A nozzle (10) for emitting water, for the purpose of extinguishing fires for example, generally includes a main housing (12) for housing a barrel (62), a deflector (64), and a carrier (60). The barrel (62) supports the deflector (64) and is disposed inside of the carrier (60). When water is supplied to the nozzle (10), a locking pin (59) engages a helical groove (80) on the carrier (60). When the locking pin (59) is engaged, rotation of a spray ring assembly (18) coaxially installed around the upstream end of the nozzle (10) causes the carrier (60) and the spray ring assembly (18) to translate forward or to retract, depending on the direction of the rotation. When the carrier (60) and the spray ring assembly (18) are translated forward to the jet position, water exits the nozzle (10) as a concentrated jet stream. When the carrier (60) and the spray ring assembly (18) are retracted to the fog position, water exits the nozzle (10) as a less concentrated water spray. If the water pressure falls below a predetermined level, the locking pin (59) disengages and a carrier spring (90) between the barrel (62) and the carrier (60) causes the carrier (60) and the spray ring assembly (18) to automatically retract to the fog position.

Commercial fire fighting nozzles for emitting water, such as those used on petroleum oil rigs, are typically adjustable between a jet position and a fog position. Such a nozzle may be secured to a hand-line, i.e. a hose, or to a monitor, i.e. a fixed structure. In the jet position, the nozzle emits a concentrated jet stream of water, whereas in the fog position, the nozzle emits a less concentrated, dispersed water spray. Hoses to which a nozzle is secured experience substantial backlash forces, and tend to whip violently if not restrained. The backlash is ameliorated when the nozzle is in the fog position. Upon loss of water pressure, it is desirable for the nozzle to automatically assume the fog position. Automatic return to the fog position upon loss of water pressure elminates hazardous situations that would otherwise arise if the nozzle were in the jet position when the water pressure subsequently returns.
One type of conventional nozzle has an inner tubular body that is moved longitudinally within an outer tubular body, such as the nozzle disclosed in WO 95/17926 applied for by Norfass A.S. in the name of inventor David A. Hill. This nozzle has several drawbacks. To assume the jet position, the inner body, along with a flow deflector, translates in a direction opposite of the flow of the water. Therefore, the inner body and the deflector must overcome the water pressure, making it more difficult to assume the jet position. Furthermore, this nozzle has a large number of parts, thereby adding to its complexity.


A method of flavoring a filter plug wrap of a smoking article, such as a cigarette, is disclosed. Furthermore, a method of incorporating flavoring into the plug wrap and using the plug wrap to wrap the filter of the smoking article is disclosed. A smoking article and a filter having a flavored filter plug wrap are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods of applying or incorporating cigarette flavoring into the filter plug wrap, the flavoring being semi-encapsulated, and a smoking article and filter resulting therefrom. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods whereby the filter plug wrap is flavored such that some of the flavoring will stay on the filter plug wrap and some of the flavoring will migrate into the filter plug, the cigarette paper, and the tobacco, and a smoking article and filter resulting therefrom.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flavor and aroma are important characteristics of smoking articles, such as cigarettes. Current methods of incorporating flavors into cigarettes involve spraying flavoring onto tobacco, inserting flavor pellets into the filter, inserting flavored string, injecting flavors into the filter, spraying flavoring onto the cigarette paper, or placing flavored strips inside the cigarette. Furthermore, certain cigarettes have filter segments which incorporate flavorants.
For example, U.S. Patent Pub. No 2002/0166563, invented by Jupe et al., teaches a flavorant added to carbon in a cigarette filter by spraying flavorant upon a batch of activated carbon in a mixing drum or in a fluidized bed with nitrogen as the fluidizing agent, wherein flavorant may then be sprayed onto the carbon in the bed. The carbon is placed in an area in the filter. Carbon, however, often yields an undesirable metallic flavor. Also, carbon often absorbs flavors in the mainstream smoke while smoking. Further, because of the volatile nature of some flavorants and aromas, they are often "lost" at least in part during cigarette manufacturing, packaging, and storage. Therefore, it is often necessary to increase the initial content of flavorants and aromas to compensate for the dissipated flavor and aroma, which is costly.
A smoking article with a flavor element suspended in a binding agent is desired. Flavor suspended in a binding agent is known in the art. Perhaps the most well-known example is LISTERINE® ORAL CARE STRIPS, the fast dissolving orally consumable films used to deliver flavors such as cinnamon and mint, breath deodorizing agents, and antimicrobial agents. U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,298, issued to Leung, et al., teaches a rapidly dissolving oral film comprised of flavors and antimicrobial agents suspended in binding agents selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, pullulan, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polyethylene glycol, xanthum gum, tragacanth gum, guar gum, acacia gum, arabic gum, polyacrylic acid, methylmethacrylate copolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer, amylose, high amylose starch, hydroxypropylated high amylose starch, dextrine, pectin, chitin, chitosan, levan, elsinan, collagen, gelatin, zein, gluten, soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, casein, and mixtures thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,493, issued to Dzija, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,740,332, issued to Zyck, et al., teach an edible film for oral cleansing and breath freshening having maltodextrines, fillers (e.g., microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)), and hydrocolloids (e.g., sodium alginate) as film forming agents.
A smoking article with a flavor element capable of flavoring the smoking article that is efficient to produce and yields a favored flavor is desired. Also, a smoking article with a flavor element that will not diminish during cigarette manufacturing, packaging, and storage is desired.

Flavoring a cigarette by using a flavored filter plug wrap


Motor protection for air conditioning and refrigeration compressors includes in a first embodiment a cluster block (22) having a seat for a hermetic motor protector (24, 24') and mounting a combination terminal/fusible link (26/26d, 26d') in which the motor protector and combination terminal/fusible link can be exposed to cooling fluid contained in the compressor container and the cluster block is mounted on a lead-through pin (18a) of a header (18) in the container wall. In a second embodiment the cluster block (30) is mounted on all three pins (18a, 18b, 18c) of header (18) with pin connectors received in parallel extending channels (30a, 30b, 30c) of the cluster block. In another embodiment the cluster block (40) is irregular in configuration in order to accommodate available space in certain compressor containers and has a lid (40g) to enclose the motor protector. In another embodiment a base member (52) is tied directly to the stator winding and has a snap-on member (58) to capture the motor protector (24) in the motor protector seat.

This invention relates generally to electric motors and more particularly to the use of current and temperature responsive devices for deenergizing a motor in the event of fault conditions.
Hermetically sealed refrigerator and air conditioning compressor systems typically mount a compressor and an electrical motor for operating the compressor within a fluid-filled, hermetically sealed container. Lead-through pins extend through a wall of the container in sealed, electrically insulated relation to the wall and to each other to electrically connect the motor in an electrical circuit for operating the compressor. A motor protector is mounted inside the container to be thermally responsive to a rise in temperature of the motor as might result from the occurrence of a fault condition in the motor. Typically, the protector is also connected in the motor circuit in such a way that it is responsive to overcurrent conditions in the motor such as might result from such fault conditions to also interrupt operation of the motor for preventing overheating of the motor.
Motor protectors open the power circuit when either the motor temperature exceeds selected limits or when the motor draws excessive current, either from running overload or locked rotor conditions or a combination of the two conditions. In normal operation, the appliance in which compressors are used rarely experience a protector trip in which the power circuit is opened and the motor protector provides protection against motor failure and a possible fire from an overheated motor for the life of the appliance. Occasionally, due to some abnormal condition, the motor protector, which is automatically resettable, will periodically cycle. The fault condition, if left uncorrected, can eventually cause the motor protector to reach its useful life and fail. Failure is typically manifested by the electric contacts within the protector welding closed due to arcing and subsequent welding. When this happens, the branch circuit protection is relied on to interrupt the supply of power to the appliance. If, for some reason, the branch circuit protection does not open the circuit to the overheated appliance, a danger of fire or other catastrophic condition could occur. Eventual catastrophic failure occurs when the insulation between the motor windings and ground breaks down, due to high heat, and the windings short to ground or turn to turn shorts are formed resulting in a current surge of several hundred or more amperes. This can cause the failure of other components in the current path, such as the glass of a glass sealed, electrical feed through header. As a result, high pressure hot refrigerant gas and lubricating oil could be vented out of the compressor container. In order to prevent this from happening it is known to provide a fusible link placed inside the hermetic motor protector connected in series with the contacts. The link is designed to melt and permanently open the circuit when the current going to the motor exceeds every condition prior to a short circuit to ground, typically the burn-out current is some 25 percent higher than the worst case of normal locked rotor current and is continuous, not intermittent due to the protector cycling.
However, in this approach the thermostatic disc inside the protector must be formed with a higher operating temperature than for comparable thermostatic discs in protectors that do not also contain a fusible link to compensate for the heat generated by the fusible link. The higher stresses required to form a thermostatic snap acting disc with a higher operating temperature can lead to shorter life expectancy of the disc. Due to the higher temperature at which the disc must be calibrated, the thermostatic metal can fatigue and go into creep action with subsequent welding of the contacts. This is particularly true, for example, where momentary power interruptions occur during compressor operation which can result in locked rotor conditions.

Overcurrent protection apparatus for refrigeration and conditioning compressor systems


An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, a light source driving unit that turns on the light source according to image information, a deflector that deflects and scans a light beam emitted from the light source according to sinusoidal vibration, and a scanning/imaging optical system that guides the light beam from the deflector to a scanned surface. The scanning/imaging optical system satisfies two conditions, i.e., (1) provided that the deflector moves in such a manner that an angular velocity is constant, linearity is made larger at a most peripheral image height than at a central image height within a range of an effective writing width, and (2) when a deflection angle of the deflector has a sinusoidal characteristic, the linearity is made smaller at the most peripheral image height than at the central image height within the range of the effective writing width.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an optical scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a deflection mirror (vibration mirror) which is applicable to, for example, optical scanning apparatuses, light-scanning type display devices, and in-vehicle laser radar apparatuses, an optical scanning apparatus which includes such a deflection mirror, and an image forming apparatus, such as a digital copier, a printer, a plotter, and a facsimile that includes the above optical scanning apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally known optical scanning apparatus deflects a light beam using a deflector such as a light deflecting unit, focuses the deflected light beam on a scanned surface as a minute spot-beam, and scans the scanned surface in a main scanning direction at a constant speed. Such an optical scanning apparatus is applied to various image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers, laser beam plotters, facsimiles, and digital copiers, as a latent image writer. The optical scanning apparatus deflects and reflects a laser beam emitted from a laser light source using a light deflecting unit, for example, thereby scanning a scanned surface of an image carrier, for example. Simultaneously with the scanning, the optical scanning apparatus modulates the intensity of the laser beam (for example, by turning on and off the laser beam) according to image signals. Thus the optical scanning apparatus writes an image onto the scanned surface.
One type of widely used light deflecting units is a rotary polygon mirror (i.e., polygon scanner) that rotates at a constant speed. The rotary polygon mirror, however, is large, and its high-speed mechanical rotation generates vibrations which induce various inconveniences such as banding, temperature rise, noises, and increase in power consumption. Another light deflecting unit proposed is a micro mirror which has a resonant structure undergoing sinusoidal vibration based on a micro machine technology. When the micro mirror is employed as the deflector of the optical scanning apparatus, the optical scanning apparatus can be downsized and the above-listed inconveniences such as banding, temperature rise, noises, and increased power consumption caused by the vibrations can be significantly reduced.
In brief, when the micro mirror which undergoes sinusoidal vibration is employed in an image forming apparatus instead of the polygon mirror, a less-noisy, less power consuming, and environment-friendly image forming apparatus suitable for office environment can be provided.
When the micro mirror is employed as the deflector and undergoes sinusoidal vibrations, deflection angle varies in a sinusoidal manner. Currently, an f-theta lens is generally used in a writing optical system. However, when the micro mirror is employed as the deflector together with the f-theta lens in a scanning/imaging optical system, scanning speed slows near a peripheral image height and is not constant over the scanned surface. When the constant velocity characteristic of the scanning is degraded, the image becomes distorted at peripheral portions thereof in the main scanning direction, whereby the image quality lowers.
To deal with the problem described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-215571 proposes an optical scanning apparatus including a scanning/imaging optical system whose imaging characteristic (farcsin characteristic) can be represented by a following equation (1):H=K×sin−1(φ/2φ0)  (1),where H represents image height, K represents proportionality factor, φ represents swing angle, and φ0 represents amplitude. Using the above scanning/imaging optical system, the optical scanning apparatus optically corrects a waist position of a main scanning light beam so as to realize a wide effective writing width and a favorable constant velocity characteristic of the scanning. In the disclosed optical scanning apparatus, however, when the optical correction is performed as described above, a spot diameter of the main scanning light beam on the scanned surface deviates more widely corresponding to the image height, thereby degrading the image quality.
In the optical scanning apparatus using the micro mirror undergoing the sinusoidal vibrations as a deflector, there is a trade-off between the constant velocity characteristic of the scanning and the deviation of the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam on the scanned surface corresponding to the image height. No optical scanning apparatus so far has realized favorable characteristics for both so as to realize high-quality image formation.
An optical scanning apparatus according to one embodiment described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-215571 decreases the deviation of the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam on the scanned surface corresponding to the image height, by using a scanning/imaging optical system which has the same level of sensitivity of a focusing position relative to an incident angle of a light beam to the deflector at a central image height and at a peripheral image height, in other words, which has the same scanning speed at a central image height and at a peripheral image height, or which makes the sensitivity (i.e., the scanning speed) lower (slower) at the peripheral image height than at the central image height. In other words, the optical scanning apparatus reduces the deviation in the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam on the scanned surface corresponding to the image height by using the scanning/imaging optical system whose linearity is substantially zero for all image heights on the scanned surface or whose linearity is biased towards a negative side at the peripheral image height. However, every embodiment disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-215571 has problems as described below and has not succeeded in solving the problems mentioned above.
In a first embodiment of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-215571, the deflector determines the width of the main scanning light beam. Therefore, the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam is larger at the peripheral image height than at the central image height on the scanned surface. The first embodiment corrects the deviation in the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam by giving the scanning/imaging optical system such a characteristic that the linearity is deteriorated, in other words, that the linearity is biased towards the negative side even further than the linearity of the apparatus employing an f-theta lens as the deflector. In the first embodiment, though the deviation of the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam corresponding to the image height is favorably corrected, the constancy of the scanning speed is significantly degraded because the linearity is made excessively negative even in comparison with the case where f-theta lens is employed as the deflector. Thus, high-quality images cannot be obtained.
In an optical scanning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-215571, in which the deflector determines the width of the main scanning light beam, the f-theta lens is employed in the scanning/imaging optical system, and the swing angle of the micro mirror which serves as the deflector and undergoes the sinusoidal vibration is set smaller than maximum amplitude. When the swing angle of the micro mirror is small, linear changes become dominant over sinusoidal changes in the deflection speed variations. Thus, the scanning speed is made sufficiently constant, and the deviation in the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam corresponding to the image height is corrected to a favorable level. However, since the swing angle of the micro mirror is small, an effective writing width for image formation cannot be secured without a long distance between the micro mirror and the scanned surface. This requirement makes the optical scanning apparatus larger, limiting the overall dimension of the apparatus.
In an optical scanning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-215571, which is similarly configured to an apparatus shown in FIG. 1, an f-theta lens is employed in the scanning/imaging optical system. In this case, the scanning speed slows at the peripheral image height as described earlier, and the scanning speed cannot be made constant over the scanned surface. When the constancy of the scanning speed is not sufficient, the image is sometimes distorted at the peripheral portion in the main scanning direction, degrading the image quality.
Further, in optical scanning apparatuses described in Japanese Patent Applications Laid-Open Nos. 2002-258204 and 2002-82303, a micro mirror which undergoes sinusoidal vibration is used as the deflector. The described optical scanning apparatuses do not optically correct the waist position of the main scanning light beam by using a scanning/imaging optical system which has the imaging characteristic as represented by the equation (1), but makes the swing angle of the micro mirror smaller relative to the maximum amplitude. As described above, in this case, the linear changes become dominant over sinusoidal changes in the deflection speed variations. Therefore, the scanning speed is made sufficiently constant, and the deviation of the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam according to image height is corrected to a favorable level. However, because of the reduced swing angle of the micro mirror, the optical scanning apparatus is required to be larger to secure an effective writing width necessary for image formation. Thus, there is a limitation on the overall dimension of the apparatus.
In order to realize a high image quality and downsizing of the optical scanning apparatus and the image forming apparatus, the optical scanning apparatus is required to realize constancy in the scanning speed on the scanned surface, and an acceptable level of deviation in the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam when scanning the scanned surface with the light beams deflected and reflected by the light deflecting unit. At the same time, the optical scanning apparatus is required to have a predetermined effective writing width necessary for image formation. These requirements need to be satisfied similarly by an optical scanning apparatus including a deflection mirror which utilizes resonance as mentioned earlier.
Conventionally, an optical scanning apparatus realizes a predetermined effective writing width and a favorable constancy in scanning speed by using a scanning/imaging optical system having an imaging characteristic as represented by the equation (1), and optically correcting the waist position of the main scanning light beam:H=K×sin−1(φ/2φ0)  (1),where H represents image height, K represents proportionality factor, φ represents swing angle, and φ0 represents amplitude. When the scanning/imaging optical system having the imaging characteristic represented by the equation (1) is employed, however, the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam becomes deviated corresponding to the image height as is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-258204.
Further, when the scanning/imaging optical system which has imaging characteristics of the f-theta lens and which scans the scanned surface at a constant speed using the light beam deflected and reflected by a deflector such as a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed is employed in a writing optical system which uses a deflection mirror that undergoes sinusoidal vibration utilizing the resonance, the deviation in the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam on the scanned surface corresponding to the image height can be reduced while the predetermined effective writing width is secured. However, the linearity on the scanned surface is significantly biased toward the negative side, and the constancy of the scanning speed is deteriorated.
Further, when the swing angle of the deflection mirror which undergoes sinusoidal vibration utilizing the resonance is made small, though the constancy of the scanning speed and the deviation of the spot diameter of the main scanning light beam on the scanned surface corresponding to the image height can be made favorable, a larger distance between the deflection mirror and the scanned surface is required to secure a predetermined effective writing width, whereby the apparatus becomes large.

Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus


A computer-implemented method includes selecting a kernel and kernel parameters for a first Support Vector Machine (SVM) model, testing the first SVM model on a feature matrix T of n feature vectors of length m to produce false positive (FP) data set and false negative (FN) data set by a computer processor, wherein n and m are integer numbers, automatically removing feature vectors corresponding to the FP data set from the feature matrix T by the computer processor to produce a feature matrix T_best, retraining the first SVM model on the feature matrix T_best to produce a second SVM model, and checking if a ratio (T_best sample number)/(SVM support vector number) is above a threshold for the second SVM model on T_best. If the ratio is above the threshold, SVM predictions are performed using the second SVM model on the feature matrix T_best.

The wide adoption of smart phones and digital cameras has caused an explosion in the number of digital images. Digital images can be viewed, shared over the Internet, and posted on mobile applications and social networks using computer devices. Images can also be incorporated into the designs of photo products such as photographic prints, greeting cards, photo books, photo calendars, photo mug, photo T-shirt, and so on. In electronic forms or on physical products, images are often mixed with text and other design elements, and laid out in a particular fashion to tell a story.
Digital images often contain significant objects and people's faces. Creating photo blogs or high-quality image products, such as photobooks and greeting cards, naturally requires proper consideration of those objects and people's faces. For example, the most important and relevant people such as family members should have their faces prominently shown in image products while strangers' faces minimized. In another example, while pictures of different faces at a same scene can be included in an image-based product, the pictures of a same person at a same scene should normally be trimmed to allow only the best one(s) to be presented. Significant objects can include people's clothing, daily objects such as furniture, a birthday cake, and a soccer ball, and natural or man-made landmarks.
Faces need to be detected and group based on persons' identities before they can be properly selected and placed in image products. Most conventional face detection techniques concentrate on face recognition, assuming that a region of an image containing a single face has already been detected and extracted and will be provided as an input. Common face detection methods include knowledge-based methods; feature-invariant approaches, including the identification of facial features, texture and skin color; template matching methods, both fixed and deformable; and appearance based methods. After faces are detected, face images of each individual can be categorized into a group regardless whether the identity of the individual is known or not. For example, if two individuals Person A and Person B are detected in ten images. Each of the images can be categorized or tagged one of the four types: A only; B only, A and B; or neither A nor B. Algorithmically, the tagging of face images require training based one face images of known persons (or face models), for example, the face images of family members or friends of a user who uploaded the images.
To save users' time, technologies have been developed to automate the creation of photo-product designs. These automatic methods are facing increased challenges as people take more digital photos. A single average vacation trip nowadays can easily produce thousands of photos. Automatic sorting, analyzing, grouping, and laying out such a great number of photos in the correct and meaningful manner are an immense task.
There is a need for more accurately recognizing and grouping face images and other objects and incorporating them into photo-product designs and other imaging applications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

High recall additive pattern recognition for image and other applications


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate including a first device region and a second device region spaced apart from each other, forming a first oxide layer on the first device region and the second device region, forming a second oxide layer below the first oxide layer, forming a mask layer on the first oxide layer on the first device region while exposing the first oxide layer on the second device region, removing the first and second oxide layers on the second device region using the mask layer as a mask, removing the mask layer, and forming a gate oxide layer on the second device region. The thus formed gate oxide layer structure has improved quality and reliability.

In the manufacturing process of integrated circuits, it may be desirable to simultaneously manufacture different types of devices, for example, input/output (I/O) devices and core devices are required to be manufactured concurrently.
With the decrease in the device feature size, a gate oxide formed by a conventional furnace oxidation and other similar processes has poor quality and reliability due to the problem of leakage, therefore, the formed gate oxide can no longer satisfy the device requirements. An oxide formed by using an in-situ steam generation (ISSG) process has a higher reliability relative to a conventional gate oxide and can thus replace the conventional gate oxide.
Other problems may also exist, however, with the ISSG process that may affect the performance and reliability of a semiconductor device when two different types of devices are manufactured concurrently.

Method to improve CMOS device performance

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation


The present invention reduces overall electrostatic capacity by effectively reducing capacitor surface area. In one embodiment, each data line is formed so that it directly intersects or overlaps a repair line that surrounds the LCD screen a single time at an end of the data line corresponding to a data line input pad. The other end of the data line does not intersect with the repair line, but instead uses a conductive layer that overlaps this other end of the data line at one end and the repair line at another end. In another embodiment, a plurality of repair lines that each surround the LCD screen are used. Groups of data lines are associated with one repair line and the widths of the data lines are narrowed if the data line intersects a repair line that it is not associated with. Accordingly, by preventing one end of a data line from intersecting with a repair line, or by reducing the width of data lines which cross a non-associated repair line when a plurality of repair lines are used, the overall electrostatic capacity is reduced.

(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates in general to a liquid crystal display, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display having a repair line.
(2) Description of Related Art
A thin film transistor TFT liquid crystal display LCD is a display which uses a TFT for a switching element and uses the electro-optical effect of a liquid crystal material to create an image. Such an LCD, for each pixel, includes a TFT and a pixel electrode, a gate line to provide a switching signal to the pixel, a TFT substrate in which a data line is formed to provide a picture signal, a color filter substrate in which a common electrode and color filter are formed, and a liquid crystal material intervened between them.
Gate lines and data lines providing signal paths to a pixel are formed in the TFT substrate of an LCD, but are apt to be broken in the process of creating product. If such lines are broken, the LCD may not perform properly as a display.
One conventional method of solving this problem is to use a repair line in place of a broken wire when the break occurs after forming an enclosed curve type repair line around a screen formed of pixels. This intersects with gate lines and data lines with a gate insulating layer between them.
Reference will now be made in detail to a conventional LCD, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a conventional LCD wherein a repair line is formed as an enclosed curve around a screen, FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a general pixel. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the layout of the lower substrate in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a section cut along A--A line in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating in greater detail portion 6 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a section along the B--B line of FIG. 5.
In a general LCD, as illustrated in FIG. 1, gate lines G.sub.1, G.sub.2, . . . G.sub.m are formed in parallel and data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n intersecting perpendicular to them are formed.
Input pads 1, 1', 2 are formed on each row of data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n and gate lines G.sub.1, G.sub.2, . . . , G.sub.m. The data lines may be divided into several first data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.3, . . . D.sub.2n-1 in which each input pad 1 is formed in the upper part of the LCD and second data lines D.sub.2, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n in which each input pad 1' is formed in the lower part of the LCD. Pixels 10 are formed in the spaces at which the gate lines G.sub.1, G.sub.2, . . . , G.sub.m and data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n meet.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, each pixel 10 includes a switching element, generally TFT 20, a liquid crystal storage capacitor 13, and a holding capacitor 14. Liquid crystal storage capacitor 13 is formed by a lower pixel electrode 12, an upper common electrode 11 and liquid crystal material between them. Such a pixel 10 is connected to one data line and one gate line through TFT 20.
A lay-out of the upper portion of the pixel electrode and a section of TFT 20 corresponding to the upper part of a pixel having a structure as in FIG. 2 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
On a transparent insulating substrate 21, a gate line G and a gate electrode 22 which are connected to it are formed. A gate oxide film 23 is formed over each gate line G and gate electrode 22. A gate insulation layer 24 covers oxide film 23, and substrate 21. Over the gate insulation layer 24, at the portion covering the gate electrode 22, is formed a semiconductor layer 25. Generally, on the semiconductor layer, which is typically formed of amorphous silicon, two divided contact layers 26 are formed, typically of n.sup.+ amorphous silicon. A source electrode 27 of the TFT connects to the data line D and covers one of the contact layers 26. A drain electrode 28 separated from the source electrode 27 and connected to the pixel electrode 12 covers the other contact layer 26. The contact layers serve to improve the electric connection from the semiconductor layer 25 to the source and drain electrodes 27, 28.
FIG. 1 illustrates a repair line 100 formed in a enclosed curve around a screen 3 formed of pixels 10. Such a repair line 100 intersects with each gate line G.sub.1, G.sub.2, . . . , G.sub.m around a input pad 2 and each data line D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n a first time around the input pad 1, 1' and a second time at the opposite end of the data line. Each data line D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n has the same width throughout. Also, data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n and repair lines have a same intersecting area respectively.
Reference will be made to FIGS. 5 and 6, which illustrates the intersecting of data lines D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n and a repair line 100.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a first data line D.sub.2n-1 and a second data line D.sub.2n has a same intersecting area with a repair line 100. If considering FIG. 6 as a cross section along the B--B line of FIG. 5, a gate insulation layer 24 formed on the repair line 100 insulates repair line 100 from the data lines D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n. A protective film 29 is formed on the data lines D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n. Accordingly, the intersecting area between the data lines D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n and the repair line 100 acts as an undesired capacitor and parallel connected capacitors result.
During operation of an LCD as described above, if a switching signal is applied to each pixel 10 in turn through gate lines G.sub.1, G.sub.2, . . . , G.sub.m, a picture signal is applied to the corresponding pixel 10 through data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n and provides an image in accordance with it. However, if a data line such as D.sub.3 is disconnected as illustrated in FIG. 1, the picture signal applied through the data line D.sub.3 reaches the disconnected point but does not reach the next point. Thus, this picture signal cannot be applied to a pixel connected to the data line D.sub.3 below the break or disconnect point illustrated with the symbol "//".
If the data line D.sub.3 is repaired using a repair line 100, the signal reaches the data line D.sub.3 below the disconnected point. Referring to FIG. 1, the area indicated with .DELTA., where the data line D.sub.3 and the repair line 100 intersect, is short-circuited using a laser. A signal applied from a input pad 1 in a pixel connected to the data line D.sub.3 below the disconnected point, after passing through the upper of the disconnected intersecting area, moves along the left path of the data line D.sub.3 through the repair line 100 connected with the data line D.sub.3 (path P1) or along the right path (path P.sub.2). However, because the path P.sub.2 is longer than the path P.sub.1 and intersects with many data lines, it can less efficiently transmit signals. Thus, it is necessary to prevent signals from being transmitted through path P.sub.2. To accomplish this, the part from the break or disconnection position .DELTA. to the path P.sub.2 is cut off, as indicated with an x. Therefore, it is possible to apply signals through the path P.sub.1 of the repair line 100 into the data line D.sub.3 below the disconnected point.
A signal applied through the path P.sub.1 must pass through the intersecting areas a, a' between data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2 and the repair line 100. These areas a, a', as noted above, act as capacitors and distort picture signals passing through the repair line 100. Particularly, if the size of screen is large and the number of data lines and gate lines increase, the number of intersecting areas and capacitors along the signal path increase and the overall electrostatic capacity grows. Because the length of the repair line 100 is also increased, the resistance increases. Consequently, distortion of the signals transferring through the repair line 100 undesirably occurs.
In order to reduce such signal distortion, the overall electrostatic capacity should be reduced. Since the number of the wires cannot be reduced, the electrostatic capacity of the capacitors formed by the intersecting areas between the repair line 100 and data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n should be reduced. Because the electrostatic capacity of these capacitors is proportional to the size of the intersecting area and is inversely proportional to the perpendicular length between the repair line 100 and data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n, in order to reduce the electrostatic capacity, the size of intersecting areas should be decreased, or the perpendicular length between the repair line 100 and data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n should be increased.
However, because the size of the intersecting areas should be maintained in order to ensure a short-circuit occurs in the intersecting area when laser fusing takes place, it is difficult to decrease the size of the intersecting area and to increase the perpendicular length between the repair line 100 and data lines D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, D.sub.4, . . . D.sub.2n-1, D.sub.2n.

Liquid crystal display having a repair line


A seismic ocean bottom positioning device include a series of seismic stations spaced apart at a predetermined interval along a cable. Each station includes a hydrophone, a motion sensing device such as a geophone and an acoustic positioning circuit. A preamplifier is coupled to a seismic channel. The hydrophone is also coupled to the seismic channel. An acoustic channel is also coupled to the preamplifier and coupled to the hydrophone.

The disclosures herein relate generally to seismic ocean bottom cables and more particularly to locating the position of each hydrophone on the ocean bottom.
One of the problems in seismic under-sea exploration is to locate the receivers (hydrophones and or geophones) on the ocean bottom with respect to a source of sound. The source of sound is located with respect to an electronic navigation system. The most commonly used navigation system is the differential GPS (Global Positioning System) using satellites.
Existing systems now use an additional acoustic positioning system to locate a towed cable and receivers (hydrophones). These systems usually do not have an acoustic sensor at each hydrophone seismic sensor. The frequency used is in the range of 30 KHz to above 100 KHz. A related problem in bottom cable exploration is that if the sensor sinks into the mud at the ocean bottom, the high frequency acoustic source may not penetrate the mud and may not work.
One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,775 which includes seismic equipment arranged to transmit and receive signals. The equipment is included in streamers as part of a marine seismic tow. Furthermore, the equipment uses several acoustic transmitters and operates with acoustic receivers separated by a known distance. Also, the location of at least one point in a spatial network is defined by relating the network to at least one conventionally determined geographical position.
Therefore, what is needed is a method and apparatus for determining the position of seismic equipment placed on the ocean bottom rather than being towed behind a boat such that the cables are in a fixed position on the ocean bottom and a recording boat is maintained in position by anchoring or by directional thrusters.

Acoustic positioning of seismic ocean bottom cable


A printing control device includes a receiving unit and a replacing unit. The receiving unit receives a print job, which includes gloss control printing data indicating a type of surface effect by predetermined density information and table information capable of identifying a surface-effect selection table used in creation of the gloss control printing data, from a host device. The replacing unit replaces a part or whole of the surface-effect selection table implemented in the printing control device in advance on the basis of the table information included in the print job.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing control device, an image forming system, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus equipped with clear toner, which is colorless toner containing no color material, in addition to four CMYK toners. A toner image formed of such clear toner is fixed on a transfer sheet (an example of a recording medium) on which an image has been formed of CMYK toners, and as a result, a visual or tactile effect (referred to as a surface effect) is achieved on the surface of the transfer sheet. The achieved surface effect differs depending on what kind of a clear-toner image is formed and how the clear-toner image is fixed. There are a surface effect of simply glossing and a surface effect of suppressing the gloss.
Furthermore, not only giving a surface effect on a whole area but also giving a surface effect on only a part and a surface effect of adding a texture or a watermark by means of clear toner are required. Moreover, surface protection may also be required. Furthermore, there is a surface effect that can be achieved by performing post-processing by a dedicated post-processing apparatus, such as a glosser or a low-temperature fixing device, besides the fixing control.
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-083736, there is known a technology to control how to attach clear toner according to gloss control printing data that indicates a type of surface effect to be achieved on a transfer sheet by predetermined density information. In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-083736, a host device generates gloss control printing data on the basis of a surface-effect selection table implemented in a DFE (a printing control device), and inputs the generated gloss control printing data to the DFE. The DFE generates clear-toner printing data for attachment of colorless clear toner on the basis of the gloss control printing data input from the host device and the surface-effect selection table implemented in the DFE in advance, and outputs the generated clear-toner printing data.
However, in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-083736, the gloss control printing data is created on the basis of the specific surface-effect selection table; therefore, when a printing control device having a different surface-effect selection table from the surface-effect selection table used by the host device to create the gloss control printing data performs printing control based on a print job from the host device, an intended print result cannot be obtained.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a printing control device, an image forming system, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium capable of obtaining the same level of print result as an expected print result even when gloss control printing data based on a different surface-effect selection table from a pre-implemented surface-effect selection table has been input.

Printing control device, image forming system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium


A mineral extraction system includes a branch having a branch passage, a diverter coupled to the branch passage, and a capillary injection conduit disposed inside to the branch passage. A method of injecting chemicals includes injecting a chemical into a capillary injection conduit disposed internal to a production passage, wherein the chemical injection capillary conduit comprises an inlet and an outlet configured to terminate proximate a well formation.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
This invention relates to a system and method of treating a well, particularly to an oil, gas or water well. As will be appreciated, oil and natural gas have a profound effect on modern economies and societies. In order to meet the demand for such natural resources, numerous companies invest significant amounts of time and money in searching for and extracting oil, natural gas, and other subterranean resources from the earth. Particularly, once a desired resource is discovered below the surface of the earth, drilling and production systems are employed to access and extract the resource. These systems can be located onshore or offshore depending on the location of a desired resource. Further, such systems generally include a wellhead assembly through which the resource is extracted. These wellhead assemblies generally include a wide variety of components and/or conduits, such as a Christmas tree (tree), various control lines, casings, valves, and the like, that control drilling and/or extraction operations.
As will be appreciated, various control lines or other components of a production or transport system are employed to provide a path for hydraulic control fluid, chemical injections, or the like to be passed through the wellhead assembly. For instance, chemicals and gases are injected into the well in order to treat scale, wax or other factors that tend to reduce the value, quality or quantity of fluids produced from the well. However, various injection methods may have varying uses and degrees of success. For example, certain systems and methods are suited for a particular style of wellhead or may provide a limited enhancement to the recovery operation.


The manufacturing apparatus comprises a first capsule containing a predetermined amount of a first formulation, the first capsule including a first connection portion and an outlet passage provided with an outlet orifice; a second capsule containing a predetermined amount of a second formulation, and including a second connection portion configured to be connected to the first connection portion; and a mixing machine configured to receive the first and second capsules, and to mix the first and second formulations contained in the first and second capsules so as to obtain the cosmetic product. The manufacturing apparatus is configured to automatically close the outlet passage when the first and second capsules are received in the mixing machine, and to automatically clear the outlet passage when the first and second capsules are removed out of the mixing machine.

FR3026622 discloses an apparatus for manufacturing a cosmetic product, including:                a first capsule containing a predetermined amount of a first formulation, the first capsule including a first connection portion and an outlet passage provided with an outlet orifice,        a second capsule containing a predetermined amount of a second formulation, and including a second connection portion configured to be connected to the first connection portion, and        a mixing machine configured to:        receive the first and second capsules,        close the outlet passage,        mix the first and second formulations inside the first and second capsules so as to obtain the cosmetic product, and        clear the outlet passage so as to subsequently enable the discharge of the manufactured cosmetic product out of the first capsule and the recovery of the manufactured cosmetic product on a receiving cup.
In particular, such a mixing machine includes a closure element displaceable between a position for closing the outlet passage and a position for clearing the outlet passage, and a control unit configured to control the displacements of the closure element between the closing and clearance positions.
Such a manufacturing apparatus enables the manufacture, by an end consumer, of a customized cosmetic product from different capsules.
However, the structure of the manufacturing apparatus described in FR3026622 may be simplified further. In addition, the use of the manufacturing apparatus described in FR3026622 may turn out to be complex for some consumers, in particular when it is necessary to perform a connection of the first and second capsules prior to their insertion into the mixing machine.
The present invention aims at overcoming all or part of these drawbacks.


Provided are a method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member, particularly, a method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an organic device by which, in a method of forming a charge transporting layer, the stability of an application liquid for the layer after long-term storage is improved while the usage of an organic solvent in the application liquid is curtailed, and the layer having high uniformity is formed. The method is a method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member which includes a support and a charge transporting layer formed thereon, the method including: preparing a solution including: a first liquid whose solubility in water under 25° C. and 1 atmosphere is 1.0 mass % or less; a second liquid whose solubility in water under 25° C. and 1 atmosphere is 5.0 mass % or more; a charge transporting substance; and a binder resin; preparing an emulsion by dispersing the solution in water; forming a coat for the layer on the support by using the emulsion; and forming the layer by heating of the coat.

An organic electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "electrophotographic photosensitive member") containing an organic photoconductive substance has been vigorously developed as an electrophotographic photosensitive member to be mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus. In addition, at present, the organic electrophotographic photosensitive member has been a mainstream electrophotographic photosensitive member to be used in the process cartridge of an electrophotographic apparatus or in the electrophotographic apparatus, and has been put into large-scale production. Of such organic electrophotographic photosensitive members, a laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member has been frequently used. The laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member improves its features by separating functions needed for an electrophotographic photosensitive member into its respective layers.
A method involving dissolving a functional material in an organic solvent to produce an application solution and applying the solution onto a support has been generally employed as a method of producing the laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member. Of the respective layers of the laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charge transporting layer is often required to have durability. Accordingly, the thickness of a coat of the application liquid for the charge transporting layer is larger than that of any other layer and hence the usage of the application liquid for the charge transporting layer is also large. As a result, the layer uses a large amount of the organic solvent. To curtail the usage of the organic solvent at the time of the production of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the amount of the organic solvent to be used in the application liquid for the charge transporting layer is desirably curtailed. However, the production of the application liquid for the charge transporting layer requires the use of a halogen-based solvent or an aromatic organic solvent because a charge transporting substance and a resin each have high solubility in any such solvent. Accordingly, it has been difficult to curtail the usage of the organic solvent.
Patent Literature 1 reports an effort to curtail the amount of an organic solvent in a paint for forming a charge transporting layer for the purposes of reducing a volatile substance and curtailing carbon dioxide. This literature discloses that an emulsion for the charge transporting layer is produced by forming oil droplets of an organic solution, which is prepared by dissolving a substance to be incorporated into the charge transporting layer in an organic solvent, in water.

Method of producing electrophotographic photosensitive member, method of producing organic device, and emulsion for charge transporting layer


A baby bag that is convertible to a baby carrier includes a base that is movable between a folded configuration for storage and transport of the baby bag, and an unfolded configuration for receiving a baby. In an embodiment, a harness is connected to the base for restraining a baby received upon the base such that a back of the baby is maintained in close proximity to the base. In the same or another embodiment, a shoulder strap is attached to the base for suspension of the base, whereby a baby received upon the base may be carried by a person utilizing the shoulder strap.

A variety of bags intended for use in carrying childcare accessories is commercially available. Available bags are useful for storing and transporting accessories and can be seen in many public environments where care providers such as parents and young children are seen. For example, young mothers carrying children and bags of diaper-changing supplies can often be seen in shopping districts, public parks, and in public transportation facilities. A care provider can face considerable physical prowess and balance challenges in carrying both a child and a typical care accessory bag throughout the course of any typical daily outing. Yet other challenges arise when a diaper needs to be changed. Even if a diaper changing station is available, such as in a public restroom, a parent may have difficulty while trying to comfort and securely hold a child on the hard surface of such a station while fumbling through a bag to find needed supplies. The cleanliness of such a surface and the overall public restroom environment is yet another concern for such a parent and carrying a pad or the like to isolate the child and the supplies only adds further burden in carrying and placing the pad. Indeed, often are seen awkward ad hoc situations in automobiles and lobbies where diaper changing stations are unavailable and a care provider struggles to feed a child or change a diaper without a convenient platform for the execution of the task. Child carriers are available to securely cradle a child but typical carriers are fashioned such that a child essentially must be removed from the carrier for a diaper changing, further complicating the balancing and juggling actions of the care provider.


A process for the use of water granulated silicon in the preparation of alkylhalosilanes. The process comprises contacting an alkyl halide described by formula RX, with a particulate water granulated silicon containing greater than 0.5 to about 5.0 weight percent iron, in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising copper, at a temperature within a range of about 250.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyls comprising one to about four carbon atoms and X is a halogen.

The invention is a process for the use of water granulated silicon in the preparation of alkylhalosilanes. The process comprises contacting an alkyl halide described by formula RX, with a particulate water granulated silicon containing greater than 0.5 to about 5.0 weight percent iron, in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising copper, at a temperature within a range of about 250.degree. C. to 350.degree. C., where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyls comprising one to about four carbon atoms and X is a halogen.
The Direct Process for producing alkylhalosilanes is well-known and has been refined and modified in many ways since Rochow first described preparing alkylhalosilanes by contacting alkylhalides with silicon at elevated temperatures. This process is used for producing virtually all commercial alkylhalosilanes in the world today.
Rochow, U.S. Pat. No. 2,380,995, teaches passing a gaseous stream of methyl chloride into a heated tube where it contacted powdered silicon at about 300.degree. C. Rochow obtained a mixture comprising 52 weight percent methyltrichlorosilane, 14.5 weight percent dimethyldichlorosilane, and lessor amounts of other silanes. The reaction between silicon and the gaseous hydrocarbon halide is facilitated by the presence of a metallic catalyst such as copper. Furthermore, Rochow teaches that the copper may be alloyed with the silicon.
Rochow et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,380,996, teach an improved method where a solid porous contact mass formed of powdered silicon and powdered copper is reacted with a hydrocarbon halide. This method continues to be a method of choice for the commercial production of dialkyldihalosilanes, since use of the powdered materials provide for better control of the process than when a silicon-copper alloy is used.
The requirements on the silicon in terms of chemical composition and particle size distribution for the direct synthesis of methylchlorosilanes from silicon and methyl chloride have been investigated thoroughly. Chemical grade silicon metal employed in the direct synthesis of methylchlorosilanes typically has an elemental composition of 0.100 to 0.280 Wt. % aluminum, 0 to 0.150 Wt. % calcium, 0.150 to 0.500 Wt. % iron and 0.015 to 0.050 Wt. % titanium. Chemical composition can enhance the reactivity and selectivity of the reaction to produce the alkylhalosilanes. However, small amounts of particular elements are known to adversely affect reactivity and selectivity. The silicon particle size and distribution plays a key role in reactivity and selectivity of the reaction as well. Freeburne et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,948, teaches an improved process for the reaction of an alkyl halide with particulate silicon in a fluidized-bed. The improvement comprises controlling the particle size of the silicon to within a range of one micron to 85 microns.
The silicon structural composition and its influence on the reaction with methyl chloride have been the subject of numerous scientific studies. It was determined that the silicon structure can be influenced by the cooling process used during production of the silicon. For example, cooling the silicon by a process such as atomization was found to increase production rates of the direct synthesis of methylchlorosilanes from silicon and methyl chloride. Feldner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,751 teach a process for the production of organochlorosilanes using silicon produced by atomizing with an inert gas or a suitable alloy of silicon produced by atomizing with an inert gas. The atomized silicon chemical composition was 0.05-1% by weight Fe; 0.01-1% by weight Al; 0.0001-1% by weight Ca; 0-0.5% by weight Na; 0-0.5% by weight Li; 0-0.5% by weight K; 0-0.5% by weight Mg; 0-0.5% by weight Sr; 0-0.5% by weight Ba; 0-0.5% by weight Be; and the remainder other impurities in small amounts.
Pachaly et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,738, teach the preparation of methylchlorosilanes from silicon and methylchloride in the presence of a copper catalyst and optional promoter substances. The structural parameter QF of the silicon employed in the method is determined by (a) cutting up silicon test specimens to form a cut surface, (b) totaling on the cut surface the areas of precipitates of intermetallic phases having a longitudinal shape to give an area number A, (c) totaling on the cut surface the areas of precipitates of intermetallic phases having a circular shape to give an area number B, and (d) obtaining the quotient of the area number A and the area number B, called the structural parameter QF. Pachaly et al. disclosed employing water granulated silicon in the method.
Margaria, U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,583, teaches using metallurgical silicon containing, by weight, 0.25% iron with controlled microstructure for the preparation of halogenosilanes. The microstructure is characterized by an image obtained with a scanning electron microscope. Degen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,903, teach metallic silicon for the Rochow-Synthesis is reduced to particles measuring at least 5 mm in their smallest dimension and 15 mm in their largest dimension, cooling the silicon from a temperature of at least 700.degree. C. to at most 120.degree. C. within a maximum of 2 seconds, and then ground and reacted.
The present invention provides a process for using less expensive particulate water granulated silicon containing higher levels of iron and titanium in the Direct Process for the preparation of alkylhalosilanes. The inventors have unexpectedly discovered that less expensive particulate water granulated silicon performance in the Direct Process is comparable to that of the higher cost conventionally cast silicon containing lower levels of iron.


An ATM I/F for transmitting data to a data transmission destination via a communication network, a data transmission server, and a data transmission managing device for calculating a network necessary for data transmission on the basis of the data quantity of the data to be transmitted and the transmission completion time indicating the time of completion of data transmission to the data transmission destination are provided. Accounting information is generated on the basis of the calculated network band and transmission time. The data is transmitted to the data transmission destination by using the calculated network band. The data transmission to the data transmission destination is completed by the transmission completion time, and accounting information is generated. Thus, when transmitting data via the communication network, the data transmission completion time is designated in advance for data transmission.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data transmitting device and method, as well as to a data transmission managing device and method in which the time of completion of data transmission is designated to a data transmission destination for transmitting data via a network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there has been a data transmission system for transmitting data such as files and streams, in which a fixed network band is rented for a fixed amount of fee so as to transmit data. In this data transmission system, data transmission is carried out within the range of the network band that is rented in advance.
Also in the conventional data transmission system, accounting is carried out in accordance with the quantity of transmission data that is used. In this data transmission system, in most cases, an accounting server is provided in the network and the transmission state of the network is monitored by the accounting server, thereby requesting the data transmission side for accounting.
In the foregoing data transmission system, when data is transmitted from the data transmission side, it is often the case that the data transmission completion time on the data receiving side cannot be known.
Moreover, in the conventional data transmission system, it is often the case that the data transmission side cannot designate the data reaching time at the data receiving side. Specifically, in the data transmission system, in the case where the network band rented for a fixed amount of fee is occupied by another user, data transmission cannot be started and the time of completion of data transmission on the data receiving side cannot be designated.
Thus, in view of the foregoing status of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a data transmitting device and method and a data transmission managing device and method which enable data designation of the data transmission completion time in advance so as to carry out data transmission.

System for transmitting reservation data and completing the transmission by transmission completion time


A powder coating gun with an internal fan and a quick-change powder cartridge. Pressurized air generated by the fan entrains the powder coating material from the powder cartridge and the entrained powder coating material is charged in the ionizing field created by an emitter. The replaceable cartridge contains an inlet line and an outlet line oriented in a manner that allows the powder gun to be positioned in different angles and orientations with minimal risk of a powder spill from the powder coating gun. The powder cartridge contains a lid for supporting an inlet line and a body part constructed of clear or translucent material that allows the user to easily view the color of the powder. An electric power supply is used to power the fan and the emitter. A trigger is present in the handle of the powder coating gun and both controls the speed of the fan and enables the charge to the emitter.

Powder coatings utilize pulverized polyester, epoxy or polyurethane plastics, extruded and ground to specific particle size ranges depending on the painting application. The powders are preferably thermoset or thermoplastic polymers with additives and pigments. Powder materials have the consistency of talc or flour and pose no environmental hazards, and pose the same health risks as any air born dust.
Powder coating guns are used to apply protective coatings on industrial and commercial products. In summary, the powder coating process is as follows. A powder gun is provided with a step-up transformer to supply high voltage power to an emitter located in the outlet nozzle of the powder coating gun. Present powder coating guns are also provided with a source of compressed air that flows through a container containing the powder coating. The container is usually an external jar or appendage to the guns. The source of compressed air for present powder coating guns is an external air compressor or compressed air source such as a tank which is attached to the gun through an air hose. The air hose most often used to provide existing guns with compressed air is the type used to supply compressed air to a variety of air powered tools and connect to a typical gun with commonly used air hose fittings and connectors.
The compressed air introduced into powder coating guns entrains the powder coating, the coating then being fluidized, and is passed parallel to an emitter which imparts an electrical charge to the powder coating material. The charged coating powder is thereafter sprayed in the direction of the grounded work piece to be coated. The work to be sprayed being at ground potential, from an electrical charge perspective, the charged coating powder is attracted to and deposits uniformly on the surface of the grounded work piece.
After the work piece has been coated with the powder coating, the work piece is cured in an oven at approximately 400° F. for 10 minutes. The deposited powder melts and flows together to bond and form a more permanently adhered coating on the work piece as it cools.
Conventional solvent based paint technology has several disadvantages. Spills from paint containing inorganic solvents pose a threat to the environment. Millions of aerosol paint cans are sold each year and contribute to environmental destruction and land fill concerns. The propellants and volatile organic compounds given off by aerosol paints are very toxic to both the user and bystanders. The over spray is also a concern when aerosol paints are used.
Powder coating technology has a number of advantages over conventional solvent-based paint technology. Powder coating is an environment friendly solution as the level of accidental spills are reduced, and the content of the spill is a particulate dust that can be easily collected and disposed. Also, powder coating technology enables the application of a uniformly thick coating and automated operation. Powder coatings also show excellent chemical resistance to gasoline, oil, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone and household cleaners. Powder coatings are also more flexible than conventional solvent based paints. Powder coatings are also ultra violet resistant, and maintain high gloss and luster for years in outdoor exposure.
Powder coatings are used to coat a variety of products such as automotive components, metal office furniture and storage shelving, electrical transformers, and recreational equipment. Present powder coating systems are not well adapted for use by the casual users, hobbyist, or any application in which the user does not have an air compressor and a dedicated paint preparation area to facilitate cleaning the paint gun throughly each time a color change is desired with the same powder coating gun.
The primary components of a powder coating system is the powder coating gun, supply and control of the air required to entrain the powder coating materials, and a supply of high voltage power to an electrode referred in the trade and in this application hereafter as an emitter. High voltage is required to charge the emitter located in or near the discharge nozzle of the powder coating gun to produce a corona effect that imparts an electrostatic charge to the powder coating particles that pass through the ionizing field at the tip of the emitter, and which are subsequently directed towards the work piece to be painted. As the entrained powder coating material passes through this ionizing field of the air space at tip of the emitter, the powder particles are charged and drawn to the grounded work piece to be painted.
Currently, powder coating work is undertaken primarily by manufacturers and custom coaters. The equipment used to apply the powder coating ranges in price from $1,000 to $25,000 and ovens used for curing are typically large in size. Manufactures hang the products to be coated from large overhead conveyors and apply powder either manually or with robotic "gun movers". Once the powder is applied to the product, the product is placed in large gas or electric ovens that cure the powder at about 400° F. for approximately 10 minutes at peak metal temperature. The curing process is very important. Curing temperatures or an oven residence time below the optimum will result in under-cured powder, which may chip easily when the product is put in service.
As described above, conventional powder coating systems use an air compressor located external to the body of the powder coating gun to supply pressurized air to entrain or fluidize the powder coating material. The flow rate of the compressed air is controlled by regulators in a control panel external to the powder coating gun itself. The flow rate of the air is proportional to the rate of utilization of the powder coating material. When a fine powder coating is used, an over-supply of compressed air reduces the coating powder usage efficiency.
In conventional powder coating gun systems, the powder coating flow path within the powder coating gun generally requires cleaning when the powder coating or the powder color is changed. This coating powder build-up is more significant at the outlet section of the coating powder flow path including the discharge nozzle of the powder coating gun and powder feed hose or line. In general, the nozzle and feed hose need to be cleaned when ever the powder color is changed. Cleaning the gun is a time consuming process for the operator.
Industrial guns charge the particles at voltages of approximately 80,000 volts. Use of such high voltages is a safety risk in non-commercial and household applications. Industrial guns and other present art systems require a source of compressed air externally to provide the air flow necessary to operate such tools. The home craftsman, hobbyist or small shop owner is not well served by the features or requirements of the present art in powder coating systems for such reasons. A self contained tool which eliminates the need for an air compressor and elaborate shop facilities for cleaning the gun between uses is needed.
Accordingly, there is an unsatisfied need for a powder coating gun that allows a quick-change of paint cartridges, obviates the need for an external air compressor, and runs at a lower and safer voltage to enable use of the powder coating powder gun system in non-commercial and home applications.


A compressor assembly is disclosed including a compressor mechanism mounted within a hermetically sealed housing. A cylinder block contains a plurality of reciprocating pistons within compression chambers. The compression chambers include a discharge valve which permits compressed refrigerant to empty into the common discharge chamber. A baffle system is included within the common discharge muffler chamber to eliminate pressure pulses and cross talk between discharge valve assemblies, thereby increasing the discharge valve opening speed and correspondingly increasing the compressor efficiency.

The present invention relates generally to a hermetic compressor assembly and, more particularly, to such a compressor having a plurality of compression chambers wherein the compression chambers empty into a common discharge chamber.
Hermetic compressors comprise a hermetically sealed housing having a compressor mechanism mounted therein. The compressor mechanism may include a crankcase or a cylinder block defining a plurality of compression chambers in which gaseous refrigerant is compressed and subsequently discharged into a common discharge cavity.
A disadvantage to prior compressor designs is that the valve performance of the discharge valves is reduced because of discharge pressure pulses (sometimes called cross talk) within the common discharge muffler cavity. During operation, each compression chamber injects a pulsed stream of compressed refrigerant into the discharge cavity. This discharge pulse of compressed refrigerant creates a pressure pulse that travels through the discharge cavity and impacts the discharge valves of the other compression chambers.
The impact of a pressure pulse against a discharge valve inhibits the opening of the valve during that valve's discharge cycle. By slowing the opening of the discharge valve, more energy is consumed in opening the valve and compressing the refrigerant, thereby creating a less efficient compressor.
The action of the pressure pulse retaining the discharge valve in the closed position increases the power consumption and reduces valve efficiency of the compressor. The increased power consumption also raises the temperature of the discharge valve. An increase in valve temperature may decrease the life span and effectiveness of the discharge valve leaf.
Some prior art compressors have tried to reduce the pressure pulses affecting each of the compression chambers by creating a bulkhead wall between the plurality of discharge valves and the outlet port of the common discharge chamber. A prior art compressor, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,852, discloses a bulkhead wall dividing a common discharge chamber into sections which empty into a common outlet port. Each section contains a discharge valve assembly connected to an associated compression chamber. The pressure pulses from each discharge valve are separated from each other by means of the bulkhead wall isolating each discharge from each other. In this way, no discharge pulses or cross talk may affect other discharge valve assemblies.
A disadvantage of totally separating the discharge ports from one another is that the pressure within each section is increased with a possibility of reflecting the pressure pulse back into its originating discharge valve. The separated sections also increase the average back pressure on the valve, reducing the speed of the valve, thereby reducing compressor efficiency. The totally separated sections also reduce the ability of refrigerant to flow to the common discharge chamber outlet port.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the aforementioned problems associated with multi-cylinder compressors, wherein it is desired attenuate and reduce pressure pulses within a common discharge chamber while minimally restricting the refrigerant flow.

Internal baffle system for a multi-cylinder compressor


A second semiconductor layer is formed to cover a first principle surface of a semiconductor substrate including a insulating layer formed on the first principle surface. A portion of the second semiconductor layer formed on the insulating layer is partially removed by etching using a first etchant whose etching rate is higher for the second semiconductor layer than for the insulating layer. A portion of the insulating layer is removed by etching, through the removed portion of the second semiconductor layer, using a second etchant whose etching rate for the insulating layer is higher than that for the second semiconductor layer, thereby exposing apart of the first semiconductor layer. Electrodes are formed on the exposed part of the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a solar cell. In particular, this disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a back contact solar cell.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, there has been known so-called a back contact solar cell in which p-type and n-type semiconductor regions are formed on a back surface side of a solar cell (for example, following patent document 1). In this back contact solar cell, there is no need to provide an electrode on a light-receiving surface side. For this reason, this back contact solar cell can increase light receiving efficiency, and accordingly can achieve higher power generation efficiency. Also, connection of solar cells with a wiring material can be performed only on the back surface side. Hence, a wide wiring material can be used. Accordingly, a voltage drop caused by wiring multiple solar cells with a wiring material can be prevented.
In this back contact solar cell, it is necessary to form multiple kinds of semiconductor junctions on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. Specifically, a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer needs to be formed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. To this end, a concerning issue is how to form the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate.
For example, Patent document 1 discloses the following method as a method of manufacturing a back contact solar cell. To be more precise, first, as illustrated in FIG. 14, in-junction layer 101 being a laminate of i-type semiconductor layer 101i and n-type semiconductor layer 101n, and cover layer 102 are formed in this order on a back surface of n-type amorphous silicon substrate 100. Thereafter, portions of cover layer 102 are removed by an etching method.
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 15, cover layer 102 whose one portion is etched is used as a mask to remove portions of in-junction layer 101 by an etching method. After that, as illustrated in FIG. 16, ip-junction layer 104 being a laminate of i-type semiconductor layer 104i and p-type semiconductor layer 104p is formed. Then, cover layer 102 is removed by etching to expose portions of in-junction layer 101 covered by cover layer 102. Finally, an n-side electrode is formed on in-junction layer 101 and a p-side electrode is formed on ip-junction layer 104, so that a back contact solar cell is completed.
Patent Document: JP-A 2010-80887

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A rotation restricting member made of a resilient body such as a leaf spring is driven by a magnet switch upon energization of a motor and engages engaging grooves formed on an outer peripheral surface of an outer portion of a one-way clutch so that the rotation restricting member restricts rotation of the one-way clutch. The motor has first and second field coils connected in parallel. The first field coil is connected to an exciting coil in the magnet switch in series and the second field coil is connected to a motor contact in the magnet switch in series. When a starter switch is actuated, only the first field coil is actuated first with low voltage. Then, the motor contact is closed and the second field coil is actuated also so that the motor rotates at a high speed with full voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a starter for starting an internal combustion engine of a vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
It is proposed in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/392,269 filed on Feb. 22, 1995 to activate a motor in two stages, i.e., at two speeds to engage a pinion with a ring gear smoothly. For example, the motor is activated in two stages by connecting a resistor to an electric current circuit of the motor, actuating the motor through the resistor with a voltage lower than a rated voltage until the pinion engages the ring gear. The motor is actuated with the rated voltage by shorting the resistor after the pinion engages the ring gear.
In the above-described method, other than a motor contact (a primary fixed contact and a primary movable contact) disposed in the electric current circuit, an auxiliary fixed contact connected to the primary fixed contact through the resistor and an auxiliary movable contact corresponding to the auxiliary fixed contact are disposed so that the auxiliary movable contact, together with the primary movable contact, moves with a plunger of a magnet switch. The auxiliary movable contact needs to contact the auxiliary fixed contact before the primary movable contact contacts the primary fixed contact. Therefore, for connecting the resistor to the electric current circuit, more component parts are required resulting in a complicated structure and reduced reliability.

Starter activatable at low and high speeds sequentially


An image capture device includes a focusing lens, a light sensor array having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix of rows and columns and a plurality of optical components. Each optical component is configured to focus light on a light-sensing portion of one of the pixels. The locations of the optical components define a grid of parallel and perpendicular lines and a line spacing of the grid varies as a function of a distance from an optical axis of the focusing lens.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for detecting and/or transmitting images. More particularly, the present invention relates to detecting and transmitting images in relation to a cellular telephone.
Focusing lenses of mobile image capture devices, such as CMOS-based digital cameras, are often not telecentric. Telecentric lenses are often too bulky for portable devices. Hence, a principle ray of the light at each pixel of a sensor array is not normal to the surface of the pixel. Moreover, the further a pixel is from the center of the array, the greater the angle of the principle ray varies from normal.
Pixels typically include a light sensor (e.g., photodiode or the like), a microlens that focuses incoming light on the light sensor, and a color filter. Pixels also may include one or more silicon dioxide layers, silicon nitride layers, planarization layers, and the like. Hence, the stackup of layers, which may have different refractive indexes and different thicknesses, complicate the problem. Essentially, the light must be redirected down and into a hole formed by the pixel layers.
Additionally, pixels are not light sensing throughout. The light sensitive portion of a pixel may be only a fraction of the pixel's area. Even if a microlens is positioned to focus light fully within the pixel area, some of the light may fall off the light sensitive region, leading to loss of signal. Further, the light may be obscured by metal wiring and the like as the light travels through the pixel.
Complicating the foregoing is the reality that production equipment, such as mask lithography equipment, is not infinitely variable. The equipment typically has a finite tolerance that prevents exact location of mask borders.

Image capture device, including methods for arranging the optical components thereof


A piercing part for a medical infusion system includes a piercing mandrel through which at least one channel extends and which has a mandrel tip whose first jacket surface part is tapered, relative to a central longitudinal axis, towards a front end. An opposite second jacket surface part has an inclined cutting face interrupted towards the front end. The piercing part can be used for medical transfusion and infusion appliances.

A piercing part of this kind for infusion appliances is known from the laid-open application DE 197 48 497 A1. The known infusion appliance has a piercing mandrel which is integrally formed on a drip chamber. The piercing mandrel contains a liquid channel and an air channel and has a mandrel tip tapering to a point.

Piercing part for a medical infusion system, drip chamber and infusion system


A firearm barrel having a barrel bore in a barrel bore entrance end is arranged to receive a conical milling tool directed to shape the conical entrance into the barrel bore entrance end, with a counter-bore drill followed by a second conical milling tool directing an annular seat at an interface of the counter-bore and the conical bore to receive a load tool cylinder onto the seat for ease of directing a charge into the barrel.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to firearm barrel construction, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved method of shaping a muzzle-loading firearm barrel to permit ease of loading the firearm barrel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the use of muzzle-loading firearms, a gun powder charge followed by a seating wad that is in turn followed by a projectile is directed into the barrel and typically directed into the barrel by a ram tool, such as a rod and the like. During the loading procedure, projectiles due to their malleable construction are subject to deformation. The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by configuring the firearm barrel providing for a plurality of coaxially aligned conical bore portions extending a predetermined depth into the barrel from its entrance end to avoid projectile deformation and ease of loading of the firearm and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

Method of shaping a muzzle-loading firearm barrel


The diaphragm for alkaline water electrolysis according to the present invention comprises a porous polymer membrane, the porous polymer membrane comprising a polymer resin and hydrophilic inorganic particles. A porosity of the porous polymer membrane is 30% or more and 60% or less, average pore sizes at both surfaces of the porous polymer membrane is 0.5 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less, and a ratio of a mode particle size of the hydrophilic inorganic particles to the average pore size of the porous polymer membrane (mode particle size/average pore size) is 2.0 or more.

Hydrogen has been used in a wide variety of industrial applications such as in petroleum refining, chemical synthesis materials, metal refining, and stationary fuel cells. Nowadays, the use of hydrogen is expected to grow in hydrogen stations for fuel cell vehicles (FCV), smart communities, and hydrogen power plants. In addition, the increasing trend towards introduction of renewable energy has made it necessary to maintain the balance between supply and demand in power grids and accordingly enhanced the need for hydrogen storage which allows long-term storage of a large amount of electricity. In view of this, attention is being focused on techniques for producing high-purity hydrogen.
One industrial method for producing hydrogen is water electrolysis process. This process has the advantage of being capable of producing higher purity hydrogen than methods for producing hydrogen by modification of fossil fuel. For water electrolysis process, an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide is generally used as an electrolyte solution to obtain increased electrical conductivity. Applying direct-current electricity to this electrolyte solution by means of a cathode and an anode induces water electrolysis process.
An electrolytic cell used for electrolysis process (which hereinafter may be simply referred to as "electrolysis") is divided by a diaphragm into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment. In the anode compartment there is produced oxygen gas, while in the cathode compartment there is produced hydrogen gas. The diaphragm is required to have gas impermeability to prevent mixing of the oxygen gas and hydrogen gas.
In water electrolysis process, ions act as carriers of electricity (electrons). The diaphragm is therefore required to have high ion permeability to allow the electrolysis process to take place efficiently. From this viewpoint, diaphragms having a porous structure have been studied as diaphragms that exhibit high ion permeability.
To allow the electrolysis process to take place efficiently, reduction in solution resistance among the anode, cathode, and diaphragm is also desired. From this viewpoint, it is considered preferable to sandwich the diaphragm between the two electrodes.
As for technical solutions related to diaphragms, Patent Literatures 1 and 4 each disclose a diaphragm for alkaline water electrolysis that is a porous membrane formed by incorporating zirconium oxide or magnesium oxide into polysulfone which is an aromatic polymer resin and carrying out a non-solvent-induced phase separation process. In addition, Patent Literatures 2 and 3 each disclose a diaphragm for alkaline water electrolysis whose pore size is controlled to vary in the thickness direction of the diaphragm.

Diaphragm for alkaline water electrolysis, alkaline water electrolysis device, method for producing hydrogen, and method for producing diaphragm for alkaline water electrolysis


Various embodiments of a monolithic electro-optical (E-O) modulator are described, which may be fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The monolithic E-O modulator includes an optical waveguide that allows an optical signal to propagate therein. The monolithic E-O modulator also includes a comb-shaped transmission line for conducting an electrical modulation signal that modulates the optical signal. The comb-shaped transmission line includes electrical conductors running in parallel with the optical waveguide. At least one of the conductors includes recesses or thin slots that form the conductor into a shape having a plurality of teeth, like a comb. The comb-shaped transmission line can be engineered to realize a close matching between a propagation velocity of the optical signal along the optical waveguide and a group velocity of the electrical modulation signal along the comb-shaped transmission line, which helps to achieve a high operating speed of the monolithic E-O modulator.

A monolithic electro-optical (E-O) modulator, such as a miniaturized Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) fabricated on a substrate, is a key component in various modern digital communication systems. The substrate is usually a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon (Si) or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, on which the monolithic E-O modulator is fabricated using fabrication techniques similar to those employed in manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs). The monolithic E-O modulator may include various miniaturized optical components, such as waveguides, optical couplers, optical splitters, and/or phase shifters. The monolithic E-O modulator may also include various miniaturized electrical components, such as resistors, capacitors, diodes, and/or electrodes. Both the optical components and the electrical components are fabricated on the same substrate. A monolithic E-O modulator of the present disclosure is hereinafter interchangeably referred as an "E-O modulator", or simply a "modulator".
An optical signal may enter a waveguide of a modulator, and the modulator may change an intensity, a phase, or both, of the optical signal as the optical signal propagates through the modulator. Specifically, the amount of change in intensity and/or phase induced therein depends on an electrical modulation voltage or signal that is applied to the modulator. The electrical modulation signal is typically applied to the modulator through a transmission line that runs in parallel with the waveguide. As a control signal for the modulator, the modulation voltage may include a time-varying radio-frequency (RF) component and a static direct-current (DC) component.
A key performance of an E-O modulator is its bandwidth, which is directly related to the highest operating speed of the E-O modulator. An E-O modulator capable of operating at a high speed is desired because a higher operating speed enables a system employing the E-O modulator (e.g., a communication system) to operate faster, transferring more data per period of time. The bandwidth of an E-O modulator is greatly affected by how well matched between a propagation velocity of the optical signal along the optical waveguide (referred as "the optical path"), and a propagation velocity of the electrical modulation signal along the transmission line (referred as "the electrical path"). A close match in propagation velocity between the optical path and the electrical path helps to increase the bandwidth of the E-O modulator. On the other hand, a velocity mismatch between the optical path and the electrical path adversely affects the operating speed of the E-O modulator.

Monolithic electro-optical modulator with comb-shaped transmission line