costs.

Clock supplying apparatus and control method thereof


This invention relates to a polyester composition comprising a blend of:. (A) 99.5 to 75 weight % of a copolyester having an inherent viscosity of 0.1 to 1.2 dL/g and having a melting point in excess of 250.degree. C., comprising: PA1 (B) 0.5 to 25 weight % of one or more polyalkylene ethers,. (a) one or more dicarboxylic acids, and PA2 (b) a glycol component comprising at least 80 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; and. wherein the weight percentages of all components in said blend total 100 weight %.

Melt viscosity and crystallization rate as a function of temperature are often critical to the process of injection molding semicrystalline engineering thermoplastics.
The melt viscosity is critical in that it governs the mold fill of the part (lower melt viscosity leads to faster mold fill and the ability to fill smaller parts) and therefore it is desirable to minimize this important parameter.
The crystallization rate as a function of temperature is critical in that it controls the optimum mold temperature and cycle time of the process. It is desirable to operate at mold temperatures of less than 110.degree. C. since this allows for the use of traditional water heated, as opposed to oil heated molds. It is also economically desirable to operate at such a temperature as to allow for the optimum crystallization rate as this translates into shorter cycle times.
The use of a plasticizer is generally known for some polyesters to enhance both of these critical parameters. Polyalkylene ethers are known plasticizers for low melting polyesters such as poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), but are known to be sensitive to thermal degradation. Polyalkylene ethers are reported to degrade when temperatures exceed 250.degree. C., as stated by W. K. Witsiepe (Adv. Chem. Ser., No. 129, 39-60, 1973). A plasticizer will typically decrease the melt viscosity and depress the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic which in turn allows for a faster crystallization rate at a lower temperature.
Common plasticizers for polyester engineering plastics are low molecular weight organic esters such as neopentylglycoldibenzoate (Benzoflex S312) and dipropyleneglycoldibenzoate (Benzoflex 9-88).
The use of plasticizers in semicrystalline engineering polymers to improve moldability is well known to the art. Furthermore the need for and use of improved plasticizers for semicrystalline polyesters is well known to the art.
Polyalkyleneethers have been used as plasticizers for low melting polyesters such as PBT and PET, but are known to be sensitive to thermal degradation. In fact, U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,978 to Garrison, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,647 to Haylock et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,145 to Tohdon et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,085 to Lee, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,817 to Bastioli et al and JP Patent 1,256,562 to Hara et al teach the use of polyalkylene oxides such as polyethylene glycol as plasticizers in polyethylene terephthalate.
However, E. A. Flexman reports in Adv. Chem. Ser., 233(Toughened Plastics I), 79-104, 1993 that many additives utilized to improve the properties of low melting polyesters, such as PBT, are not useful in higher melting polyesters because the significantly higher processing temperatures required degrade the additives.
Polyalkylene ethers degrade when temperatures exceed 250.degree. C., as reported by W. K. Witsiepe (Adv. Chem. Ser., No. 129, 39-60, 1973). In fact, the flash point of polyethylene glycol is reported to be 243.degree. C., attesting to its poor thermal stability. Polytetramethylene glycol, when exposed to high temperatures, undergoes a degradation reaction. Therefore, it would be expected that polyalkylene ethers would not be useful as plasticizers for semicrystalline polymers with melting points in excess of 250.degree. C.
It is reported by Witsiepe (Adv. Chem. Ser., No. 129, 39-60, 1973) that the optimum reaction temperature for polyether esters is 250.degree. C. because above this temperature degradation of the polyalkylene ether occurs.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,233 discloses the practice of "end-capping" the polyalkylene ether to increase the thermal stability so that it can be processed at higher temperatures but not exceeding 200.degree. C.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,109 to Witsiepe and U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,749 to Hoeschele both describe methods of stabilizing polyalkylene ethers to high heat aging. These patents teach the necessity of added stabilizers to provide the polyalkylene ethers enough thermal stability to withstand temperatures of up to 170.degree. C.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,884 to Cogswell teaches the necessity for the plasticizer to be melt stable at least to the processing temperature of the matrix polymer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,710 is of interest which discloses a polyester composition comprising a polyester such as PCT or PET and an effective amount of a certain type of .alpha., .omega.-bis(aminoalkyl)-polyoxyalkylene crystallization modifier which is required to chemically react with the PCT or PET composition. These modifiers require an amine group.

Poly(alkylene ether)s as plasticizers and flow aids in poly (1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) resins


A variable valve timing and lift mechanism includes an actuator that adjusts the period in which an intake valve is held open by moving a drive element. When a control unit switches the duration, the control unit controls the actuator so that the duration is changed at a first speed when the duration is equal to a first value, and at a second speed when the duration is equal to a second value that is smaller than the first value. The absolute value of the second speed is smaller than the absolute value of the first speed. In effect, the actuator is controlled so that when the duration is in a short-duration range, the duration changes more slowly than when the duration is in a long-duration range.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control device and method for a variable valve mechanism. More particularly, the invention relates to a control device and method for a variable valve mechanism that changes the operational characteristic of an intake valve in an internal combustion engine.
2. Field of the Invention
In a conventional control device for an internal combustion engine with a variable valve mechanism, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-263015 (JP 2001-263015) describes a variable valve mechanism that continuously changes the lift of an intake valve and the period in which the intake valve is held open. The term "duration" indicates the period of time that the intake valve is held open in terms of crank angle.
The above-described variable valve mechanism includes an intermediate drive mechanism provided between a camshaft and the intake valve. A support pipe oscillably supports the intermediate drive mechanism. When an intake cam contacts the input portion of the intermediate drive mechanism to drive the intermediate drive mechanism, the oscillating cam of the intermediate drive mechanism drives the intake valve via a rocker arm. A variable-lift actuator changes the lift by changing the difference between the phases of the oscillating cam and the input portion of the intermediate drive mechanism. Thus, the lift and duration of the intake valve are continuously adjusted.
In the above-described variable valve mechanism, the variable-lift actuator drives a control shaft, and the control shaft changes the difference between the phases of the oscillating cam and the input portion. As a result, it is possible to change the lift and duration of the intake valve that is moved by the rotation of the intake cam.
For example, when the engine starts, the viscosity of lubricating oil may be high due to the low temperature of the engine or motor. In this case, the variable-lift actuator may not move smoothly. Therefore, when the engine starts, it is desirable to execute a control that maintains the duration at a large value, and adjusts the intake air amount by changing the opening amount of the throttle valve. After the engine is warmed up completed, it is desirable to start another control that changes the duration.
When an operation mode is changed to decrease the duration (the period in which the intake valve is held open), the duration and the intake air amount do not change uniformly. Therefore, the variable valve mechanism needs to be controlled so that the driver does not feel discomfort.

Control device and method for variable valve mechanism