Disclosed is a cutting insert, particularly an indexable cutting insert for mining applications. The illustrated embodiment is an indexable cutting insert for chain saws used in the quarrying of natural stone. The cutting insert has a support member and at least one cutting member attached to the support member, the cutting member having at least one cutting surface and comprising a selfbonded kalacrystaline superabrasive material being formed such that the cutting member has a width substantially less than its depth and attached to the support member such that the width is the cutting surface.

1. Field
The invention relates to cutting inserts used in cutting operations, particularly indexable cutting inserts for mining applications. The illustrated embodiment of the invention is an indexable cutting insert for chain saws used in the quarrying of natural stone.
2. State of the Art
Tools used in natural stone quarries for the cutting of stone have generally been known for many years. Traditionally, stone has been cut by large channel machines and wire saws in commercial stone quarry operations. Approximately two decades ago, large carriage mounted chain saws which ride on tracks were introduced into stone quarries. The basic component of the stone quarry chain saw are a power unit, such as an electric, gas or hydraulic motor, which rotates a hardened steel chain around an arm. The hardened steel chain has cutter links interposed along its length which house cutting inserts.
Typically, the cutting insert is brazed to a holder which is attached to the cutter link. When the cutting insert becomes dull, broken or fractured, the cutting insert can be debrazed from the holder and replaced by brazing a new cutting insert to the holder, or the cutter link is removable from the chain saw chain so that the cutter link and attached holder and cutting insert can be replaced, or, if the wearing or damage is extensive, the entire chain saw chain can be replaced. The cutting inserts are usually grouped in sets along the chain, each set comprising a multiplicity of cutting inserts having an increasing kerf width.
These prior art chain saw cutting insert arrangements are relatively expensive to maintain and operate. When the cutting inserts need replacement, it necessitates the shutting down of the chain saw and quarrying operation for an extended period of time to replace the cutting inserts by the above stated methods. Also required for maintenance is an extensive inventory of cutting inserts of varying kerf width so that the appropriate cutting insert which has become dull, broken or fractured can be replaced. To minimize down time, inventories of entire chain saw chains are often maintained so that an entire chain can be replaced.
It is well known in the prior art to use carbide or tungsten carbide cutting inserts. However, carbide or tungsten carbide cutting inserts have been primarily useful in quarrying limestone, marble, slate and travertine, and have been found unsuitable for abrasive stone such as sandstone and some highly abrasive limestone. The highly abrasive materials cause excessive wearing of the carbide or tungsten carbide cutting insert, thereby resulting in short tool life and excessive down time in the quarrying operation for cutting insert replacement.
In recent years new materials have been developed which replace the carbide or tungsten carbide or at least the cutting surface of mining and drilling tools. Through the use of high pressure, high temperature technology, superabrasive materials such as polycrystaline diamond compacts, commonly known as "PDC," and polycrystaline cubic boron nitride compacts, known and sold by General Electric Company under the trademark "BZN.RTM. Compacts," have been produced for use as the cutting surfaces in drilling and mining tools. PDC materials which are useful for these purposes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 32,380 which teaches a PDC material which is sold by General Electric Company under the trademark STRATAPAX.RTM., U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,380 which teaches a thermally stable PDC, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,689 which teaches a coated thermally stable PDC, the latter materials being sold by General Electric Company under the trademark GEOSET.RTM.. BZN.RTM. Compacts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,767,371 and 3,743,489. The foregoing General Electric Company patents are assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, and are incorporated herein by this reference.
In the prior art the superabrasive material is typically formed in a thin section having a narrow dimension and a broad dimension. The cutting surface is usually the surface along the broad dimension. The superabrasive material is typically bonded to a metallic substrate, with the metallic substrate oriented to support the cutting surface and minimize stress on the metallic substrate-superabrasive material joint.
In prior art chain saw cutting inserts, the superabrasive material is usually backed by and bonded to a metallic substrate which is manufactured of a harder material than the hardened steel of the cutter links. If the superabrasive material is bonded to the metallic substrate in the manufacturing process, the metallic substrate is then brazed to a carrier which is secured to the cutter link. Alternatively, the superabrasive material may be brazed to a carrier which is secured to the cutter link. The metallic substrate or the carrier is typically oriented to provide mechanical support for the superabrasive material to reduce fracturing thereof and to reduce stress on the superabrasive material-metallic substrate bond or superabrasive material-carrier braze joint. Metallic substrate materials which have been used in the past are carbide or a hard cemented metal such as cemented carbide. The prior art superabrasive material cutting inserts are also typically arranged in sets of increasing kerf widths. This also requires an inventory of superabrasive material cutter inserts of various widths to maintain the chain saw.
Square PDC blanks have been used as cutting inserts for chain saws in the prior art. Each of the corners of the PDC blank is a cutting surface. The PDC blank is brazed to a holder which is attached to the cutter link of the chain saw chain. After one corner of the PDC blank becomes worn, the PDC blank is debrazed from the holder, rotated ninety degrees and rebrazed to the holder. This operation is repeated until all four corners of one side of the PDC blank have been used as cutting surfaces. The PDC blank is then rotated one hundred eighty degrees to the opposite side and this process repeated. In this process, the PDC blank is repeatedly subjected to elevated temperatures and potential thermal damage. Since only the corners of the PDC blank are used as cutting surfaces, the remaining portions of the PDC blank is waste material.

Cutting insert utilizing superabrasive compacts


Stator elements each accommodate at least one stator coil (5, 6), and a rotor (2) comprises a permanent magnet (10) which is axially supported by means of at least one axial bearing (11), the rotor (2) having an inner screwthread (12) in which a threaded spindle (13) is engageable. The permanent magnet (10) of the rotor (2) projects beyond the respective outer end (7, 8) of the stator return element (3, 4) at at least one axial end (10a, 10b), in such a manner that in spite of a displacement of the rotor (2) as a result of bearing tolerances of the axial bearing (11) substantially the entire electromagnetic field of the stator coils (5, 6) is linked to the rotor (2).

The invention relates to a claw-pole stepper motor having a stator which comprises at least two stator return elements bounded by outer sides, which elements each accommodate at least one stator coil, and having a rotor which comprises a permanent magnet and which is axially supported by means of at least one axial bearing, the rotor having an inner screwthread in which a threaded spindle is engageable.
Such a claw-pole stepper motor is known from EP 550 102 A2. Claw-pole stepper motors have no winding overhangs and the stator is bounded by a stator return element, for example a stator plate, at both axial ends. As a result, the axial length of the permanent magnet of the rotor of such a known claw-pole stepper motor is smaller than or equal to the axial distance between the outer ends of the stator return elements, in order to minimize the amount of permanent-magnet material. If the threaded spindle is locked against rotation a rotation of the rotor will be converted into an axial movement of the threaded spindle. If the threaded spindle is used, for example, to drive an actuating member, oppositely directed reaction forces will act upon the threaded spindle during its axial movement. These axial reaction forces may cause a displacement of the rotor in an axial direction owing to bearing tolerances of the axial bearing. As a result of such an axial displacement of the rotor, the electromagnetic flux generated by one of the two stator coils is no longer completely linked to the rotor, which leads to a reduction of the torque produced by the motor. In order to preclude the axial displacement of the rotor bearings having a very high axial stiffness have to be used and the claw-pole stepper motor should be manufactured with a very high mechanical precision. This results in high production costs for the motor.

Claw-pole stepper motor having a rotor supported by an axial bearing and a rotor-magnet extending beyond an end of a stator return element


A carrier comprised of a core, and thereover a polymer coating containing antimony tin oxide with an average diameter of from about 5 to about 90 nanometers.

This invention is generally directed to developer compositions, and more specifically, the present invention relates to developer compositions comprised of coated carrier components, or coated carrier particles that can be prepared by, for example, dry powder processes, and wherein the coating is a polymer containing an antimony tin oxide. More specifically, the present invention relates to compositions, especially carrier compositions comprised of a core, and thereover at least one polyme,r and dispersed therein and thereon antimony tin oxide of a suitable average size, such as from about 15 to about 45 nanometers, and more specifically, from about 16 to about 32 nanometers. In one form, the antimony tin oxide (ATO) possesses a more negative potential than a number of carbon blacks, and thus may not cause a reduction in negative tribo as is the situation with carbon black; and the nanometer size of the ATO ensures sufficient surface area of this filler and thus sufficient conductivity at similar volume percent loadings as carbon black. Also, in one form the ATO is light gray in color and in a powder form, thereby resulting in minimal contamination when color toners are generated and used for development.
In embodiments of the present invention, the carrier particles are comprised of a core with a coating thereover of a polymer, such as a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and the like; polyvinylidenefluoride, polyethylene, copolyethylene vinylacetate, copolyvinylidenefluoride tetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylfluoride, polylbutylacrylate, copolybutylacrylate methacrylate, polytrifluoroethyl methacrylate, polyurethanes, and mixtures thereof, especially a mixture of any two of these polymers, copolymers of methylmethacrylate and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, methylmethacrylate copolymers with substituted alkyl aminoethyl methacrylate, butylaminoethyl methacrylate, polyvinylidenefluoride and polymethylmethacrylate, and the like, and which polymer coating contains ATO. The carrier may include the polymer coating thereover in admixture with other suitable polymers, and more specifically, with a second polymer, such as a fluoropolymer, polymethylmethacrylate, poly(urethane), especially a crosslinked polyurethane, such as a poly(urethane)polyester, and the like; and moreover, the copolymer coating contains in place of a conductive component, such as a suitable carbon black, ATO of nanometer size, and which ATO component is dispersed in and on or in the polymer coating. With the ATO conductive component, there can be enabled carriers with increased developer triboelectric response at relative humidities of from about 20 to about 90 percent improved image quality performance, excellent high conductivity ranges of from about 10−10 to about 10−7 (ohm-cm)−1, and the like. A specific advantage associated with the carriers of the present invention with the polymer coatings thereover include a high triboelectrical charge (measured as charge to diameter ratio in nanocoulombs per meter), for example the carrier can provide toners with a tribocharge of from about a minus (negative charge) 0.1 to about 10, or to about 7 nanocoulombs per meter, and more specifically, from about a negative 0.2 to about a negative 4 nanocoulombs per meter, and yet most specifically, from about a negative 0.4 to about a negative 2 nanocoulombs per meter.
The carrier particles of the present invention can be selected for a number of different imaging systems and devices, such as xerographic copiers and printers, inclusive of high speed color xerographic systems, printers, digital systems, combination of xerographic and digital systems, and wherein colored images with excellent and substantially no background deposits are achievable. Developer compositions comprised of the carrier particles illustrated herein and prepared, for example, by a dry coating process are generally useful in electrostatographic or electrophotographic imaging systems, especially xerographic imaging and printing processes, and digital processes. Additionally, the invention developer compositions comprised of substantially conductive carrier particles are useful in imaging methods wherein relatively constant conductivity parameters are desired. Furthermore, in the aforementioned imaging processes the toner triboelectric charge with the carrier particles can be preselected, which charge is dependent, for example, on the polymer composition and dispersant component applied to the carrier core, and optionally the type and amount of the conductive component selected.


The image forming apparatus serves to raise a temperature of fusing section (22) only when an operational item received from operation panel section (3) is determined that an image printing is required. The image forming apparatus includes scanner section (1) for outputting an image data upon reading out an image on a text, image forming section (21) for forming an image on a predetermined print medium based on the image data, fusing section (22) for fusing thus formed image on the predetermined print medium at a prescribed fusing temperature, print requirement determination section (25) for determining as to whether or not an input of a specific operational item received from operation panel section (3) requires an image printing thereof, in which fusing temperature controlling section (23) serves to control a temperature rise of fusing section (22) on the basis of the determination by print requirement determination section (25) that the image printing is required.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, more specifically to an energy saving function of the image forming apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including a scanner section and a printer section has been proposed. Such an image forming apparatus includes a scanner function for reading a text and transferring an image data thereof to an external apparatus and a copying function for printing the image data of the text read by the scanner section by the printer section (see Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 10-161958). Such kind of apparatus is required to have an energy saving function for reducing power consumption. To achieve this function, such an apparatus is configured such that a temperature of a fusing section of the printer section is lowered than a fusing temperature when the image forming apparatus is in a standby state, while the temperature of the fusing section is raised up to the fusing temperature when an operator sets the text on the scanner section.
The above described apparatus is used by the operator for two kinds of purposes such as a case where the scanner section reads out the text to copy the image data thereof and a case where the scanner section reads out the text to transfer the image data of the text to the exterior apparatus without copying the text. Therefore, as stated above, such a configuration that the temperature of the fusing section is always raised up to the fusing temperature when the operator sets the text on the scanner section will involve an excessive electric power consumption in the case where the scanner section reads out the text and transfers the image data of the text to the exterior apparatus without copying the text.
The present invention is directed to resolve a problem that the excessive electric power consumption is necessitated for the reason that the temperature of the fusing section is always raised up to the fusing temperature regardless of the cases where the scanner section reads out the text to copy the image data thereof and where the scanner section reads out the text to transfer the image data of the text to the exterior apparatus without copying the text, when the operator sets the text on the scanner section.
The present invention is mainly featured in that an input of a specific operational item received from an operation panel section includes a print requirement determination section for determining as to whether or not an image printing by an image printing means is needed and a fusing temperature controlling section for starting a control of raising a temperature of a fusing section on the basis of a determination by the print requirement determination section indicating that an image printing is required.
Since the control of raising the temperature of the fusing section is started when the operational item received from the operation panel section is determined as requiring the image printing, the temperature of the fusing section can be raised while the operator is setting a copying condition or the like, resulting in being capable of facilitating a copying timing and avoiding unnecessary electric power consumption since the temperature of the fusing section is not raised when the image printing is not required.
With the input of the specified operational item received from the operation panel section, a control means of CPU (microprocessor) built in the apparatus realizes, without increasing the number of parts for the apparatus, the print requirement determination section for determining as to whether or not an image printing by an image printing means is required and the fusing temperature controlling section for starting the control of raising a temperature of the fusing section on the basis of the determination by the print requirement determination section indicating that an image printing is required.
According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus is provided with a copy mode selecting recognition section for recognizing if the operator depressed a copy mode button of the operation panel section, and the temperature of the fusing section is started to be raised when the copy mode recognition section recognizes that the copy mode button was depressed by the operator.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes scanner section 1, printer section 2, operation panel section 3, copy mode selecting recognition section 4, network I/F section 5, power source 6, CPU 7, timer 8, ROM 9 and RAM 10.
Scanner section 1 having text detecting section 11 and text reading section 12 reads out an image on the text to output an image data thereof. The schematic configuration of this section is explained.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of the scanner section.
In FIG. 2, text detection section 11 is composed of text detection lever 11-1, photo-coupler 11-2, resistor R1 and resistor R2.
Text detection lever 11-1 is attached to text setting table 11-3 such that the lever is pivotable around fulcrum point 11-1a in a direction as shown by an arrow in FIG. 2. If the text is not set on text setting table 11-3, light blocking screen 11-1b pivots by its dead-load around fulcrum point 11-1a in the arrow direction (clockwise direction) to block a light path crossing from photodiode 11-2a to phototransistor 11-2b. At this moment, phototransistor 11-2b becomes off to output a text presence signal, indicative of absence of text, of about 5V (volts) is output trough resistor R2 to CPU 7.
When the text is set on text setting table 11-3, light blocking screen 11-1b pivots in an arrow direction (namely, counter-clockwise direction) around fulcrum point 11-1a against its dead-load to form a light path crossing from photodiode 11-2a to phototransistor 11-2b. At this moment, phototransistor. 11-2b becomes on, resistor R2 is grounded, and the text presence signal indicative of the presence of the text, of about 0V (volt) is output to CPU 7.
Text reading section 12 reads out an image on the text from text setting table 11-3 conveyed by a text conveying means which is not shown. The image data read out here is stored in RAM 10 (FIG. 1).
Turning back to FIG. 1, printer section 2 having image forming section 21, fusing section 22 and fusing temperature controlling section 23 reproduces the image onto a predetermined print medium based on the image data upon reception of the image data from the above stated text reading section 12 to have the reproduced image e fused on the medium at a prescribed fusing temperature. A general configuration of this section is illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of the printer section.
In FIG. 3, image forming section 21 forms an image with developer on the basis of the image data received from RAM 10 (FIG. 1) onto the print medium conveyed by the print medium conveying means which is not shown.
Fusing section 22 is composed of fusing roller 22-2 with built-in halogen lamp 22-1, back-up roller 22-3 to be disposed such that the roller press-fits fusing roller 22-2, and thermister 22-4 disposed in the vicinity of fusing roller 22-2.
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 has a function that an electric power supplied from power source 6 (FIG. 1) is energized to or interrupted from halogen lamp 22-1, a function that a resistant value of thermister 22-4 which varies according to the temperature is read out to convert it to a temperature in order to detect a temperature of fusing section 22, and a function of maintaining a constant temperature in which the energization and interruption of the electric power to halogen lamp 22-1 is performed automatically in order to keep fusing section 22 at the prescribed temperature on the basis of thus detected temperature.
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 is activated such that CPU 7 (FIG. 1), executes a preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 9 (FIG. 1). The image on the print medium that has been formed by image forming section 21 is fused onto the print medium upon passing through between fusing roller 22-2 kept at the prescribed fusing temperature and back-up roller 22-3.
Now turning back to FIG. 1, operation panel section 3 enables an input of a plural operational items (including modes) by the operator in connection with an image data treatment. Explained are various operation input (selection) keys that are arranged on this section.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the operation panel section.
In FIG. 4, 200 denotes a LCD (liquid crystal display) for indicating conditions or various setting screens of the apparatus. 201 denotes a copying magnification setting key in which copying magnification is represented by % when lighting of LED 202 for the use of copying magnification indication is switched every time the operator depresses the copying magnification setting key. 203 and 204 denote zoom-up keys for the use of copying in which the copying magnification setting can be increased/decreased in unit of a predetermined percentage. 206 denotes a copying resolution setting key in which lighting of LED 207 for the use of copying resolution indication is switched every time the operator depresses the copying resolution setting key. 208 and 209 denote reading density setting keys for setting whether or not a text image is to be read out rather in light or in dark in which LED 210 for indicating reading dense is switched level by level every time the operator depresses the reading dense setting key.
211 and 212 denote mode selecting keys in which a copying mode is selected when the operator depresses copying mode selecting key 211, while a scanning mode is selected when the operator depresses scanning mode selecting key 212. 213 denotes LED for indicating mode in which LED corresponding to a mode selected by either one of mode selecting keys 211 and 212 lights up. 214 denotes a numerical keypad for inputting the number of copies in a copying mode, and for inputing a mail address and the like in a scanning mode, respectively. 215 denotes a copying-number indicating device for indicating the number of copies to be set and input.
219 denotes an additional setting key for having LCD 200 display a copy relating additional setting screen other than the screens described above in a copying mode and a scan relating additional setting screen in a scanning mode, respectively. 222 denotes a menu key having LCD 200 display various apparatus setting screens. 216 denotes a cursor move key for selecting one of a plurality of options displayed on LCD 200 upon depression of additional setting key 219 or menu key 222, in which a cursor is movable from right to left and up and down. 218 denotes a setting key for defining a setting selected by cursor move key 216, and 217 denotes a cancel key for canceling the setting once defined.
220 denotes a FTP address call key for having LCD 200 display an address of FTP server, 221 denotes a mail address call key for having LCD 200 display a mail address, 223 denotes a reset key for resetting the setting input, and 224 denotes a power save key for placing an apparatus in a standby state to a power save mode or for recovering the apparatus in power save mode to a standby state.
The power save mode is a mode for establishing a better reduction mode of the power consumption than the apparatus in the standby mode by interrupting a supply of electric power to fusing section 22 (FIG. 1) or a driving section other than the one shown here. Hereinafter, both of the standby state and the power save mode or either one of the standby state or the power save mode are referred to as an energy saving mode. 225 denotes a LED group for displaying a power source on/off state, an alarm raising condition and a power save mode on/off state, respectively. 226 and 227 denote start keys for providing an instruction to start the text reading in monochrome mode and in color mode, respectively. 228 denotes a stop key for stopping an operation of the apparatus.
Turning back to FIG. 1, copying mode selecting recognition section 4 serves to recognize that the operator depressed copying mode selecting keys 211, 212 (FIG. 4). The copying mode selecting recognition section has fusing temperature controlling section 23 start to raise the temperature of fusing section 22 upon recognizing that the operator depresses copying mode selecting key 211 (FIG. 4). The copying mode selecting recognition section further serves to start a processing of scanning mode upon recognizing a depression of scanning mode selecting key 212 (FIG. 4) by the operator. The copying mode selecting recognition section is activated when CPU 7 executes the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 9.
Network I/F section 5 is an interface circuit for establishing a communication connection between external apparatus 110 and image forming apparatus 100 through network 13 on the basis of the control by CPU 7.
Power source 6 serves to supply a desired power to each section of the apparatus.
CPU 7 is a microprocessor for controlling the apparatus in its entirety by executing the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 9. In addition to an ordinary control (the explanation thereof is omitted here), the CPU according to the present embodiment serves to activate fusing temperature controlling section 23 and copying mode selecting recognition section 4 by executing the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 9.
Timer 8 is a clock means for measuring a time lapse required in the process where CPU 7 executes various controls. Generally, a timer provided in CPU 7 takes a roll of this clock means.
ROM 9 is a read only memory in which a controlling program to be executed by CPU 7 for controlling the entire apparatus is preliminary stored. Besides the ordinary controlling program (the explanation thereof is omitted here), the read only memory according to the present embodiment preliminary stores the controlling grogram to be executed by CPU 7 for activating fusing temperature controlling section 23 and copying mode selecting recognition section 4.
RAM 10 is a random access memory to be used temporarily as a working area when CPU 7 executes the preset program.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart I illustrating operations of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart II illustrating operations of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The flows illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 are achieved such that CPU 7 (FIG. 1) reads out and executes the controlling program stored in ROM 9 (FIG. 1). The operations of the image forming apparatus is explained step by step from step S1-1 to step S1-26 referring to the drawings.
Step S1-1 (FIG. 5)
Image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) is on standby in energy saving mode (namely, the temperature of the fusing section is low).
The operator operates operation pane section 3 (FIG. 4) to input desirable mode. In the case where the operator depresses one of selecting keys 211, 212 (FIG. 4) to select a copying mode, the step goes to step S1-3, whereas in the case where the copying mode is not selected here, the step goes to step S1-23.
Step S1-3
Copying mode selecting recognition section 4 (FIG. 1) recognizes that the copying mode was selected.
Step S1-4
Copying mode selecting recognition section 4 (FIG. 1) has fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 1) start to control the fusing temperature. Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 1) energizes halogen lamp 22-1 (FIG. 3) to raise the temperature of fusing roller 22-2 (FIG. 3).
Step S1-5
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 1) has timer 8 (FIG. 1) start.
Step S1-6
In the case where the operator depressed any one of so-called copying condition input keys such as copying magnification setting key 201 (FIG. 4), zoom-up keys for copying 203, 204 (FIG. 4), copying resolution setting key 206 (FIG. 4), key pad 214 as a copying-number input key or additional setting key 219 (FIG. 4), the step goes to step S1-16, whereas in the case where the operator depressed none of them, the step goes to step S1-7.
Step S1-7
Text detecting section 11 (FIG. 2) upon detecting the text, outputs the text presence signal of about 0V (volt) to CPU 7 (FIG. 1) and the step goes to step S1-8, whereas if the text detecting section detects no text, the step goes to step S1-18.
Step S1-8
In the case where CPU 7 (FIG. 1) recognizes that the operator depressed start key 226 or 227 (FIG. 4), the step goes to step S1-9, whereas in the case where the CPU recognizes that the operator depressed no start key, the step goes to step S1-18.
Step S1-9 (FIG. 6)
Text reading section 12 (FIG. 2) starts to read out the text.
Step S1-10
Fusing temperature controlling section 23. (FIG. 3) monitors thermister 22-4 (FIG. 3) and when the temperature of fusing roller 22-2 (FIG. 3) reaches the prescribed fusing temperature, the step then goes to step S1-11.
Step S1-11
Image forming section 21 (FIG. 3) starts a printing operation.
Step S1-12
When image forming section 21 (FIG. 3) terminates the printing operation, the step goes to step S1-13, while if the printing operation is continuing, the step goes to step S1-15.
Step S1-13
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 3) terminates to keep the fusing temperature.
Step S1-14
CPU 7 (FIG. 1) resets the copying mode to terminate the flow of the printing operation, and then returns to the energy saving mode.
Step S1-15
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 3) keeps the fusing temperature since the printing operation has not been terminated and, as a result, the step goes back to S1-9. Then, a sequential loop composed of the steps S-9, S-10, S1-11, S1-12, S1-15, S1-9 is repeated in this order, and upon termination of the printing operation, the step goes out from the loop at step S1-12 to step S1-13 to terminate the flow of the printing operation.
Step S1-16 (FIG. 5)
Upon setting of the copying conditions, fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 1) resets and restarts timer 8 (FIG. 1). This is because, even if the operator depresses any one of so called copying condition setting keys such as copying magnitude setting key 201 (FIG. 4), zoom-up keys for copying 203, 204 (FIG. 4), copying resolution setting key 206 (FIG. 4), key pad 214 (FIG. 4) as the copying-number input key and additional setting key 219 (FIG. 4), and even subsequent thereto if the operator does not input an activation of the copying operation within a predetermined time period, such situation has to be considered that the copying mode is abandoned.
Step S1-17
When the operator inputs a value for setting the copying condition on item, the step goes to step S1-18.
Step S1-18
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 1) monitors timer 8 (FIG. 1) and, if it's time out, the step goes to step S1-19, whereas if it is not time out, the step goes to step S1-21.
Step S1-19
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 1) terminates to keep the fusing temperature. Here, there is a high possibility that the operator halted the operation or went away from the apparatus for some reasons after he selected the copying mode, and therefore keeping the fusing temperature is not required any more.
Step S1-20
CPU 7 (FIG. 1) resets the copying mode and then the step goes back to step S1-1.
Step S1-21
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 3) monitors thermister 22-4 (FIG. 3) and, if the temperature has reached the fusing temperature, the step goes to step S1-22, whereas if the temperature has not reached the fusing temperature, the step goes back to step S1-6.
Step S1-22
Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 3) goes back to step S1-6 with the fusing temperature kept as it is.
Step S1-23 (FIG. 6)
If the operator operated operation panel section 3 (FIG. 4) to have mode selecting keys 211, 212 (FIG. 4) select the scanning mode, the step goes to step S1-24, and in any other situation than the foregoing, the step goes to step S1-25.
Step S1-24
CPU 7 (FIG. 1) executes a processing of the scanning mode to terminate the flow of the operation.
Step 51-25
If there is an input by other key, the step goes to step S1-26, whereas if there is no input by other key, the step goes back to step S1-2.
Step S1-26
CPU 7 (FIG. 1) executes a processing corresponding to the input by the other key to terminate a flow of the operation.
As all of the steps in the flow of the operation has been finished, supplemental explanations are given to the steps S1-7 and S1-8. In step S1-7, if it takes time to set the text due to an inexperience or the like by the operator, such a loop is repeated that steps goes through S1-18, S1-21 or S1-22, S1-6, S1-7, S1-18 in this order as far as within a time period set in step S1-5, and if the text is set during which loop, the step goes forward from step S1-7 to step S1-8. However, if the text is not set during which period, it becomes time over, and therefore the step goes back from step S1-18 to the step S1-1 through step S1-19 in order to-repeat the steps again from top. Step S-18 follows the same loop.
As explained above, image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes copying mode selecting recognition section 4 for recognizing that the operator depressed the copying mode button of the operation panel section, in which a control to raise the temperature of the fusing section is started when copying mode selecting recognition section 4 recognizes that the operator depressed the copying mode button. As such, while the operator is setting the copying conditions, the temperature of the fusing section can be raised. Therefore, advantageous effect can be produced that the copying timing can be facilitated, and besides, unnecessary electric consumption is avoidable since the temperature of the fusing section is prevented from being raised when image printing is not required.
In the above stated first embodiment, a rise of the temperature of the fusing section can be started only by a depression of the copying mode selecting key 211 by the operator (FIG. 4). However, according to the present embodiment, even before depressing copying mode selecting key 211 (FIG. 4), if operator depressed the copying condition setting key such as copying magnitude setting key 201 (FIG. 4) or copying resolution setting key 206 (FIG. 4) or the like, the temperature of the fusing section is started to be raised since it is obvious the operator is desiring the image printing.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.
Image forming apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 7 includes scanner section 1, printer section 2, operation panel section 3, copying mode selecting recognition section 4, network I/F section 5, power source 6, timer 8, RAM 10, print requirement determination section 25, CPU 26 and ROM 27. Only the components which are not described in the first embodiment are explained hereinafter. The similar components as those in the first embodiment are assigned with the identical numerals and/or symbols, thereby allowing the omission of explanation thereof.
Print requirement determination section 25 determines whether or not an input of the specific operational item received from operation panel section 3 requires an image printing by printer section 2, and allows fusing temperature control section 23 to start to raise the temperature of fusing section 22 upon determination that the image printing is required. In other words, when the operator depresses copying magnitude setting key 201 (FIG. 4), copying resolution setting key 206 (FIG. 4) or the like, the print requirement determination section determines that the image printing is required, thereby causing fusing temperature control section 23 to start to raise the temperature of fusing section 22. The print requirement determination section is activated by CPU 7 at a time which executes a preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 9.
CPU 26 is a micro processor for controlling the entire apparatus upon execution of the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 27. In addition to the ordinary control (explanation thereof is omitted here), the CPU activates fusing temperature control section 23 and copying mode selecting recognition section 4 by executing the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 27. Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU activates print requirement determination section 25 upon execution of the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 27.
ROM 27 is a read-only-memory in which a controlling program to be executed by CPU 26 for controlling the entire apparatus is preliminary stored. The ROM is the read-only-memory in which the controlling program to be executed by CPU 26 for activating fusing temperature control section 23 and copying mode selecting recognition section 4 is preliminary stored besides the ordinary controlling program (the explanation there is omitted here). Further, in the present embodiment, the ROM is the read-only-memory in which the controlling program to be executed by CPU 26 for activating print requirement determination section 25 is preliminary stored.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart I illustrating operations of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart II illustrating operations of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.
These flows of the operations in FIGS. 8 and 9 are achieved such that CPU 26 (FIG. 7) reads out and executes the controlling program stored in ROM 27 (FIG. 7). The operations of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment differs from those of the first embodiment only in that additional operations encircled by dotted-line, i.e., steps S2-1 to S2-4, are additionally inserted between the steps S1-1 and S1-2 according to the first embodiment. The other operations are identical to the operations of the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment, and therefore, the steps S2-1, S2-2, S2-3 and S2-4 are explained here and the other steps are omitted for their explanations but are assigned with the same step numbers as those in the first embodiment.
Step S2-1 (FIG. 8)
Print requirement determination section 25 (FIG. 7) determines whether or not the key depressed by the operator is one of copying condition setting keys requiring printing, such as copying magnitude setting key 201 (FIG. 4), copying resolution setting key 206 (FIG. 4) or the like. If the key depressed by the operator is the copying condition setting key, the step goes to step S2-2. If the key depressed by the operator is not the copying condition setting key, the step goes to step S1-2 to follow the flow of the operations similar to that of the first embodiment.
Step S2-2
Print requirement determination section 25 (FIG. 7) recognizes that the copying mode is selected.
Step S2-3
Print requirement determination section 25 (FIG. 7) has fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 7) start to control the fusing temperature. Fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 7) energizes halogen lamp 22-1 (FIG. 3) to raise the temperature of fusing roller 22-2 (FIG. 3).
Step S2-4
Fusing temperature-controlling-section 23 (FIG. 7) has timer 8 (FIG. 7) start. Then, the step goes to step S1-17 to follow the flow of operaions similar to that of the first embodiment.
As stated above, if the copying condition setting key is depressed even before copying mode selecting key 211 (FIG. 4) is depressed, print requirement determination section 25 (FIG. 7) determines that the image printing is required to have fusing section 22 (FIG. 7) start to raise the temperature, resulting in a temperature rise of fusing section 22 (FIG. 7) while the operator is setting the copying condition. Therefore, such advantageous results can be produced that a copying timing can be accelerated and unnecessary electric consumption is avoidable since the temperature rise of fusing section 22 (FIG. 7) can be prevented when the image printing is not required.
The present embodiment has a text removal determination section to halt the fusing temperature keeping operation immediately upon detection of a text removal because the printing operation becomes unnecessary if once the text was set but is removed thereafter.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10, image forming apparatus 300 has scanner section 1, printer section 2, operating panel section 3, copying mode selecting recognition section 4, network I/F section 5, power source 6, timer 8, RAM 10, print requirement determination section 25, text removal determination section 31, CPU 32 and ROM 33. Only the components those are not explained in the second embodiment are explained here. The components similar to those in the second embodiment are omitted of their explanations but are assigned with the same numerals.
Text removal detection section 31 serves to halt the controls to have the fusing temperature controlling section 23 raise the temperature of fusing section 22 or keep the fusing temperature upon determination of the removal of the text having set on scanner section 1 when the text presence signal output by text detection section 11 changes from 0V to 5V. The text removal detection section is activated such that CPU 32 executes the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 33.
CPU 32 is a micro processor for controlling the entire apparatus by executing the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 33. In addition to the ordinary control (the explanation thereof is omitted here), the CPU serves to activate fusing temperature controlling section 23, copying mode selecting recognizing section 4 and print requirement determination section 25 by executing the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 33. Further, according to the present embodiment, the CPU serves to activate text removal detection section 31 by executing the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 33.
ROM 33 is a read-only-memory in which a controlling program to be executed by CPU 32 for controlling the entire apparatus is preliminary stored. In addition to the ordinary controlling program (the explanation thereof is omitted here), the ROM is the read-only-memory in which the preset controlling program to be executed by CPU 32 for activating fusing temperature controlling section 23, copying mode selecting recognizing section 4 and print requirement determination section 25 is preliminary stored. Further, the ROM according to the present embodiment is the read-only-memory in which the controlling program to be executed by CPU 32 for activating text removal detection section 31 is preliminary stored.
FIG. 11 is a flow chart I illustrating operations of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart II illustrating operations of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.
These flows of the operations in FIGS. 11 and 12 can be achieved such that CPU 32 (FIG. 10) reads out and executes the controlling program stored in ROM 33 (FIG. 10). The operations of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment differs from those according to the second embodiment merely in that the encircled by dotted-line,namely, step S3-1, is additionally inserted between the steps S1-7 and S1-8 of the second embodiment. The other operations are identical to those in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, and therefore the explanations are given only to the step S3-1 and the other operations are omitted for their explanations but are assigned with the same step numerals as those in the second embodiment.
Step S3-1 (FIG. 11)
Text removal detection section 31 (FIG. 10) detects that the text having set on scanner section 1 (FIG. 10) was removed when the text presence signal output from text detecting section 11 (FIG. 10) changes from 0V to 5V. As a result, the step goes to step S1-19 in order to halt the control to keep the fusing temperature of fusing section 22 (FIG. 10) performed by fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 10). Then, the similar flow of operations follows as in the operations according to the second embodiment.
As described above, the present embodiment produces such advantageous result that the equipment of text removal detection section 31 (FIG. 10) enables to avoid an unnecessary electric consumption because the fusing temperature keeping operation can be halt immediately when the text having once set is removed.
According to the present embodiment, once the copying mode has selected but is changed to the scanning mode halfway of copying operation, the printing operation is not required any more, and therefore, the mode change detection section is provided to halt keeping operation of the fusing temperature immediately upon detection of the mode change.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 13, image forming apparatus 400 has scanner section 1, printer section 2, operation panel section 3, copying mode selecting recognizing section 4, network I/F section 5, power source 6, timer 8, RAM 10, print requirement determination section 25, text removal detection section 31, mode change detection section 41, CPU 42 and ROM 43. The explanations are given to the only components which differ from those in the third embodiment. The components similar to those in the third embodiment are omitted for their explanations but are assigned with the same numerals as in the third embodiment.
Mode change detection section 41 detects a changing requirement requiring mode change from the copying mode to the scanning mode if the operator depresses scanning mode selecting key 212 (FIG. 4) halfway to set the copying condition to halt the fusing temperature controlling section 23 control to raise the temperature or control to keep the fusing temperature of fusing section 22. The mode change detection section is activated such that CPU 42 executes the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 43.
CPU 42 is a micro processor for controlling the entire apparatus by executing the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 143. In addition to the ordinary control (the explanation thereof is omitted here), the CPU activates fusing temperature controlling section 23, copying mode selecting recognizing section 4, print requirement determination section 25 and text removal detection section 31 upon execution of the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 43. Further, the CPU of the present embodiment serves to activate mode change detection section 41 by executing the preset controlling program preliminary stored in ROM 43.
ROM 43 is a read-only-memory in which the controlling program to be executed by CPU 42 for controlling the entire apparatus is preliminary stored. In addition to the ordinary controlling program (the explanation thereof is omitted here), the ROM is the read-only-memory in which the controlling program to be executed by CPU 42 for activating fusing temperature controlling section 23, copying mode selecting recognizing section 4, print requirement determination section 25 and text removal detection section 31 is preliminary stored. Further, the ROM of the present embodiment is the read-only-memory in which the controlling program to be executed by CPU 42 for activating mode change detection section 41 is preliminary stored.
FIG. 14 is a flow chart I illustrating the operations of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart II illustrating the operations of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
The flows as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 can be achieved such that CPU 42 (FIG. 13) reads out and executes the controlling program stored in ROM 43 (FIG. 13). The operations of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment merely differs from those of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment in that additional operations encircled by a dotted line (namely, steps S4-1, S4-2 and S4-3) are inserted between the steps S1-6 and S1-7 of the third embodiment. The operations other than the above are identical to those of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, and therefore, explanations are given only to the operations encircled by the dotted line (namely, steps S4-1, S4-2 and S4-3) and the identical steps of the present embodiment are assigned with the identical numerals as those of the third embodiment but are omitted for their explanations.
Step S4-1 (FIG. 14)
Mode change detection section 41 (FIG. 13), upon detecting that the operator depressed scanning mode selecting key 212 (FIG. 4) halfway of the setting operation of the copying condition, detects a mode change requirement requiring the mode change; from the copying mode to the scanning mode. As such, the step goes to S42. If the mode change detection section does not detect the mode change requirement, the steps goes to the step S1-7 to follow the flow of the operations in the copying mode.
Step S4-2
Mode change detection section 41 (FIG. 13) has fusing temperature controlling section 23 (FIG. 13) halt a control to keep the fusing temperature of fusing section 22 (FIG. 13).
Step S4-3
Mode change detection section 41 (FIG. 13) resets the copying mode and therefore the step goes to S1-25 (FIG. 15). Then, the step follows the similar flow of the operations as stated in the third embodiment.
As stated above, the image forming apparatus having mode change detection section 41 (FIG. 13) according to the present embodiment is capable of halting the operation to keep the fusing temperature immediately upon receiving the mode change requirement requiring to change the mode to the scanning mode on the way of operating the copying mode. Consequently, such advantageous result is obtainable that unnecessary electric consumption can be avoided.
In the above description, the present invention is exemplified limitatively in the case where the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus having the scanner section and printer section; however, the present invention is not to be limited to such an example. Namely, the present invention is applicable to a copying machine, a facsimile machine and a multifunction system including a scanner and a printer.
As described above, it is obvious that this invention can be arbitrarily modified without departing from the scope of this invention.
The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.

Image forming apparatus with power saving features


Provided are a urethane resin solution to provide a urethane resin having a low tensile elasticity, a low elastic modulus under low temperatures, good elastic recovery, excellent heat resistance and excellent adhesion, a production method of the solution and a production method of the urethane resin.

A polyoxy tetramethylene diol (hereinafter also referred to as "PTMG") is a polymer of tetrahydrofuran (hereinafter referred to as "THF"). A urethane resin with this PTMG as a soft segment component is used for an elastic fiber, a synthetic leather, a flooring material, a printing ink binder, and so on because it is excellent in an elastic property, hydrolysis resistance, and so on.
However, PTMGs with a molecular weight ranging from 500 to 2,500, which are useful for the urethane resin, have a melting point in a range of from 20 to 40° C. Urethane resins using these PTMGs as a raw material have a problem that polyol-derived portions crystallize at temperatures below the ordinary temperature to enhance the elastic modulus (modulus) and degrade elastic recovery at low temperatures. This property might pose a problem in application to the elastic fiber. In a case where the elastic fiber is used for stockings or the like, for example, the high elastic modulus (modulus) will result in a too strong constriction and degradation of comfortableness in turn. Furthermore, in a case where this elastic fiber is used for sportswear, there is a problem that under low temperatures the stretchability becomes poor and wearability becomes poor. It becomes unsuitable for use, particularly in the winter season or under subzero temperatures like skiwear.
In order to improve the above drawbacks of PTMGs, it is proposed to use a copolymer of THF and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran (hereinafter referred to as "3Me-THF") or a random copolymer of THF and ethylene oxide (hereinafter also referred to as "EO") and/or propylene oxide (hereinafter referred to as "PO") (cf. Patent Documents 1 to 5). However, with respect to the THF/3Me-THF copolymer, the polyol becomes expensive because the raw material 3Me-THF is expensive, and its heat resistance at high temperatures is insufficient. Furthermore, the THF/PO random copolymer or THF/EO random copolymer is not satisfactory in the tensile property, and a molecular weight distribution of the polyol is likely to be wide. In addition, the urethane resins using these materials as raw materials were insufficient in the elastic property and tensile property.
There are thus strong demands for a method for inexpensively producing a urethane resin with satisfactory properties with respect to all the properties including the heat resistance, elastic property, tensile property, and so on.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-63-235320
Patent Document 2: JP-A-2-19511
Patent Document 3: JP-A-2002-348727
Patent Document 4: JP-A-2002-348728
Patent Document 5: JP-A-8-511297

Urethane resin solution, process for its production and process for producing urethane resin

Abstract: An isocyanate group-terminated prepolymer is synthesized by reacting a polyisocyanate compound with a polyetherester diol having a molecular weight of from 800 to 4,000, which is obtained by a ring-opening polymerization of a mixture of an alkylene oxide and a lactone monomer using a polyoxy tetramethylene diol having a molecular weight of from 500 to 2,500 as an initiator and using a composite metal cyanide complex catalyst if necessary, and the resulting prepolymer is reacted with a chain extender, for example, comprised of a low molecular weight diamine and/or a low molecular weight diol, in an organic solvent. The urethane resin solution obtained is molded into a predetermined shape, or a substrate is coated or impregnated with the urethane resin solution and thereafter the organic solvent is removed to obtain a urethane resin.


A process for densifying porous structures inside a furnace using non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD includes disposing a number of porous structures in a stack within a furnace. The stack has a center opening region extending through the porous structures and an outer region extending along the outside of the porous structures. Channels provide fluid communication between the center opening region and the outer region. A first portion of a gas composition is introduced to the center opening region. A second portion of the gas composition is introduced to the outer region. The porous structures are densified from an average density of less than 0.60 g/cm3 to an average density of greater than 1.70 g/cm3 in a single cycle of non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD.

Chemical vapor infiltration and deposition (CVI/CVD) is a well known process for depositing a binding matrix within a porous structure. The term "chemical vapor deposition" (CVD) generally implies deposition of a surface coating, but the term is also used to refer to infiltration and deposition of a matrix within a porous structure. As used herein, the term CVI/CVD is intended to refer to infiltration and deposition of a matrix within a porous structure. The technique is particularly suitable for fabricating high temperature structural composites by depositing a carbonaceous or ceramic matrix within a carbonaceous or ceramic porous structure resulting in very useful structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks, and ceramic combustor or turbine components.
Generally, manufacturing carbon parts using a CVI/CVD process involves placing preformed porous structures in a furnace and introducing a high temperature reactant gas to the porous structures. A variety of porous structures and reactant gases may be used, but typically, a fibrous carbon porous structure is used with a reactant gas mixture of natural gas and/or propane gas when carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks are manufactured. As well understood by those in the art, when the hydrocarbon gas mixture flows around and through the porous structures, some of the carbon atoms separate from the hydrocarbon molecules, thereby depositing the carbon atoms within the interior and onto the surface of the porous structures. As a result, the porous structures become more dense over time as more and more of the carbon atoms are deposited onto the structures. This process is sometimes referred to as densification because the open spaces in the porous structures are eventually filled with a carbon matrix until generally solid carbon parts are formed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,480,678 and 5,853,485 to Rudolph et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,988 to Daws et al., also describe in detail additional aspects of CVI/CVD processes.
Densification processes for annular brake disks may be characterized as either conventional isothermal densification processes or pressure gradient densification processes or variants thereof. In conventional isothermal densification, annular brake disks are arranged in stacks with adjacent brake disks stacked on top of each other. A center opening region is thus formed through the center of each stack. Typically, spacers are placed between adjacent brake disks to form open passages between the center opening region and the outer region. Thus, the reactant gas flows randomly around the stack and may flow through the open passages from the center opening region to the outer region or vice versa. As a result, the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet ducts of the furnace is usually relatively low in conventional isothermal processes.
In pressure gradient densification, the open passages between the center opening region and the outer region are sealed to constrict the flow of the reactant gas between the center opening region and the outer region. Therefore, the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet ducts of the furnace is higher than the pressure used in isothermal densification. As a result, the high pressure differential forces the reactant gas to flow through the interior of the porous brake disk structures, thereby increasing the rate of densification compared to isothermal processes. Conventional isothermal and pressure gradient densification processes may also be combined to achieve optimum densification. For example, a pressure gradient densification process may be used in a first densification to decrease densification time, and a conventional isothermal densification process may be used in a second densification to improve densification quality.
One area of concern during densification is the distribution of the reactant gas flow through and around the porous structures. Gas flow distribution can have a significant impact on the quality of the densified carbon parts and also can affect the cost of production. For example, in one method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,957 to Christin et al., stacks of annular preforms are placed in a furnace with spacer elements placed between each of the preforms and between the last preforms in the stacks and the screens at the top end. Thus, leakage passages are formed between adjacent preforms. The gas is then exclusively channeled towards only the interior passage of each annular stack at the bottom end. The top ends of the stacks are closed by solid screens. One disadvantage with this method is that the outer surfaces of the brake disks near the bottom of the stacks may become starved for gas, thereby producing an undesirable densification of the bottom brake disks and nonuniformity in densification between the bottom and top brake disks. Another disadvantage is that the closed top end of the stacks blocks the gas flow out of the top end, thus causing gas stagnation problems.
Another problem that often occurs during densification is soot and thick coatings on surfaces of the brake disks and tar on the furnace equipment. As is known to those in the art, soot usually refers to undesirable accumulations of carbon particles on the furnace equipment, while tar usually refers to undesirable accumulations of large hydrocarbon molecules on the furnace equipment. The large hydrocarbon molecules cause thick coatings on the surfaces of the brake disks. Typically, accumulations of soot and tar form when the reactant gas stagnates for a period of time in an area or comes into contact with cooler furnace surfaces. Stagnation typically occurs in areas where the gas flow is blocked or where the gas flow is moving more slowly than the surrounding gas flow.
Accumulations of soot and tar can cause a number of problems which affect both the quality of the carbon parts and the costs of manufacturing. Seal-coating is one typical problem that can result from soot and tar, although seal-coating can also be caused by other conditions that are described below. Seal-coating can occur when soot and large hydrocarbon molecules deposit excess carbon early in the densification process on surfaces of the porous structure. As the carbon accumulates on the surfaces of the porous structure, the surface pores eventually become blocked, or sealed, thus preventing the flow of reactant gas from further permeating the porous structure. As a result, densification of the interior region around the seal-coated surface prematurely stops, thereby leaving interior porous defects in the finished carbon part.
Maintenance costs also increase due to soot and tar accumulations on the furnace equipment. During the densification process, accumulations of soot and tar often form throughout the furnace equipment. As a result, an extensive manual cleaning process may be periodically required after each production run to remove all the accumulations and prepare the furnace for the next production run. This cleaning job can be very time consuming and can result in significant delays between production runs. The accumulations can also make disassembly of close fitting parts especially difficult since the accumulations tend to bind the parts tightly together. As a result, furnace equipment sometimes becomes damaged during disassembly due to the difficulty of separating the parts. Additionally, the furnace vacuum lines sometimes become constricted by soot and tar. As those in the art are familiar, the vacuum lines are used to generate the desired gas flow through the furnace. However, soot and tar accumulations sometimes build up in these lines and reduce the performance of the vacuum. Therefore, the vacuum lines must be regularly cleaned, which is a time consuming and expensive task.
In order to produce high quality, low cost parts, carbon deposition should be as uniform as possible around and through the porous structures. One way to achieve this desired uniformity is to optimize the residence time of the gas in the furnace. Residence time typically refers to the amount of time required for a gas to travel through the furnace or other designated area. Typically, a low residence time is associated with an unobstructed flow path and is generally preferred.
Gas flow obstructions often cause additional problems during densification. As previously mentioned, seal-coating is a common problem that causes porous defects within the interior region of the completed carbon parts. However, in addition to the causes previously described, seal-coating also can occur due to nonuniform carbon deposition. This typically occurs when a nonuniform gas flow accelerates carbon deposition at the surface of a part, thereby sealing the surface with carbon deposits and blocking gas diffusion into the interior of the carbon structure. Usually this type of seal-coating occurs later in the densification process when the density of the porous structures is higher.
Another problem associated with nonuniform carbon deposition is the formation of undesirable carbon microstructures. Depending on the process conditions in a CVI/CVD process, the deposited matrix can form different types of carbon microstructure, including rough laminar, smooth laminar, dark laminar, and isotropic. Rough laminar microstructure has the highest density and thermal conductivity, and the least amount of closed-off porosity (porosity that is unavailable for further matrix deposition via a CVI/CVD process.) Smooth laminar microstructure has lower density and thermal conductivity, and is harder than rough laminar. Isotropic carbon microstructure has the least desirable properties for use as a friction material. Dark laminar microstructure has properties between smooth laminar and isotropic microstructure. (For further discussion of the types of carbon microstructure, see H. O. Pierson and M. L. Lieberman, CARBON, Volume 13, 1975, pp. 159-166). A rough laminar carbon microstructure of the CVI deposited matrix is preferred because of the desirable friction and thermal characteristics of this microstructure. However, under certain process conditions, smooth laminar, dark laminar, and/or isotropic carbon microstructures may form instead. When making carbon-carbon composite friction materials, e.g. carbon composite brake disks, smooth and dark laminar and isotropic carbon microstructures within the CVI deposited matrix are generally undesirable because brake friction material disk performance is reduced.
Thus, previous processes, both isothermal and rapid densification processes, required multiple densification steps, with the porous structures requiring rearrangement and machining between steps in order to achieve acceptable densification results in the final product. The rearrangement and machining of the porous structure between cycles is costly and time-consuming. Thus, in spite of these advances, a non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD process and an apparatus for implementing that process are desired that quickly and uniformly densifies porous structures while minimizing cost and complexity. Such a non-pressure gradient process would preferably be capable of simultaneously densifying large numbers (as many as hundreds) of individual porous structures in a single step. In particular, a non-pressure gradient process is desired for quickly and economically densifying large numbers of annular fibrous preform structures for aircraft brake disks having desirable physical properties in a single cycle is preferred.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Non-pressure gradient single cycle CVI/CVD apparatus and method


Disclosed is a total system for preventing an online and off-line leakage of information, which includes a security maintenance client having a program storing a file in a storing device and a file security control part which encodes the file content to be stored in the storing device and stores a log information, and security maintenance server which receives the log information and a decoding key and decodes the encoded file. The security maintenance client further includes a communication security control part which has a communication program transmitting a file and encodes the file content to be transmitted to a transmission destination of a network and stores a log information. The security maintenance server further includes an automatic key transmission part which receives a decoding key to be transmitted to the transmission destination according to a file transmission security policy after receiving the log information and the transmission destination.

Recently, with the wide spread of computers, data which had been manually handled can be processed in digitalized format by computers.
The increase of data processing and computer communications provides benefits to people, however, it may cause information outflow for a malicious purpose.
In most cases, information outflow to a competing organization is done by a person working for the victim organization, rather than by an external source.
Referring to FIG. 1, conventional methods for flowing out information from an organization can be explained as follows.
The data outflow can be classified into a case executed by an output device such as printers or monitors connected to a computer system of an organization or a portable storage device such as diskettes, hard disks, CD-R, Zip drivers or CD-RW, and a case executed by Internet or PSTN through a modem attached to a computer (for instance, data outflow through file uploading to a bulletin or data collections, e-mail, web-mail, FTP, Internet web-hard, and chatting programs, etc.)
Conventional methods for preventing information outflow have problems as follows.
Defensive Measures against Data Outflow through Floppy Disks
Conventional method I: Floppy disks are removed from personal computers of all public users in order to achieve an in-advance prevention against data outflow through floppy disks.
Conventional method II: Floppy disks are prevented from reading when floppy disks are carried out of an organization.
Problem: Method I suffers a problem in that public users may not use floppy disks, and method II suffers a problem in that specific floppy disks should be discriminated from common disks, and the computer used in the other organization may not discriminate if the disk is for an internal use, formatted one, or damaged one. Furthermore, log data for the data outflow through a floppy disk is not created, thus making it impossible to recognize the data related to trial of data outflow through floppy disks.
Defensive Measures against Data Outflow through Hard Disks
Conventional method: Master boot record is encrypted so as to prevent the system from booting by other user.
Problem: There is no countermeasure to prevent data outflow executed by the owner of the hard.
Defensive Measures against Data Outflow through Zip-disk, CD-R or the like
Conventional method: A storage medium such as Zip-disk or CD-R is an auxiliary storage device which is gaining in popularity over recent few years, and has a high efficiency. To achieve an in-advance prevention against internal data outflow, Zip-disk drives and CD-R drives should be removed or eliminated from personal computers of all public users, and all communication interfaces (like USB, serial port, parallel port and wireless port) which are employed for a connection between MP3 player and a personal computer, should be removed so as to prevent data outflow through a digital audio player like MP3 player.
Problem: Public users may not use a portable storage medium.
Defensive Measures against Data Outflow through Print Outputs or Monitor Outputs
Conventional method: The content being printed out is monitored through an administration server. This method is described in detail in Korean Patent Application No. 2000-30133entitled "System and method for monitoring and preventing data outflow through output device" which the applicant of the present invention has filed to the Korean Industrial Property Office.
Defensive Measures Against Data Outflow through Internet or PSTN
I. Data outflow through e-mail                Attach important file        copy the important portion of file and paste the same to a mail text        open important file and input the content of the file to a mail text
Conventional method: Content of the mail text and the attached file is checked so as to determine whether to transmit the mail.
Problem: When the attached file is encrypted or compressed, content search is impossible. There exists therefore a restriction of searching the content of the e-mail or the attached file.
II. Data outflow through data upload through HTTP(including web mail)
Conventional method: Data outflow through web sites is performed through "post" which is an internal command for HTTP, the command "post" itself can be made unavailable by controlling, through a firewall, commands available in HTTP.
Problem: Since this method prevents file transmission for all cases, work efficiency may be deteriorated due to the trouble of sending a file even if the file is an ordinary one.
III. Data outflow through FTP
Conventional method: This method is performed by using the file transmission command "put", and the command "put" itself can be made unavailable by controlling, through a firewall, commands available in HTTP.
Problem: Since this method prevents file transmission for all cases, work efficiency may be deteriorated due to the trouble of sending a file even if the file is an ordinary one.
IV. Data outflow through data upload through TELNET or RLOGIN(Z-modem, KERMIT or the like)
Conventional method: Data upload is the most common method of data outflow through TELNET, and protocols like Z-modem or KERMIT are used in this method. A firewall serves to restrict data download and upload through the use of protocols such as Z-modem or KERMIT over TELNET.
Problem: There exist other methods than data uploading or downloading over TELNET. Therefore, if the data is transmitted as encoded format rather than as a plain text format, it is impossible to search data even through a key-word search. This means that there exists explicit limitations for preventing data outflow over the use of TELNET.
V. Data outflow through PSTN
Conventional method: It is extremely difficult to check data outflow through a modem, and the only method for preventing data outflow through a modem is to remove modems from personal computers.
VI. Data outflow through web hard
VII. Data outflow through network file system
Besides the above-mentioned communication protocols, there exist other protocols available through Internet, which increases the possibility of internal data outflow. The above-mentioned methods are most common and suffer a variety of drawbacks, and such conventional methods can be summarized to a sentence "The best approach of preventing internal data outflow through network is to make the network itself unavailable". However, this sentence is meaningless since modern society cannot go even a day without using Internet and computer communications.

Total system for preventing information outflow from inside


Among other things, one or more semiconductor arrangements and techniques for forming such semiconductor arrangements are provided herein. A semiconductor arrangement comprises a first channel region and a second channel region that are formed according to at least one of a vertical channel configuration or a dual channel configuration. The first channel region operates as a first channel between a source region and a drain region of the semiconductor arrangement. The second channel region operates as a second channel between the source region and the drain region. A gate region, formed between the first channel region and the second channel region, operates to control the first channel and the second channel. Performance of the semiconductor arrangement is improved, such as an increase in current, because two current paths between the source region and the drain region are provided by the two channels.

Many semiconductor arrangements comprise switching elements, such as transistors. A transistor comprises a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region. The transistor comprises a gate region that controls the channel region to operate the transistor. In an example, responsive to a sufficient voltage being applied to the gate region, current flows through the channel region from the source region to the drain region. The transistor is generally regarded as being switched to an "on" state when current flows through the channel region and in an "off" state when little to no current flows through the channel region.

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED


There is a provided a dual mode clock generator that is applicable to a direct current-direct current converter of a power supply. The dual mode clock generator includes a frequency controller for controlling generation of charge and discharge; a current source unit for generating a charge, and generating a charge; a capacitor for charging a voltage according to the charge current generated by the current source unit; an oscillation controller for controlling switch-on or switch-off to charge and discharge the capacitor; a switch for controlling the charging and discharging of the capacitor through the ON or OFF control of the oscillation controller; and a current sink unit for generating a discharge current according to the second current in the first operation mode and generating a discharge current according to the third current and the fourth current in the second operation mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dual mode clock generator that is applicable to a direct current-direct current (DC-CD) converter of a power supply, and more particularly, to a dual mode clock generator capable of generating a suitable clock signal for an operation mode that is selected in response to selection of an active clamp forward mode and an LLC resonant half bridge mode.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a switching-mode power supply (SMPS) is a stabilized power supply system for converting a DC input voltage into a voltage of a square waveform using a semiconductor element, such as a power MOSFET, as a switch, to thereby obtain a DC output voltage that is controlled through a filter, wherein the stabilized power supply system has high durability and is suitably manufactured in a small and lightweight scale by controlling the flow of electric power using a switching processor of a semiconductor element.
Among these SMPS, there are several operation modes: an active clamp forward (hereinafter, referred to as ACF) mode belonging to a half bridge type; and a LLC resonant half bridge (hereinafter, referred to as LLC) mode that has attracted public attention lately, depending on the switching control system. Therefore, dedicated control devices have been developed to control each of these converters so that a plurality of dedicated ICs can drive power MOSFET in the SMPS.
For example, the ACF DC-DC converter may be considered to be one of the half bridge converters since it uses two active switches, and it has been known that power conversion capacity of the ACF DC-DC converter comes to 500 W as high as possible. This ACF DC-DC converter may be used to reduce switching loss since it operates in a soft switching mode, and to enhance its reliability by reducing voltage stress of a switch.
And, the LLC converter may be designed to be suitable for middle/large capacity power supply system since the LLC converter is basically used for a half bridge circuit, and is referred to as a power supply system that actually used to apply to 500 W or more converters and has been studied actively. Also, the LLC converter is one of the circuit systems that basically function to reduce their switching loss and conduction loss, thereby to enhance power conversion efficiency, since the LLC converter is driven in a resonance mode.
This SMPS needs a feedback control circuit to stabilize an output voltage. Here, representative examples of the feedback control circuit include a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit and a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control circuit. In general, the PWM control circuit using a pulse width modulation is used in the ACF DC-DC converter, the PFM control circuit using a pulse frequency modulation is used in the LLC converter, and respective dedicated control devices are required for controlling each of the DC-DC converters.
Hereinafter, a conventional control system of the DC-DC converter will be described in detail.
Conventional SMPS is a device that converts energy by using energy storage devices such as an inductor, a transformer, a capacitor or the like. The SMPS includes a boost-up or step-up mode for converting a low input voltage to a high voltage, a step-down mode for converting a high input voltage to a low voltage, and an inverting mode for simply reversing its own polarity, etc.
Here, the DC-DC converter is a circuit that receives a DC input voltage to obtain a constant DC output voltage by suitably feeding back to the switching regulator, and it has a disadvantages that noises and ripples may be caused in the DC output voltage since the circuit transmits energy in a discontinuous packet manner every time.
These noises and ripples may be reduced by selecting suitable parts such as an inductor, a capacitor, etc. and employing suitable control methods. In this case, the conventional control methods include a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) and a pulse width modulation (PWM), as described above.
The conventional ACF DC-DC converter uses a PWM control circuit to generate a constant output voltage by generating a pulse signal whose duty is changed according to a voltage fed back from an output voltage, a reference voltage and a pulse signal waveform of an oscillator, and controlling a transistor as a switch.
In this case, the PWM control circuit may maintain a constant output voltage by increasing a pulse width when the PWM control circuit has a high load.
A clamp circuit in the DC-DC converter functions to reset a transformer, clamp a voltage of a switch, and enable zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of subsidiary and main switches to be performed.
The conventional LLC converter uses a PFM control circuit to generate a constant output voltage by turning on/off a transistor as a switch using a pulse signal of an oscillator having a fixed frequency and a constant duty, a voltage fed back from an output voltage and a reference voltage.
In this case, the PFM control circuit may maintain a constant pulse width when the PWM control circuit has a low load, and maintain a constant output voltage by continuously controlling a pulse frequency to be reduced.
The DC-DC converter has advantages that it has excellent system efficiency, and secures zero-voltage switching over the entire load range due to the high magnetizing current. And, a gate signal applied to the MOSFET switch is complementary in the LLC converter, and has a duty ratio of 50%, and the control of variable operating frequency is used to adjust an output voltage.
Accordingly, it has been known that the conventional ACF DC-DC converter operates unstably under a low load condition, and the conventional ACF DC-DC converter has been recommended to be used under a heavy load condition.
Also, it has been known that the conventional LLC converter operates unstably under a heavy load condition, and the conventional LLC converter has been recommended to be used under a low load condition.
However, each of the conventional DC-DC converters has a problem that it is impossible to apply one dedicated device to both of the ACF DC-DC converter and the LLC converter since the conventional DC-DC converters need their own dedicated control devices.
That is, it has been proposed that the dedicated control circuit that controls each of the conventional power systems operates in a PWM mode when the dedicated control circuit is subject to the heavy load, and operates in a PFM mode when the dedicated control circuit is subject to a low load. However, one problem is that the ACF DC-DC converter and the LLC converter may not be supported by the one control device.
Therefore, there has been a demand for one control circuit that can selectively support the ACF or LLC operation mode, and one clock generator that is suitable for use of the two ACF and LLC modes remains to be required for supporting both of the ACF modes and the LLC mode.


A wafer and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The wafer forming method can separate respective chips from others by performing a Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) process on a wafer including a plurality of chips. The wafer includes a plurality of chips configured to be arranged in row and column directions on the wafer, a scribe line configured to be formed among the plurality of chips so as to separate each chip, and an align key line configured to be formed in one side of the wafer so as to form an align key pattern.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wafer and a method for forming the same, and more specifically, to a technology for separating each chip from a wafer including a plurality of chips.
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag chip has been widely used to automatically identify objects using a radio frequency (RF) signal. In order to automatically identify an object using the RFID tag chip, an RFID tag is first attached to the object to be identified, and an RFID reader wirelessly communicates with the RFID tag of the object in such a manner that a non-contact automatic identification scheme is implemented. With the widespread use of RFID technologies, the shortcomings of related automatic identification technologies, such as barcode and optical character recognition technologies have been greatly reduced.
In recent times, the RFID tag has been widely used in physical distribution management systems, user authentication systems, electronic money (e-money), transportation systems, and the like.
For example, a physical distribution management system generally performs classification of goods or management of goods in stock using an Integrated Circuit (IC) recording data therein, instead of using a delivery note or tag. In addition, a user authentication system generally performs an Entrance and Exit Management function or the like using an IC card including personal information or the like.
In the meantime, a non-volatile ferroelectric memory may be used as a memory in an RFID tag.
Generally, a non-volatile ferroelectric memory, (i.e., a Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FeRAM)) has a data processing speed similar to that of a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), and preserves data even when power is turned off, and thus many developers are conducting intensive research on FeRAM as a next generation memory device.
The above-mentioned FeRAM has a very similar structure to that of DRAM, and uses a ferroelectric capacitor as a memory device. The ferroelectric substance has high residual polarization characteristics such that data is not lost although an electric field is removed.
A RFID device uses frequencies of various bands. In general, as a frequency band is decreased, the RFID device has a lower recognition speed, is operated at a shorter distance, and is less affected by the surrounding environment. In contrast, as a frequency band is increased, the RFID device has a higher recognition speed, is operable at a relatively longer distance, and is more susceptible to the surrounding environment.
A plurality of RFID chips are included in a wafer. The RFID chips are arranged in rows and columns. In order to perform dicing of each RFID chip at a wafer level, laser sawing may be used.
In addition, mask align keys, are formed on a scribe line of a wafer. The mask align keys are used as a reference for separating individual RFID chips from one another. In other words, the scribe line is cut by a laser beam such that individual RFID chips can be separated from one another. The cutting process requires much time and thus increases production costs.
Also, since a conventional RFID device needs to have a mask align key on a scribe line, a relatively large interval should be secured between chips. In other words, one scribe line for separating each chip and another scribe line for align keys are widely arranged at a given interval among chips. As a result, the number of net dies per wafer is decreased.


The present invention relates to a mounting structure of a curtain airbag for a vehicle. An airbag cushion which is deployed by deploying pressure of an inflator is mounted between an inner side panel so as to stably deploy toward a cabin through a portion where a head lining and a pillar trim are matched. The inflator is installed between the inner side panel and an outer side panel, and the airbag cushion is installed between the head lining and the inner side panel.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mounting structure of a curtain airbag for a vehicle.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Generally, a vehicle is provided with various safety devices for protecting an occupant in a vehicle crash. One example of a safety device in a vehicle includes an airbag.
The airbag is installed to a steering wheel and a crash pad. The airbag is configured to be deployed when a vehicle suffers a frontal crash, thereby protecting occupants in the vehicle. Additionally, a side airbag for absorbing impact due to a side crash has also been developed.
Meanwhile, pillars constituting a portion of a vehicle body are steel frames forming the framework of a door. The pillars are divided into a front pillar, a center pillar, and a rear pillar according to positions thereof. A pillar trim is attached to a surface of the pillar facing a cabin.
An inflator of the curtain airbag is provided in the same space with the airbag cushion. A shock absorbing structure, including a dampening rib for protecting the head of an occupant, is applied to the space for responding to FMH (free motion headform).
However, it is difficult to dispose the curtain airbag and the shock absorbing structure in the limited small space together.

Mounting structure of a curtain air bag for a vehicle


A method of monitoring a door of an elevator car within an elevator system including: detecting a first plurality of accelerations along an X-axis of the elevator system during a first time period; detecting a second plurality of accelerations along a Y-axis of the elevator system during the first time period; determining an absolute value of the first plurality of accelerations; determining an absolute value of the second plurality of accelerations; determining a first summation of the absolute value of the first plurality of accelerations and the absolute value of the second plurality of accelerations; and determining whether the door of the elevator car is in motion during the first time period by determining whether a maximum value of the first summation is greater than a threshold value.

The embodiments herein relate to the field of conveyance systems, and specifically to a method and apparatus for monitoring a position of a conveyance apparatus of a conveyance system.
A precise position or status of a conveyance apparatus within a conveyance systems, such as, for example, elevator systems, escalator systems, and moving walkways may be difficult and/or costly to determine.