A display having a diffraction grating pattern includes:. (a) a flat substrate; and PA1 (b) at least one dot formed on a surface of the flat substrate, the dot being formed by a diffraction grating pattern as an aggregate of a plurality of curves obtained by translating a curve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display in which small diffraction gratings are arranged in units of dots on a surface of a flat substrate and, more particularly, to an inexpensive display having diffraction grating patterns which can be easily manufactured and can express a stereoscopic (three-dimensional) image having no image omissions.
2. Description of the Related Art
A display having a diffraction grating pattern by arranging a plurality of small dots each consisting of a diffraction grating on a surface of a flat substrate has been frequently used. A method disclosed in, e.g., Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 60-156004 is used as a method of manufacturing a display having a diffraction grating pattern of this type. According to this method, small interference fringes (to be referred to as diffraction gratings hereinafter) obtained by two-beam interference are changed in pitch, direction, and light intensity, and the resultant images are sequentially exposed on a photosensitive film.
In recent years, the present inventor has proposed a method of manufacturing a display having a diffraction grating pattern of a given graphic image in such a manner that an X-Y stage on which a flat substrate is placed is moved under the control of a computer using, e.g., an electron beam exposure apparatus, and a plurality of small dots consisting of diffraction gratings are arranged on the surface of the flat substrate. This method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,992.
In a display manufactured by this method, however, an image input from an image scanner or the like or a two-dimensional image formed by computer graphics is used as an image for the display having the diffraction grating patterns. For this reason, a graphic image expressed by the diffraction grating pattern are located on the surface of the flat substrate on which the diffraction gratings are arranged, so that only a flat (two-dimensional) graphic image can be expressed. As a result, a stereoscopic (three-dimensional) image cannot be expressed, resulting in inconvenience.

Display having diffraction grating pattern


The present invention discloses a startup procedure of optical drive after recording or erasing on an optical disc. After disc writing, startup procedure begins, a chipset reads the recorded data on the disc directly using the track information and focus servo parameter in the memory. Thus, the invention reduces time spent in the reading procedure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a startup procedure, and in particular to a startup procedure for reading a disc without updating the focus servo parameter and the track information in the memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, conventional optical discs can be CD-ROM, CD-R or CD-RW. Since CD-ROM is the oldest format, data storage therein is slightly different from CD-R and CD-RW.
Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, storage format of a conventional CD-ROM is shown. In general, Spiral track of disc 100 is distributed outward from the inner circle. As shown in FIG. 1b, the track of a disc is represented as a straight line. Data distribution can be divided into lead-in zone 102, data zone 104 and lead-out zone 106. These three zones form a session 110, wherein lead-in zone 102 is located in the inner circle of the spiral track, and lead-out zone 106 is located in the outer circle of the spiral track. Between the lead-in zone 102 and the lead-out zone 106 is data zone 104. Conventional CD-ROM discs support multi-session format, within which another session 120, comprising lead-in zone 112, data zone 114 and lead-out zone 116, can be stored on the same conventional disc.
In general, table of contents, herein TOC, in the lead-in zone stores the start addresses of the data on each track of the data zone. Therefore, the optical pick up head must be moved to TOC to retrieve the start addresses of the data in each track in advance so that it can retrieve data from the data zone.
As shown in FIG. 2, the spiral track of a conventional CD-R or CD-RW is represented in a straight line. An additional program memory area 200, hereafter referred to as the PMA 200, is in the area of the innermost circle in CD-R or CD-RW unlike the format of CD-ROM. In addition to TOC, other related information of the data zone is included in the PMA, for example, the end addresses of each track, and others. Thus, the data distribution of conventional CD-R and CD-RW is PMA 200 in the innermost circle, followed by session 210, up to session 220. Each session comprises a lead-in zone, data zone and lead-out zone. For example, session 210 comprises lead-in zone 212, data zone 214, lead-out zone 216, and session 220 comprises lead-in zone 222, data zone 224 and lead-out zone 226. In order to support the CD-ROM, TOC is included in the lead-in zone.
In general, there are several writing modes in which CD burners record CD-R or CD-RW.
Track at once, hereafter referred to as TAO, is a recording scheme in which, for each writing, the data of only one track is written in the data zone, information relating to the written data is saved in PMA, and the start addresses of all tracks are recorded in TOC in order to be compatible with the CD-ROM format.
Session at once, hereafter referred to as the SAO, is a recording scheme in which, for each writing, all the data of a session is written in a disc, i.e. lead-in zone, data zone and lead-out zone are written. As well, all the information of the session is written into PMA, and the TOC of the lead-in zone is, naturally, written commensurate with entire session.
Due to the ongoing advances of recording technique, the recording speed of CD burners has achieved 52× speed, taking as little as 2 minutes to record a CD-R or CD-RW, compared to previous CD burners with average recording times of 10 minutes.
When recording in the SAO scheme, the chipset of the CD burner must control a memory (usually a dynamic random access memory, DRAM) to store all track information including all information of the TOC and PMA. Therefore, during writing, the chipset acquires and reassembles the corresponding information when data is recording on the disc before writing it to TOC or PMA. After the disc writing procedure is finished, all information related to the PMA of the disc can be acquired from the memory and then write on the PMA of disc.
Generally, the recording operation includes writing and reading procedures. In a SAO scheme for example, writing procedure takes place when the PMA and all sessions are written unto a disc, and then reading procedure immediately follows.
In conventional recording operations, a startup procedure should be performed firstly at the beginning of reading procedure. At the same time, the disc is re-rotated, and the CD burner performs servo focus parameter searching again for storing the focus servo parameter in the memory. Next, track information is re-read again within the PMA and TOC and then memory-is updated by the chipset with the read track information. Then, the CD burner retrieves the recorded data in data zone using the track information.
The reading procedure of the CD burner is then finished. The Startup procedure, however, includes rotating the disc, searching servo focus parameter, and reading track information, each of which requires about 10 to 30 seconds. In a conventional CD burner with very low burning speed, time required by the startup procedure is much shorter than the total time required by writing procedure. It is not necessary to consider the wasting time of the startup procedure. However, in modern CD burner, it seems waste of time in startup procedure because of the short time spent in writing procedure. Hence, it is necessary to save time required by startup procedure for reading procedure.

Startup procedure of optical drive after recording or erasing on optical disc


There is disclosed a call answering system comprising storage means for storing a user specified address; means for recording voice messages associated with the user; and forwarding means for forwarding recorded voice messages to the user specified address.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to call answering or voice mail systems, and methods of operation thereof, and particularly but not exclusively to call answering systems traditionally having a centralised storage means for storing voice messages.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a required capability of telephony systems is to offer messaging services. Both public systems, such as central office systems and mobile cellular systems, and private systems offer messaging services. Messaging services are typically provided for incomplete calls, that is for calls where a connection to a called user is not completed. Messaging services generally allow a caller to leave a voice message for a user following an incomplete call. This is generally known as "call answering", and typically is initiated when a call is made to a phone which is busy or which is not answered within a predetermined number of rings.
Call answering functionality is generally provided by providing a user of a system with a voice mailbox, which is hosted by a voicemail system within the telephony system. The user of such a system may also be known as a subscriber of the system. The voicemail system equipment typically contains the required logic to answer the telephone call, play a greeting message to the caller, and to record a voice message from the caller. The voicemail system typically further contains a persistent storage mechanism, a portion of which is provided for storage of voice messages for a particular user or subscriber.
Thus, each user or subscriber typically disadvantageously creates a cost which is associated with the storage resources necessary for providing a voicemail mailbox, as well as the management and administration tasks associated with the voicemail storage.
Voicemail systems provided in conjunction with private branch exchanges (PBXs) tend to be highly functional systems offering not only call answering functionality, but other messaging functionality. This other messaging functionality may include over-the-phone subscriber access to enable retrieval of messages stored in a subscriber mailbox, and inter-personal messaging capability, i.e. the capability of subscribers to compose and send voice messages directly to other voicemail subscribers within the system.
In public telephony network deployments, the inter-personal messaging capability is typically not provided, such as in residential land-line voice messaging systems and cellular telephone voice messaging systems.
However, in all systems where call answering functionality is provided, either in private or public telephony systems, there is a requirement for the service supplied to be managed and the message storage paid for.


A vermiculite composition composed of particulate vermiculite mineral species having a density of 2.3 g/cm.sup.3 to 2.7 g/cm.sup.3 which has intercalated cations of lithium or organo ammonium and to dispersions obtained therefrom.

The invention described herein relates to a vermiculite composition having enhanced chemical exfoliation and ability to provide a high yield of single platelet material and to products formed therewith. Specifically, the present vermiculite composition is composed of particulate vermiculite mineral species having a density of 2.3 g/cm.sup.3 to 2.7 g/cm.sup.3 which has cations of lithium or organo ammonium intercalated between the mineral's platelet layers.
Vermiculite ore is composed of micaceous minerals, chemically identified as a hydrated magnesium-aluminum-iron silicates and characterized by a platelet structure which exfoliate or expand in a single direction when subjected to high temperatures or chemical treatments. The minerals occur naturally in an unexpanded state, and are mined in conventional manner.
The term vermiculite refers to mineral species characterized by a layer latticed structure in which the silicate layer units have a thickness of approximately 10 A. The main elements present in the layer are magnesium, aluminum, silica and oxygen with the layers being separated by spacing of approximately 4.ANG. which is occupied by sheets of water molecules associated predominantly with cations of as magnesium and calcium. The layers have considerable lateral extent relative to the thickness of the 10 .ANG. platelet layer. The vermiculite minerals include minerals composed wholly or largely of vermiculite minerals or minerals of a mixed layer type containing vermiculite platelet layers as an important constituent, such as hydrobiotite, and chlorite-vermiculite.
The vermiculite ore, as mined, is associated with other minerals and undesirables. The crude vermiculite ore normally contains about 15 to 30 weight percent commercially desired vermiculite. This crude ore is beneficiated by various known surface chemistry techniques to separate the gangue from the expandable material. For example, the crude ore is normally washed with water to remove clays and other associated fines. The remaining material is subjected to screening (with optional prior crushing to reduce particle size) to separate sand, rock and other debris from the platelet materials which contain non-expandable minerals (mica, etc.) and expandable materials. These are separated by treating the material with a surfactant and subjecting it to flotation or wet concentrating table techniques to recover vermiculite ore concentrate. Conventional ore concentrate is generally composed of 85 to 99 weight percent expandable vermiculite minerals ore having a range of specific densities ranging from less than 1.9 g/cm.sup.3 to over 3.0 g/cm.sup.3, depending on its platelet configuration.
Vermiculite minerals are well known for their capacity to undergo expansion to several times original volume. The process of expanding vermiculite ore concentrate by heating is referred to as thermal exfoliation. This process is conventionally achieved by a continuous procedure in which vermiculite concentrate are fed into an expansion kiln or oven, heated rapidly to temperatures in the range of 1100.degree. F. to 1900.degree. F. and the resultant expanded vermiculite product removed from the heating zone as additional unexpanded material is introduced. Thermally exfoliated vermiculite is conventionally used as packing, thermal insulation, filler material and the like.
Vermiculite ore concentrate has also been caused to expand by osmotic swelling. The ore concentrate is initially subjected to an aqueous electrolytic solution, such as aqueous sodium chloride, and then immersed in water to cause swelling by osmotic pressure. U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,753 to Hayes utilizes a combination of osmotic swelling followed by thermal treatment to cause improved volume yield of vermiculite ore concentrate.
In recent time, the use of asbestos as a material which enhances thermal properties of materials has been found unsuitable because of health reasons. With the withdrawal of asbestos from use, the need has arisen for new materials to enhance the thermal and fire resistance of many products. High performance organic and inorganic materials, such as polyimides, aramides, graphite and ceramic substances have been developed to fill the void. In addition, vermiculite dispersions composed of delaminated vermiculite resulting from delamination of the mineral species, have provided the needed enhancement properties. Although conventional ore concentrate and thermally exfoliated material have limited applicability as a coating or filler material for this purpose, vermiculite dispersions can be readily formed into sheets or applied to woven and non-woven materials and other substrates to provide the desired properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,340 to Walker describes the production of dispersions of delaminated vermiculite and the production of films and coatings therefrom. The patent discloses that dispersions can be prepared by treating vermiculite minerals with a solution containing a cation which can diffuse between the interlayers of the mineral's structure and cause gross swelling in the direction normal to the main cleavage plane of the layer during immersion in water, immersing the treated vermiculite in water and permitting the swelling to occur, and shearing the swollen vermiculite to delaminate the layers and form a suspension of vermiculite flakes or platelets.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,340 discloses agents which can be used to promote the swelling of the vermiculite to be the chloride salts of the following cations: n-butylammonium; iso-amylammonium; isobutylammonium, n-propylammonium and the like; the cationic form of amino acids, such as lysine or ornithine, and the lithium cation. The focus of this patent is the ability of the disclosed cations to promote vermiculite swelling and delamination. The predominant material used are n-butylammonium chloride and lithium chloride salts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,260 to Nelson further used other organic ammonium salts, such as those of allylammonium, to promote swelling. The dispersions formed according to the processes of Walker and Nelson tended to be unstable, in that the vermiculite platelets tended to reaggregate and to settle out over a period of time. However, when the platelet dispersion contained certain anionic chelating agents, as taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,655,842 and 5,102,464, the resultant suspension was found to be more stable.
One of the major drawbacks of the dispersions formed according to known processes is their lack of uniformity and the presence of platelet material which has not delaminated to a high degree. The vermiculite ore concentrate does not have a sufficiently high degree of delamination into single (or few) layer platelet material to substantially eliminate high multiple platelet material. This may be due to the incomplete swelling of the vermiculite mineral species and/or due to the lack of uniformity of the vermiculite ore used. The resultant dispersion, thus, contains agglomerated material which hinders the production of suitable treated or formed end product. For example, the coatings and sheets formed from the dispersions tend to be non-uniform.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vermiculite composition which has enhanced osmotic swelling and delamination capabilities.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a process for forming substantially uniform vermiculite dispersions having a very high degree of single platelet material.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide sheet materials and coated materials using the present improved vermiculite dispersions.

Vermiculite composition with improved chemical exfoliation


A method and an apparatus for controlling a spark erosion process between a workpiece and an electrode for instance a microdrilling electrode, so that the erosion process becomes less susceptible to a malfunction, in that at least one process parameter is measured along a first test interval of the section to be eroded, at least one control value is deduced form the measured values, and this control value is used in a subsequent erosion interval of the section to be eroded. The control value is preferably used for controlling a suitable feed rate of the electrode. The susceptibility to malfunctions is further lessened, in that a differentiation is made between mechanical and other short circuits and in that the electrode movement is controlled differently for mechanical short circuits than for other short circuits.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for controlling spark erosion processes, i.e. of cutting and vertical erosion processes.
Spark erosion processes are used for machining of electrically conductive workpieces with high precision by means of electrodes. The resulting shape of the workpiece is determined by various factors, like the shape of the electrodes, the machining force, etc. A preferably constant and stable response of the working electrode as well as an accurate position and movement control are required for obtaining a high quality during machining, specifically for setting the proper precision; it is particularly important to maintain the distance between the electrode and the section of the workpiece which is to be machined, as accurate as possible, subject to the desired process conditions; and also the corresponding machining time and machining intensity. This causes problems particularly with extremely thin and flexible electrodes of the kind which are used in the field of microerosion, for instance for microdrilling. Problems arise especially in the area of handling of malfunctions, like short circuits.
2. Description of the Related Art
CH-PS-525 061 (KONDO) describes in general the basis for the automatic control of spark erosion processes. These comprise, in particular, sensing means for measuring voltages and currents, a logic circuit for processing the measured information and control means, hereby controlling the spark erosion processes. The movement of the electrode occurs in relation to the actual conductivity of the gap (i.e. the conductivity in the dielectric between the electrode and the workpiece) by means of a servo mechanism. Malfunctions, like short circuits or arcing, are corrected, among others, by limiting the short circuit current and by moving the electrode away from the workpiece.
EP-A-0 333 170 (AGIE) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,091 compare a desired distance which corresponds to the present processing conditions for machining the workpiece, with the actual distance between the working electrode and the workpiece. An error signal is computed by comparing these two values, and this error signal is transmitted by means of a low-pass filter circuit to a control circuit for moving the electrode. The actual distance is preferably determined from the present erosion voltage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,167 (CHAIKIN et al.) refers to, among other things, the control of the position of an electrode by means of spark sensors and to a precise control of the hole size by means of a "complete" control of the electrical discharge.
DE 32 04 799 A1 (YAMADA et al.) refers to an apparatus for machining workpieces by electrical discharge, where the apparatus switches off automatically at the "end of a machining process", i.e., exactly at the moment when the electrode has penetrated the workpiece.
DE 33 00 552 C2 (GARBAJS et al.) teaches, in principle, a method for controlling a process for machining by means of spark erosion, whereby the discharge pulses which are present in the gap between a tool and the workpiece to be machined, are detected and their characteristic voltage profile is analyzed. Furthermore, the distinction is made between abnormal discharges and short circuit pulses due to galvanic short circuits, causing the machine to respond differently.
In many situations, these known apparatuses and/or methods are unable to react adequately to sudden changes in the erosion conditions, for instance to the sudden changes which occur when a microdrilling electrode passes through the underside of the workpiece. When this happens, the flushing fluid for the erosion can escape through the underside, or, in more general terms, can flow through the workpiece. This causes a drastic change in the flushing pressure, the flushing speed and the direction of motion of the flushing fluid. Consequently, the position of the electrode will be unstable, gas bubbles will form in the drilled cavity, and the particles which were already eroded, if they are still within the drilled cavity, will change their direction of motion and will be flushed downwards. This will lead to "non-mechanical" and "other" short circuits, abrupt variations in the voltage and errors in the measured control values, since the voltage across the gap looses its customary meaning (proportional to the gap width). The known control systems reacts in this situation by rapidly retracting the electrode, whereby the instability in the machining process is enhanced or the process terminated, regardless if the actual results correspond to the desired results or not. The first situation in particular will lead to an increased residence time of the electrode in the exit area of the drilled hole. Since the known methods and/or apparatuses are not able to take this extreme situation as such into account, erosion pulses will continue to be emitted during the instability phase, whereby the hole diameter increases in an irregular, undesirable, and uncontrollable fashion.

Method and apparatus for controlling spark erosion process


A multi-sample conditioning system may include a sample chamber for each sample or a sample chamber holding one or more samples. Multiple samples enable replication for statistical analysis and individual sample chambers enable individual nutrient flow profiles for each sample. A mechanical imbalance may be created when a sample chamber is removed or when samples of different stiffness are conditioned together. The mechanical imbalance may result in an undesired alteration of the desired conditioning profile and increase the variation in the conditioning profile applied to each sample. An asymmetric-loading support assembly provides a low friction support to reduce the undesired alteration of the desired conditioning profile applied to the samples and reduce unwanted reaction loads on the conditioning drive mechanisms. The asymmetric-loading support assembly preferably includes a flexure as the low-friction, high-stiffness support. Other examples that can provide low-friction, high-stiffness support include air bearings, magnetic bearings, and hydraulic bearings.

This disclosure relates to systems and methods for a multi-sample conditioning system. The sample may be a biologic material, a synthetic material, or a combination of a biologic material and a synthetic material. Examples of a biologic material include native tissue, processed tissue, cell-seeded biomaterial scaffolds, and tissue-engineered constructs. Examples of a synthetic material include medical devices and acellular biomaterials and scaffolds.


A method for treating cement kiln dust containing alkaline metal salts includes the steps of hydration (formation of calcium hydroxide), dehydration i.e. drying, fractionation by sieving and carbonation (reaction of the fractionated moistened cement kiln dust) with CO2 gas in a fluidized bed reactor.

Cement kiln dust is a by-product of the cement manufacturing process that is removed from the stream of kiln gases as they pass through the kiln's dust collection system during clinker production. Cement kiln dust can vary in composition from virtually unaltered kiln feed to over 90% alkali sulfates and chlorides depending on process type, kiln configuration, raw materials, fuels, process characteristics, and points of collection. It can vary in particle size from that of fine sand or silt to that of clay, with particle size distribution ranging from very broad to very narrow depending on material and process parameters. The quantities of dust generated from a particular kiln depends on the factors that control cement kiln dust composition as well as the internal configuration of the kiln, the quantities of gasses passed through the kiln, and other operating conditions.
Cement kiln dust is a major problem at many cement manufacturing plants. Dust is generated in large quantities and is often not suitable for direct return to the cement-producing process as a feed because of high concentrations of alkali metals and sulfates, and incompatibility of the dust with the process. Since large quantities of dust cannot be returned directly to the kiln, it must be disposed of in a safe manner. General disposal practices are placement of dust in waste piles or in land-or quarry fills. Such disposal methods are inherently unsatisfactorily because they involve wasting a material for which significant processing and handling costs and efforts have been incurred. Since environmental regulations have matured, the costs and problems of disposal have become more onerous and continued disposal of kiln dust has become more expensive.
When cement kiln dust is brought into contact with water, high concentrations of anhydrous phases, which include oxides, sulfates and chlorides, are soluble and leached. Since the prime source of cement kiln dust instability is the high contribution of alkali metals oxides, and sulfates, which have high affinity towards water, the question is how to convert the undesired oxides into stable materials like carbonates, to decrease the solubility, and consequently increase the durability of the application, through effective and inexpensive processes.
Treated cement kiln dust has the potential for use in engineering projects such as soil stabilization, waste stabilization/solidification, Portland cement replacement, asphalt pavement, controlled low strength material (flowable fill), Pozzolanic activator, lightweight aggregate, and construction fill, but this isn't always possible.
Problems relating to cement kiln dust have long been recognized, and various methods have been proposed for their solution. The following methods have been suggested for treating cement kiln dust. The methods include leaching the dust with water to remove alkalis:
Nestell, in a U.S. Pat. No. 1,307,920 mixed kiln dust with water and passed carbon dioxide into the resulting mixture to substantially neutralize the slurry. However the product could not be recycled back into the cement kiln for its use as a kiln feed material unless the alkali levels of the original dust were very low.
Palonen et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 2,871,133 agglomerated cement kiln dust at high pressure and temperature, to render the alkalis more soluble. The resulting heat-treated agglomerate was then leached with water to remove the soluble alkalis. The residual solids are further treated to adjust moisture for return to a cement kiln. This process suffers because it is very complicated.
Patzias, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,154 mixed kiln dust with water and then heated at a known pressure. The slurry was filtered to separate the solution containing the alkalis from the residual solids. Then the separated solution was treated by neutralization with sulfuric acid, evaporation, centrifugation, or a combination thereof, to recover alkali sulfates, for recycling to the cement-making process. This process is not practical because of high water to dust ratio, high temperature, and high pressure to affect the dissolution of alkalis. Kiln dust solids would differ significantly in composition from normal kiln feed requiring kiln feed correction.
McCord, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,184 leached cement kiln dust at high temperature (but not at high pressure) using potassium chloride to enhance solubility. Then, the cement kiln dust solids are flocculated using oil and a fatty acid and the precipitates are palletized. Since the solubility of potassium chloride is higher than that of potassium sulfate by more than a factor of two in both hot and cold water, it is much more likely that any precipitate will be potassium sulfate rather than potassium chloride.
Helser, et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,515 added carbon dioxide to wastewater from the production of hydrous calcium silicates from lime and silica in order to remove calcium from the water so that it can be recycled to the production process. The resulting calcium carbonate precipitate presumably can be re-producing lime.
Kachinski, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,891 added water to cement kiln dust in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. Alkalies are not completely removed, and the material is not suitable for return to a cement-making process.
Neilsen, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,044 used wet-process slurry to scrub sulfur from kiln gases and retain them in the kiln. This process is of limited applicability because it retains all of the alkalies in the kiln so that, in the majority of cases, only limited amounts of cement kiln dust can be used.
Brentrup, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,013 collected cement kiln dust in a conventional dust collector, which was later progressively heat-treated to volatilize low-boiling pollutants and collect them with a carbonaceous filter medium. The ability to return cement kiln dust to the cement-making process was not enhanced.
Huege, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,440 used carbon dioxide to treat a supernatant liquid after leaching and separation of the solids from lime kiln dust in order to produce high purity precipitated calcium carbonate as a separate product, for treating flue gases exhausted from a lime kiln. This method is only useful as an effluent control.
Gebhardt, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,207 moistened the supply of cement kiln dust with carbon dioxide to convert the materials to carbonates. During the carbonation cycle, the water in the hydroxides is released to formulate slurry. The soluble alkalis and sulfate are released in the liquid phase with the solids being separated from the liquid. Then, the solids were washed to provide a useful feed to the kiln while, the liquid contains alkali salts.
Prior methods that have been used in the past frequently suffer from the following problems:
1. Only part of the alkalis are readily soluble, often half or less.
2. Typical ratios of water to dust are 10:1 to 20:1, or higher.
3. An effluent, high in pH (>10) and dissolved solids, are discharged.
4. Dissolved solids tend to precipitate in the receiving waters.
5. The high pH effluent is detrimental to the biosphere.
6. The recovered solids are high in water content, often over 70%.
7. Adjustments to kiln feed chemistry may be required when treated dust is returned to the kiln.
These problems are so severe that the leaching methods of the past have been largely banned by Environmental Protection bodies.
The present invention provides a new technique for producing treated cement kiln dust through reduction of alkali metals and sulfates solubility's by conditioning the dust so that it is compatible with the process to which it will be introduced. The highly alkaline waste kiln dust found in the forms of oxides and hydroxide of calcium, potassium and sodium is converted to mildly alkaline calcium carbonate, and potassium and sodium bicarbonates.


A server computer is communicably connected to a client computer and has a first and a second execution environment for executing a program for performing information processing in accordance with a processing request transmitted from the client computer. The server computer stores a condition for judging whether a predetermined processing efficiency can be assured for the information processing performed by the first execution environment according to the processing request. The server computer receives the processing request transmitted from the client computer. The server computer judges whether the predetermined processing efficiency can be assured according to the condition. The server computer allocates the processing request to the second execution environment if it is judged that the predetermined efficiency cannot be assured.

The present invention relates to a computer control method, a computer, an information processing system, and a program.
There is a case when a computer processing efficiency is lowered as the operation time elapses. It is known that this phenomenon is caused by a programming error such as missing of description for releasing the storage area allocated in a program to be executed in the computer. This is caused software aging. To cope with this software aging, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,266 (corresponding JP-A-2001-188684) discloses a technique for recovering the original processing efficiency by resetting the application and the system at a predetermined time interval.

Method and system for controlling computer in system


The invention features a method for coaching a plurality of clients, involving providing multiple coaches and assigning a personal coach to each client. Information is received from each client particular to an ongoing concern of the client, e.g., weight loss, and, based on that information, the coach devises a set of recommendations that are transmitted to the client, starting the coaching relationship.

This invention relates to a high priority of many adult North Americans is to look good and feel good. Most have taken some steps in their adult lives to look and feel better. The fact is that most fail to stick with these steps. They also fail to look and feel their best, most of the time.
There is a wealth of information and ideas available from books, television, friends, family, doctors, and now the Internet. It is daunting, however, for most people to find and sift through the enormous amount of conflicting information and then devise a program of steps that fit into their lifestyles. Even more difficult is the development and execution of a personalized and staged plan over their lifetimes. Hardest of all is sustaining motivation on one's own.
The Web has thousands of sites providing current information and advice on health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Many such sites are described in a book entitled WebDoctor, by Vicki and Richard Sharp (St. Martin's Griffin, New York, 1998), hereby incorporated by reference.
A few examples of interactive, health-related Web sites are given below.
Mayo Health Oasis sponsored by the Mayo clinic, provides health information and includes Ask Mayo, permitting users to ask questions of medical experts.
American Heart Association: heart disease information and online risk assessment test for heart disease.
Basal Metabolism: the program asks for individual information (e.g., weight and activity level) and returns daily caloric and protein, fat, and carbohydrate requirements.
The Eat Well Calculator: the individual reports details of food intake and online experts "tell you how well you're doing."
LifeMatters: "An ongoing conversation about taking charge of one's health and well-being for a life that is empowered, fulfilled and profoundly related." The site is an interactive forum that draws on various experts.
Phys Nutrition for Normal People: an interactive online magazine for women; the site's personal nutritionist provides customized diet plans.
Ask An Expert: Health: a directory of health experts, including their Web sites so individuals can ask them questions.
Health Status Questionnaire: online version of Rand's 36-question survey for self-evaluation of health.
You First: personalized online health risk assessment report, including recommendations to improve health.
HomeArts Winning at Losing: a four-week weight loss plan for women, including interactive program to calculate calories burned during various activities.
A Man's Life: includes an interactive personal trainer called the Big Sweat, where the individual can request advice for training particular body parts.
Magic Stream Journal: includes an online counseling service available 24 hours a day.
Metanoia Guide to Internet Mental Health Services: provides access to counselors who provide online mental health services.
While a great deal of useful information is contained in sites such as those described above, they are usually unsuccessful in causing lasting positive changes in the lives of large numbers of people.

Personal coaching system for clients with ongoing concerns such as weight loss


The invention discloses methods and compositions for enhanced iontophoretic delivery of active agents. The compositions are pharmaceutically acceptable compositions for iontophoretic delivery comprising a delivery enhancing amount of a vasodilator and active agent. Methods comprise adding a delivery enhancing amount of a vasodilator to an active agent and delivering by iontophoresis.

During iontophoresis, charged compounds pass from a reservoir attached to the skin of a person or animal into the tissue therebeneath. The process is one wherein the rate of delivery is a function of current, active agent concentration, and presence of other ions. It is a generally held belief that higher concentration of compound, higher levels of current, and lower concentration of other ions will result in greater delivery of the compound.
L. Brown and R. Langer, Ann. Rev. Med. 39:221 (1988) describe the generally held belief that the rate limiting barrier for transdermal drug delivery is the stratum corneum. There continues to be a large research effort to find methods to reduce or eliminate the rate limiting property of the stratum corneum.
N.H. Bellantone et al., International Journal of Pharmaceutics 30:63 (1986) describes how iontophoresis can be used in place of other means to enhance drug transport through the epidermal barrier such that the need for chemical penetration enhancers could be obviated. Alternatively, the article suggests use of penetration enhancers could lower drug concentrations or lower energy required for delivery.
Another technique believed to enhance the delivery of certain types of active agents by iontophoresis is disclosed in European patent application 0 278 473 A1. The application describes the addition of compounds to proteins and other macromolecules to decrease the degree of aggregation of the molecules in the active reservoir. The added compounds have the ability to aid solubility and disassociation of the macromolecules.
It is also well-known in the iontophoresis art (for example, see "Iontophoretic Delivery of Nonpeptide Drugs Formulation Optimum for Maximum Skin Permeability" by J. E. Sanderson et al, J. Pharm Sci. 78:361 (1989) that the presence of ions other than the desired compound in the donor reservoir formulation reduces iontophoretic efficiency.
In the situation of transdermal delivery where the rate limiting barrier is the stratum corneum, the dermal vasculature, which acts as the means of compound removal from the dermal tissue, has no effect on the delivery rate. Regardless of its state of dilation, it is capable of removing all the compound that reaches it. Otherwise, the vasculature would become the rate limiting barrier.
If the stratum corneum is the rate limiting barrier, placing a vasodilator near the dermal vasculature for the purpose of enhancing the blood flow through the dermal vasculature by any means, would have no effect. The rate of delivery would still be limited by the stratum corneum.
Vasodilators such as tolazoline, nitrates, papaverine, phentolamine, dipyridamole, cyclandelate, isoxsuprine, mecholyl (metacholine), histamine and nylidrin are known to dilate blood vessels. Their use with iontophoresis, without other agents, has been studied. Studies include, for example, D.I. Abramson et al., American Heart Journal, 23:817 (1942) which describes a significant increase in blood flow when using vasodilators alone.
Iontophoresis of vasodilators as a means of enhancing delivery of an active agent delivered with it has not been demonstrated. Despite attempts to optimize iontophoretic delivery by such means as varying compound concentrations and optimizing ionic moieties in the system, the efficiency of iontophoretic delivery is still low.

Method and composition for iontophoresis


A measuring apparatus includes a base portion attachable to an attachment target object and a cover portion configured to be detachably attached to the base portion to accommodate a rod-shaped replaceable object inside the cover portion, and the cover portion includes a holding portion configured to hold the replaceable object with the cover portion attached to the base portion.

Patent Literature 1 (PTL 1) below discloses a measuring apparatus configured to monitor the conditions of mechanical equipment within a combustible gas or explosive gas environment. This measuring apparatus is a radio sensor connected to a radio network where the radio sensor can transmit a detected physical parameter. The measuring apparatus includes a vibration sensor, a processor, a radio transmitter, a battery and a base portion where these constituent elements are mounted, as well as a cover portion attached to the base portion, configured to cover the equipment mounted on the base portion. The battery is fastened to a substrate supported on the base portion with a clamp. The processor and a radio communication device or the like are mounted on the substrate.


A probe cover for an ultrasonic imaging probe, the cover including a reservoir for containing a quantity of ultrasonically transmissive gel. The reservoir is formed by a deformable membrane having a passage allowing a portion of the gel to flow through the membrane. The membrane deforms upon insertion of the probe into the cover, causing some of the gel to pass through the passage, into contact with the transducer portion of the probe. The remainder of the gel is retained in place within the reservoir to provide ultrasonic contact with the target body to be imaged by the probe. Tie elements can be provided for securing the cover to the probe.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a cover for a medical ultrasonic imaging probe. More particularly, this invention relates to a probe cover having a reservoir for containing a quantity of ultrasonic imaging gel, the reservoir bounded by a deformable membrane which is flexible by contact with the probe upon insertion into the cover. Deformation of the membrane expels a portion of the gel through the membrane, into contact with the probe. The remainder of the gel stays in position within the reservoir, thereby assuring constant ultrasonic contact between the probe and the cover.
2. Description of Related Art
Ultrasonic imaging is used in the medical field for a number of applications requiring non-invasive observation of internal anatomical tissue and structures. One common application of ultrasonic imaging is to monitor the development of a fetus during pregnancy. Ultrasonic imaging is also frequently used in pre-surgical diagnosis of internal organs, and to locate tissue and organs during laparoscopic surgery.
An ultrasonic probe having one or more transducer elements, or crystals, is typically used to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals directed to the tissue of interest. The signals are processed to generate a visual display, commonly on a video monitor. Due to the expense of the probes, it is necessary that the probes be reused for examining many patients. The construction of the probes, however, renders them difficult, if not impossible, to effectively sterilize between successive uses. Therefore, a disposable, sterile probe cover or sheath is typically placed over the probe prior to use with each patient, and discarded after the examination is complete.
In order to achieve good ultrasonic imaging, it is necessary that ultrasonic contact or coupling be maintained between the probe and the target body or tissue to be observed. The use of a probe cover can adversely affect this ultrasonic contact if air pockets or other non-ultrasonically transmissive voids come between the cover and the probe. In order to maintain ultrasonic contact between the probe and the cover, ultrasonically transmissive gel is placed between the probe and the cover. It has been found that application of too much or too little of the gel between the probe and the cover will cause ultrasonic reverberation artifacts which degrade the image quality. Therefore, with known covers, it is necessary to closely control the quantity of gel applied.
Several types of probe covers are presently available. One variety is a thin-walled, flexible, tightly-fitting condom made of an elastomeric material such as latex rubber. In use, a quantity of ultrasonic gel is placed loosely inside the tip of the condom, and the condom is then stretched over the probe and secured with rubber bands or plastic clips. Several disadvantages have been found to result from the use of this type of probe cover. First, as described above, the quantity of gel introduced into the cover must be closely controlled to insure good imaging. This is time consuming and requires some amount of guesswork. Another disadvantage of this type of probe cover is that the gel is often displaced out of the tip area during the installation of the cover onto the probe, and/or during use. For example, the gel often slides down the sides of the probe as the cover is stretched over the probe or as the probe is moved along the outer surface of the target body, leaving an insufficient quantity of gel around the tip of the probe. Problems are also encountered with this type of probe cover due to the clips or rubber bands used to secure the cover to the probe. Rubber bands tend to break while scanning, allowing the probe cover to shift on the probe, thereby causing imaging quality to deteriorate. The outwardly-extending tips of the plastic or metal clips sometimes used to secure the covers often cause pain or discomfort to the patient. Still another disadvantage of this type of probe cover is that their manufacturers often apply a powder such as talc to the condoms to prevent their sticking together. These powders may contain embryotoxic compounds, rendering the use of these covers incompatible with transvaginal egg retrieval procedures.
Another type of known probe cover is a loose-fitting, thin-walled, sleeve made of flexible material such as polyethylene. These covers are typically installed by placing a quantity of ultrasonic gel either on the tip of the probe or in the tip end of the cover, inserting the probe into the cover, and securing the cover to the probe with clips or rubber bands. This type of cover suffers the same types of disadvantages as described above. In addition, the loose fitting nature of these covers lends to the possibility of the shifting of the cover on the probe and/or the shifting of the gel within the cover during installation and use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,663 to Oakley, et al. discloses a sheath for covering an ultrasonic probe which sheath includes a chamber at its tip for containing an ultrasonically transmissive medium. The chamber is described as partitioned from the remainder of the sheath's interior by a thin membrane which is ruptured when the probe is inserted into the sheath. The Oakley, et al. sheath may address the disadvantage discussed above, regarding the necessity of accurately measuring the proper quantity of ultrasonic gel applied between the probe and the cover. Also, at least to some extent, the Oakley, et al. sheath may successfully retain the gel in the tip region of the sheath during installation of the sheath onto the probe. Several known disadvantages, however, remain unaddressed by the Oakley, et al. sheath. For instance, once the probe ruptures the membrane, the gel is no longer constrained in place in the region of the probe tip, and may be displaced by further use of the probe. This can result in an insufficient amount of gel in the area of the probe tip for good ultrasonic imaging, and can allow a loss of ultrasonic contact between the cover and the probe. Additionally, the Oakley, et al. sheath is described as rigid and attached to the probe by the latching of a protrusion and a corresponding recess. This requires the sheath to be dimensioned for a close fit to a particular probe, thereby sacrificing the ability to provide a cover for general application to a number of probes having different external geometries. Rigid sheaths are also more expensive than flexible sheaths, and can interfere with the use of the probe in many applications. Oakley, et al. also does not address the above-described disadvantages of known devices for securing flexible-walled probe covers to a probe.
Thus, it can be seen that a need exists for a probe cover which eliminates the necessity for measuring the quantity of ultrasonic gel applied, and assures that the proper quantity of gel necessary for good ultrasonic imaging is utilized. A further need exists for a probe cover which maintains the proper quantity of gel in position over the transducer portion of the probe throughout the installation and use of the cover, and which maintains ultrasonic contact between the probe and the cover and between the cover and the target body. The need further exists for a probe cover that can be securely attached to a probe, reducing or eliminating the possibility that the cover will shift on the probe during installation and use, and including secure attachment means that will not cause discomfort to the patient. It is to the provision of such a device that the present invention is primarily directed.

Probe cover with deformable membrane gel reservoir


A cylindrical phased array antenna system capable of scanning at rates faster than the information rate of signals being received so that no information is lost by the scanning process, and without sensitivity loss due to sampling and with reduced frequency selectivity. The cylindrical phased array is comprised of the means to decompose the distribution of current on the radiator elements caused by wave incidence into component signals which are the Fourier spatial harmonics of the distribution, heterodyne means to differentially phase shift these component signals at rates exceeding 4 radians per cycle of the highest frequency present in the information content of the incident wave, and means to form multiple complex-weighted sums of the component signals. The sums are multiple time sequenced responses, each response corresponding to a different beam of sensitivity. The beam responses from any particular incident signal to be differentially delayed to occur in unison, and then noncoherently added, giving rise to a compressed pulse whose time of occurrence is related to the signal angle of incidence.

It is sometimes desirable to configure a system to receive all of the electro magnetic signals within a receiver's capability as limited by its sensitivity and bandwidth. Signals of interest are usually incident from widely diverse directions. Therefore, the prior art methods have utilized antennas having a wide azimuth beam width, such as an omnidirectional antenna, as the system's receptor element.
A severe limitation of this approach is that it does not permit directional resolution of multiple signals. Such resolution is usually desirable to prevent garbling of signals that cannot otherwise be resolved in frequency or time-of-occurrence. Directional resolution is also desirable in cases where the direction of incidence of the signals is to be estimated.
To overcome these disadvantages, alternative prior art systems have been configured using narrow-beam antennas. In one case, multiple antennas, each producing a narrow beam, are arranged in a circular pattern so that their beams are contiguous and point radially outward. In another case, a single cylindrical array antenna is configured to form multiple beams which are contiguous and point radially outward. In both cases, each beam port of the antenna(s) is connected to a separate receiver, thus the system can exhibit the advantages of both good directional resolution and complete, simultaneous directional coverage. However, the disadvantage in this case is the high cost of the multiple receivers.
Another class of prior art systems attempts to achieve omnidirectional coverage with a single narrow beam by scanning that beam as a function of time. In these systems, a narrow-beam is scanned over all azimuths by mechanical rotation of a fixed-beam antenna, or by electronic scan of a cylindrical array antenna. The disadvantage in this case is that the beam cannot look everywhere at once. This is especially a problem for multiple signals from diverse directions if they are nonrepetitive in character or have rapidly changing wave forms (high information rate or short-pulse signals). These high information rate signals may not be sampled at sufficient rate by the scanning beam to prevent information loss.
More recently, techniques have been disclosed which address the problems associated with directional resolution of multiple signals. A pending patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 719,460, teaches a cylindrical array antenna system capable of scanning through its complete coverage sector at a rate at least twice as fast as the maximum information rate of the signals it receives so that no information is lost. This allows the antenna to scan within the time period of the shortest pulse which it is expected to receive and thereby have a high probability of intercepting that signal. This system provides angular resolution of multiple signals and the capabilities of determining their direction of arrival commensurate with the narrow beamwidths of a full N element cylindrical array. The system provides the same sensitivity and resolution regardless of the direction of signal incidence. These improvements were the result of using heterodyne techniques to achieve very rapid scanning of a single beam throughout the antennas' entire sector of coverage.
This technique, however, results in a sampling loss which is solved by the instant invention.

Cylindrical phased array antenna system to prodce wide open coverage of a wide angular sector with high directive gain and wide frequency bandwidth


The invention provides cells that produce increased levels of recombinant protein by modulating the activity of translational regulator gene products that are downstream targets of PKB alpha, methods of making such cells, and methods of using such cells. Such translational regulator gene products include 4E-BP1 and mTOR.

When a hormone such as insulin binds to its cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor, a cellular kinase cascade occurs which leads to the activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase. PKB alpha is a pleiotrophic protein that is involved in a large number of different cellular responses to phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase activation. Coffer et al., 1998, Biochem. J. 335:1–13. These responses include increased expression of FAS ligand and antiapoptotic genes, increased cAMP concentration, increased protein synthesis, and increased glycogen synthesis. VanHaesebroack and Alessi, 2000, Biochem. J. 346:561.
Recently, it has been discovered that over-expression of a PKB alpha gene product in mammalian cell lines grown in tissue culture results in cells that have enhanced properties. For example, such cells were better able to grow and produce recombinant proteins in serum-free, protein-free, and/or peptone-free culture medium. PCT/US00/23483.
As more genes are being identified through genomic techniques, the need to rapidly express recombinant proteins for functional studies has become increasingly acute. In addition, as more protein-based drugs demonstrate clinical effectiveness, the need for increased quantities of such proteins for commercial use increases. At the same time, the building and regulatory approval of culture facilities to address this commercial need takes significant investments in both capital and time. Hence, there is a growing need in the art for the optimization of yields of recombinant protein from cultured cells.

Regulation of translation for recombinant protein production


Air supported structures forming an enclosure via internal pressurized air, and methods of making same, are disclosed. The structures include an outer membrane defining an outer surface of the structure. The structures include an inner liner blanket coupled to the outer membrane via a plurality of spaced baffles extending from the outer membrane into the enclosure, the inner liner blanket and the inner surface of the outer membrane forming a heating pocket therebetween within the enclosure extending along a first portion of the outer membrane. The structures also include at least one input channel in communication with the heating pocket, and at least one heated air system configured to selectively direct a flow of heated air through the at least one input channel and into the heating pocket to heat the first portion of the outer membrane to remove and/or prevent frozen precipitation accumulation on the outer surface thereof.

Air supported structures are known. These structures are generally comprised of a main or outer sheet-like flexible membrane which defines an enclosure when air within the air supported structure is at a higher pressure than the air pressure outside of the air supported structure. The main flexible sheet-like membrane may be formed from a plurality of panels which are joined to each other at their edges to form the dome envelope of any size and shape. The outer surface of the outer flexible membrane forms at an exterior surface of the structures.
The outer flexible panels forming the outer membrane of the air supported structure are typically made from a substantially air-tight material that is strong, durable, light-weight and resistant to weather and airborne pollutants. Additionally, it is desirable that the material forming the outer membrane is flexible and configured such that adjacent panels can be coupled together to form a relatively strong composite structure. Air supported structures utilizing such material and panels advantageously resist tearing, such as tearing along the joints where the outer panels are joined.
Air supported structures are maintained by creating a positive pressure within the enclosure formed by the structure with respect to the atmospheric pressure outside of the structure. Typically, at least one inch of positive pressure is normally maintained within the enclosure with respect to the atmospheric pressure outside of the structure to maintain the outer membrane at a proper height and/or orientation. It will be understood that the actual pressure within the enclosure and the actual pressure exterior to the structure are not critical, so long as the pressure differential between the inside and the atmosphere is maintained at the required difference such that a positive pressure is always maintained within the enclosure.
While the outer membrane of current air supported structures may be sufficiently strong to withstand the positive pressure buildup within the enclosure and the weight of hardware or other mechanisms/devices coupled thereto, the structural integrity of the outer membrane may be compromised by excessive loads on the outer membrane from the buildup of frozen precipitation thereon (ice, snow, ice, slush, etc.). Further, the internal air pressure creation and maintenance systems of current air supported structures may not be able to maintain a sufficient internal air pressure to maintain the enclosure (i.e., elevate the roof portion of the structure) when large loads of frozen precipitation buildup on the outer membrane. In these ways, for example, accumulation of frozen precipitation on air supported structures may damage the structures, and potentially lead to collapse of the structures. Indeed, many failures which have occurred related to air supported structures have resulted from untreated accumulation of frozen precipitation on the roofs of the structures.
Typically, frozen precipitation that has accumulated on an air supported structure is removed manually. One or more worker typically climbs onto the roof portion of such structures and manually shovels or otherwise removes the frozen precipitation from the structures. Manual removal of frozen precipitation from air supported structures is therefore dangerous, labor intensive, costly and potentially damaging to the outer membrane. With very large air supported structures, such as those of several acres, manual removal of accumulated frozen precipitation is not feasible. Further, as frozen precipitation may accumulate on the roof portions of air supported structures relatively quickly, such as during environmental conditions that are too unsafe for manual removal and/or when sufficient manpower is unavailable, situations can occur when manual removal cannot be accomplished before excess loads from the buildup of frozen precipitation damage and/or collapse the structure.
Some air supported structures utilize heated air systems that create a flow of heated air within the enclosure to melt accumulated frozen precipitation on the roof portion thereof. However, many such hot air systems do not adequately prevent frozen precipitation accumulation and/or fully remove frozen precipitation accumulation. Further, such current heated air systems are not suitable and/or scalable for very large air supported structures. Still further, current heated air systems of air supported structures are not capable of adequately directing and/or redirecting heated air to one or more specific or particular areas of the structure to melt and/or prevent frozen precipitation accumulated thereon.
Thus, a need exists for air supported structures with improved frozen precipitation accumulation removal and prevention systems that are automatic and more efficient than traditional frozen precipitation removal methods. Further, improved frozen precipitation accumulation removal and prevention systems that are capable of concentrating and/or maximizing removal and/or prevention to particular areas of an air supported structure are also desirable.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies may be discussed to facilitate disclosure, Applicant in no way disclaims these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed inventions may encompass one or more conventional technical aspects.
In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Air supported structures with frozen precipitation accumulation prevention

Air Structures American Technologies, Inc.


The heat sink plate of an electrophoresis unit is mounted to a fixed support with studs on the heat sink plate received in sleeves secured to the fixed frame. Compression springs encircle the sleeves and interpose between the heat sink plate and the fixed frame so that when clamping of a gel slab sandwich to the electrophoresis unit is made, a flat face of the heat sink plate orients in substantially full planar face-to-face contact with a flat face of a gel slab sandwich plate and can have following movement with the sandwich plate that is a pivoting thereof about at least two orthogonally disposed axes passing through the heat sink plate so that with said following movement, face-to-face contact is uniform across the plates and hence, heat transfer from the gel slab maintained uniform.

The present invention relates to heat sink plate mountings and more particularly, to a mounting for a flat faced heat sink plate against which a flat faced heated body is placed such as is used in an electrophoresis unit.
There are many situations where it is required to withdraw heat from a flat surfaced body to a heat sink so as to avoid heat damage either to the body or to a component within or attached to the body. In some of the situations, the heat sink is provided as an element having a flat surface which is placed in contact with the heated body flat surface.
In this particular situation, it is not unusual that complete face-to-face contact between the two is not achieved over the expanse of each so that in consequence and while measurable heat exchange occurs between the heated body and the heat sink component, uniformity of heat transfer is not present over the contact area of the two elements. The result is creation of hot spots in some locations of interface contact.
Use of a flat heat sink plate in face-to face contact with a flat heated body is practiced in a process for the electrophoretic separation of DNA or RNA. Electrophoresis is a well known molecular biological art practice. An explanation of the practice is found, e.g., in the Background of the Invention description of U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,412.
In the electrophoresis process, a polymerized gel slab is sandwiched between two flat glass or plastic plates, the sandwich is mounted in the electrophoresis unit with its upper and lower ends in contact with electrolyte solutions in respective unit upper and lower reservoirs, a biological sample from which molecules are to be separated is introduced at the top of the gel, and an electric potential is established between the upper and lower reservoir electrolytes.
This results in migration of molecules from the sample through the gel slab from top to bottom, separated molecules becoming visibly discernible in the slab in the course of processing. Ideally, the molecule presence will appear as vertically and horizontally aligned dashed or dotted lines.
In the course of processing heat will be generated in the slab so that heat carry off should be made, this being done by face-to-face engaging one sandwich plate with a heat sink plate. Desirably, heat carry off from the gel slab should be uniform across the slab so that heat condition in the slab would be uniform. Further, if effective uniform heat removal from the slab is present, the slab can be allowed to run hotter since such makes the processing faster.
If pockets of hot or cold spots are created in the slab because there are correspondingly different heat conditions of heat transfer from the slab to the heat sink plate at these locations, the molecule migration speed through the slab will be affected and in consequence, the alignment and more particularly the horizontal alignment of molecule presence is distorted causing so called "smile" and "frown" appearances of the line depictions of the separated molecules which burdens the scientist with trying to correctly match the line or dot associations.
Lack of uniform heat transfer happens because there is lack of uniform face-to-face contact between the respective planar faces of the sandwich plate and the heat sink plate. This can be caused by unequal clamping effect applied to the gel slab sandwich when it is mounted in the electrophoresis unit with clamps, clamps being carried on the unit to clampingly engage the sandwich at side margins of the sandwich. Also, the clamping of the sandwich can make the gel slab thinner at the sides and thicker in the middle so that this can cause heat transfer problems as can warping of the glass plates caused by excessive clamping force and with warping, plate contact with the heat sink plate is reduced.
Clamping of the plate in mounted position is also effected to insure a tight sealing of an upper part of the sandwich against a seal member carried on the unit just adjacent below an edge of an opening in the upper reservoir at which the electrolyte in the upper reservoir is placed in communication with the gel slab, a requirement of the processing. Without a proper such sealing, electrolyte from the upper reservoir could leak out and possibly drip down the sandwich to the lower reservoir wherein it could cause thwarting of the processing.
In an effort to overcome the disadvantages noted above, it is known to attach the heat sink plate to a wall support therefor with interposed elastic links such as rubber plates so that the heat sink plate has some floating movement thought to improve making face-to-face contact between the two better. This practice has not been fully successful. It is difficult with these pads to strike a balance between making full face-to-face contact on the one hand and a proper engagement of the upper reservoir/sandwich plate seal so that if better heat transfer is made more uniform with better plate contact, improper sealing of the reservoir with the sandwich results. If greater clamping pressure is applied to the gel sandwich in quest to seal the reservoir, the sandwich glass easily can be bowed so that the leak potential is magnified in addition to the adverse effect it can have on uniform heat transfer.
Accordingly, it is desirable that an improved mounting for a heat sink plate of an electrophoresis unit be provided so that maximized face-to-face contact of the planar face of the heat sink plate with a sandwich plate of the gel slab sandwich exist while at the same time a sure sealing of the gel slab sandwich with the unit upper reservoir also be present and that the same be made without need for an unusually high clamping force.

Heat sink plate mounting for electrophoresis unit


The invention relates to a method for actuating an inverter (10) by means of space vector pulse width modulation, in particular for actuating an electrical machine (14), wherein the inverter (10) has a plurality of controllable switches (S) and is configured to provide a multi-phase electrical voltage (U, V, W) in the form of a voltage space vector (V*), wherein the controllable switches (S) are actuated in such a manner that different duty cycles of the switches (S) are set and a plurality of successive different switching states (V0-V7) of the switches (S) are set up to provide the voltage space vector (V*), wherein the duty cycles of the switches (S) are extended during a pulse width modulation period (T) if a duty cycle of one of the switches (S) falls below a predefined threshold (44) during the pulse width modulation period (T).

The present invention relates to a method for actuating an inverter by means of a space vector pulse width modulation, in particular for actuating an electrical machine, wherein the inverter has a plurality of controllable switches and is configured to provide a multi-phase electrical voltage in the form of a voltage space vector, wherein the controllable switches are actuated in such a manner that different duty cycles of the switches are set and a plurality of successive different switching states of the switches is set up to provide the voltage space vector.
The present invention relates further to a device for actuating an inverter by means of space vector pulse width modulation, in particular for actuating an electrical machine, wherein the inverter has a plurality of controllable switches which are configured to provide a multi-phase electrical voltage in the form of a voltage space vector, said device comprising a control unit which is designed to actuate the controllable switches in such a manner that different duty cycles of the switches are set and the inverter assumes a plurality of successive different switching states of the switches in order to provide the voltage space vector.
The present invention finally relates to a motor vehicle drive train comprising at least one electrical machine for providing driving power, an inverter for actuating the electrical machine and a device for actuating the inverter of the type described above.
Different actuating methods are known in general in the field of three-phase consumers and in particular in the field of three-phase machines. As a result, the method of space vector modulation is now typically preferred for actuating the three-phase consumer. In these actuating methods, a space vector is formed by successively setting eight base voltage space vectors. In order to provide the phase voltage, the base voltage space vectors are switched in a pulse-width modulated manner so that a corresponding actuating voltage is generated.
Due to limited switching times of the controllable switches of the inverter, the adjustable operating range or the maximum phase control factor of the inverter is limited, i.e. the duration of individual switching pulses of the switches is limited to a minimum length of time. In order to increase the adjustable operating range of the inverter or to be able to set individual operating ranges despite the limited switching times of the controllable switches, the German patent application DE 10 2008 040 144 A1 proposes that the duty cycles of the controllable switches within a pulse width modulation period are in each case shortened by the length of the duty cycle of the switch that is switched on for the shortest amount of time. In so doing, one of the controllable switches is not switched on over the entire pulse width modulation period and the duty cycles of the remaining switches are in each case shortened by the length of the duty cycle of the switch that is switched on for the shortest amount of time. This will result in one of two zero voltage switching states being replaced by another zero voltage switching state.
A disadvantage with this method is that a minimally admissible pulse duration of the switches can be undershot for certain switching sequences or for switching sequences of the controllable switches in which the duty cycles of the two controllable switches that are switched on for the shortest amount of time have a similar duration.
The method mentioned above can furthermore lead to a non-symmetrical, in particular thermal, load on the power semiconductors and to a shift in the average neutral point voltage.

Method and device for actuating an inverter


Features are fabricated on a semiconductor chip. The features are smaller than the threshold of the lithography used to create the chip. A method includes patterning a first portion of a feature (such as a local interconnect) and a second portion of the feature to be separated by a predetermined distance, such as a line tip to tip space or a line space. The method further includes patterning the first portion with a cut mask to form a first sub-portion (e.g., a contact) and a second sub-portion. A dimension of the first sub-portion is less than a dimension of a second predetermined distance, which may be a line length resolution of a lithographic process having a specified width resolution. A feature of a semiconductor device includes a first portion and a second portion having a dimension less than a lithographic resolution of the first portion.

Photolithographic technology plays an important role in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs) (also referred to as semiconductor chips.) Improvements in lithography have enabled the printing of smaller features of integrated circuits. This, in turn, has allowed for production of more densely populated integrated circuits and more powerful and cost-effective semiconductor devices.
However, there are times when even the most advanced techniques, e.g., use of laser light or lower wavelength light for exposure of the mask geometries, still have limitations that are unable to achieve specific designs.
Lithographic processes are often referred to by the smallest feature, which may be the line width, spacing between lines, or the distance from line tip to line tip. The smallest feature in a given lithographic process is often referred to as the "threshold," in that the threshold distance is the smallest distance that can be produced using a certain lithographic technique. Currently, there are "20 nanometer" or "30 nanometer" technologies, which indicate that the smallest feature, which can be the width of a trace on a semiconductor device, is used as the name for that technology. So, a 20 nm process can produce a feature as small as 20 nm.
When small features are being produced, there is often a need to create a contact pad or other sub-portion of a feature that is smaller than the process limitation. This may only happen in a few places on a chip. Because such features cannot be consistently manufactured, the chip layout is redesigned to accommodate these limitations, which takes up additional semiconductor real estate and increases costs of the ICs.
It can be seen, then, that there is a need in the art to achieve sub-threshold features within a semiconductor chip.

Combining cut mask lithography and conventional lithography to achieve sub-threshold pattern features


A spraying apparatus for spraying liquid surface treatment material which includes a gas inlet, a liquid inlet and an outlet nozzle. The apparatus also has a needle valve for regulating the supply of surface treatment material to the nozzle. The needle valve is at least partially located within a gas outlet chamber and is adapted so as to cause minimal disruption to the gas flow from the gas inlet to the nozzle. To further aid gas flow efficiency, the gas supply passage is substantially straight, the outlet chamber has a laterally outwardly tapering inlet and an inwardly tapering outlet and a smooth radius of curvature from the gas supply passage into the outlet chamber. There is also provided a control means for controlling the axial movement of the needle valve, the control means being provided with indicator means so as to provide an accurate, repeatable control means.

Various known spray guns have been developed for the purpose of reducing pressure losses between the air inlet and air outlet of guns. Conventional spray guns, high volume-low pressure (HVLP) guns and low volume-low pressure (LVLP) guns all suffer from a reduction in air pressure through the gun. In some instances, this reduction can be over 80%.
HVLP guns require very large volumes of air to maintain an acceptable atomization of the spray material. For example, to pass large volumes of air through an HVLP gun requires very high pressures to maintain a 10 psi (0.69 bar) pressure in the head of the gun, resulting in an average air consumption rate of approximately 20 scfm (566 l/min). With an input pressure of 75 psi (5.1 bar), the air expands on leaving the gun to regain its pre-compression volume. This will result in the atomized spray material being taken in all directions by the expanding air, in spite of the exit pressure being only 10 psi (0.69 bar). Thus, the spray output of HVLP guns can prove difficult to control.
Despite having a smaller clearance between the fluid tip and air cap than in HVLP guns, LVLP guns also suffer from pressure loss within the gun body. As a result, LVLP guns still require a high inlet pressure of 50–60 psi (3.45–4.14 bar) to operate at an atomizing (outlet) pressure of 15–18 psi (1.03–1.24 bar). Air consumption rates of LVLP guns range from 14–18 scfm (396–510 l/min), thus illustrating that LVLP guns are almost as inefficient as HVLP guns.
The main cause of the aforementioned inefficiency of HVLP and LVLP guns is the arrangement of the air passages within the gun body. The design and layout of air passages in the known guns leads to poor internal air flow efficiency.
It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a spraying apparatus which has a significantly improved air flow efficiency over known spray guns.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A document reproduction system includes an optical scanning device configured to output an electronic representation of a document comprising both machine printed and non-machine printed elements; and a computing device in communication with the optical scanning device. The computing device is configured to distinguish between the machine printed and non-machine printed elements in the electronic representation of the document. The computing device is configured to selectively print or store only the machine or non-machine printed elements based on user input. A method of document reproduction includes scanning a document having both printed and non-printed content to produce an electronic image; and automatically distinguishing between the printed and non-printed elements in the electronic image of the document.

Paper documents have maintained their appeal to many people despite the increased availability of electronic forms of data storage. Today, many paper documents bearing data of all different types can be printed and prepared in hardcopy form with an electronic inkjet or laser printer. Paper documents are especially useful when a user desires to annotate the printed material on the document with handwritten notes and sketches.
Many current technologies exist for the manipulation of printed documents. One of these technologies is the ability to scan a hardcopy document and then reproduce a copy of the document or a digital file representative of the markings on the hardcopy document. The scanner can capture any markings on a hardcopy document including both printed and handwritten elements, without adversely affecting the original document.
Another present technology that is used with printed documents is optical character recognition (OCR). Optical character recognition involves the recognition of machine-editable text in images of printed documents (usually captured by a scanner). Computer algorithms are typically used on a scanned image of a printed document to discern printed text. In many cases, printed non-text characters such as lines, columns, and printed images may also be discerned from the scanned image. OCR technology is currently used mostly to provide a user of a word processing program with editable text extracted from the printed document. However, OCR technology may be exploited for many different applications.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

System and method of document reproduction

HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.


The characteristics of compacted sodium silicate, in particular the attrition resistance,are improved by contacting the material with water in an agitated bed. A preferred route for adding moisture is the use of steam which gives efficient distribution in the bed.

Detergent compositions intended for mechanical dishwashing will usually require a component capable of providing a considerable alkalinity in the wash liquor. Sodium silicates having a SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O mole ratio from about 1.5:1, preferably from 1.8:1 to about 3.3:1, preferably to 2.2:1 are particularly suitable for this purpose and also they protect glassware from corrosion. There is a general movement towards providing detergent compositions with increased bulk densities i.e. above about 700 g/l, preferably above 800 g/l. Sodium silicates within the mole ratio 1.8 to 2.2:1 range will be referred to herein as sodium disilicates, although strictly this term is applicable only to those silicates having a mole ratio of about 2:1. Disilicates and other silicates can be formed into a product of the desired bulk density by compacting the appropriate feedstock, which may be spray-dried material, between rollers to provide a compacted sheet-like product which is subsequently broken up and sieved to provide the desired particle size range. Examples of procedures which provide these compacted materials will be found in US 3875282 (Stauffer Chemical Co.) and US 3931036 (Philadelphia Quartz Co.).


A device for concealing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate/label. The label is typically disposed on the dashboard of the automobile, especially in a narrow space between the dashboard and the windshield of the automobile such that the label can be seen from the outside of the automobile through the front windshield. The device comprises a panel comprising a distal portion. The panel is to be placed over the label as the distal portion is securely wedged between the dashboard and windshield of the automobile.

The present invention relates in general to automobile accessories and more particularly to a device for concealing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) label of an automobile; the label typically located on the dashboard of the automobile.
Several covering and concealing devices for use with vehicles are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,926 to Wujciga discloses a decorative and durable vehicle license plate cover that is flat, thick, mar-resistant plate of optically transparent stable, such as acrylic plastic. The plate has a solid body with a front surface, a rear surface and sides interconnecting the two surfaces. Spaced holes are drilled on the perimeter of the front surface and extend to the rear surface for attaching the cover to a vehicle license plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,137 to Mitchell discloses protective repository for a tag having first and second portions connected by a flexible portion or live hinge. The first portion defines a cavity having an inwardly facing sidewall and a bottom wall and conforming to the shape of the tag. The second portion defines a raised area having an outwardly facing sidewall and a top wall. The outwardly facing sidewall is shaped to fit matingly the inwardly facing sidewall surface so that the top wall is adjacent to the bottom wall thereby retaining the tag.
U.S. Pub. No. 20040159023 to DeGroote discloses a license plate loover for preventing unauthorized photographing of the license plates. The loover structure uses solid non see-through slats that are horizontally across. The slats are similar to mini blinds. These slats can not be seen through from above or from an abrupt angle and are made of a solid material but allow a clear view from straight on Bolts are used to install the loover on the license plate.
The above devices are not designed for concealing the VIN present on the dashboard of automobile. So far there are no devices in the art that are exclusively designed to conceal the VIN present on the dashboard of an automobile.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for concealing the VIN of an automobile so as to prevent any illegal and fraudulent use. A further object is to provide a device for concealing the VIN that can be used with all types of automobiles. Other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.

Device for concealing vehicle identification numbers


A computer system includes a housing having a slot of a defined footprint area. A pair of inserts are provided. One of the inserts is a shroudless CD drive insert selectively insertable in the slot for operably driving a CD ROM disc. The other of the inserts is a standard floppy drive insert selectively insertable in the slot for operably driving a floppy disc. Each insert has substantially the same footprint area as the slot and as each other. The footprint area is sized to receive the standard floppy drive insert. The CD ROM drive insert is shroudless and is insertable in the slot for driving a larger size storage media than the floppy insert.

The disclosures herein relate generally to CD ROM drives and more particularly to placing a shroudless CD ROM drive in the footprint and volume of a standard floppy disc drive.
In multimedia notebook computers it is necessary to have a CD ROM. The CDs are very large and their drive modules have enlarged the standard notebook computer so as to accommodate them. The market requires the smallest notebook possible. Thus, there is an obvious conflict. Typically, these notebook CD ROM drive modules are removable from a large media bay and replaceable with a module that has a floppy drive in it. The floppy drive module is smaller than the CD ROM drive module because of the difference in size of their respective discs. The smaller floppy modules are fitted into the large media bay by housing the floppy drive in a dummy carrier of the same size as the CD module. Again, this makes the notebook computer larger than necessary.
Typical CD ROM drive modules have a sheet metal shroud that covers the entire CD drive and disc. The shroud is thick and the module also includes extension arms on the side of the drive which when operated, extend the disc out of the module to be replaced. Because of this extension, there is a large service loop in a cable that requires a dead space behind the unit. This requirement enlarges the CD module and packages a lot of air in the CD module.
Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus and a method for placing a full size CD ROM drive module in the footprint of a relatively smaller standard floppy disc drive module rather than vice versa as has been described. It is also highly desirable to provide for the CD ROM drive module and floppy drive module to be of substantially the same volume.

Shroudless small form CD ROM for notebook computers


A harmless low-consumption on-orbit continuous launch system includes a satellite platform, a launch apparatus and a plurality of CubeSats. The satellite platform carries the launch apparatus and dozens or hundreds of CubeSats, and is launched from a ground into an orbit for on-orbit operation. The launch apparatus is configured to store the plurality of CubeSats and provide power for on-orbit launching of each of the CubeSats. A solid working medium in the launch apparatus is activated by heating to undergo a phase change, and the activated solid working medium expands instantly and is converted into a high-pressure gaseous working medium. The high-pressure gaseous working medium does work to eject the CubeSats, such that the CubeSats obtain a speed increment. The CubeSats enter a transfer orbit towards different target spacecraft through the speed increment applied by the launch apparatus to perform a plurality of different on-orbit serving missions.

With the continuous development of space technology and aerospace industry, the demand for on-orbit serving missions such as on-orbit refueling, on-orbit maintenance and debris removal is growing, which brings new challenges to space launch.
The "single rocket, single satellite" mode of completing a single space mission with a single launch has high fuel consumption and high cost, and it is hard to continuously complete multiple missions in a relatively short period of time.
The "single rocket, multiple satellites" mode and the on-orbit launch mode (referring to the release of mission satellites into orbit on on-orbit platforms such as space stations, cargo spacecraft and satellites) can save fuel consumption and costs. However, the mission satellites need to rely on propulsion systems (consuming propellant, etc.) for orbital transfer to complete the intended space mission.
The "sing rocket, single satellite", "single rocket, multiple satellites" and on-orbit launch modes all have problems such as high fuel consumption, high cost and harmful emissions. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop an on-orbit launch technology with low fuel consumption, low cost, high efficiency and harmless emissions.

Harmless low-consumption on-orbit continuous launch system

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY


An electrical switch (1) is proposed which consists of a lower housing component (3) and an upper housing component (2). In receptacles (24) of the lower housing component (3) contact lugs (23', 23") with a normally closed contact (29', 29") are arranged. In the upper housing component (2) a contact element with a switching contact (22) is arranged. The contact element is moved, via a pressure spring (17) and a slider rod (9) to which an actuation element (5) is coupled, so as to flip between the off-position and on-position. At the contact lug (23') which is arranged on the side of the lower housing component (3) facing away from the contact element in the off-position, an arc extinction lug (32) which consists of an extension is attached to the normally closed contact (29').

The invention relates to an electrical switch having upper and lower housing components which can be connected to one another in a locking fashion. Contact lugs being in a normally off position are arranged in receptacles of the lower housing component. A contact element with a switching contact is arranged in the upper housing component. The contact element is movable via a pressure spring and a slider rod. The slider rod projects out of the upper housing component and is coupled to an actuation element. The contact element is caused to flip between an off (open) position, in which the switching contact does not touch the resting contact, and an on (closed) position, in which the switching contact touches the contacts.
Such electrical switches are used for switching on and off electrical DC or AC circuits in which high currents, for example, of up to 20 A can flow. They are used, in particular, in machine tools with a high power consumption, for example in right angle grinders or circular saws.
German Offenlegungsschrift DE-OS 31 26 816 discloses an electrical switch in which a carriage can be linearly displaced by means of an actuation element via a slider rod and a bow-shaped catch spring, a contact bridge for bypassing the fixed contacts arranged in the housing of the electrical switch being attached to the carriage. When the switch is switched off, in particular at high currents, an arc occurs between the contact bridge and the fixed contacts which causes the contacts to be eroded. If copper is used as material for the contacts, even after a short period of use the impedance of the switch becomes high due to the badly conducting copper oxide produced as a result of the erosion of the contacts so that severe, often unacceptably high heating at the switch occurs. Particularly in DC operation in which, in contrast with AC operation, no zero cross-over phase occurs which extinguishes the arc, the erosion of the contacts can be so strong that after a few switching operations and thus after a short period of use the switch becomes unusable.
In order to eliminate these disadvantages, it is known to coat the copper contacts with silver. The silver layer conducts the electrical current with the onset of erosion of the contacts much better than a copper layer. However, this too does not completely prevent the shortening of the theoretically possible service life of the switch. The much higher price for such a silver coating is also disadvantageous.
In addition, switches have also been disclosed in which contact lugs consisting of copper and having a normally opened contact are arranged in the housing, a rotatable contact rocker which is moved by an actuation element via a slider rod and a pressure spring and has a switching contact bypassing the normally opened contacts. Here too, the aforesaid disadvantage occurs, namely very severe erosion at the normally opened contact, which makes the switch unusable even after a short period of use.