An electromagnetic transducer which may be driven as a linear electric motor (which may be a permanent magnet motor or a variable reluctance motor) in which coils disposed around first and second cores are positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal plane in which the longitudinal axis of the armature lies. The transducer may be arranged to work as a generator.

The present invention relates to electromechanical transducers, i.e. linear electric motors and linear electric generators. In particular, the invention relates to the electric motors which are used in linear compressors of refrigerators or coolers, for instance those used to cool radio transmission antennae, and to generators, such as those driven by Stirling engines.
The linear electric transducer of the present invention may be used as a motor in valveless compressors, particularly for driving stirling cycle coolers or pulse tube coolers, valved compressors, for instance domestic and industrial "Freon" type refrigerators, Gifford McMahon (GM) coolers and oil-free gas compressors, pumps in clean circulation systems, such as for medical purposes.
Linear motors previously used in these applications are not standard components that are then integrated with other components. In general they are custom designed. Because of the wide range of applications requiring linear motors there is already a range of motor designs tailored to particular requirements. These include moving coil, moving magnet and moving iron designs. Despite the range of existing motor designs there is a lack of a design that is truly suitable for large-scale low cost manufacture. This invention seeks to fill this gap.
Moving coil linear electric motors of the prior art require flexible current leads and a large amount of magnet material resulting in high cost of manufacture.
Moving magnet and moving iron linear electric motors of the prior art typically consist of a number of magnetic circuits formed by annular cores each having an air gap and an electric coil for creating a magnetic flux in the air gap. The air gaps are aligned along a direction of movement of an armature received into the air gaps. The armature may be iron or a permanent magnet or electromagnet. Such motors, though, generally suffer from a lack of robustness or complicated construction that is not very compatible with other aspects of linear machine technology.
The invention relates in particular to the geometry of the components of the electromechanical transducer, in particular cores for the coils which allow the magnetic circuits of the transducer to be closely positioned along the direction of movement of the armature.
According to the present invention there is provided an electromechanical transducer comprising:                a first core providing a first flux path and defining a first air gap;        at least one first stationary coil disposed around a portion of said first core;        a second core providing a second flux path and defining a second air gap;        at least one second stationary coil disposed around a portion of said second core; and        a first armature arranged for linear motion along a longitudinal axis through said first and second air gaps; and        wherein        said first and second air gaps are positioned adjacent one another in spaced apart relationship such that said longitudinal axis passes through said first and second air gaps; and        said at least one first stationary coil and said at least one second stationary coil are positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal plane in which said longitudinal axis lies.
There are several advantages derived from the positioning of the first and second stationary coils on opposite sides of a longitudinal plane in which the longitudinal axis of the armature lies. This geometry leads to the advantage that because the bulky first and second stationary coils can at least partly overlap in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the motor, the first and second air gaps can be positioned close together. The positioning of the air gaps close together in the longitudinal axis results in a more efficient use of the armature, lower moving mass and a more compact design. The provision of coils around first and second cores means that for permanent magnet and moving iron designs the armature does not need coils and flexible current leads are not required. The magnetic circuits in this invention have minimal unwanted air gaps and make more efficient use of magnet material than many linear electric motors of the prior art. Finally, the construction of such an electromechanical transducer is simpler than many of the electromechanical transducers of the prior art.
The flux paths in the cores are in a single plane (i.e. planar geometry) and thus it is possible to manufacture the cores of laminations which can easily be stamped out of sheet metal.
Preferably the first and second cores are positioned such that the first and second flux paths are substantially on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane.
In this way it is possible to further reduce the size of the electromechanical transducer, to minimise the distance between the first and second air gaps and maximise the shape of the cores for efficiency. Furthermore, with the cores positioned in that way the size of the first and second coils is not constrained by the need to keep the distance between the first and second air gaps small.
The armature may have a substantially rectangular cross-section so that the armature is particularly simple to construct offering lower cost of manufacture. If the armature is made of a permanent magnet, such geometry makes it easy to magnetise the armature in the correct direction. Alternatively, the armature may comprise at least one electromagnet with one or more coils and soft iron cores. Flexible current leads would be required to take current into the coils.
If the at least one first stationary coil comprises two stationary coils and the at least one second stationary coil comprises two stationary coils, both the first stationary coils and the second stationary coils can be arranged to give good use of space within a cylindrical housing.
Preferably the armature comprises a permanent magnet so the need for an armature comprising coils and the required flexible current leads is eliminated.
Advantageously the electromechanical transducer is a variable reluctance electric motor and the armature is comprised of a soft high magnetic permeability material and thus the need for expensive permanent magnetic material is eliminated.
The electromechanical transducer of the present invention may further comprise a third core for providing a third flux path and for defining a third air gap wherein the third air gap is positioned adjacent to the second air gap in spaced apart relationship and such that the longitudinal axis passes through the third air gap. In such a case the at least one first stationary coil may be disposed around a portion of the third core for generating a magnetic field across the third air gap.
Such an arrangement can be beneficial in that the length of travel of the armature in the linear electric motor may be increased.
Furthermore, the electromechanical transducer may comprise a fourth core for providing a fourth flux path and for defining a fourth air gap wherein the fourth air gap is positioned adjacent to the third air gap in spaced apart relationship and such that the longitudinal axis passes through said fourth air gap. In such a case the at least one second stationary coil may be disposed around a portion of the fourth core for generating a magnetic field across the fourth air gap and thus the length of travel of the armature of the electromechanical transducer may be still further be increased.
Alternatively with additional armature components the transducer power can be increased without increasing the transducer diameter.
Preferably the armature comprises a carriage comprising the first armature and a second armature separated by approximately the length of the second air gap in the direction of the longitudinal axis. This increases the total change in flux linkage and hence increases the power handling capacity. This increase in capacity can be achieved without increasing the motor diameter, the number of coils or the complexity of the control systems that provide current to the coils.
The first and second armatures may be permanent or electro-magnets or made of a soft high magnetically permeable material, the carriage may comprise a third armature which is a magnet, the third armature being polarised in the opposite direction to the first and second armatures and positioned between the first and second armatures. This further increases the power handling capacity of the linear electric transducer.
Of course any number of cores may be provided all connected in the same way as the first, second, third and fourth cores as described above.
The electromechanical transducer may be arranged to operate as a linear electric motor wherein said at least one first and second stationary coils are for generating magnetic fields across said first and second air gaps respectively and said first armature is arranged for linear motion in response to said generated magnetic fields.
The present invention also provides a linear compressor comprising such a linear electric motor.
The present invention also provides a refrigerator comprising such a linear compressor.
The electromechanical transducer may also be arranged to operate as a linear electric generator.

Electromechanical transducer linear compressor and radio transmission antenna


An electric power steering assembly includes an electric motor, a reduction mechanism for reducing the speed of an output rotation of the electric motor, and a reduction-mechanism housing accommodating therein the reduction mechanism. The electric motor includes: an output shaft rotatably supported by the reduction-mechanism housing, a motor housing formed integrally with the reduction-mechanism housing, a rotor, and a stator assembly accommodated in an annular space defined between the rotor and the motor housing. When the stator assembly is assembled in the annular space via an opening at an end portion of the motor housing, a guided portion on an outside circumference of a stator yoke is guided by a guide portion on an inside circumference of the motor housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric power steering assembly and a fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
An electric power steering assembly is generally designed to transmit an output rotation of an electric motor to a steering mechanism via a reduction mechanism including a driving gear and a driven gear accommodated in a gear housing. The electric motor is normally constructed independently from the reduction mechanism. Hence, an output shaft is previously assembled to the electric motor (motor assembly) and then, the output shaft thus assembled is coupled with the driving gear of the reduction mechanism via a joint. More recently, however, a new design directed to the size reduction of the assembly has been proposed, wherein the joint is eliminated while the output shaft of the electric motor is integrally formed with the above driving gear (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-113909 laid open on Apr. 18, 2003 by Japan Patent Office).
In this case, the assembly is assembled as follows. The output shaft is first supported by the gear housing via a bearing and then, is assembled with a rotor. The rotor is inserted in an inside circumference of a stator previously fixed on a motor housing. In this state, the motor housing is fixed to the gear housing.
According to the above publication, however, the following problems are encountered when the rotor is assembled in the stator. Due to the magnetic force of magnets of the rotor, the rotor is attracted toward the stator so that the rotor is not smoothly inserted in the inside circumference of the stator. This makes the assembly work cumbersome. Furthermore, there is a potential fear of the rotor brought into violent contact with the magnets as attracted by the stator. As a result, the rotor may be damaged.
It may be contemplated to employ jigs to retain the rotor and the stator thereby preventing the rotor from being attracted toward the stator. However, this approach requires additional labor for removing the mounted jigs.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an electric power steering assembly designed to reduce the labor involved in the assembly work and to prevent the damage on the electric motor, as well as to provide a fabrication method thereof.


A plastic case and a method for producing a plastic case composed of two halves ultrasonically welded together without problems caused by the generation of excess material, namely, excess melted resin and resin particles, produced during the welding process. The welding is effected at abutting portions of a projection formed on one of the two case halves and a recess formed on the other. A gap is left between the end surface of the distalface of the projection and the bottom of the recess defining an internal space. At least one air hole is formed communicating with the internal space, and suction may be applied to the internal space through the air hole. Also, a dust-blocking rib may be provided on at least one of the recess and projection surrounding the abutting welding portions.

The present invention relates to a plastic case formed by mating upper and lower half cases together and then welding (fusingly bonding) the two half cases together. More particularly, the invention relates to a type of plastic case which is relatively small and accordingly has limited welding spaces available.
In recent years, there have been manufactured a wide variety of products formed from plastic resins. One type of such product is a box-like case containing desired components therein. For example, a plastic case containing a recording medium such as a disk or a tape is used to form a box-like body as in a magnetic disk cartridge, a magneto-optical disk cartridge, and a magnetic tape cassette such as a video tape cassette or an audio tape cassette. This plastic case, although relatively small, is required to have high molding accuracy. The case is formed by mating upper and lower half cases together.
With respect to magnetic tape cassettes, the manner of connecting upper and lower half cases together is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open (Kokai) Patent Applications Nos. 37913/72 and 98604/79 and Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Applications Nos. 102085/82 and 871/89.
In the construction disclosed in the above Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 37913/72, projections are formed on the connection end surface of one of the upper and lower half cases, and these projections are melted by an ultrasonic welding device so as to effect bonding. In the constructions disclosed in the above Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 98604/79 and Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application No. 102085/82, projections are formed on the connecting portion of one of the upper and lower cassette halves, and recesses for fitting respectively on the projection are formed in the connection portion of the other. The projections are fitted in respective ones of the recesses to position the upper and lower half cases relative to each other, and then they are welded together with ultrasonic welding device. In the construction disclosed in the above Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application No. 871/89, concave and convex fitting portions are welded together, and then are fastened together by screws.
With respect to the plastic cases of this type used in a magnetic tape cassette, from the viewpoint of its productivity, the above publications propose to fix the upper and lower half cases together with ultrasonic welding device. For this purpose, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1, a projection 2a is formed on an end surface of a side wall of an upper half case 2, this upper case is mated with a flat distal face of a lower half case 3, and then the projection 2a is melted. However, the molten resin tends to partially run out from the mating portion thereof to the outside. As shown in FIG. 2, in order to avoid such run-out, a recess 27 is formed in the upper half case 2 while a projection 28 smaller in diameter than the opening of the recess 27 is formed on the lower half case 3, the projection 28 is fitted in the recess 27, and the contact portion between a distal face 29 of the projection 28 and the bottom surface of the recess 27 is welded. However, with this construction, it has been difficult to increase the welding area in an attempt to obtain a connecting force above a certain level. Namely, the welding area depends on the size of the distal face 29, but increasing the distal face 29 imposes a limitation on the internal space of the case. Because little excess internal space is available, it has been difficult to obtain a desired connecting force.
As a result, in the conventional magnetic tape cassettes, more expensive screw-fastened constructions have been extensively used to ensure sufficient strength as not to invite a malfunction over long periods of time.
As is well known, the above ultrasonic welding device applies ultrasonic vibrations of a frequency of about 20 KHz to about 40 KHz to the bonding surfaces while these surfaces are pressed together, whereby the synthetic resin is melted and welded by the strong frictional heat produced by the ultrasonic energy.
With respect to plastic cases of this type used in magnetic tape cassette, from the viewpoint of its productivity, it has been proposed, as discussed in the above publications, to fix the upper and lower half cases together with ultrasonic welding device, and in the case of the ultrasonic welding, constructions such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 have been adopted. In the case of FIG. 3, a projection 2a is formed on an distal face of a side wall of an upper half case 2, and this upper half case 2 is mated with a flat distal face of a lower half case 3, and then the projection 2a is melted. In the case of FIG. 4, a recess 27 is formed in an upper half case 2 whereas a projection 28 smaller in diameter than the opening of the recess 27 is formed on a lower half case 3. The projection 28 is fitted in the recess 27, and the region of contact between a distal face 29 of the projection 28 and the bottom surface of the recess 27 is welded.
In both of these constructions, fine particles 70 of the plastics material are produced substantially simultaneously with the welding of the bonding portions. This particles are produced by the abrasion of the bonding portions rubbing against each other as a result of the vibration of the bonding portions. The particles tend to be produced for a very short time period prior to the completion of the welding. If dust such as the fine particles 70 are retained within the case, and if an associated part contained in this case is, for example, a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape, the fine particles will adhere onto the recording surface of such media, resulting in a degradation of the recording and reproducing characteristics, and causing undesired phenomena such as drop-out in its output level.

Plastic case having improved ultrasonic welds between halves thereof and method for producing same


A device and method for a full-duplex transceiver is disclosed. The transceiver includes a transmitter DAC coupled to a transmission channel. The transmit DAC converting a digital transmission signal into an analog transmission signal. The transceiver further includes a receiver connected to the transmission channel. The receiver receives a desired signal and an echo signal, in which the echo signal includes at least a portion of the analog transmission signal. The receiver includes a receiver ADC, a programmable delay line for adjustably delaying a clock signal of the ADC, and a receiver processing circuit for adjusting the delay of the clock signal based at least in part upon the echo signal.

High-speed networks are continually evolving. The evolution includes a continuing advancement in the operational speed of the networks. The network implementation of choice that has emerged is Ethernet networks physically connected over unshielded twisted pair wiring. Ethernet in its 10BASE-T form is one of the most prevalent high speed LANs (local area network) for providing connectivity between personal computers, workstations and servers.
High-speed LAN technologies include 100BASE-T (Fast Ethernet) and 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet). Fast Ethernet technology has provided a smooth evolution from 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) performance of 10BASE-T to the 100 Mbps performance of 100BASE-T. Gigabit Ethernet provides 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) bandwidth with essentially the simplicity of Ethernet. There is a desire to increase operating performance of Ethernet to even greater data rates.
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an Ethernet transceiver pair communicating over a bi-directional transmission channel, according to the prior art. The transceiver pair includes a first transceiver 100 and a second transceiver 105. The first transceiver 100 includes a transmitter section 110 that receives digital data for transmission over a transmission channel 135. The first transceiver 100 also includes a receiver section 120 that receives data.
The transceiver 100 includes a digital to analog converter (DAC) for transmission, and an analog to digital converter (ADC) for reception. The hybrid circuit 130 is designed to reduce the level the transmit signal present in the receive signal path. The transmitter section 110 and the receiver section 120 are connected to a common twisted pair (transmission channel 135) causing some of the transmission signals of the transmitter section 110 to be coupled into the receive signals of the receiver section 120. The coupled signal can be referred to as an "echo" signal. The echo signal can include two separate primary components. The first component includes transmission signals due to the direct connection of the transmitter sections to the input of the receiver sections. The second component includes reflections of the transmit signal within the transmission channel.
The hybrid circuit 140 of the second transceiver 105 operates in the same manner as the hybrid circuit 130 of the first transceiver 100. The transmitter section 150 and the receiver section 160 of the second transceiver 105 operate in the same manner as the transmitter section 110 and receiver section 120 of the first transceiver 100.
An implementation of high speed Ethernet networks includes simultaneous, full bandwidth transmission, in both directions (termed full duplex), within a selected frequency band. When configured to transmit in full duplex mode, Ethernet line cards are generally required to have transmitter and receiver sections of an Ethernet transceiver connected to each other in a parallel configuration to allow both the transmitter and receiver sections to be connected to the same twisted wiring pair for each of four pairs. As a result, each of the four receivers typically suffers from echo signal interference.
FIG. 2 shows an Ethernet transceiver that includes an exemplary echo cancellation circuits. The transceiver includes a transmit DAC 210 for converting digital transmission signals to analog transmission signals. The analog transmission signals of the DAC 210 are coupled (in some cases through line drivers) to a transmission channel 260. A receiver section of the transceiver is also coupled to the transmission channel 260 for receiving desired signals of the transmission channel 260. The receiver includes the previously described hybrid circuit 220 which mitigates the effects of echo signals.
The analog output of the hybrid is sampled by a receiver ADC 230, generating digital samples. The digital samples are processed by digital processing circuitry 240. Some echo interference is still present after the signals (desired and echo) have been passed through the hybrid circuit 220, and received by the digital processing circuitry. Some prior art methods of additionally canceling the echo signals include MMSE (minimum means squared error) algorithms performing linear echo cancellation. However, noise and non-linear components caused by the echo signal cannot be cancelled with traditional DSP algorithms and methods leading to SNR loss in the receiver. Additionally, large amounts of echo signal at the receiver ADC reduces the dynamic range of the receiver ADC and constrains performance of the receiver ADC.
It is desirable to minimize the amount of echo signal at a receiver ADC of a transceiver, and to improve cancellation of the echo signal causing signal processing of the transceiver to be low noise and highly linear.

Receiver ADC clock delay base on echo signals


An apparatus for altering a chirp of an input light comprising one or more grating structures and one or more electro-optical blocks. In which a voltage is applied to the one or more electro-optical blocks to alter a chirp of light exiting the apparatus.

1. Field of Art
Aspects of this disclosure are related to systems for controlling the chirp of an optical signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the context of the present disclosure, "chirp" refers to the manner in which the optical frequency changes over time. Chirp may also refer to the manner in which the optical frequency changes over time within the period of an optical pulse. An alternative definition of chirp is the time dependence of the instantaneous frequency of an optical pulse.
Several methods have been used in order to control the chirp of a pulse including: optical fibers, grating pairs, prism pairs, chirp mirrors, and chirped fiber Bragg gratings. For example, prior art methods have adjusted the chirp of a pulse by changing the distance between a pair of gratings or a pair of prisms.
There are several optical techniques in which the chirp of an optical pulse is an important parameter. When the chirp of the optical pulse is important, an optical system is often designed with a specific optical chirp. This is often accomplished with a chirped fiber Bragg grating. It is often advantageous to change the chirp of an optical pulse. This sometimes accomplished by using an optical switch in combination with a variety chirped fiber Bragg gratings with different chirps, or by changing the environment (temperature, tension, voltage) of the chirped fiber Bragg grating. Other mechanical methods of adjusting the chirp are also used, such as changing the distance between a pair of grating.
The present techniques have problems with reliability, speed, flexibility, and power handling. This present disclosure aims to address these issues.

System for controlling the chirp of an optical signal


In one embodiment, a transparent ceramic of sintered nanoparticles includes gadolinium lutetium oxide doped with europium having a chemical composition (Lu1-xGdx)2-YEuYO3, where X is any value within a range from about 0.05 to about 0.45 and Y is any value within a range from about 0.01 to about 0.2, and where the transparent ceramic exhibits a transparency characterized by a scatter coefficient of less than about 10%/cm. In another embodiment, a transparent ceramic scintillator of sintered nanoparticles, includes a body of sintered nanoparticles including gadolinium lutetium oxide doped with a rare earth activator (RE) having a chemical composition (Lu1-xGdx)2-YREYO3, where RE is selected from the group consisting of: Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy, where the transparent ceramic exhibits a transparency characterized by a scatter coefficient of less than about 10%/cm.

It is known that rare earth oxides are materials of great interest in forming transparent ceramics, e.g. for use as optical components, for example in laser amplifiers, scintillators and ultraviolet (UV) lenses. However, very few material compositions are viable and/or available as large sized transparent ceramic components.
One reason for the main challenges of working with these materials and creating large components is the high melting temperature, which makes sintering to full density particularly difficult. Furthermore, many of these oxides undergo a phase change from cubic to monoclinic with increasing temperature and pressure.
Lu2O3 with Eu is a recently developed material suggested for use in X-ray scintillator screens. However, due to the larger atomic radius of Eu, it is not completely stable in the Lu2O3 lattice and tends undesirably to be exsolvated to the grain boundaries in the ceramic to form secondary phases, which reduce transparency of the resulting ceramic.
Some conventional approaches have included attempting to form translucent ceramics from oxides of europium, lutetium and gadolinium, but none have been able to achieve the desirable near-perfect transparency disclosed herein. For example, the europium doped lutetium gadolinium oxides disclosed in "Effects of Doping Lu2O3 on Phase Transformation and Luminescence" IEEE Trans. Nuc. Sci. 57:1343-47 (2010) to Qin, et al. disclose compositions having poor transparency characteristics, namely having optical transmittance no greater than 75% for a 0.25 mm thick component, which corresponds to a scatter coefficient of approximately 90%/cm. See, e.g. FIG. 4 of Qin, et al.
Applying both temperature and pressure simultaneously is commonly used to fabricate fully dense ceramics in conventional processes. Fully dense ceramics because residual porosity undesirably scatters photons traveling through the medium, decreasing the transparency thereof. However, extreme temperature and pressure is easily triggers cubic to monoclinic phase transformations. Similar to residual pores, secondary phase structures (especially monoclinic phase structures) scatter photons traveling through the medium, and further decrease the transparency thereof.
Therefore, it is exceedingly difficult to achieve a fully transparent ceramic (e.g. over 75% transmittance, less than 10%/cm scatter) according to conventional methods and materials known in the art. Since scatter increases with the length of the path a photon travels through a given medium, it is even more difficult to produce fully transparent ceramics on a macro-scale (e.g. diameter greater than 25 mm, thickness greater than 0.25 mm).
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide large-scale fully transparent ceramics that do not have the residual porosity and monoclinic structures found in conventional ceramics formed by traditional fabrication methods. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to describe methods of fabricating such ceramics, where the constituent materials do not undergo to cubic to monoclinic phase changes during sintering and/or pressurization and exhibit substantially no residual porosity. These developments would desirably improve the transparency characteristics of ceramic products for use in military, medical, basic research and commercial applications.

Lutetium oxide-based transparent ceramic scintillators

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC


A reference current generator for outputting a current proportional to absolute temperature includes a fixed current source transistor, a variable current source transistor and an output transistor which are connected to a drain voltage line. The fixed current source transistor is connected to a source voltage via a series of resistor and first diode. The variable current source transistor is connected to the source voltage via a second diode. A first node between the variable current source transistor and the resistor is connected with a noninverting input of an operational amplifier, and a second node between the variable current source transistor and the second diode is connected with an inverting input of the operational amplifier. The operational amplifier has its output connected to the gate electrode of both the fixed current source transistor and the output transistor, which outputs a PTAT current depending upon the gate voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reference current generator in a semiconductor integrated circuit for generating a reference current such as a current substantially proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT).
2. Description of the Background Art
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,646,518 to Lakshmikumar et al., and 6,150,872 to McNeill et al., disclose a PTAT current source that generates a reference current to be used in a semiconductor integrated circuit. The PTAT current source generates a current which increases substantially in proportion to absolute temperature, i.e. a PTAT current.
In such a current source, for example, a current varies due to the variability of device parameters caused by the manufacturing process of a semiconductor integrated circuit. To eliminate this problem, for instance, Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 121694/1999 teaches a reference voltage generator including adjusting means for adjusting the level of current in a current source after manufactured in the form of semiconductor integrated circuit. The adjusting means fine-tunes a reference current by utilizing, e.g. fuses and resistance elements, to change the values of resistance.
The conventional adjusting method, however, has a problem that the resistance of switches, when conductive, are incorporated into the resistances. Moreover, in order to improve the adjustment precision, a required number of resistance elements must be provided, which are interconnected to the respective switches having the resistance value thereof slightly different from each other. It leads to an increase in size of the circuitry.

Reference current generator adjustable by a variable current source


A compound bow draw weight adjuster permitting the draw weight to be adjusted with the bowstring at full draw. A toggle arm is pivotally mounted to the bow's riser. A limb deflector is positioned on the riser at the loading end segment of each limb. Each limb deflector has a cam cap spaced from the loading end segment of the limb, a cam interposed between the cam cap and the loading end segment, a fastener extending through the cam cap and through the loading end segment of the limb and anchored in the riser and a cam extension lever fixed to the cam for rotating the cam. A first cam link is connected between the toggle arm and a first one of the cam extension levers for rotating its cam. A second cam link is connected between the toggle arm and a second one of the cam extension levers for rotating its cam.

This invention relates generally to archery and more particularly relates to an adjustment apparatus that is attached to a compound bow and varies the draw weight of the bowstring in order to increase the potential energy stored in the bow limbs and thereby increase the power, speed, trajectory and penetration of the arrow. A particular advantage of the adjuster of this invention is that it allows the bow draw weight to be increased while the bowstring is pulled back. There are several desirable results from that capability which are subsequently described.
Archery is a historically traditional as well as a modern sport that is enjoyed for both competition and for hunting. Over the last half century, the compound bow has become a popular option for archers because of its advantageous characteristics. As with all bows, the limbs of the bow are cantilever springs that are fixed at their inner ends to a central frame called a riser and attached at their outer ends to a bowstring. The limbs store potential energy as they are bent back, within their elastic limit, by the force of an archer's arm drawing back on the bowstring. The most important characteristic of the compound bow is that the energy stored in its limbs, at a selected or standard draw length, is greater than the energy stored in a conventional bow and the draw force required to hold the bowstring at full draw is not only less than the maximum draw force (draw weight) required to draw the bowstring to full draw but also is considerably less than the draw weight of a conventional bow (which is maximum at full draw).
As the bowstring of a compound bow is drawn back, the draw force initially increases but, as the bowstring approaches full draw, the draw force is reduced. As a result, the archer is able to retain the bowstring at full draw while exerting a considerably smaller force on the bowstring than the maximum draw force of the compound bow and at an even smaller draw force than a conventional bow. The "let off" is the draw force reduction for a compound bow and can be as much as 70% to 80%. Additionally, at full draw the energy stored in the limbs is considerably greater than the energy stored in a conventional bow even though the draw force at full draw is considerably less. The ultimate result is that the archer is able to hold the bowstring at full draw with less draw force while simultaneously having more potential energy stored in the limbs for powering the arrow along its trajectory.
Another valuable characteristic of more sophisticated compound bows is that the tension force applied by the limbs to the bowstring, and therefore the potential energy stored in the limbs, is adjustable. This is possible because the butt end of each limb is pivotable within a limb pocket. There is a limb pocket mounted at each end of the bow's riser, one pocket for each limb. A loading end segment of each limb, which is the segment between a limb pivot and the butt end of the limb, has a limb bolt extending through a hole in the loading end segment and into anchoring attachment in the riser. Rotation of the limb bolt, or a nut on the limb bolt, in one direction forces the loading end segment of the limb closer to the floor of the limb pocket to increase the bend of the limb and thereby increase the potential energy stored in the limb. Alternatively, rotation of the limb bolt or its nut in the opposite direction allows the loading end segment of the limb to move away from the floor of the limb pocket to decrease the stored energy. However, these adjustments in the prior art bows can be made only when the bow is not in use for shooting an arrow.
Unfortunately, as the limb tension force is adjusted in a prior art compound bow, the required draw force is also changed. Increasing the potential energy stored in the limbs in the above-described manner increases the required draw force at all draw positions of the bowstring. However, a natural characteristic of humanity is that some archers have greater hand, arm and shoulder strength than others. Consequently, when the limbs are adjusted to increase the stored potential energy, the archer is required to apply a greater force to the bowstring. As the bowstring is drawn back, the initial draw force required by a compound bow is greater than the initial draw force required by a conventional bow. As the bowstring continues being drawn back, the required draw force increases even further beyond the draw force required by a conventional bow until the draw force reaches a maximum draw force. Only after reaching the maximum draw force does continued draw back result in the required draw force falling considerably below the maximum and considerably below the draw force for a conventional bow.
This operational characteristic means that, if a prior art bow is adjusted to increase the potential energy stored in its limbs, an archer with less strength must apply an increased initial and maximum draw force in order to reach full draw. Although the characteristics of the compound bow and the possibility of increasing the stored potential energy are of value to most archers, the requirement for increased initial and maximum draw force may require a draw force that is beyond the archer's practical strength. Consequently, such an archer may not be able to increase the stored potential energy with a prior art bow.
It is therefore an object and purpose of the present invention to provide a draw weight adjuster that permits an archer to increase the potential energy stored in the limbs without any increase in the required initial or maximum draw force.

Compound bow draw weight adjuster operable at full draw and loft adjusting release and trolley arm


A memory cell with a substrate; a first transistor comprising a first gate width and a terminal; resistive memory elements above the transistor, each element comprising an element width, a first and second end; parallel conductive lines above the first memory elements and coupled to the first elements at their first ends; a second plurality of resistive memory elements disposed above the conductive lines, each element comprising the width, the first end, and the second end and coupled to the conductive lines at their first ends; a second transistor disposed above the second plurality of resistive memory elements and comprising a gate width and a terminal, the first memory elements is jointly coupled to the terminal of the first transistor at their second ends; the second memory elements is jointly coupled to the terminal of the second transistor at their second ends; and the gate width is larger than the element width.

Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) using magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) is a strong candidate for providing a dense and fast non-volatile storage solution for future memory applications. Conventional MTJ (or magnetoresistive (MR) element) includes at least a pinned ferromagnetic layer and a free ferromagnetic layer separated from each other by a thin tunnel bather layer. The free layer has a reversible magnetization direction that can have two stable directions which are parallel or anti-parallel to a fixed magnetization direction of the pinned layer. Resistance of the MTJ depends on the mutual orientation of the magnetization directions in the free and pinned layers and can be effectively controlled by an external magnetic field, a spin-polarized current or their combination.
A typical MRAM device includes an array of memory cells, a plurality of parallel word lines extended along columns (or rows) of the array, and a plurality of parallel bit lines extended along rows (or columns) of the memory cells. The word and bit lines overlay each other but spaced from each other in a vertical direction. Each memory cell is located at a cross point of a word line and a bit line, and typically includes a single MTJ connected in series with a selection metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor. The connected in series MTJ and selection transistor are electrically coupled to the word line at one terminal and to the bit line at the opposite terminal.
FIG. 1 shows a memory cell 10 according to a prior art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,668,005 (Ueda). The cell 10 includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) connected in series with a MOS transistor (MOST). The MTJ includes a pinned ferromagnetic layer 12 with a fixed magnetization direction (shown by a solid arrow), a free ferromagnetic layer 16 having a reversible magnetization direction (shown by dashed arrows), and a tunnel barrier layer 14 disposed between the ferromagnetic layers 12 and 16. The MTJ is electrically coupled to a bit line BL at a first end and to a drain (or source) terminal (or region) 23 of the transistor MOST at a second end by means of a conductive stud (or contact) 26. A source (or drain) terminal (or region) 22 of the transistor MOST is coupled to a source line (SL) through a conductive stud (or contact) 25. A gate terminal 27 of the transistor is coupled to a word line (WL). The gate terminal is electrically isolated from the MOST transistor by a thin gate insulator 24. The transistor is formed on a substrate 21 that can be made of a single crystal semiconductor material such as silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), GaAs, SiC or similar.
Use of the MOS transistor as a selection element can limit an arrangement of the existing MRAM and similar nonvolatile memories such resistive RAM (RRAM), phase change RAM (PCRAM) and others into high density three-dimensional design due to long interconnects between memory elements and a selection transistor. Moreover, the three-dimensional MOS technology is relatively expensive. The present application addresses the above problems.


A ratchet tool for assembly and disassembly-of a scaffold has a handle, a hammer tip, a ratchet gear, a socket and a prybar. The hammer tip is connected to a disc driver which has a male portion to engage a slot in the top of the gear allowing the gear to be turned manually. Thus the socket connected to the gear may be turned manually by finger turning of the hammer head. A prybar is formed on the end of the handle opposite from the head of the tool.

In the assembly and disassembly of scaffolds, the worker does not have a convenient space to store a multiple of tools needed for the task. Further, the worker is in a high hazard area where it is desirable to have as few tools to control as possible and also where simplicity of operation of a tool is highly desired. It has been customary for workers in the field to modify existing tools such as a ratchet wrench, a hammer and/or a prybar to form a single tool which has all of these features. For example, a prybar would be welded onto a ratchet. This tool provides a safer solution. At the present time, there is no single tool available which has all the features required by workers who assemble and disassemble scaffolds.
The applicant is aware of two scaffold wrenches which are presently available. Snap-on Tool Co. model S717 has a handle, a hammer tip and a reversible socket. The socket cannot be turned by manual rotation of the hammer tip. The Wright Tool and Forge Co. has model 4482 similar to U.S. Pat. No. Des. 276,125 except that the patent does not disclose a hammer tip. Also, the socket can be turned clockwise by hand but rotation in a counterclockwise direction unscrews the hammer tip from the wrench.
Combination tools are also known. In U.S. Pat. No. 1,472,517, Fry discloses a wrecking tool having a handle, a penetrating pinch-bar at one end of the handle and a curved head with a claw at the other end. A hammer head is formed on one side of the head. The tool does not have a socket or a ratchet. Rockwell, in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 53,613 discloses a design for a combination tool having a pinch-bar at one end of a handle and a claw at the other end of the handle. A hammer head is formed on one side of the claw. This tool, also, does not have a socket or a ratchet. Hoeflicker in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 156,732, discloses a design for a combination tool having a screwdriver head at one end of a handle and an open-end adjustable wrench at the other end with a hammer head at one jaw of the wrench. In U.S. Pat. No. Des. 208,068, Rando discloses a design for a combination tool having a chisel-like tool at one end of a handle, an open end adjustable wrench at the other end of the handle, and a hammer head and claw approximately mid-way between the two ends.
There remains a need for a more versatile, easily usable multipurpose tool which can be used safely in hazardous situations in the assembly and disassembly of a scaffold.


A control capacitor (CDown) is connected between a pixel electrode of a liquid crystal capacitor (CLC_Bn) in at least one sub-pixel and a common signal line (COM) through a TFT (3) whose gate electrode is connected to a gate signal line (Gn+1), and a control circuit selectively switches output modes in accordance with whether the pulse periods of a gate pulse to be output to the gate signal line (Gn) and a gate pulse to be output to the gate signal line (Gn+1) partially overlap or not.

In recent years, liquid crystal display devices having a function for stereoscopically displaying an image (hereinafter also referred to as "displaying a 3D (stereo) image") in addition to a function for two-dimensionally displaying an image (hereinafter also referred to as "displaying a 2D (flat) image") have been developed.
Technologies for displaying a stereo image, such as an active shutter system, a lenticular system, and a patterned retarder system (or a polarization system, also called a PR system) are known. In any of the systems, presenting a right-eye image only to the right eye of a user and a left-eye image only to the left eye of the user allows the user to visually perceive an image in stereo.
In a liquid crystal display device that employs the active shutter system, left-eye frames (L frames) and right-eye frames (R frames) are alternately displayed. A user observes an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device with 3D glasses, thereby being able to visually perceive the image in stereo. The 3D glasses have a lens for the left eye and a lens for the right eye which provide shutter operations in synchronization with the switching between the L frames and the R frames.
A liquid crystal display device that employs the lenticular system presents a left-eye image and a right-eye image individually to the left eye and the right eye of a user through a lenticular lens formed on the front side of a liquid crystal panel. This allows the user to visually perceive the image in stereo without using 3D glasses.
In a liquid crystal display device that uses a patterned retarder, for example, a right-eye image is displayed using pixels selected through odd-numbered horizontal scanning lines, and a left-eye image is displayed using images selected through even-numbered horizontal scanning lines.
In the following, the patterned retarder system will be more specifically described with reference to FIGS. 34 to 36. FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a backlight unit 50, a liquid crystal panel 60, and a patterned retarder 70, which are included in a liquid crystal display device of the related art that uses a patterned retarder.
The backlight unit 50 emits light to the liquid crystal panel 60 from the back of the liquid crystal panel 60. The liquid crystal panel 60 has formed thereon pixels delimited by horizontal scanning lines (lateral scanning lines) HL1 to HLN (N is the total number of horizontal scanning lines) and vertical signal lines (longitudinal signal lines) VL1 to VLM (M is the total number of vertical signal lines).
In the liquid crystal panel 60, it is possible to control the transmittance of light on a pixel-by-pixel basis by controlling the alignment of liquid crystals in each pixel. In the liquid crystal panel 60, furthermore, a right-eye image is displayed using pixels selected through odd-numbered horizontal scanning lines HL1, HL3, and so forth (hereinafter referred to as odd-numbered pixels), and a left-eye image is displayed using pixels selected through even-numbered horizontal scanning lines HL2, HL4, and so forth (hereinafter referred to as even-numbered pixels).
The patterned retarder 70 is a retarder having a longitudinal direction which is the horizontal scanning line direction, and is composed of two kinds of retarders RR and RL having different characteristics. The retarders RR are configured to convert linearly polarized light into right-handed circularly polarized light, and the retarders RL are configured to convert linearly polarized light into left-handed circularly polarized light.
As illustrated in FIG. 34, the retarders RR, which are shaped into bands whose longitudinal directions are parallel to the horizontal scanning lines, are disposed on the front side of the odd-numbered pixels arranged along the horizontal scanning lines HL1, HL3, and so forth, and, similarly, the retarders RL, which are shaped into bands whose longitudinal directions are parallel to the horizontal scanning lines, are disposed on the front side of the even-numbered pixels arranged along the horizontal scanning lines HL2, HL4, and so forth.
Accordingly, a right-eye image displayed using the odd-numbered pixels is represented by light which is transmitted through the patterned retarder 70 and is then right-handed circularly polarized, and a left-eye image displayed using the even-numbered pixels is represented by light which is transmitted through the patterned retarder 70 and is then left-handed circularly polarized.
FIG. 35 illustrates 3D glasses 80 used in the patterned retarder system. As illustrated in FIG. 35, the 3D glasses 80 include a lens for the right eye and a lens for the left eye. The lens for the right eye transmits only right-handed circularly polarized light, and the lens for the left eye transmits only left-handed circularly polarized light. With the use of the 3D glasses 80, the user is able to observe, in an image displayed on a liquid crystal display device, a right-eye image displayed using the pixels delimited by the odd-numbered horizontal scanning lines (hereinafter referred to as odd-numbered pixel rows), only with the right eye, and a left-eye image displayed using the pixels delimited by the even-numbered horizontal scanning lines (hereinafter referred to as even-numbered pixel rows), only with the left eye. This provides the user with a visual perception of the right-eye image and the left-eye image with parallax as a stereo image.
A liquid crystal display device of the patterned retarder system is also capable of normally displaying a 2D image having no parallax by using both the odd-numbered pixel rows and the even-numbered pixel rows. In this case, the user may simply observe an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device without using 3D glasses.
The 3D glasses 80, which are used in the patterned retarder system, do not require any electrical control, unlike 3D glasses used in the active shutter system, and can therefore be implemented with a simple configuration.
On the other hand, it is known that the patterned retarder system suffers from a phenomenon called crosstalk mainly due to the finite thickness of a glass layer forming a liquid crystal panel.
The crosstalk, as used herein, is a phenomenon in which a right-eye image is mixed into a left-eye image visually perceived by the user or, similarly, a left-eye image is mixed into a right-eye image visually perceived by the user. For example, when the user observes the liquid crystal panel from obliquely above, part of a right-eye image displayed using the odd-numbered pixel rows is observed after passing through the retarders for the left eye, which are disposed on the front side of the even-numbered pixel rows. Thus, the right-eye image is mixed into a left-eye image. Also when the user observes the liquid crystal panel from obliquely below, part of a left-eye image displayed using the even-numbered pixel rows is observed after passing through the retarders for the right eye, which are disposed on the front side of the odd-numbered pixel rows. Thus, the left-eye image is mixed into a right-eye image.
Hitherto, a configuration in which crosstalk, described above, is suppressed by forming black matrices and black stripes on a liquid crystal panel and a patterned retarder, respectively, along the horizontal scanning lines has been known.
FIG. 36 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the backlight unit 50, the liquid crystal panel 60, and the patterned retarder 70, which are included in a liquid crystal display device of the related art, taken along the vertical signal line direction (longitudinal direction). In FIG. 36, the configuration around the pixels Pn delimited by the n-th horizontal scanning line and the pixels Pn+1 delimited by the (n+1)-th horizontal scanning line is illustrated. In FIG. 36, the liquid crystal panel 60 and the patterned retarder 70, which are configured such that crosstalk is suppressed by the black matrices BM and the black stripes BS, are illustrated.
As illustrated in FIG. 36, the liquid crystal panel 60 includes a first polarizing plate 60a, a glass substrate 60b, a TFT array 60c, a color filter 60d, a CF glass substrate 60e, a second polarizing plate 60f, and a liquid crystal layer 60g disposed between the TFT array 60c and the color filter 60d.
On the TFT array 60c, circuit-forming elements such as horizontal scanning lines and TFTs are formed between the pixels Pn and the pixels Pn+1. Furthermore, on the front side of the circuit-forming elements, the black matrices BM are formed in the color filter 60d, and the black stripes BS are formed in the patterned retarder 70.
Such black matrices and black stripes as described above can suppress the occurrence of crosstalk when the angle defined between the direction normal to the liquid crystal panel 60 and the direction of the line of sight is within ±α degrees in the vertical signal line direction.
However, this configuration has a problem in that, in addition to a reduction in the luminance of a 2D image and a 3D image due to the use of the patterned retarder 70, a further reduction in luminance due to a reduction in aperture ratio caused by black matrices and black stripes occurs.
In NPL 1 given below, there is proposed a technology for suppressing crosstalk by dividing each pixel into two sub-pixels (an upper sub-pixel and a lower sub-pixel) in the vertical signal line direction, without providing the patterned retarder 70 with black stripes BS. In this technology, when a 2D image is to be displayed, a data voltage used for image display is supplied to both types of sub-pixels, and when a 3D image is to be displayed, a data voltage used for image display is supplied only to the upper sub-pixels and a data voltage used for black display is supplied to the lower sub-pixels. The lower sub-pixels to which the data voltage used for black display is supplied function as black matrices which are large in width.
According to the technology disclosed in NPL 1, therefore, the black stripes BS in the patterned retarder 70 can be omitted, resulting in no reduction in image luminance when a 2D image is displayed. In addition, when a 3D image is to be displayed, the lower sub-pixels function as black matrices and therefore the occurrence of crosstalk can be suppressed.

Liquid crystal display device, display apparatus, and gate signal line driving method


The present invention provides an improved diaphragm which will substantially resist detrimental abrasive wear. Such diaphragm being used in certain applications in which at least a portion of such diaphragm moves relative to and is in contact with a nonflexing surface which would tend to abrade and excessively wear such diaphragm. Such diaphragm includes at least one layer of a flexible material. Such at least one layer of such flexible material being selected from a group consisting of EPDM, nitrites, neoprene, fluoroelastomers and various mixtures thereof. This layer of such flexible material has a first predetermined thickness. Such diaphragm further has at least a portion of such at least one layer of such flexible material disposed at least adjacent such nonflexing surface. This portion of the diaphragm has a second predetermined thickness. The second predetermined thickness being greater than such first predetermined thickness. The at least a portion of such at least one layer of flexible material is disposed at least adjacent such nonflexing surface and has such second predetermined thickness positioned on a predetermined side of such diaphragm. Such diaphragm also includes an aperture, having a predetermined diameter, formed through and substantially in a diametric center of such at least one layer of a flexible material and such at least a portion of such at least one layer of such flexible material having such second predetermined thickness.

As is generally well known in the prior art, diaphragms are an integral part of pumps. It is necessary in these applications for the diaphragms to be flexible in order for them to perform their intended function. However, the constant flexing of certain portions of the diaphragm when the pump is in use creates stresses on the nonflexing portions of the diaphragm that are attached to the pump.
In these type pumps there is a follower and flange which support the diaphragm and help to secure it in place within the pump housing. These areas of the diaphragm which are in movable contact with these followers and flanges will normally exhibit rather severe wear and, after extended use with the constant flexing of the diaphragm, will eventually crack and/or have holes wear through the diaphragm. When this occurs the pump is out of commission until a new diaphragm can be installed to replace the worn out diaphragm.
In many cases the rest of the diaphragm is still in relatively good shape. It is primarily at the wear points of such diaphragm caused by the relative movement between the diaphragm and the follower and flange members, under normal circumstances, that the diaphragm will reveal major problems. The replacement of the diaphragm, however, is only one of the problems that maintenance personnel encounter. The location of many pumps is such that not only may they be very difficult to get to but, even after reaching the pump, performing the work of replacing a diaphragm can and oftentimes does present a real challenge.
Thus, the longer a pump can be kept in operation, without the need for servicing, represents a considerable savings in not only the maintenance personnel's time but in the "up" time for whatever operation the pump is being used. Any improvement in the design of the diaphragm that can significantly increase its usable life expectancy is a welcome improvement.
The present invention is specifically related to improving the wear characteristics of a diaphragm at the aforementioned stress points at the follower and flange areas of the diaphragm.


A nonwoven web material including fibers formed of a polyolefin and a polyester is disclosed. The fibers may include fine fibers produced by, for example, a meltblowing process. The polyolefin may be polypropylene and the polyester may be polylactic acid. The polylactic acid may be obtained and included by recycling scrap nonwoven material containing a polylactic acid component, hydrolyzing the polylactic acid component to reduce its viscosity, blending the hydrolyzed polylactic acid with a polyolefin resin, and melt-spinning the blended material to form fibers. A related process is disclosed.

Traditionally, nonwoven webs used as components of disposable absorbent articles have been formed of fibers spun from polymer resins, frequently resins including polyolefins such as polypropylene. While such resins may be used to form fibers that are flexible and smooth and have a soft tactile feel and desirable mechanical properties, they are derived from petroleum. In recent years, demand has developed for alternative materials that are more quickly biodegradable and/or are derived from resources deemed to be renewable.
One such material that is currently receiving interest as an alternative is polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. It has been found that fibers spun from PLA generally exhibit less elongation at break and significantly greater modulus than fibers of comparable size or denier spun from polyolefins such as polypropylene.
It is possible to manufacture a nonwoven web from fibers spun entirely from PLA resin. While the comparatively greater modulus of PLA fibers may impart comparatively greater tensile strength to a nonwoven web formed of them, fibers formed of currently available PLA resins tend to be comparatively less flexible and have a rough tactile feel. Thus, a nonwoven web formed of entirely PLA fibers may be more stiff and rough-feeling, as compared with a nonwoven web formed of polyolefin (e.g., polypropylene) fibers of similar size/denier and basis weight. This may make a PLA fiber nonwoven web undesirable for applications in which flexibility, tactile softness and smoothness are desirable, such as, for example, to form components of wearable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, absorbent pants, feminine hygiene pads and other articles. In such articles, tactile softness may be desired because nonwoven web components often contact (and sometimes rub) the skin; and tactile softness and and flexibility may be desired for wearer comfort.
It has been further found, however, that core-sheath configuration bicomponent fibers may be spun using PLA to form the core section and a polyolefin (e.g. polypropylene) to form the sheath section. The polyolefin sheath section can give the fiber tactile surface feel characteristic of all-polyolefin fibers, while the PLA core section can maintain or even enhance fiber tensile strength, and replaces a portion of the petroleum-derived component with a component derived from resources deemed to be renewable.
In any process involving the production of polymer fiber nonwoven web or the production of articles in which the nonwoven web is used as a component, there will be an associated production of scrap such as edge trimming scrap, cutoff scrap, material that is not useable or not saleable because it does not meet specifications, etc. It is typical for such scrap to be recycled into the spinning process to help reduce the production of waste, and help control material costs. A nonwoven web containing polyolefin and PLA components together, however, presents technical complications for recycling because polyolefin and PLA are generally immiscible with each other, and thus, tend to form separate phases in melt. If spinning a melted blend of these resins is attempted, problems may be presented including inconsistently shaped fibers, weakened or broken fibers, resin accumulation and "drip" at the spinnerets, and others that may deleteriously affect web quality, consistency and mechanical properties.
Accordingly, there is a need for ways in which materials including combinations of PLA and polyolefins such as polypropylene can be successfully recycled in a fiber spinning/nonwoven web manufacturing operation.

Process for manufacturing nonwoven web material


The present invention provides a technique to improve reliability of area segmentation result of an image into a plurality of image areas. A plurality of representative colors and a weight associated with each of the representative colors are determined. A weighted color difference index values associated with the representative colors are calculated according to the weights, respectively, with respect to each pixel constituting the image. The weighted color difference represents difference in color between an individual color representing color of each pixel constituting the image and each of the representative colors. Then, according to the weighted color difference index values, color of each pixel is classified into one of representative color regions associated with the representative colors, to perform segmentation of the image into the plurality of image areas.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a technology for area segmentation of an image into image areas corresponding to a plurality of representative colors.
2. Description of the Related Art
As inspection apparatus such as a printed circuit board tester detects a defect in a product subject to testing by comparing the layout of regions on the product which is identified from an image of the product, with layout of regions on a reference product. With some kind of inspection apparatus area segmentation is performed for dividing an image of the product into image areas corresponding to a plurality of predetermined representative colors in order to identifying layout of the regions on the product.
However, with the conventional methods, there is a case that area segmentation is not adequately reliable and area segmentation result is incorrect.


Disclosed is a solid state drive tester which reduces the size of the tester and easily changes a function without changing hardware (H/W) by implementing a plurality of devices for testing an SSD as one chip using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The solid state drive tester includes: a host terminal receiving a test condition for testing a storage from a user; and a test control unit generating a test pattern corresponding to the test condition, adaptively selecting an interface according to an interface type of the storage to be tested to test the storage using the test pattern, and storing fail data generated during the test in an internal memory. The test control unit is implemented by an FPGA to reduce the size of the tester and easily change a function without hardware.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid state drive (SSD) tester, and more particularly to an SSD tester which reduces the size of the tester and easily changes a function without changing hardware (H/W) by implementing a plurality of devices for testing an SSD as one chip using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
2. Description of the Related Art
Until now, hard disk drives (HDDs) have been most generally known and used as large capacity digital media storage devices. However, in recent years, as prices of NAND flash semiconductor devices, which can store the largest capacity among semiconductor devices having a memory function and data stored therein are not erased even when electric power is not supplied, are being lowered, large capacity digital medial storage apparatus such as solid state drives (SSDs) using a semiconductor having a memory function are newly appearing.
Writing and reading speeds of such an SSD are 3 to 5 times as fast as those of existing hard disks, and its performance of reading/writing an random address required by a database management system is several hundreds of times as excellent as those of existing hard disks. In addition, an SSD is operated in a silent way, so a noise problem of an existing hard disk can be solved. Further, since the SSD is operated with power consumption significantly lower than that of a hard disk, the SSD is known as to most suitable for a digital device, such as a laptop computer, which requires low power consumption.
In addition, the SSD has a higher durability against an external impact than an existing hard disk, and as the SSD can be manufactured to be smaller and more various in shape as compared with a hard disk having a fixed form in terms of an external design, an external shape of an electronic product employing the SSD can be made smaller, showing many excellent advantages in its applications.
Due to its advantages, it is expected that distributions of SSDs can be expanded rapidly to searches, home shopping, storage media of video service servers, storage media for storing various R&D materials, and special equipment, as well as existing desktop computers or laptop computers.
As a scheme of testing the above-described SSD, an SSD tester according to the related art is illustrated in FIG. 1.
The SSD tester according to the related art shown in FIG. 1 includes a host terminal 10, a network 20, a communication interface unit 30, a memory 40, a micro processor 50, a storage interface unit 60, and a storage unit 70. The storage interface unit 60 includes a plurality of storage interfaces 61˜60+n. The storage unit 70 includes a plurality of storages 71˜70+N, and respective storage interfaces perform the same function. In the above described SSD tester according to the related art, each unit is provided as a separate device.
The network 20 maintains a wired/wireless network connection with the host terminal 10. The network 20 may be network-connected to the host terminal 10 through wired communication such as LAN, USB, or RS-232, and wireless local area communication such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, or UWB.
A user inputs a test condition through the host terminal 10, and the input test condition is received through the network and is transferred to the micro processor 50 through the communication interface unit 30 of a next stage.
The micro processor 50 generates a test pattern for testing the storage associated with the memory 40 according to the transferred test condition. The test pattern may be implemented by various test patterns which are widely used for testing an SSD and various storages.
The micro processor 50 controls test of the storage 70 using the generated test pattern. For example, the micro processor 50 generates a test signal based on the test pattern and transmits the test signal to the storage 70 through the storage interface unit 60 so that test of the storage 70 may be controlled.
The storage interface unit 60 maintains interface with the storage 70. The storage interface unit 60 performs Serial-ATA (SATA) with the storage 70.
However, in the related art as illustrated above, since a communication interface, a micro processor, a memory, and an SATA interface being a technical configuration for testing an SSD are connected and operated as separate devices, the size of a board is increased, power consumption is high, and heat is generated.
Particularly, in a case where the SSD tester is implemented by a plurality of separate devices, to test a storage of another interface other than an SATA interface when testing the storage, a previously developed board cannot be used but a board using another interface (for example, PCIe, SAS) must be newly developed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A joint assembly for an orthopedic knee brace has a femoral bar, a tibial bar, a pair of upper side plates including a lateral side plate and a medial side plate, the pair of upper side plates being fixedly connected to the femoral bar; a pair of lower side plates including a lateral side plate and a medial side plate, the pair of lower side plates being fixedly connected to said tibial bar and further includes hook portions extending at a distal end of said pair of lower support plates. The joint assembly further includes a knee pad support configured for fitting on the knee joint of the wearer and a linkage mechanism for providing torsional strength to the joint assembly, the linkage mechanism including a first clevis formed by a lower rear area of said upper side plates, a second clevis formed by an upper rear area of the lower side plates, and an inner link interconnecting the upper side plates to the lower side plates to thereby interconnect the femoral link to the tibial link. Moreover, the joint assembly is further provided with a mechanism for releaseably locking the joint assembly in a substantially 180xc2x0 position. The lock mechanism includes a release mechanism for slidingly placing the joint assembly in a lock or a release mode, and a pivotal trigger that effectively locks and releases the joint assembly while in the respective lock or release modes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to orthopedic devices for the stabilization and control of a human knee joint that has been injured. More particularly, the invention relates to an orthopedic knee brace including a joint assembly having improved strength and stability characteristics and also an automatic lock mechanism which enables a wearer to releaseably lock the joint assembly in an effort to prevent the unintentional rotation of the joint assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Orthopedic knee braces are commonly worn by patients after surgery for treatment of an injury to the knee joint. Knee braces generally serve dual purposes: first, the brace stabilizes the joint in order to control its lateral movement. Second, they limit joint flexion and/or extension in an adjustable and controllable manner to prevent recurrence of injury to the knee. For example, an overall increase of injuries to the knee joint in professional and amateur athletics has given cause for the increased use of orthopedic knee braces to help facilitate the quick rehabilitation of the knee joint.
A knee brace of the initially mentioned type is disclosed in one of the present inventors U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,832, which discloses a multi-axis controlled knee brace utilizing a four bar joint mechanism including a femoral bar and a tibial bar, each of which has two pre-drilled holes for attachment of an inner lap-style link and an outer link that secure the tibial bar to the femoral bar. The joint of this brace, however, lacks a means to easily immobilize and subsequently release the joint. Furthermore, it has been found that a stronger joint is needed in cases where the joint undergoes torsional stress.
The use of orthopedic knee braces having locking members has become conventional within the prior art. Such an arrangement generally permit the wearer to releasably lock the hinge or joint of the knee brace in one or several angular positions to thereby restrict the degree of rotation of the brace. However, certain shortcomings have been encountered with regard to the use of the conventional locking members for orthopedic knee braces.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,449 to Nebolon discloses an orthopedic knee brace having a rotatable hinge including two rotatably attached members and a detent mechanism for automatically and releasably locking the hinge in a fixed position of rotation. The detent mechanism includes an indentation formed in the attached end of one attached member and a block pivotally mounted on the other attached member. The block includes a locking projection that is biased toward the indentation and cooperates therewith to provide three positions of operation: a locked position, a release position, and an activated position. In the locked position, the locking projection fittingly engages the indentation, thereby substantially preventing rotation of the hinge. The release position displaces the locking projection a radial distance away from the indentation, thereby permitting the hinge to rotate freely. In the activated position, the block disengages the indentation and maintains an angular distance to enable automatic repositioning of the hinge assembly to the locked position whenever the locking projection and indentation angularly realign. While this design allows for the wearer to releasably lock the hinge, it does not provide for an effortlessness and simplistic locking and releasing of the knee joint since it requires cooperation between numerous parts to effectuate the locking and unlocking of the hinge.
Accordingly, there is still a need for a joint assembly for an orthopedic knee brace that provides improved strength and stability characteristics, especially when a lateral bending torque is applied to the joint assembly. There also is a need for a lock mechanism for use in an orthopedic knee brace that allows the wearer to manually and releasably lock the joint assembly in a simple and effective manner to prevent the accidental or unintentional rotation of the knee brace.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a joint assembly for use with an orthopedic knee brace having enhanced strength characteristics as well as having the ability to provide enhanced kinematics to the wearer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lock mechanism for use with an orthopedic knee brace that can quickly and releaseably lock the joint assembly to prevent the unintentional rotation of the knee brace.
These and other objects and characteristics of the present invention are achieved in accordance with a preferred embodiment, which provides a joint assembly for an orthopedic knee brace by which lateral side and medial side femoral links are pivotally connected to lateral side and medial side tibial links respectively, and also a lock mechanism having the ability to releasably lock the joint assembly of the knee brace in a quick and efficient manner. The lock mechanism is an advantageous feature since it prevents the unintentional rotation of the knee brace. Moreover, the joint assembly is advantageous since it provides greater flexibility and range of motion to the wearer.
An exemplary embodiment of the joint assembly generally exhibits the same kinematics as the four bar hinge described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,832. The joint assembly comprises a femoral bar and a tibial bar, each having pre-drilled holes for attachment to upper and lower side plates. To provide for a sturdy design, both the femoral bar and tibial bar are in the form of upper struts and lower struts which can be formed of aluminum, titanium, or fiber and resin composites. A knee pad support comprising a generally circular shaped plastic condial attached to a condial link is configured to rest on the lateral and medial sides of the knee joint of the wearer for maintaining proper positioning of the joint assembly and for stabilizing the knee joint of the wearer. Moreover, a latch cap is fixedly connected to cap link to provide lateral protection to the joint assembly.
In an effort to enhance the strength and stability of the joint assembly, particularly when a lateral bending torque is applied thereto, an improved clevis-type joint is employed. The clevis-type joint includes a pair of outer linkages comprising a cap link, a condial link, and an inner link disposed between a pair of upper and lower side plates to fixedly attach the femoral bar to the tibial bar and thereby produce a glide and roll motion during extension and flexion of the wearer""s leg.
The joint assembly is further provided with a mechanism for releaseably locking the joint mechanism in a substantially 180xc2x0 position. The lock mechanism includes a release lever for slidingly placing the joint assembly in a lock or a release mode, and a pivotal trigger that effectively locks and releases the joint assembly while in either the lock or the release mode. The release lever is mounted for sliding movement between the lower side plates and has an elongated L-shaped body portion terminating into a tip portion at a distal end thereof, and at least two projecting pins perpendicularly extending from its body portion that are designed to slidingly move within laterally-placed groove portions of the lower side plates. The release lever further includes a handle portion designed to be engaged by a thumb or finger of the wearer to place the release mechanism into a first position in which the joint assembly is in a lock mode, and a second position in which the joint assembly is placed into a release mode.
The trigger is mounted for pivotal movement between the upper side plates and includes an elongated body portion, at least one projecting pin extending perpendicularly from the body portion and provides for the pivotal movement of the trigger, and also a hook portion located at a basal end of the trigger. The trigger also includes a handle portion designed to be engaged by the thumb or finger of the wearer to effectively lock and unlock the joint mechanism. The joint assembly is locked in a substantially 180xc2x0 position by pivoting the trigger in a manner such that the hook portion of the trigger engages the hook portion on the lower side plates and tibial link. The joint assembly is unlocked by manipulating the handle portion of the trigger in a manner that disengages the hook portion of the trigger from the hook portions of the lower side plates and tibial link. Further, a biasing element, such as a coil spring, is disposed between a back surface end of the trigger and the femoral bar to bias the trigger into the respective lock and unlock positions.
The lock mechanism is provided with a unique safety feature that offers a wearer additional protection for cases in which the trigger is accidentally or intentionally unlatched while the joint assembly is in a locked mode. In such cases in which the release mechanism is maintained in the locked position, but the joint assembly is caused to rotate due to the unlatching of the trigger, the joint assembly will nonetheless automatically relock if the joint mechanism is rotated to a fully extended or substantially 180xc2x0 position.
In operation, the joint assembly may be effortlessly and quickly unlocked by the wearer by sliding the release mechanism forward until the distal end of the release mechanism abuts the hook portion on the tibial link. Accordingly, because the distal end of the release mechanism abuts the hook portions of the tibial link, the hook portion of the trigger is prevented from interlocking with hook portions of the lower side plates and tibial link, thereby allowing the joint assembly to freely rotate.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the detailed drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a single preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Orthopedic knee brace joint assembly having a trigger locking mechanism


A system includes a sampling module, a counter module, and a frequency characteristic module. The sampling module samples radio frequency (RF) signals on a first channel for a first predetermined period and a second predetermined period that is subsequent to the first predetermined period. The counter module increments first and second counts when the samples collected during the first and second predetermined periods reverse polarity, respectively. The frequency characteristic module determines a frequency of the RF signal based on at least one of the first and the second counts and determines frequency variation of the RF signal based on the first and second counts.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
The I.E.E.E. has defined several different standards for configuring wireless networks and devices. For example, 802.11, 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g), 802.11(h), 802.11(n), 802.16, and 802.20. According to these standards, wireless network devices may be operated in either an infrastructure mode or an ad-hoc mode.
In the infrastructure mode, the wireless network devices or client stations communicate with each other through an access point. In the ad-hoc mode, the wireless network devices communicate directly with each other and do not employ an access point. The term client station or mobile station may not necessarily mean that a wireless network device is actually mobile. For example, a desktop computer that is not mobile may incorporate a wireless network device and operate as a mobile station or client station.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a first wireless network 10 is illustrated in an infrastructure mode. The first wireless network 10 includes one or more client stations 12 and one or more access points (AP) 14. The client station 12 and the AP 14 transmit and receive wireless signals 16. The AP 14 is a node in a network 18. The network 18 may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or another network configuration. The network 18 may include other nodes such as a server 20 and may be connected to a distributed communications system 22 such as the Internet.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a second wireless network 24 operates in an ad-hoc mode. The second wireless network 24 includes multiple client stations 26-1, 26-2, and 26-3 that transmit and receive wireless signals 28. The client stations 26-1, 26-2, and 26-3 collectively form a LAN and communicate directly with each other. The client stations 26-1, 26-2, and 26-3 are not necessarily connected to another network.
To minimize radio frequency (RF) interference, some wireless networks may operate in a 5 GHz band. However, regulatory requirements governing the use of the 5 GHz band vary from country to country. Some countries utilize the 5 GHz band for military radar communications. Therefore, wireless networks operating in the 5 GHz band generally employ dynamic frequency selection (DFS) to avoid interference with radar communications. A network device generally employs DFS to a different channel of the 5 GHz band to avoid interfering with radar communications.
In infrastructure mode, the AP 14 transmits beacons to inform the client stations 12 that the AP uses DFS. When the client stations 12 detect radar on a channel, the client stations 12 notify the AP 14. Based on this information, the AP 14 uses DFS to select the best channel for network communications that will not interfere with radar.
In ad-hoc mode, one client station may be designated as a DFS owner. The DFS owner is responsible for collecting reports from the other client stations. If any station in the ad-hoc network detects radar, the DFS owner uses DFS to select the best channel for network communications that does not interfere with radar. For example, if station 26-1 is the DFS owner, it will be responsible for collecting reports from stations 26-2 and 26-3. If any station 26-1, 26-2, and 26-3 detects radar, station 26-1 will used DFS to select the best channel and notify stations 26-2 and 26-3 to switch to that channel.

Detection and estimation of radio frequency variations


Disclosed is a device adapted to measure intraocular pressure comprising: a corneal contact lens having a pressure sensor mounted in a recess or cavity in the contact lens, and wherein the contact lens has a back surface which is formed so as to protrude in a desired portion beyond the profile of the adjacent part of the lens and thus to press against the cornea, which protruding portion experiences a reactive deformation which is detected directly or indirectly by the pressure sensor.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the eye which, worldwide, is among the leading causes of irreversible blindness. The major risk predictor for the diseases is increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Therefore, risk profiling for, and management of, glaucoma includes measurements of IOP via tonometry.
It is generally accepted that the normal range of IOP is 10 to 21 mmHg, and individuals with an IOP higher than this range will usually take IOP lowering medication to prevent or delay the progression of glaucoma. Also, IOP for the individual can vary throughout a 24 hour period depending on whether the individual is asleep or awake, the level of physical exertion or hydration, and the psychological state. Therefore, measuring IOP only during irregular daytime periods, such as during two or three clinic visits a year, does not provide sufficient information for proper management of the disease.
A common method of measuring IOP is applanation tonometry which measures IOP whilst flattening a constant area of the cornea using a solid surface applied to the cornea. Since contact is made with the cornea, an anaesthetic must be introduced onto the surface of the eye. Apart from the discomfort for the subject, clinical technicians are required to take the measurements. This also entails that measurements will be taken only during the daytime office hours, which does not capture the natural variation of IOP and its increase during sleep and does not provide sufficient information for proper management of glaucoma. Other methods of measuring IOP exist which involve non-contact tonometry, but these suffer from the same or other disadvantages.
Furthermore, all pressure measurement devices (contact and non-contact) used to measure IOP are affected to different extents by the stiffness of the cornea. Thus, for example, a cornea with high stiffness, caused e.g. by high thickness or rigid tissue, would lead to an overestimation of IOP, and could result in a false positive diagnosis of glaucoma. Corneal stiffness varies from individual to individual due to variations in factors including thickness, curvature, age and medical history. Therefore, measured values of IOP require correction or calibration to account for these natural variations in stiffness.
The IOP varies with systemic blood pressure, such that there is an oscillating variation in IOP, termed the "ocular pulse amplitude" (OPA), which is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the ocular pulse wave. The OPA is of interest in management of glaucoma, since it provides a measure of the pressure range to which the eye is subjected. Recent studies suggest significantly higher OPA values in the eyes of glaucoma patients than in the eyes of healthy subjects.
It is desirable to provide a device for measuring IOP which substantially avoids discomfort for the subject or the need for clinical technicians and the like to perform the measuring process.
It is desirable to provide a device for measuring IOP which allows multiple measurements to be taken over at least a 24 hour period. It is also desirable to provide a device for measuring IOP which allows substantially continuous measurements to be taken. It is further desirable to measure OPA and its variation profile over at least a 24 hour period. It is also further desirable to eliminate the effect of corneal stiffness on IOP measurements to improve the accuracy of IOP output and remove the need for calibrating the tonometry device for every patient.
It is known that the cornea changes in structure as the distance from the centre of the cornea increases. In a central region, up to a diameter of approximately 7 mm, the cornea includes collagen fibrils which predominately have a vertical or horizontal orientation. In an outer region beyond this, starting from a diameter of about 11 mm, the collagen fibrils have a predominantly circumferential orientation. It has been found that the transitional region, having a diameter from about 7 to about 11 mm, between the central region and the outer region is characterised as being an area of low stiffness. Therefore, deformations in the cornea due to changes in IOP will be most apparent at this location, and in the radial direction.
It is known (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,953; U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,329) to provide a semi-rigid ring or contact lens which applanates the sclera of the eye and holds a pressure sensor such as a strain gauge in contact with the sclera to measure IOP. Due to the requirement to cause applanation of the naturally stiff sclera, these devices are bulky and uncomfortable to wear. Other techniques rely on the use of corneal contact lenses equipped with pressure sensors, but these either measure IOP at a single point and require patient activation (US 2007/0129623), or measure IOP with circumferential pressure sensors, the placement of which is based on the geometric form of the cornea without consideration of the cornea's microstructure and its particularly low stiffness at the transition region and in the radial direction (WO 03/001991).
It is desirable to provide a device which measures IOP and/or OPA at or near the transitional region of the cornea. It is desirable to provide a device for measuring IOP which avoids causing patient discomfort and avoids obstructing the vision of the subject.
In published patent application WO 2010/061207 there is described a device which seeks to meet some of these requirements and which discloses various embodiments of a contact lens having an in-built pressure sensor.
It has been found that further improvements can be made which increase the accuracy and consistency with which the device interacts with the cornea and assesses intraocular pressure.

Device for monitoring intraocular pressure


The truss setting bracket has an elongated body member, a first cradle, and a second cradle. Each cradle is provided with a first and second finger that define a cradle face therebetween. The second cradle is designed to be secured, at ground level, to a truss that is to be set in place on top of a building structure. The first cradle is designed such that, as the truss is lifted into place by a crane, the second finger is used as a guide for spacing the current truss from the previously set truss. Each cradle allows successive trusses to temporarily held in place by the truss setting bracket until all the trusses have been set and they can be permanently nailed or tacked into place.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to alignment and setting tools, and more specifically to a truss setting bracket adapted for setting and aligning trusses in the construction industry.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the construction of residential homes and other buildings that use wooden trusses as components of the roofing, it is conventional practice to have such trusses constructed at a separate location and then trucked to the building site. Then, after the building foundation, including walls and perimeter beam, has been built, a crane, or other means, is usually employed to lift the trusses, one at a time, from their ground storage location up onto the perimeter beam. Typical trade practice then involves having the crane remain in a support position while a carpenter nails the truss to a horizontal spacer timber in order to stabilize it so the crane can move away to pick up another truss for repetition of the positioning and stabilizing operation.
In such construction operations, cranes are conventionally charged by the hour, so that the greater the number of trusses that can be installed per hour, the lower the labor and equipment costs will be to the contractor. What is needed is a truss setting bracket that will allow a single user to correctly space and set a large number of trusses from a position on the ground. The truss setting bracket should be able to temporarily hold the trusses in place until the user can nail or tack them into permanent position. Therefore, the present invention relates to devices that can effectively reduce the time required for a crane and its operator to set trusses onto a building foundation.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a truss setting bracket solving the aforementioned problems is desired.