A diagnosing apparatus for diagnosing an accumulator operable to store under pressure a pressurized fluid delivered from a high-pressure source and to supply the pressurized fluid to a fluid-operated actuator for operating the fluid-operated actuator, the apparatus including a pressure detecting device for detecting a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator while the accumulator is placed in a fluid-tightly sealed state in which the accumulator is isolated from both the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator, and a diagnosing device operable to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of the pressure of the pressurized fluid detected by the pressure detecting device in the fluid-tightly sealed state of the accumulator.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-290644 filed on Sep. 25, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated hereinto by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an accumulator and an apparatus for diagnosing the accumulator.
2. Discussion of Related Art
JP-A-9-123893 discloses an example of an apparatus for diagnosing an accumulator. The accumulator diagnosing apparatus disclosed in this publication includes (a) a high-pressure source arranged to deliver a pressurized working fluid; (b) a fluid-operated actuator operable with the pressurized fluid, (c) an accumulator disposed between the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator and cooperating with the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator to constitute a hydraulic system, (d) an accumulator-pressure detecting device operable to detect the pressure of the fluid in the accumulator, and (e) a diagnosing portion operable to determine that the hydraulic system is defective, if the fluid pressure detected by the accumulator-pressure detecting device is held lower than a predetermined lower limit for more than a predetermined length of time.
Although the known accumulator diagnosing apparatus is capable of detecting an abnormal state of the fluid pressure in the hydraulic system, as described above, this apparatus suffers from a problem that it is not capable of diagnosing the accumulator per se.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an accumulator diagnosing apparatus capable of diagnosing an accumulator per se. It is a second object of the invention to provide an apparatus including the accumulator diagnosing apparatus and capable of controlling a high-pressure source connected to the accumulator. It is a third object of the invention to provide the accumulator that can be diagnosed by the accumulator diagnosing apparatus. One of the above objects may be achieved according to any one of the following modes of the present invention, each of which is numbered like the appended claims and depends from the other mode or modes, where appropriate, to indicate and clarify possible combinations of elements or technical features. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the technical features or any combinations thereof which will be described for illustrative purpose only. It is to be further understood that a plurality of elements or features included in any one of the following modes of the invention are not necessarily provided all together, and that the invention may be embodied without some of the elements or features described with respect to the same mode.
(1) A diagnosing apparatus for diagnosing an accumulator operable to store under pressure a pressurized fluid delivered from a high-pressure source and supply the pressurized fluid to a fluid-operated actuator for operating the fluid-operated actuator with the pressurized fluid, the apparatus comprising:
a pressure detecting device operable to detect a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator while the accumulator is placed in a fluid-tightly sealed state in which the accumulator is isolated from both the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator; and
a diagnosing device operable to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of the pressure of the pressurized fluid detected by the pressure detecting device in the fluid-tightly sealed state of the accumulator.
The accumulator diagnosing apparatus constructed according to the above mode (1) of this invention is arranged to diagnose the accumulator for any abnormality or defect on the basis of the pressure of the fluid in the accumulator detected while the accumulator is isolated from both the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator. The pressure detecting device is operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator while the accumulator is placed in its fluid-tightly sealed state, so that the diagnosing device is capable of diagnosing the accumulator in the fluid-tightly sealed state of the accumulator.
For instance, the diagnosing apparatus is arranged such that when the fluid pressure detected by the pressure detecting device in the fluid-tightly sealed state of the accumulator is reduced below a predetermined threshold, the diagnosing device diagnoses the accumulator per se or its connector to be defective in its fluid tightness, or diagnoses a cut-off device connected to the accumulator, to be defective in its cut-off function. The cut-off device is operable to isolate the accumulator from the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator.
(2) A diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (1), wherein the accumulator includes:
a housing; and
a partition member disposed in the housing and cooperating with the housing to define an accumulator chamber (84; 162) on one of opposite sides of the partition member, the accumulator chamber storing the pressurized fluid delivered from the high-pressure source,
and wherein the pressure detecting device includes an accumulator-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber.
The accumulator diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (2) permits diagnosis of an accumulator of bladder type having the partition member in the form of a rubber bladder, an accumulator of bellow type having the partition member in the form of a metallic bellows, and an accumulator of piston type having the partition member in the form of a piston.
In the accumulator of bladder or bellows type in which the partition member is a bladder or bellows, a gas chamber charged with a pressurized gas is usually formed on the side of the partition member which is remote from the accumulator chamber. In the accumulator of piston type in which the partition member is a piston, the above-indicated gas chamber is formed or a biasing member such as a spring is disposed, on the side of the piston remote from the accumulator chamber. In the accumulator of bladder or bellow type, the gas pressure in the gas chamber is equal to the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber while the accumulator is normal. Accordingly, the accumulator can be diagnosed on the basis of at least one of the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber and the gas pressure in the gas chamber. The diagnosing apparatus for diagnosing the accumulator of piston type is preferably arranged to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber, since it is difficult or cumbersome to detect the biasing force of the biasing member.
(3) A diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (2), wherein the accumulator includes a cut-off device having a first state in which the accumulator chamber is communicated with at least one of the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator, and a second state in which the accumulator chamber is isolated from both the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator.
In the accumulator diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (3), the accumulator chamber can be placed in the fluid-tightly sealed state by placing the cut-off device in the second state. The fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber placed in the sealed state is detected to diagnose the accumulator. The provision of the cut-off device makes it possible to prevent the pressurized fluid from being unnecessarily discharged from the accumulator chamber, resulting in significant reduction in the amount of energy consumption by the high-pressure source, for example. The cut-off device may be provided within the housing of the accumulator, or outside the housing. In the former case, the cut-off device may be a sealing portion including a sealing member and a stopper portion of the housing which limits the amount of reduction of the volume of the accumulator chamber and on which the sealing member is fluid-tightly seated. In the latter case, the cut-off device may be disposed at a point of connection of the housing of the accumulator and a fluid passage, or at a location spaced from the housing. An example of the cut-off device disposed outside the housing is an electromagnetic cut-off valve connected to a fluid passage connected to the accumulator chamber.
(4) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(3), wherein the accumulator includes:
a housing;
a partition member is disposed in the housing and cooperating with the housing to define an accumulator chamber and a gas chamber on respective opposite sides of the partition member, the accumulator chamber storing the pressurized fluid delivered from the high-pressure source, while the gas chamber being fluid-tightly charged with a pressurized gas having a pressure which is substantially equal to the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber; and
a stopper operable to limit an amount of reduction of a volume of the accumulator chamber.
(5) A diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (4), wherein the pressure detecting device includes:
an accumulator-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber; and
a gas-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized gas in the gas chamber,
and wherein the diagnosing device is operable to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of the pressure of the pressurized fluid detected by the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor and the pressure of the pressurized gas detected by the gas-chamber pressure sensor.
In the accumulator diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (5), the accumulator is diagnosed on the basis of both the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber and the gas pressure in the gas chamber.
The partition member divides the interior space of the housing into the accumulator chamber and the gas chamber such that the volume of the gas chamber decreases with an increase in the volume of the accumulator chamber. The pressure of the gas chamber increases with a decrease in its volume as the volume of the accumulator chamber increases, and the pressure of the accumulator chamber increases with an increase in the volume of the gas chamber. Accordingly, the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber and the gas pressure in the gas chamber are kept equal to each other while the accumulator is normal. When the accumulator chamber is defective in its fluid tightness, the volume of the accumulator chamber is reduced to its smallest value determined by the stopper, and the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber is reduced even after the volume of this accumulator chamber has been reduced to the smallest value, while the gas pressure in the gas chamber is no longer reduced, or is reduced by a smaller amount than the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber. Accordingly, the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber becomes lower than the gas pressure in the gas chamber where the accumulator is defective. Thus, the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber and the gas pressure in the gas chamber are compared with each other when the volume of the accumulator chamber is no longer reduced (or when the volumes of the two chambers are no longer changed) if the accumulator is normal. If the fluid chamber in the accumulator chamber is lower than the gas pressure in the gas chamber in the above-indicated state in which the volume of the accumulator chamber is the smallest, this means that the fluid tightness of the accumulator chamber is defective, that is, the accumulator is defective.
(6) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(3), wherein the accumulator includes:
a housing; and
a partition member disposed in the housing and cooperating with the housing to define an accumulator chamber and a gas chamber on respective opposite sides of the partition member, the accumulator chamber storing the pressurized fluid delivered from the high-pressure source, while the gas chamber being fluid-tightly charged with a pressurized gas having a pressure which is substantially equal to the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber.
(7) A diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (6), wherein the pressure detecting device includes:
an accumulator-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber; and
a gas-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized gas in the gas chamber,
and wherein the diagnosing device is operable to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of at least one of the pressure of the pressurized fluid detected by the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor and the pressure of the pressurized gas detected by the gas-chamber pressure sensor.
The accumulator may be diagnosed on the basis of the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber, and/or the gas pressure in the gas chamber. The accumulator may be diagnosed to be defective, if the detected fluid pressure or gas pressure in the accumulator chamber or gas chamber is lower than a predetermined threshold.
(8) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(3), wherein the accumulator includes:
a housing;
a partition member disposed in the housing and cooperating with the housing to define an accumulator chamber on one of opposite sides of the partition member, the accumulator chamber storing the pressurized fluid delivered from the high-pressure source; and
a sealing portion operable to fluid-tightly seal the accumulator chamber when a volume of the accumulator chamber has decreased to a predetermined value.
(9) A diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (8), wherein the pressure detecting device includes an accumulator-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber,
and wherein the diagnosing device is operable to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of the pressure of the pressurized fluid detected by the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor when the accumulator chamber is fluid-tightly sealed by the sealing portion.
When the volume of the accumulator chamber has decreased to the predetermined value, the accumulator chamber is fluid-tightly sealed by the sealing portion. In this sealed state of the accumulator chamber, the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber must be held substantially constant if the accumulator is normal. If the accumulator chamber is defective in its fluid tightness, the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber is lower than a predetermined value.
Accordingly, the accumulator chamber can be diagnosed to be defective in its fluid tightness if the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber detected in the sealed state of the accumulator chamber is lower than a predetermined threshold value, or a rate of reduction of that fluid pressure is lower than a predetermined threshold value. These threshold values of the fluid pressure or rate of reduction are determined by an experiment. Alternatively, the threshold value of the fluid pressure may be determined such that the fluid pressure will not be reduced below that threshold value if the accumulator is normal, and the threshold value of the rate of reduction may be determined such that fluid pressure will not be reduced at a rate higher than that threshold value if the accumulator is normal. Further, the threshold values may be determined on the basis of the gas pressure in the gas chamber. Since the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber and the gas pressure in the gas chamber must be equal to each other while the accumulator is normal, as described above, the accumulator can be diagnosed to be defective if the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber is lower than the gas pressure by more than a predetermined amount. Therefore, the threshold value of the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber may be determined to be lower than the gas pressure by a suitable amount. In this case, the accumulator is diagnosed on the basis of both the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber and the gas pressure in the gas chamber.
The sealing portion may include a stopper which limits the amount of movement of the partition member to limit the amount of reduction of the volume of the accumulator chamber. In this case, the sealing portion preferably includes a sealing member disposed on at least one of the partition member and the stopper, so as to establish a high degree of fluid tightness between the partition member and the stopper. The stopper may be constituted by an inner part of the housing of the accumulator, which inner part partially defines the accumulator chamber. Alternatively, the stopper may be a member separate from the housing.
(10) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(9), wherein the accumulator has an accumulator chamber for storing the pressurized fluid delivered from the high-pressure source, and includes an electromagnetic cut-off valve device having a fist state in which the accumulator chamber is communicated with at least one of the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator, and a second state in which the accumulator chamber is isolated from both of the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator,
and wherein the pressure detecting device includes an accumulator-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber,
the diagnosing device being operable to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber detected when the electromagnetic cut-off valve device is placed in the second state.
In the accumulator diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (10), the accumulator is diagnosed on the basis of the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber detected when the electromagnetic cut-off valve device is placed in the second state in which the accumulator chamber is isolated from both of the high-pressure source and the fluid-operated actuator. The present diagnosing apparatus is advantageous in that the accumulator chamber can be fluid-tightly sealed by controlling the cut-off valve device, independently of the volume of the accumulator chamber.
(11) A diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (11), wherein the diagnosing device includes a switching portion operable to switch the electromagnetic cut-off valve device from the first state to the second state when the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber detected by the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor has a predetermined value, the diagnosing device being operable to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of a change in the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber detected by the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor after the cut-off valve device is switched to the second state.
While the accumulator is normal, the detected pressure of the fluid in the accumulator chamber is held substantially constant at the predetermined value or only slightly changes from the predetermined value. While the cut-off valve device is defective, the detected fluid pressure changes from the predetermined value to a considerable extent.
The accumulator or cut-off valve device is diagnosed to be defective, if the amount and/or rate of change of the fluid pressured detected by the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor is/are larger or higher than a predetermined value or values, for instance, if the rate of reduction of the detected fluid pressure is higher than a predetermined upper limit, if the amount of reduction of the detected fluid pressure a predetermined time after the cut-off valve device is switched to the second state is larger than a predetermined upper limit.
(12) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(11), wherein the diagnosing device is operable to diagnose the accumulator in at least one of a first condition in which the high-pressure source is not placed in a substantially operated state and a second condition in which a supply of the pressurized fluid from the accumulator to the fluid-operated actuator is not necessary.
In the accumulator diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (12), the accumulator is diagnosed on the basis of the fluid pressure in the accumulator when the accumulator is placed in the fluid-tightly sealed state. Where the accumulator is diagnosed for a fluid leakage therefrom, the diagnosis of the accumulator is preferably effected while the high-pressure source is not placed in the substantially operated state. While the high-pressure source is in operation, it is difficult to accurately diagnose the accumulator for a fluid leakage therefrom. The first condition in which the high-pressure source is not placed in the substantially operated state is interpreted to include an operating state of the high-pressure source in which the output pressure of the high-pressure source does not have an influence on the fluid pressure in the accumulator. For instance, the first state includes an operating state of the high-pressure source in which the output pressure of the high-pressure source is considerably lower than the fluid pressure in the accumulator. The high-pressure source is considered to be in the first state, immediately after the high-pressure source has been switched from the off state to the on state. Namely, the high-pressure source is not placed in the substantially operated state in a very initial portion of an operation of the high-pressure source in which a substantially pressurized fluid is not delivered from the high-pressure source.
The accumulator is desirably diagnosed while the accumulator is isolated from the fluid-operated actuator, that is, while the pressurized fluid is not delivered from the accumulator to the fluid-operated actuator. In this respect, the accumulator is preferably diagnosed in the second state in which the supply of the pressurized fluid from the accumulator to the fluid-operated actuator is not necessary.
In the accumulator diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (5) or (9), the accumulator is diagnosed while the accumulator chamber has the smallest volume. For instance, the accumulator chamber has the smallest volume when a relatively long time has passed after the high-pressure source is turned off. That is, the volume of the accumulator chamber may be reduced to the smallest value due to leakage of the pressurized fluid at a relatively low rate while the high-pressure source is held in the off state for a relatively long time. The accumulator may be diagnosed after the volume of the accumulator chamber is reduced to the smallest value by positively consuming the pressurized fluid, for example, by discharging the pressurized fluid from the accumulator to the fluid-operated actuator or a suitable low-pressure source while the accumulator is isolated from the high-pressure source. This consumption of the pressurized fluid is desirably achieved when it is not necessary to supply the fluid-operated actuator with the pressurized fluid.
The accumulator may be diagnosed when it is not considered necessary to supply the fluid-operated actuator with the pressurized fluid.
(13) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(12), wherein the high-pressure source comprises a pump device including (a) an electric motor, and (b) a pump driven by the electric motor, to deliver a pressurized fluid, the high-pressure source being included in a braking system for an automotive vehicle.
In the accumulator diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (13), the accumulator may be diagnosed after the electric motor of the pump device has been held in the off state for more than a predetermined time, when the electric motor is switched from the off state to the on state, or when a main switch for turning on the high-pressure source or a main switch (e.g., an ignition switch) provided on the automotive vehicle is switched from the off state to the on state.
(14) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(13), wherein the fluid-operated actuator includes a wheel brake cylinder of a wheel brake for braking a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel brake including a rotor rotating with the wheel and a friction member which is forced onto the rotor by the wheel brake cylinder to brake the wheel.
The wheel brake described above is operated with its wheel brake cylinder being activated with the pressurized fluid delivered from the accumulator. While the need to operate the wheel brake is relatively low, the wheel brake cylinder may be isolated from the accumulator. This need is relatively low while the vehicle is stationary, when a parking brake of the vehicle is in the operated state, or when a shift lever of the vehicle is placed in a parking position.
The pump device, the wheel brake including the wheel brake cylinder, and the accumulator may be considered to constitute a braking system.
(15) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(14), wherein an output of the pressure detecting device is used to control the high-pressure source.
For instance, the high-pressure source is controlled on the basis of the fluid pressure in the accumulator detected by the pressure detecting device, such that the detected fluid pressure is held within a predetermined range. Thus, the output of the pressure detecting device is used not only for diagnosing the accumulator but also for controlling the high-pressure source.
(16) A diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-(15), wherein an output of the pressure detecting device is used to control a pressure control device disposed between the fluid-operated actuator and the accumulator.
The pressure control device is controlled on the basis of the fluid pressure in the accumulator detected by the pressure detecting device, to control the pressure of the pressurized fluid to be supplied to the fluid-operated actuator.
(17) An apparatus including the diagnosing apparatus according to any one of the above modes (1)-)16) and operable to control said high-pressure source in different manners when the diagnosing apparatus determines that said accumulator are normal and defective, respectively.
For instance, the high-pressure source is held in the off state without an electric energy applied thereto when the accumulator is diagnosed to be defective. Where the high-pressure source is controlled when the accumulator is diagnosed to be normal such that the fluid pressure in the accumulator is held within a predetermined normal range, the high-pressure source may be controlled when the accumulator is diagnosed to be defective such that the fluid pressure in the accumulator is held in a comparatively narrow range whose upper limit is lower than that of the normal range. In the latter case, a load acting on the partition member provided in the accumulator can be reduced.
The pressure control device described above with respect to the above mode (16) may be controlled in different manners when the diagnosing apparatus determines that the accumulator is normal and defective, respectively. For instance, the pressure control device is controlled to inhibit flows of the pressurized fluid between the accumulator and the fluid-operated actuator, when the accumulator is diagnosed to be defective.
(18) A combination of an accumulator and a diagnosing apparatus for diagnosing the accumulator, the accumulator comprising:
a housing;
a bellows disposed in the housing and cooperating with the housing to define an accumulator chamber and a gas chamber on respective opposite sides of the partition member, the accumulator chamber storing a pressurized fluid while the gas chamber being fluid-tightly charged with a pressurized gas having a pressure which is substantially equal to a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber;
an accumulator-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber; and
a sealing device operable to fluid-tightly seal the accumulator chamber when a volume of the accumulator chamber has decreased to a predetermined value,
and wherein the diagnosing apparatus comprises a diagnosing device operable to diagnose the accumulator on the basis of the pressure of the pressurized fluid detected by the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor when the accumulator chamber is fluid-tightly sealed by the sealing device.
In the combination according to the above mode (18), the diagnosing device of the diagnosing apparatus is capable of diagnosing the sealing device for a sealing failure or defect thereof. While the sealing device is normal in its sealing function, the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber and the gas pressure in the gas chamber are equal to each other, so that the load acting on the bellows is relatively small. When the sealing device is defective, the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber is made lower than the gas pressure in the gas chamber, so that a relatively large load acts on the bellows due to a considerable difference between the fluid pressure and the gas pressure, giving rise to a risk of damaging the bellows. According to the present mode of the invention, the sealing failure or defect of the sealing device can be detected with high reliability, making it possible to prevent damaging of the bellows.
The combination of the accumulator and the diagnosing apparatus according to the above mode (18) may incorporate the technical feature according to any one of the above modes (1)-(13). For instance, the sealing device may be the sealing portion according to the above mode (8) or the electromagnetic cut-off valve device according to the above mode (10).
(19) An accumulator comprising:
a housing;
a bellows disposed in the housing and cooperating with the housing to define an accumulator chamber and a gas chamber on respective opposite sides of the partition member, the accumulator chamber storing a pressurized fluid while the gas chamber being fluid-tightly charged with a pressurized gas having a pressure which is substantially equal to a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber; and
an accumulator-chamber pressure sensor operable to detect the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the accumulator chamber.
In the accumulator according to the above mode (19), the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber is directly detected by the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor, so that the accumulator can be accurately diagnosed on the basis of the detected fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber. The detected fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber accurately represents the pressure of the pressurized fluid stored in the accumulator.
The accumulator according to the above mode (19) may incorporate the technical feature according to any one of the above modes (1)-(14). For instance, the accumulator may incorporate the sealing portion according to the above mode (8) or the electromagnetic cut-off valve device according to the above mode (19). Further, the present accumulator may incorporate both the sealing portion and the electromagnetic cut-off valve device. In this case, the fluid leakage from the accumulator chamber can be prevented with high stability. The accumulator-chamber pressure sensor may be arranged to directly detect the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber when the accumulator chamber is fluid-tightly sealed by such a sealing device.
(20) An accumulator according to the above mode (19), wherein the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor is attached to the housing. For instance, the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor may be substantially incorporated within a body of the housing.
Where the accumulator-pressure sensor is attached to the housing of the accumulator, this sensor need not be connected to a fluid passage connected to the accumulator chamber. Further, the present accumulator-pressure sensor does not require an exclusive connector and accordingly permits higher accuracy of detection of the fluid pressure in the accumulator chamber. For instance, the accumulator-chamber pressure sensor is fitted in a hole formed through the housing such that the hole communicates with the accumulator chamber. The pressure sensor may be screwed in a tapped hole formed in the housing in communication with the accumulator chamber. Where a gas-chamber pressure sensor is provided, this sensor may also be attached to the housing of the accumulator.

Apparatus for diagnosing accumulator based on fluid pressure in its fluid-tightly sealed state


A CT scanner system provides projection-like images of a patient volume. After a CT scan is obtained and a three-dimensional model of the patient is created, any synthetic view can be generated by choosing any array of projection lines, e.g. between a point and a surface (a flat plane, curved plane, spherical, etc) or between two surfaces (parallel or not) and summing across the projection lines. The synthetic projections can mimic certain traditional views, such as a ceph scan, Water's view, Caldwell's projection, etc or can provide a new view that is impossible or impractical with traditional x-ray equipment, such as a perfect parallel projection, or a projection that does not pass all the way through the patient.

The present invention relates to a CT scanner system.
There are many types of specialized x-ray equipment or arrangements each dedicated to providing a specific view or type of x-ray projection. For example, such as panoramic dental x-rays, Water's view x-rays, Caldwell's projection, and cephalometric x-rays are each typically provided by a different type of x-ray machine or arrangement. Each of these devices occupies space, possibly even a dedicated room.
The cephalometric x-ray (or "ceph scan") equipment in particular occupies a large space. Maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists and other doctors use cephalometrics to diagnose, plan and predict maxillofacial surgeries, orthodontic treatment and other treatments that could affect the shape and appearance of the face. One important part of the cephalometric analysis is starting with a ceph scan of the patient's head. Primarily, lateral x-ray ceph images are taken of the patient, although other images can be used in addition.
In order to obtain an accurate lateral x-ray ceph image, a parallel projection from the x-ray source to the x-ray detector or film is desired. Otherwise, the distortion from incident angles of the x-rays will distort the ceph image. To obtain a sufficiently parallel projection, the x-ray source is placed at a relatively great distance (5 to 10 ft) from the patient. Therefore, the room dedicated to performing this type of x-ray must be large.

CT system with synthetic view generation


A light has a housing of plastic material and a light fixture that is arranged within the housing and that receives at least one light bulb. The housing is made from plates that each have outer edges that are beveled at an angle of 45 degrees and provide contact surfaces where the plates adjoin one another. The plates are glued to one another in the area of the contact surfaces over the entire surface area of the contact surfaces in such a way that the plates are joined flush without the outer edges projecting past one another. The housing has a bottom side provided with a circular cutout, wherein the light fixture projects through the circular cutout into the housing. A member is provided that releasably closes the circular cutout. The member is a base or a closure lid.

The invention relates to a light comprising a housing of plastic material and at least one light bulb arranged within the housing by means of a light bulb fixture, wherein the housing is comprised of several plates and at least one plate is beveled at its outer edges at an angle of 45 degrees and glued to the adjoining plates in the area of its contact surfaces.
Such a light is disclosed in DE 81 28 057 U1. The light has housing sidewalls and a diffuser wall wherein the diffuser wall and the adjoining housing sidewalls are connected to one another similar to a miter joint. The edges that are resting against one another are glued together. The housing sidewalls are comprised of transparent plexiglass but they are provided with a reflective layer and a black cover coating so that no light can penetrate to the exterior. In this way, an improved illumination of the diffuser wall is achieved; disadvantageously, a high-quality visual appearance is however not achieved.
A further known light comprises a housing that is produced integrally by a casting process. This provides for an inexpensive manufacture but, disadvantageously, a high-quality visual appearance is not achieved.
The object of the invention is thus viewed in further developing the light of the aforementioned kind such that a special visual and aesthetically pleasing appearance is achieved.

Light with plastic housing comprised of plates with glued beveled edges


A cervical collar including a collar member, a chin strap member having a first arm attached to the collar member; and a fastening element coupled to a second arm of the chin strap member. The fastening element attaches the second arm of the chin strap member to the collar member at a time of use. The fastening element includes a pull cord member that pulls the fastening element into an aperture in the collar member to attach the second arm of the chin strap member to the collar member at the time of use. One or more of the components of the collar may be made from materials having an antimicrobial additive which enable the cervical collar to be reused.

There are many types of cervical collars that are designed to restrict movement of the head and neck of a person who has suffered a neck or spinal injury. More recent cervical collars are generally constructed from relatively stiff, light-weight plastic materials that are capable of being bent to encircle the neck of the injured patient and yet still provide substantial support for the patient.
Cervical collars commonly include an elongated neck encircling collar member and a strap-like chin support member attached to the collar member. The chin support member of the collar is located under the patient's chin after the collar member of the collar has been positioned around the neck of the patient. The chin support member is typically formed with a snap-fastening element that is snapped into a corresponding aperture in the collar member to secure the free end of the chin support member to the collar member. The other end of the chin support member is attached to the collar member during the manufacturing process.
It is sometimes difficult in an emergency medical situation to insert the fastening element into the aperture in the collar member to secure the free end of the chin support member thereto, after the collar member is positioned around the neck of the patient. Fastening the chin support member to the collar member before the collar member is positioned around the patient's neck makes the application of the collar member difficult and uncomfortable for the patient, as the patient's head body may need to be moved slightly to fit the collar member around the patient's neck.
Further, present cervical collars are typically discarded after a single use, especially if they become contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids, thus increasing the costs of emergency medical services. This is because conventional cervical collars must be sterilized in a relatively expensive process, after the blood or other bodily fluid is wiped from the surfaces of the collar.
Accordingly, there is a need for a reusable cervical collar that has a chin support fastening element which is easily accessed and operated.

Reusable cervical collar having a chin strap member fastening element with a pull cord


A method and a system for estimating visceral fat area (VFA) of a subject uses the product of the Xth power of a height value (Ht) and the Yth power of a fat mass value (FM), through a parameter expressed as FM/Ht2 or Ht2/FM, or by using an equation expressed as VFA=C11*FM/Ht2+C12*Age+C13, where each of X and Y are a number other than zero. The method and the system decrease estimation errors due to height, thereby enabling common use by a number of nations each having a different average height, and decreasing cost of development and manufacturing.

(i) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for estimating a visceral fat area. More specifically, it relates to a method and system for estimating a visceral fat area of a subject based on height and fat mass of the subject.
(ii) Description of the Related Art
In recent years, accumulation of visceral fat has been receiving attention as a factor which exerts a significant influence on health and causes the onset of lifestyle-related disease. One method for estimating visceral fat area is by means of X-ray CT. However, to practice this method, the assistance of a radiological technician is essential due to the use of X-rays. This prevents the method from being widely used. Further, this method is disadvantageous in that it requires the subject to be exposed to X-rays. In addition, operation costs are excessively high.
There is a correlation between abdominal circumference on a navel and visceral fat area, and there is a method for estimating visceral fat area by use of the correlation. However, a measurement value of abdominal circumference on the navel is significantly influenced by where the circumference is measured, the degree of tension in the abdomen, the timing of the measurement, i.e., before or after a meal, and the condition of the subject, such as the position of the subject. Therefore, when visceral fat area is to be estimated based on only this measurement value or with emphasis on this measurement value, the estimation is liable to be influenced by the above measurement conditions. Further, when a subject tries to measure abdominal circumference on a navel by himself/herself, the subject is liable to tense his/her abdomen at the time of the measurement or make the measurement at an improper position.
In order to resolve such weak points in the known methods as mentioned above, one of the present inventors have invented a method and system for estimating the visceral fat area of a subject by using certain equation(s) which takes height, weight, fat mass and age of the subject as parameters, and filed as Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-212790 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-24303) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/193,281. However, it has been found in subsequent research of the present inventors that errors often occur in estimation of visceral fat area of a tall subject using these equation(s), because fat mass is directly used as an explanation variable in the equation(s), even if it includes a correction term of height.
FIG. 18A shows a correlation graph between fat mass measured using the well known Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (hereinafter referred to as the "BIA") in the horizontal axis and visceral fat area measured using X-ray CT in the vertical axis. Measured data of numbers of subjects are plotted in the graph; in particular the measured data of tall subjects over 180 cm are plotted as ▪ mark. The line in the graph means an equation for estimating visceral fat area using the parameter of fat mass as an explanation variable, which is acquired from the measured data. In case of the tall subjects, visceral fat area estimated using the equation is far different from the same fat area measured by using X-ray CT.
FIG. 18B shows a correlation graph between body fat percentage measured using the BIA in the horizontal axis and visceral fat area measured using X-ray CT in the vertical axis. The line in the graph represents an equation for estimating visceral fat area using a parameter of body fat percentage as an explanation variable. In case of the tall subjects, visceral fat area estimated by using this equation is far different from the same fat area measured by using the X-ray CT.
Estimation errors for tall subjects may prevent a plurality of nations, each having a different average height, from using a common equation for estimating visceral fat area. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare methods and systems for estimating visceral fat area for each nation, thereby increasing the costs of development and manufacturing.

Method and system for estimating visceral fat area


Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil. The MRI RF coil comprises a first conductive ring and a second conductive ring. A plurality of rung groups extend between the first and second conductive rings. The plurality of rung groups are spaced uniformly about the first conductive ring. Each of the plurality of rung groups comprises a plurality of conductive rungs extending between and connected to the first and second conductive rings. The plurality of conductive rungs of each of the plurality of rung groups are azimuthally separated from one another by a first azimuth angle. Each of the plurality of rung groups is separated from a neighboring rung group by a spacing that forms a window. Each of the windows have a second azimuth angle that is greater than the first azimuth angle.

A birdcage coil is a type of coil that is often utilized as a system built-in transmit/receive coil-whole body coil (WBC) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems from low field to high field, such as 0.7 tesla (T), 1.5 T, 3 T, etc. A birdcage coil comprises two conductive rings with a plurality of conductive rungs extending between the two conductive rings. Typically, the number of conductive rungs is a multiple of four, and the conductive rungs are positioned uniformly along the azimuthal direction (e.g., the azimuthal direction of the conductive rings). The B1 field uniformity from a birdcage coil in the Field-of-View (FOV) is important (e.g., to generate high quality images). Typically, a four-rung birdcage coil exhibits a worse B1 field uniformity in the FOV than an equally spaced 16-rung birdcage coil. As such, most WBCs have at least 16 conductive rings that are distributed uniformly along the azimuthal direction.
An MRI scanner has a set of gradient coils (e.g., x, y, and z gradient coils). These gradient coils are typically located outside of the WBC. Gradient coils are typically made of copper wires and couple to the WBC. The gradient coils often negatively affect the WBC performance unless a mitigation technique is implemented.
A commonly used mitigation technique is for the MRI scanner to have a cylindrical RF shield between the gradient coils and the WBC. The RF shield is configured to provide two functions. The first function is to provide decoupling between the WBC and the gradient coils. The second function is for the RF shield to have a minimized eddy current from a strong gradient pulse. Typically, these two functions conflict with one another. One possible technique to mitigate the conflict between these two functions is to use a thin copper sheet as an RF shield, form many slots in the copper sheet, and strategically place capacitors at specific locations, such that the copper sheet operates like a whole copper sheet (e.g., as if the copper sheet was slot-free). The slots in the copper sheet help reduce the eddy currents. As such, the copper sheet operates as a good RF shield while reducing eddy currents.

MRI coil with a RF shield for radiation or x-ray applications


The invention provides hard, ductile coatings comprising a ductile bonding layer of zirconium or titanium alloyed with a precious metal and a hard, surface layer comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of zirconium nitride, titanium nitride, zirconium carbide and titanium carbide and a precious metal segregated into the grain boundaries. The present invention also provides hard ductile multilayer coatings comprised of alternating ductile metal and hard nitride or carbide layers. The invention also includes methods to manufacture nitride or carbide coatings with ductile precious metal grain boundaries. The coatings provide an erosion resistant coating to surfaces to which they are applied.

The invention relates in general to erosion resistant coatings and, more particularly, to hard ductile coatings having a layer of titanium nitride, titanium carbide, zirconium nitride or zirconium carbide with precious metal grain boundaries.
Erosion resistant coatings are used to coat a number of tools and parts. Of particular interest is the use of such coatings in the fabrication of compressor hardware for gas turbine engines. Such hardware includes blades and vanes in the compressor of a gas turbine engine.
Efficient compressor operation demands the maintenance of the original compressor hardware geometry. The compressor blades and vanes have airfoil shapes with relatively sharp edges. Gas turbine engines ingest vast quantities of air and this air will inevitably include some amount of particulate material. In the case of aircraft, this may be sand from the runway. Such materials are very abrasive and erosive when they impact compressor hardware at high speeds. The erosion process is detrimental as it reduces the compressor efficiency because of the degradation of the starting airfoil geometry.
Recently, physical and chemical vapor deposited coatings, such as titanium nitride coatings and zirconium nitride coatings have been used to provide a protective layer having good hardness characteristics. U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,245 discloses a zirconium nitride coating in which the average grain size of the zirconium nitride is not greater than about 3000 Angstroms. This grain size of the zirconium nitride is critical in order to produce an effective erosion resistant coating, particularly to prevent damage from high velocity particles hitting a coated article at a 90° angle. While the coating of the '245 patent shows erosion from high velocity particles hitting the coating at 20° and 90°, the coatings are only two-fold more resistant than other coatings known in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,753 likewise discloses a zirconium nitride coating wherein the coating has a substoichiometric amount of nitrogen. However, the coating shows erosion and wear resistance over a narrow range of the substoichiometric nitrogen. Optimal erosion resistance is obtained when the nitrogen is at about 41–42 atomic %, with the resistance dropping off sharply on either side of the range.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,211 discloses a titanium nitride coating with non-stoichiometric amounts of nitrogen. As with the coating of the '743 patent, the coating of the '211 patent shows erosion and wear resistance over a narrow range of nitrogen in the titanium nitride. Optimal erosion resistance is obtained when the nitrogen is at about 38–40 atomic %, with the resistance dropping off sharply on either side of the range.
Although the coatings of the prior art have hardness characteristics, they exhibit inherently brittle behavior and their erosion resistance at normal impact decreases markedly with increasing hardness and particle size of the high velocity particulate material. It has been observed that dynamic impact of high velocity particulate materials onto a coated surface of an article can result in micro-deformations, and associated lateral and/or median cracks around the impact site, decreasing the effectiveness of the coating and the useful life span of the coated article.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,418 discloses a coating having alternating microscopically thin layers of titanium nitride and a gold alloy. The titanium nitride layers and the gold layers are distinct, unmixed layers. Furthermore, the '418 patent teaches the disadvantages of co-deposition titanium and gold together in the presence of nitrogen because of the formation of gold-titanium intermetallic compounds. Additionally, the coatings of the '418 patent are for manufacturing golden colored articles and, therefore have no need to be erosion resistant to high velocity large particulate materials. In fact, as gold is a 'soft' metal and is on the surface of the coating, one would not anticipate that the coating of the '418 patent could be used as an erosion resistant coating.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,438 discloses a laminated material for electrical contacts having a surface contact layer of titanium nitride which is then overlaid with a mixed layer of titanium nitride and a precious metal. The composition in the mixed layer is 5–60% titanium and 40–95% of the precious metal. Additionally, the concentration of precious metal in the layer is preferably a gradient, wherein the concentration of the precious metal is low at the junction with the titanium nitride contact layer, increasing to the surface of the coating. There is no teaching in the '438 patent for using the laminated material as an erosion resistant coating to prevent erosion by high velocity particulate material. As gold is a 'soft' metal and the amount of gold in the laminated material is high, the laminated material of the '438 patent would not be suitable as an erosion resistant coating.
As can be seen, there is a need for coatings with excellent adhesion and ductility that can protect parts from erosion by high velocity particles and accommodate microdeformation of the component's surface by the impact of large particles without spalling or cracking.


A fire suppression system that includes a non-rigid pouch, a quantity of suppressant, a quantity of gas, and a pressurized gas source. The non-rigid pouch that includes an exterior surface and an interior space. The quantity of suppressant, the quantity of gas, and the pressurized gas source is contained within said interior space. The pressurize gas source is configured to increase the internal pressure of the non-rigid pouch by injecting gas into the interior space. The non-rigid pouch is configured to rupture when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure.

Fire suppression systems are commonly employed in kitchens, factories, laboratories, and the like as a safety feature in the event of a fire. These fire suppression systems disperse fire suppressants (e.g., chemical clean agents, inert gasses, CO2, water, etc.) to suppress, if not extinguish, the fire. In effect, doing so may protect nearby appliances (and/or other electronic devices) while also minimizing damage to the surrounding area.
Existing fire suppression systems often leaves much to be desired because they typically require cumbersome installations (e.g., sprinkler systems), manual operation/actuation (e.g., hand-held canister fire extinguishers), recharging, and periodic examination. Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of fire suppression systems.

Utility and appliance fire suppression system


Nematode-resistant transgenic plants are disclosed. The plants comprise plant cells containing a DNA construct comprising a transcription cassette, which construct comprises, in the 5' to 3' direction, a promoter operable in the plant cells, and a DNA comprising at least a portion of a DNA sequence encoding a nematode-inducible transmembrane pore protein in either the sense or antisense orientation. Intermediates for producing the same along with methods of making and using the same are also disclosed. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the sense or antisense DNA is replaced with a DNA encoding an enzymatic RNA molecule directed against the mRNA transcript of a DNA sequence encoding a nematode-inducible transmembrane pore protein.

World-wide, plant-parasitic nematodes are among the most devastating pathogens of life sustaining crops. In 1984, nematodes accounted for more than fifty billion dollar s (US) in economic losses. The United States' portion of this figure alone is almost six billion dollars. Genetic resistance to certain nematode species is available in some cultivars, but these are restricted in number, and the availability of cultivars with both desirable agronomic features and resistance is limited. In addition, traditional methods for plant breeding require 5-10 years to produce a viable cultivar, while the need for new nematode control tools is immediate and critical.
The major means of nematode control has been the application of chemical nematicides. During 1982, in the United States alone over 100 million pounds of nematicide were applied to crops. Chemical nematicides are generally highly toxic compounds known to cause substantial environmental impact. In the past several years, issues such as ground water contamination, mammalian and avian toxicity, and residues in food have caused much tighter restrictions on the use of chemical nematicides. Unfortunately, in many situations there is no alternative available for growers who rely upon nematicides to protect their crop from root-knot and cyst nematodes. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for new ways to combat nematodes in plants.


A self-contained evaporation system for use in disposing of excess water from oil and gas drilling operations is provided. The system includes a water holding tank in which the wastewater is preheated, an evaporation chamber mounted over the holding tank and having an open top, a nozzle system located within the chamber for producing a fine liquid mist, and fans disposed within the chamber for producing an air flow that carries the mist out the open top of the chamber. The system can be set up and taken down by one person in an hour or less, can be used with pond or tank operations, and is capable of operating in high winds and sub-zero temperatures. The system can be carried and mounted on a trailer for easy transport to and from various drilling sites.

1. Field of the Invention
This patent relates to an apparatus for evaporating waste liquids. More particularly, this patent relates to a portable evaporation chamber for use in disposing of wastewater from oil and gas drilling and production operations.
2. Description of the Related Art
In most oil and gas drilling operations, drilling fluid or mud is used to remove drill cuttings from the borehole. The drilling fluid is usually a mixture of clays, chemicals, weighting material and water or oil. The drilling fluid generally is pumped from a mud pit to a standpipe, through a kelly hose to a swivel, through the kelly and down into the drill string to the bit. From there the fluid and cuttings flow back up the annular space around the drill string to a mud return line. From the return line the fluid passes across a shaker where the cuttings are removed and on to a reserve or pond. The pond is used to collect the excess water. Water production can continue throughout the life of the well.
The problem with this arrangement is that the collected water in the pond must be disposed of. Various evaporation systems have been devised to accomplish this task. Typically, these systems involve spraying the water into the air using high-pressure pumps and nozzle arrays that maximize the surface area of the water droplets in order to increase evaporation rates. Many of the evaporation systems are designed to evaporate the water while floating over the wastewater pond to minimize ground saturation.
These evaporation systems have several disadvantages. First, they cannot operate in high winds or extreme cold weather. Second, the mist still allows for ground saturation in areas of sustained winds which requires system shutdown. Third, these systems can be cumbersome to set up, maintain and move. Fourth, these evaporation systems are limited to impoundment pond operations. Once a drilling site has been reclaimed, the excess water ends up in a storage tank which current evaporation systems cannot access.
Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a water evaporation system useful in oil and gas drilling operations that is easy to set up and tear down, is capable of operating in windy or sub-zero temperatures, and can be used with pond or tank operations.
Another object of the invention is to provide a water evaporation chamber that can be set up on ground near a pond or tank, and in which wastewater is atomized into 300 micron or smaller water droplets that can be carried out through the top of the evaporation chamber and evaporated in the surrounding atmosphere.
Yet another object of the present invention to provide a wastewater evaporation system that can be operated by one person.
Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.


A watch with an analog time display has at least one minute hand and one hour hand. This watch is moreover equipped with a fly back hand mechanism which has at least one minute fly back hand and/or hour fly back hand located coaxially to the hands of the normal time display. In the normal mode, the fly back hand or hands is/are moved synchronously with the hands of the normal time display and relative to them in an overlapping position. They can be stopped in a timer mode for marking of any instant of time and after expiry of any time interval, for again synchronously running with the hands of the normal time display. The actuated coupling of the fly back hand mechanism is located preferably non-coaxially to the axis of the motion work of the watch.

The prior art in this respect includes especially chronographs which have a fly back hand function. In this case the fly back hand mechanism is generally used to temporarily stop the timer hand during the timing process, while the measurement process continues in order to allow it to then jump to the measured total time. This is for example the case in order to allow reliable reading of intermediate times while the measurement of the end time continues for the time being. Usually either the normal time display is omitted in these watches, the watch thus being purely a timer, or the timing function is implemented in a separate auxiliary display. Thus, in many applications, the desired information must first be laboriously computed from the information of the normal time display and the measurement of the auxiliary display, and it is usually not possible to directly read the absolute time of the start or end of an event.
Therefore there are also watches with normal analog time indication, which have additional hands which can be moved to a desired position at a certain instant and then directly indicate the relationship and the time difference from the current time.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 1,790,359 describes for example a device by means of which a watch with conventional time indication by means of minute and hour hands can be equipped with additional minute and hour hands in order to indicate the time difference between the instant of the start of an event and the current time. The additional minute and hour hands are manually set in this case, therefore the position of the additional minute and hour hands is always stationary as long as they are not manually moved. The use of such a manual device is obviously tedious, time-consuming and disruptive in normal reading of the time.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,248 describes a watch with the same purpose, i.e. a watch which simultaneously allows both normal time indication and also the measurement of a time difference, which is therefore neither a timer nor a completely normal watch, but integrates the two functions in one display. The means which are used for this purpose and primarily the manner of operation are different here.
The watch which is proposed in this patent on the one hand has one additional minute hand which is located coaxially to the hands of the normal time display and which can be moved out of a stationary normal position into the current position of the normal minute hand by actuating a pushbutton. There it remains stationary again in order to mark the start of an event. The step of setting of the additional hand to the current time can be carried out according to the document by means of a conventional fly back hand mechanism.
On the other hand, the described watch has a ring with a marking and a scale which can be turned coaxially around the dial in order to mark for example the end of the event and thus to integrate a "count-down" function.
While this watch thus simultaneously allows normal time indication and also the measurement of the time difference, a fly back hand mechanism for moving the additional minute hand being proposed, the reading of the corresponding displays is not optimum to the extent that the additional minute hand as mentioned has only stationary positions and therefore quite adversely affects the reading process of normal time indication when its time measurement and marking function is not being used. Namely, this hand remains in the position in which it was used last and therefore is continually visible on the dial as a disruptive element.

Watch with fly back hand function and corresponding fly back hand mechanism


A multi-layer film substrate comprising at least two laminated insulating layers composed of a polyimide having a low thermal expansion, wherein an adhesion layer composed of an Si-containing or SiO.sub.2 -dispersed polyimide is interposed between the low thermal expansion polyimide layers. The substrate is produced by laminating at least two insulating layers composed of a polyimide having a low thermal expansion, wherein the low thermal expansion polyimide layers are laminated through an adhesion layer composed of an Si-containing or SiO.sub.2 -dispersed polyimide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-layer film substrate and a process for the production thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-layer film substrate comprising an insulating layer composed of a polyimide having a low thermal expansion, and a process for the production thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the production of a multi-layer film printed layer, a polyimide is generally used as an insulating interlayer. This polyimide is formed by polymerization of an acid anhydride and a diamine, and a process in which a photosensitive group is given to the polyimide and the polyimide is processed by light exposure and development, a process in which the polyimide in the half-imide state is dissolved in a resist liquid developer, and a process in which a polyimidized film is processed by RIE (reactive ion etching) using a mask of SiO.sub.2 or the like, have been adopted.
Nevertheless, this polyimide has a large thermal expansion, and at the polyimidization termination point, a tensile stress of 3.5 to 4.5 kg/mm.sup.2 is imposed on the substrate, and therefore, the polyimide is defective in that, since the substrate is influenced by the tensile stress whereby a film printed pattern is damaged, the number of layers that can be laminated is limited.
Under these circumstances, there is an urgent need in the art for the provision of a multi-layer film substrate wherein the number of layers can be increased.
As the multi-layer film substrate in which the thermal expansion is reduced and an interfacial peeling is prevented, there has been proposed a multi-layer film substrate in which a polyimide having a small thermal expansion coefficient is used as the insulating layer.
In this multi-layer film substrate comprising an insulating layer of a low thermal expansion type polyimide, since the molecular structure of the polyimide is a rigid linear structure, molecule chains arranged in parallel form mica-like bonds. Therefore, this polyimide is defective in that the adhesion is extremely poor.

Multi-layer film substrate and process for production thereof


A network system which comprises a plurality of networks, a single or a plurality of terminal devices connected to each of the plurality of networks, and a plurality of manager units for relaying data transferred between the terminal devices and for transmitting to the networks broadcasting communication data having a destination address for broadcasting and also having its own address to be used as a transmission originator, which is arranged to reduce the useless holding of routing information on decision of a communication path in the system so as to minimize the necessary memory capacity of each terminal device, monitors an elapse time after acquisition of the routing information and an elapse time after the last utilization thereof and, when any one of these elapse times exceeds their predetermined threshold times, deletes the associated routing information and its related information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to network systems for establishing data communication between a plurality of networks such as internetworks and more particularly, to an implementation of a network system which has a function of suitably updating routing information on the decision of communication path and can efficiently manage a minimum amount of routing information.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 7 shows a logical configuration of this sort of conventional network system referred to the above. In the drawing, terminal devices E11, E12, E21 . . . are connected to networks A, B, and C. A manager unit R11 is connected to the networks A and B to transfer data between these networks the shortest route. On the other hand, a manager unit R12 is connected to the networks A and C to transfer data between these networks by the shortest route.
For example, when it is desired to transmit data from the terminal device E11 to the terminal device E21, the terminal device E11 asks the manager unit R11 to relay and transmit the data to the terminal device E21 through the manager unit R11 the shortest route between the networks A and B. in this way, for the purpose of transmitting data by the shortest route, each of the terminal devices previously stores therein the shortest routes from the network connected to its own to the other networks. When data transmission is required, the associated terminal device selects one of the shortest routes according to its destination terminal device, and asks one of the manager units which provides the selected shortest route to relay and transmit the data. The manager units find the shortest routes between the respective networks and broadcast the data as routing information from the manager units to the respective terminal devices. Each terminal device stores the routing information in a routing table located therein. Since the logical configuration of a network system varies from time to time, the routing information is updated as necessary and periodically broadcast to the terminal devices. Accordingly, each terminal device periodically receives the latest routing information and stores it in the table for management.
If the terminal device cannot receive such broadcast routing information for some reason for a period of time, then the information already stored in the routing table of the terminal device is not updated, i.e., becomes old and loses a value as information. In other words, the terminal device continues to possess the old information.
In order to update the routing information held in each terminal device, there has been suggested such a routing information updating system in which each terminal device per se issues an update request on the routing information (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2-143759).
However, this system of the above Publication, which is arranged to hold all routing information, is defective in that, when the network system is enlarged in scale or made complicated, this undesirably leads to a very large amount of routing information. For this reason, the prior art system has had a problem that it becomes difficult for each terminal device to secure a memory area enough to store the routing information and management cost becomes high.
Also, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2-143746, there has been suggested a routing information managing system in which each terminal device extracts a necessary route from routing information transmitted from a manger and stores only the extracted route therein for management. This processing system is advantageous in that an information memory area can be reduced since the terminal device is required to store therein only the necessary route extracted from the routing information, but is disadvantageous in that the terminal device still holds the old useless information because the terminal device cannot judge the validation of the information already held therein.

Network system having function of updating routing information


A user interface, system, method and software for displaying a simulated three-dimensional display of menu options to a user, thereby maximizing use of a display's real estate by presenting all available options at once while at the same time presenting certain options in a more pronounced manner. The system monitors for running applications, polls the running applications for any available options, and displays the options in the simulated three-dimensional format. With this type of dynamic menu, standard means for bringing focus to a selectable target create complexities, and are thus avoided by designing the system's cursor to duplicate the appearance of the selected target's shape, preferably in a smaller size.

Today, computers are drastically more complex than the computers from a year ago. With this growth in hardware complexity has been an equal, if not greater, growth in software complexity. By being able to build onto previously developed applications, software designers have been able to easily increase the number of options available from any given application.
The problem with this advancement in software is that trying to gain access to, or become aware of, all the options available to a user is nearly impossible unless the user has some prior knowledge. With computer display space at a premium, many software developers include these expanded features into hierarchical menus that many users, especially novice users, liken to a maze. Other software developers attempt to give the user a display of all the available options by creating a multitude of icons representing each option. The problem with this method is that as these options, and their corresponding icons, grow in number, display space remains limited. A desktop with too many icons creates a disorganized and difficult-to-decipher workspace. One could simply make the icons smaller. However, that would limit their ability to convey their presence to a user, not to mention make them more difficult to read, move, or select.
The utility that has spawned the popularity of computers today is the graphical user interface, or GUI. As is well known, GUIs offer the user an array of options, typically in the form of icons, which are selected and the underlying applications executed with the aid of a cursor controlled by a pointing device such as a mouse. In many GUIs today, there is such a myriad of graphics and text that it is easy to become confused as to what are selectable options that can be executed, and what are just images placed in the display to make the operating environment more appealing to the eye. To overcome this confusion, many cursors have a function integrated into them that will present a response when the cursor is in contact with an option that is selectable. The cursor in these systems will not respond if the user moves the cursor over an object that is displayed merely for looks. A typical response from the cursor to identify these selectable options, or hotspots, is to highlight the object by making it darker, brighter, larger, or sometimes by making it move. Although this helps the user to a certain extent, there remains a problem with newer, more advanced GUI technology.
With the advent of animated menus, the user can now see a myriad of options scrolling or spinning within the display. This method of displaying enables a GUI to present more options to a user while occupying only a small amount of display space real estate. The constant motion, changing of shape, and changing of size of these selectable targets also presents a problem for the conventional methods of target highlighting mentioned above. To configure the animated display to further change the appearance of the moving targets in the presence of a cursor would be very problematic, if not impossible. However, there is another way for these GUIs to be further enhanced.
While highlighting and presenting dialog boxes can be helpful to a user to a certain extent, a more informative and indicative highlighting operation is possible. By allowing the cursor to change shapes in response to the cursor, either at rest or in motion, being present on a hotspot or selectable option, the user interface and the included moving display can be made more helpful and informative. To further enhance this change of cursor utility, one could configure the cursor's change in such a way that the reshaped cursor is actually a miniature representation of the original hotspot over which the cursor is hovering.
Accordingly, what is needed is: an option display system that allows large quantities of options to be displayed while requiring a minimal amount of display space real estate, an option display system that systematically presents options to a user without any interaction, an option display system that maintains the most current available options in view of a user, an option display system that can provide additional information upon request about a displayed option, an option display system capable of clearly indicating a cursor's contact with a selectable option, and an option display system that incorporates all of the above and still allows the user to utilize the remainder of the display space to operate other applications.

Simulated three-dimensional navigational menu system


A plastic lid having a cavity portion is put to cover a pedestal from its front-surface side to its side-surface side, the pedestal having a semiconductor chip mounted thereon. An adhesive agent is charged into a space between the plastic lid and the pedestal so as to bond the plastic lid with the pedestal. Accordingly, a window frame is not necessary, corona discharge treatment or the like is not necessary, and it is therefore not necessary to use a B-stage thermosetting adhesive agent to thereby reduce the manufacturing cost of a semiconductor device of a hollow package structure having such a plastic lid. If a UV radiation setting adhesive agent or a visible radiation setting adhesive agent is used as the adhesive agent, cure time in bonding can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor device and a mold for manufacturing the same and, more particularly, is directed to a semiconductor device having a hollow package structure or the like, such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) area sensor integrated circuit, a CCD linear sensor integrated circuit, and so on, and a mold for manufacturing such a device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, in a semiconductor device having a solid-state image pickup device, such as a CCD linear sensor, a CCD area sensor or the like, a light transmissive member has been disposed so as to be opposite to an element formation surface (hereinafter simply referred to as "surface") of a semiconductor chip in order not only to protect the surface of the semiconductor chip but also to make light incident thereon. Plate glass is generally employed as such a light transmissive member.
FIG. 1 shows the sectional configuration of a conventional semiconductor device having a hollow package structure.
In the semiconductor device of FIG. 1, an inner lead of each lead frame 3 is wire-bonded with a wire 28 to a semiconductor chip 2 which is die-bonded onto a ceramic pedestal 1. A so-called window frame 4, which is a rectangular ring-like thin plate made of ceramic, is disposed and fixed to cover the surrounding of the inner leads. A rectangular transparent glass (hereinafter referred to as "cover glass" in accordance with connection) 5 is disposed and fixed onto the upper surface of the window frame 4. In this case, low melting-point glass 51 is used for providing a fixed connection between the pedestal 1 and the lead frames 3 and between the lead frames 3 and the window frame 4, and a thermosetting epoxy B-stage adhesive agent 6 is used for providing a fixed connection between the window frame 4 and the cover glass 5.
FIG. 2 shows the partially omitted sectional configuration of another conventional semiconductor device having a hollow package structure. In FIG. 2, parts the same as those in FIG. 1 are referenced correspondingly.
The semiconductor device of FIG. 2 has a tape 10 of a TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) system (hereinafter simply referred to as "TAB tape" in accordance with connection). This TAB tape 10 has, as well known, a four-layer structure of a polyimide base film 11, an adhesive agent 12, an inner lead 13 and a solder resist 14.
A wire is cut in a neck portion of a gold ball to form a gold bump on an aluminum (hereinafter abbreviated to "Al") pad on the surface of the semiconductor chip 2. This gold bump and the inner lead 13 of the TAB tape 10 are connected by gold-to-gold bonding (so-called single point bonding). Thereafter, the cover glass 5 is bonded to the base film 11 with a low-temperature-setting B-stage adhesive agent 7. The back of the semiconductor chip 2 is also sealed with resin 15.
A camera-incorporated VTR or the like, uses such a semiconductor device having a hollow package structure, in order to realize high performance operation, to reduce the size, weight and cost, and to improve the mechanical strength and accuracy.
To this end, recently, in the field of semiconductor device having a hollow package structure, investigation has been made as to possible production of the cover glass 5 with plastics (so-called transparent plastic lid which will be referred hereinafter to as "plastic lid") in order to attain improvement in optical characteristics, reduction in weight and in cost, and so on by improvement in the accuracy of attachment to a semiconductor chip.
However, with respect to the semiconductor device shown in FIG. 1, as a practical plastic material satisfying optical specification, there is no suitable adhesive agent other than amorphous polyolefine resin which has no polar radical. Therefore, it is necessary to perform surface treatment such as corona discharge treatment or the like upon a plastic lid made by such a material. As a result, production costs cannot be reduced. In addition, even if such bonding can be attained, there is one-digit difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the plastic lid and the ceramic pedestal 1. Therefore, there problems such as separation, and deterioration of air-tightness, and so on in temperature cycles occur, so that the development of practical plastic lids has not been possible.
Although bonding performed by an ultra-violet-ray (hereinafter abbreviated to "UV") radiation setting or a visible-ray radiation setting adhesive agent has been considered without using a thermosetting adhesive agent, these adhesive agents are generally in a liquid phase (A-stage). Therefore, gas released at the time of UV or visible light curing and at the time of after-baking adheres to the inside of a plastic lid in the hollow portion or an effective pixel region of the surface of a semiconductor chip such as a CCD area sensor or the like. Accordingly there has been a unevenness of sensitivity and deterioration of quality. Further, potential shift, discoloration of color filters and so on caused by charge-up of the semiconductor chip 2 at the time of UV radiation may occur.
On the other hand, in the semiconductor device shown in the example of FIG. 2, when the semiconductor chip 2 is sealed with the resin 15, it is possible that the semiconductor chip 2 may move while being sealed with the resin 15, in the case where the semiconductor chip 2 is, for example, a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD linear sensor, a CCD area sensor or the like, because the number of the inner leads 13 connected to the semiconductor chip 2 is about 14. If the semiconductor chip 2 is moved, the surface of the semiconductor chip 2 is no longer parallel with the cover glass 5, so that the optical focus is no longer sharp which make the quality deteriorate or alternatively the inner leads may break off.
Moreover, in each of the semiconductor devices of FIGS. 1 and 2, .alpha. rays generated from impurities contained in the cover glass 5 acting as a lid are radiated onto the surface of the semiconductor chip 2, so that a dark current is produced in a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD linear sensor, a CCD area sensor or the like due to so-called damage by the .alpha. rays. Particularly in the semiconductor device of FIG. 2, since the resin 15 exists on and above the surface of the semiconductor chip 2, a dark current is produced by .alpha. rays generated from glass beads mixed as filler in the resin 15.

Air-packed CCD images package and a mold for manufacturing thereof


A cooling structure for cooling a heat generating element allows cooling fluid to circulate around the heat generating element or a base material with the heat generating element disposed thereon. The cooling structure is provided with a vortex-flow generating portion which extends in a direction intersecting a circulation direction of the cooling fluid, and which generates a vortex flow depending on the flow rate of cooling fluid.

This kind of technology in the prior art includes a "cooling device" as disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2003-8264. The cooling device disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2003-8264 includes a plurality of heat dissipation members extending in the direction away from an electronic component. Cooling fluid is allowed to pass through between the respective heat dissipation members, thereby cooling the electronic component. The heat dissipation member is designed to have its length decreased as the heat transfer temperature of heat generated by the electronic component becomes lower.
It is described that the heat dissipation members are formed to become shorter from the center of the electric component toward the end thereof and along the flow direction of the cooling fluid.
However, the cooling device disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2003-8264 includes the heat dissipation members extending in the direction away from the electronic component, and is designed to cool the electronic component by increasing a flow contact area with the heat dissipation member, which might inhibit reduction in size of the cooling device.

Cooling structure, vortex-flow forming plate molding apparatus, and method for molding vortex-flow generating portion


The present invention provides a method of preparing a 5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide of formula (1)

1. Field of the Invention
This invention provides a method of preparing a heterocyclic carbon compound containing, as the sole ring heteroatom, a nitrogen atom attached to two benzene rings. More specifically, the invention provides a method of preparing a 5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide.
2. Description of Related Art
10-oxo-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide (oxcarbazepine) is used to control some types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy (Ziao, K., Reiner, J., and Xie, W., Frontiers of Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, 2:331–332). A number of methods to synthesize oxcarbazepine are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,058 (the '058 patent) discloses the following reaction scheme for the preparation of oxcarbazepine:

In this process, oxcarbazepine (III) is prepared by direct carbamoylation with isocyanic acid generated in situ from an alkali or alkaline-earth metal cyanate and a mineral or carboxylic acid, followed by acid hydrolysis of the enol ether (II). In each working example, the carbamoylation reaction was conducted at a temperature of ≧40° C., and took at least 4–24 hours.
The concentrated acid reagents employed in the method of the '058 patent are caustic and must be handled with extreme care. Moreover, many of the suggested acids, such as trichloroacetic acid, are costly.
According to EP 1 302 464 A1 (the '464 application), another drawback of the carbamoylation reaction disclosed in the '058 patent is that it creates a number of byproducts that make it difficult to purify the prepared oxcarbazepine. The '464 application attempts to solve that problem by replacing the mineral acid or carboxylic acid of the '058 patent with an aromatic carboxylic acid, such as benzoic acid. However, each example in the '464 application was performed at a temperature of at least 85° C., and reported yields were only 28% to 49%.
A need exists for a method of preparing a 5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide from safe, inexpensive, easy to handle reagents, wherein the reaction proceeds in high yield without producing byproducts that are difficult to separate.

Method of preparing a 5H-dibenz(b,f)azepine-5-carboxamide

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, A, —CO(A), —OCO(A), —O(A), —N(A)2, —CON(A)2, and —COO(A), wherein A is selected from the group consisting of C1–C10 alkyl, C3–C10 cycloalkyl, C2–C10 alkenyl, C5–C10 cycloalkenyl, C2–C10 alkynyl, and C6–C20 aryl, wherein the two A groups of —N(A)2 and —CON(A)2 can be the same or different, and wherein R2 and R3 can together form a bond; comprising reacting a 5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine of formula (2)

Abstract: with a) a cyanate salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cyanate salts and alkaline-earth metal cyanate salts, and b) a salt of an amino compound having no N—H bonds, wherein the salt has a Ka (25° C.) of at least about 10×10−11.


A method for fusing a ball-striking plate with a golf club head case comprises a first step in which a metal head case is prepared such that the metal head case is provided with a recess having a shoulder. A metal ball-striking plate is also prepared such that the ball-striking plate is corresponding in size and shape to the recess of the head case. A welding material is arranged on the shoulder of the recess of the head case before the ball-striking plate is arranged in the recess of the head case. The head case containing the ball-striking plate is then baked in an oven at a temperature higher than the melting point of the welding material, thereby resulting in the fusion of the ball-striking plate with the head case by the molten welding material.

The conventional method for fusing a ball-striking plate of a titanium alloy material with a golf club head case of a stainless steel material is generally composed of the formation of a recess in the club head case to accommodate the ball-striking plate, which is then fused to the club head case by welding. Such a conventional method as described above is defective in design in that the ball-striking plate is fused securely with the case, and that there is always a small slit formed between the ball-striking plate and the case, and further that the fused area of the ball-striking plate and the case is vulnerable to crack caused by the impact of a ball hitting the ball-striking late, and still further that the weld mark left on the welded area must be removed by an additional finishing work which results in an increase in the cost of making the golf club head.

Method for fusing a ball-striking plate with a golf club head case

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