A moisture-wicking and fast drying cloth has an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer is made of hydrophilic synthetic fiber and has multiple meshes. The meshes are defined through the outer layer. The inner layer is made of hydrophobic synthetic fiber and is bonded to the outer layer. The inner layer exposed by the meshes pulls away from a person's skin and protrudes into the meshes when perspiration exceeds evaporating moisture from the outer layer, so area of the inner layer contacting the person's skin will be reduced to make the person comfortable.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a moisture-wicking and fast drying cloth, and more particularly to cloth that reduces contact area with skin when perspiration from skin exceeds moisture evaporating from the cloth, so a person will feel comfortable.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a person perspires, cloth in clothing worn by the person gets wet and sticks to the person's skin, and the person will feel uncomfortable. Thus, many products sold are made of various types of cloth that are moisture-wicking and fast drying. Moisture evaporates from most conventional cloth based on temperature difference between the person's skin and the environment.
With reference to FIG. 4, a low-cost moisture-wicking cloth comprising an inner layer (40) and an outer layer (30). The inner layer (40) is made of a synthetic fiber with low weight denim and comes in contact with skin when people wear clothes made of the moisture-wicking cloth. "Weight denim" refers to how much a yard of a fabric weights. The weight denim is related to thickness of yarn used and wrap and weft counts. Higher weight denim implies heavier yarn weights and stronger fabric. The outer layer (30) is made of a synthetic fiber with high weight denim and is bonded to the inner layer (40).
When a person wears clothes made of the moisture-wicking cloth, the inner layer (40) will absorb perspiration. Then the perspiration absorbed by the inner layer (40) will be absorbed by the outer layer (30) based on a siphon interaction caused by difference of the weight denim between the inner layer (40) and the outer layer (30). Finally, the perspiration will evaporate to the environment based on temperature difference between the person's skin and the environment. Therefore, the clothes will dry and make people comfortable.
However, when perspiration exceeds moisture evaporating from the cloth, the moisture in the inner layer (40) cannot be absorbed by the outer layer (30) quickly enough. Thus, the wet inner layer (40) contacts the person's skin and makes the person uncomfortable.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a moisture-wicking and fast drying cloth to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.


There is provided a gear pair evaluation apparatus capable of performing accurate tooth surface analysis based on actual tooth surface measurement information without using information about a reference tooth surface. A processing unit 6 associates three-dimensional coordinate data on a gear tooth surface 102G and three-dimensional coordinate data on a pinion tooth surface 102P with each other at a predetermined meshing rotational position and converts the three-dimensional coordinate data into three-dimensional coordinate data on a cylindrical coordinate system based on the gear 101G. The processing unit 6 generates functions representing points on the pinion tooth surface 102P on the basis of the three-dimensional coordinate data on the pinion tooth surface 102P and calculates the coordinates of points on the pinion tooth surface 102P that correspond to points (grid points) on the gear tooth surface 102G by using the functions.

Generally, the shape of tooth surfaces (actual tooth surface shape) of gears of gear pairs such as bevel gears and hypoid gears that are in practical use is not a theoretically conjugate and mathematically expressed tooth surface shape but a machinable, approximate tooth surface shape. Accordingly, it is important to perform evaluation of the strength and vibration noise of these gear pairs on the basis of tooth contact analysis of actual tooth surface shapes.
Techniques for analyzing the tooth contact of the actual tooth surfaces of such gear pairs have been disclosed. For example, Non-patent document 1 (Aizo Kubo, et al.: On Simulation Methods of Performance of Hypoid and Spiral Bevel Gears (1st Report Definition of Reference for Tooth Form Accuracy and Method of Simulation), The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Journal (C), Vol. 62, No. 599, (1996-1997), Article No. 95-1547, pp. 2833-2841) discloses a technique which calculates the deviation between data on actual tooth surfaces and data on reference tooth surfaces (theoretical tooth surface shape) that is set in a tooth-cutting machine during a tooth surface machining, considers the deviation as the shape deviation of actual tooth surfaces from the reference tooth surfaces, and analyzes the meshing between the actual tooth surfaces on the basis of the meshing between reference tooth surfaces.
However, the technique disclosed in Non-patent document 1 requires information about the reference tooth surfaces. Therefore, although the technique is effective for gear pairs if information about their reference tooth surfaces is available as in the case where a user for himself or herself performed a series of work from specification design to tooth surface machining, the technique is difficult to apply to gear pairs for which information about their reference tooth surfaces is not available.
That is, the technique disclosed in Non-patent document 1 requires information about the reference tooth surfaces of gears that mesh with each other. Since these reference tooth surfaces vary from machine to machine, it is difficult to evaluate the tooth contact of a real gear pair unless information about machine settings is obtained.
The present invention has been made in light of these circumstances and an object of the present invention is to provide a gear pair evaluation apparatus and a gear pair evaluation program capable of implementing accurate tooth surface analysis on the basis of actual tooth surface measurement information without using information about reference tooth surfaces, and a gear pair whose tooth surfaces are evaluated by using the apparatus and the program.

Gear pair evaluation apparatus, gear pair evaluation program, and gear pair whose tooth surfaces are evaluated using the apparatus and program


A cold cathode electronic device capable of removing pollution of emitter electrodes occurring during manufacturing of the device, to thereby enhance emission characteristics of the emitter electrodes and luminous efficiency of a phosphor layer. The cold cathode electronic device includes hydrogen occlusion metal incorporated in a gate electrode and/or an anode electrode. A field emission luminous device and a cold cathode luminous device each including such a cold cathode electronic device are disclosed.

This invention relates to a cold cathode electronic device, and a field emission luminous device and a cold cathode luminous device each including such a cold cathode electronic device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cold cathode electronic device which includes a cathode electrode, a gate electrode and an anode electrode and is constructed so as to permit electrons field-emitted from the cathode electrode to reach to at least one of the gate electrode and anode electrode, and a field-emission luminous device and a cold cathode luminous device each including such a cold cathode electronic device, wherein cold cathode is improved in emission characteristics and a phosphor is stabilized in luminous efficiency.
When an electric field set to be about 109 (V/m) is applied to a surface of a metal material or that of a semiconductor material, a tunnel effect occurs to permit electrons to pass through a barrier, resulting in the electrons being discharged to a vacuum even at a normal temperature. Such a phenomenon is referred to as xe2x80x9cfield emissionxe2x80x9d and a cathode constructed so as to emit electrons based on such a principle is referred to as xe2x80x9cfield emission cathode (FEC)xe2x80x9d.
Recently, development of semiconductor fine-processing techniques permits a field emission cathode of the surface emission type to be constructed of field emission cathode elements having a size as small as microns. Various electronic units wherein a number of field-emission cathodes are arranged in a matrix-like manner on a substrate each function to impinge electrons selectively emitted from emitters on a phosphor, to thereby permit the phosphor to selectively emit light, resulting in being used as an electron feed means for a flat-type display device.
Now, such a conventional field emission display (FED) will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The field emission display is called a Spindt-type display device.
An FEC of the Spindt type includes a first substrate or cathode substrate 100, which is then formed thereon with a cathode electrode 101. The cathode electrode 101 is then formed thereon with a resistive layer 102, an insulating layer 103 and a gate electrode 104 in order in an upward direction. The gate electrode 104 and insulating layer 103 are formed with holes in common to each other in a manner to extend therethrough, in each of which an emitter electrode 115 of a conical shape in vertical section is provided while being placed on the resistive layer 102. The emitter electrodes 115 each are arranged in the hole while being exposed at an acute distal thereof through the hole.
Use of fine processing techniques for manufacturing of such an FEC permits a distance between the conical emitters 115 and the gate electrode 104 to be reduced to a level lower than a micron, so that mere application of a voltage as low as about tens of volts permits the emitter electrodes 115 to emit electrodes as desired.
Above the first substrate 100 on which a number of such FECs are arranged in an array is provided a second substrate or an anode substrate 116 constituting an anode electrode in a manner to be opposite thereto. The first substrate 100 and second substrate 116 cooperate with each other, as well as a side plate to form an airtight envelope, which is evacuated to form a vacuum or reduced pressure therein, resulting in the FED being provided.
In the FED thus constructed, a gate voltage Vg is applied between the gate electrode and the cathode electrode and an anode voltage VA is applied between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, so that electrons emitted from the emitter electrodes 115 may be impinged on a required portion of the phosphor on the anode substrate 116, resulting in desired luminous display being provided.
FIG. 13 shows a drive unit for driving a color FED in which such an FEC of the surface emission type as described above is incorporated. The FED designated at reference numeral 151 in FIG. 13 is constructed into an FED panel structure having mxc3x97n dots. Reference numeral 152 designates an image signal (image data) inputted, 153 is a signal input buffer, and 154 is a controller for generally controlling the whole panel.
The controller 154 functions to permit the image data inputted thereto through the signal input buffer 153 to be temporarily stored in a display RAM 155, for example, for each of the three primary colors red, green and blue (RGB) in each frame unit. Also, the controller 154 acts to transfer the thus-stored RGB image data to data drivers (cathode drivers) 156A and 156B depending on a display system.
The data drivers 156A and 156B output, to cathode terminals Cl to Cm, a cathode voltage Vcc inputted thereto from a cathode power supply 160B of a power supply 160 and a data pulse subjected to pulse modulation depending on a gradation of the RGB image data from the controller 154.
In this instance, the power supply 160, as described above, includes the cathode power supply 160B for applying the cathode voltage Vcc to the data drivers 156A and 156B, as well as a gate power supply 160A for applying a gate voltage Vgg of a predetermined level to a gate voltage control circuit 159.
Reference numeral 158 designates an anode power supply/anode switch circuit 158, which functions to apply an anode voltage of a predetermined level to anode terminals A1 and A2 of the FED panel 151 according to control 154 by the controller.
The gate voltage control circuit 159 has an operation order of gate terminals G1, G2, . . . of the FED panel 151 and timings thereof set therein and functions to feed a pulse voltage of a predetermined level to a scan driver (gate driver) 157 depending on the gate voltage Vgg from the gate power supply 160A.
The scan driver 157 is fed with a scan signal for scanning each of the gate terminals G1, G2, . . . of the FED panel 151 from the gate voltage control circuit 159 according to control by the controller 154. The scan driver 157 functions to drive each of picture cells arranged on the matrix according to a so-called linear sequential system for sequentially selecting the gate terminals G1, G2, . . . , depending on a display system.
In FIG. 13, cathode data of the data drivers 156A and 156B and a voltage level of the gate drive signal from the gate voltage control circuit 159 are appropriately set depending on the cathode voltage Vcc outputted from the power supply 160, so that a dynamic range of luminance in a display section may be adjusted.
As described above, the conventional field emission display (FED) is so constructed that the field emission cathode and the anode conductor provided thereon with the phosphor layer are arranged opposite to each other in the airtight envelope.
More specifically, in manufacturing of the conventional FED, the cathode conductor is formed on an inner surface of the cathode substrate constituting a part of the airtight envelope and then the insulating layer is formed on the cathode conductor, followed by formation of the gate on the insulating layer. Then, the holes are formed through the gate and insulating layer and then the emitter electrodes each are formed in each of the holes while being arranged on the cathode conductor, resulting in the FEC being provided. The anode arranged opposite to the FEC thus provided is provided by forming the light-permeable anode conductor on an inner surface of the anode substrate constituting another part of the airtight envelope and then forming the phosphor layer on the anode conductor.
In the FED thus constructed, a voltage of a suitable level is applied to each of the gate and anode conductor while applying a voltage of a predetermined level to the cathode, to thereby permit electrons to be emitted from a distal end of the emitter electrodes. Then, the electrons thus emitted impinge on a desired portion of the phosphor layer of the anode, leading to luminescence of the phosphor, which is externally observed through the anode conductor and anode substrate.
Unfortunately, the conventional FED constructed as described above causes the emitter electrodes to be polluted during mounting of the FEC structure in the airtight envelope, resulting in an emission threshold level of the emitter electrodes being increased, leading to a reduction in emission characteristics thereof or a deterioration in long-term reliability of luminous efficiency of the phosphor.
This would be due to the fact that the emitter electrodes and the phosphor layer of the anode electrode are oxidized by O2 or polluted with C or the like adhered thereto. Such oxidation or pollution is increased with a lapse of operation time. For example, with regard to an affection of the oxidation or contamination to emission performance of the emitter electrodes, an anode current is caused to be rapidly reduced due to the affection as shown in FIG. 14, resulting in luminance characteristics of the phosphor layer being rapidly deteriorated.
In view of the foregoing, the assignee proposed techniques of cleaning emitter electrodes by irradiation of electron beams during manufacturing of an FED, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2,634,295. The techniques proposed are constructed so as to impinge a part of electrons emitted from emitter electrodes on non-emitting emitter electrodes which are kept from emitting electrons, leading to cleaning thereof.
For this purpose, the emitter electrodes are electrically classified into a plurality of pairs of emitter electrode groups. When the emitter electrodes of one of the groups in each pair is under the normal conditions of emitting electrons, a positive potential of a level equal to or higher than that of a gate of the emitter electrodes of the one group is applied to the emitter electrodes of the other group. Such drive conditions are alternately changed over for every emitter electrode groups in each pair. This permits a part of electrons emitted from the emitter electrodes of one of the groups in each pair to impinge on the emitter electrodes of the other group to clean them. Similarly, electrons emitted from the emitter electrodes of the other group impinge on the emitter electrodes of the one group, to thereby clean them.
However, the techniques of cleaning the emitter electrodes by irradiation of emitted electrons thereon fail to satisfactorily ensure emission characteristics of the FED having a narrow gap and luminous efficiency of the phosphor layer.
Also, driving of the emitter electrodes while dividing them into a plurality of groups not only requires to electrically divide the cathode conductor for the emitter electrodes, but requires individual drive circuits.
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing disadvantage of the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cold cathode electronic device which is capable of removing pollution of emitter electrodes during manufacturing of the device, to thereby prevent a deterioration in emission characteristics of the emitter electrodes, as well as a deterioration in luminous efficiency of a phosphor layer.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a field emission luminous device which is capable of removing pollution of emitter electrodes during manufacturing of the device, to thereby prevent a deterioration in emission characteristics of the emitter electrodes and a deterioration in luminous efficiency of a phosphor layer.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cold cathode luminous device which is capable of removing pollution of emitter electrodes during manufacturing of the device, to thereby prevent a deterioration in emission characteristics of the emitter electrodes and a deterioration in luminous efficiency of a phosphor layer.
In order to attain the above-described objects, the present invention is so constructed that hydrogen occlusion metal is included in at least a part of at least any one of a gate electrode and an anode electrode and a part of electrons field-emitted is impinged on the hydrogen occlusion metal to activate it, to thereby permit the hydrogen occlusion metal to discharge hydrogen. The hydrogen thus discharged functions to prevent pollution of emitter electrodes and a phosphor layer.
The hydrogen occlusion metal referred to herein means metal or alloy which cooperates with hydrogen to form a hydrogenated material. The hydrogen is stored between crystal lattices of the metal. The amount of hydrogen stored is known to be hundreds of times as volume as the metal. Elements for a matrix of the hydrogen occlusion metal include Nb, Zr, V, Fe, Ta, Ni, Ti, Mg, Th or a combination thereof.
Thus, in the present invention, for example, supposing that the emitter electrode or phosphor layer has O2 gas and C adhered to a surface thereof, hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen occlusion metal effectively removes O2 gas and C, because it reacts with the O2 gas and C to form OH and CH, respectively. Also, the residue gas reacts directly with hydrogen, resulting in O2 gas an C adhered being effectively reduced.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cold cathode electronic device is provided. The cold cathode electronic device includes a cathode electrode for field-emitting electrons, a gate electrode, and an anode electrode. The electrons field-emitted from the cathode electrode are permitted to reach at least any one of the gate electrode and anode electrode at the time when a gate voltage is applied between the gate electrode and the cathode electrode and an anode voltage is applied between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. At least a part of at least any one of the gate electrode and anode electrode includes hydrogen occlusion metal.
Also, in accordance with this aspect of the present invention, a cold cathode electronic device is provided. The cold cathode electronic device includes a cathode electrode for field emitting electrons, a gate electrode, and an anode electrode. The electrons field-emitted from the cathode electrode are permitted to reach at least any one of the gate electrode and anode electrode at the time when a gate voltage is applied between the gate electrode and the cathode electrode and an anode voltage is applied between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. At least a part of at least any one of the gate electrode and anode electrode includes hydrogen occlusion metal. The cold cathode electronic device also includes a control unit for varying a drive signal fed to any electrode selected from the cathode electrode, gate electrode and anode electrode. The drive signal varied by the control unit permits the amount of electrons emitted to be controlled by controlling a current of any electrode selected from the gate electrode and anode electrode, so that the electrons controlled are impinged on the hydrogen occlusion metal to discharge hydrogen gas therefrom.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive signal fed to any electrode selected from the cathode electrode, gate electrode and anode electrode is a pulse signal, wherein a variation of the pulse signal is a variation in any one selected from the group consisting of a pulse width of the pulse signal, a pulse height thereof and the number of pulses thereof.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pulse signal is varied in correspondence to a variation in an anode current of the anode electrode detected.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the anode current is reduced, a current of the electrode of which at least a part includes the hydrogen occlusion metal is increased to increase discharge of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen occlusion metal, to thereby enhance electron emission of the cathode electrode; and when the anode current is increased, a current of the electrode of which at least a part includes the hydrogen occlusion metal is reduced to reduce discharge of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen occlusion metal, to thereby stabilize electron emission of the cathode electrode.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen occlusion metal is selected from the group consisting of Nb, Zr, V, Fe, Ta, Ni and Ti.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen occlusion metal occludes CH4 gas as well as the hydrogen gas and discharges CH4 gas as well as the hydrogen gas due to impingement of the electrons thereon.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a field emission luminous device is provided. The field emission luminous device includes a cathode electrode including emitter electrodes for field-emitting electrons, a gate electrode, and an anode electrode including a phosphor layer for emitting light due to impingement of the electrons thereon. The electrons field-emitted from the cathode electrode are permitted to impinge on the anode electrode, leading to luminescence of the phosphor layer. At least a part of the gate electrode includes hydrogen occlusion metal. The anode electrode is applied thereto a voltage lower than an electron drawing voltage applied to the gate electrode at the time of luminescence of the phosphor layer under the conditions that a voltage is kept applied to the anode electrode or the gate electrode is applied thereto an electron drawing voltage while a voltage is kept from being applied to the anode electrode in response to switching of the anode electrode. The hydrogen occlusion metal has the field-emitted electrons impinged thereon during non-luminescence of the phosphor layer, resulting in hydrogen gas being discharged from the hydrogen occlusion metal.
In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, a field emission luminous device is provided. The field emission luminous device includes a cathode electrode including emitter electrodes for field-emitting electrons, a gate electrode, and an anode electrode including a phosphor layer for emitting light due to impingement of the electrons thereon. The electrons field-emitted from the cathode electrode are permitted to impinge on the anode electrode, leading to luminescence of the phosphor layer. The anode electrode includes a display anode electrode including the phosphor layer and a hydrogen discharge anode electrode which is electrically separated from the display anode electrode and free of the phosphor layer and of which at least a part includes hydrogen occlusion metal. The hydrogen discharge anode electrode is fed with a drive signal independent from that of the display anode electrode. The hydrogen occlusion metal of the hydrogen discharge anode electrode has the field-emitted electrons impinged thereon, to thereby discharge hydrogen gas therefrom.
Further, in accordance with this aspect of the present invention, a field emission luminous device is provided. The field emission luminous device includes a cathode electrode including emitter electrodes for field-emitting electrons, a gate electrode, and an anode electrode including a phosphor layer for emitting light due to impingement of the electrons thereon. The electrons field-emitted from the cathode electrode are permitted to impinge on the anode electrode, leading to luminescence of the phosphor layer. At least a part of the gate electrode includes hydrogen occlusion metal. The field emission luminous device also includes a focusing electrode arranged between the gate electrode and the anode electrode and has a voltage applied thereto. The voltage applied to the focusing electrode is controlled to vary a rate of distribution of a current fed to the gate electrode and anode electrode, so that a required amount of electrons may be impinged on the hydrogen occlusion metal of the gate electrode to discharge a required amount of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen occlusion metal.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a cold cathode luminous device is provided. The cold cathode luminous device includes a cathode conductor, a cold cathode arranged on the cathode conductor so as to emit electrons, an anode conductor, and a phosphor layer arranged on the anode conductor. The electrons emitted from the cold cathode are impinged on the phosphor layer, leading to luminescence of the phosphor layer. The phosphor layer has a hydrogen occlusion metal powder added thereto.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen occlusion metal powder is adhered to a surface of the phosphor layer or a surface of a phosphor particle constituting the phosphor layer.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the phosphor layer is formed of a paste made by mixing a phosphor particle and the hydrogen occlusion metal powder with each other.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the phosphor layer is constituted of a phosphor powder of 1 to 10 xcexcm in particle size and the hydrogen occlusion metal powder has a particle size of 0.01 to several xcexcm.
Moreover, in accordance with this aspect of the present invention, a cold cathode luminous device is provided. The cold cathode luminous device includes a cold cathode conductor for field-emitting electrons, an anode conductor, a phosphor layer arranged on the anode conductor so as to emit light due to impingement of the electrons thereon, and an airtight envelope in which the cold cathode, anode conductor and phosphor layer are received. The envelope has hydrogen gas encapsulated therein. The phosphor layer has a hydrogen occlusion metal powder added thereto.


Information regarding individuals that fit a bad performance definition, such as individuals that have previously defaulted on a financial instrument or have declared bankruptcy, is used to develop a model that is usable to determine whether an individual that does not fit the bad performance definition is more likely to subsequently default on a financial instrument or to declare bankruptcy. The model may be used to generate a score for each individual, and the score may be used to segment the individual into a segment of a segmentation structure that includes individuals with related scores, where segments may include different models for generating a final risk score for the individuals assigned to the particular segments. Thus, the segment to which an individual is assigned, which may be determined based at least partly on the score assigned to the individual, may affect the final risk score that is assigned to the individual.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to analysis of data related to a plurality of individuals in order to categorize the individuals. More particularly, the invention is related to analysis of financial and demographic information of individuals in order to categorize the individuals, assign risks for future delinquencies to the individuals, and return reasons for assignment of a particular risk to an individual.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lending institutions provide credit accounts such as mortgages, automobile loans, credit card accounts, and the like, to consumers. Prior to providing an account to an application, or applicants, however, many of these institutions review credit related data and demographic data associated with the applicant in order to determine a risk of the applicant defaulting on the account or filing for bankruptcy, for example. Such credit and demographic data may be used to categorized, or segment, individuals into one of a plurality of segments where each segment is associated with other individuals that each have certain similar attributes. Scoring models that may be particular to the assigned segment may then be applied to the individual in order to determine a risk score that is used by the lending institution to assess a risk level associated with the applicant.


According to one embodiment, a nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a container, a positive electrode housed in the container, a negative electrode housed in the container, and a nonaqueous electrolyte housed in the container. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material represented by a general formula LiMO2 (M is one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Ni, Co, and Mn). The negative electrode is spatially separated from the positive electrode and includes a titanium-containing oxide as a negative electrode active material. A potential of the positive electrode is 3.75 V or more vs. Li/Li+, when an open circuit voltage of a nonaqueous electrolyte battery is 2.17 V.

When lithium ion batteries and lead-acid batteries are used in combination, it is necessary to adjust the operating potential of the lithium ion battery to that of the lead-acid battery. An average operating potential of about 13.5 V is achieved by connecting in series, six batteries, in which a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide is used for the positive electrode, and a spinel type lithium-titanium oxide is used for the negative electrode. Such lithium ion batteries can be used in combination with lead storage batteries. Lithium-titanium composite oxide undergoes only a slight volume change accompanying charge and discharge cycles and so has excellent cycle characteristics. Additionally, lithium metal is hardly deposited in a lithium absorption and release reaction of lithium-titanium composite oxide, in principle, and thus, performance degradation of batteries using lithium-titanium composite oxide is small, even after repeating charge and discharge cycles in large currents.
As such, when lithium ion batteries and lead-acid batteries are used in combination in vehicles or the like, low-temperature output performance at about 13 V, which is the working voltage of lead-acid batteries, is demanded. Unfortunately, the above batteries have a state of charge of 10 to 30% when a battery pack, in which six batteries are connected in series, is adjusted to 13 V. Therefore, there is a problem that the low-temperature output performance is low.

Nonaqueous electrolyte battery and battery pack


There is provided a mobile terminal, including: a display unit; a taste providing unit providing a plurality of taste stimulations to a user through an electrical signal; and a control unit displaying a plurality of objects corresponding to the plurality of taste stimulations on the display unit, receiving an input selecting at least one of the objects from the user, and setting an arrangement of the taste stimulations corresponding to the selected object as an unlocking pattern.

1. Field
The described technology relates generally to a mobile terminal and a method for controlling the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
With the recent development of information communication technologies, mobile terminals capable of executing various functions such as the transmission and reception of call, message, and e-mail, and the use of Internet banking service have become popular. That is, users more conveniently transact their businesses using the mobile terminals with the increased availability of the mobile terminals. The users use important personal information during the transaction using the mobile terminal. Accordingly, a necessity of security for personal information and privacy protection during the use of the mobile terminal has been increased.
Therefore, manufacturers of the mobile terminals support various types of unlocking methods for the mobile terminals. For example, a slide method, a pattern lock method, a method for recognizing a fingerprint, a face, or an iris of a user, etc., have been used.
When the user inputs a pattern code to a display unit for unlocking the mobile terminal with foreign objects attached to the display unit or with foreign objects attached to the his finger, a trace may remain on a surface of the display unit along the input trajectory of the pattern code. In particular, when the user inputs the pattern code to the display unit by a drag input, the input trace of the pattern code may remain on the surface of the display unit. In this case, the pattern code may be easily disclosed to others other than the user. In this case, due to the disclosure of the pattern code, others may easily access the personal information and the privacy of the user by using the mobile terminal.
Further, when the user unlocks the mobile terminal by the input of the pattern code, the unlocking pattern may be easily figured out by others, and as a result the personal privacy is highly likely to be invaded.
When the user sets a complicated unlocking pattern or password, the security of the mobile terminal is enhanced but he/she may feel inconvenience when he/she tries to unlock the mobile terminal. On the contrary, when the user sets a simple unlocking pattern or password, he/she may conveniently unlock the mobile terminal but the security of the mobile terminal may be reduced.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same


One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically generates an input sequence for a circuit design using mutant-based verification. During operation, the system receives a description of the circuit design. Next, the system determines a target value for a control signal in the description and a mutant value for the control signal. The system then determines if an input sequence exists for the circuit design that stimulates the control signal to the target value and causes the effects of the target value and the effects of the mutant value to reach an observation point in the circuit such that the effects of the target value and the effects of the mutant value differ at the observation point. If such an input sequence exists, the system then simulates operation of the circuit design using the input sequence. During simulation, the system generates two sets of signal outputs for the circuit design. The first set of signal outputs is affected by the target value for the control signal, while the second set of signal outputs is affected by the mutant value for the control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique which facilitates verifying the correctness of a circuit design. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique that automatically generates an input sequence for a circuit design using mutant-based verification.
2. Related Art
Digital circuit design methodologies have reached a highly optimized state, but circuit verification methods used in design projects are still somewhat subjective in the way that they are applied by the verification engineer. Moreover, many competing circuit verification methods are available for high-level hardware descriptions, but none of these methods provide a stand-alone solution. As a result, circuit verification is still an "art" which is mastered by an engineer through experience and observation, as opposed to a systematic technique that can be easily and effectively applied.
Typical industry practices rely on random and pseudo-random approaches to eventually explore a sufficient portion of the circuit under verification (CUV). The simplicity in these practices allows for a high-frequency simulation, but the ability of the simulator to traverse new architectural states quickly diminishes over time. Deterministic practices, on the other hand, guarantee continued forward progress because they allow the circuit verification engineer to attack the problem head-on. However, the complexity of even moderately-sized circuits makes deterministic verification practices that exhaustively explore the design space computationally infeasible in a reasonable timeframe.
Hence, what is needed is a method and an apparatus for efficiently verifying circuit designs without the problems listed above.

Automatically generating an input sequence for a circuit design using mutant-based verification

The Regents of the University of California


A semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first conductive structure, a second conductive structure, a dielectric structure, a dielectric layer, a first conductive plug, and a second conductive plug. The first conductive plug passes through only an upper dielectric portion of the dielectric structure, the dielectric layer and a lower dielectric portion of the dielectric structure to physically and electrically contact with the first conductive structure. The second conductive plug passes through the upper dielectric portion, the dielectric layer and the lower dielectric portion to physically and electrically contact with the second conductive structure.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed and more specifically to a semiconductor structure including a conductive plug and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor structures include memory devices, used in storage elements for many products such as MP3 players, digital cameras, computer files, etc. As the application increases, the demand for the memory device focuses on small size and large memory capacity. For satisfying the requirement, a memory having a high element density is need.
Designers have developed a method for improving a memory device density, using 3D stack memory device so as to increase a memory capacity and a cost per cell. However, complex structures of a memory device make manufacturing processes complicated.

Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same


A power storage system with excellent characteristics is provided. A power storage system with a high degree of safety is provided. A power storage system with less deterioration is provided. A storage battery with excellent characteristics is provided. The power storage system includes a neural network and a storage battery. The neural network includes an input layer, an output layer, and one or more hidden layers between the input layer and the output layer. The predetermined hidden layer is connected to the previous hidden layer or the previous input layer by a predetermined weight coefficient, and connected to the next hidden layer or the next output layer by a predetermined weight coefficient. In the storage battery, voltage and time at which the voltage is obtained are measured as one of sets of data. The sets of data measured at different times are input to the input layer and the operational condition of the storage battery is changed in accordance with a signal output from the output layer.

In recent years, machine learning techniques using an artificial neural network (hereinafter referred to as neural network) or the like have been actively developed.
Patent Document 1 discloses an example where a neural network is used for arithmetic operation of remaining capacity of a storage battery.
In recent years, transistors including oxide semiconductors or metal oxides in their channel formation regions (oxide semiconductor transistors, hereinafter referred to as OS transistors) have attracted attention. The off-state current of an OS transistor is extremely low. Applications that employ OS transistors to utilize their low off-state currents have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses an example where an OS transistor is used for learning in a neural network.

Neural network, power storage system, vehicle, and electronic device

SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.


Disclosed is a method of fabricating a microlens. The method includes forming a self assembly monolayer having a strong hydrophobicity on a substrate; forming a plurality of ink droplets on the self assembly monolayer by jetting a transparent ink using an inkjet apparatus, the transparent ink including a first solvent having a first boiling point, a second solvent having a second boiling point lower than the first boiling point and a silicon oxide (SiOx) solid material dispersed in the first and second solvents; and drying the plurality of ink droplets.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solar cell, and more particularly, to a solar cell including a microlens for improving light capture property and a method of fabricating the solar cell.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, a solar cell, which is a semiconductor device converting a solar energy into an electric energy, includes a junction of a positive (P) type semiconductor and a negative (N) type semiconductor and has the same basic structure as a diode. Most typical solar cells have a structure of a positive-negative (PN) junction semiconductor layer where a P type semiconductor layer and an N type semiconductor layer between facing two electrodes.
For the purpose of improving photoelectric efficiency, the solar cell includes a light collecting means that concentrates the light of the sun and irradiates the light onto the surface of the solar cell. For example, the light collecting means is a microlens.
The microlens is fabricated through various methods such as an etching method using a laser pulse, a reflow method using a photoresist, a dry etching method, a glass surface processing method using carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, a method using a surface tension of a liquefied glass, an ion beam processing method for a polymer by a laser deposition, an inkjet method, a heating method for a photoresist, a gray scale masking method and an embossing molding method.
FIGS. 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views showing a reflow method using a photoresist of fabricating a microlens according to the related art. In FIG. 1A, a resin layer 20 for a microlens is formed on a substrate 10 and a photo mask 90 is disposed over the resin layer 20. The resin layer 20 is patterned through a photolithographic process including exposure and development steps to become a resin pattern 25 corresponding to a curved surface of a lens as shown in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 1C, the resin pattern 25 (of FIG. 1B) is heated and reflows in a heat treatment apparatus to become a microlens 30.
However, the method of fabricating a microlens according to the related art is performed through a photolithographic process in which a plurality of steps such as a photoresist coating step, an exposure step and a development step are required. Specifically, the exposure step requires an expensive photo mask and an expensive exposure apparatus. As a result, a microlens according to the related art is fabricated through complicated steps with a high fabrication cost.

Solar cell including microlens and method of fabricating the same


A calking structure wherein a calked member is calked firmly in a fixed member and a jig intended for obtaining the structure are disclosed. Cutting edges 2a, 2b of calking jigs 15, 16 are provided with slant faces 3a or 3b, 3c for subjecting calking pieces 21a, 21b to a torsional deformation with reference to a cut face A from depression, and the calking pieces 21a, 21b are locked to a fixed member 8 as deformed torsionally to a calked member 20.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a calking structure wherein a calked member is calked in a fixed member at a peripheral edge portion of a calking aperture formed on the fixed member and a jig intended for calking.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A prior art calking structure and a jig intended for calking will be described with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10. Here, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a prior art calking structure, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a construction of a prior art jig intended for calking, FIG. 9 (a) and (b) are a front view and a bottom view showing a construction of the prior art jig intended for calking respectively, and FIG. 10 (a) and (b) are explanatory drawings of a calking process.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, a prior art calking jig 7 is provided with a pair of cutting edges 2, 2 on an end portion of a shaft 1, the cutting edges 2, 2 having slant faces 3, 3 formed on opposite nose sides at an angle .theta. and a recessed groove 5 provided centrally of the nose.
A process for calking by means of the calking jig 7 constructed as above will now be described. A rectangular calking aperture 10 is formed on a fixed member 8 such as bus bar or the like shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10 (a), a nose portion of a calked member 11 such as fixed contact or the like is inserted in the calking aperture 10, and a tier 11a of the calked member 11 is brought into contact with a back side of the fixed member as shown in FIG. 10 (a). The cutting edges 2, 2 of the calking jig 7 are kept facing on a nose surface of the calked member 11 inserted through the calking aperture 10 in the state of FIG. 10 (a), and from thrusting the calking jig 7 in the direction indicated by an arrow Z, the calked member 11 is cut in on its opposite sides as leaving a salient 11b as shown in FIG. 10 (b), and thus a pair of calking pieces 12a, 12b are formed. Then, from thrusting the calking jig 7 further, the calking pieces 12a, 12b having a cut formed thereon are deformed by the slant faces 3 in the direction orthogonal to opposite sides (cut faces A) of the calked member 11, depressed onto the slant faces 3 at the same time and thus cut into an edge portion of the calking aperture 10 of the fixed member 8.
The prior art calking structure is obtained through such process as shown in FIG. 7.
However, in the prior art calking structure mentioned above, the calking pieces 12a, 12b are calked in the fixed member 8 only at opposite end edge portions longitudinal of the calking aperture 10, therefore play or motion of the calked member 11 relative to the fixed member can arise in the directions indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. 7, and the structure cannot thoroughly be fixed mechanically. Thus in such prior art calking structure, it was necessary that an adhesive be applied between the calking pieces 12a, 12b and the fixed member 8 for locking the calked member 11 firmly to the fixed member 8 to complicatedness, and in addition, a problem is quite unavoidable in the aspect of manufacturing cost.

Calking structure and jig intended for calking


The disclosure relates to a detachable windshield for a vehicle. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to a detachable windshield for a motor vehicle such as an automobile, in particular an automobile having an engine compartment positioned forward of a passenger compartment. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a detachable windshield, at least one structural member, and a plurality of releasable fasteners that attach the detachable windshield to the structural member. The windshield may be detached upon release of the fasteners. In another embodiment, a method includes placing a detachable windshield onto at least one structural member of a vehicle, and securing the detachable windshield to the structural member with a plurality of releasable fasteners. In a further embodiment, a vehicle includes means for viewing an outside area from within a vehicle, means for supporting the viewing means, and means for securing the viewing means to the supporting means.

Passenger automobiles typically have a windshield opening defined by a surrounding body flange attached to pillars extending upward from side body panels. A windshield seal is usually attached around an edge of the windshield to seal the space between the windshield and the windshield opening defined by the body flange. The windshield seal is usually attached to the body flange, or is supported by a fastener fixedly mounted to the pillars. An opaque paint is generally applied to the inner peripheral surface of the windshield to conceal the aesthetically displeasing windshield seal from view.
Automotive windshields are commonly mounted to the associated vehicle body in a manner that leaves a space between the periphery of the glass panel and the body flange. In a conventional windshield mounting assembly, a bead of curable resilient adhesive is often used to fill this space, acting as part of the windshield seal and securing the glass windshield to the surrounding flange. In this manner, the windshield is securely attached to the automobile. However, when a windshield mounted in the conventional manner using adhesives needs to be replaced, it is usually impossible or extremely difficult to effect removal without causing damage to the windshield due to the adhesive bonding of the windshield seal.


This invention relates to a handrail for a people mover, such as an escalator or moving walkway, with a grip for people to grasp and a one-piece structure comprising several layers with structural inserts, with the layers being joined together to form the one-piece structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handrail for a people mover, such as an escalator or moving walkway, with a grip for people to grasp and a one-piece structure comprising several layers.
2. Background Information
Handrails of this type are described by the known art. Many of the current embodiments consist primarily of layered, C-shaped strips or bands with structural inserts. The layers in the strips or bands are constructed separately, then joined together by more layers, such as ones made of elastomer materials.
The manufacture of handrails is a lengthy and complicated process. The handrails are produced in various lengths of the layered structure. Each of the lengths must be processed in batches or segments of the strips. The process joins the layers using a material to form a single molded strip or band.
The disadvantages of a fabrication process of the type described above include the time-consuming and expensive pre-assembly step and the transport and insertion of the individual components, not to mention the fact that the fabrication must be performed in batches or discontinuously using the pressing process, as a result of which burrs are formed at the separation level of the press mold, and there are fluctuations in the quality of the longitudinal segments pressed.
The object of the present invention is to simplify the fabrication of a handrail of the type described above by means of its pre-fabricated structure, and to create a configuration which satisfies the requirements and is easier to repair.
The invention teaches that this object can be accomplished if the layers are combined into a one-piece textile structure and can be connected to the grip in a single fabrication step.
Consequently, only one module is connected with the grip in the form of an insert that has high tensile strength and a rigid shape. The module has a sandwich-like structure, the characteristics (rigidity, strength) of which can be adapted to the respective individual requirements which may differ over the width of the product. As a result of this restriction to an essentially single unit module, the ease of repair of the handrail is also increased.
In one favorable embodiment of the invention, the textile structure is formed from at least the following parts:
a reinforcement layer made of high-modulus fibers that run lengthwise,
a transverse reinforcement made of fibers that run crossways,
an anti-friction layer made of polymer fibers in the form of a polymer structure.
The invention also teaches that the reinforcement layer can be formed by high-modulus fibers that run longitudinally, such as polymer fibers (aramid, polyester, polyamide), carbon, glass or steel fibers.
For the realization of the transverse reinforcement, the invention also teaches that the fibers for the transverse reinforcement can be formed by polymer and/or glass fibers.
A favorable realization of a connection of grip and textile structure consists of the fact that the grip and insertxe2x80x94in the form of a textile structurexe2x80x94can be connected to one another by co-extrusion.
In other words, in one preferred embodiment of this invention, the grip and textile structure or insert can be connected to each other by a co-extrusion process.
In this case, the endless textile structure can be transported under bias or pre-stress to an extruder in which the grip material is extruded around the textile structure. The profiling can take place in the extruder and/or following the extrusion on a cooling and calibration line.
The present invention teaches that alternatively, the grip and insert can be joined to one another by an adhesive connection.
The present invention also teaches that a longitudinal reinforcement can be located only in the center region.
In an additional realization, the grip can be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material.
To adapt the characteristics of the finished product to the respective requirements, the invention teaches that a textile structure can be located below and/or inside the grip.

People mover, such as a moving walkway or escalator, with a handrail, and a handrail for a people mover, such as a moving walkway or escalator

New-York Hamburger Gummi-Waaren Compagnie Aktiengesellschaft


Battery protection circuitry and method are disclosed. A battery is protected from a large current overdrawn condition by setting a discharge switch into a controllable conduction state. After the discharge switch is in the controllable conduction state, a tickle discharge current is gradually generated under control of a switch control signal. The trickle discharge current can be used to determine whether the large current overdrawn condition still exists. When the large current overdrawn condition is removed, the discharge switch is turned back on.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to battery charging/discharge circuits and battery pack protection, and more particularly, to battery charging/discharge circuits capable of trickle precharge and/or trickle discharge. Utility for the present invention can be found in battery charging/discharging/protection systems for portable electronic devices, for example, laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones, and/or any type of electronic device having a rechargeable battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rechargeable batteries, especially lithium ion batteries, need to precharge (recovery-charge) from deeply discharged status to avoid stressing the depleted batteries. When a rechargeable battery is deeply discharged and its cell voltage becomes lower than a threshold voltage VUV, it cannot be directly charged using large charging current. Instead, a precharge mode is needed. In the precharge mode, a small charging current is used, until the battery voltage is charged larger than the voltage VUV, and then it can be charged in normal mode, i.e. charging by larger charging current. For lithium ion battery, the threshold voltage VUV is approximately 2.4V˜3.0V for one cell, depending on battery type and manufacturer. The precharging current is about 10 mA˜100 mA. However, the normal charging current can be a few hundred milli-Amperes to 1 Ampere depending on the battery capacity.
FIG. 1A depicts the charging profile 50 for a lithium ion rechargeable battery. When the battery voltage is higher than VUV, the battery enters into constant current (CC) charging mode, and a large constant current is used to charge the battery (the battery voltage also increases as the battery capacity increases). When the battery voltage increases to VOV, which represents overvoltage (normally around 4.2V for a lithium ion battery), the battery enters into a constant voltage (CV) charging mode. In this mode, the charger holds the voltage at VOV. When the charging current decreases to a predetermined minimum value, for example 50 mA, the charge procedure is stopped. During the CV charge mode, the charger must regulate the voltage precisely to VOV (to within +/−0.005 V), otherwise the charging current will not taper off with increasing battery capacity. If, for example, the charging output is larger than VOV, then over-charging the battery may occur, which may present safety issues with lithium ion batteries.
The conventional circuit 10 to implement precharging is shown in FIG. 1B. A precharge MOSFET 12 in series with a resistor 14 is used for precharging. At the time of precharging, charge FET 16 turns off and precharge FET 12 turns on. Therefore, the precharging current is approximately determined by the voltage difference between charger input voltage VPACK+ and total cell voltage Vcell, VPACK+−Vcell, divided by the serial resistor 14 Rpre. When an AC adapter (not shown) is present and VPACK+ is higher than the cell voltage Vcell, the charging or precharging will start based on the initial voltage of each cell. If the voltage in any cell is lower than the threshold VUV, the battery pack will be in the precharging mode. Otherwise normal charging will be taken.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the circuit 10 of FIG. 1B includes a battery monitor IC 20 that includes circuitry to monitor voltage and current conditions on each of the cells (Cell1, Cell2 . . . Cell4) of the battery pack 22. Such circuitry may include a switching network 24 to sample each cell voltage. To control the operation of the precharge MOSFET 12, the conventional circuit 10 includes a comparator 26 that compares a constant reference voltage 28 (VUV) with the voltage across each cell, via switches 30.
However, one drawback of the topology depicted in FIG. 1B is that an extra power MOSFET (i.e., MOSFET 12) and resistor 14 are required, which are expensive and increase PCB area. Additionally, with this topology, the lower the cell voltage results in a larger precharging current. Also, the precharging current decreases with the increasing of cell voltage, which translates into longer time to finish precharging.
Additionally, the value of the resistor 14 is typically fixed, and the maximum and minimum precharging current is also typically fixed, and cannot be adjusted to accommodate different battery pack requirements.
Another drawback of this topology is that the battery pack 22 and the MOSFETs are vulnerable to an abnormal condition, such as the VPACK+ terminal is shorted to the VPACK− terminal, or an external reversed charger is attached to the VPACK+ and VPACK− terminals. With this topology, a discharge FET 18 is either turned on to allow discharge or turned off to disable discharge. When the discharge FET 18 is turned on, if an abnormal condition occurs, a large current may be drawn from the battery pack 22 to flow through the discharge FET 18 and the charge FET 16, which in turn will damage the battery pack 22 and/or the MOSFETs.
Alternatively, when the battery pack 22 is removed from an electronic system, for example, and put on a shelf, the discharge FET 18 may be turned off to protect the battery pack 22 from the abnormal condition. However, since the discharge FET 18 is turned off, the battery pack 22 will fail to power the electronic system immediately when the battery pack 22 is plugged back into the electronic system, and hence a mechanical method or an electronic circuit may be needed to inform the circuit 10 to turn on the discharge FET 18. The additional mechanical method or electronic circuit will increase the complexity, price and/or size of the circuit 10. Additionally, the battery pack is still vulnerable to damage caused by the abnormal condition after the battery pack is plugged into the electronic system.
A conventional solution for the battery pack protection is that the discharge FET 18 is turned off to avoid the large current when the abnormal condition happens. After being turned off for a predefined period, i.e. 30 seconds, the discharge FET 18 is turned on again. If the abnormal condition still exists when the discharge FET 18 is turned back on, the large current will flow through the discharge FET 18 and trigger the battery pack protection again. Consequently, the discharge FET 18 is turned off again. Otherwise, the battery pack 22 will operate in a normal discharge mode with the discharge FET 18 turned on. However, if the abnormal condition exists for a long period, the large current will flow through the discharge FET 18 continuously, which will eventually damage the battery pack 22 and/or the MOSFETs.
Thus, it is desirous to have a circuit and method thereof that is capable of trickle precharge and/or trickle discharge, and it is to such a circuit and method that the present invention is primarily directed.

Trickle discharge for battery pack protection


The present disclosure provides systems and methods for guiding a vertical takeoff and landing, VTOL, vehicle to an emergency landing zone. The systems and methods include determining, via at least one processor, candidate landing zone data by interrogating an emergency landing zone database based at least on VTOL vehicle location, the candidate landing zone data representing a list of candidate emergency landing zones. A target emergency landing zone is selected from the list of candidate emergency landing zones based at least on VTOL vehicle related issues including at least one of unanticipated yaw issues, ground effect issues and modified trend vector issues, thereby providing target emergency landing zone data. Guidance for the VTOL vehicle is determined based on the target emergency landing zone data.

There is growing interest in Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concepts powered by Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) vehicles, particularly electric or electric hybrid VTOLs (eVTOLs). NASA defines UAM as a safe and efficient system for air passenger and cargo transportation within an urban area, inclusive of small package delivery and other urban Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) services, that supports a mix of onboard/ground-piloted and increasingly autonomous operations. Technologies that enable safe, quiet, efficient, affordable urban air operations at scale are emerging.
VTOL vehicles commonly are run by rotors and could be subjected to emergency situations in use. Under such situations, providing a nearby area where a landing can be performed through landscape analysis methodology may not be an effective method because it may not take into account VTOL vehicle specific issues.
Thus, there exists a need to have a system which can choose the emergency landing surface while understanding the aircraft centric parameters and situational parameters in accordance with the dynamically changing situation of the urban air mobility vehicle.
Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide systems and methods for selecting a target emergency landing zone for a VTOL vehicle in a way that considers more deeply the issues affecting the VTOL vehicle, thereby more effectively choosing an emergency landing zone. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the disclosure will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure.

Systems and methods for guiding a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle to an emergency landing zone


In a packet-based data network, packets are duplicated and a sequence number is inserted into each duplicate packet, where the duplicate packets are transmitted along two different paths from a source node to a destination node in the network. Depending on the implementation, the source node inserts different types of sequence numbers into the duplicate packets, and the destination node processes those sequence numbers accordingly to determine whether to accept or reject each received packet. In certain implementations, the number of sequence bits allocated to each packet is smaller than the size of the effective sequence number for the packet as interpreted by the destination node.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communications systems and other data networks that rely on packet-based transport mechanisms.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a portion of an exemplary data network 100 that relies on a packet-based transport mechanism to transmit data between pairs of nodes in the network. In particular, FIG. 1 shows four nodes labeled A, B, C, and D connected by five links labeled L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. For data transmissions from Node A to Node C, Node A may be referred to as the source node and Node C as the destination node, although Node A might not be the origin of the packet and/or Node C might not be the ultimate destination for the packet. In general, data at Node A that is to be transmitted to Node C is segmented into one or more different packets, where the packets are routed to Node C along one or more of the four available paths between Nodes A and C (i.e., the paths (A→B→C), (A→D→C), (A→B→D→C), and (A→D→B→C)). In one possible implementation of data network 100, all of the packets for a given transmission are transmitted along the same path. In another possible implementation, the packets may be (e.g., randomly) transmitted along two or more different paths. Since the time that it takes for a packet to travel from the source node to the destination node will typically vary from path to path, it is possible for packets to arrive at the destination node out of order (i.e., an earlier-transmitted packet arriving at the destination node after a later-transmitted packet). In some applications, packets are buffered at the destination node in an attempt to reconstruct the correct packet sequence when packets arrive out of order. In addition, in some data networks, it is possible for one or more packets to be lost during transit between the source and destination nodes, where those lost packets never arrive at the destination node. In general, the destination node needs to be configured to implement an algorithm that dictates how incoming packets are to be handled (e.g., when to discard packets as being too old).

Sequence number schemes for acceptance/rejection of duplicated packets in a packet-based data network


A method is provided for producing a locally-reinforced profile component. The method includes the following steps: providing a primary profile to be reinforced which is made of fiber-reinforced plastic; providing a secondary profile made of plastic for local reinforcement of the primary profile; arranging the secondary profile on an outer surface of the primary profile to create the profile component; heating the profile component (IO); integrally-bonded connecting of the primary profile and the secondary profile by applying pressure to an outer surface and simultaneous use of a counter pressure to apply pressure to an inner surface of the profile component.

The invention relates to a method for producing a locally reinforced profile component as well as to a correspondingly produced profile component.
For the production of profile components made of fiber-reinforced plastic, it is known, for example, to wind fiber mats made of glass fiber or carbon fiber around formative foam cores. The fiber material can either already be pre-impregnated with a matrix or will subsequently be subjected to an impregnating process. However, high degrees of deformation are difficult to implement in this manner.
From German patent document DE 10 2012 018 804 A1, a method is therefore known for producing a structural component with higher degrees of deformation for a motor vehicle, in which case a semi-finished fiber composite product is produced by sheathing a deformation hos. The semi-finished product is subsequently deformed by bending in order to achieve the high degrees of deformation. A bulging during the bending operation is prevented by simultaneously applying counter-pressure to the deformation hose.
The fiber composite component produced in this manner is produced as an endless component and has to be cut to the desired length. The fiber composite component therefore has a uniform type and thickness of material or wall thickness over its entire length, which wall thickness is determined by that point of the future component that is expected to be stressed the most. Less stressed sections therefore have the same thickness and are correspondingly overdimensioned.
From European patent document EP 2 465 665 A1, a method is known which provides a local sheathing of a structural component for its targeted reinforcement. For this purpose, prepregs are locally wound several times around a metallic hollow profile. However, the winding operation requires high expenditures and a subsequent hardening of the matrix.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a profile component, which at least reduces the above-mentioned disadvantages and can nevertheless be produced in a manner that is as simple as possible.
This and other objects are achieved by a method for producing a locally reinforced profile component according to embodiments of the invention as well as by a correspondingly provided profile component.
Accordingly, a method for producing a locally reinforced profile component includes the following action steps:
a) providing a primary profile that is made of fiber-reinforced plastic and is to be reinforced;
b) providing a secondary profile made of plastic for locally reinforcing the primary profile;
c) arranging the secondary profile on an exterior surface of the primary profile for generating the profile component;
d) heating the profile component;
e) integrally bonding the primary profile and the secondary profile by applying pressure to an exterior surface and simultaneously applying pressure to an interior surface of the profile component by way of counter-pressure.
The described method has the advantage that the primary profile as well as the secondary profile can be produced independently of the production of the future profile component and beforehand. It is therefore contemplated to, for example, produce the profiles by meter and cut them to predefined lengths.
In this case, the primary profile is made of fiber-reinforced plastic and is preferably already completely hardened. Depending on the usage, short fibers, long fibers or endless fibers are suitable for use as reinforcing fibers. Naturally, mixtures of these fibers can also be used. The fibers may include glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, natural fibers or other fibers suitable for reinforcing the plastic material as well as mixtures of these fibers. The secondary profile includes a non-fiber-reinforced plastic or also a fiber-reinforced plastic.
Ideally, thermoplastic material is used with both profiles, in which case, the respective plastic material of the two profiles may deviate from one another. It is therefore contemplated to use the identical plastic material as the material for the secondary profile, but also a deviating plastic material, a deviating fiber length or a deviating fiber type with respect to the primary profile. Explicitly, all combinations of the above-mentioned alternatives are contemplated. The selection of different reinforcing fiber types and/or fiber lengths provides the special possibility of being able to adapt the degree of reinforcement in a targeted manner to the local requirements. Thus, the primary profile can be reinforced, for example, with long fibers, whereas the secondary profile is constructed in an endless-fiber-reinforced fashion.
In each case, the primary profile can be reinforced by the arrangement of the secondary profile at the point provided for this purpose by a local increase of the wall thickness. The arranging can first include a pure positioning of the secondary profile on an exterior surface of the primary profile. The actual connecting of the two profiles to form a common profile component takes place subsequently in that the two profiles are heated and are mutually pressed together by a pressure application acting upon the exterior surface of the profile component and a pressure application acting upon the interior surface.
Additional material, particularly adhesive or the like, is therefore not necessary. Instead, the heated plastic material of the primary profile is pressed together with the heated plastic material of the secondary profile in an integrally bonded manner. This means that the plastic materials bond with one another at least partially, preferably merge into one another, so that a one-piece profile component is obtained. In this manner, the secondary profile is connected with the primary profile in an integrally bonded manner and reinforces the latter at least locally.
The profile component therefore has a corresponding reinforcement preferably only at the location of the secondary profile, preferably at a location where high stress is to be expected. Locations where little stress is to be expected, in contrast, may have only the wall thickness of the primary profile without any additional reinforcement and, in comparison to locally reinforced locations, may be of a thin-walled construction. This construction allows a particularly simple production of a local reinforcement according to the requirements and simultaneously reduces material used as well as the entire component weight. It is understood that more than one secondary profile may be provided for the reinforcement of several locations on the primary profile.
Corresponding to a preferred embodiment, the step of heating the profile component includes a simultaneous pressure application to the interior surface of the profile component by way of a supporting pressure.
As a result of the supporting pressure, a collapsing, bulging or denting of the heated profile component or of the warming-up profile component can be prevented, when the firmness or stiffness of the material of the profile component decreases as the heating-up increases. For this purpose, the supporting pressure defines an internal pressure that is slightly increased with respect to an external pressure. As a function of the used plastic material, for achieving the supporting function, this internal pressure may amount, for example, to 0.5 to 5 bar, preferably approximately 1 bar.
Furthermore, the method can comprise the steps of:                a fluid-tight connecting of a first end of the primary profile with a fluid feeding line, and/or        a fluid-tight connecting of a second end of the primary profile with a fluid discharging line,        in order to feed and/or discharge a pressure fluid into the primary profile or out of the primary profile for generating a pressure application to the interior surface.
Accordingly, the application of pressure to the interior surface can take place by feeding a pressure fluid into the primary profile for generating the supporting pressure and/or the counter-pressure. Compressed air, water, oil or other fluids, for example, are suitable for use as pressure fluids. These are introduced by way of the fluid feeding line into an interior of the primary profile defined by the interior surface of the primary profile. Optionally, the fluid can be discharged again at the second end of the primary profile by way of the fluid discharge.
For example, a tightness between the respective end and the fluid feeding line or the fluid discharging line can be achieved by use of a matrix excess (plastic excess) of the primary profile and/or of a secondary profile arranged there. The excess may be provided either on an interior surface and/or on an exterior surface of the primary profile and/or of the secondary profile, so that sufficient tightness can be implemented and a deforming hose in the interior of the primary profile is therefore not required.
The fluid feeding line and/or the fluid discharging line may each have clamping jaws as coupling pieces for the connection with the primary profile and/or the secondary profile. On the side of the fluid feeding line and/or the fluid discharging line, the clamping jaws may preferably have a valve for regulating the through-flow.
Also in an optional manner, the temperature of the pressure fluid can be regulated. In particular, the pressure fluid can be heated or cooled, in order to correspondingly heat or cool the profile component during the pressure application. The step of heating the profile component can particularly take place by using a correspondingly heated pressure fluid.
In addition, the method preferably comprises a step of arranging the profile component in a mold, the application of pressure to the exterior surface of the profile component taking place by way of the molding tool. This means that, for connecting the secondary profile with the primary profile, the profile component is placed in the molding tool together with the primary profile and is pressed. The generated counter-pressure may, for example, be less than 500 bar, preferably less than 200 bar, particularly preferably less than 100 bar.
In this case, the profile component can either already be heated outside the molding tool and/or in the molding tool itself. An external heating can be implemented, for example, by use of an external heat source, particularly a non-contact heat radiator, as, for example, a UV or infrared heat radiator. In addition or as an alternative, the above-described introduction of heated pressure fluid for heating the profile component is contemplated.
In addition, the application of pressure to the exterior surface of the profile component by the molding tool may include a reshaping of the profile component. This means that not only a connecting of the primary profile with the secondary profile takes place in the molding tool, but the entire profile component can be formed into a new shape. Here, the application of pressure to the interior surface can—as described—be used as counter-pressure against a denting or bulging of the primary profile. Correspondingly, a component with high degrees of deformation can be produced in a particularly simple manner.
According to preferred embodiments, the secondary profile has a C-shaped or U-shaped cross-section or a cross-section that is closed in a circumferential direction. In addition, the primary profile may have a cross-section that is closed in a circumferential direction.
If the cross-section of the secondary profile has a C- or U-shaped design, the secondary profile can be arranged on the primary profile such that the secondary profile reaches at least partially around the primary profile by means of the legs of the C- or U-shape. In the case of a closed cross-section of the secondary profile, the latter forms a hollow profile, in which case the primary profile is arranged in the interior of the closed cross-section, the closed cross-section even reaching completely around it. Depending on the further development of the cross-section, the secondary profile can be fitted laterally or transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the primary profile onto the primary profile or can be pushed onto the primary profile in its longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is preferably identical with the extrusion direction of the profile.
A profile of the primary profile and/or of the secondary profile that is closed in the circumferential direction particularly is a hollow profile whose wall, in a sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the profile, is constructed continuously and without any interruption. The cross-section itself may have any shape or correspond to the shape of the future component. In particular, round, oval, bent and polygonal cross-sections are preferred. Optionally, the corners of the polygonal cross-sections may be rounded. For example, the primary profile and the secondary profile may have the same cross-sectional shape.
However, according to an embodiment, an internal cross-section of the secondary profile is identical to or larger than an external cross-section of the primary profile. It can thereby be ensured that the secondary profile can be fitted onto the primary profile or can be pushed on the latter in the longitudinal direction.
In addition, the step of arranging the secondary profile on the primary profile can include a local fixing of the secondary profile on the primary profile. This can take place particularly by use of a connecting device, an external holding tool and/or an at least local integrally bonded connection. It can thereby be prevented that, during the subsequent working steps, the secondary profile detaches from the primary profile or is displaced with respect to the desired position before both profiles are integrally bonded with one another.
Furthermore, the method can comprise a step for arranging a deformation hose in the interior of the primary profile for applying pressure to the interior surface by means of counter-pressure and/or supporting pressure. It is therefore not the wall of the primary profile itself that is used as a receptacle for the pressure fluid, but the deformation hose is arranged in the interior of the primary profile and is filled with pressure fluid so that it supports itself on the wall or the interior surface. Correspondingly, the pressure fluid acts upon the interior surface of the primary profile by way of a wall of the deformation hose.
As indicated above, the primary profile and/or the secondary profile may be produced by the meter. The method correspondingly comprises a step of cutting the primary profile and/or the secondary profile to a respectively predefined length. The advantage is a particularly simple production by processes for the continuous semi-finished product manufacturing, for example, as an extruded profile or by means of pultrusion, particularly as a hollow profile. In addition, the production of the profiles can be uncoupled with respect to space and time from the discontinuous processing to obtain the profile component, so that a cycle time for the actual profile component will not be impaired by the production of the two profiles.
The method is suitable for convex as well as concave geometries. A further processing by means of the following injection molding processes is also contemplated in order to mount, for example, function elements, such a ribs, inserts or flanges, on the profile component. Since a core system is no longer necessary, it is additionally contemplated to provide a later filling of the profile component with foam for improving crash characteristics or to utilize the corresponding cavities of the profile component for the protected line routing and/or cable routing.
Furthermore, a profile component is disclosed which is produced by the described method. The profile component may, for example, be a side member, a cross member, a seat cross member, a rear cross member, a front end member, a roof frame, an engine mount, a crash profile, a control arm and/or a stabilizer of the motor vehicle.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method for producing a locally-reinforced profile component and a component produced using said method

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A dry powder norovirus vaccine is provided, which comprises at least two norovirus antigens representing different genogroups. The vaccine may be produced by formulation with a mixture of different antigens or combination of monovalent powders with each containing one antigen. The formulated vaccine is suitable for mucosal administration and soluble in aqueous solutions for parenteral administration. A method of immunization is also provided, which comprises at least one administration of the vaccine via mucosal and/or parental route. The immunization may have multiple administrations of the vaccine, i.e., one or more immunizations via a mucosal route followed by one or more immunizations via a parenteral route or vice versa, to maximize both mucosal and systemic immune responses and protection against norovirus infections.

Norovirus, a single-stranded RNA virus in the Caliciviridae family, is the primary cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, accounting for 96% of all cases of viral gastroenteritis [1]. It is estimated, on average, that norovirus is responsible for 19 to 21 million infections per year [2] and up to 200,000 deaths in children under 5 years of age in developing countries [3, 4]. Norovirus is transmitted primarily through the fecal-to-oral route [5] making norovirus particularly threatening to individuals who occupy a high density, communal environments such as schools, nursing homes, cruise ships, and in the military [6]. Norovirus is also stable ex vivo which makes decontamination after an outbreak laborious and time consuming. The robustness of norovirus, along with a low infectious dose (<10 virions per individual) [7], makes norovirus a highly infectious virus with dramatic socio-economic impacts. This disease burden strongly indicates the need for an effective vaccine; however, currently there is no FDA-approved norovirus vaccine available.
Norovirus is distributed among at least five different genogroups GI, GII, GIII, GIV, and GV. Only genogroups I, II, and IV are infectious to humans, with GI and GII being most prevalent [8, 9]. Recently, genogroup II has become the most prevalent, accounting for 81.4% of norovirus outbreaks worldwide [10]. Each genogroup is subdivided further into genoclusters. Full-length genomic sequencing of various norovirus strains indicate that norovirus can vary by 3% to 31% within genogroups and 49% to 54% between genogroups [11]. Due to this wide variation, development of a broadly effective vaccine remains a challenge as the antibodies from humans immunized against one genogroup do not cross react with noroviruses from other genogroups [12].
The success of virus-like particles (VLPs) as vaccine antigens has been demonstrated by the licensure of hepatitis B virus VLP and human papilloma-virus VLP vaccines. Extensive research has focused on the development of norovirus VLPs as vaccine antigens that can be delivered parenterally, orally, or mucosally [13, 14]. Clinical evidence has demonstrated that norovirus VLPs administered orally or intranasally were well tolerated and modestly immunogenic [15, 16]. Additional studies have employed recombinant expression techniques to produce norovirus VLPs using baculovirus and tobacco mosaic virus, demonstrating that VLPs can be produced in a commercial scale with comparable structure and immunogenicity of norovirus VLPs produced in a traditional way [18, 19].
Previous studies have shown that administration of norovirus VLPs through the nasal cavity is able to induce systemic immunity as well as both local and distal mucosal immunity [20, 21]. Furthermore, the incorporation of norovirus VLPs with GELVAC nasal dry powder formulation elicits a greater immune response than antigen alone [20]. GELVAC is the dry powder formulation with GELSITE, which is an Aloe vera L.-derived polysaccharide polymer with mucoadhesive properties. In the presence of divalent cations, GELVAC is capable of in-situ gelation which improves mucosal residence time of intranasally administered vaccines [22].
Although previous studies have shown promises of norovirus VLPs as a potential vaccine, there is still a great need to produce a norovirus vaccine that is multivalent, targeting the wide variation of norovirus strains. Moreover, the vaccine should be suitable for multiple routes of administrations in order to minimize the number of invasive injections. In addition, a vaccine in a form a dry power is preferred over a traditional liquid form as a dry powder can be stably stored at a room temperature for a long period.


A sensor includes a substrate, a medium on which a surface acoustic wave propagates, a reference electrode, an antenna, a transducer that includes a first electrode connected to the antenna and a second electrode connected to the reference electrode and arranged opposite to the first electrode, and that has a function of converting a signal received by the antenna into a surface acoustic wave propagating on the medium, and a function of converting a surface acoustic wave propagating on the medium and reaching the transducer into a signal and outputting the signal to the antenna, a reflector that throws back a surface acoustic wave generated by the transducer, propagating on the medium, and reaching the reflector, toward the transducer, and an impedance converter connected to the reference electrode, impedance of which changes in response to a change in circumstances surrounding the sensor.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a sensor.
2. Related Art
A SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) sensor, which uses a surface acoustic wave caused by the piezoelectric effect, is known. A SAW sensor converts a received signal into a surface acoustic wave propagating on a substrate of the SAW sensor, and again converts the surface acoustic wave, into a signal to be transmitted. A delay time of a transmitted signal depends on conditions such as a propagation distance of a surface acoustic wave or the material of a substrate of a SAW sensor, which can be affected by a change in the circumstance surrounding a SAW sensor. Therefore, measuring of a delay time of a transmitted signal makes it possible to distinguish plural SAW sensors, or to detect a change in the circumstances surrounding a SAW sensor.